Screening of some Naturally Isolated Microalgal Strains for Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Production

Background and Purpose: Nowadays, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are playing a great role in human wellbeing and health improvement. A wide spectrum of biological, medical and health benefit effects ranging from cardiovascular, neuronal, anticancer and antioxidant have been reported from different PUFAs in human. Methodology: In this study, six different species of microalgae belonging to the chlorophyta and cyanobacteria phylum were isolated from soil and water samples collected from Persian Gulf. Their growth rate, biomass and lipid production and productivity and more importantly their ability to produce PUFAs was investigated. Results: The isolated species represented a great fatty acid profile including many different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ranging from 6-20 carbon atoms. S. obliquus and N. muscorum proven to have a better profile for PUFAs production, whilst C. vulgaris could be considered as a more robust strain to produce other fatty acid classes. Besides, C. vulgaris with its higher growth rates (0.39 d-1)and S. obliquus owing to its higher total lipid content (43.92%) seems more interesting strains for scale up studies. Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrated the great potential of naturally isolated strains of microalgae for PUFA production and provided some insights in next studies to explore more producing strains

Chemical Composition of the Essential oil of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge. from Iran

Due to various usages of Satureja species or their oils, we were interested in studying essential oil contents and compositions of Satureja species in Iran. So, the essential oil of aerial parts of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge. growing in Iran was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty eight compounds constituting 99.80% of the oil were identified and yield of the oil was 2.7% (V/W). The major components were found to be thymol (65.1%), γ-terpinene (15.0%), β-caryophyllene (4.85%), p-cymene (4.4%), linalool (3.5%) and borneol (3.05%)

Theoretical and technical potential evaluation of solar power generation in Iran

Nowadays, utilizing solar energy for power production at high efficiency and in a cost-effective status is a challenging issue for power plant engineers. This challenge would be answered by considering several affecting parameters such as technical, economic, and environmental criteria. In this investigation, in order to provide an assessment for implementing solar power plants in the southeast of Iran, Sistan and Baluchistan province, a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach is linked to a geographic information system (GIS). The MCDM approach is used to appraise the effective criteria for implementing solar power plants. The environment, orography, economic and climate are selected as the important criteria. Each criterion is assessed for the defined location of the investigation (Sistan and Baluchistan province) and in addition, GIS is employed to provide a geographical-graphical valuation to determine the most appropriate place for installing a large-scale solar power production plant. The solar systems considered in this study are photovoltaic (PV) collectors and concentrated solar power (CSP) generation plants (e.g. solar trough collectors). Technical and theoretical valuations are made to specify the amount of solar power which can be harnessed in Sistan and Baluchistan. In overall, it is demonstrated that this specific location in the southeast of Iran has the technical potential to provide 7,419 TWh/y and 8,758 TWh/y of solar electricity by installing CSP and PV technologies, respectively

Exploring 3D structure of human gonadotropin hormone receptor at antagonist state using homology modeling, molecular dynamic simulation, and cross-docking studies

Human gonadotropin hormone receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor, is the target of many medications used in fertility disorders. Obtaining more structural information about the receptor could be useful in many studies related to drug design. In this study, the structure of human gonadotropin receptor was subjected to homology modeling studies and molecular dynamic simulation within a DPPC lipid bilayer for 100 ns. Several frames were thereafter extracted from simulation trajectories representing the receptor at different states. In order to find a proper model of the receptor at the antagonist state, all frames were subjected to cross-docking studies of some antagonists with known experimental values (Ki). Frame 194 revealed a reasonable correlation between docking calculated energy scores and experimental activity values (|r| = 0.91). The obtained correlation was validated by means of SSLR and showed the presence of no chance correlation for the obtained model. Different structural features reported for the receptor, such as two disulfide bridges and ionic lock between GLU90 and LYS 121 were also investigated in the final model. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Computational analysis of collagenase from different Vibrio, Clostridium and Bacillus strains to find new enzyme sources

Collagenase is one the important enzyme, which is applied in varied fields ranging from tannery, food and cosmetic industries to clinical therapies. Currently, the commercially available collagenase enzyme has been produced by Clostridium histolyticum bacteria. In our study, in order to find new sources of collagenase producer, 30 collagenases from different species of Clostridium, Vibrio and Bacillus were evaluated from the view of phylogenetic relation, domain architecture and Physiochemical features. Totally our results indicate that the non-pathogenic C. novyi (NT) with the aliphatic index (80.68), instability index (27), pI (6.54), Mw (112.838 kDa) and two PPC domain could be suggested as potent bacteria for industrial production of collagenase

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Cuminum Cyminum as an Intracanal Medicament Compared to Chlorhexidine Gel

Introduction: The aims of this study were i) to define the chemical constituents of Cuminum cyminum (cumin) essential oil, ii) to compare the antimicrobial activity of this oil to that of chlorhexidine (CHX) and co-trimoxazole on planktonic and biofilm forms of bacteria isolated from the teeth with persistent endodontic infection and iii) to compare the cytotoxicity of these medicaments on L929 fibroblasts. Methods and Materials: Three groups of microorganisms [aerobic bacterial mixture, anaerobic bacterial mixture and Enterococcus faecalis (E .faecalis)] were isolated from the teeth with persistent apical periodontitis. Zone of inhibition (ZOI), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and time-kill tests were performed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of the medicaments. Further, a cytocompatibility analysis of the medicaments was performed on L929 fibroblasts. The results obtained from disc diffusion test and mean cell viability values of the experimental medicaments were analyzed using two-way and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Seventeen constituents were recognized in cumin oil (predominantly cumin aldehyde and γ-terpinene). Co-trimoxazole showed the greatest ZOI followed by cumin and CHX. The smallest MIC and MBC belonged to co-trimoxazole followed by cumin and CHX for all groups of bacteria except for E. faecalis for which the MBC of cumin was smaller than co-trimoxazole. The results of time-kill assay revealed that all medicaments totally inhibited the bacterial growth in all groups after 24 h. CHX was the most cytotoxic solution while there were no significant differences between the cytocompatibility of different concentrations of cumin essential oil and co-trimoxazole. Conclusion: Cumin exhibited a strong antimicrobial efficiency against the microbial flora of the teeth with failed endodontic treatments and it was biocompatible for L929 mouse fibroblasts.Keywords: Antibacterial Activity; Chlorhexidine; Co-trimoxazole; Cuminum Cyminum; Cytotoxicity; Intracanal Medicamen

