Relationship between temporomandibular joint pain and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. This study included 245 joints of 152 patients with temporomandibular disorders with anterior disc displacement; of these, 129 joints had joint pain whereas 116 joints had no joint pain. MRI was used to evaluate the reduction of anterior disc displacement, joint effusion, mandible condylar morphology, bone marrow oedema of the mandibular condyle, and signal intensity of the posterior disc attachment (PDA) on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images. The odds ratio (OR) for each MRI variable for the pain group versus the no pain group was computed using logistic regression analysis. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed significant correlations between TMJ pain and all MRI findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant correlations with joint effusion (P=0.03, OR 2.21), bone marrow oedema (P<0.001, OR 11.75), and signal intensity of the PDA (P<0.001, OR 6.21). These results suggest that bone marrow oedema, high signal intensity of the PDA on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images, and joint effusion, in descending order of influence, are factors related to TMJ pain.

First Measurement of a Long-Lived π

The adapted DIRAC experiment at the CERN PS accelerator observed for the first time long-lived hydrogenlike π^{+}π^{-} atoms, produced by protons hitting a beryllium target. A part of these atoms crossed the gap of 96 mm between the target and a 2.1 µm thick platinum foil, in which most of them dissociated. Analyzing the observed number of atomic pairs, n_{A}^{L}=436_{-61}^{+157}|_{tot}, the lifetime of the 2p state is found to be τ_{2p}=(0.45_{-0.30}^{+1.08}|_{tot})×10^{-11} s, not contradicting the corresponding QED 2p state lifetime τ_{2p}^{QED}=1.17×10^{-11} s. This lifetime value is three orders of magnitude larger than our previously measured value of the π^{+}π^{-} atom ground state lifetime τ=(3.15_{-0.26}^{+0.28}|_{tot})×10^{-15} s. Further studies of long-lived π^{+}π^{-} atoms will allow us to measure energy differences between p and s atomic states and so to discriminate between the isoscalar and isotensor ππ scattering lengths with the aim to check QCD predictions.

Relationship between arthroscopic findings of synovitis and levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and matrix metalloproteinases in synovial lavage fluid from patients with unilateral high mandibular condyle fractures.

Arthrocentesis has an effect of washing out inflammatory products that accumulate in the joint compartment of a dysfunctional temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The procedure removes inflammatory cytokines, which are pain-causing substances, for early reduction of TMJ pain and quick recovery of jaw function, thus increasing the possibility of a successful rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between arthroscopy synovitis grade in patients with unilateral high condylar fractures and concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha as well as of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in washed-out synovial fluid (SF) samples obtained from those patients. A total of 26 patients with unilateral high condylar fractures who underwent arthrocentesis for a therapeutic purpose were examined. SF samples were collected before performing arthroscopy to determine synovitis grade. The detection rates and concentrations of TNF-alpha and MMPs were determined, and their association with synovitis grade was analysed. TNF-alpha was detected in 23 and MMP-3 in 22 of the TMJs. There was a correlation between synovitis grade and concentration of TNF-alpha in the fracture group. Furthermore, the concentrations of TNF-alpha and MMP-3 were significantly higher as compared to the control group, comprised of TMJs on the non-fracture side of the same patients, while a correlation was also noted between TNF-alpha concentration and synovitis grade in the fracture group. The present findings may provide a biological/biochemical rationale for arthrocentesis as a reasonable treatment modality for high condylar fractures.

Observation of π

The observation of hydrogenlike πK atoms, consisting of π^{-}K^{+} or π^{+}K^{-} mesons, is presented. The atoms are produced by 24 GeV/c protons from the CERN PS accelerator, interacting with platinum or nickel foil targets. The breakup (ionization) of πK atoms in the same targets yields characteristic πK pairs, called "atomic pairs," with small relative momenta Q in the pair center-of-mass system. The upgraded DIRAC experiment observed 349±62 such atomic πK pairs, corresponding to a signal of 5.6 standard deviations. This is the first statistically significant observation of the strange dimesonic πK atom.

Cytogenetic dosimetry by micronucleus assay using peripheral blood cells is modified by thyroid hormones.

Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay is a convenient and easy method of radiation biodosimetry that uses peripheral blood (PB) cells. However, for micronuclei (MN) frequency induced by ionising radiation, a dose-response relationship in abnormal condition, such as in cancer patients, has not been assessed. To clarify the difference between the dose-response curve generated by the CBMN assay in conditions when thyroid hormone levels were normal and during thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) prior to (131)I treatment, 12 thyroid cancer patients who underwent thyroidectomy were studied. The collected PB mononuclear cells were exposed to 0.5-3.0 Gy X-ray irradiation. Under normal conditions, dose dependency and independency of MN frequency were observed in 92 % and 8 %, respectively. In contrast, during THW, the number of patients who showed dose independency significantly increased to 42 % in comparison with control. Furthermore, a higher concentration of serum thyroglobulin in dose-independent patients was observed. These results suggest that MN frequency in cytogenetic dosimetry is affected by thyroid hormones.

Clinicopathological features of narrow-band imaging endoscopy and immunohistochemistry in ultraminute esophageal squamous neoplasms.

To reveal clinicopathological features of narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopy and immunohistochemistry in ultraminute esophageal squamous neoplasms. If a lesion diameter was smaller or same compared with a width of closed biopsy forceps, a lesion was defined to be an ultraminute lesion. Twenty-five consecutive patients with 33 ultraminute esophageal lesions that were removed by endoscopic mucosal resection were included in the present study. We conducted two questionnaire surveys of six endoscopists by their retrospective review of endoscopic still images. The six endoscopists evaluated the endoscopic findings of the ultraminute lesions on still images taken by conventional white-light imaging endoscopy and non-magnified NBI endoscopy in the first questionnaire, and taken by magnified NBI endoscopy in the second questionnaire. An experienced pathologist who was unaware of any endoscopic findings made histological diagnosis and evaluated immunoexpression of p53 and Ki67. The 33 ultraminute lesions were all determined to be either 11 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (HGIENs) or 22 low-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (LGIENs). The tumor diameters were histologically confirmed to be <3 mm. All of the ultraminute tumors were visualized as unstained areas and brownish areas by real-time endoscopy with Lugol dye staining and non-magnified NBI endoscopy, respectively. All of the ultraminute IENs were visualized as brownish areas by real-time non-magnified NBI endoscopy. Three of the 25 patients with the ultraminute IENs (12%) had multiple brownish areas (more than several areas) in the esophagus on real-time non-magnified NBI endoscopy. All of the ultraminute IENs were visualized as unstained areas by real-time Lugol chromoendoscopy. Twenty of the 25 patients (80%) had multiple unstained areas (more than several areas) in the esophagus on real-time Lugol chromoendoscopy. The first questionnaire survey revealed that a significantly higher detection rate of the ultraminute IENs on non-magnified NBI endoscopy images compared with conventional white-light imaging endoscopy ones (100% vs. 72%, respectively: P < 0.0001). The second questionnaire survey revealed that presence rates of any magnified NBI endoscopy findings were not significantly different between HGIENs and LGIENs. Proliferation, dilation, and various shapes of intrapapillary capillary loops indicated remarkably high presence rates of more than 90% in both HGIENs and LGIENs. Six of 22 LGIENs (27%) and 3 of 11 HGIENs (27%) show a positive expression for p53. None of peri-IEN epithelia was positive for p53. A mean of Ki67 labeling index of LGIENs was 33% and that of HGIENs 36%. Ki67 labeling index was significantly greater in the LGIENs and HGIENs compared with that in the peri-IEN epithelia. There were no significant differences in p53 expression and Ki67 labeling index between the HGIENs and LGIENs. Non-magnified/magnified NBI endoscopy could facilitate visualization and characterization of ultraminute esophageal squamous IENs. The ultraminute HGIENs and LGIENs might have comparable features of magnified NBI endoscopy and immunohistochemistry.

Radiation-responsive transcriptome analysis in human lymphoid cells.

