015619   Lee S Y (Cent for Aqu Processes and Pollution and Sch of Envir and Appl Sci, Griffith Univ Gold Cst PMB 50 GCMC, Qld 9726, Australia, Email: joe.lee@griffith.edu.au) : Exchange of organic matter and nutrients between mangroves and estuaries: myths, methodological issues and missing links. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2005, 31(3), 163-7.

Paradigms in mangrove nutrient and organic matter dynamics are strongly influenced by earlier studies on temperate salt marsh ecosystems. The advance of modern techniques, such as stable isotopes and other tracer approaches, for quantifying material exchange between mangroves and tropical estuaries challenges many of the paradigms in mangrove-estuary material exchange. This overview in mangrove estuary exchange focuses on (1) identifying paradigms that are poorly supported by empirical evidence, (2) discussing methodological issues that influence the study of the material exchange pattern, and (3) key questions and areas that require more research effort.

1 illus, 2 tables, 89 ref

015618   Kim J C;Ali M A;Nandi A;Mukhopadhyay P;Choy H;Cao C;Saha D (Dep of Radiat Oncol Div of Molec Radiat Biol, Univ of Texas Southwestern Med Cent, 2201 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9187, USA, Email: debabrata.saha@utsouthwestern.edu) : Correlation of HER1/EGFR expression and degree of radiosensitizing effect of the HERl/EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(6), 358-65.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (HERl/EGFR)-mediated signal transduction pathways are important in cellular response to ionizing radiation. High HER1/EGFR expression on cancer cells may contribute to radioresistance. In this pre clinical study, evaluated the radiosensitizing effect of erlotinib, a small molecule HER1/EGFR inhibitor in three human cancer cell lines with different HER1/EGFR expression - A431 (very high expression), H157 (moderate expression) and H460 (low expression). Results demonstrated that A431 was the most radioresistant, while H460 was the most radiosensitive. However, A431 cells were the most sensitive to erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 300 nM) and H460 cells the most resistant (IC₅₀ = 8 μM). H157 had intermediate sensitivity to radiation and erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 3 μM). With 300 nM erlotinib, the radiation dose enhancement ratios (DER) were 1.40, 1.17 and 1.04 in A431, H157 and H460, respectively. Treatment with erlotinib for 24 hr at 300 nM increased Gl arrest by 18.6, 2.0 and 4.8% in A431, H157 and H460, respectively. Erlotinib-induced apoptosis was augmented by radiation in A431 cells only. In conclusion, high HER1/EGFR expression may result in a high degree of radiosensitization with erlotinib combined with radiation. The extent of erlotinib-induced radiosensitization was proportional to HER1/EGFR expression, as well as autophosphorylation of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR).

6 illus, 51 ref

015617   Karthikeyan C;Sivakumar N (Dep of Biotechnol, Coll of Arts and Sci, Pudukottai-622 404) : Biodecolourization and biodegradation of anaerobically digested spent wash by an indigenous fungal culture. Pollut Res 2005, 24(3), 567-70.

Anaerobically Digested Molasses Spent wash (DMSW) utilizing autochthonous fungi (Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Fusarium) was isolated from the distilleries effluent by employing spread plate method. The fungal inoculates were examined for their ability to decolourize and biodegrade (10% (v/v) of DMSW in 8 days). Percentage of decolourization was assayed colorimetrically at 475 nm the, increased percentage of decolourization was achieved under optimum supplimentations of glucose 2-5% (w/v) and 0.5% of yeast extrct in a basal medium, at temperature of 25-35°C, (PH 6.0). Aspergillus sp effectively degrade DMSW at 8 days of incubation.

4 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

015616   Kakkoth S (Dep of Anthropoolgy, Kannur Univ, Centre at Palayad, Thalassery 670 661, Kannur District, Kerala) : Fertility and foetal mortality in a minor tribe: the Aranadan of Kerala. South Asian Anthrop 2005, 5(2), 161-6.

Studies the fertility behaviour and foetal mortality patterns of a diminutive'tribal community, the Aranadans of Nilambur valley, Kerala, This community has only 254 members who live in the marginal area of forests along with non-tribal population. The study shows that the Aranadan has low fertility and high foetal mortality rate. The reasons behind these are the low social and economic status of the community, low nutritional status of women, neglect of women, weak marital bonds, acephalous political organisation, more number of permanent family planning acceptors, social customs, nature of food in-take etc.

2 tables, 14 ref

015615   Josephrajkumar A;Chakrabarty R;Thomas G (Cardamom Res Stn, Pampadumpara, Idukki district-685 556, Email: entojoe2003@yahoo.co.in) : Aprotinin induced modulation of digestive proteinases and growth suppression in cardamom shoot and capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee. Entomon 2005, 30(2), 175-80.

Growth and modulation of midgut proteases of cardamom shoot and capsule borer larvae, Conogethes punctiferalis Guen. were determined after having fed with the proteinaceous proteinase inhibitor, aprotinin. Inclusion of aprotinin (150μM) in cardamom shoots used as feed resulted in a significant reduction of body weight in larvae by day 4 compared to that of control insects. Specific activities of two serine proteinases viz., trypsin, and elastase-like chymotrypsin were reduced in aprotinin-fed insects after two days of feeding. Meanwhile, specific activity of leucine aminopeptidase (LpNA-hydrolyzing) revealed an increase in aprotinin-fed larvae. The effect of aprotinin in protein digestion and its potential for protecting against cardamom borer has been discussed.

1 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

015614   Jaya S;Sabari Parimala Devi N (Hum Dev Dep, Avinashilingam Deemed Univ, Coimbatore-641 043) : Awareness of adolescent girls on reproductive health. Res Highlight 2005, 15(4), 201-7.

4 tables, 7 ref

015613   Jang M S;Lee Y M;Cho Y S;Choi Y L;Kim C H;Lee Y C (Fac of Biotechnol, Coll of Nat Resour and Life Sci, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Korea, Email: yclee@dau.ac.kr) : Overexpression and characterization of a novel chitinase gene from a marine bacterium Pseudomonas sp BK1. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(6), 839-44.

Chitinase A (ChiA)-coding gene of Pseudomonas sp. BK1, which was isolated from a marine red alga Porphyra dentata, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The structural gene consists of 1602 bp encoding a protein of 534 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight of 55,370 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of ChiA showed low identity (less than 32%) with other bacterial chitinases. The ChiA was composed of multiple domains, unlike the arrangement of domains in other bacterial chitinases. Recombinant ChiA overproduced as inclusion bodies was solubilized in the presence of 8 M urea, purified in a urea-denatured form and re-folded by removing urea. The purified enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 40°C. It exhibited high activity towards glycol chitosan and glycol chitin, and lower activity towards colloidal chitin. The enzyme hydrolyzed the oligosaccharides from (GlcNAc)₄ to (GlcNAc)₆, but not GlcNAc to (GlcNAc)₃. The results suggest that the ChiA is a novel enzyme, with different domain structure and action mode from bacterial family 18 chitinases.

