Lion Corporation (Japan)

Malocclusion is a common anomaly and is frequently observed in children and adults. Early detection and treatment of malocclusion is necessary to prevent and minimize complications. Therefore, developing a tool to check dentition at an early stage and motivate patients themselves to visit the dentist is required. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of building an AI model that can detect malocclusion in children during the mixed dentition stage. This study was conducted as a feasibility study using cross-sectional data. Subjects were recruited from panelists registered with Macromill, Inc. (approximately 1.3 million registered in 2021). A total of 519 elementary school children (275 boys and 244 girls in Grades 3-6) were included in this study. Questionnaire data and tooth alignment images of the children were collected. The dataset was created, and AI-based binary classification models for malocclusion were developed using an automated machine learning platform (DataRobot) to construct three algorithms for determining malocclusion (deep bite, maxillary protrusion, and crowding). Using a test dataset, the model's performance was assessed through sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, F1 score, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and area under the ROC curves (AUC). Three dental images were used for all model building, and questionnaire data used all four questions about oral habits (Q1: mouth open during the day, Q2: sleep with mouth open, Q3: have difficulty eating hard foods, Q4: prefer soft foods) for the deep bite classification model, Q1 and Q3 for the maxillary protrusion classification model, and Q1 and Q4 for the crowding classification model. The maxillary protrusion and crowding classification models showed moderate accuracy (AUC > 0.70), and the deep bite classification model showed high accuracy (AUC > 0.90). The permutation importance showed that dental image was the highest contributing factor in each model. Furthermore, while questionnaire data on oral habits were not an important factor in determining deep bite, these questionnaire data were an important factor in determining maxillary protrusion and crowding. Also, statistical analysis of the association between malocclusion and these oral habits revealed a significant association between maxillary protrusion or crowding and the presence or absence of oral habits. For the detection of malocclusion in mixed dentition, AI-based binary classification models are a promising approach as a screening tool.

ABSTRACT Understanding the relationship between surfactant molecular structure and cleansing performance is essential for the rational design of high‐performance detergents. In this study, we investigate the effect of propylene oxide (PO) chain length on the detergency of nonionic surfactants through a combination of experimental measurements and coarse‐grained molecular simulations. Experimentally, detergency tests revealed that increasing the PO content leads to a systematic decrease in cleansing performance. Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were performed to elucidate the molecular basis of this behavior. In bulk aqueous solutions, all surfactants self‐assembled into micelles, with longer PO chains resulting in slightly larger and more diffuse micellar structures. At a model dirt surface, surfactants with longer PO chains exhibited stronger adsorption and slower desorption under flow conditions compared to surfactants without PO units. These findings suggest that while PO segments enhance interfacial adsorption, excessive retention at the surface can hinder soil removal, thereby reducing overall detergency. This combined experimental and simulation approach provides molecular‐level insights into designing optimized nonionic surfactants for practical cleansing applications.

手洗いは, 手指に付着した病原体が口や目を通じて体内に侵入するのを防ぐため, 感染予防においてきわめて重要な手段である。本研究では, 脂肪酸塩と塩化ジメチルジアリルアンモニウム重合体（PDADMAC）を配合したモデルハンドソープ製剤による, 手洗い後の手指の抗菌持続性能をヒト皮膚上で検証した。大腸菌と黄色ブドウ球菌に対する抗菌持続性能を検証した結果, 水のみで手洗いした場合と比較して, 手洗い後4時間後まで有意に高い抗菌効果を示し, 手洗い行動に本製剤を用いることで手指に抗菌持続性能を付与できる可能性が示唆された。また, ヒト皮膚上の抗菌持続性能およびモデルハンドソープ製剤由来の残留成分をモデル皮膚上の結果と比較したところ, いずれも同様の傾向が認められた。このことから, モデル皮膚を用いた評価がヒト皮膚での結果を予測するために有効であることが示された。本研究の知見は, 手洗い後の接触感染リスクの低減に寄与するものである。

BackgroundOral dysfunctions that affect masticatory function, such as tooth loss, reportedly lead to malnutrition, which contributes to cognitive decline and the onset and progression of dementia. Previous studies on oral dysfunction have focused on older people already in need of nursing care. Therefore, we conducted a study of older people able to travel independently or with minor assistance to examine the relationship between oral and cognitive function in memory clinic study participants classified as cognitively normal, with mild cognitive impairment, or with dementia.MethodsParticipants were 178 study participants (median age: 79.0 years, 49.4% female) attending the memory clinic at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan. Following provision of informed consent, cognitive function was assessed using clinical dementia ratings and oral function assessed using number of present teeth, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis, repetitive salivary swallowing test, and tongue pressure. The relationships between cognitive and oral function were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analyses.ResultsOf the participants, 25, 92, and 61 were classified as cognitively normal, with mild cognitive impairment, and with dementia, respectively. Oral diadochokinesis /ka/ was associated with a high risk of mild cognitive impairment: adjusted odds ratio, 6.930 (95% confidence interval: 1.284–37.402, P = 0.024). Repetitive salivary swallowing test score was associated with a high-risk tendency for dementia: adjusted odds ratio, 4.171 (95% confidence interval: 0.981–17.736, P for trend = 0.053). Number of present teeth, occlusal force, and tongue pressure were not associated with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.ConclusionOral diadochokinesis /ka/ was independently associated with mild cognitive impairment. A well-designed cohort study is needed to clarify the causal relationships between cognitive decline and oral diadochokinesis. The ability to identify study participants with possible mild cognitive impairment through regular dental examinations would help to prevent dementia.Trial registrationThis study was registered to UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000048126) at 2022–06-21.

