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Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune, blistering disease that affects the mucosa and skin. The current theory favors the concept that anti‐desmoglein (Dsg) 3 autoimmunity is the only pathogenic event needed to induce acantholysis. However, a few cases of active PV in the oral cavity had no detectable anti‐Dsg 3 antibody. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical and laboratory findings, whether or not the anti‐Dsg 3 antibodies were present. This study was based on a retrospective review of 10 PV cases. The evaluation of the circulating autoantibody titers to Dsg 3 was conducted by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An index value of 20 or more was used as the cutoff for a positive reaction. Only five of the 10 PV cases had a positive Dsg 3 ELISA. There were no differences in clinical, cytological, histopathological, and direct immunofluorescence findings, whether or not the anti‐Dsg 3 antibodies were present. Of the five patients with a negative reaction at the time of diagnosis, the Dsg 3 ELISA became positive in the follow‐up period in three cases. In the remaining two cases, the Dsg 3 ELISA was consistently negative for 18 months. Dsg 3 ELISA was negative early in some PV cases. Therefore, PV acantholysis may precede the elevation of circulating anti‐Dsg 3 antibody levels. The diagnosis of PV should be considered based on comprehensive clinical, histopathological, and immunofluorescent criteria.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of upper aerodigestive tract involvement in patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid associated with desquamative gingivitis. Subjects and methods Data from 25 patients were collected by retrospective chart review. Their upper aerodigestive had been evaluated using a conventional flexible fiberscope. Oral disease activity was quantified on the basis of the Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Disease Area Index activity score. Results Lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract were confirmed in nine symptomatic patients (9/25, 36%), of which five (5/25, 20%) had laryngeal involvement. No lesions were seen in the asymptomatic patients on fiberscope examination. There was a statistically significant difference in the symptoms, high oral disease activity score, and linear IgA deposition on direct immunofluorescence between patients with and without upper aerodigestive tract lesions (p = .001, .001, .002, respectively). Conclusion The high frequency of considerable complications highlights the importance of confirming the presence of upper aerodigestive tract involvement in patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid having desquamative gingivitis. Signs including the presence of symptoms, high oral disease activity score, or linear IgA deposition on direct immunofluorescence might indicate a higher risk of upper aerodigestive tract involvement.

Oral appliances (OA), a common treatment modality for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are not suitable for patients with nasal obstruction. Rhinomanometry, the gold standard technique to assess nasal airway resistance, is not readily available in sleep dentistry clinics. We demonstrate the use of a portable lightweight peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) rate meter to objectively assess nasal airflow and utilized the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale to subjectively assess nasal obstruction in 97 patients with OSA and 105 healthy controls. We examined the correlations between the following variables between the groups: demographics, body mass index, PNIF, NOSE scale scores, apnea&ndash, hypopnea index (AHI), minimum SpO2 (SpO2min), Mallampati classification, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores. Patients with OSA had significantly lower PNIF values and higher NOSE scores than controls. In the patient group, PNIF was not significantly correlated with AHI, SpO2min, Mallampati classification, or NOSE or ESS scores. Lower PNIF values and higher NOSE scores suggested impaired nasal airflow in the OSA group. As daytime PNIF measurement bears no relationship to AHI, this cannot be used alone in predicting the suitability of treatment for OSA with OA but can be used as an adjunct for making clinical decisions.

Laryngeal granuloma is an uncommon complication of prolonged endotracheal intubation. A 25-year-old woman with severe jaw deformity underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy under general anesthesia. Two days after extubation, the patient complained of hoarseness, sore throat, and dyspnea. When symptoms persisted, she was evaluated in the Otolaryngology Department. She was diagnosed with laryngeal granuloma of the bilateral arytenoid cartilages, and conservative treatment was selected. Administration of corticosteroid hormones, proton pump inhibitors, and a subsequent follow-up examination performed in our outpatient clinic showed no evidence of recurrence 10 months after the initial presentation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pain intensities and psychosocial characteristics in middle-aged and older patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Subjects were selected according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (n = 705) and International Association for the Study of Pain criteria for BMS (n = 175). Patients were then divided into two age groups: 45-64 years (middle-aged, Group A) and 65-84 years (older, Group B). Pain intensity and depression and somatization scores were evaluated in both groups. In BMS patients, present and worst pain intensities were significantly higher in Group B than in Group A {4.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.0-5.2] vs. 3.5 [95% CI = 3.1-3.9] and 5.9 [95% CI = 5.2-6.4] vs. 5.0 [95% CI = 4.5-5.6], respectively; P < 0.05}, with no difference observed in TMD patients. The depression and somatization scores were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B among BMS patients [0.57 (95% CI = 0.45-0.69) vs. 0.46 (95% CI = 0.34-0.59) and 0.537 (95% CI = 0.45-0.63) vs. 0.45 (95% CI = 0.34-0.55); P < 0.05], with no difference observed in TMD patients. The results of the present study indicate that pain intensities and psychosocial characteristics in BMS appear to differ between middle-aged and older patients.

