Biotechnology, Biotechnological Equipment[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Implementation of the remote measuring system for addiction patients in rehabilitation applying vital sensor.
Lim MJ, Lee KY, Kwon YM
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019608 · Full text
Recently, with the rapid development of related ubiquitous industries, ubiquitous-Zone (u-Zone) development is being promoted to build a ubiquitous environment within a specific area. From a health care system perspectiv...
Recently, with the rapid development of related ubiquitous industries, ubiquitous-Zone (u-Zone) development is being promoted to build a ubiquitous environment within a specific area. From a health care system perspective, in particular, u-Zone is expected to contribute to reducing cost and effort to manage patients' condition such as in-patients, addiction patients and mental patients. In contrast, the current health care system only targets specific persons or continues to expand the internal system of hospitals. As addiction patients are on the rise in terms of drug addiction, including alcohol and narcotics, behavioural addiction attributable to the exposure to games, gambling, Internet and mobile communications and shopping is also becoming a problem. That is why it is difficult to collect data for the daily addiction status, which causes difficulties in systematic management and accurate diagnosis. Therefore, this paper suggests a remote measuring system to collect continuous condition data, which monitors the addiction patients via the vital sign measuring sensor within u-Zone. That is, the system collects their condition information from the sensors measuring heart rate, body temperature and acceleration, based on which the specialists determine the patient's emotional state. These data are expected to become the basis of diagnosing and managing addiction patients.
Improvement of voice quality and prevention of deafness by a bone-conduction device.
Park HW, Kim MS, Bae MJ
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019607 · Full text
In modern society, people are involuntarily being exposed to various noises in their everyday-life environments. The increasing use of mobile phones and other portable devices as a primary means of communication outside...
In modern society, people are involuntarily being exposed to various noises in their everyday-life environments. The increasing use of mobile phones and other portable devices as a primary means of communication outside of homes makes the current noise condition even worse. During the exchange of information on these devices, the volume is usually set 15 dB higher than the surrounding noise in order for the sound to be perceived more clearly. Hence, the sum of noise on these devices is usually estimated to be around 110 dB. This level of noise can cause noise-induced hearing impairment or even hearing loss to users when continued for a long time. A bone-conduction system can be a possible solution to reducing the noise while enhancing the quality of voice signals in mobile phones. In this study, we suggest that the implementation of the bone-conduction feedback system in mobile phones will raise the ratio of signal to noise with about 17 dB, enhancing the quality of voice signals.
Effect of Ca-Al-Si-O common glass on dielectric properties of low-temperature co-fired ceramic materials with different fillers.
Park ZH, Yeo DH, Shin HS
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019606 · Full text
High-density integration in single component used for mobile communication is highly demanded with the miniaturization trend in multi-functional light-weighted mobile communication devices. Embedding passive components i...
High-density integration in single component used for mobile communication is highly demanded with the miniaturization trend in multi-functional light-weighted mobile communication devices. Embedding passive components into multi-layered ceramic chips is also increasingly needed for high integrity. The need for high strength materials to be used in handheld devices has also increased. To this end, many attempts to join different low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) materials with different dielectric constants have been made, but failed with de-laminations or internal cracks mainly due to difference of thermal expansion coefficients. It is thought that this difference could be minimized with the use of common glass in different LTCC materials. In this study, several candidates of common glass were mixed with various fillers of LTCC to have various dielectric constants in the radio-frequency, and to minimize the mismatch in joining. Ca-Al-Si-O glass was mixed with 1.3MgO-TiO, cordierite and CaTiO. Mixtures were tape-cast and sintered to be compared with their micro-structures, dielectric properties and thermo-mechanical characteristics. When 1.3MgO-TiO with volumetric ratio of 30% was mixed with Ca-Al-Si-O glass, the measured dielectric constant was 7.9, the quality factor was 3708. With 45 volumetric percent of cordierite, the dielectric constant was 5 and the quality factor was 1052.
Health technology assessment in the Balkans: opportunities for a balanced drug assessment system.
Dankó D, Petrova G
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019605 · Full text
Countries in the Balkan region use pharmaco-economic data for decisions about the inclusion of new pharmaceuticals into their positive drug lists, but no predefined frameworks are used and resources for health technology...
