The membrane and contractile properties of extra-lingual striated muscles, M. hyoglossus and M. genioglossus, of the bullfrog were investigated by histochemical, electrophysiological and mechanographical methods. The obtained results could be summarized as follows : 1) M. hyoglossus, classified by myosin ATPase and succinic dehydrogenase staining methods, was composed of two different types of the fiber, fast and slow fiber types. The former showed large diameter (33.4 μm) than the latter (16.2 μm). The results obtained from AChE staining method also suggest that muscle fibers show two different neuro-muscular junctions as "en plaque" and "en grappe" types, the former observed in fast muscle fiber and the latter in slow muscle fiber. The morphological features of M. genioglossus were nearly the same as those observed in the fast muscle fiber types of M. hyoglossus. 2) The fast muscle fiber of M. hyoglossus and M. genioglossus possessed nearly the same membrane properties at resting and active states. On the other hand, the slow muscle of M. hyoglossus possessed many different properties from those of the fast muscle, i.e. the slow muscle possesses lower membrane potential (-83.1mV vs -92.4mV), larger length constant of the cell (4.24mm vs 1.78mm), larger input resistance (4.03MΩ vs 1.01MΩ), larger time constant of the membrane (42 msec vs 18 msec) and larger membrane resistance (19.3 KΩcm^2 vs 4.06 KΩcm^2) compared with those in the fast muscle. These properties of the muscle could be classified into typical slow muscle fiber which have been described in the other slow muscle fibers of the toad and bullfrog. The fast muscle fiber could but the slow muscle fiber could not evoke the spike by the outward current pulse. 3) Miniature endplate potential (mepp) and endplate potential (epp) could be recorded from both muscle tissues. However, fast and slow muscle fibers showed distinct differences from their features. The fast muscle generated the spike on epp but the slow muscle generated epp alone. The distribution and amplitude of mepp also differed between slow and fast muscle. The obtained results suggest that fast muscle possesses focal innervation "en plaque" and slow muscle diffuse innervation "en grappe". 4) The excitation-contraction coupling mechanism in fast and slow muscle fibers was examined under depolarization induced by excess [K]_0. This mechanism differed between fast and slow muscle fiber, i.e. the latter showed lower threshold to evoke the contraction, thus indicating that epp is enough to evoke the contraction, and the latter higher threshold to evoke the contraction, thus indicating the requirement of spike generation. 5) Contractions induced by either electrical stimulation or excess [K]_0 also differed between fast and slow muscles. The former showed shorter duration of the contraction than the latter, and to complete the tetanus contraction the former required higher frequency of stimulation than the latter. In the latter the tetanus contraction was sustained during the application of excess [K]_0 and in the former it was declined. 6) From the above observations, the functions of M. hyoglossus and M. genioglossus were discussed in relation with the lingual activity.

View full abstract

The response to hormones, purification, characterization and identification of rat liver cytosol L-alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.44.) was investigated. 1. Rat liver cytosol contained three forms of alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase : the first, designated s-isoenzyme 1, had a pI of 7.5, and was increased in activity by the injection in vivo of glucagon but not by that of cortisone ; the second, designated s-isoenzyme 2, had a pI of 6.9, and was not affected by either hormone ; the third, designated s-isoenzyme 3, had a pI of 5.2, and was increased in activity by cortisone but not by glucagon. 2. s-Isoenzymes 1, 2 and 3 were purified and characterized from rat liver cytosol. s-Isoenzyme 1 is probably composed of two subunits with a molecular weight of approximately 40, 000 and had a pH optimum between 7.5 and 8.0. The enzyme catalysed transamination between a number of L-amino acids and glyoxylate or pyruvate. The effective amino acceptors were glyoxylate, phenylpyruvate and hydroxypyruvate with L-alanine as amino donor ; 2-oxoglutarate and 2-oxoadipate were inactive. s-Isoenzyme 2 had a molecular weight of approximately 175, 000 and a pH optimum between 8.0 and 8.5. The enzyme was specific for L-alanine and glyoxylate. s-Isoenzyme 3 had a molecular weight of approximately 115, 000 and a pH optimum between 8.0 and 8.5. The enzyme utilized L-alanine, L-glutamate, L-glutamine and L-methionine with glyoxylate. The effective amino acceptors were glyoxylate and 2-oxoglutarate with L-alanine ; hydroxypyruvate, phenylpyruvate and 2-oxoadipate were all inactive. 3. s-Isoenzyme 1 and s-isoenzyme 3 were found to be identical with L-serinepyruvate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.51) and L-alanine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2), respectively. 4. Some other properties of s-isoenzymes 1, 2 and 3 are described.

