Biological treatment of textile dye acid violet-17 by bacterial consortium in an up-flow immobilized cell bioreactor

AIMS: To develop a cost effective and efficient biological treatment process for small scale textile processing industries (TPI) releasing untreated effluents containing intense coloured Acid violet-17 (AV-17), a triphenyl methane (TPM) group textile dye. METHODS AND RESULTS: The samples collected from effluent disposal sites of TPI were used for selective enrichment of microbial populations capable of degrading/decolourizing AV-17. A consortium of five bacterial isolates was used to develop an up-flow immobilized cell bioreactor for treatment of feed containing AV-17. The bioreactor, operating at a flow rate of 6 ml x h(-1), resulted in 91% decolourization of 30 mg AV-17/l with 94.3 and 95.7% removal of biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand of the feed. Comparison of the input and output of the bioreactor by UV-visible, thin layer chromatography and (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicates conversion of the parent dye into unrelated metabolic intermediates. SIGNIFICANCE: These results will form a basis for developing 'on-site' treatment system for TPI effluents to achieve decolourization and degradation of residual dyes.     

Constitutive α-amylase producing mutant and recombinant haploid strains of thermophilic fungusThermomyces lanuginosus

Morphological, developmental and antimetabolite-resistant mutants of T. lanuginosus were characterized and used for screening with the aim to develop constitutive alpha-amylase-hyperproducing strains. The protoplast fusion of two spontaneous mutants of T. lanuginosus, characterized as asporulating and resistant to 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), resulted in sporulating, 2DG sensitive heterokaryotic fusants. A recombinant haploid strain F64fB developed there from produced alpha-amylase constitutively in glucose-containing medium. Constitutive alpha-amylase-hyperproducing mutant (III8) obtained after cyclic mutagenesis and screening yielded approximately 20 fold more alpha-amylase in a glycerol-containing medium than the wild strain.     

The flavonoid,quercetin, differentially regulates Th-1 (IFNgamma) and Th-2 (IL4) cytokine gene expression by normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Flavonoids are plant metabolites that are dietary antioxidants and exert significant anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects. It is generally accepted that Th-1 derived cytokines such as IL-2, IFNgamma and IL-12 promote cellular immunity while Th-2 derived cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 exert negative immunoregulatory effects on cellular immunity while upregulating humoral immunity. The molecular mechanisms underlying the biological activities of flavonoids have not been elucidated. We hypothesize that the flavonoid, quercetin, exert significant anti-viral and anti-tumor effects possibly by modulating the production of Th-1 and Th-2 derived cytokines. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC, 1 x 10(6) cells/ml) from normal subjects were cultured with different concentrations of quercetin (0.5-50 microM) for 24-72 h and supernates were quantitated for IFN-gamma and IL-4 by ELISA and antiviral activity of IFNgamma by bioassay. FACS analysis was done to determine the number of IFN-gamma and IL-4 positive cells and RT-PCR was done to quantitate gene expression. Quercetin significantly induces the gene expression as well as the production of Th-1 derived IFNgamma and the downregulates Th-2 derived IL-4 by normal PBMC. Further, quercetin treatment increased the phenotypic expression of IFNgamma cells and decreased IL-4 positive cells by FACS analysis, which corroborate with protein secretion and gene expression studies. These results suggest that the beneficial immuno-stimulatory effects of quercetin may be mediated through the induction of Th-1 derived cytokine, IFNgamma, and inhibition of Th-2 derived cytokine, IL-4.     

Characterization of hygromycin-resistant transformants of thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus

Hygromycin-resistant stable transformants of the thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus, were obtained by electroporation of germinating aleurospores with a plasmid pMP6, coding for hygromycin resistance. Southern hybridization analysis revealed that the gene is integrated into the chromosome. The hygromycin-resistant transformants were characterized for morphological changes, growth response towards the presence of antagonistic metabolites (hygromycin, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, cylcoheximide, benlate and acriflavine) on plates and enzyme production (amylases, pectinases and xylanase) in shake flask cultures. A hygromycin-resistant transformant hyg 33 was characterized as non-sporulating, 2-deoxy-D-glucose-resistant, acriflavine-sensitive and xylanase hypo-producer and is being used as parental strain for breeding strains through protoplast fusion.     

Focus: Addiction: Marijuana for Glaucoma: A Recipe for Disaster or Treatment?

Marijuana has been shown to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) but with limited duration of action and numerous adverse effects. Use of marijuana to lower IOP as a means of glaucoma treatment would require frequent use throughout the day, leading to significant adverse effects, possible progression toward Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), and/or withdrawal symptoms. The treatment of glaucoma based on the cannabis plant or drugs based on the cannabinoid molecule should be considered carefully before being prescribed. Considerations should include the adverse physical and psychological adverse effects, including substance abuse. Currently, the deleterious effects of marijuana outweigh the benefits of its IOP-lowering capacity in most glaucoma patients. Under extremely rare circumstances, a few categories of glaucoma patients may be potential candidates for treatment with medical marijuana. Further studies on alternate routes and more focused means of cannabinoid molecule delivery to the eye for glaucoma treatment are needed.     

Short Note: Biodegradation of chlorobenzoates by Actinomycetes

Of the nine actinomycete strains screened for their ability to grow on isomeric chlorobenzoates (Cba), Corynebacterium liquefaciens, a sewage isolate, was able to maximally metabolize 3.2mM 2- and 3-Cba in presence of 0.25mM glucose as co-substrate. The degradation of 2-Cba and 3-Cba was 70.3% and 79.37% (w/v), respectively, under optimized conditions.     

Affinity of human leukocyte interferon for polyribonucleotides.

Human leukocyte interferon (HL-IF)binds to AGPOLY(A)TM, AGPOLY(U)TM and AGPOLY(I)TM. The bound interferon could be displaced from all three polyribonucleotides by including sodium chloride in the eluant. The nature of interaction of HL-IF with polyribonucleotides is electrostatic and not hydrophobic since its binding was not prevented in the presence of 50% ethylene glycol. The binding of HL-IF on AGPOLY(I)TM is stronger at lower pH since an increase in ionic strength is required to displace it.     

Prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Adults in a North Indian District

BackgroundRecent population prevalence estimates of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are not available for several areas in India. We conducted a field-based population survey at a north Indian district to estimate point prevalence of bacteriologically positive PTB.MethodsA stratified cluster sampling design was used to conduct the survey in both urban and rural areas within the district. All adults aged more than 15 years, in 18 rural and 12 urban clusters of 3000 subjects each, were interviewed using a symptom card. Two sputum samples were collected from all persons having symptoms suggestive of PTB, or history of antitubercular treatment, for smear microscopy for acid-fast bacilli and mycobacterial culture. Those having at least one sputum specimen positive on microscopy and/or culture were categorized as having PTB. Prevalence was estimated after adjusting for cluster sampling and incomplete data (through individual level analysis with robust standard error).ResultsOf 91,030 eligible adult participants (47,714 men and 43,316 women), 85,770 (94.2%) completed the symptom cards. Of them, 2,898 persons were considered eligible for sputum examination and 2,839 (98.0%) provided at least one sample. Overall, 21 persons had bacteriologically positive PTB, and cluster level prevalence was estimated at 24.5 per 100,000 population (95% CI 12.8–36.2). Individual level analysis with robust standard error yielded a prevalence estimate of 24.1 per 100,000 populations (95% CI 12.8–35.4).ConclusionThe observed prevalence of bacteriologically positive PTB in this district is lower than empiric national estimates, probably as a result of successful implementation of tuberculosis control measures in the area.