北京猿人第一个头盖骨及其遗址堆积层年代的电子自旋共振测年研究

裴文中教授在60年前发现的北京猿人第一个头盖骨埋藏的确切年代至今没有获得。本文通过对北京猿人共生的古脊椎动物牙化石进行电子自旋共振(ESR)测年,分别获得了第11层北京猿人第一个头盖骨埋藏的年代为578千年,第8—9层和第3—4层北京猿人埋藏的年代分别为418千年和282千年。依据ESR、U系,TL,FT和古地磁等测年结果,本文推荐了北京猿人洞的洞穴堆积层(周口店组Q_2)年代表供读者参考。     

Did the lateral enamel of Neandertal anterior teeth grow differently from that of modern humans?

The formation of lateral enamel in Neandertal anterior teeth has been the subject of recent studies. When compared to the anterior teeth of modern humans from diverse regions (Point Hope, Alaska; Newcastle upon Tyne, England; southern Africa), Neandertal anterior teeth appear to fall within the modern human range of variation for lateral enamel formation time. However, the lateral enamel growth curves of Neandertals are more linear than those of these modern human samples. Other researchers have found that the lateral enamel growth curves of Neandertals are more linear than those of Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic modern humans as well. The statistical significance of this apparent difference between Neandertal and modern human lateral enamel growth curves is analyzed here. The more linear Neandertal enamel growth curves result from the smaller percentage of total perikymata located in the cervical halves of their teeth. The percentage of total perikymata in the cervical halves of teeth is therefore compared between the Neandertal sample (n=56 teeth) and each modern human population sample: Inuit (n=65 teeth), southern African (n=114 teeth), and northern European (n=115 teeth). There are 18 such comparisons (6 tooth types, Neandertals vs. each of the three modern human populations). Eighteen additional comparisons are made among the modern human population samples. Statistically significant differences are found for 16 of the 18 Neandertal vs. modern human comparisons but for only two of the 18 modern human comparisons. Statistical analyses repeated for subsamples of less worn teeth show a similar pattern. Because surface curvature is thought to affect perikymata spacing, we also conducted measurements to assess surface curvature in thirty teeth. Our analysis shows that surface curvature is not a factor in this lateral enamel growth difference between Neandertals and modern humans.     

Rat wct mutation induces a hypo-mineralization form of amelogenesis imperfecta and cyst formation in molar teeth

Our previous findings have demonstrated that the rat autosomal-recessive mutation, whitish chalk-like teeth (wct), induces enamel defects resembling those of human amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) in continuously growing incisor teeth. The present study clarifies the effect of the wct mutation on the morphogenesis and calcification of rat molar teeth. Formalin-fixed maxillae obtained from animals aged 4-30 days were examined by electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and by immunocytochemistry for amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin. There were no distinct differences in the calcium and phosphorous contents and the amount of enamel between homozygous mutant and wild-type teeth during postnatal days 4–11. Although the mineral density in the enamel matrix considerably increased in the wild-type teeth until day 15, no changes occurred in mutant teeth during days 11–30. The immunoreactivity for enamel proteins in the secretory-stage ameloblasts in mutant teeth was similar to that in the wild-type teeth, and subsequently mutant maturation-stage ameloblasts became detached from the enamel surface, resulting in odontogenic cyst formation between the enamel organ and matrix until day 7 and the expansion of the cyst around the whole tooth crown on day 15. On day 30, the erupted mutant teeth presented morphological changes such as enamel destruction and tertiary dentin formation in addition to low mineral density in the enamel. Thus, the wct mutation prevents mineral transport without disturbing the synthesis of enamel proteins in molar teeth because of the absence of maturation-stage ameloblasts, in addition to the occurrence of odontogenic cysts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. This work was supported in part by KAKENHI (B) (no. 16390523 to H.O.) and KAKENHI (C) (no. 18592002 to T.U.) from MEXT, Japan.     

