Genetic diversity and population structure of Ascochyta rabiei from the western Iranian Ilam and Kermanshah provinces using MAT and SSR markers

Knowledge of genetic diversity in A. rabiei provides different levels of information that are important in the management of crop germplasm resources. Gene flow on a regional level indicates a significant potential risk for the regional spread of novel alleles that might contribute to fungicide resistance or the breakdown of resistance genes. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and mating type (MAT) markers were used to determine the genetic structure, and estimate genetic diversity and the prevalence of mating types in 103 Ascochyta rabiei isolates from seven counties in the Ilam and Kermanshah provinces of western Iran (Ilam, Aseman abad, Holaylan, Chardavol, Dareh shahr, Gilangharb, and Sarpul). A set of 3 microsatellite primer pairs revealed a total of 75 alleles; the number of alleles varied from 15 to 34 for each marker. A high level of genetic variability was observed among A. rabiei isolates in the region. Genetic diversity was high (He = 0.788) within populations with corresponding high average gene flow and low genetic distances between populations. The smallest genetic distance was observed between isolates from Ilam and Chardavol. Both mating types were present in all populations, with the majority of the isolates belonging to Mat1-1 (64%), but within populations the proportions of each mating type were not significantly different from 50%. Results from this study will be useful in breeding for Ascochyta blight-resistant cultivars and developing necessary control measures

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran

Background: Because of the economic importance of the Arab race horses and also the role of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in abortion and reproductive failure of these animals, we decided to perform this study. Objectives: We designed this study to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in Arab horses from 12 cities of Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, a total of 235 blood samples were collected from jugular veins of Arab horses of different ages and genders from 12 cities of Khuzestan province. All the sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the existence of anti-Neospora antibodies were tested using N-MAT for Neospora spp. Results: According to the MAT results, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 114 (48.5%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:20 in 84, 1:40 in 19, 1:80 in four, 1:160 in four, and 1:320 in three horses. According to the N-MAT results, antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 47 (20%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:40 in 39, 1:80 in five, and 1:160 in three horses. We did not observe any statistically significant differences regarding age groups and genders between seropositive and seronegative horses for Neospora spp. using chi-square (chi(2)) test, but it seemed that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were more prevalent in older horses ( >= 10 years old). Conclusions: The results indicated that Arab horses are exposed to these parasites in southwest of Iran. Further research is required to determine the genomic structures of these parasites in Arab horses in southwest of Iran

Antibacterial activity of sucralfate versus aluminum chloride in simulated gastric fluid

Studies have previously demonstrated that sucralfate possesses intrinsic antibacterial activity. This study was designed to indirectly assess whether aluminum is the active antibacterial component of sucralfate and to further evaluate factors that may influence this agent's antibacterial activity. Utilizing an in vitro model, the antibacterial activity of sucralfate, an equivalent quantity of aluminum in the form of aluminum chloride, and a control were compared. In addition, the influences of bacterial species ( Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), time (0–24 h) and environmental pH (3, 5, 7) on the agents' antibacterial activities were evaluated. Equivalent quantities of aluminum, as either sucralfate or aluminum chloride, were added to two of three flasks containing approximately 10 5 cfu/ml of bacteria in pH-adjusted simulated gastric fluid. The third flask served as a control. Samples were obtained over 24 h, diluted and subcultured onto agar plates. The experiments demonstrated that bacterial growth was influenced by pH, time and treatment (aluminum chloride or sucralfate). Regardless of pH or bacterial species, bacterial death occurred within 20 min following the addition of aluminum chloride. In contrast, bacterial death following the addition of sucralfate was more variable and appeared to be pH dependent. In conclusion, sucralfate and aluminum chloride both possess antibacterial activity, even at pH values that normally support bacterial growth in gastric fluid. Although differences in the antibacterial activity of the two agents may in part be related to drug-induced changes in pH, these differences also support data suggesting that aluminum release from sucralfate is incomplete and is dependent on pH.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47895/1/10096_2005_Article_BF02111825.pd

