Awareness of Clenching and Underweight are Risk Factors for Onset of Crowding in Young Adults: A Prospective 3-Year Cohort Study

Bruxism is a parafunctional activity that can seriously affect quality of life. Although bruxism induces many problems in the oral and maxillofacial area, whether it contributes to the onset of malocclusion remains unclear. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between the onset of malocclusion and awareness of clenching during the daytime in young adults. Among 1,092 Okayama University students who underwent normal occlusion at baseline, we analysed 238 who had undergone a dental examination and had complete data after 3 years (2013⁻2016). We also performed subgroup analysis to focus on the association between awake bruxism and the onset of crowding (n = 216). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. The incidences of malocclusion and crowding were 53.8% and 44.5%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression, awareness of clenching was a risk factor for crowding (OR: 3.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08⁻12.17). Moreover, underweight (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m²) was related to the onset of malocclusion (OR: 2.34; 95%CI: 1.11⁻4.92) and crowding (OR: 2.52, 95%CI: 1.25⁻5.76). These results suggest that awareness of clenching during the daytime and underweight are risk factors for the onset of crowding in young adults

The biology of germ cell tumors in disorders of sex development

Development of a malignant germ cell tumor, i.e., germ cell cancer (GCC) in individuals with disorders of sex development (DSD) depends on a number of (epi-)genetic factors related to early gonadal- and germ cell development, possibly related to genetic susceptibility. Fetal development of germ cells is orchestrated by strict processes involving specification, migration and the development of a proper gonadal niche. In this review we will discuss the early (epi-)genetic events in normal and aberrant germ cell and gonadal development. Focus will be on the formation of the precursor lesions of GCC in individuals who have DSD. In our view, expression of the different embryonic markers in, and epigenetic profile of the precursor lesions reflects the developmental stage in which these cells are blocked in their maturation. Therefore, these are not a primary pathogenetic driving force. Progression later in life towards a full blown cancer likely depends on additional factors such as a changed endocrine environment in a susceptible individual. Genetic susceptibility is, as evidenced by the presence of specific risk genetic variants (SNPs) in patients with a testicular GCC, related to genes involved in early germ cell and gonadal development

Pervasive HoloMoL: A mobile pervasive game with mixed reality enhanced method of loci

This paper presents a mobile pervasive mixed reality game based on HoloMoL named Pervasive HoloMoL, where HoloMoL is a platform that helps us memorize different types of information by combining the method of loci memorization methodology and mixed reality (MR) contents delivered through Microsoft HoloLens. The HoloMoL is originally developed as an MR platform to develop information memorization enhancing applications, but we found that the platform can be used to develop broader applications beyond simple information memorization enhancements. In particular, multiple memorization methods used by different participants found in the initial experiment of HoloMoL can be useful as an effective game mechanic to increase a game's engagement. This paper reports an overview of HoloMoL. Then, how the multiple memorization methods in HoloMoL can be used in designing a mobile pervasive game as a primary game mechanic is described. Finally, we show some results and insights of the preliminary user study of Pervasive HoloMoL. 2017 Association for Computing Machinery.Scopu

Surveillance of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Carriage in a Japanese Intensive Care Unit: a Retrospective Analysis

Background The effectiveness of surveillance to identify extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriers is controversial during a non-outbreak situation. We performed additional stool cultures for ESBL-E among intensive care unit (ICU) patients already under active surveillance by means of sputum and urine cultures. We aimed to assess the efficacy of stool cultures for screening for ESBL-E in a non-outbreak situation. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study in an ICU. Sputum and urine samples were cultured for ESBL-E surveillance purposes from January to September 2013 (phase 1). Stool cultures were routinely performed in addition from January to September 2014 (phase 2). Antimicrobial use density values and clinical outcomes were investigated and compared between phase 1 and 2. Results We identified 512 and 478 patients in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. ESBL-E were found in the feces of 65 (13.6%) patients in phase 2. The antimicrobial use density values (expressed as defined daily doses per 1,000 bed-days) were not significantly different between the two phases for fluoroquinolones (7 vs. 10, p = 0.376), third-generation cephalosporins (24.2 vs. 29.5, p = 0.724), tazobactam/ piperacillin (44.6 vs. 57.3, p = 0.489), and carbapenems (73 vs. 55.5, p = 0.222). Moreover, there were no significant differences in ICU mortality and length of stay (11.5% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.412, and 9 vs. 10 days, p = 0.28, respectively). Conclusions Stool culture seemed ineffective in improving the antimicrobial use density of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, clinical outcomes, and ICU length of stay, and is not recommended for surveillance of ESBL-E in a non-outbreak situation

