013679   Baishya D;Deka M (Biotechnology Dep, Gauhati Univ, Gawahati-14) : Effect of carbon sources, nitrogen sources, pH and surfactant on C1, CX and filter paper activities of cellulase enzyme from Aspergillus flavus. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(2), 345-8.

Cellulases are complex enzyme system comprising of endo-1,4-β-D glucanase, otherwise known as endocellulase, carboxy methyl cellulase (CMase) or Cx cellulase; Exo-l,4-β-D-glucosidase or (β-D-glucoside or glucanhydrolase. The enzymatic saccharification of cellulose has been proposed as a means of producing glucose on an industrial scale. The study was, therefore, under taken in order to examine the Cx, C₁ and filter paper activities of the enzyme cellulase produced by a local fungal strain identified as Aspergillus flavus isolated from decaying wood so as to assess the potentiality of cellulase produced by the fungal isolate for saccharification of various soluble carbon sources, nitrogen sources and also to see the effect of pH and surfactant (Tween-20) on the activities of the enzyme. The production of cellulases by Aspergillus flavus in Mandel and Sternberg medium (1976) has revealed that the activities of C₁ Cx and filter paper increased up to the 10th day of cultivation. However, this fungus shown maximum activities of C₁. Investigation on the effect of nitrogen sources revealed that the addition of Peptone (0.57 g/1) to the medium as nitrogen sources showed the maximum enzyme production as detected by enzyme assays. It has been observed that a pH of 3.0 showed maximum production of enzyme while the addition of Tween 20 at a level 0.15% (v/v) to the medium established the influence of surfactant on the production of cellulase.

5 tables, 21 ref

013678   Athikesavan S;Vincent S;Velmurugan B; Janarthanan S (Unit of Environment and Biotechnology, PG and Research, Zoology Dep, Chennai- 600 034) : Impact of nickel and zinc on protien profile of the silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(1), 147-9.

Effect of nickel chloride and zinc sulphate was investigated in the study on the protein profile of various tissues like gill, liver, intestine and kidney in the freshwater fish, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Fishes were treated with these heavy metals for 30 days in water containing sublethal concentration of nickel (5.7 mg/L) and zinc (6.8 mg/L). Changes in protein profile of nickel and zinc treated fish tissues were observed over control. Many fractions in the Ni treated fish intestine tissues were decreased compared to control value. In nickel treated fish, protein fractions were increased more in the gill, liver and kidney samples when compared to zinc treated fishesh.

1 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

013677   Asthana A K;Pandey A (Microbiology Dep, Subharti Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi- Haridwar By Pass, Meerut- 250 002) : Occurence of Mycobaterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare in drinking water. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(1), 119-21.

Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM), mainly Mycobacterium avium complex (i.e. Mycobactemfm avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare) are commonly present in all natural ecosystems including water, soil, food, dust, aerosols and are responsible for opportunistic human and animal infections. These organisms are an increasing health risk, especially in the growing immunodeficient population around the globe. They are capable of causing lymphadenitis and infections of the lungs, skin, soft tissue, bursa, joints, tendon sheath, bone, trauma or surgical wounds. Infections in cervical lymph nodes of young children with erupting teeth and elderly women without any of the known factors for M. avium complex infection have also been reported. Drinking water is mainly a source of mycobacterial infection in hospitalized AIDS patients. Analyzed drinking water samples of Meerut city and found 80% were contaminated with non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium sp. In which 37.5% were underground and 62.5% were tap water sample. Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria sp. concentration (1-50 cfu/ml) was found in 103 (around 49%) of infected sample while around 30% showed 15-500 cfu/ml concentration. None of the sample was found above 500-cfu/ml concentrations. Thus, inclusion of non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria sp. in the list of bacteriological indicators of water quality could improve drinking water quality standard.

17 ref

013676   Apte G S;Bahulikar R A;Kulkarni R S;Lagu M D; Kulkarni B G;Suresh H S;Rao P S N;Gupta V S (Biochemical Sciences Div, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune-411 008, Email: vs.gupta@ncl.res.in) : Genetic diversity analysis in Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. (Ericaceae) from the two biodiversity hotspots in India using ISSR markers. Curr Sci 2006, 91(12), 1634-40.

Study involves Inter Simple Sequence Repeat markers to analyse genetic diversity of an undershrub, Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. (Ericaceae) from two plant diversity hotspots in India, namely Western Ghats and Northeastern Himalayas. The plants from these two regions show no morphological differences but the total heterozygosity (HT = 0.505) is high. Furthermore, the average heterozygosity of G. fragrantissima at WG (H_s = 0.433) is higher than that at NE region (H_s = 0.231). Within population variance is higher (15.56%) than among population variance (8.31%) as seen in outcrossing plant species. Mantel's test shows a strong positive correlation between the genetic and geographic distances. The plants within WG show high gene flow, which may be enough to prevent genetic drift, however, the gene flow in NE population is very low.

1 illus, 5 tables, 44 ref

013675   Anil Kumar;Narendra Kumar (Mathematics Dep, Dr. K.N. Modi Institute of Engineering & Technology, Modinagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Email: dranilkumar06@yahoo.co.in) : Performance for mathematical model of DNA supercoil. Biosci Res Bull 2006, 22(2), 79-87.

Every one is familiar with the double helical structure of DNA. The formation of supercoil of DNA in the cell nucleus is a common phenomenon. The molecule grips a three dimensional complex shape which is known as supercoil. Highlights the application of mechanical theory to determining macromolecular shape and the effect of change of half length of supercoil.

6 illus, 23 ref

013674   Amsaveni P;Kannaiyan S (Faculty if Biotechnology, Internatonal University College of Technology Twintech, Bandar Sri Damanasara, 52200 Kula Lampur, Email: amsaahi@yahoo.com Malaysia) : Isolation of salt tolerant cyanobacteria from saline and sodic soils of Tamilnadu. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(3), 423-7.

