Isolation of the crude oil degrading marine Acinetobacter sp. E11

The Acinetobacter sp. E11, isolated from Port Dickson Beach, Malaysia, was able to grow in media containing crude oil as the sole carbon and energy source. Substrate specificity studies showed that the bacterium exhibited substrate preference as growth was observed only in media containing aliphatic hydrocarbons, while aromatic and cyclic hydrocarbons inhibited growth. With the aliphatic hydrocarbons, growth was seen only in the long-chain alkanes tested (pentadecane, dodecane and hexadecane). No growth was recorded in the short-chain alkanes (pentane, hexane and heptane) tested. With complex hydrocarbons, only crude oil and 4T SHELL engine oil supported growth. No growth was observed in kerosene and PETRONAS gasoline. The isolate could grow in up to 10% and 20% [v/v] of the crude oil and alkanes tested, respectively. Among the long-chain alkanes tested, hexadecane was the most preferred, followed by pentadecane and dodecane. Nitrogen and phosphorous supplements were essential for growth and the best growth was achieved with 3% nitrogen/phosphorous additions. Microscopic observation revealed that the bacterium adhered to the hexadecane and crude oil droplets. GC analysis showed that the bacterium was able to degrade more than 60% of the hydrocarbons in the crude oil in 15 days at 37°C compared to the uninoculated media.     

In vitro genotoxic perspective of Tamiflu

The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic and/or cytotoxic effects of Tamiflu, commercial form of the oseltamivir antiviral and most frequently prescribed for the treatment of influenza infections, on cultured human peripheral lymphocytes by using sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberration (CA), and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assays. Cells were treated with 0.5, 1, 2 μg/mL oseltamivir, the Tamiflu capsule ingredient, for 24 or 48 h in the absence or presence of an exogenous metabolic activation system (S9 mix). The test chemical did not demonstrate any genotoxic effect dose-dependently but it showed a weak cytotoxicity on cells in this study. On the other hand, some concentrations of Tamiflu (2 μg/mL without S9 mix for 48 h and 1 μg/mL with S9 mix) induced SCE and also decreased significantly the proliferation index (PI) (48 h period) and the nuclear division index (NDI) (24 h period) (P < 0.05) in the absence of S9 mix. Considering the results, Tamiflu did not induce significant increases of CA or micronucleated cells in vitro in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes under the treatment conditions used but weak SCE induction was observed. On the other hand, the weak cytotoxic effects observed disappeared in the cultures treated in presence of the S9 mix.     

Screening and docking chemical ligands onto pocket cavities of a protease for designing a biocatalyst

A detailed study of the trypsin surface has been carried out to gain insight into its biological functions and interactions which helped to determine the binding specificity. Twenty-four cavity pockets were automatically identified on trypsin from PDB file entry 1AUJ using CASTp (Computed Atlas of Surface Topography of proteins). Molecular docking was exploited as an efficient in silico screening tool for studying protein-ligand interactions. A systematic docking study using Autodock 3.05 has been performed on the five largest binding pockets in trypsin. A set of ten putative chemical ligands was used to dock into selected binding pockets. Docking of ligands into the five largest pockets in trypsin showed that 1,10-phenanthroline and ethanolamine preferentially bound at pocket 24 and benzamidine at pocket 22. Thermodynamically, we also found that ethanol, propanol, propandiol and phosphoethanolamine preferentially bound at pocket 21 whereas p-aminobenzamidine, phenylacetic acid and phenylalanine interacted mainly at pocket 20 based on their lowest interaction free energy.     

Unilateral hysterectomy (cornuectomy) in the bitch and its effect on subsequent fertility

During caesarean section of bitches a beginning tissue necrosis of the uterus is often encountered. These alterations mostly require ovariohysterectomy that means the end of breeding life. The aim of this study was to create a model for unilateral hysterectomy during dystocia and to evaluate subsequent fertility. Unilateral cornuectomy was performed in 18 clinically healthy bitches of different ages, breeds, and at different stages of the sexual cyclus. Four bitches were not available for follow-up examinations. Twelve bitches were mated at the first obvious estrus period postoperatively and 10 pregnancies were diagnosed. Nine bitches delivered one to five puppies (mean 3.8) after a gestation period of 63-67 days. The puppies (n=38) were in a very good condition and showed high vitality. Unilateral cornuectomy of the uterus had no adverse effects and postoperative mating revealed pregnancy without complications and normal parturition. In the case of pathological changes in one uterine horn during a caesarean section unilateral hysterectomy seems to be an alternative to ovariohysterectomy.     

Plant protein-based hydrophobic fine and ultrafine carrier particles in drug delivery systems

For thousands of years, plants and their products have been used as the mainstay of medicinal therapy. In recent years, besides attempts to isolate the active ingredients of medicinal plants, other new applications of plant products, such as their use to prepare drug delivery vehicles, have been discovered. Nanobiotechnology is a branch of pharmacology that can provide new approaches for drug delivery by the preparation of biocompatible carrier nanoparticles (NPs). In this article, we review recent studies with four important plant proteins that have been used as carriers for targeted delivery of drugs and genes. Zein is a water-insoluble protein from maize; Gliadin is a 70% alcohol-soluble protein from wheat and corn; legumin is a casein-like protein from leguminous seeds such as peas; lectins are glycoproteins naturally occurring in many plants that recognize specific carbohydrate residues. NPs formed from these proteins show good biocompatibility, possess the ability to enhance solubility, and provide sustained release of drugs and reduce their toxicity and side effects. The effects of preparation methods on the size and loading capacity of these NPs are also described in this review.     

Study of sexual behaviours with different types of estrus synchronization protocols in Boer goats

There is still a lack of information on estrus synchronization in goats. Understanding the estrus synchronization protocols and the subsequent effects is important to improve the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and subsequently would improve the breeding procedures. This study will help in determining the most suitable estrus synchronization protocol and understand better the effect on the sexual behaviour and hormonal effects in goats. A total of 127 Boer does were used and divided into three groups with different duration of CIDR insertion intravaginally either for 14 (two groups) or 9 days (one group). Approximately 0.5 ml Estrumate^® (PG) was administered intramuscularly to all groups at CIDR removal, and only groups PMSG14 and PMSG9 were administered with 200IU of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) intramuscularly. Estrus signs were observed at 4 h intervals and blood samples were collected for progesterone and luteinizing hormone determination. The percentage of does in estrus within 24 to 72 h post CIDR removal was significantly higher (P<0.05) in groups with PMSG compared to the group without the PMSG. The numbers of does display estrus signs within 24 to 28 h post CIDR removal were significantly higher (P<0.05) in group shorter period (9 days) compared to groups with 14 days CIDR. The P4 concentrations at 24 hours post CIDR removals and LH concentration was not significantly different (P>0.05) in all groups. The time of the LH peak in the group without the PMSG was significantly delayed (P<0.05) when compared to group 9 days CIDR and administered with PMSG. It is recommended to use the treatment for 9 days CIDR since the estrous cycle can be shortened.     

Optimization of physical factors affecting the production of thermo-stable organic solvent-tolerant protease from a newly isolated halo tolerant Bacillus subtilis strain Rand

Background  

Many researchers have reported on the optimization of protease production; nevertheless, only a few have reported on the optimization of the production of organic solvent-tolerant proteases. Ironically, none has reported on thermostable organic solvent-tolerant protease to date. The aim of this study was to isolate the thermostable organic solvent-tolerant protease and identify the culture conditions which support its production. The bacteria of genus Bacillus are active producers of extra-cellular proteases, and the thermostability of enzyme production by Bacillus species has been well-studied by a number of researchers. In the present study, the Bacillus subtilis strain Rand was isolated from the contaminated soil found in Port Dickson, Malaysia.     

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from protoplasts of six plant species related to Citrus

Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic callus of Fortunella polyandra (Ridl.), Atalantia bilocularis (Pieree ex Guill.), Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.), Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Corr., Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wils. and Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. were cultured in MT (Murashige and Tucker 1969) basal medium containing 5% sucrose supplemented with 0.0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg l^–1 BA and 0.6 M sorbitol. The highest plating efficiencies for all species were obtained on MT basal medium containing 5% sucrose supplemented with 0.001 mg l^–1 BA. F. polyandra produced higher percentages of globular somatic embryo development, while A. bilocularis consistently showed a lower percentage of globular somatic embryo development in all 5 concentrations of BA. MT basal medium containing 5% sucrose and supplemented with 0.001 mg l^–1 BA was found to be a suitable medium for development of globular somatic embryos derived from protoplasts to form heart-shaped somatic embryos with cotyledon-like structures. The highest percentages of shoot formation for all 6 species were obtained using 0.1 mg l^–1 GA₃. A complete protoplast-to-plant system was developed for F. polyandra, A. bilocularis and T. trifolia, which could facilitate the transfer of nuclear and cytoplasmic genes from these species into cultivated Citrus through protoplast fusion.Abbreviations BA N⁶-benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - FDA fluorescein diacetate - GA₃ gibberellin A₃