001299   Sood N;Rathore G;Raja Swaminathan T;Abidi R; Mishra B N;Lakra W S (NO, , National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources) : Isolation and characterization of serum immunoglobulins of Cyprinus carpio. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(7), 642-5.

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) immunoglobulin (Ig) was purified from serum by affinity chromatography using bovines serum albumin as capture ligand. The purified Ig had a molecular weight (MW) of 820 kDa as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The MW of heavy and light chain of common carp Ig was 73.7 and 25.3 kDa, respectively, in SDS-PAGE. In non-reducing SDS-PAGE, 3 bands of different MW were observed, which were presumed to be of different forms of Ig.

2 illus, 15 ref

001298   Singh M;Angchook T;Qureshi T A;Borana K;Fayaz F A (NO, S.V. College, Bairagarh, Bhopal) : Bio-diversity of zooplankton of river Indus Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2007, 21(1), 51-3.

Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir state, is one of the coldest region of the world. The river Indus and its tributaries drain entire Ladakh. Indus is the western most and longest of Himalayan rivers as it covers 3200 km, while it drains through Tibet to the Arabian sea. The study was carried on river Indus by dividing the river into different sampling stations. Analysis of Zooplankton samples, collected from different sampling stations revealed the occurrence of nine genera of zooplankton from different sampling stations of the river belonged to three groups viz. 05 to rotifera, 02 each to cladocera and copepoda.

21 ref

001297   Singh M;Angchook T;Quareshi T A;Borana K; Fayaz F A (NO, S.V. College, Bairagarh, Bhopal) : Biodiversity of phytoplankton of river Indus Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2007, 21(1), 75-8.

Ladakh region of the Jammu and Kashmir State is drained by the river Indus and its tributaries. The study was carried on river Indus by dividing the river into different stations. Analysis of phytoplankton samples, collected from different sampling stations revealed the occurrence of fourteen genera of phytoplankton. Out of 14 genera of phytoplankton recorded, 07 belonged to Chlorophyceae; 05 to Bacillariophyceae; and 02 to Cynophyceae. Among the phytoplankton, Chlorophyceae emerged as the largest group and the Bascillariophyceae and Cynophyceae ranked 2nd and 3nd, respectively.

17 ref

001296   Singh M (Botany P. G. Dep, Sahibganj College, Sahibganj, S. K. M. Univ, Dumka, Jharkhand-816 109) : Effect of stone crusher dust on soil properties. Mendel int J 2006, 23(3-4), 146.

Inheriting soils have got high fertility value and hence they are less affected by stone crusher dust evidenced by crops near and away from the core zone.

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001295   Shyamkumar B;Anjaneyulu C;Giri C C (Genetics Dep, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: giriccin@yahoo.co.in) : Genetic transformation of Terminalia chebula retz. and detection of tannin in transformed tissue. Curr Sci 2007, 92(3), 361-7.

Genetic transformation of Terminalia chebula Retz. was carried out using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C-58. Explants such as cotyledon, hypocotyl, excised mature zygotic embryo, cotyledonary node, in vitro leaf and shoot were used for genetic transformation. Different experimental methods were followed for infecting the explants. Cotyledon and hypocotyl explants showed swelling response on MS basal medium subsequent to genetic transformation. About 32.5 ±2.5% cultures showed swelling response when 8-12 d in vitro pre-cultured cotyledon explants were -used. Swelling response was not observed in non-transformed control cotyledon explants. Callus induction was observed in one of the swollen cotyledon explants infected with the bacterial suspension grown on media containing 0.1 mM acetosyringone. Callus initiation was not observed in cotyledon explants without co-cultivation, which were kept as control. The transformed callus was subjected to nopaline assay using paper electro-phoresis. The analysis indicated the transformed nature of the callus with the presence of nopaline and its absence in non-transformed control callus. Transformed callus grown on fresh MS basal medium showed more than two-fold increase in the growth after four weeks of culture compared to normal control callus. Normally no growth was observed in untransformed control callus. The transformed callus was analysed for the presence of tannins using thin layer chromato-graphy, which indicated the presence of tannic acid in the transformed callus. Genetic transformation of T. chebula and detection of tannin in transformed callus are reported. This can be used to study the tannin biosynthetic pathway using biochemical and molecular approach.

4 illus, 2 tables, 35 ref

001294   Saradhi M;Dixit V P;Nagappa K;Rajesh Chandra (NO, Agriculture and Technology Govind Ballabh Pant Univ, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand-263 145) : Microbiological analysis of water collected from different locations of tarai region. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(5), 367-70.

In the study, 125 water samples from 54 different sources of tarai and adjacent areas were collected to test the variation between different sources, effectiveness of purification systems and success of sewage disposal systems. The standard plate count (SPC), coliform and faecal streptococcal counts were determined to assess the bacteriological quality of water. The SPC in 67.2%, 27.2% and 5.6% samples varied from 0-50, 51-500 and >500/ml respectively. Microbiological examination revealed coliforms (51.2%), faecal coliforms (16.8%) and faecal streptococci (17.6%). Examination of water samples for the members of enterobacteriaceae revealed E. coli (20.8%), Citrobacter (12%), Klebsiella (4.8%), Shigella (2.4%), Proteus (3.2%), Morganella (0.8%). Further, only 1 sample was positive for 5. Tyhimurium while Aeromonas species were detected in 4.4% of samples. About 11.54%ofœ. coli, 72.22% Aeromonas and S. Tyhimurium exhibited cytotoxic effects on Vero cells. Antibiogram of the isolates revealed resistance to cephalothin, nalidixic acid, enrofloxacin and oxytetracyclin among the enterobacteriaceae isolates. The Aeromonas were resistant to amoxicillin, ampicillin and cephalothin. The poor microbial quality of drinking water samples, as revealed by this investigation, is a matter of public health concern warranting proper treatment before its release for public use.