3 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

015612   Goyary D;Sharma R (Dep of Biochem, North East Hill Univ, Shillong-793 022, Email: rsharma@nehu.ac.in) : Dietary restriction and triiodothyronine (T₃) regulation of malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes in the liver and kidney of mice. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(6), 345-9.

Activities of malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes viz., cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (c- and m-AsAT) and malate dehydrogenase (c- and m-MDH) were measured in liver and kidney of ad libitum (AL) and dietary-restricted (DR) mice and also on triiodothyronine (T₃) treatment. The results show that the activity (U/mg protein) of c-AsAT is increased significantly in liver and the activities of c-MDH and m-AsAT are increased significantly in kidney during DR. On T₃ treatment, the activities of both the isoenzymes (c- and m-) of MDH and AsAT are increased significantly in the liver of AL- and DR-fed mice. In the kidney, m-MDH showed no effect by T₃ treatment, however, c-MDH increased significantly in both AL- and DR-fed mice. In contrast, m-AsAT is increased significantly in the kidney in AL-fed mice, but was not affected in DR-fed animals. In vitro reconstitution of malate-aspartate shuttle showed a higher activity in the liver and kidney of DR-fed mice, as compared to AL-fed ones and also in the T₃-treated mice, compared to untreated ones. These findings suggest that malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes are differentially regulated during DR in mice, in order to adapt to the metabolic need of liver and kidney. T₃ potentially regulates the shuttle enzymes, albeit to a varying degree in the liver and kidney of AL- and DR-fed mice.

3 illus, 31 ref

015611   Goswami H K;Kang S C;Goswami R;Bajpai A K (NO, Inst of Genet, C/o 24 Kaushalnagar, via Misrod, Bhopal-462 026) : DNA sequences do not abide with phylogenetic distances. Bionature 2005, 25(1-2), 151.

015610   Goswami H K (NO, , 22B Vaishnav Appt. Surendra Place, Bhopal-462 026, Email: goswamihk@yahoo.com) : Intra-genomic importance of B-chromosomes. Bionature 2005, 25(1-2), 11-19.

Brief review on B chromosomes in plants and animals intended to bring forth inherent evolutionary selective acquisition within the genome of a species. B chromosomes are present in many more species than usually thought of, and the presence signifies heterochromatinisation accompanied with chromosome breaks, translocations and sometimes, even hybridization. B-Chromosome may remain silent, without exerting any visible phenotypic effect, may not be present in all tissues and even may be absent in many individuals of the same species but almost always behave as laggard in stages of cell divisions like a sex chromosome. B chromosome arises from within the genome, often shows homologous segments from A as well as sex chromosome (if the species has sex chromosome) and, or may serve as housekeeper for sex linked genes thereby giving a path to the origin of a sex chromosome.

^iia8 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

015609   Goswami H K (NO, , 24, Kaushalnagar, via : Misrod, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) : Origin of new chromosomes in the genome of Isoetes pantii. Bionature 2005, 25(1-2), 1-9.

Paper strengthens a brief that a new chromosome may arise by two ways within the genome: by the retention and maintenance of chromosome segment, resulted by chromosomal aberrations (breaks and translocations) sometimes functioning as B-chromosome which should have retained part of a centromere and, or by chromosomal intrusion followed by natural hybridization. In both cases, chromosome fission, fusion and transfer-retention of sex controlling genes are important.

1 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

015608   Gopinathan R;Kang G;Asokan G V; Arunagirinathan N;Vasanthana G (Dep of Microbiol Ahdiparasakhi Coll of Sci, Vellore Inst of Technol, Vellore-632 004) : Evidence of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) in livestock of Tamil Nadu. Indian J Anim Sci 2005, 75(11), 1241-3.

There is a paucity of data about the prevalence, burden of disease and complications associated with verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) in animals in India. Cattle and other livestock harbour VTEC strains associated with haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemorrhagic ureamic syndrome (HUS). Therefore this explorative study analysed 115 livestock including healthy and diarrhoic animals for the excretion of VTEC. Isolates (12) belonging to non-sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli (10.4%) were obtained out of 115 samples screened to tellurite cefixime-sorbitol MacConkey agar (TC-SMAC) that produced CPE on verocell monolayer. Culture filtrate of 4 out of these 12 E. coli isolates extracted after treatment with 10% (w/v) polymyxin B showed neutralization with antishigatoxin-1 suggesting them to be true VTEC strains. Study marks the first evidence of the isolation of VTEC from livestock in Tamil Nadu and underscores the need for large-scale epidemiological and bacteriological investigation to discern the mode of transmission and prevalent serotypes of VTEC in India.

1 table, 18 ref

015607   Girigowda K;Mulimani V H (Dep of Biochem, Gulbarga Univ Gulbarga, Gulbarga-585 106, Email: v_h_mulimani@rediffmail.com) : Loading effects on resolution in thin layer chromatography and paper chromatography. Resonance 2005, 10(11), 79-84.

3 illus, 3 ref

015606   Deka S C;Sood D R (Dep of Biochem and Agric Chem, Assam Agric Univ, Jorhat-785 013) : Intestinal absorption of nutrient and activity of liver enzymes in rats fed with basmati rice varieties. Indian J agric Biochem 2004, 17(1), 21-6.

Rat growth assays were conducted at 8% protein level comprising of Pusa Basmati 1, Haryana Basmati 1 and Basmati 370 diets to examine the in vitro intestinal absorption of ¹⁴C labelled compounds and liver transaminases and phosphatases. The in vitro absorption using ¹⁴C glucose, ¹⁴C sucrose and ¹⁴C glutamic acid ranged from 23.20 to 26.85, 30.75 to 36.61 and 47.84 to 52.78 per cent, respectively. However, rats fed on casein diet (control) showed greater absorption of these nutrients. The spectrophotometric assay also revealed highest absorption of glutamic acid but a slight variation for glucose and sucrose was observed. The activities of liver transaminases and phosphatases were found maximum in rats fed with Haryana basmati 1.

6 tables, 23 ref

015605   De Souza M F L (Laboratorio de Oceanografia Quimica Departamento de Ciencias Exatas e, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilheus/ltabuna, km 16, Ilheus, Bahia, BRAZIL CEP 45650-000, Email: marland@uol.com.br) : Nutrient biogeochemistry and mass balance of a tropical estuary: estuary of Cachoeira river, Northern Brazil. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2005, 31(3), 177-88.

