022560   Debnath P (NO, NIT, Agartala, Email: prasenjit1001@yahoo.com) : Why we, the living beings, the world, the universe exist out of nothing. Curr Trends Technol Sci 2015, 4(1), 432-5.

We, the human beings, are totally dependent on model-dependent realism. For us, reality means the model interpretation of the input signals from the real world through our sensory organs. Our brains interpret the input signals by making a model of the real world. We establish mental concepts of our houses, trees, animals, the locality, and other people from the input signals taken by our sensory organs. These mental concepts are the only reality we are able to know about. In other words, for us, there is no model-independent examination or test of reality. An elaborated and detailed well-constructed model creates its own reality itself. To have an elaborated and detailed well-constructed model, it needs arbitrarily large number of input signals to form a lucid mental concept to comprehend in its totality by our psychology. We are afraid of calculations with infinity, but our brain always deals with infinite number of inputs to have each lucid, detailed, well-constructed model of mental concept. Our inbuilt biological systems never afraid to deal with infinity, just naturally able to deal with infinity, it is the man-made infinity we are afraid of. If the life is a game, there must be some winners as well as losers. In fact, there is no winner or loser. It is because there is no game or players. So, the game term is definitely a misleading terminology. We, the human beings, are just like natural robots (human beings or any other complex living beings are robots that came to existence after a long evolution process). The natural robots plays the game of life and nature pays in terms of stimuli (so called natural stimuli) the natural robots for their game of life. For us, some valid questions, why is the Universe that way it is? Why not any other way? Why is there something rather than nothing? Why is the existence that way it is? Are there a set of laws that govern the Universe, if so, why not the other laws? The laws of nature provide answers to us how the Universe behaves, but the laws never answer the why questions.

22 ref

022559   Debnath P (NO, NIT, Agartala, Email: presenjit1001@yahoo.com) : Fate of living being in the course of physical time. Curr Trends Technol Sci 2015, 4(1), 429-31.

Human being, as the most gifted living being in the world, has enough capability to unfold the mysteries of the Universe. Up to now, mostly for last 300 years, we unfolded many mysteries of nature as well as the Universe. It had been a very hardworking effort to lift ourselves in the paradise of knowledge that we possess now. Scientists toiled hard in a war like situation to establish scientific theories against religious belief. The reason that religions are so popular because these interpret as any uncommon situation has an easy solution, intervene of almighty. Religion puts in ordinary people's mind that God is very choosy in helping the living being. For that people need to placate the God which actually has been tracing in simple, ignorant people's mind. On the other hand, science has become so technical and equation based that to comprehend the advancement, you need a fair bit of background knowledge of basic properties which make simple people's mind tiring, tasteless and incomprehensible. The physical time is discrete and has deterministic future just like our definite history. The theory that proves the deterministic futurity is the theory of determinism.

2 ref

022558   Chimoita E L;Embeywa H E;Gweyi-Onyango J P (Agricultural Economics Dep, Agricultural Education and Extension Programme, Univ of Nairobi, P.O Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya, Email: echimoita@uonbi.ac.ke) : Secondary school teachers' understanding of energy flow in ecosystems: carbon sink and sequestration perspective. J hum Ecol 2014, 48(3), 461-7.

The energy and other environmental conservation measures are emerging issues of concern all across the world. The awareness on climate change and sustainable environmental resource utilization are being discussed globally in all sectors of development. It is for this reason; the study investigated Kenyan biology teachers' understanding of soil carbon sink and sequestration in Kenyan ecosystems as emerging issues. The study aimed at relating biology teaching content to a wider scope of energy flow in ecosystem; a subject taught and assessed by teachers of different secondary schools in Kenya. The study employed descriptive research design. Twenty- four (24) secondary school teachers were randomly selected and sampled from thirty- six (36) secondary schools of Lugari District in Kenya. Self-valuation questionnaire (SVQ) was used to capture key information on understanding of soil carbon sequestration as some of the emerging issues in terrestrial ecosystems. The results revealed a rich understanding of green house effects on the general environment among teachers assessed. A high percentage of the teachers demonstrated understanding climate changes phenomena in their response (21%). However, a high percentage (71%) of selected and assessed teachers lacked clear grasp on carbon sequestration concepts and phenomena beyond photosynthesis process. Further, the teachers' demonstrated poor understanding of premiums paid by industrialized nations in a bid to mitigate environmental pollution, particularly via Green House Gases (GHGs) (70%). The study, in conclusion revealed that, there was a general ecosystems knowledge gap among biology teachers in Kenyan secondary schools concerning emerging issues particularly in ecology and is, therefore, important that they get updates by undergoing refresher courses as a means of strengthening their competencies. It is also probable that the teachers may have acquired the misconceptions during the period of study or it was an indirect manifestation of complexes of interrelations between biological processes.

4 tables, 31 ref

022557   Chaudhary P;Joshi N (Environmental Science, Kanya Gurukul Campus Gurukul Kangri Univ, Haridwar-249 407) : Diversity and abundance of soil micro-arthropods in a subtropical forest in Uttarakhand. J Envir Biosci 2014, 28(1), 43-4.

This study was carried out to examine the diversity and abundance of soil micro-arthropods in the two forest ranges i.e. Chilla and Motichur of Rajaji national park in Uttarakhand. The QBS index is based on micro- arthropod groups present in the soil samples. Each type present in the samples receives a score from 1 to 20 (eco- morphological index, EMI), according to its adaptation to soil environment. The QBS index sums up these scores, thereby characterizing the micro-arthropod community of the sample being studied. It was observed that the diversity and abundance of soil micro-arthropods was relatively higher in Motichur forest range.

10 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

022556   Baloyi M E (Philosophy Dep, Practical and Systematic Theology, South Africa Univ, South Africa, Email: baloye@unisa.ac.za) : Paying lobola when my wife dies: an african pastoral study about the practice of forcing people to pay lobola after their wives passed away. J hum Ecol 2014, 48(1-ii), 135-43.

While African people view lobolo as a way of ensuring that families come together to agree, witness and accept that their family member is married, some use the same tradition to generate income. Just as lobola cements marriage traditionally, those who avoid lobolo are made to pay when the situation forces them to. There are several cases where the death of the woman or girl who lived with a man without being married according to the lobolo custom brought an issue of the forceful payment of lobolo, as a condition to allow the burial to take place by the parents (family) of the female. Besides scaring the young males and females who seem to ignore the importance of lobolo agreement when marrying, the practice also had its own unintended effects on the male and his family. The intention as well as the gist of this article is not only to argue that African people should respect the tradition by agreeing on the lobolo issue to avoid an unexpected forced payment, but also to try to check how pastoral caregivers and the Christian church come in to assist those who will negatively be affected by the practice.

35 ref

022555   Ajay Kumar;Dutta T (NO, , BBNSS School Chakmoh, Himachal Pradesh) : Comparative study of selected psychomotor abilities of volley ball players of different levels of achievements. Scient J Sports Exercise 2015, 11(2), 20-7.

The purpose of the present study was "Comparative study of selected psychomotor abilities of volleyball players at various levels of achievement". Ninety Male Volleyball Players of India were selected as a subject for the purpose of the study. The ninety subjects were further divided into 3 equal groups i.e. 30 National School Level Volleyball Players, 30 Inter- University Level Volleyball Players and 30 Senior National Level Volleyball Players. The age of the subjects were ranged between 16 to 30 years. On the basis of the literature reviewed, expert's opinion and scholar's own understanding of the problem, it was hypothesized that significant difference may be found in the selected psychomotor abilities of volleyball players of various levels of achievement. The data collected on selected psychomotor abilities of volleyball players of different levels of achievement was statistically calculated with the help of F- Ratio (ANOVA) to find out the significant difference if any among the selected groups. When the significant difference was found significant at 0.05 level of significance LSD post hoc test was applied to find out significant difference between the selected groups. All the data were analyzed with the help of (SPSS) Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16.0. The result of study showed that there is a significant difference in selected psychomotor abilities of volleyball players of various levels of achievement, as it was observed that the Leg Power, Shoulder Power, Agility, Speed (Hand Reaction Time) as well as (Foot Reaction Time) of the volleyball players were found to be more in Senior National level players than that of Inter-University level players and School National level Volleyball players respectively. Hence, it it is concluded from the findings of the study that to be a national level volleyball player a player must have a good psychomotor ability like power, agility, speed that is a good reaction time of hand and foot.

5 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

021666   Viszwapriya D;Aravindraja C;Pandian S K (Biotechnology Dep, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi-630 004) : Comparative assessment of bacterial diversity associated with co-occurring eukaryotic hosts of Palk Bay origin. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 417-23.

Epibacterial communities of co-occurring eukaryotic hosts of Palk Bay origin (five seaweed species (Gracilaria sp, Padina sp, Enteromorpha sp, Sargassum sp, and Turbinaria sp) and one seagrass [Cymodaceae sp]) were analyzed for diversity and compared using 16S rRNA based Denaturant Gradient Gel Electrophoresis analysis. Diversity index revealed that Turbinaria sp hosts highest bacterial diversity while it was least in Gracilaria sp. The DGGE band profile showed that the epibacterial community differed considerably among the studied species. Statistical assessment using cluster analysis and Non-metric multidimensional scale analysis also authenticated the observed variability. Despite huge overlap, the composition of bacterial community structure differed significantly among the three closely related species namely Sargassum, Turbinaria and Padina. In addition, Enteromorpha and Sargassum, one being chlorophyta and the other phaeophyta showed about 80% similarity in bacterial composition. This differs from the general notion that epibacterial community composition will vary widely depending on the host phyla. The results extended the phenomenon of host specific epibacterial community irrespective of phylogeny and similarity in geographical location.

2 illus, 2 tables, 40 ref

021665   Sreevani S;Chandrasekhar K;Pramoda Kumari J (Microbiology Dep, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, Email: pramodakumari@gmail.com ) : Structural dynamics of lactobacillus rhamnosus proteins under copper sulphate and zinc chloride stress. Int J pharm Sci Res 2014, 5(10), 4233-9.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus plays an important role as probiotic often associated with bene?cial health effects. Although copper and zinc are trace metals, they are toxic at high concentrations. In this paper, bioinformatic tools and molecular modelling approach was adopted to explore the structure of L. rhamnosus under copper sulphate and zinc chloride stress. The differentially expressed proteins under stress were Aspartate kinase, Mannose-6-phosphate isomerase, Glutamate dehydrogenase, 30 S ribosomal subunit S19, 50 S ribosomal subunit L4, Pyruvate oxidase, Thymidylate synthase and ATP dependent Clp protease ATP binding subunit ClpL. The homology models for these proteins were developed by using Modeller 9.5v. The models were validated by using protein structure checking tools PROCHECK. These structures will provide a good foundation for functional analysis of L. rhamnosus proteins against toxic metal pollutant. Another three differentially expressed proteins were also elevated namely Acetyl transferase, Alkaline shock protein, Cell division initiation protein Div IVA. But these protein structures were not predicted because Query coverage, identity and E-values were not matched.

10 ref

021664   Song X etal (State Key Laboratory of Genetics Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai-2000080, People's Republic of China, Email: xqsong2012@gmail.com) : Association between HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population. J Genet 2014, 93(1), 215-18.

^ssc1 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

021663   Shakambari G;Balasubramaniem A K;Perumal V (Molecular microbiology Dep, School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai-625 021, Email: vara5277@gmail.com) : Phlorotannins from Brown Algae: inhibition of advanced glycation end products formation in high glucose induced Caenorhabditis elegans. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 371-9.

Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) generated in a non enzymatic protein glycation process are frequently associated with diabetes, aging and other chronic diseases. Here, we explored the protective effect of phlorotannins from brown algae Padina pavonica, Sargassum polycystum and Turbinaria ornata against AGEs formation. Phlorotannins were extracted from brown algae with methanol and its purity was analyzed by TLC and RP-HPLC-DAD. Twenty five grams of P. pavonica, S. polycystum, T. ornata yielded 27.6±0.8 μg/ml, 37.7 μg/ml and 37.1±0.74 μg/ml of phloroglucinol equivalent of phlorotannins, respectively. Antioxidant potentials were examined through DPPH assay and their IC₅₀ values were P. pavonica (30.12±0.99 μg), S. polycystum (40.9±1.2 μg) and T. ornata (22.9±1.3 μg), which was comparatively lesser than the control ascorbic acid (46±0.2 μg). Further, anti-AGE activity was examined in vitro by BSA-glucose assay with the extracted phlorotannins of brown algae (P. pavonica, 15.16±0.26 μg/ml; S. polycystum, 35.245±2.3 μg/ml; T. ornata, 22.7±0.3 μg/ml), which revealed the required concentration to inhibit 50% of albumin glycation (IC₅₀) were lower for extracts than controls (phloroglucinol, 222.33±4.9 μg/ml; thiamine, 263 μg/ml). Furthermore, brown algal extracts containing phlorotannins (100 μl) exhibited protective effects against AGE formation in vivo in C. elegans with induced hyperglycemia.

5 illus, 2 tables, 37 ref

021662   Sethia B;Mustafa M;Manohar S;Patil S V; Jayamohan N S;Kumudini B S (Life Sciences Dep, School of Graduate Studies, Jain University, Bangalore-560 001, Email: jayamohan.ns@gmail.com) : Indole acetic acid production by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. from the rhizosphere of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. and their variation in extragenic repetitive DNA sequences. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 342-9.

Fluorescent Pseudomonas (FP) is a heterogenous group of growth promoting rhizobacteria that regulate plant growth by releasing secondary metabolic compounds viz., indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide. In the present study, IAA producing FPs from the rhizosphere of Plectranthus amboinicus were characterized morphologically, biochemically and at the molecular level. Molecular identification of the isolates were carried out using Pseudomonas specific primers. The effect of varying time (24, 48, 72 and 96 h), Trp concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 μg.ml^{-15 primers revealed that isolates exhibit significant diversity in repetitive DNA sequences irrespective of the rhizosphere.}

5 illus, 3 tables, 41 ref

021661   Senthamarai Selvan P;Jebanesan A (Zoology Dep, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu, Email: psselvan@ymail.com) : Distribution study of tree hole mosquitoes (Diptera : Culicidae) during pre-and post-monsoon seasons in kolli hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Scient Trans Envir Technovation 2014, 8(1), 40-3.

Biodiversity and their relative abundance of tree hole breeding mosquitoes occurring in four localities (Anankadu, Solakkadu, Nigayanallur and Pallakkuli) of Kolli hills in Eastern Ghats, Tamilnadu, India, were studied between Premonsoon (May-June 2013) and Post monsoon (November-December 2013) period. Six species of mosquitoes belonged to 4 genera namely Aedes aegypti, A. albopictus, Culex uniformis, Orthopodomyia anopheloides, Toxorhynchites viridibasis, and T. rutilus were found to breed in tree holes frequently. The collected samples were studied by Simpson Index `D'(0.2073, 0.1753) and Brillouin Index `HB'(1.5486, 1.6186). It is concluded that the tree hole breeding mosquitoes in Kolli hills could act as vectors for the possible outbreak of mosquito borne disease.

