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The Multi-Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols Version 0 (MUSICAv0) is a new community modeling infrastructure that enables the study of atmospheric composition and chemistry across all relevant scales. We develop a MUSICAv0 grid with Africa refinement (∼ 28 km × 28 km over Africa). We evaluate the MUSICAv0 simulation for 2017 with in situ observations and compare the model results to satellite products over Africa. A simulation from the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem), a regional model that is widely used in Africa studies, is also included in the analyses as a reference. Overall, the performance of MUSICAv0 is comparable to WRF-Chem. Both models underestimate carbon monoxide (CO) compared to in situ observations and satellite CO column retrievals from the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) satellite instrument. MUSICAv0 tends to overestimate ozone (O3), likely due to overestimated stratosphere-to-troposphere flux of ozone. Both models significantly underestimate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at two surface sites in East Africa. The MUSICAv0 simulation agrees better with aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column retrievals from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) than WRF-Chem. MUSICAv0 has a consistently lower tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) column than OMI retrievals. Based on model–satellite discrepancies between MUSICAv0 and WRF-Chem and MOPITT CO, MODIS AOD, and OMI tropospheric NO2, we find that future field campaign(s) and more in situ observations in the East African region (5∘ S–5∘ N, 30–45∘ E) could substantially improve the predictive skill of atmospheric chemistry model(s). This suggested focus region exhibits the largest model–in situ observation discrepancies, as well as targets for high population density, land cover variability, and anthropogenic pollution sources.

We present the Fire Inventory from National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) version 2.5 (FINNv2.5), a fire emissions inventory that provides publicly available emissions of trace gases and aerosols for various applications, including use in global and regional atmospheric chemistry modeling. FINNv2.5 includes numerous updates to the FINN version 1 framework to better represent burned area, vegetation burned, and chemicals emitted. Major changes include the use of active fire detections from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) at 375 m spatial resolution, which allows smaller fires to be included in the emissions processing. The calculation of burned area has been updated such that a more rigorous approach is used to aggregate fire detections, which better accounts for larger fires and enables using multiple satellite products simultaneously for emissions estimates. Fuel characterization and emissions factors have also been updated in FINNv2.5. Daily fire emissions for many trace gases and aerosols are determined for 2002–2019 (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-only fire detections) and 2012–2019 (MODIS + VIIRS fire detections). The non-methane organic gas emissions are allocated to the species of several commonly used chemical mechanisms. We compare FINNv2.5 emissions against other widely used fire emissions inventories. The performance of FINNv2.5 emissions as inputs to a chemical transport model is assessed with satellite observations. Uncertainties in the emissions estimates remain, particularly in Africa and South America during August–October and in southeast and equatorial Asia in March and April. Recommendations for future evaluation and use are given.

We quantify future changes in wildfire burned area and carbon emissions in the 21st century under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios and two SSP5-8.5-based solar geoengineering scenarios with a target surface temperature defined by SSP2-4.5 – solar irradiance reduction (G6solar) and stratospheric sulfate aerosol injections (G6sulfur) – and explore the mechanisms that drive solar geoengineering impacts on fires. This study is based on fully coupled climate–chemistry simulations with simulated occurrence of fires (burned area and carbon emissions) using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model version 6 (WACCM6) as the atmospheric component of the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2). Globally, total wildfire burned area is projected to increase over the 21st century under scenarios without geoengineering and decrease under the two geoengineering scenarios. By the end of the century, the two geoengineering scenarios have lower burned area and fire carbon emissions than not only their base-climate scenario SSP5-8.5 but also the targeted-climate scenario SSP2-4.5. Geoengineering reduces wildfire occurrence by decreasing surface temperature and wind speed and increasing relative humidity and soil water, with the exception of boreal regions where geoengineering increases the occurrence of wildfires due to a decrease in relative humidity and soil water compared with the present day. This leads to a global reduction in burned area and fire carbon emissions by the end of the century relative to their base-climate scenario SSP5-8.5. However, geoengineering also yields reductions in precipitation compared with a warming climate, which offsets some of the fire reduction. Overall, the impacts of the different driving factors are larger on burned area than fire carbon emissions. In general, the stratospheric sulfate aerosol approach has a stronger fire-reducing effect than the solar irradiance reduction approach.

Measurements of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) is an instrument on NASA's Terra satellite that has measured tropospheric carbon monoxide (CO) from early 2000 to the present day. Validation of data from satellite instruments like MOPITT is often conducted using ground-based measurements to ensure the continued accuracy of the space-based instrument's measurements and its scientific results. Previous MOPITT validation studies generally found a larger bias in the MOPITT data poleward of 60∘ N. In this study, we use data from 2006 to 2019 from the Bruker IFS 125HR Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR) located at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) in Eureka, Nunavut, Canada, to validate the MOPITT version 8 (V8) retrievals. These comparisons utilize mid- and near-infrared FTIR measurements made as part of the Network for the Detection for Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) and the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON), respectively. All MOPITT version 8 retrievals within a radius of 110 km (1∘) from the PEARL Ridge Laboratory and within a 24 h time interval are used in this validation study. MOPITT retrieval products include those from the near-infrared (NIR) channel, the thermal infrared (TIR) channel, and a joint product from the thermal and near-infrared (TIR–NIR) channels. Each channel's detector has 4 pixels. We calculated the MOPITT pixel-to-pixel biases for each pixel, which were found to vary based on the season and surface type (land or water). The systematic bias for pixel 1 over land is larger than that for other pixels, which can reach up to 20 ppb. We use a small-region approximation method to find filtering criteria. We then apply the filters to the MOPITT dataset to minimize the MOPITT pixel bias and the number of outliers in the dataset. The sensitivity of each MOPITT pixel and each product is examined over the Canadian high Arctic. We then follow the methodologies recommended by NDACC and TCCON for the comparison between the FTIR and satellite total column retrievals. MOPITT averaging kernels are used to weight the NDACC and TCCON retrievals and take into account the different vertical sensitivities between the satellite and PEARL FTIR measurements. We use a modified Taylor diagram to present the comparison results from each pixel for each product over land and water with NDACC and TCCON measurements. Our results show overall consistency between MOPITT and the NDACC and TCCON measurements. When compared to the FTIR, the NIR MOPITT retrievals have a positive bias of 3 %–10 % depending on the pixel. The bias values are negative for the TIR product, with values between −5 % and 0 %. The joint TIR–NIR products show differences of −4 % to 7 %. The drift in MOPITT biases (in units of % yr−1) relative to NDACC and TCCON varies by MOPITT data product. In the NIR, drifts vs. TCCON are smaller than those vs. NDACC; however, this scenario is reversed for the MOPITT TIR and joint TIR–NIR products. Overall, this study aims to provide detailed validation for MOPITT version 8 measurements in the Canadian high Arctic.

