024810   Maurya N (Anthrop Dep, Univ of Delhi, Delhi-110 007) : Molecular anthropology: tools and techniques. Oriental Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 154-62.

Molecular Anthropology is a branch of science which uses molecular biology methods to find answers to population genetic problems, for which earlier traditional biological markers were used. Though this field is not new but in India it has been slow to pick up basically because of lack of infrastructure. Molecular Anthropology presents before the young researchers fresh challenges for enquiry and investigation. Molecular Anthropology is a combination of molecular methods and anthropology. Anthropologistst are trained to have a holistic view about things, we tend to look at a problem from different angles, socio-cultural to psychological to biological, to find the answers and derive conclusions. This anthropological knowledge combined with the tools of molecular studies enables us to view events, affairs and matters in complete view and interpret results using sound scientific knowledge. Simply attempts to introduce to the prospective researchers afield of anthropology hitherto not much explored in India.

16 ref

024809   Manekar A P;Godshalwar M P;Rewale M M;Singh M S (Oceanography Lab Dep of Zool, The Inst of Sci, 15 Madam Cama Road, Mumbai-400 032, Email: drmanekarap@redifmiail.com) : Effect of tyrosine on central nervous system of marine male crab, Scylla serrata: a biochemical study. J Cell Tissue Res 2005, 5(1), 345-8.

Changes in the biochemical parameters, important enzymes and in free amino acid concentration in central nervous system of male crab (Scylla serrata) after the treatment of tyrosine was studied. They were injected with amino acid tyrosine at a dose of 4 μg/120 gm body weight for seven days. Analysis of free amino acids, enzyme activity, protein and lipid concentration was carried out. Concentration of phenylalanine significantly increased in CNS. Enzyme activity increased in eyestalk but decreased in brain. Elevation in concentration of lipids protein, DNA, RNA was observed.

3 tables, 39 ref

024808   Maneesh M;Jayalekshmi H;Dutta S;Chakrabarti A;Vasudevan D M (Dep of Biochem, Sikkim Manipal Inst of Med Sci, Gangtok) : Role of of oxidative stress in ethanol induced germ cell apoptosis-an experimental study in rats. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 62-7.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the possible involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ethanol induced testicular atrophy in rats. Adult male rats were orally administered ethanol at a dose of 1.6 g/kg body weight/ day for four weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the rats were sacrificed using anesthetic ether. Testes were removed and weighed. Apoptosis was studied by using the Feulgen reaction on 5 μ thin paraffin sections of testis. Testicular homogenate was prepared and centrifuged. The supernatant was used for the estimation of extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense status. There was significant reduction in body weight; and in testicular weight and diameter in ethanol treated rats, Extent of germ cell apoptosis was significantly high in ethanol treated rats. Ethanol treated rats showed significantly high tissue TBARS level and glutathione S-transferase activity; and low tissue ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. Chronic ethanol administration resulted in high oxidative stress in the testes either due to increased extent of lipid peroxidation or due to decreased antioxidant defenses, and thereby induces germ cell apoptosis leading to testicular atrophy.

4 illus, 2 tables, 42 ref

024807   Latha G S;Vijaya Lakshmi V;Surekha Rani H; Murthy K J R (Bhagwan, Mahavir Hosp and Res Cent, Hvderabad-500 004) : Use of specific IgE to fractions of gynandropsis gynandra pollen in in vitro diagnostic test. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 170-3.

The study was aimed at presence of specific IgE antibody levels invitro to the identified antigen Based on positive skin test with Gynandropsis gynandra and elevated levels of total IgE (<62>325 IU/ml) 104 patients were selected. Healthy, asymptomatic individuals (25) with low total IgE (<60>325 IU/ml) were included as controls. The mean OD values by ELISA for specific IgE were 0.67± 0.21, 0.57±0.18 and 0.56+0.18 with whole pollen antigen, 46-37 kD fraction and 36-32 kD fraction, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity between skin test positivity with whole pollen antigen verses fraction with mol.wt 46-37 kD was 90% and 90% and for fraction with mol.wt 36-32 kD was found to be 81.1% and 89.4%. The clusters with molecular weights 46-37 kD and 36-32 kD may be useful in in vitro diagnostic test. Fraction within these clusters need to be identified for a higher specificity.

1 tables, 16 ref

024806   Kusumanjali G;Reddy C G;Kanagasabapathy A S; Rao P (NO, Kamineni Inst of Med Sci, Narkatpally, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh-508 254) : Standardization of a dilution method for cyclosporin (C₂ estimation in renal transplant patients. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 146-9.

Accurate monitoring of blood cyclosporin C2 levels is vital to prevent over immunosuppression and acute renal toxicity in patients who receive organ transplant. The matrix used to dilute patients' C2 samples prior to the assay affected the final measured values. Hence there was a need to develop a method of dilution that would accurately estimate C2 levels when cyclosporin levels were beyond the calibration range of the method employed. Whole blood, cyciosporin free hemolysate and cell and protein free supernatant obtained after pretreatment of normal blood were used to dilute patients' C2 samples. C2 was measured in 188 patient using the supernatant method of dilution. C2 was correlated with Co and dose of cyclcsporin received by the patient. The use of cell and protein free supernatant obtained after pretreatment of normal blood as a C2 diluent detected higher levels of C2 in the sample. Measured C2 correlated significantly with Co and the cyclosporin dose received by the patient. The uniformly aqueous cell and protein free supernatant ensures uniform dilution of the patients' C2 sample and measures higher cyclosporin levels.

1 illus, 2 tables, 4 ref

024805   Kale A A;Munjal S V (Dep of Biochem, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722, Email: shivajimunjal@rediffmail.com) : Mitochondrial respiration associated with cytoplasmic male sterlity in pearl millet. J Pl Biochem Biotechnol 2005, 14(2), 161-5.

Respiratory activities in vegetative tissues and the isolated mitochondria of etiolated seedlings and reproductive tissues were studied in two cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines having the same A₁ cytoplasm with different nuclear backgrounds of pearl millet along with their maintainer, restorer and restored lines. In addition, the assays of cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase were performed in isolated mitochondria. Cyanide-sensitive, cyanide-insensitive and total respirations in vegetative tissues and isolated mitochondria were lower in both the CMS lines than their rpspective maintainers, restorers and restored hybrids. Except in CMS lines, uptake of O₂ during anther development increased from premeiotic to postmeiotic stage in all the lines. Consumption of O₂, however, declined from meiotic to postmeiotic stage in the anthers of CMS lines. Pure mitochondrial preparations were obtained which were 92-94% intact. Enzymes, cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) and succinate dehydrogenase (complex II) showed lower activities in both the CMS lines than their respective maintainer, restorer and restored hybrids. The CMS lines also displayed lower levels of nuclear encoded enzymes, viz., alternative oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase.

4 tables, 24 ref

024804   Jha R K;Xu Z (Genetic Engng Laboratory. Feed Sci Inst, Anim Sci Coll, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China) : Production of recombinant enveloped structural proteins from the chinese wssv isolate. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 136-41.

