Sharma P;Hansi Kumari;Mukesh Kumar;Verma M; Kirti Kumari;Malhotra S;Khurana J;Rup Lal
013237 Sharma P;Hansi Kumari;Mukesh Kumar;Verma M; Kirti Kumari;Malhotra S;Khurana J;Rup Lal (Zoology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: duzdel@vsnl.com) : From bacterial genomics to metagenomics: concept, tools and recent advances. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 173-94.
In the last 20 years, the applications of genom-ics tools have completely transformed the field of microbial research. This has primarily happened due to revolution in sequencing technologies that have become available today. This review therefore, first describes the discoveries, upgradation and automation of sequencing techniques in a chronological order, followed by a brief discussion on microbial genomics. Some of the recently sequenced bacterial genomes are described to explain how complete genome data is now being used to derive interesting findings. Apart from the genomics of individual microbes, the study of unculturable microbiota from different environments is increasingly gaining importance. The second section is thus dedicated to the concept of metagenomics describing environmental DNA isolation, metagenomic library construction' and screening methods to look for novel and potentially important genes, enzymes and biomolecules. It also deals with the pioneering studies in the area of metagenomics that are offering new insights into the previously unappreciated microbial world.
^iia9 illus, 1 table, 111 ref
Sharma A;Vijayakumar M;Verma A R;Unnikrishnan M K;Singh M;Rao C V
013236 Sharma A;Vijayakumar M;Verma A R;Unnikrishnan M K;Singh M;Rao C V (Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacology Div, National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 001, Email: alokaloksharma@rediffmail.com) : Effect of Helicteres isora root extract on gluconeogenic and glycolytic enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biomedicine 2008, 28(4), 298-301.
Aqueous extract of the bark showed a significant hypoglycaemic effect and hepatic enzymes lowering effect However, ability of Helicteres isora bark on gluconeogenic and glycolytic enzymes in diabetes has not been studied yet. Investigation has been carried out to study the regulation of carbohydrate metabolic and catabolic such as hexokinase, aldolase and phosphoglucoisomerase, and gluconeogenic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose -1,6-diphosphatase in liver and kidneys of normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. There were a decrease in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1, 6-disphosphatase, aldolase and an increase in the activity of phosphoglucoisomerase and hexokinase in tissues. Helicteres isora extract exhibited antidiabetic activity by enhancing the peripheral utilization of glucose by correcting liver and kidney glycolysis and by limiting its gluconeogenic formation similar to insulin.
^ssc4 tables, 17 ref
Sendil Kumaran D;Dayananda G;Nagendra N;Desai R D
013235 Sendil Kumaran D;Dayananda G;Nagendra N;Desai R D (Physiology Dep, Sree Siddhartha Medical College and Research Hospital, Tumkur-572 107, Email: dr.daya@rediffmail.com) : Correlation of peak expiratory flow rate with physical parameters. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 181-3.
Parameters of pulmonary function testing give information about the functional capability of the lungs in normal healthy persons that are affected by age, sex, size, race and physical training status. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement has gained popularity because of the simplicity of the manoeuvre, low cost and portable nature of the equipment used. This study was conducted on 480 subjects PEFR was positively correlated with age, height, weight, body surface area and body mass index (p<0.05). Availability of such information helps predict the normal range of PEFR values in a given individual and as a method for identification, assessment, rational therapy and follow up of patients with expiratory airway obstruction.
2 tables, 16 ref
Scherr N;Jayachandran R;Mueller P;Pieters J
013234 Scherr N;Jayachandran R;Mueller P;Pieters J (NO, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland) : Interference of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with macrophage responses. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 401-6.
Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has become an important health and economic burden, with more than four thousand people succumbing to the disease every day. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the molecular basis of this pathogen's success in causing disease in humans, in order to develop new drugs superior to conventional drugs available at present. One reason why M. tuberculosis is such a dangerous microbe lies within its ability to survive within infected hosts, thereby efficiently circumventing host immune responses. Over the past few years, a number of mechanisms have been unravelled that are utilized by M. tuberculosis to survive within hosts and to avoid immune defence mechanisms. Several of these mechanisms have been described in this communication that may be useful for the development of novel compounds to treat tuberculosis.
Saxena S
013233 Saxena S (Botany & industrial Microbiology Dep, Pt. J.N.P.G. College, Banda-210 001, Email: anandshanti2006@yahoo.co.in) : Clnical observation on traditional treatment of bone fracture. Biozone 2009, 1(1), 55-8.
During the course of medico-ethnobotanical survey of Banda district (U.P.) some 'Lodh's were found treating the bone fracture with herbs. The mode of usage and the doses prescribed are discussed in the communication.
2 illus, 15 ref
Sakharkar K R;Chow V T K
013232 Sakharkar K R;Chow V T K (Human Genome Laboratory, Microbiology Dep, Yong Loo Lin School of Medi, National Univ of Singapore, Kent Ridge-117 597, Email: micctk@nus.edu.sg) : Microbial genomics: rhetoric or reality?. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 156-62.
Availability of complete genome sequences of many bacterial species is facilitating numerous computational approaches for understanding bacterial genomes. One of the major incentives behind the genome sequencing of many pathogenic bacteria is the desire to better understand their diversity and to develop new approaches for controlling human diseases caused by these microorganisms. This task has become even more urgent with the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance among many bacterial pathogens. Novel drug targets are required in order to design new antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The complete genome sequences of an ever increasing number of pathogenic microbes constitute an invaluable resource and provide lead information on potential drug targets. This review focuses on in silica analyses of microbial genomes, their host-specific adaptations, with specific reference to genome architecture, design, evolution, and trends in computational identification of microbial drug targets. These trends underscore the utility of genomic data for systematic in silica drug target identification in the post-genomic era.
^iia3 illus, 32 ref
Sahu S
013231 Sahu S (Biochemistry Dep, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalapet, Pondicherry-605 014, Email: suchandasahu@rediffmail.com) : Calculation of VLDL-cholesterol from triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 219-21.
Plasma lipoprotein cholesterol measurement has played an important role in studies of cardiovascular disease. The individual lipoprotein cholesterol values are used for risk assessment, clinical classification and monitoring of patients with or at risk of developing coronary artery disease. Friedewald's formula for very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) was compared with other method used in our laboratory. The study included 893 fasting sample for lipid profile. The relationship between the concentrations of VLDL-C as derived by Freidewald's formula that is triglycerides (TG) divided by 5 (Method A) and that obtained by subtracting from total cholesterol (TC) the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (Method B) was examined. The correlation between the two methods was r= 0.497, p< 0.001. The VLDL-C/TG ratio obtained from method B was compared to the ratio of 0.20. There was significant difference at TG levels of 1- 50 mg/dl (p= 0.0008), 51- 200 (p= 0.000), and it was not significant at levels of 201- 400 and >401 mg/dl. It was concluded that VLDL-C could be estimated by multiplying the TG by 0.20 for all TG levels 3 201 mg/dl. However, the ratio for each laboratory has to be estimated keeping their population in mind.
^ssc2 tables, 17 ref
Rudra T;Chakrabarti S;Sengupta B
013230 Rudra T;Chakrabarti S;Sengupta B (Thalassaemia Counselling Unit, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, 99 Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata-700 026, Email: tapashrudra@yahoo.co.in) : Alpha thalassaemia: experience of referral cases in Kolkata, India. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(4), 357-60.
