capability of rhodotorula slooffiae to produce carotenoid

Rhodotorula is characterized by the absence of ballistoconidia, fermentation ability, and starch-like compounds. Biology of the species is not well-identified; Therefore molecular identification is required. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region can be used for the identification of the majority of Basidiomycetous species. Carotenoids which are natural pigments can be synthesized by some genera of yeasts such as Rhodotorula. The increase of demand for carotenoids obtained from natural sources has promoted major efforts to recognize potential microbial sources. The aims of this study were to identify a strain isolated from leather wastewater and to investigate its carotenoid production ability. The effect of 2 different medium [Semi-synthetic medium [MMS] and Yeast Malt extract medium [YM]] on biomass and carotenoid production was studied. In this experimental study, Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region in addition to morphological and biochemical characterization to identify the strain was carried out. To isolate the carotenoid pigment, cells were suspended in acetone and broken using a homogenizer, followed by centrifugation and supernatant was separated; Thus pigments were measured spectrophotometrically at 450 nm using the extinction coefficient E[1%][450]=2500. Identification processes represented strain SG006 as a Rhodotorula slooffiae. The sequence was deposited in the Gene Bank database with accession number JX997835. The results showed that SG006 are able to produce carotenoid and MMS medium promoted carotenoid production. We found that Rhodotorula slooffiae showed the ability to produce carotenoid. However, further work is needed to optimize of the amount of product and to characterize the carotenoids

Immobilization of the alkaline phosphatase on collagen surface via cross-linking method

Background: collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, and as an extracellular matrix protein, has an important role in the fiber formation. This feature of the collagen renders establishment of the structural skeleton in tissues. Regarding specific features associated with the collagen, such as, formation of the porous structure, permeability and hydrophilicity, it can also be used as a biocompatible matrix in the enzyme engineering

Objectives: the aim of the present study was to investigate the application of the type I collagen as a matrix for alkaline phosphatase immobilization using cross-linking method

Material and Methods: the Alkaline phosphatase was covalently immobilized on collagen matrix by using 1-ethyl-3-[dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride [EDC]. The source of the alkaline phosphatase was from the bovine intestinal mucous. After that, the activity of the immobilized enzyme was assayed under different experimental conditions

Results: the optimum pH was similar to that of the free enzyme, whereas the optimum temperature and thermal stability were shown some increments. The surface topography of the collagen matrix containing immobilized enzyme and ALP [Alkaline phosphatase] deficient was investigated by Atomic-force microscopy [AFM]. Images that have been obtained applying AFM show significant differences between uncovered and immobilized enzyme- matrix surface topography

Conclusions: our findings suggest that type I collagen can be utilized as a matrix for alkaline phosphatase immobilization via cross-linking method

[Molecular analysis of oapa gene in haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from Iran: as a domestic vaccine candidate]

Haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium that can act as a pathogen of human respiratory tract. Its infections have been traditionally treated with antibiotics, and then the use of conjugate vaccines has been very successful in prevention of infectious diseases. These vaccines consisted of capsular polysaccharide of H. influenzae with an immunogenic protein. The aim of this study was molecular analysis of oapA gene in Iranian H. influenzae strains as a conserve immunogenic protein for vaccine candidate. Clinical H. influenzae strains were collected from Milad Hospital in Tehran, and cultured on chocolate agar. After diagnostic test, biochemical tests were performed for distinguishing strains biotype. The DNA extracted by boiling method and specific PCR reactions were designed for oapA gene molecular analysis. Finally sequencing of PCR products was performed for confirming our results. The results of PCR exhibited that 79% of clinical samples had 95-99% similarity to NCBI sequences of H. influenzae oapA gene, and the remaining 21% had a 125 nucleotide deletion and 94-96% similarity to NCBI sequences. Also this study showed that all strains having 125 nucleotide deletion [NontypeableH. influenzaeand H. influenzae type b] had 95-99% similarity to NCBI sequences. The results of determining the biotype revealed that the studied strains were related to different biotypes. The results of this study suggested that use of oapA gene protein for production of vaccine against H. influenzae type b be further considered

effect of eccentric exercise on total anti-oxidant capacity, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels in active women