Isolation and identification of culturable aerobic halophilic Archaea associated with salt crystals from Urmia Lake

Urmia Lake is one of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world. Water evaporation and saturation cause a lot of salt crystals formation on the lake beach. In this study, extremely halophilic strains were isolated from salt crystals that formed in distinct regions of lake. The isolation was performed by means of modified Marine agar medium and their DNA were extracted and amplified by PCR using universal primers that amplify archaeal 16S rDNA. The amplified archeal DNA fragments were purified, and were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis which was compared to known sequences by a Blast search at NCBI (National Center for Biological Information). Similarity analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of all isolates indicated that the archaeal isolates belong to three different halophilic genera of euryarcheota: Halorubrum, Haloarcula and Halobacterium. These extreme halophilc archaea can be used as a potential source of new therapeutic metabolites and enzymes as well as antibiotic compounds along with novel biotechnological applications.</p

Antimicrobial Efficacy and Cytocompatibility of Calcium Hypochlorite Solution as a Root Canal Irrigant: An in Vitro Investigation

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (SH) and calcium hypochlorite (CH) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis and also to compare their cytocompatibility on L929 murine fibroblasts using Mossman’s tetrazolium toxicity (MTT) assay. Methods and Materials: A broth micro-dilution susceptibility test was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each irrigant against E. faecalis. Then, the root canals of 50 mature extracted human mandibular premolars were contaminated with E. faecalis and were randomly divided into three groups according to the irrigant used (n=20). Canals were irrigated with SH in group I (n=20) and CH in group II (n=20) at their obtained MIC. In group III (n=10), sterile saline was used. Microbial sampling was performed before and after biomechanical preparation. Quantitative PCR was used to quantify E. faecalis in the root canal samples. For cytocompatibility assessment, L929 murine fibroblasts were exposed to various concentrations of the irrigants. Results: Irrigation with test materials resulted in significant reduction in colony forming units (CFU) in post-instrumentation samples (with the MIC values of SH and CH against E. faecalis being 0.5% and 5%, respectively). However, the reduction in the normal saline group was not significant (P=0.203). In addition, 5% CH was more effective than 0.5% SH (P=0.006) in eliminating E. faecalis. Among the different concentrations of tested irrigants, 0.5% CH and 5% SH showed the least and the most cytotoxicity, respectively (P&lt;0.001). The cytotoxicity of 5% CH and 0.5% SH was similar (P=0.99), and lower than 2.5% SH (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: CH at an MIC of 5% was effective in eliminating E. faecalis in planktonic state and also its biofilm and exhibited comparable cytocompatibility to that of 0.5% SH.Keywords: Calcium Hypochlorite; Enterococcus faecalis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Root Canal Irrigant; Sodium Hypochlorit

Sprayable antibacterial Persian gum-silver nanoparticle dressing for wound healing acceleration

Wound infection is considered a significant challenge in skin injuries. Sprayable antibacterial wound dressings are interesting alternatives to their traditional counterparts because of their facile preparation, ease-of-use, and the possibility of topical delivery of antibacterial materials. Herein, novel sprayable antibacterial dressings are formulated and reported. The dressings were developed by in-situ formation of Ag-nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Persian gum (PG) as a carbohydrate polymer. Several tests were conducted to investigate the effect of polymer concentration on the sprayablity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity of the dressings (PG/Ag-NPs). Results showed that formulations up to 2 wt.% PG/Ag-NPs could be sprayed properly and form intact films. Antibacterial evaluations also showed biocidal activity of 1% PG/Ag-NPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Cytotoxicity and in vivo full-thickness wound healing evaluation confirmed that 1% PG/ Ag-NPs spray was safe and improved wound healing process. All the results confirmed the high potential of formulated sprayable dressings for wound repair.Peer reviewe

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from Myrtus communis leaves

Abstract: Nosocomial pathogens are associated with increased hospital stay lengths and mortality rates. Increasing resistance to antibiotics makes the treatment of these infections more difficult. Novel antimicrobial compounds derived from natural sources may be useful for addressing antiobiotic resistance. The objective of this study is to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) leaves against pathogens causing nosocomial infections. The chemical composition of essential oil from M. communis leaves was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against bacteria and fungi was evaluated by broth micro-dilution as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major constituents of the essential oil were α-pinene (39.2 %), 1,8-cineole (22.0 %), and linalool (18.4 %). The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against all Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria with MICs in the range of 0.5-32 μL/mL and 8-64 μL/mL, respectively. MICs for the tested clinical and standard fungi were in the range of 0.03-16 μL/mL. The essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal activities against all the causative agents of nosocomial infections examined, particularly against strains with antibiotic resistance. The essential oil from M. communis leaves is a potential source of novel antimicrobial agents for the treatment of nosocomial infections