Effect of hydration and dehydration on initiation and dynamics of some physiological reactions in desiccation tolerant cyanobacterium Scytonema geitleri.

The effect of hydration and dehydration has been studied on extent and recovery of some metabolic reactions in desiccation tolerant terrestrial cyanobacterium Scytonema geitleri. The results show that the energy transducing reactions like photochemical reactions of photosynthesis recover first, followed by increase in ATP pool size. During later phase of hydration, appearance of energy consuming processes such as CO2 fixation and nitrogen fixation have been observed. Sensitivity of reactions during dehydration followed the pattern reverse to recovery processes.

Water binding in sub-aerial cyanobacteria.

The role of water in the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of the cell at different hydration levels has been a subject of wide understanding. Water sorption isotherms, dielectrics and IR spectroscopic techniques were used to estimate the strength of water binding and number of binding sites using D'Arcy/Watt equation on the two well reported desiccation-tolerant cyanobacteria-Scytonema geitleri and Lyngbya arboricola. The observations made with water sorption isotherms, dielectrics and IR spectroscopic techniques clearly indicate three water binding regions. Grown mats of both the cyanobacteria showed high number of water binding sites onto strong binding region compared to their dry counterparts.

Irritable bowel syndrome: therapeutic evaluation of indigenous drugs.

Among 169 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), standard therapy (with clidinium bromide, chlordiazepoxide and isaphaghulla), a compound Ayurvedic preparation (with Aegle marmelos correa plus Bacopa monniere Linn) along with a matching placebo were given in a double blind randomised trial for 6 wk. The Ayurvedic preparation in 57 patients was found effective in 64.9 per cent, while standard therapy (60 patients) was useful in 78.3 per cent. Patients on placebo (52 patients) showed improvement in 32.7 per cent only. Ayurvedic therapy was particularly beneficial in diarrhoea predominant form as compared to placebo. The standard therapy was more useful in the painful form of IBS as compared to placebo and Ayurvedic preparation. In gas predominant form the effect of standard as well as Ayurvedic therapy, was similar to placebo. Long-term follow-up (greater than 6 months) showed that both forms of therapy were no better than placebo in limiting the relapse.

Effect of graded distension of urinary bladder on arterial blood pressure and neurohumors in rabbits.

Effect of graded distension of urinary bladder has been observed on the circulating level of catecholamine, cortisol and serotonin along with arterial blood pressure in rabbits. Simultaneously adrenal catecholamine has been also investigated. Similar pattern of increase has been observed in the levels of catecholamine, cortisol, serotonin and arterial blood pressure after bladder distension at 20 ml, 40 ml and 60 ml volumes. On this basis, it may be inferred that there is some role of the vasoconstrictor humors released during bladder distension in pressor response. At the same time, decrease in adrenal catecholamine level also supports this.

Effect of voluntary retention of urine on plasma and urinary biogenic amines as well as circulatory and respiratory responses.

Stress caused by voluntary retention of urine in 25 normal healthy volunteers has been estimated by measuring the levels of biogenic amines (serotonin, catecholamine) in blood and urine. Estimations were done before and after voluntary retention of urine. Plasma and urine catecholamines and 5-HT significantly increased after retention. Simultaneously rise in BP, PR, RR were also observed. Inference has been drawn that retention of urine may induce stress.