IgG4‐related disease of the paratestis with the scrotal fluid: A case report

IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) can affect various organs, and the pancreas and salivary gland are representative examples. We report a rare case of IgG4‐RD of the paratestis. A 74‐year‐old man presented with left scrotal swelling. Scrotopuncture drainage and cytology confirmed a clear, yellow retention liquid (130 mL) with many small, similar lymphocytes and a few plasmacytes. Many lymphoid cells were immunopositive for CD3 on a cell block section, indicating that a predominant type of lymphoid cells was T cell. There were also some CD20 immunopositive cells and a few IgG4 immunopositive cells. Two months later the left scrotal swelling had returned, and he underwent radical inguinal orchiectomy. Microscopically, there was considerable lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis and abundant IgG4 immunopositive cells in the paratesticular region. The histopathologic and immunohistochemistry findings were consistent with IgG4‐RD. However, the abundant T cells in the scrotal fluid complicated the cytological diagnosis in our case.     

Fate of full‐house immunofluorescence staining in renal allograft: A case report

Here, we report the case of a patient with renal allograft with full‐house immunofluorescence staining in the zero‐hour biopsy. Full‐house immunofluorescence staining is a well‐known characteristic of lupus nephritis. Previous studies have reported patients with full‐house immunofluorescence staining, but without other symptoms or serological findings; this condition is referred to as full‐house nephropathy. We identified only one case out of 2203 zero‐hour biopsies over 13 years. Zero‐hour biopsy presented no glomerular changes but showed full‐house immunofluorescence staining. Electron microscopy revealed a nonorganized electron‐dense deposit mainly in the mesangial lesion. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐associated antibodies were negative, and complement deficiency was not observed in the donor patients. Deposition of immunoglobulin and complement levels markedly decreased within 1–3 years post transplantation. Neither donor nor recipient developed clinical or biological features of SLE; they showed good renal prognosis.     

Comparison of the effects of added alpha- and beta- tricalcium phosphate on the basic properties of apatite cement

Effects of added alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) and beta-TCP were investigated to shed light on the setting reaction of apatite cement (AC) consisting of tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous8 (DCPA). Added beta-TCP showed no reactivity, and thus resulted in extended setting time and decreased mechanical strength. In contrast, alpha-TCP dissolved to supply calcium and phosphate ions after initial apatite crystal formation by the reaction of TTCP and DCPA. Although setting time was delayed because alpha-TCP was involved only in the latter reaction of apatite cement, larger apatite crystals were formed due to its addition. As a result of larger apatite crystal formation, the mechanical strength of alpha-TCP-added apatite cement increased by approximately 30%, as compared to alpha-TCP-free apatite cement.     

Effects of apatite foam combined with platelet-rich plasma on regeneration of bone defects

The objective of this study was to investigate the regenerative effects of apatite foam (AF) combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone defects. Critical-sized defects in the tibia of rats were filled with randomly distributed combinations of AF with and without PRP. The animals were killed after three, six, and 12 weeks, and their tissue responses were histologically examined. At three weeks, we found no significant differences in bone regeneration against control group (21.9 +/- 3.1%) when PRP (20.3 +/- 4.2%) and AF (21.6 +/- 2.9%) were used independently of each other. In contrast, significantly (p<0.01) larger amount of bone (32.3 +/- 6.5%) was formed when the defect was filled with PRP-incorporated AF. At six weeks, both PRP (38.1 +/- 3.2%) and AF (39.6 +/- 7.8%) showed significantly (p<0.05) higher rates of bone regeneration than the control, even though they were used independently. Moreover, the amount of regenerated bone significantly (p<0.01) increased in the defect filled with PRP-incorporated AF (76.1 +/- 8.2%). We concluded, therefore, that the combination of PRP and AF may be useful for the regeneration of defected bone.     

