A survey of the water pollution with heavy metals Ni, Pb,Hg, Cr,Cd,V,As and total hydrocarbon in Bandar Shahid Rajaii, Bandar Abbas

Persian Gulf is semi-closed water with high salinity and temperature and high evaporation rate and low water exchange with Oman Sea. Operation of oil wells in the area contributes to the water pollution in this intricate ecosystem. We selected nine stations in Shahid Rajaii harbour and one out of the area where samples of water and sediments were taken for assessment of density of total hydrocarbons and heavy metals using spectrophotometric (FT-IR) and atomic absorption (AAS) methods, respectively

Induction of cytochrome P4501A1 by beta-naphtho flavone and determination of enzyme properties in Huso huso

Cytochrome P4501 AI is a major isoenzyme in fish monooxygenase system which is induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds. In this research, the inducing effect of p-naphtoflavone and its catalytic properties was studied in Huso huso liver. Fish were given ip injection of p-naphthoflavone at three different doses. The enzyme activity was measured with de-ethylation of ethoxyresorufin reaction (EROD) by flourometery method and relative amount of induced proteins were determined using polyacrylamid del electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results showed that EROD activity in the microsomal fraction of the treated fish was 15-26 folds that of the control group. Optimum activity of this enzyme was observed at 20-25 degrees centivade. The maximum enzyme activity was seen in the precence of 180 micrograms of microsomai protein and 1.5311M of 7-ethoxyresorufin. SDS-PAGE of microsomal protein pattern in the treated fish revealed a protein with molecular mass 58+1 KDa translating to cytochrome P4501A. We conclude that the p-naphtoflovone in fish liver can induce cytochrome P4501A gene and increase its biosenthysis leading to raised enzyme activity in EROD reaction

Evaluation of Confounders in Toxoplasmosis Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assay

Background: The IFA test is one of the most usual methods for detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibod­ies, although it has not any unique standardization. It seems that the microscopic judg­ment of results is an important confounder in IFA test. Therefore, we conducted the present study to clarify the role of microscopic observer, and other confounders on the test.Methods: Eighty sera were collected from patients suspicious to toxoplasmosis for detection IgG anti-T. gondii by this test. Samples were examined against different series of antigens, IgG anti-human conjugates, and observers.Results: There were no significant differences between the two series of antigens and conjugates. For the observers groups the kappa coefficient of the test results in the experts group (0.97, 0.94-1.00) were significantly higher than the less experienced observers (0.77, 0.68-0.87).Conclusion: We recommend the IFA test to be performed only in reference laboratories and by laboratory technicians that have enough experience for this test. Otherwise, we suggest the substitution of this test with other tests like ELISA for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies

Design, construction, sequence analysis and bioinformatics study of RTB-ipaD gene cassette: A new way in generation of Shigellosis vaccine

زمینه و هدف: شیگلا شایع ترین عامل اسهال می‌باشد. آنتی‌ژن پلاسمیدی IpaD برای تهاجم باکتری به درون سلول میزبان ضروری می‌باشد. یکی از چالش‌ها در باره واکسن مخاطی علیه شیگلا بر پایه پروتئین IpaD قدرت پایین آن می‌باشد. به نظر می‌رسد که با متصل کردن IpaD به یک ناقل و ادجوانت مناسب همچون زیر واحد B سم ریسین، می‌توان پروتئین IpaD را بسیار ایمنوژنیک نمود. این مطالعه به منظور تولید وکتور بیانی نوترکیب دارای کاست ژنی RTB-ipaD، آنالیز تعیین توالی و بررسی بیوانفورماتیکی آن انجام گرفته است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه ژن های RTB و (163-483) ipaD در وکتور pGEM-T همسانه‌سازی شدند. ژن ipaD به روش برش آنزیمی با ژن RTB به همراه لینکر کد کننده GPGP در وکتور pGEM متصل شد. سپس قطعه کایمریک RTB-ipaD در وکتور بیانی pET28a(+) زیر همسانه‌سازی گردید. در پایان آنالیز تعیین توالی و بررسی بیوانفورماتیکی کاست ژنی انجام گرفت. یافته‌ها: صحت ساخت کاست ژنی RTB-ipaD در وکتور بیانی pET28a(+) با واکنش PCR و هضم آنزیمی مورد تایید قرار گرفت. نتایج حاصل از تعیین توالی کاست ژنی مطابق با توالی ذخیره شده در بانک ژنی بود. مطالعات بیوانفورماتیکی بر مبنای شاخص سازگاری کدون نشان داد این کاست قابلیت بیان در گیاه ترانس ژن و برخی سویه های باکتری اشرشیاکلی را دارد. نتیجه‌گیری: اتصال RTB به عنوان ناقل و ادجوانت به آنتی‌ژن IpaD رویکردی نوین و مطلوب در جهت تولید واکسن مخاطی شیگلوزیس می‌باش

