Studies on the proteins of Poecilocera picta. I-changes taking place in the haemolymph protein during moulting

The haemolymph proteins of the 6th nymph of P. picta were fractioned by the polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. A total of seven proteins fractions have been detected from the haemolymph. The chemical nature of different protein fractions have been examined by histochemical methods. The changes taking place in the cuticle and epidermal cells have been examined during the transformation of 6th nymph into adult. The fat body proteins have been electrophoretically fractioned and the changes in the concentration of different protein fractions have been examined. It is suggested that the protein fraction 3 of the haemolymph is utilized in the formation of new cuticle. It is concluded by the histochemical observations that proteins of the band 3 are synthesized in the fat body.     

Effect of certain chemical fertilizers on the rhizosphere mycoflora of Oryza sativa Linn

Summing up, it may be concluded that Superphosphate fertilization stimulated the fungal flora both in rhizosphere and corresponding nonrhizosphere regions and a few selected fungal species were preferentially stimulated at different stages of the plant growth.Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-5 (India).     

Effect of chemical agents on swarming of Bacillus species

The effect of 58 chemical compounds belonging to different categories, viz. antibiotics, detergents, surfactants, nutrients and salts of organic and inorganic acids, were tested on swarming of Bacillus species comprising B. coagulans, B. circulans, B. alvei and B. subtilis by spot inoculation method. Carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and other nutrient compounds such as peptone, with the exception of vitamin-free casamino acids induced considerable swarming. An inhibition of swarming was noticed by antiseptics, detergents and surfactants; but the extent of swarming differed among the chemicals tested, their concentration and the bacterial strains. Most of the compounds that inhibited swarming were those which acted on flagellar mechanism and motility. The results support the theory that formation of lateral flagella is a prerequisite for inhibition of swarming.     

Effect of soil sodicity on the growth,yield and chemical composition of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.)

Summary A replicated field experiment was conducted to study the effect of exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) on the yield, chemical composition, protein and oil content and uptake of nutrients by groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) variety M-13. ESP over 15 delayed germination and emergence of flowers. There was continuous decrease in dry matter yield at 30 and 60 days of growth, grain and straw yield after harvest and protein, oil and kernel percent with increase in soil ESP. A 50 per cent reduction in groundnut yield was observed at an ESP of 20. Increasing soil ESP, increased Na and decreased K, Ca and N contents, but had no effect on the Mg, P, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents of the plant. Sodium content of the plant increased, while potassium and nitrogen decreased with age of the plant. The uptake of all the nutrients decreased with increase in soil ESP. The results showed that groundnut is a relatively sensitive crop to soil sodicity.     

Effect of selected chemical agents on longevity and infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.

The effects of various chemical agents on longevity of the cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907, were investigated. The median lifetime of cercariae maintained in dechlorinated tap water (DTW) was 10.5 hr. Increasing concentrations of sodium chloride added to distilled water increased the median lifetime to an optimum of 10 hr at 0.01 M; higher salt levels decreased longevity. At this optimum sodium chloride level, concentrations of glucose between 0.003 M and 0.03 M enhanced median survival to 13–14 hr. Using Tris-HCl buffers the effects of pH and ionic strength were examined. Cercarial longevity increased from 3.5 to 25 hr as pH increased from 6.4 to 9.0, and 0.01 M Tris was superior to 0.001 M Tris at a given pH. The greatest median lifetime (26 hr) was obtained in 0.01 M Tris, pH 9.0. Infectivity of cercariae in Tris at this optimal pH was compared to that in DTW. Maintenance in DTW resulted in greater worm burdens in mice than did treatment with Tris. This suggested that factors which affect cercarial longevity may not influence infectivity in the same manner. The effects of rotenone, Antimycin A, dinitrophenol, and potassium cyanide on cercarial viability suggested the existence of a functioning terminal electron transport chain similar to that of mammalian systems.     

黄荆挥发油化学成分的研究

采用气相色谱－质谱联用仪对产于秦岭略阳的黄荆叶的挥发油成分进行了分析鉴定,共确定出了３５种成分。主要成分为石竹烯（３３．０１％）、桉树脑（１３．３０％）、β－水芹烯（１３．２３）、别－香树烯（６．５８％）和β－法呢烯（５．５６％）。     

The physiology of hibernation among painted turtles: the Eastern painted turtle Chrysemys picta picta.

Eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) from Connecticut were submerged at 3 degrees C in normoxic and anoxic water to simulate potential respiratory environments within their hibernacula. Those in normoxic water could survive submergence for at least 150 d, while those in anoxic water could survive for a maximum of about 125 d. Turtles in normoxic water developed a slight metabolic acidosis as plasma lactate accumulated to about 50 mM in 150 d, while anoxic turtles developed a severe lactic acidosis as plasma lactate reached about 200 mM in 125 d; there was no respiratory acidosis in either group. Plasma [Na+] changed little in either group, [Cl-] fell by about one-third in both, and [K+] increased by about fourfold in anoxic turtles but only slightly in those in normoxic water. Total plasma magnesium and calcium increased profoundly in anoxic turtles but moderately in those in normoxic water. Consideration of charge balance indicates that all major ions were measured in both groups. Plasma glucose remained unchanged in anoxic turtles until after about 75 d of submergence, when it increased and continued to increase with the duration of anoxia, with much variation among individuals; glucose remained unchanged throughout in turtles in normoxic water. Hematocrit doubled in 150 d in turtles in normoxic water; in anoxic turtles, an initial increase was no longer significant by day 100. Plasma osmolality increased markedly in anoxic turtles, largely because of accumulation of lactate, but anoxic turtles only gained about half the mass of turtles in normoxic water, who showed no increase in osmolality. The higher weight gain in the latter group is attributed to selective perfusion and ventilation of extrapulmonary gas exchange surfaces, resulting in a greater osmotic influx of water. The physiologic responses to simulated hibernation of C. picta picta are intermediate between those of Chrysemys picta bellii and Chrysemys picta dorsalis, which correlates with the severity of the winter each subspecies would be expected to encounter.     

Effect of Mesua ferrea Linn. flower extract on Salmonella

Based on its traditional uses in folk medicine, the whole flower extract of Mesua ferrea Linn. was tested for its in vitro antimicrobial efficacy against five different strains of Salmonella spp. All the strains were found to be highly sensitive to the extract, MIC of the extract against each organism being 50 microg/ml. The extract was tested in vitro for its mode of antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium NCTC 74 and it was found to be bactericidal in action. In vivo studies of this extract offered significant protection to Swiss albino mice at doses approximately 2 and 4 mg/mouse when challenged with 50 median lethal dose of S. Typhimurium NCTC 74. Further, the extract caused statistically significant reduction in viable count of the strain in liver, spleen and heart blood of challenged mice.     

Studies on the chemical composition and biological activity of essential oil from Cyperus rotundus Linn.

The sesquiterpene caryophyllene in its alcohol form has been identified for the first time from the essential oil of the tubers of Cyperus rotundus Linn. The structure of the alcohol has been identified by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Bioefficacy of the oil and its hydrocarbon, ketonic and alcoholic fractions is reported for maize and mungbean.