Aluminum concentrations in human deciduous enamel and dentin related to dental caries

The aluminum (Al) concentrations in the enamel and dentin of 314 human deciduous teeth were determined in order to examine the relationship between Al and dental caries. The sample teeth were divided into three groups: the sound tooth group, carious tooth group and filled tooth group. The teeth of the carious tooth group were further classified into three groups depending on the stage of caries. The Al content was determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In both the enamel and dentin, the Al concentrations were unaffected by sex, but did depend on tooth type. In enamel, the Al concentration was significantly higher in the sound tooth group (42.8 +/- 37.3 microg/g) than in the three carious groups (20.7 +/- 17.1-24.9 +/- 22.0 microg/g) and the filled tooth group (27.3 +/- 25.5 microg/g). As for dentin, the Al concentration was also significantly higher in the sound tooth group (36.2 +/- 35.1 microg/g) than in the three carious groups (15.1 +/- 13.3-24.5 +/- 23.4 microg/g) and the filled tooth group (17.2 +/- 20.6 microg/g). Even when analyzing incisors alone, the Al concentrations were significantly higher in the sound tooth group than in the other groups, for both enamel and dentin. Furthermore, the Al levels in carious enamel and dentin did not decrease with the advance of caries. These findings indicated that the deciduous teeth containing higher Al concentrations on average had less caries than the teeth with lower Al concentrations, and suggest that Al acts as a possible cariostatic agent by itself.     

Brief communication: Comparison of methods for estimating chronological age at linear enamel formation on anterior dentition

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) is an enamel defect that records the effects of physiological stress on tooth formation. Estimating the age at which LEH defects form is integral to the reconstruction of population health in bioarcheological studies. Two principal methods for aging LEH defects have been introduced in the literature. The conventional approach employs regression equations based on a linear model of tooth growth. The newer, Reid and Dean [Am J Phys Anthropol 113 (2000) 135-139] approach, is based upon a histologically derived curvilinear model of enamel development and therefore likely provides more accurate age estimates. However, the extent to which the Reid and Dean method produces estimated ages at defect formation differing from those of the regression equations has not, until now, been determined. This study quantifies the differences between these two methods. Evaluating the degree to which these methods differ is essential for interpreting the accuracy of LEH age estimates given in previous bioarcheological studies. Age estimates of LEH defects on 338 anterior teeth from the Hamann-Todd osteological sample were calculated using both methods. The resulting estimated ages were compared through a randomized block ANOVA. However, the mean differences between the estimated ages yielded by both methods range from 4 months or less depending on the tooth type with an overall average of 2.63 months. The discussion focuses on the degree to which this difference affects answers to bioarcheological questions.     

Test of histological methods of determining chronology of accentuated striae in deciduous teeth

One of the difficulties that has prevented Wilson bands, internal defects of enamel growth, from achieving maximum usefulness as indicators of stress in bioarchaeological studies is the inaccuracy of the methods for determining ages of defect occurrence. This study tests a technique that uses microstructural growth markers of enamel to establish the chronology of Wilson bands in deciduous teeth. A sample of 274 teeth from 127 subadults from an Imperial Roman necropolis was sectioned and examined under a microscope. The sample ranged in age at death from birth to 13 years. Sixty-four teeth from 50 individuals were found to have 447 Wilson bands in total. Of those contributing multiple teeth to the sample, 13 individuals had at least one Wilson band in each of two teeth that could be identified as having been formed coevally. These provided the basis for testing the methodology. Paired t-tests found no significant differences between the chronologies of matched pairs in the two teeth, with mean ages from each differing by less than 1 day. The authors propose a hypothesis that explains the development of Wilson bands, and classifies them within the context of other features of enamel. The most important implications arising from this paper are: 1) aging methods using microstructural growth markers can be applied to deciduous teeth; 2) physiological stressors leave different traces in enamel, depending on severity and time of occurrence relative to total crown development; 3) no threshold level exists; all physiological stress will leave a record; 4) therefore, no minimal definition of a Wilson band can be delineated that recognizes all such events; 5) implying that studies using them will only identify minimum rates of occurrence.     

