020817   Liu Q (Agron Dep, Coll of Agric and Biotechnol Zhejiang Univ, 310 019, Hangzhou, China) : Comparative studies on codon usage of chloroplasts and their host nuclear genes in four plant species. J Genet 2005, 84(1), 55-62.

Detailed comparison was made of codon usage chloroplast genes with their host (nuclear) genes in the four angiosperm species Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum and Arabidopsis thaliana. The average GC content of the entire genes, and at the three codon positions individually, was higher in nuclear than in chloroplast genes, suggesting different genomic organization and mutation pressures in nuclear and chloroplast genes. The results Nc-plots and neutrality plots suggested that nucleotide compositional constaint had a large contribution to codon usage bias of nuclear genes in O. sativa, Z. mays, and T. aestivum, whereas natural selection was likely to be playing a large role in codon usage bias in chloroplast genomes. Correspondence analysis and chi-test showed that regardless of the genomic environment (species) of the host, the codon usage pattern of chloroplast genes differed from nuclear genes of their host species by their AU-richness. All the chloroplast genomes have predominantly A- and/or U-ending codons, whereas nuclear genomes have G-, C- or U-ending codons as their optimal codons. These findings suggest that the chloroplast genome might display particular characteristics of codon usage that are different from its host nuclear genome. However, one feature common to both chloroplast and nuclear genomes in this study was that pyrimidines were found more frequently than purines as the synonymous codon position of optimal codons.

5 illus, 2 tables, 47 ref

020816   Kumarasamy P;Sivaselvam S N;Thara S; Thangaraju P;Naomar A M (Anim Genet and Breed Dep, Madras Vet Coll Tamilnadu Vet and Anim Sci Univ, Chennai-7) : Karyological studies on ongole cattle. Indian vet J 2006, 83(4), 392-94.

The modal diploid chromosome number in Ongole cattle was found to be 2n=60, comprising of 29 pairs of autosomes and a pair of sex chromosome. All the autosomes were acrocentric in nature. The X-chromosome was submetacentric, second largest chromosome in the complement. The Y-chromosome was small acrocentric, which resembled 26th pair of chromosomes. The morphometric characteristics of chromosomes were studied and an idiogram was prepared. The per cent relative length of autosomes ranged from 5.59 to 1.65. The relative length of X-chromosome was 5.33 and Y-chromosome was 1.94 per cent. The arm ratio and centromeric index of X-chromosome were 2.28 and 0.304 respectively. The prometaphase chromosomal spreads were G-banded by using trypsin to identify individual chromosomes.

1 table, 5 ref

020815   Kumar P S;Singh L;Habeeba Tabassum (Project Directorate of Biol Control (ICAR) P.B. No. 2491, H.A.Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore-560 024, e-mail: psreeramakumar@gmail.com) : Potential use of polyethylene glycol in the mass production of nonsynnematous and synnematous strains if hirsutella thompsonii Fisher in submerged culture. J biol Control 2005, 19(2), 105-13.

Polyethylane glycol (PEG 6000) at six different concentrations (1,2, 3, 4, 5 and 6% w/v) in Sabouraud dextrose broth influenced both quality and quantity of the biomass of Hirsutella thompsonii (nonsynnemaatous) and H. thompsonii var. Synnematosa (synnematous in submerged culture. Whereas the number of colony-forming units (CFU), wet and dry weights of both nonsynnematous and synnematous strains increased, pellet number and size decreased with the increasing concentration of PEG in the medium. However,there was no significant effect of the chemical on conidial germination, although conidiation of biomass of both strains was slightly delayed. The intended aim of getting more of hyphal fragments and less of mycelial pellets with the chemical was achieved as reflected in the maximum CFU obtained with 6 per cent PEG in H.thompsonii (360.53 x 10³/ ml) and H. thompsonii var. synnematous (237 x 10³/ml). Compared with the respective controls, the highest level of PEG produced 6 and 2.8 timeless number of fully-formed pellets in the nonsynnematous and synnematous strains, respectively.

4 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

020814   Keckarevic M;Savic D;Romac S (Fac of Biol, Univ of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 52, Belgrade 11000, Serbia and Montenegro, Email: stanka@bf.bio.bg.ac.yu) : JP-3 gene polymorphism in a healthy population of Serbia and Montenegro. J Genet 2005, 84(1), 69-71.

Expansions of CTG repeats in JP-3 gene are associated with a phenotype similar to Huntington disease. These expansions are the cause of Huntington diseasae like-2 (HDL-2) phenotype. CTG repeats in JP-3 are polymorphic in healthy populations. Analyses of CTG repeat polymorphism of JP-3 gene in various healthy populations could help in estimating the population at risk for developing HDL-2. CTG repeat polymorphism of JP-3 gene was analysed in healthy population of Serbia and Montenegro. Study included 198 unrelated subjects. Analyses of JP-3 locus were performed using PCR and sequencing. Six different JP-3 allels were obtained and they were in the range of 11 to 18 CTG repeats showing a bimodal distribution, with peaks at 14 and 16. Results show that the distribution of JP-3 allels in population of Serbia and Montenegro is consistent with distributions in other analysed populations. The absence of alleles with more than 18 CTG repeats suggests that HDL-2 is a very rate in the populations of Serbia and Montenegro.

