Effects of glycerol, equilibration time and antioxidants on post-thaw functional integrity of bovine spermatozoa directly obtained from epididymis.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of stabilisation times, glycerol concentration, and the catalase and superoxide dismutase supplementation of diluent on parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from epididymis of Nelore bulls: Experiment 1: spermatozoa diluted in Tris-egg yolk with glycerol (3%, 5% or 7%) and stabilisation times (0, 2 or 4 hr at 5°C); Experiment 2: Tris-egg yolk only, Tris-egg yolk with catalase (CAT, 50 or 100 U ml-1 ) or superoxide dismutase (SOD, 50 or 100 U ml-1 ). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were evaluated for kinetic parameters, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity and IVF capacity. ALH and BCF were affected (p < .05) by glycerol at 3% after 4-hr equilibration time and 7% after 2-hr equilibration time. Glycerol 3% had lower (p < .05) iPM and iAc after 4 hr. Glycerol 5% had greater (p < .05) hPMM after 4 hr and iAc after 2 hr than at 0 hr. SOD 100 U ml-1 had lower (p < .05) linearity and wobble compared to control group. No was observed differences to fertilisation rate (p < .05) among groups. In conclusion, glycerol 5% in Tris-egg yolk extender for 4 hr is suitable for the preservation of sperm kinetics and membrane integrity. CAT (50 and 100 U ml-1 ) or SOD (50-100 U ml-1 ) had no beneficial effects on sperm kinetics, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity or the capacity for IVF of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from epididymis of Nelore bulls.

Draft Genome Sequences of Klebsiella oxytoca Isolates Originating from a Highly Contaminated Liquid Hand Soap Product.

In 2013, contaminated liquid soap was detected by routine microbiological monitoring of consumer products through state health authorities. Because of its high load of Klebsiella oxytoca, the liquid soap was notified via the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (EU-RAPEX) and recalled. Here, we present two draft genome sequences and a summary of their general features.

Promoter and leader sequences of the spinach PsaD and PsaF genes direct an opposite light response in tobacco cotyledons: PsaD sequences downstream of the ATG codon are required for a positive light response.

Subunits II and III of the photosystem I reaction centre are encoded by the nuclear genes PsaD and PsaF, respectively. In spinach, the expression of both genes is highly synchronized with regard to time, space and in response to stimulators such as light. Nevertheless, promoter sequences as well as the design and location of regulatory elements are strikingly different. Promoter and leader of PsaF, when fused to the GUS reporter gene, direct a positive light response in the cotyledons of transgenic tobacco seedlings. In contrast, the equivalent PsaD regions confer a negative-light regulation to the GUS gene. If a 6-kb fragment that contains 1802 bp of the promoter, the transcription unit as well as additional 2.5 kb downstream of the PsaD gene is introduced into tobacco, the transcript level from the PsaD transgene is positively light-regulated in tobacco cotyledons. Thus, regulatory elements of the spinach PsaD and PsaF promoters are arranged in a very different way and essential cis-determinants for the positive light response of the PsaD gene can be located within the coding region and/or even further downstream.

Nuclear imaging in loosening of hip-joint endoprostheses.

In 28 patients with surgically proved loosening of hip-joint endoprostheses and 42 patients without loosening between 2 and 12 years after implantation and without clinical or radiological signs of loosening we performed clinical evaluation, and radiographs, a three-phase bone scan, and a 111indium-labeled leukocyte scan (ILLS). The sensitivity of radiographs in the group with loosening of hip-joint endoprostheses in the femoral as well as in the acetabular component was only about 50%, while the specificity was almost 100%. With a combination of radiographs and ILLS we reached a sensitivity in the acetabular component of 100% and in the femoral component of 88%, but specificities of only 57% in the acetabular component and 40% in the femoral component were found. We found that the ILLS is a very helpful method of examination to detect loosening of hip-joint arthroplasties in doubtful cases.

Seasonal variation of indoor Rn at a location in the southwestern United States.

Radon-222 concentrations have been measured in 12 homes typical of a small town in the southwestern United States. Nine of the houses, in which both summer and winter data are available, have an annual mean of 63 +/- 18 Bq m-3 (1.7 +/- 0.5 pCi L-1) and a range of 41 to 96 Bq m-3 (1.1 to 2.6 pCi L-1). These results were obtained with passive Rn dosimeters using polycarbonate nuclear track detector foils. The overall results fall slightly above the middle of the range of values obtained in other studies in the United States. Winter levels clearly exceed summer by a factor of from two to three. This result is attributed primarily to wide use of evaporative air conditioners for daytime cooling in the summer together with the fact that doors and windows are left open frequently during evening and nighttime hours. Both practices enhance the exchange of outdoor air with indoor air contributing to a decrease in the indoor Rn levels during the summer season. Room-to-room differences were evident during the winter season only. Bedrooms and bathrooms were generally higher in Rn than kitchens and living rooms but by only about 25%. The two adobe houses in the group showed higher Rn concentrations during the winter season than did those of frame-stucco, concrete, or cinder block construction. Dose equivalent calculations yielded a mean figure of 0.29 WLM y-1 for typical occupancy patterns in these New Mexico houses.

Results from a survey of indoor radon exposures in the Federal Republic of Germany.

A large-scale radon survey has been carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany. Results of measurements in almost 6000 homes are briefly discussed.

[Radon in living areas]. / Radon in Wohnräumen.

After some introductory remarks on the origin of natural radioactivity in living spaces, methods for measuring the concentration of radioactive substances are discussed. The results of field measurements to determine the concentration range of radon and radon daughters in living areas are presented as well as parameters influencing this range. The radiation exposure is calculated using the dose conversion factors recommended by the United Nations' Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). It is shown that the respiratory tract is the part of the body subject to the highest natural radiation exposure.

[Functional scintigraphy of the heart: correlations with cardiological parameters]. / Funktionsszintigraphie des Herzens: Korrelation mit kardiologischen Parametern

According to Zierler's theoretical deduction time activity curves obtained from different parts of the central circulation after injection of a bolus of radioactivity are dependent on the volume and the flow. We tried to prove this by experiments and checked simultaneously the quality of the method developed by us using a Gamma Camera and a computer. We correlated the peak to peak time from the right to the left ventricle and the mean transit time of the left ventricle with the cardiac index and the enddiastolic volume of the left ventricle in patients with valvular heart disease. For this purpose patients were selected in whom either the cardiac index or the enddiastolic volume of the left ventricle were in the normal range. Under these conditions there was a highly significant correlation between these parameters. Moreover the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery and the mean pulmonary wedge pressure correlated significantly with the peak to peak time from the right ventricle to pulmonary artery. This may be explained by the correlation between the volume of the pulmonary vascular system and its pressures. As expected, there was no correlation between the time parameters from the nuclear medicine method and the enddiastolic pressure of the left ventricle in patients with valvular heart disease. The results are in good agreement with the diagnostic accuracy of the method in recognizing valvular heart disease as well as with the correlation between the hemodynamic stage in valvular heart disease and the change of the time parameters of the time activity curves.

[Collimators for whole body counter enabling localization]. / Kollimatoren für einen Ganzkörperzähler zur Lösung von Lokalisationsproblemen

For the four 6 inches times 4 inches NaJ/Tl-crystals of a whole-body-counter several collimators were developed to perform not only counting but also localization. In respect of their good response, a 19-hole-collimator and several slit-collimators were designed. The geometrical dimensions were chosen in such a way that in a profile-scan one can distinguish between the right and the left side of the body. The physical characteristics, such as plane-source-response, spatial resolution, especially at high gamma-ray-energies, were obtained by analysing line-source-functions [4]. The results show that the advantages of using larger crystals are an increase of focal distance, higher sensitivity and adaptibility to high-energy-gamma-ray emitters. In consequence it is possible to decrease body burden of the patients and to use radionuclides normally not applicated in clinical routine scintigraphy.