Assessing ecological function in the context of species recovery.

Species interactions matter to conservation. Setting an ambitious recovery target for a species requires considering the size, density, and demographic structure of its populations such that they fulfill the interactions, roles, and functions of the species in the ecosystems in which they are embedded. A recently proposed framework for an International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List of Species formalizes this requirement by defining a fully recovered species in terms of representation, viability, and functionality.

Competition and coexistence of polar and non-polar states in Sr Ca TiO: an investigation using pressure dependent Raman spectroscopy.

The competition and cooperation between ferroelectric and anti-ferro-distortion (AFD) instabilities are studied using pressure dependent Raman spectroscopy on polycrystalline powder samples of Sr Ca TiO(x  =  0.0, 0.06, 0.

Antiperoxidative, antithyroidal, antihyperglycemic and cardioprotective role of Citrus sinensis peel extract in male mice.

An extract of Citrus sinensis (CS) peel was evaluated for its efficacy in ameliorating L-thyroxine (L-T(4)) induced tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO), hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia in mice. In a preliminary investigation, of the three different doses of CS (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50.

Atherogenic diet induced diabetes mellitus: involvement of thyroid hormones.

An investigation was made to reveal the possible involvement of thyroid hormones in the progression of diabetes mellitus in response to an atherogenic diet; CCT (4% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid and 0.5% 2-thiouracil). Following the intake of CCT diet for 14 consecutive days a decrease in the serum levels of insulin, both the thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)); hepatic glycogen content, hepatic type-1 iodothyronine 5'-mono-deiodinase (5'D) and serum alpha-amylase activities were observed, while there was an increase in the levels of serum glucose and nitrite and in lipid peroxidation of heart, liver and kidney tissues as well as in serum.

Interpretation support for multistage MS: a mathematical method for theoretical generation of glycan fragments and calculation of their masses.

Glycan fragmentation forms an integral part of the current research in glycomics. Creation of a database of glycan fragments and their masses for known glycan structures is an important step in the interpretation of mass spectra for the identification of unknown glycan structures. This paper introduces the concept of positional nomenclature, gives a systematic representation of glycan structure of any size, and hence develops a method for theoretically generating all possible first and second generation fragments resulting from glycosidic and cross ring cleavages.

UV-B induced changes in antioxidant enzymes and their isoforms in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons.

To assess the role of antioxidant defense system on exposure to ultra-violet-B (UV-B) radiation, the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), as well as the level of antioxidants ascorbic acid (AA) and alpha-tocopherol were monitored in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. var long green) cotyledons. UV-B enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes as well as AA content, but decreased the level of alpha-tocopherol.

Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) potentially ameliorates hypothyroidism in female mice.

The efficacy of guggulu, the gum resin of Commiphora mukul in regulating hypothyroidism was evaluated in female mice. In addition to estimating serum levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, hepatic 5' monodeiodinase, hepatic glucose-6-phospatase and lipid-peroxidation (LPO), the activities of the anti-oxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were investigated. While 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU, 10.

Synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activities of 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-7-(arylamino)-1,7-dihydropurin-8-ones.

A number of 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-7-(arylamino)-1,7-dihydropurin-8-ones have been synthesized. 3-Oxo-2-(arylhydrazono)butyric acid ethyl ester were acetylated and treated with triethyl amine and formamide in presence of 1,4-dioxane to yield N-(5-acetyl-4-ethoxy-2-oxo-2,5-dihydro-imidazol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamide, which on refluxation with urea and freshly prepared sodium ethoxide yielded the title compound. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis data.

Effects of Inula racemosa root and Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts in the regulation of corticosteroid induced diabetes mellitus: involvement of thyroid hormones.

The efficacy of Inula racemosa (root) and Gymnema sylvestre (leaf) extracts either alone or in combination was evaluated in the amelioration of corticosteroid-induced hyperglycaemia in mice. Simultaneously thyroid hormone levels were estimated by radio-immunoassay (RIA) in order to ascertain whether the effects are mediated through thyroid hormones or not. While the corticosteroid (dexamethasone) administration increased the serum glucose concentration, it decreased serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Mitigation of thyroxine-induced hyperglycaemia by two plant extracts.

Extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) seed and Allium sativum (AS) bulb were evaluated for their efficacy to ameliorate l-thyroxine (l-T4) induced hyperglycaemia in rats. Simultaneously, the serum cholesterol concentration, a supporting parameter for thyroid function, was also estimated. Thyroxine treatment in rats (300 microg/kg b.

Protective effect of vitamin E in dimethoate and malathion induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes.

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides such as dimethoate and malathion intoxication has been shown to produce oxidative stress due to the generation of free radicals and alter the antioxidant defense system in erythrocytes. It is possible that vitamin E being present at the cell membrane site may prevent OP-induced oxidative damage. In the present study, rats were pretreated orally with vitamin E (250 mg/kg body wt, twice a week for 6 weeks) prior to oral administration of a single low dose of dimethoate and/or malathion (0.

Structure and bonding in Hartwig stretched eta(3)-hydridoborate sigma-complex of niobium(III).

Ab initio calculations at the SCF, MP2, CASSCF, and CASPT2 levels of theory with basis sets using atomic pseudopotentials have been carried out for the stretched eta(3)-hydridoborate sigma-complex of niobium, [Cl2Nb(H2B(OH)2)], in order to investigate the nature and energetics of the interaction between the transition metal and the eta(3)-hydridoborate ligand. The geometry of the complex [Cl2Nb(H2B(OH)2] and its fragments [Cl2Nb](+) and [H2B(OH)2](-) were optimized at SCF and CASSCF levels. These results are consistent with [Cl2Nb(eta(3)-H2B(OH)2)] being a Nb(III) complex in which both hydrogen and boron of the [eta(3)-H2B(OH)2](-) ligand have a bonding interaction with the niobium preserving stretching B-H bond character.

Inhibition of T3 production in levothyroxine-treated female mice by the root extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis.

An investigation was made to evaluate the role of Convolvulus pluricaulis root extract in the regulation of hyperthyroidism in female mice. Its possible site of action was also studied. L-Thyroxine treatment for 30 days increased serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and triodothyronine (T3).

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in isoproterenol induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes.

Isoproterenol, upon oxidation, produces quinones which react with oxygen to produce superoxide anions (O2.-) and H2O2. In the present study, isoproterenol was administered to rats in two doses so as to evaluate its beta adrenergic and toxicological action in terms of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes.

Withania somnifera root extract in the regulation of lead-induced oxidative damage in male mouse.

The importance of Withania somnifera root extract in the regulation of lead toxicity with special reference to lipid peroxidative process has been investigated in liver and kidney tissues. While lead treatment (0.5 mg kg(-1)body wt.

Inhibition of triiodothyronine production by fenugreek seed extract in mice and rats.

The effects of fenugreek seed extract on the alterations in serum thyroid hormone concentrations were studied in adult male mice and rats. Simultaneously, hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, viz superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were examined. Administration of methi seed extract (0.

Cadmium induced thyroid dysfunction in chicken: hepatic type I iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase activity and role of lipid peroxidation.

Administration of cadmium chloride (2.5 mg/kg body weight/day) to chickens daily for 15 days decreased serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentration (by 68.75%) without altering the levels of serum thyroxine (T4).

Lipid peroxidative damage on pyrethroid exposure and alterations in antioxidant status in rat erythrocytes: a possible involvement of reactive oxygen species.

Pyrethroid pesticides are used preferably over organochlorines and organophosphates due to their high effectiveness, low toxicity to non-target organisms and easy biodegradibility. However, it is possible that during the pyrethroid metabolism, there is generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pyrethroids may produce oxidative stress in intoxicated rats. The present study was therefore, undertaken to determine pyrethroid-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and to show whether pyrethroid intoxication alters the antioxidant system in erythrocytes.

Evidence for free radical scavenging activity of Ashwagandha root powder in mice.

The effects of Ashwagandha root powder (0.7 and 1.4 g/kg body weight/day), administered for 15 and 30 days, was investigated on lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in mice.

Changes in thyroid hormone concentrations after administration of ashwagandha root extract to adult male mice.

The importance of ashwagandha root extract in the regulation of thyroid function with special reference to type-I iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase activity in mice liver has been investigated. Although the root extract (1.4 g kg(-1)) administered daily for 20 days by gastric intubation increased serum 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) concentrations and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity, hepatic iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase activity did not change significantly.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in isoproterenol induced oxidative stress in rat tissues.

The oxidative metabolism of catecholamines produce quinones which react with oxygen to produce superoxide anions (O2-.) and H2O2. The catecholamines, however, are important under stress conditions but may have damaging effects due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and formation of oxidation products.

Possible involvement of lipid peroxidation in the inhibition of type I iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase activity by lead in chicken liver.

The possible involvement of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the lead-induced inhibition of type I iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase activity (5'-D) has been worked out in chicken liver. Lead nitrate (1.5 mg per bird per day) for 30 days increased the lipid peroxidative process with a concomitant decrease in 5'-D activity in chicken liver.

Lipid peroxidative damage on cadmium exposure and alterations in antioxidant system in rat erythrocytes: a study with relation to time.

Cadmium induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes after the administration of a single dose of CdCl2 (0.4 mg kg-1 body wt, i.p.

Action of capparis decidua against alloxan-induced oxidative stress and diabetes in rat tissues.

Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were treated with insulin (i.p.) or with Capparis decidua powder as a hypoglycaemic agent mixed with diet.