Spatial distribution of lead in enamel and coronal dentine of wistar rats

Lead is one of the most hazardous environmental toxins known. The assessment of lead in dental hard tissues is important in the understanding of its toxic effects on oral tissues and in estimating exposure and body burden in individuals exposed to lead from the environment. However, current information on the uptake and distribution of lead in enamel and dentine is limited. The aim of this project was to study, at high resolution, the spatial distribution of lead in enamel and coronal dentine using an experimental rat model. A dose of 40 mg/L of lead nitrate was administered to pregnant female rats during the periods of gestation and lactation through drinking water. First mandibular molar teeth were removed from their 15-d-old pups and the distribution of lead was studied using a nuclear microprobe (NMP). The distribution of lead in enamel and coronal dentine showed four distinct zones with significantly different mean lead concentrations (p<0.05). High levels of lead were observed in the superficial regions of enamel and in the dentine directly adjacent to the pulp. Additionally, the results confirmed that the NMP is capable of mapping the distribution of lead in teeth at micron resolutions with a detection limit of approx 1 microg/g.     

Effects of soil moisture content and temperature on methane uptake by grasslands on sandy soils

Aerobic grasslands may consume significant amounts of atmospheric methane (CH4). We aimed (i) to assess the spatial and temporal variability of net CH4 fluxes from grasslands on aerobic sandy soils, and (ii) to explain the variability in net CH4 fluxes by differences in soil moisture content and temperature. Net CH4 fluxes were measured with vented closed flux chambers at two sites with low N input on sandy soils in the Netherlands: (i) Wolfheze, a heather grassland, and (ii) Bovenbuurtse Weilanden, a grassland which is mown twice a year. Spatial variability of net CH4 fluxes was analysed using geostatistics. In incubation experiments, the effects of soil moisture content and temperature on CH4 uptake capacity were assessed. Temporal variability of net CH4 fluxes at Wolfheze was related to differences in soil temperature (r2 of 0.57) and soil moisture content (r2 of 0.73). Atmospheric CH4 uptake was highest at high soil temperatures and intermediate soil moisture contents. Spatial variability of net CH4 fluxes was high, both at Wolfheze and at Bovenbuurtse Weilanden. Incubation experiments showed that, at soil moisture contents lower than 5% (w/w), CH4 uptake was completely inhibited, probably due to physiological water stress of methanotrophs. At soil moisture contents higher than 50% (w/w), CH4 uptake was greatly reduced, probably due to the slow down of diffusive CH4 and O2 transport in the soil, which may have resulted in reduced CH4 oxidation and possibly some CH4 production. Optimum soil moisture contents for CH4 uptake were in the range of 20 – 35% (w/w), as prevailing in the field. The sensitivity of CH4 uptake to soil moisture content may result in short-term variability of net atmospheric CH4 uptake in response to precipitation and evapotranspiration, as well as in long-term variability due to changing precipitation patterns as a result of climate change.     

Variation in modern human premolar enamel formation times: implications for Neandertals

A recent study demonstrated that variation in enamel cap crown formation in the anterior teeth is greater than that in the molars from two geographically distinct populations: native indigenous southern Africans and northern Europeans. Eighty southern African and 69 northern European premolars (P3 and P4) were analyzed in the present study. Cuspal, lateral, and total enamel formation times were assessed. Although cuspal enamel formation times were not consistently different between the two populations, both lateral and total enamel formation times generally were. Bonferroni-corrected t-tests showed that southern Africans had significantly shorter lateral enamel formation time for five of the six cusps, as well as significantly shorter total enamel formation time for these same cusps. An analysis of covariance performed on the lingual cusps of the upper third and fourth premolars showed that differences in enamel formation times between these populations remained when crown height was statistically controlled. A further goal of this study was to ascertain, based on perikymata counts, what Neandertal periodicities would have to be in order for their teeth to have lateral enamel formation times equivalent to either southern Africans or northern Europeans. To this end, perikymata were counted on 32 Neandertal premolars, and the counts were inserted into regression formulae relating perikymata counts to periodicity for each population and each tooth type. Neandertal enamel formation times could be equivalent to those of southern Africans or northern Europeans only if their hypothetical periodicities fall within the range of periodicities for African apes and modern humans (i.e., 6-12 days). The analysis revealed that both populations could encompass Neandertal timings, with hypothetical periodicities based on the southern African population necessitating a lower range of periodicity (6-8 days) than those based on the northern European population (8-11 days).     

