Dental caries experience, rather than toothbrushing, influences the incidence of dental caries in young Japanese adults.

A dose-response relationship between toothbrushing frequency and the incidence of dental caries has not been confirmed. Furthermore, no longitudinal study about this relationship has considered dental caries experience at baseline, which is an important factor influencing the frequency of future caries. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the association between the incidence of dental caries and toothbrushing frequency after adjusting for dental caries experience at baseline in a Japanese population. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: The 92 recruits of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Kure, Japan, in 2011 were followed up for 3 years. They underwent oral examination at the annual checkups and answered questions about toothbrushing frequency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the incidence of dental caries and to identify independent effects of toothbrushing frequency and dental caries experience at baseline. Furthermore, the relative importance of the incidence of dental caries was investigated among other independent variables using the partial adjusted R² score. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that toothbrushing frequency alone did not influence the increment in decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT). However, DMFT at baseline alone was associated with the increment in DMFT (crude odds ratio, OR, 1.20, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.08,1.33). In the fully adjusted model, only DMFT at baseline was associated with the increment in DMFT (adjusted OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.09,1.38). CONCLUSION: After three years, the incidence of dental caries in young adult Japanese males was influenced by DMFT at baseline, rather than toothbrushing frequency.

Simulations of an accelerator-based shielding experiment using the particle and heavy-ion transport code system PHITS.

In order to estimate the biological effects of HZE particles, an accurate knowledge of the physics of interaction of HZE particles is necessary. Since the heavy ion transport problem is a complex one, there is a need for both experimental and theoretical studies to develop accurate transport models. RIST and JAERI (Japan), GSI (Germany) and Chalmers (Sweden) are therefore currently developing and bench marking the General-Purpose Particle and Heavy-Ion Transport code System (PHITS), which is based on the NMTC and MCNP for nucleon/meson and neutron transport respectively, and the JAM hadron cascade model. PHITS uses JAERI Quantum Molecular Dynamics (JQMD) and the Generalized Evaporation Model (GEM) for calculations of fission and evaporation processes, a model developed at NASA Langley for calculation of total reaction cross sections, and the SPAR model for stopping power calculations. The future development of PHITS includes better parameterization in the JQMD model used for the nucleus-nucleus reactions, and improvement of the models used for calculating total reaction cross sections, and addition of routines for calculating elastic scattering of heavy ions, and inclusion of radioactivity and burn up processes. As a part of an extensive bench marking of PHITS, we have compared energy spectra of secondary neutrons created by reactions of HZE particles with different targets, with thicknesses ranging from <1 to 200 cm. We have also compared simulated and measured spatial, fluence and depth-dose distributions from different high energy heavy ion reactions. In this paper, we report simulations of an accelerator-based shielding experiment, in which a beam of 1 GeV/n Fe-ions has passed through thin slabs of polyethylene, Al, and Pb at an acceptance angle up to 4 degrees.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency viral replication by tannins and related compounds.

Among 87 chemically defined tannins and related compounds, several hydrolyzable tannins, but not condensed tannins or other lower molecular weight polyphenols, significantly inhibited both the cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the expression of HIV antigen in human lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1)-positive MT-4 cells. The 50% effective concentrations (2.0-4.8 micrograms/ml) of the active compounds were 13- to 15-fold lower than their 50% cytotoxic concentrations. Their anti-HIV activity was demonstrated to be mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of HIV adsorption to the cells.

Werner's syndrome: twenty-four cases with a review of the Japanese medical literature.

Twenty-four cases of Werner's syndrome were studied to define the clinical manifestations in comparison with those found in a clinical review of 153 cases in the Japanese medical literature. The conspicuous characteristics of the 24 patients were short stature, stocky trunk with thin limbs, low body weight, bird-like or "masked" face, early graying or loss of hair, high-pitched or hoarse voice, bilateral cataracts, and various scleroderma-like signs. Three signs not stressed previously were hyperreflexia, flat feet, and irregular dental development. The onsets and incidences of these manifestations during the seven-year serial study are described.

