Search

Osteoblasts alignment and migration are involved in the directional formation of bone matrix and bone remodeling. Many studies have demonstrated that mechanical stretching controls osteoblast morphology and alignment. However, little is known about its effects on osteoblast migration. Here, we investigated changes in the morphology and migration of preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells after the removal of continuous or cyclic stretching. Actin staining and time-lapse recording were performed after stretching removal. The continuous and cyclic groups showed parallel and perpendicular alignment to the stretch direction, respectively. A more elongated cell morphology was observed in the cyclic group than in the continuous group. In both stretch groups, the cells migrated in a direction roughly consistent with the cell alignment. Compared to the other groups, the cells in the cyclic group showed an increased migration velocity and were almost divided in the same direction as the alignment. To summarize, our study showed that mechanical stretching changed cell alignment and morphology in osteoblasts, which affected the direction of migration and cell division, and velocity of migration. These results suggest that mechanical stimulation may modulate the direction of bone tissue formation by inducing the directional migration and cell division of osteoblasts.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as a universal method of cellular communications and are reportedly produced in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Bacterial EVs are often called “Outer Membrane Vesicles” (OMVs) as they were the result of a controlled blebbing of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Bacterial EVs are natural messengers, implicated in intra- and inter-species cell-to-cell communication among microorganism populations present in microbiota. Bacteria can incorporate their pathogens into OMVs; the content of OMVs differs, depending on the type of bacteria. The production of distinct types of OMVs can be mediated by different factors and routes. A recent study highlighted OMVs ability to carry crucial molecules implicated in immune modulation, and, nowadays, they are considered as a way to communicate and transfer messages from the bacteria to the host and vice versa. This review article focuses on the current understanding of OMVs produced from major oral bacteria, P. gingivalis: generation, characteristics, and contents as well as the involvement in signal transduction of host cells and systemic diseases. Our recent study regarding the action of P. gingivalis OMVs in the living body is also summarized.

Objectives Studies have examined the association between personality and health behaviour, but research focusing exclusively on regular dental visits has yet to be conducted. This study examined the association between personality traits and regular dental visits among Japanese community-dwelling older adults. Methods The participants in this cross-sectional study included 1,057 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-74 years from Ranzan and Yoshimi towns; data were collected from October to November 2015 and October to November 2016, respectively. Interviews were conducted to obtain sociodemographic, income, occupation and medical data. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence was used to assess higher-level competence; general intelligence was also evaluated. The 'Big Five' personality traits-openness to experience, consciousness, neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness-were also examined. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between regular dental visits and personality traits. Results Among men, the number of natural teeth, current employment status and conscientiousness were associated with dental care utilization. Among women, the number of natural teeth, current annual income, the intellectual activity domain of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence and openness were significant. Conclusions The factors associated with regular dental visits differed by gender. Overall, work was associated with men's visits, whereas intellectual activity and economic factors were relevant to women. Factors such as personality traits should be considered when addressing barriers to oral health. Understanding personality traits will help practitioners more effectively encourage older adults to make dental visits.

Aim The purpose of this pilot prospective cohort study was to investigate the effects of parafunctional masseter muscle activity on periodontitis progression among patients receiving supporting periodontal therapy (SPT). Materials and methods We collected data of patients treated at Okayama University Hospital from August 2014 to September 2018. The progression group was defined as patients with ≥2 teeth demonstrating a longitudinal loss of proximal attachment of ≥3 mm during the 3-year study period and/or at least one tooth extraction due to periodontitis progression. Surface electromyography of masseter muscles at baseline was continuously recorded while patients were awake and asleep. Results We analysed 48 patients (36 females) aged 66.8 ± 9.1 years (mean ± SD). The rate of parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking hours and sleeping hours at baseline was 60.4% and 52.1%, respectively. Cox's proportional hazards regression model showed that the incidence of periodontitis progression was significantly associated with number of teeth present (p = 0.001) and parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking hours (p = 0.041). Conclusion Our results suggest that parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking hours is a risk factor for periodontitis progression among patients receiving SPT.

Neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a non-tyrosine kinase receptor for several ligands, is highly expressed in many kinds of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), but its function is poorly understood. In this study, we explored the roles of full-length NRP1 and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-modifiable NRP1 in adipogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells. The expression of full-length NRP1 and GAG-modifiable NRP1 increased during adipogenic differentiation in C3H10T1/2 cells. NRP1 knockdown repressed adipogenesis while decreasing the levels of Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, the scaffold protein JIP4 was involved in adipogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells by interacting with NRP1. Furthermore, overexpression of non-GAG-modifiable NRP1 mutant (S612A) greatly promoted adipogenic differentiation, accompanied by upregulation of the phosphorylated Akt and ERK1/2. Taken together, these results indicate that NRP1 is a key regulator that promotes adipogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells by interacting with JIP4 and activating the Akt and ERK1/2 pathway. Non-GAG-modifiable NRP1 mutant (S612A) accelerates the process of adipogenic differentiation, suggesting that GAG glycosylation is a negative post-translational modification of NRP1 in adipogenic differentiation.

Background: End-of-life care quality should ideally be evaluated by patients themselves. However, patients suffer clinical symptoms and conspicuous cognitive and physical decline in end-stage dementia. Therefore, family members and nurses are often good proxies for evaluating patients’ satisfaction with end-of-life care and symptoms in end-stage dementia. The End-of-Life in Dementia scales, originally written in English, were specifically designed to examine the quality of end-of-life care for persons with dementia. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the End-of-Life in Dementia scales and evaluate its validity and reliability in Japan.Methods: The Japanese version of the End-of-Life in Dementia scales (EOLD-J) was created by translating the following original scale measurements: Satisfaction with Care (SWC-EOLD-J), Symptom Management (SM-EOLD-J), and Comfort Assessment in Dying with dementia (CAD-EOLD-J). Participants were 113 family members of deceased residents who received end-of-life care and died at 33 participating nursing homes, and 113 nurses who provided care to the residents. Participants were asked to recall the residents’ last months and respond using the designated scales. The reliability of the scales was evaluated using a Cronbach’s alpha. The construct validity of the relationships between the SWC-EOLD-J scores and the Japanese Decision Regret Scale (DRS-J), the SM-EOLD-J and the short version of Quality of Life Questionnaire for Dementia (short QOL-D), and the CAD-EOLD-J and the short QOL-D were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The short QOL-D is composed of positive and negative dimensions.Results: Responses from 83 deceased residents’ family members, and 62 nurses were analyzed. The Cronbach’s alphas of the SWC-EOLD-J was 0.77, the SM-EOLD-J was 0.60, and the CAD-EOLD-J was 0.88. The SWC-EOLD-J score was significantly correlated with DRS-J (γ＝0.504, p < 0.001). The SM-EOLD-J score was significantly correlated with subscale of the short QOL-D: negative dimension ( γ＝0.587, p < 0.001), the CAD-EOLD-J score was significantly correlated with subscale of the short QOL-D: negative dimension (γ＝0.509, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study developed the EOLD-J and confirmed the reliability and validity of this scale.

While there is a general concurrence among researchers that mastery of “intelligible pronunciation” should be the goal of English learners, the notion does not seem to be widely shared among non-native EFL teachers, who often hold the strong belief that teachers should sound like native speakers. To investigate the underlying reasons for this, we conducted an essay survey with 16 Japanese preservice teachers after having them read articles relevant to intelligible English and English as a lingua franca. The preservice teachers displayed ambivalence between native English pronunciation and Japanese-accented English. Some also had misunderstandings concerning “intelligible pronunciation.” Limited communication experience in monolingual classrooms may have prevented them from imagining what type of pronunciation is necessary. We propose that intelligible non-native English samples be presented to preservice teachers in training courses to help them establish their concept of “ideal” pronunciation, which can serve as a model for their future students. 研究者の間では、英語学習者は「明瞭度の高い発音」の習得を到達目標とするべきであるという考え方が一般的である。しかし、その考え方は非母語話者の英語教員の間では広く共有されておらず、教員は母語話者のような発音でなければならないと強く信じていることが多い。その背景にある理由について調査するために、16名の英語教員志望者に対して「明瞭度の高い英語」と「国際共通語としての英語」に関する論文記事を読んでもらった後に、エッセイによる調査を行なった。教員志望者達は、英語母語話者の発音と日本語の痕跡が残った発音に対して葛藤する気持ちを示した。また、「明瞭度の高い発音」という概念について誤解している者もいた。教員と生徒が同じ母語を共有する教室内で英語による意思疎通を行なうという限定的な経験しかないため、どのような種類の発音が必要であるのか想像できなかったのかもしれない。教員志望者自身が、将来生徒達のモデルとなれるよう、自身にとっての「理想の」発音を身につけることが必要である。そのために、非母語話者の発音であっても明瞭度の高い英語の実例を聞く機会を増やすなど、教員養成の過程における工夫を提案したい。

