Effect of Ageing on the Oxidative Browning of Sugar-Amino Acid Model Systems

Sugar-amino acid model systems were aged for 3 months under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. Subsequently, these aged model systems were stored for 2 weeks at 37°C under aerobic conditions to examine “oxidative browning.” The results obtained were as follows:

1. The oxidative browning of the model systems increased with increase of the ageing period. Fe²⁺ increased the effects of the ageing.

2. The model systems aged under anaerobic conditions darkened more than those aged under aerobic conditions during storage for 2 weeks.

3. An Amadori rearrangement product, 1-deoxy-1-glycino-d-fructcse was isolated from the aged glucose-glycine model system and it caused a marked increase in the rate of the oxidative browning. Therefore, Amadori rearrangement products are considered to be important precursors in the oxidative browning reaction.

     

Mechanism of Chilling Injury in Sweet Potatoes

1. 1. Both amounts of lipid phosphorus and acid-insoluble nitrogen in the mitochondrial fraction from chilling-injured sweet potatoes (var. Okinawa 100) were larger than in the fraction from healthy sweet potatoes. The N-amount appeared to be increased more by chilling-injury than the P-amount.

2. 2. Sweet potato, a tropical plant, showed lower value of the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in mitochondrial fraction than white potato, a temperate-zone plant.

3. 3. The amount of unsaturated fatty acids of C₁₆, C₁₈ and C₂₀ as percentage of the total fatty acids was higher in mitochondrial fractions from chilling-injured sweet potatoes (var. Okinawa 100 and var. Norin 1) than in mitochondrial fractions from healthy sweet potatoes. However, in the case of white potato mitochondrial fraction no detectable difference was observed between storage at 0~1°C and at 10~14°C.

     

Staining of Negri Bodies

The following procedure for staining Negri bodies in sections is based on methods previously described by MacNeal, by Haynes, and by Richter:

Fixation:

1. 1. Zenker's solution 4 hours at 37°C or Dominici's 3 hours.

2. 2. 70% alcohol, 12 to 18 hours at room temperature.

3. 3. 80% alcohol, about 5 to 6 hours.

4. 4. 90% alcohol, about 4 to 6 hours.

5. 5. Absolute alcohol about 16 hours.

6. 6. Ether and absolute alcohol aa, about 8 hours.

7. 7. 16 to 24 hours in the following mixture: celloidin 1 g., methyl salycilate 25 cc., abs. alcohol 25 cc., ether 25 cc.

8. 8. Chloroform and paraffin, 2 to 3 hours.

9. 10. Paraffin, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

10. 11. Embed.

staining:

1. 1. Cut sections 4 to 5 μ.

2. 2. Bring section to water and cover with Lugol's iodine for 10 minutes.

3. 3. Decolorize with a 2% sodium thiosulfate (hypo).

4. 4. Wash thoroly with water.

5. 5. Cover with a mixture of equal parts of 0.5% phloxine and 1% eosin Y (National Aniline brand) and leave for 15 minutes.

6. 6. Wash with water and stain 2 to 5 minutes in 0.1% azure B (National Aniline).

7. 7. Wash with 96% alcohol and decolorize in a mixture of 2 parts absolute alcohol with 1 part clove oil, ordinarily for not more than 1/2 to 1 minute.

8. 8. Dehydrate rapidly, clear, and mount in Yucatan Elemi.

     

Direct determination of diene conjugation and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oxidative damage can explain the role of DTPA-Fe2+-O2 complex in a linoleic acid-DNA system

SUMMARY

Exposure of linoleic acid to diethylenetriminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Fe²⁺ complexes resulted in fast diene conjugation and peroxidized products which could further react with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to cause DNA oxidative damage. In this paper, we have detected diene conjugation and DNA oxidative damage in a linoleic acid-DNA model system driven by DTPA-Fe²⁺ and found that:

• 1. in air or oxygen-saturated reaction systems, addition of hydrogen peroxide resulted in a decrease in diene conjugation and double-stranded DNA content, but had no obvious effects on the formation of DNA fluorescent products;

• 2. in anoxic conditions, addition of hydrogen peroxide had no effect on the formation of diene conjugation and fluorescent products, but resulted in a decrease of double-stranded DNA content;

• 3. in the presence of DTPA, Fe³⁺ did not stimulate the formation of diene conjugation;

• 4. the formation of diene conjugation and fluorescent products was not inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, sodium benzoate, sodium azide and mannitol.

However, these ‘scavengers’ increased the percentage of double-strand DNA to different degrees. α-tocopherol, but not reduced glutathione (GSH), inhibited the formation of diene conjugates. α-tocopherol and GSH both could reduce the amounts of fluorescent products and DNA strand breaks. Taken together, these data further indicate that chelator-Fe²⁺-O₂ complex, a perferryl-type oxidant, is probably an important initiator of lipid peroxidation in the linoleic acid-DNA system.     