1 illus, 8 ref

020813   Karaca M;Bilgen M;Naci Onus A;Ince A G; Elmasulu S Y (Fac of Agric, Akedeniz Univ, 07059 Antalya, Turkey, Email: mkaraca@akdeniz.edu.tr) : Exact tandem repeats analyzer (E-TRA) : a new program for DNA sequence mining. J Genet 2005, 84(1), 49-54.

Exact Tandem Repeats Analyzer 1.0 (E-TRA) combines sequence motif searches with keywords such as `organs', `tissues', `cell lines' and `development stages' for finding simple exact tandem repeats as well as non-simple repeats. E-TRA has several advanced repeat search parameters/options compared to other repeat finder programs as it not only accepts GenBank, FASTA and expressed sequence tags (EST) sequence files, butalso does analysis of multiple files with multiple sequences. The minimum and maximum tandem repeat motif lengths that E-TRA finds vary from one to one thousand. Advanced user defined parameters/options let the researchers use different minimum motif repeats search criteria for varying motif lengths simultaneously. One of the most interesting features of genomes is the presence of relatively short tandem repeats (Trs). These repeated DNA sequences are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, distributed almost at random throughout the genome. Some of the tandem repeats play important roles in the regulation of gene expression whereas others do not have any known biological functio as yet. Nevertheless, they have proven to be very beneficial in DNA profiling and genetic linkage analysis studies. To demonstrate the use of E-TRA, we used 5,465,605 human EST sequences derived from 18,814,550 GenBank EST sequences.

1 illus, 2 tables, 25 ref

020812   Joshi A (Evolutionary Biol Lab Evolutionary and Organismal Biol Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Cent for Advd Scientific Res, Jakkur, Bangalore-560 064, Email: ajoshi@jncasr.ac.in) : Inbreeding and sex : canalization, plasticity and sexual selection. J Genet 2005, 84(1), 13-15.

1 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

020811   Jain A;Pal J;Sharma E;Rai S C (Regional Res Lab (CSIR), Manipur Substation, Lamphelpat-795 004, Email: huidromalka@yahoo.com) : Plankton community dynamics of a Sacred lake in the Sikkim Himalaya. Ecol Envir Conserv 2005, 11(3-4), 555-61.

Seasonal variation of plankton with respect to their composition, population density and biomass were made in the lake water and bog of a sacred Khecheopalri lake situated in the Sikkim Himalaya. Taxonomic identification of planktonic group revealed that 48 species of pytoplankton and 18 species of zooplankton in lake and bog water. The P/Z ratio was 1.46. Similarity of species was higher in rainy season in all conditions for both phytoplankton and zooplankton, whereas highly dissimilar in winter season. The phytoplankton density was 0.75×10⁴ units 1^-1 to 5.57×10⁴ units 1^-1 at the bog and 4.84×10⁴ units 1^-1 to 19.45×10⁴ units 1^-1 in the lake conditions. The zooplankton density ranged from 0.70×10⁴ units 1^-1 to 2.20×10⁴ units 1^-1 in the lake. Density of major trophic levels of the water body showed relationship with successive trophic but no apparent relationship was observed in terms of biomass on seasonal basis.

5 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

020810   Jadhav S (Post Grad Dep of Zool, New Arts Commerce and Sci Coll, Ahmednagar 414 001) : Effect of azadirachtin on total free amino acids in the haemolymph of larva of Corcyra cephalonica. Entomon 2005, 30(3), 231-4.

Azadirachtin caused concentration dependent quantitative variations in total free amino acids in haemolymph of Corcyra cephalonica larva. After 24h of treatment there was significant decrease but at 48, 72 and 96 hours the total free amino acids level increased.

1 table, 11 ref

020809   Hammerstein P (NO, Inst of Theoretical Biol Humboldt Univ Ber, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany, Email: p.hammerstein@biologie.hu-berlin.de) : Strategic analysis in evolutionary genetics and the theory of games. J Genet 2005, 84(1), 7-12.

Essential aspects of how game theory in biology relates to its counterpart in economics, the major transition in game theory initiated by Maynard Smith, the discrepancies between genetic and phenotypic models in evolutionary biology, and a balanced way of reconciling these models has been discussed. Modern problems in understanding games at the genetic level using the examples of conflict between endosymbionts and their hosts, and molecular interactions between parasites and the mammalian immune system has also been discussed.

1 illus, 24 ref

020808   Gupta S K;Prakash A;Raja Ram (Anat Dep, Coll of Vet Sci and A.H. U.P. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa, Mathura-281 001) : Histoarchitectural studies on the primordial follicles in goat. Indian vet J 2006, 83(4), 428-30.

The histology and histometry of primordial follicies in goats of different age groups is presented and discussed.

