Activators of serum lipoprotein lipase in alloxan diabetic rats

Summary The amount of free fatty acid (FFA) liberated with intralipid in post-heparin guinea-pig serum, when serum from alloxan diabetic rat is incubated, is higher than that liberated when serum from healthy rats is used. The above effect is probably due to larger quantities of lipoprotein lipase present in the diabetic serum.     

Replication pattern of double minutes derived from an insect cell line

The DNA replication pattern of double minutes derived from an established cell line of Aedes albopictus is described. Although the vast majority of double minutes replicate semiconservatively once during the S phase, some double minutes appear to exhibit different pattern(s). Two theories are suggested as possible explanations of our findings.     

Aldose metabolism in developing human fetal brain and liver

Summary Aldose reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activities were studied in human foetal brain and liver at different periods of gestation. Aldose reductase activity in liver disappears after 16 weeks of gestation whereas sorbitol dehydrogenase keeps on increasing in liver as well as in brain. In utero, some glucose metabolism may be mediated through an active sorbitol pathway in human fetuses.Acknowledgments. These studies were supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research.     

Aldose metabolism in developing human fetal brain and liver

Aldose reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activities were studied in human foetal brain and liver at different periods of gestation. Aldose reductase activity in liver disappears after 16 weeks of gestation whereas sorbitol dehydrogenase keeps on increasing in liver as well as in brain. In utero, some glucose metabolism may be mediated through an active sorbitol pathway in human fetuses.     

Further studies on the sensitivity of plant pathogenic microorganisms towards some naturally occurring chalcones and flavanones

Summary The antifungal and antibacterial activities of some quinochalcones, chalcones and flavanones isolated fromDidymocarpus pedicellata have been assayed.The authors are grateful to B.C.K.V.V. and CSIR, India, for financial assistance.     

Phosphorus partitioning and recovery of low-phosphorus iron-rich compounds through physical separation of Linz-Donawitz slag

The Linz-Donawitz (LD) steelmaking process produces LD slag at a rate of about 125 kg/t. After metallic scrap recovery, the non-metallic LD slag is rejected because its physical/chemical properties are unsuitable for recycling. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have indicated that non-metallic LD slag contains a substantial quantity of mineral phases such as di- and tricalcium silicates. The availability of these mineral phases indicates that LD slag can be recycled by iron (Fe)-ore sintering. However, the presence of 1.2wt% phosphorus (P) in the slag renders the material unsuitable for sintering operations. Electron probe microscopic analysis (EPMA) studies indicated concentration of phosphorus in dicalcium silicate phase as calcium phosphate. The Fe-bearing phases (i.e., wustite and dicalcium ferrite) showed comparatively lower concentrations of P compared with other phases in the slag. Attempts were made to lower the P content of LD slag by adopting various beneficiation techniques. Dry high-intensity magnetic separation and jigging were performed on as-received samples with particle sizes of 6 and 3 mm. Spiral separation was conducted using samples ground to sizes of less than 1 and 0.5 mm. Among these studies, grinding to 0.5 mm followed by spiral concentration demonstrated the best results, yielding a concentrate with about 0.75wt% P and 45wt% Fe.