Protective Actions of l-Aspartate from Acid or Proteolytic Inactivation

1. l-Aspartate was found to replace l-asparagine in the protective action from acid inactivation of l-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) produced by Escherichia coli A–1–3 and at the same time to inhibit the proteolytic inactivation by α-chymotrypsin.

2. l-Asparaginase changed in its chromatographic properties in the presence of l-aspartate and became to be absorbed on the CM Sephadex column.

3. The sedimentation patterns of l-asparaginase at pH 3.5 were identical either in the presence or absence of l-aspartate, showing partial dissociation. But the reversibility to the active state was observed only in the enzyme dissolved in the solution containing l-aspartate.

4. l-Aspartate did not prevent the enzyme either from the dissociation into subunits or from decrease in the activity by urea.

5. High concentration of l-aspartate was shown to inhibit the l-asparagine hydrolysis reaction.

6. l-Aspartate was suggested from ORD measurements to cause changes in the higher structure as well as the ionic properties or proteolytic inactivation.

     

Removal of Anti-complementary Material and Australia Antigen from Immunoglobulin

Inmunoglobulin isolated from human sera, be it by the cryo-alcohol, rivanol, multi membrane electrodecantation or polyethylene glycol process, alvays contains denatured material. This may result from the influence either singly or in combination, of acme of the follwing factors:

1. inefficiency of the purification procedure;

2. surface denaturation;

3. imperfect freeze-drying of the final product; and

4. factors yet unknown vhich cause alteration in the immoglobulins or other protein components not ellminated by the purification procedures.

     

Induction of Catalase Activity by Hydrocarbons in Candida tropicalis рK 233

1. The catalase activity of Candida tropicalis pK 233 was induced by hydrocarbons but not by glucose, galactose, ethanol, acetate or lauryl alcohol.

2. The induction of the catalase activity depending upon hydrocarbons was sensitive to cycloheximide but not to chloramphenicol.

3. Glucose repressed strongly the induction of the catalase activity by hydrocarbons but galactose did not affect seriously.

4. When C. tropicalis was incubated with hydrocarbons, the appearance of microbodies was observed electronmicroscopicaliy.

     

Conformation of Some Hexuronic Acids and d-Galactopyranosiduronic Acid Moiety in the Peracetylated and Permethylated Derivatives of Orange Pectic Acid in Solutions

1. The 1C conformation was estimated for α-d-galactopyranosiduronic acid moiety of pectic acid in the permethylated derivative dissolved in 1 n NaOD-D₂O and in the peracetylated derivative dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide-d₆, and the C1 conformation was estimated for some derivatives of d-galactopyranuronic acid in chloroform-d by NMR spectroscopy.

2. Random conformation of the whole macromolecule was estimated for pectic acid in water on the basis of no appearance of any induced Cotton effects in the 200 ~ 700 mμ region in the ORD spectra of pectic acid-anionic dye complexes.

3. The conformation was supported by the fact that the rate of periodate oxidation of pectic acid at 5° was slightly decreased in comparison with that of amylase in 7 m urea solution.

     

Quality of Irrigation Waters of the Alkali Infested Areas in Allahabad,India

The concentration and composition of dissolved constituents in water, determine its quality for irrigation. Quality of water is important consideration in any appraisal of salinity or alkali conditions in an irrigated area. The characteristics of an irrigation water that appear to be most important in determining its quality are:

1. Total concentration of soluble salts.

2. Relative proportion of sodium to other cations.

3. Concentration of boron or other toxic elements.

4. Under certain conditions, the bicarbonate concentration as related to the concentration of calcium plus magnesium.

The total concentration of soluble salts in irrigation waters can be adequately expressed for purposes of diagnosis and classification in terms of electrical conductivity. Irrigation waters that have been used successfully for a considerable time have conductivity values less than 2,250 micro mhos/cm. Waters of higher conductivity are used occasionally, but crop production, except in unusual situations, has not been satisfactory.     

Some properties of turnip yellow mosaic virus isolated from hybrid Brassica Perko PVH in Yugoslavia

Anhand mikroskopischer Untersuchungen und durch Mittelversuche an A. pisum wurden folgende Kenntnisse zur Endosymbiose gewonnen:

• In L₃‐Stadien von A. pisum sind zwischen 55 und 85 potentielle Bakteriocyten vorhanden, von dene ca. 60–80 % besiedelt sind.

• Eine Reduktion des besiedelten Anteils in der F₁‐Generation auf unter 50% läßt eine deutliche Depression in der F₂‐Generation erwarten.

