Are Algae the Future Source of Enzymes?

Various proteins and enzymes produced during algal photosynthesis can be used in economic development and environment management, such as in wastewater treatment, production of fine chemicals, and biodiesel production. This mini-review presents various enzymes isolated from algae and suggests that algae, given their unique properties, could be explored for large-scale production of enzymes as future biocatalyst factories.HighlightsVarious proteins and enzymes are produced during algal photosynthesis.Algae use phosphoglycolate phosphatase and glycolate oxidase as metabolizing enzymes.Algae possess the ability to produce commercial enzymes.Out of the 10,000 algae species, only a few are cultivated on an industrial scale.Algal wastes can be manipulated and recycled for production of various enzymes.

Assessment of tuberculosis among male prisoners in Shiraz central prison, south of Iran.

Background: Prisons play an important role in the prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) in a region. This study aimed to determine the situation of TB in high-risk male prisoners in Shiraz central prison of Fars province in southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study (June-October 2018) was conducted on male prisoners in Shiraz central prison, southern Iran. According to 4 criteria, the prisoners were determined as high-risk prisoners for TB, and para clinical tests included three sputum samples and chest radiograph were performed for them. Then, the high risk and low risk participants were compared in terms of demographic characteristics and past medical history. Results: Among 2,995 prisoners, only 108 (3.6%) had at least one of the high-risk criteria. But after performing further TB tests for these prisoners, no prisoners with TB disease were found. The high-risk prisoners were statistically older than low-risk prisoners (38.30±9.74 vs. 35.17±9.62, P=0.001). Also, the length of incarceration was statistically different in both groups (P=0.002), and drug abuse was more in high-risk group (P<0.001). Moreover, high risk prisoners used cigarettes/day more (14.87±11.55 vs. 9.71±9.09, P<0.001), but both groups were not different in term of the marital status (P=0.519), educational level (P=0.662), job (P=0.39), and nationality (P=0.342). Conclusion: Our results showed that none of the high-risk prisoners for TB had positive test. The length of incarceration, drug abuse, smoking, as well as age were more in high-risk prisoners in comparing low risk group

Peptide-Catalysis in Asymmetric Organic Synthesis

Stereo-selectivity is an important feature in the development of the synthesis of biologically active organic compounds. In this process, (bio) catalysts exhibit substrate specificity that allows high levels of chemo- and regio-selectivity. Over the past decade, several peptides have been developed as effective bio-catalysts for a range of synthetically valuable reactions. In comparison with proteins owing a large number of amino acids and high molecular weights, peptide-catalysts possess only a few amino acid residues, which may adopt a secondary structure suitable for synthesis of desired chiral products. In addition, the flexible nature of peptides consents for tuning of reactivity and selectivity by replacing amino acid residues. These unique aspects provide attractive biocatalysts platform for asymmetric syntheses.HighlightsAsymmetric catalysis has an impressive progression in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.Enzymes and natural/synthetic peptides are attractive biocatalysts of the chiral reactions.Peptides show unique features compared with other catalysts in asymmetric catalysis.

Specific Strategies for One-Step and Simultaneous Immobilization-Purification of Lipases

Lipases are the biocatalysts with outstanding prospects in industry and medicine. They have proven to be useful in various hydrolytic and synthetic reactions. However, there are some limitations for impure lipases that may restrict their widely uses in industrial applications. Purification is sometimes vital for the characterization of the function, structure, and interactions of lipases. The lipase immobilization is also an efficient strategy for increasing the enzyme activity and stability, and getting a simpler recovery. Lipases are naturally produced together with many other proteins that they may occupy some surface of immobilization solid support and decrease the final activity. The coupling of immobilization and purification of lipase will overcome the mentioned problems and obtain the maximum purification yields. The present mini-review will discuss the use of the techniques that permit to join immobilization and purification of lipases in a single step, including control of the immobilization conditions by interfacial activation on hydrophobic supports, the development of specific supports with affinity for lipases, and the use of bio-affinity supports including immuno- and lectin affinityHIGHLIGHTS•Lipases are the biocatalysts with outstanding prospects in industry and medicine.•Simultaneous immobilization-purification may enhance lipase activity and stability.•Lipases have a mechanism of interfacial activation in the presence of hydrophobic interfaces.•The lipase immobilization on hydrophobic supports is a much-utilized strategy.•Bio-affinity is a promising approach to increase lipase final yield and activity

A survey on subjecting electronic product code and non-ID objects to IP identification

Over the last decade, both research on the Internet of Things (IoT) and real-world IoT applications have grown exponentially. The IoT provides us with smarter cities, intelligent homes, and generally more comfortable lives. However, the introduction of these devices has led to several new challenges that must be addressed. One of the critical challenges facing interacting with IoT devices is to address billions of devices (things) around the world, including computers, tablets, smartphones, wearable devices, sensors, and embedded computers, and so on. This article provides a survey on subjecting Electronic Product Code and non-ID objects to IP identification for IoT devices, including their advantages and disadvantages thereof. Different metrics are here proposed and used for evaluating these methods. In particular, the main methods are evaluated in terms of their: (i) computational overhead, (ii) scalability, (iii) adaptability, (iv) implementation cost, and (v) whether applicable to already ID-based objects and presented in tabular format. Finally, the article proves that this field of research will still be ongoing, but any new technique must favorably offer the mentioned five evaluative parameters.Comment: 112 references, 8 figures, 6 tables, Journal of Engineering Reports, Wiley, 2020 (Open Access

Open reduction and internal fixation of the bilateral proximal humeral fracture dislocation with head splitting in an active young adult: a rare case

Proximal humeral fracture is a common injury particularly in elderly. A proper management of these fractures is very challenging, based on the various characteristics of patient, fracture anatomy, equipment and the surgeon experience. Bilateral PHF is a rare condition, which almost always caused by seizure, electric shock and trauma, respectively. An appropriate treatment of these patients needs especial attention to obtain a good clinical outcome. We report a 29-year-old patient who suffered from bilateral proximal humeral fracture with posterior dislocation and splitted humeral head due to the combined mechanism of injury including severe trauma after high voltage electric shock. We did not find similar case(s) reported before in the literature. The patient treated with bilateral open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). He was able to do his daily activities after 6 month

The effect of mycorrhizal species on the growth, essential oils, yield and morpho-physiological parameters of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) under water-deficit conditions in Tabriz region

Two years experiment were conducted in 2016-2017 as split-plot based on randomized completely block design with three replications to morpho-physiological responses of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) plant to mycorrhizal fungi species treatments (control, Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus hoi and combined application of all three species) under different irrigation regimes (irrigation after 70, 100, 130 and 160 mm evaporation). In results, the highest oil yield was achieved in irrigation at 100mm+application of all three species of mycorrhizal fungi. Irrigation after 100 mm evaporation increased this trait by 33% compared to irrigation after 70 mm evaporation due to increase in essential oil percentage under dehydration conditions, however, increasing drought stress led to a significant decrease in essential oil yield. In terms of physiological parameters, dehydration led to an increase in proline content and antioxidant activates. In general and according to the results, modifying the destructive effects of water deficit stress and the use of mycorrhiza can increase the essential oil of lemon Balm. But aggravating water deficiency conditions can drastically reduce the essential oil yield. The founds could be helpful for herbal medicine researchers to achieve high-quality drugs

The Spatial Distribution of Cancer Incidence in Fars Province: A GIS-Based Analysis of Cancer Registry Data

Background: Cancer is a major health problem in the developing countries. Variations of its incidence rate among geographical areas are due to various contributing factors. This study was performed to assess the spatial patterns of cancer incidence in the Fars Province, based on cancer registry data and to determine geographical clusters. Methods: In this cross sectional study, the new cases of cancer were recorded from 2001 to 2009. Crude incidence rate was estimated based on age groups and sex in the counties of the Fars Province. Age standardized incidence rates (ASR) per 100,000 was calculated in each year. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed in measuring the geographic patterns and clusters using geographic information system (GIS). Also, comparisons were made between ASRs in each county. Results: A total of 28,411 new cases were diagnosed with cancer during 2001 2009 in the Fars Province, 55.5% of which were men. The average age was 61.6 ± 0.5 years. The highest ASR was observed in Shiraz, which is the largest county in Fars. The Moran\u27s Index of cancer was significantly clustered in 2004, 2005, and 2006 in total, men, and women. The type of spatial clustering was high high cluster, that to indicate from north west to south east of Fars Province. Conclusions: Analysis of the spatial distribution of cancer shows significant differences from year to year and between different areas. However, a clear spatial autocorrelation is observed, which can be of great interest and importance to researchers for future epidemiological studies, and to policymakers for applying preventive measures