Instantaneous force-velocity-length relationship in diaphragmatic sarcomere

Coirault, Catherine, Denis Chemla, Jean-Claude Pourny,Francine Lambert, and Yves Lecarpentier. Instantaneousforce-velocity-length relationship in diaphragmatic sarcomere.J. Appl. Physiol. 82(2): 404-412, 1997.The simultaneous analysis of muscle force, length, velocity, andtime has been shown to precisely characterize the mechanicalperformance of isolated striated muscle. We tested the hypothesis thatthe three-dimensional force-velocity-length relationship reflectsmechanical properties of sarcomeres. In hamster diaphragm strips,instantaneous sarcomere length (SL) and muscle length were simultaneously measured during afterloaded twitches. SL was measured by means of laser diffraction. Wealso studied the influence of initialSL, abrupt changes in total load, and2 × 10⁷ M dantrolene.Baseline resting SL at the apex of thelength-active tension curve was 2.2 ± 0.1 µm, whereasSL at peak shortening was 1.6 ± 0.1 µm in the preloaded twitch and 2.1 ± 0.1 µm in the "isometric" twitch. Over the whole load continuum and at anygiven level of isotonic load, there was a unique relationship between instantaneous sarcomere velocity and instantaneousSL. Part of this relationship was timeindependent and initial SL independent and was markedly downshifted after dantrolene. When five different muscle regions were considered, there were no significant variations ofSL and sarcomere kinetics along themuscle. These results indicate that the time- and initiallength-independent part of the instantaneous force-velocity-lengthrelationship previously described in muscle strips reflects intrinsicsarcomere mechanical properties.

     

Legionella sainthelensi: a new species of Legionella isolated from water near Mt. St. Helens

Six strains of a new species, Legionella sainthelensi, were isolated from freshwater in areas affected by the volcanic eruptions of Mt. St. Helens in the state of Washington. Strains of L. sainthelensi are culturally and biochemically similar to other legionellae. They grow on buffered charcoal yeast agar but not on media that lack cysteine. They are gram-negative, nonsporeforming, motile rods that are positive in reactions for catalase, oxidase, gelatin liquefaction, and beta-lactamase. They are negative in reactions for urease, hydrolysis of hippurate, reduction of nitrates, fermentation of glucose, and blue-white autofluorescence. Their cell wall fatty acid composition is qualitatively similar to those of other legionellae, with 50 to 62% branched-chain fatty acids. They contain the isobranched-chain 14- and 16-carbon acids and anteisobranched-chain 15- and 17-carbon acids and relatively large amounts of straight-chain 16-carbon acid. All strains of L. sainthelensi contain approximately equal amounts of ubiquinones Q9, Q10, Q11, and Q12, a pattern similar to those of Legionella bozemanii, Legionella dumoffi, and Legionella longbeachae. Serological cross-reactions were observed between L. sainthelensi, both serogroups of L. longbeachae, and Legionella oakridgensis. Three strains of L. sainthelensi were greater than 90% related by DNA hybridization. The type strain of L. sainthelensi, Mt. St. Helens 4, was 36% related to the type strain of L. longbeachae and 3 to 14% related to the other nine described Legionella species.     

Sensitivity and specificity of the computational model for maximal expiratory flow

The computational model for forced expiratory flow from human lungs of Lambert and associates (J. Appl. Physiol.: Respirat. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 52: 44-56, 1982) was used to investigate the sensitivity of maximal expiratory flow to lung properties. It was found that maximal flow is very sensitive to recoil pressure and airway areas but not very sensitive to lung volume, airway compliance, and airway length. Linear programming was used to show that a given air flow-pressure curves was compatible with a fairly wide range of airway properties. Additional data for maximal flow with a He-O2 mixture narrowed the range somewhat. It was shown that the flow-pressure curve contains more information about central than peripheral airways and that information about the latter is obtainable only from flows at recoils less than 2 cmH2O. Parameter ranges compatible with individual flow-pressure curves showed differences that demonstrated that such curves give some indication of individual central airway properties.     

Mineral cycling in a tropical palm forest

Nutrient cycling and biomass characteristics of a tropical palm forest dominated byOrbignya cohune were found to be different from thsoe of hardwood dominated forests. The cohune palm forest had a high proportion of biomass in leaves (5%), a reduced sapling layer, a large amount of standing forest litter and an exceptionally low decomposition rate factor (0.1 year^–1). Mineral concentrations in palm leaves were generally lower than in hardwood species with the exception of Na, which was exceptionally high inOrbignya cohune. Biomass was estimated at 226 tons ha^–1 containing 1173 kg ha^–1 N; 126 kg ha^–1 P; 437 kg ha^–1 K; 1869 kg ha^–1 Mg; 125 kg ha^–1 Ca, and 2177 kg ha^–1 Na. Soils of cohune association did not differ significantly from those of neighbouring hardwood dominated associations with the exception of Na which occurred in higher concentration because of bioaccumulation in the dominant. The results suggest that the growth habits and physiology of a dominant can strongly influence some of the ecological parameters used to describe aforest association.     

A new isolation medium for the revovery ofYersinia enterocolitica from environmental sources

Yersinia enterocolitica has been isolated from a wide variety of sources throughout the world. The isolation of this organism requires special awareness from bacteriologists. To ease this procedure, we have developed a new isolation medium—BABY 4—meant to be used for environmental studies. Compared with previously recommended media, such as SS agar, SS-D agar, and urea-novobiocin agar, it allows easy detection ofY. enterocolitica in various types of waters. It counterselects Enterobacteriaceae species fromY. enterocolitica in a ratio of 10^–1 to 10^–5 and makes quantitative studies of environmental sources possible. This medium also allows the detection after 3–4 days' incubation of as few as 10³ Y. enterocolitica per gram of stool.     

Nitrogen distribution in hybrid and local corn varieties and its possible relationship to a declining soil nitrogen pool under shifting agriculture at Indian Church,Belize

Nitrogen levels at harvest in hybrid corn and weeds were determined over a three year period. Nitrogen losses due to grain removal accounted for 45% of all assimilated-N in the milpa. Percent N and percent P levels in the hybrid and a local black corn were also determined. Uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus in roots and leaves of both varieties were sigmoid until reproductive growth was initiated, at which time the percentage of both nutrients in the leaves declined rapidly. Levels in the seed at maturity in the hybrid variety accounted for 78% N and 52% P; levels were 58% N and 50% P in the local corn. Hybrid corn was not considered suitable for local farmers because a high percentage of total-N was removed at harvest and the hybrid had a high susceptibility to weevil attack.     

Duration of Hydrogen Formation by Anabaena cylindrica B629 in Atmospheres of Argon, Air, and Nitrogen

The time course of hydrogen formation by Anabaena cylindrica was followed beneath an argon atmosphere alone and also beneath atmospheres of argon, nitrogen, and air in the presence of carbon monoxide (0.2%) and acetylene (5%). Hydrogen production beneath argon alone was comparable in rate and duration (7 to 12 days) to that which occurred beneath air in the presence of carbon monoxide (0.2%) and acetylene (5%). However, much greater longevity (16 to 26 days) and improved rates of hydrogen formation were obtained when algae were incubated beneath argon and particularly nitrogen, each supplemented with carbon monoxide and acetylene. The total hydrogen produced by these cultures was up to three times as much as that released by cultures incubated beneath argon alone. Hydrogen-oxygen ratios for argon cultures either with or without carbon monoxide and acetylene were initially 1:5 but approximated 1:2 when measured over the entire incubation period. In each case oxygen production and nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) continued at reduced rates after hydrogen evolution had ceased. The effects of methionine sulfoximine (2 μM), ammonium ions (0.5 mM), or both on oxygen production were generally negligible, while effects on hydrogen production were variable depending on the atmosphere used; in most cases, eventual destabilization of the system occurred. A brief comparison was made of the time courses of anaerobic and aerobic hydrogen formation by the marine cyanobacterium Calothrix membranacea. It was found that shaking of cultures was beneficial for hydrogen production but not strictly necessary. It is concluded that hydrogen production by A. cylindrica in air and particularly nitrogen in the presence of carbon monoxide and acetylene offers the best potential of the atmospheres considered on the basis of four criteria: rates and longevity of hydrogen formation, practicality of the atmosphere used, and tolerance of hydrogen evolution to slight changes in composition of the atmosphere.     

Temperature dependence of capacitation in bat sperm monitored by zona-free hamster ova

The temperature dependence of capacitation in bat sperm (Myotis lucifugus lucifugus) was studied by monitoring fertilizations rates of zona-free hamster ova at different temperatures. Spermatozoa were cultured in BWW medium at temperatures 4°C, 24°C, 32°C, 42°C, and 55°C from 0–24 hr. Activation of sperm could be determined visually due to the change in movement seen through light microscopy. Activation was later confirmed by higher rates of fertilization. Preincubation of the bat sperm was found to have a direct effect on the success of penetration of the zona-free hamster ova. Holding bat spermatozoa at low temperature for long intervals allowed them to remain motile but unable to fertilize. Sperm are not irreversibly damaged, however, and activation, when the temperature is increased to 32°C, is faster than when sperm are intitially put at 32°C, resulting in good fertilization rates.