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Biomedical subjects

J Liebmann

Publications and source records attributed to J Liebmann.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Alterations in cell membrane permeability by the lentivirus lytic peptide (LLP-1) of HIV-1 transmembrane protein.

Previously we reported that synthetic peptide homologs of an amphipathic region (designated the lentivirus lytic peptide, or LLP-1) near the carboxy terminus of HIV-1 transmembrane protein (TM) were toxic for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells when added exogenously to cell cultures. We postulated that these peptides may exert their toxic effects in much the same manner as natural cytolytic peptides such as magainins, cecropins, and melittin by forming pores through cellular membranes. Here we show the results of 51Cr-release assays and membrane flux measurements of peptide treated cells that support our hypothesis. We have also tested a limited panel of LLP-1 peptide analogs in these assays and found that relatively minor alterations in peptide charge or amphipathicity in the parent HIV LLP-1 sequence resulted in total loss of membrane perturbative properties. These results demonstrate that the peptide homolog of HIV-1 LLP-1 can indeed perturb membranes by forming pores of defined size in cytoplasmic membranes. Furthermore, the analog studies described here reveal that the amphipathy and high positive charge of this protein segment are required for the membrane perturbative properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in pseudophakic malignant glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant glaucoma (ciliary block glaucoma; aqueous misdirection glaucoma) is an incompletely understood, rare and serious complication of intraocular surgery. METHODS: A woman with pseudophakic malignant glaucoma underwent successful neodymium: YAG (Nd:YAG) laser photodisruption of the anterior hyaloid face with resolution of the glaucoma. High-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to image the anterior segment and anterior chamber angle before and after laser surgery. RESULTS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy provided cross-sectional images of the iris, posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL), and ciliary body and their relative positions before and after resolution of the malignant glaucoma. Anterior rotation of the ciliary body and anterior chamber shallowing normalized after rupture of the anterior hyaloid face. CONCLUSION: High-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy provided images consistent with accepted concepts of the pathophysiology of this disease and offers great promise for the future elucidation of the anatomic mechanisms underlying various forms of glaucoma.

Aged↗

Argon laser trabeculoplasty in pigmentary glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in pigmentary glaucoma. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed results of ALT in 32 eyes of 32 patients with medically uncontrolled pigmentary glaucoma. Data were longitudinally adjusted to normalize the disparity in time of follow-up and evaluated by life-table analysis. RESULTS: Mean age (+/- standard deviation) was 45.1 +/- 13.1 years (range, 23-72 years) (males, 46.3 +/- 13.7 years; females, 42.9 +/- 12.2 years). Mean baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) was 27.8 +/- 5.3 mmHg. Mean follow-up time was 33.0 +/- 5.0 months (range, 1 week [immediate failures] to 96 months). Three eyes were lost to follow-up at 3 months. Eleven eyes required trabeculectomy between 1 week (2 eyes) and 37 months after laser treatment. Life-table analysis indicated a cumulative success for all eyes of 80% at 1 year, 62% at 2 years, and 45% at 6 years. Mean IOP was significantly reduced (P < 0.001; paired Student's t test) for male and female eyes at all intervals calculated. Age was a significant factor in determining time to failure. CONCLUSION: Argon laser trabeculoplasty is effective in pigmentary glaucoma. Younger patients had a greater chance of success than older patients at all intervals. This became highly significant (P < 0.001) after 3 years.

Adult↗

Ocular hypotony and choroidal effusion following bleb needling.

A choroidal effusion, hypotony, and a shallow anterior chamber developed in a patient following a transconjunctival needling revision of an encapsulated filtering bleb. While choroidal effusions occur frequently following filtration surgery, to our knowledge, this complication has not been previously reported following a filtering bleb needle revision.

Choroid Diseases↗

Lattice degeneration of the retina and the pigment dispersion syndrome.

Retinal detachment occurs more frequently in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome. We evaluated the incidence of peripheral retinal abnormalities known to predispose to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a consecutive series of 60 patients with pigment dispersion syndrome with or without glaucoma. Lattice degeneration was present in at least one eye of 12 patients (20%). Seven patients had bilateral lesions. Full-thickness retinal breaks were found in seven patients (11.7%) and two patients (3.3%) had asymptomatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachments that required scleral buckle procedures. The incidence of lattice degeneration and full-thickness retinal breaks appears to be increased in this group of patients, and may be responsible for the increased risk of rhegmatogenous detachment.

Adult↗

Identification of nitroxide radioprotectors.

The nitroxide Tempol, a stable free radical, has recently been shown to protect mammalian cells against several forms of oxidative stress including radiation-induced cytotoxicity. To extend this observation, six additional water-soluble nitroxides with different structural features were evaluated for potential radioprotective properties using Chinese hamster V79 cells and clonogenic assays. Nitroxides (10 mM) were added 10 min prior to radiation exposure and full radiation dose-response curves were determined. In addition to Tempol, five of the six nitroxides afforded in vitro radioprotection. The best protectors were found to be the positively charged nitroxides, Tempamine and 3-aminomethyl-PROXYL, with protection factors of 2.3 and 2.4, respectively, compared with Tempol, which had a protection factor of 1.3. 3-Carboxy-PROXYL, a negatively charged nitroxide, provided minimal protection. DNA binding characteristics as studied by nonequilibrium dialysis of DNA with each of the nitroxides demonstrated that Tempamine and 3-amino-methyl-PROXYL bound more strongly to DNA than did Tempol. Since DNA is assumed to be the target of radiation-induced cytotoxicity, differences in protection may be explained by variabilities in affinity of the protector for the target. This study establishes nitroxides as a general class of new nonthiol radioprotectors and suggests other parameters that may be exploited to find even better nitroxide-induced radioprotection.

Animals↗

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of intrastromal photorefractive keratectomy with the Nd:YLF picosecond laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal morphology in vivo following intrastromal photorefractive keratectomy (IPRK) with the Nd:YLF picosecond laser, using the ultrasound biomicroscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myopic intrastromal PRK was performed in the anterior stroma of cat corneas with the neodymium:yttrium lithium fluoride (Nd:YLF) picosecond laser. Periodic examination of the treated corneas up to 6 months postoperative was performed with high resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy. Corneal thickness, depth of the laser patterns from the corneal surface, alignment of the laser treatment, extent of stromal opacification until resolution, and contour of the corneal surface were measured with the ultrasound biomicroscope throughout follow up. RESULTS: The treated corneas were thickened on ultrasonic biomicroscopy measurement immediately after intrastromal PRK and revealed a densely echogenic shadow parallel to the corneal surface at the treatment site. There was increased stromal echogenicity denoting mild edema. The echoes decreased over time and appeared thinner at 2 months compared to the preoperative and immediate postoperative measurements. At 6-month follow up, the treated corneas were echolucent on ultrasonic biomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: The ultrasound biomicroscope might become a helpful tool in assessing accuracy of treatment parameters of intrastromal PRK as well as in monitoring the response of the cornea to treatment.

Animals↗