Sub-grid variability (SGV) in atmospheric trace gases within satellite pixels is a key issue in satellite design and interpretation and validation of retrieval products. However, characterizing this variability is challenging due to the lack of independent high-resolution measurements. Here we use tropospheric NO2 vertical column (VC) measurements from the Geostationary Trace gas and Aerosol Sensor Optimization (GeoTASO) airborne instrument with a spatial resolution of about 250 m×250 m to quantify the normalized SGV (i.e., the standard deviation of the sub-grid GeoTASO values within the sampled satellite pixel divided by the mean of the sub-grid GeoTASO values within the same satellite pixel) for different hypothetical satellite pixel sizes over urban regions. We use the GeoTASO measurements over the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) and Busan region of South Korea during the 2016 KORUS-AQ field campaign and over the Los Angeles Basin, USA, during the 2017 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) field campaign. We find that the normalized SGV of NO2 VC increases with increasing satellite pixel sizes (from ∼10 % for 0.5 km×0.5 km pixel size to ∼35 % for 25 km×25 km pixel size), and this relationship holds for the three study regions, which are also within the domains of upcoming geostationary satellite air quality missions. We also quantify the temporal variability in the retrieved NO2 VC within the same hypothetical satellite pixels (represented by the difference of retrieved values at two or more different times in a day). For a given satellite pixel size, the temporal variability within the same satellite pixels increases with the sampling time difference over the SMA. For a given small (e.g., ≤4 h) sampling time difference within the same satellite pixels, the temporal variability in the retrieved NO2 VC increases with the increasing spatial resolution over the SMA, Busan region, and the Los Angeles Basin. The results of this study have implications for future satellite design and retrieval interpretation and validation when comparing pixel data with local observations. In addition, the analyses presented in this study are equally applicable in model evaluation when comparing model grid values to local observations. Results from the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model indicate that the normalized satellite SGV of tropospheric NO2 VC calculated in this study could serve as an upper bound to the satellite SGV of other species (e.g., CO and SO2) that share common source(s) with NO2 but have relatively longer lifetime.

Global coupled chemistry–climate models underestimate carbon monoxide (CO) in the Northern Hemisphere, exhibiting a pervasive negative bias against measurements peaking in late winter and early spring. While this bias has been commonly attributed to underestimation of direct anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions, chemical production and loss via OH reaction from emissions of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role. Here we investigate the reasons for this underestimation using aircraft measurements taken in May and June 2016 from the Korea–United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ) experiment in South Korea and the Air Chemistry Research in Asia (ARIAs) in the North China Plain (NCP). For reference, multispectral CO retrievals (V8J) from the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) are jointly assimilated with meteorological observations using an ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF) within the global Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM-Chem) and the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART). With regard to KORUS-AQ data, CO is underestimated by 42 % in the control run and by 12 % with the MOPITT assimilation run. The inversion suggests an underestimation of anthropogenic CO sources in many regions, by up to 80 % for northern China, with large increments over the Liaoning Province and the North China Plain (NCP). Yet, an often-overlooked aspect of these inversions is that correcting the underestimation in anthropogenic CO emissions also improves the comparison with observational O3 datasets and observationally constrained box model simulations of OH and HO2. Running a CAM-Chem simulation with the updated emissions of anthropogenic CO reduces the bias by 29 % for CO, 18 % for ozone, 11 % for HO2, and 27 % for OH. Longer-lived anthropogenic VOCs whose model errors are correlated with CO are also improved, while short-lived VOCs, including formaldehyde, are difficult to constrain solely by assimilating satellite retrievals of CO. During an anticyclonic episode, better simulation of O3, with an average underestimation of 5.5 ppbv, and a reduction in the bias of surface formaldehyde and oxygenated VOCs can be achieved by separately increasing by a factor of 2 the modeled biogenic emissions for the plant functional types found in Korea. Results also suggest that controlling VOC and CO emissions, in addition to widespread NOx controls, can improve ozone pollution over East Asia.

The Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) retrievals over urban regions have not been validated systematically, even though MOPITT observations are widely used to study CO over urban regions. Here we compare MOPITT products over urban and non-urban regions with aircraft measurements from the Deriving Information on Surface conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ – 2011–2014), Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds, and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS – 2013), Air Chemistry Research In Asia (ARIAs – 2016), A-FORCE (2009, 2013), and Korea United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ – 2016) campaigns. In general, MOPITT agrees reasonably well with the in situ profiles, over both urban and non-urban regions. Version 8 multispectral product (V8J) biases vary from −0.7 % to 0.0 % and version 8 thermal-infrared product (TIR) biases vary from 2.0 % to 3.5 %. The evaluation statistics of MOPITT V8J and V8T over non-urban regions are better than those over urban regions with smaller biases and higher correlation coefficients. We find that the agreement of MOPITT V8J and V8T with aircraft measurements at high CO concentrations is not as good as that at low CO concentrations, although CO variability may tend to exaggerate retrieval biases in heavily polluted scenes. We test the sensitivities of the agreements between MOPITT and in situ profiles to assumptions and data filters applied during the comparisons of MOPITT retrievals and in situ profiles. The results at the surface layer are insensitive to the model-based profile extension (required due to aircraft altitude limitations), whereas the results at levels with limited aircraft observations (e.g., the 600 hPa layer) are more sensitive to the model-based profile extension. The results are insensitive to the maximum allowed time difference criterion for co-location (12, 6, 3, and 1 h) and are generally insensitive to the radius for co-location, except for the case where the radius is small (25 km), and hence few MOPITT retrievals are included in the comparison. Daytime MOPITT products have smaller overall biases than nighttime MOPITT products when comparing both MOPITT daytime and nighttime retrievals to the daytime aircraft observations. However, it would be premature to draw conclusions on the performance of MOPITT nighttime retrievals without nighttime aircraft observations. Applying signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) filters does not necessarily improve the overall agreement between MOPITT retrievals and in situ profiles, likely due to the reduced number of MOPITT retrievals for comparison. Comparisons of MOPITT retrievals and in situ profiles over complex urban or polluted regimes are inherently challenging due to spatial and temporal variabilities of CO within MOPITT retrieval pixels (i.e., footprints). We demonstrate that some of the errors are due to CO representativeness with these sensitivity tests, but further quantification of representativeness errors due to CO variability within the MOPITT footprint will require future work.

