Effects of maternal thiamine deficiency on the lipid composition of rat whole brain, gray matter and white matter

Studies were made of the effects of maternal thiamine deficiency on rat whole brain, gray matter and white matter lipids. Mothers were fed a high protein diet (controls) or thiamine deficient high protein diet (thiamine deficient, TD) from 14th day of gestation through lactation. An additional group (pair fed control, PFC) was pair fed with the thiamine deficient group. The TD pups started showing symptoms of abnormalities in posture, arched back and hind limb paralysis from 16th day of lactation. Significant deficits were found in body weight and brain weight of TD and PFC pups. But the deficits seem to be more in the former group. Significant deficits were observed with regard to the concentration of lipids such as galactolipids, phospholipids and plasmalogens in the whole brain of TD and PFC pups at 21 days of age. Additional deficits were also found in the concentration of cholesterol in PFC pups. Gray matter lipids from TD pups seem to be completely spared. However, deficits were found in galactolipid and ganglioside concentrations in PFC pups. The deficits found in the concentration of different lipids in white matter are similar to those observed in whole brain. These results suggest that the effects of thiamine deficiency may be partly due to resultant growth retardation and partly due to the deficiency of thiamine per se.     

Age dependent alterations in phospholipid composition of a saprophytic and a pathogenic strain of Nocardia

Nocardia polychromogenes (saprophytic) and Nocardia asteroides (pathogenic) showed characteristic patterns in changes of cellular lipids during growth. Total lipids and total phospholipids decreased with the age of the culture in the saprophytic strain, whereas in the pathogenic strain total lipids increased throughout the culture period and the total phospholipids decreased in the late stationary phase. The decrease in total phospholipids in saprophytic strain was reflected in the individual phosphatides. In the pathogenic strain, the phosphatidylinositomannoside content doubled in early stationary phase. Differences were observed in fatty acid composition of phosphatides at various stages of growth, but the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids remained unaltered.     

Positions of proteins S6, S11 and S15 in the 30 S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli

A map of the positions of 12 of the 21 proteins of the 30 S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli (S1, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12 and S15), based on neutron scattering, is presented and discussed. Estimates for the radii of gyration of these proteins in situ are also obtained. It appears that many ribosomal proteins have compact configurations in the particle.     

Management of massive pulmonary embolism after jejuno-ileal bypass for morbid obesity

Four patients developed massive pulmonary embolism after jejuno-ileal bypass for morbid obesity. All patients were in Greenfield's Class IV and were in shock. Severe hypoxia was evidenced in their blood gases. The patients were managed with digitalis, diuretics, Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone sodium succinate), oxygen, and heparin therapy. Each patient underwent partial vena cava interruption with Mobin Uddin's umbrella, and all four survived without residual complications.     

Effect of phytohormones on nuclear RNA synthesis in germinating seeds ofTrigonella foenumgraeceum and its callus

Treatment ofTrigonella foenumgraeceum (fenugreek) seedlings with naphthalene acetic acid plus gibberellic acid enhanced the RNA synthesising capacity of nuclei isolated from the hypocotyl and cotyledonary regions. This increase was more pronounced in the nuclei from the hypocotyl region than from the cotyledonary region.In vitro addition of these phytohormones did not stimulate RNA synthesis by nuclei. The RNA synthesis by mitochondria was not affected by preincubating the seedlings with the hormones. The nuclei isolated from callus cultures of fenugreek hypocotyl treated with the hormone also showed increased RNA synthesis.     

A glycosidic germacradienolide from Eupatorium altissimum

The isolation and structure determination of a glycosidic germacradienolide from Eupatorium altissimum are reported. Eupatorin and 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone were also found.     

Production of thermostable β-amylase and pullulanase by Clostridium thermosulfurogenes SV2 in solid-state fermentation: Screening of nutrients using Plackett-Burman design

Screening of fifteen nutrients belonging to four categories, viz., carbon, nitrogen, salt and complex organic sources was carried out using Plackett-Burman design for the production of thermostable #-amylase and pullulanase by Clostridium thermosulfurogenes SV2 in solid-state fermentation (SSF). This design involves screening of up to `nу' variables in just `n' number of experiments. Regression co-efficients and t-values were calculated by subjecting the experimental data to statistical analysis. Lactose, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, calcium chloride and casein hydrolysate showed higher regression co-efficients in the biomass formation. Among the fifteen nutrients screened, based on their performance in terms of product promoting ability, availability and cost, magnesium chloride, potato starch, ferrous sulphate, pearl millet flour and corn steep liquor were identified as most effective and, therefore, selected for inclusion in further optimization studies.