View full abstract

In order to investigate the correlation between the morphology of the orofacial skeleton and the function of the masticatory muscles by measuring jaw closing force, the cephalometric measurements and the jaw closing force of the masticatory muscles of 50 male and 67 female subjects, 9 to 14 years of age, were statistically examined for their relation and the following tendency toward correlation was found. 1. Both males and females with a larger morphology of the orofacial skeleton showed a remarkable tendency toward a stronger jaw closing force. 2. A highly significant positive correlation was found, in both males and females, between the jaw closing force and the age. In other words, jaw closing force increased with aging. 3. A highly significant positive correlation was found, in both males and females, between the jaw closing force and the posterior facial height. 4. In males, a significant negative correlation was found between the jaw closing force and each of the followings : mandibular plane angle, occlusal plane angle, gonial angle, and the ratio of the anterior facial height to posterior facial height. A significant positive correlation was also found between AB difference. Subjects with Angle class II. div. II type morpholgy of orofacial skeleton showed a tendency toward a stronger jaw closing force. 5. No significant correlation was found, either in males or females, between the depth of the antegonial notch and the jaw closing force.

View full abstract

Harmony between the size of the supporting bone in which the teeth are positioned and the size of the dental arch is essential for proper occlusion. The authors reported in a previous paper that the extent of growth of the supporting bone capable of containing the dentition (S.C.M.) varied during treatment with the types (Class I, Class II, and Class III) of malocclusion and with extraction. For this paper, studies by the types of malocclusion were made on the difference in the sum of the mesiodistal crown diameters (T.M.S.), ratios of the maxilla and mandible T.M.S., and the relations after treatment between S.C.M. and T.M.S. (excluding the mesiodistal crown diameters of the extracted teeth of extraction cases). The subjects examined were the same as for the previous paper : a total of 68 female patients (with an average age of nine and with an average treatment period of five years) comprising 15 Class I Cases, 21 Class II cases, and 32 Class III cases. The results were as follows : 1. As for T.M.S. (6-6), Class I cases showed the highest values (maxilla : 101.0mm ; mandible : 93.1mm) for both maxilla and mandible. No significant difference existed between Class II (maxilla : 97.7mm ; mandible : 89.4mm) and Class III (maxilla : 96.7mm ; mandible : 89.6mm). Each case showed higher values than those of normal occlusion (maxilla : 94.26mm ; mandible : 84.00mm). Comparison of extraction and non-extraction cases revealed that the extraction cases showed higher values than the non-extraction cases for both Class II and Class III. 2. As for tooth size ratios, no significant difference was found between individual cases and their values were approximately the same as those of normal occlusion. 3. No characteristic trend was indicated for each case in the difference between S.C.M. and T.M.S. (excluding the mesiodistal crown diameters of the extracted teeth of extraction cases) after treatment. The extraction cases (maxilla : 11.0mm ; mandible : 9.5mm) showed higher values than non-extraction cases (maxilla : 4.2mm ; mandible : 2.7mm). The investigation, as stated, of the extent of increase in S.C.M. before and after treatment revealed that no particular trend existed between T.M.S. and S.C.M., and that the extent of increase varied with the type, maxilla, and mandible, with extraction affecting the difference substantially. Consequently, in deciding on the matter of extraction or non-extraction with due consideration on values of S.C.M. after treatment and on their balance with the values of T.M.S., it is deemed more appropriate to make estimates of the extent of increase of S.C.M. after treatment after classifying the cases by type of malocclusion and by extraction or non-extraction than to make reference to the S.C.M. values of nornal occlusion. The average annual increases by types of malocclusion were as follows : Maxilla Mandible Extraction Cases Class I 1.1mm 1.6mm Class II 1.0mm 0.8mm Class III 1.5mm 1.0mm Non-extraction Cases Class II 1.6mm 2.5mm Class III 2.2mm 2.1mm