2 illus, 8 ref

020807   Gupta A (Biotechnol Dep, Univ Inst of Engng Technol Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: antiagupta2005@gmail.com) : Mannose specific lectins from edible garlic (Allium sataivum). Punjab Univ Res J Sci 2005, 55, 205-14.

Lectins constitute a heterogeneous group of carbohydrate binding proteins of non-immune origin, which agglutinate cells and/or precipitate glycoconjugates without affecting their covalent linkages. Mannose specific lectins have been reported from monocot species, namely Narcissus pseudonacissus, leucojum aestivum M, Leucojum vemum N, and Alliaceae. The mannose specific lectins from Alliaceae strongly resemble Amaryllidaceae lectins. Lectins specific for D-mannose differ from each other in their interactions with mono-oligosaccharides. This property enables them to distinguish D-mannose from D-glucose and thereby make them quite useful in biomedical research. The cDNA clones for two different lectins/agglutinins from garlic bulbs (Allium sativum), Allium sativum agglutinin-I (ASA-I) and ASA-II have been chracterized. While the ASA-I, is a heterodimer composed of two different subunits of 11.5 kDa and 12.5 kDa, the ASA-II is a homodimer of two identical 12 kDa subunits. The use of an asialofetuin-silica affinity column has led to isolate agglutinin of 110 kDa besides lectins of 25 kDa. The ASA₁₁₀ is a glycoprotein of two identical subunits of 47 kDa. In addition, a complex of 136 DA comprsing a polypeptide chain of 54 +/- 4 kDa and the subunits of ASA-I and ASA-III elutes earlier than these lectins on gel filtration. The physicochemical characterization, biological action, and nutritional toxicity of Allium sativum agglutinins have been reviewed.

2 illus, 1 table, 40 ref

020806   Gharagozloo M;Ghaderi A (Immunology Dep, Shiraz Univ of Med Sci, P.O. Box 71345 1798, Shiraz, Iran, Email: gharagozlo@sums.ac.ir) : Coincident natural selection of CCR5Δ 32 and C282Y in Europe : to be or not to be?. J Genet 2005, 84(1), 47-8.

19 ref

020805   Gaur M (Dep of Anthrop, Univ of Delhi, Delhi-110 007) : Forest and the notion of health among Pahari Korwa of Chhattisgarh. J Indian Anthrop Soc 2005, 40(1), 51-64.

Health beliefs and practices are best understood when seen as anchored in the socio-cultural matrix. While most of the studies proclaim a close association between health beliefs and magico-religious ideas (Pelto and Pelto 1997), the present study of Pahari Korwa of Chhatisgarh shows that Korwa ideas on health are intimately connected with their traditional pattern of subsistence revolving around forest. The paper delves into the people's notion of health and illness and examines how these are linked up with the broad socio cultural system in general and patterns of subsistence in particular. Anthropological literature is replete with the studies highlighting the systemic nature of health beliefs and behaviour and their interrelatedness with the other elements of culture (Rivers 1924, Ackernecht 1945). However, the degree of integration is not the same for all the components of culture. The element, which is most closely bound with the health beliefs, varies from one cultural context to another. Paul (1955) called such elements as 'central' and others, which are loosely integrated, as 'peripheral'. The paper highlights how the notion of health is related to the forest based economy among Pahari Korwa.

19 ref

020804   Das S;Lyla P S;Khan S A (Cent of Advd Study in Mar Biol, Annamalai Univ, Parangipettai-608 502) : Phosphate solubilizing bacteria from deep sea sediment of Bay of Bengal. Geobios 2006, 33(1), 37-40.

Study deals with the phosphate solubilizing property of bacteria isolated from deep sea sediment of Bay of Bengal (10°36'N-20°01'N and 79°59'E-87°30'E). Total heterotrophic bacterial (THB) counts ranged from 0.421x10⁴ CFU g^-1 to 52.625x10⁴ CFUg^-1 dry weight sediment. Of the isolates tested 6.25% bacteria showed the phosphate solubilizing property.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

020803   Das D;Das B J;Deka D (Nodal Cent for Wild Life Hlth Dis Diagnosis and Conserv, Coll of Vet Sci Assam Agric Univ, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022) : Haematobiochemical profile of greater adjutant stork. Indian vet J 2006, 83(4), 449.

1 ref

020802   Alkan S;Savran A;Demir H;Ceylan H (Chem Dep Sci and Arts Fac, Yuzuncu Yil Univ, Van, Turkey, Email: halitdemir@hotmail.com) : Effects of some drugs on enzyme activity of catalase from bovine liver. Asian J Chem 2006, 18(1), 601-7.

Effects of gentamicin sulphate, acetyl salicylic acid, ampicillin sodium, paracetamil, potassium penicillin and augmentin were investigated on the in-vitro enzyme activity of catalase. Catlase (CAT:EC1.11.16) was purified from bovine liver by a simple and rapid method. The purification process was done by 2', 5'-ADP sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Although the purified enzyme showed a tetrameric band on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacryilamide gel electrophrosis but bovine liver showed a one band. The enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 240 nm, according to the method of Aebi. From these six drugs, paracetamol, potassium pencillin and augmentin inhibited the activity of the purified enzme; gentamicin sulphate, acetyl salicyclic acid and ampicillin sodium showed little effect on the enzyme activity. the I₅₀ values for these three drugs were as 4.6, 0.35 and 0.49 nM, respectively. The K₁ constants were 20, 25 and 25 mM, respectively and they were competitive inhibitors.

