011283   Varghese A C;Sinha B;Bhattacharyya A K (Dep of Biochem, Univ of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, Email: ashok.bhattacharyya@rediffmail.com) : Current trends in evaluation of sperm function: In vitro selection and manipulation of male gametes for assisted conception. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1023-31.

With increasing medical utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART), scientists and clinicians have been able to study extensively multiple cell functions operating synchronously and flawlessly during the events preceding, before and after fertilization. Critical evaluation of the functional status of spermatozoa for in vitro techniques such as sperm-mucus interaction, acrosome reaction status, sperm-zona pellucida binding and penetration tests, hyaluronic acid binding assay, and computer assisted semen analysis etc. can direct a male partner of an infertile couple to more aggressive forms of treatments. In vitro selection of functionally competent sperm cells is a pre-requisite for successful outcome in in vitro fertilization or in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Direct injections of acrosome-intact spermatozoa into oocyte during ICSI bypassing the normal events of sperm oocyte interaction and fusion events have raised concerns with regard to fertilization abnormalities and genetic issues. The present communication briefly reviews the sperm function tests with emphasis on its correlation with fertility outcome, and the currently employed sperm selection and manipulation procedures which may have implications in assisted conception programs.

1 table, 85 ref

011282   Vaid S;Vaid N (P.G. Dep of Hom Sci, Univ of Jammu, Jammu-180 006) : Nutritional status of ICDS and non-ICDS children. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(3), 207-12.

Study was dividing into two groups' i.e 15 preschool children who receiving supplement diet in the ICDS Centres and their mother and preschool children not receiving supplement diet in the ICDS centers and their mothers of Resham Ghar Colony of Jammu city (Jammu and Kashmir State). Purposive sampling technique was used. Interview schedules, check list and recall dietary method was used to collect the data. Result reveals that all the ICDS centres were providing supplementary nutrition to children, pregnant women and nursing mothers who enrolled in the Anganwadi. Most of the mothers had the knowledge about the nutritional status of children and got information from the Anganwadi workers. Data shows that all the Anganwadi workers were assessing the nutritional status of children by taking height and weight in Anganwadi. Majority of the respondents were not aware regarding the maintenance of records in the Anganwadi centres but they had very positive attitude towards ICDS Centres and all the mothers observed some changes in the children after enrolled in the ICDS centres. Result indicates that majority of the mothers whose children did not attend any ICDS centres told that it was not necessary for the children to attend any ICDS centres and did not have any knowledge regarding supplementary foods and nutritional needs of the children. Majority of the mothers were immunized their children from the Primary Health Centres. All the respondents observed some changes in the children. It was found that children who attended Anganwadi centres had good health or appearance as compared to their counterparts. It was also observed that ICDS children had good dietary intake as compared to the children who did not attend ICDS centres.

5 tables, 15 ref

011281   Sriraman V;Rao A J (Dep of Molec and Cellular Biol, Baylor Coll of Med, Houston, Tx-77030, USA, Email: ajrao@biochem.iisc.ernet.in) : FSH, the neglected sibling: evidence for its role in regulation of spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 993-1000.

Role of follicle stimulating harmone(FSH) in male reproductive function remains a matter of debate although recent evidences strongly suggest a role despite the controversies that arose following the results obtained with FSH-Bita null mice and observations from human FSH receptor mutations. The review summarizes the recent developments of our understanding on the role of FSH in male reproduction. Specifically the results obtained with FSH-Beta and FORKO null mice have been discussed in the light of observations employing active and passive neutralization of endogenous FSH in rodents and primates along with other studies.On the basis of results obtained employing a variety of models it can be concluded unequivocally that FSH regulates Leydig cell function and is essential for normal quantitative spermatogenesis.

50 ref

011280   Singh R K;Jabeen T;Sharma S;Kaur P;Srinivasan A;Singh T P (Dep of Biophys, All India Inst of Med Sci, New Delhi-110 029) : Crystal structure of a novel phospholipase AÅ from crude venom of Indian cobra sub-species Naja naja sagittifera at 1.48 A resolution. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(5), 279-86.

Secretory phospholipase A_2e (PLA_2S), the structurally-homologous enzymes share a common qualitative catalytic site, but differ greatly in their pharmacological properties and toxicities. There has been a recognizable pattern of mutations in the primary sequence of PLA₂S that alter their catalytic properties significantly. In the study, the amino acid sequence and the three-dimensional structure of a new isoform of PLA₂ from crude venom of Indian cobra sub-species Naja naja sagittifera (N.n.s.) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure has revealed several novel features of PLA₂ folding and function. It contains 913 protein atoms and one each of Ca²⁺, phosphate and acetate ions with 142 solvent water molecules. A Ca²⁺ ion is present in the calcium-binding loop and forms a seven-fold coordination with a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. One of the coordination linkages is with the acetate ion, instead of the conserved water molecule. The presence of Lys at position 31 has a stabilizing effect on the loop Tyr 25-Cys 29 by interacting with carbonyl oxygen atoms of Tyr 25, Gly 26 and Cys 29. In turn, it lends stability to the Ca²⁺binding loop as well. Another unique feature of the PLA₂ structure is the formation of an intrastrand hydrogen bond, involving Oγ of Thr 73 and Oε2 of Glu 71, thus helping the β-wing to act as a sharp arrow for insertion into other molecules. Yet another important feature of this PLA₂ pertains to the conformation of its C-terminal segment, which is stabilized by a unique hydrogen bond through carbonyl oxygen of Lys 116 and N₂ of Asn 120. This structural feature may be useful in the molecular recognition of the PLA₂ through C-terminal segment.

7 illus, 2 tables, 41 ref

011279   Singh K;Raman R (Cytogenetics Lab Dep of Zool, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: raman@bhu.ac.in) : Male infertility: Y-chromosome deletion and testicular aetiology in cases of azoo-/oligospermia. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1088-92.

Results of studies on Y-chromosome deletions, chromosomal abnormalities (Klinefelter syndrome) and histology of testis with the objective of seeing whether there were cases of gonosomic mosaicism and a causal correlation between the genetic disorder and testicular aetiology could be drawn. In all the 13 cases of Y-chromosome microdeletion, AZFc region and DAZ gene were deleted, while no case of AZFa deletion was detected. This result was at variance with other reports from India, where a considerable fraction of cases showed deletion in AZFa region of the Y-chromosome. Both Y-deleted and non-Y-deleted cases revealed heterogeneous testicular phenotype with comparable severity. This disparity among testicular phenotype in cases with known genetic aetiology and even in cases of unknown aetiology can be attributed to different generic backgrounds and effect of modifiers. Since male infertility is a multifactorial disorder, the contributions of environmental and occupational insults may not be underestimated.

3 illus, 20 ref

011278   Sidhu S;Kuar A;Sidhu M (Dep of Hum Genet, Guru Nanak Dev Univ, Amritsar-143 005) : Age at menopause in educated women of Amritsar (Punjab). J hum Ecol 2005, 18(1), 49-51.

