Shewanella indica sp. nov., isolated from sediment of the Arabian Sea.

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterium, motile by means of a single polar flagellum and designated strain KJW27(T), was isolated from the marine sediment of Karwar jetty, west coast of India. The strain was β-haemolytic and grew with 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl, at 10-45 °C and at pH 6.5-10, with optimum growth with 2 % (w/v) NaCl, at 37 °C and at pH 7.

In vivo modulation of foreign body response on polyurethane by surface entrapment technique.

Implanted polymeric materials, such as medical devices, provoke the body to initiate an inflammatory reaction, known as the foreign body response (FBR), which causes several complications. In this study, polyurethane (Tecoflex®, PU) surface modified with the nonionic surfactant Tween80® (PU/T80) and the cell adhesive PLL-RGD peptide (PU/PLL-RGD) by a previously described entrapment technique were implanted in the peritoneal cavity of Wistar rats for 30 days. Implants were retrieved and examined for tissue reactivity and cellular adherence by various microscopic and analytical techniques.

Temporal bacterial diversity and detection of putative methanotrophs in surface mats of Lonar crater lake.

The phylogenetic diversity of bacterial communities in microbial mats of two different seasons from saline and hyperalkaline Lonar Lake was investigated using 16S rRNA gene library analysis. Arthrospira (Cyanobacteria) related clones (>80% of total clones) dominated libraries of both the seasons. Clear differences were found in both the seasons as the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to Fusibacter (LAI-1 and LAI-59) and Tindallia magadiensis (LAI-27) found in post-monsoon were not found in the pre-monsoon library.

Ignatzschineria indica sp. nov. and Ignatzschineria ureiclastica sp. nov., isolated from adult flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).

Two Gram-negative-staining, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacteria, designated strains FFA1(T) and FFA3(T), and belonging to the class Gammaproteobacteria were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of adult flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data placed these two strains within the genus Ignatzschineria with similarities of 98.6 % (FFA1(T)) and 99.

Biodegradation of 2-nitrotoluene by Micrococcus sp. strain SMN-1.

A bacterial consortium capable of degrading nitroaromatic compounds was isolated from pesticide-contaminated soil samples by selective enrichment on 2-nitrotoluene as a sole source of carbon and energy. The three different bacterial isolates obtained from bacterial consortium were identified as Bacillus sp. (A and C), Bacillus flexus (B) and Micrococcus sp.

Active methylotrophs in the sediments of Lonar Lake, a saline and alkaline ecosystem formed by meteor impact.

Lonar Lake is a unique saline and alkaline ecosystem formed by meteor impact in the Deccan basalts in India around 52,000 years ago. To investigate the role of methylotrophy in the cycling of carbon in this unusual environment, stable-isotope probing (SIP) was carried out using the one-carbon compounds methane, methanol and methylamine. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting analyses performed with heavy (13)C-labelled DNA retrieved from sediment microcosms confirmed the enrichment and labelling of active methylotrophic communities.

Molecular phylogenetic study of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito from different geographical regions of India using 16S rRNA gene sequences.

Culex quinquefasciatus is a major vector of filariasis and various encephalitis in India and worldwide. Vector control remains the most successful strategy for the suppression of mosquito borne diseases. The genetic structure of vector populations in terms of insecticide resistance and susceptibility or refractoriness to infection may possibly vary.

Surface engineering of polycaprolactone by biomacromolecules and their blood compatibility.

Improving blood compatibility of biodegradable polymers is an area of intensive research in blood contacting devices. In this study, curdlan sulphate and heparin-modified poly (caprolactone) (PCL) hybrids were developed by physically entrapping these molecules on the PCL surface. This modification technique was performed by reversible gelation of the PCL surface region following exposure to a solvent and nonsolvent mixture.

Diversity of Wolbachia in Odontotermes spp. (Termitidae) and Coptotermes heimi (Rhinotermitidae) using the multigene approach.

The intracellular bacteria, Wolbachia, are well known for inducing reproductive alterations in arthropod hosts, especially insects. The ancient origin and huge diversity, combined with the ecological, biological and behavioral plasticity of termites, make the latter exciting candidates for studying the interactions of Wolbachia. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of Wolbachia in populations of Odontotermes spp.

Phylogenetic diversity of archaeal 16S rRNA and ammonia monooxygenase genes from tropical estuarine sediments on the central west coast of India.

Phylogenetic diversity analyses of archaeal 16S rRNA and ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (AamoA) genes were carried out on sediment samples from the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries on the central west coast of India. The 16S rRNA gene libraries revealed quite high diversity of archaea in these sediments compared to previous reports from tropical and temperate estuarine sediments. Uncultured members of Crenarchaeota accounted for approximately 78% of 433 archaeal 16S rRNA gene clones from both of the estuaries.

Biochemical characterization of three putative ATPases from a new type IV secretion system of Aeromonas veronii plasmid pAC3249A.

Background: Type four secretion systems (TFSS) are bacterial macromolecular transport systems responsible for transfer of various substrates such as proteins, DNA or protein-DNA complexes. TFSSs encode two or three ATPases generating energy for the secretion process. These enzymes exhibit highest sequence conservation among type four secretion components.

Identification of putative innate immune related genes from a cell line of the mosquito Aedes albopictus following bacterial challenge.

We report identification of putative innate immune related genes from a cell line of the mosquito Aedes albopictus challenged with heat-killed bacteria. Using a subtractive hybridization and sequencing approach, we analyzed a total 309 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) which clustered in 40 contigs. Thirty-five percent of genes yielded homology to known immune genes corresponding to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), pathogen-associated molecular patterns, protease and immune signaling cascades.

Characterization of leptospira borgpetersenii isolates from field rats (rattus norvegicus) by 16s rrna and lipl32 gene sequencing.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of leptospirosis among field rodents of Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India. In total 35 field rats were trapped and tested for seroprevalence by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Isolation of leptospires was performed from blood and kidney tissues and characterized to serovar level.

Chryseobacterium culicis sp. nov., isolated from the midgut of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.

A yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, R4-1A(T), isolated from the midgut of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (a vector of lymphatic filariasis), was studied using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the isolate were rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative. A comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of this organism with sequences of type strains of the most closely related species clearly showed an allocation to the genus Chryseobacterium, with the highest sequence similarities (all 97.

Natural yeast flora of different varieties of grapes used for wine making in India.

The natural Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast flora present on the grape berries significantly affect wine production. Six grape varieties, Bangalore blue, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz are being used in India for wine making. The yeast diversity was studied on the basis of morphological, colony, physiological characteristics and 5.

The biocompatibility of sulfobetaine engineered polymethylmethacrylate by surface entrapment technique.

Sulfobetaine-modified polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) systems were created by physically entrapping the zwitterionic species on the PMMA surface. The presence of the sulfobetaine molecules on these surfaces were verified by ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDAX analysis, while wettability of the films was investigated by dynamic contact angle measurements. The short-term (4 h) adhesion of two bacterial species (gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa) on these surfaces were studied.

Four marine-derived fungi for bioremediation of raw textile mill effluents.

Textile dye effluents pose environmental hazards because of color and toxicity. Bioremediation of these has been widely attempted. However, their widely differing characteristics and high salt contents have required application of different microorganisms and high dilutions.

The biocompatibility of sulfobetaine engineered poly (ethylene terephthalate) by surface entrapment technique.

Sulfobetaine-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) systems were created by physically entrapping the zwitterionic species on the PET surface. The presence of the sulfobetiane molecules on these surfaces were verified by ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDAX analysis, while wettability of the films was investigated by water contact angle measurements. The blood compatibility of the modified films was evaluated by platelet adhesion in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

The miR-30 family microRNAs confer epithelial phenotype to human pancreatic cells.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a phenomenon necessary for embryonic development and also seen during certain pathological conditions.  We show here for the first time that reduction in miR-30 family microRNAs, is responsible for mesenchymal transition of primary cultures of human pancreatic epithelial cells.  We found that miR-30 family microRNAs target mesenchymal gene transcripts and maintain them in a translationally inactive state.

Characterization of Microbulbifer strain CMC-5, a new biochemical variant of Microbulbifer elongatus type strain DSM6810T isolated from decomposing seaweeds.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore forming, non-motile and moderate halophilic bacteria designated as strain CMC-5 was isolated from decomposing seaweeds by enrichment culture. The growth of strain CMC-5 was assessed in synthetic seawater-based medium containing polysaccharide. The bacterium degraded and utilized agar, alginate, carrageenan, xylan, carboxymethyl cellulose and chitin.

Generation, annotation, and analysis of ESTs from midgut tissue of adult female Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes.

Background: Malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoan parasite, Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans by various species of female anopheline mosquitoes. Anopheles stephensi is one such major malaria vector in urban parts of the Indian subcontinent. Unlike Anopheles gambiae, an African malaria vector, transcriptome of A.

Janibacter hoylei sp. nov., Bacillus isronensis sp. nov. and Bacillus aryabhattai sp. nov., isolated from cryotubes used for collecting air from the upper atmosphere.

Three novel bacterial strains, PVAS-1(T), B3W22(T) and B8W22(T), were isolated from cryotubes used to collect air samples at altitudes of between 27 and 41 km. Based on phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic features, DNA-DNA hybridization with the nearest phylogenetic neighbours and phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences (PVAS-1(T), 1196 nt; B3W22(T), 1541 nt; B8W22(T), 1533 nt), the three strains were identified as representing novel species, and the names proposed are Janibacter hoylei sp. nov.

Electricity generation using chocolate industry wastewater and its treatment in activated sludge based microbial fuel cell and analysis of developed microbial community in the anode chamber.

Feasibility of using chocolate industry wastewater as a substrate for electricity generation using activated sludge as a source of microorganisms was investigated in two-chambered microbial fuel cell. The maximum current generated with membrane and salt bridge MFCs was 3.02 and 2.