009571   Himabindu M;Jetty A (Biochemical and Environmental Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007) : Optimization of nutritional requirements for gentamicin production by Micromonospora echinospora. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(10), 842-8.

Effect of various fermentation media, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, phosphate concentration and culture requirements includes inoculum levels and age were determined on gentamicin production and biomass dry weight production for Micromonospora echinospora, a gentamicin producing strain. Of the substrates tested, starch as a sole carbon source promoted maximal gentamicin production, while maltose promoted maximal growth. Yeast extract as a sole nitrogen source promoted maximal growth, while soyabean meal for gentamicin production. Increasing phosphate concentration enhanced gentamicin production and observed optimum production at 1.2g/l (6% v/v) of phosphate having 72 h old inoculum in the medium. Highest gentamicin production was obtained after cultivation with shaking for 120 h in a medium containing starch 0.75%(w/v), soyabean meal 0.5%, K₂HPO₄ 0.12%, CaCO₃ 0.4%, FeSO₄ 0.003% and CoCl₂ 0.0001%. The gentamicin production was 1.2-fold in this medium as compared to basal medium.

3 illus, 5 tables, 25 ref

009570   Hens L (Human Ecology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103B-1099 Jette, Belgium, Email: human.ecology@vub.ac.be) : Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation and management in Ghana. J hum Ecol 2006, 20(1), 21-30.

Analysis of a series of biodiversity related areas in Ghana, including ecosystem, water and soil management, farming, fishing and hunting practices and the collection of herbal medicines, shows that indigenous knowledge has the potential to contribute to the conservation of species, genes and ecosystems. Moreover, as these traditional rules are owned by the locals, they might be implemented more rigorously than governmental laws. However, in the contemporary fast changing societies of sub Saharan Africa IK is less and less applied and at risk of disappearance. In spite of important paradigmatic differences between IKS and modern science, traditional knowledge is at its best when it is matched with scientific approaches. Eminent examples of this can be found in the development of medical drugs that stem from herbal medicines. Similar approaches are needed and possible for biodiversity conservation. They should focus on questions on effectiveness, efficiency and monitoring of situations where IK is brought in into biodiversity conservation and management. At the governmental policy level it is remarkable that IK has currently no place in biodiversity conservation strategies. Nevertheless there is a high need to involve local communities in such policies. This is illustrated by providing two examples: the urgent need to curb fundamentally Ghana's logging policy of its tropical forest and the need to involve local communities in the management of the Kakum conservation area.

1 illus, 5 tables, 19 ref

009569   Gupta N;Shukla R (Microbiology Laboratory, Regional Plant Resource Centre, , Bhubaneswar-751 015) : Heavy metal tolerance in Aspergillus sp. obtained from Talcher coal mines of Orissa. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 6-9.

Studies were carried out on heavy metal resistance of two Aspergillus sp. (MF4 and MF 6 ) obtained from mines of Orissa towards chromium, iron and manganese compounds. Data recorded for their dry wt have shown that Aspergillus sp. MF 4 didn't show the resistance against chromium and iron but manganese where it could tolerated 12-24 μg/25 ml. Similarly, Aspergillus MF 6 enhanced its growth in the presence of chromium, manganse) and iron (6 μg , 12 and 6 μg/25 ml ).

2 illus, 8 ref

009568   Gulati K;Ray A;Masood A;Vijayan V K (Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Research Centre, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007, Email: arunabha14@yahoo.co.in) : Involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of stress susceptibility and adaptation in rats. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(10), 809-15.

Evaluates the regulatory role of nitric oxide (NO) in stress susceptibility and adaptation in rats. Acute restraint stress (RSx1) reduced the number of entries and time spent in the open arms in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and raised plasma corticosterone levels. RS (x1)-induced neurobehavioral suppression and raised corticosterone levels were attenuated by pretreatment with the NO precursor, L-arginine (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and unaffected or further aggravated by NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME or 7-nitroindazole (10 and 50 mg/kg). Biochemical assay of plasma and brain homogenates showed that these RS-induced behavioral and neuroendocrinal chages were associated with lowered levels of plasma and whereas, the NO synthase inhibitors tended to produce reverse effects. In the experiments involving repeated stress i.e. RS (x5), exposure resulted in attenuation-reversal of (a) neurobhavioral suppression in the EPM parameters and brain Nox were further potentiated after L-arginine pretreatment, whereas, the NO synthase inhibitors were less effective. Rats were screened as high and low emotional in the open-field test, and high emotional rats showed greater(a) behavioral suppression in the EPM, (b) corticosterone responses (c) brain NOx suppression, and (d) cold-restraint stress (CRS) induced gastric mucosal lesions as compared to their low emotional counterparts. L-Arginine pretreatment was more effective in modulation the above RS induced stress responses/markers in the high emotional group of rats. Data suggest t hat NO plays a differential role during exposure to acute and repeated stress situations, and that the relationship between stress adn emotionality status may be under the regulatory influence of NO.

5 tables, 33 ref

009567   Guijun D;Weidong P;Gongshe L (Key Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environmental Molecular Physiolog, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, People's Republic of China, Email: liugs@ibcas.ac.cn) : TAnalysis of proteome changes in sunflower seeds induced by N<. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 247-53.

Proteomic changes induced by N+ ion implantation were investigated using a sunflower seed model by a two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis. To further understand the changes of total protein irradiated with N+ ion, a proteomic analysis of N+ ion implantation seeds was developed. Among approximately 369 total protein spots displayed in 2-D gels, eight specific proteins were found in non-implanted seeds while four proteins were found in implanted seeds. Six proteins were used for MALDI-TOF MS analysis, of which only two had been reported before. The proteins designated as No. 29 showed 23.4% homology to MADS-box transcriptional factor HAM59, while No. 279 protein had 23.20% identity to homeobox-leucine zipper protein HAHB-4. The analysis of proteome changes induced by N+ implantation could provid a new clue to studing mutation mechanism of ion implantation. To our knowledge, this is the first report about the analysis of proteome changes induced by N+ implantation in sunflower seeds.

6 illus, 1 table, 32 ref

009566   Gautier H (Faculty of Medicine St. Antoine, , 75012 Paris, France, Email: gautier.henry@wanadoo.fr) : Hypoxia, hyperoxia and breathing. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 185-90.

1 illus, 11 ref

009565   Garg M;Khanna V;Singh S (Department of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab) : Influence of media composition on growth and delta-endotoxin production by Bacillus thuringiensis isolates. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 10-14.