1 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

021660   Sayantan D;Shardendu (Laboratory of Environment and Biotechnology, Botany Dep, Patna Science College, Patna University, Patna-800 005, Email: sayantan.phd@hotmail.com) : Phosphorus amendment competitively prevents chromium uptake and mitigates its toxicity in Spinacea oleracea L. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 395-405.

In this study, we assessed the role of phosphorus in preventing chromium uptake by plants. Two-factor complete randomized pot experiment (5x5 pattern) was conducted hydroponically with Spinacea oleracea L. (spinach), for 28 days in green house. Five concentrations of Cr (2.0, 3.5, 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0 mM), each amended with five concentrations of phosphorus (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mM) were supplied. With the phosphorus amendment in the growth medium, accumulation of chromium decreased up to 55% in root and 50% in shoot tissues. A 1.8-fold enhancement in total chlorophyll and 2-fold increase in the biomass of root and shoot were observed due to phosphorus amendment. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and malondialdehyde were reduced by 27, 11.7, 38.1 and 45.5% in root tissues; and 27, 17.4, 32.3 and 35.1%, in shoot tissues, respectively. In conclusion, the phosphorus amendment has been shown not only to moderate the Cr-toxicity in S. oleracea but also enrich chlorophyll content as well as the biomass.

4 illus, 3 tables, 50 ref

021659   Saxena S;Desai G S;Ravi Kumar G;Sahoo A P; Santra Lakshman;Singh L V;Sudesh Kumar;Tiwari A K (Molecular Biology Lab, Veterinary Biotechnology Div, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly-243 122, Email: aktiwari63@yahoo.com ) : Characterization and evaluation of apoptotic potential of double gene construct pVIVO.VP3.NS1. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(5), 249-55.

Viral gene oncotherapy, targeted killing of cancer cells by viral genes, is an emerging non-infectious therapeutic cancer treatment modality. Chemo and radiotherapy in cancer treatment is limited due to their genotoxic side effects on healthy cells and need of functional p53, which is mutated in most of the cancers. VP3 (apoptin) of chicken infectious anaemia (CIA) and NS1 (Non structural protein 1) of Canine Parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) have been proven to have oncolytic potential in our laboratory.To evaluate oncolytic potential of VP3 and NS1 together these genes needed to be cloned in a bicistronic vector. In this study, both these genes were cloned and characterized for expression of their gene products and its apoptotic potential. The expression of VP3 and NS1 was studied by confocal microscopy and flowcytometry. Expression of VP3 and NS1 in pVIVO.VP3.NS1 transfected HeLa cells in comparison to mock transfected cells indicated that the double gene construct expresses both the products. This was further confirmed by flowcytometry where there was increase in cells expressing VP3 and NS1 in pVIVO.VP3.NS1 transfected group in comparison with the mock control group. The apoptotic inducing potential of this characterized pVIVO.VP3.NS1 was evaluated in human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) by DNA fragmentation assay, TUNEL assay and Hoechst staning. This double construct was observed to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells.

3 illus, 22 ref

021658   Sandeep I S;Sanghamitra N;Sujata M (Centre of biotechnology, Siksha-O-Anusandhan University, Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar-751 003, Email: sriramsandy@yahoo.com) : Differential effect of soil and environment on metabolic expression of turmeric (Curcuma longa cv. Roma). Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 406-11.

Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) is known for its uses in medicine, cosmetics, food flavouring and textile industries. The secondary metabolites of turmeric like essential oil, oleoresin and curcumin are important for its multipurpose uses. These traits of turmeric vary from place to place due to the influence of environment, soil and agro-climatic conditions. Here, we analyzed turmeric from different agroclimatic regions for influence of various factors on its growth and yield of important phytochemicals. A high curcumin yielding cultivar i.e., Roma was collected from high altitude research station, Koraput (HARS) and planted in nine agroclimatic regions of Odisha. Analysis of soil texture, pH, organic carbon, micro and macro nutrients were done from all the studied zones up to 2nd generation. Plants grown in their released station i.e., Eastern Ghat High Land showed 5% of curcumin and were taken as control. Plants grown in different agroclimatic zones showed a range of 1.4-5% of curcumin and 0.3-0.7% of rhizome essential oil and 0.3-1% of leaf essential oil content. Gas chromatography and mass spectra analysis showed tumerone and alpha phellandrene as the major compounds in all the zones with 10-20% variation. The present study will be immensely helpful for standardization and management of environmental and ecological factors for high phytochemical yield in turmeric plant

4 tables, 26 ref

021657   Priyadharsini P;Gopinath P M;Megala S; Dhanasekaran D (Laboratory of Bioprocess Technology, Microbiology Dep, School of Life, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024, Email: dhansdd@gmail.com) : Medium Optimization for Herbicidal Compound Production from Streptomyces anulatus using Response Surface Methodology. Scient Trans Envir Technovation 2014, 8(1), 20-6.

Response surface methodology and central composite design were used to optimize a medium for the production of biomass of Streptomyces anulatus and herbicidal metabolites. The four variables involved in growth of the organism were the temperature, pH, galactose and serine concentrations. The optimized medium for the production of biomass contained, galactose -75 mg/ml and serine - 7.5 mg/ml and the temperature - 43°C and pH- 8. This medium resulted in increase in the level of biomass production (1.65g/l) compared to the yield in the normal production medium prior to optimized level (1.01 g/ml) after 120 h of fermentation, whereas the value predicted by the quadratic model was 1.03 g/l.

6 illus, 4 tables, 12 ref

021656   Portin P (Laboratory of Genetics, Biology Dep, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland, Email: petter.portin@utu.fi.) : Birth and development of the DNA theory of inheritance: sixty years since the discovery of the structure of DNA. J Genet 2014, 93(1), 293-302.

Development of the DNA theory of inheritance culminated in the publication of the molecular structure of DNA 60 years ago. This paper describes this development, beginning with the discovery of DNA as a chemical substance by Friedrich Miescher in 1869, followed by its basic chemical analysis and demonstration of its participation in the structure of chromosomes. Subsequently it was discovered by Oswald Avery in 1944 that DNA was the genetic material, and then Erwin Chargaff showed that the proportions of the bases included in the structure of DNA followed a certain law. These findings, in association with the biophysical studies of Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin with Raymond Gosling, led James Watson and Francis Crick to the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA in 1953. The paper ends with a short description of the development of the DNA theory of inheritance after the discovery of the double helix.

^iia100 ref

021655   Poovendran P;Ramanathan N (Microbiology Div, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608 002, Email: poovendran_ngp@rediffmail.com) : Antibiotic resistance pattern of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Res J biol Sci 2014, 6(1), 22-7.

Urinary tract infections (UTI's) are some of the most ones prevalent among humans, particularly in adult women. A total of 478 urine samples were collected in sterile containers from patients attending Raja Muthiah Medical College and Hospital (RMMCH) at Chidambaram, South India, for antibiotic sensitivity pattern study in the Microbiology Department Laboratory, Annamalai University. Four hundred and seventy-eight bacterial species were isolated and among them 324 (79.80%) Escherichia coli were isolated representing the most frequent bacterial species accounting for the highest percentage of infections. Out of 14 different antibiotic discs tested, the rates of antibiotic resistance were 55, 49, 48, 47, 46, 44 and 39% for amikacin, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin, chloramphenicol and norfloxacin respectively. The intermediate was found to be meropenam 41% and imipenem 42%. The susceptibility was found to be 51 and 56% for imipenem and levofloxacin. Levofloxacin and imipenem showed very good result in UTI's. These two antibiotics are recommended for both in and outpatients.

