Isolation and identification of a novel, lipase-producing bacterium, Pseudomnas aeruginosa KM110

Lipases are particularly important due to the fact that they specifically hydrolyze acyl glycerol, oils and greases, which is of great interest for different industrial applications. In this study, several lipase-producing bacteria were isolated from wastewater of an oil processing plant. The strain possessing the highest lipase activity was identified both biochemically and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Then we increase lipase activity by improving conditions of production medium. Also, lipase from this strain was preliminarily characterized for use in industrial application. The 16S rRNA sequensing revealed it as a new strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the type strain was KM110. An overall 3-fold enhanced lipase production [0.76 U mL[-1]] was achieved after improving conditions of production medium. The olive oil and peptone was found to be the most suitable substrate for maximum enzyme production. Also the enzyme exhibited maximum lipolytic activity at 45°C where it was also stably maintained. At pH 8.0, the lipase had the highest stability but no activity. It was active over a pH range of 7.0-10.0. The lipase activity was inhibited by Zn[2+] and Cu[2+] [32 and 27%, respectively] at ImM. The enzyme lost 29% of its initial activity in 1.0% SDS concentration, whereas, Triton X-100, Tween-80 and DMSO did not significantly inhibit lipase activity. Based on the findings of present study, lipase of P. aeruginosa KM110 is a potential alkaline lipase and a candidate for industrial applications such as detergent, leather and fine chemical industries

[ impact of vitamin E on glycemic control and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients]

Diabetic complications have been related to hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Alpha -tochoferol has antioxidant effects and can improve lipid profiles. We evaluated the effect of vitamin E supplementation on glucose, insulin and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. In a randomized clinical trial, 31 patients included 14 men and 17 women [51.9 +/- 5.9 year] with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into treatment with vitamin E [800 mg/day] and placebo groups for 2 months. Plasma glucose, Insulin and lipid profiles were measured at the beginning and at the end of 3 months supplementation. The paired and independent t-test was used for analyzing of data. Anthropometric indexes were stable throughout the study. Vitamin E administration lowered fasting plasma insulin concentrations [28.25 +/- 2.37 and 27.8 +/- 2.56, p<0.016] plasma triglyceride concentration [279.41 +/- 194.99 and 212.48 +/- 85.18 p <0.03]. The plasma glucose and the other lipid profiles did not change after vitamin E consumption for 2 months. We need more research to establish beneficial effect of vitamin E intake in type 2 diabetic patients

[Color doppler and sonographic appearances of thyroid nodules and comparison with the FNA results]

Thyroid node is one of common clinical symptoms. Fine needle aspiration, radioisotope scan and ultrasound are some imaging methods which help us in diagnosis and management of a thyroid node. Ultrasound is a noninvasive method with minimal side effects and we studied diagnostic value of ultrasound and color doppler in thyroid nodules. We studied 66 cases of palpable thyroid node who came to endocrine clinic of Emam-Reza hospital between August 2003-2004 and underwent FNA. These patients were evaluated by sonography and color doppler in radiology department of Ghaem hospital. 8% of the nodules were malignant and 92% were benign. Homogeneous echo pattern suggests benign lesion rather than malignancy. The probability of malignancy is greater in solitary nodule than multiple nodules. In color doppler examination, 91% of benign nodules and 75% of malignant nodules had perilesional vascularity. 60% of malignant nodules and 12% of benign nodules had very high intranodular vascularity, so rich intralesional flow is an indicative of a malignant lesion. RI>0.75 is significantly higher in malignant lesions than benign lesions [P=0.045]

Prevalence of a topic dermatitis in 7-11 year old school children, Ahwaz

Atopic dermatitis [AD] is a multifactorial chronic and inflammatory disease present all over the world. Only a few epidemiologic studies on AD have been carried out in the eastern world, while most of the published papers belong to western countries. To determine prevalence of AD in 7-11 year-old school children in Ahwaz as there has been no previous study in this region. In this descriptive study, 2500 children aged between 7 and 11 years [1250 boy and 1250 girls] were examined on the basis of Hanifin and Radjka criteria. Collected data was analyzed to detect frequency of AD on the basis of Radjka and Hanifin major and minor criteria. Of the total, 3.9% suffered from atopic dermatitis [4.3%girls and 3.4%boys] and all of them had major criteria, itching and chronic recurrent dermatitis. Considering the prevalence of AD in children of Ahwaz, it is proposed that programs and measures for reduction of external aggravating factors and similarly, education of the patient's families can reduce the complications and improve the quality of life in these children

optimal time of discontinuing methimzaole before radioiodine therapy

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease and one of the best methods for its treatment is radioiodine therapy. Treatment with antithyroid drugs brings patients to euthyroidism before radioiodine therapy. Antithyroid drugs should be discontinued before radioiodine therapy to increase thyroid uptake. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal time of methimazole [MTZ] discontinuation. One hundred eighty four patients, who were referred for radioiodine therapy were classified in 3 groups according to the duration of MTZ discontinuation before thyroid uptake [RAIU] measurement. Group 1, 2 and 3 were patients who discontinued MTZ [48-72 hrs], [72-120 hrs] and more than 120 hrs before RAIU measurement, respectively. Mean thyroid uptake in group 1, 2 and 3 was [64 +/- 15.1%], [60.1 +/- 14.1%] and [59.3 +/- 12.8], respectively. No significant difference was noted in thyroid uptake between these groups [F=1.83, P<0.16]. This study shows that 48-72 hrs of MTZ discontinuation before radioiodine therapy is enough and longer term abstention is not associated with higher uptake