Cellophane Bag Research Articles

First Report of Ug99 Race TTKTT of Wheat Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in Iraq.

A wheat rust survey was conducted in Iraq in 2019 and collected 27 stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Erikks. & E. Henn.) samples. Seven samples were viable, and they were tested for races of P. graminis f. sp. tritici at the Regional Cereal Rust Research Center (RCRRC) in Izmir, Turkey under strict quarantine procedures. Two 0.5 cm segments of each infected stem sheath were incubated in a petri dish at 20°C for three hours for re-hydration of urediniospores, which were multiplied on 10-day old seedlings of susceptible cultivar Morocco grown in a spore free growth chamber at 18°C and 16 hours light. Inoculated seedlings underwent a dew period at 18°C for 16 hours dark and 8 hours fluorescent light and 95% relative humidity. Three days after moving the pots to a growth chamber with eight hours dark at 18°C and 16 hours light (300 µmol m-2s-1), each pot was covered using a cellophane bag. Bulk urediniospores of each collection were collected 14 days post-inoculation from a cellophane bag using a mini cyclone spore collector connected to a gelatin capsule. One ml of 3M Novec™ oil was added to each capsule, and spores were inoculated onto 20 North American stem rust differential lines using the standard procedures (Jin et al. 2008). Pre-inoculation, inoculation, incubation, and post-inoculation conditions were the same as above. Seedling infection types (ITs) were recorded 14 days post-inoculation using 0 to 4 scale (Stakman et al. 1962). Race designation followed the five- letter code nomenclature described by Jin et al. (2008). Out of the seven samples, four were typed as TKKTF, two as TKTTF, and one collected from an advanced breeding bread wheat line "Shahoo 2" (Inqalab 91*2/Tukuru) in a trial site at Halabja governorate showed mixed ITs of 11+ and 3+ for lines carrying Sr11, Sr24, Sr36, and Sr31. Three single pustule (SP) isolates were developed from the IT of 3+ pustules collected from the Sr31 tester line, and one SP isolate was developed from the IT 11+ pustule collected from the Sr11 source. After spore multiplication, the SP-derived isolates were inoculated on the 20 North American differential lines. To confirm virulence/avirulence on Sr24, Sr31, and Sr36, cultivars Siouxland (PI 483469, Sr24+Sr31) and Sisson (PI 617053, Sr36+Sr31) were also inoculated. All seedling assays were repeated three times. The three SP isolates virulent on Sr31 were designated as race TTKTT, and the SP isolate avirulent on Sr11 was designated as TKTTF. Seedling ITs of 3+ and 0; were recorded for Siouxland and Sisson against TTKTT, respectively, and both cultivars showed IT of 1+ against TKTTF. Race TKTTF was similar to TKKTF except for additional virulence on Sr36, and TTKTT differed from the other two races being virulent on Sr24 and Sr31. DNA analysis of three TTKTT isolates from Kenya and the TTKTT isolate from Iraq using a diagnostic qPCR assay developed by the USDA-ARS Cereals Disease Laboratory (Ug99 RG stage 1, Szabo unpublished) confirmed that all tested isolates belonged to the Ug99 lineage. Race TTKTT was first reported from Kenya in 2014 (Patpour et al. 2016), and in 2018 from Ethiopia (Hei et al. 2020). We report the first detection of TTKTT in Iraq and the Middle East region. This represents only the third instance of a member of the Ug99 race group outside of Africa since first detection of race TTKSK in Yemen in 2006, and Iran in 2007 (Nazari et al. 2009). The continued spread of stem rust races with complex virulence and the increasing frequency and early onset of stem rust infections in the Middle East is a cause for concern. Continuous support for rust surveillance and race typing in this region remains crucial.

Anti-dengue potential of bioactive protein from exophytic bacteria that are symbiotic with brown algae Sargassum sp.

Symbiont bacteria of algae are bioactive metabolite sources with potential as medicinal raw materials. This study aims to find out the anti-dengue potential of a protein fraction isolated from Enterobacter agglomerans SB 5(1) as the symbiont of brown algae Sargassum binderi collected from Lae-Lae island, South Sulawesi. These extracellular and intracellular fractions were isolated by ammonium sulphate fractionation at saturation levels of 0-20 %, 20-40 %, 40-60 %, and 60-80 %. The protein was purified by dialysis method using cellophane bag. Toxicity was tested by BSLT method using shrimp larvae of Artemia salina, Leach. Cytotoxicity test against vero cells infected with dengue virus DEVN-2 was performed by MTT method. Study findings indicate that intracellular protein fraction from E. agglomerans SB 5(1), a symbiont of brown algae Sargassum binderi, showed the presence of bioactive protein having strong toxicity with LC50 of 48.67 µg/mL. Anti-dengue activity toward vero cells indicates inhibition percentage and CC50 value of 70% and 260.37 µg./mL, respectively, therefore it had no potential as anti-virus dengue agent. In future studies, it is recommended to perform hydrolysis of protein compound from symbiont bacteria of Sargassum sp. to explore other peptide compounds with more potential as anti-dengue agents.

