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Click on the linked title to view the paper
Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2,
2004, 1-16
John Cairns, Jr.
Abstract : Tipping point situations occur when
the forces that create stability are overcome by the forces that create
instability, and the ship, vehicle, system, or global ecosystem tips into
disequilibrium. The five great biotic extinctions provide persuasive
evidence that global tipping points have been reached in the past. The sixth
biotic extinction now underway is unique because of the dominant effects of
anthropogenic activities. The quest for sustainable use of the planet
requires that reaching tipping points be eliminated or, at the very least,
minimized. The best way to determine the stress needed to induce a tipping
point is to cross a major ecological threshold. The experimental sciences
can help estimate the nature and location of thresholds, but ethical
behavior and reducing unsustainable practices is the best way to achieve
sustainability by taking precautionary measure to reduce the probability of
reaching a tipping point.
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- - - - - - Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2, 2004, 17-26 Changes in the expression of actin isoforms in rat uterine smooth muscle during pregnancy
Surender S. Katoch and Ramesh Kumar
Changes in the expression of actin isoforms in
rat uterine smooth muscle were investigated during pregnancy. Isoelectric
focusing (IEF) coupled with 2D SDS-PAGE demonstrated the expression of four
actin isoforms (γ, β, α2 and α1 in uterine smooth muscle from nonpregnant
rat in decreasing order of concentration. Uterine stretching during
pregnancy is associated with a distinctive disappearance of α isomer and a
simultaneous but significant increase in γ and β isoforms (p< 0.005 each).
The observations suggest that uterine muscle undergoes a differential change
in the expression of isoactins commensurate with the reorganization of
cytocontractile apparatus during physiological remodelling accompanying
pregnancy.
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Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2,
2004, 27-35
I. Ghosh, J. Chakrabarti, D. P. Kushari and
N. C. Chatterjee
Fluctuation in mycoflora population was studied
under low(25%), medium(50%) and waterlogged moisture conditions by treating
rice (IR-36) with VAM+Azolla combinations and singly with VAM and Azolla.
Variations were recorded as number of CFU gm-1 soil x104 using rhizosphere
soil. Fungal population was found to be increased and well maintained both
in medium moisture condition and in VAM+Azolla combined treatment. This
condition was found to be congenial for both mycorrhizal colonization and
leaf phosphate accumulation in rice.
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J.D Sharma, M.K Sharma and P. Agrawal Healthy, adult albino rats were treated with fluoride water (1.5, 3, 4.5, 6 ppm) for 60 days. The data reveal that reduction in weight of kidney was observed after the ingestion 3 and 6 ppm of fluoride water. The haematological parameters found to be altered with higher dose of fluoride water leading to anaemic condition. The serum protein, cholesterol and phospholipids were reduced in all the groups studied. However no change was observed in enzyme activity of serum alkaline phosphatase. The tissue biochemistry (glycogen, cholesterol, ascorbic acid) of liver, heart, kidney and adrenal diminished following fluoride water treatment. The data suggests that excess fluoride water exposure to rats caused reduction in weight of kidney, altered serum and tissue biochemistry in turn causing toxic effects on liver, heart, kidney and adrenal.
Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2, 2004, 47-51
Repellent Effect of Some Indigenous Plant
Extracts Against Trogoderma granarium (Everts)
Six aboriginal plant species were screened to
observe possible repellent action against khapra beetle. Repellent property
has been confirmed in all the plant species using olfactometer. Acetone
extract of Emblica officinalis exhibited maximum repellency whereas minimum
repellency was recorded in Ziziphus jujuba pet ether extract.
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- - - - - - Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2, 2004, 53-62 Effect of vitamin ‘A’ on regeneration of tail in tadpoles of toad Bufo fergusonii.
Sonika Saxena
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- - - - - - Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2, 2004, 63-74
Ritu Kamal Yadav
Increasing use of nuclear radiations for human
welfare necessitates a new, safe and cost effective radioprotector not only
for personnels charged with the responsibility of testing or working with
radiations in laboratories, but also for the general public inhabiting in
the uricirity of nuclear reactors.. Keeping this view, this study has been
undertaken to find out the possible radioprotective potential of the
Amaranthus paniculatus(AE) as its leaves have high content of carotenoids,
proteins, minerals, vitamin C and high level of nutritionally critical amino
acids lysine and methionine. For experimental study, healthy Swiss albino
male mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided in four groups.
Group first (normal) did not receive any treatment. Group second was orally
supplemented AE once daily at the dose of 600 mg/kg.b.wt for 15 consecutive
days. Group third (control) received distilled water orally equivalent to AE
for 15 days then exposed to 5 Gy of gamma radiation. Group fourth
(experimental) was administered orally AE for 15 consecutive days once daily
and exposed to single dose of 5 Gy of gamma radiation. Mice were sacrificed
at different autopsy intervals viz. 1,3,7,15 and 30 days and testis was
removed for various biochemical estimations viz. LPO, protein, cholesterol
and glycogen. Radiation induced augmentation in lipid peroxidation,
cholesterol was significantly ameliorated by AE extract and deficit produced
in protein content by radiation was checked. Amaranthus extract
pre-treatment hence renders protection against various biochemical changes
in mice testis.
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- - - - - - AChE and BuChE vis-a-vis Dementia and Related Brain Disorders : A Therapeutic Strategies
Pallavi Mishra
A. L. Bhatia
Memory and attention are cognitive functions
that depend heavily on the cholinergic system. Local activity of
acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and butyryl choline esterase (BuChE) are
indicators of its integrity. Using very recently developed techniques
patients with dementia of Alzheimer have been studied and compared with the
findings on measurements of blood flow (CBF) and glucose metabolism. AChE
activity was reduced significantly in all brain regions in demented
subjects, reduction of glucose metabolism and CBF was more limited to
temporo-parietal association areas. Present review indicates that, compared
to non-demented controls, there is a global reduction of cortical AChE
activity in dementia and increase of BuChE. It also discusses various
plant-based brain boosters for the therapeutic goal through AchE. This
article also reviews the pharmacological basis of some plants and their
active constituents that have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine
and TCM for their reputed cognitive-enhancing effects.
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- - - - - - Asian J. Exp. Sci., Vol. 18, No. 1&2, 2004, 95-112 Biochemical Assessment of Nutritional Status of Pregnant Anemic Women after a Nutritional Supplement
Ruchira Chaudhary
Pregnancy is a remarkable anabolic process.
Lack of balanced diet and inadequate nutrition leads to complications.
Present study aims to assess the nutritional status of pregnant anemic women
along with the effect of nutritional deficiency on the general health with
reference to weight, height, mid-arm circumference, hemoglobin percentage
and serum protein level. Plan of trial included study of pregnant women in
the age group of 20-35 years. Supplemented group was given indigenous form
of nutritional input coupled with Iron and Calcium, while Control group was
provided with only Iron and Calcium. Supplemented group (67.44%) shows rise
in Hb% as compared 40% in Control group. Nutritional supplement plays a
definite role and it affects maternal weight gain, intrauterine growth of
fetus, birth weight and improving perinatal outcome. |
