008938   Joshi A;Chandrashekaran S;Sharma R P (Genet Div, Indian Agric Res Inst, New Delhi-110 012) : Mutants dissecting development and behaviour in Drosophila. Curr Sci 2005, 89(2), 341-52.

Indirect effect of radiation and the synergistic interaction of physical and chemical mutagens on chromosomal and genetic changes were studied. This paved the way for the study of single gene mutants in dissecting developmental and behavioural processes. New genes discovered by authors has been shown to encode conserved cell signalling molecules controlling developmental and behavioural pathways. With the complete sequencing of the Drosophila genome, in the year 2000, mounting evidence for the homology between Drosophila and human genes controlling genetic disorders became available. This has led to the fly becoming an indispensable tool for studying human diseases as well as a model to test for drugs and pharmaceuticals against human diseases and complex behavioural processes. For example wingless in Drosophila belongs to the conserved Wnt gene family and aberrant WNT signalling is linked to a range of human diseases, most notably cancer. Inhibition as well as activation of WNT signalling, form the basis of an effective therapy for some cancers as well as several other clinical conditions. Recent experiments have shown that WNTs might also normally participate in self-renewal, proliferation or differentiation of stem cells and altering WNT signalling might be beneficial to the use of stem cells for therapeutic means. Likewise, the stambhA mutant of Drosophila which was discovered for its temperature-dependent paralytic behaviour is the fly homologue of Phospholipase Cβ. Phospholipase C mediated G protein signalling plays a central role in vital processes controlling epilepsy, vision, taste, and olfaction in animals. Proteins of the G-signalling pathway are of intense research interest since many human diseases involve defects in G-protein signalling pathways. In fact, approximately 50% of the drugs used in clinical medicine target cellular pathways containing G-protein signalling elements. The detailed study of PLC-dependent G protein signalling in Drosophila is bound to throw light on the role of G protein-mediated biological functions and on similar genes and their functions in human diseases.

1 table, 13 ref

008937   Goel R;Kanaujia K R (Dep of Ent, G. B. Pant Univ of Agric and Technol, Pantnagar-263 145) : Male scent glands of some lepidopteran species. Indian J Ent 2004, 66(Part I), 60-3.

In Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), the male sex-scent glands are located at the abdominal end as a paired hair pencils while in the male Plusia orichalcea (Fab.) they are situated ventrally arising from eighth abdominal sternite. The hair pencils of male Spodeptera litura (Fab.) are densely clothed with two types of hairs. The male pheromone glands of Spilosoma obliqua Walker are also a paired globular organs lying between seventh and eighth abdominal segments. Interestingly, the coremata of male Creatonotus gangis Linnaeus comprised two pairs of horn like tubular structures in the abdomen between eighth and ninth sternites. In Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus), the male scent brushes were paired lateral invaginations of intersegmental membrane between eighth and ninth abdominal segments.

8 illus, 13 ref

008936   Gagandeep;Rao A R;Kale R K (Radiat and Cancer Biol Laboratory, Sch of Life Sci Jawaharlal Nehru Univ, New Delhi-110 067, Email: rkkale@hotmail.com) : Oxidative stress in tumour bearing fore-stomach and distant normal organs of Swiss albino mice. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(4), 216-21.

Antioxidant status in the tumour-bearing fore-stomach and distant normal organs (liver, spleen, kidney and heart) was investigated in Swiss albino mice. In addition, the cytochrome P₄₅₀ {cyt P₄₅₀) system was also examined in the liver. Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] (8 doses of 1 mg/0.1 ml) was administered twice a week for 4 weeks to develop fore-stomach tumour. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 140 days. The specific activities of catalase (CAT), DT-diaphorase (DTD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were found decreased, and the level of reduced glutaihione (GSH) and the specific activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased in the tumour-bearing fore-stomach; however, no change was observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The specific activities of antioxidant enzymes, and levels of GSH were also altered in the normal organs, depending upon the type of tissue. In addition, the contents of cyt P₄₅₀ and cyt b₅, and the activity of NADPH cyt P₄₅₀ reductase were significantly decreased in the liver. The results suggest increased oxidative stress in the tumour, and disturbance in the cooperative antioxidant functions in the distant normal organs. Inhibition of cyt P₄₅₀ system reflected the possible adverse effect on drug metabolism function of the liver. Since, the antioxidant potential and the drug metabolism function were altered, the findings may have relevance to the radiation and chemotherapy of cancer.

1 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

008935   Felix S;Rajeev A;Murugan S;Herald Robis P (NO, , , Email: sfelix@sancharnet.in) : (NULL). J Aquacult Trop 2004, 19(4), 231-8.

Pro PO system based immune enhancement pattern due to Vit-C incorporation in Penaeus monodon revealed that this assay can be a reliable tool to test the immune enhancement along with challenge studies. The optimum dosages of Vit-C incorporation in shrimp feed and the frequency of application to sustain immunity in shrimps were also worked out. The study further confirms that continuous incorporation of Vit-C as a dietary source in shrimp is not required.

4 tables, 32 ref

008934   Dinesh D S;Kishore K;Das P;Bhattacharya S K (Div of Vector Biol and Control, Rajendra Memorial Res Inst of Med Sci, Agamkuan, Patna-800 007, Email: drdsdinesh@yahoo.com) : Abnormality in Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae). Curr Sci 2005, 88(5), 703.

1 illus, 8 ref

008933   Dhaduk J J;Sail S S;Rema S (Post-Graduate Dep of Home Sci, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 125) : Effect of dietary calcium and protein on nutrients intake, body weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, bioavailability of calcium and blood composition of weaning rats. J Dairying Fd Home Sci 2005, 24(1), 42-7.

Bio-availability of calcium (289 mg %) from egg shell, oyster shell and vegetable mixture with changing quality of proteins (10 g %) was studied in 25 young albino rats weighing 60.9-63.3 g over a four weeks experimental period. Diet intake was highest in egg protein Gr IV (316.8 ± 10.71 g) and least in casein protein plus oyster shell Gr II (183.5 ± 11.62 g). Low diet intake in vegetable protein Gr V (288.0 ± 4.60 g) may be attributed to low quality protein diet high in fiber and low in lysine. The weight gain and PER were highest in Gr IV (125.4 g and 3.94), least in Gr V (70.9 g and 2.46) and intermediate in casein protein Gr I, II and III (78.0-85.8 g and 2.74-2-88 ranged) respectively. There was no effect of change in calcium source on weight gain or PER of rats fed egg shell or oyster shell powder groups. High fecal loss and low PER observed in Gr V was attributed to high fiber present in it. Haemoglobin level was observed to be highest in Gr II (14.04 g %) and lowest in Gr V (12.95 g %). Egg protein Gr IV also showed high haemoglobin value compared to casein protein Gr I, II and III. Total plasma protein was observed within the normal range (6.44-7.33 g %), the value of Gr IV being slightly higher than rest of the groups. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity was highest in Gr V (3.32 ± 0.13 μM/ml/min) and low in control Gr I (1.87 ± 0.19 μM/ml/min). It is concluded that the calcium bioavaliability was the best in egg protein compared to casein and vegetable proteins. There was no difference in available calcium from oyster shell and egg shell powder compared to salt mixture used in the experiment.

