Metabolic status of temperature induced swollen conidia ofAspergillus nidulans

Summary There is an active synthesis of DNA, RNA, protein, and carbohydrate in conidia incubated at 48°C. DNA increases more or less 3 times; while RNA, protein and carbohydrate are synthesized at a much faster rate. Conidia do not germinate at this temperature.Acknowledgments. Grateful thanks are due to Professor B. M. Johri for valuable suggestions. R. K. S. acknowledges with thanks a Senior Research Fellowship of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.     

心脏信号处理进展

本书是关于如何提取、分析心电图（ECG）信号不同特征的论文集，由南洋理工大学访问教授U．R．Acharya等四位学者主编。该书包含不同作者撰写的20篇论文，分为20个章节。这些论文论述了在不同阶段提取、分析心脏信号特征的方法，以及如何通过这些特征对心脏功能进行正确判断和分类。     

Hemicastration-induced changes in the electrophoretic pattern of some enzymes in the brain of the skink,Mabuya carinata

Summary Hemicastration in the skink induces change in the electrophoretic pattern of some enzymes like LDH, MDH, acid phosphatase and esterases.The authors wish to thank Prof. N.B. Krishnamurthy for his encouragment, UGC, New Delhi for their financial help to DTP and SM, and CSIR, New Delhi for MR.     

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.     

Therapeutic silencing of an endogenous gene by systemic administration of modified siRNAs

RNA interference (RNAi) holds considerable promise as a therapeutic approach to silence disease-causing genes, particularly those that encode so-called 'non-druggable' targets that are not amenable to conventional therapeutics such as small molecules, proteins, or monoclonal antibodies. The main obstacle to achieving in vivo gene silencing by RNAi technologies is delivery. Here we show that chemically modified short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can silence an endogenous gene encoding apolipoprotein B (apoB) after intravenous injection in mice. Administration of chemically modified siRNAs resulted in silencing of the apoB messenger RNA in liver and jejunum, decreased plasma levels of apoB protein, and reduced total cholesterol. We also show that these siRNAs can silence human apoB in a transgenic mouse model. In our in vivo study, the mechanism of action for the siRNAs was proven to occur through RNAi-mediated mRNA degradation, and we determined that cleavage of the apoB mRNA occurred specifically at the predicted site. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of siRNAs for the treatment of disease.     

Formation of microstructural features in hot-dip aluminized AISI 321 stainless steel

Hot-dip aluminizing (HDA) is a proven surface coating technique for improving the oxidation and corrosion resistance of ferrous substrates. Although extensive studies on the HDA of plain carbon steels have been reported, studies on the HDA of stainless steels are limited. Because of the technological importance of stainless steels in high-temperature applications, studies of their microstructural development during HDA are needed. In the present investigation, the HDA of AISI 321 stainless steel was carried out in a pure Al bath. The microstructural features of the coating were studied using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These studies revealed that the coating consists of two regions:an Al top coat and an aluminide layer at the interface between the steel and Al. The Al top coat was found to consist of intermetallic phases such as Al₇Cr and Al₃Fe dispersed in an Al matrix. Twinning was observed in both the Al₇Cr and the Al₃Fe phases. Furthermore, the aluminide layer comprised a mixture of nanocrystalline Fe₂Al₅, Al₇Cr, and Al. Details of the microstructural features are presented, and their formation mechanisms are discussed.     

Base excision repair and design of small molecule inhibitors of human DNA polymerase β

Base excision repair (BER) can protect a cell after endogenous or exogenous genotoxic stress, and a deficiency in BER can render a cell hypersensitive to stress-induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death, mutagenesis, and chromosomal rearrangements. However, understanding of the mammalian BER system is not yet complete as it is extraordinarily complex and has many back-up processes that complement a deficiency in any one step. Due of this lack of information, we are unable to make accurate predictions on therapeutic approaches targeting BER. A deeper understanding of BER will eventually allow us to conduct more meaningful clinical interventions. In this review, we will cover historical and recent information on mammalian BER and DNA polymerase β and discuss approaches toward development and use of small molecule inhibitors to manipulate BER. With apologies to others, we will emphasize results obtained in our laboratory and those of our collaborators.     

Toxicity ofParthenium hysterophorus L. to cattle and buffaloes

Summary Parthenium hysterophorus L., when fed to buffalo bull calves and cross bred bull calves resulted in acute toxicity leading to death. The former animals developed severe dermatitis. Autopsy revealed ulceration of alimentary tract. Extensive pathological changes were noticed in liver, kidney and skin.Acknowledgments. We thank, Dr Satish Dhawan and Mr M. A. Sethu Rao for their keen interest. The help rendered by Bangalore City Corporation authorities in the supply of Parthenium is gratefully acknowledged.