010537   Bajaj M M;Singh S;Sangal P;Jha R K;Singh V P; Singh T P (Department of Physcis & Astro Physics, University of Delhi-110 007, ) : Bis load, bis field, bis index and matrix string theory for bis effect. Acta Cienc Indica-Phys 2005, 31(4), 433-40.

Explains the physical meaning of complex BIS load in detail and introduces a quantitative measure of cruelty in the BIS phenomena and embraces the realistic and observable aspects in the classical BIS theory. Authors give concrete examples for the calculation of partial BIS loads and discuss the results obtained. Authors have succeeded in putting all kinds of BIS loads on one plate form. The detailed theory of complex variables, study the impact of the total BIS load in generating varying consequences on different individuals in the same traumatic episode. Real life observed phenomena are explained logically using the sophisticated tools of quantum mechanics and modern mathematics.

20 ref

010536   Bagul N B (NO, , 7 Westbury Court, Longbenton Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom NE12 8RL, Email: rnitinbb@yahoo.co.uk) : Negative suction drainage for surgical wounds. Indian J Surg 2006, 68(1), 57.

^ssc5 ref

010535   Agnihotri V (Department of Anthropology, N.S.N. College, Chakbast Road, Lucknow-226 003) : Somatic variation in cephalo-facial measurements of brahmins of Uttar Pradesh. Indian J phys Anthrop Hum Genet 2006, 25(1), 55-70.

Somatic variation in cephalofacial measurements of 500 Brahmins belonging to five Mendelian isolates or endogamous groups has been reported. The morphological study of the five Brahmin populations of Uttar Pradesh and their comparison with other populations clearly indicates that they are drawn from the same parental population.

3 illus, 6 tables, 20 ref

010534   Addline Esther D;Pushparani D A E;Vanitharani J;Rajkumar S;Sundararaj T;Gnanaselvi J U (Department of Zoology, Bat Research Laboratory, Sarah Tucker College, Tirunelveli-627 007, Email: juliet@sancharnet.in) : Aerobic bacterial flora associated with two common temple bat species, Hipposideros speoris and Taphozous melanopogon. J theor expl Biol 2006, 2(3-4), 89-97.

Bats are perhaps one of the most enigmatic and keystone species of an ecosystem. But frequently they have a negative public image as a vector of disease causing microbes. Their existence in the ecosystem faces a serious threat because of human activity; especially, temple roosting bats are mass killed during renovation. The common temple roosting bats, Hipposideros speoris and Taphozous melanopogon are selected to study the impact of their microbial flora. Oral and intestinal aerobic bacterial flora of these bat species revealed, that they have normal microbial flora very much like any mammal including man. The aerobic bacterial composition of the skin glands help in the odour production. The results indirectly indicate that the temple bats cause no harm to man and his environment.

3 tables, 35 ref

009617   Yu P;Gu Y;Yang Y;Yan X;Chen L;Ge Z;Qi M;Si J; Guo L (Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China, Email: leiguo@yahoo.com) : Clinical and molecular-genetic analysis of Chinese patient with lattice corneal dystrophy and novel Thr538Pro mutation in the TGFBI (BIGH3) gene. J Genet 2006, 85(1), 73-6.

1 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

009616   Wadher B;Lade C A3 (Department of Microblology, Nagpur University, L.I.T.Premises, Nagpur-33) : Effect of citric acid on pathogenic microorganisms. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 20-6.

Total of 400 specimens, such as pus(140) in case of pyogenic infection: urine (156) in case of urinary tract infection; and swab (104) from burncases were screened for pathogenic bacteria. One hundred one strains of Pseudomonas acruginosa: 64 strains of Staphylococcus aurcus: 47 strains Escherichia coli; 34 strains of Proteus spp. and 39 strains of Klebsiclla spp. were isolated. Antimicrobial testing resulted in the observation resistance of these pathogens to one or more animicrobial drugs. Minimal inhibitory concentration of citric acid was studied against these pathogens by microbroth dilution method. The effective range of citric acid against E. coli, P. acruginosa, Proteus spp. and S. aurcus was found to be 1000-2000/ug/ml with mean MIC values of 1085, 1089, 1088 and 1093/ug/ml respectively. Only in case of Klebsiella spp. where 90% strians were inhibited at 2000/ug/ml. The Effective range of citric acid was found to be 2000-4000 ug/ml with mean MIC Value of 2205 ug/ml.

7 tables, 18 ref

009615   Vogel S (Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0338, USA, Email: svogel@duke.edu) : Living in a physical world VII. gravity and life on the ground. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 201-14.

4 illus, 59 ref

009614   Vijayaraghavan R;etal (Defence Research and Development Establishment, , Gwalior-474 002, Email: vijayjai@sancharnet.in) : Protective effect of ethanolic and water extracts of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against the toxic effects of mustard gas. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(10), 821-31.

