The effective diffusion coefficient and the distribution constant for small molecules in calcium-alginate gel beads

The effective diffusion coefficient, D(e), and the distribution constant, K(i), for selected mono- and disaccharides and organic acids were determined in homogeneous calcium-alginate gel with and without entrapped bacteria. Results were obtained from transient concentration changes in well-stirred solutions of limited volume, in which the gel beads were suspended. The effective diffusioncoefficients and the distribution constants were estimated by fitting mathematical model predictions to the experimental data using a nonlinear model fitting program (MODFIT). Both single solute diffusion and multiple solute diffusion were performed. A small positive effect was obtained onthe values of D(e) for the system of multiple solute diffusion; however, the values of K(i) were not significantly influenced. For the nine solutes tested, D(e) for 2% Ca-alginate gel beads was found to be approximately 85% of the diffusivity measured in water. The effects on D(e) and K(i), for lactose and lactic acid were determined for variations of alginate concentration, pH, temperature, and biomass content in the beads. D(e) decreased linearly for both lactose and lactic acid with increasing cell concentration in the Ca-alginate gel. K(i), was constant for both lactose and lactic acid with increasing cell concentration. D(e) was significantly lower at pH 4.5 than at pH 5.5 and 6.5 for both lactose and lactic acid. Furthermore, D(e) seemed to decrease with increased alginate concentration in the range of 1% to 4%. The diffusion rate increased with increasing temperature, and the activation energy for the diffusion process for both lactose and lactic acid was constant in the temperature range tested. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons Inc.     

The computer as a laboratory for the physical chemistry of membranes

A mini-review is given of some recent advances in the use of computer-simulation approaches to the study of physico-chemical properties of lipid bilayers and biological membranes. The simulations are based on microscopic molecular interaction models as well as random-surface models of fluid membranes. Particular emphasis is put on those properties that are controlled by the many-particle character of the lamellar membrane, i.e. correlations and fluctuations in density, composition and large-scale conformational structure. It is discussed how dynamic membrane heterogeneity arises and how it is affected by various molecular species interacting with membranes, such as cholesterol, drugs, insecticides, as well as polypeptides and integral membrane proteins. The influence of bending rigidity and osmotic-pressure gradients on large-scale membrane conformation and topology is described.     

Crustacean plankton in Høylandet

Crustacean plankton was studied in 12 lakes in theHøylandet area in 1986–87. Basic lake characteristicsare elevation 134–415 m, surface area 9–530 ha, pH 5.9–7.1,conductivity (25 °C) 12–40 µS cm^-1 andSecchi depth 4–9 m. Number ofspecies present varied between 3 and 11. Populationnumbers between 4000 and 400 000 per m² andbiomasses were within the range 30 to1800 mg m^-2 dry weight. Cladocera dominated overCopepoda in lakes with allopatric brown trout (Salmo trutta L.), on the contrary to lakes also populatedby Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)). Thesevariations are caused by differences in elevation,lake morphometry, water quality, fish predation andthe general distribution of the species. The largestlakes at lowest elevation were richest in species. Theacid sensitive genus Daphnia was represented by 3species. The lakes Storgrønningen (530 ha) andRøyrtjønna (27 ha) were sampled monthly in theice-free seasons of 1986–89, and Storgrønningen moreintensively from June to November in 1987 and 1988. The same6 species of Cladocera and 5 of Copepoda were presentin both lakes. Their life cycles were traditional orknown from several other Scandinavian lakes. Meanseasonal biomasses were of the range600–750 mg m^-2. At the species level, there wereconsiderable variations between years inStorgrønningen and particularly in Røyrtjønna. Noeffects of human impacts on the crustacean planktonwere found. The Høylandet lakes are representative forScandinavian oligotrophic to almost ultra-oligotrophiclakes. Storgrønningen is well qualified as a referencesystem. The between year variations in Røyrtjønna areso extreme, that any human impact could only be traced at alevel causing the extinction of species.     

The macrobenthos of the pristine stream, Skiftesåa, Høylandet, Norway

The species composition of aquatic insects in theboreal stream, Skiftesåa, was investigated usingemergence traps, Malaise traps and kick samples. Atleast 13 Ephemeroptera, 16 Plecoptera, 25 Trichopteraand 120 Chironomidae species were recorded. This faunais representative for non-polluted, northern streams.The production of macrobenthos was estimated to beonly about 1 g dry weight per year and m²,possibly due to the fluctuating flow of water.     

Probiotic effect of lactic acid bacteria in the feed on growth and survival of fry of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

A growing concern for the high consumption of antibiotics in aquaculture has initiated a search for alternative methods of disease control. Improved resistance against infectious diseases can be achieved by the use of probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms supplemented in food or feed which give beneficial effects on the intestinal microbial balance. In the present study a dry feed containing lactic acid bacteria (Carnobacterium divergens) isolated from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)intestines was given to cod fry. After three weeks of feeding the fry was exposed to a virulent strain of Vibrio anguillarum. The death rate was recorded during further three weeks of feeding with lactic acid bacteria supplemented feed. A certain improvement of disease resistance was obtained, and at the end of the experiment lactic acid bacteria dominated the intestinal flora in surviving fish given feed supplemented with lactic acid bacteria. No obvious growth inhibition of V. anguillarum was observed in an in vitro mixed culture of this bacterium and the C. divergens isolated from cod intestines. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The haustorium of the root parasite Triphysaria (Scrophulariaceae), with special reference to xylem bridge ultrastructure

