A digital thermocouple thermometer

Measurements of the reproducibility of a random selection of copper/constantan thermocouples were made and it was found that they agreed within 1 ° C. Based on this finding, a digital thermocouple thermometer was designed and constructed incorporating a thermocouple linearizer and cold junction compensation. The instrument

Accuracy of the Completed Digital Thermometer

     

2.

Integrity of lysosomes in the isolated perfused rat liver before and after exposure to dimethylsulphoxide.     

D Lee  R K Holland  A K Groufsky 《Cryobiology》1979,16(1):18-23

We have studied the integrity of lysosomes in isolated rat livers perfused for 3, 4, or 6 hr at 35 °C with BSA (40 g/l) in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer. The latency and sedimentability of β-glucuronidase in homogenates of these livers was well maintained even after 6 hr. The latency and sedimentability of acid phosphatase remained at about control levels during the first 4 hr of perfusion but decreased between 4 and 6 hr. These decreases in latency and sedimentability correlated with a decrease in bile production and an increase in the rate of release of GOT into the perfusate and could indicate either intracellular disruption of lysosomes

Latencies, Sedimentabilities, and Specific Activities of Acid Phosphatase and β-Glucuronidase in Homogenates of Rat Liver Prepared before or at Various Times after Exposure to 1.4 m Me₂SO for 1 hr

Temperature	Indicated	Error
(°C)	temperature	(°C)
	(°C)
?1.95.75	?195	0.75
?77.02	?78	0.38
0	0	0
52.49	53	0.51
Mean		0.413

     

3.

Hemopoietic activities of cryopreserved murine fresh and postmortem bone marrow cells     

P. I. Liu  K. C. Poon  L. Crook  S. S. Liu  C. C. Hong 《Cryobiology》1979,16(6):513-516

The percentage of preservation of erythropoietic and granulopoietic precursor cells in the murine bone marrow was studied using in vitro methylcellulose clonal cell culture assays and in vivo murine spleen colony assays. This study clearly demonstrates

a. Type of Spleen Colonies Induced by 6-hr Postmortem Murine Bone Marrow Cells^a

Time (hr)	0	3	4	6
Acid phosphatase
Latency (%)	83.2 ± 0.8	64.7 ± 5.1	62.4 ± 7.9	68.9 ± 5.4
Sedimentability (%)	81.7 ± 0.6	77.6 ± 3.1	81.0 ± 3.4	79.4 ± 5.1
Specific activity (mIU/mg protein)	2.8 ± 0.4	2.8 ± 0.2	2.4 ± 0.4	1.6 ± 0.2
β-Glucuronidase
Latency (%)	06.8 ± 1.5	71.3 ± 4.3	74.2 ± 2.5	63.3 ± 4.5
Sedimentability (%)	69.5 ± 0.3	75.4 ± 3.2	75.0 ± 1.1	74.6 ± 2.0
Specific activity (mIU/mg protein)	1.8 ± 0.1	1.6 ± 0.1	1.6 ± 0.2	1.6 ± 0.2

	Mean (%)
Type of colonies	t Score	P Value	Unfrozen	Frozen
			Erythrocytic	26.283	14.100	2.09	0.059
Granulocytic	23.741	32.917	1.45	0.173
Mixed	49.321	52.700	0.55	0.59

a

$\text{N = 92}$. the presence of pluripotent hemopoietic precursor cells in cryopreserved 0-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-hr postmortem murine bone marrow cells. Apparently, the erythropoietic precursor cells are more sensitive to freezing injury as compared to granulopoietic precursor cells.

     

Integrity of lysosomes in the isolated perfused rat liver before and after exposure to dimethylsulphoxide.

We have studied the integrity of lysosomes in isolated rat livers perfused for 3, 4, or 6 hr at 35 °C with BSA (40 g/l) in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer. The latency and sedimentability of β-glucuronidase in homogenates of these livers was well maintained even after 6 hr. The latency and sedimentability of acid phosphatase remained at about control levels during the first 4 hr of perfusion but decreased between 4 and 6 hr. These decreases in latency and sedimentability correlated with a decrease in bile production and an increase in the rate of release of GOT into the perfusate and could indicate either intracellular disruption of lysosomes

Latencies, Sedimentabilities, and Specific Activities of Acid Phosphatase and β-Glucuronidase in Homogenates of Rat Liver Prepared before or at Various Times after Exposure to 1.4 m Me₂SO for 1 hr

