Neuronal activities of the vestibular nuclear complex during mechanically induced rhythmic jaw movements in rats.

We studied the neuronal activities of the vestibular nuclear complex (VN) neurons during rhythmic jaw movements in rats anesthetized with urethane. Rhythmic jaw movements were induced by mechanical stimulation of the palate mucosa. The firing rate of approximately 25% of VN neurons increased significantly, and that of 10% of VN neurons decreased significantly, during these rhythmic jaw movements.

Intraoperative gamma cameras for radioguided surgery: technical characteristics, performance parameters, and clinical applications.

Several small gamma cameras (SGCs) intended for surgical use are now in development or currently being marketed. In this review, we discuss the characteristics, performance, and clinical use of SGCs which are hand-held and small enough to be easily managed by surgeons during their procedures. We expect that SGCs have the potential to be used more widely in radioguided surgery.

The rostral parvicellular reticular formation neurons mediate lingual nerve input to the rostral ventrolateral medulla.

In rats that had been anesthetized by urethane-chloralose, we investigated whether neurons in the rostral part of the parvicellular reticular formation (rRFp) mediate lingual nerve input to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), which is involved in somato-visceral sensory integration and in controlling the cardiovascular system. We determined the effect of the lingual nerve stimulation on activity of the rRFp neurons that were activated antidromically by stimulation of the RVLM. Stimulation of the lingual trigeminal afferent gave rise to excitatory effects (10/26, 39%), inhibitory effects (6/26, 22%) and no effect (10/26, 39%) on the RVLM-projecting rRFp neurons.

Difference in the thickness of mouthguards fabricated from step-type polyolefin-polystyrene copolymer sheets differently arranged v-shaped grooves.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in thickness of different types of step-type mouthguard sheets after suction molding in response to heating conditions for more effective use.

Methods: Four types of mouthguard sheets (Impact Guard(®)) were compared: a step-type sheet; a step-type sheet with a v-shaped groove 30 mm from the anterior end; a step-type sheet with a v-shaped groove at the inferior margin of the step portion; and a step-type sheet with a v-shaped groove at the center of the step portion. The working model was trimmed to a height of 20-mm at the incisor and 15-mm at the first molar.

Influence of third molar space on angulation and dental arch crowding.

The influence of the third molars on mandibular incisor crowding has been extensively studied but remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether, in Mongolian subjects, the lower third molar can affect anterior crowding and/or the inclination of teeth in the lower lateral segments. Panoramic radiographs, 45° oblique cephalograms, and dental casts were taken from Mongolian subjects (age range 18.

Influence of color difference of mouthguard sheet on thickness after forming.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the color difference of mouthguard in hardness, water sorption and thickness after forming EVA sheets. Six different colors of sheets were tested for each of three manufacturers.

Methods: The materials used in this study were mouthguard sheets made by three manufacturers.

Chitinase expression in parotid glands of non-obese diabetic mice.

Objective: This investigation was a basal study that used a mouse model of xerostomia to identify protein biomarkers of xerostomia in saliva. We identified genes expressed differently in parotid glands from non-obese diabetic mice with diabetes and those from control mice; subsequently, we investigated expression of the proteins encoded by these genes in parotid glands and saliva.

Materials And Methods: DNA microarray and real-time PCR analyses were performed to detect differences between NOD/ShiJcl and C57BL/6JJcl (control) female mice in gene expression from parotid glands or parotid acinar cells.

A method to maintain the thickness of the mouthguard after the vacuum forming process: changes of the holding conditions of the mouthguard sheet.

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the thickness of the mouthguard sheet according to the holding conditions during heating. The material used in this study was Sports Mouthguard (3.8 mm thickness), and two holding conditions of the sheet were undertaken: one was the condition that the sheet was held all around the periphery and the other was that the sheet was held at only four points.

Literature review in cases with exacerbation of ulcerative colitis induced by treatment with interferon and/or ribavirin.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune disorder of the gastrointestinal tract which has been reported to be precipitated by interferon (IFN) therapy. We describe the results of a literature review of cases in which the development or exacerbation of UC was coincident with IFN and/or ribavirin (RIB) treatment for chronic hepatitis C. We summarized the studies on the effectiveness of IFN for UC or Crohn's disease, which were primarily carried out in Europe and the USA.

Three-dimensional observation of the mouse embryo by micro-computed tomography: Meckel's cartilage, otocyst, and/or muscle of tongue.

Three-dimensional observation during embryogenesis is possible with micro-computed tomography, but there are no observations of organ size. In this paper, three examples of three-dimensional observation of organs by micro-CT are tried. At 13.

Casting of MOD inlay using rings with holes on both sides: 12∼18 wt%Au-20∼26Pd-14.48∼26.48Cu-40Ag-1.5Zn-0.02Ir alloys.

Using a casting ring with openings on both sides and a water-absorbent polymer, heterogeneity is maintained in a single casting and a precise MOD inlay can be produced. We produced 9 different kinds of gold-silver-palladium (Au-Ag-Pd) alloys by changing the ratio of palladium, gold, and copper and investing them, and changing parameters such as the angulation of the casting ring openings and the water:powder ratios to produce MOD inlay castings. We measured the expansion and shrinkage percentage of the castings in both the buccolingual and mesiodistal directions.

Successful treatment of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in a patient with gastric and rectal lesions with metachronous and ectopic development.

A 75-year-old female, who had an abnormal stomach x-ray finding, was admitted to the hospital for further examination and therapy. Upper GI endoscopy showed reddish and swollen folds on the greater curvature of the gastric body and a biopsy was of this lesion revealed malignant lymphoma (small cell type or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma suspected). The patient was infected with Helicobacter pylori (H.

Patterns of immunoreactivity specific for gustducin and for NCAM differ in developing rat circumvallate papillae and their taste buds.

α-Gustducin and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) are molecules previously found to be expressed in different cell types of mammalian taste buds. We examined the expression of α-gustducin and NCAM during the morphogenesis of circumvallate papillae and the formation of their taste buds by immunofluorescence staining and laser-scanning microscopy of semi-ultrathin sections of fetal and juvenile rat tongues. Images obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy in transmission mode were also examined to provide outlines of histology and cell morphology.

Conditioning effects of cavities prepared with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser and an air-turbine.

The purpose of this study was to examine, morphologically and histochemically, five types of conditioning effects on cavities prepared with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser and an air-turbine. Cavities were prepared using a Waterlase(®) MD turbo handpiece (W) and an air-turbine (AT) on human extracted molars. The cavity conditionings used were non-conditioned (G1), K-etchant Gel (G2), K-etchant Gel + AD Gel (G3), Clearfil SE Bond primer (G4) and Clearfil S(3) Bond (G5).

The characterization of dentin defects produced by air polishing.

The objective of this study is to characterize the defects in the dentin surface after air polishing for three types of polishing powders and five different nozzle distances. Human teeth were embedded in acrylic resin and then polished until the dentin surface became exposed. The nozzle of the polisher was fixed at a specified distance (2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 mm) and orientation (45°) with respect to the dentin surface.

Localization of type III collagen in the lingual mucosa of rats during the morphogenesis of circumvallate papillae.

In an effort to identify a possible role for type III collagen in the morphogenesis of circumvallate papillae on the surface of the rat tongue, we examined its appearance by fluorescent immunostaining, in conjunction with differential interference contrast images and images obtained, after staining with toluidine blue, in the transmission mode by laser-scanning microscopy. We analyzed semi-ultrathin sections of epoxy resin-embedded samples of the lingual mucosa of embryonic and juvenile rats, 13 days after conception (E13) to day 21 after birth (P21). Immunoreactivity specific for type III collagen was recognized first in the mesenchymal connective tissue just beneath the circumvallate papilla placode in fetuses on E13.

A morphological analysis on the osteocytic lacunar canalicular system in bone surrounding dental implants.

Osseointegration is the most preferable interface of dental implants and newly formed bone. However, the cavity preparation for dental implants often gives rise to empty lacunae or pyknotic osteocytes in bone surrounding the dental implant. This study aimed to examine the chronological alternation of osteocytes in the bone surrounding the titanium implants using a rat model.