Haemoglobinopathies and different forms of thalassaemias including alpha thalassaemia has been found to be as high as 10% in Eastern India. The alpha globin disorders are less commonly reported because the diagnosis of alpha thalassaemia is usually missed unless in the severe homozygous form or as Hb Barts. But presence of alpha gene has been found in cases of unexplained anaemias and also in several suspected cases having |α mutations and other common haemoglobinopathies. Two of the common |α mutations (-|α3.7, - |α4.2) have been detected either in heterozygous or homozygous states in significant frequencies, so patients coming for Hb Electrophoresis and carrier detection should be also checked the alpha status through specific DNA studies.
4 tables, 17 ref
Ratra R;Lal S K
013229 Ratra R;Lal S K (Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, New Delhi, Email: sunillal@icgeb.res.in) : Functional genomics as a tool in virus research. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 195-201.
Genomics is the study of an organism's entire genome. It started out as a great scientific endeavor in the 1990s which aimed to sequence the complete genomes of certain biological species. However viruses are not new to this field as complete viral genomes have routinely been sequcnced since the past thirty years. The 'genomic era' has been said to have revolutionized biology. This knowledge of full genomes has created the field of functional genomics in today's post-genomic era, which, is in most part concerned with the studies on the expression of the organism's genome under different conditions. Attempt has been made to introduce its readers to the application of functional genomics to address and answer several complex biological issues in virus research.
^iia63 ref
Rao M V;Jhala D D;Patel A;Chettiar S S
013228 Rao M V;Jhala D D;Patel A;Chettiar S S (Cytogenetics Div, Zoology Dep, School of Sciences Univ, Gujarat Univ, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: zooldeptgu@satyam.net.in) : Cytogenetic alteration induced by nickel and chromium in human blood cultures and its amelioration by curcumin. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(3), 301-5.
Tanners, welders and workers in various industries are exposed to acute and chronic toxicity of these heavy metals world wide. The work is undertaken to evaluate the genotoxic effects of Ni and Cr at two different exposure intervals with a single dose and the amelioration of this toxicity using curcumin. Ni in form of nickel chloride (4.216 X 10-5M) and Cr as potassium dichromate (1.36 X 10-6'M) were exposed for 24 and 69 hours to human blood lymphocyte cultures. The genotoxicity was measured by changes in acrocentric and telomeric association and C-anaphase. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between DNA damage and exposure time in Ni and Cr added cultures alone. Likewise it was also observed in cultures with combination of both pro-oxidants. Groups supplemented with curcumin (3.87 X 10-7M) showed insignificant cytogenetic damage indicating its protective role which was calculated as percentage amelioration. Thus these data proved curcumin as a protective agent against Ni and Cr induced genotoxicity.
6 tables, 38 ref
Rao M V;Hydrabadi V R;Chandel D
013227 Rao M V;Hydrabadi V R;Chandel D (Zoology Dep, Univ Sch Sci, Gujarat Univ, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: zooldeptgu@satyam.net.in) : Complete androgen insensitivity in three generations of a family. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(4), 361-3.
Four individuals of a family, spanning across three generations, showed primary amcnorrhca. Karyotyping of the proband and her two aunts revealed a normal 46, XY cell line in all cells. Hormonal profile of all three individuals showed normal serum FSH, slightly elevated serum LH and testosterone levels in the normal male range. Their clinical features, karyotypes and hormonal profiles indicate complete androgen insensilivity syndrome. A case study hence is presented in a family.
1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref
Ramanathan M;Deshmuk D
013226 Ramanathan M;Deshmuk D (Neuropharmacology Lab, Pharmacology Dep, JSS College of Pharmacy, Rocklands, Ootacamund-643 001) : Effect of excessive cholesterol and lipopolysaccharide on cerebellar neuronal cells in in vitro and protective role of anti-inflammatory drugs. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 320-6.
Elucidates the role of NSAIDs, PPARg agonist and HMG CoA inhibitor on cholesterol and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced neurodegeneration. The cerebellar neuronal cells were exposed to cholesterol (10 and 50 μg/ml), LPS (1 ng/ml) or both. Neuroprotective effect of ibuprofen, rofecoxib, simvastatin and pioglitazone was assessed by measuring the neuronal loss, MTT dye assay, nitric oxide, LDH and lipid peroxide measurement. The results indicated that incubation of cholesterol and LPS showed less synaptic connections, neurite outgrowth and cell shrinkage as compared to normal cerebellar cells. Significantly decreased survival cells count along with increased LDH, lipid peroxide and nitrite levels were observed in the cells that confirmed neurodegeneration with cholesterol and LPS challenge. In comparison to individual toxins (LPS or cholesterol), combination of LPS and cholesterol produced more deleterious effect indicated synergistic effect of toxins. Interestingly, in comparison to LPS, cholesterol produced significantly low level of nitrites, LDH and lipid peroxides which indicated excessive cholesterol might not influence radical generation directly and might be a secondary effect. Among the drugs studied, NSAIDs showed better effect indicated inflammatory mediator response played vital role in cholesterol and LPS induced neurodegeneration. Simvastatin demonstrated moderate neuroprotective effect. It could be concluded that excessive cholesterol might produce cell death and led to release of nitrites and other cytokines. NSAIDs had better neuroprotective activity than simvastatin that produced moderate effect.
Raj A;Praveen K V;Varghese S;Mukkadan J K; Joseph P K
013225 Raj A;Praveen K V;Varghese S;Mukkadan J K; Joseph P K (NO, St.Xaviers Institute of Science and Technology, Peechanicadu, Angamaly-683 572) : Biochemical effects of feeding soft drink and ethanol. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 333-7.
Studies whether consumption of alcoholic beverage mixed with soft drinks could reduce the metabolic effect caused by ethanol. When 24 hr fasted rats were intragastrically fed rum (with 40% ethanol) diluted (1:1) with water, 3.0 ml (0.5 g ethanol) per 100 g body weight and sacrificed 12 hr later in fasting condition, exhibited higher levels of triacyl glycerol, glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum, higher levels of total cholesterol, triacyl glycerol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in both liver and kidneys, and lower levels of serum albumin. When fasted rats were fed 3.0 ml soft drink (0.31 mg caffeine), they showed increased levels of triacyl glycerol, glucose, ALT and ALP in the serum, TBARS in liver and kidneys, triacyl glycerol and total cholesterol in kidneys and lower levels of serum albumin. Soft drink feeding did not reduce serum total cholesterol but reduced HDL levels. Also soft drink did not alter liver lipids. When a mixture of 1.5 ml diluted rum (0.25 g ethanol) and 1.5 ml soft drink (0.154 mg caffeine) were fed to the fasted rats, the serum parameters increased similar to rats fed rum only except that total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were unaltered. TBARS in kidneys and liver were also increased but triacyl glycerol levels were not altered. Thus feeding ethanol with soft drink does not reduce the metabolic effects of ethanol but it will prevent ethanol induced serum HDL cholesterol rise.
Prakash Srinivasan T S
013224 Prakash Srinivasan T S (Pharmacology Dep, Madha Dental College & Hospital, Madha Nagar, Somangalam Road, Kundrathur, Chennai-600 069, Email: prakashsrini2002@yahoo.com) : Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Citrus aurantifolia fruits. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 170-4.