Ethanolic extract of H. rhamnoides L. leaf (HL-EOH), water and ethanolic extract of H. rhamnoides fruit (HF-W and HF-EOH), and H. rhamnoides flavone from fruit (HR-flavone) were evaluated against percutaneously administered sulphur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent. The animals administered with SM (9.7, 19.3 and 38.7 mg/kg) died at various days depending upon the dose and there was a significant reduction in the body weight. The H. rhamnoides extracts (1g/kg; 3 doses; po) significantly protected the lethality, with a protective index of 2.4, 1.7, 1.7 and 2.2 for HL-EOH, HF-W, HF-EOH and HR-flavone respectively. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutalthione (GSSG) levels were reduced, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was elevated after percutaneous administration of SM. Oral administration of HL-EOH and HR-flavone significantly protected the body weight loss. Recovery in the levels of GSH, GSSG and MDA were also observed following oral administration of HL-EOH and HR-flavone. All the extracts were non-toxic and the LD₅₀ was more than 5 g/kg. The study shows that percutaneous administration of SM induces oxidative stress and ethanolic extract of leaf of H. rhamnoides and H. rhamnoides flavone from fruit can significantly protect it.

3 illus, 8 tables, 38 ref

009613   Venkatachalam P;P Priya;T Gireesh;Saraswathy Amma C K;Thulaseedharan A (Biotechnology Division, Institute of India, Kottayam-686 009) : Molecular cloning and sequencing of a polymorphic band from rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Muell.) Arg.]: the nucleotide sequence revealed partial homology with proline-specific permease gene sequence. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1510-5.

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) is mainly cultivated in high rainfall areas (traditional). Identification of DNA marker or genes could be highly useful to develop drought-tolerant clones or screen Hevea seedling populations, which will eventually extend the rubber cultivation in non-traditional areas (under irrigation). RAPD analysis is a valuable tool in studying genetic variation and for identification of specific gene fragments. Genomic DNAs from 37 clones were used for RAPD analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), where the total and unique number of polymorphic bands varied with the clones and primers. Certain amplified bands appeared to be common to some clones, whereas others were present only in a few clones. RAPD markers specific to one or few clones were identified, with the results being reproduced at least three times. There were two DNA markers (1.2 and 1.4 kb) scored by presence vs absence of specific amplification products with OPB-12 primer. Of the two bands, a 1.4 kb RAPD marker was the most promising DNA fragment which was isolated, cloned and the nucleotide sequence determined and revealed certain homology with Saccharomyces cerevisiae proline-specific permease gene. Specific DNA technology, such as the use of SCAR (seqenced characterized amplified region) markers, can be used to differentiate among Hevea clones to validate this RAPD marker. SCAR marker was created by sequencing a single RAPD band and desingning primers to amplify the band of specific size. The SCAR primers amplify a band of 1.4 kb from only 14 among 37 clones used under more sringent PCR conditions. This SCAR marker could be used as genetic marker to screen the Hevea seedling populations for specific populations for specific trait or gene from sigle PCR-based method.

2 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

009612   Venkatachalam P;Jayanth V R;Paul S F D; Vettriselvi V (Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, (Deemed Universi, Porur, Chennai-600 116, Email: venkip@yahoo.com) : Protective effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on chemotherapeutic drugs induced damages on peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in-vitro. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 133-8.

Effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), an antimetabolite of glucose was studied in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) exposed to radiomimetic drug bleomycin and an alkylating agent mitomycin-C. The PBL were exposed to 2-DG (5 mM), 30 minutes pretreatment and with bleomycin (10 to 80 μg/ml) and mitomycin-C (2 to 12 μg/ml) for three hours. The drug as well as 2-DG was removed by washing the cells with HBSS buffer. Then the cells were cultured for 48 hours to study chromosomal aberrations (CA), Translocations (TL) and 72 hours for micronuclei (MN) and Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE). Exposures of PBL to bleomycin and mitomycin-C showed, a concentration dependent increase in the aberration frequencies, both in the presence and absence of 2-DG. While, the regression analysis showed, that the presence of 2-DG reduced bleomycin induced TL, CA frequencies and mitomycin-C induced CA and MN frequencies significantly (P<60>0.001) when compared to PBL treated with the drugs alone, bleomycin induced MN frequencies and mitomycin-C induced SCE's reduction were not significant. The difference could be attributed to the mechanism of the action of drugs on the cells. Furthermore the alteration in the cell cycle kinetics, suggest that the presence of 2-DG during drug exposure, alter the cellular environment and delay the cell proliferation and provide sufficient time to repair the damages, could resulted in the reduced aberration frequencies.

5 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

009611   Ukesh C S;Patil S D (Department of Microbiology, Shri Shivaji College, Akola-444 001) : In vitro sensitivity of pathogenic yeasts to miconazole. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 1-5.

Sensitivity of pathogenic yeasts, Candida (yeast like fungi) and Cryptococcus species were determined by brothmacro dilution, broth microdilution and agar dilution methods. Mean MICs showed good agreement between broth microdilution and broth macrodilution sensitivity testing methods. Agar dilution tests showed two fold and in some cases four- fold higher MIC range. For C. albicans the MIC range observed was 0.31-2.5 ug/ml by broth microdilution and macrodilution method while the MIC range was 0.1-10 ug/ml by agar dilution method. C. albicans, C. tropicalls and C. glabrata were less sensitive than other Candida species such as C. gulliermondii, C. krusei. C. parapsilosis, C. stellatoidea, C. pseudotropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans.

2 tables, 12 ref

009610   Timande S;Jayamohan N (P.G. Department of Microbiology, D.B. Science College, Gondia-441 614) : Bioconversion of agrowaste bagasse in to liquid glucose by submerged fermentation. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 27-3.

