Cathepsin D deficiency induces oxidative damage in brain pericytes and impairs the blood-brain barrier.

Recent evidence suggests that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropathological changes in patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) and lysosomal storage diseases. In order to examine the possible increase in the permeability of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and resultant infiltration of PBMCs due to cathepsin D (CatD) deficiency, a process underlying the onset of congenital NCL, we examined structural changes in brain vessels in CatD-/- mice. Consequently, the mean diameter of the brain vessels in the cerebral cortex on postnatal day 24 (P24) was significantly larger in CatD-/- mice than in wild-type mice.

Visualization of irrigant flow and cavitation induced by Er:YAG laser within a root canal model.

Introduction: Laser-activated irrigation (LAI) has recently been introduced as an innovative method for root canal irrigation. However, there is limited information about the cleaning mechanism of an Er:YAG laser. In this study, we visualized the action of laser-induced bubbles and fluid flow in vitro to better understand the physical mechanisms underlying LAI.

[An epidemiologic examination on the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in Yusho patients in 2010].

An epidemiologic examination was carried out to reveal the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in patients with Yusho in 2010. The results obtained were as follows. 1) Yusho patients complained of tooth pain and periodontal diseases such as gingival swelling, but not of oral pigmentation.

[An epidemiologic examination on the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in Yusho patients in 2008].

An epidemiologic examination was carried out to reveal the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in patients with Yusho in 2008. The results obtained were as follows. 1) Yusho patients complained of tooth pain and periodontal diseases such as gingival swelling, gingival bleeding, but not of oral pigmentation.

In vitro comparison of the biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate, 4META/MMA-TBB resin, and intermediate restorative material as root-end-filling materials.

This study compared the effects of three root-end-filling materials: mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), 4-META/MMA-TBB resin (Super-bond), and intermediate restorative material (IRM) on osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and matrix formation. MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated on set material specimens, and the number of cells adhered to each material was assessed at 6 hours and at 3 days of incubation by using Hoechst 33258 staining under a fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, on day 21 of culture, areas in contact with each material surface were observed at light and electron microscopic levels.

[Epidemiologic examination on the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in Yusho patients in 2006].

An epidemiologic examination was carried out to reveal the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in patients with Yusho in 2006. The results obtained were as follows. (1) 98 patients out of 106 patients with Yusho, who were measured periodontal pocket depth according to Ramfjord' methods, had at least one tooth with periodontal pocket deeper than 3 mm.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand in periodontal ligament fibroblasts through the induction of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Our recent work showed that human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) secrete bioactive osteoprotegerin (OPG), which inhibits osteoclastic differentiation and activity. However, it is unknown how HPLF regulate bone metabolism in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a cell component of gram-negative bacteria and a pathogen in inflammatory bone diseases such as periodontitis. The present study examined the effects of Escherichia coli LPS on the gene expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), OPG, and receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in HPLF using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.

Biocompatibility of an experimental glass-ionomer cement sealer in rat mandibular bone.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare an experimental glass-ionomer cement sealer, KT-308, with a conventional zinc oxide-eugenol sealer, Canals, in terms of tissue compatibility and solubility.

Study Design: Tissue reactions were examined under light and electron microscopes at 3 and 20 days after the implantation of either freshly mixed KT-308 sealer or Canals sealer into prepared cavities in rat mandibles.

Results: At 3 days after implantation, no inflammatory reaction was seen around KT-308 sealer, which was in direct contact with the bone surface.

An epidemiologic examination on the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in Yusho patients in 2002.

An epidemiologic examination was carried out to reveal the prevalence of the periodontal diseases and oral pigmentation in patients with Yusho. The results obtained were as follows. 1) 95 patients out of 110 patients, who were examined periodontal pocket depth using Ramfjord' methods, had at least one tooth with periodontal pocket deeper than 3 mm.