Although exercise can increase free radicals by generating oxidative stress, it also can decrease them by increasing the antioxidant enzymes in the body as well. The purpose of this study is to investigate the eccentric activity on some oxidative and anti-oxidative factors pertaining to blood plasma of PE women immediately after the exercise. Sixteen female students have been volunteered in this study randomly divided into two groups including eccentric training group and control group. The blood samples were drawn from the subjects one hour before and immediately after the exercise to measure the reduced Glutathione [GSH], Malondialdehyde [MDA] and total anti-oxidant capacity [TAC] levels. The data were analyzed by SPSS-13 software using the one-way analysis of variance, one-way ANOVA test, [to determine the differences between groups] at the confidence level of 90% [p<0.05]. The results has shown that the TAC, MDA, GSH levels after the eccentric exercise increased significantly compared to pre-exercise [p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.033]. The GSH and MDA levels also after the eccentric exercise were significantly higher than the pre-exercise compared to control group. It seems that sever eccentric exercise is an important stimulus making significant changes in body's anti-oxidative system and has the ability to improve the anti-oxidant capacities too

[Effect of probiotic supplement on immune response in male athletes: a randomized clinical trail]

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which if administered in adequate amounts,have beneficial effects on host health. Probioticsreduces the risk of developing diseases in the consumers through prevention of the immunosuppressive effects. The present study was performed with the purpose of comparing the effect of probiotic supplementation on the immune response in male athletes, before and after exhaustive exercise. In a double-blind study, 16 male athlete volunteers aged between 19-25 years were assigned into two groups of experimental and placebo. Subjects of the experimental and placebo respectively tooktwo capsules of probiotic or placebo daily for 30 days. Blood samples of the participants were collected at the beginning and on the 30th day, and the numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, serum CRP, and serum IgA were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measurement method and independent t-test. Consumption of probiotics supplement in the rest levels in the intragroup and intergroup comparison,only showed significant difference [p<0.05] in the monocytes levels compared to base line level.Also, after the exhaustive exercise, a statistically significant difference was observed in the levels of monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes compared to the baseline levels. In the comparison between the probiotic and placebo groups, only the monocytes level were significantly different [p<0.05]. Other variables had nosignificant differences. The results of this study showed that probiotic consumption following exhaustive exercise can cause increase infactors of lymphocyte, monocyte, and geranolocyte, thereforeit seems that probiotics play a role in the development of immune system.

Evaluation of zinc supplementation effect on fetal outcomes in pregnant women with lower-than-median serum zinc concentration

Zinc is the second main element in the body after iron. Its importance in pregnancy is related to role in DNA and protein synthesis and consequently the necessity of its availability for the appropriate growth and development of the fetus and neonate. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of zinc supplement on fetal outcomes [height, weight, head and chest circumference of the fetus, low birth weight, and pre-term birth] in pregnant women with lower-than-median serum zinc. Participants of this experimental double-blind clinical trial study were 263 healthy singleton pregnant women with a mean age of 26.46 [+/- 4.52] years and gestational age of 14.52 [+/- 4.51] weeks whose [non-fasting] serum zinc levels were lower than median of the study population. All eligible individuals were randomly divided into two groups of zinc supplement and placebo. Individuals in the zinc supplement group [128 participants] took one zinc supplement capsule including 25 mg elemental zinc and participants in the placebo group [135 people] took one placebo capsule per day until the end of pregnancy. All women were under control and supervision until the end of the pregnancy and their information about labor, delivery, and neonate measures were collected through their obstetric records and then compared. Findings of this study showed no significant difference in fetal measures at birth [weight, height, head and chest circumference], pre-term delivery, and low birth weight between zinc supplement and placebo groups. According to our findings, administration of 25mg elemental zinc per day does not improve fetal measures in pregnant women with lower-than-median serum zinc concentration; however, more in-depth studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to achieve more reliable results

Effects of soy on metabolic biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in elderly women with metabolic syndrome

