Collagen I carboxyterminal propeptide in human gingival crevicular fluid before and after periodontal treatment

The amount of procollagen I carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP) in crevicular fluid (CF) was measured in three periodontitis patients. Samples were collected from 29 sites before treatment (scaling, root planing, and curettage) and 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 days after treatment, by placing two paper strips in periodontal pockets for 5 s. The amount of fluid in strips was measured by the Periotron device. Control samples were collected from subjects with minimal gingival inflammation. PICP was extracted into saline solution and determined by a radioimmunologic method. Plaque index, papilla bleeding index, and pocket depth were recorded before and 40 days after treatment. The CF PICP mean concentration was 4.2 mg/l in the pretreatment samples. Five days after treatment a statistically significant increase in PICP concentration was seen in all subjects. The peak appeared on days 5 or 10 in 27 sites. The mean peak PICP concentrations of the subjects were 5-10 times higher than the pretreatment values. Twenty days after treatment, mean PICP concentration decreased to pretreatment level. PICP concentrations did not correlate with the clinical parameters. In control samples PICP amounts were below the detection limit. CF PICP is a new marker of type I collagen metabolism in periodontal tissues. It was concluded that elevated PICP concentrations in CF after periodontal treatment reflected increased type I collagen synthesis in periodontal tissues and that the peak in type I collagen synthesis takes place 5-10 days after treatment.     

Relationship between gingival crevicular fluid and serum specific antibody titers in periodontitis and changes after the treatment

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected from 80 teeth in 20 periodontitis patients (13 RPP, 7 AP) before and 1 month, 7 months after treatment. Serum samples were taken at the same time. 12 healthy subjects (48 teeth) were chosen as the control group (H). The levels of IgG antibody to Bacteroides gingivalis was measured by ELISA. The relationship between serum and GCF specific antibodies was assessed. Before treatment, the mean ratio of antibody in GCF and serum (the GCF/Sr ratio) in both RPP and AP group was lower than 1, and significantly lower than that in H group. After treatment, the serum antibody titers greatly reduced while GCF antibody increased at 1 month after treatment and decreased at 7 months after treatment. The GCF/Sr ratio raised to greater than 1 in both RPP and AP. The elevation of GCF antibody may be associated with the lower antibody consumption caused by decreasing amount of B. gingivalis in pocket, and/or associated with the local antibody synthesis. It was suggested that the GCF/Sr ratio of antibody level might be used as a significant indicator in evaluation of treatment effectiveness.     

镍铬烤瓷冠修复后牙龈及龈沟液中镍和铬含量的变化

目的:探讨镍铬烤瓷冠修复后牙龈组织和龈沟液中镍和铬含量的变化,为修复材料的选择提供参考.方法:选择镍铬烤瓷修复后牙龈增生并需行牙龈修整术者作为实验组,需要拔除第三磨牙且口内无任何修复体者为对照组,使用Whatman 3号滤纸汲取龈沟液并切取牙龈,运用电感耦合等离子体质谱法测量牙龈组织及龈沟液中镍和铬的含量.结果:实验组牙龈组织和龈沟液中的镍和铬含量均高于对照组,两组龈沟液中的铬含量比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组牙龈组织及龈沟液中的镍含量比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:镍铬烤瓷冠修复后的镍和铬离子在牙龈组织及龈沟液中沉积,对牙龈组织有影响.     

Regeneration of adrenal cortical tissue after adrenal autotransplantation

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the muscle fiber type distribution within the normal adult levator veli palatini muscle. METHODS: Levator veli palatini muscle tissue was harvested from the palates of 12 (seven female, five male) adult noncleft cadavers. Adjacent sections were stained for adenosine triphosphatase at pH 10.4 or 4.2. After mounting, magnifying, and photographing, Type I versus Type II fiber types were differentiated by the intensity of, or by the inhibition of, staining of matched fibers at each pH level. Type I fibers stained light at pH 10.4 and dark at pH 4.2, while Type II fibers stained light at pH 4.2 and dark at pH 10.4. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of fibers counted for each specimen ranged from 60 to 616. The numbers of Type I and Type II stained fibers appearing in each muscle tissue sample were determined and expressed as a percentage of the total number of fibers identified. A few identified fibers could not be labelled as either Type I or Type II. RESULTS: The overall proportion of Type I fibers, averaged across all specimens, was 59.8%. Male specimens had 67.4% Type I fibers and 31.8% Type II fibers, while female specimens had 54.4% Type I fibers and 44.4% Type II fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Observed fiber type distributions were similar to those reported for other articulatory muscles, but differed slightly from previously reported distributions for normal levator veli palatini. The distributions observed in this study provide a baseline against which to relate fiber type data from the levator veli palatini of cleft palates to the functional status of the velopharyngeal mechanism.     

