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Biomedical subjects

R J Fitzgerald

Publications and source records attributed to R J Fitzgerald.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Inhibition of caries in hamsters treated with staphylococcin 1580.

Littermate hamsters were infected orally with cariogenic Streptococcus mutans NS-50S and maintained on a high-sucrose diet to induce dental caries. Individual groups of animals were treated by single daily instillation of staphylococcin 1580 (100 micrograms) in the cheek pouches. Other groups were treated similarly with bacitracin (60 or 120 U) or saline. After 35 days on the caries test regimen, animals treated with staphylococcin 1580 had 49 or 60% less caries than the saline controls in two separate trials. Hamsters treated with 60 U of bacitracin had 40% less caries, while animals receiving 120 U of bacitracin had 58% less caries. Significant reductions in the oral and fecal levels of S. mutans NS-50S were also observed in the treated animals. In contrast to earlier, inconclusive experiments in which these agents were placed directly into the oral cavity, the inhibition of caries in this study is attributed to prolongation of the oral retention of these agents, with increased opportunity to interact with cariogenic microorganisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Intussusception--current trends in management.

Barium enema reductions were attempted in 65 (90%) of 72 intussusceptions, of which 51 (79%) were successful. This represents a success rate of 70% overall. The average hospital stay was 3 1/2 days. There was no mortality and, apart from a recurrence rate of 10%, no morbidity. It is suggested that barium enema reduction should be the treatment of choice provided that there is an emergency service of a paediatric radiologist and the patient is adequately resuscitated, the only absolute contraindication being evidence of pneumatosis intestinalis or peritonitis. Those patients who presented with shock, rectal bleeding, duration of symptoms longer than 48 hours, and pronounced degree of bowel obstruction had a higher rate of unsuccessful reduction. However, only the last two were significant. Further, provided that the clinical condition remains satisfactory and the reduction has been achieved to the caecum a repeat barium enema after some hours may be successful in achieving reflux of contrast into the ileum, confirming complete reduction.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Dental health status of an aging VA population: implications for a preventive dental health care program.

The purpose of this study was to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and dental health status of the largest eligible class of veterans (Class IV) within the Greater Miami catchment area. Only 43 percent of 4,882 Class IV patients within this area have sought VA dental care. Sociodemographic data were obtained from a randomized sample of both the VA-treated and non-VA-treated groups. The prevalence and incidence of dental diseases and actual dental treatment procedures completed for the VA-treated sample were determined from clinical records. Results indicated that periodontal disease and dental caries are substantial problems; small groups of patients account for the majority of treatment needs and associated costs; 71 percent of these patients are over 55 years of age; and the "average" Class IV patient is lower middle-class and retired. Study implications suggest that the best strategy for developing an effective VA dental health program would be one in which each patient would have a preventive regimen tailored to meet his needs and the ability to comply with the preventive program. The VA needs to determine the cost-effectiveness and dental health advantages of providing preventive dental health care services to eligible veterans.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Intussusception, volvulus and malrotation.

A case of ileocolic intussusception, associated with mid-gut volvulus and malrotation with bowel necrosis is reported. There is evidence to suggest that the intussusception preceded the volvulus.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Early discharge following appendicectomy in children.

In a prospective study of 410 children who had a non-perforated appendix removed, the mean postoperative stay was 46 hours and 80% of patients were discharged within 48 hours. Twenty-two patients were readmitted, but neither the temperature of the patient, nor bowel motions passed prior to discharge were of any prognostic value in predicting those who would develop postoperative complications. The cost saving and the patient benefit of earlier return to home environment recommend this policy.

Appendectomy↗
PubMed1984

A review of the management policy for new-born spina bifida children at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, 1973-1983.

The management policy at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, for newborn spina bifida infants consists of immediate operation for those considered likely to benefit and full nursery care for those who do not have early surgery. In the eleven years since this policy was first implemented, there have been 493 infants admitted with open myelomeningocele, of whom 260 (52.7%) were managed non-operatively. The mortality for all infants so managed was 78% at one year. 171 (66%) of this group died without further intervention. 89 (34%) survived long enough for some form of treatment to be instituted. 41 of these children are still alive and it is felt that their handicaps have not been increased by their early management. It is argued that an approach to management which considers the needs and interests of the individual infant is more acceptable than one that seeks to enforce total care, regardless of circumstances, or the impersonal assignment, by criteria, into "treatment" and "non-treatment" groups.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗
PubMed1984

Immunological relationship between anionic antimicrobial proteins from caries-free individuals and known salivary antimicrobial factors.

