jpans
Abstract : In Silico Comparison of Disulfide-Bearing and Disulfide-Free Phytasesamong Microorganisms
|
|
Abstract: Phytases are degrading enzymes that hydrolyze phytate (myo inositol hexa kis phosphate) to release a series of lower phosphate esters of myoinositol and orthophosphate. Phytase successfully used as an animal feed additive to increase the bioavailability of phosphate from phytic acid in the grain-based diets of poultry and swine. In order to investigate structural relationships between disulfide-bearing phytases and disulfide-free phytases, 9 phytases with resolved three-dimensional (3D) structure were retrieved as pdb and FASFA format from Protein Data Bank server and were analyzed using various tools and software. The results showed that 6 out of 9 phytases carry three or more disulfid bonds while the others lack any disulfide bonds. Our results also demonstrated that there is a remarkable correlation between the presence of disulfide bond and the number of amino acid in each phytase which means the larger enzymes contain three or more disulfide bonds whereas the enzymes containing less than 400 amino acids lack any disulfide bond. Additionally, in order to dig out the structure of phytases, some chemical and physical characteristics of phytases such as aliphatic index (AI), isoelectric pH (PI), amino acids percentage, molecular weights (MW) and 3D structure of phytases were analyzed. Results showed that phytases containing disulfide bonds have some identical characteristic including glycine percentage, AI, and 3D structure rather than disulfide-free phytases do. Moreover, evolutionary surveys by means of alignment studies and evaluations were conducted. Evolutionary analysis represented that phytases with disulfide bond most probably exhibited the same evolutionary course. Keywords: In silico analysis, phytase, disulfide bond, protein stability. |
Abstract : Metformin Reduces Oxidative Stress Status and Improves Plasma Insulin Level in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
|
|
Abstract: Background: Oxidative stress induced by hyperglycaemia plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic complications and metformin is commonly used in treating diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to investigate whether metformin at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day could ameliorate oxidative stress and improve plasma insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Twenty one rats (8-10 week old; weighing 190-220 g) were assigned into three groups (n=7 rats per group) i.e. non-DM, DM and DM+metformin (100 mg/kg/day metformin) groups. DM was induced using streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and treatments were given daily by oral gavage for four weeks. The levels of plasma biomarkers such as fasting blood glucose, oxidant-antioxidant markers and insulin levels were analysed. Results: Fasting blood glucose, malonyldehyde and protein carbonyls levels were significantly higher while insulin, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly lower in DM group compared to non-DM group. The levels of fasting blood glucose, malonyldehyde and protein carbonyls were significantly lower while levels of total antioxidant capacity, catalase and insulin were significantly higher in DM+metformin group compared to DM group. Conclusion: This study may suggest that metformin at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks reduces oxidative stress status and improves plasma insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats possibly through its antihyperglycaemic action. Keywords: Oxidative stress, rats, diabetes, metformin, insulin. |
Abstract : Biomedical Application of Carbon Nanotubes for Proteins Extraction and Seperation
|
|
Abstract: Measurement science and technology continue to play vital roles in biomedical research and in routine healthcare. Over recent decades there has been a steady evolution of sensors for biomedical measurement aimed at clinical care in hospitals, fundamental biomedical research in the laboratory, or even self-care in the home. The measurements of interest are diverse, ranging from pressure, force, flow and displacement to electrical field/charge, magnetic flux, and molecular species, such as gases, ions, proteins, bacteria, viruses, and DNA. In this review, we have studied several biomedical applications of nanotubes and nanowires for proteins measurements in cells. Also, These materials have a wide application as protein carriers and transporters. The wide applications of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the serious concerns about their safety on human health and environment have been studied. Keywords: Nanotubes, Proteins, Extraction, Seperation, biomedical application. |
Abstract : Prevalence of under Nutrition and Associated Factors among Khat Chewers in Khat Chewing Shops at Gulalle Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
|
|
Abstract: There is studies limitation regarding the effect of khat chewing on nutritional status. Community based comparative cross-sectional study had been conducted from March to June, 2015; with cluster sampling and systematic random sampling techniques for khat chewers and non-khat chewers respectively. The data was collected by using interview administered questionnaire, observation and weight scale measurement among 504 study participants.The study revealed that from entire khat chewers 52(20.5%) of them and of non-khat chewers 34(13.5%) of them were underweight. Khat chewers were 2.102 times more likely underweight compared to those non-khat chewers. khat chewers who had meal twice per day were 2.856 time more likely underweight. Khat chewers who used animal and animal products as their main meal component daily were 0.413 times less likely to be underweight; Whereas the odds of underweight was 26% times less likely among khat users who intake two liters of fluid per chewing session. In other case, those who chewed khat for 2-3 hours per session were 0.231 times less likely to be underweight.Under nutrition is a public nutritional status problem in which khat chewers are more affected. Khat chewing conditions and meal conditions including amount of fluid consumed per chewing session are factors that affect the nutritional status of the khat chewers. Minimizing amount of khat consumed per session, shortening of khat chewing session length and increasing amount of fluid intake more than two liters per chewing session and nutritional management with nutritionist advices are important points. Keywords: Khat, under nutrition, khat chewers, non-khat chewers, Gulelle sub-city. |