Cyanobacterial cultures were isolated from saline and sodic soils of Tamil Nadu. The pH and EC (Electrical Conductivity) of saline and sodic soils were 8.9, 9.8 and 3.64 dSm^-1,1.23 dSm^-1 respectively based on the growth and biomass production. 27 cultures were isolated from 150 soil samples. Predominant genera were Nostoc sp. (51.9%), followed by Anabaena sp. (37.0%), Westiellopsis (3.7%) Osdilaioria (3.7%) and Aphanocapsa (3.7%). Among these 27 cyanobacterial cultures, only 10 salt tolerant algal cultures were selected on screening by testing against 1000 and 2000 ppm of sodium chloride. On further screening based on the growth, biomass production and ammonia excretion three strains were found to be very efficient viz., Anabaena-TR-52-STl,Nosfoc-BS-60-ST2and Westiellopsis-TR-5-ST3.

7 tables, 11 ref

013673   Ambatkar M S;Kulkarni A S;Gadegone M M; Sirothia K A (Department of Zoology, Dr. Ambedkar College, Chandrapur-442 401) : Melanomacrophage centres in livers and kidneys of Channa punctatus. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(3), 701-2.

Antimicrobial activity of selected spices such as clove, pepper, coriander and cuminum was assessed against two pathogens namely Eseherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Screening was performed by Kirby - Bauer disc diffusion and plate dilution technique. Among the four spices tested the highest degree of antmicrobial effect was exhibited by the extracts of the buds of clove Syzygiu aromacticum. and the seeds of pepper Piper nigram. The seeds of coriander Conundrum sativam and Cuminum Cuminum cyminum had least effect on Staphylococcus aureus. Eseherichia coli was susceptible to all the spices extracts.

4 illus, 5 ref

013672   Agarwal A;Sharma K;Mishra S (Zoology Dep, School of Life Sciences, Khandari Campus, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Universit, Agra- 282 002) : Effect of nitrogen dioxide inhalation on lung total protien and Serum total protien of albino rat. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(1), 143-5.

Albino rats, Rattus narvegicus (Berkenhout) were exposed to 60 ppm and 120 ppm nitrogen dioxide gas for 15 days and 30 days for one hour per day. A significant increase in lung total protein and a significant decrease in serum total protein have been observed.

2 illus, 16 ref

013671   Abhyankar G;Reddy V D (Center for plant Molecular Biology, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vdreddycpmb@yahooo.com) : Rapid micropropagation via axillary bud proliferation of Adhatoda vasica Nees from nodal segments. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(3), 268-71.

Protocol for rapid multiplication of Adhatoda vasioo has been developed through nodal explants from field grown mature plants. The maximum number of shoots, i.e., 7.75 + 0.392 differentiated from split nodal halves on MS medium supplemented with BA (10.0 mg/1) during 4 weeks of culture. Maximum number of shoots formed per explant increased to ca. 30 within 6 weeks of subculture on medium containing BA (1.0 mg/1) and Kn (1.0 mg/1). The isolated shoots rooted 90% in MS medium containing IBA (0.1 mg/1) in 2 weeks. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to soil in glasshouse and subsequently in field. The plantlets rooted in liquid medium did not survive, but those rooted on solid medium showed more than 75% survival. In vitro raised plants-grew successfully ex vitro till flowering.

1 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

011511   Woo S D;Choi J Y;Je Y H;Jin B R (Department of Plant Medicine, College of Agriculture, Life and Environment Sciences, Chungbuk Nation, Cheongju 361-763, Korea, Email: sdwoo@cbnu.ac.kr) : Characterization of the Helicoverpa assulta nucleopolyhedrovirus genome and sequence anlalysis of the polyhedrin gene region. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(3), 329-38.

A local strain of Helicoverpa assulta nucleopolyhedrovirus (HasNPV) was isolated from infected H. assulta larvae in Korea. Restriction endonuclease fragment analysis, using 4 restriction enzymes, estimated that the total genome size of HasNPV is about 138 kb. A degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer set for the polyhedrin gene successfully amplified the partial polyhedrin gene of HasNPV. The sequencing results showed that the about 430 bp PCR product was a fragment of the corresponding polyhedrin gene. Using HasNPV partial predicted polyhedrin to probe the Southern blots, author identified the location of the polyhedrin gene within the 6 kb EcoRI, 15 kb NcoI, 20 kb XhoI, 17 kb Bg/II and 3 kb ClaI fragments, respectively. The 3 kb Clal fragment was cloned and the nucleotide sequences of the polyhedrin coding region and its flaking regions were determined. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated the presence of an open reading frame of 735 nucleotides which could encode 245 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 29 kDa. The nucleotide sequences within the coding region of HasNPV polyhedrin shared 73.7% identity with the polyhedrin gene from Autographa californica NPV but were most closely related to Helicoverpa and Heliothis species NPVs with over 99% sequence identity.

4 illus, 3 tables, 52 ref

011510   Wang H;Li H;Wang Q;Wang Y;Han H;Shi S (College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China, Email: lihui@neau.edu.cn) : Microarray analysis of adipose tissue gene expression profiles between two chicken breeds. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 565-73.

The chicken is important model organism that bridges the evolutionary gap between mammals and other verterates and provides a major protein source from meat and eggs throughout the world. Excessive accumulation of lipids in the adipose tissue is one of the main problems faced by the broiler industry nowadays, In order to visualize he mechanisms involved in the gene expression and regulation of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, cDNA microarray containing 9024 cDNA was used to construct gene expression profile and screen differentially expressed genes in adipose tissue between broilers and layers of 10 wk of age. Sixty-seven differentially expressed sequences were screened out, and 42 genes were found when blasted with the GenBank database. These genes are mainly related to lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, transcription and splicing factor, protein synthesis and degradation. The remained 25 sequences had no annotation available in the GenBank database. Furthermore, Northern blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR were developed to confirm 4 differentially expressed genes screened by cDNA microarray, and it showed great consistency between the microarray data and Northern blot results or semi-quantitative RT-PCR results. The present study will be helpful for clarifying the molecular mechanism of obesity in chickens.

