Termite Gut Microbes as Tools and Targets for Termite Control

The Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus, is an invasive urban pest in the United States. Colonies of the FST are dependent on the symbiotic gut protozoa for cellulose digestion in the workers’ guts, and the gut bacterial community is known to provide essential nutrients to the termite. The objectives of this PhD research were to develop and evaluate paratransgenesis and phage therapy for termite control. During this study, a termite gut bacterium: Trabulsiella odontotermitis was genetically engineered and was evaluated as a ‘Trojan horse’ for paratransgenesis. We proved that T. odontotermitis can tolerate 50 times more concentration of ligand-Hecate than the concentration required to kill the gut protozoa. We also engineered T. odontotermitis to express Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and visualized the expression of GFP in the termite gut. We created a strain of T. odontotermitis expressing kanamycin-resistant gene using tn7 transposon. We used this strain to prove that once ingested, T. odontotermitis can stay in the termite gut for at least three weeks and it is horizontally transferred amongst nest mates. We also engineered T. odontotermitis to express functional ligand-Hecate-GFP fusion protein. Removal of the bacterial community from the gut also has a negative impact on the survival of the termites. The presence of a diverse and rich bacterial community makes the termite gut a perfect niche for bacteriophages; viruses that infect bacteria. So far, there has been no research to study the presence and role of bacteriophages in the gut of the termite. Bacteriophages have the potential to be used in ‘Phage therapy’ targeting the essential termite gut bacteria. During this study three novel bacteriophages were isolated and sequenced from the termite gut. A meta-virome sequencing of the termite gut was also done, which revealed the presence of previously unknown bacteriophages and other viruses associated with the termites. This is the first study elucidating the presence of a diverse and largely unexplored bacteriophage community in the termite gut. The study suggests that termites can serve as a model system to study the effect of bacteriophages on bacteria and ultimately on the host harboring the microbial community

Review on Data Transmission using Dynamic Routing And Reverse Encryption Algorithm

Abstract: Security has become one of the major issues for data communication over wired and wireless Network. Due to the transmission of valuable data over the network, security is the big issue for the information technology sector. For the data transmission in network may not be secure and is defenceless to many threats. The various security mechanisms have been incorporated in the recent times, which greatly improve the data security. In this paper the new way of transmission, the information using a routing algorithm such as DSDV or AODV with encryption algorithm (i.e. Reverse Encryption Algorithm (REA)) improve the data security over network DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.160414

第780回千葉医学会例会・第5回神経内科例会・第263回脳研談話会 7.

T. odontotermitis transformed with pCT-ELGFP 6.1, observed under Leica DM RXA2 fluorescent microscope, 100x oil, N.A = 1.3, excitation 480 nm and emission 508 nm. (JPG 32 kb

Metavirome Sequencing of the Termite Gut Reveals the Presence of an Unexplored Bacteriophage Community

The Formosan subterranean termite; Coptotermes formosanus is nutritionally dependent on the complex and diverse community of bacteria and protozoa in their gut. Although, there have been many studies to decipher the taxonomic and functional diversity of bacterial communities in the guts of termites, their bacteriophages remain unstudied. We sequenced the metavirome of the guts of Formosan subterranean termite workers to study the diversity of bacteriophages and other associated viruses. Results showed that the termites harbor a virome in their gut comprised of varied and previously unknown bacteriophages. Between 87–90% of the predicted dsDNA virus genes by Metavir showed similarity to the tailed bacteriophages (Caudovirales). Many predicted genes from the virome matched to bacterial prophage regions. These data are suggestive of a virome dominated by temperate bacteriophages. We predicted the genomes of seven novel Caudovirales bacteriophages from the termite gut. Three of these predicted bacteriophage genomes were found in high proportions in all the three termite colonies tested. Two bacteriophages are predicted to infect endosymbiotic bacteria of the gut protozoa. The presence of these putative bacteriophages infecting endosymbionts of the gut protozoa, suggests a quadripartite relationship between the termites their symbiotic protozoa, endosymbiotic bacteria of the protozoa and their bacteriophages. Other than Caudovirales, ss-DNA virus related genes were also present in the termite gut. We predicted the genomes of 12 novel Microviridae phages from the termite gut and seven of those possibly represent a new proposed subfamily. Circovirus like genomes were also assembled from the termite gut at lower relative abundance. We predicted 10 novel circovirus genomes in this study. Whether these circoviruses infect the termites remains elusive at the moment. The functional and taxonomical annotations suggest that the termites may harbor a core virome comprised of the bacteriophages infecting endosymbionts of the gut protozoa

MOLECULAR DYNAMICS GUIDED 4D QSAR STUDIES ON CHROMENONE BASED DNA-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE INHIBITORS

Objective: Developing 4D QSAR model for chromenones as DNA-protein kinase inhibitors with LQTAgrid program and MATLAB with PLS Tool box.Methods: 2D structures of forty five chromenones and pyrimido [2,1-a] isoquinolin-4-ones were drawn in Marvin application and subsequently converted to 3D format. With PRODRG server coordinate and topology files were generated. Molecular dynamics simulation for 20 ps was carried out in Gromacs4.6.3. Conformation ensemble for each molecule was aligned with the most active compound 22. Interaction energy descriptors were computed by placing NH3+ probe with LQTA grid program. 4D QSAR model was built-in MATLAB workspace with PLS Toolbox.Results: 4D QSAR model developed with PLS regression showed root mean square error 0.188741, root mean square error predicted 0.575649, prediction bias -0.0221941, R2 calculated for training set 0.834502. The model built could predict the DNA-PK inhibitory activity for analogous compounds with reasonably good predictive ability. The Leenard Jones interaction descriptors were found important in the model suggesting the importance of 3D steric features in the molecule. These facts could be exploited in designing newer DNK-PK inhibitors with improved activity.Conclusion: 4D QSAR model was developed with good squared correlation coefficient of 0.834502. Few Leenard Jones descriptors were found contributing to the model. The 4D QSAR model could be used in designing more active DNK-PK inhibitors.Â

Complete Genome Sequence of Citrobacter Phage CVT22 Isolated from the Gut of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki

The complete genome of bacteriophage CVT22 infecting Citrobacter sp. strain TM1552 is reported here. Both the bacteriophage and Citrobacter sp. TM1552 were isolated from the gut of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus. This is the first report of a genome sequence of a bacteriophage isolated from the termite gut

Psychophysiological effects of yoga on stress in college students

College students are vulnerable to a critical period in developmental maturation, facing rigorous academic work, and learning how to function independently. Physical activities such as running and bicycling have been shown to improve mood and relieve stress. However, college students often have low levels of physical activity. Yoga is an ancient physical and mental activity that affects mood and stress. However, studies examining the psychophysiological effects of yoga are rare in peer-reviewed journals. The aim of this study is to establish preliminary evidence for the psychophysiological effects of yoga on stress in young-adult college students. The present study suggests that yoga has positive effects on a psychophysiological level that leads to decreased levels of stress in college student. Further research is needed to examine the extent to which different types of yogic practices address the needs of different college subpopulations (e.g., overweight, sedentary, and smokers)