著者

Balwant Rai Jasdeep Kaur

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.53, no.2, pp.143-146, 2011 (Released:2011-06-28)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

10 14

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Current projected missions to Mars will require 18 to 24 months of exposure to microgravity conditions, which might have serious effects on human physiology, including that of the oral cavity. Very few studies have been published on the effect of microgravity on the oral cavity, although it has been reported that microgravity increases the prevalence of periodontitis, dental caries, bone loss and fracture in the jaw bone, pain and numbness in teeth and oral cavity tissue, salivary duct stones, and oral cancer. Aeronautic dentistry is a new field, so further study of the effects of microgravity are required. In this article, we review the role of aeronautic dentistry in space missions and offer our recommendations for the future growth of this field. (J Oral Sci 53, 143-146, 2011)

著者

Yoshihiro Tagami Keiko Fujimoto Takaharu Goto Hideki Suito Kan Nagao Tetsuo Ichikawa

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.21-0351, (Released:2021-12-08)

参考文献数

22

被引用文献数

2

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the echo intensity (EI) on ultrasound images of the tongue, tongue thickness, and tongue pressure to examine the effectiveness of EI measurement for assessing the tongue function.Methods: A total of 100 elderly outpatients were enrolled. Tongue thickness and EI were measured using ultrasonography. The distance from mylohyoid muscle surface to dorsal surface of the tongue was measured for tongue thickness. Subsequently, this area was vertically divided into four areas: top of tongue dorsal side (DT), bottom of tongue dorsal side (DB), top of basal tongue side (BT), and bottom of basal tongue side (BB), and the EI was measured in each area.Results: The mean EIs of DT and DB were lower than those of BT and BB. In the three areas apart from BB, the EI decreased with an increase in tongue thickness. In particular, a significant correlation between the EI in DB and tongue thickness was found. In all areas, the EI decreased with an increase in tongue pressure.Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the measurement of EI could be an important indicator for assessing the tongue function in the elderly.

著者

Kazuhiko Hara Takahiro Shinozaki Akiko Okada-Ogawa Yumiko Matsukawa Ko Dezawa Yuka Nakaya Jui-Yen Chen Noboru Noma Shunichi Oka Koichi Iwata Yoshiki Imamura

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.58, no.2, pp.195-204, 2016 (Released:2016-06-25)

参考文献数

44

被引用文献数

7 25

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We investigated the temporal association between temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-related symptoms and headache during TMD treatment for patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to TMD (HATMD) specified in the Diagnostic criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) and International classification of headache disorders (ICHD)-3 beta. The study enrolled 34 patients with HATMD induced by masticatory myofascial pain but not by temporomandibular arthralgia. Facial pain intensity, the pressure pain threshold of pericranial muscles, and maximum unassisted opening of the jaw were assessed at an initial examination and before and after physical therapy. The intensity and frequency of headache episodes and tooth contact ratio were also recorded before and after the intervention. Headache intensity and frequency significantly decreased, and these reductions were temporally related to improvements in facial pain intensity, maximum unassisted opening, and pressure pain threshold during TMD treatment. Linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between facial pain intensity and headache intensity and between tooth contact ratio and pressure pain threshold. Among patients who fulfilled the DC/TMD and ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria for HATMD, headache improved during TMD treatment, and the improvement was temporally related to amelioration of TMD symptoms. These findings suggest that sensitization in the central and peripheral nervous systems is responsible for HATMD. (J Oral Sci 58, 195-204, 2016)

著者

Noriko Tsubamoto-Sano Junji Ohtani Hiroshi Ueda Masato Kaku Kazuo Tanne Kotaro Tanimoto

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.61, no.1, pp.119-124, 2019 (Released:2019-03-28)

参考文献数

34

被引用文献数

4

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This study was to investigate the influences of habitual mouth breathing on memory and learning ability during the growth period. At age 5 weeks, the experimental rats were subjected to surgery to close completely one side of the nasal cavity. An 8-arm radial maze was used to evaluate memory and learning ability at age 7, 11, and 15 weeks. Moreover, the brain was extracted at age 7, 11, and 15 weeks, and subjected to histomorphometric examination for the distribution and number of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions after Nissl staining. The trial time to accomplish each task was significantly longer in the experimental group than in the control group throughout the experimental period. The number of pyramidal cells was significantly less in the experimental rats than in controls in both the CA1 and CA3 regions for the entire experimental period. Thus, the functional deterioration of the respiratory system during the growth phase exerts a substantial effect on the growth and development of the central nervous system.

著者

Masae Kitagawa Tomohiro Sugimoto Ikuko Ogawa Mutsumi Miyauchi Shintaro Hirata Eiji Sugiyama

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.22-0231, (Released:2022-09-12)

参考文献数

10

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The purpose of the present study was to indicate that patients with anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) also experience ocular/oral dryness like patients with anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies (anti-SSA/SSB). A total of 80 patients with subjective ocular and/or oral dryness were classified into two groups, namely, anti-SSA/SSB-positive (anti-SSA/SSB [+]) group and ACA-positive (ACA [+]) group. The degree of ocular and oral dryness in ACA (+) patients is similar to that in anti-SSA/SSB (+) patients. On histopathological examination of the labial glands, the area of fibrosis was significantly larger in the ACA (+) group than in the anti-SSA/SSB (+) group. Thus, ACA (+) patients should be examined for Sjögren’s syndrome.

著者

Myrsini G. Gkeli Sergios Apergis Eirini Klapsinou Nikolaos Galiatsatos Despina Proestou Dimitra Daskalopoulou

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.53, no.2, pp.249-252, 2011 (Released:2011-06-28)

参考文献数

10

被引用文献数

2 5

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Ectopic thyroid gland is rarely seen in the submandibular region, thereby posing difficult diagnostic and management problems. Two Caucasian women presented with painful swelling in the submandibular region, which increased in size considerably during the preceding months. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (Ug-FNB) revealed ectopic thyroid tissue. In conclusion, ectopic thyroid gland with or without pathology should be included in the differential diagnosis of submandibular swelling and Ug-FNB should be one of the first diagnostic tools utilized for this rare clinical entity. (J Oral Sci 53, 249-252, 2011)

著者

Yuwa Takahashi Norihisa Watanabe Noriaki Kamio Ryutaro Kobayashi Toshimitsu Iinuma Kenichi Imai

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.63, no.1, pp.1-3, 2021 (Released:2020-12-23)

参考文献数

40

被引用文献数

14 82

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Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. Periodontitis, one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, leads to alveolar bone destruction and subsequent tooth loss, and develops due to pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by periodontopathic bacteria. Periodontopathic bacteria are involved in respiratory diseases, including aspiration pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other systemic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Patients with these diseases have an increased COVID-19 aggravation rate and mortality. Because aspiration of periodontopathic bacteria induces the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and production of inflammatory cytokines in the lower respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene can lead to COVID-19 aggravation. Conversely, oral care, including periodontal treatment, prevents the onset of pneumonia and influenza and the exacerbation of COPD. The reduced chance of receiving professional oral care owing to long-term hospitalization of patients with COVID-19 may increase the aggravation risk of infection in the lower respiratory tract. It can be hypothesized that periodontopathic bacteria are involved in the COVID-19 aggravation and therefore, the management of good oral hygiene potentially contributes to its prevention.

著者

Yuwa Takahashi Norihisa Watanabe Noriaki Kamio Ryutaro Kobayashi Toshimitsu Iinuma Kenichi Imai

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.20-0388, (Released:2020-11-12)

参考文献数

40

被引用文献数

82

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Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. Periodontitis, one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, leads to alveolar bone destruction and subsequent tooth loss, and develops due to pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by periodontopathic bacteria. Periodontopathic bacteria are involved in respiratory diseases, including aspiration pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other systemic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Patients with these diseases have an increased COVID-19 aggravation rate and mortality. Because aspiration of periodontopathic bacteria induces the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and production of inflammatory cytokines in the lower respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene can lead to COVID-19 aggravation. Conversely, oral care, including periodontal treatment, prevents the onset of pneumonia and influenza and the exacerbation of COPD. The reduced chance of receiving professional oral care owing to long-term hospitalization of patients with COVID-19 may increase the aggravation risk of infection in the lower respiratory tract. It can be hypothesized that periodontopathic bacteria are involved in the COVID-19 aggravation and therefore, the management of good oral hygiene potentially contributes to its prevention.

