Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulating bacteria from the gut of higher termite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrotermes carbonarius</Emphasis> (Blattodea: Termitidae)

The continuous quest for bacterial strains capable of accumulating polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) utilizing cheaper and renewable carbon source prompted us to explore newer and diverse environments like the gut of termites. Among the bacterial strains isolated from the gut of higher termite Macrotermes carbonarius, three strains were found to accumulate PHA, as observed by microscopic studies and PHA production experiments. Among them, strain MC1 with rapid growth and higher PHA accumulation was selected for further studies. API kit-50 CHB and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis results indicated the strain to have 99% homology with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus flexus. Bacillus sp. MC1 was able to accumulate PHA during the growth phase utilizing different carbon sources like glucose, fructose, sodium acetate, sodium valerate and 1,4-butanediol. Gas chromatography analysis of the polymer has shown it to be basically composed of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Growth associated PHB biosynthesis was best in the presence of sodium acetate with 39 wt% after 16 h of cultivation. Though previous studies provided evidence confirming the presence of PHA producing bacteria in termite gut, isolation and characterization of these strains in pure culture has not been documented yet. Presence of other morphotypes in the termite gut with PHA like granular inclusions was evident from the transmission electron microscopy studies. This is a novel report and shows the feasibility of using potent strains capable of utilizing lignocellulosic degradation products as a renewable carbon source for the production of PHA in the future.     

Ameliorative effects of ω-3 fatty acids on stress induced alteration in rhythms of selective biochemical parameters in rats

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats in each, Control animals without stress (GI); Rats with induced physical stress (GII); Normal Rats fed with omega fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acid (GIII); Stressed Rats supplemented omega-3 fatty acid diet (GIV). In GII and GIV physical stress was induced by keeping six rats in a standard cage instead of four rats and in GIV fish oil was added in the feed @ 3% to ameliorate the physical stress. Sampling was done on 15th and 29th day of the study. On 15th day of study no significant difference was found between the groups with respect to blood glucose and total protein levels, but on 29th day there was significant increase in blood glucose in GII and significant decrease in GIII. There was significant increase in total protein of GIII and decrease in GII, respectively apart from the significant increase in GIII on 29th day as compared to 15th day. Serum creatinine levels were found to be significantly lower in both the samples of GIII. The total and LDL cholesterol was significantly higher in GII but on 29th day it was found to be significantly lower in GIII. The HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in GII and significantly higher in GIII on 29th day, whereas it was vice versa with respect to triglycerides. Serum ALT, was found to be significantly lower in GIII and higher in GII on 29th day with no significant changes observed on 15th day. The liver of GII revealed central vein congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration in portal triad, whereas GIV showed only mild changes. The study proves the time-dependent beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids during physical stress.     

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.