Isolation and Identification of Xylanolytic Enzyme from an Effective Strain Bacillus Licheniformis Isolated from the Decaying Wood.

A new species of Bacillus licheniformis produced extracellular xylanase under submerged fermentation when wheat bran is used as carbon source. The xylan is the most common hemicellulosic polysaccharide in food industry and agricultural wastes, comprising a backbone of xylose residues linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Bacillus licheniformis has been shown to be a promising organism for enhanced production of xylanases & β-xylosidase under submerged fermentation (SmF). The optimization of cultural conditions and carbon, nitrogen sources for enzymes production. The bacterial strain Bacillus licheniformis was cultivated using as substrate xylan, wheat bran, corn straw, corncob, and sugarcane bagasse. Wheat bran has been a good xylanase (16.8U/ml) & β xylosidase (5.6U/ml) activity after 48h of fermentation. Maximum enzyme activity was observed in xylan as carbon source and peptone as nitrogen source. Both crude enzymes were characterized and a bacterial xylanase shows optimum pH for xylanase activity at 6.5 & β xylosidase were found to be 6.0. The optimum temperatures were 450C for both and they were thermally stable up to 500C. The parameters of Vmax and Km obtained using Line weaver-Burk plot method were 277.7μmol / min/mg and 5.26 mg /L correspondingly.

Identification and Characterization of Dopamine D4 Receptor (DRD4) Gene Sequence within and Among Non Mammalian Species.

A number of polymorphic tandem repeats in human dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) have been identified in the exons, including a 12-bp repeat in the first exon and a 48-bp repeat in exon III located in the third cytoplasmic loop. However, to determine whether the tandem repeats is specific to humans or not, we have identified and characterized dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) Exon III tandem repeats in public available nucleotide sequences from 13 different non mammalian species. We found that the tandem repeat was composed of 21-bp modules in sequences from the Mycobacterium smegmatis str. MC2 155, Salinibacter ruber DSM 13855, Danio rerio, Parus major, Corvus macrorhynchos, and Coturnix japonica. A tandem repeat consisting of 30-bp modules was identified in sequence from Melopsittacus undulates while in the Phalacrocorax capillatus and Numida meleagris we identified tandem repeats composed of 3-bp modules. Tandem repeats could not be identified in sequences from Carassius auratus, Phasianus colchicus and Gallus gallus. To understand the evolutionary history of the Exon I region of DRD4—which in humans contains a polymorphic 12bp tandem duplication, a polymorphic 13bp deletion, and other rare variants—we examined the homologous exon in these different species. There was a low degree of similarity between the sequences of bacterial species and those from members of the piscean and avian and with human sequence. We identified transmembrane domain of DRD4 gene and signature of G-protein coupled receptors in the amino acid sequences. The number of transmembrane segments varied pronouncedly between species from 0 to 7 and signature of G-protein coupled receptors was found only in piscean species and was also identified in one avian species (parus major). These findings suggest that an association between Drd4 gene polymorphisms and animal personality variation predates the divergence of the non mammalian and mammalian lineages. Furthermore, the analysis of Drd4 polymorphisms within and among populations may provide information for elucidating the phylogenetic relationship and such data may also provide a clue toward understanding the relation between the genetic variation and behavioral variation in animals.

Availability of Treatment for Eclampsia in Public Health Institutions in Maharashtra, India.

Severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are common causes of maternal deaths worldwide and more so in developing countries. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is now the most-recommended drug of choice to treat these conditions. Despite favourable policies for the use of MgSO4 treatment in India, eclampsia continues to take a high toll. This study examined the availability and use of MgSO4 treatment in the public health system and poor women’s recent experiences with eclampsia treatment in Maharashtra state. A mix of qualitative and quantative methods was used. A facility-based survey of all secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities (n=44) in 3 selected districts and interviews with public and contracted-in private sector obstetricians, health officials, and programme managers were conducted. A list of recently-delivering women from marginalized communities, with up to two livebirths, was drawn through a community-level survey in 272 villages covered by 60 subcentres selected at random. Mothers were selected for interviews, using maximum variation sampling, and interviews were conducted with 17% of the mothers who reported having experienced eclampsia; 61% of facilities had no stock of MgSO4, the stock-out position continuing from a period ranging from 3 months to 3 years while another 20% had some stock, although less than the expected minimum quantity. No treatment for eclampsia was provided in the recent 3 months at 73% facilities. Our survey of recently-delivering mothers recorded a history of eclampsia in 3.2% pregnancies/ deliveries. Interviews with 10 such mothers revealed that treatment for eclampsia has been sought from public as well as private hospitals and from traditional healers. However, facilities where women have received medical treatment are exclusively in the private sector. Almost all public and private care providers were aware of MgSO4 as the gold standard to treat eclampsia; however, it is unclear if they knew of its use to treat severe pre-eclampsia. The private care providers routinely used MgSO4 for eclampsia treatment while the public care providers seemed hesitant to use it fearing risks of complications. We stress the need for improved inventory control practices to ensure sustained availability of supplies and building confidence of care providers in using MgSO4 treatment for severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in public facilities, in addition to teaching expectant mothers how to recognize symptoms of these conditions.

Are we really making motherhood safe? A study of provision of iron supplements and emergency obstetric care in rural Maharashtra.

BACKGROUND: The Government of India launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005 to improve healthcare delivery and strengthen the public health system. Prevention and management of anaemia during pregnancy and access to quality emergency obstetric care services are important factors in reducing maternal mortality, which is a priority goal in the NRHM. We studied the ground realities specific to the availability of maternity services in the public health system of Maharashtra. METHODS: The study was done in the rural areas of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra in 2006. Data regarding the number and place of deliveries, and details regarding iron supplements received and used were collected from 14 primary health centres selected by a stratified random method. Data regarding the number of caesarean section operations conducted in 3 selected rural hospitals and the availability of iron supplements at the district headquarters were also obtained. Three questionnaires were used in the format prescribed under the Right to Information Act of the Government of India, 2005. RESULTS: No iron supplement was available during the entire year in 21% of primary health centres. Iron supplements were available for 1-4 months, 5-8 months and 9-11 months, in 4, 3 and 4 primary health centres, respectively. The district headquarters did not receive supplies of iron supplements during the year from higher authorities. No caesarean sections were done in any of the selected rural hospitals during 2006. The proportion of deliveries that took place in primary health centres and subcentres, at home, and at private healthcare facilities was 1:1.5:5. CONCLUSION: Essential supplies such as iron supplements are in short supply and emergency obstetric care services are nonexistent in the public health system in our study area. The NRHM needs to address the ground realities to make motherhood safe.