Effect of low dose of 70 kVp X-rays on the intrauterine development of mice

Summary Pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to low doses of X-rays (9 mGy) in the range used for diagnostic exposure, on day 3.5 of gestation (preimplantation period), day 6.5 (early organogenesis period) or day 11.5 (late organogenesis period). The fetuses were examined on the 18th day of gestation. Exposure at 3.5 days post coitus (d.p.c.) resulted in a significant increase in prenatal mortality, and an increased incidence of retarded fetuses was observed after exposure at 3.5 and 6.5 d.p.c. The major effect of exposure at 11.5 d.p.c. was a significant decrease in the fetal head size and brain weight.     

Synthesis of Schiff bases of naphtha[1,2-d]thiazol-2-amine and metal complexes of 2-(2′-hydroxy)benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole as potential antimicrobial agents

Objective: A series of 2-benzylideneaminonaphthothiazoles were designed and synthesized incorporating the lipophilic naphthalene ring to render them more capable of penetrating various biomembranes. Methods: Schiff bases were synthesized by the reaction of naphtha[1,2-d]thiazol-2-amine with various substituted aromatic aldehydes. 2-(2′-Hydroxy)benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole was converted to its Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes upon treatment with metal salts in ethanol. All the compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities by paper disc diffusion method with Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of all the Schiff bases and metal complexes were determined by agar streak dilution method. Results: All the compounds moderately inhibited the growth of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In the present study among all Schiff bases 2-(2′-hydroxy)benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole showed maximum inhibitory activity and among metal complexes Cu(II) metal complex was found to be most potent. Conclusion: The results obtained validate the hypothesis that Schiff bases having substitution with halogens, hydroxyl group and nitro group at phenyl ring are required for the antibacterial activity while methoxy group at different positions in the aromatic ring has minimal role in the inhibitory activity. The results also indicated that the metal complexes are better antibacterial agents as compared to the Schiff bases.     

Development of dopaminergic neurons in the mammalian brain

Dopaminergic neurons in the mammalian brain have received substantial attention in the past given their fundamental role in several body functions and behaviours. The largest dopaminergic population is found in two nuclei of the ventral midbrain. Cells of the substantia nigra pars compacta are involved in the control of voluntary movements and postural reflexes, and their degeneration in the adult brain leads to Parkinson’s disease. Cells of the ventral tegmental area modulate rewarding and cognitive behaviours, and their dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of addictive disorders and schizophrenia. Because of their clinical relevance, the embryonic development and maintenance of the midbrain dopaminergic cell groups in the adult have been intensively studied in recent years. In the present review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms and factors involved in the development of dopaminergic neurons in the mammalian brain, with a special emphasis on the midbrain dopaminergic population. Received 17 August 2005; received after revision 28 September 2005; accepted 21 October 2005     

Renaturation of DNA catalysed by yeast DNA repair and recombination protein RAD10.

The RAD10 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for the incision step of excision repair of ultraviolet-damaged DNA, and it functions in mitotic recombination. RAD10 has homology to the human excision repair gene ERCC-1. Here we describe the purification of the protein encoded by RAD10 and show that it is a DNA-binding protein with a strong preference for single-stranded DNA. We also show that RAD10 promotes the renaturation of complementary DNA strands.     

Microbiome,probiotics and neurodegenerative diseases: deciphering the gut brain axis

The gut microbiota is essential to health and has recently become a target for live bacterial cell biotherapies for various chronic diseases including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative disease. Probiotic biotherapies are known to create a healthy gut environment by balancing bacterial populations and promoting their favorable metabolic action. The microbiota and its respective metabolites communicate to the host through a series of biochemical and functional links thereby affecting host homeostasis and health. In particular, the gastrointestinal tract communicates with the central nervous system through the gut–brain axis to support neuronal development and maintenance while gut dysbiosis manifests in neurological disease. There are three basic mechanisms that mediate the communication between the gut and the brain: direct neuronal communication, endocrine signaling mediators and the immune system. Together, these systems create a highly integrated molecular communication network that link systemic imbalances with the development of neurodegeneration including insulin regulation, fat metabolism, oxidative markers and immune signaling. Age is a common factor in the development of neurodegenerative disease and probiotics prevent many harmful effects of aging such as decreased neurotransmitter levels, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis—all factors that are proven aggravators of neurodegenerative disease. Indeed patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases have a high rate of gastrointestinal comorbidities and it has be proposed by some the management of the gut microbiota may prevent or alleviate the symptoms of these chronic diseases.     

Adrenal weight in relation to duration of pregnancy in the indian desert hareLepus nigricollis dayanus blanford

Résumé La grossesse dans le lièvre,Lepus nigricollis dayanus Blanford, n'a pas d'influence directe sur le poid des glandes surrénales. Le poid surrénal n'augmente pas la grossesse.

---

---

Thanks are due to the retired DirectorC. P. Bhimaya for his keen interest in the work and for providing facilities, and to Dr.P. K. Ghosh, Animal Physiologist, for suggestions.     

Effect of phytic acid on diamine oxidase activity in germinating pea seeds

Summary Diamine oxidase present in the cotyledons of germinating pea seeds is induced by phytic acid but the embryo enzyme is not affected. Polyamines have no effect on phytase activity of the cotyledon or embryo.We thank Dr S. K. Srivastava for his helpful suggestions.     

Enhancement of ethylemethane sulfonate-induced mutation frequency inDrosophila by dimethyl sulphoxide

Zusammenfassung Die mutagene Wirkung von Aethylenmethansulfonat inDrosophila-Männchen wird durch DMSO um 46% erhöht. DMSO allein kann keine Mutation über die Spontanrate hinaus induzieren.