Significantly higher serum titanium concentrations were observed in subjects with titanium spinal instrumentation when compared with controls. Continued research is necessary to examine the relationship between Ti interbody devices and cross connectors with regards to serum ion levels.

Autonomic innervation of rabbit salivary glands was demonstrated by modifications of the methods of Falck for catecholamines and Koelle for the localization of cholinesterase activity. To avoid and diminish artifacts, tissues were rapidly frozen, cut in a cryostat, and freeze-dried under vacuum. Catecholamine fluorescence and cholinesterase activity were found in the serous parotid and the mainly mucous submandibular gland, strongly indicating that both glands are innervated by sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers. In the parotid gland, the sympathetic ground plexus apparently forms a denser network than that seen in the submandibular gland. Catecholamine fluorescence, indicating sympathetic nerves, is found to be closely related to most acini, blood vessels of both glands, and some ducts of the submandibular gland. Cholinesterase activity, signaling the presence of parasympathetic fibers, was observed around many acini, ducts, and some blood vessels of both glands. A theory is presented that the autonomic innervation of salivary glands influences the state of intracellular colloids, water, and electrolytes during secretion.

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