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Biomedical subjects

W G Young

Publications and source records attributed to W G Young.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Numbers of meynert and layer IVB cells in area V1: a stereologic analysis in young and aged macaque monkeys.

Visual impairments that are not related to optical changes are not uncommon during aging, and a number of psychophysical investigations have documented deficits in motion detection as well as in spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity in elderly people. However, little is known about the extent and nature of age-related changes in neural structure and how they may affect visual function in aging. To address this question, the authors analyzed the effect of aging on two well-characterized neuronal populations in the primary visual cortex (area V1) of macaque monkeys. Four young adult (ages, 7-11 years) and four aged (ages, 26-32 years) rhesus monkeys were analyzed. The animals were perfused, and their brains were prepared for immunohistochemistry with an antibody to neurofilament protein. Unbiased stereologic estimates of the total numbers of neurofilament protein-containing layer IVB cells and Meynert cells were obtained by using the optical fractionator method for the calcarine cortex and the opercular cortex separately. Stereologic estimates of the volume of these parts of area V1 also were calculated by using the Cavalieri principle. A considerable degree of interindividual variability in neuron numbers and cortical volume was observed among animals of both groups. However, there were no differences in either Meynert cell numbers or layer IVB cell numbers between the aged group and the young group. It is noteworthy that the oldest animal in the sample had the lowest numbers of Meynert cells, indicating that, despite the small size of the available sample, it is possible that some animals have a certain degree of neuronal loss in area V1 during aging. No change in the volume of area V1 was observed as a function of aging. These data suggest that the deficits that occur during aging in the visual system are not due to the loss of highly specific neocortical neuronal populations, such as those analyzed in this study. Rather, it is possible that more subtle alterations in the neurochemical characteristics or synaptic organization of the functional pathways subserving the different visual modalities are responsible for these deficits.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Differential vulnerability of oculomotor, facial, and hypoglossal nuclei in G86R superoxide dismutase transgenic mice.

In recent years, several mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been developed. One, caused by a G86R mutation in the superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) gene associated with familial ALS, has been subjected to extensive quantitative analyses in the spinal cord. However, the human form of ALS includes pathology elsewhere in the nervous system. In the present study, analyses were extended to three motor nuclei in the brainstem. Mutant mice and control littermates were evaluated daily, and mutants, along with their littermate controls, were killed when they were severely affected. Brains were removed after perfusion and processed for Nissl staining, the samples were randomized, and the investigators were blinded to their genetic status. Stereologic methods were used to estimate the number of neurons, mean neuronal volumes, and nuclear volume in three brainstem motor nuclei known to be differentially involved in the human form of the disease, the oculomotor, facial, and hypoglossal nuclei. In the facial nucleus, neuron number consistently declined (48%), an effect that was correlated with disease severity. The nuclear volume of the facial nucleus was smaller in the SOD-1 mutant mice (45.7% difference from control mice) and correlated significantly with neuron number. The oculomotor and hypoglossal nuclei showed less extreme involvement (<10% neuronal loss overall), with a trend toward fewer neurons in the hypoglossal nucleus of animals with severe facial nucleus involvement. In the oculomotor nucleus, neuronal loss was seen only once in five mice, associated with very severe disease. There was no significant change in the volume of individual neurons in any of these three nuclei in any transgenic mouse. These results suggest that different brainstem motor nuclei are differentially affected in this SOD-1 mutant model of ALS. The relatively moderate and late involvement of the hypoglossal nucleus indicates that, although the general patterns of neuronal pathology match closely those seen in ALS patients, some differences exist in this transgenic model compared with the progression of the disease in humans. However, these patterns of cellular vulnerability may provide clues for understanding the differential susceptibility of neural structures in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2000

Expression and distribution of cell-surface proteoglycans in the normal Lewis rat molar periodontium.

Cell-surface proteoglycans participate in several biological functions such as cell cell and cell-matrix interactions, cell adhesion, the binding to various growth factors as co-receptors and repair. To understand better the expression and distribution of cell-surface proteoglycans in the periodontal tissues, an immunohistochemical evaluation of the normal Lewis rat molar periodontium using panels of antibodies for syndecan-1, -2, -4, glypican and betaglycan was carried out. Our results demonstrated the expression and distribution of all proteoglycans in the suprabasal gingival epithelium, soft and hard connective tissues. Both cellular and matrix localization was evident within the various periodontal compartments. The presence of these cell-surface proteoglycans indicates the potential for roles in the process of tissue homeostasis, repair or regeneration in periodontium of which each function requires further study.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Mucocele of the anterior lingual salivary glands (glands of Blandin and Nuhn): report of 5 cases.

