The unhomed Iranians in Canberra

The group of Iranian migrants who are the subject of this study left Iran subsequent to the 1979 Revolution. This migration was in response to the post-Revolution regime's restrictions on societal participation, and its demands of the population to "perform" a new kind of Iranian-ness in their bodily and emotional comportment. Thus, the Iranians of this study, engaged in a kind of physical mobility that defines them as migrants because they felt that another geographical space would be a better launching pad for their "existential selves" ( Hage 2005: 470). Nevertheless, in Australia, also, they feel forced to calculate each move to portray the good Iranian, who is happy, and far from the Iranian middle-eastern typified image. If at home means that everything is unreflexive knowing how to behave and simply be, the Iranians of this study are unhomed. They perform rather than to be. Thus, they dwell in the purgatorial space between having a place to call home, but not actually being able to feel at home there. Having to perform an acceptable version of oneself all the time creates the state of unhomeliness, a state where one is not home-less, not without shelter, but yet not at home in one's own body, talk, and behaviour

Senior Recital:Mona Seghatoleslami, Viola

Kemp Recital Hall Friday Evening March 7, 2003 7:00p.m

Comparison of Nested-PCR technique and culture method in detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients suspected to genitourinary tuberculosis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of nested PCR in genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) compared with acid fast staining and culture method. In total 200 urine samples from suspected cases of GUTB were collected during the period of study. Urine pellets were used for smear preparation, culture and DNA extraction by ether-chloroform method. Nested PCR was performed according to standard protocol using primers based on IS6110 gene fragment. The results obtained by PCR were compared with those obtained by standard acid-fast bacilli stain and culture method. Based on obtained results, the positivity rate of urine samples in this study was 5.0% by using culture and PCR methods and 2.5% for acid fast staining. Four out of total samples showed positive results in all three methods (2%). The sensitivity of PCR in this study was estimated as high as culture equal to 100%, while the sensitivity for direct smear staining was 41.6%. In conclusion, the obtained rate of GUTB in our study was 5.0%. Since the detection rate of culture and nested PCR was identical, we could suggest PCR as a rapid alternative to culture especially for confirmed cases of GUTB

Antibacterial activity of endemic Satureja Khuzistanica Jamzad essential oil against oral pathogens

INTRODUCTION: To assess the antibacterial effects of an Iranian endemic essential oil, Satureja Khuzistanica Jamzad (SKJ) when used as an intracanal antiseptic and interappointment medicament. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of SKJ essential oil with and without calcium hydroxide (CH) against eleven aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria were assessed. The evaluation was carried out by agar dilution and well diffusion methods. The results were measured and recorded by an independent observer. Data were analyzed statistically using student t-test. RESULTS: The MIC for eight species was recorded in 0.31 mg/mL of essential oil. Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a MIC value of 1.25 mg/mL appeared to be the most resistant bacterium; while only 0.16 mg/mL of essential oil was sufficient to inhibit the growth of Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition zone of the antiseptic oil (at 0.31 mg/mL) with E. faecalis in the well diffusion method was 13 mm; this was comparable with 12.5 mm inhibition zone value of the tetracycline disc (30 µg). No synergistic effect was found in combination of essential oil and CH powder. CONCLUSION: SKJ essential oil with the concentration of 0.31 mg/mL is effective against most of oral pathogens including E. faecalis

Ajowan (Trachyspermum copticum) Responses to Organic Fertilizers and Bio-fertilizers under Drought Stress

Water stress and soil nutrients affect the growth of medicinal herbs as well as the quantity and quality of their essential oils. The effect of drought stress and different fertilizers on yield and morphological traits of Ajowan was studied in a split-plot experiment on the basis of a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in Qaen, Iran. The main plot was devoted to irrigation at three levels (full or weekly irrigation in the whole period of growth-C, weekly irrigation until the beginning of stem elongation and after that every other week irrigation-S1 and weekly irrigation until the beginning of flowering and after that every other week irrigation-S2). The sub-plot was devoted to fertilization at five levels (control, NPK chemical fertilizer, Nitroxin biofertilizers+Barvar 2, organic fertilizer, and cattle manure). It was found that irrigation significantly affected seed yield, branch number per plant, umbel number per plant, umbellet number per umbel, seed number per umbellet and plant height. Seed yield was reduced by 37.8% under the treatment of S1 as compared to full irrigation. The influence of fertilization treatments was significant on seed yield, umbellet number per umbel, seed number per umbellet and plant height. The treatment of chemical fertilizer resulted in the highest seed yield. In total, full irrigation accompanied with the treatment of chemical fertilizer produced the maximum seed yield. However, since chemical fertilizers are not recommended to be applied especially for medicinal herbs, it can be recommended to use biofertilizer (Nitroxin+Barvar 2) given the fact that its yield had no significant difference with that of chemical fertilizer

Yield and Qualitative Traits of Sesame as Affected by Irrigation Interval, N Fertilizer and Superabsorbent

In order to study the effect of irrigation interval, N fertilizer and superabsorbent on yield and qualitative traits of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), a split-split-plot experiment was coducted in a farm in Khusf of Birjand, Iran in 2009 on the basis of a Randomized Complete Block Design. The main plot was devoted to irrigation interval at three levels of 6, 12 and 18 days, the sub-plot was devoted to N fertilization rate at three levels of 0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1 and the sub-sub-plot was devoted to superabsorbent at two levels of 0 and 200 kg ha-1. It was found that the effect of irrigation interval was significant on seed yield, oil percentage, protein percentage, seed N percentage, oil yield and protein yield, so that the increase in    irrigation interval from 6 to 18 days resulted in significant loss of seed yield, oil yield and protein yield by 44.5, 44.5 and 39.7%, respectively. Different N fertilization rates significantly influenced seed yield, oil yield and protein yield, but its effect was not significant on seed oil percentage, protein percentage and N percentage, so that the increase in N level from 0 to 200 kg ha-1 significantly increased seed yield, oil yield and protein yield by 25.6, 28.3 and 25.1%, respectively. According to the results, it is recommended to use the irrigation interval of 6 days with the treatment of 200 kg N ha-1 in order to realize optimum yield of sesame in Birjand, Iran

