012326   Verma K K (NO, , HIG 1/327, Housing Board Colony, Borsi, Durg-491 001, Email: kkvermain@yahoo.com) : Polyphenism in insects and the juvenile hormone. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 415-20.

1 illus, 39 ref

012325   Venu Gopal Rao M L;Mastan S A (Biotechnological P.G. Dep, D.N.R. College, Bhimavaram-534 202) : Antidiabetic effect of methanolic extract of Centella asiatica (Linn.) on induced hyperglycemia rats. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 721-4.

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of Centella asiatica (Linn) on induced hyperglycemic rats. The results of the present study indicates that methanolic extract of Centella asiatica significantly reduce the blood glucose and plasma levels in Streptozotocin induced hyperglycemic rats both in acute and chronic cases.

2 tables, 15 ref

012324   Usha Singh;Indu;Roy S (Food and Nutrition Dep, Rajender Agricultural Univ, Pusa-848 125) : Calcium and iron intake of adult man (moderate worker) in different regions of Bihar. J Dairying Fd Home Sci 2006, 25(3-4), 178-81.

Calcium and iron intake of moderate workers (adult men) in different regions of Bihar were assessed. The mean intake of calcium and iron in Bihar is 281.77 mg and 14.92 mg per day respectively, which is lower than Recommended Dietary Allowances. The intake of calcium was the lowest in Hajipur (252.95 mg/day) and highest in Begusarai (301.30 mg/day), whereas the intake of iron was the lowest in Muzaffarpur (13.73 mg/day) and highest in Samastipur (16.16 mg/day). Significant differences were observed in the intake of calcium and iron among different regions. The intake of calcium in Hajipur is significantly lower than that of Madhubani (t value = 7.45), Begusarai (t value = 7.44) and Samastipur (t value = 6.29) at 0.1 per cent level whereas the intake of iron in Hajipur is significantly lower than that of Begusarai (t value = 2.80) and Samastipur (t value = 3.24) at 1.0 per cent level.

1 illus, 2 tables, 3 ref

012323   Ucheya R E;Igweh J C;Anyaehie U S B;Nwosu E O;Nweke M L (Anatomy and Physiology Dep, College of Medicine, Nigeria Univ, Enugu Campus, Nigeria) : Histological changes in the liver following use of Brassica oleracea extract as an antitrypanosomal agent in sprague dawley rats. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 395-8.

Studied the changes in the liver of Trypanosomal infected Sprague dawley rats that were treated with extracts of Brassica oleracea. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats divided randomly six equal experimental groups with two serving as control groups were used. Rats into four groups were infected with a strain of T. brucei and subsequently treated with either oral or intramuscular injections of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Brassica oleracea. The control groups consisted of a group of rats infected but not treated and another group that were uninfected but treated with intramuscular injection of aqueous extracts. The aim was to determine the safety and also substantiate reported anti-trypanosomal activities of Brassica oleracea. Findings showed that both methanolic and aqueous extracts of Brassica oleracea attenuate liver damage due to Trypanosomasis infection thereby prolonging life of infected rats. This confirms Brassica oleracea as safe but with limited anti-trypanosomal activity. Recommends extracts of Brassica oleracea as a suppressant of Trypanasomiasis which can be a useful adjunct to therapy.

2 tables, 9 ref

012322   Tiwari P;Sankhla A (NO, , G/9 R.S.E.B. Colony, Power House, Debari, Post Zinc Smelter, Udaipur (Raj)-313 024) : Dietary behaviour of college going normal, overweight and obese girls. J Dairying Fd Home Sci 2006, 25(3-4), 234-7.

Study was undertaken to assess the dietary behaviour of urban college going girls of different weight status. Height and weight of the subjects were taken for calculating BMI and on the basis of BMI, subjects were divided in three weight status categories i. e. normal,'overweight and obese. Thirty girls were selected from each category and twenty four hour recall method was used to assess the dietary adequacy. Study revealed that food containing high fat and energy were more frequently consumed by overweight and obese subjects.

2 tables, 9 ref

012321   Thompson D A;Hammock B D (Entomology and Research Center Dep, California Univ, Davis, CA 95616, USA, Email: thompson@fresno.edu) : Dihydroxyoctadecamonoenoate esters inhibit the neuthrophil respiratory burst. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 279-91.

Leukotoxins [9(10)- and 12(13)-EpOME] are produced by activated inflammatory leukocytes such as neutrophils. High EpOME levels are observed in disorders such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and in patients with extensive burns. Although the physiological significance of the EpOMEs remains poorly understood, in some systems, the EpOMEs act as a protoxin, with their corresponding epoxide hydrolase metabolites, 9,10- and 12,13-DiHOME, specifically exerting toxicity. Both the EpOMEs and the DiHOMEs were also recently shown to have neutrophil chemotactic activity. Evaluates whether the neutrophil respiratory burst, a surge of oxidant production thought to play an important role in limiting certain bacterial and fungal infections, is modulated by members of the EpOME metabolic pathway. Pesents evidence that the DiHOMEs suppress the neutrophil respiratory burst by a mechanism distinct from that of respiratory burst inhibitors such as cyclosporin H or lipoxin A4, which inhibit multiple aspects of neutrophil activation.

8 illus, 76 ref

012320   Thakur P C;Harsh Kumar (Botany Dep, R S More College, Govindpur, Dhanbad) : Noval method for rapid clonal propagation of Mussaenda erythrophylla `Rosea` through tissue culture. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 669-73.

Different factors that affect culture establishment, axillary shoot proliferation and rooting of microshoots of Mussaenda erythrophylla 'Rosea', a woody ornamental and medicinal shrub, were studied for its clonal micropropagation. Nodal stem cuttings were the most suitable explants for proliferation of multiple shoots when cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) basal medium (BM) containing 2.0 mg/ L Kinetin (KIN) and 0.5 mg/L- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) which yielded an average of 4.3 shoots per explant. Less frequency of axillary shoots were produced by shoot tip explants. KIN alone was less effective in shoot proliferation. Browning of medium due to phenolics exedution was checked when explants were treated with ascorbic acid (AA). Best rooting of microshoots was observed on half-strength BM supplemented with NAA (2.0 mg/L) which also developed basal callus. However, basal callus posed little problem in establishment of plantlets to the field. Microshoots were directly differentiated from explants without going to callus phase which eliminated chances of culture induced genetic variations. Thus, a novel rapid micropropagation protocol was developed that ensured clonal stability and genetic uniformity.

