005263   Narkhede K P;Vidhale N N (Dep of Microbiol, Moolji Jaitha Coll, Jalgaon-425 001, Email: nketan@yahoo.com) : Biopulping studies using an effluent isolate Curvularia lunata LW6. Indian J Biotechnol 2006, 5(3), 385-8.

Lignin is unwanted constituent for a pulp and paper manufacturer, which must be removed for getting good quality paper. The aim of bio-delignification of raw material is to make pulping process easier, to save energy requirements, to improve pulp properties and to minimize pollutions. Aims to find suitability of isolate Curvularia lunata LW6 for biopulping of sugarcane bagasse. The organism was screened from effluent of pulp and paper mill and tested for lignolytic ability. The isolate produced the enzyme lignin peroxidase (3.31 U/mg of protein) and laccase (6.12 U/mL). It showed good saprophytic ability (38.14 cm²) on sterile bagasse when supplemented with glucose and yeast extract as co-substrate. The solid-state fermentation of bagasse for biopulping resulted in loss of weight by 21.66%, while lignin content and kappa number decreased by 44.05% and 40.78%, respectively. The chemical pulping showed 55.25% reduction in kappa number; however, it required high temperature, pressure and alkaline medium. The mutagenesis studies showed slight decrease in cellulase activity of the isolate.

2 tables, 35 ref

005262   Nandi D;Tahiliani P;Anujith Kumar;Chandu D (Dep of Biochem, Indian Inst of Sci, Bangalore 560 012, Email: nandi@biochem.iisc.ernet.in) : Ubiquitine proteasome system. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(1), 137-55.

Two thousand four Nobel Prize in chemistry for the discovery of protein ubiquitination has led to the recognition of cellular proteolysis as a central area of research in biology. Eukaryotic proteins targeted for degradation by this pathway are first 'tagged' by multimers of a protein known as ubiquitin and are later proteolyzed by a giant enzyme known as the proteasome. This article recounts the key observations that led to the discovery of ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). In addition, different aspects of proteasome biology are highlighted. Finally, some key roles of the UPS in different areas of biology and the use of inhibitors of this pathway as possible drug targets are discussed.

^iia4 illus, 4 tables, 154 ref

005261   Nande R M;Biswal B (Lab of Biochem and Molec Biol, Sch of Life Sci Sambalpur Univ, Jyoti Vihar, Burla-768 019, Email: basanti6@sancharnet.in) : Biotic stress induced programmed cell death: role of caspase. Physiol molec Biol Pl 2006, 12(1), 1-11.

Programmed cell death (PCD) refers to an orderly sacrifice of few cells during developmental processes or as part of perturbed development, often induced by biotic and abiotic stresses. Apoptosis in animal system is either equated with PCD or considered as a type of PCD. The hypersensitive response (HR) as a sequel of incompatible plant host-pathogen interaction generates a host of signaling system that arrests the pathogen at the infection court. This results in rapid collapse of a few cells at the site of pathogen entry. A characteristic senile halo embracing a few neighbouring host cells often appears around the necrotic core creating a second barrier to the pathogen. The pathogen-induced HR has invariably been shown to produce cysteine proteases and many of the apoptotic morphology characteristics of animal system. As such evidences in favour of PCD in HR-lesions following the apoptotic route have been critically reviewed.

^iia 4 illus, 94 ref

005260   Moreteau B;David J R (Laboratoire Genetique Populations et Evolution, Cent Natn de la Recherche Scientifique, 91190 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France, Email: david@pge.cnrs-gif.fr) : Phenotypic plasticity and reaction norms of abdominal bristle number in Drosophila melanogaster. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 689-97.

Phenotypic plasticity of abdominal bristle number (segments 3 and 4 in females) was investigated in 10 iso-female lines from a French population, grown at 7 constant temperatures, ranging from 12° to 31°C. Overall concave reaction norms were obtained with a maximum around 20°-21°C. Intraclass correlation (isofemale line heritability) was not affected by temperature. Correlations between segments 3 and 4 strongly contrasted a low within-line phenotypic correlation (r = 0.39 ± 0.04) and a high, between-line genetic correlation (r = 0.89 ± 0.03). A significant decrease of the genetic correlation was observed when comparing more different temperatures. Finally, among 7 other morphometrical traits which were measured on the same set of lines, 3 provided a significant positive genetic correlation with abdominal bristles: thoracic bristles, abdomen pigmentation and thoracic pigmentation.

4 illus, 5 tables, 34 ref

005259   Mohanty B P (Div of Fish Riverine Biochem and Biotechnol Lab, Cent Inld Fish Res Inst, 24 Panna Lal Road, Allahabad-211 002, Email: bimal.mohanty@abdn.ac.uk) : A p53-like protein from a freshwater mollusc Lamellidens corrianus. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2006, 43(4), 247-50.

p53 is the most frequently mutated protein in human cancers ana the accumulation of its high levels is a potential novel marker for malignancy. Recently, its homologues such as p63 and p73 have been reported in human, mice and fish. Environmentally induced alterations in p53 protein have been reported to contribute to pathogenesis of leukemia in soft-shell clam Mya arenaria inhabiting polluted water, suggesting that p53 proteins can also be used as pollution markers. The presence of p53 protein or its homologues was investigated in tissues of bivalve molluscs Lamellidens corrianus that are predominant in the freshwater riverine environment and are well suited to act as test organisms for evaluation of habitat degradation. The molluscs were collected live from the river Ganga at three sampling sites viz., Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi and different tissues (foot, gill and mantle) were collected. Proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On immunoblot analysis, a 45 kDa protein (p45) was recognized by the monoclonal anti-p53 antibody in the molluscan tissues. The p45 showed immunoreactivity in all the three tissues of molluscs collected at Kanpur, in foot and gill tissues in those collected at Allahabad, and in foot tissue only, in those collected at Varanasi. Since monoclonal anti-p53 recognizes a denaturation-resistant epitope on the p53 (53 kDa) nuclear protein and does not react with other cellular proteins, the molluscan p45 is a p53-homologue or p53-like protein. Further, the differential expression of p45 in the different organs might serve as a useful biomarker that would help in establishing pollution gradient for environmental monitoring in the large aquatic ecosystems.

^ssc1 illus, 39 ref

005258   Li S G;Tsujimura M;Sugimoto A;Dava A G;Sugita M (Japan Sci and Technol Ag, , Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332 0012, Japan, Email: shengon@suirisukuba.ac.jp) : Natural recovery of steppe vegetation on vehicle tracks in Central Mangolia. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(1), 85-93.

