Changes in the levels of pituitary and steroid hormones in ovine and human ovarian follicular fluid

Changes in the protein and steroid hormones of follicular fluid, aspirated from different follicles of sheep and human ovaries, have been measured and correlated with the size of the follicles. As the fluid contains a number of proteins, steroids have been measured directly and after ether extraction. The follicular fluid concentrations of progesterone and 17 beta-oestradiol measured directly in the fluid increased with the size of the follicles. The levels of free testosterone remained constant in all sizes of follicles, while those of bound hormone showed a 10- to 15-fold increase over the free testosterone concentrations in both the sheep and human follicular fluid. A decrease in the levels of bound testosterone in the fluid of large follicles (LFFL) coincided with the increase in bound 17 beta-oestradiol, suggesting the possible conversion of bound testosterone to oestrogen as the follicle attained maturity. The ratio of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to luteinizing hormone (LH) varied in the fluid obtained from different size follicles, being 1:7 in small (SFFL), 1.3.5 in medium (MFFL) and 1:2.3 in large (LFFL) follicles of sheep ovaries. The LH content of follicular fluid of different size follicles appeared to be the same, with LFFL showing a minor increase over SFFL. In the human, the fluid from medium follicles contained very little LH compared to LFFL. These differences in the pattern of LH levels present in the fluid from different size follicles between human and sheep ovaries presumably reflect species variations in the entry of LH into the follicles.     

Effect of Early Iron Deficiency in Rat on the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Shunt in Brain

Early iron deficiency in rat does not affect the weight or the protein, DNA, and RNA content but results in a slight reduction in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (13%, p less than 0.01) and glutamic acid (20%, p less than 0.001) content of the brain. The activities of the two GABA shunt enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase and GABA-transaminase, and of the NAD+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) were inhibited whereas the glutamic acid decarboxylase, mitochondrial NADP+-linked ICDH, and succinic dehydrogenase activities remained unaltered in brain. On rehabilitation with the iron-supplemented diet for 1 week, these decreased enzyme activities in brain attained the corresponding control values. However, the hepatic nonheme iron content increased to about 80% of the control, after rehabilitation for 2 weeks. A prolonged iron deficiency resulting in decreased levels of glutamate and GABA may lead to endocrinological, neurological, and behavioral alterations.     

The Natural Occurrence of Chickpea Chlorotic Dwarf Geminivirus in Chickpea and Faba Bean in the Sudan

A survey of faba bean and chickpea for virus infection, conducted during February 1994 in the Sudan, showed that bean yellow mosaic potyvirus and broad bean mottle bromovirus occurred commonly in both crops. Chickpea chlorotic dwarf geminivirus (CCDV) was detected for the first time in naturally infected chickpeas and faba beans. This is the first report of natural CCDV infection of chickpeas outside India and the first record of chickpea and faba bean infection in West Asia and North Africa (WANA).     

A study of the pollen grains of Amaranthus spinosus Linné and A. Dubius Mart ex Thellung and their hybrids

A pollen-morphology study of Amaranthus spinosus, A. dubius, and their hybrids has been carried out. Three pollen types have been observed, namely (1) Type A: micrograins; (2) Type B: grains with smaller pores; and (3) Type C: grains with larger pores. Type B is characteristic of A. spinosus, Type C of A. dubius, and the micrograins of the hybrids. Pollen size range, and frequency of the various morphotypes serve to throw light on the biosystematics of the plants studied.     

Critical analysis of factors influencing sphaeroplast generation from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Efficient synthesis of large numbers of viable sphaeroplast from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been found to be influenced by a number of factors. In this case, Trichoderma harzianum, NCIM 1185, culture filtrate has been used to prepare sphaeroplast from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, NCIM 3288. A method has been devised to isolate large number of viable sphaeroplast from the cell. Detailed analysis of various factors affecting the formation of sphaeroplasts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has not yet been reported. This study showed critical analysis of various factors which influenced sphaeroplast formation. Most suitable conditions were: Age of the organism in slant — 1 d, cell age in liquid medium — 24 h, time of incubation of cell with 0.3% -mercaptoethanol — 30 min, level of lytic ezyme concentration — 79.2 ml, concentration of cell (dry wt. equivalent) — 0.1262 g, time of contact with lytic enzyme — 25 min, temperature of sphaeroplast formation — 30 °C, phosphate buffer — 25 mM of pH 6.5 and KCl as osmotic stabilizer — 0.7 M.     

Histological and histochemical studies of the male reproductive system of Ligia exotica Roux (Crustacea: Isopoda)

The male reproductive system of Ligia exotica consists of a pair of testes, a pair of vasa deferentia and a pair of genital pores. The testes are tube-like, unpigmented and translucent and each is composed of three elongate, fusiform follicles. The follicular lumen of the mature testis contains spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. The histochemical reactions of the testis and the vas deferens show the presence of acidic sulphated mucopolysaccharides and neutral mucopolysaccharides. In addition, they contain basic proteins, tyrosine, disulphide groups, SH-groups, SH-groups, lipids, phospholipids, RNA and DNA.     

Solid Phase and Solution Phase Synthesis of Gamma Amino Acid Homo-Oligomers and Mixed Oligomers

Abstract  

An efficient stepwise synthesis of homo-oligomers and mixed oligomers of gabapentin and pregabalin on solid support using Fmoc-protected derivatives and HBTU/HOBt/DIEA as coupling agent is described. The synthesis was also carried out using solution phase methodology. The Gpn/Pgn homo oligomers and mixed oligomers forms C₉ helix in solution as determined by NMR study. Chiral as well as achiral gamma amino acids were used for the synthesis of oligomers in order to investigate the secondary structural preferences.     

Bioprospecting for hyper-lipid producing microalgal strains for sustainable biofuel production

Global petroleum reserves are shrinking at a fast pace, increasing the demand for alternate fuels. Microalgae have the ability to grow rapidly, and synthesize and accumulate large amounts (approximately 20-50% of dry weight) of neutral lipid stored in cytosolic lipid bodies. A successful and economically viable algae based biofuel industry mainly depends on the selection of appropriate algal strains. The main focus of bioprospecting for microalgae is to identify unique high lipid producing microalgae from different habitats. Indigenous species of microalgae with high lipid yields are especially valuable in the biofuel industry. Isolation, purification and identification of natural microalgal assemblages using conventional techniques is generally time consuming. However, the recent use of micromanipulation as a rapid isolating tool allows for a higher screening throughput. The appropriate media and growth conditions are also important for successful microalgal proliferation. Environmental parameters recorded at the sampling site are necessary to optimize in vitro growth. Identification of species generally requires a combination of morphological and genetic characterization. The selected microalgal strains are grown in upscale systems such as raceway ponds or photobireactors for biomass and lipid production. This paper reviews the recent methodologies adopted for site selection, sampling, strain selection and identification, optimization of cultural conditions for superior lipid yield for biofuel production. Energy generation routes of microalgal lipids and biomass are discussed in detail.