Effect of Tween 80 on lipids ofMycobacterium phlei ATCC 354

Summary Addition of Tween 80 to the growth medium brings about qualitative and quantitative changes in the lipids ofMycobacterium phlei ATCC 354. The results suggest that Tween 80 itself may be a variant in the system.Acknowledgments. K. R. D. is grateful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, for the award of Senior Research Fellowship. This study was supported in part by funds from Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, and University Grants Commision, New Delhi.     

Measurement of orientation responses of caterpillars indoors and outdoors on a grid

Summary A method has been developed to measure orientation responeses of caterpillars to various sources of stimuli at predetermined distances on a grid of intersecting ribs indoors and outdoors.The authors are grateful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for grant which partially supported this work and to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, for the Junior Research Fellowships to P. K. and S. G.     

Giemsa `and formation in M-chromosomes of Vicia faba

Summary Various alterations in Giemsa banding technique have been introduced to observe their influence on band formations in M-chromosome of Vicia faba root tip dividing cells. With the introduction of some minor alterations in the technique, revelation of a large number of classes of constitutive heterochromatin has been made possible. Apparently such Giemsa banding pattern is comparable to the ones observed in a routine way amongst mammalian chromosomes.Acknowledgments. This study was supported by a grant from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi (No. 7/13 [619]/72 GAU. I), to JPG and from the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi (No. 31/BS/323), to SKS.     

Muscle specific structural differences in piscine muscle glycogens

Summary Piscine red muscles are rich in glycogen content. Structurally white muscle glycogens have one glucosidal unit more in their external branches than the red muscles.The author wishes to thank the CSIR, New Delhi for the award of a Junior Research Fellowship.     

Effect of starvation on the blood ofOphiocephalus punctatus (Bloch)

Summary During starvation the values of RBC, WBC counts, Hb content and packed cell volume declined. After 15, 21 and 27 days of starvation little fluctuation was noted but major fluctuation was recorded after 33 days of starvation in all the above parameters.Thanks are due to CSIR, New Delhi, for financial assistance.     

Eyestalks control of diurnal rhythm of acetylcholinesterase activity in the crabOziotelphusa senex senex

Summary The crab (Oziotelphusa) displays a diurnal rhythm of acetylcholinesterase activity, with maximal activity around midnight, alternating with minimal activity at noon. Bilateral eyestalk ablation eliminates the diurnal rhythm of acetylcholinesterase activity.Acknowledgments. We wish to express our gratitude to CSIR, New Delhi for providing financial support to PSR. Reprint requests should be addressed to Prof. R. Ramamurthi.     

Effect of B-chromosomes on the duration of mitotic cycle in pearl millet

Summary Effect of B-chromosomes on the duration of the mitotic cycle was studied by a colchicine shock method in the root-tip cells of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides). 3 B-chromosomes were found to have very little effect, whereas 5 B-chromosomes resulted in an increase of the duration by about 39%.This investigation was financed by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.     

Toxic substances produced byFusarium. X. Concerning the malformation disease of mango

Summary Accumulation of mangiferin and degraded carotenoids, in response toFusarium moniliforme infection, has been suggested to be responsible for the malformation disease ofMangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae).Acknowledgments. The authors are indebted to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for financial assistance to carry out this project.     

Tissue specific biochemical alterations prior to spinning in the eri-silkworm,Philosamia ricini

Summary Silkgland, fatbody, hemolymph and midgut of eri-silkworm present tissue specific turnover in their biochemical correlates in preparation for spinning of the cocoon which is followed by larval-pupal transformation.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to Dr R. N. Singh, Principal, for providing the necessary facilities, to Dr A. B. Das, Zoology Dept. Visvabharti University for valuable suggestions and to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India, for financial assistance.     

Robustaflavone—the first member of a new series of biflavones

Zusammenfassung Isolierung und Strukturaufklärung eines neuen Typs der Biflavone ausAgathis robusta.

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Acknowledgment: The author is thankful to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India, for financial assistance.     

Reflexine,a new indole alkaloid ofRauwolfia reflexa

Summary Reflexine, a new indole alkaloid, has been isolated from the leaves ofRauwolfia reflexa Teijsm. and Binn. From spectral studies, chemical reactions and correlation with seredamine, reflexine is shown to be its C-17 epimer (IV).Grateful thanks are accorded to ProfessorR. H. Thomson, Dr.R. T. Brown, Dr.Nitya Nand and Dr.S. C. Pakrashi for spectral measurements. Financial assistance from CCRIMH, New Delhi, and UGC, New Delhi, are also thankfully acknowledged.     

