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Here is presented a potential-scanning sensing technique for refractive index detection using a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) coated with indium tin oxide (ITO). The LPFG was produced by an electric arc-induced technique. The sensing is achieved by controlling the electron density of the ITO electrode by potential scanning. The attenuation peak of the LPFG in the transmittance spectra is shifted by the application of a potential. Therefore, a transmittance–potential spectrum with an attenuation peak is obtained during potential scanning, and the refractive index near the sensor can be determined from the peak potential at attenuation. The ITO-LPFG was successfully employed to experimentally perform potential-scanning for refractive index detection in sucrose solutions with concentrations between 0% and 33%. A sensor resolution of 0.0063 ΔRI and a sensitivity of 9.9 V/RIU were obtained using this approach. These values were improved using wavelengths that were experimentally shown to provide high sensitivity and refractive index linearity. A minimum sensor resolution of 0.0017 ΔRI and a maximum sensitivity of 26.7 V/RIU were obtained at 1136 nm. The measurements determined from the peak potential in this work were unaffected by variations in the initial light intensity for individual samples. In addition, this sensing approach can be employed in the near-infrared region and is capable of real-time and remote monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a head-to-head randomized trial of minodronate, a bisphosphonate, and raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, to obtain clinical evidence and information about their efficacy and safety. The Japanese Osteoporosis Intervention Trial protocol number 4 (JOINT-04) trial is a multi-center, open-labeled, blinded endpoints, head-to-head randomized trial of minodronate and raloxifene. Ambulatory elderly women with osteoporosis (age, >60 years) were randomly allocated to the raloxifene or minodronate group by central registration. The co-primary endpoints included any one of osteoporotic fractures (vertebral, humeral, femoral, and radial fractures), vertebral fractures, and major osteoporotic fractures (clinical vertebral, humeral, femoral, and radial fractures). The biological effects of each drug, patients' quality of life, and drug safety were assessed based on the secondary outcomes. This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) under trial identification number UMIN000005433. A total of 3896 patients were randomized to the minodronate and raloxifene groups, and drug efficacy assessments were performed for 3247 patients (1623 and 1624 patients, respectively). Among these patients, 1176 and 1187 patients received allocated treatment for 2 years. The incidence rate ratios for osteoporotic, vertebral, and major osteoporotic fractures in the minodronate group were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.78–1.13, p =.494), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.70–1.05, p =.147), and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.86–1.74, p =.274), respectively. Compared to the raloxifene group, the minodronate group showed significantly increased bone mineral density of the lumbar spine for each visit (6 months: p =.007, 12 months: p =.0003, 24 months: p<.0001). Also, serious adverse reactions were observed for four and six patients in the minodronate and raloxifene groups, respectively. Overall, there were no statistical differences in the incidence rates of osteoporotic, vertebral, or major osteoporotic fractures between the two groups. Serious adverse reactions were rare in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the morphological temporomandibular joint (TMJ) changes that occur after orthodontic treatment in patients with Angle Class II malocclusion.Methods: The post-treatment changes in TMJ morphology were analyzed, based on TMJ cephalometric laminographs in 19 patients with Angle Class II malocclusion and labial inclination of the upper incisors after premolar extraction.Results: The condylar pass angle, articular eminence to the Frankfort horizontal plane angle, and total, upper, and lower heights of the articular fossa increased significantly on both sides after treatment and retention. The anteroposterior width of the articular fossa decreased significantly on both sides after treatment and retention.Discussion: These results suggest that adaptive bone remodeling of the TMJ occurs during the correction of occlusion with labial inclination of the upper incisors by orthodontic treatment after premolar extraction in patients with Angle Class II malocclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our previous questionnaire-based survey suggested that discontinuation of antiresorptive agents before tooth extraction may increase adverse events and disturb osteoporosis treatment without completely preventing osteonecrosis of the jaw (O.N.J.). We also found little cooperation between physicians and dentists in Japan. However, limitations of our previous study included a survey of doctors belonging to small clinics and a small sample size. Our current study aimed to confirm the results of our previous survey in doctors mainly belonging to academia.Methods: A structured questionnaire including 14 key clinical queries was sent to 1812 physicians of the Japan Osteoporosis Society, and 629 responses were received.Results: Dentists requested discontinuation of many medications that were not associated with the incidence of O.N.J. A total of 523 respondents had received discontinuation requests from dentists. Of these, 97 respondents experienced 119 adverse events including 25 fractures and seven incidences of O.N.J. The ratios of valid responses for fractures were 3.6% and 5.3% in patients with a discontinuation of <3 and ≥3 months, respectively. Those for O.N.J. were 0.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Respondents who refused discontinuation requests reported no cases of O.N.J. Approximately 17% of respondents had patients who discontinued osteoporosis treatment following a requested drug discontinuation after tooth extraction. Approximately 62% of respondents did not request oral health care by a dentist before antiresorptive therapy, and 72% reported no cooperation between physicians and dentists in their region.Conclusions: This study reconfirms the results of our previous survey. Discontinuation of antiresorptive treatment may increase both fractures and O.N.J. Immediate development of a strategy for sharing information about O.N.J. among physicians, dentists, and patients is required to reduce the incidence of both O.N.J. and skeletal events in osteoporosis treatment. Study limitations were selection bias due to low response rate and possible inaccurate responses to the questionnaire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology were analyzed in 21 patients with mandibular protrusion corrected using bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and mini-plate fixation with TMJ cephalometric laminographs. The condylar pass angle, eminence to the FH plane angle, and total height of fossa and lower height of fossa in both left and right sides, significantly decreased after surgery. The width of the condyle, in both left and right sides, significantly increased after treatment. However, in the joint spaces, there were no significant differences before and after treatment. The amount of change in the eminence to the FH plane angle, total height of fossa and lower height of fossa, before and after surgery, showed significant positive correlations with that of SNB, before and after surgery. These results suggest that adaptive bone remodeling of the TMJ might occur due to the correction of occlusion and craniofacial morphology by SSRO in patients with mandibular protrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]