Background Perioperative skin injury is a major issue; therefore, several preventative measures have been developed. However, no previous studies have visualized the effects of stromal edema caused by surgical invasion of skin tissue, and therefore, the details remain unknown. We used an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device to clarify changes in the skin tissue structure of patients after open surgery. Materials and Methods Twenty subjects who underwent open hepatectomy were enrolled. We selected the lateral abdomen, upper arms, and lower legs as ultrasonic imaging measurement sites. We performed measurements on the day before surgery and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5. We calculated the epidermal/dermal tissue thickness, subcutaneous tissue thickness, and skin tissue thickness. We performed a one‐way analysis of variance with repeated measurements for each of the postoperatively measured values on the basis of the preoperative values. Significantly different variables were subjected to the Bonferroni method. We evaluated ultrasonic imaging findings and skin injury. Results Epidermal/dermal tissue thickness at all measurement sites exhibited sustained thickening on postoperative day 5 compared to that preoperatively. The lateral abdomen exhibited thickening of the subcutaneous tissue and skin tissue on postoperative day 1. In addition, increased echogenicity, increased opacity of the layer structure, and a cobblestone appearance occurred during the postoperative course. Postoperatively, 80% of subjects exhibited skin injury. Conclusion We evaluated the effects of surgical invasion on skin tissue over time. Continual observation and protective skincare are necessary near the surgical wound, where significant invasiveness occurs. Prevention of skin injury due to skin tissue thickening requires further study.

Endochondral ossification, including bone growth and other metabolic events, is regulated by circadian rhythms. Herein, we provide evidence that melatonin has a direct effect on the circadian rhythm of chondrocytes. We detected mRNA expression of the genes which encode the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes AANAT (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase) and HIOMT (hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase), as well as the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 in mouse primary chondrocytes and cartilage. Production of melatonin was confirmed by mass spectrometric analysis of primary rat and chick chondrocytes. Addition of melatonin to primary BALB/c mouse chondrocytes caused enhanced cell growth and increased expression ofCol2a1,AggrecanandSox9, but inhibitedCol10a1expression. Addition of luzindole, an MT1 and MT2 antagonist, abolished these effects. These data indicate that chondrocytes produce melatonin, which regulates cartilage growth and maturation via the MT1 and MT2 receptors. Kinetic analysis showed that melatonin caused rapid upregulation ofAanat,Mt1,Mt2andPthrpexpression, followed bySox9andIhh. Furthermore, expression of the clock geneBmal1was induced, while that ofPer1was downregulated. Chronobiological analysis of synchronized C3H mouse chondrocytes revealed that melatonin induced the cyclic expression ofAanatand modified the cyclic rhythm ofBmal1,Mt1andMt2. In contrast,Mt1andMt2showed different rhythms fromBmal1andAanat, indicating the existence of different regulatory genes. Our results indicate that exogenous and endogenous melatonin work in synergy in chondrocytes to adjust rhythmic expression to the central suprachiasmatic nucleus clock.

Oral health behaviors, risk aversion, and the health belief model are associated with health behaviors. However, there have been few studies that investigated the association between these factors and the willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between the willingness of Japanese university students to undergo regular dental check-ups and oral health behaviors, the health belief model, and absolute risk aversion. An analysis was conducted with the cooperation of questionnaire respondents (n = 748) who underwent dental check-ups at Okayama University. The students answered questionnaires on oral health behaviors, the health belief model, absolute risk aversion, and willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups. The logistic regression analysis showed significant positive associations (p < 0.05) between oral health behaviors (use of the inter-dental brush and the dental floss) and the health belief model with the willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups. However, there was no significant association with absolute risk aversion (p > 0.05). These results suggest that willingness to undergo regular dental check-ups was associated with oral health behaviors and the health belief model, but not with absolute risk aversion.

Periodontal diseases are common inflammatory diseases that are induced by infection with periodontal bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). The association between periodontal diseases and many types of systemic diseases has been demonstrated; the term "periodontal medicine" is used to describe how periodontal infection/inflammation may impact extraoral health. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the factors produced in the oral cavity reach multiple distant organs and impact general health have not been elucidated. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized spherical structures secreted by various types of cells into the tissue microenvironment, and influence pathophysiological conditions by delivering their cargo. However, a detailed understanding of the effect of EVs on periodontal medicine is lacking. In this study, we investigated whether EVs derived from Pg-infected macrophages reach distant organs in mice and influence the pathophysiological status. EVs were isolated from human macrophages, THP-1 cells, infected with Pg. We observed that EVs from Pg-infected THP-1 cells (Pg-inf EVs) contained abundant core histone proteins such as histone H3 and translocated to the lungs, liver, and kidneys of mice. Pg-inf EVs also induced pulmonary injury, including edema, vascular congestion, inflammation, and collagen deposition causing alveoli destruction. The Pg-inf EVs or the recombinant histone H3 activated the NF-κB pathway, leading to increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Our results suggest a possible mechanism by which EVs produced in periodontal diseases contribute to the progression of periodontal medicine.