Bagasse was used as lignocellulosic substrate for production of cellulase enzyme by submerged fermentation using Aspergillus niger after grinding and pre-treatment with caustic soda. Cellulase production was maximum in 1.5% (w/v) cellulose and 0.6% (w/v) yeast extract as nitrogen source at pH 5.5 in 7 day of incubation. Optimum inoculum size was 1.5% v/v and shaking accelerated the cellulase production. Cellulase was optimally active at 45°C at pH 5. Cellulase was stable in the range of temperature from 50 to 60°C. Incubation period and enzyme concentration for optimum cellulase activity was 30 minutes and 2 ml respectively. It was observed from the results that maximum production of cellulase was achieved by A. niger grown on NaOH pretreated bagasse substrate in comparison to cellulose and untreated bagasse.

4 illus, 20 ref

009609   Thorat P R;Pathade G R (P.G. Department of Microbiology, Shri Shivaji Mahavidyalaya, Barshi-413 411) : Two stage anaerobic-aerobic treatment of textile industry wastewater. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 95-100.

Wastewater from Cotton Textile Mill situated in Solapur (Maharashtra, India) was characterized and treated by using anaerobic-aerobic sequential system. The process equipments consist of an anaerobic digester (KVIC Design, Laboratory Model of Floating Dome type, 5.0 L Capacity) and Activated Sludge Tank. As the wastewater was deficient in N & P(BOD: P: N ratio to 100:0.95:0.33), it was supplemented with 0.3g Super Phosphate per Litre of waste to bring BOD: P:N ratio to 120:4.8:3.14. After 20 days detention period the % COD and BOD reductions obtained were 67-90 and 75.72, respectively and volume of gas produced was 1.35 L/L of wastewater/Day. The aerobic treatment of previously anaerobically digested Textile wastewater was carried out at different optimised conditions viz. HRT-6 Days, Dose of mixed Seed Culture-4500 mg/L, pH- 7.5, DO- 2.5 mg/L and Incubation Temperature- 30°C. The influent BOD and COD levels were 510 & 1220 mg/L which were reduced to 61.10 &b 210.10 mg/L.

3 tables, 18 ref

009608   Tambekar D H;Bhokare D D (Department of Microbiology, Amravati University, Amravati-444 602) : Effect of temperature on phosphate solubilization by microorganisms isolated from saline soil. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 140-2.

Thirty-nine strains of Bacillus megatherium, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas striata and Fusarium species, Penicillium digitatum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus awamori isolated from saline belt of Amravati Akola District soil, were used to find out the effect of temperature on phosphate solubilization. Maximum solubilization (20 mm zone at 30°C) was recorded in case of fungi and 12 mm zone in case of bacteria on solid media at same temperature.

^ssc2 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

009607   Swathi Anuradha T;Jami S K;Datla R S;Kirti P B (Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500 046, Email: pbksl@uohyd.ernet.in) : Genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) using cotyledonary node as explant and a promoterless gus::nptII fusion gene based vector. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 235-46.

Generated putative promoter tagged transgenic lines in Arachis hypogaea cv JL-24 using cotyledonary node (CN) as an explant and a promoterless gus::nptII bifunctional fusion gene mediated by Agrobacterium transformation. MS medium fortified with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 4 mg/l in combination with 0.1 mg/l α-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was the most effective out of the various BAP and NAA combinations tested in multiple shoot bud formation. Parameters enhancing genetic transformation viz. seedling age. Agrobacterium genetic background and co-cultivation periods were studied by using the binary vector p35SGUSINT. Genetic transformation with CN explants from 6-day-old seedlings co-cultivated with Agrobacterium GV2260 strain for 3 days resulted in high kanamycin resistant shoot induction percentage (45%); approximately 31% transformation frequency was achieved with p35S GUSINT in βglucuronidase (GUS) assays. Among the in vivo GUS fusions studied with promoterless gus::nptII construct, GUS-positive sectors occupied 38% of the total transient GUS percentage. We have generated over 141 putative T₀ plants by using the promoterless construct and transferred them to the field. Among these, 82 plants survived well in the green house and 5 plants corresponding to 3.54% showed stable integration of the fusion gene as evidenced by GUS, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses. Twenty-four plants were positive for GUS showing either tissue-specific expression or blue spots in at least one plant part. The progeny of 15 T₀ plants indicated Mendelian inheritance pattern of segregation for single-copy integration. The tissue-specific GUS expression patterns were more or less similar in both T₀ and corresponding T₁ progeny plants. Presented the differential patterns of GUS expression identified in the putative promoter-tagged transgenic lines in the present communication.

6 illus, 2 tables, 33 ref

009606   Singh S J (Antropology Dep, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795 003, Email: drjibonkumar@yahoo.com) : Ethnic variation in fertility patterns among four communities of Manipur. J hum Ecol 2006, 20(1), 1-9.

Attempt is being made to compare the fertility patterns among four communities viz., Meiteis, Kabuis, Pangals and Nepalese of Manipur. The findings of the study reveals that age at menarche occur earliest among the Meiteis and delayed most among the Kabuis. While for menopause the earliest and latest is observed among the Pangals and the Kabuis respectively. On the other hand reproductive span is longest among the Nepali and shortest among the Pangals. With regards to fertility performance, highest number of ever born live birth is observed among the Nepalese and lowest among the Meiteis. This is an agreement with the findings of pregnancy where the lowest is recorded among the Nepalese and highesst among the Meiteis. The relationship of the fertility with education and occupation is also presented.

