IMPACT OF ROTATORY VESTIBULAR STIMULATION AND CURCUMA LONGA ON SPATIAL LEARNING AND MEMORY IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: This study was aimed at investigating the effect of rotatory vestibular stimulation and the capacity of the powerful antioxidant curry spiceCurcuma longa (turmeric) on neuromorphological and brain cholinesterase activity in rats to analyze the behavioral changes and cognition in healthyWistar albino rats.Methods: A total of 72 adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups. For Group A (control group) neither vestibularstimulation nor the turmeric was administered, Group B (rotatory vestibular stimulated group), rotatory vestibular stimulation was given for5 minutes in a rotatory vestibular apparatus at a rate of 50 revolutions per minute in clockwise direction for 30 days, Group C (turmeric alone) treatedwith 2 mg/kg of turmeric for 30 days, Group D (turmeric+vestibular), treated with 2 mg/kg of turmeric followed by 5 minutes of rotatory vestibularstimulation for 30 days.Results: Group B shows improvement in learning via a reduction in number of trails for acquisition and retention, and an increase in dendriticbranching points and intersections and also a reduction in acetylcholinesterase level.Conclusion: Rotatory vestibular stimulation provides improvement in cognition via neuromorphological and biochemical changes than rotatoryvestibular stimulation and turmeric in combination and turmeric alone, though there is no significant difference between the treated groups.Rotatory vestibular stimulation in combination with turmeric (Group D) shows a nonsignificant increase in dendritic arborization ensures a longlasting promising effect in cognition enhancement through a long period of treatment. Further detailed study on combination of rotatory vestibularstimulation and turmeric is required to explore the mechanism of therapeutic action of this intervention as a useful remedy for the management ofcognitive disorders. Keywords: Rotatory vestibular stimulation, Turmeric, Learning and memory, Hippocampal neuron

Modelling of sPn phases for reliable estimation of focal depths in northeastern India

In North East India, reliable estimation of earthquake focal depths has always been a problem, owing to paucity of permanent regional seismic stations, constraints on good quality data and lack of crustal models in a complex tectonic terrane. The depth estimations by international agencies, mostly based on teleseismic data, vary from very shallow to even 60 km, suggestive of earthquake occurrence in the upper mantle region. However, modelling of sPn phases in earthquake waveforms that are highly sensitive to focal depths indicates that the earthquake locations are probably well within the crustal layer. The current method has the advantage that dt, the travel time difference between sPn and Pn, remains constant for a wide range of source-station distances, and hence enables easy identification of the sPn phase, while providing direct and accurate estimate of the focal depth. The approach is also insensitive to location errors and variations in crustal models, a useful feature especially while dealing with sparse data with high location errors. In the present study, earthquakes in the magnitude range 3.0-4.0 recorded by a network of nine broadband stations in NE India have been analysed. Consistent dt values at different stations were observed for each event, enabling precise depth estimation mostly within ±1 or 2 km. In general, depths of 15-20 km in the Shillong plateau region, >20 km in the Sylhet basin region and shallow <10 km in the eastern Himalayan foothills are confirmed, that correlate well with the local tectonics. Further, we propose that the flat characteristics of the dt curve that begin to change for earthquakes below the Moho, can be a potential tool for discriminating between crustal and sub-crustal earthquakes, as well as for delineation of the Moho using dense regional seismic networks in future

Dissipative and Non-dissipative Single-Qubit Channels: Dynamics and Geometry

Single-qubit channels are studied under two broad classes: amplitude damping channels and generalized depolarizing channels. A canonical derivation of the Kraus representation of the former, via the Choi isomorphism is presented for the general case of a system's interaction with a squeezed thermal bath. This isomorphism is also used to characterize the difference in the geometry and rank of these channel classes. Under the isomorphism, the degree of decoherence is quantified according to the mixedness or separability of the Choi matrix. Whereas the latter channels form a 3-simplex, the former channels do not form a convex set as seen from an ab initio perspective. Further, where the rank of generalized depolarizing channels can be any positive integer upto 4, that of amplitude damping ones is either 2 or 4. Various channel performance parameters are used to bring out the different influences of temperature and squeezing in dissipative channels. In particular, a noise range is identified where the distinguishability of states improves inspite of increasing decoherence due to environmental squeezing.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Effect of vitamin E (Tri E®) on antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage in rats following eight weeks exercise

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exercise is beneficial to health, but during exercise the body generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are known to result in oxidative stress. The present study analysed the effects of vitamin E (Tri E^®) on antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (Cat) activity and DNA damage in rats undergoing eight weeks exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty four <it>Sprague-Dawley </it>rats (weighing 320-370 gm) were divided into four groups; a control group of sedentary rats which were given a normal diet, second group of sedentary rats with oral supplementation of 30 mg/kg/d of Tri E^®, third group comprised of exercised rats on a normal diet, and the fourth group of exercised rats with oral supplementation of 30 mg/kg/d of Tri E^®. The exercising rats were trained on a treadmill for 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after 8 weeks of the study to determine SOD, GPx, Cat activities and DNA damage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SOD activity decreased significantly in all the groups compared to baseline, however both exercised groups showed significant reduction in SOD activity as compared to the sedentary groups. Sedentary control groups showed significantly higher GPx and Cat activity compared to baseline and exercised groups. The supplemented groups, both exercised and non exercised groups, showed significant decrease in Cat activity as compared to their control groups with normal diet. DNA damage was significantly higher in exercising rats as compared to sedentary control. However in exercising groups, the DNA damage in supplemented group is significantly lower as compared to the non-supplemented group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, antioxidant enzymes activity were generally reduced in rats supplemented with Tri E^®probably due to its synergistic anti-oxidative defence, as evidenced by the decrease in DNA damage in Tri E^®supplemented exercise group.</p

