PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C L Pankhurst

Publications and source records attributed to C L Pankhurst.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Glycoproteins in human parotid saliva assessed by lectin probes after resolution by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Human parotid salivary glycoproteins separated by gradient sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotted onto nitrocellulose have been investigated using a battery of biotinylated lectin probes of characterized sugar specificity. Lectin binding, detected on blots using avidin-biotin complex (ABC) and a chemiluminescence generating substrate, was recorded on photographic film and compared with the original fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) stained blots or with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250-stained gels run in parallel. A number of glycoprotein bands which were undetected by protein stains or the periodic acid Schiff reaction were revealed by lectins. Binding by lectins from Concanavalia ensiformis, Lens culinaris, Limax flavus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Ricinus communis, Triticum vulgaris, Lotus tetragonobulus and Ulex europaeus indicated that sialylated and fucosylated triantennary and bisected, N-linked complex sugar chains were present on many glycoproteins in addition to the major glycosylated proline-rich glycoprotein (GI). Binding with lectins from Arachis hypogaea and Dolichos biflorus indicated that the O-linked sugar chains were confined to the alpha-heavy chain of Ig A. Comparison of lectin binding in samples from five healthy individuals revealed differences in a number of glycoproteins in addition to the previously characterized G1 and CON 1/CON 2 polymorphisms and demonstrated that the H blood group antigen was expressed mainly on G1 in parotid saliva. This study will be used as a basis upon which to study salivary glycoproteins in diseases affecting parotid glands.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The environmental risk factors associated with medical and dental equipment in the transmission of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia in cystic fibrosis patients.

Transmission of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia by close contact with colonized patients is well documented, and minimizing social contact between cystic fibrosis (CF) patients by segregation and cohorting of B. cepacia colonized patients has achieved some success in controlling the nosocomial and community spread of this organism. However, direct and indirect environmental transmission still occurs. There is evidence for transmission of B. cepacia to CF patients via pulmonary test equipment, nebulizers and other respiratory equipment used both in CF centres and for homecare, but little or no evidence of spread through aerosols, dental equipment, hands, contaminated disinfectants and water supplies. Infection control procedures for reducing the transmission of B. cepacia are discussed.

Burkholderia Infections↗
PubMed1996

Diagnosis and management of the dry mouth: Part 1.

Dry mouth is a relatively common problem, often neglected by patients and dentists alike. This article reviews the symptoms, causes and treatment of xerostomia and provides guidelines for recognizing the condition at an early stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Activity of sucralfate (sucrose octa-sulphate), an anti-ulcer agent, against opportunistic gram-negative bacilli.

The in-vitro activity of sucralfate (sucrose octa-sulphate) in suspension was examined against 128 strains of Gram-negative bacilli. Inhibitory activity was demonstrated against all isolates and bactericidal activity was demonstrated for 68. Sucralfate has inhibitory and bactericidal antibacterial activity which may contribute to its in-vivo clinical efficacy.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of contamination of the dentist and dental surgery environment with Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia during treatment of children with cystic fibrosis.

Pulmonary colonization with Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the dentist and the dental surgery environment become contaminated during treatment of CF patients colonized with B. cepacia. Extensive environmental sampling was carried out during aerosol-generating treatment sessions on four CF patients whose sputum was persistently colonized with B. cepacia. Samples of surgery air, and of water from the air-turbine, three-in-one syringe and their supply-lines, were tested before and after an aerosol-generating treatment session with each patient. Settle plates were placed on the bracket table and work-surfaces, and within the portable suction unit's exhaust housing unit during treatment, and swabs were obtained from various items of dental equipment at the end of treatment. Swabs of the buccal mucosa were obtained from each patient before treatment, and from the dentist before and after treatment. B. cepacia was isolated from the swabs of three of the patients, but not from those taken from the dentist or from any of the environmental samples. The results suggest that CF patients colonized with B. cepacia appear to constitute a low risk for environmental contamination and are unlikely to be an important means of transmission between CF patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Use of CHROMagar Candida medium for isolation of yeasts from dental samples.

A new differential medium, CHROMagar Candida, for the isolation of clinically important yeasts was investigated to determine its usefulness in facilitating the study of oral yeasts. The recovery of yeasts on the medium was not significantly different from the recovery on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The identities of 450 green colonies on CHROMagar Candida, presumptively identified as Candida albicans on the basis of the manufacturer's instructions, were confirmed by testing for beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. Candida tropicalis also formed distinctive colonies, and other yeasts including Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata, Candida Parapsilosis, Candida Magnoliae, Candida lusitaniae, Candida Famata, Candida kefir, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were readily distinguished from C. albicans and C. tropicalis isolates. CHROMagar Candida is a very useful medium, and its use will facilitate the study of yeasts associated with dental diseases.

Candida↗
PubMed1994

Prophylactic application of an intra-alveolar socket medicament to reduce postextraction complications in HIV-seropositive patients.

A prospective, controlled trial was performed to investigate the effect of a prophylactic socket medicament containing chlortetracycline, aspirin, and local anesthetics, in reducing the incidence of postextraction pain and infection in patients who are HIV-seropositive. Fifty patients were in the study; 25 received the experimental dressing and 25 had no dressing. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire rating the pain at 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery. Seven days after extraction, socket healing was scored, and sockets with delayed healing sampled for culture. Four of 25 (16%) patients who received the experimental dressing and 8 of 25 (32%) controls experienced pain during the 48 hours after extraction (p = not significant). None of the group who received the experimental dressing and 7 of 25 (28%) in the control group had delayed healing, of these 4 had alveolar osteitis and three had infected sockets (p = 0.0096). We conclude that the experimental agent is useful as a prophylactic agent to reduce delayed healing in HIV-positive patients who undergo exodontia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

The microbiological quality of water in dental chair units.

Infection control is an important issue in the dental surgery but the potential hazards associated with contaminated dental water have received relatively little attention in recent years. The complex design of the equipment results in stagnation of water within the dental chair and subsequent amplification of contaminating environmental organisms, including pseudomonads and legionellae, to potentially hazardous levels. Immunocompromised patients may be at particular risk of infection. Very poor water quality with total bacterial counts above 10(4) ml-1 is unpleasant for all patients, and the dental chair supply should be of drinking water quality. In addition to these problems, bacteria and viruses may be aspirated from the oral cavity and contaminate the handpiece. Measures to reduce microbial contamination of dental chairs and equipment include flushing water through the chair's equipment at the beginning of each day; continuous or pulsed water chlorination, or application of biocides other than chlorine; provision of sterile bottled water in the system; and autoclaving handpieces between patients. Future dental chair design must attempt to resolve the problems associated with microbial contamination of the water supply and aerosols generated during dental procedures.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1990

The efficacy of chlorination and filtration in the control and eradication of Legionella from dental chair water systems.

The apparent failure of hyperchlorination and continuous dosing with chlorine to eliminate legionellae from a dental teaching hospital water supply prompted a prospective study to evaluate charcoal filters as a means of decontamination. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 10 and L. bozemanii serogroup 2 were isolated from dental units yielding 10(1)-10(3) colony forming units (cfu) ml-1 with total bacterial counts in the range 10(2)-greater than 10(4) cfu ml-1. After chair-side installation of charcoal filters bacterial contamination of the dental unit water was prevented and legionellae were initially not detected, but after 7 days the total count returned to pre-filtration levels of greater than 10(4) cfu ml-1; L. pneumophila serogroup 10 was eliminated but L. bozemanii serogroup 2 persisted. These results suggest that neither chlorination nor charcoal filtration deal adequately with the potential hazard of Legionella spp. in dental water.

Charcoal↗
PubMed1988

Multiple idiopathic external root resorption. A case report.

An unusual case of multiple idiopathic external apical root resorption affecting all four quadrants, in a patient with a history of narcotic intravenous drug addiction and liver disease, is reported. The literature relating to a systemic etiology for external root resorption is briefly reviewed.

Adult↗