State of association of band 3 protein from bovine erythrocyte membrane in nonionic detergent.

The state of association of bovine Band 3, which is a major intrinsic protein of erythrocyte membranes, was examined in nonaethyleneglycol dodecyl ether (C12E9) solution by ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, gel electrophoresis and cross-linking studies. The molecular weight of bovine Band 3 was 107,000 +/- 5% as determined by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. When Band 3 was purified in C12E9 solution with the aid of 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMA), which is a known dissociating reagent for peripheral proteins from erythrocyte membranes and for Band 3-Band 4.2 complex, the protein was present as a monomer and was not oxidatively cross-linked. On the other hand, DMMA-untreated Band 3 was present as oligomeric forms composed mainly of the dimer and tetramer, and the oligomer in C12E9 was a susceptible to oxidative cross-linking as Band 3 in ghosts. The oligomeric form apparently retained a more ordered conformational state than the monomeric form. These results indicate that the bovine Band 3 oligomer is a stable form in C12E9, but the present result showing the coexistence of dimer and tetramer in C12E9 contrasts with the reported observation that human Band 3 is present as a stable dimer in a nonionic detergent, Triton X-100. It was shown that polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis in the presence of C12E9 gave better resolution of the associated species of Band 3 than ultracentrifugation or gel filtration, and this method made it possible to determine the Stokes radii of Band 3-C12E9 complexes. This result suggests the usefulness of electrophoretic methods in the presence of nonionic detergent for studies of the state of association of other membrane proteins.

Prophylactic thrombosis to prevent new bleeding and to delay aneurysm surgery.

Six aneurysms in five patients with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages were treated with direct thrombosis using cellulose acetate polymer within 4 hours of rupture. The aneurysms involved the internal carotid and posterior communicating arteries (two patients), the anterior choroidal artery (one patient), the bifurcation of the basilar artery (one patient), and the middle cerebral artery (two patients). Four patients underwent aggressive volume expansion after direct thrombosis with cellulose acetate polymer. The aneurysms remained thrombosed until operations on the necks were performed 2 to 7 weeks after the subarachnoid hemorrhages. Three patients were given intrathecal tissue plasminogen activator. One patient, who remained at neurological Grade V, was not treated surgically and died from cardiac failure. Five aneurysms in the remaining four patients were successfully clipped. These preliminary data suggest that immediate aneurysmal thrombosis, then aggressive preoperative prophylactic volume expansion and/or administration of intrathecal tissue plasminogen activator, can help prevent new bleeding and reduce delayed cerebral ischemia in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages.

Embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with cellulose acetate polymer: a clinical, radiological, and histological study.

OBJECTIVE: A cellulose acetate polymer (CAP) solution was hypothesized to be useful for the embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). To investigate this possibility, we analyzed the clinical, radiological, and histological results of patients with AVMs embolized by using a CAP solution. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 11 patients with AVMs treated by embolization before surgical resection. We used two types of CAP solutions, CAP-M and CAP-L, which are mixtures of 250 mg of solid CAP and 1800 or 2250 mg of bismuth trioxide dissolved in 5.5 or 7.0 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. After the embolization procedure, percent reduction of the nidus volume was measured, and thereafter, the clinical course and computed tomographic scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans were evaluated. All patients underwent surgical resection 1 to 51 days after embolization. Resected specimens were stained for light microscopic examination. RESULTS: Thirty-nine feeding vessels were embolized. The reduction rate of the nidus volume ranged from 20% to nearly 100%. Transient and persistent ischemic deficits occurred in three patients and one patient, respectively, and there were no hemorrhagic complications. All AVMs but one were completely resected by surgery. The embolized AVMs were soft enough to be easily cut and retracted. The histological examinations disclosed no or mild inflammatory reactions within 2 weeks after embolization. The internal elastic lamina was preserved in every case. Recanalization through the cast of the CAP mass was not observed until 51 days after embolization. CONCLUSION: CAP solution is a safe and useful embolic agent for AVMs.

Early treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage after preventing rerupture of an aneurysm.

Twelve patients with Hunt and Hess neurological Grades III to V underwent thrombosis of aneurysms using cellulose acetate polymer within 23 hours of aneurysm rupture. On computerized tomography (CT), nine of these patients had difuse or localized thick subarachnoid blood clots, two had diffuse thin clots and one had intraventricular clots. Immediately after thrombosis, all patients were administered tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) through spinal or ventricular catheters. The pressure of the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid was maintained at 100 to 150 mm H2O. The TPA was given as multiple injections of 2 mg on Day 0 and 1 to 2 mg on the following 1 to 2 days. In two patients the second injection of TPA was not given because of severe brain damage resulting from the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ten patients showed complete clearance of the cisternal clot on CT within 72 hours after thrombosis. Seven partially thrombosed aneurysms and five multiple aneurysms were clipped during delayed surgery. Only one patient experienced mild vasospasm as shown on the follow-up angiogram. Eight patients improved clinically and had a good recovery, two had severe disability, and two died. Urgent thrombosis of a ruptured aneurysm followed by immediate postthrombotic administration of TPA may be a safe and reasonable means of preventing vasospasm and improving patient outcome.

Relationship between cytotoxic activity and radical intensity of isoflavones from Sophora species.

Among 11 isoflavones tested, genistein [YS13] produced higher cytotoxic activity against human oral tumor cell lines (HSC-2, HSG) than against normal cells (human gingival fibroblast, HGF), suggesting its tumor-specific action. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that YS13 did not produce radical, nor scavenged O2*- generated by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction system, suggesting that radical-mediated oxidation mechanism is not be involved in the YS13-induced cytotoxicity. Addition of one prenyl group produced YS18 and YS19 with higher anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Addition of two prenyl groups produced YS21 with the highest cytotoxic activity but lower tumor-specificity. Since YS21 produced the highest amount of radical and most efficiently scavenged O2*-, this compound may induce cytotoxicity by radical-mediated oxidation mechanism. All isoflavones failed to induce anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. These data suggest the medicinal efficacy of isoflavones.

Cytotoxic activity of low molecular weight polyphenols against human oral tumor cell lines.

A total of 150 chemically-defined natural and synthetic polyphenols (flavonoids, dibenzoylmethanes, dihydrostilbenes, dihydrophenanthrenes and 3-phenylchromen-4-ones), with molecular weights ranging from 224 to 824, were investigated for cytotoxic activity against normal, tumor and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cells. They showed higher cytotoxic activity against human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2 and salivary gland tumor HSG cell lines than against normal human gingival fibroblasts HGF. Many of the active compounds had a hydrophilic group (hydroxyl group) in the vicinity of a hydrophobic group (prenyl, phenyl, methylcyclohexene or methylbenzene moiety), similar to isoprenoid-substituted flavones. Substitution of hydrophobic group (prenyl or geranyl group) did not significantly change the cytotoxic activity of flavanones, isoflavans, chalcones or 5-hydroxy-3-phenoxychromen-4-ones. However, the prenylation(s) of an isoflavone and a 2-arylbenzofuran significantly enhanced the cytotoxic activity. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that active components induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells, but not in HSC-2 cells. Most of the polyphenols failed to reduce the cytophathic effect of HIV infection in MT-4 cells.

Radical modulation activity of pine cone extracts of Pinus elliottii var. Elliottii.

The radical modulation activity of lignins prepared from the cone of Pinus elliottii var. Elliottii was investigated, using ESR spectroscopy. These lignins produced radical(s) under alkaline conditions, and the radical intensity was increased with increasing pH. Lower concentrations of lignins slightly reduced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate, whereas higher concentrations of lignins enhanced both the radical intensity and cytotoxic activity of sodium ascorbate. Lignins effectively scavenged superoxide anion, produced by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction. Elliottii lignins significantly inhibited the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced cytopathic effect, in similar fashions to other natural, commercial and synthetic lignins. Pretreatment of mice with lignins significantly protected them from the lethal infection with E. coli. Crude alkaline extracts of Elliottii pine cone displayed similar magnitude of activity with lignins. These data further supports the medicinal efficacy of plant extracts.

Antioxidative activity of Allium victorialis L. extracts.

Allium victorialis L. (Liliaceae, "Hon-Gyoujya Nin-Niku" in Japanese) was successively extracted with hexane, acetone, methanol and 70% methanol and the extracts were further separated into a total of twenty-five fractions by silica gel and ODS column chromatographies. The biological activities of these four extracts and 25 column fractions were compared. The cytotoxic activity of all extracts and fractions against two oral tumor cell lines was significantly higher than that against normal human gingival fibroblasts, suggesting their tumor-specific action. Three methanol column fractions [M2, M3, M6] and a 70% methanol column fraction [70M6] most effectively reversed the multidrug resistance (MDR) against L5178 mouse T cell lymphoma. The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that methanol column fractions and 70% methanol extracts produced the highest amount of radical(s) and most efficiently scavenging O2*-, generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine reaction system, suggesting that the same substances in these fractions display both prooxidant and antioxidant properties. They showed no anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or anti-Helicobacterpylori activity. These data suggest the medicinal efficacy of Allium victorialis extract.

Intermittent propofol sedation during embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations.

Embolization procedure was performed for a 12-year-old boy with a left parietal arteriovenous malformation. Although provocative tests for the feeders to be occluded were considered very informative, the patient had to be sedated during microcatheter insertion. We used intermittent sedation with propofol during the interventional procedure, and obtained successful embolization.

Diverse biological activity of polycaphenol.

Millimolar concentrations of alkaline extract of Cacao husk (polycaphenol) were more cytotoxic to human oral tumor cells (human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2, human salivary gland tumor HSG), than to human gingival fibroblast (HGF), suggesting its tumor-specific action. Polycaphenol enhanced the radical intensity and cytotoxic activity of vitamin K3 more effectively than that of sodium ascorbate (vitamin C). Polycaphenol effectively scavenged the superoxide anion, produced by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction, indicating bimodal (prooxidant and antioxidant) action of polycaphenol. Polycaphenol inhibited the cytopathic effect of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection in MT-4 cells, to a comparable extent as that achieved by lignin. Pretreatment of mice with polycaphenol protected them from lethal infection of Eschericia coli. These data suggest the medicinal efficacy of polycaphenol.

Diverse biological activities of moxa extract and smoke.

Diverse biological activities of moxa extracts and smoke (gas phase) were investigated. Moxa was extracted with hot water (Fr. I), or ethanol (Fr. II), or extracted with hot water after ethanol wash (Fr. III) and then lyophilized to obtain the dried powders. Moxa smoke (containing a lot of gaseous components obtained by burning Moxa) (Fr. IV) was collected into phosphate-buffered saline and quantified spectrophotometrically. These extracts and Moxa smoke showed comparable cytotoxic activity against human oral tumor cell lines (HSC-2, HSG). Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were more resistant to any Moxa fractions. Neither of the extracts showed anti-HIV activity. Pretreatment of mice with Fr. I significantly reduced the lethal effect of E. coli infection. All extracts produced radicals under alkaline condition, with a maximum intensity at pH 10.5, and enhanced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate. It was unexpected that these extracts show significant O2- scavenging activities. These data suggest the medicinal efficacy of Moxa extracts and smoke.

Biological activity of a fruit vegetable, "Anastasia green", a species of sweet pepper.

Russian green sweet pepper (Anastasia Green) was successively extracted with hexane, acetone, methanol and 70% methanol and the extracts were further separated into a total of twenty fractions by silica gel or ODS column chromatographies. The biological activities of these extracts and fractions were compared. The extracts and fractions showed higher cytotoxic activity against two human oral tumor cell lines than against normal human gingival fibroblasts, suggesting their tumor-specific action. Several fractions [H3, H4, A4] reversed the multidrug resistant gene (MDR1) against L5178 mouse T-cell lymphoma more effectively than (+/-) verapamil (positive control). All extracts and fractions showed no anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nor anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. These data suggest the medicinal importance of an Anastasia Green extract.