4 tables, 24 ref

008932   Das D;Verma S K;Ray S K (Dep of Molec Biol and Biotechnology, Tezpur Univ, Tezpur-784 028) : An altered G + C% region within potential filamentous hemagglutinin open reading frames of Relstonia solanacearum. Curr Sci 2005, 88(5), 786-92.

Analysis of hemagglutinin open reading frames (ORFs) of Ralstonia solanacearum using Frame Plot exhibited an altered G + C% (altered GC regions) at the 3' regions of most large ORFs. The average G + C% values of these hemagglutinin ORFs and the altered GC regions are found to be 66.51 and 51.37 respectively. The amino acid usage of this altered GC region is similar to the whole protein, while the codon usage pattern is different. Authors has reasoned that this altered GC region is an evolutionary adaptation rather than acquisition by horizontal gene transfer. The codon usage in the altered GC region could have a regulatory effect in the rate of translation of these large surface proteins.

2 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

008931   Dalvi G W;Ingle V C;Kalorey D R;Kathorey D R; Kothekar M D;Kurkure N V;Godbole S M (Dep of Microbiology, Nagpur Vet Coll Maharashtra Anim and Fishery Sci Univ, Nagpur-400 006) : Milk based prevalence of brucellosis in bovine in Vidarbha region. Royal vet J India 2005, 1(2), 75-7.

The study was conducted to determine the milk based prevalence of brucellosis in three districts of Vidarbha region. Pooled milk samples collected from cooperative milk society were screened by Milk Ring Test (MRT) and A-B Milk ELISA test. A total of 442 pooled milk samples were collected and screened by MRT and A-B ELISA. In addition, 126 bulk milk samples were also collected from Govt. Milk Scheme, Private Milk Unions and Milk Vendors. The prevalence of brucellosis based on pooled milk samples was found to be 19.00 and 5.20 percent by MRT and A-B Milk ELISA, respectively. The prevalence of 4.76 percent was found in bulk milk samples by A-B Milk ELISA.

1 tables, 12 ref

008930   Chakraborty U;Tongden C (Pl Biochem Laboratory, Dep of Bot, University of North Bengal, Siliguri-734 430, Email: chakrabortyusha@hotmail.com) : Evaluation of heat acclimation and salicylic acid treatments as potent inducers of thermotolerance in Cicer arietinum L.. Curr Sci 2005, 89(2), 384-9.

Efficacy of heat acclimation and salicylic acid (SA) treatments in induction of thermotolerance was tested in six different genotypes of Cicer arietinum L. Remarkable reduction in relative injury of membranes was observed in plants pre-treated with SA in comparison to heat-acclimatized and untreated control seedlings subjected to lethal temperature treatment Both treatments resulted in increase in protein and proline content over control seedlings, which was more significant in SA pre-treatments, with the maximum increase being recorded in ICC 4918 and 1852. Both treatments led to the induction of peroxidase (POX), ascorbate per-oxidase (APOX) and catalase (CAT) activities. Activities of POX and APOX increased remarkably, while CAT showed a reduction in activity.

2 illus, 3 tables, 27 ref

008929   Chakraborty P D;Bhattacharyya D (NO, Indian Inst of Chem Biol, 4, Raja S.C. Mallick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700 032) : In vitro growth inhibition of microbes by human placental extract. Curr Sci 2005, 88(5), 782-6.

Human placental extract that is used as a wound healer, acts as a stimulating agent for tissue repair. It has an effective inhibitory role on the growth of different microbes like bacteria, e.g. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and fungi, e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyvero myces fragilis and Candida albicans. It also prevents growth of clinically isolated bacteria, e.g. E. coli from urine and blood culture and S. aureus from pus. Drug-resistant strains such as E. coli DH5α Pet-16 Amp^R and Pseudomonus aeruginosa Cam^R were also significantly inhibited by the extract. The extract has both bacterio-static and fungistatic activities. Dose-dependent response of the extract was observed. Antimicrobial activity was retained after heating but was lost after dialysis. The MIC of the extract varies between 200 and 8000 mg/1. No antimicrobial activity was observed with human serum and aqueous extract of mouse muscle serving as control. A mixture of polydeoxyribonucleotides appears to be the causative agent. Partial protection of the wound from secondary microbial infection is thus indicated.

2 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

008928   Bhutra M K;Soni A (Dep of Chem, J.N.V. Univ, Jodhpur-342 001) : Microbial contamination in drinking water: causes, detection and remedy. Indian J Envir Ecoplann 2005, 10(1), 77-82.

Most microorganisms in water derive from air, soil, living and decaying plants or animals, and Taecal excrements of human and other warm blooded animals. Many of these organisms come from unknown sources and have no sanitary significance because they are widely distributed in the natural environment and have no suspected association with human or animal wastes. This discussion will consider only those disease producing bacteria, which have been associated with recognized outbreaks in India and abroad. The paper also discusses merits and demerits of existing microbiological analytical techniques and highlights importance of rapid analytical techniques in effective implementation of microbiological quality assurance. Some remedial measures for control of bacterial population in water have also been discussed.

1 table, 30 ref

008927   Bhardwaj S;Mathur R (Dep of Environmental Toxicol, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Univ, S.L.S. Khandari Campus, Agra-282 002) : Role of LIV-52 in protection against vanadium intoxication. Indian J Envir Ecoplann 2005, 10(1), 55-8.

Chelating efficacy of LIV-52 has been studied against vanadium induced toxicity in male rats. Administration of vanadyl sulphate at a dose of 40 mg/kg (intraperitoneal) once only produced alterations in various tissue (vital and reproductive organs) biochemical indices. The activity of Alpase was increases significantly. On the other hand Acpase activity inhibited. LPO (lipid peroxidase) showed inhibit in liver. Glutathion increase in liver. Recoupement was observed after 3 days therapay with Live-52 (dose rate daily 15 days at a dose of 1 ml/day).

2 tables, 19 ref

008926   Bastia D (Dep of Biochem and Molec Biol, Med Univ of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA) : Biochemical mechanisms of initiation and termination of plasmid DNA replication. Curr Sci 2005, 89(2), 329-34.

The first exposure to research was a project on ultrastruc ture of interphase chromosomes with Swaminathan as the mentor. Since that time author and this associates have focused on the biochemistry of replication initiation and termination and regulation of replication using plasmid chromosomes as model systems. Here, author briefly review has the work that was carried out first at the Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT (with Sherman Weissman as mentor), then in my own laboratory at the Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC for many years and presently at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. The dispensability of plasmids, the manageable circular DNA templates (chromosomes), and the characteristic copy number at which each plasmid is maintained in the cell makes it a convenient model for investigations of replication mechanisms. Here, author has summarized some of the highlights of the work on the biochemistry and copy control mechanisms of the plasmid R6K.

8 illus, 31 ref

008925   Banerjee D;Sarkar N K (Post Grad Dep of Zool, Presidency Coll, Kolkata-700 073) : Thrombocytopenic effect of buprenorphine in mice. Indian J Envir Ecoplann 2005, 10(1), 195-8.

Chronic administration of the synthetic opioid analgesic, buprenorphine was found to considerably decrease the count of platelets of blood in laboratory mice following 8 weeks but not earlier durations of treatment, which indicated a slow and moderate thrombocytopenic effect of the drug, somewhat comparable to a similar kind of effect of some other opioids, reported in case of human subjects.

1 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

008924   Arora D K;Saikia R;Dwievdi R;Smith D (NO, Natn Bureau of Agricultulturally Important Microorganisms, Kusmaur, Mau-275 101, Email: aroradilip@yahoo.co.in) : Current status, strategy and future prospects of microbial resource collections. Curr Sci 2005, 89(3), 488-95.

Microorganisms, their cells or replicable parts (e.g. genomes, plasmids, viruses, cDNAs) are the tools for biotechnology and underpin the life sciences. The vast majority of microorganisms around the globe still remain hidden and need to be explored, identified, conserved and utilized for the benefit of humankind in particular, and the biota and environment, in general. Microbial culture collections are established in many countries around the world having a variety of purposes. These range from small specialized collections that support small groups of researchers to the large international public service collections that provide reference materials and services to the scientific community and bio-industries. The huge gap between the discovery of new microorganisms and their potential numbers in nature has stimulated an interest in microbial diversity and the harnessing of their genes, properties and products. The operations of microbial collections have changed over the last twenty years as a result of the advancement of bioinformatics and the facility to present electronic data over the inter net. This makes even the smaller collection resources more accessible.

^iia2 tables, 23 ref

007905   Zobel A M;Bialonska D;Silva C;Nighswander J E (Inst Spectroscopy, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 7B8) : Allelopathic role of phenolic compounds extruded by Medicago sativa L. leaves in response to bacterial or viral infections. Allelopathy J 2005, 16(1), 131-6.

^ssc5 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

007904   Yadav S;Shastri N V (Post-Graduate Teaching Dep Biochem, Nagpur University, Amravati Road, Nagpur-440 010, Email: dinesh_yad@ rediffmail.com) : Partial purification of an extracellular pectin lyase from a strain of Aspergillus niger. Indian J Microbiol 2004, 44(3), 201-04.

An extracellular pectin lyase (PNL) produced by an indigenously isolated strain of Aspergillus niger was studied. The optimum pH and temperature of the partially purified enzyme was found to be 7.2 and 45°C respectively. The enzyme appeared to be an endoenzyme and was activated by Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions and had Km of 2.2 mg mL^-1 of pectin.

3 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

007903   Wilkolazka A J;Malarczyk E;Bialy Z;Jurzysta M (Dep Biochem, M. Curie-Sklodowska University, Sklodowska Place 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland, Email: ajarosz@biotop.umcs.lublin.pl) : Saponins of Medicago sativa as the natural inductor of laccase from Trametes versicolor. Allelopathy J 2005, 16(1), 85-94.

The influence of aqueous extracts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) tops, roots, seeds and isolated total saponins (SAP) from alfalfa roots on the growth and biological activity of Trametes versicolor was examined. Results indicate that saponins from roots of a Medicago sativa strain are very good inductors of extracellular laccase (LAC). This strain was cultivated on liquid, mineral medium for 30 days. A 10-fold increase in the LAC activity was observed after the addition of saponins. Both crude saponin extracts and highly refined saponins were examined. The kinetic data were calculated for crude LAC prepared from the liquid growth medium of T. versicolor. These data were obtained with three different substrates: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP) and o-methoxyphenol (o-MP) in the presence of SAP. Using ABTS as substrate, the quantity of SAP did not make any difference for the Km and Vmax. The same results were obtained using DMP as substrate in the presence of 0.1 and 1 mg of SAP and the lowest results were obtained with o-MP as substrate. The results of the study suggest that saponins may be used as natural inductors of fungal LAC and this would obviate the need to use toxic xenobiotics.

4 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

007902   Verma D K (NO, Govt. Danteshwari Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jagdalpur, Madhya Pradesh) : Opportunity for natural selection among the Gadaba of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2005, 24(1), 75-8.

Index of total opportunity for selection based on differential fertility and mortality has been estimated for Gadaba tribals of Bastar. The contribution of the Total index of Selection is due to mortality component. However, the total selection is estimated as 1.0771 following Crow's Formula. The components of total selection intensity in Gadaba tribals indicate that the selection is operating due to differential mortality rather than differential fertility. Gadaba tribe shows total index as stated by Reddy and Chopra (1990). The effective population size among Gadaba tribe is estimated 228 by following Wright's formula.

4 tables, 18 ref

007901   Unni M;Jesudason M V;Rao S;George B (Departments Clin Haematology (MU BG) Clin Microbiol (MVJ SR), Christian Medical College, Vellore-632 004, Email: maryvj@cmcvellore.ac.in ) : Mycobacterium fortuitum bacteraemia in an immuno compromised patient. Indian J med Microbiol 2005, 23(2), 137-8.

