Large scale propagation of an exotic edible bamboo, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex H. De Lehale (Moso Bamboo) using seeds.

For ex vitro propagation, seeds of P.pubescens were treated with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) and germination of seeds was tested both in plastic pots as well as by direct sowing in the nursery beds. Maximum seed germination was achieved when treated with 200 mgL–1 (w/v) GA3. For in vitro propagation, an exposure of nodal explants from in vitro raised seedlings to 0.2 mgL–1 1–phenyl–3–(1,2,3–thiadiazol–5–yl) urea and 1 mgL–1 kinetin supplemented medium for 30 days and thereafter to hormone free Murashige and Skoog basal medium resulted in axillary shoot proliferation. For rooting, in vitro raised shoots were exposed to MS medium containing 2 mgL–1 indole-3-butyric acid for 15 days and then shifted to hormone free medium. On an average, 2.8 shoots were obtained in 75% of the cultures within 4 weeks. Such in vitro raised plants were successfully hardened and shifted to field conditions.

Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA for 36kDa protein in urine from leprosy patients: a preliminary report

Pesquisamos o DNA do Mycobacterium leprae para proteína 36 kDa na urina usando a técnica do PCR específica para M. leprae. Um número limitado de 16 pacientes (dos quais 11 tinham hanseníase multibacilar e cinco hanseníase paucibacilar) e oito indivíduos saudáveis foram incluídos neste estudo. O número de amostras de urina positivas pelo PCR foi de 36,4% (4/11) em pacientes com hanseníase multibacilar e 40% (2/5) em pacientes com hanseníase paucibacilar. Nenhuma das amostras de indivíduos saudáveis foi positiva. Até onde chega o nosso conhecimento, os resultados indicam, pela primeira vez, a presença de DNA do M. leprae na urina de pacientes com hanseníase. Outro fato importante obtido através do exame é que entre os pacientes tratados 66.6% (4/6) eram positivos enquanto entre os não tratados somente 20% (2/10) foram positivos. Pelos presentes dados indicativos parece que o tratamento melhora os resultados do PCR em amostra de urina. Assim, o acesso a estes dados prova ser útil no monitoramento da resposta ao tratamento de pacientes individuais e precisa ser melhor avaliado com um grande número de pacientes.

Efforts in diagnosing early leprosy using serological techniques.

Skin scrapings obtained from the lesions of leprosy patients of all types showed 96% positivity to the serum antibody competition test using monoclonal antibody (ML04)to 35 kDa antigen of Mycobacterium leprae. Further, in vitro culture of full thickness skin biopsies from lepromatous patients were noted to release IgG antibodies to M. leprae with a peak antibody response at 48 h. The significance of this local antibody response to Μ. leprae in skin has been discussed for its possible use in diagnosing early leprosy.