Knowledge about biogeochemical processes in tropical estuaries is still scarce. This study intended to evaluate the non conservative fluxes, net ecosystem metabolism and net nitrogen fixation-denitrification rates in the estuary of Cachoeira River using data of four field surveys. This estuary is subject to fluvial input of a eutrophic river, and direct discharge of treated and untreated sewage. The sewage treatment plant has entered in operation after the first survey. The estuary exhibited high concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, and is relatively depleted in dissolved silica. Mean concentration of chlorophyll-a was also high. High negative non conservative fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, net autotrophy and nitrogen fixation rates were obtained. These rates decreased along the campaigns. The eutrophication and macrophyte growth in freshwater retain nutrient and organic matter, that are released to estuary and even transported directly to the sea during high fluvial discharge episodes. The sewage plant apparently does not solve the estuarine eutrophication problem.

8 illus, 6 tables, 29 ref

015604   Das B C et al (Dep of Vet Physiol, WBUA&FS, 37 K. B. Sarani, Kolkata-37) : DNA integrity test for boar spermatozoa during preservation in BTS diluent. Bionature 2005, 25(1-2), 131-7.

Assessment of DNA integrity influenced by sperm ageing, which is manifested in DNA double strand break was performed under neutral condition using comet assay. In the investigation an attempt has been made to use modified neutral comet assay which also could be termed as single cell gel electrophoresis to assess DNA integrity of boar spermatozoa during liquid storage for 24, 48, and 72 hours at 24°C BTS diluent with ascorbic acid as antioxidant. Ejaculates sample taken for comet at 0 hour and then preserved for 24, 48 and 72 hours at 24°C. At 0 hour comet percentage was minimum and as the time advances it increases along with time. There was no individual variation among the boars and between the breeds. Study indicates there was elevated level of DNA damage at prolong storage (72 hours) and it seems that long term storage can affect genomic integrity of boar spermatozoa. Therefore, screening of sperm DNA damage may be used as an additional test of sperm function that can have diagnostic value in practice.

1 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

015603   Dam Roy S;Krishnan P (NO, Cent Agric Res Inst, Port Blair-744 001, Email: sibnarayan_damroy@yahoo.co.uk) : Mangrove stands of Andamans vis-a-vis tsunami. Curr Sci 2005, 89(11), 1800-4.

The earthquake (9.0 Richter scale) which struck Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 26 December 2004 and the consequent tsunami have caused considerable change on the mangrove stands of Andamans. The tidal waves*that swamped the mangrove stands have affected the giant fern Acrostichum aureum and the aquatic sedge Fimbrisstylis littoralis. The true mangroves, viz. Rhizophora spp, Brugmera spp, Avicenma spp, Sonneratia spp, etc. have also got affected in various degrees based on their physiological response to the continuous inundation/exposure under the changed scenario In South Andaman, in particular localities 30-80% of mangrove stands got affected. In Middle Andaman the impact is negligible, whereas in the North Andaman due to the elevation of land, the sea water is not reaching some of the mangrove stands. Some visible impact has also been felt in the habitat of various fin fishes and shell fishes.

4 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

015602   Choudhary N L;Sairam R K;Tyagi A (Div of Biochem, Indian Agric Res Inst, Pusa Campus, New Delhi-110 012, Email: at_bio@iari.res.in) : Expression of Δ<. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(6), 366-70.

The 45-days-old seedlings of drought resistant (N-22, CR143-2-2) and susceptible rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes (Panidhan, Pusa-169) were subjected to osmotic stress in PEG-6000 solution of -10 and -16 bar and the relative water content (RWC), proline content, and pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) activity and its P5CS expression were studied. A gradual decrease in RWC was observed in tolerant genotypes, whereas the decrease was drastic in susceptible ones. Proline content and P5CS activity increased both in susceptible and tolerant genotypes; the increase was higher in tolerant genotypes. Higher proline levels in tolerant genotypes were due to increased P5CS activity. The EcoRI, BamHI and Xbal restricted DNA of N-22 and Panidhan genotypes were hybridized with Atabidopsis P5CS sequence and a single band (approx 2. 4 kb) was observed, however, P5CS expression was more in N-22, as compared to Panidhan.

5 illus, 43 ref

015601   Charitha L;Adinarayana M (Dep of Chem, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: mundra_adinarayana@hotmail.com) : Reaction of substituted pyrimidines with photochemically generated t-BuO radicals. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(6), 386-90.

Humans are exposed to various organic peroxides through chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. On photolysis, these peroxides produce alkoxyl radicals and hydroxyl radicals. The reaction of OH radicals with DNA and its constituents have been extensively studied, but very little is known about the reactions of alkoxyl radicals with DNA and its constituents. In view of this, the oxidation of pyrimidine bases viz., thymine, uracil, cytosine, 5-bromouracil, 6-methyluracil and 1, 3-dimethyluracil by t-BuO radicals in aqueous solution at pH 7.5 has been carried out. The reaction between pyrimidine and t-BuO is followed by measuring the absorbance of pyrimidine at the respective λ_max. The rates of oxidation of pyrimidines are calculated from the plot of absorbance vs time. The rates of oxidation of pyrimidines have been found to increase with increase in [t-BuOOH], [pyrimidine] and light intensity. The quantum yields are calculated from the initial rates of oxidation of pyrimidine and the measured light intensity at 254 nm the wavelength at which t-BuOOH is activated to give radicals. The quantum yields are found to depend on [pyrimidine] as well as on [t-BuOOH] while they are independent of light intensity. The product analysis was carried out on HPLC with UV-visible detector. The corresponding 5, 6-dihydroxypyrimidine and isobarbituric acid have been identified by comparing the retention times of the authentic samples. On the basis of experimental results and product analysis, it is suggested that t-BuOOH on photolysis gives t-BuO radical, which initiates the reaction by adding to C (5) or C (6) position of pyrimidine base, leading to the formation of pyrimidine base radical via hydrolysis. The pyrimidine radical further reacts with t-BuO radical to give the final product. Study predicts the probable transient pyrimidine radicals.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

015600   Basu S;Majumdar R;Das G K;Bhattacharyya D (Dep of Biotechnol, West Bengal Univ of Technol, BF 142, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700 064, Email: dhananjay.bhattacharyya@saha.ac.in) : Energy barriers and rates of tautomeric transitions in DNA bases: Ab initio quantum chemical study. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(6), 378-83.

Tautomeric transitions of DNA bases are proton transfer reactions, which are important in biology. These reactions are involved in spontaneous point mutations of the genetic material. In the study, intrinsic reaction coordinates (IRC) analyses through ab initio quantum chemical calculations have been carried out for the individual DNA bases A, T, G, C and also A:T and G:C base pairs to estimate the kinetic and thermodynamic barriers using MP2/6-31G** method for tautomeric transitions. Relatively higher values of kinetic barriers (about 50-60 kcal/mol) have been observed for the single bases, indicating that tautomeric alterations of isolated single bases are quite unlikely. On the other hand, relatively lower values of the kinetic barriers (about 20-25 kcal/mol) for the DNA base pairs A:T and G:C clearly suggest that the tautomeric shifts are much more favorable in DNA base pairs than in isolated single bases. The unusual base pairing A': C, T': G, C': A or G': T in the daughter DNA molecule, resulting from a parent DNA molecule with tautomeric shifts, was found to be stable enough to result in a mutation. The transition rate constants for the single DNA bases in addition to the base pairs are also calculated by computing the free energy differences between the transition states and the reactants.