Mycobacterium fortuitum bacteraemia in an immunocompromised patient confirmed by four positive serial blood cultures is reported. The patient was a known case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on intensive chemotherapy. The source of bacteraemia was most probably a peripherally inserted vascular catheter. After initiation of treatment with amikacin to which the strain was sensitive and clarithromycin and removal of the central line, the patient's fever defervesced and repeat blood cultures were negative. This is the first time an immunocompromised patient with has been encounteria M. fortuitum septicaemia in the hospital. The possibility of an infection with rapidly growing mycobactena is important to consider when conventional organisms are not isolated in culture especially in the context of patients with malignancy.

^ccr1 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

007900   Tripathi R;Seetharama Sastry K;Keerthi Kota S;Srinivas U K (Cent, for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: ushaks@ccmb.res.in) : Cloning and characterization of mouse cullin 4B/E3 ubiquitin ligase. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(3), 329-37.

Heat induced differentiation of mouse embryonal carcinoma cells PCC4 has been reported earlier. Characterized the phenotype of the differentiated cells and by DD-RT-PCR identified several partial cDNAs that are differentially expressed during differentiation. Nucleotide homology search revealed that the genes corresponding to some of the up-regulated partial cDNAs are indeed part of differentiation pathway. 5' extension of an EST that has homology to one of the partial cDNAs led to the identification of mouse cullin4B. Cullin4B is coded by a separate gene and has a unique and longer amino-terminal end with a putative nuclear localization signal sequence (NLS). Cloned, expressed and raised antibodies against the amino and carboxy-terminal halves of cullin4B. Immuno staining of differentiated PCC4 cells with N-terminal Cul4B antibody showed enhanced expression of Cul4B and its translocation into the nucleus upon differentiation. Transient transfection of a chimeric gene encoding the N-terminal part of Cul4B fused to green fluorescent protein into PCC4 cells revealed that the protein was localized in the nucleus confirming the functional significance of the putative NLS. Since cullins are involved in recognition of specific proteins for degradation, based on the evidence presented here, Hypothesize that cullin4B is probably involved in differentiation specific degradation/modification of nuclear proteins.

6 illus, 40 ref

007899   Tiwari R P;Bharti S K;Kaur H D;Dikshit R P; Hoondal G S (Dep Microbiol, Punjab University, Chandigarh) : Synergistic antimicrobial activity of tea & antibiotics. Indian J med Res 2005, 122(1), 80-4.

Tea leaves are known for its antibacterial activity against many microorganisms. In the study an attempt was made to describe the synergistic antimicrobial activity of tea and antibiotics against enteropathogens. Antimicrobial activity of boiled water tea extract and organic solvent extract were studied against Salmonella typhimurium 1402/84, S. typhi, S. typhi Ty2a, Shigella dysenteriae, Yersinia enterocolitica C₇₇₀, and Escherichia coli (EPEC P₂1265) determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and death rate kinetics at MBC of tea extract in presence of subinhibitory concentration of antibiotic. Both green tea or black tea extracts effectively inhibited the growth of S. typhimurium 1402/84, S. typhi, S. typhi Ty2a, S. dysenteriae, Y. enterocolitica C₇₇₀, and E. coli (EPEC P₂ 1265). However, the growth inhibitory concentration of tea extract was lower for green tea as compared to black tea extract. Antimicrobial activity of green tea methanol: water extract tea was better as compared to boiled water tea extract of green tea. Based on death rate kinetics results, S. typhi Ty2a appeared to be highly sensitive and Y. enterocolitica C₇₇₀ the most resistant. Chloramphenicol and tea extract in combination inhibited the growth of S. dysenteriae at 2.5 μg/ml chloramphenicol (MIC 5 μg/ml) and 5.094 mg/ml black tea extract (MIC 9.089 mg/ml). Tea extract showed synergistic activity with chloramphenicol and other antibiotics like gentamycin, methicillin and nalidixic acid against test strains.

1 illus, 1 table, 23 ref

007898   Thambekar D H;Mankar S P (Dep Microbiol, Amravati University, Amravati-444 602) : Cow urine: an antibiotic. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 67-72.

Study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial properties of cow urine against human bacterial pathogens. It was observed that the concentrated fresh cow urine showed more inhibitory effect than fresh cow urine. The concentrated 30 days old cow urine showed more inhibitory effect than 30 days old cow urine. The maximum inhibitory effect was recorded for 30 days old concentrated cow urine against Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae; least against Yersinia entarocolitica and Proteus mirabilis and moderate against Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumonia.

007897   Tambekar D H;Bhokare D D (Dep Microbiol, Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra) : Studies on effect of various carbon & nitrogen sources on phosphate solubilization by bacteria isolated from saline soils. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 73-6.

Eighteen bacterial strains of Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas striata isolated from saline belt of Amravati & Akola District were used to find out effect of various carbon and nitrogen sources on phosphate solubilization (PS). Maximum PS activity was recorded with glucose as compared to sucrose, mannitol, and fructose and with ammonium sulphate as compare to ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate and urea.

2 tables, 13 ref

007896   Surya Pavan Y;Mitra C K (Dep Biochem, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 046, Email: ckmsl@uohyd.ernet.in) : Fractal studies on the protein secondary structure elements. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(3), 141-4.

The fractal dimensions of the protein secondary structure elements based on the positional distributions were calculated. The seven secondary structure elements could be grouped into two distinct classes based on their fractal dimensions. A negative correlation was observed between the dimensional values of the secondary structures and their abundances. Markov model was applied, to check the persistence of transitions of the secondary structure elements, in the protein sequences. The results suggest the presence of long-range correlations in the protein sequences that may be useful in prediction algorithms.

2 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

007895   Suneetha V;Lakshmi V V (Dept Appl Microbiol, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati-517 502) : Optimisation of parameters for fermentative production of keratinase by feather degrading microorganisms. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 106-15.

Physical and media parameters for fermentative production of keratinase were determined for the four actinomycetes strains isolated from Tirumala Hills showing more than 10 units of enzyme activity. Alkaline pH favoured the production of keratinase with optimum pH being 9-9-5. The optimum temperature for fermentation was 37°C for KLF₁₄ and KLF₁₆ and 45°C for KLF₃₁₀

4 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

007894   Suman;Pundir C S (Biochem Res Lab Dep Bio-Sciences, M D University, Rohtak-124 001, Email: pundires@rediffmail.com) : Determination of serum lactate with alkylamine glass bound lactate oxidase. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(3), 186-9.

