Perforation of ABS pipes by boring bivalve Martesia striata: a case study

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipes are considered to be immune for boring organisms. However, inspection of the offshore cooling water conduits of Lumut combined cycle power plant, Malaysia show that ABS pipes may not necessarily be immune for wood boring pholads, Martesia striata. M. striata caused heavy damage by drilling holes in ABS pipes used (about 5 years) for transportation of hypochlorite from the station towards the intake domes. Hole sizes ranged from 3 to 19 mm² with an average of 11 mm². Unlike other boring animals (e.g. Lithophaga), M. striata penetration is not assisted by chemical dissolution of the substrates and therefore, attack is not limited to calcium carbonate substrates. In this context, material like low dense concrete and rocks, wood, PVC, ABS, etc. is subject to attack of M. striata. It is unknown which synthetic polymerics can be expected to be completely immune for boring bivalves.     

Molecular docking analysis of DNA ligase from Staphylococcus aureus with identical polysaccharides

Staphylococcus aureus has been recognized as an important human pathogen for more than 100 years. DNA ligase is the main protein responsible for the replication of S. aureus. DNA ligase was selected as successive target to control the replication mechanism. The antibacterial activity of polysaccharide is known. Therefore, it is of interest to study the activity of Polysaccharide analogues against DNA ligase in S. aureus using molecular docking analysis. We report ten analogues using scoring parameters with best two analogues as potential drug candidate for the combat of S. aureus infection.     

The porin AaxA protein model from Chlamydia pneumonia

Chlamydophila pneumoniae is an intracellular pathogen accountable for various acute respiratory infections. C. pneumoniae has a gene cluster which encodes a putative outer membrane porin (aaxA), arginine decarboxylase (CPn1032 or aaxB) and a putative cytoplasmic membrane transporter (CPn1031 or aaxC). Therefore, it is of interest to document a molecular protein model of porin AaxA from Chlamydia pneumonia to gain structure to functional insight on the protein.     

Insecticidal Toxic Proteins Produced by Photorhabdus luminescens akhurstii,a Symbiont of Heterorhabditis indica

We describe the isolation and characterization of an insect pathogenic bacterium from the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis indica (Karnataka strain), an isolate from the southern regions of India. The strain has been identified and characterized by phenotypic, biochemical tests and PCR-RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene as Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. akhurstii. The insecticidal toxin complex produced by this bacterium has been purified through a series of steps including ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The toxin consists of two protein complexes of approximately 1,000 kD and was active against the larvae of Spodoptera litura and Galleria mellonella.     

Occurrence of Indoleacetaldehyde and Tryptophol in the Extracts of Etiolated Shoots of Pisum and Helianthus Seedlings

Presence of a non-acidic, growth-promoting indole compound, identical in R_f and colour reaction and closely similar in UV spectrum to synthetic indoleacetaldehyde (IAAId) has been demonstrated in extracts of etiolated shoots of Pisum and Helianthus. On chemical as well as enzymic oxidation of this neutral extract, activity passes over into the acidic fraction. This neutral substance is believed to be IAAId and occurs in the free state as short-term, low temperature extractions indicate. On the basis of R_f, colour reaction and UV spectrum, tryptophol has also been identified in Helianthus extracts. Its identification in pea extracts, however, rests only on R_f, colour reaction and inactivity in Avena bioassays.     

Molecular docking analysis of Enterotoxin I from Staphylococcus aureus with Nafcillin analogues

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are liked with food poisoning and other related infections. Nafcillin is an antibiotic used to treat S. aureus. Therefore, it is of interest to study the molecular interactions of 25 nafcillin analogues with enterotoxin I using molecular docking analysis. The analysis shows optimal interaction features of Nafcillin analogues with Enterotoxin I from Staphylococcus aureus for further consideration.     

Respiratory metabolism of Utah chub, Gila atraria (Girard) and speckled dace, Rhinichthys osculus (Girard)

Measurements of active, standard and routine oxygen consumption were made for 207 Utah chub at 6°, 9°, 12°, 18° and 22° C; and 123 speckled dace at 4°, 8°, 12° and 18° C. These were expressed as mathematical functions of water temperature and size of the fish. The mean slopes of log_e oxygen consumption (mg O₂/h) and log_e wet weight (g) were 0.771, 0.526, and 0.619 for active, standard, and routine rates respectively for Utah chub, and 0.943, 0.486, and 0.683 respectively for speckled dace.