Quality characteristics and acceptability of cookies from sweet potato – maize flour blends

Purpose– This study aims to assess the quality characteristics and acceptability of cookies from sweet potato–maize flour blends and to determine nutritional quality, color and palatability traits and to compare the effects with that of wheat cookies, so as to suggest a cost-effective production method to bakers and retailers. This would ensure food security, enhanced health, combat malnutrition problems and improve the production of the crops.Design/methodology/approach– Cookies were prepared by the method reported by Okaka and Isieh (1990), Abayomiet al.(2013), Onabanjo and Ighere (2014) with modification. Flour (200 g) from each sample of different flour blends was used for the experiment. Sugar (80 g) was creamed with margarine (100 g) until light and fluffy constituency was obtained using Kenwood chef with initial minimum speed, and the speed increased stepwise until the mark of 6 on the chef indicator was attained. Whole egg (60 g) was added, then followed by flour (200 g), powdered milk (20 g), baking powder (0.1 g) and salt (1 g) were added and mixed until a stiff paste (batter) was obtained. The batter was rolled on a floured board using a rolling pin to a thickness of 0.2-0.3 cm. The rolled batter was cut into circular shapes with a cutter and arranged on a greased tray and baked at 1500°C for 20 minutes. The cookies were brought out, cooked and packaged in cellophane bag until used for laboratory analysis.Findings– The results revealed that substitution of sweet potato flour with maize flour significantly (p< 0.05) reduced the protein from 6.8-4.4 per cent, moisture from 5.3-5.0 per cent, crude fibre from 3.4-2.5 per cent and fat from 9.8-8.5 per cent of the composite flours and the cookies. The ash and sugar contents were increased from 4.3-5.8 per cent for ash and 2.1-3.9 per cent for sugar with increase in sweet potato flour substitution. The calorific value of the cookies decreased from 457-397 cal/100 g as the percentage of sweet potato flour increased in the maize flour cookies. Sensory evaluation results showed that the colour, texture, taste and overall acceptability changed significantly (p< 0.05) with increase in sweet potato flour substitution. The optimum substitution level was 40 per cent; above this, the product becomes less acceptable to the consumer.Research limitations/implications– Fabrication and production processing machines that use sweet potato will be a great challenge.Originality/value– This research is of value to the bakery industry or retailers. The optimum substitution level of sweet potato flour was 40 per cent, and it appears to be a promising measure from the view of practicability. The relative ease of getting sweet potato flour makes it superior to other imported flour like wheat and in reducing cost of importation of wheat to Nigeria.

A new controlled-release liquid delivery system based on diclofenac potassium and low molecular weight chitosan complex solubilized in polysorbates

A complex of low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) with oleic acid and diclofenac potassium (DP) was prepared and dispersed in high concentrations of polysorbate 20, 60 and 80 in water to form a solution which releases its components slowly. The formed complex was characterized using different analytical methods. The size of the resulted nanoparticles and the effect of tweens on size were followed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The release of DP from this delivery system was monitored by altering the molecular weight of chitosan and the type and concentration of the polysorbates used. The most suitable preparation consisted of DP, LMWC 13 kDa, and oleic acid. This was dispersed in 5% Tween 80 and the release was followed by the adaptation of USP II apparatus using a cellophane bag. This preparation offers a release of up to 24 h.

Seed production of cut-leaved teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) in central Missouri

Cut-leaved teasel is an invasive weed in Missouri that reduces the diversification of native species along roadsides and impairs traffic visibility. Teasel is a biennial and grows as a rosette in the first year and flowers the second year. Reproduction is only by seed. Field studies were conducted in 2004 and 2005 at two locations to assess the seed production of cut-leaved teasel. From a natural stand, fifteen plants were tagged at the onset of flowering. Selected plants included those considered growing in a group and those growing alone; a plant was considered alone when no other plant was adjacent for at least 60 cm. Whenever a seedhead completed flowering, it was covered with a cellophane bag and harvested one month later. Linear regression was used to correlate the weight of seeds from a single seedhead and number of seeds to estimate the total seed production per seedhead. The number of seedheads per plant varied from 3 to 56. On average, plants growing alone had 64% more seedheads per plant than plants occurring in a group. Seed numbers in the primary seedhead ranged from 511 to 1,487. Total seed production per plant ranged from 1,309 to 33,527. Seed production was 61% greater for plants growing alone versus those growing in a group and was more prolific in 2005 than in 2004. In addition, seed production per plant varied between locations for plants growing alone, but seed yield per plant was similar for plants growing in groups. Colonization of teasel in new areas is facilitated by higher seedhead numbers per plant and total seed production compared to reproduction of plants in areas of intraspecific competition.

Storage practices in the developing world: A survey of Nigerian households

Proper drug storage is essential, especially in tropical climates. Failure to do so can result in substrength products which can cause treatment failures. Little research has been done in Africa to examine this aspect of healthcare. The objectives of this study were to determine the pattern ofdrug storage at home in some communities in Nigeria, and to assess the conditions under which medicines are kept. A survey of households in some communities in Edo State, Nigeria, was undertaken using a validated questionnaire. Information on types of medication, dosage form,cost, source, and quantity stored in households, and reasons for using a particular storage facility were collected. Data were entered into Excel spreadsheet and sorted based on the research theme. Thereafter, the frequency distributions of the responses were determined. Of the 497 respondents surveyed, 209 (42.1%) indicated that they kept a total of 490 drugs on hand in their homes. The average number of drugs on hand among those who reported having them was 2.3±1.3 (median 2), the cost of which ranged from 10-2000 naira (USD $0.07-$13.33). Analgesics (43.7%), vitamins and nutrients (19.7%), and anti-malarial drugs (11.8%) were the most frequently stored classes of medicine. A majority of household medicines were stored in cellophane bag (36.9%), followed byclosed cupboard or drawer (25.9%), and household containers (9.6%). The study reveals the frequency of household stored medicines in Nigerian communities, which often were kept in suboptimal conditions. The implications of this practice along with recommendations for appropriatebehaviors are discussed.

Ethanol pretreatment increases DNA yields from dried tree foliage

DNA isolated from silica gel dried leaves are frequently low in yield and quality due to accumulation of phenolic compounds, which interfere with the quality of the isolated DNA. In this work, we attempted to improve DNA quality of silica gel dried leaves. Hence, leaves of Picea schrenkiana were collected and soaked in different concentrations of ethanol (70, 80, 90, 95, 100%) for different periods of time (24, 36, 48 h). Thereafter, leaves were dried and stored for about 8 days in a cellophane bag containing silica gel. Afterwards, DNA was isolated from the leaf samples using Cetyltrimethyl-Ammoniumbromide (CTAB) protocol. The result shows that soaking P. schrenkiana leaves in ethanol before preserving them in silica gel improved the DNA yield. This result indicates that, soaking leaf samples in ethanol prior to silica gel desiccation can increase DNA yield. Ethanol may have acted in disrupting the foliage cell wall, deactivating DNases in the foliage, and extracting certain carbohydrates from the foliage prior to the drying process, and thus, increase the DNA yield.

Simplified method for preparation of concentrated exoproteins produced by Staphylococcus aureus grown on surface of cellophane bag containing liquid medium.

A simplified method for preparation of concentrated exoproteins including protein A and alpha-toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus was successfully devised. The concentrated proteins were obtained by cultivating S. aureus organisms on the surface of a liquid medium-containing cellophane bag enclosed in a sterilized glass flask. With the same amount of medium, the total amount of proteins obtained by the method presented here was identical with that obtained by conventional liquid culture. The concentration of proteins obtained by the method, however, was high enough to observe their distinct bands stained on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This method was considered quite useful not only for large-scale cultivation for the purification of staphylococcal proteins but also for small-scale study using the proteins. The precise description of the method was presented and its possible usefulness was discussed.

Rock candy in a cellophane bag: A demonstration of pervaporation

Rock candy in a cellophane bag: A demonstration of pervaporation

The use of resins in the investigation of dynamics of nutrients in soils

The chemical potential of various elements in soils can be evaluated by using resins placed into the soil in a cellophane bag. This method permits continuous observations of the dynamics of nutrients in soil with a minimum of disturbance to the soil itself.

Location of inexchangeable sodium in the nucleus and cytoplasm of oocytes of Bufo bufo exposed to sodium-free solutions.

