Characterization of the defense properties of healthy and diseased coral mucus.

The surface mucus layer of corals aids in feeding, silt removal, and defense against pathogens. However, first line of defense of secreted mucus of corals against tissue damage generated through pathogen or environmental factors is poorly understood. Hence, we used various methods such as a well diffusion assay and tests for quorum quenching, free radical scavenging, antioxidant enzyme expression and phenoloxidase (PO) activity to determine the mucus defense properties using mucus of healthy and diseased Porites sp.

Antimicrobial activity of coral-associated beneficial bacteria against coral disease-causing microbial pathogens.

Microbial infection of immune-compromised corals influences disease severity, resulting in coral mortality. However, coral-associated beneficial bacteria are known to produce antimicrobial compounds that prevent the growth of potential pathogens and invading microbes. Hence, beneficial bacteria associated with coral Porites lutea were isolated and antimicrobial protein and bioactive secondary metabolites were extracted and tested for their antimicrobial activity against putative prokaryotic and eukaryotic coral pathogens.

Possible beneficial interactions of ciliated protozoans with coral health and resilience.

Microbial interactions contribute significantly to coral health in the marine environment. Most beneficial associations have been described with their bacterial communities, but knowledge of beneficial associations between protozoan ciliates and corals is still lacking. Ciliates are important bacterial predators and provide nutrition to higher trophic-level organisms.

Influence of arm position on the first pass success rates of ultrasound-guided infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation in spontaneously breathing patients: A randomised clinical trial.

Background: Significant collapsibility during spontaneous respiration, deeper location, and smaller vein size are key challenging factors to safe infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation. Arm abduction reduces collapsibility, but interventional data supporting this observation is lacking. This study investigates the effect of neutral and abducted arm position on the first pass success rate of infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation in spontaneously breathing patients.