Influence of auditory deprivation upon the tonopic organization in the inferior colliculus: a Fos immunocytochemical study in the rat.

The frequency organization in the inferior colliculus of neonatally-deafened rats was investigated using electrical stimulation of the cochlea and immunoreactivity for Fos as a marker of neuronal activity. An electrode implanted either at the base or at the apex of the right cochlea delivered a unique 45-min stimulation at two different level intensities and at two time points, i.e.

Prevalence and correlation of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in Taiwanese women.

Aims: We randomly sampled a community-based, healthy population to evaluate the prevalence and correlation of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. We also assessed the influences of these conditions on quality of life and associated risk factors.

Methods: Of the 1,581 women sampled (2.

Relationship between intracellular glutathione level and the mode of cell death induced by pingyangmycin.

The effects of intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentration on the toxicity of pingyangmycin in human squamous cell carcinoma cell line were evaluated. By using the GSH synthesis inhibitor D,L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine and the precursor of cysteine 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTZ), intracellular glutathione levels were artificially changed. After exposed to different GSH concentrations cultured tumor cells were treated with pingyangmycin and the resultant mode of cell death was analyzed using morphological and biochemical criteria.

Study of an outbreak of Enterobacter cloacae sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit: the application of epidemiologic chromosome profiling by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Objective: From October 1996 to March 1997, a cluster of 11 cases of neonatal sepsis caused by Enterobacter cloacae with similar antimicrobial susceptibility patterns occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit. This outbreak prompted an investigation.

Method: Twelve isolates obtained from 6 neonatal patients who developed E cloacae sepsis during the outbreak were analyzed.

Imaging comparison of basic cardiac views between two- and three-dimensional ultrasound in normal fetuses in anterior spine positions.

Objective: When the fetal spine is in anterior position, it shadows the fetal heart, resulting in the difficult visualization using two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound. The purpose of this study was to compare the basic cardiac views of normal fetuses between 2D and 3D ultrasound to demonstrate whether 3D ultrasound improved the visualization of these views in fetuses in anterior spine positions. In addition, inter- and intra-observation reliabilities of basic cardiac views using 3D ultrasound were evaluated for their clinical applicability.

Hippocampal volume and antidepressant response in geriatric depression.

Background: Biological markers of treatment response may include structural brain changes seen on neuroimaging. While most imaging studies have focused on cerebrovascular disease, evidence is growing that the hippocampus may play a role in depression, particularly geriatric depression.

Method: We studied 60 depressed elderly patients enrolled in a longitudinal study who were treated with antidepressant medications using a treatment guideline-based approach.

Elevated vimentin expression in buccal mucosal fibroblasts by arecoline in vitro as a possible pathogenesis for oral submucous fibrosis.

Areca quid chewing is strongly correlated with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) in Taiwan. The cytotoxicity of arecoline, a major areca nut alkaloid, on human oral fibroblasts has been extensively studied. To date, however, there has been little research exploring the possible effects of arecoline on cytoskeleton components.

Cytotoxic effects of denture base materials on a permanent human oral epithelial cell line and on primary human oral fibroblasts in vitro.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the cytocompatibility of three different extracts of denture base resins and to compare the cytotoxic effect of these materials on a human oral epithelial KB cell line and primary human oral fibroblasts derived from buccal mucosa.

Materials And Methods: Set specimens from a heat-cured resin, a self-cured resin, and a light-cured resin were eluted with culture medium for 1, 3, and 5 days. Cytotoxicity was judged using tetrazolium bromide reduction assay.

Resinous perforation-repair materials inhibit the growth, attachment, and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts.

The choice of repair material is one of the important factors in the prognosis of the endodontically treated tooth with a perforation defect. The cytotoxicity of perforation-repair materials must be investigated to ensure a safe biological response. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of resin-modified, glass-ionomer cement, compomer, and resin on human-gingival fibroblasts.

Primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcoma of the left main bronchus in a child presenting with wheezing and atelectasis of the left lung.

Primary lung tumors are rare in children, and primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcomas are very rare in children, with only 10 cases reported in the English-language literature. We report on the eleventh case of primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcoma in a child, and it is the first case in Taiwan, and also in Asia. In addition, this is the second case of this tumor arising in the left main bronchus.

Increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression and inhibition of gelatinase A activity in buccal mucosal fibroblasts by arecoline as possible mechanisms for oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a pre-malignant fibrotic lesion of the mouth in areca quid chewers. It is probably a consequence of disturbances in the hemeostatic equilibrium between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix molecules (ECM). To date, there has been little research about the role of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathogenesis of OSF.

Cytotoxicity of resin-, zinc oxide-eugenol-, and calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers on human periodontal ligament cells and permanent V79 cells.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of three different types of root canal sealer on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and a permanent hamster cell line (V79 cells).

