Search

Aim: To explore the expression profile of CD45+/pro‐collagen I+ fibrocytes in intact dental pulps as well as during wound healing in adult dental pulp tissue. Methodology: A total of 16 healthy permanent teeth were obtained from young patients (18 to 25 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment. Routine pulp capping with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was performed under local anaesthesia to induce a mineralized barrier at the exposed surface. Teeth were extracted from patients after 7, 14 and 35 days. Sections of the extracted teeth were prepared and stained for various markers using indirect immunofluorescence. Fibrocytes were counted, and the data were statistically evaluated using the Dunnett test. Results: In uninflammed pulp tissue, a pro‐collagen I‐positive reaction was detected in odontoblasts, as well as in perivascular cells. Most of the CD45‐positive cells were negative for pro‐collagen I in normal pulp tissue, whereas CD45+/pro‐collagen I+ fibrocytes were detected 7 days after injury. At day 14, fibrocytes were recognized under the fibrous matrix in contact with MTA and had infiltrated into regions of new capillary formation, where the fibrocytes were positively stained for vascular endothelial growth factor. By 35 days, fibrocytes were few, coincident with the formation of dentine bridges. The number of fibrocytes peaked 7 days post‐injury and decreased at 14 days. Conclusions: The presence of fibrocytes in human pulp wound healing was observed. The spatiotemporal distribution of fibrocytes suggests that fibrocytes are involved in the early stages of pulp wound healing, specifically by contributing to new blood vessel formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In this study, we investigated the role of phenytoin ( PHT) in death receptor-induced apoptosis of gingival fibroblasts to clarify the mechanism of PHT-induced gingival overgrowth. Methods Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured to semiconfluence and treated with PHT (0.025, 0.1, 0.25, and 1.0 μM) for 48 h, and then, the apoptotic cell numbers were relatively determined by absorptiometry. After 24 h of 0.25 μM PHT treatment, caspase activity was measured by absorptiometry, apoptotic and cell cycle phase distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry, expression levels of apoptotic genes were quantified by real-time qPCR, and expression of apoptotic proteins was detected by Western blot analysis. After 48 h of 0.25 μM PHT treatment, appearance of apoptotic cells was detected by TUNEL assay. Results PHT treatment decreased the proportion of apoptotic cells in gingival fibroblasts compared to a serum-free control culture in response to the protein changes as follows: PHT upregulated c- FLIP and, in turn, downregulated FADD, caspase-8, and caspase-3; PHT upregulated c- IAP2 and downregulated TRAF2; PHT downregulated caspase-9 and caspase-3 via decreased RIPK1 activity and increased Bcl-2 activity. Conclusion PHT-induced gingival overgrowth may result from the above-mentioned mechanisms involving apoptosis inhibition in gingival fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: This investigation aimed to establish the basis of a pharmacotherapy for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. Gingival overgrowth has been attributed to the enhanced growth of gingival fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated the effects of 18-α-glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA) on growth, the cell cycle, and apoptosis and on the regulators of these processes in gingival fibroblasts isolated from patients who presented with nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth.Experimental Approach: Gingival fibroblasts were cultured in medium containing 1% FBS with/without 10 μM 18α-GA for 24 or 48 h, and the cell number, cell cycle phase distribution, relative DNA content, apoptotic cell number and morphological characteristics of the cells undergoing apoptosis were measured together with the levels of proteins that regulate these processes and the level of caspase activity.Key Results: 18α-GA significantly decreased cell numbers and significantly increased the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 and G0 /G1 phases of the cell cycle and the number of apoptotic cells. Nuclear condensation and fragmentation of cells into small apoptotic bodies appeared in the fibroblasts treated with 18α-GA. In addition, 18α-GA significantly decreased the protein levels of cyclins A and D1, CDKs 2 and 6, phosphorylated Rb (ser(780) and ser(807/811)), Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 and increased the protein levels of p27, cytosolic cytochrome c, pro-caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 and the activities of caspases 3 and 9.Conclusions and Implications: 18α-GA inhibited gingival fibroblast growth by suppressing the G1 /S phase transition and inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, 18α-GA may be used as a pharmacotherapy for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pentax Airway Scope® is a single-use optical videolaryngoscope designed to assist with difficult tracheal intubation. We systematically reviewed the efficacy of the Pentax Airway Scope with that of a conventional laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in adults with 'normal' and 'difficult' airways. We included 17 randomised controlled trials with a total of 1801 participants. We used the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model to calculate pooled relative risk or weighted mean differences. The relative risk (95% CI) of a Cormack-Lehane grade-1 laryngeal view was 2.40 (1.76-2.49) with the Pentax Airway Scope compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope, p < 0.00001. We found no other differences between the two laryngoscopes. Despite a superior laryngeal view, the Pentax Airway Scope provides little clinical benefit over the conventional laryngoscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 65-year-old Japanese woman who experienced muscle weakness in the hands. She was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and developed bulbar palsy and respiratory distress without family history of neurological disorders. She died 9 years after the disease attack due to gastrointestinal bleeding