10 tables, 42 ref

009605   Shrivastava N;Patel T;Srivastava A (B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education & Research Development (PERD) Cent, , Ahmedabad-380 054, Email: neetashrivastava@hotmail.com) : Biosynthetic potential of in vitro grown callus cells of Cassia senna L. var. senna. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1472-3.

3 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

009604   Shirodkar M V N;Sehgal P B (Shirodhkar, Memorial Research Foundation, Mumbai, Email: pravin_sehgal@nymc.edu) : Is the anti-sarcoma and anti-viral cytokine "plasma factor" a novel chicken Y-box protein?. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(10), 777-82.

Line of research beginning in the early 1960s with the observation that West Nile virus and, later, several strains of rabies virus could inhibit the development of the Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumor in the wing-web of chicken (a "sarcoma-blockade") eventually culminated in the characterization of a 14-kDa circulating anti-sarcoma and anti-viral activity christened "plasma factor" (PF) which, unlike the interferons, inhibited the replication of diverse RNA-containing viruses, but not of any DNA-containing viruses. The possibility that this 14 kDa protein represented a novel antiviral cytokine has been strengthened by analysis of partial amino acid sequencing data which suggest that this 14-kDa cytokine may correspond to the 127-amino acid-long chicken YB2-like protein (Locus: XP_423576) deduced very recently from the genomic sequencing of chicken. Biologically, proteins of the Y-box family (such as chicken YB1 and YB2) not only bind DNA and thus regulate transcription but also bind single-stranded RNA in a sequence-specific and reversible manner, repress viral RNA translation, inhibit retroviral transformation of chicken fibroblasts, and are known to regulate transcription of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus. Taken together, the available data point to a novel anti-viral cytokine with a novel mechanism of action.

^iia1 illus, 1 table, 39 ref

009603   Shete H G;Chitanand M P;Joshi Pranita S (PG Department of Microbiology, N.S.B. College, Nanded-431 601) : Biosurfactant production using bacterial isolates from soil sample of petrol pump and oil mill area. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 136-7.

Soil samples from petrol pump area and oil mill area at Nanded were screened to get bacterial isolates having ability to produce biosurfactants. Out of all isolates four isolates were obtained as efficient biosurfactant producers. One of which was Pseudomonas species and other three were Bacillus species. Among the Bacilli one namely Bacillus megaterium produced maximum biosurfactant in inorganic medium supplemented with hydrocarbon. Surface tension of the medium reduced from 49.78 dynes/cm to 28.48 dynes/cm due to this organisms.

^ssc1 table, 8 ref

009602   Seshadri A;Varshney U (Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: varshney@mcbl.iisc.ernet.in) : Mechanism of recycling of post-termination ribosomal complexes in eubacteria: a new role of initiation factor 3. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 281-9.

Ribosome recycling is a process which dissociates the post-termination complexes (post-TC) consisting of mRNA-bound ribosomes harbouring deacylated tRNA(s). Ribosome recycling factor (RRF), and elongation factor G (EFG) participate in this crucial process to free the ribosomal subunits for a new round of translation. Discusses the over-all pathway of ribosome recycling in eubacteria with especial reference to the important role of the initiation factor 3 (IF3) in this process. Depending on the step(s) at which IF3 function is implicated, three models have been proposed. In model 1, RRF and EFG dissociate the post-TCs into the 50S and 30S subunits, mRNA and tRNA(s). In this model, IF3, which binds to the 30S subunit, merely keeps the dissociated subunits apart by its anti-association activity. In model 2, RRF and EFG separate the 50S subunit from the post-TC. IF3 then dissociates the remaining complex of mRNA, tRNA and the 30S subunit, and keeps the ribosomal subunits apart from each other. However, in model 3, both the genetic and biochemical evidence support a more active role for IF3 even at the step of dissociation of the post-TC by RRF and EFG into the 50S and 30S subunits.

^iia3 illus, 55 ref

009601   Sclater A;Geneteix L (NO, , 87210 Dinsac, France, Email: aas35@com.ac.uk) : Extent of Charles darwin's knowledge of mendel. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 191-3.

16 ref

009600   Saxena R K;Raghuvanshi R;Singh S;Bisen P S (Department of Microbiology, J.C. Bose Institute of Life Science, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi-284 128, Email: surendarsinghg@yahoo.com) : Iron induced metabolic changes in the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(10), 849-51.

Iron induced changes in growth , N₂-fixation, CO₂ fixation and photosynthetic activity were studied in a diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. Iron at 50 μM concentration supported the maximum growth, heterocyst frequency, CO₂ fixation, photosystem (PS I), photosystem II (PS II) and nitrogenase activities in the organism. Higher concentration of iron inhibited these processes. Chl a and PS II activities were more sensitive to iron than the protein and PS I activity.

1 tabel, 16 ref

009599   Sarma H K;Sharma B K;Singh S S;Tiwari S C; Mishra A K (Forestry Dep, Molecular Microbial Ecology Laboratory, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli-791 109, Email: akmishraau@rediffmail.com) : Polymorphic distribution and phenotypic diversity of Frankia strains in nodule lobes of Hippophae salicifolia D.Don. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1516-21.

