The clinical efficacy and safety of Cefditoren pivoxil as a treatment for pediatric oral infections such as periodontitis and osteitis were evaluated in 18 institutions.
The results were as follows:
1) Clinical efficacy
The overall clinical efficacy rate determined according to the standards established by the Committee was 98.4%. By disease, the efficacy rates were 96.9% and 100% for periodontitis and osteitis, respectively.
2) Bacteriological response
The eradication rate against infecting organisms from 47 patients was 93.6%, and the disappearance rate of 115 strains isolated as infecting organisms was 98.3%.
The MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values of Cefditoren pivoxil against 115 clinically isolated strains were 0.10 and 3.13μg/mL, respectively. For 60 aerbes strains, the MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values were 0.10 and 0.78μg/mL. Against 56 strains of oral streptococci, the range of MIC was ≤ 0.025 to 3.13μg/mL.
The MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values against 55 strains of anaerobes were 0.10 and 50μg/mL, respectively.
3) Safety
Mild side effects (watery stool) occurred in 1 (1.4%) of the 72 patients treated and slightly abnormal laboratory findings (Eos.↑) were found in 4 (6.9%) of 58 patients examined.

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Free radical-induced oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including oral diseases such as periodontitis and temporomandibular joint disease. We measured the ESR spectrum or 3D ESR images of the phantom, including 3-carbamoyl-2, 2, 5, 5-tetramethyl-pyrrolidine-1-yloxy (carbamoyl-PROXYL) as nitroxyl spin probe. The limitation of concentration obtained from the ESR spectrum or 3-dimensional ESR images of phantom was estimated at 0.25 mM. We demonstrated slice patterns of ESR-CT images (sagittal section) of 3-methoxycarbonyl-2, 2, 5, 5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl (MC-PROXYL) and carbamoyl-PROXYL in the head region of mice using the in vivo ESR imaging system. By comparison with ESR-CT images of MC-PROXYL, we confirmed the distribution of carbamoylPROXYL in the maxillofacial region of living mice. In vivo ESR imaging could be a powerful technique for non-invasive assessment of the free radical-induced oxidative stress in oral diseases of small animal models.

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We evaluated the effects of opioid peptides endomorphins 1 and 2 on the proliferation of human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. Endomorphins 1 and 2 inhibited proliferation of THP-1 at 48 h, but not at 72 h after incubation. Among the antineoplastic agents examined, 5-fluorouracil (5 FU) and vincristine (VCR) markedly inhibited proliferation of THP-1, whereas cyclophosphamide did not. Endomorphins 1 and 2 significantly inhibited VCR-induced inhibition of THP-1 proliferation at 48 h after incubation, without affecting that at 72 h after incubation. In contrast to VCR, 5 FU-induced inhibition of THP-1 proliferation was unaffected by the presence of endomorphins 1 or 2 at 48 and 72 h after incubation, respectively. Endomorphins 1 and 2 resulted in basically similar alterations of proliferation of THP-1 in both the absence and presence of antineoplastic agents. These results suggest that endomorphins 1 and 2 may inhibit proliferation of particular tumor cells, such as leukemia cell line THP-1.

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Recently, the use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has increased and so angioedema as a side effect of ACE inhibitor administration is probably increasing. However, angioedema induced by ACE inhibitors has rarely been reported. We reported a case of angioedema (Quincke's edema) of the face that recurred following the administration of a double dose of ACE inhibitor.

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A new isoflavonoid was isolated from Erythrina poeppigiana (Leguminosae), and was characterized as 3, 9-dihydroxy-10-γ, γdimethylallyl-6a, 11a-dehydropterocarpan based on extensive spectroscopic studies. Antibacterial activity of the isoflavonoid against Gram-positive oral bacteria was estimated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations. The isoflavonoid inhibited the growth of mutans streptococci and other oral streptococci at a concentration range of 6.25-12.5μ g/mL, and Actinomyces and Lactobacillus at<1.56-6.25μg/mL. The inhibitory activity against mutans streptococci was based on a bactericidal action. The new compound is a leading candidate compound for the prophylaxis of oral-related infectious diseases caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

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The objectives of this study are to assess the effectiveness of topical application of capsaicin cream on nerve conduction and to assess it clinically on human patients with facial pain. 1. A 0.075% capsaicin cream was repeatedly applied daily to the upper right lateral maxillary gingiva of rats. They were divided into seven groups consisting of a control group, a five-day treatment group, and one, two, three, four, and five-week treatment groups. Trigeminal sensory evoked potentials were measured in order to provide an objective assessment of its effect on nerve conduction. 2. Fifteen patients, who suffer from facial pain, were instructed to apply the capsaicin cream twice daily to the painful area and were asked about the subjective effect of its application by using a pain score (0-10) .
At five days it was observed that the capsaisin was already having an effect on suppressing amplitude, and at two weeks the effect was very pronounced. Out of the ten patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, six reported a reduction in pain. Out of the five patients suffering from CRPS, four reported a reduction in pain. These results suggested that the topical application of capsaicin cream to oral mucosa causes nerve conduction suppression and the topical application of it to facial pain areas can be used as a means of supplementary pain control for patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and CRPS.

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In the present study, clinicostatistical analyses were made of 11 MRSA-infected or detected cases in our department (Jan. '91 to Dec. 2001) . The analytical results were as follows:
1) The 11 inpatients, ranging from 30 to 90 years of age, consisted of oral cancers (8), malignant lymphoma (1), mandibular fracture (1) and buccal abscess (1) . The male to female ratio was 10: 1.
2) Age, physiological conditions, hospitalization period and antibiotics used were considered as infection factors. Eight inpatients were more than 65 years old. Three patients suffered from diabetes mellitus and 7 patients were in relatively long-term hospitalization.
3) The antibiotics used were mainly of the cephem (56.5%) and penicillin (13.1%) types. Of the 11 cases, 8 (72.7%) showed MRSA-infected or -detected onset within 29 days after the start of antibiotics.
4) The co-existing bacteria detected were gram-positive ones, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, α-streptococcus and Peptostreptococcus.
5) MRSA-infected or -detected cases were classified into two groups based on clinicopathologic state as follows: 5 complete MRSA-infection cases and 6 only MRSA-detected cases without common symptoms.
The former group reacted well to only vancomycine and the latter group was clinically cured also by cephems.

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