β-Amyloid (Aβ) plays an important role in the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro studies have demonstrated that Aβ oligomers induce hippocampal and neocortical neuronal death. However the neurotoxic mechanisms by which soluble Aβ oligomers cause neuronal damage and death remain to be fully elucidated. To this end, we analyzed the gene expression profile of rat cerebral cortical neurons treated with Aβ oligomers in vitro. Aβ treatment induced the expression of novel SH2-containing protein 3 (NSP3), an adaptor molecule interacting with Cas family proteins. NSP3 expression was upregulated not only in oligomeric-Aβ-treated cultured neurons but also in the neocortex of aged Tg2576 mice. NSP3 overexpression in cultured cortical neurons accelerated neuronal death. The C-terminal region of NSP3 unbound to a Cas protein was necessary for the NSP3-induced acceleration of neuronal death, as was Cas-independent Rap1A activation downstream of NSP3. Moreover, NSP3 RNAi knockdown partially rescued Aβ-oligomer-treated neurons. These results indicate that NSP3 upregulation by soluble Aβ oligomers may accelerate neuronal death via Cas-independent Rap1A activation, implicating NSP3 in the pathogenesis of AD.

OBJECTIVE Increasing age is a potential risk factor for periodontal tissue breakdown, which may be affected by commensal flora. The aim of this study evaluated age-related changes in CD4+ T cells, C-C chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), interleukin (IL)-17A, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) expression using germ-free (GF) and conventionally reared (SPF) mice. DESIGN GF and SPF mice at 8 (n = 6/group) and 22 weeks old (n = 6/group) were used. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to determine the effects of aging on protein expression in periodontal tissues. Age-related changes in alveolar bone were quantified using micro-CT analysis. RESULTS SPF mice, but not GF mice, showed an age-related increase in alveolar bone loss (P

英語による授業の実施が推進され教員と生徒ともに英語運用能力の向上が求められる中、英語教員の正しい音声知識と適切な発音指導能力の習得が必要不可欠となっている。本研究者らは現役の英語教員がどのような音声指導を行いどれだけの音声知識を有しているかを解明し、改善策を提案することを目的に、2015 年に中学校英語教員に対して発音指導に関するアンケート調査を実施した。100 名の回答によると、大人数クラスで行いやすい全員での発音練習等が実践されることが多い活動であった。また以前と比べ、分節音と超分節的要素の両方の指導が行われ、フォニックス重視の指導が実施されていること等が明らかとなった。しかし詳細分析の結果、超分節的要素の中でも規則が明快で教えやすい「文タイプと音調の関係」と比べ、「文脈に基づいた語の強調」や「内容語と機能語に基づいた文強勢」の指導は、コミュニケーションの重要な要素であるにもかかわらず不十分であった。より良い教育効果のため、辞書の使い方に関する指導、カタカナの適切な活用を行うことも提案する。生徒と母語を共有する非母語話者英語教員にとって、音声知識を有することは発音指導において大きな強みとなる。It is essential that non-native English-speaking teachers in Japan acquire sufficient knowledge on pronunciation in conjunction with teaching skills, especially now that more spoken English is encouraged in the classroom and all English teaching is expected to be conducted in English. This paper presents our findings based on a questionnaire administered to 100 public junior high school teachers in Tokyo in 2015, focusing on teachers’ phonetic knowledge and teaching practice, and provides suggestions for improvement. Popular teaching techniques were those feasible in a large class, including listening and repeating in unison. Both segmentals and suprasegmentals were instructed, and emphasis on phonics instruction was observed. In addition, certain areas of suprasegmentals, such as “focus,” “sentence stress,” and “rhythm,” which are all important in communication yet require more knowledge and skills to teach, received less attention in class, compared to “relation between tones and sentence types,” which is relatively simple to teach. We suggest that students be taught how to use dictionaries, and that katakana be used as an aid in instruction. Phonetic knowledge is especially important since it adds to the strengths of non-native English teachers., 内田洋子:東京海洋大学学術研究院海事システム工学部門杉本淳子:聖心女子大学文学部英語英文学科