4 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

012319   Sumantran V N et al. (Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bhartiya Vidyapeeth Deemed Univ, Medical College Campus, Dhankawadi, Pune-411 043, Email: venils@hotmail.com ) : Chondroprotective potential of root extracts of Withania sominifera in osteoarthritis. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 299-307.

Two novel chondroprotective activities of aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera root powder has been described. First, these extracts had a statistically significant, short-term chondroprotective effect on damaged human ostecsarthritic cartilage matrix in 50% of the patients tested. Second, these extracts caused a significant and reproducible inhibition of the gelatinase activity of collagenase type 2 enzyme in vitro.

2 tables, 3 illus, 12 ref

012318   Soti C;Peter Csermely (Medical Chemistry Dep, Sammelweis Univ, PO Box 260, H-1444, Budapest 8, Hungary, Email: csaba@puskin.stote.hu) : Protein stress and stress proteins: implications in aging and disease. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 511-15.

Environmantal stress induces damage that activates an adaptive response in any organism. The cellular stress response is based on the induction of cytoprotective proteins, the so called stress or heat shock proteins. The stress response as well as stress proteins are ubiquitous, highly conserved mechanism, and genes, respectively, already present in prokaryotes. Chaperones protect the proteome against conformational damage, promoting the function of protein networks. Protein damage takes place during aging and in several degenerative diseases, and presents a threat to overload the cellular defense mechanisms. The preservation of a robust stress response and protein disposal is indispensable for health and longevity. This review summarizes the present knowledge of protein damage, turnover, and the stress response in aging and degenerative diseases.

1 table, 51 ref

012317   Sorensen J G;Loeschcke V (Genetic and Ecology Dep, Aarhus center for Enviromental Stress Researc, Aarhus Univ, Building 540, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, Email: jesper.sorensen@biology.au.dk) : Studying stress respones in the post-genomic era: its ecological and evolutionary role. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 447-56.

Most investigations on the effects of and responses to stress exposures have been performed on a limited number of model organisms in the laboratory. Here much progress has been made in terms of identifying and describing beneficial and detrimental effects of stress, responses to stress and the mechanisms behind stress tolerance. However, to gain further understanding of which genes are involved in stress resistance and how the responses are regulated from an ecological and evolutionary perspective there is a need to combine studies on multiple levels of biological organization from DNA to phenotypes. Furthermore, emphasizes the importance of studying ecologically relevant traits and natural or semi-natural conditions to verify whether the results obtained are representative of the ecological and evolutionary processes in the field. Gives review of currently know about of thermal adaptation and the role of different stress responses to thermal challenges in insects, particularly Drosophila

1 illus, 92 ref

012316   Silva-Zacarin E C M ;Tomaino G A; Brocheto-Braga M R ;Taboga S R;Silva De Moraes R L M (NO, Universidade Federal de sao Carlos-UFSCar, Avenida Darci Carvalho Daffener, 200 Alto da Boa Vista, Email: elaine@power.ufscar.br) : Programmed cell death in the larval salivary glands of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae). J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 309-28.

The morphological and histochemical features of degeneration in honeybee (Apis mellifera) salivary glands were investigated in 5th instar larvae and in the pre-pupal period. The distribution and activity patterns of acid phosphatase enzyme were also analysed. As a routine, the larval salivary glands were fixed and processed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Tissue sections were subsequently stained with haematoxylin-eosin, bromophenol blue, silver, or a variant of the critical electrolyte concentration (CEC) method. Ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Glands were processed for the histochemical and cytochemical localization of acid phosphatase, as well as biochemical assay to detect its activity pattern. Acid phosphatase activity was histochemically detected in all the salivary glands analysed. The cytochemical results showed acid phosphatase in vesicles, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes during the secretory phase and, additionally, in autophagic structures and luminal secretion during the degenerative phase. These findings were in agreement with the biochemical assay. At the end of the 5th instar, the glandular cells had a vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei, and epithelial cells were shed into the glandular lumen. The transition phase from the 5th instar to the pre-pupal period was characterized by intense vacuolation of the basal cytoplasm and release of parts of the cytoplasm into the lumen by apical blebbing; these blebs contained cytoplasmic RNA, rough endoplasmic reticule and, occasionally, nuclear material. In the pre-pupal phase, the glandular epithelium showed progressive degeneration so that at the end of this phase only nuclei and remnants of the cytoplasm were observed. The nuclei were pyknotic, with peripheral chromatin and blebs. The gland remained in the haemolymph and was recycled during metamorphosis. The programmed cell death in this gland represented a morphological form intermediate between apoptosis and autophagy.

2 tables, 9 illus, 70 ref

012315   Shoaibi A A A (Biology Dep, Faculty of Science, Taibah Univ, Al-Madinah Ai-Munawarah, P.O. Box-300 02, Saudi Arabia) : Growth response of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Zea mays to chilling temprature. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 389-94 .

Pennisetum purpureum is a fast-growing C₄ crops. During winter, chilling temperature that reaches 12<144>

2 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

012314   Shelke R R;Shelke B M (Information Technology Dep, H.V.P.M`s College of Engeenering, Amravati-444 605) : Image processing of DNA slide images for disease diagnosis. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 827-8.

A DNA microarray also commonly known as gene or genome chip, DMA chip, or gene array is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface, such as glass, plastic or silicon chip forming an array for the purpose of expression profiling, monitoring expression levels for thousands of genes simultaneously. The affixed DNA segments are known as probes, thousands of which can be placed in known locations on a single DNA microarray. Measuring gene expression using microarrays is relevant to many areas of biology and medieine, such as studying treatments, disease, and developmental stages. For example, microarrays can be used to identify disease genes by comparing gene expression in diseased and normal cells. The cell slide images' have been processed to calculate different gene values in the particular slide which in turn maintain the database for cluster analysis and visualization for disease diagnosis.

1 illus, 10 ref

012313   Schumann W (Institute of Genetics, Univ of Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany, Email: wschumann@uni-bayreuth.de) : Thermosensors in eubacteria: role and evolution. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 549-57.

