The isometric length-force models of nine different skeletal muscles.

The length-force relations of nine different skeletal muscles in the hindlimb of the cat were determined experimentally, with electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve as the activation mode. It was shown that the active-, passive-, and total-force patterns varied widely among the muscles. The tibialis posterior (TP), medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG, LG) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) had a symmetric active-force curve, whereas the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus brevis (PB), peroneus longus (PL), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and soleus (SOL) had an asymmetric curve which exhibits about 25% of the maximal isometric force at extreme lengths. The SOL, EDL, and LG had a low-level passive force which appeared at short muscle length, whereas all other muscles exhibited initial passive force just before the optimal length. The total force was rising quasi-linearly for the SOL, whereas the other muscles exhibited an intermediate plateau about the optimal length. The LG and FDL had a substantial but temporary intermediate dip in the total force as the muscle was elongated past the optimal length. The elongation range of the various muscles also varied, ranging from +/- 15 to +/- 30% of the optimal length. The elongation range was symmetric for the FDL, LG, MG, TP, SOL, and EDL, and asymmetric for the PL, PB, and TA, being -12 to + 17%, -12 to + 17%, and -35 to + 12%, respectively. Two different models which incorporate muscle architecture were successfully fitted to the experimental data of the muscles except for the MG and TA. The architecture of these two muscles is highly nonhomogeneous and contains compartments with two pennation patterns or two different optimal lengths. New models, which add spatially and temporally the individual characteristics of each compartment of the muscles, were constructed for these two muscles. The new models demonstrated high correlation to the experimental data obtained from the MG and TA. It was concluded that the length-force relation varies widely among various skeletal muscles and is probably dependent on the primary function of the muscle in the context of integrated movement; this is a manifestation of architectural factors such as fiber pennation pattern and angle, cross-sectional area, ratio of muscle to tendon length, distribution of the fiber length within the muscle and compartmental pennation.     

An assessment of the importance of emergent and floating-leaved macrophytes to trophic status in the Loosdrecht lakes (The Netherlands)

The potential importance of the six major emergent and floating-leaved macrophyte species in recycling of sediment phosphorus in the Loosdrecht lakes was studied. Representative plant samples were collected at the time of maximum biomass, and analysed for biomass and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Species cover was determined by aerial photography.Total cover in the seven lakes studied ranged between 2 and 26 percent. For the four main species, biomass per unit area increased with lake trophic status. Consistent differences in C, N and P contents per unit biomass were not observed. Although cover values were small, significant amounts of C, N and P were contained in the macrophytes when compared with maximum sestonic content.Potential P loads from macrophyte decay were calculated. In Lake Loosdrecht, the P load represented 15 percent of current external P inputs. The potential importance of macrophyte decay to P recycling in the other lakes is greater.Decay of macrophyte species at the end of the growing season appears to affect autumnal nutrient and chlorophyll a levels in the water column of some lakes. The re-establishment of submerged species following lake restoration may increase the importance of this pathway in the lakes.     

Controlling the exotic diseases: 2. Nursing management.

Advance planning can facilitate the care of a patient with an exotic disease who is admitted to a hospital that lacks facilities for high-security isolation. The Department of National Health and Welfare contingency plan for dealing with such patients lacks specific information in a number of areas of medical care, as described in this paper. Consideration must be given to the number of personnel trained and readied for employment, the criteria for selection and special preparation. The protective clothing generally used for hospital isolation procedures is inadequate. Several types of special clothing, including a respirator, are available for total protection of personnel; the clothing may be uncomfortable when worn for long periods, and does restrict movement, vision and communication. All persons entering the isolation suite must change into fully protective clothing, and double layers of clothing are required for direct patient care. All personnel must shower and change before leaving the isolation suite. Suitable facilities for dressing and showering, together with entry and exit routines, must be considered. Hand washing, daily cleaning procedures and disposal of liquid and solid wastes all require special procedures. The social and psychologic problems of patients and their families must also be considered. Preplanning is required to decrease the risks involved in monitoring vital signs and implementing emergency procedures requiring contact with the patient''s blood.     

Absorption changes of P-700 reversible in milliseconds at low temperature in Triton-solubilized photosystem I particles.

Triton-solubilized Photosystem I particles from spinach chloroplasts exhibit largely reversible P-700 absorption changes over the temperature range from 4.2 K to room temperature. For anaerobic samples treated with dithionite and neutral red at pH 10 and illuminated during cooling, a brief (1 microseconds) saturating flash produces absorption changes in the long wavelength region that decay in 0.95 +/- 0.2 ms from 4.2 to 50 K. Above 80 K a faster (100 +/- 30 microseconds) component dominates in the decay process, but this disappears again above about 180 K. The major decay at temperatures above 200 K occurs in about 1 ms. The difference spectrum of these absorption changes between 500 and 900 nm closely resembles that of P-700. Using ascorbate and 2.6-dichlorophenolindophenol as the reducing system with a sample of Photosystem I particles cooled in darkness to 4.2 K, a fully reversible signal is seen upon both the first and subsequent flashes. The decay time in this case is 0.9 +/- 0.3 ms.     