Plants that are consumed by herbivores incur a reduction in fitness. Therefore, plants need to prepare to defend against and/or avoid herbivory using ‘resistance’ and/or ‘tolerance’ systems. Phengaris teleius is a specialist herbivore of Sanguisorba tenuifolia. Phengaris teleius lays eggs in the flower buds of S. tenuifolia and the larvae of P. teleius feed on the ovaries and ovules of S. tenuifolia. In order to clarify the extent of herbivory damage by P. teleius and effect on reproduction in S. tenuifolia, we conducted field observations and artificial cutting experiments carried out in the natural habitat where both P. teleius and S. tenuifolia live sympatrically. Phengaris teleius often lays one egg per spike, and about half of the total eggs were laid on the spike that developed at the shoot apex and was largest in size. The fruits were damaged most heavily in the spike in which an egg was laid. However, the number of fruits was almost the same between individuals with no damage and individuals with a feeding damage rate of 40% or less. This showed that compensation would be achieved by increasing the number of fruits in other spikes without damage. On the other hand, because no compensation was detected in the cutting experiments, it was considered that compensation may be induced by biological stimuli produced by P. teleius. These responses may be one of the mechanisms for continuing the interspecific relationship between S. tenuifolia (host plant) and P. teleius (herbivore insect).

Objective Sleep bruxism, a major sleep disorder that causes serious harm to oral health, is considered a multifactorial disease. Sleep bruxism can be induced by smoking, which also adversely affects sleep quality. The objective of present study was to clarify the associations between sleep bruxism, sleep quality, and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). Methods To assess the prevalence of sleep bruxism, sleep quality, and SHS exposure, we conducted oral examinations and self-report questionnaires on university students in Japan. Sleep bruxism and quality were screened using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the third edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3). The inclusion criteria were adults aged between 18 and 19 years, non-smokers and non-alcohol drinkers. The exclusion criteria was failing to complete the questionnaire in full. Results We analyzed a total of 1781 Japanese young adults. Young adult females who had been exposed to SHS had worse sleep quality (p = 0.019) than those who had not. Young adult female with worse sleep quality showed a higher prevalence of sleep bruxism (p = 0.034) than those with better sleep quality. Using structural equation modeling, direct associations were identified between SHS exposure and poor sleep quality (standardized coefficients, 0.153; p = 0.008) and between sleep bruxism and poor sleep quality (standardized coefficients, 0.187; p = 0.022) in young adult females. However, no association was found among young adult males. Conclusion SHS exposure is indirectly associated with sleep bruxism through poor sleep quality in Japanese young adult females.

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of a new kit that can evaluate salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LD) level in real time for screening gingivitis. Materials and Methods. The study included 70 systemic healthy volunteers [29 males and 41 females; mean age ± SD: 24.1±2.6 years]. Resting saliva was collected from each participant and LD level was evaluated in real time using the kit (a color-changing sheet with an integer scale ranging from 1 to 10). A dentist measured probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and the proportion of sites with bleeding on probing (% BOP) at six sites on all teeth. Gingivitis was diagnosed when the BOP value was ≥20%. Results. Salivary LD level was positively correlated with mean % BOP (odds ratio: 1.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.132–1.916, and P<0.001) in a logistic regression model. The sensitivity and specificity of the kit were 0.89 and 0.98, respectively, at a cut-off value of 8.0 for LD level. Conclusions. The new kit for measurement of salivary LD level may be a useful tool to screen for gingivitis in young adults, which contributes to early detection of future periodontitis.

β-Amyloid (Aβ) oligomers may play an important role in the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: cognitive impairment caused by synaptic dysfunction. Dystrophic neurites surrounding Aβ plaques, another pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease, are plaque-associated neuritic alterations preceding the appearance of synaptic loss. In the present review, we focus on the mechanism of dystrophic neurite formation by As oligomers, and discuss the neurotoxic role of Aβ-induced calsyntenin-3 in mediating dystrophic neurite formation.

Although some studies showed that lifestyle was associated with oral health behavior, few studies investigated the association between household type and oral health behavior. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between household type, oral health behavior, and periodontal status among Japanese university students. Data were obtained from 377 students who received oral examinations and self-questionnaires in 2016 and 2019. We assessed periodontal status using the percentage of bleeding on probing (%BOP), probing pocket depth, oral hygiene status, oral health behaviors, and related factors. We used structural equation modeling to determine the association between household type, oral health behaviors, gingivitis, and periodontitis. At follow-up, 252 students did not live with their families. The mean &plusmn, standard deviation of %BOP was 35.5 &plusmn, 24.7 at baseline and 32.1 &plusmn, 25.3 at follow-up. In the final model, students living with their families were significantly more likely to receive regular dental checkup than those living alone. Regular checkup affected the decrease in calculus. The decrease in calculus affected the decrease in %BOP over 3 years. Living with family was directly associated with regular dental checkups and indirectly contributed to gingival status among Japanese university students.

