Trial production of titanium orthodontic brackets fabricated by metal injection molding (MIM) with sintering.

Safety and esthetics are two indispensable factors to consider when fabricating orthodontic brackets. However, these factors are not easily achieved when conventional techniques (including forging and casting) are used in the mass production of titanium brackets, albeit the brackets exhibit excellent biocompatibility. In the present study, orthodontic brackets were manufactured by metal powder injection molding with sintering.

Interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and transforming growth factor-alpha levels are elevated in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid in juvenile parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease.

Interleukin (IL)-1 beta , IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha were measured for the first time in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (VCSF) from control non-parkinsonian patients, patients with juvenile parkinsonism (JP) and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) by highly sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassays. All cytokines were detectable in VCSF from control and parkinsonian patients, and the concentrations were much higher than those in lumbar CFS. The concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4 and TGF-alpha in VCSF were higher in JP than those in controls (P < 0.

Completely impacted teeth in dentate and edentulous jaws.

Panoramic radiographs from 1026 patients were examined for the presence of completely impacted teeth. The prevalence of completely impacted teeth in the edentulous jaw was lower than that in the dentate jaw in both the upper and lower jaws. The prevalence of completely impacted third molars in the edentulous jaw was also lower than that in the dentate jaw.

Binding of hemoglobin to the envelope of Porphyromonas gingivalis and isolation of the hemoglobin-binding protein.

The binding activity of the Porphyromonas gingivalis envelope and hemoglobin was examined over a wide range of pH values from 4.5 to 9.0.

Inhibition by streptococcal immunopotentiator OK432 of lymph-node metastasis in hamster cheek-pouch carcinoma with enhancement of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in serum.

A well-known metastic model of human oral cancer employs 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) to induce hamster cheek-pouch carcinoma. Streptococcal immunopotentiator OK432 was studied here for its inhibitory effect on lymph-node metastasis in that model. The intraperitoneal administration of OK432, after excision of cheek-pouch tumours induced by DMBA, resulted in a marked reduction in the incidence of cervical lymph-node metastasis to 7%, a significant decrease beneath the rates observed for control animals not receiving OK432 (40%).

Proprioceptive representation of the levator veli palatini muscle in the solitary nucleus of the rat.

The levator veli palatini muscle is innervated by motoneurons of the glossopharyngeal nerve, which are located within the ambiguus nucleus; however, little is known about the afferent fibers of this muscle. A horseradish peroxidase study was conducted in rats following injection into the levator veli palatini muscle branch to reveal the location and the distribution of dendrites of the afferent fibers of the muscle. Terminal labels were densely distributed in the lateral region of the solitary nucleus, which receives afferents of the glossopharyngeal nerve, ipsilateral and contralateral to the injection site.

Effect of selected physical properties of waxes on investments and casting shrinkage.

This study evaluated the relationship between flow characteristics, bending strength, and softening temperature of paraffin and dental inlay waxes to casting shrinkage when patterns were invested with a phosphate-bonded investment. This study found that the casting shrinkage decreased as the flow of the wax pattern increased. If a low flow wax is used or if there is a need for a thick pattern, the size of the casting ring should be increased.

Histological suture changes following retraction of the maxillary anterior bone segment after corticotomy.

By cephalometric and dental cast analyses, the effects of corticotomy in combination with 45-50 days retraction of the maxillary anterior segment were evaluated in five female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). In addition, microscopic changes of the related sutures were examined. According to the analyses of the dental casts, the retraction of the maxillary anterior segment in the experimental group was increased when compared with that of the control group.

Interleukin-2 but not basic fibroblast growth factor is elevated in parkinsonian brain. Short communication.

The contents of interleukin (IL)-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were measured in the brain (caudate nucleus, putamen, and cerebral cortex) from control and parkinsonian patients by highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentrations of IL-2 in the brain were in the order of pg/mg protein, and the values were significantly higher in the caudate and putamen from parkinsonian patients than those from control patients. However, the levels of IL-2 in the cerebral cortex showed no significant difference between parkinsonian and control patients.

Cytodifferentiation of the odontoclast prior to the shedding of human deciduous teeth: an ultrastructural and cytochemical study.

Background: In human deciduous teeth, odontoclastic resorption takes place at the pulpal surface of the coronal dentine prior to shedding, and this resorption shows clear time-related histological changes (Sahara et al., 1992).

Methods: Using this phenomenon as an observation system, we examined the cytodifferentiation of human odontoclasts by light and electron microscopy.

Stability of changes associated with chin cup treatment.

Twenty-four Japanese girls with anterior crossbite (Class III malocclusion) were selected for this study of the stability of changes associated with chin cup therapy. Pretreatment cephalometric measurements of the study sample were compared with those in a normal group. In addition, angular and linear measurements were also compared to assess the effectiveness of chin cup therapy in improving Class III skeletal components during the postretention period.

Interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, epidermal growth factor, and beta 2-microglobulin levels are elevated in gingival crevicular fluid during human orthodontic tooth movement.