1 table, 30 ref

001293   Samanta I;Wani S A;Bhat M A (NO, Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir S K Univ, Shuhama (Alusteng), Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)-190 006) : Investigation of stx₁, stx₂ eaeA and hly-A virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolates from healthy rabbits. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(7), 526-8.

Isolates (148) of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were recovered from 200 faecal samples of apparently healthy rabbits. Eighty (54.05%) were typable and belonged to 25 different 'O' serogroups (O5, O8, O20, O25, O27, O28, O32, O37, O39, O49, O76, O81, O85, O88, O92, O101, O102, O110, O120, O123, O131, O146, O157, O166 and O168). Thirty-six isolates could not be typed and 52 were identified as rough. All E. coli isolates were analysed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) for the presence of stx₁, stx₂ eaeA and hlyA genes. Only 4 (2.7%) E. coli isolates belonging to O5, 025 and O131 serogroups carried only one virulence gene (eaeA) studied. None of the E. coli isolates possessed stx or hlyA genes.

1 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

001292   Saikia S P;Jain V (Medicinal Div, , Aromatic and Economic Plants, Regional Research Laboratory, CSIR, Jorhat-785 006, Email: sp_sidhu@yahoo.com) : Biological nitrogen fixation with non-legumes: an achievable target or a dogma?. Curr Sci 2007, 92(3), 317-22.

Nitrogen is most often the limiting nutrient for crop production, since only a fraction of atmospheric nitrogen is made available to the plants through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Extending the BNF ability to non-legumes would be a useful technology for increased crop yields among resource-poor farmers. The idea that genetic manipulation techniques might be used to engineer crop plants to fix nitrogen is, of course, not new. However, the more we understand about the biochemistry and physiology of BNF, the less likely it seems that this goal will be achieved by 'simply' transferring the genes for nitrogen fixation to suitable crop species. Induction of nodulation has therefore been the main target of researchers over the past few years. This review briefly describes the progress made towards nodular symbiosis between rhizo-bia and other free-living atmospheric nitrogen fixers and non-legume crops.

39 ref

001291   Roy K;Dalai M K (Drug Theoretics & Cheminformatics Lab, Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chem, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700 032, Email: kunalroy_in@yahoo.com) : Exploring QSAR of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor binding affinity of N,N-dialkyl-2-phenylindol-3-yl-glyoxylamides using physico-chemical descriptors. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2007, 44(2), 114-21.

QSAR study has attempted to explore the structural and physicochemical requirements of ligands N,N-dialkyl-2-phenylindol-3-yl-glyoxylamides for binding with peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). The calculated partition coefficient values show parabolic relations with the PBR binding affinity, suggesting that the binding affinity increases with increase in the partition coefficient of the compounds until it reaches the critical value after which the affinity decreases. The critical value of logP is within range of 6.052-6.410. Furthermore, positive Wang-Ford charge values of carbonyl oxygens of the glyoxamide moiety and negative Wang-Ford charge value of the glyoxamide nitrogen are conducive for the binding affinity. Again, the indole moiety should have favorable charge distribution. Higher values of the parameters dipole moment (Dipole) and moment of inertia (I_z) of the ligands are conducive for the binding affinity. The presence of hydrogen atom at R₂ and cyclic moiety at R₁ and R₂ positions are detrimental to the binding affinity.

001290   Ramaswamy V;Jacob M R (International Centre for Bioresources Management, Malankara Catholic College, Mariagiri, Kaliakkavilai, Kanyakumari District-629 153, Email: vidhya.ramaswamy@gmail.com) : Probiotics - A magical potion in microbial factories. Indian J bot Res 2006, 2(2), 219-28.

Probiotics are food or preparations containing live microorganisms, traditionally regarded as safe for human use. When ingested in sufficient numbers, probiotics are believed to play an important role in the control of host intestinal microbiota and maintenance of its normal state. Microbes that are frequently isolated from human and animal intestines and selected as probiotics, include species of the genera Lactobacilludspp. Bifidobacteriunty and Enterococcus spp. However, some other lactic acid producing bacteria that do not normally inhabit the intestinal tract are also sometimes used as probiotics. Most of these bacteria are used as starters in dairy products and include Streptococcus Lactococcus spp. Leuconostoc and Pediococcus species. As different types of lactic acid producing bacteria can affect the human intestinal microenvironment in different ways, it is important to identify which microorganisms are present in a microbial ecosystem and which species are most likely to have the potential protective effects. The industrial use and application of microbes and their products will be offering great demands in gearing a new mechanism of strain improvement and its monopoly of the commercial and industrial exploitation for benefit of mankind.

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001289   Rajaduraipandi K;Panneer Selvam K;Ravikumar K (Microbiology and Biotechnology Dep, Dr. G. R. Damodaran College of Science, Coimbatore-14) : Comparison on different blood plasma and culture media for coagulase production by methicillin resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 67-70.

Variation in coagulase enzyme production and clotting blood plasma by methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive (MSSA) strains of Staphylococcus aureus was studied after growing them in various culture media (brain heart infusion broth, tryptone phosphate broth and peptone broth) and analyzing with different blood plasma (rabbit, sheep, pig and human). High number of test MRSA and MSSA isolates from clinical specimens and carrier samples had maximum coagualse activity when grown in brain heart infusion broth. Similarly,more than 90% of the test isolates could clot human plasma preferably. Determination of coagulase production by S. aureus may be a rapid and cost effective method of identifying these pathogens from clinical specimens and carrier samples.

2 tables, 11 ref

001288   Radhakrishna M;Krishna Reddy M;Krishna D R (Zoology Dep, Kakatiya Univ, Warangal-506 009) : HIV long term non disease progressors and highly exposed persistently seronegative populations of Warangal, India. Uttar Pradesh J Zool 2007, 27(1), 69-73.

