Continuous amperometric monitoring of glucose in a brittle diabetic chimpanzee with a miniature subcutaneous electrode

The performance of an amperometric biosensor, consisting of a subcutaneously implanted miniature (0.29 mm diameter, 5 × 10−4 cm2 mass transporting area), 90 s 10–90% rise/decay time glucose electrode, and an on-the-skin electrocardiogram Ag/AgCl electrode was tested in an unconstrained, naturally diabetic, brittle, type I, insulin-dependent chimpanzee. The chimpanzee was trained to wear on her wrist a small electronic package and to present her heel for capillary blood samples. In five sets of measurements, averaging 5 h each, 82 capillary blood samples were assayed, their concentrations ranging from 35 to 400 mg/dl. The current readings were translated to blood glucose concentration by assaying, at t = 1 h, one blood sample for each implanted sensor. The rms error in the correlation between the sensor-measured glucose concentration and that in capillary blood was 17.2%, 4.9% above the intrinsic 12.3% rms error of the Accu-Chek II reference, through which the illness of the chimpanzee was routinely managed. Linear regression analysis of the data points taken at t>1 h yielded the relationship (Accu-Chek) = 0.98 × (implanted sensor) + 4.2 mg/dl, r2 = 0.94. The capillary blood and the subcutaneous glucose concentrations were statistically indistinguishable when the rate of change was less than 1 mg/(dl⋅min). However, when the rate of decline exceeded 1.8 mg/(dl⋅min) after insulin injection, the subcutaneous glucose concentration was transiently higher.

Eight novel families of miniature inverted repeat transposable elements in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae

Eight novel families of miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) were discovered in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, by using new software designed to rapidly identify MITE-like sequences based on their structural characteristics. Divergent subfamilies have been found in two families. Past mobility was demonstrated by evidence of MITE insertions that resulted in the duplication of specific TA, TAA, or 8-bp targets. Some of these MITEs share the same target duplications and similar terminal sequences with MITEs and other DNA transposons in human and other organisms. MITEs in A. gambiae range from 40 to 1340 copies per genome, much less abundant than MITEs in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Statistical analyses suggest that most A. gambiae MITEs are in highly AT-rich regions, many of which are closely associated with each other. The analyses of these novel MITEs underscored interesting questions regarding their diversity, origin, evolution, and relationships to the host genomes. The discovery of diverse families of MITEs in A. gambiae has important practical implications in light of current efforts to control malaria by replacing vector mosquitoes with genetically modified refractory mosquitoes. Finally, the systematic approach to rapidly identify novel MITEs should have broad applications for the analysis of the ever-growing sequence databases of a wide range of organisms.

Expression of Drosophila mushroom body mutations in alternative genetic backgrounds: a case study of the mushroom body miniature gene (mbm).

Mutations in 12 genes regulating Drosophila melanogaster mushroom body (MB) development were each studied in two genetic backgrounds. In all cases, brain structure was qualitatively or quantitatively different after replacement of the "original" genetic background with that of the Canton Special wild-type strain. The mushroom body miniature gene (mbm) was investigated in detail. mbm supports the maintenance of MB Kenyon cell fibers in third instar larvae and their regrowth during metamorphosis. Adult mbm1 mutant females are lacking many or most Kenyon cell fibers and are impaired in MB-mediated associative odor learning. We show here that structural defects in mbm1 are apparent only in combination with an X-linked, dosage-dependent modifier (or modifiers). In the Canton Special genetic background, the mbm1 anatomical phenotype is suppressed, and MBs develop to a normal size. However, the olfactory learning phenotype is not fully restored, suggesting that submicroscopic defects persist in the MBs. Mutant mbm1 flies with full-sized MBs have normal retention but show a specific acquisition deficit that cannot be attributed to reductions in odor avoidance, shock reactivity, or locomotor behavior. We propose that polymorphic gene interactions (in addition to ontogenetic factors) determine MB size and, concomitantly, the ability to recognize and learn odors.

Miniature endplate current rise times less than 100 microseconds from improved dual recordings can be modeled with passive acetylcholine diffusion from a synaptic vesicle.

We recorded miniature endplate currents (mEPCs) using simultaneous voltage clamp and extracellular methods, allowing correction for time course measurement errors. We obtained a 20-80% rise time (tr) of approximately 80 micros at 22 degrees C, shorter than any previously reported values, and tr variability (SD) with an upper limit of 25-30 micros. Extracellular electrode pressure can increase tr and its variability by 2- to 3-fold. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we modeled passive acetylcholine diffusion through a vesicle fusion pore expanding radially at 25 nm x ms(-1) (rapid, from endplate omega figure appearance) or 0.275 nm x ms(-1) (slow, from mast cell exocytosis). Simulated mEPCs obtained with rapid expansion reproduced tr and the overall shape of our experimental mEPCs, and were similar to simulated mEPCs obtained with instant acetylcholine release. We conclude that passive transmitter diffusion, coupled with rapid expansion of the fusion pore, is sufficient to explain the time course of experimentally measured synaptic currents with trs of less than 100 micros.

A new method of making foliage for miniature dioramas / Alfred Lee Rowell --.

no.8(1953)

Essays in miniature /

Our friends, the books.--Trials of a publisher.--The oppression of notes.--Conversation in novels.--A short defence of villains.--A by-way in fiction.--Comedy of the custom house.--Mr. Wilde's intentions.--Humors of gastronomy.--Children in fiction.--Three famous old maids.--The charm of the familiar.--Old World pets.--Battle of the babies.--The novel of incident.

Catalog of an exhibition of Persian and Indian miniature paintings forming the private collection of Dikran Khan Kelekian,

Mode of access: Internet.

The Leica manual; a manual for the amateur and professional, covering the field of miniature camera photography

Subtitle varies slightly.

Miniature sculpture from the Athenian Agora /

Mode of access: Internet.

Miniature plants for home and greenhouse.

Mode of access: Internet.

Posters in miniature.

Mode of access: Internet.

Johnson's dictionary of the English language, in miniature : to which are added an alphabetical account of the heathen deities, a list of the cities, boroughs and market towns in England and Wales...

Mode of access: Internet.

The plays of William Shakspeare : in miniature.

v. l. The tempest. The two gentlemen of Verona. The merry wives of Windsor. Twelfth night.--v. 2. Measure for measure. Much ado about nothing. Midsummer night's dream. Love's labour's lost.--v. 3. The merchant of Venice. As you like it. All's well that ends well. The taming of the shrew.--v. 4. Winter's tale. Comedy of errors. Macbeth. Timon of Athens. King John.--v. 5. King Richard II. King Henry IV, parts 1-2. King Henry V.--v. 6. King Henry VI, parts 1-3. King Richard III.--v. 7. King Henry VIII. Troilus and Cressida. Coriolanus. Hamlet.--v. 8. Julius Cæsar. Antony and Cleopatra. Cymbeline. Romeo and Juliet.--v. 9. Titus Andronicus. Pericles. King Lear. Othello. Glossary.

The secret of pictorial art, or, Self-instructor in painting on glass, china, satin and paper : it teaches the oil photo-miniature, Grecian oil, antique, oriental, crystal and pastel paintings, crystalline, decalcomanie and diaphanie transferring /

Includes index.