Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Billeter

Publications and source records attributed to M Billeter.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

The lysis function of RNA bacteriophage Qbeta is mediated by the maturation (A2) protein.

Complete or partial cDNA sequences of the RNA bacteriophage Qbeta were cloned in plasmids under the control of the lambdaP(L) promoter to allow regulated expression in Escherichia coli harbouring the gene for the temperature-sensitive lambdaCI857 repressor. Induction of the complete Qbeta sequence leads to a 100-fold increase in phage production, accompanied by cell lysis. Induction of the 5'-terminal sequence containing the intact maturation protein (A2) cistron also causes cell lysis. Alterations of the A2 cistron, leading to proteins either devoid of approximately 20% of the C-terminal region or of six internal amino acids, abolish the lysis function. Expression of other cistrons in addition to the A2 cistron does not enhance host lysis. Thus, in Qbeta, the A2 protein, in addition to its functions as maturation protein, appears to trigger cell lysis. This contrasts with the situation in the distantly related group I RNA phages such as f2 and MS2 where a small lysis polypeptide is coded for by a region overlapping the end of the coat gene and the beginning of the replicase gene.

Allolevivirus↗
PubMed1983

Purification and molecular weight determination of measles virus genomic RNA.

A purification procedure for genomic measles virus RNA, free of contaminating smaller RNA and of DNA, is described. Viral nucleocapsids were prepared from MA160 cells infected in spinner cultures with measles virus (Edmonston strain). Nucleic acid was extracted, treated with DNase and RNA sedimenting at about 50S in sucrose gradients was isolated. This method yielded 0.5 to 1.5 micrograms of genomic RNA per litre of culture. A molecular weight of 4.5 X 10(6) was determined by gel electrophoresis under fully denaturing conditions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Attitudes and practices of pharmacy managers regarding needle sales to injection drug users.

OBJECTIVE: To determine Louisiana pharmacy managers' attitudes and practices regarding needle and syringe sales to suspected injection drug users (IDUs) without prescriptions, and to assess which factors affect their decisions to sell nonprescription needles and syringes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey. SETTING: The six most populous cities of Louisiana. PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacy managers with active permits not affiliated with large hospitals or institutions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Selling nonprescription needles to suspected IDUs, willingness to sell nonprescription needles to suspected IDUs, and reasons for not selling nonprescription needles to suspected IDUs. RESULTS: Approximately one-fourth of the respondents reported that they had sold needles and syringes to suspected IDUs without a prescription. The most frequently cited reason for not selling was fear of increasing drug use; however, many of these pharmacists reported that they would conduct a sale if the customer had a referral from an agency or clinic. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists can assist in the prevention of HIV transmission through nonprescription needle sales to IDUs. This role can be promoted through education of pharmacists and development of referral systems for IDUs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rationale and experience in treating suspected hospital-based mixed infections.

Ochsner Foundation Hospital of the Ochsner Medical Institutions (OMI), a 532-bed tertiary care facility in New Orleans, uses a formulary review process common to many institutions. Considered in the selection of antimicrobial therapy are efficacy, safety, and cost. At OMI, ticarcillin-clavulanate plus gentamicin are the standard broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents for initial treatment of suspected mixed infections. The pharmacy department provides an aminoglycoside-monitoring program and convenient dosing guidelines. The regimen has resulted in good therapeutic outcomes and few adverse effects. Bacterial resistance has not been detected. Future plans include a large-scale concurrent review of patient outcomes, resistance patterns, and rates of fungal overgrowth associated with these agents.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