Temperature is an important physical stress factor sensed by bacteria and used to regulate gene expression. Three different macromolecules have been identified being able to sense temperature: DNA, mRNA and proteins. Depending on the induction mechanism, two different pathways have to be distinguished, namely the heat shock response and the high temperature response. While the heat shock response is induced by temperature increments and is transient, the high temperature response needs a specific temperature to become induced and proceeds as long as cells are exposed to that temperature. The heat shock response is induced by denatured proteins and aimed to prevent formation of protein aggregates by refolding or degradation, and the high temperature response is mainly used by pathogenic bacteria to detect entry into a mammalian host followed by induction of their virulence genes. All known high temperature sensors are present in two alternative conformations depending on the temperature. Heat shock sensors are either molecular chaperones or proteases which keep either a positive transcriptional regulator inactive or a negative regulator active or do not attack the regulator, respectively, under physiological conditions. Denatured proteins either titrate the molecular chaperones or activate the protease. The evolution of the different temperature sensors is discussed.

62 ref

012312   Sathi Reddy K;Babu Hari;Tandel M K;Reddy Linga D (Physics Dep, Osmania Univ, USC, Hyderabad-500 007) : Ultrasonic studies on the different veterinary samples. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 777-80.

Ultrasonic velocity (v), attenuation coefficient (a), density (p), post thaw-motility, sperm concentration (n) and optical density for various bull semen samples of Deoni, Killeri, Jersey, Sruti, Holstein Friesian (HF) and Murrah were measured at room temperature of about 301.15 K temperature. Ultrasonic velocity (v) studies were carried out at the frequency of 2MHz with PZT transducer of X-cut using ultrasonic Pulse Echo Overlap (PEO) technique on various bull semen samples. The density (p) of various bull semen samples were measured with 10ml specific gravity bottle, the sperm concentration (n) by Heamocytometer, optical density by photoelectric colorimeter and post-thaw motility by Phase-Contrast Microscope. It was observed that the ultrasonic velocity (v) was different for different bull semen samples and relative merits were discussed.

6 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

012311   Salathia N;Queitsch C (FAS Center for System Biology, Harvard Univ, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA, Email: equeitsch@cgr.harvard.edu) : Molecular mechanisms of canalization: Hsp90 and beyond. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 457-63.

Hsp90 chaperone machine facilitates the maturation of a diverse set of 'client' proteins. Many of these Hsp90 clients are essential nodes in signal transduction pathways and regulatory circuits, accounting for the important role Hsp90 plays in organismal development and responses to the environment. Recent findings suggest a broader impact of the chaperone on phenotype: fully functional Hsp90 canalizes wild-type phenotypes by suppressing underlying genetic and epigenetic variation. This variation can be expressed upon challenging the Hsp90 machinery by environmental stress, genetic or pharmaceutical targeting of Hsp90. The existence of Hsp90-buffered genetic and epigenetic variation together with plausible release mechanisms has wide-ranging implication for phenotype and possibly evolutionary processes. Here, we discuss the role of Hsp90 in canalization and organismal plasticity, and highlight important questions for future experimental inquiry.

2 illus, 49 ref

012310   Sadhale P;Verma J;Naorem A (Microbiology and Cell Biology Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Banglore-560 012, Email: pps@mcbl.iisc.ernet.in) : Basal transcription machinery: role in regulation of stress response in eukaryotes. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 569-78.

Holoenzyme of prokaryotic RNA polymerase consists of the core enzyme, made of two a, β, β and σ subunits, which lacks promoter selectivity and a sigma σ subunit which enables the core enzyme to initiate transcription in a promoter dependent fashion. A stress sigma factor σ⁵, in prokaryotes seems to regulate several stress response genes in conjunction with other stress specific regulators. Since the basic principles of transcription are conserved from simple bacteria to multicelhalar complex organisms, an obvious question is: what is the identity of a counterpart of σ⁵, that is closest to the core polymerase and that dictates transcription of stress regulated genes in general? Discusses the logic behind the suggestion that like in prokaryotes, eukaryotes also have a common functional unit in the transcription machinery through which the stress specific transcription factors regulate rapid and highly controlled induction of gene expression associated with generalized stress response and point to some candidates that would fit the bill of the eukaryotic σ⁵.

3 illus, 64 ref

012309   Rojo R;Mendoza G D;Plata F X;Lara A;Barcena R (NO, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Mexicao, Email: gmendoza@correo.xoc.uam.mx) : Comparison of method of application on the effect of amylolytic enzymes on In vitro ruminal starch digestion. J appl Anim Res 2007, 32(1), 81-4.

In vitro experiment was designed to study the efficacy of two amylolytic enzymes on starch digestion of corn applied to grain 24 h before incubation or at the beginning of the fermentation. Both enzymes, amylase from B. licheniformis and glucoamylase from A. niger, increased starch digestion .and there was no effect of the aspersion of the enzyme before the incubation, or the addition of the solution during the fermentation. It is concluded that even when enzymes are soluble proteins, resistance to ruminal degradation is not improved by the contact with the grain before incubation.

3 illus , 18 ref

012308   Rezaei-Zarchi S;Saboury A A;Ghourchian H;Hong J;Barzegar A;Norouzi P;Movahedi A A Moosavi;Ganjali M R;Javed A (Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Tehran Univ, Tehran, Iran, Email: saboury@ut.ac.ir) : Electrochemical investigation of the effect of some organic phosphates on haemoglobin. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 271-8.

Effects of DPG, IHP, GTP, GDP and GMP on the structure and stability of haemoglobin were electrochemically investigated with an iodide-modified silver electrode in 0.01 M KNO₃ at pH 7.0. Anodic and cathodic peaks of haemoglobin were observed at 250 mV and 12 mV with a formal potential value of 133 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The effects of different concentrations of DPG, IHP, GTP, GDP and GMP on the anaerobic redox reaction were determined. The results showed that DPG and IHP can lead to a positive shift in the reduction peak of haemoglobin, indicating that the oxidation peak shift of haemoglobin was small as a result of stabilization of the reduced state and destabili-zation of the R-like state of haemoglobin. GTP elicited a more positive shift in the cathodic and anodic peaks of haemoglobin at a higher concentration, signifying that it has a low-affinity binding site on haemoglobin. The positive shift of the cathodic and anodic peaks revealed a slight variation in the structure and indicated the unfolding of haemoglobin in the presence of high concentrations of GTP. The study also showed that GDP and GMP did not cause significant shift the cathodic and anodic peaks of haemoglobin even at high concentrations, refuting the existence of specific GDP- and GMP-binding sites on the protein. Moreover, the iodide-modified silver electrode method proved to be easy and useful in investigating the effects of ligands or other effectors on haemoglobin in solution.

