High temperature induced changes in quality and yield parameters of tomato ( L.) and similarity coefficients among genotypes using SSR markers.

High temperature induced by climatic fluctuations are an important threat for plant growth, development and quality of agricultural produces. Adaptableness to environmental changes generally derives from a large set of genetic traits affecting physio-morphological, biochemical and agronomic parameters. Therefore, the identification of genotypes with higher yield and good quality parameters at high temperatures is becoming increasingly necessary for future breeding programs.

Intonation of Nrf2 and Hif1-α pathway by curcumin prophylaxis: A potential strategy to augment survival signaling under hypoxia.

Background: Pulmonary surfactant oxidation leads to alveolar collapse- a condition often noticed in high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). The present study was aimed to determine the effect of curcumin prophylaxis in augmenting the phase II antioxidant enzymes and surfactant proteins expression in enabling the pulmonary surfactant homeostasis under hypoxia.

Methods: A549 cells were exposed to 3% hypoxia for different time durations (1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h).

Synthesis and in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial studies of novel structured phosphatidylcholines with phenolic acids.

Novel phenoylated phosphatidylcholines were synthesized from 1,2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine/egg 1,2-diacyl phosphatidylcholine and phenolic acids such as ferulic, sinapic, vanillic and syringic acids. The structures of phenoylated phosphatidylcholines were confirmed by spectral analysis. 2-acyl-1-lyso phosphatidylcholine was synthesized from phosphatidylcholine via regioselective enzymatic hydrolysis and was reacted with hydroxyl protected phenolic acids to produce corresponding phenoylated phosphatidylcholines in 48-56% yields.

Quercetin as a prophylactic measure against high altitude cerebral edema.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the intervention of quercetin against high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) using male Sprague Dawley rats as an animal model. This study was also programmed to compare and correlate the effect of both quercetin (flavonoid) and dexamethasone (steroid) against HACE. Six groups of animals were designed for this experiment, (I) normoxia, (II) hypoxia (25,000 ft, 24 h), (III) normoxia+quercetin (50 mg/kg body wt), (IV) normoxia+dexamethasone (4 mg/kg body wt), (V) hypoxia+quercetin (50 mg/kg body wt), (VI) hypoxia+dexamethasone (4 mg/kg body wt).

Role of oxidative stress and NFkB in hypoxia-induced pulmonary edema.

Hypoxia is well known to increase the free radical generation in the body, leading to oxidative stress. In the present study, we have determined whether the increased oxidative stress further upregulates the nuclear transcription factor (NFkB) in the development of pulmonary edema. The rats were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at 7620 m (280 mm Hg) for different durations, that is, 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, and 24 hrs at 25+/-1 degrees C.

Selenium protects the hypoxia induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells through upregulation of Bcl-2.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient as well as a toxic trace element in animal and human nutrition. The effects of Se in the immune system and some diseases are well documented. The objective of the present study was to examine the role of Se in reducing the hypoxia induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell line.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DnaJ (hsp40) of Streptococcus pneumoniae against lethal infection in mice.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DnaJ (hsp40) of Streptococcus pneumoniae, by cloning the full-length DnaJ of S. pneumoniae and expressing in heterologous host E. coli BL-21 (DE3).

Role of selenium in reducing hypoxia-induced oxidative stress: an in vivo study.

At high altitudes, the reactive oxygen species are continuously generated as a consequence of low oxygen partial pressure (hypoxia), which causes tissue damage. The body's defence system to combat the oxidative stress (e.g.

Cyto-protective and immunomodulating properties of Amla (Emblica officinalis) on lymphocytes: an in-vitro study.

The fruits extracts of Emblica officinalis (Amla) has been reported to have strong anti-oxidant properties. There is a paucity of studies on the immunomodulatory properties of fruit extracts of Amla in immuno-compromised states, with the emphasis on lymphocytes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Amla using chromium (VI) as an immunosuppressive agent.

Antioxidant effect of beta-carotene on hypoxia induced oxidative stress in male albino rats.

Hypoxia is known to induce oxidative stress in organisms leading to tissue injury. In the present study beta-carotene (BC) given at 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) in reducing the oxidative stress induced by hypoxia was evaluated on male albino rats. Hypoxia exposure caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and tissues, a concurrent decrease in blood glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), plasma protein and plasma BC content.

Studies on toxicity, anti-stress and hepato-protective properties of Kombucha tea.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate toxicity, anti-stress activity and hepato-protective properties of Kombucha tea.

Method: Kombucha tea was fed orally for 15 days using three different doses i.e.

A new species of Phyllobothrium, parasite from Rhinoptera javanica from Waltair Coast, Andhra Pradesh, India.

A new species of a cestode, belonging to genus Phyllobothrium, obtained from spiral valve of the intestine of the elasmobranch Rhinoptera javanica is described. It shows remarkable differences from other known species of Phyllobothrium in having big scolex, bifurced and sessile nature of bothridia, testes number and nature of proglottids. The new species is designated as Phyllobothrium rhinoptera.

Studies on the new species Tylocephalum chiralensis, parasite from Dasyatis (Himantura) uarnak (Förskal) from Chirala coast, Andhra Pradesh, India.

A new species of the cestode genus Tylocephalum obtained from the host Dasyatis uarnak is described. A detailed examination of specimens have allowed us to erect a new species Tylocephalum to accommodate the worm. It shows remarkable differences from other known species of Tylocephalum in large size of the worm, absence of neck, variation in number of testes arrangement of vitellaria and genital openings.

Description of the new species Acanthobothrium satyanarayanaraoi from Rhinobatus granulatus from Waltair Coast, India.

A new species of the cestode genus Acanthobothrium obtained from the elasmobranch Rhinobatus granulatus (Cuvier) is described. It shows remarkable differences from other known species of Acanthobothrium in respect of length of the worm, craspedote nature, size of scolex, bothridia, hooks and unilateral genital pores. The new species is designated as Acanthobothrium satyanarayanaraoi.

Studies on the new species Anthobothrium loculatum parasite from Dasyatis (Himantura) uarnak (Forskal).

A new species of cestode belonging to the genus Anthobothrium is obtained from the host Dasyatis uarnak. A detailed examination of this specimen has allowed us to erect a new species Anthobothrium to accommodate the worm. It shows remarkable differences from other known species of Anthobothrium in having 4-5 pairs of bigger loculi, number of testes size of the worm, bothridial size, shape and size of proglottids and ovary.

Biological activity of sulphur ylides. I. Antimicrobial properties of some new carbonyl stabilized sulphonium ylides.

Antimicrobial properties of some new carbonyl stabilized sulphonium ylides have been tested against two bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and two fungi Alternaria alternata and Curvularia lunata. The potent antifungal activity of these compounds suggest their practical applications in fungicidal formulations and other pharmacological preparations.