Caries and Its Association with Infant Feeding and Oral Health-related Behavior in 18-month and 3-year-old Japanese Children.

The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and its association with infant feeding and oral health-related behavior in Japanese children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. A total of 387 infants were initially examined at the age of 18 months (or 19 months in some cases) and then again at 3 years (or at 3 years 1 month in some cases). The primary objective was to identify factors contributing to the prevalence of caries in children aged 18 months.

Minute oscillation stretching: A novel modality for reducing musculo-tendinous stiffness and maintaining muscle strength.

A novel stretching modality was developed to provide repetitive small length changes to the plantar flexors undergoing passive stretch defined as "minute oscillation stretching" (MOS). This study investigated the effects of MOS on neuromuscular activity during force production, the rate of torque development (RTD), and the elastic properties of the plantar flexors and Achilles tendon. Ten healthy males participated in this study.

Real-world, retrospective study evaluating thromboembolic events, associated risk factors, and health-care resource utilization in Japanese patients with polycythemia vera.

In this retrospective, real-world study, we used medical claims data to evaluate the incidence of thromboembolic events (TEs), time to TE, associated risk factors, and health-care resource utilization (HRU) in Japanese patients with polycythemia vera (PV; N = 606) from April 1, 2008, to August 31, 2015. Baseline characteristics of interest included median age, 67.0 years; previous TEs, 11.

Development of Jaw and Deciduous Teeth in Japanese Children -Comparing Size of Crown and Alveolar Area between Today and 40 Years Ago.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate change in the size of the jaw and deciduous teeth in Japanese children over the past 40 years by performing measurements on plaster models of the dental arch obtained from children born between 2007 and 2009 (2000s group) and children born between 1968 and 1974 (70s) group. A total of 61 children were enrolled in the 2000s group, comprising 25 boys (average age, 4 years 5 months) and 36 girls (average age, 4 years 4 months), and 93 children in the 70s group, comprising 45 boys (4 years 6 months) and 48 girls (4 years 4 months). The mesiodistal width of the crown, dental arch width, dental arch length, dental arch height, and available arch length in these groups were measured using a 3D measurement system and the sums of the mesiodistal width of the crown and tooth size-arch length discrepancies calculated.

-, comprising green tea leaves fermented with , increases regulatory T cell production in mice and humans.

Green tea leaves fermented with (-) are a health food containing live . In this study, we examined the effects of - on the immune system and the enteric environment. First, we designed a clinical trial; after ingesting - daily for 28 days, blood parameters and the fecal composition of the participants were analyzed.

Tracking of Time-Dependent Changes in Muscle Hardness After a Full Marathon.

Inami, T, Nakagawa, K, Yonezu, T, Fukano, M, Higashihara, A, Iizuka, S, Abe, T, and Narita, T. Tracking of time-dependent changes in muscle hardness after a full marathon. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3431-3437, 2019-We sought to identify changes in individual muscle hardness after a full marathon and to track time-dependent changes using ultrasound strain elastography (SE).

Evaluation of the dose and efficacy of ruxolitinib in Japanese patients with myelofibrosis.

Ruxolitinib, a potent JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, improved splenomegaly and myelofibrosis-associated symptoms and prolonged survival compared with placebo and best available therapy in the phase 3 COMFORT studies. Although cytopenias were the most common adverse events associated with ruxolitinib treatment, a COMFORT-I analysis showed that they were managed effectively with dose modifications, without a negative impact on the efficacy of ruxolitinib. Subsequently, studies A2202 and AJP01 showed that ruxolitinib is an effective treatment for Japanese patients with myelofibrosis.

A cell-based high-throughput screening assay system for inhibitor compounds of antigen presentation by HLA class II molecule.

A number of autoimmune diseases are associated with the genotypes of human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA), some of which present peptides derived from self-proteins, resulting in clonal expansion of self-reactive T cells. Therefore, selective inhibition of self-peptide loading onto such disease-associated HLA could ameliorate the diseases. To effectively identify such compounds, in this study, we established, for the first time, a cell- and 96-well microplate-based high-throughput screening system for inhibitors of antigen presentation.

Relationship between Interdental Spacing and Colonization by Streptococcus mutans in Children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interdental spacing in the upper incisors and other associated factors with colonization by Streptococcus mutans in children. A total of 47 children aged between 24 and 36 months with no decayed cavities were enrolled in the study. Models were obtained to evaluate interdental spacing in the upper anterior region.

Unstable rocker shoes promote recovery from marathon-induced muscle damage in novice runners.

We recently reported that wearing unstable rocker shoes (Masai Barefoot Technology: MBT) may enhance recovery from marathon race-induced fatigue. However, this earlier study only utilized a questionnaire. In this study, we evaluated MBT utilizing objective physiological measures of recovery from marathon-induced muscle damages.

Alveolar Growth in Japanese Infants : A Comparison between Now and 40 Years ago.

To investigate differences in alveolar growth during the primary dentition period among different age groups, dental arch width, length, and height were measured in 93 dental arch plaster models obtained from 4-year-olds born between 1968 and 1974, 88 from 5-year-olds born between 1968 and 1974 (70s group), 61 from 4-year-olds born between 2007 and 2009, and 56 from 5-year-olds born between 2006 and 2008 (2000s group). A comparison was also performed to determine whether there was any difference in change between 4 and 5 years of age. The results showed age- and sex-dependent differences in growth patterns in primary dental arch width, length, and height.

