Molecular and cell biological properties of mouse osteogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells, Kusa.

A cell line of murine osteogenic progenitor cells, Kusa, was established from femoral bone marrow stromal cells with other types of mesenchymal progenitor cells. We characterized two sublines of Kusa (Kusa-A1 and Kusa-O) from several aspects, including the use of an expression profiling system, a cDNA microarray. The original Kusa subline (Kusa-A1) had high alkaline phosphatase activity and high accumulation of calcium deposits in a condition inducing mineralization, with ascorbic acid and beta-glycerophosphate.

Influence of the pulpal components on human dentine permeability in vitro.

Aim: To examine the influence of the retained pulpal components on permeability of human dentine by monitoring drug diffusion.

Methodology: Twelve intact dentine discs were prepared from freshly extracted human third molars. The dentine surface on the enamel side was etched with 10% polyacrylic acid for 30 s.

Removal of two types of root canal filling material using pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser in removing two types of endodontic obturation material from the root canal in vitro.

Background Data: Recently, a fine flexible glass fiber made of quartz has been developed to transmit the laser beam more effectively and permit its concentration in a specific area. This has increased the potential usefulness of the Nd:YAG laser in root canal treatment.

[Analysis of acute exacerbation from focal usual interstitial pneumonia following to lung cancer resection].

To evaluate the susceptibility of patient with focal interstitial pneumonia (IP) to postoperative acute exacerbation, and to determine whether measuring serum level of several markers is useful for early detection of postoperative IP or not, we analyzed a total of 753 patients with primary lung cancer underwent thoracotomy. Twelve (1.6%) had postoperative IP.

Quality of gutta-percha root canal fillings using differently tapered gutta-percha master points.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and adaptability of gutta-percha root canal fillings to the root canal walls when two different tapered gutta-percha master points (GPMP) were used to fill a split-tooth model. A maxillary central incisor was prepared for the split-tooth model and 10 fillings for group A (ISO .02 GPMP) and group B (ISO .

Detection of the second mesiobuccal canal in mesiobuccal roots of maxillary molar teeth ex vivo.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of magnification and dentine removal (troughing) when locating the second mesiobuccal canal in mesiobuccal roots of maxillary molars.

Methodology: A total of 208 extracted human maxillary molars were examined. After crown and pulp removal, the MB1 and 2 canals in the mesiobuccal root were located in three stages that were performed by two undergraduate dental students.

Analysis of forces developed during mechanical preparation of extracted teeth using RaCe rotary instruments and ProFiles.

Aim: To compare the torque and load during instrumentation with ProFile and RaCe nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

Methodology: Thirty human incisor roots 12 mm in length were embedded in epoxy resin, and divided into three groups of 10 specimens each. Instruments employed in each group were as follows: RaCe .

Syenergistic effect of 15-deoxyspergualin with costimulation blockade on alloimmune response.

Introduction: A virally induced alloreactive memory seems to represent a potent barrier to tolerance induction but the combination of 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), an inhibitor of NFkB translocation, with costimulation blockade (CB)-based chimerism as an induction regimen can overcome a preformed anti-donor memory response. In this study, we investigate the ability of DSG with CB to inhibit a naive alloimmune responses.

Methods: A BALB/c (H-2d) skin or heart was transplanted into a C57BL/6 (H-2b) recipient treated with anti-CD154 mAb (MR1; 500 mcg/d on days 0, 2, 4, 6) alone, DSG (5 mg/kg/d, days 0 to 7) alone, or both agents.

The influence of orifice sealing with various filling materials on coronal leakage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of materials filled in the orifice after root canal treatment. A total of 100 root canal-treated teeth were divided into six experimental groups: 1, Protect Liner F (PL); 2, Panavia F (PF); 3, DC core-Light cured (DCL); 4, DC core-Chemically cured (DCC); 5, Super-EBA (SE); 6, Ketac (KC). The materials were filled--to a depth of 4 mm--in the coronal part of the root canals, and evaluated for microleakage.

Three-step versus single-step use of system B: evaluation of gutta-percha root canal fillings and their adaptation to the canal walls.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of gutta-percha (GP) root canal fillings and their adaptation to the root canal walls, when the System B was used in three steps and a single step to fill three different split-tooth models. Each model was filled 10 times in two different ways. Group A: the System B plugger was used to fill the apical 3 mm of the canal in three steps, and then the Obtura II was used to backfill the rest of the canal.

Frequency of transverse anastomoses with and without apical communication in Japanese population teeth.

The aim of this study was to describe and measure the frequency of transverse anastomoses with and without an apical communication in Japanese population teeth. One hundred and twenty-three extracted teeth from Japanese people were used in this study. The sample consisted of: 63 mandibular first molars, 30 maxillary first molars and 30 maxillary first premolars.

[Re-coronary artery bypass grafting necessitated by flow insufficiency of right internal thoracic artery; report of a case].

