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The management of the radiation dose is very important in interventional radiology (IVR), especially in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we measured entrance surface doses at the interventional reference point of 27 cardiac intervention procedures in 22 cardiac catheterization laboratories around Hiroshima, and compared these doses. Recently, for cardiac interventional radiology, the X-ray machines using flat-panel detectors (FPD) instead of image intensifiers (I.I.) is increasing; 13 systems used FPD and 14 systems used I.I. For fluoroscopy rate, the difference between laboratories was 9 times. For cineangiography rate, the difference between laboratories was 7 times. In addition, between both devices, the I.I. group is bigger than the FPD group. When comparing by the same condition, for the dose at the interventional reference point, no significant difference was detected between the FPD group and the I.I. group. This study shows that FPD is not available for reducing the radiation dose simply. Therefore, it is necessary that we think of the balance with image quality and radiation dose. The optimization of the devices and cardiac intervention procedures becomes very important.

The aim of this study was to evaluate wear effects on overdenture resilient attachments. Six commercially available attachments were investigated: ERA orange and white (EO and EW), Locator pink, white and blue (LRP, LRW and LRB) and OP anchor (OP). Five specimens were used for wear simulation while other two specimens served as controls. Fifteen thousands insertion-removal cycles were simulated. Dimensional changes and surface characteristics were evaluated using light microscopy and SEM, respectively. Sudden decrease of retentive force was characteristic for EO and EW attachments. Retentive force of Locator attachments fluctuated throughout the wear simulation period. Dimensional changes and surface wear was more expressed on plastic cores than on plastic rings of attachment males. Based on SEM analysis, some of the specimens obtained smoother surface after wear simulation. Mechanism of retention loss of resilient overdenture attachments can be only partially explained by dimensional changes and surface alterations.

Malassezia is a component of normal cutaneous resident microbiota. The aim of this study was to quantitatively clarify the differences in cutaneous Malassezia microbiota in healthy subjects by sex, body part and season. Samples were collected from the forehead, cheek, upper chest and upper back of 20 healthy men and 20 healthy women (average age 32 years) in summer and winter by the swab method. Malassezia DNA was analyzed using a real-time PCR system. As a result, in sex, body parts and season, men, the upper trunk and summer showed the highest total numbers of cutaneous Malassezia species on average. There were also differences depending on the analytical method. The predominant species were M. restricta on the face of men, M. globosa and M. dermatis on the upper trunk of men, and M. globosa and M. sympodialis on the upper trunk of women. This study clarified that the cutaneous Malassezia microbiota of healthy subjects differed by sex, body part and season., (© 2010 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

The main objective was to investigate the effects of different polishing techniques on the color stability of provisional prosthetic materials upon exposure to different staining agents by mimicking the oral environment in vitro. Fifty-six cylindrical specimens were prepared for each type of material: bis-acryl and light-polymerized composite resins, and methyl methacrylate- and ethyl methacrylatebased resins. The specimens were polished using seven different polishing techniques and then immersed in four different staining agents. Color was measured with a spectrophotometer before and after immersion, and color changes (DeltaE) were calculated. The effects of the type of provisional material, polishing procedure, staining agent, and their interactions on color stability were significant (p<0.05). Amongst these factors, the staining agent exerted the strongest effect on color stability. Amongst the provisional materials tested, methacrylate-based resins exhibited the highest color stability irrespective of polishing technique and staining agent.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the relation between the shape of the retainers and the plaque formation on abutment teeth to improve the denture design., Methods: This study observed the buccal surface for the clasps and distoproximal surface for a guide plate of the mandibular first premolar which was the abutment tooth with a direct retainer of a distal extension RPD. The buccal surface was observed in 10 subjects and the distoproximal surface in 14 subjects. The latter cohort was divided into two groups (the group with an open type guide plane and a close type guide plane). All subjects provided their informed consent. The state of plaque accumulation was inspected by standardized photography and bacterial quantification and compared among the cast circumferential (CC), Ibar, wire circumferential (WC) and control (no clasps) in individuals regarding the buccal surface and between the groups with the open type and close type guide plane of the distoproximal surface., Results: No significant differences were observed among the CC, Ibar, WC and control (P>0.05) regarding the buccal surface, while in regard to the distoproximal surface, the group with the open type guide plane had significantly more plaque than the group with the close type guide plane (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The plaque formation on the buccal surface is not dependent on the types of clasps. It is effective to prepare a guide plane as close to the gingival margin as possible to reduce the plaque accumulation on the distoproximal surface.

Background: Malassezia is a particularly important factor in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD)., Aim: The aim of this study was to quantitatively clarify the Malassezia species isolated from AD patients by gender, body part and analytical method in detail., Methods: The subjects were 20 AD males and 47 AD females. Samples were collected from lesion and nonlesion areas on the face and upper trunk of AD patients. Malassezia DNA was analyzed using a real-time PCR system., Results: The cutaneous Malassezia microbiota in AD patients differed by gender, body part and analytical method., Conclusions: The present results indicate the possibility that the influence of Malassezia antigens is different according to gender and body part.

