Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:30:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_anelise_fernandes_montagner.pdf: 2069040 bytes, checksum: f8827dc228fd6085f72280a7c6d30b98 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-29 / The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of chlorhexidine digluconate and sodium hypoclorite application on dentin after acid ecthing on the performance of adhesive restorations subjected to aging of the adhesive interface. For this, three studies were performed (in vitro, in situ and a systematic review). The in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on the microtensile bond strength values (μTBS) in dentin after cariogenic challenge and aging. Thirty sound human molars were selected and randomly assigned into 3 dentin pre-treatments (control, 2% chlorhexidine and 10% NaOCl) and 4 different types of aging (control -C-, biofilm without cariogenic challenge -NCC-, biofilm with cariogenic challenge -CC- and 18-month water storage -WS-). The same etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2, 3M ESPE) and composite resin (Z250, 3M ESPE) were used for all the groups (n=30). For NCC and CC groups, dental biofilm in microcosm derived from saliva of a healthy donor was added on the samples. The biofilm grew up in a defined medium enriched with mucin (DMM), with or without 10% sucrose, according to the group. After the experimental period, all the samples were cleaned up and microtensile test was carried out. The data, in MPa, were subjected to ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey Test (p < 0.05). The pre-treatment did not influence the μTBS, for all the aging conditions (p = 0.188); however the type of aging statistically affected the bond strength (p = 0.000). The bond strength values showed the following trend: C = NCC < CC = WS. Cariogenic challenge and water storage aging affected the bond strength stability and the former seems to be a suitable short-term methodology to assess the degradation of the resin-dentin. The in vivo study aimed to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) application in etched dentin on the 6-month retention of restorations of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs). A randomized controlled splitmouth and blind trial was carried out. Patients (n = 42) with at least two noncarious cervical lesions were included. NCCLs were randomly assigned according to the type of tooth into two groups: control (application of a placebo solution) or experimental group (application of 2% CHX for 60s after acid etching). Class V restorations (n = 169) were performed with an etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2) and a composite resin (Filtek Z350) according to the manufacturer instructions, by 10 previously trained operators. The restorations were evaluated by a calibrated examiner at 1 week (baseline) and 6-month using the FDI criteria. The outcome was retention of the restoration. The analysis of factors associated to the failure of restoration was carried out through Fisher s Exact Test (α = 0.05). After 6 months of follow-up, 3.4% (CI 95% 1.3 - 7.3) of the Class V restorations failed. There was no significant difference between control and CHX (p = 0.920). Regarding the cavity s variables, deeper (p = 0.024) and wider cavities (p = 0.004) showed more failures, and wedge-shaped cavities failed more than saucer-shaped ones (p = 0.033). Regarding the patient s variables, restorations in patients with lower salivation 8 showed a higher percentage of failure (p = 0.034). Both treatments provided acceptable clinical performance of the restorations. The use of CHX as a coadjuvant in dentin adhesion did not influence the retention of Class V restorations after 6 months of follow-up. The systematic review aimed to systematically review the literature for in vitro and ex vivo studies that evaluated the resin-dentin bond strength immediately and longitudinal with the use of MMP inhibitor on the adhesive procedure. The systematic review was conducted sourcing the following databases (Pubmed, TRIP, LILACS, Scielo, Cochrane and ISI web Science) with no publication year or language limit. From 1.336 potentially eligible studies, 48 were selected for full text analysis and 30 were included for review. Two independently reviewers selected the studies, abstracted information and assessed the risk of bias on standardize scales. The results showed high heterogeneity in some comparisons and showed no difference for CHX 2% and control at baseline, however after 6-month of aging the CHX 2% and 0.2% presented a trend showing higher bond strength values than control groups (p < 0.05). The literature review was possible to observe the trend towards the decreased of the bond strength through time most for the control groups than for the experimental one. From of the 30 studies included, only 5 studies (16.6%) presented medium risk of bias while 25 (83.4%) showed high risk of bias and none showed low