Tissue specific glucose-trehalose variations during spinning in the eri-silkworm, (Philosamia ricini)

The beginning of spinning process in Eri-silkworm is characterized by sharp fall in the levels of glucose and trehalose in silkgland which gets completely decomposed after 6 days of spinning. Fatbody actively synthesizes trehalose during early days of spinning which results in enhanced level of this disaccharide in haemolymph. On the other hand, decreased glucose concentration of body fluid during early days of spinning is apparently because of its absorption by silkgland for its energetic needs.

Evaluation of circulant partial diallel crosses in maize

The present study was conducted in maize (Zea mays L.) on crosses among 20 diverse parents. The materials were evaluated in four different environments for eight characters. Combining ability analysis was carried out following diallel and partial diallel crosses. The number of crosses per parent (s) varied from 3 to 19 and the results were studied to identify the critical value of s that would provide an adequate information with minimum resources. The S5 partial diallel was as good as the S19 for the detection of differences among general combining ability (GCA) effects. Even the S3 gave adequate information in the case of characters with high heritability. However, partial diallel analysis was less efficient in detecting the differences due to specific combining ability (SCA) effects. These results varied with environments, and characters with low heritability were more prone to misinterpretation. GCA effects showed fluctuations in partial diallel analysis which were more pronounced in S5 and S3, particularly for characters with low heritability. The average standard error of difference between GCA effects increased with a decrease in s, with a steep slope for s < 7. The partial diallel analysis was more efficient for the estimation of the variance component of GCA than for SCA, as the estimate of SCA was biased upwards. Estimates of broad sense heritability obtained from the partial diallels agreed with the full diallel analysis better than the narrow sense estimates. Smaller partial diallels gave erratic estimates of heritability, particularly for the characters with low heritability.

Relative insensitivity of mitochondria in hardened and nonhardened rye coleoptile cells to freezing in situ

Mitochondria were isolated from excised coleoptiles of hardened and nonhardened winter rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Puma) seedlings which had been frozen extracellularly to different temperatures. No significant differences in the respiratory functions (ADP/O and respiratory control) were observed between mitochondria isolated from nonlethally and lethally frozen cells of both the hardened and nonhardened rye. These results suggest that mitochondria in situ can retain their normal function even after the cell was killed by the dehydrative stresses of extracellular freezing. Presumably, a different level of sensitivity to freezing stresses exists between mitochondrial and other membranous elements in the cell.

Immediate endocrine and metabolic consequences of traumatic quadriplegia in a young woman

Onset of paralysis by cervical spinal cord injury led immediately to temporary adrenocortical activation and, within 2 days, to sustained skin and bone breakdown. Urine cAMP was increased, blood parathyroid hormone, renin activity, and electrolytes were normal, and fluid and electrolytes balance became negative during the initial 6 days of paralysis.

Early biochemical response of pulmonary tissue to manganese dioxide

The biochemical response of pulmonary tissue to MnO2 dust burden of 30 days duration was studied in rats. The activities of enzymes from isolated fractions of rat lungs were not significantly altered, even though manganese content was increased significantly in tissues remote from lungs, indicating translocation of the dust from its intrapulmonary location.

Treatment of diaphragmatic hernia in buffaloes

The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.

Hemangioendothelioma of the mandible: report of case

A case of hemangioendothelioma of the mandible, the third of its kind to involve the jawbone is reported. The radiological appearance of new bone formation is a unique feature in this case. The vascular malignant tumor has a poor prognosis.

Therapeutic activity of sulphadimethoxine and bifuran against E. tenella and effect of medication on the development of immunity

Therapeutic activity of sulphadimethoxine and Bifuran in drinking water against different levels of infection (5,000 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 oocysts per chick) with Eimeria tenella and effect of medication on development of immunity was assessed. Medication was started after 96 hours of the infection. Sulphadimethoxine gave better control (performance indices: 234, 193, 155 and 112, respectively) than Bifuran (performance indices: 194, 129, 74 and 40, respectively) against all levels of the infection tested. Effectiveness of both the drugs decreased with increasing levels of the infection. Both the drugs interfered in the development of immunity which was inversely proportionate to the level of infection. Interference in development of immunity was more with sulphadimethoxine but these chicks were still solidly immune to the challenge infection.