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Understanding the regeneration potential of tree species in natural forest ecosystems is crucial to deliver suitable management practices for conservation of biodiversity. We studied the variation in structural diversity and regeneration potential of tree species in three different tropical forest types, namely: Dry Deciduous forest (DDF), Moist Deciduous forest (MDF) and Semi-evergreen forest (SEF) of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Eastern India. Random sample plots were laid for studying the diversity and distribution pattern of tree, sapling, and seedling stages of the tree species. A total of 84 species belong to 73 genera and 35 families were recorded from the study area. The highest species richness was reported for tree (54 species) in DDF, sapling (24 species) in MDF and seedling (22 species each) in SEF and DDF. The overall density of trees with GBH (Girth at Breast Height) ≥ 10 cm was 881 individuals/ha. The regeneration potential of tree species was poor in DDF (39%) where as it was fair in SEF (43%) and MDF (49%). Most of the dominant tree species at each forest type performed good regeneration. The species such as Ehretia laevis Roxb., Bridelia retusa (L.)A.Juss., Mitragyna parviflora (Roxb.) Korth., Terminalia tomentosa Wight & Arn., Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.etc. had either no regeneration or poor regeneration potential need immediate attention for conservation measures. The diversity of standing trees did not correlate with seedling or sapling diversity in all the cases but there was significant correlation among seedling and sapling diversity found in DDF (r = 0.67, p ≤ 0.05) and SEF (r = 0.83, p ≤ 0.05). Further, the diversity of tree species increased with their age (trees > saplings > seedlings) and the stem density decreased with their age (trees

Heritiera fomes Buch.-Ham. is assessed as an endangered mangrove species by IUCN, and information on population status is lacking. The present study assesses the status of H. fomes in Mahanadi Mangrove Wetland on the east coast of India. Three forest blocks were selected and sampled for this study. Among these, the mean girth at breast height (GBH) of H. fomes was the highest in Hetamundia (HD) forest block. GBH of H. fomes was inversely proportional to the cumulative disturbance index (R2= 0.7244, p value

Terminalia tomentosa (Roxb.) Wight & Arn., an important tree species in the tropical forests of India, is often reported to have poor or no regeneration in many parts of the country. The present st...

Spatial understanding of biomass and carbon stock in tropical moist deciduous forests is crucial in assessment of global carbon budget. The present study was aimed to assess the above ground and below ground carbon stock and its relation with tree diversity parameters in two tropical moist deciduous forest sites, namely: Xylia dominated forest (XDF) and Sal dominated forest (SDF) of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Odisha, India. A total of seventy-two tree species ≥ 5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were recorded, belonging to 62 genera and 27 families. Estimated average above-ground biomass carbon and soil organic carbon were 180.05 Mg C ha−1, 55.4 Mg C ha−1 and 209.3 Mg C ha−1, 61.8 Mg C ha−1 in XDF and SDF of SBR, respectively. Shorea robusta Gaertn. was the most carbon accumulating species of both the forests contributing about 21.5% of biomass carbon in XDF and 47.8% biomass carbon in SDF. Maximum carbon allocation was in above-ground biomass pool (69.04%) followed by soil organic carbon (20.9%) and below-ground biomass/root (10.1%). The correlation study revealed that above-ground biomass had strong positive correlation with basal area and Importance Value Index of tree species indicating importance of dominant species in carbon storage. Therefore, the dominant tree species such as S. robusta Gaertn., Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub., Terminalia tomentosa Wight & Arn., Schleichera oleosa Lour.) Merr. etc. is suggested for proper conservation and management to maintain the carbon stock of SBR. The results emphasized the importance of tropical moist deciduous forests in potential carbon storage and conservation of biodiversity in forest ecosystem of India. Further, the information will supplement to the global deficit of carbon stock data of moist deciduous forest and has implications in carbon model projections and management both nationally and globally.

