Novel approaches to the study of viscosity discrimination in rodents.

Texture has enormous effects on food preferences. The materials used to study texture discrimination also have tastes that experimental animal can detect; therefore, such studies must be designed to exclude taste differences. In this study, to minimize the effects of material tastes, we utilized high- and low-viscosity forms of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-H and CMC-L, respectively) at the same concentrations (0.

Analgesic Mechanisms of Steroid Ointment against Oral Ulcerative Mucositis in a Rat Model.

Despite the long history of use of steroid ointments for oral mucositis, the analgesic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of triamcinolone acetonide (Tmc) on oral ulcerative mucositis-induced pain in conscious rats by our proprietary assay system. Based on evaluations of the physical properties and retention periods in the oral mucosa of human volunteers and rats, we selected TRAFUL ointment as a long-lasting base.

Changes in tonsillolith characteristics detected in a follow-up CT study.

Background: Tonsilloliths are related clinically to halitosis and tonsillar abscess. However, the dynamics of tonsilloliths over time are unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate change in the characteristics of tonsilloliths in a time-dependent fashion by follow-up computed tomography (CT).

The effect of flavor on the oral perception and palatability of viscosity in healthy human subjects.

Objectives: Thickeners are frequently used in various foods, including ice cream and sauces, to impart viscosity. Generally, viscous foods have some flavor (smell and taste). In this study, we examined the effects of flavor on the oral perception and palatability of viscosity in humans.

Isoliquiritigenin, an active ingredient of Glycyrrhiza, elicits antinociceptive effects via inhibition of Na channels.

Glycyrrhiza extract has been used for the treatment of oral and gastric ulcers, but the analgesic mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of isoliquiritigenin, an active ingredient of Glycyrrhiza, on Na channels in vitro and nociceptive behaviors in vivo. In an autopatch-clamp study, isoliquiritigenin inhibited the currents of Na1.

Orthodontic force-induced oxidative stress in the periodontal tissue and dental pulp elicits nociception via activation/sensitization of TRPA1 on nociceptive fibers.

Orthodontic patients complain of pain for the first few days after insertion of appliances. Mechanical force has been reported to produce oxidants in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. It has not been studied whether orthodontic force-induced oxidative stress elicits nociception.

Advocacy of diagnostic criteria for maxillary incisive canal cysts based on alteration of normal maxillary incisive canals according to aging in Japanese populations.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to describe the CT imaging findings of normal incisive canals and incisive canal cysts and propose cut-off values to differentiate between them.

Methods: A total of 220 normal subjects and 40 patients with incisive canal cysts on multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) were retrospectively analyzed. The shapes, sizes, anatomic variations, Hounsfield scale values, and so on of maxillary incisive canals and the sizes and Hounsfield scale values of maxillary incisive canal cysts were analyzed.

Can the lower rate of CT- or MRI-related adverse drug reactions to contrast media due to stricter limitations on patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT or MRI?

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether a decreased occurrence rate of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to contrast media in contrast-enhanced CT and MRI was attributable to appropriate criteria for patients with some diseases. A secondary aim was to elucidate safety profiles for contrast media and factors influencing the occurrence of ADRs.

Methods: Clinical data of patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT (5576 cases) or MRI (3357 cases) were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate rates of ADRs to contrast media, symptoms of ADRs, treatments for ADRs, and differences in medical history, blood test results, and other factors between patients with and without ADRs in a dental hospital.

Characteristics of diffusion-weighted images and apparent diffusion coefficients of ranulas and other masses in and around the floor of the mouth.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of ranulas. In addition, to elucidate DWI findings and ADC values of other representative masses in and around the floor of the mouth.

Study Design: DWI findings and ADC values in 35 patients with ranulas and 33 patients with other masses were retrospectively reviewed with a central focus on cystic masses or lesions that may have cyst-like components in and around the floor of the mouth based on the diagnosis of each respective disease.

Significance and usefulness of imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts for the diagnosis of odontogenic tumors or cysts.

We aimed to determine the significance and usefulness of imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts (GT) for the diagnosis of odontogenic tumors or cysts. This was a retrospective analysis of relationships between odontogenic or non-odontogenic tumors or cysts and the GT that were visualized using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). The relationship between the size of a mass and expansion of the GT in all odontogenic tumors or cysts to which GTs were contiguous on MDCT, was statistically analyzed.

Functional evaluation of swallowing in patients with tongue cancer before and after surgery using high-speed continuous magnetic resonance imaging based on T2-weighted sequences.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of evaluating the function of swallowing before and after surgery in patients with tongue cancer by using T2-weighted sequences of high-speed continuous magnetic resonance imaging (HSCMRI).

Study Design: The imaging findings and related parameters on HSCMRI along with those on routine MRI examinations before and after surgery were examined in 19 patients with tongue cancer. In addition, changes in various parameters during 1 year after surgery were evaluated in 10 patients.