scholarly journals PROTECTION OF BACTERIOPHAGE AGAINST X-RAYS BY HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF A NEUTRAL SALT

1953 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Bachofer ◽  
M. Aelred Pottinger

Protection of bacteriophage T1 against x-rays was tested in the presence of concentrations of (NH4)2SO4 ranging from 10–6 M to saturation (4.26 M). Survival of T1 in concentrations of 10–6 to 10–3 M after irradiation did not differ significantly from survival in distilled water after irradiation. From 10–3 M to 10–1 M there was a steep rise in survival, with a leveling off as the concentration approached saturation, giving over-all a 2,000-fold increase in survival. The mechanism of salting out protection in these experiments is apparently due chiefly to dehydration, which protects the virus particles against the indirect effects of x-irradiation. Postirradiation effects, tested by the inactivation of phage added to irradiated media, approach in magnitude the effects obtained by irradiation of the phage particles themselves in the various solutions. Filter paper adsorption analyses indicate a close correlation between concentrations of (NH4)2SO4, ability of the filter paper to adsorb phage, and protection against x-rays, both during and after irradiation.

Author(s):  
Gregory L. Finch ◽  
Richard G. Cuddihy

The elemental composition of individual particles is commonly measured by using energydispersive spectroscopic microanalysis (EDS) of samples excited with electron beam irradiation. Similarly, several investigators have characterized particles by using external monochromatic X-irradiation rather than electrons. However, there is little available information describing measurements of particulate characteristic X rays produced not from external sources of radiation, but rather from internal radiation contained within the particle itself. Here, we describe the low-energy (< 20 KeV) characteristic X-ray spectra produced by internal radiation self-excitation of two general types of particulate samples; individual radioactive particles produced during the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident and radioactive fused aluminosilicate particles (FAP). In addition, we compare these spectra with those generated by conventional EDS.Approximately thirty radioactive particle samples from the Chernobyl accident were on a sample of wood that was near the reactor when the accident occurred. Individual particles still on the wood were microdissected from the bulk matrix after bulk autoradiography.


Genetics ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-160
Author(s):  
H Traut

ABSTRACT When females of Drosophila melanogaster are treated with chemical or physical mutagens, not only in one but also in both of the two homologous X chromosomes of a given oocyte, a recessive sex-linked lethal mutation may be induced. A method is described that discriminates between such "single" and "double mutations." A theory is developed to show how a comparison between the expected and the observed frequency of double mutations yields an indication of the intercellular distribution (random or nonrandom) of recessive lethal mutations induced by mutagenic agents in oocytes and, consequently, of the distribution (homogeneous or nonhomogeneous) of those agents.—Three agents were tested: FUdR (12.5, 50.0 and 81.0,μg/ml), mitomycin C (130.0 μg/ml) and X rays (2000 R, 150 kV). After FUdR feeding, no increase in the mutation frequency usually observed in D. melanogaster without mutagenic treatment was obtained (u=0.13%, namely three single mutations among 2332 chromosomes tested). After mitomycin C feeding, 104. single and three double mutations were obtained. All of the 50 mutations observed after X irradiation were single mutations. The results obtained in the mitomycin C and radiation experiments favor the assumption of a random intercellular distribution of recessive lethal mutations induced by these two agents in oocytes of D. melanogaster. Reasons are discussed why for other types of mutagenic agents nonrandom distributions may be observed with our technique.


1960 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 1137-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur E. Pasieka

A solvent redeveloping technique has been devised by which amino acids, peptides, and sugars can be separated from complex mixtures in the presence of high concentrations of salts and proteins. The separations are effected by two to four successive 18-hour solvent developments with drying between each 18-hour period before subsequent staining of the chromatograms. Better separations and resolutions are obtained by such successive 18-hour solvent developments than by one continuous solvent development for an equivalent time. The effect of these redevelopments on the separations and resolutions of biological compounds is illustrated at various stages by photographs of one- and two-dimensional chromatograms. The redevelopment technique requires filter paper sheets up to 4 ft in length for one-dimensional analytical and preparative types of chromatograms.


1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 1513-1520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Bouchard ◽  
Conrad Cloutier

The parasitoid Aphidius nigripes spent more time searching on potato plants previously infested with aphids than on fresh plants, suggesting the presence of searching stimulants on infested plants. Water extracts of aphid honeydew applied to the surface of foliage or to filter paper discs increased searching time and affected the locomotory behavior of parasitoids. When crossing a honeydew-treated area on filter paper, female parasitoids exhibited arrestment, antennal examination, abdominal protraction, reduced walking speed, and increased turning. Upon losing contact with honeydew-contaminated substrate, parasitoids often exhibited a klinotactic response which drove them back to the treated area. The time spent by individual parasitoids within a honeydew-treated area on filter paper decreased with successive visits, but the initial response level was restored when the insect was prevented from contacting honeydew for 1 h. The retention response exhibited by parasitoids contacting a honeydew-treated area increased with honeydew concentration, but levelled off at high concentrations. Naive parasitoids were more responsive to the retention effect of honeydew than experienced individuals.


1948 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Eagle ◽  
A. D. Musselman

1. The concentrations of penicillin G which (a) reduced the net rate of multiplication, (b) exerted a net bactericidal effect, and (c) killed the organisms at a maximal rate, have been defined for a total of 41 strains of α- and ß-hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and the Reiter treponoma. 2. The concentration which killed the organisms at a maximal rate was 2 to 20 times the minimal effective level ("sensitivity" as ordinarily defined). With some organisms, even a 32,000-fold increase beyond this maximally effective level did not further increase the rate of its bactericidal effect. However, with approximately half the strains here studied (all 4 strains of group B ß-hemolytic streptococci, 4 of 5 group C strains, 5 of 7 strains of Streptococcus fecalis, 2 of 4 other α-hemolytic streptococci, and 4 of 9 strains of staphylococci), when the concentration of penicillin was increased beyond that optimal level, the rate at which the organisms died was paradoxically reduced rather than increased, so that the maximal effect was obtained only within a relatively narrow optimal zone. 3. There were marked differences between bacterial species, and occasionally between different strains of the same species, not only with respect to the effective concentrations of penicillin, but also with respect to the maximal rate at which they could be killed by the drug in any concentration. Although there was a rough correlation between these two factors, there were many exceptions; individual strains affected only by high concentrations of penicillin might nevertheless be killed rapidly, while strains sensitive to minute concentrations might be killed only slowly. 4. Within the same bacterial suspension, individual organisms varied only to a minor degree with respect to the effective concentrations of penicillin. They varied strikingly, however, in their resistance to penicillin as measured by the times required to kill varying proportions of the cells.


Thorax ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 468-471
Author(s):  
G B Marks ◽  
J R Colquhoun ◽  
S T Girgis ◽  
M Hjelmroos Koski ◽  
A B A Treloar ◽  
...  

BACKGROUNDA study was undertaken to assess the importance of thunderstorms as a cause of epidemics of asthma exacerbations and to investigate the underlying mechanism.METHODSA case control study was performed in six towns in south eastern Australia. Epidemic case days (n = 48) and a random sample of control days (n = 191) were identified by reference to the difference between the observed and expected number of emergency department attendances for asthma. The occurrence of thunderstorms, their associated outflows and cold fronts were ascertained, blind to case status, for each of these days. In addition, the relation of hourly pollen counts to automatic weather station data was examined in detail for the period around one severe epidemic of asthma exacerbations. The main outcome measure was the number of epidemics of asthma exacerbations.RESULTSThunderstorm outflows were detected on 33% of epidemic days and only 3% of control days (odds ratio 15.0, 95% confidence interval 6.0 to 37.6). The association was strongest in late spring and summer. Detailed examination of one severe epidemic showed that its onset coincided with the arrival of the thunderstorm outflow and a 4–12 fold increase in the ambient concentration of grass pollen grains.CONCLUSIONSThese findings are consistent with the hypothesis that some epidemics of exacerbations of asthma are caused by high concentrations of allergenic particles produced by an outflow of colder air, associated with the downdraught from a thunderstorm, sweeping up pollen grains and particles and then concentrating them in a shallow band of air at ground level. This is a common cause of exacerbations of asthma during the pollen season.


2012 ◽  
Vol 727-728 ◽  
pp. 1585-1590
Author(s):  
Neuza Evangelista ◽  
Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório ◽  
José Roberto Oliveira ◽  
Paulo R. Borges ◽  
Taiany Coura M. Ferreira

Ceramic fibers are characterized by their light weight, high degree of purity, low heat storage, low thermal conductivity, thermal shock resistance and superior corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments. In addition, they can be produced extensively in substitution to all materials used in the coating of almost all heating equipment as well as contributing to the reduction of energy consumption. Such characteristics make them ideal in the coating of distributors, mufflers, heating ovens, among others, as highly demanded by the mining and metallurgical industries, among others. After use in the process of industrial production, generated waste will lose their insulation capacity and thus require safe disposal. The present work focuses specifically on ceramic and glass wools aiming at an evaluation of their recycling prospect of incorporation into cement mortars and concrete. This residues were pulverized and displayed ~30µm average particle size. The scan electronic microscopy (SEM) presented elongated, thin and straight particles, which is very different than flocular structure of cement. The X-rays diffraction revealed amorphous structure for glass wool and crystalline structure for ceramics wool. The chemical analysis showed high concentrations of Al2O3 and silica in both residues, with higher percentage of calcium oxide in glass wool.


1978 ◽  
Vol 170 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
E C Theil ◽  
K T Calvert

Sheep were treated with large amounts of copper (20 mg of CuSO4,5H2O/kg body wt. per day) for 9 weeks to examine the effect of copper excess on iron metabolism. In addition to confirming that massive haemolysis and accumulation of copper occurs in the liver, kidney and plasma after 7 weeks of exposure to excess copper, it was observed that excess copper produced an increased plasma iron concentration and transferrin saturation within 1 week. Further, iron preferentially accumulated in the spleen between 4 and 6 weeks of copper treatment, producing 3-fold increases in the iron content of both the ferritin and non-ferritin fractions. A 3-4 fold increase was also observed in the amount of ferritin that could be isolated from the spleen. The copper treatment had little or no effect on the concentration of iron in the liver and bone marrow. The following properties of erythrocytes were also unaffected by copper treatment: size, haemoglobin content and pyruvate kinase activity, although the erythrocyte concentration of copper increased after 6 weeks. Copper accumulated in the spleen between 6 and 9 weeks, probably owing to the phagocytosis of erythrocytes containing high concentrations of copper. The data suggest that copper excess influences iron metabolism, initially by causing a compensated haemolytic anaemia, and later by interfering with re-utilization of iron from ferritin in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Da Silva

A hydroxyaptite [HAp; Ca5(PO4)3OH] phantom material was developed with the goal of improving the calibration protocol of the 125I-induced in vivo X-ray fluorescence (IVXRF) system of bone strontium quantification with further application to other IVXRF bone metal quantification systems, particulary those associated with bone lead quantification. It was found that calcium can be prepared pure of inherent contamination from strontium (and other elements) through a hydroxide precipitation producing pure Ca(OH)2, thereby, allowing for the production of a blank phantom which has not been available previously. The pure Ca(OH)2 can then be used for the preparation of pure CaHPO4 ⋅ 2H2O. A solid state pure HAp phantom can then be prepared by reaction of Ca(OH)2 and CaHPO4 ⋅ 2H2O mixed as to produce a Ca/P mole ratio of 1.67, that in HAp and the mineral phase of bone, in the presence of a setting solution prepared as to raise the total phosphate concentration of the solution by increasing the solubility CaHPO4 ⋅ 2H2O and thereby precipitating HAp. The procedure can only be used to prepare phantoms in which doping with the analyte does not disturb the Ca/P ratio substantially. In cases in which phantoms are to be prepared with high concentrations of strontium, the cement mixture can be modified as to introduce strontium in the form of Sr(OH)2 ⋅ 8H2O as to maintain a (Ca + Sr)/P ratio of 1.67. It was found by both X-ray diffraction spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy studies that strontium substitutes for calcium as in bone when preparing phantoms by this route. The necessity for the blank bone phantoms was assessed through the first blank bone phantom measurement and Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that for the 125I-induced IVXRF system of bone strontium quantification, the source, 125I brachytherapy seeds may be contributing coherently and incoherently scattered zirconium X-rays to the measured spectra, thereby requiring the use of the blank bone phantom as a means of improving the overall quantification methodology. Monte Carlo simulations were employed to evaluate any improvement by the introduction of HAp phantoms into the coherent normalization-based calibration procedure. It was found that HAp phantoms remove the need for a coherent conversion factor (CCF) thereby potentially increasing accuracy of the quantification. Further, it was found that in order for soft tissue attenuation corrections to be possible using spectroscopic information alone, HAp along with a suitable soft tissue surrogate material need to be employed. The HAp phantom material was used for the evaluations of portable X-ray analyzer systems for their potential for IVXRF quantification of lead and strontium with a focus on a comparison between tungsten, silver and rhodium target systems. Silver and rhodium target X-ray tube systems were found to be comparable for this quantification.


1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 685-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. van Huystee

Peanut seeds were irradiated with 500 kR of X rays and stored for 6 weeks. The cotyledons from 3-day-old seedlings were harvested, and incubated with leucine-14C. The water-soluble protein content of those cotyledons was half to one-third that of the non-irradiated cotyledons. Protein biosynthesis in the irradiated cotyledons was equally reduced to one-third or less of control. Separation of the extracted proteins by acrylamide-gel electrophoresis suggested that there may be a larger amount of small-molecular proteins in the irradiated system. De novo biosynthesis after irradiation was restricted in all protein fractions. Enzyme activity was also severely restricted. No particular radiation-resistant isoenzyme of peroxidase could be detected.


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