Investigation was under taken to study the effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on crystal protein production by Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-1 and two native Bt isolates Bt C₅ and Bt C₉ under shake flask conditions. Of the different media combinations tested maximum delta-endotoxin production was observed in glucose- peptone based medium in all the three culture viz. Bt HD-1 (275 mg) Bt Cs 285 mg and Bt C₉ 280 mg/100 ml broth. The presence of sucrose in the medium induced early sporulation, but protein production was reduced considerably. However, in case of Bt C₉ a marked stimulatory effect of sucrose on delta-endotoxin yield was noticed (240 mg/100ml) as compared to media containing glucose (147 mg/100ml) Thus the studies show that the choice of carbon and nitrogen source and the carbon/nitrogen ratio (C:N) is a critical factor in delta endotoxin production process.

2 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

009564   Dhami N;Prasad B N (Biotechnol Unit, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University m Kathmandu, Nepal) : Effect of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on biomass and crop yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 15-19.

Seven native Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains were isolated from soybean root nodules collected from seven different sites of Nepal viz. Dipayal, Dadeldhura, Silgadhi, Bajura, Kathmandu and Dhulikhel using Yeast extract Mannitol Agar (YMA) Bradyrhizobium japonicum isolates were authenticated by performing the infection test on sterilized sand using nitrogen free nutrient medium Pot experiment was conducted on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to examine the compatibility and effectiveness of native B.japonicum strains. The result revealed that all seven native strains were compatible to establish the effective symbiosis with soybean but the level of effectiveness was varying among the strains. It was found that the native Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain collected from Silgadhi, far western Nepal (SIL) increased the plant biomass of nodule, root and shoot by 157.89%, 55.23% and 53.70% respectively and crop yield of soybean increased by 203.89% over uninoculated plants. Thus, the B. joponicum strain SIL is the most efficient strain that could be used as biofertilizer for soybean cultivation.

1 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

009563   Dey S;Dey S;Mohan J;Joshi A (Evolutionary Biology Laboratory, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology U, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore-560 064, Email: ajoshi@jncasr.ac.in) : Microenvironmental variation in preassay rearing conditions can lead to anomalies in the measurement of life-history traits. J Genet 2006, 85(1), 53-56.

3 illus, 7 ref

009562   Debnath M;Chaudhuri T K (Department of Zoology, Cellular Immunology Laboratory, University of North Bengal, Siliguri-734 430, Email: dr_tkc_nbu@rediffmail.com) : Genetic relationships of Indian Gurkha population on the basis of HLA - A and B loci antigens. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 159-62.

Indian population is well known for its genetic diversity. Among the numerous endogamous ethnic groups of North Bengal, blood samples from 50 unrelated Nepali speaking individuals, belonging to Gurkha community were collected. In the investigation, the frequency of HLA-A and B loci antigens has been analyzed serologically and compared with few major world populations. The frequency of A2, A11, A33, B18 and B51 showed increased frequency and several haplotypes including A3-B35, A33-B44, A68-B35 have significant linkage disequilibrium values. The standard genetic distances of the Gurkha population were calculated on the basis of gene frequency data of HLA antigens and when compared with other populations, it has revealed that Gurkha population is genetically closer to the population of Mongoloid origin. It can be considered that the Gurkha population may have been originated from Mongolians and/or Tibetan stocks.

1 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

009561   Das B B;Sen N;Bose Dasgupta S;Ganguly A;Das R;Majumder H K (Department of Molecular Parasitology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, Email: hkmajumder@iicb.res.in) : Topoisomerase research of kinetoplastid parasite Leishmania, with special reference to development of therapeutics. Indian J med Res 2006, 123(3), 221-32.

Protozoan parasites of the order Kinetoplastida cause severe diseases primarily in the tropical and subtropical areas. The enormous development of molecular and cellular biology in recent times have provided opportunities for discovering newer molecular targets for drug designing, which now form a rational basis for the development of improved anti/parasitic therapy. DNA topoisomerases play a key role in cellular processes affecting the topology and organization of intracellular DNA. Recently, emergence of the bi-subunit topoisomerase I in the kinetoplastid family has brought a new twist in topoisomerase research related to evolution, functional conservation and as a potential target that can be exploited in drug designing and development of new intervention strategies. Summarizes the biology of kinetoplastid topoisomerases, which are the key molecular targets in antileishmanial chemotherapy.

^iia3 illus, 91 ref

009560   Burade K B;Yadav A V;Gaikwad D T;Nighute A B; Tarke S R;Chopade A R;Mhasde M S;Gaikwad U T (Department of Pharmacognosy & Pharmacology, Govt College of Pharmacy, Karad Dist Satara-415 124) : Antibacterial activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn. roots. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 38-41.

Organic extracts of roots of Achyranthes aspera an official plant in the Indian herbal pharmacopoeia was investigated for presence of anti-microbial activity. The anti-microbial activity was studied against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococus aureus. Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella flexneri. The results of the study revealed that the root extract of afore mentioned exhibited significant antibacterial activity. Amongst all the extract stated methanolic extract exhibited good inhibitory activity against all the microbes used when compared with the other extracts. Thus the result suggest that alcoholic extracts of the Achyranthes aspera posses compound with high and broad spectrum of antimicrobial property which can be used for development of an potent agent or drug for therapy of infectious diseases.

1 table, 31 ref

009559   Bhasin M K (NO, , B-2 (GF), South City II, Gurgaon-122 002) : Genetics of castes and tribes of India: taste sensitivity. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 145-51.

Attempt has been made to study the distribution differences in tasting ability in India, which are analysed in relation to ecological, socio-economic and linguistic factors. Among population groups of India, the frequency of the taster allele (T) is 0.457 (varies from 0.108 to 6.912). It is present in high frequency among scheduled caste and in low frequency among community. Among the different zones, it is present in high frequency in population groups of Islands followed by North and South India and in low frequency in West and Central India, where it is low in scheduled tribe groups in general. In Himalayan region, its frequency is high (0.533) as compared to non-Himalayan region (0.426). From Eastern Himalayan region the frequency of allele T is low (0.538) among populations with Mongoloid affinities as compared to the Mongoloid populations of East Asia and Southeast Asia (0.70) which may be due to high frequency of goiter in this region. High frequency is observed in Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Chinese families than in Dravidian and Indo-European families.

1 illus, 2 table, 43 ref

009558   Bhargava S (Department of Botany, Swami Vivekanand Government College, Raisen-464 551, Email: santoshbhargava@hotmail.com) : Genetically modified cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum overproducing proline in response to salinity and osmotic stress. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(2), 265-72.