Study identifies HIV highly exposed persistently seronegative and non disease progressors in the south Indian set up. Study design includes Pregnant women and their husbands, sero negative babies who were born to seropositive parents of maternity hospitals, serodiscordent couples of the STD clinic & VCTC center, full blown AIDS patients and their non disease spouses in HIV hospital were studied for their stage of infection and highly exposed but persistently seronegative individuals. During 1996 to March 2006, serodiscordant couples and seropositive patients of various hospitals who returned to collect the report of their blood test for HIV were encouraged to enroll in this prospective study. HIV infection and manifestations were recorded with the help of clinicians. HIV seropositivity was confirmed by three individual tests : (I) HIV TRIDOT, (2) COMB AIDS or EIA (Enzyme immuno assay) and (3) NEVA TEST. Finally sero states are confirmed by Western blot. This study was conducted in maternity, civil and HIV hospitals in and around Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, South India. According to World Health Organization clinical manifestations classification staging system 60 HIV long-term non-disease progressors and highly exposed persistently seronegative subjects were found out of 1021 HIV discordant couples and other positive subjects. These epidemiological results of the investigation suggesting an association between humoral and cellular responses and HLA (human leucocyte antigen) of these highly exposed persistently seronegative subjects and non diseases progressors are very important observation for future epidemic.

15 ref

001287   Puri S;Bhatia V;Swami H M (Community Medicine Dep, Govt. Medical College, College Building, Sector 32-A, Chandigarh-160 047, Email: soniagpuri@yahoo.com) : Gender preference and awareness regarding sex determination among married women in slums of Chandigarh. Indian J community Med 2007, 32(1), 60-2.

3 tables, 9 ref

001286   Prasad V (Botany Dep, Thakur Ram Multiple Campus, Birgunj) : Cyanobacterial distribution of Birgunj, Nepal. Mendel int J 2006, 23(3-4), 125-6.

Fourteen species of cyanobacteria were recorded from ponds, moist soil and paddy fields of Birgunj. Most of them were aquatic in nature. Microcystis bloom developed in Cchapkaiya pond in early summer. Oscillatoria was most common cynobacteria in moist rice fields. Six species were heterocystous. Five species were new for Nepal such as Anabaena azollae, Anabaenapsis raciboroskii, Arthrospira platensis, Gleocapsa rupestris and Raphidiopsis curvata.

1 table, 12 ref

001285   Patil S A;Sawant T B (Biotechology Engineering Dep, Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering & Technology, Warananagar-416 113, Email: sunilmicro12@rediffmail.com) : Detection and characterization of L-asparaginase activity from different bacterial isolates. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 59-62.

Different bacteria, which include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus cereus were isolated and studied for the production of L-asparaginase. Among these E.coli was found to be prominent producer of L-asparaginase. The enzyme from isolated E.coli was partially purified and studied for the effect of temperature, pH and substrate concentration. The optimum enzyme activity was observed at pH 7.0 when temperature was 37°C. The enzyme under optimal conditions followed Michaelis-Menten type kinetics and its Km value was found to be 4.3 10^-6 mol_-1.

2 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

001284   Patel S P;Patel M A;Modi H R;Katyare S S (Biochemistry Dep, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat-390 002, Email: modi_hiren@yahoo.co.in) : Improved method for estimation of inorganic phosphate: Implications for its application in enzyme assays. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2007, 44(2), 88-93.

Conventional method of Fiske and Subba Row for the estimation of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is although rapid, but suffers from the disadvantage that the color is unstable and hence the optical density (OD) measurements have to be carried out within a short time span of 8-12 min. This poses a restriction on the number of samples, which can be handled in a batch. Although, modified procedures involving use of alternate reducing agents/or increasing the concentration of H₂SO₄ in conventional method have been subsequently developed, but the problem of color stability could not be solved. In addition, the use of higher concentrations H₂SO₄ has rendered the methods unsuitable in enzyme assays, especially if the acid labile phosphate containing substrates have been used. In the present study, attempts have been made to suitably modify the method to improve the stability of the color and sensitivity and also for its applicability in enzyme assays, especially when acid labile phosphate containing substrates such as ATP is used. Used the higher concentrations (0.625, 0.8 and 1.0 N) of H₂SO₄ rather than 0.5 N used in the conventional assay procedures. Under these conditions, the reagent blanks do not develop color for up to 24 h, whereas the intensity of the molybdenum blue color in the standard and/or experimental tubes increased with time reaching optimum value at 24 h. Simultaneously, the absorption maximum shifts from 660 nm to 820 nm. The highest concentration of H₂SO₄ (1.0 N) is found to be the most effective in the process of color development. The sensitivity of the method is from 1.7 to 2.1 times higher, as compared to the conventional Fiske and Subba Row method for the measurements carried out at the end of 15 min at 820 nm and with the highest concentration of H₂SO₄ (1.0 N); the sensitivity increased 4.8-fold at the end of 24 h. Presence of glucose and sucrose (1-10 mM), NaCl and KCl (5-100 mM), MgCl₂ (1-10 mM) and BSA (10 to 500 μg per assay tube) do not interfere either with color development or with OD measurements. The extent of ATP hydrolysis is 1.6 to 3.4% for up to 1 h, depending upon the concentration of H₂SO₄ used. Only negligible hydrolysis of G6P is observed under these conditions. These results suggest that the presently modified method is suitable for Pi analysis in the enzyme assays, in the presence of labile phosphate containing substrates.

001283   Pankaj Ankola A;Nagesh L;Tangade P;Hegde P (Community Medicine Dep, JNMC, Belgaum) : Assessment of periodontal status and loss of teeth among smokers and non-somkers in Belgaum city. Indian J community Med 2007, 32(1), 75-6.

Gives a comparative account of periodontal status and loss of teeth among smokers and non smokers of Belgaum city.

