Rhodovulum visakhapatnamense sp. nov.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, phototrophic bacterium (JA181T) was isolated from a tidal water sample. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain JA181T was shown to belong to the class Alphaproteobacteria, most closely related to Rhodovulum sulfidophilum (97.8 % similarity to the type strain), Rhodovulum adriaticum (93 %), Rhodovulum robiginosum (93 %), Rhodovulum iodosum (94 %), Rhodovulum imhoffii (94 %), Rhodovulum strictum (95 %), Rhodovulum euryhalinum (94.6 %) and Rhodovulum marinum (94.6 %). DNA–DNA hybridization with Rdv. sulfidophilum DSM 1374T (relatedness of 39 % with strain JA181T) and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain JA181T from the eight Rhodovulum species with validly published names. Strain JA181T therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Rhodovulum visakhapatnamense sp. nov. is proposed (type strain JA181T =JCM 13531T =ATCC BAA-1274T =DSM 17937T)

Rhodobium gokarnense sp. nov., a novel phototrophic alphaproteobacterium from a saltern

A pink-pigmented, phototrophic, purple nonsulfur bacterium, strain JA173T, was isolated in pure culture from a saltern in Gokarna, India, in a medium containing 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain JA173T was a non-motile Gram-negative rod that multiplied by budding. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA173T clusters with the class Alphaproteobacteria; highest sequence similarity (98 %) was to the type strain of Rhodobium orientis and 94 % similarity was observed to the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the type strain of Rhodobium marinum. However, DNA–DNA hybridization with R. orientis DSM 11290T revealed a relatedness value of only 35.1 % with strain JA173T. Strain JA173T contained lamellar internal membranes, bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series. Strain JA173T had an obligate requirement for NaCl (optimum growth at 2–6 %, w/v) and grew photoheterotrophically with a number of organic compounds as carbon source or electron donor. Photoautotrophic, chemoautotrophic and fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Yeast extract was required for growth. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization data and morphological and physiological characteristics, strain JA173T is sufficiently different from other species of the genus Rhodobium to be recognized as a representative of a novel species, Rhodobium gokarnense sp. nov. The type strain is JA173T (=ATCC BAA-1215T=DSM 17935T=JCM 13532T)

Thiophaeococcus mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov., a photosynthetic marine gammaproteobacterium isolated from Bhitarkanika mangrove forest, India

A coccoid, phototrophic purple sulfur bacterium was isolated in pure culture from a mud sample collected from brackish water in the Bhitarkanika mangrove forest of Orissa, India, in a medium containing 2 % NaCl (w/v). This bacterium, strain JA304T, was Gram-negative and had a requirement for NaCl. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes were of the vesicular type. The colour of the phototrophically grown culture was saddle-brown. Bacteriochlorophyll a and the carotenoid lycopene were present as photosynthetic pigments. Strain JA304T was able to grow photolithoautotrophically and could photoassimilate a number of organic substrates. Yeast extract was required for growth of strain JA304T. The DNA G+C content was 68.1–68.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicate that the isolate represents a member of the Chromatiaceae within the class Gammaproteobacteria. According to sequence comparison data, strain JA304T is positioned distinctly outside the group formed by the four genera Thiocystis, Chromatium, Allochromatium and Thermochromatium, with only 86.7–91.0 % sequence similarity. Distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from these previously described taxa support the classification of this isolate as a representative of a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Thiophaeococcus mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thiophaeococcus mangrovi is JA304T (=JCM 14889T =DSM 19863T). PABA, para-aminobenzoic acid The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JA304T is AM748925. A phase-contrast micrograph and whole-cell absorption spectrum and an acetone spectrum of extracted pigments of strain JA304T are available as supplementary material with the online version of this paper

Two novel species of marine phototrophic Gammaproteobacteria: Thiorhodococcus bheemlicus sp. nov. and Thiorhodococcus kakinadensis sp. nov.

Two coccoid phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria were isolated from marine habitats (marine aquaculture pond near Bheemli, Visakhapatnam and marine tidal waters from a fishing harbour, Kakinada) in a medium that contained 3 % NaCl (w/v). Strains JA132T and JA130T are Gram-negative, motile cocci with a single flagellum. Both have an obligate requirement for NaCl. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes are of the vesicular type. Bacteriochlorophyll a and most probably carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Both strains were able to grow photolithoautotrophically and photolithoheterotrophically. Chemotrophic and fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. There is no vitamin requirement for strain JA132T, while strain JA130T requires niacin, biotin and pantothenate as growth factors. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that both strains cluster with species of the genus Thiorhodococcus belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria. The DNA G+C contents of strains JA132T and JA130T were 65.5 and 57.5 mol%, respectively. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological and physiological characteristics, strains JA132T and JA130T are significantly different from each other and from other species of the genus Thiorhodococcus and are recognized as two novel species, for which the names Thiorhodococcus bheemlicus sp. nov. and Thiorhodococcus kakinadensis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of T. bheemlicus sp. nov. and T. kakinadensis sp. nov. are JA132T (=MTCC 8120T=ATCC BAA-1362T=JCM 14149T=DSM 18805T) and JA130T (=ATCC BAA-1353T=DSM 18858T=JCM 14150T), respectivel

Thiohalocapsa marina sp. nov., from an Indian marine aquaculture pond

A spherical-shaped, phototrophic, purple sulfur bacterium was isolated in pure culture from anoxic sediment in a marine aquaculture pond near Bheemli (India). Strain JA142T is Gram-negative and non-motile. It has a requirement for NaCl (optimum of 2 % and maximum of 6 % w/v NaCl). Intracellular photosynthetic membranes are of the vesicular type. In vivo absorption spectra indicate the presence of bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the okenone series as photosynthetic pigments. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA142T is related to halophilic purple sulfur bacteria of the genera Thiohalocapsa and Halochromatium, with the highest sequence similarity to Thiohalocapsa halophila DSM 6210T (97.5 %). Morphological and physiological characteristics differentiate strain JA142T from other species of the genera Halochromatium and Thiohalocapsa. Strain JA142T is sufficiently different from Thiohalocapsa halophila based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and morphological and physiological characteristics to allow the proposal of a novel species, Thiohalocapsa marina sp. nov., with the type strain JA142T (=JCM 14780T =DSM 19078T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JA142T is AM491592. A phase-contrast micrograph of cells of strain JA142T, whole-cell and acetone absorption spectra and 16S rRNA gene sequence-based neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood, minimum-evolution and maximum-parsimony trees are available as supplementary material with the online version of this paper

Rhodobacter vinaykumarii sp. nov., a marine phototrophic alphaproteobacterium from tidal waters

A rod-shaped, phototrophic, purple non-sulfur bacterium was isolated in pure culture from seawater collected from the seashore of Visakhapatnam, on the east coast of India, in a medium that contained 2 % NaCl (w/v). Strain JA123(T) was Gram-negative and non-motile and had a requirement for NaCl. Photo-organoheterotrophic and chemo-organoheterotrophic growth occurred with organic compounds as carbon sources and electron donors. Photolithoautotrophic, chemolithoautotrophic and fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Strain JA123(T) contained vesicular intracellular photosynthetic membrane structures. Bacteriochlorophyll a and probably carotenoids of the spheroidene series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Biotin was required for growth. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA123(T) clustered with species of the genus Rhodobacter. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and morphological and physiological characteristics, strain JA123(T) is sufficiently different from other Rhodobacter species to propose a novel species, Rhodobacter vinaykumarii sp. nov., to accommodate this strain; the type strain is JA123(T) (=DSM 18714(T) =JCM 14544(T) =CCUG 54311(T))

Marichromatium bheemlicum sp. nov., a non-diazotrophic photosynthetic gammaproteobacterium from a marine aquaculture pond

A rod-shaped, phototrophic, purple sulfur bacterium, strain JA124(T), was isolated in pure culture from a marine aquaculture pond, located near Bhimunipatnam, in a medium that contained 3 % NaCl (w/v). Strain JA124(T) is a Gram-negative, motile rod with a single polar flagellum. Strain JA124(T) has a requirement for NaCl, with optimum growth at 1.5-8.5 %, and tolerates up to 11 % NaCl. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes are of the vesicular type. Bacteriochlorophyll a and probably carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series are present as photosynthetic pigments. Strain JA124(T) was able to utilize sulfide, sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, thioglycollate and cysteine as sulfur sources. Strain JA124(T) was able to grow photolithoautotrophically, photolithoheterotrophically and photo-organoheterotrophically. Chemotrophic and fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Strain JA124(T) lacks diazotrophic growth and acetylene reduction activity. Pyridoxal phosphate is required for growth. During growth on reduced sulfur sources as electron donors, sulfur is deposited intermediately as a number of small granules within the cell. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA124(T) clusters with species of the genus Marichromatium belonging to the class Gammaproteobacteria. The highest sequence similarities of strain JA124(T) were found with the type strains of Marichromatium indicum (98 %), Marichromatium purpuratum (95 %) and Marichromatium gracile (93 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization with Marichromatium indicum DSM 15907(T) revealed relatedness of only 65 % with strain JA124(T). The DNA base composition of strain JA124(T) was 67 mol% G+C (by HPLC). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological and physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization studies, strain JA124(T) (=ATCC BAA-1316(T)=JCM 13911(T)) is sufficiently different from other Marichromatium species to merit its description as the type strain of a novel species, Marichromatium bheemlicum sp. nov

ETMS: Efficient Traffic Management System for Congestion Detection and Alert using HAAR Cascade

Rapid social development has resulted in the emergence of a new major societal issue: urban traffic congestion, which many cities must address. In addition to making  it more difficult for people to get around town, traffic jams are a major source of the city's pollution crisis. In order to address the problems of automobile exhaust pollution and congestion, this paper uses the system dynamics approach to develop a model to study the urban traffic congestion system from the perspectives of trucks,private cars, bikes and public transportation. This project proposes a system for detecting vehicles and sending alerts when traffic levels rise to dangerous levels using Haar Cascade and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCP). The proposed system uses Haar Cascade to detect moving vehicles, which are then classified using FCP. The system can make decisions based on partial or ambiguous information by utilising FCP, a soft computing technique, which allows it to learn from past actions. An algorithm for estimating traffic density is also used by the system to pinpoint active areas. In congested areas, the system will alert the driver if it anticipates a collision with another vehicle and also Experiments show that the proposed system is able to accurately detect vehicles and provide timely alerts to the driver, drastically lowering the probability of accidents occurring in heavily travelled areas. The importance of introducing such a system cannot be overstated in today's transportation system. It's a big deal for the future of intelligent urban planning and traffic control. Congestion relief, cleaner air, and increased security are just some of the long-term benefits that justify the high initial investment. To add, this system is adaptable to suburban and rural areas, which can also experience traffic congestion issues

Nanocomposite cotton fabrics with in situ formed copper nanoparticles using citrus lemon leaf extract as reducing agent

Nanocomposite cotton fabrics (NCCFs) with in situ formed copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using aqueous extraction of citrus lemon leaves as reducing agent have been made. The NCCFs have been analyzed by SEM, FTIR, XRD and TGA techniques and antibacterial test. The CuNPS have been roughly spherical in shape with a mean size in the range of 82-114 nm. The OH and C-OH groups of leaf extract has played an important role in the generation of the CuNPs in the NCCFs as established by the FTIR spectral analysis. The XRD analysis has indicated that the formation of CuNPs in NCCFs lowered the crystallinity of NCCFs. The thermal stability of NCCFs has been lowered by the CuNPs. However, the NCCFs with in situ generated CuNPs exhibited higher antibacterial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and hence can be effectively used as antibacterial wound dressing and hospital bed materials

Effect of Curcuma longa and Ocimum sanctum on myocardial apoptosis in experimentally induced myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: In the present investigation, the effect of Curcuma longa (Cl) and Ocimum sanctum (Os) on myocardial apoptosis and cardiac function was studied in an ischemia and reperfusion (I-R) model of myocardial injury. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups and orally fed saline once daily (sham, control IR) or Cl (100 mg/kg; Cl-IR) or Os (75 mg/kg; Os-IR) respectively for 1 month. On the 31(st )day, in the rats of the control IR, Cl-IR and Os-IR groups LAD occlusion was undertaken for 45 min, and reperfusion was allowed for 1 h. The hemodynamic parameters{mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular peak positive (+) LVdP/dt (rate of pressure development) and negative (-) LVdP/dt (rate of pressure decline)} were monitored at pre-set points throughout the experimental duration and subsequently, the animals were sacrificed for immunohistopathological (Bax, Bcl-2 protein expression & TUNEL positivity) and histopathological studies. RESULTS: Chronic treatment with Cl significantly reduced TUNEL positivity (p < 0.05), Bax protein (p < 0.001) and upregulated Bcl-2 (p < 0.001) expression in comparison to control IR group. In addition, Cl demonstrated mitigating effects on several myocardial injury induced hemodynamic {(+)LVdP/dt, (-) LVdP/dt & LVEDP} and histopathological perturbations. Chronic Os treatment resulted in modest modulation of the hemodynamic alterations (MAP, LVEDP) but failed to demonstrate any significant antiapoptotic effects and prevent the histopathological alterations as compared to control IR group. CONCLUSION: In the present study, significant cardioprotection and functional recovery demonstrated by Cl may be attributed to its anti-apoptotic property. In contrast to Os, Cl may attenuate cell death due to apoptosis and prevent the impairment of cardiac performance