A possible adenine nucleotide storage form in normal and ischaemic rat heart

Perfusion of Langendorff rat hearts with [¹⁴C]adenosine yields an acid-insoluble, radioactive product whose concentration falls during ischaemia. The properties of the substance show that it is a polyribonucleotide. It is suggested that it may be mitochondrial poly A acting as a storage form of adenine nucleotides.     

Dystocia due to urinary bladder carcinoma in two water buffaloes (bubalus bubalis) - Clinical case report

Two buffaloes with full-term pregnancy suffered from dystocia because the cervix did not dilate in spite of strong labour pains and other parturition signs shown by each animal. The urinary bladder, cervix, vagina and surrounding area were very firm. Dead, emphysemated fetuses were removed by caesarean in each case and anuria was also noticed. One buffalo died and the other was euthanised after surgery because it did not improve. The post-mortem examinations revealed transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder infiltrating the cervix, vagina and surrounding area in each case.     

A note on some Eurotatoria from Panjab State,India

Among 35 eurotatorian species presently reported from Panjab State, India, ten species are new records to this region while eight are new records from N. W. India. A new synonym is proposed and biogeographical remarks are made.     

Synthesis and conformational studies of 2-beta-chloro, 1-alpha-fluoro, and 2-beta-fluoro derivatives of 2-deoxy-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid

5-Acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-2,3,5-trideoxy-2-fluoro-D-glycero-alp ha- and -beta-D- galacto -2- nonulosonic acid methyl esters and the beta-chloro analog were synthesized from N-acetylneuraminic acid. Their 1H- and 13C-n.m.r.spectra were completely assigned by using single-frequency decoupling, off-resonance decoupling, and spin-simulation programs. Bond angles estimated from the 1H coupling-constants indicate that all of the compounds adopt the 2C5 (L) conformation with minor conformational differences in the C3 side chain. 5-Acetamido-2,3,5,-tri-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glycero-alpha- and -beta-D- galacto -2- nonulosonic acid and their methyl esters were also prepared.     

Nitrate reductase,nitrite reductase activities and leaf diffusive resistance in wheat under water deficit

The flag and second leaves of wheat showed physiological and biochemical differences in the normal and water stressed plants. Although the flag leaf had lower enzyme activities in the control plants, in stressed plants it could continue nitrate assimilation better than the second and other leaves. The flag leaf also exhibited a higher tendency to resume normal metabolic activity after the release of stress as is indicated by higher NRA, NiRa, lower r_ad and r_ab.     

Studies of potential filaricides: Part 14--Activity of 1-iso-butoxycarbonyl-4-methylpiperazine against experimental filariasis

The synthesis and filaricidal activity of 1-iso-butoxycarbonyl-4-methylpiperazine against Litomosoides carinii in Sigmodon hispidus and Dipetalonema viteae in Mastomys natalensis is reported. At an intraperitoneal or oral dose of 3 mg/kg given for 6 days, the compound removed 91% of the circulating microfilariae but had no effect on adult L. carinii. However, it killed all microfilariae and adults of D. viteae at a subcutaneous dose of 50 mg/kg given for 6 days. The compound also possessed chemoprophylactic activity against the larvae of L. carinii and D. viteae at a dose of 30 and 50 mg/kg respectively.     

Demonstration of bovine brain calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes by monoclonal antibodies

Calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine brain is found to be composed of two distinct subunits, 60,000- and 63,000-dalton polypeptides. Peptide mapping of the subunits by partial proteolysis demonstrated that the 60-kDa polypeptide is not derived from the 63-kDa species. The interaction of the enzyme with three monoclonal antibodies, A6, C1, and A2, and the analysis of immunocomplexes by sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed that calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase exists in three different forms, i.e. (a) homodiamer of 60-kDa, (b) heterodimer of 60- and 63-kDa, and (c) homodimer of 63-kDa. A6 antibody reacts with both 60- and 63-kDa polypeptides indicating that they are immunologically related. C1 and A2 antibodies react with only 60-kDa polypeptide species. By using C1 Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography, the 63-kDa homodimer which did not bind to the column (Fraction I) was separated from the 60-kDa polypeptide containing isozymes (the heterodimer and the 60-kDa homodimer) which were retained on the column and later eluted as a mixture (Fraction II). Fraction I, the 63-kDa homodimer enzyme, has higher Vmax toward cGMP as substrate than cAMP whereas the opposite was found with Fraction II. The specific activity of Fraction II enzyme toward cAMP was approximately 500 mumol/min/mg, the highest value ever reported for brain calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase preparations.     

Genetics of yellow berry in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Summary The inheritance of yellow berry, a grain disorder in durum and bread wheats, was studied in six intervarietal crosses in bread wheat. The trait was found to be controlled by either two or three dominant genes. Monosomic analysis using Chinese Spring monosomic series showed the presence of two major dominant genes on chromosomes 1A and 7A, and four modifiers on 4A, 4B, 6A and 6D, which influence the expression of yellow berry in bread wheat.