Effects of Zinc Acetate Hydrate Supplementation on Renal Anemia with Hypozincemia in Hemodialysis Patients.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: This study examined whether zinc supplementation with zinc acetate hydrate improved renal anemia with hypozincemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: The study participants included 21 patients undergoing hemodialysis who presented with a serum zinc level < 60 mg/dL and who were administered zinc acetate hydrate at 50 mg (reduced to 25 mg, as appropriate) for 6 months. Patients with a hemorrhagic lesion, acute-phase disease (pneumonia or cardiac failure), or hematologic disease and those whose treatment was switched from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis were excluded. The changes in the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) before and after zinc acetate hydrate administration were examined. ERI was defined as the dose (IU) of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)/week/body weight (kg)/hemoglobin content (g/dL). The differences between the two groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study participants included 19 men and 2 women aged 41-95 years (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 67.1 ± 13.6). The changes in the values of parameters measured before and after zinc acetate hydrate administration were as follows: Blood Hb did not change significantly, from 10.0-13.6 g/dL (11.5 ± 1.0 g/dL) to 10.2-12.4 g/dL (11.4 ± 0.7 g/dL); serum zinc concentration significantly increased, from 33.0-59.0 mg/dL µg/dL (52.4 ± 7.6 mg/dL µg/dL) to 57.0-124.0 mg/dL µg/dL (84.1 ± 16.3 mg/dL µg/dL; p < 0.01); the ESA dose significantly decreased, from 0-12,000 IU/week (5630 ± 3351 IU/week) to 0-9000 IU/week (4428 ± 2779; p = 0.04); and ERI significantly decreased, from 0.0-18.2 (8.1 ± 5.1) to 0.0-16.0 (6.3 ± 4.3; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation increased the serum zinc concentration and significantly reduced the ESA dose and ERI, suggesting that a correction of hypozincemia contributes to lessening renal anemia in these patients.

Gelatin Sponge as an Anchorage for Three-dimensional Culture of Colorectal Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Compared to two-dimensional cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have many advantages in cancer studies. Nevertheless, their implementation is unsatisfactory. This study aimed to develop an anchorage-dependent 3D culture model for colorectal cancer research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human HCT116, DLD-1 and SW620 colorectal cell lines were cultured in a gelatin sponge, and its applicability for morphological examination was studied. RESULTS: The resulting specimens were suitable for scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical examination. HCT116 formed smaller structures and migrated through the pores of the sponge. DLD-1 formed larger structures with tight cell-to-cell adhesion. SW620 also formed large structures but small clustered cells tended to attach to the anchorage more favorably. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated phosphorylated yes-associated protein (YAP) localized near the attachment site in HCT116 cells. CONCLUSION: Because the gelatin sponge provided suitable anchorage and the cultured cells formed distinguishable 3D structures, this method may be useful for further colorectal cancer research.

Measurement and differentiation of banana juice scent using an electronic nose FF-2A.

BACKGROUND: Banana juice is becoming a popular beverage in Japan and the number of soft-drink stands or shops that take great care and pride in the quality of their products has been increasing. This study aims to measure the scent of banana juice from different brands using the electronic (e-) nose FF-2A in order to identify the characteristics, time-related changes, and the differences among them. METHODS: We standardized the scent value of banana juice measured using FF-2A and determined the absolute value in three different shops. We compared the similarities in samples from each shop with axis data created using standardized measurement. With FF-2A we identified the scent common to all banana juice samples from the composite scent and numerically showed the similarity to the reference gas. RESULTS: The juices from each shop had their own characteristics and we were able to identify the difference between some of these. The response of FF-2A varied according to the increase/decrease in the number of characteristic molecules measured by GC-MS such as overtime fluctuations in the gas. These data were shown along with the differences between the various banana juices. CONCLUSIONS: FF-2A was able to identify the scent of banana juice at each banana shop as well as time-related changes. By combining GC-MS, we were able to evaluate scent components that changed over time. The results using the electronic nose may prove useful for objective evaluation and comparison of scent with other types of juices.

Efficiency of Closed Mastication of Gummy Evaluated with Gnatho-hexagraph.