Commercial lactate oxidase (Lactate O₂; oxidoreductase EC 1.1.3.2) from Pediococcus species was immobilized on to alkyl-amine glass beads (pore diameter 55 nm) through glutaraldehyde coupling with a conjugation yield of 3.2 mg/g support and 105% retention of initial activity. Immobilized enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 6.5, when incubated at 40°C for 12 min and was used for determination of lactic acid in serum. The H₂O₂ generated from serum lactate by immobilized enzyme was measured colorimetrically at 565 nm by its oxidative coupling with 4-aminoantipyrine and N, N'-dimethyaniline catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase. A linear relationship was observed between A₅₆₅ and lactic acid concentration ranging from 0.075 mM to 10 mM. The minimum detection limit of the method was 0.075 mM, which was better than that of enzymic colorimetric method employing free enzyme (0.2 mM). Within day and between day coefficient of variations were <60>8.0% and <60>19%, respectively. Serum lactic acid values determined by the method were in good correlation (r = 0.99) with the currently used enzymic colorimetric method. The cost of lactate determination for 100 serum samples was less, as compared with Sigma kit method.

1 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

007893   Subhedar A;Padwad S (Adarsh Sci, J.B. Arts and Birla Commerce College, Dhamangaon Rly-444 709) : Effect of rhizosphere fungi on Glycine max I. (soybean) plant. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 127-30.

Effect of extract of rhizosphere fungi A. niger was studied on germination and growth of soyabean. The fungi A. niger was found to enhance the growth of soyabean.

^ssc4 plate, 2 tables, 6 ref

007892   Srilatha S N;Selvi P T;Murthy G S (Dep Molec Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: gundlupetmur@indiatimes.com) : Epitope mapping from real time kinetic studies - Role of cross-linked disulphides and incidental interacting regions in affinity measurements: Study with human chorionic gonadotropin and monoclonal antibodies. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(3), 359-70.

Real time kinetic studies were used to map conformational epitopes in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The epitopes were identified in the regions (α5-14 and α55-62). The association rate constant (k₊₁) was found to be altered by chemical modification of hCG, and the ionic strength of the reaction medium. Based on these changes, Propose the presence of additional interactions away from the epitope-paratope region in the hCG-MAb reaction. Identified such incidental interacting regions (IIRs) in hCG to be the loop region α35-47 and α60-84. The IIRs contribute significantly towards the K_A of the interaction. Therefore, in a macromolecular interaction of hCG and its MAb, K_A is determined not only by epitope-paratope interaction but also by the interaction of the nonepitopic-nonparatopic IIRs. However, the specificity of the interaction resides exclusively with the epitope-paratope pair.

5 illus, 7 tables, 27 ref

007891   Sivapriya P;Lakshmi N;Ramesh M;Veerraju P (NO, Uppsala University, Sweden) : DNA polymorphism in Vaidiki brahmin population of Vijayawada in district Krishna, Andhra Pradesh. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2005, 24(1), 61-3.

DNA samples from 58 unrelated individuals belonging to endogamous Vaidiki Brahmin population of Vijayawada, Krishna district, AP, South India were analyzed for 7 human specific polymorphic insertion/deletion loci. All the loci are showing polymorphism in the population. The average heterozygosity is recorded as 0.4047. The results were compared with available Indian data on two other tribal populations, namely, Koya Doras and Konda Reddis.

1 table, 10 ref

007890   Sivakumar N;Sundararaman M (Dep Microbiol, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, Trichy-620 005) : Study of multidrug resistant Vibrio parahaemolyticus from marine shrimp. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 53-6.

Totally 83 prawn samples were collected from pond (diseased shrimp-48 and healthy shrimp-35). They were analyzed for the presence V. parahaemolyticus. Among the 83 samples 90% of the samples showed V. parahaemolyticus positive. All the isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility study; 91% and 83% of the isolates were sensitive to gentamycin and chloramphenicol respectively, 23% and 19% of the isolates were resistant to polymxin B and gentamycin and 29% of the isolates were ampicillin resistant. More than 7% of the isolates were showed multiple drug resistantce.

1 illus, 4 tables, 13 ref

007889   Singhal S;Mathur T;Khan S;Upadhyay D J;Chugh S;Gaind R;Rattan A (New Drug Discovery Res, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon-122 001, Email: ashok.rattan@ranbaxy.com) : Evaluation of methods for AMPC β-Lactamase in gram negative clinical isolates from tertiary care hospitals. Indian J med Microbiol 2005, 23(2), 120-4.

Purpose of this study was to simultaneously screen for Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamases in gram negative clinical isolates from four tertiary care hospitals and further to compare two detection methods three-dimensional extraction method and AmpC disk test for AmpC β-lactamases. A total of 272 isolates were screened for ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase by modified double disk approximation method (MDDM). Synergy observed between disks of ceftazidime/cefotaxime and clavulanate were considered as ESBL producer. Isolates showing reduced susceptibility to either of the test drugs (ceftazidime or cefotaxime) and cefoxitin were considered as presumptive AmpC producers and further confirmed by three-dimensional extraction method and AmpC disk test. A total of 173 (64%) of the isolates were found to be ESBL positive and 61 (23%) showed resistant to cefoxitin. ESBL was detected in 80 (62%) isolates of E. coli and 71 (73%) of Klebsiella spp. The occurrence of AmpC β-lactamases was found to be 8% (22) of the total isolates and the two detection methods for AmpC β-lactamase showed concordant results. Screening for ESBL and AmpC can be simultaneously done by MDDM method and confirmation for AmpC β-lactamase should be carried out routinely in tertiary care hospitals by AmpC disk test, as it is a simple and rapid procedure.

^ssc3 illus, 2 tables, 11 ref

007888   Singh P;Bhatnagar D P (Dep Hum Biol, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002) : Apolipoprotein A-I polymorphism in two populations of Punjab. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2005, 24(1), 1-5.

Studies have concluded that variant allele (P2) of apolipoprotein A-I (PstI) polymorphism is associated with hyperlipidemias in some populations and its frequencies are higher in patients with coronary artery diseases than in the healthy controls. Keeping in mind that north Indians are highly vulnerable to hyperlipidemias Apo A-I PstI polymorphism was checked in two populations-Banias and Brahmins of Punjab. Allele frequencies P1 and P2 were found to be 0.9, 0.1 and 0.89, 011 in Banias (Mean age 54.97±6.23) and Brahmins (Mean age 55.93 ± 7.93) respectively. No statistically significant differences have been seen χ²₂ = 0.01 in both the groups at this locus.