4 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

020801   Akhtar M;Safrun M (Biochem Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: akhtarmah@yahoo.com) : Molecular basis of nutrient absorption from intestine. Punjab Univ Res J Sci 2005, 55, 7-12.

Absorption of nutrients from small intestine follows a number of pathways. Among these sodium dependent, carrier mediated uphill transport mechanism plays a major role in the uptake process. Transport proteins involved in the absorption of nutrients have been cloned and expressed in various expression systems. The kinetic charcteristics of the expressed Na-Solute cotransporter are identical to that in the intact tissue. These advances have greatly helped in understanding the molecular basis of nutrient absorption and malabsorption from intestine.

2 illus, 29 ref

019693   Vibha Kumari;Dubey S (Bot Dep, V.K.S. Univ, Ara, Bihar) : Cytological studies of Anisomeles indica Ktze. Modern J Life Sci 2005, 4(1-2), 81-4.

Detailed cytological analysis of A. indica has been made. Somatic chromosomes measurements and karyotypic formula of the taxon has been prepared. Non-synchronised meiosis was both normal and abnormal. Most significant meiotic irregularity was transmigration of chromatin material from one pollen mother cells to another one.

9 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

019692   Tambekar D H;Patil Y S (Post Grad Dep of Microbiol, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati Univ, Amravati-444 602) : Physiological diversity of Escherichia coli associated with drinking water in salinity-affected villages as determined by carbohydrate fermentation. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 149-52.

In the study, 100 strains of E. coli were isolated from drinking water and multiple carbohydrate fermentation profile determined with 21 carbohydrates. All the 100 strains of E. coli isolates ferment acid and gas with carbohydrates arabinose, dextrose, fructose, galactose, inulin, lactose, maltose, mannitol, melibiose, rhamnose, salicin, sorbitol, trehalose and xylose, while 96% strains ferment mannose, 14% strains ferment inositol with acid production onlyu. 13% strains ferment cellobiose, 5% strains ferment adonitol and only 2% strains were able to ferment sucrose. Carbohydrate raffinose was not fermented by all the 100 strains E. coli. 67% of isolates ferment 15 carbohydrates, 28% isolates ferment 16 carbohydrates, while 3% isolates ferment 14 carbohydrates, and only 2% isolates were able to ferment 17 carbohydrates and their MCF indices were found to be 0.71, 0.76, 0.66, 0.80 respectively.

2 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

019691   Srivastava A K;Singh R K;Choudhary A K;Sahu H B;Sinha M R (Bot Dep, Ranchi Univ, Ranchi-834 008) : Lytic enzyme spectrum of different antagonists of Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 61-2.

Qualitative and quantitative assay of lytic enzymes expleted in culture filtrate by hyperparasites of Rhizoctonia solani, Kuhn, causal pathogen of Black Scurf disease of potato, suggest its role in degradation of cell wall of the later.

1 table, 3 ref

019690   Sinha V S;Singh R K;Nandjee Kumar;Mohanka R (Cytogenetics and Molec Biol Lab PG Bot Dep, Magadh Univ, Bodh-Gaya-824 234) : Chromotoxic effect of Ipomoea carnea L. on Vicia faba L.. Modern J Life Sci 2005, 4(1-2), 41-4.

Ipomoea carnea L. (Convolvulaceae) has a strong chromotoxic and mitotoxic potential which induces various cytological and chromosomal abnormalities at different concentrations of its extracts on Vicia faba L. The maximum abnormalities were observed in 20% leaf extract at 8 hrs (71.12%) and the minimum from 5% at 4 hrs (32.35%) treatment. The mitotic index of Vicia faba L. correlates inversely with the doses of Ipomoea extract. This mitotic poison may cause metabolic imbalances which interfere with the chromosomal behaviour during cell division and may lead to mitotic delay and mitotic inhibition resulting in various chromosomal abnormalities such as fragments, bridges, laggards, stickiness, micronuclei, c-mitosis, disturbed metaphase and anaphase.

8 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

019689   Sinha K K;Masood A;Prasad G (Univ Dep of Bot, T.M. Bhagalpur Univ, Bhagalpur-812 007) : Destruction of aflatoxin by heat processings. Modern J Life Sci 2005, 4(1-2), 45-8.

Three common cereals viz. maize (Zea mays L. var. Ganga-5), wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. UP-262), and rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Sita), artificially contaminated with aflatoxin and subsequently moistened at 15, 20, 25 and 30% moisture levels, were processed under 15, 30, 45 and 60 min of heat treatment. A substantial degradation in aflatoxin was noted at 45 and 60 min. in case of highly moistened grains. Maximum destruction of 57% was noted for wheat at 30% moisture and 60 min. heating followed by rice samples.

