Zinc,copper and manganese levels in various tissues following fluoride administration

Summary Distribution of zinc, copper and manganese has been studied in liver, kidney and bone of rats subjected for 10 months to varied fluoride concentrations in drinking-water. In the liver a significant fall in the levels of Mn, Cu and Zn was registered. In the kidney, the Mn level fell whereas the zinc level increased. In the bone, the copper content fell, whereas the manganese content increased.     

Differential removal of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in rat serum by solvent extraction procedures

Solvent extraction of serum and other biological fluids at an acidic pH is a convenient method to remove the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs); however, an incomplete removal of IGFBPs can occur and this can potentially interfere with the radioimmunoassay of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). This study compared the removal of IGFBPs from normal adult rat serum and 5-day old neonatal rat serum by acid-gel filtration, and three solvent extraction methods, i.e., acid-ethanol (AE), acid-cryo-ethanol (ACE) and formic acid-acetone (FAA) treatments by western ligand blotting and slot-blotting analysis. In adult rat serum all three extraction methods removed nearly 75% of total IGFBPs present. For the neonatal serum, AE and FAA were very inefficient in eliminating the IGFBPs, while ACE was somewhat better, as it removed nearly 30% of IGFBPs. Ligand blots of extracted samples showed that IGFBPs of lower size range, 24 to 32 kDa (IGFBP-4, IGFBPs-1 and-2), were resistant to solvent extraction. Acid-gel filtration, in contrast, eliminated >95% of IGF-binding components in both sera. Determination of IGF-I concentrations in samples after gel filtration and extraction methods revealed lower IGF-I values in neonatal serum in acid extracted samples. These data caution against using solvent extractions for IGFBP removal in fetal/neonatal serum.     

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.     

Contraction of frog stomach muscle and frog heart in electrolyte-free solutions

Zusammenfassung Der Verlust der Reizbarkeit bei Froschherz- und Magenmuskulatur auf verschiedenen Temperaturstufen verläuft parallel mit einem Adenosintriphosphat-Verlust, was andeutet, dass das Nichtfunktionieren in natriumfreier Lösung von einem Adenosintriphosphat-Verlust abhängig ist.     

Tetrasomy and quadruple trisomy in pea

Summary Two off-type plants, morphologically distinguishable from each other and from their respective sister euploid, were isolated in the M₃ generation of pea interchange heterozygotes. Pollen sterility was very high, ranging from 63.0 to 90.0%. Cytologically one of them was tetrasomic (2n+2=16) and the other one was quadruple trisomic (2n+1+1+1+1=18). In the tetrasomic plant 1IV+6II was the most frequent (46.7%) chromosome configuration, while cells with 4III+3II were predominant (40.0% cells) in the quadruple trisomic plant.Financial assistance of C.S.I.R., New Delhi, India is acknowledged.     

The distribution of quinone pigments in echinoderms

Zusammenfassung Das Vorkommen chinonoider Pigmente bei allen Echinodermen deutet auf eine Beziehung zwischen Seeigeln und Schlangensternen, ebenso zwischen Seesternen und Seewalzen hin. Die Verteilung der Sterine und der Saponine weisen in dieselbe Richtung. Die klassische embryologische Theorie stützt diese Verwandtschaftsauffassung.     

Dilation of nervi corporis allati 2 (NCA 2) — a neurohaemal structure inChrysocoris stolli wolf. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Summary The NCA 2 is dilated in about the middle of its length. Neurosecretory material is stored in this dilation. It serves as a secondary neurohaemal organ for lateral neurosecretion.     

Effect of seasonal variations and cold acclimation on serum transaminase activity of common Indian frogRana tigrina

Summary A definite seasonal change is observed in 2 transaminases, SGOT and SGPT ofR. tigrina. Cold acclimation significantly depresses transaminase activity of serum.Acknowledgments. Thanks are due to Dr M.M. Goil and Dr R. K. Sharma for their invaluable help in various ways. Dr K. Singh would also like to thank S.C.S.T., U.P., for the financial assistance.     

Effects of varied photoperiods on rhythmic activity of thyroid gland in a teleost,Mystus vittatus (bloch)

Résumé La glande tyroide duMsytus vittatus sous photoperiodes normales montre des variations cycliques saisonnières: Au cours d'un an il y eut 2 phases d'activité tyroidale augmentée et chacune fut séparée par 1 phase de repos. Sous illumination prolongée le type de variations resta identique; sauf les phases de repos furent enregistrées 2 mois plus tôt que la normale. Ce plan rythmique d'activités disparut dans une obscurité totale et l'activité tyroidale demeura a un niveau élevé toute l'année.     

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

Summary Protein, total free amino acid and RNA accumulated in the silk gland of eri-silkworm decrease drastically within 2–4 days of spinning. In contrast, the fatbody presents an augmentation of total protein concentration towards the end of the spinning process. The hemolymph maintains constancy of these molecules with little variation.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to Dr R. N. Singh, Principal, for providing necessary facilities, to Dr A. B. Das, Prof. and Head of Zoology Dept Visvabharti University for valuable suggestions and to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India, for financial assistance.