bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of tetracycline resistance in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Roe D. E. , Braham P. H. , Weinberg A. , Roberts M. C.
Published: December 2007

Comparison of susceptibility data for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been difficult because of the lack of standard susceptibility testing conditions. In this study, minimum inhibitory concentration to tetracycline was evaluated by comparing different media, air conditions and incubation times. Ten of 22 (45%) A. actinomycetemcomitans isolated from periodontally diseased sites grew on media supplemented with 4 μg per ml of tetracycline, but minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.125 to 8 μg/ml depending on the media and condition used. The best results were obtained with brain heart infusion agar (Difco Laboratories, Detroit MI) incubated in 5% CO2 for 48 h. Eighteen (82%) of the A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates hybridized with the Tet B determinant. The Tet B determinant was transferable between A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates as well as a Haemophilus influenzae recipient and appears to be associated with conjugative plasmids.
Effect of saliva composition on growth of Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata
Authors: Lenander‐Lumikari M. , Johansson I.
Published: December 2007

Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata are the most prevalent yeasts in humans. The majority harbor C. albicans in the oral cavity, but only a few develop oral candidiasis. We have sought a possible relationship between indigenous salivary constituents, including antimicrobial and nutritive factors, and the growth rate and/or viability of inoculated fungi in glucose‐supplemented sterilized saliva. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 30 healthy donors. Saliva samples were sterilized, supplemented with glucose and inoculated with C. albicans or T. glabrata. After incubation of the inoculates for 20 h, the number of viable cells were counted. All saliva samples were analyzed for different indigenous salivary components and Candida before as well as after sterilization. Besides a 4% reduction in calcium (Ca2+) and thiocyanate (SCN−) concentrations, sterilization did not affect the concentrations of saliva electrolytes, but the proteins were significantly reduced (19–85%). Indigenous candidal carriage (n=19) correlated with neither the growth of inoculated fungi nor any of the analyzed components in saliva. The growth of C. albicans and T. glabrata was similar at pH 5 but, at pH 6, C. albicans had a remarkably slower growth rate than T. glabrata. Statistical analysis showed that the 5‐h growth of C. albicans at pH 5 was associated with water and electrolyte secretion, whereas the growth after 20 h was associated with variations in protein‐glycoprotein content. The growth of T. glabrata was not related to variations in the salivary variables analyzed.
Interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and IL‐6‐producing memory T‐cells in peripheral blood and gingival tissues in periodontitis patients with high serum antibody titers to Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Aoyagi T. , Sugawara‐Aoyagi M. , Yamazaki K. , Hara K.
Published: December 2007

We assessed cytokine production and proliferation of memory T‐cells that were isolated from peripheral blood of adult periodontitis patients with high anti‐Porphyromonas gingivalis titer. Memory T‐cells were stimulated with P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide, sonicates and formalin‐killed whole cells. Interleukin 4 (IL‐4)‐ and IL‐6‐producing cells were stained by immunocytochemically on peripheral blood smears and compared with cryostat sections of autologous gingival biopsies. Memory T‐cells in the peripheral blood of patients rated significantly higher than in healthy subjects (32.3±7.1 vs 25,3±3.0%). Stimulation of patient‐derived memory T‐cells with P. gingivalis whole cells induced higher IL‐4 production than in healthy subjects (4.4±4.1% vs 0.7±0.6%). Induction of IL‐4‐producing memory T‐cells by P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide and whole cells was respectively 1.37 and 1.56 times that induced by medium alone. IL‐6 production did not differ between the groups. Proliferation of memory T‐cells in healthy subjects tended to be more inhibited by P. gingivalis antigens than that in patients. In some patients, induction of IL‐4‐ and IL‐6‐producing memory T‐cells in peripheral blood and in autologous gingival biopsies tended to coincide. Memory T‐cells with functional characteristics of Th2 could be a crucial cell population capable of reflecting individual susceptibility to periodontitis.
The effect of sodium hypochlorite on potential pathogenic traits of Candida albicans and other Candida species
Authors: Webb B. C. , Willcox M. D. P. , Thomas C. J. , Harty D. W. S. , Knox K. W.
Published: December 2007

Strains of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida kefyr, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida guilliermondii were grown in the presence or absence of concentrations of sodium hypochlorite below the minimal inhibitory concentration and tested for a range of characteristics that may be associated with pathogenicity. Sodium hypochlorite is used routinely in hospitals in Australia for disinfection procedures, and these experiments were designed to assess the efficacy of hypochlorite as a sterilizing agent for acrylic dentures. Candida showed varying abilities to adhere to surfaces that may be present in the oral cavity. Sodium hypochlorite reduced the adhesion of all C. albicans strains and most other Candida species to both polystyrene and buccal epithelial cells. A biofilm of Streptococcus gordonii reduced the adhesion of most C. albicans strains and most other Candida species to polystyrene. However, Candida species were able to coaggregate with S. gordonii in suspension, with one strain of C. albicans, GDH 2346, showing greater coaggregating ability than the other strains or species. Sodium hypochlorite increased coaggregation of all C. albicans strains and most other Candida species. Examination of cell wall proteins from strains of C. albicans and a strain of C. parapsilosis showed that growth in hypochlorite increased the amount of protein in some existing bands and, in one strain of C. albicans, increased the number of detectable protein bands ranging from 56 to 26 kDa. Only 4 strains of C. albicans were able to produce hyphae, and 3 of these same strains and C. parapsilosis were able to produce proteinase. Hypochlorite increased the rate of blastospore to hyphal transition but had no effect on proteinase production or activity. It is concluded that hypochlorite at a concentration below the minimal inhibitory concentration may function as an anti‐adhesin for Candida species but may not affect their more pathogenic characteristics.
Modulation of glycosidase and protease activities by chemostat growth conditions in an endocarditis strain of Streptococcus sanguis
Authors: Mayo J. A. , Zhu H. , Harty D. W. S. , Knox K. W.
Published: December 2007

