Biotechnology Journal International
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Database Analysis of Acidic Proteins from Halophilic Species and Their Corresponding Basic Proteins from Non-halophilic Species
No full textAims: To reveal which amino acid residues determine whether a protein is acidic or basic between orthologous pairs, acidic proteins from halophilic species and corresponding basic proteins from non-halophilic species were compared. Similarly acidic versus acidic protein pairs, and basic versus basic protein pairs were also analyzed.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Graduate Course of Medical Science and Technology, School of Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Japan.
Methodology: Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 was used as halophilic species and Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, and radiation resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans were used as non-halophilic species. The three species were selected because their proteins were closely related each other. The amino acid compositions were compared and the amino acid substitutions were counted for the orthologous protein pairs between Halobacterium and B. subtilis. Similar comparison was done for the proteins between Halobacterium and D. radiodurans.
Results: The Asp and Glu residues are determinant whether a protein of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is acidic or basic. Amino acid substitutions to increase the Asp residues in the acidic proteins of Halobacterium from the corresponding proteins of non-halophilic species were almost identical whether the corresponding proteins were acidic or basic. This result suggested that the change of protein charges from basic proteins to acidic ones was same as from acidic proteins to acidic ones. The proteins of Halobacterium showed a tendency to have residues with smaller side chain than the proteins of B. subtilis / D. radiodurans
Role of Microorganisms in Corrosion Induction and Prevention
No full textMicrobiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC) is defined as the deterioration of metals as a result of metabolic activities of microbes. The biological harmful activities modify local chemistry and render it more corrosive to the metal. The aerobic iron and manganese bacteria are mainly responsible about the accelerated pitting attacks of stainless steel, however the anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are responsible for most highly corrosion damages to offshore steel structures. Most MIC takes the form of pits that form below the colonies of living organic matter and mineral and the deposits of biological origin. Stainless and carbon steel tanks, pipelines, heat exchangers, fuel storage tanks are mainly affected by MIC. On the other hand, other beneficial microorganisms play a major role for protecting these surfaces from corrosion via different mechanisms including biofilms formation. The aim of this review is to present a spotlight on the history and the role of microorganisms on the induction and prevention of corrosion. This includes corrosion inhibition mechanisms employing beneficial microorganisms with special reference to microbial biofilms to avoid the dramatic economic loss due to corrosion. On the contrary, different types of harmful microorganisms included in corrosion are also discussed including iron and sulfur reducing bacteria
Prevalence of Dyslipidemia on the Basis of Biochemistry Tests in the Parakou University Teaching Hospital (Benin)
No full textAims: Determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients attended in the Parakou University teaching Hospital Biochemistry Laboratory (Republic of Benin).
Study Design: Cross-sectional retrospective study.
Place and Duration of Study: Biochemistry Laboratory of the Borgou/Alibori Regional University Teaching Hospital (CHUD-B/A) in Parakou (Republic of Benin); period from July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
Methodology: Data were collected on the basis of the biochemical test register; they were related to lipid parameters. The criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III were used to identify dyslipidemia.
Results: The frequency of lipid profile request was 8.38%. Sex ratio (Men/Women) was 0.79. The mean age of the target population was 46.84 ± 13.61 years. The different types of dyslipidemia identified were: hypercholesterolemia (37.60%), HDL hypocholesterolemia (39.20%), LDL hypercholesterolemia (39.40%), hypertriglyceridemia (11.17%), mixed hyperlipidemia (6.30%) and atherogenic dyslipidemia (3.00%). HDL hypocholesterolemia was associated with male sex (P = .000) whereas LDL hypercholesterolemia was associated with age (P = .03).
Conclusion: Dyslipidemia prevalence high as identified in the study in the CHUD-B/A Biochemistry Laboratory. Studies among the general population should be conducted in order to identify the extent of those types of dyslipidemia in Benin
In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Organic Extracts from North-West Moroccan Medicinal Plant Myrtus communis (L.)
No full textAims: This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extract from the leaves of Myrtus communis (L.) growing in North-West of Morocco.
Study Design: In vitro evaluating of antibacterial activity and determination of total phenols and flavonoids content of extracts.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology (Faculty of Sciences), between July 2015 and November 2015.
