015784   Anuroopa N;Bagyaraj D J (NO, PRIST Univ, Vallam, Thanjavur-613 403, Email: djbagyaraj@gmail.com) : Selection of an efficient plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for inoculating Withania somnifera. J scient ind Res 2017, 76(4), 244-8.

Withania somnifera is a medicinal plant well documented for its health benefits since ancient times. The present - 126 - study was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the growth and yield of W. somnifera. Nine different PGPR were screened for their efficiency. Some of the PGPR used like Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense, are well known for their growth promotion in plants, some like Methylobacterium radiotolerans, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Pantoea dispersa and Bacillus sonorensis were used for the first time to see their influence on W. somnifera. Plants inoculated with PGPR showed significantly improved growth and yield compared to the uninoculated plants. The results of this study suggest that Bacillus sonorensis has a great potential to increase the growth and yield of W. somnifera and possesses all the PGPR traits and therefore can be used for inoculating W. somnifera.

3 tables, 22 ref

014723   Utpala Devi;Borad P K;Malik V;Parida P; Mahanta J (Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Rgion (ICMR), Post Box-105, Dibrugarh-786 001, Email: jmahanta@gmail.com) : M types & toxin gene profile of group a streptococci isolated from children in Dibrugarh district of Assam, India. Indian J med Res 2016, 143(5), 659-62.

2 tables, 21 ref

014722   Thakur S;Jana T (NO, CSIR- National Institute of Science communication and Information Res, 14 Satsung Viahar Marg, New Delhi-110 067) : Computational analysis reveals Industrial Natural Products and Toxins in Charcoal Rot Pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina. Curr Sci 2017, 112(2), 322-31.

The fungal polyketide synthases (PKS) are responsible for the biosynthesis of several polyketide natural products, mycotoxins, pigments, etc. In the present times, we use computational tools to gain insight into polyketide natural products that may contribute to the metabolic versatility of this important phytopa-thogenic filamentous fungi. In total, we have identified 17 type-I PKS related gene clusters from the Macro-phomina phaseolina genome. Among these 27 ketosyn-thase (KS) domains have been retrieved and used for the study. The study reveals that genome of M. phase-olina comprises non-reducing (NR), partially reducing (PR) and reducing (R) type of polyketides, and are clustered into three clades and several subclades. The phylogenetic analysis of KS domain sequences of M. phaseolina indicates that some PKS sequences are most closely related to polyketide natural product homologs such as lovastatin diketide, mycotoxins (fumonisin, citrinin and patulin) and pigment melanin. We also found eight orphan KS domains from three reducing PKS, i.e. MPH10374, MPH10375 and MPH10376. The study represents a potential novel source of industri-ally important polyketide natural products.

2 illus, 2 tables, 51 ref

014721   Sharma R;Summarwar S (Zoology Dep, Govt Dungar College, Bikaner, Rajasthan) : Efficacy of bio agents jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula ishida) population on RCH-134 Bt (BG-II). Int J Fauna biol Stud 2017, 4(4), 26-8.

In the present study, the bio-efficacy of different bio agents against sucking insect pests Jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida) was evaluated. The experiment involved 8 treatments including control. The treatments consist of NSKE 5% (Neem Seed Kernal Extract), Neem Oil + liquid soap, Pest guard 5%, Fusarium SP, Verticillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana, Buprofenzin I.G.R. (Insect Growth Regulator) and Control. Total three sprays of each bio agent were given at 7-10 days' interval to protect the Bt cotton against sucking pests. The following bio agents were used for spraying the crop during crop season. In the result, it was found that maximum reduction in jassid population was offered by NSKE 5% (37.61%) and was superior to rest of the treatments. The treatment of Neem oil +liquid soap (30.22%) and pest guard 5% (25.40%) ranked second in order of efficacy to reduce jassid population and were at par to each other. The treatment of Fusarium SP (18.20%), Verticillium lecanii (17.46%), Buprofenzin I.G.R. (17.01%) and Beauveria bassiana (14.84%) proved to be least effective in reducing the jassid population.

3 tables, 3 ref

014720   Sanjeev A;Mattaparthi V S K (Molecular Modelling and Simulation Laboratory, Molecular Biology and, Tezpur Univ, Tazpur-784 028, Email: venkata@tazu.ernet.in) : Computational study of intermolecular interactions between α-synuclein fibrils and Tau protein propagating tau aggregation. Curr Sci 2017, 112(11), 2219-25.

α-Synuclein is the principal component responsible for the onset of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. It has been recently suggested that α-synuclein fibrils probably interact with Tau protein, inhibit its function to stabilize microtubules, and also promote Tau aggregation, leading to dysfunction of neuronal cells. Here, we have studied the interactions between α-synuclein fibrils and Tau protein. The results show that the basic region of Tau protein strongly interacts with the C-terminal acidic regions of α-synuclein fibrils, and undergoes conformational change resulting in the formation of seed for assembly of Tau into amyloid-like fibrils.

7 illus, 3 tables, 32 ref

014719   Rheman A A (Zoology Dep, Gandhi Faiz-e-Aam college (Affliliated to M J P Rohilkhand Univ, Bare, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh-242 001) : Gamma raditions induced aberrations in bone marrow chromosomes of swiss albino rice. Ann Biol Res 2016, 7(9), 13-21.

Bone marrow chromosomes are known to be highly radiosensitive. The current study seeks to examine the changes in chromosomal morphology post exposure to gamma radiation in Swiss albino mice. Observation of slides of control mice show no significant damage in chromosomes number (40) and morphology. However, after administration 0.20 Gy, 0.40 Gy, 0.60 Gy, 0.80 Gy of 60 CO-gamma rays a number of abnormalities were observed. Chromosome fragments, breaks, appearance of rings, dicentric chromosomes were found in all cases. The only difference was in their frequency. When the doses were higher the variations were observed more frequently. However, at a dose of 0.60Gy and 0.80 Gy in addition to the aforesaid abnormalities, aneuploidy was also observed. Bone marrow cells showing such defective morphology possibly may also suffer from attenuation of their genetic, physiological and biochemical mechanism(s). These observations - 82 - indicate the sensitivity of the genomic apparatus of mice subjected to low doses of gamma radiations. The biomedical importance of this study can be easily visualized in the possible cytogenetic effects that would influence the generations to come. The rampant use of this radiation therefore warrants further, indepth investigation in view of the long term genetic hazards and impairment of fertility of an individual due to gamma rays.

6 illus, 54 ref

014718   Qian G (Theoretical Teaching and Research Dep, Shanghai Univ of Finance and Economics, 114 Tongxin Building, 777 Guoding Road, Shanghai-200 433, China, Email: qiange@mail.shufe.edu.cn ) : Associations between longevity and subjective well-being by country. Curr Sci 2017, 112(5), 941-5.

This study examines the relationships between longevity and subjective well-being from the social science perspective, using global data, by employing epidemiological methods and data from the Human Development Report 2010. For all countries as a whole and of all the subjective well-being variables in this study, the overall life satisfaction had the strongest positive association with longevity. At this point, the situations are similar for very high and medium human development countries, but quite different for high and low human development countries. The effects of various control variables seemed relatively limited. Path analyses showed that the overall life satisfaction had the strongest effect on life expectancy, while the effect of income was indirect. The number of physicians per 10,000 people, which was the main medical indicator, had neither direct nor indirect effects on life expectancy. In conclusion, the cognitive component of subjective well-being had a stronger impact than the emotional component did on life expectancy. However, subjective and psychological factors play more important roles in prolonging lifespans than objective factors such as economic and medical indicators do.

3 illus, 3 table, 18 ref

014717   Price L (NO, , B-11 6, Le Chateau 2, Lorong Syed Putra Kiri, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Email: lizprice@hotmail.com) : Species diversity and food-web complexity in the caves of Malaysia. Ambient Sci 2014, 1(2), 1-8.