1 illus, 13 ref

019688   Singh H K;Saxena M;Yadav S (NO, , 90-Ashok Vihar Colony, Sanjaynagar, Izzatnagar, Bareilly-243 122) : Cytogenetic effects of zinc sulphate on root meristems of Allium sativum. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 73-5.

The effects of zinc sulphate on cell division and chromosomal morphology of Allium sativum were studied. The result showed that heavy metal is mitodepressive in higher concentrations and mitopromotor in lower concentrations and induced a variety of chromosomal abnormalities such as breakage, stickness, chromatid separation, disturbed metaphase, grouping, scattering, condensation, extrusion, loggard and polarity abolition. In recovery treatments, although the mitotic index was improved but less than of absolutes control in higher concentrations.

5 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

019687   Rekha Kumar (NO, , 101, Angad Apartment, G.D. Mishra Path, New Patliputra, Patna-800 013) : Monthly variation in the physico-chemical, biological characteristics and primary productivity of a freshwater pond of Patna. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 39-40.

Investigation reveals marked variation in the physico-chemical characteristics of pond water. Some species of plankton showed distinct monthly variation. The grass primary Productivity ranged from 2.79 g Cm^-3 day^-1 to 4.95 g Cm^-3 day^-1.

4 tables, 12 ref

019686   Ravikumar M;Manijappa S;Kiran B R;Puttaiah E T (Envir Sci Dep, Kuvempu Univ, Shankaraghatta-577 451) : Phytoplankton periodicity in relation to abiotic factors in Kulhalli tank near Harapanahalli, Karnataka. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 157-61.

In the investigation water samples were collected every month during October 2003 to May 2004. The phytoplankton diversity was studied in relation to some physico-chemical parameters. A total of 22 species of phytoplankton were identified belonging to Cyanophyceae. Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Chlorophyceae includes Spirogyra sp. Closterium lunula, Pediastrum simplex and Cosmarium tumidum, Cyanophyceae includes Anabaena sp., Microcystis aeruginosa, Oscillatoria sp., Nostoc sp., Gloeocapsa sp., Aphanocapsa sp., Phormidiium sp. and Merismopedia sp. Euglena sp. was recorded under Euglenophyceae. Among these, maximum phytoplankton density was recorded under Bacillariophyceae, which includes Navicula sp., Synedra ulna, Cymbella sp., Melosira granulata, Nitzschia sp. Pinnularia majar, Pinnularia gibba and Glomphonema. The group accounted for a contribution of 43.42% to the total phytoplankton population while, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophycear and Euglenophyceae contributed 23.29%, 26.68%, 43.42% and 6.61 respectively. These classes of phytoplankton showed considerable fluctuations with water quality parameters.

3 tables, 20 ref

019685   Rajlingam G (Zool Dep, Univ Coll for Women, Koti, Hyderabad-500 003) : Lipase activity in helminth parasites. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 86.

Lipase which hydrolyses triglycerides to diglycerides further monoglycerides and finally to glycerol have been reported in helminth parasites. The lipase activity was demonstrated titrimetrically in Anonchotaenia globate and Ascaridia columbae. The results showed lipase activity in both the helminth parasites.

1 table, 8 ref

019684   Rajkumar N;Gowri S (Civ Engng Dep, Erode Sengunthar Engng Coll, Thudupathi, Erode-638 507) : Identification of sulfide oxidising bacteria, Beggiatoa from sewage. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 163-4.

In the pioneering studies, it is examined that the properties of the filamentous gliding bacteria of the Beggiatoa group, which occur characteristically in sulfide rich environments and other contain massive includions of elemental sulfur which accumulates in the cells. These bacteria can be cultured and grown without difficulty from the sewage samples.

1 table, 2 ref

019683   Rajalingam G (Zool Dep, Univ of Women, Koti, Hyderabad-500 003) : Glutamate dehydrogenase activity in "Anonchotaenia globata and Ascaridia columbae". Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 85.

Glutamate dehydrogenase activity in anochotaenia globate (Cestode) of Paser domesticus and Ascaridia columbae (nematode) parasite of Columbae was studied biochemically.

1 illus, 1 table, 3 ref

019682   Rai D V;Aggarwal L M (Biophys Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014) : Morphological changes in demineralised bone. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 7-8.

Human calcaneous bone was subjected to various degree of demineralisation. Using scanning electron microscope, samples were analysed. The mineral loss in bone exhibited the morphological changes in the organisation of bundle fiber. The data seems to be useful in understanding the various bone disorders related to bone mineral loss.

4 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

019681   Pathak R;Kanwar S S;Sanyal S N (Biophys Dep, Punjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014) : Kinetic behaviour of the multiple molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase in the human term placenta. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 57-8.

Acetylcholinesterase activity in human term placenta was studied using acetylthiocholine iodide (ATChl) as substrate in the 2,000 xg supernatant and its two molecular forms, viz. low salt soluble (LSS) and detergent soluble (DS) fractions.