Ionising radiation (IR) causes DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) injury and activates intracellular signal pathways including the regulation of DNA repair and cell cycle. However, the further knowledge of molecular events involved in radiation exposure is essential to more comprehensively understand the effects of irradiation. Therefore, the gene expressions of mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) by X-ray irradiation in human B lymphoblast cell line (IM-9) using a microarray were investigated. The mRNA expressions of 65 genes were shown to be up-regulated at >2.0-fold in irradiated cells (4 Gy) when compared with non-irradiated cells (0 Gy) by microarray analysis. Among 65 genes, a large number of genes were up-regulated with an X-ray dose-dependent change. These results indicate that the up-regulation of their mRNAs is the effects of irradiation and may be due to biological dosimetric markers for the evaluation of radiation exposure in the future.

Matsuda-DeFronzo insulin sensitivity index is a better predictor than HOMA-IR of hypertension in Japanese: the Tanno-Sobetsu study.

Here we examined whether the Matsuda-DeFronzo insulin sensitivity index (ISI-M) is more efficient than the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for assessing risk of hypertension. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted using normotensive subjects who were selected among 1399 subjects in the Tanno-Sobetsu cohort. In the cross-sectional analysis (n=740), blood pressure (BP) level was correlated with HOMA-IR and with ISI-M, but correlation coefficients indicate a tighter correlation with ISI-M. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and serum triglyceride level (TG) showed contribution of ISI-M and fasting plasma glucose, but not of HOMA-IR. In the longitudinal analysis (n=607), 241 subjects (39.7%) developed hypertension during a 10-year follow-up period, and multiple logistic regression indicated that age, TG, systolic BP and ISI-M, but not HOMA-IR, were associated with development of hypertension. In subjects <60 years old, odds ratio of new-onset hypertension was higher in the low ISI-M group (ISI-M, less than the median) than in the high ISI-M group for any tertile of BMI. In conclusion, ISI-M is a better predictor of hypertension than is HOMA-IR. Non-hepatic IR may be a determinant, which is independent of TG, BP level and BMI, of the development of hypertension.

Involvement of brown adipose tissue in subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) of the newborn is a rare condition that manifests within days after birth. The interscapular region, axillae and shoulders are the most commonly affected sites, corresponding to anatomic sites of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in newborns. OBJECTIVE: We postulated a specific involvement of BAT in SCFN and searched for brown adipocytes at affected sites. METHODS: Biopsy specimens were immunostained with antibodies against uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) and examined by electron microscopy. We also examined BAT by (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scanning. RESULTS: A few cells in biopsy specimens from two patients bound antibodies against UCP-1, and brown adipocytes were detected at several stages of degeneration. PET-CT scans revealed lower uptake of (18)F-FDG at major sites of SCFN. CONCLUSION: SCFN and BAT can be found at the same sites, suggesting a pathophysiological connection.

Effect of fat supplementation on the maintenance of gut integrity in elemental diet-fed rats.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to investigate the mechanism of atrophic change in ileal mucosa supplied with an elemental diet (ED) and to assess the value of supplemented fat emulsion in the prevention of atrophic change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experiment 1, 25 male Wistar rats with a body weight of 160-180 g were divided into 3 groups. The first group was fed regular rat chow (Control group, n=5). The second group was given ED containing 0.6% long-chain triglycerides (ED group, n=10). The third group was provided with fat-enriched ED (FED) containing 3.5% long-chain triglycerides (FED group, n=10). Each group received an isocaloric diet (300 kcal/kg/day). 4 weeks later, after euthanization, ileal samples were taken for light and electron microscopic examinations. The morphological changes of the intestinal mucosa and the crypt cell proliferation rate (CCPR) were determined. In experiment 2, to determine the site of fat absorption, 9 rats were fed ED for 1 week. After 24 h of food deprivation, all rats were given 2 ml of FED through a gastric tube. Then 1, 2, and 3 h(s) later, groups of 3 rats each were euthanized, and the total small intestine was obtained from each rat. The proximal and distal jejunum and distal ileum were stained with oil red O. RESULTS: In experiment 1, the samples had almost the same morphological appearance irrespective of the type of feeding. The CCPR was significantly diminished in the ED group compared with the Control group, while there was no statistical difference between the FED and Control groups. In experiment 2, the oil red O stain was positive in the proximal and distal jejunum, but was completely negative in the distal ileum. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of ED does not soon result in an atrophic morphological change of the ileum but will decrease the CCPR. An additive fat emulsion which was rapidly absorbed by the distal jejunum could play a role in maintaining ileal mucosa integrity through some mechanism independent of absorption.