We investigated the relationship between pain intensity and psychosocial characteristics in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Participants with painful TMD, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD), were recruited from our clinic and classified into six age groups: 15 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65 to 85 years (Groups A through F, respectively). Self-reported present pain intensity and worst pain intensity during the past 6 months were ascertained using a numeric rating scale (0 to 10). Depression and somatization scores were evaluated using the RDC/TMD axis II questionnaire. Among women, worst pain intensity was significantly lower in Groups E and F than in Groups B and C (P < 0.05). In Groups A, C, and D, depression scores were significantly higher in women than in men (P < 0.05). Among women, depression score was significantly lower in Group F than in Groups A through C (P < 0.05). In Groups A through D, somatization scores were significantly higher for women than for men (P < 0.05). Depression score and TMD symptom severity appear to decrease with age in women.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) include cells with multidirectional differentiation potential described as mesenchymal stem cells. For clinical use, it is important to develop a way to isolate BMSCs from bone marrow in a closed system without centrifugation. After screening 200 biomaterials, we developed a device containing a nonwoven fabric filter composed of rayon and polyethylene. The filter selectively traps BMSCs among mononuclear cells in bone marrow based on affinity, not cell size. The cells are then recovered by the retrograde flow. Using canine and human bone marrow cells, the biological properties of BMSCs isolated by the device were compared with those obtained by conventional methods using centrifugation. The total number isolated by the device was larger, as was the number of CD106(+)/STRO-1(+) double-positive cells. The cells showed osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation potential in vitro. Finally, the direct transplantation of cells isolated by the device without in vitro cultivation accelerated bone regeneration in a canine model of osteonecrosis in vivo. The proposed method is rapid and efficient, does not require a biological clean area, and will be useful for the clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow.

The present study was conducted to explore the efficacy of group cognitive-behavioral treatment for burning mouth syndrome in patients with intractable, persistent pain. Thirty-five participants (30 women and 5 men, ages 66.0±8.0 years) were included in this study. A brief cognitive-behavioral intervention was delivered in a small group format to patients with burning mouth syndrome. Numeric rating scales were used to assess present pain intensity before and after the session. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was also used to evaluate trait and state anxiety before and after the session. After the session, the present pain intensity was significantly reduced from 5.2±2.2 to 4.4±2.1 (P

Steroid hormones induce changes in gene expression by binding to intracellular receptors that then translocate to the nucleus. Steroids have also been shown to rapidly modify cell function by binding to surface membrane receptors. We identified a candidate steroid membrane receptor, the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) 10, a member of the PAQR family, in a screen for genes differentially expressed in mouse pancreatic beta-cells. PAQR10 gene expression was tissue restricted compared with other PAQRs. In the mouse embryonic pancreas, PAQR10 expression mirrored development of the endocrine lineage, with PAQR10 protein expression confined to endocrine islet-duct structures in the late embryo and neonate. In the adult mouse pancreas, PAQR10 was expressed exclusively in islet cells except for its reappearance in ducts of maternal islets during pregnancy. PAQR10 has a predicted molecular mass of 29 kDa, comprises seven transmembrane domains, and, like other PAQRs, is predicted to have an intracellular N-terminus and an extracellular C-terminus. In silico analysis indicated that three members of the PAQR family, PAQRs 9, 10, and 11, have a candidate mitochondrial localization signal (MLS) at the N-terminus. We showed that PAQR10 has a functional N-terminal MLS and that the native protein localizes to mitochondria. PAQR10 is structurally related to some bacterial hemolysins, pore-forming virulence factors that target mitochondria and regulate apoptosis. We propose that PAQR10 may act at the level of the mitochondrion to regulate pancreatic endocrine cell development/survival.

