Cambridge Laboratories Research Articles

Validity Of Body Composition Measures By Inbody 770 Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer

PURPOSE: To test the validity of InBody 770 bioimpedance analyzer (IB770) against isotope dilution (D2O) for total body water (TBW) and against DXA for percent body fat (PBF). METHODS: Fifty-eight apparently healthy women (mean age 21.2 ±2.6 years, BMI 26.7 ±6.3) visited the Exercise Science Physiology Laboratory at KSU after an overnight fast. Subjects were given a 10g deuterium oxide solution (Cambridge Laboratories) to drink within 5 minutes and were asked to remain still in a reclining chair for 4 hours before providing a urine sample. Subjects were assessed via DXA for PBF and IB770 for both TBW and PBF. Frozen urine samples were shipped to an external laboratory for TBW assessment by mass spectroscopy. One extreme outlier was excluded from analysis due to probable D2O measurement error. Correlation analyses were used to assess the validity of TBW and PBF measures from IB770 compared to those from D20 and DXA. RESULTS: TBW estimates from IB770 were similar to those from D20 (32.6 ±5.9 vs. 32.3 ±6.0, respectively). PBF estimates from IB770 were also consistent with those from DXA (35.1 ±9.1 vs. 35.8 ±8.5, respectively). T-tests indicated that there were no significant differences among these measures (p>0.05 for both). IB770 measures for TBW and PBF were strongly correlated with D20 (r=.976, p<0.001) and DXA (r=.961, p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that IB770 is a valid method for estimating TBW and PBF and may be appropriate for use as an alternative to D20 and DXA in a young female population.

The museum in the lab: historical practice in the experimental sciences at Cambridge, 1874–1936

AbstractThis paper explores the hoarding, collecting and occasional display of old apparatus in new laboratories. The first section uses a 1936 exhibition of Cambridge's scientific relics as a jumping-off point to survey the range of historical practices in the various Cambridge laboratories. This panoramic approach is intended to show the variety and complexity of pasts that scientists had used material to conjure in the years prior to the exhibition. Commerce and commemoration emerge as two key themes. The second part turns to the Cavendish Laboratory (experimental physics) to explore the highly specific senses of time and memorialization at play in the early years of the laboratory (c.1874–1910), and the way these were transformed over the subsequent generations leading up to the 1936 moment. The key figure here is James Clerk Maxwell, whose turn to history involved a mix of antiquarianism and modernism. The paper concludes with an attempt to characterize the meanings and significances of ‘the museum in the lab’. This phenomenon ought to be understood in terms of the wide range of ‘collections’ present in laboratory spaces.

Inter-laboratory evaluation of the bioluminescent Salmonella reverse mutation assay using 10 model chemicals

We have developed the bioluminescent Salmonella reverse mutation assay as a tool for detecting mutagenicity applicable for high-throughput screening of new chemicals. In this study, we report the inter-laboratory evaluation of the assay using 10 model chemicals in five independent laboratories located in the USA (Groton, CT; Cambridge, MA and La Jolla, CA), Europe (Sandwich, Kent, UK) and Asia (Nagoya, Japan). The studies were performed in blinded fashion in all sites except for Groton and Cambridge laboratories. The chemicals were tested in at least three independent experiments using strains TA98-lux and TA100-lux in the presence and absence of metabolic activation. The results were statistically evaluated and compared to published results. Seven of the 10 compounds were positive in either TA98-lux and/or TA100-lux in the presence or absence of metabolic activation. The positive compound set included: nitrofurazone, 3-3'-dimethoxybenzidine, benzo[a]pyrene, 1,4-benzoquinone dioxime, 2-amino-5-nitrophenol, 2-bromo-4,6-dinitroaniline and busulfan. The remaining three compounds, namely, anthracene, crystal violet and benzyl chloride were negative in both Salmonella strains. Final results for individual compounds yielded 100% agreement among the laboratories and published data. Detailed comparison of all 40 individual test conditions yielded 93% (37 of 40) agreement among participating laboratories. We conclude that the bioluminescent Salmonella reverse mutation assay is a robust, accurate and economical higher throughput assay applicable for the mutagenicity screening of chemicals.

Mifamurtide

Mifamurtide is a conjugate of muramyl tripeptide linked to dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine; the phospholipid facilitates incorporation of the peptide into liposomes. The agent stimulates macrophages to seek out and destroy cancer cells. The compound was originated by Novartis (formerly CIBA-Geigy), and is being developed by IDM Pharma for osteosarcoma. Mifamurtide is being reviewed by regulatory authorities in the US and EU for this indication.CIBA-Geigy originally developed mifamurtide in the early 1980s and the agent was subsequently outlicensed to Jenner Biotherapies in the 1990s. IDM Pharma acquired the rights to the drug from Jenner in April 2003.IDM and Genesis Pharma have entered into an exclusive licensing and marketing agreement for mifamurtide in South East Europe. Under the agreement terms, IDM will receive an upfront fee from Genesis, as well as milestone payments on reaching certain sales levels in the territory. Medison Pharma signed an agreement with IDM Pharma for the sales and marketing of mifamurtide in Israel. IDM will receive an upfront license fee from Medison and will be entitled to receive a milestone payment upon regulatory approval of the agent in Israel, as well as royalties on net sales.IDM outlicensed exclusive marketing rights for mifamurtide in the UK and Ireland to Cambridge Laboratories in June 2005. In exchange, IDM is entitled to an upfront license fee and milestone payments prior to launch, as well as royalties calculated on product sales.Previously, Chiron Vaccines (a joint venture between Novartis and Chiron formed in 1995) investigated mifamurtide as an adjuvant in HIV gp120 vaccine; however, development has been discontinued.IDM Pharma will purchase approximately 7.1 million shares of its common stock to raise approximately $US23.5 million in net proceeds. The company intends to use the funds for working capital and corporate purposes, including the company's activities related to gaining marketing approval of mifamurtide in the US and Europe. Following the announcement by ODAC in May 2007, IDM Pharma decided to amend the NDA for mifamurtide with additional vital status data from the completed phase III trial. This data was not available at the time the original filing was made, and the company believes that capturing this supplemental data will overcome the need for additional trials, further confirm the overall survival benefit of mifamurtide in osteosarcoma, and provide evidence for approvability. IDM Pharma intends to analyse the additional follow-up data and submit an amendment to the agency by the first quarter of 2008; the company is also working on addressing other concerns raised by the US FDA in the non-approvable letter. The US regulatory submission included safety and efficacy data from NCI-funded phase III trials in 678 patients with osteosarcoma conducted by the Pediatric Oncology Group and the Children's Cancer Group in over 147 US centres. The NDA also included safety and biological effects data of mifamurtide from 17 phase I and II studies in 248 patients conducted by Ciba-Geigy. In the EU, IDM Pharma filed a MAA with the EMEA in November 2006 for approval of mifamurtide (Mepacttrade mark) in combination with postoperative chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed osteosarcoma following complete surgical resection. The company expects that the EMEA will make a decision regarding marketing approval for mifamurtide by the end of 2007. Mifamurtide has orphan drug status for the treatment of osteosarcoma in the US and EU.

Commercializing Science in Europe: The Cambridge Biotechnology Cluster

The article examines the variety of linkages firms have established with university science. These include using universities as a source of ideas for start-ups, scientific collaboration between firms and laboratories, the role of scientists on the scientific advisory boards of firms, and the role of universities in supplying firms with a labour market for talented scientists. These linkages are plentiful across Cambridge area biotechnology firms. However, and perhaps surprisingly, our evidence shows that a key actor, the University of Cambridge does not dominate the scientific linkages of the area's firms. A large percentage of Cambridge's firms do not derive from its university. The majority of scientific collaborations are not with University of Cambridge laboratories, nor do Cambridge scientists dominate the scientific advisory boards of firms. Moreover, the majority of scientists within area biotechnology firms appear not to have left University of Cambridge laboratories to move to industry.

Lisuride versus bromocriptine for levodopa-induced complications in Parkinson's disease.

