Effect of water temperature on dietary protein requirement,growth and body composition of Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus fry

This study aimed to evaluate the protein requirement of Clarias batrachus fry, were estimated at two different water temperatures, 28 and 32 °C. The influence of dietary protein level and water temperature on body composition, weight gain, food and nutrient utilization were estimated. The Asian catfish, C. batrachus fry were fed four diets containing 28% (diet 1), 32% (diet 2), 36% (diet 3) and 40% (diet 4) protein levels and reared at two water temperatures 28 and 32 °C for 60 days. Fry fed with diet 3 containing 36% protein showed the highest mean final body weight at 32 °C. Final body weight was significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary treatments and temperatures. Clarias batrachus fry raised at 28 °C had higher feed efficiency (93.20%) than the fry reared at 32 °C (87.58%) with 28% dietary protein level. Further, feed efficiency decreased with increase in dietary protein level. Higher daily protein retention (0.089%) observed at lower (0.0217 g) daily protein intake at 28 °C than 0.0283 g at 32 °C. While, optimal (0.0282 g) daily protein intake showed higher daily weight gain at 32 °C. Productive protein value (% PPV) was maximum (1.76%) at 32 °C than at 28 °C (0.76%). Final body lipid recorded higher value than initial body lipid at both the temperatures. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) observed to have been influenced (P<0.05) by diets and temperatures, while viscerosomatic index (VSI) affected (P<0.05) by only diets and not (P>0.05) by temperatures. The study concluded that the diet 3 containing 36% protein was optimal for growth of C. batrachus fry at both the temperatures.     

Efficient and stereodivergent synthesis of deoxyimino sugars

Both cis- and trans-2-substituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-3-ols have been prepared via an aldol condensation-ring-closing metathesis sequence. A stereodivergent synthesis of optionally functionalized deoxyimino sugars was achieved via asymmetric dihydroxylation or epoxidation/nucleophilic substitution of these tetrahydropyridines.     

Subunits of the translocon interact with components of the oligosaccharyl transferase complex

Following initiation of translocation across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum via the translocon, polypeptide chains are N-glycosylated by the oligosaccharyl transferase (OT) enzyme complex. Translocation and N-glycosylation are concurrent events and would be expected to require juxtaposition of the translocon and the OT complex. To determine whether any of the subunits of the OT complex and translocon mediate interactions between the two complexes, we initiated a systematic study in budding yeast using the split-ubiquitin approach. Interestingly, the OT subunit Stt3p was found to interact only with Sec61p, whereas another OT subunit, Ost4p, was found to interact with all three components of the translocon, Sec61p, Sbh1p, and Sss1p. The OT subunit Wbp1p was found to interact very strongly with Sec61p and Sbh1p and weakly with Sss1p. Other OT subunits, Ost1p, Ost2p, and Swp1p were found to interact with Sec61p and either Sbh1p or Sss1p. Ost3p exhibited a weak interaction with Sec61p and Sbh1p, whereas Ost5p and Ost6p interacted very weakly with Sec61p and failed to interact with Sbh1p or Sss1p. We were able to confirm these split-ubiquitin findings by a chemical cross-linking technique. Based on our findings using these two techniques, we conclude that the association of these two complexes is stabilized via multiple protein-protein contacts. Based on extrapolation of the structural parameters of the crystal structure of the prokaryotic Sec complex to the eukaryotic complex, we propose a working model to understand the organization of the translocon-OT supercomplex.     

Length‐weight relationships of ten tropical finfish species from north eastern Arabian Sea,India

The length weight relationships (LWRs) of ten tropical finfish species from north eastern Arabian Sea, India were studied. Specimens were caught using a wide range of fishing gear mainly trawl nets (20–25 mm), dol nets or bag nets (20–40 mm) and gill nets (80–270 mm) operated in Maharashtra maritime waters during 2012–2016. The specimens were measured for total length, and weight, then dissected and the sex confirmed. Previously unavailable in FishBase, the detailed LWR of Polydactylus mullani is reported for the first time. Maximum total lengths presented for six species in this study are new records. The existence of a differential growth between male and female was confirmed for five species, which was not known earlier. The LWR data will be useful for deriving future sustainable management and conservation strategies.     

Use of Nanoscale Materials for the Effective Prevention and Extermination of Bacterial Biofilms

Biofilms have been shown to cause most human infections. The prevention and extermination of bacterial biofilms has always presented a major challenge in the clinic. The failure of traditional antibiotics and the development of bacterial resistance against these measures is on the rise. Nanoscale materials possess the advantage of presenting enhanced surface properties of bulk materials, and are emerging as effective agents for deterring microbial growth. This review article summarizes the fundamentals of bacterial growth, biofilm formation, mechanisms for antibacterial technologies, and usage of nanoparticles for the prevention and extermination of biofilms. Further research is required with respect to the appropriate usage of nanoparticles for the effective control of biofilms to save human lives and reduce healthcare costs.     

Physiological studies in salinity tolerance ofSesbania aculeata POIR

A pot culture experiment was performed to evaluate salt tolerance potential ofSesbania aculeata Poir. The plant can tolerate salinity levels up to electrical conductivity (ECe), 10 mS cm^?1 and at 15 mS cm^?1 thero is about 40% reduction in dry matter production. The analysis of inorganic constituents in different plant parts revealed that the plant has the capacity to regulate sodium uptake under saline conditions and chloride uptake always exceeded that of sodium. The potassium: sodium ratio is also maintained at a fairly constant level in leaflets while it is reduced in leaf rachis, stem and roots. Salt stress caused accumulation of calcium and magnesium in all plant parts. A considerable decline in phosphorus uptake was observed due to salinity. Iron was found to be accumulated more in salt stressed roots only. Nitrogen accumulated in both roots and leaves while considerable proline accumulation was observed in leaves of salt stressed plants. The amount of soluble sugars was increased in roots and leaves due to salt stress, while starch content of roots decreased. Those changes induced by salinity are discussed in relation to salt tolerance capacity of the plant.     

Mechanisms of Membrane Binding of Small GTPase K-Ras4B Farnesylated Hypervariable Region

K-Ras4B belongs to a family of small GTPases that regulates cell growth, differentiation and survival. K-ras is frequently mutated in cancer. K-Ras4B association with the plasma membrane through its farnesylated and positively charged C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR) is critical to its oncogenic function. However, the structural mechanisms of membrane association are not fully understood. Here, using confocal microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations, we observed that K-Ras4B can be distributed in rigid and loosely packed membrane domains. Its membrane binding domain interaction with phospholipids is driven by membrane fluidity. The farnesyl group spontaneously inserts into the disordered lipid microdomains, whereas the rigid microdomains restrict the farnesyl group penetration. We speculate that the resulting farnesyl protrusion toward the cell interior allows oligomerization of the K-Ras4B membrane binding domain in rigid microdomains. Unlike other Ras isoforms, K-Ras4B HVR contains a single farnesyl modification and positively charged polylysine sequence. The high positive charge not only modulates specific HVR binding to anionic phospholipids but farnesyl membrane orientation. Phosphorylation of Ser-181 prohibits spontaneous farnesyl membrane insertion. The mechanism illuminates the roles of HVR modifications in K-Ras4B targeting microdomains of the plasma membrane and suggests an additional function for HVR in regulation of Ras signaling.     

Design,synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel pyrazole integrated benzophenones

A series of novel pyrazole integrated benzophenones (9a–j) have been designed, synthesized from 1-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethoxy-phenyl)-1H-pyrazole 6. The structures of the regioisomers 6 and 7 were determined by 2D ¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HSQC and ¹H–¹³C HMBC experiments. The newly synthesized compounds (9a–j) were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan paw edema in rats and in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition and antioxidant potential. Among the synthesized compounds, compounds 9b, 9d and 9f, were found to be active anti-inflammatory agents in addition to having potent antioxidant activity.     

Synthesis and cell imaging applications of fluorescent mono/di/tri-heterocyclyl-2,6-dicyanoanilines

Synthesis of 3,4,5-triheterocyclyl-2,6-dicyanoanilines, starting from heterocyclic aldehydes and 1,2-diheterocycle-substituted ethanones, is described. 2,6-Dicyanoanilines with one or two heterocyclic substituents have also been synthesized. It was found that some of these molecules have selective cell-staining properties useful for cell imaging applications. The compounds 1g, 10f and 11 were found to stain cytoplasm of the cells in contact but not the nucleus while the compound 12 showed affinity to apoptotic cells resulting in blue fluorescence. The cell imaging results with compound 12 were similar to Annexin V-FITC, a known reagent containing recombinant Annexin V conjugated to green-fluorescent FITC dye, used for detection of apoptotic cells. These compounds were found to be non-cytotoxic and have potential application as cell imaging agents.