DNA Polymerase (Bangalore Genei Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India) overlaid with two drops of mineral oil. Reaction mixture was denatured for 7 min at 95°C and subjected to 28 cycles each with a profile of 60 s at 92°C, 80 s at 52°C and 105 s at 72°C in a DNA Thermal Cycler (Perkin-Elmer, Norwalk, CT, USA). The electrophoresis of the PCR product was performed on a 1.5% agarose gel. Figure 2 shows the banding pattern of the PCR products.Thus, we have demonstrated that using degenerate primers for viral sequence of HBV, designed from the known protein sequence, it was possible to successfully amplify the virus DNA from both plasmid and clinical serum samples. This technique will allow design of primers with a high probability of successful amplification by reducing both the degeneracy and secondary structures of the primer. The technique can also be used for the design of primers for PCR sequencing or hybridization from a known protein sequence of even small regions. Information on Primer Premier is available at www.PremierBiosoft.com, by calling 415-856-2703 or from the author's address. Address correspondence to Dr. Sita Naik, Head, Department of Immunology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raibareli Road, Lucknow-226 014, India. Vol. 24, No. 2 (1998) BioTechniques 319

In this research article, the mechanical analysis and microstructure investigation of chicken feather fiber with carbon residuum (CR) (obtained from crumb rubber) fused with epoxy resin hybrid composite has been done. The fibers surface was alkali treated with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to improve the interfacial bonding with matrix and reinforcement. Herein, the composites were fabricated using the hand lay‐up technique. Chicken feathers in form of reinforcing fibers were taken in various weight percentages of 1, 3, 5, and 7. Various mechanical tests were performed in accordance with the ASTM standards, and it was perceived that the 5 weight percentage of chicken feathers recorded the optimum impact test results. Finally, the hybrid composites were fabricated with this weight percentage of feathers and varying weight percentages (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5) of CR. Mechanical testing was then conducted on these hybrid composites and determined that the tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength showed a substantial enhancement. The justification of this enhancement was provided through the microstructural tests that includes the scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Best results were forecasted for 5 wt% chicken feather and 1 wt% of CR hybrid composites amongst various combinations tried. Thus, noteworthy improvement in case of hybrid composite was seen as compared with neat epoxy. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2690–2699, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a nontoxic and thermoplastic polymer which is completely biodegradable. PVA shows excellent mechanical and thermal properties due to better interfacial adhesion with reinforcing material such as fibers, particles or flakes because of which it can be used for fabrication of composite. PVA based fiber or particle reinforcing composites have gained interest in many applications in different fields. This paper reviews the mechanical and water absorption properties studied by different researcher and some of them were discussed here. The article also focused on the effect on the mechanical properties on PVA based composites with particle or fiber used as reinforcing material at nano/micro level and different polymers used to prepare PVA blend films. The major disadvantage of PVA based composites/films is higher water uptake or solubility in water. To over this negative aspect, many researchers studied crosslinking of PVA based composites/films, which are also discussed in the article. This review concludes that PVA has the potential for use in the synthesis of composites/films with their abundant applications.

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Binuclear diphenyltin(IV) dithiocabamate macrocyclic complexes [(Ph2SnIV)2‐μ2‐bis{(κ2S,S‐S2CN(R)CH2CONHC6H4)2O}] (R = iPr (1), sBu (2), nBu (3), Cy (4), 2‐furfuryl (5) or benzyl (6)) were synthesized through a self‐assembly process involving novel diamino precursors 4,4′‐bis(2‐(alkylamino)acetamido)diphenyl ethers (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6), CS2 and Ph2SnCl2. These were characterized using microanalysis and relevant spectroscopic methods. The geometry of all compounds was optimized using the density functional theory method. In vitro cytotoxic activity was evaluated against HEP 3B (hepatoma) and IMR 32 (neuroblastoma) using the MTT assay. Notably, complexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 were found to be extremely active against both cell lines and cytotoxicity data confirmed their 16‐fold better potency compared to cisplatin, a well‐known antineoplastic drug. Flow cytometric analysis of annexin V–propidium iodide‐stained cells demonstrated the ability of L5, 4 and 6 to induce apoptosis in HEP 3B and IMR 32 cells, required for major therapeutic implication in cancer therapy. The extraordinary potency of binuclear complex 4 can be correlated with higher LUMO energy together with the greatest value of residual charge on the Sn(IV) centre among the compounds under investigation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.