Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2004"

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Stage- and sex-dependent changes in the lipid profile of Dysdercus koenigii (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) during development
(2004) Archana Mishra; A.K. Singh; Dinesh Kumar
Lipids were extracted from the plasma and gonads of fourth and fifth instars and adults of Dysdercus koenigii (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Thin layer chromatography of the extracts revealed fractions of free fatty acids (FFA), monoglycerides (MG), diglycerides (DG), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free cholesterol (FC) and esterified cholesterol (EC). There were distinct differences in the lipid profiles within sexes for both tissues during development. Phospholipid from female plasma showed significant fluctuation during development, while that from males remained constant. In female gonads, PL levels increased significantly from the fouth instar to the fifth instar. Monoglycerides were detected only in adult male plasma and adult female gonads, at very low levels. Plasma DG in males was found to increase significantly during development. Maximum gonadal DG was recorded in male fourth instars and female fifth instars. Triglycerides in female plasma declined from the fourth instar to the adult stage. In contrast, TG in gonads increased significantly in the fifth instar of both sexes. Plasma FFA of both sexes fluctuated during development. Free cholesterol was detected only in adult male plasma. Plasma EC increased from the fourth instar to the adult stage in males, and it was highest in gonads of fifth instars of both sexes. © ICIPE 2004.
Aglycemia and ischemia depress monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes in neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro by involving different types of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors
(2004) Shripad B. Deshpande; Archana Jha
Involvement of 5-hydroxytryptaminergic (5-HT) system for aglycemia- and ischemia-induced depression of the spinal reflexes was evaluated. The monosynaptic (MSR) and polysynaptic (PSR) reflex potentials were elicited in the ventral root by stimulating the corresponding dorsal root in an isolated spinal cord from neonatal rat. Superfusion of aglycemic (glucose-free) or ischemic (glucose- and O 2-free) solution produced a time-dependent depression of the spinal reflexes and abolished them within 35 min. The time required to produce 50% depression of the reflexes (T-50) was around 19 and 13 min for aglycemia and ischemia, respectively. Spiperone (5-HT 2A antagonist) and ketanserin, (5-HT 2A/2C antagonist) blocked the aglycemia-induced depression of the reflexes completely while ondansetron (5-HT 3 antagonist) attenuated it partially (as abolition times were around 50 min). Ischemia-induced depression was blocked up to 50 min by ketanserin or ondansetron but not by spiperone. In the presence of ketanserin or ondansetron, the reflexes were abolished by 60 min while in spiperone the reflexes were abolished by 30 min. In 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treated rats, aglycemia depressed the reflexes by 45 min (greater than control, P < 0.05) while the time for ischemia-induced depression was not different from the control response. The results indicate that aglycemia involves mainly 5-HT 2 receptors while ischemia involves 5-HT 3 receptors. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ordering in polystyrene macroions
(2004) Ritesh Kumar Dubey; D.N. Tripathi
Ordering in polystyrene macroions in Benzene, Toluene, triple distilled water and heavy water has been studied using the static laser light scattering method. Liquid-like ordering amongst the polystyrene macroions in benzene, toluene, water and heavy water solvents has been reported. The ordering has been found to depend on the concentration of the particles and the dielectric constant of the solvent.
Ovarian monosaccharides (glucose and fructose): Hormonal effects and their role in final oocyte maturation and egg quality in catfish Heteropneustes fossilis, Bloch.