Secondary tropical forests sequester atmospheric CO2 at relatively faster rates in vegetation and in soil than old-growth primary forests. Spatial understanding of biomass and carbon stocks in different plant functional types of these forests is important. Structure, diversity, composition, soil features and carbon stocks in six distinct plant functional types, namely: Moist Mixed-Deciduous Forest, Peninsular Sal Forest (PSF), Semi-Evergreen Forest (SEF), Planted Teak Forest, Bamboo Brakes (BB), and Degraded Thorny Shrubby Forest were quantified as secondary tropical deciduous forests of the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, Eastern Ghats of Odisha, India. Seventy-one species ≥ 10 cm Girth at breast height (GBH) were recorded, belonging to 38 families and 65 genera. Above- ground biomass carbon and soil organic carbon ranged from 2.1–72.7 Mg C ha−1 and 20.6–67.1 Mg C ha−1, respectively, among all plant functional types. Soil organic carbon and important value index were positively correlated with above- ground biomass carbon. Maximum carbon allocation was in SOC pool (51–91%), followed by the above- ground biomass pool (9–52%), indicating SOC is one of the major carbon sinks in secondary dry forests. The results highlight the importance of secondary tropical deciduous forests in biodiversity conservation and ecological importance in reducing greenhouse gases.

The present study investigates the climatological rainfall vulnerability districts associated with monsoon depressions (MDs) over Odisha using both observational and modeling perspectives for a period of 34 years (1980–2013). Four heavy rainfall cases associated with MDs crossed Odisha are simulated with the help of high-resolution advanced research weather research forecasting system, and the rainfall vulnerability mapping for more than 1-mm rainfall values at district level are evaluated. The observational analyses on the frequency of MDs for the study period exhibit a decreasing trend. It is noticed that the rainfall vulnerability districts are present to the left side of the track of the MDs. The model simulation result depicts that the location of formation of MDs is always behind the actual position of the system and also do the landfall after the actual time. The model has a positive bias in the prediction of the intensity of rainfall and a spatial shift in the distribution of rainfall. The model is showing higher Heidke skill for less intensity rainfall threshold values. The analysis also suggests that the maximum rainfall vulnerable districts are present 150–200 km away from the original position, still these districts are present to the left side of the MDs. Analysis on the horizontal and vertical structure of MD suggests that the presence of relative humidity is less in WRF and the distribution of relative vorticity is not same as the observation, which may be the major causes of having such error in predicting heavy rainfall.

The phytogeography of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Odisha, India, reveals very interesting information on distribution of tree species. Phytogeographical affinities of tree species of SBR has been analysed by obtaining the information about the species distribution at local and global scale. A total of 240 tree species were recorded and their phytogeographical affinities were compiled with different countries of the globe. An analysis of the affinities revealed that SBR has strong affinity with Sri-Lanka (46.66%) and Myanmar (45.83%) followed by China, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and Africa. SBR has also affinity with Himalayan vegetation possessing several trees and orchids find distribution in both the areas. The phytogeographical affinity of SBR supports the migration, establishment and naturalization of flora from/to SBR. This hypothesis needs further study for biogeographical mapping of Indian sub-continent.

The study of biomass, structure and composition of tropical forests implies also the investigation of forest productivity, protection of biodiversity and removal of CO 2 from the atmosphere via C-stocks. The hereby study aimed at understanding the forest structure, composition and above ground biomass (AGB) of tropical dry deciduous forests of Eastern Ghats, India, where as a total of 128 sample plots (20 x 20 meters) were laid. The study showed the presence of 71 tree species belonging to 57 genera and 30 families. Dominant tree species was Shorea robusta with an importance value index (IVI) of 40.72, while Combretaceae had the highest family importance value (FIV) of 39.01. Mean stand density was 479 trees ha -1 and a basal area of 15.20 m 2 ha -1 . Shannon’s diversity index was 2.01 ± 0.22 and Simpson’s index was 0.85 ± 0.03. About 54% individuals were in the size between 10 and 20 cm DBH, indicating growing forests. Mean above ground biomass value was 98.87 ± 68.8 Mg ha -1 . Some of the dominant species that contributed to above ground biomass were Shorea robusta (17.2%) , Madhuca indica (7.9%) , Mangifera indica (6.9%) , Terminalia alata (6.9%) and Diospyros melanoxylon (4.4%), warranting extra efforts for their conservation. The results suggested that C-stocks of tropical dry forests can be enhanced by in-situ conserving the high C-density species and also by selecting these species for afforestation and stand improvement programs. Correlations were computed to understand the relationship between above ground biomass, diversity indices, density and basal area, which may be helpful for implementation of REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) scheme.

