Chirality of peridinin and dinoxanthin

Details are reported for the configurational assignment of peridinin as 3S, 5R, 6R, 3′S, 5′R, 6′S including ozonolytic degradation of its p-bromobenzoate to derivatives of known chirality obtained from fucoxanthin and violaxanthin. Details regarding derivatization and CD correlations in favour of the same chirality for dinoxanthin = neoxanthin 3-acetate are given.     

Enhanced sensitivity in PCR detection of Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheese through use of an aqueous two-phase system as a sample preparation method.

A sample treatment method based on an aqueous two-phase system containing polyethylene glycol and dextran was developed for enhancing sensitivity in the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheese with PCR. The results suggest that the improved detection sensitivity following partitioning of the cheese homogenate in an aqueous two-phase system may be due to partitioning of the PCR inhibitors to the polyethylene glycol phase.     

Peak littering and the stud male in relation to virgin and remated female P(SD) mice.

Peak littering occurred on the 22nd day after pairing. The percentage of pregnancies from virgin females increased as the stud males became more experienced; their success with remated females showed a more varied and lower response.     

Chirality of plectaniaxanthin

The chirality of plectaniaxanthin, a carotenoid vic. glycol from Plectania coccinea, could not be determined by the modified Horeau method. Chiroptical correlation of plectaniaxanthin acetonide and (2′S)-16′, 17′-dinorplectaniaxanthin acetonide was taken as proof of 2′R chirality for natural plectaniaxanthin and its mono- and diesters. The synthesis of the chiral model carotenoid was effected from d-mannitol via 2, 3-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde as key synthon.     

The breeding performance of CD1 stud male mice with some comparative data from BALB/c, PSD and PSDI strains

CD1 stud males produced a high percentage of pregnancies from virgin females during weeks 1 to 21, but were at their peak during weeks 1 to 13, when they achieved a 91.35 +/- 4.63% pregnancy rate. Peak littering occurred on day 22, with a mean litter size of 11.68 +/- 0.85 young.     

Calcium, magnesium, and zinc status in experimental hypothyroidism

In this study, experimental hypothyroidism was established and used to investigate possible alterations in the calcium, magnesium, and zinc homeostasis by assessing their concentration in plasma and erythrocytes. Hypothyroidism was induced by administration of methimazole an iodine blocker at a dose of 75 mg/100 g food for 3 wk. In the methimazole-induced hypothyroid state, the experimental animals showed a significant decrease in plasma zinc concentration, whereas a significant increase in plasma magnesium concentration occurred. No change was observed in plasma calcium concentration. The erythrocyte zinc and calcium concentrations were found to be increased, whereas magnesium concentration decreased. Erythrocyte magnesium concentration showed a significant positive correlation with T₄ values. The study provides evidence for marked alterations in homeostatis of zinc, magnesium, and calcium.