To determine the effect of material factors on Ca-P biomaterial-induced osteogenesis, six kinds of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics with different HA to TCP ratio (HA/TCP 2-8, 7-3) and different porous structure (micro-, macro- and micro/macro- porous structures) were implanted intramuscularly in rabbits. Different tissue response was detected histologically and microradiographically after the ceramic samples were implanted in the dorsal muscles of rabbits for 3 and 6 months. Obvious bone formation was found in two kinds of ceramics with the same micro/macro-porous structure at both 3 and 6 months. In contrast, no bone formation or host tissue invasion was detected in two other kinds of ceramics with only micro-porous structure, even after 6 months implantation. Some bone formation was found occasionally in two kinds of ceramics with only macro-porous structure at 6 months. Bone tissue was usually formed in direct contact with the pore surface and was only located in non-dissolved porous regions. Osteocyte lacunae were seen and no pathological calcifications were observed. These results indicate that micro- and macro-porous structure play an important role in the osteoinduction with Ca-P ceramics. Furthermore, the results showed that the osteoinductive capacity of BCP ceramics was influenced by the different dissolution rate through changing HA/TCP ratio.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of feeding Okara fermented by Bacillus coagulans on cecum microflora in rat. Method: Three groups of SD rat of 8 weeks old were used in the experiment. The experimental animals were fed control diet, 2% okara diet, 2% fermented okara diet in each group for two weeks. The experimental diet and water were provided ad libitum. Food intake was measured every day. After 24 hours fast, we performed drawing blood with heparin after the experimental period. After drawing blood, several organs were removed for measuring their weight. In addition, we removed cecum after drawing blood about each three groups and studied their microflora. We also measured about plasma albumin, ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, and cytokine level. Result: Bifidobacteria of cecum and blood IFN-g levels significantly increased in the fermented okara group. The total cholesterol level in blood significantly decreased. Conclusion: Okara fermented by Bacillus coagulans had an influence on not only intestinal microflora but also the immune system in rat, suggesting that the fermented okara can expect development as functional materials.

  The Association of Radiologists under the umbrella of the Hokkaido Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives for Health and Welfare (Hokkaido Koseiren) set up in 2003 a committee with the aim of improving the accuracy of mass health examinations. Recently, the committee reviewed the results of abdominal examinations by sonography performed at the eight hospitals affiliated with the Koseiren during fiscal 2006 that ended March 31, 2007. Of those individuals who underwent thorough health checkups, 91.3% had their abdomen examined by ultrasound. Something anomalous was detected in 68.1% of the examinees and 4.5% needed to undergo closer checkups, the rate of response to which was 74.5%. The detection ratio of cancer by ultrasonography was worked out at 0.048%. The ratio of patients requiring a closer exam to the total and the cancer detection ratio varied widely from hospital to hospital. The wide dispersion was ascribable to the difference in the standard of judgment for indicating closer examinations and the difference in the number of examinees so far as the cancer detection ratio was concerned, from hospital to hospital. A look at the primary findings of anomalies revealed that fatty liver topped the list accounting for 27.4% followed by cholelithiasis with 3.6%. From this, we realized that the abdominal examinations by sonography served to detect cancer and lifestyle-induced health problems as well. Organ-wise, the cancer cases found during the period from 1998 to 2009 broke down as follows: kidney (79 cases), liver (40 cases), pancreas (30 cases), gall bladder (24 cases), others (8 cases) and spleen (none). The cancer detection ratio per year ranged from 0.03 to 0.05% during the period.

We present the case of an infant with oral cancer that developed in the 3rd month of life, following which oral feeding became difficult. In the 11th month of life, the right side of the mandible was resected surgically and movement on the right side of the mandible was restricted because of the compression caused by the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap used for reconstruction. We initiated rehabilitation for the initial acquisition of eating functions so that the patient would be able to ingest baby food despite having an organic disorder in the oral cavity.Postoperative dysphagia in adult oral cancer is an organic disorder that occurs after acquisition of a normal swallowing pattern, whereas postoperative dysphagia in pediatric oral cancer is an organic disorder that occurs during the initial acquisition of eating functions. At present, the rehabilitation approach has not been established.From 12 months of age in this patient, we evaluated training methods that were easily accepted by children, including postoperative oral function evaluation, with the goal of the initial acquisition of eating functions. We approached postoperative wound contracture prevention with a focus on approaches to lip insufficiency, predation, and tongue/mandibular movements. In addition, we focused on family guidance and tried to support the caretaker's correct use of methods established during training.

We present the case of an infant with oral cancer that developed in the 3rd month of life, following which oral feeding became difficult. In the 11th month of life, the right side of the mandible was resected surgically and movement on the right side of the mandible was restricted because of the compression caused by the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap used for reconstruction. We initiated rehabilitation for the initial acquisition of eating functions so that the patient would be able to ingest baby food despite having an organic disorder in the oral cavity.Postoperative dysphagia in adult oral cancer is an organic disorder that occurs after acquisition of a normal swallowing pattern, whereas postoperative dysphagia in pediatric oral cancer is an organic disorder that occurs during the initial acquisition of eating functions. At present, the rehabilitation approach has not been established.From 12 months of age in this patient, we evaluated training methods that were easily accepted by children, including postoperative oral function evaluation, with the goal of the initial acquisition of eating functions. We approached postoperative wound contracture prevention with a focus on approaches to lip insufficiency, predation, and tongue/mandibular movements. In addition, we focused on family guidance and tried to support the caretaker's correct use of methods established during training.