Observations of carbon monoxide (CO) from the Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument aboard the Terra spacecraft were expected to have an accuracy of 10 % prior to the launch in 1999. Here we evaluate MOPITT Version 7 joint (V7J) thermal-infrared and near-infrared (TIR–NIR) retrieval accuracy and precision and suggest ways to further improve the accuracy of the observations. We take five steps involving filtering or bias corrections to reduce scatter and bias in the data relative to other MOPITT soundings and ground-based measurements. (1) We apply a preliminary filtering scheme in which measurements over snow and ice are removed. (2) We find a systematic pairwise bias among the four MOPITT along-track detectors (pixels) on the order of 3–4 ppb with a small temporal trend, which we remove on a global scale using a temporally trended bias correction. (3) Using a small-region approximation (SRA), a new filtering scheme is developed and applied based on additional quality indicators such as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). After applying these new filters, the root-mean-squared error computed using the local median from the SRA over 16 years of global observations decreases from 3.84 to 2.55 ppb. (4) We also use the SRA to find variability in MOPITT retrieval anomalies that relates to retrieval parameters. We apply a bias correction to one parameter from this analysis. (5) After applying the previous bias corrections and filtering, we compare the MOPITT results with the GGG2014 ground-based Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) observations to obtain an overall global bias correction. These comparisons show that MOPITT V7J is biased high by about 6 %–8 %, which is similar to past studies using independent validation datasets on V6J. When using TCCON spectrometric column retrievals without the standard airmass correction or scaling to aircraft (WMO scale), the ground- and satellite-based observations overall agree to better than 0.5 %. GEOS-Chem data assimilations are used to estimate the influence of filtering and scaling to TCCON on global CO and tend to pull concentrations away from the prior fluxes and closer to the truth. We conclude with suggestions for further improving the MOPITT data products.

Retrievals of vertical profiles of key atmospheric gases provide a critical long-term record from ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) solar absorption measurements. However, the characterization of the retrieved vertical profile structure can be difficult to validate, especially for gases with large vertical gradients and spatial–temporal variability such as water vapor. In this work, we evaluate the accuracy of the most common water vapor isotope (H216O, hereafter WV) FTIR retrievals in the lower and upper troposphere–lower stratosphere. Coincident high-quality vertically resolved WV profile measurements obtained from 2010 to 2016 with balloon-borne NOAA frost point hygrometers (FPHs) are used as reference to evaluate the performance of the retrieved profiles at two sites: Boulder (BLD), Colorado, and at the mountaintop observatory of Mauna Loa (MLO), Hawaii. For a meaningful comparison, the spatial–temporal variability has been investigated. We present results of comparisons among FTIR retrievals with unsmoothed and smoothed FPH profiles to assess WV vertical gradients. Additionally, we evaluate the quantitative impact of different a priori profiles in the retrieval of WV. An orthogonal linear regression analysis shows the best correlation among tropospheric layers using ERA-Interim (ERA-I) a priori profiles and biases are lower for unsmoothed comparisons. In Boulder, we found a negative bias of 0.02±1.9 % (r = 0.95) for the 1.5–3 km layer. A larger negative bias of 11.1±3.5 % (r = 0.97) was found in the lower free troposphere layer of 3–5 km attributed to rapid vertical change of WV, which is not always captured by the retrievals. The bias improves in the 5–7.5 km layer (1.0±5.3 %, r = 0.94). The bias remains at about 13 % for layers above 7.5 km but below 13.5 km. At MLO the spatial mismatch is significantly larger due to the launch of the sonde being farther from the FTIR location. Nevertheless, we estimate a negative bias of 5.9±4.6 % (r = 0.93) for the 3.5–5.5 km layer and 9.9±3.7 % (r = 0.93) for the 5.5–7.5 km layer, and we measure positive biases of 6.2±3.6 % (r = 0.95) for the 7.5–10 km layer and 12.6 % and greater values above 10 km. The agreement for the first layer is significantly better at BLD because the air masses are similar for both FTIR and FPH. Furthermore, for the first time we study the influence of different WV a priori profiles in the retrieval of selected gas profiles. Using NDACC standard retrievals we present results for hydrogen cyanide (HCN), carbon monoxide (CO), and ethane (C2H6) by taking NOAA FPH profiles as the ground truth and evaluating the impact of other WV profiles. We show that the effect is minor for C2H6 (bias r values closer to unity) are always found for pre-retrieved WV. Therefore, we recommend first retrieving WV to use in subsequent retrieval of gases.

The Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) satellite instrument provides the longest continuous dataset of carbon monoxide (CO) from space. We perform the first validation of MOPITT version 6 retrievals using total column CO measurements from ground-based remote-sensing Fourier transform infrared spectrometers (FTSs). Validation uses data recorded at 14 stations, that span a wide range of latitudes (80° N to 78° S), in the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). MOPITT measurements are spatially co-located with each station, and different vertical sensitivities between instruments are accounted for by using MOPITT averaging kernels (AKs). All three MOPITT retrieval types are analyzed: thermal infrared (TIR-only), joint thermal and near infrared (TIR–NIR), and near infrared (NIR-only). Generally, MOPITT measurements overestimate CO relative to FTS measurements, but the bias is typically less than 10 %. Mean bias is 2.4 % for TIR-only, 5.1 % for TIR–NIR, and 6.5 % for NIR-only. The TIR–NIR and NIR-only products consistently produce a larger bias and lower correlation than the TIR-only. Validation performance of MOPITT for TIR-only and TIR–NIR retrievals over land or water scenes is equivalent. The four MOPITT detector element pixels are validated separately to account for their different uncertainty characteristics. Pixel 1 produces the highest standard deviation and lowest correlation for all three MOPITT products. However, for TIR-only and TIR–NIR, the error-weighted average that includes all four pixels often provides the best correlation, indicating compensating pixel biases and well-captured error characteristics. We find that MOPITT bias does not depend on latitude but rather is influenced by the proximity to rapidly changing atmospheric CO. MOPITT bias drift has been bound geographically to within ±0.5 % yr−1 or lower at almost all locations.