Hemopoietic activities of cryopreserved murine fresh and postmortem bone marrow cells

The percentage of preservation of erythropoietic and granulopoietic precursor cells in the murine bone marrow was studied using in vitro methylcellulose clonal cell culture assays and in vivo murine spleen colony assays. This study clearly demonstrates

a. Type of Spleen Colonies Induced by 6-hr Postmortem Murine Bone Marrow Cells^a

DNA synthesis catalysed by endogenous templates and DNA-dependent DNA polymerases in spermatogenic cells from rat

The activity levels of DNA polymerases α and β have been measured by autoradiography in squash preparations from rat testis of sexually mature animals. Similar results were obtained with ‘fixed’ samples (dipped in acetone: ethanol for 5 min at 25 °C) or ‘unfixed’ samples (frozen in liquid nitrogen and freeze-dried). The activities of DNA polymerases α and β in situ were distinguished by differential assay conditions and by selective inhibition with compounds such as N-ethylmaleimide and aphidicolin. Using the endogenous chromatin as template, maximal activity for both enzymes was obtained in the presence of all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, MgCl₂ and ethylene glycol. When DNA polymerase activities in several predominant testicular cell types (pre-leptotene primary spermatocytes, pachytene primary spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids) were quantitatively compared, on a per cell basis, the following percentage distribution was observed:

     

5.

An experimental study using tissue culture medium as preservation and perfusion fluid     

T Nilsson  E Schueller  G P Murphy  W J Staubitz 《Cryobiology》1973,10(3):191-196

A commercially available tissue culture medium has been proven capable of preserving dog kidney function for at least 24 hr after simple cooling. The advantages of using tissue culture medium as preservation fluid instead of plasma or albumin solutions from the infectious and immunological points of view are obvious. An in vitro study was completed using the tissue

1.

	Pre-leptotene primary spermatocyte %	Pachytene primary spermatocyte %	Round spermatid %	Elongated spermatid %
DNA polymerase α	25	42	30	3
DNA polymerase β	29	34	36	1

     

6.

Hyperosmotic injury in mammalian cells. Volume and alkali cation alterations of CHO cells in unprotected and DMSO-treated cultures.     

S Mironescu 《Cryobiology》1978,15(2):178-191

Correlated studies on volume distributions and cation (Na⁺ and K⁺) content of CHO cells in suspension were carried out after various exposures to hypertonic NaCl or sucrose (500–7550 mOsm in both the presence and absence of DMSO (5–20%; $\text{w}\text{v}$). The effects superimposed by ouabain (10^?2–10^?4m), amphotericin B (6–18 μg/ml), and glutaraldehyde (1.25%) on the above-mentioned parameters were also investigated. Volumetric analysis of CHO cells with the Coulter Channelyzer indicated a biphasic dose-dependent response to hypertonic media, the duration of the

TABLE 2. Correlation between Volume, Survival, and Cation Content of CHO Cells Exposed to Hypertonic Media in Suspension

Code (animal No.)	Perfusion time (br)	Perfusion pressure mm/Hg	Flow ml/min	Weight gain	pH	pO2 mm/Hg	Histological appearance
1	24	70-60 systolic	96	35	7.3	150–180	Grossly normal
2	24		45-40 diastolic	108	30
3	24		96	30
4	48	70-60 systolic	80	35	7.3	150–180	Grossly normal
5	48	45-40 diastolic	120	40	7.4
6	48		100	40
7	72	70-60 systolic	115	40	7.4	150–180	Slight vacuolization of the tubular cells
8	72	45-40 diastolic	96	40
9	72		80	40
10	24	70-60 systolic	110	35	7.3	150–180	Used for transplantation
11	24	45-40 diastolic	120	35
12	24		140	40
13	24		100	30
14	24		96	30

     

7.