2 tables, 19 ref

007887   Singh M;Singh P;Bhatnagar D P;Harsurinder Kaur (NO, Human Biology at Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab) : Estimation of immunoglobulin IgG in haemophiliacs receiving factor replacement therapy. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2005, 24(1), 57-60.

In order to investigate the presence of inhibitor antibodies and quantitative estimation of IgG in haemophiliac patients after factor VIII replacement therapy, 52 patients with haemophilia A were screened using counter immunoelectrophoresis and radial immunodiffusion. The inhibitors were found to be present in 7.6% of the haemophiliacs with severe factor VIII deficiency and 3.8% with moderate factor VIII deficiency. 82.5% haemophiliac exhibited the values of IgG from 16.60 to 41.70 mg/dl but exceeded in 6 haemophiliac i.e. from 44.55 to 50.40 mg/dl.

13 ref

007886   Sidhu S;Kaushal M (Hum, Genetics at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab) : Malnutrition among Sikh Harijan females of Punjab. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2005, 24(1), 87-89.

In the study an attempt has been made to report the prevalence of malnutrition in 350 Sikh Harijan adult women of Amritsar (Punjab). For the assessment of malnutrition, height and weight measurements were taken on each subject. The prevalence rate of malnutrition was calculated according to critical limits of body mass index (BMI). The observations revealed that the prevalence of undernutrition and overwight in the present sample was 36.28% and 12.85%, respectively.

1 table, 5 ref

007885   Shete H G;Chitanand M P;Atnoorkar A A; Mukkawar S R (P. G. Dep Microbiol, N.S.B. Collage, Nanded, Maharashtra) : Studies on staphylococci isolated from the air of hospital premises and other crowded places. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 124-6.

Staphylococci were isolated by sedimentation method from the indoor air of the rooms of private hospitals and civil hospital and also from two different crowded places viz. cinema hall and cultural hall, where the exhibition was arranged. The ratio of coagulase positive to coagulase negative (CoPS: CoNS) was determined by counting colonies and also percentage occurance of Cops was determined. The maximum ratio of CoPS to CoNS was found as 8:1 in general ward of private hospital with the percentage of CoPS 88.5%. The coagulase positive Staphylococci was then identified as Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococci as Staphylococcus epidermidis.

^ssc2 tables, 12 ref

007884   Sharma A;Tiwari R (Dep P.G. Stud Res Biol Sci, R.D. University, Jabalpur 482 001, Email: anjoo_1999@yahoo.com) : Extracellular enzyme production by environmental strains of Serratia spp. isolated from river Narmada. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(3), 178-81.

Serratia, a gram-negative enteric bacterium is generally recovered from clinical samples as an opportunistic human pathogen and rarely from water and soil. The extracellular enzymes produced by pathogen add to its virulence. The extracellular enzymes secretion by 26 environmental strains of Serratia spp. isolated from different stations of river Narmada was investigated. Majority of isolates were capable of producing extracellular enzymes i.e., amylase, protease, lipase and chitinase, suggesting that they can be exploited as biocontrol and biodegrading agents. All the isolates, except S. fonticola were found to be potent protease producers, while only five isolates of S. marcescens produced chitinase.

1 table, 31 ref

007883   Sharma A;Biswas S (Dep Protein Biochem, Malaria Research Centre, 22 Sham Nath Marg, Delhi-110 054, Email: sharmaaru20032003@yahoo.co.in) : Stage-specific cytosolic protein kinase C-like activity in human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2005, 42(3), 145-51.

Protein kinase C (PKC)-like activity was characterized in malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and its involvement in growth, maturation and differentiation functions, during the asexual stages (ring, trophozoite and schizont) of development was studied. PKC-like activity was found distributed in all the stages of the parasite maturation. The activity was predominantly cytosolic, however it was also present in the membrane fraction. The activation of cytosolic PKC required Ca²⁺, phosphatidyl serine (PS), and either diacylglycerol or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The 9-fold increase in the activity was observed in the presence of the co-factors (Ca²⁺, PS and PMA) in the late trophozoite stage, as compared to the ring stage. The activation of trophozoites with PMA resulted in redistribution of PKC-like activity from cytosol to membrane fractions. An antimalarial drug, chloroquine (CQ) inhibited directly the PKC-like activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀ of 45 nM) in trophozoites of chloroquine-sensitive CQ(S) strains, however, the activity remained unaltered in the chloroquine-resistant CQ(R) strains. Kinetic studies showed that the inhibition of cytosolic PKC-like activity by CQ was non-competitive with respect to ATP, histone and PS. The results suggest that the PKC-like activity is developmentally expressed during the parasitic survival and development.

5 illus, 3 tables, 43 ref

007882   Shanaz S S;Joshi C G;Jhala M K;Rank D N; Khanna K;Barot V N;Brahmkshtri B P;Solanki J V (Dep Anim Genet Breed, College of Vet Sci & Anim Husb, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001) : Molecular characterization of B-Lβ II family (class II MHC) alleles in three strains of poultry and its association with immune response. Indian J Poult Sci 2005, 40(1), 1-8.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are known to be involved in host resistance to a variety of antigens and pathogens. In this report, birds from three genetic groups viz. Bantam. Bantamised while leghorn (BWLH) and white leghorn (WLH) were typed for the MHC class II (BLβ II family) alleles using polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) and their association with immune response was evaluated. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood of 36 birds each of Bantam, BWLH and WLH. A 235 bp, exon-2 region of chicken MHC B-Lβ family was amplified using a set of degenerate primers. The products of the 1st round of amplification were subjected to PCR-SSP to amplify B₂, B₁₃, B₁₅, B₁₉ and B₂₁. The target sequences with the exception of B₁₃ allele were amplified, producing 222 bp, 222 bp, 213 bp and 213 bp fragments. The study revealed nine genotypes viz., B₂ B₂ B₂ B₁₅ B₂ B₁₉, B₁₅ B₁₅, B₁₅ B₂₁, B₁₅ B₁₉, B₁₉ B₁₉ B₁₉ B₂₁ and B₂₁ B₂₁. Allelic and genotypic frequencies differed significantly among the three genetic groups. Antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Sheep RBC (SRBC) varied significantly among the three breed groups, sires, genotypes and sex. Correlations between antibody titres against NDV at different intervals were significant (P<60>0.05). However, a negative correlation between NDV and SRBC antibody titres were observed on 49th day of age. Genotype B15B19 showed highest antibody titres against NDV on 21 st and 49th day of age followed by B₂ B₁₉, B₂ B₁₅, and B₂, B₂,. The study reflected the predominance of B₁₅ and B₁₉ alleles among Bantam and BWLH and WLH birds, which was consistent with antibody responses against the indicator antigens. It was suggestive of MHC class II (B-L) alleles B₁₅ and B₁₉ 's association with antibody responses in birds.