Kinetics of reduction of the oxidized primary electron donor of Photosystem II in spinach chloroplasts and in Chlorella cells in the microsecond and nanosecond time ranges following flash excitation

Absorption changes (ΔA) at 820 nm, following laser flash excitation of spinach chloroplasts and Chlorella cells, were studied in order to obtain information on the reduction time of the photooxidized primary donor of Photosystem II at physiological temperatures.In the microsecond time range the difference spectrum of ΔA between 750 and 900 nm represents a peak at 820 nm, attributable to a radical-cation of chlorophyll a. In untreated dark-adapted material the signal can be attributed solely to P⁺?700; it decays in a polyphasic manner with half-times of 17 μs, 210 μs and over 1 ms. The oxidized primary donor of Photosystem II (P⁺_II) is not detected with a time resolution of 3 μs. After treatment with 3–10 mM hydroxylamine, which inhibits the donor side of Photosystem II, P⁺_II is observed and decays biphasically (a major phase with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 20–40 μ}\text{s}$, and a minor phase with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{? 200 μ}\text{s}$), probably by reduction by an accessory electron donor.In the nanosecond range, which was made accessible by a new fast-response flash photometer operating at 820 nm, it was found the P⁺_II is reduced with a half-time of 25–45 ns in untreated dark-adapted chloroplasts. It is assumed that the normal secondary electron donor is responsible for this fast reduction.     

Nitrate reductase activity and growth in Paul's Scarlet rose suspension cultures in relation to nitrogen source and molybdenum

Growth and nitrate reductase activity were measured in Paul's Scarlet rose cell suspensions, cultured in media purified from molybdenum and containing nitrate or urea as sole nitrogen source with or without added Mo. Urea could replace nitrate to yield 80% of the fresh weight in nitrate medium. Nitrate reductase activities were compared by in vivo and in vitro assays. The latter varied due to inactivation during extraction. Compared with activities in cells in complete NO₃ ^- medium, activity in NO₃ ^--Mo cells was reduced to 30% and, in urea-grown cells, to trace amounts. Increases in nitrate reductase activity were found when NO₃ ^- alone was added to NO₃ ^- or urea+Mo cultures. In NO₃ ^--Mo cultures, Mo alone or with NO₃ ^- caused a similar increase in activity, whereas urea-Mo cultures required both NO₃ ^- and Mo for enzyme induction.Abbreviations FAD flavin adenine dinucleotide - Mo molybdenum - NADH reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NO₃ ^-+Mo standard MX₁ culture medium - NO₃ ^--Mo MX₁ medium purified of Mo and used for continuous subculture with nitrate - NR nitrate reductase - PSR Paul's Scarlet rose - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone - U urea - U+Mo MX₁ medium containing urea instead of nitrate - U-Mo MX₁ medium containing urea instead of nitrate and also purified of Mo     

Effect of temperature on the integrity of Bacillus psychrophilus cell walls

Cell walls isolated from Bacillus psychrophilus autolyse at temperatures which support growth. At temperatures above the maximum growth temperature (28 C), a nonenzymatic lysis occurs. Removal of autolytic enzyme activity with 10 m LiCl had little effect on the rate or extent of lysis at elevated temperatures (37 and 45 C). Nonenzymatic lysis was characterized chemically by a decrease in the liberation of N-terminal groups, and the effects of pH, Ca(2+), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid suggest that ionic linkages are involved in much of the integrity of the cell wall of this psychrophile. The nonenzymatic absorbance decrease at 45 C can be reversed to the extent of 70 to 100% at 0 C. Centrifugation of a heat-lysed wall suspension separated a soluble protein component which is required for low-temperature reaggregation. Preliminary evidence indicates the insoluble residue which remains after temperature-mediated lysis is primarily peptidoglycan.     

In vitro Inhibition of Clinical Isolates of Otitis Media Pathogens by the Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12

Otitis media is a common childhood infection, frequently requiring antibiotics. With high rates of antibiotic prescribing and increasing antibiotic resistance, new strategies in otitis media prevention and treatment are needed. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro inhibitory activity Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 against otitis media pathogens. Efficacy of the bacteriocin activity of S. salivarius BLIS K12 against the otitis media isolates was assessed using the deferred antagonism test. Overall, 48% of pathogenic isolates exhibited some growth inhibition by S. salivarius BLIS K12. S. salivarius BLIS K12 can inhibit the in vitro growth of the most common pathogens.