Many plant products used in traditional medicine have been reported to have antioxidant activities and there is a growing interest in identifying natural compounds with antioxidant activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant activity of Citrus aurantifolia a potential functional ingredient in food products. In vitro antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of C. aurantifolia (MeCA) fruits was investigated using Ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method. In vivo antioxidant activity was performed in rats against aflatoxin B1 (1000 μg/kg body weight i.p) induced liver injury and biochemical parameters like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase in liver were measured. The FTC and TBA results of MeCA showed lower absorbance value and in vivo study showed a significant (p<0.001) reduction of SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activity in AFB1 treated animals. In MeCA pretreated animals followed by AFB1 challenge, showed a significant protection by antioxidant activity, when compared with AFB1 treated animals. Study suggests that MeCA has ameliorative antioxidant effect and produce significant effect against aflatoxin B1 induced hepatotoxicity.
4 illus, 4 tables, 21 ref
Pawandeep Kaur;Sambyal V
013223 Pawandeep Kaur;Sambyal V (Human Genetic Dep, Guru Nanak Dev Univ, Amritsar-143 005, Email: vasudhasambyal@yahoo.co.in) : Lymphocytic chromosomal instability in sporadic gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer patients and their first-degree relatives. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(4), 335-42.
Study was an attempt to assess utility of chromosomal instability in peripheral blood lymphocytes of first-degree relatives (FDR) of sporadic gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer patients for genetic surveillance. Standard lymphocyte culture technique was used for the purpose. Cultured peripheral blood lymphocyte metaphases were scored for aberrations in 10 sporadic cases of GIT cancer patients (6-esophageal, 1-gastric, 2-rectum and 1-cecum), 10 first-degree relatives and 10 healthy unrelated controls. There were significantly increased number of aberrations in cancer patients as compared to FDRs and controls. A perceptible increase in the level of metaphases with structural aberrations, including gaps, breaks, rings, centromeric separation and terminal deletions, was observed in first-degree relatives of cancer patients as compared to healthy unrelated controls taken from the same geographical area. There was high frequency of aberrations, mainly structural aberrations, involving specific chromosomes in first-degree relatives and in cancer patients. Majority of aberrations were at chromosomal loci harboring genes involved directly or indirectly in tumorigenesis, thus indicating the probability of a constitutional chromosomal instability in first-degree relatives of even sporadic GIT cancer patients.
4 tables, 39 ref
Paul D;Rastogi N;Krauss U;Schlomann M;Pandey G;Pandey J;Ghosh A;Jain R K
013222 Paul D;Rastogi N;Krauss U;Schlomann M;Pandey G;Pandey J;Ghosh A;Jain R K (NO, Institute of Microbial Technology, Sector 39A, Chandigarh, Email: rkj@imtech.res.in) : Diversity of 'benzenetriol dioxygenase' involved in p-nitrophenol degradation in soil bacteria. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 279-86.
Ring hydroxylating dioxygenases (RHDOs) are one of the most important classes of enzymes featuring in the microbial metabolism of several xenobiotic aromatic compounds. One such RHDO is bcnzenetriol dioxygen-ase (BtD) which constitutes the metabolic machinery of microbial degradation of several mono- phenolic and bi-phenolic compounds including nitrophenols. Assessment of the natural diversity of benzenetriol dioxygenase (bid) gene sequence is of great significance from basic as well as applied study point of view. In the study we have evaluated the gene sequence variations amongst the partial bid genes that were retrieved from microorganisms enriched for PNP degradation from pesticide contaminated agriculture soils. The gene sequence analysis was also supplemented with an in silica restriction digestion analysis. Furthermore, a phylogenetie analysis based on the deduced amino acid sequence(S) was performed wherein the evolutionary relatedness of BtD enzyme with similar aromatic dioxygenases was determined. The results obtained in this study indicated that this enzyme has probably undergone evolutionary divergence which largely corroborated with the taxonomic ranks of the host microorganisms.
4 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref
Park S Y;Kim G J
013221 Park S Y;Kim G J (Biological Sciences Dep, College of Natural Sciences, Chonnam National Univ, Yongbong-Dong, Buk-Gu, Gwangju 500-757, Korea, Email: gjkim@chonnam.ac.kr) : Biological treasure metagenome: pave a way for big science. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 163-72.
Trend of recent researches, in which synthetic biology and white technology through system approaches based on "Ornics technology" are recognized as the ground of biotechnology, indicates the coming of the 'metagenome era' that accesses the genomes of all microbes aiming at the understanding and industrial application of the whole microbial resources. The remarkable advance of technologies for digging out and analyzing metagenome is enabling not only practical applications of metagenome but also system approaches on a mixed-genome level based on accumulated information. In this situation, the review is purposed to introduce the trends and methods of research on metagenome and to examine big science led by related resources in the future.
^iia3 illus, 70 ref
Pandit R;Anil A;Lali A;Indap M
013220 Pandit R;Anil A;Lali A;Indap M (Zoology Dep, The D. G. Ruparel College, Senapti Bapat Marg, Mahim, Mumbai-400016, Email: madhaviindap@yahoo.com) : Evaluation of antiangiogenic activity through tubulin interaction of chloroform fraction of the feather star, Lamprometra palmata palmata. Indian J Mar Sci 2009, 38(1), 28-37.
Tubulin binding agents have received considerable interest as potential tumour-selective angiogenesis-targeting drugs. The present study elucidates that chloroform fraction (CC) isolated from methanol extract of the feather star Lamprometra palmata palmata has a tubulin binding property. With the quantification of chick chorioallantoic (CAM) assay, we further demonstrate that CC significantly and dose-dependently inhibits proliferation, migration of endothelial cells and exhibits antiangiogenic effect with ID50 10ng/10μl. It showed moderate cytotoxicity with IC50 192 μg/ml. In addition, CC arrested onion root tip cells at prometaphase phase. Demonstrates that these effects of CC are attributable to its property to inhibit polymerization of tubulin. These findings show that CC is a candidate antiangiogenic agent and needs further purification for the specific compound, which is responsible for all these activities.
Pal P;Sankeerth C;Nanda N;Pal G K
013219 Pal P;Sankeerth C;Nanda N;Pal G K (Physiology Dep, JIPMER, Pndicherry-605 006, Email: gopalpravati@sify.com ) : Role of dopamine in frontal cortex on immunity in rats. Biomedicine 2008, 28(4), 268-72.
Dopamine has been reported to influence humoral immunity when injected into nucleus caudatus. The frontal cortex is richly innervated by dopaminergic nerve endings and dopamine receptors are abundant in the frontal cortex. Therefore, in the study we have assessed the changes in humoral immunity following injection of dopamine into frontal cortex. In Wistar albino rats (n=18), dopamine was injected into frontal cortex following appropriate intracerebral cannulation. Also, bilateral electrolytic frontal cortical lesions were made. Immunological parameters such as antibody titer, spleen-body weight ratio and liver-body weight ratio were assessed before and after dopamine injection and lesions. Data of experimental rats in the post interventional state were compared with their own pre-interventional state and with the data of control rats. The injections of dopamine into frontal cortex resulted in a significant inhibition of immunological parameters and bilateral electrolytic lesion of frontal cortex resulted in activation of the same. The study showed that the dopamine injection into frontal cortex attenuates primary humoral immunological response and nonspecific immunological responses, whereas lesion of frontal cortex stimulated the immunological responses. Thus, it was concluded that frontal cortex normally inhibits immunity, which is mediated by dopamine.