A Post-Marketing Surveillance Study to Evaluate the Safety Profile of AlvotereⓇ (Docetaxel) in Iranian Patients Diagnosed with Different Types of Cancers Receiving Chemotherapy

Background Docetaxel is a clinically well established antimitotic chemotherapy medication. Labeled docetaxel indications are breast cancer, gastric cancer, head and neck cancer, non–small cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Objective This is a Phase IV study to evaluate the safety profile of docetaxel (Alvotere; NanoAlvand, Iran) in Iranian patients diagnosed with different types of cancers receiving chemotherapy regimens with docetaxel. Methods Patients who received Alvotere as a part of their chemotherapy regimen were enrolled in this Phase IV, observational, multicenter, open-label study. Alvotere was administrated as a single agent or in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Safety parameters in each cycle were assessed, and the related data were recorded in booklets. Findings A total of 411 patients with different types of cancers were enrolled from 25 centers in Iran. The most common malignancies among participants were breast cancer (49.88%), followed by gastric cancer (22.63%). Participants’ mean age was 53.33 years, and the mean total dose used in each cycle was 132 mg. According to the results, 341 patients experienced at least 1 adverse event, that the most common was alopecia (41.12%). In total, 92 (22.38%) patients had at least 1 adverse event of grade 3 or 4, and 25 (6.08%) patients showed 54 serious adverse events, which the causality assessment for all was possibly related to Alvotere. There was a significant difference between men and women in the incidence of skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (55.63% in women vs 41.73% in men; P = 0.009). Also, the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system disorders, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, hepatic enzymes increase, and fluid retention was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients receiving anthracyclines in their chemotherapy regimens. Conclusions The findings of this open-label, observational, multicenter, postmarketing surveillance showed that Alvotere appears to have an acceptable safety profile in Iranian cancer patients receiving chemotherapeutic regimens. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2022; 82:XXX–XXX) © 2022 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc

Comparative Study of the Long-Term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Nutritional Practices Among International Elite and Sub-Elite Athletes: A Sample of 1420 Participants from 14 Countries

Background Although several studies have shown that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has had negative impacts on mental health and eating behaviors among the general population and athletes, few studies have examined the long-term effects on elite and sub-elite athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health and eating behaviors in elite versus sub-elite athletes two years into the pandemic. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted between March and April 2022, involving athletes from 14 countries, using a convenient non-probabilistic and snowball sampling method. A total of 1420 athletes (24.5 ± 7.9 years old, 569 elites, 35% women, and 851 sub-elites, 45% women) completed an online survey-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included a sociodemographic survey, information about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items (DASS-21) for mental health assessment, and the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP-S) for assessing eating behavior. Results The results showed that compared to sub-elite athletes, elite athletes had lower scores on the DASS-21 (p = .001) and its subscales of depression (p = .003), anxiety (p = .007), and stress (p < .001), as well as a lower REAP-S score indicating lower diet quality (p = .013). Conclusion In conclusion, two years into the pandemic, elite athletes were likelier to have better mental health profiles than sub-elite athletes but surprisingly had lower diet quality. Key Points Elite athletes had better mental health profiles compared to sub-elite athletes, with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Elite athletes reported greater psychological support and perceived themselves as more financially secure during the pandemic than sub-elite athletes do. Elite athletes were more likely to have poor eating habits compared to sub-elite athletes

Drought or/and Heat-Stress Effects on Seed Filling in Food Crops: Impacts on Functional Biochemistry, Seed Yields, and Nutritional Quality

Drought (water deficits) and heat (high temperatures) stress are the prime abiotic constraints, under the current and climate change scenario in future. Any further increase in the occurrence, and extremity of these stresses, either individually or in combination, would severely reduce the crop productivity and food security, globally. Although, they obstruct productivity at all crop growth stages, the extent of damage at reproductive phase of crop growth, mainly the seed filling phase, is critical and causes considerable yield losses. Drought and heat stress substantially affect the seed yields by reducing seed size and number, eventually affecting the commercial trait ‘100 seed weight’ and seed quality. Seed filling is influenced by various metabolic processes occurring in the leaves, especially production and translocation of photoassimilates, importing precursors for biosynthesis of seed reserves, minerals and other functional constituents. These processes are highly sensitive to drought and heat, due to involvement of array of diverse enzymes and transporters, located in the leaves and seeds. We highlight here the findings in various food crops showing how their seed composition is drastically impacted at various cellular levels due to drought and heat stresses, applied separately, or in combination. The combined stresses are extremely detrimental for seed yield and its quality, and thus need more attention. Understanding the precise target sites regulating seed filling events in leaves and seeds, and how they are affected by abiotic stresses, is imperative to enhance the seed quality. It is vital to know the physiological, biochemical and genetic mechanisms, which govern the various seed filling events under stress environments, to devise strategies to improve stress tolerance. Converging modern advances in physiology, biochemistry and biotechnology, especially the “omics” technologies might provide a strong impetus to research on this aspect. Such application, along with effective agronomic management system would pave the way in developing crop genotypes/varieties with improved productivity under drought and/or heat stresses