A 75-year-old woman required re-coronary artery bypass grafting due to flow insufficiency of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA). After the first operation, coronary angiography revealed a narrowed RITA. Myocardial ischemia occurred when the native coronary artery was occluded by the catheter.

Effects of an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on experimentally induced rat pulpitis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a biological effector molecule involved in a large variety of reactions and, as synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), has many important roles in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of an iNOS-specific inhibitor, N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400W), on experimentally induced rat pulpitis in the upper incisors of 6-wk-old male Wistar rats. 1400W (1 mg kg(-1)), the non-specific NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg kg(-1)), or sterile saline (control) were administered before the application of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Comparison of limited and full sternotomy in aortic valve replacement.

Objective: The practice of minimally invasive valve surgery remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and postoperative course of aortic valve replacement through limited upper sternotomy compared to conventional full sternotomy.

Methods: From May 1998 to August 2000, we performed 24 cases of isolated aortic valve replacements through the limited upper sternotomy approach (group M).

2-Ureidoquinoline: a useful molecular element for stabilizing single cytosine and thymine bulges.

We have demonstrated that aromatic heterocycles having hydrogen-bonding surfaces complementary to those of nucleotide bases are effective molecular elements for the binding to single nucleotide bulges and base mismatches. We here report that a new molecule, 2-ureidoquinoline having an alignment of hydrogen-bonding groups in the order of acceptor-donor-donor stabilizes single cytosine and thymine bulges in duplex DNAs. Furthermore, a dimeric form of 2-ureidoquinoline stabilizes cytosine-cytosine and cytosine-thymine mismatches.

Immuno-histochemical expression of alpha1, alpha2 and alpha3 integrin subunits during angiogenesis in vitro.

Aortic explants were obtained from mouse fetuses and cultured in collagen gels. Immuno-fluorescence microscopy, antibodies (anti alpha1, alpha2 and alpha3 integrin subunits) were used. Fibroblastic cells migrated from the aortic explant after one day of cultivation.

Spontaneous peripelvic extravasation of urine due to an inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.

A 71-year-old man presented complaining of severe left flank pain. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen disclosed a left peripelvic extravasation of urine and a 4.0-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm with a significant amount of perianeurysmal thickening and prominent left hydroureter.

Serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein and remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been suggested to be involved in the process of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to be potential markers and/or predictors of CHD. Remnant-like lipoprotein particles (RLPs), which are regarded as atherogenic remnant lipoprotein, are reported to be increased in type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed the association of CHD with SAA, CRP and RLP-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients.

Force generation by recombinant myosin heads trapped between two functionalized surfaces.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements have revealed that the lever-arm domain of myosin swings when it hydrolyzes Mg-ATP. It is generally accepted that this swing of the lever arm of myosin is the molecular basis of force generation. On the other hand, the possibility that the force might be generated at the interface between actin and myosin cannot be ignored.

Radiographic evaluation of root canal multiplicity in mandibular first premolars.

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of radiographic evaluation of root canal multiplicity in mandibular first premolars in vitro. One hundred thirty-nine extracted human mandibular premolars were used. Buccolingual radiographs were taken, and the number of canals in each tooth was determined on radiographs by four dentists using a view box.

The SPR sensor detecting cytosine[bond]cytosine mismatches.

We have synthesized the first surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor that detects cytosine-cytosine (C[bond]C) mismatches in duplex DNA by immobilizing aminonaphthyridine dimer on the gold surface. The ligand consisting of two 2-aminonaphthyridine chromophores and an alkyl linker connecting them strongly stabilized the C[bond]C mismatches regardless of the flanking sequences. The fully matched duplexes were not stabilized at all under the same conditions.

An experimental study on the vasoconstriction effect of calcium hydroxide using rat mesentery.

Calcium hyroxide has been used for eliminating persistent intracanal exudation. In order to address the mechanism behind this action, we investigated whether calcium hydroxide solutions cause the constriction of microvessels in the mesenteric microcirculation bed of rats. The exteriorised mesentery from anaesthetised rats was spread in a chamber, and arterioles, venules and capillaries were viewed under a digital microscope.

[Left atrial thrombus without mitral disease; report of a case].

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of surgical treatment for mass in the left atrium(LA). Echocardiography and computed tomography(CT) revealed mobile mass in LA which had stalk at the left atrial appendage. It was difficult to distinguish myxoma from thrombus.

A silkworm larvae plasma test for detecting peptidoglycan in cerebrospinal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.

The silkworm larvae plasma (SLP) test has been established based on a cascade reaction triggered by either peptidoglycan or (1, 3)-beta-D-glucan to produce melanin. We applied this test to the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from patients with bacterial meningitis due to gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, or fungi, showed positive reactions to the test.

Sensory experiences in relation to pulpal nerve activation of human teeth in different age groups.

There are no data on the correlation of intradental nerve activity and sensation from intact human teeth. We used microneurography to examine this relation and to determine whether it changes with age. Fifteen informed and healthy male volunteers were divided into three age groups: group A (18.