The influence of bolus volume and viscosity on the distribution of anterior lingual force during the oral stage of swallowing was investigated using a new force transducer technology. The maximum force amplitudes from 5 normal adults were measured simultaneously at the mid-anterior, right, and left lateral tongue margins during 10 volitional swallows of 5-, 10-, and 20-ml volumes of water, applesauce, and pudding. Results indicated significant increases in peak force amplitude as viscosity increased. Volume did not significantly influence maximum lingual force amplitudes. Individual subjects demonstrated consistent patterns of asymmetrical force distribution across the lingual margins tested. The results suggest that bolus-specific properties influence the mechanics of oral stage lingual swallowing. This finding has important clinical implications in the assessment and treatment of dysphagic individuals.

A label-free method for detecting the attachment of human cancer cells to a biosensor surface for rapid screening for biological activity is described, in which attachment of a cell results in highly localized increase of the resonant reflected wavelength of a photonic crystal narrowband reflectance filter incorporated into a standard 96-well microplate. An imaging detection instrument is used to determine the spatial distribution of attached cells by mapping the shift in reflected resonant wavelength as a function of position. The method enables monitoring of cancer cell attachment, cell proliferation, and cell detachment that is induced by exposure of the cells to drug compounds. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method as an early screening technique for the rapid quantification of the rate of cancer cell proliferation on the sensor surface, and subsequently as a means for quantifying cell detachment resulting from apoptosis that is induced by exposure of the cells to cytotoxic chemicals.

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The purpose of this investigation was to identify the composition and organization of lingual tissues underlying the histostructural and biomechanical functions of the adult human tongue. The small-scale structures of three intrinsic muscle regions, their principal cells, structural complexities, and differences in underlying tissue composition were compared to other skeletal muscle systems and the results discussed in relation to lingual morphology. Analysis of pixel color distributions determined the percent area concentration of each stained tissue component. Results indicated that muscle content increased from anterior to posterior (p <.0001). Greater adipose (p =.005) and connective tissue (p <.002) concentrations occurred in anterior regions. Dense collagen sheaths and elastic fibers found anteriorly occurred with less magnitude in medial and posterior sites. The unique elastin, collagen, and adipose connective tissue distributions found in intrinsic sampling sites are discussed in terms of understanding lingual biomechanics in both normal and pathologic states.

Use of SPGO and SPGO encapsulated in non-heat-hardened albumin microspheres (GOAM) represents a new approach. SPGO and GOAM have suitable physicochemical properties to warrant further biophysical and animal studies and reevaluation of toxicity limitations.