Countries in the Balkan region use pharmaco-economic data for decisions about the inclusion of new pharmaceuticals into their positive drug lists, but no predefined frameworks are used and resources for health technology assessment (HTA) are limited. The goal of this analysis is to investigate into possible development directions for the HTA system in the region, and provide some practical recommendations for a sustainable model. For this purpose, the main factors currently influencing HTA in Balkan countries are briefly presented, and possible development strategies are compared. A resource-saving balanced assessment approach is proposed. It is aligned with available resources and capabilities, and helps access to new pharmaceuticals while ensuring the transparency of decision-making processes and the stability of the pharmaceutical budget.
Biological evaluation of new potential anticancer agent for tumour imaging and radiotherapy by two methods: Tc-radiolabelling and EPR spectroscopy.
Karamalakova Y, Chuttani K, Sharma R … +3 more , Zheleva A, Gadjeva V, Mishra A
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019604 · Full text
Recently, a new class of in vitro and ex vivo radiotracers/radioprotectors, the nitroxyl-labelled agent 1-ethyl-1-nitroso-3-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)]-urea (SLENU), has been discovered. Our previous inves...
Recently, a new class of in vitro and ex vivo radiotracers/radioprotectors, the nitroxyl-labelled agent 1-ethyl-1-nitroso-3-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)]-urea (SLENU), has been discovered. Our previous investigations demonstrated that SLENU is a low-molecular-weight stable free radical which is freely membrane permeable, easily crosses the blood brain barrier and exhibited in/ex vivo the lowest general toxicity and higher anticancer activity against some experimental tumour models. Further investigation was aimed to develop a Tc-labelled SLENU (97%) as a chelator and evaluate its labelling efficiency and potential use as a tumour seeking agent and for early diagnosis. Tissue biodistribution of Tc-SLENU was determined in normal mice at 1, 2 and 24 h ( = 4/time interval, route of administration i.v.). The distribution data were compared using male albino non-inbred mice and electron paramagnetic resonance investigation. The imaging characteristics of Tc-SLENU conjugate examined in BALB/c mice grafted with in the thigh of hind leg demonstrated major accumulation of the radiotracer in the organs and tumour. Planar images and auto-radiograms confirmed that the tumours could be visualized clearly with Tc-SLENU. Blood kinetic study of radio-conjugate showed a bi-exponential pattern, as well as quick reduced duration in the blood circulation. This study establishes nitroxyls as a general class of new spin-labelled diagnostic markers that reduce the negative lateral effects of radiotherapy and drug damages, and are appropriate for tumour-localization.
Synthesis and antioxidant activity of some 1-aryl/aralkyl piperazine derivatives with xanthine moiety at N4.
Andonova L, Zheleva-Dimitrova D, Georgieva M … +1 more , Zlatkov A
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019603 · Full text
Piperazine nucleus is one of the most important heterocyclic systems exhibiting remarkable pharmacological activities. Thus, in the current study six new aryl/aralkyl substituted piperazine derivatives, containing methyl...
Piperazine nucleus is one of the most important heterocyclic systems exhibiting remarkable pharmacological activities. Thus, in the current study six new aryl/aralkyl substituted piperazine derivatives, containing methylxanthine moiety were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by IR and H NMR analysis. All compounds were screened for their activity as antioxidants using DPPH (2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzo thiazine-6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) methods. The antioxidant activity of the studied compounds against lipid peroxidation was also measured. The highest antioxidant activity was demonstrated by compound 3c. It is obvious that the presence of a hydroxyl group in the structure is essential for the antioxidant properties and should be taken into consideration in further design of structures with potential antioxidant properties.
Risk factors for development of chronic periodontitis in Bulgarian patients (pilot research).
Stoykova M, Musurlieva N, Boyadzhiev D
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019602 · Full text
The aim of this work was to assess the risks and analyse the risk factors for development of chronic periodontitis in Bulgarian patients. The quality of life was investigated in a cohort of 228 patients with chronic peri...
