Membrane filtration method for bacteriological testing of water: enhanced colony visualization and stability on purification of phenol red indicator

Commercially-available phenol red indicator, purified by adsorption chromatography was incorporated into lauryl sulphate broth (LSB) used in the membrane filtration method for the detection of Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria. Relative to LSB containing the impure dye or its major contaminant, the purified phenol red provided clear visualization of discrete yellow colonies observed against a white background. The colonies remained stable for at least 24 h at 25°C under standard laboratory lighting conditions. This simple procedure will enhance the detection of coliforms in samples.     

First fossil evidence of samaras of Ventilago Gaertn. (Rhamnaceae) from India and its implications

The Ventilago Gaertn. (Rhamnaceae) is widely distributed in pantropical areas of Africa, Asia, and Australia. However, fossil records of this taxon are sparse, which limits understanding of the evolution and biogeographic history of the genus. In the present study, we report and describe two new fossil species of Ventilago, V. siwalika sp. nov. from the Miocene sediments of Himachal Pradesh, western Himalaya, and V. pliocenica sp. nov. from the Pliocene sediments of Jharkhand, eastern India based on single-winged samaras. Ventilago pliocenica is characterized by a prominent midvein, obtuse to sub-round apex with mucronate tip, longitudinal secondary veins extending the full length of the fruit, and reticulate nature of higher-order veins, the presence of equatorial rim, the hypanthium, and short pedicel. On the other hand, V. siwalika is characterized by a prominent midvein, obtuse to sub-round apex with mucronate tip, longitudinal secondary veins extending the full length of the fruit, and reticulate nature of higher-order veins. Our discovery represents the first unambiguous fossil record of single-winged samara of Ventilago from India and provides valuable insights into the evolution of this genus. In this paper, we also review its biogeographic history and add new information to understand its hypothetical migration route. Present and earlier records of Ventilago also suggest that this genus was a common forest element during Neogene (Miocene time) in Asia.     

Seasonal changes in chemistry,algal populations,chlorophyll a and photosynthetic activity in the R. Delimi,Jos Plateau,Nigeria

Seasonal studies were undertaken (August 1983–July 1984) toevaluate the algal distribution and ecology of the RiverDelimi, Jos Plateau, Nigeria at three stations: upstream, withlittle allochthonous input; midstream, receiving heavy domesticaffluents; downstream. A wide amplitude of variability wasdiscernible in physicochemical factors, and photosyntheticactivity and abundance of suspended algae in relation to thedegree of pollution along the first 7-km stretch of the river.Conductivity (µS cm^-1) showed a 9-fold increase fromupstream (x = 35) to downstream. The standing crop(Chl a) fluctuated markedly, with 6-times higher valuesfor a polluted midstream site (x = 18.2 mg m^-3). Production rate measurements (mg C m^-3 d^-1) showed significant variability with relatively lowvalues (x = 610) recorded for the upstream andhighest (x = 1050) at the midstream site. Apositive correlation was obtained between production rates andChl a for the polluted midstream zone.     

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): Studies on the general and specific humoral response

Serum specimens from 138 patients suffering from chronic respiratory disorders including 63 with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), 20 with suspected ABPA, 25 with pulmonary tuberculosis, 14 with bronchial asthma, 10 with chronic bronchitis and 6 with miscellaneous pulmonary conditions were studied for circulating antibodies to Aspergillus. The ammonium sulfate test was employed with an iodine-125 labeled mycelial component derived from Aspergillus fumigatus. When compared to normal controls from the same area, this test indicated that sera from 82 per cent of patients with ABPA had elevated binding titers to the radiolabeled antigenic component. Immunodiffusion using a culture filtrate antigen from A. fumigatus, revealed precipitating antibody to this fungus in 89 per cent of sera from ABPA patients. The majority of patients with ABPA demonstrated marked elevations of total serum IgE, moderate elevations of serum IgA and IgD and slightly increased levels of IgG and IgM.This study was supported in part by Research Grant AI 10940 from the National Institutes of Health and by NHLI Contract N01-HL-3-2942(B), and forms a part of the Ph.D. thesis submitted by Z.U.K. to the University of Delhi.     

Microbial transformation of sterols

Summary Arthrobacter simplex, Serratia marcescens, Fusarium and Mycobacterium were tested for their ability to transform phytosterol to Androsta 1, 4 diene 3, 17 dione (ADD). Arthrobacter simplex ATCC 6946 was found to be more efficient than the other species tested.     

