ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION OF APIGENIN FROM ALLIUM FISTULOSUM

Objective: The objective of this study is to optimize the extraction of apigenin (4′, 5, 7-trihydroxy-flavone) from Allium fistulosum. Methods: The present study aims at extracting flavonoids from the plant using methanol as a solvent. Phytochemical screening was performed to analyse the phytochemical constituents present in the extract. Apigenin was isolated from the leaves of A. fistulosum and further purified and identified by TLC and HPLC. Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of various constituents like terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, reducing sugars, phenolics, cardiac glycosides and amino acids. TLC results indicated the presence of apigenin in the plant extract with the Rf value of 0.88, which coincided with the standard apigenin of Rf value 0.83. HPLC results showed a similarity in the peak of 17.1 min of the standard with the minor peak of 17.324 min of the sample. This proved the presence of apigenin in low quantities. Conclusion: This present study suggests that Allium fistulosum can be a moderate source of apigenin. This compound was isolated for the first time from this plant.

A Rare Presentaion of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumour, with an annual incidence of approximately one per million. Almost all cases occur in patients aged 40 to 50 years, but there is a minor peak in occurrence among children younger than 5 years. It demonstrates no significant gender predilection. At the time of presentation, ACC tend to be very large and have usually spread beyond the confines of the adrenal gland. The presentation of this tumour may vary, either it can present as virilisation or Cushing’s syndrome or both. The authors present their experience of a rare presentation of an asymptomatic ACC with a large size of tumour mass with no metastasis with just complain of burning micturition in a 55-year-old male patient which was difficult to diagnose clinically. The patient is doing well after surgical management.

Structural insights into DNA-stabilized silver clusters

Sedimentation profiles shows that purified AgDNA nanoclusters exist in both extended (major peak) and compact (minor peak) morphologies.

Dynamique De La Population De La Crevette D’eau Douce Atya Scabra (Leach, 1815) (Decapoda: Atyidae) Dans La Rivière Bia, Région Du Sud-Comoé (Côte d’Ivoire)

The parameters of growth, mortality, the exploitation and the recruitment of Atya scabra (Leach, 1815) as traditionally fished in the Bia river, were studied. These parameters were determined from the size frequencies by the FiSAT II software. The results obtained at the specimens of Aboisso were:= 156,45 mm, K = 1,50 year -1, Φ' = 4,56, Z = 5,72 year -1, M = 1,48 year -1, F = 4,24 year -1 and E = 0,74 year -1. In Biaka, theestimated values were: L = 140,7 mm, K = 0,68 year -1, Φ' = 4,13, Z = 1,52year -1, M = 0,91 year -1, F = 0,61 year -1 and E = 0,40 year -1 . Aboisso specimens have a higher growth performance index (Φ') than Biaka's and a weak longevity (tmax = 2 years) compared to Biaka (tmax = 4.41 years). Shrimps are under exploited in the locality of Biaka (E 0.5). Total mortality is higher in Aboisso than in Biaka. However, the survival rate recorded in Aboisso (S = 0.003 years) is lower than that of Biaka (S = 0.22 years). Recruitment is continuous throughout the year, with two peaks (a major peak in September and a minor peak in February) in Aboisso. As for Biaka, the presence of a normal distribution indicates that recruitment is single. These results will serve as a database for rational management of A. scabra.

Feeding of masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou in the Okhotsk Sea in autumn

Feeding habits of masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou in the Okhotsk Sea is investigated. Its main prey in fall season is fish, amphipods, and euphausiids. However, the diet composition depends on the area: for masu with size of 30-40 cm it is mainly fish in the biostatistical districts 8 and 11 and zooplankton in other areas; besides, the zooplankton prey is replaced by fish for elder and larger salmons. The stomach fullness has significant circadian rhythm with one main maximum (70-700 ‱) and one minor peak. The main maximum was observed at 21 o’clock in 2002 but at 15 o’clock in 2006 and at 18 o’clock in 2009 and 2015 (local time).

Numerical Study of Plasmon Resonance Silver Nanoparticles Coated Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) using Bohren-Huffman-Mie Approximation

<p class="TTPAbstract">In this study, we have investigated the LSPR spectra of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) coated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by means of a numerical study using Bohren-Huffman-Mie (BHMie) approximation. The LSPR of Ag-NPs shifted to red-shift as the diameter size of Ag-NPs and the thickness of PVA increased. The peak of the LSPR spectra exponentially increased as the thickness increased. Interestingly, there have three characteristic of the LSPR spectra, small, intermediate, and large diameter. In small diameter, the dipole resonant mode contributed to the LSPR spectra while in large diameter, the LSPR spectra originated from the quadrupole resonant mode. In contrast to intermediate diameter, the LSPR spectra originated from the competition between the dipole and the quadrupole mode. For this reason, at small and large diameter the LSPR peak has one peak and increased then until a certain thickness showed constant. Different at intermediate diameter, the LSPR peak appeared more one peak with major peak increased then until a certain thickness trend to decrease and minor peak followed at small diameter behavior.</p>

Numerical Study of Plasmon Resonance Silver Nanoparticles Coated Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) using Bohren-Huffman-Mie Approximation

<p class="TTPAbstract">In this study, we have investigated the LSPR spectra of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) coated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by means of a numerical study using Bohren-Huffman-Mie (BHMie) approximation. The LSPR of Ag-NPs shifted to red-shift as the diameter size of Ag-NPs and the thickness of PVA increased. The peak of the LSPR spectra exponentially increased as the thickness increased. Interestingly, there have three characteristic of the LSPR spectra, small, intermediate, and large diameter. In small diameter, the dipole resonant mode contributed to the LSPR spectra while in large diameter, the LSPR spectra originated from the quadrupole resonant mode. In contrast to intermediate diameter, the LSPR spectra originated from the competition between the dipole and the quadrupole mode. For this reason, at small and large diameter the LSPR peak has one peak and increased then until a certain thickness showed constant. Different at intermediate diameter, the LSPR peak appeared more one peak with major peak increased then until a certain thickness trend to decrease and minor peak followed at small diameter behavior.</p>

Kinetics Study on Controlled Crystallization of a Ca2ZnSi2O7 Phase in Materials Obtained from Vitrification of Metallurgical Slag and Recycled Soda Lime Glass

Non isothermal kinetics of a glass obtained from a mixture of 59 wt % of metallurgical slag and 41 wt % of soda lime recycled glass was studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The curves of differential thermal analysis revealed the presence of two exothermic peaks, a major peak at 810 °C and a minor peak at 1085 °C. DRX revealed that the first exothermic peak corresponds to the formation of hardystonite, Ca2ZnSi2O7 and aegirine, NaFe3+Si2O6, while the second minor peak corresponds to the formation of zinc ferrite, ZnFe2O4. The activation energy of the crystallization, <em>Ea</em>, was calculated with the Kissinger equation from DTA data, obtained at different heating rates. In addition, the particle size effect on the kinetics of crystallization was studied. The Avrami factor, <em>n,</em> was calculated with Augis-Bennett method. The values of obtained<em> Ea</em> increase with bigger particle sizes and also the value of n, indicating that for small particles the superficial crystallization mechanism is predominant, while bulk mechanism is preferential on large particles. Obtained materials are suitable for some structural applications.

Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Scylla spp. Larvae in the Lawele Bay, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

A study on the dynamics of the zoeae larvae of Scylla spp. was conducted in Lawele Bay, Southeast Sulawesi from November 1999 to September 2000, to determine the spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of the zoeae larvae of Scylla spp. and to examine their relationship with water parameters. Sampling was done during flood and ebb tides using a modified miller net high speed sampler with 300 µm mesh. Temperature, salinity and pH were measured at the surface and taken parallel to each plankton haul. The results showed that zoeal abundance was higher during flood tide than ebb tide. Seasonal abundance of the zoeae had three peaks belonging to the dry season (south monsoon), one in March as minor peak and the other two in June and in November as major and moderate peaks, respectively. Water salinity and pH were significantly correlated with zoeal abundance in the respective flood and ebb tides (p < 0.05). Zoeal abundance decreased toward less saline waters, and were absent at low salinity stations (0.3 – 17.3 ppt). Our results suggest that zoeal prefer seawater for development to the megalopal stage.

Amino-Terminal Form of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) with Immunologic Similarities to hPTH(1–84) Is Overproduced in Primary and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Background: To separate non-(1–84)parathyroid hormone [non-(1–84)PTH] from PTH(1–84), we developed new HPLC gradients and observed that the peak coeluting with hPTH(1–84) could be separated into two entities recognized by a cyclase-activating PTH (CA-PTH) assay that reacts with the first four amino acids of the PTH structure. Methods: Sera from six healthy individuals and five patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and eight pools of sera from patients in renal failure were fractionated by HPLC. A total (T)-PTH assay reacting with the (15–20) region, the CA-PTH assay, and a COOH-terminal (C)-PTH assay with a (65–84) structure requirement were used to measure basal and fractionated PTH values. Results: T-PTH was higher than CA-PTH in all healthy controls [mean (SD), 3.13 (0.37) vs 2.29 (0.33) pmol/L; P &lt;0.01] and in renal failure patients [47 (35.1) vs 33.4 (26.1) pmol/L; P &lt;0.01]. By contrast, CA-PTH concentrations were similar to or higher than T-PTH in three of five patients with primary hyperparathyroidism [25.7 (26.1) vs 23.1 (24.2) pmol/L; not significant]. The CA-PTH assay reacted with the hPTH(1–84) peak and with a minor peak different from the non-(1–84) peak recognized by the T-PTH assay. This minor peak was not recognized by the T-PTH assay. It represented 8 (2)% of CA-PTH in controls, 25 (23)% in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and 22 (7)% in renal failure patients, assuming equimolar reactivity to hPTH(1–84) in the CA-PTH assay. It was not oxidized hPTH(1–84), which migrated differently on HPLC and reacted similarly in the CA and T-PTH assays. Conclusions: This new molecular form of PTH has structural integrity of the (1–4) region but presumably is modified in the region (15–20), which is usually recognized by the T-PTH assay. Its clinical implications remain to be defined.