Anisotropy of the superconducting gap in the iron-based superconductor BaFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2.

We report peculiar momentum-dependent anisotropy in the superconducting gap observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in BaFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2 (x = 0.30, Tc = 30 K). Strongly anisotropic gap has been found only in the electron Fermi surface while the gap on the entire hole Fermi surfaces are nearly isotropic. These results are inconsistent with horizontal nodes but are consistent with modified s ± gap with nodal loops. We have shown that the complicated gap modulation can be theoretically reproduced by considering both spin and orbital fluctuations.

Association of hyposalivation with oral function, nutrition and oral health in community-dwelling elderly Thai.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to analyze the association of hyposalivation with oral function, nutritional status and oral health in community-dwelling elderly Thai. METHOD: The subjects were 612 elderly people (mean age = 68.8, SD 5.9 years). Oral function (tasting, speaking, swallowing and chewing) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were evaluated. Oral examination investigated teeth and periodontal status. Both unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva were collected for 5 minutes. RESULTS: Among all subjects, 14.4 % were classified within the hyposalivation. Hyposalivation was associated with gender, systemic disease, medication, and smoking. Subjects within the hyposalivation group had a higher number of decayed teeth and a higher prevalence of periodontitis than the normal salivation group (p < 0.05). The hyposalivation group also had a lower number of teeth present and a lower mean MNA score than the normal salivation group (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that hyposalivation in both dentate and edentulous subjects was significantly associated with tasting, speaking, swallowing and chewing. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that hyposalivation is a risk factor not only for dental caries and periodontal disease but also for taste disturbances, speaking problems, swallowing problems, poor chewing ability and malnutrition. Monitoring salivary flow is an important measure in the care of older people.

Clinical trial of oral malodor treatment in patients with periodontal diseases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Only a few clinical research studies have assessed different therapeutic approaches to oral malodor in subjects affected by periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of periodontal treatment and tongue cleaning on oral malodor parameters in periodontitis and gingivitis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects were 102 periodontitis and 116 gingivitis patients with oral malodor. Oral malodor was measured by organoleptic test and Oral Chroma™. Oral health status, including tooth conditions, periodontal health, tongue coating and proteolytic activity of the BANA test in tongue coating were assessed. Subjects in each periodontal disease group were randomly assigned into two subgroups depending on the sequence of treatment: periodontal treatment and tongue cleaning. Oral malodor and oral health parameters were compared by groups and sequence of treatment. RESULTS: For subjects in the periodontitis group, there were statistically significant reductions in oral malodor after periodontitis treatment or tongue cleaning; however, major reductions were found after periodontitis treatment. For those in the gingivitis group, there were also statistically significant reductions in oral malodor after gingivitis treatment or tongue cleaning, but the most marked reductions were observed after tongue cleaning. At the completion of treatment, all oral malodor parameters fell below the threshold levels in all subgroups. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that periodontal treatment played an important role and tongue cleaning contributed to a lesser extent to reduction in oral malodor in periodontitis patients. In contrast, tongue cleaning alone can be the primary approach to reduce oral malodor in gingivitis patients.

Association of clinical oral health status with self-rated oral health and GOHAI in Japanese adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate clinical oral health status relationships that affect quality of life (using the 12-item General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI)) and self-rated oral health in a community of Japanese residents. METHODS: 459 residents of Yokote City, Japan aged 40-55 years had oral health examinations and completed self-administered questionnaires collecting data on age, gender, GOHAI items and self-rated oral health. Linear regression analysis was performed with GOHAI or self-rated oral health as a dependent variable and gender, age and indicators of oral health status as independent variables. RESULTS: The GOHAI indicated 42.7% of subjects were concerned about the appearance of their teeth, 30.1% were worried about teeth problems and 27.5% concerned about sensitive teeth. Analyses showed that gender, decayed teeth, oral dryness and missing teeth were significantly associated with variation in GOHAI scores, and that gender, decayed teeth, oral dryness and oral hygiene were significantly associated with variation in self-rated oral health. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that in this sample of Japanese adults aged 40-55 years, decayed teeth and oral dryness affected both GOHAI and self-rated oral health, whereas missing teeth affected GOHAI and oral hygiene affected self-rated oral health. Subjects did not recognise periodontal disease as a quality of life impacting condition or as a health problem.

