Distribution and retention of salivary fluoride from a sodium fluoride tablet following various intra-oral dissolution methods.

The distribution and retention of salivary fluoride were investigated according to the following intra-oral dissolution methods of a sodium fluoride tablet: active chewing/swishing, active sucking/swishing, and passive dissolution in the maxillary and mandibular labial vestibule. The results suggested that the oral cavity was somewhat compartmentalized, in that homogeneous distribution of a dissolved fluoride tablet did not occur throughout the mouth, but rather each site sampled was influenced by various rates of clearance and retention. Tablet chewing may have an advantage over tablet sucking in terms of salivary fluoride retention, and there was a tendency for fluoride to be preferentially retained in the maxillary labial vestibule following swishing. The passive tablet dissolution methods resulted in a less homogeneous distribution of fluoride. Although the fluoride retention values for passive dissolution were impressively superior to either active dissolution method, the alarmingly high salivary fluoride concentrations (4000 ppm F) recorded at the passive dissolution sites should discourage its use until the potential cytotoxicity of this approach is thoroughly investigated.

Distribution of fluoride in human cementum.

Fluoride and phosphorus concentrations were determined in layers of cementum and dentine serially-abraded from the root surface, passing through the cementum-dentine junction and into the underlying dentine, using silicon carbide-impregnated film. The concentrations of F in the cementum mineral were variable but consistently maximal at or near to the external surface of the root and tending to fall towards the interior and across the cementum-dentine junction into the underlying dentine. The F content in the cementum tended to increase with age.

Fluoride profiles in different surfaces of human permanent molar enamels from a naturally fluoridated and a non-fluoridated area.

The surfaces, sites and depths of fluoride profiles of enamel from a naturally fluoridated area (West Hartlepool, WHP, 1.9 parts/10(6) F in drinking water) and a non-fluoridated area (Leeds, LDS, < 0.1 parts/10(6) F in drinking water) were examined in detail. Using a regression curve, y = ax-b, comparisons of fluoride concentrations were made at depths of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 microns at occlusal, middle and cervical sites of buccal, lingual, mesial and distal molar enamel surfaces. In the outermost enamels (< 10 mu in depth), fluoride concentrations tended to be lower in the occlusal sites than in the cervical sites. In interior enamels (> 20 microns in depth), the fluoride concentrations of molars from WHP were statistically higher than those from LDS, while few significant differences were found in the outermost layers. In the mesio- and disto-occlusal sites of approximal surfaces, there were some significant differences in the exponential regression coefficients of fluoride profiles between the two groups of molars.

Localized amyloidosis of the head and neck and upper aerodigestive and lower respiratory tracts.

Seven cases of localized amyloidosis limited to structures of the head and neck and upper aerodigestive and lower respiratory tracts evaluated and treated at Boston University Hospitals in a recent 7-year period were reviewed. Negative Congo red staining of abdominal adipose aspiration biopsy or rectal biopsy specimens established that the amyloidosis was not systemic. Localized amyloidosis occurred in discrete masses in a variety of sites in the aerodigestive tract including the orbit, nasopharynx, lips, floor of mouth, tongue, larynx, and tracheobronchial tree. Five patients required surgical excision because of significant airway obstruction or organic dysfunction. Amyloid deposits completely excised with the carbon dioxide laser have not recurred, though other amyloid masses may appear elsewhere within the same organ or region. Amyloidosis may occur primarily or secondarily to other disease states. Localized amyloidosis has not been chemically identified but is usually defined by the absence of systemic features. While rare, amyloidosis must be recognized and understood by the otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon to allow appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic planning.

The mechanism of deposition of calcium phosphate coatings from solution onto magnesium alloy AZ31.

In recent years, magnesium alloys have been proposed as a new class of metallic bioabsorbable implant material. Unfortunately, hydrogen gas evolution and an increase in alkalinity are both byproducts of the degradation process. This necessitates the development of magnesium alloys with controlled degradation rates. The development of biocompatible coatings that can delay the onset of corrosion is essential for improving the lifetime and performance of these materials in vivo. Calcium phosphate coatings have been shown to improve the biocompatibility of metallic implants for orthopedic applications. In this article, we report a solution chemistry technique for depositing calcium phosphate coatings on magnesium alloy surfaces. Our kinetic studies indicate that the deposition of the coating is related to the anodic dissolution of the substrate. Characterization of the coating by XPS, SEM/EDS, and XRD reveal that the coating produced is a poorly crystalline calcium magnesium hydroxyapatite material.

Isolation of fetal mouse motor neurons on discontinuous Percoll density gradients.

