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Carnivorous plants acquire most of their nutrients by capturing ants, insects and other arthropods through their leaf-evolved biological traps. So far, the best-known attractants in carnivorous prey traps are nectar, colour and olfactory cues. Here, fresh prey traps of 14 Nepenthes, five Sarracenia, five Drosera, two Pinguicula species/hybrids, Dionaea muscipula and Utricularia stellaris were scanned at UV 366 nm. Fluorescence emissions of major isolates of fresh Nepenthes khasiana pitcher peristomes were recorded at an excitation wavelength of 366 nm. N. khasiana field pitcher peristomes were masked by its slippery zone extract, and prey capture rates were compared with control pitchers. We found the existence of distinct blue fluorescence emissions at the capture spots of Nepenthes, Sarracenia and Dionaea prey traps at UV 366 nm. These alluring blue emissions gradually developed with the growth of the prey traps and diminished towards their death. On excitation at 366 nm, N. khasiana peristome 3:1 CHCl3-Me OH extract and its two major blue bands showed strong fluorescence emissions at 430-480 nm. Masking of blue emissions on peristomes drastically reduced prey capture in N. khasiana pitchers. We propose these molecular emissions as a critical factor attracting arthropods and other visitors to these carnivorous traps. Drosera, Pinguicula and Utricularia prey traps showed only red chlorophyll emissions at 366 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel mixed ligand nickel complex [NiLB] [H2L-N-4-diethylaminosalicylidine-N′-4-nitrobenzoyl hydrazone and B-4-picoline] has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, UV-Vis spectrum and structure has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure analysis. The crystal structure reveals that the complex adopts distorted square planar structure with ONO donor atoms of primary ligand and N donor atom of the secondary ligand 4-picoline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biochemical differences between right hemispheric dominant and left hemispheric dominant individuals are assessed with regard to nitric oxide synthesis. Nitric oxide is an important neuro-transmitter involved in erectile function. The following parameters were evaluated: the plasma HMG CoA reductase activity, isoprenoid metabolite - digoxin, plasma magnesium and RBC membrane Na[SUP+]-K[SUP+]ATPase activity, and NO levels. The results showed that right hemispheric dominant individuals had increased plasma HMG CoA reductase activity and elevated digoxin levels, decreased plasma magnesium and RBC membrane Na[SUP+]-K[SUP+]ATPase activity, and increased levels of NO. Left hemispheric dominant individuals had the opposite patterns with reduced nitric oxide synthesis. Cerebral chemical dominance can regulate nitric oxide synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kurup KA, Kurup PA. Digoxin and brain function. Background and objectives: The study assessed the biochemical differences between right hemispheric-dominant and left hemispheric-dominant individuals. The chemical hemispheric-dominance in various systemic and neuropsychiatric diseases was also studied. Methods: The isoprenoid metabolites, digoxin, dolichol and ubiquinone, glycoconjugate metabolism, free radical metabolism and the RBC membrane composition, were studied in individuals with differing hemispheric-dominance. The digoxin levels and RBC membrane Na[sup +]-K[sup +]ATPase activity were also studied in systemic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Results: The results showed that right hemispheric-dominant individuals had elevated digoxin levels, increased free radical production and reduced scavenging, increased tryptophan catabolites and reduced tyrosine catabolites, increased glycoconjugate levels and increased cholesterol : phospholipid ratio of RBC membranes. Left hemispheric-dominant individuals had the opposite patterns. This patterns could be correlated with various systemic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Conclusion: Right hemispheric-dominance represents a hyperdigoxinaemic state with membrane sodium–potassium ATPase inhibition. Left hemispheric-dominance represents the reverse pattern with hypodigoxinaemia and membrane sodium–potassium ATPase stimulation. Hemispheric-dominance could predispose to various systemic and neuropsychiatric diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study to evaluate the effects of co-treatment of septage in a sewage treatment pond system. Characteristics and treatment options of septage; Use of a first order kinetics model to estimate the treatment efficiency of the pond system; Status of the separation of oil and grease from septage prior to discharge into the pond.

The human hypothalamus produces an endogenous membrane Na[sup +]-K[sup +] ATPase inhibitor, digoxin. Membrane Na[sup +]-K[sup +] ATPase inhibition leads to increase in intracellular calcium and upregulated nitric oxide synthesis. In homosexuals, promiscuous heterosexuals, and bisexuals there was increased digoxin synthesis, reduced membrane Na[sup +]-K[sup +] ATPase activity, increased nitric oxide levels, increased tryptophan catabolites, and reduced tyrosine catabolites. This pattern correlated with that obtained in right hemispheric chemical dominance. In nonpromiscuous heterosexuals and left hemispheric chemical dominance there was hypodigoxinemia and the reverse biochemical patterns. Hemispheric dominance and hypothalamic digoxin could regulate sexual orientation. This has to be viewed in the setting of hyperdigoxinemia reported in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]