Effects of Side Chains on Thiazolothiazole‐Based Copolymer Semiconductors for High Performance Solar Cells

New thiazolothiazole‐dithienosilole copolymer semiconductors bearing side chains of different type, size, and topology were synthesized and used to demonstrate the influence of side chains on morphology, charge transport and photovoltaic properties. The field effect mobility of holes varied from 0.01‐0.03 cm²V^?1s^?1 in PSOTT and PSEHTT to 0.12 cm²V^?1s^?1 in PSOxTT. The average power conversion efficiency of solar cells under 1.0 sun illumination could be varied from 2.1% in PSOxTT and 4.1% in PSOTT to 5.0% in PSEHTT. The highest photovoltaic efficiency achieved in PSEHTT, that has all‐branched alkyl side chains and face‐on π‐stacking orientation, was corroborated by its enhanced charge photogeneration observed by transient absorption spectroscopy.     

Effect of cyclosporin A treatment on renal calcium oxalate binding in experimental hyperoxaluria

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Cyclosporin A administration on renal calcium oxalate binding under hyperoxaluric condition.Cyclosporin A administration or ammonium oxalate treatment increased calcium oxalate binding, which was further increased in kidney treated with cyclosporin A and ammonium oxalate together. The increase of calcium oxalate binding was associated with lipid peroxidation as well as with a concomitant decrease in total thiol in both rat and human kdiney homogenate.Cyclosporin A administration to hyperoxaluric rats resulted with increased calcium oxalate binding protein. However there was no change with specific activity of the protein.In conclusion, Cyclosporin A administration either to normal or hyperoxaluric rats is resulted with increased concentration of calcium oxalate binding protein as well as enhanced activity due to membrane lipid peroxidation.     

Induction of lipid peroxidation in calcium oxalate stone formation

The function of lipid peroxidation and the anti-peroxidative enzymes of rat liver and kidney were investigated under hyperoxaluric and stone forming conditions. The experimental animals showed higher malondialdehyde content in liver and kidney than that of control. A significant increase in malondialdehyde release was observed in the experimental liver or kidney when incubated with either ferrous sulphate or hydrogen peroxide compared to that of control liver or kidney. Superoxide dismutase activity was not affected in the hyperoxaluric rats while there was a moderate increase in the stone forming rats when compared to control. Highly significant decrease in catalase activity was observed in both conditions in liver and kidney compared to control.     

Diurnal variation in physical-chemical properties and primary production in the interconnected marine,mangrove and freshwater biotopes of Kakinada coast,Andhra Pradesh,India

Diurnal variation in hydrological variables and dissolved inorganic nutrients such as PO _inf4 ^sup3– -P, N O _inf2 ^sup– -N, NO _inf3 ^sup– -N and NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N were studied in three interconnected biotopes including freshwater, marine and mangrove brackish water of the Kakinada coastal zone, Andhra Pradesh. Samples were collected at intervals of 3 hours, for a period of 24 hours. In the marine environment salinity varied from 26 to 32 whereas in the mangrove waters it fluctuated from 12 to 20 and in both biotopes salinity showed bimodal type of oscillation. Dissolved oxygen content was high in the mangrove waters during day time but decreased rapidly during the night hours. In the marine environment PO_f4 ^p3–-P concentration varied from 0.345 to 1.195 g at l^–1, NO _inf3 ^sup– -N from 1.03 to 6.62 g at l^–1 and NO _inf2 ^sup– -N from 0.086 to 0.506 g at l^–1. The highest and the lowest concentrations of PO _inf4 ^sup3– -P, NO _inf3 ^sup– -N, NO _inf2 ^sup– -N recorded in the mangrove waters were 0.790 and 0.325 g at l^–1, 7.10 and 1.60 g at l^–1 and 0.278 and 0.060 g at l^–1, respectively. The concentration of PO _inf4 ^sup3– -P, NO _inf3 ^sup– -N and NO _inf2 ^sup– -N were high in the freshwater canal, the maximum and minimum values being 1.110 and 0.730 g at l^–1, 26.40 and 9.98 g at l^–1 and 0.520 and 0.252 g at l^–1 respectively. The concentration of ammonia was relatively high in the mangrove water. Gross and net primary production in the mangrove water was 4 times higher than in the marine biotope. There was no export of dissolved nutrients from the mangrove environment to the adjacent marine waters.     

Effect of oral methionine and vitamin E on blood lipid peroxidation in vitamin B6 deficient rats

Lipid peroxidation in blood of vitamin B6 deficient rats was significantly increased when compared to pair-fed controls. The observed increased lipid peroxidation in vitamin B6 deficiency was correlated with high levels of lipids, metal ions and low levels of antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced GSH. Supplementation of methionine or vitamin E along with the vitamin B6 deficient diet restored the levels of antioxidants to near normal and also protected against oxidative stress. However plasma TBARS level as well as total lipids were still elevated in M-B6 diet fed rats and normalized in E-B6-d rats.     