This study ascertained the effects of soy, in the forms of textured soy protein [TSP] and soy nuts, on lipid profiles, apolipoproteins, inflammatory and prothrombotic markers, and blood pressure in elderly women diagnosed with metabolic syndrome [MetS]. This was a 12-week parallel, randomized, controlled trial conducted in rural health centers of Babol, Iran. Participants were 75 women, ages 60-70 years, who were diagnosed with MetS. Subjects were randomized to one of the following 3 groups: i] soy nut [35g/d], ii] TSP [35g/d], and iii] control. Blood biochemical markers measured at baseline and at the end of the study included: triglycerides [TG], cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, ApoB100, ApoAI, C-reactive protein [CRP], and fibrinogen. Soy nuts significantly improved LDL-C, VLDL-C, and ApoB100levels [P < 0.05], while fewer, significant improvements were observed in these variables in the TSP group compared to mean changes from baseline [P < 0.001]. Similar results were found for ApoAI in the treatment groups [P < 0.01]. Serum total cholesterol [TC] decreased significantly in the treatment groups compared with the control group [P < 0.005]. Differences from the control group in terms of TG, HDL-C, fibrinogen, CRP, and blood pressure were not significant. Both forms of soy improved lipid profiles. The group that consumed soy nuts had greater improvement than the TSP group. Therefore, moderate daily intake of soy may be a safe, inexpensive, and practical method to improve the risk of cardiovascular disease [CVD] and reduce the need for medical treatment

effect of Ramadan fasting and weight-lifting training on plasma volume, glucose and lipids profile of male weight-lifters

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting and weight-lifting training on plasma volume, glucose, and lipids profile of male weight-lifter. Forty male weight-lifters were recruited and divided into 4 groups [n=10 each] and as the following groups: control [C], fasting [F], training [T] and fasting-training [F-T]. The T and F-T groups performed weight-lifting technique trainings and hypertrophy body building [3 sessions/week, 90 min/session]. All subjects were asked to complete a medical examination as well as a medical questionnaire to ensure that they were not taking any medication, were free of cardiac, respiratory, renal, and metabolic diseases, and were not using steroids. Blood samples were taken at 24 hr before and 24 hr after one month of fasting and weight-lifting exercise. The plasma volume, fasting blood sugar [FBS], lipid profiles, and lipoproteins were analyzed in blood samples. Body weight and plasma volume showed significant [P< 0.05] decrease and increase in the F group [P< 0.05] respectively. Also, a significant reduction was observed in F-T group body weight [P< 0.01]. A significant increase was found in FBS level of F group [P< 0.05]. The lipid profiles and lipoproteins didn't change significantly in C, F, T and the F-T groups. The effect of Ramadan fasting on body weight and plasma volumes may be closely related to the nutritional diet or biochemical response to fasting

effect of mother's hypertension and weight and parent's smoking habit on low birth weight deliveries in hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Maternal factors such as age, health, diet, and environment are significantly associated with low birth weight. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence, distribution and major risk factors of low birth weight in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. A hospital based case-control study was done in Obstetric Ward of Maternity Hospital in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Data was obtained using questionnaire and Performa. Out of 1021 deliveries, 330 were selected randomly as respondents that comprises of 110 cases and 220 controls. The outcome measure was low birth weight [<2500 grams]. The incidence of low birth weight was 10.8%. Among races, the highest occurrence of low birth weight was in Malay, while the highest age group was between 21 years old to 34 years old with majority of the respondent were married. Among the maternal socio-demographic factors, maternal height of less than 150 cm has a significant relationship with low birth weight. In addition, maternal weight of 45 kg and less and maternal weight gain during pregnancy of less than 10 kg were also found to be risk factors. However, none of the socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with low birth weight deliveries. Similarly, signs of premature delivery, maternal vaginal bleeding and fetal growth retardation [IUGR] had a significant association. The mothers that have experienced any of the risks that were identified should be monitored and effective prevention should be taken to decrease the chances of low birth weight but not forgetting to promote a health lifestyle to the mother and father as well

Inhabitation effect of linoleic acid, the ingredient of nigella sativa [black seed] on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

The objective of this study was to investigate inhibition and anti-cancer effects of Linoleic acid on the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Cell lines Human breast cancer MCF-7 [GDC055] and MDA-MB-231 [HTB-26] cell lines were obtained from ATCC. MCF-7 estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cell line and the estrogen receptor negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, were grown in DMEM. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines were observed. For each experiment, seven doses were considered diluting from the highest to the lowest doses by half, respectively. MTS apoptosis and cytotoxic activity assay were used in order to find toxic effects, and the results were supported by flow cytometry [Cell cycle analysis]. The results showed the cytotoxic effect of Linoleic acid on the breast cancer cell lines that can be posed as an anti-cancer effect of lionleic acid. According to our findings, when the concentration of lionleic acid was increased, compared with the concentrations currently being reported, it shows anti-cancer effects. It was concluded that Linoleic acid has an inhibiting effect on human breast cancer cell lines which can be due to its two double-bandings molecular structure

Effects of soy on metabolic biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in elderly women with the metabolic syndrome

To ascertain the effects of soy [in the forms of Textured Soy Protein [TSP] and soy-nut] on lipid profiles, apolipoproteins, inflammatory and prothrombotic markers and blood pressure in elderly women with the metabolic syndrome. The study is a 12-week parallel randomized controlled trial that was conducted in rural health centres of Babol, Iran. The participants were 75 women 60-70 years old with the metabolic syndrome who were randomized to one of the three groups of soy-nut [35g/d], TSP [35g/d] and control. Blood pressure and blood biochemical markers were measured at baseline and at the end of the study including, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, ApoB100, ApoAI, CRP and fibrinogen. The soy-nut improved significantly LDL-C, VLDL-C and Apo B100 [P<0.05] while fewer improvements but significant were observed in these variables in the TSP group only when compared with the mean changes from the baseline [P<0.001]. Similar result was found for Apo AI in the treatment groups [P<0.01]. Serum total cholesterol decreased significantly in the treatment groups compared with control group [P<0.005]. The differences from control for triglyceride, HDL-C, fibrinogen, CRP and blood pressure were not significant. Both forms of soy while improved lipids profiles the soy-nut contribution was more to this improvement than the TSP. Therefore, moderate daily intake of soy may be a safe, cheap and practical method to improve cardiovascular disease risk and also reduce the need for medical treatment

Effect of berberis vulgaris aqueous extract on the apoptosis, sodium and potassium in hepatocarcinogenic rats

The effect of Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract in hepatocarcinogenic rats was studied to investigate the apoptotic and sodium, potassium elements properties. A loss of both intracellular potassium and sodium occurs when apoptotic cells shrink and prior to the loss of membrane integrity. Forty-eight Sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, normal and cancerous. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups. The first subgroup acted as normal control while the others were treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of Berberis vulgaris extract [BVE] and respectively considered as NC, NC25, NC50 and NC100. The first subgroup of cancerous rats acted as cancer control while the others were treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of BVE and considered as C, C25, C50 and C100. Ion selective electrode [ISE] method was used to measure the level of sodium, potassium, and chloride. TUNEL assay used for the detection of apoptosis cells. Microscopic observations of the TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells revealed a significant difference [P < 0.05] between cancer control [C] and normal control [NC] group. The results indicated that increasing concentration of Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract in cancerous treated groups [C25, C50 and C100] showed an increasing considerabl changes [P < 0.05] of TUNEL-positive cells compared with the cancer control group [C]. Sodium and chloride levels were significantly different [P < 0.05] in cancer control group [C] compared to normal control group [NC]. The results suggested that apoptotic cells level was increased with the BVE concentration in cancerous groups. The Berberis vulgaris extract shows to playa prominent role in promoting apoptosis on the treatment and it is dose dependent

effect of benzo [A] pyrene on glutathione s-transferase glutathione peroxidase the liver and kidney mouse mus musculus

The effect of benzo[a]pyrene [BaP] on the activities of glutathione S-transferase [GST] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and histology in the liver and kidney of the mouse, Mus musculus were investigated. Three treatment groups of mice [6 in each group] were injected with 200mg/kg BaP once a week. Groups 1,2 and 3 were sacrificed after two, four and eight weeks, respectively by cervical dislocation. Similarly three control groups of mice injected with corn-oil were sacrificed at week 2, week 4 and week 8. Sections of the liver and kidney of mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The GST activity in the liver and kidney was significantly increased after two weeks compared to the control group [P<0.05]. The GPx activity in the liver significantly increased to a maximum at four weeks. After eight weeks, GST and GPx activities decreased in the treated mice liver compared to the control group. Grey-white hyperplastic nodules were visible in the liver after four weeks of treatment. The slides prepared from these tissues showed marked morphological changes where the hepatocytes were paler, more vacuolated and had lost their normal shape and arrangement. The kidney cells showed mild inflammation within the medulla and glomeruli after four weeks. After eight weeks severe inflammation was observed in medulla but there was no change in the other parts. In this study, it was found that differences in morphology and cellular changes in liver and kidney were time dependent. It is concluded that assay of GST activity provides a method to monitor antioxidant changes in mice liver and kidney after exposure to BaP. The result indicated that liver was main target for chemically induced toxicity