Biotechnology Commons^™

Theobromine And Related Methylxanthines As Inhibitors Of Primary Amine Oxidase, Padraig Shanahan, Jeffrey O’Sullivan, Keith Tipton, Gemma Kinsella, Barry Ryan, Gary Henehan

Articles

Methylxanthines are the most widely consumed drugs in the world and evidence of their health benefits has been growing in recent years. Primary Amine Oxidase (PrAO) has been recognised as a therapeutic target for amelioration of inflammatory, vascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous work in our laboratories showed that caffeine inhibited Bovine PrAO with a Ki of 1.0mM using benzylamine as substrate.

This study aimed to extend our previous work and explore the possibility that related methylxanthines might influence PrAO activity. While paraxanthine, theophylline and 7-methylxanthine had little effect on PrAO, theobromine was a noncompetitive inhibitor with a Ki of 276±44µM. …

Nanoparticles As Multimodal Photon Transducers Of Ionizing Radiation, Edwin C. Pratt, Travis M. Shaffer, Qize Zhang, Charles Michael Drain, Jan Grimm

Publications and Research

In biomedical imaging, nanoparticles combined with radionuclides that generate Cerenkov luminescence are used in diagnostic imaging, photon-induced therapies, and as activatable probes. In these applications, the nanoparticle is often viewed as a carrier inert to ionizing radiation from the radionuclide. However, certain phenomena such as enhanced nanoparticle luminescence and generation of reactive oxygen species cannot be explained by only Cerenkov luminescence interactions with nanoparticles. Herein, we report methods to examine the mechanisms of nanoparticle excitation by radionuclides, including interactions with Cerenkov luminescence, β particles, and γ radiation. We demonstrate that β scintillation contributes appreciably to excitation and reactivity in certain …

Ship-Mediated Marine Bioinvasions: Need For A Comprehensive Global Action Plan, Anil Arga Chandrasekar, Krishnamurthy Venkat

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Concern for marine bioinvasion has drawn international attention. The action plans in place to address this issue and those that are being promulgated are in need of a reassessment. A review of invertebrate invasions across the world indicates inter-linkages between vectors. In this paper an effort is made to illustrate the geographical spread of invasive invertebrate organisms from different bioregions and the possible causes for their success. Shipping, which is the major vector identified for the success of marine bioinvasion, needs to be addressed in tandem with domestic, intra- and inter-regional precautionary measures, as prevention is the only cure.

Marine Macroalgae: Prospective Hitchhikers Of Ship Ballast, Imchen Temjensangba

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Invasive alien species, on successful establishment, can displace native species. The threat of invasive species arises in view of their ability to outcompete and destabilize native biodiversity. Invasive species are found across all taxonomic groups of plants, animals and microorganisms. The green macroalga Ulva flexuosa has a potential to become invasive and this species was investigated for its hitchhiking potential under laboratory conditions. Zoospores of U. flexuosa were maintained at 4°C for nearly 10 months in the dark. Recruitment potential of zoospores after dark stress was tested in a modified Provasoli medium under optimal laboratoryconditions. The success rate of zoospore …

Industrial Seawater Cooling Systems Under Threat From The Invasive Green Mussel Perna Viridis, Venugopalan Vayalam P.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The green mussel Perna viridis, native to the Asia-Pacific region, has been introduced to other regions such as the Caribbean, Japan and North and South America. It is a large, commercially important species, widely cultivated and harvested in Southeast Asia, but is also considered an invasive species elsewhere, capable of replacing native species. As a fouling organism in intake systems of coastal power plants, it causes flow blockage and loss of cooling efficiency. Mussel colonization during peak settlement season can exceed 35,000 individuals/m2 and biomass can exceed 100 kg/m2. They can withstand wide fluctuations in temperature and salinity. Previous work …

Composition Of Ballast Water From Ships Arriving At Kertih Port, Malaysia With Observations On Port And Offshore Waters, And Notes On Settlement Patterns Of Fouling Organisms, Hing Lee Siang, Bhubalan Kesaven, Tan Peck Ying, Husain Rohaida Mat

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

We investigated plankton composition and water quality of ballast water from seven international ships docked at Kertih Port, Malaysia. Coscinodiscophyceae and cyanobacteria were the dominant phytoplankton found in ballast water samples, whereas copepod nauplii, Oithona sp., Microstella sp. and Paracalanus sp. were the dominant zooplankton. The densities for both phytoplankton and zooplankton in ships’ ballast and port waters were higher than those of offshore samples. All water quality parameters (except Cr) of port samples were within the safety levels prescribed for ports, oil and gas fields (Class 3) by the Malaysia Marine Water Quality Criteria Standard. The study of fouling …

Simulation Of Ballast Water Dispersion In The Gulf Of Tonkin And Offshore Waters Of Hai Phong Port, Vietnam, Le Hoang Mai, Nguyen Cong Minh, Vu Thanh Ca, Tran Thanh Thuy, Nguyen Van Dien, Dang Huy Ram

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Transfer of invasive alien organisms and their negative impacts have been recorded around the world. It is estimated that approximately 7,000 species of marine creatures are silently moved around the world by ballast water every hour. Recently, discharge of ballast water in the coastal area has become a serious concern. The movement of discharged ballast water and accompanying alien organisms largely depends on the preveiling hydrodynamics of the receiving water body. Dynamics simulation models for marine environment provide sound prediction of dispersion of ballast water. The study was undertaken in the seas of the Gulf of Tonkin and in the …

An Inter-Site Study Of Biofouling Recruitment On Static Immersion Panels In Major Ports Of South East Asia And India, Lim Chin Sing, Jolkifli Zuliza Haji, Jair Alina, Karim Noorizan, A. Wahab Ranimah, Desai Dattesh V., Krishnamurthy Venkat, Khandeparker, Mapari Kaushal, Sawant Subhash, Thoha Hikmah, Hadiyanto Hadiyanto, Dirhamsyah Dirhamsyah, Dalasane Soukaseum, Chounlamountry Kongneun, Hing Lee Siang, H. Yusof Shahruddin Bin, Khaing Myint Myint, E. Nacorda Hildie M., Austero Nero, Azanza Rhodora V., Pagdilao Cesario, Kajonwattanakul Sumana, Puttapreecha Ratchanee, Poovachiranon Sombat, Le Hoang Mai, Tran Thanh Thuy, Nguyen Van Cu, Tan Koh Siang, Anil Arga Chandrashekar

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Limited knowledge of native marine biodiversity hinders effective biodiversity management to safeguard South and Southeast Asia’s marine coastal environment against the threat of invasive species transfer through shipping. In particular, sessile marine biofouling organisms in South East Asian ports are poorly known. Through the support of the ASEAN-India Cooperation Project on the Extent of Transfer of Alien Invasive Organisms in South/South East Asia Region by Shipping, a coordinated effort to examine diversity of biofouling organisms in major port areas in Southeast Asia and India was made using polyvinylchloride (PVC) panels as recruitment surfaces in a static immersion study for a …

Asean-India Cooperation Project On ‘Extent Of Transfer Of Alien Invasive Organisms In South/Southeast Asia Region By Shipping’, Chandrasekar Anil Arga, Tan Koh Siang

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

A brief background of events leading to the successful implementation of the first ASEAN-India project on marine sciences is provided. Coordinated by India and Singapore, the project, entitled ‘Extent of transfer of alien invasive organisms in South/Southeast Asia region by shipping’ served to develop regional cooperation and networks to address the issue of alien invasive organisms, provide training for ASEAN scientists, as well as obtain baseline information on pest species for port management in the light of IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention. The project was completed with an international workshop held in Chiangmai, Thailand where some 29 presentations were made …

Plate Settlement: Determination Of Fouling Organisms In Brunei, Jolkifli Hjh Zuliza Hj, Wahab Ranimah H.A

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Shipping is considered a primary vector of biological invasion. Hull fouling is recognized as one of the common vectors involved in the translocation of marine pests that may have deleterious impacts to ecology and economy. In an effort to understand the fouling communities within Brunei waters and as an early attempt to obtain baseline data, PVC plates were deployed at a depth of 1 meter, checked for taxa composition and replaced with new plates monthly and quarterly over a period of one year. The Caribbean bivalve Mytilopsis sallei was absent throughout the period of study, and plates were mainly colonized …

Marine Phytoplankton In Port And Ship’S Ballast Water At Tanjung Priok Harbour, North Jakarta, Indonesia, Thoha Hikmah, Rachman Arief

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This research aimed to study the phytoplankton community in ships’ ballast water in comparison with the natural assemblages in the waters of Tanjung Priok Harbour in Jakarta, Indonesia. Phytoplankton samples were collected between November 2011 to October 2012 from four ports of Tanjung Priok Harbour and from discharged ballast water of randomly selected ships in the port. Skeletonema, Thalassiosira, and Chaetoceros were three predominant phytoplankton genera in all samples. Ceratium and Protoperidinium were also commonly found in high densities in most samples. An unusual phytoplankton bloom (> 109 cells m-3) was observed in the ballast water sample taken in March …

Marine Fouling Panel Survey And Assessment Of Marine Alien Invasive Species In Myanmar, Khaing Myint Myint

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

A survey on fouling using PVC panels was carried out for a period of one year in Yangon River. Additional observations on fouling of man-made structures elsewhere in Myanmar were also made in an effort to find marine alien invasive species. The Myanmar ports at Yangon, Sittway and Myeik have a long history of overseas trading with Europe since the 17th century. In addition, though the Yangon port and jetties are located upstream some 12 miles from the mouth of Yangon River, it experiences regular tidal action with seasonal brackish water conditions. Its catchment area is only 100 miles from …

Phytoplankton And Bacterial Communities In South Harbour, Manila Bay, Philippines, Azanza Rhodora V, Austero Nero M, Dungca Jenelle Clarisse R., Caspe Frenchly Joyce O., Khandeparker Lidita

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

In line with the ASEAN-India project “Extent of Transfer of Alien Invasive Organisms in South/Southeast Asia via Shipping”, phytoplankton and bacterial communities in the waters off South Harbour, Manila Bay were investigated. Sampling was done in July and August 2012 and in April and May 2013. A total of 67 phytoplankton species including 29 diatoms and 38 dinoflagellates were identified. Potentially toxic Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were among the diatoms found as well as dinoflagellates Alexandrium spp., and Gymnodinium spp. The diatom Skeletonema costatum appeared to be the dominant species in July and August 2012, whereas Chaetoceros spp. constituted over 85% of …

Ballast Water Control And Management In Brunei Darussalam, Jolkifli Hjh Zuliza Hj, Wahab Ranimah H.A

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The ongoing transfer of non-indigenous organisms through shipping, especially via ballast water transport, is placing marine and coastal resources under increased threat. The transport of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is a critical issue which may cause irreversible consequences to receiving environments and economies needing particular attention. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the importance for implementation of ballast water management measures in Brunei Darussalam. This paper recognised IAS intrusion via ballast water has high probability to have direct effects on the economic value of fisheries sector, thus the need for an effective ballast water management strategy. Management …

Biofouling Community Structure In A Tropical Estuary Of Goa On The West Coast Of India, Desai Dattesh V, Krishnamurthy Venkat, Anil Arga Chandrashekar

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Biofouling community structure was studied in a tropical monsoon-influenced Mandovi estuary in Goa, west coast of India. Monthly, seasonal and yearly observations on biofouling on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panels immersed at subsurface water level were recorded and photographed from May 2012 to September 2013. The barnacle Balanus amphitrite was the dominant fouling organism followed by calcareous polychaetes. The settlement and recruitment of barnacles took place year-round, with the exception of July 2012 and June 2013 (monsoon months). However, their peak abundance was observed during the later months of monsoon (August and September). Polychaetes were dominant during late post-monsoon and pre-monsoon …

Ballast Water Risk Assessment: The Indian Experience, Krishnamrthy Venkat, Sawant Subhash, Chandrashekar Anil Arga

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The Ballast Water Risk Assessment serves as a “Decision Support System” for any given port to take appropriate ballast water management actions. Risk assessment involves collation of data from the ballast water reporting forms to identify the source of ballast water. The environmental characteristics of the source and recipient ports are utilized to evaluate the similarities. This is then combined with other risk factors, including voyage duration and risk species to gain a preliminary indication of the overall risk posed by each source port. The results will help in evaluating the risk posed by ballast water introductions, and decide whether …

Application Of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization-Flow Cytometry (Fish-Fcm) Technique To Detect And Quantify Vibrio Cholerae Population From Different Geographic Regions, Khandeparker Lidita, Desai Dattesh V., Anil Arga Chandrashekar, Sawant S. S., Venkat K., Mapari Kaushal, Jolkifli Zuliza, Abd. Karim, Thoha Hikmah, Hadiyanto Hadiyanto, Dalasane Soukaseum, Chounlamountry Kongngeun, Khaing Myint Myint, Dungca Jenelle Clarisse, Azanza Rhodora, Lim Chin Sing, Tan Koh Siang, Kajonwattanakul Sumana, Phuttapreecha Ratchanee, Le Hoang Mai

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Rapid and species-specific detection, and quantification of pathogenic bacteria are fundamental for monitoring and assessment of the risk they pose to any ecosystem. The study employed Vibrio cholerae, a human pathogen responsible for the life-threatening diarrhoeal disease, cholera and one among the most unwanted from marine bioinvasion point of view. The present study coupled fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, a powerful tool in molecular phylogenetic discrimination, with flow cytometry (FCM), a technique used for rapid and accurate quantification of both viable but non-cultivable and non-viable microorganisms. The FISH-FCM technique was used for the first time to quantify V. cholerae …

Role Of Reporting In Compliance Monitoring And Enforcement Of Ballast Water Management, Mapari Kaushal E., Krishnamurty Venkat, Anil Arga Chandrashekar

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The Decision Support System (DSS) for ballast water management in any given port is dependent on the availability of information on ballast water carried by a ship in advance. Collation of information through Ballast Water Reporting Forms (BWRF) has been adopted by several countries. This paper provides a comparison of the reporting forms adopted by some of the countries and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recommended BWRF. The manually submitted reporting forms have several limitations and India has developed a self-validating Electronic Ballast Water Reporting Form (e-BWRF) to overcome such issues. In addition, the possible direction for reporting in the …

Fouling Polychaetes In Tanjung Priok Port Of Jakarta, Indonesia, Hadiyanto Hadiyanto

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Fouling polychaetes in Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta and their status were studied in order to update the list of marine alien species in Indonesia. Polychaetes were collected using six PVC panels that were submerged at a depth of 0.5 m over three months in Jakarta Bay. Polychaetes were identified to the lowest taxon possible based on characteristics of external morphology. The geographical distribution of identified polychaetes was then determined based on taxonomic literature in order to justify whether they were native or alien species for Indonesian waters. Twelve fouling polychaetes belonging to nine families are reported here. Of these, nine …

Challenges In Managing Marine Bio-Invasions Via Shipping In Singapore, Sing Lim Chin, Tan Koh Siang

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The economic, social and environmental impacts arising from the transfer and establishment of non indigenous marine species (NIMS) mediated through ship hull biofouling and ballast water discharges in the coastal marine environment require a regional approach to manage bio-invasions. As the coordinating body for maritime shipping affairs and protection of the marine environment, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been working with member states to adopt and ratify global conventions aimed at preventing invasive species transfer through shipping. As a major shipping hub and port-of-call in Southeast Asia, Singapore faces multiple challenges in managing marine bio-invasions including managing the transit …

Numerical Modelling Of Ballast Water Dispersion In Different Bioregions Along The Coast Of India, Babu M.T., Sudheesh K, Vethamony P, Anuvindha S

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Aquatic organisms and pathogens may become major threats to the coastal and marine environment when introduced into a region beyond their natural distributions through ballast water (BW). Coastal currents induced by tides and winds, especially ebb currents, may facilitate the spread of these marine organisms along nearshore and inshore areas. Numerical modelling of hydrodynamics is an effective tool to track the dispersion of these organisms in the receiving water body through BW release. Particle transport models can be used to track the advection and dispersion of these organisms. Alternatively, the difference in salinity of the BW and coastal waters can …

Recent Trends Of Demersal Marine Fish And Invertebrate Production In Southeast Asia – A Hypothesis-Based Analysis, Padate Vinay P., Rivonker Chandrashekher U.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Demersal marine fish and invertebrate production data for Southeast Asia (1996–2007) obtained from the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) statistical bulletin indicated a reduced production by Thailand largely due to over-exploitation and altered coastal ecosystems. In contrast, increased production by Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia was due to an increase in mechanised fishing fleets. Moreover, marginal increases in the ecosystem indicators were attributed to increased exploitation of high and mid trophic level organisms suggesting the development of “top-down” cascade effect in the future. In this bioregion, land use pattern affecting water quality coupled with altered monsoonal sequences and rising sea …

Survey Of Fouling Organisms At Songkhla Port In Thailand, Phuttapreecha Ratchanee, Kajonwattanakul Sumana, Songkai Phatcharin, Choamanee Chaovadee

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The fouling organisms at Songkhla Port were investigated from November 2011 to December 2012. Samples were collected using PVC panels (10 cm x 20 cm) submerged for one-month and three-month periods. Analysis of fouling panels was carried out using PhotoGrid software. In addition to slime and silt, three types of fouling organisms, namely encrusting bryozoa, barnacles and calcareous polychaetes, were observed on the submerged PVC panels. Calcareous polychaetes and molluscs were the most diverse groups (ten species) on panels that were submerged for one-month and three-month periods. Barnacles (Balanus spp.) were most abundant on panels submerged for three-month periods, while …

Development Of A Reliable Method To Express And Purify Vaccinia Virus Transcription Factors A7 And D6 In Bacteria, Younghoon Park

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Poxvirus early genes code for viral products involved in host interaction, immune evasion, replication, and transcription of the viral genome. These viral early genes contain a unique and conserved promoter sequence that is recognized by early transcription factors (ETFs). The working hypothesis is pharmacologically targeting the structure of the poxvirus early promoters can inhibit transcription of poxvirus early genes. Our group has identified unique secondary structure which deviates from a scrambled control near the Vaccinia Virus (VACV) E9L promoter. Targeting these unique structures, which most likely may be G-quadruplexes, with structure specific ligands may distort local DNA structures at the …

Moderate Heat Application Enhances The Efficacy Of Nanosecond Pulse Stimulation For The Treatment Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Chelsea M. Edelblute, Sigi Guo, Embo Yang, Chunqi Jiang, Karl Schoenbach, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

Nanosecond pulse stimulation as a tumor ablation therapy has been studied for the treatment of various carcinomas in animal models and has shown a significant survival benefit. In the current study, we found that moderate heating at 43°C for 2 minutes significantly enhanced in vitro nanosecond pulse stimulation-induced cell death of KLN205 murine squamous cell carcinoma cells by 2.43-fold at 600 V and by 2.32-fold at 900 V, as evidenced by propidium iodide uptake. Furthermore, the ablation zone in KLN205 cells placed in a 3-dimensional cell-culture model and pulsed at a voltage of 900 V at 43°C was 3 times …

Microfluidic Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy, John J. Foley

Master's Theses

The goal of this study is to design and manufacture a microfluidic device capable of measuring changes in impedance valuesof microfluidic cell cultures. Tocharacterize this, an interdigitated array of electrodes was patterned over glass, where it was then bonded to a series of fluidic networks created in PDMS via soft lithography. The device measured ethanol impedance initially to show that values remain consistent over time. Impedance values of water and 1% wt. saltwater were compared to show that the device is able to detect changes in impedance, with up to a 60% reduction in electrical impedance in saltwater. Cells were …

Induction Of Oil Accumulation By Heat Stress Is Metabolically Distinct From N Stress In The Green Microalgae Coccomyxa Subellipsoidea C169, James W. Allen, Rahul Tevatia, Yaşar Demirel, Concetta C. Dirusso, Paul N. Black

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Algae are often promoted as feedstock organisms to produce a sustainable petroleum fossil fuel alternative. However, to induce lipid accumulation most often requires a severe stress that is difficult to induce in large batch cultures. The objective of this study is to analyze and mathematically model heat stress on growth, chlorophyll content, triacylglyceride, and starch synthesis in algae. We initially screened 30 algal species for the most pronounced induction of lipid droplets from heat stress using confocal microscopy and mass spectroscopy techniques. One species, Coccomyxa subellipsoidea C169, was selected and subjected to further biochemical analyses using a jacketed bioreactor amended …

Supercharged Models Of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins And Their Utility In Sensing, Peter J. Schnatz

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this thesis I show that greatly increasing the magnitude of a protein’s net charge using surface supercharging transforms that protein into a ligand-gated or counterion-gated conformational molecular switch. To demonstrate this I first modified the designed helical bundle hemoprotein H4 using simple molecular modeling, creating a highly charged protein which both unfolds reversibly at low ionic strength and undergoes the ligand-induced folding transition commonly observed in signal transduction by intrinsically disordered proteins in biology. Due to the high surface charge density, ligand binding to this protein is allosterically activated by low concentrations of divalent cations and the polyamine spermine. …

Identification Of Biologically Essential Nodes Via Determinative Power In Logical Models Of Cellular Processes, Trevor Pentzien, Bhanwar L. Puniya, Tomas Helikar, Mihaela T. Matache

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

A variety of biological networks can bemodeled as logical or Boolean networks. However, a simplification of the reality to binary states of the nodes does not ease the difficulty of analyzing the dynamics of large, complex networks, such as signal transduction networks, due to the exponential dependence of the state space on the number of nodes. This paper considers a recently introduced method for finding a fairly small subnetwork, representing a collection of nodes that determine the states of most other nodes with a reasonable level of entropy. The subnetwork contains the most determinative nodes that yield the highest information …

Direct Quantification Of Deubiquitinating Enzyme Activity In Single Intact Cells, Nora Safabakhsh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Challenges in drug efficacy occur during the treatment of most types of cancer due to the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. This has led to the development of personalized medicine. Due to the clinical success of the proteasome inhibitors Bortezomib and Carfilzomib in treatment of multiple myeloma, interest has shifted towards molecularly-targeted chemotherapeutics for ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are an essential part of this pathway which have been found to promote Bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma patients. Unfortunately, there is a lack of specific, high throughput biochemical assays to characterize DUB activity in patient samples before and after …