Showing papers by "Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University published in 2013"

Gold Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites in Clinical Diagnostics Using Electrochemical Methods

Abstract: Progress and development in clinical diagnostics certainly focus upon the advances in the nanomaterials, particularly gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that offer promise to solve the biocompatible and sensitive detection systems. This paper focuses on the recent application of AuNPs in clinical diagnosis. Various important methods of AuNPs synthesis and their application in clinical detection of various biomolecules using electrochemical detection methods have been described. AuNPs alone and in various composites are also described based on the various biosensors design recently published for the detection of cancer biomarkers, proteins, bacteria, and cancer cells. The effect of AuNPs type and size in clinical detection has also been briefly illustrated.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil and Oleoresins of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) Fruits

Abstract: Essential oil and oleoresins (ethanol, ethyl acetate, and iso-propyl alcohol) of Myristica fragrans were extracted by using Clevenger and Soxhlet apparatus, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of essential oil showed the presence of 38 components representing about 99.6% of the total weight. Sabinene (29.4%) was found to be a major component along with beta pinene (10.6%), alpha pinene (10.1%), terpene-4-ol (9.6%), and several other minor components. The major component of all oleoresins contained elemicin. It has been observed that the essential oil and ethanol oleoresin showed better activity compared to other tested oleoresins and synthetic antioxidants, butylated hydroxyl anisole and butylated hydroxyl toluene. Furthermore, the activity of essential oil and oleoresins was measured for the inhibition of primary and secondary oxidation products in mustard oil by using peroxide, thiobarbituric acid, and p-anisidine values. In addition, these experiments were further supported by o...

Chemistry, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of White Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Essential Oil and Oleoresins

Abstract: The antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of volatile oil and oleoresins of white pepper (Piper nigrum L.) was investigated in the present study. The white pepper essential oil has shown strong activity for the inhibition of primary and secondary oxidation products in mustard oil added at 0.02 % concentration which was evaluated using peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid value. Moreover it was further supported by complementary antioxidant assays such as ferric thiocyanate method in linoleic acid system, chelating and scavenging effects on 1,1′-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. In antimicrobial investigations, using inverted petriplate and food poison techniques, white pepper essential oil showed strong inhibition for Fusarium graminearum and Penicillium viridicatum. The white pepper ethanol and n-hexane oleoresin showed moderate inhibition for all tested fungal strains. Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique was used to analyze 40 different components constituting approximately 97.7 % of the volatile oil. Among them β-caryophyllene (16.0 %), sabinene (12.6 %), limonene (11.9 %) and torreyol (9.3 %) were the major components with many minor components. Both ethanol and n-hexane oleoresins comprise of 26 components having piperine, as the major component.

Estimating Angstrom-Prescott Coefficients for India and Developing a Correlation between Sunshine Hours and Global Solar Radiation for India

Abstract: The amount of solar energy that reaches the earth in one hour is sufficient to supply the world's energy needs for one year. Harvesting this energy efficiently is a huge challenge. In most countries including India, the number of observing stations is inadequate. Therefore, it is essential that some reliable mathematical models be developed to estimate the solar radiation for places where measurements are not carried out and for places where measurement records are not available. In this paper, Angstrom-Prescott model parameters are estimated for seven different sites in India, and a correlation is developed for India, which is found to be a good fit. Also a correlation is developed for predicting the solar radiation using only sunshine hour data.

Nanoparticles of Transition Metals as Accelerants in the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate, Part 62

Abstract: Four transition metal nanoparticles (TMNs) of 3d series (Cu, Co, Ni, and Fe) were prepared by hydrazine reduction of metal chloride in ethylene glycol at 60°C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD pattern showed average particle sizes for Cu, Ni, Co, and Fe of 16.7, 40.5, 27.4, and 35.0 nm, respectively. The activity of these TMN accelerants on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated using thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and ignition delay studies. Isothermal TG data were used to evaluate the kinetic parameters by model fitting as well as an isoconversional methods. The activation energy for thermal decomposition of AP was found to be 66.8, 68.7, 78.5, and 85.4 kJmol−1, respectively, for Co, Cu, Ni, and Fe, when they were mixed with AP. Hence, the order of activity was found to be Co > Cu > Ni > Fe. The accelerant effect of nanoparticles of TMNs was found to be better than their respective nano-oxides.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of essential oil and oleoresins from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes, part-74