1 table, 11 ref

019680   Manjithaya R R;Righe R R (Molec Reproduction Dev and Genet, Indian Inst of Sci, Bangalore-560 012) : Regulation of gonadotropins synthesis. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2006, 72(1), 1-12.

The Gonadotropins play important role in the regulation of gonadal development and function. The regulation of synthesis and secretion of these hormones is regulated by variety of factors that originate from different tissues. Makes an attempt to review the current knowledge on the regulation of gonadotropin synthesis.

3 illus, 2 table, 60 ref

019679   Madakka M;Rangaswamy V (Microbiol Dep, Sri Krishnadevaraya Univ, Anantapur-515 003) : Effect of some pesticides on cellulase activity soils under cultivation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 27-30.

Widespread use of pesticides and increasing quantities of pesticide residues in agricultural soils have led to concern about the effect of these chemicals on enzyme activities in soil. Focuses on the effect of four pesticides; two insecticides, profenofos and deltamethrin, and two fungicides, thiram and difeneconazole on cellulase activity in black and red soils, collected from groundnut fields. The activity of cellulase was measured in terms of glucose formed from carboxymethylcellulase (CMC). The cellulase activity was significantly increased in red soil samples which received 5.0 kg/ha of thiram, difeneconazole, profenofos and deltamethrin and 2.5 kg/ha of profenofos and difeneconazole, when the treated soil samples were incubated for 10 days.

4 tables, 8 ref

019678   Khan M N (Microbiol Dep, Saifia Coll of Sci and Educ, Bhopal-462 001) : Screening of antimicrobail activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn. against certain human pathogens. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2004, 2(1), 45-8.

Beneficial health effects of extracts from different types of plants that are used for many purposes have been claimed for centuries. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of three extracts of Ocimum sanctum for control of growth and survival of microoganisms. Inhibition of growth was tested by the paper disc agar diffusion method. Three bacterial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were used as test microorganisms for the antibacterial activity of O. sanctum. Some of the extracts were found to be highly active against some bacterial strains. The methanolic extract exhibited a higher level of antibacterial activity.

1 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

019677   Jadhav A R;Deshmukh A M (Microbiol Dep, Kusumtai Rajarambapu Patil Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Islampur-415 409) : Biodiversity of actinomycetes in Rankala lake and Kalamba lakes of Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 143-7.

Two hundred actinomycetes were isolated, 70 from Rankala lake and 130 from Kalamba lake of Kolhapur Maharashtra. Nine genera were prominent in the two lakes. These included Streptomyces, Nocardia, Micromonospora, Actinoplanes, Streptosporangium, Streptovericillum, Thermomonospora, Actinomadura and Nocardioides. In addition to nine genera, Nocardiopsis was also observed in Kalamba lake. Streptomyces was most common genus found in both the lakes whereas. Actinomadura and Nocardioides were least common to the lakes.

4 tables, 13 ref

019676   Ge R;Dong Q;Sottas C;Niu E;Akingbemi B;Hardy M P (Cent for Biomed Res Popul Coun, , New York, NY 10021, USA, Email: hardy@popcbr.rockefeller.edu) : Biology of leydig cell development. J Endocr Reprod 2004, 8(1-2), 13-26.

Greater understanding of the growth factor regulation of leydig cells during their postnatal differentiation has been achieved. Increasingly, attention will shift toward the goal of isolating Leydig stem cells because of their therapeutic potential in the treatment of male hypogonadism and the syndrome of androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM). Markers of Leydig stem cells such as Kit receptor can be dexploited in harvesting enriched fractions from the testis for amplification in vitro. When subsequently implanted back into the same testis, the amplified stem cells undergoes differentiation into steroidogenic leydig cells.

^iia87 ref

019675   Ganesh N;Gupta N;Shrivastava R;Bahre U;Jain N;Uma Devi P;Sanyal B;Joshi P;Samrita (Res Dep, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hosp, Bhopal, M.P.) : Antimicrobial activity of `Neem' `Tulsi' and `Eucalyptus'. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2004, 2(1), 71-2.

1 illus, 14 ref

019674   Cooke P S;Holsberger D R (Vet Biosci Dep, Univ of Illinois, 2001 S. Licncoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA) : Thyroid hormone regulation of sertoli cell proliferation may be mediated through the cell cycle inhibitors p27<. J Endocr Reprod 2004, 8(1-2), 37-44.

^iia3 illus, 35 ref

019673   Chundawat R S;Sood P P (Lab of Neurobiology and Toxicol, Dep of Biosci Saurashtra Univ, Rajkot-360 005, Email: ppsood@yahoo.com) : Vitamins and glutathione are ideal therapeutic agents to cope up with chromium toxicity. J Tissue Res 2004, 4(2), 231-7.