• Das Kriterium Embryonenlänge ist großen Schwankungen unterworfen und eignet sich nur bedingt als Unterscheidungsmerkmal.

• Die von Fröhlich (1990) vorgeschlagene Methodik zum Symbiontizidscreening bei A. pisum mit dem Standard OTC 2000 ppm und der Auszählung der mit TTC angefärbten Bakteriocyten unter dem Mikroskop läßt eine praktikable Testung von Substanzen auf symbiontizide Wirkung bei A. pisum zu. Es wird jedoch als günstiger angesehen, nicht die Larven mit den Pflanzen zu behandeln, wie von Fröhlich (1990) vorgeschlagen, sondern erst nach dem Antrocknen des Spritzbelages Adulte zur Erzeugung von F₁‐Larven anzusetzen.

• Es konnte eindeutig nachgewiesen werden, daß die von den Prüfsubstanzen hervorgerufenen aphiziden Effekte, insbesondere durch Cycloheximid (100/500 ppm) sowie Neemkernextrakt (50%), nicht auf einem symbiontiziden Wirkungsmechanismus beruhen (Ausnahme Oxytetracyclin 2000 ppm als Standard).

     

Ecological Risk Assessment and Quantitative Consequence Analysis

Ecological risk actually refers to two separate things. First, risk to the environment as a result of human activity. Contaminated sites are an example. Second, risk to the biota—flora, fauna, and people—as a result of environmental hazards. Geophysical risk arising from natural hazards is an example. Risk is a combination of likelihoods and consequences. This article examines methods used to quantify the consequences. At the general level, such methods are linked to the methods used to quantify the likelihoods and thus to quantify the risks. It is possible to use the existing frameworks of risk management, health risk assessment, and ecological risk analysis to develop a risk management framework that is suitable for ecological risk assessment. The framework consists of the following steps:

1. Determine concernsby using risk assessment techniques for various scenarios.

2. Identify the consequences by systematically identifying hazards.

3. Undertake calculations by using relevant models.

4. Evaluate certainties, uncertainties, and probabilities involved in the calculations of the vulnerability and of the exposure.

5. Compare with criteriato assess the need for further action.

6. Determine and act on options to control, mitigate, and adapt to the risk.

7. Communicatethe results to those who need to know.

     

Embriologia Della “Vinca Difformis„ Pourr. (Apocinaceae)

Riassunto

L'A. ha studiato l'embriogia della Vinea difformis Pourr. ed ha potuto stabilire che:

1. l'archisporio è pluricellulare e possono svilupparis talvolta pi[ugrave] cellule madri;

2. normalmente solo una cellula madre arriva a maturità;

3. delle quattro megaspore solo una è fertile e precisamente la pi[ugrave] calazale;

4. lo sviluppo del gametofito è del tipo Normale cioè Monomegasporiale con oangio emisporiale.

Ha inoltre risontrato una anomalia di sviluppo constituita da un gametofito binucleato abnorme per ritardo delle divisioni nucleari cispetto all'acerescimento che è quello di un gametofito ottonucleato.     

Analisis de la craneometria diferencial entre la vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) y la alpaca (Lama guanicoë pacos)

Using a total of 43 craneological data obtained from any of 73 vicugna and 25 alpaca skulls, three problems were analyzed:

• Identification of skulls

• Taxonomic situation of the vicugna

• Origin of the alpaca.

For rapid identification of New World cameloid skulls it is recommended to use the condilobasal length, the length to heigth ratio and the presence of the Fissura nasolacrimalis.

Some characteristics of the skulls considered essential for the evaluation of domestication processes exclude the vicugna from the alpaca's ancestors.     

On the neotropical acanthocinini (coleoptera,ceramhycidae, lamiinae) some new genera and generic revisions

In Fortführung seiner Untersuchungen über neotropische Acanthocinini veröffentlicht der Verfasser hiermit Beschreibungen von folgenden neuen Gattungen:

• Nyssodrysilla nov. gen. mit N. irrorata (Melzer) aus Brasilien als Generotype, N. viliata (Melzer), comb, nov., aus Brasilien und N. lineata nov. spec, aus Peru.

• Nyssodrysola nov. gen. mit N. stictica nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype.

• Sciadosurus nov. gen. mit S. albobrunneus nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype.

• Acarinozineus nov. gen. mit A. striatus nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype und A. spinicornis nov. spec, aus Mexiko.

• Alcathousites nov. gen. mit A. chaclacayoi nov. spec. aus Peru als Generotype.

• Xylergatina nov. gen. mit X. pulcher (Lane) aus Peru als Generotype.

• Xylergatoides nov. gen. mit X. asper (Bates) aus Brasilien und Argentinien als Generotype.