Besides microbes a wide variety of cave animals inhabit various caves of Malaysia, ranging from tiny invertebrates through to small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and bats. Evidence even supports the visitation of elephants to some caves. In the present report the food web complexity and the species diversity that exist in Malaysian caves is described on the basis of direct sightings. Furthermore, the major threats to the present status of such caves are also discussed.

18 illus, 45 ref

014716   Perez-Rosales E;Alcaraz-Melendez L;Puente M E;Vazquez-Juarez R;Quiroz-Guzman E;Zenteno-Savin T;Morales-Bojorquez E (Centro de Investigation Biological del Noroeste, S.C.,, Av. Instituto Politecnico 195, Col, Playa Palo de Santa Ritu Sur, La, Baja California Sur.CP.23096, Mexico, Email: lalcaraz04@cibnor.mx) : Isolation and Charaterisation of Endophytic bacteria associated with root of Jojoba(Simmondsia chinesis(Linl) Schneid). Curr Sci 2017, 112(2), 396-401.

In this communication, the diversity and beneficial characteristics of endophytic bacteria have been studied in Simmondsia chinensis that has industrial importance because of the quality of its seed oil. Endophytes were isolated (N = 101) from roots of the jojoba plants collected, of which eight were identified by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. The isolated bacteria were Bacillus sp., Methylobacterium aminovorans, Oceanobacillus kimchi, Rhodococcus pyridinivorans and Streptomyces sp. All isolates had at least one positive feature, characterizing them as potential plant growth promoting bacteria. In this study, R. pyridinivorans and O. kimchi are reported as plant growth promoters.

2 illus, 3 tables, 22 ref

014715   Navnit Kumar;Priyadarshi B;Sah S U (Speech Language Pathology Dep, Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, Dubai, UAE) : Is there similar decline in visual and spatial domains of visuo-spatial working memory with ageing?. Indian J Gerontol 2017, 31(2), 152-68.

Visuo-spatial working memory (WM) decline with advancing age is a well-established fact. But, there is no agreement on whether, a particular visual or spatial information declines as similarly as the visuo-spatial information as a whole. The present study addressed this question in a lifespan sample of 80 participants between 40-80 years old. Three specific tasks were designed for visual, spatial and visuo-spatial working memory. It was found that, a performance across visual WM was better than the spatial WM. Moreover, significant differences were found between visual and spatial WM score [F (4, 75) = 32.65, p 60> 0.05]; visual and visuo-spatial WM score [F (4, 75) = 34.43, p 60> 0.05]. However, no significant difference was found between spatial and visuo-spatial WM score. In addition, the decline pattern of spatial domain was similar to visuo-spatial domain as a whole. This result revealed that the decline of visuo-spatial WM system with aging is primarily a decline of information associated with the location of the objects appeared in the visual system. Hence, possible interpretations of these findings are suggested and the theoretical and clinical implications considered.

3 illus, 5 tables, 39 ref

014714   Nair S B;Suresh Kumar S (NO, Population Research Centre, Kerala, Kerala Univ, Kariavatton-695 581) : Ageing in Kerala: some key issues. Indian J Gerontol 2017, 31(2), 209-38.

Ageing of population has been rapid in Kerala. The problems associated with it have been the focus of studies which are mostly sample based. But the recent Census of India 2011 data provides ample scope to explore the magnitude of the problems associated with ageing which have never been dealt with before. With this aim, the authors used the Census data on household wise distribution of aged population, disability, labour force participation and marital status distribution which indirectly speaks about the problems of loneliness, living arrangements, widowhood and financial security. The percentage of aged population 60+ years in Kerala is 12.6 per cent. Gender differentials are discernible with the proportion of aged females being greater than males. Out of the total aged population distribution in Kerala, 55.6 per cent of the households with aged persons had only one aged person. Female domination was evident here. An almost alarming situation of loneliness was that more than half of the single member households in Kerala were constituted by aged persons. Gender differential among the proportion of aged was more conspicuous in the single member household. Almost nine out of ten aged males were currently married. But only one third of the aged - 80 - females were currently married which reflect the problem of widowhood. Proportion of widows was almost five times more than widowers. In Kerala, the researchers found that one in ten elderly population were economically active. Almost 30 per cent of the aged constitute the disabled population in Kerala. Disability was more among females compared to males in all the districts in the State. Sensory disability common in old age was more prominent here. Other types of sensory disabilities were also noticed in the elderly population. The findings of this study call for policy responses to focus on specific areas where the aged population in the absence of family members were more concentrated and where with the greater likelihood of psychological problems, financial and emotional security is needed.

12 illus, 12 tables, 24 ref

014713   Mustafa O;Ozgur B (Physical Education and Sport Dep, Gaziantep Univ, Gaziantep, Turkey) : Effect of whole-body electromyostimulation with and without voluntary muscular contractions on total and regional fat mass of women. Archiv appl Sci Res 2016, 8(3), 75-9.

The effects of whole-body electromyostimulation training with voluntary muscular contractions (WB-EMS),and whole-body electromyostimulation without voluntary muscular contractions (EMS) on total and regional fat mass were examined in sedentary female subjects. The subjects (N = 40) were divided two equal groups as the experimental group (EX),and the control group (CON). The EX group underwent WB-EMS training program during 8 weeks via the WB-EMS training device, while the CON group participated in the EMS program. The electrodes placed on 16 regions of whole body, and than80Hz stimulation frequency was used for all training sequences. The regional body composition analyzer was used for determination of total/regional fat percentage, fat mass, and lean mass of subjects. Differences between variables were assessed using paired samples t test. There were no significant changes between the pre-, and post-test in the total, and regional parameters of the CON (p <62> 0.05). After the WB-EMS training program, significant decreases were found in the body weight, body mass index, total fat percentage, total fat mass, and fat percentage/fat mass of all regions of the EX (p<60>0.05). Significance was not found in the total/regional lean mass parameters of the EX(p>0.05).According to the results, the WB-EMS training, which a technologic method in exercise science,improved the total, and regional fat mass of women.

1 illus, 1 table, 28 ref

014712   Mishra N (NO, Alliance Univ, Banglore, Chhattisgarh) : Indian society and position of third gender: A comparative study of past and present scenario. Int J multidiscipl Res Dev 2017, 4(7), 38-41.

Now a days the modern Indian society is talking so much about the rights and the position of third gender people. Whereas, the third gender people already occupied an important place in the ancient Indian society. India is a land of different religions and culture and Hinduism is largely practiced in India. According to the Rig Veda in Hindu mythology three types of genders has been considered: Male that is Purush, Female that is Prakriti and third gender that is Tritiya Prakriti. Also their contribution towards the betterment of society is quite evident from the stories of two main epics of India that is Ramayana and Mahabharatha. It is in recent times that the modern Indian society considered them as third gender otherwise there was no such identity given to them legally. Still all is not well and the third gender people are struggling to be a part of the civil society. A drastic change has taken place as far as their position in modern society is concerned as compared to the ancient times, social exclusion can be seen and felt by looking at their living standards and daily activities. Through this article the author wants to analyze the - 79 - whole process of transition from, third gender being an important part of ancient Indian society to again becoming an issue of disrespect and fighting for their peaceful and dignified existence in the same society to gain their identity back.

14 ref

014711   Kulkarni N;Theodoritsi M;Pouliasi K;Mahaja A; Tsepis E (NO, Dr. APJAK College of Physiotherapy, Pravara Institute of Medical Scie, Loni, Taluka Rahata, Ahmednagar, Maharastra) : Assessment of cognition in older adults using the test your memory test. Int J multidiscipl Res Dev 2017, 4(7), 42-4.

