The use of micro-computed tomography to determine the accuracy of electronic working length with two apex locators.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the precision of electronic working length by microcomputed tomography using two electronic apex locators (EALs). METHODS: Twenty single-rooted permanent teeth without caries or restorations were selected as the subject teeth. The positions of the minor apical constriction (AC) and major apical foramen (AF) were measured by electronic root canal length, and microcomputed tomography was performed with the file inserted and fixed in the root canal. All teeth were measured individually and independently by two operators. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to statistically test the AC and AF values using two EALs; P < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. RESULTS: This was 65.0% within 1.5 mm in the case of two EALs on AC. This was more than 90.0% within 1.0 mm in the case of two EALs on AF. Comparison of the differences between the respective AC and AF of the measurements obtained using the two EALs revealed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The two EALs are devices that can greatly improve the accuracy of WL control.

JunB can enhance the transcription of IL-8 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Proteasome inhibitor MG132 was shown to enhance the secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) by various cells. The enhancement is regulated by the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) at the transcriptional level. AP-1 is a dimer formed by AP-1 family proteins. The purpose of the present study was to explore the combinations of the AP-1 family proteins that contribute to MG132-driven IL-8 secretion. Oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived cell lines, Ca9-22 and HSC3, were used to demonstrate their response to MG132. IL-8 secretion was augmented by MG132 in both cell lines. c-Jun expression was detected in both the cell lines, whereas c-Fos expression was detected only in the HSC3. The influence of MG132 stimulation on c-Jun and c-Fos expression was further examined by western blot analysis. c-Jun expression was increased by MG132 stimulation, whereas c-Fos expression was not detected even after MG132 stimulation. As JunB is reported to inhibit the transcriptional activity of the AP-1 complex, we speculated that the c-Jun homodimer should contribute to IL-8 enhancement. Expression vectors encoding wild type and c-Jun mutants, M17 and M22-23, respectively, were constructed and transfected into the Ca9-22 cells. In contrast to our expectations, MG132-induced IL-8 secretion was significantly reduced in all the transfectants suggesting that other c-Jun members might form homodimers with c-Jun and contribute to IL-8 enhancement. Transfection of the cells with c-Jun or JunB small hairpin RNA (shRNA) reduced IL-8 secretion up to 50% and 65% of the control shRNA transfectant. Furthermore, cotransfection of both shRNA almost completely inhibited the IL-8 secretion. These results indicate that JunB not only inhibits but also enhances the transcription of c-Jun targets in combination with c-Jun.

Incidence and risk factors for febrile neutropenia in Japanese patients with non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma receiving R-CHOP: 2-year experience in a single center (STOP FN in NHL 2).

BACKGROUND: Myelosuppressive chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is a life-threatening condition. Patients receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) have shorter duration of neutropenia, faster recovery from fever, and shorter duration of antibiotics use. Most strategies for FN prevention using daily G-CSF and pegfilgrastim are based on overseas studies. Data on Japanese patients were lacking; thus, we previously determined the incidence of FN in non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma (B-NHL) patients at our center. Here, we aimed to gain additional insights into pegfilgrastim use in this population. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, observational study (STOP FN in NHL 2) enrolled patients with B-NHL who underwent a regimen comprising rituximab and CHOP therapy over a 2-year period (January 2015-June 2017). The incidence of FN in cycle 1 of chemotherapy, risk factors for FN development, and use of daily G-CSF and pegfilgrastim were evaluated. RESULTS: We evaluated 239 patients: 61 patients did not receive G-CSF and 178 received G-CSF. The incidence of FN was 10.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.9-15.1%) in cycle 1 and 13.0% (95% CI 9.0-17.9%) in all cycles. The FN incidence was significantly lower (P = 0.0008) in patients receiving daily G-CSF and pegfilgrastim than patients not receiving G-CSF. Significant risk factors for FN were age ≥ 65 years, albumin < 3.5 g/dL, hemoglobin < 12 g/dL, and no prophylaxis with daily G-CSF/pegfilgrastim during cycle 1. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of FN in cycle 1 and in all cycles and the identified risk factors were similar with those we previously reported; thus, our results validate previous findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000029534.