This paper studies the seasonal variation of surface and column CO at three different sites (Paris, Jungfraujoch and Wollongong), with an emphasis on establishing a link between the CO vertical distribution and the nature of CO emission sources. We find the first evidence of a time lag between surface and free tropospheric CO seasonal variations in the Northern Hemisphere. The CO seasonal variability obtained from the total columns and free tropospheric partial columns shows a maximum around March–April and a minimum around September–October in the Northern Hemisphere (Paris and Jungfraujoch). In the Southern Hemisphere (Wollongong) this seasonal variability is shifted by about 6 months. Satellite observations by the IASI–MetOp (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) and MOPITT (Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere) instruments confirm this seasonality. Ground-based FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) measurements provide useful complementary information due to good sensitivity in the boundary layer. In situ surface measurements of CO volume mixing ratios at the Paris and Jungfraujoch sites reveal a time lag of the near-surface seasonal variability of about 2 months with respect to the total column variability at the same sites. The chemical transport model GEOS-Chem (Goddard Earth Observing System chemical transport model) is employed to interpret our observations. GEOS-Chem sensitivity runs identify the emission sources influencing the seasonal variation of CO. At both Paris and Jungfraujoch, the surface seasonality is mainly driven by anthropogenic emissions, while the total column seasonality is also controlled by air masses transported from distant sources. At Wollongong, where the CO seasonality is mainly affected by biomass burning, no time shift is observed between surface measurements and total column data.

Although koi herpesvirus (KHV) has a history of causing severe economic losses in common carp and koi farms, there are still no treatments available on the market. Thus, the aim of this study was to test exopolysaccharides (EPS) for its antiviral activity against KHV, by monitoring inhibition and cytotoxic effects in common carp brain cells. These substances can be easily extracted from extracellular algae supernatant and were identified as groups of sulphated polysaccharides. In order to reach this aim, Arthrospira platensis, which is well known for its antiviral activity of intra- and extracellular compounds towards mammalian herpesviruses, was investigated as standard organism and compared to commercial antiviral drug, ganciclovir, which inhibits the viral DNA polymerization. The antiviral activity of polysaccharides of A. platensis against KHV was confirmed in vitro using qualitative assessment of KHV life cycle genes, and it was found by RT-PCR that EPS, applied at a concentration of >18 μg mL -1 and a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.45 of KHV, suppressed the viral replication in common carp brain (CCB) cells even after 22 days post-infection, entirely. Further, this study presents first data indicating an enormous potential using polysaccharides as an additive for aquacultures to lower or hinder the spread of the KHV and koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD) in future., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Research of cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is focused on the infection mechanism and disease development in animals using genetic and immunological approaches to improve treatments and diagnostics. In contrast, only few tried to investigate the CyHV-3 replication behaviour in available cell cultures. Whereas, obtaining high virus yields by in vitro replication enables achieving of the mentioned above goals easier and more reliable. The following work presents an attempt to illuminate the KHV replication in common carp brain (CCB) cell cultures from the engineering point of view. The isolate KHV-TP30 was used testing the influence on process parameters, such as multiplicity of infection (MOI), time of infection (TOI) and time of harvest (TOH). Virus concentrations and infectivity at different time points of infection were examined using hydrolyzed probe qPCR (Gilad et al. 2004) and 50% tissue culture infectivity dose (TCID 50 ). The data obtained show that while the amount of the virus DNA remains constant after reaching its maximum, the infectivity of the virus decreases. Thus, especially, TOH can be crucial for generating a high-quality virus stock. Applying optimized parameters improved the infectivity of the harvested virus and reached a robust titre as high as 1.9 × 10 8  TCID 50 /mL. To our knowledge, so far, there is no information in the peer-reviewed literature showing comparably high virus titres. Such virus yields not only facilitate conduction of further studies, including stability tests of the virus stock under various supplementation or disinfection trails, but also provide enough virus material to perform more detailed examinations of the infection mechanism.

Cell line authentication is crucial in determining the identity of cell lines and detecting any cross-contamination. The identity of three newly established Spodoptera littoralis cell lines (Spli-C, Spli-B, and Spli-S) was confirmed by DNA fingerprinting. In this study, we used two universal primers sets to amplify two DNA fragments in different positions in the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1 gene (COI). The PCR reaction succeeded in amplifying two target DNA amplicons. The first amplicon had ~650 bp, while the second had ~410 bp. By comparing the obtained informative sequences with those in the GenBank sequence database, the results showed 100% similarity between the S. littoralis cell lines and their host. The same similarity ratio was observed between the Sf21, Tni, and Cp cell lines, which are used widely, and their hosts. The informative sequences were then used for phylogenetic analyses. In addition to the high efficiency of this technique, it showed high reproducibility in two different laboratories. DNA barcoding using the two sets of the universal primers used in this study can be a fast and a reliable method for insect cell line identification.

The quality and regulation of the incident light is crucial in microalgae cultivation processes. Depending on wavelength, spectrum, and intensity, growth characteristics and biochemical composition of these organisms vary. With mainly fluorescent lamps (FL) used previously for illumination, such variabilities could not be studied adequately due to their broad emission spectrum. In contrast, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emit a very narrow wavelength band and enable flexible photobioreactor designs due to their small size. This review provides a condensed overview on the application of LEDs in microalgal cultivation processes. It summarizes the current availability and applicability of LED technologies as an illumination source for research-focused photobioreactor systems. A particular focus is the use of narrow-wavelength LEDs to address fundamental as well as applied aspects of light color on algae biomass and value-added compound formation. In this respect, the application of internal and external illumination systems is reviewed together with trends in the industrial use of LED systems to intensify algae process efficiency.