^ssc2 tables, 5 ref

001282   Panchal R R;Raol B V (Microbiology Dep, M.B. Patel Science College, Anand-388 001) : In vitro effect of various carbon and nitrogen sources on vegetative growth of Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon var. Subglutinan isolated from wilted sugar cane fields. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 133-8.

Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon Var. Subglutinans (Wolleuw and Reink) a filamentous fungus was isolated from leaves, stems and root specimens from wilted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) plants as well as from rhizosphere and root free soils of wilted sugar cane plants varieties Co-C - 671, Co - 8338 and Co- 6806 under cultivation in agricultural fields of South Gujarat region. The in vitro effect of eight different carbon sources viz. Glucose, Maltose, Mannitol, Xylose, Lactose , Cellulose and Sucrose as well as of six different inorganic nitrogen sources viz. Ammonium hydrogen phosphate, Ammonium sulphate, Sodium nitrate, Ammonium chloride, Ammonium nitrate and Ammonium oxalate were performed on the vegetative growth of F. moniliforme Sheldon. Mannitol and Ammonium hydrogen phosphate proved to be the best suitable carbon and nitrogen sources respectively for the in vitro vegetative growth of F. moniliforme Sheldon isolated from wilted sugar cane fields.

1 illus, 8 tables, 9 ref

001281   Pal A;Banerjee A;Paul A K (Botany Dep, Microbiology Laboratory, Calcutta Univ, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019, Email: paulak@vsnl.com) : Biosorption of chromium biosorption by metal - resistant soil Streptomyces spp.. Indian J bot Res 2006, 2(2), 143-50.

Total of fourteen soil Streptomyces isolates were screened for their resistance to trivalent and hevavalent chromium as well as other divalent metals like Ni, Co, Cu and Hg. Although, 71.4% of the isolates showed tolerance to 100 μg Cr(III) / ml, only 28.4% were found resistant to same level of Cr(VI). At equivalent concentration of Ni(II), Co(II) and Cu(II), 64, 50 and 71% of the isolates showed visible growth respectively, while, none of them tolerated Hg(II) at the same level. Nine out of 14 showed an MIC of ≥ 200 μg Cr(III) / ml while, for Ni, Co and Cu an equivalent MIC level was obtained in four strains only. The isolates showed a wide variability in their resistance to Cr(VI) and high degree of susceptibility to Hg(II). Streptomyces DBCC 731 was the potent one showing a metal resistance profile of Cr(III) = Ni(II) <62> Cu(II) <62> Co(II) <62> Cr(VI) <62> Hg(II). Dried biomass of these Streptomyces isolates was able to biosorb Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution but to different degrees. In general, the Cr(III) biosorption potential of soil Streptomyces was found to be high (43 - 91%) as compared to Cr(VI) biosorption efficiency which ranged between 24 to 68% after 24h of incubation. Six isolates showed <62>75% Cr(III) biosorption after 24h while only 3 removed > 55% of initial chromate at the same time.

3 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

001280   Nath B S (Anthropology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: snath@du.ac.in) : Prediction of stature using hand and finger measurements among Shia Muslims of Delhi. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 63-73.

Attempt has been made to reconstruct stature through measurements of hand and fingers. A total of 1011 Shia Muslims (503 males and 508 females) have been measured for hand length, hand breadth, palm length, mid finger length, index finger length and ring finger length besides stature, in accordance with the standard measurement techniques. All the subjects ranged in age from 18 to 40 years. The study highlights that the best estimate of stature could be obtained on using hand length among males and ring finger length among females.

7 tables, 35 ref

001279   Nasir Uddin;Rahman A (Anthropology Dep, Chittagong Univ, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh) : Approach towards ethnicity among the Bengalis in the Chittagong hill tracts: an anthropological study. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 21-9.

In Bangladesh, the sense of ethnicity is conceptually supplemented to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the inhabitants, popularly known as 'tribal people' living there. We prefer to indicate them as ethnic minorities to avoid any intellectual and political ambiguity and paradox. The ethnic minorities of Bangladesh are mostly localized in the CHT consisting three administrative hill districts, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachori. The interrelationship between ethnic minorities and Bengali people living in CHT is not frequently healthy and in harmony for various reasons. Very recently ('97) Bangladesh government signed a 'peace-accord', which was not taken with due appreciation in the CHT especially among Bengali speaking people embracing settlers and non-settlers category living therein. Explores the approach and attitudes of Bengali people living in CHT towards ethnicity, which is virtually concerned with ethnic minorities, peace-accord, and so forth. Alongside, it sheds light on comments and recommendations of settlers and non-settlers, Bengali speaking people and ethnic communities living in CHT of Bangladesh.

6 tables, 32 ref

001278   Nandel F S;Saini A (Biophysics Dep, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: fatehhar@pu.ac.in) : Construction and design of single stranded collagen-like structure. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2007, 44(2), 106-13.

Polytheonamide B, a 48 residue long highly cytotoxic polypeptide extracted from marine sponges contains amino acids of alternate chirality and the N-terminal region is rich in t-Leu residues. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of these alternate chiralities and conformational behavior of various model peptides containing t-Leu, in order to explore their role in designing bioactive peptides that shall offer advantages comparable to polytheonamide B, while circumventing its limitations. The conformational behavior of various peptides constructed from t-Leu of the form Ac-(l/d-X-l/d-Y)_n-NHMe, where X = Gly/Ala/Leu and Y = t-Leu has been studied and compared with the corresponding peptides containing Leu residue. The results show that the helix driving capacity of l and d forms of t-Leu is less than that of Leu residue. In poly t-Leu peptides, the population of collagen/inverse collagen-type structures or right/left handed-helical structures for l and d forms respectively is found to be chain length-dependent. The stability of the helical structures is increased by <126>2 kcal per residue over the collagen-type structure in poly t-Leu peptides with chain length greater than five residues. Molecular view of peptides in collagen-type structure shows that the bulky side chains of t-Leu residues mask the NH moieties of the peptide bond, while the carbonyl groups lying along the helical groove are accessible to the small solvent molecules. Molecular model building suggests that one ethylene glycol molecule interacts by forming hydrogen bonds with carbonyl groups of two adjacent t-Leu residues. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its own kind on the construction of a single-strand collagen/inverse collagen-type structure using unusual amino acid residues. Such synthetic collagen mimetic peptides shall exhibit specific affinity to natural collagen under controlled thermal conditions (heat or laser treatment) and hence can be explored as a new targeting method to attach therapeutic drugs to collagens in the living tissues and to biomaterials that incorporate natural collagens.