Bone remodeling is a complex process regulated by several mediators. Recent work has revealed that cytokines and growth factors have significant effects on bone cell metabolism. However, little information is available concerning the production of cytokines during orthodontic tooth movement in human subjects, and there is no non-invasive model for determining the production of cytokines.

Differential expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor during postnatal development of rat submandibular gland.

The concentration and the localization of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the submandibular glands (SMGs) of male Wistar rats of different ages (postnatal 0 to 10 weeks of age) were examined. Highest levels of TGF-alpha were seen early, at postnatal day 0; the levels dropped thereafter in an age-dependent manner, while EGF was not detectable before the third postnatal week. Immunoreactive localization of EGF was restricted to the granules of the granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells in the mature SMGs, whereas TGF-alpha was observed throughout postnatal development over the entire duct system.

Radiographic study of bone loss of mandibular lingual cortical plate accompanied by third molar development.

Objective: The purpose was to determine the features of mandibular lingual cortical bone loss around the root of the mandibular third molar.

Study Design: We examined occlusal radiographs in 2210 persons aged 11 to 78 years.

Results: Prominent increase of incidence of bone loss was evident in subjects in their third decade compared with those in their second decade.

Transforming growth factor-alpha in human submandibular gland and saliva.

A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) utilizing a polyclonal antibody that recognizes limited epitopes of both human TGF-alpha and rat TGF-alpha in combination with a monoclonal anti-TGF-alpha IgG1 galactosidase conjugate was developed. This assay shows no cross-reactivity with human epidermal growth factor. We can quantify the TGF-alpha level in not only human TGF-alpha (detection limit: 1 pg/ml), but also rat TGF-alpha (detection limit: 10 pg/ml) by virtue of cross-reactivity.

Comparison of different bonding materials for laser debonding.

The laser-aided removal of ceramic brackets from enamel surfaces was compared between two different adhesives. The selected bonding materials were Bis-GMA composite resin and 4-META MMA resin. Debonding forces were measured as the shear bond strength, perpendicular to the brackets.

Hypertriglyceridemia associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha in hamster cheek-pouch carcinogenesis.

We demonstrated for the first time that 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA)-treated hamsters showed hypertriglyceridemia followed by cachexia. Hypertriglyceridemia is believed to be caused in part by the decreased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. In addition, TNF-alpha action is associated with the LPL activity.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of prolylcarboxypeptidase activity in monkey kidney.

A simple HPLC procedure for the determination of prolylcarboxypeptidase activity in monkey kidney was established with Cbz-Pro-Ala used as substrate. Decrease of the substrate and increase of the product were stoichiometrically related to each other. Heat treatment at 60 degrees C freed the enzyme preparation of contaminating activities.

Influence of adjacent teeth on impacted third molars in the upper and lower jaws.

Panoramic radiographs of 1834 patients older than 21 years were evaluated for the prevalence of impacted teeth at different ages. The frequency of impacted teeth by age was constant, that is, the presence of completely impacted teeth could not be related to age. The interrelationship between the angulation of impacted teeth and the existence of adjacent teeth was studied in individuals older than 61 years.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 levels are elevated in the striatum and in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid in Parkinson's disease.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 content was measured for the first time in the brain (caudate nucleus, putamen, and cerebral cortex) and in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (VCSF) from control and parkinsonian patients by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The concentrations of TGF-beta 1 were significantly higher in the dopaminergic striatal regions in parkinsonian patients than those in controls, but were not significantly different in the cerebral cortex between parkinsonian and control patients. Furthermore, the concentrations of TGF-beta 1 in VCSF were significantly higher in parkinsonian patients than those in non-parkinsonian control patients.

Facilitation of mouse neuromuscular transmission by propylene glycol.

Propylene glycol (PG) has an excitatory effect on the skeletal muscle of the frog. To determine whether PG has a facilitating effect on the neuromuscular transmission of the mammalian as well as on that of the amphibian and to elucidate the mode of action, we have investigated the effects of PG on the neuromuscular junction of the mouse. PG (1.

Salivary beta 2-microglobulin in NZB/WF1 mice.

Unstimulated parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva from New Zealand black/WF1 (NZB/WF1) mice as collected by microcapillary (1 microliter), and the content of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Salivary beta 2-MG contents of control C57BL/6 and NZB/WF1 mice (45 weeks of age) were 0.68 +/- 0.

Cytochemical localization of guanylyl cyclase activity in rabbit taste bud cells.

Guanylyl cyclase activity was cytochemically demonstrated in rabbit foliate taste buds. The enzymatic activity was localized in the apical portion (microvilli and neck) of taste bud cells. Especially strong activity was observed on the microvillous membrane of type I (dark) cells and often on a blunt process of type III cells.

Hypoxemia due to inserting a bite block in severely handicapped patients.

In severely handicapped patients with severe cerebral palsy, stridor can be caused by a bite block in the mouth. So that dental treatment can be performed safely for these patients, the effect of a bite block on the respiratory function of 30 severely handicapped patients was investigated with two pulse oximeters. Of the 30 subjects examined, 96.