许家窑人幼年个体的釉质发育缺陷

上世纪70年代在许家窑-侯家窑地点发现的人类化石对了解东亚中晚更新世过渡时期古人类的形态演化起到了重要作用。除形态特征外,针对许家窑人病理表现也开展过相关研究,其中许家窑人幼年个体前部牙齿上出现的黄色小坑被认为是患有氟斑牙病的证据,且可能代表世界范围内该牙病的最早实例。然而,经电子显微镜和显微断层扫描显示,这些黄色小坑或凹陷是釉质发育不良表现,而不是代表个体患有氟斑牙病后牙齿受咀嚼压力而产生的物理破损。同步辐射扫描显示,许家窑幼年个体前部牙齿釉质密度均匀,没有出现浅层釉质矿化减小的现象,不支持该个体因釉质矿化过程受影响而患有典型氟斑牙的结论。尽管如此,后部牙齿上大量坑状的釉质缺陷和坑状缺陷底部的加重生长线特征不排除是个体氟摄入过量而影响釉质形成的分泌期而导致的。除表面坑状釉质缺陷外,许家窑幼年个体恒齿不同部位的釉质内部出现缺失（空间结构一般为圆球状）。缺失主要集中在浅层区域,沿齿尖-齿颈方向的密集程度变化与釉质发育不良位置具有一定相关性。釉质内部缺失有时互连并与釉质表面垂直。以上特征显示釉质内部缺失是釉质形成过程受影响所致,且影响因素和发生机理可能与釉质发育不良的类似。许家窑幼年个体不同牙齿在外部釉质缺陷和内部釉质缺失密集程度上的差别可能反映的是个体在发育过程中所需应对的外界扰动因素程度不同。未来研究可对包含许家窑人化石的堆积物中以及许家窑人牙齿中的氟含量进行测定,以进一步研究许家窑人个体的生活环境中是否有过量的氟以及许家窑人是否摄入了过量氟元素,从而对许家窑人的牙齿发育缺陷机理有一个进一步的了解。     

Variation in elemental intensities among teeth and between pre- and postnatal regions of enamel

Microspatial analyses of the trace element composition of dental enamel are made possible using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Fine spatial resolution, multielement capabilities, and minimal sample destruction make this technique particularly well-suited for documenting the distribution of elements in sequentially calcifying layers of enamel. Because deciduous enamel forms from week 13 in utero up to 9 months postnatally (thereafter essentially becoming inert), the application of LA-ICP-MS allows for the retrospective measurement of prenatal and early postnatal trace-element uptake during a critical period of child development. In this study, we compared intra- and intertooth intensities of 25Mg, 57Fe, 66Zn, 68Zn, 88Sr, 138Ba, and 208Pb via LA-ICP-MS of 38 exfoliated deciduous incisors and canines donated by 36 participants in the Solís Valley Mexico Nutrition Collaborative Research Support Program (NCRSP). Pre- and postnatal comparisons within teeth showed significant increases (P < 0.001) and greater variation in the abundance of all isotopes in postnatal enamel, with the exception of a decrease in 25Mg (P < 0.001) and constant values for 88Sr (P = 0.681). Conversely, comparisons by tooth type and mouth quadrant revealed few significant differences between teeth of the same individual. We argue that more variation in the trace element composition of teeth occurs across developmental areas within a tooth than among different teeth of the same person. This study further demonstrates that sequentially calcifying areas of enamel have different chemical concentrations. The results support the use of microspatial analyses of enamel for understanding changes in nutrition, pollution, and residence.     