4 tables, 24 ref

007881   Shahina M C;Mathew J (Sch Biosci, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills, Kottayam-686 560) : Microbial flora of some fruits available in markets in Kerala. J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 90-2.

Samples of fruits such as grapes, apples and plums collected from local markets in Kottayam were microbiologically examined. Among the sixty samples tested 26 had total plate count of <62>10⁶ per g sample. Grapes had higher microbial load compared to the other fruits. Thorough washing of fruits could reduce the microbial load to some extent. The fruit samples showed the presence of enteric pathogens viz., E. coli, Citrobacter, Edwardsiella, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae and coagulase positive Staphylococci.

2 tables, 9 ref

007880   Senthilkumar B;Prabakaran G (Dep Biotechnol (BSK), Centre for Biotechnolgoy, Muthayammal College of Arts and Science, Rasipuram-637 408, Email: senthilmicro@yahoo.co.in) : Multidrug resistant Salmonella typhi in asymptomatic typhoid carriers among food handlers in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu. Indian J med Microbiol 2005, 23(2), 92-4.

To screen Salmonella typhi in asymptomatic typhoid carriers and to find out drug resistance and ability of the strains to transmit drug resistance to other bacteria. Cultural characters, biochemical tests, antibiotic sensitivity test (disc diffusion), agarose gel electrophoresis, and conjugation protocols were done. Thirty five stool samples were collected from the suspected food handlers for the study. Among 35 samples, (17.14%) yielded a positive result. Out of these 4 (20.0%) were women and 2 (13.33%) were men. The isolates were tested with a number of conventional antibiotics viz, amikacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, co-trimaxazole, rifampicin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, ofloxacin and tetracycline. Five isolates were having the multidrug resistant character. Four (66.66%) multidrug resistant isolates were found to have plasmids, while one (16.66%) multidrug resistant isolate had no plasmid and the chromosome encoded the resistance. Only one strain (16.66%) showed single antibiotic resistance in the study and had no plasmid DNA. The molecular weights of the plasmids were determined and found to be 120 kb. The mechanism of spreading of drug resistance through conjugation process was analyzed. In the conjugation studies, the isolates having R⁺ factor showed the transfer of drug resistance through conjugation, which was determined by the development of antibiotic resistance in the recipients. This study shows that drug resistant strains are able to transfer genes encoding drug resistance.

2 tables, 16 ref

007879   Sengupta D P;Sengupta D;Ghosh P (Geol Stud Unit Phys Earth Sci Div, , 203, BT Road, Kolkata-700 108, Email: dhurjati@isical.ac.in) : Bilaterally symmetric fourier approximations of the skull outlines of temnospondyl amphibians and their bearing on shape comparison. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(3), 377-90.

Work illustrates a scheme of quantitative description of the shape of the skull outlines of temnospondyl amphibians using bilaterally symmetric closed Fourier curves. Some special points have been identified on the Fourier fits of the skull outlines, which are the local maxima, or minima of the distances from the centroid of the points at the skull outline. These points denotes break in curvature of the outline and their positions can be compared to differentiate the skull shapes. The ratios of arc-lengths of the posterior and lateral outline of 58 temnospondyl skulls have been plotted to generate a triaguarity series of the skulls. This series grades different families, some of their genera and species as well as some individuals according to their posterior and lateral skull length ratios. This model while comparing different taxa, takes into account the entire arc-length of the outline of the temnospondyl skulls, and does not depend on few geometric or biological points used by earlier workers for comparing skull shapes.

4 illus, 64 ref

007878   Saxena R K;Barta A;Isar J;Saran S (Dep Microbiol, University of Delhi, South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110 02l) : Strategies for the purification of yeast and fungal lipases. Indian J Microbiol 2004, 44(3), 157-69.

Microbial lipases today occupy a place of prominence among biocatalysts owing to their ability to catalyze a wide variety of reactions in aqueous and non-aqueous media. The chemo-, regio- and enantio-specific behaviour of these enzymes has caused tremendous interest among scientists and industrialists. Lipases from a large number of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal sources have been purified to homogeneity. This has enabled the determination of their sequence and three dimensional structure, which has provided an understanding of their unique structure-function relationships during various hydrolytic and synthetic reactions. The article presents a critical review of different strategies, which have been employed for the purification of yeast and fungal lipases. Since protein purification is normally done in a series of sequential steps involving a combination of different techniques, the effect of sequence of steps and the number of times each step is used is analyzed. This has proved to be of immense help while planning enzyme purification from yeast and fungal sources.

1 illus, 2 tables, 76 ref

007877   Saikia R;Singh K;Arora D K (Lab Appl Mycol Cent Advd Study Bot, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, Email: aroradilip@yahoo.co.in) : Suppression of Fusarium-wilt and charcoal rot of chickpea by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RsB29. Indian J Microbiol 2004, 44(3), 181-4.

Seed treatment by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RsB29 controlled Fusarium-wilt and charcoal rot disease of chickpea both in vitro and in vivo. Antifungal compounds produced by this strain also inhibited growth of the pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Macrophomina phaseolina. The antifungal compound was purified through TLC and HPLC and on spectral analysis indicated the presence of crotonyl group, secondary amine, aryl and α, β unsaturated ketone, diazo, ether and thioether groups.

4 tables, 25 ref

007876   Roshchina V V (NO, Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia, Email: roshchina@icb.psn.ru) : Allelochemicals as fluorescent markers dyes and probes. Allelopathy J 2005, 16(1), 31-46.

