Altered free cytosolic calcium changes and neutrophil chemotaxis in patients with juvenile periodontitis

Nearly 70-75% of patients with localized juvenile periodontitis (JP) have abnormal polymorphonuclear leukocytic (PMN) chemotaxis. The objective of this study was to determine whether the lower chemotactic response in PMNs from JP patients is associated with a defect in intracellular signal transduction, as measured by stimulus-induced changes in free cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) mobilization. We report that peptide chemoattractants such as N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and the complement fragment C5a in direct comparative studies induced lower amounts of initial Ca2+ mobilization in PMNs from JP patients than healthy controls, as monitored by intracellular fura-2 fluorescence. The initial resting levels of free cytosolic Ca2+ in PMNs from JP patients and normal individuals were found to be similar. fMLP and C5a both mobilized Ca2+ in PMNs in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of PMNs from 0.16 to 20 nM fMLP and 0.2 to 20 nM C5a resulted in elevated levels of free cytosolic Ca2+. However, above 20 nM fMLP and 5 nM C5a concentrations the extent of total Ca2+ mobilization did not differ significantly. Although fMLP and C5a caused Ca2+ mobilization in PMN cells from JP and healthy control subjects, fMLP stimulation induced higher levels of free cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization in PMN cells from healthy control subjects (141.29 +/- 25.55 nM/2 x 10(6) PMNs), than PMNs from JP patients (62.33 +/- 23.76 nM/2 x 10(6) PMNs). Similarly C5a induced higher levels of Ca2+ mobilization in PMNs from healthy control individuals (130.43 +/- 18.26 nM Ca2+/2 x 10(6) PMNs)O, when compared to JP patients (49.92 +/- 14.92 nM Ca2+/2 x 10(6) PMNs).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Macroscopic osseous changes in the temporomandibular joint related to dental attrition in Japanese macaque skull

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between osseous changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and dental attrition in the Japanese macaque. One hundred and thirty Japanese macaque skulls (54 male and 76 female) from animals which had been bred in the same environment, were randomly sampled from a collection at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University. The age at death had been recorded in all cases. TMJ osseous changes were independently evaluated by three examiners, and were defined as an irregular surface or a perforated compact bone layer with a markedly irregular surface on either the temporal or condylar components. Age was a significant factor in predicting TMJ osseous changes ( P < 0·001). A strong relation was observed between age and dental attrition ( P < 0·001), while dental attrition was not a significant factor in predicting TMJ osseous changes ( P = 0·334). The prevalence TMJ osseous changes in male animals was slightly higher than in females ( P = 0·057). The results of this study suggest that osseous changes in the macaque TMJ are mainly related to age, not to dental attrition.     

Temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscle involvement in myotonic dystrophy: a study by magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in myotonic dystrophy (MD) patients. STUDY DESIGN: MRI of the masticatory muscles and TMJ was performed in 15 MD patients, 11 male and 4 female, aged 16 to 53 years (mean, 31 years). Many of them had dental malocclusion, especially Angle class III and anterior open bite, and 3 complained of recurrent TMJ dislocation. TMJ and masticatory muscle pain was not observed, and joint sounds were noted in only 1 patient. RESULTS: The analysis of MRI scans showed masticatory muscle involvement in 13 patients (86.6%). In 11, the involvement was moderate to intense. The main abnormalities observed were increased intramuscular tissue signal on T1 (fatty infiltration) and volumetric reduction of muscles. Regarding the TMJ, articular disk displacement was seen in only 1 patient, but abnormalities of disk shape were common. Mild bone abnormalities were frequently observed, including changes of shape and contour of bone surface, and sclerosis of bone marrow. In 4 patients the condyle moved anterior to the eminence with the mouth opened fully (condylar hyperexcursion). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that masticatory muscles are frequently and intensively affected in MD patients. Bone changes are the most consistent abnormalities observed in the TMJ. It is possible that remodeling is caused by biomechanical changes in the jaw as a result of masticatory muscle involvement.     

Correlation of the near-infrared spectroscopy signals with signal intensity in T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the human masseter muscle

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast blood volume changes transcutaneously measured using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy against water signal intensity changes taken from a transverse T(2)-weighted MR image of the masseter muscle in healthy human subjects before, during and after contraction. Eight healthy non-smoking males with no history of chronic muscle pain or vascular headaches participated (mean age: 23.9+/-0.6 years). The MRI data were gathered using a turbo spin echo sequence (TR: 2300 ms; TE: 90 ms; FOV: 188x300 mm; scanning time: 30 s; slice thickness: 10 mm) and the slice level was set at the mid-point between the origin and insertion of the masseter. Intramuscular haemoglobin (Hb) levels and water content of the right masseter muscle were continuously monitored for 2 min before, 30 s during and 15 min after a maximum voluntary clenching (MVC) task. Both the near-infrared and MRI data were baseline-corrected and normalized and mean levels were established and plotted. Plots of the data showed that both near-infrared-based total Hb and T(2)-weighted MRI-based signal-intensity levels clearly decreased during contraction and a clear post-contraction rebound response was evident after the contraction. The near-infrared data were found to be highly correlated with MRI-based signal-intensity data (Pearson's r=0.909, P<0.0001). In conclusion, these data provide powerful evidence that near-infrared data (total Hb), transcutaneously taken from the masseter muscle in humans, will reflect the intramuscular water signal intensity changes seen using a T(2)-weighted MRI imaging method.     

Impacted supernumerary tooth developed under palatal polyp

We present a rare case of an infant's palatal polyp associated with an impacted supernumerary tooth. We have previously reported three cases of palatal polyps in infants [1]. In one case, after surgical removal of the palatal polyp at the age of 1 year and 8 months, the lesion subsequently began swelling. A periapical radiograph at the age of 2 years and 9 months revealed a small calcified mass in the maxillary left incisor region. The swelling was kept under observation, the calcified mass developed gradually and was removed surgically at the age of 5 years and 5 months. The removed calcified mass was clinically diagnosed as an impacted supernumerary tooth and this was confirmed histologically. Histological findings did not indicate any relationship between the palatal polyp and the impacted supernumerary tooth.     

The identification of the sympathetic neurons innervating the hamster submandibular gland and their electrophysiological membrane properties

The neuron innervating the hamster submandibular (SM) gland was identified in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in vitro by recording the antidromic response using the intracellular recording technique. After the cellular response was recorded, methylene blue was injected iontophoretically into the neuron from the recording electrode, and the location of the cell soma was determined. The salivatory neurons of the SM gland were in the small- to medium-sized group of the entire cell population of the SCG. The cell size was 36.3 x 24.4 microm (mean, n=45). The postganglionic fibers were entirely unmyelinated (mean: 0.34 m/sec at 28-30 degrees C, n=141). Eighty-seven percent of the cells were distributed in the central one-third of area between the external carotid nerve origin and the caudal pole in the SCG. The resting membrane potential, membrane input resistance, membrane time constant and membrane input capacitance of the salivatory neuron were as follows: -49.2+/-7.6 mV (n=102), 52.9+/-23.6 Mohms (n=71), 8.0+/-3.4 msec (n=71) and 147+/-50 pF (n=71). Fast- and slow-excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were evoked, but not slow-inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). The fast EPSP was 13.1+/-5.7 mV in amplitude and 46.2+/-17.1 msec in duration (n=35). The slow EPSP (20 Hz, 5 sec) was 6.9+/-11 .9 mV in amplitude and 101+/-43 sec in duration (n=16). The directly-evoked spike was 63.0+/-11.9 mV in amplitude and 5.9+/-1.3 msec in duration (n=54). The spike after-hyperpolarization (AHP) was 12.5+/-3.5 mV in amplitude and 353+/-161 msec in duration. Na+ and Ca+ channels were involved in the spike generation. The voltage-dependent K+ channels (delayed rectifier), A channels and rapidly Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BK channels) regulated the spike-falling phase. The delayed rectifiers, A channels, and BK and SK (slowly Ca2+-activated) channels were involved in generation of spike-AHP. Muscarine suppressed the Ca2+ component of spike via muscarinic receptors.     

The gingival immune response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in juvenile periodontitis.

The established and advanced lesions of juvenile periodontitis-localized form (JP) are predominated by B-lymphocytes and plasma cells. Local immune processes may participate in protective or immunopathologic roles in the pathogenesis of this disease. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.) is implicated as a primary etiologic agent in JP. An in vitro gingival explant culture system was utilized to study the specificity of immunoglobulins produced by diseased JP tissues. A dot-immunobinding assay demonstrated that 46% of the supernatant fluids (SF) from explant cultures of diseased tissues (n = 39) were positive for the presence of antibody to A.a. Y4, while 61% of autologous JP sera (n = 39) tested positive. For rapidly progressive (RP) and adult periodontitis (AP) SF, 50% and 40% were positive for A.a. Y4, respectively. Seventeen percent of SF from healthy tissue were positive for A.a. Y4. There was no significant difference between JP SF reactivities to A.a. Y4 when compared to reactivities of SF from AP and RP patients. Only 10% of JP SF were positive for Porphyromonas asaccharolytica, a non-oral control microorganism. The de novo biosynthesis of antibody in JP tissue, reactive with A.a. Y4, was demonstrated with Staph Protein A isolated 14C-labeled IgG (SPAG) and the use of a dot-immunobinding assay and autoradiography. The in vitro gingival tissue explant culture system described provides a useful model for the study of the synthesis and specificity of localized immunoglobulins produced by diseased tissues of JP patients.     

A radiographical classification of Stafne's bone cavity

So-called Stafne's bone cavity of the mandible were detected by panoramic radiography in 24 patients seen at the Second Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meikai University Hospital, and five associated hospitals. Unilateral and asymptomatic, all lesions were situated near the angle of the mandible, except for the one case that involved the anterior portion of the mandible. The mean age of the patients was 53 years with a range of 31 to 78 years, and included 22 men and 2 women. In this report, radiographic interpretation of the lesion was done, and a radiographic classification was made as follows:

1. (Indentation type): The inferior border of the mandible is involved.
2. (Medium type): The lesion is situated above the inferior border of the mandible but below the mandibular canal.
3. (Deviation type): Deviation of the mandibular canal is suspected.
4. (Anterior type): The radiolucency is located in the anterior portion of the mandible.