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Introduction Oral mucositis is a clinically significant complication of mucotoxic cancer therapy. The incidence of oral mucositis (any grade) as an adverse drug reaction of everolimus is 58%, while an analysis of Asian people has reported its occurrence as 81%.This study hypothesizes that the occurrence of oral mucositis will reduce with professional oral care (POC) administered prior to everolimus treatment. Method: This was a randomized, multi-center, open-label, phase III study, to evaluate the efficacy of POC in preventing mucositis induced by everolimus in postmenopausal, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, metastatic breast cancer patients. Patients were randomized into POC and control groups (1:1 ratio). All patients received everolimus with exemestane and continued the everolimus until disease progression. In the POC group, patients were subjected to teeth surface cleaning, scaling and tongue cleaning, before initiating everolimus, and continued to receive weekly POC from dentist or oral surgeons throughout the 8 weeks of treatment. In the control group, patients brushed their own teeth and gargled with 0.9% sodium chloride solution or water. The primary end-point was to measure the incidence of all grades of oral mucositis. Target accrual was 200 patients with a 2-sided type I error rate of 5% and 80% power to detect 25% risk reduction. This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT 02069093. Result: Between May 26, 2014 and Dec 28, 2017, we enrolled 174 women from 31 institutions; 168 were evaluable for efficacy but 5 were excluded (had not received the protocol treatment [n=4]; no efficacy data [n=1]). In 8 weeks, the incidence of grade 1 oral mucositis was significantly different between the POC group (76.5%, 62 of 81 patients) and control group (89.7%, 78 of 87 patients) (p=0.035). The incidence of grade 2 (severe) oral mucositis was also significantly different between the POC group (34.6%, 28 of 81 patients) and control group (54%, 47 of 87 patients) (p= 0.015). As a result of oral mucositis, 18 (22.2%) patients in the POC group and 28 (32.2%) in the control group had to undergo everolimus dose reduction. Conclusion: POC reduced the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients receiving everolimus and exemestane. This could be a new standard in oral care for patients undergoing this treatment. Primary Analysis: Incidence Probability of Oral Mucositis POC Group (n=81) Controll (n=87)P-valuneOral Mucositis over Grade1n% n% Yes6276.5 7889.70.035No1923.5 910.3 Risk Difference, % (95% CI)-11.83 (-22.80, -0.85) POC: Professional oral Care Citation Format: Niikura N, Nakatukasa K, Amamiya T, Watanabe K-i, Hata H, Kikawa Y, Taniike N, Yamanaka T, Mitsunaga S, Nakagami K, Adachi M, Kondo N, Horii K, Hayashi N, Naito M, Kashiwabara K, Yamashita T, Umeda M, Mukai H, Ota Y. Oral care evaluation to prevent oral mucositis in estrogen receptor positive metastatic breast cancer patients treated with everolimus (Oral Care-BC): A randomized controlled phase III trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-01.

We demonstrate a new method to control the Fermi level around the van Hove singularity (VHS) in Li-intercalated graphene on the SiC substrate. By angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we observed a clear Lifshitz transition in the vicinity of the VHS by increasing the graphene thickness. This behavior is unexpected in a free-standing Li-intercalated graphene model. The calculation including the substrate suggests that the surface state stabilizes the Fermi level around the VHS of the Dirac bands via hybridization. In addition, we found that a sizable Schottky barrier is formed between graphene and the substrate. These properties allow us to explore the electronic phase diagram around the VHS by controlling the thickness and electric field in the device condition.

A reference database for trabecular bone density, cortical thickness, and elastic modulus of trabecular bone for a novel ultrasonic bone densitometry system (LD-100) based on two longitudinal waves (fast and slow) was determined over a wide age range in a normal Japanese population. A novel ultrasonic bone densitometry system (LD-100 system) was applied to create a reference database for trabecular bone density (TBD), cortical thickness (CoTh), and elastic modulus of trabecular bone (EMTb) for this device over a wide age range in a normal Japanese population. In a comparative study between LD-100 and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) systems, 52 individuals were examined by both systems at the same radius simultaneously. To create a reference database, a total of 2,380 healthy subjects (1,179 men, 1,201 women), ages 18–99 years, were examined using the LD-100 system. Highly significant correlations between the LD-100 and pQCT systems were found in TBD (r = 0.877, p