Steppe desertification due to vehicle travel is a severe environmental issue in Mongolia. We studied natural vegetation recovery on abandoned vehicle tracks in the central Mongolia steppe through vegetation surveys and stable iso-topic techniques. The following issues were addressed: (i) invasion of pioneering plant species, (ii) alteration of soil surface features, and (iii) contribution of revegetated plants to soil organic matter (SOM). The pioneering plant species that firstly invaded the abandoned tracks are those that could germinate, root and survive in the compacted track surface. Salsola collina is one of these candidate plants. Due to revegetation, soil surface hardness was reduced. With the improvement of surface microenvironmental conditions, other plants began to colonize and establish; con-comitantly species richness and species diversity increased. Carbon isotope ratios of SOM at the top surface layer indicated that C₄-derived carbon contributed more to SOM in the early phase of recovery and decreased with further recovery.

5 illus, 2 tables, 47 ref

005257   Kundu B S;Nandal K;Tiwari M;Tomar M (Microbiol Dep, CCS Haryana Agric Univ, Hisar-125 004, Email: Kundubs@hau.ernet.in) : Establishment and influence of phosphate solubilising bacteria of pearl millet. Indian J Pl Physiol 2006, 11(2), 201-5.

Two Phosphate solubilizing bacterial isolates and their lacZ marked transconjugants were checked for their establishment in the rhizosphere and response on pearlmillet under pot house condition. Seed bacterization showed establishment of PSB in the rhizosphere up to 60 days after sowing. The counts were slightly higher in inoculated treatments compared to uninoculated control. Application of rock phosphate and phosphatic fertilizers increased the biomass by 35-50 per cent over control. The P-uptake also improved with soil amendments and seed inoculation at both stages of sampling.

^ssc2 tables, 14 ref

005256   Kulkarni M;Chaudhari A (Sch of Life Sci, North Maharashtra Univ, Post Box No. 80, Jalgaon-425 001, Email: ambehasls@yahoo.com) : Efficient Pseudomonas putida for degradation of P-nitrophenol. Indian J Biotechnol 2006, 5(3), 411-5.

Exploration of Pseudomonas putida for controlling environmenlal (p-nitrophenol) PNP pollution revealed that 0.5 OD inoculum at 600 nm degraded 100 ppm of PNP completely under the ambient conditions within 24 h as established by UV-visible spectrophotometric and TLC analysis of treated broth and confirmed the same by HPLC analysis. An attempt to elucidate the mechanism of PNP degradation indicated that (i) it was oxidative with a sloichiometric release of nitrite, (ii) PNP was convened to hydroquinone, which accumulated in the presence of 2,2'-dipyridyl, (iii) hydroquinone was the first product of ring oxygenation and nitrite removal, as confirmed by TLC and HPLC analysis and (iv) concomitant formation of a keto acid by ring fission, which was confirmed by Rothera's test.

5 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

005255   Kalia K;Patel J S;Joshi D N;Srivastava D (Dep of Biosci, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 120, Email: kirankalia_in@yahoo.com) : Isolation of Zinc resistant bacterial isolate, it's accumulation and interaction with cellular proteins. J Cell Tissue Res 2006, 6(1), 651-6.

Bacteria are not only the oldest life form, but they also inhabit the greatest diversity of habitats and have the greatest capacity of bioaccumulation of metals. Zinc plays an important role as an essential trace element in development, growth and differentiation of all living systems from bacteria to humans but excess of it exerts toxic effects on the cell. Mechanism of resistance of essential metal ions like zinc is particularly of interest. The zinc resistant bacterial isolates were isolated from paint industrial effluent, G.I.D.C estate, Gujarat, India and screened for the maximum tolerance to the metal. The maximum zinc (13 mM) resistant bacterial isolate (ZnRBI) has shown utmost accumulation (165 mg/g dry weight of bacterial cells) at 7 mM concentration of zinc in the media. The TEM studies of the ZnRBI grown in the presence of zinc have shown the electron dense areas in the periphery and cytoplasm of the cells, indicating the accumulation of the metal. These results were confirmed by EDAX, which showed peripheral and cytoplasmic accumulation of zinc by ZnRBI. The protein profile of the ZnRBI cellular extract by SDS-PAGE have shown six metal stress induced proteins of molecular weight 53.5 KD, 52.5 KD, 50 KD, 48.5 KD, 45.3 KD and 13.2 KD which were not found in the control cells grown in zinc free media and the repression of one protein of molecular weight 3.2 KD, indicating their role in metal resistance, accumulation and/or transport of zinc which needs further characterization.

4 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

005254   Johnson M E C;Shailaja K;Surekha Rani P (NO, , H.No. 5-9-349/2, Flat No.203, Swamy Tower, Hyderabad-500 195) : Limnology of botanical garden lake-Madhapur. Ecol Envir Conserv 2006, 12(1), 111-2.

The water quality of Madhapur Botanical Oatden Lake was studied in relation to certain chemical parameters. The waters were alkaline and harboured the growth of Romeria, Stichosiphon, Chlorella and Trachetomonas.

1 table, 12 ref

005253   Jain A;Verma D;Bagchi D (Dep of Biol Sci, Rani Durgavati Univ, Jabalpur-482 001, Email: dbagchi_2000@yahoo.com) : Catalytic and regulatory properties of sulphur metabolizing enzymes in cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(9), 767-72.

Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 was able to grow with several S sources. The sulphur metabolizing enzymes viz. ATP sulphurylase, cysteine synthase, thiosulphate reductase and L- and D-cysteine desulphydrases were regulated by sulphur sources, particularly by sulphur amino acids and organic sulphate esters. Sulphur starvation reduced ATP sulphurylase and cysteine synthase whereas reduced glutathione appreciated Cys degradation activity. With partially purified enzymes apparent Km values for sulphate, ATP, D- and L-Cys, thiosulphate, sulphide and O-acetyl serine were in a range of 12-50 μM. p-Nitrophenyl sulphate inhibited ATP sulphurylase competitively. Met was a feedback inhibitor of several key enzymes.

3 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

005252   Ilango K (Zool Surv of India Sth Regional Stn, , 130 Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028, Email: kilangozsi@rediffmail.com) : Structure and function of the spermathecal complex in the phlebotomine sandfly Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli (Diptera: Psychodidae): I. Ultrastructure and histology. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 711-31.

Females of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) possess highly variable spermathecae that present several important taxonomic characters. The cause of this diversity remains a neglected field of sandfly biology, but may possibly be due to female post-mating sexual selection. To understand this diversity, a detailed study of the structure and function of the spermathecal complex in at least one of the species was a prerequisite. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, described here is ultrastructure of the spermathecal complex in the sand fly, Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli. The spermathecal complexes are paired; each consists of a long spermathecal duct, a cylindrical spermathecal body, and a spherical spermathecal gland. Muscle fibres, nerves, tracheoles, and vascular sinuses connect the spermathecal body and duct through the epithelial layers. Spermathecal gland is formed by a typical insect epidermis and consisting of an epithelial layer of class-1 epidermal cells and elaborate glandular cells of class-3 epidermal cells, each having both receiving and conducting ductules (i.e. "end apparatus") and a "cytological apodeme", which is a newly described cell structure. The spermathecal body and duct are lined by class-1 epidermal cells and a cuticle, and are enveloped by a super-contracting visceral muscular system. The cuticle consists of rubber-like resilin, and its fibrillar arrangement and chemical nature are described. A well-developed neuromuscular junction exists between the spermathecal gland and the spermathecal body, which are connected to each other by a nerve and a muscle. The spermathecal complexes of the sandfly are compared with those of other insect species. The physiological role and possible evolutionary significance of the different parts of spermathecal complex in the sandfly are inferred from the morphology and behaviour. Post-mating sexual selection may be responsible for the structural uniqueness of the spermathecal complex in phlebotomine sandflies.

