Showing papers by "Banaras Hindu University published in 1999"

Antioxidant activity of active tannoid principles of Emblica officinalis (amla).

Abstract: The antioxidant activity of tannoid active principles of £. oJJicinalis consisti ng of emblicanin A (37%), emblicanin B (33%). punigluconin ( 12%) and pedunculagin ( 14%), was investigated on th e basis of th eir effects on rat brain fron tal corti cal and striatal concentrat io ns of the oxid ati ve free radical scavenging enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and g lutathione perox id ase (GPX), and lip id peroxidation, in te rm s of thiobarbituric acid-reactive products. T he results were' compared with effects induced by depreny l, a selective monoamine oxid ase (MAO) B inhibit or with well documented antiox id ant activity. T he active tannoids of E. oJJicinalis (EaT), administered in th e doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. i.p .. and deprenyl (2 mg/kg, i.p.), induced an increase in both frontal cort ical and striatal SOD, CAT and GPX ac ti vit y, with concomit ant decrease in lipid peroxidation in these brain areas when administered o nce da il y for 7 days. Acute s in gle administrati on of EaT and deprenyl had in s ignificant effects. The result s a lso i di cate that th e an tioxidant acti vit y of £. ojJicinalis may reside in the tan noids of the fruit s o f th e plant, which have vita min C- li ke properties. rather th an vitamin C it self. Embli ca officinalis Gaertn., kn own as amla, a member of a small gen us Emblica (family Euphorbiaceae), is extensively found a ll over India, as well as Sri lanka, Malaya, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The fruits of th e plant have been used in Ayurv eda as a potent rasayana l ,2. The rasayanas are used to promote health a nd longevity by increasing defence against disease, arresti ng the ag in g process and revit a li z in g the body in debilitated conditions 2 • T he c lini cal efficacy of the fruits of E. officinalis are he ld in hi gh esteem in Ayurveda and amla is referred to as a maha;asayana 2 • The fruits form th e maj or constitu ent of Chyavanprash awaleha, a poly herbal Ayurvedic rasayana preparation described in Charaka Samhita.l. This preparati on is widely Ll sed in thi s country for its preventive, curative and health restorative pro pe rti es. Ex perimenta l stud ies conducted with extracts of the fruit s of E. oflicinalis indicate that they have s ignifi cant cytoprotective effect against isoprena lin e-induced myocardial lI1Ju ry, radiation induced chromosomal damage and heavy metal induced hepatoxicity and nephrotoxic it/. C linical studies suggest that the fruits have anabol ic activit/. Experimenta l in vestigations on Chyavanprash have s hown th at it exhibits s ignificant adaptogenic,

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin and its derivatives with pyrimidine

Abstract: Isatin and its derivatives have been reacted with 4-(4′-chlorophenyl)-6-(4″-methyl phenyl)-2-aminopyrimidine to form Schiff bases and the N-Mannich bases of these compounds were synthesized by reacting them with formaldehyde and several secondary amines. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of the compounds was made by the agar dilution method against 28 pathogenic bacteria, eight pathogenic fungi and anti-HIV activity against replication of HIV-1 (III B) in MT-4 cells. The compounds are significantly active against bacteria and fungi.

Heavy‐metal‐induced proline accumulation and its role in ameliorating metal toxicity in Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract: Exposure of Chlorella vulgaris to elevated concentrations of copper, chromium, nickel and zinc led to intracellular accumulation of high concentrations of these metals. Concomitantly, accumulation of free proline occurred, depending on the concentration of metals in the external medium or in the cell. The greater the toxicity or accumulation of a metal, the greater the amount of intracellular proline in algal cells. However, higher concentrations of copper and chromium were inhibitory to proline accumulation by the test organism. The accumulation of proline was triggered within a few hours of metal treatment. Test metals also induced lipid peroxidation; copper was the most efficient inducer whereas zinc was the least. Pretreatment of C. vulgaris with proline counteracted metal-induced lipid peroxidation and potassium ion efflux. Thus the present work shows a protective effect of proline on metal toxicity through inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Sexual behaviors and reproductive health outcomes: associations with wife abuse in India.

