Habitat mapping,population size and preventing extinction through improving the conservation status of Calamus nambariensis Becc. - an endemic and threatened cane of Assam,India

Cane is one of the important forest products after timber, form an integral part of a rural and tribal population of many of the tropical countries of South East Asia, Africa and America. Calamus nambariensis Becc. has been recognized as endemic and threatened cane to the North East region of India. The plant is restricted to only two pockets of Assam with a poor population size. Therefore, conservation of this plant through proper scientific investigation is utmost necessary. The present investigation has as its objectives to study the distribution, estimation of population size, standardization of suitable micropropagation methods for reintroduction and reinforcement in suitable wild habitat as determined by ecological niche modelling (ENM) for the purposes of conservation. For improving the conservation status of the species, potential area and habitat for reintroduction was determined using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) distribution modelling algorithm. The population size in both the site was found to be very poor i.e., mean density, frequency of occurrence and abundance in relation to other associated species was 0.600, 29.26 and 2.307 in Nambor Reserve Forest whereas 0.526, 27.407 and 2.112 respectively in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. Macropropagation of C. nambariensis was standardized here through seed germination which was found to be more efficient in terms of time and cost which revealed 87% germination in treated seeds, followed by 61% only for untreated seeds till 90 days. It was also observed that seedlings in the hilly slope of Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary (reinforcement) showed high survivability than that of the hilly slop of Lahorijan Reserve Forest (reintroduction). Further, survival rate was measured for 24 months, which revealed significantly very high on an average of 97.85% in both the locations, while 1200 numbers of C. nambariensis plantlets were transferred to the field. The present study could change the population size of C. nambariensis in its natural habitat, proving effective means for preventing extinction and improving conservation status of the plant.     

Susceptibility Loci for Adiposity Phenotypes on 8p, 9p,and 16q in American Samoa and Samoa

Obesity is a complex phenotype affected by genetic and environmental influences such as sociocultural factors and individual behaviors. Previously, we performed two separate genome‐wide investigations for adiposity‐related traits (BMI, percentage body fat (%BF), abdominal circumference (ABDCIR), and serum leptin and serum adiponectin levels) in families from American Samoa and in families from Samoa. The two polities have a common evolutionary history but have lately been influenced by variations in economic development, leading to differences in income and wealth and in dietary and physical activity patterns. We now present a genome‐wide linkage scan of the combined samples from the two polities. We adjust for environmental covariates, including polity of residence, education, cigarette smoking, and farm work, and use variance component methods to calculate univariate and bivariate multipoint lod scores. We identified a region on 9p22 with genome‐wide significant linkage for the bivariate phenotypes ABDCIR–%BF (1‐d.f. lod 3.30) and BMI–%BF (1‐d.f. lod 3.31) and two regions with genome‐wide suggestive linkage on 8p12 and 16q23 for adiponectin (lod 2.74) and the bivariate phenotype leptin‐ABDCIR (1‐d.f. lod 3.17), respectively. These three regions have previously been reported to be linked to adiposity‐related phenotypes in independent studies. However, the differences in results between this study and our previous polity‐specific studies suggest that environmental effects are of different importance in the samples. These results strongly encourage further genetic studies of adiposity‐related phenotypes where extended sets of carefully measured environmental factors are taken into account.     

Early protein synthesis during germination of barley embryos and its relationship to RNA synthesis

In barley embryo, protein synthesis as judged from the incorporationof labelled precursors, starts at about 15 min after the commencementof germination. Evidence suggests that these early proteinsare essential for germination and are programmed by a conservedpolyadenylate-containing mRNA, preserved in dry embryos. Althoughlow DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity is present in drybarley embryos, RNA synthesis does not commence immediatelyafter water imbibition. It is initiated only after 2 hr of germinationand its synthesis requires the presence of early proteins. Furthermore,the activity of RNA polymerase increases with an increase ingermination time and after 40 hr of germination, the activityof RNA polymerase is about fivefold higher than that in dryembryo. However, cydoheximide completely blocks the enhancedactivity of RNA polymerase, suggesting a role of early proteinsin the initiation of new RNA synthesis in this developmentalsystem. (Received October 26, 1979; )     

Population study in Assam: ABO blood groups, haemoglobin E and G-6-PD deficiency

An attempt has been made to give a comprehensive picture of occurrence of ABO blood groups, haemoglobin E and G-6-PD deficiency among certain representative populations of the two major racial groups--Mongoloids and Caucasoids--of Assam, India. The qualitative pattern of distribution of ABO gene frequencies shows a clear demarcation between these two major groups. The same is true in respect of HbE gene, too. The Mongoloids present high frequencies of this gene, while among the Caucasoids its frequency is comparatively much lower. With regard to G-6-PD deficiency the distinction between the two groups is not so clear cut, yet some Mongoloid populations show relatively higher incidence of the trait in comparison to that in the Caucasoid populations.     

Investigations on the variability of haptoglobin, transferrin and Gc polymorphisms in Assam, India

Ten different population groups of Assam - Brahmins, Kalitas, Kaibartas, Rajbanshis, Muslims, Ahoms, Chutias, Kacharis, Karbis and Sandwals - have been typed for haptoglobin and for transferrin (Tf) and Gc subtype polymorphisms. Tf and Gc allele subtype frequencies show a considerable inter-population heterogeneity. From genetic distance analysis it appears that the populations under study form some distinct clusters, which can be explained by the historical and ethnic affiliations of these populations. Especially the distribution of Gc subtype alleles reveals some Mongoloid admixture among Assamese populations, which is reflected by the presence of Gc1A8 alleles in them.     

