Evaluation of the physical properties of a newly developed denture adhesive for patients with dry mouth

Purpose

Elderly individuals with dry mouth wearing dentures require an appropriate denture adhesive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro properties of a newly developed denture adhesive for patients with dry mouth and compare these with those of a currently available adhesive and oral moisturizing agent.

Effects of experimental osteoporosis on alveolar bone loss in rats

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and alveolar bone loss. Alveolar bone loss was evaluated by radiographic and visual inspection of rats with experimental osteoporosis. Twenty 4-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: Group A-ovariectomized and given a standard solid diet; Group B-ovariectomized and given a calcium-deficient diet; Group C-sham-ovariectomized and given a standard solid diet; and Group D-sham-ovariectomized and given a calcium-deficient diet. After 4 weeks, the rat were euthanatized. The maxillae, mandibles, femurs, and tibias were removed carefully and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. The bone mineral density of each bone and the alveolar bone loss were measured. The bone mineral densities of the maxillae, mandibles, femurs and tibias in Group C were significantly higher than those in Groups B and D, but not higher than those in Group A. However, there were no significant differences between any of the groups with regard to alveolar bone loss from the cemento-enamel junction to the molar bone crest. Therefore, it was concluded that osteoporosis itself may not be capable of causing periodontal destruction, and thus may not be a major factor in periodontal disease.     

Evaluation of cerebral blood perfusion with IVR-CT/angio system during interventional procedures

An interventional-radiology computed-tomography (IVR-CT)/angio system is a combination of an angiographic unit and a CT scanner. This system allows patient's movement in and out of the two imaging units, on the same table. Since June 2003, we have applied our conventional protocol for evaluation of cerebral blood perfusion during interventional radiology (IVR) procedures. We reviewed our experience using the IVR-CT/angio system and investigated the efficacy and limitations of this technique. No complications relating to radiation exposure, contrast medium use, or IVR procedures were observed. CT perfusion was useful for detecting cerebral perfusion impairment during IVR procedures. This was helpful in deciding the postoperative management. Because patients do not need to be transported to another radiographic suite to evaluate cerebral blood perfusion, the IVR-CT/angio system is ideal for safely and simply detecting cerebral perfusion defects during IVR procedures. However, it is important to consider whether there is sufficient indication for the procedure, because radiation exposure and the amount of contrast medium use are increased if the IVR procedures become difficult.     

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives

Several 1-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) derivatives, which may play a role in Parkinson's disease, have been synthesized via Pummerer-type cyclization of the sulfonium ion formed in situ from N-formyl sulfoxide. Using an in vitro trypan blue exclusion assay, high concentrations of TIQ derivatives possessing bulky alkyl group substituents such as 1-cyclobutyl-, 1-cyclohexyl-, 1-phenyl- or 1-benzyl- at the C-1 position were found to significantly affect the viability of PC12 cells. Moreover, TIQ derivatives that moderately or strongly induced apoptosis (e.g., 1-phenyl-TIQ and 1-cyclohexyl-TIQ, respectively) paralleled the results obtained using the trypan blue exclusion assay. These results suggest that the size and electron-donating properties of functional groups may affect the cytotoxicity of TIQ derivatives.     

Electrochemical polymerization of dithienylethylene, -butadiene,and -hexatriene

Conductive poly[(2,2′-bithiophene-5,5′-diyl)-(1,3-butadienylene)] ( 1b ) and poly[(2,2′-bithiophene-5,5′-diyl)-(1,3,5-hexatrienylene)] ( 1c ) films were obtained from the electrochemical polymerization of the corresponding α,ω-dithienylpolyenes in the presence of Bu₄NClO₄ as a supporting electrolyte. These polymers were identified by their IR spectra. The current efficiency was 72 and 82%. Electrochemical polymerization of 1,2-bis(2-thienyl)ethylene did not give a film but a powder as product. In the UV spectrum of poly( 1b ), oxidized with ClO₄ as counterion, three bands are observed at 350, 455 and 1 000 nm (shoulder). The last two bands dissappear in the neutral film. ESCA indicates that the S_2p peak in symmetrical in the neutral film, but the oxidized films show a shoulder on the higher binding energy side of the peak. The neutral film shows an asymmetrical ESR signal, whereas that of the oxidized one is symmetrical. In air the conductivity decreases to about 20% of the initial value in 70 days, but the neutral film is quite stable.     

Simultaneous Development of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Carcinomas with Atypical Epithelium Intervention: A Case Report

An 81-year-old woman, diagnosed as having a lower bile ductcarcinoma by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and cytologyof the bile after the onset of repeated nausea and fever aroundNovember, 1986, was given a pancreatoduodenedomy in February,1987. From histological analyses of specimens taken at surgery,papillary adenocarcinoma of the lower bile duct was revealedwith a massive amount of mucin in the cancerous gland lumens,the bile duct and the tubular adenocarcinoma retained in themucosal layers of the gallbladder. Lying between these carcinomasites was found atypical epithelia of a lesion borderline betweenbenign and malignant (Group III). The patient's postoperativeprogress was fair, but she died suddenly of cerebral hemorrhagein July, 1988. No intraperitoneal or general carcinoma relapsewas found at autopsy. This is one of the relatively rare casesof a simultaneous development of gallbladder and bile duct carcinomasand we found it of great interest that these carcinomas existedthrough an intermediate atypical epithelium.