Association of air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood with children's cognitive performance and behavior at age six.

BACKGROUND: The impact of air pollution on neurodevelopment in children has attracted much attention in recent times. We aim to clarify the association between prenatal and postnatal air pollutant exposure and children's cognitive performance and behavior at age six. METHODS: This study was conducted based on a birth cohort study in Japan. Children's intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and a score <85 was deemed as low intelligence. A score ≥60 on the Child Behavior Checklist indicated behavioral problems. Exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy and early childhood was estimated using a spatiotemporal model, while indoor concentrations of air pollutants inside subjects' homes were measured for a week when the child was of ages 1.5 and 3. The associations of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and after childbirth with cognitive performance and behavior were analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The estimated exposure to outdoor PM2.5 during pregnancy and early childhood was not associated with decreased cognitive performance. However, exposure during the first trimester, 0-1 and 3-5 years of age was associated with children's externalizing problems (odds ratios (ORs) were 2.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-7.29], 1.66 [95%CI: 1.05-2.62], and 1.80 [95%CI: 1.19-2.74] per interquartile range (IQR) increase, respectively). Exposure to indoor PM2.5 and coarse particles after childbirth was associated with lower full scale IQ (ORs were 1.46 [95%CI: 1.03-2.08] and 1.85 [95%CI: 1.12-3.07] per IQR increase, respectively). However, some inverse associations were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to outdoor air pollution and behavioral problems, and between indoor air pollution after childbirth and cognitive performance at age six. However, the effects of exposure to outdoor PM2.5 during pregnancy on cognitive performance were not observed.

Age-related decrease of cholinergic parasympathetic reflex vasodilation in the rat masseter muscle.

Skeletal muscle hemodynamics, including that in jaw muscles, is an important in their functions and is modulated by aging. Marked blood flow increases mediated by parasympathetic vasodilation may be important for blood flow in the masseter muscle (MBF); however, the relationship between parasympathetic vasodilation and aging is unclear. We examined the effect of aging on parasympathetic vasodilation evoked by trigeminal afferent inputs and their mechanisms by investigating the MBF during stimulation of the lingual nerve (LN) in young and old urethane-anesthetized and vago-sympathectomized rats. Electrical stimulation of the central cut end of the LN elicited intensity- and frequency-dependent increases in MBF in young rats, while these increases were significantly reduced in old rats. Increases in the MBF evoked by LN stimulation in the young rats were greatly reduced by hexamethonium and atropine administration. Increases in MBF in young rats were produced by exogenous acetylcholine in a dose-dependent manner, whereas acetylcholine did not influence the MBF in old rats. Significant levels of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor type 1 (MR1) and type 3 (MR3) mRNA were observed in the masseter muscle in young rats, but not in old rats. Our results indicate that cholinergic parasympathetic reflex vasodilation evoked by trigeminal afferent inputs to the masseter muscle is reduced by aging and that this reduction may be mediated by suppression of the expression of MR1 and MR3 in the masseter muscle with age.

Effects of polishing with paste containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer fillers on enamel remineralization after orthodontic bracket debonding.

Surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) technology allows for the release of multiple ions. This study was performed to investigate the remineralization of etched enamel after removal of the bracket using a novel paste containing S-PRG filler. Surfaces of polished enamel were etched with phosphoric acid and then subdivided into two regions. Bracket bonding resin was thinly applied to one region. After 24-hr immersion in artificial saliva, the bonding resin on the enamel surfaces was removed by grinding with tungsten carbide bur at low-speed, followed by polishing with one of four different polishing systems: (a) nonfluoridated paste (NF); (b) fluoridated paste (F); (c) S-PRG filler-containing paste (S-PRG); or (d) nonfluoridated plus S-PRG filler-containing paste (NF + S-PRG) (n = 15). The polished specimens were then immersed in an artificial saliva solution for 7 days. Nanoindentation testing of enamel surfaces was performed and their mechanical properties were compared. Representative specimens were examined with scanning electron microscope. In all specimens, the mechanical properties of the enamel surfaces were markedly degraded by acid etching. However, the mechanical properties of both regions (etched and resin-infiltrated enamels) showed recovery after polishing and 7-day immersion. Polishing with NF + S-PRG paste led to significant recovery of mechanical properties compared to polishing with NF or S-PRG paste alone, and remineralization was equivalent to that seen with F paste. Porous etched enamel surfaces were filled with a remineralization layer after each polishing procedure and 7-day immersion in all polishing groups. Polishing using NF + S-PRG paste can facilitate enamel remineralization after bracket removal.

Degradation and Biocompatibility of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Implants In Vitro and In Vivo: A Micro-Computed Tomography Study in Rats.

In current orthodontic practice, miniscrew implants (MSIs) for anchorage and bone fixation plates (BFPs) for surgical orthodontic treatment are commonly used. MSIs and BFPs that are made of bioabsorbable material would avoid the need for removal surgery. We investigated the mechanical, degradation and osseointegration properties and the bone-implant interface strength of the AZ31 bioabsorbable magnesium alloy to assess its suitability for MSIs and BFPs. The mechanical properties of a Ti alloy (TiA), AZ31 Mg alloy (MgA), pure Mg and poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) were investigated using a nanoindentation test. Also, pH changes in the solution and degradation rates were determined using immersion tests. Three-dimensional, high-resolution, micro-computed tomography (CT) of implants in the rat femur was performed. Biomechanical push-out testing was conducted to calculate the maximum shear strength of the bone-implant interface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histological analysis and an evaluation of systemic inflammation were performed. MgA has mechanical properties similar to those of bone, and is suitable for implants. The degradation rate of MgA was significantly lower than that of Mg. MgA achieved a significantly higher bone-implant bond strength than TiA. Micro-CT revealed no significant differences in bone density or bone-implant contact between TiA and MgA. In conclusion, the AZ31 Mg alloy is suitable for both MSIs and BFPs.

Effects of pastes containing ion-releasing particles on dentin remineralization.

We investigated the effects of the weekly application of pastes containing a surface reaction-type pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler on dentin remineralization. Human dentin blocks were demineralized and polished using pastes containing S-PRG filler (0, 5, and 30%), and then immersed in remineralizing solution for 1 month. Nanoindentation testing was carried out during the immersion period, and the dentin surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy. A nano-hydroxyapatite-containing paste was used for comparison. Immersion in demineralization solution had a marked negative effect on the mechanical properties in all specimens. The mechanical properties of specimens polished with S-PRG filler-containing pastes recovered significantly after immersion in remineralization solution for 1 month compared with the other specimens. After remineralization, the open dentinal tubules were filled with a remineralization layer in specimens polished with S-PRG filler-containing and nano-hydroxyapatite-containing pastes. S-PRG filler-containing pastes can aid dentin remineralization.

Induction of beating by imposed bending or mechanical pulse in demembranated, motionless sea urchin sperm flagella at very low ATP concentrations.

A basic feature of the movement of eukaryotic flagella is oscillation. Although flagellar oscillation is thought to be regulated by a self-regulatory feedback system including the mechanical signal of bending itself, the mechanism regulating the dynein motile activity to produce oscillation is not well understood. To elucidate the mechanism, we developed a new experimental system which allowed us to analyze the conditions necessary for the induction of oscillation. When a mechanical signal of bending or a pulse was applied by micromanipulation to a demembranated motionless sea urchin sperm flagellar axoneme at very low ATP concentrations (1-3 microM), a localized pair of bends was induced. The bend formation was often followed by further responses including propagation of the distal bend of paired bends, growth and propagation of the paired bends, and cyclical beating. The beating was induced at 2.0 microM or higher concentrations of ATP, but appeared even at 1.5 microM ATP if a few muM of ADP was also present. When the proximal half of a flagellum was attached to a microneedle, beating could not be induced in the distal free region at 2 microM ATP. These results suggest that mechanical signal is involved in the mechanism regulating the motile activity of dynein to produce oscillation. Our results also showed that the presence of a small amount of ADP and the axial difference along the flagellum are factors essential for the induction of flagellar oscillation.