Thirteen patients with leptospirosis were identified, as confirmed by laboratory analysis during the last 5 years in our laboratory, who came from urban areas of Tokyo, Japan. All of the patients came into contact with rats before the onset of illness. Seventeen per cent of Norway rats captured in the inner cities of Tokyo carried leptospires in their kidneys. Most of these rat isolates were Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni/Icterohaemorrhagiae. Antibodies against these serovars and their DNA were detected in the patients. This suggests that rats are important reservoirs of leptospirosis, and that rat-borne leptospires occur in urban areas of Tokyo.

Propionibacterium acnes is one of the most significant pathogenic factors of acne vulgaris. This bacteria relates to acne by various pathways. It has also been reported that P. acnes influences pro-inflammatory cytokine production in keratinocytes in vitro. However, the influence on the differentiation of keratinocytes by P. acnes has not been studied extensively. We analyzed the expression of keratinocyte differentiation-specific markers, keratins, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) exposed to P. acnes in vitro. All P. acnes strains used in this study increased transglutaminase (TGase), keratin 17 (K17) and interleukin (IL) mRNA expression levels in NHEK, and decreased K1 and K10 expression levels. Some P. acnes strains increased involucrin and K6 mRNA expression levels in NHEK and decreased filaggrin, K6 and K16 expression levels in vitro. This experiment clarified that P. acnes influences the differentiation of NHEK in vitro. As a result, P. acnes influenced the expression of not only pro-inflammatory cytokines but also some keratinocyte differentiation-specific markers and keratins in NHEK. Our results suggest that P. acnes relates to acne pathogenesis by not only the induction of inflammation but also in the differentiation of keratinocytes. Moreover, it was considered that the reaction of NHEK to P. acnes may be different depending on the type of bacteria.

Purpose: To evaluate the artifacts generated by crownshaped dental alloys and a magnetic keeper quantitatively by analyzing digital MRI data., Methods: One pre-fabricated magnetic keeper and four clinical dental alloys (gold-silver-palladium, casting gold alloy Type 3, cobalt-chromium, gold porcelain alloy) were selected. Twenty metal crowns and 5 magnetic keepers were analyzed. The samples were placed in an acrylic phantom (150 mmx150 mmx150 mm) filled with agar, and then placed in the MRI apparatus. Various image slices were selected from the center (0 mm) to 70 mm at steps of 5 mm. The distribution of the signal intensity in the region of interest was calculated using ImageJ software and the mean coefficient of variation of each specimen was obtained. Statistical analysis was performed by Dunnett's test (p<0.05)., Results: Compared to the resin control, cobalt-chromium showed significantly greater signal intensity up to 40 mm in coronal T2-WI images and up to 70 mm in axial T1-WI images for the magnetic keeper. The signal intensities of gold-silver-palladium and casting gold alloy Type 3 were not significantly different from that of the control. The signal intensity of gold porcelain alloy was significantly different from that of the control at 0 mm and 5 mm in coronal T1,T2-WI and in sagittal T1-WI at 0 mm., Conclusions: The artifacts generated by the magnetic keeper and the cobalt-chromium crown when they are used in a second molar can disturb the MR images of the temporomandibular joint.

Objectives: Implant loading time is considered to influence the treatment outcomes. Number of experimental studies have shown that implant loading up to 3 months can produce equally satisfactory results. However, research results in this area are not consistent. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of conventional and early loading of two-implant supported mandibular overdentures on treatment outcomes., Methods: The articles from 1985 to 2007 in English related to the topic were identified. Totally 221 (214 online and 7 printed) primary articles were detected. Eight articles were selected for data extraction. Implant survival and success rates, periimplant parameters, prosthetic maintenance and patient satisfaction were considered., Results: Implant success rate ranged from 83% to 100% in conventional loading group and from 71% to 100% in early loading group. During the first year in conventional group, the marginal bone loss ranged from 0.35 to 0.91 mm, during the second year--from zero to 0.2 mm, whereas in early loading group these intervals were 0.12-1 mm and 0-0.15 mm, respectively. Comparing averaged probing depth values at different time periods, it could be noticed that around conventionally loaded implants probing depth slightly decreased (from 1.62 mm to 1.56 mm), while around early loaded implants--increased from 1.7 mm to 1.82 mm., Conclusions: Considering implant success rates and peri-implant parameters early loading protocol produces equal outcomes as with conventional loading. More well designed studies are needed to further substantiate the early loading protocol.