2 illus, 3 tables, 20 ref

021654   Naraganj K;Munaganti R K;Muvva V (Botany and Microbiology Dep, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur-522 510) : Optimization studies for enhanced bioactive metabolite production by streptomyces violaceoruber vlk-4 isolated from the South coast of Andhra Pradesh. Int J pharm Sci Res 2014, 5(11), 4760-8.

The aim of the present study was to design the suitable culture medium and also optimize the culture conditions for enhanced production of antimicrobial metabolites by Streptomyces violaceoruber VLK-4which exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria and fungi. Production of bioactive metabolites by the strain was high in modified yeast extract-malt extract dextrose (ISP-2) broth as compared to other media tested. Mannitol (0.4%) and asparagine (1%) were found to be the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for the optimum production of bioactive metabolites as well as growth. Maximum production of bioactive metabolites was found in the culture medium with initial pH 7.0 incubated for five days at 30 (under shaking conditions. This is the first report on the optimization of bioactive metabolites by Streptomyces violaceoruber VLK-4.

30 ref

021653   Mukherjee S;Santra T;Banerjee N;Chatterjee S; Chatterjee S (Physiology Dep, University Colleges of Sciences and Technology, Univerity of Calcutta,, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata-700 009, Email: msasish@yahoo.co.in ) : Relationship between some anthropometric and lung function variables: a study on adult bengalee females with sedentary type of avocation. Sci Cult 2015, 81(1-2), 41-3.

Pre-employment and in employment lung function assessment is a mandatory requirement in many occupations. Its importance can not be denied for occupations where it is not a statutory compulsion because of the ever increasing concern about environmental influence on lung's functional status. In this backdrop, a study has been conducted on 48 sedentary females to assess the functional status of the lung and to fund out and/or validate relationship, if any, existing between anthropometric and pulmonary functional variables. Anthropometric parameters were measured and PFT was carried out. Stature, shoulder height, trunk height and arm span were found to have significant (P<60>0.01) positive correlation with vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV₁) and regression medeling was carried out for the purpose of prediction.

2 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

021652   Motshakeri M;Goh Y M;Ebrahimi M (Faculty of Food Science & Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Email: Gohyongmeng@gmail.com) : Metabolic effects of high sucrose and saturated oil feeding on insulin resistance in Sprague-Dawley rats. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(5), 264-72.

In this study, we explored the effects of long-term consumption of a high-sugar high-fat diet on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in rats. Rats were fed with either standard rat chow diet (NC group) or high-sugar high-fat diet (HSHF group) for 16 weeks. The HSHF group showed significantly higher fasting insulin level than NC group. Following intraperitoneal glucose challenge, blood glucose and insulin levels in the NC and HSHF groups increased. However, the magnitude of the response in NC group was low compared to HSHF group. Insulin resistance was higher in HSHF group and insulin sensitivity decreased significantly (P <60>0.05) in HSHF group in contrast to NC group. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels showed significant increase in HSHF group, while triglyceride and total cholesterol levels did not show any difference. The study demonstrated that feeding high-sugar high-fat diet to the experimental Sprague-Dawley rats for 16 weeks increased possibility of insulin resistance in them but did not turn them hyperglycemic or diabetic. Thus, they prove to be a suitable animal model to explore various aspects of insulin resistance.

3 illus, 1 table, 66 ref

021651   Mikelsaar R;Paves H;Org K;Saar A V M (Human Biology and Genetics Dep, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tar, Ravila Street 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia, Email: ruth.mikelsaar@ut.ee.) : Chromosome variant 1qh- and its invluence on the 3D organization of chromosome 1 heterochromatin in interphase nucleus of patients with endometriosis. J Genet 2014, 93(1), 219-23.

1 illus, 2 tables, 25 ref

021650   Joshi A;Tewari R;Agnihotri D;Pillai S S K; Jain R K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: arunjoshi119@gmail.com) : Occurrence of Vertebraria indica (Unger) Feistmantel, 1877 - an evidence for coal-forming vegetation in Kothagudem area, Godavari Graben, Telangana. Curr Sci 2015, 108(3), 330-3.

3 illus, 34 ref

021649   Jayachitra J;Ramanathan N (Microbiology Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Email: nr.microbio@gmail.com) : Bacteriocin production by lactic acid bacteria. Res J biol Sci 2014, 6(1), 37-54.

During recent years, health-conscious consumers are looking for natural food free from chemical preservatives that will fit in their healthy lifestyle. Bio-preservation refers to extention of shelflife and enhancing the safety of food items using microorganisms and/or their metabolites The role of antimicrobial compounds produced by probiotic strains oflactic acid bacteria (LAB) as prophylactic agents against enteric infections is crucial and well documented and can serve as one ofthe alternative. The antimicrobial activity of probiotic LAB has been attributed to the production of metabolites such as rganic acids (lactic and acetic acid), hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, diacetyl, acetaldehyde and other low molecular mass compounds with antimicrobial activity and bacteriocins. Among them, bacteriocin is used as a preservative in food due to its heat stability, wider pH tolerance and its proteolytic activity. Due to thermo stability and pH tolerance it can withstand heat and acidity/ alkalinity offood arising during storage conditions. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized peptides riginally defmed as proteinaceous compounds affecting the growth or viability of closely related organisms. Research is going on extensively to explore the nascent field ofbiopreservation. Scientists all over the world are showingkeen interest to isolate different types of bacteriocin producing strains, characterize them and use them in food preservation.

1 table, 97 ref

021648   Gnanaraj M;Udhayakumar N;Rajiv Gandhi R; Manoharan K (Plant Morphology and Algology Dep, Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai-625 021, Email: mgnanam1987@gmail.com) : Isolation and gene expression analysis of Phospholipase C in response to abiotic stresses from Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 335-41.

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) is a major phospholipid in eukaryotic cells. Many studies have revealed that the phosphoinositide (PI) signaling pathway plays an important role in plant growth and development. Phospholipase C (PLC) is reported to have a crucial role in the PI pathway. This work focuses on the isolation and investigation of PLC in response to abiotic stress factors in green gram. The PLC cDNA, designated VrPLC, encoding a protein of 591 amino acids was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The predicted isoelectric point (pI) and molecular weight were 5.96 and 67.3 kDa, respectively. The tertiary structure of the PLC was also predicted and found to be mainly composed of random coils. In addition, VrPLC expression analysis was performed under environmental stress and the results showed that the expression of VrPLC was rapidly induced in an abscisic acid independent manner in response to drought and salt stress. PLC expression was found to be up-regulated by SA and down-regulated by wound in leaf tissues; however, there was no significant difference in the expression of PLC in plants subjected to high temperature and H2O2. Our results suggest that a close link/relationship between PLC expression and stress responses in green gram.

6 illus, 46 ref

021647   Dhanush Krishna B;Rao S;Satyanarayana M L; Byregowda S M (Veterinary Pathology Dep, KVAFSU, Bangalore-560 024, Email: dhanushkb@gmail.com) : Effects of eugenia jambolana extract against streptozotocin induced acute liver damage in rats. Indian J Anim Res 2015, 49(1), 81-5.

