Verruciform xanthoma of the gingiva: report of three cases

Forty-seven English and Japanese cases (including three new cases) of verruciform xanthoma of the gingiva were analyzed. Males were affected more frequently than females, and the average age of the patients was 40.9 years. Both maxillary and mandibular gingivae were affected. The most frequent site of involvement in both jaws was the premolarmolar gingiva. Simple surgical excision was the treatment of choice.

Phospholipid metabolism in rat submandibular gland. Positional distribution of fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine and microsomal lysophospholipid acyltransferase systems concerning proliferation

Rat submandibular gland phosphatidylcholine mainly consisted of the 1-saturated acyl-2-unsaturated acyl type. The high occupancy of unsaturated fatty acid at the C-2 position is in part explained by the preference of microsomal acyl-CoA:1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-acyl-GPC) acyltransferase for unsaturated fatty acyl-CoAs. This enzyme activity was partially inhibited by divalent cations. Ca2+ may be important for regulation of a deacylation-reacylation cycle, suggested because Ca2+ is also known to activate the deacylation enzyme, phospholipase A2. Although the presence of 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase activity is also observed in plasma membrane of the submandibular gland, the microsomal enzyme showed properties different from the enzyme in plasma membrane in terms of its susceptibility to neural salts and detergents. Cell proliferation caused by chronic administration of isoproterenol resulted in an increase of linoleic acid at the C-2 position of phosphatidylcholine. However, this alteration did not correlate with the changes of activity and substrate specificity of 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase and the other C-2 acylation enzyme, 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate acyltransferase, which suggests that the alteration of fatty acid by isoproterenol treatment is due to a change of supply of substrates or specific acyl breakdown of phosphatidylcholine.

Dissolution of metallic mercury in artificial saliva and eleven other solutions

Dissolution of metallic mercury immersed in various solutions for one, three, seven, and 14 days was investigated by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Solutions used in this study were artificial saliva, compounds of the four groups forming the artificial saliva (inorganic salts, amino acids, vitamins, other organic compounds) wholly or in part, 0.9% NaCl solution (saline solution), Ringer's solution, and distilled water. Artificial saliva showed a level of mercury dissolution seven times higher than that of saline or Ringer's solution. A large amount of dissolution, similar to that in artificial saliva, was found in the solution of the other organic compounds (containing glutathione) and in a solution containing only glutathione. Mercury dissolution in the solution of vitamins was small. There was a similarity in dissolution amounts between the solution of inorganic salts and that of amino acids. Glutathione played a major role in the dissolution of mercury.

Epithelial dysplasia produced by carcinogen pretreatment and subsequent wounding

Golden hamsters in which the tongues were pretreated with DMBA for 4 weeks, subsequently excised, and either received no treatment or received additional postexcisional applications of acetone or DMBA for 9 to 13 days exhibited histologic evidence of epithelial dysplasia; these dysplastic lesions stained positive for papillomavirus genus-specific antigens. Conversely, animals in which the tongues received the same pretreatment yet had no excision failed to show any dysplastic changes, even though the tongues received additional applications of DMBA. Furthermore, papillomavirus genus-specific antigens were not demonstrable. The animals in which the tongues received no pretreatment with DMBA for 4 weeks followed by excisional wounding showed normal healing, even though the tongues were post-treated with DMBA. Papillomavirus genus-specific antigens could not be demonstrated in this last group.

[Large odontoma of the left maxilla: report of a case]

An odontoma is a tumor in which both epithelial and mesenchymal cells exhibit complete differentiation and is comosed of enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp tissue. Three types are complex odontoma, compound odontoma and cystic odontoma. The case reported here is a relatively large complex odontoma which was found in the left maxilla of a 23-year-old male.

Long junctional epithelium produced by application of bacterial protease in rats

In the present study, the effect of bacterial protease on the periodontal tissues in rats was investigated histologically and histometrically. In the control group, 0.03 ml distilled water was applied to the lingual marginal gingiva of the mandibular incisor while, in the experimental group, 0.03 ml bacterial protease (distilled water with 300 units, Sigma type XIV) was applied to the same area. Both groups were treated once a day for 1, 3, 6, 9, 15 and 21 d. Histologically, the junctional epithelium in the experimental group showed a marked apical proliferation along the tooth surface, and the gingival connective tissue displayed also a slight inflammatory cell infiltration subepithelially. The remaining periodontal tissues were almost similar to those of the control group. Histometrically, the length of the junctional epithelium between the base of the gingival crevice and the most apical portion of the junctional epithelium in the experimental group at 9, 15 and 21 d were significantly greater (p less than 0.01) than those of the control group, respectively.