Enamel hypoplasia in the deciduous teeth of great apes: variation in prevalence and timing of defects

The prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in the deciduous teeth of great apes has the potential to reveal episodes of physiological stress in early stages of ontogenetic development. However, little is known about enamel defects of deciduous teeth in great apes. Unresolved questions addressed in this study are: Do hypoplastic enamel defects occur with equal frequency in different groups of great apes? Are enamel hypoplasias more prevalent in the deciduous teeth of male or female apes? During what phase of dental development do enamel defects tend to form? And, what part of the dental crown is most commonly affected? To answer these questions, infant and juvenile skulls of two sympatric genera of great apes (Gorilla and Pan) were examined for dental enamel hypoplasias. Specimens from the Powell‐Cotton Museum (Quex Park, UK; n = 107) are reported here, and compared with prior findings based on my examination of juvenile apes at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Hamman‐Todd Collection; n = 100) and Smithsonian Institution (National Museum of Natural History; n = 36). All deciduous teeth were examined by the author with a ×10 hand lens, in oblique incandescent light. Defects were classified using Fédération Dentaire International (FDI)/Defects of Dental Enamel (DDE) standards; defect size and location on the tooth crown were measured and marked on dental outline charts. Enamel defects of ape deciduous teeth are most common on the labial surface of canine teeth. While deciduous incisor and molar teeth consistently exhibit similar defects with prevalences of ～10%, canines average between 70–75%. Position of enamel defects on the canine crown was analyzed by dividing it into three zones (apical, middle, and cervical) and calculating defect prevalence by zone. Among gorillas, enamel hypoplasia prevalence increases progressively from the apical zone (low) to the middle zone to the cervical zone (highest), in both maxillary and mandibular canine teeth. Results from all three study collections reveal that among the great apes, gorillas (87–92%) and orangutans (91%) have a significantly higher prevalence of canine enamel defects than chimpanzees (22–48%). Sex differences in canine enamel hypoplasia are small and not statistically significant in any great ape. Factors influencing intergroup variation in prevalence of enamel defects and their distribution on the canine crown, including physiological stress and interspecific dento‐gnathic morphological variation, are evaluated. Am J Phys Anthropol 116:199–208, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of the calcium biomineral in the radular teeth of Chiton pelliserpentis

The radula in a group of molluscan invertebrates, the chitons (Polyplacophora), is a ribbon-like apparatus used for feeding and which bears a series of distinctive mineralized teeth called the major lateral teeth. While some chiton species deposit only iron biominerals in these teeth, many others deposit both iron and calcium. In this study, the calcium biomineral in the teeth of one of the latter types of species, the Australian east-coast chiton, Chiton pelliserpentis, has been isolated and examined for the first time. Spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques have identified the biomineral as a carbonate-substituted apatite with significant fluoride substitution also likely. Fourier-transform infrared and laser Raman spectroscopy indicated that the carbonate content was less than that of either bovine tibia cortical bone or human tooth enamel. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the biomineral to be poorly crystalline due to small crystal size and appreciable anionic substitution. The lattice parameters were calculated to be a=9.382?Å and c=6.883?Å, which are suggestive of a fluorapatite material. It is postulated that structural and biochemical differences in the tooth organic matrix of different chiton species will ultimately determine if the teeth become partly calcified or iron mineralized only.     

禄丰古猿牙齿釉质发育不全的观察研究

对出自禄丰石灰坝的26个禄丰古猿下颌齿列的246枚恒齿进行了观察研究,发现禄丰古猿具有普遍的带状釉质发育不全（LEH）现象,个体LEH比例为100%,恒齿LEH比例为85%。乳齿几乎没有LEH现象,第一恒臼齿的LEH比例也很低仅57%。根据牙齿萌出顺序及现代大猿的牙齿发育年龄特征,作者推断2—3岁之前的幼儿古猿很少出现釉质发育不全现象,这可能与母体的营养关照有关。禄丰古猿的LEH的发生频率具有明显的季节性,结合中新世晚期气候变化特征、古猿的生态环境、生活习性及食性特征分析,作者推测：季节性营养不良可能是造成禄丰古猿釉质发育不全的主要原因。     

巫山县龙骨坡地层的电子自旋共振测年

本文报道对重庆市巫山县庙宇镇龙骨坡地层剖面的 4个动物牙珐琅化石的电子自旋共振法 ( ESR)测年结果 ,该剖面的第 7— 8层曾出土被原发掘者定为属早更新世的 ,目前有争议的人属化石和石制品。本文认为早更新世牙珐琅样品的 ESR早期铀加入模式年龄一般是真实年龄的上限 ,即年轻于真实年龄。 ESR测年结合该地层剖面的古地磁研究 ,给出该剖面第 7- 8层很可能与古地磁的奥杜威极性亚期相当 ,距今约 1 .8百万年。     

