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Biomedical subjects

R Martin

Publications and source records attributed to R Martin.

At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Detection of hemagglutinins in dried saliva stains and their potential use in blood typing.

Since 1928, hemagglutinins have been known to exist in saliva; however, they have not been utilized as evidence in criminal investigations because in the past, techniques for measuring them have not been sufficiently sensitive. In this paper we describe improved techniques for detecting salivary hemagglutinins and report initial results obtained with these methods. The stability of salivary hemagglutinins at several different temperatures was examined in liquid samples and in dried stains on filter paper, cigarette butts, and envelope flaps. Our observations indicate that salivary hemagglutinins may be sufficiently stable, over periods of one to several days at ambient room temperatures, to be of value to forensic science investigators. The results of the hemagglutinin assay are not affected by the age or sex of the sample donor. Because salivary hemagglutinins can be used to determine ABO blood type, analyses of this kind can serve as an important confirmatory test which the forensic serologist can use in conjunction with salivary agglutinogen determinations.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗
PubMed1987

Primate neostriatal neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase: immunohistochemical evidence.

We have detected, in monkey caudate nucleus and putamen, neuronal cell bodies containing tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity, as revealed by peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemistry. Many of these cells are distributed in an outer rim of 1-2 mm throughout the anterior-posterior extent of the neostriatum near its borders with the corona radiata; others are embedded in the adjacent white matter, especially near the ventral putamen and nucleus accumbens. Light and electron microscopy indicate that they are small (8-12 micron), bipolar cells with large nuclei. Such neostriatal neurons, containing tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity, number in the tens of thousands.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Responses of the L5178Y tk+/tk- mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay to coded chemicals. I: Results for nine compounds.

Nine substances were tested for their mutagenic potential in the L5178Y tk+/tk- mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay, by means of procedures based upon those described by Clive and Spector (Mutat Res 44:269-278, 1975) and Clive et al (Mutat Res 59:61-108, 1979). Cultures were exposed to the chemicals for 4 hr, then cultured for 2 days before plating in soft agar with or without trifluorothymidine (TFT), 3 micrograms/ml. The coded chemicals were tested at least twice. Significant responses were obtained with calcium chromate, 3-(chloromethyl)pyridine, 1,2-epoxybutane, monochloroacetic acid, dicyclohexylthiourea, 2,4-diaminophenol hydrochloride, and pentachloroanisole. Apart from pentachloroanisole, rat liver S9 mix was not a requirement for the clearly mutagenic activity of any of these compounds. Compounds not identified as mutagens were 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and sucrose.

Acetates↗
PubMed1987

Nonsense suppression context effects in Escherichia coli bacteriophage T4.

Nonsense suppression by supE44 has been examined in a collection of 14 T4 gene 22 and gene 23 UAG mutants, for which the precise gene location is known. In concordance with previous studies, UAG followed by a pyrimidine was inefficiently suppressed. However, among positions with similar 3' nucleotides, there was considerable variation in suppression efficiency. The competition between supE44 and Release Factor 1 (RF 1) was also investigated following the introduction of a multicopy RF 1 plasmid. An inverse relationship between the efficiency of suppression and RF 1 competition was observed.

Codon↗
PubMed1987

[The MONICA survey: analysis of participation].

Participation rates at the first (1985) MONICA survey (representative samples of the Cantons of Vaud, Fribourg and Tessin) are presented. Sample members were invited by phone or letter to the survey (physical examination, blood sample and questionnaire). Overall participation rate was 57% in the french-speaking and 78% in the italian-speaking region. Underrepresented were resident foreigners, women, non-married persons and the aged. If no phone contact was materialized, participation was low. An additional questionnaire for non-responders allows to estimate potential biases in the results of the first MONICA survey.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Cholesterol, arterial pressure and cigarette smoking in the Swiss population: the MONICA project].