Reproductive potential and endocrinological responses of sheep kept under controlled lighting. I. Comparative reproductive performance of four breed types of ewe     

G. Evans  T.J. Robinson 《Animal reproduction science》1980,3(1):23-37

Five ewes of each of four breed types were kept in each of two environmentally-controlled rooms over a period of 2.5 years. The daylength varied between 20 and 9 h on a 6-monthly cycle, including a period of 22 weeks during which daylength was decreased by 0.5 h per week, 2 weeks in which it increased from 9 to 20 h, and 2 weeks at 20 h; each room operated 3 months out of phase with the other. Towards the end of the period of decreasing daylength each ewe was synchronised with a progestagen sponge for 12 days, given an injection (i.m.) of 750 I.U. pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on withdrawal, and inseminated 48 and 58 h later (500 million fresh undiluted sperm per insemination). Thus, insemination occurred at a single synchronised oestrus every 6 months. Progesterone pregnancy diagnosis was performed on blood samples taken 18 days later and parturition was induced by an injection (i.m.) of 16 mg dexamethasone on day 143 of gestation. Lambs were weaned at birth, allowing the ewes approximately 5.5 weeks to recover before the next insemination and a ‘successive’ conception.The performance of the four types of ewe, starting as maidens, is tabulated.

Osmolality mOsm	Exposure (min)								Hypertonic agent
					NaCl				Sucrose
		$\text{V}{}^{\mathrm{a}}$	Na+	K+	$\text{S}{}^{\mathrm{b}}$	V	Na+	K+	S
1000	60 or less	Small	High	High	High	Normal	Low	High	High
1500–2000	60 or less	Small	High	Low	Low	Normal	Low	High	High
2000 or over	60 or more	Small or largec	High	Very low	Very low	Small	Very low	Very low	Very low

     

8.

Heat exchange in the cryosurgery of Menière's disease: Experimental and clinical studies     

S. Harly  J.E. Aastrup  O. Elbrønd 《Cryobiology》1977,14(5):609-613

The temperature course in the lateral semicircular canal and in the facial canal was studied in experiments during freezing of the semicircular canal. The course of the temperature was measured with thermocouples. Concurrently, the heat flow was measured, and also the total heat exchange was measured throughout the freezing period by a thermoelectric heat flowmeter incorporated in the cryotip. The measurements showed correlation between the total amount of heat exchanged, the freezing time, and the temperature in the semicircular canal. This correlation was utilized to assess and calculate (the temperature of the lateral semicircular canal) the course of the cryoprocess in vivo, where it is possible to measure the heat flow and the total heat exchange during the freezing period only.

2. Results upon Vertigo

Conceptions	Merino	Dorset Horn × Merino	Border Leic. × Merino	South Suffolk × Merino	$\text{P}$
Successive (%)	20.0	12.5	11.1	47.6	$\text{< 0.01}$
Non-successive (%)	76.0	76.9	66.7	95.0	$\text{< 0.05}$
Overall (%)	51.1	52.4	44.4	70.7	$\text{< 0.05}$
Mean litter size	1.7	1.5	1.5	2.2	$\text{< 0.05}$
Mean lambs per ewe per year	1.8	1.6	1.3	3.1	$\text{< 0.01}$

     

9.

A simple system for extending refrigerated, nonfrozen preservation of biological material using pressure.     

S E Charm  H E Longmaid  J Carver 《Cryobiology》1977,14(5):625-636

High pressure (above 238 atmg) substantially extends the refrigerated storage of highly perishable biological material in a nonfrozen state.

5. Calculated Equivalent Values of Pressure and Temperature for Reducing Reaction Rates of Horseradish Peroxidase

	No Vertigo	Improved	Unchanged
Number of patients	7	5	3

Pressure (atmg)	Temperature (°K)	$\text{T}\text{T}{}_0$a
0	296	0.999
272	289	0.975
340	287	0.969
408	285	0.963

a

$\text{T}{}_0\text{= 296 °}\text{K}$It has been known for some time that high pressure stops microbial growth. The effect of high pressure is to reduce further the enzyme activity at refrigerated temperatures. Two enzymes studied, peroxidase and crude trypsin from red crab intestine, demonstrated this effect.A number of food materials such as fish, beef, and chicken were tested for microbial growth and organoleptic qualities after high-pressure storage in a simple 14-liter pressure chamber. Pressure was generated by a hand pump. The results indicated that after 30 days those items held in a non-frozen state at ?3 °C and 238 atmg were not significantly different microbiologically and organoleptically from frozen controls at atmospheric pressure and ?20 °C.This system should be useful for the preservation of biological materials where freezing or thawing effects are undesirable or unknown.The energy saved compared to freezing should also be considered. Only 62% of the energy is required for storage at ?3 °C as compared with frozen storage at ?20 °C, and about 28 cal/g must be removed in cooling to ?3 °C as compared with 120 cal/g in cooling to ?20 °C.

