Methoxyspheroidene and methoxyspheroidenone,two carotenoids from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides

Two new carotenoids isolated from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides (Rhodospirillaceae) have been identified as methoxyspheroidene (1,1′-dimethoxy-3,4-didehydro-1,2,1′,2′,7$\text{,}\text{?}$8′-hexahydro-ψ,ψ-carotene) obtained from anaerobic cultures and methoxyspheroidenone (1,1′-dimethoxy-3,4-didehydro-1,2,1′,2′,7′,8′-hexahydro-ψ,ψ-caroten-2-one) recovered from aerobic cultures.     

Experimental biofilm and its application in malathion degradation

Mixed bacterial culture consisting of three different strains ofMicrococcus sp. (AG 36, AG 94 and AG 98) and two strains ofPseudomonas sp. (AG 7 and AG 52) and its individual components was passed through a sand column and 25.5–92% of cell dry mass was found to be retained (adsorbed) on it. Incubation of sand soaked in mineral medium containing glucose as a sole carbon source resulted in formation of a biofilm with 1.2–2.5-fold increase in biomass. A 61% degradation of malathion by the mixed culture biofilm could be achieved in 4 d.     

Myricetin methyl ethers from Solanum pubescens

3,7,3′,5′-Tetramethoxy-5,4′-dihydroxyflavone and a novel flavonol 3,7,3′-trimethoxy-5,4′,5′-trihydroxyflavone were isolated from the leaves of Solanum pubescens and characterized by both physical and chemical methods.     

Interleukin 1 components in cicatricial pemphigoid. Role in intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Interleukin (IL-)1 is an important mediator of inflammatory responses and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. Cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) is a multisystem autoimmune inflammatory disease. We have studied the role of IL-1 in its pathogenesis. We have investigated the serum levels of IL-1 components (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra), and determined the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in patients with CP. Serum levels of IL-1alpha and beta were significantly higher in untreated patients with active disease compared to levels in patients in prolonged clinical remission and normal human controls (P<0.0001). The serum levels of IL-1Ra were higher in patients in prolonged clinical remission compared to patients with active disease (P=0.002). Hence elevated levels of IL-1alpha and beta and low levels of IL-1Ra correlate with disease activity. The levels of IL-1alpha and beta were statistically significantly higher in sera of CP patients with active disease pre-IVIg therapy compared to post-IVIg therapy (P<0.0001). Statistically significantly higher levels of IL-1Ra were present in post-IVIg treatment serum samples when compared to levels in pre-IVIg treatment (P<0.0001). In the in vitro experiments, the levels of IL-1alpha and beta produced by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from patients before IVIg therapy were significantly higher when compared to the PBMC isolated from post-IVIg patients (P<0.0001). Significantly higher levels of IL-1Ra were observed in the supernatants of PBMC collected from pre-IVIg patients and cultured with exogenously added IVIg, when compared to the levels of PBMC to which IVIg was not added (P<0.0001). IL-1 may be an important cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of CP. The regulation of IL-1 could be one of the mechanisms, amongst others, by which IVIg may exert its beneficial effect in the treatment of CP.     

Improved technique on reversion of mycelial protoplast of Trichoderma reesei into mycelia

Important parameters in the regeneration of protoplasts are viability, the capacity to synthesize cell walls and the retention of properties of the parent cell. Mycelial protoplasts of Trichoderma longibrachiatum (Trichoderma reesei) have been regenerated. Factors influencing the regeneration of protoplasts of T. longibrachiatum QM 9414 were found to be, the nature of osmotic stabilizer, the concentration of osmotic stabilizer, pH, temperature, and the composition of regeneration medium. With glucose-mineral regeneration medium, the optimum conditions for protoplasts regeneration were 0.5 M KCl, pH 6.0 and temperature 30°C. With Czapek-Dox medium, the optimum conditions were 0.7 M mannitol, pH 6.0 and temperature 30°C. Maximum regeneration frequency of T. longibrachiatum protoplasts were obtained using glucose-mineral medium.     

Exploring the Chemical and Biological Potential of Jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) Leaves: A Comprehensive Review

Leaves of jamun collected as agro by-produce during the cultivation of jamun is traditionally used as ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes, gall bladder stones and other ailments. Most of the beneficial effects of jamun leaves are associated with phytochemicals found in jamun leaves such as gallic acid, tannins, mallic acid, flavonoids, essential oils, jambolin, ellagic acid, jambosine, antimellin and betulinic acid. Jamun possess curative activities like anticancer, antidiabetic, antifertility, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antiradiation, chemotherapeutic, and gastroprotective. The main goal of this review article is to provide information on the nutritional content, phytochemical composition and health promoting properties of jamun leaves. The review of literature based on the phytochemical composition and health promoting benefits of the jamun leaves, suggests that leaves can be used as potential constituent in the formulation of pharmacological drugs. From the review literature it is found that clinical, in-vivo, in-vitro studies are still required to check the health promoting effects of jamun leaves extracts on humans.     

Growth and development of Pleurogenoides orientalis (Srivastava, 1934) (Trematoda: Lecithodendriidae) in the intermediate and definitive hosts

Two phases with an intervening brief lag-phase are recognized during the growth of the metacercaria of Pleurogenoides orientalis in the intermediate host (nymphs of Tramea limbata), the first phase being characterized by rapid growth and organogeny and the second phase by limited growth and development. The phases of growth and development of the metacercaria are correlated with various events in the cyst-forming process. The growth of the adult fluke in the definitive host (Rana cyanophlyctis) is characterized by a short initial lag-phase followed by a rapid phase during which there is rapid growth. Comparison of allometric growth parameters of various organs of the metacercaria and of the adult revealed definite allometric shifts. The validity of various species included in the genus Pleurogenoides is examined in the light of observations made on intraspecific variation in P. orientalis.     

Morphology of the brain of Sarotherodon mossambicus (Peters) and correlation with its habits

The correlation between the brain of an exotic fish, Sarotherodon mossambicus, and its habits was studied. The poorly developed olfactory lobes are indicative of poor olfactory sense, while the large optic lobes and stout, thick optic nerves correlate with this fish's excellent sense of vision. Similarly, its tactile and gustatory sense are determined by the extent of development of the facial and vagal lobes.