Importance of exogenous application of GSH and vitamins (vitamin B complex and E) in the acceleration of chromium elimination and in the reversal of toxicity induced biochemical lesions have been discussed. Developing chicks were used as experimental animals. Two-day-old animals were intoxicated with a daily dose (10 mg/kg/day) of hexagonal chromium (K2Cr2O7)by intramuscular injections for 7 days. Thereafter, the animals were divided in to 5 groups. Two groups of animals were kept as control and given vehicle only. Amongst toxicated animals 2 groups were sacrificed on 9^th and 16^th day along with controls. Rest of the 3 chromium intoxicated groups were treated separately with GSH, vitamins B complex and vitamin E respectively from day 9 to day 15 and sacrificed on 16^th day. Study shows deposition of chromium in all the tissues along with reduced development of the animals, reduceed body and tissue weights and decrease of total proteins, carbohydrate and lipids in all mojor tissues of chick. Interestingly enough, the application of vitamins and GSH accelerate the chromium excretion and simultaneously reverted all these effects and regained the animal growth suggesting the suitability of the therapeutic agents.

5 tables, 40 ref

019672   Chitra K;Dhanalakhmi K (Pl Path Dep, Hort Coll & Res Institute, Coimbatore-3) : Influence of potassium on cellulolytic enzyme production by Roizoctonia solani in rice. Mendel int J 2006, 23(1-2), 84.

Different levels of potassium viz., 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg/has were used. The maximum reduction was observed at 100 kg K₂O/ha and similarly all the enzymes reduced in T5 treatments compared to control. Cellulolytic enzymes of Cl and Cx were recorded at the maximum of 65.51 and 45.79 per cent respectively over control.

1 table, 6 ref

019671   Chatterjee P R;Raziudin M (Zool Dep, Kabi Nazrul Coll, Murarai, Birbhum-731 219) : Total coliforms in lake Shatabdi at Asansol town, West Bengal. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 153-4.

Bacteriological density of total coliform count in the Shatabdi lake at Asansol town was estimated during the period from November 2000 to October 2002. The analysis was conducted to determine the extent of its contamination so as to evaluate its potability for surrounding people who mostly depend on it.

1 table, 6 ref

019670   Boboye B;Dayo Owoyemi I (Microbiol Dep, Fedl Univ of Technol, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria) : Antibacterial effect and minimum inhibitory concentrations of garlic (Allium sativum) extracts on some human pathogens. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2004, 2(1), 37-40.

Effects of raw and boiled extracts of garlic on some human pathogenic bacteria: Vibrio cholerae, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella paratyphi B and C, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were examined by agar diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of crude garlic extract was determined using P. aeruginosa and S. aureus by tube dilution method. It was found that raw garlic extract inhibited the growth of all the microbes to varying degrees at 24 hr of incubation. Action of the extract appeared bacteriostatic on V. cholerae, P. mirabilis, S. paratyphi B and C and S. aureus. At 48 hr of incubation, it was observed that P. aeruginosa and S. dysenteteriae did not resume growth in the presence of the extract. None of the pathogens was prevented from growing in the presence of boiled garlic extract. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the crude garlic extract were 134 mg/ml and 161 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively.

1 illus, 18 ref

019669   Boboye B (Microbiol Dep, Fedl Univ of Technol, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria) : Antibacterial effect of Capsicum annum on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2004, 2(1), 49-50.

Studies on extract of Capsicum annum (red or sweet pepepr) were carried out to assess its inhibitory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. This was done by preparing crude extract of the pepper with sterile distilled water. The microbes were treated with the extract by agar diffusion and tube dilution methods. The crude extract showed considerable inhibitory effect on the bacteria with 16 mm and 24 mm diameters in the zones of inhibition for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus at 24 hr of incubation respectively. At 48 hr of incubation, the diameter in the area of growth inhibition for S. aureus decreased to 11 mm and that of P. aeruginosa increased to 21 mm. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the pepper were 335 mg/ml and 402 mg/ml for P.aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively.

8 ref

019668   Begum J;Ahmed K (Bot Dep, Nabajyoti Coll, Kalagachia, Assam) : Serological identification of Escherichia coli isolated from river, well and supply water. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(1), 155-6.

Total of 56 Escherichia coli strains, isolated from different sources of drinking water (river, well and supply water), were serogrouped. Fifty five (98%) of the strains could be serogrouped into 17 different "O" groups. One strain was refractory to serotyping. The serogroups were 086 and 0168 (6 strains each), 068, 095, 0102, 0126 and 0147 (4 each), 020, 056 and 0148 (3 each 025 and 060 (2 each), and 078, 0133 and 0145 (one each).

1 table, 7 ref

019667   Adetuyi A O;Oyetayo V O;Popoola A V;Lajide L (Chem Dep, Fedl Univ of Technol, Akure, Nigeria) : Phytochemical and antibacterial screening of ethanol extracts of six dye plants. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2004, 2(1), 41-4.

Ethanol extracts of six dye plants viz. Pterocarpus erinaceus, Zingiber officinale, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Morinda lucida, Bixa orellana and Sorghum caudatum, were screened for secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanol extracts of Z. zanthoxyloides, Z. officinale and M. lucida were able to inhibit the growth of the three indicator bacteria with the zones of inhibition between 0.50-11.6 mm. P. erinaceous inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli; B. orellana inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while S. caudatum inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa only. All the dye extracts show the presence of at least three secondary metabolites, and these might be responsible for their antibacterial properties and their usefulness as medicinal plants. It may also enhance the stability of the plants colurants as added additivies to polymer substrates.

