Growth of a KDP (KH₂PO₄) twin crystal and comparison of its characteristics with a single crystal

KDP single and twin (prepared from two-glued seeds) crystals have been grown by the method of temperature reduction. Then, the grown crystals were cut and polished in the (100) direction for optical characterization. The transmission spectra and XRD analysis of the crystals were determined and compared. The Vickers microhardness tests carried out on the two types showed that duplication of the crystal lattice did not reduce the hardness of it

Density index and length scale of Pearl Oyster Pinctada radiata in two habitats around Hendorabi Island (Iran, the Persian Gulf)

As pearling has been banned in Iran since 2006, stocks of pearl oysters has not been investigated during these years; therefore, condition of natural habitats for Pinctada radiata in its old habitats was surveyed in present research. Shallow waters around Hendorabi Island were searched with diving and two habitats namely “Sooleh” and “Sahel-e-sheni”, were considered for study. The pearl oysters had most distribution in these habitats in depth ranges of 7 to 12 m and 8 to 11 m, respectively. Total stock in Sooleh and Sahel-e-sheni was surveyed near 35700 and 12563 Pinctada radiata, respectively, of which 22% and 67% were catchable, respectively. Catch Per Unit of Area (CPUA) in Sooleh and Sahel-e-sheni habitats was estimated equal to 0.3 N/m2 in both habitats, and Catch Per Unit of Effort (CPUE) in these habitats was calculated equal to 59.5 N/hr and 50.3 N/hr, respectively. Results of this study demonstrated that area, stocks and CPUA for studied habitats were less than previous years. Despite of interdict of pearling in this region since 7 years ago, stock revival has done slowly

Development of a KDP crystal growth system based on TRM and characterization of the grown crystals

A solution growth system has been built based on temperature reduction method [1]. A few KDP crystals were grown by the system up to 160×40×38 mm dimensions. Spectrophotometer transmission spectra from (100) planes of the grown crystals show about 86 % transmission in the visible region. XRD analysis, laser damage threshold, and microhardness of the crystals were determined. The etching behavior of surface features of grown KDP single crystals was studied in different etchants

Immunologic finding of disseminated granuloma reaction in patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and sarcoidosis

AbstractIntroductionNecrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is a rare syndrome with unknown etiology. The disease is frequently confused with sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases. Diagnosis is made based on typical histologic criteria. No specific laboratory finding can confirm NSG diagnosis. The gender ratio of women to men has been reported as being as high as 4:1 and has a good prognosis.Methods and resultsIn this report, the clinical and genetic features were surveyed of a 36-year-old male with extra-pulmonary NSG with unique manifestations, such as inguinal mass with positive smear and negative culture for the infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), which was not responsive to the first-line TB treatment and was characterized as a multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB). Later on, he was admitted for the MDR cure, and he did not react to the gold standard of MDR treatment. Finally, he presented with a huge lymphoid granuloma with massive ascites that was diagnosed as an NSG by IHC. He cured well with prednisolone and all symptoms of the disease were gone. At the hospitalization time, all laboratory experiments were well planned, such as a workup for the detection of defects of loop IL-12/IFN-γ, HLA-DR typing, and immunologic workup by flow-cytometry analysis.ConclusionThis is the first case report from patients with unique features of NSG combined with MTB

The first genetic identification of Theileria ovis subtype KP019206 in sheep in Iran

Ticks and tick-borne diseases, including theileriosis, constitute a major constraint to livestock production. Two species, known as Theileria lestoquardi and Theileria ovis, are suspected to contribute to ovine theileriosis in Iran. However, the epidemiological aspects of ovine theileriosis are poorly understood in this country. In a survey, designed to identify Theileria species in sheep, 52 (47.27%) out of 110 blood samples were positive, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. Among 52 positive samples, 100% (52/52) were positive for T. ovis, while T. lestoquardi was not detected in any of the samples. The 18S rRNA gene sequence of T. ovis isolated from Kurdistan, Iran has been submitted to the GenBank and can be retrieved by the accession number, KP019206. The current study presents the first report of T. ovis in Iran, using molecular identification techniques. Moreover, this study evaluated the present status of Theileria infection in the west of Iran

Detection and Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Type One Infection in Sheep Aborted Fetuses in Qazvin Province of Iran

Background: The aim of this study was to apply the nested-PCR and bioassay methods in detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii infection in provided sheep aborted fetus samples from Qazvin Province of Iran. Methods: Eighteen sheep aborted fetal samples were studied by nested-PCR-RFLP, histopathologi­cal observation and microbiological assay. Bioassay in mice was carried out by inoculating the brain samples intraperitoneally. Results: The results demonstrated the frequency of 66% infected sheep aborted fetal samples with T. gondii type one. Although we could not isolate any parasite from inoculated mice even after three pas­sages, but it was confirmed histopathologically formation of cyst like bodies in prepared mice brain sections. Conclusion: The results of the performed nested-PCR and formation of brain cyst in inoculated mice exhibited that T. gondii type one infection might be considered as one of the major causative agents for abortion in ewes