5 illus, 5 tables, 35 ref

015599   Bappuji S;Selva Mohan T;Roy B (P.G. Dep of Microbiol, Sivanthi Aditanar Coll, Pillayarapumm-629 501) : Efiiciency of lignocellulytic fungi on decomposition of coir pith. Pollut Res 2005, 24(3), 729-33.

Lignocellulolytic substances are the naturally occuring organic polymers. Coir pith, the agro-waste of coir industry is a problem to our ecosystem, can be reduced by using lignocellulolytic degrading fungi. Pleurotus sp. is the most commonly used ones. Schyzophyllum sp. was also used in this study. By this treatment with edible basidiomycete, extra cellular enzymes are produced, which helps in the degradation to lignocellulosic substrates into soluble products. Coir pith was treated with fungus in the first treatment, in the second case cow dung was mixed as inoculate for normal flora. A comparative study was undergone to check the effective degradation. In both cases Schyzophyllum sp. showed high reduction in cellulose content P. florida and P. eosin treatment exhibited improvement in the NPK content of the substrate. Cow dung mixed method showed little degradation compared to non amended one. Achieves waste disposal, waste removal and the production of a value added food stuff, mushroom.

6 illus, 15 ref

015598   Balasubramanian R;Kannan L (Cent of Advd Study in Mar Biol, Annamalai Univ, Parangipettai-608 502, Email: kannanlk69@yahoo.com) : Physico-chemical characteristics of the coral reef environs of the Gulf of Manner biosphere reserve, India. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2005, 31(3), 265-71.

Environmental (meteorological and physico-chemical) conditions play a major role in governing the ecology distribution, productivity and health of the organisms of any ecosystem including the coral reef ecosystem. Having this in mind, hydrological features of the coral reef islands (Manoli and Krusadai) of the Gulf of Mannar were studied for a period of two years. The ranges of values recorded for different parameters were as follows : air temperature (25-330 C), surface water temperature (23-330 C), salinity (27-36.5 %o), pH (7.5-8.6), dissolved oxygen (3.9-7.2 ml/lit), particulate organic carbon (7.5-65.2 μC/lit), total phosphorus (6.4 - 2.3 μM) total nitrogen (6.4-44.2 μM), nitrite (0.12-1.32 μM), nitrate (1.3-13.3 μM), reactive silicate (0.09-12.3 μM), calcium (130-810 mg/lit) and magnesium (1060-1710 mg/lit). Interactions between these parameters and the spatial differences between the two stations have been studied through statistical interpretations.

9 illus, 41 ref

015597   Babalola O O;Oja L O;Aderemi M O (Biochem Dep, Fac of Sci Obafemi Awolowo Univ, Ile Ife, Nigeria) : Lead levels in some biological samples of auto-mechanics in Abeokuta, Nigera. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(12), 401-3.

Lead levels were determined in the blood, scalp hair and fingernails of 38, all male auto-mechanics (aged 18-45 years) from Abeokuta. South-western Nigeria. The subjects were classified into four sub-groups based on the period of exposure namely: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 and <62>16 years. thrity-two occupationally unexposed subjects (mainly office workers) served as the control. The weight, height and body mass indexes of all subjects were noted, in addition to other information obtained through structured questionnaire. The mean values of blood lead (BPb), hair lead (HPb) and fingernail lead (NPb) of the occupationally exposed subjects (n=38) were 48.50 ± 9.08 μg/dL, 17.75±5.16 μg/g, and 5.92 ± 3.30 μg/g respectively, while the corresponding mean values for these parameters in the control subjects (n = 32) were 33.65 ± 10.09 μ g/dL, 14.30 ± 5.90 μg/g and 5.31 ± 2.77 μg/g respectively. The differences in BPb and HPb levels of the two groups were statistically significant (P<60>0.05 and P <60>0.01 respectively), while that of NPb was not significant. The levels of lead in the biological samples appeared to have no relationship with the number of years on the job. From these results, it was obvious that the higher levels of lead in the biological samples of test subjects, compared with those of the controls were from environmental sources.

2 tables, 14 ref

015596   Anitha G;Chandrasekhar S V A;Kodarkar M S (Res Laborator P.G. Dep of Zool, Vivek Vardhini Coll, Hyderabad-500 195) : Limnological studies on Mir Alam lake, Hyderabad. Pollut Res 2005, 24(3), 681-7.

Limnological study was carried out on Mir Alam lake, Hyderabad for a period of two years during 1998-2000. Totally 17 parameters had been studied. The water was found alkaline throughout the study with pH ranged between 7.0 to 8.9. Dissolved Oxygen varied from 2.0-4.5 mg/L. Total Alkalinity 150-145 and the Chloride was found between 80-320 mg/L. The nutrient values were in high concentration and the lake was found eutrophic.

1 table, 25 ref

014670   Verma D K (NO, Govt Danteshwari Girls Coll, Jagdalpur, Bastar-494 001) : Age at first paternity and maternity in two endogamous tribal group's of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. South Asian Anthrop 2005, 5(1), 77-80.

Variation in mean ages at first maternity and maternity experience by a group depends upon their socio-economical and eco-biological factors. The data were collected from 111 Bhatra couples and 139 Muria couples from various villages of Bastar district during 2002-2003. The maternal mean ages of both tribal populations indicate non-significant differences, whereas the mean paternal age reveals significant difference between them. The mean maternal ages for both the tribal populations of Bastar are within the ranges of the other groups taken for comparisons.

5 tables, 13 ref

014669   Udupa S L;Shetty S;Udupa A L;Somayaji S N (Dep of Biochem, Kasturba Med Coll, Manipal-576 104, Email: s_udupa@yahoo.com) : Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. on normal and dexamethasone suppressed wound healing. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(1), 49-54.

Ethanolic extract of leaves of O. sanctum was investigated for normal wound healing and dexamethasone depressed healing using incision, excision and dead space wound models in albino rats. The extract of O. sanctum significantly increased the wound breaking strength in incision wound model. The extract treated wounds were found to epithelialize faster and the rate of wound contraction was significantly increased as compared to control wounds. Significant increase in wet and dry granulation tissue weight, granulation tissue breaking strength and hydroxyproline content in dead space wound model was observed. The extract significantly decreased the antihealing activities of dexamethasone in all the wound models. The results indicated that the leaf extract promotes wound healing significantly and able to overcome the wound healing suppressing action of dexamethasone. Histological examination of granulation tissue to determine the pattern of lay-down for collagen confirmed the results.

4 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

014668   Trivedi S;Das S K;Kumar R;Chandra R (Div of Immunology, Indian Vet Res Inst, Izatnagar-243 122, Email: rajesh_vet@indiatimes.com) : Studies on diagnostic potential of secretory antigens of Mycobacterium bovis. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(1), 14-18.

Culture filtrate protiens (CFPs) of M. bovis were produced by culturing the organism for a period of 3 weeks. These CFPs elicited a good delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in cattle and guinea pig. However, CFPs showed least cross-reactivity when tested in guinea pigs sensitized with M. bovis BCG and M. phlei. CFPs were found to be well recognized by T-cells of single intradermal test (SIDT) positive cattle and were also sero-reactive. Lymphocyte transformation assay revealed the culture filtrate antigens as major T-cell antigens. CFPs induced a good interferon gamma release as compared to conventional antigen, PPD, thereby highlighting then- diagnostic capabilities.

3 tables, 21 ref

014667   Swain R K;Harjit Kaur (Anim Nutr Dep, Orissa Vet Coll, Bhubaneswar-751 003) : Influence of dietary protein on circulatory levels of certain hormones and metabolites in prepubertal crossbred heifers. J Nucl Agric Biol 0000, (NULL), 48-57.

Twelve crossbred heifers (14-16 mo) were divided into 2 equal groups on body weight (BW) basis and were fed as per NRC (1989) recommendations (Group-1) and 20% more CP than Group 1 (Group-2) till the onset of puberty. Onset of puberty in heifers was determined by daily parading the teaser bull and also from the behavioural symptoms, discharge of cervico-vaginal mucus and rectal palpation. Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals. Blood samples were collected fortnightly till the onset of puberty for the determination of blood glucose, plasma urea, insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH) and thyroxine. Group 2 heifers exhibited higher growth rate of 779.1 g as compared to 605.1 g/d in group 1 leading to decrease in age at puberty by 20.8 days due to high protein feeding. Circulatory LH concentration was higher (P <60> 0.01) in group 2. LH concentration increased with approaching puberty in both the groups, but, the increase was significant only in group 2. High dietary protein also resulted in increased concentration of circulating levels of glucose, insulin and thyroxine. Plasma urea and GH varied significantly in the two groups, but, the differences were found to be significant even at the start of the experiment. The changes in blood metabolites and hormones probably acted as signals encoding the information about nutritional status to the hypothalamus resulting in increased LH concentration and thereby early onset of puberty in crossbred heifers.

4 tables, 27 ref

014666   Suryawanshi N S;Ganaawane L V (Dep of Bot, K.V. Pendharkar Coll of Arts Commerce and Sci, Dombivli (East) 421203, Thane) : Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens and its integrated management. Bioinfolet 2005, 2(4), 229-39.

There are many bacterial pathogens causing diseases to various crop plants. They are managed by different antibiotics and other agrochemicals. However, there are reports that there is antibiotic resistance in different pathogens. Antibiotic resistance in various bacterial pathogens has been reviewed since 1947.

3 tables, 116 ref

014665   Srivastava N;Agrawal M (Fish Biol Lab Dep Of Zool, Univ of Raj, Jaipur-302 004) : Effects of zinc on haematological parameters of the fish, Channa punctatus. J Ecobiol 2005, 17(4), 377-82.

Channa punctatus were exposed to 10,15 and 25 mg/l. of zinc and changes in the haematological parameters were estimated on 8,10 and 15 days. A dose and duration dependent increase was observed in the number of white blood corpuscles (6037to 7612.5 cells/mm³), mean cell volume (MCV) (128.7 to 142.5μ³), mean cell haemoglobin MCH (46.0 to 58.5 μg) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (35.7 to 41.0 %) at day 15. A significant decrease was observed in the number of red blood corpuscles (2.7 to 1.9 x 10⁶/mm³ ), haemoglobin content (12.4 to 11.1%) and Haematocrit values (34.9 to 27.0%) on day 15. On return to normal water conditions, the pre-exposed fish almost regained their normal status in the haematological parameters after 15 days.

2 tables, 24 ref

014664   Srivastava G S;Shaker M (Dep of Math, Indian Inst of Technol Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667) : On the approximation of analytic functions of two complex variables by exponential polynomials. Indian J Math 2005, 47(1), 1-13.

Let ƒ (s₁, s₂)= Σ^∞_m,n=0 a_mn exp (s₁λ_m+s₂μ_n), s_w=σ_w+ it_w, w=1,2 be analytic in the hyperplane Re s₁ <60> α₁ <60> ∞, Re s₂ <60> α₂ <60> ∞ (-∞ <60> α₁, α₂ <60> ∞)and Π_mn be the class of all exponential polynomials of degree mn at most. The growth parameters of ƒ have been characterized in terms of the error in approximating ƒ by exponential polynomials.

4 ref

014663   Singh V P;Patil C S;Manish Kumar;Kulkarni S K (Pharmac Div, Univ Inst of Pharm Sci Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: skpu@yahoo.com) : Effect of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor against lipopolysaccharide-induced hypothermia in mice. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(12), 1150-5.

Bacterial endotoxin produces sepsis associated with alterations in body temperature (fever or hypothermia). The intraperitoneal administration of bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 50 μg/mouse) led to a decrease in colonic temperature starting 1 hr after the injection. The hypothermic effect was accompanied by a significant increase in hypothalamic leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels. 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, zileuton (200 and 400 mg/kg, po) administered 30 min before LPS challenge significantly prevented hypothermia. However, non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10, 20 mg/kg, po) did not reverse the hypothermic response. Further, pretreatment of mice with zileuton prevented LPS-stimulated increase in hypothalamic LTB₄ levels and caused a relatively small increase in PGE₂ levels. Indomethacin had no effect on LTB₄ levels but it reduced PGE₂ levels. These results suggest a possible involvement of leukotrienes in LPS-induced hypothermia and the potential protective role of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors in endotoxemia.

5 illus, 36 ref

014662   Singh S;Saxena R;Miltan Lal A (Dep of Biochem, Allahabad Agric Inst, Allahabad- 211 007) : Influence of aging on plasma ascorbate level. Natn Acad Sci Lett 2005, 28(3-4), 125-7.

Plasma ascorbate level was found to be significantly low in the middle aged (Group I, P <60> 0.05) and elderly subjects (Group II, P <60> 0.01) as compared to (controls) younger subjects. Finding indicate that the fall in ascorbate level with increasing age due to its radical scavenging action against aging induced increased production of free radical in the body. Thus, the diet rich in vitamin C could be beneficial in retarding the aging process.

^ssc1 table, 13 ref

014661   Shimpi S R;Bendre R S (NO, Sch of Chem Sci North Maharashtra Univ, P.O. Box-80, Jalgaon-425 001) : Stability and antibacterial activity of aqueous extracts of Ocimum canum leaves. Indian Perfumer 2005, 49(2), 225-9.