Influência das condições ambientais na transmissão da leptospirose entre criações de ovinos e bovinos da região de Sorocaba, SP / The influence of environment conditions on the transmission of leptospirosis between sheep and cattle herds of Sorocaba region, SP, Brazil

Leptospiras excretadas pela urina podem sobreviver por longos períodos em águas de superfície e solos, na dependência do pH e teor de umidade e de matéria orgânica. Investigou-se a influência do meio ambiente na transmissão da leptospirose em dois rebanhos exclusivos de ovinos (A e C) e dois de ovinos consorciados com bovinos (F e H) da região de Sorocaba, SP, no período de dezembro de 2007 a setembro de 2008. Foram examinadas amostras de soro pela reação de soroaglutinação microscópica; de urina, água e solo pelo cultivo para leptospiras e urina de ovinos pela PCR. Condições edafoclimáticas, pH das águas de superfície e solo, granulometria e permeabilidade do solo foram analisadas. Todos os rebanhos apresentaram pelo menos um animal sororeagente para Leptospira spp. Apenas a PCR de um pool de urina de ovinos (H) foi positiva. Leptospira spp. foi isolada do lago de F. O pH das águas de superfície variou entre 6,0-7,0; e nos solos entre 4,5 e 6,8. Os índices de matéria orgânica em A, C e H variaram de 24 a 35 g/dm3, e 63 g/dm3 em F. A composição do solo de A e F mostrou-se franco-argiloarenosa, C argilosa e H franco-siltosa; como texturas mistas são capazes de manter a umidade, principalmente devido a argila. Diante da presença de animais sororeatores e portanto da circulação de Leptospira spp. nos rebanhos, conclui-se que o ciclo de transmissão é dependente da interação sinérgica e antagônica de muitas variáveis; onde o pastejo num habitat com alto teor de umidade parece ser limitante.

Leptospires excreted by urine are able to survive for long periods in surface water and soil depending on the pH, humidity and organic matter presence. This paper reported the influence of environment conditions on the transmission of leptospirosis in two sheep-only farms (A and C) and two cattle-sheep farms (F and H) from December 2007 to September 2008. Serum samples were examined by microscopic agglutination test; urine, surface water and soil samples were cultured for leptospires, and ovine urine pools were analyzed by PCR. Regional edaphoclimatic conditions, pH of surface water and soil, granulometry and permeability of soil were analyzed. All herds presented at least one reactor to Leptospira spp. Only the PCR of an ovine urine pool of herd H was positive and Leptospira spp. was isolated from the F lake. The pH of water samples ranged from 6.0 to 7.0; while in soil it was around from 4.5 to 6.8. Soil organic matter were 24 to 35 g/dm3 in A, C e H, and 63 g/dm3 in F. Soil samples of A and F showed loamy-clay texture; C had clay soil, and H loamy-silt soil; as mixed compositions are able to maintain the humidity, mainly where clay is present. As the presence of reactors in all herds indicated the contact with Leptospira spp., it was concluded that the cycle of transmission is dependent on the synergistic and antagonistic interaction of many variables; but the close contact of animals grazing in a high humidity habitat seems to be limiting.

[Obvious enlargement of the pulmonary hamartoma: report of a case].

A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to abnormal shadow in the right hilum by a routine chest X-ray. When we had another look at a chest X-ray that had been taken 6 years before, we had found a pulmonary nodule of 18 mm in size. The chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) taken at admission showed a round nodule with calcification in the same site, with increasing in size to 30 mm. The tumor could not be clinically diagnosed and the surgery was scheduled because the nodule had grown and the possibility of a malignant tumor was suggested. At surgery, the tumor was easily enucleated and the pathological diagnosis was chondromatous hamartoma. Although pulmonary hamartoma is a benign tumor, operation should be performed when the tumor had grown.

