Educational effects using a robot patient simulation system for development of clinical attitude.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of improving the attitude of dental students towards the use of a full-body patient simulation system (SIMROID) compared to the traditional mannequin (CLINSIM) for dental clinical education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants were 10 male undergraduate dental students who had finished clinical training in the university hospital 1 year before this study started. They performed a crown preparation on an upper pre-molar tooth using SIMROID and CLINSIM as the practical clinical trials. The elapsed time for preparation was recorded. The taper of the abutment teeth was measured using a 3-dimensional shape-measuring device after this trial. In addition, a self-reported questionnaire was collected that included physical pain, treatment safety and maintaining a clean area for each simulator. Qualitative data analysis of a free format report about SIMROID was performed using text mining analysis. This trial was performed twice at 1-month intervals. RESULTS: The students considered physical pain, treatment safety and a clean area for SIMROID significantly better than that for CLINSIM (P < .01). The elapsed time of preparation in the second practical clinical trial was significantly lower than in the first for SIMROID and CLINSIM (P < .01). However, there were no significant differences between the abutment tapers for both systems. For the text mining analysis, most of the students wrote that SIMROID was similar to real patients. CONCLUSION: The use of SIMROID was proven to be effective in improving the attitude of students towards patients, thereby giving importance to considerations for actual patients during dental treatment.

Soluble products from Eikenella corrodens induce cell proliferation and expression of interleukin-8 and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

The periodontal vasculature is profoundly affected during the progression of periodontitis, and several specific bacteria are believed to be involved in this inflammatory disease. Eikenella corrodens is one of the common bacteria detected in periodontitis diseased lesions; however, the function of this organism in periodontitis is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the E. corrodens-induced endothelial cell alteration and inflammation process that leads to leukocyte infiltration in inflamed regions. Soluble products from E. corrodens (EcSP) induced the gene expression and protein production of vascular endothelial growth factor in oral epithelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Direct stimulation by EcSP also activated endothelial cell proliferation. Moreover, EcSP induced ERK1/2 (p44/42) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation within 10-30 min in HUVEC, as demonstrated by Western blot analysis and up-regulated intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin and interleukin-8 (IL-8) production demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The specific p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 reduced the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and IL-8, whereas the blockade of p44/42 by MAPK kinase (MEK1) inhibitor, PD98059, inhibited only IL-8 expression. Our results indicate that E. corrodens can trigger a cascade of events that induce inflammatory responses in periodontal tissue via the MAPK cascade and may promote chronic periodontitis without bacteria-cell contact.

Detailed images of asteroid 25143 Itokawa from Hayabusa.

Rendezvous of the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa with the near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa took place during the interval September through November 2005. The onboard camera imaged the solid surface of this tiny asteroid (535 meters by 294 meters by 209 meters) with a spatial resolution of 70 centimeters per pixel, revealing diverse surface morphologies. Unlike previously explored asteroids, the surface of Itokawa reveals both rough and smooth terrains. Craters generally show unclear morphologies. Numerous boulders on Itokawa's surface suggest a rubble-pile structure.

CO2 snow depth and subsurface water-ice abundance in the northern hemisphere of Mars.

Observations of seasonal variations of neutron flux from the high-energy neutron detector (HEND) on Mars Odyssey combined with direct measurements of the thickness of condensed carbon dioxide by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) on Mars Global Surveyor show a latitudinal dependence of northern winter deposition of carbon dioxide. The observations are also consistent with a shallow substrate consisting of a layer with water ice overlain by a layer of drier soil. The lower ice-rich layer contains between 50 and 75 weight % water, indicating that the shallow subsurface at northern polar latitudes on Mars is even more water rich than that in the south.

Maps of subsurface hydrogen from the high energy neutron detector, Mars Odyssey.

After 55 days of mapping by the High Energy Neutron Detector onboard Mars Odyssey, we found deficits of high-energy neutrons in the southern highlands and northern lowlands of Mars. These deficits indicate that hydrogen is concentrated in the subsurface. Modeling suggests that water ice-rich layers that are tens of centimeters in thickness provide one possible fit to the data.

Distribution of hydrogen in the near surface of Mars: evidence for subsurface ice deposits.

Using the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey, we have identified two regions near the poles that are enriched in hydrogen. The data indicate the presence of a subsurface layer enriched in hydrogen overlain by a hydrogen-poor layer. The thickness of the upper layer decreases with decreasing distance to the pole, ranging from a column density of about 150 grams per square centimeter at -42 degrees latitude to about 40 grams per square centimeter at -77 degrees. The hydrogen-rich regions correlate with regions of predicted ice stability. We suggest that the host of the hydrogen in the subsurface layer is ice, which constitutes 35 +/- 15% of the layer by weight.

Soluble products from Eikenella corrodens stimulate oral epithelial cells to induce inflammatory mediators.

In the inflammatory response elicited by bacterial colonization in periodontal pockets, pocket epithelial cells not only serve as a barrier to isolate the pocket microenvironment from external stimuli but also regulate the functions of neighboring cells including fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. To elucidate this mechanism, we characterized the effects of periodontopathic bacterium Eikenella corrodens 1073 components on the production of some inflammatory mediators in a human oral epithelial cell line (KB). In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the E. corrodens supernatant induced interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and prostaglandin E2 but not interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by KB cells. After incubation with E. corrodens supernatant, KB cells showed a marked increase in the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and PG G/H synthase (cyclooxygenase)-2, but not IFN-gamma, gene expression by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. All these E. corrodens products responsible for production of these inflammatory mediators resisted freezing and boiling and were present in a 10-kDa filtrate. These results imply that these soluble small-molecular-mass products from E. corrodens stimulate various inflammatory mediator productions by human oral epithelial cells and may play a role in the initiation of periodontal inflammation and subsequently perpetuate the inflammatory response during chronic infection.

Enhancement of fibrinolytic activity of vascular endothelial cells by chaetoglobosin A, crinipellin B, geodin and triticone B.

Four fungal metabolites, chaetoglobosin A (CGA), crinipellin B (CPB), geodin (GE) and triticone B (TTB), were found to enhance fibrinolytic activity of bovine aortic endothelial cells. Plasmin generation on the cells was elevated 2- to 4-fold when treated with these agents at a concentration of 3 approximately 100 microM. These effects were dependent on plasminogen and inhibited by anti-urokinase antibody. The effect of CGA, but not of CPB, GE and TTB, was abolished by cycloheximide. In a cell-free system, plasmin and urokinase activities as well as urokinase-catalyzed plasminogen activation were not enhanced by these agents. CGA, but not others, induced the production of urokinase in endothelial cells. CPB and GE accelerated plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1 (PAI-1) inactivation, and TTB caused direct, reversible inhibition of PAI-1. Thus, induction of urokinase by CGA and inhibition of PAI-1 by CPB, GE and TTB may, at least partly, account for the elevation of fibrinolytic activity of endothelial cells.

Arg-gingipain inhibition and anti-bacterial activity selective for Porphyromonas gingivalis by malabaricone C.

Effects of malabaricon C, isolated from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), on Arg-gingipain activity and growth of several kinds of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms were investigated. Malabaricone C irreversibly inhibited Arg-gingipain by 50% at a concentration of 0.7 microgram/ml and selectively suppressed Porphyromomas gingivalis growth.

(2E,6R)-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenoic acid, a novel anti-osteoporotic monoterpene, isolated from Cistanche salsa.

(2E,6R)-8-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenoic acid [(R)-HDOA], a novel monoterpene from Cistanche salsa, a Chinese herb, was found to be an anti-osteoporotic compound. The extract of Cistanche salsa significantly suppressed the bone weight loss in ovariectomized mice, a postmenopausal osteoporosis model. The active substance was then purified by using this osteoporotic model and the chemical structure was determined. The active compound from Cistanche salsa, (R)-HDOA, suppressed the decrease of bone weight and the mechanical strength in the ovariectomized mice. Furthermore, (R)- and (S)-HDOA were synthesized and the activity of each was evaluated. (R)-HDOA suppressed the bone weight loss, although (S)-HDOA did not showed any activity.

Inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by 11-keto-9(E),12(E)-octadecadienoic acid, a novel fatty acid produced by Trichoderma sp.

