Cloning, sequence analysis, and expression of the Flavobacterium pentachlorophenol-4-monooxygenase gene in Escherichia coli

The pcpB gene of Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 39723 was cloned by using a degenerate primer designed from the N-terminal sequence of the purified enzyme. The nucleotide sequence of pcpB was determined and found to encode an open reading frame of 1,614 nucleotides, yielding a predicted translation product of 538 amino acids, in agreement with the estimated size of the purified protein analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The transcriptional start of pcpB was found to be 80 bp upstream of the translational start, and the transcript was found to be induced in Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 39723 by the presence of pentachlorophenol but to be constitutive in the Escherichia coli pcpB clone. DNA hybridizations with genomic DNAs from Arthrobacter sp. strain ATCC 33790 and Pseudomonas sp. strain SR3 revealed a similar-size 3.0-kb EcoRI fragment, whereas there was no positive hybridization with genomic DNA from Rhodococcus chlorophenolicus. Cell extracts from an E. coli pcpB overexpression strain, as well as the whole cells, were proficient in the dechlorination of pentachlorophenol to tetrachlorohydroquinone. Protein data base comparisons of the predicted translation products revealed regions of homology with other microbial monooxygenases, including phenol-2-monooxygenase and tryptophan-2-monooxygenase.

Histological evaluation of the effect of transseptal fibre resection on the rate of physiological migration of rat molar teeth

Twenty-seven female Sprague-Dawley rats were given lead acetate as a vital stain, and rates of alveolar bone formation, representative of drift, were measured histologically. Teeth around which the transseptal fibre system had been destroyed drifted less quickly on both functioning (p less than 0.01) and non-functioning (p less than 0.001) sides than those with intact transseptal fibres. Both horizontal and vertical components of physiological drift were equally affected by destruction of the transseptal fibre system. It was felt that the transseptal fibres probably exerted their primary effect on the tooth, with bone remodelling around the drifting tooth being affected secondarily.

A static occlusal analysis based on ideal interarch and intraarch relationships

Study models were visually assessed to quantify the number of ideal tooth relationships actually present relative to the potential total. Both intraarch and interarch relationships were used to generate an ideal tooth relationship index (ITRI). Index scores were generated for the entire dentition, which could be divided into anterior, posterior, interarch, and intraarch relationships. Index scores were determined at various time intervals so the longitudinal changes could be studied. Treated orthodontic cases (n = 92) showed an initial total ITRI score of 26% that increased to 52% at the end of orthodontic treatment and continued to improve to 59% during the retention and postretention periods. Anterior segment scores were higher (64%) than posterior segment scores (44%). The intraarch relationships of the anterior segment registered the highest (75%), whereas the lingual cusp relationships of the posterior segment had the lowest scores (35%). Various types of malocclusions exhibited different ITRI scores before treatment but responded equally to treatment showing similar improvement in scores at the end of treatment and the posttreatment period.

Facial and dental arch asymmetries in Class II subdivision malocclusion

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if any significant differences existed with regard to dental arch and facial asymmetries between persons having malocclusions with well-defined asymmetric characteristics, specifically Angle's Class II subdivision malocclusions, and persons having normal occlusions. Secondarily, it was sought to determine the nature of the differences that contributed to the asymmetric occlusal relationship of buccal segments observed in Class II subdivision malocclusions. The sample consisted of 28 subjects in each of the two groups. All possessed a full complement of permanent teeth including first molars. The average age of subjects in both groups was 17 years. Measurements primarily of a linear nature were obtained from posteroanterior and lateral cephalometric radiographs in addition to dental models. Specific measurements were summed to produce various indices of asymmetry. Variables were analyzed with multivariate discriminant analysis. A significant discrimination between the two groups resulted; variables describing asymmetry of the dentoalveolar region of the mandible appeared to be the primary contributors to the difference obtained. Asymmetry of the maxillary dentoalveolar region appeared to make a secondary contribution.