The white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the deadly pathogens of penaeid shrimps and other crustaceans. The WSSV virion consists of an enveloped rod-shaped nucleocapsid enclosing a large circular double stranded DNA genome of 305 Kb with 181 open reading framen. The two major structural genes, VP19 and VP28 were amplified from the genomic DNA of Chinese isolate of WSSV and cloned in pUCm-T vector and sub cloned in pET-30a (+) vector. The expressions of genes in E coli (BL21) were confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. The clones were sequenced, submitted to the gene bank and the Xiang Shan strain of WSSV were compared with the previous reported sequence of WSSV of various regions which revealed that VP19 and VP28 gene sequences had certain differences from me Sequences of similar genes of the isolate already reported. The recombinant proteins expressed, purified and characterized.

2 illus, 31 ref

024803   Islam S (Anthrop Dep, Univ of Rajshahi, Rajashahi-6205, Bangladesh) : Is anthropology a matter of science or of art or literary criticism? a theoretical discourse. Oriental Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 143-53.

Before the early ninetieth century there was an effort among the anthropologists to establish anthropology as a discipline of natural science. On the one hand, functionalism, structural-functionalism, structuralism are some of the early rigorous proponents of making anthropology as science. Later on in the mid through the late twentieth century scholars like Turner, Geertz, Marcus, Wolf, Mintz and postmodernists who vehemently oppose the earlier claim of making anthropology as science; rather they raise the question of truth and objectivity. They argue that anthropology cannot be a science; rather they like to see anthropological information as "text" and seek to translate anthropology into a literary experimentation. Confronts these two claims tries to pursue what anthropology is. Can one really claim anthropology as science? Or should one comply with the argument of the postmodernists? Is anthropology more like universal law-making theory or like hermeneutic and humanistic explanation?

18 ref

024802   Islam Md. R;Islam Md. N;Ali M K;Mondol Md. N I (Popul Sci and Hum Resour Dev Dep, Rajshahi Univ, Bangaldesh) : Indirect estimation and mathematical modeling of some demographic parameters of Bangladesh. Oriental Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 163-71.

Estimate demographic parameters of Bangladesh using 1974 Census data. Age specific death rates (ASDRs) and life expectancy at birth for both sexes have been estimated from male and female life tables constructed by Widowhood Method. Crude death rate(CDR) for both sexes has been estimated using estimated ASDRs and smoothed age structure for both sexes of 1974 census. Crude birth rate (CBR)for both sexes has also been estimated from the balancing equation. The estimated population parameters are life expectancy at birth e⁰ ₀- 45.47 years, crude death rate (CDR) = 20.46 per thousand, growth rate =26.00 per thousand and crude birth rate (CBR) = 46.46 per thousand for both sexes. Age structure and ASDRs for both sexes of Bangladesh in 1974 follow modified negative exponential model and 4th degree polynomial model, resvectively. Model validation technique, cross-validity prediction power (CVPP), ρ²_cv, is applied to these models to verify the stability of these models.

4 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

024801   Gupta S;Singh N B (Anim Sci Dep, M.J.P. Rohilkhand Univ, Bareilly-243 006) : Evaluation of Mentha spicata leaf powder on T. castaneum (Herbst.) a pest of stored grain products. Indian J appl pure Biol 2006, 21(1), 103-8.

The life-table characteristics indicated a relatively maximum rate of mortality of eggs (20.66%) which increased to 22.00% (at 1% treatment) and 22.34% (at 2% treatment). The rate of larval mortality increased from 3.78% (L₁) to 7.32% (L4) in wheat flour. At 1 % treatment of M. spicata leaf powder, the larval mortality at L₆ stage (9.2%) was the highest. In case of 2% mixtures of M. spicata leaf powder the highest mortality was recorded in L2 stage (13.15%). The highest mortality of pupae (3.15%) was recorded in 1% treatment. The dry weights of some of the developmental stages treated with 2% leaf powder of M spicata (L₅ = 0.42, L₆ = 0.58, pupae=0.55 and adult = 0.41 mg) were significantly lower (P/_0.05 and P/_0.01) than those of controls (L₅ = 0.58, L₆=0.84, pupae= 0.78 and adult = 0.72 mg). The absolute growth rates of L₄ stage (control = 0.072, 1% treatment=0.060 and 2% treatment=0.055 mg/day) were maximal but afterward it declined in pupae (control = -0.01, 1% treatment=-0.01, and 2% treatment = -0.004 mg/day) and adults (control=-0.011, 1% treatment=-0.009 and 2% treatment=-0.02 mg/day).

1 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

024800   Grkovic S;Nikolic R;Dordevic M;Stojanov L (Dep of Pediat, Mother and Child Hlth Care Inst of Serbia, Belgrade, Yugoslavia) : Urinary catecholamine metabolite capillary gas chromatography method and experience with 12 cases of neuroblastoma. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 178-81.

Proposed a rapid, simple metodology for routine analysis of human urine to detect vanillylmandelic and homovanillic acid related to neuroblastoma.The assay were specific capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. In this methodology an internal standard is used and the procedure involves ethyl ester formation without isolation of the compounds of interest. The run time is 36 minutes reported quantitative results for urinary vanillylmandelic and homovanillic acid in neuroblastoma patients, demonstrating the diaqnostic value of this method.

2 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

024799   Goswami K;Ghosh S;Bandyopadhyay M;Mukherjee K L (NO, Vivekananda Inst of Med Sci, 99 Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata-700 026) : Iron store and free radicals in thalassemia. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 192-4.

Hyper-ferrous state is the result of multiple transfusions, whereby the iron excess in such conditions may be toxic to the organism. Patients suffering from thalassemia receive multiple transfusions. In the eastern part of India, both β⁰thalassemia and heterozygous Eβ-thalassemia occur. This paper expresses the hyper-ferrous state, leading to iron overload in these two conditions and also reports the increased generation of free radicals, consequent to the iron overload.

1 tables, 12 ref

024798   Elizabeth K M (Dep of Microbiology. Coll of Sci, Gandhi Inst of Technol and Mgmt, Visakhapatnam-530 045) : Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia bellerica. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 150-3.

The antimicrobial activity of crude and methanol extract of Terminalia bellerica dry fruit was tested by disc diffusion method, against 9 human microbial pathogens. Crude aqueous extract of dry fruit at 4 mg concentration showed zone of inhibition ranging from 15.5-28.0 mm. S. aureus was found to be highly susceptible forming highest zone of inhibition, suggesting that 7. bellerica was strongly inhibitory towards this organism. These pathogens were highly sensitive to the methanol extract forming 14.0 to 30.0 mm zone of inhibition suggesting that the methanol extract of T. bellerica was more effective than crude extract against most of the microbes tested except E. coli (entero-pathogen) and P. aeruginosa. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of crude and methanol extracts were determined by broth dilution technique which ranged from 300 to <62>2400 μg/ml and 250 μg to <62>2000 μg/ml respectively, indicating that T. bellirica was highly effective against S. aureus with lower MIC values. There were some biochemical alterations induced by T. bellerica. These results indicate that T. bellerica dry fruit possesses potential broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

3 tables, 12 ref

024797   Durgawale P;Kanase S;Shukla P S;Sontakke S (Dep of Biochem, Krishna Inst of Med Sci, Karad, Maharashtra-415 110) : A sensitive and economical modified method for estimation of cerebrospinal fluid proteins. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 174-7.

