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Algal biomass is rich in essential components such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, which are considered as a potential feedstock for algae-based fuel and chemical production. The commercial application of algae-based fuel production is a challenging task because algal cultivation and harvesting demand high energy and cost. It is a common bottleneck problem in algae processed for fuel or chemical production at the pilot scale. The execution of the concept of integrated algal biorefinery has the possibility to reduce the demand for energy and costs. It is comparatively economical to conventional methods in terms of the recovery of various value-added bioproducts including biopolymers, biochemicals, biofertilizers, and biofuels. In addition, this approach will decrease the overall production costs and aid in making an algal-based green economy viable. This mini review aims to provide certain information regarding development of and updates on cost-effective integrated biorefinery of algal-based bioproducts recovery and its potential application. In connection to this, life cycle assessment and techno-economic aspects of integrated algal biorefinery are discussed. Finally, present challenges and future research directions for integrated algal biorefinery are outlined.

In our rapidly-growing big-data area, often the big sensory data from Internet of Things (IoT) cannot be sent directly to the far data-center in an efficient way because of the limitation in the network infrastructure. Fog computing, which has increasingly gained popularity for real-time applications, offers the utilization of local mini data-centers near the sensors to release the burden from the main data-center, and to exploit the full potential of cloud-based IoT. In this paper, a high-performance approach based on the Max–Min Ant System (MMAS), which is an efficient variation in the family of ant colony optimization algorithms, is proposed to tackle the static task-graph scheduling in homogeneous multiprocessor environments, the predominant technology used as mini-servers in fog computing. The main duty of the proposed approach is to properly manipulate the priority values of tasks so that the most optimal task-order can be achieved. Leveraging background knowledge of the problem, as heuristic values, has made the proposed approach very robust and efficient. Different random task-graphs with different shape parameters have been utilized to evaluate the proposed approach, and the results show its efficiency and superiority versus traditional counterparts from the performance perspective.

The immunological role of exosomes in allograft rejection remains unknown. We sought to determine whether exosomes are induced during lung allograft rejection and to define the antigenic compositions of HLA, lung‐associated self‐antigens (SAgs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). Exosomes were isolated from sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 30 lung transplant recipients (LTxRs) who were stable or who had acute rejection (AR) or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Exosomes were defined by flow cytometry for CD63 and western blotting for annexin V SAgs, collagen V (Col‐V) and Kα1 tubulin were examined by electron microscopy; miRNAs were profiled by a miRNAarray. Donor HLAand SAgs were detected on exosomes from LTxRs with ARand BOSbut not from stable LTxRs. Exosomes expressing Col‐V were isolated from sera from LTxRs 3 mo before ARand 6 mo before BOSdiagnosis, suggesting that exosomes with SAgs may be a noninvasive rejection biomarker. Exosomes isolated from LTxRs with ARor BOSalso contained immunoregulatory miRNAs. We concluded that exosomes expressing donor HLA,SAgs and immunoregulatory miRNAs are present in the circulation and local site after human lung transplantation and play an important role in the immune pathogenesis of acute allograft rejection and BOS. Alloimmune responses induce exosomes with lung‐associated self‐antigens and regulatory microRNA, enabling the spread of immune responses that lead to lung allograft rejection.

The immunological role of exosomes in allograft rejection remains unknown. We sought to determine whether exosomes are induced during lung allograft rejection and to define the antigenic compositions of HLA, lung-associated self-antigens (SAgs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). Exosomes were isolated from sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 30 lung transplant recipients (LTxRs) who were stable or who had acute rejection (AR) or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Exosomes were defined by flow cytometry for CD63 and western blotting for annexin V SAgs, collagen V (Col-V) and Kα1 tubulin were examined by electron microscopy; miRNAs were profiled by a miRNA array. Donor HLA and SAgs were detected on exosomes from LTxRs with AR and BOS but not from stable LTxRs. Exosomes expressing Col-V were isolated from sera from LTxRs 3 mo before AR and 6 mo before BOS diagnosis, suggesting that exosomes with SAgs may be a noninvasive rejection biomarker. Exosomes isolated from LTxRs with AR or BOS also contained immunoregulatory miRNAs. We concluded that exosomes expressing donor HLA, SAgs and immunoregulatory miRNAs are present in the circulation and local site after human lung transplantation and play an important role in the immune pathogenesis of acute allograft rejection and BOS.

Antibodies (Abs) against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) results in T helper-17 (Th17)-mediated immunity against lung self-antigens (SAgs), K-α1 tubulin and collagen V and obliterative airway disease (OAD). Because B cell–activating transcription factor (BATF) controls Th17 and autoimmunity, we proposed that BATF may play a critical role in OAD. Anti-H2Kbwas administered intrabronchially into Batf–/–and C57BL/6 mice. Histopathology of the lungs on days 30 and 45 after Ab administration to Batf–/–mice resulted in decreased cellular infiltration, epithelial metaplasia, fibrosis, and obstruction. There was lack of Abs to SAgs, reduction of Sag-specific interleukin (IL)-17 T cells, IL-6, IL-23, IL-17, IL-1β, fibroblast growth factor-6, and CXCL12 and decreased Janus kinase 2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and retinoid-related orphan receptor γT. Further, micro-RNA (miR)-301a, a regulator of Th17, was reduced in Batf–/–mice in contrast to upregulation of miR-301a and downregulation of protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (PIAS3) in anti-MHC–induced OAD animals. We also demonstrate an increase in miR-301a in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from lung transplant recipients with Abs to human leukocyte antigen. This was accompanied by reduction in PIAS3 mRNA. Therefore, we conclude that BATF plays a critical role in the immune responses to SAgs and pathogenesis of anti-MHC–induced rejection. Targeting BATF should be considered for preventing chronic rejection after human lung transplantation.

Antibodies (Abs) against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) results in T helper‐17 (Th17)‐mediated immunity against lung self‐antigens (SAgs), K‐α1 tubulin and collagen V and obliterative airway disease (OAD). Because B cell–activating transcription factor (BATF) controls Th17 and autoimmunity, we proposed that BATF may play a critical role in OAD. Anti‐H2Kbwas administered intrabronchially into Batf–/–and C57BL/6 mice. Histopathology of the lungs on days 30 and 45 after Ab administration to Batf–/–mice resulted in decreased cellular infiltration, epithelial metaplasia, fibrosis, and obstruction. There was lack of Abs to SAgs, reduction of Sag‐specific interleukin (IL)‐17 T cells, IL‐6, IL‐23, IL‐17, IL‐1β, fibroblast growth factor‐6, and CXCL12 and decreased Janus kinase 2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and retinoid‐related orphan receptor γT. Further, micro‐RNA (miR)‐301a, a regulator of Th17, was reduced in Batf–/–mice in contrast to upregulation of miR‐301a and downregulation of protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (PIAS3) in anti‐MHC–induced OAD animals. We also demonstrate an increase in miR‐301a in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from lung transplant recipients with Abs to human leukocyte antigen. This was accompanied by reduction in PIAS3 mRNA. Therefore, we conclude that BATF plays a critical role in the immune responses to SAgs and pathogenesis of anti‐MHC–induced rejection. Targeting BATF should be considered for preventing chronic rejection after human lung transplantation. The authors report that the loss of B cell–activating transcription factor (BATF) results in a significant reduction in antibody‐induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in obliterative airway disease, and demonstrate the importance of BATF‐mediated T helper 17 immune responses in the development of cellular and humoral immune responses to lung‐associated self‐antigens.

A novel hybrid approach, integrating stepwise regression analysis (SRA), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and capital asset pricing model (CAPM), is addressed in this paper for stock portfolio optimization. The SRA is applied to select some of the features from technical indicators that these selected important features improve the performance of the prediction model. In order to create a more accurate forecasting model, ANFIS is applied to forecast future trend values of the Bombay stock exchange (BSE) indices like BSE SENSEX and BSE BANKEX using technical indicators. Stock portfolio optimization aims to determine which of the stocks are to be added to a portfolio based on the investor’s needs and changing economic and market conditions. The proposed hybrid optimization technique offers significant improvements in managing investments in a stock portfolio under volatile and uncertainty stock market without the need for human intervention, with diversification procedure, and thus provides acceptable returns with minimal risks. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid SRA-ANFIS-CAPM portfolio model achieves satisfactory performance among the various portfolio models in the presence of fluctuation in a stock market environment.

4,4′-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (DHAMS) was synthesized by condensation reaction with chloroacetone and phenol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, and has been successfully grown by solution growth technique. This is the first report in the literature on the crystallization of DHAMS and exhibited the birefringent melt (liquid crystal property) of the optical properties. FTIR and FTNMR studies are in accordance with the structure. Good quality crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique by acetone as solvent. A transmission spectrum of the crystal was obtained in the region of 285 nm. The structural and optical properties were studied. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Single crystals of m-Nitroaniline (mNA) were grown by slow cooling solution growth technique. Induction period, interfacial energy and metastable zonewidth have been evaluated. The solubility of mNA has been estimated at different temperatures in acetone and ethanol. Interfacial energy has been estimated using the experimentally determined induction period values. It is observed that the nucleation rate increases with the increase of supersaturation. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Good-quality single crystals of organic p -hydroxyacetophenone have been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at 37°C using methanol as solvent. The grown crystals have been characterized by Raman studies, FT-IR, X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analyses. The mechanical properties of the grown crystals have been studied using Vicker's micro-hardness tester.

Abstract: The effectiveness of photosynthetic free-living and polyurethane foam (PU) immobilized Anabaena variabilis cells for, removal of orthophosphate (P) from water in batch cultures and in a photobioreactor was studied. Immobilization in PU foams was found to have a positive effect on P uptake by cyanobacteria in batch cultures. The efficiency of P uptake by immobilized cells was higher than by free-living cells. A laboratory scale photobioreactor was constructed for removal of P from water by the immobilized cyanobacteria. The photobioreactor was designed so that the growth medium (water) from a reservoir was pumped through a photobioreactor column with immobilized cyanobacteria and back to the reservoir. This created a closed system in which it was possible to measure P uptake. No leakage of cells into the photobioreactor medium reservoir was observed during the operation. The immobilized cells incorporated into a photobioreactor column removed P continuously for about 15 d. No measurable uptake was demonstrated after this period. Orthophosphate uptake efficiency of 88–92% was achieved by the photobioreactor.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA; adenosine aminohydrolase, E.C. 3.5.4.4), a purine catabolic enzyme, was studied in Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that causes diseases ranging from superficial infections to the deep systemic disease, candidiasis, in immunosuppressed humans. The fungus was grown as a yeast form in Lee's synthetic medium, pH 4.5, at room temperature for various growth periods. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was determined from the cell free extract by measuring the change in absorbance 265 nm resulting from the deamination of adenosine. In yeast form, maximum growth and ADA activity were found at 72 and 24 hours, respectively, whereas in the mycelial form both the growth and ADA activity were maximum after 48 hours. Among the three media tested, tryptic soy broth supported maximum growth and enzyme production, compared to Lee synthetic medium or Sabouraud dextrose broth. The enzyme was active over the pH range 4–8 and the optimum temperature for ADA activity was found to be 37 °C.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA; adenosine aminohydrolase, E.C. 3.5.4.4), a purine catabolic enzyme, was studied in Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that causes diseases ranging from superficial infections to the deep systemic disease, candidiasis, in immunosuppressed humans. The fungus was grown as a yeast form in Lee's synthetic medium, pH 4.5, at room temperature for various growth periods. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was determined from the cell free extract by measuring the change in absorbance 265 nm resulting from the deamination of adenosine. In yeast form, maximum growth and ADA activity were found at 72 and 24 hours, respectively, whereas in the mycelial form both the growth and ADA activity were maximum after 48 hours. Among the three media tested, tryptic soy broth supported maximum growth and enzyme production, compared to Lee synthetic medium or Sabouraud dextrose broth. The enzyme was active over the pH range 4–8 and the optimum temperature for ADA activity was found to be 37 °C.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA; adenosine aminohydrolase, E.C. 3.5.4.4), a purine catabolic enzyme, was studied in Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that causes diseases ranging from superficial infections to the deep systemic disease, candidiasis, in immunosuppressed humans. The fungus was grown as a yeast form in Lee's synthetic medium, pH 4.5, at room temperature for various growth periods. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was determined from the cell free extract by measuring the change in absorbance 265 nm resulting from the deamination of adenosine. In yeast form, maximum growth and ADA activity were found at 72 and 24 hours, respectively, whereas in the mycelial form both the growth and ADA activity were maximum after 48 hours. Among the three media tested, tryptic soy broth supported maximum growth and enzyme production, compared to Lee synthetic medium or Sabouraud dextrose broth. The enzyme was active over the pH range 4–8 and the optimum temperature for ADA activity was found to be 37 °C.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA; adenosine aminohydrolase, E.C. 3.5.4.4), a purine catabolic enzyme, was studied in Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that causes diseases ranging from superficial infections to the deep systemic disease, candidiasis, in immunosuppressed humans. The fungus was grown as a yeast form in Lee's synthetic medium, pH 4.5, at room temperature for various growth periods. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was determined from the cell free extract by measuring the change in absorbance 265 nm resulting from the deamination of adenosine. In yeast form, maximum growth and ADA activity were found at 72 and 24 hours, respectively, whereas in the mycelial form both the growth and ADA activity were maximum after 48 hours. Among the three media tested, tryptic soy broth supported maximum growth and enzyme production, compared to Lee synthetic medium or Sabouraud dextrose broth. The enzyme was active over the pH range 4–8 and the optimum temperature for ADA activity was found to be 37 °C.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA; adenosine aminohydrolase, E.C. 3.5.4.4), a purine catabolic enzyme, was studied in Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that causes diseases ranging from superficial infections to the deep systemic disease, candidiasis, in immunosuppressed humans. The fungus was grown as a yeast form in Lee's synthetic medium, pH 4.5, at room temperature for various growth periods. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was determined from the cell free extract by measuring the change in absorbance 265 nm resulting from the deamination of adenosine. In yeast form, maximum growth and ADA activity were found at 72 and 24 hours, respectively, whereas in the mycelial form both the growth and ADA activity were maximum after 48 hours. Among the three media tested, tryptic soy broth supported maximum growth and enzyme production, compared to Lee synthetic medium or Sabouraud dextrose broth. The enzyme was active over the pH range 4–8 and the optimum temperature for ADA activity was found to be 37 °C.

Growth of wheat in a nitrogen-free hydroponic co-culture with a mutant strain of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilitis (strain SA-1) was enhanced over plants grown with the parent strain SA-0. This increase was achieved in the dry weight, grain yield, and total nitrogen content of the plants. Nitrogenase activity of the mutant strain SA-1 was increased in a co-culture of the cyanobacterial mutant with wheat plants compared to the activity of the wild-type strain in association with wheat.

The effect of nitrogen source on the free and bound amino acids of mycelium of Phymatotrichum omnivorum (Shear) Dugg was investigated. The largest free amino acid pool was present in the natural medium and the smallest in the synthetic medium. Phymatotrichum omnivorum was able to utilize different nitrogen sources with the best growth occurring with NH4NO3. The ratio of glycine to alanine and aspartic to glutamic was around 0.25 in the free amino acid pool and around 1 in the bound amino acid pool. The free pool of glutamic acid ranged from 5.6 % to 27.2 % depending upon the nitrogen source in the media. The free pool of alanine ranged from 35.7 % to 17.2 % in relation to the nitrogen source. Most other amino acid ratios did not vary significantly between the free amino acids and the bound amino acids.

A new, relatively simple and inexpensive liquid medium was devised to produce all structural forms ofC. albicans. Optimum conditions to induce the yeast cells, germ tubes, pseudohyphae and chlamydospores along with the methods to obtain them are described.

A simple and specific medium consisting of chitosan, trypticase, Tween-80 and agar is devised to isolate the organisms directly from the clinical specimens and to produce germ tubes and chlamydospores for rapid differentiation and identification of Candida albicans from other closely related Candida species. By manipulating the incubating conditions, the specific phase of the organism can be produced in liquid or on solid medium at different time intervals to study the physiology of the organism.

Glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) from Nocardia asteroides was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-150, and DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The native molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined to be 720 kDa. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified preparation revealed a single band corresponding to 59 kDa, indicating the possible presence of 12 identical subunits. The divalent cations Mn2- and Mg2+ were found to be essential for optimal transferase and biosynthetic activity, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature for both activities of the enzyme were found to be 7.2 and 50°C. Amino acids such as l-alanine, glycine, and aspartate inhibited the GS activity. The Km values for the substrates of the biosynthetic reaction ATP, glutamate, and ammonium chloride were found to be 400 µm, 7.7mm, and 200 µm, respectively. Addition of ammonium chloride to the nitrogen-limited culture resulted in a decrease of GS transferase and biosynthetic activities. Phosphodiesterase treatment of the extract from ammonia-shocked cultures showed an increase in GS transferase activity. The results indicate the possible regulation of GS by covalent modification.

Direct association between wheat roots and an ammonia-excreting mutant of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis, strain SA-1, was required for maximal enhancement of growth of wheat plants in nitrogen (N)-free, hydroponic medium. Over 85% of the cyanobacterial mutant SA-1 inoculated to the roots were adsorbed under non-saturating conditions. The adsorption process of SA-1 to wheat roots was biphasic: an initial rapid adsorption was followed by a slow phase with about 10% of the initial adsorption rate. The maximal adsorption rate of filaments observed was 1.6 mg dry wt. SA-1 adsorbed·plant-1·h-1. Bypassing CO2 fixation and sugar formation, the 14C label from [14C]sucrose was directly applied to leaf blades to study sugar translocation. The 14C label from this treatment appeared in the wheat culture medium within an hour. Nitrate-grown plants excreted about 30% of the 14C label into the medium, compared to only 10% excreted by wheat/Anabaena co-cultures. SA-1 assimilated 27% of all 14C translocated from [U-14C]sucrose applied to wheat leaves, and 14C label from this treatment was recovered from strain SA-1 after 30 min. Roots and cyanobacteria accounted for 51% of all radioactive label recovered in the plants co-cultured with SA-1 vs 20% for nitrate-grown plants. We studied the activity of ß-fructosidase (invertase) in wheat of variety Yecora rojo. Roots from nitrate-grown wheat plants produced high levels of invertase activity, which converted over 85% of 3 mm sucrose into glucose and fructose in 24 h. The rate of sucrose disappearance in the medium of co-cultures using A. variabilis SA-1, was 70% of that of nitrate-grown plants, but the levels of glucose and fructose in these cultures were always very low during sucrose conversion, suggesting hexose assimilation. To study the role of diffusible metabolites, a dialysis membrane was employed to separate the ammonia-excreting SA-1 from the wheat roots. Containing SA-1 in a dialysis bag away from direct root contact, severely limited leaf growth to less than one-third of the growth rate of nitrate control cultures. Ammonia produced by mutant SA-1 in dialysis bag cultures was excreted into the medium at 0.4 mm vs 1.2 mm in free-living cultures, but ammonia was not detectable in co-cultures with or without the dialysis bag containing the mutant. The nitrogenase activity derepressed in the mutant and responsible for ammonia excretion was always higher in the association co-cultures than in either free cells or in dialysis-bag cultures. The nitrogenase activity of strain SA-1 was highest (200 µmol ethylene formed·mg-1 Chl·h-1) when the cyanobacterium was associated with the root tips. Dialysis membrane separation of plant and cyanobacterium severely inhibited growth of wheat during a complete growth cycle of 2 months. Total biomass and grain yield were very similar for control cultures without inorganic N or SA-1, and for diffusion cultures containing SA-1, kept in a dialysis bag around the roots. Total biomass of the association co-culture attained 75% of the biomass of the nitrate-grown control. It is proposed that wheat roots supplied fructose derived from sucrose for growth and nitrogen fixation of SA-1 in the light, and that ammonia excreted by SA-1 was utilized by the wheat plant for its own growth.