The anterior lingual salivary glands (glands of Blandin and Nuhn) are mixed mucous and serous glands that are embedded within the musculature of the anterior tongue ventrum. Five cases of mucocele of the glands of Blandin and Nuhn are presented. These mucoceles on the anterior tongue ventrum were exophytic and resembled pyogenic granulomata, polyps, or squamous papillomata. In 2 cases, the onset of the mucocele was associated with trauma to the anterior tongue. All cases were mucus extravasation phenomena. A history of trauma and recovery of mucus with fine needle aspiration are helpful in the clinical diagnosis of mucocele of the glands of Blandin and Nuhn, as are the following characteristics of the mucocele: rapid onset, increase and reduction in size, bluish color, and fluid-filled consistency. During surgery, the glands that are deep in the tongue musculature are commonly left behind, resulting in persistence of the lesion. Careful clinical evaluation of these lesions and preoperative awareness of the surgical anatomy of the glands of Blandin and Nuhn may minimize the need for repeated surgical procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Ameloblast apoptosis and IGF-1 receptor expression in the continuously erupting rat incisor model.

Enamel-producing cells (ameloblasts) pass through several phenotypic and functional stages during enamel formation. In the transition between secretory and maturation stages, about one quarter of the ameloblasts suddenly undergo apoptosis. We have studied this phenomenon using the continuously erupting rat incisor model. A special feature of this model is that all stages of ameloblast differentiation are presented within a single longitudinal section of the developing tooth. This permits investigation of the temporal sequence of gene and growth factor receptor expression during ameloblast differentiation and apoptosis. We describe the light and electron microscopic morphology of ameloblast apoptosis and the pattern of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression by ameloblasts in the continuously erupting rat incisor model. In the developing rat incisor, ameloblast apoptosis is associated with downregulated expression of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ameloblasts are "hard wired" for apoptosis and that insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression is required to block the default apoptotic pathway. Possible mechanisms of insulin-like growth factor-1 inhibition of ameloblast apoptosis are presented. The rat incisor model may be useful in studies of physiological apoptosis as it presents apoptosis in a predictable pattern in adult tissues.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Dental cervical lesions associated with occlusal erosion and attrition.

Acid demineralization of teeth causes occlusal erosion and attrition, and shallow and wedge-shaped cervical lesions putatively involving abfraction. From 250 patients with tooth wear, 122 with cervical lesions were identified. From epoxy resin replicas of their dentitions, associations of occlusal attrition or erosion or no wear with cervical lesions were recorded at 24 tooth sites (total 2928 sites). Criteria used to discriminate occlusal attrition from erosion, and shallow from grooved, wedge-shaped or restored cervical lesions were delineated by scanning electron microscopy. A 96 per cent association was found between occlusal and cervical pathology. Shallow cervical lesions were more commonly found in association with occlusal erosion. Wedge-shaped lesions were found equally commonly in association with occlusal erosion, as with attrition. Grooved and restored cervical lesions were uncommon. Differences were appreciated in the associations within incisor, canine, premolar and molar tooth sites which related more to the site-specificity of dental erosion than to attrition from occlusal forces. Non-carious lesions on teeth then have multifactorial aetiology and pathogenesis in which erosion and salivary protection play central roles. Dentists should primarily consider erosion in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tooth wear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The complete genome of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus.

Aquifex aeolicus was one of the earliest diverging, and is one of the most thermophilic, bacteria known. It can grow on hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and mineral salts. The complex metabolic machinery needed for A. aeolicus to function as a chemolithoautotroph (an organism which uses an inorganic carbon source for biosynthesis and an inorganic chemical energy source) is encoded within a genome that is only one-third the size of the E. coli genome. Metabolic flexibility seems to be reduced as a result of the limited genome size. The use of oxygen (albeit at very low concentrations) as an electron acceptor is allowed by the presence of a complex respiratory apparatus. Although this organism grows at 95 degrees C, the extreme thermal limit of the Bacteria, only a few specific indications of thermophily are apparent from the genome. Here we describe the complete genome sequence of 1,551,335 base pairs of this evolutionarily and physiologically interesting organism.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1998

Gap measurement and bond strength of five selected adhesive systems bonded to tooth structure.

