Association between a Polymorphism of Aminolevulinate Dehydrogenase (ALAD) Gene and Blood Lead Levels in Japanese Subjects

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the aminolevulinate dehydrogenase (ALAD) genotype and blood lead levels among 101 Japanese workers. Blood lead concentration measurement, biomarkers, and genotyping were performed. The minor allele frequency (MAF) for ALAD (ALAD2) was 0.08. Although the blood lead level in the subjects with heterozygous GC genotype was significantly higher than those with homozygous GG genotype, there were no significant differences for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum and urinary ALA levels among genotypes. ALAD2 genotype was significantly associated with the blood lead concentration, even in the environmental lead exposed subjects. Further confirmation with a large sample size is needed

Parental Smoking and Smoking Status of Japanese Dental Hygiene Students: A Pilot Survey at a Dental Hygiene School in Japan

This study aimed to determine the frequency of smoking and to explore factors associated with the smoking habits of female students at a dental hygiene school in Japan. Questionnaires regarding cigarette smoking were given to 168 female students. The response rate was 97.6%. The prevalence of smoking, including current and occasional smokers, was 20.3%. Among family members, only the smoking status of their mother significantly influenced the smoking status of the students. The odds ratio for smoking among dental hygiene students whose mothers were smokers in comparison to students whose mothers were not smokers was 5.1 (95% confidence interval 2.1–12.2, p=0.000). Decision tree analysis showed that the smoking habit of dental hygiene students was correlated with their mothers’ smoking history, as well as the smoking status of junior high school teachers, the smoking habits of close friends and a history of participating in a smoking prevention program when in elementary school. The increased smoking rate of young females, including dental hygienists, is a growing problem in Japan. The smoking statuses of dental hygiene students might be closely influenced by their mothers’ smoking status

Periodontal disease and atherosclerosis from the viewpoint of the relationship between community periodontal index of treatment needs and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that periodontal disease may be an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to assess the effects of periodontal disease on atherosclerosis. METHODS: The study design was a cross-sectional study. Subjects were 291 healthy male workers in Japan. We used the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) score, average probing depth and gingival bleeding index (rate of bleeding gums) to assess the severity of periodontal disease. We also used the Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) as the index for the development of atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of atherosclerosis in relation to the CPITN score was 1.41 [95% CI: 1.16–1.73]. However, after adjustment for age, systolic blood pressure and smoking, the CPITN score had no relationship with atherosclerosis (adjusted OR: 0.91 [0.68–1.20]). CONCLUSION: Our results show no relationship between mild periodontal disease and atherosclerosis after appropriate adjustments

On the mechanisms for the conversion of ventricular fibrillation to tachycardia by perfusion with ruthenium red

We have recently demonstrated that during pacing-induced sustained ventricular fibrillation (VF), perfusion of the heart with either ruthenium red (RR) or Ru 360, blockers of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, resulted in the reversible conversion of VF to ventricular tachycardia (VT). Here, we aimed at elucidating the electrophysiological mechanisms for the RR-induced conversion of VF to VT. The experiments were performed using Langendorff-perfused isolated rat hearts in which left ventricular pressure and left ventricular intracellular action potential were recorded. Perfusion with either RR or Ru 360 resulted in decreases in the action potential duration (APD), refractory period, and slope of APD restitution curves. These changes were antagonized by cotreatment with S(−)-Bay K8644. In addition, perfusion with verapamil produced the decreases in APD at 90% repolarization, refractory period and slope of APD restitution curves similar to the RR or Ru 360 perfusion. Such electrophysiological changes may be responsible for the reversible conversion of sustained VF to VT caused by perfusion with RR or Ru 360