adam, Author at IAOMT Library

Human hapten-specific lymphocytes: biomarkers of allergy in man

Environmental pollutants and other chemicals may have increasing impact on the immune system of human beings. Disregulation of the immune system by chemicals may be one of the reasons why the frequency of allergies and autoimmune diseases increases. Human hapten-specific memory lymphocytes can be detected in the blood of patients with drug-induced immunologic side effects but not in similarly exposed healthy individuals. The immune reactivity of human lymphocytes in vitro to white coloring agent—titanium dioxide (TiO2), and mercurial conservatives thimerosal and phenylmercury—has been studied. It was found that out of 650 patients tested, 3% reacted to titanium dioxide. The percentages for phenylmercury and thimerosal were 14% and 7%, respectively. Human memory cells can be used as markers of susceptibility in future choices of appropriate additives in pharmaceutic products.

By Stejskal VD.|2018-07-31T20:59:58+00:00January 1st, 1997|Mercury, Other|

Heterozygosity for the Leiden mutation of the factor V gene, a common pathoetiology for osteonecrosis of the jaw, with thrombophilia augmented by exogenous estrogens.

We assessed whether heterozygosity for the thrombophilic Leiden mutation of the factor V gene (MFV) was pathogenetic for alveolar osteonecrosis of the jaw and chronic facial pain (neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis (NICO)) in 89 patients with NICO. A second specific aim was to assess for thrombophilic synergism between exogenous estrogens and MFV for development of osteonecrosis of the jaw. MFV was found in 24% of the patients, 16 (21%) of 76 women and 5 (39%) of 13 men. The mutation was much less common in healthy normal controls: 3 (3%) of 101 women (chi2 = 14.8, p = 0.001) and 4 (3.7%) of 108 men (chi2 = 20.4, p = 0.001). Patients with and without MFV did not differ in tissue plasminogen activator activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, proteins C and S, lipoprotein (a), or anticardiolipin antibodies (p > 0.05). Use of standard-dose oral contraceptives and/or postmenopausal estrogens before the development of NICO was more common in female patients with MFV (13 (81%) of 16) than in those without it (23 (38%) of 60; chi2 = 9.33, p = 0.002). When the thrombophilic effects of such exogenous estrogens were superimposed on the familial resistance to activated protein C associated with MFV, thrombophilia was augmented and the risk of osteonecrosis was increased. Since heterozygosity for this mutation occurs in at least 3% of unselected, healthy women, measurement of resistance to activated protein C and MFV would identify women at high risk for venous thrombosis and osteonecrosis, in whom use of oral contraceptives or postmenopausal estrogens might be contraindicated, while identifying a much larger group of women (approximately 97%) without the mutation whose risk from exogenous estrogens would be low.

By Glueck CJ, Mcmahon RE, Bouquot JE, Triplett D, Gruppo R, Wang P.|2018-08-25T20:53:25+00:00January 1st, 1997|Periodontal Disease|

Mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings: absorbed dose and the potential for adverse health effects.

This review examines the question of whether adverse health effects are attributable to amalgam-derived mercury. The issue of absorbed dose of mercury from amalgam is addressed first. The use of intra-oral Hg vapor measurements to estimate daily uptake must take into account the differences between the collection volume and flow rate of the measuring instrument and the inspiratory volume and flow rate of air through the mouth during inhalation of a single breath. Failure to account for these differences will result in substantial overestimation of the absorbed dose. Other factors that must be considered when making estimates of Hg uptake from amalgam include the accurate measurement of baseline (unstimulated) mercury release rates and the greater stimulation of Hg release afforded by chewing gum relative to ordinary food. The measured levels of amalgam-derived mercury in brain, blood, and urine are shown to be consistent with low absorbed doses (1-3 micrograms/day). Published relationships between the number of amalgam surfaces and urine levels are used to estimate the number of amalgam surfaces that would be required to produce the 30 micrograms/g creatinine urine mercury level stated by WHO to be associated with the most subtle, pre-clinical effects in the most sensitive individuals. From 450 to 530 amalgam surfaces would be required to produce the 30 micrograms/g creatinine urine mercury level for people without any excessive gum-chewing habits. The potential for adverse health effects and for improvement in health following amalgam removal is also addressed. Finally, the issue of whether any material can ever be completely exonerated of claims of producing adverse health effects is considered.

By Mackert Jr JR, Berglund A.|2018-07-25T20:05:26+00:00January 1st, 1997|Mercury|

Thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis: pathophysiologies of osteonecrosis.

In 31 patients with osteonecrosis (primarily of the hip), 74% had 1 or more primary coagulation disorders. In 18 patients, 15 (83%) who had coagulation disorders, the osteonecrosis was initially identified as idiopathic and was not associated with known underlying drugs (glucocorticoids) or diseases (alcoholism, sickle cell disease, Gaucher’s disease). In 13 patients, 8 (62 %) who had coagulation disorders, the osteonecrosis was initially identified as secondary, and was associated with glucocorticoids in 12 patients, and with alcoholism in 1. The coagulation disorders included thrombhophilia (increased tendency to intravascular thrombosis) and hypofibrinolysis (reduced ability to lyse thrombi). Of the 18 patients initially thought to have idiopathic osteonecrosis, thrombophilia alone was found in 12% (resistance to activated protein C in 6%, low protein C in 6%), hypofibrinolysis alone was found in 50% (high lipoprotein(a) in 44%, low stimulated tissue plasminogen activator activity was found in 6%), and mixed thrombophilia hypofibrinolysis was found in 22%. Resistance to activated protein C was more common in these 18 patients than in healthy controls (11% versus 0%), as was high lipoprotein(a) (67% versus 20%). Of the 13 patients with secondary osteonecrosis, thrombophilia alone was found in 8% (low protein C), hypofibrinolysis alone was found in 30% (high Lp(a) in 15%, low tissue plasminogen activator activity in 15%), and mixed thrombophilia hypofibrinolysis was found in 23%. Low tissue plasminogen activator activity was more common in the 13 patients with secondary osteonecrosis than in controls (27% versus 7%), as was low protein C (23% versus 0%). In aggregate, these findings lead us to the speculation that primary, heritable thrombophilia or hypofibrinolysis causes thrombotic venous occlusion in the head of the femur, leading to venous hypertension and hypoxic death of bone (osteonecrosis).

By Glueck CJ, Freiberg R, Tracy T, Stroop D, Wang P.|2018-08-25T19:52:55+00:00January 1st, 1997|Other|

Occurrence of invading bacteria in radicular dentin of periodontally diseased teeth: microbiological findings.

Bacterial invasion in roots of periodontally diseased teeth, which has been recently documented using cultural and microscopic techniques, may be important in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the occurrence and the species of invading bacteria in radicular dentin of periodontally diseased teeth. Samples were taken from the middle layer of radicular dentin of 26 periodontally diseased teeth. 14 healthy teeth were used as controls. Dentin samples were cultured anaerobically. The chosen methodology allowed the determination of the numbers of bacteria present in both deeper and outer part of dentinal tubules, and the bacterial concentration in dentin samples, expressed as colony forming units per mg of tissue (CFU/mg). Invading bacteria was detected in 14 (53.8%) samples from periodontally diseased teeth. The bacterial concentration ranged from 831.84 to 11971.3 CFU/mg (mean+/-standard deviation: 3043.15+/-2763.13). Micro-organisms identified included putative periodontal pathogens such as Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides forsythus, Peptostreptococcus micros and Streptococcus intermedius. These findings suggest that radicular dentin could act as bacterial reservoir from which periodontal pathogens can recolonize treated periodontal pockets, contributing to the failure of therapy and recurrence of disease.

By Giuliana G, Ammatuna P, Pizza G, Capone F, D'Angelo M.|2018-08-25T18:05:53+00:00January 1st, 1997|Periodontal Disease|

Fluoride: Risks and Benefits? Disinformation of the big industry.

Promoters of water fluoridation offer the lure of strong, healthy teeth and reduced dental bills as inducements for communities to fluoridate their water. Fluoride is also promoted for other tooth-related uses. However, even the promoters have scaled down the benefits claimed for water fluoridation and admitted the danger of fluorosis from toothpaste. For every study by promoters over recent years repeating old messages that claim undisputed water fluoridation benefits—particularly reduction of cavities, there are equally reputable studies showing little or no effect on cavity rates. Studies in mainstream peer-reviewed medical journals and government reports now document the fact that serious harms are associated with exposure to small amounts of fluoride—including hip fracture, cancer, and intellectual impairment.