Relationship of smoking and smoking cessation with oral health status in Japanese men.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Smoking has been associated with the number of natural teeth a person has and with the likelihood of periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between the number of teeth present and periodontal diseases with smoking habits in a cohort of Japanese men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1088 men, 40-75 years of age. Oral examinations were conducted in dental clinics. Information on smoking status and on oral health behavior was collected from self-administered questionnaires. The relationship between oral health status and smoking status was estimated using adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: Compared with those whom had never smoked, the odds ratios of having more than eight missing teeth and having periodontitis, among current smokers, were 1.67 and 1.74, respectively. In those who had stopped smoking for 11 years or longer, there was no increase in the odds ratio of having more than eight missing teeth and periodontitis, compared with those whom had never smoked. CONCLUSION: Smoking has a positive association with missing teeth and periodontitis. However, smoking cessation is beneficial for oral health. The odds of having more than eight missing teeth, or of having periodontitis, in those who had never smoked was similar to that of individuals who reported that they had stopped smoking for 11 years or more.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography versus peroral cholangioscopy to evaluate intraepithelial tumor spread in biliary cancer.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Localized-type bile duct carcinoma (LBDC) is often accompanied by extensive intraepithelial tumor spread (ITS) of 2 cm or more, which makes radical resection more difficult. This retrospective case review compares the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) to detect ITS beyond the visible LBDC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four consecutive patients with LBDC diagnosed between April 2004 and October 2008 who underwent radical resection with histopathological analysis were included in this study. Extensive ITS was found histopathologically in one-third of the cases (32 %). The outcome parameters were the presence or absence of extensive ITS and the extent of extensive ITS proximal and distal to the main tumor. RESULTS: In six cases it was not possible to pass the cholangioscope through the tumor sites. ERC correctly identified the presence of extensive ITS in 11/14 cases and did not yield any false-positive results. The three cases in which ERC was negative were all correctly identified by POCS plus biopsy since the cholangioscope could be passed in all three cases. The extent of extensive ITS was correctly diagnosed by ERC alone, ERC with POCS, and ERC with POCS plus mapping biopsy in 22 %, 77 %, and 100 % of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of extensive ITS was correctly detected in 80 % of cases by ERC alone. POCS with mapping biopsy provided perfect diagnostic accuracy not only of the presence or absence but also of the extent of extensive ITS. However, POCS has the limitation that the cholangioscope cannot be passed through the tumor sites in approximately 15 % of cases.

Early childhood caries and related risk factors in Mongolian children.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the dental caries experience among 1-5 year-old children in the two areas of Ulaanbaatar city, and to examine the relationship of dental caries experience with socioeconomic status, eating behaviors, oral hygiene habits, dental plaque accumulation and Mutans Streptococci level. METHODS: In 2004/2005, 670 children from the two areas were examined and a questionnaire survey was conducted. Mutans streptococci (MS) levels in the children's and mothers' dental plaque were evaluated using Dentocult SM. RESULTS: Dental caries prevalence (72%) and mean dmft (4.4) were very high in both areas, however, children in the central area showed higher caries severity than those in the suburban area in 3-5-year-olds (p < 0.05). Higher family income and education level of the mothers were significantly associated with children's higher caries experience. Furthermore, dental caries showed a significant positive relationship with sweets intake and a negative relationship with tooth brushing habits of the children. The children's caries experience was significantly and positively associated with modified debris index (m-DI) scores, and the MS levels in their own and their mothers' dental plaque. Area, sweets intake, prolonged breastfeeding, and high MS level in the dental plaque resulted in significant odds ratios for the development of caries. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries amongst 1-5 year-old children in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia was found to be high and was associated with socioeconomic, demographic and behavioural factors.

Masticatory ability and functional tooth units in Japanese adults.

The purposes of this study were (i) to examine the relationship between the number of natural teeth and the number of functional tooth units in Japanese adults, (ii) to evaluate how functional tooth units relate to subjective masticatory ability and (iii) to determine the minimum number of natural teeth and functional tooth units needed to maintain adequate self-assessed chewing function. A self-administered questionnaire was given and dental examination was conducted for 2164 residents aged 40 to 75 years. Counts were made on the number of functional tooth units of natural teeth (n-functional tooth units), the sum of natural teeth and artificial teeth on implant-supported and fixed prostheses (nif-functional tooth units) and the sum of natural teeth and artificial teeth on implant-supported, fixed and removable prostheses (total-functional tooth units). The average number of natural teeth, n-functional tooth units and nif-functional tooth units decreased with age, but these were often replaced by functional tooth units from artificial teeth on removable prostheses. Total-functional tooth units in 50-59 year old people were slightly lower compared with those in other age groups. Subjects who reported that they could chew every food item on an average had 23.4 total natural teeth, 12.6 posterior natural teeth, 7.6 n-functional tooth units, 8.6 nif-functional tooth units and 10.4 total-functional tooth units, and subjects without chewing difficulties had fewer functional tooth units from removable prostheses. Maintaining 20 and more natural teeth and at least eight nif-functional tooth units is important in reducing the likelihood of self-assessed chewing difficulties.

