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Purpose This randomized controlled trial aimed to study the effects of lining mandibular complete dentures with silicone-based resilient denture liners, especially with respect to sensation. Methods The trial included completely edentulous patients who were willing to fabricate new set of complete denture. A random permuted block method (block size: 4) was used to assign participants to one of the following groups: mandibular conventional denture (CD) group or mandibular denture with resilient denture liner (RD) group. The outcomes were evaluated using both, objective measures (current perception threshold (CPT) and pain threshold (PT)) for external stimuli measured using the Neurometer CPT® and subjective measures (physical pain and psychological discomfort measured using the Japanese version of Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous patients—OHIP-EDENT-J). The outcomes were measured twice, at immediately after completion of denture adjustments (first measurement), and 3 months after the completion of denture adjustments (second measurement). All outcomes were analyzed using the Student t-test. A p-value of Results CPT was significantly higher with RD than CD only at second measurement with frequency level of 2000 Hz and 5 Hz. The pain thresholds were significantly higher in the RD group than the CD group. The physical pain and psychological discomfort scores were significantly lower in the RD group than in the CD group. Conclusion This study concludes that edentulous patients wearing mandibular complete dentures with silicone-based resilient denture liners dull perception mandibular ridge mucosa and felt less pain than those without the liners.

Pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is rare and associated with the risk of massive fatal hemorrhage and acute mesenteric ischemia. We describe a 43-year-old man with acute pancreatitis who presented with an SMA pseudoaneurysm measuring 13 × 12 cm in diameter. The pseudoaneurysm originated between the first and second jejunal arteries and drained into the mesenteric vein. The SMA trunk between the first and second jejunal arteries was embolized with detachable coils using microballoon assistance. After coil placement, arteriography showed the collateral circulation and no perfusion delay of the distal SMA. This technique was useful for isolation of the SMA pseudoaneurysm.

There is little evidence of sensation in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the dental research field. We investigated whether pain thresholds (PTs) differ between individuals with and without DM (non-DM; NDM). To this end, we assessed whether PTs obtained from the oral cavity, hands, and feet differed from each other and across groups, and whether PTs differed for the three current frequencies used for testing (2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz). Pain threshold measurements were obtained from the oral mucosa and the tips of the fingers and toes of 56 volunteers, including 21 individuals with DM (12 men and 9 women, average age: 72.1 ± 4.7 years) and 35 NDM individuals (17 males and 18 females, average age: 51.2 ± 23.9 years) using the Neurometer CPT/C® device to deliver electrical stimulation. A single operator obtained PT measurements from around the left greater palatine foramen and from the tip of the left first finger and of the left great toe. Individuals with DM had significantly lower PT values than those without DM. The PT values for the oral cavity, hands, and feet differed significantly from each other (foot > hand, foot > oral cavity, hand > oral cavity). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the PT values for 5 Hz and 2000 Hz, as well as for 250 Hz and 2000 Hz. This study concluded that PT values derived from DM participants are lower than those from NDM participants, although PT measurements varied across regions and with current frequency.

To investigate haemodynamic changes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver under hepatic artery occlusion. Thirty-eight HCC nodules in 25 patients were included. Computed tomography (CT) during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) with and without balloon occlusion of the hepatic artery was performed. CT attenuation and enhancement volume of HCC and liver with and without balloon occlusion were measured on CTHA. Influence of balloon position (segmental or subsegmental branch) was evaluated based on differences in HCC-to-liver attenuation ratio (H/L ratio) and enhancement volume of HCC and liver. In the segmental group (n = 20), H/L ratio and enhancement volume of HCC and liver were significantly lower with balloon occlusion than without balloon occlusion. However, in the subsegmental group (n = 18), H/L ratio was significantly higher and liver enhancement volume was significantly lower with balloon occlusion; HCC enhancement volume was similar with and without balloon occlusion. Rate of change in H/L ratio and enhancement volume of HCC and liver were lower in the segmental group than in the subsegmental group. There were significantly more perfusion defects in HCC in the segmental group. Hepatic artery occlusion causes haemodynamic changes in HCC and liver, especially with segmental occlusion. • Hepatic artery occlusion causes haemodynamic changes in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver. • Segmental occlusion decreased rate of change in hepatocellular carcinoma-to-liver attenuation ratio. • Subsegmental occlusion increased rate of change in hepatocellular carcinoma-to-liver attenuation ratio. • Hepatic artery occlusion decreased enhancement volume of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver. • Hepatic artery occlusion causes perfusion defects in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cellular prion protein (PrP) copurifies with neuregulin type I-β1 (NRG I-β1), but no interaction has been detected by a general immunoprecipitation study. We speculate that PrP interacts with NRG I-β1. Here, the interaction of PrP with NRG I-β1 was detected by measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between enhanced blue (EBFP) and enhanced green (EGFP) fluorescent protein-fusion proteins. Full-length PrP interacted with EGFP in addition to NRG I-β1. From this result, we deduced that PrP interacts with EGFP through its unstructured N-terminal domain. We therefore detected FRET between PrP deleting the N-terminal domain and NRG I-β1. In contrast, the C-terminal domain of PrP interacted with NRG I-β1 and the proteins dissociated completely in the presence of sodium chloride. This interaction occurs at the nanomolar level, which is important for the reaction to be functional in organisms. We concluded that PrP interacted with NRG I-β1 through its C-terminal domain.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether the mandible is more receptive to external stimuli than the maxilla in patients with complete dentures by comparing regional current perception thresholds (CPTs) and pain threshold (PTs). Methods A single operator obtained measurements from maxillae at the incisor foramen and the left side of the greater palatine foramen region and the mandible at the left side of the mental foramen region, using the Neurometer CPT/C device, CPT and PT values from the oral mucosa of 20 edentulous individuals wearing complete dentures were analyzed. Participant characteristics such as mucosal thickness, occlusal force, age, and sex. Mucosal thickness over target regions and occlusal force were measured by the same operator using Krupp SDM and Occlusal Force-Meter GM10s devices. Differences in CPT and PT among the three measurement regions were tested with an analysis of covariance, and post hoc t-tests with the Bonferroni correction. Results There were no significant differences between the mental foramen, incisor papilla, and greater palatine regions CPT values. PTs obtained at all current frequencies (2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz) were lowest in the mental foramen region and highest in the greater palatine region. Covariates including sex, mucosal thickness, and occlusal force had no significant influence on CPT or PT values at all frequencies. Conclusions The mandible exhibits higher receptivity to external pain stimuli than the maxilla.

BACKGROUND There is little evidence regarding the reliability of CPT and PT measurements to gauge mandibular perception. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the test-retest reliability of CPT and PT values obtained from the mandibular oral mucosa and to test the bilateral differences in CPT and PT values obtained from the mental foramen region and buccal shelf region by a single operator. METHODS CPT and PT values were obtained from the mental foramen and buccal shelf regions of 20 volunteers (10 males and 10 females; average age: 26.4 ± 2.6 years) by using the Neurometer CPT/C® device to deliver electrical stimulation. RESULTS Relative and absolute reliabilities were confirmed over two measurements of CPT and PT over a 7- to 10-day measurement interval. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for CPT and PT table obtained from the mental foramen region were >0.8, while most ICC for the buccal shelf region were

Second-line therapy has limited activity in patients with recurrent or persistent uterine cervical cancer that has progressed after chemoradiation and palliative chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion (NIPP) in patients with pretreated recurrent/persistent uterine cervical cancer. Between April 2004 and May 2013, a total of 26 patients with recurrent or persistent uterine cervical cancer previously treated with platinum-based systemic chemotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy received NIPP therapy at our institution, consisting of a 30-min isolated pelvic perfusion with cisplatin and fluorouracil, followed by isolated pelvic dialysis. Primary endpoints were response rate (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. Platinum pharmacokinetics were also evaluated. The RR was 57.7 % (complete response, five patients; partial response, ten patients). The median PFS and OS after NIPP therapy were 11.0 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 6.6–15.4) and 25.1 (95 % CI 17.1–33.1) months, respectively. PFS was significantly better in patients without intestinal involvement (p = 0.016) or dissemination (p

AIM To evaluate the relationship between the location of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS We evaluated 115 patients (127 nodules), excluding recurrent nodules, treated with TACE between January 2011 and June 2014. TACE efficacy was evaluated according to mRECIST. The HCC location coefficient was calculated as the distance from the central portal portion to the HCC center (mm)/liver diameter (mm) on multiplanar reconstruction images rendered (MPR) to visualize bifurcation of the right and left branches of the portal vein and HCC center. The HCC location coefficient was compared between complete response (CR) and non-CR groups in Child-Pugh grade A and B patients. RESULTS The median location coefficient of HCC among all nodules, the right lobe, and the medial segment was significantly higher in the CR group than in the non-CR group in the Child-Pugh grade A patients (0.82 vs 0.62, P < 0.001; 0.71 vs 0.59, P < 0.01; 0.81 vs 0.49, P < 0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the median location coefficient of the HCC in the lateral segment between in the CR and in the non-CR groups (0.67 vs 0.65, P > 0.05). On the other hand, in the Child-Pugh grade B patients, the HCC median location coefficient in each lobe and segment was not significantly different between in the CR and in the non-CR groups. CONCLUSION Improved TACE efficacy may be obtained for HCC in the peripheral zone of the right lobe and the medial segment in Child-Pugh grade A patients.

Background and Aim To retrospectively evaluate proper hepatic artery embolization, with respect to the development of extrahepatic collaterals. Methods Proper hepatic artery embolization was performed in 18 patients with hemorrhagic arterial lesions in the hepatic hilum. Post-procedural development of extrahepatic collaterals was evaluated by computed tomography or angiography. Embolization data and liver function tests were assessed. The correlation of outcomes with portal venous stenosis, hepatic failure prior to embolization, elevation of prothrombin time, and insufficient collateral development were analyzed. Results Postoperative bleeding occurred in 17/18 patients, and one was treated for an idiopathic aneurysm of the proper hepatic artery; all treatments achieved technical success. Extrahepatic collaterals were confirmed in 13 patients. Elevations of liver function test values were transient and returned to baseline within 14 days in patients with collateral development (n = 13), but were unimproved in patients without collaterals (n = 5) (P

This study investigated the anatomical relationship between the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein during head rotation for the effective performance of percutaneous transjugular procedures. The subjects included 30 volunteers who had never undergone internal jugular vein cannulation. In the supine position, two-dimensional ultrasonographic images of the right internal jugular vein and common carotid artery were obtained, 2 and 4 cm above the clavicle, along the lateral border of the sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Ultrasonographic images were examined for head rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75° from the midline to the left. The percentage of overlap of the common carotid artery by the internal jugular vein and the flattening of the internal jugular vein at each head rotation position were measured and evaluated. The overlap of the common carotid artery by the internal jugular vein significantly increased at ≥45° of head rotation 2 cm above the clavicle (P

Objectives: To determine the incidence of rare spontaneous isolated visceral artery dissection (SIVAD), characterize its pathogenesis, and suggest treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: We reviewed abdominal contrast-enhanced computed-tomography (CE-CT) scans from January 2005 to December 2016 retrospectively in our institution, identified 47 SIVAD patients and classified them into a symptomatic (n = 22) or asymptomatic group (n = 25). Further, we classified the five types based on the CE-CT images. Patient characteristics, incidence, vascular risk factors, complications, symptoms, treatments outcomes, and morphology features on CE-CT images were analyzed. Results: SIVAD was seen on 0.09% of all abdominal CE-CT scans, and 0.68% of all abdominal CT-CT scans obtained for the evaluation of acute abdominal symptoms. The asymptomatic group had significantly fewer patients with periarterial fat stranding or branch vessel involvement on CE-CT images (p

The aim of the present study is to quantify the degree of the error as a function of the left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, in calculation of the ejection fraction (EF) using gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The essential error of quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) software in patients with myocardial hypertrophy has not been quantitatively estimated.Forty-six patients with known or suspected hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent gated myocardial perfusion SPECT and cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The EF value was automatically calculated from gated SPECT using the QGS software. Twelve points of regional LV wall thickness and the EF value were estimated from MR images.Only a fair correlation was found between the QGS-EF and the MR-EF values (r = 0.48, y = 0.49x + 26.80, p0.01), and the QGS-EF was underestimated (r = 0.25, y = 0.90x) in 30 patients with myocardial hypertrophy (mean wall thickness12 mm). The magnitude of the error of the EF quantification from gated SPECT showed a significant negative correlation with the mean 12-point LV wall thickness in all 46 patients (r = -0.67, y = -4.12x + 40.44, p0.0001). The degree of the error of the ESV and that of the EDV showed positive correlation with the mean LV wall thickness (r = 0.55, y = 5.46x - 56.13, p0.0001; r = 0.31, y = 4.20x - 55.28, p0.05, respectively).The underestimation of EF increases with the degree of myocardial hypertrophy, because of the overestimation of the LV cavity especially in the end-systolic phase.

Propofol is widely used in sedation and surgical procedures involving patients with acute lung injury (ALI), a common complication in critically ill patients. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in pathological changes in ALI. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of propofol on MCP-1 production and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs).AECs were treated with 1 μg/ml LPS for 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, or 24 h following pretreatment with 12.5-100 μM propofol for 30 min. Cytokines and chemokines secretion were profiled using cytokine array, and mRNA and protein levels of MCP-1 were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, SAPK/JNK, ATF-2, and c-Jun were measured by Western blot analysis.Propofol at 50 and 100 μM dose-dependently inhibited MCP-1 mRNA expression (P 0.05), and also propofol at 50 μM decreased extracellular MCP-1 protein levels (P 0.05) compared to the LPS group. Propofol at 12.5-50 μM inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, SAPK/JNK, ATF-2, and c-Jun in AECs.Propofol at clinically relevant concentrations attenuated LPS-induced MCP-1 mRNA expression and secretion by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, SAPK/JNK, ATF-2, and c-Jun exerting its anti-inflammatory effects in AECs. These results suggest that propofol may modulate inflammatory response at clinically achievable concentrations in ALI.

Objective To determine the current perception thresholds (CPTs) for arm and mental foramen areas to enable a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Methods Ninety-eight volunteers enrolled as participants and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an acupuncture group (34 subjects); a sham acupuncture group (32 subjects) and a waiting group (32 subjects). CPTs for the arm and mental foramen areas were determined before and after acupuncture at LI4 Hegu of the left hand. A Neurometer CPT was used to evaluate the perception threshold at the homolateral mental foramen and arm. For further exploration, thresholds of homolateral and contralateral mental foramina were determined before and after acupuncture in a subgroup of 13 participants in the acupuncture group. Results Acupuncture at LI4 increased the perception thresholds of the left mental foramen in the acupuncture group significantly (pConclusions Acupuncture at LI4 increases the perception threshold in the mandibular area, but not in the arm. This finding is probably related to the analgesic effect of acupuncture.

To evaluate the usefulness of enhanced thin-slice computed tomography (TSCT) for delineating the right adrenal vein (RAV) anatomy before adrenal vein sampling (AVS). A total of 151 consecutive AVSs with CT during angiography (interventional CT) were included. Of them, TSCT was performed before AVS for 72 patients. Successful RAV cannulation was confirmed using cortisol measurement. The RAV on TSCT was classified as certain, probable, or unidentified, and cases with certain or probable RAV identification were classified as useful. In the cases where AVS was successful, the anatomical features of the presumed RAV from the useful TSCT, including the position along the inferior vena cava, vertebral level, and distance from the upper pole of the right kidney, were compared with the RAV features identified on interventional CT. Estimated successful cannulation rates before interventional CT were compared between patients with and without useful TSCT. In total, 66 TSCTs were classified as useful. The anatomical features identified on TSCT were significantly correlated with those on interventional CT. The estimated successful cannulation rates for cases with and without useful TSCT were 92.4 and 82.4 %, respectively. TSCT clearly shows the anatomical features of the RAV, facilitating accurate sampling and increasing the success rate.

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a sensitive marker for pancreatic and hepatobiliary malignancies. The highest frequency of elevated serum CA 19-9 levels is found among patients with pancreatic cancer. CA 19-9 has recently been demonstrated to be a marker of digestive tract malignancies. We report the case of a patient with a gastric cancer and a very high serum CA 19-9 level. During laparotomy, a large mass was found in the antrum. A distal gastrectomy with D2 dissection of the lymph nodes was performed. Histological examination, including immunohistochemistry, revealed an adenocarcinoma of the stomach producing CA 19-9. To the best of our knowledge, no patient with an extremely high serum CA 19-9 level resulting from a gastric adenocarcinoma has been reported previously.

ObjectiveAs it is now known that primary aldosteronism (PA) is more prevalent than was previously recognized, and is a potentially curable cause of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases, the search for a safe and effective means of its diagnosis has reemerged as a topic of interest. Adrenal venous sampling is the gold standard for diagnosis of PA, but the technique is challenging and the small right adrenal vein can be particularly difficult to cannulate. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography during angiography (angio-CT) in increasing the success of adrenal venous sampling and to identify factors associated with cannulation failure.DesignRetrospective review.MethodsA total of 140 consecutive patients with suspected PA except Cushing's syndrome treated at a single hospital from June 2008 to May 2013 were included. Catheter misplacement and correct cannulation rates before angio-CT and success rate of sampling after angio-CT were calculated. Univariate analysis for factors related to incorrect cannulation included gender, age, height, weight, BMI, and adrenal nodules. Successful sampling was biochemically defined according to cortisol concentrations in the venous blood samples.ResultsAngio-CT detected misplaced catheters in 13 patients (9.3%). The calculated correct cannulation rate of adrenal vein sampling increased from 86.4% before angio-CT to 95.7% after CT (PP=0.052, Mann–Whitney'sUtest).ConclusionAngio-CT improved success of adrenal venous sampling.

Lanthanum carbonate hydrate is a nonaluminum, noncalcium phosphate binder containing lanthanum (La). It is effective in decreasing the serum phosphate level in patients on dialysis. Because the atomic number of the La contained in lanthanum carbonate hydrate is relatively high, at 57, this agent may cause strong artifacts on computed tomography (CT) images, which may be mistakenly interpreted as foreign bodies. We recently performed CT examination of a patient on Fosrenol chewable tablets (i.e., lanthanum carbonate hydrate). The CT images were difficult to evaluate because of strong beam hardening artifacts, and differentiation from foreign body aspiration was required. We report here our experience and a discussion of the characteristics of this artifact.

A single-layer resist process using a high resistivity positive resist by solubility reversal (PSR) for electron beam direct writing is described. Conventional PSR designed for mask creation is found to have inhomogeneous dissolution characteristics due to a side effect during the stage of deprotection reaction. To overcome this problem, the efficiency of dissolution inhibition is improved by controlling the composition of base resin materials. Using an optimized base resin structure, 0.4-μm contact window patterns were successfully delineated in a 1.6-μm thick single-layer with a sensitivity of 3.5 μC/cm2. The dry etching durability of a single-layer PSR was also examined and a high level of dry etching durability for SiO2 etching was observed.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different types of dentures induced different responses to stimulations in sensory nerve underlying the denture-supporting mucosa using current perception threshold (CPT).The study population comprised 45 complete denture wearers with a mean age of 69.7 years (CD), 30 partial denture wearers (PD) with a mean age of 67.1 years, and 40 dentulous participants with a mean age of 69.0 years (Dent). Current perception threshold (CPT) on the greater palatine nerve at 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz, corresponding to A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers respectively, were measured by the Neurometer® NS3000 device. The differences CPTs among CD, PD, and Dent groups were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test with adjusting the multiple comparisons' inflation of type 1 error rate by a Bonferroni correction.CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 2000 Hz were 61.5±45.8, 53.5±25.3, 33.0±11.4 (10(-2) mA) respectively. CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 250 Hz were 29.2±28.2, 20.1±13.2, 14.3±5.9 (10(-2) mA) respectively. CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 5 Hz were 28.9±23.4, 17.8±12.2, 12.2±5.6 (10(-2) mA) respectively. The CPTs at all frequencies increased in the following order: DentPDCD wearer. The statistical analyses showed that the different types of dentures significantly affected CPTs at 2000 Hz (p0.0001), 250 Hz (p0.0001), and 5 Hz (p0.0001).The different types of dentures induce different responses to stimulations in the sensory nerve underlying the denture-supporting mucosa.

Flow cytometry (FCM)を用いてin vivoでのKupffer細胞機能(特に貪食能)の測定を試みた.FITC-latex粒子をラット静脈内に投与し,その後肝臓よりKupffer細胞を分離,精製し,FCMによる貪食能(FCM-PR)を測定した.0.81μmのFITC-latex粒子を用た場合の至適反応時間は,1時間であり,至適投与濃度は6×1010個/匹であった.正常ラットの平均貪食率は51.4%であり,FITC-latex粒子個数別の貪食率は,2個貪食した細胞が25.5%と最も多かった.またReticuloendothelial system (RES)機能をOK-432 5K.E./匹を用い活性化,またMethyl palmitate 2g/kg body weightを用いて不活性化させると,そのFCM-PRは,それぞれ74.3%,18.1%となり,carbon clearance法で求めたphagocytic indexとの間にはY=0.001X+0.009,r=0.89の高い相関を示した.以上よりFlow cytometryを利用した新しいKupffer細胞機能測定法の有用性を示した.

胃カルチノイドの3例を経験したので報告する.年齢は52歳が1例, 55歳が2例で, 性別は全例男性である.主訴は心窩部痛あるいは心窩部不快感であった.術前診断可能例は1例のみであった.S状結腸同時性重複癌例が1例, 肝転移は初回手術時, 再発時に各1例認められた.手術は胃全摘を2例, 胃亜全摘術を1例に施行し, S状結腸癌併存例ではS状結腸切除術を, 同時性肝転移例では肝部分切除も施行した.組織学的に深達度は同時性肝転移例ではsm, ほかの2例はssβ, sであった.リンパ節転移, 銀親和性細胞の出現が各2例に認められた.転帰は, 1例が術後1年8か月時に肝再発し, 増大しつつあるが術後4年の現在, 担癌生存中で, 他の2例は術後10か月, 8か月の現在, 再発なく健在である.本症では高率にリンパ節および肝転移が認められるため, 手術は胃癌に準じた胃切除とリンパ節郭清が必要である.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of compression induced by complete dentures on the function of the nerves underlying the dentures. The influence of compression induced by complete dentures on nerve function was analysed using current perception threshold (CPT) in 33 complete denture wearers aged 50-80 at Nihon University School of Dentistry (Matsudo, Japan). Based on the age range of the complete denture group, dentate subjects were selected as a control. Because the group characteristics (such as subject age, gender, body mass index) and oral mucosal thickness were not matched, a multiple regression analysis was used to adjust for the influence of heterogeneous characteristics on the CPT. Statistically significant differences were found between subject groups for the nasopalatine and the greater palatine nerve. The results of the study were that complete denture wearers experience asymptomatic hypoesthesia mainly affecting the nasopalatine and greater palatine nerves, but not the infraorbital nerve.

Aim: An extract of Ginkgo Biloba L. was shown to have preventive effects on cardiovascular disorders, but the molecular mechanisms of its actions remain to be elucidated. Since matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques and the subsequent occurrence of acute coronary syndrome, we examined the effects of a leaf extract (Ginkgolon-24) on the production of MMP-1 in human coronary smooth muscle cells stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and 4-hydroxynonenal, which are factors proposed to play a pivotal role in atherogenesis.Methods: The production of MMP-1 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 were estimated by immunoblotting. The tyrosine-phosphorylated form of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β) was analyzed by immunoprecipitation of the receptor followed by immunoblotting.Results: oxLDL and 4-hydroxynonenal accelerated the production of MMP-1 with the preceding phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and PDGFR-beta;. Pretreatment with Ginkgolon-24 inhibited the production of MMP-1 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by oxLDL and 4-hydroxynonenal, but did not affect the production and phosphorylation induced by phorbol ester. Furthermore, Ginkgolon-24 prevented tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor induced by oxLDL and 4-hydroxynonenal.Conclusion: These results suggest that Ginkgo Biloba extract suppresses the oxLDL- and 4-hydroxynonenal-induced production of MMP-1, probably through the inhibition of PDGFR-β activation in human coronary smooth muscle cells.

The physiological function of prion proteins (PrP) remains unclear. To investigate the physiological relevance of PrP, we constructed a fusion protein of PrP with enhanced blue fluorescent protein (PrP-EBFP) to quantify the interaction of PrP with other molecules. Production of soluble PrP-EBFP was achieved by lowering the expression temperature in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells to 15 degrees C. Soluble PrP-EBFP was purified on cation exchange and heparin-affinity columns to yield high purity protein. This is the first report of the preparation of soluble recombinant PrP without refolding following solubilization using denaturants or disruption using detergents. To confirm the integrity of PrP-EBFP, anisotropy was estimated under physiological conditions in the presence of heparin, which interacts with PrP. The dissociation constant was determined to be 0.88+/-0.07 microM. PrP-EBFP should be useful in the quantification of PrP interactions with other molecules.

To define the normative ranges of the Current Perception Threshold (CPT) of the palatal mucosa and to correlate it with the subjects' attributes.A group of 129 informed healthy subjects consented to participate in the study. A Neurometer NS3000 device was used to evaluate the CPTs of the nasopalatine nerve (NPN) and the greater palatine nerve (GPN) by using 2000-, 250-, and 5-Hz stimulations. After confirming the relationships with regard to gender, age, weight, height, alcohol consumption, duration of sleep, weight percentage of water content, smoking, and CPT, the normative ranges of the CPT measurements were obtained.Correlations were observed between age and CPTs obtained with the 2000- and 250-Hz stimulations of the GPN. The CPTs of the GPN were higher than those of the NPN. With the exception of the 5-Hz stimulation of the NPN, the CPTs in men were higher than those in women; however, the within- and between-site ratios exhibited no differences between the male and female subjects. No significant effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on CPT were observed. Range analysis revealed an increase in the CPTs as the frequency increased from 5 to 250 to 2,000 Hz. Within-site ratio analysis revealed increasing and spreading CPT ratios in the following order: 250/5 Hz, 2000/250 Hz, and 2,000/5 Hz. In the order of 5-, 250-, and 2000-Hz stimulations, decreasing ratios were observed for the between-site ratio analysis.This study provides useful diagnostic criteria for CPTs in the palatal mucosa.

Purpose: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using anthracyclines is a standard therapy for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Platinum agents are newer drugs, which can be effective for tumors that do not respond to anthracylines. Miriplatin is one of these platinum agents, and have the least severe side effect among others; however, clinical outcomes are unsatisfactory. Clinical outcome can be improved by using warmed miriplatin, due to increased amount of miriplatin administered, with lowered viscosity.This study was performed to evaluate the intermediate term efficacy and safety of TACE using warmed miriplatin. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients (117 nodules) treated between January 2010 and June 2013, were enrolled in the present study. Thirty-two and 85 nodules were treated with non-warmed and warmed miriplatin, respectively. The reaction of each nodule to TACE was evaluated based on the treatment effect (TE) and classified into grades 1 to 4, with a higher grade indicating better local tumor control. The dose of miriplatin used in each procedure was evaluated. Incidence of adverse events was also evaluated in the 2 groups. Results: TE grade was significantly higher in the warmed miriplatin group than in the non-warmed group (p 1⁄4 0.00171). The dose of miriplatin used in the warmed group was significantly higher than that used in the non-warmed group (p 1⁄4 0.01678). Adverse events were only transient and no permanent organ damage was observed. Mean follow-up period was 8.5 7.6 months in the non-warmed group, and 7.7 6.0 months in the warmed group. Conclusion: TACE with warmed miriplatin improved local tumor control, due to administration of higher dose of miriplatin. No serious complication was observed.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. The Barcelona clinic liver cancer classification is the current standard classification system for the clinical management of patients with HCC and suggests that patients with intermediate-stage HCC benefit from transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Interventional treatments such as TACE, balloon-occluded TACE, drug-eluting bead embolization, radioembolization, and combined therapies including TACE and radiofrequency ablation, continue to evolve, resulting in improved patient prognosis. However, patients with advanced-stage HCC typically receive only chemotherapy with sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, or palliative and conservative therapy. Most patients receive palliative or conservative therapy only, and approximately 50% of patients with HCC are candidates for systemic therapy. However, these patients require therapy that is more effective than sorafenib or conservative treatment. Several researchers try to perform more effective therapies, such as combined therapies (TACE with radiotherapy and sorafenib with TACE), modified TACE for HCC with arterioportal or arteriohepatic vein shunts, TACE based on hepatic hemodynamics, and isolated hepatic perfusion. This review summarizes the published data and data on important ongoing studies concerning interventional treatments for unresectable HCC and discusses the technical improvements in these interventions, particularly for advanced-stage HCC.

For industrial application of an electron beam direct writing a single‐layer‐resist (SLR) process is more attractive than a multilayer‐resist process, because the SLR process is less expensive and provides a precise pattern transfer for 0.2‐μm large scale integration circuit fabrication. Three key factors for SLR process are (1) high acceleration voltage for clear latent image, (2) high‐contrast resist to attain a high‐aspect‐ratio pattern, and (3) rapid dissolving resist with little effect on the substrate. With 50‐kV acceleration voltage an aspect ratio of resist pattern of about 5 is obtainable using a chemically amplified resist. However, pattern collapse limits the maximum aspect ratio for smaller resist patterns. A positive‐tone resist (PSR) and negative‐tone resist (RE‐4200N) showed excellent characteristics for a SLR process with a 0.2‐μm feature size.