An abnormal warming condition with 3–5 °C rise in temperature above its normal value was observed in the Indian state of Odisha during 12–16 November 2009. This study aims at examining the impact of additional weather observations obtained from the automatic weather stations (AWS) installed in the recent past on the numerical simulation of such abnormal warming. AWS observations, such as temperature at 2 m (T2m), dew point temperature at 2 m (Td2m), wind vector at 10 m (speed and direction), and sea level pressure (SLP) have been assimilated into the state-of-the-art Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model using the three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR). Six sets of experiments have been conducted here. There is no data assimilation in the control experiment, whereas AWS and radiosonde observations have been assimilated in rest of the five experiments. The model integrations have been made for 72 h in each experiment starting from 0000 UTC November 12 to 0000 UTC November 15, 2009. Assimilation experiments have also been performed to assess the impact of individual surface parameters on the model simulations. Impact of AWS observations on model simulation has been examined with reference to the control simulation and quantified in terms of root-mean-square error and forecast skill score for temperature, sea level pressure, and relative humidity at three selected stations Bonaigarh, Brahmagiri, and Nuapada in Odisha. Results indicate improvements in the surface air temperature and SLP simulations in the timescale of 72 h at all the three stations due to additional weather data assimilation into the model. Improvements in simulation are significant up to 24 h. The assimilation of additional wind fields significantly improved the temperature simulation at all the three stations. The simulated SLP has also improved significantly due to the assimilation of surface temperature and moisture.

We have quantitatively analyzed the tree species diversity with respect to soil nutrient status in three sites of a sacred forest ecosystem of Niyamgiri hill range, Eastern Ghats, India. Extensive field surveys and sampling were conducted in 3 sites of the hill range: Site 1 Pterocarpus dominated forest (PTF) (19°40′02.2″ N and 83°21′23.1″ E), Site 2 Mangifera dominated forest (MAF) (19°40′02.8″ N and 83°21′40.8″ E) and Site 3 Mixed forest (MIF) (19°36′47.1″ N and 83°21′02.7″ E). A total of 28 families, 42 genera, 46 tree species, and 286 individual trees were recorded on an area of 0.6 ha. Tree density varied between 470 and 490 individuals ha−1 and average basal area between 3.16 and 10.04 m2 ha−1. Shannon Index (H′) ranged from 2.34 to 4.53, Simpson’s Index ranged from 0.07 to 0.09, and equitability Index ranged from 0.7 to 1.34. The number of individuals was highest in the girth at breast height (GBH) class of 50–70 cm. The soil nutrient status of the three forest types was related to tree species diversity. The soil pH value of the three sites reflected the slightly acidic nature of the area. Species diversity was positively correlated with organic carbon and phosphorus and negatively with nitrogen, EC and pH. The results of the current study may be helpful to further develop a conservation plan for tree species in tropical sacred forest ecosystems.

Environmental implications of Biological spectrum vis-a-vis tree species diversity in two protected forests of Gandhamardan hill ranges of Eastern Ghats, India, are of great ecological significance in the perspective of climatic change. Biological spectrum includes phanerophytes (38.4 %), nanophanerophytes (11.4 %), chamaephytes (5.5 %), hemicryptophytes (2.4 %), geophytes (4.1 %), hydrophytes (0.7 %), therophytes (27.3 %), and lianas (10 %). The comparison with Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum depicts “Phanero-Therophytic Phytoclimate”. The present study enlisted of a total of 10,775 trees belonging to 90 tree species within a 17.6 ha sampled area (441 plots). The Shannon–Weiner index (H′) is 3.92 (Site-I) and 3.31 (Site-II) with Simpson’s value 1.0. This value indicates that the tropical moist deciduous forests are also species diverse systems. Mean stand density was 671 ha−1 in Site-I and 565 ha−1 in Site-II. Ascertaining the phytoclimate of Gandhamardan hill ranges vis-a-vis tree species diversity and comparing the area on a geographical scale would be helpful for conservation and management of the study area.