The prevalence of age-related health problems is becoming an important public health issue in older adults. Dementia and other cognitive problems are the most commonly found. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest form of dementia which is strongly associated with functional disability and institutionalization leading to a decreased quality of life. The Test Your Memory (TYM) is a quick test to administer for patients screening and evaluates a large number of cognitive skills. Total 218 community dwelling elderly individuals with age <62> 60 years and who were willing to participate were included in the study. The Greek version of TYM test was used for cognitive assessment of 218 community dwelling elderly volunteers, older than60 years. Showed that 53.8% older adults scored less than the cut off score of 42 on TYM test and age correlated significantly with the TYM score (r = 0.375, p<60>0.000). 53.8 % of older adults scored less than cut off value on TYM test and age correlated significantly with the TYM score.

3 table, 13 ref

014710   Kamilla S;Jain V (Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biological Sciences De, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal-461 066, Email: vikas@iiserb.ac.in) : Robust high throughout real-time monitoring assay for the specific screening of bacterial cell envelope inhibitors. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2017, 83(1), 211-15.

Fluorescent dyes have been widely used for the assessment of the microbial and eukaryotic cell viability. However, the available methods require special protocols to be used in specific methods such as fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Although simpler methods have been developed using these fluorescent dyes that directly provide a "read-out" for immediate estimation of cell survival, these require constant monitoring and manual intervention. To circumvent all of these problems, we have developed a robust automated high-throughput real-time cell viability monitoring assay using Sytox green dye. Our assay requires no manual intervention during bacterial cell growth. Furthermore, the assay is very specific for the cell membrane perturbing agents. As a proof-of-concept, we show E. coli growth in the presence of three different antibiotics that inhibit - 78 - three different processes in the cell - Ampicillin, for cell wall; Kanamycin, for protein translation; Ofloxacin, for DNA replication; Nisin, for cell membrane. We show that the assay is very specific for Ampicillin and Nisin and does not respond to Kanamycin and Ofloxacin. This assay is performed in a 96-well microtitre plate which makes it possible to analyze, at the same time, several antibiotics and chemical compounds that have the potential to specifically disrupt the cell envelope. Our method is thus very rapid and specific, and can be efficiently used to screen a library of compounds. The assay was further tested on the D29 mycobacteriophage holin protein and its mutant HolG28D. The assay provided very distinct functional differences between the two proteins.

2 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

014709   Jayant Biswas (NO, National Cave Research and protection Organization, Central Zone, Raipur, Email: jayant@cave-biology.org) : Occurrence and distribution of cave dwelling frogs of peninsular India. Ambient Sci 2014, 1(2), 17-25.

The life in subterranean caves always needs a high degree of biological adaptability, due to its unusual ecosystem. The cave dwelling species usually get selected from preadapted biological traits for cave life. The cave dwelling tendencies in frog are very uncommon. Majority of reported cave frogs usually prefer cave for temporary shelter. In India, the biospeleological inventory is still in its primary stage. Till date no serious attempt has been taken to understand the cave dwelling habitat for any frog in India. Inspite of it, in India time to time various reports on natural histories of anurans reveal its cave dwelling tendencies. On the basis of personal observations and available literature in this report I have documented the occurrences and distributions of five cave dwelling frogs of India. Common biological traits from all the established cave frogs, which could be referred as preadapted for cave life, have been discussed. Further, the possible threats and IUCN status of each discussed species has been highlighted.

^iia4 illus, 41 ref

014708   Jana R;Maruthakutti R;Choudhuri A K (Sociological Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata) : Survival strategy of elderly headed households of rural West Bengal: an SNA approach. Indian J Gerontol 2017, 31(2), 169-95.

In the course of daily life of rural people, situations often arise when a need is faced by a household which has to be fulfilled immediately even by taking help from others. Households gradually build up social networks among themselves to meet these situations effectively. These social - 77 - networks are marshaled at household level and play an important role as a kind of survival strategy for the rural people. Several gerontologists have studied on both involuntary and voluntary ties of elderly people from the point of their well-being, (including their mental and physical health). In West Bengal, socio-economic and political/organizational changes have been brought about by redistribution of land through land reforms, increase of wage rate and effective functions of Gram Panchayat, effecting changes in the life opportunities of (as a source for the) rural people in West Bengal. A study on the survival strategy of elderly (= 50 yrs.) headed households in rural West Bengal was conducted applying Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach to capture the changes. The findings would serve as useful inputs to policy-makers by reckoning the importance of elderly heads of the rural households in social networks found in their survival strategy.

1 illus, 10 tables, 32 ref

014707   Itolikar A B;Kurtadikar M L (Applied Sciences Dep, Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College Aurangabad, Maharashtra) : Microwave dielectric properties and emissivity estimation of freshly cut banana leaves at 5 GHz. Int J Adv Remote Sens GIS 2017, 5(1), 58-66.

This paper contains experimental measurements of complex dielectric properties of freshly cut banana leaves at 5 GHz; the central frequency of the Microwave C-band. These measurements were carried out for different gravimetric moisture contents of the banana leaves at room temperature. The Von Hipple method is used to measure complex dielectric properties using an automated C-Band microwave bench set up. The least square fitting technique is used to calculate dielectric constant e', dielectric loss e" and errors in the measurements. Emissivity and Brightness Temperature are theoretically estimated from measured dielectric properties at different angles of incidence for dry and moist banana leaves using Fresnel equations. These parameters are significance to microwave remote sensing of vegetation especially for banana canopy.

6 illus, 17 ref

014706   Islam M A (Sociology Dep, Rajshahi Univ, Rajshahi-6025, Bangladesh) : Socio-economic conditions of the rural elderly in Bangladesh: a sociological analysis. Indian J Gerontol 2017, 31(2), 196-208.

The present study, based on empirical findings from the four villages of Gopalnagar union of Dhunat upazila of Bogra district of Bangladesh, has mainly explored the socio-economic conditions of the elderly in rural Bangladesh. 203 elderly (age varying from 60 years to 90 years) of both the sexes (M=96 and F=107) were selected randomly. Mixed approach, which included survey, observation, case study and life history methods and focus group discussion technique, was used in data collection. Data from secondary sources was also collected. The findings of the study revealed that the socio-economic conditions of the rural elderly was not satisfactory in the areas of study. That is, about 75 per cent male elderly and 79.4 per cent female elderly still have no formal education. About 80.8 per cent elderly earn below 2,000 taka in a month. Nearly 15.8 per cent elderly are still homestead and 41.9 per cent cultivable landless. About 64 per cent elderly are leading their life without sanitary latrine and 72.4 per cent of them are taking bath without bathroom. The findings of the study may be useful for both academicians and policy makers in making strategies for tackling seriously the problems of elderly and form a policy framework to the welfare of them with a view to making the socio-economic conditions of the rural elderly in Bangladesh in a better shape.

7 illus, 6 tables, 6 ref

014705   Harikumar R S;Eswarappa S M (Biochemistry Dep, Indian Institue of Science, Bengaluru-560 012, Email: sandeep@biochem.iisc.ernet.in) : Emerging field of tardigrades and - 76 - their stress tolerance. Curr Sci 2017, 112(5), 902-3.

1 illus, 11 ref

014704   Gupta P;Chibber S;Harjai K (Microbiology Dep, Pajnab Univ, Chandigarh) : Subinhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin targets quorum sensing system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing inhibition of biofilm formation & reduction of virulence. Indian J med Res 0000, 143(5), 643-51.

Biofilms formed by pseudomonas aeruginosa lead to persistent infections. Use of antibiotics for the treatment of biofilm induced infection poses a threat towards development of resistance. Therefore, the research is directed towards exploring the property of antibiotics which may alter the virulence of an organism besides altering its growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of subinhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in inhibiting biofilm formation and virulence of P. aeruginosa. Antibiofilm potential of subinhibitory concentration of CIP was evaluated in terms of log reduction, biofilm forming capacity and coverslip assay. P. aeruginosa isolates (grown in the presence and absence of sub-MIC of CIP) were also evaluated for inhibition in motility, virulence factor production and quorum sensing (QS) signal production. Sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) of CIP significantly reduced the motility of P. aeruginosa stand and strain and clinical isolates and affected biofilm forming capacity. Production of protease, elastase, siderophore, alginate, and rhamnolipid was also significantly reduced by CIP. Reduction in virulence factors and biofilm formation was due to inhibition of QS mechanism which was indicated by reduced production of QS signal molecules by P. aeruginosa in presence of subinhibitory concentration of CIP.

