Development of colitis in signal transducers and activators of transcription 6-deficient T-cell receptor alpha-deficient mice: a potential role of signal transducers and activators of transcription 6-independent interleukin-4 signaling for the generation of Th2-biased pathological CD4+ betabetaT cells.

Forbidden CD4(+)betabeta T cells, which produce interleukin (IL)-4 predominantly, are a pathological subset in the development of colitis in T-cell receptor alpha chain (TCRalpha)-deficient mice. Stimulation of naive CD4(+) T cells with IL-4 induces Th2 development via the activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 6. In the present study, we had found that IL-4 enhanced the expression of STAT6 in CD4(+)betabeta T cells isolated from TCRalpha(-/-) mice with colitis, suggesting that the IL-4 signal in the CD4(+)betabeta T cells is mediated by STAT6.

Colitis-related public T cells are selected in the colonic lamina propria of IL-10-deficient mice.

IL-10 is an important regulatory cytokine in the mucosal immune system, as supported by the fact that mice deficient in IL-10 spontaneously develop Crohn's disease-like colitis. An aberrant, Th1-driven CD4(+) T-cell response to enteric bacteria seems to be important in the pathogenesis of this murine colitis. However, no specific bacteria or bacterial products have been identified, and whether the colitis is mediated by the activation of CD4(+) T cells that recognize specific peptide-MHC complexes is controversial.

Alteration of V beta usage and cytokine production of CD4+ TCR beta beta homodimer T cells by elimination of Bacteroides vulgatus prevents colitis in TCR alpha-chain-deficient mice.

A major pathogenic factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the breakdown of the intestinal homeostasis between the host immune system and the luminal microenvironment. To assess the potential influence of luminal Ags on the development of IBD, we fed TCR alpha(-/-) mice an elemental diet (ED). ED-fed TCR alpha(-/-) mice showed no pathologic features of IBD, and their aberrant mucosal B cell responses were suppressed.

Relation of motility of subgingival microflora as a clinical parameter to periodontal disease status in human subjects.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between the motility of subgingival microflora and 5 clinical parameters commonly used in dental clinics.

Method: The clinical parameters were pocket depth, gingival inflammation, plaque accumulation, bleeding on probing and pus discharge. The motility of human subgingival microflora was estimated as the number of pixels remaining after subtraction of serial video frames using a high speed shutter camera and image analysis system, and was defined as the sum of pixels of 10 successive subtractions per sample over a 10-s time period.

Dental interview system with a native-language interpreting engine.

We developed a Dental Interview System with a Native-language Interpreting Engine (DISNIE) on the Internet. DISNIE uses simple natural sentences without dental terminology and interprets these sentences in five languages such as Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese and French, respectively. DISNIE is a good tool not only for patients who are able to read, write and speak only their mother languages but also for the staff at a dental hospital because of its accessibility via the Internet.

Lifestyle and periodontal health status of Japanese factory workers.

The present study investigated the association of lifestyles to periodontal health status of workers in a manufacturing company in Japan. In a annual health checkup, periodontal health status was assessed by using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) criteria and analysed by modified Miller's CPI score. Lifestyle information was also obtained by a self-administered questionnaire.

Semi-automated measurement of motility of human subgingival microflora by image analysis.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively estimate bacterial motility by image analysis, and to apply this method for the measurement of motility of human subgingival microflora. We developed a semi-automated method for the quantification of bacterial motility using video microscopy, digitization and image processing. Moving images of both authentic bacterial samples and clinical samples were recorded using a phase contrast microscope with a high speed (1/100 s) shutter camera.

Binding of hemoglobin by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

In this study, we investigated whether Porphyromonas gingivalis can bind hemoglobin as an initial step in the acquisition of heme from hemoglobin. The binding of human hemoglobin by P. gingivalis cells was determined using [3H]hemoglobin.

Interaction of Porphyromonas gingivalis with transferrin.

In this study, we characterized the binding of transferrin to Porphyromonas gingivalis using a classical receptor-binding assay, and examined the relationship between the binding and availability of transferrin for the growth of P. gingivalis. The binding of 125I-labeled human transferrin to P.

Evaluation of implementing a multi-user integrated case management system for undergraduate students during a clinical training period.

In this paper, we evaluate the efficiency of our multi-user system, which enables undergraduate students to now determine their progress in clinical requirements through their clinical training period. After implementing the system, instructors in each clinic can understand the progress or laziness of every student better than before.

Estimation of motility of subgingival microflora using high speed shutter camera and image analysis system.

This paper reports on the development of a motility measuring system for human subgingival microflora using a high speed shutter camera and an image analysis system. The paper first presents the method for estimating the motility of subgingival microflora by the total number of pixels and then describes the evaluation of the total number of pixels as an indicator of bacterial motility. Our results with this system demonstrate that the motility of subgingival microflora can be expressed as the total number of pixels.

Characterization of coaggregation and fibrinogen-binding by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

We have examined whether the adhesin of Porphyromonas gingivalis which aggregates Streptococcus oralis contributes to its fibrinogen-binding. Various properties of coaggregation between P. gingivalis and S.