A first genome assembly of the barley fungal pathogen Pyrenophora teres f. teres

Background: Pyrenophora teres f. teres is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen and the cause of one of barley’s most important diseases, net form of net blotch. Here we report the first genome assembly for this species based solely on short Solexa sequencing reads of isolate 0-1. The assembly was validated by comparison to BAC sequences, ESTs, orthologous genes and by PCR, and complemented by cytogenetic karyotyping and the first genome-wide genetic map for P. teres f. teres. Results: The total assembly was 41.95 Mbp and contains 11,799 gene models of 50 amino acids or more. Comparison against two sequenced BACs showed that complex regions with a high GC content assembled effectively. Electrophoretic karyotyping showed distinct chromosomal polymorphisms between isolates 0-1 and 15A, and cytological karyotyping confirmed the presence of at least nine chromosomes. The genetic map spans 2477.7 cM and is composed of 243 markers in 25 linkage groups, and incorporates SSR markers developed from the assembly. Among predicted genes, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and efflux pumps in particular appear to have undergone a P. teres f. teres-specific expansion of non-orthologous gene families. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that paired-end Solexa sequencing can successfully capture coding regions of a filamentous fungal genome. The assembly contains a plethora of predicted genes that have been implicated in a necrotrophic lifestyle and pathogenicity and presents a significant resource for examining the bases for P. teres f. teres pathogenicity

Detection and genotyping of cutaneous leishmaniasis species in the southeast of Iran: restriction enzyme analysis (RFLP)

"n Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infectious disease which causes skin sores. There is no effective laboratory screening tests for leishmaniasis. Some diagnostic techniques exist that allow parasite detection and species identification by special culture and microscopy, biochemical (Isoenzymes), immunologic (immunoassays), and molecular (PCR) approaches. Specific major objectives of this study was to genotyping of Leishmania species in Bam and Shiraz city."n"n Methods: A total of 83 samples of Leishmania were collected from patients clinically suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The geographic distributions of the samples were 55 samples from Bam and 28 from Shiraz city. For this propose samples of skin and bloods were blotted on filter paper. Genomic DNA extracted with a Genomic DNA extraction kit (AccuPrep, BIONEER). Aliquots of extracted DNA were kept at -20°C. region of ITS1 amplified with the published Leishmania-specific primers. 15-20mL of these amplicons, containing the amplified ITS1 region, was digested for 2h with HaeIII."n"n Results: All 55 samples from Bam were considered as L. tropica and the positive samples from Shiraz considered as L. tropica and just one sample was L. major which was belonged to a patient had previously traveled to Isfahan and Khuzestan."n"n Conclusion: In the current study a PCR technique was employed for amplification of Leishmania DNA directly in biological materials. Characterization of genus of Leishmania using RFLP-PCR method is too sensitive and too rapid, and there is no need for culturing the parasite for diagnosis

PCR-Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Ticks Collected from Sheep and Goats in Southeast Iran

Background: There is a little data on Coxiella burnetii (Q fever agent) in Iran. Ticks may play a significant role in the transmission of C. burnetii among animals. The aim of this study was to use polymerase chain reaction for the detec­tion of C. burnetii in ticks collected in Southeast Iran. Methods: One hundred and sixty ticks were collected from domestic animals in three localities of Kerman Province, South­east Iran from November to June 2009. The collected ticks were divided into 35 pools and examined by Trans-PCR for C. burnetii. Results: Three pools, each consisting of five female of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and one pool (6 ticks) of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from goats and sheep were found to be positive by Trans-PCR. Conclusion: This paper documents the first molecular detection of C. burnetiiin ticks, which shows their role as puta­tive vectors and reservoirs for this pathogenic agent.

Investigation of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Newborns, after NRP Protocol Changing

Meconium is a thick green-black odorant substance, which is produced in the embryo's gut at the 12th week of gestation, and then stored in the colon throughout the pregnancy. Meconium can lead to pulmonary injury by various mechanisms, which in the presence of respiratory distress and other radiological findings in neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), are defined as meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Given the frequent need for newborns to be resuscitated at birth, educated people are needed to resuscitate them. In the United States, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is a training guideline for newborns. The purpose of the NRP is to provide the cognitive, technical, and behavioral skills needed to resuscitate neonates after delivery.Due to the changes of NRP 6 and 7 guidelines in using PPV, Tracheal intubation and suctioning and using both guidelines in Shahid Mostafa Khomeini and Taleghani hospitals of Ilam, during 2015-2019, we decided to compare these two methods in terms of infant mortality and morbidity over the mentioned years. In this study, we aimed to determine the Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in neonates, born between the years 2015 and 2019, in Shahid Mostafa Khomeini and Taleghani Hospitals of Ilam, before and after the NRP protocol change