Usefulness of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as a predictive marker of mortality in sepsis

Abstract Background Sepsis is one of the most significant causes of mortality in intensive care units. It indicates crosstalk between inflammation and coagulation. In this study, we aimed to identify prognostic markers among sepsis biomarkers and coagulation/fibrinolysis markers. Methods Patients with sepsis according to the Sepsis-3 criteria were enrolled from January 2013 to September 2015. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify an independent predictive marker of 28-day mortality among sepsis biomarkers and coagulation/fibrinolysis markers on ICU admission. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed; the optimal cutoff value of 28-day mortality was calculated using the predictive marker. Patients were classified into two groups according to the cutoff level of the predictive marker. Patient characteristics were compared between the groups. Results A total of 186 patients were enrolled in this study; the 28-day mortality was 19.4% (36/186). PAI-1 was identified as the only independent predictive marker of 28-day mortality by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The area under the curve was 0.72; the optimal cutoff level was 83 ng/ml (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 61%). Patients were classified into a higher group (PAI-1 level ≥83 ng/ml; n = 85) and a lower group (PAI-1 level <83 ng/ml; n = 101). All disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were significantly higher in the higher group than in the lower group. Conclusions PAI-1 can predict prognosis in sepsis patients. PAI-1 reflects DIC with suppressed fibrinolysis and organ failure, with microthrombi leading to microcirculatory dysfunction

Increased penetration of diphenhydramine in brain via proton-coupled organic cation antiporter in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation

Uptake transporters in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) are involved in the penetration of basic (cationic) drugs such as diphenhydramine (DPHM) into the brain. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation alters the expression levels and activities of uptake transporters, which change the penetration of DPHM into the brain. A brain microdialysis study showed that the unbound brain-to-plasma partition coefficient (Kp,uu,brain) for DPHM in LPS rats was approximately two times higher than that in control rats. The transcellular transport of DPHM to BMECs was increased when BMECs were cultured with serum from LPS rats. Compared with control rats or BMECs, the brain uptake of DPHM in LPS rats was increased and the intracellular accumulation of DPHM was increased under a high intracellular pH in BMECs from LPS rats, respectively. Treatment of BMECs with transporter inhibitors or inflammatory cytokines had little impact on the intracellular accumulation of DPHM in BMECs. This study suggests that LPS-induced inflammation promotes unidentified proton-coupled organic cation (H+/OC) antiporters that improve the penetration of DPHM into rat brain via the blood-brain barrier

Visualization of Oxidative Stress Induced by Experimental Periodontitis in Keap1-Dependent Oxidative Stress Detector-Luciferase Mice

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a Keap1-dependent oxidative stress detector-luciferase (OKD-LUC) mouse model would be useful for the visualization of oxidative stress induced by experimental periodontitis. A ligature was placed around the mandibular first molars for seven days to induce periodontitis. Luciferase activity was measured with an intraperitoneal injection of d-luciferin on days 0, 1, and 7. The luciferase activity in the periodontitis group was significantly greater than that in the control group at seven days. The expressions of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and malondialdehyde in periodontal tissue were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the control group. Immunofluorescent analysis confirmed that the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) occurred more frequently in the periodontitis group than in the control group. This study found that under oxidative stress induced by experimental periodontitis, the Nrf2/antioxidant defense pathway was activated and could be visualized from the luciferase activity in the OKD-LUC model. Thus, the OKD-LUC mouse model may be useful for exploring the mechanism underlying the relationship between the Nrf2/antioxidant defense pathway and periodontitis by enabling the visualization of oxidative stress over time