Genetic relationships among collections of the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, in the south Caspian Sea detected by mitochondrial DNA–Restriction fragment length polymorphisms

In the present study, mitochondrial DNA polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was used to assess the population structure and genetic relationships among six Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus populations from the south Caspian Sea along the Iranian coast. The complete nucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 5 (NADH 5) region of mtDNA amplified by PCR was digested with five restriction enzymes. In total, 154 individuals from six populations including: Guilan (Zone1-2), Mazandaran (Zone 3 and 5), Golestan (Zone 4) and Sefidroud River, from the south Caspian Sea along the Iranian coast were analyzed using five restriction endonucleases (Rsa І, Hinf І, HaeIII, Mbo І and Cfr13І), yielding 17 haplotypes. Samples from Sefidroud River were clearly identified by cluster and molecular variance model (AMOVA) analyses. This collection showed dominant haplotypes that were little in populations from the other geographic areas. The mean haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.739±0.038 and 0.0105±0.0043, respectively. Based on heterogeneity test haplotype frequencies of Persian sturgeon populations and Monte-Carlo with 1000 replicates in PCR-RFLP method significant differences were seen (χ2 =37.12, P< 0.0001) and these results showed that haplotype distribution in different location were significant and populations of Sefidroud River were statistically significant (P< 0.0001). This result suggests that the unique genetic structure of Sefidroud River represents a highly valuable genetic resource and should now be treated as demographically independent and managed separately

Genetic diversity in the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser percicus, from the south Caspian Sea based on mitochondrial DNA sequences of the control region

The Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897), is an economically important species, which mainly inhabits the Caspian Sea. However, little is known about its population genetic structure. In this study, variation in nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of wild stock Persian sturgeon was determined to assess the genetic diversity among different natural populations of this species. The fish (n = 46) were collected from four sites (Astara, Sefidrood, Noshahr and BandareTurkaman) in the south Caspian Sea. As a result 6 haplotypes and 44 variable sites were found. The average haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.640±0.028 and 0.0442±0.011, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) demonstrated that most variations occurred within samples, and the difference between the populations from Astara and Noshahr or Bandare- Turkaman was not significant (p <0.001). Estimates of gene flow indicated reproductive isolation between the Sefidrood River population and the other collections. The divergence might be related to geographical isolation. The results are consistent with the findings from PCR-RFLP analysis (PCR-RFLP) and suggest considerable genetic diversity of the population from Sefidrood River

Genetic analysis of pike-perch, Sander lucioperca L., populations revealed by microsatellite DNA markers in Iran

This study was conducted in order to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of pike perch in the Northern part of Iran. For this purpose, 207 adult pike-perches from four regions of the Caspian Sea watershed (Talesh Coasts, Anzali Wetland, Chaboksar Coasts and Aras Dam) were collected. DNA was extracted and by using 15 pairs of microsatellite primers, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted. DNA bands were analyzed using Biocapt and GenAlex 6 software package. Out of 15 microsatellite primers, 11 loci were produced, of those, 6 loci were polymorphic and 5 were monomorphic. Analysis revealed that the average number of alleles per locus and observed heterozygosities were not statistically significant (P>0.05) for all four populations. Data indicated an appreciable genetic differentiation, in spite of a low genetic variation, and agreed with the low level of genetic polymorphism already observed for this species in Iran. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was obvious in most cases, mostly due to the deficiency of heterozygosities. The highest genetic distance was between Anzali Wetland and Aras Dam populations. This investigation represents the first approach to the knowledge of the genetic variability of Iranian populations using microsatellite markers, and reported results could be of interest for future management and conservation programs of this species in Iran

Effects of starvation and re-feeding on some hematological and plasma biochemical parameters of juvenile Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897

The effect of starvation and re-feeding was investigated on growth, hematology and biochemical parameters in juvenile Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus). Three hundred and seventy five fish (108±0.63 g) were divided into five feeding groups. The control group (C) was fed to satiation three times a day during the experiment. The four groups were starved for 1 (W1), 2 (W2), 3 (W3), and 4 (W4) weeks respectively, and then fed to satiation during a 4 week re-feeding period. The results indicated that some parameters including final weight, specific growth rate ,body weight increase, plasma enzymes (ALT, Alanine aminotransferase, AST, Aspartat aminotransferase and ALP, Alkaline phosphatise, hematological parameters [Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)]were significantly affected by feeding regimes. The plasma cortisol, hematocrit, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes were not affected by starvation and subsequent re-feeding. These findings showed that short term starvations had no significant negative effects on growth performance, most biochemical and hematological parameters in Persian sturgeon could recover when re-feeding resumed

Population genetic structure of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) between South Caspian Sea and Sefidrud River using DNA sequencing method

The goal of this study was to analyse the population genetic structure of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) between South Caspian Sea and Sefidrud River with mtDNA control region (Dloop gene) and DNA sequencing method during 2010 – 2012 sturgeon stock assessment project. Fish speciemns were collected by bottom trawl net. Extraction of DNA, PCR and DNA sequencing were carried out. Diversity index, the gamma distribution shape parameter for the rate heterogeneity among sites and nucleotide sequence, Fst index, exact test, the historical demographic pattern using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis (D test of Tajima and Fs test of Fu) were analysed. Thirteen haplotypes were obtained, average (±SD) for haplotype diversity was 0.961 ± 0.101, nucleotide diversity was 0.038 ± 0.015, the gamma distribution shape parameter was 0.19, Fst index revealed little genetic structure between populations and the significant Fst value was seen by 10000 permutation only between Sefidrud River and Other Areas (P≤ 0.05) and was confirmed by exact test of population differentiation. Mismatch distribution for Acipenser persicus appeared to be unimodal, which closely matched the expected distributions under the sudden expansion model and supported by the low Harpending’s Raggedness index (0.061). Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs statistics were -0.84 and - 0.220, respectively, and was not significant. The results of this study showed that the population of Acipenser persicus in Sefidrud River were genetically differentiated from South Caspian Sea and three other areas represented a single panmictic populations. Therefore, fisheries managements of this valuable species should be directed towards conservation of gene pools and increasing different populations

Identification of genetic marker for differentiation of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) from Russian sturgeon (A. gueldeustadtti)

The Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) is more abundant sturgeon species in the South Caspian Sea and consist the highest proportion of Iranian Caviar, meat as well as bringing maximum foreign currency income, however from systematic point of view and differentiation of this species from Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstadttii) a serious challenging issues remain, where some Russian scientist are believe that the Persian sturgeon is not as an valid species and consider it as a subspecies of Russian sturgeon. This research conducted with the objective of identification and introducing a molecular marker based on specific DNA for differentiation of two species of Persian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon via a proved molecular marker method. For this purposes 8 different molecular approaches such: Microsatellite, AFLP, RAPD, sequencing of Cytb, 16sDNA, ND5, Growth Hormone gene and finally Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) were investigated. Based on applied methodology, between 5 to 16 caudal fin tissues were sampled for each species from different region of the Caspian Sea, Sefiedrud River, Ural and Volga rivers. Following DNA extraction, its quality and quantity were determined and the PCR experiment has been conducted using 5-110 primers according to various methods and type of gene. The PCR products were electrophoresed on Polyacrilamid or agarose gels and followed by silver and Ethidium Bromide staining. In RAPD method, polymorphic DNA band was cut on the gel followed by purification and then the segments were cloned in vector in Top10 strain of E.coli, and then sequenced. Meanwhile for Growth Hormone gene in Persian and Russian sturgeon the MEGA 4, Gene runner software were used to design the appropriate primers for PCR amplification. The PCR products were cloned in PTZ57R/T vector and transformed in Top10 E.coli strain and sequenced finally. For all other genes, similar methods were applied for PCR amplification and its products were sequenced and statistical analysis as well as phylogenetical tree was performed. In Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) method, after genomic library construction, in total 14.4 billion nucleotides were sequenced and similarity/ differentiation analysis of two species were investigated using specific bioinformatic software. Results indicated that Microsatellite and AFLP methods showed high level of genetic variation both within and between species. The Cytb gene, when 4 sample sequences from each species were compared two species were differentiated, however when analysis repeated over 15 samples, the sequence comparison couldn't differentiate two above mentioned species. Full sequence comparison of 16sDNA and mtDNA-ND5 gene showed variation in some nucleotide in both species of Persian and Russian sturgeon but no significant. Results of sequences obtained from cloned segment with RAPD method and also specific primer design based on produced sequences could succeed to discover a variable DNA band that able to differentiate two species from each other. Results of the present study also showed that the growth hormone gene (GH) of Persian and Russian sturgeon consists of 645 nucleotide that translate to 214 Amino Acids. The sequence comparison indicated that the gene coding growth hormone in Persian and Russian sturgeon had the highest similarity with GH of Mammals (71%), Anguilaformes (63%) and less similarity with bony fish (37%). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Persian and Russian sturgeon in compare to other organism are ancient species and this gene is originated from a common ancestor. At present study the most appropriate results obtained from Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) method by sequencing 14.4 billion nucleotide from genome of two species of Persian and Russian sturgeon from North and the South Caspian Sea could prove that the Persian sturgeon is a valid and independent specie. This excellent results is the biggest scientific achievement for differentiation of two highly commercial important sturgeon species in the Caspian Sea in last two decades