11 illus, 1 table, 41 ref

005251   Hwang E W;Kim K A;Park S C;Jeong M J;Byun M O;Kwon H B (Div of Appl Biol Sci, Sunmoon Univ, Asan, 336-708, Korea, Email: hbkwon@sunmoon.ac.kr) : Expression profiles of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) gene under cold stress conditions. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 657-67.

In an attempt to determine a cold defense mechanism in plants, attempt has been made to characterize changes occurring in the expression of cold-regulated transcript levels in the hot pepper (Capsicum annuum), using cDNA microarray analysis, combined with Northern blot analysis. After analysing a 3.1 K hot pepper cDNA microarray, a total of 317 cold inducible genes has been isolated. We selected 42 genes which were up-regulated and three genes which were down-regulated due to cold treatment has been selected, for further analysis. Among the 45 genes which appeared to be up-regulated by cold, 19 genes appeared to be simultaneously regulated by salt stress. Among the up-regulated cold-stress genes, we identified a variety of transcription factors, including: a family of 4 ethylene-responsive element binding protein (EREBP, designated CaEREBP-Cl to C4) genes, a bZIP protein (CaBZ1), RVA1, Ring domain protein, HSF1, and the WRKY (CaWRKY1) protein. Several genes appeared to be induced not only by cold stress, but also simultaneously by salt stress. These genes included: CaEREBP-C3, CaBZ1, putative trans-activator factor, NtPRp27, malate dehydrogenase, putative auxin-repressed protein, protein phosphatase (CaTPP1), SAR8.2 protein precursor, late-embryogenesis abundant protein 5 (LEA5), DNAJ protein homologue, xyloglucanendo-1, 4-β-D-gucanase precursor, PR 10, and the putative non-specific lipid transfer protein StnsLTP.

5 illus, 39 ref

005250   Gupta A K;Narinder Kaur (Dep of Biochem and Chem, Punjab Agric Univ, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: anilgupta@satyam.net.in ) : Sugar signalling and gene expression in relation to carbohydrate metabolism under abiotic stresses in plants. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 761-76.

Sucrose is required for plant growth and development. The sugar status of plant cells is sensed by sensor proteins. The signal generated by signal transduction cascades, which could involve mitogen-activated protein kinases, protein phosphatases, Ca²⁺ and calmodulins, results in appropriate gene expression. A variety of genes are either induced or repressed depending upon the status of soluble sugars. Abiotic stresses to plants result in major alterations in sugar status and hence affect the expression of various genes by down- and up-regulating their expression. Hexokinase-dependent and hexokinase-independent pathways are involved in sugar sensing. Sucrose also acts as a signal molecule as it affects the activity of a proton-sucrose symporter. The sucrose transporter acts as a sucrose sensor and is involved in phloem loading. Fructokinase may represent an additional sensor that bypasses hexokinase phosphorylation especially when sucrose synthase is dominant. Mutants isolated on the basis of response of germination and seedling growth to sugars and reporter-based screening protocols are being used to study the response of altered sugar status on gene expression. Common cis-acting elements in sugar signalling pathways have been identified. Transgenic plants with elevated levels of sugars/sugar alcohols like fructans, raffinose series oligosaccharides, trehalose and mannitol are tolerant to different stresses but have usually impaired growth. Efforts need to be made to have transgenic plants in which abiotic stress responsive genes are expressed only at the time of adverse environmental conditions instead of being constitutively synthesized.

^iia5 illus, 1 table, 142 ref

005249   Goldbeter A (Unite of Cronobiologie theorique Faculte des Sci, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, campus plaine, CP 231, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium, Email: agoldbet@ulb.ac.be) : A model for the dynamica of human weight cycling. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(1), 129-36.

Resolution to lose weight by cognitive restraint of nutritional intake often leads to repeated bouts of weight loss and regain, a phenomenon known as weight cycling or "yo-yo dieting"". A simple mathematical model for weight cycling is presented. The model is based on a feedback of psychological nature by which a subject decides to reduce dietary intake once a threshold weight is exceeded. The analysis of the model indicates that sustained oscillations in body weight occur in a parameter range bounded by critical values. Only outside this range can body weight reach a stable steady state. The model provides a theoretical framework that captures key facets of weight cycling and suggests ways to control the phenomenon. The view that weight cycling represents self-sustained oscillations has indeed specific implications. In dynamical terms, to bring weight cycling to an end, parameter values should change in such a way as to induce the transition of body weight from sustained oscillations around an unstable steady state to a stable steady state. Maintaining weight under a critical value should prevent weight cycling and allow body weight to stabilize below the oscillatory range.

6 illus, 26 ref

005248   Ghatak A;Majumdar A;Ghosh R K (Molec Biol Lab, Indian Inst of Chem Biol, 4, Raja SC Mullick Road Jadavpur, Kolkata-700 032, Email: rkghosh@iicb.res.in) : Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Vibrio cholerae O1 El tor strains isolated before, during and after the O139 outbreak based on the intergenomic heterogeneity of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 619-25.

Sequenced and analysed all the five classes of the intergenic (16S-23S rRNA) spacer region (ISR) associated with the eight rrn operons (rrna-rrnh) of Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 El Tor strains isolated before, during and after the O139 outbreak. ISR classes 'a' and 'g' were found to be invariant, ISR-B (ISRb and ISRe) exhibited very little variation, whereas ISR-C (ISRc, ISRd, and ISRf) and ISRh showed the maximum variation. Phylogenetic analysis conducted with all three ISR classes (ISR-B, ISR-C and ISRh) showed that the pre-O139 serogroup and post-O139 serogroup O1 El Tor strains arose out of two independent clones, which was congruent with the observation made by earlier workers suggesting that analyses of ISR-C and ISR-h, instead of all five ISR classes, could be successfully used to study phylogeny in this organism.

2 illus, 4 tables

005247   Devindra S;Shankar S K;Mulimani V H (Biochem Dep, Gulbarga Univ, Gulbarga-585 106, Email: v_h_mulimani@rediffmail.com ) : Reduction of raffinose oligosaccharides in red gram flour by microbial alpha-galactosidase. Indian J Pl Physiol 2006, 11(2), 123-9.