Abstract: ContextWife abuse has been associated with a variety of health concerns. Associations between abuse and reproductive health in India are not well known.ObjectiveTo examine relationships between men's reports of wife abuse and reproductive health issues in northern India.DesignStructured face-to-face interviews were conducted as part of the male reproductive health supplement of the PERFORM System of Indicators Survey, a systematic multistage survey conducted in 1995-1996.SettingThe northern state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the least developed states in India.ParticipantsA total of 6632 married men aged 15 to 65 years who lived with their wives and completed all survey questions for the study variables reported here.Main MeasuresPhysically and sexually abusive behaviors toward wives, sexual activities outside marriage, sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms, contraception use, unplanned pregnancies, and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsFifty-four percent of men reported not abusing their wives, while 17% reported physically but not sexually abusing their wives, 22% reported sexual abuse without physical force, and 7% reported sexual abuse with physical force. Abuse was more common among men who had extramarital sex (for sexual abuse using force: odds ratio [OR], 6.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.98-9.72). Similarly, men who had STD symptoms were more likely to abuse their wives (with current symptoms: OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.73-3.42). Unplanned pregnancies were significantly more common among wives of abusive men, especially sexually abusive men who used force (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.91-3.60).ConclusionsWife abuse appears to be fairly common in northern India. Our findings that abusive men were more likely to engage in extramarital sex and have STD symptoms suggest that these men may be acquiring STDs from their extramarital relationships, thereby placing their wives at risk for STD acquisition, sometimes via sexual abuse. These abusive sexual behaviors also may result in an elevated rate of unplanned pregnancies.

Colour Removal from Dye Wastewater Using Sugar Cane Dust as an Adsorbent

Abstract: Decolouration of dilute solutions of basic dye stuff was carried out using sugar cane dust as an adsorbent. It was found that low adsorbate concentration, small particle size of the adsorbent, a te...

Methane flux from irrigated rice fields in relation to crop growth and N-fertilization

Abstract: The effects of N-fertilization on rice plant growth (number of tillers, shoot and root biomass, root volume and porosity, grain yield) and their relationship with methane flux was investigated in three irrigated varieties of Oryza sativa L. (Sarju-52, Malviya-36 and Pant Dhan-4). The study design consisted of (a) control (unfertilized) vegetated, (b) fertilized vegetated, (c) control (unfertilized) bare, and (d) fertilized bare plots; laid down in a completely randomized block design in triplicate. Urea was applied in (b) and (d) in three split doses at a rate of 40, 30 and 30 kg N ha−1 at the time of transplanting, active tillering and grain filling stages of crop. The field was submerged before transplanting and the water depth ranged from 6.7 to 23.9 cm in response to rainfall. Every 10 d, crop growth and CH4 flux were measured from d 9 to 115 after rice transplanting. Sarju-52 and Pant Dhan-4 were similar in phenological stages but different than Malviya-36. Results showed that there were significant differences in all the growth variables measured for all the rice varieties due to growth period and fertilization. Variety×treatment, variety×growth period and treatment×growth period interactions were significant for all growth variables. Maximum CH4 flux from control (vegetated) plots was observed at the flowering stage (65 d after transplanting in Sarju-52 and Pant Dhan-4 and 76 d after transplanting in Malviya-36) and ranged from 10.79 to 14.20 mg m−2 h−1. In vegetated fertilized plots, maximum CH4 emission was observed 10 d later than in the vegetated control plots and ranged from 14.43 to 20.20 mg m−2 h−1. These values were from 7- to 12.3-fold higher than bare (unfertilized) plots. All growth variables, except mean shoot and root biomass, showed strong positive relationships with seasonal CH4 emission. It was concluded that the CH4 source strength was dependent on the rice variety under cultivation, its phenology, growth variables and soil fertilization.

Salinity Induces Accumulation of Soluble Sugars and Alters the Activity of Sugar Metabolising Enzymes in Rice Plants

Abstract: Changes in the starch and sucrose contents, and the sucrose phosphate synthase, acid invertase, and starch phosphorylase activities were studied in the seedlings of salt sensitive and salt tolerant rice cultivars growing under two NaCl concentrations (7 and 14 dS m-1) for 20 d. Under salinity, the starch content in roots declined more in salt sensitive cvs. Ratna and Jaya than in salt tolerant cvs. CSR-1 and CSR-3 and was unchanged in shoots. The contents of reducing and non-reducing sugars, and the activity of sucrose phosphate synthase was increased more in the sensitive than in the tolerant cultivars. Acid invertase activity decreased in shoots of the salt tolerant cultivars, whereas increased in salt sensitive cultivars. Starch phosphorylase activity decreased in all cultivars.

Design, development, and biopharmaceutical properties of buccoadhesive compacts of pentazocine.

Abstract: Buccoadhesive compacts (BCs) of pentazocine (PZ) were prepared by the direct compression method using polymers like carbopol 974P (CP 974P) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M) in ratios of 1:0 (batch B1), 1:1 (B2), 1:2 (B3), 1:4 (B4), and 0:1 (B5). The compacts were evaluated for thickness uniformity, weight variation, drug content uniformity, and swelling index. Swelling was increased with an increase in HPMC K4M content in the compacts. An in vitro assembly was developed to measure and compare the bioadhesive strength of compacts. The maximum bioadhesive strength was observed in compacts formulated with a combination of CP 974P and HPMC K4M. The compacts were evaluated in vitro for 24 hr in pH 6.6 phosphate buffer using a standardized dissolution apparatus. The data were evaluated by a simple power equation (Mt/M infinity = Ktn); it was observed that all the compacts followed non-Fickian release kinetics. Some of the buccoadhesive compacts were evaluated in vivo in rabbits. The compacts gave controlled blood level profiles with a twofold to threefold increase in area-under-the-curve (AUC) values in comparison to oral administration of aqueous drug solution.

Litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient release patterns in four native tree species raised on coal mine spoil at Singrauli, India

Abstract: Litterfall, leaf litter decomposition and N and P release were studied in four tree species (Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Pongamia pinnata and Shorea robusta) planted on a mine spoil habitat. Annual litterfall varied from 1220 kg ha–1 in the S. robusta stand to 3620 kg ha–1 in the A. indica stand. The fast-growing species A. indica and D. sissoo exhibited higher litter production in comparison to the other two slow-growing species. The total N returned to the soil through litterfall ranged from 8.6 kg ha–1 year–1 in the S. robusta stand to 36.5 kg ha–1 year–1 in the D. sissoo stand. The annual percent leaf litter mass loss was distinctly greater in A. indica (73%) and D. sissoo (69%) in comparison to P. pinatta (59%) and S. robusta (47%). The mean relative decomposition rates of leaf litter material were maximum in the rainy season and minimum in summer. Rainfall and its associated variables exhibited greater control over litter docomposition than temperature. Lignin and water-soluble compounds were better predictors of annual mass loss rates accounting for 90% variability. Mass loss was positively correlated with N and P mineralization rates. Lignin was the best predictor of annual N and P mineralization rates. Nutrient release pattern differed; constant release occurred in A. indica, initial release followed by delayed immobilization and release occurred in D. sissoo and P. pinnata, and initial immobilization followed by gradual release was noticed in S. robusta. A. indica and D. sissoo, showing high litterfall and rapid litter decomposition rate, hold promise for the rehabilitation of nutrient-poor coal mine spoils. On the other hand, S. robusta with less litterfall and a slow decomposition rate may prove disadvantageous.

Effect of prior cold work on mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and microstructure of aged Cu-Ti alloys

Abstract: The mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and microstructure of Cu-2.7wt%Ti and Cu-5.4wt%Ti alloys have been studied in different conditions employing hardness and resistivity measurements, tensile tests and optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ageing of undeformed as well as cold worked alloys raises their hardness, strength and electrical conductivity. The hardness increased from 120 VHN for solution treated Cu-2.7Ti to 455 VHN for ST + cold worked + peak aged Cu-5.4Ti alloy. While tensile stength increased from 430 to 1450 MPa, the ductility (elongation) decreased from 36 to 1.5%. A maximum conductivity of 25% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) for Cu-2.7Ti and 14.5% IACS for Cu-5.4Ti is obtained with the present treatments. Peak strength was obtained when the solution treated alloys are aged at 450°C for 16 hours due to precipitation of ordered, metastable and coherent β′, Cu4Ti phase having body centred tetragonal (bct) structure. While mechanical properties of Cu-Ti alloys are comparable, electrical conductivity is less than that of commercial Cu-Be-Co alloys.

Generality and specificity of emotion-recognition deficit in schizophrenic patients with positive and negative symptoms

Abstract: Schizophrenic patients with positive and negative symptoms, as well as non-patient control subjects, were asked to recognize emotional stimuli of happy, sad, and neutral facial expressions. Dependent measures were the percentage of correct responses, and the incorrect use of an emotion category owing to false recognition. Schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms exhibited a generalized emotion-recognition deficit, and their use of emotion categories during false recognition was random. Schizophrenic patients with positive symptoms showed a deficit in their recognition of ‘sad’ emotion and were ‘positively biased’ to the category ‘happy’ as reflected by its most frequent usage during false recognition.

On the variation of mechanical properties with solute content in Cu–Ti alloys

Abstract: The variation of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Cu–Ti alloys of four compositions, viz. Cu–1.5 wt%Ti, Cu–2.7 wt%Ti, Cu–4.5 wt%Ti, and Cu–5.4 wt%Ti, have been studied in solution treated (ST), solution treated+peak aged (ST+PA), and solution treated+cold worked+peak aged (ST+CW+PA) conditions. In the ST condition, Ti is found to be a potential solid solution strengthener of copper showing greater effect than other elements like Zn, Ni, Al, Si, Be, and Sn. Solid solution strengthening in Cu–Ti alloys is attributed to the interaction of titanium atoms with screw dislocations and the effective interaction is more due to modulus mismatch than size misfit. Further, a marked change in the linear variation of tensile strength and elongation with Ti content is observed at about 4.0 wt%Ti beyond which, tensile strength increases sharply while elongation decreases further, which is attributed to fine scale precipitation formed during quenching of Cu–4.5 Ti and Cu–5.4 Ti alloys. On the other hand, hardness and tensile properties increase linearly up to 5.4 wt%Ti in the peak aged condition with or without prior cold work, due to uniform precipitation of Cu 4 Ti, β l phase in all the four alloys. The increase in yield and tensile strengths due to solid solution strengthening, cold work, and precipitation have been determined quantitatively in ST+CW+PA alloys. While electrical conductivity is less, the mechanical properties of Cu–Ti alloys are comparable with those of commercial Cu–Be alloys.

A new glucose sensor based on encapsulated glucose oxidase within organically modified sol–gel glass

Abstract: A non-mediated glucose biosensor is reported based on encapsulated glucose oxidase (GOD) within the composite sol–gel glass, which is prepared using optimum concentrations of 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane, 2-(3, 4-epoxycyclohexyl)-ethyltrimethoxy silane, GOD dissolved in double distilled water and HCl. A white, smooth film of sol–gel glass with controlled thickness is also prepared at the surface of a Pt disk electrode without GOD to study the electrochemistry of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid at the surface of the modified electrode. The electrochemistry of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid at composite sol–gel glass electrode with varying thickness is reported. The GOD-immobilized film over the Pt disk surface shows a yellow colour. The new sol–gel glass in the absence and the presence of GOD is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The enzyme-immobilized film of different thickness is made using varying concentrations of soluble sol–gel components applied to the well of the Pt disk electrode. The enzyme is cross-lined with the 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, one of the composite component of sol–gel glass using glyoxal at 4°C for 4 h. The response of non-mediated enzyme sensor is studied based on cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurements. A typical amperometric response of the enzyme sensor having varying thickness of the modified sol–gel glass film is reported. The variation of the response time as a function of the film thickness is reported. The stability of cross-linked GOD to sol–gel glass is found to be more than a month without loss of enzymatic activity when the enzyme sensor is stored at 4°C.

Synthesis and screening for anti-HIV activity of some N-Mannich bases of isatin derivatives.

Abstract: The effect of about 12 new compounds of Mannich bases of isatin against HIV-1 (IIIB) and HIV-2 (ROD) strains in MT 4 cells was studied. The screening method employed was MTT. In initial studies, one compound has shown maximum protection of 16% in subtoxic concentration.

A New Glucose Biosensor Based on Sandwich Configuration of Organically Modified Sol-Gel Glass

Abstract: A new glucose biosensor was developed based on the sandwich configuration of organically modified sol-gel glasses. The new sol-gel glass was developed using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane and 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)-ethyltrimethoxy silane. Two types of sol-gel glasses were used to develop glucose biosensors that differ in absence (A) and the presence of graphite powder [particle size 1–2 μ] (B). An additional additive (polyethylene glycol, Mol. wt. 6000) was also incorporated in both types of the upper sol-gel glass layer. The new sol-gel matrix with immobilized glucose oxidase was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The sandwich configuration was developed using a bilayer of sol-gel glasses having a layer of glucose oxidase in between the bilayer. This electrode with special configuration was used to form a layer of sol-gel glass of ca. 0.2 mm thickness. The performance of sol-gel glasses (A & B) was analyzed based on cyclic voltammetry using ferrocene monocarboxylic acid. The results show a diffusion limited condition of ferrocene across the sol-gel matrix. The characterization of sol-gel glass based biosensor was recorded based on the cyclic voltammograms in absence and presence of glucose. The results show an increase in anodic current which is also characteristic of hydrogen peroxide oxidation in both cases (A & B). The responses of the sol-gel glasses based biosensors were analyzed based on chronoamperometric measurements. An amplified signal on the addition of the same concentrations of glucose was recorded with the B-type sol-gel glass electrode which was attributed to its relatively high porosity and better conductivity of the graphite loaded sol-gel glass. These observations were in accordance with the results on the diffusion of ferrocene and the magnitude of anodic current resulting from hydrogen peroxide oxidation. The calibration plots for glucose analysis using both type of sensors are reported. Data on the mediated electrochemical oxidation of glucose oxidase using soluble ferrocene were also reported based on cyclic voltammograms and amperometric measurement.

Influence of growth and environmental conditions on cell surface hydrophobicity of Pseudomonas fluorescens in non-specific adhesion

Abstract: The relative cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of 18 soil isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens, determined by phase exclusion, hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), electrostatic interaction...

Survival and chromate reducing ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in industrial effluents

Abstract: The ability of a chromate-reducing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, isolated from tannery effluent, to survive and reduce chromate in the effluent of a tannery and an electroplating unit was evaluated. The test strain survived in the native tannery effluent but numbers fell sharply in the native electroplating effluent. Supplementation with a carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) source supported bacterial multiplication and chromate reduction in both types of effluents with almost equal efficiency. Chromate reduction, however, was not observed in the absence of C, N or P supplement, or in the chromate-reducing strain.

Germination and plantlet regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos of mango (Mangifera indica L.).

Abstract: Cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos (3–5 mm in length) originating from nucellar explants of Mangifera indica L. cv. Amrapali were encapsulated individually in 2% alginate gel. The encapsulated somatic embryos (ESEs) germinated successfully on 0.6% agar-gelled medium containing B5 macrosalts (half strength), Murashige and Skoog microsalts (full strength), 3% sucrose and 2.9 μM gibberellic acid. The percentage of germination of ESEs was higher than that of naked somatic embryos of the same size on the same medium. The germinability of ESEs was increased (73.61±7.08%) when the medium was supplemented with full-strength B5 macrosalts. Of the germinating ESEs, 45.83±3.40% developed into plantlets. Abscisic acid at 0.004 and 0.02 μM had no significant influence on germination and plantlet development, but caused a 3-week delay in germination. Well-developed plantlets regenerated from ESEs have been successfully established in soil.

HIV infection and seizures.

Abstract: New-onset seizures are frequent manifestations of central nervous system disorders in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Seizures are more common in advanced stages of the disease, although they may occur early in the course of illness In the majority of patients, seizures are of the generalised type Status epilepticus is also frequent Associated metabolic abnormalities increase the risk for status epilepticus Cerebral mass lesions, cryptococcal meningitis, and HIV-encephalopathy are common causes of seizures Phenytoin is the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant in this situation, although several patients may experience hypersensitivity reactions The prognosis of seizure disorders in HIV-infected patients depends upon the underlying cause

The effects of swift heavy ion irradiation on the radiochemistry and melting characteristics of PET

Abstract: High electronic excitation (∼10 keV/nm) induced effects on the radiochemistry and melting behaviour of semicrystalline polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been studied by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. After irradiation with a 180 MeV Ag 14+ ion beam, DSC measurements of PET films exhibited significant change in their melting behaviour. The gradual increase in the melting enthalpy of irradiated PET with the ion fluence is observed for the first time, which reaches a maximum when track overlapping sets in, and decreases exponentially thereafter. FTIR measurements of irradiated PET at different ion fluences have also shown partly different trend of amorphisation than the earlier observations. X-ray diffraction results of irradiated PET reveal both a shift and a reduction of the main peak, along with the appearance of a new small peak. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

Novel structural features and phase transition behaviour of (Sr1-xCax)TiO3 : II. X-ray diffraction studies

Abstract: Superlattice reflections observed for the first time in the room temperature powder neutron diffraction patterns of SCT are shown to arise due to tilting of TiO6 octahedra. Rietveld refinement of the neutron diffraction data confirms that the structure of SCT for is orthorhombic similar to that of CaTiO3. Implications of the presence of tilted TiO6 octahedra and the associated off-centre displacements of Sr3+/Ca2+ in SCT are discussed in detail with regard to the quantum ferroelectric behaviour of SCT at low temperatures. Structural phase transitions in SCT with x = 0.06 and 0.12 are also reported.