3 tables, 11 ref

018622   Vittal B P R (Cent for Advd Stud in Bot, Univ of Madras, Chennai) : progress of aerobiology in India during the last quarter century. Indian J Aerobiol 2005, 18(2), 60-68.

Aerobiology in India has progressed rapidly during the last twenty five years as evidenced by the number of research papers published on the subject. Similarly, the Indian Aerobiological Society, which was established in january, 1980 has grown in its stature during the last 25 years and celebrating the Silver Jubilee. In commemoration of this event this article is prepared presenting an overview on the progress of the discipline during this period. It is beyond the scope of the article to review each and every paper published as they are too many. From among the several papers published from 1980 onwards, only some selected publications representing different zones and aspects of the subject are briefly reviewed.

^iia95 ref

018621   Verma K K (NO, , H.I.G. -1/327, Housing Board Colony, Borsi, Durg-491 001) : DNA Barcoding - An useful addition to taxonomy. Bionotes 2005, 7(4), 113-14.

12 ref

018620   Vani C;Sujatha K;Mehta Usha K; (Dep of Biotechnol, Kongu Nadu Arts and Sci Coll, Coimbatore-641 029) : Effect of temperature on the growth rate of photorhabdu and xenorhabdus symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes. J theor expl Biol 2005, 2(1), 15-19.

Growth rate of the bacterial isolates of Photorhabdus (143 and F-18) and Xenorhabdus (230 and 238) isolated from entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis sp. and Steinernematids sp. were studied under equivalent culture conditions but maintained at different temperatures. The optimum growth of four bacterial isolates was observed at 25°C. The maximum growth of Xenorhabdus isolate was observed at 12 h after inoculation, while in Photorhabdus isolate 143, the maximum growth was observed at 12h and 15 h after inoculation. The growth rate of bacteria differed among the isolates of the same species. Among the four isolates, the growth rate was found to be maximum at temperature 25°C and 30°C was recorded in the isolate 143.

5 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

018619   Uddin N (Dep of Anthrop, Univ of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh, Email: nuchoton@yahoo.com) : Paradox of ethnicity as a phenomenon: Bangladesh perspective. South Asian Anthrop 2006, 6(1), 1-7.

Ethnicity in contemporary world appears as a predominant debatable and growing paradoxical issue in both intellectual level and academic arena and standpoint. Media illustrates this issue worldwide screening as a critical political problem. Different states and government as well across the world play a vital role in focusing the issue of, ethnicity as political phenomenon. But virtually and theoretically ethnicity is principally and fundamentally a cultural phenomenon as culture, in anthropological sense, is the way of life and the trademark of particular human community. Conversely, existing world system and open exercise of power politics contribute to ethnicity to be dressed into a political phenomenon. As a consequence, ethnicity has not turned into a paradoxical phenomenon. Examines and analyses the debate and tries to conclude in a logical and rational way the paradox of ethnicity from Bangladesh perspectives.

49 ref

018618   Thampi Raj S;Lipton A P (NO, Vizhinjam Res Cent of Cent Mar Fish Res institute, Vizhinjam-629 521) : Susceptibility of vibrio sp and penicillium citrinum isolated from infected seahorse, hippocampus kuda towards antibiotic, antiseptic and marine secondary metabolities. J theor expl Biol 2005, 2(1), 35-40.

Pathogenic bacterial strains and fungus, Penicillium citrinum isolated from captive-reared infected seahorse were susceptible to varying levels when exposed to selected 25 antibiotic, 4 antiseptic compounds and 12 Marine Secondary Metabolites (MSMs). Antiseptic compounds were more effective when they were used in combinations than separately to P.citrinum. The MSMs of Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Caulerpa peltata and Ulva fasciata had high inhibitory activity for pathogenic bacterial isolates and P. citrinum. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of antibiotics such as Cifrofloxacin, Chloramphenicol an Oxytetracycline was <60>6 μg/ml for most of the isolates while the MIC and MBC was <<60><255>10μg/ml for moderately active antibiotics such as Gentamicin, Erythromycin and Furazolidone.

4 table, 26 ref

018617   Sundaramahalingam A (Bioenergy Dep, Sch of Energy Envir and Nat Resour Madurai Kamraj Univ, Madurai-625 021) : Toxicological effect of Canavalia virosa on feeding budget of Pericallia ricini. Uttar Pradesh J Zool 2006, 26(1), 1-7.

Toxic effect of plant leaf extract of Canavalia virosa on the feeding budget of Pericallia ricini was studied, using different concentrations of leaf alkaloid viz. 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm. Leaf extract concentration from 1000 to 2000 ppm showed a significant negative correlation. An extended larval and pupal growth were observed at the highest dose of leaf extract (2000 ppm). Concentrated leaf alkaloid drastically affected feeding and organic constituents of the test insect P. ricini.

3 tables, 23 ref