Transepithelial bioelectrical properties of rabbit acinar cell monolayers on polyester membrane scaffolds

In our quest to develop a tissue-engineered tear secretory system, we have tried to demonstrate active transepithelial ion fluxes across rabbit lacrimal acinar cell monolayers on polyester membrane scaffolds to evaluate the bioelectrical properties of the cultured cells. Purified lacrimal gland acinar cells were seeded onto polyester membrane inserts and cultured to confluency. Morphological properties of the cell monolayers were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining for Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and the tight junction-associated protein occludin. Sections revealed cell monolayers with well-maintained epithelial cell polarity, i.e., presence of apical (AP) secretory granules, microvilli, and junctional complexes. Na(+),K(+)-ATPase was localized on both the basal-lateral and apical plasma membranes. The presence of tight cell junctions was demonstrated by a positive circumferential stain for occludin. Bioelectrical properties of the cell monolayers were studied in Ussing chambers under short-circuit conditions. Active ion fluxes were evaluated by inhibiting the short-circuit current (I(sc)) with a Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain (100 microM; basal-lateral, BL), and under Cl(-)-free buffer conditions after carbachol stimulation (CCh; 100 microM). The directional apical secretion of Cl(-) was demonstrated through pharmacological analysis, using amiloride (1 mM; BL) and bumetanide (0.1 mM; BL), respectively. Regulated protein secretion was evaluated by measuring the beta-hexosaminidase catalytic activity in the AP culture medium in response to 100 microM basal CCh. In summary, rabbit lacrimal acinar cell monolayers generate a Cl(-)-dependent, ouabain-sensitive AP --> BL I(sc) in response to CCh, consistent with current models for Na(+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion.     

Oxalotrophic Paracoccus alcaliphilus isolated from Amorphophallus sp. rhizoplane

A new type of oxalate-utilizing Paracoccus sp. was isolated from Amorphophallus rhizoplane. Basic physiological tests and 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to identify the strain. Optimum growth was observed at 37 °C and pH 8.0 in minimal oxalate (0.5% disodium oxalate) with doubling time of 7 h. Its closest phylogenetic neighbours, as deduced by 16S rDNA-based analysis, were Paracoccus alcaliphilus KCT002, P. alcaliphilus JCM 7364 (TK1015) and P. seriniphilus MBT-A4 with 99.85, 98.35 and 97.31% sequence similarity respectively. Oxalate was metabolized via the serine pathway, as evidenced by the presence of oxalyl-coA reductase, l-serine glyoxylate aminotransferase and hydroxypyruvate reductase.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neurospora tetrasperma</Emphasis> crosses heterozygous for hybrid translocation strains produce rare eight-spored asci-bearing heterokaryotic ascospores

During ascogenesis in Neurospora, the ascospores are partitioned at the eight-nucleus stage that follows meiosis and a post-meiotic mitosis, and the ascospores that form in eight-spored asci are usually homokaryotic. We had previously created novel T ^Nt strains by introgressing four Neurospora crassa insertional translocations (EB4, IBj5, UK14-1, and B362i) into N. tetrasperma. We now show that crosses of all the T ^Nt strains with single-mating-type derivatives of the standard N. tetrasperma pseudohomothallic strain 85 (viz. T ^Nt a × 85A or T ^Nt A × 85a) can produce rare eight-spored asci that contain heterokaryotic ascospores, or ascospores with other unexpected genotypes. Our results suggest that these rare asci result from the interposition of additional mitoses between the post-meiotic mitosis and the partitioning of nuclei into ascospores, leading to the formation of supernumerary nuclei that then generate the heterokaryotic ascospores. The rare asci probably represent a background level of ascus dysgenesis wherein the partitioning of ascospores becomes uncoupled from the post-meiotic mitosis. Ordinarily, the severest effect of such dysgenesis, the production of mating-type heterokaryons, would be suppressed by the N. crassa tol (tolerant) gene, thus explaining why such dysgenesis remained undetected thus far.     

Biological treatment of a pulp and paper industry effluent by Fomes lividus and Trametes versicolor

White rot fungi Fomes lividus and Trametes versicolor, isolated from the Western Ghats region of Tamil Nadu, India, were used to treat pulp and paper industry effluents on a laboratory scale and in a pilot scale. On the laboratory scale a maximum decolourization of 63.9% was achieved by T. versicolor on the fourth day. Inorganic chloride at a concentration of 765 mg/l, which corresponded to 227% of that in the untreated effluent, was liberated by F. lividus on the 10th day. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was also reduced to 1984 mg/l (59.3%) by each of the two fungi. On the pilot scale, a maximum decolourization of 68% was obtained with the 6-day incubation by T. versicolor, inorganic chloride 475 mg/l (103%) was liberated on the seventh day by T. versicolor, and the COD was reduced to 1984 mg/l corresponding to 59.32% by F. lividus. These results suggested that F. lividus seems to be another candidate efficient for dechlorination of wastewater.