Comparison of phospholipid N-methylation activity in rat submandibular salivary gland and liver

Successive phospholipid N-methylation from phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine in submandibular gland and liver microsomes proceeded without the addition of exogenous phospholipid substrate. Methylation activity in the submandibular microsomes showed different susceptibilities to various detergents than the liver enzyme and also partially required Mg2+. However, the three methylation steps could not be distinguished by their Mg2+ requirements. Ca2+ had no effect on the activity. The methylation activity in submandibular gland was much lower than in liver. Chronic administration of isoproterenol, which causes an increase of phosphatidylcholine in membrane phospholipids of salivary glands, decreased methylation activity in the submandibular gland. Thus the increase in phosphatidylcholine in isoproterenol-treated rat salivary glands may not be derived from the phospholipid methylation pathway, but may be due to stimulation of other routes of phosphatidylcholine metabolism.

[Serotype and susceptibilities to eight antibiotics of fifty strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens and changes in susceptibilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to various antibiotics during a period between 1983 and 1986]

Efficacies of 8 antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the relation to serotypes and clinical sources were investigated on 50 strains isolated from patients at Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital between August and September, 1986. Disk sensitivity test was carried out simultaneously for 5 antibiotics including piperacillin (PIPC), cefoperazone (CPZ), cefsulodin (CFS), ceftazidime (CAZ) and amikacin (AMK), using the single-disk method. We also examined changes in susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa to 5 antibiotics including PIPC, CFS, fosfomycin, gentamicin (GM) and AMK during last 4 years (1983-1986). The results are summarized as follows. 1. CAZ and AMK proved to have high antibacterial potencies, and their MIC80's (concentrations to inhibit growth of 80% of objective bacteria) were both 6.25 micrograms/ml. Following these two the order of potencies were; CFS, cefpiramide (CPM), PIPC, CPZ, netilmicin (NTL), and cefmenoxime (CMX). Sixty two percent of the strains of P. aeruginosa showed high resistances (MIC greater than 50 micrograms/ml) to CPM, CPZ, NTL and CFS, 58% to PIPC, and 2% to AMK. 2. With regard to serotypes, strains belonging to type E were less susceptible than those belonging to types G and I. Type E strains showed high resistance to all antibiotics except CAZ and AMK. 3. Strains obtained from pura and secreta were relatively susceptible, while those from urines were resistant, to these antibiotics tested, in general. 4. Good correlation between MIC's obtained with the agar dilution method (MIC less than or equal to 12.5 micrograms/ml) and these with the disk sensitivity test (greater than ¿ was observed. chi 2 statistical analysis showed that the results obtained with the 2 methods were closely related (P less than 0.01). 5. P. aeruginosa showed fairly high susceptibility to AMK through the recent 4 years (1983-1986). On the other hand, highly resistant strains against CFS, PIPC, FOM and GM increased rapidly during this period.

[In vitro combination effects of astromicin and beta-lactam antibiotics against CFS-sensitive and CFS-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro synergistic activity]

We investigated in vitro synergistic activity of astromicin (ASTM) combined with beta-lactam antibiotics (cefsulodin (CFS), cefoperazone (CPZ), ceftazidime (CAZ), piperacillin (PIPC) and fosfomycin (FOM) against fresh clinical isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which consisted of 13 CFS sensitive (MIC less than or equal to 3.13 micrograms/ml) and 19 CFS resistant (MIC greater than or equal to 400 micrograms/ml) strains according to the FIC index. Against CFS-sensitive P. aeruginosa, ASTM showed good synergistic activities when combined with PIPC (54%), CAZ (38%), CPZ (23%) and CFS (8%). Against CFS-resistant P. aeruginosa, ASTM also showed high synergistic activities when combined with CAZ (63%), CPZ (47%), PIPC (37%) and CFS (11%). Among the CFS-resistant P. aeruginosa, one clinical isolate showed a high sensitivity (MIC0.78 micrograms/ml) against ASTM alone.

Developmental-stage-dependent radiosensitivity of neural cells in the ventricular zone of telencephalon in mouse and rat fetuses

Pregnant ICR mice were treated with single whole-body X-radiation at a dose of 0.24 Gy on day 10, 13, or 15 of gestation. Fetuses were obtained from mothers during 1 and 24 hours after irradiation. Pyknotic cells in the ventricular zone of telencephalon were counted in serial histological sections. Incidence of pyknotic cells peaked during 6 and 9 hours after irradiation in each gestation day group. Then, dose-response curves were obtained 6 hours after 0-0.48 Gy of irradiation. All three dose-response curves showed clear linearity in the dose range lower than 0.24 Gy. Ratios of radiosensitivity estimated from the slopes of dose-response curves in day 10, 13, and 15 groups were 1, 1.4, and 0.4, respectively. These demonstrated that ventricular cells in the day 13 fetal telencephalon were the most radiosensitive among the three different age groups. In order to confirm the presence of the highly radiosensitive stage common to mammalian cerebral cortical histogenesis, pregnant F344 rats were treated with single whole-body gamma-irradiation at a dose of 0.48 Gy on day 13, 14, 15, 17, or 19 of gestation. The incidence of pyknotic cells in the ventricular zone of telencephalon was examined microscopically during 1 and 24 hours after irradiation. The peak incidence was shown 6 hours after irradiation in all the treated groups, and the highest peak incidence was shown in day-15-treated group. The developmental stage of telencephalon of day 15 rat fetuses was comparable to that of day 13 mouse fetuses. Thus, the highest radiosensitivity in terms of acute cell death was shown in the same developmental stage of brain development, i.e., the beginning phase of cerebral cortical histogenesis, in both mice and rats.

Histological, histometrical and fluoride electrode studies of the effects of fluoride on the mandibular condyles in growing newborn rats

The effects of fluoride on the mandibular condyles in growing newborn rats were studied by histological, histometrical and fluoride electrode methods. The layer of cartilage of the mandibular condyle in the animals administered 5, 15, 25 and 35 mg/kg of fluoride for 3 weeks displayed a significant increase in thickness when compared with that of the mandibular condyle in the control animals. The thickening of the cartilage layer was proportioned to the amounts of fluoride administered. The volumetric density of cancellous bone of the condyle in the animals administered 25 and 35 mg/kg of fluoride also increased significantly when compared with that of the condyle in the control animals. The trabeculae of cancellous bone of the condyle in these animals contained large amounts of osteoid. The cancellous bone of the condyle in the animals of the four fluoride groups showed a significantly higher fluoride concentration when compared with that of the condyle in the control animals. The fluoride concentration proportionally increased with the amounts of fluoride administered. The results of the present study indicate that the morphologic changes and the fluoride concentrations in the mandibular condyles of rats receiving fluoride were closely correlated with each other.

Comparison of phospholipid synthesis in rat salivary glands: properties of 1-acylglycerophosphorylcholine and 1-acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase systems in microsomes

1. 1-Acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphorylcholine and 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activities were characterized in rat salivary gland microsomes. 2. The acyl-CoA selectivities between these two kinds of lysophospholipid acyltransferase activities were very different. 3. When the three major glands were compared (parotid, submandibular, sublingual), they showed their own particular acyltransferase activity, but they had very similar in acyl-CoA selectivity. 4. Those observations were also compared in rat liver microsomes.

Distribution of fluoride in the enamel of rat incisors examined by an abrasive microsampling technique

This study was undertaken to reveal detailed changes in fluoride distribution at different developmental stages of upper incisor enamel under various fluoride administration regimes. Four groups of Wistar rats received water containing 0, 25, 50 and 100 parts/10(6) fluoride respectively for 10 weeks. Five different enamel specimens were removed from the developing enamel, excluding the matrix-formation stage. Fluoride distribution in each specimen was analysed from the surface to the enamel-dentine junction using an abrasive microsampling technique. Fluoride concentration was invariably highest at the surface and decreased sharply towards the interior at every site in both control and experimental groups. The concentration throughout the tissue increased with fluoride intake at each stage of development. The fluoride-gradient curves were similar at each of the different sites of tooth development. However, the fluoride concentration of the enamel interior was significantly higher at early maturation than at the other four sites.

Strain differences in teratogenic susceptibility to trypan blue between WM and BDIX rat strains

Female rats of WM (Wistar-Mishima)/Nem strain were mated with WM/Nem (group W) or BDIX/Nem males (group WB), and BDIX/Nem females were mated with BDIX/Nem (group B) or WM/Nem males (group BW). On day 8 of gestation, pregnant females were treated intraperitoneally with 1% aqueous solution of trypan blue at a dose of between 20 and 120 mg/kg of body weight. On day 20 of gestation, fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. In group W, fetal mortality increased dose dependently at doses higher than 20 mg/kg, and incidences of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations were significantly higher than control at doses of 30 mg/kg and more. In group B, fetal mortality and the incidence of external malformations were significantly higher than control only in the group treated with 120 mg/kg, and no significant increase of visceral and skeletal malformations was shown. It was confirmed that BDIX strain is much more resistant to trypan blue teratogenicity than WM strain. In group BW, nearly the same teratogenic effects were shown as in group W in terms of fetal mortality and incidence of malformations. However, in group WB, teratogenic effects were not so remarkable as in group BW, suggesting patroclinous effects in teratogenic susceptibility to trypan blue. In group BW, sex differences in teratogenic susceptibility were found; male fetuses were more susceptible to trypan blue than females.

A clinicopathological study of ameloblastomas

72 cases of ameloblastoma were obtained from the files of the Department of Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University for the years January 1970 through December 1983. The cases were analyzed with respect to sex, age, duration, site histopathology, and treatment. Of 72 patients, 63 had no previous therapy, while 9 received their initial treatment elsewhere. There were 38 males and 34 females, a ratio of 1.2: 1. At the time of diagnosis, the ages of all patients ranged from 11 to 71 years, with an average of 36.6 years. About 65% of patients were in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th decades of life. The duration of symptoms varied from 2 days to 5 years, with an average of 12.6 months. 69 cases occurred in the mandible, with the molar-ramus region being the most frequent site of involvement. Only 3 were found in the maxilla. The left side of the mandible was affected 1.6 times more frequently than the right. Histopathologically, 44 cases were of the plexiform type, 15 the follicular, 10 the acanthomatous, and 2 the basal cell type. Only 1 case was of the granular cell type. Most of the findings in the present study agreed with previous available data from the literature on ameloblastomas.

Developmental abnormalities of mouse cerebellum induced by intracisternal injection of ochratoxin A in neonatal period

Ochratoxin A, one of the food-contaminating mycotoxins, is known to impair brain development in mammals. Slc:ICR mice were treated intracisternally with a single dose of 5 micrograms ochratoxin A on day 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, or 7 after birth, in order to examine the direct effects of ochratoxin A on cerebellar development. The mice in each group were killed at 30 days of age, and the brains examined by light microscopy. Body and total brain weights were reduced (7 to 15%) in the treated groups. Cerebellar weight was also significantly reduced (18 to 27%) in all treated groups. In mice treated on day 0, 1, or 2, the layered structure of the vermis was well preserved, but some animals treated on day 4, 5, or 7 had cerebella with disarranged cortical structure. The number of folia decreased and the foliation index showed a significant decrease in the groups treated on days 0, 1, and 2.

Inhibitory effect of pentobarbital on phospholipase C activity in ischaemic rat brain

Ischaemic rat brains were examined for temporal changes in phospholipase C activity with phosphatidylinositol; the effects of pentobarbital on the activity also were investigated. Ischaemia was produced by decapitation. Pentobarbital (60 mg/kg) was administered i.p. for 15 min before decapitation. The removed heads were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1, 5, 15 or 30 min and then quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen. After isolation of subcellular fractions from the brains, phospholipase C activity was measured for cytosol and microsomes, using radioactive phosphatidylinositol as a substrate. The results demonstrated that brain phospholipase C predominantly localized in the cytosol was dependent on Ca2+ for full activity and had neutral pH optima. Although the enzyme activity did not increase during ischaemia, pentobarbital inhibited phospholipase C activity in the cytosol but not in the microsomes. These observations suggest that pentobarbital may exert a cerebral protective action due to, at least in part, the repression of phospholipase C followed by a reduction of phosphatidylinositol breakdown, preventing perturbation to the integrity of membranes, during ischaemia.