001277   Murthy K;Narayana T V;Prasad M V V; Jaiprakash;Karadi R V (NO, Dr H L Thimmegowda College of Pharmacy, Kengal-Channapatna, Banglore-571 502, Email: kmgmurthy@yahoo.com ) : Uterine tonic activity of Siddha Kayakarpam Amuri in rats. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2007, 6(2), 311-14.

Siddha Kayakarpam Amuri was evaluated for its estrogenic activity using in-vivo and in-vitro experimental models. Estrogenic effect was studied in normal and ovariectomized rats. Amuri was administered for a period of 21 days. The parameters studied in both in-vivo models include changes in uterine weight, and histometric changes of uterus. The effect was also studied on normal and regular estrous cycle. In-vitro studies with Amuri on non-primed, estrogen-primed and Amuri pretreated uterus were carried out to find whether it possess any oxytocin like activity. Administration of Amuri in normal rats significantly increased the uterine weight. Amuri treatment in ovariectomized rats did not show any change in uterine weight. The rats from both control and treated groups showed normal estrous cycle and produced significant contractile response on the non-primed, estrogen-primed and Amuri pretreated rat uterus when exposed in-vitro.

001276   Mondal G;Chatterjee U;Samanta S;Chatterjee B P (Biological Chemistry Dep, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700 032, Email: cbishnup@gmail.com) : Role of pepsin in modifying the allergenicity of Bhetki (Lates calcarifer) and Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) fish. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2007, 44(2), 94-100.

The effect of pepsin digestion on the allergenicity of raw and thermally processed (boiled and fried) fish muscle extracts of two widely consumed fishes bhetki (Lates calcarifer) and mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) was studied. Sere were collected from 110 patients who were hypersensitive to fish, as evidenced by their clinical history, symptoms and positive skin-prick test results. The various extracts after digestion with pepsin at different times of incubation were tested for specific IgE-binding activity by ELISA and immunoblotting with patients' sera. All the extracts of both the fishes retained their allergenicity as evidenced by ELISA and immunoblotting. In bhetki, maximum allergenicity was found in the pepsin-digested fried extract, whereas similar treatment decreased the allergenicity in fried mackerel. Results showed that raw as well as thermally processed allergens of both the fishes maintained strong allergenicity, even after digestion with pepsin for different time periods. The study revealed that the fish proteins played an important role in manifestation of allergy, due to their stable structure, which was retained even after pepsin and heat treatment.

001275   Mehta S C;Sahani M S (NO, National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner, Rajasthan-344 001) : Microsatellite markers for genetic characterisation of bikaneri camel. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(6), 509-12w.

1 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

001274   Malti Singh;Kalla N R;Sanyal S N (Biophysics Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014) : Biochemical alterations in rat testis following monensin administration. Mendel int J 2006, 23(3-4), 137-8.

Monensin, a carboxylic ionophore is well known for Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger activity across biological membranes. Monensin was administered intratesticularly (5μg/testis) to the rat testis by a single dose to Wistar rats for different time periods. After the completion of the respective treatments the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, ATPase and acid phosphatase were estimated in the testicular tissue. The alterations in the activities of these enzymes points towards the antispermatogenic functioning of monensin.

1 table, 14 ref

001273   Malhotra C;Malhotra R;Singh M M;Garg S;Ingle G K (Community Medicine Dep, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi-110 002, Email: drchetnamalhotra@yahoo.com) : Tobacco use among street children of Delhi. Indian J community Med 2007, 32(1), 58-9.

Study was conducted to find out the tobacco consumption habits and reasons for initiation and continuation of tobacco use by these children and to assess their awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

1 table, 5 ref

001272   Maleki F;Chenik M (NO, Iran Univ, Medical Science, Tehran, Email: sareh_sarafpour@yahoo.com) : Leishmania major isolates in experimental murine pathogenicity and specific immune response. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 1-9.

Virulence variability was investigated by analyzing the experimental pathogenicity of 18 Leishmania major strains in susceptible BALB/c mice. Jen strains were isolated from Sudan patients with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis; eight strains were isolated in Syria (n = 1), Saudi Arabia (n = 2), Jordan (n. = 3), or Iran (n = 2). BALB/c mice were injected in the hind footpad with 2 x 10⁶ amastigotes of the various-isolates, and lesion progression was recorded weekly for 9 weeks. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and gamma interferon (IFN- a) production of lymph node mononuclear cells activated in vitro with parasite antigens were evaluated 5 weeks after infection. It has been shown that disease progression induced by different L. major isolates was largely heterogeneous although reproducible results were obtained when using the same isolate. Interestingly, isolates from the Middle East induced a more severe disease than did the majority of Tunisian isolates. Strains with the highest virulence tend to generate more IL-4 and less IFN-a in vitro at week 5 postinfection as well as higher levels of early IL-4 _mRN A in the lymph node draining the inoculation site at 16^h postinfection. These results suggest that L. major isolates from the field may differ in virulence, which influences the course of the disease induced in mice and the type of immune response elicited by the infected host.