As a marine carnivore exhibiting exceptionally high growth rates, cobia are considered a species for which fish oil (FO) replacement may be difficult. However, partial, if not complete, FO replacement is necessary to ensure sustainability. We evaluated the effects of graded substitution of dietary FO with soybean oil (SO) in cobia culture. Feeds contained FO (100% FO), SO (0% FO) or blends of the two (67% FO, 33% FO) as the supplemental lipid source. Production performance was largely unaffected by partial replacement of FO with SO: feed intake and final weight were reduced only in the 0% FO dietary treatment. Fillet total lipid fatty acid (FA) composition differed among the dietary treatments, closely approximating dietary FA profile. As increasing amounts of FO were replaced, SO-associated FA became enriched within the fillet lipid at the expense of FO-associated FA. Fillet lipid classes were associated with a particular FA signature, regardless of dietary FA profile. SO can replace a substantial amount of dietary FO; however, juvenile cobia appear to exhibit a nominal requirement for intact long-chain polyunsaturated FA. Therefore, aggressive FO replacement may result in essential fatty acid deficiencies unless the feeds can be amended with alternative sources of these essential nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Gastro-oesophageal flap valve (GEFV) grade correlated with endoscopic reflux oesophagitis (RE) prevalence. Aim To investigate relationships among gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, RE and/or non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and GEFV grades in subjects undergoing endoscopy. Methods We enrolled 1305 subjects from whom endoscopic results and the results of a self-administered questionnaire (QUEST) were available. Subjects were evaluated for GERD symptoms (QUEST score), GEFV grade, RE and gastric mucosal atrophy. Results Total GERD prevalence, including symptomatic GERD (QUEST score ≥ 4) and/or RE, was 27%. RE grade and prevalence increased with GEFV grade. QUEST scores and GEFV grades showed a positive correlation. NERD prevalence was 14% and increased with GEFV grade, but the relationship was weaker than that between RE and GEFV. Comparing RE-negative subjects by GEFV grade, GERD symptoms were noted in 10%, 19%, 36% and 52% with GEFV grades I, II, III and IV, respectively. Neither type of gastric mucosal atrophy correlated with GEFV grade. Conclusions Total GERD, NERD and RE prevalences increased with GEFV grade. Subjects with high GEFV grades often complain of GERD symptoms, even without RE. Our findings suggest that endoscopic GEFV evaluation provides a useful clinical index for diagnosing GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of vibration (Vib) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on 3-dimensional cultured cartilage. METHODS: Chondrocytes were obtained from metatarsophalangeal joints of freshly killed 6-month-old pigs. Twenty-four-well plates containing type I collagen sponge disks were used to culture samples. The frequency and the amplitude of the vibration of the well plate were 100 Hz and 0.5 nm, respectively. We produced 3-dimensional cartilage tissue using HA and vibration with collagen sponge as a carrier. Four different culture conditions were examined: a control HA-Vib- group, an HA-Vib+ group, an HA+Vib- group, and an HA+Vib+ group. Each group was cultured for 2 weeks. After culture days 3, 7, 10, and 14 (every 3.5 days), the levels of chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4S) and chondroitin 6-sulfate (C6S) isomers synthesized in each culture medium were measured. Histologic analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and electron microscopic examination were performed. RESULTS: Mean C4S and C6S synthesis had increased rapidly after 7 days of culture and continued to increase thereafter. There were significant differences among the 4 groups (P < 0.01). Synthesis of both C4S and C6S was most abundant in the HA+Vib+ group and the lowest in the HA-Vib- group. After 1 and 2 weeks of culture, the chondrocytes had formed stratified structures on the collagen sponges in all groups, although the thickest structure was observed in the HA+Vib+ group and the thinnest in the HA-Vib- group. Under immunofluorescence, the HA+Vib+ group exhibited the strongest chromatic features. Under electron microscopy, the chondrocytes in the HA+Vib+ group exhibited many long and slender prominences on their surface, and extracellular substance could be observed associated with the cells. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the combination of vibration and HA activates the production of proteoglycan in 3-dimensional cultured chondrocytes and stimulates MAPK and beta-catenin. This suggests that some mechanoreceptors for vibration exist on the plasma membrane of chondrocytes and activate the intracellular signal transduction system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the abstract of the article "Effects of Droperidol and Fentanyl on Spinal Dorsal Horn Wide Dynamic Range Neuronal Activities in Spinal Cord-Transected Cats," by Nagasaka Hiroshi and colleagues submitted at the 27th Congress of The Scandinavian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

Discusses the abstract of the article "Effects of Ketamine on Surgical Incision-Induced Activity in the spinal Dorsal Horn of Spinal Cord-Transected Cats," by Nagasaka Hiroshi and colleagues submitted at the 27th Congress of The Scandinavian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

Background The pathways of diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction driven by lipotoxicity with metabolic syndrome are incompletely understood. Thus, there is an urgent need for animal models that accurately mimic the metabolic and cardiovascular phenotypes of this phenogroup for mechanistic studies. Methods and Results Hyperlipidemia was induced in WT-129 mice by 4 weeks of biweekly poloxamer-407 intraperitoneal injections with or without a single intravenous injection of adeno-associatedvirus 9-cardiac troponin T-low-density lipoprotein receptor (n=31), or single intravenous injection with adeno-associatedvirus 9-cardiac troponin T-low-density lipoprotein receptor alone (n=10). Treatment groups were compared with untreated or placebo controls (n=37). Echocardiography, blood pressure, whole-body plethysmography, ECG telemetry, activity wheel monitoring, and biochemical and histological changes were assessed at 4 to 8 weeks. At 4 weeks, double treatment conferred diastolic dysfunction, preserved ejection fraction, and increased left ventricular wall thickness. Blood pressure and whole-body plethysmography results were normal, but respiration decreased at 8 weeks ( P <0.01). ECG and activity wheel monitoring, respectively, indicated heart block and decreased exercise activity ( P <0.001). Double treatment promoted elevated myocardial lipids including total cholesterol, fibrosis, increased wet/dry lung ( P <0.001) and heart weight/body weight ( P <0.05). Xanthelasma, ascites, and cardiac ischemia were evident in double and single (p407) groups. Sudden death occurred between 6 and 12 weeks in double and single (p407) treatment groups. Conclusions We present a novel model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction driven by dyslipidemia where mice acquire diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, pulmonary congestion, exercise intolerance, and preserved ejection fraction in the absence of obesity, hypertension, kidney disease, or diabetes. The model can be applied to dissect pathways of metabolic syndrome that drive diastolic dysfunction in this lipotoxicity-mediated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction phenogroup mimic.

Background Preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, is characterized by an increase in S-nitrosylated proteins and reactive oxygen species, suggesting a pathophysiologic role for dysregulation in nitrosylation and nitrosative stress. Methods and Results Here, we show that mice lacking S-nitrosoglutathione reductase ( GSNOR -⁄- ), a denitrosylase regulating protein S-nitrosylation, exhibit a preeclampsia phenotype, including hypertension, proteinuria, renal pathology, cardiac concentric hypertrophy, decreased placental vascularization, and fetal growth retardation. Reactive oxygen species, NO, and peroxynitrite levels are elevated. Importantly, mass spectrometry reveals elevated placental S-nitrosylated amino acid residues in GSNOR -⁄- mice. Ascorbate reverses the phenotype except for fetal weight, reduces the difference in the S-nitrosoproteome, and identifies a unique set of S-nitrosylated proteins in GSNOR -⁄- mice. Importantly, human preeclamptic placentas exhibit decreased GSNOR activity and increased nitrosative stress. Conclusions Therefore, deficiency of GSNOR creates dysregulation of placental S-nitrosylation and preeclampsia in mice, which can be rescued by ascorbate. Coupled with similar findings in human placentas, these findings offer valuable insights and therapeutic implications for preeclampsia.