Aim of the study was to compare the effects of Eugenia jambolana (EJ) extract and glibenclamide on streptozotocin (STZ) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: untreated control (UC), untreated diabetic (UD), EJ (200 mg/kg) treated diabetic (ED) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) treated diabetic (GD) orally for 45 days. There was various evidence of hepatotoxicity, including significant increase (Phen compared to GD rats.

4 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

021646   Devi L;Pawar R M;Makala H;Goel S (CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), , Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: sandeep@ccmb.res.in) : Conserved expression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1) in mammalian testes. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(5), 305-12.

Spermatogonia, the adult germ cells that initiate spermatogenesis in mammalian testis, are capable of dividing both mitotically and meiotically. Isolation and preservation of spermatogonia helps in preserving genetic pool of endangered animals. In this context, identification of marker(s) that can distinguish spermatogonia from other cells in testis gains significance. Here, we examined the expression of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1) gene and protein in the testes of several mammals, including highly endangered species. Semi-quantitative-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed presence of UCHL1 amplicon of 442 bp in all the 18 mammals studied. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these amplicons and their predicted protein sequences revealed 88-99% and 95-100% homology with available human UCHL1 and UCHL1 sequences of other available species in the GenBank, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that UCHL1 protein size was unique in all wild mammals. Immunohistology results confirmed UCHL1 expression in the spermatogonia/gonocytes in testes of several mammals belonging to eight distinct families including highly endangered Felidae, Canidae and Cercopithecoidae. These findings suggest that UCHL1 expression is conserved in the mammalian testis, and could be used as a specific marker for gonocytes/spermatogonia for developing male germ-cell based conservation techniques.

1 illus, 3 tables, 48 ref

021645   Devanathan J;Ramanathan N (Microbiology Div, Faculty of Sscience, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Email: microtek_deva@yamail.com) : Optimization of biomass production by Spirulina platensis in seawatr medium. Res J biol Sci 2014, 6(1), 3-11.

Spirulina platensis is one of the most potential sources of natural nutrition. The present study aims, to optimize parameters like nitrogen sources, pH, temperature and light intensity for increasing the production of Spirulina platensis biomass (dry weight), protein, lipid and chlorophyll-a in seawater medium. The production of Spirulina platensis was optimized in terms of biomass and their biochemical constituents. Among the different nitrogen sources, sodium nitrate recorded higher biomass (0.380, mg ml^{-1), protein (0.221, mg ml-1), lipid (36.02, μg ml-1) and chlorophyll-a (34.28, μg ml-1) in Spirulina platensis (SP2). The dry weight of Spirulina platensis (SP2) (0.318, 0.306 mg ml-1), protein (0.177, 0.170 mg ml-1), lipid (29.08, 26.74 μg ml-1) and chlorophyll-a (27.45,25.68 μg ml-1) were recorded at pH (9.0) and temperature (35°C), respectively. Spirulina platensis(SP2) showed higher biomass (0.317 mg ml-1), protein (0.180 mg ml-1), lipid (28.64 μg ml-1) and chlorophyll-a (26.60 μg ml-1) at 5 Klux light intensity. The results of the present investigation revealed the optimized parameters in seawater medium exhibited the highest yield of Spirulina platensis (SP2) and so they could be used forcommercial cultivation at low cost.}

4 illus, 46 ref

021644   Datta Roy A;Singh M;Karanth K P (Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: datt.roy82@gmail.com) : Phylogeny of endemic skinks of the genus Lygosoma (Squamata:Scincidae) from India suggests an in situ radiation. J Genet 2014, 93(1), 163-7.

^ssc1 illus, 25 ref

021643   Chaudhari A;Gireesh-Babu P;Tripathi G;Sabnis S;Dhamotharan K;Vardarajan R;Kavita Kumari;Dasgupta S;Rajendran K V (Fish Genetics & Biotechnology Dep, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Panch Marg, Andheri (W), Mumbai-400 061, Email: achaudhari67@gmail.com) : Expression studies on NA+/K+-ATPase in gills of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) acclimated to different salinities. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(5), 273-80.

Decapod crustacean Penaeus monodon survives large fluctuations in salinity through osmoregulation in which Na^{+/K+-ATPase(NKA) activity in the gills plays a central role. Adult P. monodonspecimens were gradually acclimatized to 5, 25 and 35% salinities and maintained for 20 days to observe long term alterations in NKA expression. Specific NKA activity assayed in gill tissues was found to be 3 folds higher at 5% compared to 25% (isosmotic salinity)and 0.48 foldslower at 35%. The enzyme was immunolocalized in gills using mouse α-5 monoclonal antibody that cross reacts with P. monodon NKA α-subunit. At 5% the immunopositive cells were distributed on lamellar tips and basal lamellar epithelium of the secondary gill filaments and their number was visibly higher. At both 25% and 35% NKA positive cells were observed in the inter-lamellar region but the expression was more pronounced at 25%. Gill architecture was normal at all salinities. However, the 1.5 fold increase in NKA α-subunit mRNA at 5% measured by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) using EF1α as reference gene was not statistically significant. The study confirms the osmoregulating ability of P. monodon like other crustaceans at lower salinities. It is likely that significant increase in NKA transcript level happens at an earlier time point. At higher salinities all three methods record only marginal or no change from isosmotic controls confirming the hypothesis that the animal largely osmoconforms in hyperosmotic environment.}

2 illus, 1 table, 46 ref

021642   Ashok T;Madhuri N;Raju G L N;Rani M (Microbiology Dep, Ventura Institute of Biosciences1, Moosaram Bagh, Hyderabad, Telangana, Email: ashokbio123@gmail.com ) : Antimicrobial activity of bursera penicillata leaf extracts on human infectious pathogens. Int J pharm Sci Res 2015, 6(2), 841-4.

Purpose of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial activity of Bursera penicillata leaf extract against human infected bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of Petrolium ether, Methanolic and Aqueous extracts from leaves of Bursera penicillata were tested against pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterobacter cloacae using Agar well diffusion method. Solvent extracts from the leaves of the plant shown a considerable antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms. The most active extract was Methanolic extract from the leaf against Klebsiella pneumoniae and significantly inhibited the bacterial activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration for aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves ranged from 5.0-20.0 mg/ml and ethyl acetate and petroleum ether leaf extracts ranged from 25.0μg-55.0 μg and 45.0-85 μg/ml. It further reflects a hope for the development of many more novel chemotherapeutic agents or templates from such plants which in future may serve for the production of synthetically improved therapeutic agents.

13 ref

021641   Arun G;Eyini M;Gunasekaran P (Mushroom Technology Lab, Botany and Biotechnology Dep, Thiagarajar College, Madurai-625 009, Email: gunagenomics@yahoo.co.in) : Characterization and biological activities of extracellular melanin produced by Schizophyllum commune (Fries). Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 380-7.

Melanins are enigmatic pigments produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. Here, we have isolated and characterized extracellular melanin from mushroom fungus, Schizophyllum commune. The extracellular dark pigment produced by the broth culture of S. commune, after 21 days of incubation was recovered by hot acid-alkali treatment. The melanin nature of the pigment was characterized by biochemical tests and further, confirmed by UV, IR, EPR, NMR and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectra. Extracellular melanin, at 100 μg/ml, showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas fluorescens and antifungal activity against Trichophyton simii and T. rubrum. At a concentration of 50 μg/ml, melanin showed high free radical scavenging activity of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) indicating its antioxidant potential. It showed concentration dependent inhibition of cell proliferation of Human Epidermoid Larynx Carcinoma Cell Line (HEP-2). This study has demonstrated characterization of melanin from basidiomycetes mushroom fungus, Schizophyllum commune and its applications.