risk of bias. The use of MMPs inhibitor did not negatively affect the immediate bond strength, and it influenced the bond strength values long-time regarding the dentin adhesion stability. / O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da aplicação do digluconato de clorexidina (CRX) e hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) em dentina, após o condicionamento ácido, na performance da interface adesiva submetida a envelhecimento da interface adesiva. Para isto, foram realizados 3 estudos (in vitro, in vivo e revisão sistemática). O estudo in vitro objetivou avaliar o efeito do prétratamento da dentina nos valores de resistência de união (RU) após diferentes tipos de envelhecimentos da interface adesiva. A dentina de todos os espécimes foi submetida ao condicionamento com ácido fosfórico por 15s e em seguida a 3 tipos de pré-tratamento: água destilada (controle - soluçao placebo - 60s), digluconato de clorexidina 2% - 60s, ou hipoclorito de sódio 10% - 60s. O sistema desivo (Single Bond 2 3M/ESPE) foi aplicado na superfície dentinária conforme indicação do fabricante. Palitos resina-dentina foram obtidos e submetidos a 4 níveis de envelhecimento: controle (CO), biofilme sem desafio cariogênico (BSD), biofilme com desafio cariogênico (BCD) e armazenamento em água por 18 meses (AGU). Nos grupos com biofilme, modelo de microcosmo foi utilizado e o biofilme foi crescido em meio definido enriquecido com mucina, com (BCD) ou sem (BSD) sacarose por 14 dias. Após o período experimental os espécimes foram limpos e preparados para o teste de microtração e o padrão de fratura foi analisado. Os valores de RU, em MPa, foram submetidos a ANOVA e teste post hoc Tukey (p < 0,05). O pré-tratamento não influenciou nos valores de RU, para todos os envelhecimentos avaliados (p = 0,188), entretanto o tipo de envelhecimento estatisticamente influenciou os valores de RU (p = 0,000). O envelhecimento CO foi similar ao BSD, com valores RU maiores que o BCD e AGU. A interface adesiva foi negativamente afetada pelo desafio cariogênico e pela degradação em água. No estudo in vivo, com objetivo de avaliar a retenção de restaurações classe V em dentina tratada ou não com CRX, um ensaio clínico controlado randomizado, boca dividida e triplo-cego foi conduzido. Pacientes (n = 42) com no mínimo 2 lesões cervicais não cariosas (LCNC) foram selecionados. As LCNC foram randomizadas em 2 grupos: tratamento controle e tratamento experimental (CRX 2% - 60s). Restaurações (n = 169) foram realizadas com Single Bond 2 (3M EPSE) e Filtek Z350 por 10 operadores previamente treinados. As restaurações foram avaliadas por um examinador calibrado em 1 semana e 6 meses após, usando os critérios da FDI. A análise dos fatores associados às falhas nas restaurações foi conduzida através do teste exato de Fisher (α = 0,05). Após 6 meses de acompanhamento, 3,4% (IC95% 1,3 - 7,3) das restaurações falharam devido a retenção. Não houve diferença significante entre os tratamentos controle e CRX para retenção (p = 0,920) e para manchamento marginal (p = 0,734). Em relação às variáveis relativas à cavidade, cavidades com maior profundidade (p = 0,024) e com maior altura (p = 0,004) 6 apresentaram maior ocorrência de falhas. Ainda, cavidades em formato de V apresentaram mais falhas que aquelas em formato de U (p = 0,033). Quanto as variáveis relativas aos pacientes, restaurações em pacientes que apresentavam boca seca falharam em maior porcentagem (p = 0,034). O uso de clorexidina como um coadjuvante na adesão a dentina não influenciou na retenção das restaurações após 6 meses de acompanhamento. E a revisão sistemática teve o objetivo de revisar a literatura acerca de estudos in vitro que avaliaram a RU resina-dentina imediata e após envelhecimento com o uso de inibidores de MMPs no procedimento adesivo. A revisão sistemática foi conduzida em 6 databases (Pubmed, TRIP, LILACS, Scielo, Cochrane and ISI web Science) sem limite de ano ou língua. De 1.336 estudos potencialmente elegíveis, 48 foram selecionados para análise de todo texto e 30 estudos foram incluiídos na revisāo. Dois revisores selecionaram os estudos, extraíram as informações e dados e verificaram o risco de viés em escalas padronizadas. Os resultados demostraram uma grande heterogeneidade em algumas comparações e nāo mostraram diferenças entre clorexidina 2% e o grupo controle sem envelhecimento, porém após 6 meses de envelhecimento observou-se uma tendência a favor dos grupos controle (p < 0,05). Todavia, foi possível observar na revisāo de literatura descritiva a tendência da diminuiçāo dos valores de RU (porcentagem) ao longo do tempo, mais para o grupo controle do que para o grupo experimental. De 30 estudos incluídos, apenas 5 estudos (16,6%) apresentaram médio risco de viés, enquanto 25 estudos (83,4%) mostraram alto risco de vieés e nenhum mostrou baixo risco. Os inibidores de MMPs nāo afetaram negativamente a RU da resina a dentina sem envelhecimento, e nāo influenciaram os valores de RU após envelheciemento.