Effect of crude <128><97>-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae, Gibberella fujikuroi and Lactobacillus brevis in reducing the raffinose, stachyose and verbascose content in red gram flour was studied. The optimum pH for α-galactosidase was found to be 4.8 for A. oryzae, 5.0 for G. fujikuroi and L. brevis, while the optimum temperature of enzyme activity was 55°C for A. oryzae, 60°C for G. fujikuroi and 40°C for L. brevis. The specific activities of α-galactosidase from A. oryzae, G. fujikuroi and L. brevis were 1.54, 0.73 and 0.93 unit mg^-1 protein respectively. These enzymes were thermostable when incubated at temperature ranges of 40-60°C for A. oryzae, 40-65°C for G. fujikuroi and 35-45°C for L. brevis. The optimum conditions for removing the raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were obtained by incubating red gram flour with 50 ml of crude microbial α-galactosidase extract (0.67, 0.55 and 0.67 units mP for A. oryzae, G. fujikuroi and L. brevis respectively) for 3 hr at the optimum conditions of each strain. Crude A. oryzae and G. fujikuroi a-galactosidase reduced the raffinose oligosaccharide content in red gram flour by 100%, while crude a-galactosidase treatment from L. brevis reduced the raffinose content by 70.20%, stachyose 58.14% and verbascose by 71.56%.

3 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

005246   Devasahayam M (NO, Karunya Inst of Technol and Sci, Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore-641 114, Email: mdevasahayam@karunya.edu) : Characterisation of glycosylation in COS-7 cells using recombinant soluble Thy-1. Curr Sci 2006, 90(4), 549-57.

Thy-1 is a cell-surface glycoprotein belonging to the Immunoglobulin superfamily containing three N-glycosylation sites at Asn 23, 74 and 98 and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Recombinant soluble Thy-1 (sThy-1) was used as a model to characterize glycosylation in COS-7 cells as its glycan profile in CHO-K1 cells and across species is well characterized. The primary sequence of the protein has an effect on glycosylation as different glycoproteins expressed in the same cell line show differences in protein glycosylation. sThy-1 was expressed by transient transfection in COS-7 cells as a mixture of glycoforms showing variable site occupancy. Neutral and sialylated oligosaccharides obtained from sThy-1 expressed in COS-7 cells were in equal proportions, while glycans from sThy-l expressed in CRO-KI cells were predominately neutral. Complex glycans accounted for 83% of oligosaccharides with the remaining 17% belonging to the oligomannose-type glycans, similar to CRO-K1-derived sThy-1 glycans. In addition, sThy-1 expressed in COS-7 cells also showed the presence of oligomannose Man₆GIcNAc₂ and bi-antennary complex oligo saccharides with outer arm fucosylation not observed in CRO-KI cells. These results verified that glycoforms emerging from the secretory pathway for a protein are both protein- and cell-specific.

5 illus, 1 table, 34 ref

005245   Deshmukh A A;Gajare K A;Pillai M M (Dep of Zool Cell Biol Unit, Shivaji Univ, Kolhapur-416 004, Email: ashish_cellbio@rediffmail.com) : Effect of D-Galactose on lipofuscinogenesis in the brain of female Albino Mice. J Cell Tissue Res 2006, 6(1), 647-50.

Lipofuscin granules accumulate in post mitotic cells during ageing and affect the normal cell functions. The accumulation of lipofuscin granules is directly correlated with oxidative stress. The purpose is to study the effect of D-galactose on lipofuscinogenesis in various regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, corpora quadrigemina and cerebellum) of brain. The female albino mice were divided into two groups: 1) sham injected control group and 2) experimental group which were treated with subcutaneous injections of 5% D-galactose (0.5 ml per day) for fifteen days. Histochemical study of lipofuscin granules and biochemical estimation of fluorescence were carried out, which showed increased accumulation of lipofuscin granules and highly significant increase in fluorescence in various regions of brain, which indicates the Lipofuscinogenic effect D-galactose in the nerve cells.

8 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

005244   Dave S R;Desai H B (Microbiol Dep Sch of Sci, Guj Univ, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: Shaileshrdave@hotmail.com) : Microbial diversity at marine salterns near Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. Curr Sci 2006, 90(4), 497-500.

1 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

005243   Das S K;Vasudevan D M (Dep of Biochem, Amrita Inst of Med Sci, Cochin-682 026, Email: subirkumardas@aims.amrita.edu) : Protective effects of silymarin, a milk thistle (Silybium marianum) derivative on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in liver. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2006, 43(10), 306-11.

Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered to be a major factor in oxidative cell injury. The antioxidant activity or the inhibition of the generation of free radicals is important in providing protection against such hepatic damage. Silymarin, derived from the milk thistle plant, Silybium marianum, has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for diseases of the liver and biliary tract. The effect of hepatoprotective drug silymarin on body weight and biochemical parameters, particularly, antioxidant status of ethanol-exposed rats was studied and its efficacy was compared with the potent antioxidant, ascorbic acid as well as capacity of hepatic regeneration during abstention. Ethanol, at a dose of 1.6 g/kg body wt/day for 4 wks affected body weight in 16-18 week-old male albino rats (Wistar strain weighing 200-220 g). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione s-transferase (GST) activities were significantly increased, whereas GSH content, and catalase, glutathione reductase (GR) and GPx (glutathione peroxidase) activities significantly reduced, on ethanol exposure. These changes were reversed by silybin and ascorbic acid treatment. It was also observed that abstinence from ethanol might help in hepatic regeneration. Silybin showed a significant hepatoprotective activity, but activity was less than that of ascorbic acid. Furthermore, preventive measures were more effective than curative treatment.

2 illus, 1 tables, 37 ref

005242   Das S;Chakrabarti J;Ghosh Z;Sahoo S;Mallick B (Dep of Computnl Biol Grp Theory, Indian Ass for the Cultivation of Sci, Kolkata-700 032, Email: tpjc@iacs.res.in) : New measure to study phylogenetic relations in the brown algal order Ectocarpales: "codon impact parameter". J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 699-709.

Forty-seven chloroplast genes of the large subunit of RuBisCO, from the algal order Ectocarpales, sourced from GenBank. Codon-usage weighted by the nucleotide base-bias defines our score called the codon-impact-parameter. This score is used to obtain phylogenetic relations amongst the 47 Ectocarpales. Classification has been compared with the ones done earlier.

5 illus, 3 tables, 42 ref

005241   Damare V;Raghukumar S (NO, Natn Inst of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: sraghu865@yahoo.co.in) : Morphology and physiology of the marine straminipilan fungi, the aplanochytrids isolated from the equatorial Indian Ocean. Indian J Mar Sci 2006, 35(4), 326-40.

