Proffered papers 9.30–10.00 Monday 15 September 2003

Both the original Bethesda system and the current UK classifications of cervical cytology have proved robust but each has a major weakness in the area of abnormalities of uncertain significance. Cytologists recognize that sometimes it is simply impossible to differentiate between reactive and dyskaryotic material. For this reason, the Australian version of the Bethesda system introduced a new category of 'high grade inconclusive' with a recommendation for referral to colposcopy. Approximately 60% of such cases are found to have high grade lesions at colposcopy (Schoolland M, Sterrett G, Knowles S et al .). The present UK system even with the proposed changes requires of the pathologist, a decision as to whether such cases are probably high grade (=a report of moderate dyskaryosis) or not (= a report of borderline). This continues to ignore the fact that sometimes you just cannot tell, even on review. We have taken a consecutive series of 50 referral smears, reported as moderate dyskaryosis, where the histological outcome (by loop cone) is known. These cases were rescreened and then reviewed blind by a pathologist with extensive experience of the Australian NH & MRC modified Bethesda system. On review, the material was reclassified along NH & MRC lines. The results were compared with the biopsy findings in order to determine whether the category of 'inconclusive' might be of value in the context of the NHSCSP.     

A novel and cost effective methodology for qualitative screening of alkalo-thermophilic cellulase free xylano-pectinolytic microorganisms using agricultural wastes

Qualitative screening of alkalo-thermophilic cellulase free xylano-pectinolytic microorganisms was done on agricultural residues. Since xylan is an expensive substrate for the isolation of xylanase producing microorganisms, the possibility of using wheat bran for screening of these microorganisms was investigated. Screening was carried out on wheat bran for the selection of xylanolytic microorganisms, on waste paper for the evaluation of cellulase free xylanolytic microorganisms, and on citrus peel for screening of pectinolytic microorganisms. Qualitative analysis of xylanase, pectinase and cellulase activities depicted that the zones obtained on nutrient agar medium containing agricultural residues were apparent and comparable with the zones obtained on nutrient agar medium containing commercial substrates. A strategy of using cost effective wheat-bran, wastepaper and citrus-peel for the isolation of cellulase free xylano-pectinolytic microorganisms is a novel and promising method and will ultimately bring down the cost of screening of these enzyme producing microorganisms.     

Axillary multiplication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Swertia chirayita</Emphasis> (Roxb. Ex Fleming) H. Karst., a critically endangered medicinal herb of temperate Himalayas

The present study describes the micropropagation of Swertia chirayita, an endangered medicinal herb of the temperate Himalayas, through axillary multiplication from 4-wk-old seedling-derived nodal explants. We obtained 4.5-fold multiplication every 4 wk on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4 μM benzyl amino purine (BA) and 1.5 μM 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)purine (2iP). Rooting was optimized on modified MS medium supplemented with 1 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 500 mg l⁻¹ of activated charcoal (AC). A success rate of 94 % was obtained by in vitro hardening in the growth-room and by ex vitro hardening in greenhouse conditions. The present study can serve as a tool for the mass multiplication of elite genotypes of this critically endangered species and can also be utilized for multiplying large numbers of quality planting material for the replantation in their natural habitat. This approach can also help meet the requirements of the growing pharmaceutical industry by ensuring the regular supply of authentic planting material.