Ferner werden revidiert die Gattungen:

• Xylergates Bates, Generotype X. lacteus (Bates), mit Beschreibung der beiden neuen Arten X. elaineae aus Peru und X. dorotheae aus Britisch‐Guayana.

• Chaetanes Bates, Generotype C. setiger (Bates), mit Beschreibung der drei neuen Arten C. costulatus aus Peru, C. nigrobasalis aus Brasilien und C. apicalis aus Französisch‐Guayana.

• Wo es erforderlich ist, sind Bestimmungstabellen gebracht und die Arten abgebildet.

     

Dynamic ejection behaviour of water molecules passing through a nano-aperture nozzle

This study used molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to investigate the passage of water molecules through a composite graphene/Au nano-nozzle. Our focus was on the degree to which system temperature, extrusion speed, and nozzle diameter affect jet dynamics and the associated transient phenomena. Our findings show that high pressure and spatial confinement cause the nanojet from a small nozzle diameter (1.0?nm) to bend and twist, whereas the jets from a nozzle with a diameter of 1.5?nm present columns of greater stability. At 100?K, the H₂O nanojet froze at the outlet of the nozzle in the form of condensed icicles. At 500?K, the H₂O nanojet formed a loose spray and gaseous clusters. High extrusion speed of 55.824?m/s produced recirculating flow downstream from the nanojet with the appearance of an erupting volcano, which further prompted the jet column to thicken. Lower extrusion speeds produced jets with flow velocity insufficient to overcome the capillary force at the outlet of the nozzle, which subsequently manifests as unstable fluctuations in the flow rate.

• HIGHLIGHTS

• Water molecules through a composite graphene/Au nano-nozzle forming a nanojet is investigated.

• High pressure and spatial confinement cause the nanojet from a small nozzle diameter (≤1.0?nm) to bend and twist.

• High extrusion speed (≧55.824?m/s) produced recirculating flow downstream from the nanojet.

• Figure abstract: Schematic of the H₂O nano-jet through a nano-nozzle of graphene/Au

     

The Nutritional Value of the Individual Nonessential Amino Acid as the Nitrogen Source in the Chick Nutrition

The nutritional values of nonessential amino acids as the nitrogen source in the crystalline amino acid diet for the chick growth were examined. The nitrogen of the nonessential amino acids in the basal diet for chick was substituted for a nonessential amino acid to be tested on the nitrogen base. The experimental methods were the same as in the evaluation of the nutritional value of d-amino acids previously reported. Nonessential amino acids were classified into four groups.

1. Very useful nitrogen source: Glutamic acid, Aspartic acid

2. Useful nitrogen source: Alanine, Diammonium citrate

3. Insufficient nitrogen source: Glycine, Proline

4. Harmful for chick growth: Serine

At the end of experiment chicks were killed and the concentration of free amino acids in the serum were measured. The concentration of glycine and serine in the serum increased when glycine was tested, but that of serine in the serum only increased when serine was tested. This result suggested the pathway from glycine to serine was fast and the opposite one was very slow.     

Enzymatic synthesis of gallic acid from tannic acid with an inducible hydrolase of Enterobacter spp

Gallic acid acts as a precursor molecule to synthesize various tannin molecules. These are plant polyphenols and were proved to be good anti-oxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial compounds. In order to fully exploit prominent biological activities of specific tannins and to develop tannin-based new medicines, it is necessary to obtain their pure preparations with an aim of high yield and specificity. In the present study, gallic acid is synthesized by the hydrolysis of tannic acid using a microbial based transformation process. The microorganism was isolated and identified. The ability of the isolated microorganism to covert tannic acid into gallic acid was determined by HPLC and enzyme production.

• Highlights

• The present investigation signifies the role of Enterobacter spp. in various processes:

• ??To synthesize gallic acid (a precursor for food oxidant such as propyl gallate) and a bacteriostatic antibiotic (trimethoprim).

• ??To protect the environment from tannery’s discharge through the process of biodegradation.

• ??To reduce the toxicity of tannins in animal feed.

     

The Synthesis of αβ Imidothymidine Diphospate

Abstract

It has been shown by many workers that nucleotides containing an ap methylene link have interesting biochemical properties compared to those containing an αβ 0x0 linkage.¹ In our laboratory af3 methylene thymidine triphosphate has been shown to be a more powerful inhibitorof thymidine kinase than thymidine triphosphate but a weaker inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase and cytidine deaminase. We have been interested in examining the properties of the af3 imido analogue. Several routes to prepare the unknown ap imidothymidine triphosphate were unsuccessfully tried:

1. Reaction of 3′-O-Acetylthymidine with the tributylammonium salt of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.

2. Reaction of 5′-O-tosylthymidine with the tributylammonium salt 3 of imidodiphosphoric acid in hot dimethylacetamide.