Showing papers by "Jawaharlal Nehru University published in 2006"
TL;DR: The Sundarban is the habitat of many rare and endangered animals (Batagur baska, Pelochelys bibroni, Chelonia mydas), especially the Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Sundarban, covering about one million ha in the delta of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna is shared between Bangladesh (~60%) and India (~40%), and is the world’s largest coastal wetland. The area experiences a subtropical monsoonal climate with an annual rainfall of 1,600–1,800 mm and severe cyclonic storms. Enormous amounts of sediments carried by the rivers contribute to its expansion and dynamics. Salinity gradients change over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The biodiversity includes about 350 species of vascular plants, 250 fishes and 300 birds, besides numerous species of phytoplankton, fungi, bacteria, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, molluscs, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Species composition and community structure vary east to west, and along the hydrological and salinity gradients. Sundarban is the habitat of many rare and endangered animals (Batagur baska, Pelochelys bibroni, Chelonia mydas), especially the Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris). Javan rhino, wild buffalo, hog deer, and barking deer are now extinct from the area. Large areas of the Sundarban mangroves have been converted into paddy fields over the past two centuries, and more recently into shrimp farms. The Sundarban has been extensively exploited for timber, fish, prawns and fodder. The regulation of river flows by a series of dams, barrages and embankments for diverting water upstream for various human needs and for flood control has caused large reduction in freshwater inflow and seriously affected the biodiversity because of an increase in salinity and changes in sedimentation. Heritiera fomes (locally called Sundari, from which Sundarban derives its name), Nypa fruticans and Phoenix paludosa are declining rapidly. During the past three decades, large parts of the remaining Sundarban have been protected for wildlife, particularly tiger, through the creation of several sanctuaries and a biosphere reserve. Parts of the Sundarban in both India and Bangladesh have been declared World Heritage sites. However, its biodiversity continues to be threatened by a growing human population that not only places pressure on its biological resources, but also impacts on the freshwater inflows from upstream areas. Oil exploration in coastal areas is also emerging as a new threat. Further threats arise from global climate change, especially sea level rise. The future of the Sundarban will depend upon the management of freshwater resources as much as on the conservation of its biological resources.
438 citations
TL;DR: A study of the hydrogeochemical processes in the national capital territory of India was carried out with the objective of identifying the geochemical processes and their relation with groundwater quality as well as to get an insight into the hydrochemical evalution of groundwater as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A study of the hydrogeochemical processes in the national capital territory of India was carried out with the objective of identifying the geochemical processes and their relation with groundwater quality as well as to get an insight into the hydrochemical evalution of groundwater. Salinity and nitrate contamination are the two major problems in the area, which is alarming considering the use of this water for drinking. Various graphical plots and statistical analyses have been carried out using chemical data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, hydrochemical facies and factors controlling groundwater quality. The prevailing hydrochemical processes operating here are simple dissolution, mixing, weathering of carbonate minerals, locally known as ‘kankar’, and of silicate, ion exchange, and surface water interaction. Limited reverse ion exchange has been noticed in a few parts of the study area especially in post-monsoon periods. Periodic seasonal switch-over has been clearly noticed in these hydrogeochemical processes that control groundwater quality of the area. The number of factors that control the overall mineralization and water quality of Delhi vary from season to season. In pre-monsoon, there are four factors while in post-monsoon it increases to five. The study highlights the descriptive capabilities of conventional and multivariate techniques as effective tools in groundwater evaluation.
393 citations
TL;DR: This Review describes a template that can be followed to develop vaccines against other bacterial pathogens and highlights efforts to identify GBS antigens that overcome serotype-specificity.
Abstract: An ongoing public health challenge is to develop vaccines that are effective against infectious diseases that have global relevance Vaccines against serotypes of group B Streptococcus (GBS) that are prevalent in the United States and Europe are not optimally efficacious against serotypes common to other parts of the world New technologies and innovative approaches are being used to identify GBS antigens that overcome serotype-specificity and that could form the basis of a globally effective vaccine against this opportunistic pathogen This Review highlights efforts towards this goal and describes a template that can be followed to develop vaccines against other bacterial pathogens
333 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the species diversity data of seven globally important wetlands (Canadian peatlands, Florida Everglades, Pantanal, Okavango Delta, Sundarban, Tonle Sap, and Kakadu National Park) were compared.