4 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

014703   Gunnjeet Kaur;Joshi A;Vyas D;Jain D (Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Dep, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur-313 001, Email: itsgunjeet@gmail.com) : - 75 - Characterization of mungbean (V. radiata) genotypes through morphological markers and their divergence studies. Green Fmg 2017, 8(1), 33-6.

The present investigation was undertaken to examine the genetic similarity in 23 mungbean genotypes for 10 characters using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Morphological clustering was done for the two varying cultural results on environments divided the into five clusters each. The highest inter-cluster distance was noted between clusters IV and V and least for cluster I and IV in first environment whereas in second environment the highest inter-cluster distance was noted between clusters IV and V and least for cluster II and IV. Therefore, hybridization between genotypes belonging to different clusters is suggested for development of superior genotypes. EC-398885 showed best results for the morphological characters 50 per cent flowering, number of branches per plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, 1000 seed weight, seed yield per plant, biological yield and harvest index respectively. For developing suitable varieties for cultivation in zaid season, morphological were carried out for characterization of advanced breeding lines. The availability of low number of morphological markers, their poorly known genetic control and environmental influence on phenotypic expression at different stages of growth are some of the established impediments in using these are stable markers in the diversity analysis, the present study aimed to analyze and asses the nature and extent of genetic diversity among the twenty three mungbean genotypes.

4 illus, 6 tables, 8 ref

014702   Grbic M L;Simie G S;Stupar M;Jelikic A;Marko Sabovljevic;Maja Dordevic;Vijkojevic J (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical garden', Studentski trg 16, 11 000, Serbia, Email: jmilica@bio.bg.ac.rs) : Biodiversity's hidden treasure: Biodeteriorated Archaeological tombstones of Serbia. Curr Sci 2017, 112(2), 304-10.

In the present study, biological colonization on medieval tombstones from archaeological sites in Serbia has been investigated. Chemical analyses showed that the stone substrata were mostly of calcium carbonate, which is highly bioreceptive. Large areas of tombstones were covered with epilithic lichenized fungi and mosses, and microbiological analyses showed the presence of micromycetes and cyanobacteria. The dominant group of fungi recorded on tombstone surfaces was microcolonial fungi, now recognized as primary colonizers of stone substrata.

5 illus, 1 table, 41 ref

014701   Das S;Bajaj D;Gopala Krishnan S;Singh A K; Parida S K (NO, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, Email: swarup@nipgr.ac.in) : Revisiting the decoded genomes to promptly reveal their genomic perspectives. Curr Sci 0000, 112(2), 279-94.

Post Arabidopsis thaliana, 55 genomes comprising 49 different plant species have been decoded by use of clone-by-clone, whole genome shotgun and nextgeneration sequencing approaches. The structural outcomes of these sequenced genomes shed light on their genomic constitution, particularly the way genes, transposable elements and genetic markers are organized within the genomes. The functional outcomes provide a brief account of specific phenotypic trait characteristics of crop genomes by digging deep into the genetic make-up of transcription factors, regulatory elements and gene families governing multiple agronomic traits in these crop plants. The comparative and evolutionary outcomes deduce the genetic basis of biological diversity and basic process of genome evolution by analysing the syntenic relationships among genes and genomes/chromosomes of the sequenced crop plants. Therefore, a revisit to published genome sequence landmarks in 30 major cultivated food crops constituting major groups (cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds and fibres) would significantly assist us to gain a detailed insight into their genome organization and dissect the structural, functional, comparative and evolutionary intricacies for identifying species- and lineage-specific genes controlling multiple characteristics in crop plants. The essential inputs obtained will be helpful in devising efficient strategies to develop high-yielding climateready crop varieties through translational genomics.

2 illus, 3 tables, 58 ref

014700   Biswas J;Neral A;Rajput Y (National Cave Research and Protection Organisation, Central Laboratory, Raipur-492 001, Email: yogitaryp@gmail.com) : Subterranean microhabitat dependent intra versus extracellular enzyme secretion capabilities of Deinococcus radiodurans. Ambient Sci 2015, 2(1), 44-50.

Deinococcus radiodurans is one of the most yet discovered extremophilic microbe, the isolation of which from the various habitats of Kotumsar cave is always a matter of enticement to discover its ecological economics. In the present work we studied the intra versus extracellular alkaline protease and glucose isomerase secretion capabilities of Deinococcus radiodurans; KCB21, KCB50, KCB93 isolated from three distinct subterranean niches of Kotumsar cave. The selected niches/zones were the entrance zone, - 74 - transient zone and the deep inner zone from where the soil sediments were collected to isolate the bacterial strains. The results revealed high extracellular alkaline protease activity from the Deinococcus radiodurans strain which was isolated from the deeper zones of the cave, whereas no such phenomenon was revealed for glucose isomerase. The possible reason for the obtained results has been discussed.

2 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

014699   Basopo N;Naik Y S (Applied Biology and Biochemsitry Dep, National Univ of Science and Technology, P.O.Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo) : Carbyl and dimethoate induced alterations of the antioxidant defence systems in two freshwater pulmonate snails Helisoma Duryi and Lymnaea Natalensis. Ann Biol Res 2016, 7(9), 1-8.

Organophosphates and carbamates are extensively used to increase the quality and quantity of field crops. These pesticides may indirectly enter water bodies where they affect aquatic organisms. Once absorbed by aquatic organisms the pesticides are metabolised and normal metabolic processes may produce reactive oxygen species that have adverse effects on the aquatic organisms. The effects of exposure to carbaryl and dimethoate pesticides on antioxidant enzymes of two freshwater snail species Helisoma duryi and Lymanea natalensis were evaluated. Groups of snails were exposed to 25 ppb of carbaryl and/or dimethoate for 72 hours. After the exposure duration they were then analysed for their effects on the oxidative defense systems of the snails. Increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels and activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase in both snail species were observed, probably as a means of combating oxidative stress due to pesticide poisoning. Increased lipid peroxidation, coupled with altered levels of oxygen free radical scavenging enzymes in snail homogenates are discussed in relation to oxidative stress.

6 illus, 22 ref

014698   Baskar S;Baskar R (Environmental Studies, School of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi National Open Univ, (IGNOU), Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110 068, Email: rbaskargjuhisar@yahoo.com) : Summary of some microbes identified from different Indian caves and their possible role in mineral formations. Ambient Sci 2014, 1(2), 9-16.

Microbe-mineral interactions in caves can lead to secondary mineral formations such as speleothems, moonmilk etc. In the present review, we provide a summary of geomicrobiological work done so far in some Indian caves. Microbially induced mineralization is documented in cave ecosystems and microbial metabolisms help in mineral formations either through direct/active or indirect/passive processes. Laboratory based experiments conducted on speleothems from Sahastradhara caves (Dehradun); Borra Cave (Andhra Pradesh); Krem Phyllut, Krem Mawsmai, Krem Mawmluh and Rongai Dobhakol (Meghalaya) have clearly demonstrated that bacterial strains isolated from these caves have the capability to precipitate minerals under controlled conditions.

^iia52 ref

014697   Aswathy V K (Sociology Dep, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Thiruvananthapurma, Kerala) : Ageing experience of club sandwich generation: the case of Kattunayakan tribe, Kerala. Indian J Gerontol 2017, 31(2), 137-51.

