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At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Passage of indigestible particles of various specific gravities in sheep and goats.

1. Eight kinds of indigestible particles with specific gravities (SG) ranging from 0.92 to 1.87 (2 mm diameter and 4 mm length) were injected into the reticulo-rumen of sheep and goats in order to investigate the relation between SG and passage through the gastrointestinal tract, and the difference in passage time in the two species of animals. 2. The percentage of excreted particles significantly increased, while the percentage of ruminated particles in the excreted particles significantly decreased, as the SG increased. 3. The daily and cumulative recovery rates of particles of SG 1.38 were slower in sheep than in goats, while those with SG 0.92 were not different between species. 4. It is concluded that particles with SG higher than 1.27 would pass through the gastrointestinal tract of sheep and goats more quickly than those with SG lower than 1.21.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Evaluation of a colorimetric reagent strip assay for urine specific gravity.

N-Multistix SG provides a convenient colorimetric assay for the determination of the specific gravity (sp. gr.) of freshly voided urine. When compared with results obtained by standard hydrometry, the colorimetric assay sp. gr. was observed to decrease by as much as 0.010 units as urine pH increased from 5 to 7. Moderate levels of proteinuria that did not alter hydrometer readings effectively raised the colorimetric sp. gr. by 0.005-0.010 units. The colorimetric assay was almost completely insensitive to clinically encountered concentrations of glucose and urea but responded appropriately to monovalent salts. The magnitude of these observed discrepancies places serious limitations on the value of the colorimetric sp. gr. measurement.

Colorimetry↗

PubMed1992

Experimental studies of the combined use of vitreous substitutes of high and low specific gravity.

The combined use of high and low specific gravity liquid vitreous substitutes has been studied in the rabbit. Eyes having undergone 1) vitreous replacement with silicone liquid combined with a perfluoropolyether liquid of high viscosity; 2) replacement with the perfluoropolyether or silicone alone; or 3) vitrectomy only (control) were compared under conditions of a cell-injection model of traction retinal detachment. Some of the control eyes (3 out of 9) and silicone-filled eyes (2 out of 10) developed total retinal detachments involving all quadrants; in the silicone-filled eyes the detachments extended behind the silicone globule. Conversely, in the eyes undergoing replacement with the two liquids or with the perfluoropolyether liquid alone, retinal detachments never extended to the inferior quadrants underlying the perfluoropolyether globule. In other experiments, the tendency toward emulsification of a low-viscosity perfluorocarbon liquid was reduced when it was used in combination with silicone liquid, in comparison to when this liquid was used alone.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Ultrastructure of gravity-perceiving cells in plant roots.

The root cap is the gravity-perceiving organ of plant roots. The central statenchyma consists of polarly organized statocytes which are characterized by sedimentable amyloplasts and by a striking distal endoplasmic reticulum (e.r. complex). During the normal downwards orientated growth of the root, the amyloplasts are sedimented onto the e.r. complex. Some observations indicate that the amyloplasts stress the e.r. complex by their sedimentation. The stress possibly influences the structural and functional state of the e.r. membranes. Therefore, graviperception is probably a function of differential stress on the e.r. complexes. The amyloplasts are partly or totally separated from the e.r. complex under experimental conditions such as deviations of the roots from the perpendicular between 30 and 180 degrees, rotation of the roots on the horizontal klinostat at 2 rev/min and at 55-120 rev/min, and placing the roots into an electric field at 2000-3000 V/cm. These are important facts for an understanding of the nature of graviperception. Spacelab experiments may help to verify the interpretation of results obtained in the experiments in simulated weightlessness.

Brassicaceae↗

PubMed2005

How to activate a plant gravireceptor. Early mechanisms of gravity sensing studied in characean rhizoids during parabolic flights.

Early processes underlying plant gravity sensing were investigated in rhizoids of Chara globularis under microgravity conditions provided by parabolic flights of the A300-Zero-G aircraft and of sounding rockets. By applying centrifugal forces during the microgravity phases of sounding rocket flights, lateral accelerations of 0.14 g, but not of 0.05 g, resulted in a displacement of statoliths. Settling of statoliths onto the subapical plasma membrane initiated the gravitropic response. Since actin controls the positioning of statoliths and restricts sedimentation of statoliths in these cells, it can be calculated that lateral actomyosin forces in a range of 2 x 10(-14) n act on statoliths to keep them in place. These forces represent the threshold value that has to be exceeded by any lateral acceleration stimulus for statolith sedimentation and gravisensing to occur. When rhizoids were gravistimulated during parabolic plane flights, the curvature angles of the flight samples, whose sedimented statoliths became weightless for 22 s during the 31 microgravity phases, were not different from those of in-flight 1g controls. However, in ground control experiments, curvature responses were drastically reduced when the contact of statoliths with the plasma membrane was intermittently interrupted by inverting gravistimulated cells for less than 10 s. Increasing the weight of sedimented statoliths by lateral centrifugation did not enhance the gravitropic response. These results provide evidence that graviperception in characean rhizoids requires contact of statoliths with membrane-bound receptor molecules rather than pressure or tension exerted by the weight of statoliths.

