Morphometric measurements of the thalamus and interthalamic adhesion by MRI in the South-East of the Caspian Sea border

Objectives: To assess the gender differences and the age-related morphometrical changes of the thalamus, interthalamic adhesion, and the right-left differences of the thalamus of the native Fars ethnic group in the South-East of the Caspian Sea border Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 97 patients (44 males and 53 females) without neuropathologic changes and symptoms admitted to the Kowsar MRI center in the South-East of the Caspian Sea border (Gorgan City, Northern Iran) in 2006. Thalamic dimensions were measured by MR images. The vertical lengths of the thalami and interthalamic adhesion were measured in the coronal sections, while the anteroposterior and transverse length measurements of the thalami and interthalamic adhesion were obtained in the axial plane. The data were assessed by SPSS 11.5 statistics program. Results: Thalamic dimensions were longer in males. There was no significant correlation between size of thalamus and interthalamic adhesion regarding age; however, we found that thalamic dimensions increase a little with age until the 31-40 years group, and decreased after that. There was no correlation between age and gender groups and dimensions of the interthalamic adhesion. Conclusion: This study showed that there are no significant differences between right and left sides of the thalamus, however, the left-side thalamic dimensions were a little longer than the right

Biomass estimation and distribution of Sargassum glaucescens in the Oman Sea (Iranian coastline)

The brown algae of Sargassum glaucescens is found all along the coastal waters of Sistan and Balouchestan province in the Oman Sea. This species as a raw material can be used in different industries and is considered as an economical marine resources. In order to determine the distribution pattern and biomass of this species eleven growing regions were surveyed from Gwatr area in east and Miedany in west. The sampling were carried out monthly in inter-tidal zone and seasonally in subtidal zone. After sampling, the wet-and dry weight, mean length of taIls and number of branches were measured. Also, some physical and chemical parameters were measured. The results showed that brown algae is distributed all along the studied area in the second half of the year, meanwhile in the Gwatr area is found all seasons. The mean biomass of S. glaucescen,y in Gwatr, Chabahar, Tang and Galak was estimated 629.9, 235.5,314.4 and 127.5 g/m2, respectively

Feasibility study on mariculture of Gracilaria corticata in Chabahar coastal waters

Due to approaching the method of marine algae (G. corticata) mariculture in the Chabahar waters (located at NE of Oman Sea), a series of feasibility studies were carried out to identify the suitable areas for growth of this algae. In this regard, different regions of shallow waters, intertidal zones, and also natural habitats of them were selected for either collecting sample or as culture regions. During the growth periods in autumn, winter and spring (the culture and plantation were not carried out during summer time synchronized with monsoon season). Some acceptable results were achieved that indicated the meaningful growth rate of plants in the selected stations. According to the obtained results, at the end of culture period the weight growth was 3 times more and the mean length growth of G. coricata talls was from 68 to 134mm at the end of culture period. On the other hand, this statistical analysis didn't show any significant differences in different seasons from point of weight growth. It should be mentioned that some physical and chemical factors of sea water were measured consist of salinity, temperature, DO, pH, nitrate, phosphate and turbidity

Fast microwave-assisted oxidation of 1,4-dihydropyridines with FeCl 3.SiO 2

Pyridine derivatives are easily obtained in high yields by microwave-promoted rapid oxidation of the corresponding 1,4-dihydropyridines with ferric chloride hexahydrate and silica gel under solvent-free conditions

Effect of dietary digestible energy level on growth indices of kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum Kamenskii, 1901)

A 60-days feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary digestible energy levels (DE) on kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum. Four isonitrogenous (35% protein) diets with digestible energy levels of 2500, 2600, 2700 and 2800kcal kg-1 were tested. Two hundred and forty advanced fry (2±0.4g) were randomly distributed in 12 fiberglass tanks of 400L capacity. Nutritional responses in terms of WG, FCR and PER as well as survival rate (SR) significantly improved (P<0.05) with increase in DE level from 2500 to 2800 kcal kg-1 diet, but no difference between 2600 and 2700kcal kg-1 diet was found. Body crude protein and fat significant were increased (p<0.05) when the dietary energy was raised up from 2500 to 2600kcal DE kg-1 diet, but a further increase on energy did not improve the fish crude protein and fat content

Adjustment and Completion of BASNEF Model to Provide a New Model for Educating Large Populations in Relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Educational models that have been created for educating small populations do not have enough efficacy for educating large populations, so based on this premise and also high prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in the Islamic Republic of Iran and lack of efficient methods for CL control, this study was designed and done with the aim of applying BASNEF model to provide a new model for educating large populations in relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 60 Volunteer Health Workers (VHWS) and 120 households that were resident in endemic areas of CL in Yazd were selected through census and multi-stage sampling method, respectively. Then, educational intervention was designed and implemented on the basis of BASNEF model. After educating VHWS based on BASNEF model, they were asked to educate households on the basis of BASNEF model. Before and after 3 months of VHWS training activities, data were collected in intervention and control groups via valid and reliable questionnaires and were analyzed with the SPSS software. Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, behaviors and influence of subjective norms after educational intervention in households in experimental were significantly increased (P<0.05) while the changes in control group were not significant. Conclusions: This educational program led to empowering of VHWS and a change in their educational behavior which in turn led to preventive measures in households under study region. It can be concluded that the new educational model presented in this research, formed based on the BASNEF model, is able to educate a large population. Keywords: BASNEF Model, Volunteer Health Workers, Health Education, Cutaneous Leishmaniasi