3 illus, 32 ref

001271   Mala V;Kumar D;Dwivedi S;Dabral S B (Community Medicine Dep, MLN Medical College, Allahbad, UP-211 002, Email: varidmala@rediffmail.com) : Psycho-social behavior pattern of unmarried adolescent girls in Urban area of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Indian J community Med 2007, 32(1), 79-81.

Study was conducted to investigate psycho-social behavior pattern of unmarried adolescent girls in relation to their school education in Allahabad city of U.P.

^ssc2 tables, 4 ref

001270   Mahendra Singh (Botany P. G. Dep, Sahibganj College, Sahibganj, S. K. M. Univ, Dumka, Jharkhand-816 109) : Effect of stone crusher dust on protein content of exposed leaves of some plants. Mendel int J 2006, 23(3-4), 145.

The protein content mg/g dry matter of the leaves obtained from the plant selected both from various core and buffer zones. The results of the statistically analysed data could not show the significant value as regards plants and sites.

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001269   Laishangbam Sanjit (Zoology Dep, Mount Everest College, Taphou, Senapati District, Manipur-795 106, Email: sanjitloi@yahoo.com) : Home garden system: a practical alternative to protected areas?. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2007, 21(1), 79-83.

Home-garden-system is an ecosystem of different kind and a common feature of most suburban landscape in many rice farming tropical countries. If these kinds of ecosystems are well-maintained, well-developed and used most sustainably; they can contribute a lot to the conservation of biological diversity by lessening the destructive use of the few nature reserves and forest ecosystems remaining. Presents home-garden-systems in Manipur (in North-eastern part of India) and its importance in conservation of biodiversity.

12 ref

001268   Kulshreshtra S;Sinha R (NO, Govt Shakambhar P G Coll, Sambhar Lake, Jaipur) : New milk-progesterone ELISA test for early bovine pregnancy diagnosis. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2007, 21(1), 37-9.

New Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for the early diagnosis of pregnancy in bovine has been developed which offers advantages over the other methods currently in use. The benefits of this method include the use of indigenous penicillinase enzyme as an enzyme-amplification system and affinity-purified antibodies against progesterone.

1 table, 13 ref

001267   Kolhe R P;Zade N N;Shinde S V;Karpe A G (NO, Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Science Univ, Seminary Hills, Nagpur, Maharashtra-440 006) : Plasmid profile study of Aeromonas isolates from chevon. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(5), 363-6.

The study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence, antibiogram and plasmid profile of Aeromonas spp. isolated from 50 chevon samples collected from municipal slaughterhouse in Nagpur city The overall prevalence rate of Aeromonas spp. was recorded to the tune of 26%. The isolates under study exhibit maximum degree of resistance towards ampicillin and tetracycline (92.31%), rifampcin, bacitracin and erythromycin (84.62%). Moderate degree of susceptibility was observed in kanamycin (69.24%) and gentamicin (46.15%), while all the isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. Plasmid profile study revealed presence of plasmid fragments in 9 (69.23%) of the 13 isolates. All the isolates were multiplasmidic harboring 2 to 4 plasmid bands except 1 isolate of A.sobria. The size of plasmid DNA ranged from 2.042 kb to 57.54 kb. Among the Aeromonas isolates, species wise plasmid sizes was recorded to be 2.95 to 57.54 kb, 2.042 to 35.48 kb and 35.48 kb, respectively, for A.hydrophila, A.caviae and A. sobria. Our observations revealed multiple antimicrobial drug resistance as plasmid mediated so also a plasmid non-mediated phenomenon. In present study, similarity, dissimilarities and proximity to similar plasmid profile analysis indicates plasmid profile study as a valuable epidemiological tool in differentiating and identifying the strains with different clonal origin.

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001266   Kaushal S;Joshi P C (Anthropology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: med_anthro_ihbas@hotmail.com) : Ethnomedical practices in a high altitude Hashist village in Himachal Pradesh. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 37-45.

Presents ethnographic account of a high altitude village named Vashist in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Ethnomedical perspective, which reveals the cognitive and behavioural dimension in matters concerning illness and health care, provides us with an emic view. The illness and health care related believes and practices are seen in the paper from ethnomedical perspective. The village is found to be relying extensively on ethnomedicine in spite of modernizing influences and availability of health facilities. Furthermore, the private sector of health care was seen to be scoring over the public sector in utilization of health care.

1 table, 4 ref

001265   Jashim Uddin M;Choudhury A M (Management Studies Dep, Dhaka Univ, Bangladesh, Email: ujasim@yahoo.com) : Early marriage, childbearing and childbirth: perceptions, experiences and practices among rural adolescent girls in Bangladesh. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 11-20.

Presents findings from a qualitative study that was carried out to increase understanding of perceptions, experiences and practices on early marriage, childbearing and childbirth among rural adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Data for this study was collected through in-depth and open-ended interviews with married adolescent girls who gave birth during last six months of data collection and in-depth interviews with key adult informants. Findings of the study revealed that wrong perceptions and harmful practices on marriage, childbearing and childbirth among married adolescent girls were predominantly prevailing in rural bangladesh, which have some important policy implications. The main implications included eradicating harmful practices through education and strengthening family-planning programmes to help married adolescent girls and their spouses to postpone first birth and spacing in subsequent births.

1 table, 9 ref

001264   Jamil K;Prabhavathy Das G;Shaik A P;Dharmi S S;Murthy S (NO, Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-500 034, Email: kaiser.jamil@gmail.com) : Epidemiological study of pesticide-exposed individuals and their clinical implications. Curr Sci 2007, 92(3), 340-5.

Epidemiological studies were conducted in pesticide-exposed agricultural workers along with an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls. All the 200 exposed volunteers were suffering from fever, nausea, headache and other abnormal symptoms and visited the hospital for general health check-up. These cases were taken up for more detailed studies. Five (2.5%) showed decrease in RBC, haemoglobin, and increase in WBC with a large number of immature cells. These volunteers were further diagnosed as Philadelphia-negative Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) cases based on clinical and pathological examinations. In similar environs, about 100 children (aged between 1 and 17 years) were studied for the above parameters. About 3% of the exposed children showed signs of mental retardation and delayed milestones; these were compared with healthy children (age- and sex-matched) from pristine environment. It is therefore concluded that clinical evaluations supported by occupational epidemiology could determine CML in exposed individuals (adults).