(2004) A. Mishra; K.P. Joy
In the catfish H. fossilis, ovarian glucose and fructose levels showed significant annual variations that could be correlated with the gonado-somatic index. The concentration of the sugars, which was low in resting phase of gonad increased with the onset of oogenesis, reaching the peak in prespawning (June) phase. Glucose is the predominant monosaccharide in the late oogenesis, while fructose in early oogenesis and resting phase. Administration of a single injection of HCG (100 IU/fish) decreased glucose at 4 hr but increased fructose (6 hr) in the resting phase. In the preparatory phase (active oogenesis), fructose decreased significantly at 4 hr and glucose at 6 and 12 hr. In the prespawning phase, HCG administration induced a significant decrease in glucose level at 2 hr but increased it significantly at 16 and 18 hr. Fructose concentration, on the other hand, decreased ≥ 4 hr. The involvement of different energy substrates (glucose, fructose, 2-deoxyglucose and pyruvate) on final oocyte maturation and viability of eggs were demonstrated in an in viiro study, employing incubation of mature oocytes in medium containing one or the other energy substrates. Glucose at 4 and 8 mM concentrations increased the viability of eggs without affecting germinal vesicle break down (GVBD) and at high concentrations (16 and 32 mM) marginally increased GVBD but decreased viability. Pyruvate at high concentrations (≥ 8 mM) produced a positive effect on both GVBD and viability. Fructose and 2-deoxyglucose did not elicit any effect on these parameters. The results suggest that glucose has an active role in catfish oogenesis and maintaining egg quality and HCG influences monosaccharide metabolism in a season-dependent manner.
Protective effects of aprotinin on respiratory and cardiac abnormalities induced by Mesobuthus tamulus venom in adult rats
(2004) Ratna Pandey; Shripad B. Deshpande
Role of aprotinin (kallikrein-kinin synthesis inhibitor) in preventing the cardio-respiratory toxicity induced by Mesobuthus tamulus (BT) venom was evaluated. The effects of BT venom (5 mg/kg) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), lung compliance and pulmonary water content were examined. BT venom produced alterations in MAP, HR and RR. The MAP changes were seen as an immediate fall (within 2 s) followed by a rise and subsequent progressive fall. The HR was decreased drastically after venom and never returned to initial value. The respiratory changes were manifested as prolonged apnea with intermittent shallow breathing. The animals died within 30-60 min. In these animals, the lung compliance was decreased as compared to saline treated controls and there was significant increase in pulmonary water content. In aprotinin pre-treated group, there was decrease in MAP, HR and RR within 2 s which returned to pre-venom level within 15 min and remained at that level thereafter. The animals survived for the period of observation (i.e. up to 120 min). The compliance and pulmonary water content in these animals were similar to control animals. The results indicate that aprotinin protects against the BT venom-induced cardio-pulmonary toxicity. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Mucocutaneous lesions in transplant recipient in a tropical country
(2004) J. Prakash; S. Singh; G.K. Prashant; B. Kar; K. Tripathi; P.B. Singh
Dermatological manifestations are common in renal transplant patients, but differ markedly with ethnic group and geographical location. We studied mucocutaneous lesions in 54 renal allograft recipients (related donors = 30; unrelated donors = 24) living in tropical atmospheres. Their gender was 50 males, and 4 females ranging in age between 15 and 63 years (mean = 37.84 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 124 months (range = 4 to 173 months). All patients received kidneys from living donors and were kept on immunosupression with mean daily doses of prednisolone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine of 10.2 mg, 68.6 mg, and 252 mg, respectively. The mean trough concentration of cyclosporine was 185 ng/mL. The mucocutaneous lesions were divided into four groups: drug-induced (n = 24, 44.4%), fungal (n = 18, 33.3%), viral (n = 9, 16.6%), and bacterial (n = 10, 18.5%). Cushingoid features, gum hypertrophy, and hypertrichosis were seen in 7 (12.9%) patients. Steroid acne was seen in three cases. Pityriasis versicolor was the most common (20.3%) fungal infection of the skin. In addition, Tinea unguium and mucocutaneous candidiasis were noted in four and three cases respectively. Herpes virus infection (Herpes zoster 5; Herpes simplex 2) was noted in 7 (12.9%) cases. Chicken pox at 5 years posttransplant and cutaneous vasculitis associated with cytomegalovirus disease at 6 months posttransplant were seen in one case each. We have not seen warts in our patients. Pyogenic bacterial infection of skin in the form of abscess (n = 6), cellulitis (n = 3), and pyoderma (n = 1) were observed in 10 (18.5%) patients. Thus, drug-induced mucocutaneous side effects and skin fungal infections are the most common dermatological manifestations among renal transplant recipients living in a tropical country.