Biomass estimation of seaweeds in the intertidal waters of the Oman Sea along the coasts of Sistan-o-Baluchistan Province

Sampling and determination of seaweed biomass was carried out in the Oman Sea coasts along the intertidal waters of Sistan & Baluchistan province stretching 300Km from Guater area to Jood from October 2001 to September 2002. The regions covered included Guater, Passabandar, Beris, Kachoo, Ramin, Chabahar, Pozm, Gurdim, Tang, and Jood as sampling stations from east to west. The intertidal zone was determined by measuring and recording of geographical positions by GPS. Fifteen transects were aligned randomly each month with equal distance to the coast. All sampling attempts were made by applying quadrats 50*50cm in dimension. The samples were transferred to the lab and the weight of each species was measured after being cleaned, and identified. The biomass of each species per unit area and in the total area was obtained after determining the average weight of species. During the research, 69 species were collected, of which, 16 species were green algae, 18 species were brown algae and 35 species were red algae. There were some important families including green algae (Ulvaceae and Caulerpaceae), brown algae (Sargassaceae and Dictyotaceae) and red algae (Gracilariaceae, Gelidiaceae and Hypneaceae). Wet biomass of seaweeds in the total area of Sistan & Baluchestan coasts was 10286340.3 kg of which 2645192.1kg (25.7%) were green algae, 2955963.9kg (28.7%) were brown algae and 4685184.2 kg (45.5%) were red algae. The estimated monthly average was 264522.3, 295327.9 and 467089.7Kg for green, brown and red algae respectively. The maximum biomass was 15.4kg/m ^(2) seen in Chabahar and the minimum biomass was 4.9kg/m ^(2) obtained in Pozm

Enrichment of Artemia nauplii with essential fatty acids and vitamin C: effect on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae performance

The effect of essential fatty acids (EFA) and vitamin C-enriched Artemia nauplii on growth, survival, and resistance to temperature (high) stress in rainbow trout larvae reared in tanks were investigated. The larvae (average weight 120.43mg±13.5) were fed 6 times daily starting at the onset of exogenous feeding for 1 week. Triplicate groups of fish were offered one of four treatments (1) commercial starter food for rainbow trout, (2) newly hatched Artemia nauplii (unenriched), (3) highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) + vitamin C-enriched Artemia nauplii and (4) combination of 10% HUFA + vitamin C enriched nauplii and commercial starter food. After 1 week, all groups of fish were switched to the commercial diet for an additional period of 3 weeks. Statistical analysis of growth after the first week and at the end of the experiment, showed that growth of larvae in various treatments was significantly different (P<0.05). After 4 weeks, the larvae in treatment 3 with the average weight of 657.50 ± 57.93 mg had the highest body weight (P<0.05). The highest percentage of survival (96%) was observed in treatment 3 (P<0.05). Proximate compositions of trout larvae after one week feeding with experimental diets showed that the protein in the larvae of treatments 3 and 4 was significantly different compared to other treatments (P<0.05). The best result of resistance to temperature (up to 24ºC) was observed in larvae reared on treatment 3 with 91.34 ± 1.52 percent (P<0.05)

An investigation of effects of varying densities of red algae (Gracilaria corticata) on algal growth parameters in fiber glass culture tanks

Possible effects of varying densities of cultured red algae Gracilaria corticata on algal growth parameters were studied using three density treatments 500. 1000 and 2000g.m^2 in nine culture tanks. We conducted the experiment in April to June 2002 and carried out daily tests of salinity, pH and temperature which were in the range 37- 4Oppm. 0.5-8.04 and 23- 32 degrees centigrade. Epiphytes such as Nitzschia, Navicula and Hypnea and grazers such as Amphipoda, Isopoda and Nereis were detected in the tanks during, the experiment. We observed the highest daily growth and net production in treatment one (500g/ m^2) to be 3.74±0.31 and 38.3±5.4 respectively and the lowest measurements were seen in treatment three (200k/m^2) recorded as 3.74±0.3 1 and 38.3±5.4 respectively. Daily growth measurements were significantiv different among, treatments (P<0.05). Net production was significantly different between treatment one as a group and other two treatments (p<0.05). This was not the case between treatments two and three

Simultaneous Determination of Nitrite and Nitrate in Milk Samples by Ion Chromatography Method and Estimation of Dietary Intake

The presence of nitrate and nitrite in foods may be considered hazardous after ingestion in the gastrointestinal tract due to their reaction with naturally occurred secondary amines to form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. Due to this fact, a new method was developed in this study for the simultaneous determination of nitrite and nitrate in milk samples using by ion chromatography. Proposed mobile phase composed of sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate (1.0 and 3.2 mmol/L) with a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min. The average recoveries for nitrate and nitrite were higher than 86 and 88, respectively. The limit of detection for nitrate and nitrite were 0.24 and 0.09 mg/L, respectively. The results of 102 real milk samples showed nitrate was found in all of the samples (100) with a mean of 34 ± 11 mg/L, while nitrite was found in none of the samples. The mean intake of nitrate in all age groups was lower than World Health Organization guideline. The present assessment concludes that the maximum contaminant level was equal to 82.8 mg/L nitrate. This method was fast, sensitive and accurate and is capable of being an alternative method in food control laboratories for investigation of nitrite and nitrate content. This is the first study of the determination and survey of nitrite and nitrate and exposure assessment of the Iranian population to nitrite and nitrate level in milk, which was widely used in infants and adolescents as one of the basic food components. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC