Resistance integrons. Mini review

Integrons represent genetic mechanisms that allow bacteria to adapt and evolve rapidly through the stockpiling. The genes are embedded in a specific genetic structure called gene cassette (a term that is lately changing to integron cassette) that typically carries one promoterless ORF together with a recombination site (attC). Additionally, an integron will usually contain one or more gene cassettes that have been incorporated into it. The gene cassettes may encode genes for antibiotic resistance. In recent years, they have had a crucial role in the acquisition, expression, and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, the ongoing threats posed by integrons require an understanding of their origins and evolutionary history. This review examines the functions and activities of integrons. It shows how antibiotic use selected particular integrons from among the environmental pool, so that integrons carrying resistance genes are now present in the majority of Gram-negative pathogens. In closing, it examines the potential consequences of widespread pollution with the novel integrons in Iran and the world

Sleep Quality in Women with Endometriosis

Background: Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized as the implantation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depressive symptom and impaired quality of life are common in these women. Sleep quality had not been considered in these women as it should be. The goal of this study was to evaluate sleep quality in women with endometriosis.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 61 married women with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis asked to fill valid and reliable Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).Results: Mean age and mean education level were 31.4±6.7 years and 11.7±3.1 years, respectively. Dysmenorrhea followed by dyspareunia was the most common symptoms (68.8% and 40.3%). Mean PSQI score was 6.1±3.4, twenty eight (45.9%) had PSQI score equal or less than 5 and 33 (54.1%) had PSQI score more than 5 (poor sleep). Mean PSQI was significantly different between cases with and without dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia.Conclusion: Sleep quality should be considered in women with endometriosis

Introduction of Astigmatina and Oribatida Mites (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) associated with Stored Food Products in Mashhad county

Introduction: The occurrence and activity of mites in stored foods cause a variety of qualitative and quantitative damages, including reduction in the germinating power of the grains, bronchial asthma and allergic skin reactions. Among the mites associated with stored products, species of order Sarcoptiformes especially some species of Astigmatina including the genera Acarus, Suidasia and Tyrophagousare have economic importance and a worldwide distribution. The members of family Histiosomatidae also are cosmopolitan and often found in moist organic materials. In Iran, there have been a considerable number of studies on astigmatic mites. Kamali et al. have provided a list of stored product mites. fthe work of Bahrami et al. on species diversity of Acaroidea in Tehran, Ardeshir on population of stored grains in different seasons in Iran;Sayedi et al. on mites associated with stored rice in Guilan can be mentioned. Reviewing the literature revealed that in the only study that has been carried out in the study area, only 6 species of storage mites have previously been reported from Khorasan-e- +Razavi province). Literature review showed that although Oribatida consists of 9000 known species in the world, the number of recorded species from Iran is not considerable. Iranian studies on oribatid mites have limited to a few specific areas and recent years. By considering the limitation of knowledge on species diversity of stored product mites in the study area, the present study aimed to improve our knowledge on the mite associated with the stored food products in Mashhad city and the vicinity. Material and Methods: During years 2011−2012 a variety of food storages in Mashhad region were visited and sampled. These stored food products included wheat, barley, wheat bran, rice, flour mill, factories of pasta and bakeries, stockpiles of livestock’s food, and potato and onion storages in different parts of Mashhad. Mite specimens were extracted from infested materials by using Berlese-Tullgreen funnel. The specimens were cleared using either pure Lactic acid or Nesbitt’s mixture and then mounted in Hoyer's medium as microscopic slides. Using relevant references, mites were identified and then sent to the third and fourth authors for confirmation. Type specimens are held in the Acarological laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Results and Discussion: Among the identified species, Histiostoma sapromyzarum (Dufour) has reported from Iran for the first time. New records for the study area are indicated by an asterisk. The list of identifying species is as below: I- Astigmatina- 1- Family Acaridae: Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau)*, Caloglyphus berlesie Michael, Acarus siro Linnaeus, Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin)*, R. robini Clapared, Tyrophagus longior Gervais*, T.putrescentiae (Schrank), 2- Family Chortoglyphidae: Chortoglyphus arcuatus (Troupeau)*, 3- Family Glycyphagidae: Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank)*, 4- Histiostomatidae: Histiostoma feroniarum (Dufour)*, H. sapromyzarum (Dufour), 5- Suidasiidae: Suidasia nesbitti Hughes*. II- Oribatida- 1- Family Aphelacaridae: Aphelacarus acarinus (Berlese)*, 2- Family Cosmochthoniidae: Cosmochthonius sp.*, 3- Family Ctenacaridae: Ctenacarus araneola (Grandjean)*, 4- Family Galumnidae: Galumnadis cifera Balogh*, Galumnakarajica Mahunka & Akrami*, 5- Family Haplozetidae: Haplozetes sp.*, 6- Family Mesoplophoridae: Mesoplophora sp.*, 7- Family Oppiidae: Lasiobelba sp.*, 8- Family Oribatulidae: Oribatula (Oribatula) sp.*, O. (Zygoribatula) sp.*, O.(Zygoribatula) connexa Berlese*, O. (Zygoribatula) exarata Berlese*, 9- Family Scheloribatidae: Scheloribates fimbriatus Thor*. Conclusion: In this study, 12 species of Astigmatina belonging to 9 genera of 5 families and 13 species of oribatid mites were collected and identified. Among them, one species, namely Histiosomas apromyzarum (Dufour) is a new record for the fauna of Iran. Twenty species were reported for the first time from Khorasan-e- Razavi province. Certainly, this list is far from reality. As many parts of the province have not been explored faunistically, with further research in different parts of the province, the recorded mite species would be considerably increased. Not only more faunistic studies are required further research on the biology and ecology of the recorded species is suggested. Also, it should be noted that on the basis of our records, the species T. putrescentiae was found to be the most common mite in the stored food products in Mashhad city and its vicinity