Subjects were 20 patients with tongue cancer treated between April 1996 and December 2002 with intraarterial infusion of cisplatin (60-120 mg/m2) (and docetaxel 10-30 mg/m2) and intravenous infusion of sodium thiosulfate followed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (800-1000 mg/m2) for 3 to 5 days. All patients underwent radiation (50-80 Gy). Ten had stage II, 4 stage III, and 6 stage IV A disease. Complete response at the primary site was achieved in 50% for T2, 67% for T3, and 0% for T4 lesions in those undergoing IA cisplatin followed by systemic 5-FU with concurrent radiation. Complete response at the primary site was achieved in all patients given IA cisplatin and docetaxel followed by systemic 5-FU with concurrent radiation. Disease-specific survival was 75% and overall survival 69% at 5 years. Side effects of treatment were tolerable, except for grade three radiomucositis in 70% of patients and grade three bone marrow depression in one treated with weekly IA chemotherapy.

Mutations in the triple PDZ domain-containing protein harmonin have been identified as the cause of Usher deafness syndrome type 1C. Independently, we identified harmonin in a screen for genes expressed in pancreatic beta cells. Using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we show that the first PDZ domain of harmonin interacts with a novel protein, designated harp for harmonin-interacting, ankyrin repeat-containing protein. This interaction was confirmed in an over-expression system and in mammalian cells, and shown to be mediated by the three C-terminal amino acids of harp. Harp is expressed in many of the same epithelia as harmonin and co-localization of native harp and harmonin was demonstrated by confocal microscopy in pancreatic duct epithelium and in a pancreatic beta-cell line. Harp, predicted molecular mass 48 kDa, has a domain structure which includes three ankyrin repeats and a sterile alpha motif. Human harp maps to chromosome 16, and its mouse homologue to chromosome 7. Sequences with similarity to harp include the sans gene, mutations of which are responsible for deafness in the Jackson shaker 2 (js) mutant mouse and in human Usher syndrome type 1G. The functional domain structures of harp and harmonin, their interaction under native conditions and their co-localization suggest they constitute a scaffolding complex to facilitate signal transduction in epithelia.

Three-dimensional biodegradable porous scaffolds play an important role in tissue engineering. We created double-layered porous scaffolds composed of synthetic biodegradable polymers by combining freeze-drying and porogen leaching techniques to create tissue-engineered articular cartilage. The pore structures had two layers, a leaching side (upper) and a freeze-drying side (lower). The latter had columnar pores to simulate a radial zone, while the leaching side simulated the tangential zone of the articular cartilage. In this study, we showed that this structure enabled the uniform seeding of goat chondrocytes in the scaffolds, and with low rates of leakage.

Objectives:Evaluate a picture of narrow band imaging (NBI) examination for a diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) using the image processing analysis objectively.Methods:Ten patients who underwent NBI were studied. Eight patients were LPRD and 2 patients were non-LPRD patients. We performed image processing for pictures after NBI examination by using the application software of a perfect translation invariance complex discrete wavelet transform (PTI-CDWT) developed at Toyohashi University of Technology and MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc.). We looked into the nasopharyngeal mucosa physical changes that were detected by PTI-CDWT and analyzed by MATLAB.Results:Images with LPRD showed many round opaque dots mostly consistent with round wavelet transform. On the contrary, images without LPRD represented a small number of linear lines, and any other area showed no feature. Morphologic operation by MATLAB distinguished the difference of nasopharyngeal mucosa physical exchange between LPRD and non-LPR...

The relationship between TiN microstructures and diffusion barrier properties of TiN against Cu was investigated. TiN deposited by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is composed of columnar grains grown normal to the sidewall on the side of the trench. On the other hand, the grain boundaries of sputter-deposited TiN tilt upward from the normal direction to the sidewall, and the tilt angle depends on the sputtering conditions. Voids between TiN grains are observed on the side of the trench and the size of the voids depends on the deposition conditions. In the Cu/CVD-TiN (the upper/lower layer) and Cu/conventional sputtered TiN system, no Cu is detected in surrounding SiO{sub 2} films, either outside the sidewall or underneath the bottom of the trench after annealing at 400 C for 3 min. However, in the Cu/long-throw sputtered TiN system, where TiN is composed of columnar grains with void regions between grains, and the tilt angle of the grain boundaries from the normal direction to the sidewall is 27{degree}, some Cu is detected outside the sidewall, even when the TiN thickness on the side of the trench is equal to or thicker than that of CVD-TiN or conventionally sputtered TiN. The diffusion barriermore » property of TiN in Cu metallization depends on the TiN grain structures rather than on the TiN thickness on the side of the trench.« less