The ability of a restorative material to bond and seal the interface with tooth structure is perhaps the most significant factor in determining resistance to marginal caries. Thus, the quality and durability of marginal seal and bond strength are major considerations in the selection of restorative materials. The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strength and marginal discrepancies of five adhesive systems: All-Bond 2, Clearfil Liner Bond, KB 200, ProBond and AELITE Bond. Twenty-five buccal and 25 lingual cavities were prepared in 25 caries-free extracted molar teeth, giving 10 cavities for each of the 5 adhesive systems. All teeth were restored with the resin composite Pertac Hybrid, or PRISMA Total Performance Hybrid with their appropriate adhesive systems. After restoration, the teeth were thermocycled, were stained with a 1.5% aqueous solution of a procion dye (reactive orange 14) and sectioned coronally with a saw microtome. Three sections of 200 microns thickness were prepared from each restoration which were then examined microscopically to measure marginal gap widths using a confocal tandem microscope. Shear bond strength measurements were carried out on the dentine bond using a universal testing machine. The All-Bond 2 adhesive system was found to have higher shear bond strength and to have the least gap width at the cementodentinal margin.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1998

Dental erosion and bruxism. A tooth wear analysis from south east Queensland.

Tooth-tissue loss from erosion and attrition from bruxism were associated findings in 104 patients with excessive toothwear from South East Queensland. Approximately one-third of these subjects had been given a diagnosis of bruxism prior to referral. After a structured interview and clinical examination, the prevailing diagnosis was tooth erosion associated with occupational or sports-related dehydration, and one-third of the subjects were provisionally classified as bruxers. Eight items of clinical history and examination, designed to differentiate bruxers from non-bruxers, were analysed retrospectively from their records. These clinical items, by which the diagnosis of bruxism might be made, segregated the subjects into three groups of equal size, 'bruxers, possible bruxers and non-bruxers,' by a notional score for bruxism. The presence of occlusal attrition or erosion on the sextants of the dentitions was determined by scanning electron microscopic criteria on epoxy resin dental casts. The incidence of attrition versus erosion was compared between the three groups. The hypothesis was that attrition would be found on more sextants of bruxers than non-bruxers. Erosion predominated in virtually all sextants in all three groups, to the virtual exclusion of attrition in the molar sextants. The exception was the mandibular anterior sextant, where more sextants in bruxers were affected by attrition. Thus extrinsic or intrinsic acid erosion was strongly associated with occlusal tooth wear found in bruxers. Conversely, tooth-wear patterns were unreliable indicators of a bruxing habit, for attrition alone was often found on acid-exposed teeth. Thus, even if a patient is suspected of having bruxism, dental erosion is more likely the cause of tooth-tissue loss than attrition, especially in the dehydrating environment of South East Queensland.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Anthropology, tooth wear, and occlusion ab origine.

The purpose of this essay is to emphasize that anthropology, the study of man in his environments, is a potent tool for scientific discovery and inspiration in dental science. It attempts to capture flashes of creative anthropological insight which have illuminated studies of tooth wear and occlusion in the past. While it documents contributions, understandings, and misunderstandings from Australian and New Zealand dentists, it is not a hagiography. The real saint of this essay is the Australian aborigine. For when men and women are understood in their environments, much is learned from them which challenges preconceptions of our dental science culture. The essay concludes that new, contemporary Australian culture needs to be studied by anthropological approaches if we are to understand how dental erosion is exacerbating tooth wear and damaging the occlusions of contemporary Australians. Much remains to be discovered about contemporary lifestyles, habits, and diets that lead to dental erosion, the principal cause of contemporary tooth wear in this part of the world.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I induce bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4: a mediator role in bone and tooth formation?

GH is known to increase the formation of bone and hard tissues of the tooth (dentine, cementum, and enamel), as do bone morphogenetic proteins. GH receptors are expressed in these tissues and could mediate local growth responses. Here we report that both GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are able to increase expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -4 messenger RNAs 4- to 5-fold in human dental pulp fibroblasts in vitro. Induction was seen at physiological concentrations of hormone (25-100 ng/ml GH; 50-200 ng/ml IGF-I) and reached a maximum at 4-8 h. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the increase in messenger RNAs resulted in an increase in expressed protein. Anti-IGF-I inhibition experiments indicate that GH is able to induce the response without a requirement for local IGF-I production. These results raise the possibility that bone morphogenetic proteins mediate the local osteogenic actions of GH and IGF-I, and lend support to the view that GH can act through the mediation of factors other than IGF-I. These factors may combine with IGF-I in different tissues to enhance GH action and specificity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

An assessment of the osteoinductive potential of commercial demineralized freeze-dried bone in the murine thigh muscle implantation model.