The effects of growth conditions on the properties of the endocarditis‐producing oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguis FSS2 were studied. This strain produces a variety of proteases and glycosidases, including a thrombin‐like activity that is a potential virulence factor for endocarditis. Cultures were grown with limiting glucose or galactose in chemostats over a range of dilution rates and pH levels, and the following activities were measured at pH 7.5: thrombin‐like, Hageman factor‐like, N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐galactosaminidase, β‐D‐glucosidase, and β‐D‐galactosid‐ase. At growth pH 6.5, specific activities generally decreased as the dilution rate increased from 0.05 to 0.40 h−1. At a dilution rate of 0.1 h−1 specific activities generally were highest at growth pH 6.5 and lower and approximately equal at growth pH 5.5 and 7.5. The major exception was the thrombin‐like activity, for which the specific activity at growth pH 7.5 was approximately 5‐fold higher than at growth pH 5.5. Hageman factor‐like activity was apparently glucose catabolite repressible, as its activity was 3‐fold higher in galactose cultures. The measured activities changed as functions of growth conditions and thus were modulated by environment. Environmental regulation of thrombin‐like activity by pH is consistent with an activity that is less important on tooth surfaces than in tissues.
Simultaneous monitoring of intracellular pH and proton excretion during glycolysis by Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis: effect of low pH and fluoride
Authors: Iwami Y. , Hata S. , Schachtele C. F. , Yamada T.
Published: December 2007

A system was developed by which 2′,7′‐bis(carboxyethyl)‐4 or 5‐carboxyfluorescein could be used to monitor intracellular pH at the same time that proton excretion was being measured. Streptococcal cells were loaded with the dye, and after the addition of glucose protons were excreted and the intracellular pH increased quickly and remained higher than the extracellular pH of 7.0. The excretion of protons stopped and the intracellular pH returned to the original level when glucose was depleted. The intracellular level of ATP remained high during glucose metabolism and decreased with the depletion of glucose. At extracellular pH of 5.5, and 5.0, the intracellular pH of fasting cells was higher than the extracellular pH value. After addition of glucose there were initial lags of proton excretion and of increases in intracellular pH at the acidic extracellular pH values. In the presence of fluoride, a lag in proton excretion and a simultaneous decrease in intracellular pH were observed, indicating a partial and transient inhibition of proton‐ATPase activity.
Effect of antibodies on chemiluminescence and on killing of Streptococcus sobrinus by polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: van Raamsdonk M. , de Soet J. J. , Bosch‐Tijhof C. J. , de Graaff J.
Published: December 2007

The effect of a polyclonal antiserum and OMVU10, a monoclonal antibody reactive with Antigen B of Streptococcus sobrinus, on the interaction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with S. sobrinus was studied, using chemiluminescence and bacterial killing assays. Increased stimulation of neutrophils as measured in the chemiluminescence assays was established when S. sobrinus was preincubated with polyclonal antiserum or when polyclonal antiserum was added to the reaction mixture. Higher counts were measured in comparison to preimmune serum. After 90 min, 52% of S. sobrinus preincubated with polyclonal antiserum was killed. Killing was also increased when polyclonal antiserum was added to the reaction mixture in comparison to the controls. No killing was found when bacteria were preincubated with OMVU10 or when OMVU10 was added to the reaction mixture in comparison to Clone 24, a control antibody.
Fimbrial‐mediated colonization of murine teeth by Actinomyces naeslundii
Authors: Beem J. E. , Hurley C. G. , Nesbitt W.E. , Croft D.F. , Marks R. G. , Cisar J. O. , Clark W. B.
Published: December 2007

