Crude oil-induced morphological and physiological responses in cyanobacterium Microchaete tenera ISC13

In this research the effects of crude oil on morphological and physiological characterization of the cyanobacterium Microchaete tenera ISC13 were investigated. Isolated cyanobacterium treated with different oil concentrations [control, 1, 2.5, 5 and 7%] in carbonless BG11[0] medium. Morphological characteristics such as morphology of filament, cellular shapes and sizes, relative position of heterocytes and akinetes were described for these treatments. Biometrical and morphological observations carried out by light and scanning electron microscopy. Dimensions of cells did not significantly impress, although a slightly increase in length of vegetative cells was observed in 2.5 and 5% crude oil in comparison to control. With respect to the physiological responses, cyanobacterium growth increased with elevated oil concentration but no changes was observed in chlorophyll content. Phycobiliproteins [PBP], phycocyanin [PC] and allophycocyanin [APC] had the highest rate in control. Increasing crude oil decreased all PBP. This study demonstrated that crude oil doesn't have destructive effect on Microchaete tenera ISC13 and suggest probable potential of this microorganism to use oil hydrocarbons as carbon source

[Nosocomial urinary tract infections: etiology, risk factors and antimicrobial pattern in ghaem university hospital in Mashhad]

Nosocomially acquired urinary tract infections [NAUTIs] are common infections in the hospital setting. Since the bacterial spectrum of NUTIs is extensive and the antibiotic resistance is common, we decided to study the incidence of etiology, antibiotic resistance and risk factors of [NAUTIs] in Ghaem University Hospital in Mashhad, Iran from 2009 to 2012. The Present study is based on the isolation-identification and determining the antibiotic resistance pattern of [NAUTIs] from 2009 to 2012. Demographic data of patients regarding age, gender, symptoms and signs were collected by a valid questionnaire. Among 647 patients with nosocomial infection, the prevalence of NAUTI was 102 [17.2%] during this period. The most frequently isolated micro-organism was Candida spp [20.9%], followed by Escherichia coli [16.3%], Klebsiella sp [15.4%], enterococci and acinetobacter [14.5%]. Among antibiotic resistant bacteria, [53.8%] of E. coli were resistant to ampicilin and cefepim. Acinetobacter showed 66.6% resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. Among the isolates, approximately 46% had multidrug resistance to three or more agents and effective antibiotics for treatment of UTIs were nitrofurantoin and norfloxasin in this study

Molecular and morphological characterization of oil polluted microalgae

Oil pollutions are widespread environmental pollutants. Most of the studies have been focused on the biodegradation of these pollutions. Unfortunately, the information on the microflore of the polluted regions especially for microalgae is limited. In this research, we have focused on Masjed Soleiman; one of the most oil polluted cities in Iran. Soil and water samples were collected from different stations and seasons and their microalgae identified morphologically and molecularly. TPH, PAH and heavy metals of these stations were analyzed. The relationship between TPH contents and micro algal populations has also been considered. Results showed microalgae, present in these regions belonged to Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta and Diatoms. Among them Phormidium sp. was the most dominant species that was found in all polluted regions. Microalgae biomass, declined in high level polluted medium, whereas low levels of TPH showed no effect on microbial biomass. According to the results the isolated specimens have high resistance to environmental pollutions. So the type and frequency of the species, can lead us to estimate the amount of pollution in different sampling regions

Beneficial effect of GABA on experimentaly induced diabetes in CD1 mice

Gama amino butyric acid [GABA] is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system. Pancreatic beta cells in islets of Langerhans express GABA at the levels comparable to those encountered in the central nervous system. The concentrations of GABA and the number of GABA secreting cells, decrease in diabetic patients and experimental diabetes models. Reports on effects of GABA on insulin secretion have been controversial. In this study we investigated whether or not GABA administration in an animal diabetes model can change insulin and glucagon secretion and improve diabetic symptoms. Seven-week old CD1 mice were used. For inducing diabetes, 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin [STZ] was given intraperitoneally for 5 days. Two months after diabetic induction, animals were divided into two groups, one receiving 200 ?mol of GABA, while the other group received phosphate buffer solution [PBS] for two and half months. After 42 days, the glucose concentration in the GABA treated group decreased significantly compared to the untreated group and the first day. After two and half months, water consumption in the GABA treated group decreased significantly in comparison to the control group. Plasma insulin level increased significantly [0.989 +/- 0.67 vs 0.779 +/- 0.11] while plasma glucagon level decreased significantly [91.71 +/- 4.52 vs 130.07 +/- 18.78]. Glucose tolerance test in the GABA group returned to normal levels. GABA administration by regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion could help treat some diabetic symptoms, and could possibly be used in the future as a therapeutic tool in diabetes

[Effect of GABA on plasma cytokine concentration and beta and alpha cell mass in CD1 diabetic mice]

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease associated with T lymphocytes function in beta cells. This process can increase cytokine secretion, which can cause beta cell inflammation and death. Since GABA, [y-aminobutyric acid] is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, and low concentration of GABA can increase cytokine secretion, the aim of this study was demonstrate to the inhibitory effect of GABA administration on cytokine secretion and decrease in beta cell death and also to show the ability of beta cells in insulin secretion. Seven week old CD1 mice were used. To induce diabetes, animals received 40 mg/kg of STZ five days continuously. Two months later, animals were divided into two groups, one receiving 200 micromole of GABA and the other [controls] the same volume of PBS for 10 weeks. Serum glucagon levels, and alpha cells significantly decreased in the [IL12 IL1beta, TNF alpha] mass and some cytokine levels in the GABA group. Plasma insulin level and beta cell mass significantly increased in comparison to the control group. From the results of this study we conclude that GABA administration causes inhibition in cytokine secretion, improves beta cell mass and increases insulin secretion. May be, in the future, if GABA shows no side effects we can use GABA for type one diabetes