A knowledge of beta cell-specific gene expression provides a basis for identifying proteins potentially involved in beta cell function and pathology. To identify candidate beta cell-specific genes, we applied the PCR-based subtractive hybridization technique of representational difference analysis (RDA) to the mouse SV40-transformed endocrine cell lines, betaTC3 and alphaTC1. Following three successive subtractions of alphaTC1 complementary DNA from betaTC3 complementary DNA, difference products were cloned into pUC19 and nucleotide sequences determined. Comparison of 91 sequences against the databases identified 11 known and 8 novel genes. Known genes included previously reported beta cell-specific genes, insulin I/II and islet amyloid polypeptide, as well as other non-beta cell-specific genes such as those for insulin-like growth factor II, selenoprotein P, neuronatin, prohormone convertase, and type 1 protein kinase A regulatory subunit. By Northern blot hybridization, expression of the majority of known and novel genes was restricted to betaTC3 cells. Novel genes BA-12, -13, -14, and -18 were expressed not only in betaTC3 cells, but also in normal pancreatic islets and a limited number of other tissues. The deduced amino acid sequence of BA-14 showed significant homology with members of the cadherin superfamily indicating that BA-14 may encode a cadherin-like molecule potentially involved in beta cell adhesion events during islet ontogeny. In betaTC3 cells, none of the novel genes were regulated at the RNA level by high glucose. However, in parallel studies, transcription of BA-12 was significantly increased by both sodium butyrate and nicotinamide, suggesting that this gene may play a role in pancreatic beta cell growth and/or differentiation. In this study, we have demonstrated that cRDA is an effective strategy for systematically mapping differences in gene expression between two related but functionally-distinct endocrine cells. Its application to experimental animal models of islet-cell regeneration may facilitate the discovery of potential factors that mediate beta cell growth and differentiation.

Objectives:Develop Narrow Band Image (NBI) to diagnose LPRD by using a perfect translation invariance complex discrete wavelet transform (PTI-CDWT).Methods:20 patients underwent NBI and Frequency scale for symptoms of GERD (FSSG). We performed image processing for pictures after NBI examination by using the application software of PTI-CDWT that was developed at Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan. We looked into a correlation between PTI-CDWT and NBI pictures.Results:Images detected by PTI-CDWT were distinguished from linear wavelet transform to round wavelet transform. Patients with high score in FSSG tended to show round wavelet transform. On the other hand, patients with low score represented linear wavelet transform. PTI-CDWT emphasized modulated nasopharyngeal epithelial cells with LPRD patients.Conclusions:LPRD is a common disease in the world. However, it does not have a definite diagnosis. Last year our group reported an applicability of NBI to diagnose LPRD. We showed one feature of nasop...

This study compared pain intensity and psychosocial characteristics between patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and those with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Data from 282 patients with BMS and 83 patients with TN were analyzed. Patients reported duration of illness: duration ≤ 6 months was defined as acute illness and > 6 months as chronic illness. Present pain intensity and worst pain intensity during the past 6 months were reported using a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS). In addition, depression and somatization scores were evaluated on questionnaires. Patients with chronic BMS reported significantly higher pain intensity and had worse psychosocial characteristics than did those with acute BMS. Pain intensity was higher in TN patients than in BMS patients, although neither pain intensity nor psychosocial characteristics significantly differed between patients with acute and chronic illness. Logistic regression analysis of BMS and TN patients revealed that the odds ratio for worst pain was signifi- cantly lower for BMS patients than for TN patients and that the odds ratio for somatization score was 3.8 times higher in BMS patients. These findings suggest that BMS patients may require pain control targeting the central nervous system or psychosocial character- istics. (J Oral Sci 54, 321-327, 2012)

Objective: 1) To develop the applicability of nasopharyngeal epithelial cell with Narrow Band Image (NBI) to diagnose laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). 2) Estimate a correlation between a new questionnaire (Frequency Scale for the Symptom of the GERD; FSSG) and LPRD.Method: We have 88 patients who underwent NBI using FSSG. Because of the pattern of nasopharyngeal epithelial cell NBI image, we distinguished grade 1: nothing, grade 2: moderate, and grade 3: severe. All patients answered the FSSG questionnaire and were administered a PPI (rabeprazole10 mg). Student t test was used to compare each category out of 12 questions of FSSG for LPRD patients.Results: Average age of patients was 59.3 years old. Sixty-nine (78%) patients were detected with grade 2 (46 pts) and grade 3 (23 pts). Nasopharyngeal epithelial cell with NBI showed a specific feature, which nasopharyngeal epithelial round cells were modulated capillary cells raised among LPRD patients. We presumptively call the pattern mackerel cloud p...

When Al alloys such as Al‐1%Si or Al‐2%Cu are sputtered on Si substrates at elevated temperatures, extruded single crystal precipitates are observed on the alloy films. The morphology and crystallography of the precipitates are studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The precipitates on the Al‐2%Cu films contain a few percent Cu and are single crystals with crystallographically low‐index facet planes. The temperature profiles during and after the deposition for the favorable occurrence of the precipitation are also investigated.

Mutations in the triple PDZ domain-containing protein harmonin have been identified as the cause of Usher deafness syndrome type 1C. Independently, we identified harmonin in a screen for genes expressed in pancreatic beta cells. Using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we show that the first PDZ domain of harmonin interacts with a novel protein, designated harp for harmonin-interacting, ankyrin repeat-containing protein. This interaction was confirmed in an over-expression system and in mammalian cells, and shown to be mediated by the three C-terminal amino acids of harp. Harp is expressed in many of the same epithelia as harmonin and co-localization of native harp and harmonin was demonstrated by confocal microscopy in pancreatic duct epithelium and in a pancreatic beta-cell line. Harp, predicted molecular mass 48 kDa, has a domain structure which includes three ankyrin repeats and a sterile alpha motif. Human harp maps to chromosome 16, and its mouse homologue to chromosome 7. Sequences with similarity to harp include the sans gene, mutations of which are responsible for deafness in the Jackson shaker 2 (js) mutant mouse and in human Usher syndrome type 1G. The functional domain structures of harp and harmonin, their interaction under native conditions and their co-localization suggest they constitute a scaffolding complex to facilitate signal transduction in epithelia.

Antisense approaches targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Docetaxel is an effective chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of SCCHN. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antitumor mechanisms of EGFR antisense (AS) oligonucleotides administered in combination with docetaxel in preclinical models of SCCHN.SCCHN cells lines and xenografts were treated with an EGFR AS oligonucleotide targeting region 760-779 of EGFR mRNA (GenBank accession XM_004738) alone and in combination with docetaxel. Proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo were examined in addition to determinations of EGFR expression and signaling pathways to evaluate antitumor mechanisms.A combination of docetaxel with EGFR AS resulted in increased cytotoxicity compared with treatment with docetaxel plus EGFR sense oligonucleotides or docetaxel alone after 24 h. Tumor volumes were significantly reduced in the mice treated with a combination of intratumoral EGFR AS and systemic docetaxel compared with mice receiving monotherapy. The combination of docetaxel plus EGFR AS resulted in decreased expression levels of EGFR, phosphotyrosine signal transducers and activators of transcription 3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and pAKT compared with expression levels after either treatment alone.A combination of EGFR AS and docetaxel may be effective in the treatment of SCCHN with a reduced toxicity profile compared with standard chemotherapy regimens.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is up-regulated and contributes to the loss of growth control in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Previously, we reported an association between autocrine stimulation of EGFR and constitutive signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 3 activation in SCCHN cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we evaluated the role of activated STAT3 in tumor progression and EGFR-independent mitogenic signaling. We found that SCCHN cells stably transfected with a dominant active STAT3 construct expressed elevated levels of STAT3 target genes, including Bcl-X(L) and cyclin D1, and demonstrated increased proliferation in vitro and more rapid tumor growth rates in vivo. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated an increased proportion of STAT3 construct transfectants in G(2)-M. These findings provide evidence that constitutive STAT3 activation contributes to tumor growth in SCCHN, independent of the EGFR autocrine axis.

Specimen geometry with respect to slip deformation and slip morphology have been examined in a study of strain-induced anodic dissolution of Cu single crystals. It has been found that a sample, whose geometry leads to the largest exposure of fresh (111) slip planes onto the original surfaces, shows the largest anodic dissolution on straining. However, the amount and rate of dissolution are unaffected by slip morphology or dislocation density. It has been calculated that approximately seven layers of Cu atoms dissolve from the freshly formed active (111) planes until the planes become inactive.

We made electrocochleographical examinations on 11 cases of hearing loss due to head trauma. These cases were tested with the trans-tympanic technique using 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8kHz tone pip as acoustic stimuli. Electrocochleographical audiograms consisted of 0.5μV level of CM and AP responses were obtained. The AP wave form was also investigated, and an aural reflex was tested. Temporal summating effect of conditioned tone, which reduced CM amplitude evoked by 0.5kHz tone pip (test tone), by the aural reflex, was observed. Cases of brain stem lesion revealed an abnormal pattern of temporal summating envelope.We reviewed 11 cases of deafness caused by head trauma, and dissociation of CM and AP responses observed on the electrocochleographical audiograms, abnormal AP wave form and abnormal pattern of the temporal summating envelope by the aural reflex, and the auditory lesion of these cases were discussed.The results were as follows:1) Labyrinthine damage... 4 cases2) First auditory neuron disorder... 4 cases3) Brain stem lesion... 3 cases