4 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref

011509   Vogel S (Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0338, USA, Email: svogel@duke.edu) : Living in physical world IX. making and maintaining liquid water. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 525-36.

5 illus, 42 ref

011508   Tamuli R;Ravindran C;Kasbekar D P (Centre, for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: kas@ccmb.res.in) : Translesion DNA polymerases Pol ζ, Pol η, Pol ι, Pol k and Rev1 are not essential for repeat-induced point mutation in Neurospora crassa. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 557-64.

Pol ζ, Pol η, Pol ι, Pol k and Rev1 are specialized DNA polymerases that are able to synthesize DNA across a damaged template. DNA synthesis by such translesion polymerases can be mutagenic due to the miscoding nature of most damaged nucleotides. In fact, many mutational and hypermutational processes in systems ranging from yeast to mammals have been traced to the activity of such polymerases. The translesion polymerases are dispensable for repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) in Neurospora crassa. Demonstrate that the upr-1 gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of Pol ζ, is a highly polymorphic locus in Neurospora.

2 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

011507   Sprinzl M (Laboratorium fur Biochemie, Universitat Bayreuth, D 95440 Bayreuth, Germany, Email: Mathias.Sprinzl@uni-bayreuth.de) : Chemistry of aminoacylation and peptide bond formation on the 3 terminus of tRNA. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(4), 489-96.

8 illus, 2 tables, 37 ref

011506   Soundarapandian P;Ananthan G;Kannupandi (CAS in Marine Biology, Annamalai Univ, Parangipettai-608 502) : Mass seed production of Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (H. Mline edwards) in synthetic brackishwater. Indian J Fish 2006, 53(1), 91-6.

Freshwater prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonni, has potential for aquaculture. Larvae of M. malcolmsonii were reared in synthetic brackish water using commercial salts. Live (Artema nauplii, Brachionus plicatilis and Moina sp.) and artificial feeds were provided to the larvae individually and in combination. Survival was significantly higher (39.7-63%) when larvae were fed with live feeds only. Larvae fed with artificial feed showed significantly lower survival (32.3%). Survival (58 and 61%) was significantly higher when Artemia nauplii combined together with other feeds. Despite its limitation, synthetic brackish water can be used for freshwater prawn seed production.

5 tables, 18 ref

011505   Soll D;Rajbhandary U L (Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA, Email: soll@trna.chem.yale.edu) : The genetic code - thawing the 'frozen accident'. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(4), 459-63.

1 illus, 1 table, 43 ref

011504   Singh O P;Chandra D;Nanda N;Sharma S K;Htun P T;Adak T;Subbarao S K;Dash A P (National, Institute of Malaria Research, 22 Sham Nath Marg, Delhi-110 054, Email: Singh@mrcindia.org) : On the conspecificity of Anopheles fluviatilis species S with Anopheles minimus species C. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 671-77.

Anopheles fluviatilis and An. minimus complexes, each comprising of at least three sibling species, are closely related and important malaria vectors in Oriental Region. Recently An. fluviatilis species S, which is a highly efficient malaria vector in India, has been made conspecific with An. minimus species C (senior synonym) on the basis of homology in 335 base pair nucleotide sequence of D3 domain of 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Examined the conspecificity of these two nominal species by obtaining and analysing the DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal loci internal transcribed spacer 2 (TTS2) and D2-D3 domain of 28S rDNA (28S-D2/D3) from those of An. fluviatilis S and An. minimus C. We found that the sequences of An. fiuviatilis S are appreciably different from those of An, minimus C with pair-wise distance (Kimura-2-parametre model) of 3.6 and 0.7% for loci ITS2 and 28S-D2/D3, respectively. Pair-wise distance and phylogenetic analyses using ITS2 sequences of members of Minimus and Fluviatilis Complexes revealed that An. fluviatilis S is distantly related to An. minimus C as compared to any other members of the Fluviatilis Complex. These findings suggest that the two nominal species, An. fluviatilis S and An. minimus C, do not merit synonymy. The study also confirms that the reported species An. fluviatilis X is synonym with species S.

1 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref

011503   Singh M;Krishna B A;Singh M (NO, Maharaja's College, University of Mysore, Mysore-570 005, Email: msingh@psychology.uni-mysore.ac.in) : Dominance hierarchy and social grooming in female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Western Ghats, India. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(3), 369-77.

Reports the structure of dominance and its relationship with social grooming in wild lion-tailed macaque females. The strength of dominance hierarchy was 0.79 on a scale of 0 to 1 indicating a moderate linearity in the ranking system. Dominance scores were converted into an ordinal as well as an interval scale. Grooming scores were also converted into interval scales using standard scores. Grooming received and grooming given correlated positively and negatively respectively with dominance ranks indicating that high ranking females received more and gave less grooming. Grooming was also positively related to encounter rates for dyads of females. More grooming among adjacent ranks, and grooming being more reciprocal, occurred only in the case of dominant females. The grooming patterns, therefore, appeared to be more of despotic than egalitarian nature. While ranking macaques into different grades of social systems ranging from despotic to egalitarian, Thierry (2004) has placed lion-tailed macaques in grade 3 corresponding to the 'relaxed' social system. Results indicate that the grooming and dominance relationships in this species are more despotic, and hence, the Grade for this species requires to be shifted toward 2 or 1.

4 illus, 2 tables, 37 ref

011502   Shanmugam A;Bhuvaneswari T;Arumugam M;Nazeer R A;Sambasivam S (Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Bilogy, Annamalai Univ, Parangipettai-608 502) : Tissue chemistry of Babylonia spirata (Linnaeus). Indian J Fish 2006, 53(1), 33-9.

Biochemical composition of different body parts of Babylonia spirato(L) in various size groups was studied. Among the body parts, gonad and digestive gland showed highest biochemical composition and acts as a storage site followed by foot and exhibited a distinct seasonal cycle. The size groups of 40 - 45 mm and 45 - 50 mm animals showed higher values of biochemical components. Maximum protein value of 69.09% was recorded in May 1998 in the size group of 50 - 55 mm and the highest carbohydrate value of 9.20% was recorded in the 50-55 mm size group. The maximum lipid value of 9.5% was recorded in the 50-55 mm size groups animals.