Assessing the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib in a multicenter, open-label study in Japanese patients with myelofibrosis.

Ruxolitinib is a potent JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor that has demonstrated durable improvements in splenomegaly, symptoms, and overall survival in controlled clinical trials in patients with myelofibrosis. The single-arm study reported here was initiated to collect further safety and efficacy data in Japanese patients with myelofibrosis and is the largest study of ruxolitinib in this population. The primary objective was to assess safety.

Putaminal hypointensity on T2*-weighted MR imaging is the most practically useful sign in diagnosing multiple system atrophy: A preliminary study.

Objective: To identify useful MRI abnormalities in the putamen for diagnosing multiple system atrophy.

Methods: Patients with multiple system atrophy (n=15), Parkinson's disease (n=16), or progressive supranuclear palsy (n=9) and healthy controls (n=10) were enrolled. Using a visual analog scale, 4 examiners independently rated high-intensity signals along the lateral putamen on T2-weighted and T2*-weighted images, low-intensity signals within the putamen on T2-weighted and T2*-weighted images, and putaminal atrophy.

Association between feeding methods and sucking habits: a cross-sectional study of infants in their first 18 months of life.

The aim of this study is to investigate infant feeding patterns and to analyze the influence of breast-feeding methods on the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits in a sample of Japanese infants. A random sample of 353 mothers of infants of 18 months of age was interviewed at a public health facility in "K" city. The prevalence and duration of infant feeding patterns categorized as breast-feeding, partial breast-feeding, and bottle-feeding, were determined.

Longitudinal investigation of relationship between developmental changes in sagittal occlusion and caries in lower first permanent molars.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between developmental changes in sagittal occlusion and the presence of caries on the occlusal surface of the lower first permanent molars. Dental casts were taken from 60 children at 2-monthly dental examinations after the emergence of the lower first molars through to when they reached 22 years of age. Data on the state of the occlusal surfaces of 120 lower first permanent molars were collected from these examinations and each occlusal surface classified into one of the following two categories: (1) sound, or (2) caries (filled).

The effect of low-level laser irradiation on muscle tension and hardness compared among three wavelengths.

Background And Aims: It has been reported that low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) can influence muscle tissue by retarding attenuation of muscle tension. Since the efficacy of LLLI on the effects of muscle contraction remains unclear, we examined in an in vivo animal model whether LLLI affects both muscle tension and muscle hardness in a wavelength-dependent manner, using the rat gastrocnemius muscle.

Material And Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley adult rats were used.

Effects of a polymorphism in the GFAP promoter on the age of onset and ambulatory disability in late-onset Alexander disease.

Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Most patients with AxD have a de novo dominant missense mutation in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. Patients with late-onset AxD exhibit a more variable onset and severity than patients with early-onset AxD, suggesting the existence of factors that modify the clinical phenotype of late-onset AxD.

"Bright spotty lesions" on spinal magnetic resonance imaging differentiate neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis.

Background: Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding of longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCL) extending over three vertebral segments and involvements of spinal central gray matter have been reported in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Objectives: We aimed to review spinal MRI findings in NMO and multiple sclerosis (MS), and to determine whether the "bright spotty lesions" (BSLs) are a discriminative finding of NMO.

Methods: For this study, 24 consecutive patients with NMO and 34 patients with MS were enrolled.

Effects of different combinations of fused primary teeth on eruption of the permanent successors.

Purpose: The fusion of primary teeth may be associated with the absence of 1 of the 2 permanent successors. Moreover, even if both successors erupt, developmental disturbances such as microdontia or delayed tooth formation may occur. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of different combinations of fused primary teeth on the eruption of permanent successors.

A case of adult-onset alexander disease featuring severe atrophy of the medulla oblongata and upper cervical cord on magnetic resonance imaging.

Adult-onset Alexander disease (AOAD) has been increasingly recognized since the identification of the glial fibrillary acidic protein gene mutation in 2001. We report on a 56-year-old man who was genetically confirmed as AOAD with the glial fibrillary acidic protein mutation of p.M74T.

Diffuse and heterogeneous T2-hyperintense lesions in the splenium are characteristic of neuromyelitis optica.

Background: Callosal lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) are usually focal, involving the inferior aspect of the corpus callosum on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but little is known about callosal lesions in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Objective: To clarify MRI abnormalities in callosal lesions of NMO.

Methods: Japanese patients with NMO (n=28) or MS (n=22) were assessed.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein mutations in adult-onset Alexander disease: clinical features observed in 12 Japanese patients.

Objective: To clarify the clinical manifestations of adult-onset Alexander disease (AOAD) in Japanese patients with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene mutations.

Methods And Materials:   Twelve patients of AOAD with GFAP mutations detected in our centre were examined for neurological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Results:   Major symptoms were pyramidal and bulbar signs.

Analysis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-8 and MMP-2) activity in gingival crevicular fluid from children with Down's syndrome.

Background And Objective: High levels of colonization by periodontopathic bacteria and a high prevalence of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease have been reported in children with Down's syndrome. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are mediators of extracellular matrix degradation and remodelling, and are deeply involved in the course of periodontal disease. To clarify the relationship between Down's syndrome and periodontitis, we investigated levels of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and detection of periodontopathic bacteria from subgingival plaque.