Clinical oral malodor measurement with a portable sulfide monitor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical ability of Breathtron by comparing it with other malodor measurement procedures: the organoleptic test (OT) and gas chromatography (GC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients were 475 patients who visited a fresh breath clinic. Oral malodor was measured with the OT, GC, and Breathtron. Correlation analysis and two linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of the Breathtron values with OT scores and volatile sulfide compound (VSC) concentrations by GC: i.e. the regression of Breathtron on OT and the regression of Breathtron on total VSCs by GC. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was conducted to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of Breathtron. RESULTS: The Breathtron values were significantly correlated with OT and VSCs by GC. In the regression analysis, predicted Breathtron values were 199.3 and 520.1 ppb for OT scores 1 and 2, and reasonably close to total VSCs by GC between 550 and 750 ppb. The ROC analysis demonstrated that Breathtron is a useful and valuable adjunct measurement tool. CONCLUSIONS: Breathtron is a simple, rapid and reliable appliance for screening oral malodor if an appropriate malodor threshold level is chosen.

Hop bract polyphenols reduced three-day dental plaque regrowth.

Previous research has shown the inhibitory effects of hop bract polyphenols (HBP) on cariogenic streptococci in vitro, but their effects in humans have not been investigated. This double-blind, crossover clinical study tested the hypothesis that HBP delivered in a mouthrinse suppresses plaque regrowth in humans. Twenty-nine healthy male volunteers had all plaque removed, and refrained from all oral hygiene for 3 days, except for rinsing with a mouthrinse containing 0.1% HBP or a placebo. The results showed that the mean amount of plaque assessed by the Patient Hygiene Performance score after the volunteers used the HBP mouthrinse was significantly less than that after they used the placebo (p < 0.001). The number of mutans streptococci in the plaque samples after volunteers used the HBP mouthrinse was significantly lower than that after they used the placebo (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that HBP, delivered in a mouthrinse, successfully reduced dental plaque regrowth in humans.

Psychological well-being and perceptions of stress amongst Japanese dental students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Psychological General Well Being (PGWB) and perceived sources of stress amongst dental students in Japan. Second to sixth year dental students of Tokyo Medical and Dental University were invited to participate in the questionnaire survey. The questionnaire collected information on demographic and social background, lifestyle behaviours, the PGWB index and the Dental Environment Stress (DES) questionnaire. A total of 320 students (56% male) participated, with a response rate of 91%. Male students had significantly higher PGWB scores and lower DES scores than female students (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the year of study for DES mean score and PGWB total score. Students whose first choice of admission was dentistry experienced less stress than those whose first choice was another discipline (P < 0.05). Students who regularly exercised showed significantly lower stress levels and higher well-being status than those students who did not exercise (P < 0.01). Correlational analysis showed an inverse relationship between PGWB and DES scores (r = -0.544, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that DES mean score was significantly related to gender, first choice of admission and PGWB total score. It is suggested that perception of stress amongst Japanese dental students is influenced by gender, dentistry as first choice for admission and students' general well-being.

[Statistical analysis of a dental care program for homebound elderly patients in Shinjuku-ku].

A dental care service program for homebound elderly patients has been operating since 1988 in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of patients who received this dental care service. Based on a survey questionnaire and treatment card from April 1995 to March 1999, we analyzed the characteristics of patients. The following conclusions were obtained. 1. We studied 301 patients (males, 124; females, 177). The average age of the patients was 81.2 +/- 9.0 years. Eighty-four percent of the patients had a medical history. 2. Oral hygiene was practiced by 68% of the subjects: 78% by themselves, and 22% by caregivers. Half of the patients (53%) brushed their teeth every day, and one-third (32%) did not. 3. The mean number of DMF teeth was 25.4 (DT, 1.6; MT, 20.5; FT, 3.3). 4. About eighty percent (79%) of the patients had removable dentures, and one-third of them were upper and lower complete dentures. 5. The chief complaint of homebound elderly was the denture problem (73%). Therefore, the care provided at the bedside was mainly denture-related treatments. 6. Average times for visiting were 5.1. 7. Sixty-eight percent of the patients requested home dentist's visitation for dental care service, and 80% of the requested dentists performed such treatment. 8. Seventy-eight percent of the elderly patients were satisfied with the service program. This dental care program for homebound elderly patients seemed to work well. However, to meet needs for the expanding number of aged persons and to make it coincide with the new health and welfare scheme, reform of the program might be necessary.

[Questionnaire on "having a family dentist" and the status of oral health].

In 1999, we gave a Questionnaire on "having a family dentist" to 414 workers (300 males, 114 females) at a government office. Oral health examination was also provided to the same subjects. The following results were obtained: 1. Female workers (43%) had a family dentist more often than male workers (29%), and the difference was significant (p < 0.01). 2. About 45% of the subjects received regular dental checkups at least once a year; however, half of them did not have a family dentist. 3. Convenience, comfort, and communication factors were the main reasons for choosing a particular dentist, while continuity, comprehensiveness, and specialty factors were not taken into consideration in choosing a dentist. 4. The persons who had family dentists had more FT and DMFT, and fewer total numbers of teeth than those without family dentists. From these results, it was suggested that people visited dentists with dental problems and received treatment repeatedly, and then they came to have family dentists. The habit of visiting a dentist regularly seeking checkups and prevention is not yet popular among Japanese adults. To improve oral health consciousness and to promote oral health, it should be recommended to receive regular checkups and oral health education by a family dentist. However, the present condition does not allow this system. Therefore in Japan, it should be encouraged to provide oral health examination and oral health education regularly at work sites, to improve the oral health of the adult population.

Evaluation of school-based dental health activities including fluoride mouth-rinsing in Hiraizumi, Japan.

School-based dental health activities conducted in Hiraizumi over the past 20 years have remarkably improved the dental health status of schoolchildren. For example, DMFT index of 12-year-old children decreased to 1.5 in 1998, one-half that of the national average. School dental health activities, which were focused on dental health education, resulted in an increase of filled teeth rates, a decrease in the number of missing teeth, and a decline in incisor caries (1979-1986). In addition, the introduction of a school-based fluoride mouth-rinsing program (1986 - ) showed a positive effect on the prevention of dental caries; a significant decrease was observed in the overall prevalence of dental caries, particularly in the molars. In Japan it seems advantageous to promote the dental health of schoolchildren by school-based programs that combine dental health examination, dental health education and fluoride mouth-rinsing program. Especially, to prevent dental caries in the mandibular first molars more effectively, it is recommended to start fluoride mouth-rinsing at age 5.

[Study on oral health status and health behavior of workers at government office].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health status and health behavior of the adult population in the workplace. In 1998, oral health examination of 388 workers (male: 287, female: 101) at a government office was performed. A questionnaire was administered to obtain data regarding oral symptoms and health behavior. The results were as follows: Overall, 48% needed treatment for dental caries, 44% needed calculus removal, and 23% needed treatment for periodontal disease. Although there were no oral health complaints, 20% had early caries, 40% had dental calculus, and 19% had periodontitis. Compared to males, more females brushed their teeth, had home dentists (44%) and received more regular dental health check-ups at least once a year (48%). For males, those with home dentists had higher FT and DMFT in the twenties and thirties. There was no relationship between oral health status and regular check-ups in both males and females. The results revealed that receiving regular dental check-ups from home dentists was not popular in Japan. Further, the role of home dentists is not preventive oriented. It was concluded that it is necessary to provide regular oral health examination and health promotion programs for adult population at the workplace in Japan.

Regioselective syntheses of sulfated polysaccharides: specific anti-HIV-1 activity of novel chitin sulfates.