Frankia, as a source of symbiotic N₂ fixation in non-leguminous actinorhizal plants has received tremendous importance in the last few decades. Studies pertaining to the determination of genetic diversity of Frankia strains in diversified groups of actinorhizal plants have been a subject of attention in recent times. Reports an attempt to isolate and identify consortia of Frankia Strains from root nodules of Hippophae salicifolia D. Don collected from the eastern Himalayas of north Sikkim. A total 31 Frankia axenic cultures were isolated from 27 root nodule lobes which differed in colouration and morphological pattern. The isolates were subjected to different formulation of carbon sources and pH variations with and without additional exogenous N₂ source. Finally a total of 11 single spore isolates were identified based on morphological and physiological differences. The study reveals that there is an existence of a great deal of heterogeneity among the Frankia strains associated with Hippophae salicifolia D. Don.

3 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

009598   Sarkar S;Babita Kumari (NO, Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, Delhi-100 054) : Effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field on human DNA. Def Sci J 2006, 56(2), 199-208.

Biological effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the human genome has been a cause of growing concern owing to its increased application. Effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the personnel working near/in radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation environment (radar operators and radio operators) has been evaluated. Monomorphic hybridisation profile was thought to be of particular interest for monitoring subtle changes in the DNA, loss or gain of sequences, or alteration in the enzyme recognition site, if any, and for direct assessment of allele length variation and allele dropout as a consequence of radiofrequency field. Such profiles were obtained using synthetic repeat oligodeoxyribonunucletide probes in conjunction with different restriction enzymes. Of the several enzymes used, BamHl digest uncovered sequence modulation in one of the alleles in the region of 12-13 kb in the exposed personnel with increased frequency compared to the control individuals. The study suggests that some loci in the human DNA may be more prone to mutations arising due to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

2 illus, 2 tables, 33 ref

009597   Sahni A (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: ashok.sahni@gmail.com) : Limbs: gains and losses. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 181-3.

1 illus, 4 ref

009596   Rup Singh A;Vrtel R;Vodicka R;Dhaifalah I; Konvalinka D;Santavy J (Department of Medical Genetics & Fetal Medicine, University Hospital, Palacky University, I.P. Pavlova 6, Olomouc 775 20, Czech Republic, Email: arvindrup@gmail.com) : Genetic factors in male infertility and their implications. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 163-9.

Infertility in 20% of involuntary childless couples is attributable to purely male factors. In about 30% of such males the underlying cause is genetic. Male infertility problems tend to aggregate in the families and a decline of <126> 50% in the sperm concentration has occurred in the past 50 years. The mutations and microdeletions in the MSY region, especially those involving AZF, can cause oligospermia or azoospermia. The use of various assisted reproductive techniques by infertile men with microdeletions would significantly increase the incidence of male infertility.

70 ref

009595   Raj T;Kuriyan R;Kurpad A V (Division of Nutrition, St John's Institute of Population Health and Clinical Research, St Joh, Bangalore-560 034, Email: a.kurpad@iphcr.res.in) : Bicarbonate kinetics in Indian males. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 273-89.

Measurement of rates of in vivo substrate oxidation such as that of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids, are based on tracer (¹⁴C or ¹³C) data, and often depend on the isotopic content of expired CO₂. The recovery of tracer-labelled CO₂ generated from the oxidation of ¹³C labelled substrates may not be 100% over short term. This can lead to underestimation of oxidation rate of substrates, and consequently a correction for the incomplete recovery of tracer has to be applied by the determination of the recovery of ¹³CO₂ in the breath during tracer bicarbonate infusions. Studies the recovery of tracer-labelled bicarbonate using a bolus administration model, and further characterized kinetics of bicarbonate using a three-compartment model, to assess which compartmental fluxes changed during the change from a fasted state to fed state. Recovery of bicarbonate was lower at 69% and 67% (fasted and fed state) than the value of 71% and 74% found during earlier longer term of continuous infusions. During feeding, there was a 20-fold increase in the flux of bicarbonate between the central compartment and the compartment that was equivalent to the viscera. This study shows that the difference between the fasted and fed state recovery of tracer bicarbonate similar to that obtained with continuous infusions, and that bicarbonate fluxes show large changes between different compartments in the body depending on metabolic state.

2 illus, 3 tables, 32 ref

009594   Ragupathy R;Annamalai P (Department of Botany and Microbiology, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi-613 503) : Effect of supplementation on oyster mushroom, Pleurotus djamor and Hypsizygus urmarius using paddy straw as substrate. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 85-7.

Influence of additives on the yield and nutritional status of Pleurotus djamor (Rumphius:Fries) Boedijin and Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.:Fr.) Red Head using paddy straw as substrate was studied. Yield increased significantly by cake like neem, groundnut, llupai, gingilli, and bran like wheat and blackgram over the control at 4% w/w supplementation.

2 tables, 11 ref

009593   Pattnaik M;Mishra A;Kar R N;Sukla L B (Regional Research Laboratory, , Bhubaneswar-751 013) : Isolation and characterization of fungal strains from Jaduguda uranium mines (Bhubaneswar). J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 110-5.