The spinal cords of fetal NIH:CR mice, gestational age Day 12 to 14, were dissected free of meninges and dorsal root ganglia, chemically dissociated, and layered onto discontinuous Percoll gradients at densities 1.040, 1.050, and 1.060 g/ml. After centrifugation (800 Xg for 15 min at 4 degrees C), three morphologically, biochemically, and immunohistologically distinct cell populations were collected from the gradient interfaces. The first interface, located at a density of 1.040 g/ml, was choline acetyltransferase enriched (0.86 +/- 0.08) compared to the second and third fractions (0.42 +/- 0.01 and 0 pmol acetylcholine synthesized/microgram protein, respectively). When simultaneously cultured with fetal mouse cardiac muscle on a gelatin-polylysine-laminin substrate in serum-free medium, these cells developed the characteristics of motor neurons.

Patterns of fluoride distribution on the surface of a tooth fragment after clinical treatment with fluoride gel.

This paper describes site-to-site variations in fluoride concentration in the surface region of a tooth fragment sent from a patient who, following radiation therapy, had been repeatedly treated with fluoride gel. The fluoride content of the tooth surface was determined with the intention of establishing the extent to which the treatment had enhanced the fluoride content of the tooth surface. The work illustrates the difficulties in the choice of a suitable sampling site and the importance of adopting a suitable sampling technique. It highlights, once again, some of the problems encountered in attempting to interpret analytical data about fluoride levels in tooth surfaces.

Septic arthritis of the shoulder during the first 18 months of life.

Forty-six septic shoulders in 42 patients < 18 months old at diagnosis were followed for an average of 6 +/- 10 years. Eight were not diagnosed at the time of infection. Five patients complained of intermittent, mild pain with use. All could touch their mouth and back of their head with the hand on their affected side. Flexion and abduction averaged 150 degrees; internal and external rotation averaged 60 degrees. Nineteen percent of the shoulders had < 130 degrees of flexion. Discrepancy in humeral length was 0-9 cm (average 2.4 cm). Only 7% of the humeral heads were entirely normal. The shapes of the remainder were quite variable, and range of motion could not be predicted from these shapes.

Effects of frequency and duration of acid exposure on demineralization/remineralization behaviour of human enamel in vitro.

An in vitro oscillating system, employing human enamel and realistic time intervals and temperature (approximately 35 degrees C) and measuring mineral loss/gain on a volume basis, was used to investigate the effects of both frequency and duration of exposure to low pH (< 5) on the demineralization and remineralization behaviour of human enamel. Sections of human teeth were cycled through one of three different regimens: (1) 3 x 20-min acid challenges; (2) 6 x 10-min acid challenges and (3) 6 x 20 min acid challenges, over single 24-hour periods. The acid challenge periods of 3 x 20, 6 x 10 and 6 x 20 min produced no significant differences in net mineral lost, i.e., the volume of mineral lost per volume of enamel exposed was similar irrespective of frequency or duration of acid exposure (approximately 0.5% vol/vol). Increased frequency of acid exposure did, however, tend to alter the total demineralization/total remineralization amounts, resulting in significantly greater amounts of mineral loss and gain. The data suggest that the remineralization capacity of enamel is considerable and that factors such as inhibition of remineralization may be important in determination of net mineral loss from the tooth.

Estimation of fluoride absorption from swallowed fluoride toothpastes.

Eight adults ingested five different toothpastes with and without 1,000 ppm (1 microgram/g) fluoride added as NaF or Na2PO3F. The systemic fluoride absorption was estimated by by comparing the areas under salivary fluoride concentration curves produced after the toothpaste ingestion. Of the toothpastes investigated--chalk, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, silica or alumina with sodium monofluorophosphate, and silica with sodium fluoride--the fluoride absorption was found to be statistically significantly lower only from the dicalcium phosphate dihydrate toothpaste. Measuring changing fluoride levels in saliva appears to be an acceptable non-invasive technique for following systemic fluoride absorption.

Availability of fluoride at different sites in the buccal sulcus.

After rinsing with a fluoride solution, the amounts of fluoride taken up by small pieces of dentine placed strategically about the mouth varied considerably from site to site in the oral cavity. The pattern of fluoride availability in this subject's mouth was in line with previous findings about fluoride distribution in his labial sulcus. The present results therefore suggest by analogy that considerable variations in fluoride clearance and concentration must exist throughout the oral cavity. These previous studies of fluoride clearance from the labial sulcus also showed that there are marked differences between individuals. The present findings, emerging from a study of 1 subject, therefore imply a need for more information about the variations in the availability, concentration and clearance of fluoride and, by extrapolation, of other substances throughout the mouths of different individuals.

Retention of glucose in oral fluid at different sites in the mouth.

Using glucose as a marker, a detailed study of retention at 5 different sites in the mouth of 1 subject and a less detailed examination of 4 selected sites in the mouths of 10 other subjects revealed site-specific differential patterns of oral retention (or clearance). These patterns seemed independent of sometimes large, absolute day-to-day variations in oral retention which occur in all subjects but appeared to vary somewhat between subjects, probably reflecting slight differences in the anatomy and physiology of the individual mouth. In general, the patterns resembled those recently derived from studies of other oral phenomena such as rates of diffusion out of plaque, fluoride uptake by mineral and hydrogen ion concentrations in plaque. They will dictate the concentrations and thereby influence the activity of all extraneous substances in different regions of the oral cavity and may relate to the site-specific patterns of oral disease.

