Expression of Neurotrophins and Their Receptors Tropomyosin-related kinases (Trk) under Tension-stress during Distraction Osteogenesis

The localization and expression of neurotrophins and their receptors during distraction osteogenesis was investigated in 72 male rat femurs (11 weeks old) to further clarify the concurrence of cellular and molecular events of new bone formation. After osteotomy, a 7-day lag phase was followed by distraction at the rate of 0.25 mm/12 h for 21 days (distraction phase), and a 7-day consolidation phase. The localization of neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF and NT-3) and their receptors tropomyosinrelated kinases (TRKA, TRKB and TRKC) by immunostaining showed positive staining in bone forming cells in each stage, although the presence and staining intensity varied by cell type and phase. The expressions of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) showed that the peak of the mRNA expression of NGF occurred 10 days after distraction. NT-3 increased during bone extension, but decreased when distraction stopped. In contrast, BDNF continued to increase gradually throughout the distraction and consolidation phases. These findings suggest that neurotrophins and their receptors may play different roles in endochondral and intramembranous ossification in distraction osteogenesis. The tension stress caused by distraction may stimulate the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors, and promote osteogenesis

Palatal bone defect mimicking a chronic periapical lesion: a case report emphasizing the importance of the use of a three-dimensional radiographic examination

Lesão periapical crônica é uma das patologias ósseas mais comuns em dentes humanos, e é detectada primariamente por radiografia simples, como a panorâmica ou periapical. Radiografias simples são amplamente utilizadas em odontologia; no entanto, elas são limitadas por questões inerentes à técnica em si, tais como a sobreposição de estruturas anatômicas e a falta de informação sobre a extensão da lesão. Portanto, métodos radiográficos tridimensionais, como a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico, são valiosos para avaliar com precisão as lesões periapicais. Dessa forma, este relato clínico descreve um caso em que as características radiográficas de osso levaram a um diagnóstico primário de lesão periapical crônica nos incisivos superiores, no entanto, era um defeito palatino. A radiolucência resultante foi causada pelo defeito palatino sobreposto ao osso maxilar, imitando, assim, uma lesão periapical. Além disso, no mesmo caso, demonstramos uma lesão periapical crônica verdadeira em outra área. Essa lesão apareceu como uma radiolucência sutil na radiografia periapical, mas foi maior que o esperado quando avaliada por tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico.Chronic periapical lesion is among the most usual bone pathology observed in human teeth, and it is often first detected by plain radiographs, such as panoramic or periapical radiography. Plain radiographs are widely used in dentistry; however, they have limitations inherent to the technique itself, such as anatomic structures overlapping and lack of information on the extension of the lesion. Therefore, three-dimensional radiographic methods, such as cone beam computed tomography are valuable to accurately assess periapical lesions. Thus, this clinical report describes a case in which the bone radiographic features led to a primary diagnosis of chronic periapical lesion in superior incisors, however, it was a defect in the palatal bone. The resulting radiolucency created by the palatal bone defect overlapped the maxillary bone, mimicking a periapical lesion. Additionally, in the same case, we demonstrate a true chronic periapical lesion in another area that presented as a subtle radiolucency in periapical radiography, however, it was larger than expected when evaluated in Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Stafne bone defects radiographic features in panoramic radiographs : assessment of 91 cases

To evaluate 91 cases of Stafne bone defect (SBD) in panoramic radiographs (PR) to determine the prevalence of different SBD variants, considering age, gender, and side. Additionally, to assess the most frequent imaging features of SBD. Participant data were collected from 91 SBD cases with PR imaging. First, SBDs were classified according to their location, as anterior, posterior, or ramus variant. SBD imaging features were classified according to radiographic imaging findings, assessing margins, degree of internal radiolucency, shape, topographic relationship between the defect and mandibular border, location of the defect according to mandibular teeth, and locularity. The topographic relationship between the SBD and the mandibular canal was described for the inferior variant only. Mean sizes were also described. A total of 92 SBD cases were evaluated from 91 radiographs. One case presented multiple defects. Mean patient age was 60.80 years. Men were more affected than women. The most frequent SBD variant was the posterior variant, and the least frequent was the ramus variant. The most observed radiographic features were thick sclerotic bone margin in the entire contour of the defect, partially radiolucent internal content, oval shape, continuity with mandible base without discontinuity of mandible border, third molar region location, and unilocular shape. With the posterior variant only, the most common topographic relationship between the defect and the upper wall of the mandibular canal was the defect located below the upper wall and continuous with the inferior wall of the mandibular canal. The knowledge of common SBD radiographic imaging features in PR can help dental practitioners with the differential diagnosis of SBD