8 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

021640   Anu K;Jessymol K K;Chidambareswaren M; Gayathri G S;Manjula S (Plant Molecular Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, , Thiruvananthapuram-695 014, Email: smanjula@rgcb.res.in) : Down-regulation of osmotin (PR5) gene by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) leads to susceptibility of resistant Piper colubrinum Link. to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici Leonian. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 329-34.

Piper colubrinum Link., a distant relative of Piper nigrumL., is immune to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici Leonian that causes `quick wilt' in cultivated black pepper (P. nigrum). The osmotin, PR5 gene homologue, earlier identified from P. colubrinum, showed significant overexpression in response to pathogen and defense signalling molecules. The present study focuses on the functional validation of P. colubrinum osmotin (PcOSM) by virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) using Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV)-based vector. P. colubrinum plants maintained under controlled growth conditions in a growth chamber were infiltrated with Agrobacterium carrying TRV empty vector (control) and TRV vector carrying PcOSM. Three weeks post infiltration, viral movement was confirmed in newly emerged leaves of infiltrated plants by RT-PCR using TRV RNA1 and TRV RNA2 primers. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed significant down-regulation of PcOSM gene in TRV-PcOSM infiltrated plant compared with the control plants. The control and silenced plants were challenged with Phytophthora capsici which demonstrated that knock-down of PcOSM in P. colubrinum leads to increased fungal mycelial growth in silenced plants compared to control plants, which as accompanied by decreased accumulation of H₂O₂ as indicated by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining. Thus, in this study, we demonstrated that Piper colubrinum osmotin gene is required for resisting P. capsici infection and has possible role in hypersensitive cell death response and oxidative burst signaling during infection.

3 illus, 39 ref

021639   Amosova A V etal (NO, Engelgardt Institute of Molecular Biology of RAS, Vavilov Str. 32, Moscow 119991, Russia, Email: amomar@mail.ru.) : Intraspecific chromosomal and genetic polymorphism in Brassica napus L. detected by cytogenetic and molecular markers. J Genet 2014, 93(1), 133-43.

Application of DNA intercalator 9-aminoacridine allowed us to increase the resolution of chromosome C-banding and DAPI-banding patterns and to investigate chromosomal polymorphism in karyotypes of seven spring and six winter rape varieties. It was shown that the pericentromeric and intercalary C-bands of most of the chromosomes in spring rape were in size and less polymorphic than those of winter rape. More 26S and 5S rDNA sites were found in the winter rape s than the spring varieties. Separate or colocalized 26S and 5S rDNA sites were revealed on chromosomes 4, 5, 6, 14.15,16 and 18. Intervarietal and intravarietal polymorphism of the number and chromosomal localization of rDNA were detected. The generalized idiogram of chromosomes of 13 Brassica napus varieties with account of all possibilities of C-banding patterns as well as localization of 26S and 5S rDNA sites were constructed. Polymorphism of the examined molecular and cytogenetic markers as well as the heterozygosis level of FAE1.1 gene controlling erucic acid synthesis in d was higher in the winter varieties than in the spring ones. The obtained data were in a satisfactory agreement with d tolerance to environmental stress conditions of winter rape.

4 illus, 5 tables, 63 ref

021638   Alluri N;Shivakameshwari M N;Manohar S H; Majumdar M (Biotechnology Dep, Center for Post Graduate Studies, Jain University, Bangalore-560 011, Email: malamajumdar51@gmail.com) : Diversity of Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop and its relationship to Drimia nagarjunae using phenotypic traits and molecular markers. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(6), 412-16.

In the present study, we explored the diversity of different accessions of Drimia indica and its relation to D. nagarjunae using phenotypic traits and molecular markers. Twenty populations of D. indica, from different parts of India, were compared with D. nagarjunae, an endangered medicinal plant collected from Andhra Pradesh, India. Two species showed appreciable phenotypic diversity in number of leaves, leaf indices, bulb circumference, bulb length and length of roots. The principal component analysis (PCA) performed on above 5 quantitative characters to determine relationship among populations, has distinguished D. nagarjunae from D. indica phenotypically. Genetic diversity was analysed using RAPD and ISSR primers which produced reproducible bands in 8 RAPD and 3 ISSR primers. A total of 89 amplicons were observed, of which 69 (77.53 %) were polymorphic. Cluster diagram and phylogenetic linkage showed that D. nagarjunae formed a separate cluster, showing no similarity with any of the populations of D. indica. The molecular marker data correlated with PCA of phenotypic traits. Current investigations have demonstrated that the statistical approach for phenotypic characters and molecular markers analysis can be applied to study diversity in Drimia species.

3 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

020602   Vinothini C;Ravikumar R;Sudhakar S (Microbiology Dep, Shrimati Indira Gandhi College, Tiruchirappalli) : Characterization of nif gene present in nitrogen fixing bacteria isolated from root nodules. Res J biol Sci 2014, 6(2), 3-9.

Biological nitrogen fixation represents the major source of nitrogen in agricultural soils including those in arid regions. The major nitrogen-fixing systems are symbiotic systems which play a significant role in improving the fertility and productivity of low nitrogen soils. In the present study, Rhizobium isolated from root nodules of leguminous plants were characterized for the presence of Nif genes. Three separate experiments were conducted to study the effect of Rhizobium on the growth of Vigno mungo. First experiment was conducted using seeds coated with slurry by paper sheet experiment. The second was done using Arachis hypogeae using slurry soil from Vigno mungo and third was conducted using Citrus aurantifolia which was amended with slurry soil from Arachis hypogeae. In all these three experiments the growth of plants as seen in leaves, roots and shoot length seem to be significantly high when compared to unamended soil. Genomic DNA was isolated from Rhizobium and it was amplified by PCR to analyze the presence of the Nif gene.

7 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

020601   Srivastava S;Choudhary G P (Pharmacognosy Dep, School of Pharmacy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Email: sweta.koka@gmail.com) : Evaluation of antitussive activity of Fruits of Terminalia chebula retz. on cough reflex induced by different cough induced models in mice. Int J Pharm Life Sci 2014, 5(4), 3497-3501.

Cough is a natural reflex expulsive defense mechanism of the body, for clearing excess secretions, mucous, inhaled irritants, toxins or foreign substance in the respiratory tract. It is the most common symptom of respiratory disease. When cough becomes serious, opioids are effective, but they have side effects like sedation, constipation, some addiction liability and also compromise the respiratory function. Therefore, there is a need to have effective antitussive agent which do not have respiratory suppressant activity. The present study was carried out to evaluate antitussive activity of acetate and methanolic extract of fruit of Terminalia.chebula in ammonium hydroxide and Sulphur dioxide induced cough models in mice.

1 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

020600   Sreenath J;Basu A (NO, Anthropological Survey of India. Central Regional Centre, Seminary hills, Nagpur-440 006) : Inter-ethnic differences in the proportionate distribution of body mass index among the people of Assam. J Indian Anthrop Soc 2014, 49(1), 55-60.

Importance of Body Mass Index in evaluating the nutritional assessment as well as a possible indicator of risk factor for some lifestyle diseases, like obesity and hypertension, has been well recognized. At population level secular changes in the BMI profiles of populations may reflect the change in the socio-economic concomitants a population might have experienced. Anthropological Survey of India has conducted extensive anthropometric surveys of most of the Indian States in the sixties of the last Century. These surveys may be taken as a benchmark for evaluating the usability of BMI as a parameter in the construction of indices of Human Development. Data collected from the erstwhile State of Assam is presented.

