Rapid One-Pot DMAP-Promoted Synthesis of Biologically Important 3-Amino-1H- benzo[f]chromene-2-carbonitriles

Abstract An efficient environmentally friendly procedure for the synthesis of biologically important 3-amino-1H-benzo[f]chromene-2-carbonitriles through the one-pot, three-component reaction of β-naphthol, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile using p-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as an effective and novel heterogeneous catalyst under thermal solvent-free conditions is described. The catalyst is inexpensive and readily available and can be recovered conveniently and reused efficiently such that a considerable catalytic activity still could be achieved after the third run. Other advantages of this procedure are high yields, relatively short reaction times, easy work-up, and absence of any volatile and hazardous organic solvents

Studying the Effect of Lactobacillus fermentum on Arc and CREB Genes Expression of Involved in The Memory of Alzheimer\'s Rats

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is a common progressive neurogenerative disease that leads to dementia and destruction of brain cells, especially in areas related to learning and memory such as the hippocampus. The role of the Arc gene in synaptic flexibility and memory consolidation has been proven and its expression is strongly influenced by neuronal activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum on the expression of Arc (effective in synaptic flexibility and memory consolidation) and CREB (effective in stabilizing synaptic changes during learning) genes, involved in the memory of Alzheimer's rats. Material & ethods: In this study that was conducted in 2019, 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (control, Alzheimer and 3 groups as treatment). In the treatment groups, simultaneously with induction of Alzheimer by stereotaxic method with streptozotocin, supernatant of Lactobacillus fermentum PTCC 1744 in MRS broth with doses of 108, 107, and 106 cfu/ml was injected intraperitoneally for 21 days. After RNA extraction from hippocampus samples, cDNA was synthesized and the expression of the genes was evaluated by real-time PCR and LinReg PCR software. Findings: The data showed an increase in gene expression of Arc and CREB in the treatment groups with a dose of 106 cfu/ml compared to the Alzheimer's group and the difference was significant (P <0.001). Discussion & conclusion: Extracellular compounds of L. fermentum may inhibit the progression of neuronal lesions due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and may be effective in improving Alzheimer's

Biodegradable plastics from Sinorhizobium meliloti as plastics compatible with the environment and human health

Introduction: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural polyesters and biodegradable plastics that are stored as intracellular inclusion bodies by a great variety of bacteria. The aim of this study was to extract polyhydroxyalkanoate from native Sinorhizobium meliloti in Iran. Materials and methods: Sinorhizobium meliloti isolates were collected from roots of alfalfa plants and were identified by Gram staining, biochemical experiments and amplification of 1500 bp fragment of 16Sr DNA gene. PHA granules were detected by microscopic examination. PHA production was evaluated in nutrient deficient medium and its amount was determined by conversion of PHA into crotonic acid by sulphuric acid treatment. The effect of various temperatures, agitation rate and carbon source (sucrose, mannitol, and maltose) were evaluated on dry cell weight and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production. Results: The maximum amount of polymer production (43.10%) was seen in basal mineral medium at 29&deg;C, pH~7 and 215 revolutions per minute (rpm). The results of this research showed that the S5 isolate was capable to produce maximum poly3- hydroxybutyrate. The produced polymer was analyzed for its purity by GC- mass (gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy) and confirmed to be PHB compared with the standard polymer. Discussion and conclusion: Native strains of Sinorhizobium can be used in the production of biodegradable plastics and the results of present study showed that S. meliloti S5 was capable to produce maximum PHB at 29&deg;C, agitation rate of 215 rpm, and pH~7.&nbsp

Detection of Metallo-beta-lactamase blaVIM-1 Gene in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Mashhad

