Assessment of heavy metals and environmental stress conditions on the production potential of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in indigenous microalgae isolated from the Gulf of Mannar coastal waters.

The present study evaluated the effects of heavy metals, viz., lead, mercury, and cadmium, on growth, chlorophyll a, b, c, carotenoids, and PUFA content of marine microalgae Chlorella sp. and Cylindrotheca fusiformis. At 96-h exposure, the IC50 values for Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ were 0.85 mg/L, 2.4 mg/L, and 5.3 mg/L respectively, in Chlorella sp. In C. fusiformis, IC50 values for Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ were 0.5 mg/L, 1.2 mg/L, and 3 mg/L respectively. The pigment contents of both microalgae were significantly affected upon heavy metal exposure. In Chlorella sp. and C. fusiformis, the exposed concentrations of Hg2+ averagely decreased the PUFA content by 76.34% and 78.68%, respectively. Similarly, Pb2+-exposed concentrations resulted in 54.50% and 82.64% average reductions in PUFA content of Chlorella sp. and C. fusiformis, respectively. Cd2+-exposed concentrations showed 32.58% and 40.54% average reduction in PUFA content of Chlorella sp. and C. fusiformis, respectively. Among the environmental stress conditions, the dark treatment has increased total PUFA content by 6.63% in Chlorella sp. and 3.92% in C. fusiformis. It was observed that the 50% nitrogen starvation (two-stage) significantly improved the PUFA production from 26.47 ± 6.55% to 40.92 ± 10.74% in Chlorella sp. and from 11.23 ± 5.01 to 32.8 ± 14.17% in C. fusiformis. The toxicity for both microalgae was followed in the order Hg2+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+. Among the two species, Chlorella sp. has shown a high tolerance to heavy metals and can be effectively utilized in PUFA production.

Safety of NR-INF-02, an Extract of Curcuma Longa Containing Turmerosaccharides, in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Open-label Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a common medicinal plant used in traditional medicine that also has been scientifically validated for its antioxidant, anti-arthritic, anticancer, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have still not much explored the beneficial effects of the curcuminoid-free portion of turmeric. NR-INF-02 is a proprietary, patented aqueous extract of Curcuma longa comprising turmerosaccharides with a novel phytochemical composition. OBJECTIVE: The study intended to evaluate the safety and tolerability of NR-INF-02 in healthy adult volunteers at doses of 1000 and 2000 mg, administered for 84 days. DESIGN: The study employed a randomized, open label, two-arm, parallel-group design. SETTING: The trial was carried at 2 sites, the Meenakshi Multispecialty Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and the Vijaya Super Specialty Hospital in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were healthy adult, male or female volunteers, aged 18-65 years with a body mass index of ≥18.5 kg/m2 and ≤ 24.9 kg/m2 and a body weight of at least 55 kg for men and 48 kg for women. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups with 24 participants each for a total of 48 participants. They received either 1000 or 2000 mg of NR-INF-02 for 84 days. OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of adverse events and the changes from baseline in clinical laboratory parameters-including hematological, biochemical, and urinalysis parameters-were assessed at baseline, at day 42, and postintervention at day 84 as primary endpoints for safety. Secondary endpoints were the changes in vital signs and the difference in the results of an electrocardiogram (ECG) between baseline and days 42 and 84. RESULTS: The NR-INF-02 at doses of 1000 and 2000 mg demonstrated a 4.17% and 20.83% incidence of adverse events (AEs), respectively. The AEs were mild to moderate and were either probably or possibly related, but not definitively, related to treatment. A detailed examination of hematological, biochemical, and urological parameters and of ECG results and vital signs didn't indicate any untoward effects for any participant. CONCLUSION: The study found NR-INF-02 to be safe and tolerable at both tested doses for the given duration of the trial for healthy adult volunteers.

A Reliable Spectral Method to Reaction-Diffusion Equations in Entrapped-Cell Photobioreactor Packed with Gel Granules Using Chebyshev Wavelets.