Effect of sulfur-containing compounds on anaerobic degradation of cellulose to methane by mixed cultures obtained from sewage sludge

Tests were made to determine the effects of inorganic and organic sulfur sources on the degradation of cellulose to methane in a chemically defined medium with sulfur-poor inoculum prepared from sewage sludge. The results show that a sulfur source of about a 0.85 mM concentration is essential for the degradation of cellulose to CH4. However, the production of CH4 from CO2 and H2 provided in the headspace occurred with 0.1 mM sulfate or sulfide. At a 9 mM concentration, all inorganic sulfur compounds other than sulfate inhibited both cellulose degradation and methane formation, and this inhibition increased in the order thiosulfate less than sulfite less than sulfide less than H2S. It appears that the degradation of cellulose to CH4 in a sulfate-free medium by inoculum maintained in a low-sulfur medium is inhibited because of the lack of availability of sulfur for growth of bacteria and synthesis of cell materials and sulfur-containing cofactors involved in cellulose degradation and methanogenesis. The reduction of methanogenesis by higher levels of sulfate probably occurs as a result of stimulation of reactions converting acetate and H2 to end products other than CH4.     

Role of tissue hypoxia as the mechanism of lactic acidosis during E. coli endotoxemia.

We compared the hemodynamic and metabolic alterations produced in rabbits by similar decreases in cardiac output created by inflating a balloon placed in the right ventricle (n = 6) with those produced by an intravenous bolus of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; SEP group; n = 6). We measured O2 consumption (VO2), O2 transport (TO2), and O2 extraction ratio (ERO2) for the whole animal and also for the left hindlimb. Both groups experienced similar decreases in cardiac output, systemic TO2, and VO2 and similar increases in ERO2. For the hindlimb, TO2 was similar, but VO2 and ERO2 were lower for the SEP group 30 min after LPS administration (P less than 0.05); however, this difference disappeared during the remainder of the experiment. Arterial lactate concentration was greater (P less than 0.05) for the SEP group. There were no differences in skeletal muscle PO2, measured with a multiwire surface electrode, or in cardiac and skeletal muscle concentrations of high-energy phosphates. We hypothesize that a direct effect of LPS on cellular metabolism may have resulted in greater arterial lactate concentration for the SEP group.     

Ion selectivity of the Vibrio alginolyticus flagellar motor.

The marine bacterium, Vibrio alginolyticus, normally requires sodium for motility. We found that lithium will substitute for sodium. In neutral pH buffers, the membrane potential and swimming speed of glycolyzing bacteria reached maximal values as sodium or lithium concentration was increased. While the maximal potentials obtained in the two cations were comparable, the maximal swimming speed was substantially lower in lithium. Over a wide range of sodium concentration, the bacteria maintained an invariant sodium electrochemical potential as determined by membrane potential and intracellular sodium measurements. Over this range the increase of swimming speed took Michaelis-Menten form. Artificial energization of swimming motility required imposition of a voltage difference in concert with a sodium pulse. The cation selectivity and concentration dependence exhibited by the motile apparatus depended on the viscosity of the medium. In high-viscosity media, swimming speeds were relatively independent of either ion type or concentration. These facts parallel and extend observations of the swimming behavior of bacteria propelled by proton-powered flagella. In particular, they show that ion transfers limit unloaded motor speed in this bacterium and imply that the coupling between ion transfers and force generation must be fairly tight.     

Identification of a new carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family member in human fetal liver--cloning and sequence determination of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 7

The carcinoembryonic antigen gene family consists of the CEA- and the Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein- (PSG) subfamilies. Human fetal liver express several PSGs. Here we report cloning and sequencing of a new PSG subfamily member, PSG7. It is the fifth type of PSG found in fetal liver. PSG7 has the N-A1-A2-B2-C domain arrangement. Unlike other PSGs the N-terminal of PSG7 is unblocked. PSG7 has a cysteine in the C-terminal domain, which may allow dimerization. Variability analysis according to Wu and Kabat reveals that the region in the N-domain corresponding to complementarity determining region 3 of immunoglobulin is different between PSG subfamily members. Many members, including PSG7, contain the RGD sequence in this region. The CD2 region as well as two other short sequences (in N and A1 domains respectively) also show some variability. The function of PSGs is probably linked to the N-domain and the CDR2- and CD3-like regions are most likely responsible for ligand binding.