Glycolate Oxidase Isozymes Are Coordinately Controlled by GLO1 and GLO4 in Rice

Glycolate oxidase (GLO) is a key enzyme in photorespiratory metabolism. Four putative GLO genes were identified in the rice genome, but how each gene member contributes to GLO activities, particularly to its isozyme profile, is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed how each gene plays a role in isozyme formation and enzymatic activities in both yeast cells and rice tissues. Five GLO isozymes were detected in rice leaves. GLO1 and GLO4 are predominately expressed in rice leaves, while GLO3 and GLO5 are mainly expressed in the root. Enzymatic assays showed that all yeast-expressed GLO members except GLO5 have enzymatic activities. Further analyses suggested that GLO1, GLO3 and GLO4 interacted with each other, but no interactions were observed for GLO5. GLO1/GLO4 co-expressed in yeast exhibited the same isozyme pattern as that from rice leaves. When either GLO1 or GLO4 was silenced, expressions of both genes were simultaneously suppressed and most of the GLO activities were lost, and consistent with this observation, little GLO isozyme protein was detected in the silenced plants. In contrast, no observable effect was detected when GLO3 was suppressed. Comparative analyses between the GLO isoforms expressed in yeast and the isozymes from rice leaves indicated that two of the five isozymes are homo-oligomers composed of either GLO1 or GLO4, and the other three are hetero-oligomers composed of both GLO1 and GLO4. Our current data suggest that GLO isozymes are coordinately controlled by GLO1 and GLO4 in rice, and the existence of GLO isozymes and GLO molecular and compositional complexities implicate potential novel roles for GLO in plants

Effects of hydroxycinnamic acid esters on sweetpotato weevil feeding and oviposition and interactions with Bacillus thuringiensis proteins

Sweetpotato weevil (SPW) pest management is challenging because the pest target is sub-terranean, so the application of pesticides is impractical and usually ineffective. Host plant resistance and the genetic transformation of sweetpotatoes to produce entomotoxic Bt proteins offer potential for environmentally benign pest control. Resistance can be conferred by naturally occurring hydroxycinnamic acids which protect against oviposition by adults, but these compounds are restricted to the root surface so do not protect against the cortex bound larvae where the greatest damage occurs. Resistance could be enhanced if combined with expression of Bt proteins in transformed plants but interactions between hydroxycinnamic acids and Bt proteins remain unknown. Here the bioactivity of Cry7Aa1 protein and hydroxycinnamic acid esters was evaluated individually and in combination against SPW larvae and mortality determined. Low and high concentrations of hydroxycinnamic acid esters alone caused significantly higher mortality of both weevil species in all experiments compared to the control. SPW larval mortality was greater when tested as a combination of hydroxycinnamic acid esters and Bt protein but this effect was additive not synergistic. Although we report no evidence of antagonistic interactions the antifeedant effects of the plant compounds conferring host plant resistance could have reduced consumption of the Bt protein in our assays leading to a lower efficacy when combined. Further work is required to determine if the toxic effects of Bt proteins function alongside host plant resistance in sweetpotato under field conditions

The dominant Anopheles vectors of human malaria in the Asia-Pacific region: occurrence data, distribution maps and bionomic précis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The final article in a series of three publications examining the global distribution of 41 dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria is presented here. The first publication examined the DVS from the Americas, with the second covering those species present in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Here we discuss the 19 DVS of the Asian-Pacific region. This region experiences a high diversity of vector species, many occurring sympatrically, which, combined with the occurrence of a high number of species complexes and suspected species complexes, and behavioural plasticity of many of these major vectors, adds a level of entomological complexity not comparable elsewhere globally. To try and untangle the intricacy of the vectors of this region and to increase the effectiveness of vector control interventions, an understanding of the contemporary distribution of each species, combined with a synthesis of the current knowledge of their behaviour and ecology is needed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Expert opinion (EO) range maps, created with the most up-to-date expert knowledge of each DVS distribution, were combined with a contemporary database of occurrence data and a suite of open access, environmental and climatic variables. Using the Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) modelling method, distribution maps of each DVS were produced. The occurrence data were abstracted from the formal, published literature, plus other relevant sources, resulting in the collation of DVS occurrence at 10116 locations across 31 countries, of which 8853 were successfully geo-referenced and 7430 were resolved to spatial areas that could be included in the BRT model. A detailed summary of the information on the bionomics of each species and species complex is also presented.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This article concludes a project aimed to establish the contemporary global distribution of the DVS of malaria. The three articles produced are intended as a detailed reference for scientists continuing research into the aspects of taxonomy, biology and ecology relevant to species-specific vector control. This research is particularly relevant to help unravel the complicated taxonomic status, ecology and epidemiology of the vectors of the Asia-Pacific region. All the occurrence data, predictive maps and EO-shape files generated during the production of these publications will be made available in the public domain. We hope that this will encourage data sharing to improve future iterations of the distribution maps.</p