The aim of this work was to assess the risks and analyse the risk factors for development of chronic periodontitis in Bulgarian patients. The quality of life was investigated in a cohort of 228 patients with chronic periodontitis. Within the frame of this study, pilot research (a case-control study) was conducted among 80 patients (20 cases and 60 control patients without periodontitis) to evaluate the risk for development of chronic periodontitis. The minimum sample size of patients was determined based on power analysis for sample-size calculation. The mean age of participants in the control group was 31.33 ± 9.38 years and in the case group, 33.00 ± 11.52. Data were accumulated by clinical and sociological methods. Descriptive statistics and multi-factor logistic regression analysis (Backward Conditional procedure) were used. One-factor dispersion analysis showed that, of the 12 studied risk factors, the following variables were significant: stress, diabetes, presence of calculus, overlapping and misaligned teeth ( < 0.05). Multiple logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the association between the variables. Three predictors were selected in the final logistic regression equation: diabetes ( = 4.195; = 0.001), crooked and overlapping teeth ( = 3.022; = 0.010) and stress ( = 2.882; = 0.014). The logistic risk assessment model for development of periodontitis has a predictive value of 93.80% (χ = 63.91; = 0.000). Our results confirmed some proven risk factors for periodontal disease. In the studied population, diabetes was the single, most important predictor for development of periodontitis.
Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinases in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Mishev G, Deliverska E, Hlushchuk R … +4 more , Velinov N, Aebersold D, Weinstein F, Djonov V
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019601 · Full text
The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between the expressions of four matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13, and the TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) stages of ora...
The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between the expressions of four matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13, and the TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); and to explore the implication of these MMPs in OSCC dissemination. Samples from 61 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal tumour were studied by immunohistochemistry against MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13. The assessment of immunoreactivity was semi-quantitative. The results showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 had similar expression patterns in the tumour cells with no changes in the immunoreactivity during tumour progression. MMP-9 always had the highest expression, whereas that of MMP-2 was moderate. MMP-7 showed a significant decrease in expression levels during tumour evolution. MMP-13 had constant expression levels within stage T2 and T3, but showed a remarkable decline in immunoreactivity in stage T4. No significant differences in the MMPs immunoreactivity between tumour cells and stroma were observed. Although strong evidence for the application of MMPs as reliable predictive markers for node metastasis was not acquired, we believe that combining patients' MMPs expression intensity and clinical features may improve the diagnosis and prognosis. Strong evidence for the application of MMPs as reliable predictive markers for node metastasis was not acquired. Application of MMPs as prognostic indicators for the malignancy potential of OSCC might be considered in every case of tumour examination. We believe that combining patients' MMPs expression intensity and clinical features may improve the process of making diagnosis and prognosis.
Denosumab improves bone mineral density and microarchitecture and reduces bone pain in women with osteoporosis with and without glucocorticoid treatment.
Petranova T, Sheytanov I, Monov S … +2 more , Nestorova R, Rashkov R
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019600 · Full text
Osteoporosis is a key health problem in postmenopausal women with high social and economic impact. Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and deterioration of bone microarchitecture may occur also as a result of long-term...
Osteoporosis is a key health problem in postmenopausal women with high social and economic impact. Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and deterioration of bone microarchitecture may occur also as a result of long-term glucocorticoid treatment (GCT) of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Denosumab specifically inhibits the binding of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB to its ligand, thus preventing osteoclast activation and bone resorption. The efficacy and safety of denosumab, administered subcutaneously as 60 mg, once every six months for 12 months, were evaluated in 60 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) divided into two groups. The GCT group included 30 patients receiving concomitant glucocorticoid therapy and the non-GCT group included 30 patients that did not receive GCT. In the non-GCT group, the 12-month treatment with denosumab resulted in BMD increase of 6.1% and 2.8% in lumbar spine and hip, respectively. T-score increased by 13.1% and 5.6% in both, the lumbar spine and hip. A slight rise in the Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) of 0.3% was observed. Bone pain was markedly reduced by 56.2%. In the GCT group, denosumab therapy increased BMD with 5.8% and 2.3% in lumbar spine and hip, respectively. T-score of lumbar spine and hip significantly increased by 14.0% and 4.4%, and the TBS rose by 5%. Bone pain was reduced by 53.6%. These data confirm the available knowledge on denosumab efficacy and safety in women with PMO and also provide new insights into its therapeutic potential in patients with osteoporosis related to a long-term corticosteroid treatment.
Adjacent vessel sign and breast imaging reporting and data system are valuable for diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.
