Showing papers by "Jawaharlal Nehru University published in 2003"
TL;DR: The pH dependence data suggest that even though the charge status of a protein contributes significantly, trehalose can be expected to work as a universal stabilizer of protein conformation due to its exceptional effect on the structure and properties of solvent water compared with other sugars and polyols.
576 citations
TL;DR: Assuming that the mobility and bioavailability are related to the solubility of geochemical forms of the metals and decrease in order of extraction, the apparent mobility and potential metal bioavailability for these highly contaminated street dust samples is: Cd>Zn approximately equal Pb>Ni>Cu>Cr.
455 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors extracted information on lithology, geological structures, landforms, land use/land cover from remotely sensed data and drainage networks, soil characteristics and slope of the terrain using conventional methods and then integrat...
Abstract: The explosive growth and uneven distribution of population, poor irrigation practices, rapid urbanization/industrialization, large-scale deforestation and improper land use practices have induced the depletion and pollution of both the surface and groundwater resources in India. In addition, recurrent drought further aggravates the problem of water even for drinking, especially in rural areas. In order to ensure 'Health for All', the Government of India has launched many programmes to provide potable drinking water to every settlement in the country within the next five years. In order to accomplish these tasks, the systematic planning of groundwater exploitation using modern technologies is essential for the proper utilization of this precious natural resource. On this basis, we extracted information on lithology, geological structures, landforms, land use/land cover from remotely sensed data and drainage networks, soil characteristics and slope of the terrain using conventional methods and then integrat...
340 citations
30 Jun 2003
TL;DR: A general algorithm is proposed, in which message is forwarded to exactly those neighbors, which may be best choices for a possible position of destination (using the appropriate criterion), in which memoryless and past traffic memorization variants of each scheme are proposed.
Abstract: A broad variety of location dependent services will become feasible in the near future due to the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS), which provides location information (latitude, longitude and possibly height) and global timing to mobile users. Routing is a problem of sending a message from a source to a destination. Geocasting is a problem of sending a message to all nodes located within a region (e.g. circle or square). Recently, several localized GPS based routing and geocasting protocols for a mobile ad hoc network were reported in literature. In directional (DIR) routing and geocasting methods, node A (the source or intermediate node) transmits a message m to all neighbors located between the two tangents from A to the region that could contain the destination. It was shown that memoryless directional methods might create loops in routing process. In two other proposed methods (proven to be loop-free), geographic distance (GEDIR) or most forward progress within radius (MFR) routing, node A forwards the message to its neighbor who is closest to destination, or has greatest progress towards destination (respectively). In this paper, we propose a general algorithm (based on a unified framework for both routing and geocasting problems), in which message is forwarded to exactly those neighbors, which may be best choices for a possible position of destination (using the appropriate criterion). We then propose and discuss new V-GEDIR and CH-MFR methods and define R-DIR, modified version of existing directional methods. In V-GEDIR method, these neighbors are determined by intersecting the Voronoi diagram of neighbors with the circle (or rectangle) of possible positions of destination, while the portion of the complex hull of neighboring node is analogously used in the CH-MFR method. Routing and geocasting algorithms differ only inside the circle/rectangle. We propose memoryless and past traffic memorization variants of each scheme. The proposed methods may be also used for the destination search phase allowing the application of different routing schemes after the exact destination of position is discovered. Memoryless V-GEDIR and CH-MFR algorithms are loop-free, and have smaller flooding rate (with similar success rate) compared to directional method. Simulations involving the proposed and some known algorithms are in progress and confirm our expectations.
181 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that saffron may exert its chemopreventive effects by modulation of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxification systems.
Abstract: The modifying effects of the aqueous extract of saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus Linn.) on cisplatin (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH), mitomycin-C (MMC) and urethane (URE) induced alterations in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were investigated in Swiss albino mice. Three doses of saffron (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) were orally administered to mice for 5 consecutive days prior to administration of genotoxins. A significant reduction in the extent of lipid peroxidation with a concomitant increase in the liver enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GST, GPx) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione) were observed in saffron pretreated animals compared with the genotoxins alone treated animals. However, the modulatory effects were not always dose dependent. Our data suggest that saffron may exert its chemopreventive effects by modulation of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxification systems.