Cerebrospinal fluid protein estimation is a routine diagnostic tool for various diseases. The proposed modified bromocresol green (BCG) method is applicable to automated as well as manual measurements. Protein concentrations and absorbance at 600 nm are linearly related throughout a wide range of concentrations from 10 mg % to 2000 mg %. Ninety C.S.F. samples were analyzed and results obtained by both the modified BCG method and routine pyrogallol red method were compared. An excellent co-relation was observed ( n = 90, g = 0.996, P <60> 0.001).

1 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

024796   Dhara P;Kar S K;Ghosh S;Sau S K;Banerjee S (Sports Physiol and Ergonomics Div. Hum Physiol with Community Hlth De, Vidyasagar Univ, Paschim Medinipur-721 102) : Body dimension and body composition of agricultural workers of eastern India. Indian J Physiol Allied Sci 2005, 59(4), 111-23.

Anthropometric study was carried out on agricultural workers (male: 200, female: 204) having the age range of 18-65 years from West Bengal state, (Eastern India). Seventeen body dimensions of male and female workers were measured. Different skinfold thicknesses were also measured in men (chest, abdomen and thigh) and women (triceps, suprailliac and thigh). From the skinfold data, the body composition of agricultural workers was calculated. Results showed that there was a significant difference (p <60>0.001) in all body dimensions between men and women. The percentile values (5th, 50th and 95th) of all body dimensions were computed which may be used for designing agricultural hand tools, machinery and workstation from the viewpoint of ergonomics. It has been found that male and female workers use the same equipment for agricultural tasks. Therefore, the body dimensions of men and women were taken in a single group and the percentile values were determined which may be used for designing machinarics and equipment like, plough, manual and power tiller, threshing machine, sickle, hoe, paddy spreader etc. It was noted that there was a significant difference in BMI (p <60> 0.95) and percentage of body fat (p<60>0.001) between male and female workers. The fat content of male workers was within the normal limit but female subjects had very low percentage of fat. Some anthropometric measurements of present study were compared with those of Indian males from Western, Southern, Northern and Central parts of India and also compared with those of different countries. There was a significant difference in mean values of some anthropometric measurements among different parts of India and some of the present data were also significantly different from that of the foreign counterpart. It is concluded that it would be helpful for the workers to avoid stress, physical overexertion and accidents, if equipment, machinaries and workstations are made according to the body dimensions of the user population.

1 illus, 7 table, 42 ref

024795   De K;Ghosh S;Barmaiya K K (Actinomycetes Res Lab Dep of Biol Sci, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidalaya, Jabalpur-482 001) : Thermophilic actinomycetes with antifungal properties from various localities of Jabalpur. Indian J appl pure Biol 2006, 21(1), 9-12.

Soil samples & composts were collected from ten different sites of Jabalpur. Various soil factors like pH, percentage of moisture, organic matter content were determined. Isolation of thermophilic actinomycetes was done by Dilution plate method. The isolates obtained were purified & maintained under laboratory conditions & further tested for antagonistic activity against five test phytopathogens viz. Ahernaria solani, Colletotrichum falcatum. Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia bataticola & Sclerotium rolfsii by Agar plug method.

2 tables, 10 ref

024794   Chelikani P;Ramana T;Radhakrishnan T M (Dep of Biol, Massachusetts Inst of Technol, Cambridge, MA 02139. U.S.A) : Catalase: a repertoire of unusual features. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 131-5.

Catalases are antioxidant enzymes which catalyze the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen, and are one of the oldest enzymes to be studied biochemically. The first crystal structure of a catalase appeared in the year 1980 and it revealed the tetrameric nature of the enzyme and presence of channels accessing the deeply buried active site heme. An interesting feature of the tetrameric structure is the characteristic interweaving or arm exchange of the subunits. The recent elucidation of the crystal structure of transport proteins (porins, aquaporins) showed that these proteins are also tetrameric in nature and posses channels. However, recent specific investigations focusing on the roles for these channels, in the mechanism, of enzyme action of catalases, revealed significant similarities with that observed for the transport of water and/or glycerol, in aquaporins.

2 illus, 35 ref

024793   Chavan S;Hase N;Chavan P (Dep of Biochem, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Med Coll and Gen Hosp, Sion, Mumbai-400 022) : Urinary enzymes in nephrotic syndrome. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 126-30.

Tubular damage is a complication associated with nephrotic syndrome and increased levels of urinary enzymes are of significant value in detection of the same. Evaluate the use of urinary lysozyme and trehalase as markers of tubular dysfunction in nephrotic syndrome. This study assessed 35 nephrotic syndrome patients and 30 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Urine samples were examined at pretreatment and post treatment (8 weeks) stages for proteinuria, lysozyme and trehalase. At pretreatmant stage there was significant increase in urinary lysozyme and trehalase as compared to controls (p <60> 0.001). A good correlation was observed between degree of proteinuria and urinary lysozyme (p<60>0.001;r=0.80) and trehalase (p<60>0.001;r=0.74) At the end of 8 weeks of treatment, the patients showed significant decrease in their urinary lysozyme and trehalase activity (p <60> 0.001) but no correlation with degree of proteinuria was observed. Results indicate that enzymes like lysozyme and trehalase can be used as markers of tubular dysfunction.

2 illus, 1 tables, 20 ref

024792   Chattopodhyay P (Anthrop, Surv of India, 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata-700 016) : Aftermath of immigration: a study among some non resident bengali (Indian) families. Oriental Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 221-26.

Many young people have made their home abroad, while their parents have preferred to remain in their country of origin. In a traditional set up aged parents expect to live with their children and grand children, but they have accepted the changing circumstances either voluntarily or under compulsion. The study attempts to find out how these parents live in their old age and what are their support systems. Fifty-five Bengali families who are living in Kolkata and in its suburbs is the universe of the study. The families were chosen on the basis of purposive random sampling. The interviews were aided by both structured and unstructured schedule and franchise. The main aim of the paper is to examine the old age support system under the circumstances of fragmentation of urban family structure either temporarily or permanently, due to the absence of one or more offsprings. The focus of the information is based on socio-economic background, kin adherence, arrangement for care of the parents at home arid other related factors. Migration is a universal phenomenon. It means movement of an individual or a group of individuals from one culture area or place of habitation to another. Since time immemorial man always moved from area of low opportunity to high opportunity. Prehistoric peoples moved for hunting and gathering. In Neolithic period they moved for better pasture and fertile land adding sustainability to nomadism. Safa and Dutoit (1975) indicate that migration is normally viewed as an economic phenomenon, though non-economic obviously have some bearing. Most studies concur that migrante leave their area of origin primarily because of lack of employment opportunities in the hope of finding better opportunities elsewhere.

4 tables, 4 ref

024791   Chandran P;Garg P;Pundir C S (Biochem Res Lab, Dep of Bio-Sciences, M.D. University, Rohtak-124 001) : Correlation between chemical components of billary calculi and bile & sera and bile of gallstone patients. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 81-5.

