Relationship between folic acid intake and gingival health in non-smoking adults in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between dietary intake of folate and gingival bleeding in non-smoking adults in Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from residents who participated in the regional nutrition survey and survey of dental diseases conducted by the administrative office of northernmost prefecture of Japan. Dietitians visited households to collect data on dietary intake. Clinical parameters, including Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and bleeding on probing (BOP), were examined in community centers. Information on smoking habit was obtained from the interview. Then the data from 497 non-smoking adults with 20 teeth or more, aged 18 years or older, were analyzed. The relationship between dietary intake of folic acid and gingival bleeding status was estimated using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a significant negative correlation between dietary folate level and bleeding on probing. The negative association between folate level and bleeding on probing remained statistically significant in multiple regression analysis (standardized beta = -0.204, P < 0.001). However, no significant association was found between CPI scores and folate intake level. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that dietary intake of folic acid, an important indicator of gingival bleeding in adults, may provide an important clinical target for intervention to promote gingival health.

[A comparison of the effectiveness of transtracheal heating and humidification system in maintaining body temperature during general anesthesia with low flow gases].

We evaluated the effectiveness of transtracheal heating and humidification system in maintaining body temperature during general anesthesia with low flow gases in 12 gastric cancer patients. Patients were divided into two group; Control group A in which a hot-water circulating system was used and group B in which a transtracheal heating and humidification system by ANAMED HUMITUBE was used, during gastric cancer operation. Compared to the hot-water circulating system, the transtracheal heating and humidification system is more effective for maintaining body temperature and humidification after abdominal lavage by warm saline water. But there was no difference between the two groups about awakening from general anesthesia. We concluded that transtracheal heating and humidification system by ANAMED HUMITUBE is effective in maintaining body temperature under general anesthesia with low flow gases.

Cepharanthin enhances thermosensitivity without a resultant reduction in the thermotolerance of a murine mammary carcinoma.

Cepharanthin (Ce) is a biscoclaurine alkaloid extracted from Stephania cepharantha Hayata. The results of our previous in vitro study indicated that Ce reduces thermotolerance by enhancing thermosensitivity. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of Ce on thermosensitivity and thermotolerance using a murine mammary carcinoma, MCa, and C3H/HeN mice. Ce enhanced the thermosensitivity of MCa cells for heating at 44 degrees C not only in vitro but also in vivo. The in vivo enhancement ratio +/- SD of Ce at 100 mg/kg for heating at 44 degrees C was 1.3+/-0.3. The fractionated heat treatments at 44 degrees C for 30 and 60 min with an interval time of 0-6 days resulted in the development of remarkable thermotolerance and the expression of heat shock protein 70 in MCa tumors after the first heating. Ce at 100 mg/kg given immediately after the first heating increased the expression of heat shock protein 70 in MCa tumors, and did not reduce the development of thermotolerance. Ce given immediately before the first or second heating also did not inhibit the thermotolerance. The results of this study suggest that Ce enhances the thermosensitivity of MCa tumors as a thermosensitizer, but that this mild thermosensitizing property of Ce might be insufficient to conquer the remarkable thermotolerance in MCa tumors that develops after the first heating.