1. In oocytes exposed to Ringer solution in which Li substitutes for Na, 13-62% Na is inexchangeable with Li.2. Nuclei of oocytes isolated by dissection in salt solutions swell irrespective of the concentration or ionic components of the solution. When isolated in 4% bovine albumin solutions, swelling is negligible.3. When the nuclei of cells exposed to Li are isolated in 4% albumin solution, less than 6% of the inexchangeable Na is found in the nucleus, while 36-88% of it is found in the cytoplasmic fragments remaining after removal of the nucleus.4. When a Li-exposed cell is crushed in a cellophane bag and dialysed against Ringer or Li-substituted Ringer, 86-92% of the inexchangeable Na diffuses out.5. It thus appears that the inexchangeable Na is located almost entirely in the cytoplasm and hardly at all in the nucleus, and is not bound to macromolecules within the cell.

Hemoglobin charge dependence on hemoglobin concentration in vitro.

Studies have been made of the dependence of the charge of the hemoglobin molecule on hemoglobin concentration in the concentration range between 3 and 11 mmolal. The charge has been determined by measuring the distribution of (42)K between a hemoglobin solution in a cellophane bag and an external solution. The pH was 6.6, the K concentration was 10 mM, and the temperature was 4 degrees C. The charge decreased along a sigmoid curve from a value of +3 in the most dilute solutions to a value of +0.5 in the most concentrated solutions. The results were in excellent agreement with earlier studies of Gary-Bobo and Solomon in which Cl distribution was measured between human red cells and external solutions and thus give added support to the conclusion that the apparent anomalous osmotic behavior of human red cells may be attributed to concentration-dependent changes in the hemoglobin net charge. The present findings also support the view that the water in the red cell is solvent water for K and Cl and differs in no quantitatively important respect from bulk water in free solution.

In vitro antibacterial activity of disodium -sulfobenzylpenicillin.

Disodium α-sulfobenzylpenicillin (sulfocillin) shows a potent in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vitro studies of sulfocillin were carried out using the microorganisms lately isolated from clinical source. Sulfocillin demonstrates antibacterial activity against penicillin G resistant strains of staphylococci as nearly strong as that against the sensitive ones. Against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and P. mirabilis, sulfocillin is also active, while being moderate against P. morgani and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity is somewhat influenced by the inoculum size, being strong in the case of a small inoculum at acidic pH. The activity is influenced neither by the presence of horse serum in the medium, nor by the difference of test media. Protein binding rate of the penicillin examined by cellophane bag dialysis is low. Sulfocillin is relativelystable against staphylococcal penicillinase. Bacterial resistance to sulfocillin is demonstrated stepwise by the serial transfer, as in the case of carbenicillin. Cross resistance is found between sulfocillin and other penicillins against Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P and Escherichia coli NIHJ JC-1, which are made resistant to penicillins by serial subcultures in culture medium. Bactericidal and bacteriolytic examinations with S. aureus FDA 2O9P and E. coli NIHJ JC-1 reveals strong activities of sulfocillin. The paradoxical reduction of both activities at high concentrations of sulfocillin and carbenicillin was observed with S. aureus FDA 209P. Sulfocillin is relatively stable at pH 2.

Bovine thyrotopin: molecular weight of the hormone derived from soluble and granular pituitary fractions, and preparation of an active fragment by enzyme hydrolysis.

The molecular weight (mol wt) of TSH, as determined by gel filtration at pH 7.4, appears to lie between 23,000 and 32,000 for the hormone (a) in purified NIH-TSH, (b) released into the incubation medium from anterior pituitary slices, and (c) from deoxycholate-solubilized cytoplasmic granules. At pH 2.5, mol wt estimations of 50,000 and greater indicated aggregation of TSH molecules. Digestion of NIHTSH with papain yielded a biologically active (chick thyroid-131I depletion), dialyzable (Visking cellophane bag) component, which on Sephadex G-75 was estimated to have a mol wt of about 7000. These findings indicate that (a) circulating TSH exists in physiological fluids as a monomer whose mol wt lies between 23,000 and 32,000, (b) pituitary TSH is stored in cytoplasmic granules in the form of readily solubilized packets of the monomer, and (c) that a fragment only one quarter the size of the native TSH monomer retains biological activity. (Endocrinology 84:1257, 1969)

Biochemical and immunochemical studies of fungi. (10). Isolation and antigenic acitivity of yeast glucan

Acetone dried cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were treated with 45% phenol and further with autoclaving at 135° in water, and then the cell residue was extracted with 3% NaOH under N2 gas at 70° for 40 minute. An alkali-soluble glucan was precipitated from the extracts in a cellophane bag which was dialyzed against running tap water. No nitrogen and phosphorus was found in the gelatinous solid glucan. On the other hand, Fehling-Cu++ solution was added in the above mentioned hot-water extracts, and after removing mannan-Cu complex non-Cu polysaccharide (Fr I, II) was fractionated with DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. Sugar components of the Fr I and II contained mannose and glucose, and a large quantity of glycogen was estimated in the Fr I but not in the Fr II. Fr-G resulted from dilute HOAc treatment of alkali-soluble glucan contained glucose and a trace of mannose as sugar components.Anti-whole cells serum of S. cerevisiae which was absorbed with a complete purified mannan showed extremely weak precipitin titers (×200∼400) against these glucan fractions. Therefore, it appears that the antigenicity of glucan which located on internal wall of the whole cells may be almost neglected in case of agglutination test.