By Hill D.|2018-07-23T17:35:55+00:00January 1st, 1997|Fluoride|

Experiences from the amalgam unit at Huddinge hospital—somatic and psychosomatic aspects.

The “amalgam unit” at the Huddinge University Hospital in Sweden examined 379 of 1300 patients referred for health problems which the patients related to amalgam tooth fillings. Toxicologic, clinical, odontological, and psychiatric examinations were performed. More than 30% had medical causes for their complaints; 7% had severe diseases which had been unrecognized. The most common symptoms were diffuse pain, general weakness, fatigue, headache, and difficulties in concentrating. Anxiety and depression were the most prevalent psychiatric complaints. The psychological examination revealed a high prevalence of somatization. The treatment was information about mercury and amalgam, appropriate odontological routines without removal of intact amalgam fillings, medical therapy when necessary, and strengthening of the patients’ social networks. Ninety percent were satisfied with the treatment. The results indicate that there are various explanations for the complaints of patients fearing “amalgam disease”. No cases of mercury intoxication were found.

By Langworth S.|2018-07-25T16:46:07+00:00January 1st, 1997|Mercury|

Maternal-fetal transfer of metallic mercury via the placenta and milk.

To clarify the situation of trans-placental movement and milk screening of metallic mercury in human, the content of mercury was detected in the maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, milk, and placental tissues. In 18 parturient women, 9 had been occupationally exposed to metallic mercury whereas the other 9 had not. Mercury was detected by means of cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that the concentrations of mercury of the umbilical cord blood and placental tissues were higher than that of maternal blood. The ratio of organic and total mercury of milk was markedly lower than that of maternal blood in the exposed group (P < 0.01). The ratio of inorganic to total mercury of milk was significantly higher than that of maternal blood (P < 0.01). Therefore, this study concluded that the metallic mercury can be transferred to the fetus via the placenta and secreted to a newborn via milk.

By Yang J, Jiang Z, Wang Y, Qureshi IA, Wu XD|2019-12-03T01:18:36+00:00January 1st, 1997|Mercury|

Possible environmental, occupational, and other etiologic factors for Parkinson’s disease: a case‐control study in Germany

In a case-control study, we investigated the possible etiologic relevance to Parkinson’s disease (PD) of rural factors such as farming activity, pesticide exposures, well-water drinking, and animal contacts; toxicologic exposures such as wood preservatives, heavy metals, and solvents; general anesthesia; head trauma; and differences in the intrauterine environment. We recruited 380 patients in nine German clinics, 379 neighborhood control subjects, and 376 regional control subjects in the largest case-control study investigating such factors and collected data in structured personal interviews using conditional logistic regression to control for educational status and cigarette smoking. The latter was strongly inversely associated with PD. There were significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) for pesticide use, in particular, for organochlorines and alkylated phosphates, but no association was present between PD and other rural factors. A significantly elevated OR was present for exposure to wood preservatives. Subjective assessment by the probands indicated that exposure to some heavy metals, solvents, exhaust fumes, and carbon monoxide was significantly more frequent among patients than control subjects, but this was not confirmed by a parallel assessment of job histories according to a job exposure matrix. Patients had undergone general anesthesia and suffered severe head trauma more often than control subjects, but a dose-response gradient was not present. Patients reported a significantly larger number of amalgam-filled teeth before their illness than control subjects. The frequency of premature births and birth order did not differ between patients and control subjects. Patients reported significantly more relatives affected with PD than control subjects. These results support a role for environmental and genetic factors in the etiology of PD.

By Seidler A, Hellenbrand W, Robra BP, Vieregge P, Nischan P, Joerg J, Oertel WH, Ulm G, Schneider E.|2019-05-22T22:40:46+00:00January 1st, 1996|Other|

A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of in vitro dentinal tubules penetration by selected anaerobic bacteria.

In vitro root canal dentinal tubule invasion by selected anaerobic bacteria commonly isolated from endodontic infections was evaluated. Dentinal cylinders obtained from bovine incisors were inoculated with bacteria, and microbial penetration into tubules was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that all bacterial strains tested were able to penetrate into dentinal tubules, but to different extents.

By Siqueira JF, De Uzeda M, Fonseca ME.|2018-08-30T21:58:18+00:00January 1st, 1996|Periodontal Disease|

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