The aim of this study was to determine whether chewing with closed lips improved masticatory efficiency compared with open lips. A total of 21 adults comprising 10 men and 11 women with a mean age of 26.2±3.5 years and normal masticatory function were included in the study. The study participants were instructed to chew a fresh gummy under two conditions for 30 seconds each, one after the other: the first with closed lips, and the second with open lips. The average size of the fragmented gummies was calculated and graded from 1 to 4 according to a specific scale. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated using this "gummy mastication value" and the Gnatho-hexagraph II to observe and analyse jaw movement during chewing. Differences in chewing time and mouth-opening distance were also compared. The gummy mastication value for open and closed lips mastication was 2.51±0.56 and 3.25±0.50, respectively (p<0.01). Masticatory efficiency was significantly greater during closed-lip mastication. The number of chewing strokes over 20 seconds decreased while chewing time and mouth-opening distance increased in cycle 1 with open-lip mastication. In conclusion, the present results revealed that chewing efficiency improved with closed-lip mastication, indicating that instruction to seal the lips while eating is appropriate and necessary.

Long-term effects of AST-120 on the progression and prognosis of pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease: a 5-year retrospective study.

AST-120 has been used widely in Japan to slow the deterioration of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by decreasing uremic toxins. The heart and the kidney are closely related, with cardiorenal interaction being very important. This retrospective study examined whether AST-120 influences the prevalence of dialysis induction, mortality, and cardiac and stroke events in CKD patients. The study included 278 patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CKD stage: III-V) in 2006. Of these patients, 128 received AST-120 (6 g/day), while the remaining 150 patients did not. A log-rank test was performed to compare dialysis induction, mortality, and cardiac and stroke events in the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to identify the potential factors that contributed to dialysis induction, mortality, and cardiac and stroke events over the next 5 years. Patient profiles before the study were almost the same other than age, primary disease (DM or non-DM) and urine volume. The prevalence of dialysis induction, mortality, and cardiac and stroke events in patients treated with AST-120 was significantly lower after 3 and 5 years (p < 0.0001) compared with the prevalence observed in the untreated patients. The absence of AST-120 treatment was associated independently with a high risk of dialysis induction (hazard ratio 4.979, 95 % CI 3.502-7.079, p < 0.0001), mortality (4.536, 2.666-7.720, p < 0.0001), cardiac event (3.590, 2.572-5.011, p < 0.001) and stroke (1.949, 1.342-2.829, p = 0.0005). The results of this retrospective analysis suggest that long-term treatment with AST-120 may improve the prognosis of CKD patients in the pre-dialysis stage. Long-term (i.e., >5 years) prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm the findings of the current study.

Effect of orthodontic treatment on occlusal condition and masticatory function.

Change in occlusion and masticatory function after orthodontic treatment was investigated by a follow-up study in a group of 14 patients with malocclusion (3 men, 11 women, aged 12-46 years). All completed a food questionnaire and underwent occlusal force evaluation using a pressure-sensitive sheet at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and during the retention phase. The number of foods identified as difficult to eat decreased at post-treatment in all patients. The mean occlusal force was 646.6±223.5 N at pretreatment, 401.1±109.1 N at post-treatment, and 530.6±183.6 N during the retention phase. The mean occlusal contact area was 14.1±5.9 mm(2) at pre-treatment, 6.5±1.7 mm(2) at post-treatment, and 9.8±3.8 mm(2) during the retention phase. The mean average occlusal pressure was 47.6±6.6 MPa at pre-treatment, 62.2±5.7 MPa at post-treatment, and 55.4±6.7 MPa during the retention phase. A Dental Prescale film evaluation revealed that occlusal force and occlusal contact area increased over the 1-year retention phase. An improvement in level of satisfaction with mastication ability was reported at post-treatment and during the retention phase. Average occlusal pressure at post-treatment increased significantly (p <0.01), which may account for the observed increase in the ability of the patients to bite through food. These results suggest that an increase in average occlusal pressure improves level of satisfaction with mastication ability.

Change in proportion of extraction and non-extraction in orthodontic patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there has been an increase in the number of non-extraction cases over recent years and investigate the selection of treatment devices. Patients attending the Department of Orthodontics at Tokyo Dental College Chiba Hospital in whom orthodontic treatment was commenced between July 1989 and July 1990 (Group A) or between June 1998 and May 2003 (Group B) were included in the study. The orthodontic diagnostic records of the patients were examined. Patients requiring orthognathic surgery, those with congenital diseases or cleft palate, and those with an uncertain diagnostic record were excluded. The characteristics, initial age, and classification of malocclusion in the two groups were almost the same. The patients in both groups were further divided into two subgroups: one in which treatment was commenced in mixed dentition and another in which it was begun in permanent dentition. The final therapeutic strategy, that is to say, non-extraction or extraction, was investigated in all groups. The final observation date in the mixed dentition group in Group B was September 2011. No major differences were observed in pattern or type of malocclusion between the two groups. Group B, however, showed an increased rate of non-extraction treatment. A policy of non-extraction was pursued in a higher proportion of patients in whom treatment was commenced in mixed dentition than in those in which it was begun in permanent dentition.

