Bimodal oxygen uptake in juveniles and adults amphibious fish,Channa (= Ophiocephalus) marulius

Oxygen uptake of Channa marulius was studied under water with and without access to air. There was a significant increase in the oxygen uptake through the gills when access to air was prevented. However, this value (0.863 ± 0.058 mlO₂/indiv./h) was quite low in comparison to the total bimodal oxygen uptake (2.04 ± 0.14 mlO₂/indiv./h) in juveniles. In adult fish the oxygen uptake per unit time increased appreciably (4.673 ± 0.404 mlO₂/indiv./h). In juveniles as well as in adults the air breathing dominated over aquatic breathing. This fish showed a definite circadian rhythm in the bimodal oxygen uptake during different hours of the day.This work was performed in the Ichthyology Laboratory, P. G. Dept. of Zoology, Bhagalpur University, and was supported by a research grant from Bhagalpur University     

Reclassification of incompatibility group L (IncL) plasmids.

Plasmids classified as IncL are shown to be incompatible with plasmids of IncM and we propose to reclassify them as IncM.     

Interaction of DNA with a porphyrin ligand: evidence for intercalation.

The porphyrin photosensitizer, meso-Tetra (4-N-methylpyridyl) porphine tetraperchlorate binds to calf thymus DNA by intercalation and by external electrostatic association. This was concluded from the results of measruements involving Scatchard analysis, viscometry, thermal denaturation, and circular dichroism.     

Plasmid-determined beta-lactamase indistinguishable from the chromosomal beta-lactamase of Escherichia coli.

A plasmid, derived from a naturally occurring strain of Proteus mirabilis, conferred resistance to cephalosporins, apparently mediated by a beta-lactamase indistinguishable from that determined by the chromosomal gene of Escherichia coli K-12. There was evidence for a recombination event between the wild-type plasmid and a defective F factor (Fsp) in the Escherichia coli K-12 culture in which it was stored.     

Diversity analysis of selected rice landraces from West Bengal and their linked molecular markers for salinity tolerance

Study of genetic diversity in crop plants is essential for the selection of appropriate germplasm for crop improvement. As salinity posses a serious environmental challenge to rice production globally and especially in India, it is imperative that the study of large collections of germplasms be undertaken to search for salt tolerant stocks. In the present study, 64 indica germplasms were collected from different agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India, from the Himalayan foothills in the northern part down to the southern saline belt of the state keeping in view the soil characteristics and other edaphic factors prevailing in the region. Salt tolerance parameters were used to screen the large set of germplasms in terms of root-shoot length, fresh-dry weight, chlorophyll content, Na+/K+ ratio and germination potential in presence of salt. Standard evaluation score or SES was calculated to find out tolerant to sensitive cultivar. Twenty-one SSR markers, some associated with the Saltol QTL and others being candidate gene based SSR (cgSSR) were used to study the polymorphism of collected germplasm. A wide diversity was detected among the collected germplasms at the phenotypic as well as molecular level. Of the 21 SSR markers, 15 markers were found to be polymorphic with 88 alleles. Based on phenotypic and biochemical results, 21 genotypes were identified as salinity tolerant, whereas 40 genotypes turned out to be salt susceptible. The present study shows that apart from the established salt tolerant lines, several other landraces like Bonkanta, Morisal, Ghiosh, Patni may be the source of salt tolerant donor in future breeding programs.     

Role of Arabidopsis BBX proteins in light signaling

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Light regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development like seed germination, seedling de-etiolation, pigment accumulation, cotyledon...     

Gametic embryogenesis and callogenesis in Isolated microspore culture of Jatropha curcas L. a recalcitrant bioenergy crop

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Jatropha curcas is an undomesticated crop and its plantations did not meet commercial expectation due to absence of high yielding commercial line with...     

Apoptotic mechanisms of myricitrin isolated from Madhuca longifolia leaves in HL-60 leukemia cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Myricitrin, a naturally occurring flavonoid in Madhuca longifolia, possesses several medicinal properties. Even though our earlier work revealed its role against the...