Relative position of the mylohyoid line on dentulous and edentulous mandibles.

For the purpose of studying the relative position of the mylohyoid line, 156 Japanese mandibles (62 dentulous, 94 edentulous) were measured and comparisons made between specimens. Resorption of bone above the level of the mylohyoid line was recognized but no obvious changes were noted below the level of the mylohyoid line, except in rare cases. A straight pattern of the mylohyoid line was observed most frequently, with the segment of the mylohyoid line between the first and second molars being straight.

Effects of tooth bleaching on shear bond strength of brackets rebonded with a self-etching adhesive system.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of tooth bleaching on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets rebonded with a self-etching adhesive system. A total of 39 premolars were collected and divided into three equal groups: in group 1 bracket bonding was performed without bleaching treatment; specimens in group 2 were bonded immediately after bleaching; and group 3 teeth were bleached, then immersed in artificial saliva and left for 7 days before bonding. The shear bond strength was measured, with the bonding/debonding procedures repeated once after the first debonding, and the bracket/adhesive failure modes were evaluated by the adhesive remnant index after each debonding.

Effect of CO₂ laser irradiation on wound healing of exposed rat pulp.

This study examined the effects of direct pulp capping treatment using super-pulsed CO₂ laser preirradiation on the wound healing process of exposed rat pulp on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 postoperatively. Group 1 was irradiated with a CO₂ laser and directly capped with a self-etching adhesive system. The laser was operated in super-pulse mode (pulse duration, 200 μs; interval, 5800 μs; 0.

Comparison of diameters at the cementoenamel junction between South Asians and Japanese.

Previously, sex differences among the various tooth types in Japanese skulls were examined to facilitate choosing an implant diameter similar to the cervical diameter of each tooth, and it was found that mesiodistal diameters at the cementoenamel junction were narrower in women than in men. Also interesting and relevant to the selection of implant diameter is the possible existence of racial differences in diameters at the cementoenamel junction. The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that the diameter at the cementoenamel junction of the tooth differs in humans of different races.

Effect of the concentrations of calcium chloride and synthetic peptides in primers on dentin bond strength of an experimental adhesive system.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of an experimental adhesive system, which was prepared using different concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) and synthetic peptides (pA/pB). Specimens were divided into six experimental groups and two control groups. In the experimental groups, self-etching primers used in the adhesive system comprised both Primer-I (Clearfil SE Bond Primer (SEP) containing 1, 5, or 10 wt% CaCl(2)) and Primer-II (SEP containing 0.

Modulation of cortically induced rhythmic jaw movements in rats by stimulation of the vestibular nuclear complex.

We study whether stimulation of the vestibular nuclear (VN) complex can modulate rhythmic jaw movements in rats anesthetized by urethane. Rhythmic jaw movements were induced by repetitive electrical stimulation of the orofacial motor cortex. Stimulation of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) during the jaw-closing phase increased the amplitude of the jaw-closing movement.

Study of delayed development of the upper first molars.

The present study was undertaken to analyze the status of formation of the upper first molar in individuals suspected as having delayed eruption of the upper first molar. The subjects of this study were 51 patients presenting to orthodontic specialists with delayed eruption of the upper first molars. The 95 teeth of these 51 patients were observed.

Clinical evaluation of three months' nightguard vital bleaching on tetracycline-stained teeth using Polanight 10% carbamide gel: 2-year follow-up study.

Nightguard vital bleaching (NGVB) has been applied as a safe and effective bleaching procedure with a wide variety of commercial products consisting of carbamide peroxide-based gels, but there have been few reports on tooth bleaching for tetracycline-stained teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bleaching effects on teeth discolored by tetracycline with 3 months' active treatment, and to investigate the participant satisfaction, the shade stability, and the post-treatment side effects 2 years after the treatment. A custom-made tray with Polanight 10% carbamide peroxide gel was applied to both the incisal and premolar teeth (10 teeth of each participant), and the participants were directed to wear the tray every night over the course of the 3 months.