Background: In recent years, dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been proposed as a useful vasoconstrictor for local anesthesia because it is less effective in circulation than clonidine of antihypertensive drugs. In addition, DEX is expected to act as a vasoconstrictor during local anesthesia. However, histomorphometric studies demonstrating that DEX exerts vasoconstrictive effects are lacking. This study aimed to clarify whether DEX exerts a histomorphologically vasoconstrictive effect on blood vessels in the mandible of rats. Methods: A total of 12 male Wistar rats were used. General anesthesia was induced and maintained using sevoflurane. Normal saline (0.2 ml) was injected on the left side of the jaw (DEX (-) effect site) and 0.2 ml normal saline containing 12.5 µg/ml DEX was injected on the right side of the jaw (DEX (+) effect site).The puncture point was located on the mesial side of the first molar, 1 mm away from the gingival sulcus.Following decalcification, the specimens were paraffinized and sagittally sliced into 20 μm-thick sections, followed by staining with anti-α smooth muscle actin antibody. The intravascular lumen area was measured in the oral mucosa, periodontal ligament, mandibular bone above the root apex, mandibular bone below the root apex, and dental pulp. The unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis, and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Compared to the DEX (-) effect site, the intravascular lumen area in the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament of the DEX (+) effect site was significantly decreased. No significant difference was observed in the intravascular lumen area between the DEX (-) and DEX (-) effect sites in the mandibular bone above and below the root apex and dental pulp. Conclusion A direct vasoconstrictive effect of DEX was not observed in the intravascular lumen of the mandibular bone above and below the root apex and dental pulp; however, it was observed in the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament.

Background: In recent years, dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been proposed as a useful vasoconstrictor for local anesthesia because it is less effective in circulation than clonidine of antihypertensive drugs. In addition, DEX is expected to act as a vasoconstrictor during local anesthesia. However, histomorphometric studies demonstrating that DEX exerts vasoconstrictive effects are lacking. This study aimed to clarify whether DEX exerts a histomorphologically vasoconstrictive effect on blood vessels in the mandible of rats. Methods: A total of 12 male Wistar rats were used. General anesthesia was induced and maintained using sevoflurane. Normal saline (0.2 ml) was injected on the left side of the jaw (DEX (-) effect site) and 0.2 ml normal saline containing 12.5 µg/ml DEX was injected on the right side of the jaw (DEX (+) effect site).The puncture point was located on the mesial side of the first molar, 1 mm away from the gingival sulcus.Following decalcification, the specimens were paraffinized and sagittally sliced into 20 μm-thick sections, followed by staining with anti-α smooth muscle actin antibody. The intravascular lumen area was measured in the oral mucosa, periodontal ligament, mandibular bone above the root apex, mandibular bone below the root apex, and dental pulp. The unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis, and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Compared to the DEX (-) effect site, the intravascular lumen area in the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament of the DEX (+) effect site was significantly decreased. No significant difference was observed in the intravascular lumen area between the DEX (-) and DEX (-) effect sites in the mandibular bone above and below the root apex and dental pulp. Conclusion A direct vasoconstrictive effect of DEX was not observed in the intravascular lumen of the mandibular bone above and below the root apex and dental pulp; however, it was observed in the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament.