A severe thunderstorm produced a tornado (F3 on the Fujita-Pearson scale), which affected Rajkanika block of Kendrapara district of Orissa in the afternoon of March 31, 2009. The devastation caused by the tornado consumed 15 lives and left several injured with huge loss of property. The meteorological conditions that led to this tornado have been analyzed. An attempt is also made to simulate this rare event using Non-hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM) core of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) system with a spatial resolution of 4 km for a period of 24 h, starting at 0000 UTC of March 31, 2009. The atmospheric settings resulted from synoptic, surface, upper air, satellite and radar echo studies were favorable for the occurrence of a severe thunderstorm activity over Rajkanika. The model-simulated meteorological parameters are consistent with each other, and all are in good agreement with the observation in terms of the region of occurrence of the intense convective activity. The model has well captured the vertical motion. The core of the strongest winds is shown to be very close to the site of actual occurrence of the event. The wind speed is not in good agreement with the observation as it has shown the strongest wind of only 20 ms−1, against the estimated wind speed of 70 ms−1. The spatial distributions as well as intensity of rainfall rates are in good agreement with the observation as model simulated 35.4 mm against the observed rainfall of 41 mm over Chandbali. The results of these analyses demonstrated the capability of high-resolution WRF–NMM model in simulation of severe thunderstorm events.

The rich biodiversity repository of Gandhamardan hill ranges, Eastern Ghats, India is under severe threat from various magnitudes such as deforestation, unsustainable collection of medicinal plants, invasion of alien species, forest fire, urbanization and habitat destruction. The Protected Forests (PFs) have lost a number of wild species from their natural habitat pose to loss of biodiversity. The hill range having two preservation plots of 100ha each identified in Nrusinghanath (SITE-I) and Harishankar (SITE-II) range as study area. The present study inventoried a total of 10775 trees belonging to 91 tree species within a 17.6 hectare sampled area (441 plots). The predominant tree species are Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, Cleistanthus collinus, Anogeissus latifolia, and Lagerstroemia parviflora. The Shannon- Weiner index (H’) is 3.92 (SITE-I) and 3.31 (SITE- II) with Simpson’s value 1.0. This value indicates that the tropical moist deciduous forests are also species diverse systems. Mean stand density was 671 ha-1 in SITE-I and 565 ha-1 in SITE-II. Stem density and species richness have consistently decreased with increasing girth class of tree species from 50 cm girth. The present study on phyto-diversity of tree species and participatory approaches on sustainable use of natural resources will provide the baseline information for effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation of tropical moist deciduous forest.

Plants have been used as a source of medicine since ancient times. These medicines are safe and environmentally friendly. According to WHO about 80% of the world’s population depends on traditional...

Mangroves are extremely important bio-resources which are crucial to coastal environment. Mangroves are declining rapidly as they are getting degraded for agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, urban development and over-exploitation. India lost 40% of its mangrove area during the last century. Hence, it is highly necessary to assess the status and trends of mangroves in India. We have assessed the trends of mangrove area in India during 1987-2013 and found that the mean annual change during the period is 24.25 ± 82.57 km2. Most of the states are experiencing an increase in area except Andhra Pradesh (-5.95 ± 15.70 km2) and Andaman and Nicobar (-3.41 ± 52.32 km2). The present review is focused on assessing the status and trends of mangrove area in India including the causes of loss and its restoration and traditional conservation. Implications of loss of mangroves have been discussed with respect to exposure to cyclones, hurricanes and sea water intrusion, tsunami and climate change. Effective governance structures, better planning for rehabilitation of degraded mangroves, education and awareness building in local communities are needed to conserve, protect and restore the valuable mangrove wetland ecosystems. Further, mitigation and adaptation to climate change aspects are considered.

Using a PCR-based method, we detected Wolbachia in the Asian rice gall midge. Furthermore, results showed that all females across all biotypes are infected with Wolbachia. However, all male flies are not infected and show different infection frequency in different biotypes. We have also identified three mitotypes, in the rice gall midge, based on DraI restriction pattern of a portion of the 12S rRNA gene that was PCR amplified using primers specific to this gene. All the females and infected male flies had type 1 mtDNA while uninfected males showed only type 2 or 3 mtDNA. Inheritance patterns of mtDNA revealed the existence of a correlation between mtDNA type and Wolbachia infection in the Asian rice gall midge. Evidence for paternal inheritance of mtDNA in Wolbachia-free gall midge is also presented.

In an attempt to identify a specific marker for biotype 2 of the Asian rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae, Wood-Mason), we used AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) fingerprinting. We identified an AFLP marker that is specifically amplified in biotypes 1, 2 and 5 of the rice gall midge, but not in biotype 4. Biotypes 1, 2 and 5 are avirulent to hosts bearing the Gm2 resistance gene (found in rice variety Phalguna), whereas biotype 4 is virulent to Gm2. Based on the sequence of this AFLP marker, SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) primers were designed and used in combination with previously developed SCAR primers to distinguish effectively all five biotypes in a multiplex PCR-based assay. The inheritance pattern of this marker in the progenies of inter-biotype crosses between biotypes 1, 2 and 4 shows that the marker can be amplified by PCR from all F1 females, irrespective of the biotype status of their parents. However, the marker is present only in those male progenies whose mother was of a Gm2 avirulent biotype. The specific amplification of this marker in the avirulent biotypes and its pattern of inheritance show that avirulence with respect to carriers of the Gm2 gene in rice gall midge is sex-linked.

Mangrove forest ecosystem is one of the important carbon sinks in the tropics. The role of mangrove forests in mitigating climate change through reduced deforestation is well recognized. The present field study aimed to estimate the carbon stocks of Mahanadi Mangrove Wetland (MMW), east coast of India. Carbon stocks were estimated in vegetation and soil of natural mangrove forest stands and new mangrove plantation stands. The mean of carbon stock in natural stands was 143.4 +/- 8.2 Mg C ha(-1) (vegetation 89.1 +/- 8.9 and soil 54.3 +/- 3.0 Mg C ha(-1)) and plantation at 151.5 +/- 7.9 Mg C ha(-1) (vegetation 90.6 +/- 16.2 and soil 60.9 +/- 5.6 Mg C ha(-1)). The mean overall C-stock of natural stands and plantations was 147.0 +/- 8.1 Mg C ha(-1) (vegetation 89.4 +/- 7.6 and soil 57.6 +/- 3.2 Mg C ha(-1)), which is 1.6 times higher than that in forests of Odisha. A positive correlation (r = 0.87) was found between vegetation biomass and soil organic carbon in the surface soil (0-30 cm), indicating the role of vegetation in building surface soil/sediment organic carbon. The 6651 ha of mangrove forests in the MMW is estimated to store 0.98 Mt of C, which is equivalent to 3.59 Mt of CO(2)e. The present study reveals that MMW stores substantial amount of atmospheric carbon and therefore needs to be conserved and sustainably managed to maintain as well as increase carbon storage. Further, mangrove plantations, on a per unit area basis, can sequester as much carbon as natural stands.

Tropical and subtropical forests harbour maximum diversity of plant species found on the earth (WCMC, 1992). These forests are rich in medicinal and economically important plants. Exploitation of these forests has resulted in rapid loss of tropical forests and it is recognized as one of the serious environmental and economic problems all over the world (Hare et al., 1997). A study on floristic composition and species diversity of threatened medicinal plants of tropical forests is ecologically significant besides its usefulness in forest management.

Using a PCR-based method, we detected Wolbachia in the Asian rice gall midge. Furthermore, results showed that all females across all biotypes are infected with Wolbachia. However, all male flies are not infected and show different infection frequency in different biotypes. We have also identified three mitotypes, in the rice gall midge, based on DraI restriction pattern of a portion of the 12S rRNA gene that was PCR amplified using primers specific to this gene. All the females and infected male flies had type 1 mtDNA while uninfected males showed only type 2 or 3 mtDNA. Inheritance patterns of mtDNA revealed the existence of a correlation between mtDNA type and Wolbachia infection in the Asian rice gall midge. Evidence for paternal inheritance of mtDNA in Wolbachia-free gall midge is also presented.

