Isolation and Identification of a New Bacillus cereus Strain and Characterization of its Neopullulanase

Identification and use of more efficient enzymes in the food and pharmaceutical industries is the focus of many researchers. The aim of this study was to search for a new bacterial strain capable of producing high levels of pullulanase applicable to biotechnology, the starch bioprocessing and food industries. A new pullulan hydrolyzing Bacillus strain was isolated and designated SDK2. Morphological and biochemical tests identified the strain as a putative Bacillus cereus strain, which was further characterized and confirmed through 16s rRNA sequencing, and was submitted to GeneBank, under the accession number FR6864500. Quantitative analysis of the strain’s pullulanase activity was carried out by the Dintrosalicyclic (DNS) acid-based assay. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the culture supernatant, identified the extracellular pullulanase as neopullulanase. Effects of temperature and pH on pullulanase activity were also studied. The optimum conditions for enzyme activity, as represented by 60°C and a pH of 7, resulted in an activity of 13.43 U/ml, which is much higher than some of the previously reported activities. However, growth of B. cereus SDK2 was also observed at a pH range of 5 to 10, and temperatures of 30°C to 50°C. The effect of metal ions and reagents, such as Mg+2, Ca+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, Fe+2, Ni+2 on enzyme activity showed that Ca+2 ions increased pullulan activity, whereas the other ions and reagents inhibited pullulanase activity. The ability of B. cereus SDK2 to produce high levels of neopullulanase stable at 60°C that can generate panose from pullulan, make this newly isolated strain a valuable source of debranching enzyme for biotechnology, the starch bioprocess and medical industries

Decontamination of tomato, red cabbage, carrot, fresh parsley and fresh green onion inoculated with Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri by some Essential oils (in vitro condition)

Background: Essential oils and their major constituents are useful sources of antimicrobial compounds. There are a few reports on the decontamination and antimicrobial activity of essential oils towards Shigella spp.Materials and Methods: In this study, the antimicrobial and decontamination potentials of essential oils at different concentrations, belonging to plants such as Thymus vulgaris, Saturiea hortensis, Mentha polegium, Cuminum cyminum, Lavandula officinalis and Mentha viridis L. (spearmint), towards Shigella sonnei and Shigella  flexneri were investigated. The disk diffusion method demonstrated the antimicrobial potential of the essential oils.Results: The ability of essential oils to decontaminate vegetables such as, tomato, red cabbage, carrot, fresh parsley and fresh green onion that were previously inoculated with Shigella spp. was determined. Inhibitory effects of essential oils towards Shigella spp. were noted in the disk diffusion method. There was a reduction in Shigella population following inoculation of cultures with 0.5% and 0.1% (v/v) essential oils.Conclusion: This study confirmed that essential oils have the potential to be used for decontamination of vegetables

Adherence to hemodialysis treatment and some related factors in hemodialysis patients admitted in Shahrekord Hajar hospital

Background and aims: Non-adherence to treatment is a common problem among hemodialysis patients and was considered as a responsible factor in patients deteriorating, increasing admission chance and inappropriate responding to hemodialysis treatment. Regarding to multiple factors related to non-adherence to hemodialysis treatment and its importance in patients' quality of life, this study aimed to determine the treatment adherence condition among hemodialysis patients referred to Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, 71 hemodialysis eligible patients among 118 hemodialysis patients who referred to Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord, were selected according to goals center sampling method. The data were gathered by demographic, laboratory and end-stage renal disease adherence questionnaire (ESRD-AQ). Results: The mean score of adherence to hemodialysis treatment was 858.60 ± 192.45. Majority of patients had moderate adherence to hemodialysis treatment in four adherence dimension: medication (56.3%), diet (78.9%), fluid restriction (70.4%), and hemodialysis schedule (78.9%). Intradialytic weight gain was abnormal in 88.7% of patients. Furthermore, age and gender of patients had significant relationship with treatment adherence (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regarding to finding of this study, treatment adherence condition in hemodialysis patients referred to Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord is moderate and probably related to chronic nature, economic problem and their knowledge deficit of them. Therefore, paying more attention to causes of non-adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients is necessary

Effect of the Individual Multi- Stage Care on the Treatment Adherence among Hemodialysis Patients

Background and Objective: Treatment adherence has an essential role in improving quality of life, survival, decreasing cost and side effects of treatment in patients underwent hemodialysis. This study aimed to determine the effect of individual multi-stage care on the treatment adherence in hemodialysis' patients, ShahrekordHajar hospital. Material and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 66 Hemodialysis patients in 2013. They were randomly allocated into two equal groups of intervention and control. The instrument was the end-stage renal disease adherence questionnaire (ESRD-AQ). The patients in intervention group were participated in 8-session individual care program for one hour in addition to routine treatment. The data was analyzed using Mann–Whitney , Wilcoxon and Spearman (P<0.05). Level. Results: The study indicated a significant difference between two groups in all dimensions of treatment adherence except dietary and food adherence. Adherence to treatment was better in intervention group (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between adherence treatment and age of patients (P<0.05, r=0.245). Conclusion: based on the findings, multi-stage care is effective on different aspects of treatment adherence

Variation of DAT1 VNTR Alleles and Genotypes Among Old Ethnic Groups in Mesopotamia to the Oxus Region

Variation of a VNTR in the DAT1 gene in seven ethnic groups of the Middle Eastwas used to infer the history and affinities of these groups. The populations consisted of Assyrian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Armenian, Turkmen, and Arab peoples of Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait. Three hundred forty subjects from these seven ethnic groups were screened for DAT1. DAT1 VNTR genotyping showed 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 alleles in the samples. Analysis of these data revealed differentiation and relationship among the populations. In this region, which covers an area of 2–2.5 million km2, the influence of geography and especially of linguistic characteristics has had potentially major effects on differentiation. Religion also has played a major role in imposing restrictions on some ethnic groups, who as a consequence have maintained their community. Overall, these ethnic groups showed greater heterogeneity compared to other populations

Variation of DAT1 VNTR alleles and genotypes among old ethnic groups in Mesopotamia to the Oxus region

Variation of a VNTR in the DAT1 gene in seven ethnic groups of the Middle East was used to infer the history and affinities of these groups. The populations consisted of Assyrian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Armenian, Turkmen, and Arab peoples of Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait. Three hundred forty subjects from these seven ethnic groups were screened for DAT1. DAT1 VNTR genotyping showed 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 alleles in the samples. Analysis of these data revealed differentiation and relationship among the populations. In this region, which covers an area of 2-2.5 million km2, the influence of geography and especially of linguistic characteristics has had potentially major effects on differentiation. Religion also has played a major role in imposing restrictions on some ethnic groups, who as a consequence have maintained their community. Overall, these ethnic groups showed greater heterogeneity compared to other populations. Copyright © 2008 Wayne State University Press