A lower maximum bite force is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease: the Suita study.

Decreases in masticatory function are believed to be related to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through inappropriate nutritional intake. This study focused on maximum bite force (MBF), which is an objective, quantitative index of masticatory function, and its association with the development of CVD (stroke and coronary heart disease) was investigated. The subjects were 1547 participants of the Suita study with no history of CVD who underwent medical and dental health examinations between June 2008 and June 2013.

Periodical utilization of dental services is an effective breakthrough for declining masticatory performance: the Suita study.

Masticatory performance of subjects from a general urban population was examined by measurement at baseline and again at follow-up, to clarify whether periodical utilization of dental services (PUDS) is effective in maintaining masticatory performance. Subjects comprised 1010 people (414 males, 596 females; mean age at baseline, 65.7 ± 7.

MicroRNA fragments derived from Streptococcus pyogenes enable activation of neutrophil phagocytosis: in vitro study.

MicroRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression by forming imperfect base pairs, which have also been speculated to play regulatory roles in gene expression of Streptococcus pyogenes itself. We hypothesized that bacterial microRNAs cause molecular interference in host, when there is high homology to human microRNAs. Total RNA from cultured S.

Pregnancy outcome of fetuses with trisomy 18 identified by prenatal sonography and chromosomal analysis in a perinatal center.

To investigate the pregnancy outcome of fetuses affected with trisomy 18, we analyzed 63 cases diagnosed at our hospital from January 1993 to December 2004. Twenty-nine were males and 34 were females. Fifty-eight were prenatally diagnosed, and in 16 (27.

Congenital Candida glabrata infection without specific nodules on the placenta and umbilical cord.

Two extremely premature infants died as a result of congenital Candida glabrata infection, and their placentas and umbilical cords were free of macroscopic Candida nodules. Because non-Candida albicans Candida infections are less likely to produce necrotic foci, we should not exclude Candida infections in the absence of macroscopic nodules on the placenta and umbilical cord.