Abnormal limb regeneration in adult newts exposed to a pulsed electromagnetic field.

This investigation examined two questions: 1) whether or not forelimb regeneration results in a faithful replacement of the distal skeletal pattern and 2) what effect exposure to a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), the type reported to facilitate healing of human non-united bone fractures, would have on the process of limb regeneration. Of the native forelimbs, 98% (132 out 134) had a skeletal pattern that showed little difference with the only variation being the range of carpal bones (5-8). Following a 4-5 month postamputation period, the skeletal pattern of the normal regenerates was examined.

Dopamine (D2) or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAB) receptor activation hyperpolarizes rat melanotrophs and pertussis toxin blocks these responses and the accompanying fall in [Ca2+]i.

The effects, on membrane potential, of dopamine (DA) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), transmitters present in the secreto-inhibitor innervation to the melanotrophs, were monitored in primary cultures of rat melanotrophs with bis-oxonol. DA and GABA, acting through D2 and GABAB receptors, hyperpolarized the melanotrophs. Hyperpolarization was not suppressed by tetrodotoxin but was prevented by pertussis toxin and may thus be due to a G protein mediated mechanism.

Quantitative changes in fissure sealant six months after placement.

Earlier studies have reported extensive volumetric loss of fissure sealant shortly after placement. To determine the volume of fissure sealant lost at six months, we used a servohydraulic profilometric apparatus in combination with computer graphics. Twenty-two premolar teeth were selected, and baseline silicone impressions were made of each tooth.

Microleakage and marginal placement of a glass-ionomer liner.

Glass-ionomer cements, with their ability to bond to dentin, have been reported to produce less microleakage than several other restorative resin materials. This matched-pair study reports the effect on microleakage of placement of a light-curing glass-ionomer cement used as a liner when extended out to the dentinal cervical cavosurface margin or held short of that margin. Pairs of circular Class V cavities involving 50% enamel, with bevel, and 50% cementum were cut in 31 extracted third molars.

Cytosolic Ca2+ in melanotrophs: pharmacological insights into regulatory influences of electrical activity and ion channels.

The concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured in melanotrophs, the characteristic endocrine cells of the pars intermedia of the rat pituitary gland, using the fluorescent Ca indicator fura-2. The resting [Ca2+]i was 211 +/- 8 nM and was little affected by tetrodotoxin (TTX; 5 or 10 microM), which inhibits the spontaneous action potentials that occur in these cells. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ (by chelation with EGTA) or addition of the Ca channel blocker nimodipine (1 microM) produced a rapid fall in [Ca2+]i, which occurred whether TTX was present or not.

Measurement of fissure sealant surface area by computer.

The amount of occlusal surface area covered when fissure sealant is applied to a tooth has not been previously reported. This study measured the occlusal surface area and sealant surface area using a computer-driven profilometric system. Twenty-two recently erupted, caries-free premolars were used.

Enamel surface abrasion from ceramic orthodontic brackets: a special case report.

The purpose of this report is to present a dramatic case of enamel abrasion from ceramic orthodontic appliances that was discovered only after appreciation of the initial findings of a study underway at the Department of Orthodontics, University of Minnesota. An artificial oral environment used in this study to simulate mastication also is described. The potential detrimental effects of ceramic appliances on tooth contact are discussed.

Reduction in tooth stiffness as a result of endodontic and restorative procedures.

Endodontically treated teeth are thought to be more susceptible to fracture as a result of the loss of tooth vitality and tooth structure. This study was designed to compare the contributions of endodontic and restorative procedures to the loss of strength by using nondestructive occlusal loading on extracted intact, maxillary, second bicuspids. An encapsulated strain gauge was bonded on enamel just above the cementoenamel junction on both the buccal and lingual surfaces, and the teeth were mounted in nylon rings leaving 2 mm of root surface exposed.

Stiffness of endodontically-treated teeth related to restoration technique.

Endodontically-treated posterior teeth are susceptible to fracture; consequently, full-occlusal-coverage restorations are recommended. We designed this study to examine the potential for alternative restorative techniques for pulpless teeth, using strain gauges mounted on extracted maxillary second premolars to measure strains generated by nondestructive occlusal loading. Cuspal stiffness was evaluated on the following sequentially performed procedures: unaltered tooth, completion of all endodontic procedures, appropriate restorative preparation, and restoration.

Clinical status of dentine bonding agents.

Dentine bonding agents are an important clinical contribution to modern composite technology. Important differences exist between the first- and second-generation materials which offer complementary advantages. The second-generation materials offer higher dentine bond strengths at the expense of greater chairside complexity.

Technical note: fluoride pre-treatment effects on microleakage of a resin bonding agent.

This pilot study reports the effect of fluoride pre-treatment of dentin and enamel on microleakage of a resin bonding agent. Pairs of circular class V cavities involving 50% enamel and 50% cementum were cut in 12 extracted third molars. Each tooth contained a control and a treatment cavity (matched-pair design).

A comparison between the microleakage of direct and indirect composite restorative systems.

The present study compares the microleakage of direct and indirect restorations. Two dentine bonding agents were evaluated with both techniques. Class V cavities, approximately 2 mm in depth and 4 mm in diameter, were prepared in extracted human molars.

Effects of BAY K 8644 on Ca-channel currents and electrical activity in mouse melanotrophs.

The effects of BAY K 8644 on both evoked and spontaneous electrical activity were studied in mouse melanotrophs. The action potential in these cells consisted of both a Na and a Ca component. BAY K 8644 greatly increased the duration of the evoked action potential apparently by enhancing the Ca component since this prolongation remained when the Na component was blocked by tetrodotoxin but was diminished by the Ca-channel antagonists Co2+ or nimodipine.

The wear of enamel when opposed by ceramic systems.

The wear of enamel when opposed by different ceramic systems was investigated by use of an artificial oral environment. Cerestore, Dicor, and Ceramco discs were opposed by recently extracted natural teeth. The samples were exposed to 300,000 defined masticatory cycles under physiologic conditions.

Silo-filler's disease.

Between 1955 and 1987, 17 patients were examined at the Mayo Clinic shortly after exposure to silo gas. All exposures had occurred in conventional top-unloading silos. Acute lung injury occurred in 11 patients, 1 of whom died; early diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membranes and hemorrhagic pulmonary edema and acute edema of the airways were found at autopsy.

In vitro characterization of human salivary lubrication.

The friction coefficients for parotid and submandibular-sublingual salivas of 7 subjects were measured. At the load and speeds used, the lubricatory properties of the secretions followed the McKee-Petroff's curve. The friction coefficients for both secretions approximated those reported for boundary and thin film lubrication.

The effect of the resilient-layer distal-extension partial denture on movement of the abutment teeth: a new methodology.

The new methodology presented in this article is simple, reliable, and accurate. The testing casts represented a reasonable simulation of human dentition. The artificial mouth reproduced major mandibular movement in a physiologic manner and applied controlled load instead of static load.