To compare the efficacy and safety of adjunct lisuride therapy versus bromocriptine in patients with Parkinson's disease, already established on levodopa and suffering the long-term complications of therapy. Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Handsearching of the neurology literature as part of the Cochrane Movement Disorders Group's strategy. Examination of the reference lists of identified studies and other reviews. Contact with Cambridge Laboratories, Roche Products Limited and Sandoz Limited. Randomised controlled trials of lisuride versus bromocriptine in patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease and long-term complications of levodopa therapy. Data was abstracted independently by each author and differences settled by discussion. Only one randomised cross-over trial including 20 patients has compared lisuride with bromocriptine as adjunct therapy in Parkinson's disease. Both lisuride and bromocriptine improved motor fluctuations with no significant differences between the agonists. However, this conclusion is based on an unvalidated 4 point rating scale which could only record positive outcomes. This, combined with the small size of the trial, suggests that firm conclusions on motor fluctuations should not be drawn. Lisuride and bromocriptine produced similar benefits in parkinsonian impairments according to the Columbia Rating Scale. Adverse events were similar with the two agonists and no withdrawals were reported from either drug. The small size of this study and other methodological problems do not allow any firm conclusions to be drawn regarding the efficacy and safety of lisuride compared with bromocriptine in advanced Parkinson's disease with motor complications.

Lisuride for levodopa-induced complications in Parkinson's disease.

To compare the efficacy and safety of adjuvant lisuride therapy versus placebo in patients with Parkinson's disease, already established on levodopa and suffering from motor complications. Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Handsearching of the neurology literature as part of the Cochrane Movement Disorders Group's strategy. Examination of the reference lists of identified studies and other reviews. Contact with Cambridge Laboratories and Roche Products Limited. Randomised controlled trials of lisuride versus placebo in patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease and long-term complications of levodopa therapy. Data was to be abstracted independently by each author and differences settled by discussion. No randomised controlled trials comparing lisuride with placebo in advanced Parkinson's disease with motor complications were found. Well designed randomised controlled trials demonstrating efficacy and safety are required before the use of lisuride in later Parkinson's disease can be supported.

Nuclear physics in Rutherford’s laboratory before the discovery of the neutron

Work by Rutherford and his colleagues led to his nuclear model of the atom (1911), although it took a few years more for him to recognize the significance of this insight. With the understanding that radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon, one may say that nuclear physics became the major pursuit in Rutherford’s Manchester and Cambridge laboratories. The key to this problem was reported in his 1919 papers on transmutations produced by bombarding nitrogen with alpha particles. Soon, a number of other elements yielded to these projectiles of radioactive decay, but recognition that more energetic particles would be needed to disintegrate heavier elements led to the development of accelerating machines. The search for the neutron, cloud chamber photographs of disintegrations, and exploration of the properties of beta and gamma rays also figured greatly in Rutherford’s attack on the nucleus.

Anomalous freezing point depression of swollen gels

AbstractThe anomalous freezing point depression, ΔT, of benzene‐swollen vulcanizates has previously been attributed to the limitation of (benzene) crystallite size by the polymer network. This study was initiated to determine the benzene crystallite size in a number of rubber and benzene systems. A special low‐temperature specimen holder was designed and constructed in the Cambridge Laboratories for running diffraction patterns at temperatures near −30°C. X‐ray line broadening techniques were used to study a series of filled and unfilled vulcanizates of varying crosslink density. The results indicate that crystallite size is not depressed to the degree predicted by freezing‐point measurements. Benzene crystallite sizes were similar in all rubber benzene systems, regardless of degree of crosslinking or benzene fraction, although carbon black loading appears to increase crystallite size. This effect may be attributed to lesser depth of penetration of the x‐rays due to greater density as carbon black loading increases. Additional studies measuring the ΔT for solutions and similar vulcanizates of NR and SBR over a wide range of rubber concentrations showed that at the same rubber in benzene fraction, crosslinking increases ΔT but the addition of carbon black reduces ΔT. An explanation for the observed phenomena is advanced.

Wave Propagation and Screening in a Dense Two-Component Plasma.

view Abstract Citations References Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Wave Propagation and Screening in a Dense Two-Component Plasma. Goldstein, J. S. Abstract We consider the propagation of small- amplitude waves in a dense degenerate plasma (p~1O6-1O9 g/cc, T~108-1090K) such as may exist in the core of presupernova, or in very dense white dwarfs. The effect of ion motion is included. The results may be extended to zero frequency to obtain the screening length; the results of Cameron (AECL Chalk River, Do PD-312, 1959) on nuclear reaction rates at high density are confirmed. For nonzero frequencies, the dispersion relation is obtained for the medium. At low frequencies, the principal propagation mode is in the ion plasma, while at high enough frequencies, propagation in the electronic component dominates. The role of zero sound is considered, and may be expected to become important in the case of a neutron core, and in some cases in the presupernova core. The formation of shockwaves in these media is discussed. Research was sponsored by Air Force Cambridge Laboratories, Office of Aerospace Research. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: 1963 DOI: 10.1086/109037 Bibcode: 1963AJ.....68Q.279G full text sources ADS |