Total cholesterol, total bilirubin, calcium, oxalate, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, iron, copper, sodium and potassium were analyzed quantitatively in gallstones, bile of gall bladder and sera of 200 patients of cholelithiasis (52 cholesterol, 76 mixed and 72 pigment stone patients ) and their contents were correlated between calculi and bile and sera and bile in these three type of stone patients. A significant positive correlation was observed between total cholesterol, total bilirubin of calculi and bile, copper of bile and sera of cholesterol stone patients, copper of calculi and bile, total bilirubin, cxalate, magnesium, potassium of sera and bile of pigment stone patients and oxalate and iron of stone and bile, total bilirubin, oxalate, sodium of sera find bile of mixed stone patients. A significant negative correlation was found between magnesium of serum and bile 01 cholesterol stone patients, oxalate of calculi and bile of pigment stone patients and magnesium of serum and bile of mixed stone patients.

2 tables, 11 ref

024790   Chakraborty J;Basu D (BioCeramics and Coating Div, Cent Glass and Ceram Res Inst, Kolkata-700 032, Email: dbasu@cgcri.res.in) : Biocerarmics. Trans Indian Ceramic Soc 2005, 64(4), 171-92.

In the last few decades with the introduction of bioceramics, a special class of ceramics to perform tailored functional/biological/chemical activities in living systems, treatment procedure through reconstructive surgery has been revolutionized and this has resulted in marked improvement in quality of life of the rehabilitated persons. The procedure involves an innovative use of specially designed ceramics for reconstruction of diseased/damaged parts of body, e.g. hips, knees, wrists, spines, jaws, diseased long-bones and repair for maxillofacial, periodontal disease, etc. Bioceramics are produced in a variety of compositions, forms and phases and are often used in the form of bulk materials of specific shape to perform a special function, which are called implants, prostheses or prosthetic devices. They are also used in powder/granule forms to fill space of the damaged hard tissues, which through natural repair process get integrated and restore function, and as coatings to provide bio-friendly interface on substrate for cement-less fixation and sometimes also as a second phase in composites. In this review, different classes of bioceramics, their chemical compositions, structures, tailored functions and broad application areas have been outlined and the effects of their usage on treatment of different trauma/degenerative diseases have been discussed. Along with the current research status of the advanced laboratories around the world on this emerging subject, the developments made so far at CGCRI. Kolkata have also been outlined.

14 illus, 4 tables, 127 ref

024789   Chakrabarti S;Ray M (Anthrop Dep (PCK), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan-731 236) : Status and role of age-old people in the three cultural events of the santals: a study in communication in cultural context. Oriental Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 172-81.

In the Santal community, the. family is not only an entity by itself, but is also an integral part of the social[system. It functions in a structured network of roles that holds status of each member of a family within its fold. Deals to delineate the present status and role in terms of interpersonal comnumication of age-old people of both sex, particularly in their three cultural events rotating around the family of the Santals living in the border of West Bengal and the Santalpargana-said to be the 'homeland' of the Santals.

4 tables, 11 ref

024788   Binod Narayan (ICSSR Res Fellow, G.B. Pant Social Sci Inst, Allahabad) : Anthropological approaches to the study of ethnicity. Oriental Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 269-80.

Acdemic discipline that has been most important in developing the concept of ethnicity and often supposed to offer the best insights into 'ethnicity' and 'other cultures' is anthropology, though its first usage is attributed to the American sociologist David Riesman in 1953. Through its dependence on long-term fieldwork, anthropology has the advantage of generating first-hand knowledge of social life at the level of everyday interaction. The concept of ethnicity is somewhat multidimensional as it includes aspects such as race, origin or ancestry, identity, language and religion. It is also dynamic and in a constant state of flux. It will change because of new immigration flows, blending and intermarriage, and new identities may be formed. The paper seeks to analyse the three main sets of approaches to ethnicity viz. Essentialist approaches, Instrumentalist approaches, Rationalist approaches which became established within anthropology. In all of them ethnic group and 'ethnicity' were categories, which, at least in theory, could embrace everyone. Anthropological approaches to ethnicity are not homogeneous, and are in a process of change. Nonetheless characteristics can be discerned which often make anthropological writings on ethnicity distinctive, notwithstanding the current erosion of boundaries with sociology and other disciplines.

27 ref

024787   Banu R;Sharma R (Envir Toxicol Laboratory. Dep of Zool, Mohanlal Sukhadia Univ, Udaipur-313 001, Email: achulet@yahoo.com) : Protective effect of vitamins (C & E) on lead induced hepatotoxicity in male swiss mice. J Cell Tissue Res 2005, 5(1), 293-8.

Vitamin E and C on lead induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in the present study. The animals were bred in animal house under optimum conditions. Selected mice with 5-6 weeks of age and 20-25 gm of body weight were selected and divided into five groups of 10 animals each. These groups were : Control (C), lead-treated (L), lead plus vitamin E treated (LE), lead plus vitamin C treated (LC) and lead plus vitamin E plus vitamin C treated (LCE). In all these five groups lead, vitamin E and vitamin C were administered in the dose of 160 nig/kg/day, 160 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day respectively. At the end of 90th day liver was excised out for the histopathological examination. A number of histopathological changes were noted in the liver treated with lead. These changes were ameliorated with the administration of antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C and E. The hepatoprotective effects of these vitamins were found as in the following order: vitamin C plus vitamin E <62> vitamin C <62> vitamin E. Our results suggest that antioxidant vitamins C and E exert significant protection against toxic liver damage caused by lead. It evidences that both the vitamins C and E may have a marked hepatoprotective activity.

6 illus, 28 ref

024786   Banu N;Zaidi K R;Mehdi G;Mansoor T (Dep of Biochem, faculty of life Sci, J N Medical College, A.M. University, Aligarh) : Neurohumoral alterations and their role in amoebiasis. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 142-5.

Amoebiasis Is world wide in distribution and continues to be an important Public health problem. Intestinal amoebiasis may be present as dysentery, diarrhea or may stimulate other intra abdominal conditions. Clinical symptoms may not be seen in majority of patients, while amebic cysts are passed in the stool. This single-celled parasite is transmitted to humans via contaminated water and food. Amoebic dysentery can be accompanied by amebic infection of the liver and other organs. The present study was carried out to evaluate the changes in the circulating levels of neurohumors, their metabolizing enzymes and cortisol in these patients both before and after one month of chemotherapy. In the patients of amoebiasis the circulating acetylcholine (ACh), histamine. histaminase, cortisol, 5-Hydroxy tryptamine (serotonin), levels were significantly enhanced with no change in the Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity, while the activities of erythrocyte aceytylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma Monoamine oxidase (MAO) were found decreased in comparison to normal healthy controls. After one month of treatment all the parameters reverted towards their control values, while the level of plasma histaminase remained still significantly high. The normal DBH activity reflects that there is no alteration in the circulating catecholamine levels, while the alteration in the levels of histamine, serotonin and cortisol may be due to the nonspecific response of the body to the stress of the disease and the parasitic infestation.