While thraustochytrids, a group of unicellular marine straminipilan protists, have been found to be abundant in the water column, little is known of aplanochytrids. These constitute one of the 3 groups belonging to the Labyrinthulomycetes. Aplanochytrids were isolated from 34 out of 76 zooplankton samples from different strata in the 0-1000 m water column in the equatorial Indian Ocean. None of the samples yielded thraustochytrids in culture, suggesting that aplanochytrids might be more prevalent in the zooplankton samples of these waters than thraustochytrids. Fourteen isolates of aplanochytrids were studied with reference to their colony and cell morphological characteristics, carbon and nitrogen nutrition and the production of four degradative enzymes. All isolates produced proteases, but not lipase, amylase or chitinase. Major interesting features of several isolates included the production of motile amoebae, preference to pentoses and disaccharides and the common preference to glutamate. Cluster analysis based on all the characters showed no clear relations to morphological or physiological traits of the isolates, thus indicating the unreliability of these characters in taxonomy of aplanochytrids. All isolates corresponded to taxon Aplanochytrium yorkensis. The differences observed in these isolates correspond to variations in populations of A. yorkensis inhabiting zooplankton in the Indian Ocean and not related to different species of the genus.

10 illus, 4 tables, 33 ref

005240   Dabgar Y B (P.G. Cent in Bot, M.N. Coll, Visnagar (N.Gujarat)) : Amino acids changes in various stages of stigma development in Gossypium herbaceum L.. Int J Pl Sci 2006, 1(1), 29-31.

A comparative study of the qualitative changes in free amino acids in the stigma before, during and after pollination stage. Chromatographic separation of free amino acids showed that 11 types of amino acids were present in stigma of before pollination but during after pollination the number of types of amino acids increased to sixteen. This depicts that five new types of amino acids appeared during pollination in stigma. The possible role of newly appeared amino acids can be assigned to synthesis of proteins required for the recognition of compatible pollen grain, pollen germination and tube growth in Gossypium herbaceum L.

1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

005239   Chikhale N J;Gomase V S;Vankhede G N (Dep of Biotechnol, Amravati Univ, Amarvati-444 602, Email: njchikhale@rediffmail.com) : In silico prediction of antigenic epitope in ABA-1 allergen from Ascaris lumbricoides. J Cell Tissue Res 2006, 6(1), 663-7.

Ascaris lumbricoides shows acute phase or inflammatory processes. Limitation of therapy to the treatment of patients suffering from various adverse reactions and contraindications are always experienced. One of the major treatments is gene therapy or recombinant DNA vaccines involved targeting multiple antigenic components to direct and empower the immune system to protect the host from infection. Antigenic epitopes on ABA-1 allergen (Ascaris lumbricoides) protein are important determinants of protection against inflammation. As our knowledge of the immune responses to a protein antigen progressed, it became clear that the whole protein is not necessary for raising the immune response, but small segments (KEKVHEYGPACKK, 108-120) of protein called the antigenic determinants or the epitopes are sufficient for eliciting the desired immune response. Immunization cassettes should be capable of immunizing broad immunity against both humoral and cellular epitopes thus giving vaccines the maximum ability to deal with nematodes immune escape. Authors have predicted a successful immunization strategy against Ascaris infection.

6 illus, 15 ref

005238   Chavar M N;Kulkarni M V;Zope V P;Mahulikar P P (Dep of Biotechnol, Sch of Life Sci and Sch of Chem Sci North Maharashtra Univ, Jalgaon-425 001, Email: kulmv@yahoo.com) : Microbial degradation of melanoidins in distillery spent wash by an indigenous isolate. Indian J Biotechnol 2006, 5(3), 416-21.

Spent wash is pollution intensive wastewater generated by distilleries. Its dark brown colour is due to recalcitrant melanoidin pigments. Bacterial cultures were screened for the ability to degrade these pigments. One isolate, identified as Pseudomonas sp., was selected for degradation studies. Spent wash dilution up to 10% and addition of externally added carbon source was essential for decolorisation. The optimum conditions for decolorisation were pH 6.8-7.2, temperature 30-35°C and glucose 0.4 g%, (W/V) of the spent wash medium. The maximum decolorisation up to 56% and 63% reduction in COD of the spent wash could be achieved after 72 h by the microbial treatment. Spectrophotometric and HPLC analysis of treated effluent confirmed biodegradation of melanoidin pigments by the isolate. This approach could be used to develop a cost-effective, eco-friendly biotechnology package for the bioremediation of spent wash before its disposal.

5 illus, 3 tables, 23 ref

005237   Chattopadhyay M K (Cent for Cell and Molec Biol, , Hyderabad 500 007, Email: mkc@ccmb.res.in) : Machanism of bacterial adaptation to low temperature. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(1), 157-65.

Survival of bacteria at low temperatures provokes scientific interest because of several reasons. Investigations in this area promise insight into one of the mysteries of life science - namely, how the machinery of life operates at extreme environments. Knowledge obtained from these studies is likely to be useful in controlling pathogenic bacteria, which survive and thrive in cold-stored food materials. The outcome of these studies may also help us to explore the possibilities of existence of life in distant frozen planets and their satellites.

^iia66 ref

005236   Chandra S B C;Sandeep Singh (Dep of Biol Chem and Phys Sci, Roosevelt Univ, Chicago, IL 60605, USA, Email: schandra@roosevelt.edu) : Chemosensory processing in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster: Generalization of a feeding response reveals overlapping odour representations. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 679-88.

Insects are capable of detecting, and discriminating between, a very large number of odours. The biological relevance of many of those odours, particularly those related to food, must first be learned. Given that the number of sensory receptors and antennal lobe (AL) glomeruli is limited relative to the number of odours that must be detectable, this ability implies that the olfactory system makes use of a combinatorial coding scheme whereby each sensory cell or AL projection neuron can participate in coding for several different odours. An important step in understanding this coding scheme is to behaviourally quantify the degree to which sets of odours are discriminable. Evaluate odour discriminability in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, by first conditioning individual flies to not respond to any of several odourants using a nonassociative conditioning protocol (habituation). Flies habituate unconditioned leg movement responses to both mechanosensory and olfactory stimulation over 25 unreinforceed trials. Habituation is retained for at least 2 h and is subject to dishabituation. Finally, the degree to which the conditioned response generalizes to other odourants based on molecular features of the odourants (e.g. carbon chain length has been tested and the presence of a target functional group). These tests reveal predictable generalization gradients across these molecular features. These data substantiate the claim that these features are relevant coding dimensions in the fruit fly olfactory system, as has been shown for other insect and vertebrate species.

5 illus, 56 ref

005235   Cairns J (Dep of Biol Sci, Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA) : Ecological restoration in an era of ecological disequilibrium. Asian J expl Sci 2006, 20(1), 1-6.

The current rate of ecological destruction greatly exceeds the rate of ecological repair, a situation that obviously cannot continue indefinitely. In addition, the rate of biotic impoverishment makes finding suitable species for recolonization extremely difficult. Furthermore, for the first time in human history, humankind is confronted with two global, ecological problems: (1) climate change, including global warming, which makes return to antecedent conditions extremely difficult, and (2) acidification of the world's oceans, which raises the threat of ecological disequilibrium in these vast systems. The biospheric life support system is probably approaching a number of ecological tipping points, which means the conditions so favorable to humankind may be impaired or even made unfavorable. Measures could be taken at local, regional, and global levels to reduce these risks, but the time for implementing them is shortened every year.

