Clinical studies have shown that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(A.actinomycetemcomitans)is associated with aggressive periodontitis and can potentially trigger or exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis(RA).However,the mechanism is poorly understood.Here,we show that systemic infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans triggers the progression of arthritis in mice anti-collagen antibody-induced arthritis(CAIA)model following IL-1β secretion and cell infiltration in paws in a manner that is dependent on caspase-11-mediated inflammasome activation in macrophages.The administration of polymyxin B(PMB),chloroquine,and anti-CD11b antibody suppressed inflammasome activation in macrophages and arthritis in mice,suggesting that the recognition of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in the cytosol after bacterial degradation by lysosomes and invasion via CD11b are needed to trigger arthritis following inflammasome activation in macrophages.These data reveal that the inhibition of caspase-11-mediated inflammasome activation potentiates aggravation of RA induced by infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans.This work highlights how RA can be progressed by inflammasome activation as a result of periodontitis-associated bacterial infection and discusses the mechanism of inflammasome activation in response to infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans.

Purpose: This study aimed to summarize the impact of neck and head radiation treatment on maxillofacial structures detected on panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, the authors searched PubMed Central, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for original research studies up to February 2020 that included the following Medical Subject Headings keywords: words related to “radiotherapy” and synonyms combined with keywords related to “panoramic radiography” and “oral diagnosis” and synonyms. Only original studies in English that investigated the maxillofacial effects of radiotherapy via panoramic radiographs were included. The quality of the selected manuscripts was evaluated by assessing the risk of bias using Cochrane's ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. Results: Thirty-three studies were eligible and included in this review. The main objectives pertained to the assessment of the effects of radiation on maxillofacial structures, including bone architecture alterations, periodontal space widening, teeth development abnormalities, osteoradionecrosis, and implant bone loss. The number of participants evaluated ranged from 8 to 176. Conclusion The interaction between ionizing radiation and maxillofacial structures results in hazard to the tissues involved, particularly the bone tissue, periosteum, connective tissue of the mucosa, and endothelium. Hard tissue changes due to radiation therapy can be detected on panoramic radiographs.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fundic gland polyps (FGPs), hyperplastic polyps (HPs), and xanthomas (XTs) are common benign gastric lesions that can be diagnosed by endoscopic appearance alone in most cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between gastric cancer and these benign lesions. METHODS: Two expert endoscopists reviewed a series of gastroscopy images. FGPs, HPs, and XTs were diagnosed by endoscopic appearance, whereas all gastric cancers were confirmed pathologically. RESULTS: Of the 1,227 patients reviewed, 114 (9.3%) had a concurrent or past history of gastric cancer. The overall prevalences of FGPs, HPs and XTs were 9.4%, 6.3% and 14.2%, respectively. HPs and XTs coexisted in 1.6% of patients, whereas other combinations were rarer. XTs were observed in 39.3% and 11.5% of patients with and without gastric cancer, respectively (p<0.001). In contrast, no gastric cancer patients had FGPs, whereas 10.4% of patients without cancer had FGPs (p<0.001). The prevalence of HPs was similar between the two groups (8.8% and 6.0% of patients with and without cancer, respectively, p=0.29). Multivariate and Mantel-Haenszel analyses demonstrated that XTs were positively associated and FGPs were negatively associated with gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: XTs and FGPs might be useful as endoscopic risk indicators for monitoring gastric cancer.
Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Polyps ; Prevalence ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Xanthomatosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although multiple treatment options exist for the management of sigmoid colon volvulus, no study has examined the factors associated with successful endoscopic detorsion. This study aimed to examine the clinical course of patients with sigmoid colon volvulus and to identify factors related to successful endoscopic detorsion. METHODS: This study included 30 cases (21 patients) of sigmoid volvulus from among 545 cases of intestinal obstruction at a single center. We retrospectively examined the clinical course and the factors associated with the possibility of endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid colon volvulus. RESULTS: The rate of laxative use among the study participants was 76.2%; the rate of comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders was 61.9%; and 57.1% of patients had a history of open abdominal surgery. All patients were initially treated with endoscopic detorsion, and this procedure had a 61.9% success rate. The recurrence rate after detorsion was as high as 46.2%, but detorsion during revision endoscopy was possible in all cases. Statistical analysis revealed that the absence of abdominal tenderness (P=0.027), the use of laxatives (P=0.027), and a history of open abdominal surgery (P=0.032) were factors predictive of successful endoscopic detorsion. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study are consistent with previous reports with respect to the success rate of endoscopic detorsion, the subsequent recurrence rate, and the proportion of patients requiring surgical treatment. In addition, we identified the absence of abdominal tenderness, the use of laxatives, and history of open abdominal surgery as factors predicting successful endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid colon volvulus.
Colon, Sigmoid* ; Colonoscopy ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestinal Volvulus* ; Laxatives ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sigmoidoscopy

