Studies on Relative Toxicities of Six Insecticides on Epigeic Earthworm, Perionyx excavatus

The 96 h LC₅₀ values of six insecticides were determined on a non-target epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus under laboratory conditions. Cypermethrin was found most toxic to P. excavatus (LC₅₀-0.008 mg/kg), followed by endosulfan (LC₅₀-0.03 mg/kg), carbaryl (LC₅₀-6.07 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (LC₅₀-7.3 mg/kg), aldicarb (LC₅₀-10.63 mg/kg) and monocrotophos (LC₅₀-13.04 mg/kg). When these LC₅₀ values were compared with their respective recommended agricultural doses, aldicarb and carbaryl appeared more dangerous than other pesticides because of their lower LC₅₀ values than their respective recommended agricultural dose. Mean lethal time to cause 50% mortality at recommended agricultural dose (LT₅₀) also indicated that aldicarb achieved the fastest LT₅₀ (26 h) followed by endosulfan (38 h) and carbaryl (44 h) indicating the danger of these pesticides to P. excavatus.     

Multiple Copies of the Upstream Regulatory Region of the Major Capsid Protein Gene of Bacteriophage MB78 Inhibit Phage Morphogenesis

The 2.311 kb EcoRI F fragment of bacteriophage MB78 has been cloned in multicopy vectors pUC19 and pCR90. Salmonella typhimurium strains carrying such plasmids cannot support development of phage MB78 while other Salmonella phages like P22 and 9NA grow normally. Most of the phage MB78 induced functions are normal in such transformed hosts but proper maturation of the phage particles does not take place. Deletion of 138 bp from the 3 end of the cloned fragment reverses the inhibitory effect. Analysis of nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence of a 1.2 kb HindIII-SalI fragment of the phage genome which overlaps the 138 bp confirms that this part contains the upstream regulatory region of the major structural protein gene. It seems that in presence of multiple copies of the upstream regulatory region (which includes a number of promoter like sequence) of the coat protein gene, the maturase gene is down regulated and this is effective only in cis, a situation quite similar to that of Q RNA phages.     

Cloning,Sequencing, Expression and Promoter Analysis of a Structural Protein of Bacteriophage MB78

Bacteriophage MB78, a virulent phage of Salmonella typhimurium isolated in our laboratory. It is different from the well-known temperate phage P22 and 9NA. A detailed physical map has been constructed. To understand more about the physiology and genetics of this interesting phage it has become necessary to fragment the phage genome, clone the fragments and analyze in depth. A number of promoters of bacteriophage MB78 have been cloned and characterized recently. As a part of this program, in this investigation, we report cloning, sequencing and expression and promoter analysis of the ClaI G fragment. We identified the expressed protein as phage structural. Phage structural proteins play a vital role in forming the core head of the phage particle.     

The clinical and biochemical effects of vitamin C supplementation in short-stay hospitalized geriatric patients

A double-blind placebo trial has been undertaken on 199 elderly patients admitted to an "acute" geriatric assessment ward. Clinical and biochemical assessment was made on admission (0) and at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks (after admission). Ninety-four patients were supplemented with vitamin C (200 mg per day) and 105 had placebo tablets. Biochemical assessment included estimations of plasma and leucocyte (buffy layer) vitamin C, plasma folate, vitamin B12, cortisol and total white cell count. Plasma and leucocyte vitamin C levels remained low for several weeks in a substantial proportion of the non-supplemented patients, whereas low levels were virtually eliminated in the supplemented group. The results from this study suggest that the leucocyte vitamin C levels may give some indication of prognosis in this category of patients (ie. "acute" geriatric admissions) as evidenced by: i) the significantly higher mortality rate during the trial period of patients who started with low initial leucocyte vitamin C levels compared with those starting with higher levels, despite similar mean initial "severity of illness scores" between the two groups. ii) the marked trend, amongst placebo subjects, for those commencing the study with higher leucocyte vitamin C levels to fare better, in terms of progression to "well", than those starting with low levels. Amongst subjects starting with low leucocyte vitamin C levels, there was a trend for "vitamin C" subjects to have fared better by 8 weeks than "placebo" subjects. This again occurred despite similar mean initial "severity scores" between the two groups. Amongst subjects diagnosed with respiratory infections there was some tendency for supplemented patients to fare better than unsupplemented patients. Low leucocyte vitamin C levels, on admission, appear to be predictive of poor subsequent prognosis in elderly hospitalised patients. Results from this trial suggest that supplementation with a moderate dose of vitamin C may improve this prognosis and larger trials with greater numbers appear to be merited to confirm or deny this hypothesis.     

An epidemiological study on patients undergoing dacryocystorhinostomy

Dacryocystorhinostomy is performed in patients with naso-lacrimal duct obstruction to bypass the site of obstruction so as to relieve the patient of the irritating and socially embarrassing symptoms of epiphora. We discuss the various epidemiological aspects especially the vast difference by which the females out-number the males in patients undergoing DCR and the likely explanations for this difference in our study on 74 patients which underwent DCR in our institute.     

Glycosmis arborea extract as a hepatoprotective agent

Glycosmis arborea is a plant possessing various medicinal properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective efficacy of the butanol extract obtained from the aerial parts of the plant. The test sample was prepared by extracting the material through different steps. The extract thus obtained was dissolved in normal saline. Albino rats were prophylactically treated with the extract (i.p.) for 3 weeks. At the end of 3rd week all the groups were injected with hepatotoxic agents. After 48 h of injection, blood was collected and livers were taken out. Different enzymes in the serum were assayed and histopathological study was performed with liver. Glycosmis arborea extract was able to overcome the toxic effects of hepatotoxic agents in terms of lowering the levels of serum GPT, alkaline phosphatase and increased level of SOD in serum. TBARS generation in liver was also altered. Moreover, necrosis of liver produced by carbon tetrachloride was reversed by the extract.     

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Channa micropeltes Extract in Angiogenesis of Diabetes Mellitus Wound Healing

OBJECTIVEChanna micropeltes extract contains albumin and omega-6 which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents that can promote macrophages in the wound healing process associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we analyzed Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression as well as neovascular cells in the inflammatory stage of DM wound healing.METHODSThe 24 males Rattus novergicus were divided into 3 groups that were 20% Channa micropeltes ointment (Group I), 10% Channa striata extract ointment (Group II), and placebo ointment as a control (Group III). Ointments were applied 3 times daily.RESULTSThe highest expression of NF-κB was obser ved in Group III on Day 4 (15.50 ± 2.38), and the lowest was in treatment of Group I and Group II on Day 8 (4.75 ± 0.96). The highest expression of VEGF was obser ved in Group I on Day 8 (14.75 ± 0.96), and the lowest was Group III on Day 4 (7.00 ± 1.41). The highest count of neovascular cells was obser ved in Group I on Day 8 (11.00 ± 2.16), and the lowest was in Group III on Day 4 (5.50 ± 0.58).CONCLUSIONSChanna micropeltes has an anti-inflammator y effect by regulating NF-κB expression and elevating VEGF expression in the angiogenesis process of DM wound healing.