Test-retest reliability of MRI-based disk position diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint.

This study evaluated the test-retest reliability for determining the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk position, diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These assessments were done as a base-line measurement for a prospective cohort study, which examines the risk factors for precipitation and progression of temporomandibular disorders. Fifteen subjects (mean age, 24.

Expression changes of multiple brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcripts in selective spinal nerve ligation model and complete Freund's adjuvant model.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression changes in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord in some pain models. Recently, rat BDNF transcripts containing novel 5' untranslated exons were identified and characterized, and a new numbering system for rat BDNF exons was introduced. We examined the expression profiles of these novel BDNF transcripts in bilateral L4/5 DRGs in an L5-selective spinal nerve ligation (SSNL) model and bilateral L5 DRGs in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of rats.

Antitumor effect of gefitinib ('Iressa') on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo.

High expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is thought to be correlated with cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, resistance to chemoradiotherapy, and poor prognosis in various kinds of human cancers. Blockade of EGFR signal transduction can be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Approximately 40-70% of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) show high expression of EGFR.