Jurkat cells are accepted model cells for primary human T lymphocytes, for example, in medical research. Their growth to tissue-like cell densities (up to 100 × 10(6)  cells/mLcapsule ) in semi-permeable (molecular weight cut off <10,000 Da) sodium cellulose sulfate/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) polyelectrolyte capsules has previously been shown by us [Werner et al. (2013). Use of the mitochondria toxicity assay for quantifying the viable cell density of microencapsulated jurkat cells. Biotechnol Prog 29(4): 986-993]. Herein, we demonstrate that encapsulation can be used to retain the cells in continuously operated bioreactors, which opens new possibilities for research, for example, the use of Jurkat cells in pulse response experiments under steady state conditions. Two reactor concepts are presented, a fluidized and a fixed bed reactor. A direct comparison of the growth kinetics in batch and repeated batch spinner cultivations, that is, under conditions where both encapsulated and non-encapsulated cells can be cultivated under otherwise identical conditions, showed that maximum specific growth rates were higher for the encapsulated than for the non-encapsulated cells. In the subsequent batch and repeated batch bioreactor experiments (only encapsulated cells), growth rates were similar, with the exception of the fixed bed batch reactor, where growth kinetics were significantly slower. Concomitantly, a significant fraction of the cells towards the bottom of the bed were no longer metabolically active, though apparently not dead. In the repeated batch fluidized bed reactor cellular division could be maintained for more than two weeks, albeit with a specific growth rate below the maximum one, leading to final cell densities of approximately 180 × 10(6)  cell/gcapsule . At the same time, the cell cycle distribution of the cells was shifted to the S and G2/M phases., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Autofocusing is essential to high throughput microscopy and live cell imaging and requires reliable focus measures. Phase objects such as separated single Chinese hamster ovary cells are almost invisible at the optical focus position in bright field microscopy images. Because of the phase effect, defocused images of phase objects have more contrast. In this paper, we show that widely used focus measures exhibit an untypical behaviour for such images. In the case of homogeneous cells, that is, when most cells tend to lie in the same focal plane, both gradient-based and statistics-based focus measures tend to have a local minimum instead of a global maximum at the optical focus position. On the other hand, if images show inhomogeneous cells, gradient-based focus measures tend to yield typical focus curves, whereas statistics-based focus measures deliver curves similar to the case of homogeneous cells. These results were interpreted using the equation describing the phase effect and patch-wise analysis of the focus curves. Bioprocess engineering experts are also influenced by the phase effect. Forty-four focus positions selected by them led to the conclusion that they prefer to look at defocused images instead of those at the optical focus., (© 2014 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2014 Royal Microscopical Society.)

The mitochondria toxicity assay (MTT assay) is an established method for monitoring cell viability based on mitochondrial activity. Here the MTT assay is proposed for the in situ quantification of the living cell density of microencapsulated Jurkat cells. Three systems were used to encapsulate the cells, namely a membrane consisting of an interpenetrating polyelectrolyte network of sodium cellulose sulphate/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (NaCS/PDADMAC), a calcium alginate hydrogel covered with poly(L-lysine) (Ca-alg-PLL), and a novel calcium alginate-poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid material (Ca-alg-PEG). MTT results were correlated to data obtained by the trypan blue exclusion assay after release of the cells from the NaCS/PDADMAC and Ca-alg-PLL capsules, while a resazurin-based assay was used for comparison in case of the Ca-alg-PEG material. Analysis by MTT assay allows quick and reliable determination of viable cell densities of encapsulated cells independent of the capsule material. The assay is highly reproducible with inter-assay relative standard deviations below 10%., (© 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.)

The platelet glycoprotein receptor regulates the adhesion of blood platelets to damaged blood vessel walls and the subsequent platelet aggregation. One of the subunits, platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha (GpIbalpha), binds thrombin, a serine protease with both procoagulant and anticoagulant activities. Two groups reported the crystal structures of the complex between thrombin and the N-terminal extracellular domain (leucine-rich repeat [LRR] domain) of GpIbalpha. In both these structures, GpIbalpha was reported to bind two thrombin molecules, but both the primary and secondary thrombin binding sites differed between them. We performed a detailed comparison of the two structures to look for insights that may explain the differences. Our results show that the 1:1 GpIbalpha-thrombin complex detected in solution between the crystallized proteins is likely the only strong interaction. The anionic sequence (residues 268-284) of GpIbalpha is likely responsible for the initial interaction with thrombin and the interaction with the rest of LRR domain of GpIbalpha occurs subsequently and may alternate between two or more different binding modes. Our modelling suggests the interaction between GpIbalpha and thrombin is highly pH-dependent and a small change in pH is likely to contribute to the formation of alternate binding modes. The differences in the crystal structures reported for the GpIbalpha-thrombin complex suggest a fascinating plasticity in this protein-protein interaction that may be biologically significant.

Whole-cell reduction of (2,5)-hexanedione to yield highly enantiopure (5R)-hydroxyhexane-2-one (enantiomeric excess >99%) with Lactobacillus kefiri DSM 20587 was investigated. Cell immobilisation with sodium cellulose sulphate was chosen as the most suitable encapsulation matrix, giving an immobilisation yield of 40%. Despite the lowered biocatalytic activity from cell immobilisation, the bioreduction process was vastly improved with the help of reaction engineering techniques (batch to a plug flow reactor set-up). High selectivity (95%) and space-time yield (87 g L(-1) day(-1)) were achieved in the plug flow reactor. The biocatalyst remained active (68% residual activity) after 6 days of operation.

Thirty strains of algae were examined for their biosorption abilities in the uptake of cadmium, lead, nickel, and zinc from aqueous solution. A wide range of adsorption capacities between the different strains of algae and between the four metals can be observed. The cyanophyceae Lyngbya taylorii exhibited high uptake capacities for the four metals. The algae showed maximum capacities according to the Langmuir Adsorption Model of 1.47 mmol lead, 0.37 mmol cadmium, 0.65 mmol nickel, and 0.49 mmol zinc per gram of dry biomass. The optimum pH for L. taylorii was between pH 3 and 7 for lead, cadmium, and zinc and between pH 4 and 7 for nickel. Studies with the algae indicated a preference for the uptake of lead over cadmium, nickel, and zinc in a four metal solution. The metal binding abilities of L. taylorii could be improved by phosphorylation of the biomass. The modified biosorbent demonstrated maximum capacities of 2.52 mmol cadmium, 3.08 mmol lead, 2.79 mmol nickel, and 2.60 mmol zinc per gram of dry biomass. Investigations with phosphated L. taylorii indicated high capacities for the four metals also at low pH. The selectivity remained quite similar to the unmodified algae.

