Synthesis and CO2/CH4 separation performance of Bio-MOF-1 membranes.

Herein we present the preparation of continuous and reproducible Bio-MOF-1 membranes supported on porous stainless steel tubes. These membranes displayed high CO(2) permeances for equimolar mixtures of CO(2) and CH(4). The observed CO(2)/CH(4) selectivities above one indicate that the separation is promoted by competitive adsorption.

Picture recognition of food by macaques (Macaca silenus).

Pictorial representations of three-dimensional objects are often used to investigate animal cognitive abilities; however, investigators rarely evaluate whether the animals conceptualize the two-dimensional image as the object it is intended to represent. We tested for picture recognition in lion-tailed macaques by presenting five monkeys with digitized images of familiar foods on a touch screen. Monkeys viewed images of two different foods and learned that they would receive a piece of the one they touched first.

Evaluation of the V79 cell metabolic co-operation assay as a screen in vitro for developmental toxicants.

Inhibition of intercellular communication is proposed to be one of several possible mechanisms of teratogenesis. 38 coded compounds were tested for their effect on intercellular communication in the V79 cell metabolic co-operation assay. Test chemicals were selected from a list of 47 agents recommended for the evaluation of assays in vitro for developmental toxicants.

Inhibition of intercellular communication in Chinese hamster V79 cells by fractionated asphalt fume condensates.

Asphalt fume condensate is a skin carcinogen in mice, yet this complex mixture contains relatively low levels of known carcinogenic initiators. Consequently, its biological activity has been attributed to the presence of cocarcinogenic or tumor-promoting agents. One of several proposed mechanisms of tumor promotion is inhibition of intercellular communication.

Interlaboratory studies with the Chinese hamster V79 cell metabolic cooperation assay to detect tumor-promoting agents.

Three laboratories participated in an interlaboratory study to evaluate the usefulness of the Chinese hamster V79 cell metabolic cooperation assay to predict the tumor-promoting activity of selected chemicals. Twenty-three chemicals of different chemical structures (phorbol esters, barbiturates, phenols, artificial sweeteners, alkanes, and peroxides) were chosen for testing based on in vivo promotion activities, as reported in the literature. Assay protocols and materials were standardized, and the chemicals were coded to facilitate unbiased evaluation.

Neurogram recording during acute inflammation in the rat hind paw.

Electrophysiological recording was conducted using the intact tibiotarsal nerve of the left hind leg of adult male rats before and after subplantar injections of three different phlogistic agents or saline vehicle in the left hind paw. In three-hour recordings, peak neural activity as activated by 5 g of pressure to the injected paw was reached in 90 min (dextran), 120 min (brewer's yeast) and 150 min (carrageenan). The least neural hyperactivity was seen with dextran, while yeast and carrageenan produced comparably high degrees of hyperactivity.

Prostaglandin modulation of phorbol ester skin tumor promotion.

TPA promotion of skin tumors in mice can be modified by application of various prostaglandins or their precursors. The effects depend on the particular prostaglandin used: PGF2alpha enhances promotion, whereas PGE1 consistently inhibits promotion. Time of application of the prostaglandin with respect to TPA determines whether PGE2 enhances or inhibits.

Improved conditions for murine epidermal cell culture.

An improved method for cultivating newborn mouse epidermal cells has been developed that increases the longevity, epithelial nature and efficiency of cell-line establishment. The use of Super Medium, an enriched Waymouth's formulation, increased proliferation for long periods of time, as did incubation at 31 degrees C rather than 37 degrees C. The fetal bovine serum requirement was found to be reduced at the lower temperature.