Elevated plasma cholesterol, high blood pressure and cigarette smoking are three major risk factors for coronary heart disease. Within the framework of Switzerland's participation in the multicenter study MONICA (MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular disease), proposed by the WHO, a first risk factor survey was conducted in a representative sample of the population (25-74 years) of two reporting units (cantons of Vaud and Fribourg, canton of Tessin). A high blood cholesterol level (greater than 6,7 mmol/l) is the most common risk factor for coronary heart disease among the studied population. Among men, about 13% have elevated blood pressure, the proportion being about one in ten among women; these proportions increase with age and are slightly above these values in Tessin. Cigarette smoking is still a common behavior; between 25 and 45 years one third of the population (male and female) regularly smoke cigarettes.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Body weight, food habits and physical activity in the Swiss population: the project MONICA].

Within the framework of the first risk factor survey among the two reporting units of MONICA-Switzerland (cantons of Vaud and Fribourg; canton of Tessin), body mass index (BMI) was also analysed. One in four adults (25-74 years) presents with overweight, this proportion being even 1 in 3 among males of the canton of Tessin. However, this health risk can probably be changed, as every third female and every fifth male indicated to have modified their nutritional habits in a more healthy sense within the last 12 months preceeding the survey. On the other side, less than half of the population engages in a degree of physical activity conducive to cardiovascular prevention and reduction of overweight. In order to increase the level of physical activity in the population, it is primarily leisure time sports activities that have to be developed as only very few adults experience a heavy physical work load within their profession.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Blood lead level in Switzerland in 1985: results of the MONICA survey].

New federal regulations regarding air pollution will soon impose catalysator equipped cars and unleaded fuel. In order to evaluate whether these measures affect the blood lead content in the Swiss population, there will be lead measurements in all three MONICA sample surveys. In the first survey, based on representative population samples, blood lead level was measured in the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg. Results based on 1774 lead measurements indicate a mean blood lead level significantly higher for males than females: 0.63 and 0.44 micromol/l. Work condition as measured by socio-professional category is only related to blood lead among males, while the living environment (community size) is only associated with female blood lead levels. Workers in agriculture and inhabitants of small communes have the lowest blood lead level. In addition, alcohol and tobacco consumption show a strong direct association with blood lead levels and are the two most important potentially confounding factors regarding the relation between blood lead levels and environmental lead pollution.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of lidocaine hydrocarbonate, lidocaine hydrochloride and mepivacaine in the axillary block.

Axillary block was performed on 60 patients undergoing various types of surgical procedures on the upper limb. The patients were divided randomly into three equal groups of 20 and received lidocaine hydrocarbonate 1% or lidocaine hydrochloride 1% or mepivacaine 1%, each solution containing epinephrine 1/400,000. A double-blind design was used. Lidocaine hydrocarbonate and lidocaine hydrochloride were both found to have a shorter latency of analgesia than mepivacaine. Duration of analgesia, quality of the sensory and motor block were not found to be statistically different between the three groups.

Axilla↗
PubMed1987

A re-examination of the localization of immunoreactive dynorphin(1-8), [Leu]enkephalin and [Met]enkephalin in the rat neurohypophysis.

We addressed in this study, with immunocytochemical methods, the following questions: are immunoreactive enkephalins in the rat neurohypophysis stored in nerves distinct from neurosecretory nerves; where is [Met]enkephalin immunoreaction localized; does immunoreactive [Leu]enkephalin coexist with pro-enkephalin or with pro-dynorphin fragments; and are the interpretations of localization studies influenced by the choice of pre-embedding or post-embedding immunocytochemical techniques? We compared immunoreactions due to antibodies which had been used by others in previous studies, examined both lyophilized and conventionally fixed specimens, and applied pre- and post-embedding protocols. Both pre- and post-embedding stainings confirmed co-storage of immunoreactive dynorphin(1-8)-like materials with vasopressin. Immunoreactive [Met]enkephalin-like material always coexisted with oxytocin. Most of the immunoreactive [Leu]enkephalin-like material appeared to occur in oxytocin nerves; only in larger vasopressin varicosities was there some dot-like [Leu]enkephalin immunoreaction. This indicates that neural lobe [Leu]enkephalin predominantly is cleaved from a precursor which also contains [Met]enkephalin. When pre-embedding methods were modified in order to block diffusion and to enhance penetration of antibodies, enkephalin immunoreactivity was always found in typical neurosecretory varicosities with large granules. Structures previously interpreted as enkephalinergic nerve terminals contacting pituicytes most likely are neurosecretory varicosities.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A prospective comparative study of the extended nonstress test and the nipple stimulation contraction stress test.

