PCSK9 SNP rs11591147 association study with coronary artery disease risk in Iran

Pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been implicated in the regulation of the plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol. The SNP rs11591147 variant in PCSK9 gene is associated with low levels of LDL and reduced risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in various populations. We therefore, investigated the association and protective role of the SNP rs11591147 with CAD in 94 patients and 94 healthy participants as controls. rs11591147 T>G was genotyped in all subjects by TaqMan Probe Real Time PCR, although we could not observe neither positive or insignificant association between SNP genotypes with CAD incidence. Allele frequencies also remained insignificant after performing comparison analyses between cases and controls. LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels were not associated with the genotypes. Our data indicated that CAD or the plasma level of LDL-cholesterol was not associated with the reduction of CAD incidence in Iranian population, even in a population with high frequency of lipid-connected CAD risk factors. Prospective investigations should include more cases to accurately analyze the effect of SNP rs11591147 in protecting patients from CAD

Thermal modelling of gas generation and retention in the Jurassic organic-rich intervals in the Darquain field, Abadan Plain, SW Iran

The petroleum system with Jurassic source rocks is an important part of the hydrocarbons discovered in the Middle East. Limited studies have been done on the Jurassic intervals in the 26,500 km2 Abadan Plain in south-west Iran, mainly due to the deep burial and a limited number of wells that reach the basal Jurassic successions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the Jurassic organic-rich intervals and shale gas play in the Darquain field using organic geochemistry, organic petrography, biomarker analysis, and basin modelling methods. This study showed that organic-rich zones present in the Jurassic intervals of Darquain field could be sources of conventional and unconventional gas reserves. The organic matter content of samples from the organic-rich zones corresponds to medium-to-high-sulphur kerogen Type II-S marine origin. The biomarker characteristics of organic-rich zones indicate carbonate source rocks that contain marine organic matter. The biomarker results also suggest a marine environment with reducing conditions for the source rocks. The constructed thermal model for four pseudo-wells indicates that, in the kitchen area of the Jurassic gas reserve, methane has been generated in the Sargelu and Neyriz source rocks from Early Cretaceous to recent times and the transformation ratio of organic matter is more than 97%. These organic-rich zones with high initial total organic carbon (TOC) are in the gas maturity stage [1.5–2.2% vitrinite reflectance in oil (Ro)] and could be good unconventional gas reserves and gas source rocks. The model also indicates that there is a huge quantity of retained gas within the Jurassic organic-rich intervals

The influence of obduction on the Late Cretaceous deposits in the Fars Province-Zagros, Iran

During the Late Cretaceous the northeastern margin of the Arabian plate (Zagros-Fars Area) is characterized by significant variations in sedimentary facies, sedimentation patterns, accommodation space and by shifting depocentres. A succession of events recording the evolution of the region from a passive to an active margin is documented by the study of eight outcrop sections and one well. This new study uses new age dating (benthic and planktonic foraminifera, nannoplankton and radiolarian biozonations and strontium isotope stratigraphy). Three tectono-sedimentary phases are recognised indicating the evolution from a passive to an active margin: Phase I (Late Albian to Cenomanian, before obduction) comprises three depositional 3rd order sequences comparable to the other parts of the Zagros and Arabian Plate. This interval is composed of shallow-water platform carbonates and intrashelf basins. Phase II (Turonian to Late Campanian, obduction phase) is characterized by major changes in depositional environments and sedimentary facies, due to obduction and foreland basin creation. Phase III (Late Campanian to Maastrichtian, after obduction) shows the development of rudist-dominated carbonates in the NE,deep basinal facies in the centre of area. In the most-NE no sediments of this age have been recorded suggesting uplift at that time

Histological evaluation of the effect of petroleum ether root extract ointment of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss on open skin wound healing in rat

Background: Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. belongs to the Boraginaceae family and is one of the most important medicinal plants in north of Iran. This study aimed to examine the effect of the petroleum ether root extract ointment of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. on healing of a surgically induced open skin wound in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 54 male adult Wistar rats were randomly allocated into control, vehicle, and experimental groups. A 20-mm cephalocaudal incision was made on the back skin of rats. Rats were sacrificed on days 4, 7 and 14 and histological examination (the number of fibroblasts, neutrophil, blood vessel sections and thickness of epiderm) was performed on skin samples. Results: On day 4, the number of fibroblasts was significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the vehicle (P<0.003) and control (P<0.001) groups. On day 7, no significant difference was seen in the number of fibroblasts in the experimental group compared to the vehicle group (P<0.680) and fibroblasts were significantly increased in the experimental and vehicle groups compared to the control (P<0.001). On day 14, fibroblasts were significantly increased in the experimental and control groups compared to the vehicle (P<0.001) and there was no significant difference in the number of fibroblasts in the experimental group compared to the control (P<0.843). Also, no significant difference was seen in the number of neutrophils, blood vessel sections and thickness of epiderm on days 4, 7 and 14 among the groups. Conclusion: Topical application of the petroleum ether root extract of onosma dichroanthum Boiss. has no significant effect on the healing of skin wound in rats

A transition from a passive to a tectonically active margin and foreland basin development in the Late Cretaceous of the Fars Area and offshore (Zagros)

The northeastern margin of the Arabian plate in the Fars Area was influenced by a series of tectonosedimentary events during the Late Cretaceous. These events are well documented by significant variations in sedimentary facies and sedimentation patterns and thickness. The presence of igneous dikes is another significant phenomenon at the top of Cenomanian platform. Nine regional transects parallel and perpendicular to the Zagros trend were prepared. These transects vertically contain three tectono-sedimentary phases: Phase I (Late Albian to Turonian), Phase II (Coniacian to Late Campanian) and Phase III (Late Campanian to Maastrichtian). Phase I is characterised by shallow-water carbonate platforms bordering intrashelf basins. Eustatic sealevel variations can be the main factor controlling the accommodation space in parts of the area, whereas to the southeast the role of the regional and salt tectonic are more dominant. Phase II is marked by major changes in the depositional environments and sedimentary facies, as a result of obduction and foreland basin creation. The pelagic marls host large volumes of carbonate and siliciclastic gravity flows and far-traveled radiolarites and ophiolites as well as thrust slices of older carbonates. Phase III is dominated by pelagic facies interfingering with shallow-water Omphalocyclus and Loftusiabearing facies

Biomechanical evaluation of root extracts of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. on skin wound healing in rat

Background and Objective: Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. is one of the most important mountainous medicinal plants in Iran. This study was done to determine the biomechanical evaluation of root extract ointment of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. on wound healing in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 male adult Wistar rats were randomly allocated into control (I), vehicle (II) and treated group with ointment containing of extract 1% of root of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss., (III). 20 mm vertical skin incision wound were made on rats back side. The assessment of the wound healing was carried out at day 14. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed, skin sample were extracted and evaluated by biomechanical method (maximum force, elastic stiffness, energy absorption). Results: There was no significant difference in biomechanical parameters among the treated, vehicle and control groups. Conclusion: Topical application of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. root have no effect on healing of skin wound in animal model

Retinal and Choroidal Damage from Long-Term Exposure to a Laser Pointer Beam

Introduction: Laser pointers are devices that produce a weak laser beam of 630-680 nmwavelength and 1-5 mW power (ClassII or III A laser). These devices generally emit a redbeam that is used by lecturers and teachers for presentations. Some children use pointers astoys and sometimes direct the beam to their own or others' eyes. Material and Methods: Following irradiation by a laser pointer beam for 8 secondsthe eyes of Chinchilla rabbits were examined by opthalmoscope, and fluorescein angiographywas performed 5, 10 and 15 min after the exposure. The rabbits were killed immediately or24h after exposure, the eyes were enucleated, and the histological features of sections fromfundus, retina and choroid were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: A fluorescein block was found in the irradiated area immediately after irradiationand it increased in size with increasing time after exposure. The ultrastructural study showedacute oedema shortly after exposure, and thick collagenic bundles after 24h. Conclusion: Laser pointers with labelled power of less than 1mW are capable of producing visible and ultrastructual lesions in pigmented rabbit eyes