000338   Narahari S (Anthropology Dep, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530 003, Email: narahari_samudrala@yahoo.co.in) : Blood gene markers and natural selection: a study in four primitive tribal groups of north-coastal Andhra Pradesh, India. Oriental Anthrop 2007, 7(2), 313-22.

Blood samples of four Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) viz., the Porja (155), the Khond (149) from 2 Mandals of Visakhapatnam District, the Gadaba (169) from 2 Mandals of Vizianagararm District, and the Savara (163) from 2 Mandals of Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh were analyzed for ABO and Rh (D) blood group systems, Sickle-Cell Haemoglobin. All the PTGs are characterized to show high frequency of A blood group except the Gadaba who show it for B and AB blood groups, a deviation from the trend perceived for Andhra Tribal Populations. Thus, this locus tends to reveal the advantage of heterozygotes as well surviving than homozygotes arising out of ABO incompatibility, or coupling with disease or orthogonal trend in frequency distribution. The frequency of d allele in Rh(D) system in these populations do not vary much for the range observed for Indian Population in general and the Tribal Populations of Andhra Pradesh, in particular. However, the Sickle-Cell haemoglobin display greater frequency of heterozygotes i.e., Sickle-Cell Trait compared to other neighbouring tribal groups of Andhra Pradesh. The incidence of Sickle-Cell Trait among the four PTGs coincides with the prevalence of malaria at district level and support Allison's Sickle-Cell-Malarial hypothesis in the context of differential natural selection.

4 tables, 29 ref

000337   Nagavalli D;Sugumaran M;Shri vijaya Kirubha T;Vetrichelvan T (NO, Adhiparasakhti College of Pharmacy, Melmaruvathur-603 319) : Phytochemical observation on aerial extracts of Marsilea minuta Linn. Antiseptic 2008, 105(1), 44.

Preliminary phytochemical study on aerial extracts of Mars/lea minuta Linn reveals the presence of Alkaloids, phytosterols, proteins, carbohydrate, flavonoids, mucilage, tannin and absence of saponin, triterpenoids, cardiac glycosides in thisplant for the first time.

1 table, 11 ref

000336   Murugan K;Harish S R (Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab, Botany Dep, University Coology, Trivandrum-695 034, Email: dr_murugan@vsnl.net) : Antioxidant modulation in response to heavy metal induced oxidative stress in Cladophora glomerata. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(11), 980-3.

The investigation was carried out to study the induction of oxidative stress subjected to heavy metal environment Lipoperoxides showed positive correlation at heavy metal accumulation sites indicating the tissue damage resulting from the reactive oxygen species and resulted in unbalance to cellular redox status. The high activities of ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase probably counter balance this oxidative stress. Glutathione and soluble phenols decreased, whereas dehydroascorbate content increased in the algae from polluted sites. The results suggested that alga responded to heavy metals effectively by antioxidant compounds and scavenging enzymes.

2 tables, 16 ref

000335   Mishra S H;Kulkarni N S;Musaddiq M (P.G. Dep of Microbiology, Shri Shivaji College, Akola-444 003) : Cholic acid induced potentiation on antibacterial activity of antibiotics against drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J microbial Wld 2008, 10(1), 48-53.

These days bacterial resistance has become a major cause of failure for the management of major pyogenic infections. Use of different combinations of antibiotics has shown the possible synergistic effect in the recovery of severe drug resistant infections. Hence, it has led many investigators to search for combined drug therapy. However, indiscriminate using of antibiotics has induced abnormalities on the resident normal floras of gastro-intestinal tract and led a major problem at digestibility level in the children. Because of this several workers has reported the effect of antibiotics with other bacteriostatic agents. Hence, with the view to minimise the indescriminate use of antibiotics and to incorporate the bacteriostatic agent in the combined therapy for the management of antibiotic resistant pyogenic infections, the present investigation has been carried out to evaluate the potentiating effect of Cholic acid on the antibacterial activity of various antibiotics against different drug resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, results on potentiations of antibacterial activity of antibiotic by Cholic acid showed significant increase in activity of Ampicillin (l0mcg), and Methicillin (5 meg). However, antibacterial activity of Chloramphenicol (30 mcg), Tetracycline (30 meg), and Vancomycin (30 meg) were not significantly modified.