4 illus, 27 ref

011501   Saravanan R;Pari L (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Email: paribalaji@gmail.com) : Effect of a novel insulinotropic agent, succinic acid monoethyl ester, on lipids and lipoproteins levels in rats with streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 581-7.

The effect of succinic acid monoethyl ester (EMS) on the pattern of lipids and lipoproteins in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetes was investigated. Type 2 diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin, 15 min after the i.p administration of 110 mg/kg body weight of nicotinamide. The carboxylic nutrient EMS was administered intraperitonially at a dose of 8 μmol/g body weight for 30 days. At the end of experimental period, the effect of EMS on plasma glucose, insulin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxide (HP) and serum triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), total cholesterol (TC), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the percentage of antiatherogenic index (AAI) (ratio of HDL-C to total cholesterol) were studied. Administration of EMS to diabetic rats resulted in a significant reduction in the elevated levels of plasma glucose, TBARS and hydroperoxides as well as TG, PL, FFA, TC, VLDL-C and LDC-C levels. The decreased plasma insulin and serum HDL-C and percentage of AAI in diabetic rats were also reversed towards near normal. The effect produced by EMS was compared with metformin, a reference drug. The results indicates that the administration of EMS and metformin to nicotinamide-streptozotocin diabetic rats normalized plasma glucose, insulin concentrations and caused marked improvement in altered lipids, lipoprotein and lipid peroxidation markers during diabetes. Results show the antihyperlipidemic properties of EMS and metformin in addition to its antidiabetic action. Moreover, the antihyperlipidemic effect could represent a protective mechanism against the development of atherosclerosis.

4 illus, 2 tables, 45 ref

011500   Rani P U;Sudheer S D;Padmini G;Lavanya C (Biology and Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Taranaka, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: usharani65@yahoo.com) : Nutrient-allelochemical interactions of castor, Ricinus communis (L) plants, resistant and susceptible to infestation of green leaf hopper, Empoasca flavescens. J appl Zool Res 2006, 17(1), 1-8.

Physical, biochemical and chemical parameters influencing the castor plant resistance to the green leafhopper (GLH), Empoasca flavescens (Fabr.) (Homoptera: Jassidae) has been studied. Compositional analysis was conducted to compare the varietal differences of castor in relation -to resistance or susceptibility to attack by GLH. The measured parameters included total soluble sugars, total phenols, carbohydrates, total proteins, amino acids, glutamine, urea, and ammonia. SEM studies were conducted to find the leaf surface morphology in relation to physical resistance of attack by the test insect. No obvious differences were found in the external morphology of the leaf surface between the varieties except in the leaf thickness. Volatile chemicals emanating from resistant and susceptible varieties of castor plants were evaluated using a Y-olfactometer for their attractant/repellent activities to GLH. The leaf surface chemicals from the GLH resistant plants exhibited repellency to the insects, whereas the responses of the insects was neutral and equal to that of controls in the susceptible variety. Interestingly, the extracts from the pest infested castor leaves repelled E. flavesens at higher doses in a Y - olfactometer. The effects of pest feeding on the plant quality or quantity of biochemical constituents were also analyzed and compared between pest fed and normal (pest uninfested) castor plant.

2 i, 1 tables, 25 ref, 2 pl

011499   Rajbhandari U;Kohrer C (Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA, Email: bhandary@mit.edu) : Early days of tRNA research: discovery, function, purification and sequence analysis. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(4), 439-51.

23 illus, 1 tables, 58 ref

011498   Owu D U;Antai A B;Udofia K H;Obembe A O;Obasi K O;Eteng M U (Department of Physiology. College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, Email: d_owu@yahoo.com ) : Vitamin C improves basal metabolic rate and lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 575-9.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multi-factorial disease which is characterized by hyperglycaemia, lipoprotein abnormalities and oxidative stress. This study evaluated effect of oral vitamin C administration on basal metabolic rate and lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Vitamin C was administered at 200 mg/kg body wt. by gavage for four weeks to diabetic rats after which the resting metabolic rate and plasma lipid profile was determined. The results showed that vitamin C administration significantly (P<60>0.01) reduced the resting metabolic rate in diabetic rats; and also lowered plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggest that the administration of vitamin C in this model of established diabetes mellitus might be beneficial for the restoration of basal metabolic rate and improvement of lipid profile. This may at least in part reduce the risk of cardiovascular events seen in diabetes mellitus.

1 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

011497   Nishimura S;Watanabe K (Center for TARA, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan, Email: nishimura@tara.tsukuba.ac.jp) : The discovery of modified nucleosides from the early days to the present: a personal perspective. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(4), 465-75.

5 illus, 89 ref

011496   Morange M (Centre Cavailles, Ecole normale superieure, 29 rue d'Ulm, 75230, Paris Cedex 05, France, Email: morange@biologie.ens.fr) : What history tells us VII. twenty-five years ago: the production of mouse embryonic stem cells. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 537-41.

43 ref

011495   Mathews J P;Philip B (Biochemistry Dep, S.N.M. College, Maliankara-683 516) : Metabolic responses in Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) exposed to water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Bombay high crude oil. Indian J Fish 2006, 53(1), 23-31.

Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) was exposed to 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 ppm concentrations of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Bombay High Crude oil for 21 days and different parameters like total carbohydrate, glycogen, blood glucose, lactate, pyruvate, lactate dehydrogenase, glycogen phosphorylase 'a' and glycogen phosphorylase 'b' were estimated. A significant dose-dependent change (P <60> 0.001) was observed in liver, gill, heart and muscle tissues which suggest a severe respiratory stress in the WAF exposed fish and its tendency of shift in the carbohydrate metabolism more towards anaerobic dependence than aerobic oxidation.