Prepump arterial pressure (PreAP) is monitored to avoid generating excessive negative pressure. The National Kidney Foundation K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for vascular access recommend that PreAP should not fall below -250 mm Hg because excessive negative PreAP can lead to a decrease in the delivery of blood flow, inadequate dialysis, and hemolysis. Nonetheless, these recommendations are consistently disregarded in clinical practice and pressure sensors are often removed from the dialysis circuit. Thus far, delivered blood flow has been reported to decrease at values more negative than -150 mm Hg of PreAP. These values have been analyzed by an ultrasonic flowmeter and not directly measured. Furthermore, no known group has evaluated whether PreAP-induced hemolysis occurs at a particular threshold. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify the importance of PreAP in the prediction of inadequate dialysis and hemolysis. By using different diameter needles, human blood samples from healthy volunteers were circulated in a closed dialysis circuit. The relationship between PreAP and delivered blood flow or PreAP and hemolysis was investigated. We also investigated the optimal value for PreAP using several empirical monitoring methods, such as a pressure pillow. Our investigation indicated that PreAP is a critical factor in the determination of delivered blood flow and hemolysis, both of which occured at pressure values more negative than -150 mm Hg. With the exception of direct pressure monitoring, commonly used monitoring methods for PreAP were determined to be ineffective. We propose that the use of a vacuum monitor would permit regular measurement of PreAP., (Copyright © 2015 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

In the title compound, C36H28O4, the 1-naphthoyl groups at the 1- and 8-positions of the central 2,7-dieth-oxy-naphthalene ring system are aligned almost anti-parallel and make a dihedral angle of 76.59 (4)°. The dihedral angles between the central 2,7-dieth-oxy-naphthalene ring system and the terminal naphthalene ring systems are 86.48 (4) and 83.97 (4)°. In the crystal, C-H⋯π inter-actions between the central naphthalene ring systems and the naphthoyl groups are observed along the a axis, with the mol-ecules forming a columnar structure. The columns are linked into chains parallel to the b axis by C-H⋯O inter-actions.

The title compound, C32H32O6, crystallized with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Each molecule has essentially the same feature of non-coplanar aromatic rings whereby the two 4-isopropoxybenzoyl groups are twisted in a perpendicular manner to the naphthalene ring and oriented in the same direction (syn-orientation). The benzene rings of the aroyl groups make dihedral angles of 16.13 (7) and 25.31 (7)° in the two molecules. These benzene rings make dihedral angles of 88.38 (8) and 75.32 (7)° with the naphthalene ring system in one molecule, and 89.71 (7) and 82.11 (7)° in the other. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. In one independent molecule, the 2-propyl groups of both isoprop-oxy groups are disordered over two positions with site occupancies of 0.512 (3) and 0.488 (3).

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, C32H24O5, the benzoyl group and the 4-phenoxy substituted benzoyl group at the 1- and 8-positions of the naphthalene ring system are aligned almost anti-parallel. The two benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 21.18 (10)°, and are inclined to the naphthalene ring system by 86.53 (9) and 82.95 (8)°, respectively. In the crystal, C-H⋯O inter-actions are observed involving aromatic and meth-oxy H atoms with ketonic carbonyl O atoms, as well as C-H⋯π inter-actions between aromatic H atoms and the π-systems of naphthalene and benzene rings. These interactions form a three-dimensional architecture and afford a waved alignment of the naphthalene ring systems along the c axis.

In the title compound, C(35)H(28)O(6)·C(7)H(8), the dihedral angle between the mean planes through the naphthalene ring systems of the dibenzo[a,g]fluorene moiety is 22.44 (3)°. The aromatic ring system of the naphthalenone unit is approximately perpendicular to the mean plane of the five-membered ring, forming a dihedral angle of 87.51 (5)°. An intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed. In the crystal, pairs of C-H⋯π inter-actions link the mol-ecules, forming inversion dimers.

In the title compound, C(19)H(16)O(3), the dihedral angle between the naphthalene ring system and the phenyl ring is 68.32 (5)°. The bridging carbonyl C-C(=O)-C plane makes a dihedral angle of 54.32 (5)° with the naphthalene ring system and 21.45 (6)° with the phenyl ring. An inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond exists between the H atom of one meth-oxy group and the O atom of the second meth-oxy group in an adjacent mol-ecule. The crystal packing is additionally stabilized by a weak C-H⋯O inter-molecular inter-action between an H atom of the naphthalene ring and the O atom of the carbonyl group.