Abstract: The species diversity data of seven globally important wetlands (Canadian peatlands, Florida Everglades, Pantanal, Okavango Delta, Sundarban, Tonle Sap, and Kakadu National Park) were compared. The available data for most groups of lower plants and animals are insufficient for a comparative analysis. Data on vertebrates and higher plants are more complete and show high species diversity. The large habitat diversity allows the coexistence of amphibious species with many immigrants from connected deepwater and terrestrial habitats. Several of these immigrant species find an important permanent refuge in the wetlands; some use the wetlands as periodic habitats. All wetlands are important habitats for long-distance migratory bird species. The species composition reflects the biogeography of the respective regions, e.g. the high diversity of large ungulates characteristic for Africa is also found in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and the high fish species diversity typical for South America is also reflected in the Pantanal in Brazil. The number of endemic species in most wetlands is low, except in the Everglades. The low numbers are explained to some extent by the dramatically changing paleo-climatic conditions that increased extinction rates, but also by the connection with large river systems that act as migratory and transport routes for species from large catchment areas and hinder the genetic isolation of wetland populations. The high number of endemic species in the Everglades is explained in part by its isolation on a peninsula. The relatively low nutrient status of most wetlands does not negatively affect species diversity and often leads to high animal densities. Large populations of endangered or rare species in all wetlands contribute to the great value of these areas for biodiversity protection. All wetlands are subjected to an increasing degree to human pressure through, e.g. water abstraction, changes in the natural flood regime, land reclamation, pollution, over-utilization of natural resources, and poaching. High habitat diversity and a pronounced natural disturbance regime make some of the wetlands vulnerable to invasion by exotic species, as shown for the Everglades. All studied wetlands are at least in part protected by national and international conventions. This provides perspectives for long-term protection only to a limited extent because of major environmental changes in their surroundings. Further strong efforts are required to match protection and sustainable use of the wetlands proper with management activities in their catchments.
250 citations
TL;DR: Options available to researchers working in the study of socio-ecological systems are explored and a tool kit for understanding complex human-environment interactions is recommended.
Abstract: The challenge confronting those seeking to understand the institutional dimensions of global environmental change and patterns of land-use and land-cover change is to find effective methods for analyzing the dynamics of socio-ecological systems. Such systems exhibit a number of characteristics that pose problems for the most commonly used statistical techniques and may require additional and innovative analytic tools. This article explores options available to researchers working in this field and recommends a strategy for achieving scientific progress. Statistical procedures developed in other fields of study are often helpful in addressing challenges arising in research into global change. Accordingly, we start with an assessment of some of the enhanced statistical techniques that are available for the study of socio-ecological systems. By themselves, however, even the most advanced statistical models cannot solve all the problems that arise in efforts to explain institutional effectiveness and patterns of land-use and land-cover change. We therefore proceed to an exploration of additional analytic techniques, including configurational comparisons and meta-analyses; case studies, counterfactuals, and narratives; and systems analysis and simulations. Our goal is to create a portfolio of complementary methods or, in other words, a tool kit for understanding complex human-environment interactions. When the results obtained through the use of two or more techniques converge, confidence in the robustness of key findings rises. Contradictory results, on the other hand, signal a need for additional analysis.
231 citations
TL;DR: Five morphologically different fungi were isolated from leather tanning effluent in which Aspergillus sp.
177 citations
TL;DR: The present study demonstrated the antioxidative, antilipofusinogenesic and anti-ageing effects of curcumin in the brain.
Abstract: This study investigated the influence of chronically administered curcumin on normal ageing-related parameters: lipid peroxidation, lipofuscin concentration and intraneuronal lipofuscin accumulation, activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Na(+), K(+), -adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+), K(+), -ATPase) in different brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and medulla) of 6- and 24-month-old rats. In normal ageing, lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin concentration were found to increase with ageing, the activities of SOD, GPx and Na(+), K(+), -ATPase, however, decreased with ageing. Chronic curcumin treatment of both 6 and 24 months old rats resulted in significant decreases in lipid peroxide and the lipofuscin contents in brain regions, the activities of SOD, GPx and Na(+), K(+), -ATPase however, showed significant increase in various brain regions. The present study, thus, demonstrated the antioxidative, antilipofusinogenesic and anti-ageing effects of curcumin in the brain.
