Search

Phycocyanin is a blue pigment of Spirulina algae that has antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, primary culture of Spirulina was performed in the modified Zarrouk medium. Phycocyanin was extracted enzymatically using lysozyme and was purified by the use of ammonium sulfate 40% solution. The stability of phycocyanin was evaluated by the split factorial experiment in a completely randomized design based on three factors including temperature (-18, 4 and 10°C), pH (4.5, 5.5 and 7) and time (15, 30 and 45 days). The concentration and purity of phycocyanin in the crude extract were 1.815 mg/ml and 0.825, respectively whereas the concentration and purity of phycocyanin in the purified extract were 3.751 mg/ml and 1.135, respectively. The results showed that the stability of phycocyanin was relatively decreased by increasing the storage time at various temperatures. However, the highest stability of phycocyanin was observed at -18°C followed by 4°C with the same trend in the range of pH. By increasing the storage temperature to 10°C, the stability of phycocyanin drastically reduced especially in a pH of 5.5 and the absorbance of light was reached to zero in 30 days. The best conditions for the minimum concentration loss of phycocyanin were in a pH of 4.5 at -18 °C and storage duration of 30 days. According to the results, it is possible to use phycocyanin in the food products that are stored in cold or freezing temperatures such as dairy products and ice cream.

In this study, the effects of Lactobacillus which was isolated from the gut of rainbow trout were evaluated on growth parameters, survival rate and resistance of rainbow trout to Streptococcus iniae. This bacterium was added to the fish diet in 3 treatments (log 7, 8 and 9) and a control treatment was considered. The effects of various treatments on growth parameters and survival were evaluated in day 30 and day 60. At the final stage, resistance of treated fish to streptococcosis was evaluated. The results showed that Lactobacillus was able to improve the growth parameters (weight, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, coefficient of obesity, specific growth rate and protein yield coefficient) and survival rate of fish in which the log 8 LAB showed a significant difference compared to the other treatments and the control treatment. The challenge of rainbow trout with Streptococcus iniae indicated that the highest survival rate was observed in the treatment with the log 8 LAB (96.66%), whereas the lowest survival rate was observed in the control treatment (25.38%). These results indicated that Lactobacillus which was isolated from the gut of rainbow trout showed probiotic properties and improved growth parameters of fish. Moreover, it increased the resistance of rainbow trout to streptococcosis.

Nisin is a natural antimicrobial and has inhibitory effect on the pathogens and spoilage organisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of nisin (0.15%) and sodium acetate (1%) individually and in combination on shelf life of vacuumed trout (whole fish without viscera) in refrigerated temperature. Physical and chemical parameters including pH, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid and total volatile nitrogen bases and bacterial factors such as TVC, PTC and LAB were examined. These parameters were measured at an interval of 4 days for 16 days. Results showed that the PV, TBA, TVN and pH in combination of sodium acetate and nisin Z treatments were significantly lower compared to control (no preservatives) (P

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in childhood, characterized by excess lymphoblasts, and immature white blood cells that are continuously multiplying and overproducing in the bone marrow. The aim of this investigation was to measure the sensitivity of lymphocytes against gamma irradiation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and also find out the effect of such irradiations in causing chromosomal abnormalities.Methods: In this investigation performed between April 2010 and July 2011, at the Department of Genetics, Cancer Institute of Iran, we studied the effects of gamma irradiation on the lymphocytes of 20 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The lymphocytes of 30 healthy donors were used to establish as a normal response to gamma irradiation and seven age-matched ataxia telangiectasia patients were recruited as positive control. The chromosomal radiosensitivity was assessed with the G2- and the G0-assay. We compared the mean number of chromosomal abnormalities such as chromosome and chromatid breakages, chromosome and chromatid gaps, and chromatid exchanges in one-hundred metaphases of patients and control groups.Results: The frequency of chromosomal aberrations was statistically higher among patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia than the normal controls (P