The control of reproductive cycles in higher primates is largely dependent on negative and positive feedback mechanisms by both steroidal and non-steroidal substances of the ovaries which regulate the function of hypothalamo-pituitary system. To gain insights into the role of INH A, the non steroidal ovarian hormone in the feedback control of pituitary FSH secretion, studies were conducted to examine the interrelationships of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle of the bonnet macaque. The findings of chapter II provide a detailed description of endocrine hormone profile during the menstrual cycle of the bonnet macaques with special attention to the feedback role of INH A on pituitary FSH secretion. To characterize the endocrine profile of different hormones, both ovarian (E2, P4, INH A) and pituitary (FSH, LH) hormones were measured daily for more than 40 days. To further examine the site of secretion of INH A and its relationship with pituitary FSH dynamics, surgical lutectomy and pharmacological induction of luteolysis employing the third generation GnRH R antagonist, Cetrorelix (CET) studies were carried out in the subsequent experiments. The results obtained from these studies suggest that INH A and P4 secreted from the CL during luteal phase regulate pituitary FSH secretion. The selective rise in FSH observed during the late menstrual cycle and during menstruation (referred to as luteo-follicular transition), as has been reported previously in higher primates, considered necessary for initiation of follicular growth and recruitment of follicles for ensuing menstrual cycle was characterized in the monkey. Surgical lutectomy and induction of luteolysis by CET experiments suggested that increased GnRH secretion is essential for this selective rise in FSH following withdrawal of inhibition by P4 and INH A. In clinical cases of reproductive ageing, the shortened follicular phase in human females has been identified to be the result of occurrence of early onset of FSH rise during the luteal-follicular transition period. The cause(s) of declining fertility with age in women who still have regular menstrual cycles are not clear, but issues of relationship between dysregulation of selective FSH rise in the late luteal phase and associated infertility could be examined using bonnet monkey as a model system. INH A is secreted in significant quantities by CL in higher primates and the feto placental unit suggesting its importance during fertility and pregnancy. Apart from the negative feedback regulation of pituitary FSH secretion, the complete repertoire of actions of this hormone during pregnancy is yet to be fully understood. The data presented in this thesis is the first comprehensive report showing the endocrine hormone profile of gonadotropins and ovarian hormones including INH A throughout the menstrual cycle of the bonnet macaque. The characterization of INH A profile in bonnet monkey will be of significant value for studies examining the role of INH A in higher primates. Dimeric inhibin has been suggested to be important for regulation of fertility and reproductive functions. Also, inhibin-α (one of the subunits of the dimeric protein) knock out mice model has provided convincing evidence that it acts as a tumour suppressor. A great deal of new information has been generated in recent years regarding the potential clinical usefulness of monitoring inhibin levels in blood and biological fluids in gynaecological diseases, pathological pregnancies and other disorders. Emerging clinical roles of inhibin have made INH A an important candidate molecule to study its molecular regulation. The results presented in chapter II suggested that LH regulates luteal INH A secretion (induction of luteolysis by CET administration experiment). As a first step towards understanding molecular regulation of inhibin-α expression in the macaque CL, in silico promoter analysis of macaque inhibin-α was performed and it revealed several transcriptional factor binding sites that were conserved across species. In rats FSH up regulates while preovulatory LH surge suppresses inhibin-α mRNA expression in the ovary and this suppression has been suggested to be necessary for occurrence of secondary FSH surge during metestrus. To address differential regulation of inhibin-α by LH and FSH in rat ovary during the periovulatory period, studies employing immature rats were carried out and the results are presented in chapter III. The results suggest that immature rat ovaries respond to exogenous gonadotropins in terms of LH signaling (cAMP production), luteinization (P4 production) and as well induction of ICER expression required for repression of inhibin-α subunit expression. PDE4 inhibitor (rolipram) treatment enhanced the ovarian cAMP concentrations suggesting that PDE4 play a major role in controlling intraovarian cAMP concentrations in rat ovaries. However increased cAMP concentrations did not appear to up regulate the ICER expression at the time point examined in this study. In higher primates time course of second FSH surge and continued synthesis and secretion of INH A in the CL are different from non primate species. In the monkey, the second FSH rise occurs during the late luteal phase and experiments have been carried out to examine the regulation of inhibin-α subunit expression by ICER. Expressions of ICER (mRNA/protein) and INH A were examined