Inhibition of coaggregation between Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus oralis by fibrinogen fragments.

The localization of regions of fibrinogen that inhibit coaggregation between Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus oralis was investigated. The coaggregation was inhibited by A alpha and gamma chains, but not by B beta chain. The inhibitory activity of fragment D was more potent than that of fragment E.

Mechanical stimulation by toothbrushing increases oxygen sufficiency in human gingivae.

We studied the immediate effect of mechanical stimulation with a toothbrush on oxygen sufficiency in human gingivae. Teeth were brushed with a modified Bass technique at various forces (100, 200, and 300 g) for various times (5, 10, and 30 s). Hemoglobin (Hb) oxygen saturation was measured before and intermittently for 60 min after brushing, by non-invasive tissue reflectance spectrophotometry.

Biological role of an arginine residue present in a histidine-rich peptide which inhibits hemagglutination of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Inhibitory effects of synthetic fragments in histatin 8, having the sequence Lys-Phe-His-Glu-Lys-His-His-Ser-His-Arg-Gly-Tyr, on hemagglutination by Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 were examined. The hemagglutinating activity was reduced much more by the peptide Lys-His-His-Ser-His-Arg-Gly-Tyr than by the peptides Lys-His-His-Ser-His and/or Lys-Phe-His-Glu-Lys. These results suggest that the arginine residue may have an important role in the inhibition of hemagglutination by P.

Changes in oxygen consumption in dog gingiva during induction of experimental periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in oxygen consumption in dog gingiva during induction of experimental periodontitis. The disease was induced in adult mongrel dogs during a 16-week period by placement of silk ligatures around selected teeth. The oxygen consumption rate of gingival tissue was determined in vivo by a non-invasive technique, tissue reflectance spectrophotometry.

Role of superoxide dismutase in resistance of Porphyromonas gingivalis to killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Porphyromonas gingivalis in which the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was induced by nitrate or by aeration was rendered resistant to killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. SOD purified from either anaerobically maintained or aerated cells also inhibited bacterial killing when added exogenously, and no difference between the effects of the two SODs was observed. These results suggest that SOD may form part of a defense mechanism that helps protect P.

Effect of transferrin on the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

This study describes the effect of transferrin as an iron source on the growth of Porphyromonas (formally Bacteroides) gingivalis. Bacterial growth was monitored spectrophotometrically. All strains of P.

A deficiency of vitamin B6 is a plausible molecular basis of the retinopathy of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Eighteen patients with diabetes mellitus, some of whom had variously retinopathy, pregnancy, and the carpal tunnel syndrome, and were variously treated with steroids and vitamin B6, have been overviewed for periods of 8 months to 28 years. We have established an association of a deficiency of vitamin B6 with diabetes by monitoring the specific activity of the erythrocyte glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and again by the association with the carpal tunnel syndrome (C.T.

Changes in element concentration and distribution in breast-milk fractions of a healthy lactating mother.

Daily changes in components of breast milk with number of days of lactation after delivery were demonstrated by determining concentrations and distributions of several elements simultaneously. Concentrations of calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc were determined simultaneously by inductively coupled argon plasma-atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP) for whole milk and milk fractions (skimmed milk and whey) collected from 2 to 196 d postpartum from a healthy lactating mother. Calcium and phosphorus concentrations increased in transitional milk.

Evaluation of the depth sensitivity of tissue reflectance spectrophotometry in gingival measurement.

Tissue reflectance spectrophotometry (TRS) can estimate hemoglobin concentration (Hb index) and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (apparent SO2) in tissues. Reflectance spectra were measured in a gingiva-model and in human gingival biopsies by TRS. The gingiva-model was composed of human red cells and white gel in a cuvette placed on a black or white surface.

Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans.

Lovastatin is clinically used to treat patients with hypercholesterolemia and successfully lowers cholesterol levels. The mechanism of action of lovastatin is inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol from acetyl-CoA. Inhibition of this enzyme could also inhibit the intrinsic biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), but there have not been definitive data on whether lovastatin reduces levels of CoQ10 as it does cholesterol.

Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in rats.

Lovastatin is used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. It functions by inhibiting the enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (EC 1.1.

Pregnancy-induced mobilization of copper and zinc bound to renal metallothionein in cadmium-loaded rats.

Our investigations undertook to examine whether copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) bound to renal metallothionein (MT) along with cadmium (Cd) in Cd-loaded rats can be mobilized during pregnancy and lactation. Rats of the Wistar strain were injected with Cd. Synthesis of MT containing Cd, Cu and Zn was induced in the kidneys.

Characterization of superoxide dismutases purified from either anaerobically maintained or aerated Bacteroides gingivalis.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) were purified from extracts of either anaerobically maintained or aerated Bacteroides gingivalis. Each purified enzyme (molecular weight, 46,000) was a dimer composed of two subunits of equal sizes. SOD from anaerobically maintained cells (anaero-SOD) contained 1.