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Mouthwash is used to support brushing because it is distributed throughout the oral cavity. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a mixture of three hot water extracts (from Hordeum vulgare L, Apocynum venetum L, and Brasenia schreberi J. F. Gmel) for the purpose of developing an effective mouthwash. The mixture suppressed enhanced tumor necrosis factor α and matrix metalloproteinase 3 gene expression by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide stimulation in human gingival fibroblasts. Furthermore, human studies using a mouthwash containing the plant extracts (MW) improved gingival index and bleeding on probing in the gum, and reduced the concentration of methyl mercaptan, which causes bad breath, in the mouth. These findings suggest that continued use of MW has positive effects on gingival inflammation and halitosis, and is useful for maintaining oral health.
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Introduction: The aim of this study was to clarify the process by which family physicians succeed their parents in their family's clinic and issues that successors experience during this process.Methods: Subjects were certified family physicians in Japan who either succeeded their parents in their clinics or were working regularly at their family's clinic and were planning to succeed their parents. Participants were recruited through a certified family physician mailing list or privately contacted, and participated in a semi-structured individual interview. The text of the interviews was thematically analyzed.Results: Twelve participants were interviewed. All were male. Seven participants succeeded their parents. Family physicians succeeding their parents in their clinics felt implicit expectations towards succession from their family members and communities, which made them think that succession was the goal. They realized that they had no ability to decide on the timing of succession, clinics have customs and continuity, predecessors have different ideas about professionalism, and family businesses are complex. They felt conflict, especially about predecessors, in their emotions towards family members and ideas based on professionalism.Conclusion: We clarified the process of succession by family physicians in their family's clinic, and the issues and conflicts they face during this process.
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The prevalence of joint diseases in Japan is increasing yearly and it causes the need of nursing care and reduces quality of life. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of approaches to prevent and treat the diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effective, healthy food material focusing on the metabolism of joint cartilage. Ampelopsis glandulosa (A. g. ) extract improved exacerbation of hyaluronic acid metabolism and NFκB nuclear translocation caused by inflammatory cytokines, and it suppressed the onset of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Moreover, intake of the drink containing A. g. extract for three months improved discomfort, pain, and bending angle of knee joint in activities of daily living. These results suggest that A. g. extract improves hyaluronic acid metabolism of joint cartilage, and it is expected to prevent and improve joint disease by long-term intake of the drink containing A. g. extract.
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Effects of three plant extracts (Hordeum vulgare L., Apocynum Venetum L., Brasenia schreberi J.F.G mel.) on human gingival fibroblasts were examined. As a result, we observed the promoting effect of the extract of Hordeum vulgare L. and the extract of Apocynum Venetum L. respectively on FGF2 and FGF7 production. Moreover, the mixture of the three plant extracts showed the effect of improving the changes in type I collagen gene expression and matrix metalloproteinase 1 gene expression by LPS addition. Next, a dentifrice containing the three plant extracts was subjected to human efficacy trials. We measured periodontal pocket depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing and saliva TNFα as an indicator of periodontal disease. The results suggest that the dentifrice formulated with the three plant extracts were effective for the improvement of periodontal disease.
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<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to investigate diagnostic characteristics to distinguish bacterial meningitis (BM) from aseptic meningitis (AM) in meningitis patients. Indicators from the initial consultation were combined with a measure of time since the onset of fever.<br><b>Methods:</b> This was a retrospective chart review. We examined the sensitivity and specificity of the clinical information for BM. The diagnostic characteristics for BM were analyzed by considering the duration of fever for each patient at consultation, together with the presence or absence of changes in their mental status.The study examined 117 inpatients diagnosed with meningitis in their clinical record at the time of admission. The patients were admitted into two emergency hospitals in Japan between 2001 and 2011. Meningitis was defined as the presence of five or more cells per mm<sup>3</sup> of CSF.<br><b>Results:</b> Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with BM and 92 patients with AM. There was no single clinical symptom that could distinguish BM from AM in patients suspected of meningitis. The sensitivity and specificity of the clinical information for fever duration and disturbance of consciousness at consultation were 95.0% and 40.3%, respectively, for BM patients with disturbance of consciousness or with duration of fever less than three days. Thus, the proportion of BM patients without disturbance of consciousness for three or more days after fever onset was only 5%.<br><b>Conclusions:</b> Patients without disturbance of consciousness for three or more days after fever onset are rarely suffering from BM.
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The most common form of malignant transformation developing from a mature cystic teratoma is squamous cell carcinoma, representing 80% of malignant transformations, while adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 5%. Because of this rarity, few reports exist of preoperative diagnosis of this tumor by magnetic resonance imaging, in particular with fat suppression techniques. Here, we report magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical features of a 79-year-old woman with mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from a mature cystic teratoma (measuring 5x6 cm), classified as surgical stage IA. Because of the poor prognosis of malignant transformation, when mature cystic teratomas are detected (even smaller than 5 cm tumor size) in postmenopausal women, serum tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen levels and fat-suppressed magnetic resonance imaging may be potential indicators of malignant transformation.