A mathematical model of a reaction-diffusion within an entrapped-cell photobioreactor packed with gel granules containing immobilized photosynthetic bacterial cells is discussed. A theoretical model is based on a system of coupled nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations. In this research work, we have developed an efficient wavelet-based spectral approach for solving the proposed model. Analytical expressions for the concentration of substrate and product are established for all values of reaction-diffusion parameters using second kind Chebyshev wavelet method. The analytical results were also compared with Homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and Adomian decomposition method (ADM). Satisfactory agreement with ADM and HPM solutions is observed. Moreover, the use of Chebyshev wavelets is found to be simple, reliable, efficient, and computationally attractive.

Monitoring Caribbean tobacco use: baseline adolescent smoking prevalence and regional disparities.

OBJECTIVE:: To provide baseline information on tobacco use among adolescents in the Caribbean for the period before country-level implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Using Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS) between 2000 and 2008, we report baseline prevalence, 5-year change, and disparities in tobacco use (ever smoked, currently smoke) among adolescents. RESULTS:: The Caribbean prevalence of ever-smoked fell from 33.3 to 29.0% with nine of 14 countries reporting a 5-year decrease, and the prevalence of current smokers fell from 12.1 to 11.7% with eight of 14 countries reporting a 5-year decrease. Between-country disparities in the prevalence of ever smoked decreased, while between-country disparities in currently smoked saw little change. CONCLUSIONS:: This regional summary of tobacco use provides baseline estimates of adolescent smoking, and cross-country smoking disparities for the period before MPOWER implementation. Subsequent GYTS survey rounds can be used to monitor program success.

Wavelet-Based Analytical Algorithm for Solving Steady-State Concentration in Immobilized Glucose Isomerase of Packed-Bed Reactor Model.

Wavelet method is a recently developed tool in applied mathematics. The mathematical model of the steady-state immobilized enzyme electrodes is discussed. This theoretical model is based on one-dimensional heat conduction equations containing a non-linear term related to Michaelis-Menten kinetics. An efficient Chebyshev wavelet-based technique is applied to solve the non-linear diffusion equation for the steady-state condition. A simple expression of the substrate concentration is obtained as a function of the Thiele modulus [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text](kinetic parameter). The wavelet results are compared with the numerical and HPM solutions and found to be in good agreement.

Establishing national noncommunicable disease surveillance in a developing country: a model for small island nations.

Objective To describe the surveillance model used to develop the first national, population-based, multiple noncommunicable disease (NCD) registry in the Caribbean (one of the first of its kind worldwide); registry implementation; lessons learned; and incidence and mortality rates from the first years of operation. Methods Driven by limited national resources, this initiative of the Barbados Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with The University of the West Indies, was designed to collect prospective data on incident stroke and acute myocardial infarction (MI) (heart attack) cases from all health care facilities in this small island developing state (SIDS) in the Eastern Caribbean. Emphasis is on tertiary and emergency health care data sources. Incident cancer cases are obtained retrospectively, primarily from laboratories. Deaths are collected from the national death register. Results Phased introduction of the Barbados National Registry for Chronic NCDs ("the BNR") began with the stroke component ("BNR-Stroke," 2008), followed by the acute MI component ("BNR-Heart," 2009) and the cancer component ("BNR-Cancer," 2010). Expected case numbers projected from prior studies estimated an average of 378 first-ever stroke, 900 stroke, and 372 acute MI patients annually, and registry data showed an annual average of about 238, 593, and 349 patients respectively. There were 1 204 tumors registered in 2008, versus the expected 1 395. Registry data were used to identify public health training themes. Success required building support from local health care professionals and creating island-wide registry awareness. With spending of approximately US$ 148 per event for 2 200 events per year, the program costs the MoH about US$ 1 per capita annually. Conclusions Given the limited absolute health resources available to SIDS, combined surveillance should be considered for building a national NCD evidence base. With prevalence expected to increase further worldwide, Barbados' experiences are offered as a "road map" for other limited-resource countries considering national NCD surveillance.

