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Are stand-alone computers standing between you and vital inventory records? Experts respond to a typical hospital scenario.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Spiegel.
Are stand-alone computers standing between you and vital inventory records? Experts respond to a typical hospital scenario.
The extracellular matrix surrounding the sea urchin embryo (outer ECM) contains fibers and granules of various sizes which are organized in recognizable patterns as shown by ultrastructural studies, particularly stereoimaging techniques. The use of the ruthenium red method for retaining and staining the ECM, with modifications of the Luft (Anatomical Record 171:347-368, 1971) method for invertebrate embryos, allows for the clarification of certain structures, particularly fiber compaction in the interzonal region, and microvillus-associated bodies. The inner ECM in the sea urchin embryo includes the basal lamina and blastocoel matrix. Stereoimages show that the fibers which are loosely distributed in the blastocoel matrix become compacted around the periphery of the blastocoel to form the basal lamina. The ruthenium red method was also used on a number of marine invertebrate embryos and larvae, representing different phyla, to facilitate comparisons between their surface coats. The similarities observed in the specimens shown suggest that ECMs are widely found on marine invertebrate eggs, embryos, and larvae, and that they resemble vertebrate ECMs and may, therefore, have similar functions.
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We report the biochemical identification of fibronectin in the basal lamina of the sea urchin embryo. A. punctulata gastrula stage embryos were solubilized in Triton X-100 and the insoluble basal laminae extracted by incubation in buffer containing 8M urea, 2% 2-mercaptoethanol and 2% SDS. Extracted proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose filters and probed with monospecific antibodies directed against human plasma fibronectin (pFN). Incubation in 125I-labelled secondary antibody revealed a single band which co-migrates with human pFN at an apparent molecular weight of 220,000. This is the first direct biochemical demonstration of a fibronectin-like molecule in the sea urchin embryo which cross reacts with antibodies to vertebrate fibronectin.
Earlier studies have shown that two types of septate junction are formed during early sea urchin morphogenesis. One type is the straight, unbranched, double septum septate (SUDS) which is found in the ectodermal layer throughout early development. The second type is formed only in cells which invaginate to become endoderm and to form the digestive tract. This junction is characterized by pleated, anastomosing, single septum septates (PASS). In order to ascertain in which parts of the digestive tract these junctions are formed, we studied exogastrulae because the endoderm is everted and forms constricted areas of the gut which are easily recognizable. Our results show that, in control embryos, SUDS septates are found in the mouth, esophagus and coelom and that PASS septates are found in the stomach, intestine and anus. These junctional types are also found in the same areas in exogastrulae; SUDS septates are found in the stomadeum, esophagus and coelom, and PASS septates are found in the stomach and intestine. The transition from SUDS to PASS junctions takes place within the same time period in exogastrulae as in normal embryos, i.e., from the time of mid-gastrulation through the pluteus stage. These results indicate that septate junction formation in the sea urchin embryo digestive tract may be genetically programmed in terms of both time and spatial location. This program is not altered either by the major dislocation of cells from their normal position within the embryo or from normal contacts with neighboring cells.
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Fibronectin and laminin have been found in the extracellular matrix and in the basement membrane of sea urchin embryos during early development. These glycoproteins are also found on the cell surfaces of the outer epithelial layer and on the secondary mesenchyme cells within the blastocoel. The similarity of functions of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane is discussed, as is the similarity of their molecular components. These observations suggest the possibility that fibronectin and laminin form a continuous matrix surrounding the cells which links the outer ECM (hyaline layer) to the inner ECM (basement membrane). Such a network could coordinate the various activities of the embryo during early morphogenesis.
The pulpo-dentinal complex responds to external injuries with dentin sclerosis (DS), dead tracts (DT), or reparative dentin (RD). This investigation correlates the prevalence of these responses with age, sex, type and surface location of tooth lesions (caries, restorations, attrition, abrasion and erosion) utilizing ground sections, microradiographs and decalcified paraffin-embedded tooth sections treated with the Pollak trichrome stains (270 teeth from 113 patients). The main response to caries, restorations and erosion was DS, followed by RD and DT. DS, RD and DT occurred equally in any tooth, on any tooth surface and even beneath the same lesion. DS did not necessarily prevent RD. Root and furcation DS and RD in the floor of the pulp chamber and root canals were unrelated to particular lesions but did relate to increasing age. Root DS extended from apical to cervical area with increasing age. Beneath caries and restorations DS and RD were more prevalent in males, but DT was more prevalent in females. Pollak staining of decalcified paraffin sections for DS was approximately 80% as accurate as ground sections and microradiography. In pulp studies, where the result is contrary to previous experience, the Pollak stains reveal whether DS has decreased dentin permeability.
The development of cell junctions in sea-urchin embryos has been investigated using thin sections, lanthanum-tracer and freeze-fracture techniques. Three types of desmosomes are present: belt desmosomes and spot desmosomes, which attach cells to each other, and hemi-desmosomes, which attach cells to the basement membrane. Two types of septate junctions are present: the straight, unbranched, double-septum septate, which is present in epithelial cells throughout embryogenesis, and the pleated, anastomosing, single-septum septate. The latter is formed only on cells that have invaginated to the interior of the embryo to form the digestive tract. The pleated junctions are shown to replace the straight junctions that were originally present before the cells migrated to the interior. It is suggested that these pleated septates may be specialized for digestive processes, since they are developed just prior to feeding and are retained in the adult intestine. Tricellular junctions, which join the bicellular junctions of three adjoining cells, have been identified in the embryo and in the adult intestine. Evidence for the presence of gap junctions was not obtained, but there are indications of their presence.
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The presence of fibronectin in developing sea urchin embryos was studied uing immunofluorescence staining. The fluorescence pattern indicates that fibronectin is found on the cell surfaces and between cells in the blastula and gastrula stages, indicating that it plays a role in cell adhesion. Its presence on invaginating cells also suggests its involvement in morphogenesis during early development.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.