ABSTRACT: The mid-Niigata prefecture earthquake in 2004 damaged a number of structures, including embankments, earth slopes and retaining walls. This paper describes a selected collapsed earth slope constructed in a valley eroded by the Shinano River with low-permeability backfill soil. The failure mechanism of the earth slope is shown by the high response acceleration at the crest owing to the low stiffness and strength of the backfill soil. The paper also describes numerical techniques to evaluate the performance of the structure constructed before and after the earthquake. For the selected earth slope, the response acceleration during the earthquake and the groundwater level before the earthquake were estimated by finite element (FE) analysis. Deformation analysis was conducted using Newmark's sliding-block analysis, which implements the estimated groundwater level and response acceleration of the structure subjected to the earthquake by the above FE analysis. According to the results of the numerical analysis, it is important for geosynthetic reinforcement to increase the stiffness of the reinforced soil to allow for a decrease in the deformation at the crest of the structure. The numerical analysis in this study revealed that the performance of the reinforced retaining wall constructed after the earthquake is significantly better than that of the collapsed earth slope constructed before the earthquake.

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the eAect of the jet inclination on convective heat transfer from vertical heaters to circular submerged liquid jets. Local heat transfer measurements were made with obliquely impinging circular jets of transformer oil issued from both pipe-type and orifice-type nozzles in the range of jet Reynolds number from 162 to 958, corresponding to the jet velocity from 1.73 to 19.1 m/s. Variations both of the location and the magnitude of maximum heat transfer rates were determined and correlated in the range of jet inclination angles from 90∞ to 45∞. Profiles of local heat transfer coeAcients were obtained both along the x- and y- axes. A correlation was presented to predict the radial distribution of local Nusselt number in the x-axis. Comparison was made of the present results with those from available literature related to oblique circular liquid and air jets. ” 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

A one-order parameter model of crystal-melt transition is used to study the thermodynamics of crystal-melt nucleation and the steady-state kinetics of melting and freezing, A simple Ginzburg-Landau free energy model is constructed using the density functional theory. A remarkable asymmetry between freezing and melting behaviors is found, which is shown to be related to the asymmetry of the free energy. This universal model successfully explains the observed universality of maximum undercooling and the asymmetry of planar freezing and the melting front.

The temperature dependence of the nucleation rate of liquid drops and vapor bubbles of the Yukawa model fluid is studied using non-local density functional theory. In this model, the integral equation which determines the density profile and the work of formation of nuclei can be transformed into a simple differential equation and can be numerically solved exactly. Systematic comparison can be made with the predictions from the classical nucleation theory due to Volmer and others. The resultant temperature dependence and deviation from the classical prediction for liquid drops is comparable with the observed discrepancies between the experimental results and the classical predictions.

We examine the interface kinetics of freezing and melting of semiconducting Si with a diamond structure and metallic Na with a bcc structure using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau or Cahn-Allen equation. The various parameters of this free energy are related to the structural data at the liquid phase of those materials from density functional theory. The asymmetry of the interface velocity between superheating and undercooling is partly accounted for by the asymmetry of the functional form of the free energy.

The rate of the UV-stimulated HT oxidation was studied in H{sub 2}(HT)-O{sub 2}-O{sub 3} atmospheres with excess O{sub 3}. The concentration of HTO increased linearly with UV irradiation time. The formation rate of HTO was estimated to be 3.4 x 10{sup -2} Bq cm{sup -3} s{sup -1}, which was about 14000 times greater than that of the UV-stimulated HT oxidation in the H{sub 2}(HT)-O{sub 2} atmosphere. Namely the excess O{sub 3} greatly assisted the UV-stimulated HT oxidation. The HTO formation obeyed the half order kinetics to hydrogen pressure and 0.7 order with respect to photon flux. Computer simulation consisting of 33 elementary reactions was employed to make clear the mechanism of the HT oxidation. The computer simulation reproduced the same hydrogen pressure and photon flux dependences as the experimental results. It was revealed that the main path for HTO formation is as follows: (1) HT oxidation is initiated by photolysis of O{sub 3} to O({sup 1}D) radicals; (2) O({sup 1}D) radicals react with H{sub 2}(HT) to form OH(OT) radicals; and (3) OH(OT) radicals produce H{sub 2}O(HTO) by the reaction with H{sub 2}(HT). On the basis of computer analysis, it is concluded that the considerable increase in the rate of HTOmore » formation is due to the increase in O({sup 1}D) production in the presence of O{sub 3}. The present results suggest that the O{sub 3}-assisted UV-stimulated HT oxidation is expected to be applicable to non-catalytic oxidation of tritium in thermonuclear fusion reactors. 8 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.« less