Blunt traumatic aortic injury: Initial experience with endovascular repair

ObjectivesEndovascular treatment of traumatic aortic injury (TAI) is an alternative to open repair (OR) in patients with blunt trauma. We report our initial experience after integration of endovascular repair using thoracic devices.MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively collected institutional trauma registry was performed. Between September 2005 and November 2008, 71 patients with TAI presented to our institution. Based on imaging, TAIs were classified into grade 1-4 in severity. These included: grade 1, intimal tear; grade 2, intramural hematoma; grade 3, aortic pseudoaneurysm; and grade 4, free rupture. Initial management included resuscitation, blood pressure control, and treatment of associated injuries. After stabilization, all patients were considered for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using a thoracic device. If contraindicated, candidates underwent OR. Outcome measures were mortality, stroke, paraplegia, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital stay.ResultsThe mean age was 39.8 years, with 50 males. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 42.6. Nineteen (27%) patients with a mean ISS of 60 died shortly after arrival prior to any vascular intervention. Ten (14%) patients with grade 1 injuries were managed medically. The remaining 42 (59%) patients with grade 2 and 3 injuries underwent repair. Median interval between admission and repair was 4.3 days (range, 0-109 days). Fifteen (21%) patients with a mean ISS of 34.4 underwent OR with no mortality, stroke, or paraplegia. Twenty-seven (38%) patients with a mean ISS of 36.7 underwent TEVAR with no mortality or paraplegia. One TEVAR patient suffered a perioperative stroke. Twenty-two patients had a TAG (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) device. Four patients had a Talent Thoracic (Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif), and 1 patient had an Excluder (W.L. Gore) device. The left subclavian artery was covered in 13 (48%) patients. Patients who underwent TEVAR were older than those who had OR (47.8 vs 31.1 years, P < .006). The aortic diameter proximal to the injury was larger in the TEVAR group (24.4 vs 19.6 mm, P < .0001). There was no difference in the mean ICU or hospital length of stay between the two groups. Mortality correlated with the ISS score (P < .0001). Median follow-up time was 19.4 months (range, 0-27). Only 56% of the TEVAR patients were fully compliant with their surveillance imaging protocol.ConclusionIn this initial experience, the results of TEVAR did not differ from OR. Long-term follow-up is required to determine the effectiveness of this treatment strategy. Adherence to follow-up imaging protocols is challenging in this patient population. Next generation devices will make TEVAR applicable to a wider range of patients