149 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors characterized Cdr1p-GFP by overexpressing it as a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged fusion protein, which was shown to be specifically labeled with the photoaffinity analogs iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) and azidopine, which have been used to characterize the drug binding sites on mammalian drug-transporting P-glycoproteins.
Abstract: In view of the importance of Candida drug resistance protein (Cdr1p) in azole resistance, we have characterized it by overexpressing it as a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged fusion protein (Cdr1p-GFP). The overexpressed Cdr1p-GFP in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is shown to be specifically labeled with the photoaffinity analogs iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) and azidopine, which have been used to characterize the drug-binding sites on mammalian drug-transporting P-glycoproteins. While nystatin could compete for the binding of IAAP, miconazole specifically competed for azidopine binding, suggesting that IAAP and azidopine bind to separate sites on Cdr1p. Cdr1p was subjected to site-directed mutational analysis. Among many mutant variants of Cdr1p, the phenotypes of F774A and ΔF774 were particularly interesting. The analysis of GFP-tagged mutant variants of Cdr1p revealed that a conserved F774, in predicted transmembrane segment 6, when changed to alanine showed increased binding of both photoaffinity analogues, while its deletion (ΔF774), as revealed by confocal microscopic analyses, led to mislocalization of the protein. The mislocalized ΔF774 mutant Cdr1p could be rescued to the plasma membrane as a functional transporter by growth in the presence of a Cdr1p substrate, cycloheximide. Our data for the first time show that the drug substrate-binding sites of Cdr1p exhibit striking similarities with those of mammalian drug-transporting P-glycoproteins and despite differences in topological organization, the transmembrane segment 6 in Cdr1p is also a major contributor to drug substrate-binding site(s).
126 citations
TL;DR: The role played by solution entropy in addition to that of electrostatic and solute-solvent interactions, which had been overlooked hitherto, is revealed.
116 citations
TL;DR: The present protocol is simple, rapid, and rapid (the initiation of tissue cultures to transplantation of regenerants to soil completed in 8 week) with high regeneration frequency (75%) and applicable to seven genotypes.
111 citations
TL;DR: For the last few years, both of us have grappled with difficult and complex issues of empowerment and disempowerment in relation to our respective research projects on women's grassroots organizations in several states of India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradeshand Uttaranchal.
Abstract: For the last few years, both of us have grappled with difficult andcomplex issues of empowerment and disempowerment in relation toour respective research projects on women’s grassroots organizationsin several states of India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradeshand Uttaranchal. As we exchanged notes over time, we noticed somerecurring themes in our concerns—for example: the ways in which co-option of feminist and empowerment discourse(s) by the main-stream forces have become increasingly vexed questions for thewomen’s movement in India; the problematics associated with “doing”empowerment on the ground at a time when “Southern” women’snongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are becoming increasinglyprofessionalized and globalized; the entanglement of empowermentand disempowerment in poor women’s lives; and the politicalcomplexities associated with engaging in critiques of NGOs that aretrying to empower marginalized women.We thought it would be productive to co-author a paper on theseissues, largely because of the striking silence in academic circles onthese questions at a time when they are being felt and discussed sourgently within women’s NGO networks. However, as we began to putour thoughts on paper, we were struck by the enormous contra-dictions these projects are fraught with, as well as by the ways in whichour own sociopolitical locations as researchers and our ethical andpolitical commitments to different kinds of groups made it impossible
104 citations
TL;DR: The results strongly suggest the cancer chemopreventive potentials of cumin seed could be attributed to its ability to modulate carcinogen metabolism.