Finite element analysis of stress distribution in intact and porcelain veneer restored teeth

The aim of this study was to investigate the stress distribution generated in a veneer restoration of an upper central incisor compared to intact teeth using the finite element analysis after applying a lingual buccal loading at the incisal edge. Methods: Two models were developed: one model contained enamel, dentine, cementum, periodontal ligament, cortical and trabecullar bones, and the other model was a veneer restoration; both models were developed using MSC/Nastran software (MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, USA) as the pre- and post-processor. A 10-N load was applied at the incisal edge from the lingual to the buccal side to simulate oral conditions in this area (protrusion). Results: Von Mises stresses were then analysed for three different regions: A-B (enamel elements under the veneer or second enamel layer), A'-B' (buccal enamel and/or veneer element layer) and C-D (lingual enamel elements layer). A higher stress mode was observed for both models at the lingual cervical region. Conclusions: The presence of a veneer restoration on the incisors is a good alternative to mimic the behaviour of enamel under protrusion loading conditions. The use of veneers to replace enamel during rehabilitations is recommended.     

荒漠绿洲过渡带不同年限雨养梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)对土壤水分变化的响应

通过调查分析河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带不同种植年限（5、10、20、30和40a）人工梭梭生理生化变化（叶片渗透调节物质、丙二醛和叶绿素含量,根系活力）和个体形态特征（叶片、枝条和茎干生物量、枯枝落叶比、株高、冠幅等）以揭示不同种植年限雨养梭梭对土壤水分变化的响应机制。研究结果表明：随着梭梭种植年限增加,人工梭梭林内深层100-120cm和180-200cm土壤水分变化明显,在5-20a保持在3%-4%,而在种植后期（30-40a）土壤水分下降到1%-2%左右。在5-20a,梭梭主要通过显著提高叶片渗透调节物质可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,维持叶片较低的丙二醛含量和较高的叶绿素含量,保持新叶光合能力;同时,显著提高0-20cm根系的活力,增强对表层土壤水分的吸收能力;但在30-40a,梭梭叶片渗透调节物质明显减少,梭梭叶片丙二醛含量增加,叶绿素含量下降,同时叶绿素a,b比例失调,渗透调节作用失效,梭梭叶片老化,老叶比例明显增加,光合作用能力下降,枝条和茎干退化严重,个体生物量进一步减少,在40a梭梭叶片、枝条和茎干生物量下降到最低值。研究表明在年降水100mm左右的荒漠绿洲过渡带,在种植梭梭5-20a土壤水分为3%-4%,梭梭可以通过生理调节适应土壤干燥,但是从30a土壤水分下降到1%-2%时,梭梭主要通过枯枝落叶降低个体蒸腾耗水量,在40a梭梭进入休眠（假死）状态,这暗示土壤水分下降到1%-2%,可能是梭梭的临界吸收土壤水分。     

Stress analysis of irradiated human tooth enamel using finite element methods

The objectives of this project were to use finite element methods to determine how changes in the elastic modulus due to oral cancer therapeutic radiation alter the distribution of mechanical stresses in teeth and to determine if observed failures in irradiated teeth correlate with changes in mechanical stresses. A thin slice section finite element (FE) model was constructed from micro CT sections of a molar tooth using MIMICS and 3-Matic software. This model divides the tooth into three enamel regions, the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ) and dentin. The enamel elastic modulus was determined in each region using nano indentation for three experimental groups namely – control (non-radiated), in vitro irradiated (simulated radiotherapy following tooth extraction) and in vivo irradiated (extracted subsequent to oral cancer patient radiotherapy) teeth. Physiological loads were applied to the tooth models at the buccal and lingual cusp regions for all three groups (control, in vitro and in vivo). The principal tensile stress and the maximum shear stress were used to compare the results from different groups since it has been observed in previous studies that delamination of enamel from the underlying dentin was one of the major reasons for the failure of teeth following therapeutic radiation. From the FE data, we observed an increase in the principal tensile stress within the inner enamel region of in vivo irradiated teeth (9.97 ± 1.32 MPa) as compared to control/non-irradiated teeth (8.44 ± 1.57 MPa). Our model predicts that failure occurs at the inner enamel/DEJ interface due to extremely high tensile and maximum shear stresses in in vivo irradiated teeth which could be a cause of enamel delamination due to radiotherapy.     

Tooth development in a scincid lizard, Chalcides viridanus (Squamata), with particular attention to enamel formation

Comparative analysis of tooth development in the main vertebrate lineages is needed to determine the various evolutionary routes leading to current dentition in living vertebrates. We have used light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to study tooth morphology and the main stages of tooth development in the scincid lizard, Chalcides viridanus, viz., from late embryos to 6-year-old specimens of a laboratory-bred colony, and from early initiation stages to complete differentiation and attachment, including resorption and enamel formation. In C. viridanus, all teeth of a jaw have a similar morphology but tooth shape, size and orientation change during ontogeny, with a constant number of tooth positions. Tooth morphology changes from a simple smooth cone in the late embryo to the typical adult aspect of two cusps and several ridges via successive tooth replacement at every position. First-generation teeth are initiated by interaction between the oral epithelium and subjacent mesenchyme. The dental lamina of these teeth directly branches from the basal layer of the oral epithelium. On replacement-tooth initiation, the dental lamina spreads from the enamel organ of the previous tooth. The epithelial cell population, at the dental lamina extremity and near the bone support surface, proliferates and differentiates into the enamel organ, the inner (IDE) and outer dental epithelium being separated by stellate reticulum. IDE differentiates into ameloblasts, which produce enamel matrix components. In the region facing differentiating IDE, mesenchymal cells differentiate into dental papilla and give rise to odontoblasts, which first deposit a layer of predentin matrix. The first elements of the enamel matrix are then synthesised by ameloblasts. Matrix mineralisation starts in the upper region of the tooth (dentin then enamel). Enamel maturation begins once the enamel matrix layer is complete. Concomitantly, dental matrices are deposited towards the base of the dentin cone. Maturation of the enamel matrix progresses from top to base; dentin mineralisation proceeds centripetally from the dentin–enamel junction towards the pulp cavity. Tooth attachment is pleurodont and tooth replacement occurs from the lingual side from which the dentin cone of the functional teeth is resorbed. Resorption starts from a deeper region in adults than in juveniles. Our results lead us to conclude that tooth morphogenesis and differentiation in this lizard are similar to those described for mammalian teeth. However, Tomes processes and enamel prisms are absent.     

Enamel defects and ameloblast-specific expression in Enam knock-out/lacz knock-in mice

Enamelin is critical for proper dental enamel formation, and defects in the human enamelin gene cause autosomal dominant amelogenesis imperfecta. We used gene targeting to generate a knock-in mouse carrying a null allele of enamelin (Enam) that has a lacZ reporter gene replacing the Enam translation initiation site and gene sequences through exon 7. Correct targeting of the transgene was confirmed by Southern blotting and PCR analyses. No enamelin protein could be detected by Western blotting in the Enam-null mice. Histochemical 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside (X-gal) staining demonstrated ameloblast-specific expression of enamelin. The enamel of the Enam(+/-) mice was nearly normal in the maxillary incisors, but the mandibular incisors were discolored and tended to wear rapidly where they contacted the maxillary incisors. The Enam(-/-) mice showed no true enamel. Radiography, microcomputed tomography, and light and scanning electron microscopy were used to document changes in the enamel of Enam(-/-) mice but did not discern any perturbations of bone, dentin, or any other tissue besides the enamel layer. Although a thick layer of enamel proteins covered normal-appearing dentin of unerupted teeth, von Kossa staining revealed almost a complete absence of mineral formation in this protein layer. However, a thin, highly irregular, mineralized crust covered the dentin on erupted teeth, apparently arising from the formation and fusion of small mineralization foci (calcospherites) in the deeper part of the accumulated enamel protein layer. These results demonstrate ameloblast-specific expression of enamelin and reveal that enamelin is essential for proper enamel matrix organization and mineralization.