Regeneration of a transplanted liver after right hepatic lobectomy

Liver regeneration has been described after heterotopic liver transplantation, small-for-size orthotopic liver transplantation and reduced-size liver transplantation. In this report, we document the regenerative response of a whole liver transplant to major resection for the first time. A right hepatic lobectomy for liver ischemia was performed in a 30-year-old female after transplantation for autoimmune disease of the liver. Volumetric analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a preoperative liver volume of 1,961 mL, whereas analysis of the 6-week posthepatectomy CT scan showed a volume of 1,820 mL. Factors influencing regeneration in the setting of a liver transplant include rejection, ischemia/thrombosis, infection, or cyclosporine hepatotrophic/hepatotoxic effects. These factors, balanced with the intrinsic ability of hepatocytes to achieve a standard liver volume, determine the extent of regeneration.     

Regeneration of cochlear efferent nerve terminals after gentamycin damage

Chickens recover auditory function after hair cell loss caused by ototoxic drug damage or acoustic overstimulation, indicating that mechanisms exist to reestablish appropriate neuronal connections to regenerated hair cells. However, despite similar hair cell regeneration times, hearing recovery takes substantially longer after aminoglycoside than after sound damage. We have therefore begun examining damage and regeneration of efferent nerve terminals by immunolabeling whole-mount cochleae for differentially localized synaptic proteins and by visualizing the distribution of label with confocal microscopy. In undamaged cochleae, the synaptic proteins synapsin and syntaxin show similar distribution patterns corresponding to the large cup-like terminals on short hair cells. After gentamycin administration, these terminals are disrupted as hair cells are lost, leaving smaller, more numerous synapsin-reactive structures in the sensory epithelium. Syntaxin reactivity remains associated with the extruded hair cells, indicating that the presynaptic membrane is still attached to the postsynaptic site. In contrast, after sound damage, both synapsin and syntaxin reactivity are lost from the epithelium with extruded hair cells. As regenerated hair cells differentiate after gentamycin treatment, the synapsin labeling associated with cup-like efferent endings reappears but is not completely restored even after 60 d of recovery. Thus, efferent terminals are reestablished much more slowly than after sound damage (), consistent with the prolonged loss of hearing function. This in vivo model system allows comparison of axonal reconnection after either complete loss (sound damage) or partial disruption (gentamycin treatment) of axon terminals. Elucidating the differences in recovery between these injuries can provide insights into reinnervation mechanisms.     

Prominent pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue

Prominent pigmented fungiform paillae of the tongue are characterized clinically by prominence and pigmentation confined to these papillae and histopathologically by melanophages in the lamina opriae. A 45-year-old Asian woman had dark erythematous papules exclusively involved with fungiform papillae on the anterior lateral dorsal aspect of the tongue and hyperpigmentation on the lip. Histologic examination revealed many melanophages in the subepidermal area within the fungiform papillae. Her skin lesions improved moderately following two months of treatment for anemia.     

Regeneration of deactivated CeCo_xO_2 catalyst by simple thermal treatment

Active species loss owing to reactant stream washing is a general problem which industrial catalysts suffer from.In case of catalysts synthesized by co-precipitation method,which have active species unused in bulk phase,can be regenerated by a simple thermal treatment that leads to active species in bulk phase migration to surface of the deactivated catalysts.In this work,the influence of regeneration temperature was investigated by employing ammonium hydroxide washing to simulate reactant stream washing of CeCo_xO_2 catalysts for NO+CO reaction.It is found that the deactivated catalyst can be regenerated by simple thermal treatment and increasing calcination temperature could accelerate the Co species migration from the bulk phase to surface of catalysts.     

The ordered columnar structure of mouse filiform papillae

Examination of carefully oriented 1-mum and 5-mum sections of mouse dorsal tongue together with scanning electron microscope observations indicates a high degree of cellular organization in the papillae. It has been suggested that each filiform papilla consists of 2 dominant and 2 minor columns of cells. Labelling patterns of the basal cells have been investigated in relation to these columns.     