We examined whether the anionic inhibitory proteins identified in mixed saliva from certain caries-free individuals are fragments or degradation products of recognized salivary antimicrobial factors. In the experiments reported here, the anionic inhibitory proteins did not produce precipitin reactions with antisera to any of the established salivary antimicrobial factors examined. Additionally, native, heat-treated, or urea-denatured known salivary antimicrobial factors did not react with the antiserum to the anionic inhibitory proteins. However, the antiserum to the anionic inhibitory proteins was found to be reactive with a protein concentrate from mixed saliva or from separate submandibular and parotid secretions from a number of different donors, as well as with a purified protein fraction containing the homologous anionic inhibitory proteins. These findings suggest that the anionic inhibitory proteins represent intact and unique salivary proteins and not the degradation fragments of salivary antimicrobial protein factors within the oral environment.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1984

Discitis as a cause of abdominal pain in children.

The purpose of this study is to draw attention to inflammatory disease of lumbar intervertebral discs in children as a source of referred abdominal pain. For three children presenting with abdominal pain the eventual diagnosis was discitis of the lumbar spine. Failure to examine the patient's backs at the initial examinations resulted in a delay in diagnosis ranging from 66 to 2 days. Treatment with antibiotics and spinal jacket was effective in all cases.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1983

Cysteine toxicity for oral streptococci and effect of branched-chain amino acids.

Cysteine was bactericidal to strains of Streptococcus mutans and S. salivarius in concentrations that were nontoxic to S. sanguis, S. milleri, or S. mitior when these microorganisms were incubated in a saliva protein-based synthetic medium. Cysteine toxicity for S. mutans also occurred after incubation in synthetic base medium supplemented with amino acids as the nitrogen source for growth. The bactericidal effect of cysteine for S. mutans or S. salivarius in the saliva protein medium was influenced by the cysteine oxidative activity associated with the saliva protein fraction. Valine alone or in combination with leucine or isoleucine was effective in overcoming cysteine toxicity for susceptible strains of S. mutans or S. salivarius. Cysteine toxicity for these oral streptococci may be due to cysteine inhibition of an enzymatic step in the valine-leucine biosynthetic pathway.

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗
PubMed1983

Prevalence, distribution of serotypes, and cariogenic potential in hamsters of mutans streptococci from elderly individuals.

The prevalence of mutans streptococci (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus cricetus, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Streptococcus rattus) was determined in the salivas of 169 elderly individuals ranging in age from 60 to 87 years. Approximately 40% of these individuals were edentulous and wore full upper and lower dentures. With the exception of a higher proportion of saliva counts below 1,000 CFU/ml in the full-denture wearers, the prevalence and the serotype and species distributions of the mutans streptococci were similar in the denture wearers and individuals with natural teeth only. The species and serotype distributions of mutans streptococci in this elderly population were also consistent with reported observations of other workers on younger, more caries-prone populations. A total of 87 representative isolates of the mutans streptococci were tested for cariogenic potential in a hamster model system. A considerable degree of variation in virulence between different strains was observed. However, these differences were not relatable to individual species or serotypes or to whether the organisms were isolated from denture wearers or naturally dentate subjects. The results of our studies indicate that elderly individuals with either natural or artificial dentitions may be a hitherto unrecognized reservoir of mutans streptococci having varying degrees of potential cariogenicity. Hence, in close family situations they could serve, along with parents and siblings, as vectors in the initial transmission of cariogenic microorganisms to young children.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Comparative growth responses of oral streptococci on mixed saliva or the separate submandibular and parotid secretions from caries-active and caries-free individuals.

Growth of S. mutans on mixed or parotid saliva from CF individuals may be influenced by the availability of growth-supportive proteins or the inhibitory activity present in parotid saliva. A deficiency in growth-supportive proteins may explain the limited growth of S. sanguis on mixed or submandibular saliva from these individuals.

Adult↗