NEW CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
Year:2014 | Volume:4 | Issue:13|Papers Count:16

Macroscopic dimensions of the gold are yellow, shiny and a noble metal; however, when the size of the gold particles in the nanometer range (less than nm50) is reduced its properties are changed. There are various methods to prepare nanoparticles in order to produce special characteristics. These GNPs are generally prepared by NaBH4 or citrate reduction of HAuCl4 in the presence of a stabilizer (e.g. small organic molecules, polymers and bio-macromolecules) containing at least one -NH2 or -SH group in a nonpolar medium. Activity at low temperatures is unique property of gold nanoparticles (room temperature and below), that can significantly reduce the operating costs of chemical units and the selectivity of the reaction rises, too. Also, controlling pollution, such as clean air, respirator mask and purification of the hydrogen fuel cells are used. Peptides conjugated to the gold nanoparticles can be utilized to detect the direction in which the cells are a useful and important technique for cellular images, drug delivery and bimolecular recognition.

Aim and Background: Nocardia as one of the most important genera of aerobic actinomycetes, soil dwellers in some cases, causes dangerous and lethal infections in susceptible patients, especially patients with various immune deficiencies. A number of species belonging to Nocardia can cause chronic pulmonary infections. In this study, Nocardiosis in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in patients who were negative for culture and microscopic slides were examined.Materials and methods: 90 patients suspected of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with negative sputum re-provision and Nocardia, isolated as pathogens were studied. Paraffin baiting technique and blood agar culture was used for isolation of Nocardia isolates. Clinical Isolates were tested by microbiological phenotypic methods for identificationResults: Six clinical isolates of Nocardia from Tuberculosis patients with negative cultures and smears were isolated.Conclusion: In patients with suspected tuberculosis, detected by culture and negative microscopic, Nocardia as the cause of chronic lung disease can be important and should be considered.

Aim and Background: Thymus is one of the largest and the most famous genus of Lamiacae. Thymus species are commonly used as herbal tea, condiment, spice and medicinal plants. T. Pubescens mostly can grow in north and west of Iran. Characterization of plants using molecular markers is an ideal approach for improvement and conservation of plant genetic resources.Materials and methods: A total number of 12 accessions, collected from different localities of Iran, were screened with 30 random primers to evaluate polymorphism. DNA extraction was carried out using Khanoja method with modification. Genetic similarity was estimated using the Jaccard coefficient and dendrogram was constructed using the UPGMA method.Results: The selected 27 primers generated 360 bands, 273 of which were polymorphic. Each primer produced an average 13.33 bands per primer, of which 10.11 were polymorphic. The average of polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.35. Cluster analysis of data using UPGMA algorithm placed the 12 accessions into three main clusters and the principal component analysis placed the 12 accessions into three groups.Conclusion: Our results indicated that RAPD method is sufficiently informative and powerful to estimate the genetic diversity in T. Pubescens populations. In addition, RAPD profile showed well discrimination of thymus accessions according to their geographical dispersion.

Aim and Background: Annually, breast cancer takes the life of thousands of people. Nowadays, nanotechnology is the major topics of scientific societies in targeted pharmacy field. The nanotechnology helps control time, position and velocity of drug release. Hydroxyurea is used as medicine in breast cancer treatment, although it has side effects. Because of this, in order to reduce side effects, increase the efficiency and comfort patients the nano drug delivery is used.Materials and methods: Certain ratios of Phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and polyethylene glycol 2000 were synthesized and then the hydroxyurea drug was added. The mean diameter of pegylated nanoliposomal hydroxyurea was measured with the Zeta sizer device. Encapsulation efficiency and the pattern of drug release from pegylated nanoliposomes have been studied using spectrophotometry and dialysis methods. The cytotoxicity effect of the nanoliposomal drug was also measured by the MTT assay.Results: The mean diameter of pegylated nanoliposomal hydroxyurea was estimated 338.2 nanometers. Its encapsulation efficiency was 64.212±0.173 percent. The pattern of drug release from pegylated nanoliposomal drug within 28 hours was 25.85%. Results of this investigation also showed that the cytotoxic property of pegylated nanoliposomal hydroxyurea was 38.93% more than standard hydroxyurea.Conclusion: Polyethylene glycol demonstrated the increasing solubility of drug and in turn its better contact with the target cells.

