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The present study is aimed at investigating the role of growth irradiance in determining the extent of mercury (Hg) toxicity on various physiological parameters viz. growth, pigment contents, photosynthesis, respiration, (14)CO(2) fixation, photosynthetic electron transport, photorespiration and enzyme activity of cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum. A general decline was observed in all these parameters with increasing concentration of Hg except for carotenoids content and respiratory activity which exhibited significant enhancement. This effect was more pronounced in high light (130 μmol photon m(-2) s(-1)) exposed cells as compared to normal (70 μmol photon m(-2) s(-1)) and low (10 μmol photon m(-2) s(-1)) light exposed cells. Among the photosynthetic electron transport activities, whole chain was found to be more sensitive than photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI). (14)CO(2) fixation was more affected as compared to O(2) evolution when exposed to Hg and different light intensities. Photorespiratory activity, which is an index of protecting organisms from light-induced damage, also showed a similar declining trend. Enzyme assay revealed that among the carboxylating enzymes, activity of RUBISCO was more severely inhibited than PEPCase. Thus, these results suggest that Hg itself was toxic at all tested concentrations and high light intensity augmented its toxicity in N. muscorum inhibiting the growth, pigment contents and photosynthetic activity of the organism.

Enhanced level of UV-B radiation and heavy metals in irrigated soils due to anthropogenic activities are deteriorating the environmental conditions necessary for growth and development of plants. The present study was undertaken to study the individual and interactive effects of heavy metal nickel (NiCl(2)·6H(2)O; 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mM) and UV-B exposure (0.4 W m(-2); 45 min corresponds to 1.08 KJ m(-2)) on growth performance and photosynthetic activity of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings. Ni treatment at high doses (0.1 and 1.0 mM Ni) and UV-B alone reduced chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity (oxygen yield, carbon fixation, photorespiration, and PSI, PSII, and whole chain electron transport activities), and declining trends continued with combined doses. In contrast to this, Ni at 0.01 mM appeared to be stimulatory for photosynthetic pigments and photosynthetic activity, thereby enhanced biomass was observed at this concentration. However, combined dose (UV-B + 0.01 mM Ni) caused inhibitory effects. Carotenoids showed different responses to each stress. Nickel at high doses strongly inhibited PSII activity and the inhibition was further intensified when chloroplasts were simultaneously exposed to UV-B radiation. PSI activity appeared to be more resistant to each stress. High doses of Ni (0.1 and 1.0 mM) and UV-B alone interrupted electron flow at the oxygen evolving complex. Similar damaging effects were caused by 0.01 and 0.1 mM Ni together with UV-B, but the damage extended to PSII reaction center in case of 1.0 mM Ni in combination with UV-B. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that low dose of Ni stimulated the growth performance of pea seedlings in contrast to its inhibitory role at high doses. However, UV-B alone and together with low as well as high doses of Ni proved to be toxic for P. sativum L.

The present study investigated the neuroprotective effect of curcuminoids, the active polyphenols of Curcuma longa (L.) rhizomes against inflammation-mediated dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Male C57BL/6 mice were pre-treated with curcuminoids (150 mg/kg/day) for 1 week, followed by four intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injections of MPTP (20 mg/kg) at 2 h intervals with further administration of curcuminoids or deprenyl (3 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Our results show that oral administration of curcuminoids significantly prevented MPTP-mediated depletion of dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity. In-addition, pre-treatment with curcuminoids reversed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression, as well as, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine and total nitrite generation in the striatum of MPTP-intoxicated mice. Significant improvement in motor performance and gross behavioural activity, as determined by rota-rod and open field tests were also observed. Taken together, our findings suggest that curcuminoids exert a neuroprotective effect against MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration through its anti-inflammatory action and thus holds immense potential as a therapeutic candidate for the prevention and management of PD.