Cold, hot and their sterilized aqueous extracts of Ocimum canum leaves were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Bacillus megaterium, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli with an interval of one week to check the stability. Hot, cold and hot sterilized extracts exhibited better antibacterial potency from second to fourth week. Sterilized hot extract gave maximum activity against P. putida followed by cold sterilized against B. japonicum. The hot extract reflected good antibacterial activity against P. putida. Cold extract was inactive against B. megaterium, P. putida and E. coli.

2 tables, 10 ref

014660   Sharma U;Mohan J S S (Dep of Biosci, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 120, Email: jssmohan@hotmail.com) : In vitro clonal propagation of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand., a rare medicinal herb from immature floral buds along with inflorescence axis. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(1), 77-82.

Novel method of shoot regeneration from immature floral buds along with inflorescence axis in C. borivilianum, a rare mdeicinal herb is described. Using this explant, axenic cultures were established with very less contamination (10%). MS medium with 2 mg 1^-1 kinetin and 0.1 mg l^-1 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid proved to be the best for multiple shoot induction. Maximum number (35) of shoot production was achieved in MS medium with 2 mg l^-1 benzylaminopurine. Rooting of shoots (86.7%) with maximum fasciculated roots (5) occurred on Knops medium containing iron and vitamins of MS medium with 2 mg l^-1 indole-3-butyric acid and 0.1% activated charcoal. Plant survival was 80% in four weeks after their removal from in vitro conditions. Per explant 34 hardened plants generated within 50 weeks. This protocol can be useful for large-scale clonal multiplication from immature floral buds with inflorescence axis and successfully used for germplasm conservation of this rare medicinal herb without destroying the mother plant.

9 illus, 3 tables, 23 ref

014659   Sharma S;Sharma S;Sharma K P (Dep of Zool, Univ of Raj, Jaipur-302 004, Email: sharmakp_in@yahoo.co.in) : Protective role of Spirulina feed in a freshwater fish (Poecilia reticulata Peters) exposed to an azo dye-methyl red. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(12), 1165-9.

Acute toxicity of an azo dye-methyl red (5-40 ppm) was examined under starving conditions, on two groups of Poecilia reticulata-a freshwater fish, fed on different diets prior to their exposure to dye. Besides natural feed, fish of group-1 also received Spirulina feed for one month (feed population), whereas those of group-2 received only natural feed (non-feed population). The mortality data revealed non-feed population to be more tolerant to feed stress during acute toxicity study, whereas feed population exhibited better tolerance to the combined stress of both feed and methyl red; especially at higher concentrations of the latter. RBCs in methyl red treatments acquired different shapes (poikilocytosis) and an increase in their size (anisocytosis) was also noticed. Percentage of such abnormal RBCs was almost equal in both feed and non-feed populations, except at a lower concentration (5 ppm), at which percentage of poikilocytic RBCs was lesser in the feed population. RBC counts in the control non-feed fish (34.5 x 10⁴/mm³) were significantly lower than control feed population (50.0 x 10⁴ /mm³). Their number decreased with an increase in methyl red concentrations in non-feed population (9-26%), but percent reduction in RBC counts was almost similar (20-26%) at various concentrations of methyl red (5-30 ppm) in the feed population. Despite reduction in RBC counts, feed population did not suffer from anemia in methyl red treatments, as evident by their RBC counts which were almost equal to control fish of non-feed population. The results suggest that Spirulina feed improves tolerance of test organism towards methyl red manifested by noticeable reduction in the cytotoxic effects on RBCs and a lower mortality rate at higher concentrations of dye.

4 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

014658   Sewa Ram;Jain N;Shoran J;Singh R (Directorate of Wheat Res, , Post Box 158, Karnal-132 001, Email: sewaram01@yahoo.com) : New frame shift mutation in puroindoline B in Indian wheat cultivars Hyb65 and NI5439. J Pl Biochem Biotechnol 2005, 14(1), 45-8.

Puroindoline genes pin A and pinB are the main components of the 15 kD friabilin protein reported to be associated with kernel softness. However, grain hardness of Hyb65 and NI5439, the two Indian wheat varieties, could not be explained based on the earlier identified alleles in puroindolines in wheat. Hyb65 and NI5439 are hard but based on the earlier identified allelic forms of puroindolines both the varieties could have been soft. In the investigation, puroindolines (a and b) from Hyb65 and NI5439 were characterised to understand their role in determining grain hardness. The sequence of puroindoline genes from both the varieties indicated that there was no mutation in pinA. However, there was frame shift mutation in pinB generated by insertion of a guanine residue 126 bp downstream from the start codon in both the varieties. This created new hardness allele of pinB designated as pinb-D1h. Frame shift also culminated into stop codon (TGA) 231 bp downstream from the start codon terminating protein synthesis at 77th amino acid position. Five more stop codons (4TGA & 1TAG) were also created to the downstream positions of the first stop codon because of frame shift. There was additional point mutation in NI5439 (transition from A to G) resulting into change of amino acid residue from thymine to arginine at 205th nucleotide position. Thus single nucleotide change in pinB resulted into truncated pin B and consequently the harder texture.

^ssc2 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

014657   Sarker P C;Khanam S (Dep of Social Wk, Univ of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh) : Gender discrimination and social mobilization strategies for its elimination in Bangladesh. South Asian Anthrop 2005, 5(1), 107-15.

Discusses the gender discrimination in connection with the process of socialization, marriage, especially early age marriage and selection of partner, practice of dowry, education, health and nutrition, participation in decision making, employment, wage and rights. The main focus is to find out the existing situation of women in various spheres of the life cycle and assess to what extent the gender discrimination is taking place and how social mobilization strategies are to be adopted at the individual, family, community and societal levels in order to eliminate the deep-rooted problem of gender discrimination in Bangladesh.

1 illus, 14 ref

014656   Sahu S;Shedpure M (Dep of Zool, Govt. D.B. Girls' P.G.College, near Kalibadi, Raipur-492 001, Email: Swati_bunda@yahoo.co.in) : Air-breathing rhythm in Clarias batrachus (Linn.): Modulatory role of eyes, pineal and exogenous melatonin. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(1), 55-62.