Introduction: Carbapenems are one of the latest drugs for treatment of threatening infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Resistance to these antibiotics is sometimes caused by carbapnmase class B, such as VIM metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) that is growing in the communities. The aim of this study was to detect the of metallo-beta-lactamase blaVIM-1 gene among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mashhad. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from samples of inpatients at hospitals in Mashhad. Bacteria were identified by conventional biochemical methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was examined in accordance with the Kirby-Bauer method. Metallo-beta-lactamase- producing isolates were identified using a combination disc of imipenem and EDTA. Then, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers to detect blaVIM-1 gene. Results: 25 (35.7%) out of 70 isolated bacteria had metallo-beta- lactamase, which blaVIM-1 gene were detected in the genome of 8 isolates. 65.6% of resistant bacteria to imipenem produced metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL). A higher percentage of MBL- producing isolates were resistant to imipenem, meropenem, carbenicillin and cefotaxime (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that antibiotic resistance among examined clinical isolates of Paeruginosa was high and VIM-type metallo-beta-lactamase was detected among them. Identification of bacteria with metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) is very important in the prevention and treatment of infections resistant to antibiotics

The Relationship between Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction: a study on health care networks staff in Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2011

Background: Selection of an appropriate leadership style coordinated with external motivation can improve job performance, job promotion and job satisfaction and consequently lead to achieving both individual and organizational goals. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between leadership style and job satisfaction of staff working in Health Care Networks in Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2011. Methods: The study population of this cross-sectional study was 874 managers and staff of Kerman health care networks. The sample included 21 mangers and 853 staff. Data gathering tools were job satisfaction and leadership style standard questionnaires. Data analysis was performed through SPSS16 and using Chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: According to the obtained results, most managers used the combined relation and task-oriented leadership style and job satisfaction of the majority of staff was moderate. Mean job satisfaction score was higher in people-oriented leadership style compared to integrated and task-oriented styles. There was a significant relationship between leadership style and job satisfaction. Conclusion: According to the results, there is a meaningful relationship between job satisfaction and leadership style in Kerman University of Medical Sciences and people-oriented leadership style leads to higher job satisfaction. Keywords: Management style, Job satisfaction, Health Care Networks, Kerman, Ir

Inhibitory effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation

Objective(s): Bacterial biofilm formation causes many persistent and chronic infections. The matrix protects biofilm bacteria from exposure to innate immune defenses and antibiotic treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biofilm formation of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on biofilm. Materials and Methods: After collecting bacteria from clinical samples of hospitalized patients, the ability of organisms were evaluated to create biofilm by tissue culture plate (TCP) assay. ZnO NPs were synthesized by sol gel method and the efficacy of different concentrations (50- 350 µg/ml) of ZnO NPs was assessed on biofilm formation and also elimination of pre-formed biofilm by using TCP method. Results:The average diameter of synthesized ZnO NPs was 20 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration of nanoparticles was 150- 158 μg/ml and the minimum bactericidal concentration was higher (325 µg/ml). All 15 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were able to produce biofilm. Treating the organisms with nanoparticles at concentrations of 350 μg/ml resulted in more than 94% inhibition in OD reduction%. Molecular analysis showed that the presence of mRNA of pslA gene after treating bacteria with ZnO NPs for 30 minutes. Conclusion: The results showed that ZnO NPs can inhibit the establishment of P. aeruginosa biofilms and have less effective in removing pre-formed biofilm. However the tested nanoparticles exhibited anti-biofilm effect, but mRNA of pslA gene could be still detected in the medium by RT-PCR technique after 30 minutes treatment with ZnO

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Sinorhizobium meliloti strains isolated from the roots of Medicago sativa in Iran

