Biological and chemical instrumentation [GLT 303] THIRD & FOURTH LECTURE (AUTOCLAVE & AUTORADIOGRAPHY)



GLT 303 THIRD & FOURTH LECTURE

AUTOCLAVE
          In Autoclaving, pressure is used to produce high temperature steam. The temperature of a saturated is 100oC. When water boils, temperature increases with pressure. Autoclaving at 121oC for 15-20 minutes is required for proper sterilization. Both the temperature and the holding time must be correct to obtain sterilization. All the air in the autoclave must be removed while sterilizing to avoid “dry heat”. A mixture of hot air and steam will not sterilize, therefore, before the commencement of sterilization, sufficient of sterilization, sufficient time must be allowed for the saturated steam to permeate the entire load and heat transfer to occur. Sterilization can be done at 115oC for 30 minutes at 10lb or 121oC for 20 minutes at 10lb or 121oC for 15 minutes at 15lb.

Reasons For Using Saturated Steam During Autoclave
     1.      To avoid dry heat.
     2.      To avoid superheated steam
          Autoclave uses the principle of steam under pressure.

Mode of Operation – Steps
1.      Add correct amount of water to the autoclave as direct by the manufacturer user manual.
2.      When loading the autoclave, leave sufficient space between the articles for steam to circulate or permeate freely.
3.      Do not allow the article to touch the side of the chamber or stand in the water.
4.      Use a tray or a wire stand at the bottom of the chamber.
5.      Place a control TST (Time, Steam, Temperature) indicator strip, in the centre of the __________
6.      Cover the lid of the autoclave
7.      Open the air outlet
8.      Switch the power on
9.      Allow the correct length of time for all the air to be expelled.
10. Close the air outlet. This will allow the pressure to rise with the increasing temperature.
11. When the required pressure/temperature is reached as shownon the pressure guage, start timing.
12. At the end of sterilization, turn off equipment and allow it to cool naturally/open the value to let the steam expel.
13. When the temperature gauge reaches 80oC and the pressure reaches 0lb, the cover can be removed.
14. Check the TST indicator strip to ensure that sterilization is complete.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE
    1.      Read carefully the manufacturers user manual and prepare a stock record covering the use, care and maintenance of the equipment.
    2.      Hold in store extra lid, value or any other part of the equipment.
    3.      Clean the inside of the autoclave after usage and make sure the values are not blocked.
    4.      Check regularly for the signs of wear and tear.
    5.      Check for the electrical flux.
    6.      Do not use the falp when it is faulty obtain the help from engineer when it is faulty.
    7.      Use TST indicator strip to check the performance of the autoclave.

AUTORADIOGRAPHY
Autoradiography is a technique using X-ray film to visualize molecules or fragment of molecules that have been radioactively labelled. The photographic plate present in the equipment is used to expose radioactive emission from the subject being studied. The subject is usually biology specimen or human body part.
          Radiography is the use of radioactive materials or X-rays to produce an image. Using X-rays to bombard a subject while exposing a photographic plate or film to the X-rays is the most common for this type of images.
          Autoradiography produces a similar image but relies on emission of alpha and beta particles and the gamma rays are released by the decay of radioactive substances with the subject rather than outside source.
RADIO – ISOTPES
The mass of atomic nuclei can vary slightly for a particular element although the number of electrons remains constant. The nuclei of radioactive isotopes are unstable and they disintegrate to produce new atoms and at the same time give off radiation.
          Naturally occurring radioisotopes are rare because of their instability but radioactive atoms can be produced by the bombardment of stable nuclei with high energy.

Disintegration can be detected in three ways;
    1.      Electrical
    2.      Scintillation
    3.      Autoradiography

   1.   Electrical: this depend on the production of ion pair by emitted radiation to give an electrical signal that can be applied and registered using Geiger counter, Ionization Centre and Gas.
   2.   Scintillation: some materials have the property of absorbing energy and re-emitting this in the form of visible light. In this some flashes are converted into electrical impulses.
  3.   Autoradiography: this differs from pulse-counting technique in several ways. The crystal of silver halide in the photographic emission is an independent detector insulated from the rest of the emission.

TYPES OF RADIOACTIVE EXPERIMENT
     1.      In Vivo experiment 
     2.      In Vitro experiment

COMPONENT OF AUTORADIOGRAPHIC FILM
     1.      Upper protective coats.
     2.      A layer of gelatin that contains silver halide.
     3.      Film base usually made from flexible polymer.
     4.      Anti-halation backing to prevent light from reflecting back into the emission.


Block diagram of autoradiography...

USES OF AUTORADIOGRAPHY
     1.      It is used to study R.N.A and D.N.A as well as the phase of cell development and function.
     2.      It can be used to isolate partial sequence of R.N.A and D.N.A for study especially in viruses.
     3.      Doctor also use it to detect, diagnose and devise treatment strategies of various types of              radioactive poisoning by determining which tissue have absorb radioactive materials.
     4.      Autoradiography can be used to detect and measure semi-quantitatively the radioactive                materials in almost any object that can be placed in contact with film of photographic                emulsion in some form. However, in biological research the object may be:
i.                    A whole plant or animal that can be flattened against a fume.
ii.                 The cut surface of a plant or animal or one of its organs
iii.               The section of tissue or cells
iv.                Surface films produced by spreading on water the protein mono layer containing DNA or RNA that are pick up in grids for electron microscopy.
v.                  Sheet of paper or other materials on which radioactive substances have been separated by chromatography or electrophoresis.
vi.                A crymamide gels in which DNA, RNA or proteins have been separated by electrophoresis.

TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC DETECTION SYSTEM
     1.      Stripping film.
     1.      Liquid photographic emulsion.

     1.   Stripping film: consist of an even layer of photographic emulsion on a supportive gelatin membrane (e.g. Kodak Ario) it is floated on water and then wrapped around the slide and form very close contact as it dries. This was once widely used but it is now no longer made. It has a major advantage of uniform thickness but the disadvantage is that supporting membrane prevents counter staining of the section and therefore the tissue block must be pre-stained before section are quoted.
     2.   Liquid Photographic emulsion: this is the method routinely used today, it is simpler and quicker to drew but the layer of liquid emulsion (e.g. Kodak Mb2) can be slightly un-even in thickness as it follows down to the bottom of the slides as it is for most purpose.


OVEN
          An oven is a thermally insulated closed chamber used for heating, baking, drying of a substance and can also perform miserlenous industrial purposes. The first oven was a simple container placed over a fire to bake family meal and we have May types which includes; Gas, Electric, Hot air, Microwave, Infrared.
          The Gas oven works when natural gas is ignited to produce heat, while the electric oven works on the same principle but the electric wire provides the heat.

TYPES OF OVEN
     1.      Earth oven.
     2.      Ceramic oven.
     3.      Gas oven.
     4.      Mansoury oven.
     5.      Microwave oven.

     1.   Earth Oven: this is a pit dug into the ground and then heated usually by rocks or smoldering debrise. It is the most common thing the iconologist look for at an anthropological dig as they are one of the key indicators of human civilization and static society.
     2.   Ceramic oven: this is an oven constructed of clay or any other ceramic materials and takes different forms depending on the culture; the Indians call it tandoor has been used for cooking.
     3.      Gas oven: this is by invention, gas stores were usually used in ancient times not until modern gas came notable improvement to the gas stores which includes the addition of thermostat which assists in temperature regulation. Also an enamel quoting was added to the production of gas stores and ovens in order to help with easier cleaning.


INCUBATORS
          Incubators are used for culturing or used to grow culture and works under dry heat, low temperature. Incubation at controlled temperature is required for bacteriological culture, hematological culture, serological culture, and microbiological analysis. Micro-organisms require incubations at temperature, humidity and gaseous atmosphere, suited for their metabolism.

USES AND CARE OF AN INCUBATOR
     1.      Read and adhere to manufacturer’s manual and preparing stock record card.
     2.      Make sure the equipment is positioned on a level surface and that none of the ventilation openings are obstructed.
     3.      If the incubator does not have a temperature display, insert a thermometer on the vent hole through the roof of the incubator.
     4.      Adjust the thermostat dial until the thermometer shows the correct reading e.g. 35oC for routing incubation of bacteriological culture.
     5.      Before incubating cultures, check the temperature.
     6.      Clean the incubator regularly.
     7.      Make sure it is first disconnected from the power source before cleaning.
     8.      Every 3-6 months (depending on the age and condition of the equipment) check the incubator and flex and signs of wares and tears.
     9.      At the point/time of purchase it is advisable to buy spare parts of the thermostat, thermometer or any replaceable part.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASE BOTH OF INCUBATORS OR OVEN
     1.      Consider the price.
     2.      Availability of the part.
     3.      Reputation of the seller.
     4.      It should have inner glass to see the inner content while working.
     5.      The one that has regulator or indication should be bought.
     6.      The one that has time range should be purchased.


THINGS INCUBATORS AND OVENS HAVE IN COMMON
1.      They both use electricity
2.      They both have switch
3.      They both have shelves
4.      They both have inner glasses


BALANCES
     They are equipment used to compare a measured weight with a known standard.
     To prepare essential reagent, stains and culture media, a balance is required that weighs accurately and precisely within the range and sensitivity required.

TYPES OF BALANCES
1.   Mechanical balance: these include the single pan, trip and tungsten. They do not require any means of electricity of battery power. They are less expensive than electronic sensitivity balance and are widely available.
2.   Electronic balance: a wide range of top-loading and analytical electronical balance is available, they are single pan that use an electromagnetic force instead of weight, and they are operated by means of electricity and often from batteries. They weigh rapidly and reboot which allows the weight of weighing vessels to be zero.
USES AND CARE
     1.      Consider the manufacturer’s manual.
     2.      Consider the stock.
     3.      Handle with care.
     4.      Position the equipment on a firm bench away from vibration, draught and direct sunlight.
     5.      Ensure the balance is levelled, adjusting if necessary; the screw on which it stands and check          the spirit level or plumbing that is at the Centre.
     6.       Before weighing, zero the balance as directed by the manufacturer.
     7.      Weigh chemicals at room temperature.
     8.      Never weigh on the weighing pan and place the weighing vessel in the centre of the pan.   
     9.      When adding or removing the sample from the container, remove from the pan to avoid               spilling on the balance pan.
     10.  After completing the weighing, return the balance to zero and use a small brush to wipe                away substance on the pan.
     11.  Keep the balance clean and cover when not in use.
     12. Check the accuracy of the balance by re-weighing a standard known weight.



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