6 illus, 37 ref

012307   Revathi M;Venkateswarlu K (Microbiology Dep, Sri Krishnadevaraya Univ, Anantapor-515 003) : Choice of medium and soil inoculum potentiel for autotrophic nitrification mediated by groundnut rhizosphere population. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 591-4.

Viable population of autotrophic nitrifiers, enumerated by the most-probable number method, was more pronounced in rhizosphere soil obtained from groundnut than in non-rhizosphere soil. Among different growth media tested for autotrophic ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers, the modified Winogradsky's medium was found to be the best choice. The rate of either ammonium oxidation or nitrite oxidation by the native population of nitrifiers was significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil of groundnut than in non-rhizosphere soil. The metabolic activity of ammonia oxidizers or nitrite oxidizers was proportional to the concentration of soil inoculum included in the modified Winogradsky's medium.

3 tables, 19 ref

012306   Reddy B V B;Ahlawat Y S;Varma A (Unit of Virology, Plant Pathology Div, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012) : Molecular characterization of citrus yellow mosaic virus. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 547-52.

Nucleic acid extracted from purified virus was unaffected by RNase A and S1 nuclease treatment but completely degraded by DNase A treatment indicating that the viral genome is ds DNA . In non-danaturing agarose gels the viral DNA migrated as two bands at 21Kb and 6.6 Kb . The faster migrating band of 6.6 Kb may be linear from of viral DNA while slow migarating band of 21 Kb may be circular form of viral DNA by anology with other badnaviruses indicating that viral genome is circular in nature. Digestion of viral DNA with S1 nuclease gave two extra bands which are absent in untreated DNA indicating that the viral genome has two single stranded discontinuities may be one on each strand. The genome size of virus was estimated as 7.2 Kb (approx.) by S1 nuclease treatment . The viral genome was cloned in pUC18 at Hind III site and identified two virus specific clones of 2.0 Kb and 4.0Kb in length by dot blot hybridization and their restriction maps were prepared. Anlaysis of capsid protein of virus by SDS-PAGE and Western blot gave one major capsid protein of 32 Kd and two minor bands of 22 and 19 Kd which are rather degraded products of 32 Kd.

6 illus, 22 ref

012305   Rawat M;Malhotra S;Senthilkumar C S;Kulkarni U;Ganesh N (Research Dep, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Reasearch Center, Bhopal-462 001) : Genomic DNA of leukemic patients:A molecular tool to detect genetic variatio in clinical diagnosis. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 745-8.

Comparative study analyzed to detect the genetic variation in CML, AML, CLL and ALL leukemic patients. DMA was isolated from four leukemia patient's blood sample and electrophoresed in 0.8% agarose gel. Purity was checked by quantification at 260 nm in UV - spectrophotometer. In all the four leukemia cases, CML patient DNA was significantly noted with elevated level. CLL patient DMA samples also found with slight variation in increased concentration. AML and ALL samples showed no variation on their comparative status. The present study concluded all the elevated level was found in chronic leukemia as compared to acute leukemia's.

1 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

012304   Rao Rama V ;Reddy Bhaskar I ;Ramana T;Gopal Raja S V ;Raman B V;Pallavi D S;Hyma D (Biochemistry and Biotechnology Dep, College of Science, GITAM, Vishakapatnam-45) : Radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of ethylacetate fraction of Plectranthus aromaticus leaves. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 581-8.

Free radical damages have been implicated for more than hundred diseases including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, ageing etc. In treatment of these diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained an utmost importance. Current research is now directed towards finding of naturally occurring antioxidant of plant origin. In Indian system of medicine Plectranthus aromaticus is an important medicinal plant and its leaves are often eaten raw with bread and butter, and decoction of its leaves is administered in the cases of chronic cough and asthma. To understand the pharmacological actions, in vitro antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate fraction of P. aromaticus was investigated for scavenging super oxide anion radicals, hydroxy! radicals, nitric oxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, metal chelation and total antioxidant power. The fraction was also studied for lipid peroxidation assay using sheep liver homogenate. In all these tests, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of extract and percentage of inhibition of free radicals, metal chelation, total antioxidant power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

4 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

012303   Rao Bhaskar D ;Devi Subhasini P ;Aparanji P; Rao Rama M;Raghava T (Biochemistry Dep, College of Science and Technology, Andhra Univ, Vishakapatnam-03) : In vitro evalution of antioxidant properties and their capacity of Alternanthera sessilis and Tephrosia purpurea. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 551-60.

Currently, there is a great interest in functional components of food ingredients. This is mainly due to the fact that many studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS), including oxygen free radicals, are a part of etiology of degenerative disorders including some hepatopathies and other serious organ damage. Aqueous extracts of Alternanthera sessilis and Tephrosia purpurea were screened for potential antioxidant properties, which includes various enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase and ascorbate oxidase and various non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, vitamin C and total phenolics. These plants extracts also analysed for in vitro antioxidant capacity assay, which includes the total antioxidant power, reducing power and the radical scavenging assays. The results clearly indicate that both the plants of the present study are beneficial as an antioxidant sources since both the plants possesses significant level of enzymatic antioxidants, non-enzymatic antioxidants and also exhibits antioxidant capacity.

3 illus, 2 tables, 42 ref

012302   Ramya M;Bhaskar A;Monica Anita R I;Vidhya V G;Rajadurai M (Biotechnology Dep, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli-620 017) : Rapid molecular detection of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphiby polymerase chain reaction. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 675-7.

Salmonella is one of the major pathogenic bacterium worldwide causing public health hazards. Although different conventional culture media are available PCR based detection is the most advanced and the rapid method available for the identification of Salmonella. The method mentioned here can be used to detect the presence of Salmonella in any sample by using its specific primer pairs invA and spvc which would be cost effective and rapid.

1 illus, 1 table. 7ref

012301   Rakesh Kumar;Choudhary V;Mishra S;Varma I K (Center of Polymer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016) : Mechanical propertise of solution casted native and enzyme modified soy protein films. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 531-40.

