Estimating growth parameters for Otolithes ruber in waters of Bushehr, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Southern Iran

Using length frequency of the Otolithes ruber collected in waters of three southern province of Iran, we estimated the fish growth parameters and monthly measured fork length of around 1000 fish caught using gill net with a mesh size of 6.5 centimeters in waters of this study area. The length infinity (L∞) in Bushehr, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchistan province was estimated as 58.5, 56, 59.5 centimeters, growth coefficient per year (K) as 0.48, 043, 0.32 and age at zero length (to) as -0.006, -0.002, -0.001 respectively. The relationship between length and weight of the fish in the three provinces determined. The parameters q, b and r (correlation coefficient) were 0.173, 2.868, 0.984 for Bushehr, 0.012, 2.962, 0.932 for Hormozgan and 0.056, 2.604, 0.921 for Sistan and Baluchestan province. We also evaluated the average length for the fish caught in different months and landing places. An ANOVA test showed a significant difference (P≤0.05) between the average lengths of the fish caught in different months

Adjudicating attacks targeting culture: revisiting the approach under state responsibility and individual criminal responsibility

​​​​​​Collective identity can be altered by attacking culture’s tangible components (a temple) which are often a manifestation of or a support to their intangible (spiritual practice). That identity can also be altered by attacking culture’s intangible in isolation (prohibition of spiritual practice). The research determines the extent to which international adjudicatory mechanisms have considered the causes, means and consequences of intentionally attacking culture’s tangible and intangible components. The research then brings their separate practice together. Based on treaty law, culture will be placed in a legal mould. Culture can be anthropical or natural, movable or immovable, secular or religious, tangible or intangible, regardless of terminology (cultural property, cultural heritage, intangible or tangible cultural heritage). Culture will then be placed in a judicial mould, in order to consider how natural and legal persons can invoke cultural damage in judicial proceedings. Culture is a legacy-oriented triptych made of local, national and international panels. While each panel makes sense in isolation, they are best understood when viewed together. State responsibility and individual criminal responsibility-based jurisdictions have accepted that attacking culture may be both tangible-centred and heritage-centred in terms of typology of damage. They have further recognised that the victims of such attacks can be natural persons as members of the collective or the collective as the sum of natural persons. But the victims can also be legal persons which may participate in judicial proceedings and seek reparations for harm sustained as a result of damage inflicted to their property (a museum’s building as well as its artefacts).Exploring the Frontiers of International La

Effects of hydrogen peroxide on fungal disinfection, hatch rate and larval deformities of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of 500, 750 and 1000 mu l/l, malachite green with usual concentration (1.5mg/l) and natural control treatments were examined to evaluate the antifungal effects of the chemicals on Rainbow Trout eggs. Hydrogen peroxide and malachite green treatments were performed after 48 hours after fertilization in every other day, until 4 days before hatch, each time for 15 minutes. During experiments, water parameters were measured which were 8.05±0.55mg/l for dissolved oxygen, 8.8±2.2 ° C for temperature, 7.9±0.05 for pH, 132±20mg/l for total hardness, and E.C was 336±24 mu s/cm. The fungal infection was minimal in malachite green treatment and was significantly different with other treatments (P>0.05). No significant difference in deformities caused by the treatments were observed (P>0.05)

Anatomical and histological study of ovary development stages of big-eye kilka (Clupeonella grimmi) in Babolsar Area, Iran

Biological and reproduction characteristics of female big-eye kilka (Clupeonella grimmi) including body weight, fork length, age, gonad development stages, gonad weight, ganado somatic ratio (GSR) were studied. We sampled 808 fish specimens from the Southern Caspian Sea, Babolsar Area during December 2002 to May 2003. Gonad development stages were assessed through tissue sectioning. Results revealed spawning peak to occur in early January. We also measured body weight as 8.88±0.08 grams, fork length as 1.03±0.26 mm, age as 3.610.03 years, gonad development stage as 3.67±0.03, gonad weight as 0.5±0.01 grams and ganado somatic ratio (GSR) as 5.39 ±0.1 in the specimens. Totally, five age classes, dominated by the 4+ years were distinguished while no 1+ year's age class was observed. The abundance of gonad developmental stages 2-5 was 18.19%, 14.60%, 48.89% and 18.32% respectively. Macroscopic (visual) and microscopic (tissue section) observations of oocyte revealed the same results for gonad development

Improvement in Activity of Daily Living and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: the Impact of Nutrition Education

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common complications of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, a few studies are available on the effect of nutrition education on fatigue and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in patients with MS. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of nutrition education on fatigue and ability to perform ADL in patients with MS. Methods: This quasi-experimental one group, pretest and posttest study was performed on 40 patients with MS, who were conveniently recruited among patients, registered at the Iranian MS Society. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), a standard ADL scale, and a 24-hour food recall for two days. The instruments were completed at the start and two months after the intervention. Descriptive statistics and paired t test were used to analyze the data. Results: Sixty percent of the patients had severe fatigue before the intervention while, 90% of them reported mild fatigue after the intervention. The mean posttest ADL was increased by 12.45 units after the intervention when compared with the pretest value (P<0.001). Moreover, the daily intake of vitamin D and E, calcium and omega3 were lower than 75% of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) in most of the patients. Conclusions: The present study showed the beneficial effects of nutritional training on fatigue and ADL in patients with MS. Therefore, nurses and dietitians should regularly assess the patients’ dietary pattern and train them and their families about appropriate diet

Causes of bimodal melting curve:Asymmetric guaninecytosine (GC) distribution causing two peaks in melting curve and affecting their shapes

The aim of this study was to present a new situation in which a relatively single short PCR-product might show two separate peaks with sequence specific shapes at the dissociation curve. SYBR-Green I real-time RT-PCR was performed on Lhcgr-gene transcripts in rats. Different programs were used for melting curve simulation and estimating Tm. Statistical tests were performed to determine whether two peaks at the dissociation curve were belonging to a single template. A bimodal melting curve was observed in real-time RT-PCR on a short segment (169 bp) of Lhcgr gene with a single band in gel electrophoresis. Sequencing of the Cloned PCR-product was compatible with template sequence. Realtime PCR using the vector conveying interested sequence, showed again two peaks at dissociation curve. The GC-content of first 100 bases (75%) and last 69 bases (42%) were significantly different. DNA melting simulation programs also confirmed the bimodal pattern, although, their height and wideness were different to actual peaks. Due to the asymmetric GC distribution effect on dissociation curve in short sequences, it is highly recommended to use DNA melting simulation programs to predict the number of peaks in the melting curve when designating primers; however, predicted peak shapes are not always accurate.Key words: Asymmetric GC distribution, bimodal melting curve, DNA melting simulation, SYBR-green I realtime PCR

Cloning, expression, purification and antigenicity of antigenic region of MOMP protein from chlamydia trachomatis

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular parasites, gram-negative bacteria and also is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Correspondingly, the MOMP protein contains more than 60 of the extra-membrane proteins, which indicates the importance of this protein for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. The purpose of the study is to produce recombinant protein composed of antigenic regions of the MOMP protein and its antigenicity. Materials and Methods: In this study, the regions with the highest antigenic property of the omp1 gene, with a length of 674 bp, were obtained based on bioinformatics software's and linked with flexible linker. Then, it was cloned and expressed in plasmid vector pET32a. After purification of the recombinant protein, its antigenicity was evaluated using Western blot technique with serum of infected people with Chlamydia. Results: Based on the results, in all serum samples of patients with chlamydial infections, antibody response bands were observed in nitrocellulose paper. Anyway, no antibody response band was detected in the serum samples of healthy people. Conclusion: Data showed that antigenic region of MOMP protein can be expressed by in E. coli. This protein was recognized by sera patients suffering from Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Conclusively, the recombinant protein has similar epitopes and close antigenic properties to the natural form of this antigen. © 2017, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Cloning, expression, purification and antigenicity of antigenic region of MOMP protein from chlamydia trachomatis

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular parasites, gram-negative bacteria and also is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Correspondingly, the MOMP protein contains more than 60 of the extra-membrane proteins, which indicates the importance of this protein for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. The purpose of the study is to produce recombinant protein composed of antigenic regions of the MOMP protein and its antigenicity. Materials and Methods: In this study, the regions with the highest antigenic property of the omp1 gene, with a length of 674 bp, were obtained based on bioinformatics software's and linked with flexible linker. Then, it was cloned and expressed in plasmid vector pET32a. After purification of the recombinant protein, its antigenicity was evaluated using Western blot technique with serum of infected people with Chlamydia. Results: Based on the results, in all serum samples of patients with chlamydial infections, antibody response bands were observed in nitrocellulose paper. Anyway, no antibody response band was detected in the serum samples of healthy people. Conclusion: Data showed that antigenic region of MOMP protein can be expressed by in E. coli. This protein was recognized by sera patients suffering from Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Conclusively, the recombinant protein has similar epitopes and close antigenic properties to the natural form of this antigen. © 2017, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Cloning, expression and purification of escherichia coli modified phytase

Introduction: Phytases are the class of phosphatases, which are capable of hydrolyzing phytic acid. Phytases with the phytate degradation are able to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of phytate. Acidic and thermal stable phytase with high yield and purity by a relatively inexpensive system had extensive application. So, in this study, by modification in enzyme sequence, recombinant phytase production with the shorter length and high expression level was assessed. Materials and Methods: The phytase gene sequence was obtained from the NCBI database. After bioinformatics studies and doing the noted modification for increasing protein expression, gene proliferation was done by using PCR. E. coli BL21 (DE3) was used to express the protein. Protein purification was performed by Ni-NTA kit and finally, enzyme activity was assessed. Results: Phytase was successfully expressed and purified. Enzyme activity assay showed a significant activity. Conclusion: Produced recombinant phytase had high activity in spite of eliminating parts of the enzyme. © 2017, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved