Antibacterial Activity and Probiotic Potential of Lactobacillus plantarum HKN01: A New Insight into the Morphological Changes of Antibacterial Compound-Treated Escherichia coli by Electron Microscopy

( Sharafi hakimeh ),( Hadi Maleki ),( Gholamreza Ahmadian ),( Hossein Shahbani Zahiri ),( Neda Sajedinejad ),( Behzad Houshmand ),( Hojatollah Vali ),( Kambiz Akbari Noghabi ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.2

Among several bacteria examined, an antibacterial-producing Lactobacillus strain with probiotic characteristics was selected and identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Subsequent purification and mode of action of the antibacterial compounds on target cells including E. coli were investigated. Maximum production of the antibacterial compound was recorded at 18 h incubation at 30oC. Interestingly, antibacterial activity remained unchanged after heating at 121oC for 45 min, 24 h storage in temperature range of 70oC to room temperature, and 15 min exposure to UV light, and it was stable in the pH of range 2-10. The active compounds were inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, indicating their proteinaceous nature, and, therefore, referred to as bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances. Isolation and partial purification of the effective agent was done by performing ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of the GFC-purified active compound (~3 kDa) was determined by Tris-Tricine SDS-PAGE. To predict the mechanisms of action, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of ultrathin sections of E. coli before and after antibacterial treatment was carried out. TEM analysis of antibacterial compounds-treated E. coli demonstrated that the completely altered bacteria appear much darker compared with the less altered bacteria, suggesting a change in the cytoplasmic composition. There were also some membrane-bound convoluted structures visible within the completely altered bacteria, which could be attributed to the response of the E. coli to the treatment with the antibacterial compound. According to the in vivo experiments oral administration of L. plantarum HKN01 resulted in recovery of infected BALB/c mice with Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium.

Effectiveness of different methods of zinc application to increase grain micronutrients of rainfed wheat under reduced nitrogen application rate

Sharafi Saeed 한국작물학회 2023 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.26 No.3

Nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) play a crucial role in determining and improving the quantitative and qualitative yields of the crops. On the other hand, high mobility of N and its role in the pollution of environment and groundwater resources have caused many problems. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate the efect of diferent methods of application of Zn on crop yield, protein content, and micronutrient concentrations (Zn, Fe and Mn) in rainfed wheat grain under reduced soil N fertilizer supply. The experiment was conducted using the factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications (2017–2020). The application treatments of N were considered as N0, N30, N60, and N90 kg ha−1 from the urea source and Zn application treatments include Zn0, Zn10, Zn20, Znfo, Zn10-Znfo, and Zn20-Znfo kg ha−1 from the Zn sulfate. The results revealed that the efect of N and Zn consumptions on grain yield and total dry matter (TDM) were signifcant at the level of 1%. The highest grain yield and TDM (3435.3 and 7161.8 kg ha−1) were obtained from N30-Znfo treatment. Also, the highest protein content related to N60Zn20 was equal to 13.4 percent. Grain Zn bioavailability increased with decreasing the soil N rates, but decreased after foliar application of Zn fertilizers. Foliar application signifcantly increased phytic acid (PA), Fe and Mn concentrations in grain, and the amounts of these increases were greater when Znfo was lonely applied or N30-Znfo and N60-Znfo was used. It was concluded that with Znfo application in rainfed wheat cultivation, the N fertilizer supply was reduced by 50%. Therefore, under this condition, the use of N60 is recommended.

Effect of Fe, Zn and Cu on quantity and quality characteristics and nutrient accumulation in wheat

Saeed Sharafi,Fatemeh Sharifdost,Fatemeh Mohajeri 한국작물학회 2021 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.24 No.4

Wheat is the most important food on earth. Therefore, to produce high-quality products with efcient utilization, the micronutrient groups are needed. This investigation was conducted to determine the efects of soil and foliar application of Fe, Zn, and Cu on the quantity and quality characteristics and nutrient accumulation in wheat. Experimental treatments were made to a control, Fe, Zn, Cu, FeZn, FeCu, ZnCu, and FeZnCu in two groups (soil application and foliar application), carried out as a completely randomized block design in four replications at Arak University in Iran. Amounts of soil application of those elements were: 5 kg h−1 Sequstrine 138 Fe, 20 kg h−1 ZnSO4, and 10 kg h−1 CuSO4. Foliar application was the concentration of 2 per thousand in stages of tilling and stem elongation. According to the results, grain yield, dry matter, the concentration of Fe, Zn and Cu, protein percent, wet gluten, gluten index, bread volume, hardness index and water absorbtion traits were signifcant (P<0.01). Our researchers ensured that treatments showed higher groups compared to the control of Fe and FeZn in the soil application (14.57% and 12.23%, respectively) and FeZnCu in the foliar application (7.82%) for grain yield, and treatments of Fe and FeZn in soil application (16.28% and 13.99%, respectively), and FeZnCu in the foliar application (9.67%) for dry matter. The soil application of Cu had the highest efect on protein percentage (15.43%), wet gluten (43.24%), bread volume (556.09%), hardness index (51.01%), and water absorbtions (68.02) of wheat. The highest coefcient of variation belonged to wet gluten and gluten index, which would be employed in the wheat bread breeding program to improve the baking quality characteristics in breeding materials.

