Physiological tests

G.C. Mead, A.P. Norris and N. Bratchell, Differentiation of Staphylococcus aureus from freshly slaughtered poultry and strains endemic to processing plants by biochemical and physiological tests. J. Appl. Bacteriol., 66 (1989) 153-159. 

Quinones, lipid-soluble substances involved in electron transport, can also be used as biomarkers. Lipski et al. (155) u.sed quinone analyses, physiological tests, and fatty acid profiles to differentiate Gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria isolated from biofilters. Quinone type was found to be an efficient method to group isolates prior to the analysis of results from the physiological tests. The detection of quinones appears to be restricted to the discrimination of isolated colonies and has limited potential to the analysis of mixed populations. 

Huczko, A. et al. (2001) Physiological testing of carbon nanotubes are they asbestos-like Fullerene Science and Technology, 9 (2), 251-254. 

Chloromethyl esters are obtained quite readily by the action of paraformaldehyde on the appropriate acid chloride in the presence of a small quantity of zinc chloride as catalyst.1 It therefore seemed worth while to try the action of paraformaldehyde on fluoroacetyl fluoride, but the only product which could be isolated was a low-melting solid which appeared from its reactions to be methylene bisfluoroacetate, CH2(0 CO CH2F)2. The compound was submitted for physiological tests, and it was shown that the l.d. 50 subcutaneous injection into mice was about 10 mg./kg. Subcutaneous injection into rats with doses of 2-5, 5 and 10 mg./kg. all killed 1/1. 

Chloroacetophenone was among the many samples of possible war gases prepared by E. Emmet Reid and sent to the Bureau of Mines in 1917. Because there were no testing facilities for lachryma-tors until the central laboratory was completed, the value of this compound as a tear gas went unnoticed. It was January, 1918, before the results of the physiological tests were reported which showed chloroacetophenone to be superior to any other tear gas in use at the time (23). The Johns Hopkins University branch laboratory, in cooperation with a unit at American University then developed a method of synthesis. Although chloroacetophenone was not produced in quantity before the war ended, it became the standard tear gas used by civilian police after the war (38). 

The basic design of studies on effects of pollutants should seek to maximize information relevant to public health. Tests must be reliable and sensitive, the experimental air environment must be rigorously controlled, and the manner in which subjects are exposed to this environment must simulate ambient exposure. These constraints impose complications and necessitate a focus on environmental control and monitoring, physiologic testing, and evaluation of symptoms and clinical observations. 

Average percentage of positive responses to 4 types of catabolic and physiological tests. Exoenzymes presence was tested on 7 macromolecules (Arcachon) and on 2 macromolecules (Roscoff). The organic compounds utilization index was calculated on the basis of 34 substrates in Arcachon (amino acids, carbohydrates, alcohols, fatty and organic acids) and on 13 substrates in Roscoff (principally carbohydrates and alcohols). IP initial bacterial population. P microcalorimetric peak. FSS final steady-state. 

This work needs to be completed by performing more behavioral tests and also electro-physiological assays to test synthetic and natural blends as well as isolated compounds. We know that non-congenerous HCs can be detected by ant antennae (see Chapter 10 for a review) so it should be possible, since the chemicals are available, to perform similar sensory physiology tests on pectines, which seem to have a function in the detection of contact chemicals (G. and B 2001) or other chemosensory sensitive parts of the scorpion body. In conclusion this chemical ecology work is only preliminary, but it appears to point in the same direction as behavioral studies by our American colleagues. 

Stiles et al.43 found artemisinin to inhibit respiration in Lemna minor, but the compound strongly stimulates oxygen uptake by lettuce root tips.6 All mitotic phases of onion root tips are inhibited by the compound, and it induces a low level of abnormal mitotic figures.6 Dayan et al.6 conducted a battery of simple physiological tests with several artemisinin analogues. All phytotoxic compounds had similar effects, indicating a common mode of action. In summary, the mode of action results with artemisinin as a phytotoxin are not definitive. 

Newer methods of chemical analysis led to the isolation of the major alkaloids from crude drug preparations. By 1833, aconitine, atropine, codeine, hyoscyamine, morphine, nicotine, and strychnine had been isolated from plants. Color tests for alkaloids were developed between 1861 and 1882 by 1890 quantitative analysis methods became available. Physiological tests for alkaloids, particularly strychnine, first used in 1856, were employed well into the twentieth century. Tests for alcohol, devised by Lieben (iodoform crystal test, 1870) and others, were later perfected for the quantitative analysis of alcohol in body fluids and tissues. Qualitative tests for carbon monoxide in the blood were developed about this time and in 1880, Fodor developed a palladium chloride reduction method to quantitate carbon monoxide in blood. 

A great deal of research has been done on the development of a variety of molecular and physiological tests to be used as indicators and, perhaps eventually, predictors of the effects of toxicants. 

THC (34), was prepared and its binding to rat neuronal membranes was studied [ 120]. This cannabimimetic compound was found to bind saturably and reversibly to brain membranes with high affinity to apparently one class of site. A -THC potently, stereoselectively and competitively inhibited [3H]-(34) binding. However, for numerous cannabinoids (CBD for example), potency in behavioural and physiological tests did not parallel their affinity for the binding site of (34). It seems that this binding site is not a specific one for THC and other cannabimimetics. It is possible, however, that the binding site is relevant to cannabimimetic activity, but represents only part of a more complicated picture. 

Bioassay of Colloidal Suspensions. To assure a particle size in the colloidal range (< 1 pm), the European Pharmacopeia recommends a physiological test in mice. At least 80% of the intravenously injected radiocolloid should localize in the liver and spleen of three mice. Lung uptake should not exceed 5%. 

Bioassay of " Tc-DMSA Complex. To assure high renal uptake, the Ph. Eur. recommends a physiological test in rats. The required organ uptake values at 1 h after intravenous injection (at least two of three rats) are more than 40% of the applied radioactivity is measured in the kidneys, less than 10% in the liver, <2% in the stomach, and < 5% in the lung. 

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