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Biomedical subjects

L B Martin

Publications and source records attributed to L B Martin.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Soluble glycoprotein D blocks herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of rat eyes.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ocular infection in rats was blocked by treating the eyes with UV-inactivated virions containing glycoprotein D (gD) prior to ocular challenge. In contrast, rats treated with UV-inactivated virions lacking gD were not protected. A soluble, truncated form of HSV-2 gD (gD-2t) also protected against ocular infection. Treatment with gD-2t not only reduced mortality but also restricted progression of pathology and reduced the amount of viral antigen in the cornea. Host antibody or alpha/beta interferon responses to the gD-2t treatment were not detected. These results are similar to those observed in cell culture (D. C. Johnson, R. L. Burke, and T. Gregory, J. Virol. 64:2569-2576, 1990). The in vivo effect of exogenous gD is consistent with blocking of a cell surface gD receptor or with an inhibitory interaction of gD with virions.

Animals

Characterization of cisplatin adducts of oligonucleotides by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

The products of the reaction of the antitumor drug cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)) with four oligonucleotide tetramers, d(GpCpGpC), d(GpGpCpC), d(TpGpApT), and d(TpGpCpT), were separated by gel permeation chromatography and characterized by negative- and positive-ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. Fragment ions indicating the oligonucleotide sequence and the position of cisplatin binding were observed in MS/MS spectra following collisional activation and B/E-linked scanning. Positive-ion FAB MS/MS spectra were characterized by platinum-containing product ions. Nonplatinated sequence ions and internal fragment ions were present primarily in the negative-ion spectra. The most prominent fragment ions containing platinum were [HB2.Pt.B3H]+ and [HB1.Pt.B2H]+, where B1, B2, and B3 were bases in the oligonucleotide tetramer, one of which was usually guanine. Both singly and doubly charged platinum complexes were observed, probably indicating reduction of Pt(II) during the FAB ionization process. The location of the platinum complex bound to each oligonucleotide sequence could be determined, and the binding sites observed by mass spectrometry were similar to those previously determined by other methods. FAB ionization with collisional activation and MS/MS analysis could serve as a new method for structural analysis of platinated oligonucleotides.

Binding Sites

Basis of the structure and development of mammalian enamel as seen by scanning electron microscopy.

Mature enamel is the most mineralized of mammalian tissues, contains the least water and therefore does not present problems of shrinkage on preparation for SEM. However, the developing enamel is highly hydrated and presents severe problems in preparation. The structure of enamel is determined by the activity of its individual formative cells and their group behaviour. The peculiar, unequal secretion of matrix at the distal pole of the ameloblast leads to the presence of characteristically shaped pits in the surface of the formative tissue. Crystals grow in a special relationship to this surface. Sharp changes in orientation of the surface are reflected in abrupt changes in orientation of neighbouring crystals beneath it, leading to the formation of structural discontinuities at prism boundaries or junctions. Several different patterns of prism cross section have arisen in mammalian enamel. Inequalities in the rate of production of the tissue lead to the formation of features known as varicosities or cross striations. Exaggerations of this presumed daily incremental rhythm lead to the formation of the more major incremental lines which can also be visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the course of the ameloblasts throughout their life history, in the nature of a translatory motion over the surface which they are secreting, lead to the development of prism decussation, which shows characteristic patterns in different mammalian groups of probable functional significance. One largely ignored area in the study of comparative histology concerns the enamel-dentine junction. Particularly in the marsupial mammals, dentine tubules cross the junction and are continuous with enamel tubules. Methacrylate casting of these features has given new insights into these structures.

Ameloblasts

Enamel structure in primates: a review of scanning electron microscope studies.

Comparative studies of dental enamel microstructure have involved three main areas of enquiry, with structural features having been investigated in relation to developmental mechanisms, function and/or phylogeny. The phylogenetic, or taxonomic aspect has been emphasized in the majority of studies involving the Order Primates, where efforts have focused upon attempts to recognise structural differences among various hierarchical groups. Studies of primate enamel microstructure by SEM are reviewed here, with emphasis on what has been learned concerning the most suitable preparative techniques that can be employed, and with particular emphasis to the relevance of enamel microstructure in taxonomic analyses of living and fossil primates. No one technique of enamel preparation can be held to be the most suitable for all types of material (e.g., fresh developing, wet mature, dry mature, and fossil enamel) but experience to date allows us to make some recommendations. Two aspects of enamel structure have been shown to possess considerable potential in taxonomic analyses: the enamel prism packing patterns, and the enamel formation rates as documented from prism cross-striation repeat intervals. Although the distribution of enamel prism packing patterns among primates suggests considerable homoplasy of this character, this feature does have considerable taxonomic interest at certain hierarchical levels in Primates. The study of rates of enamel secretion coupled with analyses of enamel thickness has considerable potential in resolving taxonomic and phylogenetic questions.

Animals

Attitudes toward death: a survey of nursing students.

The literature devoted to the topics of death and care of the dying is expanding rapidly. As nurses are inevitably involved in terminal illness, death and grief, their attitudes toward death and factors which affect these attitudes, are worthy of study. This report describes the results of a continuing two-year survey of one class of students in a baccalaureate nursing program. A questionnaire was used at the beginning and end of one academic year. Data were obtained regarding background experiences with death, involvement in the care of dying patients, and common ideas, concerns and feelings about death. Data from the second testing also included perceived changes in "positive" and "negative" attitudes toward death, and the relative effect on attitudes of various factors during the year. Suggestions are offered for curriculum development and research in the challenging area of death education in nursing.

Attitude to Death