THE VISUAL PERCEPTION OF FINE DETAIL

Many books have been written on colour vision; not so many on the appreciation of form and shape. Few have dealt exclusively with the perception of fine detail. All the experiments described in this paper have one object in view, namely, to elucidate some of the mechanisms, both nervous and otherwise, by which the image formed on the retina is clarified and improved before it reaches the higher centres of the brain. Brief reference must now be made to some of the difficulties encountered during the performance of the experiments described in this paper. These were of three kinds: apparatus, research rooms, assistants, When in 1939 the pre-medical branch of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College was evacuated to Cam bridge, very little room space could be allocated for research purposes. At the same time the assistants and laboratory attendants were almost wholly occupied in class preparation and had no time to spare to help with research. In 1942 the Physiology block of the London buildings was gutted by fire and all the author’s research equipment, books, journals and reprints were destroyed. The apparatus thus destroyed was almost impossible to replace at that time. The position, so far as apparatus is concerned, has changed recently for the better, as a special instrument has now been constructed, which has shown itself to be suitable for the tasks for which it was designed. This is described in Part X. I would like to thank my colleagues; those in the Cambridge laboratories; those evacuated with us from London; and particularly those who belong to Bart’s. Without their co-operation and encouragement the experiments described in these pages could never have been done at all.

The visual perception of fine detail

Many books have been written on colour vision; not so many on the appreciation of form and shape. Few have dealt exclusively with the perception of fine detail. All the experiments described in this paper have one object in view, namely, to elucidate some of the mechanisms, both nervous and otherwise, by which the image formed on the retina is clarified and improved before it reaches the higher centres of the brain. Brief reference must now be made to some of the difficulties encountered during the performance of the experiments described in this paper. These were of three kinds: apparatus, research rooms, assistants, When in 1939 the pre-medical branch of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College was evacuated to Cam bridge, very little room space could be allocated for research purposes. At the same time the assistants and laboratory attendants were almost wholly occupied in class preparation and had no time to spare to help with research. In 1942 the Physiology block of the London buildings was gutted by fire and all the author’s research equipment, books, journals and reprints were destroyed. The apparatus thus destroyed was almost impossible to replace at that time. The position, so far as apparatus is concerned, has changed recently for the better, as a special instrument has now been constructed, which has shown itself to be suitable for the tasks for which it was designed. This is described in Part X. I would like to thank my colleagues; those in the Cambridge laboratories; those evacuated with us from London; and particularly those who belong to Bart’s. Without their co-operation and encouragement the experiments described in these pages could never have been done at all.

Tribophysics Section, Australian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

THE Lubricants and Bearings Section of the Australian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has recently been renamed the Tribophysics Section. This research section was established in 1939 to deal with the problems of friction, lubrication, bearings and wear, and a number of other problems which Australia was not equipped to handle, and which the outbreak of war and the expansion of secondary industries had rendered important. Dr. F. P. Bowden was retained by the Council to build up the Section. The University of Melbourne collaborated fully in this work, and laboratory accommodation was provided in the new buildings of the Chemistry Department. During the war years, the section was occupied with a variety of problems, such as the development and manufacture of aircraft bearings ; the development of cutting oils, of drawing fluids, of special lubricants and of flamethrower fuels ; studies of cylinder wear, of the wear of producer gas engines, and of the friction and wear in gun barrels ; investigations on the detonation of explosives by friction and by impact; the development of equipment for measuring the muzzle velocity of guns at sea, and other work for the Navy, Army and Air Force. It was also engaged in a number of more fundamental investigations, both physical and chemical, which included the study of friction and lubrication. Dr. S. H. Bastow has now taken charge of the Section and a permanent laboratory for it will be built in the University of Melbourne. The Section is maintaining close working collaboration with Dr. Bowden's new research laboratory on the physics and chemistry of rubbing solids in the Department of Physical Chemistry at Cambridge. A joint attack is being made on some problems, and there is an interchange of personnel between the Melbourne and Cambridge laboratories.