Cost effective optimization of chitinase production using Streptomyces heteromorphus 4075: A progressive statistical approach
Seetha Ram Kotra1, V. Viharika, K Sitarami Reddy, PVD Soujanya Kumari, M Lakshminadh, KV Rajesh, T Gopi Sivasai, R. Sai Lokesh

ABSTRACT
Streptomyces heteromorphus 4075 is a well known organism to degrade the long-chain polymer of a N-acetylglucosamine, chitin. In the present study, different optimization studies were conducted using various methods viz., conventional and statistical methods. One factor at a time method was used to optimize the nutrient sources and temperature, followed by L27 - orthogonal array method, was used to investigate the effects of medium constituents including concentrations of carbon and nitrogen sources in the production of chitinase. In L27 - orthogonal array chitin, glucose, yeast extract and K2HPO4 are the influencing factors for the production of chitinase (0.46 U/mg). By taking outcome of taguchi design in account, concentration of most significant factors and their interaction were studied using response surface methodology (Central Composite Rotatable Design) and yield was significantly enhanced to 2.15 folds (0.46 to 0.99 U/mg). For the first time enhanced production of chitinase was observed using Streptomyces heteromorphus 4075.

Keywords: Streptomyces heteromorphus 4075, Chitinase, one factor at a time, Taguchi, response surface methodology.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B in the Students, and Employees of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan Shankar Campus
Mehwish Munir, Sulaiman Shams, Muhammad Arif Lodhi, Zahida Parveen, Nazif Ullah

ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B is a common health problem throughout the world especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection causes a verity of liver diseases in humans, such as, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The current study focused on the determination of the frequency of HBV in the students and faculty members of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. A total of 200 subjects, 69% males and 31% females during the period of 31st  August, 2012 to 22nd April, 2013 were screened for HBV by one strip method. One mL of blood was taken from each subject and collected in an eppendorf tube and isolate the serum by centrifugation. The total prevalence of hepatitis B was found to be 3.0% and it was more common in females (3.2%) as compared to male (2.03%). Compared to  general  populations of  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the  prevalence of hepatitis B is low in the university students of Mardan. It might be possible that student populations are more aware of risk factors of HBV as compared to general populations. But still, there is great need to launch major public health awareness programs to prevent transmission of HBV infection. Moreover, accurate and timely reported data is essential for early identification and response to outbreaks and for implementation of evidence based prevention strategies.

Keyword; HBV, Mardan, Students, University

Cold extraction strategy for crude dye extraction from Cucurbita Pepo leaves
Nasrullah Shah , Shehla Farman , Zahid Hussain , Muhammd Balal Arain , Sulaiman Shams

ABSTRACT
Cold extraction strategy was used for crude dyes extraction from Cucurbita Pepo leaves. 100g and 50g of C. Pepo dry mass was taken in 750ml and 500ml of ethanol solvent respectively. The extract obtained quantitatively from cold extraction method was 6.80g and 2.26g respectively. Time optimization study for extraction at ambient temperature was done through spectrophotometric analysis.  The  fractionation  of  the  obtained  dye  was  done  with  various organic solvents. Similarly, TLC analyses were done for further evaluation of the dye. The overall study was fruitful for obtaining natural dyes from C. Pepo leaves under cold extraction conditions.

Keyword; Cold extraction, Cucurbita Pepo leaves, crude dye, analysis

Molecular Docking Study of 5-substituted-8-methyl-2H-pyrido [1, 2-a] pyrimidine-2, 4 (3H) – diones As Inhibitors of Basilluspasteurii urease
Abdul Wadood, Shandana Ali, Muhammad Riaz, Syed Babar Jamal, Taj Ur Rehman, Sahib Gul, Mukhtiar Hassan

ABSTRACT
Urease is a nickel dependent amido hydrolase which help in the catalysis of urea breakdown into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Ureases are acknowledged to be a causal agent of many diseases in humans  and  animals.  High  urease  activity  in  agriculture  during  urea  fertilization  causes significant environmental and economic problems by releasing large amount of ammonia into the atmosphere. Molecular docking of some reported compounds was performed via MOE-Dock to predict their binding modes. The docking result showed good correlation between experimental activities and docking scores. From the binding modes of the compounds it was observed that most active compounds established coordination with nickel atoms whereas less active compounds were unable to make coordination bond with nickel ions. These finding may be exploited to design new and potent urease inhibitors.

Keyword: Molecular docking, MOE-Dock, Urease inhibitor, Bacillus pasteurii.