The behavioral development of rats with prenatal hypoinsulinemia

Influence of the prenatal hypoinsulinaemia (streptozocin diabetes) on the behaviour of the offsprings of Wistar rats was studied from 1 to 20 postnatal days. In experimental pups there were slower weight increment, later eye opening, later development of elementary behavioural acts (grooming elements, rearing, sniffing), and later formation of complex behavioural patterns (investigation of an environment) than in the control offsprings of healthy females.     

Iodine-123 labelled nor-beta-CIT binds to the serotonin transporter in vivo as assessed by biodistribution studies in rats

Flavobacterium aurantiacum NRRL B-184 possesses the ability to degrade aflatoxin B1 in solution and in several food items. Aflatoxin B1 is a potent carcinogen that causes significant economic losses to the agricultural and food industry. The role of trace metal ions (Cu2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and Co2+) were studied in an effort to understand the enzymatic system involved in aflatoxin B1 degradation by F aurantiacum. The effect of divalent chelators (EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline [OPT]) in the presence of the trace metal ions was studied as well. Aflatoxin B1 (10 microg/ml) was added to 72-h cultures of F aurantiacum that had been washed and resuspended in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). HPLC was used to determine aflatoxin B1 concentration in these cultures. Incubating cells at 30 degrees C with 1 and 10 mM Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ significantly decreased aflatoxin B degradation after 4 and 24 h (P < 0.05). Decreased degradation was also observed with 1 and 10 mM Cu2+ and Zn2+ after 48 h and with 0.1 mM Cu2+ after 24 and 48 h. Co2+ did not have a significant effect on aflatoxin B1 degradation. EDTA and OPT did not counter the inhibition in the presence of Cu2+. The addition of 1 mM EDTA countered the inhibition by 1 mM Mn2+ after 4 and 24 h, but 1 mM OPT did not counter the inhibition by 10 mM Mn2+ after 4 and 24 h. OPT countered the inhibition by 1 mM Zn2+ after 4 and 48 h. These trace elements inhibit aflatoxin B1 degradation by F aurantiacum. In addition, their presence necessitates higher concentrations (>1 mM) of EDTA and OPT for the removal of their inhibitory effect.     

Mechanical properties of certain oriented crystalline polymers

The yield stress is a simple function of the deformation ratio in the direction of testing for specimens oriented by uniaxial or biaxial stretching or rolling. Unless the yield stress increases more rapidly than in proportion to the deformation ratio, there will be instability during tensile creep under high loads. The relative merit of various polymers differs for creep and stress relaxation. Fatigue and bend recovery are also related to the molecular structure.     

Potential difference across subcellular particle membranes. II. Compensation method of measurement

"Zero-loop" of the molecular potential transformer of submitochondrial particles (SMP) is separated from the remaining electron transfer chain by rotenone, and its e.m.f. ET=0,003+RT/2F in [NADP X H] [NAD+]/[NADP+] [NAD X H] volts is used in the compensative method of measurement of the potential difference across the SMP membrane (delta USMP). The phospholipid membrane, measuring the concentration of the penetrating anions in the solution contained SMP, is used as "zero-indicators". This concentration drops monotonically with increase in delta USMP. Delta USMP is equal to ET when the addition of substrates of transhydrogenase reaction with definite ET does not change the potential across phospholipid membrane.     

The clinical significance of granulocyte colonies in bone marrow cultures

The culture system for in vitro evaluation of "colony forming units - culture (CFU-c)" is briefly outlined. This method offers a new approach to studies of proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic progenitor cells, especially in disorders of granulopoiesis. From available published data it is evident that quantitation of CFU-c is also an indicator of diagnostic and prognostic value for assessment of various types of leukemia. The CFU-c assay has furthermore been introduced to test the viability and proliferating capacity of cryopreserved bone marrow, especially with a view to possible transfusion of stored autologous bone marrow as an adjuvant to cytostatic therapy.