172 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the Indus Valley glacial stage, dating at older than 430 ka, was identified, and a pattern of progressively more restricted glaciation during the last five glacial cycles, likely indicating a progressive reduction in the moisture supply necessary to sustain glaciation.
Abstract: Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating of moraine boulders and alluvial fan sediments define the timing of five glacial advances over at least the last five glacial cycles in the Ladakh Range of the Transhimalaya. The glacial stages that have been identified are: the Indus Valley glacial stage, dated at older than 430 ka; the Leh glacial stage occurring in the penultimate glacial cycle or older; the Kar glacial stage, occurring during the early part of the last glacial cycle; the Bazgo glacial stage, at its maximum during the middle of the last glacial cycle; and the early Holocene Khalling glacial stage. The exposure ages of the Indus Valley moraines are the oldest observed to date throughout the Himalayan orogen. We observe a pattern of progressively more restricted glaciation during the last five glacial cycles, likely indicating a progressive reduction in the moisture supply necessary to sustain glaciation. A possible explanation is that uplift of Himalayan ranges to the south and/or of the Karakoram Mountains to the west of the region may have effectively blocked moisture supply by the south Asian summer monsoon and mid-latitude westerlies, respectively. Alternatively, this pattern of glaciation may reflect a trend of progressively less extensive glaciation in mountain regions that has been observed globally throughout the Pleistocene.
169 citations
TL;DR: A variety of resistance mechanisms to SAG, most of them consistent with a model based on the study of resistance in vitro, were present in clinical isolates from the same geographical region.
Abstract: Methods and results: Susceptibility to SAG as determined in vitro with intracellular amastigotes correlated well with the clinical response. The ABC transporter gene MRPA was amplified in resistant field isolates as part of an extrachromosomal circle. Co-amplification of the pterin reductase gene (PTR1) and MRPA suggests amplification of the H locus in SAG-resistant isolates. Amplification of MRPA was correlated to increased RNA as determined by real-time PCR. MRPA is an ABC-thiol transporter, and cysteine and glutathione were increased in the resistant isolates. Ornithine decarboxylase (a rate limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis), and g-glutamylcysteine synthetase (a rate limiting enzyme in glutathione biosynthesis), the two building blocks of the main cellular thiol trypanothione, were overexpressed in some of the resistant isolates. Conclusions: A variety of resistance mechanisms to SAG, most of them consistent with a model based on the study of resistance in vitro, were present in clinical isolates from the same geographical region.
153 citations
TL;DR: This review will provide an update on the interactions of plant lectins with non-carbohydrate ligands, with particular emphasis on porphyrin ligands.
Abstract: Although for a long time carbohydrate binding property has been used as the defining feature of lectins, studies carried out mostly during the last two decades or so demonstrate that many plant lectins exhibit specific interactions with small molecules that are predominantly hydrophobic in nature. Such interactions, in most cases, appear to be at specific sites that do not interfere with the ability of the lectins to recognise and bind carbohydrates. Further, several of these ligands have binding affinities comparable to those for the binding of specific carbohydrates to the lectins. Given the ability of lectins to specifically recognise the glycocode (carbohydrate code) on different cell surfaces and distinguish between diseased and normal tissues, these additional sites may be viewed as potential drug carrying sites that could be exploited for targeted delivery to sites of choice. Porphyrin–lectin complexes are especially suited for such targeting since porphyrins are already under investigation in photodynamic therapy for cancer. This review will provide an update on the interactions of plant lectins with non-carbohydrate ligands, with particular emphasis on porphyrin ligands. The implications and potential applications of such studies will also be discussed.
143 citations
TL;DR: This study shows that the chronic exposure to these radiations cause statistically significant (p<0.001) increase in DNA single strand breaks in brain cells of rat.
Abstract: This investigation concerns with the effect of low intensity microwave (2.45 and 16.5 GHz, SAR 1.0 and 2.01 W/kg, respectively) radiation on developing rat brain. Wistar rats (35 days old, male, six rats in each group) were selected for this study. These animals were exposed for 35 days at the above mentioned frequencies separately in two different exposure systems. After the exposure period, the rats were sacrificed and the whole brain tissue was dissected and used for study of single strand DNA breaks by micro gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Single strand DNA breaks were measured as tail length of comet. Fifty cells from each slide and two slides per animal were observed. One-way ANOVA method was adopted for statistical analysis. This study shows that the chronic exposure to these radiations cause statistically significant (p<0.001) increase in DNA single strand breaks in brain cells of rat.
TL;DR: The UPGMA based dendrogram was able to distinguish all the accessions except two accessions from Afghanistan establishing that microsatellites could successfully detect intraspecific genetic diversity in chickpea, and the variable numbers of AG repeats in different alleles were the major source of polymorphism.
Abstract: Paucity of polymorphic molecular markers in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) has been a major limitation in the improvement of this important legume. Hence, in an attempt to develop sequence-tagged microsatellite sites (STMS) markers from chickpea, a microsatellite enriched library from the C. arietinum cv. Pusa362 nuclear genome was constructed for the identification of (CA/GT)
n
and (CT/GA)
n
microsatellite motifs. A total of 92 new microsatellites were identified, of which 74 functional STMS primer pairs were developed. These markers were validated using 9 chickpea and one C. reticulatum accession. Of the STMS markers developed, 25 polymorphic markers were used to analyze the intraspecific genetic diversity within 36 geographically diverse chickpea accessions. The 25 primer pairs amplified single loci producing a minimum of 2 and maximum of 11 alleles. A total of 159 alleles were detected with an average of 6.4 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosity values averaged 0.32 (0.08–0.91) and 0.74 (0.23–0.89) respectively. The UPGMA based dendrogram was able to distinguish all the accessions except two accessions from Afghanistan establishing that microsatellites could successfully detect intraspecific genetic diversity in chickpea. Further, cloning and sequencing of size variant alleles at two microsatellite loci revealed that the variable numbers of AG repeats in different alleles were the major source of polymorphism. Point mutations were found to occur both within and immediately upstream of the long tracts of perfect repeats, thereby bringing about a conversion of perfect motifs into imperfect or compound motifs. Such events possibly occurred in order to limit the expansion of microsatellites and also lead to the birth of new microsatellites. The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful for genetic diversity analysis, linkage map construction as well as for depicting intraspecific microsatellite evolution.
TL;DR: Iron depletion in Candidaalbicans with bathophenanthrolene disulfonic acid and ferrozine as chelators enhanced its sensitivity to several drugs, including the most common antifungal, fluconazole (FLC).
Abstract: Inthis study, we show that iron depletion in Candida albicans with bathophenanthrolene disulfonic acid and ferrozine as chelators enhanced its sensitivity to several drugs, including the most common antifungal, fluconazole (FLC). Several other species of Candida also displayed increased sensitivity to FLC because of iron restriction. Iron uptake mutations, namely, Δftr1 and Δftr2, as well as the copper transporter mutation Δccc2, which affects high-affinity iron uptake in Candida, produced increased sensitivity to FLC compared to that of the wild type. The effect of iron depletion on drug sensitivity appeared to be independent of the efflux pump proteins Cdr1p and Cdr2p. We found that iron deprivation led to lowering of membrane ergosterol by 15 to 30%. Subsequently, fluorescence polarization measurements also revealed that iron-restricted Candida cells displayed a 29 to 40% increase in membrane fluidity, resulting in enhanced passive diffusion of the drugs. Northern blot assays revealed that the ERG11 gene was considerably down regulated in iron-deprived cells, which might account for the lowered ergosterol content. Our results show a close relationship between cellular iron and drug susceptibilities of C. albicans. Considering that multidrug resistance is a manifestation of multifactorial phenomena, the influence of cellular iron on the drug susceptibilities of Candida suggests iron as yet another novel determinant of multidrug resistance.
TL;DR: The overall architecture of the TCS machinery in O. sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana is similar, and the analysis provides insights into the conservation and divergence of this important signaling machinery in higher plants.
Abstract: The two-component system (TCS), which works on the principle of histidine-aspartate phosphorelay signaling, is known to play an important role in diverse physiological processes in lower organisms and has recently emerged as an important signaling system in plants. Employing the tools of bioinformatics, we have characterized TCS signaling candidate genes in the genome of Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica. We present a complete overview of TCS gene families in O. sativa, including gene structures, conserved motifs, chromosome locations, and phylogeny. Our analysis indicates a total of 51 genes encoding 73 putative TCS proteins. Fourteen genes encode 22 putative histidine kinases with a conserved histidine and other typical histidine kinase signature sequences, five phosphotransfer genes encoding seven phosphotransfer proteins, and 32 response regulator genes encoding 44 proteins. The variations seen between gene and protein numbers are assumed to result from alternative splicing. These putative proteins have high homology with TCS members that have been shown experimentally to participate in several important physiological phenomena in plants, such as ethylene and cytokinin signaling and phytochrome-mediated responses to light. We conclude that the overall architecture of the TCS machinery in O. sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana is similar, and our analysis provides insights into the conservation and divergence of this important signaling machinery in higher plants.
TL;DR: Co-administration of Bacopa extract during aluminium treatment significantly prevented the aluminium-induced decrease in SOD activity as well as the increased oxidative damage to lipids and proteins.
Abstract: Bacopa monniera is a nerve tonic used extensively in traditional Indian medicinal system “Ayurveda”. Reports regarding its various antioxidative, adaptogenic and memory enhancing roles have already appeared in the last few decades. In the present study, aluminium chloride (AlCl3) was used to generate neurotoxicity. We have investigated the neuroprotective effect of Bacopa extract against aluminium-induced changes in peroxidative products, such as thio-barbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) and protein carbonyl contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Effect on lipofuscin (age pigments) accumulation and ultrastructural changes were also studied. Bacopa effects were compared with those of l-deprenyl. Co-administration of Bacopa extract during aluminium treatment significantly prevented the aluminium-induced decrease in SOD activity as well as the increased oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. Protective effect was also observed at microscopic level. Fluorescence and electron microscopic studies revealed considerable inhibition of intraneuronal lipofuscin accumulation and necrotic alteration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Observations showed that Bacopa's neuroprotective effects were comparable to those of l-deprenyl at both biochemical and microscopic levels.
TL;DR: Aspergillusniger isolated from soil and effluent of leather tanning mills had higher activity to remove chromium, and removal of chromium was substantiated by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which indicated an accumulation ofchromium in the fungal mycelium.
Abstract: Aspergillusniger isolated from soil and effluent of leather tanning mills had higher activity to remove chromium. The potency of Aspergillusniger was evaluated in shake flask culture by absorption of chromium at pH 6 and temperature 30°C. The results of the study indicated removal of more than 75% chromium by Aspergillusniger determined by diphenylcarbazide colorimetric assay and atomic absorption spectrophotometry after 7 days. Study of microbial Cr(VI) reduction and identification of reduction intermediates has been hindered by the lack of analytical techniques that can identify the oxidation state with subcellular spatial resolution. Therefore, removal of chromium was further substantiated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), which indicated an accumulation of chromium in the fungal mycelium.
TL;DR: In this paper, three different size fractions of aerosols free fall (FF), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and particles less than 10μm (PM10) as well as surface sediments were collected from four different locations situated along a dust transport path of nearly 600 kilometres in NW India starting from Bikaner in the Thar to Garhmuktesar through Jhunjhunu and Delhi and were studied for their heavy-metal chemistry.
TL;DR: Interestingly, gsa and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase gene (UroD) and gene product abundance was stimulated by light and heat-stress implying the presence of both light andHeat-inducible elements in their promoters.
Abstract: Temperature and light significantly influence chloroplast development and chlorophyll biosynthesis. To understand the mechanism of the modulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis, the levels of transcripts and proteins of many enzymatic steps of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in wheat and cucumber were simultaneously examined. The effect of low (chill-stress) as well as high (heat-stress) temperatures on dark- and light-grown seedlings was monitored. The protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) content was greatly reduced in response to light in control and heat-stressed seedlings. However, the POR level was not reduced in light-exposed chill-stressed seedlings. The genes for glutamate semialdehyde aminotransferase (gsa; cucumber), glutamyl-tRNA reductase (GluTR; cucumber), 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (Ala D; cucumber and wheat) and for a subunit of Mg-chelatase (Chl I; wheat) showed a reduced expression in cold stress compared to controls and heat-stress conditions. Although expression of the ferrochelatase gene (Fch) and geranylgeranyl reductase gene (Chl P) was upregulated in light, they were downregulated by both chill- and heat-stress. Interestingly, gsa and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase gene (UroD) and gene product abundance was stimulated by light and heat-stress implying the presence of both light and heat-inducible elements in their promoters. This observation corroborates with the previous report of increased enzymatic activity of UroD in heat-stressed cucumber seedlings. The gsa and Uro D may play an important role in tolerance of the greening process of plants to heat-stress.
TL;DR: It appears to be arriving at a consensus that steroid/nuclear receptors follow dynamic nucleocytoplasmic processes that deviate from the ones commonly utilized by majority of other proteins.
TL;DR: Aspergillus niger isolated from soil of leather tanning effluent had higher activity to remove chromium then the other fungal isolates as mentioned in this paper and was evaluated in shake flask culture by absorption of chromium at pH 6, temperature 30°C.
Abstract: Aspergillus niger isolated from soil of leather tanning effluent had higher activity to remove chromium then the other fungal isolates. The potency of A. niger was evaluated in shake flask culture by absorption of chromium at pH 6, temperature 30 °C. The toxicity of chromium evaluated in petriplates and soil microcosm seed bioassay test had indicated increase in toxicity with the higher concentration of chromate. A. niger introduced in soil microcosm (40% moisture content) with different concentration of chromate (250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm) removed more than 70% chromium in soil contaminated by 250 and 500 ppm of chromate. However, chromium-contaminated soil (2000 ppm of potassium chromate) mixed with compost (5% and 10%) significantly removed chromium in presence of fungus, A. niger. The results of chromate toxicity in the wheat plants revealed that the peroxidases was induced due to increase of metal stress which was reversed in soil microcosm amended with compost.
TL;DR: The enhanced GSH level and enzyme activities involved in xenobiotic metabolism and maintaining antioxidant status of cells are suggestive of a chemopreventive efficacy of T. cordifolia against chemotoxicity, including carcinogenicity, which warrants further investigation of active principle (s) present in the extract responsible for the observed effects employing various carcinogenesis models.
TL;DR: A potential role for saffron is suggested as an anti-genotoxic, anti-oxidant and chemopreventive agent and could be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapeutic applications.
Abstract: The genotoxic potential of anti-tumor drugs limits their efficacy in the treatment of cancers. Since ancient times, saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) has been used as a spice and medicinal herb. Saffron is a rich source of carotenoids and is known for its anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. The present study was designed to ascertain the chemoprotective potential of saffron against the genotoxicity of three well-known anti-tumor drugs-cisplatin (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH) and mitomycin-C (MMC)--using comet assay. Three doses of saffron (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administered to mice for five consecutive days prior to the administration of anti-tumor drugs under investigation. Pre-treatment with saffron significantly inhibited anti-tumor drugs induced cellular DNA damage (strand breaks) as revealed by decreased comet tail length, tail moment and percent DNA in the tail. These findings, together with our previous results, suggest a potential role for saffron as an anti-genotoxic, anti-oxidant and chemopreventive agent and could be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapeutic applications.
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a general contextual background of India and highlight India's transnational connectivity through skilled migrants in the developed coun � tries, in particular the US, and the socio-economic impacts of Gulf migration on Kerala, an important Indian state of origin.
Abstract: st –century exodus of the IT workers. Beginning with the oil–boom of the 1970s, large numbers of unskilled and semi–skilled Indian labour have migrated to Gulf countries in west Asia. A paradigm shift about skilled migrants leaving India took place in phases – from the «brain drain» of 1960s – 1970s to «brain bank» of 1980s – 1990s, and subsequently to «brain gain» in the 21 st century. Similarly, the labour migrants to the Gulf have been viewed as the main source of remittances, swelling India’s foreign exchange reserves. Both these perceptions need moderation. Section 2 presents a general contextual background of India. Sections 3 and 4 highlight India’s transnational connectivity through skilled migrants in the developed coun � tries, in particular the US. Section 5 is on labour migration to the Gulf. Section 6 is on the socio– economic impacts of Gulf migration on Kerala, an important Indian state of origin. Section 7 is on the evolution and change in the perception of migration in India. Section 8 analyses mea � sures initiated by the Government of India recently. The concluding section is a commentary on whether and how migration could change society in India and the rest of the South.
TL;DR: In this article, a comparison of these two epochs reveals striking parallels, unexpected similarities and important differences, showing that globalisation did not lead to rapid growth and economic convergence in the world, either then or now.
Abstract: This paper situates globalisation in historical perspective to analyse its implications for development. It sketches a picture of globalisation during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. A comparison of these two epochs reveals striking parallels, unexpected similarities and important differences. It shows that globalisation did not lead to rapid growth and economic convergence in the world, either then or now. Indeed, growth slowed down, and income levels diverged, while the gap between the industrialised and developing countries widened, in both epochs. The story of globalisation, it turns out, does not conform to the fairy tale about convergence and development.
TL;DR: It was demonstrated that wild-type cells, but not resistant cells, could continue to accumulate pentamidine after apparent saturation via the measured transporter had been reached, and resistance topentamidine in L. donovani is associated with alterations to the mitochondria of the parasites, which lead to reduced accumulation of drug.
TL;DR: In this paper, the electrochemical, rheological, calorimetric, spectroscopic and morphological investigations have been used to examine poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA based electrolytes dispersed with nano-sized fumed silica (SiO2).
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported the first explicit evidence for subduction related submarine volcanism in the Archean Bundelkhand craton, Central India, through the occurrence of metamorphosed basaltic pillow lava in close association with serpentinized ultramafic rock.
Abstract: The occurrence of metamorphosed basaltic pillow lava in close association with serpentinized ultramafic rock, metamorphosed basaltic komatiite, volcaniclastic metasediment, and banded iron formation (BIF) in the Mauranipur area is the first explicit evidence for subduction related submarine volcanism in the Archean Bundelkhand craton, Central India. The Mauranipur pillow lava underwent greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism while retaining a geochemical signature of its igneous protolith. The pillow lava and associated massive volcanic rock is subalkalic, low-K tholeiitic basalt to basaltic andesite with SiO2 = 51.9-55.9 wt% and Mg/(Mg + Fetotal) × 100 = 63.4-67.2. The rock shows depletion in HFS elements with Nb/Nb* (0.07-0.17), and LIL elements are relatively enriched compared with present-day N-MORB compositions. Chondrite normalized REE patterns for the Mauranipur pillow lava are nearly flat with (La/Sm)N = 0.9-1.5, (Gd/Yb)N = 1.0-1.1, and Eu/Eu* = 0.81-1.10. The geochemical characteristics of the pillow lava are similar to those of low-K tholeiitic basalt reported from modern intra-oceanic arcs. The associated high-Mg andesite is compositionally similar to basaltic komatiite, enriched in LREE, with (La/Sm)N = 2.95-6.44, and depicts a nearly flat chondrite normalized HREE pattern with a low MREE/HREE ratio (Gd/Yb)N = 1.24-1.58. The basaltic komatiite displays remarkably similar geochemical characteristics to modern boninite. The present study, combined with available geological data, suggests that the supracrustal rocks of the Mauranipur area represent an Archean ophiolite sequence formed in a plate convergent setting.
TL;DR: Among 5 sites studied, the site, Income Tax Office was found to be the hotspot attaining highest concentration and Predominance of 2–4 ring PAHs suggests a relatively recent local sources ofPAHs in the study area.
Abstract: This study was performed to elucidate the distribution, concentration trend and possible sources of PAHs in bank sediment of river Yamuna in Delhi, India. The levels of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the sediment fraction < 53 μm. Reference standards and internal standards were used for identification and quantification of PAHs by HPLC. The sum of 16 PAH compounds ranged from 4.50 to 23.53 μg/g with a mean concentration of 10.15 ± 4.32 μg/g (dry wt.). Among 5 sites studied, the site, Income Tax Office (ITO) was found to be the hotspot attaining highest concentration. Predominance of 2–4 ring PAHs suggests a relatively recent local sources of PAHs in the study area. Moreover, molecular indices based source apportionment also illustrates pyrogenic source fingerprint of PAHs. No significant temporal trend was observed.
TL;DR: It was observed that after REM sleep deprivation a significantly increased number of neurons in the rat brain were positive to apoptotic markers, which however, tended to recover after the rats were allowed to undergo REM sleep; the control rats were not affected.
TL;DR: The results suggest that while bulk solution properties contribute significantly to protein stabilization, interfacial properties are not always a good indicator of the stabilizing effect.