Zhao S, Tan R, Xiu J … +2 more , Yuan X, Liu Q
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019599 · Full text
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether an adjacent vessel sign (AVS) observed on the maximum intensity projections (MIPs) from the subtracted images can help distinguish between malignant and benign breast l...
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether an adjacent vessel sign (AVS) observed on the maximum intensity projections (MIPs) from the subtracted images can help distinguish between malignant and benign breast lesions and to test whether the combination of breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) category and AVS can increase the specificity and diagnostic accuracy of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study included 63 histologically verified lesions which underwent dynamic breast MRI before biopsy. All magnetic resonance (MR) images were evaluated by two radiologists in consensus, who were unaware of the histopathological outcome. The MR images of all cases were analyzed according to BI-RADS-MRI assessment category. Levels of suspicion were reported as categories of I-V. The presence of vessels either entering the enhancing lesion or in contact with the lesion edge on MIP images was considered as the presence of AVS. Final analysis of 63 masses revealed 41 malignant lesions (65.1%) and 22 benign lesions (34.9%). Thirty seven out of 41 malignant lesions and 3 out of 22 benign lesions were associated with adjacent vessel, with highly significant difference between benign and malignant lesions ( < 0.001), especially for lesions smaller than 2.0 cm. The corresponding specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of contrast-enhanced 3.0-T breast were 86.4%, 82.9% and 84.1%, respectively. Based on BI-RADS-MRI category, the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of breast MRI were 54.5%, 100% and 84.1%, respectively. After combining BI-RADS category and AVS, the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of breast MRI were 90.9%, 82.9% and 85.7%, respectively. AVS can help differentiate malignant from benign breast lesions, especially for the lesions smaller than 2.0 cm. The combination of BI-RADS category and AVS can increase the specificity and the diagnostic accuracy of breast MRI.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase intron 4a/b polymorphism in coronary artery disease in Thrace region of Turkey.
Sivri N, Unlu A, Palabiyik O … +4 more , Budak M, Kacmaz Y, Yalta K, Sipahi T
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019598 · Full text
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the frequent cardiovascular mortality causes in the world. Common risk factors explain only about half the risk of CAD. The healthy familial predisposition to CAD, combined with ad...
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the frequent cardiovascular mortality causes in the world. Common risk factors explain only about half the risk of CAD. The healthy familial predisposition to CAD, combined with advances in genetic analysis, has led to a number of studies in recent years making an effort to identify the genetic factors that influence the risk. The approach taken by most studies was to examine the association of naturally occurring genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes with risk of or severity of CAD. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is important for vascular and tissue protection and is found in endothelial cells that encompass the entire vasculature, including the vessels in the heart. Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in a catabolic reaction in the endothelial cells, neurons, glia and macrophages by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoenzymes. eNOS is a subgroup of this family of enzymes that catalyses the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine and oxygen, which leads to vascular relaxation by activating the guanylate cyclase. This finally induces smooth muscle relaxation. The aim of this study was to investigate the allelic frequency and the genotypic distribution of the variable number of tandem repeat 27 (27 VNTR) gene polymorphism in intron 4 of the eNOS (eNOS 4a/b) gene in Thrace region, to compare CAD patients with appropriate healthy controls and to correlate the genetic findings with CAD subtypes. The study group included 281 (153 subjects with CAD and 128 controls) patients. The eNOS polymorphism was identified with a polymerase chain reaction. Genotypes were defined as aa, ab and bb according to the presence of a and b alleles. In this case-control study, we found that there was sensible correlation between eNOS gene intron 4a/b VNTR polymorphism and the risk of CAD in Thrace region of Turkey. However, there was no major difference for the genotype distribution and the allelic frequency among the CAD subtypes. Further studies on the interaction of such genes are needed to clarify the association between eNOS 4a/b polymorphism and CAD patients.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphism at position -308 of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Manolova I, Ivanova M, Stoilov R … +2 more , Rashkov R, Stanilova S
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019597 · Full text
In this study, we analyzed the putative association between the -308 G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α gene (rs1800629) and chronic inflammatory arthritis in the Bulgarian popul...