Radical modulation activity of lignins from a mangrove plant, Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou.

The radical modulation activity of hot water and alkaline extracts from leaf of Ceriops decandra, a mangrove plant, was investigated using ESR spectroscopy. IR and NMR analyses demonstrate that the leaf extracts have a lignin-like polyphenolic structure. All these extracts produced radical(s) under alkaline conditions. The radical intensity of sodium ascorbate was slightly reduced at lower concentrations of the extracts, but it was synergistically enhanced at higher concentrations. All the extracts effectively scavenged superoxide anion, produced by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction. Pretreatment of mice with the extracts significantly protected them from the lethal infection by E. coli. Similar activity was found in lignins from pine seed shell of Pinus parviflora Sieb. et Zucc. These data further support the medicinal efficacy of plant extracts.

Clinical and metabolic studies on Werner's syndrome: with special reference to disorders of lipid and liver function.

In a clinical study of patients with Werner's syndrome, it became apparent that careful observation of numbers of patients could result in the addition of new or modified signs and symptoms to those already known. In addition of flat feet and hyperreflexibility, it was observed that the irregular disarrangement of the teeth and thin, sparse and colour-faded hair were frequently occurrences in patients with Werner's syndrome. In the laboratory survey, disorders of lipid metabolism and liver function were detected in 3 out of 24 cases of Werner's syndrome. It was concluded that the disturbances of lipid metabolism result in part from moderate liver dysfunction.

Curative treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations by embolisation using cellulose acetate polymer followed by surgical resection.

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of embolising cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with a cellulose acetate polymer solution before surgical resection. METHODS: The cases of 12 patients with AVMs treated by embolisation before surgical resection were renewed. Two types of cellulose acetate polymer solutions were used to occlude 40 feeding vessels. All patients underwent surgical resection 1-51 days after embolisation. RESULTS: Reduction of the nidus volume after embolisation ranged from 20% to nearly 100%. Transient neurological deficits occurred in three patients, persistent deficits occurred in one and there were no haemorrhagic complications. All but one arteriovenous malformation were completely resected. Embolisation helped to identify feeding vessels and ease dissection. Histopathological examination of resected specimens disclosed mild inflammatory reactions in the acute stage and no unfavourable granulomatous changes in the chronic stage. CONCLUSION: Embolisation with cellulose acetate polymer solutions followed by surgical resection is safe and efficacious for treating cerebral AVMs.

Relationship between gelation rate of controlled-release acetaminophen tablets containing polyethylene oxide and colonic drug release in dogs.

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that sufficient gelation of orally administered hydrophilic matrix tablets before they reach the colon could, as a result of continuous erosion of the gelated matrix, prevent the decrease in colonic drug release which normally occurs here. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of gelation of hydrophilic matrices containing polyethylene oxide on colonic drug release in dogs using controlled-release (CR) acetaminophen tablets. METHODS: Two types of CR tablets were prepared, a slow gelling tablet (SG) and a rapid gelling tablet (RG) containing an extra highly water soluble filler. In vitro and in vivo performance were examined. RESULTS: SG and RG showed similar drug release behavior in vitro. In oral administration to dogs, the two formulations showed similar gastrointestinal transit, reaching the colon within 2-4 h after oral dosing. Further, they showed similar maximum plasma levels (Cmax) and time to Cmax (Tmax). In contrast, however, the two tablets produced different plasma levels from 2 h post-dosing, with plasma levels of RG higher than those of SG and with smaller individual variation. Directly observed colonic drug release behavior of RG was similar to in vitro drug release, whereas that from SG was suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic drug release is closely related to the gelation of hydrophilic matrix, and rapid gelation provides continuous in vivo drug release.