Groups of mice fed diets high in sucrose or glucose were orally inoculated with 1010, 109 or 108 colony‐forming units of one of the following Actinomyces naeslundii strains possessing the type 1 (T1 +) and/or the type 2 (T2+) fimbriae: T14V‐J1 (T1+, T2+), 5519 (T1+), 5951 (T2+), and 147 (non‐fimbriated). Ninety‐six hours after inoculation their upper jaws were cultured to look at the implantation of each of these strains on the teeth. In mice fed a sucrose diet, regardless of the presence or absence of fimbriae, each bacterial strain colonized 100% of the mice at the highest inoculation doses of the infecting organism. But at a dose of 108, T14V‐J1 was the only strain which colonized 100% (12/12) of the mice, 5519 colonized 10/11, 5951 colonized 9/11 and 147 colonized 7/11. These differences were not statistically significant. When mice were fed a high‐glucose diet, 100% infection was achieved with strains T14V‐J1, 5519 and 5951 only at the highest dose of 1010 colony‐forming units. Strain 147 colonized in 8/9 of the mice at that dosage. At lower dosages, no bacterial strain implanted in 100% of the mice. In the glucose experiment at a dose of 108, strains expressing the T1 fimbriae implanted significantly better than strains without the T1 fimbriae. At a dose of 109 colony‐forming units, the parent strain T14V‐J1 implanted significantly better than strains without the T1 fimbriae. Similarly, strain 5519 (T1+) implanted significantly better than 5951 and implanted better than 147, although the difference was not significant. These results suggest that while the presence of the T1 and T2 fimbriae may confer some advantage in the establishment of these organisms in vivo, even the strains without fimbriae were able to colonize. Strains T14VJ1 and 5519 were found to bind well to hydroxyapatite treated with mouse saliva, while strains 5951 and 147 did not. Only T2 fimbriated strains T14V‐J1 and 5951 exhibited a lactose‐reversible coaggreation with indigenous strains of enter‐ococci that may contribute to the elevated levels of colonization of strain 5951 in vivo.
Oral diseases, mycology and periodontal microbiology of HIV‐1‐infected women
Authors: Brady L. J. , Walker C. , Oxford G. E. , Stewart C. , Magnusson I. , McArthur W.
Published: December 2007

HIV‐1 infection is increasing more rapidly among heterosexual women. Relatively limited information is available on HIV‐related oral pathoses in these individuals. To gain insight into the type and occurrence of oral lesions in this population, 25 HIV‐1 infected women including asymptomatic, symptomatic and AIDS patients were examined clinically and sampled for detection of oral yeast and characterization of their subgingival microbial flora. Sixty percent of the subjects were African‐American, with 80% infected via heterosexual contact. Oral candidiasis was the most common nonperiodontal oral lesion, observed in 44% of the patients. Oral yeast was cultured from all women with candidiasis and 76% of the total subjects. Oral hairy leukoplakia was clinically diagnosed in 16% of the subjects. Clinically mild to moderate gingivitis and periodontitis were observed in 84% and 52% of the patients, respectively. Candidiasis and the presence of cultivable yeast were observed in patients with low, intermediate, and high CD4+ T lymphocyte numbers. Plaque samples were collected from each subject and enumerated by predominant cultivable methods, selective media and microscopy. No differences were detected in the microflora associated with seropositive women with existing periodontitis relative to those without periodontitis or to seronegative women with periodontitis. Candidiasis was the most notable oral clinical manifestation in the HIV‐1‐infected women and may be a useful clinical indicator of early immune dysfunction mediated by HIV‐1.
Likelihood of transmitting Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in families with periodontitis
Authors: Asikainen S. , Chen C. , Slots J.
Published: December 2007

This study examined the frequency of spouse‐to‐spouse and parent‐child transmission of the periodontal pathogens Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (124 subjects in 47 families) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (78 subjects in 31 families). The two test organisms were recovered from subgingival and tongue surface specimens using established microbiological techniques. Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP‐PCR) was used to genetically characterize isolates of the test species. The probability of isolating identical AP‐PCR types of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis in family members by chance was estimated from the AP‐PCR genotype distribution of the two species among unrelated individuals. A probability of 5% or less for occurrence by chance alone suggests intra‐familial transmission. With a bacterium‐positive spouse, A. actinomycetemcomitans revealed inter‐spousal transmission in 4/11 (36%) married couples and P. gingivalis in 2/10 (20%) married couples. Parent‐child transmission of A. actinomycetemcomitans took place in 6/19 (32%) families. P. gingivalis was not transmitted from parent to child in any of the study families. The intra‐familial transmission of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis may in part explain a familial pattern of periodontitis and may have important prophylactic and treatment implications.
Duplication and differential expression of hemagglutinin genes in Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Lépine G. , Progulske‐Fox A.
Published: December 2007

A third hemagglutinin gene, defined as hagC, was cloned from Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 and sequenced. This gene was found to encode a protein highly homologous (98.6%) to the previously reported HagB hemagglutinin protein. The upstream and downstream regions of hagB and hagC were found to share less than 40% homology compared with 99% for their open reading frames. The anti‐genie relationship between the two hemagglutinins was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. When expressed in an in vitro transcription‐translation system, both genes encoded a protein with a molecular mass of 49 kDa. As determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the steady‐state levels of hagB and hagC mRNAs were found to vary according to the growth phase and hemin concentration. The amount of transcripts decreased in hemin‐limited conditions or in the absence of hemin. Furthermore, hagB mRNAs were detected in the early logarithmic growth phase compared with the hagC transcripts, which were detected only in the mid‐exponential phase of growth.
interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α stimulate synergistically the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in fibroblastic cells derived from human periodontal ligament
Authors: Ozaki K. , Hanazawa S. , Takeshita A. , Chen Y. , Watanabe A. , Nishida K. , Miyata Y. , Kitano S.
Published: December 2007

