Although it is ideal that a hospital has full-time radiologists for image diagnosis, it is quite difficult to retain a full-time radiologist in a small hospital because of a shortage of radiologists. In our hospital, CT films were formerly sent to the hospital that had full-time radiologists by mail and diagnostic information was obtained a few days later. Since May 2003 we have introduced teleradiology using SECOM HOSPI-NET system. We transmit a diagnostic request form and CT images using ISDN line. We receive a diagnostic message on the following day. We are able to gain diagnostic information timely. Therefore, we report the usage, reliability, and user-friendliness of this system in comparison with the mailing system from the aspect of responsiveness, economical efficiency, and operating efficiency.
Hospitals ; NET questionnaire ; System ; Teleradiology ; X-Ray Computed Tomography

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.

BACKGROUNDIn an earlier study, we identified a locus for Moyamoya disease (MMD) on 17q25.3.

METHODSLinkage analysis and fine mapping were conducted for two new families in additional to the previously studied 15 families. Three genes, CARD14, Raptor, and AATK, were selected based on key words, namely, "inflammation", "apoptosis", "proliferation", and "vascular system", for further sequencing. A segregation analysis of 34 pedigrees was performed, followed by a case-control study in Japanese (90 cases vs. 384 controls), Korean (41 cases vs. 223 controls), Chinese (23 cases and 100 controls), and Caucasian (25 cases and 164 controls) populations.

RESULTSLinkage analysis increased the LOD score from 8.07 to 9.67 on 17q25.3. Fine mapping narrowed the linkage signal to a 2.1-Mb region. Sequencing revealed that only one newly identified polymorphism, ss161110142, which was located at position -1480 from the transcription site of the Raptor gene, was common to all four unrelated sequenced familial affected individuals. ss161110142 was then shown to segregate in the 34 pedigrees studied, resulting in a two-point LOD score of 14.2 (P = 3.89 × 10(-8)). Its penetrance was estimated to be 74.0%. Among the Asian populations tested (Japanese, Korean, and Chinese), the rare allele was much more frequent in cases (26, 33, and 4%, respectively) than in controls (1, 1, and 0%, respectively) and was associated with an increased odds ratio of 52.2 (95% confidence interval 27.2-100.2) (P = 2.5 × 10(-49)). This allele was, however, not detected in the Caucasian samples. Its population attributable risk was estimated to be 49% in the Japanese population, 66% in the Korean population, and 9% in the Chinese population.

CONCLUSIONss161110142 may confer susceptibility to MMD among East Asian populations.

ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12199-009-0116-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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.