Characteristics of free Ca2+ distribution in cultured osteoclast-like cells / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the spatial distribution of free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells cultured on glass.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells, the images were analyzed with image software, using the laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM, the intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in the central part was greater than that in the peripheral part and in the same section the signal was not distributed evenly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal is different among various organellae in osteoclast-like cell, which suggests the osteoclast-like cell modulate its own function through the spatial difference of free Ca2+ concentration.</p>

Clinical evaluation of masticatory function of implant supported dentures in partially edentulous patients / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the masticatory efficiency of implant supported dentures in partially edentulous patients and the patients' satisfaction on masticatory function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The masticatory efficiency of implant supported dentures of 22 patients were tested. The questionnaire of the patients' satisfaction about masticatory function had also been collected. The correlativity of the masticatory efficiency of implant supported dentures and the scores evaluated by patients on masticatory function were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no differences in masticatory efficiency between implant supported denture and non-implant supported denture (natural teeth and porcelain-fused-to-metal fixed bridges). The patients gave high scores to the satisfaction about masticatory function in the questionnaire. But the test results of masticatory efficiency were not related with the scores evaluated by patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The implant supported denture could meet the requirement of normal masticatory function. The patients were satisfactory with the masticatory function of implant supported dentures, but the patients' subjective evaluation about masticatory function was probably influenced by varied factors.</p>

Investigation of the expression of calcitonin receptor mRNA in human osteoclasts on deciduous teeth / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of calcitonin receptor mRNA in the osteoclasts of the resorbing deciduous teeth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After fixing the collected deciduous teeth, toluidine blue was performed and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to identify the osteoclasts on the resorbing surface of human deciduous teeth and in situ hybridization of calcitonin receptor mRNA to show its existence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were a number of TRAP positive osteoclasts on the root surface which showed the expression of calcitonin receptor mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>On the resorbing surface of human deciduous teeth there are osteoclasts that express calcitonin receptor mRNA, so it is feasible to use this kind of osteoclast to test the effect of external factors on the expression of CTR mRNA.</p>

Observation of osteoclasts on the root surface during human deciduous teeth resorption / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe osteoclasts on the resorbing surface of human deciduous teeth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After fixing the collected deciduous teeth, we prepared the tooth slices without decalcification, treated them with HE and TRAP dyestuff, and observed the osteoclasts under light and scanning electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were large quantity of various forms of overlapping and huge osteoclasts with many nuclei and silk-like protuberances on the resorbing surface of deciduous teeth. The multinucleated osteoclasts align on the surface of coarse dentin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>On the resorbing surface of human deciduous teeth there are large amount of osteoclasts which can be used as a source of studying human osteoclast.</p>