In the parent Nostoc muscorum an active proline oxidase enzyme is required to assimilate exogenous proline as a fixed nitrogen source. Cyanobacterial mutants, resistant to growth inhibitory action of proline analogue L-azetidine-2-carboxylate (Ac-R), were deficient in proline oxidase activity, and were over-accumulators of proline. Proline over-accumulation, resulting either from mutational acquisition of the Ac-R phenotype, or from salinity-induced uptake of exogenous proline, confirmed enhanced salinity/osmotic tolerance in the mutant strain. The nitrogenase activity and photosynthetic O₂ evolution of the parent were sensitive to both salinity as well as osmotic stresses than of Ac-R mutant strain. In addition, the mutation to Ac-resistant phenotype showed no alteration in salinity inducible potassium transport system in the cyanobacterium.

4 illus, 2 tables, 40 ref

009557   Bellovits O;Rusz A;Romics I;Csonka E; Hadlaczky G;Sotonyi P;Bujdoso G (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Budapest 1091, Hungary, Email: bujgyo@igaz.sote.hu) : Chromosomal aneuploidy in azoospermic men. Int J Hum Genet 2006, 6(2), 171-6.

Aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities in patients with azoospermia, in the material. Preoperative evaluation included routine andrological investigations with 2 semen analysis, ultrasound, hormonal and genetic examinations. In the last three years, 73 biopsies were performed for testicular sperm extraction in 71 patients. Non-obstructive azpospermia was diagnosed in 53 patients (79%). Karyotyping was performed on lymphocyte preparations of 36 men with diagnosis of infertility. In order to obtain exact diagnosis, cytogenetic methods (QFQ-, GTG-, CBG-band and FISH analysis) were complemented with molecular genetic techniques. Patients were included in the assisted reproduction programme on the base of their genetic results. The most characteristic cases were sex numerical deviations, such as XXY (3 cases), XYY (2 cases) and mosaic XO syndromes (1 case).

5 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

009556   Anand S K;Shadma F;Joshi C G;Purohit J H (NO, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural U, Anand-388 001) : Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli using PCR single strand conformation polymorphism analysis of 16S rRNA gene. Indian J Poult Sci 2006, 41(1), 1-5.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) continues to result in significant morbidity and mortality in domestic poultry causing a variety of diseases either alone or as an adjunct to other pathogens. The methods of definitive diagnosis and identification of bacteria, which are time consuming, are based on cultural, biochemical and serological characters. To address this limitation, 16S rRNA based method was developed for rapid identification of E. coli using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to which a total of 150 isolates were subjected under test. Strain specific 22 SSCP patterns were determined for the isolates collected from the birds died of various disease conditions, mainly egg peritonitis, yolk sac infection and coliseptisemia. The bands of single stranded (ss) DNA in these patterns corresponded to the mobility equivalent to 983 base pair (bp) to 379 bp of double stranded (ds) DNA ladder. This method can be applied to other bacterial species directly obtained from affected tissues as well as grown on media. Rapid detection will help in timely diagnosis, suitable antibiotic therapy and thus reducing morbidity and mortality.

1 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

009555   Alam M Z;Manchur M A;Anwar M N (Department of Microbiology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331) : Production of extracellular cellulolytic enzymes by Streptomyces aburaviensis. J microbial Wld 2006, 8(1), 76-84.

Streptomyces isolate RB₂₀ was isolated from goat's rumen and identified as Streptomyces aburaviensis. Maximum level of CMC-ase (227.22 UmL^-1) in liquid Winsted's media at pH 6.5 and temperature 35 to 40°C was found to produce when asparagine used as a nitrogen source along with CMC as cellulose source. Maximum level of reducing sugar (504.44 mgmL^-1) was obtained when CMC used as a growth substrate and protein (227.42 μgmL^-1) when sawdust used as a growth substrate. The crude enzyme of the isolate was found to show highest enzyme activity [CMC-ase (366.67 UmL^-1), FP-ase (114.82 UmL^-1), Avicelase (150.00 UmL^-1) and β-Glucosidase (166.66 UmL^-1)] during enzyme substrate reaction at pH 6.5 and temperature 45°C.

4 i, 1 t, 27 r, 3 p

008538   Vijaya Lakshmi R;Madhukar J;Prasad M S K (Department of Biochemistry, NRI Medical College, China, Kakani-522 503, Email: Vijayalravella@yahoo.com) : A comparative study on the riboflavin carrier protein from egg white and yolk of pigeon (Columba livia) and hen (Gallus gallus). Bull pure appl Sci-Sect C 2006, 25(1), 33-8.

Riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) has been purified from both pigeon and hen egg whites and yolks by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration techniques. Purity of pigeon egg white and yolk, hen egg white and yolk RCPs are determined by SDS-PAGE. Their structures are compared using Circular Dichroism (cd) Spectra and Fluorescence Spectra. It has been observed that the four proteins have similar secondary structures but they differ in their tertiary structures. Study suggests the existence of some significant structural difference between RCPs from pigeon and hen.

5 illus, 13 ref

008537   Venu S;Kurup B M (NO, School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science & Technol, Cochin-16) : Life history traits of silver roughy Hoplostethus mediterraneus (Cuvier) (Family: Trachichthydae) from the continental slope of south west coast of India. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 204-11.

Distribution, abundance, sex ratio, food and feeding, maturation and spawning and length-weight relationship of Hoplostethus mediterraneus (Cuvier) inhabiting the continental slope of south west coast of India were studied. The data for the study was collected from the deep sea exploratory fishing surveys conducted onboard FORV Sagar Sampada in the Arabian sea between 7° N latitude and 14° N latitude during 1999-2002. H. mediterraneus was found to be distributed in the depth range 280-682m. Depth wise distribution was found beyond 300m and at 8° to 10° N, it was found only in the depth zone 301-400m. While at 11° to 13° N, its occurrence was registered only beyond 400 m. It showed a wider bathymetrical distribution (300 - 682m) in the latitude 10° - 11° N. Length related chi square analysis of sex ratio in H. mediterraneus revealed that males skewed in all length groups as well as in all seasons. Spawning season of H. mediterraneus coincided with pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Feeding intensity was found to be very less and found to be feeding on myctophids, Aristeus spp., Heterocarpus spp., squids etc. LWR obtained for the depth zones 301- 400 m and 401-500 m are Log W = -1.06 + 2.3 Log L and Log W = -0.88 + 2.12 Log L respectively.

2 illus, 4 tables, 22 ref

008536   Thampuran N;Sreeganga K;Surendran P K (Microbiology Fermentation and Biotechnology Div, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin-29) : Effect of chlorine on the survival of Vibrio cholerae on shrimp. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 180-5.

Shrimp is a an important commodity in international trade and stringent quality parameters stipulates zero tolerance of Vibrio choleare in the imported commodity. Sanitary requirements for production of good quality shrimp for processing and export stipulates that shrimp tissue is to decontaminated from pathogens like Vibrio cholerae by washing with potable water carrying chlorine. Hence effective dose of chlorine to be used in the process water is very critical. The study was aimed at assessing the microbicidal efficacy of chlorine against Vibrio cholerae cells in water and shrimp with and without shell. The study indicated that in potable water with 2ppm residual chlorine level, a population of 10⁷ cfu of Vibrio cholerae could be destroyed after 30 min exposure. Studies on shrimp meat contaminated with varying levels of Vibrio cholerae exposed to chlorine showed that 4 ppm chlorine could effect complete destruction of a population of 10³ cfu/ml in 10 min. On headless shrimp with shellon, 7ppm chlorine was required to destroy 10³ cells/g of V. cholerae within 10 min. The data indicate that chlorine level has to be adjusted depending on nature of material and Vibrio cholerae present in shellon shrimp need special attention.

3 tables, 27 ref

008535   Seena S;Sridhar K R (Microbiology and Biotechnollogy, Biosciences Dep, Mangalore University, Manalagangotri, Mangalore-574 199, Email: sirikr@yahoo.com) : Nutritional and microbiological features of little known legumes, Canavalia cathartica Thouars and C. maritima thouars of the southwest coast of India. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1638-50.

There is an alarming demand for inventory as well as exploitation of the indigenous plant wealth of India. Canavalia cathartica and Canavalia maritima are the two little known wild legumes distributed widely on the coastal sand dunes and mangrove areas of the southwest coast of India. Over a decade, the Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Karnataka is involved in unravelling the importance of the coastal germplasm of Canavalia spp. with a view to exploit their potential for nutritional and agricultural needs. The current article emphasizes the biochemical features (proximala, mineral, amino acids, fatty acids, and antinutritional features) and bioavailability of protein (growth and nitrogen balance in rat model) of raw and thermally processed Canavalia seeds. Nutritional features of Canavalis seeds have been compared with other food sources (rice, wheat, soybean and whole egg) and recommended patterns (FAO/WHO and NRC/NAS). Further, the potential of stress-tolerant rhizobia ande fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizae and endophytes) of these two germplasms have been highlighted. Importance of landraces of Canavalia in voastal sand-dune stabilization, traditional knowledge and utility in agriculture has been briefly discussed.

3 illus, 16 tables, 63 ref

008534   Rao B M;Gupta S;Surendran P K (NO, Visakhapatnam Research Centre of Central Institute of Fisheries Techn, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh) : Microbial quality of post-tsunami seafood of the Visakhapatnam coast. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 192-7.

Forty seafood samples comprising marine fish (28 spp), shrimp (4 spp) and squid (1sp) were collected from Visakhapatnam fishing harbour at regular intervals after the tsunami of 26th December 2004 and analyzed for microbiological and chemical quality. The microbiological and chemical quality of post-tsunami seafood was assessed and compared with pre-tsunami samples. The levels of total plate count (TPC), H₂S producing bacteria, total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) and peroxide value (PV) waswithin limits. With regard to indicator bacteria coliforms, E.coli and coagulase positive Staphylococci the quality of post-tsunami seafood was poor, having levels higher than the maximum permissible limit in majority of the samples. Similar trend was noted in the pre-tsunami and post-tsunami seafood quality. Human pathogens, Sal monella and Vibrio cholerae were not detected in all the post-tsunami seafood samples. The results suggest that no major deviation in the seafood quality occurred during the post-tsunami period.

3 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

008533   Rajasekhara Reddy K (Anthropology Dep, University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysore-570 006) : Palmar dermatoglyphics of the scheduled caste madigas in Andhra Pradesh. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1679-85.

Study reports on bilateral palm prints among 400 unrelated individuals (200 males and 200 females) of Madigas in two revenue districts of Cuddapah and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh were collected and analysed. The principal mainline formula is frequently occurring modal type in either sex. The highest incidences of Mainline D, Mainline C, Mainline B and Mainline A endings were commonly observed in types 11, 9, 7 and 3 respectively. Majority of the individuals possess axial triradius at t irrespective of sex difference. A general trend of the prevalence of the true patterns in decreasing order can be seen as IV interdigital area <62> III interdigital area <62> hypothenar area <62> thenar/I interdigital area <62> II interdigital area. The above values of the present study compared to other populations reveal the values are within the range of AP caste populations.

6 tables, 17 ref

008532   Mukhopadhyay A;Mukherjee R;Banerjee M;Maitra S;Manna A K;Samajpati S (Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata-700 019) : Changes in nucleic acid content during fruitbody development in Volvariella volvacea. J mycopathol Res 2006, 44(1), 117-24.

Investigation dealt with some biochemical and genetical aspects of basidiocarp development of Volvariella volvacea (Bull. : Fr.) Sing. The tissue cultures were prepared from the basidiocarp and used in the study. The experimental findings revealed that the combination of Novozyme 234 + cellulase + chitinase + pectinase enzymes was the best for the release of protoplasts from 4 days old mycelia of V. volvacea under sodium chloride osmotic stabilizer and phosphate buffer (pH 6.0). The regeneration of protoplast was also best in phosphate buffer (pH 6.0). In another experiment UV-mutants were produced and several asp and adn mutants were developed. In the progeny analysis it was found that 36 out of 38 asp mutant monosporous cultures and 45 out of 51 adn monosporous cultures retained their parent mutant phenotype. The data on the protein content of the parent and the hybrid strains revealed that the amount of protein in button stage was maximum, 30.82% and 32.26% respectively. The protein content was more in hybrid strain than that of parent strain. The gel electrophoresis of protein of all the stages studied revealed that there was a new band in the mature stage of the basidoiocarp. The DNA-AP-PCR studies revealed that the genotype analysis of the parent and protoplast-fusant hybrid strains exhibited different DNA fingerprinting.

3 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

008531   Mohite Y S;Pethe A S;Lanjewar S B;Rothe S P (P.G. Department of Microbiology, Shri Shivaji College, Akola, M.S) : Antimicrobial activity of Argemone mexicana Linn. Bioinfolet 2006, 3(3), 188-91.

Argemone mexicana is a native from Mexico and tropical America. It is a tropical annual weed in India. The decoction of leaves, steam, roots of Argemone mexicana is widely used in traditional medicine preparation for treatment of various diseases. The aquaeous extract of leaves displayed the most prominent antibacterial and antifungal activity. The plant contains alkaloids as berberine, protopine, optisine, sanguinarine etc. The principal toxic compound is sanguinarine used to treat skin, pulmonary and viral diseases. A study was undertaken to assess the antifungal and antibacterial activity of leaf extract of Argemone mexicana. Antimicrobial spectrum was also compared with that of standard antibiotics. Leaf extract of Argemone maxicana showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris whereas, maximum antifungal potential was found for Fusarium oxysporum.

4 tables, 4 ref

008530   Mani S;Parthasarathy N (Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry-605 014, Email: parthapu@yahoo.com) : Tree diversity and stand structure in inland and coastal tropical dry evergreen forests of Peninsular India. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1238-46.

To examine tree diversity and stand structure and their relation to site disturbances used the tree dataset of ten 1-ha permanent plots of tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India, distributed five in inland and five in coastal areas. In the ten independent sites, a 100 m x 100 m permanent plot was established, and all trees ≥ 10 cm girth at breast height were enumerated, their girth measured and tagged. Tree diversity totalled 77 species in 61 genera of 30 families. Tree density varied from 596 to 2813 stems ha^-1, and basal area ranged between 12.4 and 36.5 m² ha^-1. Species richness did not show any significant variation within and between the inland and coastal areas. Examined the relationship between basal area and sib disturbance scores between the five sites of inland and coastal forest areas and found a negative correlation in both the areas. The coefficient of variability in species distribution among the ten sites revealed the extent of species heterogeneity. The number of species and stems decreased from the smallest to largest girth class. The tree inven-tories of the studied sites when compared with those of other tropical dry evergreen forests showed great diffrent geographical location and varying annual rainfall patterns. Study sites can be designatated as Memecylon umbellatum-Dryptes sepiaria-Pterospermum canescens series, based on species importance value.

3 illus, 5 tables, 50 ref

008529   Lalitha K V;Thampuran N (Microbiology Fermentation and Biotechnology Div, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Matsyapuri, P.O. Cochin-689 029) : Seafood-borne bacterial pathogens. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 118-37.

Increasing demand for fish and fishery products and the development in international fish trade have raised major concern about the quality and safety of the products internationally traded. The safety of seafood products varies considerably and is influenced by a number of factors such as origin of fish, microbiological ecology of the product handling and processing practices and preparations before consumption. Worldwide, food poisoning outbreaks have increased continuously. Expansion of international trade, consumer demand for "lightly processed" foods, mass production of foods, and changes in eating habits have all contributed to these food poisoning outbreaks. Seafood may be a vehicle for many bacterial pathogens. These seafood diseases caused by bacterial pathogens or their toxins, are associated with improper food preparation, handling and storage. This paper reviews the present scenario on occurrence of seafood borne pathogens in India and discusses in the light of international data.

6 tables, 104 ref

008528   Kundhavai Natchiar S;Srinivas O;Mitra N;Dev S;Jayaraman N;Surolia A;Vijayan M (Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: mv@mbu.iisc.ernet.in) : Multivalency in lectins-A crystallographic, modelling and light-scattering study involving peanut lectin and a bivalent ligand. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1230-7.

Multivalency is believed to be important in the activity of lectins, although definitive structural studies on it have been few and far between. Studied the complexation of tetravalenf peanut lectin with a synthetic compound containing two terminal lactose moieties, using a combination of crystallography, dynamic light scattering and modelling. Light scattering indicates the formation of an apparent dimeric species and also larger aggregates of the tetrameric lectin in the presence of the bivalent ligand. Crystals of presumably crosslinked lectin molecules could be obtained. They diffract poorly, but X-ray data from them are good enough to define the positions of the lectin molecules. Extensive modelling on possible crosslinking modes of protein molecules by the ligand indicated that systematic crosslinking could lead to crystalline arrays. The studies also provided a rationale for crosslinking in the observed crystal structure. The results obtained provide further insights into the general problem of multivalency in lectins. They indicate that cross-linking involving multivalent lectins and multivalent carbohydrates could lead to an ensemble of a finite number of distinct periodic arrays rather than a unique array.

9 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref

008527   Khilare V C;Kamble L H (Department of Botany, Vasantrao Naik Mahavidyalya, Aurangabad-431 004) : Antifungal proteins in groundnut genotypes responsible for disease resistance. Bioinfolet 2006, 3(3), 207-9.

Proteins are widely distributed in higher plants and some of them are involved in disease resistance. Twenty varieties of groundnut were screened for protein content in the leaves in relation to their diseases i.e. rust and leaf spot. In Rust susceptible variety ICG 11770 contained least protein, while ICG 1697, a highly resistant variety showed high leaf protein content. In leaf spot disease, variety ICG 4852 showed minimum protein content which was highly susceptible, while ICG 9988 variety showed maximum leaf protein, which was highly resistant. Protein samples were screened using the technique of electrophoresis. A total of six protein bands were found in control while five in susceptible and four in resistant verities.

1 illus, 2 tables, 4 ref

008526   Jose S;Shyama S;Dinesh K;Mohan M V (NO, College of Fisheries, Kerala Agricultural University, Panangad, Kochi-682 506) : Impact of tsunami on the ecology, species composition and production in an interior prawn filtration field in Kochi. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 198-203.

Impact of the tsunami of 26th December, 2004 on the ecology, species composition and production in the prawn filtration practice of an interior field of 0.75 hectare belonging to the Instructional Farm of the College of Fisheries, Panangad, Kochi, has been studied during the period from January 2005 to June 2005. Important physico-chemical and biological parameters in the field were monitored in relation to production at periodical intervals. The soil and nutrient profiles in the field have also been evaluated. The availability of the various shrimp/fish species in the field which depends on auto stocking is a reflection of the natural recruitment. A total production of 1066.07 kg/ha in 135 days was obtained during the year 2005. A comparison of the production of the current season with that of the previous three years has also been attempted.

2 tables, 14 ref

008525   James R;Sampath K (Department of Zoology, V.O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin-628 008) : Growth, survival and fecundity in ornamental fish Betta splendens (Regan) as a function of stocking density. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 212-7.

Effects of stocking density (10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 fish/501 of water) on growth, survival and fecundity were studied in Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. An increase in stocking density reduced the growth, survival and fecundity in B. splendens. A significant (P <60> 0.05) negative correlation was obtained between density and feeding parameters or gonad weight or fecundity in B. splendens. Animals reared in higher densities elicited poor gonad development and it severely affected egg production and hatching. Accumulation of more ammonia and carbon dioxide and oxygen depletion with increase in stocking density could have reduced the feed consumption and growth which in turn affected the gonad development and fecundity in female B. splendens. However, fish reared in 10 and 25D groups could withstand ammonia stress of 1.01 mg l^-1 without any ill effect on survival, growth, gonad development and fecundity. Fish reared in 10 D group displayed better rates of feeding and growth at early rearing period than those in 25D group. However, fish reared in 25D group showed significantly higher growth rate (t=2.71; P<60>0.05) and growth efficiency (t=2.67; P<60>0.05) than fish reared in 10D group and also in higher density groups when fish attained sexual maturity on day 42. Although fish reared in 10D laid more eggs per female B. splendens than 25D group, the total number of egg production was higher in 25D than 10D group. The percentage of egg hatchability between 10D and 25D groups did not show significant (P<60>0.05) difference between them. Fish reared in 25D group exhibited 100% survival like 10 D group. Based on the survival, growth rate, total number of egg production, and egg hatching rate, fish reared in 25D group is economically better than 10 D or higher than 25D groups and hence 25 fish 50 l^-1 water is considered as optimum density.

2 tables, 17 ref

008524   Gijo Ittoop;Jose S;Dinesh K;Nair C M;Joseph A (NO, College of Fisheries, Kerala Agricultural University, Panangad, Kochi-682 506) : Use of fish silage as an alternate protein source for the spawn rearing of Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.). Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 176-9.

Experiment was carried out to study the efficacy of fish silage as an alternate protein source for rearing the spawn of Cirrhinus mrigala. Three days old mrigal spawn of a single batch of initial average weight 3.5 ± 0.1 mg and length 6 ± 0.14 mm were stocked at a stocking density of 2nos/L in fibre glass tanks. For the first three days feeding was done with mixed zooplankton. From the fourth day onwards, four different types of feed were given with 6 replicates each for 30 days. The feeds were as follows: Conventional feed (Powdered ground nut oil cake and rice bran in the ratio 1:1) (T₁), formulated commercial feed (T₂), Dried and powdered fish silage made from low quality trash fish (T₃) and Fish silage powder and conventional feed in the ratio 1:1 (T₄). After 30 days, it was found that the percentage weight gain (12138), Specific growth rate (15.69) and Net Biomass Index (407.7) of the fish spawn fed with fish silage and conventional feed in the ratio 1:1 were significantly higher compared to those fed either conventional or commercial feed. The survival was not significantly different in any of the treatments. The results show that fish silage can be used as an alternative cheap protein source for the spawn rearing of C. mrigala, thereby reducing the cost of spawn rearing to a great extent.

3 illus, 1 tables, 11 ref

008523   Elizabeth K M;Maheswara Rao Kudupa C V (Department of Microbiology, College of Science, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Visakhapatnam-530 045, Email: kmelizabeth@yahoo.com) : Isolation, identification and characterization of amylase producing bacteria from commercial corn starch. Asian J Chem 2006, 18(4), 2528-32.

Three different bacteria which have the ability to produce amylase enzyme have been isolated from commercial corn starch. They were identified as Bacillus species by performing several biochemical tests and named as Bacillus species I, II and III. The amylase production from these bacteria was assessed at various pH and temperatures. The effect of different substrates on amylase production and the effect of different temperatures on enzyme activity was studied.

6 tables, 11 ref

008522   Balgir R S (Human Genetics Div, Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), Opposite Kalinga Hospital, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar-751 023, Email: balgirrs@yahoo.co.in) : Scenario of haemoglobin variants in central-east coast of India. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1651-7.

Haemoglobinopathies are the most common monogenic inherited disorders of erythrocytes. Carriers of haemoglobinopathies are partially protected against morbidity and mortality of falciparum malaria, resulting in their higher prevalence in tropical countries. Estimates in India show 3-17% prevalence of β-thalassaemia, but its magnitude in the Central-East coast of India, especially in Orissa is not known. One thousand fifteen cohort cases of anaemia were analysed, referred from different peripheral hospitals and medical colleges and hospitals in the Central-East coast of India during 1994 to 2003. Background data of each individual were recorded like age, sex, caste, place of origin, consanguinity, etc, Standardized laboratory procedures and techniques were followed. Most common haemoglobinopathies observed out of 1015 cases were: sickle cell trait (29.8%), sickle cell disease (7.5%), sickle cell-β-thalassaemia (1.7%), β-thalassaemia trait (18.2%), β thalassaemia major (5.3%), thalassaemia intermedia (0.9%), Hb E trait (0.9%), Hb D trait (0.2%) and SD disease (0.2%). Sickle cell disorders with high level of foetal Hb were common in general castes (0.3-20.7%), Scheduled castes (0-8.9%) and scheduled tribals (0-5.5%). Thransfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia syndrome was prevalent among Brahmins, Karans, Khandayats, Telis, etc. Most of the cases belong to Anugul district, followed by Khurda, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Jaipur, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, etc. The heterogeneous population harbours almost all major haemoglobinopathies in general castes, scheduled castes and tribes, belonging to coastal and sourthwestern regions of Orissa. This study provides a comprehensive database on the pattern of spectrum of haemoglobinopathies in the Central-East coast of India.

1 illus, 7 tables, 20 ref

007541   Yan L;He Y L;Kong H N;Tanaka S;Lin Y (Sch of Envir Sci and Engng, Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Shanghai-200 240, P.R. China, Email: linyansjtu@126.com) : Isolation of a new heterotrophic nitrifying Bacillus sp. strain. J envir Biol 2006, 27(2), 323-6.

A heterotrophic nitrifier, named Bacillus sp. LY, was newly isolated from a membrane bioreactor (MBR). Bacillus sp. LY could utilize the organic carbon as the source of assimilation when it grew on glucose and ammonium chloride medium companying the formation of oxidized-nitrogen. It also could denitrify nitrate while nitrification. After 24 days incubation, the removal efficiencies of the COD and TN by Bacillus sp. LY were 71.7% and 61.2%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of Bacillus sp. LY was performed and the phylogenetic tree of Bacillus sp. LY and the neighbouring nitrifiers was given. Bacillus sp. LY could become a new bacterial resource for heterotrophic nitrification and might play a bioremediation role for nutrient removal.

5 illus, 17 ref

007540   Yamada H;Shinmura K;Tsuneyoshi T;Sugimura H (Dep of Mater and Life Sci, Shizuoka Inst of Sci and Technol, 2200-2 Toyosawa, Fukuroi, Shizuoka 437-85555, Japan) : Effect of splice-site polymorphisms of the TMPRSS4, NPHP4 and ORCTL4 genes on their mRNA expression. J Genet 2005, 84(2), 131-6.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with structural changes of their gene product are important in terms of their potential relation with diseases. Therefore, in this study, splice-site variants of the transmembrane serine protease gene TMPRSS4, nephronophthisis gene NPHP4, and organic-cation transporter gene ORCTL4, were selected from the dbSNP single nucleotide polymorphism database as candidates to identify genetic polymorphisms associated within a structural change in their mRNA transcripts. The allele frequencies of the TMPRSS4 c.4-7A<62>G, NPHP4 c.2818-2A<62>T, and ORCTLA c.517-2A<62>C polymorphisms in a Japanese population were determined to be 0.42, 0.10 and 0.27, respectively, by PCR-SSCP analysis. Next, the effect of these polymorphisms on the mode of pre-mRNA splicing was investigated by RT-PCR analysis followed by sequencing analysis. The TMPRSS4, NPHP4, and ORCTL4 polymorphisms were associated with the production of the r.4-6_4-lins transcript, the r.2818_2823del and r.2818_2859del transcripts, and the r.517-94_517-lins; r.517-2a<62>c and r.517_620del transcripts, respectively. Since the proteins encoded by all these transcripts are associated with relatively significant structural changes in the form amino acid insertion/deletion and premature termination, their functional ability may be greatly reduced. Demonstration of structural changes in mRNA transcripts as a result of splice-site polymorphisms implies that they may be of biological significance in certain pathological conditions.