View full abstract

Remarkable progress in immnoelectrophoresis has promoted studies on serum glycoproteins which are considered to serve for the laboratory diagnosis and prognosis of malignant tumor. Serum glycoproteins have infrequently been discussed in relation to oral diseases, however. The present study was conducted to measure such serum glycoproteins as α_1-acid-glycoprotein (α_1-AG), α_1-antitrypsin (α_1-AT), α_2-HSglycoprotein (α_2-HSG), haptoglobin (HP), ceruloplasmin (CP). Sera were obtained from 19 patients with oral benign diseases (i. e., 2 patients each with Leukoplakia, Acanthoma and Fibrous dysplasia, and 13 patients with benign tumor), 89 patients with recent oral malignant tumor and 20 healthy subjects. α_1-AG, α_2-HSG and α_1-AT were quantitatively determined using M-Partigen (Behring Institute). CP and HP were semiquantitatively determined by immnoelectrophoresis. The results were as follows : (1) α_1-AG and α_1-AT were significantly higher in the patients with oral malignant tumor than in the healthy subjects and the patients with oral benign diseases. Significantly higher α_1-AG and α_1-AT levels were observed in 83.1% and 50.6%, respectively, of the patients with oral malignant tumor ; in 0% and 5%, respectively, of the healthy subjects ; and in 21.1% and 10.5%, respectively, of the patients with oral benign diseases. (2) α_2-HSG was significantly lower in the patients with oral malignant tumor than in the healthy subjects and the patients with oral benign diseases. Significantly lower α_2-HSG was observed in 51.7% of the patients with oral malignant tumor, 31.6% of the patients with oral benign diseases and 0% of the healthy subjects. (3) HP and CP showed both upward and downward tendencies in oral benign and malignant diseases. (4) The patients and the healthy subjects were classified into 4 groups : Group 1 (α_1-AG/α_2-HSG<1.53, α_1-AT<400), Group 2 (α_1-AG/α_2-HSG<1.53, α_1-AT>400), Group 3 (α_1-AG/α_2-HSG>1.53, α_1-AT<400), Group 4 (α_1-AG/α_2-HSG>1.53, α_1-AT>400). Of the patients with oral malignant tumor, 14.6%, 4.5%, 29.2% and 51.7% came under Group 1 and 2, respectively. Of the patients with oral benign diseases, 68.4%, 10.5% and 21.1% came under Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. None of the healthy subjects and the patients with oral benign diseases came under Group 4. 80.9% of the patients with oral malignant tumor came under Group 3 or 4. Four of the patients with oral benign diseases, who came under Group 3, had such diffuse lesions as Adamantinoma and Pleomorphic adenoma.

View full abstract

We conducted CMI tests in college and university students in order to investigate the effects of environmental factors on physical and mental characteristics of the present day students. 1) There was no significant difference on frequency distributions of CMI spheres between males and females. 2) Mean complaint rates in sections of Digestive system, Habits, Inadequacy, Sensitivity and Anger were high among males and females, and also those in sections of Skin and Genitourinary system were high among females. 3) In comparison of mean complaint rates in each section, the rates in sections of Skin, Nervous system, Genitourinary system, Inadequacy, Depression and Tension among females were higher than those among males, while the rate in the section of Habits among males was higher than that among females.

View full abstract

In the subjects of Down's syndromes from 3 to 22 years of age (48 males, 26 females), we examined the appearance rate of morphological abnormalities about the giant teeth, microdont and peg-shaped teeth. 1. The appearance rate of morphological abnomalities of the permanent teeth crown for the male was 57.8% (26/45), for the female 52.2% (12/23), very high frequency. The sexual difference was not almost acknowledged. 2. It was showed that the frequency of morphological abnormalities about the present permanent teeth for the male was 17.4% (135/775), for the female 13.6% (57/419), in upper jaw the male 19.3% (70/362), the female 17.5% (38/217), in lower jaw the male 13.7% (65/413), the female 9.4% (19/202). The sexual difference in the maxilla was hardly showed. In the appearance rate of the mandible the male was higher than the female, the rate was higher in the upper jaw than in the lower jaw through both sexes. 3. In the morphological abnormalities of the tooth crown, the giant teeth appeared only the male 0.3% (2/775), the microdont teeth the male 16.5% (128/775), the female 11.9% (50/419). Peg-shaped teeth appeared in the male 0.6% (5/775), in the female 1.7% (7/419). 4. The tooth of high frequency about morphological abnormalities was in the upper lateral incisors in both male and female subjects, the male 52.8% (28/53), the female 51.4% (19/37), after this the upper second premolar, the lower second premolar and the upper and lower first premolar.

View full abstract

In recent days, the so called arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint has been increased with other various kinds of syndromes seen in the mouth and jaw. Almost all of the temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome patients are dentulous, and on the other hand edentulous patients are rather few. We met an edentulous patient whose dentures are thought to be a certain factor to her temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This patient has a habit of mandibular displacement that is based on the bad dentures. We made new dentures to treat her dysfunctions. After inserting the dentures, we guided her a correct centric occlusion. And also we used pharmaco- and physio-therapies as an oral surgical treatment. Today 6 months after setting new dentures, we could get a good satisfactory progress. This case is very uncommon because the patient is so high a age, 77 years old, and edentulous and have no rheumatosis. The temporomandibular joint dysfunction is usually accompanied with local pain, and trismus, so we must need both systemic and oral surgical treatments. Andit is apparent that most of the dysfunctions are caused by the disordered occlusions. It is impossible to complete the treatment without performing prosthodontic treatment for occlusal improvement. Thus we should take care of the temporomandibular joint dysfunction patients from the two stand points, prosthodontics and oral surgery.

View full abstract

A case with abnormally grown incisors was found, on the 84th day after birth, among a group of domestic rabbits raiset with solid feed. Morphological and histological (non-decalcified method) observations of the incisors were therefore made. The results were as follows : 1. The left maxillary incisor curved toward the oral lateral side and formed a halfloop, as in the reports heretofore made by others. Its tip was at a position where it would press against the upper buccal mucous membrane. The right maxillary incisor had an appearance of a fracture along the way. Both of the mandibular incisors grew in the direction of the normal eruption. The measurement for each tooth was as follows : [numerical formula] Of the normal in the same 6.5 6.3 4.6 4.6 litter u=mm 2. The cause of this abnormal growth was attributed to a lack of contact between the antagonistic incisors due to mandibular protrusion. 3. In order to investigate the rate of growth of the incisors, an experiment on the left maxillary incisor was conducted. With the net ten days of raising (94th day after birth), a growth of 3.2mm (0.32 mm per day) was observed. The rate of growth was greater than those of the normal teeth reported by others (refer to the Table 2). 4. The overall histological structure of the incisors, showed no greater difference from those of the normal ones. In details, quatitative proportion of the irregular dentin in the tip of the narrowed dental pulp near the gingival margin was small. The tip of the dental pulp continued without calcifying to the tip of the abnormally grown incisor. 5. Some findings, not reported in the papers heretofore made by others, concerning the distribution of cementum were made by comparison with the normal teeth. The distribution of the primary cement extended not only to the ventral dentin of the incisor but also to the mesial and distal sides of the enamel. Furthermore, an addition of the secondary cement was recognized in the longitudinal grooves of the dorsal enamel.

View full abstract