Suppression of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation and Gene Expression by PRG Barrier Coat: A Molecular and Microscopic Study for Preventing Dental Caries.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of a PRG Barrier Coat on biofilm formation and structure by Streptococcus mutans and propose an effective method for preventing dental caries.

Materials And Methods: Streptococcus mutans MT8148 biofilms were obtained from hydroxyapatite disks with and with- out a PRG Barrier Coat. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the 12- and 24-h-cultured biofilms, while reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify caries-related genes.

Potential elevation of exopeptidase activity of Glu-specific endopeptidase I/GluV8 mediated by hydrophobic P1'-position amino acid residue.

We recently reported that the activities of dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP)7 and DPP11, S46-family exopeptidases were significantly elevated by the presence of prime-side amino acid residues of substrates caused by an increase in k [Ohara-Nemoto Y. et al., J Biol Chem 298(3):101585.

Use of mRNA levels in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues as a biomarker to diagnose gastric cancer and to evaluate the extent of vascular invasion.

With the recent advances in medical technologies, gastric cancer can often be removed with minimally invasive surgical techniques when identified early. Surgery must remove all gastric cancer, since residual cancerous tissue may lead to recurrence. Resected cancerous tissues are pathologically evaluated to determine whether all cancerous areas have been removed, but such assessments are rarely straightforward, and cancer markers could inform such pathological evaluations of cancer.

Angiopoietin-like Protein 2 is a Useful Biomarker for Pancreatic Cancer that is Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Inflammation.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the tumors with the worst prognosis, with the 5-year survival rate reported to be 6%. The number of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer in recent years has continued to increase dramatically. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 is an established biomarker of pancreatic cancer, but it does not have sufficient ability to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage.

Distribution of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4, DPP5, DPP7 and DPP11 in human oral microbiota-potent biomarkers indicating presence of periodontopathic bacteria.

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4, DPP5, DPP7 and DPP11, expressed in the periplasmic space, are crucial for energy production for Porphyromonas gingivalis, an asaccharolytic bacterium that causes periodontal disease. Bacterial DPP4 seems to be involved in regulation of blood glucose level via degradation of incretins. The present study aimed to identify four dpp orthologs in oral microbiota by database searches, and their enzymatic activities in periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria, as well as oral specimens were determined.

Autoclavable physically-crosslinked chitosan cryogel as a wound dressing.

Moist wounds were known to heal more rapidly than dry wounds. Hydrogel wound dressings were suitable for the moist wound healing because of their hyperhydrous structure. Chitosan was a strong candidate as a base material for hydrogel wound dressings because the polymer had excellent biological properties that promoted wound healing.

Identification of a new subtype of dipeptidyl peptidase 11 and a third group of the S46-family members specifically present in the genus Bacteroides.

Peptidase family S46 consists of two types of dipeptidyl-peptidases (DPPs), DPP7 and DPP11, which liberate dipeptides from the N-termini of polypeptides along with the penultimate hydrophobic and acidic residues, respectively. Their specificities are primarily defined by a single amino acid residue, Gly in DPP7 and Arg in DPP11 (numbering for Porphyromonas gingivalis DPP11). Bacterial species in the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes generally possess one gene for each, while Bacteroides species exceptionally possess three genes, one gene as DPP7 and two genes as DPP11, annotated based on the full-length similarities.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Clinical Isolate of Strain HM.

We report the draft genome sequence of strain HM isolated from a 4-year-old girl with infective endocarditis. The genomics information will provide information on the genetic diversity and virulence potential of strain HM.

Combined assessment of serum folate and hemoglobin as biomarkers of brain amyloid β accumulation.

A relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and folate has been reported. Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) is currently one of the most reliable biomarkers for AD. We investigated the correlation between serum folate levels and amyloid imaging to clarify whether serum folate could be a biomarker for AD.

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 as a potential biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy worldwide. Disease progression leads to its spread to other organs, such as the liver, and is associated with higher mortality rates. Early CRC detection is therefore crucial for maximizing the chances of complete cure.

Vascular-like network prepared using hollow hydrogel microfibers.

One major challenge in the field of tissue engineering was the creation of volumetric tissues and organs in vitro. To achieve this goal, the development of a three-dimensional vascular-like network that extended throughout the tissue-engineered construct was essential to supply sufficient oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in the constructs. For sufficient oxygenation and nutrition of the tissue-engineered constructs, the distance between each microvessel-like channel in the network should ideally be within 100-200 μm.

