Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The changes of iron and zinc concentrations in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits fed on high fat diet during the progression of atherosclerosis

Mohamed Anwar K. Abdelhalim

Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh-11451, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

Accepted 22 July, 2017

Abstract

High level of serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol is an important risk factor for the progression of atherosclerosis. The severity of atherosclerosis can be markedly influenced by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) overload or deficiency in aorta tissues of the rabbits. The changes of Fe and Zn in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits during the progression of atherosclerosis have not been well documented. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of Fe and Zn in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits fed on high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. The HFD group was fed a normal rabbit chow supplemented with 1.0% cholesterol plus 1.0% olive oil for a feeding period of 12 weeks. Fe and Zn concentrations were measured in two types of tissue from control and HFD rabbits using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The Fe concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in HFD rabbits (Mean ± SE; heart: 10.52 ± 1.04 and aorta: 3.01 ± 2.61; n = 25 specimens) compared with control rabbits (Mean ± SE; heart: 8.41 ± 0.01 and aorta: 2.25 ± 0.37; n = 20 specimens). The Fe concentration was increased with percentage normalized changes of 25.09% in heart and 33.78% in aortic tissues of HFD rabbits compared with control rabbits while the Zn concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with percentage normalized changes of 14.39% in heart and 18.37% in aortic tissues of HFD rabbits compared with control rabbits. AAS was used to elucidate the changes of Fe and Zn in heart and aortic tissues of HFD rabbits compared with control rabbits. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows; percentage normalized change of increase of Fe was 25.09% in heart tissue accompanied by percentage normalized change of decrease of Zn 14.39% in heart tissue while percentage normalized change of increase of Fe was 33.78% in heart tissue accompanied by percentage normalized change of decrease of Zn 18.37% in aortic tissue. This study suggests that the increase in Fe concentrations in heart and aortic tissues may accelerate atherosclerosis through the production of free radicals while the decrease in Zn concentrations may act as a protective factor against atherosclerosis perhaps by reducing lesion Fe content. These results suggest that the changes in Fe and Zn concentrations in heart and aortic tissues of rabbits are closely related to the progression of atherosclerosis.

Key words: High cholesterol diet, iron, zinc, atherosclerosis, heart and aortic tissues, atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Detection and identification of Campylobacter spp. from retail raw chicken, turkey, sheep and goat meat in Ahvaz, Iran

Ebrahim Rahimi¹*, Hamid Reza Kazemeini², Saman Safaei³, Karim Allahbakhshi³, Manouchehr Momeni⁴, Majid Riahi⁴

¹Department of Food Hygiene, College of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.

²Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.

³Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.

⁴Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.

Accepted 17 June, 2017

Abstract

Campylobacter species are common bacterial pathogens causing gastroenteritis in humans worldwide and the consumption of poultry meats is suspected to be the leading cause of this illness. This study was therefore conducted to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. from retail raw meats in Ahvaz, Iran. From July 2009 to February 2010, a total of 215 raw meat samples from chicken (n = 60), turkey (n = 50), sheep (n = 50) and goat (n = 45) were purchased from randomly selected retail outlets in Ahvaz, Iran and were evaluated for the presence of Campylobacter. Campylobacter spp. isolated from 60 of 215 meat samples (27.9%) examined. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was found in chicken meat (61.7%), followed by turkey meat (36.0%), sheep meat (6.0%) and goat meat (4.4%). The most prevalence Campylobacter species isolated from meat samples was Campylobacter jejuni (88.3%), the remaining isolates were Campylobacter coli (11.7%). All 60 Campylobacter strains identified as C. jejuni and C. coli were also positive by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significantly higher prevalence rates of Campylobacter spp. (P < 0.05) were found in the meat samples taken in summer (44.1%). Furthermore, to ensure food safety, poultry meats must be properly cooked before consuming.

Key words: Campylobacter, raw meat, chicken, turkey, sheep, goat.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and identification of polystyrene biodegrading bacteria from soil

Naima Atiq¹*, Safia Ahmed¹, M. Ishtiaq Ali¹, Saadia Andleeb¹, Bashir Ahmad¹ and Geoffery Robson²

¹Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.

²Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.

Accepted 8 June, 2017

Abstract

With the increased production of municipal solid waste by the disposal of plastic materials, there is a need to develop new biodegradable materials and biodegrade existing plastic materials in daily use. Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are commodity plastics that are extensively used in packaging and other applications. Six bacterial isolates were isolated from soil buried expanded polystyrene films showing adherence and growth with the polystyrene as a sole carbon source. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the film surface used for isolation showed extensive microbial growth. The preliminary screening of biodegradation capability was done by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for surface chemical changes and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) for analysis of biodegradation products. Bacterial isolates NA26, NB6, NB26 showed the production of biodegradation products in the extracellular media indicating biodegradation process.

Key words: Polystyrene, bacteria, biodegradation, soil burial, FTIR.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Review

Desiccation tolerance in cyanobacteria

Nidheesh Dadheech

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 6 July, 2017

Abstract

All abiotic stresses adversely affect growth and development of cells. Direct effect of these factors results into condensation of nucleoid, crowding of cytoplasmic components, and increase in the T_m of membrane phase transition. Cells under prolonged exposure to these stresses, show pronounced effect on proteins, nucleic acids, and lipid membranes. Those that have developed mechanisms for acclimation only survive under unfavorable conditions. Bound water in both proteins and nucleic acids plays extensive role in tolerance to stress. Water stress proteins are most abundant proteins, in cynobacteria, accumulated in extracellular glycan sheath and releases during desiccation. Besides these, Histones-like DNA binding proteins maintain nucleoid organization and regulate DNA repair. Certain special enzymes “Repair Ligases” also provide tolerance to bacterial cells, under stress conditions especially desiccation. Number of chromosome copies per cell is also important to this act the lethal effect of stress. Membrane fluidity plays important role in temperature perception, which is mediated by Histidine Kinases, localized in plasma membrane. Fatty acid desaturases (enzyme) enhance degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in the plasma membrane that is inducing double bonds in fatty acids, as a consequence of which Des A gene is expressed (in low temperature stress). Cyanobacteria accumulate compatible solutes in response to increases external salinity. Tolerance increases from sucrose or trehalose to glucosylglycerol and glycinebetamine accumulating species. Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters are responsible for salt and pH regulation in Synechocystis. The present review combines and compares all the abiotic stress mechanisms including desiccation, temperature, pH and salinity. It also underlines the common mechanistic pathways in all the stress operating in cynobacteria as well as highlights the signaling molecules that play pivot role in tolerance for stress and that are common in different mechanisms.

Key words: Cyanobacteria, desiccation, tolerance, mechanism, proteins, nucleic acids, membranes.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria

Ejikeme Nwachukwu* and Godwin Aguziendu Peter

Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 March, 2017

Abstract

The prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections was investigated among individuals from age 16 years and above attending out patient clinic in Federal medical centre (FMC) and other hospitals in Umuahia. A total of two hundred and fifty individuals were examined. The examinations of the samples from the patients were done according to bacteriological and hematological standards. The overall prevalence of M. tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections was 21.6 and 14.0% respectively. The prevalence of patients with TB/HIV co-infections was 6.4%. Males have a higher TB/HIV prevalent rate (3.6%) than females (2.8%). There was no significant difference (P = 0.01) in prevalence of M. tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infections among the sex group. There was also no significant difference between age groups for M. tuberculosis infections but there was a significant association between age and human immunodeficiency virus infections. M. tuberculosis and HIV infections were significantly high among the individuals with anemia (P = 0.01). All the individuals infected with M. tuberculosis and HIV had significantly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR > 51 mm/hr) (P = 0.01) . None of the individuals with M. tuberculosis and HIV infections had normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR 3 - 8 mm/hr). The highest rate of infection for both M. tuberculosis and HIV was among the age group 26 - 35 years. M. tuberculosis significantly caused more anemia (PCV, 20 - 25%) compared to HIV infection. HIV and M. tuberculosis infections are of public health importance and need effective control especially among the young age group.

Key word: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Distribution of wild poliovirus genotypes in India

George Dahourou^1,3*, Benjamin Samuel^2,4 and Radu Crainic¹

¹Epidémiologie Moléculaire des Entérovirus, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

²Department of Virology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore Tamil Nadu, India.

³Laboratoire de virologie, Centre Muraz, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

⁴Infectious Diseases Section, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Accepted 2 March, 2017

Abstract

In order to study the genetic relationships and epidemiological links between strains circulating in the Vellore region of India, 70 wild type poliovirus strains isolated from paralytic poliomyelitis cases were sequenced at the VP1-2A junction region of the viral genome. This showed that three genotypes of types 1 and 2 and four genotypes of type 3 poliovirus were circulating in India at least since 1985. Different clusters were identified within wild genotypes. This study demonstrates the endemic circulation and wide genetic variation of all three serotypes in Southern India. Knowledge of wild poliovirus distribution before NIDs beginning could be helpful for a critical monitoring of poliomyelitis control and further evaluation of the NIDs impact on wild poliovirus transmission in India.

Key words: Poliovirus, poliomyelitis, genotype, molecular epidemiology, eradication, surveillance.