2 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

000334   Mandal S K (Physiology Dep, Post Graduate Medical Education Institute and Research 244B, Acharya Jagadish Ch. Bose Road, Kolkata-700 020, Email: salil_mandal@yahoo.co.in) : Effect of glucocorticoid on protein and creatine content of inactivated muscle of rats. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(10), 907-10.

In denervation, there was loss of protein in gastrocnemius muscles and this loss of was more in prednisolone treated animals. There was significant change of protein loss between tenotomy and tenotomy with prednisolone treatment. The reduction of protein in denervation and denervation with prednisolone treatment were also highly significant. Significant loss of muscle creatine was observed in denervation with prednisolone treatment. It was about 50% of the normal control group and about 40% when compared to other limb. In denervation alone, the creatine loss was about 24%. In tenotomy and in tenotomy with prednisolone treatment, the loss of creatine was also significantly high. All these figures regarding the reduction of muscle creatine in different experiments were highly significant. The reduction of muscle weight, protein and creatine content of muscle in denervation were due to inactivation of the muscle and due to trophic changes caused by loss of motor supply to the muscle. But in tenotomy, the reductions were only due to inactivation.

2 tables, 24 ref

000333   Mahajan Rakesh K;Duggal S;Chande Dinesh S; Duggal N;Charoo H;Chaudhry R (Microbiology Dep, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi-110 001, Email: mahajan_sk@rediffmail.com) : Slmonella enterica serotype typhi from a case of breast abscess. J Commun Dis 2007, 39(3), 201-4.

^ccr1 illus, 8 ref

000332   Lingappa K;Pramod T;Ali S I (Study in Microbiology Dep, Gulbarga Univ, Gulbaraga-585 106, Email: Lingappak1@redmail.com) : Influence of pH on citric acid production by Aspergillus niger under submerged fermentation in carob pod extract. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(8), 618-20.

Attempts have been made to optimize initial pH level for the production of citric acid using carob pod extract as substrate through submerged fermentation. Two strains of Aspergillus niger, MTCC 281 and KLP20, have been employed as the fermenting organisms. A. niger KLP20 produced maximum citric acid at pH 5.5.

2 tables, 19 ref

000331   Lavanya A;Selvamurugan C;Sivasankar B (Chemistery Dep, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 027, Email: lavanya_chemistery@yahoo.co.in) : Immobilized trypsin-mediated production of the protein hydrolysates from non-edible protein sources. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(8), 651-4.

Protein hydrolysate (PH) was prepared from the defatted cottonseed cake by using immobilized or native trypsin on polyamide (nylon 6,6) matrix using glutaraldehyde coupling under the controlled conditions of pH and temperature. Immobilization of trypsin on nylon beads retained 30% of the free enzyme activity and was stable against leaching for more than 30 days. Foaming and emulsification properties of protein isolate extracted from defatted cottonseed cake and PH were evaluated by electrical conductivity and turbidimetric methods. The effects of temperature and time on emulsion stability were also investigated.

2 illus, 15 ref

000330   Kulkarni S W (Microbiology Dep, S.B.Zadbuke Mahavidyalaya, Barshi-431 401) : Microbial flora of pulses processing industrial environment and its effect on workers. J microbial Wld 2008, 10(1), 17-28.

Microbial Flora of twelve pulses processing industrial environment in and around Barshi was studied. In all 98 isolates were obtained from industrial environment of which 44 were of Fungal type, 28 of Actinomycetes and 26 of Bacterial Type. Isolates were identified as member of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Altemaria, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Torula, Trichoderma, Nocardia, Saccharomonospora, Saccharopolyspora, Microbispora, Streptosporangium, Themomonospora, Themoactinomyces, Streptomyces, Aerococcus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Streptococcus, aureobacterium, Bacillus and Sarcina. No relation was established for the distribution of micro organisms in various industrial environment. Allergy, throat-infectipn, asthama and broncho-pulmonary infections were reported in workers but direct relation with microbial flora was not established.

8 tables, 22 ref

000329   Koli P B;Ghosh J S;Govindwar S P (Microbiology Dep, Shivaji Univ, Kolhapur-416 004) : Some factors affecting cellulase production from a thermophilic gram negative bacteria. J microbial Wld 2008, 10(1), 43-7.

Cellulase is a common enzyme found in all environments and it is extracellular enzyme secreted by many microorganisms. This enzyme is very essential in bringing about mineralization of dead and decaying plant matter. Cellulase is also found in the guts of many insects like termites, rumen animals, to digest food. Thermophilic cellulase is very important in mineralization of compost material which is used for conditioning agricultural fields.

