Acellular Extrinsic Fiber Cementum Is Invariably Present in the Superficial Layer of Apical Cementum in Mouse Molar.

The cementum is a highly mineralized tissue that covers the tooth root. The regional differences among the types of cementum, especially in the extrinsic fibers that contribute to tooth support, remain controversial. Therefore, this study used second harmonic generation imaging in conjunction with automated collagen extraction and image analysis algorithms to facilitate the quantitative examination of the fiber characteristics and the changes occurring in these fibers over time.

Multiomics analysis of cultured mouse periodontal ligament cell-derived extracellular matrix.

A comprehensive understanding of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for developing biomimetic ECM scaffolds for tissue regeneration. As the periodontal ligament cell (PDLC)-derived ECM has shown potential for periodontal tissue regeneration, it is vital to gain a deeper understanding of its comprehensive profile. Although the PDLC-derived ECM exhibits extracellular environment similar to that of periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue, details of its molecular composition are lacking.

Effect of Sparc knockout on the extracellular matrix of mouse periodontal ligament cells.

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a critical component in maintaining tooth stability. It is composed of cells and an extracellular matrix (ECM), each with unique roles in tissue function and homeostasis. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a calcium-binding matricellular glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in regulating ECM assembly and turnover, alongside facilitating cellular-ECM interactions.

Optimal Administration of Phosphorus Adsorbents When Using Medical Nutritional Supplements for Tube-fed Patients.

All medical enteral nutrition products contain phosphorus and when administered to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and on dialysis, they lead to the risk of elevated serum phosphorus levels. Thus, serum phosphorus levels should be monitored, and phosphorus adsorbents should be used in cases of high serum phosphorus levels. In this study, we investigated the effect of phosphorus adsorbents on enteral nutrition, using Ensure Liquid, a medical nutritional formula, for patients with CKD and those on dialysis.

Phenotypic Markers Reflecting the Status of Overstressed Tea Plants Subjected to Repeated Shade Cultivation.

Shade cultivation is a traditional Japanese tea cultivation method in which the shoot buds are shaded for several weeks. This technique is increasingly used for green tea production because it produces tea of high quality (as indicated by umami and nutritional content) and commands high prices. However, given that shaded tea plants are grown under low-light stress, concerns exist regarding damage to tea plants caused by repeated shade cultivation.

Asymmetric Synthesis of the Aromatic Fragment of Sespendole.

Sespendole is an indole sesquiterpene alkaloid bearing two isoprenyl groups, one of which is highly oxidized. Herein, we disclose an eight-step synthesis of the aromatic fragment of sespendole in an optically pure form, starting from 4-bromo-2-fluoronitrobenzene. The key steps were a Claisen rearrangement at room temperature for introduction of the prenyl group and a coupling between the dianion generated from prenylated bromo--tosylanilide and a chiral epoxy aldehyde.

Achievement of Target Serum Uric Acid Levels and Factors Associated with Therapeutic Failure among Japanese Men Treated for Hyperuricemia/Gout.

Objective To assess the rate of successfully achieving treatment goals among Japanese men with hyperuricemia/gout and identify factors influencing the success rate. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to December 2012, examined the serum uric acid (SUA) levels and clinical characteristics of 2,103 men with hyperuricemia/gout selected from an initial population of 136,770 individuals who participated in a workplace health checkup. The success rates (defined as SUA ≤6.

[Changes in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese workers during decade 2001-2011].

Objective: To describe the 10-year changes in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese workers.

Methods: Annual health examination data between 2001 and 2011 were collected from the Tokyo Health Service Association. The data covers an average 119,956 (73,842 male and 46,114 female) workers at 1,159 worksites each year.

Impact of weight gain on cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese male workers.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of weight gain on cardiovascular risk factors among younger (25 to 44 years) and older (45 to 64 years) Japanese male workers in terms of population attributable risk percentage (PAR%).

Methods: Using the 2008 and 2009 health examination data, 49,587 eligible male workers aged 25 to 64 years were examined for their 1-year changes in body weight and cardiovascular risk factors.

Results: Mean weight change was significantly greater than zero in the younger group (+0.

BMI, waist circumference, and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese adults.

Objective: To examine whether the association between waist circumference (WC) and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors varies with obesity (BMI) status.

Methods: Using the 2008 health examination data of a Japanese health service association, eligible 57,141 adults aged 20-65 years without coronary heart disease or stroke, whose blood sample had been taken in the fasting state, were enrolled in the study. The participants were classified as being underweight (BMI <18.

Evaluation of malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma using the ultrasonic B-mode method: clinical significance of extracapsular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma using ultrasonography.

Purpose: To determine the influence of capsule formation or presence of capsular invasion on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: The patient group consisted of 70 patients with 74 HCC lesions who had been examined by US and undergone surgical tumor resection at our institution. For these patients, we conducted the following comparative studies: (a) comparison between halo findings on US and microscopic capsular results; (b) comparison between halo findings on US and tumor diameter, tumor histological differentiation, and serum value of each tumor marker; and (c) comparison between halo findings on US and tumor recurrence.

Pseudolymphoma of the liver: Sonographic findings and review of the literature.

We report a case of hepatic pseudolymphoma in a 67-year-old woman that was detected during an abdominal sonography screening. The lesion was further evaluated using CT, MRI, angiography, and contrast-enhanced sonography. The imaging features of this tumor are discussed herein.

Oral peppermint oil is a useful antispasmodic for double-contrast barium meal examination.

Background And Aim: Intraluminally administered peppermint oil (PO) is reportedly a safe and useful antispasmodic for gastroscopy, colonoscopy and double-contrast barium enema. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of oral PO for double-contrast barium meal examination (DCBM) without other antispasmodics.

Methods: Two hundred and five randomly chosen subjects (PO group) and 215 sex- and age-matched controls were enrolled.

Clinical pathological significance of iron metabolism with chronic hepatitis C patients.

Serum ferritin levels, and histological liver iron content were determined in 106 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) to find out whether iron status is involved in the pathogenesis of CHC and to study the relationship between sexual differences and the liver function test and liver histology. The serum ferritin index (SFI) as an indicator when both male and female subjects are combined was calculated. SFI significantly correlated with serum aminotransferase levels.

Texture Analysis of Laparoscopic Images in Chronic Liver Disease.

Determination of the site of progression of chronic liver disease is important for prognosis. In the present study we used texture analysis to quantitatively assess progression based on the appearance of the surface of the liver during laparoscopy. A total of 34 chronic liver disease patients who underwent laparoscopic examinations over a 2-year period were enrolled in this study.