Treatment of severe physiologic gingival pigmentation with free gingival autograft

Melanin is normally found in the skin of all people, and normal pigmentation of the intraoral tissues is a relatively frequent finding. The highest rate of gingival pigmentation has been observed at the incisors. Until recently, however, very little attention has been paid to the esthetic treatment of severe gingival pigmentation. To answer the cosmetic demand for a pleasing smile, pigmented gingiva was replaced with an unpigmented free gingival autograft in 10 patients. At least two areas in each patient were grafted. In all 10 areas in which the recipient site received full-thickness bed preparation, no evidence of repigmentation was found after 4.5 years. Of the 10 areas that received partial-thickness bed preparation, only one exhibited repigmentation (after 1 year).     

Regeneration of bronchial epithelium on chronic inflammatory changes under laser treatment

Investigation of structural and metabolic changes in 188 biopsy specimens from the epithelium of large bronchi of 76 patients with chronic lung disease was carried out. It was shown that endobronchial treatment by helium-neon laser irradiation induced the proliferative and metabolic processes in damaged epithelium, which after getting through the series of transitional forms restores its normal structure and differentiation into ciliated and goblet cells of a normal ultrastructure. The hyperemia, intensive diapedesis of leucocytes, the formation of leucocytic infiltrations and granulations develop in the lamina propria of the bronchial mucosa. Proliferative and metabolic activity of the endotheliocytes and stromal cells increases. Finally, delicate-fibrous connective tissue forms. The simultaneous reorganizations of the epithelium and underlying connective tissue is interpreted from the point of view of the concept of parenchymal-stromal interactions.     

Somatosensory trigeminal evoked potentials after gingival stimulation of the mental nerve. Normal values

OBJECTIVE: Somatosensory evoked potentials were recorded following unilateral stimulation of the mental nerve in the gum of 100 healthy volunteers aged between 17 and 22 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: Responses were recorded until 100 ms with electrodes placed over the scalp (C5/C6) referenced to central frontal (Fz). In 10 subjects, simultaneous recordings were made in masticatory and facial muscles to detect possible muscle artefacts. Stimulation was effected using a specially-designed stimulator adaptable to each individual. Contralateral responses consisted of four very constant deflexions (N12, P19, N26 and P35) forming a W-shaped complex of mean duration 31.27 ms. Tables of normality were compiled for latencies and amplitudes with confidence intervals of 99.8% reliability. Constancy of deflexions, stability of response (by serial studies), and possible sexual differences were also studied. Muscle artefacts were ruled out, and the participation of the mental nerve in the genesis of the responses was confirmed. CONCLUSION: We consider the proposed method a reliable alternative to other procedures used to obtain TEPs.     

Efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of cyclosporine-induced gingival hyperplasia in renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Gingival hyperplasia (GH) is a common side effect of cyclosporine . Azithromycin (Zithromax; AZI) is a macrolide antibiotic reported in case studies to reduce cyclosporine-induced gingival hyperplasia (CIGH) in renal transplant recipients (RTR). METHODS: The efficacy of AZI to treat CIGH in RTR was examined in a double-blind, randomized crossover trial. Patients (n=17) with CIGH were randomized to receive AZI and a matching placebo in alternate order for 5 days, separated by a 2-week washout period. Follow-up visits were conducted at week 6 and week 12. Changes in GH were evaluated by measuring the clinical gingival sulcus depths, tooth length, and the length of the interdental papillae to the cementum-enamel junction of two teeth in each of the four quadrants. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in all three types of periodontal measurements, representing reductions of gingival tissue above the medial aspect of the tooth, of the gingival sulcus depth, and of the length of the interdental papillae. Patients reported an improvement in gum bleeding. AZI was well tolerated, and 67% of the patients reported that the treatment was at least somewhat useful. CONCLUSIONS: AZI should be considered for RTR with CIGH.     

Surgical treatment of cyclosporine A- and nifedipine-induced gingival enlargement: gingivectomy versus periodontal flap

The purpose of this study was to compare probing depth resolution achieved by gingivectomy and periodontal flap techniques in the treatment of cyclosporine A- and nifedipine-induced gingival enlargement. Ten kidney transplant patients who were receiving cyclosporine A and nifedipine for at least 6 months participated in the study. Five patients were randomly assigned to the gingivectomy group and 5 patients to the periodontal flap group. Only anterior segments of the oral cavity (canine to canine) were surgically treated. Clinical measurements, including probing depths, plaque index, and gingival sulcus index, were taken at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Results showed that probing depths, while similar for both groups in the first 6 weeks of the study, were significantly shallower for the periodontal flap group when compared to the gingivectomy group at 6 months (2.48 +/- 0.34 mm versus 4.87 +/- 0.79 mm, respectively) and 1 year (322 +/- 0.65 mm versus 6.40 +/- 1.02 mm, respectively). Within its limitations, this study suggests that the pocket reduction achieved by the periodontal flap may be sustained for longer periods of time than by the gingivectomy technique in the treatment of cyclosporine A- and nifedipine-induced gingival enlargement.     

