Crown shape of maxillary molars with delayed eruption.

The purpose of this study was to explore the crown shapes of maxillary molars with delayed eruption (DEMo1) at the position distal to the maxillary second premolar. Included teeth erupted later than the average for the maxillary first molar eruption in Japanese females (6.58 ± 0.

Modulation of cortically induced rhythmical jaw movements by stimulation of the red nucleus in the rat.

We study whether stimulation of the red nucleus (RN) can modulate rhythmical jaw movements in rats anesthetized by urethane. Rhythmical jaw movements were induced by repetitive electrical stimulation of the two cortical masticatory areas (area A: the orofacial motor cortex; area P: the insular cortex). Stimuli applied to the RN did influence rhythmical jaw movements induced by stimulation of the A-area.

Role of the parvicellular reticular formation in facilitating the jaw-opening reflex in rats by stimulation of the red nucleus.

In a previous study, we have shown that electrical and chemical stimulation of the red nucleus (RN) facilitates the jaw-opening reflex (JOR). The RN sends projection fibers bilaterally, with contralateral dominance, to the part of the parvicellular reticular formation (RFp) containing premotor neurons projecting to the trigeminal motor nucleus. This implies that RN-induced facilitation of the JOR might be mediated via last-order neurons in the RFp.

[Effect of differences in guide plane configuration on abutment tooth displacement during clasp insertion].

Purpose: Three types of guide plane were compared to clarify the effect of guide plane setting conditions on abutment displacement which arises when an Akers clasp is inserted.

Methods: An experimental model with an artificial periodontal membrane made of hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane impression material was created. Abutments given a guide plane with only a clasp body (G1), a guide plane whose span extended as far as the reciprocal clasp arm shoulder region diametrically opposite the retention area (G2), and a guide plane for the entire reciprocal clasp arm region (G3) were created, and an Akers clasp was made for each abutment.

Immunohistochemical expression of keratins 13 and 14 in the lingual epithelium of rats during the morphogenesis of filiform papillae.

We examined the immunofluorescence of keratins 13 (K13) and 14 (K14) and differential interference contrast (DIC) images during the morphogenesis of filiform papillae and the keratinization of the lingual epithelium of rats on semi-ultrathin sections of epoxy resin-embedded samples by laser-scanning microscopy. We also examined semi-ultrathin sections of epoxy resin embedded, toluidine blue stained samples by light microscopy to obtain details of cell histology and morphology. No immunoreactivity specific for K13 and K14 was detected on the lingual epithelium of foetuses on days 13, 15 and 17 after conception (E13, E15 and E17), during which time the number of layers of cuboidal cells in the lingual epithelium increased from one to several.

The effects of epinephrine in local anesthetics on plasma catecholamine and hemodynamic responses.

In order to clarify the influence of epinephrine in local anesthetics on endogenous epinephrine, we examined the concentration of plasma catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) and hemodynamics by administering 4 ml of 2% lidocaine containing different concentrations of epinephrine. Forty-three healthy adult male volunteers were divided into five groups according to epinephrine concentration: 0-microg (group I), 10-microg (group II), 20-microg (group III), 40-microg (group IV), and 50-microg (group V). The parameters were examined immediately, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after the injection.

Immunohistochemical localization of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and serum PTHrP in normocalcemic patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer cells produce parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in the early phase of malignancy development, before hypercalcemia occurs. The relationship between PTHrP and the clinicopathologic features of oral squamous cell carcinoma is poorly understood. We studied 60 patients (43 men, 17 women; mean age, 64.

Clinical evaluation of a new bleaching product "Polanight" in a Japanese population.

Home bleaching techniques have been applied as a safe and effective bleaching procedure. Many manufacturers are now marketing home tooth-bleaching products. The purpose of this study was to compare a new bleaching product, Polanight (PN) with a widely used home bleaching product, Opalescence (OP).

Embryological study of the development of the rat temporomandibular joint: highlighting the development of the glenoid fossa.

Basic embryological findings on the development of the temporomandibular joint have yet to be elucidated sufficiently. This experiment, was undertaken to find the standard time course of the development of the temporomandibular joint in rat fetuses. Serial frontal and sagittal sections of rat fetal heads (between 13.

[The usefulness of an oral moisture checking device (Moisture Checker for Mucus)].

Purpose: An oral moisture checking device is easy to use for the examination of oral dryness during clinical procedures. This study examined the usefulness of an oral moisture checking device.

Methods: The subjects in the examination of factors that influence the measured value of the oral moisture checking device were 16 sound adults (mean age 27.

[Effect of prism length on the notchless triangular prism fracture toughness test].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of holding condition with different prism length on the Notchless Triangular Prism (NTP) fracture toughness test and to define the prism length as a measuring condition.

Methods: Two kinds of NTP prism (ceramic and composite resin) were fabricated by CAD/CAM and each prism was adjusted to one of three lengths (8.0 mm, 12.

[Assessment of beta-tricalcium phosphate as a carrier for bone formation promoting agent, TAK-778-SR].

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of TAK-778-SR which was sustained-release microcapsules of a bone formation stimulant, TAK-778, and its carrier beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) blocks (pore rates 60%, 75% respectively). The difference of their abilities in bone-formation was evaluated histomorphologically by varying the following conditions: with or without TAK-778, pore ratio of carrier and embedding period.

Methods: Nine-week-old female SD rats were used.