during different stages of CL and the results indicated no clear inverse relationship between the ICER and inhibin-α mRNAs. With no conclusive role for the ICER in regulating luteal inhibin-α observed in the study, the role of transcriptional activators in the regulation of inhibin-α like GATA4, SF-1, β-catenin were further examined. Since luteal INH A secretion was dependent on pituitary LH as determined earlier in chapter II, expressions of transcriptional activators were examined in CL of different stages and also during induced luteolysis and the results are described in chapter IV. In conclusion, our results indicate cross talk between WNT, cAMP and P38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in the regulation of luteal INH A secretion. The pituitary gonadotropin, LH, is the primary luteotropin in primate species acting to maintain the structure and function of the CL during the menstrual cycle. However whether the actions of LH are direct or mediated by local factors such as P4 remain unknown. Moreover, P4 secretion which is dominant during luteal phase has any role in regulating CL structure and function is not clearly defined. To address these and issues concerning P4 actions, initially, experiments were performed in the rat model to study the importance of P4 in the regulation of ovarian functions. An antiprogestin, RU486, was employed as a tool to uncover the PR regulated pathways during ovulation in rats and the findings are presented in the chapter V. The results indicated that blockade of PR action by RU486 during gonadotropin-induced superovulation resulted in inhibition of follicular rupture and ovulation in immature rats. Further to understand the downstream effectors of PR action, and to identify the candidate target genes of PR activation, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analyses were performed. The results obtained indicated that betacellulin, a member of EGF family and MMP-9 a proteolytic enzyme, were markedly repressed in response to RU486 treatment in rat ovaries. Also, the down stream pathway of EGF signaling leading to activation of ERK was markedly repressed in RU486 treated ovaries. It was next examined what role the P4/PR system has in the regulation of CL structure and function. Surprisingly, PR expression is absent in CL of rats, while it is present in higher primates. Experiments were carried out to examine intracrine actions of P4 in the regulation of CL structure and function in monkeys. The recently reported model system of induced luteolysis yet capable of responsive to trophic support from the laboratory provided an ideal opportunity to examine direct effects of P4 on structure and function of CL in the monkey. A series of pilot experiments were carried out in monkeys experiencing summer amenorrhea, to determine dose and mode of administration of exogeneous P4 to simulate mid luteal phase circulating P4 concentrations in monkeys subjected to induced luteolysis. Based on the results of pilot experiments, implantation of Alzet pumps containing 97.5mg of P4 was selected for maintaining mid luteal phase P4 concentrations. The microarray data of induced luteolysis previously deposited by the laboratory in NGBI’s gene expression omnibus were mined for identification and validation of differentially expressed genes of PR and its target genes following LH depletion and LH replacement experiments. Expressions of PR, PR cofactors and expressions of PR downstream target genes through out the luteal phase and in CL from day1 of menses were also examined. Analysis of expressions of genes revealed that of the 45 genes identified to be regulated by LH treatment, 4 genes were found to be responsive to P4, and 14 were identified to be responsive to both P4 and LH. Morphology of CL tissue sections revealed that P4 treatment appeared to have reversed the induced-luteolysis changes. In another experiment, implantation of P4 during late luteal phase (i.e., the period of declining P4 concentrations) for 24h caused changes in expressions of genes associated with tissue remodeling and morphology of luteal cells. Taken together, the results suggest that induced luteolysis plus P4 replacement model is suitable for assessing the effects of P4 on CL function. The results also suggest that CL could serve as target tissue for examining the genomic and non genomic actions of P4. In summary, studies carried out in the present thesis provides a comprehensive endocrine hormone profile throughout the menstrual cycle of the bonnet monkey with special emphasis on time course of INH A and FSH secretion which is very useful for future investigations. Studies have been carried out in rats and monkeys with different experimental model systems to address molecular mechanisms underlying inhibin-α regulation in the ovary in general and CL in particular. Experimental findings in monkeys could help elucidate the underlying molecular nature of CL functionality and extrapolate to understand luteal insufficiency and infertility producing conditions in humans. Also different model systems have been validated to examine the actions of P4/PR system in rats and monkeys and more importantly to address the direct effects of P4 upon monkey CL structure and function were established. Future investigations based on findings of these studies should help clarify relative roles for LH and P4 during maintenance of CL function and luteolysis.