Composition and frequency and impact of the salinity on distribution phytoplankton in the Bahmanshir tidal river

Bahmanshir River branches out of the Karoun River and empties into the Persian Gulf. This river is a tidal water body with characteristics under effects of such condition. Sea water moves ahead of the river by tidal forces and affects salinity, phytoplankton species composition and distribution. We conducted a year round study in five stations in the river and determined phytoplankton species composition and distribution. Bacillariophyceae had the highest frequency and Cyclotella, Nitzschia and Melosira genera were very frequent. Cyanophyceae was present in estuary area. Salinity caused areas of water to be dominated by Euryhaline and Stenohaline species. Some species including Nitzschia, Cyclotella, Synedra and Melosira were seen in wide range of salinity and other frequent species such as Lauedria, Coscinodiscus, Cheatocerus and Rhizosolenia were only presented in the estuary or highly saline waters. Because of high tide, some of the marine phytoplankton species were also spotted at the mouth of Bahamanshir River

Effect of educational intervention based on Self-Efficacy theory (SET) on behavior of prevention of HIV/ AIDS in high risk women

Introduction: Today, Epidemic of HIV / AIDS is one of the most important health, social, economic problems of human and one of the biggest problems and concerns in many countries of the world that its scope and size is still increasing. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of educational intervention based on SET on behaviors of prevention of HIV/ AIDS in high risk and vulnerable women in the city of Neka. Methods: This Quasi- experimental (case-control) study was performed on 70 high risk and vulnerable women referred to Drop-In Centers (DIC) in Sari and Neka. Data was gathered using a researcher-made along with completing questionnaire. According to the results obtained from primary completing of the questionnaire, educational intervention was designed based on the SET and was performed in intervention group. After 3 months of intervention, data of both groups was collected and analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, independent t, and paired t tests. PResults: After educational intervention, use of condom was increased at intervention group (45,7) compared to control group (5,7). The difference between before and after of self- efficacy was significant in intervention group (9.83±0.05) and control group (1.50±2.67) and performance in the intervention group with median and interquartile range of 2.0 (3.0) and control group 0.0 (0.0). In intervention group, there was a significant relation between increase of self-efficacy and increase in performance (P<0,001). Conclusion: Behaviors of prevention of AIDS and self-efficacy is insufficient in the studied women and educational intervention based on the SET can be effective on promotion of self-efficacy and use of condom to prevent from AIDS in these women. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility. All rights reserved

Determination of LC_(50) 96h of dyazinon, hinosan and tilt for Acipenser nudiventris fingerlings

The toxic effects of agricultural pesticides Dyazinon, Hinosan and Tilt (Propiconazole) were studied on Acipenser nudiventris fingerlings (1-3g) in Spring 2005. We conducted our experiments in aquaria holding 20L water in static systems based on O.E.C.D method using five treatments, one control concentration and three replications. In each aquarium, ten individual Ship Sturgeon fingerlings were introduced, and water physical and chemical factors were controlled to be in the range pH=7-8, TH>400mg/l (CaCO _(3)) as for the water used for culture, and DO=80% and temperature was kept between 24 ±1°C. Our results for the LC _(50) value of Dyazinon, Hinosan and Tilt in 96 hours were 0.36, 0.28 and 3.9mg/l in the fish fingerlings. We also determined the maximum allowable concentration value of the toxins at 0.036, 0.028 and 0.39, respectively