Objectives: Research data regarding maxillary complete denture outcome with two-implant supported mandibular overdentures are not consistent. Considering multiple publications on implant supported mandibular overdentures, it was decided to summarize currently present evidence on the maxillary complete dentures opposed by implant-supported mandibular overdentures, and analyze factors that could potentially influence the outcomes., Methods: The articles from 1985 to 2007 related to the topic were identified in the online MEDLINE/Pubmed and other databases and manually. Primary articles were scanned, and irrelevant studies were excluded from the further review process. Potentially relevant titles and abstracts were provisionally included for consideration on the basis of full text articles. Full text articles were obtained from on-line and printed sources. The data from the studies were extracted and reviewed., Results: The study has failed to identify any prospective satisfying inclusion/exclusion criteria RCT reporting on maxillary bone resorption. The number of maxillary complete denture relining incidences per patient was constantly increasing during the 10-year period. Maxillary complete denture remake incidences comprised 16-33 % of the number of patients followed during the 10-year period. Comparing patient satisfaction with upper dentures at the baseline and after two years, no decrease in satisfaction was noticed., Conclusions: There is no evidence that maxillary ridge resorption is accelerated with certain types of two-implant supported mandibular overdenture attachments. Most common complication for the maxilla - prosthetic maintenance. There is a risk of decreased patient satisfaction with bar-supported mandibular overdenture. Further studies are needed to provide evidence for the maxillary complete denture outcome with two-implant supported mandibular overdentures.

Objectives: To evaluate fatigue of stud (ERA Overdenture (orange and white), Locator Root (pink) and OP anchor # 4) and magnetic (Magfit EX600W) attachments by measuring maximum retentive force. To compare retentive force of overdenture attachments after their reach stable retention. To determine minimum number of cycles required to reach stable retention., Material and Methods: Three specimens of each type of attachment were used. Micromaterial testing machine (MMT-250NB-10, Shimadzu Co., Tokyo, Japan) with a sensor interface PCD-320 and software package PCD-30A (Kyowa Electronic Instruments Co., Tokyo, Japan) was used to performe 2000 insertion-removal cycles with 50 mm/min cross head speed. Maximum retentive force was measured initially and after each 40 cycles., Statistical Analysis: paired-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and Scheffe post-hoc tests (P<0.05)., Results: Before and after fatigue simulation statistically significant differences existed among the five types of attachments. Decrease of retention was characteristic for all attachments except OP. After fatigue LRP was most retentive. Magnetic attachments preserved maximum amount of retention measured at the baseline (98%). EO and EW attachments have preserved only 25% and 37% of initial retention respectively., Conclusions: Due to fatigue overdenture attachments gradually loose their retention. Stud attachments are more susceptible to fatigue than magnets. Eight hundred cycles are required to achieve relatively stable retention of overdenture attachments.

A 65-year-old man presented with the shadow of an abnormal nodule in the left lower lung field in a chest radiograph. We diagnosed this as an old inflammatory change because prior chest radiographs had shown the same nodule in the same lung field. However, a high-resolution CT scan showed a hazy ground-glass opacity (GGO) near the nodule. Two years later, this GGO changed into a small nodule. After a CT-guided transbronchial lung biopsy performed by ultra-thin fiberoptic bronchoscopy, we diagnosed this nodule as squamous cell carcinoma. We speculated that the hazy GGO detected in the peripheral lung field on high-resolution CT two years before diagnosis may have been an early image of squamous cell carcinoma.

1. To determine the inhibitory effects of agents that pass through and bypass beta-adrenoceptors under conditions of tolerance to beta-adrenoceptor agonists, we examined the inhibition by the beta-adrenoceptor agonists forskolin and theophylline against contraction induced by methacholine (MCh) after exposure to higher concentrations of a beta-adrenoceptor agonist for a long time in guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle, using isometric tension records. 2. After exposure to procaterol (0.0003-3 micromol/L) for 45 min, the inhibitory effect of 0.03 micromol/L procaterol on 1 micromol/L MCh-induced contraction was attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas after exposure to isoprenaline (0.0003-3 micromol/L) for an equivalent time, the inhibitory effect of isoprenaline was markedly attenuated at each concentration. However, after exposure to 3 micromol/L procaterol for 45 min, the inhibitory actions of forskolin and theophylline were, conversely, augmented. 3. These phenomena were observed under conditions whereby the response to MCh returned to control levels 6 h after removal of 3 micromol/L procaterol. The percentage inhibition produced by 0.1 micromol/L forskolin against 1 micromol/L MCh after exposure to normal bathing solution or 3 micromol/L procaterol for 45 min was 9.8 +/- 5.5 and 82.8 +/- 6.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). These values for 100 micromol/L (18 microg/mL) theophylline on MCh resposnes were 9.9 +/- 8.5 and 88.0 +/- 4.4% (n = 6 for both), respectively (P < 0.001). 4. The inhibitory action of agents that bypass beta-adrenoceptors was markedly augmented under conditions of beta-adrenoceptor desensitization in airway smooth muscle. 5. In conclusion, procaterol is less potent in causing desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors than isoprenaline. The activity of adenylyl cyclase may be enhanced after exposure to a high concentration of beta-adrenoceptor agonists.

A case of vanishing lung is reported. A 36-year-old man complaining of chest discomfort was admitted to our hospital. He had smoked 40 cigarettes a day for 16 years. A chest radiograph and computed tomography revealed a giant bulla which occupied almost the entire left thoracic cavity. Chest tubes were inserted percutaneously under local anesthesia into the pleural cavity to drain the air. Although the shift of the mediastinum was improved, the size of the giant bulla remained unchanged. It was therefore resected using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and mini-thoracotomy. Bullectomy was performed successfully. Residual lung re-expansion yielded good postoperative results without complications.