A new species of the enigmatic genus \u3cem\u3eChiromachetes\u3c/em\u3e Pocock, 1899 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae) from Western Ghats, India, with a key to the genus

A new species of hormurid scorpion is described from the Western Ghats of India. Chiromachetes sahyadriensis sp. nov. differs from other members of this genus in the following set of characters: medium sized scorpions, total length reaching 62.9 mm, carapace flat, three pairs of lateral eyes, manus length/width ratio in males 4.6–4.8 and 3.4 in females, tarsi of leg ventrally with three spinoid setae at the base of tarsi. Dentate margin of pedipalp manus finger with two rows of granules fused at base. Pectines 8–9 in males, 6–8 in females. Lamellar hook positioned distinctly in basal half of hemispermatophore in proximity to the lamellae

Growth and yield responses of wheat cultivars to inoculation with N2-fixing bacteria under field conditions

In a field trial on clay loam soil, seeds of wheat cv. NI 747-19, NI 5439 and NI 5643 and Triticum durum cv. HD 2189, CC 464, UP 215, Malvika and Sonalika were inoculated with Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum brasilense. Inoculation increased the number of fertile tillers/plant, plant DW, grain yield and N content of grain, straw and soil at harvest. Grain yield with no inoculation, A. chroococcum and A. brasilense was 3.32, 3.85 and 4.04 t/ha, respectively. Of the parameters measured there were no differences between different cultivar

A new species of \u3cem\u3eOrthochirus\u3c/em\u3e Karsch, 1892 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Maharashtra, India

A new species of scorpions of the genus Orthochirus (Buthidae) is described from Jalna, Maharashtra, India. A key to Indian scorpion of the genus Orthochirus is provided

Association between N2-fixing bacteria and pearl millet plants: responses, mechanisms and persistence

The responses of different cultivars of Pennisetum americanum to inoculation with Azospirillum and Azotobacter spp. with applications of N fertilizer and FYM were studied in 25 experiments at several locations in India. Increased grain yields of >10% (up to 33%) over the non-inoculated controls were observed in 46% of the experiments. In 2 experiments, continued inoculation for 2 or 3 years increased grain, plant biomass yield and N uptake. Application of combined N and FYM tended to increase yield and total plant N uptake. Inoculation did not increase grain N content in any experimen

Biochemical Changes in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Plants Infected with Maize Mosaic Virus*

Biochemical changes in sorghum cultivars naturally infected with maize mosaic virus were investigated. Virus infection reduced plant biomass ranging from 10-53% among different cultivars. Total chlorophyll content in infected leaves was reduced. Reduction in nitrate reductase activity varied from 23-72% in the infected leaves of different cultivars but nitrate reductase activity in the stems of infected plants was significantly higher than in those of healthy plants. The relationship between plant biomass and leaf chlorophyll concentration was positive and that between plant biomass and stem nitrate reductase activity was negative. The relationship between plant biomass and stem N concentration was negative. Concentration of soluble sugars in leaves and stems of infected plants was increased. N concentration in the infected leaves was lower than in the healthy leaves but the N concentration in infected stems was higher. Electrophoretic analysis of soluble leaf proteins revealed the presence of two polypeptides of 21 and 22 kD in the infected but not in the healthy leaves and these were found to be not of viral origin by electro-blot immunoassay

An Effective Strategy for the Synthesis of Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles Using Cinnamon Phytochemicals for Phantom CT Imaging and Photoacoustic Detection of Cancerous Cells

This is a post-print version of the Pharmaceutical Research Article. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com. DOI 10.1007/s11095-010-0276-6Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the utilization of cinnamon coated gold nanoparticles (Cin-AuNPs) as CT/optical contrast enhancement agent for detection of cancer cells. Methods: Cin-AuNPs were synthesized by a “Green” procedure and the detailed characterization has been performed by physic-chemical analysis. Cytotoxicity and cellualar uptake studies were carried out in normal human fibroblast and cancerous (PC-3 and MCF-7) cells respectively. The efficacy of detecting cancerous cells was monitored using photoacoustic technique. In vivo biodistribution was studied after IV injection of Cin-AuNPs in mice and a CT phantom model was generated. Results: Biocompatible Cin-AuNPs were synthesized with high purity. Significant uptake of these gold nanoparticles was observed in PC-3 and MCF-7 cells. Cin-AuNPs internalized in cancerous cells facilitate detectable photoacoustic signals. In vivo biodistribution in normal mouse shows steady accumulation of gold nanoparticles in lungs and rapid clearance from blood. Quantitative analysis of CT values in phantom model reveals that the cinnamon phytochemicals coated AuNPs has reasonable attenuation efficiency. Conclusions: The results indicate that these non-toxic Cin-AuNPs can serve as excellent CT/ photoacoustic contrast enhancement agents and may provide a novel approach toward the tumor detection through nanopharmaceuticals.This work has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute under the Cancer Nanotechnology Platform program (grant number: 5R01CA119412-01), NIH - 1R21CA128460-01; NIH-SBIR-Contract no. 241, and University of Missouri-Research Board - Program C8761 RB 06-030

New project to support scientific collaboration electronically

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95417/1/eost10181.pd

Characterization and application of a sterol esterase immobilized on polyacrylate epoxy-activated carriers (DilbeadsTM)

The sterol esterase from the ascomycete Ophiostoma piceae was immobilized on novel polyacrylate-based epoxy-activated carriers (DilbeadsTM). Six supports with particle sizes between 120-165 micrometers were prepared varying the composition of monomers, crosslinkers and porogens. Their surface areas and porosities were determined by N2 adsorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The pore volumes ranged from 0.63 to 1.32 cm3/g, but only DilbeadsTM RS and NK had narrow pore size distributions (with maxima at 33.5 and 67.0 nm, respectively). The distribution of the enzyme in the support was studied by fluorescence confocal microscopy. The immobilized esterase on DilbeadsTM TA showed a significant pH and thermal stability and was assayed in the continuous hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters -present in the pulp industry process waters-.We thank Mª Teresa Seisdedos (Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CSIC) for help with the confocal microscopy. This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Projects BIO2002-00337 and BIO2003-00621) and Comunidad de Madrid (Project S-0505/AMB0100). We thank CSIC for a research fellowshipPeer reviewe

Comparative oncology and clinical translation of glyco protein conjugated gold nano therapeutic agent (GA-198AuNP) [abstract]

Nanoscience Poster SessionAs part of our efforts toward clinical translation of GA-198AuNP, our studies are focused on therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticulate GA198AuNP agent in dogs with prostatic carcinoma. The overall goal is to gain clinical insights on therapeutic efficacy of GA198AuNP in a large animal model. We have performed a phase I clinical trial using GA-AuNP administered intravenously or intratumorally by injection or infusion. CT scans were performed prior to injection and 24 hours post injection in 3 of the 4 dogs. Following injections, dogs were allowed further treatment as recommended by the primary attending clinician. Four dogs have been treated to date. Complications related to GA-AuNP treatment were not observed, and all 4 dogs received adjunctive treatment with radiation therapy and/ or chemotherapy. These preliminary studies have clearly provided compelling evidence on the therapeutic potential of biocompatible GA-AuNP for their utility as novel therapeutic agents in treating various types of inoperable solid tumors. Intra-tumoral and intravenous administration of GA-AuNP is safe in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumors. As further therapeutic efficacy studies continue, the outcome of this clinical trial in a large animal model will generate therapeutic efficacy data which will be used for filing IND application for Phase I clinical trial studies. This clinical translation effort provides significant advances in terms of delivering optimum therapeutic payloads into prostate cancers with subsequent reduction in tumor volume, thus may effectively reduce/eliminate the need for surgical resection. This presentation will include details of clinical translation of GA198AuNP in prostate tumor bearing dogs