Interphase mass transfer of a sparingly soluble solute is often the rate-limiting step in multiphase biocatalytic processes. Colloidal liquid aphrons (CLA) provide very large interfacial areas, and thus could enhance mass transfer in such processes. The aim of this study was to characterize mass transfer properties of CLA dispersions during transfer of heptanoic acid from water to limonene. The interfacial area per unit volume (a), film mass transfer coefficient (K(L)), and volumetric mass transfer coefficient (K(L)a) values were determined in a stirred-tank reactor. These results were used, along with a literature correlation, to estimate the mass transfer coefficient of the surfactant-stabilized shell surrounding the CLA. The very large increase in a provided by the CLA was only partially offset by a slight increase in the mass transfer resistance of the shell. As a result, the range of K(L)a values obtained using CLA was about an order of magnitude greater than that obtained using a conventional dispersion. The concentration of the aqueous-phase surfactant used to form the CLA strongly affected the Sauter mean diameter of the CLA; however, the concentration of the nonpolar-phase surfactant had little effect. These results suggest that CLA have considerable potential for multiphase biocatalytic applications., (Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

We have established a new xenogeneic animal model of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) by intracisternal inoculation of human CEM T-cell lymphoma into nude rats, and used it to evaluate the anti-lymphoma efficacy of an anti-CD7 ricin A chain immunotoxin (DA7). In vitro incubation with 2 microg/ml DA7 for 72 h inhibited CEM cells by 90% in a trypan blue exclusion assay. To establish its anti-lymphoma activity, one and four days after cisternal inoculation of 10(6) CEM cells, eight animals each were treated cisternally with 10 microg DA7 in 50 microl PBS or sham-treated with 50 microl PBS. Histopathologically, all eight sham-treated and five of eight DA7 treated animals showed typical features of LM with multilayers of tumor cells along the whole subarachnoid space and the ventricular walls, as well as subependymal and diffuse parenchymal tumor cell infiltration. Three DA7 treated animals were free of tumor. Two of these animals were asymptomatic long-term survivors (> 90 days). The third tumor-free animal suddenly died on day 51. Histology revealed viral myocarditis. Median symptom-free survival was 51 days (range 29-90+ days) in DA7 treated and 34 days (range 29-87 days) in sham-treated animals (p = 0.12, log-rank test). Histologically, no signs of neurotoxicity or systemic toxicity was found. However, DA7 treated animals showed a tendency to a slower weight increase on days 6-28 after tumor cell inoculation. Our results indicate that this model is useful in studying leptomeningeal seeding and intracisternal treatment of lymphoma. The demonstrated anti-tumor effect of DA7 treatment deserves further evaluation especially regarding the application of DA7 in early stages of LM from T-cell lymphoma.

The Cbf5 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was originally identified as a low-affinity centromeric DNA-binding protein, and chf5 mutants have a defect in rRNA synthesis. A closely related protein from mammals, NAP57, is a nucleolar protein that coimmunoprecipitates with the nucleolar phosphoprotein Nopp140. To study the function of this protein family in a higher eukaryote that is amenable to genetic approaches, the gene encoding a Drosophila melanogaster homolog, Nop60B, was identified. The predicted Drosophila protein shares a high degree of sequence identity over a 380-residue region with both the mammalian and yeast proteins, and shares several conserved motifs with the prokaryotic tRNA pseudouridine 55 synthases. Nop60B RNA is found at high levels in nurse cells and in the oocyte, and is present throughout development. Nop60B protein is localized primarily to the nucleolus of interphase cells, and is absent from the chromosomes during mitosis. Nop60B mutants were generated and shown to be homozygous lethal. The Drosophila gene can rescue the lethal phenotype of yeast chf5 mutations, showing that the function of this protein has been conserved from yeast to Drosophila.

To establish an animal model of human medulloblastoma, we have injected human MHH-MED-1 cells into the cisterna magna of nude rats. Tumors grew in 3 out of 4 animals injected with 10(6) medulloblastoma cells. Affected animals showed little or no weight gain and eventually lost weight but did not develop obvious neurological symptoms until the end of observation on day 31 after inoculation. At this time, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in tumor-bearing rats revealed contrast enhancement in the region of the fourth ventricle and the cisterna magna. Neuropathological examination demonstrated corresponding leptomeningeal growth in the cisterna magna invading the medulla oblongata, and tumor growth within the fourth ventricle invading the pons. The tumors basically showed the same immunostaining pattern as MHH-MED-1 cells in vitro expressing neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and vimentin, but no neurofilaments (NFs), synapthophysin, or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). No tumor grew in the fourth animal, which had a normal weight gain and no alteration on MRI. In conclusion (1) the intrathecally injected human medulloblastoma cells spread similar to medulloblastomas in patients, (2) tumor growth is readily detected by MRI, (3) the new animal model is a suitable tool for further experimental research including intrathecal therapeutic studies.

Macroporous microcarriers are commonly applied to fixed and fluidized bed bioreactors for the cultivation of stringent adherent cells. Several investigations showed that these carriers are advantageous in respect to a large surface area (Griffiths, 1990; Looby, 1990a).When growing a rC-127 cell line on Cytoline 2 (Pharmacia Biotech), no satisfactory product yield could be achieved. A possible limitation in the supply of nutrient components was investigated to explain these poor results. No significant concentration gradients could be detected. Nevertheless, fluorescence staining revealed a decreasing viability, particularly inside the macroporous structure. Therefore, oxygen transfer to and into the carriers was examined by means of an oxygen microprobe during the entire process. Additional mathematical modeling supported these results.The maximum penetration depth of oxygen was determined to be 300 μm. A critical value influencing the oxygen uptake rate of the rC-127 cells occured at a dissolved oxygen concentration of 8% of air saturation. A significant mass transfer resistance within a laminar boundary film at the surface of the carrier could be detected. This boundary layer had a depth of 170 μm. The results showed that even a 40% air saturation in the bulk liquid could not provide an efficient oxygenation of the surface biofilm during the exponential growth phase. Fluorescent staining reveals a poor viability of cells growing inside the carrier volume. Thus, oxygen supply limits the growth of rC-127 cells on macroporous microcarriers. Poor process performance and low product yield could be explained this way.