The present article uses the term club sandwich generation (Carol Abaya) among Kattunayakan community of Kerala, to indicate the young old group who are the care givers of two extreme age groups; grandchildren and aged parents. The researcher tried to examine: how does socio-economic life of sandwich generation influence their later phase of life and how do they deal with the challenges and problems created by their multiple roles? To explore the key information for these questions, the researcher took two cases for the detailed study and used ethnographic case study method. The findings revealed that this generation had to face number of problems, financial hardships, family and social issues and challenges in the care of grandchildren, aged parents and in making linkages with the migrated generation.

11 ref

014696   Anand Gideon V;Cyril Rufus K;Vivekraj P (Botany Dep, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirapalli-620 017) : Nectar host plants of butterflies of Pachamalai hills of eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India. Ann Biol Res 2016, 7(9), 9-12.

The present investigation has been carried out to enumerate the butterfly diversity greatly depends on the availability of host plants. The study has been carried from August 2014 - July 2015 in Pachamalai hills of Eastern Ghats in Tamilnadu. In the ecological site that has been observed in the native plant species of the Eastern Ghats especially in Vitex negundo, Ehretia pubescens, Premna serratifolia and Pavetta indica as well as observed in Prosopis juliflora, an invasive plant species. This study reveals that some of the native nectar host plants play a vital role in attracting butterflies and increasing the diversity of butterflies. Vitex negundo, which acts as a primary nectar host plant for a variety of species is studied in detail.

2 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

013581   Yadav A;Yadav K (Microbiology Dep, College of Basic Science & Humanities, S.D. Agricultural Univ, S.K. Nagar-385 506, Email: anuragyadav123@gmail.com) : Variable survival ability of rhizobacteria in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) rhizosphere. J appl nat Sci 2016, 8(3), 1699-1703.

A study was undertaken to compare the survival efficacy of two native, previously characterized bacterial biovars viz. Bacillus subtilis BCU5 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PCU17 with Bacillus subtilis strain MTCC1789 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain MTCC4828, procured from Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India in cumin rhizosphere and bulk soil. All the four bacterial types were made rifampicin resistant and the mutants were applied as inoculants at the dosage of 6 log, 7 log and 8 log colony forming units (cfu) g-1 dry soil weight in pots containing cumin seedlings. The cfu of rhizosphere and bulk soil of pots was observed per week for four weeks. The results show that the initial population decline is a common feature of bioinoculants. In rhizosphere and bulk soil, the native bacterial biovars survived better than their procured counterparts. The population of P. fluorescens strain MTCC4828r in rhizosphere soil declined faster and reached below detection limit whereas the P. fluorescens biovar PCUr rhizosphere final population dropped to 3.1 log, 2.9 log and 2.13 log cfu g-1 soil dry weight with 8 log, 7 log and 6 log cfu g-1 soil dry weight inoculum treatment, respectively. In contrast to P. fluorescens strain MTCC4828r, the population of B. subtilis strain MTCC1789r stabilized after some decline and was comparable with B. subtilis biovar BCU5 population. Study concludes that the inoculant population decline in soil was the result of lower microbial load carrying capacity of soil than the provided inoculum densities. Also, the native bacteria survived better than procured ones in rhizosphere soil.

8 illus, 18 ref

013580   Tyagi V;Tyagi S (Bioscience, Dep, D.A.V. College, Muzaffarnagar-251 001, Email: vichitramicro@gmail.com) : Qualitative and quantitative variations of fungi in tomato rhizosphere in response to plant age. Pl Archs 2016, 16(2), 934-6.

Variations in rhizospheric viable fungal count in response to plant age of tomato was studied. A gradual increase in rhizospheric fungal count with plant age was found. A sharp increase in rhizoshperic fungal number was observed during 45-60 days of plant growth and after this age the tomato plant starts flowering. The dominant members of the fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of tomato plant belongs to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Fusarium.

1 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

013579   Talwar A;Saxena S;Ajay Kumar (Microbiology Dep, Himachal Institute of Life Sciences, Sirmour-173 025, Email: amitabhtalwar96@gmail.com) : Screening for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Doon valley hospitals, Uttarakhand. J envir Biol 2016, 37(2), 247-51.

Present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among patients at various hospitals in Doon Valley, Uttrakhand. A total of 300 nasal swabs (male patients: 177, female patients: 123) were subjected to bacteriological investigation following established protocol. Isolates were verified by mannitol fermentation, Gram staining, DNAse test and coagulase positivity. S. aureus was isolated in 111 (37%) participants (M: 37%, F: 36.5%). Out of 111 S. aureus isolates, 38 (34.2%) were methicillin resistant (MRSA). Among them, 25 (38%) were male and 13 (29%) were from female. Highest MRSA colonization rate was found among dialysis ward patients (55.5%), followed by burn ward (32.5%) and general medical ward (22.7%) patients. The study also revealed that administration of recent antibiotic was chief predisposing factor for MRSA colonization. High MRSA carriage rate found in this study indicates demand for standard infection control to curb transmission.

1 illus, 3 tables, 27 ref

013578   Suresh R V;Lingaiah K;Veerappa A M; Ramachandra N B (Studies in Genetics & Gemoics Dep, Mysore Univ, Mysuru, Email: nallurbr@gmail.com) : Identifying the risk of producing aneuploids using meiotic recombination genes as biomarkers: a copy number variation approach. Indian J med Res 2017, 145(1), 39-50.

Aneuploids are the most common chromosomal abnormality in liveborns and are usually the result of non-disjunction (NDJ) in meiosis. Copy number variations (CNVs) are large structural variations affecting the human genome. CNVs influence critical genes involved in causing NDJ by altering their copy number which affects the clinical outcome. In this study influence of CNVs on critical meiotic recombination was examined using new computational technologies to assess their role in causing - 63 - aneuploidy. This investigation was based on the analysis of 12 random normal populations consisting of 1714 individuals for aneuploid causing genes under CNV effect. To examine the effect of CNVs on genes causing aneuploidy, meiotic recombination genes were analyzed using EnrichR, WebGestalt and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Forty three NDJ genes were found under CNV burden; IPA (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analysis of CNV in meiotic recombination genes revealed a significant role of breast cancer gene 1, amyloid protein precursor, mitogen-activated protein kinase and nerve growth factor as key molecular players involved in causing aneuploidy. Interaction between these genes with other CNV-overlapping genes involved in cell cycle, recombination and meiosis might lead to increased incidences of aneuploidy. The findings of this study implied that the effect of CNVs on normal genome contributed in amplifying the occurrences of chromosomal aneuploidies. The normal individuals consisting of variations in the susceptible genes causing aneuploids in the population remain undetected until the disorder genes express in the succeeding generations.

4 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

013577   Sharma T;Joshi N;Kalia A (Microbiology Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: neelamjoshi_01@pau.edu ) : Scanning electron microscopic studies of Beauveria bassiana against Lipaphis erysini kalt. J appl nat Sci 2017, 9(1), 461-5.

This work was aimed to identify the LC50 of the indigenous fungal isolates for controlling L. erysimi infesta-tion in mustard aphid besides to probe the mechanism of action of the local isolates and comparison of the efficacy with the reference culture and commercial formulation 'Mycojaal'. Three isolates of entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana were tested for infection on nymph of Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to record any variation. The SEM revealed adhesion of spores of B.bassiana followed by penetration of L.erysimi nymph surface. It was observed that all Beauveria isolates showed little variation with respect to penetration and adhesion at different time intervals. Further, lethal concentration (LC50) values of B. bassiana isolates against L. erysimi was recorded and was lowest (0.05x107 spores/ml) in B. bassiana MTCC 4495 and highest (0.11.X107 spores/ml) was recorded in native isolate F10 after 120 hours of treatment. The study has established the need for the isolation and evaluation of the indigenous Beauveria isolate. Moreover, it also exhibited the efficacy of the reference and commercially available biocontrol agents.