2 illus,15 ref

005234   Bose B;Gour R R;Motiwale L;Rao K V K (Chem Carcinogenesis Grp and Immunology Grp khanolkar Shodhika Advd Cen, , Kharghar, Navi Mumbai-410 208, Email: kvkraol@yahoo.com) : Differential role of MAP kinase isoforms in malachite green transformed green transformed Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts in culture. Indian J expl Biol 2006, 44(9), 693-8.

Malachite green (MG) induces DNA damage and malignant transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells in primary culture. The role of all the three isoforms of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases i.e. ERK (extracellular regulated kinase), JNK (JUN- N- terminal kinase) and p38 kinase during transformation of SHE cells by MG. The results showed that transformed cells were associated with a decreased expression of phosphoactive ERK and JNK and increased expression of p38 kinase as evident from the Western blot, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry studies. Also, a persistent nuclear localization of p38 kinase was observed in the transformed cells. Study indicates that p38 kinase was present at higher levels and seemed to be associated with transformation, which suggested that inhibitors of p38 kinase could serve in general as potential agents for selective cancer therapy.

2 illus, 25 ref

005233   Biswas S;Pawar S (Dep of Biol Sci, George Washington Univ, 2023 G. St. NW. Washington DC 20052, USA, Email: sayantan@gwu.edu) : Phylogenetic tests of distribution patterns in south Asia: towards an integrative approach. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(1), 95-113.

Last four decades have seen an increasing integration of phylogenetics and biogeography. However, a dearth of phylogenetic studies has precluded such biogeographic analyses in South Asia until recently. Noting the increase in phylogenetic research and interest in phylogenetic biogeography in the region, we outline an integrative framework for studying taxon distribution patterns. While doing so, we pay particular attention to challenges posed by the complex geological and ecological history of the region, and the differences in distribution across taxonomic groups. We outline and compare three widely used phylogenetic biogeographic approaches:topology-based methods (TBMs), pattern-based methods (PBMs) and event-based methods (EBMs). TBMs lack a quantitative framework and utilize only part of the available phylogenetic information. Hence, they are mainly suited for preliminary enquiries. Both PBMs and EBMs have a quantitative framework, but we consider the latter to be particularly suited to the South Asian context since they consider multiple biogeographic processes explicitly, and can accommodate a reticulated history of areas. As an illustration, we present a biogeograghic analysis of endemic Sri Lankan agamid lizards. The results provide insights into the relative importance of multiple processes and specific zones in the radiation of two speciose lizard clades.

7 illus, 2 tables, 86 ref

005232   Bindyabhargwan P V;Haridevi C K;Salih K Y M (NO, Cochin Univ of Sci and Technol, Kochi-682 016) : Lysosomal labilisation in Villorita as a cytological response to metal stress. Ecol Envir Conserv 2006, 12(1), 63-6.

Estuarine and marine environment receives a wide variety of contaminants. Among various techniques to assess affect of pollution the widely accepted ones are those, which are cheap, easy and quick nondestructive methods. Neutral red retention assay is one such toxicity test, which can be considered as a biomarker of heavy metal stress in biomonitors. In the present work mercuric effect on lysosomal membrane of Villorita cyprinoides using three dififerent concentrations was studied. Neutral red assay, as a measure of cell damage makes use of the fact that only hysosomes in healthy cells take up and retain the dye.

4 illus, 1 table, 3 ref

005231   Bhattacharya E;Dandin S B;Ranade S A (Dep of Genet, Univ of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi-110 021, Email: shirishranade@yahoo.com) : Single primer amplification reaction methods reveal exotic and indigenous mulberry varieties are similarly diverse. J Biosci, Bangalore 2005, 30(5), 669-77.

Mulberry is the sole food source for mulberry silkworm and a number of indigenous and exotic varieties are used in sericulture. Studies on assessment of genetic diversity have been done amongst a few mulberry varieties using one or at the most two methods. However, no comprehensive study on a large number of varieties has been carried out. In study, single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) methods have been used for determination of diversity in 11 mulberry varieties (exotic as well as indigenous), using four minisatellite core sequence primers for directed amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD), three simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs as primers for inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and 20 arbitrary sequence decamer primers for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reactions. The Jaccard coefficients were determined for the DAMD, ISSR and RAPD band data (total of 58, 39 and 235 bands respectively). All three methods revealed wide range of distances supporting a wide range of mulberry genetic diversity. A cumulative analysis of the data generated by three methods resulted in a neighbour-joining (NJ) tree that gave a better reflection of the relatedness and affinities of the varieties to each other. Comparison of the three methods by marker indices and the Mantel test of correlation indicated that though all methods were useful for the assessment of diversity in mulberry, the DAMD method was better. When considered as two groups (10 exotic and 17 indigenous varieties), the mulberry varieties in the exotic group were found to have slightly greater diversity than the indigenous ones. These results support the concept of naturalization of mulberry varieties at locales distant from their origins.

1 illus, 3 tables, 39 ref

005230   Bhardwaj M (ESRC Cent for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (CESAGen), Inst of Advd Stud (IAS) Ctry South Lancaster Univ, Lancaster LAI 4YD, UK) : Looking back looking beyong: revisting the ethics of genome genration. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(1), 167-76.

The paper explore some of the ethical imperatives that have shaped strategic and policy frameworks for the use of new genetic technologies and how these play a role in shaping the nature of research and changing attitudes; with an attempt to conceptualize some theories of genetic determinism. I analyse why there is a need to put bioethical principles within a theoretical framework in the context of new technologies, and how, by doing so, their practical applications for agriculture, environment medicine and health care can be legitimized. There are several theories in favour of and against the use of genetic technologies that focus on genes and their role in our existence. In particular the theory of geneticisation is commonly debated. It highlights the conflicting interests of science, society and industry in harnessing genetic knowledge when the use of such knowledge could challenge ethical principles. Critics call it a 'reductionist' approach, based on arguments that are narrowed down to genes, often ignoring other factors including biological, social and moral ones. A parallel theory is that there is something special about genes, and it is this "genetic exceptionalism" that creates hopes and myths. Either way, the challenging task is to develop a common ground for understanding the importance of ethical sensitivities. As research agendas become more complex, ethical paradigms will need to be more influential. New principles are needed to answer the complexities of ethical issues as complex technologies develop. This paper reflects on global ethical principles and the tensions between ethical principles in legitimizing genetic technologies at the social and governance level.

^iia42 ref

005229   Balaji R;Narasimha Gupta B;Narasa Rao G;Reddy G V (Dep of Anim Genet and Breed, Coll of Vet Sci, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030) : Cytogenetic characterization of Deoni cattle. Indian J Anim Res 2006, 40(1), 20-4.