Severe macular edema induced by pioglitazone in a patient with diabetic retinopathy: a case study

We report a case of severe diabetic macular edema (DME) that developed after pioglitazone was used by a patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. A 30-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus visited our clinic in 2004. She had moderate pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy OU. Because of the rapid progression of the diabetic retinopathy, she received pan-retinal photocoagulation in both eyes. Two weeks before using pioglitazone, her visual acuity was 0.9 OD and 0.7 OS. On October 2007, pioglitazone was prescribed by her internist because of poorly controlled blood glucose level. Two weeks later, her body weight increased, and her face became edematous. Her visual acuity decreased to 0.5 OU, and ophthlamoscopy showed severe DME in both eyes. Two weeks after stopping pioglitazone, her visual acuity improved to 0.8 OD and 0.5 OS, but the DME was still severe in the optical coherence tomographic images. Then, one half the usual dose (25 mg) of spironolactone, a diuretic, was given and her macular edema was resolved. Her final visual acuity improved to 0.9 OD and 0.7 OS. We recommend that when a patient taking pioglitazone complains of decreased vision, the physician should promptly consult an ophthalmologist

Measurement of intracellular pH by flow cytometry using pH sensitive fluorescence dye, and influence of hyperthermia and amiloride derivatives on the intracellular pH

エールリッヒ腹水癌細胞とそのアドリアマイシン耐性細胞において蛍光pH指示薬2'、7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl) carboxyfluorescein] (BCECF) の蛍光量をフローサイトメトリーで測定することによって細胞内pHの検量曲線を作成することができた。このことより、これらの細胞においてBCECFの蛍光量で細胞内pHの変化を簡易に比較できることを示唆した。さらに、温熱、Na(+)/H(+) exchanger の阻害例であるアミロライド[3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(diaminomethylene) pyrazinecarboxamide]、およびアミロライド誘導隊MH-12-43[N-amidino-3-amino-6-chloro-5-(N-ethyliso-propylamino) pyrazinecarboxyamide] の細胞内pHへの影響をエールリッヒ腹水癌細胞で観察した。37℃では、0.5mMアミロライド、0.05mM　MH-12-43により細胞内pHは減少し、42℃処理によりさらに減少した。42℃において、0.05mM　MH-12-43による細胞内pHの減少は、0.5mMアミロライドによる減少より大きかった。We examined relationship between intensity of intracellular fluorescence of [2', 7'-bis-(2'-carboxyethyl) carboxyfluorescein] (BCECF) and intracellular pH in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and their adriamycin-resistant strain, and found a good correlation between them at both strains. This suggests that changes in the intracellular pH on these strains may be obtained through measurement of intracellular fluorescence of BCECF by flow cytometry. Further, we examined influence of hyperthermia, 3, 5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(diaminomethylene)pyrazinecarboxamide (amiloride), an inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, and its derivative; N-amidino-3-amino-6-chloro-5-(N-ethylisopropylamino) pyrazinecarboxyamide (MH-12-43) on the intracellular pH in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The treatment of 0.5mM amiloride or 0.05mM MH-12-43 reduced intracellular pH at 37℃, while the more reduction was observed by the treatment at 42℃. The reduction of intracellular pH by 0.05mM MH-12-43 was more substantial than that of 0.5mM amiloride at 42℃

Assessment of Head Wear More Than Ten Years after Total Hip Arthroplasty: 22-mm Zirconia VS. Metal Heads.

The present retrospective study assessed radiographs to determine socket wear in total hip arthroplasty (THA) with 22-mm zirconia or COP (Cobalt-Chrome alloy rich in Cobalt and Phosphorous) heads, and in cemented stems at more than 10 years after operation. Sockets of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene were used in each of two THA groups (13 hips each) in a clinical trial in our hospital between 1989 and 1990. Three observers carried out masked assessments of the radiographs. Upon fi nal examination, there was no remarkable loosening in the zirconia or COP group, and no case had required revision surgery as of 2005. There was a statistically signifi cant diff erence between the 2 groups in average annual linear wear, at 0.093 mm/year and 0.046 mm/year in the zirconia and COP groups, respectively. Volume wear and average annual volume wear were also signifi cantly greater in the zirconia group despite its superior mechanical strength and toughness in vitro. Our present fi ndings do not confi rm early expectations of lower wear in long-term results of 22-mm zirconia femoral heads used in THA