An attempt has been made to determine median age at menopause and frequency of various related clinical symptoms among educated women of Amritsar district of Punjab. The data for this cross-sectional study were collected at random from 539 women aged 40-50 years. In-depth interviews were conducted among Amritsar women for collecting information about menopause and symptoms associated with it. 256 women (47.50%) of the study population were classified as postmenopausal, i.e., having no vaginal bleeding during the last 12 months, and 283 women (52.50%) were perimenopausal, i.e., having irregular vaginal bleeding during the last 12 months. Median age at menopause was 47.54±2.31 years which is close to the estimates from other Punjabi populations. The most common clinical symptoms associated with menopause were hot flushes and night sweats (55.08%), insomnia (53.12%), headache and body-aches (38.28%), fatigue (42.18%), irritability (35.15%). perspiration (34.76%), palpitation (22.26%), short breath (20.31%), nervous tension (10.56%) and depression (8.20%).

3 tables, 27 ref

011277   Siddiqui M R;Taha A;Moorthy K;Hussain M E; Basir S F;Baquer N Z (Sch of Life Sci, Jawaharlal Nehru Univ, New Delhi-110 067, Email: nzbaquer@mail.jnu.ac.in) : Amelioration of altered antioxidant status and membrane linked functions by vanadium and Trigonella in alloxan diabetic rat brains. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(4), 483-90.

Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP) and sodium orthovanadate (SOV) have been reported to have antidiabetic effects. However, SOV exerts hypoglycemic effects at relatively high doses with several toxic effects, used low doses of vanadate in combination with TSP and evaluated their antidiabetic effects on antioxidant enzymes and membrane-linked functions in diabetic rat brains. In rats, diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate (15 mg/100 g body wt.) and they were treated with 2 IU insulin, 0.6 mg/ml SOV, 5% TSP and a combination of 0.2 mg/ml SOV with 5% TSP for 21 days. Blood glucose levels, activity of superoxide dismutase tase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Na+/K+ ATPase, membrane lipid peroxidation and fluidity were determined in different fractions of whole brain after 21 days of treatment. Diabetic rats showed high blood glucose (P <60> 0.001), decreased activities of SOD, catalase and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase (P <60> 0.01, P <60> 0.001 and P <60> 0.01), increased levels of GPx and MDA (P <60> 0.01 and P <60> 0.001) and decreased membrane fluidity (P <60> 0.01). Treatment with different antidiabetic compounds restored the above-altered parameters. Combined dose of Trigonella and vanadate was found to be the most effective treatment in normalizing these alterations. Lower doses of vanadate could be used in combination with TSP to effectively counter diabetic alterations without any toxic effects.

1 illus, 4 tables, 48 ref

011276   Shukla S P;Khare P B (NO, Pteridology Lab Natn Bot Res Inst, Lucknow-226 001) : The application of biotechnology in pteridophytes. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2005, 13(2), 203-8.

Pteridophytes are world wide in distribution having 12,000 species distributed throughout the world in wide range of habitats and have enormous economic potentiality and been used in various ways like medicine, sources of food, fodder, fibre, flavouring agents, aromatic oil, perfume, dyes and folk remedies. Some species have also identified as insect repellants, indicator of metals and hyper accumulator of noxious metals and metalloids. The lack of flowers and the concept of the" invisible seed "are associated with myths and superstition. The sexual method of propagation involves raising of plants through spores which is depended on several factors such as viability, storage, sterilization of spores, media, density of spore sowing, temperature, pH range and gametophyte differentiation and sporophyte formation. This method requires several factors and skill and is also comparatively slow and propagation by this method in nurseries was faced with inherent dangers of moss and algal invasion and contamination with other species of ferns. Tissue culture has solved all these problems neatly. Endangered, rare, endemic and economically important ferns and fern allies which are difficult to grow can be micro propagated through tissue culture and these can also be restored to their natural habitat. In comparison to conventional method, the application of tissue culture has resulted in some major changes and by using this method propagation of pteridophytic plants can be done rapidly. In this aspect very little work has been done and work on Pteridophytes has been initiated in the last quarter of this century in comparison to gymno-sperms and angiosperms.

1 illus, 21 ref

011275   Shukla S;Bhadauria M;Jadon A (Sch of Stud in Zool, Jiwaji Univ, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Email: dr_shukla@hotmail.com ) : Evaluation of hepatoprotective potential of propolis extract in carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(5), 321-5.

Propolis (bee glue), a resinous wax-like beehive product has been used since ancient times for its pharmaceutical properties. In the study, the ethanolic extract of propolis (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄, 1.5 ml/kg, i.p.) induced liver damage in rats. Administration of CCL₄ caused a sharp elevation in the activity of serum transaminases, serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, and a significant decrease in the ATPase, alkaline phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase activities in the liver and kidney and hepatic GSH level. The treatment with propolis extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reversed the various biochemical alterations in blood, liver and kidney induced by CCl₄ intoxication. The hepatoprotective property of propolis may be due to its antioxidant activity.

1 illus, 2 tables, 42 ref

011274   Sheth M;Gurudasani R;Mudbidri R (Dep of Fds and Nutr Fac of Hom Sci, The Maharaja Sayajirao Univ of Baroda, Vadodara-390 002) : Screening for pathogenic microorganisms in street vended bhelpuri in urban Vadodara: a HACCP approach. J Fd Sci Technol 2005, 42(5), 395-9.

Factors predisposing to the contamination of the street foods during preparation, storage and sale were identified using-survey methods, spot and in-depth observations. Cleaning practices of stall and utensils, personal hygiene of food handler, environmental sanitation and food safety knowledge were rated fair to poor for most of the vendors. Hand washing and dishwashing practices exhibited by vendors were far from satisfactory. Microbial analysis of bhelpuri samples brought from 20 different vendors revealed high mean Aerobic Mesophilic Colony Count (AMCC) (10⁸ cfu/g) and Staphylococcus aureus counts (10⁷ cfu/g) along with presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella in 60, 55 and 65% samples, respectively. Hand rinse and dishwater samples also indicated high mean AMCC (10⁸cfu/g) and S. aureus counts (10⁸ cfu/g) along with presence of E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella. Hazards and critical control points (HACCP) conducted for a selected bhelpuri vendor that involved microbial analysis of eight ingredients of bhelpuri and samples indicative of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation showed presence of E. coli in almost all samples and Salmonella and Shigella in knife, hand rinse, dishwater and sevpuri samples. Thus, the hazards and critical control points identified were high initial contamination of raw foods, poor personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, holding of foods at ambient temperature and poor cleaning practices for stall and utensils.

2 tables, 22 ref

011273   Sharma N;Thind S S;Sharma D (Genome Mapping Lab, Cent Avian Res Inst, Izatnagar, 243 122, Email: dscari@rediffmail.com) : Effect of meat processing on genomic DNA quality and specific gene amplification. J appl Anim Res 2005, 28(1), 69-72.

Effect of cooking/processing was studied on quality of genomic DNA extracted from chicken meat and pork as well as on amplification of specific gene i.e. 12S rRNA using DNA as template. Good quality genomic DNA was extracted from raw meat and degraded DNA was obtained from cooked and processed meat, using the same protocol, adopted for raw meat. A 450 bp fragment of 12S rRNA was amplified using genomic DNA extracted from raw meat, cooked meat and commercial meat preparation samples. It suggested that though the cooking and/or processing affected the quality of genomic DNA extracted, it did not affect the amplification of 12S rRNA gene.

2 illus, 4 ref

011272   Sharma K P;Sharma K;Kumar S;Sharma S;Grover R;Soni P;Bhardwaj S M;Chaturvedi R K;Sharma S (Dep of Bot, Univ of Raj, Jaipur-302 004, Email: sharmakp_in@yahoo.co.in) : Response of selected aquatic macrophytes towards textile dye wastewaters. Indian J Biotechnol 2005, 4(Oct), 538-45.

