Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R R White

Publications and source records attributed to R R White.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Neutrophil modulation by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. I. Chemotaxis, surface receptor expression and F-actin polymerization.

Localized juvenile periodontitis is an early onset periodontitis, usually localized to molars and incisors. Patients usually present with decreased chemotaxis of systemic neutrophils (PMNs) and infection with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The pathogenic mechanisms involved have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to determine if an extract of A. actinomycetemcomitans could induce changes in PMN chemotaxis similar to those reported in LJP patients. It was demonstrated that the bacterial extract was chemotactic for neutrophils. When neutrophils were pre-incubated with the bacterial extract, chemotaxis toward zymosan-activated serum, FMLP and the bacterial extract was inhibited in two different chemotaxis assays (Boyden chamber and under-agarose). Bacterial extract had no effect on random migration in either assay. Pre-incubation with the extract induced increased expression of CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), Gp110, and FMLP receptors and increased F-actin polymerization following FMLP or PMA stimulation compared to cells not treated with the extract. Treatment of the bacterial extract with proteinase K or phenol extraction reversed the PMN chemotaxis inhibition activity, but increased significantly the random migration of PMNs. Heating the bacterial extract to 56 degrees C had no effect on its activity. The component(s) in the bacterial extract that inhibits chemotaxis is therefore a protein(s), not sensitive to 56 degrees C, and is not endotoxin. This study suggests that A. actinomycetemcomitans may contribute to the pathogenesis of localized juvenile periodontitis by inhibiting chemotaxis. Interference with chemotaxis by A. actinomycetemcomitans, however, occurs through a mechanism other than inhibition of actin assembly, reduction of CD11b/CD18 or Gp110 expression, or blockage/downregulation of FMLP receptors.

Actins↗

Neutrophil modulation by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. II. Phagocytosis and development of respiratory burst.

Compromised neutrophil function has been found in a number of patients with localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP), although the pathogenic mechanism is unknown. Since infection with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is frequently found in patients with LJP, we have evaluated in vitro the effect of a bacterial extract of A. actinomycetemcomitans on the development of the respiratory burst by neutrophils. Pre-incubation of neutrophils with bacterial extract increased H2O2 induced by FMLP and zymosan in a dose-dependent fashion. Substitution of FMLP for bacterial extract produced similar results. Moreover, FMLP and bacterial extract had an additive effect on superoxide production following phagocytosis of zymosan. In contrast, bacterial extract significantly decreased PMA-stimulated H2O2, but pre-incubation with FMLP instead of bacterial extract failed to decrease PMA-stimulated H2O2. Bacterial extract did not change the percentage of cells activated by FMLP, opsonized zymosan, or PMA. Heat-treated bacterial extract induced effects similar to non-treated extract. Bacterial extract treated with proteinase K or phenol extraction increased FMLP or zymosan stimulated H2O2 equivalent to non-treated bacterial extract. In contrast, proteinase K or phenol extraction abolished the inhibitory effect of bacterial extract on PMA-stimulated H2O2 production. The bacterial extract component(s) that inhibits PMA-stimulated H2O2 is therefore a protein(s), resistant to 56 degrees C, and is not endotoxin. The partially activated state of PMNs exposed to A. actinomycetemcomitans extract, combined with their reduced ability to respond to a protein kinase C-dependent stimulus, may partially explain the abnormalities noted in LJP patients.

Adult↗

Poisonous snakebite in central Texas. Possible indicators for antivenin treatment.

Sixty-seven patients hospitalized for poisonous snakebite between 1975 and 1990 were managed by elevation, tetanus prophylaxis, intravenous fluids and antibiotics, and often by a limited excision of the bite site in the Emergency Department, with sequential laboratory studies as needed. Antivenin was used for systemic envenomation, and 23 of the 67 patients (34%) received 133 vials. Thirteen of the twenty-three patients (56%) had adverse reactions to the antivenin. Two significant observations arose. First age was an indicator. Eleven of eighteen patients 12 years or younger (61%) received antivenin, whereas 12 of 49 patients older than 12 years (24%) received antivenin (p = 0.0085, Fisher's exact test). Second species of snake was an indicator. Sixty-two snakes were identified (93%). Of 39 rattlesnake (Crotalus and Sistrurus) bites, 20 patients received antivenin (53%), but of 23 copperhead and water moccasin (Agkistrodon) bites, only three patients (12.5%) received antivenin (p = 0.0025). Antivenin may be indicated for use in systemic rattlesnake envenomation, especially in younger patients.

Adolescent↗

Nonunion of the proximal humerus. A review of 25 cases.

Records of 25 patients with nonunion of the proximal humerus were reviewed retrospectively. The initial fractures included 19 two-part surgical neck fractures and six three-part fractures. Fourteen fractures were treated nonoperatively and 11 surgically. Nine of 11 of the initial internal fixations were unsatisfactory. At the time of fracture 16 patients had one or more significant medical illnesses. Nonunion of the proximal humerus was associated with considerable morbidity. Patients complained of pain, stiffness, and disability in association with shoulder dysfunction. Four treatment groups were evaluated. Patients who declined treatment and patients treated with nonreamed intramedullary nails had limited shoulder motion and pain without union. Patients treated with proximal humeral hemiarthroplasty had relief of pain but limited motion despite rotator cuff reconstruction. The best results of treatment occurred after open reduction with internal fixation and bone grafting. A tension band construction that fixed the rotator cuff and proximal humerus to a plate/shaft composite was used successfully in seven patients. Although satisfactory reconstruction of nonunion of the proximal humerus can be obtained, the results of treatment in this series were only fair. Only 48% (12 of 25 patients) had good results.

Adolescent↗

A silicone model method to compare three methods of preparing the root canal.

To compare the ability of three methods of preparing root canals to provide a properly shaped canal, silicone models were used. The canals of extracted teeth were prepared and filled with a silicone impression material. The teeth were dissolved, and the remaining models were studied and photographed. The hand instrument group and the SET angle were equal. The subsonic instrument did not shape a canal as well as the other two.

Dental Impression Materials↗

Antibacterial effects of glass ionomers.

Glass ionomer cements have been shown to possess antimicrobial activity. Proposed mechanisms of action include acidity and fluoride. It was the purpose of this study to determine the antimicrobial effect of 11 glass ionomer cements, their individual powder and liquid components and one resin-bonded liner containing high fluoride ionomer glass against Streptococcus mutans #6715. The role of fluoride and pH in the antibacterial activity was also studied. Using agar diffusion assay methodology, the following results were obtained. All of the glass ionomer cements were inhibitory against S. mutans. The antibacterial cements and slurries that were tested for fluoride, released the ion in excess of reported minimum inhibitory values. The antimicrobial activity of the liquid components, that were tested for the effects of pH changes, was totally lost when the pH was adjusted to 5. The resin bonded liner was inactive against S. mutans and did not release inhibitory concentrations of fluoride. These results indicate that freshly-mixed glass ionomer cements are antimicrobial against S. mutans and that the mechanism of action is probably a function of both fluoride and pH although additional factors may be involved.

Dental Cements↗

Arthroscopic bullet retrieval.

The removal of loose bodies and foreign bodies are two of the more readily accomplished arthroscopic procedures. This case illustrates the successful use of the arthroscope to remove an unusual foreign body from the knee.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Kinin generation in the gingival inflammatory response to topically applied bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

A water-soluble lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella enteritidis and a phenol-soluble lipopolysaccharide from Leptotrichia buccalis were applied topically to the healthy marginal gingivae of beagle dogs. Saline was applied to contralateral areas as an internal control. Increases in vascular permeability were monitored by measurement of gingival fluid, and the collected gingival fluid samples were assayed for kininogenase and kinin activities. Both lipopolysaccharides induced an inflammatory response, as indicated by increased gingival fluid flow. Kininogenase-kinin activities paralleled the increases in gingival fluid flow, with the highest values being associated with peak increases in gingival fluid. The results indicate that both lipopolysaccharides, although different in lipid solubility, penetrate healthy sulcular epithelium and initiate an inflammatory response which is mediated in part by the kallikrein-kinin system. Interrelationships between this system and other inflammatory mediators suggest that kinin generation not only plays a role in the early phases of acute gingival inflammation, but may also contribute to the activation of other mediators appearing later in the response and in chronic inflammatory lesions.

Administration, Topical↗