Allelic forms of merozoite surface protein-3 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southeast of Iran

Background: Genetic diversity has provided Plasmodium falciparum with the potential capacity of avoiding the immune response, and possibly supported the natural selection of drug or vaccine-resistant parasites. Merozoite surface protein-3 (MSP-3) has been used to develop vaccines and investigate the genetic diversity regarding P. falciparum malaria in Iran. Objectives: The main goal of this study was to analyze the polymorphic antigen MSP-3 genes across southeast of Iran among four different districts, to identify the differences in the allele frequency and genetic diversity. Materials and Methods: Nested polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to determine polymorphisms of N-terminal region of the MSP-3 gene. A total of 85 microscopically positive P. falciparum infected individuals from southeast of Iran were included in this study. Results: Of the 85 confirmed P. falciparum samples obtained from four different districts, 72 were successfully scored for MSP-3.The MSP-3 allele classes (K1 and 3D7 types) showed comparable prevalence in all districts. Overall frequencies of K1 and 3D7 allele classes were 94.5 % for both. Conclusions: Since no study has yet looked at the extent of P. falciparum MSP-3 in this geographic region, these data can be helpful to support development of a vaccine based on MSP-3 against malaria. There should be a comparative analysis in different seasonal peaks to indicate the allelic polymorphism of MSP-3 over a period. © 2014, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences; Published by Kowsar Corp

Generation of ultrashort electrical pulses in semiconductor waveguides

We report a novel device capable of generating ultrashort electrical pulses on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) by means of optical rectification. The device consists of a completely passive GaAs-based optical waveguide, which is velocity matched to a CPW line. Optical pulses are injected into the device and electrical pulses are collected at the output. Experimental results obtained in the laboratory show the potential of this device for high speed optical-to-electrical conversion

Trying for a second chance: Iranian infertile couples’ experiences after failed ART

Introduction: Despite significant advances, only 35% infertile couples conceive after ART. If IVF is unsuccessful, couples will need to decide whether to proceed again with assisted conception. The aim of this study was to explore Iranian infertile couples’ experiences after failed ART to continue treatment. Methods: In this qualitative study participants were selected using purposeful sampling method. Data were collected using 29 semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews at a regional Infertility Center from April 2016 to June 2017. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with conventional content analysis method using MAXQDA software. Results: Our findings suggest that couples’ decisions to continue treatment after unsuccessful ART is shaped by their social, emotional and financial circumstances. We have constructed two themes to describe their experiences: support to continue and trying for a second chance. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that good marital and family support networks can support infertile couples during this period of decision making. Considering the depression and anxiety caused by failed ARTs, which itself could affect the success rate of any further ARTs, the clinical team should effectively assess psychological readiness of couples who decide to continue with another ART after unsuccessful treatment

Correlation Between Health-Related Quality of Life in Veterans With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury and Their Caregiving Spouses

Background: Recently, investigations have indicated that caring of a chronically ill family member strongly influences the health status and the quality of life (QOL) of the caregiving family members. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health-related QOL of veterans with chronic spinal cord injury and their caregiving spouses. Patients and Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study including two groups; veterans with chronic spinal cord injury and their caregiving wives who were living in the city of Mashhad, Iran. The patients with spinal cord injury were veterans from the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). All the participants filled out the short form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the scales of the two groups. Results: The mean age and standard deviation of veterans and their spouses were 48.5 ± 5.9 and 44.8 ± 7.2, respectively and their number of children ranged between 0-6. Our data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in some domains of the SF-36, including PF, MH, PCS, MCS, BP and GH (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in RP, VT, SF and RE between the two groups. Conclusions: The results indicate that a decrease in health status level of veterans, physically and mentally, can affect the health-related QOL of their caregiving spouses

Introducing genetic markers to identify and distinguish five species of Cyprinidae in the Caspian Sea using PCR-RFLP

Cyprinids are the main and most significant bony fishes found in the Caspian Sea. In this study, 15 specimens of Rutilus fish kutum (Kamensky, 1901), 10 specimens of Barbus capito (Gueldenstaedtii, 1772), 10 specimens of Bream Abramis brama (Linnaeus, 1785), 10 specimens of Redlip, Aspius aspius, and 15 specimens of Kora volba, Rutilus rutilus caspius, were collected from commercial catch stations. DNA from all specimens was extracted using the phenol-chloroform method in 500[1.1 tubes and amplified using PCR method with a pair of primers with cytochrom b gene sequence of Kora volba. For RFLP analysis, PCR products of cytochorome gene b (1117 bp) from each species were digested with five restriction enzymes under suitable conditions of incubation. DNA bands were visualized by gel electrophoresis (polyacrylamide) and staining with silver nitrate. Five enzyme Rsa I, Hinf I. Hha I , Hine II, and Mbo I showed polymorphism. Genotypes obtained from digestion of enzymes Rsa I, Hinf I, Hha I showed haplotypes AAAAA for Barbus capito, BBBB for R. rutilus caspius, CCCC for Bream Abramis brama, DDDD for Aspius aspius and EEEE for R. frisii kutum. Each of these haplotypes serves as a genetic marker for the species and is of significant importance in distinguishing them