Retinol palmitate (VApal), an active ingredient in ophthalmic solution, has been reported to repair corneal injuries. Additionally, it has been suggested that the efficacy of VApal is enhanced by a specific surfactant, polyoxyethylene-polypropylene [EO100PO70EO100 (EOPO)]. We aimed to determine the efficacy of VApal in corneal wound healing in comparison to that of hyaluronic acid (HA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) used in over-the-counter ophthalmic solutions and whether the efficacy of VApal could be enhanced by EOPO compared to the widely used surfactant, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 60 (HCO60). To evaluate the efficacy of VApal or VApal emulsified with a surfactant, we performed a wound healing assay using corneal epithelial cells in monolayer (n = 4) or 3D culture (n = 6). Wound closure rates were calculated each time, and the efficacy was compared using the time to reach a 50% wound closure rate (ET50). The ET50 values of VApal, HA, CMC and HPMC were approximately 17.31 h, 26.99 h, 28.98 h and 26.01 h respectively. The ET50 values of VApal emulsified with EOPO or HCO60 were 34.49 h and 43.31 h, respectively. In conclusion, VApal is more beneficial than other ingredients for corneal wound healing. Additionally, the efficacy of VApal can be enhanced using EOPO instead of HCO60.

Balancing detergent power and foam formation is important for developing dishwashing detergents. Many ingredients that improve foaming have been studied, but the mechanism of action in the formulation system is not clear. The purpose of this study is to clarify the components that improve foam formation while maintaining detergent power as well as their mechanisms of action. In this study, the maximum rate of decrease in dynamic surface tension ((dγt/dt)max) was used as an indicator of foam formation. Rapid bubble generation promotes fine foam forming. The index of bubble formation is how much energy required to expand the area of foam can be reduced. (dγt/dt)max represents the point at which the adsorption rate changes from surface adsorption dominated to surface diffusion dominated. The effects of pH, (dγt/dt)max, and molecular mobility within micelles were evaluated to understand the foaming mechanism. The foam-boosting effect of fatty acid monoethanol amide (MEA) and fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AE) on aqueous solutions of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate (AES) and N,N-dimethyldodecylamine N-oxide (DDAO), which are the essential components of dishwashing detergents, was evaluated. When polyoxyethylene n-dodecyl monoethanolamide (C12MEA(2)) was added to the AES/DDAO solution, (dγt/dt)max increased at pH values above 6, suggesting enhanced DDAO deprotonation compared with that in the AES/DDAO aqueous solution without MEA. When polyoxyethylene n-dodecyl ether (C12AE(20)) was added to the AES/DDAO solution, (dγt/dt)max did not change with increasing pH. However, a comparison of molecular mobility within micelles revealed that AES/DDAO/C12AE(20) had higher molecular mobility than AES/DDAO/C12MEA(2). The present study indicates that a nonionic surfactant that can promote DDAO deprotonation with increasing pH without weakening the intermolecular interactions of AES and DDAO could effectively promote adsorption at the air-water interface and foam formation in aqueous AES/DDAO solutions.

BackgroundTooth loss significantly impacts oral function and overall health deterioration. Dental caries and periodontal disease are major contributors to tooth loss, emphasizing the critical need to prevent these conditions. Genetic studies have played a crucial role in deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these diseases. While large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on dental caries and periodontal disease have been conducted extensively, research focusing on Asian populations remains limited. Given substantial genetic and lifestyle variations across ethnicities, conducting studies across diverse populations is imperative. This study aimed to uncover new insights into the genetic mechanisms of these diseases, contributing to broader knowledge and potential targeted interventions.MethodsWe conducted a GWAS using genome data from 45,525 Japanese individuals, assessing their self-reported history of dental caries and periodontal disease. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis by integrating our results with those from a previous large-scale GWAS predominantly involving European populations.ResultsWhile no new loci associated with periodontal disease were identified, we discovered two novel loci associated with dental caries. The lead variants of these loci were intron variant rs10974056 in GLIS3 and intron variant rs4801882 in SIGLEC5.ConclusionOur study findings are anticipated to advance understanding of the underlying mechanisms of dental caries and periodontal disease. Thes insights may inform better management strategies for patients affected by these conditions.

香料は，数百種類の成分（以下，香料成分）で構成され，柔軟仕上げ剤（以下，柔軟剤）等のファブリックケア製品に香りという製品機能を付与する．香りの品質管理において，設計通りの香料配合量（以下，賦香率）で製造されていることの確認や，製造トラブル時の早急な原因解明の際に，多成分で構成された香料を網羅的に抽出し分析する必要がある．一般に香料の抽出法として液─液抽出法がよく使用されるが，高濃度の界面活性剤が含まれる柔軟剤からの香料抽出に適用した場合，界面活性剤で形成されるエマルションによって抽出が困難であった．そこで本研究では，液─液抽出時にエマルションを形成する柔軟剤に対し，ケイソウ土カラムを用いた抽出法を検討した．カラムへの試料負荷方法や溶離液の種類を検討した結果，GC/MS測定と組み合わせることで，回収率と繰り返し再現性が共に良好な定量分析法を開発した．本方法により，柔軟剤の賦香率を精度よく定量することが可能になった．

Handwashing represents an important personal hygiene measure for preventing infection. Herein, we report the persistence of antibacterial and antiviral effects after handwashing with fatty acid salt-based hand soap. To this end, we developed a new in vitro test method to measure persistence, utilizing coacervation formed by anionic surfactants and cationic polymers to retain highly effective soap components against each bacterium and virus on the skin. Coacervation with fatty acid salts and poly diallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) as a cationic polymer allowed the persistence of antibacterial and antiviral effects against E. coli, S. aureus, and influenza virus even 4 h after handwashing. Furthermore, we confirmed an increase in the number of residual components effective against each bacterium and virus on the skin. In summary, the current findings describe an effective approach for enhancing the protective effects of handwashing.