Early studies have demonstrated that implantation of laboratory preparations of demineralized freeze dried bone (DFDB) into the thigh muscle of mice induces ectopic osteoinduction. However, with the development of commercial preparations of DFDB for clinical use, concerns have been raised as to the osteoinductive properties of such preparations. The aim of this study was to investigate the osteoinductive potential of some commercial preparations of DFDB compared to a newly developed product which incorporates DFDB into a collagen sponge. Commercial preparations of DFDB or the DFDB/collagen sponge were inserted into the thigh muscles of 60 adult Swiss CD-1 mice. At the completion of each experimental period (7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 days), the animals were sacrificed, and the hindquarters of the mice were radiographed. The area where each graft had been placed was then excised, processed for light microscopy, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin or von Kossa's stain. Histological analysis of the DFDB/collagen sponges demonstrated significant remineralization which increased with time. Remineralization of the DFDB/collagen sponges was verified by radiographs which showed a significant increase in radiopacity over time. There was no radiographic evidence of mineralized tissue formation or remineralization in any of the commercial DFDB samples studied. At all time points studied, histological analyses failed to show evidence of bone formation for any of the preparations. The results suggest that commercially available DFDB is not osteoinductive in the murine model and question the use of such materials in clinical periodontics. The results found for the DFDB/collagen sponge indicate a different mechanism of activity from DFDB as evidenced by its rapid remineralization. The role this remineralization process has in osteoinduction is unknown and requires further study.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Non-expression of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor is associated with apoptosis: an ultrastructural study on rat ameloblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a pleiotrophic polypeptide which appears to have roles both as a circulating endocrine hormone and as a locally synthesized paracrine or autocrine tissue factor. IGF-I plays a major role in regulating the growth of cells in vivo and in vitro and initiates metabolic and mitogenic processes in a wide variety of cell types by binding to specific type I receptors in the plasma membrane. In this study, we report the distribution of IGF-I receptors in odontogenic cells at the ultrastructural level using the high resolution protein A-gold technique. In the pre-secretory stage, very little gold label was visible over the ameloblasts and odontoblasts. During the secretory stage the label was mostly seen in association with the cell membranes and endoplasmic reticulum of the ameloblasts. Lysosome-like elements in the post-secretory stage were labelled as well as multivesicular dense bodies. Very little labelling was encountered in the ameloblasts in the transitional stage, where apoptotic bodies were clearly visible. The maturation stage also exhibited labelling of the secretory-like granules in the distal surface. The presence of gold particles over the plasma membrane is an indication that IGF-I receptor is a membrane-bound receptor. Furthermore, the intracellular distribution of the label over the endoplasmic reticulum supports the local synthesis of the IGF-I receptor. The absence of labelling over the transitional ameloblasts suggests that the transitional stage may require the non-expression of IGF-I as a prerequiste or even a trigger for apoptosis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Prior fluoridation in childhood affects dental caries and tooth wear in a south east Queensland population.

Fluoride exposure in early life has an effect on dental caries experience, but does it affect tooth wear in later life? Ninety-six South East Queensland subjects were studied. Their histories revealed three groups; a fluoride (F-) in water supply, a F- by supplement, and a non-fluoridated (non F-) group. Significantly higher caries experience was found in the non-F- group compared with F- in water group and the F- supplement group. No statistically significant difference in caries experience was found between the F- in water and F- supplement groups. Overall, tooth wear affected more sextants of the dentitions of non-fluoridated, high-caries subjects than of fluoridated low-caries subjects. Comparisons of wear patterns on sextants of the dentitions, between the fluoridated and non-fluoridated groups, revealed that in sextants where attrition was present no marked differences were discernible between the two groups. However, in most sextants where incisal, palatal, occlusal or non-occlusal erosion was found, this type of wear was commoner in non-fluoridated subjects. The exceptions were the mandibular molar sextants, where prior fluoride-exposure did not appear to protect against occlusal erosion patterns. This study showed that fluoride exposure during the first 12 years of life, which reduced dental caries in this population, may also protect teeth from wear to some extent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Evidence for a local action of growth hormone in embryonic tooth development in the rat.

