Heterogeneities in leishmania infantum infection : using skin parasite burdens to identify highly infectious dogs

Background: The relationships between heterogeneities in host infection and infectiousness (transmission to arthropod vectors) can provide important insights for disease management. Here, we quantify heterogeneities in Leishmania infantum parasite numbers in reservoir and non-reservoir host populations, and relate this to their infectiousness during natural infection. Tissue parasite number was evaluated as a potential surrogate marker of host transmission potential. Methods: Parasite numbers were measured by qPCR in bone marrow and ear skin biopsies of 82 dogs and 34 crab-eating foxes collected during a longitudinal study in Amazon Brazil, for which previous data was available on infectiousness (by xenodiagnosis) and severity of infection. Results: Parasite numbers were highly aggregated both between samples and between individuals. In dogs, total parasite abundance and relative numbers in ear skin compared to bone marrow increased with the duration and severity of infection. Infectiousness to the sandfly vector was associated with high parasite numbers; parasite number in skin was the best predictor of being infectious. Crab-eating foxes, which typically present asymptomatic infection and are non-infectious, had parasite numbers comparable to those of non-infectious dogs. Conclusions: Skin parasite number provides an indirect marker of infectiousness, and could allow targeted control particularly of highly infectious dogs

Molecular identification and phylogenetic classification of Leishmania spp. isolated from human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background: In Iran, both forms of cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been reported; so the accurate species identification of the parasite(s) and the analysis of genetic diversity are necessary. Methods: The smears were collected from lesions samples of 654 patients with CL, who attended local health centers in 12 provinces of Iran during 2013-2015. The smears were checked for the presence of amastigotes by light microscopy. DNA of 648 Leishmania isolates, amplified by targeting a partial sequence of ITS (18S rRNA�ITS1�5.8S rRNA�ITS2) gene. Twenty-five of all the amplicons were sequenced and analyzed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the Taq1 enzyme. Results: All the smears were positive microscopically. The PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that 176 (27) CL patients were infected with L. tropica and, 478 (73) with L. major. The dominant species in all over Iran is L. major. The sequencing results of all CL patients and RFLP analysis confirmed each other. Based on our phylogenetic tree, 25 ITS DNA sequences were grouped into two clusters representing L. major and L. tropica species. Phylogenetic tree derived from the ITS sequences supports a clear divergence between L. major from the other species. Conclusion: Discrimination of Iranian Leishmania isolates using ITS gene gives us this opportunity to detect, identify, and construct the phylogenetic relationship of Iranian isolates. © 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

The fifth developing plan of Iranian Fisheries Research Institute

Accurate scientific and practical plan for achieving the goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran within the framework of Vision development 1404, is the infrastructure achieving sustainable development of the country. Order to achieve the above mentioned objectives and in order to the comprehensive development plans in the country, Iranian fisheries research organization adjust the fifth developing plan for support of executive related departments in country with mobilization a large number researchers consists of several working groups of ifro affiliated research centers. The fifth developing plan consist of three chapters for report of the forth developing plan and intrudction of research, construction plans and financial support (budjet) for period of 2011-2014 A.C

Molecular Identification and Intra-species Variations among Leishmania infantum Isolated from Human and Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran

Background: In Iran, both forms of cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been re-ported; so the accurate species identification of the parasite(s) and the analysis of genetic diversity are necessary. Methods: The investigation was conducted from 2014 to 2015 in the northwest and south of Iran, where VL is endemic (7 provinces). Blood samples of patients and infected dogs were collected and sera separated for serologic examinations (DAT, rK39). Spleen or bone marrow samples from infected dogs were also collected to confirm the infection. DNAs of 70 samples amplified by targeting a partial sequence of ITS (18S rRNA-ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) gene. All the amplicons were sequenced and analyzed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the TaqI enzyme. Results: The cause of all 70 VL cases, were L. infantum, so, the dominant specie is L. infantum. The sequencing results of all VL cases and RFLP analysis corroborate each other. Discrimination of Iranian Leishmania isolates using ITS gene gives us this opportunity to detect, identify and construct the phylogenetic relationship of Iranian isolates. In addition, detection and differentiation of Leishmania spp. DNA was confirmed by amplification of variable area of the minicircle kDNA (conserved sequence blocks (CSB)). Conclusion: Low divergence and high likelihood were seen among L. infantum isolates of human and dogs from Iran with a very slight divergence was seen between isolates from northwest and south of Iran, thus grouped in a unique clad. No correlation was observed between intraspecies divergence and geographic distribution of the isolates

Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Classification of Leishmania spp. Isolated from Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: In Iran, both forms of cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been reported; so the accurate species identification of the parasite(s) and the analysis of genetic diversity are necessary. Methods: The smears were collected from lesions samples of 654 patients with CL, who attended local health centers in 12 provinces of Iran during 2013-2015. The smears were checked for the presence of amastigotes by light microscopy. DNA of 648 Leishmania isolates, amplified by targeting a partial sequence of ITS (18S rRNA-ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) gene. Twenty-five of all the amplicons were sequenced and analyzed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the Taq1 enzyme. Results: All the smears were positive microscopically. The PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that 176 (27) CL patients were infected with L. tropica and, 478 (73) with L. major. The dominant species in all over Iran is L. major. The sequencing results of all CL patients and RFLP analysis confirmed each other. Based on our phylogenetic tree, 25 ITS DNA sequences were grouped into two clusters representing L. major and L. tropica species. Phylogenetic tree derived from the ITS sequences supports a clear divergence between L. major from the other species. Conclusion: Discrimination of Iranian Leishmania isolates using ITS gene gives us this opportunity to detect, identify, and construct the phylogenetic relationship of Iranian isolates

The effect of percent foam fill ratio on the energy absorption capacity of axially compressed thin-walled multi-cell square and circular tubes

In this study, the effect of foam fill ratio on the energy absorption capacity of axially compressed thin-walled multi-cell square and circular tubes is investigated. In the experimental study, Aluminum tubes having circular cross-sections with four different foam fill ratio (11.4%, 22.8%, 34.2%, 100%) were subjected to compression tests under quasi-static test conditions. The finite element (FE) models of these tests were prepared and FE analysis were conducted using LS-DYNA program for validation study. After validating the FE models with real experiments, a total of 24 different multi-cell geometries (6 square empty, 6 square with various foam fill ratio, 6 circular empty and 6 circular with various foam fill ratio) were created. A total of three different wall thicknesses were used for each geometry in the explicit dynamic analyses. It is found out that specific energy absorption (SEA) of foam-filled square design is 5 times larger compared to the empty square design which has minimum SEA. By varying the wall thickness, the SEA and crush force efficiency (CFE) performances of the foam-filled square design can be increased by 87% and 42% respectively. The main goal of this study is to find the best multi-cell design having maximum SEA and CFE. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This study is funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), under award MAG-115M025