Absract Archive November 2008 Research Article Biodegradation of Leather ACID Dye by Bacillus subtilis Abstract The Bacillus subtilis was used to decolorize the Acidblue113. The bacterial culture exhibited 90% decolorization ability within 50 h. Maximum rate of decolorization was observed (89%) when starch & peptone was supplemented in the medium. Decolorization of Acidblue113 was monitored by TLC, which indicated that dye decolorization was due to its degradation into unidentified intermediates. The optimum dye decolorizing activity of the culture was observed at pH 7.0 and incubation temperature of 37°C. Maximum, dye-decolorizing efficiency was observed at 200 mg/l concentration of Acidblue113. A plate assay was performed for the detection of decolorizing ability of bacteria. Clearing zone (decolorization) was formed surrounding the bacterial culture. Decolorization was confirmed by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The initial dye solution showed high peak at the wavelength of 560nm. The decolorized dye showed disappearance of peak, which indicated that the decolorization is due to dye degradation. The dye decolorization was further confirmed by COD & BOD Analysis. Key words: Biodegradation, Acid Blue 113, Bushnell & Hass medium (BHM) and Bacillus subtilis Introduction Dyes are widely used in the Textile, rubber product, paper, printing, color photography, Pharmaceuticals, Cosetics and Many other industries. [1] Amongst these, azo dyes represent the largest and most versatile class of synthetic dyes. [2] Approximately 10 – 15% of the dyes are release into the environment during manufacturing and usage [3] Since some of the dyes are harmful, dye-containing wastes pore an important environmental problem. [4] These dyes are poorly biodegrabale because of their structures and treatment of wastewater containg dyes usually involves physical and / or chemical methods [5] such as adsorption, Coagulation-flocculation, Oxidation, filtration and electrochemical methods [6] Over the Past decades, Biological decolorization has been investigated as a method to transform, degrade or mineralize azo dyes [7] Moreover, such decolorization and degradation is an environmentally friendly and cost – competitive alternative to chemical decomposition possess [4] Unfortunately, most azo dyes are recalcitrant to aerobic degradation by bacterial cells [8]. However, there are few known microorganisms that have the ability to reductively cleave azo bonds under aerobic conditions [9,10,11,12]. Authors :M.Gurulakshmi,D.N.P.Sudar Mani, R.Venba. Short Communication Standardization pentahydrated Copper (II) sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O) as an explant sterilizing agent in plant tissue culture Abstract Penta hydrated Copper (II) sulphate as many role in different fields but in particular in plant tissue culture copper salt is used to supply copper ion a micro nutrient and in some studies its proved to enhance the callus induction but this not all, in this project it extend its application as an explant sterilizer too.  We were attempting to standardize the Penta hydrated Copper (II) sulphate as explant sterilizer by testing the number of colony forming units or fungal mycelia present after surface sterilization with different penta hydrated copper (II) sulphate solution.  Among the different percentage concentration of pentahydrated copper (II) sulphate solution used for surface sterilization 1% , 3% and 5% Penta hydrated Copper (II) Sulphate solution were shown anti fungal and anti bacterial activity.  Of which we suggesting the use of 1% pentahydrated Copper (II) Sulphate solution for the surface sterilization of explant due to the precipitation of copper salt over the explant treated with 3% and 5% pentahydrated Copper (II) Sulphate solution which may affect the survival and hinder the normal growth of plant tissue in invitro culturing.  Keywords: Copper Sulphate, Explant sterilizers, Fungicide, Plant Tissue Culture, Anti microbial activity Introduction Sterilization of explants is a key step in any plant tissue culture work.  This is done currently by using chemicals like ethanol and mercuric chloride in the following concentration 70% ethanol and 0.01% mercuric chloride.  Our attempt is to utilize the antimicrobial activity of copper ion for the same purpose of sterilization of explants.  That can effectively replace the carcinogenic, highly toxic, and costlier mercuric chloride from explant sterilization in plant tissue culture works. Many forms of copper salts were available in the market but pentahydrated copper (II) sulphate is our consideration.  Pentahydrated copper (II) sulphate is an inorganic salt that can dissolve in water, easily crystallizable and used in varied industries for varied purposes and it’s proved to enhance the callus induction.  (Nirwan R.S and Kothari S.L, 2003) and also promote shoot bud differentiation (Joshi.  A and Kothari S.L. ,2007) Particularly in agriculture it has been used along with hydrated lime (Morando A, Morando P, Bevione D, Cerrato M, 1996) and washing soda as an effective fungicide (Ropek D, Para A., 2002) and algaecide.  Here the former is known as Bordeaux mixture and later combination is known as burgundy mixture.  (Winston JR, Bowman JL, Yothers WW, 1923)  Hence this suggested the possible use of copper (II) sulphate for explant sterilization.  The only thing of consideration is its combination with any other basic salts like hydrated lime in Bordeaux mixture will may affect the pH of the sterilizing solution and become lethal to the explants used (Glowacka E, Migula P, Nuorteva SL, Nuorteva P, Tulisalo E., 1997.)  So we are in need to check the antimicrobial activity of pentahydrated copper (II) sulphate along without any combinations and its suitability as new explant sterilizer.       Authors:S.Ganapathi Balaji,K.Dhamendran,R. Duraisamy,T.Saminathan. Review A Dictionary to Tumor Markers and The Methods of Estimation Abstract Tumor markers are substances produced by tumor cells or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions. These substances can be found in the blood, in the urine, in the tumor tissue, or in other tissues. Different tumor markers are found in different types of cancer, and levels of the same tumor marker can be altered in more than one type of cancer. In addition, tumor marker levels are not altered in all people with cancer, especially if the cancer is early stage. Some tumor marker levels can also be altered in patients with noncancerous conditions. To date, researchers have identified more than a dozen substances that seem to be expressed abnormally when some types of cancer are present. Some of these substances are also found in other conditions and diseases. Scientists have not found markers for every type of cancer. ELISA and RIA are the extensively used techniques to estimate the concentration of tumor markers.  As such they are not suitable for tumor screening and localization, but valuable as adjuncts for medical follow-up care of tumor patients, where their serum level alterations may anticipate the clinical detection of tumor behavior by a lead time of 1 to 6 months before other methods. KEY WORDS:  Tumor marker, malignancy, clinical relevance, Reference range. Introduction Tumor markers are biochemical substances, measurable and associated with a malignancy. They are either produced by tumor cells (biochemical’s that tumor-derived) or by the body in response to tumor cells (tumor-associated). They are typically substances that are released into the circulation and thus measured in the blood. There are a few exceptions to this, such as tissue-bound receptors that must be measured in a biopsy from the solid tumor or proteins that are secreted into the urine. Though tumor markers are rarely specific enough to be used alone to diagnose cancer, they do have a number of clinical uses. They can be used to stage cancer, to indicate a prognosis, to monitor treatment, or in follow-up to watch for cancer recurrence. Changes in some tumor markers have been sensitive enough to be used as targets in clinical trials. When used for diagnosis, tumor markers are used in conjunction with other clinical parameters such as biopsy and radiological findings. Although there are a multitude of tumor markers, very few of them have found their way into clinical practice because of their lack of specificity. However, some of these non-specific markers have found a place in monitoring cancer treatment rather than in diagnosis. 1.1 Classification: A. General Scheme      1. Based on biochemical structure      2. Based on function      3. Based on combination of biochemical structure and function.      4. Based on discovery of oncofetal markers.      Authors : Rahul R Nair, Jerin K Johnson.