4 tables, 31 ref

001263   Ghosh P;Bhatnagar S P (Pharmaceutical Sciences Dep, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra-835 215) : L-Asparaginase activity of various bacterial and yeast isolates. Mendel int J 2006, 23(3-4), 123-4.

Pure cultures (88 isolates and 13 type cultures) were screened for L-asparaginase production ability. Only 53 cultures were found positive. Thirty four cultures were found to have L-asparaginase activity less than 10, IU/1, while 15 cultures had between 10 and less than 20 and 4 had 20 and above IU/1.

2 tables, 6 ref

001262   Gaur R;Ghosh A (Anthropology Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: abhikg@rediffmail.com) : Binjhwars: a little known forest tribe of central India. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 79-85.

Gives an anthropological account of different aspects of Binjhwars, which is a little known tribe inhabiting Central India. Not much is known about this tribe and the published information is in bits and pieces and is scattered. The paper puts together the available material on this tribe and supplements it with new information from a recent field work. This anthropologically marginalized tribe forms a very good case of urgent anthropology for those looking for good working areas.

7 ref

001261   Dwivedi P;Sharma A N (Anthropology Dep, Dr. H.S. Gour Univ, Sagar-470 001, Email: pkdsai@yahoo.com) : Antenatal care and delivery health practices among the Baigas of Samnapur block of Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 75-8.

Discuses on some aspects of antenatal care and delivery health practices among the Baigas of Samnapur block of Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Baiga in one of the most primitive tribal groups of central India. The findings reveal that unawareness and poor economic conditions are the major causes for not utilizing the antenatal and delivery health services by some people. The findings suggests the need to inform mothers about the availability and benefits of antenatal care and modern delivery health care services, to help and overcome traditional attitude for delivery health practices.

1 table, 10 ref

001260   Dutta T K;Senthil Kumar V S;Kotwal S K (NO, Agricultural Sciences and Technology Shere-e-Kashmir Univ, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir-181 102) : Prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria from clinical and subclinical cases of bovine mastitis in Jammu region. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(6), 427-9.

Bacterial agents (215) were isolated and identified from 105 clinical and subclinical mastitic milk samples in Jammu region. Staphylococci were predominant causal agent followed by streptococci, Corynebacterium, micrococci, Proteus, E. coli and Pseudomonas. Gentamicin proved the most effective antibiotic followed by ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, , tetracycline, amikacin, norfloxacin, chloramphenicol, carbenicillin and kanamycin .in descending order. Most of the isolates exhibited a high level resistance against other antibiotics. Pretesting is necessary to find out an effective antimicrobial agent to be used by veterinarians.

1 table, 13 ref

001259   Dixit S;Singh S;Dixit S (Botany Dep, Agra College, Agra-282 002) : Fumonisin B₁ production by isolates of Fusarium Moniliforme isolated from maize grains in Agra region. Mendel int J 2006, 23(3-4), 115-16.

Fumonisin producing toxic strains of Fusarium moniliforme were isolated form the maize grains of Agra region. Out of 103 isolates of Fusarium moniliforme, 55 isolates were adjudged to be toxigenic. Fumonisin B₁ was produced at the level of 1000-1800 ppb, 1200-2000 ppb, 800-2000 ppb by isolates of F. moniliforme coilected from pre-harvest, post-harvest and stored samples of maize grains.

1 table, 18 ref

001258   Chawan V S;Tripathi R K;Sankhe L;Fernandes A C;Daftary G V (Pharmacology Dep, T.N. Med Coll and PYL Nairch Hospital, Mumbai-400 008) : Safety of equine rabies immunoglobulin in grade III bites. Indian J community Med 2007, 32(1), 73-4.

^ssc1 table, 5 ref

001257   Chaudhari P;Tiwari J G;Roychoudhury P (NO, Central Agricultural Univ, Seleshih, Aizawl, Mizoram-796 014) : Occurrence of Escherichia coli in smoked meat. Indian J Anim Sci 2007, 77(6), 442-5.

Samples of pork 'Sa-rep' (smoked meat) locally prepared in Mizoram and popularly consumed by the mizo people were screened, to study the prevalence of food-borne zoonotic pathogen Escherichia coli. Analysis of 100 samples revealed 9 (9%) isolates of E. coli, of these 8 belonged to 6 serogroups, viz. O2, O23, O79;O130, O139 and O172 while-one turned out to be rough. The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that all isolates were resistant to erythromycin and penicillin, whereas all showed sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and streptomycin. Amongst the 9 isolates of E.coli, 8 (88.89%) turned sensitive to tetracycline. The pathogenic nature of isolates was studied by congo red dye adsorption (CRDA) test and haemolysin test wherein all isolates turned out to be positive after 36 hr of incubation in CRDA and 77.78% were found positive in haemolysin test. Occurrence of public health significant E. coli in 'Sa-rep' preparation from a place like Aizawl, wherein maximum people prefer meat consumption represents a matter of concern from public health point of view.

2 tables, 30 ref

001256   Chandrasekhar Reddy B K;Sudarshan Reddy C (Anthropology Dep, Sri Venkateshwsara Univ, Tirupati-517 502, Email: reddybkc@rediffmail.com) : Selection intensity among Reddis and Voddes of Southern Andhra Pradesh, India. South Asian Anthrop 2007, 7(1), 57-61.

