Wall shear stress during pulsatile flow distal to a normal porcine aortic valve

The shear stress at the wall has been of interest as one of the possible fluid dynamic factors that may be damaging in the region of prosthetic valves. The purpose of this study was to measure the axial wall shear stresses in the region of a 29 mm tissue annulus diameter porcine stent mounted prosthetic aortic valve (Hancock, Model 242). Studies were performed in an in vitro pulse duplicating system. The axial wall shear stress was calculated from velocities obtained near the wall with a laser Doppler anemometer. The largest axial wall shear stress was 29 dyn cm-2 and it occurred at the highest stroke volume used (80 ml). At a stroke volume of 50 ml, the largest axial wall shear stress was 17 dyn cm-2 and at a stroke volume of 35 ml, it was 15 dyn cm-2. Stresses of these magnitudes are far below those reported to be damaging to the endothelial surface. These stresses may be high enough, however, to affect platelet function.     

Reduced pyridine nucleotides in Pseudomonas carboxydovorans are formed by reverse electron transfer linked to proton motive force

In cell suspensions of Pseudomonas carboxydovorans pulsed with lithotrophic substrates (CO or H₂) in the presence of oxygen, formation of reduced pyridine nucleotides and of ATP could be demonstrated using the bioluminescent assay. Experiments employing base-acid transition, an uncoupler and inhibitors of ATPase or electron transport enabled us to propose a model for the formation of NAD(P)H in chemolithotrophically growing P. carboxydovorans.The protonophor FCCP (carbonly-p-trifluormethoxyphenylhydrazon) inhibited both, formation of NAD(P)H and of ATP. In the absence of oxygen, a chemical potential imposed by base-acid transition resulted in the formation of NAD(P)H and ATP when electrogenic substrates (CO or H₂) were present. This suggests proton motive force-driven NAD(P)H formation. The proton motive force was generated by oxidation of substrate, and not by ATP hydrolysis, as obvious from NAD(P)H formation during inhibition of ATP synthesis by oligomycin and N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.That the CO-born electrons are transferred via the ubiquinone 10-cytochrome b region to NADH dehydrogenase functioning in the reverse direction, was indicated by inhibition of NAD(P)H formation by HQNO (2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide) and rotenone, and by resistance to antimycin A.We conclude that in P. carboxydovorans, growing with CO or H₂, electrons and a proton motive force, generated by respiration, are required to drive an reverse electron transfer for the formation of reduced pyridine nucleotides.Abbreviations CODH carbon monoxide dehydrogenase - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - FCCP carbonyl-p-trifluormethoxyphenylhydrazon - HQNO 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide - pmf proton motive force     

Effect of antidepressant drugs on the in-vitro egg-penetrating ability of golden hamster epididymal spermatozoa

Tricyclic antidepressants appeared to be without effect, except for desipramine which significantly decreased whiplash motility after spermatozoa were added to eggs, and clomipramine which decreased motility and whiplash motility in epididymal sperm suspensions after pretreatment of males. Mianserin and viloxazine were also without effect, but nomifensine significantly decreased sperm motility and whiplash motility and inhibited egg penetration almost completely. After 3 h preincubation with 0.75 mmol nomifensine hydrogen maleate/l, 2/181 and 0/256 eggs were penetrated in two separate series of experiments. Control groups in these series gave medians of 90-100% penetration by 4.5-5.5 h after spermatozoa and eggs were mixed. Maleic acid had a similar effect (1/253 eggs penetrated) whilst nomifensine hydrochloride was inactive, suggesting that the effect was due to the maleate moiety of the original nomifensine hydrogen maleate salt used.     

Zur Biologie,Morphologie und Verhaltensweise von Apion virens Hrbst. (Col., Curculionidae)

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Arbeit soll einen Beitrag zur Monographie von Apion virens liefern. Von den einzelnen Stadien werden die Entwicklungsdauer sowie verschiedene morphologische Einzelheiten angegeben. Die Lebensdauer der Imagines beträgt 11–12 Monate, wobei die Käfer allerdings während der Überwinterung Nahrung aufnehmen müssen.Die Ausfärbung der Puppen und Imagines erfolgt progressiv. Der Fortgang dieser Prozesse wird im einzelnen beschrieben.Die Zahl der abgelegten Eier betrug maximal 166/.Untersuchungen zur Phänologie ergaben verschiedene gut abtrennbare Phasen im Laufe des Jahres.Im Wirtspflanzenspektrum der Art spielen Trifolium-Arten die wichtigste Rolle.Die Vorzugstemperatur- und-lichtbereiche zeigen charakteristische Veränderungen ihrer Lage im Laufe des Jahres. Dabei ergeben sich hinsichtlich der Temperatur auch Unterschiede zwischen und .Von den Verhaltensweisen der Imagines werden Kopulation, Eiablage und Putzhandlungen eingehend beschrieben.

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On the biology, morphology and behaviour of apion virens Hrbst. (Col., Curculionidae)

Summary This paper intends to give a contribution to a monography of Apion virens. From the different stages the duration of development and some details of the morphology are presented. The longevity of the adults reaches 11 to 12 months when uptake of food during hibernation is possible.The pigmentation of pupae and adults, which is described in detail, takes place progressively.The maximum number of eggs per female was 166.Investigations about the phenology showed several well separated phases in the course of one year. Trifolium species are the most suitable host plants of A. virens.The range of preference of temperature and humidity changes characteristically during the year. — Between and there exist also differences in the optimum temperature range.Copulation, egg-laying and cleaning behaviour are described in detail.