Showing papers by "University of Rajasthan published in 1998"

Plants obtained from the Khair tree (Acacia catechu Willd.) using mature nodal segments.

Abstract: An in vitro method for obtaining plants of Acacia catechu has been developed using nodal explants from mature `elite' trees growing in the field. Maximum shoot bud development (eight to ten) from a single explant was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (4.0 mg/l) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 mg/l). Addition of adenine sulphate (25.0 mg/l), ascorbic acid (20.0 mg/l) and glutamine (150.0 mg/l) to the medium was found beneficial for maximum shoot bud induction. The shoot buds developed into healthy and sturdy shoots on MS medium containing BAP and kinetin at 1.0 mg/l. Excised shoots were rooted on 1/4-strength MS medium with indole-3-acetic acid at 3.0 mg/l and 1.5% sucrose to obtain complete plants.

Eating disorders among Indian and Australian university students.

Abstract: In a study of eating disorders, 297 Australian and 249 Indian university students completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26; Garner, Olmsted, Bohr, & Garfinkel, 1982) and the Goldfarb Fear of Fat Scale (GFFS; Goldfarb, Dykens, & Gerrard, 1985). Contrary to predictions, the Indian participants scored significantly higher than the Australian participants on both measures. The Indian women scored significantly higher than the Australian women on the EAT-26 but not on the GFFS. The Australian men showed significantly fewer symptoms than all other groups. The Indian men did not differ from the Australian or Indian women on either the EAT-26 or GFFS. The urban Indians did not differ from their rural counterparts on the GFFS, but the rural Indians had significantly higher EAT-26 scores than the urban Indians.

Antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids in common Indian foods.

Abstract: To determine antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids in commonly consumed Indian foods we chemically analysed 85 food-stuffs comprising of cereals, pulses, nuts, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and beverages. Total phenolics were measured biochemically and flavonoids were measured as a sum of quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and pelargonidin. High flavonoid content (> 100 mg/100 gm) was present in tea, coffee, apple, guava, terminalia bark, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, cinnamon, red chili powder, cloves and turmeric. Medium levels (50-100 mg) were found in Indian gooseberry, omum, cumin, cardamom, betel leaf and brandy. Small but significant amounts were also present in food-items of large consumption such as kidney beans, soyabeans, grapes, ginger, coriander powder, bajra and brinjal.

Centrality Dependence of Neutral Pion Production in 158A GeV $^{208}$Pb+$^{208}$Pb Collisions

Abstract: The production of neutral pions in 158A GeV {sup 208}Pb+ {sup 208}Pb collisions has been studied in the WA98 experiment at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS). Transverse momentum spectra are studied for the range 0.3{le}m{sub T}{minus}m{sub 0}{le}4.0 GeV /c . The results for central collisions are compared to various models. The centrality dependence of the neutral pion spectral shape and yield is investigated. An invariance of the spectral shape and a simple scaling of the yield with the number of participating nucleons is observed for centralities with greater than about 30thinspthinspparticipating nucleons. This is most naturally explained by assuming an equilibrated system. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }

Heat conduction and a porosity correction term for spherical and cubic particles in a simple cubic packing

Abstract: In this paper, to predict the effective thermal conductivity of two-phase systems from the value of the thermal conductivities of the constituent phases and the corresponding volume fractions, a theoretical model is developed by assuming the particles to be rigid and spherical in shape, having regular three-dimensional simple cubic geometry. In the literature there is a model in which particles are assumed to be rigid and cubic in shape and of the same geometry. A comparative study is made and it is observed that both models based upon rigid geometry produce deviations from experimental results. A modification is made to both the theoretical models by incorporating a single porosity correction term. The modified models are applied to a large number of samples having great differences in the thermal conductivities of the constituent phases. Comparisons of these models with different two-phase models have also been made in the literature. It is observed that there is close agreement between results from measured and modified models. Furthermore, the values predicted by the modified models show that, on the lower side of the volume fraction of the more highly conducting phase , the spherical particle model is better than the cubic particle model; on the other hand, for higher the cubic particle model predicts very well irrespective of the type of sample.

Evaluation of radiomodifying effects of root extract of Panax ginseng

Abstract: Radiomodifying effects of the root extract of Panax ginseng were observed on the testes of Swiss albino mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg dose. The root extract was found to be non-toxic when injected up to 1200 mg/kg. A significant enhancement was observed in the survival time of the irradiated group compared with the control when pretreated with ginseng extract. Besides survival time, radiation induced damage to the germ cells and loss of body weight were also reduced markedly by this treatment. The probable reason for this radioprotection can be correlated with the increased level of liver glutathione (GSH).

Bioactive versatile azomethine complexes of organotin(IV) and organosilicon(IV)

Abstract: Diorganotin(IV) and diorganosilicon(IV) derivatives of the types R 2 MCl(TSCZ) and R 2 M(TSCZ) 2 (where TSCZ is the anion of a thiosemicarbazone ligand, R = Ph or Me and M = Sn or Si) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations and conductivity measurements. The mode of bonding has been established on the basis of IR and 1 H, 13 C 29 Si and 119 Sn NMR spectroscopic studies. Some of the representative complexes have also been evaluated for their antimicrobial effects on different species of pathogenic fungi and bacteria in vivo as well as in vitro. The results of these investigations are reported.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov.

Abstract: Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov. (Asclepiadaceae), a wild plant of the arid zone of Rajasthan, hasdemonstrated significant antiinflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities including the release of prostaglandin. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antimicrobial screening of Cassia occidentalis L. in vivo and in vitro

Abstract: Ethanol extracts of different parts and the calli of Cassia occidentalis, and sequential extracts (petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethanol and water) of whole plant and metabolite-rich fractions (anthraquinones, sennosides and flavonoids) of leaves, pods, flowers and callus have been tested against indicator human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Likewise, an ethanol extract (whole plant) was tested against selected viruses and for antitumour and cytotoxicity following established protocols. The anthraquinones were found to be more active against E. coli and S. aureus (IZ 22 mm) while sennosides were more active against A. flavus (IZ 28 mm). However, no antiviral, antitumour or cytotoxicity effect was exhibited against the test systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Bounce-off in Au-197 induced collisions with Ag(Br) nuclei at 11.6 A GeV/c

Abstract: Using emulsion detectors a transverse-momentum analysis of projectile fragments has been performed in Au induced nuclear interactions at 11.6 A GeV/c. Evidence for collective flow of the projectile fragments has been obtained. Angular distributions of the principal vectors of projectile and target fragments have shown strong azimuthal correlation.

Quantitative food frequency questionnaire and assessment of dietary intake.

Abstract: India is a land of varied foods and food habits. This makes the task of collecting dietary and nutrient intake data difficult. Methods need to be devised to improve the accuracy in reporting intakes by various population subgroups. There is an urgent need to develop a questionnaire that is simple enough to be administered on a large sample and whose validity and reproducibility has been quantified. Regional differences in food habits and availability will have to be taken into account in the questionnaire design. Packaging of food items with definite portion sizes is not a common practice in Indian markets and labels on food products are neither very informative nor descriptive. Epidemiologists addressing the effects of diet have generally used questionnaires that inquire about the frequency of specified foods consumed and sometimes also attempt to quantify usual portion sizes. A number of investigators have conveyed, apparently independently, that the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) as a method of dietary assessment is best suited for most epidemiological applications. A food frequency list can form the basis for nutrition education and allows the dietician and the patient to relate individual eating patterns to specific foods. Other advantages of the FFQ are that it is independent of the ability or inclination of an individual to maintain a diary and also provides immediate feedback to patients, physicians and counsellors.

Radioprotective Efficacy of Aloe vera Leaf Extract

Abstract: Radiomodifying effects of the leaf extract of Aloe vera were observed on the testes of Swiss albino mice at 50 and 100 mg/kg dose levels. This extract was non-toxic when injected up to 800 mg/kg, and significant enhancement in survival time of the irradiated group was observed. In addition, treatment reduced radiation-induced damage to germ cells and loss in body weight.

Influence of Stressful Life Events and Coping Strategies in Depression

Abstract: The influence of stressful life events and coping strategies was studied in 50 depressed and 50 non-depressed persons. It was observed that depressives experienced significantly more stressful life events and were also using significantly more avoidance coping strategies as compared to their non-depressed counterparts. The moderate and severely depressed patients were exposed to more stressful life events and were using more avoidance coping strategies as compared to mildly depressed patients.

Morphogenesis in Long-term Maintained Immature Embryo-derived Callus of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) - Histological Evidence for Both Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis

Abstract: Callus induced from immature embryos of wheat cv Kharchia 65 on Murashige and Skoog’s medium containing 2.5 mg l1 2,4-D was maintained In the regenerable state by subculturing every 5-6 weeks on medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.5 mg l-1) and proline (10 mg l-1). Addition of proline helped maintain morphogenic competence for over four years. The regenerating callus was analysed histologically about one year after first induction. Both somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis were seen in the same callus tissue that contained typical stages of somatic embryoid development and evidence for the de novo shoot bud formation.

Reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles and their seasonality in male langur monkeys (Presbytis entellus entellus).

Abstract: The reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles in male langurs are reported with an emphasis on seasonality. The animals showed positive response to electroejaculation throughout the year. The sperm concentration varied between 10-383 x 10(6)/ejaculation with wide fluctuations all through the year. No appreciable changes in the motility and percent live sperm were observed throughout the year. The levels of seminal fructose and magnesium remained unchanged throughout the year, while acid phosphatase showed wide fluctuations. Citric acid showed elevation during February and March and LDH showed elevated levels during April and May. The annual range of serum testosterone was 6-34 nMol/l with a peak during July. Cortisol ranged between 575-1587 nMol/l and prolactin ranged between 107-900 mU/l. Wide fluctuations were observed in hormonal levels. No seasonality was exhibited in the seminiferous tubule diameter, nuclear diameter of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, and the cholesterol, glycogen, and sialic acid contents of testis. None of the parameters studied have shown any correlation with season. The results suggest that the male langurs lack seasonality in their reproductive exocrine and endocrine profiles and thus could be used as model for research in human reproduction.

Educational status and dietary fat and anti-oxidant intake in urban subjects.

Abstract: To assess correlation of dietary atherogenic and anti-atherogenic factors with socio-economic status (SES) we performed nutritional survey among 182 (122 men, 60 women) randomly selected individuals using 24 hour diet recall and a food-frequency questionnaire. SES was assessed by educational level which strongly correlated with occupational class (r = 0.55) and income levels (r = 0.88). There was significant (p 15 years education) vs illiterates, the daily intake of SFA (29.1 +/- 15 vs 7.8 +/- 6), SFA en% (13.2 +/- 5 vs 6.7 +/- 4), linoleic acid en% (5.4 +/- 3 vs 3.9 +/- 2) and n6/n3 (24.0 +/- 58 vs 4.5 +/- 5) was more and intake of linolenic acid en% (0.7 +/- 1 vs 1.6 +/- 1), MUFA en% (8.6 +/- 7 vs 15.6 +/- 9), PUFA/SFA (0.6 +/- 1 vs 1.0 +/- 1) and MUFA/SFA (0.7 +/- 1 vs 4.0 +/- 5) was less. Intake of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and fruits and vegetables was significantly more in better educated.

Molecular Design of Novel Heterometallic Alkoxides as Precursors

Abstract: In view of the advantages of employing heterometallic alkoxides as precursors for ceramic materials by the sol-gel process, efforts are being made to develop novel routes for their synthesis and to design single source precursors suited to the final targeted material. Three such new pathways are briefly presented in this paper: (i) varying the ratio of constituent metals; (ii) dissolution of metal chlorides in alkoxides of tetravalent metals; and (iii) reactions of acidic protons of metal glycolate derivatives with alkoxides of another metal yielding derivatives containing other alkoxometallates in cationic form.

Critical behaviour in Au fragmentation at 10.7A GeV

Abstract: The complete charge distribution of products from Au nuclei fragmenting in nuclear emulsion at 10.7A GeV has been measured. Multiplicities of produced particles and particles associated with the target source are used to select peripheral and central events. A statistical analysis, based on event-by-event charge distributions, show that a population of subcritical, critical and supercritical events, i.e. a phase transition like behaviour, is observed among peripheral collisions.