Inhibition of Botulinum Toxin Formation in Bacon by Acid Development

Lactobacillus plantarum , as a producer of lactic acid, and sucrose as a fermentable carbohydrate were evaluated for use in lowering the amount of or eliminating sodium nitrite in bacon. This work was limited to effect on antibotulinal properties. Organoleptic effects were not considered. Slices of bacon were inoculated with spores of Clostridium botulinum types A and B with or without simultaneous inoculation with a culture of L. plantarum , vacuum-packaged and incubated at 27 C. Samples were taken after various periods of incubation and assayed for botulinal toxin. We found that (a) sodium nitrite alone, at 120 ppm, did not give bacon extended protection against development of botulinum toxin if a fermentable carbon source (sucrose in these instances) was not present; (b) without added lactic acid bacteria, the effectiveness of 120 ppm of sodium nitrite plus sugar was variable and depended upon growth of naturally contaminating bacteria and (c) lactic acid bacteria with an adequate amount of sucrose gave good protection against development of botulinal toxin. Upon temperature abuse, acid was produced and growth of C. botulinum was inhibited. Because the protective properties against development of botulinal toxin in the sugar-lactic acid bacteria system were not dependent on the presence of nitrite, nitrite can be lowered to the level necessary to make organoleptically acceptable products without sacrificing safety, thus less nitrosamine formation may be achieved.

Anatomical observations of the development of the pituitary capsule

A morphological study on the development of the pituitary capsule is reported, based on serial or step-sections of 56 pituitary glands from human embryos and fetuses ranging in gestational age from 4 to 40 weeks. Formation of the pituitary capsule is preceded at a very early embryonic stage by mesenchymal cell proliferation around Rathke's pouch when it forms the primitive adenohypophysis. The proportionally large adenohypophysis wraps around the neurohypophysis as it grows down from the diencephalon. Therefore, the fibrous capsule around the adenohypophysis represents the whole hypophysis as a membrane district from the dura mater or pia arachnoid membrane. The pituitary capsule appears not be to a derivative of either the dura mater or the pia arachnoid; instead it is a separate covering of the developing Rathke's pouch.

A binding site model of membrane transport: binary and cooperative flows

The flows of solute molecules in a membrane under the influence of concentration gradients are considered within the framework of classical physical theories. A lattice model is constructed in which the binding sites represent potential minima and the flows are regarded as a result of molecules' making discrete transitions between the binding sites. Expressions for two-component currents are derived from certain descriptions for the transition mechanism. Where the molecular movement is given the crudest description, permeability coefficients are identical for both components and there is no current coupling. Where the molecular movement is given some finer detail, the permeability coefficients differ and positive coupling of flows appears. Our result applies to a combination of flows of tracer and abundant species as well as, more generally, to any combination of flows of two components which are distinguishable yet kinetically similar. Also considered are binary currents whose transport mechanism is further controlled by allosteric cooperativity. Whether the cooperative control is short or long ranged, permeability coefficients and fluxes differ appreciably from those without cooperative control. Thus, unlike in the case of channel flow, current coupling here may be either positive or negative, depending on the strength and nature of cooperative coupling. Numerical evidence suggests that the permeability and coupling may have discontinuous behavior, possibly indicating the existence of phase transitions. Our lattice model, from which the formulations for the flows are obtained, is compatible with current concepts of membrane structure.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of tetramisole analogues as inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase of the 6-thiopurine-resistant tumor sarcoma 180/TG

Tetramisole and its analogues are potent inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase, including isoenzymes of Sarcoma 180/TG which appear to be involved in the mechanism of resistance of this neoplastic cell line to the 6-thiopurines. To determine the requirement for the thiazole ring system of tetramisole for inhibitor potency, 2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole, 2,3-dihydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole, and 2,3,5,6-phenylimidazo[2,1-a]imidazole were synthesized and tested for inhibitory activity against alkaline phosphatase isolated from Sarcoma 180/TG. The results indicate that 2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole caused 50% inhibition at 0.21 mM, while the other synthesized compounds were inactive at a concentration of 1 mM; in contrast, tetramisole required only 0.045 mM for 50% inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity. The findings support the concept that the thiazole ring system of the tetramisole structure is required for maximum inhibitory potency of this series against alkaline phosphatase.

Tetramisole analogues as inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme involved in the resistance of neoplastic cells to 6-thiopurines

A series of tetramisole derivatives was synthesized and tested for inhibitory activity against alkaline phosphatase which was partially purified from a murine ascitic neoplasm resistant to 6-thiopurines (Sarcoma 180/TG). These agents included derivatives substituted with halogens, CH3, or NO2 groups at either the meta or para position of the phenyl ring of tetramisole and 2,3-dehydrotetramisole. The phenyl ring of tetramisole and 2,3-dehydrotetramisole was also replaced by a naphthyl ring, and the phenyl ring of 2,3-dehydrotetramisole was substituted by a thienyl ring system. The presence of both the thiazolidine and dihydroimidazole rings of tetramisole was found to be essential for enzyme inhibitory activity. Substitution of a naphthyl for the phenyl group and dehydrogenation at the 2,3 position of the thiazolidine ring were found to significantly enhance inhibitory activity for alkaline phosphatase. Tests employing (S)-(-)-6-(4-bromophenyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole oxalate in combination with 6-thioguanine demonstrated that the inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase was capable of increasing the toxicity of 6-thioguanine to Sarcoma 180/TG cells in tissue culture.

Quantification of the normal Frank and McFee-Parungao orthogonal electrocardiogram at ages two to ten years

A quantification of the Frank and McFee-Parungao orthogonal electrocardiogram of 175 normal children, ages 2-10 years is presented. There are significant differences in age groups 2-5 and 6-10. The QRS voltages of the younger group demonstrate 1) greater Z anterior, 2) greater initial X right, 3) greater terminal X right, 4) smaller Y inferior, and 5) the T vector is oriented more posteriorly. There are significant differences between the two lead systems. 1) Frank spatial voltages are 70% of those of McFee. 2) Frank X left is 70% of McFee, but terminal X right is 75% and initial X right is 60% of McFee. 3) Frank Y inferior is 78% of McFee, but initial Y superior is 83% and terminal Y superior 61% of McFee. 4) Frank Z anterior is 64% and Frank Z posterior is 70% of McFee. 5) In terms of ratios the Frank is relatively less inferior, about equally posterior and more terminally right. 6) The T vector is more posterior in Frank than McFee.

Psychological factors and clinical observations in acupuncture analgesia and pain abatement

The present study attempted to (a) replicate findings on acupuncture reported in the Chinese literature; (b) investigate the effects of acupuncture in achieving analgesia and pain abatement; and (c) isolate the relevant psychological and/or physiological variables involved. Fifty volunteer men and women between 18 and 30 years of age were administered the acupuncture phase of this study for induction of analgesia and relief of pain in the oral cavity. A comparable group of 30 additional Ss were included in the study for comparison with the acupuncture group on several objective psychological measures. Forty of the acupuncture Ss were classified as totally successful. No significant differences between the acupuncture group and the comparable control group were obtained on the objective psychological measures, including measures of personality, suggestibility, anxiety, and attitudes. The results appear to indicate that psychological factors are minimally involved in obtaining analgesia and pain abatement with acupuncture techniques. Several interesting clinical observations were noted during the acupuncture procedure, including absence of discernable signs of analgesia, consistency of results, contralateral analgesic effect related to the location of acupuncture needles, etc. These results were discussed in terms of the possible role of physiological and psychological factors in acupuncture. Possible areas of future research were also discussed.

Some properties of an established fish cell line from the marine fish, Caranx mate (Omaka)

A monolayer culture of fibroblast-like cells was initiated and established from a trypsin digest of Omaka fish larvae (Caranx mate). The cell culture has been subcultured 105 times over a period of 30 mo and appears to be contact-inhibited. The Omaka cells grew optimally at 27 degrees in Eagle's basal medium plus 10% fetal calf serum but failed to grow at 16 and 37 degrees. At the lower temperature the cells remained viable and began to divide when the temperature was raised to 27 degrees. Unlike certain marine fish cell lines the Omaka cell did not require a higher osmolarity medium for optimal growth. Karyological analysis at the 43rd passage revealed a chromosomal modal number of 50 consisting of 7 submetacentric pairs and 18 acrocentric pairs of chromosomes. Virological studies indicated that Omaka cells supported the replication of poikilothermic viruses such as, FV-3 and IPN viruses, but not the mammalian viruses examined. Attempts to induce interferon by the synthetic polynucleotide poly I:C were unsuccessful.

Ryodoraku therapy for migraine headache

The authors discuss Ryodoraku electric acupuncture therapy in detail in Part I. The results of the treatment of migraine headache (20 cases) by Ryodoraku therapy were investigated in part II. In the present study 15 out of 20 patients achieved good to excellent responses to this type of therapy.

Long term changes in nest condition and pup grouping following handling of rat litters

Observation of rat litters over the entire preweaning period revealed long term changes to result from handling pups. Handled litters had fewer good nests and were less likely to be found in a single group than control litters. These differences are not attributable to the disturbances per se, as litters where the mother was removed did not differ significantly from undisturbed controls. The differences occurred predominantly in the daytime when maternal activity was at its lowest.