In Search of Engineered Prokaryotic Chlorophyllases: A Bioinformatics Approach

Ebrahim Sharafi,Jamshid Farmani,Ali Pakdin Parizi,Ali Dehestani 한국생물공학회 2018 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.23 No.5

Chlorophyllase (Chlase) is considered as the first and most important enzyme in chlorophyll degradation pathway. Although there is abundant information regarding plant Chlases and their biological functions, comparatively little is known about their prokaryotic counterparts. In the present study, we employed several bioinformatics tools to assess the phylogenetic relationships in bacterial and cyanobacterial Chlases as well as predicting their molecular and physicochemical properties. The phylogenetic tree analysis classified the bacterial and cyanobacterial chlorophyllases into three distinct clades. All bacterial and cyanobacterial chlorophyllases possessed at least one alpha/ beta hydrolase family domain (pfam12695). Cyanobacterial chlorophyllases pI analysis indicated that they generally have acidic pH, while the pI of bacterial chlorophyllases ranged from acidic (4.58) to highly basic (10.78). Cyanobacterial chlorophyllases generally contained 1 disulfide bond, while bacterial chlorophyllases averagely contained 3 disulfide bonds. Interestingly, while cyanobacterial chlorophyllases contained one or two N-glycosylation sites, bacterial chlorophyllases contained higher numbers of N-glycosylation sites (6 and 7). The findings of the present study would be useful in paving the road for sophisticated engineering of prokaryotic chlorophyllases for biotechnological applications. It was also exhibited that catalytic triad (serine, glutamate or aspartate and histidine) is a critical factor for chlorophyllase activity.

Evaluation of the accuracy of linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs taken at different positions

Nikneshan, Sima,Sharafi, Mohamad,Emadi, Naghmeh Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2013 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.43 No.3

Purpose: This study assessed the accuracy of linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs taken at different positions in vitro. Materials and Methods: Two acrylic models were fabricated from a cast with normal occlusion. Straight and $75^{\circ}$ mesially and lingually angulated pins were placed, and standardized panoramic radiographs were taken at standard position, at an $8^{\circ}$ downward tilt of the occlusal plane compared to the standard position, at an $8^{\circ}$ upward tilt of the anterior occlusal plane, and at a $10^{\circ}$ downward tilt of the right and left sides of the model. On the radiographs, the length of the pins above (crown) and below (root) the occlusal plane, total pin length, crown-to-root ratio, and angulation of pins relative to the occlusal plane were calculated. The data were subjected to repeated measures ANOVA and LSD multiple comparisons tests. Results: Significant differences were noted between the radiographic measurements and true values in different positions on both models with linear (P<0.001) and those with angulated pins (P<0.005). No statistically significant differences were observed between the angular measurements and baselines of the natural head posture at different positions for the linear and angulated pins. Conclusion: Angular measurements on panoramic radiographs were sufficiently accurate and changes in the position of the occlusal plane equal to or less than $10^{\circ}$ had no significant effect on them. Some variations could exist in the pin positioning (head positioning), and they were tolerable while taking panoramic radiographs. Linear measurements showed the least errors in the standard position and $8^{\circ}$ upward tilt of the anterior part of the occlusal plane compared to other positions.

Evaluation of the accuracy of linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs taken at different positions

Sima Nikneshan,Mohamad Sharafi,Naghmeh Emadi 대한영상치의학회 2013 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.43 No.3

Purpose: This study assessed the accuracy of linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs taken at different positions in vitro. Materials and Methods: Two acrylic models were fabricated from a cast with normal occlusion. Straight and 75 mesially and lingually angulated pins were placed, and standardized panoramic radiographs were taken at standard position, at an 8downward tilt of the occlusal plane compared to the standard position, at an 8upward tilt of the anterior occlusal plane, and at a 10downward tilt of the right and left sides of the model. On the radiographs, the length of the pins above (crown) and below (root) the occlusal plane, total pin length, crown-to-root ratio, and angulation of pins relative to the occlusal plane were calculated. The data were subjected to repeated measures ANOVA and LSD multiple comparisons tests. Results: Significant differences were noted between the radiographic measurements and true values in different positions on both models with linear (P⁄0.001) and those with angulated pins (P⁄0.005). No statistically significant differences were observed between the angular measurements and baselines of the natural head posture at different positions for the linear and angulated pins. Conclusion: Angular measurements on panoramic radiographs were sufficiently accurate and changes in the position of the occlusal plane equal to or less than 10had no significant effect on them. Some variations could exist in the pin positioning (head positioning), and they were tolerable while taking panoramic radiographs. Linear measurements showed the least errors in the standard position and 8upward tilt of the anterior part of the occlusal plane compared to other positions.

