Release of phthalate esters (PAEs) and microplastics (MPs) from face masks and gloves during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marine pollution with personal protective equipment (PPE) has recently gained major attention. Multiple studies reported the release of microplastics (MPs) and chemical contaminants from face masks, the most used PPE type. However, not much is known concerning the release of phthalate esters (PAEs) in aquatic media, as well as the hazard posed by other types of PPE.

Physical and chemical degradation of littered personal protective equipment (PPE) under simulated environmental conditions.

Investigations of the physicochemical degradation of personal protective equipment (PPE) under controlled environmental conditions are largely lacking. Here the chemical and physical changes of face masks and gloves (recovered from the marine environment) were evaluated after exposure time up to 60 days of simulated environmental conditions. The results suggested that the polymer backbone of PPE suffers typical changes induced by sun exposure.

Abandoned Covid-19 personal protective equipment along the Bushehr shores, the Persian Gulf: An emerging source of secondary microplastics in coastlines.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, personal protection equipment (PPE) was widely used to control the virus further spared. In this study, the presence of PPE wastes along the coastline of Bushehr port, the Persian Gulf from nine stations was investigated (4 times during 40 days), and their potential for microplastics (MPs) creation was preliminarily assessed. In total, more than 2380 PPE were collected in the study area.

Bio-based production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) with modulated monomeric fraction in Escherichia coli.

In this study, we applied metabolic engineering and bioprocessing strategies to enhance heterologous production of an important biodegradable copolymer, i.e., poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), with a modulated 3-hydroxyvalerate (3-HV) monomeric fraction from structurally unrelated carbon of glycerol in engineered Escherichia coli under different oxygenic conditions.

New insights into affinity proteins for HER2-targeted therapy: Beyond trastuzumab.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is known as a potential target for both cancer treatment and diagnosis. One of the most interesting HER2-targeted therapeutics is an affinity protein which selectively recognizes and binds to a defined target. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody which has been approved as the first affinity proteins for treatment of some HER2-positive cancers including breast cancer.

Strain engineering for high-level 5-aminolevulinic acid production in Escherichia coli.

Herein, we report the development of a microbial bioprocess for high-level production of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a valuable non-proteinogenic amino acid with multiple applications in medical, agricultural, and food industries, using Escherichia coli as a cell factory. We first implemented the Shemin (i.e.

RE: learning medical professionalism - the application of appreciative inquiry and social media.

A letter to the editor in response to the article by Hsieh et al. published in this journal, discussing the application of appreciative inquiry and social media on medical professionalism education.

Integrated strain engineering and bioprocessing strategies for high-level bio-based production of 3-hydroxyvalerate in Escherichia coli.

As petro-based production generates numerous environmental impacts and their associated technological concerns, bio-based production has been well recognized these days as a modern alternative to manufacture chemical products in a more renewable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable manner. Herein, we report the development of a microbial bioprocess for high-level and potentially economical production of 3-hydroxyvalerate (3-HV), a valuable special chemical with multiple applications in chemical, biopolymer, and pharmaceutical industries, from glycerol, which can be cheaply and renewably refined as a byproduct from biodiesel production. We used our recently derived 3-HV-producing Escherichia coli strains for bioreactor characterization under various culture conditions.

Production of cellulosic butyrate and 3-hydroxybutyrate in engineered Escherichia coli.

Being the most abundant renewable organic substance on Earth, lignocellulosic biomass has acted as an attractive and cost-effective feedstock for biobased production of value-added products. However, lignocellulosic biomass should be properly treated for its effective utilization during biotransformation. The current work aimed to demonstrate biobased production of butyrate and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) in engineered Escherichia coli using pretreated and detoxified aspen tree (Populus tremuloides) wood chips as the feedstock.

Improvement of solubility and refolding of an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 single-chain antibody fragment inclusion bodies.

Single chain variable fragment antibodies (scFvs) have attracted many attentions due to their small size, faster bio-distribution and better penetration in to the target tissues, and ease of expression in . Although, scFv expression in usually leads to formation of inclusion bodies (IBs). The aim of this research was to improve solubilizing and refolding conditions for IBs of scFv version of pertuzumab (anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody).

Effect of Twine-arginine Translocation-signaling Fusion System and Chaperones Co-expression on Secretory Expression of Somatropin.

Background: Twine-arginine translocation (TAT) system is one of the exporting systems in which could transport fully/semi-correctly folded proteins outside the reductive cytoplasmic space. In combination with co-expression with a chaperone system, the correctly folded proteins could be transported to oxidative periplasmic space and culture media to pass the main limitations in expression system such as misfolding and inclusion body formation.

