Kauko K. Virtanen

Acupuncture compared with stomatognathic treatment for TMJ dysfunction. Part I: A randomized study.

12. Schendel SA, Eisenfeld J, Bell WT, Epker BN, Mishelevich DJ: The long face syndrome: Vertical maxillary excess. Am J Orthod 70~398, 1967. Rugh JD, Sims DB: Electrode placement effects on recording electromyographic rest positions. Presented at the International Association for Dental Research, 1981. Drago C: Anatomy of the facial musculature and electrode placement. Prc~c Ann MeeGng Biofeedback Sot Am, San Diego, 1979. Troendle R, Troendle K, Rugh JD: Electromyographic and phonetic rest pxition changes with head posture. Presented at the International Association for Dental Research, 1980. Mohl N: Head posture and Its role in occlusion. NY Dent J 42~17, 1916. Mohl ND, Drinnan AJ: Anatomy and physiology of edentulous mouth. In Winkler S, editor: Essentials of Complete Denture Prosthodontic!. Philadelphia, 1979, WB Saunders Co. Solow B, Tallgren ‘1: Head posture and craniofacial morphology. Am J Phys Anthropol 44:417, 1976. 13.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis induced by zinc, copper and nickel in vitro

Metallic dental restorations and prosthetic constructions are susceptible to corrosion in oral environment, resulting in the release of various heavy metal ions. Chloride salts of zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, iron and gold were tested for their ability to promote the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Using a modified Boyden chamber assay for chemotaxis zinc, copper and nickel enhanced the migration of PMN cells in concentration range of 0.5-1.0 mM, whereas no augmentation in migratory activity was noted using chromium or iron. In contrast, an inhibition in migratory activity was observed in cells directed toward gold ions. Exposure of cells to zinc, copper or nickel ions induced an orientation reaction in leukocytes in a similar fashion as the polarization reaction induced by a potent peptide chemoattractant, N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP), in these cells. Exposure of PMN cells to zinc or nickel in chemotactic concentrations stimulated the chemotaxis of these cells to fMLP 2-fold, whereas pretreatment of the cells with zinc prior to assay markedly decreased the subsequent chemotactic migration of the cells to this metal or to fMLP. The enhanced locomotion of PMN cells induced by zinc, copper or nickel ions was found to be in greater extent due to an increase in directed migration (chemotaxis) rather than an augmentation in random movement (chemokinesis) as assessed by Zigmond-Hirsch checkerboard analysis. These results suggest that zinc, copper and nickel ions attract leukocytes by inducing and promoting the chemotactic response in these cells, which may modulate the inflammatory response of host tissue around such metals.

Examination of the temporomandibular joint by direct sagittal computed tomography

Direct sagittal computed tomography, using our own modification, demonstrates well the position of the disc, movement of the mandibular condyle and its position relative to the mandibular fossa as well as bone and soft-tissue abnormalities of the temporomandibular joint.

Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: A histochemical study

The purpose of this study was to correlate histologic findings in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyles and discs with their macroscopic appearance at surgery. The 24 patients with internal derangement of the joint included 20 women and 4 men (mean age, 37 years; range, 18 to 61 years). The tissue lesions varied in degree from mild soft-tissue fraying and bone remodeling to extensive resorption and new cartilage and bone formation with high phosphatase enzyme activities, and even to loss of articular soft tissue and breakdown of cortical bone. Reactions may arise in the hard tissues before they occur in the articular surface layers.

Composition of human palatine gland secretions and evidence for the presence of specific arylamidases

After mechanically stimulating the surface of palatine mucosa of adult human subjects, 10-25 microliter of saliva secreted from the openings of the palatine glands were directly collected into graduated glass capillaries. The saliva samples contained large amounts of carbohydrates, sialic acids and hexosamines as a result of the high glycoprotein content of the secretions. The saliva did not show activity from amylase, peroxidase, lysozyme and other typical mixed saliva enzymes, but contained arylamidases at concentrations much higher than mixed saliva from the same subjects.

Instrument for measuring human biting force

Alongside EMG activity, biting force is the primary parameter used for assessing the biting problems of dentulous patients and patients with dentures. In a highly conductive oral cavity, dielectric measurement methods are preferred, for safety reasons. The maximum biting force for patients with removable dentures is not more than 100 ... 300 N. We report here on an instrument developed for measuring human biting force which consists of three units: a mouthpiece, a signal processing and interface unit (SPI), and a PC. The mouthpiece comprises a sensor head of thickness 3.4 mm, width 20 mm and length 30 mm constructed of two stainless steel plates and with a fiber optic microbending sensor between them. This is connected to the SPI unit by a three-meter fiber optic cable, and the SPI unit to the PC by an RS connection. A computer program has been developed that includes measurement, display, zeroing, and calibration operations. The instrument measures biting force as a function of time and displays the time-dependent force profile and maximum force on a screen or plots it in hard copy. The dynamic measurement range of the mouthpiece is from 0 to 1000 N, and the resolution of the instrument is 10 N. The results of preliminary clinical measurements and repeatability tests are reported.

Free amino acids in human palatine gland secretions

Human palatine gland saliva (HPS) was collected from young adult subjects (mean age 22 yr) of both sexes by gentle mechanical stimulation. The HPS contained 9-13 of the common amino acids within the range of 2-850 nmol/ml, but most samples had low or no concentrations of arginine, tryptophan and proline. Methionine and cysteine were not reliably detected. The molar ratios of most amino acids varied between subjects, but the ratio of leucine to isoleucine was remarkably constant (mean +/- SD = 1.86 +/- 0.28; n = 28). The minimum average secretion rate of HPS, using gentle mechanical stimulation, was estimated to be about 25 mg/min (wet weight).

Partial purification and characterization of arylamidases from human palatine secretions

The secretions (HPS) contained an arylamidase-like enzyme discovered by chromatography on Sephadex G-100 Superfine columns using N-L-alanyl-2-naphthylamine (2NA) as substrate. The enzyme was fractionated in the void volume, suggesting that its molecular weight was 150,000 or higher. It hydrolysed, with decreasing rates, the 2NA of L-alanine, L-leucine, L-methionine and L-phenylalanine, the pH optimum for the best substrate (ala-2NA) being 8.0, alpha-Benzoyl-DL-arginine-2NA was not hydrolysed. p-Chloromercuribenzoate, EDTA, Ca2+ and Zn2+ were inhibitory, whereas chemical modification with typical tyrosyl group reagents did not significantly inactivate the enzyme. Treatment of HPS with Triton X-100 revealed two further arylamidase-like enzymes with lower mol. wt (90,000 and 40,000, respectively). Inhibition characteristics and Cl- effects suggest that one of these enzymes resembles aminopeptidase B (EC 3.4.11.6). HPS also contains endopeptidase activity over a wide pH range (6-9). The number of enzymes in HPS is thus small and most of the peptidolytic activity of HPS in vitro is due to one major enzyme with arylamidase activity.

Clinical and radiologic assessment of possibilities for endosseous implants and osseointegrated prostheses in 55-year-old edentulous subjects

To determine how many 55-year-old edentulous subjects were suitable candidates for implant-retained overdentures of fixed implant bridges and how many of them might be interested in such treatment, case histories were reviewed, and clinical and radiologic examinations were performed on 146 subjects (100 women, 46 men) in a medium-sized city in northern Finland. Numbers and lengths of implants required in altogether 16 regions in the upper and lower jaw were evaluated. The commonest implant length was 8 mm in the upper jaw and 16 mm in the lower jaw. Construction of an implant-retained fixed bridge would have been possible in the upper jaw in 121 subjects (83%) and of an overdenture in all lower jaws. Information about the benefits of the treatment is important because, although the percentage of subjects who were suitable candidates for implant-retained prostheses was high, few subjects were aware of or interested in this type of treatment.