Kayo Teraoka

Cross-linking and stereospecific structure of collagen in mineralized and nonmineralized skeletal tissues.

Molecular distributions of the intermolecular cross-links in fetal bovine bone type I collagen fibrils were quantitatively determined and compared with those of periodontal ligament. Results indicated that Hyl and Lys residues in the COOH-terminal nonhelical peptide portions (residues 16C) of both alpha 1 chains were quantitatively converted to aldehydes. These in turn stoichiometrically formed cross-links with residues Hyl-87 on both alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of neighboring molecules. The ratio of cross-linked alpha 1 to alpha 2 chains was 3.5 to 1 indicating a stereospecific packing of collagen molecules in the fibrils similar manner to periodontal ligament collagen. It was found that there were few aldehyde derived cross-links in the NH2-terminal nonhelical portions of the bone type I collagen. The relative paucity of the cross-links in NH2-terminal region of bone collagens may favor mineralization.

歯科医療行動科学における模擬患者 (SP) 実習

The purpose of this paper is to present an outline of students practice of interviewing simulated patients at behavioral science in dentistry. This practice was initiated as part of a newly introduced behavioral science course at our school of dentistry, to enable students to acquire communication skills, comprehensive understanding, and a proper attitude vis-à-vis patients. Students as well as instructors involved in the practice evaluated it as highly relevant for clinical education. It is concluded that the development of such practices in dental education is a prerequisite for training students to dentists oriented toward patient-centered dental practice.

Electron microscopic study of bacterial colonization in fissures of rat molars during eruption period.

The fissures of the rat molars were examined by the SEM technique with the purpose of demonstrating the change in the bacterial colonization according to the period of tooth eruption. The bacteria began to adhere to the entrance of the fissures as soon as the molars appear in the oral cavity and the colonization extended up to the deeper places of the fissures with eruption. At the completion of eruption, the bacteria were observed at the lower part of the fissure. Only a slight difference was found in the formation ofthe bacterial plaque in the fissures when the rats were given different diets. Extracellular polysaccharide was observed in the fissures of rats provided with diet containing sucrose.