A rapid diagnosis of anaerobic infection in the oro-maxillary region by gas-liquid chromatography

The relationship between volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in pus and infecting bacterial species was examined in order to establish a rapid identification system for anaerobic microorganisms in purulent inflammation in the oro-maxillary region. VFAs were detected by the direct injection of pus into gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Bacterial examination was carried out by anaerobic culture using blood agar plates. The bacterial identification was carried out mainly according to the VPI manual. Analysis of the direct VFA patterns of each sample resulted in 5 groups. The following bacterial species were the main isolates in each group: Streptococcus intermedius in Group A, Peptostreptococcus micros in Group B, Fusobacterium nucleatum in Group C, Bacteroides gingivalis in Group D, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius in Group E. The profile of VFAs produced in the PYG culture medium of the above isolated bacteria was compared with the direct VFA patterns. Agreement ratios between direct and PYG VFA patterns were as follows: Group A, 47.1%; Groups B and C, 45.0%; Group D, 87.5%; and Group E, 62.9%. The acetic acid concentration was more than 14 x 10(-4) meq/ml in Group B, the butyric acid concentration was more than 7 x 10(-4) meq/ml in Group C, and the iso-caproic acid concentration was more than 14 x 10(-4) meq/ml in Group E. In these cases, it was found that the agreement ratios between the direct and PYG FVA pattern were high. In Group D, irrespective of the concentration of iso-valeric acid detected, the agreement ratio was very high. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was studied. Efficiency rates of ABPC, PIPC, CCL, CEZ, CMZ, SBT/CPZ, JM, CLDM, MINO and GM were relatively low and resistant rates were high for the gram-negative rods.     

Chemiluminescence of neutrophils from patients with Beh?et's disease and its correlation with an increased proportion of uncommon serotypes of Streptococcus sanguis in the oral flora

Zymosan-induced chemiluminescence was investigated in whole blood and in neutrophils: in both, the peak count was frequently elevated in Beh?et's disease, and was significantly higher than in healthy controls; similarly the peak time was shorter. There were more uncommon serotypes of Streptococcus sanguis in the oral flora of patients with Beh?et's disease. Common serotypes were present in the flora of healthy controls, but not in patients with the disease. The percentage of Strep. sanguis in the oral flora was significantly correlated with the level of chemiluminescence response. Thus infection with uncommon serotypes of Strep. sanguis may play a role in the aetiology of Beh?et's disease.     

Quantitative cytochemistry of lysosomal structures in rat incisor maturation enamel organ

Trimetaphosphatase was used as a lysosomal marker in the ruffle-ended maturation ameloblasts and associated papillary cells. Morphometric analysis was carried out of the percentage area of these cells (density) occupied by the various enzyme-reactive lysosomal structures. The density of total TMPase-positive lysosomal structures, tubular lysosomes and multivesicular bodies in ruffle-ended ameloblasts were all significantly greater (p less than or equal to 0.05) in early than in late maturation enamel formation. In papillary cells the same was true of tubular lysosomes, whereas the greater density of enzyme-positive total structures in early maturation was not statistically significant when compared to late maturation. These findings demonstrate a corresponding pattern between enamel-organ lysosomal activity and the period of early enamel maturation when most enamel protein is lost. They support the likely involvement by ruffle-ended ameloblasts and papillary cells in absorption and degradation of exogenous enamel proteins.     

Intracoronal radiolucencies within unerupted teeth. Case report and review of literature

A panoramic radiograph obtained during orthodontic treatment revealed an intracoronal radiolucency within an unerupted permanent second molar. This unusual entity was successfully treated by surgical and endodontic intervention, followed by restorative and orthodontic treatment. These treatments enabled the tooth to maintain pulpal vitality, erupt, complete root formation, and function. This report will review the proposed etiologies for this condition, discuss the need for surgical intervention, and present the details of the case.     

Association of smoking with periodontal treatment needs

A total of 344 Jerusalem hospital personnel participated in the present survey which examined periodontal needs according to CPITN (a measure of treatment needs) and smoking habits. Females and younger subjects were found to be generally periodontally healthier than their male and older counterparts. The effect of both smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked were shown to have a clearly deleterious effect on periodontal status when assessed using the CPITN. Younger women were found to be most susceptible to this effect.     

Differential diagnosis between cyst and tumor. Dentigerous cyst and ameloblastoma containing teeth

A study was conducted on 21 cases of ameloblastoma (a type of tumor containing an embedded tooth) and 87 cases of dentigerous cyst. The former cases were selected from among those which had been diagnosed histopathologically. Using radiographs of these lesions, the following parameters were measured: 1) the distance between the cement-enamel junction of the embedded tooth and its attachment to the cystic wall; 2) the area of the radiolucent image (similar to the area with a cystic appearance). From measurements of the former parameter, it appeared that the embedded tooth extends more toward the root apex in ameloblastoma than in dentigerous cyst, whereas the latter parameter indicated that the radiolucent area varies in size slightly in ameloblastoma, but tends to be smaller in dentigerous cyst. Moreover, with regard to clustering between ameloblastoma and dentigerous cyst, no definite tendency was detected on distance, whereas only ameloblastoma without dentigerous cyst was seen above 20 cm2 of area.     

Temperature rise produced by various visible light generators through dentinal barriers

This study evaluated and compared the heat generated by seven brands of light-curing units by measuring the temperature elevation from the ambient temperature through the use of a digital thermocouple-thermometer with a needle probe placed at three locations in the dentin. The results of this study indicated a wide range of differences in temperature rise among the tested light-curing units. In all three locations of probe placement, the Translux unit produced the least temperature elevation.