Ten aquatic macrophytes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Hydrilla verticillata (submerged), Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna aequinoctialis, Spirodela polyrhiza (free-floating), Cyperus alopecuroides, Phragmites karka, Polygonum barbatum and Typha angustata (emergent) were screened for tolerance towards textile dye wastewaters, released during processing (dye fixing and washing) of printed cloth, to raise constructed wetlands for their phytoremediation. The concentrated dye wastewaters of first wash were found toxic to plant growth. The free-floating plant species were almost dead in dilute acidic-azo water (pH 4.3-6.2), while their growth was adversely affected in neutral-azo (pH 7) and silicate waters (pH 9-10). Amongst emergent macrophytes, Polygonum died in acidic-azo and silicate waters, while its growth in neutral-azo was adversely affected. Cyperus too did not grow well in dye wastewaters, especially the acidic-azo water, whereas growth of Typha in wastewaters was similar to control plants. Phragmites was the only plant species growing better than the control plants in dye wastewaters, both in laboratory and field studies. Lemna and Spirodela are recommended for assessing the toxicity of textile dye wastewaters, and Phragmites for raising constructed wetlands to treat the same.

6 illus, 5 tables, 39 ref

011271   Sen A;Nandi R K;Ghosh A N (Div of Electron Microscopy, Natn Inst of Cholera and Enteric Dis, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beleghata, Kolkata 700 010, Email: anghosh@vsnl.net) : Ion-swimming speed variation of Vibrio cholerae cells. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(4), 465-7.

Reports the variation in swimming speed of Vibrio cholerae with respect to the change in concentration of sodium ions in the medium. Author have also studied the variation in swimming speed with respect to temperature. Author found that the swimming speed initially shows a linear increase with the increase of the sodium ions in the medium and then plateaus. The range within which the swimming speed attains saturation is approximately the same at different temperatures.

2 illus, 7 ref

011270   Selvaraj G S D;Varghese M;Thomas V J; Khambadkar L R (NO, Cent Mar Fish Res Inst, Cochin-682 014) : Fish/prawn seed resources and hydrography in the surf and backwater at Cochin. Indian J Fish 2005, 52(2), 179-87.

Present study deals with the seasonal variation of hydrographic parameters and fish and prawn seed and juvenile resources in the intertidal surf zone of the sea and the adjoining backwater at Cochin based on regular monitoring of monthly data for 1996-2001. Hydrographic parameters in general, showed fluctuations within the seasons, from season to season and year to year. Nitrite and nitrate values were more in the backwater, while phosphate concentration did not show much variation between the surf zone and the backwater (except June). Phytoplankton productivity indicated trimodal pattern of distribution with the peaks recorded during February, June and September in the surf zone and during February, August and November in the backwater. In the surf zone, plankton samples indicated the abundance of fish larvae during southwest monsoon season (719 nos./100m³) and in the backwater during premonsoon period (997 nos./ 100m³) corresponding to the highest mean values of primary production recorded in the surf zone and backwater. Decapod larvae comprised mostly of Metapenaeus dobsoni in the surf zone and backwater. Mean values indicated the abundance of decapod larvae in the surf zone at Cochin. In the Cochin backwater, distribution of fish juveniles varied from season to season and year to year in relation to fluctuation of the rainfall and salinity.

7 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

011269   Sayyed R Z;Badgujar M D;Sonawane H M;Mhaske M M;Chincholkar S B (Dep of Microbiol Sch of Life Sci, North Maharashtra Univ, Jalgaon-425 001, Email: chincholkar_sb@indiatimes.com) : Production of microbial iron chelators (siderophores) by fluorescent Pseudomonads. Indian J Biotechnol 2005, 4(Oct), 484-90.

Two fluorescent pseudomonads, Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIM 5096 and P. putida NCIM 2847 produced maximum yield of hydroxamate type of siderophore (87 and 83% units, respectively) in modified succinic acid medium (SM). (NH₄)₂SO₄ and amino acids were found to stimulate bacterial growth as well as siderophore production. However, optimum siderophore yield was obtained with urea. Increase in iron concentration up to 100 μM favoured growth but drastically affected siderophore production in both the strains. Threshold level of iron (FeCl₃), which repressed siderophore production in both the strains, was 30 μM. Sunflower oil proved to be suitable and cost effective defoaming agent for siderphore production in bioreactors. The results of shake flask level were found reproducible at scaled up conditions in bioreactors. Moreover, P. fluorescens NCIM 5096 inoculation enhanced seed germination, root length and shoot length of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under pot culture conditions.

1 illus, 5 tables, 31 ref

011268   Sahoo D K;Roy A;Bhanja S;Chainy G B N (Departments of Biotechnol & Zool, Utkal Univ, Bhubaneswar-751 004, Email: chainyg@sify.com) : Experimental hyperthyroidism-induced oxidative stress and impairment of antioxidant defence system in rat testis. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1058-67.

Short-term hyperthyroidism, induced by daily administration of T₃ (20μg/100g body weight) for one, three, and five days consecutively, modulates oxidative stress and antioxidant defence parameters in mitochondrial and postmitochondrial fractions of testis in adult rats. Alteration in antioxidant defences along with oxidative stress parameters in testis by thyroid hormone was found to be associated with a decline in the number of sperms and disturbances in histoarchitecture of seminiferous tubules in the testes; the results indicated that induced hyperthyroid state altered testicular physiology by influencing antioxidant defence system of testes.

7 illus, 4 tables, 49 ref

011267   Sahai K (Natn, Bot Res Inst, Lucknow-226 001) : Micro-morphological variability in the seeds of Canavalia virosa in respect to their colour in respect to their colour. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2005, 13(2), 196-8.

Canavalia virosa is an important species commonly known as "Barasem". This leguminous plant is a perennial woody climber with many phytochemical and medicinal values. Black, brown and mottled seeds were obtained from the pods, collected from Lucknow and its adjoining areas. Amongst them, black and mottled seeds were from the same pod or different pods of the same plant. According to average analysis, each ten pods showed black from three pods, mottled from five and both coloured seeds from two pods. During the micro-morphological study, seed variability in relation to seed colour was observed which is a significant parameter for the separation of all the three coloured seeds of a species.

1 illus, 8 ref

011266   Saboury A A;Ghasemi S;Dahot M U (NO, Inst of Biochem and Biophys Univ of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, Email: saboury@ut.ac.ir ) : Thermodynamic study of magnesium ion binding to Alpha-amylase. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(5), 326-9.

Interaction of α-amylase (from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with Mg²⁺ ion was studied using UV spectrophotometric and isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) methods at 27°C in 30 mM Tris buffer solution at pH = 7.0. The binding isotherm for metal-protein interaction was easily obtained by carrying out ITC experiment at two different concentrations (2 μM and 50 μM) of the protein. (α-Amylase had eight identical and independent binding sites for Mg²⁺ ion, which showed non-cooperativity in the binding process. The binding of Mg²⁺ ion was exothermic (AH= -17.3 kJ mol^-1) with association binding constant of 2.08 mM^-1. The binding slightly destabilized the enzyme against thermal denaturation, as evident from absorption studies.

4 illus, 26 ref

011265   Roy P;Pereira B M J (Dep of Biotechnol, Indian Inst of Technol Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, Email: benmjfbs@iitr.ernet.in) : A treatise on hazards of endocrine disrupters and tool to evaluate them. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 975-92.

