A Random Variable Related to the Inversion Vector of a Partial Random Permutation

In this article, we define the inversion vector of a permutation of the integers 1, 2, . . . , n. We set up a particular kind of permutation, called a partial random permutation. The sum of the elements of the inversion vector of such a permutation is a random variable of interest.     

Doubly-terminated two-variable lossless ladder networks

In this paper necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for a two-variable positive real function to be the driving-point impedance of certain classes of doubly-terminated lossless ladder networks. Specifically, two classes of networks are studied: (a) the class of networks in which the lossless structure is a cascade of p₁- and p₂-variable two-ports, each two-port having its transmission zeros at the origin and/or at infinity; (b) the class of networks in which the lossless structure is a lowpass or highpass ladder network with series arms having p₁- and p₂-type elements in series and shunt arms having the p₁- and p₂-type elements in parallel. It is indicated that via suitable transformations of the variables, conditions for many other types of ladder structures can be derived.     

Effect of some antitubercular drugs on the calmodulin content ofMycobacterium tuberculosis

The effect of the antitubercular drugs isoniazid (10 μg/ml), ethambutol (10 μg/ml), rifampicin (0.5 μg/ml) and streptomycin (1 μg/ml) on the calmodulin like protein (CAMLP) content ofMycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇R_v andM. tuberculosis H₃₇R_a was investigated. The drugs were added to actively growing cells at their mid log phase of growth (14 days) and after 12 more hours of incubation, CAMLP was estimated. In both the mycobacteria, all the four antitubercular drugs CAMLP.     

Cerebrospinal fluid free sialic acid and aspartate transaminase levels in meningitis

Background  Sialic acid (SA) is a nine carbon sugar derived from mannosamine and pyruvate. High levels of sialic acid and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels in cerebrospinal fluid have been described in pyogenic meningitis (PM) compared to tubercular meningitis (TBM). Objectives  To evaluate the levels of CSF free SA in PM and TBM and to assess the correlation between CSF free SA and CSF glucose or total protein levels. Patients and Methods  A total of 122 subjects were studied and divided into children and adults. Further, these have been subdivided into controls, PM and TBM. CSF free SA was estimated by thiobarbituric acid assay of Warren and AST by Reitmann and Frankel method. Results  CSF free SA and AST levels in children and adults were significantly high in PM (p<0.001) as compared to TBM and controls. Conclusion  A very high CSF free SA and AST were found to be characteristic of PM, making them useful parameters to differentiate PM from TBM.     

Antitubercular activity of garlic (allium sativum) extract on combination with conventional antitubercular drugs in tubercular lymphadenitis

Based on our demonstration earlier that ethanol extract, water extract and a compound purified from garlic possessedin vitro antitubercular activity against drug resistant and susceptibleMycobacterium tuberculosis, we tried the effect of garlic extract in 30 patients of tubercular lymphadenitis. For ethical considerations, two groups of patients, 30 each, were given antitubercular therapy (ATT) consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for 30 days. For the next 15 days (31 to 45 days) group 1 patients received 3–6 garlic pearls per day in addition to ATT while group 2 patients received ATT only. From 46th day onwards both the groups received ATT only for 6–8 months. Antitubercular activity of the serum samples collected on 45th day was assessed by its effect on the growth ofM. tuberculois. The serum of group 1 patients showed significantly much higher antitubercular activity than that of group 2 patients. Further, there was relief of dyspeptic symptoms caused by ATT therapy in patients of group 1 with garlic plus ATT therapy but no change in group 2 patients with ATT only. Liver function and hematological tests were normal in both the groups after 6 months of therapy. Garlic extracts or compounds have a good potential as antitubercular(s) drug if given as a supplement to ATT.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Dimensional cube and simplex: A glimpse into the concept of multi-dimensional spaces

A close study of a square and a cube helps in extrapolating the concepts of vertex, edge and face to higher dimensions. Recurrence relationships have been heuristically arrived at, with the help of which high school students could be taught to calculate iteratively the number of vertices, edges, faces, etc of cube-like objects and simplexes of higher dimensions.     

Seasonal variations in markers of stress and oxidative stress in rats

High ambient temperature has been reported to increase oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and decreasing antioxidant defence in transition dairy cows. It is also known to cause an increase in plasma cortisol levels in goats, European hedgehog and human volunteers. High levels of glucocorticoids have been reported to decrease blood glutathione and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in rats. Although institutional animal houses in research laboratories of developed countries maintain animals in air-conditioned rooms at constant temperature, the same is not true of animal houses in the developing countries especially those belonging to smaller institutions and this could affect the results of the experiments being conducted on these animals. The present research study was done to assess the effects of seasonal variations on the status of erythrocyte oxidative damage, antioxidant defence and plasma cortisol levels in adult female Wistar rats. Rats were kept in their home cages and were left in non-air-conditioned procedure rooms in two different seasons, Hot season (March-May) and Cool season (June to September). Erythrocyte Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and plasma cortisol levels were significantly increased in rats exposed to high ambient temperature and humidity of the hot season as compared to the rats of the cool season. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in the hot season group of rats. The results of our experiments showed that exposure of adult female Wistar rats to high ambient temperature and humidity of the hot season increases neuroendocrine stress, oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant defence in them.