The quantification of formazans in tissue sections by microdensitometry. I. The use of neotetrazolium chloride

Synopsis This article describes the use of a microdensitometer for the measurement of formazan deposits in tissue sections. Some examples are given to illustrate the various applications of this technique in the assessment of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. These are (1) the separate measurement of the red half-formazan intermediate and purple diformazan of neotetrazolium, and the effect of incubation time on their production, (2) the measurement of activities in different regions of the liver lobule, and the selective effect of phenobarbitone, and (3) the measurement of enzyme activity in individual cartilage cells in normal and osteoarthrosis-prone animals. All activities can be expressed in absolute units as nmol hydrogen/mm³/hr, and thus compared with standard biochemical data. The activities obtained all fall within the range of published values for biochemical systems.Paper given at the Royal Microscopical Society's European Histochemistry Meeting at Nottingham in September 1975.     

Characterization of ribonucleolytic activity of angiogenin towards tRNA

Yeast tRNA is a convenient substrate for the assay of the ribonucleolytic activity of human angiogenin. The optimal pH, [NaCl], and temperature for tRNA cleavage by angiogenin are approximately 6.8, 15-30 mM, and approximately 55 degrees C, respectively, as compared with approximately 8.0, 100-200 mM, and approximately 65 degrees C, respectively, for RNase A. Polyanions and metals both inhibit angiogenin and RNase A but to different extents.     

Elastic strain energy storage in the feet of running monkeys

Monkeys are 'flat–footed' in comparison to humans, but they are still able to utilize elastic strain energy stores in their feet to reduce the metabolic energy cost of running. During contact with the ground, bending moments act on the foot to produce a 'reversed arch', storing strain energy which is returned in the subsequent elastic recoil. This energy–saving mechanism has been investigated in dynamic bending tests and is discussed in relation to the arched foot of humans.     

Schistosoma mansoni: nucleic acid synthesis in immature females from single-sex infections, paired in vitro with intact males and male segments

1. The object of this study was to see whether stimulation of nucleic acid synthesis in immature females by male Schistosoma mansoni is mediated locally by contact, or is propagated systemically in the female. 2. Immature females perfused from single-sex animal infections were paired for one week in vitro with segments of males cut transversely into thirds; others were paired with intact males, or maintained without males; all were then incubated with [3H]-thymidine or tyrosine. 3. Washed females were bisected transversely and isotope uptake counted separately in the anterior and posterior halves. 4. The halves in contact with cut male segments showed significantly higher uptake of [3H]-thymidine than the non-contact halves, indicating increased DNA synthesis and cell division, but non-contact halves had greater uptake of [3H]-tyrosine. 5. Dot-blot hybridization with a female specific single stranded cDNA failed to detect production of the corresponding mRNA in females paired with male segments.     

Lethal Temperatures in Ammocoetes of Four Species of Lampreys

Abstract An investigation has been made of the resistance time and upper lethal temperature of ammocoetes of four species of lampreys provided with a substrate into which they could readily burrow. In general, ammocoetes burrowed after transfer from the acclimation to the experimental temperature baths and later came out of the substrate only in lethal temperatures. A relationship was observed between the resistance time and the time taken to emerge, with the resistance time increasing exponentially with decreasing experimental temperature. In Ichthyomyzon fossor, landlocked Petromyzon marinus, Lampetra (Lethenteron) Lamottenii and in Lampetra (Lampetra) planeri from two different times of the year, the incipient lethal levels over a two week experimental period for larvae acclimated to 15° G were respectively 30.5, 30, 29.5, 28.5 and 28° C. Values for P. marinus acclimated to 5 and 25° C were respectively 29.5 and 31° C, whereas in L. planeri they were 28 and 29° C in April/May and 27 and 29° C in July/August. Extrapolation of the results for the three acclimation temperatures yielded ultimate incipient lethal levels of 31.4° G in P. marinus and 29.2 and 29.4° C for L. planeri examined in the spring and summer respectively.     

The pedicled transposition of the digastric and stylohyoid muscles in the treatment of velopharyngeal incompetence. Anatomic basis and clinical application]

The anatomical basis for the application of neurovascular pedicled muscle transfers of the digastric and stylohyoid muscles in the treatment of velopharynx incompetence is described. The fact that the neurovascular pedicle is located in the cranial third of the muscle bellies provides the safety of the operative procedure. The muscles have to be dissected with respect to that. The direction in which the transferred muscles pull is described. The muscle transposition is combined with the classic Wardill-Kilner operation to lengthen the soft palate. The transferred muscles have to avoid scar contraction and shortening of the soft palate and to gain a muscular function of the soft palate. The clinical use is justified in rare cases as demonstrated in one case.