LDL-apheresis contributes to survival extension and renal function maintenance of severe diabetic nephropathy patients: a retrospective analysis.

AIMS: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-apheresis removes various molecules including LDL/oxidized LDL and inflammatory cytokines and recovers clinical laboratory parameters. It is not yet known whether these advantages of LDL-apheresis improve the prognosis of patients with diabetic nephropathy accompanied by nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: In this study, three groups of patients were retrospectively surveyed in a single center, and followed for approximately 3 years: an LDL-apheresis cohort (LDL-a; N = 20); a control cohort meeting the selection criterion of severe proteinuria ≥ 3g/24h (control-All; N = 55); and a subgroup of control-All with more severe proteinuria ≥ 5 g/24h (control-mSP; N = 10), and evaluated the outcomes as survival and renal dysfunction and death/renal dysfunction free rate. RESULTS: Death/renal dysfunction free rate was significantly higher in LDL-a than control-All (χ(2) = 4.50; P = 0.03) and control-mSP (χ(2) = 27.68; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest the possibilities which LDL-apheresis is considered to contribute to survival extension and renal function maintenance of severe diabetic nephropathy patients.

Effect of tolvaptan in patients with chronic kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy with heart failure.

The efficacy of tolvaptan for treating heart failure has already been shown. Adequate data relating to the effect of tolvaptan on the correlation of water balance in renal disease are not available. A retrospective study was conducted on the efficacy and adverse reactions of tolvaptan for treating nephrotic syndrome.The subjects were 26 patients with chronic kidney failure due to diabetic nephropathy with heart failure who were administered tolvaptan and seen between December 2011 and October 2013. The endpoints were urinary output, physical findings, and blood analyses. The expression of aquaporin-2 in the collecting duct, which is related to the action of tolvaptan, was investigated by immunohistochemistry using the kidney tissue obtained for the diagnosis.Responses were seen in 19 of the patients. In the histopathological investigation there was severe glomerulosclerosis in patients with diabetic nephropathy, but the responders were noticeable in that they only had mild tubulointerstitial damage. Non-responders exhibited profound tubulointerstitial damage. The expression of aquaporin-2 was determined in 8 patients, of which 7 were responders who tested positive for aquaporin-2. The remaining case was a non-responder who showed no expression of aquaporin-2.Tolvaptan is considered effective for some cases of nephrotic syndrome. There are no clear parameters for predicting an effect, but the present study showed that aquaporin-2 was expressed in the epithelial cells of the collecting ducts of tolvaptan responders.

Model analysis in "8020" achievers using three-dimensional images.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of aging on the dentition by quantifying the dimensions of the dental arches in elderly persons aged over 80 years with 20 or more remaining teeth (8020 achievers). The study included twenty 8020 achievers (10 males and 10 females, with an average age of 82.3 years and an average of 28.3 present teeth). Their dental casts were digitized with a 3-dimensional (3-D) laser scanner, reconstructed into 3-D images, and measured with IMAGEWARE. The anterior and posterior widths of the upper and lower coronal arches and their anterior and posterior lengths together with the anterior and posterior widths of the maxillary and mandibular basal arches and their anterior and posterior lengths were measured. An unpaired t-test was performed using statistical analysis software. Dental models of 31 people with normal occlusion (16 males and 15 females, with an average age of 23.3 years) were measured with digital calipers and compared with the measurements obtained from the 8020 achievers. Several common items with significant differences were observed in the mandibular measurements. Each comparison indicated a tendency toward a decrease in size in the 8020 group: Coronal Arch P-length (p<0.05 in Male group, p<0.01 in Female group), Basal Arch A-width (p<0.05 in Male group, p<0.001 in Female group), Basal Arch A-length (p<0.001 in both group), and Basal Arch P-length (p<0.001 in both group). From these results, 3-D dental model analysis in twenty 8020 achievers revealed narrowing of the mandibular intercanine width and shortening of the mandibular anterior and posterior lengths.

Platinum nanoparticles suppress osteoclastogenesis through scavenging of reactive oxygen species produced in RAW264.7 cells.

Recent research has shown that platinum nanoparticles (nano-Pt) efficiently quench reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a reducing catalyst. ROS have been suggested to regulate receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-stimulated osteoclast differentiation. In the present study, we examined the direct effects of platinum nano-Pt on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of murine pre-osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells. The effect of the nano-Pt on the number of osteoclasts was measured and their effect on the mRNA expression for osteoclast differentiation was assayed using real-time PCR. Nano-Pt appeared to have a ROS-scavenging activity. Nano-Pt decreased the number of osteoclasts (2+ nuclei) and large osteoclasts (8+ nuclei) in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability. In addition, this agent significantly blocked RANKL-induced mRNA expression of osteoclastic differentiation genes such as c-fms, NFATc1, NFATc2, and DC-STAMP as well as that of osteoclast-specific marker genes including MMP-9, Cath-K, CLC7, ATP6i, CTR, and TRAP. Although nano-Pt attenuated expression of the ROS-producing NOX-family oxidases, Nox1 and Nox4, they up-regulated expression of Nox2, the major Nox enzyme in macrophages. These findings suggest that the nano-Pt inhibit RANKL-stimulated osteoclast differentiation via their ROS scavenging property. The use of nano-Pt as scavengers of ROS that is generated by RANKL may be a novel and innovative therapy for bone diseases.

The effect of PTEN on proliferation and drug-, and radiosensitivity in malignant glioma cells.

BACKGROUND: Deletions or mutations of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are frequently observed in malignant glioma and are responsible for progression of the disease. Since the molecule is a promising target for gene therapy, the effects of PTEN on glioma proliferation in combination with the anti-neoplastic agent, temozolomide, and ionizing radiation were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An adenoviral vector encoding PTEN was used. After infection, changes in proliferation, the cell cycle, as well as drug- and radiosensitivity were investigated. RESULTS: Expression of PTEN led to a 1.21-fold prolongation of the doubling time of the cells. It reduced G(1) and increased G(2)/M populations. Forced PTEN expression conferred sensitivity to temozolomide and/or ionizing radiation. CONCLUSION: In addition to counteracting cell proliferation, expression of PTEN presented advantages in the chemo- and radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Methods for up-regulation of PTEN may have a role in increasing the efficacy of current adjuvant therapies.

Mesio-distal tooth angulation in elderly with many remaining teeth observed by 3-D imaging.

Few studies have investigated the morphologic characteristics of teeth, dental arches and occlusion in elderly persons with many remaining teeth. The purpose of this study was to establish a method of measurement using 3-D imaging to investigate tooth angulation in the elderly from the orthodontic point of view. The dental casts of 20 elderly persons with many remaining teeth were digitized with a 3-D laser scanner (VMS-100F, UNISN INC., Osaka, Japan) to construct 3-D images. The mesio-distal angulation of each tooth was then measured with analytical software (SURFLACER, UNISN INC. and IMAGEWARE 12, UGS PLM Solutions, MO, USA). The occlusal plane formed by the incisal edge of the central incisor and distal buccal cusp tip of the first molar on either side was used as a reference plane for measurements. Mesio-distal tooth angulation (indicated in degrees) of maxillary teeth in this subjects averaged 1.26 for central incisors, 5.46 for lateral incisors, 7.84 for canines, 6.59 for first premolars, 5.78 for second premolars, 1.64 for first molars and -4.17 for second molars. Average values for mandibular teeth were 0.91 for central incisors, 2.35 for lateral incisors, 7.04 for canines, 8.76 for first premolars, 10.44 for second premolars, 7.33 for first molars and 12.67 for second molars. There was no statistical difference between the data in man and women except maxillary second molar (p<0.05). Mesial angulation in the mandibular arch showed a progressive increase from the anterior to the posterior. However, this tendency was not observed in the maxillary arch.

Tooth inclination in elderly with many remaining teeth observed by 3-D imaging.

Tooth inclination has been discussed many times in terms of esthetics and functionality, but reports related to aging are extremely rare. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tooth inclination in the elderly from the orthodontic point of view. The dental casts of twenty elderly persons with many remaining teeth were digitized with a 3-D laser scanner (VMS-100F,UNISN INC., Osaka, Japan) for reconstruction into 3-D images. Inclination of each tooth was then measured with an analytical software (SURFLACER, UNISN INC. and IMAGEWARE 12, UGS PLM Solutions, MO, USA). The occlusal plane formed by the incisal edge of the central incisor and distal buccal cusp tip of the first molar on either side was used as a reference plane to measure tooth inclination, and the complementary angle as tooth inclination was measured. The average tooth inclinations (degrees) of the maxillary teeth were 8.08 for central incisors, 8.10 for lateral incisors, 4.85 for canines, -6.68 for first premolars, -5.58 for second premolars, -5.15 for first molars, and -5.41 for second molars. The corresponding values for the mandibular teeth were 6.78 for central incisors, 4.87 for lateral incisors, -5.73 for canines, -13.74 for first premolars, -19.21 for second premolars, -23.76 for first molars, and -28.63 for second molars. There was no statistical difference between men and women, except for in the maxillary lateral incisors (p<0.05). Tooth inclination showed a progressive decrease from anterior to posterior. The decrease in the mandibular teeth was more regular than that of the maxillary teeth.

Occlusal force in people in their sixties attending college for elderly.

The "8020" goal of retaining 20 or more teeth after the age of 80 necessitates investigating oral health status in people below the age of 80. The purpose of this study was to determine similarities and differences between people in their sixties attending college and achievers of the 8020 goal. The results of oral examination and occlusal force measurement in 46 students enrolled at a college for the elderly in Chiba City with an average age of 66.9 years (22 men, 24 women) were compared with data from previous surveys of fifty-two 8020 achievers (28 men, 24 women). Occlusal force was measured and evaluated using Dental Prescale (Fuji Photo Film Co., Tokyo). The average number of present teeth was 25.8, and no subjects showed anterior crossbite, comparable with findings in 8020 achievers. Average occlusal force was 942.9 + or - 440.1 N (1,029.6 + or - 545.9 N for men, 863.4 + or - 305.1 N for women), not significantly different from that in 8020 achievers. The results of multiple regression analysis suggest that occlusal force is unaffected by aging if many teeth are present.

Esthetic preferences of European American, Hispanic American, Japanese, and African judges for soft-tissue profiles.

INTRODUCTION: Our objectives were to determine whether observer and patient sex and race or ethnicity determine esthetic preferences for lip positions. METHODS: Four independent panels each consisting of 30 lay judges viewed pretreatment silhouette profiles of 10 European American, 10 Japanese, and 10 African American Angle Class I and Class II orthodontic patients. The panels included European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Japanese, and Africans. Profiles were traced from lateral cephalograms and manipulated so that the lip profile lay on the Ricketts' E-line or at various distances from the E-line from -8 to +4 mm in 2-mm increments. The judges selected the profile that they considered the most attractive and then classified the remaining 6 profiles as either acceptable or unacceptable. RESULTS: The mean preferred lip positions (mean +/- SD) were -2.58 +/- 1.92 mm for European American, -3.28 +/- 2.26 mm for Hispanic American, -3.45 +/- 1.92 mm for Japanese, and -2.13 +/- 1.95 mm for African judges. The African judges preferred more protrusive profiles compared with the Hispanic American (P <0.01) and Japanese (P <0.001) judges. Patient race or ethnicity and sex also contributed significantly to the judgments of profile esthetics (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Judge race or ethnicity and patient race or ethnicity and sex significantly influence laypersons' standards for lip profile esthetics.

Curvature of cervical vertebra in 8020 achievers observed by lateral cephalogram.

The hypothesis of this research was that elderly people with many remaining teeth and good occlusion (8020 achievers) would be able to maintain proper head and body posture, despite aging. The purpose of this study, as a first stage, was to clarify the aging phenomenon of cervical curvature in 8020 achievers in comparison with that in young adults. Subjects consisted of twenty-eight 8020 achievers, with a mean age of 82.96+/-3.3 years and 26.5+/-4.0 teeth. For comparison, forty adults in their 20's with a mean age of 22.9+/-0.7 years and 28.2+/-0.6 teeth were also enrolled. The cervical vertebra was assessed based on the distance from the CV line (tangential line of the 2nd and 6th cervical vertebra) to each cervical vertebra and the angles formed by the cervical and reference lines in the cranial bone. Every distance from the CV line to each cervical vertebra in the 8020 group was bigger than that in the 20's group (p<0.01-0.001). The distance from the CV line to CV-3 and CV-5 in 8020 women was larger than that in 8020 men (p<0.05). Every distance from the CV line to each cervical vertebra in 8020 women was larger than that in 20's women (p<0.01-0.001). There was no significant difference between 8020 men and 20's men. The difference between the women's group was more marked than that between age groups for men. The cervical curvature in 8020 achievers showed a greater tendency toward cervical lordosis than that in young adults. In the 8020 achievers, the curvature in women was greater than that in men. The curvature in 8020 women seemed was marked, showing strong cervical lordosis, despite the presence of many remaining teeth and good occlusion. It remains to be determined by comparing 8020 achievers with ordinary elderly whether the condition of the teeth influences spinal curvature with aging.

Oral flora in independent over 80-year-olds with more than 20 teeth.

The purpose of this study was to investigate oral flora in independent persons aged over 80 years with more than 20 remaining teeth. The subjects were 22 participants of the 8020 campaign (6 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 81.3+/-1.6 years and an average of 24.7 teeth (Independent 8020 group). This group was compared with a group of 38 elderly people residing in nursing homes (10 males and 28 females) who had a mean age of 81.3+/-8.5 years and an average of 4.2 teeth (Nursing group with fewer teeth). Saliva samples were collected from the vestibular areas of the maxilla and mandible using cotton swabs. Cell numbers of microorganisms were expressed as colony forming units/ml (CFUs/ml) and compared between the two groups. The average number of Staphylococcus species was 65.2+/-74.4 CFUs/ml in the Independent 8020 group and 400.3+/-352.1 CFUs/ml in the group with fewer teeth (p<0.01); that of Candida albicans was 18.0+/-37.7 CFUs/ml in the Independent 8020 group and 152.9+/-211.9 CFUs/ml in the Nursing group with fewer teeth (p<0.05). Both species showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. This suggests that the Independent 8020 achiever group had better oral hygiene and that the presence of many teeth may be associated with an increased awareness of dental health.

Cephalometric study of elderly with nearly intact dental arches.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the craniofacial morphology of elderly people with many remaining teeth using cephalometric analysis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 30 Japanese elderly who participated in the '8020 campaign 2001' in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, organised by The Dental Association of Tokyo, as well as 30 Japanese young adults with normal occlusion. Lateral cephalograms of all subjects were analysed using the Coben method. RESULTS: In the female elderly group, the lower face depth was smaller than in the younger adults. In the male elderly group, the height and depth of both the total face and the lower face were longer than in the younger group. In comparing the 8020 achievers with the younger group, the proportion of the lower facial height was greater than the upper facial height, and this finding was more pronounced in women than in men. CONCLUSION: For the lateral facial pattern of the elderly, a reduction of lower facial height because of tooth occlusal reduction was not apparent. It was clear that there are age differences for males and females; in addition, differences in the total face and lower face area of the elderly group were due to their having many remaining teeth over a long time period. Also, these changes were more apparent in women than in men, and it is clear that there is a male-female difference in ageing.

Appraisal of bone maturity age derived from broadband ultrasonic attenuation in Japanese children and adolescents.

It is clinically important to evaluate the level of skeletal maturation in juveniles to determine the appropriate timing for orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the age of bone maturity by using an ultrasonic bone analyzer (Cuba Clinical, McCue Ultrasonics Ltd., Winchester, U.K.), Broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA:dB/MHz) was measured at the left calcaneus as an effective indicator of the age of bone maturity. The subjects consisted of 249 males and 304 females aged 12 to 29 years who had not suffered constitutional bone disease or a disease of the endocrine system. The peak value of BUA considered as bone maturity was 104.44 at the age of 19 years in males and 77.80 at the age of 16 years in females, and the peak age range was indicated as 18-19 years in males and 13-16 years in females by statistical evaluation. The peak age range indicated by BUA was wider in females than that in males. The present results can be used as reference ages for maturity in growth prediction for orthodontic treatment of Japanese children and adolescents. The heights and weights of the subjects were also collected as basic data. A significant positive correlation was observed between BUA values and weight (r = 0.34 p < 0.01 in females, r = 0.52 p < 0.01 in males). BUA is known to describe the quality of bone because the calcaneus is a loading bone. The relation between bone quality and growth has not been discussed. Further research is required to investigate this relationship.