New laboratory techniques for isolation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

The SP-4 culture medium, developed originally for newly isolated plant and insect mycoplasmas (spiroplasmas), has markedly improved the recovery of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from human clinical materials. This medium, in combination with a direct fluorescent antibody test, can enhance the recovery and identification of the organism by 30-40 percent over conventional culture procedures. Although these modifications are a clear improvement in diagnostic techniques for M. pneumoniae, the time required for growth and identification of the agent is still a major disadvantage for rapid clinical diagnosis. Thus, there remains a critical need for techniques that can specifically identify the major antigens (or other components) of the organism within the first week of the infection.     

Spirograph for small laboratory animals

A design of dry spirograph is described. It is characterized by greater precision, lack of inertia, high reliability, absence of respiration resistance, adequate form of recording, rapid resetting to any respiratory rate. The device consists of two similar injection syringes, photoelectric sensor for the identification of the initial moments of respiration stages, electromagnetic valves, two photoelectric converters of the air volume into the impulse signal, vacuum micro-pump, microcompressor and a system of air-driving tubes. In the initial position of pistons and valves the microcompressor pumps air into the inhalation cylinder and lifts the piston to the upper extreme position. With the signal marking the beginning of inspiration, the valves switch over and the piston lowers, pushing out the air, which moves into the animals' respiratory organs. Simultaneously, the signals of the inhaled air volume from the photoelectric transducer reach the recorder. During expiration the air pushes the piston down into the second cylinder and photoelectric transducer gives the information on the volume of the expired air.     

Adoption options for laboratory animals

Adoption programs can be enormously satisfying for all involved-not least the animals themselves-and constitute an important refinement in humane animal care and use. Most of the potential problems associated with adoption can be minimized with careful thought and planning. The authors describe adoption programs at two large academic campuses, noting differences between direct and indirect programs.     

实验动物的质量管理与控制

我国通过建立的实验动物法律法规、管理制度、技术标准、许可证制度、动物质量检测体系等一系列措施,加大了对实验动物的管理力度。目的是提高和保证实验动物质量,提高实验动物科技水平和生命科学研究水平。同时,随着管理力度的加大和人们认识水平的提高及动物环境设施的改善,动物的福利也得到了很大的改善和提高,更有利于提高动物试验结果的准确性和可信性。     

胃排空检测方法的研究及展望

胃排空是衡量消化道功能的一个重要指标,在探讨消化道疾病病因学、药物动力学以及疾病的诊断和治疗方面有着不可或缺的作用。近年来,一系列成熟的检测方法已经被用来测量人体胃排空,包括插管法、实时超声、放射性显像及呼吸试验等,但这些检测方法在实验动物及动物临床医学的应用还相对较少,正确评估实验动物胃排空能力的技术对于药物药理学、生物利用度和胃肠疾病诊断等的研究非常重要。本文就常用的几个胃排空检测方法做一阐述,希望这些方法能为动物胃排空检测提供新思路。     

Optimum walking techniques for idealized animals

The vertical component of the force exerted by a foot on the ground, in the course of a step, may rise to a single maximum and decline again (as in human running) or may show two distinct maxima (as in human walking). A foot may remain on the ground for a large or small fraction of the duration of a stride. Mathematical models are used to investigate the effects of these differences of technique on the energy cost of locomotion. The optimum technique for a biped at a given speed is different from the optimum for a hypothetical many-legged animal. The optima for quadrupedal walking are likely to lie between these extremes.
The walking techniques adopted by men at different speeds are close to the optima indicated by the bipedal model. The two maxima of the force exerted by a foot are higher, and have a lower minimum between them, at higher speeds of walking. The techniques adopted by a sheep are close to the optima indicated by the many-legged model but dogs use techniques rather closer to the optima for bipeds.
The limitations of the models are discussed.     

An apparatus for anesthetizing small laboratory animals.

A simple apparatus was designed for simultaneous general anesthesia of a number of small laboratory animals with spontaneous respiration. Anesthesia is consistent over many hr. The apparatus consists of an oxygen tank and vaporizer, a glass distribution bottle, and a non-return circuit of separate inspiratory and expiratory valves for each animal. The equipment is inexpensive to construct and can be rapidly adjusted for exact control of gas flow and anesthetic depth.