Screening of indigenous oxalate degrading lactic acid bacteria from human faeces and South Indian fermented foods: assessment of probiotic potential.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have the potential to degrade intestinal oxalate and this is increasingly being studied as a promising probiotic solution to manage kidney stone disease. In this study, oxalate degrading LAB were isolated from human faeces and south Indian fermented foods, subsequently assessed for potential probiotic property in vitro and in vivo. Based on preliminary characteristics, 251 out of 673 bacterial isolates were identified as LAB. A total of 17 strains were found to degrade oxalate significantly between 40.38% and 62.90% and were subjected to acid and bile tolerance test. Among them, nine strains exhibited considerable tolerance up to pH 3.0 and at 0.3% bile. These were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus salivarius using 16S rDNA sequencing. Three strains, Lactobacillus fermentum TY5, Lactobacillus fermentum AB1, and Lactobacillus salivarius AB11, exhibited good adhesion to HT-29 cells and strong antimicrobial activity. They also conferred resistance to kanamycin, rifampicin, and ampicillin, but were sensitive to chloramphenicol and erythromycin. The faecal recovery rate of these strains was observed as 15.16% (TY5), 6.71% (AB1), and 9.3% (AB11) which indicates the colonization ability. In conclusion, three efficient oxalate degrading LAB were identified and their safety assessments suggest that they may serve as good probiotic candidates for preventing hyperoxaluria.

The rising burden of non-communicable diseases in the Americas and the impact of population aging: a secondary analysis of available data.

Background: Public health progress in the Americas has reduced the burden of many infectious diseases, helping more people live longer lives. At the same time, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing. NCD prevention rightly focuses on lifestyle risk factors, social, and economic determinants of health. There is less published information on the importance of population growth and aging to the regional NCD burden. Methods: For 33 countries in the Americas, we used United Nations population data to describe rates of population growth and aging over two generations (1980-2060). We used World Health Organization estimates of mortality and disability (disability-adjusted life years, DALYs) to describe changes in the NCD burden between 2000 and 2019. After combining these data resources, we decomposed the change in the number of deaths and DALYs to estimate the percentage change due to population growth, due to population aging, and due to epidemiological advances, measured by changing mortality and DALY rates. In a supplement, we provide a summary briefing for each country. Findings: In 1980, the proportion of the regional population aged 70 and older was 4.6%. It rose to 7.8% by 2020 and is predicted to rise to 17.4% by 2060. Across the Americas, DALY rate reductions would have decreased the number of DALYs by 18% between 2000 and 2019 but was offset by a 28% increase due to population aging and a 22% increase due to population growth. Although the region enjoyed widespread reductions in rates of disability, these improvements have not been sufficiently large to offset the pressures of population growth and population aging. Interpretation: The region of the Americas is aging and the pace of this aging is predicted to increase. The demographic realities of population growth and population aging should be factored into healthcare planning, to understand their implications for the future NCD burden, the health system needs, and the readiness of governments and communities to respond to those needs. Funding: This work was funded in part by the Pan American Health Organization, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

Measurement of the velocity of neutrinos from the CNGS beam with the large volume detector.

We report the measurement of the time of flight of ∼17 GeV ν(µ) on the CNGS baseline (732 km) with the Large Volume Detector (LVD) at the Gran Sasso Laboratory. The CERN-SPS accelerator has been operated from May 10th to May 24th 2012, with a tightly bunched-beam structure to allow the velocity of neutrinos to be accurately measured on an event-by-event basis. LVD has detected 48 neutrino events, associated with the beam, with a high absolute time accuracy. These events allow us to establish the following limit on the difference between the neutrino speed and the light velocity: -3.8 × 10(-6) < (v(ν)-c)/c < 3.1 × 10(-6) (at 99% C.L.). This value is an order of magnitude lower than previous direct measurements.

Adaptation of a community-based type-2 diabetes mellitus remission intervention during COVID-19: empowering persons living with diabetes to take control.