This paper shows how a vertically integrated utility develops a least-cost transmission and distribution (T&D) plan that considers demand-side management (DSM) to defer capacity expansion necessary for serving growing demand. The plan is the result of applying dynamic optimization techniques to a T&D planning area in the service territory of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the largest privately owned utility in the USA. In the case study area alone, DSM enables PG&E to reduce the present value of its planned investment in local T&D from $112.3 million to $77.3 million over a 20-year period.

A superconducting power cable which has a structure similar to the conventional extruded polyethylene cable is proposed. The main features of the design are to exploit the excellent electrical properties of polymers at cryogenic temperatures and to separate the helium coolant from the electrical insulation. However, the most hazardous problem of this insulation system is cracking of the extruded polymer insulation during cooling. In order to examine the feasibility of the above proposal, a superconducting cable of rated voltage 20 kV and rated current 2 kA was manufactured, being suitable for the university laboratory tests. Extruded polyethylene or ethylene propylene rubber was adopted as electrical insulation. Current transmission tests up to 2.5 kA were performed with extruded polyethylene insulated superconducting cable though the insulation cracked during cooling. Voltage application tests were carried out with fair success at the liquid helium temperature with extruded ethylene propylene rubber insulated cable. This ia a breakthrough in terms of the electrical insulation design of cryogenic cables.

Mechanical and electrical properties of ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) pieces were studied in comparison with polyethylene (PE) in the cryogenic temperature region to examine the possibility of its use as solid electrical insulating material in superconducting cables. The mechanical properties of EPR are preferable to those of PE mainly because of its low shrinkage. The electric strength and dielectric loss tangent of EPR are comparable with those of PE at liquid helium temperature. Based on the encouraging results, an extruded EPR-insulated cable was fabricated and its 15-m length was cooled down to liquid helium temperature successfully. Partial discharge experiments at that temperature showed good electrical characteristics. This is a breakthrough in terms of the electrical insulation design of cryogenic cables. >

In a triggered-lightning experiment carried out on a mountain in Japan, thirteen strikes were obtained for the winter seasons of 1986 and 1987. The lightning occurred on the conductor and the tower of a 275 kV test transmission line, on the ground, etc. The authors outline the triggering method and the experimental results obtained from electrical and optical observations. Comparatively intense lightning with a current greater than 50 kA or a charge greater than 200 C was obtained. >

Single-crystal iron films with the [100], [110] and [111] planes were epitaxially grown on single-crystal GaAs plates with the respective crystallographic planes prepared by dual-ion-beam sputtering. Iron targets with different purity with 99.99%, 99.5% and 98% were used. Crystallinity of the films examined by X-ray diffraction was not so sensitive to the target purity, but magnetic properties and corrosion resistance were strongly influenced by the target purity; soft magnetic and high corrosion resistant films were obtained by high purity iron target. The most corrosion resistant films were obtained for [110] iron films using 99.99% iron target, which is comparable to high corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

The coupling phenomenon between the molecular translation and rotation is the fundamental process that governs the macroscopic behaviors of soft complex matters such as nematogens, polymers and micelles. Various techniques have been developed and applied for studying this effect. The flow birefringence gives information on the anisotropy induced by the steady shear stress of the fluid. The dynamic light scattering observes the spontaneous fluctuation in orientational order parameter that gives the coupling constant between the cooperative translation and rotation of the molecules. In this study we introduce a new technique named Quadrapole Flow Birefringence.

We investigate the structures of light nuclei focusing on the role of the tensor force. We describe the tensor and short-range correlations with the tensor optimized shell model (TOSM) and the unitary correlation operator method (UCOM), respectively. In the TOSM, the 2p2h states are fully optimized to describe the large tensor contribution that brings high momentum components explicitly in the wave function. We use a bare nucleon-nucleon interaction AV8' and discuss the structures of the He and Li isotopes, such as the excitation energy spectra and the radii. We also investigate the structures of 8Be from the ground-band states to the highly excited states. These states of 8Be are indicated to have different structures of the 2α clustering states and the shell-model like states.

