Factors related to parents' perceptions of oral health for children with Down syndrome in Japan.

Aims: To evaluate the perceptions of parents on general health, oral health, and dental care for children with Down syndrome (DS), and to investigate factors related to parents' perceptions of oral health.

Methods And Results: An online questionnaire survey was conducted of parents of children with DS. Forty-three percent and 81% of the parents rated their child's oral health and general health as good, respectively.

Discovery and evaluation of selective N-type calcium channel blockers: 6-unsubstituted-1,4-dihydropyridine-5-carboxylic acid derivatives.

A structure-activity relationship study of 6-unsubstituted-1,4-dihydropyridine and 2,6-unsubstituted-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives was conducted in an attempt to discover N-type calcium channel blockers that were highly selective over L-type calcium channel blockers. Among the tested compounds, (+)-4-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxy-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid 3-cinnamyl ester was found to be an effective and selective N-type calcium channel blocker with oral analgesic potential.

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of 2'-C-methyl analogues of 5-alkynyl- and 6-alkylfurano- and pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides.

A series of novel 2'-C-methylribonucleosides, involving 5-iodo and 5-alkynyl uridine analogues as well as related bicyclic furano- and pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidinone compounds, has been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The new nucleoside analogues did not show meaningful anti-HCV activity.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel derivatives of 2'-beta-C-methylcytidine.

A series of novel derivatives of 2'-C-beta-methylcytidine, involving nucleosides modified in the "upper part" of the pyrimidine base (N(4)- and/or 5-position), has been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on in vitro replication of the hepatitis C virus and the yellow fever virus (both Flaviviridae).

Identification and characterization of integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP) genes in reptile and amphibian.

Integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP) is a member of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) family; and the whole SIBLING family is further included in a larger secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) family. SIBLING proteins are known to construct a part of the non-collagenous extracellular matrices of calcified tissues, and considered to have arisen by duplication and subsequent divergent evolution of a single ancient gene. To understand the alterations of SIBLING molecules associated with the evolution of calcified tissues in vertebrates, we initiated a search for lower vertebrate orthologs of SIBLING genes.

The structure-activity relationship study on 2-, 5-, and 6-position of the water soluble 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives blocking N-type calcium channels.

In order to find an injectable and selective N-type calcium channel blocker, we have performed the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study on the 2-, 5-, and 6-position of 1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate derivative APJ2708 (2), which is a derivative of Cilnidipine and has L/N-type calcium channel dual inhibitory activities. As a consequence of the optimization, 6-dimethylacetal derivative 7 was found to have an effective inhibitory activity against N-type calcium channels with more than 170-fold lower activity for L-type channel compared to that of APJ2708.

New analogs of acyclovir substituted at the side chain.

A series of novel analogs of acyclovir, substituted with an alkyl (methyl, ethyl, n-butyl) or phenyl group at the positions 1', 4', and/or 5', has been obtained in a direct one-pot coupling reaction of guanosine and the respective 1,3-dioxolanes. The new acyclonucleosides were essentially inactive in antiviral (HSV, VV, VSV, HBV) evaluation in vitro.

Relationship of vitamin D with calbindin D9k and D28k expression in ameloblasts.

Objective: Calbindin D9k (CB9k) and D28k (CB28k) are intracellular soluble calcium-binding proteins, whose expressions are considered to be regulated by vitamin D. However, the amount of CB28k expression in the kidneys of vitamin D receptor-null mice was reported to be similar to that in wild type mice, suggesting no dependence on vitamin D for its expression in kidneys. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of vitamin D on the expressions of CB9k and CB28k during amelogenesis.

Synthesis of 6-arylthio analogs of 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoroguanosine and their effect against hepatitis B virus replication.

A key compound, 2-amino-6-chlor-9-(2,3-dideoxy-3-fluoro-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)puine, was prepared from 2-amino-6-chloropurine riboside in 5 steps, then subjected to the nucleophilic displacement with benzenethiols to afford 6-arylthio congeners. These compounds showed a similar anti-HBV effect to that of 2',3' dideoxy-3'-fluoroguanosine.

Structure-activity relationship study of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives blocking N-type calcium channels.

Cilnidipine is a 1,4-dihydropyridine derived L/N-type calcium channel dual blocker possessing neuroprotective and analgesic effects which are related to its N-type calcium channel inhibitory activity. In order to find specific N-type calcium channel blockers with the least effects on cardiovascular system, we performed structure-activity relationship study on APJ2708, which is a derivative of cilnidipine, and found a promising N-type calcium channel blocker 21b possessing analgesic effect in vivo with a 1600-fold lower activity against L-type calcium channels than that of cilnidipine.