Bacopa monnieri (L.), popularly known as Brahmi, is a revered Ayurvedic medicinal plant used as nerve tonic since time immemorial. The present study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of bacosides, the active saponins of Bacopa monnieri (L.) against age associated neurodegeneration and its impact over the prevention of Senile Dementia of Alzheimer's Type (SDAT). The optimum dose of bacosides with no adverse effect was selected by screening its dose dependant activity on ageing biomarker lipofuscin and SDAT biomarker neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the aged female Wistar rat brain. The selected therapeutic dose of bacosides (200 mg/kg) was orally administered for 3 months in middle aged and aged rats and further investigated for its protective action against age associated alterations in neurotransmission system, behavioral paradigms, hippocampal neuronal loss and oxidative stress markers. The results of the present study suggest that bacosides may act as a potential therapeutic intervention in forestalling the deleterious effects of ageing and preventing the age associated pathologies like SDAT.

Adsorption of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) onto hydrogen terminated, n-type silicon-on-insulator is shown to cause significant depletion of majority carriers. Employing an ambient pseudo-MOSFET, ppm levels of TCNE vapour rapidly decrease the n-channel saturation current by at least two orders of magnitude. Covalent passivation with a decyl monolayer improves the reversibility of the response while only slightly decreasing the sensitivity., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Shilajit is a multi-component natural occurring mineral substance used in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine which originated in India. Its source can be traced to the mountainous regions, where the hilly tribes first identified its beneficial use. Shilajit is aptly referred to as 'rasayana'/'rasayanam' in Ayurveda and Siddha literature which means rejuvenator because it prevents ailment and enhances the quality of life., Materials and Methods: An attempt has been put forth to review shilajit pertaining to its origin, synonyms, varieties, physical properties, chemical constituents, therapeutic properties and important biological properties to affirm its rasayana property. All relevant information on shilajit was collected from classical texts including pharmacopoeias, formularies, etc. Moreover, select doctoral thesis from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar were also scanned. Published papers on shilajit were collected from important databases for biomedical sciences. Amongst, the various biological properties of shilajit, antioxidant activity and immuno-modulatory activity were focused as it is closely related to its rasayana potential., Results: This review finds that shilajit is used in twenty Sastric formulations and twenty-four proprietary drugs for extraneous indications. Even-though, there is a long history of use of shilajit in traditional Indian materia medica, shilajit unfortunately lacks scientific evaluation and systematic documentation. In vivo antioxidant activity of shilajit has been studied at an irrelevant dose and without using a positive control. The immuno-modulatory activity does not stand the test of critical assessment and currently may be considered as unproven., Conclusion: Based on the earlier studies, the bioactivity of shilajit lacks substantial evidence. Nevertheless, further studies are imperative to overcome the lacuna in establishing the antioxidant property of shilajit and more specific assays are needed to vouch shilajit as an immuno-modulator which may be of use to establish its rasayana potential., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tissue engineering scaffolds provide the three-dimensional (3-D) geometry and mechanical framework required for regulating cell behavior and facilitating tissue maturation. Unfortunately, most synthetic scaffolds lack the biological recognition motifs required for seeded cell interaction. In order to impart this recognition, synthetic scaffolds should possess appropriate biological functionality. Here, for the first time, we present a comprehensive study of fibronectin (FN) conjugation onto highly porous 3-D poly(carbonate) urethane scaffolds through grafted poly(acrylic acid) spacers on the urethane backbone. Scanning electron microscopy was used to ensure that the porous structures of the scaffolds were preserved throughout the multiple conjugation steps, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor the reaction progress. Toluidine blue staining revealed that increasing acrylic acid concentration and grafting time increased the number of poly(acrylic acid) groups incorporated. High resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of the scaffolds demonstrated an increase in nitrogen and sulfur due to FN conjugation. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies showed an even distribution of conjugated FN on the 3-D scaffolds. Cell culture studies using human coronary artery smooth muscle cells demonstrated that FN-conjugated scaffolds had improved cell attachment and infiltration depth compared with scaffolds without FN conjugation and with those scaffolds on which FN was merely adsorbed., (Copyright © 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and potentially fatal disease which presents with symptoms of heart failure primarily due to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in the last month of pregnancy and up to 5-6 months after delivery. PPCM is still regarded as a disease of unknown aetiology, although recent evidence suggests a role for a 16 kDa prolactin derivative produced by proteolytic cleavage of prolactin secondary to unbalanced oxidative stress present during late pregnancy and early puerperium. The medical management of PPCM is similar to other forms of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, but with the management tailored to choose safe drugs in pregnancy and lactation to minimise maternal and fetal morbidity. There is an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, and anticoagulation is recommended. About 30-50% of the patients recover without complications, with their baseline LV systolic function at rest returning to normal. The risk of recurrence of PPCM is high, especially if the LV systolic function has not fully recovered. However, for those women who have normal LV systolic function as demonstrated on echocardiography and dobutamine stress test, the risk of severe cardiomyopathy including death is relatively low in a subsequent pregnancy.

The adsorption of a range of molecular species (water, pyridine, and ammonia) is found to reversibly modulate the conductivity of hydrogen-terminated silicon-on-insulator (H-SOI) substrates. Simultaneous sheet-resistance and Hall-effect measurements on moderately doped (10(15) cm(-3)) n- and p-type H-SOI samples mounted in a vacuum system are used to monitor the effect of gas exposure in the Torr range on the electrical-transport properties of these substrates. Reversible physisorption of "hole-trapping" species, such as pyridine (C(5)H(5)N) and ammonia (NH(3)) produces highly conductive minority-carrier channels (inversion) on p-type substrates, mimicking the action of a metallic gate in a field-effect transistor. The adsorption of these same molecules on n-type SOI induces strong electron-accumulation layers. Minority/majority channels are also formed upon controlled exposure to water vapor. These observations can be explained by a classical band-bending model, which considers the adsorbates as the source of a uniform surface charge ranging from +10(11) to +10(12)q cm(-2). These results demonstrate the utility of DC transport measurements of SOI platforms for studies of molecular adsorption and charge-transfer effects at semiconductor surfaces.

A novel humidity sensor made up of nano-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) film, coated onto the U-shaped typical glass substrate as a wave guide, conjugated with an optical fiber and He-Ne un-polarized laser source. The nano-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized using single molecular precursor method. The resulting material was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the thin film, ZnO particles exhibited the wurtzite phase structure with the particle size in a diameter range of 70-80 nm. The humidity sensing characteristic has been estimated by measuring the optical permeability (OP) as a function of percentage relative humidity (%RH) in the ranging from 5 to 90 inside a closed chamber. The OP decreases linearly with increase in %RH with a respond time of about 30 and recovery time of 35s. The sensor exhibits the sensitivity of 0.45 in the %RH range 5-50 and 0.30 from 50 to 90.

Histone deacetylases interact with nucleosomes to facilitate the formation of transcriptionally repressed chromatin. In the present study, we show that histone deacetylase 1 (hdac-1) is expressed throughout embryonic development of the zebrafish. The expression of hdac-1 is ubiquitous in early embryos (2-16 hr postfertilization), but at later stages (36 and 48 hr postfertilization), it is primarily restricted to the branchial arches, fin bud mesenchyme, and hindbrain. We report the phenotypes of hdac-1 homozygous mutant embryos and embryos injected with an hdac-1 antisense morpholino. These embryos possess a complex phenotype affecting several embryonic structures. We observed developmental abnormalities in the heart and neural epithelial structures, including the retina and the loss of craniofacial cartilage and pectoral fins., ((c) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The management of ADHD poses a great problem before the psychologists, psychiatrists and different behavioural scientists. The multi-model approach, combining pharmacologic with different non-pharmacologic interventions, is more effective than any form of therapy. In the present study the theta feedback, a non-pharmacologic technique, has shown beneficial role among the low medicated ADHD cases. The present study also signifies the role of multi-model intervention in the management of ADHD.