Water samples were collected from two different sites from Jaduguda Uranium Mine, one from seepage water and other from bore exploration hole water in sterilized bottles. The isolation procedure includes the processing of mine water samples on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. After obtaining pure cultures, individual strains were characterized by observing colony morphology and lactophenol cotton blue staining followed by microscopic examination. A total of eleven strains were found, six from seepage water and five from bore exploration hole water. Fungi belonging to genus Aspergillus and Penicillium were found in abundance, which have attained much attention in bioleaching and biosorption process. Further metal solubilisation by fungi occurs at higher pH values and so could perhaps become more important where leaching with bacteria is not possible. The current work aims to evaluate the leaching ability of Uranium from its ore/effluents by various fungal strains isolated from Jaduguda Uranium mines.

5 tables, 8 ref

009592   Nalawade R S;Burade K B;Chopade A R (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Govt College of Pharmacy, Karad, Dist Satara, M.S-415 124) : Antimicrobial activity of the most commonly consumed vegetable. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 128-30.

Study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of solvent extracts of spinach leaf, one of the most popular vegetables in the world. Extracts were investigated for presence of various chemical groups & antimicrobial activity. Qualitative chemical investigations showed presence of tannins, phenols, sugars, flavanoids, coumarins & sterols. Amongst, all the extracts tested methonolic extract exhibited maximum inhibitory activity against all the bacterial culture used, compared with other extracts.

^ssc1 table, 12 ref

009591   Nag S;Chatterjee R;Chaudhuri K;Chaudhuri P (Human Genetics & Genomics Group, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700 032, Email: probal@isical.ac.in) : Unsupervised statistical identification of genomic islands using oligonucleotide distributions with application to Vibrio genomes. Sadhana 2006, 31(148), 105-15.

Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and several other related Vibrio species show distinctly similar two-chromosomal genome organization. However, the modes of pathogenicity are very different among these species, and this is largely attributed to externally acquired genetic elements. Developed some statistical methods to determine these external genetic elements or genomic islands in genomes based on their differential oligonucleotide usage patterns compared to the rest of the genome. Genomic islands identified by these unsupervised statistical methods include integron and pathogenicity islands. After statistical determination of the genomic islands, investigate their gene contents and their possible association with the pathogenic behaviour of the corresponding Vibrio species. These investigations lead to observations that are of evolutionary and biological significance.

4 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

009590   Mukhopadhyay S;Mandal C (Division of Immunobiology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, Email: cmandal@iicb.res.in) : Glycobiology of Leishmania donovani. Indian J med Res 2006, 123(3), 203-20.

Leishmania donovani, the causative organism of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the deadliest of the entire known Leishmania species. This protozoan parasite displays immense adaptability to survive under extremely harsh conditions. Cell surface glycoconjugates play a pivotal role in parasite virulence and infectivity. This review mainly highlights on the importance of these molecules and their reported roles with special emphasis on L. donovani sialobiology. The recently evolved information reported by our group regarding the identification and characterization of sialoglycans and their possible mode(s) of acquisition as also the detailed identification, characterization of anti-O-acetylated sialic acid (anti-OAcSA) antibodies and their emerging biological roles, notably as molecules that may aid in host defense against the pathogen has been vividly discussed.

^iia6 illus, 3 tables, 76 ref

009589   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 V. Emile Duclaux (1840-1904). J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 215-8.

19 ref

009588   Mohite S K;Magdum C S (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, A.B. College of Pharmacy, South Shivajinagar, Sangli-416 416) : Antimicrobial activity of 1,3-diphenylpyrazole and its azomethine derivatives. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 116-18.

Series of 1, 3-diphenylpyrazole and its azomethine derivatives have been synthesized and studied for antibacterial and antifungal activity 1, 3-diphenylpyrazole-4-carboxaldehyde (I) was prepared by Vilsmeier-Haack reaction and was functionalized by various substituted anilines. Antibacterial activities of the corresponding azomethines (4a-c) were screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans.

1 table, 7 ref

009587   Mendes Bonato A B;Risso Pascotto C;Pagliarini M S;Valle C B D (Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, State University of Maringa, 87020-900 Maringa, Parana, Brazil, Email: mspagliarini@uem.br) : Chromosome number and meiotic behaviour in Brachiaria jubata (Gramineae). J Genet 2006, 85(1), 83-7.

1 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

009586   Meka A;Mohan Reddy B (Biological Anthropology Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 Barrackpore Trunk Road, Kolkata-700 108, Email: bmr@isical.ac.in) : Recurrent spontaneous abortions: an overview of genetic and non-genetic backgrounds. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 109-17.

Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA), Habitual Abortion or Habitual Miscarriage is the loss of 3 or more consecutive pregnancies before the 24th week of gestation. RSA occurs chiefly due to either a problem with the pregnancy or when there is a problem in the environment where it implants and further development occurs. 10-15% of women with recurrent early pregnancy loss have congenital uterine abnormalities. The role of infections, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and grief has been studied but the results are contradictory from one study to the other suggesting a need of further study. Genetic basis of RSA is poorly understood. Single gene mutations, polygenic, and cytogenetic factors are all found to show association with RSA. In approximately 2-4% of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss, one partner will have a genetically balanced structural chromosome rearrangement. This review looks into the various factors associated with RSA in the West and in the work done in this area in India. It also emphasizes on the need for an appropriately designed framework to study the various aspects of RSA.