8 illus, 23 ref

011494   Khushu S;Kumaran S S;Sekhari T;Tripathi R P; Jain P C;Jain V (NMR Research Centre, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied sciences, Brig. S K Majumdar Road, Delhi-110 007, Email: skhushu@yahoo.com) : Cortical activation during finger tapping in thyroid dysfunction: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 543-50.

Thyroid dysfunction is associated with attention deficit and impairment of the motor system (muscle weakness and fatigue). This paper investigates possible motor function deficit in thyroid patients, compared to the controls. Functional MRI studies (fMRI) were carried out in five hypo and five hyperthyroid patients and six healthy volunteers. Whole brain imaging was performed using echo planar imaging (EPI) technique, on a 1.5T whole body MR system (Siemens Magnetom Vision). The task paradigm consisted of 8 cycles of active and reference phases of 6 measurements each, with right index finger tapping at a rate of 120 taps/min. Post-processing was performed using statistical parametric mapping on a voxel-by-voxel basis using SPM99. Clusters of activation were found in the contralateral hemisphere in primary somatomotor area (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), somatosensory, auditory receptive and integration areas, inferior temporal lobe, thalamus and cerebellum. Increased clusters of activation were observed in M1 in thyroid subjects as compared to controls and with bilateral activation of the primary motor cortex in two hyperthyroid patients. The results are explained in terms of increased functional demands in thyroid patients compared to volunteers for the execution of the same task.

3 illus, 1 table, 44 ref

011493   Goswami C;Saha N (Biochemical Adaptation Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793 022, Email: nasha@nehu.ac.in) : Cell volume regulation in the perfused liver of a freshwater air-breathing catfish Clarias batrachus under aniso-osmotic conditions: roles of inorganic ions and taurine. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 589-98.

The roles of various inorganic ions and taurine, an organic osmolyte, in cell volume regulation were investigated in the perfused liver of a freshwater air-breathing catfish Glorias batrachus under aniso-osmotic conditions. There was a transient increase and decrease of liver cell volume following hypotonic (-80 mOsmol/1) and hypertonic (+80 mOsmol/1) exposures, respectively, which gradually decreased/increased near to the control level due to release/uptake of water within a period of 25-30 min. Liver volume decrease was accompanied by enhanced efflux of K+ (9.45 ± 0.54 μmol/g liver) due to activation of Ba²⁺- and quinidine-sensitive K⁺ channel, and to a lesser extent due to enhanced efflux of Cl^- (4.35 ± 0.25 μmol/g liver) and Na⁺ (3.68 ± 0.37 μmol/g liver). Conversely, upon hypertonic exposure, there was amiloride- and ouabain-sensitive uptake of K⁺ (9.78 ± 0.65 μmol/g liver), and also Cl^- (3.72 ± 0.25 μmol/g liver). The alkalization/acidification of the liver effluents under hypo-/hypertonicity was mainly due to movement of various ions during volume regulatory processes. Taurine, an important organic osmolyte, appears also to play a very important role in hepatocyte cell volume regulation in the walking catfish as evidenced by the fact that hypo- and hyper-osmolarity caused transient efflux (5.68 ± 0.38 μmol/g liver) and uptake (6.38 ± 0.45 μmol/g liver) of taurine, respectively. The taurine efflux was sensitive to 4,4'-di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS, an anion channel blocker), but the uptake was insensitive to DIDS, thus indicating that the release and uptake of taurine during volume regulatory processes are unidirectional. Although the liver of walking catfish possesses the RVD and RVI mechanisms, it is to be noted that liver cells remain partly swollen and shrunken during anisotonic exposures, thereby possibly causing various volume-sensitive metabolic changes in the liver as reported earlier.

7 illus, 1 table, 48 ref

011492   Giege R (Department 'Machineries Traductionnelles', UPR 9002 'Architecture et Reactivite de l'ARN', Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 15 RUE rENE dESCARTES, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France, Email: R.Giege@ibmc.u-strasbh.fr ) : The early history of tRNA recognition by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(4), 477-88.

5 illus, 128 ref

011491   Dev S;Surola A (Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: surolia@mbu.iisc.enet.in) : Dynamic light scattering study of peanut agglutinin: size, shape and urea denaturation. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 551-6.

Peanut agglutinin (PNA) is a homotetrameric protein with a unique open quaternary structure. PNA shows non-two state profile in chaotrope induced denaturation. It passes through a monomeric molten globule like state before complete denaturation. This denaturation profile is associated with the change in hydrodynamic radius of the native protein. Though the molten globule-like state is monomeric in nature it expands in size due to partial denaturation. The size and shape of the native PNA as well as the change in hydrodynamic radius of the protein during denaturation has been studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The generation of two species is evident from the profile of hydrodynamic radii. Study also reveals the extent of compactness of the intermediate state.

5 illus, 25 ref

011490   Clark B F C (Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, Gustav Wides Vej 10 C, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, Email: bfcc@mb.au.dk) : The crystal structure of tRNA. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(4), 453-7.

4 illus, 6 ref

011489   Bandara W M M S;Seneviratne G;Kulasooriya S A (Biological Nitrogen Fixation Project, Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka, Email: gaminis@ifs.ac.lk) : Interactions among endophytic bacteria and fungi: effects and potential. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 645-50.

Plants benefit extensively by harbouring endophytic microbes. They promote plant growth and confer enhanced resistance to various pathogens. However, the way the interactions among endophytes influence the plant productivity has not been explained. Experimentally showed that endophytes isolated from rice (Oryza sativa) used as the test plant produced two types of interactions; biofilms (bacteria attached to mycelia) and mixed cultures with no such attachments. Acidity, as measured by pH in cultures with biofilms was higher than that of fungi alone, bacteria alone or the mixed cultures. Production of indoleacetic acid like substances (IAAS) of biofilms was higher than that of mixed cultures, fungi or bacteria. Bacteria and fungi produced higher quantities of IAAS than mixed cultures. In mixed cultures, the potential of IAAS production of resident microbes was reduced considerably. There was a negative relationship between IAAS and pH of the biofilms, indicating that IAAS was the main contributor to the acidity. However, such a relationship was not observed in mixed cultures. Microbial acid production is important for suppressing plant pathogens. Thus the biofilm formation in endophytic environment seems to be very important for healthy and unproved plant growth. However, it is unlikely that an interaction among endophytes takes place naturally in the endophytic environment, due to physical barriers of plant tissues. Further, critical cell density dependant quorum sensing that leads to biofilm formation may not occur in the endophytic environment as there is a limited space. As such in vitro production and application of beneficial biofilmed inocula of endophytes are important for improved plant production in any agro-ecosystem. The conventional practice of plant inoculation with monocultures or mixed cultures of effective microbes may not give the highest microbial effect, which may only be achieved by biofilm formation.

2 illus, 2 tables, 54 ref

011488   Aguiar-jr O;Giaretta A A;Recco-Pimentel S M (Departmento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), 13, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Email: shirlei@unicamp.br) : Sperm of hylodinae species (Anura, Leptodactylidae): ultrastructural characteristics and their relevance to interspecific taxonomic relationships. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(3), 379-88.

Hylodinae leptodactylids (sensu Lynch 1971) form a group of diurnal frogs, which is hypothesized on the basis of morphological traits to be the closest relatives of the dendrobatid frogs. Describes ultrastructural characteristics of sperm from three hylodine species (Hylodes phyllodes, Crossodactylus sp. n. and Megaelosia massarti) to reassess the intergeneric relationships within the Hylodinae, as well as the supposed relationship between the Hylodinae and Dendrobatidae. The ultrastructure of the sperm is very similar among the three species and is indicative of its conserved nature within the Hylodinae. The structure of the acrosomal complex was very similar to that of other leptodactylid species, to most of the remaining species included in the Bufonoidea lineage, and also to that observed in the dendrobatid species examined so far. Since such a structure has been considered a plesiomorphic trait, it contributes little to understanding of the relationships between the Hylodinae and Dendrobatidae. The flagellar apparatus of Crossodactylus sp. n. is very similar to that of most leptodactylids The sperm of Megaelosia massarti and Hylodes phyllodes display a distinctive condition in their axial and juxtaxonemal fibers. This distinctive flagellar condition expands the already known variability in sperm structure within the Leptodactylidae.

6 illus, 32 ref

012660   Vijaya Lakshmi R;Madhukar J;Prasad M S K (Biochemistry Dep, N.R.I. Medical College, China Kakani, Andhra Pradesh) : Purification and characterization of Riboflavin carrier protein from hen egg yolk and pigeon egg yolk. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 157-9.

Riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) has been purified from both pigeon and hen egg- yolk by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration techniques. Purity of pigeon egg- yolk and hen egg-yolk RCPs are determined by SDS-PAGE. Their structures are compared using Circular Dichroism (cd) Spectra and Fluorescence Spectra. For Pigeon egg-yolk RCP amino acid composition was analyzed. In the present study it is observed that the two proteins have similar secondary structure but they differ in their tertiary structures. The amino acid composition of pigeon egg-yolk RCP has close similarity with hen egg-yolk RCP. This study suggests the existence of some significant structural difference between RCPs from pigeon and hen.

3 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

012659   Suneetha Y;Kathiria K B;Srinivas T (BA College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural Univ, Anand Campus, Anand-388 100) : Hybrid vigour and combining ability studies for fruit quality characters in egg plant (Solanum melongena I.). Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 26-9.

Hybrid vigour and combining ability of 45 egg plant hybrids obtained from the diallel mating (excluding reciprocals) of ten elite homozygous lines obtained from the Main Vegetable Research Station, Anand, Gujarat, India, were studied for different fruit quality characters. Maximum hybrid vigour was observed for-total soluble sugars, while high heterosis was noticed for number of seeds per fruit and its ratio with fresh marketable fruit weight and mature fruit weight. Fresh marketable fruit weight had recorded moderate mid-parent heterosis to an extent of 81.17 per cent, and low heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis to an extent of 39.05 and 27.50 per cent, respectively. High heterosis was observed in crosses involving at least one good parent, identified on the basis of mean performance for the trait. The combining ability analysis also revealed pre-ponderant non-additive gene action for majority of the fruit quality traits studied, indicating the importance of heterosis breeding for improvement of these traits. A perusal of the general combining ability effects of the parents studied revealed Bombay Gulabi and Surati Ravaiya to be good general combiners for fresh marketable fruit weight. These parents were also noticed to be good combiners' for mature fruit weight, seed number/mature fruit weight and total soluble sugars. Desirable specific combining ability effects were noticed in several hybrids for the various fruit quality traits studied. Among these, AB 98-13 x Bombay Gulabi and Surati Ravaiya x JBPR 1 hybrids had recorded high mean, heterosis and specific combining ability effects for fresh marketable fruit weight in addition to desirable levels of total phenols and fruit drymatter. The hybrid, Surati Ravaiya x JBPR 1 had also recorded desirable heterosis and specific combining ability effects for total soluble sugars. Hence, these hybrids are identified as potential high yielding, heterotic and quality egg plant hybrids for commercial exploitation.

4 tables, 14 ref

012658   Suman Latha G;Vijayalakshmi V;Anuradha B;Hari Sai Priya V;Savneet Kaur;Mudit Vaid;Madan T;Sarma P U;R Murthy K J R (Immunology Unit, 10/1/1, Bhagwan Mahavir Medical Research Center, Hyderabad-500 004, Email: vijayavalluri@rediffmail.com) : Screening of MBL and SP-D genes in Indian population for SNPs and their association with atopic asthma. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(3), 229-32.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) an acute phase serum protein and surfactant protein D (SP-D) are the collectins that Besides their role as innate immune molecules have been suggested to play an important role in asthma. To screen single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding MBL and SP-D in patients with atopic asthma. PCR amplification of collagen encoding region for MBL and -NH2 terminus encoding region of SP-D from DNA samples of asthmatic subjects, followed by their sequencing. In the MBL gene the SNP's were studied in 5 controls and 20 patients in exon 1 and intron 1 of the gene. (Alleles 816 A/G, 868 C/T, 875 G/A, 884 G/A and 1011 G/A) while exon 1 of lung surfactant protein D was studied in 5 patients and 5 normal subjects. Of the five SNPs in MBL, G1011A, a novel SNP at position 1011 in the intron 1 of MBL was observed in 60% of asthma patients, while it was not observed in the controls. In case of SP-D out of the two reported SNPs (T341C and G282A in exonl of SP-D) only T341C was observed in the present study. Present pilot study shows G allele at G1011A in MBL and C allele at T341C in SP-D to be significantly associated with atopic asthma and may serve as marker to identify individuals at risk to atopic asthma, however a greater sample size is required. Further, the present study shows Indians to be genetically distinct w.r.t. exon l of SP-D.