4 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

013576   Shafey H I;Aboelhassan M D;El-Komy E M; El-karim R E A;Mahrous K F (Cell Biology Dep, National Research Center, El Buhouth St., 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt, Email: l_fathy@yahoo.com) : SNP of cGH gene in Egyption chicken breeds at - 62 - MspI site. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2017, 14(1), 33-41.

Genetic polymorphism of cGH gene using PCR-RFLP and identification of SNP among different genotypes of Dokki-4, Inshas, El-Salam and Mandarah breeds were studied. Amplification of GH gene (intron 4) for GH2 and GH3 loci produced 563 bp fragment length. The amplified fragments (563 bp) were digested with MspI endonuclease. Loci GH2 and GH3 showed two genotype frequencies TT and TC in all breeds, while genotype CC was absent in Dokki-4 of GH2 and absent in El-Salam of GH3. Analyzed data was compared with Genbank entries of Gallus gallus (KF957977), (KF957978), (KF957979), (KF957980) and (KF957981), the sequences of detected SNP were submitted to GenBank database with the accession numbers KY176737- KY176758. Some Dokki-4 animals showed new two SNPs at positions T77C and C485T. Mandarah and Dokki-4 strains were shared in new three SNPs at positions G130A and C379T which was detected previously at KF957978. Mutation G430A of Mandarah and Dokki-4 was shown in KF957980. Eleven transitions mutations (five A/G and six C/T) and one transversion (G/C) were detected. Six transitions mutations C/T were silent mutations and position G358C was polymorphic in El-Salam.

3 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

013575   Saxena A;Kesari V P (NO, Institite for Industrial Research and Toxicology, F-209, UPSIDC, M.G.Road, Ghaziabad-201 302, Email: ankitarajendraraizada@gmail.com) : Lack of genotoxic potential of pesticides, spinosad, imidacloprid and neem oil in mice (Mus musculus). J envir Biol 2016, 37(2), 291-5.

Pesticides, spinosad, imidacloprid and neem oil are widely used both in residential and agricultural environments because of its broad spectrum insecticidal activity and effectiveness. The present study was undertaken to estimate genotoxicity of formulations of some pesticides in mice. Three pesticides of diverse group studied were spinosad (45% w/v), imidacloprid (17.8%, w/v) and neem oil. Animals were exposed 37,4.5 and 50 mg kg^-1 b.wt. for spinosad, imidacloprid and neem oil, respectively, through oral gavage for 5 consecutive days. A vehicle control group and one positive control (cyclophosphamide; 20 mg kg^-1 b. wt.) were also selected. The results showed that cyclophosphamide produced 1.12% micronuclei in mice, as against 0.18 in vehicle control, 0.30 in spinosad, 0.28 in imidacloprid and 0.22% in neem oil, respectively. The gross percentage of chromosomal aberration in mice were 28.5% in cyclophosphamide against 6.5% in vehicle control, 8.0% in spinosad, 9.5% in imidacloprid and 7.0% in neem oil, respectively. The overall findings of the present study revealed that all the three pesticide formulations, imidacloprid, spinosad and neem oil at tested dose did not show any genotoxic effect in mice.

2 tables, 32 ref

013574   Satgunam P N;Chindelevitch L (Bausch and Lomb School of Optometry, Brien Holden Institute of Optomet, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad-500 034, Email: premnandhini@lvpei.org) : Vision screening results in a cohort of Bhopal gas disaster survivors. Curr Sci 2017, 112(10), 2085-8.

Eye-related symptoms were prominent at the time of and soon after the 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster in Bhopal, India. We conducted a vision screening on the survivors to examine their current ocular status. Fifty-nine patients enrolled. We analysed the results from 48 patients (mean age 51 ± 12 years) who had a documented history of gas exposure. The commonly reported symptoms were vision difficulties (n=30), watering (n=21) and headaches (n=16). Thirty patients pinguecula. We found the prevalence of pinguecula to be significantly higher in this cohort. The need for vision care among this underserved population is highlighted.

2 illus, 1 table, 55 ref

013573   Sachan N;Singh R (Food Science & Nutrition Dep, C.S.A. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208 002, Email: nidheesachan3@gmail.com) : Impact of mid-day meal scheme on the nutritional status of primary school children in Kanpur district. Pl Archs 2016, 16(2), 751-4.

Children are the most vulnerable group that suffers from malnutrition and nutritional deficiency. Under nutrition during any period of childhood, even for relatively short term episodes, can have negative effects on the cognitive development thus leads to poor school performance among children. The research question is- does the mid-day meal scheme have an impact on the nutritional status of school children (6-12 years) in Kanpur District? This was a cross-sectional study conducted at three government primary schools Mid Day Meal (MDM) in urban areas and three primary schools in rural areas in Kanpur district. Simple random sampling was used for - 61 - selection of children. Study variables taken were height, weight and general physical examination. Results of the study indicated that the nutritional status of MDM children. The reason for poor result for schools providing Mid Day Meals could be irregular attendance of children in school, less amount of Mid Day Meal, poor quality of food items in Mid Day Meals, combined teaching of different standard, lack of class room etc. All these parameters need to be further studied and evaluated for these impacts on academic achievement.

4 tables, 7 ref

013572   Ryu S T;Park B S;Band H T;Kang H K;Hwangbo J (Animal Biotechnology Dep, Kangwon National Univ, Gangwon-do, 200-701, Republic of Korea) : Effects of anti-heat diet and inverse lighting on growth performance, immune organ, microorganism and short chain fatty acids of broiler chickens under heat stress. J envir Biol 2016, 37(2), 185-92.

The present study investigated the effects of night restricted feeding of extreme heat diet (EHD) containing heat stress resistance nutrients, with inverse lighting program, on their growth performance in broiler chickens exposed to extreme heat stress (33±2°C). EHD 1 contained soy oil, molasses, methionine and lysine. EHD 2 contained all nutrients of EHD 1 and vitamin C additionally. Three hundred broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomized into four dietary treatment groups according to a randomized block design on the day they were hatched. The treatment groups were: T1 (EHD 1, 10:00-19:00 dark, 19:00-10:00 light), T2 (EHD 2, 10:00-19:00 dark, 19:00-10:00 light), T3 (EHD 1, 09:00-18:00 dark, 18:00-09:00 light) and T4 (EHD 2, 09:00-18:00 dark, 18:00-09:00 light). The body weight gain of the broilers increased most significantly in T2, followed by T1, T4 and T3 (p<60>0.05). Weights of the immune system, thymus and bursa of Fabricius recorded higher in T1 and T2 than in T3 and T4. The spleen was higher in T1, T2 and T3 than in T4 (p<60>0.05). Blood triglyceride, total cholesterol and blood sugar were higher in T1 and T2 than in T3 and T4 (p<60>0.05). LDL-C recorded high in the order of T4, T3, T2 and T1, but HDL-C showed the inverse order (p<60>0.05). IgG, IgA and IgM were higher in T1 and T2 than in T3 and T4, however, the corticosterone concentration showed the inverse order (p<60>0.05). Lactobacillus in feces was higher in T1 and T2 than in T3 and T4, but total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, Coliform bacteria was higher in T4 and T3 than in T2 and T1 (p<60>0.05). Contents of acetic acid, propionic acid and total Short chain fatty acid were significantly higher in the order of T2, T1, T3 and T4. Butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid and isovaleric acid were higher in T4 and T3 than in T1 and T2 (p<60>0.05).

6 tables, 25 ref

013571   Rathi S K;Desai V K;Jariwala P;Desai H;Naik A;Joseph A (NO, , Vadodara, Gujarat, Email: rathisj07@gmail.com) : Summer temperature and spatial variability of all-cause mortality in Surat city, India. Indian J community Med 2017, 42(2), 111-15.

