Factors associated with using penicillins as the first-choice antimicrobial among dentists in Japan: a national cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the use of penicillins as the first-choice antimicrobial in Japan's dental clinics.

Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey.

Setting: Dental clinics throughout Japan.

Antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance of bacterial isolates recovered in Japan from odontogenic infections in 2018.

Background: This study reports the findings of the second antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance study of isolates recovered from odontogenic infections in Japan.

Methods: A total of 164 odontogenic infections samples including periodontitis (group 1, n = 33), pericoronitis (group 2, n = 7), jaw inflammation (group 3, n = 83), and phlegmon in the jawbone area (group 4, n = 42) from 21 facilities were included in the study.

Results: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on 515 isolates, consisting of 120, 115, 173, 38, and 69 Streptococcus spp.

Mouse transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) isoform 7 attenuates full-length mouse TRPM2 activity through reductions in its expression by targeting it to ER-associated degradation.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) assembles into tetramers to function as an oxidative stress-sensitive Ca channel at the surface membrane. Limited information is currently available on the 10 protein isoforms of mouse TRPM2 (mTRPM2) identified. This study investigated whether these isoforms function as Ca channels and examined their effects on full-length mTRPM2 activity using the HEK 293 cell exogenous expression system.

A Case of Phlebolith in the Tip of Tongue.

The differential diagnosis of a tongue mass containing calcified bodies includes a phlebolith associated with vascular lesions, such as hemangioma and vascular malformation, and diseases such as neoplasm, osseous choristoma and hypercalcemic states, including hyperparathyroidism. The appearance of the calcified bodies on plain radiographs may help to differentiate these entities. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography are also useful for differentiating these soft tissue lesions.

A manual of Eustachian tube function tests-illustration of representative test results obtained from healthy subjects and typical disorders with suggestion of the appropriate test method of choice.

In the 19th century, Politzer devised a method to measure passage of the Eustachian tube (ET) by pressurizing the nasopharyngeal cavity, which marked the beginning of the ET function test. Since then, various examination methods have been developed. While ET function testing is important, recent advancements in diagnostic imaging and treatments have renewed interest on its importance.

Large Palatal Pleomorphic Adenoma Complicated by Dysphagia: A Case Report.

A 60-year-old Japanese woman presented with a palatal pleomorphic adenoma measuring 5 cm in size. In addition to impairments during the oral preparatory and oral transport phases, dysphagia with nasopharyngeal closure disorder was observed in the pharyngeal phase. After resection of the tumor, dysphagia resolved, and the patient was immediately able to eat a standard meal.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Ozonated Glycerol.

We evaluated the SARS-CoV-2-inactivation activity of ozonated glycerol (OG). When a viral solution with 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was mixed with test solutions at a ratio of 1:19 and incubated for 20 s, OG with ozone concentrations of over 1000 ppm inactivated ≥ 94.38% of the virus.

Sonographic appearance of syphilitic induration mimicking squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lip: a case report.

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Recently, its incidence has been increasing worldwide. We encountered a young woman who presented with induration mimicking squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lip, without major medical conditions.

A Case of Osteomyelitis of the Mandibular Condyle Secondary to Bisphosphonate-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

We present a case of osteomyelitis of the condyle secondary to bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. A 77-year-old female was referred to our clinic with complaints of swelling in the left mandibular molar regions. The patient had been suffering from myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPOANCA) associated vasculitis and had been treated with glucocorticoids for 8 years, and oral bisphosphonates had been prescribed to prevent osteopenia secondary to glucocorticoids.

An analysis of oral microbial flora by T-RFLP in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Even though the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) procedure has been improved, oral mucositis (OM) is still a severe complication of the conditioning regimen. We investigated the association between OM severity and the alteration of oral bacterial flora using 16S rRNA gene-based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis in 19 consecutive patients undergoing HSCT. Oral samples were collected at pre-transplantation, at the peak of mucositis and post-engraftment.

Optical vortex-induced forward mass transfer: manifestation of helical trajectory of optical vortex.