2 tables, 30 ref
Pal P;Prasath P;Nanda N;Pal G K
013218 Pal P;Prasath P;Nanda N;Pal G K (Physiology Dep, JIPMER, Puducherry-605 006, Email: drppal@rediffmail.com) : Effects of injection of histamine into nucleus caudatus on food and water intake in albino rats. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 205-9.
Lesions of nucleus caudatus have been documented to produce adipsia and aphasia in rats. Reports of intracerebroventricular injection of histamine on feeding and drinking behaviour in animal models are found to be conflicting. Moreover, the effect of injection of histamine into nucleus caudatus has not yet been studied. Therefore, in the study, the effect of injection of histamine and its antagonists into nucleus caudatus on 24 h food and water intake in rats was assessed. Stainless steel cannulae were implanted stereotaxically into the nucleus caudatus. Three different doses (1μg, 2μg, and 4 μg) of histamine, chlorpheniramine and ranitidine were injected into the nucleus caudatus through the implanted cannulae and 24 h food and water intakes were recorded following these injections. Food and water intakes were decreased significantly following the administration of histamine doses. Injection of chlorpheniramine, an H1 receptor antagonist and ranitidine, an H2 receptor antagonist resulted in increase in 24 h food intake without significant alteration in water intake. Interpretation & Conclusion: It was concluded that histamine injected into nucleus caudatus decreases food and water intake in rats. The histamine-induced inhibition of food intake is mediated by both HI and H2 receptors, whereas these receptors do not mediate the effect of histamine on water intake.
3 ables, 27 ref
Pal G K;Pal P
013217 Pal G K;Pal P (Physiology Dep, JIPMER, Puducherry-605 006, Email: drgkpal@rediffmail.com) : Role of pranayama in health promotion. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 167-9.
Breathing exercises improve the functions of respiratory apparatus and improve lung functions. Pranayama, the controlled and conscious breathing, not only improves the respiratory functions, but also improves the general well being of the individual. It helps maintain a better homeostasis and prevents body from degeneration and dysfunctions. Practice of pranayama in its true essence helps the individual to imbibe the higher universal energies and grow spiritually.
4 ref
Ouseph P P;Prasanthan V;Abhilash P P; Udayakumar P
013216 Ouseph P P;Prasanthan V;Abhilash P P; Udayakumar P (Chemical Sciences Div, Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram-695 031, Email: prasanthmvk2000@yahoo.co.in) : Occurrence and distribution of some enteric bacteria along the southern coast of Kerala. Indian J Mar Sci 2009, 38(1), 97-103.
Six major groups of enteric bacteria, viz, Faecal coliforms, E. coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae were screened for the present study. The overall percentage occurrence of enteric bacteria in water and sediment was maximum accounted for Vibrio parahaemolyticus (81.7%) and minimum for Salmonella spp. (9.6%) and moderate reported against Vibrio cholerae (60.6%). The distribution of enteric bacteria was more in the water sample than sediment except Vibrio spp. and the highest occurrence was found to be at Cochin transect, which is the most polluted transect due to enteric microbes. Relationship between the stations on the occurrence of enteric bacteria was linear and significant variations was observed (R2=0.899) and the same pattern of linear regression model was also obtained in source wise occurrence (R2=0.777). The study elucidates that the health status of the Kerala coast may deteriorates and will be detrimental to the coastal community.
Mustafa A S;Al-Attiyah R
013215 Mustafa A S;Al-Attiyah R (Microbiology Dep, Faculty of Medicine, , Kuwait University, Kuwait) : Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific genomic regions encoding antigens inducing protective cellular immune responses. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 498-504.
Comparative genomic studies have identified 11 regions of difference (RD1, RD4, RD5, RD6, RD7, RD9, RD10, RD11, RD12, RD13 and RD15) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome which are absent in all vaccine strains of M. bovis BCG. The proteins encoded by genes predicted in these RDs could be useful as protective vaccines and/or exacerbate the disease process by inducing cellular immune responses involved in protection and pathogenesis of tuberculosis. In our studies, by using pools of overlapping synthetic peptides covering the sequence of putative proteins encoded by genes predicted in each RD, we have determined the cellular immune responses in relation to antigen-induced proliferation and secretion of the protective Th1 cytokine IFN-γ and the pathologic Th2 cytokine IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of tuberculosis patients and healthy humans. It has been observed that peptides of RD1pool induced the highest antigen-induced proliferation and IFN-γ responses, whereas the peptides of RD12pool and RD13pool induced the highest IL-10 responses. Furthermore, addition of RD12pool and RD13pool to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cultures inhibited the RD1pool-induced secretion of IFN-γ by PBMCs of healthy humans. These results suggest the relevance of RD1-encoded proteins in protection and RD12- and RD13-encoded proteins in pathogenesis of tuberculosis.
Muniraj G;Kaushik H D
013214 Muniraj G;Kaushik H D (Entomology Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar, Haryana, Email: sago.muni@gmail.com) : Evaluating the efficacy of Helicoverpa armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HaNPV) isolate against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in chickpea. Int J Agric Envir Biotechnol 2008, 1(4), 219-21.
Efficacy of sprays of Helicoverpa armigera Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (HaNPV) (Hisar isolate) against the chickpea pod borer was assessed at different dosages viz., 200, 250, 300 and 350 LE/ha and control. The higher dosage (350 LE/ha) of NPV was quite effective in the reducing larval population significantly. Lowest pod damage of 13.56 per cent and highest yield of 1.186 kg/plot were recorded in 350 LE/ha of HaNPV sprayed treatment compared to other dosages.
1 table, 18 ref
Mukesh Kumar;Gupta M;Tiwari R
013213 Mukesh Kumar;Gupta M;Tiwari R (Physiology Dep, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Email: mkumar5031@rediffmail.com) : Effects of ammonium hydroxide on medical students in biochemistry practical laboratory. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 229-30.
Medical students (n=110) exposed to the ammonium hydroxide during their biochemistry practical were included in the study. This study was performed to assess the hazardous effects of ammonium hydroxide on 1st year medical students of the Subharti Medical College in Meerut. The study was carried out during the first 6 months of their exposure to ammonium hydroxide. The health hazards like eye and skin burning due to corrosive action, irritation of eyes and upper respiratory tract and lungs were noted that were found to be significant. Medical schools should take more concrete measures to reduce student's exposure to ammonium hydroxide.
^ssc2 tables, 5 ref
Miner M;Chang J C;Pandey A K;Sassetti C M; Sherman D R
013212 Miner M;Chang J C;Pandey A K;Sassetti C M; Sherman D R (NO, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA) : Role of cholesterol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 407-11.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) acquisition and utilization of nutrients within the host cell is poorly understood, although it has been hypothesized that host lipids probably play an important role in MTB survival. Cholesterol has recently been identified as an important lipid for mycobacterial infection. The mce4 transport system is required for cholesterol import into bacterial cells, and deletion of mce4 locus resulted in severe attenuation in a chronic mouse model of infection. However, it has remained unclear what additional bacterial functions were required for utilization of this sterol. The igr locus, which was previously found essential for intracellular growth and virulence of MTB, is required for cholesterol metabolism: igr-deficient bacteria cannot grow using cholesterol as a primary carbon source. The growth-inhibitory effect of cholesterol in vitro depends on cholesterol import, as the Δigr mutant growth defect during the early phase of disease is completely suppressed by mutating mce4, implicating cholesterol intoxication as the primary mechanism of attenuation. Concludes that M. tuberculosis metabolizes cholesterol throughout the course of infection, and that degradation of this sterol is crucial for bacterial persistence.
Mathur R;Gupta S K;Mathur S R;Velpandian T
013211 Mathur R;Gupta S K;Mathur S R;Velpandian T (Pharmacology Dep, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi-110 017) : Anti-tumor studies with extracts of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. root employing Hep2 cells and their possible mechanism of action. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 343-8.
Anti-tumor potential of root extracts of Calotropis procera : methanolic extract (CM), hexane extract (CH), aqueous extract (CW) and ethylacetate extract (CE) and its possible mechanism against Hep2 cancer cells has been investigated. Cellular proliferation activities were assayed by tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetry. Morphological changes of cancer cells were observed under inverted microscope and cell cycle parameters were determined by flow cytometry following propidium iodide staining. Treatment with the extracts at various doses of 1, 5, 10 and 25 μg/ml revealed that CM, CH and CE possessed cytotoxicity, whereas CW did not have cytotoxic effect. CE (10 μg/ml) showed strongest cytotoxic effect (96.3%) on Hep2 at 48 hr following treatment, whereas CM and CH showed cytotoxicity of 72.7 and 60.5%, respectively. Extract-treated cells exhibited typical morphological changes of apoptosis. Results of flow cytometric analysis clearly demonstrated that root extracts initiated apoptosis of Hep2 cells through cell cycle arrest at S phase, thus preventing cells from entering G2/M phase. Results of the study indicate that the root extracts of C. procera inhibit the proliferation of Hep2 cells via apoptotic and cell cycle disruption based mechanisms.
Mandal S;Maharjan M;Ganguly S;Chatterjee M; Singh S;Buckner F S;Madhubala R
013210 Mandal S;Maharjan M;Ganguly S;Chatterjee M; Singh S;Buckner F S;Madhubala R (School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110 067) : High-throughput screening of amastigotes of Leishmania donovani clinical isolates against drugs using a colorimetric β-lactamase assay. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 475-9.
A simple colorimetric β-lactamase assay for quantifying Leishmania amastigotes in macrophages grown in microtiter plates has been reported. The β-lactamase gene was integrated into the rRNA region of the genome, thereby allowing for high-level stable expression of the enzyme. Both visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) isolates were transfected with β-Lactamase gene. These β-lactamase-expressing promastigotes were used for infecting intracellular J774A.1 macrophages in vitro. Quantification was done by a colorimetric readout with CENTATM β-lactamase as substrate and with an optical density plate reader. The assay was carried out in 96-well plates. Results obtained demonstrate that this methodology could be a valuable high-throughput screening assay for checking efficacy of anti-leishmanial drugs in the clinical isolates.
Lertworapreecha M;Patumraj S;Niruthisard S; Hansasuta P;Bhattarakosol P
013209 Lertworapreecha M;Patumraj S;Niruthisard S; Hansasuta P;Bhattarakosol P (Inter-Department of Medical Microbiology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Rama 4 road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand) : Mouse acquired HPV tumor using dorsal skin-fold window chamber. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 327-32.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays important role in developing several types of cancer especially cervical cancer. In order to understand the viral pathogenesis, the animal model of HPV infection is very necessary. This communication reports establishment of an animal model carrying implanted HeLa cells, a human cervical cancer cell line via dorsal skin-fold window chambers. Nude mice were divided into 4 groups; each group contained different amount of HeLa cells, 2.5x105, 5x105, and 1x106 cells, and cell free medium (control), respectively. The results showed that even using the low number of HeLa cells (2.5x105), the tumor microvasculature was developed at 2 weeks after implantation with the enlarged tumor margin which then progressed to tumor mass in the following week. The existing tumor was confirmed to be HeLa-cell type by PCR, in situ hybridization, and HPV genotyping. By using linear regression analysis, it indicated that means of tumor size from each group significantly increased in relation to number of HeLa cells used (R2 = 0.98, y = 0.1171x+4.35). This mouse model will be useful for the further HPV studies particularly anti-cancer drugs efficacy.
Lekha M;Bharathi
013208 Lekha M;Bharathi (NO, Jain Institute of Vocational and Advanced Studies, 127/3, Bull Temple Road, Chamrajpet, Bangalore-560 019, Email: lekha513@gmail.com) : Single nucleotide polymorphism of calcitonin receptor gene in south Indians. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(3), 273-6.
Two alleles of the calcitonin receptor gene exist: a base mutation T->C in the third intracellular C-terminal domain changes a proline (CCG) to a leucine (CTG). The Codon 447 polymorphism of CTR gene was studied in 9 normal unrelated individuals from South India. The genomic DNA was isolated, CTR gene was amplified and the PCR products were subjected to restriction digestion. We have found that the C/T alleles show a 33.33% indicating that the individuals are protected against calcium related disorders.
6 illus, 12 ref
Lal S;Cheema S;Kalia V C
013207 Lal S;Cheema S;Kalia V C (Microbial Biotechnology and Genomics; Institute of Genomics and Integr, Delhi Univ Campus, Mall Road, Delhi-110 007, Email: vckalia@igib.res.in) : Phylogeny vs genome reshuffling: horizontal gene transfer. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 228-42.
Evolutionary events in organisms can be tracked to the transfer of genetic material. The inheritance of genetic material among closely related organisms is a slow evolutionary process. On the other hand, the movement of genes among distantly related species can account for rapid evolution. The later process has been quite evident in the appearance of antibiotic resistance genes among human and animal pathogens. Phylogenetic trees based on such genes and those involved in metabolic activities reflect the incongmencies in comparison to the 16S rDNA gene, generally used for taxonomic relationships. Such discrepancies in gene inheritance have been termed as horizontal gene transfer (HOT) events. In the post-genomic era, the explosion of known sequences through large-scale sequencing projects has unraveled the weakness of traditional 16S rDNA gene tree based evolutionary model. Various methods to scrutinize HGT events include atypical composition, abnormal sequence similarity, anomalous phylogenetic distribution, unusual phyletic patterns, etc. Since HGT generates greater genetic diversity, it is likely to increase resource use and ecosystem resilience.
^iia 178 ref
Kumar R;Sharma S
013206 Kumar R;Sharma S (Biosciences Dep, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-171 005) : Lipid profile changes in mouse gastrocnemius muscle after denervation and beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 314-19.
Denervation results in the accumulation of total lipids (94.68%), phospholipids (190.94%), cholesterol (31.82%) and triglycerides (30.86%) within 30 days in gastrocnemius muscle of adult mice. The treatment of denervated mice with β-agonist isoproterenol (60 mg kg-1 day-1 for 30 days, orally) does not inhibit the increased lipid biosynthesis induced by the loss of neural supply to gastrocnemius muscle. The denervated gastrocnemius muscle shows 61.87, 133.14, 40.27 and 16.46% more total lipids, phospholipid, cholesterol and triglyceride contents respectively as compared to normal innervated muscles even after the drug administration but it maintains significantly low levels of lipids as compared to untreated denervated mice.
Koul S;Somayajulu A;Advani M J;Reddy H
013205 Koul S;Somayajulu A;Advani M J;Reddy H (Biochemistry Dep, Sri Venkateswara College, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi-110 021) : Novel calcium binding protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Potential target for trifluoperazine. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 480-8.
Phenothiazines have been reported for anti-mycobacterial activity by inhibiting calcium binding proteins, potassium transport processes of phagolysosomes, NADH dependent oxygen consumption by M. tuberculosis membranes and DNA, and lipid synthesis of the bacterium. Thioridazine (TZ), chloropromazine (CPZ) and trifluoperazine (TFP) belong to the class of phenothiazines widely used as neuroleptic drugs. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist in eukaryotes, binds to a similar protein containing prototypical EF hand to bind to calcium in M. tuberculosis. Calmodulin, a calcium binding protein, plays a critical role in regulating the activities of several enzymes in response to intracellular calcium levels. Since calmodulins are best characterized in eukaryotes as opposed to prokaryotes, the presence of calmodulin-like activity in M. tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is unknown. Provides biochemical evidence that M. tuberculosis recombinant (r) Rv1211 gene product stimulates the activities of heterologous calcium-deficient NAD-kinase and bovine brain phosphodiesterase (PDE), much like the eukaryotic calmodulins. Further shows that EGTA, a calcium chelator, inhibits rRv1211-stimulated NAD-kinase and PDE activities. We have also shown that trifluoperazine interferes with the activation of NAD-kinase and PDE activities by Rv1211. Using a bioinformatics approach, we have shown that Rv1211 contains one prototypical calcium-binding EF-hand motif, a characteristic feature of calmodulins. Based on these data, concludes that Rv1211 encodes a protein with calmodulin-like activity (CAMLP) in the human pathogen M. tuberculosis and acts as a potential target for trifluoperazine.
Khosla R;Dwivedi A;Sarin B C;Sehajpal P K
013204 Khosla R;Dwivedi A;Sarin B C;Sehajpal P K (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Dep, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005) : Peripheral blood based C-PCR assay for diagnosing extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 447-53.
Extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) constitutes around 20% of all tuberculosis cases in India. Conventional methods are of limited use in diagnosing this form of the disease. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has emerged as a sensitive and specific tool for documenting the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical samples but lacks quantitative ability. The present study evaluates peripheral blood as an alternative clinical specimen for diagnosing EPTB. Peripheral blood samples from 38 EPTB and 89 non tuberculous subjects were analyzed for the presence of tubercle bacilli by MPB 64 gene based PCR method. The assay gave an overall sensitivity of 60.53% with negative predictive value of 76.92% which is superior to present gold standard of mycobacterial culture (10.53 and 72.36%). Additionally, 43.82% of non tuberculous subjects gave positive results with the PCR, thus mitigating the clinical utility of this test. An in-house Competitive PCR (C-PCR) assay was used to determine the mycobacterial load in peripheral blood from culture positive, culture negative EPTB patients and non tuberculous controls which ranged from 7498 - 12498, 602 - 4797 and 101 - 800 genome equivalent (ge)/mL, respectively. The data clearly demonstrated that C-PCR assay can furnish insightful information in diagnosing extra pulmonary disease.
Khan A A;Shrivastava A;Jain S K
013203 Khan A A;Shrivastava A;Jain S K (Microbiology & Biotechnology Dep, College of Life Sciences, Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Gwalior-474 009, Email: sudhirkjain1@rediffmail.com) : In-vitro susceptibility of antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria. Biozone 2009, 1(1), 24-7.
Susceptibility of new generation of 13 antibiotics were examined namely Ampicillin (20mcg), Vancomycin (30mcg), Cephalexin (30mcg), Ceftriazone (30mcg), Cefotaxime (30 mcg), Ciprofloxacin (5mcg), Pefloxacin (10mcg), Ofloxacin (5mcg), Cloxacillin (1 mcg), Roxythromycin (15mcg), Lincomycin (2mcg), Gentamicin (10 meg), Cefpirom (30 meg) for potential antibacterial activity against eight pathogenic bacteria i.e. Bacillus subtilis, Neisseria catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coll, Pseudomonasfluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., Sarcinia sp. Gentamicin and Ofloxacin were the most active drugs to all the test bacteria except Klebsiella sp. and E. coli, respectively, while maximum resistance was observed to Cefpirom followed by Ampicillin and Cloxacilllin.
12 ref
Keshari S S;Kapoor A K;Kastury N;Bhargava A; Singh D K;Chugh Y
013202 Keshari S S;Kapoor A K;Kastury N;Bhargava A; Singh D K;Chugh Y (Pharmacology Dep, SGRR Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Email: drakkapoor@rediffmail.com) : Antibiotic sensitivity pattern among gram-negative bacterial isolates in septicemia neonates in a tertiary care hospital. Biomedicine 2008, 28(4), 292-7.
Culture sensitivity is important for rational therapy in neonatal septicemia. 146 clinically suspected cases of neonatal septicemia during one year study period were enrolled. Blood was collected and culture sensitivity done for all samples. Neonatal septicemia was more common in males ( M: F ratio, 1.7:1), in lower socio- economic strata (43.15%) and with longer hospital stay (31.48%). Of 86 culture positive cases, 81 exhibited single and 5 multiple microorganisms. Of total 92 isolates, 54 were gram negative bacilli and 38 gram positive cocci. Klebsiella spp. and E. coli. were more common In Klebsiella spp. sensitivity was observed with cefotaxime (86.37%) followed by cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin. E. Coli was sensitive to amikacin (85.71%) and ciprofloxacin (78.56%). Acinetobacter spp. were sensitive to gentamicin (87.5%) followed by cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Pseudomonas spp. were highly sensitive to aztreonam (100%) and to piperacillin-tazobactam combination, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin and tobramycin (83.33% each) whereas citrobacter spp. were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (75%). Above microorganisms showed resistance to wide variety of antimicrobials. Maximum frequency of ESBL production was with Klebsiella spp. (63.64%) followed by E. coli (57.14%). Majority of clinically suspected cases of neonatal septicemia exhibited culture positivity with gram negative bacilli. Antimicrobials should be prescribed based on culture sensitivity outcome
2 tables, 29 ref
Kankonkar S;Shankarkumar U
013201 Kankonkar S;Shankarkumar U (Tissue Typing Laboratory, P.G. Institute of Medical Sciences, Bombay Hospital, Marine Lines, Mumbai-400 020, Email: kankonkar@yahoo.com) : HLA DRB alleles in chronic Hepatitis B infected patients. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(4), 331-4.
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common infectious diseases and leads to high morbidity and mortality due to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. Analyzed the HLA DRB1 allele associations among 26 clinically definite western Indian chronic hepatitis B infected patients and compared them with 31 ethnically matched clinically normal individuals. HLA DRB1 alleles were defined molecularly using commercial low-resolution DRB1polymerase chain reaction sequence specific priming kit. The study revealed a significant increase of DRB1*I5 (57.69% vs 24.19%; OR= 4.27; EF= 0.44; P value 0.0002) allele as well as a significant decrease of DRB1*13 (0% vs 11.29%; P value 0.012), DRB1*04 (0% vs 6.45%; P value 0.062) and DRB1*14 (5.76% vs 16.12%; OR= 0.318; PF= 0.10; P value 0.08) alleles when compared to the controls. This is the first report on HLA DRB1 allele associations from Western Indian HBV infected patients. Further our study indicates that there is a complexity of genetic susceptibility to HBV infection in different populations studied and reported.
1 table, 20 ref
Kalantri Y;Hemvani N;Chitnis D S
013200 Kalantri Y;Hemvani N;Chitnis D S (Microbiology and Immunology Dep, Choithram Hospital and Research Centre, Indore-452 014) : Evaluation of whole blood IFNγ test using PPD and recombinant antigen challenge for diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(6), 463-8.