Splenectomy and antiviral treatment for thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are poor candidates for antiviral treatment with interferon (IFN), but no standard treatment for thrombocytopenia has yet been established. We evaluated the safety of splenectomy and its efficacy for the initiation and continuation of antiviral therapy. From March 2003 to April 2006, 10 patients (mean age 62.5 years) with HCV-related cirrhosis, low platelet count (<==106 000/mm(3)) and splenomegaly (spleen size >==10 cm) underwent splenectomy. Platelet counts significantly increased at 4-8 weeks after splenectomy [pre: 64 200 +/- 6900/mm(3)vs post 209 000 +/- 40 600/mm(3) (P = 0.004)]. No severe operative complications were observed. All patients subsequently received antiviral therapy. Of the eight patients who were infected with HCV genotype 1 and had a high viral load (>==100 KIU/mL), four received combination therapy with pegylated IFNalpha-2b plus ribavirin, and the other four received standard IFNalpha-2b plus ribavirin. One patient infected with HCV genotype 2 and another with HCV genotype 1 and a low viral load (<100 KIU/mL) were treated with pegylated IFNalpha-2a. Six patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). Among four patients who failed to achieve SVR, one was given retreatment with pegylated IFN plus ribavirin, and the other three received low-dose long-term IFN therapy. Although this study was small, the treatment results were similar to those for patients without thrombocytopenia and suggested that splenectomy would not reduce the antiviral efficacy of IFNalpha-based treatment.

Periodontal gene transfer by ultrasound and nano/microbubbles.

A non-viral gene delivery approach with nano/microbubbles and ultrasound offers opportunities for targeting soft tissues for gene therapy. The periodontium is a complex structure comprised of hard (cementum, alveolar bone) and soft tissues (periodontal ligament, gingivae). We hypothesized that our established gene delivery method would allow the periodontal tissue to be targeted for transfection for gene therapy. Expression kinetics and sites of transfection sites with this approach were investigated in rat periodontal tissue. Bioluminescence imaging revealed that transient gene expression was induced at day 1 posttransfection, while confocal microscopy showed that gene expression was localized in the muscle cells of gingival tissues. These findings indicate that regular transfection with this approach results in high gene expression, facilitating gene therapy for periodontal disease involving alveolar bone resorption.

Compressive force induces VEGF production in periodontal tissues.

During orthodontic tooth movement, the activation of the vascular system in the compressed periodontal ligament (PDL) is an indispensable process in tissue remodeling. We hypothesized that compressive force would induce angiogenesis of PDL through the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We examined the localization of VEGF in rat periodontal tissues during experimental tooth movement in vivo, and the effects of continuous compressive force on VEGF production and angiogenic activity in human PDL cells in vitro. PDL cells adjacent to hyalinized tissue and alveolar bone on the compressive side showed marked VEGF immunoreactivity. VEGF mRNA expression and production in PDL cells increased, and conditioned medium stimulated tube formation. These results indicate that continuous compressive force enhances VEGF production and angiogenic activity in PDL cells, which may contribute to periodontal remodeling, including angiogenesis, during orthodontic tooth movement.

Existence of Pink1 antisense RNAs in mouse and their localization.

PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), which is identified as the gene transactivated by the tumor suppressor PTEN, has been found to be one of the causative genes in Parkinson's disease (PD). In order to understand PD, rodent models containing affected Pink1 such as loss-of-function mutations have been exploited. Recently, natural antisense RNA of PINK1 has been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of the PINK1 locus. However, no antisense RNAs of Pink1 except for human have been reported so far. Therefore, in the present study, while searching for the Pink1 antisense RNAs in mouse, we found that the antisense RNAs are transcribed from a mouse genomic region corresponding to the human region from which the antisense RNAs are produced. Further, we investigated the localization of the antisense RNAs in mouse brain using in situ hybridization; this demonstrated that the antisense RNAs were localized in the regions of brain where the Pink1 mRNA was found. In addition, the mRNA and antisense RNAs were found more densely in the hippocampus than in the other brain regions in newborn and 1-week-old mice, while those RNAs were found uniformly in the mouse brain regions of embryo day (E) 14, E17, and 8-weeks-old.

Localization of sense and antisense transcripts of Prdx2 gene in mouse tissues.