Antioxidant and Antihaemolytic Activities of the Leaves of Kefe cumin (Laser trilobum L) Umbelliferae

Purpose: To investigate the antioxidant and antihaemolytic properties of the leaves of Laser trilubum grown in Gaduk, Iran. Methods: The antioxidant and antihaemolytic activities of the hydroalcohol extract of L. trilobum L. leaf were investigated by haemoglobin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation, scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, as well as by assessment of reducing power and Fe2+ chelating activity, using standard methods. Phenol and flavonoid contents were determined as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents, respectively. Results: The extract showed antioxidant activity in some models, with 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) for DPPH radical-scavenging activity being 147.1 ± 7.5 μg ml-1. The extract showed good nitric oxide-scavenging activity of between 0.1 and 1.6 mg ml-1 (IC50 = 517.7 ± 23.1 vs. 20 ± 0.01 μg ml-1 for quercetin), weak Fe2+ chelating ability (IC50, 906.9 ± 37.8 μg ml-1), and low antioxidant activity in haemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system. However, it was capable of scavenging hydrogen peroxide in a concentration-dependent manner while also exhibiting potent antihaemolytic activity against H2O2 - induced haemolysis (IC50, 169.6 ± 6.9 μg ml-1). Total phenolic content was 75 ± 3 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and total flavonoid content 59.2 ± 2.1 mg quercetin equivalent/g. The amounts of gallic acid, quercetin and rutin were 0.99 ± 0.04, 0.63 ± 0.01 and < 0.10 μg/mg, respectively. Conclusion: L. trilobum exhibited good but varying levels of antioxidant and antihaemolytic activities in nearly all the models studied, when compared with controls.Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Laser trilobum, Antihaemolytic, Flavonoids, Kefe cumi

Selected morpho-chemical features of hemocytes in farmed shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus in Iran

The aim of the present study was to determine various types of hemocytes, total and differential hemocyte count and to show some indices of phagocytosis, including percent phagocytosis and phagocytic index in Indian white shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus in Iranian shrimp farms. The hemolymph was extracted from the shrimps and mixed with anticoagulant. It then stained and Yeast was added as foreign particles to samples. Based on the cell size and presence of the granules and nucleocytoplasmic ratio, three major groups of hemocytes, including hyaline cells, small granular cells (SGC) and large granular cells (LGC) were identified. Hyaline cell (HC) was the smallest hemocyte. HC (hyaline cell) about was 10-15%, lower quantity in comparison to some species and those of LGC and SGC were 20-25% and 60-65%, respectively, suggesting that relative percentage of differential hemocyte count in Fenneropenaeus indicus is different from other decapods. Also, in this study, it was shown that SGH and LGH could engulf the yeast particles. In Contrast to some previous studies, no engulfment was observed by hyaline cells in vitro. In this study it was showed that there are some variations in total and differential hemocyte count compare to other species in the family of Penaeidae

Infertile couples' perceived needs after unsuccessful fertility treatment: A qualitative study

Introduction: Infertility is a major medical issue. Investigations and treatment of infertility are the beginning of a complex, time-consuming and stressful process for couples that may fail well. The present study explored the needs of infertile couples following treatment failure with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in an Iranian infertility center, in the Northeast of the country between April 2016 and June 2017. The researchers recruited 29 individuals including 9 couples, 9 women and two men with primary infertility through purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed iteratively, using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA software. Results: The main concepts obtained from the data were classified into one theme titled: ""The need for support"" and four main categories along with their subcategories, and included the need for psychological support, the need for more useful information, the need for social support and the need to access to supplementary services. Conclusion: The findings show that following treatment failure, the infertile patients’ expressed needs and preferences were not met. Identifying and meeting their needs may help the infertile couples to deal with ARTs failure and to reach a decision about future treatment

Iranian infertile couples' strategies to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatments with assisted reproductive technologies

Many infertile couples feel vulnerable after failed treatment cycles and find insensitive remarks or inappropriate support distressing. They fear that the stress of failed treatment cycles may affect their marriage and lead to marriage breakdown. This study explored the strategies a sample of infertile couples used to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 34 participants including nine infertile couples, nine infertile women and two infertile men with primary infertility, two relatives, and three fertility clinic staff. The participants were selected through purposive sampling at an infertility centre in Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis approach. Participants found some social interactions after failed assisted reproductive treatment cycles to be distressing and painful. They described tolerating painful emotions which cause them sadness and sorrow as well as feeling embarrassed. As a result, they found they needed to maintain their adopting concealment strategies with their families through not permitting speculation, selective disclosure, not giving details and hiding the truth. This study showed that social interactions following failed assisted reproductive cycles can be upsetting for infertile couples. Couples use different strategies to manage potentially distressing social interactions. Healthcare providers and psychologists may provide a space for safe social interactions in order to help couples to use appropriate strategies in these circumstances