Background: In recent years, dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been proposed as a useful vasoconstrictor for local anesthesia because it is less effective in circulation than clonidine of antihypertensive drugs. In addition, DEX is expected to act as a vasoconstrictor during local anesthesia. However, histomorphometric studies demonstrating that DEX exerts vasoconstrictive effects are lacking. This study aimed to clarify whether DEX exerts a histomorphologically vasoconstrictive effect on blood vessels in the mandible of rats. Methods: A total of 12 male Wistar rats were used. General anesthesia was induced and maintained using sevoflurane. Normal saline (0.2 ml) was injected on the left side of the jaw (DEX (-) effect site) and 0.2 ml normal saline containing 12.5 µg/ml DEX was injected on the right side of the jaw (DEX (+) effect site).The puncture point was located on the mesial side of the first molar, 1 mm away from the gingival sulcus.Following decalcification, the specimens were paraffinized and sagittally sliced into 20 μm-thick sections, followed by staining with anti-α smooth muscle actin antibody. The intravascular lumen area was measured in the oral mucosa, periodontal ligament, mandibular bone above the root apex, mandibular bone below the root apex, and dental pulp. The unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis, and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Compared to the DEX (-) effect site, the intravascular lumen area in the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament of the DEX (+) effect site was significantly decreased. No significant difference was observed in the intravascular lumen area between the DEX (-) and DEX (-) effect sites in the mandibular bone above and below the root apex and dental pulp. Conclusion A direct vasoconstrictive effect of DEX was not observed in the intravascular lumen of the mandibular bone above and below the root apex and dental pulp; however, it was observed in the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament.

Background: We assessed the relationship between patient age and remifentanil dosing rate in patients managed under general anesthesia with spontaneous breathing using low-dose remifentanil in sevoflurane. Methods: The participants were patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status of 1 or 2 maintained under general anesthesia with low-dose remifentanil in 1.5-2.0% sevoflurane. The infusion rate of remifentanil was adjusted so that the spontaneous respiratory rate was half the rate prior to the induction of anesthesia, and γH 　(µg/kg/min) was defined as the infusion rate of remifentanil under stable conditions where the respiratory rate was half the rate prior to the induction of anesthesia for ≥ 15 minutes. The relationship between γH and patient age was analyzed statistically by Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: During dental treatment under general anesthesia using low-dose remifentanil in sevoflurane, a significant correlation was detected between γH and patient age. The regression line of y = − 0.00079 x + 0.066 (y-axis; γH , x-axis; patient's age) was provided. The values of γH provide 0.064 µg/kg/min at 2 years and 0.0186 µg/kg/min at 60 years. Therefore, as age increases, the dosing rate exhibits a declining trend. Furthermore, in the dosing rate of remifentanil when the patient's respiratory rate was reduced by half from the preanesthetic respiratory rate, the dosing rate provided was around 0.88 mL/h in all ages if the remifentanil was diluted as 0.1 mg/mL. EtCO2 showed 51.0 ± 5.7 mmHg, and SpO2 was controlled within the normal range by this method. In addition, all dental treatments were performed without major problems, such as awakening and body movement during general anesthesia, and the post-anesthetic recovery process was stable. Conclusion General anesthesia with spontaneous breathing provides various advantages, and the present method is appropriate for minimally invasive procedures.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adenine-induced CKD model rats by serum analyses, and to examine bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength, and microstructure of trabecular and cortical bone in these rats. Methods: Eight-week-old, male Wistar rats (n = 42) were divided into 2 groups: those fed a 0.75% adenine diet for 4 weeks until 12 weeks of age to generate CKD model rats (CKD group); and sham rats. The CKD and sham groups were sacrificed at 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age (n = 7 in each group and at 12, 16, and 20 weeks), and various parameters were evaluated, including body weight, renal wet weight, muscle wet weight, renal histology, biochemical tests, BMD, biomechanical testing, and micro-computed tomography (CT). The parameters were compared between the 2 groups at the various time points. Results: In the CKD model rats, at 20 weeks of age, serum creatinine, phosphorus, and intact-PTH levels were elevated, and serum calcium levels were normal, indicating that the CKD was stage IV and associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Decreased BMDs of the whole body and the femur were observed as bone changes, and micro-CT analysis showed deterioration of bone microstructure of the cortical bone that resulted in decreased bone strength in the cortical and trabecular bone. Conclusions These CKD model rats showed stage IV CKD and appear appropriate for evaluating the effects of several treatments for CKD-related osteoporosis and mineral bone disorder.

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan.

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan.

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan.

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan.

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan.