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T Oho

Publications and source records attributed to T Oho.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Biological function of the dTDP-rhamnose synthesis pathway in Streptococcus mutans.

We have cloned a new gene locus that comprises three genes concerned with the biosynthesis of the serotype c-specific polysaccharide antigen in Streptococcus mutans. The genes encode proteins exhibiting significant homology to the rfbA, rfbB, and rfbD gene products that are involved in the anabolism of dTDP-L-rhamnose from D-glucose-1-phosphate. This anabolism pathway pertains to biosynthesis of the O antigen of lipopolysaccharide in gram-negative bacteria. The cell extract of Escherichia coli expressing each of the cloned genes of S. mutans exhibited enzymatic activity corresponding to the homologous counterpart of the rfb gene products. Rhamnose was not detected in the cell wall preparation purified from the mutant in which each of the three cloned genes was insertionally inactivated. Rabbit antiserum against S. mutans serotype c-specific antigen did not react with the autoclaved extracts from these mutants. These results indicate that the gene products identified in the present study are involved in the dTDP-L-rhamnose synthesis pathway and that the pathway relates to the biosynthesis of the serotype-specific polysaccharide antigen of S. mutans. Southern hybridization analysis revealed that genes homologous to the cloned genes involved in the dTDP-L-rhamnose synthesis pathway were widely distributed in a variety of streptococci. This is the first report of the biological function of the dTDP-rhamnose pathway in streptococci.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1997

Influence of the discontinuation of a school-based, supervised fluoride mouthrinsing programme on the prevalence of dental caries.

OBJECTIVE: Since 1984 a weekly supervised fluoride mouthrinsing programme has been implemented for schoolchildren in Hisayama, Japan. Consequently, four years after the start of the programme the DMFT index for 12.5-year-old schoolchildren in Hisayama decreased to a value of less than 3.0. However, since 1992 it has increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of this increasing prevalence of dental caries since 1992. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and one schoolchildren aged 12 years in 1994 were selected. This age group showed the highest increase in the prevalence of dental caries in that year. OUTCOME MEASURES: Children who had discontinued the use of fluoride mouthrinse for one year or more were identified by means of a confidential questionnaire. Oral examination was carried out, by three examiners, under a suitable artificial light using a mirror and an explorer. RESULTS: The DMFT and DMFS indices of the continuous mouthrinsing (CM) group were significantly lower than those of the discontinuous mouthrinsing (DM) group (P < 0.001). Significant differences between the CM and DM groups were also observed in the DMFT rates for premolars (P < 0.05) and for the first molar (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The continuation of fluoride mouthrinsing for children of school age was important in achieving the advantages of the programme in Hisayama.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed1995

Effects of several tea components on acid resistance of human tooth enamel.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of tea components on the acid resistance of human tooth enamel were investigated by an in vitro experiment. A further study focused on the action of tannin, the main component of tea, in combination with fluoride. RESULTS: Some components such as tannin, catechin, caffeine and tocopherol were demonstrated to be effective for increasing acid resistance, and their effects increased dramatically when they were used in combination with fluoride. A mixed solution of tannic acid and fluoride showed the highest inhibitory effect (98%) on calcium release to an acid solution. Tannin in combination with fluoride showed obvious inhibition of the formation of artificial enamel lesions in comparison with APF as determined by electron probe microanalysis, polarized-light microscopy and Vickers microhardness measurement. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that besides the fluoride, the organic components of tea also possess the property of increasing the acid resistance of tooth enamel. They also suggest that the organic components appear to play a primary role in their actions rather than fluoride.

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗
PubMed1993

The effect of a tannin-fluoride mixture on human dental enamel.