47 ref

009585   Marins J F;Castro Prado M A A (Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, State University of Maringa, Av. Colombo 5790, Bloco H67, Maringa-PR, Brazil 87020-900, Email: maacprado@uem.br) : Mutants of Aspergillus nidulans affected in asexual development. J Genet 2006, 85(1), 77-81.

2 illus, 6 tables, 26 ref

009584   Malode P S;Ukesh C S (P.G. Department of Microbiology, Shri Shivaji College, Akola, Maharashtra) : Incidence of Candida albicans in patients from Akola city (Maharashtra). J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 131-2.

Akola is a district place of Maharashtra (India) where the weather is warm. Because of low income and ignorance in personal hygiene people suffer from various infections. Keeping this view, the study was carried out to isolate pathogenic yeasts specially Candida albicans from various samples of patients, visiting various hospitals of Akola city. A total of 160 various samples were studied during May 2003 to Oct. 2003. Fourty one patients were found to be positive for Candida albicans.

^ssc1 table, 7 ref

009583   Malhotra P;Singh P P;Singh S P;Sidhu L S (Human Biology Dep, Punjabi Univ, Patiala, Punjab) : Physical growth of high altitude spitian boys. J hum Ecol 2006, 20(2), 147-51.

An effort to explore the effect of high altitude on the physical growth of Spitian children has been made. The present cross sectional study has been conducted on Spitian boys, ranging in age from 5 to 20 years. Anthropometric data was collected on 636 subjects during 1996-1998 from various areas of Spiti valley by PPS. The altitudes of these areas range between 3500-4200 meters above mean-sea-level. The adolescent spurt in case of spitian boys occurs at 15-16 years of age in weight and 13-14 years in height whereas the peak adolescent gain in chest circumference is even later and takes place at 17-18 years. It can be concluded from the above results that the adolescent spurt is delayed in Spitian boys. The proportionally greater chest cage size pressure of oxygen. A very late adolescent spurt in chest circumference might be giving an edge to the high altitude populations to keep on adding to the final adult dimensions by way of extending the grwoth period.

8 tables, 21 ref

009582   Madhavi Y (NO, National Institute of Science, Technology & Development Studies, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012, Email: y_madhavi@yahoo.com) : New combination vaccines: backdoor entry into India's universal immunization progamme. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1465-9.

4 tables, 21 ref

009581   Lee J O;Jeong M J;Kwon T R;Lee S K;Byun M O; Chung I L;Park S C (NO, National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Rural Development Ad, Suwon-441-707, Korea, Email: scpark@rda.go.kr) : Pleurotus sajor-caju HSP100 complements a thermotolerance defect in hsp104 mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 223-33.

Putative Hsp100 gene was cloned from the fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju. mRNA expression studies demonstrated that this gene (designated PsHsp100) is highly induced by high temperature, induced less strongly by exposure to ethanol, and not induced by drought or salinity. Heat shock induction is detectable at 37°C and reaches a maximum level at 42°C. PsHsp100 mRNA levels sharply increased within 15 min of exposure to high temperature, and reached a maximum expression level at 2 h that was maintained for several hours. These results indicate that PsHsp100 could work at an early step in thermotolerance. To examine its function, PsHsp100 was transformed into a temperature-sensitive hsp104 deletion mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to test the hypothesis that PsHSP100 is an protein that functions in thermotolerance. Overexpression of PsHSP100 complemented the thermotolerance defect of the hsp104 mutant yeast, allowing them survive even at 50°C for 4 h. These results indicate that PsHSP100 protein is functional as an HSP100 in yeast and could play an important role in thermotolerance in P. sajor-caju.

14 illus, 48 ref

009580   Khobragade K N;Shanware A S (Department of Microbiology, Nagpur University, Nagpur-440 033) : Antimicrobial activities of some novel heterocyclic compounds. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 133-5.

Seven newly synthesized heterocyclic compounds were used in the study. One compound was prepared from pyrazolone derivatives and six compound were prepared from quinolone derivatives. The investigation aimed to evaluate their activities against bacterial and fungal species and their comparison with two control drugs viz., Norfloxacin, Griseofulvin. Out of these compounds two compounds showed higher antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms and shown to be more active than MIC standard values.

1 table, 5 ref

009579   Khar A;Leela Kumari A;Pardhasaradhi B V V; Varalakshmi C;Rangaraj N (Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, , Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: khar@ccmb.res.in) : Heat stress induced apoptosis in BC-8 cells derived from AK-5 tumor involves downgregulation of Bcl-2 and generation of reactive oxygen species. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(10), 802-8.

BC-8, a rat histiocytoma undergoes apoptosis after heat shock, which is due to lack of an effective heat shock response. Heat shock induced generation of free radicals, which in turn are involved in the induction of apoptotic death in BC-8 cells. Treatment of BC-8 cells with N-acetylcysteine partially inhibited the heat induced apoptosis. Introduction of Bcl-2 gene in these cells did not protect them from apoptotic death, whereas transfection with hsp-70 gene did render these cells resistant to heat induced apoptosis transiently. Heat shock also downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and p53 in these cells. These observations suggested that the heat shock induced apoptosis was mediated through reactive oxygen species and controlled upstream of Bcl-2 check point.

4 illus, 28 ref

009578   Khanam C N;Reddy M V;Mrunalini A (Resource Management and Consumer Sciences Dep, College of Home Science, ANGRAU, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh) : Opinion of students on seating furniture used in classroom. J hum Ecol 2006, 20(1), 15-20.