Ample information is available on extreme heat associated mortality for few Indian cities, but scant literature is available on effect of temperature on spatial variability of all-cause mortality for coastal cities. To assess the effect of daily maximum temperature, relative humidity and heat index on spatial variability of all-cause mortality for summer months (March to May) from 2014 to 2015 for the urban population of Surat (coastal) city. Retrospective analysis of the all-cause mortality data with temperature and humidity was performed on a total of 9,237 deaths for 184 summer days (2014-2015). Climatic and all-cause mortality data were obtained through Tutiempo website and Surat Municipal Corporation respectively. Bivariate analysis performed through SPSS. Mean daily mortality was estimated at 50.2 ± 8.5 for the study period with a rise of 20% all-cause mortality at temperature = 40°C and rise of 10% deaths per day during extreme danger level (HI: <62> 54°C) days. Spatial (Zone wise) analysis revealed rise of 61% all-cause mortality for Southeast and 30% for East zones at temperature = 40°C. All-cause mortality increased on high summer temperature days. Presence of spatial - 60 - variation in all-cause mortality provided the evidence for high risk zones. Findings may be helpful in designing the interventions at micro level.

2 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

013570   Ranawat P;Rawat S (Microbiology Research Laboratory, Botany and Microbiology Dep, HemwatiNandanBahuguna Garhwal Univ, Srinagar-246 174, Email: seemamillenium@gmail.com) : Exploration of thermophilic bacteria from hot springs of Garhwal Himalayas and their screening for industrially important enzyme production. Envir Conserv J 2017, 18(1-2), 149-58.

The present study delineates thermophilic bacterial diversity of two hot springs, Soldhar and Suryakund of Uttarakhand Himalaya region and their exploration for production of industrially important enzymes. The predominant isolates belonged to Genus Bacillus. Paenibacillus spp. were common to both sites. Pseudomonas spp. from Soldhar, Geobacillus spp. and Brevibacillus spp. were recovered from Suryakund. The isolates when qualitatively checked for amylase and cellulase production exhibited maximum index for amylase activity of 1.51 from Soldhar and 1.28 from Suryakund while for cellulase maximum index was 0.87 from Soldahr and 3.00 from Suryakund. Bacterial population recovered from Suryakund comprised of more active amylase (55%) and cellulase (50%) producers as compared to Soldhar which has 34% amylolytic and 28% cellulolytic population. These isolates can be further exploited for various biotechnological applications which necessitate the conservation of these microbial resources as these hot springs are subjected to various anthropogenic disturbances.

4 illus, 4 tables, 41 ref

013569   Ramesh C H;Mohanraju R;Karthick P;Murthy K N (Ocean Studies and Marine Biology Dep, Pondicherry Central Univ, Port Blair-744 102, Email: chrameshpu@gmail.com) : Distribution of bioluminescent polychaete larvae of Odontosyllis sp. in South Andaman. Indian J Geomar Sci 2017, 46(4), 735-7.

Larval distribution of a luminous Odontosyllis sp. on different marine niches such as the articulated coralline red algae Amphirova anceps, algal mats on boats, seawater and sediment is being reported here for the first time from Burmanallah Coast.The freshly collected - 59 - luminous larvae of Odontosyllis sp. from these niches emitted an intense glow of luminescence upon the addition of freshwater and upon gentle disturbance. Flashes of internal luminescence was appeared in freshly collected larvae, whereas continuous glow lasted for few minutes when freshwater was added. Luminescent bacteria were not observed in these larvae, indicating that their luminescence emission is not due to bacterial production, but could be the self-internal emission mechanism.

1 illus, 10 ref

013568   Pohare M B;Akita M (The Unied Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime Univ, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, 790-8566 Japan, Email: b742006b@mails.cc.ehime-u.ac.jp) : Rapid and simple, recombination-based cloning method in Escherichia coli. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2017, 14(1), 43-52.

Cloning is indispensable in molecular biology. Here we developed an in vivo homologous recombination-based cloning procedure and determined the optimal conditions. This procedure required two PCR products to be amplified from a gene of interest and desired plasmid vector. The 5' ends of both primers that amplified one product had nucleotide sequences complementary to that used to amplify the other product. Once the mixture of those PCR products was introduced into Escherichia coli DH5a competent cells, transformants carried plasmids in which the gene of interest had been properly cloned. Optimizing the cloning conditions, at least 12-nucleotides overlaps between the terminal ends of two fragments were required to generate desired plasmids. This value was much shorter than the length of overlaps required for the same procedure employed in the yeast system. Therefore, this procedure is expected to be an attractive alternative for cloning in the E. coli system.

3 illus, 3 tables, 33 ref

013567   Paul S S;Mallik B;Mandal M;Biswas B;Sekh S; Sen Sarkar N (Botany Dep, Kalyani Univ, Kalyani-741 235, Email: neerashen@yahoo.co.in) : Epilithic diatoms as biological water quality indicators-a study in three geographically isolated hill streams in India. J envir Biol 2016, 37(2), 275-83.

Epilithic diatoms from three geographically isolated hill streams of Central and Eastern India were studied and analysed to find their efficacy in determining difference in ecological conditions of aquatic systems. Three sampling sites (site-1, site-2 and site-3) shared commonness of being hill streams of forests with difference in source points. 34 diatom species were identified with species-richness of 17 at site 1, 10 at site 2 and 19 at site 3. Two sets of hypotheses null (H01, H02 and H03) and alternative (HA1, HA2 and HA3) were framed. Null hypotheses were rejected in favour of alternative hypotheses. Diversity t-tests yielded significant 't' values: at α <60> 0.0001 and <60> 0.002, implying differences within the sampling sites. Furthermore, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon paired-sample tests were performed to test the alternative hypotheses, of which Kruskal-Wallis yielded significant difference between the sample medians with x²=5.457 at p=0.03801, and Wilcoxon paired-sample test yielded significant differences between sampling site pairs at α(2)=0.05 and 0.10. Thus significant differences could be established based only on diversity profile study of the epilithic diatoms.

3 illus, 7 tables, 36 ref

013566   Nath S;Nath A J;Das A K (Ecology and Environmental Science Dep, Assam Univ, Silchar-788 011, Email: arunjyotinath@gmail.com) : Vegetative and reproductive phenology of a floodplain tree species Barringtonia acutangula from North East India. J envir Biol 2016, 37(2), 215-20.

Vegetative and reproductive phenology of Barringtonia acutangula, a floodplain tree species was studied at Chatla floodplain, Assam North East India with the aim to investigate vegetative and reproductive phenology under stressful environment of seasonal submergence and to assess the impact of environmental variables (temperature and precipitation) on tree phenophases. Quantitative assessment was made at 15 day interval for all the phenophases (leaf initiation, leaf-fall, flowering and fruiting) by tagging 40 (forty) trees over a period of two years (2012-14).To test seasonal influence on the phenology of Barringtonia acutangula different phenophases were correlated with environmental variables and statistical spearman's rank correlation coefficient was employed. Aridity index was computed that delineate influence of rainfall and temperature together on any phenophases. Leaf initiation showed positively significant correlation with temperature (r_s = 0.601, p = <60> 0.05) during the year 2012-2013 whereas it was significantly correlated with rainfall (r_s = 0.583, p = <60> 0.05) and aridity index (r_s = 0.583, p = <60> 0.05) during the year 2013-2014. Leaf-fall was significant negatively correlated with temperature (r_s = -0.623, p = <60> 0.05), rainfall (r_s = -0.730, p = <60> 0.01) and aridity index (r_s = -0.730, p = <60> 0.01) for both the studied years. Flowering was significantly influenced by temperature (r_s = 0.639, p = <60> 0.05), rainfall (r_s = 0.890, p = <60> 0.01) and aridity index (r_s = 0.890, p = <60> 0.01) while in one month lag flowering was significantly correlated with rainfall (r_s = 0.678, p = <60> 0.01) in 2012-13. Fruiting was also positively significant with temperature (r_s = 0.795, P <60> 0.05), rainfall (r_s =0.835, P <60> 0.01) and aridity index (r_s = 0.835, P <60> 0.01) for both the years. During one month lag period fruiting was positively correlated with temperature, rainfall and aridity index in both the years. Temperature, rainfall and aridity index were major determinants of the various vegetative and reproductive phenology of B. acutangula and any changes in these variables in future due to climate change, might have profound effect on phenophases of this tree species.