The long-term effects of secondhand smoke (SHS) on dental caries among Japanese young adults remain unclear. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether household exposure to SHS is associated with dental caries in permanent dentition among Japanese young adults. The study sample included 1905 first-year university students (age range: 18&ndash, 19 years) who answered a questionnaire and participated in oral examinations. The degree of household exposure to SHS was categorized into four levels according to the SHS duration: no experience (&minus, ), past, current SHS &lt, 10 years, and current SHS &ge, 10 years. Dental caries are expressed as the total number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score. The relationships between SHS and dental caries were determined by logistic regression analysis. DMFT scores (median (25th percentile, 75th percentile)) were significantly higher in the current SHS &ge, 10 years (median: 1.0 (0.0, 3.0)) than in the SHS&mdash, (median: 0.0 (0.0, 2.0)), p = 0.001). DMFT &ge, 1 was significantly associated with SHS &ge, 10 years (adjusted odds ratio: 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.20&ndash, 1.87, p &lt, 0.001). Long-term exposure to SHS (&ge, 10 years) was associated with dental caries in permanent dentition among Japanese young adults.

Objective Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a major bacterium responsible for the progression of periodontitis. P. gingivalis produces small vesicles called outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) containing virulence factors. Increasing evidence suggests a close relationship between periodontitis and respiratory system diseases, such as aspiration pneumonia. However, little is known about whether P. gingivalis OMVs give rise to the impediment of lung epithelial cells. We investigated the effect of the OMVs on cell viability and tight junctions of lung epithelial cells. Design Human lung epithelial A549 cells were treated with P. gingivalis OMVs. Cell viability was evaluated, and cell morphology was examined using scanning electron and phase contrast microscopies. To detect apoptosis induced by P. gingivalis OMVs, activation of caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage was examined by using Western blotting. Immunocytochemistry was performed to stain tight junction proteins. Results P. gingivalis OMVs decreased cell viability in A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Microscopic analysis revealed that the OMVs induced morphological changes leading to irregular cell membrane structures. The OMVs caused cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and cytoplasmic expulsion in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed the OMVs induced caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. Treatment with the OMVs disrupted the intact distributions of tight junction proteins. Conclusions These results indicate that P. gingivalis OMVs induced cell death by destroying the barrier system in lung epithelial cells. Our present study raises the possibility that P. gingivalis OMVs is an important factor in the engagement of periodontitis with respiratory system diseases.

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether oral hygiene knowledge, and the source of that knowledge, affect oral hygiene behavior in university students in Japan. An oral exam and questionnaire survey developed to evaluate oral hygiene knowledge, the source of that knowledge, and oral hygiene behavior, such as the frequency of tooth brushing and regular dental checkups and the use of dental floss, was conducted on university student volunteers. In total, 310 students with poor tooth brushing behavior (frequency of tooth brushing per day [ 50%) source of oral hygiene knowledge, and that a more frequent use of dental floss was significantly associated with dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge (OR, 4.11; 95%CI, 1.871-9.029; p < 0.001). In addition, a significant association was seen between dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge and more frequent regular dental checkups (OR, 13.626; 95%CI, 5.971-31.095; p < 0.001). These findings suggest the existence of a relationship between dental clinics being the most common source of oral hygiene knowledge and improved oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students.

The purpose of this 3-year prospective cohort study was to explore the relationship between an increase in dental caries and oral microbiome among Japanese university students. We analyzed 487 students who volunteered to receive oral examinations and answer baseline (2013) and follow-up (2016) questionnaires. Of these students, salivary samples were randomly collected from 55 students at follow-up and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Students were divided into two groups: increased group (&Delta, decayed, missing, and filled teeth (&Delta, DMFT) score increased during the 3-year period) and non-increased group (&Delta, DMFT did not increase). Thirteen phyla, 21 classes, 32 orders, 48 families, 72 genera, and 156 species were identified. Microbial diversity in the increased group (n = 14) was similar to that in the non-increased group (n = 41). Relative abundances of the family Prevotellaceae (p = 0.007) and genera Alloprevotella (p = 0.007) and Dialister (p = 0.039) were enriched in the increased group compared with the non-increased group. Some bacterial taxonomic clades were differentially present between the two groups. These results may contribute to the development of new dental caries prevention strategies, including the development of detection kits and enlightenment activities for these bacteria.