1 table, 25 ref

024785   Awasthi S K;Saurabh Kumar S;Katiyar A S (Inst of Lif Sci, C.S.J.M. Univ, Kanpur-208 024) : Studies on crude oil degradation by thermophilic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Indian J appl pure Biol 2006, 21(1), 23-30.

The purpose of the experiment is to isolate oil degrading bacteria from an oil-contaminated soil sample. The samples for this experiment were acquired from a relatively cold environment, and hence it is expected that the isolate would contain such hydrocarbon degrading psychrotolerant species as Pseudomonas. Soil sample were placed in an incubator at 35°C for 2 weeks to facilitate the growth of bacteria on Bushnell Hass medium. A serial dilution technique subsequently yielded four-addition test tubes with dilution 10^-3, 10^-4, 10^-5, & 10. Approximately 400 colony forming unit (CPUs) were counted for the dilution factor 10^-5, resulting in calculating 4 X 10⁷ CFUs/ml of bacteria in the soil sample collected. However for the dilution factor 10^-6,1.36 X 10^-8 CFUs/ml was calculated for the soil sample, the higher dilution indicated more microorganisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonies were initially identified by their morphologically large, opaque, shiny colonies with serrated edges in the soil. The colonies had a cell type characteristic of Gram-negative rods. The isolated cultures were then further identified by using biochemical tests: casein, citrate, urease, & Mac conkey. All four of the test results supported a positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa identification after 48 hr incubation. All bacterial strains were isolated on Luria Agar (LA) plate from crude oil degrading bacterial consortium. Strains PA NU2, PA NU3, PA NU4 and PA NU5 displayed four distinct patterns, which are quite different from the controls. However, slight differences appeared between PA NU2 and PA NU4: the 1.4 kb band has a different intensity in the two strains and a 0.6 kb band is present in PA NU2 only. These results suggested that the four isolated strains were genetically different.

7 illus, 9 ref

024784   Ashavaid T F;Todur S P;Dherai A J (Res Laboratories and Dept. of Biochem, P.D. Hnduja Natn Hosp & Med Res Cent, Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai-400 016) : Establishment of reference intervals in Indian population. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 110-18.

The central role of the laboratory scientist is to aid the clinician, in interpreting observed values, by providing relevant reference values in a convenient and practical form. In India, reference values used in laboratories have been established in the western population. But these can be questioned due to differences in genetic load, lifestyle, and diet. This review highlights the approach for establishing reference values in our population using the IFCC guidelines and our observations from our data as compared to the reported values in our laboratory.

2 illus, 1 tables, 24 ref

024783   Antony G;Mishra A K;Praveen S (Div of Biochem, Indian Agric Res Inst, New Delhi-110 012, Email: shellypraveen@hotmail.com) : A single chimeric transgene derived from two distinct viruses for multiple virus resistance. J Pl Biochem Biotechnol 2005, 14(2), 101-5.

A chimeric transgene composed of two different viral gene segments, was employed to confer multiple virus resistance in transformed tomato through homology-dependent gene silencing. Two important viruses of tomato, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) were targeted. Comparison of 657 nucleotide coat protein (CP) region of CMV isolate (CMV -B) with those of five other CMV-lndian isolates showed more than 95% identity both at the nucleotide as well as amino acid level. Previous studies showed the presence of conserved domain in the replicase gene of ToLCV comprising of 319 ms at 3 of the gene. With this in view, gene encoding full-length transcript of CP of CMV-B was fused with the conserved domain of replicase gene of ToLCV. This is a first attempt of the transcriptionai fusion of viral gene segments derived from an DMA virus (ToLCV) and a RNA virus (CMV). The chimeric gene construct was transformed in L. esculentum for multiple virus resistance, which is expected to work through homology - dependent gene silencing.

1 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

024782   Akpanabiatu M I;Umoh I B;Udosen E O;Udoh A E; Edet E E (Dep of Biochem, Univ of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar-Nigeria) : Rat serum electrolytes, lipid profile and cardiovascular activity on Nauclea latifolia leaf extract administration. Indian J clin Biochem 2005, 20(2), 29-34.

Aqueous extract of the leaf and root of Nauclea latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) is used in Nigerian flok medicine for the treatment of hypertension. This work is carried out to investigate the effect of Nauclea latifolia leaf extract on lipid profile and cardiovascular activity of rats. Normal and 10% coconut oil fed rats were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of Nauclea latifolia leaf for 2 weeks. Forty-eight mature male albino rats of the Wistar strain were divided into two experiments of four groups, each group having 6 animals. Experiment I animals were treated with the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract whilst experiment II animals were fed 10% cocnut oil meal before treatment with the water soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. A single oral dose of Nauclea latifolia was 170, 340 and 510 mg/kg body wt/day of the extracts respectively for 2 wks. There was no significant change in the lipid profile of the experimental animals as compared with the controls. There was about 40% relaxation on contracted thoracic aorta that was pre-contracted with 2 μM phenylephrine. The viability of the tissue was tested against 10 μM of acetylcholine. There was no significant (P <62> 0.05) change in Na+ concentration in the serum. However, the K⁺ concentration in the serum of the experimental animals showed a significant increase. The study shows that ethanol extract of Nauclea latifolia has vasodilator action on the aorta and that lipid profiles of experimental rats were not affected. Furthermore, the increase in the K⁺ may be contributing to the vasodilator effect of Nauclea latifolia.

1 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

024781   Ajay Singh;Kaushalendra Kumar;Gaur K K (Ajay Diagnostic Cent, Jai Hosp & Res Cent, Bye Pass Road, Agra, U.P) : Isolation of mycobacterial strains in rural, urban and slum population of Agra. Natn J Life Sci 2004, 1(2), 319-22.

Three hundred and twenty nine clinically and radiologically suspected pulmonary cases of tuberculosis as well as fifty one cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were processed for isolation of mycobacteria. The distribution of cases in rural, urban and slum population had been 46.31% 22.37% and 31.32% respectively.

2 tables, 22 ref

024780   Agrawal S;Shasany A K;Khanuja S P S (Genetic Resour and Biotechnol Div, Cent Inst of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow-226 015, Email: khanujazy@yahoo.com) : Plant transformation vectors having street rabies virus (Indian strain) glycoprotein gene. J Pl Biochem Biotechnol 2005, 14(2), 81-7.

Rabies, a serious health hazard, affects central nervous system of mammals and is caused by rabies virus. The viral glycoprotein forms the external surface of virus and is the most antigenic protein. Hence the rabies glycoprotein is an ideal candidate for use in the construction of a subunit marked vaccine. With the idea to substitute the total inactivated virus with G protein in the production of vaccine, the study was undertaken to clone the full-length glycoprotein gene under the control of various constitutive and expression promoters for its expression in bacterial background and its further cloning for plant transformation.

10 illus, 17 ref

023881   Yao S;Chi Z;He S (NO, UNESCO Chin Cent of Mar Biotechnol Ocean Univ of China, Yushan Road No.5, Qingdao, 266003, China, Email: zhenming@sdu.edu.cn) : Regulation of MALl<. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2006, 43(3), 143-7.