Solution casting is a low cost method to prepare films when compared to compression molding method. Soy protein concentrate (SPC) and soy protein isolate (SPI) have been used to prepare the films by solution casting method. Different polyols such as glycerol (G), trimethylol propane (T), polyethylene glycol (P) of different molecular weights, and enzymes of different specificity have been incorporated in soy protein to prepare the films. Tensile strength and elongation of all the prepared films were determined. TSPC films could not be prepared while TSPI films of good mechanical property can be prepared. Mechanical properties of the solution casted sample i.e GSPI-50, containing 50 % glycerol was same as that of GSPI-50 prepared by compression molding method. However, elongation and water uptake of the solution casted films were higher than that of compression molded films. Thermal stability of either solution casted/compression molded films showed no noticeable differences except in GSPI-50 (S), which showed third endothermic transition. Biodegradability of the films in the contaminated environment was also studied.

5 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

012300   Rajagopal S V;Raman B V;Reddy Bhaskar I ; Ramarao M;Siva K K (Biotecnology and Biochemistry Dep, College of Science, GITAM College, Viskhapatnam-530 045, ) : Antioxidant and free redical scavenging activity of red algae of Visakhapatnam coast. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 645-50.

Antioxidant, free radical scavenging activity, total phenolics, total carotenoids, vitamin-C and vitamin-E contents of four algal species were carried out to expand their utilization in pharmaceutical and food industry. Fractions rich in phenolics were extracted from four Red algal species using methanol as solvent and Free radical scavenging activity was studied using DPPH photometric assay. Gracilaria corticata exhibited higher levels of radical scavenging activity, total phenolics, and high Vitamin C and vitamin E contents. Whereas, carotenoids are rich in Gracilaria corticata.

4 illus, 23 ref

012299   Prasad K V;Taiyab A;Jyothi D;Srinivas U K; Sreedhar A S (NO, Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: assr@ccmb.res.in) : Heat skock transcription factors regulate heat induced cell death in a rat histiocytoma. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 585-93.

Heat shock response is associated with the synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps) which is strictly regulated by different members of heat shock transcription factors (HSFs).A rat histiocytoma, BC-8 failed to synthesize Hsps when subjected to typical heat shock conditions (42°C, 60 min). The lack of Hsp synthesis in these cells was due to a failure in HSF1 DNA binding activity. BC-8 tumor cells when subjected to heat shock at higher temperature (43°C, 60 min) or incubation for longer time at 42°C, exhibited necrosis characteristics; however, under mild heat shock (42°C, 30 min) conditions cells showed activation of autophagy. Mild heat shock treatment induced proteolysis of HSF1, and under similar conditions. Observed an increase in HSF2-expression followed by its enhanced DNA binding activity. Inhibiting HSF1 proteolysis by reversible proteasome inhibition failed to inhibit heat shock induced autophagy. Compromising HSF2 expression but not HSF1 resulted in the inhibition of autophagy, suggesting HSF2 dependent activation of autophagy are reporting. It has been reponted for the first time that HSF2 is heat inducible and functions in heat shock induced autophagic cell death in BC-8 tumor cells.

4 illus, 3 illus, 23 ref

012298   Prabhavati E;Mallaiah K V (Microbiology Dep, Acharya Nagarjuna Univ, Nagarjunanagar-522 510) : Effect of sodium chloride on colony growth, viability and exopolysaccharide production of Rhizobium strains nodulating horse gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (LAM.) Verdc.]. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 649-52.

Horse gram is an important pulse crop of South India. The Rhizobium strains from Horse gram were found to be highly salt tolerant. These strains were used to study the effect of NaCl on colony growth, viability and EPS production. The percentage reduction in growth of the three isolates at 3% NaCl over control are 49.5%, 38.6% and 56.25% respectively. At 10% NaCl concentration and above that the colonies were hyaline and of watery consistency. The higher concentrations of NaCl are generally antimicrobial, where only salt tolerant bacteria grow. The colonies growing at 5%, 10% & 15% NaCl showed relatively good growth when subcultured on fresh YEMA medium without NaCl. The colonies growing at 20% NaCl concentration yielded relatively smaller colonies. The EPS production by the three isolates generally increased with increase in NaCl concentration from 1 to 10%. At 15% concentration it was almost double than that at 10% concentration. At 20% NaCl concentration the EPS content was slightly decreased than that at 15%, but still higher than that at 10% concentration.

4 tables, 16 ref

012297   Pendli A;Vali S (Food and Nutrition Dep, Osmania Univ College for Women, Hyderabad-500 001) : Modified diets for restraining fluoride exposure in selected fluorosis endemic villages of Korpana and Rajura sils of Chandrapur district, Maharastra, India. J Dairying Fd Home Sci 2006, 25(3-4), 206-11.

Dietary surveys were carried out in six fluorosis endemic villages of Korpana and Rajura Tehsils of Chandrapur district. Results have shown that one third of the total fluoride ingestion was contributed by the food stuffs and the remaining by water used for drinking and cooking purposes. The calcium was deficient in their diets by 52%. As adequate dietary calcium is found to mitigate the toxic effects of fluoride, the diet of the population was modified (diets M₁, M₂ and M₃) without changing their existing dietary pattern, replacing red gram dhal by calcium rich locally available Soya bean, Bengal gram. Green gram, Leafy vegetables and other vegetables. A marginal increase in the fluoride content from existing 479.3 to mean modified 780.3 mg/day was observed. In addition, there was an improvement in protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy. Calcium fluoride plots of the existing diet and three modified diets are plotted on Deshmukh -Vali diagram where from it is seen that the increased Calcium intake has sufficiently reduced Fluoride bioavailability in diet from existing 6.57 mg to mean modified 3.3 mg.

2 illus, 5 tables, 25 ref

012296   Paramesha Naik D;Malini U;Somashekar R K (Enviromental Sciences Dep, Banglore Univ, Banglore-560 056) : Drug sensitivity of different bacteria isolated from various sources of drinking water from, Bangalore district, India. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 713-14.

A total of 150 isolates obtained from different sources of drinking water (Well, supply water, tube well) were subjected to invitro sensitivity test against 7 antimicrobial agents. The overall susceptibility of the isolates were highest in Ciprofloxacin (91.33%) followed by Norfloxacin (86.66%), Gentamicin (83.33%) and Trimethoprime (74.66%). Sensitivity to other antimicrobial agents tested in Furazolidone (23.33%), Nalidixic acid (18.0%) and Cefotaxime (6.6%) was found to be less than 25%. It was found that Cefotaxime was the least effective drug.

