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.     

Incidence of actinomycetes infection in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices

Pancervicovaginal smears taken from 350 women using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) were screened for the presence of actinomycetes organisms. Of the 12 cases in which actinomycetes-like organisms were seen in Papanicolaou-stained smears, the presence of actinomycetes organisms was confirmed by immunofluorescence in 10 cases. The prevalence of actinomycetes infection was thus 2.8% (10 of 350 cases) in the IUD users. Eight (4.3%) of 173 symptomatic subjects had actinomycetes infections. Two of the positive cases were asymptomatic. Eight of the ten patients with confirmed actinomycetes infection were using the Cu T device while two were wearing the Lippes Loop IUD. Seven of the ten patients had been using an IUD for more than two years. The time of insertion of the IUD (postpuerperal, postmenstrual or after medical termination of pregnancy) did not show any correlation with the presence of actinomycetes infection. Actinomyces israelii was responsible for the infection in eight cases while Arachnia propionica was seen in two cases. The organisms could not be grown in culture.     

Effect of Centchroman (67/20) and 78/224 on nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis during implantation in rats

The biosynthesis of nucleic acids and proteins was studied in rat uterus by following the incorporation of [³H]-thymidine, [³H]-uridineand[¹⁴C]-leucinein control and pregnant rats in the presence and absence of two anti-implantation drugs. One of the drugs, 78/224 caused a significant increase in incorporation whereas the other drug, Centchroman, caused an inhibition in incorporation of all the three precursors. The implications of these changes in the light of estrogenicity, agonist and antagonist actions of anti-estrogens have been analysed. The importance of homeostatic mechanisms involved in nucleic acids and proteins for the maintenance of constant internal milieu for blastocyst attachment has been discussed.     

Fluidity,permeability and antioxidant behaviour of model membranes incorporated with α-tocopherol and vitamin E acetate

Magnetic resonance studies reveal a marked difference between the binding of α-tocopherol and that of the corresponding acetate (vitamin E acetate) with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles. This is reflected in differences in the phase-transition curves of the DPPC vesicles incorporated with the two compounds, as well as in the ¹³C relaxation times and line widths. A model for the incorporation of these molecules in lipid bilayers has been suggested. α-Tocopherol binds strongly with the lipids, possibly through a hydrogen bond formation between the hydroxyl group of the former and one of the oxygen atoms of the latter. The possibility of such a hydrogen bond formation is excluded in vitamin E acetate, which binds loosely through the normal hydrophobic interaction. The model for lipid-vitamin interaction explains the in vitro decomposition of H₂O₂ by α-tocopherol. α-Tocopherol in conjuction with H₂O₂ can also act as a free-radical scavenger in the lipid phase. The incorporation of α-tocopherol and vitamin E acetate in DPPC vesicles enhances the permeability of lipid bilayers for small molecules such as sodium ascorbate.     

Modification of supported lipid membranes by atomic force microscopy

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to structurally modify supported lipid bilayers in a controlled quantitative manner. By increasing the force applied by the AFM tip, lipid was removed from the scanned area, leaving a cut through the lipid bilayer. Cuts were repaired with the AFM by scanning the region with a controlled force and driving lipid back into the cut. A slow self-annealing of cuts was also observed.     

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).     

Glucose oxidase immobilized electrode for potentiometric estimation of glucose

Glucose oxidase has been immobilized onto a thin platinum strip, by co-crosslinking with bovine serum albumin and glutaraldehyde. The retention of redox characteristics of glucose oxidase has been verified by cyclic voltammetry. The activity of the immobilized enzyme reduces to a quarter of its value when the enzyme is in solution but improves when coimmobilized with 1 urea. The potentiometric response builds up and remains stable after 100 s. It is sensitive to the thickness of the immobilizing matrix, pH and temperature. An improvement in the performance of the electrode has been achieved by coimmobilizing 2 urea and metal ions such as Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺. The presence of Cu has been proved to be detrimental. The electrode has been calibrated in the 0.1–5.0 mM glucose concentration range. It gives a stable response for more than 50 independent assays and can be stored for 60 days without significant loss of function.     

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.