Introduction Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL confer resistance to apoptosis, thereby reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. We examined the relationship between the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells, with the aim of developing specific targeted therapy. Methods Four human breast cancer cell lines were examined, and the effects of antisense (AS) Bcl-2 and AS Bcl-xL phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on chemosensitivity were tested in vitro and in vivo. Chemosensitivity was evaluated by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay, and the antitumor effect was assessed in vivo by the success of xenograft transplantation into athymic mice. Results Treatment with AS Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL ODNs resulted in a sequence-specific decrease in protein expression, compared with controls. Treatment of BT-474, ZR-75-1, and MDA-MB-231 cells with AS Bcl-2 increased chemosensitivity to doxorubicin (DOX), mitomycin C (MMC), paclitaxel (TXL), and docetaxel (TXT). Transfection of the Bcl-2 gene into MDA-MB-453 cells decreased sensitivity to DOX and MMC. Treatment of MDA-MB-231, BT-474, and ZR-75-1 cells with AS Bcl-xL increased chemosensitivity to DOX, MMC and taxanes to a smaller extent than AS Bcl-2. This occurred in the setting of increased Bax and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, as well as decreased Bcl-2 and pAkt. AS Bcl-2 ODNs induced splenomegaly in association with increased serum IL-12, which was attenuated by methylation of the CpG motifs of AS Bcl-2; however, methylated CpG failed to negate the increased antitumor effect of AS Bcl-2. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, to a smaller extent, are major determinants of chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells. Conclusion Targeted therapy against Bcl-2 protein with the use of AS ODNs might enhance the effects of chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between sleep quality and duration, and periodontal disease among a group of young Japanese university students. First-year students (n = 1934) at Okayama University who voluntarily underwent oral health examinations were included in the analysis. Sleep quality and duration were assessed by the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Dentists examined Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), probing pocket depth (PPD), and percentage of sites with bleeding on probing (BOP). Periodontal disease was defined as presence of PPD &ge, 4 mm and BOP &ge, 30%. Overall, 283 (14.6%) students had periodontal disease. Poor sleep quality was observed among 372 (19.2%) students. Mean (&plusmn, standard deviation) sleep duration was 7.1 &plusmn, 1.1 (hours/night). In the logistic regression analysis, periodontal disease was significantly associated with OHI-S (odds ratio [OR]: 2.30, 95% confident interval [CI]: 1.83&ndash, 2.90, p &lt, 0.001), but not sleep quality (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.79&ndash, 1.53, p = 0.577) or sleep duration (OR: 0.98, CI: 0.87&ndash, 1.10, p = 0.717). In conclusion, sleep quality and duration were not associated with periodontal disease among this group of young Japanese university students.

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the influence of the salivary microbiome on the worsening of the periodontal health status among Japanese young adults. We assessed the data of systemically healthy and non-smoking young (18&ndash, 22 years) university students (n = 457) from Okayama University at baseline (2013) and follow-up (2016). The worsening group was defined based on an increase in the percentage of bleeding on probing (%BOP) or an increase in probing pocket depth (PPD) from &lt, 4 mm to &ge, 4 mm. Unstimulated saliva samples were randomly collected from 69 students for microbiome analysis at follow-up. The salivary microbiome was assessed through 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing. The type of community in the salivary microbiome clustered by statistical analysis and diversity was not significantly associated with the worsening of the periodontal health status in cases of increasing %BOP and PPD (p &gt, 0.05). The prevalence of some species was significantly higher in the worsening group than in the non-worsening group (p &lt, 0.05) in both cases. The worsening of the periodontal health status was associated with some species, but not the type of community and diversity in the salivary microbiome among Japanese young adults.

Oral disease can cause economic loss due to impaired work performance. Therefore, improvement of oral health status and prevention of oral disease is essential among workers. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether oral health-related behavioral modification intervention influences work performance or improves oral health behavior and oral health status among Japanese workers. We quasi-randomly separated participants into the intervention group or the control group at baseline. The intervention group received intensive oral health instruction at baseline and a self-assessment every three months. Both groups received oral examinations and answered the self-questionnaire at baseline and at one-year follow-up. At follow-up, the prevalence of subjects who use fluoride toothpastes and interdental brushes/dental floss were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Three variables (tooth brushing in workplace, using fluoride toothpaste, and experience of receiving tooth brushing instruction in a dental clinic) showed significant improvement only in the intervention group. On the other hand, work performance and oral status did not significantly change in either group. Our intensive oral health-related behavioral modification intervention improved oral health behavior, but neither work performance nor oral status, among Japanese workers.