No description available.

No description available.

Matrix remodeling could be an important mode of action of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in extracellular matrix (ECM) disease, but knowledge is limited in this respect. As MSC are well-known to adapt their behavior to their environment, we aimed to investigate if their mode of action would change in response to healthy versus pathologically altered ECM. Human MSC-derived ECM was produced under different culture conditions, including standard culture, culture on Matrigel-coated dishes, and stimulation with the pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor-1 (TGF1). The MSC-ECM was decellularized, characterized by histochemistry, and used as MSC culture substrate reflecting different ECM conditions. MSC were cultured on the different ECM substrates or in control conditions for 2 days. Culture on ECM increased the presence of surface molecules with ECM receptor function in the MSC, demonstrating an interaction between MSC and ECM. In MSC cultured on Matrigel-ECM and TGF1-ECM, which displayed a fibrosis-like morphology, gene expression of collagens and decorin, as well as total matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the supernatant were decreased as compared with control conditions. These results demonstrated that MSC adapt to their ECM environment, which may include pathological adaptations that could compromise therapeutic efficacy.

No description available.

Die invasiven und metastatischen Eigenschaften vieler Tumore werden mit einer Veränderung im physiologischen Gleichgewicht der Matrix Metalloproteinasen (MMP) und ihrer spezifischen und unspezifischen Inhibitoren in Zusammenhang gebracht. Das Ziel dieser Dissertation war es, die Wirkung von Batimastat, einem synthetischen Inhibitor der MMP, auf hormonabhängige und hormonunabhängige Prostatakarzinomzellinien sowie auf das Tumorwachstum im orthotopen Tumormodell des Dunning Tumor (R3327) zu untersuchen. Methoden: Im Zellkulturversuch wurde die Wirkung verschiedener Konzentrationen von Batimastat untersucht und die Proliferation mit dem MTT Test gemessen. Die Induktion des orthotopen Tumors erfolgte durch Inokulation von MATLyLu Zellen in die Rattenprostata (Dunning Tumor der Copenhagen Ratte). 10 Tiere wurden nach Tumorinduktion täglich mit 30 mg/kg Batimastat durch intraperitoneale Gabe behandelt, 10 weitere Ratten erhielten nur das Vehikel. Zehn Kontrolltiere blieben unbehandelt. Der Effekt auf des lokale Tumorwachstum wurden durch Bestimmung des Tumorgewichtes nach 20 Tagen definiert. Results:Batimastat zeigte eine dosisabhänige Hemmung des Wachstums der Prostatakarzinomzellinien in vitro. Bei 4000 ng/ml kam es zu einer eindeutigen Hemmung des Zellwachstums. Im Tierversuch fand sich nach 20 Tagen in der Kontrollgruppe ein mittleres Tumorgewicht von 18.9 ± 5,4 g, in der Vehikelgruppe von 22.3 ± 4,3 g und in der mit Batimastat behandelten Gruppe von 11.1 ± 2,6 g. Im Vergleich zur Kontroll- und Vehikelgruppe, zeigte sich in der Batimastatgruppe ein signifikant geringeres Tumorgewicht. Zusammenfassung: Batimastat kann das Tumorwachstum in einem Standardtiermodell des Prostatakarzinoms vermindern. Der Dunning Tumor der Copenhagen Ratte ist ein zuverlässiges Tiermodell zur weiteren Untersuchung von synthetischen Inhibitoren der MMP. / Background: Increased concentrations of metalloproteinases are associated with the invasive and metastatic behavior of several human malignant tumors. Normally, enzymatic activity