Haustoria of Triphysaria pusilla and T. versicolor subsp. faucibarbata from a natural habitat were analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Secretory trichomes (root hairs) participate in securing the haustorium to the surface of the host root. The keel-shaped intrusive part of the secondary haustorium penetrates to the depth of the vascular tissue of the host. Some of the epidermal interface cells differentiate into xylem elements. A significant number of haustoria do not differentiate further, but in most haustoria one to five of the epidermal xylem elements terminate a similar number of xylem strands. The strands mostly consist of vessel members and they connect host xylem or occasionally host parenchyma to the plate xylem adjacent to the stele of the parasite root. Each strand of this xylem bridge is accompanied by highly protoplasmic parenchyma cells with supposed transfer cell function. Increased surface area of the plasmalemma occurs in these cells as it does in interface parenchyma cells. Graniferous tracheary elements are restricted to the haustorium and occur most frequently in the plate xylem. The plate xylem is also accompanied by highly protoplasmic parenchyma cells. Hyphae of mycorrhizal fungi of the host root occasionally penetrate into the distal part of the xylem bridge. We combine structural observations and physiological facts into a hypothesis for translocation of water and nutrients between host and parasite. Some evolutionary aspects related to endogeny/exogeny of haustoria are discussed, and it is argued that the Triphysaria haustorium represents a greatly advanced and/or reduced condition within Scrophulariaceae.     

Inheritance of migraine investigated by complex segregation analysis

Migraine is the most common neurological disorder, affecting about 20% of adults. The mode of inheritance was analyzed in the two main types of migraine, migraine without aura (MO) and migraine with aura (MA), by complex segregation analysis using the computer program POINTER. We included 126 probands with MO and 127 probands with MA from the general population. Firstdegree relatives and spouses were blindly interviewed by a neurological research fellow. The complex segregation analysis indicated that both MO and MA have multifactorial inheritance without generational difference.     

Metabolic differences between primary cultures of astrocytes and neurons from cerebellum and cerebral cortex. Effects of fluorocitrate

Astrocytes and neurons cultured from mouse cerebellum and cerebral cortex were analyzed with respect to content and synthesis of amino acids as well as export of metabolites to the culture medium and the response to fluorocitrate, an, inhibitor of aconitase. The intracellular levels of amino acids were similar in the two astrocytic populations. The release of citrate, lactate and glutamine, however, was markedly higher from cerebellar than from cortical astrocytes. Neurons contained higher levels of glutamate, aspartate and GABA than astrocytic cultures. Cortical neurons were especially high in GABA and aspartate, and the level of aspartate increased specifically when the extracellular level of glutamine was elevated. Fluorocitrate inhibited the TCA cycle in the astrocytes, but was less effective in cerebellar neurons. Whereas neurons responded to fluorocitrate with an increase in the formation of lactate, reflecting, glycolysis, astrocytes decreased the formation of lactate in the presence of fluorocitrate, indicating that astrocytes to a high degree synthesize pyruvate and hence lactate from TCA cycle intermediates.     

Potentiation of antitumor effects of tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ by macrophage-colony-stimulating factor in a MmB16 melanoma model in mice

The efficacy of systemic infusion of recombinant human macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in combination with local treatment with human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and mouse recombinant interferon (IFN) was studied in vivo on a subclone of B16 melanoma (MmB16) in mice. Short-term intravenous administration of M-CSF at a dose of 10⁶ units daily had no antitumor effect in vivo. Similarly, local treatment of tumor with TNF (5 g daily) did not produce any therapeutic effect. However, simultaneous administration of the same dose of TNF with IFN (1000 units daily) resulted in a synergistic effects manifested by the retardation of tumor growth. Addition of systemic infusion of M-CSF to the local therapy with TNF and IFN induced further augmentation of antitumor efficacy and delayed progression of MmB16 melanoma. The strengthened antitumor effect of combination therapy including M-CSF, TNF and IFN was most probably due to the increased release of monocytes from the bone marrow, their recruitment into the site of tumor growth and subsequent local stimulation of their antitumor activity.     

Stoichiometry and kinetics of microbial toluene degradation under denitrifying conditions

Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the stoichiometry and kinetics of microbial degradation of toluene under denitrifying conditions. The inoculum originated from a mixture of sludges from sewage treatment plants with alternating nitrification and denitrification. The culture was able to degrade toluene under anaerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide, or nitrous oxide. No degradation occurred in the absence of Noxides. The culture was also able to use oxygen, but ferric iron could not be used as an electron acceptor. In experiments with¹⁴C-labeled toluene, 34%±8% of the carbon was incorporated into the biomass, while 53%±10% was recovered as¹⁴CO₂, and 6%±2% remained in the medium as nonvolatile water soluble products. The average consumption of nitrate in experiments, where all the reduced nitrate was recovered as nitrite, was 1.3±0.2 mg of nitrate-N per mg of toluene. This nitrate reduction accounted for 70% of the electrons donated during the oxidation of toluene. When nitrate was reduced to nitrogen gas, the consumption was 0.7±0.2 mg per mg of toluene, accounting for 97% of the donated electrons. Since the ammonia concentration decreased during degradation, dissimilatory reduction of nitrate to ammonia was not the reductive process. The degradation of toluene was modelled by classical Monod kinetics. The maximum specific rate of degradation, k, was estimated to be 0.71 mg toluene per mg of protein per hour, and the Monod saturation constant, K _s , to be 0.2 mg toluene/l. The maximum specific growth rate, _max , was estimated to be 0.1 per hour, and the yield coefficient, Y, was 0.14 mg protein per mg toluene.Abbreviations NVWP Non Volatile Water-soluble Products