1 illus, 14 ref

000328   Khan M;Siddiqui M (Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Dep, MESCO College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad-500 006, Email: mohibkhan@sify.com) : Antimicrobial activity of Piper fruits. Nat Prod Radiance 2007, 6(2), 111-13.

Attempt is made to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of various extracts of fruits of different Piper, species available in the Aurangabad-Marathwada (Maharashtra State) region. Twenty eight extracts prepared from the fruits of four species, viz. Piper cubeba Linn, f., P. retrofractuin Vahl syn. P. chaba Hunter non Blume, P. longum Linn, and P. nigrum Linn, were evaluated against bacterial pathogens, such as Staphylococcus albus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium and one fungas,Aspergillus niger. Compared to Streptomycin all the extracts exhibited a good antibacterial activity. Some of the extracts showed antifungal activity as well.

1 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

000327   Kapoor N;Narain U;Misra K (Center of Biotechnology, Allahlbad Univ, Allahabad-211 002, Email: krishnamisra@hotmail.com) : Bio-active conjugates of curcumin having ester, peptide, thiol and disulfide links. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(8), 647-50.

Mixed bioconjugates of curcumin [4,4'-di-O-(gIycinoyl-cystinoyl) curcumin, 4,4'-di- O-(glycinoyl-cysteinoyl) curcumin, 4,4'-di-O-L-(alaninoyl) curcumin, 4,4'-di-(O- glycinoyl)-glycinoyl) curcumin and 4,4'-di-O{(3,4,5-O-aceiyl) galloyl} curcumin] have been prepared and characterized. These bioconjugates contain biodegradable (ester and peptide) bonds and have been tested for antifungal and anti bacterial activities, which have been found to be considerably enhanced vis-a-vis curcumin. The plausible reasons for this remarkable enhancement in therapeutic activity may be due to better cellular uptake, increased cellular concentration, better receptor binding at the target sites due to extended conjugation. These conjugates may act as potent prodrugs since these can get enzymatically hydrolysed at the target sites.

1 illus, 1 tables, 11 ref

000326   Jobanputra A H;Chincholkar S B (NO, P S G P V P Mandals ASC College, Shahada-425 409, Email: arpana_j12@redmailor.com ) : Influence of nitrogen sources and heavy metal ions on the production of rifamycin oxidase by Chyryseobacterium sp.. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(8), 615-17.

Effect of N sources and heavy metal ions on cell growth, pH and rifamycin oxidase (RO) productivity by Chryseobacterium sp. was observed. Supplementation of malt extract showed pH close to neutral for 24 h followed by slight increase, whereas RO productivity significantly enhanced (36 1U ml^-1) as compared to control (29 IU ml^-1) within 12 h. RO production was considerably stimulated in presence of Ca⁺⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺. Chiyseobacterium sp. showed increase in enzyme activity by 38.77 % in presence of Ca²⁺ and K⁺ and 48.77 % in presence of Na⁺.

2 illus,12 ref

000325   Jaiswal N;Malhotra A;Malhotra S K (Parasitology Laboratory, Zoology Dep, Allahabad Univ, Allahabad-211 002, Email: neeshversity@gmail.com) : Distribution and abundance relationship in infracommunities of proteocephalid tapeworms infesting Sharks of Arabian sea at Goa. Proc Zool Soc India 2007, 6(2), 25-30.

The investigations conducted at the Central West Coast of India encompassing Dona Paula beach at Goa involved examination of 789 Rhinchodon typus during 2005-2006 that yielded proteocephalid tapeworms. But it appeared more likely that the first intermediate hosts of these larval forms were the copepodid hosts that were eaten up by smaller fishes like mackerels, oil sardines etc., which in turn formed the part of diet of larger fishes like sharks in Arabian Sea. On this count the likelihood of sharks acting like paratenic hosts for these proteocephalids could not be discounted. The overdispersion of worms reflected characteristic distribution.

2 tables, 12 ref

000324   Gurdip Singh;Maurya S;Marimuthu P;Murali H S; Bawa A S (Chemistry Dep, DDU Gorakhpur Univ, Gorakhpur-273 009, Email: gsingh4us@yahoo.com) : Antioxidant and antibacterial investigation on essential oils and acetone extracts of some spices. Nat Prod Radiance 2007, 6(2), 114-21.

The studies on antioxidant and antibacterial potential of essential/volatile oils and acetone extracts of various spices are presented. The antibacterial activity of the volatile oils and acetone extracts of anise, ajwain, tejpat, Chinese Cassia bark, fennel, coriander, dill, turmeric and star anise have been studied against Escherichia coll, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, B., subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus by disc diffusion and plate count methods. The showed that volatile oils and extracts varied in their bioactivity. The volatile oils of ajwain, tejpat, Chinese Cassia bark and coriander were found to possess excellent activity against all the Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains tested. These volatile oils and extracts are equally or more effective when compared with standard antibiotics even at very low concentration. However, the acetone extract was found to be less effective as compared to volatile oils. Antioxidant activity of the oils and extracts were studied by DPPH, reducing power, conjugated diene and chelating effect assays. They exerted concentration dependent antioxidant activity in all the tested assays.

7 tables, 29 ref

000323   Gupte A;Gupte S;Patel H (NO, Natubhai V Patel College of Puna and Applied Sciences, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 120, Email: Akshaya_gupte@hotmail.com) : Liginolytic enzyme production under solid-state fermentation by white rot fungi. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(8), 611-14.

Ligninolytic enzymes production has been studied using various white rot fungi, Phanerocheate chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreams, Tramates versicolor, Irpex lacteus under solid-state fermentation. All the fungi produced and secreted oxidalive enzymes were associated with lignin degradation. Among various substrates (wheat straw, corncobs, coconut coir, wheat bran, and rice bran), wheat straw was found to be the best for laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase production. Maximum enzyme activity of laccase by P. ostreatus was obtained on 8th day of fermentation. Manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase showed highest activity on 10th day of fermentation. The level of enzyme activity was compared with submerged fermentation for P.ostreatus with wheat straw as the substrate.

28 ref,2 illus

000322   Gupta A (Anthropology Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014) : Models and factors influencing doctor-patient relation. South Asian Anthrop 2008, 8(1), 23-31.

In every medical action, there are always two parties involved, the physician and the patient, or in a broader sense, the medical corps and society. A doctor-patient relationship is a working relationship. It is interesting to note that the doctor and patient are two people who should be working towards the same goal and that goal is to help the patient. Reviewes models influencing doctor - patient relationship, types of doctor-patient relationship, influences on the doctor-patient relationship, the expected behaviour from doctors and patients for a good relationship and some suggestions to improve the relationship for both the parties have been discussed.

9 ref

000321   Girija E K;Narayana Kalkura S;Sivaraman P B; Yokogawa Y (Crystal Growth Center, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 025, Email: kalkura@annaunv.edu/kalkura@yahoo.com) : Mineralogical composition of urinary calculus from southern India. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(8), 632-9.

Incidence of urinary calculi and its composition have been showing a remarkable global variation with profound changes in living standards and dietary habits. Indian urinary stone composition is usually different from that of the western countries. Urinary calculi in northern India were composed of pure calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and pure calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) and in Bihar were of mixed type. Urinary calculi from southern India was analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, FT-Raman, Thermo Gravimetric Analyses (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Majority of the stones were pure or calcium phosphate mixed calcium oxalate stones. Uric acid calculi and infection stone were less. SEM observation had shown regularly arranged platy COD crystals, orderly arranged spherulitic hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals in nucleus and COD bipyramidal crystals radiating from a central point. A comprehensive clinical data of the patients is also provided.

9 illus, 2 tables,27 ref

000320   Gayathri Elayidam U;Muraleedharan D (Zoology Dep, Kerala Univ, Kariavattom-695 581, Email: drmurl@dataone.in) : Juvenile hormone activity in Dysdercus cingulatus fabr by juvenile hormone esterase inhibitor, OTEP. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(10), 901-6.

Application of juvenile hormone esterase inhibitor 3-octylthio-1,1,1- trifluropropan-2-one (OTFP) to 5th instar nymphs and virgin females of D. cingulatus revealed the profound role played by juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) in metamorphosis and reproduction. The ability of OTFP to cause delay and the formation of malformed nymphs, suggests that inhibition of JHE in vivo maintains a higher than normal hemolymph JH titer. It is obvious that OTFP does inhibit in vivo JHE activity in late instar nymphs. Further, the application of JHE inhibitor, OTFP to virgin females demonstrates that substituted trifluropropanones can indirectly stimulate egg development by inhibiting JHE activity in virgin females.