Hormones mediate a major part of essential human physiological functions. Both endogenous and exogenous compounds and their metabolites are known to act through hormone receptors leading to regulation of endocrine function. The endogenous ligands that control reproductive functions are generally steroids such as 17 β-estradiol, androgens, progesterone, pregnenolone and glucocorticoids. However, exogenous compounds that are structurally and functionally similar gain entry into animals including humans through the diet or by occupational exposures, causing endocrine disruption. In the recent decade, there is a lot of apprehension about the so-called "endocrine disrupters" which are wide spread in the environment, mainly due to unrestricted human activity. These compounds of anthropogenic or natural origin mimic the action of sex hormones and can interfere with the endocrine system. It has been hypothesized that environmental exposure to synthetic estrogenic chemicals and related endocrine active compounds may be responsible for malformations in the male reproductive tract, crytorchidism, hypospadias, decrease in sperm counts, decreased male reproductive capacity and even testicular cancers. The increasing concern in both public and scientific communities about these abnormalities have prompted the initiation of epidemiological studies to not only identify, but to also analyze the short and long term effects of endocrine disrupters. As a result, a number of assays have been developed and are undergoing validation aimed at high throughput screening of chemical agents that disrupt endocrine activity. The review consolidates the findings of epidemiological studies, particularly in relation to male reproductive disorders and brings to light the various types of in vitro and in vivo models that are available for tiered testing of suspected compounds.

4 illus, 1 table, 160 ref

011264   Rathore G;Raja Swaminathan T;Abid R;Mahanta P C;Kapoor D (NO, Natn Bur of Fish Genetic Resour, Lucknow-226 002) : Isolation and characterization of motile aeromonads from aquatic environment. Indian J Fish 2005, 52(2), 241-8.

Isolation of motile aeromonads was done on Starch Ampicillin Agar and modified Rimler-Shotts Agar from 13 water samples and 7 fish samples. A total of 22 isolates of Aeromonas were identified. Among the 22 isolates of Aeromonas, 9 were A. hydrophilia (43%), 3 were A. sobria (13%), 3 were A. veronii (13%), 2 were A. schubertii (9%) and 2 belonged to A. caviae (9%). All the isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, and resistant to erythromycin, furazolidone and penicillin. Oxytetracycline, commonly used antibacterial agent was found to be effective against only 60% of isolates.

4 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

011263   Rajalakshmi M (NO, Natn Acad of Med Sci, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029) : Male contraception: expanding reproductive choice. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1032-41.

Development of steroid-based oral contraceptives had revolutionized the availability of contraceptive choice for women. In order to expand the contraceptive options for couples by developing an acceptable, safe and effective male contraceptive, scientists have been experimenting with various steroidal/non-steroidal regimens to suppress testicular sperm production. The non-availability of a long-acting androgen was a limiting factor in the development of a male contraceptive regimen since all currently tested anti-spermatogenic agents also concurrently decrease circulating testosterone levels. A combination regimen of long-acting progestogen and androgen would have advantage over an androgen-alone modality since the dose of androgen required would be much smaller in the combination regimen, thereby decreasing the adverse effects of high steroid load. The progestogen in the combination regimen would act as the primary anti-spermatogenic agent. Currently, a number of combination regimens using progestogen or GnRH analogues combined with androgen are undergoing trials. The side effects of long-term use of androgens and progestogens have also undergone evaluation in primate models and the results of these studies need to be kept in view, while considering steroidal regimens for contraceptive use in men. Efforts are also being made to popularize non-scalpel vasectomy and to develop condoms of greater acceptability. The development of contraceptive vaccines for men, using sperm surface epitopes not expressed in female reproductive tract as source, still requires considerable research efforts.

90 ref

011262   Qin S;Liu J (Sch of Life Sci & Technol, Shanghai Jiaotong Univ, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China, Email: jianhualiudl@sju.edu.cn) : Analysis of solid-phase allele-specific primer extension characteristics on biochip in combination with modified primers and PicoGreen staining method. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(5), 308-14.

DNA microarray technology offers potential for future high-throughput variation genotyping. Allele-specific primer extension procedure on microarray has been considered as an efficient method for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. However, the high cost of the fluorescent-labeled dNTP used for signal detection limits application. The characteristics of solid-phase allele-specific primer extension, in terms of specificity and efficiency have been evaluted and it has been demonstrated that compared to liquid-phase reaction, it requires lower annealing temperature, and higher template and Mg²⁺ concentrations. The extension efficiency and specificity were though linked, behave diametric during the gradient change of template and Mg²⁺ concentrations or annealing temperature. To obtain both optimal signal intensity and specificity, an artificial mismatched base has been introduced at the third position from the primer 3' end, which enhanced the specificity significantly. The PicoGreen staining method, which could decrease the cost greatly, was then introduced to replace the fluorescent-labeled dNTP for signal detection.

3 illus, 43 ref

011261   Punia D;Balda S;Punia S (Dep of Hum Dev and Family Stud, CCS Haryana Agric Univ, Hisar-125 004) : Promoting social competence for development of rural girl child. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(3), 173-6.

Study was conducted in rural Hisar. Social competence of rural preschool girls was assessed. Intervention programme was provided to these girls for a period of two months to promote their social competence. Results indicates that after exposure to intervention programme, there was significant improvement in social competence of preschool aged rural girls.

3 tables, 7 ref

011260   Pawar S D;Singh A;Gangodkar S V;Rao B L (Natn Inst of Virol, 20A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, P.O. Box No. 11, Pune-411 001, Email: blrao110@yahoo.com) : Propagation of Chandipura virus in chick embryos. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(10), 930-2.

Stocks of three Indian Chandipura virus (CHPV) isolates; one isolate from an adult febrile case in 1965 from Chandipura town, Maharashtra, and two isolates from two pediatric encephalitis cases from Andhra Pradesh, 2003 were inoculated in 10-day-old chick embryos by allantoic route. All three virus isolates replicated in chick embryos showing litre of log 10¹² to log 10¹³ EID⁵⁰. The results demonstrated that chick embryos are susceptible to CHPV and virus grows to high litres in this system. Therefore chick embryos can be used as an alternative host system for cultivation and isolation of CHPV as they are less expensive than laboratory animals and have several other advantages over cell cultures. Also this system can be used for the development of vaccine and diagnostic reagents.

1 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

011259   Olapegba P O (Dep of Psychology, Univ of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, Email: hanpet70@yahoo.com) : Predicting mental health of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): the role of psychosocial factors. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(1), 69-72.

Examines the influence of self-esteem, health locus of control, age and social support in predicting the mental health of people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants were made up of one hundred and three (103) purposively selected PLWHA; 56 males and 47 females whose ages ranged between 16-60 years with a mean age of 29.52 and standard deviation of 7.96. The ex-post facto research design was employed while data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire divided into 5 sections with each section measuring a variable. Result of a multiple regression analysis indicated that self-esteem, health locus of control, age and social -support significantly co-predict mental health of PLWHA (F (4, 88)=65.09, p<60>01). While all the psychosocial variables regressed with the exception of health locus of control independently predicted mental health of PLWHA. T-test result showed that there is no sex difference in PLWHA's mental health, t=0.14, df 101, p<62>.05. Thus, it is recommended that treatment emphasis of PLWHA should not only be on chemotherapy regimen, significant others should be incorporated in the medical care while other psychological programmes should form part of the overall therapy.