The present study demonstrates that interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) induce and synergistically stimulate monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) expression in fibroblasts from human periodontal ligament. IL‐1β and TNF‐α induced in a dose‐dependent manner the expression of the MCP‐1 gene in the fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament. However, such an inducing effect was not observed with IL‐6 and interferon‐γ. The peak expression of the MCP‐1 gene by IL‐1β or TNF‐α was observed at 3 h after initiation of their treatment. Furthermore, IL‐1β in combination with TNF‐α synergistically stimulated the MCP‐1 gene expression in the cells. We also observed significant chemotactic activity for human monocytes in conditioned medium of fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament treated with both cytokines. The stimulated chemotactic activity induced by these cytokines depended on both dose and treatment time. The chemotactic activity in conditioned medium of IL‐1β‐treated fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament was neutralized by antiserum specific for MCP‐1 protein. The MCP‐1 gene product in conditioned medium of IL‐1β‐treated fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament was shown to have a molecular mass of 11,000 Da by immunoprecipitation with the specific antiserum, and IL‐1β also stimulated synergistically MCP‐1 protein expression in combination with TNF‐α. These results suggest that IL‐1β and TNF‐α may contribute to the infiltration of monocytes into inflammatory sites of periodontal ligament tissues via the MCP‐1 gene product produced by fibroblasts from the human periodontal ligament.
Characterization of Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens by enzyme production, restriction endonuclease and ribosomal RNA gene restriction analyses
Authors: Pearce M. A. , Dixon R. A. , Gharbia S. E. , Shah H. N. , Devine D. A.
Published: December 2007

Restriction endonuclease analysis, rRNA gene restriction analysis (ribotyping), multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and lipase production were investigated for their potential to differentiate isolates belonging to the closely‐related species Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. Of 122 strains identified originally as P. intermedia, 52 were assigned to P. intermedia and 68 to P. nigrescens using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. All 39 P. intermedia and 52 out of 53 P. nigrescens tested produced lipase. Restriction endonuclease analysis identified clonal variants, but did not facilitate the differentiation of strains into species. Tag I ribotyping of 99 strains revealed that all P. intermedia demonstrated a species‐specific fragment of 0.40 kbp, which was always associated with a second fragment of 0.57 kbp, and all P. nigrescens tested shared a species‐specific fragment of 2.21 kbp. Two strains atypical by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis had none of the above species‐specific fragments. Thus, lipase production and restriction endonuclease analysis did not distinguish between P. intermedia and P. nigrescens, but Tag I ribotyping did and also allowed the characterization of individual strains.
Development of a gene transfer system in Treponema denticola by electroporation
Authors: Li H. , Kuramitsu H. K.
Published: December 2007

Treponema denticola is strongly implicated in the etiology of periodontal diseases. However, genetic transformation of this organism has not been reported. We now demonstrate a gene transfer system in T. denticola by electroporation using a broad host plasmid pKT210 as a shuttle vector. Plasmid extraction, Southern blot hybridization as well as the polymerase chain reaction indicated the presence of the plasmid in T. denticola transformants. The restriction patterns of plasmid pKT210 rescued from the T. denticola transformants in Escherichea coli suggested that some of the rescued plasmids were identical to the original pKT210, but some of them had been modified. This transformation system could be a potentially useful tool for genetic manipulation of oral spirochetes.
Nutritional analysis and an enriched medium for fermentative treponemes isolated from subgingival plaque
Authors: Koseki T. , Ishikawa I. , Boutsi E. , He T. , Benno Y.
Published: December 2007

In order to cultivate fermentative treponemes isolated on Medium 10 with the plate‐in‐bottle method from subgingival plaque, we developed the enriched Medium 10. Enriched Medium 10 broth consisted mainly of Trypticase peptone (2 g/1), yeast extract (10 g/1), glucose (5 g/1) and volatile fatty acids mixture (3.1 ml/1). The growth curves in enriched Medium 10 broth showed that clinical isolates of Treponema socranskii reached the early stationary phase on the 3rd–5th day, and the doubling times averaged 22.2 h. By using enriched Medium 10, the nutritional analysis of oral treponemes was examined for each compound of the volatile fatty acid and various sera. Clinical isolates were found to require iso‐butyric acid, 2‐methylbutyric acids and/or iso‐caproic acid independently for their growth. However, the growth of these fermentative treponemes was inhibited by addition of various sera to this medium.
The establishment of a community of oral bacteria that controls the growth of Candida albicans in a chemostat
Authors: Basson N. J. , van Wyk C. W.
Published: December 2007