Methodology: Set specimens from two resin based sealers (AH26 and AHPlus), three zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealers (Canals, Endomethasone and N2) and one calcium hydroxide-based sealer (Sealapex) were eluted with culture medium for 1, 2, 3 and 7 days. Cytotoxicity was judged using tetrazolium bromide reduction assay on human primary PDL cells and V79 cells derived from a Chinese hamster.

Stimulation of matrix metalloproteinases by black-pigmented Bacteroides in human pulp and periodontal ligament cell cultures.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading most components of the extracellular matrix. Recently, evidence has shown that MMPs may play a role in tissue degradation in inflamed dental pulp. To date very little is known regarding the mechanism of extracellular matrix destruction at the site of bacterial infection.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children-report of one case.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is rare in pediatric patients. The three main manifestations, defined by Klein et al. in 1970, were (a) predominant mucosal, (b) predominant muscular-layer, and (c) predominant subserosal disease.

Induction of c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes expression by formaldehyde-releasing and epoxy resin-based root-canal sealers in human osteoblastic cells.

An important requirement for a root-canal sealer is biologic compatibility; most evaluations have focused on general toxicological and local tissue irritating properties. There is only scant information about mutagenicity or carcinogenicity testing for root-canal sealer. It has been shown that c-fos and c-jun are induced rapidly by a variety of chemical and physical stimuli.

Inhaled nitric oxide in the management of persistent pulmonary hypertension of term infants.

Background And Purpose: Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous vasodilator that is responsible for regulating smooth muscle tone via changes in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Inhaled NO (iNO) causes pulmonary vasodilatation without affecting systemic vascular resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of iNO therapy for the treatment of term infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Assessment of the genotoxicity of resin and zinc-oxide eugenol-based root canal sealers using an in vitro mammalian test system.

Endodontic sealers frequently are placed in direct contact with living tissues. Thus root canal sealers should have good biocompatibility. However, the pathobiologic effects, especially genotoxicity, of various root canal sealers widely used in dentistry have not been studied systematically on eukaryotic cells.

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 production by cytokines and pharmacological agents in human pulp cell cultures.

Type IV matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are members of the family of MMPs and are thought to play an important role in degradation of extracellular components. Human pulp cells can secrete and produce these enzymes. Recent evidence shows that MMPs may play a role in pulpal inflammation.

Cytotoxic evaluation of root canal filling materials on primary human oral fibroblast cultures and a permanent hamster cell line.

To date there has been very little data on the cytotoxic response of different cell lines to root canal sealers. The objective of this study was to determine the cytocompatibility of three different extracts of root canal sealers and to compare the cytotoxic response of these materials on two different primary human oral fibroblasts (derived from gingiva and buccal mucosa) and one permanent hamster cell line (V79 cells). Cytotoxicity was judged using an assay of tetrazolium bromide reduction.

The correlation between alteration of p16 gene and clinical status in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the presence of alteration of the tumor suppressor gene p16 and to correlate these changes with the clinical status of the patients in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Forty-eight oral squamous cell carcinomas were included in the analyses. Deletion analysis was performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Synergistic effects of nicotine on arecoline-induced cytotoxicity in human buccal mucosal fibroblasts.

Areca quid chewing has been linked to oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. Arecoline, a major areca nut alkaloid, is considered to be the most important etiologic factor in the areca nut. In order to elucidate the pathobiological effects of arecoline, cytotoxicity assays, cellular glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and lipid peroxidation assay were employed to investigate cultured human buccal mucosal fibroblasts.

The shear bond strength of composite brackets on porcelain teeth.

Recent advances in materials and techniques suggest that direct bonding of orthodontic attachments to surfaces other than enamel may now be possible. To test the effectiveness of bonding orthodontic attachments to porcelain teeth, composite brackets (Spirit MB) were bonded to 64 porcelain teeth by means of a self-cure non-mixed resin system (Unite). The 64 porcelain teeth were divided into groups of eight and after roughening with a green stone they were subjected to a combination of treatments.

Cytotoxicity of halothane on human gingival fibroblast cultures in vitro.

Recently halothane has been reported to be the most suitable alternative to chloroform in dissolving gutta-percha. Periapical tissue toxicity of halothane is not completely known. In this study gutta-percha dissolved by halothane was evaluated with the almar blue dye assay using human gingival fibroblast cultures.

Lung abscess in congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation: report of one case.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung is an uncommon anomaly of fetal development of terminal respiratory structures. Patients with CCAM may present either in the newborn with progressive respiratory distress, or in older children with recurrent pulmonary infections. Lung abscess is an extremely rare presentation.

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome in children with intrauterine growth retardation.

It has been well established that intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with greater morbidity and mortality rates during perinatal and adult life. The aim of this study is to clarify whether IUGR, defined as a birth weight less than the 10th percentile for gestational age, influences the clinical course of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in children. The study included 50 children aged 1 to 13 years at the onset of MCNS.