著者

Moti Nissani

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.43, no.2, pp.73-83, 2001 (Released:2011-03-11)

参考文献数

59

被引用文献数

11 14

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After proposing a common-sense definition of bruxism, this partial review distills its various symptoms and consequences from the literature. That literature suggests that the splint-the most popular treatment modality-falls short in some respects. The research literature is even less sanguine about the efficacy of such other traditional therapies as sound alarms and stress reduction. Given the limited success of traditional approaches, and given, moreover, the high incidence of bruxism and its harmful consequences, clinicians may occasionally be interested in experimenting with non-intrusive, safe, less widely known, treatment modalities. To meet this need, this review-unlike all other reviews of the subject-focuses on such comparatively unpopular or recent approaches. (J. Oral Sci. 43, 73-83, 2001)

著者

Keiko Fujii-Abe Masahiro Umino Hiroshi Kawahara Chika Terada Kazuhito Satomura Haruhisa Fukayama

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.61, no.2, pp.364-369, 2019 (Released:2019-06-18)

参考文献数

31

被引用文献数

6

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Although in clinical dentistry the major method used for pain relief is oral administration of analgesics, alternative methods are available, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, vibration and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), formerly termed diffuse noxious inhibitory control. The aim of the present study was to investigate the combined effects of non-noxious (TENS) and noxious (CPM) stimuli on postoperative pain after extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. The study involved 44 patients who were scheduled to undergo impacted wisdom tooth extraction. The patients were randomly allocated into four groups: noxious stimuli, non-noxious stimuli, combined noxious and non-noxious stimuli, and a sham group. On the day after tooth extraction, stimulation procedures for pain relief were performed and changes in the level of perceived pain were scored using a visual analog scale (VAS). The combination of non-noxious and noxious stimuli decreased the VAS scores by 63.7%, indicating a more potent analgesic effect than that in the non-noxious, noxious, and sham groups. This method of analgesia using a combination of non-noxious and noxious stimuli can be applied to patients who are unable to tolerate analgesics, such as those with allergy, hypersensitivity or digestive disorders, and those who are pregnant.

著者

Shekev Limacher Lea Angst Murali Srinivasan

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.4, pp.214-218, 2023 (Released:2023-10-01)

参考文献数

34

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Purpose: This study analyzed associations of cumulative learning, demographic characteristics, fluoride content, and toothbrush head size with the amount of toothpaste used by dental students.Methods: Students in the third and fifth year of dental school were recruited. Each participant was asked to dispense three toothpastes (pediatric, regular fluoride, and high fluoride) on five toothbrushes (rotation-oscillation, sonic, manual pediatric, and two manual adult toothbrushes). The length and weight of the toothpaste dispensed were recorded. The data were evaluated by nonparametric correlation analysis (P < 0.05).Results: Eighty-one students (third year = 42; fifth year = 39; mean age: 26.2 ± 5.3 years) participated in the study. More toothpaste was dispensed by third-year students than by fifth-year students (weight: P = 0.014; length: P = 0.037). Men dispensed more toothpaste than did women (weight: P < 0.001; length: P = 0.042). Participants with higher educational attainment dispensed less toothpaste (weight: P < 0.001; length: P < 0.001). The type of toothbrush was associated with the weight of toothpaste dispensed (P < 0.001). Toothbrush head size was inversely associated with the length of toothpaste dispensed (P < 0.001).Conclusion: The amount of toothpaste used by dental students was associated with cumulative learning, educational attainment, sex, and toothbrush head size but not with the fluoride content of the toothpaste.

著者

Masao Kato Shoichi Asakura Hideaki Kimoto Tatsuhiko Sasaki Ko Dezawa Toshihiko Amemiya Kunihito Matsumoto Yoshinori Arai

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.23-0298, (Released:2023-11-30)

参考文献数

24

被引用文献数

1

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Purpose: To evaluate the image quality of vertical dual-exposure panoramic radiography (PR), which merges two PR images taken at different focus heights to reduce ghost images of cervical vertebrae (CV) and intervertebral spaces (IVS) in the incisor region.Methods: PR images of an aluminum block, a CV phantom and a human head phantom were taken at 0 mm and merged with and subtracted from PR images taken at other heights (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm) to create new images, e.g., Merg0 + 15 mm and Sub0 − 10 mm. The subtracted images were analyzed subjectively according to the uniformity on the line profile. Merged images were evaluated subjectively by six raters to determine the influence of the ghost images.Results: Objective evaluation revealed a positional shift in the ghost images according to the height of the focus for both phantoms. In the subjective evaluation, the normal PR (Merg0 + 0 mm) showed the worst score, indicating strong influence of CV and IVS ghost images.Conclusion: The vertical dual-exposure PR method, which merges PR images taken at the normal position and a higher X-ray focus, can reduce CV and IVS ghost images in the incisor region.