2 illus, 11 ref

007539   Yadav J S;Vorontsov N N;Yapunova I A; Baklushinskaya-Yanina I Y U;Korablev V P;Gokhman V E;Yadav A S (Dep of Zool, Kurukshetra Univ, Kurukshetra-136 119) : Karyological investigations ofn seven species of carabidae (Caraboidea: coleoptera) from Russia. Nucleus 2005, 48(3), 71-6.

Karyological investigations were carried out on seven species of carabid beetles from Russia. The diploid number of chromosomes and male meioformulae are : Carabini : Carabus (Carabus) granulatus L. (28 : 13 + Xy); Bembidiini: Bembidion (Bembidion) sp. (32 : 15 + XY), B. (Peryphus) tetracolum Say (26 : 12 + Xy). Platynini : Calathus (Fuscocalathus) fuscipes fusipes Goeze (37 : 18 + XO), C. (Calathus) Melanocephalus L. (38 : 18 + Xy) and C. (Calathus) micropterus Dift. (37 : 18 + X). C. fuscipes and C. micropterus were collected from Ozygovo near moscow, whereas all other species were picked from Moscow. The karyotypes of Carabus granulatus, Bembidion sp., Calathus fuscipes and C. micropterus are typical in their tribes. Karyotypes of other species, however, depict variations. Variations are also shown in N.F.^a. The sex chromosome system was simple XO in Calathus fuscipes and C. micropterus and simple Xy type in the remaining species. Prophase of the first meiotic division revealed large blocks of heterochromatin. Evoluton of karyotype in Caraboidea with special reference to the three tribes and phylogenetic relationships have been discussed.

7 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

007538   Wadhwa V;Rai S;Kharbanda P;Kabra S;Gur R; Sharma V K (Microbiol Dep, Maulana Azad Med Coll and LN Hosp, New Delhi-110 002) : A fatal pulmonary infection by Nocardia brasiliensis. Indian J med Microbiol 2006, 24(1), 63-4.

Reported case is of primary pulmonary nocardiosis, caused by Nocardia brasiliensis, in a immunocompromised patient, which ended fatally despite appropriate treatment. The partially acid fast filamentous bacterium was predominant on direct examination of the sputum. It was cultured on blood agar, MacConkey agar and by paraffin baiting technique. The bacterium was resistant to cotrimoxazole, the drug of choice for nocardiosis.

^ccr2 illus, 9 ref

007537   Verma S;Verma M (Dep of Biosci, Himachal Pradesh Univ, Shimla-171005) : Serological variation among three endogamous groups of Himachal Pradesh. J Cytol Genet 2005, 6(NS)2, 123-6.

Distribution of serological traits viz ABO and Rh(D) blood group system has been reported among three endogamous groups of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh viz. Brahmin, Rajput and Harijan (Lohar). the traits show homogeneous distribution. the frequency of A allele ranges from 0.157 to 0.243, that of Ballele varies from 0.158 to 0.252 and O allele ranges from 0.538 to 0.648. The frequency of allele varies from 0.173 to 0.265 and that of D allele ranged from 0.735 to 0.827. The present range of frequency of traits falls within the range of other populations of northwest India.

2 tables, 9 ref

007536   Sobita N;Bhagirath T (Dep of Life Sci, Manipur Univeristy, Canchipur, Imphal-795 003) : Ag-bands, C-bands, Ag-NORs and synaptonemal complexes of a belontid fish Colisa labiosus (day). Nucleus 2005, 48(3), 143-7.

Morphology, silver-banding pattern, C-banding pattern, silver - NORs and synaptonemal complexes of mitotic or meiotic chromosome of a Belontid fish Colisa labiosus (Day) were analysed. Somatic chromosome complements showed 2n = 48 = 8 metacentrics + 14 submetacentrics + 12 subtelocentrics + 14 telocentrics. There were 24 bivalents or synaptonemal complexes in each pachytene nucleus. There was a pair of Ag-NORs at one telometric region of the longest metacentric chromosome pair at mitotic metaphase as well as at pachytene. Pachytene bivalents expressed silver bands of variable number and pattern as well as centromeres. Most of the pachytene synaptonemal complexes preserve centromere. Mitotic metaphase chromosomes expressed large C-bands.

4 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

007535   Sobita N;Bhagirath T (Dep of Life Sci, Manipur Univ, Canchipur, Imphal-795 003, Email: bhagirath_thounaojam@yahoo.com) : Mitotic metaphase, pachytene, synaptonemal complex and silver nors of the fish Colisa sota (HAM). Nucleus 2005, 48(3), 104-6.

Anabantious fish Colisa sota (Ham) has 23 pairs of chromosomes and 23 Synaptonemal Complexes (SCs) in mitotic metaphase and pachytene nuclei respectively. Absolute lengths of SCs are about five times of metaphase chromosomes but the relative lengths are almost similar. Individual SCs can be identified by the number of nodular bands. Metaphase chromosomes did not respond to C-and G-banding. Robertsonian fusion of two acrocentric chromosome occurs in metaphase complements. A pair of small Ag-NOR bearing chromosomes is present in metaphase nuclei but 3 nucleoli are present in zygotene nuclei.

3 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

007534   Sheidai M;Fadaei F (Biol Dep, Shahid Beheshti Univ, Tehran, Iran) : Cytogenetic studies in some species of Bromus L., section Genea Dum.. J Genet 2005, 84(2), 189-94.

^ssc2 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

007533   Sharma M;Vijay Kumar;Pundir C S (Dep of Bio Sci Biochem Res Lab, M D Univ, Rohtak-124 001, Email: pundircs@rediffmail.com) : Determination of serum glucose with glucose oxidase immobilized onto affixed egg membrane. Indian J chem Technol 2006, 13(6), 544-8.