The orbital angular momentum of an optical vortex field is found to twist high viscosity donor material to form a micron-scale 'spin jet'. This unique phenomenon manifests the helical trajectory of the optical vortex. Going beyond both the conventional ink jet and laser induced forward mass transfer (LIFT) patterning technologies, it also offers the formation and ejection of a micron-scale 'spin jet' of the donor material even with an ultrahigh viscosity of 4 Pa·s.

Altered DNA methylation is associated with aberrant stemness gene expression in early‑stage HNSCC.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by morphological and functional cellular heterogeneity, which are properties of progenitor cells, as opposed to cell alterations caused by accidental expression of stem cell‑related molecules. The expression levels of stemness molecules and their distribution in HNSCC are unclear. As regards sporadic cellular heterogeneity, methylation is an important factor for transcriptional regulation in tumors.

Self-study of the non-extension sign in an e-learning program improves diagnostic accuracy of invasion depth of early gastric cancer.

 We developed an e-learning program for endoscopic diagnosis of invasion depth of early gastric cancer (EGC) using a simple diagnostic criterion called non-extension sign, and the contribution of self-study quizzes to improvement of diagnostic accuracy was evaluated.  We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study that recruited endoscopists throughout Japan. After completing a pretest, the participants watched video lectures and undertook post-test 1.

Trousseau syndrome in a patient with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma: a case report.

Background: Trousseau syndrome is known as a variant of cancer-associated thrombosis. Trousseau syndrome commonly occurs in patients with lung or prostate cancer. Hypercoagulability is thought to be initiated by mucins produced by the adenocarcinoma, which react with leukocyte and platelet selectins to form platelet-rich microthrombi.

Cross-contamination of bacteria-colonized pierced earring holes and fingers in nurses is a potential source of health care-associated infections.

Background: In recent years, the wearing of pierced earrings for personal adornment has increased among health care workers in Japan. However, the transmission dynamics between bacteria in pierced earring holes and fingers has not been clearly shown.

Methods: Earlobes and fingers of 200 nurses (128 nurses with pierced earlobes and 72 nurses with unpierced earlobes) working at a university hospital were sampled to determine whether cross-transmission of bacteria-colonized pierced earring holes and fingers in nurse is possible.

Spatial Distribution and Chemical Tolerance of Streptococcus mutans within Dual-Species Cariogenic Biofilms.

Bacterial interspecies interactions in the oral cavity influence the structural development of cariogenic biofilms and dental caries. Visualization of the biofilm architecture and bacterial localization within biofilms is essential for understanding bacterial interactions. We herein demonstrated that the spatial localization of Streptococcus mutans within dual-species biofilms was altered in a manner that depended on the partner.

Introduction to Kampo medicine for dental treatment - Oral pharmacotherapy that utilizes the advantages of Western and Kampo medicines.

Kampo medicine is a medical system that has been systematically organized based on the reactions of the human body. At present, in Western, herbal medicines means the whole herbal product. It is being called Kampo medicine as a medicinal drug in Japan.

Diagnostic criteria for Patulous Eustachian Tube: A proposal by the Japan Otological Society.

Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET) is of increasing importance in otology. However, despite the abundance of diseases requiring a differential diagnosis from PET, such as superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome, perilymphatic fistula, acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss, etc., there are currently no established diagnostic criteria for PET.

[Evaluation of Early-phase Biodistribution in I-ioflupane SPECT].

It is reported that pharmacokinetics after intravenous injection of I-ioflupane may reflect cerebral blood flow. In this study, the early-phase pharmacokinetics of I-ioflupane in 10 healthy volunteers was analyzed over time using dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) immediately after intravenous injection. We also examined the correlation between the I-IMP imaging and the I-ioflupane early-phase image for 14 cases in which both dopamine transporter (DaT) imaging by I-ioflupane and cerebral blood flow imaging by I-IMP were performed on the same camera.

A Case of Early Pneumoparotid Presenting With Oral Noises.

A 53-year-old man presented with the chief complaint of oral noises. No lesion could be observed in the oral cavity. Ultrasound detected several high-echogenicity areas inside the bilateral parotid ducts, and the initial stage of pneumoparotid was diagnosed.