2 tables, 19 ref

011258   Nath V;Nivedan A;Asthana A K (Bryology Lab, Natn Bot Res Inst, Lucknow -226001) : Role of biotechnology in the study of bryophyte diversity. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2005, 13(2), 187-91.

Bryophytes, which are known as Amphibians in plant kingdom grow throughout the world. These plants grow abundantly at the height of 3000 to 10,000 ft. above sea level. Due to variable environmental conditions, these plants show great diversity, which is under extensive study all over the world. The classification and evolution of these plants on the basis of morphology and anatomy has been studied in India and other countries but the classification and diversity assessment with the help of molecular structure have never been carried out except in some foreign countries. Study of plants on the basis of its molecular structure can only be possible with the help of biotechnological experiments, which are unfailure tools for understanding the diversity of plants. In last few years some researches proven that study through biotechnology of bryophytes can provide its molecular data of classification and evolution, and it is also helpful to determine the homicides by the experiments of DNA finger printing. A short discussion and discrimination is provided in this review article on the studies of significant biotechnological researches carried out on bryophytes with the useful results during last decade, which are boon for assessment of bryophyte diversity, rare/ threatened plants and to ascertain the status of the large and difficult genera/species and their population possessing overlapping characters.

23 ref

011257   Narinder Kaur;Harpreet Kaur; (Dep of Biochem and Chem, Punjab Agric Univ, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: nkaur@rediffmail.com) : Effect of exogenous sucrose on the enzymes of starch degradation and sucrose metabolism in cowpea Vigna unguiculata L.) seedlings. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(5), 295-300.

Addition of exogenous sucrose and mannitol in the growth medium decreased the germination and growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. cv C-88) seedlings. The reduced seedling growth appeared to be due to the decreased acid invertase activity in growing parts of the seedlings. An exogenous supply of sucrose upregulated the sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity in different parts of seedlings. Decreased amylase activity in cotyledons and the mobilization of starch from cotyledons to the growing axis was observed in the presence of exogenous sucrose and mannitol. High sucrose content observed in different tissues in the presence of exogenous sucrose and mannitol was possibly due to high SPS and low acid invertase activities and reduced conversion of sucrose to starch. It appears that exogenous sucrose acts mainly as an osmoticum, rather than a source of carbon for the growing seedlings.

2 illus, 2 tables, 34 ref

011256   Nanda S;Tripathy M (NO, Coun for Social Dev, 53, Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110 003, Email: mmmtripathy@yahoo.co.in) : Reproductive morbidity, treatment seeking behaviour and fertility: a study of scheduled caste and tribe women. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(1), 77-83.

It attempts to study the prevalence of reproductive morbidity, treatment seeking behaviour and their plausible causal relationship with human fertility. The primary data for this study has been collected through a survey conducted on scheduled caste and tribe population in Orissa. The bivariate and multivariate analyses showed that certain health problems impose negative effect on fertility, although few did not show common association possibly due to reverse causation Menstrual irregularity consistently emerged out to be a significant attribute of lower fertility and some others such as smallpox, sickling, malaria and gynecological problems showed negative effect on fertility. These phenomena for some were not very consistent when adjusted for other confounders.

5 tables, 12 ref

011255   Mukhopadhyay T;Ghosh S (Dep of Chem Technol Oil Technol Div, Univ of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata-700 009, Email: santinathghosh@yahoo.com.hk) : Lipid profile and fatty acid composition in eggs of Gangetic little barb Puntius sophore in comparison with body tissue lipid. J Indian Chem Soc 2005, 82(8), 423-6.

Lipid class and fatty acid composition in eggs of spot fin swamp little barb Puntius sophore has been studied in comparison with body tissue lipid. The eggs contain about 1.87 times higher lipid than that of the body tissue. The major portion of lipid in eggs is composed of phospholipid (PL) followed by triacylglycerol (TAG). But in the body tissue the major fraction is TAG followed by PL. Egg lipids are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of which major fractions arc accumulated In PL fractions. The significant amount of phosphatidylinositol (PI) present both in egg and body tissue PL fractions rather than phosphatidylcholinc (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The results of the study indicate that P. sophore eggs are rich in PUFA, which are very much Important from nutritional point of view.

3 tables, 15 ref

011254   Mukhopadhyay A;Bhadra M;Bose K (Dep of Anthrop, Vidyasagar Univ, Midnapore- 721 102) : Anthropometric assessment of nutritional status of adolescents of Kolkata, West Bengal. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(3), 213-16.

Cross-sectional study of 559.Bengalee adolescents (314 boys and 245 girls) of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, was undertaken to study their age and sex differences in nutritional status. The subjects were classified into four age groups with one-year intervals. Individuals falling below the age and sex specific fifth percentile of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) were defined as undernourished. The overall rate of undernutrition was 36.49%. Regardless of sex, the rate of undernutrition progressively increased from 31.88% to 39.80% with the advancement of age. However, a clear-cut age variations in the change of the rate of undernutrition have been observed in both the sexes. The prevalence of undernutrition (combining all ages) varied between boys (41.08%) and girls (30.61%). In general, this study provided evidence that the Bengalee adolescents had moderate rates of undernutrition. These rates were, in general, lower than those reported in other developing countries including previous Indian studies.

1 illus, 3 tables, 23 ref

011253   Mitra K;Shivaji S (NO, Cent for Cellular and Molec Biol, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: shivas@ccmb.res.in) : Proteins implicated in sperm capacitation. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1001-15.

Spermatozoa after being deposited in the female reproductive tract spend a considerable time in the foreign environment prior to fertilization of the oocyte. Chang and Austin independently observed that this time spent by the spermatozoa in the female tract is not consequential but a necessary event in the life cycle of the male gamete, and Austin first called this maturation period of spermatozoa as 'Capacitation'. Ever since, attempts have been made to understand and unravel the molecular mechanism of capacitation. Based on the results obtained so far, it is clear that capacitation is guided by novel signal transduction pathways influencing varied aspects of spermatozoa. Capacitation could be, thus, defined as the cumulative molecular, cellular and physiological changes that occur in spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract to achieve the final competence to fertilize the oocyte. The review is structured so as to first understand the key features of capacitation and then to survey the players which bring about these changes during capacitation.

1 illus, 1 table, 193 ref

011252   Misro M M;Chaki S P;Gautam D K (Dep of Reproductive Biomedicine, Natn Inst of Hlth and Family Welfare, New Mehrauli Road, Munirka, New Delhi-110 067) : Germ cell death and their removal during initial stages of testicular ischemia and cryptorchidism: a comparative analysis. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1080-7.

Germ cell death and their removal from the seminiferous epithelium are common in the affected testis in conditions of unilateral ischemia or cryptorchidism; the similarities and differences, however, have not been studied between these two conditions. The study was designed to examine the severity of the effect on testicular germ cells during the initial stages of both ischemia and cryptorchidism, which have significant implications on the restoration of fertility following surgical repair. Complete absence of spermatids was observed following 12 hr of ischemia as compared to 7 days of cryptorchidism. Germ cell removal in either case was in the direction of lumen to basement membrane leaving only a single layer of cells by 24 hr of unilateral ischemia as compared to 15 days of cryptorchidism. Levels of intratesticular testosterone was found lower in cryptorchidism (7 days) but not in ischemia till 24 hrs. Giant cells frequently observed in cryptorchid testis were absent in the ischemic seminiferous epithelium. There was a gradual increase in the number of apoptotic and non-viable cells; the latter was more than 95% by 24 hr of ischemia. In contrast, approximately 85% testicular cells were nonviable till 15 days of cryptorchidism. The Ic peak representing the population of haploid cells was significantly reduced in cryptorchidism (7 days), while the peak was completely abolished by 24 hr of ischemia. Rise in the levels of oxidative stress in the affected testis was observed identically during the initial stages. These findings indicate that coupled with the rise in tissue oxidative stress, the number of apoptotic/nonviable germ cells was alarmingly high (<62>80%) by 15 days of cryptochidism or 24 hr of ischemia. Restoration of complete spermatogenesis following surgical repair may not be possible in such cases because of these acute adverse effects.