In this study, we analyzed the putative association between the -308 G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α gene (rs1800629) and chronic inflammatory arthritis in the Bulgarian population. A case-control study was carried out on 58 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 108 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 177 healthy subjects. -308 G/A TNF-α genotypes of patients and controls were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). No significant association between the rs1800629 polymorphism and RA risk in the study cohort was observed. However, there were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the -308 G/A TNF-α polymorphism between AS patients and the healthy subjects. In logistic regression analysis, the presence of the TNF-α -308A allele in the genotype (AA + AG vs. GG) was associated with a 3.298 times lower risk of developing AS. In addition, in AS, there were associations for age at disease onset (<29 years; odds ratio (OR) = 0.222), disease severity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score > 4; OR = 0.152) and response to anti-TNF treatment (OR = 2.25) under a dominant model (AA + AG vs. GG). In conclusion, our results suggested that the promoter polymorphism -308 G/A in the TNF-α gene had no significant effect on RA development, but could play a role in AS development and in determining the age of disease onset, disease severity and therapeutic outcome of AS in the Bulgarian patients who participated in our study.
Detection of (HPVB19) in serum samples from fever-rash ill individuals during the rubella outbreak (2005) in Bulgaria.
Toshev A, Ivanova S, Kovaleva V … +2 more , Andonova L, Mihneva Z
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019596 · Full text
The present study aimed to determine the involvement of the (HPVB19) as an etiological agent in individuals with fever-rash infections but not infected with rubella during the rubella outbreak (2005) in Bulgaria. A tota...
The present study aimed to determine the involvement of the (HPVB19) as an etiological agent in individuals with fever-rash infections but not infected with rubella during the rubella outbreak (2005) in Bulgaria. A total of 194 serum samples with negative results for measles and rubella-specific IgM antibodies were tested in the National Reference Laboratory. The individuals aged 5-52 years (mean age 17.2 ± 10.15) were divided into four age groups: 5-14; 15-24; 25-34; and 35+ years old. Serological (indirect enzyme immunoassay - EIA) and molecular (extraction and detection of HPVB19-DNA) methods were used. A genotyping assay of the NS1-PCR product was proceeded with the MfeI restriction enzyme. Out of the total number of samples, 95 samples (48.97%) tested positive for HPVB19-IgM and 109 (56.18%) for HPVB19-DNA. The results from the genotyping assay revealed that genotype 1 (prototype B19) was dominant in 106 from 109 samples (97.25%), while genotype 3 (prototype V9) was detected in only 3 (2.75%). Subjects whose sera tested positive for IgM and had a positive PCR result formed a group that was most frequently linked (in 40% of cases) to acute infection. The highest prevalence was established in the group of the school-age children (5-14 years). The combined application of serological and molecular methods confirms the etiological role of HPVB19, and including virus genotyping, confirms the involvement of HPVB19 in the etiological palette of febrile rash diseases and provides a correct differential diagnostic approach.
Panton-Valentine leukocidin in community and hospital-acquired strains.
Özekinci T, Dal T, Yanık K … +5 more , Özcan N, Can Ş, Tekin A, Yıldırım Hİ, Kandemir İ
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019595 · Full text
causes serious hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) infections. Skin and soft-tissue infections especially are sometimes caused by strains harbouring Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). PVL belongs to a fami...
causes serious hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) infections. Skin and soft-tissue infections especially are sometimes caused by strains harbouring Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). PVL belongs to a family of bi-component leukocidal toxins produced by staphylococci. It is a pore-forming toxin encoded by and . A total of 70 strains: 38 (54%) methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and 32 (46%) methicillin-susceptible (MSSA), were isolated from patients admitted to Dicle University Hospital (Turkey). Identification of and antibiotics-susceptibility testing were performed with PHOENIX 100. PVL genes and genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 70 studied strains, 36 ones (51%) were community acquired and 34 ones (49%) were hospital acquired . A total of 38 (54%) strains were positive for (), of which 32 ones (84%) were HA. Of the strains, 30 (94%) were CA. Of the 70 studied strains, 12 (17%) strains were PVL: 8 (22%) of the 36 CA strains and 4 (12%) of the 34 HA strains. Of the 12 PVL strains, 4 strains were . The PVL positivity rate was 25% in MSSA, whereas 10.5% in MRSA. Of the overall PVL strains, seven strains were obtained from wounds; four ones from skin abscess; and one from blood culture. Taken together, the obtained results showed a substantial level of PVL genes in the studied region. Although PVL is known as a common virulence factor of CA MRSA, HA MRSA isolates in our study showed a considerable rate of PVL positivity.
characterization of the adhesive factors of selected probiotics to Caco-2 epithelium cell line.