In order to control the growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during cultivations, a fully-automated sampling and analysing system has been developed. Based on the microscopic appearance of cells, a detailed characterization of yeast suspensions from the bioreactor is available, presenting data of current cell concentrations, distributions of process-dependent cell structures and parts of cells containing vacuoles. This measuring system combines quantitative and qualitative analysis methods in a digital image processing technique, which offers the possibility of on-line estimation of cell development that approximates real-time. Perturbations within the process are detectable in time and regulative actions can be done without any delay.

The efficacy of intrathecal treatment of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) with interleukin-2 (IL-2) was evaluated in an animal model using Wistar rats inoculated intracisternally with 10(7) C6 glioma cells. Prior to the in vivo experiments the antiproliferative effects of human IL-2, and of murine IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha which are cytokines induced by IL-2 were tested in a colony forming assay. Only IFN-gamma caused a dose-dependent inhibition of colony formation. Twelve animals were treated intracisternally with either 10(5) IU IL-2 or control medium on day 0, 2, and 5 after tumor cell inoculation. Both IL-2 treated and sham-treated animals developed LM with a symptom-free survival of 7 to 9 days. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated animals regarding time to onset of symptoms and pattern of tumor growth. Infiltration of the tumor tissue with ED-1+ monocytes and macrophages, and CD8+ lymphocytes, however, was slightly increased in IL-2 treated animals. In a second experiment 4 non tumor-bearing Wistar rats were intracisternally injected with a single dose of 10(5) IU IL-2. These animals also showed slightly enhanced leptomeningeal infiltration with CD8+ lymphocytes compared to controls. We conclude that intrathecal application of high-dose IL-2 although eliciting a slight immune reaction within the leptomeninges does not inhibit leptomeningeal tumor growth or prolong symptom-free survival in our animal model of LM. These results raise doubt about the clinical efficacy of intrathecal IL-2 treatment in patients with LM.

BACKGROUND Decompressive craniectomy in the treatment of posttraumatic brain swelling is not generally accepted. Until now the efficacy of operative decompressive craniectomy in posttraumatic brain swelling of children appeared more promising. However, the criteria for such procedures remain unclearly defined. METHODS We present two children who had repeated decompressive craniectomy following head injury, in order to control intracranial pressure (ICP) sufficiently. Our indications for performing a decompressive craniectomy in the presence of conservatively uncontrollable raised ICP are: (1) Patient is between the ages of 3 and 35 years. (2) An initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ranging between 4 and 8. (3) Three criteria have to be fulfilled at the same time: The cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) has to drop to values of less than 60 mm Hg. It is impossible to control the ICP values (up to 45 mm Hg) conservatively. The diastolic velocity of the transcranial doppler sonography (TCD) has to decrease until only a systolic flow pattern is obtained. (4) No other mass lesion should be detected on cranial computed tomography (CCT) that could account for the rise in pressure. In both cases we performed bifrontal decompressive craniectomies. RESULTS Both patients survived. Seven months after the accident, patient No. 1 was oriented and could walk on her own with a mild right-side hemiparesis. Patient No. 2 could attend school 12 months postinjury. Both patients developed hygromas after the craniectomy. A shunt operation, however, was not necessary. CONCLUSIONS ICP monitoring, together with CCT examination, simultaneous recording of TCD, and systemic parameters, will reveal a patient at risk at a time when impending damage due to uncontrollable ICP may still be prevented. The simultaneous assessment of cerebral blood flow by transcranial doppler (TCD), in this situation, proves most valuable. It improves the guidelines of patient selection for decompressive craniectomy, in the presence of conservatively uncontrollable ICP.

Estimation of oxygen transfer from an aqueous solution into polymer hollow spheres, as used for encapsulation of microorganisms, requires detection of the dissolved oxygen concentration inside the hollow sphere. Using microcoaxial needle electrodes, oxygen kinetics in different penetration depths within single cellulose-sulfate hollow spheres loaded with and without living yeast cells could be measured. Based on the reaction kinetics the diffusion coefficient for oxygen and the oxygen-uptake rate have been calculated. The diffusion coefficient DO2 within the thin membrane of cell-free spheres was in the order of 10(-10)m2s-1. Due to the liquid core of the hollow sphere the corresponding diffusion coefficient DO2 is in the range of the value for water. The oxygen-uptake rate QO2 in cell containing spheres could be estimated to 90 mmol l-1 h-1, which corresponds to a specific oxygen-uptake rate qO2 of 10 mmol g-1 h-1. It is to conclude that oxygen supply of the microorganisms inside the hollow spheres was, in this case, not critically influenced by the thin polymeric wall of the capsules.

To determine whether the frequency shift recorded in basal cerebral arteries corresponds to "true" flow velocities, a prospective comparative study of transcranial color duplex sonography (TCCD) and transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) was performed. A 2.0-MHz transducer of a computerized TCCD system and a TCD device were used. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) were examined by TCCD in 49 healthy volunteers (mean age 35 +/- 12 years). In 45 of the same volunteers a comparative TCD examination was possible. The studies were carried out blindly by different examiners at separate appointments. Peak systolic flow velocity, end-diastolic maximum flow velocity, time-averaged maximum flow velocity, and the pulsatility index were measured by both techniques. Additionally, for TCCD, time-averaged flow velocity was assessed, the resistance index and a spectral broadening index were calculated, and the energy output required for reliable measurement was analyzed. The TCCD signals were recorded in 98% of both MCA's and ACA's; with TCD, signals were recorded in 98% of MCA's and 87% of ACA's. Although in both vessels the angle-corrected peak systolic and time-averaged maximum velocities were approximately 10% to 15% higher in TCCD than in TCD measurements, correlation of flow velocities between both techniques was significant (p < 0.0001); differences between sides and age-dependency of flow velocities corresponded as well. In a reproducibility study, TCCD was repeated in 27 subjects by a third examiner with significant correlation (p < 0.0001) of both TCCD examinations. It is concluded that the advantage of TCCD is associated more with a qualitative aspect than a quantitative one. The additional visual dimension of TCCD can open new diagnostic possibilities in cerebrovascular disorders.