Abstract: The chemical composition of essential oil and oleoresins (ethanol, ethyl acetate andisopropanol) from rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria was analyzed by the Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy technique. The antioxidant studies were carried out by peroxide andthiobarbituric acid values, ferric thiocyanate, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicalscavenging, metal chelating and reducing power methods. Curzerenone (31.6%) was themajor component in the volatile oil, followed by germacrone (10.8%). In ethanol,isopropanol and ethyl acetate oleoresin, a total of 26, 25, and 40 components wereidentified respectively and the major ones are curzerenone, germacrone, camphor andcurcumenol. Essential oil, oleoresins (ethyl acetate and isopropanol) showed potentantioxidant activity in all the experiments. However, the activity of ethanol oleoresinwas found to be lower as compared to ethyl acetate and isopropanol oleoresin.& 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction It has been established that oxidative stress is among themajor causative factors in the induction of many chronic anddegenerative diseases including atherosclerosis, heart dis-ease, cancer, ageing, diabetes mellitus and others (Young &Woodside, 2001). The most effective way to eliminate freeradicals which cause the oxidative stress is with the help ofantioxidants. Currently, there is a growing interest towardnatural antioxidants of herbal resources (Velioglu, Mazza,Gao, & Oomah, 1998). Epidemiological and in-vitro studies onspices, medicinal plants and vegetables strongly supportedthis idea that plant constituents with antioxidant activity ofexerting protective effects against oxidative stress in biologicalsystem. C. zedoaria (Berg.) rosc, (Zingiberaceae) has long beenused as folk medicine.Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) is a large genus of rhizomatousherbs distributed in tropical and subtropical regions especiallyin India, Thailand, Malay Archipelago, IndoChina, and North-ern Australia. Many phytochemical studies on the extracts andessential oils of several Curcuma species, especially C. longa,have identified curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids as themajor components (Itokawa, Shi, Akiyama, Morris-Natschke,& Lee, 2008), and these compounds have been identified as themajor groups of antioxidants in the plants. The antioxidantactivity of Curcuma longa, has been measured by variouschemical methods such as DPPH radical scavenging activityassay, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity assay,

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as inhibitor of anti-coagulation and inflammation activities of phospholipase A 2 : insight from molecular docking studies

Abstract: Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), isolated from Daboia russelli pulchella (Russell’s viper), is enzymatically active as well as induces several pharmacological disorders including neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, anti-coagulant, hemolytic, and platelet effects. Indomethacin reduces the effects of anti-coagulant and pro-inflammatory actions of PLA2. Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines constitute a class of naturally occurring fused uracils that posses diverse biological activities. The in-silico docking studies of nine pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine molecules have been carried out with the X-ray crystal structure of Russell’s viper PLA2 (PDB ID: 3H1X) to predict the binding affinity, molecular recognition, and to explicate the binding modes, using AUTODOCK and GLIDE (Standard precision and Extra precision) modules, respectively. Docking results through each method make obvious that pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine molecules with trimethylene linker can bind with both anti-coagulation and enzymatic regions of PLA2.

Recent Advances in Protein−Ligand Interactions: Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Binding Free Energy

Abstract: Computational techniques are one of the most emerging topics in structural and molecular biology. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used not only to explore the conformational aspects of biological systems but also to have significant scope in protein-ligand interactions. Then the binding free energy calculations are readily applied to the simulated systems in order to predict the binding affinities. The thermodynamic properties are directly related to protein-ligand interactions which are dependent upon a few specific parameters. In the present review, we highlight some facts related to protein-ligand complexes, by starting with a survey of MD simulations and binding free energy calculations and ending with some successful implementations of these computational techniques.

Effect of tertiary combinations of animal dung with agrowastes on the growth and development of earthworm Eisenia fetida during organic waste management

Abstract: Abundant uses of chemical fertilizers have adversely affected the soil. The large production of livestock dung is recorded in India annually. The presence of abundant agrowastes and animal dung causes serious problems to animals as well as to human beings, due to the improper management of these wastes. Due to the presence of different physicochemical parameters, these agrowastes and animal dung as food source influence not only the earthworm population but also affect their growth and reproduction during vermicomposting. The effect of agrowastes (wheat straw, banana pills) and bran (barley, rice, and gram bran) with cow and goat dung as tertiary combinations (1:1:1) on the growth and reproduction of E. fetida was investigated. The significant (P < 0.05) highest cocoon production was 5.92 ± 0.01/worm/2 weeks observed in CWRr. The reproduction rate as the number of hatchling emerged per cocoon was also significantly the highest (P < 0.05) in CWBr as 1.9 ± 0.03. The maximum biomass gained was up to 898.67 ± 2.04 mg/worm, and significant growth rate was 7.32 ± 0.02 mg/worm/day in CWGr combination. There was a significant decrease in pH, C/N ratio, TOC, and EC while there was a significant increase in TKN, TK, TAP, and TCa in different tertiary combinations of final vermicompost when compared to the initial feed mixture. The tertiary combinations of dung and bran with agrowastes used were effective and efficient culture media for the large-scale production of E. fetida, which will be important for the production of vermicompost.

Chemistry and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oil and Oleoresins Extracted from the Seeds of Tomer (Zanthoxylum armatum DC)

Abstract: The seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum DC, on hydrodistillation, yielded 1.2% of the essential oil. The oleoresins were extracted by a Soxhlet extractor using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and isopropyl alcohol. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 38 components, of which linalool (62%) and limonene (18.1%) were the major components. The major components of oleoresins were linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and linalool. The antioxidant potential of essential oil and oleoresins were evaluated by 2,2′-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, Fe2+ chelating, ferric thiocyanate method, and various lipid peroxidation assays. The essential oil showed maximum antioxidant potential, whereas oleoresins showed moderate antioxidant activity. *This article is part 73 in a series on essential oils.

Application of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. essential oil as botanical fungicide for the management of fungal deterioration in pulses

Abstract: Essential oils isolated from 35 aromatic plants of Gorakhpur Division, India, were screened at 0.36 μl ml− 1 against four dominant fungi Aspergillus flavus Link, A. niger van Tieghem, A. ochraceus Wilhelm and A. terreus Thom found on stored pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan Linn.) seeds. Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. and Citrus aurantium Linn. oils exhibited strong antimycotic activity (100% mycelial inhibition). The minimum inhibitory concentration of C. ambrosioides oil was less (0.07 μl ml− 1) than that of C. aurantium oil, against all the test fungi. Both the oils were fungicidal at higher doses (1.71–2.78 μl ml− 1). C. ambrosioides oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against 16 other storage fungi of pigeon pea seeds. The oil remained effective with increased inoculum load, and physical factors had no adverse effect on its toxicity. C. ambrosioides oil proved superior to aluminium phosphide and ethylene dibromide, synthetic fumigants, at 0.29 μl ml− 1 and significantly protected 1 kg of pigeon pea seeds...

Biomarkers in Japanese encephalitis: a review.

Abstract: JE is a flavivirus generated dreadful CNS disease which causes high mortality in various pediatric groups. JE disease is currently diagnosed by measuring the level of viral antigens and virus neutralization IgM antibodies in blood serum and CSF by ELISA. However, it is not possible to measure various disease-identifying molecules, structural and molecular changes occurred in tissues, and cells by using such routine methods. However, few important biomarkers such as cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, neuro-imaging, brain mapping, immunotyping, expression of nonstructural viral proteins, systematic mRNA profiling, DNA and protein microarrays, active caspase-3 activity, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, levels of stress-associated signaling molecules, and proinflammatory cytokines could be used to confirm the disease at an earlier stage. These biomarkers may also help to diagnose mutant based environment specific alterations in JEV genotypes causing high pathogenesis and have immense future applications in diagnostics. There is an utmost need for the development of new more authentic, appropriate, and reliable physiological, immunological, biochemical, biophysical, molecular, and therapeutic biomarkers to confirm the disease well in time to start the clinical aid to the patients. Hence, the present review aims to discuss new emerging biomarkers that could facilitate more authentic and fast diagnosis of JE disease and its related disorders in the future.

Preparation, characterization, and catalytic activity of rare earth metal oxide nanoparticles

Abstract: In present study, a series of rare earth metal oxide (CeO2, Pr2O3, and Nd2O3) nanoparticles have been prepared by sol–gel route using Ce(NO3)3·6H2O, Pr(NO3)3·6H2O and Nd(NO3)3·6H2O, and citric acid as precursor materials. Powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy are employed to characterize the size and morphology of the nano oxide particles. The particles are spherical in shape and the average particle size is of the order of 11–30 nm. Their catalytic activity was measured on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate and composite solid propellants (CSPs) by thermogravimetry (TG), TG coupled with differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), and ignition delay measurements. The ignition delays and activation energies are found to decrease when rare earth metal oxide nanoparticles were incorporated in the system. Addition of metal oxide nanoparticles to AP led to shifting of the high temperature decomposition peak toward lower temperature and the burning rate of CSPs was also found to enhance. However, E a activation energy for decomposition was also found to decrease with each catalyst.