Isozymes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-amylases from newly isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> CKB19: Production from immobilized cells

The aim of this study was to produce two isozymes of α-amylase by immobilization of a newly isolated soil bacterium. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis CKB19 on the basis of its 16S rRNA profile. Enzyme production by free cells increased linearly with cell growth up to 34 h in starch containing enriched liquid media. The active bacterial cells were immobilized in Caalginate beads, and operational stability of the entrapped cell was optimized for amylase production. Enzyme production was optimal at an alginate concentration of 2 g% (w/v), calcium chloride concentration of 1 M, and with 300 beads (each bead contained 2 × 10⁷ cells)/250 mL flask. Amylase production by the immobilized cells was about 3 times higher than free cell fermentation after 34 h of incubation. It was observed that the immobilized bacterium secreted two different amylases (Am-I and Am-II) into the culture fluid. The molecular masses of Am-I and Am-II were 59.6 and 44.7 kd, respectively, and showed optimum activity at pH 5.0 and 9.0. Both amylases showed optimum activity at 40°C and were stable at the same temperature, with losses of only 10 and 20% (for Am I and Am II, respectively) of their original activities after 24 h of incubation. Further, both amylases were salt tolerant (up to 4 M NaCl) and hydrolyzed raw starchy foods into glucose. All these characteristics make this enzyme mixture suitable for use as a digestive aid and for the improvement of digestibility of animal feed ingredients.     

Theoretical investigation of the gas-phase reactions of CF2ClC(O)OCH3 with the hydroxyl radical and the chlorine atom at 298 K

A Theoretical study on the mechanism of the reactions of CF₂ClC(O)OCH₃ with the OH radical and Cl atom is presented. Geometry optimization and frequency calculations have been performed at the MPWB1K/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory and energetic information is further refined by calculating the energy of the species using G2(MP2) theory. Transition states are searched on the potential energy surface involved during the reaction channels and each of the transition states are characterized by presence of only one imaginary frequency. The existence of transition states on the corresponding potential energy surface is ascertained by performing intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculation. Theoretically calculated rate constants at 298 K and atmospheric pressure using the canonical transition state theory (CTST) are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally measured ones. Using group-balanced isodesmic reactions as working chemical reactions, the standard enthalpies of formation for CF₂ClC(O)OCH_3, CF₂ClC(O)OCH₂ and CF₃C(O)OCH₃ are also reported for the first time.     

Effect of fuel burning on the microbial population of soil

An attempt was made to study the effect of different amount of fuel burning on the microbial populations of forest soil. Maximum effect of fire was observed in the surface layer of soil and not much variation was seen in the distribution of soil microflora. However, with increasing amount of fuel burned, the effect became higher, microorganisms being destroyed to a depth of 70 mm. Qualitatively, there was no significant difference in the composition of fungal species in comparison with the control soil. Similar types of fungal species were isolated from all the types of burned soil,Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium andPhoma being the predominant genera. This research was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the Man and Biosphere Programme.     

Microbial Activity in High-Sulfur Reclaimed Coal Mine Overburden Sites

The high-sulfur containing coalmine overburden (OB) dumping ground of the Tirap colliery under the northeastern coalfields in Assam, India, was reclaimed by phytoremediation techniques. Native plant species were planted with line and field methods and by amending with cow dung and unmined soil. In this study, the changes in microbial activity of the reclaimed mine OB wasteland of the Tirap colliery are examined. The enzyme activities of urease, dehydrogenase, and phosphatase were compared over time. Improvements in soil pH, bulk density, and water-holding capacity in the mine OB were found. After four years of reclamation, 1.01% of particles were soil sized (=0.255 mm grain size) with the maximum degradation in the mine OB grain sizes of ?20 mm to +12 mm and of +25 mm. A 1,000-fold increase in microbial colony forming units (CFU) in the four years at the remediated site along with an increase in total DNA were evident for the mine OB reclaimed sites. The increase of microbial CFUs in the mine OB was related to a 100- to 2,000-fold increase in enzyme activity for the reclaimed areas. From this investigation, it can be concluded that the improvement of enzyme activities and the increase in microbial populations of reclaimed mine OB will yield information pertaining to the reclamation index of mine OB.     

Discovery of thiazolyl-phthalazinone acetamides as potent glucose uptake activators via high-throughput screening

With the aim to discover orally active small molecules that stimulate glucose uptake, high throughput screening of a library of 5000 drug-like compounds was conducted in differentiated skeletal muscle cells in presence of insulin. N-Substituted phthalazinone acetamide was identified as a potential glucose uptake modulator. Several novel derivatives were synthesized to establish structure activity relationships. Identified lead thiazolyl-phthalazinone acetamide (7114863) increased glucose uptake (EC₅₀ of 0.07 ± 0.02 μM) in differentiated skeletal muscle cells in presence of insulin. Furthermore, 7114863 was superior to rosiglitazone under similar experimental conditions without inducing PPAR-γ agonist activity thus making it a very interesting scaffold.