2 tables, 18 ref

012657   Srivastava R K;Pandey N (Botany and Environment Science Dep, Govt. Model Science College (Autonomous), Jabalpur-482 001) : Overview on biomedical waste and its mangement. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 99-101.

Bio-medical waste is a hazardous waste produced from various health care units. The quantity of these waste produced is very large. An alarming quantity of these wastes disposed off in open and poses serious health hazard for public as deadly pathogenic microorganisms breeds freely. Managements of bio-medical waste is a global problem because deleterious effect and mismanagement of biomedical waste can affect the individual and environment.

012656   Srivastava H S;Patel P;Navalgund R R (Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre, Indian Space Research Organization, 4, Kalidas Road, Dehradun-248 001, Email: hari_space@yahoo.com) : Application potentials of synthetic aperture radar interferometry for land-cover mapping and crop height estimation. Curr Sci 2006, 91(6), 783-8.

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry is widely used for applications like digital elevation map gene ration and studies related to surface movement. However, SAR interferometry can also be exploited in many other areas. Here a few of the potential applications of SAR interferometry have been demonstrated by exploring its use in delineation and density mapping of forested areas, delineation of surface water extent under adverse weather conditions, which is useful during flood-mapping; detection of human settlement and crop-height estimation. This has been achieved by exploiting interferometric coherence, which is inversely related to the magnitude of random dislocation of scatterers between the two passes. The study indicated that interferometric coherence decreases with increase in forest density or increase in crop height. It was also observed that interferometric coherence over stable targets like settlement is quite high compared to other land-cover classes. In contrast, interferometric coherence is always low for unstable surfaces like the water surface. The study suggested that interferometric coherence is a parameter that provides valuable information, which is completely different from that of SAR backscatter. It was also observed that synergic use of SAR backscatter with InSAR coherence enhances the application potential of a SAR system as a whole towards many land-cover features.

5 illus, 8 ref

012655   Srinivasan C (Medical Science Dep, Madurai Kamaraj Univ, Madurai-625 021) : From fullerene -C₆₀ to four-wheelers. Curr Sci 2006, 91(5), 580-2.

10 ref

012654   Srinivasa Y S (NO, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, P.O Malleswaram, Bangalore-560 003, Email: yb@iwst.res.in) : Identifying dietary source of Helicoverpa armigera using carbon isotope signatures-A critique. Curr Sci 2006, 91(2), 149-50.

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012653   Sood D R (Biochemistry Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar-125 004) : Comparison of three methods for determining amylose in rice. J Dairying Fd Home Sci 2006, 25(2), 155-6.

Three extraction procedures namely dispersion with 0.5N KOH and subsequent shaking in reactor-R-shaker for 30 min (Method I), suspending the rice flour with l.ON NaOH for 18 h at room temperature (Method II) and thirdly heating rice flour in boiling 1.0 N NaOH for 10 min (Method III) were compared after complexing with iodine and spectrophotometric measurements for amylose estimation in 107 rice samples. The results were almost identical within the limits of precision. The mean amylose% obtained by extraction with boiling 1.0 N NaOH for 10 min were higher in general when compared with the other two extraction procedures. The correlation coefficients for amylose content among the methods were found to be highly significant.

1 table, 7 ref

012652   Soni N;Deode V K (Biotechnology Dep, Vivekanand Vigyan Mahavidhyalaya, Dist Betul-460 001) : Biological weapons-spreading fear. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 163-4.

A WMD is a weapon that lead to destruction of human life. They include nuclear weapons, biological weapon, chemical weapons, and radiological weapons (sometimes known as 'dirty bombs'-regular explosives laced with radioactive material), of all the weapons, bioweapons may pose the greatest threat.

^iia6 ref

012651   Sidhu D S;Duggal G (Zoology Dep, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002) : Relationship between physiological parameters and levels of physical performance in pre-adolescent school girls. Geobios 2006, 33(4), 291-3.

In pre-adolescent girls of age group 7 to 11 years, the physiological parameters like blood pressure, pulse rate, haemoglobin content and vital capacity of lungs show an increase with increase in age. All were under-nourished and generally anaemic. Statistically a substantial relationship is observed between pulse rate and sargent jump at the age of 8 years, and maximum value of slight relationship between systolic blood pressure and sargent jump at age of 9 years.

3 tables, 9 ref

012650   Shenoy K;Varma S;Devi Prasad K V (Salim Ali School of Ecology, Pondicherry Univ, Kalapet, Pondicherry-605 014, Email: k19@uky.edu) : Factors determining habitat choice of the smooth-coated otter, Lutra perspicillata in a South Indian River system. Curr Sci 2006, 91(5), 637-43.

Spraint sites of the smooth-. coated otter in the Cauvery.Wildlife Sanctuary has been characterized. Otters use specific sites on land (otter sites) spraint sites') for feeding and social activities; 'non-otter sites' are-those not used by the otters. Various habitat parameters were identified and assessed. Otter sites varied significantly from non-otter sites, and comprised of loosely packed sand and rock, and lacked hard-packed sand, stone, gravel, vegetation and canopy cover. These site features are important in facilitating' grooming, and are prominent territorial markers. Otters avoided areas with high levels of anthropogenic distur-' bance, though avoidance was temporal rather than spatial. This study has categorized the preferred tat of otters, which is of importance to conservation.

