Water channels and zymogen granules in salivary glands.

Salivary secretion occurs in response to stimulation by neurotransmitters released from autonomic nerve endings. The molecular mechanisms underlying the secretion of water, a main component of saliva, from salivary glands are not known; the plasma membrane is a major barrier to water transport. A 28-kDa integral membrane protein, distributed in highly water-permeable tissues, was identified as a water channel protein, aquaporin (AQP).

Characteristics of the trigeminal depressor response in cats.

We studied the effects of electrical stimulation of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) on cardiovascular responses in cats. There was statistical correlation between cardiovascular response and prestimulus mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR). A trigeminal depressor response (TDR) was induced when the prestimulus MABP and HR were above 95 mm Hg and 140 beats/min, respectively.

Toll-like receptor 4 mediates the antitumor host response induced by a 55-kilodalton protein isolated from Aeginetia indica L., a parasitic plant.

A 55-kDa protein named AILb-A, isolated from the seed extract of Aeginetia indica L., a parasitic plant, induces a Th1-type T-cell response and elicits a marked antitumor effect in tumor-bearing mice. In the present study, we examined the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which have been implicated in pathogen-induced cell signaling, in AILb-A-induced immune responses.

Relationship between tongue coating and secretory-immunoglobulin A level in saliva obtained from patients complaining of oral malodor.

Aim: The aim of this study was to confirm the relationships between oral malodor and periodontal condition, oral malodor and tongue coating, and to investigate the secretory-immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) level in saliva in relation to the accumulation of tongue coating.

Methods: Fifty-four patients complaining of oral malodor were included in the study. Their periodontal conditions, tongue coating status and salivary characteristics (flow rate, protein and S-IgA concentrations) were assessed in addition to the level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) in oral cavity.

The effect of adding hydroxyapatite on the flexural strength of glass ionomer cement.

This present study investigated the effects of the addition of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the flexural strength and microstructure of conventional GIC, and its effect on the cement's initial flexural strength at different storage conditions. Specimens were fabricated by mixing HA in whisker or granule form into commercially prepared GIC, and these were subjected to a three-point bending test and SEM observations. Some specimens were stored in different conditions from dry to wet for 15 minutes to an hour prior to testing.

Toughness, bonding and fluoride-release properties of hydroxyapatite-added glass ionomer cement.

Improving the mechanical strength of glass ionomer cement while preserving its favorable clinical properties such as fluoride release, bonding to tooth structure and biocompatibility is desirable. In this study, hydroxyapatite was incorporated into chemically setting glass ionomer cement and its effect on the fracture toughness, bonding to dentin and fluoride release was identified. Commercial glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP((R)) ) was the control and base material.

An immunohistological study of the localization of bacteria invading root pulpal walls of teeth with periapical lesions.

We immunohistologically examined the prevalence and localization of bacteria invading dentinal tubules of the roots of teeth with infected canals. Forty extracted teeth with apical lesions were selected and divided into two groups: a group of untreated teeth and a group of canal-enlarged teeth. The bacteria in the specimens were detected by Brown-Brenn stain and the labeled-streptavidin-biotin method with specific antisera for 16-bacteria.

Differential histochemical localization patterns of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase during postnatal development of the rat vomeronasal organ.

The present study was undertaken to examine the localization patterns of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) by enzyme histochemistry and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by immunohistochemistry in the vomeronasal organ of rat from postnatal day 0 for 8 weeks (adult). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase activity was not observed in the sensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ at postnatal day 0 (the day of birth) and at day 1. At postnatal day 2, NADPH-d activity was observed in several vomeronasal neurons and on the surface of the sensory epithelium.

Activation of human gingival epithelial cells by cell-surface components of black-pigmented bacteria: augmentation of production of interleukin-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

Black-pigmented anaerobic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, are amongst the predominant bacteria in periodontal pockets and have been implicated in periodontal diseases. To elucidate the roles of gingival keratinocytes, which are the first cells encountered by oral bacteria in periodontal diseases, human gingival keratinocytes in primary culture were stimulated with cell-surface components of P gingivalis and Pr. intermedia.

Analysis of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing nerve fibres in the rat spinal cord using light and electron microscopy.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) content in areas surrounding the central canals of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal cords of rats were investigated by light microscopy, conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) (100-200 kV) and high-voltage transmission electron microscopy (HVTEM) (1000 kV) using immunocytochemistry. Tissues were examined using either the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique or an immuno-cryoultramicrotomy technique. Light microscopically, more intense CGRP localization was observed ventral to the central canals in the lumbar and sacral cord compared with the dorsal area in the same regions.

Bond strength of six soft denture liners processed against polymerized and unpolymerized poly(methyl methacrylate).

The bond strength of six commercial soft denture liners was evaluated by a two-phase tensile test. The soft denture liners investigated were VinaSoft, Prolastic, Flexor, Molloplast-B, Novus, and SuperSoft. The samples were fabricated by processing them (1) against polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate), and (2) against unpolymerized poly(methyl methacrylate).

In vitro study of mandibular implant-retained overdentures: the influence of stud attachments on load transfer to the implant and soft tissue.

This study investigated the occlusal stress distribution to the implant and soft tissue for the implant-retained overdenture. The stress at the molar residual ridge and the strain around the implant were measured on an experimental resin cast using static and dynamic loading. The influence of connecting structures of stud attachments on stress distribution was discussed.

Influence of the buccolingual position of artificial posterior teeth on the pressure distribution on the supporting tissue under a complete denture.

The buccolingual position of artificial teeth is one of the important factors affecting denture stability, chewing efficiency, and pressure distribution on the supporting tissue under a denture. This study compared the pressure values on the supporting tissue under a denture during chewing in denture wearers, each of whom tried three different setting positions of artificial posterior teeth. The pressure on supporting tissue was greater on the working side that on the non-working side during chewing.

An in vitro study of the influence of occlusal scheme on the pressure distribution of complete denture supporting tissues.

This study compared lingualized occlusion and completely balanced occlusion using a simulation device. Sixteen pressure transducers were placed in the simulated residual ridge area supporting the test dentures. Lingualized occlusion was found to transfer stresses from the occluding side to the opposite, nonworking side to stabilize the mandibular denture.

Effect of altered occlusal guidance on lateral border movement of the mandible.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a change in the lateral anterior guidance pathway on the lateral border movement pathway of mandible. The results showed that altered occlusal guidance reproducibly and reversibly changed (increased) the lateral border movement area in two subjects who had unilaterally restricted lateral border movements.

Calcification preceding new bone formation induced by demineralized bone matrix gelatin.

Demineralized bone matrix gelatin (BMG) was implanted into the skeletal muscle of Sprague-Dawley (S.D.) rats, and histological changes were examined 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 days later.

Reinforcing effect of a Ni-Cr alloy plate on an acrylic resin denture base.

The authors previously reported on the strengthening effect of a thin Ni-Cr plate on an acrylic resin test specimen in the three-point bending test. This study evaluated the reinforcement of acrylic resin denture bases by measuring the strain distribution in the palate of a maxillary complete denture. It was found that this reinforcing technique led to a uniform distribution of strain in the palatal area of the maxillary denture and a reduction of strain in the midpalatal area.

Black-pigmented, asaccharolytic Bacteroides species resembling Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) from beagle dogs.

Black-pigmented, asaccharolytic Bacteroides strains, which positively reacted with anti-Bacteroides gingivalis (now reclassified as Porphyromonas gingivalis) serum, were isolated from beagle dogs, and their characteristics were studied and compared with those of P. gingivalis. The strains from dogs were different from P.