Study on Mahshahr creeks (north of Persian Gulf) as protected area

In recent years MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) have been known as a flexible tool to improve fishery management as well as to preserve biodiversity in valuable coastal waters habitats. This study was conducted to selecting the sensitive and high potential area that are impacted by several environmental stress and associated habitats are being damaged in Mahshahr creeks in Northwest of Persian Gulf. Study was done in eight creeks from October 2005 to September 2006. Different biotic parameters such as phytoplanktons, zooplankton, macro zooplankton, benthic animals and fishes (trawled species) communities and also physico-chemical parameters and sediments heavy metals were investigated. Different parameters were sampled monthly or seasonal from each creek. Water samples with bottle sampler and sediment were collected by Peterson grab. Several ecological and biological indices based on heavy metals and benthic communities were used. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using voltammetric plarography method (Methrom 797). The range and mean concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 35.16-15.03 (27.01) for Cu, 171.41-65.57 (102.672) for Ni, 20.06-4.63 (13.22) for Co, 0.78-0.093 (0.22) for Hg, 379-65.07 (113.7) for Zn, 1.00-0.27 (0.559) for Cd and 29.72-7.09 (14.66) for Pb. To evaluate the levels of sediment contaminations, the background values of the different heavy metals were calculated and contamination factor for each metals and degree of contamination for each creek determined as well. Measured concentrations were compared with International standards. Ultimately the heavy metals contamination factors (Cf) can be arranged as follows: Hg> Zn> Cu≥ Ni> Pb≥ Co > Cd and according to contamination degree (Cd), different creeks can be arranged as follows too: Ghannam> Ahmady≥ Zangy> Doragh≥ Darvish> ghazaleh> Patil> Bihad Regarding the results some elements such as Hg, Zn and Ni, are at risk level and all of the studied creeks are classified in moderate degree of pollution except Ghannam showing considerable degree of pollution. The benthic invertebrates are a well-established target in evaluations of environmental quality status. The AMBI (AZTI,s Marine Biotic Index) was developed to determine the impacts and the quality status in softbottom marine benthic communities. All creeks are characterized by muddy bottom. Macrobenthic animals, according to their sensitivity to an increasing stress gradient, classified in five ecological groups. In present study due to appearance of dominant species such as Capitella sp and nematodes (as opportunist species), diversity values was reduced. Two way ANOVAs showed only seasonal significant differences in mean abundance (P<0.05, f=5.712, df: 3,21) and Richness index values (p<0.05, f= 4.975, df=3,21), while all of creeks showed similar biological characters based on benthic communities. According to annual, mean of AMBI (BC) all of creeks classified in ecological group III with slightly pollution, except Darvish that was placed in unpolluted category. In general, according to AMBI and BI values, The most creeks are classified in unpolluted (34%) and slightly pollution (34%) categories except Zangy, Doragh and Patil in summer and also Zangy and Bihad in winter that showed moderate to heavily pollution (32%). The results of chemical quality of sediments, Cf values, Cd values, AMBI Index and water quality and risk Indices have confirmed each other. In general, the Mahshahr creeks are classified in moderate to heavy pollution status. In addition, biological parameters of benthic communities and other biotic parameters have showndescending trend in ecological quality in all of the studied creeks. Communities. According to annual, mean of AMBI (BC) all of creeks classified in ecological group III with slightly pollution, except Darvish that was placed in unpolluted category. In general, according to AMBI and BI values, the most creeks are classified in unpolluted (34%) and slightly pollution (34%) categories except Zangy, Doragh and Patil in summer and also Zangy and Bihad in winter that showed moderate to heavily pollution (32%). The results of chemical quality of sediments, Cf values, Cd values, AMBI Index and water quality and risk Indices have confirmed each other. In general, the Mahshahr creeks are classified in moderate to heavy pollution status. In addition, biological parameters of benthic communities and other biotic parameters have showndescending trend in ecological quality in all of the studied creeks. We used of some criteria for evaluation of biotic potential or sensitivity and also to explain the ecological health level of studied creeks. Positive and negative criteria are classified in three level 1, 3 and 5 for low, moderate and high degree of conservation value respectively. According to gained points the creeks Darvish, Doragh and Ghazaleh in high level and creeks Ghannam , Zangy and ahmady in low level of conservation value were classified

Effects of Artemia parthenogenetica culturing on socioeconomic development of the eastern marginal lands, Qom Salt Lake

Saltwater resources with Artemia (Brine shrimp) are the important ecosystems in Semi-arid Areas. That can play an important role in sustaining the economic and social system. Alternatively, will ensure that economic and social issues with of continuity and sustainability of these ecosystems resident. This study carried out "Effects of Artemia parthenogenetica culturing on socio-economic development of the eastern marginal lands, Qom Salt Lake" that was ordered by Qom province general directorate of fisheries during the 2012-2013. According to previous studies, despite the potential of human resources and Social conditions for the development of economic activities, factors such as the low groundwater and drying the salt lake , lack of fresh water in the region, environmental problems , successive droughts, prioritize and rationalize water use in agriculture, Artemia cyst harvest or Artemia culture has made virtually impossible with the current situation and has deprived the tools to make investments for the construction of earthen ponds and exploitation of native Artemia in the eastern margin of the Qom lake . Also, due to the occurrence of the Lake in the national park and privacy protection and Prohibited areas of environmental protection organization, it seems unlikely that this organization grant approval agreement required for any exploitation