Keratin Surface Research Articles

The effects of betel-nut chewing on the buccal mucosa: a histological study.

Sixty-two "leukoplakias" from the cheeks of betel-nut chewers in West Malaysia were studied histologically. Ten biopsies were from non-tobacco betel-nut chewers. An amorphous von Kossa positive layer was seen on the keratin surface in 42 specimens. Tobacco did not appear essential for its formation, and it appeared to be significantly associated with parakeratosis. Its possible significance as a cuticle-like layer prolonging contact between carcinogens and the mucosa is discussed.Parakeratosis appeared to be the most common form of cornification seen, and the mitotic activity in parakeratinized leukoplakias appeared to be significantly greater than orthokeratinized leukoplakias.Comparison with studies on other population samples using different quids suggested that severe histological changes were more likely to be seen when tobacoo-containing quids were chewed as compared to non-tobacco-containing quids.An attempt to correlate the histological changes seen with the clinical habit in leukoplakias from chewers using tobacco-containing quids suggested that epithelial atrophy appeared to be significantly related to the duration of the habit but not to the "intensity" of the habit.

Friction between keratin surfaces as affected by some shrink-proofing treatments

Friction between keratin surfaces as affected by some shrink-proofing treatments

Friction Between Keratin Surfaces as Affected by Some Shrinkproofing Treatments*

SummaryThe results of the present experiments show that it is not necessary to alter the physical structure of the fibre scales in order to reduce their D. F. E. on a smooth keratin surface. Treatment of the keratin surface alone with certain of the reagents used for reducing shrinkability will bring about the necessary reduction. These findings therefore support the views of Martin2 (1944) in indicating that the D. F. E. is not simply the physical result of scaliness. They also show that when dealing with fibre surfaces in which the coefficients of friction are very low, the D. F. E. is not as important in interpreting results as the actual value for the coefficients of friction in each direction.Finally, they emphasise the need to have both keratin surfaces treated by the different reagents when observing the effect of the latter on the wool fibre surface. With both surfaces treated it has been found that all the reagents used for reducing shrinkability, except alcoholic caustic potash, markedly reduce the with‐scale and anti‐scale coefficients. Alcoholic caustic potash, on the other hand, increases the value of each.