A variety of rist factors have been suspected for causing the coronary heart disease. 406 cases of both sex groups with age range of 35 to 55 years were selected from three distinct localities of varanasi city. Individuals who reported single or more risk factors of CHD were isolated from the population of the particular areas. After a detailed preliminary screening of the subjects various physical, physiological, psychological and biochemical measurements were carried out. Other basis of initial findings, the cases who sowed abnormal lipid profile with dominant psychological involvement were given the organic extract of Inula racemosa (Pushkarmool), commiphora mukul (Guggulu), centella asiatica (Mandukaparni) and Hypericum perforatum (Basant in prescribed doses continuously for 6 moths. Correction in the lipid profile including triglycerides, blood pressure and the psychological factors like anxiety and depression to a significant level following least drugs treatment indicated the cardioprotective and therapeutic effects of the present formulation.Hence, by modifying the coronary risk factors, the incidence of CD can be minimized to a great extent as well as the test formulation may also be advocated in the prevention and management of CHD.

Bacopa monniera, Linn. (Brahmi: Scrophulariaceae) an Ayurvedic medicine is clinically used for memory enhancing, epilepsy, insomnia and as mild sedative. For the first time the effect of alcohol and hexane fraction of Brahmi has been studied on FeSO4 and cumene hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation. Alcohol fraction showed greater protection with both inducers. Results were compared with known antioxidants tris, EDTA and a natural-antioxidant vitamin E. The effect of Brahmi was also examined on hepatic glutathione content. The mechanism of action could be through metal chelation at the initiation level and also as chain breaker. The results suggested that Brahmi is a potent antioxidant. The response of Brahmi was dose dependent. Tris, an hydroxyl trapper did not show any protection in comparison to Brahmi where as EDTA and vitamin E did protect against FeSO4. In experimental conditions 100 micrograms Brahmi extract (alcoholic) was equivalent to 247 micrograms of EDTA (0.66 microM) and 58 micrograms of vitamin E. Interestingly Brahmi only slightly protected the autooxidation and FeSO4 induced oxidation of reduced glutathione on lower doses 100 micrograms/ml and below, but on higher concentrations it enhanced the rate of oxidation.

The present study examined the effects of caffeine on the estimation of felt width of blocks employing haptic presentation. Following a between-subject design, 160 male postgraduate students classified as high or low impulsives received either placebo or one of four doses of caffeine citrate (1, 2, 3 and 4 mg/kg body weight). A double-blind procedure was adopted for drug administration. Caffeine produced differential effects on the performance of high and low impulsives, facilitated performance (decreased error in perceptual judgment) in high impulsives but had no influence on the performance of low impulsives. The dose-response trends also followed different patterns in the two groups of subjects.

An experimental, placebo-controlled study with rabbits was conducted to determine the role of Abana, an Ayurvedic preparation, on atherosclerosis. The results showed that Abana arrested the rise in TC, LDLc and VLDLc when administered along with an atherogenic diet for 60 days. In another phase of the study, when Abana was given from days 60-120 to rabbits who were made hyperlipidemic by feeding them an atherogenic diet for 60 days, Abana brought the TC, LDLc and VLDLc levels back to normal. On the other hand, the levels of the cardioprotective HDLc were elevated by Abana administration in both phases of the study. Histological pictures showed pronounced reduction in the atherosclerotic involvement of the coronary artery following treatment with Abana. The architecture of the coronary artery returned almost to normal. These findings substantiate the possible role of Abana in the reduction, prevention and reversal of atherosclerosis.

Circulating levels of T3, T4, gamma-amino-butyric acid, glutamate, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, monoamine oxidase and histaminase were studied in 45 (25M, 20F) hyperthyroid patients and 46 (25M, 21F) normal healthy volunteers. Increased levels of blood 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and glutamic acid were observed along with elevated T3 and T4, whereas plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid, monoamine oxidase and histaminase activities were found to be low in both male and female patients. After three months of treatment, circulating levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and glutamic acid decreased significantly along with normalization of thyroid hormones and with an increase in the concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid, monoamine oxidase and histaminase. There was a positive correlation between these amines and thyroid hormone levels. The findings thus suggest that alterations in the metabolism of biogenic amines may be related to an altered metabolism in thyrotoxicosis, and these parameters may prove to be useful markers for diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.

In the recent past, several herbal drugs have proved their efficacy in decreasing anxiety and tension. Until recently, limited scientific study has been done to prove the clinical importance of these herbal drugs. Geriforte is an indigenous compound commonly advocated for arresting the aging process. This remedy has also been found beneficial in reducing anxiety and stress.-34 diagnosed cases of anxiety neurosis and 24 apparently normal individuals were selected for the present study. After 12 weeks of drug therapy a significant reduction in 5-HT levels was observed. Circulating MAO and GABA showed an increasing trend along with decreased glutamic acid levels after treatment, in the neurotic anxiety cases. Psychological complaints considerably decreased after 12 weeks of therapy. Since Geriforte regulates the altered circulating biogenic amines, this remedy can be advocated as an adjunctive therapy in the management of stress disorders.

This paper presents a review of 123 cases of leprosy of different clinical types as regards to their status of cellular immunity. These 123 cases included 41 fresh cases, 18 cases of reaction and 64 cases of leprosy taking antileprosy treatment. Out of 41 untreated cases only 11 turned up for follow up and their lymphoblastic transformation was repeated 4 to 6 months after initiating the treatment. It was observed that cell mediated immunity as expressed in terms of percentage of blast cells is definitely depressed in leprosy, most in LL and least in TT. There is a definite increase in the percentage of blast cells after taking antileprosy treatment. The rise in percentage of blast cells and hence cellular immunity is relatively more in patients treated with Lamprene as compared to those treated with DDS. Reactions also have impact over immunity in leprosy. Thus, most of the patients with ENL show higher values for blast percentage as compared to those with lepra reaction. It appears that serial lymphocyte cultures if done in all cases of leprosy undergoing treatment will help in assessment of individual progress.

We have carried out a very long (300 ps) molecular dynamics simulation of the protein myoglobin. This trajectory is approximately three times longer than the longest previous molecular dynamics simulation of a protein, and ten times longer than protein simulations of comparable size (1,423 atoms in our model). Here we report results from this long simulation concerning the average structure, the mean square fluctuations of atoms about the average structure, and the nuclear magnetic resonance order parameters for various groups in myoglobin. The results demonstrate that the average coordinates change very slowly during the simulation. The relative atomic mobilities are well described by the simulation. For both the mean square atomic fluctuations and the order parameters, however, there are significant quantitative differences when values calculated using shorter portions of the trajectory are compared with results obtained for the entire 300-ps simulation. The implications of this result for obtaining converged properties from protein molecular dynamics simulations for comparison with experiment are discussed.

This paper presents a study of 100 cases of leprosy of different clinical types. These 100 cases included 26 TT, 3 BT, 7 BB, 2 BL and 62 LL. All were subjected to skin biopsy and were classified on the basis of histopathological changes. It was observed that there was some disagreement in clinical and histopathological classification. Thus histopathologically there were 20 TT, 9 BT, 7 BB, 6 BL and 58 LL. It appears that skin biopsy may be studied in all cases of leprosy. A combination of clinical features and histological changes in skin biopsy may help in better classification of leprosy.

In the present study, 51 apparently normal volunteers and 34 clinically established coronary heart disease cases were studied. 21 out of 51 normal, and 16 out 34 coronary heart disease cases were cigarette smokers. The cases were divided in two age groups--20 to 40 years, the younger age group and 41 to 60 years, the older age group. Total serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of all the cases were determined. The ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in all the smoking normal and coronary heart disease smokers. Hence, the higher levels of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio appears to be one of the important parameters to ascertain the development of coronary heart disease in cigarette smokers.