Yoshitaka Taniguchi

Prognostic significance of perioperative blood transfusion in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

The influence of perioperative blood transfusion on survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is still not convincingly determined. To investigate the effect of perioperative allogeneic transfusion on survival in stage II–IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, we studied a consecutive series of 105 patients undergoing primary tumor resection and neck dissection.

Sema4D deficiency results in an increase in the number of oligodendrocytes in healthy and injured mouse brains

Semaphorins, a family of secreted and membrane‐bound proteins, are known to function as repulsive axon guidance molecules. Sema4D, a class 4 transmembrane‐type semaphorin, is expressed by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, but its role is unknown. In this study, the effects of Sema4D deficiency on oligodendrocytes were studied in intact and ischemic brains of adult mice. As observed in previous studies, Sema4D marked by β‐galactosidase in Sema4D mutant mice was localized exclusively on myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG)‐positive oligodendrocytes but not on NG2‐positive oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Although there was no difference in the number of the latter cells between Sema4D‐deficient and wild‐type mice, the number of MAG‐positive cells was significantly increased in the cerebral cortex of both nonischemic and postischemic brains of Sema4D‐deficient mice. Cell proliferation, observed by using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, was evident in the MAG‐positive cells that developed after cerebral ischemia. These data indicate that Sema4D is involved in oligodendrogenesis during development and during recovery from ischemic injury.

Two cases of less invasive treatment for radicular cyst in primary dentition

Radicular cysts in the primary dentition are rare, with such cysts most commonly occurring in the permanent dentition. Pulpal treatment for teeth affected by dental caries has been suggested as a causative factor of radicular cysts. We report two cases of radicular cysts occurring in the primary dentition after pulpectomy. Marsupialization of the cystic lesion was performed in both cases, resulting in uneventful eruption of the successive permanent tooth. A resin appliance in one case and antibiotic ointment-impregnated gauze only in the other were used to fill and promote healing of the cystic cavity. The results suggest that this approach is effective in inducing complete healing of radicular cysts in the primary dentition and avoiding the formation of residual cysts. Furthermore, use of antibiotic-impregnated gauze appears to offer an easier option than other reported methods in the management of radicular cysts.