BACKGROUND: The Barbados Diabetes Remission Study-2 reported that a low-calorie diet for weight loss and diabetes remission implemented within the community and supported by trained community health advocates was both an acceptable implementation strategy and a clinically effective intervention. This study aimed to examine the adaptability of the face-to-face protocol into an online modality. METHODS: The Iterative Decision-making for Evaluation of Adaptations (IDEA) framework guides researchers in examining the necessity of the adaptation and the preservation of core intervention elements during the adaptation process. Adaptation outcomes were documented using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-Based Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS). Implementation outcome was determined by fidelity to core elements. Intervention effectiveness was determined from the analysis of clinical data. RESULTS: We decided that an adaptation was needed as COVID-19 control measures prohibited in-person interactions. The core elements-i.e. 12-week intervention duration, daily 840-kcal allowance, and weekly monitoring of weight and blood glucose-could be preserved during the adaptation process. Adaptations were made to the following: (1) the context in which data were collected-participants self-measured at home instead of following the original implementation strategy which involved being measured by community health advocates (CHA) at a community site; (2) the context in which data were entered-participants posted their measurements to a mobile application site which was accessible by CHAs. As with the original protocol, CHAs then entered the measurements into an online database; (3) the formulation of the low-calorie diet-participants substituted the liquid formulation for a solid meal plan of equivalent caloric content. There was non-inferiority in fidelity to attendance with the online format (97.5% visit rate), as compared to the face-to-face modality (95% visit rate). One participant deviated from the calorie allowances citing difficulty in estimating non-exact portion sizes and financial difficulty in procuring meals. Weight change ranged from - 14.3 to 0.4 kg over the 12-week period, and all group members achieved induction of diabetes remission as determined by a FBG of < 7mmol/l and an A1C of < 6.5%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that this adapted online protocol-which includes changes to both the implementation strategy and the evidence-based practice-is clinically effective whilst maintaining fidelity to key elements. Utilization of the IDEA and FRAME-IS adaptation frameworks add scientific rigour to the research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03536377 . Registered on 24 May 2018.

Dark matter results from 100 live days of XENON100 data.

We present results from the direct search for dark matter with the XENON100 detector, installed underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN, Italy. XENON100 is a two-phase time-projection chamber with a 62 kg liquid xenon target. Interaction vertex reconstruction in three dimensions with millimeter precision allows the selection of only the innermost 48 kg as the ultralow background fiducial target. In 100.9 live days of data, acquired between January and June 2010, no evidence for dark matter is found. Three candidate events were observed in the signal region with an expected background of (1.8 ± 0.6) events. This leads to the most stringent limit on dark matter interactions today, excluding spin-independent elastic weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon scattering cross sections above 7.0 × 10(-45) cm(2) for a WIMP mass of 50 GeV/c(2) at 90% confidence level.

Elevated Electrochemical Performance of LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and LiFePO4 Cathodes with Tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) Phosphite as an Efficient Electrolyte Additive.

The significant role of Tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) phosphite (TTFP) as an efficient additive during cycling of the layered nanostructured LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and olivine LiFePO4 cathode materials in EC/DMC and 1M LiPF6 electrolyte for Li-ion battery are extensively investigated in this work. The electrochemical characterization techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy show that TTFP improves cycling stability and reduces the irreversible capacity of LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and LiFePO4 electrodes. Also, the presence of TTFP in electrolyte solution reduces the impedance in LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and LiFePO4 cathode materials at room temperature. A family of Nyquist plots was obtained from LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and LiFePO4 electrodes for various potentials during the course of charging. The addition of TTFP in the electrolyte reduces the surface impedance of lithiated LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and LiFePO4 which can be attributed to the reaction of the additive on the electrode's surface. Also, the presence of the additive TTFP in LiNi0.1Mg0.1Co0.8O2 and LiFePO4 cell enhances the lithium diffusion rate and improves the electronic conductivity of the cathode material.

Anthropometric cut-offs to identify hyperglycemia in an Afro-Caribbean population: a cross-sectional population-based study from Barbados.