We have recently found a novel fatty acid, 11-keto-9(E),12(E)-octadecadienoic acid (KOD), that enhances fibrinolytic activity of endothelial cells. The mechanism of action of KOD has been investigated. KOD increased 2-fold the plasmin activity of bovine aortic endothelial cells at 250 microM. The stimulation was dependent on plasminogen and was inhibited by anti-urokinase, whereas KOD did not enhance the urokinase-catalyzed plasminogen activation and the resulting plasmin activity in a cell-free system. Neither the production of urokinase nor the conversion of pro-urokinase to the active, two-chain form was elevated by KOD, but it decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity of cells and inactivated PAI-1 irreversibly in a purified system. These results demonstrated that the KOD enhancement of endothelial fibrinolytic activity was mediated, at least in part, by inactivation of PAI-1.

[MRSA infection concured and exsited and the examination of a home cases].

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection was admitted to 4 cases out of 171 cases that carried out the home medical treatment and exist to, period until to March, in 1998 with this hospital in April, in 1986. As for age, a sex distinction was a mal whichere from 63 years old to 78 years old. A cause disease that reached to home medical treatment was brain blood vessel obstract 2 cases, spine damage 1 case, pulmonary emphysema 1 case. MRSA disappeared with many times wound treatments and a calorie by intra venous hyper alimentary increase that a bed sore cases. An intestinal case was seen a sepsis and candida, MRSA dermatitis with MRSA dermatitis. Bthing servis of it passes, start vancomycin hydrochloride administration peculiar to transnasal tube with improved. The respiratory case pass under tracheostomy tube control with balloon and the detection of MRSA is not admitting with diabetes control with mouth ingestion. It exists and as for MRSA infection the risk of severe infection concurrence is few with only settlement unlike an in hospital a home medical treatment cases with. If an enfeebled persons inside a home are paid attention rigid control is unnecessary. Most important thing are control of local area and improvement of whole body, and whole body.

Enhancement of fibrin binding and activation of plasminogen by staplabin through induction of a conformational change in plasminogen.

Staplabin (0.3-0.6 mM), a fungal triprenyl phenol, enhanced 3-fold the plasminogen activator-catalyzed activation of Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen as well as their binding to fibrin. Staplabin was not stimulatory to the amidolytic activity of plasmin and plasminogen activators. Even in the presence of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and fibrinogen fragments, allosteric effectors for Glu-plasminogen, staplabin increased the activation of both forms of plasminogen. In size-exclusion chromatography of Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen, the molecular elution time, which varies as the conformation of a protein changes, was shortened by staplabin. These results suggest that staplabin causes plasminogens to be more susceptible to activation and fibrin binding by inducing a conformational change that is, at least in part, different from that induced by EACA and fibrinogen fragments.

Apoptosis in the subependyma of young adult rats after single and fractionated doses of X-rays.

Ionizing radiation is commonly used in the treatment of brain tumors but can cause significant damage to surrounding normal brain. The pathogenesis of this damage is uncertain, and understanding the response of potential target cell populations may provide information useful for developing strategies to optimize therapeutic irradiation. In the mammalian forebrain, the subependyma is a mitotically active area that is a source of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, and it has been hypothesized that depletion of cells from this region could play a role in radiation-induced white matter injury. Using a distinct morphological pattern of nuclear fragmentation and an immunohistochemical method to specifically label the 3'-hydroxyl termini of DNA strand breaks (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling), we quantified apoptosis in the subependyma in the young adult rat brain after single and fractionated doses of X-rays. Significant increases in apoptotic index (percentage of cells showing apoptosis) were detected 3 h after irradiation, and the peak apoptotic index was detected at 6 h. Six h after irradiation, the dose response for apoptosis was characterized by a steep increase in apoptotic index between 0.5 and 2.0 Gy and a plateau from 2-30 Gy. The fraction of cells susceptible to apoptosis was estimated to be about 40%, and treatment of rats with cycloheximide inhibited apoptosis. When daily 1.5-Gy fractions of X-rays were administered, the first three fractions were equally effective at decreasing the cell population via apoptosis. There was no additional apoptosis or decrease in cellularity in spite of one to four additional doses of X-rays. Those data suggested some input of cells into the subependymal population during fractionated treatment, and subsequent studies showed that there was a significant rise in 5-bromo-2' deoxyuridine labeling index 2-3 days after irradiation, indicating increased cellular proliferation. The proliferative response after depletion of cells via apoptosis may represent the recruitment of a relatively quiescent stem cell population. It is possible that the radiation response of subependymal stem cells and not the apoptotic-sensitive population per se are critical elements in the response of the brain to radiation injury.