Identification of Dipeptidyl-Peptidase (DPP)5 and DPP7 in Porphyromonas endodontalis, Distinct from Those in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Dipeptidyl peptidases (DPPs) that liberate dipeptides from the N-terminal end of oligopeptides are crucial for the growth of Porphyromonas species, anaerobic asaccharolytic gram negative rods that utilize amino acids as energy sources. Porphyromonas endodontalis is a causative agent of periapical lesions with acute symptoms and Asp/Glu-specific DPP11 has been solely characterized in this organism. In this study, we identified and characterized two P.

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 is a potential biomarker for gastric cancer.

Globally, gastric cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer‑induced mortality. Early detection of gastric cancer is able to contribute to a reduction of its mortality. For early detection, more specific and sensitive biomarkers than the classic biomarkers, including carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19‑9 and C‑reactive protein, are required.

Necrotic regions are absent in fiber-shaped cell aggregates, approximately 100 μm in diameter.

Microscopic, fiber-shaped cell aggregates, have been used as building blocks for fabricating macroscopic three-dimensional tissue architectures, in the field of tissue engineering. In this study, we examined the occurrence of necrotic regions in the most widely used, fiber-shaped cell aggregates, approximately 100 μm in diameter. Alginate hydrogel hollow microfibers were used as templates for the cell aggregates.

Diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms using a novel method of DNA methylation analysis of mucin expression in pancreatic juice.

Mucins (MUC) play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Our immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies have shown a consensus position on mucin expression profiles in pancreatic neoplasms as follows: MUC1-positive but MUC2-negative expression in PDACs; MUC1-negative but MUC2-positive expression in intestinal-type IPMNs (dangerous type); MUC1-negative and MUC2-negative expression in gastric-type IPMNs (safe type); High MUC4 expression in PDAC patients with a poor outcome; and MUC4-positive expression in intestinal-type IPMNs. We also showed that three mucin genes (MUC1, MUC2 and MUC4) expression in cancer cell line was regulated by DNA methylation.

Effect of chitosan-gluconic acid conjugate/poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels as wound dressing on partial-thickness wounds in diabetic rats.

We previously developed chitosan cryogels from chitosan-gluconic acid conjugate without using toxic additives for wound care. In this study, we improved physiological characteristics of the previous cryogels by incorporating poly(vinyl alcohol) that also form cryogels. Mechanical strength of the cryogels was more than two times higher than that of the previous cryogels.

[Two cases of circumferential rectal invasion from prostatic cancer].

We report two cases of prostatic cancer invading the rectum with circumferential rectal wall thickening. In both cases, reddish and uneven edematous mucosa was observed by colonoscopy and the boundary of the lesion was indistinct. No mass or ulcer formation was not observed.

[A retrospective endoscopic case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus].

We report a case of a 64-year-old Japanese man with adenoid cystic carcinoma. An elevated lesion covered by intact epithelium in the thoracic esophagus was found in September, 2007 and been followed. After dysphagia appeared follow-up endoscopy was performed in January, 2010, and morphological change into a protruding tumor was recognized.

[A case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ring-like discoloration in the lower end of the esophagus].

We report the case of a 15-year-old Japanese boy with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The patient complained of abdominal pain and watery diarrhea and had a history of allergic rhinitis. Laboratory data on admission showed leukocytosis with remarkable eosinophilia.

Early gastric carcinomas in the cardiac region: diagnosis with double-contrast x-ray studies.

Background: The ratio of early to advanced gastric carcinomas in the cardiac region is significantly low. It is necessary to establish methods of early diagnosis of gastric carcinomas in the cardiac region.

Methods: Twenty cases (21 lesions) of early gastric carcinomas in the cardiac region were resected between 1997 and 2001.

Minute carcinoma of the pancreas presenting as pancreatic pleural effusion.

A 70-year-old Japanese man with no history of pancreatitis visited his local practitioner, complaining of dyspnea on effort. Left massive pleural effusion was detected and he was then referred to our hospital. A plain chest film showed marked left pleural effusion.

Branched-chain amino acids supplements in the late evening decrease the frequency of muscle cramps with advanced hepatic cirrhosis.

Eight outpatients with advanced hepatic cirrhosis were tested over 3 months for branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) supplements in the late evening. Serum albumin level (2.8+/-0.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon 7mm in size with peritonitis carcinomatosa.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of a sensation of abdominal fullness. Cytologic examination of ascites revealed many poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. Barium enema study and colonoscopy revealed IIa+IIc-type carcinoma of the descending colon.

Eosinophilic granuloma of the stomach mimicking gastric cancer, report of a case.

We report a rare case of eosinophilic granuloma of the stomach mimicking gastric cancer. A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital to undergo surgery for gastric tumor. Radiologic and endoscopic examination showed a protruding tumor with a deep ulcer at the anterior wall of the pylorus.