The purpose of this study was to establish and identify a community of oral bacteria that controls the growth of Candida albicans in the chemostat. The chemostat was operated under glucose‐limiting conditions at a dilution rate of 0.05 h−1 and inoculated with a yeast‐free suspension of a tongue scraping. After a steady state had been reached, it was inoculated with C. albicans to establish the yeast and determine whether its growth could be contained. The steady‐state community comprised the species Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mitis, Lacto‐bacillus casei, Eubacterium saburreum, Veillonella dispar and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Bacteroides gracilus and Haemophilus segnis were also detected but infrequently. Yeast growth was suppressed and yeast cells were lost at the same rate as the theoretical washout rate. It is concluded that this mixed community of oral bacteria can be used to identify the parameters that maintain the equilibrium between oral bacteria and C. albicans in the oral cavity.
Evidence for serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses in Macaca fascicularis identified by monoclonal antibodies to human IgG subclasses
Authors: Ebersole J. L. , Bauman G. R. , Cox O'Dell S. E. , Giardino A.
Published: December 2007

This investigation determined the capacity of murine monoclonal antibodies directed to human immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses to identify molecules with conserved epitopes in the serum of the nonhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis. We subsequently utilized this cross‐reactivity to document the characteristics of IgG subclass antibody responses in M. fascicularis to parenteral immunization with intact oral microorganisms, antigens from oral microorganisms, and finally a defined protein toxin, tetanus toxoid. The IgG response in nonhuman primates immunized with tetanus toxoid showed a 40‐fold and 110‐fold increase after primary and secondary immunizations, respectively. The major IgG subclass responses were IgG1 and IgG3, with little, though significant, responses in the IgG4 and IgG2 subclasses. Seventy‐five to 94% of the natural IgG antibody in nonhuman primate sera to Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Campylobacter rectus was IgG1. IgG2 and IgG3 predominated to Bacteroides fragilis, IgG4 to Actinomyces viscosus and an equal distribution among the subclasses was noted in response to Fusobacterium nucleatum. Parenteral immunization of nonhuman primates with intact P. gingivalis elicited primarily IgG3 and IgG4, while the post‐immunization IgG response to P. intermedia was largely IgG1. Nonhuman primates were also parenterally immunized with cell envelope antigens of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, or a combination of cell envelope antigen from C. rectus and F. nucleatum and cell wall antigens of A. viscosus. The greatest IgG antibody response seen post‐immunization was reactive with anti‐human IgG1 for all of these antigens except to C. rectus which bound nonhuman primate antibody reactive with anti‐human IgG2. It appears that the bacteria and their products exhibit unique differences in their induction of serum IgG subclass antibody responses. The characteristics of their immunogenicity as detected by the nonhuman primate may contribute to the ability of the immune responses to effectively interact with these pathogens.
Detection of identical ribotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients residing in the United States, Sudan, Romania and Norway
Authors: Ali R. W. , Martin L. , Haffajee A. D. , Socransky S. S.
Published: December 2007

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been isolated from periodontitis lesions in subjects from many geographical locations. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether similar ribotypes of P. gingivalis could be detected among strains isolated in different countries. A total of 198 isolates of P. gingivalis were obtained from 52 periodontitis patients in Boston (130 isolates), Bergen, Norway (17 isolates), Khartoum, Sudan (26 isolates), and Bucharest, Romania (25 isolates). DNA was isolated from each strain, cut separately by the restriction endonucleases KpnI and PstI. The resulting preparations were subjected to electrophoresis in a 0.8% agarose gel using a Tris‐acetate EDTA buffer. Uncut lambda and a 1000‐bp fragment of 16S rRNA were included as internal standards in each lane. In addition, a HindIII digest of lambda was present in a separate lane in each run. The DNA fragments were transferred to a nylon membrane by downward capillary transfer. 16S rRNA bands were detected using a 1000‐kb digoxigenin‐labelled probe generated by a polymerase chain reaction. At the same time, a digoxigenin‐labelled probe to lambda was employed to detect the internal and molecular weight standards. The bands were detected using antibody to digoxigenin conjugated to alkaline phosphatase and chemiluminescence. The positions of the bands relative to the internal standards were determined and normalized to correct for run‐to‐run variations, and the molecular weight of each band was determined by comparison with standards within each gel. The resulting data for the 2 enzymes were combined and subjected to cluster analysis using an average unweighted linkage sort. In some instances, isolates that appeared to be of identical ribotype using one endonuclease gave different ribotypes using the other. Strains of P. gingivalis within a subject were usually identical, except for 3 patients who harbored 2 different ribotypes/individual. All subsequent analyses employed a single ribotype strain for each subject. A total of 32 ribotypes were observed for isolates from distant countries. A total of 11.5% of the patients had isolates exhibiting the same ribotype: ribotype 7a. Identical ribotypes of P. gingivalis can be recovered from subgingival plaque samples of periodontitis patients in different countries.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in young Chinese adults
Authors: Mombelli A. , Gmür R. , Frey J. , Meyer J. , Zee K. Y. , Tam J. O. W. , Lo E. C. M. , Rienzo J. Di , Lang N. P. , Corbet E. F.
Published: December 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the presence or absence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in young Chinese adults and to examine the A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates from positive subjects with regard to the serotype distribution, presence of the leukotoxin gene lktA and the promoter for the leukotoxin operon as well as the incidence of phage Aaφ23. Sixty subjects, working in a knitting factory in the Province of Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, were investigated. Subgingival microbial samples were taken from both upper first molars. They were cultured both anaerobically and in 5% CO2. P. gingivalis was found in 33 subjects. On average, it constituted 7% of the total anaerobic cultivable counts. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 37 subjects of which seven yielded counts > 105. Twenty‐one subjects were positive for both organisms. A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype a was found in 9 subjects, serotype c was found in 23 and serotype e in 5. A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes b and d were not detected in any subjects. Presence of the leukotoxin gene lktA was demonstrated for all A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates; however, none of the A. actinomycetemcomitans strains from the present study had a deletion in the promoter region of the leukotoxin operon. The results of this investigation show a high frequency of the putative periodontal pathogens P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans and corroborate the concept that there is variation in virulence and pathogenic potential among isolates from different subjects.
Proteases of Porphyromonas gingivalis: what don't they do?
Authors: Kuramitsu H. K.
Published: December 2007

The gram‐negative anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has been strongly associated with the causation of human periodontal diseases. One distinguishing property of these organisms that has been implicated in periodontal destruction is the expression of potent protease activity. Recent biochemical and genetic approaches have clearly demonstrated that at least five distinct proteases are elaborated by these organisms. The utilization of monospecific mutants defective in individual proteases has demonstrated that protease activity is important in virulence but also has suggested the complexity of the functions of the enzymes in the physiology of these microorganisms. This review summarizes current progress in assessing the role of these enzymes in periodontal inflammation and discusses some unresolved issues relevant to the significance of P. gingivalis proteases in virulence.
Virulence of six capsular serotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mouse model
Authors: Laine M. L. , van Winkelhoff A. J.
Published: December 2007

Capsular structures of Porphyromonas gingivalis have been correlated to the pathogenicity in animal models. Six polysaccharide capsular serotypes have recently been described in P. gingivalis. In the present study, virulence of the P. gingivalis strains of the six capsular serotypes was compared with strains of the non‐capsular serotype of P. gingivalis in a mouse model. All 18 encapsulated strains caused a spreading type of infection with exudate, often accompanied by ulceration and necrosis of the skin and a significant loss of body weight. All three non‐encapsulated strains tested induced localized abscesses, although a spreading type of infection was occasionally observed. Illness of the mice was almost always associated with recovery of encapsulated P. gingivalis from blood, kidneys, lungs and spleens. A statistically significant contrast was found in the average weight change during the experiment between the mice infected with the K‐ serotype strains and the mice infected with the encapsulated P. gingivalis strains. Differences in severity of illness and the recovery of P. gingivalis from mouse tissues were recorded between strains of the same serotype. The differences in virulence within a capsular serotype suggest that the capsule is an important but not the only determining virulence factor for P. gingivalis.
Effect of red blood cells on the growth of Porphyromonas endodontalis and microbial community development
Authors: Zerr M. A. , Cox C. D. , Johnson W. T. , Drake D. R.
Published: December 2007

Establishment of a microbial community in the root canal system depends on numerous factors, of which nutrient availability may be one of the most important. We hypothesized that the presence of red blood cells or hemoglobin in this environment could cause shifts in microbial composition of communities, resulting in organisms such as Porphyromonas endodontalis becoming more dominant. An in vitro model system using mixed, batch cultures was performed with the bacteria P. endodontalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus micros and Campylobacter rectus. Bacteria were cultured in media with or without the addition of washed red blood cells, hemoglobin, or serum. Cyclic growth studies revealed that P. endodontalis was lost from the community of organisms after three cycles. However, inclusion of red blood cells resulted in establishment of this organism. Moreover, red blood cells added to pure cultures of P. endodontalis substantially enhanced growth and protected the organisms from oxygen. We conclude that the presence of red blood cells could result in shifts of microbial communities of organisms within the root canal system.
Rapid evaluation of serum and gingival crevicular fluid immunoglobulin G subclass antibody levels in patients with early‐onset periodontitis using checkerboard immunoblotting
Authors: Dibart S. , Eftimiadi C. , Socransky S. , Taubman M. A. , Van Dyke T. E.
Published: December 2007

A method was developed to evaluate the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass (1–4) antibody to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, serotype b (strain Y4) in patients with early‐onset periodontitis on a single nitrocellulose membrane. Sera from 30 early‐onset periodontitis patients and gingival crevicular fluid samples from 2 patients were collected and tested with four different preparations of A. actinomycetemcomitans (Y4). The principle steps of the assay are: a) binding of the bacterial antigen (Y4) and the anti‐human IgG antibody (capture antibody) in parallel lanes on nitrocellulose membranes; b) incubation of known concentrations of the IgG subclasses 1,2,3 and 4, as well as a dilution of serum and/or gingival crevicular fluid from patients in lanes perpendicular to the antigen lanes; c) incubation of the membranes with the corresponding peroxidase conjugated anti‐human IgG subclass secondary antibody; d) detection of positive signals by enhanced chemiluminescence. The blots were evaluated by visual comparison to a series of blots containing known concentrations of IgG subclasses. The method was used to rapidly screen a relatively large number of patient sera and gingival crevicular fluid samples for IgG subclasses in a cost‐effective assay. The predominant IgG subclass found in early‐onset periodontitis was IgG2.
Vitamin E
Authors: COTTRELL R. C.
Published: December 2007

SUMMARy

Recent interest in the physiological role of vitamin E has been stimulated by a wide range of evidence from animal experiments linking this biological antioxidant with a range of defensive mechanisms. The absence of clear evidence for diseases in human adults attributable to deficiency in this vitamin, except as a result of surgery, has not prevented intense speculation of possible roles in various disease states. This paper should provide the reader with a general view of the background to current research activity and speculates a little as to some possible outcomes. Lest the unwary should become over‐enthusiastic it may be well to remember that no clear basis exists on which to recommend a daily allowance for this vitamin. Indeed it is conceivable that regeneration of the vitamin occurs within the body so minimal dietary intake is required in the adult.
SOME EPIDEMIOLOGIC FEATURES OF DISASTERS IN GUATEMALA
Authors: Arturo Romero B. , Cobra Rodrigo , Western Karl A. , Lopez Sergio Mayorga
Published: December 2007

Epidemiological procedures can be organised under disaster conditions by means of a simple surveillance system and with few personnel.

In the aftermath of the 4 February 1976 earthquake in Guatemala, an information system was organized by which the requisite information for decision‐making was obtained with adequate speed and promptness.

The initial epidemiologic informution was based on reports collected during the early days on symptoms observed at hospitals and health centers and in localities and villages in the stricken area.

At a second, post‐emergency stage a more elaborate surveillance system was instituted to provide guidance in the investigntwn of outbreaks, evaluate the health activities and establish basic criteria for preventive and control measures.
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF DARWIN AFTER CYCLONE TRACY
Authors: Walters K.J.
Published: December 2007

Learning from any process or past experience is one of the wing graces of mankind. In this context, the rebuilding of Darwin had been to ensure that the catastrophic events, wrought by nature, will not be repeated by bringing total devistation of a city and a way of life.

The total engineered city is a unique product of the “rethink” process brought about by the rebuilding of Darwin.

The future economic viability of this cyclone resistant city is of paramount importance, but the lessons to be learnt also include a social and psychological value that the people of any city have for their existing infrastructure, and life style. The economic well being of any population development goes hand in hand with the happiness and contentment that the settled population work towards.

The following is an assessment of the background, problems and achievements in which the Commonwealth Department of Construction played a major role.

The Author, during the whole of the rebuilding programme in Darwin, occupied the position of Associate Director in charge of a multidiscipline cell within the Departpent of Construction, whose sole purpose was to handle the majority of the reconsiruction work for the Darwin Reconstruction Commission.
THE GEDIZ EARTHQUAKE: RECONSTRUCTION BETWEEN 1970 & 1977
Authors: Germen Aydin
Published: December 2007

Our observations in Gediz weremadein 1970,1973,1975 and 1977. Information was collected in each of these trips but the fullest interviewing took place in 1977.

Some of the people interviewed evaded our questions and many would not talk freely. This was mainly in New Gediz, where we were often referred to the mayor. Gediz has had three mayors since the earthquake, but the present mayor is fully informed on the aid which has arrived since the earthquake. He was generous with this information and his opinion

Equally generous and gracious were the members of an informal association concerned with the revival of Old Gediz. In addition, we were able to talk to people in public places and to shopkeepers. Our contacts on the street were rather few

We visited Akcaalan in 1975 and 1977, conducting interviews in both years. Much of the information and opinion was collected in two coffee shops. The mayor, Mr. M. Taskin, impressed us with his precision and graciousness.
RISK ANALYSIS OF THE 1970 SAN ANTONIO DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMIC*
Authors: Quesada Gustavo M. , Cameron James M. , Anderson Dwane E. , Kaufert Joseph M.
Published: December 2007

Prediction of disease patterns for communicable diseases with low prevalence rates is difficult because of the random variations inherent in the data Smoothing of prevalence or incidence data prior to the analysis may facilitate these predictions.

All of the analyses are based on census tract characterisiics. The disadvantages of this type of data are that the boundaries are arbitraty and lead to some heterogenous tracts. Also, the analyses depend totally on aggregate rather than individual data. The advantage of working with this type of data is its availability for all metropolitan areas.

The San Antonio diphtheria epidemic has been previously referred to as an ethnic epidemic. This paper shows that it is even more an epidemic of lower socioeconomic groups. In this region of the country, socioeconomic characteristics are almost indistinguishable.
Future Disaster Planning In The United Kingdom*
Authors: Savage P.E.A
Published: December 2007

An ideal integrated national disaster plan would include the following points:

 First aid training for the general population.

 Advanced training in critical care for ambulance men.

 Principles of triage for all emergency services.

 Application of triage by trained ambulance men.

 Spreading the casualty load (where possible) to a number of receiving hospitals.

 The setting up of local disaster co‐ordinating committees.

