Diabetes detrimental effects on enamel and dentine formation.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding morphological changes and mineral content of tooth hard tissues may influence dental treatment. In this study, the effect of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) on tooth structure was examined. METHODS: Experimental T1DM was induced in 3-week old male Wistar rats (n=10) by a single dose of 60mg/kg body weight of Streprozotocin. All rats were injected with calcein twice during the experiment and sacrificed at the age of 7 weeks old. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to determine the mineral density and thickness of enamel and dentine. Also, a histomorphometery study was conducted to detect the rates of dentine mineral apposition and formation. The examined area was in the crown analogue of the rat mandibular incisor parallel to the long axis of the mesial surface of the first molar. All results were compared using Students' t-test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Results showed that the enamel and dentine thickness were significantly reduced (hypoplasia) and there was a significant reduction of the rate of dentine mineral apposition and formation, while there was no significant effect of the T1DM condition on the mineral density of enamel and dentine. CONCLUSIONS: T1DM has a detrimental influence on the formation of enamel and dentine in the early growth stage. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: T1DM condition may alter treatment planning of orthodontic treatment as it is associated with decreased enamel and dentin thickness that may affect teeth size and their resistance to caries.

Enamel lesion parameter correlations between polychromatic micro-CT and TMR.

Transverse microradiography (TMR) is considered as the gold standard technique for the evaluation of enamel lesions. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) has the advantage of non-destructive measurements, but the beam-hardening effect with polychromatic x-rays is a major drawback. To date, no study has validated µCT against TMR. The objective of this study was to validate µCT measurements of enamel lesions under various x-ray conditions and software beam-hardening correction (BHC) against TMR. Human molars with natural white-spot lesions were scanned for 5 min by µCT at 100 kV in different conditions: 50 µA (0.5-mm Al filter), 165 µA (0.5-mm Al/0.3-mm Cu), and 200 µA (0.5-mm Al/0.4-mm Cu), with or without BHC. Grayscale values were converted into mineral density values using phantoms. Thin sections at the same positions were then prepared for TMR. Lesion depth (LD; µm) and mineral loss (ΔZ; vol%µm) were compared between µCT and TMR by Pearson's correlations. µCT measurements correlated well with TMR under all conditions (p < 0.001, r > 0.86 for LD and ΔZ), except for 0.5-mm Al without BHC (p > 0.05). Even without BHC, combined Al/Cu filters successfully reduced the beam-hardening effect. µCT can be used as a non-destructive alternative to TMR with comparable parameters for the study of enamel lesions.

Gum containing calcium fluoride reinforces enamel subsurface lesions in situ.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of chewing gum containing phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca) and a low concentration of fluoride (F) on the hardness of enamel subsurface lesions, utilizing a double-blind, randomized, and controlled in situ model. Fifteen individuals wore removable lingual appliances with 3 bovine-enamel insets containing subsurface demineralized lesions. Three times a day for 14 days, they chewed one of the 3 chewing gums (placebo, POs-Ca, POs-Ca+F). After the treatment period, cross-sectional mineral content, nanoindentation hardness, and fluoride ion mapping by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) were evaluated. Although there were no statistical differences in overall mineral content and hardness recovery rates between POs-Ca and POs-Ca+F subsurface lesions (p > 0.05), nanoindentation at 1-µm distance increments from the surface showed statistical differences in hardness recovery rate between POs-Ca and POs-Ca+F in the superficial 20-µm region (p < 0.05). Fluoride mapping revealed distribution of the ion up to 20 µm from the surface in the POs-Ca+F group. Nanoindentation and TOF-SIMS results highlighted the benefits of bioavailability of fluoride ion on reinforcement of the superficial zone of subsurface lesions in situ (NCT01377493).

Effects of CPP-ACP with sodium fluoride on inhibition of bovine enamel demineralization: a quantitative assessment using micro-computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and CPP-ACP with 900 ppm fluoride (CPP-ACPF) pastes on inhibition of enamel demineralization over time, using polychromatic micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). METHODS: Enamel blocks were prepared from bovine teeth. The specimens were each treated by one of the following agents, 30 min daily for 7 days: deionized water (negative control); CPP-ACP paste; CPP-ACPF paste; and NaF solutions (positive controls) (90, 900, and 9000 ppm F). After treatment, the specimens were immersed in a demineralizing solution (pH 4.5) for 24, 72, and 120 h. Mean mineral loss (ML) and lesion depth (LD) after each period were determined from mineral density profiles obtained using micro-CT. RESULTS: ML values in all the treatment groups were significantly smaller than those in the control group after 72 and 120 h of demineralization (p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA and t-test with Bonferroni correction). ML values in CPP-ACPF and NaF solution groups were significantly smaller compared to CPP-ACP group after 72 h (p < 0.05). LD values in the CPP-ACPF and all the NaF solutions groups were significantly smaller compared to the control group after 120 h (p < 0.05). The 9000 ppm F group showed the lowest nominal ML and LD values. CONCLUSIONS: The application of CPP-ACP or CPP-ACPF pastes to sound enamel surfaces resulted in inhibition of enamel demineralization, and a better effect was noted for the latter paste. Quantitative assessment using polychromatic micro-CT demonstrated to be useful for detecting mineral density changes.

Histologic factors affecting prognosis following hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Long-term survival following hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has been poor, and specific factors influencing survival are unclear. In a retrospective study we sought to determine prognostic factors related to survival in these patients. In 28 patients who underwent hepatic resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, we investigated the relations of several histologic factors to patient survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. No deaths occurred during the first 30 days. Median and mean survival times following hepatectomy were 409 and 935 days, respectively. The respective survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 57%, 27%, and 27%. Resection margin status, intrahepatic metastasis, lymph node involvement, and lymphatic invasion were significant predictors of outcome. In a multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, only lymphatic invasion independently predicted survival. Curative resection with clear margins was found to prolong survival after surgery. Hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma without lymphatic invasion offers hope for long-term survival.

Reactivation of viral replication after liver resection in patients infected with hepatitis B virus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms and risk factors underlying postoperative reactivation of hepatitis after liver resection for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although risk factors for acute hepatic failure after liver resection have been reported in patients with chronic liver disease, the issue of reactivation of hepatitis B virus replication after liver resection is unresolved. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B surface antigen underwent liver resection. In 25 of these 55 patients, serum levels of hepatitis B virus DNA and the type of hepatitis B virus were determined before and after surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative hepatitis occurred in 13 of the 55 patients (24%). Reactivation of viral replication occurred after liver resection in 7 of the 25 patients tested, and alanine aminotransferase activity increased in 6 of these 7 patients. High preoperative alanine aminotransferase activity, high levels of hepatitis B virus DNA, presence of wild-type DNA, and detection of hepatitis B core antigen in hepatocytes, all features of the immune clearance phase in the natural course of hepatitis B virus infection with no surgery, were more likely to be found in patients with reactivation than in patients without reactivation. CONCLUSIONS: During the immune clearance phase of hepatitis B virus infection, especially the period of acute exacerbation, changes in serum hepatitis B virus DNA level should be monitored for early warnings of reactivation of viral replication, likely to cause severe postoperative hepatitis and acute hepatic failure.

Resection of a non-functioning islet cell carcinoma occupying the entire pancreas.

A 46-year-old woman with jaundice was found to have enlargement of the entire pancreas on computed tomography. Endoscopy revealed a tumor at the papilla of Vater, although examination of biopsy specimens did not demonstrate a malignancy. The jaundice resolved spontaneously, but reappeared at 7 months. Also noted was increased swelling of the papilla. The serum pancreatic endocrine and exocrine hormone concentrations were within the reference ranges. At surgery, a hard mass was found occupying the entire pancreas. Examination of incisional biopsy specimens from the pancreatic mass and papilla of Vater revealed an islet cell tumor. A total pancreatectomy was performed. The tumor extended from the pancreatic tail to the papilla of Vater. Histopathologic and immunopathologic examination revealed a non-functional islet cell carcinoma. There was no evidence of recurrence at 3 years. A good outcome can be achieved with resection of non-functioning islet cell carcinomas, even if they are advanced.

Doppler sonography in hepatolithiasis: a case report.

In the treatment of hepatolithiasis, it is important to not only remove all stones and eliminate bile stasis in the biliary tract, but also to remove atrophic hepatic tissue, as such tissue may cause recurrent cholangitis as well as latent cholangiocarcinoma. A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed as having hepatolithiasis with stenosis at the branching of the bile ducts in segment II and segment III by sonography, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and magnetic resonance cholangiography. Portograms did not reveal portal branches in segment III but did demonstrate the portal branches in segment II. During the operation, Doppler sonography was done. Doppler sonography did not reveal the portal blood flow in segment III, but did demonstrate a "to-and-fro" pattern in the portal branches in segment II, indicating atrophic hepatic tissue with disrupted portal blood flow. Lateral segmentectomy (resection of segments II and III and lithotomy with choledo-chotomy were done. The patient is in good health 2 years 6 months after the operation. Doppler sonography is useful in the detection of disrupted portal blood flow and the diagnosis of hepatic atrophy. This is clearly advantageous in the decision-making about whether to perform a liver resection with hepatolithiasis.

Malignant lymphoma presenting as a large mass in the anterior chest wall.

In general, the preferred treatment for malignant lymphoma is the cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, the surgical intervention is often required for diagnosis and treatment in cases where the diagnosis is not obvious. In well-chosen cases the surgical treatment can contribute importantly to a good outcome and quality of life even in malignant lymphoma. We report a rare case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a large, rapidly growing mass in the anterior chest wall; resection was the key initial treatment.

Post-operative blood tests and multicentric recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Second hepatic resections (SHR) were performed in 2 patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) more than 10 years after initial curative resections. Appearance on imaging studies of the late recurrences thought to be multicentric primary tumors, was preceded by fluctuating laboratory abnormalities such as increased alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT), increased serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and decreased platelet counts by as long as 2 years. Therefore, serial changes of blood tests after resection of HCC with HCV might be useful predictors of late multicentric recurrence.

Clinical significance of prior hepatitis B virus infection in patients with hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The effect of prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the clinicopathologic findings for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. METHODS: Of 59 patients who underwent liver resection for HCV-related HCC (

Adenomyoma of the common bile duct.

An unusual case of adenomyoma of the common bile duct is reported. A 31 year-old woman with intermittent epigastralgia was found to have cholestasis and stenosis of the common bile duct. A malignant tumor could not be excluded. Resection of the common bile duct with the tumor was performed with choledochojejunostomy reconstruction. The tumor consisted of glandular hyperplasia and proliferation of smooth muscle fibers and fibrous connective tissue. The patient was well at the 30-month follow-up. Although the benign tumors of the extrahepatic bile ducts are rare, the clinical importance lies in the recognition that they can cause biliary tract obstruction. Intra-operative frozen section for histologic examination is required to make the diagnosis and plan the surgical procedure. Complete extirpation of the lesion is recommended. A radical operation is not necessary.

Perforated duodenal diverticulum: report of two cases.

Duodenal diverticula may be complicated by diverticulitis, perforation, hemorrhage, pancreatitis, or biliary obstruction. Two cases of perforated duodenal diverticulum are reported. Both patients were elderly females. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed retroperitoneal air around the duodenum in the first case, and an enterolith in a duodenal diverticulum and a retroperitoneal abscess in the second case. Laparotomy and diverticulectomy with two-layer closure of the duodenum was performed in the first case. The second patient was treated conservatively with antibiotics, percutaneous abscess drainage, and endoscopic lithotomy. Both recovered well. Computed tomography is useful in the diagnosis of a perforated duodenal diverticulum. Although surgical intervention is the standard treatment, conservative therapy is also an option. Duodenal enteroliths are rare but may cause perforation of a diverticulum or biliary obstruction. The duodenal blind loop created by a Billroth II gastrectomy provides a static environment for the formation of enteroliths in duodenal diverticula.

High prevalence of infection with hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis B and C viruses are closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. We studied the prevalence of infection with either virus in patients with this cancer by examination of sera and tumor tissue. METHODOLOGY: Serum samples obtained before treatment from 330 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were assayed for antibodies against hepatitis C virus and against hepatitis B surface and core antigen. Tumor tissues from 65 patients were examined for hepatitis B virus RNA. RESULTS: Of the 330 patients, 87 had anti-hepatitis C alone; 161 had anti-hepatitis C and anti-hepatitis B (core); 13 had anti-hepatitis C and anti-hepatitis B (surface); 39 had anti-hepatitis B (surface) alone; and, 19 had anti-hepatitis B (core) alone. Eleven patients had none of these. Hepatitis B virus genes were detected in tumor tissue in all 13 patients with anti-surface antibody, in 21 of 30 patients with anti-core antibody, and in 9 of 22 patients without hepatitis B antibodies. Viral genes were detected in tumor tissue in 5 of 11 patients with neither B nor C virus markers in their sera; viral markers were found in either serum or tumor tissue in 324 of 330 patients (98.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hepatitis B or C virus infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan is extremely high. The prevalence of co-infection with both viruses is also high.