INTRODUCTION: Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) cut-offs associated with hyperglycemia may differ by ethnicity. We investigated the optimal BMI and WC cut-offs for identifying hyperglycemia in the predominantly Afro-Caribbean population of Barbados. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 865 individuals aged ≥25 years without known diabetes or cardiovascular disease was conducted. Hyperglycemia was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L or hemoglobin A1c ≥5.7% (39 mmol/mol). The Youden index was used to identify the optimal cut-offs from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Further ROC analysis and multivariable log binomial regression were used to compare standard and data-derived cut-offs. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 58.9% (95% CI 54.7% to 63.0%). In women, optimal BMI and WC cut-offs (27 kg/m2 and 87 cm, respectively) performed similarly to standard cut-offs. In men, sensitivities of the optimal cut-offs of BMI ≥24 kg/m2 (72.0%) and WC ≥86 cm (74.0%) were higher than those for standard BMI and WC obesity cut-offs (30.0% and 25%-46%, respectively), although with lower specificity. Hyperglycemia was 70% higher in men above the data-derived WC cut-off (prevalence ratio 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: While BMI and WC cut-offs in Afro-Caribbean women approximate international standards, our findings, consistent with other studies, suggest lowering cut-offs in men may be warranted to improve detection of hyperglycemia. Our findings do, however, require replication in a new data set.

Digital image-based quantification of chlorpyrifos in water samples using a lipase embedded paper based device.

A paper-based device (PBD) for the detection of chlorpyrifos pesticide at field application was fabricated based on the principles of enzyme inhibition and image processing. Rhizopus niveus lipase, p-nitrophenol palmitate and Whatman No.1 paper were used as an enzyme, substrate and support matrix, respectively. The performance of functionalized PBD was tested for lateral flow assay reaction in pure water (negative control), artificial pesticide water (positive control) and selected fruits and vegetables wash water (test). The digital image of the PBD after the test was captured using an android smartphone and analyzed in MATLAB software. Different colour space models such as, grey, RGB, HSV and YCbCr were studied and the Cb coordinate was chosen for its higher linearity (R2 = 0.988) with pesticide concentration. Experimental variations such as paper length, relative concentration ratio of the substrate and enzyme were investigated to minimize the product cost and analysis time. The developed PBD showed a significant response over wide range of sample solution's pH and operational temperature. Further, a long-term storage stability was measured for developed PBD. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.065 mgL-1 and 0.198 mgL-1. The results obtained from newly developed image processing method showed 92.8% accuracy with microtiter plate assay. Higher MRL was determined in the wash water of cauliflower, grapes, coriander leaves, brinjal and bitter guard. Overall, the developed paper biosensor was precise, cost effective and most suitable for field applications.

Cell maturity gradient determines light regulated accumulation of proteins in pearl millet leaves.

Developing pearl millet leaves possess cells of increasing maturity from the leaf base to the tip with oldest cells at the leaf tip. This natural developmental gradient was used to analyze the photoregulation of enzymes located in cytosolic, peroxisomal, and plastidic compartments of the leaf in relation to the cell age. In dark-grown leaves, the level of plastidic protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase A (PORA) (EC 1.3.1.33) protein increased from the leaf base to tip. Exposure to light reduced the level of PORA protein and stiumulated accmulation of PORB protein with increasing level from the base to the leaf tip. Light induced formation of cytosolic PEP carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) in the leaf with induction being maximal in the leaf tip. The levels of peroxisomal protein catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) showed gradual increase from the base to leaf tip in dark and light-grown leaves. By contrast, the distribution profile of cytosolic enzyme peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) followed reverse pattern in the dark-and light-grown leaves. In dark-grown leaves, peroxidase level showed increase towards the leaf tip, whereas light exposure lowered peroxidase level near the leaf tip and stimulated near the leaf base. These results indicate that the cell maturity gradient in cooperation with plastids modulates in a dual fashion the magnitude and pattern of photoregulation of protein levels in pearl millet leaves. It promotes the level of proteins functionally related to plastids towards the leaf tip and at the same time suppresses the level of cytosolic proteins, restricting them to the leaf base.

Aloe vera Plant Extracted Green Synthesis, Structural and Opto-Magnetic Characterizations of Spinel Co(x)Zn1₋xAl2O4Nano-Catalysts.