MR imaging of the rat brain has become an increasingly frequently used method in experimental neuroradiology. On a generally available 1.5 T whole body tomograph, supplemented with an individually made small coil and a special SE sequence we obtained fairly fine images of the structures of the rat brain. With gadolinium-DTPA, we were able to visualize posterior fossa and cervical leptomeningeal growth of intrathecally injected B16 melanoma in nude rats. Using MRI to follow experimental leptomeningeal metastasis, may provide a new means for diagnostic evaluation and preclinical testing of treatment modalities.

To evaluate new cytotoxic drugs for intrathecal treatment we developed an experimental model of leptomeningeal metastasis by intracisternal injection of 10(4) B16-F10 melanoma cells in nude rats. One hour in vitro incubation with 20 micrograms/ml ACNU (area under the drug concentration-time curve = 1200 microgramsxmin/ml) induced a 4-log kill of B16 melanoma cells. A single or repeated non-toxic dose of 1 mg/kg was injected into the cisterna magna of rats inoculated with tumor (area under the drug concentration-time curve assuming an even cerebrospinal fluid distribution greater than 7000 microgramsxmin/ml). Median survival free of symptoms was 16 days (range 14-27) for controls (n = 9) and 18 days (range 17-23) for rats treated with ACNU on day 4 (n = 9). Animals treated both on day 2 and 8 (n = 8) developed symptoms on day 21 (range 13-35). Neurological symptoms and neuropathological examination in animals with increased survival indicated local suppression of tumor growth in the cisterna magna but increased spinal seeding and mass growth. From these results and the available pharmacokinetic data on ACNU it is concluded that bolus injection of ACNU--although locally effective--is not a sufficient treatment of widespread leptomeningeal metastasis. An increased therapeutic efficacy might be achieved by ventriculolumbar perfusion.

The aim of this study was to correlate the relationship between serum cystine aminopeptidase (CAP) activity in normal patients and that in patients with primary ovarian cancer of recurrence. Sera obtained from 63 patients and evaluated for CAP activity by the method of Babuna and Yenen were grouped as follows: in 20 normal, nonpregnant patients, the mean activity was 25; in 14 patients with fibromas of the uterus, it was 38; in two patients with ovarian sarcoma, the activities were "normal" (24 to 27); and in 27 patients with primary ovarian adenocarcinoma or recurrence, the activity corresponded to the size of the tumors. Assay of serum CAP activity is a simple procedure which can be performed in any laboratory. It is a quick method for qualitative, and even quantitative, assessment of an ovarian adenocarcinoma in the nonpregnant patient. It may prove to be especially valuable in the follow-up of patients with ovarian cancer.

Human ovaries in the phase of follicular ripening were treated by means of a cryoprotectivum immediately after their removal. They were kept at --18degrees C for up to 8 weeks. After having gradually been thawed the ovaries were in vitro connected to a perfusion system. When completely revitalized they were examined in the steady-state for their metabolic behaviour. It was found that in comparison with the untreated controls, depending on the period of preservation, the oxygen consumption and the estrogen secretion had decreased, while the glucose absorption and lactate production had increased. As a morphological substrate a minor oedema was established in the tissue in the histological control after a preservation period of 2 months. This was mainly localized around the arteries. The method can be regarded as suitable for the preservation of ovaries for a limited period of time. It is possible to maintained a metabolism that can still be regarded as functioning.

12 bovine ovaries were perfused in a closed circuit system using a semisynthetic hemoglobinfree perfusate. The pressure in the ovarian tissue and the arterial pressure were recorded simultaneously. Arterial and tissue pressure changes were noticed in bovine ovaries, as have been described in other species. It could be shown that pressure in the vascular system and the arterial pressure may vary independently. It appears as if spontaneous pressure changes in the in vitro perfused ovary are more pronounced in frequency and amplitude during the phase of follicle maturation.

Starting with a survey of the historical development of ultrasound-mammography the current status of this method within other diagnostic procedures of the breast is defined. Basing on over 1000 examinations since 1975 we report the sonographic possibilities in demonstrating different normal and pathologic breast structures. Pathologic structures are: Dudectasy, Cysts, Mastitis, Fibroadenoma, Carcinoma and Gynaecomasty. Own results are reported and the future of ultrasound mammography is discussed.

Eight human ovaries were perfused in a closed recirculating system with a semisynthetic, hemoglobin-free medium. Arterial and intraovarian pressures were recorded simultaneously. In three experiments spontaneous pressure changes were noticed. In five experiments pressure changes were induced with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) (approximately 70mIU/ml follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and 40mIU/ml luteotrophic hormone (LH) II. IRP-hMG). Frequency and amplitude of pressure changes in the arterial system and fluctuations in tissue pressure were reduced with indomethacin (20 micrograms/ml). In one experiment 40 micrograms/ml indomethacin had been used. In spite of the high dose of indomethacin arterial and tissue pressure changes were not abolished in all experiments. Therefore it is assumed that vascular and tissue activities are not mediated by prostaglandins only.

Eight bovine ovaries with a corpus luteum were perfused for 4 h in a haemoglobin-free semi-synthetic perfusion medium in a closed circuit. After an initial prolactin (PRL)-free perfusion phase, 4.7 ng/ml ovine PRL was added in the 1st h, followed by 47 ng/ml in the 2nd h and 470 ng/ml in the 3rd h. Glucose and oxygen consumption and the production of lactate, pyruvate and CO2 were measured, while perfusion pressure and pH-value were recorded continuously. Under the influence of PRL anaerobic glucose metabolism was stimulated by 40.5% and oxidative phosphorylation was inhibited. Energy production from aerobic glucose metabolism rose by only 0.25%. Unlike PRL, Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated aerobic metabolism. This may indicate that PRL is the "older" hormone in phylleogenetic terms.