Samuel Charles Miller

Local Microdeterminations of Glucose in Periodontal Disease

Local determination of blood constituents in gingival tissues is a new phase of periodontal investigation. The following report is based upon a study to establish the relative concentrations of gingival and systemic blood glucose and their modification by periodontal disease. This work is a continuation of two previous studies. Miller and Pelzer (1), showed that phosphatase from both finger and gingival blood is related to the speed of alveolar disintegration as determined from radiographs. They revealed that the more rapid the alveoloclasia, the higher the phosphatase concentration in the blood obtained from the gingiva in that area and the lower the concentration in the blood from the finger. Thus, gingival blood phosphatase was lowest in those cases with normal alveolar crests, or with arrested destruction, intermediate in the group with slowly active alveoloclasia, and highest where there was rapid destruction. Since the reverse relation existed for the finger blood, the greatest difference between finger and gingival phosphatase values lay in the rapid alveoloclasia group while the least difference existed in the arrested group; the slowly active series occupied an intermediate position. In another study, by the present authors in collaboration with Wolf (2), a number of young women who exhibited advanced alveoloclasia were subjected to complete physical, oral and laboratory examinations. The results of this study pointed to certain systemic characteristics common to almost the entire group. Among these characteristics were a somewhat elevated calcium level, a diminished phosphorus concentration, a lowered basal metabolic rate and specific dynamic action of proteins, a depressed phosphatase activity and a very much flattened glucose tolerance curve.

International Association for Dental Research: Scientific Proceedings of the New York Section. The Guggenheim Dental Clinic of New York—April 29, 1948

1. ITISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE DEVELOPING DENTAL TISSUES WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO ODONTOGENESIS. Gerrit Bevelander, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, N. Y. By histochemical methods the localization and distribution of alkaline phosphatase in relation to the embryogenesis, differentiation, and calcification of the dental tissues have been investigated. These studies, involving particularly osteogenesis, odontogenesis, and amelogenesis as well as later development of bone, dentin, and enamel indicate that alkaline phosphatase may play a role in the development of calcifying tissues. Significant correlations are made between histochemical and previous microincineration studies in relation to the pattern of calcification. Comparisons with other integumentary derivatives such as hair, claw, nail, and feather which do not calcify, present patterns which are similar to that of teeth. 2. HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE DEVELOPING DENTAL TISSUES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AMELOGENESIS. Percy L. Johnson,t College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, N. Y. Abstract involved in above. 3. VARIATION IN SALIVARY PROTEIN CONCENTRATION. Robert J. Gorlin, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, N. Y. In the course of investigation of salivary protein by the Tiselius electrophoretic apparatus, the author observed variation in both the pattern and mobility of the several components. The variation led to this study of salivary protein to determine whether a constant amount of protein could be obtained by uniformity in the collection technic. This was undertaken because the work of Krasnow and Karshan, and Tannenbaum and Beakins had demonstrated wide variations in protein values existing in saliva. Mean values in several studies have established salivary protein concentration to be 260 to 300 mg./100 c.c. of saliva. However, the standard deviations in these studies have varied from 45 to 118, demonstrating the wide range of values. In this study, several variables were made constant, that is, salivary samples were uniform as to the amount collected (5 c.c.), time of salivary stimulation (2 minutes), size of paraffin block (1 x 1 x 1/2 cm.), and collection analysis-interval (1/2 to 1 hour). Samples were taken from 35 volunteers who had had no breakfast, for purpose of minimizing the effect of protein intake. The effect of smoking and water intake upon salivary protein concentration was not determined in this study. The method of Greenberg, as adapted for salivary protein by Krasnow, was utilized on 1 c.c. samples. A mean value of 280.37 mg./100 c.c. saliva was obtained. The standard deviation was 65.93 and the standard deviation of the mean was 11.31. It may be concluded from this study that control of the above-mentioned factors has no effect upon the variation of salivary protein concentration.

International Association for Dental Research Scientific Proceedings of the New York Section: Faculty Club, Columbia University, June 5, 1946

3. BILATERAL FIBRO-OSTEOMA OF THE MAXILLAE IN A MONKEY3. Robin MRankow4, New York. A report of two unusual, bilateral symmetrical osteodystrophies of the maxillae in a monkey. Roentgenographic examination of these maxillary protruberances reveals two large bilateral, hazily-diffuse, nonerosive areas, devoid of cortical margins. These growths are expanding anteriorly and inferiorly. Grossly the mucous membrane is intact and unchanged except for marked thickening. On sectioning, the contents of the bony tumor appear dirty-gray, coarse, granular and cut readily with the dental burr. Microscopic examination of the overlying mucous membrane indicates as intact, somewhat squat but essentially normal epithelium. The sub-epithelium is densely fibrous with sparse nuclei and occasional blood vessels. There are narrow, rregular bony trabeculae throughout this outer fibrous tissue. The central portions of these trabeculae are still calcified and deeply staining. They are encircled by layers of osteoid tissue of varying thickness, in a fashion similar to that seen in osteomalacia. In contrast, a specimen from further within the lesion is typical of the many small eosinophilic trabeculae of a fibro-osteoma. The marrow spaces have been replaced by dense, non-inflamed connective tissue. There is little evidence of lacunar resorption. Few osteoclasts are present. A tentative histopathological diagnosis of bilateral fibro-osteoma, with a peripheral osteomalacia, is suggested.