Effects of exudate depletion on sclerotial development of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and of oxalic acid on the synthesis of phenolic acids in egg plant (Solanum melongena L.)
(2004) U.P. Singh; B.K. Sarma; D.P. Singh; S. Maurya; P.K. Mishra; H.B. Singh
Exudate depletion from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia caused poor development of sclerotia, causing reduced sclerotial size and less compactness of the peripheral cell layers. Exudate also showed antifungal activity against some parasitic as well as saprophytic fungi. Aspergillus flavus, Cercospora blumea, Colletotrichum capsici and Fusartum udum showed maximum sensitivity to exudate in undiluted form where less than 40 % conidial germination was recorded. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of exudate showed that it consisted of tannic, gallic, ferulic and cinnamic acids along with many other unidentified compounds. The exudate-depleted sclerotia were able to cause infection in egg plants (Solanum melongena) in glasshouse. Foliar application of oxalic acid and sclerotial exudate of S. sclerotiorum induced the synthesis of phenolic acids (gallic and cinnamic acid) in treated egg plant leaves. Maximum induction of gallic acid was seen in leaves treated with 0.1 % oxalic acid after 96 h, whereas maximum induction of cinnamic acid was observed in leaves treated with undiluted exudate after 48 h. The lesser amount of cinnamic acid synthesis in leaves in presence of mycelia of S. sclerotiorum indicates the operation of some other resistant reactions other than the phenyl propanoid pathway.
Povidone iodine and dextrose solution combination sclerotherapy in chyluria
(2004) P.R. Nandy; U.S. Dwivedi; N. Vyas; M. Prasad; B. Dutta; P.B. Singh
To evaluate the effectiveness of combination (povidone iodine and 50% dextrose) renal pelvic instillation sclerotherapy (RPIS) as a minimally invasive therapy for chyluria resistant to conservative treatment. A total of 50 patients with chyluria and hematochyluria (28 men and 22 women) were included in the study. Initially, all were offered conservative antifilarial drug therapy and dietary fat restriction. Intravenous urography was done in all cases to document normal renal functional status. In the patients in whom chyluria persisted after 3 weeks of conservative therapy, cystoscopic lateralization was done and a 5F open-ended ureteral catheter was positioned under local anesthesia. The same was left attached to a 16F Foley catheter for 3 days of RPIS. A solution of 5 mL of 5% povidone iodine and 5 mL of 50% dextrose was instilled twice a day with the patient in the Trendelenburg position for 3 days. In cases of bilateral efflux, the dominant side was treated first. The opposite side was subjected to a similar instillation sclerotherapy schedule after 6 weeks if chyluria persisted. Of the 50 patients, only 4 responded to conservative therapy. The remaining 46 patients underwent combination RPIS. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Complete remission of chyluria or hematochyluria occurred in 40 (87%) and persisted in 6 patients (13%). Of the 6 patients in whom symptoms persisted, 2 developed chyluria on the side opposite the one treated with RPIS. Another 2 patients developed recurrence on the same side after remaining asymptomatic for 6 months after RPIS. All four of these patients subsequently underwent chylolymphatic disconnection and nephropexy (two open and two laparoscopic) with a successful outcome. The final 2 patients with persistent symptoms were lost to follow-up. Combination sclerotherapy using a 5% povidone iodine and 50% dextrose solution is a safe and cost-effective minimally invasive therapy for chyluria refractory to conservative treatment. © 2004 Elsevier Inc.
Impact of elevated nitrogen inputs on seedling growth of five dry tropical tree species as affected by life-history traits
(2004) Ekta Khurana; J.S. Singh
We examined whether the responses of dry tropical tree seedlings to elevated nitrogen (N) inputs were associated with functional types, and whether the growth traits of seedlings emerging from seeds of different size within a species were differentially affected by increased N inputs. The study comprised five dry tropical tree species: Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth, Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile, Phyllanthus emblica L., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Beddome, and Terminalia chebula Retz. Of these, Albizia procera, Acacia nilotica, and P. emblica are pioneer species. The former two are N-fixing legumes. Terminalia arjuna and T. chebula are nonpioneer, nonleguminous species. Albizia procera, P. emblica, and T. arjuna are fast growing, while the remaining two are slow-growing species. Seedlings of these species from large and small seeds were grown at four N input levels (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg N·ha-1). Height and leaf area were measured periodically. At the end of the experiment (after 4 months) biomass and other growth traits, namely relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, specific leaf area, and root/shoot ratio, were determined. Foliar N and net CO2 assimilation rates were also determined. The species responded differentially (66%-282% increase in biomass) to elevated N supply, but the response was not associated with between-species seed size variation. However, within species, small-seed seedlings exhibited a greater response. The elevated N input resulted in a greater enhancement in relative growth rate of the slow-growing species. The species response did not follow functional types such as pioneer versus nonpioneer, legumes versus nonlegumes, and deciduous versus evergreen, but rather was individualistic.
Impact of fly ash soil amendment on seed germination, growth and yield of Vigna mungo L
(2004) S.B. Agrawal; Anoop Singh; Mohd M. Bhat
Fly ash is a byproduct from thermal power stations and posing a great problem of its disposal and so polluting the environment. In order to find out some solution a field experiment was conducted on Vigna mungo L. Hepper var. PU-19 to determine the effects of fly ash application on growth and yield characteristics. Various rates of fly ash (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) were applied in soil. Results of present investigation showed that fly ash application favoured plant growth. Plant height, number of leaves, branches and number of nodules plant-1 were increased with the application of fly ash up to 25% and thereafter, slight decline in all above parameters was recorded at 30% fly ash application. Harvest index, test weight and total yield were increased with fly ash application. Grain quality was also improved as total protein content was increased significantly by fly ash amendment. © Global Science Publications.
A cute megakaryoblastic leukaemia: A clinico-haematological profile of five cases
(2004) Jyoti Shukla; Sunita Rai; V.P. Singh
Herein we are presenting the clinical, morphological and cytochemical characteristics of five cases of acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (AML-M 7) seen by us over a period of five years (Jan 1996 - Dec 2000). Morphological assessment revealed marked polymorphism of blast cells and platelets both in the peripheral blood and bone marrow smears in all cases. Size of the blast cells ranged from very small to very large multinucleated cells, with variable chromatin pattern and number of nucleoli. More differentiated megakaryocytic cells showing cytoplasmic blebs, protrusions and platelet budding with bizarre platelet morphology were characteristic features suggesting the diagnosis. Cytochemical stains like myeloperoxidase, sudan black and PAS were positive in 5 - 15% of blast cell. Coagulation studies revealed a normal coagulation profile, whereas platelet studies showed marked impairment in aggregation of platelets with ADP and adrenalin with a normal PF-3 availability.
On the ε → 0 limit of the Lippmann-Schwinger-Low states
(2004) V.J. Menon; Ritesh Kumar Dubey
The Lippmann-Schwinger-Low (LSL) quantum scattering states involve a resolvent operator depending on an infinitesimal adiabatic parameter ε. We reexamine the LSL formalism by taking the ε → +0 limit at the end of the analysis (rather than at the outset). It is found that the LSL state vector |ψkL〉 does not coincide with the Schrödinger eigen vector in Hilbert space as a whole, and the pair |ψn L〉, |ψkL〉 is mutually nonorthogonal if the energy En = Ek, n ≠ k. For this purpose we carefully use a new type of projection operator ηk, a novel nonlinear relation among transition amplitudes, and a separable interaction as illustration. © 2004 NRC Canada.
