A Simplified Method of Preparation of Di-Ammine-Silver Hydroxide for Reticulum Impregnation; Comments on the Nature of the So-Called Sensitization Before Impregnation

A satisfactory di-ammine-silver hydroxide solution may be repeatedly and consistently prepared by adding 9 or 10 volumes of 10% silver nitrate solution to 1 volume of 28% ammonia water, running in the first 6 or 7 volumes rapidly and proceeding cautiously from then on, shaking until clear after each addition, until a faint permanent turbidity is reached.

The essential nature of Gomori's iron alum treatment and of Wilder's uranyl nitrate step following the Weigert permanganate-oxalic-acid sequence appears to be an oxidation, since the same results may be achieved with chromic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium iodate and elemental iodine, and since this step is better omitted on previously chromated material.     

Xylene-Cellulose Caprate as a Histologic Mounting Medium of Low Refractive Index

A 50% solution of cellulose caprate in xylene forms a clear pale yellowish syrupy solution of proper consistency for mounting stained and unstained sections. Cover slips become immovable in 30 minutes and slides do not stick together after one-day drying. The refractive index of the xylene solution is 1.4860, of the dry resin 1.4734, and unstained sections remain easily visible. Most stains are well preserved. Prussian blue is well preserved, cobalt sulfide decolorizes in a month.     

Measuring Achilles tendon mechanical properties: a reliable, noninvasive method

The purpose of this technical report is to describe a cost-effective and highly reliable methodology to measure mechanical and material properties of the Achilles tendon. Subjects are positioned on an isokinetic dynamometer time synchronized to a diagnostic ultrasound device. A tendon fascicle distal to the soleus is visualized during a ramped isometric maximal plantarflexion contraction. Excursion of the fascicle and tendon torque output yield a force-elongation curve in which mechanical characteristics and material properties are derived. Excellent intrasession and intersession reliabilities were observed for both the dynamometer (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.99, 0.95) and excursion (ICC 0.99, 0.93) measures. Practical applications for this methodology include examination of training regimes for optimal tendon adaptation and rehabilitation in the presence of tendinopathy.     

THE RELATION BETWEEN THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF THE EXTERNAL MEDIUM AND THE RATE OF CELL DIVISION IN SEA URCHIN EGGS

Dilution of sea water with isotonic sugar solution leaves the rate of cleavage of Arbacia eggs almost unchanged until the proportion of sea water is decreased to 20 or 25 volumes per cent. From this point cleavage becomes progressively slower with further dilution. Many eggs fail to cleave at dilutions of 5 to 6 volumes per cent. No cleavage occurs in 2 volumes per cent sea water or in pure sugar solution. Eggs returned from these media to sea water resume cleavage and development. There is thus no relation between the rate of cleavage and the electrical conductivity of the medium, except possibly within the range of dilutions from 20 to 5 volumes per cent sea water. In this range cleavage rate decreases as conductivity decreases, but the relation is not a linear one.     

Response of the microbial community to water table variation and nutrient addition and its implications for in situ preservation of organic archaeological remains in wetland soils

Wetland environments can preserve organic archaeological remains because of their anaerobic nature. The ongoing discovery of archaeological sites in wetlands is associated with a lack of funds for excavation and preservation. This situation has led to the consideration of preservation in situ the preferred option for dealing with the majority of waterlogged archaeological remains in England. To expand our understanding of the burial environment, we studied changes in environmental variables along with counts of total bacteria and microbial ¹⁴C-leucine assimilation down the soil profile at two wetlands in the North of England. Soil cores were sampled at five depth intervals between 10 and 100 cm. To test whether the addition of nutrients induces bacterial activity in the soil, inorganic phosphate and combined nitrogen were added to soil samples and the rate of ¹⁴C-leucine assimilation was recorded. Redox potential readings were positive above the water table and negative below. The total number of bacteria and the ¹⁴C-leucine assimilation rates differed among sites, but always decreased with increasing soil depth. Nutrient availability was limiting for the microbial communities in the upper soil horizons, but did not appear to limit those in the lower soil. These results allow a better understanding of the physico-chemical and microbiological conditions that potentially favour or inhibit the decomposition of organic archaeological remains at the studied wetlands.     

Fine structure of subcultivated stratified squamous epithelium

Subcultivated rat lingual epithelium derived from primary expiants remains mitotically active, possesses an organellar complement similar to the parent tissue, and undergoes terminal differentiation. Successful growth of primary cultures requires an incubation temperature below 34 °C and the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the medium. The subcultures retain a stable morphological phenotype through a minimum of 15 passages. Cultures are long-lived and may be maintained for one year or more in any passage.     

Management of pain in sickle cell disease using biofeedback therapy: A preliminary study

Fifteen patients with a history of painful episodes of sickle cell disease were given training in progressive relaxation, thermal biofeedback, cognitive strategies, and self-hypnosis to help them develop self-management skills to relieve pain. Results show a 38.5% reduction in the number of emergency room visits, a 31% reduction in the number of hospitalizations, and a 50% reduction in the inpatient stay during the 6 months since the beginning of therapy compared to 6 months prior to therapy. Analgesic intake was reduced by 29% for those who were using it regularly. This is a preliminary study, and the results are considered only as suggestive of the potential use of biofeedback therapy and behavioral management in alleviating painful episodes in sickle cell disease.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 6th Annual Convention of the American Association of Biofeedback Clinicians, Chicago, November 5, 1982.     

The staining of mucopolysaccharides with gallocyanin and metal mordants

Summary Some salts of tin, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten can act as mordants which can combine with polysaccharides and their presence can be detected as colored compounds with an acid alcoholic solution of gallocyanin. None of these metals produced color reaction when used alone. Titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum and tin form a blue gallocyanin color with salivary, laryngeal, bronchial, gastrointestinal, uterine cervical gland mucins, cartilage and rat mast cells. In addition, tin (IV), titanium (IV), hafnium, niobium and tantalum stained Brunner gland bluish violet to a purple. Gallocyanin mordanted with molybdenum and tungsten stained collagen, reticulum and cartilage blue to dark blue. In addition, tungsten stained some elastic fibers a bright red violet. Paneth cells were stained dark blue by niobium, molybdenum and acidified titanium potassium oxalate. Molybdenum could be extracted by alkalis and titanium by strong acids after tissues have been mordanted. Methylation prior to mordanting inhibits staining of the mucosubstances by titanium. Sulfation enhances staining reactions by titanium and molybdenum.     

Mortality in over 350,000 Insured Swedish dogs from 1995–2000: I. Breed-, Gender-, Age- and Cause-specific Rates

This study presents data on over 350,000 insured Swedish dogs up to 10 years of age contributing to over one million dog-years at risk (DYAR) during 1995–2000. A total of 43,172 dogs died or were euthanised and of these 72% had a claim with a diagnosis for the cause of death. The overall total mortality was 393 deaths per 10,000 DYAR. Mortality rates are calculated for the 10 most common breeds, 10 breeds with high mortality and a group including all other breeds, crudely and for general causes of death. Proportional mortality is presented for several classifications. Five general causes accounted for 62% of the deaths with a diagnosis (i.e. tumour (18%), trauma (17%), locomotor (13%), heart (8%) and neurological (6%)). Mortality rates for the five most common diagnoses within the general causes of death are presented. These detailed statistics on mortality can be used in breed-specific strategies as well as for general health promotion programs. Further details on survival and relative risk by breed and age are presented in the companion paper [14].