This report will describe a 502×600 element interline-transfer CCD imager which realizes a 100-fold reduction in smear level, through the use of a flared photodiode structure.

A CCD imager with a 5.86mm(V) × 7.13mm(H) chip and an imaging area of 4.32mm(V) × 5.73mm(H) will be reported. The S/N ratio is 55dB under scene illumination level of 200 1x, which is 50% of the saturation illumination.

The authors describe the development of a HDTV (high-definition television) CCD (charge-coupled device) imager meeting the requirements for a practical color TV camera implemented with three CCD chips. They present a frame interline transfer CCD image sensor (FIT CCD), with 1258(H)*1035(V) pixels, that uses a poly-Si/Al double-layer transfer gate and p/sup +/-floating-island isolation. The saturation current of the present FIT CCD is 900 nA up to 625 kHz, whereas that of the conventional FIT CCD is fairly poor even at 300 kHz. The high transfer speed results from reduction of gate resistance. The photoconversion characteristics measured at a transfer frequency of 625 kHz show that the sensitivity reaches 50 nA/lx. The measured characteristics of the image sensor meet practical HDTV three-chip camera requirements. >

The authors present the experimental results obtained with multineedle discharge electrodes, for use in electrostatic separators, stressed with positive and negative DC voltage. The aim was to determine the effect of gap height and needle spacing on the current density pattern and its value on the plane electrode. Profiles of ion density on the plane electrode were measured precisely. Results of measurements are reported for different needle separations and gap height. The interaction between the needles and its effect on the corona current and onset voltage are discussed. >

As the most popular partial discharge detector in Japan, a tuning type detector has been developed. A basic detector CD-5, a balanced detector BL-1, and a logically controlled noise discriminator ND-1 for the suppression of noise, as well as a high-frequency CT detector HECT-1 coupled to the ground wire of the test object and a computer-aided partial discharge measuring system CAPS-1 are introduced and discussed in connection with the future development of the tuning type detector. >

In this paper, we present a system for visual representation of speech signals and other sound. It is called the KanNon system. It displays the spectra of the speech signals, i.e. sound spectrograms, which are a 3D representation of the speech intensity in different frequency bands. We show effectively sound spectrograms applying the Burg method and display the common properties of speech signals by different speakers. Finally, we describe the composition of the KanNon system which is a real-time processing system of speech signals.

A structural and thermodynamic study of the entropic contribution of salt bridge formation to the interaction between hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) and the variable domain fragment (Fv) of anti-HEL antibody, HyHEL-10, was carried out. Three Fv mutants (HD32A, HD96A, and HD32AD96A) were prepared, and the interactions between the mutant Fvs and HEL were investigated. Crystallography revealed that the overall structures of these mutant complexes were almost identical to that of wild-type Fv. Little structural changes were observed in the HD32AD96A mutant-HEL complex, and two water molecules were introduced into the mutation site, indicating that the two water molecules structurally compensated for the complete removal of the salt bridges. This result suggests that the entropic contribution of the salt bridge originates from dehydration. In the singly mutated complexes, one water molecule was also introduced into the mutated site, bridging the antigen-antibody interface. However, a local structural difference was observed in the HD32A Fv-HEL complex, and conformational changes occurred due to changes in the relative orientation of the heavy chain to the light chain upon complexation in HD96A Fv-HEL complexes. The reduced affinity of these single mutants for the antigen originates from the increase in entropy loss, indicating that these structural changes also introduced an increase in entropy loss. These results suggest that salt bridge formation makes an entropic contribution to the protein antigen-antibody interaction through reduction of entropy loss due to dehydration and structural changes.