7 illus, 22 ref

011251   Mishra R K;Singh S K (Dep of Zool, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: shioks@rediffmail.com) : Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica on the reproductive organs in male mice. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1088-92.

Effect of oral administration (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight/day, for 28 days) of aqueous leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) on the male reproductive organs of the Parkes (P) strain mice was investigated. The treatment had no effect on body weight and the reproductive organs weight. In treated mice, testes showed both normal and affected seminiferous tubules in the same sections; the affected seminiferous tubules showed intraepithelial vacuolation, loosening of germinal epithelium, marginal condensation of chromatin in round spermatids, occurrence of giant cells, mixing of germ cell types in stages of spermatogenesis and degenerated appearance of germ cells. In severe cases, the tubules were lined with Sertoli cells only, Sertoli cells and rare germ cells, or with Sertoli cells and several germ cells but without cellular association patterns. Also, the frequency of affected seminiferous tubules in testes of the extract-treated mice was significantly higher than the controls, though this remained unaffected in mice treated at 50 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Doses at 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight of neem leaf extract did not cause appreciable alterations in histological appearance of the epididymis, while a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight caused marked alterations both in histological appearance and the level of sialic acid in the duct. The treatment also had adverse effects on motility, morphology, and number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis, level of fructose in the seminal vesicle, and on litter size. After 42 days of withdrawal of the treatment, the alterations induced in the reproductive organs recovered to control levels. The results suggested that treatment with neem leaf extract caused reversible alterations in the male reproductive organs of mice

16 illus, 5 tables, 28 ref

011250   Mendis-Handagama S M L C;Ariyaratne H B S; (Dep of Comp Med, Coll of Vet Med, The University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, U.S.A., Email: mendisc@utk.edu) : Leydig cells thyroid hormones and steroidogenesis. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 939-62.

Leydig cells are the primary source of androgens in the mammalian testis. It is established that the luteinizing hormone (LH) produced by the anterior pituitary is required to maintain the structure and function of the Leydig cells in the postnatal testis. Until recent years, a role by the thyroid hormones on Leydig cells was not documented. It is evident now that thyroid hormones perform many functions in Leydig cells. For the process of postnatal Leydig cell differentiation, thyroid hormones are crucial. Thyroid hormones acutely stimulate Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Thyroid hormones cause proliferation of the cytoplasmic organelle peroxisome and stimulate the production of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and StAR mRNA in Leydig cells; both peroxisomes and StAR are linked with the transport of cholesterol, the obligatory intermediate in steroid hormone biosynthesis, into mitochondria. The presence of thyroid hormone receptors in Leydig cells and other cell types of the Leydig lineage is an issue that needs to be fully addressed in future studies. As thyroid hormones regulate many functions of Sertoli cells and the Sertoli cells regulate certain functions of Leydig cells, effects of thyroid hormones on Leydig cells mediated via the Sertoli cells are also reviewed in the paper. Additionally, out of all cell types in the testis, the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), TRH mRNA and TRH receptor are present exclusively in Leydig cells. However, whether Leydig cells have a regulatory role on the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis is currently unknown.

9 illus, 2 tables, 232 ref

011249   Manjula K;Podile A R (Dep of Pl Sci, Univ of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500 046) : Production of fungal cell wall degrading enzymes by a biocontrol strain of Bacillus subtilis AF 1. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(10), 892-6.

Fungal cell wall degrading chitinases and glucanases attained significance in agriculture, medicine, and environment management. The study was conducted to describe the optimum conditions required for the production of β-1, 4-N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAGase) and β-1,3-glucanase by a biocontrol strain of Bacillus subtilis AF 1. B. subtilis AF 1 was grown in minimal medium with colloidal chitin (3.0%) and yeast extract (0.3% YE ) and incubated at pH 7.0 and 30°C on constant shaker at 180 rpm for 6 days produced highest amounts of NAGase. Presence of 0.5 mM of phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and 0.04% of Tween 20 further improved the enzyme production. B. subtilis AF 1 grown in minimal medium with laminarin (1%) and yeast extract (0.3%) for 3 days produced maximum amount of β-1, 3-glucanase. These conditions can be further scaled-up for large-scale production of NAGase and -β1,3-glucanase by B. subtilis AF 1.

1 illus, 19 ref

011248   Mahalakshmi A;Shenbagarathai R;Sujatha K (PG Dep of Zool & Res Cent, Lady Doak Coll, Madurai-625 002, Email: shenbagarathai@rediffmail.com) : Identification of novel indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis isolates. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(10), 867-72.

Internally Transcribed Spacers (ITS) characterization and distribution of Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic (REP) sequences were studied in the genome of 223 field isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis from Madurai, India. They were characterized by morphological, biochemical and molecular methods. One hundred and twenty four of a total 223 isolates fitted ITS characterization of B. thuringiensis varieties known. Significant genomic variation was observed among seven isolates using REP primers. The ITS PCR product (EMBL accession number AJ639659) exhibited 98% nucleotide sequence homology with B. thuringiensis and placed the origin of indigenous isolate LDC-7 closer to B. thuringiensis on the basis of phylogenetic analysis.

2 illus, 40 ref

011247   Leman J;Smoczynski M;Dolgan T;Dziuba Z (Chair of Fd Biotechnol, Univ of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Heweliusza 1, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland, Email: malgorzata.lewandowska@uwm.edu.pl) : Fractal analysis of structure of cow and goat beta-lactoglpbulin preparations. J Fd Sci Technol 2005, 42(5), 428-30.

Beta-Lactoglobulin (β-Lg) preparations from cow and goat milk samples obtained from whey retentates through salting at high NaCl concentration (30%) in a strongly acid medium (pH 2.0) were characterized by high values (1.31 to 1.48) for fractal dimension (D_L), indicating developed surface. Higher D_L value for goat β-Lg preparation than cow β-Lg preparation suggested much more developed surface of the former which may have important technological implications regarding the production and use. High values for determination coefficients (0.915 to 0.920) indicated great accuracy of the method used for the fractal analysis of the protein particles.

1 illus, 18 ref

011246   Kotresh T M;Indu Shekar R;Subbu Lakshmi M S; Vijay Lakshmi S N (NO, Def Bio Engng & Electro Med Lab, C V Raman Nagar, Bangalore-560 093) : Flammability evaluation of cotton fabrics in vertical and horizontal burning models. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2005, 30(4), 396-401.

The burning behaviour of cotton fabrics has been evaluated using the horizontal and vertical modes of burning. The performance of fabrics has been studied in terms of rate of burning and temperature of burning fabric by placing the thermocouples at a distance of 0, 0.5 and 1.0 cm from the burning fabric. The results show that the weight of fabric affects the rate of burning and the temperature of burning fabric. The rate of burning is found to decrease, whereas flame temperature increases with the increase in mass of fabric. The rate of burning is found to be independent of spacing both in horizontal and vertical modes of burning.