Studies in non-dental embryonic tissues have suggested that an interaction between growth hormone and its receptor may play a role in growth and development before the foetal pituitary gland is competent. This study reports the distribution of growth hormone, its receptor and binding protein in developing rat tooth germs from embryonic day 17 to 21 and postnatal day 0 using antibodies specific for each of these proteins. Four foetal rats were processed at each time point (E17, E18, E20/21 and postnatal day 0). Following routine fixation and paraffin embedding, sections were treated with antisera to rat growth hormone, rat growth hormone binding protein and growth hormone receptor. Localization of antibody/antigen complexes was subsequently visualized by addition of biotinylated IgG and reaction with streptavidin peroxidase and diaminobenzidine. Assessment of the level of staining was qualitative and based on a subjective rankings ranging from equivocal to very strong staining. Overall, growth hormone and its binding protein were located both in the cellular elements and throughout the extracellular matrix, whereas the growth hormone receptor showed an exclusively intra-cellular location. All three proteins were detectable in cells of the dental epithelium and mesenchyme at the primordial bud stage (E17) which occurs prior to expression of pituitary growth hormone. At the cap stage of odontogenesis (E18-19), numerous cells in both the dental epithelium and mesenchyme were intensely immunoreactive for growth hormone, its binding protein and receptor. In the succeeding early bell stage (E20-21), most of the mesenchymal cells in the dental pulp were mildly positive for these proteins, while the dental epithelium and adjacent mesenchyme were more immunoreactive. At the late bell stage (postnatal day 0), all three proteins were localized in dental epithelium, differentiating mesenchymal cells the cuspal surface facing the epithelial-mesenchymal interface, preodontoblasts, and odontoblasts forming dentine. From these observations, immunoreactive growth hormone, its receptor and binding protein appear to be expressed in odontogenic cells undergoing histodifferentiation, morphodifferentiation and dentinogenesis in a cell-type and stage-specific pattern throughout embryonic tooth development. This suggests the possibility that growth hormone, or a growth hormone-like protein, plays a paracrine/autocrine role in tooth development in utero.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cortical neuronal cytoskeletal changes associated with FIV infection.

HIV-1 infection is often complicated by central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Degenerative neuronal changes as well as neuronal loss have been documented in individuals with AIDS. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection of cats provides a model for both the immune and the central nervous system manifestations of HIV infection of humans. In this study we have examined neurons in the frontal cortex of feline immunodeficiency virus-infected cats and controls for immunoreactivity with SMI 32, an antibody recognizing a non-phosphorylated epitope on neurofilaments. We noted a significant increase in the number of immunoreactive pyramidal cells in infected animals compared to controls. The changes seen in the neuronal cytoskeleton as a consequence of the inoculation with FIV were similar to those seen in humans undergoing the normal aging process as well as those suffering from neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and dementia pugilistica. The changes we noted in the feline brain were also similar to that reported in animals with traumatic injuries or with spontaneously occurring or induced motor neuron diseases, suggesting that the increase in reactivity represents a deleterious effect of FIV on the central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Neurochemical, morphologic, and laminar characterization of cortical projection neurons in the cingulate motor areas of the macaque monkey.

The primate cingulate gyrus contains multiple cortical areas that can be distinguished by several neurochemical features, including the distribution of neurofilament protein-enriched pyramidal neurons. In addition, connectivity and functional properties indicate that there are multiple motor areas in the cortex lining the cingulate sulcus. These motor areas were targeted for analysis of potential interactions among regional specialization, connectivity, and cellular characteristics such as neurochemical profile and morphology. Specifically, intracortical injections of retrogradely transported dyes and intracellular injection were combined with immunocytochemistry to investigate neurons projecting from the cingulate motor areas to the putative forelimb region of the primary motor cortex, area M1. Two separate groups of neurons projecting to area M1 emanated from the cingulate sulcus, one anterior and one posterior, both of which furnished commissural and ipsilateral connections with area M1. The primary difference between the two populations was laminar origin, with the anterior projection originating largely in deep layers, and the posterior projection taking origin equally in superficial and deep layers. With regard to cellular morphology, the anterior projection exhibited more morphologic diversity than the posterior projection. Commissural projections from both anterior and posterior fields originated largely in layer VI. Neurofilament protein distribution was a reliable tool for localizing the two projections and for discriminating between them. Comparable proportions of the two sets of projection neurons contained neurofilament protein, although the density and distribution of the total population of neurofilament protein-enriched neurons was very different in the two subareas of origin. Within a projection, the participating neurons exhibited a high degree of morphologic heterogeneity, and no correlation was observed between somatodendritic morphology and neurofilament protein content. Thus, although the neurons that provide the anterior and posterior cingulate motor projections to area M1 differ morphologically and in laminar origin, their neurochemical profiles are similar with respect to neurofilament protein. This suggests that neurochemical phenotype may be a more important unifying feature for corticocortical projections than morphology.

Animals↗