Effects of plaque control on the patency of dentinal tubules: an in vivo study in beagle dogs

BACKGROUND: The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the effects of plaque control on the patency of dentinal tubules using vital teeth of beagle dogs. METHODS: Class V cavities were prepared on the cervical areas of the mandibular and maxillary molars in each dog with a diamond point. To simulate the state of dentinal hypersensitivity, the teeth were etched with 50% citric acid for 2 minutes to obtain patent dentinal tubules. Plaque control was achieved by brushing the left-side teeth every day, whereas no plaque control was performed for the right-side teeth. A dentin biopsy was performed after 1, 2, and 3 weeks using the cylindrical diamond point to obtain dentin specimens. RESULTS: In the plaque control group, some of the dentinal tubules were occluded with precipitate (Ca/P=1.49), and the diameter of the dentinal tubules decreased from 2.42+/-0.33 microm (mean+/-SD) to 1.11+/-0.51 microm after 7 days, although most of the dentinal tubules remained open. In contrast, no precipitate was observed in the dentinal tubules of the non-plaque control group. Also, the diameter of the dentinal tubules increased from 2.42+/-0.33 to 2.9+/-0.49 microm, due to the demineralization of the peritubular and intertubular dentin. CONCLUSION: Plaque control plays a key role in reducing the patency of dentinal tubules and, therefore, might promote the natural repair of dentinal hypersensitivity.     

Effect of self-etching primer containing N-acryloyl aspartic acid on enamel adhesion.

OBJECTIVES: A previous study demonstrated that N-acryloyl aspartic acid (N-AAsp) aqueous solution is useful as a self-etching primer for dentin adhesion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether N-AAsp solution can be used for enamel etching, when compared with phosphoric acid. METHODS: N-AAsp was synthesized by the reaction of DL-aspartic acid and acryloyl chloride. The experimental self-etching primers were prepared by dissolving N-AAsp in water at various concentrations up to 20 wt%. The tensile bond strength of resin to bovine enamel was measured after the enamel was treated with the N-AAsp primers. The 40 wt% H(3)PO(4) was used for comparison. The treated enamel surfaces and the resin-enamel interfaces were also observed with a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The tensile bond strength to enamel increased linearly with the increasing N-AAsp concentration and reached the same value as that to enamel etched with 40 wt% H(3)PO(4) when N-AAsp concentration was 20 wt%, even though the etching ability of 20 wt% N-AAsp was inferior to 40 wt% H(3)PO(4). Regardless of the concentration of N-AAsp, the bond strength to enamel was the same as that to dentin reported in our previous study. SIGNIFICANCE: The 20 wt% N-AAsp aqueous solution showed enamel bonding equivalent to 40 wt% H(3)PO(4) in addition to the advantage of eliminating the rinse step with water. Based on the results obtained in this study along with those obtained in a previous study, it was concluded that 20 wt% N-AAsp aqueous solution is a promising self-etching primer to simultaneously treat enamel and dentin.     

Comparison of health behaviour and oral/medical conditions in non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetics and non-diabetics

One hundred and two dentate patients with type II diabetes mellitus and 98 non-diabetic subjects were examined for oral conditions and metabolic state. Self-reported health behaviour was analysed. From factor analysis four factors emerged: general health behaviour (GHB), perceived fatigue (PF), diet control (DC) and regular diet (RD). In diabetics PF, DC and RD were significantly higher than that in non-diabetics. Patients with diabetes were more likely to control their disease through a programme of decreased kilojoule intake leading to weight management. However, they tended to tire. The mean gingivitis index was significantly higher (p<0.01) among diabetics (2.39) than among nondiabetics (1.99). The number of missing teeth was significantly higher (p<0.01) for diabetics (6.7) when compared with non-diabetics (4.3). On the other hand, aetiological factors (plaque, calculus) and the level of dental health behaviour as expressed in the HU-DBI scores were similar. Probing pocket depth did not differ statistically between groups. The increasing number of missing teeth in diabetics may primarily result from severe periodontitis with tooth mobility or deep pockets. Findings in this study suggest that the difference in the severity of periodontitis between diabetics and non-diabetics was significant although aetiological factors and the level of dental health behaviour were similar.