A reusable strip of glucose oxidase (GOD) from Aspergillus niger was prepared by immobilizing the enzyme onto egg albumin membrane affixed on a plastic strip with a conjugation yield of 1.5 mg/cm² and 66% retention of their initial specific activity. The immobilized enzyme showed maximum activity at pti 7.0 when incubated at 37°C for 15 min. A method for discrete analysis of serum glucose was developed employing this strip. The minimum detection limit of the method was 5 mg/dL. Within and between assay coefficient of variation (CV) for serum were <60>5 and <60>6%. A good correlation (r=0.972) was found between glucose values obtained by commercial enzymic colorimetric method employing free GOD and the present method. No significant loss in the strip activity was observed after its 150 regular uses for a period of 40 days, when stored in reaction buffer at 4°C. The method has advantage over commercial enzymic colourimetric method that it provides reuse of glucose oxidase with ease.

3 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

007532   Sen R;Talukder G (NO, Vivekananda Inst of Med Sci, Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, 99, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata-700 026, Email: rinini1@yahoo.co.uk) : Alpha thalassaemia- a review. Nucleus 2005, 48(3), 111-34.

Alpha thalassaemia though commonly reported world wide, has not been studied as much as beta thalassaemia due mainly to its difficulty in routine diagnosis. Molecular studies of alpha globin gene are now being reported and are found to be common throughout the world. The structure of the alpha globin gene, its mutations and the phenotype genotype interactions studied are reviewed.

^iia16 illus, 2 tables, 140 ref

007531   Seetharaman R;Srinivasaan M (Cent of Advd study in Mar Biol, Annamalai Univ, Parangipettai-608 502) : Calcium and magnesium from shrimp culture pond. J Aquatic Biol 2006, 21(1), 235-8.

Effective and profitable shrimp farming requires an understanding of the relationship between the shrimp and their environment. Role of calcium and magnesium plays an essential role in water quality as it influences PH. Ph has many effects on the environment and the shrimp. An attempt has been made top know the levels of Calcium and Magnesium in the culture pond. The average concentration of calcium from Penaeus monodon culture pond was ranged from 260 mg/to 780 mg/litre and magnesium 560 mg/l to 1982.2 mg/1. A direct correlation was found between salinity, Ph with concentration of calcium and magnesium. Statistical ANOVA test showed significant values.

6 tables, 10 ref

007530   Sarnaik S S;Kanekar P P;Raut V M;Taware S P; Chavan K S;Bhadbhade B J (Div of Microbial Sci, Agharkar Res Inst, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune-411 004, Email: kanekarp@rediffmail.com) : Effect of application of different pesticides to soybean on the soil microflora. J envir Biol 2006, 27(2), 423-6.

Pesticide residues contributing to the contamination of soil may influence microbial population of the soil and in turn fertility of soil. Reports the effect of pesticides applied to soybean i.e. phorate, carbofuran, carbosulfan, thiomethoxam, imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos and monocrotophos on soil microflora. The viable count of rhizobia and phosphate solubilizing bacteria from rhizospheric soil of soybean ranged between 10⁷-10⁸ cfu/g soil which was comparable to the count of bacteria from untreated (control) soil. No significant change in the total viable count of any kind of bacteria due to application of pesticides has been found showing their ability to degrade these pesticides.

6 illus, 22 ref

007529   Salimuddin;Bandarupalli R (Dep of Agric Bot, K A Post Grad Coll, Allahabad-211 001, Email: bandarupalli_ramesh@yahoo.com) : Chromosomal configurations and centromere orientation in radiation induced interchange heterozygotes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). Nucleus 2005, 48(3), 90-8.

Induced chromosomal interchanges were identified in 27 plants of lentil 9lens culinaris Medik) in M₁ each carrying on equadrivalent (20 plants)/ one hexavalent (5 plants) or 2 quadrivalents (2 plants) per cell. The frequency of different meiotic configurations in pollen mother cell of these 27 interchange heterozygotes in M₁ and progenies of 21 heterozygotes in M₂ generation were studied. A preponderance of ring quadrivalent was noticed in majority of the M₁ interchange heterozygotes while in M₂ relatively higher frequency of chain quadrivalents was observed. A relatively high frequency of pmcs with only bivalents (seven bivalents) was recorded in M₂ progenies of interchange heterozygotes compared to M₁. The data on centromere orientation of quadrivalents in M₂ generation revealed that the frequency of adjacent type orientation was more frequent than alternate type. Among adjacent orientations, a paucity of adjacent-2 was observed. similarly, the frequency of alternate 1 was higher than alternate-2.

1 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

007528   Reddy G M (Prof. G. M. Reddy Res Foundation, , Swaroopnagar, Uppal Hyderabad-500 039) : Genotypic variation in flowering pattern and azadirachtin content of elite neem trees. J Cytol Genet 2005, 6(NS)2, 127-34.

Azadirachtin-A is an eco-friendly biopesticidal compound, which is the main battling agent of the neem tree. To identify and propagate elite neem trees, the azadirachtin content, oil content and the yield of the twice-flowering neem trees were evaluated. The trees were found to vary in the azadirachtin content from 0.38% to 0.49%, oil content 34% to 43% and 100 seed weight 13 to 26 gms. Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) from high azadirachtin yielding tree (0.49%) tested against castor semilooper, Achoea janata showed absolute protection of castor leaf upto 48 hrs at the concentration of 31 ppm and 50% protection at 16 ppm. The identified elite trees were propagated by rooting adventitious shoot cuttings. The best rooting (70%) was observed with the application of 1000 ppm of IBA. Terminal cuttings showed better response (75%) followed by epicormic (70%) and mid cuttigns (60%).Rooting plants were established in the field, which showed 100% survival rate.

2 illus, 4 tables, 9 ref

007527   Ravikrishnan R;Ramamoorthy S;Murugan S S; Ragunathan M G (Dept. of Zool, Guru Nanak Coll, Chennai-600 042) : Sex ratios in Uca celuca annulipes of ennore back waters Tamil Nadu, India. J Aquatic Biol 2006, 21(1), 43-4.

Sex-ratio preformed in the Ennore to population of U. annulipes for the year 2004-2005 does not confirm 1:1 sex ratio, throughout the study period, the males out numbered females.

1 table, 7 ref

007526   Raut N S;Gholba M;Pejaver M (Dep of Zool, B.N. Bandodkar Coll of Sci, Chendani, Thani-400 601) : Cluster analysis of zooplankton from Thane lakes Maharashtra. J Aquatic Biol 2006, 21(1), 29-31.

Four lakes namely Ambeghosale, Rewale, Upavan and Makhamali from Thane city the zooplankton samples were collected. During the course of statistical analysis the zooplankton was subjected, first time to cluster analysis. Different clusters are represented with the help of tree diagram of variables (dendrogram). Maximum six clusters were seen in lake Ambeghosale, while minimum three clusters were evident in the lake Rewale.

4 illus, 8 ref