In this study, the effect of a tannin-fluoride mixture (Ta-F, 0.5% tannic acid, 450 ppm fluoride, pH 5.9) on dental enamel has been investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), compared with the effect of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF, 0.015 M phosphoric acid, 450 ppm fluoride, pH 5.3). Under the SEM, a large number of spherical globules (1-5 microns in diameter) were observed on the enamel surface treated with Ta-F. On a fractured cross section, these large globules showed a columnar appearance, measuring 2.5-5 microns each in height. They had a good range and formed a single coating layer on the enamel, whereas on the APF-treated enamel only very small spherical globules 0.1-0.5 micron in diameter were seen. Moreover, three types of connective patterns were observed between the basal ends of these columnar deposits and the enamel surface: (a) a pattern loosely attached to the enamel surface, (b) a pattern partially connected with the crystals of enamel, and (c) a pattern inserted into the pores of enamel. These columnar deposits also showed very strong resistance either to acid decalcification or to water washing. By EPMA and XRD examinations, a remarkable elevation of the fluoride profile accompanied by a high elevation of calcium was observed and CaF2 peaks were detected on the enamel surface. These results suggest that the columnar deposits might contain the CaF2-like substances and possess unique morphological and qualitative features which are quite different from the deposits found after APF or NaF treatment as described in previous studies.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1992

Purification and characterization of a glycosylated proline-rich protein from human parotid saliva.

1. A glycosylated proline-rich protein (GPRP) was purified to homogeneity by subjecting parotid saliva to immunoaffinity, cation exchange, affinity and hydrophobic chromatography. 2. The purified GPRP had a molecular weight of 78 kDa as analyzed by SDS-PAGE. 3. The amino acid analysis revealed a preponderance of proline, glycine and glutamic acid/glutamine, which accounted for 77% of the total amino acids. 4. Cysteine, tyrosine or phenylalanine residues were not detected. 5. The glycoprotein contained 34% neutral sugars and the oligosaccharides were rich in mannose and N-acetylglucosamine, indicating that N-linked oligosaccharides were the predominant type of oligosaccharides in the molecule. 6. These observations were confirmed by treatment of the purified glycoprotein with specific N-glycosidase which removed the N-linked oligosaccharides leaving a core protein with an apparent molecular weight of 51 kDa. 7. The isoelectric point of GPRP was approx 7.0 and the molecule was not affected by reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, indicating that no disulfide linkages were present. 8. The GPRP bound to hydroxyapatite and this binding could be partially inhibited by preincubation of the hydroxyapatite with parotid or submandibular saliva. 9. The purified GPRP also bound to a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 95 kDa present in submandibular saliva.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Anticariogenic effects of green tea.

The effects of green tea extract on caries inhibition of hamsters and on acid resistance of human tooth enamel have been investigated. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that original extract of green tea had the significant effects on these points. The dialyzed tea solution in which the fluoride was removed almost completely, also showed the remarkable effects both in vivo and in vitro experiment as is similar to the original tea extract. The results obtained from this study suggested that fluoride in green tea may play a role to increase the cariostatic action in cooperation with other components in tea. However, the action of fluoride does not seem to be so important, because its concentration is very low. The effect of green tea on caries inhibition as well as on the increment of acid resistance appears to be more correlative with the non-dialysable substances in tea.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A possible mechanism of acquired acid resistance of human dental enamel by laser irradiation.

A possible mechanism of acquired acid resistance of lased enamel was proposed on the basis of the investigations of optical properties, compositional and structural changes and permeability of lased and unlased human dental enamel. Lased enamel showed a high positive birefringence, suggesting the formation of 'microspaces' in enamel. No new products were found, though a decrease of lattice strain and a slight a-axis contraction were recognized in lased enamel compared with unlased enamel. The contents of water, carbonate and organic substances were reduced in lased enamel. Gradual changes of birefringence were observed in lased enamel during treatment with acid solutions, and this change was attributed to mineralization of the microspaces. The ions released by an acid decalcification would be trapped in the microspaces in lased enamel, whereas such ions diffuse to the surrounding solution in unlased enamel.

Acids↗