Synthesis of phosphonate analogues of the antiviral cyclopropane nucleoside A-5021.

A series of phosphonate analogues of the antiviral cyclopropane nucleoside A-5021 were synthesized from (1S*, 7R*)-3,5-dioxa-4,4-diphenylbicyclo[5. 1.0]octane-l-methanol by a 10-step process.

Synthesis study of 3'-alpha-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine.

A synthetic method was established for 3'-alpha-fluoro-2','3-dideoxyguanosine 1 from guanosine 2 in 27% overall yield and 6 steps. A byproduct 6a of fluorination was identified by NMR studies, its presence strongly supporting our supposition that the fluorination itself proceeded via a bromonium cation.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of alpha-aminoalkyl alpha'-chloromethyl ketones with chiral Rh complexes.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of N-substituted (3S)-3-amino-1-chloro-4-phenyl-2-butanones in the presence of CpRhCl[(R,R)-Tsdpen] (S/C = 1000) with a mixture of formic acid/triethylamine gave N-substituted (2R,3S)-3-amino-1-chloro-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanes with up to 93% de in a quantitative yield, and reduction with the enantiomeric catalyst CpRhCl[(S,S)-Tsdpen] gave (2S,3S)-diastereomeric alcohol with up to 96% de.

Concise, asymmetric total synthesis of spirotryprostatin A.

[structure: see text] The structurally intriguing cell-cycle inhibitor spirotryprostatin A has been synthesized utilizing an azomethine ylide dipolar cycloaddition reaction as the key step. This pentacyclic alkaloid contains a prenylated tryptophan-derived oxindole moiety that has been created in a regiocontrolled and stereocontrolled manner in a single step.

Immunolocalization of calbindin D28k and vitamin D receptor during root formation of murine molar teeth.

Cells in the epithelial rest of Malassez (ERM cells) express calbindin D28k (CB); however, the hormonal regulation of CB in ERM cells remains to be elucidated. We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of CB and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor (VDR) during root formation of mouse molar teeth in order to clarify whether the expression of CB in ERM cells is dependent on vitamin D. At the early stage of root formation (postnatal (PN) days 10-14), both CB- and VDR-immunoreactive cells were observed intermittently along the root surface.

Histopathological characteristics of eruption mesenchymal calcified hamartoma: two case reports.

Odontogenic calcified masses were present in the opercula of lower first molars that were delayed in eruption. The masses were relatively small, opaque, white in color with a smooth texture. Histopathological examinations revealed that they contained osteodentin, cementum, and pulp-like components; however, not odontogenic epithelial cells or enameloid.

Significance of histopathologic examination in the diagnosis of dentin defects associated with type IV osteogenesis imperfecta: two case reports.

Two cases of type IV osteogenesis imperfecta, which is divided into subtypes A and B on the basis of the absence or the presence of dental alterations, respectively, are examined with respect to their dental features clinically, radiographically, and histopathologically. There were no characteristic dental abnormalities noted on the clinical and radiographic examination. However, the histopathologic examination with both light and electron microscopy disclosed characteristic dentin defects such as unevenly calcified matrixes, irregular tubular patterns, obliterated dentinal tubules, and cellular inclusions in the circumpulpal dentin of primary teeth.

Immunohistochemical localization of heat shock protein 25 (HSP 25) during root formation of the rat molar.

The present study investigated the immunohistochemical localization of heat shock protein 25 (HSP 25) of rat molar teeth during root formation. Most, probably all, cells of the epithelial rest of Malassez (ERM cells) had immunoreaction for laminin, a marker protein for basement membrane. During root formation, HSP 25 immunoreactivity was observed in odontoblasts, cells at the subodontoblastic layer, and those in close proximity to the acellular cementum.

Clinico-pathological aspects of a residual natal tooth: a case report.

A Japanese girl was referred to Osaka University Dental Hospital for examination of a tooth-like structure that had erupted following spontaneous exfoliation of a natal tooth in the lower left primary central incisor region. The structure had erupted at 6 months of age, and radiographic and clinical examination showed composition of pulp and dentin, but no enamel. On histological examination, the majority of the dentin area had a tubular dentin-like appearance, while the outer area of the root appeared to be composed of an osteodentin-like substance.