The cytogenetic characterization using 10 purebred Deoni cattle (5 males and 5 females) revealed the diploid chromosome number to be 60. All the 29 pairs of autosomes and Y-chromosome were acrocentric, while the X-chromosome was sub metacentric. The relative length of the autosomes varied from 1.792 to 5.354 per cent. The X-chromosome was the longest and contributed 5.592 per cent to the total genome. The Y-chromosome had a relative length of 1.903 per cent and was similar to that of the 28th autosome. The arm ratio, centromeric index and morphological index of the X-chromosome were 2.03, 0.33 and 3.80 per cent, respectively. Study revealed that the chromosome architecture of Deoni cattle was similar to that of the other breeds of Zebu cattle.

3 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

005228   Andhale M S;Sambrani S A (Dep of Microbiol, Govt. Inst of Sci, Caves Road, Aurangabad-431 001, Email: seemasambrani@hotmail.com) : Cholesterol biotransformation in monophasic systems by solvent tolerant Bacillus subtilis AF 333249. Indian J Biotechnol 2006, 5(3), 389-93.

New developments in biotechnology are focused on new products or the introduction of new processes as a substitute to the conventional way, or improvements in performance of existing biotechnological applications. The examples of application of non-conventional media are organic solvents, supercritical solvents or aqueous two phases systems. Steroid biotransformation is a multi million-dollar industry and the pharmaceutical uses of steroids are numerous. Steroids like cholesterol are completely soluble in some organic solvents like benzene, toluene and butanol. Biphasic systems wherein the cells are present in the aqueous phase and steroids dissolved in the organic phase is considered an ideal set-up. The major problem here is the fact that most bacteria and their enzymes are inactivated or destroyed in the presence of these toxic organic solvents, also it is necessary that the microbes contain relevant enzymes in sufficient amounts and in high specific activities, even in the presence of the generally destructive apolar phase. This can be very well accomplished by using organic solvent tolerant bacteria having desired enzyme activities. One such application is being discussed.

2 illus, 17 ref

004362   Yadav J P;Singh B N (NO, Inst of Basic Sciences, Jhansi-284 128) : Coexistence of three different Drosophila species by rescheduling their life history traits in a natural population. J Genet 2005, 84(3), 283-93.

Evidence for coexistence of three different Drosophila species by rescheduling their life history traits in a natural population using the same resource, at the same time and same place. D. ananassae has faster larval development time (DT) and faster DT (egg-fly) than other two species thus utilizing the resources at maximum at both larval and adult stages respectively. Therefore, D. ananassae skips the interspecific competition at preadult stage but suffers more from intraspecific competition. However, D. melanogaster and D. biarmipes have rescheduled their various life history traits to avoid interspecific competition. Differences of ranks tests for various life history traits suggest that except for DT(egg-pupa), the difference of ranks is highest for the combination of D. melanogaster and D. ananassae for all other life history traits. This difference is maintained by tradeoffs between larval development time and pupal period and between pupal period and DT(egg-pupa) in D. ananassae.

4 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

004361   Wu X C (Coll of Life Sci and the Key Lab of Conserv Genet and Reproductive Bio, Zhejiang Univ, Hangzhou-310029, People's Republic of China, Email: xuechangwu@yahoo.com.cn) : The loss of genetic diversity in the Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius Martens) as revealed by DNA fingerprinting. J Genet 2005, 84(3), 323-7.

1 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

004360   Viswanathan G;Desai S;Santosh (Dep of Zool, St. Joseph Coll, Bangalore-560 025) : Microbial flora from the mouth piece of cell phones. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2006, 16(3), 297-9.

Microbial flora from one hundred samples of cell phones were collected for study from general public and the samples were grown on agar plate. The inference shows that the mouth piece harbours opportunistic pathogenic micro organisms which are Acinetobacter haemolyticus, A. baumanni, and Neisseria flavescens. The investigation understands that the above-mentioned microbes isolated from mouth piece can get adapted to the polymers used in the manufacture of the body of cell phone. Acinetobacter haemolyticus and A. baumanni species are opportunistic pathogens which can cause respiratory infection, septicemia and other dangerous disease. Neisseria flavescens are also opportunistic pathogen, which causes meningitis in human being. They are yellow colonies grows on agar medium shows haemolysis. Radiations released from cell phones can cause physiological, biochemical and immunological imbalances in the human body which will decrease resistive power against pathogens. Smearing the body of phones, with natural extract to avoid the infection of Acinetobacter and Neisseria species is suggested.

1 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

004359   Vimala Y;Kumar Dileep P (Dep of Microbiol, Coll of Sci Gandhi Inst of Technol and Mgmt (GITAM), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh-530 045, Email: vimala_y6@yahoo.com) : Some aspects of probiotics. Indian J Microbiol 2006, 46(1), 1-7.

Probiotics are the live microbial food and feed supplements which beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance. The competitive inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms by probiotic organisms in the gastro intestinal tract and its effects are discussed. The media required to grow probiotics in pure cultures and the viability of these strains is also highlighted.

^iia2 tables, 13 ref

004358   Varghese J;Patil M B (Dep of Biochem, L.I.T. Premises Univ, Amravati Road, Nagpur-440 033) : Successive use of proteinase inhibitor of Zizyphus jujuba leaves for effective inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut enzymes and larval growth. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2005, 3(2), 367-70.

Helicoverpa armigera is a major pest of many tropical crop plants and a voracious feeder of leaves developing seeds, fruits or bolls leading to drastic reduction in yield. The efficacy of proteinase inhibitor (PI) from Zizyphus jujuba (ZJ) leaves in retarding the growth of H. armigera larvae and a complete inhibition of digestive and mitochondrial enzymes has been reported. The PI responsible for mortality of H. armigera was found to be a 16.8 kD protein having PI, 2-glucosidase and haemagglutinating activity.

2 tables, 29 ref

004357   Tripathi S M;Rajesh Kumar;Sharma A (Dep of Microbiol, Coll of Basic Sci and Humanities G.B. Pant Univ of Agric and Technol, Pantnagar) : Characterization and establishment of rice endophytic bacteria from Pantnagar. Indian J Microbiol 2006, 46(1), 51-7.

Five true endophytic bacterial isolates were recovered from seed, root, shoot and tissue cultured rice plants of Pant Dhan 6, variety of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttaranchal. Presence of eubacterial sequences (an intact band of 1.4 kb) was confirmed by amplification of 16S rDNA in all the isolates. Amplification of nifH sequences (two bands of 800 and 700 bp) was possible in PS1 and PTR2 isolates but active nitrogenase activity was observed in PS1 only, when assayed by gas chromatographic system. All the isolates were siderophore producers. Production of indole acetic acid was reported in three isolates. Isolates PS1 and PTR2 were able to utilize ACC (1-amino cyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid) as a sole carbon source. A varied pattern of enzymes viz., cellulase, pectinase and gelatinase was observed in the recovered isolates. Stable establishment and colonization of inoculated endophytes in rice plants, was correlated on the basis of antibiotic resistance and ARDRA profiles of isolated and inoculated endophytes.

