Asymmetric epoxidation with a photoactivated [Ru(salen)] complex.

(Nitrosyl)(salen)ruthenium(II) complex 1 was found to serve as an efficient catalyst for the epoxidation of conjugated olefins under photoirradiation, with 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide (2) or tetramethylpyrazine N,N'-dioxide as a stoichiometric oxidant. High enantioselectivity was achieved irrespective of the substitution pattern of olefins. The choice of solvent depends on stability of the resulting epoxides: high enantioselectivity is generally observed in the reaction with ethereal solvents, but use of benzene is recommended when the resulting epoxides are acid-sensitive.

Amlodipine-induced gingival overgrowth: periodontal responses to stopping and restarting the drug.

A case history of a woman with gingival overgrowth (GO) induced by amlodipine is presented. A 49-year-old Japanese woman, who was taking amlodipine, had gingival overgrowth and swelling on examination. No specific periodontal treatment was provided to the patient for the GO; however, the amlodipine was replaced with an ACE inhibitor after consultation with her medical practitioner. Within two months, the suspension of amlodipine resulted in a significant improvement in her periodontal condition. Failure to control the hypertension caused the physician to re-prescribe amlodipine. After three months, the gingival overgrowth returned; however, its severity was less when compared with the original periodontal condition, due to reduction in drug dose and periodontal therapy. This experience suggests that temporary suspension of a drug which can induce GO can improve the periodontal condition without the aid of surgical treatment.

Comparison of Adsorption and Conformation of Hemoglobin and Myoglobin on Various Inorganic Ultrafine Particles.

Human hemoglobin and horse myoglobin were adsorbed on the two types of ultrafine silica (silica 1 and 2), titania, and zirconia particles under various conditions. The order of the affinity of the ultrafine particles to these proteins was silica 1 < silica 2 < zirconia = titania under the same adsorption condition. The conformational changes in these proteins upon adsorption and desorption were monitored by both circular dichroism and absorbance spectra. In both spectrum measurements, a similar tendency was observed, indicating that the adsorption of proteins causes the changes not only in the secondary structure but also in the tertiary structure. In all the particles, the extent of conformational changes upon adsorption increased with decreasing pH and adsorption amount. On the other hand, the extent of conformational changes was significantly affected by the particle type (its order was silica 1 < silica 2 < zirconia = titania) under the same adsorption condition. The percentage of desorption and the extent of refolding of desorbed proteins were lower when the extent of conformational changes in the adsorbed states was higher. These results clearly demonstrate that higher affinity between particle surfaces and proteins causes larger conformational changes and consequently leads to higher irreversibility in adsorption and conformational states.

Dental findings of the elderly with or without senile dementia at a special nursing home.

Survey of dental health condition was performed at a special nursing home for the elderly with senile dementia (28 subjects, 83.3 +/- 6.8 year-old; SD group) or without senile dementia (68 subjects, 84.6 +/- 7.2 year-old; NSD group). There was no difference in number of teeth survived between SD and NSD groups. However, the elderly in SD group had more unfunctionable and/or unrestorable teeth (C4) and less sound and filled teeth (SFT) than those in NSD group. Number of teeth of the elderly in 85- to 89-year-old group was smaller than those of not only younger but older age groups, irrespective of senile dementia. Lower canines showed the highest survival rate among all kinds of teeth in SD as well as in NSD group.

Age dependency of cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth in rats.

Effects of age on cyclosporin A- (CsA) induced gingival overgrowth were investigated in Fischer rats. Rats 15, 30, 45, and 60 days old were fed a diet containing cyclosporin A (120-200 micrograms/g) for 40 days. Gingival overgrowth was estimated by measuring the gingival sulcus depth with a thin color slide probe under a stereoscopic dissecting microscope. The youngest group (15 days old) of rats developed the most significant gingival overgrowth (buccal sulcus depth of mandibular first molar, CsA-treated rat/untreated rat: 875 +/- 78/275 +/- 25 micron, mean +/- SD, P < 0.001), followed by those in which CsA treatment was initiated at age 30 days (505 +/- 29/267 +/- 56, P < 0.001) and 45 days (400 +/- 45/267 +/- 25, P < 0.001). Significant gingival overgrowth was not induced in rats when CsA treatment had been started at age 60 days (310 +/- 38/292 +/- 18). Average body weight gain of CsA-treated rats during this experiment period was not different from untreated rats of the same age group. These results suggest that CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in rats is age dependent.

Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived fibroblast-activating factor in bone resorption.

A 24-kDa protein was isolated from the outer membrane vesicles of Porphyromaonas gingivalis W50. This protein, referred to as fibroblast-activating factor (FAF), was examined for its bone-resorptive ability by the rat long-bone assay and the mouse bone marrow cell culture system. FAF resulted in a significant release of 45Ca from cultured bones, as well as the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive monocytes. These cultures were compared with control cells. FAF therefore might be considered a significant bacterially expressed protein which could affect and modulate the resorption or destruction of tissue and alveolar bone in the local periodontal environment.

Purification and characterization of fibroblast-activating factor isolated from Porphyromonas gingivalis W50.

A 24-kDa polypeptide which activated the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into human fibroblasts was isolated from the outer membrane vesicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis W50. This polypeptide, named fibroblast activating factor (FAF), was isolated by 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethyl-ammonio]-1-propane-sulfonate (CHAPS) detergent extraction and purified by DEAE ion-exchange chromatography and preparative isoelectric focusing. Purified FAF (100 ng of protein per ml) caused a 400% increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation into human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) compared with results for controls. FAF was characterized as (i) a polypeptide with molecular masses of 24 kDa when heated at 100 degrees C for 5 min and 44 kDa when unheated, (ii) heat sensitive but not affected by selected reducing reagents, and (iii) possessing slight phosphatase activity. N'-terminal sequence analysis revealed no homology with P. gingivalis peptides or with any host-derived growth factors. These data suggest that FAF functions as a significant virulence factor which in vivo is capable of modulating homeostasis in local connective tissues.

Modulation of growth and function of human gingival fibroblasts by fibroblast-activating factor derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis W50.

The effect of a 24-kDa fibroblast-activating factor (FAF) isolated from outer membrane vesicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis W50 on the modulation of [3H]thymidine uptake and cell proliferation was examined in selected fibroblast and transformed cell lines. FAF enhanced the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts, human skin fibroblasts, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in subconfluent and confluent cells, suggesting that FAF might be functioning as a competence factor. The transformed cell lines, U-937 and HEp-2, were not responsive. FAF and several human-derived growth factors showed a synergistic effect on proliferation. [3H]proline and [3H]leucine were rapidly incorporated into fibroblasts in the presence of FAF; however, there was no selective induction of collagen synthesis. FAF was not active in the induction of interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. It is hypothesized that FAF from P. gingivalis functions as a growth factor for human fibroblasts but is without activity for transformed cells.

Primary angiosarcoma of the right atrium detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

A 20-year-old woman with a primary angiosarcoma of the right atrium is reported. The patient had a cardiorespiratory arrest due to cardiac tamponade with bloody pericardial effusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor, which was corroborated by selective coronary angiography. Open-heart surgery was performed. The tumor relapsed however, and she died four months after operation. The tumor was undetectable by echocardiography, but MRI demonstrated a heterogeneous mass with focal areas of high- and low-signal intensity in the right atrium, suggesting that MRI may allow characterization of cardiac tumors.

Induction of interleukin-1 and -6 in human gingival fibroblast cultures stimulated with Bacteroides lipopolysaccharides.

Normal human gingival fibroblasts stimulated in vitro by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from oral Bacteroides species produced cell-free and cell-associated thymocyte-activating factors (TAF). Neutralization assays using antisera to human interleukin-1 alpha (HuIL-1 alpha), HuIL-1 beta, and HuIL-6 revealed that cell-free TAF was attributable mainly to IL-1 beta and that IL-6 augmented the TAF activity of IL-1 beta in the culture supernatant. Another factor(s), however, may also be involved in cell-free TAF. By contrast, the active entity of cell-associated TAF was ascribed to IL-1 alpha alone. Furthermore, IL-6 was detected mainly in the supernatant of fibroblast cultures stimulated with Bacteroides LPS. Fibroblasts pretreated with natural human beta or gamma interferon, but not those pretreated with alpha interferon, synthesized higher levels of cell-associated IL-1 alpha in response to stimulation by Bacteroides LPS; however, no interferons exhibited direct IL-1-inducing activity or synergistic IL-1-inducing activity with LPS. Endogenously induced beta interferon was suggested to be necessary for fibroblasts to produce cell-associated IL-1 alpha in response to Bacteroides LPS.

Complete root resorption of an upper central incisor due to ectopic eruption of canine in a deaf-mute child.

Unilateral complete root resorption of the permanent central incisor was experienced in a boy with deaf and dumb. Transposition of tooth germ or abnormally directed eruption of the canine caused not only an entire root but a part of enamel resorption. The patient was diagnosed clinically and radiographically as an ectopic eruption of the right maxillary upper canine and then treatments were provided to improve esthetic and functional conditions in terms of eruption guidance. It should be emphasized that the early diagnosis and the subsequent eruption guidance is essential in the patient with these kinds of eruption disorder of the mixed dentition.

[Thymocyte activating factors in human gingival fibroblast cultures stimulated by oral Bacteroides lipopolysaccharides: induction, identification and modification by various cytokines].

Normal human gingival fibroblasts stimulated in vitro by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from black pigmented oral Bacteroides species produced cell-free (CF) and cell-associated (CA) thymocyte activating factors (TAF). The LPS from other bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella species, induced minimum levels of TAF in the cultures. The CF-TAF was partially inhibited by anti-human interleukin (HuIL)-1 beta or HuIL-6 antibody, but not by anti-HuIL-1 alpha antibody. However, complete inhibition of the CF-TAF was not observed upon addition of both anti-HuIL-1 beta and HuIL-6 antibodies. Fibroblasts stimulated with Bacteroides LPS released high levels of CF-IL-6 activity. Recombinant (r) HuIL-6 negligibly exhibited TAF activity even in high doses up to 500 U/ml, although it augmented the TAF activity of rHuIL-1 beta. These findings indicated that the CF-TAF consisted mainly of IL-1 beta, and that IL-6 enhanced TAF activity of IL-1 beta. However, other TAF factor (s) may be present in CF specimens. In contrast to CF-TAF, the CA-TAF was inhibited with anti-HuIL-1 alpha. Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rHuTNF) directly stimulated fibroblasts to produce CA-TAF, and it also primed them to enhance CA-TAF induction in response to Bacteroides LPS. On the other hand, natural human interferons (nHuIFN) alpha, beta, and gamma did not induce CF- or CA-TAF in fibroblasts. When fibroblasts were primed with nHuIFN beta or gamma, the CA-TAF production by the cells in response to LPS, but not rHuTNF, was markedly enhanced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Advantage of cine-MR imaging for the evaluation of valvular regurgitation.

It is well known that the regurgitant blood flow of valvular disease shows a low intensity signal (LS) in cine-MR imaging (cMRI). To determine the significance of cMRI in evaluation of valvular regurgitation, 104 patients who had been assessed by cineangiography also underwent oblique cMRI for mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic regurgitation (AR), and transverse cMRI for tricuspid regurgitation (TR). In evaluating the accuracy of diagnosis of valvular regurgitation on the basis of the presence of LS in the recipient chamber, sensitivity was found to be 93.5% for MR, 100% for AR and 85.7% for TR; specificity was 76.9% for MR and 100% for AR. The length and area of LS were planimetered in any view with the largest area, and its ratios to the length and area of the recipient chamber of view were calculated. Each index was significantly higher than the degree calculated by cineangiography. The best correlation with angiography was the ratio of the area of LS to the recipient chamber, and a semiquantitative classification by the index was coincident with angiographic severity in 38 of 43 (88.4%) patients undergoing MR, and in 28 of 30 (93.3%) patients undergoing AR. Thus, cMRI is a clinically useful noninvasive method in the identification and semiquantitative assessment of regurgitation severity.

Gingival overgrowth induced by cyclosporin A in rats.

Gingival overgrowth, which is one of the major side-effects of this immunosuppressive agent, was studied in specific pathogen-free Fischer rats fed diet No. 2000 containing 56% sucrose. Marked macroscopic overgrowth was noted in mandibular gingiva of all the rats fed this diet containing cyclosporin A. The overgrowth was more severe in buccal than in lingual gingiva. Rats fed the cyclosporin-containing diet and infected with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 had the most gingival overgrowth. Histopathological examination revealed that the bulk of the enlargement consisted of fibrous connective tissue without a marked increase in the number of fibroblasts or inflammatory cells.

Phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth in rats infected with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715.

Inbred Fischer rats were fed a high sucrose diet (No. 2000) containing phenytoin (5,5-diphenyl-hydantoin) for 52 days, which produced serum and salivary PHT levels of 13-14 and 2.6-2.7 micrograms/ml, respectively. Gingival overgrowth was induced in the molar region of all PHT-treated rats but was more severe in Streptococcus sobrinus 6715-infected rats than in non-infected rats, which had lower plaque scores. No significant overgrowth was found in rats infected with Strep. sobrinus and fed the same diet without PHT. Thus dental plaque accumulation enhanced, but was not essential for the development of the PHT-induced gingival overgrowth. Histological examination showed that the density of fibroblasts and connective tissue fibres was similar in all groups. This experimental model could serve as a useful means of understanding the pathogenesis of PHT-induced gingival overgrowth.