3 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

011245   Kolawole O D;Torimiro D O (Dep of Agric Ext and Rur Sociology, Obafemi Awolowo Univ, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Email: toyinkolamole@oauife.edu.ng) : Participatory rural entrepreneurship development for grassroots transformation: a factor analysis. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(3), 193-8.

Article identified crucial factors influencing participatory rural enfrepreneurship development and employment promotion (PREDEP) amongst grassroots people in Lagos State, Nigeria. It specifically identified and analysed some selected socio-economic variables influencing people's participation in PREDEP; identified and analysed infrastructurel and institutional factors associated with PREDEP; identified the constraints to PREDEP; and determined the appropriate ways of enhancing grassroots peoples' interest in PREDEP. The study was conducted in eight rural communities (selected from Badagry, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Ikorodu Local Government Areas) of Lagos State, using a multi-stage sampling procedure. A total of 320 respondents were sampled and interviewed, accordingly. Descriptive statistics (such as frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation) were used to summarise and describe the data Factor analysis was employed to identify crucial factors influencing PREDEP. The result showed that most respondents (81.3%) were farmers and 50.0% were civil servants, indicating that majority of the respondents had between 1 and 2 jobs/businesses. About 60.0% were cooperators with just 16.3% being active members. Also, 46.0% rural entrepreneurs never employed more than 2 workers. Over 50.0% of the respondents preferred buying and selling to active production ventures. Non-availability of credit facilities and high cost of labour were major constraints to investment drive in rural communities. Seven crucial factors associated with PREDEP were social status (λ=2.41); personal experience (λ =2.24); infrastructure functionality (λ= 2.15); and educational advantage (λ= 1.98). Others are economic prowess (λ = 1.63), institutional influence ((F128><108>=1.35), and information and project type (λ= 1.55).

2 tables, 9 ref

011244   Jeevaratnam K;Jamuna M;Bawa A S (Def Fd Res Lab, , Siddarthanagar, Mysore-570 011, Email: dfoodlab@sancharnet.in) : Biological preservation of foods-Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria. Indian J Biotechnol 2005, 4(Oct), 446-54.

Lactic acid bacteria and their antimicrobial metabolites have potential as natural preservatives to control the growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in foods. To date, nisin is the only bacteriocin that has found practical applications in some industrially processed foods. Its antibacterial activity and possible use as a biopreservative has been studied in a large number of food systems. Its application for the control of some pathogens and food spoilage organisms has been approved in a number of countries. Limited studies have shown that pediocins from several Pediococcus strains can also be used effectively in food systems to control Listeria monocytogenes. The review discusses the potential of lactic acid bacteria and their principal antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins in biological preservation of foods. It is anticipated that the advances in bacteriocins research and combination treatments for food preservation will benefit both the consumer and the producer.

57 ref

011243   Jain P;Soni L K;Gupta A K;Kashkedikar S G (Molec Modelling Study Grp CADD Lab Dep of Pharm, S.G.S.I.T.S., 23 Park Road, Indore-452 003, Email: arunkg_73@hotmail.com) : QSAR analysis of 2,4-diaminopyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidines and 2,4- diaminopyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidines as dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(5), 315-20.

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) plays a ubiquitous role in the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and essential amino acid methionine, and exhibits potential application in the treatment and prophylaxis of AIDS-associated opportunistic microbial infections. In this study, a series of DHFR analogs of 2,4-diaminopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines and 2,4-diaminopyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidines were subjected to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. The results showed that the electronic properties, energy of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and Z-component of dipole moment (DPL₃) of the molecule could be explored to design the potent DHFR inhibitors. LUMO is indicative of π-bonding interaction of species crucial for the electrophilicity of the molecules. This suggests that molecules are able to interact with electron-rich area at the receptor site. DPL₃ is related to the molecular charge distribution in Z-component. These electronic parameters can be altered through the incorporation of electronegative groups. The QSAR study provides important structural insights for designing the potent DHFR inhibitors.

2 illus, 6 tables, 9 ref

011242   Hikim A P S et al (Div of Endocrinology, Harbor-UCLA Med Cent, Biomedical Research Institute, Torrance, California-90509, USA, Email: hikim@labiomed.org) : Mouse model of male germ cell apoptosis in response to a lack of hormonal stimulation. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(11), 1048-57.

As a prerequisite for studies using mutant mice, a mouse model for induction of male germ cell apoptosis has been established after deprivation of gonadotropins and intratesticular testosterone (T). Author has employed a potent long acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-A), acyline, alone or in combination with an antiandrogen, flutamide for effective induction of germ cell apoptosis in mice. Combined treatment with continuous release of acyline (3 mg/kg BW/day) with flutamide (in the form of sc pellets of 25 mg) resulted in almost the same level of suppression of spermatogenesis, as judged by testis weight and by germ cell apoptotic index, in 2 weeks as that reported for rats after treatment with 1.25 mg/kg BW Nal-Glu GnRH-A for the same time period. Within the study paradigm, the maximum suppression of spermatogenesis occurred after a single sc injection of high (20 mg/kg BW) dose of acyline with flutamide. The combined treatment resulted in complete absence of elongated spermatids. Germ cell counts at stages VII-VIII showed a significant (P <60> 0.05) reduction in the number of preleptotene (27.1%) and pachytene spermatocytes (81.9%), and round spermatids (96.6%) in acyline + flutamide group in comparison with controls. In fact, treatment with a single high (20 mg/kg BW) dose of acyline combined with flutamide in mice achieved same or greater level of suppression, measured by germ cell counts at stages VII-VIII, in two weeks when compared with those reported after daily treatment with Nal-Glu GnRH-A for 4 weeks in rats. Both plasma and testicular T levels were markedly suppressed after administration of acyline alone either by miniosmotic pump or by a single sc injection. Addition of flutamide to acyline had no discernible effect on plasma or intratesticular T levels when compared with acyline alone. These results demonstrate that optimum suppression of spermatogenesis through increased germ cell death is only possible in mice if total abolition of androgen action is achieved and further emphasize the usefulness of acyline + flutamide treated mice as a suitable model system to study hormonal regulation of testicular germ cell apoptosis.

6 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

011241   Hemalatha S;Sachdeva N;Wahi A K;Singh P N; Chansouria J P N (Dep of Pharmaceutics and Cent for Expl Med and Surgery, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005) : Effect of aqueous extract of fruits of Withania coagulans on glucose utilization by rat hemldiaphragm. Indian J nat Prod 2005, 21(2), 20-1.

Extract of W. coagulans has been found to exert hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rats. In the study the effect of W. coagulans on the glucose utilization by rat hemidiaphragm in-vitro has been investigated. An aqueous extract increased the glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm in comparison to control group. However, it did not show any synergistic effect with insulin.

1 table, 8 ref

011240   Haque M M;Pooja;Manzoor N;Khan L A;Basir S F (Enzyme Kinetics and Molec Physiol Lab Dep of Biosci, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110 025) : Effect of sodium nitroprusside on H<. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(10), 873-9.