Classroom furniture is an important facility that helps in providing a conducive, comfortable and functional classroom environment for students in an educational institution. The comfort and functional utility of the classroom furniture depends on its physical design in relationship to the physical structure and biomechanics of human body. Furniture in classroom should suit the anthropometrical demands of user and the task demands. An observation cum evaluation study was made to explore the types of furniture used by graduate students in classroom environment and were drawn their opinion on the design. The outcome of the study revealed that four types of furniture were found in use and each type differed in its design features and its dimensions. Some of the features like seat pan width and height, backrest height, thigh clearance, footrest, lumbar support were found to be incompatible to the users.

10 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

009577   Katz E R (Department of Molecular, Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA, Email: ekatz@notes.cc.sunysb.edu) : Kenneth Raper, Elisha Mitchell and Dictyostelium. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 195-200.

4 illus, 18 ref

009576   Kamthane D C;Kareppa B M (Department of Microbiology, S.G.B.S. College, Purna-431 511) : Effect of nitrogen sources on Alternaria arachidis causing Alternaria blight of groundnut (Arachis hypogeal) crop. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 126-7.

Growth of the pathogen ie. Alternaria arachidis causing 'Alternaria Blight of Groundnut' in presence of different nitrogen sources as ammonium nitrate, L-asparagine, calcium nitrate, casein, gelatin, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate was studied. The concentration of the nitrogen sources used for the study was 0.25%. The nutritional requirement of the pathogen for different nitrogen sources was different. Some nitrogen sources stimulated the growth of the pathogen. One nitrogen source i.e. L-asparagine was totally inhibitory for the growth of the pathogen while some reduced the pathogens growth as compared to the control.

^ssc1 table, 6 ref

009575   Kambo S S;Sambyal V (Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005, Email: vasudhasambyal@yahoo.co.in) : Increased chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of traffic policemen of Amritsar city. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 125-31.

Chromosomal aberrations were investigated in cultured Lymphocytes of 21 traffic policemen occupationally exposed to automobile exhaust and 13 residents of Amritsar city not occupationally exposed to automobile exhaust to assess the genotoxic effects of increasing air pollution of Amritsar city, Punjab (India). The mean percentage frequency of total aberrant metaphases (31.12±10.12), metaphases with numerical aberrations (4.39±2.62), structural aberrations including gaps (2.38±1.91), structural aberrations excluding gaps (2.24±1.68) and acrocentric associations (24.40±7.36), was significantly higher in traffic policemen as compared to controls (13.02±1.97, 2.39±0.80, 1.30±0.96, 1.12±0.68, 9.41±2.23, respectively). The mean percentage frequency of total aberrant metaphases (40.03±7.84), metaphases with numerical aberrations (5.65±2.58): structural aberrations including gaps (3.62±1.71), structural aberrations excluding gaps (3.34±1.34), and acrocentric associations(30.76±6.09) was also significantly higher in traffic policemen working more than 10 years as compared to traffic policemen working less than 10 years (24.52±5.72, 3.44±2.49, 1.45±1.47, 1.42±1.27 and 19.63±3.72, respectively). The result indicates increased chromosomal aberrations and acrocentric associations due to occupational exposure to polluted air having increased concentration of automobile exhausts, and these effects increased with increasing duration of exposure.

5 tables, 43 ref

009574   Kale P A;Wadher B J (Post Graduate Department of Microbiology, Nagpur University, L.I.T. Campus, Nagpur-440 033) : Antibiotic sensitivity of floxacin against clinical isolates of Shigella dysenteriae. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 143-6.

Majority of clinical isolates of Shigella dysenteriae were found to be sensitive to norfloxacin, ofloxacin, sparfloxacin and ciprofloxacin except the isolate no. 10 which was found to have intermediate sensitivity. In case of lomefloxacin 50% of isolates of Shigella dysenteriae were found to be sensitive while other 50% isolates were found to have intermediate sensitivity.

1 table, 11 ref

009573   Jain M D;Ali Y A;Bhalekar U K;Pensionwar K D (Department of Microbiology, R.L.T. College of Science, Akola, Maharashtra) : Isolation and identification of Agrobacterium species from galls causing foliar deformation in Pongamia pinnata Linn. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 124-5.

Pongamia pinnata, a well known medicinal plant is susceptible to foliar deformation and gall formation due to Agrobacterium tumefaciense. The bacterium was isolated from galls on leaves of Pongamia pinnata using standard techniques. Then identification and confirmation of the organism was carried out with the help of various morphological, cultural and biochemical characters. To assure its role in gall formation, pathogenicity test was performed under controlled conditions in laboratory. The bacterium was found to induce gall formation on inoculated leaf thus confirming to be the causative agent of foliar deformation in Pongamia pinnata.

^ssc6 ref

009572   Huang G L;Mei X Y;Wang P G (State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong-250 100, People's Republic of China, Email: hgl1226@126.com) : Interactions of carbohydrates and proteins by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 219-22.

Sensitive, specific, and rapid method for the detection of carbohydrate-protein interactions is demonstrated by flurophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). The procedure is simple and the cost is low. The advantage of this method is that carbohydrate-protein interactions can be easily displayed by FACE, and the carbohydrates do not need to be purified.

^ssc2 illus, 3 ref