Palatal microbiota associated with membranous substances in older Japanese individuals undergoing tube feeding in long-term care: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Tube feeders are prone to membranous substance formation on the palate, and those with membranous substances have a risk of fever, with the probable involvement of their oral bacteria. However, the palatal microbiota of those with membranous substances has not been elucidated. Therefore, we evaluated the differences in palatal microbiota between tube-fed individuals with and without membranous substances to clarify the microbiota.

Pharyngeal Deposits Comprising Salivary Mucin in Tube-fed Elderly Patients: MUC2 and MUC7 Immunoreactivity.

Several investigators have reported that oral membranous and pharyngeal viscous deposits developed in bedridden elderly persons requiring nursing care without oral intake. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the origin of viscous deposits on the pharyngeal mucosa based on characteristics of salivary and tracheal secretory mucin. The participants were 35 elderly people who required nursing care.

Association between oral, social, and physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives: Oral frailty (OF) has been shown to be a predictor of disability. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify factors associated with OF in order to prevent long-term dependence. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between OF, social frailty (SF), and physical frailty (PF) in community-dwelling older adults, with the overarching aim of informing the future development of effective measures to prevent frailty.

Histopathological evaluation of oral membranous substance in bedridden elderly persons without oral intake in Japan.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to clarify by histopathological examination the origin of oral membranous substances deposited on the palate, tongue, buccal mucosa and teeth.

Background: Several investigators have reported membranous substances deposited in the mouths of bedridden elderly persons requiring nursing care without oral intake. However, the precise nature and origin of the substances are poorly understood.

The ethanol metabolite acetaldehyde induces water and salt intake via two distinct pathways in the central nervous system of rats.

The sensation of thirst experienced after heavy alcohol drinking is widely regarded as a consequence of ethanol (EtOH)-induced diuresis, but EtOH in high doses actually induces anti-diuresis. The present study was designed to investigate the introduction mechanism of water and salt intake after heavy alcohol drinking, focusing on action of acetaldehyde, a metabolite of EtOH and a toxic substance, using rats. The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) inhibitor cyanamide was used to mimic the effect of prolonged acetaldehyde exposure because acetaldehyde is quickly degraded by ALDH.

Tooth size in Chinese Oroqen ethnic minority of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The Oroqen are Tungusic hunters of the Amur River basin. We analyzed dental crown measurements from their dental impression models for anthropological characteristics. Sex difference was comparatively larger in the mesiodistal diameters.

Expression of GAD67 and Dlx5 in the taste buds of mice genetically lacking Mash1.

It has been reported that a subset of type III taste cells express glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)67, which is a molecule that synthesizes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and that Mash1 could be a potential regulator of the development of GABAnergic neurons via Dlx transcription factors in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the expression of GAD67 and Dlx in the embryonic taste buds of the soft palate and circumvallate papilla using Mash1 knockout (KO)/GAD67-GFP knock-in mice. In the wild-type animal, a subset of type III taste cells contained GAD67 in the taste buds of the soft palate and the developing circumvallate papilla, whereas GAD67-expressing taste bud cells were missing from Mash1 KO mice.

Factors affecting the formation of membranous substances in the palates of elderly persons requiring nursing care.

Objective: To determine the causative factor behind the formation of membranous substances in the mouths of elderly patients requiring nursing care.

Background: Membranous substances are sometimes observed in the mouths of elderly persons requiring nursing care, and these can lead to bleeding, infection and asphyxiation.

Materials And Methods: In April 2007, samples were collected from 70 patients at C Hospital, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, who were 65 years or older (median age, 81.

Factors associated with dry mouth in dependent Japanese elderly.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with dry mouth.

Background: Dry mouth adversely affects oropharyngeal health, particularly in elderly, and can lead to pneumonia. A better understanding of the epidemiology of dry mouth is therefore important in improving treatment strategies and oral health in high-risk elderly patients.

New method for determining surface roughness of tongue.

Objective: The degree of atrophy of the lingual papillae in elderly individuals was evaluated using a quantitative method.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred and eighty-two subjects living in nursing homes and 20 healthy adults as controls were studied. To express the degree of atrophy of the lingual papillae quantitatively, lingual surface roughness was determined by taking an impression with silicone dental material.

Perspectives on a new educational system for dental hygiene students in Japan.

The purpose of this article is to report changes to dental hygiene education in Japan and to evaluate the successful implementation of these changes in 2010. The legislative change that began in 2005 revised the length of education for dental hygiene students from two years to three or four years (the mandate was three years), which has led to a dramatic change in program curriculum. After a five-year moratorium, a new curriculum has been established for dental hygiene education in Japan.

Salivary levels of hyaluronic acid in female patients with dry mouth compared with age-matched controls: a pilot study.

Little is known regarding the association between the level of hyaluronic acid (HA) in saliva and dry mouth status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary levels of HA in female patients with dry mouth (perceived xerostomia and hyposalivation) and compare them with age-matched controls. We studied 46 females, and classified them into two groups based on perceived xerostomia and salivary flow rate, as well as a control group without symptoms.

Salivary levels of cortisol and chromogranin A in patients with dry mouth compared with age-matched controls.

Objective: To evaluate the salivary levels of cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) in patients with dry mouth (perceived xerostomia and hyposalivation) compared with age-matched controls.

Study Design: We studied 174 subjects, including those with dry mouth, classified into 2 subgroups based on perceived xerostomia and salivation, and those without (control subjects). The control subjects were patients at the same hospital and healthy volunteers.

Potential factors responsible for dryness of the dorsum of the tongue in elderly requiring care.

Objective: This study explored potential factors in elderly requiring care that cause dryness of the dorsum of the tongue despite moisture retention in the sublingual mucosa.

Materials And Methods: Subjects were 224 elderly (mean age: 83.6 +/- 7.

Usefulness of new wetness tester for diagnosis of dry mouth in disabled patients.

Objectives: The condition of dry mouth is an influential factor in the incidence of caries, periodontal disease, fungal infections, masticatory dysfunctions and denture function. Bedridden elderly and disabled persons often suffer from oral dryness and the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of measuring the amount of moisture in the oral mucosa for clinical diagnosis of dry mouth in this group.

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 20 elderly bedridden individuals, age range 65-89 years old, living in a nursing home and six healthy laboratory researchers, aged 20-46 years old, used as controls.

High correlation between the bacterial species in denture plaque and pharyngeal microflora.

Objectives: The morbidity and mortality of the dependent elderly that result from aspiration pneumonia are recognized as a major geriatric health problem. Most cases of bacterial pneumonia are initiated following colonization or superinfection of the pharynx by pathogenic bacteria, followed by aspiration of pharyngeal contents. A recent study revealed that bacteria, that commonly cause respiratory infection, colonized the dentures of dependent elderly.