High resolution melting technique for molecular epidemiological studies of cystic echinococcosis: Differentiating G1, G3, and G6 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato

Reliable and rapid genotyping of large number of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato isolates is crucial for understanding the epidemiology and transmission of cystic echinococcosis. We have developed a method for distinguishing and discriminating common genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. (G1, G3, and G6) in Iran. This method is based on polymerase chain reaction coupled with high resolution melting curve (HRM), ramping from 70 to 86 C with fluorescence data acquisition set at 0.1 C increments and continuous fluorescence monitoring. Consistency of this technique was assessed by inter- and intra-assays. Assessment of intra- and inter-assay variability showed low and acceptable coefficient of variations ranging from 0.09 to 0.17 %. Two hundred and eighty E. granulosus s.l. isolates from sheep, cattle, and camel were used to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of the method. The isolates were categorized as G1 (93, 94, and 25 %), G3 (7, 4, and 4 %), and G6 (0, 2, and 71 %) for sheep, cattle, and camel, respectively. HRM results were completely compatible with those obtained from sequencing and rostellar hook measurement. This method proved to be a valuable screening tool for large-scale molecular epidemiological studies. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Comprehensive Parametric Study for Design Improvement of a Low-Speed AFPMSG for Small Scale Wind-Turbines

In this paper, a comprehensive parametric analysis for an axial-flux permanent magnet synchronous generator (AFPMSG), designed to operate in a small-scale wind-power applications, is presented, and the condition for maximum efficiency, minimum weight and minimum cost is deduced. Then a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) procedure based on the results of parametric study is proposed. Matching between the generator side and turbine characteristics as well as the mechanical constraints is taken into account in design algorithm. A 2.5 kW AFPMSG with two parallel connected stators and surface mounted permanent magnets on its rotor disk is designed using the developed program, and then three dimensional finite-element analyses are carried out to validate the design procedure

Study of nonlinear MHD tribological squeeze film at generalized magnetic reynolds numbers using DTM.

In the current article, a combination of the differential transform method (DTM) and Padé approximation method are implemented to solve a system of nonlinear differential equations modelling the flow of a Newtonian magnetic lubricant squeeze film with magnetic induction effects incorporated. Solutions for the transformed radial and tangential momentum as well as solutions for the radial and tangential induced magnetic field conservation equations are determined. The DTM-Padé combined method is observed to demonstrate excellent convergence, stability and versatility in simulating the magnetic squeeze film problem. The effects of involved parameters, i.e. squeeze Reynolds number (N1), dimensionless axial magnetic force strength parameter (N2), dimensionless tangential magnetic force strength parameter (N3), and magnetic Reynolds number (Rem) are illustrated graphically and discussed in detail. Applications of the study include automotive magneto-rheological shock absorbers, novel aircraft landing gear systems and biological prosthetics

Testicular expression of TDRD1, TDRD5, TDRD9 and TDRD12 in azoospermia.

BACKGROUND: Tudor domain-containing proteins (TDRDs) play a critical role in piRNA biogenesis and germ cell development. piRNAs, small regulatory RNAs, act by silencing of transposons during germline development and it has recently been shown in animal model studies that defects in TDRD genes can lead to sterility in males. METHODS: Here we evaluate gene and protein expression levels of four key TDRDs (TDRD1, TDRD5, TDRD9 and TDRD12) in testicular biopsy samples obtained from men with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 29), as controls, and various types of non-obstructive azoospermia containing hypospermatogenesis (HP, 28), maturation arrest (MA, n = 30), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS, n = 32) as cases. One-way ANOVA test followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison post-test was used to determine inter-group differences in TDRD gene expression among cases and controls. RESULTS: The results showed very low expression of TDRD genes in SCOS specimens. Also, the expression of TDRD1 and TDRD9 genes were lower in MA samples compared to OA samples. The expression of TDRD5 significantly reduced in SCOS, MA and HP specimens than the OA specimens. Indeed, TDRD12 exhibited a very low expression in HP specimens in comparison to OA specimens. All these results were confirmed by Western blot technique. CONCLUSION: TDRDs could be very important in male infertility, which should be express in certain stages of spermatogenesis

Effect of whey protein coating on physico-chemical properties of gutted Kilka during frozen storage

The a im of th is paper was to study the effects w hey pro t e in c oat i ng on ch e m ic al a nd physic al properties of gut t ed K i l ka dur i ng f roz en stor a ge. Coating of Kilka has done by dipping in whey protein solution with different concentrations of 3, 7, 10 and 13%, for 1h. Then, after being packed in polyethylene dishes, they were covered in cellophane blanket and stored in -18°C. There were 125 testing and control packages, each of them weight 250grams. Heme iron, peroxide value, protein, lipid and pH has measured after 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months storage in freezer. R e s u l ts of h e me iron, p e roxi de v a l ue and lipid of control tr e at m ents h a ve s hown s i gni f icant difference among ex p e r i m ent al tr e at m ents (p0.05). Our results showed that coating process with di ff e r e nt whey pro t e in con c entrat i on leads to decrease in peroxide value and increases the iron content. 13% whey protein concentration was provided the most satisfactory results

