Highly regioselective α-alkylation of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes.

The first α-alkylation of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes is achieved under mild reaction conditions. Several α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes and diarylcarbinols are successfully tested for the synthesis of MBH-type α-alkylated products with an excellent regioselectivity. Simple pyrrolidine is efficiently used as a catalyst to achieve a perfect E/Z selectivity of the α-alkylated products.

Expression of chitinase genes of Metarhizium anisopliae isolates in lepidopteran pests and on synthetic media.

Pathogenecity of the well characterized entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae used for biocontrol of a wide range of insect pests secretes hydrolytic enzymes that degrade the host cuticle. The chitinolytic activity of high and low virulent isolates of M. anisopliae was assayed on minimal medium (MM) + colloidal chitin and MM supplemented with insect cuticles.

Relationships among activities of extracellular enzyme production and virulence against Helicoverpa armigera in Beauveria bassiana.

Extracellular enzymes produced by Beauveria bassiana, are believed to play a key role in cuticle hydrolysis. Enzyme production and pathogenicity has been found to be positively correlated. Twenty-eight isolates of B.

Oxidative stress induced by destruxin from Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) involves changes in glutathione and ascorbate metabolism and instigates ultrastructural changes in the salivary glands of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) larvae.

The cyclodepsipeptidic mycotoxin, destruxin, produced by Metarhizium anisopliae is known for its larvicidal properties. The crude destruxin-treated Spodoptera litura larvae revealed a decrease in thiol content and an increment in oxidation of glutathione to glutathione disulfide and ascorbate to dehydro ascorbate in a dose- and time-dependent manner. An increase in the levels of protein carbonyls and the free radicals, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical was also observed.

Insecticidal activity of destruxin, a mycotoxin from Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales), against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larval stages.

Background: The cyclodepsipeptide destruxin produced by the entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) was administered by different methods, topical application, ingestion and a combination of the two, in an attempt to minimize the mycotoxin dose for efficient management of the insect pest Spodoptera litura (Fab.).

Statistical optimization of process variables for the large-scale production of Metarhizium anisopliae conidiospores in solid-state fermentation.

Optimization of conidial production was achieved by response surface methodology (RSM), a powerful mathematical approach widely applied in the optimization of fermentation process, using the three substrates; rice, barley and sorghum at variable pH, moisture content and yeast extract concentrations. These three factors were found to be important, affecting Metarhizium anisopliae spore production. A 2(3) full factorial central composite design and RSM were applied to determine the optimal concentration of each variable.

Can amniotic fluid distribution predict fetal outcome?

Objective: This study was designed to determine whether the distribution pattern of amniotic fluid (AF) within the uterine cavity is related to perinatal outcome.

Study Design: One-hundred women in labor with intact membranes underwent a real time ultrasound examination to measure the AF index. Patients were divided into two groups based on liquor distribution.

Biological activities of Annona glabra.

On a preliminary screening, substantial antimicrobial, antifungal and moderate insecticidal, sporicidal and cytotoxic activities were observed for the hexane extract of the stem bark of Amona glabra L. Chromatographic fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of kaur-16-en-19-oic acid in a large amount as the main constituent, which was found to be largely responsible for the biological activities possessed by the crude extract.

Antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities of root barks of Uvaria hookeri and Uvaria narum.

On a pharmacological screening, substantial antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities were observed for the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the root barks of Uvaria narum Wall. and Uvaria hookeri King. Chromatographic fractionation of these extracts led to the isolation of the triterpenes glutinol, glutinone, taraxerol, beta-sitosterol and Annonaceous acetogenins uvariamicins-I, II and III mixture, isodesacetyluvaricin, squamocin-28-one, narumicins-I and II stereoisomeric mixture, squamocin and panalicin.

Studies on aneuploids of Petunia : Part 1: Cytomorphological Identification of primary trisomics.

The seven possible primary trisomics of Petunia (2 n= 14) located in the progenies of triploid, hypertriploid and hypotriploid plants were distinguished from one another and from diploid on the basis of cytological and morphological criteria. They were provisionally named as "Oval", "Semi", "Slender", "Pseudonormal", "Arrow", "Narrow" and "Giant". In three of the trisomics, the extra chromosome was identified for the first time at pachytene stage.