No abstract available.
Intestinal Volvulus ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Rotation ; Endoscopy ; Colonic Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We report a case involving a young female patient with severe mandibular retrognathism accompanied by mandibular condylar deformity that was effectively treated with Le Fort I osteotomy and two genioplasty procedures. At 9 years and 9 months of age, she was diagnosed with Angle Class III malocclusion, a skeletal Class II jaw relationship, an anterior crossbite, congenital absence of some teeth, and a left-sided cleft lip and palate. Although the anterior crossbite and narrow maxillary arch were corrected by interceptive orthodontic treatment, severe mandibular hypogrowth resulted in unexpectedly severe mandibular retrognathism after growth completion. Moreover, bilateral condylar deformities were observed, and we suspected progressive condylar resorption (PCR). There was a high risk of further condylar resorption with mandibular advancement surgery; therefore, Le Fort I osteotomy with two genioplasty procedures was performed to achieve counterclockwise rotation of the mandible and avoid ingravescence of the condylar deformities. The total duration of active treatment was 42 months. The maxilla was impacted by 7.0 mm and 5.0 mm in the incisor and molar regions, respectively, while the pogonion was advanced by 18.0 mm. This significantly resolved both skeletal disharmony and malocclusion. Furthermore, the hyoid bone was advanced, the pharyngeal airway space was increased, and the morphology of the mandibular condyle was maintained. At the 30-month follow-up examination, the patient exhibited a satisfactory facial profile. The findings from our case suggest that severe mandibular retrognathism with condylar deformities can be effectively treated without surgical mandibular advancement, thus decreasing the risk of PCR.
Cleft Lip ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genioplasty* ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Incisor ; Jaw ; Malocclusion ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III ; Mandible ; Mandibular Advancement ; Mandibular Condyle ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteotomy* ; Palate ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrognathia* ; Tooth

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Twenty-four-hour esophageal impedance and pH monitoring allows detection of all types of reflux episodes and is considered the best technique for identifying gastroesophageal refluxes. However, normative data for the Japanese population are lacking. This multicenter study aimed to establish the normal range of 24-hour esophageal impedance and pH data both in the distal and the proximal esophagus in Japanese subjects. METHODS: Forty-two healthy volunteers (25 men and 17 women) with a mean ± standard deviation age of 33.3 ± 12.4 years (range: 22–72 years) underwent a combined 24-hour esophageal impedance and pH monitoring. According to the physical and pH properties, distal or proximal esophageal reflux events were categorized. RESULTS: Median 45 reflux events occurred in 24 hours, and the 95th percentile was 85 events. Unlike previous reports, liquid-containing reflux events are median 25/24 hours with the 95th percentile of 62/24 hours. Acidic reflux events were median 11/24 hours with the 95th percentile of 39/24 hours. Non-acidic gas reflux events were median 15/24 hours with the 95th percentile of 39/24 hours. Proximal reflux events accounted for 80% of the total reflux events and were mainly non-acidic gas refluxes. About 19% of liquid and mixed refluxes reached the proximal esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous studies, liquid-containing and acidic reflux events may be less frequent in the Japanese population. Non-acidic gas reflux events may be frequent and a cause of frequent proximal reflux events. This study provides important normative data for 24-hour impedance and pH monitoring in both the distal and the proximal esophagus in the Japanese population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Electric Impedance* ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Male ; Reference Values*

For the purpose of relieving stress caused by post operative change in diet due to gastric cancer, a cancer salon which included a cooking class collaborating with doctors, oncology certified nurse specialist, NST registered dietitian, cancer support center nurse, and cook was held. The cancer salon was intended for post gastrectomy patients and their families. There were total of 20 participants（12 patients, 8 families, 8 males and 12 females）, and among them were six couples. We conducted a questionnaire survey of cancer salon to participants whose average age was 64±13.4 years old. All participants responded“good”or“fair”in all items. Among respondents, 61％（n＝11）said it was fun, 88％.（n＝15）said“cooking in the cooking class would be helpful in the future”. Not only learning how to cook, the salon provided an opportunity for participants to interact with each other and exchange information. In addition it helped participants to realize that there are others having the same disease who want to exchange opinions and the disease is not a problem of an individual rather it exists more universally.

Background and Aims: The gastrointestinal motility effects by carbonated water have not yet been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether single pre-prandial carbonated water administration might have an effect on the rate of liquid gastric emptying using the 13C-acetic acid breath test. Methods: Eight healthy volunteers (F/M; 3/5) participated in this randomized, 3-way crossover study. The subjects fasted overnight and were randomly assigned to receive 200mL of carbonated water before ingestion of the liquid test meal (200 kcal per 200 mL, containing 100 mg 13C acetate) or 200mL of carbonated water before the test meal or the test meal alone. Under all conditions, breath samples were collected for 150 min following the meal. Liquid gastric emptying was estimated by the values of the following parameters: T1/2, Tlag, the gastric emptying coefficient (GEC) and the regression-estimated constants (β and κ), calculated using the 13CO2 breath excretion curve using the conventional formulae. The parameters between the 3 test conditions were compared statistically. Results: Carbonated water significantly decreased k and beta, but T1/2, Tlag and GEC remained unchanged. Conclusions: The present study revealed that carbonated water has dual effects on liquid emptying: an initial acceleration with a subsequent deceleration in asymptomatic volunteers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the convenience of the quality of life and utility evaluation survey technology (QUEST) questionnaire and the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG) questionnaire as self-assessment diagnostic instrument. METHODS: This was a two-way crossover study conducted over 6 weeks from September 2010 to November 2010. The subjects were 60 consecutive patients admitted to the Hiratsuka city hospital with a gastrointestinal condition, regardless of the coexistence of heartburn. They were assigned to fill in both the QUEST and FSSG questionnaires in random order. We analyzed the time taken to complete the questionnaires, whether subjects asked any questions as they filled in the questionnaire, and the questionnaire scores. RESULTS: Comparison of the QUEST and the FSSG revealed significant differences in the completion time (196.5 vs. 97.5 seconds, respectively; P < 0.0001) and in whether subjects asked any questions (37 vs. 15 subjects, respectively; P < 0.0001). Completion time in QUEST scores of > or = 4 was lower than < 4 (170.5 vs. 214.0 seconds, respectively; P = 0.022), and the QUEST score was significantly higher without questions than with question (3 vs. 1 points, respectively; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the FSSG questionnaire may be easier for Japanese subjects to complete than the QUEST questionnaire.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cross-Over Studies ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Heartburn ; Hospitals, Urban ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self-Assessment