     

An experimental study using tissue culture medium as preservation and perfusion fluid

A commercially available tissue culture medium has been proven capable of preserving dog kidney function for at least 24 hr after simple cooling. The advantages of using tissue culture medium as preservation fluid instead of plasma or albumin solutions from the infectious and immunological points of view are obvious. An in vitro study was completed using the tissue

1.

Hyperosmotic injury in mammalian cells. Volume and alkali cation alterations of CHO cells in unprotected and DMSO-treated cultures.

Correlated studies on volume distributions and cation (Na⁺ and K⁺) content of CHO cells in suspension were carried out after various exposures to hypertonic NaCl or sucrose (500–7550 mOsm in both the presence and absence of DMSO (5–20%; $\text{w}\text{v}$). The effects superimposed by ouabain (10^?2–10^?4m), amphotericin B (6–18 μg/ml), and glutaraldehyde (1.25%) on the above-mentioned parameters were also investigated. Volumetric analysis of CHO cells with the Coulter Channelyzer indicated a biphasic dose-dependent response to hypertonic media, the duration of the

TABLE 2. Correlation between Volume, Survival, and Cation Content of CHO Cells Exposed to Hypertonic Media in Suspension

Reproductive potential and endocrinological responses of sheep kept under controlled lighting. I. Comparative reproductive performance of four breed types of ewe

Five ewes of each of four breed types were kept in each of two environmentally-controlled rooms over a period of 2.5 years. The daylength varied between 20 and 9 h on a 6-monthly cycle, including a period of 22 weeks during which daylength was decreased by 0.5 h per week, 2 weeks in which it increased from 9 to 20 h, and 2 weeks at 20 h; each room operated 3 months out of phase with the other. Towards the end of the period of decreasing daylength each ewe was synchronised with a progestagen sponge for 12 days, given an injection (i.m.) of 750 I.U. pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on withdrawal, and inseminated 48 and 58 h later (500 million fresh undiluted sperm per insemination). Thus, insemination occurred at a single synchronised oestrus every 6 months. Progesterone pregnancy diagnosis was performed on blood samples taken 18 days later and parturition was induced by an injection (i.m.) of 16 mg dexamethasone on day 143 of gestation. Lambs were weaned at birth, allowing the ewes approximately 5.5 weeks to recover before the next insemination and a ‘successive’ conception.The performance of the four types of ewe, starting as maidens, is tabulated.

Heat exchange in the cryosurgery of Menière's disease: Experimental and clinical studies

The temperature course in the lateral semicircular canal and in the facial canal was studied in experiments during freezing of the semicircular canal. The course of the temperature was measured with thermocouples. Concurrently, the heat flow was measured, and also the total heat exchange was measured throughout the freezing period by a thermoelectric heat flowmeter incorporated in the cryotip. The measurements showed correlation between the total amount of heat exchanged, the freezing time, and the temperature in the semicircular canal. This correlation was utilized to assess and calculate (the temperature of the lateral semicircular canal) the course of the cryoprocess in vivo, where it is possible to measure the heat flow and the total heat exchange during the freezing period only.

2. Results upon Vertigo

A simple system for extending refrigerated, nonfrozen preservation of biological material using pressure.

High pressure (above 238 atmg) substantially extends the refrigerated storage of highly perishable biological material in a nonfrozen state.

5. Calculated Equivalent Values of Pressure and Temperature for Reducing Reaction Rates of Horseradish Peroxidase

Clinical challenges

Glaucomatocyclitic crisis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unilaterally increased IOP. A careful history, slit-lamp examination and gonioscopic examination will assist the examiner in making an accurate diagnosis.The etiology of this syndrome remains unknown. If indeed it is a disturbance of the anterior intraocular vasculature secondary to an autonomic abnormality, any of the proposed etiologies might possibly trigger an attack (Table 2).Treatment at this time should consist of 1 gH. 0.5% apraclonidine given in office or a topical steroid, cycloplegic, and ocular hypotensive agent combination. Follow-up should be within 24 h to monitor for IOP reduction. If treatment with apraclonidine is initiated, additional drops should be instilled as needed to lower the IOP to acceptable levels. Prophylactic treatment with topical steroids has been considered in this mostly benign syndrome [14]. However, the potential side-effects of long-term steroid use and the unpredictable frequency of glaucomatocyclitic crises may preclude steroid use in these cases. Table 2. Proposed etiological factors and diseases related to glaucomatocyclitis crisis.      

