Access to stem cells and data: persons, property rights, and scientific progress

Many fields have struggled to develop strategies, policies, or structures to optimally manage data, materials, and intellectual property rights (IPRs). There is growing recognition that the field of stem cell science, in part because of its complex IPRs landscape and the importance of cell line collections, may require collective action to facilitate basic and translational research. Access to pluripotent stem cell lines and the information associated with them is critical to the progress of stem cell science, but simple notions of access are substantially complicated by shifting boundaries between what is considered information versus material, person versus artifact, and private property versus the public domain.     

Chemical characterization of Klason lignin preparations from plant-based foods

To analyze the accuracy of the Klason lignin method as applied for the determination of lignin contents in plant based-food products, Klason lignin preparations from curly kale, pears, whole wheat grains, and corn bran were chemically characterized. Characterization included routine ash and protein determinations and the extraction of fat/waxes as well as cutin/suberin depolymerization and extraction of the liberated monomers. Fat/wax and cutin/suberin amounts in the Klason lignin preparations were determined gravimetrically, and their compositions were analyzed by using GC-MS. Typical fat, wax, and cutin (and suberin) constituents such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, hydroxy and/or epoxy fatty acids, and phenolic acids were identified in all samples, whereas the detection of long-chain hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ketones, sterols, stanols, and dioic acids was dependent on the sample analyzed. Estimation of the contribution of non-lignin compounds to the Klason lignin contents reduced the noncorrected Klason lignin contents of the insoluble fibers from 28.7% (kale), 22.8% (pear), 14.8% (wheat), and 9.9% (corn) to maximum lignin contents of 6.5% (kale), 16.4% (pear), 4.9% (wheat), and 2.3% (corn). These data demonstrate that certain commonly used statements such as "cereal brans are highly lignified" need to be revised.     

Effects of heating and freezing on the viability of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis levinei from cardiac tissues of buffaloes

Dogs fed buffalo heart muscle containing sarcocysts of Sarcosystis levinei and heated at 65-75 degrees C did not shed sporocysts, whereas other dogs fed infected heart muscle heated between 40 and 60 degrees C shed sporocysts. Dogs fed infected heart muscle stored at -4 degrees C for 48 h did not shed sporocysts, but those fed similar infected tissues stored at -2 degrees C for 24 h shed sporocysts. The results indicate that sarcocysts of S. levinei are rendered noninfective by heating to 65 degrees C or by freezing at -4 degrees C.     

Autoecological Studies on Mottra (Clinogyne dichotomy Salisb)

Clinogyne dichotoma , Salisb, belonging to the family Marantaceae, is a perennial crop with remarkable morphological characteristic. Present study on the anatomical features revealed their adaptability in waterlogged low-lying marshy lands unsuitable for the cultivation of any other crop.     

Auxin synergists in the rooting of mango cuttings

Preplanting application of phenolic compounds, p-hydroxybenzoic acid p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, in most cases promoted auxin-induced rooting on cuttings of mango, a difficult-to-root fruit plant. The ethylene-releasing chemical CEPA (ethrel, ethephon) also stimulated rooting in the presence of auxins. Synergism was more pronounced in the presence of IBA than with IAA. To a certain extent, root-promoting effects of auxins and non-auxin chemicals were related to the utilization of carbohydrate fractions from the region of root formation. Utilization of reserve polysaccharides assumed greater importance only during the root-development phase.     

Nutrient intake, digestibility, and blood metabolites of goats fed diets containing processed jatropha meal

This study was conducted to record the ideal source and level of alkali treatment to treat jatropha meal (JM) and to determine the effect of inclusion of variously processed JM (pJM) on nutrient intake, digestibility, blood metabolites and hormonal status in goats. The JM was treated with 10 g/kg sodium chloride and 5 g/kg calcium hydroxide. The content of phorbol ester and hemagglutination (HA) activity of JM and pJM were assessed. A feeding trial for 90 days was conducted in short-haired multipurpose goats (n?=?15; five per group). The experimental animals were offered oat (Avena sativa) straw ad libitum throughout the experimental period of 90 days. Each group was assigned to one of the three diets, viz. R₁—soybean meal, R₂—sodium chloride (10 g/kg dry matter, DM), and R₃—calcium hydroxide (5 g/kg DM), with pJM substituting 250 g/kg DM of crude protein (CP) of control (R₁). At the end of the feeding period, digestion trial of 7 days was conducted. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experimental period to assess the blood metabolites and hormonal status. The phorbol ester and HA activity were reduced considerably in pJM. The intake of DM, organic matter, CP, and nitrogen-free extract were comparable among all the groups. However, the intake of ether extract was significantly higher in pJM-fed groups. The hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum urea, triiodothyronine and testosterone contents decreased in R₂ and R₃ as compared to R₁. Concentration of glucose and activity of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase increased (P?<?0.01) in goats fed pJM. It was concluded that phorbol ester content and HA activity markedly decreased by processing JM with sodium chloride and calcium hydroxide. However, they were not reduced to the levels of safe feeding, as reflected in unusual values of blood metabolites among the experimental animals.