Recently, it has been reported that antisense RNAs are transcribed from a large number of genes in various species including human and mouse. The Prdx2 gene, which is indicated to be involved in signal transduction related to platelet-derived growth factor as well as to protection from oxidizing agents, has been shown to produce sense and antisense transcripts. To obtain clues for possible roles of Prdx2 antisense transcripts, we have performed Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization on tissues of 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice. The Northern blot analysis revealed that major parts of sense and antisense transcripts were poly(A-)-RNA. The analysis of the fractionated RNA of fibroblasts indicated that the poly(A-)-RNA would be localized in the cytoplasm of cells. The in situ hybridization demonstrated that the sense and antisense transcripts were localized in almost the same limited areas of brain, testis, and spleen. It also revealed that the sense and antisense transcripts coexisted in Purkinje cells. In thymus and stomach, the antisense transcripts were detected, but sense transcripts were not. When tissues of BALB/c mice were examined by in situ hybridization, the observations were essentially the same as those of C57BL/6J except that it appeared that the amounts of sense and antisense transcripts in testis of BALB/c were greater than those in C57BL/6J, and that the amounts of antisense transcripts in stomach of BALB/c were much smaller than those in C57BL/6J.

Longitudinal MRI follow-up of non-reducible posterior disc displacement accompanied by bone marrow oedema in the mandibular condyle.

Serial MRI was used to examine the long-term course of posterior disc displacement (PDD) after non-surgical treatment. Serial MRI was performed on a 63-year-old woman with PDD accompanied by bone marrow oedema (BME) in the mandibular condyle. The patient had joint pain of the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and posterior open bite immediately after manual reduction of TMJ dislocation. Initial MRI of the right TMJ showed non-reducible PDD and subchondral BME. The patient underwent non-surgical treatment, and symptoms improved. The first follow-up MRI after 5 months showed non-reducible PDD, expansion of BME and erosion of the mandibular condyle. 1 year and 8 months after the initial examination the patient was asymptomatic, and a second follow-up MRI showed resolution of both BME and erosion, despite the persistence of non-reducible PDD. The MRI findings suggest that BME in the mandibular condyle complicating PDD is a reversible change, and may contribute to joint pain. This case report complements previous observations of the longitudinal course of PDD after non-surgical treatment.

Association between high signal intensity in the posterior disc attachment seen on T2 weighted fat-suppressed images and temporomandibular joint pain.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether high signal intensity in the posterior disc attachment (PDA) seen on T2 weighted fat-suppressed MRI is associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and joint pathology. METHODS: This study was based on 283 TMJs of 177 patients (31 males and 146 females, mean age 32.7 years) with TMJ disorders showing anterior disc displacement. MRI evaluation included assessment of signal intensity in the PDA and TMJ status (disc displacement with reduction, disc displacement without reduction and disc displacement with bone changes). Clinical criteria that were considered positive indicators of TMJ pain included the presence of pre-auricular pain during palpation, jaw function and assisted or unassisted mandibular opening. Association of signal intensity in the PDA with joint pain and TMJ status was analysed using chi2 test. RESULTS: Joint pain was reported in 47 (77.0%) out of 61 joints with high signal intensity in the PDA and in 97 (43.7%) out of 222 joints with low signal intensity in the PDA (P<0.0001). High signal intensity in the PDA correlated closely with more advanced joint pathology. In joints with anterior disc displacement with bone changes, TMJ pain was more commonly reported in joints with high signal intensity in the PDA than with low signal intensity in the PDA (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: High signal intensity in the PDA on T2 weighted fat-suppressed MRI is associated with TMJ pain in TMJ disorders with anterior disc displacement with bone changes in the mandibular condyles.

Carotid artery calcification seen on panoramic dental radiographs in the Asian population in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of carotid artery calcification (CAC) seen on panoramic dental radiographs, the relationship between the condition and a history of cerebral infarction (CI), and the history of the risk factors of CI in patients in Japan. METHODS: A total of 2374 individuals whose panoramic radiographs were obtained at their first consultation were reviewed. RESULT: CAC was found in 95 subjects (4.0%) and was found at a higher frequency in patients with a history of CI than in those without a history of CI. The modifiable risk factors (a history of hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia) and CAC showed significant relationship in the chi(2) test for pairwise comparison. When age and gender were added and all of these risk factors were considered simultaneously in the multiple logistic regression analysis, age and history of hypercholesterolaemia remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: CAC may be seen on panoramic dental radiographs and is related to the patients' general history of CI, and the risk factors of CI in the Asian population in Japan.