Index of total selection, I, and its fertility and mortality components, I_f and I_m have been calculated according to Crow's ('58) original and modified methods(Johnston and Kensinger,' 71) among four endogamous groups, two each of Reddi and Vodde populations of Southern Andhra Pradesh, with a total sample of 243 mothers who have completed their reproductive period. Among the Reddis the value of total selection intensity index (I) is found to be higher according to the modified method (0.7928) than the one obtained by the original method of Crow (0.6233). The index of selection due to fertility (I_f = 0.3776) component is slightly higher than the mortality component, particularly childhood mortality (I_mc = 0.1797). This indicates that the selection is more due to the fertility than the mortality component. In case of Voddes, the total selection intensity index (I) is found to be higher in modified method (0.7355) than in the original method (0.4318)which is due to the contribution of very high proportion of prenatal mortality component (P_ed) to the total selection intensity index. The index of selection due to fertility (I_f= 0.1602) component is lower than the mortality component particularly, childhood mortality (I_mc = 0.2341) among the Vodde group. The results were discussed in the light of socio-economic differences between the two population groups.

2 tables, 17 ref

001255   Chakraborti G;Salgar S T;De J (Biochemistry Dep, MES Medical College, Perintalmanna, Dist.Malappuram, Kerala-679 338) : Lab results- common pitfalls. Indian J clin Pract 2006, 17(2), 24-7.

The results of some common biochemical tests are influenced by pre-analytical factors. These factors can help in better correlation of clinical findings and lab results. Remembering and correcting findings and lab results.

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001254   Bulchandani B;Parvateesam M (Microbiology Lab, Botany Dep, Government of College, Ajmer-305 001) : Antibiotic production by Streptomyces spp. and influence of various C and N sources on its production. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 123-8.

Soil samples from various localities of Ajmer, Rajasthan were screened as a source of actinomycetes with potent bioactive compounds. In all 40 actinomycetes were isolated of which 24 isolates showed distinct macromorphological characters and were selected to establish their antibacterial/ antimicrobial activity against test organisms. These isolates showed varying degree of antimicrobial activity. From the above finally five potent isolates were selected for detailed characterization and were identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces. These isolates were subjected to studies to establish the effect of C and N sources on antibioctic production. The study established that starch and ammonium nitrate were the most suitable C and N source.

4 tables, 21 ref

001253   Bhowmik S N;Singh C S (Microbiology Div, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012) : Inoculum production: comparison of nutrient solutions for rapid developmentof Glomus mosseae. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 83-8.

Incorporation of nutrient solutions (bacteriological liquid media- NFb, Jensen's, Pikovskaya's, LGIP and fertilizer solutions- Native Plant Institute Fertilizer, Hoagland's) at three different intervals (at sowing, once a week and twice a week) enhanced the root volume of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) and formation of spore in AM inoculum (soil and sand mixture). The pot culture experiment was carried out under polyhouse condition and observations were recorded at 45days and 90days of plant growth. Increase in root volume and spore number was recorded more with Hoagland's solution among all nutrient solutions with application at sowing documents to be economical.

2 tables, 33 ref

001252   Bhattacharyya D;Basu A;Sen P C (Chemistry Dep, Bose Institute, 93/1, A.P.C. Road, Kolkata-700-009, Email: senpc03@yahoo.com) : Purification of protein from a crude mixture through SDS-PAGE transfer method. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2007, 44(2), 122-5.

SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) transfer method was used for purification and enrichment of the protein from crude sample. Coomassie blue/ZnSO₄ stained protein band(s) containing intact polyacrylamide gel were loaded on to another polyacrylamide gel either alone or as pooled gel bands. Two/three bands were combined together and arranged tightly over one another, sealed with stacking gel and ran in another gel, which was quite useful for enrichment and purification of a particular protein from a complex mixture. Recovery of protein by gel transfer method was found to be 70% in case of ZnSO₄ staining, whereas around 30% recovery was possible, following Coomassie blue staining. The method described here for purification of protein(s) from a complex mixture, following gel transfer procedure could be useful for further characterization of the desired protein.

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001251   Baskar S;Baskar R;Kaushik A (Environmental Science and Engineering Dep, Guru Jambheshwar Univ, Hisar-125 001) : Evidences for microbial involvement in the genesis of speleothem carbonates, Borra Caves, Visakhapatnam, India. Curr Sci 2007, 92(3), 350-5.

Speleothem carbonates are normally considered as inorganic precipitates, but recent work has demonstrated active biological influence in their formations. The present work focuses on the microfabric record and its relation to microbial involvement in the speleothems from Borra Caves, Visakhapatnam. Thin section petrography revealed the presence of lithified structures and micrite, occurring as laminated to clotted with chocolate-brown blebs and identical to microbialites observed in modern and ancient stromatolitic carbon-ates. SEM observations confirmed the presence of calci-fied bacteria, micro-rods, and needle calcite. Organic mats (yellow-orange in colour) comprise of mineral-ized filamentous bacteria, bacterial stalks, cells and sheaths. These microfabric evidences suggest that micro-organisms have actively participated in the genesis of speleothem carbonates.

4 illus, 25 ref

001250   Banerjee M;Verma V (Bioscience Dep, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Barkatullah Univ, Bhopal-462 026, Email: meenakshi.banerjee@rediffmail.com) : Nitrogen assmilation studies of four cyanobacteria from different ecological niches. Indian J bot Res 2006, 2(2), 157-62.

Cyanobacteria with their nitrogen fixing capacity and photoautotrophic nature have a very important place in the agriculture field and in many other biotechnoiogical processes. Cyanobacteria are found in all ecological niches and it is primary importance to study their nitrogen fixing capability and take an active part in maintaining and mobilizing nitrogen dynamics in the ecological niches they belong. Inspired by such considerations the present work is an attempt to study nitrogen assimilation in two free living form, Aulosira fertilissima and Rivularia and two endosymbiotic form i.e. Anabaena azollae and Anabaena cycadae.

1 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref