Exogenous ascorbate improves antioxidant defense system and induces salinity tolerance in soybean seedlings

Germination, growth and antioxidant defense system were investigated under salinity stress and pre-treatment with ascorbate (ASC) in two soybean cultivars SAHAR and DPX. Sterilized seeds were soaked in distilled water or ASC solution (0, 400 mg L-1) for 4 hrs before they were sown in distilled water or NaCl solution (0, 12.5 and 50 mM). Salt stress reduced the growth of both cultivars through reduction in percentage of germination, shoot and root length and dry weight of seedling. ASC induced enhancement in growth of salt-stressed plants coupled with an increase in catalase and peroxidase activity in seedlings only in SAHAR cultivar, and an increase in superoxide dismutase activity in both cultivars. These findings led us to conclude that applied ASC counteracts the adverse effects of salt stress on growth of soybean; however, these effects were cultivar specific

Contrastive response of Phlomis tuberosa to salinity and UV radiation stresses

Growth, photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant defense system were investigated under salinity stress and UV radiation in Phlomis tuberosa (Lamiaceae) grown under environmentally controlled conditions for two weeks. Salinity at 40 mM results in significant reduction of shoot growth up to 20%, while UV radiation at 10 kJ m-2 d-1 did not affect plants dry matter production. Salinity did not influnce PSII photochemistry, while UVA+B radiation caused a significant reduction of maximum quantum yield of PSII. The net photosynthesis rate was inhibited by both salinity and UV stress following reduced stomatal conductance. Leaf osmotic and water potential were decreased by salinity but not UV radiation. Activity of antioxidant enzymes increased under both salinity and UV radiation stress, however, membrane damage was occurred only under UV stress. Our data implied that, high salinity sensitivity in this species was mainly attributable to the salt-induced disturbance in water relations and reduced assimilation rate rather than to other factors such as damage to PSII, oxidative stress or membrane damage. However, PSII photoinhibition, membrane damage and significant reduction of net assimilation rate were not able to affect negatively plants performance under UV stress implying involvement of other factors in high UV stress tolerance in Phlomis tuberosa

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Scientometric Analysis

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a major cause of central blindness among working aged adults across the world. Systematic research planning on any subject, including ARMD is in need of solid data regarding previous efforts in this field and to identify the gaps in the research. This study aimed to elucidate the most important trends, directions, and gap in this subject. The data extracted from the Institute for Scientific Information were used to perform a bibliometric analysis of the scientific productions (1993–2013) about ARMD. Specific parameters related to ARMD were analyzed to obtain a view of the topic’s structure, history, and document relationships. Additionally, the trends and authors in the most influential publications were analyzed. The number of articles in this field was found constantly increasing. Most highly cited articles addressed genetic epidemiology and clinical research topics in this field.  During the past 3 years, there has been a trend toward biomarker research. Through performing the first scientometric survey on ARMD research, we analyzed the characteristics of papers and the trends in scientific production.  We also identified some of the critical gaps in the current research efforts that would help in large-scale research strategic planning

Exploring Managers’ Experiences of Hospital Disaster Preparedness: A Qualitative Study

Background: Preparedness is one of the important and effective pre-crisis management stages and involves all actions and programs that enable the organization to respond quickly and effectively in critical situations. To this end, this study aimed to explore the experiences of crisis managers and experts in hospital disaster preparedness. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis in 2019. The research population included hospital managers and crisis specialists in Ardabil Province. The participants were 14 managers and crisis specialists who were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Griesheim and Landman’s qualitative content analysis approach. Results: The analysis of the data revealed four main categories including management and planning, infrastructural development, human resources, and intersectoral coordination. Conclusion: The findings of the present study highlighted the significance of preparedness for emergencies, management and planning, having codified instructions, and implementation and evaluation to increase the preparedness of hospitals to deal with emergencies

Performance of an ELISA and Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay in Serological Diagnosis of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Iran

Serological assays have been extensively evaluated for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and considered as a routine method for diagnosis of VL while these methods are not properly evaluated for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study aimed to assess the performance of indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Sixty-one sera samples from parasitologically confirmed CL patients and 50 sera from healthy controls along with 50 sera from non-CL patients were collected. Antigen was prepared from promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major. IFA was used to detect anti-Leishmania IgG while ELISA was used to detect anti-Leishmania IgM, total IgG, or IgG subclasses (IgG1 and 4). ELISA, for detection of total IgG and IgM, showed sensitivity of 83.6% and 84.7% and specificity of 62.7% and 54.6%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for detecting IgG1 and IgG4 were 64%, 75% and 85%, 49%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of IFA were 91.6% and 81%. Conclusion. Findings of this study demonstrated that serological test, especially IFA, can be used for proper diagnosis of CL

Utility of Western Blot Analysis for the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease with a relatively wide distribution in different areas of the world, including Iran. The parasite is mainly diagnosed microscopically, but serological approaches might be useful for diagnosis as well.  This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an immunoblotting system for serodiagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: Sixty-one sera samples from parasitologically confirmed CL patients and 50 sera samples from healthy controls along with 50 sera sample from non-CL patients were collected. Native strain of Leishmania major was cultured in Schnei­der medium and soluble Leishmania antigens were prepared from amastigotes-like parasites. All of sera samples were evaluated by an immunoblot­ting system. Results: Components of 14 to 135 kDa were detectable by the sera of CL pa­tients. From 61 sera of CL patients, 59 cases (96.7%) detected a 63 kDa subunit and 51 cases (83.6%) recognized a 32-35 kDa component. Among all subunits, the 63 kDa band showed the highest sensitivity (96.7%) and a 75 kDa band had the highest (98%) specificity. Conclusion: Immunoblotting has a satisfactory performance in diagnosis of CL and this test can be used, as an aid, for proper diagnosis of CL

Microscopic and Molecular detection of Theileria (Babesia) equi infection in equids of Kurdistan Province, Iran

Background: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is the cause of persistent tick-borne infection with no symptoms, but the most important problem of EP is due to the persistent carrier state. Carrier animals to Babesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran 1901) and B. caballi (Nuttall, 1910) infestation could be identified by extremely sensitive PCR-based method. The purpose of this study was to identify the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis based on molecular and microscopic assays in equids from Kurdistan Province, Iran. Methods: Thirty one horse and mule blood samples were used with history of liv­ing in Kurdistan Province of Iran.  The blood specimens were utilized for T. equi and B. caballi DNA identification by PCR and Giemsa stained smears for micro­scopic observation. Results: The results clearly showed the presence of B. (Theileria) equi DNA in 30 of 31 blood samples (96.77%), but the microscopic examination revealed the 3 of 31 positive Babesia like organisms in the red blood cells (9.67%).  Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrated the presence of hidden B. (Theil­eria) equi infection in horses with previous habitance in Kurdistan Province of Iran. The carrier animals became a main source of infection and can transmit the disease. Therefore, hidden infection might be considered as a health threatening and limit­ing factor in animals used in therapeutic antisera research and production centers

Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Classification, and Management

[EN] Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and increased susceptibility to recurrent bacterial infections. It is the most frequent symptomatic antibody deficiency, with a wide variety of infectious and noninfectious complications. Numerous studies have demonstrated that immunological and genetic defects are involved in the pathogenesis of CVID. However, in most cases, the genetic background of the disease remains unidentified. This review aims to discuss various aspects of CVID, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, classification, and management.[ES] La inmunodeficiencia variable común (CVID) es un trastorno heterogéneo caracterizado por una hipogammaglobulinemia y por una mayor susceptibilidad a infecciones bacterianas recurrentes. Se trata de la inmunodeficiencia humoral sintomática más frecuente y cursa con una extensa variedad de complicaciones infecciosas y no infecciosas. En la patogenia de la CVID están involucrados diferentes defectos inmunológicos y genéticos. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de los casos, el fondo genético de la enfermedad permanece sin identificar. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo discutir diferentes aspectos de la CVID, incluyendo epidemiología, patogenia, síntomas, diagnóstico, clasificaciones y tratamiento de la enfermedad

Effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and foliar-applied iron (Fe) fertilizer at various reproductive stages on yield, yield component and chemical composition of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) seed

Nutritional management is an important factor in the success of crop production. However, research on the effects of nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) application on soybean yield is limited. In order to study the effects of N and Fe application at various reproductive stages on grain yield and quality of soybean seed, an experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of Kurdistan University in 2009. The experimental treatments consisted of three different levels of N fertilizer application as follows: 0, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1, and two levels of Fe fertilizer (spray with iron and non-sprayed). Results indicate that the maximum seeds yield was obtained at N1 (303 g m-2) and N2 (328 g m-2) treatments and the highest number of seed per plant was obtained at N2 (128) treatment. Potassium concentration in seed and SPAD chlorophyll value responded to fertilizer treatments and the maximum protein percentage (32.5%) was obtained at N1F1 treatment. This treatment had no significant difference with N1F0, N2F0 and N0F1 treatments. The Fe and N fertilization treatments had no significant effect on Fe, Zn, Ca, Na, Cu and P concentration of soybean seed.Key words: Fe and N fertilizers, seed mineral elements, soybean, yield

Immunological Analysis of Aerobic Bioreactor Bovine Theileriosis Vaccine

Background: In this study, the pilot production of aerobic bioreactor tropical theileriosis vaccine was optimized with the aim of immunological assays for further mass production. Methods: We have shown earlier the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay could be used for evaluating the immunity and memory cells against specific Theileria antigen in vaccinated animals. In addition, TNF-α is the principle cytokine in modulating the cytotoxic activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). Immunological analysis of the vaccine was performed by using two cell mediated immunity(CMI) in vitro and in vivo DTH test (Theilerin) and TNF-α assay. Results: The results of immune responses of susceptible immunized cattle by bioreactor vaccine in comparison with conventional flask vaccine revealed a significant stimulation of immune cells by transcription of high level of TNF-α and positive reaction against Theileria antigen in Theilerin skin test (DTH). Conclusion: The equal immunological results achieved in both above mentioned vaccines verified the satisfactory immunity for aerobic bioreactor theileriosis vaccine for advance mass vaccination in the field on a large scal