The nonstress test and the nipple stimulation contraction stress test were performed at the Medical College of Georgia and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, with the use of common maternal state protocols, minimum criteria for baseline fetal heart rate reactivity, and follow-up of abnormal test results. At the Medical College of Georgia, 656 patients were studied with nonstress tests used as the primary test, whereas at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, 614 patients were managed with the nipple stimulation contraction stress test used as the primary test. Both populations were comparable in regard to pregnancy complications, gestational age, birth weight, perinatal outcomes, cesarean section rates, and the incidence of positive contraction stress tests. Specificity and positive and negative predictive values were similar for both tests. The extended nonstress test had higher sensitivity but also required significantly longer mean duration of testing. The corrected perinatal mortality rate for a reactive nonstress test or negative nipple stimulation contraction stress test was zero within one week of the last test. We conclude that both tests provide excellent primary methods of fetal surveillance and that the decision to use one test rather than the other should be made on the basis of considerations of cost, convenience, time availability, and the presence of specific test contraindications or pregnancy complications.

Breast↗
PubMed1987

Vidarabin-monophosphate, BCNU, VM26--an in vitro comparative study of active agents in the treatment of malignant human brain tumours.

BCNU (carmustine), VM26 (teniposide) and ARA-A5'P (vidarabin-monophosphate) were compared in their activity against 30 cell lines of primary (N = 21) and metastatic (N = 9) human brain tumours, which were characterized in tissue culture by cytochemical, immunological and cytogenetic criteria. In vivo achievable concentration-time products c X t were correlated with in vitro pharmacokinetic data in order to evaluate in vitro drug sensitivity at relevant exposure doses. A microcytotoxicity assay was employed to screen for drug toxicity in individual tumour cell lines. Following drug exposure and 5 to 8 population doubling times of untreated controls, RNA-synthesis - as a parameter of cell metabolism and proliferation - was determined by incorporation of [5,6-3H]-uridine into cellular RNA (liquid scintillation counting protocol). The cytotoxic effect of each drug on individual cell lines was expressed in terms of a sensitivity index (SI); by these means effects of different drugs on individual tumour cell lines could be compared. Mean sensitivity indices of ARA-A5'P, BCNU and VM26 for primary brain tumour cell lines were 0.59, 0.82 and 0.54. ARA-A5'P and VM26 had almost similar activities against brain tumour cell lines, whereas BCNU was significantly (P less than 0.001) less active. High grade gliomas were less sensitive to all three agents than low grade and infratentorial gliomas. ARA-A5'P was also able to effectively reduce colony formation in brain tumour cell lines. A cross-resistance of ARA-A5'P to either BCNU or VM26 could not be observed. Clearly, ARA-A5'P is an effective drug in treatment of brain tumour cells in vitro.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Dynamics of the acute uterine response to infection, endotoxin infusion and physical manipulation of the reproductive tract in the mare.

The uterine responses after the infusion of saline (PBS), a bacterial suspension, or lipopolysaccharide derived from Escherichia coli, and after stimulation of the reproductive tract were compared. All infusions provoked a response involving both serum proteins and leucocytes. Protein levels peaked within a few hours of infusion, whereas leucocyte concentration peaked later at around 6 h. Bacterial recovery from the uterus followed a similar pattern, with recovery falling dramatically by 12 h. In mares known to be susceptible to infection large numbers of bacteria were again recovered after 24 h. No differences were apparent between resistant and susceptible mares in protein or leucocyte concentrations. Stimulation of the cervix and uterus resulted in a protein and neutrophil response. In contrast, vaginal stimulation failed to provoke the uterine defences.

Animals↗