Acceleration↗

PubMed1988

Rapid changes in protein phosphorylation associated with light-induced gravity perception in corn roots.

The effect of light and calcium depletion on in vivo protein phosphorylation was tested using dark-grown roots of Merit corn. Light caused rapid and specific promotion of phosphorylation of three polypeptides. Pretreatment of roots with ethylene glycol bis N,N,N',N' tetraacetic acid and A23187 prevented light-induced changes in protein phosphorylation. We postulate that these changes in protein phosphorylation are involved in the light-induced gravity response.

Calcimycin↗

PubMed1995

Gravity perception in plants: a multiplicity of systems derived by evolution?

The origin and subsequent evolution of life on Earth have taken place within an environment where a 1g gravitational field is omnipresent. Living organisms, at whatever stage in their evolution, have accommodated this variable in both their structure and their function. Systems have also evolved whereby gravitational accelerations are perceived by gravisensors and these, in turn, have led to responses that give particular spatial orientations to living processes. It is proposed that, the higher the evolutionary status of an organism, the more likely it is that it will possess multiple systems for gravisensing because evolution discards little that assists fitness and hence supplements with new gravisensing systems those which already existed within evolutionarily older, less complex organisms. Moreover, in comparison with a single gravisensing system, a multiplicity of systems permits gravity to participate in a wider range of developmental programmes, such as taxes, morphisms and tropisms, through the action of different sensory mechanisms coupled to distinct signalling and response pathways. Whatever the precise mechanism of graviperception in any given set of conditions, all may transduce the g-force by means of a membrane system. Transduction may involve the endoplasmic reticulum and thence the plasma membrane.

Biological Evolution↗

PubMed1999

Artificial gravity considerations for a mars exploration mission.

Artificial gravity (AG), as a means of preventing physiological deconditioning of astronauts during long-duration space flights, presents certain special challenges to the otolith organs and the adaptive capabilities of the CNS. The key issues regarding the choice of AG acceleration, radius, and rotation rate are reviewed from the viewpoints of physiological requirements and human factors disturbances. Head movements and resultant Coriolis forces on the rotating platform may limit the usefulness of economical short centrifuges for other than brief periods of intermittent stimulation.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed1976

Specific gravity and osmolality as measures of urine concentration in the calf.

Specific gravity and osmolality were determined for daily urine output from 8 male calves that developed diarrhoea. Both factors increased significantly during diarrhoea. From the correlation (r = 0.724) between them and the range of predicted osmolality values for any particular SG the use of osmolality was confirmed as a precise measure of urine concentration in the calf.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intra- and interindividual variation in urine osmolality and urine specific gravity in healthy pet dogs of various ages.

Urine specific gravity (Usg) and urine osmolality (Uosm) are used routinely to assess renal concentrating ability, but limited data on these variables are available for healthy dogs. Consequently, we studied the intra- and interindividual variations in Usg and Uosm in healthy dogs as well as the influence of age and gender on these variables. Dogs were selected for health and anestrus in female dogs through the use of a detailed questionnaire. Eighty-nine owners collected morning and evening urine samples from their dogs on 2 consecutive days. In 8 dogs in which the Uosm of different samples varied more than 50%, owners collected urine for 24 hours at 2-hour intervals during the day and at 4-hour intervals at night. The possible effect of changes in adrenocortical function with age was assessed by measurements of urinary corticoid/creatinine (C/C) ratios. Among all samples, Uosm ranged from 161 to 2,830 mOsm/kg and Usg from 1.006 to > 1.050. In the morning, Uosm (1,541 +/- 527 mOsm/kg, range 273-2,620 mOsm/kg) and Usg (1.035 +/- 0.010, range 1.009-->1.050) were higher than in the evening (Uosm 1,400 +/- 586 mOsm/kg, range 161-2,830 mOsm/kg; Usg 1.031 +/- 0.012, range 1.006-->1.050). The interindividual coefficient of variation in Uosm was 34.2% for morning urine samples and 41.9% for evening samples. In 8 dogs with large differences in urine concentration, there were 2- to 3-fold increases or decreases in Uosm during the day, and the intraindividual coefficient of variation was 33.0%. There was no relation between gender and urine concentration. Urine concentration in both the morning and evening samples decreased with age. Urinary corticoid/ creatinine ratios did not change with age. It can be concluded that Uosm and Usg vary widely among healthy dogs. Urine concentration is generally lower in the evening than in the morning and is not related to gender. Urine concentration decreases with age, and this cannot be ascribed to an associated increase in endogenous corticoids. In some dogs, Uosm varies widely during the day, with an intraindividual coefficient of variation approaching the interindividual coefficient of variation. This may be regarded as a biologic variation but also could represent an early undiagnosed clinical abnormality.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2005