Spinel Co(x)Zn1₋xAl2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nano-catalysts were synthesized by a simple Aloe vera plant extracted green synthesis route. Powder XRD patterns and Rietveld analysis confirmed the formation of single phase, cubic spinel gahnite structure without other impurities. The lattice parameter increased from 8.089 to 8.125 A with increasing CO²âº content. The average crystallite sizes were estimated using Scherrer's method, and it was found to be in the range of 15.72 nm to 26.53 nm. FT-IR spectra showed vibrational stretching frequencies corresponding to the spinel structure. HR-SEM and HR-TEM images showed the features of well particle shaped crystals with nano-sized grains. The elemental compositions of Co, Zn, Al and O were quantitatively obtained from EDX analysis. The band gap energy estimated using Kubelka-Munk method by UV-Visible DRS method, and the values are decreased with increasing the Co²âº content (4.12 eV to 3.67 eV), due to the formation of sub bands in between the energy gap. PL spectra showed emission bands in UV as well as in the visible regions for ZnAl2O4 and Co-doped ZnAl2O4, due to the defect centers acting as the trap levels. VSM measurements revealed that pure ZnAl2O4 has diamagnetic, while Co doped ZnAl2O4 samples (x = 0.2 to 0.8) have superparamagnetism, whereas the sample CoAl2O4 has ferromagnetic in nature. Catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde was found that the sample Co0.6Zn0.4Al2O4 showed 93.25% conversion with 99.56% selectivity, whereas for pure ZnAl2O4, the conversion was only 86.31% with 92.85% selectivity.

Sesamum indicum Plant Extracted Microwave Combustion Synthesis and Opto-Magnetic Properties of Spinel MnxCo1₋xAl2O4Nano-Catalysts.

Spine Mn(x)Co1₋xAl2O4 (x = 0, 0.3 and 0.5) nanoparticles were synthesized using Sesamum indicum (S. indicum) plant extracted microwave-assisted combustion method. S. indicum plant extract simplifies the process, provides an alternative process for a simple, economical and environment friendly synthesis. The absence of surfactant/catalysts has led to a simple, cheap and fast method of synthesis of spinel nanoparticles. The as-synthesized spinel nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area analysis, UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The formation of spinel nanoparticles was confirmed by HR-SEM and HR-TEM and their possible formation mechanisms were also proposed. Powder XRD, FT-IR, SAED and EDX results confirmed the formation of pure and single cubic phase CoAl2O4 with well-defined crystalline. The optical property was determined by DRS and PL spectra. VSM measurements revealed that pure and Mn-doped CoAl2O4 samples have weak ferromagnetic behavior and the magnetization values increases with increasing the concentration of Mn²âº ions in the CoAl2O4 lattice. The sample Mn0.5Co0.5Al2O4 possessed higher surface area and smaller crystallite size than other samples, which led to enhance the performance toward the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde.

Light Alters Cytosolic and Plastidic Phosphorylase Distribution in Pearl Millet Leaves.

In pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) seedlings, although the cytosolic phosphorylase was present in all organs, the plastidic phosphorylase was restricted to the leaf. Intercellular fractionation of the leaf revealed that cytosolic and plastidic phosphorylase were localized in the mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells, respectively. In dark-grown leaves phosphorylase activity increased from the leaf base to the tip. The dark-grown leaves possessed both cytosolic and plastidic phosphorylase isoforms; however, their distribution followed different patterns along the length of the leaf. The plastidic phosphorylase level increased from the base to the tip of the leaf, and the cytosolic phosphorylase level was higher in the basal half of the leaf and declined toward the tip. In light-grown leaves phosphorylase activity was higher in a region near the leaf base and declined toward the leaf tip. Light stimulated cytosolic phosphorylase level and repressed plastidic phosphorylase level, resulting in an altered distribution of the respective phosphorylase isoforms along the length of the light-grown leaf. Since pearl millet leaf possesses a cell maturity and chloroplast development gradient from the leaf base to the tip, the inverse effect of light on cytosolic and plastidic phosphorylase levels might have been determined by its interaction with these gradients.