Methodology: The total phenol content and flavonoids content of methanol, ethanol, ethyl-acetate and n-hexane extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method and Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) colorimetric method respectively. The antibacterial activity of extracts was tested against five reference strains, Escherichia coli K12 MBLA, Staphylococcus aureus CECT 976, Listeria monocytogenes serovar 4b CECT 4032 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa IH using the agar well diffusion method and the micro-dilution assays.
Results: The amount of the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content ranged between 86,31-137,46 gallic acid equivalents (GAE mg/g) and 14,31±1,09–31,24 quercetin equivalents (QE mg/g) of dry weight of extract, respectively. All extracts had a significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains. The biggest zones of inhibition were observed against two positive bacteria (L. monocytogenes, S. aureus). While, Gram negative bacteria (E. coli K12, P. aeruginosa) had showed to be resistant toward extracts.
Conclusion: Considering these results, M. communis leaves can be used as a source of novel antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds
Frequency of Procedural Errors during Root Canal Treatment Performed by Interns
No full textAims: Chemo-mechanical preparation continues to be one of the most challenging steps in root canal treatment procedures. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of procedural errors during root canal treatment performed by interns.
Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.
Methodology: A total of 200 patients scheduled for root canal treatment in the permanent first molar were selected and pre-operative radiographs were taken before the procedure. After achieving a straight line access, the interns performed conventional step back technique to prepare the canals and irrigation was done using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. After completion of the instrumentation procedure, two experienced endodontists evaluated the cases both clinically and radiographically.
Results: Results showed that a total of 78 (39%) cases received procedural errors, and the remaining cases received appropriate instrumentation procedures. Apical Transportation (12%) presented the highest percentage for procedural errors followed by ledge formation (10%), strip perforation (5%), apical perforation (5%), instrument separation (4%) and perforation during access (3%).
Conclusion: The present study suggests a high frequency of procedural errors 39% in all cases performed by interns. This reflects the amount of clinical knowledge and skill possessed and applied by operator during the course of the treatment
Phyletic Evolution of Ophiocordyceps sinensis through Interkingdom Host Colonization between Plants and Insects
No full textOphiocordyceps sinensis, an entomogenous fungus parasitic in the larvae of ghost moths (Lepidoptera), has always been used as one of the most valued Traditional Chinese Medicines throughout the Orient World. However, O. sinensis fails to be artificially cultivated so far, because its occurrence and developmental mechanisms are crucial but almost completely unknown. In this study, the genetic marker mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) gene was cloned and identified by PCR and bioinformatic tools, and then the phylogenetic relationship between O. sinensis and related species was established based on mtSSU sequences with Maximum-Parsimony method. This phylogenetic project was reconstructed to show the evolution of host specificity and the process of interkingdom host jumping of O. sinensis, which revealed a natural outcome of co-evolution among this fungus, plants and Thitarodes insects. Therefore, this study will contribute to promote our understanding for life history and occurrence mechanism of O. sinensis
Molecular Characterization of Selected M5 Lines of Rice after TILLING for Salinity Tolerance Using 20 SSR Primers
No full textAbout 20% of the net cultivable land is affected by various levels of salinity, which leads to season loss and crop loss. A rice variety BINA 7 was used to develop saline tolerant, high yielding varieties through TILLING. 10 rice lines including 5 from TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes) population were studied in Patuakhali, the coastal zone of Bangladesh between July to December, where maximum salinity reached during harvest was close to 8 ds/m2. Traits like plant height, effective tillers, thousand seed weight on randomly selected plant basis and yield (kg/plot) were recorded. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. This was followed by Genetic Fingerprinting using saline trait specific, 20 SSR primers of the 5 TILLING population along with parent. Data Analysis of band position and creation of dendogram along with genetic distance between the materials have been reported. Indications of positive relationship between the molecular charactization and morphological studies gave direction towards possible saline tolerant lines. It was clearly seen from the 20 SSR markers used that the lines developed through the TILLING technique has more possibility of being saline tolerant than the parent,e.g. primer RM 585 bound between 175-650 bp to all except the parent. Such results indicated the TILLING lines to be diverse than the parent
DSPC Liposomes Improve Transport of L-cysteine and Reduce Metabolic Activity
No full textAims: In this work, we developed and characterized liposomal formulations that encapsulate L-cysteine to study their further application in drug delivery and amino acid supplementation. The lipids used were 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC).
