Age-related responses of right ventricle in swim-trained rats: Changes in lactate and pyruvate contents and lactate dehydrogenase activity

Age related changes in carbohydrate substrates such as, glucose, glycogen, pyruvic acid and lactic acid and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH isoenzyme profile were evaluated in the right ventricle (RV) of swim-trained rats of 6- (adult), 12- (middle-aged) and 18- (old) months-of-age. Moderate hypertrophy was seen in the heart and RV in response to training in all age groups with the 12 months exhibiting a significant increase. While resting levels of pyruvate and glucose in the RV showed small elevations in adult and middle-aged rats, lactic acid showed reductions in all ages. Glycogen supercompensation was seen in the RV of trained animals. These age-related alterations in RV were associated with decreases in blood lactic acid and glucose in the trained rats belonging to all ages. Total protein of the RV decreased with age and exercise increased the content. Total LDH and M4-LDH activities decreased with age. However, training increased their activities in all ages. These changes in the RV suggests that swimming activity produces adaptations (e.g. increased LDH and M4) in all age groups. Considering the degree of adaptations, it can be suggested that adult and middle-aged are suitable for initiating swim-training programs, but not in old age

Spectrophotometric Determination of Iron(II) and Cobalt(II) by Direct, Derivative, and Simultaneous Methods Using 2-Hydroxy-1-Naphthaldehyde-p-Hydroxybenzoichydrazone

Optimized and validated spectrophotometric methods have been proposed for the determination of iron and cobalt individually and simultaneously. 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-p-hydroxybenzoichydrazone (HNAHBH) reacts with iron(II) and cobalt(II) to form reddish-brown and yellow-coloured [Fe(II)-HNAHBH] and [Co(II)-HNAHBH] complexes, respectively. The maximum absorbance of these complexes was found at 405 nm and 425 nm, respectively. For [Fe(II)-HNAHBH], Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range of 0.055–1.373 μg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.095 μg mL−1 and molar absorptivity ɛ, 5.6 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1. [Co(II)-HNAHBH] complex obeys Beer's law in 0.118–3.534 μg mL−1 range with a detection limit of 0.04 μg mL−1 and molar absorptivity, ɛ of 2.3 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1. Highly sensitive and selective first-, second- and third-order derivative methods are described for the determination of iron and cobalt. A simultaneous second-order derivative spectrophotometric method is proposed for the determination of these metals. All the proposed methods are successfully employed in the analysis of various biological, water, and alloy samples for the determination of iron and cobalt content

Conchyliurus bhimilensis N. Sp. (Copepoda) from a Bivalve Mollusc Meretrix casta (Cherm) off Bhimnipatnam

Information on Copepod parasitic on marine organisms other than fishes is scanty. I was therefore of some interest to obsorve copepod of the genus Conchyliurus inhabiting the mantle cavity of a bivalve mollusk Meretrixi cast

Estimation of population mean in two– stage sampling under a deterministic response mechanism in the presence of non-response

In the present paper, we have considered the problem of estimation of population mean in the presence of non-response under two-stage sampling. Two different models of non-response with deterministic response mechanism have been discussed in the paper. The estimators under two non-response models have been developed by using Hansen and Hurwitz (1946) technique. The expressions for the variances and estimates of variance of these estimators have been derived. The optimum values of sample sizes have been obtained by considering a suitable cost function for a fixed variance. A limited simulation study has been carried out to examine the magnitude of percent relative loss (% RL) in standard error due to non-response. An empirical study with the real populations has also been carried out to assess the % RL in standard error due to non-response

Determination of Adulteration and Quantity of Petrol in Automobiles

Determination of adulteration and quantity of petrol in automobiles is implemented to ensure quality, quantity and to determine the efficiency of the engine through mileage. It consists of pH meter, LDR arrangement, proximity sensor, PIC microcontroller and LCD. The pH meter is used for the quality testing of petrol and its values should range between 5.5-5.88 to indicate petrol without adulteration. LDR arrangement produce a change in the voltage according to the level of petrol in the tank is used for quantity measurement. Proximity sensor is used to determine the petrol consumption between the levels of LDR arrangement by calculating the number of rotations of the wheel through induction type. The inputs from the pH Meter, LDR setup and proximity sensor are connected to the PIC microcontroller. Based on the voltage level produced from the sensors, PIC controller would calculate and display the corresponding values of quality, quantity and mileage of the vehicle

Structure and Dynamics of Tree Stands at the Upper Timberline in the Western Part of the Putorana Plateau

Analysis of the age structure of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) forests in the western part of the Putorana Plateau (Sukhie Gory Range) and comparison of diachronous topographic maps and satellite images have revealed changes in the altitudinal position of the upper boundary of tree vegetation. the most significant changes occurred on south- and southwest-facing slopes. Correlations of trunk diameters with the phytomass of trees and its fractions have been found. the course of changes in the structure and phytomass of tree stands in the upper timberline over the past centuries has been reconstructed. Forest expansion has been facilitated by the general change in climate conditions (warming) in the study area.This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 17-14-01112

Blood stage malaria antigens induce different activation-induced cell death programs in splenic CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T cells

CD4+ T cells respond to antigen immunization through a process of activation, clonal expansion to generate activated effector T cells followed by activation-induced clonal deletion of the responding T cells. While loss of responding T cells in post-activation death by apoptosis is a major factor regulating immune homeostasis, the precise pathways involved in downsizing of Plasmodium falciparum antigen-induced T cell expansions are not well characterized. We report in this study that splenic CD4+ T cells from mice immunized with nonreplicating immunogens like OVA or recombinant blood stage P. falciparum antigens, PfMSP-3 and PfMSP-119 or crude parasite antigen (PfAg) undergo sequential T cell activation, proliferation followed by activation-induced cell death (AICD) in a dose- and time-dependent manner after Ag restimulation. While PfMSP-3 and OVA-induced AICD was mediated through a death receptor-dependent apoptotic program, PfMSP-119 and PfAg-induced AICD was via a mechanism dependent on the activation of mitochondria apoptosis signalling pathway through Bax activation. These results provide insights into the mechanism through which two blood stage merozoite antigens trigger different apoptotic programs of AICD in splenic CD4+ T cells

ENZYME PRODUCTION ABILITY BY BACILLUS SUBTILIS AND BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS - A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Objective: B.subtilis and B.licheniformis have been reported as one of the potential protease producer. Hence, an attempt has been made to optimize and compare the enzyme production by entrapment and fermentor conditions. Methods: Growth profile of both the strains has been studied. Optimization of culture conditions with respect to pH, temperature, agitation, carbon, nitrogen sources and metals has also been analyzed. Immobilization studies have been conducted for the strains. Enzyme production ability in fermentor has been premeditated. Results: Growth profile for both the strains was found to be similar. Strains were optimized for maximal enzyme production. Fermentation has yielded higher production of enzyme (8080 U/ml) compared to immobilization (850 U/ml). Conclusion: B.subtilis was more stable in enzyme production with immobilization and fermentation when compared to B.licheniformis.Keywords: B.subtilis, B.licheniformis, Immobilization, Fermentatio