Autonomic innervation of the arteriovenous anastomoses in the dog tongue

Summary The innervation of the arteriovenous anastomoses in the dog tongue has been investigated. At the lightmicroscopic level, the vessels were found to be densely supplied with adrenergic and AChE-positive nerve plexuses and less densely with the quinacrine-binding nerve plexus. At the electron-microscopic level, at least two apparently different types of axon profiles were identified: 1) Small vesicle-containing axons, characterized by many small granular vesicles, variable numbers of small clear vesicles and large granular vesicles. Storage of endogenous amines and uptake of exogenous amines into most small granular vesicles and many large granular vesicles was demonstrated. These axons stained only lightly with reaction products for AChE activity and thus seemed to be adrenergic in nature. Some axons contained numerous large granular vesicles, whose cores occasionally stained with uranyl ions; this suggests a co-localization of ATP or peptides as neurotransmitters. 2) Small granular vesicle-free axons, containing small clear vesicles and large granular vesicles in variable ratio. Most cores of these large granular vesicles were heavily stained with uranyl ions. No storage or uptake of amine into the synaptic vesicles was detected. Some axons appeared to be typically cholinergic, some, typically non-adrenergic, noncholinergic, and the rest, intermediate between the two. All axons stained heavily with reaction products for AChE activity, suggesting their cholinergic nature.     

Isolation of taste buds from the foliate papillae of the rabbit

Summary A method to isolate taste buds from the foliate papillae of the rabbit tongue is described. The method comprises (a) separation of the epidermis from the dermal layer after treatment with dilute acetic acid, and (b) mechanical removal of the taste buds from the epithelium with the use of a surgical needle. The procedure yields taste buds that are morphologically well preserved, and in quantities sufficient to enable a detailed biochemical characterization. Preliminary tests have shown the taste buds to have biochemical properties clearly distinct from those of the adjacent epithelium. The method may provide a basis for studying the molecular mechanism of taste perception in greater detail.On leave of absence from the Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.     

Crypt architecture of tonsilla lingualis in the monkey,Macaca fascicularis

Summary Crypts of the lingual tonsil were investigated in 10 male and female Macaca fascicularis by use of correlated light and scanning-electron microscopy. Counting of crypt openings provided an estimate of the total number of respective crypto-lymphatic units, which were found to range from 20 to 39. Crypt openings appeared in three distinct morphological varieties, i.e. circular, oval or slit-like. Tonsillar units existed individually or were arranged in a rosary fashion below a slit-like mucosal fold serving as a common exit. Although the crypt epithelium was generally non-keratinized, individual cells showing a surface pattern similar to that of the keratinized cells could be encountered. The crypt epithelium was frequently fragmented and showed heavy mononuclear cell infiltration and surface discontinuities, with lymphoid cells coming in contact with luminal contents. The crypt lumen either appeared as a simple epithelial invagination or existed as a complex, cavernous pouch with many blind-ending diverticula. The lumen contained a mixture of exfoliated epithelial cells, leucocytes and bacteria. The secretory ducts of the posterior lingual glands opened occasionally at various levels into the crypt lumina or independently to the exterior.     

黄腻舌苔和薄白舌苔微生物种群差异

【背景】舌苔是指舌头上覆盖的由食物残渣、微生物、舌苔上皮角质细胞组成的物质。根据舌苔的厚度、颜色等苔质情况来鉴别病人的健康与疾病状况,是“望”诊的重要内容之一,是中医临床辨证施治的主要依据之一。但是舌苔苔质的形成和微生物菌群的关系还有待深入研究。【目的】探索黄腻舌苔和薄白舌苔菌群群落组成的差异及与舌苔苔质形成的关系。【方法】以薄白舌苔和黄腻舌苔为研究对象,用刮舌板刮取青年学生人群的舌苔表面,获得舌苔样品进行总DNA提取,PCR扩增微生物16S rRNA基因,通过高通量测序获得16S rRNA基因序列,然后通过交互序列分析软件分析样品中细菌菌群种类及差异。【结果】黄腻和薄白舌苔原核微生物群落组成具有明显差异。其中,在门水平上,Patescibacteria和蓝细菌门细菌在黄腻舌苔上明显比薄白舌苔多,具有极显著差异(P<0.01);在属和种水平上,放线菌(Actinomyces)的组成具有显著差异(P<0.05),黄腻舌苔中放线菌含量明显高于薄白舌苔;而薄白舌苔中的卟啉单胞菌属(Porphyromonas)和莫拉氏菌属(Moraxella)的含量明显高于黄腻舌苔,差异显著(P<0.05)。【结论】黄腻舌苔苔厚、色黄、有异味,有可能是放线菌含量过高导致。而且,有些放线菌可以导致侵袭性细菌性疾病,称作放线菌病。因此,健康人出现黄腻苔,可在一定程度上提示体内潜在的炎性预警。薄白舌苔正常菌群莫拉氏菌属(Moraxella)和卟啉单胞菌属(Porphyromonas)显著比黄腻舌苔上的多,说明这两种正常菌群可能在维护正常口气和舌苔功能方面具有重要的作用。     

The distribution of respiration-related and swallowing-related motoneurons innervating the rat genioglossus muscle

The present study was an attempt to identify the location of genioglossal respiratory and swallowing motoneuron cell bodies within the hypoglossal (XII) nucleus using both electrophysiological and morphological studies. The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the genioglossal branch of the medial XII nerve. At the entrance to the muscle, the genioglossal branch divides in the directions of the mandible and tongue. Five of five rats displayed both respiratory-related and swallowing-related bursts in the medial XII branch towards the mandible. All five rats also displayed swallowing-related bursts in the medial XII branch towards the tongue. In addition, horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheatgerm agglutinin (HRP:WGA) was injected into the proximal cut ends of each branch. When HRP:WGA was injected into the branch in the direction of the mandible, HRP-labeled cells were detected in the lateral region of the ventromedial subnucleus in the XII nucleus, extending from 0.7 to 1.2 mm rostral to the obex. On the other hand, after injection into the branch in the direction of the mandible, HRP-labeled cells were detected in the ventromedial subnucleus of the XII nucleus, extending from 0.3 to 1.2 mm rostral to the obex. These results provide evidence that genioglossal respiration-related and swallowing-related motoneurons are located in different portions within the ventromedial subnucleus of the XII nucleus.     

miR-181a–Twist1 pathway in the chemoresistance of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Although many researches have been undertaken to disclose the mechanisms of chemoresistance, the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of miR-181a–Twist1 pathway in the chemoresistance of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). We found that cisplatin-induced chemoresistance in TSCC cell lines underwent EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) and was accompanied by enhancing metastatic potential (migration and invasion in vitro), miR-181a downregulation and Twist1 upregulation. Functional analyses indicated that miR-181a reversed chemoresistance, inhibited EMT and metastatic potential in TSCC cells. Twist1 was confirmed as a direct miR-181a target gene by luciferase reporter gene assays. Twist1 knockdown by siRNA led to a reversal of the chemoresistance, inhibited EMT and metastatic potential in TSCC cells. Our study demonstrates that miR-181a–Twist1 pathway may play an important role in the development of cisplatin-chemoresistance, with EMT and an increase the metastatic potential of TSCC cells.     

舌苔细菌PCR-DGGE分析条件的建立与优化

目的针对口腔舌苔细菌16S rDNA序列进行变性梯度凝胶电泳(denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis,DGGE)适用序列的筛选及电泳条件的优化。方法以DGGE图谱的高分辨率为指标,选择舌苔细菌DGGE分离最适的16S rDNA高变区、电泳电压和电泳时间,并采用优化的条件分析健康青年人舌苔细菌群落的分布。结果舌苔细菌16S rDNA V3高变区引物序列能获得更加丰富清晰的DGGE条带;基于该区,当变性剂浓度为30%～60%、电泳温度60℃、电压60 V和电泳时间14 h时能得到分辨率最佳的DGGE图谱。运用此优化条件对12个样本舌苔细菌群落的分析表明,舌苔微生物主要由厚壁菌门、梭杆菌门、拟杆菌门和变形菌门等组成。优化后的DGGE技术对舌苔细菌多样性的分析具有准确性、灵敏性和可重复性。结论 DGGE图谱显示,不同分析条件对图谱类型和细菌多样性指数均有所差异。利用优化的DGGE条件能有效分离舌苔细菌16S rDNA V3区序列,为口腔微生物群落结构分析提供可靠的技术支持,也为其他不同生态细菌的多样性分析提供参考。     

Effects of a tongue training program in Parkinson's disease: Analysis of electrical activity and strength of suprahyoid muscles

ObjectiveTo assess the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscle and the tongue pressure in a two-wing program of tongue strengthening in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsA pre-post-detraining design study included sixty PD patients assigned to two groups randomly. The experimental group (EG) performed tongue isometric pressure exercises using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument with an increasing scheme of 5% load weekly and traditional tongue therapy for 8 weeks. The control group (CG) performed only traditional therapy. The electrical activity of suprahyoids was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) during tongue-to-palate pressure. Four selected domains of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) mostly related to tongue strength were considered.ResultsThe experimental group showed increased sEMG values of suprahyoid muscles reaching statistically significant difference at the fourth week of tongue training, while the control did it at the eighth week. Experimental group showed significant improvements in tongue strength (d = 2.128; p = 0.000). Only controls showed detraining effect. Statistically significant difference within groups were found in one and three dimensions of the SWAL-QOL in the CG and EG, respectively.ConclusionAnalysis of electrical activity on suprahyoids muscles provided a better understanding of the changes underlying the outcomes of tongue strength gains obtained through a combined tongue strengthening exercises protocol in PD. Such protocol led not only to increased tongue strength but also to a better perceived swallowing function in PD subjects.     

Cyclopamine and jervine in embryonic rat tongue cultures demonstrate a role for Shh signaling in taste papilla development and patterning: fungiform papillae double in number and form in novel locations in dorsal lingual epithelium

From time of embryonic emergence, the gustatory papilla types on the mammalian tongue have stereotypic anterior and posterior tongue locations. Furthermore, on anterior tongue, the fungiform papillae are patterned in rows. Among the many molecules that have potential roles in regulating papilla location and pattern, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) has been localized within early tongue and developing papillae. We used an embryonic, tongue organ culture system that retains temporal, spatial, and molecular characteristics of in vivo taste papilla morphogenesis and patterning to study the role of Shh in taste papilla development. Tongues from gestational day 14 rat embryos, when papillae are just beginning to emerge on dorsal tongue, were maintained in organ culture for 2 days. The steroidal alkaloids, cyclopamine and jervine, that specifically disrupt the Shh signaling pathway, or a Shh-blocking antibody were added to the standard culture medium. Controls included tongues cultured in the standard medium alone, and with addition of solanidine, an alkaloid that resembles cyclopamine structurally but that does not disrupt Shh signaling. In cultures with cyclopamine, jervine, or blocking antibody, fungiform papilla numbers doubled on the dorsal tongue with a distribution that essentially eliminated inter-papilla regions, compared with tongues in standard medium or solanidine. In addition, fungiform papillae developed on posterior oral tongue, just in front of and beside the single circumvallate papilla, regions where fungiform papillae do not typically develop. The Shh protein was in all fungiform papillae in embryonic tongues, and tongue cultures with standard medium or cyclopamine, and was conspicuously localized in the basement membrane region of the papillae. Ptc protein had a similar distribution to Shh, although the immunoproduct was more diffuse. Fungiform papillae did not develop on pharyngeal or ventral tongue in cyclopamine and jervine cultures, or in the tongue midline furrow, nor was development of the single circumvallate papilla altered. The results demonstrate a prominent role for Shh in fungiform papilla induction and patterning and indicate differences in morphogenetic control of fungiform and circumvallate papilla development and numbers. Furthermore, a previously unknown, broad competence of dorsal lingual epithelium to form fungiform papillae on both anterior and posterior oral tongue is revealed.