A semi-analytical mesh-free method for 3D free vibration analysis of bi-directional FGP circular structures subjected to temperature variation

Mahnaz Shamshirsaz,Shahin Sharafi,Javad Rahmatian,Sajad Rahmatian,Naserodin Sepehry 국제구조공학회 2020 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.73 No.4

In this present paper, a semi-analytical mesh-free method is employed for the three-dimensional free vibration analysis of a bi-directional functionally graded piezoelectric circular structure. The dependent variables have been expanded by Fourier series with respect to the circumferential direction and have been discretized through radial and axial directions based on the mesh-free shape function. The current approach has a distinct advantage. The nonlinear Green-Lagrange strain is employed as the relationship between strain and displacement fields to observe thermal impacts in stiffness matrices. Nevertheless, high order terms have been neglected at the final steps of equations driving. The material properties are assumed to vary continuously in both radial and axial directions simultaneously in accordance with a power law distribution. The convergence and validation studies are conducted by comparing our proposed solution with available published results to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of our approach. After the validation study, a parametric study is undertaken to investigate the temperature effects, different types of polarization, mechanical and electric boundary conditions and geometry parameters of structures on the natural frequencies of functionally graded piezoelectric circular structures.

Half-Saline Versus Normal-Saline as Irrigation Solutions in Burr Hole Craniostomy to Treat Chronic Subdural Hematomata: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Mehdi Mahmoodkhani,Mohammad Sharafi,Arman Sourani,Donya Sheibani Tehrani 대한신경손상학회 2022 Korean Journal of Neurotrauma Vol.18 No.2

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of half-saline (HS) serum as an irrigation solution in chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) surgery using the burr hole craniostomy (BHC) technique. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in university hospital referral centers from 2020 to 2021. Sixty-three patients with CSDH eligible for BHC were primarily enrolled. Two patients were excluded because of concurrent stroke. Sixty-one patients were randomly allocated into case (HS=30) and control (normal-saline [NS]=31) groups. HS was used to irrigate the hematoma in the case group and NS was used in the control group. The patients were followed-up. Clinical variables including demographic and medical findings, postoperative computed tomography findings, postoperative complications, hospitalization period, recurrence rate, and functional status measured by the Barthel type B index were recorded. Results: Forty-six of 61 patients were male (75.4%), and the patients’ mean age was 65.4±16.9 years, with equal distribution between the 2 groups. Postoperative effusion and postoperative hospital stay duration were significantly lower in the HS group than in the NS group (p=0.002 and 0.033, respectively). The postoperative recurrence within 3 months in both groups was approximately equal (6.6%). In terms of functional outcomes and postoperative complications, HS showed similar results to those of NS. Conclusion: HS as an irrigation fluid in BHC effectively reduced postoperative effusion and hospital stay duration without considerable complications.

Cadmium biosorption by a glyphosate-degrading bacterium, a novel biosorbent isolated from pesticide-contaminated agricultural soils

Elnaz Khadivinia,Hakimeh Sharafi,Faranak Hadi,Hossein Shahbani Zahiri,Sima Modiri,Azadeh Tohidi,Amir Mousavi,Ali Hatef Salmanian,Kambiz Akbari Noghabi 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.6

In this study, biosorption of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solutions by a glyphosate degradingbacterium, Ochrobactrum sp. GDOS, was investigated in batch conditions. The isolate was able to utilize3 mM GP as the sole phosphorous source, favorable to bacterium growth and survival. The effect ofdifferent basic parameters such as initial pH, contact time, initial concentrations of cadmium ion andtemperature on cadmium uptake was evaluated. The adsorption process for Cd (II) is well fitted withLangmuir adsorption isotherm. Experimental data were also tested in terms of biosorption kinetics usingpseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kineticmodels. Maximummetal uptake qmax was obtainedas 83.33 mg g1. The sorption process of cadmium onto the Ochrobactrum sp. GDOS biomass followedsecond-order rate kinetic (R2 = 0.9986). A high desorption efficiency was obtained in pH 2. Reusability ofthe biomass was examined under successive biosorption–desorption cycle repeated thrice. Thecharacteristics of the possible interactions between biosorbent and metal ions were also evaluated byscanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction analysis.

A Kinetic Investigation of Ethanol Oxidation on a Nickel Oxyhydroxide Electrode

Danaee, I.,Jafarian, M.,Sharafi, M.,Gobal, F. The Korean Electrochemical Society 2012 Journal of electrochemical science and technology Vol.3 No.1

Nickel modified NiOOH electrodes were used for the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol in alkaline solutions where the methods of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) were employed. In CV studies, in the presence of ethanol, an increase in the current for the oxidation of nickel hydroxide is followed by a decrease in the corresponding cathodic current. This suggests that the oxidation of ethanol is being catalysed through mediated electron transfer across the nickel hydroxide layer comprising of nickel ions of various valence states. Under the CA regime the reaction followed a Cottrellian behavior and the diffusion coefficient of ethanol was found to be $1{\times}10^7cm^2s^{-1}$.