Dauer Larvae of Caenorhabditis briggsae in Axenic Culture

The free-living hermaphroditic nematode, Caenorhabditis briggsae, enters a dauer stage under certain conditions in axenic culture. Dauer larvae differ from directly-developing third-stage larvae in internal structure, size at time of second molt, morphology of second and third cuticles, separation zone of cuticular caps, and survival at 4 C and 37 C, temperatures fatal to other stages. Males, which occur rarely in liquid medium, may mature under conditions which cause most of the hermaphrodites to go into the dauer stage, resulting in a culture with increased male-to-hermaphrodite ratio.     

The submicrosomal distribution of hepatic uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferases in the rabbit

1. Rabbit liver microsomes were subfractionated into rough- and smooth-surfaced types, and glucuronyltransferase activity in each microsomal subfraction was determined with p-nitrophenol, o-aminophenol and phenolphthalein as substrates. The glucuronyltransferase activity measured with p-nitrophenol and o-aminophenol as substrates was localized predominantly in rough-surfaced microsomes. Glucuronyltransferase measured with phenolphthalein as substrate was equally present in rough- and smooth-surfaced microsomes. 2. Phenobarbital pretreatment of rabbits did not stimulate any of the glucuronyltransferase activities measured in either rough- or smooth-surfaced microsomes. 3. Preincubation of rabbit liver microsomes for 30-60min. at 37 degrees under oxygen did not cause any loss of glucuronyltransferase activity. Such preincubation caused either no change or increased enzyme activity in both submicrosomal fractions. The relative distribution of transferase activity in rough- and smooth-surfaced microsomes was not affected by preincubation.     

Effects of CO2 rebreathing on pulmonary mechanics in premature infants

The effects of hypercapnia produced by CO2 rebreathing on total pulmonary, supraglottic, and lower airway (larynx and lungs) resistance were determined in eight premature infants [gestational age at birth 32 +/- 3 (SE) wk, weight at study 1,950 +/- 150 g]. Nasal airflow was measured with a mask pneumotachograph, and pressures in the esophagus and oropharynx were measured with a fluid-filled or 5-Fr Millar pressure catheter. Trials of hyperoxic (40% inspired O2 fraction) CO2 rebreathing were performed during quiet sleep. Total pulmonary resistance decreased progressively as end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) increased from 63 +/- 23 to 23 +/- 15 cmH2O.l-1.s in inspiration and from 115 +/- 82 to 42 +/- 27 cmH2O.l-1.s in expiration between room air (PETCO2 37 Torr) and PETCO2 of 55 Torr (P less than 0.05). Lower airway resistance (larynx and lungs) also decreased from 52 +/- 22 to 18 +/- 14 cmH2O.l-1.s in inspiration and from 88 +/- 45 to 30 +/- 22 cmH2O.l-1.s in expiration between PETCO2 of 37 and 55 Torr, respectively (P less than 0.05). Resistance of the supraglottic airway also decreased during inspiration from 7.2 +/- 2.5 to 3.6 +/- 2.5 cmH2O.l-1.s and in expiration from 7.6 +/- 3.3 to 5.3 +/- 4.7 cmH2O.l-1.s at PETCO2 of 37 and 55 Torr (P less than 0.05). The decrease in resistance that occurs within the airway in response to inhaled CO2 may permit greater airflow at any level of respiratory drive, thereby improving the infant's response to CO2.