Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R L Whitehouse

Publications and source records attributed to R L Whitehouse.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Influence of biofilms on microbial contamination in dental unit water.

Water from dental units (DU), used for cooling and clearing the field of dental operations, is frequently contaminated by microorganisms. Retrograde spread of oral microbes into DU tubuing, contaminated plumbing systems and endogenous DU contamination have been implicated. This study investigated the contribution of DU tubing to this contamination in 11 randomly selected DU. The times required, under standardized conditions, for DU bacterial levels to decrease in response to the flushing caused by DU operation, or increase in response to stagnation caused by shutting down the DU, were measured. The DU tubing was then removed and similarly manipulated. The results showed similar bacterial levels and populations in the DU and their corresponding tubes. Sixteen control samples taken from the connecting plumbing system at distant locations, after periods of stagnation which result in DU bacterial contamination, were negative. This suggests the plumbing, in our system, is not an important factor. Thus, DU can endogenously contaminate the water passing through them; their tubes have the potential to generate similar magnitudes of bacterial contamination to that determined from intact DU. Scanning electron microscopy of the tube lumens showed a biofilm, characterized by microorganisms embedded in an amorphous matrix in all cases. This biofilm could act as a reservoir to facilitate rapid recontamination. Further analysis of the data indicates there could be other contributing factors.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1987

Isolation of Simonsiella sp. from a neonate.

A member of the genus Simonsiella, presumptively identified as S. muelleri, was isolated from a gastric aspirate taken from a neonate 15 min postpartum. The neonate showed a dental cyst and early eruption of teeth, confirmed by mandibular X ray. The morphological features, cultural characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolate are presented.

Bacteroidetes↗
PubMed1984

Immunolabelling of bacteriophage lambda receptor protein (LamB) on thin sections of E. coli embedded in Lowicryl.

LamB is one of the major cellular proteins when E. coli is grown in the presence of maltose and is localized in the outer membrane. Previous immunolabellings obtained with monoclonal antibodies showed that this protein is a transmembrane protein and led to the detection of 4 epitopes exposed on the cell surface and 2 located on the inner surface of the outer membrane (Scheckman et al., 1983). In the present study, we have used this biological model in order to see whether these two classes of epitopes could be distinguished by immunocytochemical labelling performed on thin sections of E. coli embedded in Lowicryl K4M (Carleman et al., 1982). The optimal conditions of fixation and embedding were first established for labelling with poly- or monoclonal antibodies detected by Protein A-gold complexes. The analysis of gold particle distribution on each side of the outer membrane after labelling with a polyclonal serum or after its adsorption on intact bacteria allowed us to conclude that the resolution of immunolabelling on thin sections was about 20 nm. The use monoclonal antibodies met with difficulties due mostly to the nonspecific labelling of the cytoplasm. Although this nonospecific labelling was decreased by fixing bacteria with paraformaldehyde alone, only one antibody gave a correct specific labelling after high dilution (1/3000). The gold particle distribution obtained with this antibody confirmed the location on the cell surface of this epitope.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1979

Pleomorphism in Cellulomonas acidula.

Pleomorphism of Cellulomonas acidula in liquid and on solid media is described. Growth in liquid medium is characterized initially by the formation of club-shaped rods and later by cocci. On solid media the organism formed irregular branched cells and large swollen cells.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1973

Characteristics of R931 and other Pseudomonas aeruginosa R factors.

R factors were detected in 3.3% of 233 hospital isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using P. aeruginosa recipients in conjugations. Transferred markers included streptomycin, tetracycline, and sulfonamide resistance. Gentamicin resistance was transferred from two strains previously shown to acetylate gentamicin. A group of R factors exemplified by R931 were characterized by failure to transfer to Escherichia coli recipients. Such R factors formed a single compatibility group when examined in a P. aeruginosa recipient. Other P. aeruginosa R factors, including RP4, showed stable coexistence with the R931 group. It is proposed that RP4 and similar R factors be members of the P-1 compatibility group and that R931, R3108, R209, and R130 be members of a group termed P-2. The buoyant densities of all R factors examined were similar, about 1.716 to 1.719 g/cm(3). The content of R-factor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) relative to the total DNA varied among the different R factors, ranging from about 18 +/- 2% in log-phase cells of 931 (R931) to undetectable for 679 (R679). However, R679, which transferred from strain 679 at extremely low and irregular frequencies to an E. coli host, was shown to represent about 4% R-factor DNA in that host. The relative DNA content of R931 appeared to decline in the stationary growth phase of 931 (R931) or 280 (R931). R931 covalently closed circular DNA was isolated by ethidium bromide-CsCl gradient centrifugation and examined by electron microscopy. Two major molecular distributions existed, having contour lengths of 0.5 and 12.4 mum. The molecular weights were estimated to be 10(6) and 25 x 10(6). Both molecules were under relaxed replication control. R factor R931 exists as a naturally occurring high-frequency transfer system in P. aeruginosa strains 931 and 1310. However, in strain 280 it acts as if subject to fertility repression. Other members of the P-2 compatibility group also are high-frequency transfer systems in the natural host and in strain 1310. RP4 is restricted from recipient strain 1310. Some additional recipient effects were noted in that strains 1310 or 280 sometimes differed in recipient effectiveness with a given donor. Agglutination reactions with absorbed antiserum were able to distinguish between two members of the same R-factor compatibility group, R931 and R3108.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1972

Prevention "gimmicks".

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Dental Caries Activity Tests↗
PubMed1967

Translocation of Indole-3-acetic Acid-1'-C and Tryptophan-1-C in Seedlings of Phaseolus coccineus L. and Zea mays L.

Indole-3-acetic acid-1'-(14)C (IAA-(14)C) and tryptophan-1-(14)C injected in small amounts into cotyledons of Phaseolus coccineus L. seedlings were found to be translocated acropetally into the epicotyls and young shoots. Similarly IAA-(14)C was translocated acropetally into coleoptiles of Zea mays following injection into the endosperms. Labeled metabolites of the injected compounds were also extractable from shoot tissue. However, evidence that IAA-(14)C itself was translocated acropetally was obtained by collection in agar blocks applied to cut surfaces of coleoptiles of injected seedlings. The acropetal translocation in Phaseolus was shown not to occur in the transpiration stream but in living tissue. Cotyledons of Phaseolus coccineus and Phaseolus vulgaris contain extensive vascular tissue.Tryptophan-(14)C was not actively translocated through excised segments of Phaseolus coccineus epicotyl and Zea mays coleoptile when supplied from donor agar blocks in concentrations as high as 100 mum. The small amount of tryptophan-(14)C which did reach receiver blocks when high concentrations were used may be accounted for by passive diffusion through the fluid-filled xylem vessels. Translocation of a non-toxic dye, Light Green SF Yellowish, through xylem vessels was found to occur when supplied from donor blocks placed acropetally or basipetally. Metabolism of the supplied tryptophan-(14)C by the tissue segments was shown to occur during the 3 to 6 hour translocation experiments. IAA-(14)C was transported in a strictly basipetal manner in both tissues. Only 1 labeled compound with an R(F) value of IAA was found in receiver blocks. Composition of a simple green safelight suitable for work in plant physiology is described.

Journal Article↗