5 illus, 32 ref

000319   Gautam R K;Khan Z;Jyoti R (Anthropology Dep, Dr. H.S. Gour Univ, Sagar-470 003, Email: goutamraj@rediffmail.com) : Fertility profile of baiga-A primitive tribe of central India. Oriental Anthrop 2007, 7(2), 255-72.

Investigation is based on information collected from 415 households of 10 villages of Baiga-chak area of Dindori District Madhya Pradesh. A semi-structured schedule was used to collect the information. Studies was to study the fertility profile of Baiga. The crude birth rate was found to be 35.38, which was quite higher than National and State average. The other measures of fertility like general fertility rate, total fertility rate, gross reproduction rate, age specific fertility rate etc. have been also computed. A total of 392 ever-pregnant mothers experienced 1720 pregnancies; out of that 1584 resulted into live births. The mean live birth has been found to be 4.06. Out of 1584 live births, only 1129 are found alive. In this way, the mean number of surviving children among Baiga is 2.88 or 3; whereas child-surviving ratio is 0.7 and child loss ratio is 0.3.

2 illus, 5 tables, 105 ref

000318   Gangar H U (Flat-305, Shree Santoshimata C.H.S., Above Pooja Hospital kajupada, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai-400 084, Email: hugangar@hotmail.com) : Effect of homoeopathic drugs on cotton plants. Nat Prod Radiance 2007, 6(2), 138-41.

Detailed study to investigate the effects of Homoeopathic drugs on growth of cotton plants was initiated at Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, (ICAR), Mumbai. Promising results of preliminary experiments have been discussed. Revealed that electrically neutral and pure distilled water develops internal electrical charges as soon as few drops of homoeopathic medicines are added into it. Different drugs as well as different potencies (dilutions) of same drug produce different electrical charges. Further experiments proved that such medicated water containing drugs in highest potency influence the genetic processes of cotton plants in a big way. It can accelerate germination process, can shorten the cultivation period, can enhance the yield and quality of cotton crop and also makes it possible to grow during off-season.

5 illus, 3 tables, 2 ref

000317   Chettri R;Tamang J P (Centre for Microbiology, Sikkim Univ, 6th Mile, Tadong-737 102) : Microbiological evaluation of Maseura, an ethnic fermented legume-based condiment of Sikkim. J Hill Res 2008, 21(1), 1-7.

Maseura, is a fermented legume-based condiment prepared and consumed by the Nepalis of the Himalayas. Microbiological studies of maseura were studied. Microbial load of lactic acid bacteria, yeast and spore-formers were found at a range between 10⁴-10⁷cfu/g. Moulds were not detected. Lactic acid bacteria were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum, Lb. salivarius, Pediococcus pantosaceus and Enterococcus durans. Spore-formers were identified as Bacillus subtilis, B. mycoides, B. pumilus and B. laterosporous. Yeasts were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia burtonii and Candida castellii.

1 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

000316   Bhure D B;Padwal N D;Jadhav B V (Helminth. Research Lab., Zoology Dep, Dr.B.A.M. Univ, Aurangabad-431 004, Email: baba_v_jadhav @ yahoo.co.in) : Tapeworm Senga jadhavae n.sp. (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from Mastacembalus armatus at Aurangabad.". Proc Zool Soc India 2007, 6(2), 45-52.

New species, Senga jadhavae n. sp. was collected from Mastacembalus armatus at Aurangabad (M.S.), India. The new species differs from all the known species of the genus, but it is characterized by the presence of a triangular scolex, with fifty to fifty four hooks, neck short, testes 310-320 in numbers and follicular vitellaria.

4 illus, 17 ref

000315   Bhalla P;Chanda V D;Dhar R;Dhawan D K (Biophysics Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: dhawan@pu.ac.in) : Neuroprotective effect of zinc on antioxidant defense in lithium treated rat brain. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(11), 954-8.

With a view to find out whether zinc affords protection against lithium toxicity the activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation profile were determined in the cerebrum and cerebellum of lithium treated female Sprague Dawley rats. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in both the cerebrum and the cerebellum of animals administered with lithium for a total duration of 4 months as compared to the normal control group. On the contrary, the activities of catalase and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) were significantly reduced after 4 months of lithium treatment. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased in the cerebrum after 4 months lithium administration, whereas in the cerebellum the enzyme activity was unaffected. No significant change in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) was found in either cerebrum or cerebellum after 2 months of lithium treatment. However, 4 months lithium treatment did produce significant changes in GSH levels in the cerebrum and in the cerebellum. Zinc supplementation for 4 months in lithium-treated rats significantly increased the activities of catalase and GST in the cerebellum, showing that the treatment with zinc reversed the lithium induced depression in these enzyme activities. Though, zinc treatment tended to normalize the SOD activity in the cerebrum yet it was still significantly higher in comparison to normal levels. From the present study, it can be concluded that the antiperoxidative property of zinc is effective in reversing the oxidative stress induced by lithium toxicity in the rat brain.

5 tables, 34 ref

000314   Barua R;Bhilegaonkar K N;Agarwal R K;Singh D K;Malik S V S;Rathore R S;Rahman H;Vaidya V M;Sunil B (Veterinary Public Helath Div, Indian Veterinary research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, Email: kpb@ivri.up.nic) : Prevalence and rapid detection of shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in water and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. J Vet Publ Hlth 2007, 5(2), 75-83.

A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of shiga toxin producing E. coll(STEC) in water and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and to evaluate efficacy of PCR for detection of STEC from RTE foods/water after one step enrichment of samples. A total of 570 samples of different sources (100 water, 200 RTE milk products, 230 RTE meat products and 40 RTE vegetable snacks) were screened. The highest occurrence off. coliwas observed in RTE milk products (76%), followed by RTE meat products (35.21%), RTE vegetable snacks (30%) and water (11%). A total of 2-56 isolates (11 water, 81 RTE meat products, 12 RTE vegetable snacks and 152 RTE milk products) off. coli screened for the presence of shiga toxin producing gene (stx, and stx₂) by PCR, 3 and 6 isolates from RTE milk products were postive for stx₁ and stx₂ genes, respectively. The stx₁ isolates were from ice cream and milk cake, whereas stx₂ positive isolates were from milk cake and rasgolla. However, direct detection of STEC by PCR after one step enrichment of samples in MacConkey broth was not found to be suitable. Only 2 samples (1 each from rasgolla and milk cake) gave positive result for stx₂ gene, whereas none of the samples showed positive result for sfx₁ gene. The characterization of STEC isolates was also done for their ability to cause haemolysis on sheep blood agar and congo red dye binding activity.

2 illus, 3 tables, 38 ref

000313   Ashwini A;Chandrika V (Microbiology Dep, Kesari Arts & Science College, N.Paravur, Ernakulam-683 513) : Infectious disease epidemiology of well waters in and around Cochin. J microbial Wld 2008, 10(1), 102-7.

Contamination of drinking well waters of Cochin City by human and animal derived wastes was studied both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of seven samples were collected from three different localities of the city. The source, nature and extent of contamination were analyzed. The results revealed that faecal pollution has reached an alarming proportion. Also the effects of 'Septclean', a probiotic culture concentrate of Bacillus spp. on the contaminant microflora were studied. 'Septclean' was found highly effective against faecal Streptococci. However, total coliforms were comparably resistant to the 'Septclean' flora.

4 tables, 14 ref

000312   Anyasi F I;Obinabo E C (Electrical and Electronics Dep, Ambrose Alli Univ, PMB 14, Ekpoma Edo State, Nigeria, Email: francanyasi2000@yahoo.com) : Electrical properties of biological wastes used as effective soil conditioners for electrical earthing. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(10), 873-9.

Resistivity of cow waste, chicken waste, ashes, decayed sawdust, garden soil or earth and laterite soil is determined in perspective of improving electrical conductivity of the earth. Effect of moisture on resistivity of samples is considered. Using soil Box method, study revealed that ashes bave the lowest resistivity (1.04 Ω-m). followed by chicken waste(5.84 Ω-m) and cow waste (9.88 Ω-m). Recommends these biological wastes as cheap sources of reducing soil resistivity of earth around embedded electrodes for electrical earthing.

1 illus, 6 tables, 5 ref

000311   Annle Sulochana Selvakumari P;John De Britto A (Botany Dep, St. John's College, Palayamkottai-627 002) : Bacterial activity of Lagendra ovata (Linn.) Thw. rhizome oil. Nat Prod Radiance 2007, 6(5), 382-5.

Lagenandra ovata. (Linn.) Thw. syn. L. toxicaria Dalz. of Araceae family was evaluated for antibacterial activity againstthe Gram positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, P. vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methanol extract of the rhizome and the oil fractions obtained from the methanol extract through column chromatography were screened. The rhizome oil was found to be active againstthe pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and this activity was compared to the standard antibiotic, Chloramphenicol. The rhizome oil of L. ovata possesses potential antibacterial activity and can be exploited as an antiseptic agent against the susceptible organisms.

2 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

000310   Anita B;Narayana Reddy C (Botany Dep, Gulbarga Univ, Gulbarga-585 106) : Isolation and antibiotic susceptibility of Xanthomonas campestris PV. Citri. J microbial Wld 2008, 10(1), 11-16.

Attempt was made in the present study to isolate and characterize the local strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri. The antibiotic susceptibilitypattern of the selected isolates was also determined. In all 45 isolates of Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri were isolated from lemons (Citrus limon L.) obtained from the local fields. The pathogenicity of the confirmed isolates was tested by detached leaf technique. Nine isolates that were proved to be highly pathogenic were subjected for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern against ten antibiotics by Kirby-Baurs disc diffusion method. Streptomycin and Erythromycin were appearing to be efficient and cost effective.

3 tables, 21 ref

000309   Amritha Gowari R;Synnah E (NO, Avinashilingam Univ for Women, Coimbatore-641 043) : Effect of nutrition and health education on the awareness of the inmates of sos village at Shillong. Res Highlight 2008, 18(4), 192-200.

5 tables, 5 ref

000308   Amin S;Hans R K;Farooq M;Masood A (Biochemistry Dep, University of Kashmir, Srinagar (J&K)-190 006, Email: akbar_masood@hotmail.com) : Inhibition of Zea mays phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase by sulfur dioxide. Toxic int 2007, 14(2), 103-9.

Ten - days old plants of Zea mays were exposed to different concentrations of sulfur dioxide (0.8 to 23 ppm) for 4 hours in a continuous flow exposure chamber under illumination (500W tungsten bulb). The visible injury symptoms in leaves produced due to the exposure were correlated with sulfur dioxide concentration. The effect of sulfur dioxide exposure on the activity of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase was studied in the leaf extracts of Zea mays plants. A concentration dependent decrease in the activity of the enzyme was observed in relation to sulfur dioxide exposure. The kinetic studies of the enzyme were used to determine the rate constants, V_max and K_m for different substrates. The effect of sulfur dioxide on the kinetic parameters was evaluated in terms of the inhibitor constant, K_j. K_m values of PEP-carboxylase were 53, 76.9 and 83 μ M for HCO₃^-, PEP and Mg²⁺ respectively, suggesting a higher affinity for HCO₃^- related to PEP and Mg²⁺. The inhibitory profiles suggested that the nature of inhibition was competitive with respect to HCO₃^-, whereas PEP and Mg²⁺ went through non - competitive inhibition. The K_j values obtained were 38, 87.5 and 68.5 ppm sulfur dioxide with respect to HCO₃^-, PEP and Mg²⁺ respectively. The higher K_j values indicate the low inhibitory effect of sulfur dioxide. Since the K_j value for competitive inhibition is lower than that for the non - competitive one, this indicates that competitive inhibition against HCO₃^- predominate at low sulfur dioxide concenrations.

6 illus, 6 tables, 21 ref

000307   Ael-Banhawey M;Ashry M A;El-Ansary A K;Aly A (Experimental Zoology Dep, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams Univ, Cair, Egypt, Email: Sanna_ahmedibrahim@yahoo.com) : Effect of Curcuma longa or parziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice liver-Histological and histochemical study. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(10), 877-89.

Effect of drug praziquantel (PZQ) and C. longa extract on S. mansoni infected mice is reported. The level of glycogen, alkaline and acid phosphatases (ALP and ACP respectively), and body weight, liver weight and liver weight/body weight ratio were studied in mice infected with S. mansoni. ALP level was increased after infection. C. longa treated mice showed marked reduction in ALP level more than after PZQ-treatment. C. longa enhanced the concentration of glycogen after being reduced by infection, while PZQ-treatment revealed more reduction. C. longa caused enhancement in body weight while PZQ treatment had no effect. The formation of granuloma around schistosome eggs in the liver produced inflammation. C. longa extract and PZQ were effective in reducing granuloma size in infected mice.

4 illus, 4 tables, 74 ref