2 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

020599   Saha S P (Microbiology Dep, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Kolkata-700 013, Email: spalsaha44@yahoo.co.in) : Bioremediation of methyl parathion by bacterial strains isolated from fresh vegetables. J envir Sociobiol 2014, 11(1), 43-56.

Methyl parathion, an organophosphate and cholinesterase inhibitor, is a widely used pesticide. In the present study, fresh vegetables were sampled to enumerate parathion resistant microbes. Nitrite, sulphite and hydrazine levels along with microbial load of the vegetables were determined. Bean, red spinach and coriander contained higher percentages of gram positive bacteria whereas beet root and cabbage showed prevalence of gram negative species. Sixty bacterial strains were found to show resistance against 200μ/m1 parathion and 5% of these had MIC values above 1000μ/m1. A gram negative bacterial strain BG023, isolated from bitter gourd surface showed maximal hydrolysis of parathion (MIC 1200μ/m1). In the absence of other carbon sources, the organism exhibited a faster degradation of parathion with simultaneous utilization of major detectable product p-nitrophenol during the late stationary phase of growth. The gene for parathion hydrolase was found to be plasmid borne since curing with 15 mg/ml SDS resulted in cells which failed to grow in presence of parathion but showed normal growth otherwise. The organism was also resistant to widely used antibiotics like ampicillin, vancomycin, amoxyclav, norfloxacin, bacitracin, etc. After pathogenicity testing, the organism can be used to reduce the load of organophosphate pesticides in agricultural fields.

6 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref

020598   Rocha-Ramirez A;Robles-Valderrama E; Ramirez-Flores E (Laboratorio de Ecologia, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonom, Av. de los Barrios <35> 1, los Reyes lztacala, CP 54090 Tlalnepantla, Estado de Mexico, Mexico, Email: arocha@unam.mx) : Invasive alien species water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes as abode for macroinvertebrates in hypertrophic ramsar site, lake xochimilco, Mexico. J envir Biol 2014, 35(6), 1071-80.

This paper presents information on the density, diversity and functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with water hyacinth in Antiguo Canal Cuemanco, part of Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City. Rare (low frequency and density) and dominant (high frequency and density) taxa prevailed in the assemblages, with the most predominant being Hyalella azteca, Chironomus plumosus and Ischnura denticollis. Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling confirmed two climatic seasons: warm-rainy and cold-dry; the former with the highest diversity and density of taxa. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that conductivity, nitrates and turbidity explained the density variations of taxa. Antiguo Canal Cuemanco waters are spatially homogeneous with the characteristics of hypertrophic shallow lakes, inhabited by scrapers and gathering-collectors. The species found were tolerant to organic pollution.

5 illus, 3 tables, 59 ref

020597   Pham V H T;Kim J;Jeong S W (Life Science Dep, Graduate School of Kyonggi Univ, Suwon 443-760, South Korea, Email: jkimtamu@kgu.ac.kr) : Enhanced isolation and culture of highly efficient psychrophilic oil-degrading bacteria from oil-contaminated soils of South Korea. J envir Biol 2014, 35(6), 1145-9.

It is known that isolation of oil-degrading bacterial strains is difficult at low temperatures, and the biodegradation efficiency of oil-contaminated soil is significantly reduced in cold weather. In this study, 14 strains were isolated from oil-contaminated soil that grew well at 10C by using a newly developed culture method.11 of the 14 isolates were successfully cultured in mineral salts medium containing 1,500 ppm of oil components, 500 ppm each kerosene, gasoline, and diesel as carbon sources, at 10°C for 2 weeks. The oil degradation efficiencies of these 11 isolates ranged from 36% to 100%, as measured by total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation analyses. Three strains (Pseudomonas simiae G1-10, P. taiwanensis Y1-4, and P. koreensis Gwa2) displayed complete degradation (100%), and six others (P. frederiksbergensis G2-2, P. arsenicoxydans Y2-1, P. umsongensis Gwa3, P. migulae Gwa5, Rhodococcus jialingiae Y1-1, and R. qingshengii Y2-2) showed relatively high degradation efficiencies (>70%). This study suggests that these isolates can be effectively utilised in thetreatment of oil-contaminated soil in landfarming, especially during winter.

2 illus, 2 tables, 27 ref

020596   Patil Sunita H;Gandhi M B (Microbiology Dep, K.T.H.M. College, Nashik, Maharashtra, Email: peru_pratik@yahoo.com) : Lipolytic psychrotrophic gram positive Cocci in milk and fermented milk products. J Envir Res Dev 2013, 8(2), 273-9.

The preservation method used by dairy industries is storage under refrigeration condition. Therefore many dairy products are stored at refrigeration temperature by wholesale dealers and retailers. Psychrotrophic bacteria grow luxuriantly in dairy products and multiply at refrigeration temperature. By producing different enzymes and metabolic products, they may cause proteolysis, lipolysis affecting texture, flavor and color of these dairy products. The defects produced by these psychrotrophic bacteria can adversely influence the nutritive value and organoleptic properties of dairy products that leads to economic loss to the dairy industries. With the objectives of studying such psychrotrophs present in milk and fermented milk products, 10 dairies from Nashik region of Maharashtra (India) were selected and the psychrotrophic bacteria present in milk and fermented milk products were characterized. Out of 60 isolates, 4 Gram positive bacteria which include Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus equorum, Kocuria rosea and Kocuria sp. were identified on the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological features as well as 16S rRNA sequencing. The base sequences are submitted to NCBI GenBank to assign the accession number. These 4 psychrotrophs showed lipolytic activities at refrigeration temperature (7°C) which was estimated by qualitative and quantitative methods. Kocuria rosea showed greater lipolytic activities as compared to other 3 isolates.

1 illus, 8 tables, 14 ref

020595   Patel P B;Thakkar V R (Biochemistry Dep, B R Doshi School of Biosciences, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 120, Email: vasuthakkar@gmail.com) : Addition of citral controls ROS and reduces toxicity in 5-fluorouracil treated Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(3), 152-7.

In systemic therapy, chemotherapeutic drugs, often, cause considerable side effects; and combination of natural compounds lessen the extent of such effects. In the present study, combined effect of citral and 5-fluorouracil was studied in Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. The antagonistic combination index found was at 0.01 and 0.025 mM of citral with 40 μg or higher concentration of 5-fluorouracil. The combined treatment was so effective that higher number of cells underwent apoptosis compared to individual treatment of 5-fluorouracil. Citral controlled ROS levels and increased survival of normal cells. Several differentially expressed proteins observed in the citral treatment could further help understanding its mechanism of action.

7 illus, 15 ref

020594   Park Y J;Choi J S;Kim H S (School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National Univ, Daegu 702-701, South Korea, Email: kimhsu@knu.ac.kr) : Water quality assessment of the sinchun stream based on epilithic diatom communities. J envir Biol 2014, 35(6), 1053-9.