Recent studies suggest that the commensal microbiota affects not only host energy metabolism and development of immunity but also bone remodeling by positive regulation of osteoclast activity. However, the mechanism of regulation of bone cells by the commensal microbiota has not been elucidated. In this study, 8-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germ-free (GF) mice were compared in terms of alveolar bones and primary osteoblasts isolated from calvarias. Micro-CT analysis showed that SPF mice had larger body size associated with lower bone mineral density and bone volume fraction in alveolar bones compared with GF mice. Greater numbers of osteoclasts in alveolar bone and higher serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b were observed in SPF mice. Tissue extracts from SPF alveolar bone showed higher levels of cathepsin K, indicating higher osteoclast activity. SPF alveolar extracts also showed elevated levels of &gamma, carboxylated glutamic acid&ndash, osteocalcin as a marker of mature osteoblasts compared with GF mice. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array analysis of RNA directly isolated from alveolar bone showed that in SPF mice, expression of mRNA of osteocalcin, which also acts as an inhibitor of bone mineralization, was strongly enhanced compared with GF mice. Cultured calvarial osteoblasts from SPF mice showed reduced mineralization but significantly enhanced expression of mRNAs of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, insulin-like growth factor-I/II, and decreased ratio of osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand compared with GF mice. Furthermore, PCR array analyses of transcription factors in cultured calvarial osteoblasts showed strongly upregulated expression of Forkhead box g1. In contrast, Gata-binding protein 3 was strongly downregulated in SPF osteoblasts. These results suggest that the commensal microbiota prevents excessive mineralization possibly by stimulating osteocalcin expression in osteoblasts, and enhances both osteoblast and osteoclast activity by regulating specific transcription factors.

The purpose of this intervention study was to investigate whether intensive health guidance focusing on eating quickly can prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS) more effectively than standard routine guidance in Japanese citizens living in rural areas.This controlled, non-randomized, intervention study analyzed 141 participants with MetS at baseline. Participants in the intervention group received health guidance focusing on eating quickly and standard health guidance about MetS in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan, whereas participants in the control group received only standard health guidance about MetS. The primary study outcome was the prevalence of MetS at a 1-year follow-up.At 1-year follow-up, the prevalence of MetS in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p = 0.003). The decreases in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and triglycerides from baseline to 1 year were significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group (p 0.05).Intensive health guidance focusing on eating quickly is more effective for improving MetS than standard Japanese health guidance alone.Level II, Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization. TRIAL REGISTRY NAME, REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND URL FOR THE REGISTRY: UMIN, UMIN000030600, http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm.

将来の海技士に求められる英語力は「必要最低限のコミュニケーション」を目的とするSMCPの習得にとどまらず、必要な海事情報を得るための書きことばを読解する力にまで拡充すべきである。それでは、それを達成するためには、どのような語彙を習得すればよいのか？この疑問に答える一手段として、本研究ではAntConcを用いて海事英語テキストRisk Watchを構成する語彙特徴を明らかにする分析を試みた。言語データを概観すると共に、主に高頻度語の特徴に着目し、BNC に代表される一般英語との類似点と相違点を示した。分析の結果、一般英語と海事英語の機能語の使われ方は類似していたが、内容語の高頻度語の種類には大きな違いが見られた。海事英語テキストの内容を理解するための語彙として、高校レベルにプラスαの知識が必要とされることを示唆している。今後、頻度上位1,000語を構成する内容語の用法を綿密に記述し、高校レベルまでの英語学習を済ませた学習者が更に海事英語を身につけて行く際の語彙学習の指針となるような事実を明らかにすることが期待される。, The English proficiency required to prospective deck officers should not be limited to the mastery of SMCP, which only guarantees “a minimum level of communication,” but should extend to the attainment of the ability to comprehend information provided in English texts on Maritime issues. In order to explore the kind of vocabulary necessary for reading Maritime English texts, this study attempted a corpus analysis of Maritime English text Risk Watch using AntConc. An overview of the Maritime English corpus was given, followed by a comparison with the so-called “general English,” which was represented by the British National Corpus (BNC) in this study. In the analysis focusing on high-frequency words, it was revealed that the type of content words frequently used in Maritime English differs from that in the BNC. The result highlighted the necessity for deck cadets to learn relatively higher-level words and acquire knowledge on usage peculiar to Maritime English. Further linguistic investigation of the 1,000 most frequently used words in the future will provide hints to establish guidelines for practical vocabulary learning of Maritime English., 東京海洋大学大学院海洋工学系海事システム工学部門