X-Message-Number: 16938
From:
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2001 23:36:21 EDT
Subject: A Hodge Podge Post (but no kitchen sink)...
I heard this weekend that a good bit of research was done at UNC-Chaple Hill
with fire flies and ATP several years ago. Separately, the recently deceased
Dr. Bernard Strehler had much earlier uncovered the mechanism for their
luminescent strobing (among various other significant lifetime research
achievements). Apparently it is ATP activated along the way but that is all
I have heard or read so far. However, I note that a major pathway for the
formation of ATP in some bacteria and the chloroplasts of some plant cells is
its indirect formation by a photochemically induced flow of electrons within
certain cellular organelle membranes ("within" as opposed to "across" in this
instance). I would imagine the flies' light show probably evolved from a
genetically based accidental running of the system in reverse (a common
evolutionary tactic with regarding preexisting pathways) such that photons
become the end product this time around. Chapel Hill researchers (I happened
to meet one of their past lab assistants this weekend) apparently used
powdered ATP on the fly's "beacon matter" or its purified chemical or
precursor and/or enzyme machinery (i.e., luciferin/luciferase). I bought
some "ATP" (i.e., so labeled--however, could any such unstable molecule
survive digestion intact?) at GNC, a nutrition and supplement franchise. I
may try to figure out more conclusively before long if that white powder
performs any better than crushed aspirin or talcum powder for inspiring more
intense or more sustained showings (from the removed and sectioned rear part
of the flies).
However, I did set up the first round of a super simple experiment last night
that I completed just now. So, to test your cryobiology acumen and/or
intuition and/or luck, here is the question for you to ponder over the next
few paragraphs, with the results/answer to be provided at the end of this
multi-flavored semi-megapost: After rewarming from 22 hours in the kitchen
freezer at -2.6 degrees F (-19.2 C) was my sole remaining but thoroughly
flatline specimen's Lucifer-like lighting apparatus up for a few last lumens
to go? No cheating.
I read "Great Mambo Chicken & the Transhuman Condition" (not a new age
poultry cookbook) by Ed Regis about a month ago. At least the first half of
the book can be considered to be a must read by those on this forum. (Yes,
it is readable in sections.) I very much recommend it if you have not read
it yet. (I know most have.) Many of our favorite characters from this forum
are quoted and/or partly chronicled in this 1990 work. Even a cryovillian or
two, such as the infamous Robert Nelson, make an appearance. (Of course, we
do have to give him some credit for getting Dr. Bedford started.) On the
downside, I guess I was a little disturbed to verify that I had indeed
inadvertently awarded away Dr. Feynman's Nobel Prize to Dr. Drexler in one of
my very first post to Cryonet earlier this year. Ooops. While I am sure
Feynman is hip to sharing, both Drexler and Merkle, and maybe even Pichugin,
Darwin, Skrecky and one or more at 21st Century Medicine and others, would be
happier with their very own.
I noticed that Charles Platt has a new book out which was released a few
weeks ago. It was so new that Amazon.com did not have any reviews up yet
when I was there last. With an apparently unfindable currupt file on this
Toshiba laptop I can only email for now and cannot recheck Amazon or order,
but I have decided buy it soon. Don't wait on any review from me though. It
will likely be several weeks before I get started and finished. Any comment
about the book from Charles would be interesting to read. (Don't forget to
get to Amazon via CI's web site to browse or buy.)
Joseph W. Morgan, you asked about the cryogenic storage of heart valves. You
may get several responces here and by email. I would guess everyone will be
in substantial agreement. Here goes my best guess at present: I believe
heart valves are largely "cell-free" and are predominenantly extra cellular
formations (their constituent molecules/proteins are secreted and maintained
by surrounding cells) perhaps like parts of tendons and ligaments may be. I
believe I am telling you right, but will know for sure after a few more
chapters of "Molecular Biology of the Cell" by Bruce Alberts, et al. (I am
currently halfway through at page 700 where I started at the first of the
year.) A guy I met recently (when I appraised his real estate) had such a
valve transplant this year and is doing fine. I do not know why a cow's
heart valve rather than a pig's was used--maybe that's the standard for these
valves. By the way, I did not get the impression from him that rejection
was considered to be a dire concern for this tissue type, which is consistent
somehow. I do not know how that valve was preserved or not prior to
implant/transplant.
Two blurbs by
Amanda Bower from the 7/9/2001 TIME Magazine (or go to www.time.com I
believe)--
Quote:
START SLOW--Warming up before exercise not only averts muscle injury but may
also help prevent migraines. After 30 seconds of sudden, intense exercise,
nitric oxide production--at high levels believed to trigger the crushing
headaches--increased significantly in women prone to migraines, and more of
them went on to develop one. Experts say warm-ups could help suffers get
back to the gym.
BEDTIME STORY--A good night's sleep can affect more than your beauty. New
research finds that adults who sleep an average of five hours a night have a
40% lower insulin sensitivity than those tucked up for eight. The risk?
When insulin can't do its job property, the body is more likely to develop
diabetes and even to gain weight faster.
Unquote
Results of the experiment: After thawing for 15 minutes, I pressed into the
dead fire fly's rear abdomen section with a pocket knife--And there was
light!
How did you do? Liquid Nitrogen trial in the next few days (too storming
outside tonight for fire flies).
Regards,
David C. Johnson, Raleigh, NC
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