Dimitrov Z, Gotova I, Chorbadjiyska E
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019594 · Full text
The aim of the present study was to analyse the type of adhesive factors of selected probiotic strains. A large number of lactic acid bacteria with intestinal and dairy origin were collected and assessed for adhesion on...
The aim of the present study was to analyse the type of adhesive factors of selected probiotic strains. A large number of lactic acid bacteria with intestinal and dairy origin were collected and assessed for adhesion on Caco-2 cell line. From the best adherent bacteria, four strains were selected for further research: G7, F1, AC and subsp B14. The average number of adhered bacteria was 17 per one Caco-2 cell in the case of G7 and 21 per cell in the case of F1. Treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), trypsin and metaperiodic acid in separate assays revealed that cell-bonded extracellular proteins were responsible for the adhesion of the selected , and strains, in contrast to the subsp strain, whose adhesive factors were identified as cell-bonded exopolysaccharides. The cell-wall proteins from the first three strains were isolated, fractionated and assessed for adhesion to Caco-2 cells. Based on the attachment properties of the purified proteins towards Caco-2 cells, it was clearly proved exactly which proteins are involved in the adherence. F1 strain contains two adhesive proteins in contrast to the other selected strains containing one adhesive protein each. The determination of the factors mediating the adhesive abilities of the selected strains provides important information about the possible ways to preserve and increase adhesive properties towards epithelium cells.
Proteolytic and antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria grown in goat milk.
Atanasova J, Moncheva P, Ivanova I
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019593 · Full text
We examined 62 strains and 21 trade starter cultures from the collection of LB Bulgaricum PLC for proteolytic and antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grown in goat milk. The aim of this study was to inve...
We examined 62 strains and 21 trade starter cultures from the collection of LB Bulgaricum PLC for proteolytic and antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grown in goat milk. The aim of this study was to investigate the fermentation of caseins, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin by LAB, using the -phthaldialdehyde (OPA) spectrophotometric assay and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The proteolysis targeted mainly caseins, especially β-casein. Whey proteins were proteolyzed, essentially β-lactoglobulin. The proteolytic activity of l598, t3D1, Dt1, 1043 and subsp. b38, b122 and b24 was notably high. The proteolysis process gave rise to medium-sized peptide populations. Most of the examined strains showed antimicrobial activity against some food pathogens, such as , , , , and . The most active producers of antimicrobial-active peptides were strains of subsp. and , which are of practical importance. The starter cultures containing the examined species showed high proteolytic and antimicrobial activity in skimmed goat milk. The greatest antimicrobial activity of the cultures was detected against . The obtained results demonstrated the significant proteolytic potential of the examined strains in goat milk and their potential for application in the production of dairy products from goat's milk. The present results could be considered as the first data on the proteolytic capacity of strains and starter cultures in goat milk for the purposes of trade interest of LB Bulgaricum PLC.
A new approach to determine the capture conditions of bark beetles in pheromone-baited traps.
Ozcan GE, Cicek O, Enez K … +1 more , Yildiz M
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019592 · Full text
Forests form an organic unity with a great number of organic and inorganic components and tend to maintain the sustainability of their existing balance. However, some factors which adversely affect the balance of nature...
Forests form an organic unity with a great number of organic and inorganic components and tend to maintain the sustainability of their existing balance. However, some factors which adversely affect the balance of nature may interrupt this sustainability. The epidemic which is formed by bark beetles in their spreading region, due to various factors, changes the stability so much that interference is required. One of the most common methods used to monitor these beetles is pheromone-baited traps. The recognition of parameters, such as date (day/month/year), temperature and humidity, when bark beetles are captured in pheromone-baited traps, especially those used for monitoring will help to increase the trap efficiency on land and to develop an effective strategy for combating pests. In this study, an electronic control unit was added to pheromone-baited traps in order to obtain all of the above mentioned parameters. This unit operates with microcontrollers and data related to the parameters is saved in a storage unit. This is triggered by the beetle at the moment it is captured in the trap. A photovoltaic system was used to meet the energy needed for the system functioning and to complete the counting process in due time.
Water quality assessment of aquatic ecosystems using ecological criteria - case study in Bulgaria.
Damyanova S, Ivanova I, Ignatova N
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019591 · Full text
Four aquatic ecosystems (two rivers and two dams) situated in the western part of Bulgaria were investigated over a three years' period. The River Egulya and Petrohan dam are situated in mountainous regions at about 1000...
Four aquatic ecosystems (two rivers and two dams) situated in the western part of Bulgaria were investigated over a three years' period. The River Egulya and Petrohan dam are situated in mountainous regions at about 1000 m altitude, and are not influenced by any anthropogenic sources. Petrohan dam is a site for long-term ecosystem research as a part of Bulgarian long-term ecological research network. The other two systems belong to populated industrial areas. The River Martinovska flows through a region with former long-term mining activity, while Ogosta dam is near a battery production factory. Both the geochemical and geographical ecosystems' conditions are different, and their social usage as well. Ogosta dam water is used for irrigation and Petrohan dam for electric supply. The ecosystem sensitivity to heavy metals was evaluated by a critical load approach. Two criteria were used for risk assessment: critical load exceedance and microbial toxicity test. All studied ecosystems were more sensitive to cadmium than to lead deposition. The potential risk of Cd damage is higher for Petrohan dam and the River Egulya, where critical load exceedance was calculated for two years. growth inhibition test detected a lack of toxicity for all studied ecosystems at the time of investigation with the exception of the low water September sample of the River Martinovska. The fast bacterial test is very suitable for a regular measurement of water toxicity because of its simplicity, lack of sophisticated equipment and clear results.
Succinic acid production from xylose mother liquor by recombinant strain.
Wang H, Pan J, Wang J … +5 more , Wang N, Zhang J, Li Q, Wang D, Zhou X
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019590 · Full text
Succinic acid (1,4-butanedioic acid) is identified as one of important building-block chemicals. Xylose mother liquor is an abundant industrial residue in xylitol biorefining industry. In this study, xylose mother liquor...
Succinic acid (1,4-butanedioic acid) is identified as one of important building-block chemicals. Xylose mother liquor is an abundant industrial residue in xylitol biorefining industry. In this study, xylose mother liquor was utilized to produce succinic acid by recombinant strain SD121, and the response surface methodology was used to optimize the fermentation media. The optimal conditions of succinic acid fermentation were as follows: 82.62 g L total initial sugars, 42.27 g L MgCO and 17.84 g L yeast extract. The maximum production of succinic acid was 52.09 ± 0.21 g L after 84 h with a yield of 0.63 ± 0.03 g g total sugar, approaching the predicted value (53.18 g L). It was 1.78-fold of the production of that obtained with the basic medium. This was the first report on succinic acid production from xylose mother liquor by recombinant strains with media optimization using response surface methodology. This work suggested that the xylose mother liquor could be an alternative substrate for the economical production of succinic acid by recombinant strains.
Biotransformation of steroidal saponins in sisal ( Perrine) to tigogenin by a newly isolated strain from a karst area of Guilin, China.
Wang Y, Li X, Sun H … +4 more , Yi K, Zheng J, Zhang J, Hao Z
Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip · 2014 Nov · PMID 26019589 · Full text
A rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the soil in a karst area of Guilin, China and its biotransformation of steroidal saponins in sisal ( Perrine) to tigogenin was presented for the first time. A total of 22 strains...
A rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the soil in a karst area of Guilin, China and its biotransformation of steroidal saponins in sisal ( Perrine) to tigogenin was presented for the first time. A total of 22 strains for the degradation of steroidal saponins in sisal were isolated from 48 soil samples, and the isolated rod-shaped, bacterial strain ZG-21 was used for the production of tigogenin due to its highest degradation efficiency of steroidal saponins in sisal. The parameters affecting biotransformation by strain ZG-21 were optimized. Under the optimized conditions of temperature (30 °C), pH (6), time (5 days) and substrate concentration (5 mg/mL), a maximum tigogenin yield of 26.7 mg/g was achieved. Compared with the conventional method of acid hydrolysis, the biotransformation method provided a clean and eco-friendly alternative for the production of tigogenin.
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