Organization of pERK-immunoreactive cells in trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis and upper cervical cord following capsaicin injection into oral and craniofacial regions in rats.

To define the somatotopic arrangement of neurons in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis and upper cervical cord activated by acute noxious stimulation of various orofacial sites, pERK expression was analyzed in these neurons. After capsaicin injection into the tongue, lower gum, upper and lower lips, or mental region, pERK-like immunoreactive (pERK-LI) cells were distributed mainly in the dorsal half of the trigeminal spinal nucleus interporalis (Vi) and caudalis (Vc) transition zone (Vi/Vc zone), middle Vc, and Vc and upper cervical cord transition zone (Vc/C2 zone). pERK-LI cells were distributed throughout the dorsal to ventral portion of the Vi/Vc zone, middle Vc, and Vc/C2 zone following capsaicin injection into the anterior hard palate, upper gum, buccal mucosa, or vibrissal pad and in the ventral portion of the Vi/Vc zone, middle Vc, and Vc/C2 zone following snout, ophthalmic, or ocular injection of capsaicin.

Effects of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor on the expression of cartilage matrix proteins in human chondrocytes.

Elevated concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6Ralpha) in synovial fluid have been implicated in joint cartilage destruction. We examined the effect of IL-6 and sIL-6Ralpha on cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, and the expression of Sox-9, type II collagen, aggrecan core, link protein, BMP-7, and BMP receptors in human chondrocytes. Cell proliferation increased slightly in the presence of both IL-6 and sIL-6Ralpha, whereas ALPase activity decreased markedly.

Butyrate inhibits oral cancer cell proliferation and regulates expression of secretory phospholipase A2-X and COX-2.

Although surgical resection is the first choice for oral cancer, the development of new anti-cancer drugs is of great interest. The effect of the histone deacetylation inhibitor, sodium butyrate (NaBu) on oral cancer cell (OCC) HSC-3 and HSC-4 proliferation in vitro was investigated. The synthesis of rate-limiting enzymes such as sPLA2 (-IIA, -V, -X) and COX-2 was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, as well as PGE2 by ELISA.

Changes in extracellular activin A:follistatin ratio during differentiation of a mesenchymal progenitor cell line, ROB-C26 into osteoblasts and adipocytes.

We investigated the effects of BMP-2 and dexamethasone (Dex) on follistatin (FS) and activin A expressions in a mesenchymal progenitor cell line, ROB-C26 (C26). C26 cells stimulated to differentiate into osteoblastic cells by blocking myogenic differentiation after BMP-2 treatment and into adipocytes with Dex treatment. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) mRNA expression and its activity in the confluent C26 cells were dose- and time-dependently stimulated by BMP-2, but inhibited by Dex.

Electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of the K(ATP) channel involved in the K+-current responses to FSH and adenosine in the follicular cells of Xenopus oocyte.

The follicular cells surrounding Xenopus oocyte under voltage clamp produce K(+)-current responses to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), adenosine (Ade), and intracellularly applied cAMP. We previously reported that these responses are suppressed by the stimulation of P2Y receptor through phosphorylation by PKC presumably of the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel. This channel comprises sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) and K(+) ionophores (Kirs) having differential sensitivities to K(+) channel openers (KCOs) depending on the SURs.

Differential involvement of cyclase- versus non-cyclase-coupled D1-like dopamine receptors in orofacial movement topography in mice: studies with SKF 83822.

Though orofacial movements are fundamental motor patterns that are known to be regulated critically by D1-like dopamine receptors, these processes remain poorly understood. This uncertainty is heightened by evidence for putative D1-like receptors that are linked not only to adenylyl cyclase (AC) but also to phospholipase C (PLC). Using a new method, we have characterised four topographies of orofacial movement in the mouse using the novel D1-like agonist SKF 83822, which stimulates AC but not PLC.

Augmenting effect of serotonin on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ current and subsequently activated K+ current in Aplysia neurons.

Receptor-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in modulation of various types of ionic channels in neurons. For example, PKC causes facilitation or long-lasting activation of certain ionic channels involved in spike firing after the receptor stimulation. We investigated the effect of serotonin (5-HT) on the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels in RB and RC neurons of Aplysia ganglia under voltage clamp.

The effect of IL-1beta on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and their receptors in human chondrocytes.

Cytokines released at sites of inflammation and infection can alter the normal processes of cartilage turnover, resulting in pathologic destruction or formation. Interleukin (IL)-1beta plays a central role in the pathophysiology of cartilage damage and degradation in arthritis. In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-1beta on the expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and their receptors in human chondrocytes.

Phosphorylation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase in medullary and upper cervical cord neurons following noxious tooth pulp stimulation.

The phosphorylated Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (pERK) and Fos expression and masticatory muscle activity were analyzed in rats with capsaicin-induced acute inflammation of the tooth pulp in order to clarify the role of the spinal trigeminal nucleus and upper cervical spinal cord in tooth pulp pain. Digastric and masseteric muscle activities were significantly increased following capsaicin injection into the molar tooth pulp but not after vehicle treatment. The pERK-like immunoreactive (LI) neurons were observed in the subnuclei interpolaris-caudalis transition (Vi/Vc) zone, the paratrigeminal nucleus (Pa5) and the superficial laminae of the caudal Vc/C2 zone.

Unusual cyst-like lesions in the parapharyngeal space associated with recurrence of tongue carcinoma.

A 54-year-old male presented with the complaint of a painful sore on the left side of his tongue. Our examination found an ulcer 15 x 20 mm in size on the left edge of the tongue, with peripheral indurations. The lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as squamous cell carcinoma (T2N0M0).

Masticatory efficiency before and after surgery in oral cancer patients: comparative study of glossectomy, marginal mandibulectomy and segmental mandibulectomy.

This study evaluated the effect of oral cancer surgery on masticatory efficiency. Masticatory efficiency was measured using the ATP absorption method. Eating ability was measured using a questionnaire.

Postoperative mental disorder following prolonged oral surgery.

A prolonged period of oral surgery is a potential risk factor of postoperative mental disorders although no such report has been published to date. We retrospectively studied perioperative features in 36 patients who underwent prolonged (10 hours or more) of oral surgery. Patients were categorized as pre-delirium (Pre-D) when they manifested 1 or 2 symptoms and delirium (D) when they showed more than 2 symptoms, according to the modified International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition.