Effect of lead on growth, protein and biosorption capacity of Bacillus cereus isolated from industrial effluent.

A bacterial strain (Bacillus cereus) with the ability to grow under conditions of high concentrations of lead was isolated from the industrial effluent collected from Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore. The effect of lead on growth, protein content and lead biosorption capacity of Bacillus cereus was investigated. The results revealed that with increase in lead concentration (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg I(-1)) there was a decrease in growth, protein content (10.

Modulating effect of Leptadenia reticulata (Retz) Wight & arn against chromate (VI)-induced immunosuppression and oxidative stress on mouse splenic lymphocytes and bone marrow derived macrophages.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Leptadenia reticulata (Retz) Wight & arn is mentioned in the ancient ayurvedic literature as an immune booster and rejuvenator.

Aims Of The Study: To investigate, the effects of different forms of the extract of Leptadenia reticulata [Aqueous extract (JAE), Padavashesha kashaya (JPK) and Tarpana kashaya (JTK)] to alleviate the experimental immunosuppression induced by the immunotoxicant chromate (VI) in vitro.

Materials And Methods: Standard cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assays like MTT assay, trypan blue dye exclusion test, neutral red dye uptake test, NBT reduction test, determination of percentage cell survival and estimation of markers of oxidative stress were performed in the study.

A lunar clock changes shielding pigment transparency in larval ocelli of Clunio marinus.

Living in the tidal zones of the sea requires synchronization with the dominant environmental influences of tidal, solar, and lunar periodicity. Endogenous clocks anticipate those geoclimatic changes and control the respective rhythms of vital functions. But the underlying mechanisms are only partly understood.

Heterologous expression of Bluetongue VP2 viral protein fragment in Pichia pastoris.

The partial VP2-encoding gene of Bluetongue virus serotype 23 (BTV-23) was amplified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and inserted into pPICK9K vector. Recombinant plasmid DNA was integrated into the genome of Pichia pastoris by electroporation and expressed protein was identified by SDS-PAGE. High-level secreted expression was achieved after selecting the Mut ( + ) phenotype with multi-copy integrant in the recombinant yeast.

Integration and expression of Bluetongue VP2 gene in somatic embryos of peanut through particle bombardment method.

After pre-culture and treatment of osmosis, zygotic embryos of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were transformed via particle bombardment with a plasmid containing a Bluetongue VP2 gene (BTVP2) comprising neutralizing epitopes. Selection for Kanamycin resistant calluses and somatic embryos was initiated at 12th day post-bombardment on medium containing 25 mg/L Kanamycin.

Effects of administration of Embelin and Curcumin on lipid peroxidation, hepatic glutathione antioxidant defense and hematopoietic system during N-nitrosodiethylamine/Phenobarbital-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

The effects of administration of Embelin (EMB) and Curcumin (CUR) on lipid peroxidation, hepatic glutathione antioxidant defense and hematopoietic cells were examined during N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA-200 mg kg(-1)body wt, single I.P injection) initiated and Phenobarbital (PB-0.05% in drinking water orally for 13 weeks) promoted hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar strain male albino rats.

Chemopreventive effects of embelin and curcumin against N-nitrosodiethylamine/phenobarbital-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

The effects of embelin (50 mg/kg/day), a benzoquinone derivative of Embelia ribes, and the effects of curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), the active principle of Curcuma longa, against N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA)-initiated and phenobarbital (PB)-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis were studied in Wistar rats. They were able to prevent the induction of hepatic hyper plastic nodules, body weight loss, increase in the levels of hepatic diagnostic markers, and hypoproteinemia induced by DENA/PB treatment. Hence, results of our study suggest the possible chemopreventive effects of embelin (EMB) and curcumin (CUR) against DENA/PB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Antennal ampullary glands of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

In adult moths, the cephalic aorta terminates in an apical sack from which extends a pair of optic and antennal vessels that lie on either side of the esophagus, at the dorsoanterior surface of the brain. The base of each antennal vessel is dilated to form an ampulla that contains an oval mass of tissue, the antennal ampullary gland (AAG). An ultrastructural study revealed that the AAG of the corn earworm moth, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is composed of a single type of 40-50 parenchymal cells that produce secretory granules.