A novel cysteine protease inhibitor with lectin activity from the epidermis of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica.

A novel cysteine protease inhibitor (Eel-CPI-1) was isolated from the epidermis of the eel. Eel-CPI-1 was shown to bind strongly to both lactose- and carboxymethylated papain-affinity gels. Its molecular mass under reducing condition was determined to be 18 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but approximately 30.

[The effectiveness of prosthodontic mandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Purpose: This study investigated the hypothesis of a direct association between the shift of incisal point and the diameter of the oropharynx space, and nocturnal oximetry with and without prosthodontic mandibular advancement (PMA) which is one type of oral appliance used to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and to indicate the effects of PMA.

Methods: A total of 19 patients with OSAS were subjected to finger pulse oximetry recording and lateral cephalometric radiography: with and without PMA. The distance of the oropharynx space (PNS-AS, SPAS, MAS, and IAS) and the shift of incisal point with PMA were measured.

Differential effects of FK506 and cyclosporin A on catecholamine release from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

1 The effects of the immunosuppressants, tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporin A (CsA), on catecholamine (CA) release were examined in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. 2 In intact cells, FK506 (1-30 microM) inhibited CA release stimulated by acetylcholine (ACh; 100 microM), 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium (DMPP, 10 microM) or high K+ (40 mM). CsA (1-30 microM) had a little inhibitory effect on the ACh- or DMPP-stimulated CA release, whereas it enhanced the high K(+)-stimulated CA release.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of nodular fasciitis in the mental region.

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a benign reactive lesion of the soft tissues related to the fascia and characterized by fibroblastic proliferation. The most common site is the upper extremities (46%), followed by the head and neck region (20%). In the orofacial region, the lesion typically develops within the subcutaneous structures overlying the angle and inferior border of the mandible and the zygoma.

Three-dimensional analysis of dentist's eye movements.

We measured the eye movements of a dentist while a pediatric patient walked toward a dental chair. Bilateral eye movements were measured and analyzed three-dimensionally based on the angle of convergence. The frequency of fixation points registered in each test ranged from 2 to 11, with an average of 6.

Stimulation of guanylate cyclase in rat parotid membranes by phosphate.

The natriuretic peptide receptor guanylate cyclases are members of the membrane-bound guanylate cyclase family. Atrial natriuretic pepticle (ANP) stimulates guanylate cyclase A, which is predominantly expressed in the rat parotid gland. ATP is well known to increase ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase, with Mg2+ as a cofactor.

Effect of filler size on wear resistance of resin cement.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of filler size on the wear of resin cements. Materials tested included four experimental dual-cure resin cements (Kuraray) consisting of different-sized filler particles. A rectangular box cavity was prepared on the flattened occlusal surface of extracted human molars.

Usefulness of measuring plasma cytokines in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

We determined the intra- and postoperative plasma concentrations of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-Alpha, interleukin [IL]-1Beta, IL-6, and IL-8) in oral surgery patients with procedures ranging in duration from 20 to 375 min and investigated their relationship to the intensity of the surgical stress over time. No significant differences from baseline levels were observed in the levels of TNF-Alpha, IL-1Beta, and IL-8. By contrast, increased IL-6 levels were noted only on the first postoperative day, when they reached 1500% of the baseline level, after which they decreased to preoperative levels by the third postoperative day and tended to reflect the intensity of surgical stress.

Finite element analysis of the influence of implant inclination, loading position, and load direction on stress distribution.

The selection of the appropriate alignment of an implant and the position of implantation are vital for its longterm success. Excessive load is generated around inclined implants, causing microcracks in the bone, which result in implant loosening and eventual failure. This study was designed to analyze the stress distribution caused by varying the degree of inclination of an implant body and varying the loading position and direction, using the finite-element method of stress analysis.

A prototype small CdTe gamma camera for radioguided surgery and other imaging applications.

Gamma probes have been used for sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma and breast cancer. However, these probes can provide only radioactivity counts and variable pitch audio output based on the intensity of the detected radioactivity. We have developed a small semiconductor gamma camera (SSGC) that allows visualisation of the size, shape and location of the target tissues.

Morphological study of lingual papillae in the fetal cat at mid-gestation, as revealed by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Tongues were removed from five cat fetuses, after approximately 1 month of gestation, for examination by light and scanning electron microscopy. Rudiments of filiform papillae were visible over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The epithelium of the dorsal surface of the tongue was of the stratified cuboidal type.

Characterization of cGMP-related phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in rat salivary glands.

Isolation and characterization of the cGMP-related phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes in rat salivary glands were investigated. Both cGMP- and cAMP-PDE activities were mainly present in the 100,000 g supernatant fractions from the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The results of inhibition studies and ion-exchange chromatography suggest that Ca(2+)/calmodulin markedly stimulates PDE1 in the parotid and sublingual glands, and slightly in the submandibular gland.

Construction of large area organotypical cultures of oral mucosa and skin.

Background: Skin and oral mucosal keratinocytes grown in vitro usually lose their normal patterns of differentiation, unless grown as organotypical cultures that are constructed by allowing collagen gels containing fibroblasts to contract before they are plated with keratinocytes and raised to the air/medium interface. However, the contraction process tends to produce small irregular cultures.

Methods: To generate uniformly differentiating large cultures, we have investigated several aspects of the factors involved in the culture construction.