The role of ERG (ets related gene) in cartilage development.

Objective: Based on function and developmental fate, cartilage tissue can be broadly classified into two types: transient (embryonic or growth-plate) cartilage and permanent cartilage. Chondrocytes in transient cartilage undergo terminal differentiation into hypertrophic cells, induce cartilage-matrix mineralization, and eventually disappear and are replaced by bone. On the other hand, chondrocytes in permanent cartilage do not differentiate further, do not become hypertrophic, and persist throughout life at specific sites, including joints and tracheal rings.

Fba, a novel fibronectin-binding protein from Streptococcus pyogenes, promotes bacterial entry into epithelial cells, and the fba gene is positively transcribed under the Mga regulator.

In infection by Streptococcus pyogenes, fibronectin (Fn)-binding proteins play important roles as adhesins and invasins. Here, we present a novel Fn-binding protein of S. pyogenes that exhibits a low similarity to other Fn-binding proteins reported.

Cytotoxicity of intracanal bleaching agents on periodontal ligament cells in vitro.

Intracoronal bleaching of nonvital teeth is a simple and conservative procedure for esthetic restoration of discolored teeth. However it is possible that damage to the periodontal ligament may occur if the bleaching agents contact this tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity of intracanal bleaching agents on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells in vitro.

Retrospective analysis of 1502 patients with facial fractures.

A total of 1502 patients with facial fractures treated between 1981 and 1996 were retrospectively analysed. The male: female ratio was 2.8:1 and the largest subgroup of patients was between 10 and 29 years of age.

Adherence of plaque components to different restorative materials.

This study compared the amount of artificial plaque synthesized in vitro by Streptococcus sobrinus on various dental materials using radioisotopes. In particular, plaque-retaining capacities of new types of ceramics were the focus of this study. Specimens were fabricated from the following materials (one amalgam alloy [Spherical-D], one casting gold alloy [Casting Gold TYPE I], one resin composite [Herculite XR] and three ceramics [Vita Celay Blanks, IPS Empress and Dicor MGC]).

Amlodipine-induced gingival overgrowth: periodontal responses to stopping and restarting the drug.

A case history of a woman with gingival overgrowth (GO) induced by amlodipine is presented. A 49-year-old Japanese woman, who was taking amlodipine, had gingival overgrowth and swelling on examination. No specific periodontal treatment was provided to the patient for the GO; however, the amlodipine was replaced with an ACE inhibitor after consultation with her medical practitioner.

Perception of dry mouth in a sample of community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of perceived dry mouth among a group of independently-living elderly persons in Japan, and to determine its association with general disease, medication, and dental status, as well as its effect on oral function. The study population consisted of participants of the Senior Citizens' College. The subjective sensations of oral dryness on waking and while eating a meal were measured by a questionnaire.

Cytochrome c-mediated caspase-9 activation triggers apoptosis in Streptococcus pyogenes-infected epithelial cells.

Epithelial cells are the initial sites of host invasion by group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), and their infection of epithelial cells has been suggested to induce apoptosis. However, the mechanism responsible for bacteria-host interaction and the induction of apoptosis has not been clearly understood. We demonstrate here that human pharyngeal epithelial HEp-2 cells became apoptotic with DNA fragmentation by invasion of GAS strains JRS4 (M6+, F1+) and JRS145 (M6-, F1+ mutant of JRS4), whereas apoptotic cellular changes were not observed in SAM1 (M6+, F1- mutant) or SAM2 (M6-, F1- mutant) infected HEp-2 cells.

Plunging ranula as a complication of intraoral removal of a submandibular sialolith.

Mucous cysts in the submandibular region--so-called 'plunging' ranula--are relatively uncommon. We report a case of a plunging ranula that complicated excision of an intraductal sialolith of the submandibular gland.

Simultaneous presence of a congenitally missing premolar and supernumerary incisor in the same jaw: report of case.

Supernumerary teeth and hypodontia can be regarded as opposite developmental phenomena. An eight-year-old girl presented a concomitant occurrence of a supernumerary tooth and two congenitally missing teeth. The supernumerary tooth was found in the left maxillary incisor region, while the left second premolar in the maxilla and the left lateral incisor in the mandible were congenitally missing.

Influence of painful chronic neuropathy on neurogenic inflammation.

The effect of topical application of capsaicin cream on neurogenic inflammation was investigated in a neuropathic pain model in rat. The neuropathic state was induced by loose ligation of the sciatic nerve with a chromic gut suture. A marked thermal hyperalgesia was observed in response to heat stimulation applied to the operated side from 3 days through 2 weeks, followed by a gradual return to the control level 35 days after surgery.

Simultaneous occurrence of unusual odontodysplasia and oligodontia in the permanent dentition: report of a case.

Odontodysplasia is an uncommon clinicopathological condition with a variety of expressions. Although it is generally recognized as a localized disorder of dental tissue, its aetiology has not yet been well explained. In the present case, odontodysplasia with oligodontia in the permanent dentition is reported.

Studies on cytotoxicity of nickel ions using C3H10T1/2 fibroblast cells.

Cytotoxicity of Ni ions were examined using C3H mouse derived 10T1/2 fibroblast cells. It became evident that Ni ions had dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The cell number incubated in DME medium containing 0.

Inhibition of bacterial and glucan adherence to various light-cured fluoride-releasing restorative materials.

Objectives: This study investigated the potential plaque adhesion properties of various light-cured fluoride-releasing restorative materials by measuring the amount of adhering radiolabeled bacteria and glucan.

Methods: Three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGI) and two polyacid-modified resin composites (compomer) were used in this study. As a control, one light-cured resin composite was added.

Dental follicle cell-conditioned medium enhances the formation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells.

An influx of mononuclear cells and the subsequent increase of osteoclasts around tooth germs suggests that the dental follicle (DF) regulates or influences bone resorption required for tooth eruption. In order to study the effects of DF cell products on osteoclast formation during tooth eruption, a conditioned medium (CM) was created in which DF cells were added to mouse bone marrow cultures. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclast-like multinucleated cells were formed in the presence of 10 nM 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3].

Effects of short professional mechanical tooth-cleaning (PMTC) program in young adults with mental disabilities.

We evaluated the usefulness of a short professional mechanical tooth-cleaning (PMTC) program to improve periodontal conditions and caries susceptibility in 10 young adult patients with mental and/or physical disabilities. The PMTC program was carried out once on each of 6 sextants of the full mouth during 6 visits at two-week intervals. Even one treatment with PMTC was found to be significantly effective in reducing the probing depth in eight of the 10 subjects.

In vitro fitting accuracy of copy-milled alumina cores and all-ceramic crowns.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the marginal and internal fit of alumina cores and all-ceramic crowns in a new preparation design for abutment teeth devised for copy milling.

Materials And Methods: Using conventional dies and dies from the new type of preparation design, 20 alumina cores were produced by copy milling, 10 cores in each die type. Also using the new type of die, another 10 final crowns were fabricated.

Dimensional changes and pressure of dental stones set in silicone rubber impressions.

Objectives: A high expansion stone has been used for improving the adaptation of dentures. Although the method is based on the idea to compensate for the processing shrinkage of the denture base resin with the high expansion stone, there are few studies on the expansion behavior of stones in an impression. The purpose of this study is to clarify the dimensional changes of stones set in silicone rubber impressions using two types of impression tray.

Crown dilaceration of a first premolar caused by extraction of its deciduous predecessor: a case report.

This report describes a rare case of crown dilaceration of the mandibular first premolar caused by trauma during extraction of the precedent primary first molar. The mandibular first primary molar had been extracted at the age of 4 years 7 months. Compared to the pre-operative radiograph, the post-operative film showed that the direction of the first premolar tooth germ had changed, suggesting that crown dilaceration had been induced by the surgical procedures during tooth extraction.

Multiple fractures of primary molars caused by injuries to the chin: report of two cases.

Two cases of multiple fractures of the primary molars caused by injuries to the chin are presented. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed a vertical fracture line in the maxillary and mandibular primary molars. Pulpotomy or pulpectomy treatment was performed on the affected teeth, which were then restored with preformed stainless steel crowns.

Degree of conversion of composites measured by DTA and FTIR.

Objective: Differential thermal analysis (DTA) using a split fiber optic light source has been reported to be a convenient method of measuring the degree of conversion (DC) of light-activated composites. The purpose of this study was to compare the results by DTA and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and evaluate the usefulness of the DTA method.

Methods: Experimental 2,2-bis[4-(3-methacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]propane-based composites containing SiO2 filler and various amounts of triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) were prepared, and the DC of each composite was determined by DTA or FTIR with 60s irradiation.

Systemic and mucosal immunizations with fibronectin-binding protein FBP54 induce protective immune responses against Streptococcus pyogenes challenge in mice.

The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of fibronectin-binding protein FBP54 as a putative vaccine for Streptococcus pyogenes infections. When the distribution of the fbp54 gene among the clinical isolates representing various M serotypes was tested by PCR and Southern blot assays, it was found that all of the strains possess this gene. Furthermore, a significant increase in immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers against FBP54 was observed in sera from patients with S.

Oxygen sufficiency in the gingiva of smokers and non-smokers with periodontal disease.

Background: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated deteriorating effects of smoking on periodontal tissue. The aims of this study were to compare oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the gingiva (GSo2) of smokers and non-smokers and to evaluate the chronic effect of smoking on gingival oxygen sufficiency.

Methods: GSo2 was determined using tissue reflectance spectrophotometry in 110 papillary gingival sites of 62 smokers and 100 sites of 60 non-smokers.

Molecular cloning, sequence and characterization of a novel streptococcal phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase gene.

The nucleotide sequence of a Streptococcus mutans serA gene that encodes D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase has been determined. The gene consisted of 1308-bp nucleotides coding for a 436-amino-acid polypeptide (48,546 Da). The deduced amino acid sequence showed a 66% identity with SerA from Bacillus subtilis and possessed specific residues (G-R-P-N-V-G) in the coenzyme-binding domain, alpha B helix.

Migration of a dental implant into the maxillary sinus. A case report.

This article reports a rare case of a displaced dental implant that migrated into the maxillary sinus.