Backbone dynamics of uniformly 15N-labeled free barnase and its complex with unlabelled barstar have been studied at 40 degrees C, pH 6.6, using 15N relaxation data obtained from proton-detected 2D [1H]-15N NMR spectroscopy. 15N spin-lattice relaxation rate constants (R1), spin-spin relaxation rate constants (R2), and steady-state heteronuclear [1H]-15N NOEs have been measured at a magnetic field strength of 14.1 Tesla for 91 residues of free barnase and for 90 residues out of a total of 106 in the complex (excluding three prolines and the N-terminal residue) backbone amide 15N sites of barnase. The primary relaxation data for both the cases have been analyzed in the framework of the model-free formalism using both isotropic and axially symmetric models of the rotational diffusion tensor. As per the latter, the overall rotational correlation times (tau(m)) are 5.0 and 9.5 ns for the free and complexed barnase, respectively. The average order parameter is found to be 0.80 for free barnase and 0.86 for the complex. However, the changes are not uniform along the backbone and for about 5 residues near the binding interface there is actually a significant decrease in the order parameters on complex formation. These residues are not involved in the actual binding. For the residues where the order parameter increases, the magnitudes vary significantly. It is observed that the complex has much less internal mobility, compared to free barnase. From the changes in the order parameters, the entropic contribution of NH bond vector motion to the free energy of complex formation has been calculated. It is apparent that these motion's cause significant unfavorable contributions and therefore must be compensated by many other favorable contributions to effect tight complex formation. The observed variations in the motion and their different locations with regard to the binding interface may have important implications for remote effects and regulation of the enzyme action.

Backbone dynamics of uniformly (15)N-labeled barstar have been studied at 32 degrees C, pH 6.7, by using (15)N relaxation data obtained from proton-detected 2D (1)H-(15)N NMR spectroscopy. (15)N spin-lattice relaxation rate constants (R(1)), spin-spin relaxation rate constants (R(2)), and steady-state heteronuclear (1)H-(15)N NOEs have been determined for 69 of the 86 (excluding two prolines and the N-terminal residue) backbone amide (15)N at a magnetic field strength of 14.1 Tesla. The primary relaxation data have been analyzed by using the model-free formalism of molecular dynamics, using both isotropic and axially symmetric diffusion of the molecule, to determine the overall rotational correlation time (tau(m)), the generalized order parameter (S(2)), the effective correlation time for internal motions (tau(e)), and NH exchange broadening contributions (R(ex)) for each residue. As per the axially symmetric diffusion, the ratio of diffusion rates about the unique and perpendicular axes (D( parallel)/D( perpendicular)) is 0.82 +/- 0.03. The two results have only marginal differences. The relaxation data have also been used to map reduced spectral densities for the NH vectors of these residues at three frequencies: 0, omega(H), and omega(N), where omega(H),(N) are proton and nitrogen Larmor frequencies. The value of tau(m) obtained from model-free analysis of the relaxation data is 5.2 ns. The reduced spectral density analysis, however, yields a value of 5.7 ns. The tau(m) determined here is different from that calculated previously from time-resolved fluorescence data (4.1 ns). The order parameter ranges from 0.68 to 0.98, with an average value of 0.85 +/- 0.02. A comparison of the order parameters with the X-ray B-factors for the backbone nitrogens of wild-type barstar does not show any considerable correlation. Model-free analysis of the relaxation data for seven residues required the inclusion of an exchange broadening term, the magnitude of which ranges from 2 to 9.1 s(-1), indicating the presence of conformational averaging motions only for a small subset of residues.

A novel automated approach for the sequence specific NMR assignments of 1HN, 13Calpha, 13Cbeta, 13C'/1Halpha and 15N spins in proteins, using triple resonance experimental data, is presented. The algorithm, TATAPRO (Tracked AuTomated Assignments in Proteins) utilizes the protein primary sequence and peak lists from a set of triple resonance spectra which correlate 1HN and 15N chemical shifts with those of 13Calpha, 13Cbeta and 13C'/1Halpha. The information derived from such correlations is used to create a 'master-_list' consisting of all possible sets of 1HN(i), 15N(i)13Calpha(i),13Cbeta(i) 13C'beta(i)/1Halpha(i), 13Calpha(i-1), 13Cbeta(i-1) and 13C'(i-1)/1Halpha(i-1) chemical shifts. On the basis of an extensive statistical analysis of 13Calpha and 13Cbeta chemical shift data of proteins derived from the BioMagResBank (BMRB), it is shown that the 20 amino acid residues can be grouped into eight distinct categories, each of which is assigned a unique two-digit code. Such a code is used to tag individual sets of chemical shifts in the master_list and also to translate the protein primary sequence into an array called pps_array. The program then uses the master_list to search for neighbouring partners of a given amino acid residue along the polypeptide chain and sequentially assigns a maximum possible stretch of residues on either side. While doing so. each assigned residue is tracked in an array called assig_array, with the two-digit code assigned earlier. The assig_array is then mapped onto the pps_array for sequence specific resonance assignment. The program has been tested using experimental data on a calcium binding protein from Entamoeba histolytica (Eh-CaBP, 15 kDa) having substantial internal sequence homology and using published data on four other proteins in the molecular weight range of 18-42 kDa. In all the cases, nearly complete sequence specific resonance assignments (95%) are obtained. Furthermore, the reliability of the program has been tested by deleting sets of chemical shifts randomly from the master_list created for the test proteins.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) plays a major role in the detoxification of the potent hepatocarcinogen aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)). This study evaluated the effects of intermittent exposures to AFB(1) on hepatic and testicular GST in rats. Male Fischer 344 rats were fed diets containing AFB(1) (0, 0.01, 0.04, 0.4 and 1.6 ppm) intermittently at 4-week intervals up to 20 weeks. The control animals were fed an AFB(1)-free NIH-31 diet. Rats consuming diets with 0.01 ppm AFB(1) did not show the induction of hepatic or testicular GST activity. Intermittent exposures to AFB(1) at concentrations of 0.04-1.6 ppm significantly increased the GST activities. The increase of the enzyme activity was proportional to the dose and length of AFB(1) exposure.

We developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay that distinguished five different biotypes of the Asian gall midge (Orseolia oryzae), a major insect pest of rice. A total of 400 random primers were screened using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs). Five diagnostic PCR products were isolated, cloned, sequenced and converted to sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs). Primers specific to these SCARs were able to amplify specific DNA fragments from genomic DNAs of five biotypes of gall midge in a multiplexed-PCR-based assay. The amplified DNA fragments were used as diagnostic markers to identify different biotypes of gall midge. The SCAR primers were also capable of differentiating the Asian from the African rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzivora) as well as detecting a variant of biotype 5 which caused an outbreak in Kerala, India. Unlike the use of plant host differentials and midge feeding behaviour for identifying biotypes, this assay is fast, reliable and unaffected by environmental factors.

Out of 5031 children admitted to S.N. Hospital, Agra during one year, there were 716 cases (14.2%) of accidents. Most cases were in the age group of 4-9 years; boys were affected more commonly than girls. The maximum cases occurred due to fall (44.4%), followed by road traffic accidents (26.4%) and burns (11.5%). The consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality was also high. Kerosene oil ingestion was the most common encountered form of poisoning. Incriminating environmental factors could be identified in 51.8% cases and included poorly protected roofs (23.7%), poor state of roads (10.0%), defective vehicles (7.5%), and houses opening directly on the streets (7.3%). More than half of the accidents took place at home (58.7%), followed by those on streets (30.3%) or at farmhouses (57%). Injuries caused by sharp and blunt objects were more common in villages. Only 21.4% children had received first aid, often by the family, before reaching the hospital. The overall mortality rate was 53.1/1000, but in cases of burns the mortality was (146.3/1000). This study suggests that falls and traffic accidents have the highest incidence and mortality in childhood accidents and modification of the home environment can be an effective measure to prevent such incidents.

Studies were performed to determine the extent of nuclear DNA degradation induced by iron, iron-ascorbate, or iron-bleomycin under aerobic conditions in a model system using isolated rat liver nuclei. The effects of five antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, dimethyl sulfoxide, glutathione and diallyl sulfide) on this oxidative nuclear damage were also investigated. At the 0.05 level for statistical significance, iron induced concentration-dependent DNA degradation, and this effect was enhanced by ascorbate and bleomycin. The antioxidants catalase, dimethyl sulfoxide, and diallyl sulfide significantly reduced the iron-ascorbate-induced DNA damage, whereas superoxide dismutase and dimethyl sulfoxide significantly reduced iron-bleomycin-induced damage. Glutathione significantly increased the iron-bleomycin-induced DNA damage. These results suggest that the reactive oxygen species generated by iron, iron-ascorbate, and iron-bleomycin are responsible for the DNA strand breaks in isolated rat liver nuclei.

The role that free radicals in general and oxygen radicals in particular play in carcinogenesis has attracted considerable attention in recent years. The oxygen radicals are undesirable but inevitable products of aerobic metabolism in the normal living cell. The cellular antioxidant defense system maintains an appropriate balance between necessary oxidative events and those that are excessive. When this critical balance cannot be maintained because of the overloading of the cellular redox system, oxygen radicals can induce cell damage. They can influence carcinogenesis by inducing DNA damage from direct oxidation or indirectly from DNA-binding products of lipid peroxidation. Oxygen radicals can induce conformational changes in the plasma membrane by lipid peroxidation and protein degradation, thus influencing membrane-associated cellular activities. They are capable of affecting membrane-bound protein kinases, growth factors and their receptors, and, therefore, signal transduction and oncogene activation. Thus, the oxygen radicals can have a major influence on oncogenes and oncogenesis.

Sphenoclea zeylanica, a non-host of rice root nematodes,Hirschmanniella spp., was found to control them to 95% within 6 weeks and 99% within 8 weeks in a heavily infested field. Water extracts of shoot and the entire plant at highest concentration were toxic toHirschmanniella oryzae at 48 hr exposure whereas that of root were not toxic. But whenH oryzae were picked into a tube where the plant was grown hydroponically, 95% of the nematodes were killed at 60 hr exposure.

SummaryPsychiatric manifestations were studied in 72 amputees in the post-operative period. All were right handed. Besides phantom limb phenomena, which were observed in nearly four-fifths of the cases and are described in another paper, nearly two-thirds had psychiatric symptoms in the form of depression (45 patients), anxiety (38), crying spells (38), insomnia (34), loss of appetite (23), suicidal ideas (21) and psychotic behaviour (2). Right arm amputees had phantom phenomena and insomnia significantly more often than left.Nearly one-fifth of the cases were diagnosed as having psychotic depressive reactions, two-fifths as having depressive neurosis and two, both with right upper limb amputations, as schizophrenic.

SummaryPhantom limb phenomena during the post-operative period were studied in 72 amputees. All were right handed. Phantom limb was present in 86.1 per cent of the cases, significantly more commonly following amputation of the right arm. Nearly half of the phantoms developed within the first 24 hours and another quarter in the next 24 hours, appearing earlier in lower limb amputees. Movements in the phantom were felt by three-quarters of the cases, an incidence unaffected by site or side of amputation. Telescopy was present in nearly two-thirds and phantom limb pain in over two-thirds, significantly more commonly in the upper limb amputees but uninfluenced by the side of amputation. Thirty-one of the patients dreamed that their limbs were intact.

Adrenalectomy failed to prevent the ovoimplantation block that occurs in newly mated female mice following exposure to alien males. No difference in the percentage of pregnancy failure in adrenalectomized females as compared with sham-operated or intact females was noted. It is concluded that the pituitary-adrenal axis is not involved in the Bruce effect and the stress-response does not adequately account for the neuroendocrine changes induced in newly mated females following exposure to alien males that lead to ovoimplantation failure.