Arsenic exposure alters activity behaviour of key nitrogen assimilatory enzymes in growing rice plants
(2004) Ambuj Bhushan Jha; Rama Shanker Dubey
Rice seedlings when grown in sand cultures for 5-20 days under 25 and 50 μM As2O3 in the medium showed a marked decline in growth when compared to controls. Increased absorption of arsenic from the medium, against the concentration gradient was observed. Greater localization of absorbed arsenic was noted in roots than in shoots. Rice plants grown for 20 days with 50 μmol 1-1 arsenic in the medium accumulated upto 370 μmol arsenic kg-1 dry weight in roots. Increasing levels of As2O3 in situ caused a marked decline in the activities of the nitrate assimilatory enzymes nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR) and glutamine synthetase (GS), whereas an increase in the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases was observed. The activities of animating (NADH-GDH) and deaminating (NAD+-GDH) glutamate dehydrogenases increased at moderately toxic level (25 μM) of As 2O3 whereas a higher As level of 50 7mu;M was inhibitory to the enzymes. Addition of 1 M proline in the reaction medium caused significant restoration in As-led loss of NR and GS activities. NR and GS extracted from arsenic exposed seedlings showed higher Km values compared to the enzymes extracted from control-grown seedlings, whereas GDHs extracted from As-stressed seedlings showed a decrease in Km. Results suggest that inhibition in the activities of N assimilatory enzymes accompanied with decreased affinity of the enzymes towards their substrates would eventually lead to a marked suppression of N assimilation and impaired growth of rice seedlings in As polluted environment. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Leaf tip necrosis: A phenotypic marker associated with resistance to spot blotch disease in wheat
(Crop Science Society of America, 2004) A.K. Joshi; R. Chand; S. Kumar; R.P. Singh
Spot blotch, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem. syn. Drechslera sorokiniana (Sacc.) Subrm and Jain (syn. Helminthosporium sativum, teleomorph Cochliobolus sativus), is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in warmer and humid regions of the world. To date, no morphological marker is known to be associated with resistance to this disease. The purpose of this study was to find out the association of leaf tip necrosis (Ltn) with resistance to spot blotch disease. A total of 1407 spring wheat genotypes that originated from the Indian and CIMMYT wheat breeding programs were evaluated for Ltn and resistance to spot blotch for three seasons (1994-1995, 1995-1996, and 1996-1997) under field conditions. Disease severity was recorded at six growth stages under artificially created epidemics. About 75% of the genotypes showing Ltn (Ltn+) were resistant or moderately resistant, whereas 82% not showing it (Ltn-) were moderately susceptible or susceptible. Mean spot blotch rating of the Ltn+ genotypes was significantly lower than the Ltn- genotypes at all growth stages and the genotype x environment interaction was nonsignificant. To confirm the association of Ltn with resistance, individual F2-derived F3, F4, F5, and F6 progenies from the cross of the 'HUW234' near-isogenic pair for Ltn were evaluated for spot blotch severity. In each generation, the Ltn+ homozygons progenies had significantly less disease than those homozygous Ltn-. These results confirm that leaf tip necrosis is associated with moderate resistance to spot blotch and can be used as a morphological marker to facilitate selection for resistance.
Haemangioma of the mandible
(Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 2004) A. Puneet; R. Khanna; A.K. Khanna; Mohan Kumar
Haemangioma of skeletal system are uncommon and involvement of mandible is quite rare. A mass with occasional bleeding is the common presentation. Diagnosis can be made by radiological finding. Excision is the most effective treatment of the Haemangioma mandible.
Early white matter changes in Wilson disease
(2004) Archana Verma; N.N. Singh; S. Misra
We describe a 12 years old male who presented with one year history of cognitive decline with extrapyramidal features. Wilson disease was diagnosed on basis of biochemical studies and MRI. MRI showed increased signal intensity on T2 weighted images in basal ganglia and supratentorial with infratentorial gray and white matter. Our patient developed white matter changes early in course of disease. © JAPI 2004.
Synthesis of nano-quasicrystalline Al70Ni15Co 15 decagonal phase through high energy ball milling
(2004) T.P. Yadav; N.K. Mukhopadhyay; O.N. Srivastava
In the present investigation we have synthesized the nano-decagonal phase by mechanical milling of a pre-alloyed Al70Co15Ni 15 decagonal phase. The milling was performed at a speed of 400 rpm for 5, 10, 20 and 40 h under a hexane medium with a ball: charge ratio 20:1. The nano-phase constituents were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The stability of the nano-D phase in the milled powder was also investigated under various annealing treatments. After 10 h milling, the evolution of the nano-decagonal phase was observed. This nano-phase was found to be stable up to 40 h of milling. The milled powder after 40 h of milling confirms the existence of a nano-decagonal phase. The particle size of the milled powder was ∼10-15 nm. An isothermal heat treatment of the milled sample at 500 °C for 10 h still shows the existence of the nano-decagonal phase, although a coarsening of the nano-domain has been observed. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Sex steroids reduce DNaseI accessibility of androgen receptor promoter in adult male mice brain
(2004) R.C. Kumar; M.K. Thakur
We have previously reported that androgen receptor (AR) expression is inversely correlated to its promoter methylation and is regulated by sex steroids. As chromatin structure plays an important role in transcriptional regulation, the effect of sex steroids on DNaseI accessibility of chromatin of AR promoter was examined in the brain cortex of adult and old mice of both sexes. Nuclei were digested with different concentrations of DNaseI and the extracted DNA was further cleaved by PstI and analyzed by Southern hybridization with DIG-labeled 695-bp AR promoter. With 50 U DNaseI, the intensity of PstI-specific 1.45-kb band was lower in intact female as compared to male groups, suggesting increased nuclease accessibility in female than male. Although gonadectomy increased DNaseI accessibility remarkably in male and female of both ages, testosterone decreased the accessibility in adult but increased in old male. Estradiol, on the other hand, decreased DNaseI accessibility in both adult male and old female but increased in old male and adult female. Thus, these findings suggest that the chromatin conformation of AR promoter varies with age and sex and its accessibility to DNaseI is reduced by testosterone and estradiol in the brain cortex of adult male mice. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Estrogen receptor α expression in mice kidney shows sex differences during aging
(2004) P.K. Sharma; M.K. Thakur
We have used semi quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting for the analysis of expression of estrogen receptor (ER) α and β mRNA and protein in the kidney of adult and old mice of both sexes. Uterus, a well-known target for estrogen action, was used for comparison. As compared to adult, the expression of both ER α mRNA and protein of old mice decreased in male but increased in female. However, unlike uterus, neither ERβ mRNA nor protein could be detected in the kidney of adult or old mice. Thus the present data reveal that the expression of ERα in mice kidney shows sex differences during aging. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Local plant species depletion in a tropical dry deciduous forest of northern India
(2004) R. Sagar; J.S. Singh
The dry tropical ecosystems are among the world's most threatened, and the dry deciduous forest of northern India is being progressively converted to scrub, savannah and grasslands through industrialization, agriculture, fuelwood collection, lopping of trees for fodder and severe grazing/browsing. This habitat destruction threatens the survival of many species. This study examined the demographic instability of tree species in 3-ha permanent plots: at five sites differing in the degree of disturbance. Based on the proportion of seedlings of a species in its total population (seedling + sapling + adults), about 52% of the total 65 species exhibited local demographic instability, and at one or more sites a single individual represented 10 species. The increase in the proportion of declining species with increase in disturbance intensity indicated that local anthropogenic pressure is responsible for the depletion. Apart from stronger protection measures, it is necessary to encourage fuelwood plantations, develop village pastures and reduce livestock numbers.