Effects of lead on the plasma electrolytes of a freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis

Abstract: The freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, was subjected to 657.6 mg/L (0.8 of 96 h LC50) and 164.4 mg/L (0.2 of 96 h LC50) of lead nitrate for short-term and long-term experiment, respectively. Blood from fish was collected on 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in short term and after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in long-term experiment. Plasma calcium and phosphate levels were determined at these intervals. After short-term lead exposure, the plasma calcium levels of the fish remained unaffected at 24 h. The levels exhibited a decrease after 48 h which persisted until the end of the experiment (96 h). Following 48 h of lead exposure to the fish, the plasma phosphate levels remained unchanged. The values exhibited a progressive decrease from 72 h onwards. The plasma calcium levels of the fish exposed to lead for 7 days exhibited a decrease. This decrease persisted progressively until the end of the experiment (28 days). The plasma phosphate levels of lead-exposed fish remained unaffected until day 14. The levels decreased progressively from 21 days onwards.

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A THERMOSTABLE SOLUBLE PEROXIDASE FROM Citrus medica LEAF

Abstract: A soluble and thermostable peroxidase enzyme (POD) was extracted from the leaf of Citrus medica. The enzyme was purified 15.10-fold with a total yield of 28.6% by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme came as a single band on native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) as well as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) PAGE. The molecular mass of the enzyme was about 32 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 6.0 and 50°C temperature. The enzyme was active in wide range of pH (5.0–8.0) and temperature (30–80°C). From the thermal inactivation studies in the range of 60–75°C, the half-life (t1/2) values of the enzyme ranged from 8 to 173 min. The inactivation energy (Ea) value of POD was estimated to be 21.7 kcal mol−1. The Km values for guaiacol and H2O2 were 8 mM and 1.8 mM, respectively. This enzyme was activated by some metals and reagents such as Ca2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Co2+, ferulic acid, and indole acetic acid (IAA...

Study of photospheric, chromospheric and coronal activities of V1147 Tau

Abstract: We present analyses of optical photometric, spectroscopic, polarimetric and X-ray observations of the K5V binary star, V1147 Tau. Nearly 20 yr of optical observations show that V1147 Tau is a periodic variable with a photometric period of 1.4845 ± 0.0001 d. Light curves observed at 16 epochs show changes in minima, amplitude and shape indicating that the variability is due to the presence of surface inhomogeneities. The surface coverage of spots was found to be in the range of 9–22 per cent. Most of the time, the spots were resolved as two active longitudes. Switching of dominant active longitudes was also seen. The optical spectroscopy revealed that Hα is present in emission, indicating a high level of chromospheric activity. The polarimetric observations yield average values of polarization to be 0.40 ± 0.03, 0.22 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.07 and 0.12 ± 0.04 per cent in B, V, R and I bands, respectively, which indicates the possibility of scattering by thin circumstellar material. The X-ray light curve was found to be rotationally modulated and was anticorrelated with optical light curves observed at quasi-simultaneous epochs. The corona of V1147 Tau consists of a two temperature plasma with kT1 = 0.07 keV and kT2 = 0.66 keV. The X-ray luminosity in the 0.2–2.4 keV energy band was found to be 4.4–6.8 × 10 29 erg s −1 . Flaring features were also seen in the X-ray light curve.

Green Marketing: A Tool for Sustainable Development

Abstract: Green revolutions, going green, environmental protection, sustainable life style, sustainable development, protecting our earth and many more have become a natural phenomenon in our everyday life. Green marketing is a tool used by many companies in various industries to follow this trend. This concept has enabled for the re-marketing and packaging of existing products which already adhere to such guidelines. Additionally, the development of green marketing has opened the door of opportunity for companies to co brand their products into separate line, lauding the green-friendliness of some while ignoring that of others. This paper mainly focuses on the concept, need, importance & strategy of green marketing in India. Researcher also examines the present scenario of green marketing and reasons that organizations are adopting green marketing as a tool for sustainable development. Data has to be collected from multiple sources of evidence to understand the importance of green and sustainability management, in addition to books, journals, websites, and news papers. The paper analyses whether the manufacturers are cognizant about green products and eco-labeling, and also the difficulties in implementing green marketing. A guideline is given to the Indian manufacturers for producing green marketing products.

In-vivo study of effects of dithiocarbamates fungicide (Mancozeb) and its metabolite ethylenethiourea (ETU) on fresh water fish Clarius batrachus

Abstract: Mancozeb belong the group of carbamate pesticides in various pest control programs. Ecotoxicological effects of Mancozeb in fishes and other non-targeted organisms not well understood. The present study investigated the effects of Mancozeb and its metabolites ethylenethiourea (ETU) on biochemicals and enzymatic parameters in Clarius batrachus. LC values (LC50) estimate on different life stages of fish that was dose as well as time dependent. The bioassay studied after 24h and 72h during exposure with 80% of 24h of LC50 (22.87mg/l). Protein, amino acids, glycogen, nucleic acids and enzyme succinic dehydrogenase decreased in liver and muscles, but lactic dehydrogenase levels, protease, GOT and GPT increased in the both tissues. Mancozeb is widely used fungicides in fields by the farmers and their surfaces run off goes to the water bodies and affect the life aquatic fauna. On the behalf of present study, it suggested that appropriate ecotoxicological risk assessment should make in the areas where Mancozeb is to be use in pest control activities.

Evaluation of Clausena pentaphylla (Roxb.) DC oil as a fungitoxicant against storage mycoflora of pigeon pea seeds.

Abstract: Background The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of 30 essential oils against four dominant fungi Aspergillus flavus Link., A. niger van Tieghem, A. ochraceus Wilhelm and A. terreus Thom of stored pigeon pea seeds at a concentration of 0.36 µL mL−1. Various fungitoxic properties, such as minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration and fungitoxic spectrum, of the most potent oil were determined. The efficacy of the most potent oil in preservation of pigeon pea seeds for 6 months was also carried out by storing 1 kg of seeds in the oil vapour. Results Clausena pentaphylla and Citrus limon oils were more effective against all the fungi tested, which exhibited 100% per cent mycelial inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration of C. pentaphylla oil was determined as 0.07 µL mL−1 against all the test fungi and was found to be more toxic than Citrus limon oil. C. pentaphylla oil exhibited a broad range of fungitoxicity against 16 other storage fungi of pigeon pea seeds. C. pentaphylla oil significantly protected 1 kg seeds of pigeon pea from fungal deterioration and was superior to synthetic fumigants. The oil did not show any phytotoxicity and the protein content of the seeds was significantly retained for up to 6 months of storage. Conclusion Thus, C. pentaphylla oil may be used as an effective fumigant in the ecofriendly management of storage fungi of pigeon pea seeds. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

An α-l-rhamnosidase from Aspergillus awamori MTCC-2879 and its role in debittering of orange juice

Abstract: Summary The extracellular α-l-rhamnosidase has been purified by growing a new fungal strain Aspergillus awamori MTCC-2879 in the liquid culture growth medium containing orange peel. The purification procedure involved ultrafiltration using PM-10 membrane and anion-exchange chromatography on diethyl amino ethyl cellulose. The purified enzyme gave single protein band in SDS-PAGE analysis corresponding to molecular mass 75.0 kDa. The native PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme also gave a single protein band, confirming the purity of the enzyme. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for p-nitrophenyl-α-l-rhamnopyranoside were 0.62 mm and 27.06 μmole min−1 mg−1, respectively, yielding kcat and kcat/km values 39.90 s−1 and 54.70 mm−1 s−1, respectively. The enzyme had an optimum pH of 7.0 and optimum temperature of 60 °C. The activation energy for the thermal denaturation of the enzyme was 35.65 kJ−1 mol−1 K−1. The purified enzyme can be used for specifically cleaving terminal α-l-rhamnose from the natural glycosides, thereby contributing to the preparation of pharmaceutically important compounds like prunin and l-rhamnose.

Propagation of magnetogasdynamic shock waves in a self-gravitating gas with exponentially varying density

Abstract: Non-similarity solutions are obtained for one-dimensional adiabatic flow behind a magnetogasdynamic spherical (or cylindrical) shock wave propagating in a self-gravitating perfect gas in the presence of a constant azimuthal magnetic field. The density of the gas is assumed to be varying and obeying an exponential law. The shock wave moves with variable velocity, and the total energy of the wave is non-constant and varies with time. The effects of variation of the Alfven-Mach number and time are obtained. It is investigated that the presence of gravitational field reduces the effects of the magnetic field. Also, the presence of gravitational field increases the compressibility of the medium, due to which it is compressed and therefore the distance between the inner contact surface and the shock surface is reduced. A comparison between the solutions in the cases of the gravitating and the non-gravitating medium with or without magnetic field is made. The solutions are applicable for arbitrary values of time.

Response of serum minerals (calcium, phosphate, and magnesium) and endocrine glands (calcitonin cells and parathyroid gland) of Wistar rat after chlorpyrifos administration.

Abstract: Wistar rats (male) were daily administered chlorpyrifos at a dose of 5 mg/kg b wt. and 10 mg/kg b wt. and sacrificed on 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th week. In chlorpyrifos exposed rats hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia were recorded. At later intervals an increased levels of serum calcium and phosphate were observed. The parathyroid glands and calcitonin cells exhibited increased activity which is evident by increased nuclear volume of these cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:673–678, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.