11.

Individual variability of behavioural responses by Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) to human disturbance     

Marienne S. de Villiers  John Cooper  Peter G. Ryan 《Polar Biology》2005,28(4):255-260

Sub-Antarctic Marion Island has had a permanent research station for 50 years and the islands Wandering Albatrosses have been intensively studied for 20 years. The reactions of breeding birds to approaches by a human on foot were recorded. Three response variables were calculated: intensity of vocal reaction (IVR), intensity of non-vocal reaction (INR) and overall response index (ORI). At 5 m from the nest, twice as many birds stood and/or vocalised as at 15 m. Nearest neighbour distance, age and gender did not explain individual variability of responses. Study colony birds had higher IVR scores than non-study colony birds; birds at colonies closest to the station had the highest ORI scores. A better breeding record was associated with lower IVR and ORI scores, but a causative relationship remains to be demonstrated. A minimum viewing distance of 25 m is recommended for breeding Wandering Albatrosses.

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Individual variability of behavioural responses by Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) to human disturbance

Sub-Antarctic Marion Island has had a permanent research station for 50 years and the islands Wandering Albatrosses have been intensively studied for 20 years. The reactions of breeding birds to approaches by a human on foot were recorded. Three response variables were calculated: intensity of vocal reaction (IVR), intensity of non-vocal reaction (INR) and overall response index (ORI). At 5 m from the nest, twice as many birds stood and/or vocalised as at 15 m. Nearest neighbour distance, age and gender did not explain individual variability of responses. Study colony birds had higher IVR scores than non-study colony birds; birds at colonies closest to the station had the highest ORI scores. A better breeding record was associated with lower IVR and ORI scores, but a causative relationship remains to be demonstrated. A minimum viewing distance of 25 m is recommended for breeding Wandering Albatrosses.

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Leitlinien zur molekulargenetischen Diagnostik: Fragiles-X und Fragiles-X assoziiertes Tremor/Ataxie Syndrom

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Hierarchical analysis of piecewise affine models of gene regulatory networks

A key point in the analysis of dynamical models of biological systems is to handle systems of relatively high dimensions. In the present paper we propose a method to hierarchically organize a certain type of piecewise affine (PWA) differential systems. This specific class of systems has been extensively studied for the past few years, as it provides a good framework to model gene regulatory networks. The method, shown on several examples, allows a qualitative analysis of the asymptotic behavior of a PWA system, decomposing it into several smaller subsystems. This technique, based on the well-known strongly connected components decomposition, is not new. However, its adaptation to the non-smooth PWA differential equations turns out to be quite relevant because of the strong discrete structure underlying these equations. Its biological relevance is shown on a 7-dimensional PWA system modeling the gene network responsible for the carbon starvation response in Escherichia coli.

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Hennigian Phylogenetic Systematics and the ‘Groundplan’ vs. ‘Post-Groundplan’ Approaches: A Reply to Kukalová-Peck

The recent contribution by Jarmila Kukalová-Peck on Hennigian phylogenetics and hexapod limb evolution is critically evaluated.

Gridcast—a next generation broadcast infrastructure?

Gridcast is an R&D project investigating grid ideas and technologies in the broadcasting technical infrastructure. In this paper I discuss the business and technical issues in building infrastructures to support broadcasters and outline the structure of the Gridcast grid-based service oriented architecture for broadcasting playout support.

Is it a revolution?

Jablonka and Lamb's claim that evolutionary biology is undergoing a ‘revolution’ is queried. But the very concept of revolutionary change has uncertain application to a field organized in the manner of contemporary biology. The explanatory primacy of sequence properties is also discussed.

A simple and fast method for cell recovery and DNA content analysis from various mouse tissues by flow cytometry

Cell division in tissues can be investigated in various ways. We present here a method for improving cell recovery and cell cycle analysis for a wide range of mouse tissues. This strategy combines a cell isolation procedure for various mouse tissues based on intracardiac perfusion and subsequent treatment followed by flow cytometry. This easy and reproducible method allows a rapid analysis of nuclear DNA content, providing an estimate of the cell number at different phases of the cell cycle. This combined procedure could also be used for the isolation of specific cell subpopulations from different mouse tissues by fluorescence activated cell sorting.