"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: An increased risk for invasive infections with encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae has been described in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or in those on dialysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibody response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine in CKD patients. "n"nMethods : Sixty-six patients with CKD and 40 healthy individuals were vaccinated with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The serum antibody response (IgG and IgG2) to the Pneumovax antigens was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) prior to and four weeks after vaccination."n"nResults : Out of 66 vaccinated patients with CKD, 14 were found to be hyporesponsive to the vaccine (Group 1). Patients with normal specific antibody response were regarded as respondents and were assigned to Group 2 (n=52). The mean post-vaccination IgG titer to the pneumococcal antigens in Group 1 was significantly lower than those in Group 2 (P=0.012 for IgG and P=0.02 for IgG2). The increased anti-pneumococcal IgG titer was significantly lower in patients in Group 1 versus Group 2 (P=0.001) or the healthy control group (P=0.005). During the follow-up period of patients, patients in Group 1 developed higher episodes of pneumococcal infections than those in Group 2 (P=0.007). "n"nConclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with chronic kidney disease fail to mount an adequate antibody response to pneumococcal antigens and remain at significant risk for such infections. These patients should be offered other prophylactic measures to protect them against invasive pneumococcal diseases."n"nKeywords: Antibody response, chronic kidney disease, polysaccharide vaccine.

"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Based on the reports, high frequency of special alleles of HLA class II genes might be associated with susceptibility to or protective from a particular cancer. These alleles might vary depending on the geographical region. Here we investigate the association between alleles of HLA class II genes and breast cancer in Iranian women."n"nMethods: 100 patients with pathologically proved breast cancer who referred to Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, were divided to two groups based on ages (40 years old and less/ or more than 40 years old) and were randomly selected and compared with a group of 80 healthy blood donor subjects. HLA class II alleles were determined by amplification of DNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method followed by HLA-typing using sequence-specific primer (SSP) for each allele."n"nResults: The most frequent alleles in the DR and DQ regions in group 1 (40 years old and less) in comparison with control group were HLA-DQA1*0301 (p=0.002) and HLA-DQB1*0302 (p>0.05). In contrast HLA-DQA1*0505 (p=0.004) had significantly lower frequency in this group compared with control group. Patients of group two (more than 40 years old) had a higher frequencies of HLA-DQA1*0301 (p=0.001) and HLA-DRB1*1303 (p=0.02) and a lower frequency of HLA-DQA1*0101 (p=0.002) compared to healthy control."n"nConclusion: These findings provide information of a positive and negative association between certain alleles of HLA class II and breast cancer in our population and also might support that the pattern of inheritance in the early and late onset of breast cancer differ substantially.

Phylogenetic analysis of Triticum L. and Aegilops L. species was performed using the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences. The full length of PCR products for ITS1 and ITS2 ranged from 650 bp to 700 bp, respectively. Sequence divergences between species were estimated following aligning. The average G+C contents of the ITS regions was 60.8% for ITS2 and 61.5% for ITS1. The phylogenetic analyses were constructed using the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method based on pairwise genetic distances. The resulting NJ tree successfully separated Triticum and Aegilops species and displayed three clusters, einkorn wheats, polyploid wheats, and Aegilops. Our results confirmed that the A genome of bread wheat is more related to T. urartu than T. boeticum. In the case of the D genome, the affinity between Ae. tauschii and bread wheat was greater than other D genome-bearing species of Aegilops (Ae. crassa and Ae. cylindrica). Obtained results also revealed that Ae. speltoides was separated from Aegilops cluster and grouped with polyploid wheats. The close relationship between Ae. speltoides and polyploid wheats indicates that the former is the most likely donor of the B genomes to wheats. The present study verified the potential of ITS regions in phylogenetic studies and strongly supported the evolution of cultivated wheats, which occurred through hybridization and polyploidization between Triticum and Aegilops species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tsitologiya i Genetika (Cytology & Genetics) is the property of Institute of Cell Biology & Genetic Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Within the framework of modified teleparallel gravity, we reconstruct a f( T) model corresponding to the QCD ghost dark energy scenario. For a spatially flat FRW universe containing only the pressureless matter, we obtain the time evolution of the torsion scalar T (or the Hubble parameter). Then, we calculate the effective torsion equation of state parameter of the QCD ghost f( T)-gravity model as well as the deceleration parameter of the universe. Furthermore, we fit the model parameters by using the latest observational data including SNeIa, CMB and BAO data. We also check the viability of our model using a cosmographic analysis approach. Moreover, we investigate the validity of the generalized second law (GSL) of gravitational thermodynamics for our model. Finally, we point out the growth rate of matter density perturbation. We conclude that in QCD ghost f( T)-gravity model, the universe begins a matter dominated phase and approaches a de Sitter regime at late times, as expected. Also this model is consistent with current data, passes the cosmographic test, satisfies the GSL and fits the data of the growth factor well as the ΛCDM model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumonisins, a family of mycotoxins, are mainly toxic and carcinogenic. The present study was carried out to evaluate fumonisin B1 (FB1) effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines by gastric and colon cell lines. The study was performed on two cell lines under in vitro condition, including gastric epithelial cell line (AGS) and human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (SW742). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used for inflammatory cytokine induction. The culture medium was supplemented with 4.5-72 mg/l of FB1 for 72 h before cell induction. The supernatants were harvested 24 h after the induction and measured for cytokines by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.FB1 induced a dose-dependent increase in the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in both AGS and SW742 cell lines. This increase was statistically significant with concentration of FB1 between 9 and 72 mg/l (P < 0.05). FB1 also induced a dose-dependent decrease in interleukin-8 production. This decrease was seen in both cell lines and showed a statistical significance with FB1 concentration (P < 0.05).The results show that FB1 increases inflammatory cytokines production by various gastric and intestinal cells. This effect in the long run can possibly be the basis for the occurrence or development of inflammation and subsequent atrophy in the above-mentioned tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) constitutes a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by abnormal proliferation and accumulation of immature lym- phoblasts arrested at various differentiation stages. Increasing evidence suggests that chromosomal defects are present in these patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the chromosomal radiosensitivity in a group of ALL patients. Materials and Methods: To analyze chromosomal radiosensitivity of ALL patients, lymphocytes of 20 patients were cultured followed by exposure to γ-ray irradiation to detect the chromosomal aberrations as an indicator of radiosensitivity. Cells were scored for the number of aberrations (chromatid breaks, chromatid gaps, chromosome breaks, chromosome gaps and chromatid exchanges). Results were compared with healthy individuals, and ataxia telangiectasia (AT) patients as positive control. Results: On average number of aberrations in ALL patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. We found 65% of ALL patients appeared to be susceptible to in vitro irradiation. Chromosomal radiosensitivity of 35% patients was not different from healthy donors. Ataxia telangiectasia patients showed the highest degree of lymphocyte radiosensitivity. The results also indicate that there is a good correlation between the two assays, G2 and G0, using the same blood sample for both assays. Conclusion: According to the result, we concluded that most of the ALL patients are sensitive to ionizing radiation and therefore should be protected from unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using ionizing radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Co x Sn1 − x alloy nanowires (0.45< x <0.97) were formed with increasing the off-time between 0–200ms. [•] 3wt.% Sn added to Co nanowires increased almost two times coercivity increment. [•] Increasing off-time increased Sn content of nanowires deposited in a single bath. [•] Increasing off-time reduced coercivity and magnetization of as-deposited samples. [•] Recrystallization of annealed Co led to significant increase in coercivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Varicocele is among the most common problems which may lead to male infertility. Spermatogenesis is impaired as a consequence of this vascular defect, through mechanisms that are not well described. The present study aimed to evaluate serum hormonal level (inhibin B, FSH and testosterone) and seminal plasma participants were randomly allocated into four experimental groups. Materials and Methods: Our randomization schedule was; zinc sulfate/folic acid (ZF), folic acid (FA), zincs sulfate (ZS), and placebo (PL). The patients underwent varicocelectomy, before which a blood and semen sample was obtained and also three and six months after varicocelectomy for evaluation of blood hormonal level (FSH, testosterone, inhibin b) and seminal oxidative stress status (Nitric Oxide, SOD, TAC). Patients in different groups took orally one capsule per day after dinner following varicocelectomy for 6 month. Results: A significant rise in peripheral blood inhibin B and seminal plasma (SOD) activity was detected in ZF group after 6 month. Conclusion: The present clinical trial indicates change in hormonal status of varicocelectomized patients following long term administration of zinc sulfate and folic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]