Stephan Bamberger

Electromagnetically Induced Fluid Streaming as a Possible Mechanism of the Biomagnetic Orientation of Organisms

Abstract The results show that both the direction and the intensity of the geomagnetic field can be sensed within the chamber of a Zeiss Cytopherometer. This suggests that electromagnetically induced fluid streaming might play a role in the perception of the geomagnetic field by organisms, although it is not clear at present in which organ the perception occurs. A basic requirement for such an organ would be an anisotropy of cells or cellular structures. The nervous system with its parallel axons, or specific cells associated with the nervous system, could thus be possible locations of the sensitivity towards magnetic fields.

The trajectories of particles suspended in electrolytes under the influence of crossed electric and magnetic fields

We observed that particles, suspended in an electrolyte and brought into crossed magnetic and electric fields of low intensities, will deviate in the central part of the electrophoresis chamber of a standard Zeiss Cytopherometer with a component vertical to both fields. The direction and magnitude, however, were sharply at variance with what would be expected by the action of the Lorentz force (EMF) on the surface of the particles. The magnitude of the deviation depends upon the magnetic and electric field strength, the ion concentration of the suspension medium and the geometry of the chamber. The movement of the particles is due to streaming of the electrolyte which is mainly caused by inhomogeneities of the electric field in the electrophoresis chamber. The magnitude of the effect is high enough to occur under physiological conditions. Magneto-electrophoretic streaming might eventually act as a transducer mechanism which could explain the ability of some animals to orientate themselves in the geomagnetic field.

Lack of correspondence between virus-induced human leukocyte interferon and concanavalin A-induced human migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

SummaryVirus-induced human leukocyte interferon did not contain demonstrable MIF activity and MIF-rich fractions produced by concanavalin A stimulation of human lymphocytes lacked interferon activity.

Postnatale Entwicklung von Rattenthrombozyten: Die Volumenverteilung und elektrophoretische Beweglichkeit von Rattenthrombozyten während des ersten Lebensmonats

SummaryThe volume distribution curves of rat thrombocytes show a significant rise of the modal volume between days 5 and 8 after birth. No clear evidence for two distinct thrombocyte populations was obtained by computer analysis of the volume distribution curves. However, the increase of the modal volume of the platelets correlates with the production of a new erythrocyte population. In addition, the platelet concentration in the blood increases significantly during this time. These changes could indicate the production of a second thrombocyte population. The mean electrophoretic mobility of rat thrombocytes decreases only slightly during the first 3 weeks after birth, while it increases for erythrocytes significantly during the same period.ZusammenfassungDie Volumenverteilung von Rattenthrombozyten zeigt zwischen dem 5. und dem 8. Tag nach Geburt eine deutliche Zunahme im Modalvolumen. Bei rechnerischer Analyse der Kurven konnten keine deutlichen Anhaltspunkte für zwei diskrete Thrombozytenpopulationen gefunden werden. Da sich jedoch der Anstieg des Modalvolumens mit dem Beginn der Produktion einer neuen Erythrozytenpopulation deckt, und außerdem die Thrombozytenkonzentration im Blut in dieser Zeit deutlich ansteigt, können diese Veränderungen Ausdruck der Produktion einer zweiten Thrombozytenpopulation sein. Die mittlere elektrophoretische Beweglichkeit der Rattenthrombozyten fällt in den ersten drei Wochen nach Geburt nur geringfügig ab, während die der Erythrozyten im gleichen Zeitraum signifikant anstiegt.The volume distribution curves of rat thrombocytes show a significant rise of the modal volume between days 5 and 8 after birth. No clear evidence for two distinct thrombocyte populations was obtained by computer analysis of the volume distribution curves. However, the increase of the modal volume of the platelets correlates with the production of a new erythrocyte population. In addition, the platelet concentration in the blood increases significantly during this time. These changes could indicate the production of a second thrombocyte population. The mean electrophoretic mobility of rat thrombocytes decreases only slightly during the first 3 weeks after birth, while it increases for erythrocytes significantly during the same period.