Scanning electron microscopical studies of developing gustatory papillae in humans

Yeast biomass (Saccharomyces sp.) produced in local breweries as a by-product was utilized in this study. Percent proximate composition, amino acid composition, and protein nutritive value were determined for the yeast cell biomass (YC), a sodium perchlorate extracted and isoelectrically precipitated protein concentrate (P-PC), and a sodium trimetaphosphate treated extract followed by isoelectrical precipitation (TMP-PC). Protein concentrates averaged 75% protein as compared to 48.5% in the yeast biomass. Precipitation of the protein in the presence of either sodium perchlorate or sodium trimetaphosphate was reduced to 71% and 51% of the cell RNA content, respectively. Protein nutritive value was 70% of casein when measured by the protein efficiency ratio (PER), and over 90% of casein when net protein utilization (NPUa) was the criteria of evaluation.     

Microvascular architecture of the filiform papillae in primates and insectivores

The microvascular architecture of filiform papillae was investigated under a scanning electron microscope in man, Japanese monkeys, common squirrel monkeys, common marmosets, common tree shrews, large Japanese moles and dwarf shrews utilizing microvascular corrosion casts. Filiform papillae were circularly arranged in primates, and each of them was supplied by a hairpin capillary loop. These papillae sometimes were aggregated. The filiform papillae of Japanese monkeys exhibited markedly locational differences on the lingual dorsum and were supplied by circularly arranged capillary loops or by an intrapapillary capillary network. Small filiform papillae were located on an epithelial eminence in the lingual radix, each of them supplied by a low and simple hairpin capillary loop. The aggregated filiform papillae of common squirrel monkeys were less frequent without any locational differences. Low filiform papillae of common marmosets and tree shrews were simpler in form, being arranged in a circle and supplied by a simple hairpin capillary loop. The filiform papillae of insectivores were not arranged in a circle. The filiform papillae of dwarf shrews were supplied by an incomplete capillary ring without a loop. With respect to species differences, the circularly arranged capillary loops in man were most complicated and highly developed. Microvascular architecture of the filiform papillae of insectivores was much simpler, different from those observed in primates.     

Fluid dynamics of gingival tissues

Determining adequacy of dialysis has remained a problem for the nephrologist despite the results of the National Cooperative Dialysis Study published more than 20 years ago. Urea Kinetics Modelling (UKM) which requires computer data entry is time-consuming for the dialysis staff but is the only method that has been rigorously studied. Furthermore, it is unclear today what value of Kt/V represents ideal dialysis; the technique is subject to a number of errors associated with estimation of dialyser clearance (K) and volume of distribution of urea (V) but it is useful for calculating protein catabolic rate (PCR). Methods that use urea reduction ratios (URR) is widely used because it is simpler but not always accurate and suffer from an inability to calculate PCR. Direct dialysis quantification (DDQ) can overcome a number of these problems but it is too cumbersome for routine use. Simpler methods to determine dialysateside kinetics have the advantage of solving a number of these problems and also facilitate the calculation of PCR to determine the patient's nutritional state. In our study we have demonstrated that by taking two dialysate samples at the beginning and at the end of dialysis (2-DSM), it is possible to determine total urea removal (TUR) which is equivalent to DDQ. By taking blood samples after dialysis and before the next dialysis, it is possible to calculate the total urea generated (TUG). The ratio of TUR/TUG will provide an index of dialysis which places emphasis on removal of solute that has accumulated in the inter-dialytic interval thus re-establishing a state of equilibrium. We refer to this index as the Mass Balance Index (MBI). The MBI is also useful in helping to identify those patients whose PCR is inadequate since the mean MBI for patients with an nPCR <0.8 was 0.93 +/- 0.03 vs 1.08 +/- 0.02 in those with a PCR >0.8. In these two groups of patients the Kt/V was not significantly different, 1.49 +/- 0.07 vs 1.53 +/- 0.06, p -0.64. We suggest that the emphasis for adequacy of dialysis should shift away from Kt/V to maintaining a state of equilibrium by removing the solutes that accumulate between dialysis and by identifying those patients with an inadequate PCR.