Water quality was assessed 11 sites on the Sinchun Stream, in the region of Daegu City (South Korea), from May 2007 to March 2008 using Diatom Assemblage Index to Organic Water Pollution (DAIpo) and Trophic Diatom Index (TDI). The reference sites were unaffected by effluent from a closed mine or treated sewage and had, epilithic diatom communities that were dominated by saproxenous taxa such as Achnanthes convergens and Cocconeis placentula var. lineata. The water quality of these sites had DAIpo values ranging between 77.5-93.8 and TDI values between 51.3-67.6, indicating β-oligosaprobic and mesotrophic environments, respectively. Study sites affected by effluent from the closed mine had epilithic diatom communities that were dominated by acidobiontic diatoms, such as Eunotia exigua and Achnanthidium minutissimum. The water quality of these sites had DAIpo values of 45.9-70.8, indicating β-mesosaprobic to α-oligosaprobic environments, whereas TDI ranged between 1.7-66.9, indicating an oligotrophic to mesotrophic environment. Downstream sites affected by the influx of mine effluent and treated sewage had many species and a high percentage of saprophilous taxa, including Fragilaria construens var. venter and Nitzschia amphibia. The water quality of these regions had DAIpo values ranging between 21.8-33.1 and TDI values between 67.5-76.7, indicating a-mesosaprobic and eutrophic environments, respectively.

5 illus, 4 tables, 31 ref

020593   Mitra B (NO, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, Email: bulganinmitra@gmail.com) : Insect faunal diversity in the sacred groves of Sonamukhi block, Bankura district, West Bengal, India. J envir Sociobiol 2014, 11(1), 79-88.

In the present communication, insect faunal diversity along with floral diversity of 31 sacred groves (SGs) of Sonamukhi Block in Bankura district, West Bengal is documented. These SGs range from 100 km2 to 6700 km^{2. All these SGs excepting four are maintained by tribal population. A total of 52 species of insets and 58 species of plants have been recorded from these SGs. These floral and insect faunal diversity as well as name, area and geographical locations of all the SG's is listed in this paper.}

3 tables, 10 ref

020592   Mishra A K;Arya M (Zoology Dep, Govt. P.G. College, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, Email: anand81795@gmail.com) : Socio-ecological and health status of people of shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, India towards healthy environment. J Envir Res Dev 2013, 8(2), 356-64.

The present work is aimed at assessing the Socio-ecological conditions of people of Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, India and their awareness about healthy environment. Study was undertaken in 39 wards of Shivpuri. It recalls the actual picture of water quality consumed by the people. It also reveals the nature of water borne diseases prevailed in this area. The present study was made with the help of a predesigned set of questionnaire based on the N.C.A.E.R. New Delhi related to various factors influencing the domestic water use and health status. The ground zero data was collected from houseto- house survey of the specific area. Total 12 socio-ecological and health parameters were studied and analyzed. The study reveals that the literacy level is poor which contributes in poor hygienic practices. Typhoid and jaundice were prevalent in seven wards. Maximum cases of typhoid and jaundice were noted in the area near the nala. Maximum percentage of malaria was observed in six wards which are situated near Jadhav Sagar Lake, near Gujar Tall and nala, where mosquito breed profusely. Amoebiasis was also very common. Open field defecation is a major factor for poor health of the people. The paper suggests some measures for improvement of the health related conditions.

2 tables, 15 ref

020591   Mei Z;Khan M A;Yang L;Yang M;Fu J (The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China, Email: fujunjiang@hotmail.com) : Genetic characterization and authentication of Gardenia jasminoides in different regions of China by using improved RAPD analysis. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(3), 164-9.

Gardenia jasminoides is a common garden medicinal plant known for its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombic, anti-fibrotic, antiviral, hepatoprotective, lung-protective, renal-protective, retina-protective and neuroprotective activities. It is found in several regions of the world, including China, but information about its genetic characteristics is limited. Here, we employed an improved method of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis (with increased RAMP time) to investigate the genetic link between G. jasminoides samples collected from six different regions of Southern China. Total 26 RAPD primers were selected randomly, among which 23 primers generated reproducible polymorphic amplification bands. A total of 174 bands were obtained, where each primer had amplified 5-13 bands with an average of 7.56 bands per primer. The band size ranged approximately 150-2200 bp. Cluster dendrogram was obtained based on the improved RAPD amplification profiles, which showed that the similarity coefficients among six varieties of G. jasminoides ranged 0.67-0.88. To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic characterization of G. jasminoides using improved RAPD analysis, which may be useful for the preservation of genetic diversity and identification of Gardenia population.

4 illus, 2 tables, 34 ref

020590   Manasa M;Kambar Y;Vivek M N;Mallikarjun N; Prashith Kekuda T R (Studies and Research in Microbiology PG Dep, Sahyadri Sciences College, Kuvempu Univ, Shivamogga-577 203, Email: p.kekuda@gmail.com) : Antifungal activity of cow urine extracts of selected plants against Helminthosporium sp. and Alternaria sp.. Envir Ecol 2014, 32(3), 920-2.

The objective of the present study was to determine antifungal effect of cow urine extracts of plants viz., Anisomeles indica, Pimenta dioica, Alpinia galanga and Anacardium accidentale against Helminthosporium sp. and Alternaria sp. isolated from sorghum seeds by standard blotter method. Poisoned food technique was employed to screen antifungal effect. All extracts showed inhibitory activity test fungi to a varied extent. Among fungi, Helminthosporium was inhibited to higher extent. Cow urine extract of bark of P. dioica and rhizome of A. galanga caused complete inhibition of Helminthosporium sp. Leaf extract of A. occidentale inhibited test fungi to least extent. Cow urine extracts are found promising antifungal agents. Farther field experiments are to be conducted.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

020589   Madaan A;Kanjilal S;Gupta A;Sastry J L N; Verma R;Singh A T;Jaggi M (NO, Althea Lifesciences Limited, 3 Factory Road, Adj. Safdarjung Hospital, Ring Road, New Delhi-110 029, Email: alka.madaan@daburresearch.in) : Evaluation of immunostimulatory activity of chyawanprash using in vitro assays. Indian J expl Biol 2015, 53(3), 158-63.

Chyawanprash is an ayurvedic formulation used in Indian traditional medicinal system for its beneficial effect on human health. We investigated the immunostimulatory effects of Chyawanprash (CHY) using in vitro assays evaluating the secretion of cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1-alpha (MIP-1-α) from murine bone marrow derived Dendritic Cells (DC) which play pivotal role in immunostimulation. The effects of CHY on phagocytosis in murine macrophages (RAW264.7) and Natural Killer (NK) cell activity were also investigated. At non-cytotoxic concentrations (20-500 μg/ml), CHY enhanced the secretion of all the three cytokines from DC. CHY also stimulated both, macrophage (RAW264.7) as well as NK cell activity, in vitro. In conclusion, the data substantiates the immunoprotective role of CHY at cellular level mediated by immunostimulation in key immune cells viz. dendritic Cells, macrophages and NK cells.

4 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

020588   Jeyanthi Kumari V (Microbiology Dep, K.R. College of Arts and Science, Kovilpatti-628 503, Email: jeyanthi26.guru@gmail.com) : Production of biosurfactants by Psedomonas aeruginosa. J Ecobiol 2014, 33(3-4), 207-60.

Rhamnolipid surfactant was extracted from Psedomonas aeruginosa by cultivating them on Basal Salt Medium supplemented with trace elements and glucose. After 7 days of incubation the culture media were centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 15 minutes. The supernatant was collected and adjusted to pH 2 with the help of 12 M HCI. Again the supernatant was centrifuged at 13000 rpm for 10 minutes. The pellet was treated with chloroform and ethanol in the ratio of 2:1 and it was allowed to evaporate. Finally a fluid was obtained which was in the appearance of oil and it was used as a crude sample of Rhamnolipids. This is used to identify the haemolytic efficiency and antimicrobial ability against Escherichia coli and Bacillus.

2 tables, 8 ref