3 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

004356   Srivastava V K (Dep of Zool, Jawaharlal Nehru Coll, Pasighat, PO. Hill-Top-791 103, Email: srivks1@rediffmail.com ) : Population dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates in relation to water quality and silt load of Siang river of Arunachal Pradesh. J appl Biosci 2006, 32(1), 44-53.

Deals with the population dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates in Siang river (between Pasighat and Oyiramghat) in relation to water quality and silt load. Year round observations revealed that the population density was higher during late months of winter to early months of premonsoon. Population of benthic macroinvertebrates was composed of larvae of different orders of insects (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Placoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera) at both the centres. However, population of dipterans was slightly higher at Oyiramghat, while ephemeropterans exhibited comparatively higher values at Pasighat. Further, it was observed that water current, water temperature and silt load displayed significant negative relationships. Dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, hardness, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ on the other hand showed significant positive relationships. Stepwise regression analysis with all the abiotic variables exhibited its varied degree of effect to dependent variables. Bottom habitat (texture) was observed to be more conducive at Pasighat for the colonization of benthic macro-invertebrates than Oyiramghat.

5 illus, 5 tables, 39 ref

004355   Sandhar R K;Sharma J R;Kaul V K;Manrao M R (Dep of Biochem and Chem, Punjab Agric Univ, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: Kaulvk@rediffmail.com) : Biological potential of cinnamalaniline and its N-phenyl derivatives. Indian J Microbiol 2006, 46(1), 39-43.

Cinnamalaniline and its N-phenyl derivatives (I-VII) were examined in vitro for their antifungal potential against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum capsici, Myrothecium roridum and Ustilago tritici by spore germination inhibition method and against Phytophthora infestans by detached leaf technique. Cinnamal-4-fluoroaniline (V) recorded disease intensity of 9.0 per cent at 2000 ppm, better than that of Indofil M-45 and comparable with Ridomil-MZ. The compounds I-VII were also tested for their nematicidal activity against Ditylenchus myceliophagus using poison food technique and aqueous in vitro screening method. Compounds II and V showed 100 per cent mortality and almost complete control of nematode population build up at 1000 ppm.

1 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

004354   Ruan C;Li D (NO, Inst of Bio-Resources and Envir of Dalian Nationalities Univ, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116600, People's Republic of China, Email: ruan@dlnu.edu.cn) : AFLP fingerprinting analysis of some cultivated varieties of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). J Genet 2005, 84(3), 311-16.

2 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

004353   Reuter M;Kupper Y;Schmitz A;Breuer J P;Wend U;Hennig J (Cent of Psychobiology and Behavioural Med, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10F, D-35394 Giessen, Germany, Email: martin.reuter@psychol.uni-giessen.de) : Detection of new single nucleotide polymorphisms by means of real time PCR. J Genet 2005, 84(3), 341-5.

3 illus, 11 ref

004352   Rajasekaran A (T.R. Govindachari Cent for Nat Products, SPIC Sci Foundation, 88, Mount Road, Chennai-600 032, Email: anitha_rajasekar@hot.mail.com) : Antifungal activity of Fusarium lateritium extracts. Indian J Microbiol 2006, 46(1), 73-5.

Extracts of Fusarium lateritium showed significant antifungal activity against phytopathogens and dermatophytes. Filtrates obtained from yeast extract sucrose and potato dextrose broth cultures were totally lethal to few of the phytopathogens and dermatophytes at 1000 <109> g mL^-1. This demonstrated the antifungal efficacy of Fusarium lateritiutm.

^ssc2 tables, 6 ref

004351   Prakash M;Karthikeyan V;Karmegam N (Dep of Microbiol, Kanchi Shri Krishna Coll of Arts and Sci, Kilambi-631 551) : Determination of total counts of psychrotrophic bacteria and coliforms in milk samples. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2006, 16(3), 291-6.

Total of 80 raw milk samples in three sets (Set 1, n=28; Set 2, n=22; Set 3, n=28) were collected from the milk cans at the entry of a dairy industry near Kanchipuram town, South India and were subjected to analysis of psychrotrophic bacterial count (PBC) and total coliform count (TCC) in relation to total bacterial count (TBC). The geometric mean values of TBC were 46, 562, 42, 924 and 39, 590 CFU/ml observed in Sets 1, 2 and 3 raw milk samples. The hygienic limit for TBC exceeded in 17.9, 36.4 and 20.0 percent of the samples in Sets 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The relative index pi expressing the PBC/TBC ratio and TCC/TBC ratio was pi= 0.11 and 0.20 for Set 1; pi= 0.19 and 0.39 for Set 2; pi=0.35 and 0.41 for Set 3. The correlation between PBC and TBC and between TCC and TBC was statistically significant in all the sets.

3 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

004350   Popa L O;Giacomo F D;Popa O M;Raicu F;Coman N ("Grigore Antipa" Natn Mus of Nat Hist "Grigore Antipa" Sos. Kiseleff, , No.1, Sector 1, Bucharest, 011341, Romania, Email: popaluis@idilis.ro) : Multiplex PCR for the assignment of some major branches of the Y chromosome tree. J Genet 2005, 84(3), 303-6.

1 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

004349   Panda S;Sahu S (P G Dep of Envir Sci, Sambalpur Univ, Jyotivihar-768 019, Email: sahusanjat@rediffmail.com) : Assessment of recovery of biomass and secondary production of the earthworm Drawida willsi following application of malathion under field conditions. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2006, 16(3), 201-10.

Recovery of biomass and secondary production of a dominant crop field earthworm (Drawida willsi, Michaelsen) was assessed for a period of 105 days following application of two sublethal but recommended doses of malathion (2.2 mg a.i./kg single dose & 4.4 mg a.i./kg double dose) in a rice field agro ecosystem. The average biomass of the D. willsi in control plots was 4.67 g dry wt/m². The worm biomass showed 12 and 21% decline in single and double dose of malathion treated plots, respectively, over control. The secondary production of D. willsi in control plots after 105 days was 1.09 g dry wt/m². During the same period it was 0.95 and 0.83 g dry wt/m² in single and double dose of malathion. The two components of secondary production i.e. tissue utilized in reproduction and the tissue production showed about 10-13% and 21-24 % reduction, in single and double dose malathion treated plots. Significant differences in the biomass (F≥4.47, P<60>0.05), tissue production (F≥15.26, P<60>0.05) and tissue utilized in reproduction (F≥23.73, P<60>0.05) of control and malathion treated plots persisted upto 75 days. Second application of malathion in single and double agricultural doses should be avoided before this period has elapsed.

1 illus, 4 tables, 34 ref