Effects of inositol addition on maltase activity and expression of MALL⁺ncoding maltase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe were investigated. The maximum specific maltase activity was observed, when the concentration of inositol reached 6.0 μg/ml in the synthetic medium containing 2.0% glucose. At 1.0 μg/ml inositol concentration, the maltase activity continuously decreased, as initial glucose concentration was higher than 0.1%. mRNA encoding maltase and phosphatidylinositol (PI) content were higher in the cells grown in the synthetic medium with 6.0 μg/ml of inositol and 2.0% glucose than those with 1.0 μg/ml of inositol. These result demonstrated that higher inositol concentration in the synthetic medium could derepress MALl⁺ gene expression in S. pombe and PI might be involved in derepression of MALl⁺ gene expression in S. pombe probably by PI-type signalling pathway.

5 illus, 18 ref

023880   Vasantha Kumari B;Pillai P G;Mathew P M;Thara Devi C S (Dep of Bot, Sree Ayyappa Coll for Women, Chunkankadai-629 807) : Study on consanguinity in the Vellala community of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. J theor expl Biol 2005, 1(3), 141-7.

Study on consanguinity in the Vellala Community of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India revealed a fairly high rate of inbreeding (23.80%) in this group. Uncle-niece, first cousin and second cousin were the common types of related marriages with first cousin type predominating and matrilat-eral cross type showing an edge over patrilateral. Genetic effects of consanguinity determined in terms of mortality (pre- and postnatal) and morbidity showed the frequency to be significantly higher in the consanguineous group than in the nonconsanguineous control group. The genetic load due to inbreeding in the community evaluated in terms of 'A' and 'B' statistics showed the load lying between 5 and 6 lethal equivalents per gamete. The high B/A ratio was suggestive of the mutational component being appreciable in the group.

3 tables, 18 ref

023879   Varatharajan R;Ingobi Singh M;Reeta L, (Dep of Life Sci, Manipur Univ, Imphal-795 003, Email: rvrajanramya@rediffmail.com) : Cross infectivity of baculovirus, Spilarctia, obliqua nuclear polyhedrosis virus against mulberry pest, Porthesia xanthorrhoea Kollar. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(5), 419-21.

Spilarctia obliqua nucleopolyhedrosis virus (SoNPV) has been found effective against S. obliqua (Walker) as well as Porthesia xanthorrhoea Kollar. LC₅₀ concentration of S. obliqua SoNPV against S obliqua and P. xanthorrhoea was 2.5x10 and 3.7x10⁴ POBs/ml, respectively. LT₅₀ of SoNPV against S. obliqua was 5.73 days, while it was 6.98 days for P. xanthorrhoea. Cross infectivity of SoNPV against P. xanthorrhoea and ease of its mass production may make it an ideal biopesticide.

1 table, 24 ref

023878   Upaganlawar A;Farswan M;Rathod S;Balaraman R (Pharm Dep Fac of Technol and Engng, Maharaja Sayajirao Univ of Baroda, Vadodara-390 001, Email: amanrx@yahoo.com) : Modification of biochemical parameters of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by coenzyme Q10 and green tea in rats. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(5), 416-8.

The present study has been designed to investigate the possible potential protective role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10; 10mg/kg/day, ip) and/or green tea (GT; 25mg/kg/day, po) against gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity. Marked increase in the level of serum urea, creatinine and lipid peroxidation (LPO) content was found after administration of gentamicin (80mg/kg/day, ip) for eight days along with significant decrease in the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH). catalase (CAT) as well as brush border enzymes (Na⁺K⁺ Atpase, Mg⁺²ATPase and Ca²⁺ ATPase). Treatment with CoQ10 or green tea alone with GM showed significant decrease in serum urea, creatinine and tissue LPO content and significant increase in antioxidant and membrane bound enzymes. Combined treatment with CoQ10 and green tea was more effective in mitigating adverse effect of GM nephrotoxicity. The present work indicated that CoQ10 and green tea due to their antioxidant activity modified the biochemical changes occurred during gentamicin nephrotoxicity and thus had a potential protective effect.

1 table, 19 ref

023877   Thanseem I;Thulaseedharan A (Biotechnol Div, Rubb Res Inst of India, Kottayam-686 009, Email: thulaseedharan@rubberboard.org.in) : Optimization of RQRT-PCR protocols to measure Beta-1,3-glucanase mRNA levels in infected tissues of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(6), 492-8.

RQRT-PCR technique was evaluated for its validity as an alternative to Northern blotting for quantification of plant gene expression in diseased tissues of Hevea. Reliable RT-PCR results could be obtained by co-amplification of housekeeping actin gene as the internal control along with the gene of interest. The product of interest was quantified relative to that of the internal control by measuring net intensity of bands. Expression levels of defense-related β-1,3 glucanase gene was studied in the pathogen infected tissues of rubber. The β-1,3 glucanase gene was found to be Induced in infected leaf tissues and reached a peak at 48 h after inoculation. The β-1,3-glucanase gene expression during pathogen infection was determined through Northern blot hybridization also, using 18S RNA as the internal control. RQRT-PCR and Northern hybridization showed almost similar results, thereby validating the use of this technique to study the gene expression in rubber.

^iia6 illus, 24 ref

023876   Shashi Rekha T;Mitra C K (Dep of Biochem, Univ of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500 046, Email: c_mitra@yahoo.com) : 1/f correlations in viral genomes - a Fast-Fourier Transformation (FFT) study. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2006, 43(3), 137-42.

Presence of long-range correlations in the complete genomes of ten different dsDNA viruses and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers' yeast) chromosome I. Also studied the correlation between the distribution of the gene length and the domain of "1/f region" of their genomes. Linear regression analysis was done for the power-law region of these organisms and the slope values obtained were <126>-1, which signify the existence of "1/f noise" in the low and medium (intermediate) frequency regions. This suggests the presence of long-range correlations in their genomes. The presence of 1/f noise in a given frequency interval indicates the existence of a fractal (self-similar) structure in the corresponding range of wavelengths. The results of study suggest that genes have correlations within themselves, and the corrections appear to be related with the scaling exponent α.

2 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

023875   Sharma P C;Sharma O P;Vasudeva N;Mishra D N; Singh S K (Lord Shiva Coll of Pharm, Near Civ Hosp, Post Box No. 63, Sirsa-125 055, Email: sharma_prabodh@rediffmail.com) : Anti-HIV substances of natural origin - an updated account. Nat Prod Radiance 2006, 5(1), 70-8.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection targets and destroys a specific type of white blood cells (T₄ Lymphocytes), leading to the development of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). With the recent advances in biochemistry and pathophysiology of HIV the complete life cycle of HIV and its pathogenesis is well understood and therefore the anti-HIV agents can be classified on the basis of their role in replicative cycle of HIV vinon. A number of synthetic, semisynthetic as well as drugs of natural origin are reported to be active against HIV. Various drugs of plant and mineral origin have been thoroughly discussed including their classification based upon their mechanisms of action. Since, more than 90% of HIV infected individuals live in developing countries where easy access to expensive and synthetic drugs is scare and hence natural substance shall be proved to be a boon to mankind in continuing battle against AIDS.