4 illus, 2 tables, 36 ref

012649   Sharma S;Kashyap S;Mishra S;Vasudevan P (Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016) : Comparative assessment of Rhizobium strains on some leguminous tree species. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2006, 32(2), 153-8.

Experiments were conducted to compare the effectiveness of Rhizobia procured from Division of Microbiology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (cowpea miscellany, CP) and native strains isolated from the nodules of there plant species namely Acacia nilotica, Leucaena hucocephala and Dalbergia sisso. The Rhizobia cowpea miscellany (exotic) were found to be better than native strains in increasing plant growth and biomass yield of all three species. Also the number of rhizosphere micro "flora viz., Rhizobial cell count/g soil, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) spores/g soil, AM root colonization, and N and P content in soil were maximized by CP strains in all the three legume plant species.

3 tables, 33 ref

012648   Sharma A;Mathur P N;Rajamani G;Joshi A (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Dep, Rajasthan College of Agricul, Maharana Pratap University of agriculture and Technology, Udaipur-313 001) : Salicylic acid induced plantlet regeneration in pepper (Capsicum fruitescens) Calli. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 35-6.

Cotyledonary explants from 4 week-old aseptic seedlings of Capsicum fruitescens cv. California Wonder were cultured on MS medium supplemented with sucrose (5%), agar (0.8%) and 2,4-D (1 mg I^-1) pH 5.7. One month old callus was subcultured on the same medium devoid of 2,4-D but with salicylic acid (0.5 to 2.0 mM) to study the role of Salicylic acid in triggering defense responses. However, the best response for salicylic acid induced plantlet regeneration was obtained at 0.5 mM concentration. Kinetin (0.5 to 5.0 mg 1^-1) or Gibberellic Acid (each 0.5 to 5.0 mg I^-1) failed to do so. The salicylic acid induced cytodifferentiation and plant retregeneration In pepper may function through the response regulator mediated two component signaling system.

1 illus, 26 ref

012647   Sharam A;Joshi A;Rajamani G;Mathur P N (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Dep, MPUAT, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur-313 001) : High frequency callus initiation, somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in Carica papaya L. cv. COORG HONEYDEW. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 22-3.

Two month old stem explants of Carica papaya L. cv. Coorg Honeydew showed 80 per cent callus initiation on Murashige-Skoog (MS) nutrient medium supplemented with 3.0μM of 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Treatment with phytohormones like Kinetiri (Kin) or Benzyl adenine (BA) (@ 0.2 to 2.0 mg I^-1) were found to have no role with regard to callus Initiation. However, these initiating calli when subcultured on MS + 2,4-D (3.0 μM) + Kin (0.5 mg I^-1) showed a two-fold growth by proliferation within 21 days after the date of sub-culture. During this period, 30 per cent of the callus tissue underwent necrosis. Thereafter, the best of 70 per cent friable, healthy call! were recultured on MS + 2,4-D (3.0 μM) + Napthalene acetic acid (NAA, 2.0 mg I^-1) + Kin (0.5 mg I^-1), also supplemented with casein (50 mg ^-1). This combination for reculture resulted in vigorous callus growth on fresh weight basis. Best somatic ernbryogenesis was achieved when callus tissue so obtained was further recultured in MS + NAA (1.0 mg I^-1) + Kin (0.5 mg I^-1) + Gibberelic acid (GA₃ 1.0 mg 1^-1) + L- Ascorbic and (Asc, 50 mg I^-1) alongwith glycine (1.0 mg I^-1) + thiamine (Thia, 1.0 mg 1^-1) as adjuvants. The pH of such culture media was maintained at 5.7, incubated under a 16/8-hr light/dark cycle at 25°±1°C in the culture room. This protocol resulted in 80 per cent somatic ernbryogenesis out of which about 20 per cent yielded regenerants. The plantlets were carefully transferred to half-strength MS medium for further growth and hardening.

4 illus

012646   Shakya S;Singh M;Arya P (Institute of Home Science, Bundelkhand Univ, Jhansi-284 003) : Adjustment problems in old age. J Dairying Fd Home Sci 2006, 25(2), 117-20.

The study was planned to study the various difficulties or problems of old age. Fifty years old age people from different areas of Jhansi were selected. Results revealed that regarding social adjustment, significantly (P<60>0.05) higher number of respondents (66%) want to make new friend to share their feelings after retirement and about 78% old people often take part in community activities. Mostly (96%) older people were respected by their children and 92% children of older people take their parents advice to solve the problems. Regarding physical adjustment the old people feel physical changes in them and about 41 per cent old people feel physically helpless and dependent on others. Regarding vocational adjustment 64% of old people do not want job after retirement and significantly (P<60>0.05) higher number of old people (96%) were getting pension, provident fund and gratuity. In case of economic adjustment 66% of older people feel economic security while in home, all the older people want to utilize their time with their grand children. Regarding emotional adjustment significantly (P<60>0.05) higher number of respondents (92%) were satisfied with their life and 84% share their old memories with their children.

3 tables, 4 ref

012645   Salgare S A (Salgare Research Foundation Pvt Ltd., Prathamesh Society, Shivaji Chowk, Karjat-410 201) : Alteration of resting period of pollen of apocynaceae by herbicide (sodium penta chloro phenate) and further evidence of a criticism of the hypothesis of saoji and chitaley (1972). Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 161-2.

^iia1 table, 9 ref

012644   Sabat J;Gupta N (Microbiology Laboratory. Biotechnology Div, Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar-751 015) : Effect of manganese on growth of fungi obtained from Joda mines of Orissa. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 165-7.

Seven fungi were isolated from heavy metal mine soils of Joda (Orissa), India. These fungi exhibited tolerance to manganese salt In broth culture under laboratory conditions. The growth of Aspergillus sp. 3 and Cunnighamella sp. was found to be more in 0.2% concentration of manganese.

^ssc2 illus, 9 ref