Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase as a Catalytic Bioscavenger47748269236ENHossein AllahyariApplied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAli Mohammad LatifiApplied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-8952-5174Journal Article20160916Organophosphorus chemicals, used as pesticides and warfare nerve agent, are highly toxic compounds that inhibit acetylcholine esterase enzyme rapidly. A novel effective treatment for nerve gas poising is using of hydrolytic enzymes to <br /> degradation of these agents. Diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase (DFPase) from <em>Loligo vulgaris</em> is highly stable and robust biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of various chemical warfare agents such as sarin, soman, tabun. Unfortunately, wild-type DFPase prefers less toxic isomers of these agents leading to slower detoxification. Also, due to non-human origin of the enzyme, immunological reactions occur when it is injected into body. In order to using DFPase as in vivo detoxifying agent, some manipulations to augment of its efficiency and to decrease of immunogenic problems are needed. Modifications such as PEGylation is one of the possible solutions to conquer these problems. Engineering of the enzyme for creating of new efficient variants is an interesting research field which leads to occurrence of novel and prominent bioscavenger, and delivery of these functional molecules to circulation in order to enzymatic hydrolysis of toxic agents would be the final object of research efforts.Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Spirulina: A Source of Gamma-linoleic Acid and Its Applications48348869237ENAli ChoopaniDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biologic Science, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, IranApplied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranMozhgan PoorsoltanDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biologic Science, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, IranMohammad FazilatiDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biologic Science, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, IranAli Mohammad LatifiApplied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-8952-5174Hossain SalavatiDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biologic Science, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20160916<span>The human body needs essential nutrients in order to function, grow, and stay healthy. Our bodies cannot make these nutrients, so get them from our diet. On the other hand, some diet-related diseases can be caused by certain improper food ingredients and body inability of absorbing them. Then the idea of purifying beneficial ingredients formed. Poly-unsaturated fatty acid such as gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) is a group of essential fatty acids particularly favorable for its application in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. GLA plays significant roles in improving human body functions. It has gained its importance in the last four decades for having a positive effect on the most of the chronic diseases of modern society, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, etc. Then, it has been used as a dietary supplement for the treatment of various health problems and have inflammatory component. One of the richest sources of GLA is a kind of microalgae; <em>Spirulina</em>. <em>Spirulina</em> is a blue-green alga primarily originated from two species of cyanobacteria and is believed to be the first form of plant life on the earth. This article reviews GLA applications and properties; favorable conditions for increasing its amount within <em>Spirulina</em>; and how to extract it from the algae.</span>Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Antioxidants of Calamintha officinalis Moench Extracts48949469239ENFatemeh Shams MoattarDepartment of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranReyhaneh SaririDepartment of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch, Lahijan, Iranpanteaparham1394Parichehr YaghmaeeDepartment of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranMasoud GiahiDepartment of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch, Lahijan, IranJournal Article20160916<em>Calamintha officinalis</em> (COM) is a genus of aromatic herbs, native in north of Iran. Partial purification of aqueous extract from COM was done using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis. The total protein content was determined at various purification stages. The highest amount of protein of the extract was found in fraction obtained in 20-40% saturation range. Specific activities of three antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were also determined and compared in each stage. The highest activity of peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase was in fractions 60-80%, 20-40%, and 20-40% respectively. The non-enzymatic antioxidants were evaluated by two different <br /> methods i.e. free radical scavenging activity using DPPH and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the ferric thiocyanate method. It was found that radical scavenging power of COM methanolic extract was 43.99. Furthermore, the inhibition of li<br /> pid peroxidation of the extract was decreased every 24 h. Thus, our findings suggested that <em>C. officinalis</em> possess potent antioxidant defense machinery both enzymatic and non enzymatic.Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Effect of Light Spectrum and Intensity on Growth of Grape (Vitis vinifera) Under In Vitro Conditions49549969241ENFarshad FallahAgronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Razi University, Kermanshah, IranDanial KahriziAgronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran0000-0002-1717-6075Journal Article20160916Grape (<em>Vitis vinifera</em>) is the most important garden crop all over the world. Multiplication and breeding of most important garden and crop plants is based on the cell and tissue culture. Beside the medium composition, the incubation conditions also require to be optimized, too. Important factors in physical environmental of culture are including light, temperature and gas exchanging. The light plays a key role in the range of plant growth activation and is used as a source of energy in the photosynthesis process. Then it must be optimized for the most plant performance. In this study auxiliary buds of grape <em>cv</em>. Crimson Seedless have been grown in treatment of red (622-780 nm), blue (455-492 nm) and visible light (400-700 nm) with two intensity of 5000 and 2500 lux. The fastest growth of axillary bud is referred to the range of the red and visible light with 2500 lux (46.77 hour) and the most axillary bud growth was observed in the range of red light (65.77 mm). In the blue light the developed axis was the strongest. The rate of axillary bud photosynthesis in intensity 5000 lux (38.33 mm) achieved to the level of light saturation, and then dynamic light inhibitions )photoinhibition) and chronic were observed in this treatment.Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Molecular Diagnosis of Clinically Isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains by PCR-ELISA50150569242ENFatemeh TayebehApplied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Biology, Damghan Azad University, Damghan, IranJafar AmaniApplied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-5155-4738Shahram NazarianImam Hossain University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-4693-877XMehdi MoradyarDepartment of Biology, Damghan Azad University, Damghan, IranSeyed Ali MirhosseiniApplied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20160916<em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> is the most important infectious bacteria in Enterobacteriaceae family and the most common bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) after <em>Escherichia coli</em>. Therefore, accurate and rapid identification of this bacterium in hospital infection is very important.In this study, PCR-ELISA method was used for detecting <em>Klebsiella pneumonia </em>clinical strains. For this purpose, 16S rDNA gene based specific primers were designed and the DIG-labeled PCR products were bound to streptoavidin-coated wells of a microtiter plate and detected by anti-DIG–peroxidase conjugate. Biotin-labeled DNA probe specific for 16S rDNA gene was used in PCR-ELISA.Sensitivity and specificity of PCR-ELISA method were determined by using Enterobacteria strains. 16S rDNA of <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> was amplified using gene specific primers resulted in a fragment of the 260 bp. The results of PCR-ELISA showed that this technique does not cross-react with the bacteria in their families as well as the sensitivity of 6.0 ng were evaluated.PCR-ELISA is known as an accurate and rapid method for detection of the infectious agents and therefore can be used as a suitable substitute for all the above aspects because it is quite a sensitive, specific, and rapid method for detection of the<em> Klebsiella pneumoniae </em>strains.Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Isolation and Identification of a Keratinolytic Bacillus cereus and Optimization of Keratinase Production50751269244ENFathollah AhmadpourNational Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran, TehranBagher YakhchaliNational Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran, TehranMasoumeh Sadat MusaviNational Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran, TehranJournal Article20160916A keratin-degrading bacterium was selected from a bacterial collection of the Najm Biotech Company. Molecular identification indicated that the bacterium is a strain of <em>Bacillus cereus</em>, which can grow and produce keratinase in basal medium containing feather as sole source of carbon and energy. The physicochemical condition (pH, temperature, incubation time, feather concentration) of keratinase production of the isolated <em>B.cereus strain</em> was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A maximum keratinase production of 350 U/ml was achieved in 96 h under optimized conditions.Baqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesJournal of Applied Biotechnology Reports2322-11863420161201Molecular Epidemiology and Drug Resistance Study of Entamoeba histolytica in Clinical Isolates from Tehran, Iran51351769247ENArash HemmatiDepartment of Microbiology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, IranAli ChoopaniApplied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Biology, Payamnoor University, Tehran, IranFatemeh PouraliMolecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSeyed Mohammad Javad HosseiniMolecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20160916Amoebiasis is a disease caused by <em>Entamoeba histolytica</em>, a protozoan parasite. Metronidazole is known as the main drug used for patients suffering from Amoebiasis. Despite the lack of drug resistance in clinical samples, there are scattered reports that are based on the failure of treatment which show the increase of clinical drug resistance against metronidazole. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify <em>E. histolytica</em> by culture and polymerase chain reaction methods, compare them, and assess drug resistance among clinical samples to <em>E. histolytica</em>. A total of 1990 samples were collected from patients with dysentery. Positive microscopic samples after staining by lugol’s iodine were cultured on biphasic culture medium (HSre+s). The drug sensitivity of clinical isolates and standard reference strain of <em>E. histolytica</em> (HM1:IMSS) was evaluated after exposure to various concentrations of metronidazole on the basis of mobility and tonality using 0.01% Eosin. A PCR method was applied to confirm the cultural results. Forty six out of 19990 samples and 41 out of 46 samples were positive for <em>E. histolytica</em> by microscopic and cultural methods, respectively. However, only 15 out of 46 samples were positive by PCR amplification using specific primers of <em>E. histolytica</em> genome. According to the results of <em>Entamoeba</em> growing in the cultures with difference metronidazole concentrations, no resistance was observed at the concentrations higher than 2 mg/ml. The present results indicate the high specificity of the molecular techniques against culture in specific mediums. It also suggests <em>Entamoeba</em> isolates in Iran does not seem resistant to the metronidazole antibiotic.