Materials And Methods: To study the effectiveness of signaling sequences and chaperone co-expression on the translocation of expressed protein, somatropin was selected as the target.

Twin arginine translocation system in secretory expression of recombinant human growth hormone.

Recombinant protein production in has several advantages over other expression systems. Misfolding, inclusion body formation, and lack of eukaryotic post translational modification are the most disadvantages of this system. Exporting of correctly folded proteins to the outside of reductive cytoplasmic environment through twin-arginine system could help to pass these limiting steps.

Optimization of the expression of phaC2 encoding poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) synthase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC1310 in Fad B deleted Escherichia coli.

Background: Poly3-hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are potential candidates for the industrial production of biodegradable plastics. Therefore, in the present study, expression and activity of one of the enzymes involved in the PHA synthesis, phaC2 (isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC1310), were investigated in Fad B deleted Escherichia coli.

Materials And Methods: The inserts obtained from recombinant pTZ57R plasmids were ligated into the pGEX-5x-1 expression vector and then transformed into Fad B deleted E.

Optimization of a single-chain antibody fragment overexpression in Escherichia coli using response surface methodology.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family plays an important role in various types of cancers. As a result, antibodies against HER and the mechanism of antigen-antibody binding action are under active investigation. We previously constructed a single-chain variable fragment (ScFv) against HER2, i.

Improved biological activity of a single chain antibody fragment against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressed in the periplasm of Escherichia coli.

A novel monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), i.e., pertuzumab (Perjeta®) developed by Genentech, has been verified to be effective in treating metastatic HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.

Release Studies on Ciprofloxacin Loaded Non-ionic Surfactant Vesicles.

Background: Development of new drug carriers would be an interesting approach if it allowed increased efficacy of antibiotics and a reduction in doses, thus reducing the risk of developing resistance. As with most drug carriers, niosomes have been used to improve the selective delivery and the therapeutic index of antimicrobial agents.

Methods: In this study, different formulation of niosomes containing ciprofloxacin (CPFX), Span (20, 60 or 80), Tween (20, 60 or 80) and cholesterol were prepared by film hydration method.

Microbial quality survey of sunscreen products in Iranian market.

Background: Microbial contamination of cosmetic products is very crucial because of their daily use and direct contact with the skin. These products are at high risk for microbial contamination from various sources such as environment, consumer's hands, body sweat and during the time of manufacturing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the microbial quality of sunscreens products, manufactured in or imported to or formulated in local pharmacies in Iran.

Functional expression of a single-chain antibody fragment against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in Escherichia coli.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family plays an important role in cell growth and signaling and alteration of its function has been demonstrated in many different kinds of cancer. Receptor dimerization is necessary for the HER signal transduction pathway and tyrosine kinase activity. Recently, several monoclonal antibodies have been developed to directly interfere with ligand-HER receptor binding and receptor dimerization.

In vitro anti-bacterial and anti-adherence effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus on Escherichia coli.

Considering the emergence of antibiotic resistance, scientists are interested in using new antimicrobial agents in the treatment of infectious diseases including infections of the enteric systems. Lactic acid bacteria have the great potential to produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit and control pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-bacterial and anti-adherence properties of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus against Escherichia coli.

Optimization of the Expression of Genes Encoding Poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) Synthase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1310 in Escherichia coli.

Over the years, the use of plastics has complicated the problem of disposal of solid wastes. One strategy to reduce plastic waste is the use of biodegradable plastics. A group of these plastics are polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).

Antimicrobial evaluation of some novel derivatives of 3,4-dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-one.

The antimicrobial activity of thirty six novel dihydropyrimidine derivatives was evaluated against common pathogenic bacteria. Significant antimicrobial activity (MIC=32, 64 μg/ml) was observed. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria were determined to be the most susceptible pathogens in this study.

Antibacterial activity and composition of essential oils from Pelargonium graveolens L'Her and Vitex agnus-castus L.

Background And Objectives: Essential oils are volatile compounds that have been used since Middle Ages as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, sedative, local anesthetic and food flavoring agents. In the current study, essential oils of Pelargonium graveolens L'Her and Vitex agnus-castus L. were analyzed for their antibacterial activities.

Antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic evaluation of some new 2,3-disubstituted 4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives.

In this study antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic effects of some new 2,3-disubstituted 4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives have been evaluated. The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal tests of new synthesized compounds were performed using MABA method against six strains of bacteria (three Grampositive and three Gram-negative) and three strains of fungi. Also Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) tests were performed.