Aim and Background: Aloe vera belongs to the family Liliaaceae. It is a perennial or seldom annual plant of 70 to 90 cm high. This plant is popular in Southern Africa, Madagascar and Arab regions. The local species usually grow in the southern parts of IRAN, such as Bushehr, Hormozgan and Balochestan provinces. Some of the ornamental species are widely used in Europe and America in decorated leaf gardens, parks and houses. The gel in the leaves of the medicinal properties of the plant is used in preparing medicines. Despite the wide usage, comprehensive study has to be done on this plant in Iran.Materials and methods: In this research 10 populations of Aloe vera belonging to Aloe genus were collected from different locations of Iran and studied using root apex meristem. Also, the number and dimensions of chromosomes in the mitosis division were measured, and determined karyotypic formula for any population.Results: The number of genome was 7 and kind of chromosome was metacentric and sub-telocentric. The most and lowest mean of chromosome length belongs to Aloe littoralis population (12.72 micron) and Aloe vera (10.42 micron) population, respectively. The populations were compared using Stebbins method based on karyotype. Aloe vera populations lied in 1A class and other populations in 2A class. The karyotypic formula of Aloe vera and Aloe littoralis was determined as 6Sm+8st and 4Sm+10St, respectively.Conclusion: Cytological samples showed minor differences in this sample compared to other samples.

Aim and Background: To investigate the effects of nano-titanium dioxide on developmental stages of fore limb bud, in vitro method was applied.Materials and methods: In this method, the fore limb bud was amputated from mouse embryos on day 11.5 of gestation and incubated by the grid technique in DMEM medium in the phase between the liquid (medium) and air at the temperature of 37±0.1 centigrade degree for one day. Three test groups of limb buds including control, sham and experimental groups were investigated. The sham group was incubated without nano titanium dioxide and the experimental limb buds were affected by nano titanium dioxide (10 nm particle diameter) in vitro.Results: The microscopic examination showed that in the experimental group finger rays were forming. These observations showed the significant changes in the experimental fore limb bud as compared with the sham and control groups. There was a significant increase (P<0.001, P<0.05) in the number of chondrocytes and dead cells in palm, wrist and fingers and significant decrease (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.001) in arm length, total length of limb bud and in the number of mesenchymal cells of arm region.Conclusion: These findings showed the effect of nano-titanium dioxide on the development of limb bud in the condition of in vitro.

Aim and Background: Ageing may result in increase of oxidative stress that in turn might lead to the damage of brain processes including cognitive functions. Since Hypericum extract have decreasing effect on the stress, its effect on passive avoidance learning of restrained male wistar rats was examined.Materials and methods: Twenty-four male wistar rats, each weighing about 250-300 g were divided into four groups, control, immobility stress , immobility stress + Hypericum extract (animals administered with 350 mg/kg/day of Hypericum extract) and Hypericum extract group. All the groups had free access to water and food with no limitation. Hypericum extract was administrated orally as soluted in water each day for one week. The passive avoidance learning test was done in the shuttle box device following intending treatments for all groups and in similar conditions. In this test, increased time delay for the first time of entry to the dark chamber considered as improved passive avoidance learning. The data were then analyzed by SPSS software and one-way ANOVA followed by the Tuckey test.Results: Compared to the control group, passive avoidance indices were increased significantly. In other words, mean Step Through Latency (STL) of H. perforatum + stress group was 207 seconds and higher than that of stress only group (150 seconds) significantly (p<.001). The maximum acceptable for STL was considered as 300 seconds.Conclusion: Our results indicated that administered Hypericum extract could increase passive avoidance learning indices in rats in the model of immobility stress of male wistar rats.

Aim and Background: Aim and Background: Milk thistle (Silybum marianu L.) is an annual or biennial plant belonging to Asterales and the family Asteraceae. It spreads throughout Southern and West Europe, Southern Australia, United States, and Mediterranean. Milk thistle as an important medicinal plant employed to treat liver disease and kidney ailments. Literature review shows that there are a few studies carried out for cytological investigating by Iranian as well as other researchers.Materials and methods: After seeds germination, root tips with the length of 2 to 3 mm were separated and pretreated with 8-hydroxy-quinulin, then stained by aceto-iron-hematoxilin. The number of chromosomes, chromosome length, short and long arm length, ratio of long to short arm were subsequently measured. In addition, some statistical parameters were calculated to measure the symmetry of karyotype and based on these parameters, most symmetrical and asymmetrical karyotype were identified.Results: Analysis of variance showed that significant differences between ecotypes, chromosomes and ecotype × chromosome interaction (p<0.05). All ecotypes were diploid and the basal chromosome number was 17 (x=17). In ecotype karyotypes, some pairs of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes and only one pair of chromosomes with the satellite were observed.Conclusion: In most studies on ecotypes, TF was between 39 and 42 and the number of metacentric chromosomes located between 10, 14 out of 17 were in fact varied. Thus, it can be concluded, Silybum marianum (L.) is one of the less-karyological variability species.

Aim and Background: Teucrium polium L. belongs to the genus of Teucrium and Labiatae family. It has been used in folk medicine to treat some diseases. The aim of this research was investigation of some effective ecological factors on the essential oils of Teucrium polium in different habitats.Materials and methods: The flowering aerial parts of Teucrium polium were collected, dried and obtained from 9 habitats in Mazandaran province. The habitats were subsequently named G1-G9 that included 3 classified heights. The essential oils of this plant were then analyzed by GC and GC-MS apparatus. This investigation was carried out based on a complete randomized block design with 3 replications using SPSS statistic software.Results: There was a significant correlation between height, heat and moisture with α-Pinene, b-Pinene, Limonene, a-Copaene and the yield of the essence. The rain had a significant correlation with Sabinene. Among the elements of the soil there was only a significant correlation between the electrical conduction with a-Pinene, Limonene and E- b-Farnesene. Moreover, a significant link was observed between the solution of Sodium and Magnesium of the soil with Limonene.Conclusion: The lowest classified height was known as the best habitat due to the quality of essence.

Aim and Background: Carotenoids are one of the most abundant pigments in nature and an essential compound of photosynthesis apparatus. In addition, carotenoids play a significant role in human and animal diet, because they are precursors for vitamin A and act as antioxidants. Thus, increasing carotenoid levels in plants, especially cereals as the main food for human and animals, could have a dramatic impact on improving plant yield and nutritional value. Among several enzymes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, PSY has been known as a key enzyme. So far, three PSY genes have been identified in maize; however, all related enzymes do not show similar activity in all tissues. Considering existing of three PSY genes, whether over-expression of this enzyme can still increase carotenoid biosynthesis levels in maize, is largely unknown.Materials and methods: Tissue culture and transformation was carried out using the method developed by Ahmadabadi et al. (1). Total DNA was extracted from maize leaves according to Doyle & Doyle method (5). To confirm transgene presence in regenerated transgenic plants, PCR reaction was performed using specific primers. Pigment content of transgenic plants was analyzed by HPLC method.Results: In this study, through expression of a foreign PSY gene in maize, we showed that maize include a high potential to increase carotenoid levels via over-expression of PSY, and thus, the PSY gene is a rate-limiting enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in maize. It should be mentioned that transgenic plants were similar to wild-type plants in terms of growth, development and yield, while the general carotenoid levels was significantly increased. In particle, the level of beta-carotene as a precursor of vitamin A was improved considerably.Conclusion: Our results show that maize has a high potential for increasing carotenoid levels, especially beta-carotene, that can have a significant role in maize breeding programs in order to improve its nutritional value without any negative effect on yield quantity.

Aim and Background: Investigation was carried out in the laboratory to find out the microbial dynamics and enzyme activities of amylase, protease, phosphatase and cellulase during rapid and conventional composting of municipal solid waste (MSW).Materials and methods: To survey maturity of composting process, application of microbial dynamic and enzyme was carried out. Various treatments such as aeration (A), addition of chemical agents (glucose (G) and acetic acid (AA) and application of cellulolytic microbial (M) inoculum (Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trichoderma reesei) were used to facilitate the decomposition of MSW.Results: The result of the present investigation revealed that the degradation of organic substrates was quick (within 9-12 days) in case of rapid composting as indicated by the reduction (below 20) in carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). This ration was used as maturity index of composting. Whereas, normal composting took more than 20 days to attain C/N ratio of below 20. Generation of selected enzyme (amylase, protease, and phosphatase and cellulase) is good indicator to specific degradation of unstable organic matter in municipal solid waste.Conclusion: According to this study, controlled composting of municipal solid waste was done rapidly in comparison with conventional composting systems. Methods of application of microbial dynamics and enzyme activity instead of conventional methods to determine the maturity of compost are stringent.

life of any animate beings. Almost of animate and living beings especially microorganisms are involved in to the biogeochemical transformation of this element. The aim of this study was to isolation of strains of bacteria with ability of biodegradation and selenite reduction from activated sludge and glass manufacture.Material and Methods: After evaluation of measure of resistance to sodium selenite by determination MIC, its reduction was charectrized by the colorimetric and atomic absorption spectrometry techniques. Identification of isolated strains was applied by 16SrRNA sequencing. Results: The obtained results showed that strains of Bacillus licheniformis isolated from glass manufacture were more resistant than Pesudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Ghetarie of wastewater and have been the ability of complete reduction of selenite to elemental selenium.Conclusion: The main characteristic of these resistance bacteria in bioremediation of selenite can help to cleaning of environmental pollutants from these oxoanions.

Aim and Background: Pcervical cancer, one of the most common female cancers, is the central cause of death in developing countries. Early detection of cervical cancer by Papanicolaou (Pap) smears prevents the abnormal changes of cervical cells and also, declines in death rates among different populations.Materials and methods: In the present study, responses from 100 women among those attending Parand and Robat-Karim health care centers were collected to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards Pap smear screening by evaluation of demographic profiles and statistical analyses.Results: Mean age of participants was 31.56. Aging and educational attainment were found to be significantly related to overall knowledge and attitude about Pap smear screening usage.Conclusion: Statistical analysis revealed that knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and Pap smear screening among participants were 50.9 and 38.8 respectively. We conclude that the level of awareness towards Pap smears in Parand and Robat-Karim women was relatively low.

Aim and Background: Nano carriers, amongst which liposomes have remarkable significance, have recently revolutionized the treatment of a large number of diseases one of which is known to be cancer. Artemisinin is one of the drugs used in cancer treatment, however, despite its effectiveness; it has some side effects which can be reduced by using liposomes.Materials and methods: In order to produce nanoliposomal artemisinin, particular proportions of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and artemisinin were mixed together. Afterward, the diameters of liposomes we determined by means of Zeta sizer system. The encapsulation efficiency was estimated through spectrophotometery method. The amount of released artemisinin from the formulation was measured by dialysis for 24 hours. Cytotoxicity amount of pegylated nanoliposomal artemisinin was measured by means of MTT assay.Results: The mean diameter of nanoliposomes was 455 nm. The encapsulation efficiency and the amount of released drug from artemisinin formulation and pegylated nanoliposomal formulation respectively were 5.3±62.91 and 17.5. The results show that the ratio of the IC50 of the prepared formulation to standard drug is a smaller amount.Conclusion: This study explains that the ratio of Cytotoxicity amount of this drug has been decreased compared to the standard drug, which can be achieved by nanoliposome preparation and pegylation of artemisinin.