Accuracy of urine specific gravity and osmolality as indicators of hydration status.

To reduce the adverse consequences of exertion-related and acute intentional dehydration research has focused on monitoring hydration status. This investigation: 1) compared sensitivity of urine specific gravity (Usg), urine osmolality (U(osm)) and a criterion measurement of hydration, plasma osmolality (P(osm)), at progressive stages of acute hypertonic dehydration and 2) using a medical decision model, determined whether Usg or U(osm) accurately reflected hydration status compared to P(osm) among 51 subjects tested throughout the day. Incremental changes in P(osm) were observed as subjects dehydrated by 5% of body weight and rehydrated while Usg and U(osm) showed delayed dehydration-related changes. Using the medical decision model, sensitivity and specificity were not significant at selected cut-offs for Usg and U(osm). At the most accurate cut-off values, 1.015 and 1.020 for Usg and 700 m(osm)/kg and 800 m(osm)/kg for U(osm), only 65% of the athletes were correctly classified using Usg and 63% using U(osm). P(osm), Usg, and U(osm) appear sensitive to incremental changes in acute hypertonic dehydration, however, the misclassified outcomes for Usg and U(osm) raise concerns. Research focused on elucidating the factors affecting accurate assessment of hydration status appears warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed1961

Manifestations of injury in yeast cells exposed to subzero temperatures. II. Changes in specific gravity and in the concentration and quantity of cell solids.

Mazur, Peter (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.). Manifestations of injury in yeast cells exposed to subzero temperatures. II. Changes in specific gravity and in the concentration and quantity of cell solids. J. Bacteriol. 82:673-684. 1961.-It has previously been established that subjecting cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to rapid cooling to -30 C results in cell death and in certain morphological alterations. The alterations consisted of the loss of the central vacuole and a 50% decrease in volume. The present experiments were concerned with determining whether the volume decrease was the result of the loss of water alone or of water plus cellular solutes. The density of the "frozenthawed" cells was found to increase from 1.14 to 1.25 g/cm(3) on the basis of measurements of the sedimentation rate of the cells. Interferometric and refractometric measurements indicated, furthermore, that the concentration of cell solids increased from 20 to 28%, whereas the total mass of cell solids decreased from 25 to 17 mumug/cell. The decrease in cell volume was thus shown to be the result of loss of solution from the cells, a solution containing 11 to 16% solids. Measurements of the rate of dialysis suggested that most or all of these solids had a molecular weight below 600. The findings are consistent with the view that low-temperature exposure destroyed the vacuolar membrane and sufficiently damaged the permeability barriers of the cell to permit escape of low molecular weight compounds. The damage was present a few seconds after thawing, and may, therefore, have been a direct result of intracellular ice crystals which, on the basis of previous studies, are believed to be responsible for death from low-temperature exposure.

Cold Temperature↗

PubMed2001

Dipstick measurements of urine specific gravity are unreliable.

AIM: To evaluate the reliability of dipstick measurements of urine specific gravity (U-SG). METHODS: Fresh urine specimens were tested for urine pH and osmolality (U-pH, U-Osm) by a pH meter and an osmometer, and for U-SG by three different methods (refractometry, automatic readout of a dipstick (Clinitek-50), and (visual) change of colour of the dipstick). RESULTS: The correlations between the visual U-SG dipstick measurements and U-SG determined by a refractometer and the comparison of Clinitek((R))-50 dipstick U-SG measurements with U-Osm were less than optimal, showing very wide scatter of values. Only the U-SG refractometer values and U-Osm had a good linear correlation. The tested dipstick was unreliable for the bedside determination of U-SG, even after correction for U-pH, as recommended by the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: Among the bedside determinations, only refractometry gives reliable U-SG results. Dipstick U-SG measurements should be abandoned.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Urine specific gravity in exercisers prior to physical training.

