Investigation of energy inputs and CO2 emission for almond production using sensitivity analysis in Iran

The objective of this study is to examine input–output energy and CO2 emission of almond production in Shahrekord region, Iran. This article presents a comprehensive picture of the current status of energy consumption and some energy indices like energy use efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy and net energy gain. Sensitivity analysis of energy was carried out using the marginal physical productivity (MPP) technique. For this propose data were collected from 29almond farms using a face to face questionnaire. The results revealed that total energy input for almond production was found to be 106.61GJ/ha where the electricity was the major energy consumer (59.58%). The direct energy shared about (50.98%) whereas the indirect energy did (49.02%). Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, and net energy were 0.37, 0.016 kg/MJ, and -67350.16MJ/ha, respectively. The regression results revealed that the contribution of energy inputs on crop yield (except for farmyard manure and water energies) was insignificant. Water energy was the most significant input (0.674) which affects the output level. The results also showed that the impacts of direct, indirect and renewable energies on yield are significant. The GHG emissions were indicated a high CO2 output in diesel fuel consumption

Molecular analysis of the clavulanic acid regulatory gene isolated from an Iranian strain of Streptomyces clavuligerus, PTCC 1709

Objective: The clavulanic acid regulatory gene (claR) is in the clavulanic acid biosynthetic gene cluster that encodes ClaR. This protein is a putative regulator of the late steps of clavulanic acid biosynthesis. The aim of this research is the molecular cloning of claR, isolated from the Iranian strain of Streptomyces clavuligerus (S. clavuligerus). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, two different strains of S. clavuligerus were used (PTCC 1705 and DSM 738), of which there is no claR sequence record for strain PTCC 1705 in all three main gene banks. The specific designed primers were subjected to a few base modifications for introduction of the recognition sites of BamHI and ClaI. The claR gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using DNA isolated from S. clavuligerus PTCC 1705. Nested-PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and sequencing were used for molecular analysis of the claR gene. The confirmed claR was subjected to double digestion with BamHI and ClaI. The cut claR was ligated into a pBluescript (pBs) vector and transformed into E. coli. Results: The entire sequence of the isolated claR (Iranian strain) was identified. The presence of the recombinant vector in the transformed colonies was confirmed by the colony-PCR procedure. The correct structure of the recombinant vector, isolated from the transformed E. coli, was confirmed using gel electrophoresis, PCR, and double digestion with restriction enzymes. Conclusion: The constructed recombinant cassette, named pZSclaR, can be regarded as an appropriate tool for site directed mutagenesis and sub-cloning. At this time, claR has been cloned accompanied with its precisely selected promoter so it could be used in expression vectors. Hence the ClaR is known as a putative regulatory protein. The overproduced protein could also be used for other related investigations, such as a mobility shift assa

The Role of Urine Polymerase Chain Reaction Test in Diagnosis of Genitourinary Tuberculosis

Abstract BACKGROUND: The genitourinary system is one of he most common sites of infection in non-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The clinical symptoms and radiologic findings of urinary TB are nonspecific. Current diagnostic tests are of low sensitivity and labor-intensive. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate diagnostic value of urine PCR in genitourinary tuberculosis (GNTB). METHODS: This was a descriptive study on 33 patients with confirmed genitourinary TB. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings were collected. For each patient, three consecutive early morning urine specimens were examined by PCR. The diagnostic value of PCR in mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in comparison with standard microbiological methods was assessed. FINDINGS: There were 33 patients with a mean age of 47.27 16.1 years. The most common presenting symptoms were irritative voiding symptoms (51.5%), flanks pain (27.2%), gross hematuria (9%) and suprapubic pain (9%). Laboratory findings in U/A were hematuria (75.8%) and pyuria (60.6%). IVU was abnormal in 61.5% of patients. Most common abnormalities were pyelocalyceal dilation (44%), ureteral stricture and hydroureter (37%) and multiple small calyceal deformities (25%). Of the 33 patients PCR for MTB was positive in 16 cases (48.5%). In patients with abnormal IVU, PCR was positive in 62.5%. CONCLUSION: A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis of GUTB. PCR is recommended for instant diagnosis and screening before further examination, it cannot be the only method in identification of GUTB

Ecological Security Analysis of Land Use Changes in Lavasanat Basin Using Landscape Metrics

Continuous urbanization over the past decades has caused a large concentration of human population in these areas. Due to the rapid growth of the population and the rapid development of urban disorder in Iran, changes in land use and land cover are occurring rapidly and the sustainability of cities is decreasing day by day. Therefore, understanding the effects of urban growth on the ecosystem and determining the relationship between urban dynamics and ecological security are vital for effective urban planning and environmental protection, to support and support sustainable development.The purpose of this study was to monitor and predict land use changes over a 4 year period (2040-2000) with the Markov Chain Model (CA-Markov) in the Lavasanat Basin of Tehran Province and to evaluate the ecological security of this area over time periods. Landsat satellite imagery was used to investigate land use changes. According to the existing land use in the area, five land uses were considered, barren land, pasture land, irrigated land and agricultural and agricultural land. To quantify the landscape patterns in class metrics of NP, LSI, IJI, CA, PLAND and LPI. And NP, LSI, IJI, ED, PD and SPILT metrics were calculated on the landscape surface.Forecasting results for 2040 shows that at each floor level, the number of spots other than the Bayer floor will decrease with the current trend

Mutations of Dual Oxidase 2 (DUOX2) Gene among patients with Permanent and Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism

Objective: The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is high in Isfahan, Iran. In addition, it has different etiologies compared with other countries. The rate of parental consanguinity is also high in the city. Moreover, DUOX2 gene is effective in transient CH and permanent CH due to dyshormonogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the mutations of DUOX2 gene in patients with transient CH and permanent CH due to dyshormonogenesis. Methodology: In this descriptive, prospective study, patients diagnosed with transient and permanent CH due to dyshormonogenesis during CH screening program were selected. Venous blood samples were obtained to determine the 3 mutations (Q36H, R376W, and D506N) of DUOX2 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method by specific primers and complementary methods such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and singlestrand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Results: In this study, 25 patients with transient CH and 33 subjects with permanent CH due to dyshormonogenesis were studied. In addition, 30 children were studied as the control group. We did not find any mutations of the 3 mentioned mutations of DUOX2 gene. Conclusion: Considering the findings of the current study, further studies with other methods are required to evaluate other gene mutations such as pendrin, sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and thyroglobuli

Coincidence of Compound Odontoma and Cemento Ossifying Fibroma; A Rare Case Report

Objective: Cemento-ossifying fibroma defines as a relative rare osteogenic neoplasm of the jaw. This tumor includes fibrous and osseous components. Odontoma is the most common odontogenic tumor containing enamel ,dentin ,cementum and pulp tissue. in this paper we report a  rare case of ossifying fibroma associated with compound odontoma in the mandible. Case: A 37-years-old woman was referred to Oral Medicine department , Shahid Beheshti Dental School with complaint of swelling in the anterior part of the mandible, over 6 years period. Clinical examination revealed mandibular enlargement in right –anterior region with labial and lingual expansion and canine missing . panoramic view showed a large mixed radiolucent -  radiopaque lesion associated with impacted canine.The differential diagnosis include calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) and cemento-ossifying fibroma(COF). Histopathologic examination established diagnosis of COF with multiple compound odontoma .Conclusion: The relationship between the occurrence of these two lesions is not clear and more studies are needed to establish the relationship between them

Karyological studies of four agamid lizards from Semnane province of Iran

Iran possesses about 241 species of reptiles, which 55 species of them (22.8%) are endemic to Iran. Agamidae is the important family of reptile in Iran with 22 species, which is poor in terms of chromosomal studies. In this paper, karyological survey was made for four species of the family Agamidae by bone marrow cell preparations. Karyotype of male and female of Laudakia caucasia (2n=34) was consisted of 6 pairs macro and 11pairs of microchromosomrs. Karyotype of Laudakia nupta nupta (2n=36) was including of 6 pairs of macro and 12 pairs of microchromosomes. Karyotype of Phrynocephalus scutellatus (2n=46) was consisted of 22 macro and 24 microchromosomes, which is reported here for the first time. Also, new cytotype of Traplus agilis agilis (2n=49) is reported here for the first time. Karyotype of this species was consisted of 21 large acrocentric and 28 microchromosomes, which one of the acrocentric chromosomes may be a sex chromosome