著者

Rachel S. Martins Erika S. J. Péreira Sérgio M. Lima Jr. Maria I. B. Senna Ricardo A. Mesquita Viagner R. Santos

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.44, no.1, pp.41-48, 2002 (Released:2011-03-11)

参考文献数

48

被引用文献数

15 19

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The present study assessed the susceptibility of Candida albicans strains, collected from HIV-positive patients with oral candidiasis, to a commercial 20% ethanol propolis extract (EPE) and compare it to the inhibitory action of the standardized antifungal agents nystatin (NYS), clotrimazole (CL), econazole (EC), and fluconazole (FL). Twelve C. albicans strains collected from MV-positive patients with oral candidiasis were tested. The inhibition zones were measured with a pachimeter and the results are reported as means and standard deviation (M ± SD). Data were analyzed statistically by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. EPE inhibited all the C. albicans strained tested. No significant difference was observed between the results obtained with NYS and EPE, while significant differences were observed between EPE and other antifungals. The C. albicans strains tested showed resistance to the remaining antifungal agents. The propolis extract used in this study inhibited the in vitro growth of C. albicans collected from HIV-seropositive Brazilian patients, creating/forminginhibition zones like those ones formed by NYS. This fact suggests that commercial EPE could be an alternative medicine in the treatment of candidiasis from HIV-positive patients. However, in vivo studies of the effect of EPE are needed to determine its possible effects on the oral mucosa.

著者

Theodora Elien Heriandi Sutadi Margaretha Suharsini

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.3, pp.168-170, 2023 (Released:2023-07-01)

参考文献数

31

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Purpose: To compare the effects of gels containing 2.5% and 5% carboxymethyl chitosan amorphous calcium phosphate (CMC-ACP) on the microhardness of primary tooth enamel.Methods: Twenty-four tooth specimens were demineralized with 37% phosphoric acid and divided into four groups: an untreated control group, a positive control group treated with casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate, and two groups treated with 2.5% and 5% CMC-ACP gel, respectively. The enamel surface hardness was then measured with a Vickers hardness tester.Results: In terms of Vickers Hardness Number (VHN), the degree of alteration in tooth surface microhardness was 77.83 ± 13.44 in the 5% CMC-ACP group and 52 ± 6.93 in the 2.5% CMC-ACP group (P = 0.002). The inter-group difference in the surface hardness change was significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The 5% CMC-ACP gel increased the hardness of primary tooth enamel to a greater degree than the 2.5% CMC-ACP gel.

著者

Keita Takizawa Souichirou Tadokoro Kana Ozasa Akiko Okada-Ogawa Andrew Young Noboru Noma

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.23-0155, (Released:2023-10-19)

参考文献数

10

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Abstract: Various neuropathies of the cranil nerves can accompany trigeminal neuropathic pain attributed to space-occupying lesions. In this case report, the patient presented with persistent intraoral pain and numbness on the right side of the face. Cranial nerve examination revealed dysfunctional eye movements, diplopia, and mechanical hyposensitivity in the mandibular region. The patient was diagnosed with neuropathy due to intracranial lesions and referred to the Department of Neurosurgery and Otorhinolaryngology. The patient was suspected of having malignant lymphoma and is currently undergoing neurosurgical intervention. This article discusses the importance of the examination of the cranial nerve for patients with persistent pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution.

著者

Hiroko Oka Nami Ohbayashi Mineka Yoshikawa Narutaka Katsuya Naoya Kakimoto Masataka Nagao

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.23-0223, (Released:2023-10-05)

参考文献数

10

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Characterization of the metal component of dental restorations and fixed prostheses is useful for the treatment of dental metal allergies and personal identification. This study aimed to describe the composition of metal elements in dental restorations and fixed prostheses in the oral cavity of 43 cadavers of Japanese adults aged 55 years or older in forensic autopsies conducted at a university. In this study, Ag-Pd-Au alloys were most frequently detected, and the percentage of Ni alloys was smaller than that reported in patients with dental metal allergies. Furthermore, alloys containing other elements, such as Fe or Hg, were also detected in some cases.

著者

Uno Imaizumi Keitaro Inaba Ayako Kurahashi Hidetaka Kuroda Takuro Sanuki Ayaka Yoshida Fumihiko Yoshino Nobushiro Hamada

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.4, pp.270-274, 2023 (Released:2023-10-01)

参考文献数

40

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Purpose: This study investigated the effectiveness of curcumin-based antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the causative agent of ventilator-associated pneumonia.Methods: Curcumin was added to S. aureus culture medium at concentrations of 25, 2.5, and 0.25 µM. After 60 min (20-25°C), each culture was irradiated for 1 and 3 min, and viable bacteria were counted. Curcumin (25 µM) was also added to a bacterial suspension with D-mannitol and sodium azide; microbial counts were determined after irradiation for 3 min.Results: S. aureus was significantly reduced in the 1-min (P = 0.043) and 3-min (P = 0.011) irradiation groups in comparison to the 0-min irradiation group with 25 µM curcumin. No significant differences were observed between the curcumin alone group and the curcumin plus D-mannitol or sodium azide group.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that prolonged exposure (≥1 min) of S. aureus to LED in 25 μM curcumin solution induces cell wall injury. Curcumin-based aPDT as an adjunct to conventional oral care, employing existing dentistry equipment, offers a promising approach that does not rely on antimicrobial drugs or allows the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. This suggests its potential role in future strategies aimed at preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia.

著者

Keisuke Seki Atsushi Kamimoto Maki Wada Toshimitsu Iinuma

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.23-0096, (Released:2023-05-29)

参考文献数

37

被引用文献数

1

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Purpose: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is characterized by necrosis of the jawbone with intraoral bacterial infection and has a significant negative impact on oral health-related quality of life. Risk factors for the onset are unknown, and definitive therapeutic approaches have not yet been defined. A case-control study at a single institution in Mishima City was conducted. The purpose of this study was to examine in detail the factors that contribute to the development of MRONJ.Methods: Medical records of MRONJ patients who visited Mishima Dental Center, Nihon University School of Dentistry, during the period 2015-2021 were extracted. Counter-matched sampling design was used to select participants matched for sex, age, and smoking for this nested case-control study. The incidence factors were statistically examined by logistic regression analysis.Results: Twelve MRONJ patients were used as cases and 32 controls were matched. After adjustment for potential confounders, injectable bisphosphonates (aOR = 24.5; 95% CI = 1.05, 575.0; P < 0.05) were significantly associated with the development of MRONJ.Conclusion: High-dose bisphosphonates may be a risk factor for the development of MRONJ. Patients who use these products require careful prophylactic dental treatment against inflammatory diseases, and dentists and physicians should maintain close communication.

著者

Albert SCHATZ

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

The Journal of Nihon University School of Dentistry (ISSN:00290432)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.9, no.4, pp.209-212, 1967 (Released:2011-03-11)

参考文献数

16

被引用文献数

1 1

著者

Manami Hoshi Misa Ishiyama Takashi Wada Kenchi Hase Masayuki Itoh Takashi Kikuiri Tetsuo Shirakawa

出版者

Nihon University School of Dentistry

雑誌

Journal of Oral Science (ISSN:13434934)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.2, pp.96-101, 2023 (Released:2023-03-30)

参考文献数

24

被引用文献数

1

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Purpose: Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2)-deficient (Mecp2−/y) mice exhibit apneas that resemble respiratory abnormalities observed in Rett syndrome (RTT) patients. The present study aimed to clarify whether Mecp2−/y mice show diurnal variations in apnea as seen in RTT and how the MeCP2 deficiency affects monoaminergic systems that control breathing.Methods: In 7-week-old Mecp2−/y mice, 24 h variation of apnea and effects of milnacipran, a serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, on the apnea were evaluated. The number of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2)-immunoreactive puncta in the caudal medulla was counted. Further, the effects of valproate (VPA) on the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in the ventrolateral medulla of mice were assessed by RT-qPCR.Results: Apnea occurred more frequently during the light phase under a 12:12 h light/dark environment in Mecp2−/y mice and milnacipran reduced apnea during the light phase but not during the dark phase. The number of VMAT2-immunoreactive puncta was reduced in Mecp2−/y mice. VPA treatment significantly increased TH mRNA expression in Mecp2−/y mice.Conclusion: Alteration of monoaminergic systems in the caudal medulla of Mecp2−/y mice is potentially relevant to the light-sensitive diurnal increase of apnea, and an improvement in monoaminergic neurotransmission can ameliorate the diurnal increase of apnea in Mecp2−/y mice.