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Dogs in Tehran, Iran

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infects a wide range of animals; felines are definitive hosts and other animals including the dogs are intermediate hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran, capital of Iran and to investigate possi­ble associated risk factors.Methods: Three hundreds ninety six serum samples were collected during 2007-8 from the dogs. Col­lected samples were tested using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in dilutions of 1:16 and more. All procedures were carried out in Shahrekord University, Iran. All the data were analyzed using SPSS software, qui square test with confidence interval of 0.95.Results: From evaluated samples, 89 (22.47%) were positive in titers of at least 1:16. further evalua­tions in other dilutions showed positive results in dilutions of maximum 1:16 , 1:32, 1:64, 1:128 and 1:256 in 38, 29, 15, 2 and 5 dogs respectively. Investigation of the role of risk factors showed no sex predisposition while infection rate was significantly higher in dogs older than one year old. Living places were of significant importance; infection rate was significantly higher in stray or guard dogs in compare with household dogs (P<0.05). Conclusion: Relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran shows high environmental contamination. It is recommended that the dogs with suspected clinical signs be tested for T. gondii infection

Postoperative renal function preservation with nonischemic femoral arterial cannulation for thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

BACKGROUND: Renal failure after thoracoabdominal aortic repair is a significant clinical problem. Distal aortic perfusion for organ and spinal cord protection requires cannulation of the left femoral artery. In 2006, we reported the finding that direct cannulation led to leg ischemia in some patients and was associated with increased renal failure. After this finding, we modified our perfusion technique to eliminate leg ischemia from cannulation. In this article, we present the effects of this change on postoperative renal function. METHODS: Between February 1991 and July 2008, we repaired 1464 thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Distal aortic perfusion was used in 1088, and these were studied. Median patient age was 68 years, and 378 (35%) were women. In September 2006, we began to adopt a sidearm femoral cannulation technique that provides distal aortic perfusion while maintaining downstream flow to the leg. This was used in 167 patients (15%). We measured the joint effects of preoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cannulation technique on the highest postoperative creatinine level, postoperative renal failure, and death. Analysis was by multiple linear or logistic regression with interaction. RESULTS: The preoperative GFR was the strongest predictor of postoperative renal dysfunction and death. No significant main effects of sidearm cannulation were noted. For peak creatinine level and postoperative renal failure, however, strong interactions between preoperative GFR and sidearm cannulation were present, resulting in reductions of postoperative renal complications of 15% to 20% when GFR was \u3c60 mL\u3e/min/1.73 m(2). For normal GFR, the effect was negated or even reversed at very high levels of GFR. Mortality, although not significantly affected by sidearm cannulation, showed a similar trend to the renal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Use of sidearm cannulation is associated with a clinically important and highly statistically significant reduction in postoperative renal complications in patients with a low GFR. Reduced renal effect of skeletal muscle ischemia is the proposed mechanism. Effects among patients with good preoperative renal function are less clear. A randomized trial is needed

pivotal results for the valiant navion stent graft system in the valiant evo global clinical trial

Abstract Objective The Valiant Navion stent graft system (Medtronic, Santa Rosa, Calif) is a new iteration of a thoracic endograft for the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. Herein, the 30-day primary safety and efficacy outcomes and secondary end points are presented. Methods The Valiant EVO global clinical trial is a prospective, nonrandomized, single-arm trial. Patient enrollment occurred from April 2016 to October 2017. The primary end point was defined as access and/or deployment failure and/or a major device effect (MDE), including device-related secondary procedures, device-related mortality, conversion to open surgery, or thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture within 30 days of the index procedure. Other measures of stent graft performance including procedural data, rates of secondary procedures, and frequency of endoleaks are also reported. Results Of the 87 consecutive patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair who were enrolled, 33 (37.9%) were female with 61 (70.9%) presenting with severe access artery tortuosity and 66 (85.7%) with high thoracic aortic tortuosity per core laboratory evaluation. The mean procedure duration was 88.7 ± 53.4 minutes and geographical differences existed such as percutaneous access (37/52 [71.2%]) in the United States and surgical cut down in the outside of the U.S. sites (28/35 [80.0%]). There were no access or deployment failures and only 2.3% of the patients (2/87; P Conclusions Access/deployment failures, MDEs, and endoleaks were rare in the first 30 days of the Valiant Evo clinical trial. The Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system has shown encouraging 30-day results in this challenging cohort and trial patients will continue to be followed through 5 years