http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1466 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1486 Title: SFRR-India Satellite Meeting Report 2008 <br/> <br/>Authors: Rao, Prof. D N <br/> <br/>Abstract: The Society for Free Radical Research (SFRR) - India satellite meeting 2008 on the theme “Free radicals and antioxidants in human health, gene regulation and signal transduction” was held at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi during 11-12 February 2008, organized by the Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, under the secretarial steering guidance of Prof. D N Rao. The meeting was successful with the participation of more than 330 delegates representing various academic research institutes and universities, both within the country and abroad. The two-day event had 41 invited lectures, 26 oral presentations and 138 posters by eminent speakers and researchers and students accommodated optimally in well-arranged ten scientific sessions. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 130-132 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1485 Title: Mitochondrial complex I impairment and differential carbon monoxide sensitivity of cytochrome c oxidase in wild type and CMS II mutants of Nicotiana sylvestris <br/> <br/>Authors: Naik, R M <br/> <br/>Abstract: Plant mitochondria unlike their animal counterpart have some unique features with highly branched respiratory chain. The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the effect of loss/dysfunction of plant mitochondrial complex I on the relative flux of electrons through alternative oxidase (AOX) and cytochrome oxidase. Loss of a major subunit of mitochondrial complex I in cytoplasmic male sterile II (CMS II) mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris caused respiratory redox perturbations, as evident from the differential CO sensitivity of cytochrome oxidase. The leaf segments of CMS II mutant when exposed to CO under dark aerobic condition were insensitive to the inhibition of cytochrome oxidase, as against the wild type (WT). The differential CO response of WT and CMS II mutants appeared to be due to differences in the redox state of cytochrome a3 (cyt a3), the terminal electron acceptor during in situ respiration. Cyt a3 appeared to be more in its oxidized form in CMS II and hence unable to form cyt a3-CO complex. Pre-treatment of CMS II leaves with 2,4-dinitrophenol, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation increased the CO response. The slight increase in rotenone-insensitive respiration of CMS II could be attributed partly to enhanced flux of electrons through cytochrome pathway to compensate for the loss of phosphorylation site and partly through AOX, which was induced by nitrate. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 126-129 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1484 Title: Identification and partial characterization of juvenile hormone esterase from cotton pest Dysdercus cingulatus <br/> <br/>Authors: Elayidam, U Gayathri; Muraleedharen, D <br/> <br/>Abstract: Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE), a selective enzyme that hydrolyzes the methyl ester of insect juvenile hormone plays an important role in regulating metamorphosis in nymphs as well as reproduction in adults. Studies on JH degradation provide insight into the possibilities of physiological disruption in the insects. In the present study, the JH degrading enzyme, JHE from the cotton pest Dysdercus cingulatus (Heteroptera) is characterized. Electrophoretic analysis of haemolymph during various developmental stages showed the JHE bands prominent only on the final day of 5th instar nymph, and the esterase substrate specificity confirmed the presence of JHE isoforms. In an attempt to clone cDNA of JHE gene from the final instar nymphs, mRNA isolated from fat bodies was coupled with JHE gene-specific primers and the cDNA was synthesized using RT-PCR. The PCR amplified cDNA showed the presence of JHE isoforms in D. cingulatus. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 121-125 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1483 Title: Genetic screening in couples experiencing recurrent assisted procreation failure <br/> <br/>Authors: Dada, Rima; Kumar, R; Shamsi, M B; Tanwar, M; Pathak, D; Venkatesh, S; Kumar, M; Singh, H; Singh, K; Aron, M; Kumar, R; Singh, G; Sharma, R K; Gupta, N P <br/> <br/>Abstract: Infertility is a major health problem affecting about 10-20% of couples in the reproductive age group. Male factor is assumed to be responsible in about 50% cases of infertility. The origin of reduced testicular sperm function is unknown in about 50-70% of cases and for such couples assisted reproduction techniques (ART) are a boon. Male infertility is often due to poor semen quality and may be associated with genetic defects. ART has revolutionized management of infertility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the ART procedure of choice in 60-80% cases. Despite major technological advancements and professional expertise in ART, the success rate and carry-home live birth rate of ICSI is low (18-25%). This study was aimed to understand the genetic etiopathology of recurrent ART failure. For this, 110 couples with 3 or more failed ART cycles were recruited. A detailed history was taken and only idiopathic ART failure cases were enrolled for this study. They were subjected to cytogenetic and Yq microdeletion analysis. Genetic abnormalities were detected in 19 couples. Since a large number (18.2%) cases harboured genetic abnormalities, it is important for all couples opting for ART to undergo a thorough genetic analysis to prevent recurrent emotional, physical and financial stress. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 116-120