Influence of histological inflammatory activity on regenerative capacity of liver after percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization.

Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PTPE) produces regenerative hypertrophy in the nonembolized part of the liver, but the regenerative capacity after PTPE in patients with chronic hepatitis is unknown. We studied 34 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic hepatitis who underwent PTPE at the right portal vein. Hepatic lobular volumes were calculated by computed tomography before and 2 weeks after PTPE. The increase in left lobular volume was analyzed using a stepwise multiple regression method incorporating 11 factors: age; portal venous pressure; proportional volume of the right lobe; indocyanine green retention test; platelet count; serum levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and albumin; and histological inflammatory grade and stage of fibrosis, according to the criteria of the International Association for the Study of the Liver recommended at their 1994 meeting. The median volume of the left lobe had increased from 405 to 554 cm3 (P < 0.0001) by 2 weeks after PTPE. Inflammatory grade was the only independent factor predicting regenerative hypertrophy (regeneration ratio (%) = 80.3 - 20.1 x grade; standard correlation coefficient = -0.566; P = 0.0014). Histological inflammatory activity was the essential factor regulating liver regeneration after PTPE in patients with chronic hepatitis.

Patterns of and risk factors for recurrence after liver resection for well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma: a special reference to multicentric carcinogenesis after operation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We studied the patterns of, and risk factors for, recurrence after resection of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma to make a strategy for such carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 36 patients who underwent liver resection for well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Multicentric carcinogenesis after the operation (multicentric recurrence) was diagnosed when a recurrent tumor included a component of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor-free survival rates of patients with various risk factors were calculated and differences between groups were evaluated. For multivariate analysis, Cox's proportional hazard model was used. RESULTS: All recurrent tumors after operation were of multicentric origin. Univariate analysis showed a history of blood transfusion, high alpha-fetoprotein concentration (> 20 ng/ml), and low platelet count (< 10(5)/mm3) to be significant factors. By multivariate analysis, a history of blood transfusion and a low platelet count were independent risk factors. Nonanatomic resection was not a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, especially with risk factor(s) for multicentric recurrence, not only anatomic but also nonanatomic resection (partial resection) are indicated for a primary tumor, because almost all recurrent tumors are of multicentric origin. After resection of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, careful monitoring for multicentric recurrence is important in patients with risk factors.

A pancreatic anaplastic carcinoma of spindle-cell form.

A 56-yr-old man with complaint of abdominal pain and body weight loss was admitted to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography on admission revealed a pancreatic tumor. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography 1 m.o. after admission revealed rapid growth of this tumor. We performed exploratory laparotomy with only a needle biopsy of the unresectable tumor because of extensive spread, including liver metastases. Further histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed that both the pancreatic tumor and the hepatic metastases featured malignant spindle-shaped cells. Despite radiotherapy, the patient died 40 d after laparotomy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with chondrosarcomatous variation: case report with immunohistochemical findings, and review of the literature.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with chondrosarcomatous variation is very rare. We report a case with the results of pathology examination, and review the literature. The patient, a 72-year-old may had a very large tumor in the liver revealed during follow-up for diabetes mellitus. The liver mass, which was 14 cm in diameter, was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma by abdominal ultrasonography. Anterior segmentectomy and partial liver resection were performed. Histopathology examination revealed that the tumor consisted of two different components: the major one was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which occupied most of the tumor; and a sarcomatous component, which occupied a smaller area, and included spindle-shaped cells with chondroscarcomatous variation. Intrahepatic metastases and tumor thrombi of HCC were also found in portal and hepatic veins. Investigations of the immunohistochemical localization of keratin (KRT), vimentin (VMT), and S-100 protein (S 100) were performed by the avidin-biotin complex method. Some of the spindle cells were immunohistochemically positive for both KRT and VMT, and the chondrosarcomatous cells were positive for S 100. These results strongly suggested that the sarcomatous lesion resulted from a sarcomatous change of HCC.