Effect of the scorpion,Heterometrus fulvipes (C. Koch), venom on some enzyme systems in rat (albino) tissues

Summary Sublethal doses ofHeterometrus fulvipes venom decreased NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activity levels and increased NADP-specific glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity levels during a 48-h-period.Acknowledgments. D. V. thanks the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, for awarding a Senior Research fellowship.     

Pseudo-isochromosomes in pearl millet

Summary Meiosis in a plant with 2n=12+2 pseudo-isochromosomes was studied. The pseudo-isochromosomes were compensating for the loss of the 3rd chromosome pair of the normal diploid complement.Acknowledgments. The authors are thankful to Dr J. Sybenga, for his helpful suggestions. The first 2 authors are thankful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for financial assistance.     

Inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis and of tumor growth by activated lymphocytes

Summary Inhibition in angiogenesis (neo-vascularization) and of growth of a tumor piece graft in the anterior chamber of the eye of mice have been observed in the presence of activated syngeneic lymphocytes.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to ICMR, New Delhi, for financial assistance and to Mr N.C. Ghosh for illustration.     

Characterization of free amino acids in the hemolymph ofAchaea janata L. larvae (Lep.Noctuidae)

Summary 19 free amino acids were separated and quantified from the hemolymph of 5th instar larvae of the mothAchaea janata. Proline, histidine, threonine/glutamine/asparagine, lysine, valine and serine were the predominant amino acids in the hemolymph. Changes in amino acid concentration are discussed in relation to metabolic and other physiological activities.Acknowledgment. Y.P. Ramdev wishes to thank the Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India for providing Senior Research Fellowship.     

Dial variations in the levels of blood glucose and hepatopancreatic glycogen in the slug,Laevicaulis alte (Ferussac 1821)

Summary InLaevicaulis alte maximal blood glucose level at 00.00 h alternates with minimal level at 12.00 h of the day, while hepatopancreatic glycogen showed an opposite trend. Variations in blood glucose levels are inversely proportional to the corresponding variations in hepatopancreatic glycogen content, while blood glucose level shoots up to a maximum, hepatopancreatic glycogen declines to a minimum and vice versa.Acknowledgment. The authors thank Prof. K.S. Swami for providing facilities. The financial assistance rendered by ICMR (DCR), UGC (VJ) and CSIR (KS), New Delhi, India is gratefully acknowledged.     

Enzymic basis for the nutritional requirement of arginine in insects

Summary The fat body of the cockroach, Blaberus cranifera, and the silkmoth, Hyalophora gloveri, has been tested for some enzymes of the urea cycle. While ornithine transcarbamoylase and argininosuccinase activities could not be detected, arginase is present in the fat body of these insects. These results explain the essentiality of arginine in the diet of insects.This work was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (GB-4524 and GB-8172) and the U. S. Public Health Service (AI 05006).Recipient of a Fulbright Travel Grant from the USEFI (New Delhi)     

Anthraquinone glycoside from the seeds ofCassia occidentalis Linn.

Zusammenfassung InCassia occidentalis Linn. wurde das 1-Glukosid des 3-Methyl-6-methoxy-1,8-dihydroxy-anthrachinons nachgewiesen.

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The author thanks the C.S.I.R., New Delhi, India, for financial assistance.     

Potentiation of the inhibition of xanthine oxidase by a combination of 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine

Summary Carcinostatic agents, 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine inhibited the in vitro and in vivo activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase (xanthine-oxygen oxidoreductase E.C. 1.2.3.2.). Simultaneous, addition of a mixture of the 2 antimetabolites produced a synergistic effect on the inhibition of the enzyme activity.We thank the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for their financial assistance and the Dean, M.G.M. Medical College Indore, for providing necessary facilities.     

A study on the parameters of digestion inPeriplaneta americana L

Summary An attempt was made to provide evidence for the regulatory mechanism for digestion inPeriplaneta americana by studying possible correlations between digestive enzymes, taking midgut protease activity into considerationI wish to acknowledge Prof. J. Bahadur, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India, for his supervision, criticism and encouragement during the course of this study. Award of Junior Research Fellowship by C.S.I.R., New Delhi is also thankfully acknowledged.