Methodology: Encapsulation efficiency and amino acid release were determined. For biophysical characterization of the three formulations, the size, surface charge and surface packing were also studied. Cell viability was analyzed with MTT reagent after treatments with formulations ir order to study efficiency of these systems in induce changes in metabolism.
Results: Results showed that L-cysteine interacts at the polar head level and that this interaction stabilizes the surface charge and prevents aggregation. We also determined the influence on cell metabolism in all formulations. The presence of L-cysteine in the DSPC formulation induced deeper changes in metabolism, evidencing that this formulation provides better transport of this amino acid.
Conclusion: Liposomes developed herein are well suited for the application in the delivery of L-cysteine. Particularly, they can encapsulate nearly all the L-cysteine and can retain it for 6 hours. Also, L-cysteine stabilized liposomes, preventing their aggregation. L-cysteine encapsulated in the DSPC formulation induced deeper changes in cell metabolism, causing a decrease in metabolic activity; this was probably due to a higher entry, thus a better liposome-mediated transport. Considering that the smaller the particle, the better the circulation, we believe that the stabilization of the vesicle by L-cysteine may allow these transporters to have higher circulation times. Based on the above, we conclude that the DSPC formulation is the best suited for further application in L-cysteine delivery
Field Suppression of Fusarium Soil Borne Diseases of Tomato Plants by the Combined Application of Bio Agents and Chitosan
No full textTwo biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis proved their high antagonistic effect against wide spectrum of plant pathogens in many previous works, two commercially formulated bio agents products, Plant guard (Trichoderma harzianum) and Rhizo–N (Bacillus subtilis) and Chitosan at 1.0 g/L were applied as seed bed treatments alone or in combination with chitosan at 0.5 g/L as foliar spray for controlling Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR) as well as Fusarium wilt (FW) diseases of tomato plants under field conditions. Field evaluation of these treatments in an area of heavy inoculum and using cv. Super Strain indicated that all tested treatments significantly suppressed disease incidence and severity of FCRR and FW of tomato as compared to untreated controls. The most effective treatments were T. harzianum, B. subtilis and Chitosan combined with chitosan at 0.5 g/L. as foliar spray which reduced the disease incidence and disease severity of FCRR and FW of tomato. All tested treatments significantly reduced the density of Fusarium spp. in the treated soil as compared with control. The highest reduction was obtained with T. harzianum, B. subtilis and Chitosan combined with chitosan at 0.5 g/L. as foliar spray. The results showed a significant effect of all the treatments on fruit yield of the tomato plants relative to control. These combined treatments could provide sustainable management of Fusarium crown and root rot as well as Fusarium wilt in tomato under field conditions
Phytochemical, Anti-nutrients and Toxicity Evaluation of Cleome gynandra and Solanum nigrum: Common Indigenous Vegetables in Zimbabwe
No full textAim: This study assesses the phytochemical profiles, toxicity and anti-nutrient properties of two indigenous vegetables, Cleome gynandra and Solanum nigrum.
Methodology: Aerial parts of S. nigrum and C. gynandra collected from wild populations were extracted in water and methanol solvents using the cold maceration procedure. Chemical tests to identify different phytochemicals and antinutrients were carried out using specified reagents. Toxicity of the plant extracts was tested using the Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay procedure.
Results: Phytochemical tests indicated presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenols and tannins in both S. nigrum and C. gynandra. Anthraquinones were only found in C. gynandra, whereas terpenoids and coumarin glycosides were found only in S. nigrum. The anti-nutrient levels in the vegetables were high; tannins (3.580 and 1.820 mg/ 100 g), oxalates (21.560 and 24.97±0.156 g/100 g), saponins (71 and 42%), alkaloids (15.160 and 3.44%) and phytates (0.099±0.046 and 0.250±0.013%) in S. nigrum and C. gynandra respectively. The Brine Shrimp LC₅₀ values obtained were 0.67 and 1.84 mg/ml for methanol and water extracts of S. nigrum and 1.09 and 4.9 mg/ml for C. gynandra, respectively.
Conclusion: The vegetables, C. gynandra and S. nigrum are rich sources of diverse phytochemicals. However, some phytochemicals are present in high levels and might act as anti nutritional factors interfering with absorption of food. C. gynandra is safe for consumption but S. nigrum contains some toxic phytochemicals and should not be taken regularly