EXPLANATION FOR LIMITATION OF POPULATIONS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN BROTH CULTURES.

Freter, Rolf (Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.), and Atsushi Ozawa. Explanation for limitation of populations of Escherichia coli in broth cultures. J. Bacteriol. 86:904-910. 1963.-Veal Infusion Broth surrounding a cellophane bag containing a 24-hr culture of Escherichia coli was inhibitory to an inoculum of the same strain when kept under an atmosphere of nitrogen plus CO(2). The inhibition could be abolished by addition of glucose or by aeration. When a small inoculum of a dulcitol-positive E. coli strain was introduced into a fully grown (24 hr) static Veal Infusion Broth culture of a dulcitol-negative E. coli, no multiplication occurred. However, the inoculum did grow in the presence of a carbon source (dulcitol) which could not be utilized by the static population. The logarithmic growth rate attained by the dulcitol-positive inoculum under these conditions was independent of the dulcitol concentration. In contrast, the maximal population size was a function of the amount of dulcitol present. Similar results were obtained when sucrose or salicin was substituted for the dulcitol. All strains grew well in filtrates of 24-hr broth cultures with growth rates and maximal populations approximating those attained in fresh broth. It was thus concluded that populations of E. coli in broth cultures were limited by exhaustion of all those carbon and energy sources which could be utilized under the prevailing highly reduced conditions. No evidence of inhibitory metabolic end products was found except in broth supplemented with 1% glucose. Partial inhibition of multiplication was noted in the latter medium even when the pH was maintained between 6.9 and 7.2.

発熱性物質除去に関する研究 (第2報)

Pyrogen is now said to be a complex polysaccharide. Some success was gained by an attempt to oxidize pyrogen in serum with periodic acid at room temperature. The consumption of periodic acid was found to increase with passage of time. There was some destruction of antibodies but there was no decrease after 10 minutes. Diphtheria and Weil sera, positive for pyrogen, were adjusted to pH 7.0, periodic acid was added to 0.02 molar concentration, and oxidized by allowing to stand for 10 minutes at room temperature (20°). Excess periodic acid was decomposed with glycerol, the solution was placed in a cellophane bag, and dialyzed against running water for 48 hours. The dialyzate was filtered through a Seitz filter and the filtrate was submitted to the measurement of antibody value and pyrogen test with a rabbit. It was found that pyrogen had been decomposed and that the decrease of the antibody value was around 20%.

The intrarenal pressure during experimental renal hypertension.

The intrarenal interstitial pressure was measured during the course of experimental renal hypertension in dogs. In perinephritic hypertension, produced by wrapping the kidney in a cellophane bag, the intrarenal pressure rose slowly from the normal value of 25 mm. Hg to a final level of about 60 mm. Hg. Strong pressure pulsations were observed in the renal parenchyma during this type of hypertension. In the hypertension following partial occlusion of the renal artery, the intrarenal pressure remained approximately normal, except in malignant hypertension when it tended to decline to about 9 mm. Hg. The hypertension of perinephritis is interpreted as a consequence of renal ischemia, the high intrarenal pressure, produced by the constricting fibrotic hull, acting to reduce the effective perfusion pressure of the kidney. The two experimental hypertensions herein examined are considered as examples of influent resistance hypertensions and effluent resistance hypertensions, the former being due to renal arterial or arteriolar resistance and the latter due to renal venous resistance, specifically at the arcuate-interlobar junction. The application of this concept to renal hypertensive disease in man is discussed.

Further studies on formate incorporation by leukemic blood cells.

SummaryExperiments have been carried out which demonstrate that leukemic cells immobilized in a cellophane bag implanted in the abdominal cavity of a host mouse incorporate C14-formate much more rapidly than do normal lymphocytes.

Studies on the Nature of Antibodies Produced in Vitro from Bacteria with Hydrogen Peroxide and Heat

Studies on the Nature of Antibodies Produced in Vitro from Bacteria with Hydrogen Peroxide and Heat