Evaluation of Genetic Homogeneity in Tissue Culture Regenerates of Jatropha curcas L. using Flow Cytometer and DNA-based Molecular Markers

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the reliability of in vitro propagation methods for elite genotypes of Jatropha curcas L., that maintain genetic integrity of tissue culture (TC) regenerates among two regeneration systems developed through direct shoot bud regeneration using nodal/apical shoot segments (protocol-A) and in vitro-derived leaves (protocol-B) as explants. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR), simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers, and flow cytometery (FCM) were employed to evaluate genetic homogeneity in TC-regenerates at different passages of subcultures. RAPD markers showed genetic homogeneity in fifth-generation TC-regenerates of both protocols. ISSR markers showed genetic stability of leaf regenerates (protocol-B) at 10th generation. FCM analysis of TC-regenerates at 10th generation in protocol-B and at 20th generation in both protocols, showed stability of ploidy level. SSR assessment of TC-regenerates at 20th generation in both protocols confirmed genetic homogeneity. The results confirmed the genetic stability of the TC-regenerates and demonstrated the reliability of the regeneration systems developed so far using explants of two different origins, for large-scale multiplication of elite genotypes of Jatropha.     

Novel potentiometric and optical silver ion-selective sensors with subnanomolar detection limits

Ten Ag⁺-selective ionophores have been characterized in terms of their potentiometric selectivities and complex formation constants in solvent polymeric membranes. The compounds with π-coordination show much weaker interactions than those with thioether or thiocarbamate groups as the coordinating sites. Long-term studies with the best ionophores show that the lower detection limit of the best Ag⁺ sensors can be maintained in the subnanomolar range for at least 1 month. The best ionophores have also been characterized in fluorescent microspheres. The so far best lower detection limits of 3 × 10⁻¹¹ M (potentiometrically) and 2 × 10⁻¹¹ M Ag⁺ (optically) are found with bridged thiacalixarenes.     

Gene Cloning,Expression, and Characterization of Recombinant Aerolysin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas hydrophila</Emphasis>

Aerolysin is a significant virulent toxin protein secreted by Aeromonas hydrophila; it produces deep wound infections and hemorrhagic septicemia. The complete aerolysin gene (1,482 bp) was amplified from A. hydrophila. Furthermore, it was cloned and expressed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) codon plus RP cells using 0.5 mM IPTG for induction. The protein size was 54 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE, and it was purified by Ni–NTA affinity chromatography. Anti-His antibodies were used to characterize the expressed aerolysin by Western blotting and showed hemolytic activity with fish red blood cells. Aerolysin may be used as immunoassays for earlier control of A. hydrophila and is also compatible for vaccination.     

A combined extraction and DFT study on the complexation of H3O+ with a hexaarylbenzene-based receptor

Abstract  

By means of theoretical calculations at density functional level, the complex structure of a hexaarylbenzene-based receptor with Na⁺ was derived. In the resulting complex having C ₃ symmetry, the sodium cation synergistically interacts with the hydrophilic polar ethereal oxygen fence and with the central hydrophobic benzene bottom of the parent receptor via cation–π interaction.     

alpha-Nitration of Ketones via Enol Silyl Ethers. Radical Cations as Reactive Intermediates in Thermal and Photochemical Processes

Highly colored (red) solutions of various enol silyl ethers and tetranitromethane (TNM) are readily bleached to afford good yields of alpha-nitro ketones in the dark at room temperature or below. Spectral analysis show the red colors to be associated with the intermolecular 1:1 electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes between the enol silyl ether and TNM. The formation of similar vividly colored EDA complexes with other electron acceptors (such as chloranil, tetracyanobenzene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, etc.) readily establish enol silyl ethers to be excellent electron donors. The deliberate irradiation of the diagnostic (red) charge-transfer absorption bands of the EDA complexes of enol silyl ethers and TNM at -40 degrees C affords directly the same alpha-nitro ketones, under conditions in which the thermal reaction is too slow to compete. A common pathway is discussed in which the electron transfer from the enol silyl ether (ESE) to TNM results in the radical ion triad [ESE(*)(+), NO(2)(*), C(NO(2))(3)(-)]. A subsequent fast homolytic coupling of the cation radical of the enol silyl ether with NO(2)(*)() leads to the alpha-nitro ketones. The use of time-resolved spectroscopy and the disparate behavior of the isomeric enol silyl ethers of alpha- and beta-tetralones as well as of 2-methylcyclohexanone strongly support cation radicals (ESE(*)(+)) as the critical intermediate in thermal and photoinduced electron-transfer as described in Schemes 1 and 2, respectively.     

A New Ultrasensitive Chromogenic Chelating Reagent for use in the Chromatographic Separation and Detection of Metal Ions

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - The heavy metal ions Mn2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Bi3+, and Ag+ can be visualized as violet, black, green, yellow-green,...     

Lipschitz-Nikolski\imath constants and asymptotic simultaneous approximation on theM n -operatorsconstants and asymptotic simultaneous approximation on theM n -operators

This note is a study of approximation of classes of functions and asymptotic simultaneous approximation of functions by theM _n -operators of Meyer-König and Zeller which are defined by $$(M_n f)(x) = (1 - x)^{n + 1} \sum\limits_{k = 0}^\infty {f\left( {\frac{k}{{n + k}}} \right)} \left( \begin{array}{l} n + k \\ k \\ \end{array} \right)x^k , n = 1,2,....$$ Among other results it is proved that for 0<α≤1 $$\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } n^{\alpha /2} \mathop {\sup }\limits_{f \in Lip_1 \alpha } \left| {(M_n f)(x) - f(x)} \right| = \frac{{\Gamma \left( {\frac{{\alpha + 1}}{2}} \right)}}{{\pi ^{1/2} }}\left\{ {2x(1 - x)^2 } \right\}^{\alpha /2} $$ and if for a functionf, the derivativeD ^m+2 f exist at a pointx∈(0, 1), then $$\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } 2n[D^m (M_n f) - D^m f] = \Omega f,$$ where Ω is the linear differential operator given by $$\Omega = x(1 - x)^2 D^{m + 2} + m(3x - 1)(x - 1)D^{m + 1} + m(m - 1)(3x - 2)D^m + m(m - 1)(m - 2)D^{m - 1} .$$      

Quinalizarin anchored on Amberlite XAD-2. A new matrix for solid-phase extraction of metal ions for flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

Amberlite XAD-2 has been functionalized by coupling it to quinalizarin [1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone] by means of an -N = N- spacer. Elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectra were used to characterize the resulting new polymer matrix. The matrix has been used to preconcentrate Cu(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) before their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). UO₂(II) has been preconcentrated for fluorimetric determination. The optimum pH values for maximum adsorption of the metals are between 5.0 and 7.0. All these metal ions are desorbed (recovery 91–99%) with 4 mol L^–1 HNO₃. The adsorptive capacity of the resin was found to be in the range 0.94–5.28 mg metal g^–1 resin and loading half-life (t_1/2) between 5.3 and 15.0 min. The effects of NaF, NaCl, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO₄, Ca(II), and Mg(II) on the adsorption of these metal ions (0.2 μg mL^–1) are reported. The lower limits of detection for these metal ions are between 1 and 15.0 μg L^–1. After enrichment on this matrix flame AAS has been used to determine these metal ions (except the uranyl ion) in river water samples (RSD ≤ 6.5%); fluorimetry was used to determine uranyl ion in well water samples (RSD ≤ 6.3%). Cobalt from pharmaceutical vitamin tablets was preconcentrated by use of this chelating resin and estimated by FAAS (RSD ～ 4%).