Quantiferon TB gold (QFT-G) with recombinant antigen cocktail is well evaluated for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is more difficult due to limitations of conventional techniques. Compares recombinant antigens based QFT-G and low cost PPD based interferon test for the diagnosis of PTB and EPTB. IFNγ release, with recombinant antigens and PPD, was assayed by ELISA from 140 cases of EPTB, 100 cases of PTB along with acid fast bacillus (AFB) detection, AFB culture on LJ and MGIT BACTEC. Sensitivity and specificity for QFT-G recombinant antigens was 84.29% and 96%, while for PPD based interferon was 70% and 84% for EPTB group. The sensitivity was far superior to AFB smear and culture for both the antigens. Nine samples were identified as non-tubercular mycobacteria (NTM) in the EPTB group and all were negative for QFT-G, but six of them were positive for PPD based test. Results of the study show that QFT-G using recombinant antigen is sensitive and specific for both PTB and EPTB diagnosis. The PPD based test is economic and offers comparable performance for PTB and EPTB diagnosis and also useful for diagnosis of NTM.
Kadam T A;Ade A B;Gangawane L V
013199 Kadam T A;Ade A B;Gangawane L V (Soil Microbiology and Pesticides Laboratory, Botany Dep, Dr. B.A. Marathwada Univ, Aurangbad-431 004) : Effect of root exudates of cotton on phorate degradation by PGPR organism Azotobacter chroococcum. Pl Dis Res 2007, 22(1), 75-7.
1 table, 13 ref
Kadam S H;Patil V J;Salunkhe V A;Khutale R A; Dias F J;Patil J J
013198 Kadam S H;Patil V J;Salunkhe V A;Khutale R A; Dias F J;Patil J J (Pharmacology Dep, Satara College of Pharmacy, Satara, Maharashtra) : Negative ionotropic and chronotropic effect of Elletaria cardamomum. Int J chem Sci 2008, 6(2), 746-50.
The study, effects of aqueous extract of Elletaria cardamomum on isolated frog heart and rectus abdominus muscles were studied. The extract was prepared by maceration and its effect was studied for various doses. Results show that aqueous extract of Elletaria cardamomum, dose dependency decreases the heart rate and force of contraction. To assess the probable cause of cardiac depressant action, K+ content was assessed by using flame-photometer. The study of the aqueous extract on the rectus abdominus muscles resulted in smooth muscle relaxation, indicating involvement of muscarinic receptors. The effect of extract was significantly blocked in the presence of atropine, supporting the involvement of muscarinic receptors. The extract has also showed vasodilatory effect in hind limb perfusion experiment. Studies, concluded that Elletaria cardamomum has cardiac depressant effect, which might be due to the presence of muscarinic principles.
3 illus, 2 tables, 5 ref
Jothi G;Ramachandran D;Brindha P
013197 Jothi G;Ramachandran D;Brindha P (Biochemistry Dep, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, No.7, Nelson Road, Thiruvanaikoil, Tiruchirappalli-600 005, Email: brindhajana@yahoo.co.in) : Antidiabetic potential of Gmelina asiatica Linn. on alloxan induced diabetic rats. Biomedicine 2008, 28(4), 278-83.
Study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of Gmelina asiatica Linn, against alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150mg/Kg body weight). After induction of diabetes, animals were treated with aqueous extract of Gmelina asiatica L (200,300 and 400mg/kg body weight orally) and glibenclamide (600p,g/Kg body weight orally) for a period of 45 days. After the experimental period animals were sacrificed, blood and tissue samples were collected and analyzed to various biochemical, enzymatic and histopathological parameters viz, blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin, urea, uric acid, creatinine, lipid profile, glucokinase, glucose- 6- phosphatase and glucose- 6- phosphate dehydrogenase. Aqueous extract of the plant decreases the blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin, urea, uric acid & creatinine level significantly and it also restored the lipid profile. Beta cells secretory activity was also found to be improved as evidenced by an increase in serum insulin concentration. Light microscopic study of pancreatic tissue showed significant rejuvenation and regeneration. In the work, antidiabetic potential of Gmelina asiatica L. is validated scientifically by evaluating the biochemical profiles of drug treated as well as diabetic groups. It revealed a significant increase in serum insulin level and had the potential of reverting the glucose metabolizing enzyme levels as well as lipid profile.
6 illus, 4 tables, 24 ref
Jorgensen K S
013196 Jorgensen K S (NO, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI - 00251 Helsinki, Finland, Email: kirsten.jorgensen@ymparisto.fi) : Advances in monitoring of catabolic genes during bioremediation. Indian J Microbiol 2008, 48(2), 152-5.
Biodegradation of xenobiotic compounds by microbes is exploited in the clean up of contaminated environments by bioremediation. Catabolic (or functional) genes encode for specific enzymes in catabolic pathways such as key enzymes in xenobiotic degradation pathways. By assessing the abundance or the expression of key genes in environmental samples one can get a potential measure of the degradation activity. One way of assessing the abundance and expression of specific catabolic genes is by analyzing the metagenomic DNA and RNA from environmental samples. Three major challenges in the detection and quantification of catabolic genes in bioremediation studies are 1) the accurate and sensitive quantification from environmental samples 2) the coverage of the enzymatic potential by the targeted genes 3) the validation of the correlation with actual observed degradation activities in field cases. New advances in realtime PCR, functional gene arrays and meta-transcriptomics have improved the applicability of catabolic gene assessment during bioremediation.
2 tables, 19 ref
Jayashree A;Maneemegalai S
013195 Jayashree A;Maneemegalai S (Biochemistry Dep, Prince Shri Venkateshwara Arts and Science College, Gowrivakkam, Chennai-600 073, Email: maneedevi@yahoo.co.in) : Antibacterial activity of the extracts from ctridax procumbens L. and Ixora coccinea L.. Biomedicine 2008, 28(3), 190-4.
Since plants possess many medicinal properties, the study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activities and phytochemical profile of extracts from leaves and flowers of Tridax procumbens L and Ixora coccinea L. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar disc diffusion method against gram negative and gram positive bacteria viz. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. Terpenoids, saponin, tannin, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were tested in the phytochemical analysis. The methanol and ethanol extracts of dried leaves, fresh leaves and flowers of Tridax procumbens and Ixora coccinea showed maximum activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Further Tridax procumbens exhibited maximum inhibitory activity on Bacillus subtilis too. Presence of phytochemicals was observed. T. procumbens and I. coccinea were observed to have antibacterial activity and can be used for medicinal purposes.
3 tables, 31 ref
Jana I;Chaki K K;Sarkar A K;Misra K K
013194 Jana I;Chaki K K;Sarkar A K;Misra K K (Zoology Dep, R.B.C. College, Naihati-743 165, Email: misrakk@vsnl.com) : Diversity analysis of moss-inhabiting amoebae from north and north-east India. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2008, 34(1), 29-38.