is tightly regulated by nonspecific mechanisms and specific inhibitors. The aim of this dissertation was to determine the potential of a synthetic metallproteinase inhibitor, batimastat, to show its in vitro effect on hormonedependent and hormoneindependent prostate cancer cell lines and its in vivo effect on tumor growth in orthotopic cancer (R3327 Dunning tumor) in rats. Methods: In vitro, a dose response curve of batimastat was generated over 5 days using the MTT assay. Prostate cancer was injected in vivo in male Copenhagen rats by inoculating R3327 Dunning tumor cells (MATLyLu) into the ventral prostatic lobe of 30 rats. Each of 10 rats received batimastat (30 mg / kg / body weight) or vehicle once a day by i.p. application beginning the day of cell inoculation. Ten rats remained untreated. The effect on local tumor growth was evaluated by measuring tumor weights 20 days after tumor cell inoculation. Results: Significant inhibiton of tumor cell proliferation in vitro occurred at 4000 ng / ml batimastat. After orthotopic cell inoculation, tumors grew to mean weights of 18.9 ± 5,4 g in the control group without treatment, to 22.3 ± 4,3 g in the vehicle group, an to 11.1 ± 2,6 g in the treated group. In comparison to the control group and to the vehicle group, tumor weights increased significantly less under treatment with batimastat. Conclusions: Batimastat is able to reduce tumor growth in the standard prostate cancer model. Using this model, activity against cancer progression of future inhibitory agents can be reliably assessed.

選舉制度的設計與評估，主要有兩方面的考量，一是可治理性；二是分配的比例性。以台灣的情況為例，新選制的選舉結果，理論上政府的運作將趨向穩定；相較之下，在制度替換的過程中，改革者通常只看見舊制度的缺失，舊制度本身所具有的優點－比例性，在改革過程中往往被忽視。本文的研究目的即是重拾對比例性的視野，透過Loosemore-Hanby D指數測量選制改革前後的比例性偏差程度，檢視1992至2008年間比例性偏差數值的變化，並從五個面向－選區規模、席次分配、法定門檻、席次總數、選票結構－解釋比例性偏差發生的原因，發現所有的選制設計皆不利於比例性，導致新選制的比例性偏差與舊制度產生極大的落差。 此外，透過比較其他可能的比例性狀況可以發現，無論是聯立制的模擬或是票源模擬的結果，皆顯示有助於提升小黨的代表性；另一方面，同樣採用並立制的日本，四次的選舉經驗可以做為我國參考的對象，但是由於選舉制度的各項要素不盡相同，也使得兩國選舉結果的比例性和小黨代表性呈現差異性。 最後，混合制固然同時融合了相對多數決制和比例代表制的特性，但是由於制度上選制要素以及非制度上國情與社會狀況的不同，很難期待一個完美的選舉制度出現，因此，我們只能尋求一個理想的選舉制度，且善用混合制所具有的彈性，做出適度的調整。 / Upon the evaluation of an electoral system, the main concerns are the governability and proportionality. In Taiwan’s case, the electoral system of Legislative Yuan altered from SNTV to mixed-member system; however, the reformers invariably accentuated the stability of governance but ignored the semi-proportionality of SNTV. Hence, the result of election in 2008 got unbalance between governability and proportionality. This article tends to measure the degree of disproportionality by Loosemore-Hanby index from 1992 to 2008 and tries to explain how disproportionality occurred from five dimensions－district magnitude, levels of seat allocation, threshold, number of total seats, and ballot structure. In addition, the results could be quite different when it compared with of other situations. According to this paper, the representation of small parties and the degree of proportionality will be enhanced while adopting MMP and redistributing the votes. Moreover, this paper is going to make a comparative study with Japan which have adopted MMM and have experienced four times elections since 1996. Finally, although mixed systems combine some features of both plurality and PR, there is still no perfect electoral system in the world. However, by making good use of flexibility of mixed systems, we might have an “ideal” system which can be regularly updated to suit changing needs and political conditions.