Neuraminidase gene sequence analysis of avian influenza H9N2 viruses isolated from Iran (19982001) Arch. Razi Institute

ABSTRACT Influenza A viruses possesses two virion surface glycoproteins including haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). The NA plays an important role in viral replication and promotes virus release from infected cells and facilitates virus spread throughout the body. To find out any genomic changes that might be occurred on NA gene of avian influenza circulating viruses, we have genetically analyzed the neuraminidase gene of six Avian Influenza (AI) viruses H9N2 subtype isolated from different parts of Iran. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences, showed some amino acid substitutions among the local AI isolates. However no insertions/deletions or shortening in the stalk region of the genes were observed. Mutation in Glu 119 as a marker for enzyme sensitivity to the antiviral drugs was not observed. Phylogenitic analysis revealed three distinct groups among the isolates of Iran, Hong Kong, and Pakistan/Japan/Saudi Arabia respectively. Based on the results, no significant mutations in NA genes of the viruses isolated during the period of the study occurred and our findings are in agreement with results of previous study of the viruses indicated a low pathogen character for the isolates on the basis of amino acid sequence of HA cleavage site and experimental infection

Risk of morbidity attributed to ambient PM10 in the western cities of Iran

The incidence of hospitalizations due to cardiovascular (HACVD) and respiratory diseases (HARD) associated with PM10 was assessed with AirQ2.2.3. Daily PM10 data were used to this purpose. The results showed that 8.2 (95 CI: 5.6-11.4), 7.2 (95 CI: 4.9-10.1), and 4.4 (95 CI: 3.0-6.3) of HACVD and 7.3 (95 CI: 4.5-10), 6.4 (95 CI: 4.0-8.8), and 3.9 (95 CI: 2.4-5.4) of HACVD in the cities of Ahvaz, Khorramabad and Ilam were attributed to PM10, respectively. Governmental authorities need to act to control the dust hazard by spreading mulch and developing green space using vegetation amenable to the local climate

Eriochrme black-T removal from aqueous environment by surfactant modified clay: equilibrium, kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies

In this study, the removal of Eriochrome black T (EBT) from aqueous solutions was evaluated by cationic surfactant of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMA)-modified montmorillonite clay (MC). The effects of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, EBT concentration, solution ion strength, and temperature were investigated on the EBT removal. HDTMA-MC was also examined by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results illustrated that the experimental data were well followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models. The results also showed HDTMA-MC can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of EBT from aqueous solution. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou

A DNA vaccine candidate for B. anthracis immunization, pcDNA3.1+PA plasmid, induce Th1/Th2 mixed responses and protection in mice

The protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) is a potent immunogen and a candidate subunit vaccine. To address the question whether antibodies raised against PA following injection of pcDNA3.1+PA plasmid, encoding PA, can protect against virulent B. anthracis two different regimens of PA based vaccines (DNA and live spore) were used. The groups of BALB/c mice that received live spores of the Sterne strain, naked pcDNA3.1 and naked pcDNA3.1+PA were compared to control groups. All groups were injected three times with 30-day intervals. Two weeks after the last immunization, all mice were subjected to challenge with a pathogenic strain of B. anthracis (C2). Blood samples were taken before each injection and challenge. Evaluation of the sera by ELISA method showed that DNA immunization using pcDNA3.1+PA plasmid resulted in an antibody profile representative of a mixed Th1 and Th2 response, with a skewing to a Th1 response. The group which received the naked pcDNA3.1+PA had a survival rate of >80%. This challenge assay revealed that antibodies raised following DNA vaccination against PA can confer strong protection, and resistance against virulent species of B. anthracis

Eriochrme black-T removal from aqueous environment by surfactant modified clay: equilibrium, kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies

In this study, the removal of Eriochrome black T (EBT) from aqueous solutions was evaluated by cationic surfactant of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMA)-modified montmorillonite clay (MC). The effects of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, EBT concentration, solution ion strength, and temperature were investigated on the EBT removal. HDTMA-MC was also examined by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results illustrated that the experimental data were well followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models. The results also showed HDTMA-MC can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of EBT from aqueous solution. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou