Release of cobalt from cobalt chromium alloy constructions in the oral cavity of man

The release of cobalt from a cobalt chromium alloy construction with a major palatal connector (palatal strap) in the maxilla was determined for 10 test subjects. The concentration of cobalt in unstimulated whole saliva and tongue scrapings was estimated 21, 14 and 7 d respectively before and 1, 2, 3, 10, 20 and 30 d after insertion of the cobalt chromium alloy construction. The method used to quantify the cobalt content was flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed that the median cobalt concentration in saliva and tongue scrapings increased after the insertion of the cobalt chromium alloy construction, with the highest values occurring in the first 2 d after insertion. The tongue scrapings, in general, showed higher cobalt median values than saliva did at all times of estimation. The sampling method described in the present study seems to be useful in long-term investigations in man, where numerous sample collections in the oral cavity are required in order to determine metal content. The risk of negative biologic effects on the human organism caused by the cobalt release from the alloy is discussed.

Lipid profiles of taste and non-taste epithelial tissues from steer tongues

Some hypotheses on taste reception have implicated lipids of taste cells as major receptor constituents. This study reports detailed lipid profiles of the taste bud-containing epidermis from circumvallate papillae and fungiform papillae as well as profiles from two non-taste bud tissues: circumvallate papillae dermis and epidermis from the lateral posterior of the tongue. Differences in levels of triglycerides and phosphatidylcholines were observed but these were not directly related to the presence of taste buds. At this level of analysis, it is evident that there are no unusual distributions of phospholipid classes in the taste bud epidermis when compared with the non-taste bud lingual epidermis.

The nature of the substance P-containing nerve fibres in taste papillae of the rat tongue

The nature of the association of substance P (SP) with taste buds in the rat tongue was investigated by immunohistochemical and radioimmunoassay techniques. Both the circumvallate and fungiform papillae were found to receive a rich innervation by substance P-containing fibres. Although these fibres were closely associated with the taste buds in these structures, they assumed a perigemmal rather than an intragemmal location. Bilateral lesions of the glossopharyngeal nerve resulted in the depletion of taste buds from the vallate papilla and a large reduction in substance P immunoreactive fibres in this area. Lesions of the chorda tympani, which led to the degeneration of taste buds in fungiform papillae, had no effect on the immunohistochemical appearance of substance P in these papilla or on the substance P levels in the anterior part of the tongue. Lesions of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve or neonatal capsaicin treatment had no effect on the structural integrity of taste buds in fungiform papillae but led to the depletion of substance P-immunoreactive fibres from these papillae. Both of these procedures caused a 71% reduction in the substance P content of the anterior tongue, ipsilaterally after the nerve lesion and bilaterally after capsaicin treatment. The results are discussed in relation to the possible functional role of substance P-containing fibres within nerves supplying taste structures of the tongue.

A low-molecular-weight soluble protein from bovine lingual epithelium. II. Purification and characterization

In an earlier study of rat lingual epithelium, we examined the total SDS-soluble protein from epithelia isolated at different states of development by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In this study, rather than work with total SDS-soluble proteins, we have carried out a series of sequential extractions of bovine lingual epithelium. To separate epithelium from connective tissue, slices of dorsal tongue mucosa were incubated in a solution containing EDTA and 4 proteolytic enzyme inhibitors. We have isolated and partially characterized a low-molecular-weight (LMW) protein from the phosphate-buffered saline extract of bovine lingual epithelium. In the work reported here, we describe some of the biochemical and immunologic characteristics of this protein. The bovine lingual LMW protein has a molecular weight of 8700 +/- 450, an isoelectric point of 4.7 +/- 0.2 pH units, and a high content of the acidic amino acids aspartate and glutamate. We prepared an antibody to LMW protein and examined its specificity by a microenzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). We found that the antibody to LMW protein reacts very strongly against LMW protein while it exhibits no cross-reactivity with low levels of an authentic keratin protein but moderate cross-reactivity at higher concentrations of this authentic keratin protein. In a previous publication we have reported the immunohistochemical localization and distribution of this LMW protein.

Immunofluorescent localization of fibronectin in human oral mucosa

Fibronectin (FN) with an immunohistochemical fluorescence technique using anti-human FN and anti-rat FN sera was localized in the basement membrane of lip, buccal mucosa, palate, tongue, around ectopic sebaceous glands and around acini and ducts of labial salivary glands though in different amounts. In the mucosal lamina propria, FN was present in a net-like pattern. The highest concentrations of FN were in the palatal and tongue connective tissues. Much FN was present in the walls of small blood vessels and in perineural sheaths of peripheral nerves. No fluorescence was seen in the acini of labial salivary glands. In their striated ducts however, some cells were intensely fluorescent; the significance of this is unknown.

Influence of innervation on the levels of noradrenaline and serotonin in the circumvallate papilla of the rat

The levels and the distribution of monoamines within the rat circumvallate papilla have been studied. Noradrenaline was found in the connective tissue underlying the taste buds, whereas serotonin was located in the basal area of the gustatory epithelium but not inside the taste buds. Following denervation, noradrenaline levels decreased and serotonin levels increased. These results suggest that both neurotransmitters may have some mutual interaction in modulating transmission at the papilla.

Antibodies to high molecular weight polypeptides of desmosomes: specific localization of a class of junctional proteins in cells and tissue

Desmosome-enriched fractions were isolated from bovine muzzle epidermis either as desmosome-tonofilament complexes using a procedure involving treatment at pH9 or in the form of desmosomal residue fractions using a modification of the citric acid buffer (pH 2.3) method of Skerrow and Matoltsy [1]. Major polypeptides of high molecular weights (mol. wt.) were separated by gel electrophoresis, individual polypeptide bands were excised, and protein was eluted and used for immunization. Guinea pig antibodies raised against two prominent polypeptides of high mol. wt. (250,000 and 215,000) showed, on nitrocellulose paper blots of desmosome-tonofilament polypeptides separated by gel electrophoresis, extensive cross-reaction between a group or large polypeptides characteristic of desmosome-containing fractions, most notably polypeptides of 250 K, 215 K, 200 k, 175 K, and 164 K. These antibodies allowed, when used in immunofluorescence microscopy, the specific localization of desmosomal junctions (i) in sections through epithelia-containing tissue (e.g., epidermis, mucosae of tongue and esophagus, cornea, mammary gland, small intestine, liver, thymus, urothelium of bladder) and myocardium; (ii) on dissociated cells from these tissues; (iii) on various epithelial cells grown in culture; an (iv) in tumor-like proliferations of cultured epithelial cells injected into nude mice. Individual desmosomes could be visualized and resolved at the light microscopic level. No reaction was found in cells devoid of desmosomes and on other classes of intercellular junctions. Electron microscopic localization using immunoperoxidase techniques indicated that these proteins are located in, or close to, the desmosomal plague structure. It is proposed to use such antibodies against desmosomal proteins as markers specific to this so far only morphologically define class of junctions. Use of these markers will (i) improve identification and classification of intercellular junctions; (ii) facilitate determinations of the specific patterns of distributions of desmosomes and desmosomal protein in various cells and tissue; (iii) allow studies of formation and disintegration of desmosomes, and of the biosynthesis and possible recycling of their constituents; and (iv) provide tissue group-specific markers valuable in histology and diagnosis, especially for identification of epithelial and carcinoma cells.

Binding of [35S]saccharin to a protein fraction of rat tongue epithelia

The binding of [35S]saccharin to ammonium sulfate fractions from homogenates of rat tongue epithelia was measured by equilibrium dialysis. The 40--60% saturated ammonium sulfate fraction from the buffer-soluble fraction had the highest saccharin-binding activity. Binding of [35S]saccharin to the 40--60% ammonium sulfate fraction was inhibited by unlabeled saccharin sodium salt. The inhibition increased with increasing unlabeled saccharin concentration and was nearly complete above 10 mM. [35S]Saccharin binding to the 40--60% ammonium sulfate fraction extracted from the tongue epithelia was inhibited by glucose, lactose and sucrose, while binding to similar fractions from tongue muscle was not affected by these sugars. The inhibition of binding of labeled saccharin to the epithelial fraction increased with increasing glucose concentrations. About 35% of the binding was inhibited by 1 M glucose. No significant difference in the amount of inhibition was seen among the three sugars at 0.1 M. The 40--60% ammonium sulfate fraction from tongue epithelium devoid of taste buds bound much less [35S]saccharin than did a similar fraction from epithelium with taste buds. Binding of [35S]saccharin by the preparation from epithelium devoid of taste buds was not inhibited by glucose. The results provide evidence that the 40--60% ammonium sulfate fraction from tongue epithelia with taste buds contains a protein which binds saccharin and sugars. We hypothesize that it is a sweet taste receptor protein.

Genetic aspects of the effects of methylmercury in mice: the incidence of cleft palate and concentrations of adenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate in tongue and palatal shelf

Concentrations of adenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) were measured in the tongues and palates of 14.5-day-old fetuses from control and methylmercury-treated mothers of four inbred lines of mice which represent the four possible combinations of two H-2 alleles and two residual genetic backgrounds. The incidence of cleft palate in fetuses from control and methylmercury-treated mothers was also examined. The H-2 alleles significantly affected the degree of reduction of cAMP concentration in palates seen in fetuses from mothers treated with methylmercury. Neither the H-2 allele nor the residual genetic background played a role in the effect of methylmercury on cAMP concentrations in fetal tongues. The magnitude of increase in the incidence of cleft palate with methylmercury treatment was approximately the same for all lines. Thus, methylmercury-induced cleft palate may not be mediated by the reduction of cAMP. Finally, fetuses with cleft lip had increased palatal cAMP levels, whether or not they were from control or methylmercury treated mothers.

A technique to tocopherol (vitamin E) histochemical detection

A technique to detect tocopherol histochemically was proposed in basis on the following schedule: 1. toluidine blue and Schiff reagent negativity before a suitable oxidation; 2. performic acid-toluidine blue and performic acid-Schiff reagent positivity after fixing in formalin-CaCl2; 3. performic acid-toluidine blue and performic acid-Schiff reagent negativity after fixing in formalin-HgCl2; 4. ferric ferricyanide reaction positivity not influenced by the formalin-HgCl2 blockade. This technique tested on filter paper strips loaded with several lipids, steroids, vitamins, proteins, amino acids and ribonucleic acid shows that it is specific to tocopherols among the tested substances. Used on tissue sections this technique appears as very suitable to histochemical purposes.

Morphological and histochemical properties of tongue muscles in cat

The morphology of the tongue muscles was studied by in situ dissection as well as by histological and histochemical methods. By means of the latter an anatomical reassessment of attachments and fiber courses was made. The histochemistry was studied in sections stained for myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (mATPase), succinic dehydrogenase, NADH diaphorase, phosphorylase, esterase, glycogen and lipids. Fibers of type I and type II were identified, and the latter were subdivided into II1 (highly glycolytic), II12 (intermediately glycolytic and lipolytic) and II123 (highly lipolytic). In the extrinsic muscles, the fibers were 19-25% type I (mean diameter 27 micrometers) and 75-81% type II (37 micrometers); the three type II subgroups appeared in equal proportions, each accounting for 22-30% of the total fiber amount. Pars longitudinalis superior m. hyoglossi and pars longitudinalis inferior m. styloglossi contained only type II fibers, mainly type II12 (67% and 46%, respectively), of diameters like those in m. hyoglossus and m. styloglossus. The intrinsic muscles also consisted entirely of type II fibers (23 micrometers). II123 fibers predominated in m. verticalis (83%), which has only 10% H12 and 6% II1, whereas the fiber composition of m. transversus was more balanced: 37% type II1, 32% II12 and 31% II123.

Elements in muscle measured in vivo and in vitro with X-ray spectrometry

Calcium, iron, copper, and zinc concentrations in muscle were measured in vivo by x-ray spectrometry (XRS). The undersurface of the tongue was examined in cardiomyopathic and in normal hamsters. Values were compared to in-vitro analyses of various muscles from the same groups of animals using XRS and chemical analysis. Blood tests as well as histologic and histometric examinations were also performed. The correlated results show that XRS is a relatively sensitive and practical method for measuring chemical elements in muscle, and that it could be developed into a useful clinical test in certain neuromuscular and myocardial diseases. An interesting incidental finding was that, though all the examined muscles of myopathic animals had pathologic changes, only the tongue and myocardium, which are composed exclusively of red fibers, showed excessive calcium accumulation. This suggests either that the basic genetic aberration is not directly related to the oxidative metabolism, or that white muscles have a more efficient system for dealing with calcium overload.

The histochemistry of thiols and disulphides. III. Staining patterns in rat tissues

With the aid of new staining methods, thiol groups produced by the reduction of disulphide bonds were positively distinguished from pre-existing groups in paraffin sections of several organs of the rat. Good preservation of structures in which the natural thiol-disulphide balance had been maintained was sought by fixing the tissues in neutral formalin containing an organomercurial. After dissociation of the resulting mercaptide bonds that protected the native thiols, these were shown in one colour and then disulphide sites in another within the same sections. Intracellular granules and extracellular membranes rich in disulphides thereby stood out in red against the predominantly blue labelling of the cellular ground plasm. Intimate mixtures of the two forms in some places and the presumed transformation of thiols to disulphides in others, notably the keratinizing epithelium of the tongue, were readily seen. Supplemented by separate visualization of thiols and disulphides along with suitable controls for specificity of staining, the results obtained diverged in some major respects from those of previous investigations.

[Diagnostic problems of primary amyloidosis]

Surgical liver biopsy specimen of a women aged 58 with "biliary complaints" showed amyloid deposits of unknown nature. After a nearly two-years-course of the disease the patient died of cardiac and renal failure. Clinical findings and laboratory tests without abnormal serum globulins suggested primary amyloidosis. Morphologically amyloid was present in the heart, tongue, striated muscles and in many parenchymatous organs and endocrine glands. By electron microscopy no difference was revealed between the primary and secondary type, respectively. Differenciation between primary and secondary form of the amyloid could only be achieved by the demonstratin of resistance of the deposits against induced proteolysis with trypsin digestion under the polarization microscope. The same result was obtained in two cases of senile amyloidosis. The case presented indicates that increased level of pathologic globulins is not an obligatory phenomenon in primary amyloidosis.

Median rhomboid glossitis associated with amyloid deposition

There are some controversies over the pathogenesis and clinical features of median rhomboid glossitis. A case of median rhomboid glossitis associated with amyloid deposition was presented. Clinically there was no organ involved in amyloid other than the tongue. It was suspected that median rhomboid glossitis occurred first and that amyloid was induced later.

Ultrastructural study of the mitochondria in the skeletal muscle fibers in the diabetic Chinese hamster

An ultrastructural study of skeletal muscle fiber biopsies from the tongue and soleus muscle of diabetic Chinese hamsters revealed the presence of lipid droplets within the muscle fibers. These droplets often were found in the cyptoplasm near mitochondira, sometimes inside or surrounded by one or more mitochondria. Glycogen granules were found in great quantities in the cytoplasm of the tongue and soleus muscle. Granules which appeared to be glycogen were also found within the mitochondria of the tongue muscle.

Histochemical demonstration of unsaturated hydrophilic lipids with palladium chloride

Compounds in which olefinic linkages are accessible to aqueous reagents reduce the chloropalladite ion [PdCl4]2-, to metallic palladium. This reaction is used in a histochemical method whereby hydrophilic unsaturated lipids are stained dark brown or black. The specificity of the new method has been confirmed by means of solvent-extraction and chemical blocking procedures and by comparison with other histochemical techniques. Yellow staining of collagen, keratin and cytoplasm is probably due to attachment of the chloropalladite anion to proteins. The yellow background can be largely decolorized by treating the sections with aqueous pyridine, which forms colorless complexes with divalent palladium. A standard technique for staining with palladium is presented and the method is discussed in relation to other histochemical procedures that demonstrate unsaturated lipids.

Histochemical studies on the mucins of the vertebrate tongues. VII. Histochemical analysis of mucosubstances in the tongues of some fishes

The tongues of three fishes were investigated histochemically to determine the distribution and nature of mucosubstances by employing recent techniques and the results were considered comparatively with the lingual mucosubstances of other vertebrates. A heterogenous distribution of neutral mucosubstances, sulfomucins and sialomucins in various lingual sites was noted. The taste buds and/or free nerve endings were found to be restricted in the areas containing abundance of goblet cells. In non-gustatory areas of tongue, the goblet cells were very few or absent. Importance of lingual histology in establishing phylogenetic relationships and the possible functional significance of the mucosubstances in the physiology of gustation is discussed in detail.