4 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

013565   Mondal S F;Bandopadhyay P (Physical Education Dep, Kalyani Univ, Kalyani-741 235, Email: pbandopadhyayku@gmail.com) : Effect of combined vitamin E supplemtation and treadmill excercise on specific haematological parameters of the sedentary university students. Int J pharm Sci Res 2016, 7(9), 3865-70.

Hemoglobin in the blood carries oxygen from the respiratory organs (lungs or gills) to the rest of the body (i.e. the tissues). There it releases the oxygen to permit aerobic respiration to provide energy to power the functions of the organism in the process called metabolism. Several research studies have pointed out the role of vitamin supplementation and - 57 - amelioration from exercise induced oxidative stress. Vitamin E, potential lipid soluble antioxidant has profound roles in preventing muscle fatigue and enhances exercise performance. In this study we have taken 96 subjects of which half of them were given Vitamin E supplement. Various biochemical analyses were done according to the standard protocols. The results of this present study showed that Vitamin E supplementation with treadmill exercise can alter haematological parameters of the sedentary university students. It can be concluded from the data of the present study that the combined Vitamin E and treadmill exercise supplementation significantly alter the haemoglobin content and total count which can improve the performance level of the sedentary university students.

25 ref

013564   Mishra V K;Singh G;Passarti A K;Yadav M K; Gupta V K;Singh B P (Biotechnology Dep, Mizoram Univ, Aizawl-796 004, Email: bhimpratap@gmail.com) : Distribution and antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi associated with ethnomedicinal plant Melastoma malabathricum L.. J envir Biol 2016, 37(2), 229-37.

Distributions of endophytic fungi associated with ethnomedicinal plant Melastoma malabathricum L. was studied and 91 isolates belonging to 18 genera were recovered. The isolates were distributed to sordariomycetes (62.63%), dothideomycetes (19.78%), eurotiomycetes (7.69%), zygomycetes (4.19%), agaricomycetes (1.09%), and mycelia sterilia (4.39%). Based on colony morphology and examination of spores, the isolates were classified into 18 taxa, of which Colletotrichum, Phomopsis and Phoma were dominant, their relative frequencies were 23.07%, 17.58% and 12.08% respectively. The colonization rate of endophytic fungi was determined and found to be significantly higher in leaf segments (50.76%), followed by root (41.53%) and stem tissues (27.69%). All the isolates were screened for antimicrobial activity and revealed that 26.37% endophytic fungi were active against one or more pathogens. Twenty four isolates showing significant antimicrobial activity were identified by sequencing the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of rRNA gene. Results indicated that endophytic fungi associated with leaf were functionally versatile as they showed antimicrobial activity against most of the tested pathogens. The endophytic fungi Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meridionalis (KF193982) inhibited all the tested bacterial pathogens, whereas, Penicillium chermesinum (KM405640) displayed most significant antifungal activity. This seems to be the first hand report to understand the distribution and antimicrobial ability of endophytic fungi from ethno-medicinal plant M. malabathricum.

2 illus, 2 tables, 51 ref

013563   Manimunda S P;Sugunan A P (NO, National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR), Bengaluru, Karnataka, Email: sathyamanimunda@rediffmail.com) : Nutritional status of preschool children in Andaman and Nicobai islands and food insecurity, food groups, and nutrient consumption among population. Indian J community Med 2017, 42(2), 88-93.

Childhood undernutrition is a public health concern in India. But on such a serious issue, there are no data available from the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar (A and N) Islands. Present study was designed to know the prevalence of food insecurity, to estimate food group and nutrient intake among the community, and undernutrition and clinical signs of micronutrient deficiency among the preschool children of A and N islands. Multistage random sampling was followed to select the households containing children aged 6-59 months. In the selected households' sociodemographic particulars, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), among preschoolers the weight and height were recorded along with the documentation of clinical signs of micronutrient deficiency, morbidities suffered over previous fortnight, and measurement of hemoglobin. Diet survey was carried out - 56 - in every fourth household. A total of 1259 preschoolers residing in 1082 households were examined, HFIAS was measured in 710 households in Andaman group of islands and diet survey was conducted in 290 households. The prevalence of undernutrition was around 27%, stunting was 36%, and anemia was around 81%. Undernutrition and anemia prevalence were significantly low among Nicobarese children. After adjusting for all the determinants, tribal in domicile had favorable outcome [odds ratio (OR): 0.28 (0.18, 0.43)], while below poverty line family had adverse outcome on undernutrition [OR: 1.72 (1.20, 2.46)]. Conclusion: Though the prevalence of undernutrition is relatively low in the islands, but high prevalence of anemia needs to be addressed. Nicobarese children fare better in almost all indicators of nutritional well-being except for stunting.

4 tables, 20 ref

013562   Mamgain S;Dobhal A;Pramod Kumar;Joshi S P (Ecology Research Laboratory, Botany Dep, D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Email: shambhujoshi77@gmail.com) : Community structure of the herbaceous vegetation in some tourist spots of Doon valley (Uttarakhand), India. Envir Conserv J 2017, 18(1-2), 87-93.

The present study was carried out in three tourist spots viz., Maldevta, Lachhiwala and Sahastradhara of Doon Valley. Each study site was sub-divided in three subsites namely Control Site (CS), Moderately Disturbed Site (MDS) and Highly Disturbed Site (HDS). The tourist activities has declined the native species diversity and promoted the introduction of exotic species. It was observed that moderately disturbed sites and highly disturbed sites were dominated by species like Boerhaavia diffusa, Parthenium hysterophorous, Ageratum conyzoides, and Purtula capilosa. In control sites, the dominance of native species like Artemesia nilagirica, Eulaliopsis binata, Eragro stistenella, Cynodon dactylon was observed. Tropical America and Tropical South American plants have contributed to 45% and 2% of the total invasive diversity respectively. Asteraceae with 13 species is the most dominant family of the site.

2 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

013561   Mahrous K F;Shafey H I;Balabel E A;Othman O E (Cell Biology Dep, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt, Email: kfmahrous@hotmail.com) : Genetic biodiversity analysis of two mitochondrial genes in Arabian and thoroughbred horses. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2017, 14(1), 25-32.

More than 300 horse breeds or types are present all over the world and employed in different activities. This work aimed to identify genetic variations and SNPs in two effective mtDNA genes; ATP6 and ND2; among Arabian and Thoroughbred horses. The primer used in this study - 55 - amplified 340-bp fragments from ATP6 gene. The results showed the presence of 6 polymorphic sites leading to the construction of 7 different haplotypes which were submitted to GenBank database with the accession numbers KX377925-KX377931. For ND2 gene, the results showed the presence of 6 polymorphic sites leading to the construction of 5 different haplotypes. The sequences of detected haplotypes of horse ND2 gene were submitted to GenBank database with the accession numbers KX396591-KX396595. Neighbor-joining trees were constructed using 24 samples for ATP gene and 20 samples for ND2 gene with 10 reference sequences and the result declared the affinities of all tested animals to Equus caballus subspecies.In conclusion, the identification of genetic variations and SNPs in horse mitochondrial genes like ATP6 and ND2 genes are of great interest because they have highly significant effect and play important roles in different characteristics associated with speed and force which constitute race performance efficiency.

6 illus, 3 tables, 23 ref