Urine specific gravity (USG) is used as an index of hydration status. Many studies have used USG to estimate pre-exercise hydration in athletes. However, very little is known about the pre-exercise hydration status of recreational exercisers. The purpose of the present study was to measure the pre-exercise USG in a large sample of recreational exercisers who attended 2 different fitness centers in the United States. In addition, we wanted to determine if factors such as time of day, geographic location, and gender influenced USG. We tested 166 subjects in Chicago and 163 subjects in Los Angeles. Subjects completed a survey on their typical training regimen and fluid-replacement habits, and thereafter voided and delivered a urine sample to the investigators prior to beginning exercise. Samples were measured on site for USG using a hand-held refractometer. The mean (SD) USG was 1.018 (+/- 0.007) for all subjects. Males had a higher average USG (1.020 +/- 0.007) when compared with females (1.017 +/- 0.008; p = 0.001). Despite differences in climate, no difference in mean USG occurred based on location or time of day. Based on standards used for athletes (USG > or = 1.020), 46% of the exercisers were likely to be dehydrated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Effects of alveolated duct structure on aerosol kinetics. I. Diffusional deposition in the absence of gravity.

We examined the effects of alveolar duct structure on particle deposition in the pulmonary acinus. The low Reynolds number velocity field of carrier gas in a geometric model of the alveolated duct was solved numerically. Particle trajectories were computed from the Langevin equation. Conditional probabilities of the trajectories were calculated with an eigenfunction expansion technique in the absence of gravity. For submicron particles, Brownian motion dominated the process; the deposition rate dramatically decreased with boundary layer growth. For fine particles, fully developed boundary layer profiles determined the deposition over most of the acinar length. The assumption of a uniform radial profile results in a substantial overestimation of the local deposition rate. The deposition rate in an alveolated duct was always smaller than that in an equivalent straight tube of the same volume. Within the alveolus the deposition pattern was markedly nonuniform, with higher deposition near the alveolar entrance ring; this finding is consistent with experimental observations in animals (e.g., see Zeltner et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 70: 1137-1145, 1991). We conclude that the structure of the alveolar duct has an important influence on aerosol particle deposition in the lung acinus.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2000

Context-specific adaptation of the vertical vestibuloocular reflex with regard to gravity.

We determined whether head position with regard to gravity is an important context for angular vestibuloocular reflex (aVOR) gain adaptation. Vertical aVOR gains were adapted with monkeys upright or on side by rotating the animals about an interaural axis in phase or out of phase with the visual surround for 4 h. When aVOR gains were adapted with monkeys upright, gain changes were symmetrical when tested in either on-side position (23 +/- 7%; mean +/- SD). After on-side adaptation, however, gain changes were always larger when animals were tested in the same on-side position in which they were adapted. Gain changes were 43 +/- 16% with ipsilateral side down and 9 +/- 8% with contralateral side down. The context-specific effects of head position on vertical aVOR gain were the same whether the gain was increased or decreased. The data indicate that vertical aVOR gain changes are stored in the context of the head orientation in which changes were induced. This association could be an important context for expressing the adapted state of the aVOR gain during vertical head movement.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1990

Intraocular tolerance to silicone oils of different specific gravities. An experimental study.

Different methylphenylsilicone (MPS) and fluorosilicone (FS) oils having a higher specific gravity than water were investigated as vitreous replacements. Their intraocular tolerance in vitrectomized aphakic rabbit eyes was evaluated for periods of up to 4 months and compared to that of regular polydimethylsilicone oil (PDMS). Weakly fluorinated FS and weakly phenylated MPS showed a presumably toxic effect on the retina. As compared to highly fluorinated FS, highly phenylated MPS showed better intraocular tolerance; however, inflammatory reaction was slightly more extensive than in eyes filled with PDMS.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Density, specific gravity, and baricity of spinal anesthetic solutions at body temperature.

One of the most important physical properties affecting the level of analgesia achieved after intrathecal administration of a local anesthetic is its density relative to the density of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at 37 degrees C. In this study, density, specific gravity, and baricity of local anesthetic solutions at body temperature were determined volumetrically to five significant figures. Standard solutions of 2% lidocaine, 0.5% and 0.75% bupivacaine, and 0.9% sodium chloride were tested. Bupivacaine, 0.75%-water dilutions and tetracaine, 0.2%, in water were also studied. The densities of all commercially prepared solutions were less than that of the normal range of CSF at 37 degrees C. The density of 0.2% tetracaine was the same as water. Continued dilution of 0.75% bupivacaine with water resulted in increasingly hypobaric solutions. However, only the 0.075% bupivacaine (1:9 dilution) solution had a density comparable to water. Knowledge of relative baricities aids in the selection of an appropriate local anesthetic for intrathecal use.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