 The more widespread dissemination of disaster information and reports.
An Ethiopian refugee village in Sudan: the question of employment
Authors: Moodie R. , Hagos F. , Trigg P.
Published: December 2007

Abstract— There are some 460,000 Eritrean and Tigrean political refugees in Sudan. The numbers have increased dramatically since the mid‐1970s, and as yet there are no convincing signs of peace which would allow the prospect of a speedy return home. Sudan is thus faced with one of the Third World's largest populations of long term refugees, and the capacity of the economy to absorb such numbers into its labour force is an acute and potentially violent issue. Discussion and planning has been hindered by a lack of specific information on the proportion of refugees who are of urban or rural origin and the proportion of those who might undertake skilled or unskilled employment. The following report of a census and survey of a refugee village in eastern Sudan offers some insight into the problem and suggests steps towards its solution.
An examination of health data following two major earthquakes in Russia
Authors: Beinin L.
Published: December 2007

Thus the hazards to health observed from these two earthquakes can be summarised as follows:

massive immediate damage, the main victims being women and children;

the seriously injured suffer mainly from fractures (17%), head injuries (15–30%) and soft tissue conusions with haemhorrage;

a change in the physical features of a country which unfavourably affect the environment;

some time after the earthquake the appearance of communicable disease;

increases in cases of cardiovascular disease neuroses and psychoses.
Preliminary assessment of landslides resulting from the earthquake of 23rd November 1980 in Southern Italy
Authors: Alexander David
Published: December 2007

This paper examines the hazards, mechanisms and effects of landsliding provoked by the 1980 earthquake in Campania and Basilicata Regions, Southern Italy. The effects of seismically‐induced mass‐movement are assessed with respect to slope stability and damage to both settlements and roads. Whereas the mechanism of cyclic loading of soils, which can give rise to landslides, is different from the pore‐pressure, gravity loading and strength‐reduction mechanisms that normally cause slope failure, the morphology of slides is often indistinguishable and this made it difficult to identify which slides were directly caused by the earthquake. However, creep in potential shear planes undoubtably became more widespread, and the incidence of small, bowl‐shaped slides Increased as a direct result of the earthquake. Although variations in the detailed stress‐pattern within individual slopes meant that some very mobile soil and rock masses did not move, 36 settlements reported landslide damage and 29 roads were affected by landslides occurring during the earthquake and its immediate aftermath. A full assessment of the disaster, together with an explanation of the geography of the disaster area, can be found in Alexander (1982).
MEDICAL MISSION TO A REFUGEE CAMP IN THAILAND
Authors: Adler J. , Bodner E. , Stein S. Born , Goldfarb J. , Engelhard D. , Naparstek J. , Norkin B. , Sack J. , Shemer S. , Weiler D.
Published: December 2007

Abstract—
During the latter part of 1979, hundreds of thousands of Kampuchean refugees fled from all parts of their war‐and hunger‐ridden country to the Thai–Cambodian border, thousands perishing from hunger, disease and by stepping onto mine fields on their way. The majority of those who survived settled in several large villages straddling the border in relative security from the advancing Vietnamese army, receiving food and medical supplies from many international welfare organizations.

Widespread public interest in the plight of these refugees arose in Israel after a television program late in October 1979, and a public campaign was initiated by Mr. Abie Nathan, an Israeli citizen. The ensuing large‐scale fund raising efforts resulted in the substantial sum of 1.2 million dollars, most of which originated from private donations. These contributions enabled the Israeli government to equip 5 medical teams and send them to Thailand, covering the last 2 months of 1979 and the first 4 months of 1980.

The first medical team, consisting of 5 physicians and 4 medics started i t s work in the camp of SaKaeo in Thailand on 4th November 1979.

This paper summarizes our experiences in this refugee camp.
Evacuation behavior and Three Mile Island
Authors: Cutter Susan , Barnes Kent
Published: December 2007

The responses of the residents to the nuclear power plant arcident at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania illustrate the factors influencing pre‐impact coping responses of populations exposed to technological hazards. Confusion itnd ambiguous information influenced both the decision to evaluate and to remain in place. Proximity to the facility, stage in life cycle and the actions of friends and neighbors influenced the decision to evacuate.
Training of expatriate refugee health workers: Principles and practices
Authors: Kastner Rosemary
Published: December 2007

Abstract—This paper describes in detail the separate components of an ideal expatriate refugee health worker training course. Emphasis is given to organizational aspects of such courses.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICE OF EMERGENCY AND DISASTER MEDICINE IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Feldstein Bruce
Published: December 2007

Accidents and sudden illness constitutes a major public health problem in many countries. Emergency medicine had developed as a vigorous new specialty in the U.S. and has fully integrated itself within the American medical and hospital system to provide improved emergency medical care. Emergency medicine plays a central role in disaster medical services, planning, and management and is the only specialty in American civilian medicine that includes disaster medicine as a primary field within its domain. Now that the basic framework of emergency medicine has been established, the American College of Emergency Physicians is implementing a nationwide training program on disaster planning and management for emergency physicians.