Effects of enucleation followed by pinealectomy and administration or exogenous melatonin on air-breathing activity rhythm in a fresh water catfish, C. batrachus maintained at LD 12:12 and laboratary temperature during its prepratory phase, were examined. Results of cosinor analysis clearly reveal that most of the intact individuals exhibited circadian rhythm in their air-breathing activity and such rhythm persists even after enucleation followed by pinealectomy and then melatonin administration. However, the period (τ) of the activity obtained by power spectrum analysis was prominent 24 hr in most of the intact individuals, but it was increased (τ <62> 24 hr) after enucleation in most of the individuals. In most of the enucleated + pinealectomized individuals τ was less than 24 hr, and after receiving melatonin treatment τ was shifted to prominent 24 hr in most of the individuals. In addition, visual analysis of the actograms depicted that in intact individuals air-breathing activity is entrained with the timings of lights on/off with elevation of activity during dark period and decreased activity during light hours. However, enucleated and enucleated + pinealectomized individuals showed free run in their activity rhythm. The treatment of melatonin reestablished the entrainment of activity atleast with the timing of lights off. in most of the studied individuals. Further, daily mean of the air-breathing activity was decreased in enucleated + pinealectomized individuals as compared with other studied groups (intact, enucleated, enucleated + pinealectomized + melatonin receiving). It could be speculated that there may be existence of extraretinal and extrapineal photoreceptors in C. batrachus. However, eyes play an important role in regulating air-breathing activity rhythm in such species. In addition, exogenous melatonin may also have some modulatory effect on such rhythm.

3 illus, 1 table, 61 ref

014655   SahaRoy S;Shende N;Satish Kumar;Harinath B C (Jamnalal Bajaj Trop Dis Res Cent and Dep of Biochem, Mahatma Gandhi Inst of Med Sci, Sevagram, Wardha- 442 102, Email: jbtdrc@yahoo.com ) : Effectivity of crude versus purified myco-bacterial secretory proteins as immunogen for optimum antibody production. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(12), 1196-8.

Monospecific antibodies have been successfully utilized in antigen detection, which is better indicator of active infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis excretory secretory (M tb ES) antigens such as ES 31, ES 41 and ES 43 (31 kDa, 41 kDa and 43 kDa protein, respectively) have been shown to be present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Ra culture filtrate and are of diagnostic interest. To study the immunogenic potential of crude versus purified antigen, goat was immunized with M tb detergent soluble sonicate (DSS) antigen as well as purified antigen fraction (ESAS 7) containing ES 31 antigen. Both anti-DSS IgG antibody and anti ESAS 7 IgG antibody were found to be reactive with ES 31 antigen upto 1 ng concentration of antibody by ELISA. Crude DSS antigen was found to be quite effective in producing high litre antibodies and showed further high reactivity with other ES antigens (ES 41 and ES 43) of diagnostic interest.

^ssc1 table, 13 ref

014654   Saha S;Mohanty K C;Mallick P (Dep of Metabolic Regulation, Chittaranjan Natn Cancer Inst (CNCI), 37, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata- 700 026, Email: sahasandip54@yahoo.co.in) : Gangliosides enhance migration of mouse B16-melanoma cells through artificial basement membrane alone or in presence of laminin or fibronectin. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(12), 1130-8.

Migration of B16LuFl cells, B 16-melanoma cells of lower metastatic potential to lung was enhanced through artificial basement membrane in presence of gangliosides of B16LuFl cells as well as gangliosides of B16-melanoma cells of higher metastatic potential to lung, namely, B16LuF5 and B16LuF10 cells. The same concentration (50μM) of gangliosides of B16LuFl, B16LuF5 and B16LuF10 cells gradually increased the migration of B16LuFl cells through basement membrane. Moreover, B16LuF10 cell gangliosides modified the migratory effect of laminin and fibronectin on B16LuFl cells. Laminin alone increased migration of B16LuFl cells whereas fibronectin alone decreased migration of the same cells. When B16LuF10 cell gangliosides were used in combination with fibronectin, gangliosides removed the migration inhibitory effect of fibronectin resulting in net enhancing effect Gangliosides in association with laminin also increased the enhancing effect of laminin on migration of B16LuFl cells. Thus, gangliosides showed additive enhancing effect when used in combination with laminin. However, effect of individual gangliosides were different. Out of six gangliosides isolated from B16LuF10 cells only two gangliosides corresponding to standard gangliosides GM2 and GM3 enhanced migration of B16LuFl cells. The migration of B16LuFl cells in presence of each of the remaining four gangliosides corresponding to GTlb, GDlb, GDla and GM1 was not altered and was comparable to that of untreated control. Thus, gangliosides of B16 melanoma cells alone or in combination with laminin or fibronectin enhanced migration of B16 melanoma cells through artificial basement membrane, suggesting possible role of tumor gangliosides during invasion of metastatic tumor cells through basement membrane of the surrounding tissues in vivo.

2 illus, 3 tables, 49 ref

014653   Roy P S;Behera M D (NO, Natn Remote Sens Ag, Balanagar, Hyderabad-500 037, Email: mukundbehera@yahoo.co.uk) : Assessment of biological richness in different altitudinal zones the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Curr Sci 2005, 88(2), 250-7.

Article evaluates an approach for biological richness assessment at landscape level using satellite remote sensing, phytosociological data and knowledge base in a GIS domain at a test site in the Eastern Himalayan region. An attempt is made to establish the relationship existing between biological richness and biotic disturbances across an altitudinal gradient, divided into six zones based on different vegetation types. Biological richness was determined as a function of ecosystem uniqueness, species diversity, biodiversity value, terrain complexity and disturbance index. Satellite images of IRS 1C/1D LISS III are used to stratify different vegetation types following a hybrid approach supplemented with biogeographic and altitude zone maps. The number of economically important species, medicinal species and endemic species decreases with altitude. High level of disturbance was observed across settlements and road networks and the areas having simpler and easily accessible terrains. A declining trend in species richness and plant endemism is noticed with increase in altitude. Habitats with low disturbance, highly complex terrain, high degree of species richness, plant endemism and species uniqueness show high level of biological richness. In general, the disturbance decreased with increase in altitude, whereas biological richness shows a hump-shaped pattern for Arunachal Pradesh. It was observed that high biological richness and high disturbance occurred in lower altitudes, whereas high-altitude areas showed low biological richness and low level of disturbance. The study demonstrates integration of remote sensing and GIS for landscape ecological modelling and thereby contributes to the understanding of biodiversity distribution in the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh.

6 illus, 2 tables, 42 ref

014652   Ritu;Shukla G R (Dep of Zool, D A V Coll, Muzaffarnagar-251 001) : Acute and subacute effects of tannery waste on phosphatase enzymes of liver, kidney and gills of Notopterus notopterus. Biochem Cell Archs 2005, 5(2), 261-5.

Acute and subacute effects of tannery waste on phosphatase enzymes has been analyzed. Acid and alkaline phosphatase enzymes of liver, kidney and gills of Notopterus notopterus on exposing to tannery waste for 5, 10 and 15 days and 8, 16 and 24 hrs has been studied. Significant inhibition in both the enzymes has been studied at P<60>0.05, P<60> 0.01 and P<60> 0.001 level. The most significant inhibition was observed in liver in both the enzymes.

4 tables, 16 ref

014651   Ranjeet Singh;Matta N K (Dep of Bot, Kurukshetra Univ, Kurukshetra-136 119) : Chickpea seed proteins as affected by mineral supply levels. J Pl Biochem Biotechnol 2005, 14(1), 77-9.