Studying the effect of manager’s Strategic Thinking on Corporate entrepreneurship

The purpose of this research is to explore the effect of managers' strategic thinking on corporate entrepreneurship. To this end, one main hypothesis and five secondary hypotheses were proposed. This study is descriptive-applicable and Lidka studies (1998) were employed to measure managers' strategic thinking and Robins and Kutler's questionnaire (1996) was used to measure corporate entrepreneurship. The statistical population included 118 managers and employees of a manufacturing company in Kermanshah industrial estate. The research sample was equal to 90 using Cochran formula. The results disclosed that managers' strategic thinking has a positive and significant effect on corporate entrepreneurship and all hypotheses were confirme

Diagnosis of Different Types of Air-Gap Eccentricity Fault in Switched Reluctance Motors Using Transient Finite Element Method

This paper presents a method for diagnosis of eccentricity fault in a switched-reluctance motor (SRM) during offline and standstill modes. In this method, the fault signature is differential induced voltage (DIV) achieved by injecting diagnostic pulses to the motor windings. It will be demonstrated by means of results that there is a correlation between differential induced voltage and eccentricity occurrence. The method employs three-dimensional transient finite-element method (TFEM) analysis to calculate differential induced voltage in three phase 6/4 SRM. In this method, first of all the fault presence is distinguished. Next, an algorithm is presented for the detection of fault location or faulty phase. Then, the direction of fault is recognized by a simple comparative technique, and finally, results comparing is proposed to detect fault type

Survey of parasitic contamination of sewage sludges in northern Iran

The use of sewage sludge as fertilizer in agriculture is a convenient and economic solution, but it is essential to monitor presence of parasitic contamination. This study investigated parasites in sewage sludge of wastewater treatment plant in Gorgan, Iran. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 18 sewage sludge samples collected from wastewater treatment plant of Gorgan within 6 months with three repeatitions per month. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory of School of Public Health at Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Analysis of parasites was done using Bailenger method of counting parasites in chamber of McMaster slides with volume of 0.3 ml. The results showed that majority of parasite eggs in the sewage sludge was related to nematodes. The dominant nematode eggs detected were related to Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus and Enterobious vermicolaris. However, no parasite was found in dried sewage sludge. Considering the amount of parasite eggs in the returned sludge, it is necessary to modify the treatment process. However, it is permissible to use dried sewage sludge as agricultural fertilizer.Keywords: Parasite eggs, Protozoa, Sewage sludge, Ira

Novel approaches in cancer management with circulating tumor cell clusters

© 2019 The Authors Tumor metastasis is responsible for the vast majority of cancer-associated morbidities and mortalities. Recent studies have disclosed the higher metastatic potential of circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters than single CTCs. Despite long-term study on metastasis, the characterizations of its most potent cellular drivers, i.e., CTC clusters have only recently been investigated. The analysis of CTC clusters offers new intuitions into the mechanism of tumor metastasis and can lead to the development of cancer diagnosis and prognosis, drug screening, detection of gene mutations, and anti-metastatic therapeutics. In recent years, considerable attention has been dedicated to the development of efficient methods to separate CTC clusters from the patients’ blood, mainly through micro technologies based on biological and physical principles. In this review, we summarize recent developments in CTC clusters with a particular emphasis on passive separation methods that specifically have been developed for CTC clusters or have the potential for CTC cluster separation. Methods such as liquid biopsy are of paramount importance for commercialized healthcare settings. Furthermore, the role of CTC clusters in metastasis, their physical and biological characteristics, clinical applications and current challenges of this biomarker are thoroughly discussed. The current review can shed light on the development of more efficient CTC cluster separation method that will enhance the pivotal understanding of the metastatic process and may be practical in contriving new strategies to control and suppress cancer and metastasis

Effects of different concentrations of sodium alginate as an edible film on chemical changes of dressed kilka during frozen storage

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium alginate edible coating with concentrations of 0/25, 1/25, 0/75 and 1/75% (W/V) on chemical changes of dressed Kilka during frozen storage. Prepared samples of Kilka fish have been coated for 1 h with the dipping method. Coated and uncoated samples have been packed in polyethylene dishes with selphon coverage (75 packs of 250 g). Chemical parameters (moisture, ash, protein, TVN and lipid) were examined in frozen storage at -18ºC for 4 months. SPSS Statistical Software was used for data analysis, using One Way ANOVA test. Significant reduction was found (P<0.05) in moisture value with increase of sodium alginate concentration during the study. Significant differences were found in TVN values during the third and fourth months but there were no significant differences (P<0.05) in ash and protein content. The highest content of TVN was found in control samples and use of sodium alginate edible coating affected the reduction of TVN, prevented the lipid oxidation, increased the shelf-life of Kilka and reduced the moisture