Masafumi Oka

Squamous cell carcinoma—Antigen for detection of squamous cell and mucoepidermoid carcinoma after primary treatment: A preliminary report

This study evaluated the efficacy of using the periodic measurement of the serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-antigen) for determining the local recurrence and/or metastasis of squamous cell and mucoepidermoid carcinomas after primary treatment. It was found that at the time of clinical recognition of recurrence, the SCC-antigen level was normal, but metastasis to regional lymph nodes or to remote organs generally was accompanied by an increase of SCC-antigen. Changes in the SCC-antigen level with mucoepidermoid carcinoma seemed to be less sensitive than with squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen in the serum of oromaxillary cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen levels in sera and several tissues were estimated in patients with oral and maxillary cancer. The normal value of serum SCC antigen level was 1.7 ng/ml in this experiment, and 43.3% of squamous cell carcinoma was positively higher than 1.7 ng/ml as a whole, including cases of carcinoma in situ and of recurrence and metastasis in the oral region. In relation to the clinical staging of tumors, 20.0% in stage I, 14.3% in stage II, 42.9% in stage III, and 77.8% in stage IV were positive for SCC antigen. In the group with definite regional lymph node metastases, 80% of patients revealed a higher value than the normal cut-off value. Patients with recurrent SCC demonstrated elevated SCC antigen values in sera except 1 case with an early condition of recurrence. Serum SCC antigen also presented good responses to various cancer treatments. The measurement of SCC antigen does not appear to be useful for the detection of early stage oral and maxillary SCC; however, for detection of recurrence and for lymphatic and/or remote metastases in the follow-up period, it would appear that SCC antigen level would be some value.

Long-term evaluation of non-surgical treatment of osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint

For 25 patients with osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the course of the clinical symptoms consisting of limitation of mouth opening, pain, joint sound, mandibular deviation and facial deformity was studied throughout a long follow-up period. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiographical and laboratory findings. It turned out that after a long period, only 1 patient still suffered from a disease without any improvement. Clinical signs and symptoms exhibited a tendency of gradual improvement, and the number of patients who did not attend the TMJ clinic further increased gradually after the first year. With regard to pain, only slight occasional pain was observed by 4 patients, 15 patients became free from pain, and the remaining patients did not return to the TMJ clinic after a period of 18 months. Sound produced by movements in the joint were observed in 22 patients at the first examination; at least 5 patients still had this symptom 18 months later, 10 patient only exhibited symptoms on rare occasions or were free from noises, and 7 patients no longer attended the TMJ clinic. 45.8% of the total number of patients recovered from the mandibular deviation, and 80% showed satisfactory mouth opening (more than 35 mm) at the last examination. Facial deformity was observed in at least 4 patients after a long follow-up period.

Bradykinin as an algesic (pain producing) substance in the pulp.

SummaryA rat uterine smooth muscle contracting substance was released into the superfusate of the dogs exposed canine pulp after noxious stimulation of the pulp by pricking, heat and electrical stimulation. This active substance was acid- and heat-resistant and was decomposed by carboxypeptidase B and α-chymotrypsin, but not by carboxypeptidase A and trypsin. This substance was also tested on several types of smooth muscle. Electrical activity of nerve cells in the reticular formation, which were sensitive to stimulation of the instep of the foot by pinching, was activated by the intrafemoral administration of the active substance. The algesic activity of this substance was examined in cantharidin blister base in man. This study conclusively demonstrated that the active substance of the pulp released by noxious stimulation produced pain and it was identified as bradykinin.

Hemodynamic changes during dental extraction and post-extraction bleeding in patients with prosthetic heart valves

Hemodynamic changes during dental extraction and postextraction bleeding were retrospectively evaluated in patients with prosthetic heart valves. It was found that the rate pressure product had a higher value in the period of anesthesia and during dental extraction. There was a tendency for a high RPP difference corresponding to an increased incidence of ECG changes, such as ST-T, QRS, P, and tachycardia. ECG changes were frequently observed high in procedures which required high doses of local anesthetic at one time or when multiple dental extractions were undertaken, whereas they seemed to have no positive relation to the number of heart valves replaced. Approximately 87% of the extractions were carried out under continuous anticoagulant therapy with a pretreatment coagulability level, of which 32% had bleeding during the first 24 h.

Nechanism of Substance P-Induced Salivary Secretion in Rats

Leeman and Hammerschlag (1,2) found a potent sialogogic substance in the rough extract from bovine or rat hypothalamus. This sialogogue has been known to be substance P itself. Although substance P (SP), one of tachykinins, has been recognized as a neurotransmitter (3,4) or a modulator (5,6) of the primary sensory neurone, mechanism of sialogogic action of this substance still remained undissolved.

Lymphoepithelial (branchial) cyst and amylase

A case of a branchial cyst with a high amylase activity of the cyst fluid was found in a 58-year-old female. The literature on branchial cysts with high amylase activity is reviewed. Amylase that showed high activity in the cystic fluid was revealed to be due to the salivary isoenzymes (S3 and S4) which migrated more to the anodic side on electrophoresis.

ENDORPHIN LEVELS IN THE RAT BRAIN AFTER THE TOOTH PULP STIMULATION

Summary Various types of electrical stimulation of tooth pulp and inhibitors of degradation and synthesis of opioid peptides were tested in order to find possible changes in endorphin content of three areas of brain, pons-4. diencephalon-mesencephalon-striaturm (D-M) and cortex, in rats. It was found that stimulation with short trains produced a significant increase in pons-C4. In the animals treated with D-phenylalanine, a weak inhibitor of carboxypeptidase, tooth pulp stimulation failed to cause any further changes. In the animals treated with cycloheximide which inhibits the peptide synthesis in the brain, tooth pulp stimulation produced a significant decrease in endorphin content in D-M. Thus, noxious stimulation may cause changes in endorphin levels in opposite directions depending on areas of the brain.

Significance of Adrenergic α-Effect on Salivary Kallikrein Secretion in the Submandibular Gland of the Dog

The effects of the sympathetic nerve stimulation and the administrations of sympathomimetics on the secretion of salivary kallikrein induced by the chorda tympani stimulation were examined quantitatively and qualitatively in the submandibular gland of the dog. The secretion of salivary kallikrein may be mediated through both adrenergic alpha- and beta-receptors. The activities of salivary kallikrein secreted by either the chorda tympani stimulation or isoproterenol were not inhibited by soy bean trypsin inhibitor in vitro, but those secreted by the sympathetic nerve stimulation and noradrenaline or adrenaline were markedly inhibited in vitro. These results suggested that secretion of glandular kallikrein was induced by the chorda tympani stimulation and the sympathetic beta-stimulation, and secretion of plasma kallikrein was induced by the sympathetic alpha-stimulation.