1 table, 7 ref

012295   Pandeya S N;Pandey A;Gupta R L;Tripathi K (NO, , H No-187, Sector 11-b, Karkunj Road, Avas Vikas Colony, Sikandra, Agra) : Synthesis and antibacterial activity of isatin-3-semicarbazone and substitude isatin-3-semicarbazone. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(3), 645-8.

Isatin-3-semicarbazone and substituted Isatin-3-semicarbozone were synthesized and their antibacterial activity was screened. It was observed that chloro (II-2), methoxy(II-6), bromo (II-4) and nitro (II-5) substituted Isatin-3-semicarbazone exhibited activity against more than 50% of bacteria. Among the series, the least active was the compound with methyl substituent(II-S).

1 table, 10 ref

012294   Pandey G K;Pandey A;Siva Reddy V;Deswal R; Bhattacharya A;Upadhyaya K C;Sopory S K (NO, International Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, Email: giridhar98@gmail.com) : Antisense expression of a gene encoding a calcium binding protein in transgenic tobacco leads to altered morphology and enhanced chlorophyII. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 251-60.

Entamoeba histolytica contains a novel calcium-binding protein like calmodulin, which was discovered earlier, and we have reported the presence of its homologue(s) and a dependent protein kinase in plants. To understand the functions of these in plants, a cDNA encoding a calcium-binding protein isolated from Entamoeba histolytica (EhCaBP) was cloned into vector pBI121 in antisense orientation and transgenic tobacco plants were raised. These plants showed variation in several phenotypic characters, of which two distinct features, more greenness and leaf thickness, were inherited in subsequent generations. The increase in the level of total chlorophyll in different plants ranged from 60% to 70%. There was no major change in chloroplast structure and in the protein level of Dl, D2, LHCP and RuBP carboxylase. These morphological changes were not seen in antisense calmodulin transgenic tobacco plants, nor was the calmodulin level altered in EhCaBP antisense plants.

2 tables, 4 illus, 60 ref

012293   Pandey A K;Dongre P N;Singh Y K;Tiwari S N (Botany and Biotechnology Dep, Kutir P.G College Chakky, Biology Research Lab, Jaunpur-222 146) : Regulation of growth and biomolecule of Aphanothece sp. by phenoxy herbicide 2.4-D. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 769-72.

Toxicity of the herbicide, 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid to unicellular cyanobacterium Aphanothece Sp. has been studied. Stimulation in cyanobacterial growth was observed at 100 μg ml^-1 while higher concentrations had inhibitory effect with 1600 μg ml^-1being completely lethal. The sublethal concentration (1200 μg ml^-1) allowed few cell (frequency approx 10^-7) of cyanobacterium population into filamentous aseptate structure and regained the normal course of the unicellular pattern of differentiation in absence of the herbicide. 2, 4-D resulted in decline of chlorophyll a and no effect on DNA content even at the growth stimulatory concentration (100 μg ml^-1'). However, cell protein, RNA and phycobillin contents were increased up to 400 μg ml^-1 , while higher concentrations have inhibitory effects. Cellular abnormalities by higher concentration and possible mode of action of 2, 4-D at the level of cell division are discussed.

1 table, 15 ref

012292   Panday M;Gupta A (NO, Coll of Life Sci,Cancer Hosp and Res Inst, Gwalior) : Isolation and characterization of pathogenic bacteria from various packed drinking water. Indian J Field Vet 2007, 3(2), 55-7.

Twenty samples of drinking water collected from local market of Gwalior city were examined for presence of pathogenic bacteria. Reterophilic bacteria were prasent in all the samples. No pathoªgenic bacteria were found in bottled drinking water where as factury filled sachet and hand filled bags( pouches) were found contaminated 10 and 71.6 per cent, respectively.

2 tables, 7 ref 

012291   Onyesom I;Olise C C;Edafiadhe E W;Esume C O; Anyanwu E B (Medical Biochemistry Dep, Delta State Univ, Abraka, Nigeria) : Relastionship between duration of harmful alcohal consumption and serum lipids in some hospitalized Nigerian alcoholics undergoing detoxification treatment. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 457-62.

Heavy consumption of alcohol has been established to be the most common causative factor of liver disease, pancreatitis, upper gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. However, the influence of harmful duration of alcohol consumption on some "Syndrome X" risk factors and associated secondary cardiovascular dysfunction, is largely unknown. The study investigated the relationship of serum lipids in alcoholics and their duration of harmful alcohol consumption. One hundred and seven chronic alcoholics who were referred consecutively for detoxification were selected, and their drinking pattern was sufficient for them to be included in the study. History of alcohol abuse as well as drinking behaviour in the last 6 months were assessed by a semi-structured interview, and serum lipids were determined by standard procedures. Statistical analysis revealed that the duration of harmful alcohol consumption had the highest influence on the degree of brain injuries and withdrawal seizures. Serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG), HDL-.LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure (BP) measures were elevated in alcoholics compared with control subjects. In recent times, increase in serum TAG and TAG/HDL-cholesterol ratio have been reported to be among the biochemical indicators of "Syndrome X", an emerging disease. Thus, the prevalence of this emerging metabolic disorder among alcoholics deserve further investigation, because it might be yet another alcohol-related disorder study suggests.

1 table, 21 ref

012290   Neckers L (Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA, Email: ien@helix.nih.gov) : Heat shock protein 90: the cancer chaperone. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 517-30.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone required for the stability and function of a number of conditionally activated and/or expressed signalling proteins, as well as multiple mutated, chimeric, and/or over-expressed signalling proteins, that promote cancer cell growth and/or survival. Hsp90 inhibitors are unique in that, although they are directed towards a specific molecular target, they simultaneously inhibit multiple cellular signalling pathways. By inhibiting nodal points in multiple overlapping survival pathways utilized by cancer cells, combination of an Hsp90 inhibitor with standard chemotherapeutic agents may dramatically increase the in vivo efficacy of the standard agent. Hsp90 inhibitors may circumvent the characteristic genetic plasticity that has allowed cancer cells to eventually evade the toxic effects of most molecularly targeted agents. The mechanism-based use of Hsp90 inhibitors, both alone and in combination with other drugs, should be effective toward multiple forms of cancer. Further, because Hsp90 inhibitors also induce Hsf-1-dependent expression of Hsp70, and because certain mutated Hsp90 client proteins are neurotoxic, these drugs display ameliorative properties in several neurodegenerative disease models, suggesting a novel role for Hsp90 inhibitors in treating multiple pathologies involving neurodegeneration.