ATP hydrolysis by plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase from Candida albicans has been investigated in presence of nitric oxide and various nutrients (sugars and amino acids). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used as nitric oxide donor. It was found that ATP concentration decreased in SNP treated cells which was more in presence of sugars like glucose, xylose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose and amino acids as compared to their respective controls. The activity of H+-ATPase from plasma membrane decreased by 70% in SNP treated cells. Both in vivo and in vitro treatments of SNP showed almost similar effects of decrease in ATPase activity. Effect of SNP was more pronounced in presence of nutrients. Interestingly, it was observed that vanadate did not show any independent effect in presence of nitric oxide. Several workers have reported similar type of results with other P-type ATPases. For the first time, it was observed in the study that in presence of nitric oxide, H⁺-ATPase activity decreased like other P-type ATPases. The study indicated that NO had a significant effect on ATP synthesis and activity of H⁺-ATPase. In the presence of NO, the ATP concentration was decreased indicating it affected mitochondrial electron transport chain. It may be concluded that NO, not only affects (inhibit) mitochondrial electron transport chain but also interferes with H⁺-ATPase of plasma membrane by changing its conformation resulting in decreased activity.

4 tables, 31 ref

011239   Gupta Y K;Behari J R (NO, Industrial Toxicol Res Cent, P. Box - 80, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow-226 001) : Quality in scientific laboratories : role of good laboratory practice. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2005, 13(2), 199-202.

Good laboratory Practice (GLP) is a policy of quality management, which can enhance the generation of data, rich in quality. Besides enhancing the quality of test results it also encourages the security towards environment and workers health. The confidence in other laboratories test results and in the data generated makes GLP implementation better. One can also stop repetitions of the same work and the boundaries of trade and commerce can be minimized following GLP implementation.

6 ref

011238   Gupta K;Raina K K;Sinha S K (Natn Res & Technol Consortium Dep of Industries Complex, Sector-1, Parwanoo 173 220, Email: rainatietp@yahoo.com) : Effect of annealing temperature on the magnetic behaviour of Ni-rich permalloy magnetic materials. Indian J Engng Mater Sci 2005, 12(6), 577-85.

Magnetic properties have been investigated in Ni-rich permalloy (Ni = 80%) material in which process conditions have been controlled under hydrogen annealing by varying holding time, cooling rate and annealing temperature. The material thus prepared has been characterized for various magnetic parameters under different annealing profile conditions. The results indicate that Ni-rich permalloy material shows better magnetic properties at 300 Hz over 1 kHz under controlled conditions.

7 illus, 5 tables, 9 ref

011237   Gregory R J (NO, Sch of Psychology Massey Univ, Palmerston North, New Zealand, Email: R.J.Gregory@massey.ac.nz) : Rethinking clinical models and coping with disaster: an ecological point of view. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(3), 221-4.

Clinical models, as in medicine and psychology, assume that the majority of people in a given setting are performing well, and that only a few are having trouble, due to personal deficits that can be alleviated by expert diagnosis and treatment. In parallel, on a larger scale for our communities and nations, coping with disaster assumes that a community is, on the whole, basically fine, although an occasional temporary disaster may occur. Such disasters can be alleviated by interventions, such as help from neighboring communities, particularly those with expertise and ample resources. In times of prosperity and general good-will, and in times of rapid growth and development, this situation may be so. However, a broader point of view, i.e., that inspired by ecology and general systems theory, might find a different situation. In at least some situations, individuals, groups, communities, states, and even the globe itself, may not be performing well, particularly during natural disasters, physical changes, resource losses, and economic, social, and/or political declines. The faults, deficits, or disasters may lie not in individuals or component parts, but in the whole, that is, the larger "system" itself. The conceptual models, such as the "clinical model", depend upon economic good times, ample resources and good will and when those assumptions change, the model may no longer hold up. Interventions for individuals and disasters then, may require rethinking assumptions, as well as devising alternative approaches and revitalizing systems as on-going requirements.

21 ref

011236   Goyal U;Sadana B;Verma S (Dep of Fd and Nutr, Punjab Agric Univ, Ludhiana-141 004) : Contribution of various foods to fat and fatty acids intake among urban and semi-urban women of Punjab. J hum Ecol 2005, 18(3), 217-20.

Three day dietary survey was carried out on 100 women each from semi-urban (Dhuri) and urban (Sangrur) areas of Punjab and their fat and fatty acid intake was calculated. Desi ghee/butter was most frequently used fat followed by vanaspati and rice bran oil. Total daily tat intake was 44 (25.8 eri%) and 45.8 g (27.6 en%) while visible fat intake was 21 and 23 g in semi-urban and urban areas respectively. Daily intake of linoleic (LA) and linolenic acid (ALNA) was 5.2 (3.04 en%) and 0.75g (0.44 en%) in semi-urban area and 4.45 (2.27 en%) and 0.71 g (0.43 en%) in urban area, respectively, while LA/ALNA ratio was 6.98 and 6.30 and was within the normal range of 5-10 Cereals contributed more than 50% of LA and ALNA each while visible fats contributed nearly 1/3 of LA and 1/4 of ALNA. The ratio of SFA: MUFA: PUFA was 2.9: 1.7:1.0 in semi-urban and 3.6: 2.0: 1.0 among urban women compared to desired level of 1: 1: 1, being adversely in favour of SFA. Visible fats provided between 50-60% of SFA and MUFA while milk provided 25% of SFA and 30% of MUFA. However, cereals were the main contributors of PUFA supplying <62>50% followed by visible fats providing nearly 30% of PUFA. Dietary modification in visible fat is recommended.

011235   Gill S;Balwant Singh;Sunder S (Departrnent of Molec Biol and Biochem, Guru Nanak Dev Univ, Amritsar-143 005, Email: shamsunder63@yahoo.com) : Isolation of 4-aminopyridine resistant mutants affecting alkali-insoluble glucan content of cell walls in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Indian J expl Biol 2005, 43(10), 897-901.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells when grown on synthetic medium plates containing 10 mM of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) undergo cell lysis. Using an ethylmethane sulfonate mutagenesis (EMS) screen, 4-AP resistant mutants (apr) were isolated which could grow on inhibitory concentration of 4-AP. Eighty mutants were obtained that were recessive, monogenic and formed two complementation groups. To identify genes, whose products might be interacting with the apr loci, extragenic suppressors were isolated, which reverted 4-AP resistance phenotype of apr mutants. The suppressors, when genetically characterized, were found to be recessive and represented two loci with overlapping functions. Representative alleles from apr mutants were analyzed for cell wall composition. They were found to have a higher amount of alkali-insoluble glucan signifying the role of alkali-insoluble glucan in cell wall maintenance.

2 tables, 28 ref

011234   Ghatak A;Majumdar A;Ghosh R K (Molec Biol Lab, Indian Inst of Chem Biol, 4, Raja SC Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, Email: rkghosh@iicb.res.in) : Structural organization of the transfer RNA operon I of Vibrio cholerae differences between classical and E1 Tor strains. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(4), 469-74.

Nine major transfer RNA (tRNA) gene clusters were analysed in various Vibrio cholerae strains. Of these, only the tRNA operon I was found to differ significantly in V. cholerae classical (sixth pandemic) and El Tor (seventh pandemic) strains. Amongst the sixteen tRNA genes contained in this operon, genes for tRNA Gln3 (CAA) and tRNA Leu6 (CUA) were absent in classical strains as compared to El Tor strains. The observation strongly supported the view that the above two pandemic strains constitute two different clones.

1 illus, 1 tables, 22 ref