Exogastrula-inducing peptides (EGIPs), which are epidermal growth factor-related peptides of the sea urchin Anthocidaris crassispina, are substances that elicit abnormal gastrulation (exogastrulation) during embryogenesis of the sea urchin. In the present study we have examined the regulation of the expression of the EGIP precursor gene (EGIP) in sea urchin embryos. Whole mount in situ hybridization showed that EGIP is zygotically expressed afterthe onset of gastrulation in subdomains of the embryonic and larval ectoderm. The expression is confined in early gastrulae to small ectodermal regions adjoining the vegetal plate, which progressively expand to almost the entire ectoderm except the oral hood and postoral tips of the arms in later stages. In adults the expression is restricted to the ovary. Zygotic EGIP expression is sensitive to dissociation of embryonic cells, as well as to disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with 5-cis-hydroxyproline, suggesting requirements for interaction with neighboring cells and/or with the ECM. The expression of reporter genes (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase and green fluorescent protein) under the regulation of the 4.6 kb upstream region of EGIP is temporally and spatially similar to that of the endogenous gene, showing that EGIP expression is regulated at the transcription level during embryogenesis by the cis-elements within the 4.6 kb upstream region.

Folding reaction of goat alpha-lactalbumin has been studied by stopped-flow circular dichroism and molecular dynamics simulations. The effects of four single mutations and a double mutation on the stability of the protein under a native condition were studied. The mutations were introduced into residues located at a hydrophobic core in the alpha-domain of the molecule. Here we show that an amino acid substitution (T29I) increases the native-state stability of goat alpha-lactalbumin against the guanidine hydrochloride-induced unfolding by 3.5 kcal/mol. Kinetic refolding and unfolding of wild-type and mutant goat alpha-lactalbumin measured by stopped-flow circular dichroism showed that the local structure around the Thr29 side chain was not constructed in the transition state of the folding reaction. To characterize the local structural change around the Thr29 side chain to an atomic level of resolution, we performed high-temperature (at 400 K and 600 K) molecular dynamics simulations and studied the structural change at an initial stage of unfolding observed in the simulation trajectories. The Thr29 portion of the molecule experienced structural disruption accompanied with the loss of inter-residue contacts and with the water molecule penetration in the 400-K simulation as well as in four of the six 600-K simulations. Disruption of the N-terminal portion was also observed and was consistent with the results of kinetic refolding/unfolding experiments shown in our previous report.

The effect of light irradiation on S-N transition was investigated in a Bi-based oxide superconductor. The results suggest the possibility of a light triggered superconducting switching element. Critical current density and voltage—current characteristics were examined under visible light irradiation and in the dark for a Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy sample immersed in liquid nitrogen. Light irradiation decreases Jc and increases the voltage drop across the sample above Jc. This phenomenon is observed even in pulsed light.

Endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictive peptide, is known to modulate changes in local circulation. Additionally, hepatocyte growth factor, a potent mitogen for hepatocytes, is increased in various liver diseases. The present study examined changes in serum endothelin-1 and hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with obstructive jaundice before and after percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage.Endothelin-1 and hepatocyte growth factor levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using sera from 16 patients with obstructive jaundice before and after percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage.Serum endothelin-1 levels decreased rapidly in the good bilirubin decrease group after biliary drainage. Endothelin-1 levels decreased 1 week after drainage but then increased gradually in the worse bilirubin decrease group. Serum hepatocyte growth factor levels decreased gradually after biliary drainage, and were higher in the worse bilirubin decrease group than in the good bilirubin decrease group throughout the study.These results suggest that endothelin-1 may be associated with the microcirculatory disturbance in obstructive jaundice and prolonged cholestasis. Measurement of hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with obstructive jaundice before percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage may be an early clinical predictor of the subsequent rate of decrease of the serum bilirubin concentration.

We investigated whether or not hepatocyte growth factor increases in portal serum via an endocrine mode after partial hepatectomy in humans.Portal blood was sampled through a catheter inserted through the umbilical vein to the portal trunk during surgery in 17 patients. Serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Human hepatocyte growth factor levels were higher in portal than in peripheral serum throughout the study. Portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels without complications increased rapidly and reached a maximum level 1 day after partial hepatectomy. The maximal level of portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor was 1.20 and 1.00 ng/ml, respectively. In the case of hepatic failure after partial hepatectomy, portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels markedly increased and reached 9.31 ng/ml and 6.78 ng/ml 2 days before death, respectively.These results suggest that hepatocyte growth factor increases in portal serum via an endocrine mode after partial hepatectomy in humans. Furthermore, measurement of the portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels may be useful for the clinical evaluation of patients with post-operative hepatic failure.

The purpose of this paper is to develop pre-casting permanent forms which are effective in improving the durability and appearance of concrete structures, conserving wood and modernizing cast-in-place concrete work. The influences of various materials used and accelerated curing methods on the properties of polymer cement mortar (PCM) applied to the forms were investigated. In these experiments, polymer dispersions composed of styrene-acryl (SA), polyacrylic ester (PAE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were used. Mixtures contained aggregate - crushed silica and ferro-nickel slag sand; cement - normal portland, high-early strength portland and white portland cement; and color pigment - red, green, yellow and black. Steam curing and oven-dry curing were carried out. The fluidity, compressive strength, flexural strength, resistance to abrasion, chloride ion penetration, carbonation and sulfate resistance, and surface color of PCM were examined. From these investigations, the following conclusions were obtained: The use of SA type polymer, ferro-nickel slag sand, high-early strength portland cement and color pigments were effective in getting PCM with high fluidity, mechanical strength, durability and tinting strength. Additionally, steam curing and oven-dry curing are practical for the early-age strength development of PCM.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the current status of fluoride mouthrinse programmes throughout Japan. Data collection and analysis took place in 1992. The focus of this study was on schools that were participating in the rinse programme at the time of the survey. Questionnaires were sent by mail to 49 dentist-members of the Association for the Promotion of Fluoride Use in Japan. These members gathered information from the schools and, when necessary, also from local government offices. Starting with a single prefecture in 1970, the rinse programme increased to 32 out of 47 prefectures by 1992. The total number of schools using fluoride mouthrinse was 1,183 (nursery schools and kindergartens 48 per cent, primary schools 46 per cent, and secondary schools 6 per cent). In nursery schools and kindergartens, 60 per cent of the participating schools adopted the daily method using 0.05 per cent NaF solution. In primary and secondary schools, 78 per cent adopted the weekly method using 0.2 per cent NaF solution. The costs for the rinse regimen were paid for by public funds of the prefectural and municipal governments in 71 per cent of the schools. Fifty-four per cent of the schools which first initiated the rinse programmes in their districts identified dentists and dental associations as the most influential in programme acceptance and implementation. Although the number of fluoride rinse programmes is increasing, it is still modest. These results suggest that cooperation between dental organisations, dental schools and prefectural governments can play very important roles in implementing school based rinse programmes.

The benefits of a school-based fluoride mouth rinsing in a community dental health program were evaluated. In village "M", children from 4 to 14 years old have been participating in a school-based fluoride mouth rinsing program since 1974. In addition, an informal association for dental health of children was inaugurated in 1975 to support the community dental health program. In village "K", there were no fluoride mouth rinsing programs. However, the usual dental health education conducted in all schools was similar in both communities. In order to compare these two communities, dental examinations were carried out in 1990. The total number of subjects from 6 to 14 years old was 331 in village "M" and 408 in village "K". In village "M" for longitudinal comparison, 12-year-olds, 1,054 in total, were examined annually from 1974 to 1990. The DMFT-index in all subjects in village "M" was 76.1% lower than in village "K". In village "M", the DMFT-index in 1990 decreased 79.0% compared to 1974. The economic benefits obtained through the caries reduction were evaluated. In 1990 the mean cost of dental treatment for subjects 14 years old was 27,840 yen per person in village "K" and 4,248 yen in village "M". The cost-benefit ratio was 18.8 and the cost-effectiveness ratio was 137 yen. These remarkable benefits from the prevention of dental caries appears to have been mainly obtained due to the participation of children aged 4 to 14 years old in a school-based fluoride mouth rinsing program.

We used immunohistochemical methods to investigate whether in vitro labeling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) of oral cancer tissues is useful in pathological diagnosis. BrdU-positive cells were found around the basal region of the epithelium in normal oral mucosa, in a papilloma specimen and in tissue with moderate dysplasia. The labeling rates (percentage of BrdU-positive cells, LR) for these cases were 1.2%, 6.9% and 7.5%, respectively. In well-differentiated carcinoma, more layers of BrdU positive cells were observed from the basal layer toward the surface. The LR in this region was 13.9-17.0%. In vitro BrdU labeling of oral tumors may be useful in pathological diagnosis, since the LR is lowest in normal tissues, higher in benign tumors, and highest in malignant tumor tissues.