2 illus, 122 ref

012289   Muthuprasanna P;Uppala Mohan Kumar;Mithra V A (Pharamaceutic Dep, Vels College of Pharmacy, Pallavaram, Chennai-600 117) : Antibacterial actvity enhacement of cinnamon oil using aqueous dispersion of tween 80. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 805-8.

Antibacterial activity of cinnamon oil by using 0.2% tween 80 and the results were compared with the normal cinnamon oil activity and cinnamon oil in the chloroform solvent against different micro oraganism like Bacillus subtillus (MTCC441), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC96), Escherichia coli (MTCC443), Pseudomonas aeuroginosa (MTCC741). Tween 80 solution aided in the penetration of the-oil in the agar medium results more inhibitory zone activity against some antibiotics thus enhances the activity of the cinnamon oil.

18 ref

012288   Morange M (NO, Centre Cavailles, Ecole normal superieure, 29 rue d'Ulm, 75230 Paris Cedex 05, France, Email: morange@biologie.ens.fr) : What story tell us, VIII. the progressive construction of a machinism for prion diseases. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 223-7.

46 ref

012287   Moharikar S;D'Souza J S;Rao B J (Biochemical Sciences Dep, Tata Institute of Foundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Calaba, Mumbai-400 005, Email: bjrao@tifr.res.in) : Homologue of the defender against the apoptotic death gene (dad1) in UV-exposed Chlamydomonas cells in downregulated with the onset of programmed cell death. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(2), 261-70.

Isolation of a homologue of the potential anti-apoptotic gene, defender against apoptotic death (dadl) from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells is he pointed. Using polyinerase chain reaction (PCR), we investigated its expression in the execution process of programmed cell death (PCD) in UV-C exposed dying C. reinhardtii cells. Reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR showed that C. reinhardtii dadl amplification was drastically reduced in UV-C exposed dying C. reinhardtii cells. Connects the downregulation of dadl with the upregulation of apoptosis protease activating factor-1 (APAF-1) and the physiological changes that occur in C. reinhardtii cells upon exposure to 12 J/m² UV-C in order to show a reciprocal relationship between proapoptotic and inhibitor of apoptosis factors. The temporal changes indicate a correlation between the onset of cell death and dadl downregulation. The sequence of the PCR product of the cDNA encoding the dadl homologue was aligned with the annotated dadl (C_20215) from the Chlamydomonas database (http://genome.jgi-psf.org:8080/annotator/servlet/jgi.annotation.Annot ation?pDb=chlre2); Annotation?pDb=chlre2); this sequence was found to show 100% identity, both at the nucleotide and amino acid level. The 327 bp transcript showed an open reading frame of 87 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the putative C. reinhardtii DAD 1 homologue showed 54% identity with Oryza sativa, 56% identity with Drosophila melanogaster, 66% identity with Xenopus laevis, and 64% identity with Homo sapiens, Sus scrofa, Gallus gallus, Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus.

1 table, 5 illus, 50 ref

012286   Mohamed S F;Bakri AL I M;Sayed O H E (Microbial Biotechnology Dep, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.) : Biosorption of lead (II) by pre-treated biomass of marine brown algae Sargassum latifolium and Sargassum asperifolium. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 341-50.

Marine brown algae Sargassum latifolium and Sargassum asperifolium, harvested from the coast of the red sea, were investigated for their biosorption performance in the removal of lead (II) from aqueous solutions. The pretreatment of the biomass was carried out by using (0.2M) CaCl₂, NaCI, NH₄Cl and (1N) HCI, the pretreatment with NH₄CI showed the best biosorption capacities for both algal species. The isotherm and kinetic experiments were carried out at the pH 5.0 Isotherms experiments showed that the maximum capacities for lead uptake were 1.44 mmol/g and 1.47 mmol/g for Sargassum latifolium and Sargassum asperifolium respectively. The metal removal rates were rapid, with 90 % of the total adsorption taking place within 15 min and 45 min for Sargassum latifolium and Sargassum asperifolium respectively. Comparison with commercial resin indicated that the activated algae Sargassum latifolium and Sargassum asperifolium could be used as an efficient biosorbents for treatment of wastewater contaminated with lead.

6 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

012285   Liu Y;Zhao X;Zhang N;Luo X;Tong Z (State key Lab for Agrobiotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Labor, China Agricultural Univ, Beijing-100 094, P R China, Email: zhxb@cau.edu.cn) : Application of mtDNA sequencing method for individual identification in rustling. J appl Anim Res 2007, 32(1), 77-80.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing has extensive use in human forensics particularly for identification of individuals. In this case report a cattle was being claimed by two owners. Using this technique the disputed cattle was compared with purported mothers, brother, sister and son and the real relatives were identified. However, it has the limitation of being used only in case of different maternal lineages.

3 illus, 5 ref

012284   Lan X Y;Chen H;Pan C Y;Ming L J;Lei C Z;Hua L S;Zhang C L;Hu S R (Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Normal Univ, Xuzhou Jiangsu-221 116, Email: chenhong1212@263.net) : Polymorphism in growth hormone gene and its association with production traits in goats. J appl Anim Res 2007, 32(1), 55-60.

To detect the polymorphism in growth hormone gene in goats, five pairs of primers i.e. GH1 & GH2 (for 5' UTR region), GH3 and GH4 (for 2nd exon region and flanking regions) and GH5 (for 5th exon and flanking 3' UTR region) were used to amplify the respective regions. Polymorphic SSCP patterns were detected in all the amplified regions. Only association between SSCP in the 5th exon regions and milk yields in the third and fourth lactation was significant. There were several sequence variations in different amplified regions, however, 1651T-to-G mutation in exon 5 and flanking 3' UTR region was used for PCR-RFLP genotyping of different goat breeds with KpnL The KpnZ PCR-RFLP identified two alleles i.e. GH-T and GH-G allele and two genotypes (TT/TG) in seven goat populations. Frequencies of GH-G allele were 0.142, 0.092, 0.032, 0.131, 0.059, 0.050 and zero for Xinong Sannen dairy, Laoshan dairy, Guanzhong dairy, Shaannan White, Guizhou White, Angora and Boer populations reared in China. The association between TT and TG genotype with milk performance, litter size and weight may be useful for studying breed characteristics.