Some allelochemicals, viz., alkaloids and terpenoids, can fluoresce by excitation from ultra-violet or violet light. The fluorescence occurred both in intact secretory plant cells rich in alkaloids and terpenoids and in excretions from the cells of various organs of Achillea millefolium L., Berberis vulgaris L., Chelidonium majus L., Gaillardia pulchella Foug., Abies sibirica L., Ruta graveolens L.; Mentha piperita L., Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Among the allelopatically active species studied, bright orange light emission was peculiar to root idioblasts of Ruta graveolens, which contain acridone alkaloids, especially rutacridone and to laticifers of Chelidonium majus, including alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine, where blue fluorescence was seen due to sesquiterpene lactones located in secretory cells of leaves and flowers of genera Achillea, Artemisia and Gaillardia. The fluorescence may serve as a marker for the cytodiagnostics of the secretory structures in luminescent microscope. In the experiments, alkaloids viz., berberine, glaucine, casuarine fluoresced in violet-blue (410-470 nm) and green-yellow region with maximum 520 nm; the alkaloids rutacridone, sanguinarine, chelerythrine in orange spectral region (585-600 nm) and sesquiterpene lactones viz., artemisinine, tauremisine, gaillardine in violet-blue (410-470 nm). When the pure fluorescent substances (10^-6-10^-5 M) were added to the acceptor cell (vegetative microspores of Equisetum arvense or pollen of Hippeastrum hybridum) that served for the modelling of allelopathic interactions, the changes in their fluorescence were seen. Alkaloids, which also have the anticholinesterase activity, such as berberine and sanguinarine concentrated and fluoresced with yellow-orange colour on the surface of the cell. Pollen germination in artificial nutrient medium decreased after the addition of berberine and sanguinarine. As for alkaloid rutacridone and sesquiterpene lactones (artemisinine, azulene and gaillardine) which passed through plasmalemma into the cell, they stained intracellular structures. As a result, nuclei and chloroplasts became green-lightening (the staining with rutacridone) or blue-lightening (the staining with sesquiterpene lactones). The compounds may be used to study the mechanisms of allelochemical action and in laboratory practice as fluorescent dyes and probes.

10 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

007875   Ravindranath V M;Lakshmi N;Ramesh M;Veerraju P (Inst Hum Genet, University of New Castle Upon Tyne, New Castle Upon Tyne, UK, Email: pvraju@rediffmail.com) : Alu insertion/deletion polymorphisms in Yadava population of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Int J Hum Genet 2005, 5(3), 223-4.

Four Alu insertion/deletion polymorphisms (Alu TPA25, Alu ACE, Alu PV92 and Alu APO) were studied in Yadava population from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Blood samples were collected from fifty unrelated healthy donors. DNA was isolated and amplified by PCR and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. Gene frequencies were calculated and were used to calculate average heterozygosity. All the four loci are polymorphic in nature and showed high levels of heterozygosity. The average heterozygosity is recorded as 0.4945 to 0.4892. Genetic distance analysis of the present data with the available data of two Andhra Pradesh tribal populations revealed that Yadavas are closer to Konda Reddis when compared to Koya Doras.

1 table, 7 ref

007874   Ramaswamy K;Gunasekaran;Rajendran S (Fd Protectants lnfestation Control Dep, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 020, Email: rama60swamy@yahoo.co.in) : Microbiota of fumigated spice powders. Indian J Microbiol 2004, 44(4), 303-6.

Spice powders were treated with phosphine, methyl bromide and ethylene oxide fumigants and carbon dioxide - rich atmosphere and examined for the reduction of microorganisms on them. Treatment with ethylene oxide at 100 and 640 mg L^-1 for 6 h under reduced pressure and CO₂ at 90% atmosphere for 15 d reduced the mold populations significantly. The reduction of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria in all the spices that were treated with high dose of ethylene oxide was similar but it was not so against aerobic spore forming bacteria.

^ssc1 table, 11 ref

007873   Rajkumar M;Lee K J;Lee W H;Banu J R (Div Bioresource Sci Coll Agric, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju-561-756, South Korea) : Growth of Brassica juncea under chromium stress: Influence of siderophores and indole 3 acetic acid producing rhizosphere bacteria. J envir Biol 2005, 26(4), 693-9.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacterial PGMR strains A3 and S32 have been shown to promote the growth of Brassica juncea under chromium stress which has been related to the microbial production of siderophores and indole 3 acetic acid (IAA). The aim of the study is to evaluate the importance of siderophores and IAA producing PGPR on the growth of Brassica juncea under chromium stress. The production of IAA and siderophores were observed in the strains A3 and S32, respectively. Both PGPR strains promote the growth of Brassica juncea under chromium stress. The maximum growth was observed in plants inoculated with siderophores producing strain 32. Both the bacterial inoculum did not influence the uptake of chromium by plants. The present observation showed that PGPR isolates A3 and S32 are capable of protecting the plants against the inhibitory effects of chromium by producing the siderophores and IAA.

2 illus, 2 tables, 33 ref

007872   Rajasekhara Reddy K (Dep Anthrop, University of Mysore, Manasa Gangothri, Mysore-570 006) : Finger dermatoglyphics of the Madiga-a scheduled caste of Andhra Pradesh. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2005, 24(1), 21-34.

Bilateral finger prints of 400 unrelated individuals (200 males and 200 females) of Madigas in two revenue districts of Cuddapah and Chitoor in Andhra Pradesh were collected and analysed. The analysis included both qualitative and quantitative characters. On the basis of finger pattern types, loops were common followed by whorls and arches in either sex with non-significant sex difference. However, significant bilateral differences are found only in the female series of Madigas. The symmetry pattern including whorls, loops and arches is much higher than the asymmetry pattern in either sex. The right hand is more monomorphic than the left hand in both sexes. Pattern Intensity Index, Dankmeijer's Index, Furuhata's Index, Poll's Index values were found to be greater in the males than in the females. The total finger ridge count and absolute finger ridge count values were larger among the male series than among the female series. Further, the values of the Madigas as compared with some of the caste and tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh, show that the values are within the range of caste populations of Andhra Pradesh.

8 tables, 27 ref

007871   Rahi D K;Shukla K K;Rajak R C;Pandey A K (Dep Microbiol, Punjab University, Chandigarh (UT)-160 014) : Optimization of physico-chemical parameters for mycelial growth of an indigenous species of Pleurotus florida (sing). J microbial Wld 2005, 7(1), 82-9.

Evaluation of various optimum physico-chemical parameters for mycelial growth of an indigenous species of Pleurotus florida (Sing), found in the tropical forests of Madhya Pradesh, possessing excellent edibility among local inhabitants of the region has been worked out. Malt extract agar was found as the best solid while Asthana and Hawker's broth as the best liquid media, both favoured the maximum vegetative mycelial growth. The temperature of 28 ± 1°C and pH 6.0 was evaluated as the optimum physical parameters on which the growth of test fungus was found at par. Among biochemical parameters tested, the dextrose and ammonium sulfate was found as the best carbon and nitrogen source respectively. While the thiamine HC1 and indole acetic acid was evaluated as suitable sources of vitamins and growth regulator respectively and phosphorous proved to be the most required mineral sources.

34 ref