Background: Whether or not eradicating Helicobacter pylori worsens reflux esophagitis remains controversial. We investigated the relationship between gastroesophageal flap valve grading and endoscopic reflux esophagitis (in patients with peptic ulcer and gastritis) before and after H. pylori eradication in a case controlled study. Whether endoscopic assessment of the gastroesophageal flap valve allows prediction of endoscopic reflux esophagitis development or exacerbation was also assessed., Materials and Methods: A total of 220 patients with peptic ulcer or chronic gastritis, who received H. pylori eradication therapy, were followed for at least 6 months (range, 6-34 months) for endoscopic changes. Another 88 age- and disease-matched H. pylori-positive controls, without eradication therapy, were also enrolled. Gastroesophageal flap valve grade (I-IV) was assessed using the Hill classification., Results: Endoscopic reflux esophagitis incidence was significantly (p < .01) higher in abnormal gastroesophageal flap valve (grades III and IV) than in normal gastroesophageal flap valve (grades I and II) cases in both H. pylori eradication and control groups. The rate of new endoscopic reflux esophagitis after eradication was significantly (p < .01) higher in the abnormal than in the normal gastroesophageal flap valve group (54.5% vs. 9.1%). By contrast, the endoscopic reflux esophagitis exacerbation rate in patients with endoscopic reflux esophagitis before eradication was low (4.5%) and endoscopic reflux esophagitis improvement was observed in 40.9% of these patients., Conclusions: These results suggest gastroesophageal flap valve grading by endoscopy to be useful for predicting the risk of newly developing endoscopic reflux esophagitis after H. pylori eradication, in addition to predicting the presence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis.

beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) bears the epitope(s) for autoimmune anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) frequently present in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). beta2GPI is involved in coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, including inhibition of contact activation. Coagulation factor XII is an initiator of intrinsic coagulation and also of intrinsic fibrinolysis. We investigated the effect of aCL (= anti-beta2GPI antibodies), regarding intrinsic fibrinolysis using autoimmune monoclonal anti-beta2GPI antibodies derived from a patient with APS or from an NZW/BXSB-F1 mouse. We developed a chromogenic assay system to determine intrinsic fibrinolytic activity. The reaction was activated by kaolin in the euglobulin fraction. Exogenous beta2GPI slightly suppressed intrinsic fibrinolytic activity of the euglobulin fraction from normal plasma. Human monoclonal anti-beta2GPI antibody (EY2C9) and mouse monoclonal anti-beta2GPI antibody (WBCAL-1) in the presence of beta2GPI decreased the activity. In this system, the suppression remained significant in the presence of an excess of exogenous activated factor XII. Euglobulin fractions from APS patients' plasma paralleled low activities of intrinsic fibrinolysis compared with those from healthy subjects. Our results suggest that beta2GPI and anti-beta2GPI antibodies suppress intrinsic fibrinolytic activities. This suppression was not only due to inhibition of factor XII activation but was also related to function of activated factor XII (XIIa). These phenomena partly explain the mechanisms of thrombosis in APS.

Objective: To assess the value of joint fluid analysis for determining cartilage degradation and prognosis in spontaneous osteonecrosis (ON) of the knee., Methods: Synovial fluid was obtained from 30 knees with spontaneous ON (26 medial femoral condyles, 4 medial tibial plateaus) as well as from 50 knees with medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) as a control. Levels of chondroitin 6-sulfate (C6S), C4S, and hyaluronic acid were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. The lesion size, appearance of the articular cartilage, and results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared with the results of joint fluid analysis., Results: The mean +/- SD level of C6S was 82.2 +/- 36.6 nmoles/ml in joint fluid from ON knees, which was significantly higher than the levels in knees with grade 2 (47.2 +/- 20.0 nmoles/ml) and grade 3 (55.8 +/- 29.2 nmoles/ml) OA. The C6S:C4S ratio was highest in lesions with mild articular changes and reflected the macroscopic alteration of cartilage overlying the ON lesion. The concentration of C6S in the 9 knees with lesions that covered > or = 40% of the condyle (99.0 +/- 32.9 nmoles/ml) was higher than that in the 17 knees with lesions that covered <40% of the condyle (67.2 +/- 31.7 nmoles/ml). Knees with bone marrow edema on MRI had a higher level of C6S than did knees with a fibrous-like appearance., Conclusion: While radiologic staging was useful for indicating the size of the ON lesion, it was less valuable for determining articular cartilage damage. Joint fluid analysis may provide more precise information about articular cartilage degradation in ON, and the findings may also be of prognostic significance.

An outbreak of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis occurred at the department of ophthalmology of a hospital in Yokohama, involving 14 inpatients, 12 outpatients, and 2 doctors. Adenovirus type 37 (Ad-37) was isolated from the conjunctival swab in 12 of 18 cases. In neutralization tests, the isolates showed some cross-reaction with adenovirus type 19 (Ad-19). The Ad-37 isolates were indistinguishable from each other and from the prototype Ad-37, but distinct from the prototype Ad-19 in the restriction endonuclease analysis of viral DNA.