Introduction: The Rhizobium-legume interaction leads to biological nitrogen-fixation and increases nitrogen of soil. The aim of this study was to characterize the properties of Sinorhizobium isolates from the roots of alfalfa plantsin Iran. Materials and methods: Bacteria were isolated in yeast extract mannitol Agar and confirmed by plant infection test. After evaluation from the point of morphological and biochemical properties, a fragment of 16S rDNA gene with a size of approximately 1500 base pair was amplified using fD1 and rD1 primers. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) products were analyzed for digestion pattern by Taq1 endonuclease. Results: 63 bacteria were isolated from homogenized nodules. 42 isolates generated nodules in three replicates in infection test. Of the 42 isolates 8, were resistant to salinity. Seven isolates had better growth than others at pH 4. All isolates were resistant to CuCl2 (0.5 mmol), CdCl2 (0.65 mmol), MnSO4 (0.75 and 1.5 mmol) and ZnSO4 (0.125 mmol). Isolates S3Q and S22K were more resistant to salinity, acidity, temperature and heavy metals stresses. PCR products of all bacteria had the same restricted profile after digestion by Taq1 nuclease. Discussion and conclusion: The results showed that among isolated bacteria, there were some differences in the resistance to salinity, acidity, temperature and heavy metals stresses.  Identification of native strains of rhizobia, especially strains resistant to salinity, temperature, heavy metals and acidity could be valuable due to their potentiality for using biological fertilizers in harsh conditions

Analiza porównawcza modeli opartych na logice rozmytej do oceny jakości wód podziemnych na podstawie wskaźników nawadniania

Groundwater quality modelling plays an important role in water resources management decision making processes. Accordingly, models must be developed to account for the inherent uncertainty that arises from the sample measurement stage through to the data interpretation stages. Artificial intelligence models, particularly fuzzy inference systems (FIS), have been shown to be effective in groundwater quality evaluation for complex aquifers. Applying fuzzy set theory to groundwater-quality related decision-making in an agricultural production context, the Mamdani, Sugeno, and Larsen fuzzy logic-based models (MFL, SFL, and LFL, respectively) were used to develop a series of new, generalized, rule-based fuzzy models for water quality evaluation using widely accepted irrigation indices. Rather than drawing upon physiochemical groundwater quality parameters, the present study employed widely accepted agricultural indices (e.g., irrigation criteria) when developing the MFL, SFL and LFL groundwater quality models. These newly-developed models, generated significantly more consistent results than the United States Soil Laboratory (USSL) diagram, addressed the inherent uncertainty in threshold data, and were effective in assessing groundwater quality for agricultural uses. The SFL model is recommended because it had the best performance in terms of accuracy when assessing groundwater quality using irrigation indices.Modelowanie jakości wód podziemnych odgrywa ważną rolę w procesach podejmowania decyzji dotyczących zarządzania zasobami wodnymi. W związku z tym należy opracować modele uwzględniające naturalną niepewność, która pojawia się od etapu pomiaru próbki, aż do interpretacji danych. Wykazano, że modele sztucznej inteligencji, w szczególności systemy wnioskowania rozmytego (FIS), są skuteczne w ocenie jakości wód podziemnych w odniesieniu do złożonych warstw wodonośnych. Zastosowanie teorii zbiorów rozmytych do podejmowania decyzji związanych z jakością wód podziemnych w kontekście produkcji rolnej, modele oparte na logice rozmytej Mamdaniego, Sugeno i Larsena (odpowiednio MFL, SFL i LFL) zostały wykorzystane do opracowania serii nowych, uogólnionych modeli, opartych na regułach rozmytych, do oceny jakości wody z wykorzystaniem powszechnie akceptowanych wskaźników nawadniania. Zamiast czerpać z jakościowych parametrów fizykochemicznych wód gruntowych, w niniejszym badaniu zastosowano powszechnie przyjęte wskaźniki rolne (np. kryteria nawadniania) podczas opracowywania modeli jakości wód podziemnych MFL, SFL i LFL. Za pomocą tych nowo opracowanych modeli, wygenerowano znacznie bardziej spójne wyniki niż z zastosowaniem diagramu Amerykańskiego Laboratorium Gleby (USSL), uwzględniono nieodłączną niepewność danych progowych. Modele te były skuteczne w ocenie jakości wód podziemnych do zastosowań rolniczych. Model SFL jest zalecany, ponieważ miał najlepszą efektywność pod względem dokładności w ocenie jakości wód podziemnych z użyciem wskaźników nawadniania