Staplabin, a novel fungal triprenyl phenol which stimulates the binding of plasminogen to fibrin and U937 cells.

A novel triprenyl phenol, designated staplabin, has been isolated from a culture of Stachybotrys microspora IFO 30018 by solvent extraction and successive chromatographic fractionation using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and silica ODS columns. By a combination of spectroscopic analyses, the structure of staplabin is proposed to be 5-(2-(5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-8-(4,8-dimethyl-3,7-nonadienyl)-3-oxo -7, 8-dihydro-6H-pyrano[2,3-e][1,3]dihydroisoindolyl)pentanoic acid. Staplabin stimulated the binding of plasminogen, the zymogen of the fibrinolytic serine protease plasmin, to both fibrin and U937 cells. Binding was elevated 2-fold at a concentration of 0.3 approximately 0.5 mM.

Apoptosis is induced in the subependyma of young adult rats by ionizing irradiation.

To determine if radiation-induced apoptosis occurred in young adult brain, we exposed 2-3-month old rats to single x-ray doses of 5 or 30 Gy. Apoptosis was quantified using the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and a morphologic assessment of nuclear fragmentation. Apoptosis occurred primarily in the subependyma but also in the corpus callosum, peaking 6 h after irradiation. At 48 h there were no apoptotic nuclei observed. These data are the first to show that apoptosis occurs in the young adult rat brain after ionizing irradiation. Further studies are required to define the particular cell type(s) involved and to address the role of this process in the pathogenesis of late radiation injury.

[Synergistic effect of carboplatin and hyperthermia in rat and human glioma cell lines].

To assess the interaction of carboplatin and hyperthermia in vitro, the thermochemosensitivities of three glioma cell lines, C6 rat glioma cell line, human glioma cell lines T98G and KMG4, were examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cell survival of each cell line decreased according to increasing CBDCA concentration and temperature. With a certain CBDCA concentration, the cell survival at following temperature was significantly decreased from that at 37 degrees: 43 degrees C and 44 degrees C for C6 cells (2.5 micrograms/ml); 41 degrees C, 42 degrees C, 43 degrees C and 44 degrees C for C6 cells (128 micrograms/ml); 42 degrees C, 43 degrees C and 44 degrees C for KMG4 cells (8 micrograms/ml) (CBDCA concentration within parentheses). It is generally considered that the highest tolerable temperature of normal brain is 42 degrees C for 60 minutes, while under 43 degrees C, there is a possibility that a sufficient tumoricidal effect might not be obtained. This study revealed enhanced cytotoxicity of CBDCA with hyperthermia at the temperature lower than 42 degrees C and suggests the possibility to gain increased tumoricidal effect without injuring normal brain by hyperthermia at the normal-tissue-tolerant temperature with systemic administration of relatively lower dose of CBDCA.

[Clinical pharmacokinetics of carboplatin and MCNU in malignant brain tumor and normal brain tissues].

We measured the concentrations of MCNU and CBDCA in the serum, brain tumor and normal brain tissue. Six patients with malignant glioma were treated with intravenous chemotherapy using 80mg/m2 MCNU and 300mg/m2 CBDCA during surgery. After drug administration, specimens of serum, tumor and normal brain tissue were collected every 30 min and then the drug concentration in each sample was measured. The highest MCNU levels in all samples were obtained immediately after administration which followed by gradual decrease. On the contrary, the mean CBDCA levels in the tumor and normal tissue remained almost at a constant level, although serum CBDCA level declined rapidly as MCNU. As expected, MCNU seemed to have advantages in the treatment of brain tumors as it distributed with higher concentration in the tumor tissue than in the serum and normal brain tissue. On the contrary, CBDCA in the tumor tissue did not exceed the concentration in the serum. Nevertheless, it remained longer in the tumor tissue with a constant level, suggesting that CBDCA can achieve an effective area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) in the brain tumor tissue to kill tumor cells.

Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm causing spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage--case report.

A 48-year-old female presented with spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to the rupture of an extracranial vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm. The aneurysm arose from the junction of the third and the fourth segments of the left VA just inside the dura mater, and was partially coated with Biobond. This is only the second such case reported. We recommend complete four-vessel angiography in evaluating patients with SAH, with special attention given to the extracranial VA if spinal SAH is suspected.