A dual enzyme amperometric biosensor for monitoring organophosphorous pesticides

An amperometric biosensor consisting of two enzyme membranes, one a potato layer rich in acid phosphatase and the other immobilized glucose oxidase membrane, when operated in conjunction with a Clark type dissolved O 2 elec-trode, detected the pesticide, Paraoxon, at 1 g/ml. The advantage of this biosensor is that the inhibition of acid phosphatase by the pesticide is reversible and thereby eliminates the problem of enzyme inactivation and the necessity for its reactivation which is not efficient.     

Diet and prey profiles of three sympatric large carnivores in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, India

We conducted a field study of diets of three sympatric large carnivores, the tiger Panthera tigris , the leopard Panthera pardus and the dhole Cuon alpinus in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, India, based on analyses of 381, 111 and 181 scats, respectively. The frequency of occurrence of prey items in scats was converted to relative biomass and number of prey consumed using regression equations based on earlier feeding trials. The results showed that although these predators kill ∼11–15 species of vertebrate prey, relatively abundant ungulate species provide 88–97% of biomass consumed by them. Although the dietary niche overlap among the three species was high (Pianka's index of 0.75–0.93), some specialized predation was observed. The largest ungulates, gaur Bos gaurus and sambar Cervus unicolor , provided 73% of biomass consumed by tigers, whereas medium-sized chital Axis axis and wild pig Sus scrofa formed 65 and 83% of the biomass intake of leopards and dholes, respectively. In terms of the relative numbers of prey animals killed by the three predators, chital, which is the most abundant prey species, dominated their diets (tiger=33%, leopard=39% and dhole=73%). The results of the study, in conjunction with earlier work, support the prediction that abundance of ungulate prey species, as well as their availability in different size classes, are both critical factors that facilitate sympatry among the three predators.     

Growth Regulator Interactions in the Growth of the Shoot System of Avena sativa Seedling: II. THE GROWTH OF THE FIRST LEAF AND THE COLEOPTILE1

1. Studies have been made of the growth in culture medium of thecomponent parts of compositesegments excised from 3 to 7-day-oldAvena sativa seedlings and comprising portions of coleoptileand first leaf bases and various lengths of first internodetissue.
2. The effects of various concentrations of gibberellicacid (GA)and indole-3- acetic acid (IAA) alone and in combinationhavebeen studied on the growth of these organs.
3. Both GA andIAA stimulate the growth of coleoptile base tissuebut in combinationtheir joint effects are less than additive.No synergism occurs.
4. The growth of the first-leaf base is greatly stimulated byGAbut is inhibited by IAA. In combination, the stimulatoryeffectof GA (up to 1 0 p.p.m.) may be virtually eliminatedby evenlow concentrations of IAA (0.01 p.p.m.).
5. The inclusionof first internode tissue in the segments considerablyincreasesthe growth of first leaf base tissue but has no consistenteffecton the growth of coleoptile base tissue. The presenceof firstinternode tissue also greatly increases the degreeof growthstimulation invoked by GA but does not influence thedegreeof IAA inhibition. It is postulated that the first internodetissue is the source of an unknown growth factor necessary forGA action in the first leaf and potentiating the action of endogenousgibberellin.
6. Kinetin, adenine sulphate, glutarnine, glutarnicacid, asparagine,glycine, arginine, histidine, lysine, aneurin,and pyridoxinewill not simulate the effects of this unknowngrowth factorin the growth of leaf tissue. Like IAA, kinetinvirtually eliminatesthe GA stimulation of leaf growth.
7. Astudy of extracts of internode tissue in various solvents,analysedby paper partition chromatography and assayed by thegrowthof the first leaf base, has indicated the presence ofgrowthinhibitors and gibberellin-like substances but has failedtoisolate the postulated endogenous GA-synergist.
8. The implicationsof these results for growth correlations andthe hormone controlof shoot growth in Avena sativa seedlingsis discussed.

     

Early increase in CGRP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves in the skin of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Summary We have previously shown depletion of nerves and neuropeptides in skin biopsies of diabetic patients, even in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms of sensory and autonomic neuropathy, but were unable to examine the changes occurring at an early stage of the disease. Therefore, the distribution and relative density of peptide-containing nerves was studied in streptozotocin-treated rats in order to assess the progression of neural changes in the initial stages of diabetes. Skin samples dissected from the lip and footpad of diabetic rats, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after streptozotocin injection and age matched controls were sectioned and were immunostained with antisera to the neuropeptides substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and to a general neural marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). No change was apparent in the distribution or relative density of immunoreactive cutaneous nerve fibres 2, 4 and 8 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. By 12 weeks there was a marked increase in the number of CGRP-immunoreactive fibres present in epidermis and dermis, and of VIP-immunoreactive fibres around sweat glands and blood vessels. A parallel increase was seen in nerves displaying PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity. No differences were detected in nerves immunoreactive for either substance P in the epidermis and dermis, and NPY around blood vessels. The alterations in the peptide immunoreactivities may be similar in the initial stages of human diabetes.     

The Role of Anaerobic Respiration in Germinating Muskmelon Seeds: II. EFFECT OF ANOXIA TREATMENT AND ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY

Exposing muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivar seedlots to N₂atmosphere created totally anaerobic conditions which stimulatedethanol production and accumulation in both high and low vigourseeds. However, accumulation of ethanol was consistently higherin the low vigour seeds than in the high vigour ones. In addition,CO₂ production under N₂ and in air suggests the presence ofan apparent ‘Pasteur effect’ in the low vigour seedsbut not in the high vigour seeds. Acetaldehyde production underN₂ was very low and did not seem to be associated with seedvigour, probably because of its nature as an intermediate inethanol production. The fast shift toward ethanol may be dueto the fact that alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme which catalyzesthe conversion of acetaldehyde to ethanol, exists in sufficientamounts in the imbibing seeds so that it is not a limiting factorin the conversion to ethanol. Alcohol dehydrogenase activitydid not appear to be related to seed vigour. Key words: Cucumis melo L., Anaerobic respiration, Germination, Seeds.     

Studies on cellulase production by a mutant-penicillium funiculosum uv-49

In search of hypercellulolytic microorganisms, ultraviolet irradiation carried out with Penicillium funiculosum has yielded a superior mutant. The investigations reported in this article are shake flask studies on some important nutritional requirements of the mutant, namely, nitrogen source, carbon source, and inducers. The mutant shows an ability to metabolize inorganic nitrogen sources like urea and sodium nitrate both for growth and enzyme production. A comparison of the long-term saccharification ability and the utilization efficiency of the mutant enzyme with those reported in the literature is also carried out, showing the superior performance of the mutant enzyme.     

Glycerol production from glucose in alkaline medium

Glycerol production from glucose using an osmophilic yeast Pichia farinosa (ATCC 20210) in an alkaline medium has been investigated in shake flasks. The amount, form and mode of sodium carbonate addition have been found to affect the yields of glycerol, ethanol and biomass. These effects are explained in terms of the critical parameters of pH and dissolved oxygen levels in the medium. Relatively high glycerol yields and concentrations coupled with rapid fermentations have been obtained.     

Asperenone: an inhibitor of 15-lipoxygenase and of human platelet aggregation from Aspergillus niger

Asperenone was isolated from the fermented broth of Aspergillus niger CFTRI 1105 and acted as an inhibitor of soybean 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) and human platelet aggregation. The IC₅₀ values against 15-LOX and human platelet aggregation were 0.3 mM and 0.23 mM, respectively.