Increased beta 2-microglobulin in both parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva from patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Samples of unstimulated saliva from patients with sialoadenopathy were collected by microcapillary tube (1 microliter), and their beta 2-microglobulin (B2-MG) content determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. A higher than normal (control) concentration of the globulin was present in both parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva from the patients with Sjögren's syndrome but not in the samples from the patients with sialoadenitis or diabetes mellitus. The increase in B2-MG in saliva from patients with Sjögren's syndrome may reflect that immunolopathological events are important in the degeneration of both glands in this disease. Therefore, the determination of B2-MG in saliva may be a simple, non-invasive technique for confirming the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome as an autoimmune disease.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis in the analysis of a mixture of human sublingual and submandibular salivary proteins.

Complex protein mixtures of unstimulated human sublingual and submandibular saliva were fractionated by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis, visualized by silver staining and then analysed by immunostaining. Specific proteins were identified by incubation with specific antibody and peroxidase-conjugated second antibody (Western blot). Electrophoresis and silver staining revealed over 50 protein components in 2 microliter of unconcentrated mixture. The Western-blot technique allowed detection of protein spots of plasma origin when an antibody against whole serum was used, but only the albumin spot could be found. Albumin, secretory IgA, acid phosphatase and alpha-amylase were identified with specific antibodies.

Hyperkeratosis and atypical proliferation appearing in the lining epithelium of a radicular cyst. Report of a case.

It is widely accepted that radicular cysts (apical periodontal cysts) are commonly lined with stratified squamous epithelium without keratin formation. However, we identified a case of maxillary radicular cyst with remarkable keratinization and atypical proliferation of the lining epithelium among the 207 radicular cyst cases seen at our department. Histopathological and clinical findings of these cysts were reviewed.

Enhancement of bone regeneration using resorbable ceramics and a polymer-ceramic composite material.

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the use of resorbable implants for the repair of nonloaded skeletal defects. Porous ceramic implants of alpha-TCP, of glass-ceramic, and of solid composite implants of glass-ceramic/polylactic acid 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were fabricated and implanted pressfit into biparietal, full-thickness defects of the calvaria of 60 adult rats. Twenty rats received unfilled defects and served as controls. Fluorochrome labeling of bone formation was performed during the observation period. Five animals from each group were evaluated after 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks. The control defects showed incomplete regeneration, with bone formation extending 1.66 mm, on average, into the defect after 52 weeks. In the group of alpha-TCP implants, histologic evaluation indicated that the bone formed during initial stages had undergone resorption later on, so that bone repair after 52 weeks was not significantly enhanced, with an average depth of 1.83 mm of bone ingrowth. The glass-ceramic implants exhibited extensive bone formation and nearly complete repair of the calvarial defect, with 3.90 mm of bone ingrowth into the implant pores. Degradation of the ceramic was nearly complete, with a few remaining particles surrounded by soft tissue. The composite implants showed a negligible bone ingrowth of 0.63 mm, on average. Soft tissue had invaded the polylactic acid implant body, but no bone formation had taken place at the surface of the embedded ceramic particles. Degradation of the polymer was not complete after 52 weeks. It is concluded that the balance between degradation and bone formation is delicate and that chemical events and cellular reaction during degradation may counteract complementary bone ingrowth.