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

Effect of Foliar Application of Iron, Zinc and Manganese on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Two Varieties of Grain Millet

In order to study the effect of foliar application of Fe, Zn and Mn on yield, yield components and protein content of two varieties of grain millet an experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research field of Birjand branch, Islamic Azad University at 2010.  In this study two millet varieties including Bastan (Setaria italica) and Pishahang (Panicum miliaceum), and six levels of foliar micronutrient fertilizer including control, Fe, Zn, Mn, (Fe+Zn), (Fe+Zn+Mn) were investigated. The results indicated that, panicle length, 1000 grain weight and panicle number per m2 were higher in Pishahang than Bastan, but grain yield, number of seeds per panicle, harvest index and protein yield were higher in Bastan. Characteristics such as panicle length, biological yield and harvest index and protein percentage were affected by foliar micronutrient fertilizer but grain yield remained unchanged. Foliar application with (Fe+Zn+Mn) increased protein content compared to the control, but it did not affect protein yield. According to the results of this experiment, Bastan millet variety and foliar application of Zn is potent to produce the maximum grain yield, albeit it warrants further studies

Effect of magnetic field and silver nanoparticles on yield and water use efficiency of Carum copticum under water stress conditions

Normally the productivity of cropping systems in arid and semi- arid regions is very low. The sustainable agricultural systems try to find out environmental friendly technologies based on physical and biological treatments to increase crop production. In this study two irrigation treatments (control and water stress) and six methods of fertilizer treatment (control, NPK-F, using magnetic band- M, using silver nano particles- N, M+N and M+N+50% F) on performance of ajowan were compared. Results showed that treatments with magnetic field or base fertilizer had more yield compared to the control and silver nanoparticles (N) treatments. Application of silver nanoparticles had no positive effect on yield. The highest seed and biomass WUE achieved in base fertilizer or magnetic field treatments. Under water stress treatment, seed WUE significantly increased. In conclusion magnetic field exposure, probably by encourage nutrient uptake efficiency could be applied to reduce fertilizer requirement. On the other hand the cultivation of plants under low MF could be an alternative way of WUE improving

Comparing the mental skills of injured and uninjured elite male student athletes

BACKGROUND: Mental skills are important aspects of successful sport performance and distinguish elite athletes from the less elite ones. This study was designed to compare the mental skills of injured with the uninjured athletes participating in a college student sport Olympiad. METHODS: This case-control research compared the mental skill of injured versus the uninjured athletes participating in the sport Olympiad by using OMSAT -3. Thirty-four elite male student athletes who were injured during the competitions were compared with 34 other elite athletes who were not injured in the same Olympiad. Both groups completed OMSAT -3 questioner. SPSS: PC 16.0 software was employed to analyze the data and independent t-test was used to compare the two groups. RESULTS: The result of analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the majority of sub-scales of mental skills of the two groups (P<0.05). The uninjured athletes scored higher on the sub skills of self-confidence, commitment and goal setting in addition to stress reactions, relaxation, activation, imagery, mental practice and competition plan. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study showed that mental skill is an important aspect of sport performance and may play a role in protecting the athletes against sport injury. Further research is needed to determine whether such differences is present among other league competitions. © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDIC

Improving irrigation water management using agent technology

Water use demand has increased steadily in Canterbury, New Zealand, over the last 20 years resulting in insufficient water availability. Prevailing irrigation management strategies in Canterbury consider soil moisture measurement up to a certain extent with no regard to crop’s development stages and sensitivity to water shortage; therefore, lacking to address the spatial and temporal variability of crop’s irrigation demand. This paper proposes an agent-based model that can be used to prioritise irrigation allocation to different crops on a farm. The proposed agent-based model takes into account the crop’s drought sensitivity, growth stage, soil type and the crop coefficient value when allocating water. It prioritises the crops based on their water requirements and generates an irrigation plan based on the predetermined water reduction. Our preliminary results showed that using this agent-based model, a significant water saving can be achieved even when water reduction is in effect, without impacting on production.The authors would like to extend their great gratitude to the Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand for providing the required fund for the research