Fluoride distribution in human dental calculus obtained from different sites on the tooth surface.

We examined the site specificity of fluoride (F) distribution in human dental calculus. Teeth with supra- and subgingival calculus were obtained from patients who resided in non-fluoridated areas in Japan and China. Sequential layers of the dental calculus (30 microns thick) were abraded by an abrasive micro-sampling technique and fluoride and phosphorus in the powdered samples were analyzed. Fluoride concentrations were highest in the outer, lowest in the middle and intermediate in the inner layers of dental calculus in general. In the outermost layers fluoride concentrations were highest in calculus found near the tooth cervix both in supra- and subgingival calculus. Fluoride concentrations decreased markedly toward the apical region in subgingival calculus, while it did not change toward the incisal or occlusal region in supragingival calculus. In the inner layers, fluoride concentrations in both supra- and subgingival calculus were not affected by position on the teeth. Fluoride concentrations in subgingival calculus near the apex were lower than in supragingival calculus near the incisal or occlusal region. It was concluded that the fluoride concentrations differ in different regions of dental calculus, probably due to their different mechanisms of formation.

Permeation of substituted silanes and siloxanes through selected gloves and protective clothing.

Testing of the permeation resistance of eight glove and suit barriers against commercially available substituted silanes and siloxanes was performed using the ASTM F739-96 standard test method. In addition to barrier performance to the pure organosilanes, the permeation rates of the hydrolysis product (usually ethanol or methanol) were investigated. The silanes and siloxanes used as the challenge agents were N-2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane; 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane; 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane; ethyltriacetoxysilane; 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane; hexamethyldisiloxane; 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane; methyltriacetoxysilane (50%)/ethyltriacetoxysilane (50%); methyltrimethoxysilane; methyltris(methylethylketoxime)silane; phenyltrimethoxysilane; polydimethyl siloxanes (PS 340); octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4); tetraethoxysilane; tetramethoxysilane; 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane; triethoxysilane; trimethoxysilane; vinyltrimethoxysilane; and vinyltris(methylethylketoxime)silane. Protective gloves tested were nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, butyl rubber, 4H laminate, and polyvinyl chloride. Garments tested included Tyvek/Saranex 23P, CPF 2, and Responder, all made by Kappler Safety Group. In all cases the protective suit materials lasted 8 hours or more. The only glove that lasted 8 hours against all chemicals was the 4H laminate. The polyvinyl chloride glove lasted 10 min to 8 hours or more depending on the chemical. The nitrile, neoprene, and butyl rubber gloves lasted from 53 min to 8 hours or more depending on the chemical. The alcohol permeation was similar to the organosilicon compounds. The suit materials and the butyl glove all lasted more than 8 hours for both methanol and ethanol.

Determination of volumes of fluid in the mouth by fluoride dilution.

A dilution technique, with fluoride as a marker, has been developed to measure the volume of saliva and other fluids in the mouth. Immediately after swallowing, a small amount of fluoride solution is placed in the mouth, mixed with the oral fluids, and expelled from the mouth. The fluoride concentration of the expelled oral fluid is measured and the volume of fluid in the mouth at the time of spitting calculated from the fluoride dilution. Mean values of 0.75 +/- (SD) 0.28 ml for males and 0.72 +/- (SD) 0.16 ml for females were recorded. The accuracy of the volume determination is about +/- 0.10 ml in vivo. This technique has provided a convenient and rapid means of determining saliva volumes. It could also be used to determine rates of secretion and may prove useful in the clinic for assessing a patient's salivary competence.

Fluoride profiles in the cementum and root dentine of human permanent anterior teeth extracted from adult residents in a naturally fluoridated and a non-fluoridated area.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of water fluoride concentration on the fluoride profile across the entire thickness of the cementum and root dentine of human permanent anterior teeth in adults. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight human permanent anterior teeth from individuals aged from 30 to over 60 years were studied. SETTING: Teeth were obtained from a natural high-fluoride area (West Hartle-pool, UK; 1.0-1.3 ppm F in drinking water, WHP) and the other from a non-fluoridated naturally low fluoride area (Leeds, UK; 0.1 ppm F in drinking water, LDS). DESIGN: Cementum and root dentine were sampled using an abrasive micro-sampling technique from the cementum surface to the pulpal surface of root dentine. RESULTS: Fluoride concentration was higher in tooth roots (the cementum and dentine) taken from the naturally fluoridated area (WHP) than from the non-fluoridated area (LDS). Age and average fluoride concentration showed a positive correlation in WHP dentine, middle region of the root (r = 0.78, P < 0.001) and in the apical region of the root (r = 0.61, P < 0.05). WHP cementum had the strongest fluoride concentration correlation with age in the cervical region of the root (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the area (water fluoride content), age and number of years lived in the area combined with total age were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The fluoride content of cementum and root dentine in adult residents is related to fluoride content in drinking water.