2 illus, 46 ref

023874   Shajil E M;Chatterjee S;Agrawal D;Bagchi T; Rasheedunnisa Begum (Dep of Biochem, Maharaja Sayajirao Univ of Baroda, Vadodara-390 002, Email: rasheeda@icenet.co.in) : Vitiligo: Pathomechanisms and genetic polymorphism of susceptible genes. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(7), 526-39.

Vitiligo is a depigmenting disorder resulting from the loss of melanocytes in the skin and affects 1-4% of the world population. Incidence of vitiligo is found to be 0.5-2.5% in India with a high prevalence of 8.8% in Gujarat and Rajasthan states. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to melanocyte destruction in this disorder are not yet been fully elucidated. Genetic factors, neural factors, toxic ROS metabolites, autoantibodies and autoreactive T lymphocytes may be the causative agents for the selective destruction of melanocytes. Three major hypotheses of pathogenesis of vitiligo are neural, autoimmune and oxidative stress hypotheses, however none of them explains the pathogenesis of vitiligo in toto. Genetics of vitiligo is characterized by incomplete penetrance, multiple susceptibility loci and genetic heterogeneity. Recent advances in this field are linkage and association of candidate gene studies. The linkage and association studies provide a strong evidence for the presence of multiple vitiligo susceptibility genes on different chromosomes. Several candidate genes for vitiligo are identified from different populations. Overview of different hypotheses of vitiligo pathogenesis are provided and the recent advances in this field with special reference to linkage, association and candidate gene approach are provided.

^iia3 illus, 6 tables, 124 ref

023873   Saxena A;Varadwaj P;Singh S;Jaiswal M;Misra K;Lahiri T (NO, Indian Inst of Inf Technol, Allahabad-211 012, Email: tlahiri@iiita.ac.in) : Phylogentetic analysis of Mycobacterium leprae genome for identification of novel drug targets. Indian J Biotechnol 2006, 5(1), 58-61.

Reductive evolution provides a pathogen minimal gene set. Due to loss of genes, for drug target identification, biochemical techniques cannot be used since these pathogens are difficult to culture. Besides classical drug targets i.e. toxins, adhesions, some novel drug targets, using a molecular phylogeny approach, can be identified. Horizontally transferred genes in bacterial pathogen from their eukaryotic host has been classified as 'Novel drug target', and a reusable system for identifying horizontally transferred gene has been built using a molecular phylogeny approach. Using this system, two genes have been identified in Mycobacterium leprae, which have also been identified by other methods.

2 illus, 17 ref

023872   Satpute R M;Kashyap R S;Kainthla R P;Purohit H J;Taori G M;Daginawala H F (Biochem Res Lab, Cent India Inst of Med Sci, 88/2, Bajaj Nagar, Nagpur-440 010, Email: nfd_ciims@rediffmail.com) : Secretory factors of human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) and human glioblastoma (U87MG) cell lines induce neurite outgrowths in PC12 cells. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(5), 367-70.

Neurite outgrowth is essential for the communication of the nervous system. The rat Pheochromocytoma (PCI2) cells are commonly used in the neuronal cell study. It is well known that exogenous stimuli such as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) induce neurite outgrowth. In the study it has been investigated whether or not the conditioned medium from human neuroblastoma cell line (IMR-32) and human glioblastoma cell line (U87MG) may augment neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. PC12 were cultured with and without conditioned media of IMR-32 and U87MG. The result showed that both the conditioned media induce neurite outgrowth within 48 hr and stops further proliferation of PC12 cells. However no outgrowth was noted in PC12 cells incubated without conditioned medium. In conclusion, it is shown that both the conditioned media (IMR-32 and U87MG) have the potential to induce the neurite outgrowth in the PC12 cells.

2 illus, 18 ref

023871   Sasikala A;Wijeyaratne M J S;Jayasinghe J M P K (Dep of Zool, Univ of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka) : Histamine levels in fishery products imported to Sri Lanka. Indian J Fish 2005, 52(4), 385-95.

The histamine levels in imported dried fish, canned fish and Maldive fish were determined using thin layer chromatography followed by fluorometry. The results indicated that the mean histamine content of imported dried seer fish, queen fish, Indian thread fish, trevally, sail fish, spotted sardinella, skip jack tuna and anchovy were much higher than the accepted safe levels of 100 mg/kg. Imported dried catfish and shark contained a mean histamine level of <60>200 mg/kg. The imported canned fish of Jack mackerel, sardine and kipper packed in natural juice, tomato sauce, vegetable oil and sunflower oil contained a safe level of histamine, i.e <60>100 mg/kg. In imported canned tuna packed in sunflower oil, fish oil, brine and hot and spice sauce, the histamine content was within the accepted safe levels. When the cans were bloated, the histamine content was at health risk level even if they were within the recommended shelf life period. The mean histamine content of imported Maldive fish was also found to be higher than the accepted safe levels.

7 tables, 24 ref

023870   Saksena D N;Gaidhane D M;Singh H (Sch of studies in Zool, Jiwaji Univ, Gwalior-474 011) : Limnology of kharland (saline) ponds of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra in relation to prawn culture potential. J envir Biol 2006, 27(1), 49-53.

The coastal saline soils, Kharlands, have great potential for their use in aquaculture. The study has been taken up to understand the limnology of the ponds in Kharland area for assessing their prawn culture potential. The study was carried out during September, 1999 to August, 2001. Each Kharland pond has an area of 0.045 hectare. During the study, depth of pond water was 47.7 to 120.0 cm, temperature varied from 25.7 to 34.5 °C; transparency from nil to 65.0 cm; specific conductivity from 1.76 to 94.5 μS.cm^-1 total dissolved solids from 0.89 to 27.55 ppt; pH 5.42 to 8.25; dissolved oxygen 1.6 to 8 mg.l^-1; free carbon dioxide 10.00 to 44.00 mg.l^-1; total alkalinity 5.00 to 142.00 mg.l^-1; salinity 0.45 to 39.55 ppt; total hardness 245.00 to 5945.00; calcium 56.05 to 1827.6; magnesium 110.74 to 4507.75 mg.l^-1 dissolved organic matter 1.45 to 9.68 mg.l^-1; ammonia 1.00-8.00 μg.l^-1; nitrite nil to 20.00 μg.l^-1 and nitrate 7.5 to 17.5 μg.l^-1. These Kharland ponds are unique in physio-chemical characteristics during their seasonal cycle. From July to October, these ponds have nearly freshwater while from November to May pond water becomes saline. Thus, there is a great possibility of taking up monoculture of both the freshwater and brackish water prawns as well as polyculture of prawns and fishes in the Kharland ponds.

2 tables, 33 ref

023869   Roy R;Nag Chaudhuri A (Dep of Microbiol, Lady Brabourne Coll, P1/2 Suhrawardy Avenue, Kolkata-700 017, Email: odditybio@yahoo.com) : Differential acetylcholinesterase activity in rat cerebrum, cerebellum and hypothalamus. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(5), 381-6.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been purified from three different regions of rat brain using Sephadex ® G 200 column. SDS PAGE (6%) showed single band for the purified AChE fractions. Purified and lyophilized AChE from different (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitated fractions of three brain parts were utilized for in vitro enzyme kinetics using Dimethoate (Dmt) as inhibitor. K_m values for cerebelium and hypothalamus were almost similar whereas cerebrum showed a different Km value compared to other two regions. With the drug Rivastigmine it was found that % G₁ and G₄ forms of AChE in three different parts of brain are different.

6 illus, 3 tables, 12 ref

023868   Renuga G (Dep of Biochem, Madurai Kamaraj Univ, Madurai-625 021) : Characterization of ACC deaminase in plant growth promoting Pseudomonas from tannery sludge. J Ind Pollut Control 2005, 21(2), 327-36.

Plant growth promoting strains isolated from tannery sludge and characterized is Pseudomonas strain. The plant growth promoting Pseudomonas pituda can utilize 1-aniinocyclopropanc-l-carboxylase (ACC) as a sole nitrogen source because it possess the unusual enzyme ACC dcaminase, which hydrolyzes ACC to ammonia and a-ketobutyrate. This enzyme which is though to be intimately involved in the mechanism that the bacterium uses to promote root elongation in developing seedlings, under field study was purified and characterized. ACC deaminase activity has been found in the cytoplasm of the bacterium, is induced by low levels (100 nM) of ACC, and has a temperature optimum at approximately 30°c and a pH optimum of 8.5. These properties are very similar to those re-ported for ACC deaminase from another soil bacterium Pseudomonas strain. In heavily contaminated soil, sludge where the pollutant exceeds the limit of plant tolerance, it may be possible to treat plant with plant growth promoting bacteria, increasing plant growth on polluted soils.

5 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

023867   Rathinam A;Ravichandran G;Kaliyaperumal R; Azhagarasu D (Weld Res Inst, BHEL, Tiruchirappalli-620 014) : Fatigue crack growth retardation of carbon steel pipes by tensile overloading. WRI Jl 2005, 26(3), 24-8.

In spite of advances in fatigue studies, fatigue is still the most common cause of service failure of engineering structures. The application of tensile overload is found to result in accelerated crack advances but the subsequent cyclic loading is found to retard the crack growth rate. The mechanism is explained by the fact that several plastic zones are created near the crack tip due to the overloading. The plastically deformed zone which retards the crack from further propagation. In order to study the crack growth in specimens subjected to tensile overloading, experiments were conducted on INSTRON 8502 closed loop servo hydraulic testing machine. The crack growth rate was compared for no overload and overload conditions. The details of the experiments conducted and the results obtained has been discussed.

5 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

023866   Rakesh Kumar;Katoch S S;Sharma S (Dep of Biosci, Himachal Pradesh Univ, Summer Hill, Shimla-171 005, Email: sushma_bio_sci@rediffmail.com) : Beta-Adrenoceptor agonist treatment reverses denervation atrophy with augmentation of collagen proliferation in denervated mice gastrocnemius muscle. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(5), 371-6.

Daily oral administration of isoproterenol hydrochjpride (60 mg/kg body weight; for 30 days) a β-receptor agonist to normal innervated and denervated adult male Swiss albino mice confirmed its ability to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy and reverse denervation atrophy respectively. Measurement of total tissue proteins and dry muscle mass showed 15-17% increase with 6% rise of hypertrophy index in gastrocnemius muscle Hydroxyproline assay employed to measure the total tissue collagen exhibition 45% increase in collagen in normal innervated gastrocnemius muscle in response to β agonist treatment, β-adrenoceptor agonist ameliorated denervation atrophy along with further increase in collagen content of denervated gastrocnemius muscle.

1 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

023865   Rajesh K M;Gowda G;Mridula R M (NO, Coll of Fish Univ of Agric Sci, Mangalore-575 002) : Benthic primary production in the mangrove and non mangrove areas of brackishwater impoundment along Nethravathi estuary. Indian J Fish 2005, 52(4), 489-93.

Benthic primary production in the mangrove and non mangrove areas were studied for one year from Feb 1998 to Jan 1999. Mangrove area recorded higher benthic primary productivity, chlorophyll- a, phaeopigments, phytoplankton biomass, sediment nutrients and organic carbon than non mangrove area. Benthic primary productivity has got significant correlation coefficient with temperature of water and sediment, salinity, phytoplankton and chlorophyll a of the sediment. Seasonally, premonsoon period recorded higher phytobenthic production followed by postmonsoon and monsoon season.

2 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

023864   Prasad S K;Thakur S K (Sch of Stud in Zool, Vikram Univ, Ujjain-456 010, Email: drskprasad@sancharnet.in) : Alterations of serum parameters during non-reproduction period by 5-HTP and L-DOPA administration in spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata. J Cell Tissue Res 2005, 5(2), 421-4.

Circadian changes in the phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations has been suggested to determine seasonal metabolic/physiological conditions in some avian species. Daily injections of L-DOPA (L-dihydroxyphenylalamine, a dopamine precursor) given 12 h after 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan, a serotonin precursor) is reported to alter seasonality and maintain breeding conditions out of the seasons. To test whether the injections of these two neurotransmitter to adult female Spotted Munia (Lonehura punctulata), (during non-breeding phase, can influence the serum parameters leading to alter the reproductive cycle. Results indicate that the drugs significantly increase the inorganic phosphorus, calcium, total protein, glucose and cholesterol levels in comparison to control. The serum albumin and globulin levels were also raised, hence A/G ratio revealed less value. It is suggested that by altering the serum parameters, 5-HTP and L-DOPA affect the synthesis of female gonadal hormone 'estrogen' leading to influence the reproductive cycle.

2 illus, 40 ref

023863   Pareek T K;Rimpu K;Dev P K;Goyal P K (Radiat and Cancer Biol Lab Zool Dep, Univ of Raj, Jaipur-302 004, Email: pkgoyal2002@rediffmail.com) : Modulation of radiation-induced lesions in testes of Swiss albino mice by vitamin E. J Cell Tissue Res 2005, 5(2), 471-4.

Sensitivity of testes to radiation was investigated in adult male Swiss albino mice after whole-body exposure of 1.6 and 4.8 Gy of gamma radiation from a ⁶⁰Co source with (Experimental) or without (Control) vitamin E. The drug was administered for 7 consecutive days orally once in a day (25 mg/kg b. wt/day). Animals were autopsied at 6 hrs., 12 hrs., 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 days after irradiation and testis-body weight ratio, tubular diameter and spermatogenic cells were measured in both the groups and a significant decrease was observed in all parameters. Testis-body weight ratio declined considerably till day 1 in case of 1.6 Gy and day 5 in case of 4.8 Gy, central and peripheral tubular diameter decreased considerably till day 10 in both the cases, spermatogonia and spermatocytes declined upto day 5, whereas spermatids remained decreasing till the last interval. In all above cases, there were increase in measures and counts with the advent of time but they could not reach to their normal levels. The counts of testicular elements were found to be higher in experimental group (vitamin E pretreated irradiated) at various intervals than their respective controls, reaching towards normal by the end of experimentation in lower dose of radiation. These observations indicate the protective potential of vitamin E in testes against irradiation in mice.

4 tables, 25 ref