The work is designed to study biodiversity of moss dwelling testate amoeba from 12 states of North and North-East India covering 6 biotopes. This study analyses the data, which were earlier published by Chattopadhyay and Das (2003), hypothesizing that occurrence of testate amoeba is dependent on its microhabitat i.e. biotope and moss genus. In the analysis 5 biotopes namely soil, wall, rock, tree and tree-associate were considered. Different similarity measures (Sorensen's similarity index and Bray-Curtis similarity matrix) reveal that testate amoebae of soil, rock and wall biotopes are closely similar, while rock and tree-associate biotopes exhibit minimum similarity. It is found that ~13% of testate amoeba species were recorded from five biotopes whereas 36% were registered from single biotope. It is further analysed that 63.2% species of testaceans can colonise a wide range of moss genera. This shows that association of testate amoeba and moss genera are not specific but random. Diversity index is highest in rock biotope, while evenness measure is highest in tree-associates and minimum in rock biotope. The rock biotope forms a separate cluster in the multivariate analysis that shows maximum similarity level (73.5%) between soil and wall. It can be inferred from the present analysis that among 27 moss genera, Fissidens seems to be the most preferred habitat and the rock biotope provides ideal habitat condition for both moss genera and testaceans.
2 illus, 6 tables, 35 ref
Ibraimov A I
013193 Ibraimov A I (Laboratory of Human Genetics, Kyrgyz National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Togolok Moldo Street 3, KG-720 040 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Email: ibraimov_1@msn.com) : Possible mechanism of the sex differentiation and its artificial regulation. Int J Hum Genet 2008, 8(3), 283-90.
Seemingly, the sex differentiation (SD) in animals and human is determined by the amount of constitutive heterochromatin region (HR) in the chromosomes of the undifferentiated embryonic gonads (UEG) via cell thermoregulation. It is assumed the medulla and cortex tissue cells in the UEG differ in vulnerability to the increase of the intracellular temperature. If the amount of the HR is enough for efficient elimination of heat difference between the nucleus and cytoplasm in rapidly growing UEG cells the medulla tissue survives. Otherwise it doomed to degeneration and a cortex tissue will remain in the UEG. For artificial regulation of the SD it is proposed to remove a layer of cortex or medulla in the UEG depending on the objective and task of the research.
1 illus, 23 ref
Huq F;Al-Qassab S
013192 Huq F;Al-Qassab S (Discipline of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, The Univ of Sydney, Sydney, Email: F.Huq@usyd.edu.au) : Molecular modelling analysis of the metabolism of raloxifene. Int J pure appl Chem 2007, 2(2), 197-204.
Raloxifene is a second generation selective estrogen receptor modulator that is effective in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Currently it is being evaluated for treatment against breast cancer that remains a major health problem as incidence rates continue to rise despite recent improvements in mortality rates. However, the quinone metabolites of RFN namely RFN-DQM and RFN-OQ (like those of tamoxifen) are expected to be electrophilic and redox active that can cause DNA damage directly through the formation of DNA adducts and indirectly through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can oxidize DNA. Molecular modelling analyses based on molecular mechanics, semi-empirical (PM3) and DFT (at B3LYP/6-31G* level) calculations show that RFN and its metabolites differ in solvation energy, surface charge distribution, dipole moment and kinetic lability. RFN-OQ is found to have the smallest LUMO-HOMO energy difference indicating that the metabolite would be most reactive kinetically. However, the metabolite does not appear to abound in electron-deficient regions as much as the third most reactive metabolite RFN-DQM. Because the surface of RFN-DQM abounds in electron-deficient regions, it may be subject to nucleophilic attack by glutathione and nucleobases in DNA, thus causing depletion of cellular glutathione and oxidation of nucleobases. This means that the toxicity of RFN may be mediated via the formation of electrophilic metabolite RFN-DQM.
9 illus, 1 table, 14 ref
Huq F
013191 Huq F (NO, Syndey Univ, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia, Email: f.huq@fhs.usyd.edu.au) : Metabolism of mefenamic acid-a molecular modelling analysis. Int J pure appl Chem 2007, 2(1), 121-6.
Mefenamic acid is a NSAID that is widely used in analgesia, has been implicated in several cases of nephrotoxicity including acute renal failure and tubulointestinal nephritis. Molecular modelling analyses based on molecular mechanics, semi-empirical (PM3) and DFT (at B3LYP/6-31G* level) calculations show that MFA and its metabolites have similar LUMO-HOMO energy differences except MFA-Glu which has a much smaller value. The molecular surface of most reactive metabolite MFA-Glu is found to possess some electron-deficient (blue) regions so that it can react readily with cellular nucleophiles such as glutathione and nucleobases in DNA. Reaction with glutathione would induce cellular toxicity associated with oxidative stress whereas the oxidation of nucleobases would cause DNA damage. However, because MFA-Glu, being a terminal metabolite, is expected to be easily excreted so that the consequences of such adverse reactions may be decreased.
7 illus, 1 table, 14 ref
Hosseini M;Alaei H A;Headari R;Eslamizadeh M J
013190 Hosseini M;Alaei H A;Headari R;Eslamizadeh M J (Physiology Dep, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran) : Effects of microinjection of angiotensin II and captopril into nucleus accumbens on morphine self-administration in rats. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 361-7.
With an aim to investigate the effects of injection of angiotensin II (Ang II) and captopril into the nucleus accumbens (NAC) on morphine self-administration, male Wistar rats were first trained to receive small pellets of food by pressing the active lever in self-administration apparatus. The animals, divided into 4 groups (saline, morphine, captopril and Ang II) were placed in self-administration apparatus and were allowed to self-administer morphine (0.5 mg per infusion all test groups) or saline (saline group) during consecutive days, for 2 h/sessions. Captopril (30 μg) and Ang II (0.25 nM) were injected into NAC in the corresponding groups before each session. In morphine group, the number of active lever pressing was significantly higher than passive during all 5 days and was also significantly higher than saline group. In captopril group, there were no significant differences between the number of active and passive lever pressings. However, the number of active lever pressing was significantly lower than morphine group. The results highlight the interaction between captopril and opioid system in NAC.
He J;Liu X;Ding Y;Yu C;Weng Y;Chen X;Gao R; Wang Y
013189 He J;Liu X;Ding Y;Yu C;Weng Y;Chen X;Gao R; Wang Y (Genetics Dep, Institute of Life Science, No.1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong Street, Chongqing 400016, People`s Republic of China) : Improved method for staining kinetochores of human chromosomes. Indian J expl Biol 2009, 47(5), 376-8.
An improved method, which exhibited simultaneously clearly kinetochores and the nucleolar organizer regions of human chromosomes by pretreating of human metaphase chromosomes with HCl and NaOH, followed by staining with silver nitrate and visualizing using ammoniacal silver, is described. It has important role for analysis of kinetochore variation, mechanism of chromosomal non-disjunction as well as identification of fuctional active centromeres.
Gupta M K;Bardhan D
013188 Gupta M K;Bardhan D (Botany & Microbiology Dep, St. Aloysius College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Email: mkgsac@yahoo.com) : Isolation and partial characterization of para-nitrophenol degrading bacteria from agricultural soil. Biozone 2009, 1(1), 7-9.
Investigative approach have been done to screen for indigenous bacterial isolates and assess their para-nitrophenol (PNP) degrading potential. It basically aimed on isolating bacterial strains, potent to degrade PNP that is one of the priority pollutants enlisted by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Four isolates were found capable to degrade PNP. Among them two of the isolates obtained were highly efficient to degrade PNP (20mg/l) utilising it both as a carbon & nitrogen source within 24 hours. The bacterial isolate were identified as Pseudomonas sp. and Alteromonas sp. based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Further studies on these isolates may be of immense importance in environment management practices.
1 illus, 8 ref