The lipid composition of the mycelium and sclerotia ofPhymatotrichum omnivorum was compared. The lipids of the mycelium contained 47.9 % polar lipids as compared to 21.4 % in the sclerotia. Sterols represented 10 % of the lipids in sclerotia as contrasted to 3.6 % of the mycelium. More monoglycerides (17.5 %) were detected in the sclerotia as compared to the mycelium (1.6 %). Fatty acid analysis indicated that linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in the total fatty acids fraction in both the mycelium and the sclerotia. Palmitic acid was the major free fatty acid in the mycelium, whereas myristic acid was the predominant free fatty acid in the sclerotia. In the fatty acids of the diglycerides of sclerotia, palmitic acid represented 71 % of that fraction, as compared to 6.6 % of the fatty acids of the diglycerides in the mycelium. The major fatty acid in the diglycerides of the mycelium was oleic acid.

Specific enzymes of ammonium assimilation were measured in cell-free extracts ofNocardia asteroides grown in a synthetic medium with glutamate as the nitrogen source. Cell-free extracts had active glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and alanine dehydrogenase (ADH) but glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) could not be detected in the enzyme preparation. This shows that GS/GOGAT is the major pathway of ammonium assimilation inN. asteroides.

The electrical resistanceRand the dieletric constant э of the critical binary liquid mixture methanol plus cyclohexane has been measured near the critical point at five different spot frequencies from 10–100 kHz. The data are analysed using a nonlinear least squares routine. The fit is equally good for ana(=0·1) divergence or a 1 −v(=0·35) divergence of dR/dTand dэ/dT. Additional reasons are advanced to indicate that theadivergence is a better description.

The influence of pH, and the combined effect of temperature, minerals and carbon source on the vegetative growth of cotton root rot fungus.P. omnivorum were studied on both liquid and agar media. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 28 °C and 5, respectively. There was a direct correlation between growth and substrate concentration.

The combined effect of different levels of CO2, minerals and carbon (glycogen) source on growth was determined on agar and liquid media. Higher concentration of CO2 inhibited the fungal growth regardless of the mineral and substrate concentrations.

Specific enzymes of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway and hexose-monophosphate pathway were detected in cell-free extract ofPhymatotrichum omnivorum grown on a synthetic medium. Cell-free extracts contained active phosphoglucoisomerase, glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases of the EMP and HMP respectively. Phosphoglucomutase activity could not be detected in enzyme preparations.

The physical and chemical properties and molecular structure of glycogen from Phymatotrichum omnivorum (Shear) Dugg. were studied. Glycogen samples from rabbit liver and shellfish were compared with Phymatotrichum glycogen in physicochemical properties. Analyses of purity showed the isolated glycogen was highly pure. Purified glycogen had an optical rotation of + 183.3°, and optical rotatory dispersion showed the absence of optically active substances between 200 and 600 nm. Maximum absorption of the glycogen-iodine complex was at 395 nm. I.R. spectra confirmed the a-1,4 linkage as well as a-d-glucopyranose units of the glycogen molecule. Alpha- and Beta-amylase studies indicated the average chain length was 13 glucose units with 43% limit dextrin. Results of periodate oxidation of glycogen agreed closely with the result of the amylase studies.

Summary Influences of various levels of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) ranging from 0.04–1.28 M on growth, sporulation and spore germination ofRhizopus arrhizus in liquid and semi-solid media were investigated. Light enhanced the inhibitory effect of DMSO on growth and sporulation in both media. Inhibition of spore germination was observed with direct treatment with DMSO. The inhibition was higher in spores obtained from cultures grown on the DMSO semi-solid media.

Summary Microbial coal solubilization and the extraction of solubilized coal products were carried out in media amended with polyol (Pluronic F-127), an agent which gels above 18°C but reverts to a liquid state at low temperature (4°C). The solubilized coal products, the unsolubilized coal particles and the mycelial mat were separated effectively by centrifugation at 4°C. The amount of coal solubilization was 30–50% higher in polyol-amended media than in agar media regardless of the microorganism. On the other hand, the amount of coal solubilization in polyol-amended control media was less compared to agar-amended control media.

A pyrolysis gas liquid Chromatographic method for detection of Candida antigen in patients with disseminated candidiasis is described. The test was positive in 73% of cases and no false positives or false negatives were noted in controls.