Parasite infections in laboratory mice colonies.

Problems dealing with common parasites--oxyurids, which affect laboratory mice colonies are discussed and reviewed. Their life histories, pathogenicity and immunity are examined. The attention is paid to the influence of age, sex, strain and status of the host in the infection. It is agreed that helminth infections are usually more severe in male than in female vertebrate hosts.

[Immune response of jackdaw (Corvus monedula) to antigens of Capillaria resecta (Nematoda)-western blotting analysis]. / Odpowiedz immunologiczna kawki (Corvus monedula) przeciwko antygenom nicienia Capillaria resecta--technika western blotting.

Biotinylated surface and somatic protein extracts of the nematode Capillaria resecta were analysed by SDS-PAGE followed by Western blotting in order to examine their antigenic character. The antigens were probing with serum of C. resecta naturally infected birds (jackdaws). Surface and somatic antigens were recognised by serum IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. The most intense reactivity of sera was evident with TBS-soluble surface proteins. The present paper has shown that surface proteins of C. resecta are more immunogenic than somatic and they are able to elicit stronger immune response in the bird's body.

Use of light-dependent-resistor circuit to remotely reset digital constancy meter.

A digital constancy meter which has been used in our institution uses a plane-parallel chamber for daily morning output checks of treatment machines. After exposure, the user has to enter the treatment room to obtain the charge reading and reset the meter for the next reading. To avoid this extra step and save time, a remote reset circuit which includes a light-dependent-resistor (LDR), was built into the meter. When the room light is turned off (or dimmed) from the console, the light-dependent-resistor will trigger a circuit which will reset the meter.

Radiation leakage through electron applicators on Clinac-1800 accelerators.

Radiation leakage through electron applicators by 6-, 9-, 12-, 16-, and 20-MeV electron beams from Varian Clinac-1800 has been measured with films. High levels of leakage were found under the corners of applicators and the touch-plate mounting port holes. The radiation leakage, relative to the central-axis dose at dmax, was found to be up to 13% on the patient plane [100-cm source-to-film distance (SFD)] and up to 35% beneath the corners of applicators (96-cm SFD). Up to 18% radiation leakage was measured beneath the touch plate near the mounting port holes (96-cm SFD). The extent of radiation leakage in all electron beams was investigated and some simple shielding solutions to reduce the leakage are suggested.