Abstract: Lately, a strong correlation has been established between diet and cancer. For ages, cumin has been a part of the diet. It is a popular spice regularly used as a flavoring agent in a number of ethnic cousins. In the present study, cancer chemopreventive potentials of different doses of a cumin seed-mixed diet were evaluated against benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced forestomach tumorigenesis and 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced uterine cervix tumorigenesis. Results showed a significant inhibition of stomach tumor burden (tumors per mouse) by cumin. Tumor burden was 7.33 +/- 2.10 in the B(a)P-treated control group, whereas it reduced to 3.10 +/- 0.57 (P < 0.001) by a 2.5% dose and 3.11 +/- 0.60 (P <0.001) by a 5% dose of cumin seeds. Cervical carcinoma incidence, compared with the MCA-treated control group (66.67%), reduced to 27.27% (P < 0.05) by a diet of 5% cumin seeds and to 12.50% (P < 0.05) by a diet of 7.5% cumin seeds. The effect of 2.5 and 5% cumin seed-mixed diets was also examined on carcinogen/xenobiotic metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lipid peroxidation in the liver of Swiss albino mice. Levels of cytochrome P-450 (cyt P-450) and cytochrome b5 (cyt b(5)) were significantly augmented (P < 0.05) by the 2.5% dose of cumin seed diet. The levels of cyt P-450 reductase and cyt b(5) reductase were increased (significance level being from P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both doses of cumin. Among the phase II enzymes, glutathione S-transferase specific activity increased (P < 0.005) by the 5% dose, whereas that of DT-diaphorase increased significantly (P < 0.05) by both doses used (2.5 and 5%). In the antioxidant system, significant elevation of the specific activities of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and catalase (P < 0.05) was observed with the 5% dose of cumin. The activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase remained unaltered by both doses of cumin. The level of reduced glutathione measured as nonprotein sulfhydryl content was elevated (significance level being from P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both doses of cumin. Lipid peroxidation measured as formation of MDA production showed significant inhibition (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both doses of cumin. LDH activity remained unaltered by both doses of cumin. The results strongly suggest the cancer chemopreventive potentials of cumin seed and could be attributed to its ability to modulate carcinogen metabolism.
103 citations
TL;DR: X. nematophilus and the OMV proteins derived from them exhibited oral insecticidal activity against neonatal larvae of Helicoverpa armigera and the soluble proteins left after removal of the OMVs and the outer membrane proteins also showed low levels of oral toxicity.
Abstract: Xenorhabdus nematophilus secretes a large number of proteins into the culture supernatant as soluble proteins and also as large molecular complexes associated with the outer membrane. Transmission electron micrographs of X. nematophilus cells showed that there was blebbing of the outer membrane from the surface of the bacterium. The naturally secreted outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were purified from the culture supernatant of X. nematophilus and analyzed. Electron microscopy revealed a vesicular organization of the large molecular complexes, whose diameters varied from 20 to 100 nm. A sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profile of the vesicles showed that in addition to outer membrane proteins, several other polypeptides were also present. The membrane vesicles contained lipopolysaccharide, which appeared to be of the smooth type. Live cells of X. nematophilus and the OMV proteins derived from them exhibited oral insecticidal activity against neonatal larvae of Helicoverpa armigera. The proteins present in the OMVs are apparently responsible for the biological activity of the OMVs. The soluble proteins left after removal of the OMVs and the outer membrane proteins also showed low levels of oral toxicity to H. armigera neonatal larvae. The OMV protein preparations were cytotoxic to Sf-21 cells in an in vitro assay. The OMV proteins showed chitinase activity. This is the first report showing toxicity of outer membrane blebs secreted by the insect pathogen X. nematophilus into the extracellular medium.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a process for the production of nanoparticles of Cu, Ag, Fe and Al which involves exploding their respective wires, triggered by large current densities in the wires.
Abstract: We describe a novel process for the production of nanoparticles of Cu, Ag, Fe and Al which involves exploding their respective wires, triggered by large current densities in the wires. The particles are characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Particle sizes in the range 20–100nm were obtained employing this technique. The XRD results reveal that the nanoparticles continue to retain lattice periodicity at reduced particle sizes, displaying in some cases evidence of lattice strain and preferential orientation. In the case of Fe, Mossbauer spectroscopy reveals loss of ferromagnetism as a result of the reduced size of the particles.
TL;DR: The results suggest the possibility that LPS by itself could constitute a sufficient signal for differentiation of macrophages into DC-like cells and the effect of lipopolysaccharide on RAW264.7 cells was studied.
Abstract: Effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on RAW264.7 macrophage cell line was studied. LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells increased in cell size and acquired distinct dendritic morphology. At the optimal dose of LPS (1 μg/ml), almost 70% RAW264.7 cells acquired dendritic morphology. Flow cytometric studies indicate that the cell surface markers known to be expressed on dendritic cells and involved in antigen presentation and T cell activation (B7.1, B7.2, CD40, MHC class II antigens and CD1d) were also markedly upregulated on LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggest the possibility that LPS by itself could constitute a sufficient signal for differentiation of macrophages into DC-like cells.