Accumulation of different protein fractions in chickpea seed harvested from plants grown under four concentration levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 mM) of sulphur, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus has been studied. Whereas globulins showed an increase with the increasing concentration of all the four minerals, albumins increased under sulphur, nitrogen and potassium, and glutelins increased under potassium and phosphorus. An increase in nitrogen regime led to increased contribution of tryptophan in the seed protein due to albumins and globulins and methionine contribution due to albumins, globulins and glutelins. Under higher supplies of sulphur, relative contribution of tryptophan due to albumins and methionine contribution due to albumins and globulins had increased.

^ssc1 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

014650   Ramalingam K;Shyamala R;Ramarani G (Dep of Zool, Govt Arts Coll, Nandanam, Chennai-600 035) : Ecosignificance of microbial activity and ecoassault of microbial pollution. Biochem Cell Archs 2005, 5(2), 233-6.

An environmental ecosystem is often said to be self replenishing and self sustainable one, as long as the nutrients and energy cycles go unhindered in various levels of trophic members. The decomposing microbes and other organisms alongwith the producer and composer components, play a very vital role in replenishing the nutrients in the environment. Various bacterial population and fungi are responsible for the replenishment of nutrients through the mineralisation process and soil organic matter formation. The desirable effects of their activity in productivity of biomass have been delineated in the literature. The chemical and molecular mechanisms involved in their activity have caused the self sustainability of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem.

3 ref

014649   Ramachandran H D;Kusum R;Raina P L (Dep of Biochem and Nutr, Cent Fd Technol Res Inst, Mysore-570 011, Email: drr_chandran@yahoo.com) : Modulatory effect of dietary factors on iron-induced in- vivo lipid peroxidation in liver and serum of albino rats. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(1), 32-8.

Effect of a computed diet based on cereals and spices incorporated with either crude palm oil (CPO)/soybean oil (SBO)/cod liver oil (CLO) at 10% level in the diet in modulating iron-induced in vivo lipid peroxidation was carried out during a 12 week study in albino rats. Three groups of rats, each divided into three sets were fed diets based on casein/ragi/jowar incorporated with CPO or SBO or CLO. The casein group of rats did not receive any spice mixture, while the ragi and jowar groups received spice mixture at 2.5% level. Serum lipid analysis showed significant increase in cholesterol, LDL-c + VLDL-c and decrease in HDL-c levels in all the iron treated group of animals. In liver, non-significant increase in total cholesterol triglyceride and decrease in phospholipid levels were noted. Fatty acid profile of liver tissue exhibited low 18:2 levels in various experimental groups due to peroxidation of membrane lipids. Histopathological examination of liver tissue in particular showed mild cytoplasmic vacuolation in control group of rats fed ragi/jowar and moderate vacuolation in all the iron-treated groups. The results demonstrate that different dietary components can beneficially modulate free radical mediated oxidative stress induced by lipid peroxidation.

6 tables, 47 ref

014648   Rajendiran K (Dep of Bot, Tagore Arts Coll, Pondicherry-605 008) : Simple and rapid squash schedule for the root tips of Helianthus annus to determine the environmental clastogens. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2005, 15(3), 291-5.

The paper describes a modified root tip squash technique tested with Helianthus annuus. The root tips were hydrolysed in 1 N HC1 (1-min), treated with 4% iron alum (2 min), stained in 4% haematoxylin (2 min), all at 60°C, and mounted on 45% acetic acid for viewing. This technique is relatively simple, versatile, efficient and expensive; it reveals clearly the magnitude of chromosome damages in the somatic cells.

2 illus, 23 ref

014647   Prasad Y;Verma V;Singh B R (Dep of Anim Sci, M.J.P. Rohilkhand Univ, Bareilly-243 006) : In vitro efficacy of selected antibiotics and leaf extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) and Lantana camara on Flavobacterium columnare and Myxobacterium sp. isolated from symptomatic catfish. Biochem Cell Archs 2005, 5(2), 153-60.

Fish mortalities were recorded in the different water bodies viz. Nanak Sagar, Sharda reservoir and Nakatia river of Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions. To know the prevalence of Flavobacterium and Myxobacteriutn, 2600 catfishes were screened and examined thoroughly for being symptomatic and twenty isolates of Flavobacterium (F₁-F₂₀) and eight isolates of Myxobacterium (M₁-M₈) have been isolated from symptomatic Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustes fossilis which were found to be virulent in nature. In vitro drug sensitivity tests revealed that out of 30 antibiotics and two leaf extracts of Neem and Lantana only Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Nitrofurantoin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin and Tetracycline were found to be highly efficacious against both F. columnare and Myxobacterium while 10-15 mg/disc concentrations of leaf extract of Lantana were highly sensitive against Myxobacterium only.

2 tables, 22 ref

014646   Pesminath I;Prasad A M;Thakare D R;Sivanandan C;Bhat S R;Srinivasan (NO, Natn Res Cent on Pl Biotechnol Indian Agric Res Inst, New Delhi-110 012) : Promoter trapping in Arabidopsis using T-DNA insertional mutagenesis. J Pl Biochem Biotechnol 2005, 14(1), 1-8.

New promoter trap vector was constructed based on the juxtaposition of T-DNA right border to coding sequence of GUS. The new vector pRN-1 carried an intron in the GUS coding region. Promoter trap vectors pGKB5 and pRN-1 vectors were used to transform Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia using the floral dip transformation system. The transformants were selected on apropriate selection media and the primary transformants were confirmed by PCR using gene specific primers. Approximately % of the T₂ lines segregated for a 3:1 ratio indicating presence of T-DNA at single locus. Approximately 15% of the transformed lines showed expression of GUS. Morphological mutants for male sterility and dwarfism were also identified in the T₂ population. DMA tagged line was identified in T₂ with GUS expression specifically in the floral parts. The number of T-DNA loci in this line was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization. T-DNA flanking region isolated from this line suggested insertions into chromosome two closely linked loci. The results demonstrate that the population generated can be used effectively to identify and racterize gene regulatory elements.

6 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

014645   Patnaik K C;Nayak L (P.G. Dep of Zool, Berhampur Univ, Berhampur-760 007) : White spot syndrome virus: detection by PCR technique. Sci Cult 2005, 71(9-10), 339-43.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a DNA virus, which causes white spot syndrome (WSS), a fatal disease in shrimps has been causing major losses to the shrimp culture industries in several countries since 1992. Early detection of the virus will help in taking proper management steps to control the. incidence of WSS outbreaks. Out of several methods of detection of WSSV, PCR method is much more sensitive and can detect 10 target molecules (viral particles). WSSV in shrimps from different hatcheries and farms along Orissa coast have been detected by PCR technique with utmost precautions.

1 illus, 1 table, 22 ref