1 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref

012283   Kumar R;Raghavan Pavithra S;Tatu U (Biochemistery Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: tatu@biochem.iisc.ernet.in) : Three-dimensional structure of heat shock protein 90 from Plasmodium falciparum: molecular modeling approch to rational drug design against malaria. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 531-6.

Implicated heat shock protein 90 from Plasmodium falciparum (PfHsp90) as a potential drug target against malaria. Using inhibitors specific to the nucleotide binding domain of Hsp90, we have shown potent growth inhibitory effects on development of malarial parasite in human erythrocytes. To gain better understanding of the vital role played by PfHsp90 in parasite growth, we have modeled its three dimensional structure using recently described full length structure of yeast Hsp90. Sequence similarity found between PfHsp90 and yeast Hsp90 allowed us to model the core structure with high confidence. The superimposition of the predicted structure with that of the template yeast Hsp90 structure reveals an RMSD of 3.31 A. The N-terminal and middle domains showed the least RMSD (1.76 A) while the more divergent C-terminus showed a greater RMSD (2.84 A) with respect to the template. The structure shows overall conservation of domains involved in nucleotide binding, ATPase activity, co-chaperone binding as well as inter-subunit interactions. Important co-chaperones known to modulate Hsp90 function in other eukaryotes are conserved in malarial parasite as well. An acidic stretch of amino acids found in the linker region, which is uniquely extended in PfHsp90 could not be modeled in this structure suggesting a flexible conformation. Our results provide a basis to compare the overall structure and functional pathways dependent on PfHsp90 in malarial parasite. Further analysis of differences found between human and parasite Hsp90 may make it possible to design inhibitors targeted specifically against malaria.

2 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

012282   Korcsmaros T;Kovacs I A;Szalay M S;Peter Csermely (Medical Chemistry Dep, Semmelweis Univ, Budapest, Hungary, Email: csermely@puskin.sote.hu) : Molecular chaperones: the modular evolution of cellular networks. J Biosci, Bangalore 2007, 32(3), 441-6.

Molecular chaperones play a prominent role in signaling and transcriptional regulatory networks of the cell. Recent advances uncovered that chaperones act as genetic buffers stabilizing the phenotype of various cells and organisms and may serve as potential regulators of evolvability. Chaperones have weak links, connect hubs, are in the overlaps of network modules and may uncouple these modules during stress, which gives an additional protection for the cell at the network-level. Moreover, after stress chaperones are essential to re-build inter-modular contacts by their low affinity sampling of the potential interaction partners in different modules. This opens the way to the chaperone-regulated modular evolution of cellular networks, and helps us to design novel therapeutic and anti-aging strategies.

3 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

012281   Kiremire E M R;Chibale K;Rosenthal P J;Daniel L S;Negonga A M;Munyolo F M (Chemistry Dep, Univ of Namibia, Private Bag 133 01, Windhoek, Namibia) : Metal complexes with high biological activity against chloroquine resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 399-402.

Metal complexes of Manganese (ll),lron(ll), Cobalt(ll), Nickel (II), Copper (II), Zinc (II) and Cadmium (II) containing a sulphur-nitrogen ligand were subjected to biological tests on falcipain-2 (FP-2) and falcipain-3 ( FP-3) cysteine protease enzymes from the malaria parasite plasmodium falciparum. They were further tested in vitro against chloroquine resistant strain (W2). Whereas the potency of the five metal complexes was weaker than the control regarding the FP-2 and FP-3, the potency of five metal complexes was found to be exceedingly greater than the control by a magnitude of 130 or more times than the standard drug when tested against the chloroquine resistant strain (W2). Such complexes have the potential to act as lead compounds for drug design.

ref

012280   Khan S S;Khan M (Microbiology Dep, Saifia College of Science and Education, Bhopal-462 001) : Bacterial flora in and around teeth and gums of healthy and infected individuals. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 699-704.

Samples of infected and healthy individuals were taken through sterilized swabs. The samples were collected from gums, tongue, soft palate, cheeks and throat. In most of the infectious samples collected during our study, the common diagnosis was of dental caries, dental plaque and dentoalveolar abscess that are caused when normal oral flora increase in number, and, irritation exceeds the host defense threshold. The bacterial flora isolated from healthy individuals were Streptococcus mutans, S. salivarius, S. mitis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and that from infected individuals were Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Haemophilus haemolyticus and Neisseria subflava. In both the cases, Streptococcus mutans was found in maximum number.

2 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

012279   Kaur R;Kocher G S;Dhillon G S (Microbiology Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana) : Glucoamylase production by Aspergillus niger NCIM 1248 using potato peels. J Res-Punjab Agric Univ 2007, 44(2), 145-6.

8 ref

012278   Karthikeyan S;Karthik C;Sabhanayakam S (Physics Dep, St Joseph`s College of Engineering, Chennai-600 119) : Bioaccumulation and elimination of chromium in an edible fingerlings of Cirrhinus mrigala exposed to sub-lethal concentrations. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 589-94.

Bioaccumulation of chromium in different organs of freshwater fingerlings Cirrhinus mrigala exposed to two different sub-lethal concentrations for a period of 28 days has been studied using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES). Further, uptake and elimination process of chromium has also been studied. The degree of accumulation of chromium was found to be different in different organs of the fish. Accumulation pattern was time dependent and elimination process was not in order. The results indicate that they have potential as bioindicators of pollution for chromium. These observations were consistent with earlier findings.

5 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

012277   Kamble S I (Botany Dep, P.N. Mahavidyalaya, Pused, Dist, Yavatmal) : Effect of spray application of oxyfluorfen on anatomical character of Hibiscus cannabinus Linn.. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2007, 4(2), 671-4.

Herbicidal activities of oxyfluorfen on Hibiscus cannabinus Linn, has been studied. The anatomical response might produce some light on the manner by which this compound affected on plant. The plants were sprayed with aqueous solution of different concentrations of herbicide from 100 to 10,000 ppm.This herbicide induced some anatomical changes like proliferation of cambium and phloem in the stem to form large masses of meristematic cells and due to the proliferation of cortical and pith cells after treatment became crushed. In the leaves, desiccation of cells, proliferation of cambium in the midrib region and distortion of vascular elements was common feature observed by the application of oxyfluorfen.

12 illus, 5 ref