TL;DR: The primary findings reveal the ‘duel-acting’ nature of henna leaf as deduced from its potential to induce only the phase-II enzyme activity, associated mainly with carcinogen detoxification in liver of mice and inhibit the phase I enzyme activities.
Abstract: Henna leaf (Lawsonia inermis), commonly known as Mehndi is cultivated throughout India and is a very popular natural dye to color hand and hair. It is an integral part of indigenous culture, and is also known for its medicinal value. The effect of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of 80% ethanolic extract of the fresh leaves of Lawsonia inermis were examined on drug metabolizing phase-I and phase-II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in the liver of 7 weeks old Swiss albino mice. Also anticarcinogenic potential of Henna leaf extract was studied adopting the protocol of benzo(a)pyrene induced forestomach and 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-initiated and croton oil-promoted skin papillomagenesis. Our primary findings reveal the 'duel-acting' nature of henna leaf as deduced from its potential to induce only the phase-II enzyme activity, associated mainly with carcinogen detoxification in liver of mice and inhibit the phase I enzyme activities. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase specific activities were elevated above basal (p < 0.005) level by Lawsonia inermis extract treatment. With reference to antioxidant enzymes the investigated doses were effective in increasing the hepatic glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities significantly (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005) at both the dose levels. Reduced glutathione (GSH) measured as non-protein sulphydryl was found to be significantly elevated in liver (p < 0.005) and in all the extrahepatic organs studied (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). Among the extrahepatic organs examined (forestomach, kidney and lung) glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase level were increased in a dose independent manner (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). Chemopreventive response was measured by the average number of papillomas per mouse (tumor burden) as well as percentage of tumor bearing animals and tumor multiplicity. There was a significant inhibition of tumor burden in both the tumor model systems studied (from p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Tumor incidence was also reduced by both the doses used in our experiment in both the model systems.
TL;DR: An evaluation mechanism similar to the one described in this paper will be helpful to the management authority to assess and modify their management plans to mitigate conflicts with local people.
Abstract: Local peoples' knowledge, aptitude, and perceptions of planning and management issues were investigated in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) in Uttaranchal State of India. Conflicts ensued between local inhabitants and the management authority due to lack of community participation. Although most respondents seem to claim the knowledge of the objectives of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, the source of information indicates their interaction with the management authority is not frequent. While local population seem to agree on reduced intensity of agriculture with compensation equal to loss of net income, there is a perceptible difference in responses among different age groups. While the younger generation seems to agree to move away to other areas with suitable compensation packages, the older generation prefer those options that require some adjustments in use and access to natural resources. The option of ecotourism as a source of income is acceptable to most respondents, but young and old respondents disagreed about impact of such activity on social behavior of local inhabitants. Among those groups studied, only the "self-employed group" seem to be more interested in ecotourism in comparison to other occupation classes. Gender differences in perceptions are prominent with reference to development options. While the men preferred economic opportunities, the women preferred improved living conditions. An evaluation mechanism similar to the one described in this paper will be helpful to the management authority to assess and modify their management plans to mitigate conflicts with local people.
TL;DR: Findings indicate the chemopreventive potential of asafoetida against MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats and needs further investigation with regard to identification and characterization of its active principle(s) and mechanism of action, for this compound to be developed as a potential chemoppreventive agent for human cancers.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to ascertain the modulatory influences of Ferula asafoetida L. (asafoetida, flavoring agent) on the mammary epithelial tissue differentiation, hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant profiles and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Feeding with two doses of asafoetida (1.25 and 2.5% w/w in diet) showed a remarkable increase in the development and differentiation of ducts/ductules (p < 0.01-0.005), lobules (p < 0.005) and a decrease in terminal end buds (p < 0.05-0.005) as compared to both normal and MNU-treated control animals. To assess the biochemical parameters, effect of asafoetida on drug-metabolizing enzymes was evaluated in the liver of rats. Asafoetida treatment significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the levels of cytochrome P450 and b5. There was an enhancement in the activities of glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.05-0.005), DT-diaphorase (p < 0.05-0.01), superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01-0.005) and catalase (p < 0.05-0.005) and in the level of reduced glutathione (p < 0.05-0.005), followed by asafoetida treatment. Also, asafoetida significantly restored the level of antioxidant system, depleted by MNU-treatment. The strengthening of antioxidant system by the lower and higher doses of asafoetida in the presence and absence of MNU was further substantiated by a significant inhibition (p < 0.005) in lipid peroxidation as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver of rat. Further, in long-term animal studies, where MNU was used to induce mammary carcinogenesis, asafoetida treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the multiplicity (p < 0.001) and size of palpable mammary tumors (p < 0.005-0.001) and a delay in mean latency period of tumor appearance (p < 0.005). Together, these findings indicate the chemopreventive potential of asafoetida against MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Thus, asafoetida needs further investigation with regard to identification and characterization of its active principle(s) and mechanism of action, for this compound to be developed as a potential chemopreventive agent for human cancers.
TL;DR: Rainy season crops are not likely to be as much nutrient stressed as winter season crops if leaf litter of these species is assumed to be the sole source of nutrients to crops in tree-crop mixed agroforestry.
Abstract: Chemical characteristics and decomposition patterns of six multipurpose tree species, viz., Alnus nepalensis, Albizzia lebbek, Boehmeria rugulosa, Dalbergia sissoo, Ficus glomerata and F. roxburghii were analysed in a mixed plantation established on an abandoned agricultural land site in a village at 1200 m altitude in Central Himalaya, India. Differences in chemical quality of litter species were most marked in polyphenol and N concentrations. A. lebbek, A. nepalensis and D. sissoo showed higher N (2.2–2.6%) but lower polyphenol concentrations (3.2–4.7%) than B. rugulosa, F. glomerata and F. roxburghii (0.96–1.97% N and 5.68–11.64% polyphenol). Significant effects of species, incubation time and species×incubation time interaction on monthly mass, N, P and K release rates were observed. A linear combination of rainfall and temperature explained the variation in monthly mass loss better than rainfall and temperature independently. Percentage mass remaining after 1 year of incubation varied from 30 to 50, N remaining from 40 to 86, P remaining from 33 to 56 and K remaining from 1 to 3. Annual decomposition constants of mass and N were positively correlated with C and N concentrations and negatively correlated with C/N, lignin/N, polyphenol/N and lignin+polyphenol/N ratios of fresh litter. As all the species studied showed the highest rates of N and P release during the rainy season, rainy season crops are not likely to be as much nutrient stressed as winter season crops if leaf litter of these species is assumed to be the sole source of nutrients to crops in tree-crop mixed agroforestry. A. lebbek, A. nepalensis, D. sissoo and F. glomerata seem to be more appropriate for rapid recovery in degraded lands as their litter decomposed faster than B. rugulosa and F. roxburghii. A diverse multipurpose tree community provides not only diverse products but may also render stable nutrient cycling.
TL;DR: The quantity, quality and distribution of heavy metals in liquid waste from industrial areas, wastewater, suspended materials and bed sediments were collected and it is indicated that SSI could be one of the point sources of metals pollution in the river system.
Abstract: Delhi has the highest cluster of small-scale industries (SSI) in India. There are generally less stringent rules for the treatment of waste in SSI due to less waste generation within each individual industry. This results in SSI disposing of their wastewater untreated into drains and subsequently into the river Yamuna, which is a major source of potable water in Delhi, thus posing a potential health and environmental risk to the people living in Delhi and downstream. To study the quantity, quality and distribution of heavy metals in liquid waste from industrial areas, wastewater, suspended materials and bed sediments were collected from industrial areas and from the river Yamuna in Delhi. This study has also focused on the efficiency of production processes in small-scale industries in India. Heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Co and Pb were detected using a GBC 902 atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentration of heavy metals observed was as follows: Fe 2–212, Mn 0.3–39, Cu 0.2–20, Zn 0.2–5, Ni 0.6–6, Cr 0.2–53, Cd 0.08–0.2, Co 0.013–0.55, Pb 0.3–0.7 mg L−1 in wastewater; Fe 5842–78 000, Mn 585–10 889, Cu 206–7201, Zn 406–9000, Ni 22–3621, Cr 178–10 533, Co 17–114, Cd 13–141, Pb 67–50 171 mg kg−1 in suspended material; and Fe 30 000–84 000, Mn 479–1230, Cu 378–8127, Zn 647–4010, Ni 164–1582, Cr 139–3281, Co 20–54, Cd 37–65, Pb 228–293 mg kg−1 in bed residues. This indicates that SSI could be one of the point sources of metals pollution in the river system.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that a similar conjuncture of agrarian crisis has become visible in recent years, as had been seen in the prelude to the inter-War Depression, owing to the income-deflation inherent in current macroeconomic policies driven by the dominant global neo-liberal agenda.
Abstract: Periods of economic crisis for agriculture in developing countries have been marked in history by declining incomes and worsening employment possibilities, resulting in adverse outcomes of loss of land rights against debt and declining nutrition levels for the poorer majority of populations. This paper argues that a similar conjuncture of agrarian crisis has become visible in recent years, as had been seen in the prelude to the inter–War Depression, owing to the income–deflation inherent in current macroeconomic policies driven by the dominant global neo–liberal agenda. The argument is illustrated primarily with reference to the experience of India under economic reforms. The question of land rights and gender equity are strongly affected by the dominant policy regime; hence the paper, while not addressing these questions directly, seeks to contextualize them through its critique of the dominant neo–liberal policy regime.
TL;DR: DNA immunization may offer an attractive alternative strategy against leishmaniasis because it induced both humoral and cellular immune response against ORFF, which provided significant level of protection against challenge with L. donovani.
TL;DR: Homologs of proteins involved in cell cycle, vesicular trafficking and signal transduction, and drug resistance and multiple copies of a number of E. invadens genes coding for predicted enzymes involved in core metabolism and the targets of anti-amoebic drugs were identified.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that HABP1, when overexpressed in normal rat skin fibroblasts, remained in the cytosol, primarily concentrated around the nuclear periphery, however, HABp1 overexpressing cells showed extensive vacuolation and reduced growth rate, which was corrected by frequent medium replenishment.
TL;DR: The dynamics of an open quantum system exhibiting the quantum Brownian motion is analyzed when the coupling between the system and its environment is nonlinear, and the systemand the reservoir are initially correlated.
Abstract: The dynamics of an open quantum system exhibiting the quantum Brownian motion is analyzed when the coupling between the system and its environment is nonlinear, and the system and the reservoir are initially correlated. For couplings quadratic in the environment variables, the influence functional for the system is obtained perturbatively up to second order in the coupling constant, and then the propagator is explicitly evaluated when the particle is under the influence of a harmonic potential and an additional anharmonic potential, the so-called washboard potential. As an application of the propagator, the master equation and the Wigner equation are obtained for the quantum Brownian particle moving in a harmonic potential for the generalized correlated initial condition, and then for the specific case of the simplified "thermal" initial condition. The system is shown to obey the corresponding fluctuation-dissipation theorem.
TL;DR: It was observed that as compared to controls, deprivation increased TH and GAD significantly in the locus coeruleus only, while in other areas, they remained unchanged, explaining the mechanism of increase in neurotransmitter levels in the brain after REM sleep deprivation.
TL;DR: This paper presents a survey of various permission-based distributed mutual exclusion (PBDME) algorithms and their comparative performance.
TL;DR: The cloning, expression and characterization of H.pylori DnaB (HpDnaB) helicase both in vitro and in vivo are reported, confirming that HpDnB is a true replicative helicase.
Abstract: Helicobacter pylori causes gastric ulcer diseases and gastric adenocarcinoma in humans. Not much is known regarding DNA replication in H.pylori that is important for cell survival. Here we report the cloning, expression and characterization of H.pylori DnaB (HpDnaB) helicase both in vitro and in vivo. Among the DnaB homologs, only Escherichia coli DnaB has been studied extensively. HpDnaB showed strong 5' to 3' helicase and ATPase activity. Interestingly, H.pylori does not have an obvious DnaC homolog which is essential for DnaB loading on the E.coli chromosomal DNA replication origin (oriC). However, HpDnaB can functionally complement the E.coli DnaB temperature-sensitive mutant at the non-permissive temperature, confirming that HpDnaB is a true replicative helicase. Escherichia coli DnaC co-eluted in the same fraction with HpDnaB following gel filtration analysis suggesting that these proteins might physically interact with each other. It is possible that a functional DnaC homolog is present in H.pylori. The complete characterization of H.pylori DnaB helicase will also help the comparative analysis of DnaB helicases among bacteria.
TL;DR: The results show that C193 is critical for N-terminal NBD-mediated ATP hydrolysis and represents a unique feature distinguishing the ATP-dependent functionality of the ABC transporters of fungi from those found in bacteria and other eukaryotes.
Abstract: The Candida drug resistance protein Cdr1p (approximately 170 kDa) is a member of ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of drug transporters, characterized by the presence of 2 nucleotide binding domains (NBD) and 12 transmembrane segments (TMS) NBDs of these transporters are the hub of ATP hydrolysis activity, and their sequence contains a conserved Walker A motif (GxxGxGKS/T) Mutations of the lysine residue within this motif abrogate the ability of NBDs to hydrolyze ATP Interestingly, the sequence alignments of Cdr1p NBDs with other bacterial and eukaryotic transporters reveal that its N-terminal NBD contains an unusual Walker A sequence (GRPGAGCST), as the invariant lysine is replaced by a cysteine In an attempt to understand the significance of this uncommon positioning of cysteine within the Walker A motif, we for the first time have purified and characterized the N-terminal NBD (encompassing first N-terminal 512 amino acids) of Cdr1p as well as its C193A mutant protein The purified NBD-512 protein could exist as an independent functional general ribonucleoside triphosphatase with strong divalent cation dependence It exhibited ATPase activity with an apparent K(m) in the 08-10 mM range and V(max) in the range of 147-160 nmol min(-)(1) (mg of protein)(-)(1) NBD-512-associated ATPase activity was also sensitive to inhibitors such as vanadate, azide, and NEM The Mut-NBD-512 protein (C193A) showed a severe impairment in its ability to hydrolyze ATP (95%); however, no significant effect on ATP (TNP-ATP) binding was observed Our results show that C193 is critical for N-terminal NBD-mediated ATP hydrolysis and represents a unique feature distinguishing the ATP-dependent functionality of the ABC transporters of fungi from those found in bacteria and other eukaryotes
TL;DR: Results clearly suggest that subchronic exposure of lithium carbonate promote reproductive system toxicity and reduces fertility of male rats.
TL;DR: Alteration of morphology and short filamentation under nitrogen-starvation conditions in the heterozygous mutant suggested that CaGAP1 affects morphogenesis in a dose-dependent manner.
Abstract: Candida albicans is able to grow in a variety of reversible morphological forms (yeast, pseudohyphal and hyphal) in response to various environmental signals, noteworthy among them being N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). The gene CaGAP1, homologous to GAP1, which encodes the general amino acid permease from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was isolated on the basis of its induction by GlcNAc through differential screening of a C. albicans genomic library. The gene could functionally complement an S. cerevisiae gap1 mutant by rendering it susceptible to the toxic amino acid analogue mimosine in minimal proline media. As in S. cerevisiae, mutation of the CaGAP1 gene had an effect on citrulline uptake in C. albicans. Northern analysis showed that GlcNAc-induced expression of CaGAP1 was further enhanced in synthetic minimal media supplemented with single amino acids (glutamate, proline and glutamine) or urea (without amino acids) but repressed in minimal ammonium media. Induction of CaGAP1 expression by GlcNAc was nullified in C. albicans deleted for the transcription factor CPH1 and the hyphal regulator RAS1, indicating the involvement of Cph1p-dependent Ras1p signalling in CaGAP1 expression. A homozygous mutant of this gene showed defective hyphal formation in solid hyphal-inducing media and exhibited less hyphal clumps when induced by GlcNAc. Alteration of morphology and short filamentation under nitrogen-starvation conditions in the heterozygous mutant suggested that CaGAP1 affects morphogenesis in a dose-dependent manner.
TL;DR: Most of the STMS markers also amplified corresponding loci in the wild relatives suggesting conservation of these markers in the genus, and these polymorphic markers will be useful for the evaluation of genetic diversity and molecular mapping in chickpea.
Abstract: In this study we report the isolation of microsatellite sequences and their conversion to sequence-tagged microsatellite sites (STMS) markers in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.). Thirteen putative recombinants isolated from a chickpea genomic library were sequenced, and used to design 10 STMS primer pairs. These were utilized to analyse the genetic polymorphism in 15 C. arietinum varieties and two wild varieties, C. echinospermum and C. reticulatum . All the primer pairs amplified polymorphic loci ranging from four to seven alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.6667. Most of the STMS markers also amplified corresponding loci in the wild relatives suggesting conservation of these markers in the genus. Hence, these polymorphic markers will be useful for the evaluation of genetic diversity and molecular mapping in chickpea.