A novel and convenient method for the regioselective syntheses of sulfated analogs of chitin and chitosan is described in relation to studies on structure-biological activity. Fully protected, soluble derivatives of chitosan were found to be useful intermediates for the syntheses of a novel class of sulfated polysaccharides, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-sulfo-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranan (3-sulfate, 3S, 4) and (1-->4)-2-deoxy-2-sulfoamido-3-O-sulfo-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranan (2,3-disulfate, 23-S, 3). These compounds were tested for their activities in (i) inhibiting HIV-1 replication in vitro and (ii) inhibiting blood coagulation. The results reveal that the selective sulfation at O-2 and/or O-3 affords potent antiretroviral agents showing a much higher inhibitory effect on the infection of AIDS virus in vitro than that by the known 6-O-sulfated derivative (6-sulfate, 6S). Moreover, the 23-S product completely inhibited the infection of AIDS virus to T lymphocytes at concentrations as low as 0.28 microgram/mL without significant cytotoxicity. The regioselective introduction of sulfate group(s) at O-2 and/or O-3 had little effect on generating anticoagulant activity, whereas 6-O-sulfated chitin strongly inhibits blood coagulation. These results suggest that the specific interaction of these new types of chitin sulfates with gp 120 of the AIDS virus depends significantly on the sites of sulfation rather than on the total degree of substitution on sugar residues.

[A longitudinal cohort study on the relation between physical condition and masticatory ability in the elderly].

The present study was conducted to determine the relation between physical condition and masticatory ability. The subjects were residents over 65 years old living in three different areas in Sagae City. The physical conditions assessed were height, weight, rate of body fat, grip strength, and bone mineral density. Masticatory ability was evaluated by the test jelly method. The results were as follows: 1) There was a difference in physical condition among subjects from the three residential areas. 2) For males, the group who maintained their masticatory ability exhibited better physical condition than those who did not. As for females, however, the physical condition was more strongly affected by age than masticatory ability.

Influence of fabrication errors on wölter mirror imaging performance.

The resolution of the Wölter mirror, which is utilized as an objective in soft-x-ray microscopes, is limited by fabrication errors. We studied the relation between fabrication errors and imaging performance of the Wölter mirror to determine how this performance could be improved. Figure errors, which are characterized by low spatial frequency, were analyzed by ray tracing, and surface roughness, characterized by high spatial frequency, was analyzed by modified ray tracing. Modified ray tracing was based on ray tracing but took scattering into account. The results of these analyses were compared with experimental data. As a result, we obtained a simple and practical fabricating tolerance criterion that may be employed to obtain higher Wölter mirror resolution. Additionally, we discuss problems in current Wölter mirror fabrication techniques and the changes that might be made in both the design and the fabrication process to improve imaging performance.

[Distribution of Candida species and mutans streptococci related to oral conditions in elderly persons].

The purpose of this investigation was to find the relationship between the occurrence of Candida species and mutans streptococci at 7 sites (saliva, tongue, mucosa, teeth, clasp, external, and mucosal denture surfaces) in the mouth of 97 elderly persons (males: 43, age: 76.4 +/- 6.7 years; females: 54, age: 75.0 +/- 6.6 years). Among the subjects, there were complete denture wearers (n = 20), partial denture wearers (n = 45), and non-denture wearers (n = 32). Candida species were more significantly (p < 0.001) predominant in complete and partial denture wearers (80% each) than in non-denture (18.8%) wearers. The presence of Candida was highest on the mucosal denture surfaces followed by clasp, tongue, and remaining teeth in that order. Positive correlation were significantly found between the CFU numbers of Candida species and mutans streptococci present on the external surfaces (p < 0.001), natural teeth (p < 0.001), clasp (p < 0.01), and saliva (p < 0.05). A negative correlation (r = -0.503; p < 0.001) was found between the number of teeth and the CFU numbers of Candida species. Moreover, the CFU numbers of both groups of microorganisms also increased in 80-year-old and over persons. Candida species were most predominantly found in persons with poor oral and denture cleanliness.

[A morphological study of interactions of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans].

Denture stomatitis is caused mainly by infection of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, the most predominant members of the bacterial flora on denture surfaces. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adhesion in vitro of C. albicans and of S. mutans to acrylic surfaces and their interactions. Concentrations of C. albicans and of S. mutans (mutational phase I and III in which activities of glucosyltransferases are higher and lower respectively) were of high levels (> or = 5.0 x 107 colony-forming-units per ml; CFU/ml). The colonies in brain-heart-infusion (BHI) broth added 5% sucrose incubated at 37 degrees C for 18 and 72 hours. Then the samples were dried and evaporated, and examined by S-700 and S-4100 SEM (HITACHI). It was found that S. mutans (mutational phase I) synthesized water-insoluble glucans concomitantly with the adhesion of both S. mutans and C. albicans to the acrylic surfaces. Also, adhesion of C. albicans, mediated by cell-to-cell interactions with S. mutans (especially mutational phase III), to the surfaces was observed.