Burst Out of the Dead Land by the Help of Spirituality: A Case Study of Living with Blindness and Cancer.

Blindness is one of the most complex problems related to health throughout the world. The condition is worse when such stress is accompanied with cancer. The aim of this case study was to introduce a patient with both these conditions who could come over her problems well. A phenomenological hermeneutic approach influenced by Ricoeur was used to explore the experience of the patient. Data were collected through unstructured and deep interview and by checking patient medical records. The patient is an Iranian 58-year-old teacher residing in Kerman who became blind at age 32 due to bloodshed inside the eye and was affected by breast cancer at age 52. The patient could come over these divine tests through the help of spirituality so that she believed blindness and cancer was the best events in her life. Spirituality is one of the human aspects that give meaning and purposes to life. Health care providers are suggested to implement spiritual strategies such as instructional workshops for increasing spirituality in settings, such as oncologic wards for patients to pass stages of adaptation to such great stresses easily and rapidly

The percentage determination of Rutilus frisii kutum (200, 500 and 1000 mg) resistance to salinity, turbidity and decrease of oxygen by usage of the river water at the releasing meantime

The survey effect of salinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen performed on Rutilus frisii Kutum juveniles with aim, which was determined about survival rate and histological changes in gill and kidney tissues. Juveniles provided from the Rajai's fish propagation center and then examined in Caspian Sea Ecology Research Center laboratory. The juveniles were investigated on three weight group (200-75%) had shown in 400-<600mg weight group with dissolve oxygen: 3.8±0.15SE mg/l. In addition, the lowest survival rates under turbidity stress (95.83%) had shown that in weight group less than 400 mg with turbidity 15600 FTU. Therefore, survival of juveniles was high. However, gill tissue of juveniles under turbidity and salinity stress became short (necrosis) and thick (edema and hyperplasia) in the end of experiments. The juveniles gill tissues were not changes in the river clear freshwater. Therefore, the factors of gill tissue deformation were salinity and suspended particles in the water. However, the structures of kidney in the different groups of juveniles were similar. Nevertheless, juveniles glomerular diameter increased with increasing weight (p<0.05, Duncan test). Furthermore, there was a increasing the internal cavity of the proximal and distal tubules and decreasing of glomeruli in diameter in the transfer of juveniles from freshwater to brackish water. Although the survival rate of juveniles is acceptable in this study, but there was abnormal changes in the structure of them gills. It appears that this change will cause a disruption in trend of juvenile's growth

Determination of oil pollutant (water, sediment and fish) in the southern part of Caspian Sea

This study was conducted to determine 16 Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (16 PAHs) concentrations in water (during four seasons) and surface sediments (during summer and winter) at eight transects (Astara, Anzali, Sefidroud, Tonekabon, Nowshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad and Turkman) in the southern of Caspian Sea in 20102011. 94 samples of water and 45 samples of surface sediments were collected at 10, 50 and 100 meters depths. In addition, 28 samples of fish (Cyprinus Carpio) were collected during winter and spring. All samples were prepared by Soxhlet and extracting processes and then determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument. Results of current study showed that mean concentration and standard error (±SE) of 16PAHs water were observed 232 (±77), 1268 (±808), 538 (±190) and 151 (±53) µg/l in spring, summer, fall and winter, respectively. In addition, annual mean contents and standard error (±SE) of 16PAHs water were registered 24.10 (±8.12) µg/l. The Hazard Quotation (HQs) were calculated more than unit and belong to Benzo(a)pyrene and Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene compounds. Mean concentration and standard error (±SE) of 16PAHs sediment were observed 0.77 (±0.23) and 1.21 (±0.64) µg/g.dw in summer and winter, respectively. Also, the annual mean contents and standard error (±SE) of surface sediments were observed 0.93 (±0.33) µg/g.dw. The Hazard Quotation (HQs) were calculated more than unit and belong to Fluoranthene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Chryseneand Benzo(a)pyrene. The annual mean contents and standard error (±SE) of edible tissue of Cyprinus Carpio mussels were observed 2.21 (±0.42) µg/g.dw. Annually, pattern of 16PAH compounds were obtained 10, 70, 12 and 8% for 3,4,5, and 6 rings, respectively. Four ring compounds had high content and percentage and 2 ring was not observed in all samples of water. Also, pattern of 16PAH in surface sediments were obtained 31, 56 and 14% for 3, 4, and 5 rings, respectively. Four ring compounds had high content and percentage and 2 and 6 rings were not observed in all samples of surface sediments during two seasons. Result of Diagnostic Ratios analysis (DRs) of sediments showed that the source of oil compounds were petrogenic and pyrogenic in summer and winter, respectively. Based on DRs in water and sediments were observed oil compounds were either petrogenic or pyrogenic with different percentage in the southern Caspian Sea. In conclusion, the results revealed that in the some transects the 16PAHs concentrations of water were above the threshold levels and more petrogenic (85%) sources which represented polluted condition in this area. 16PAHs concentrations of sediments were below the threshold levels and conditions for this region were showed unpolluted. Also, the Caspian Sea sediments were classified in Class 2 (Fair). According to results of the evaluation’s risks to human health associated with consumption of the mussels containing 16PAHs suggest that there is risk for humans

Evaluation of stocking density vannamei shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in culturing with brackish water of Caspian Sea

Recently, the development of aquaculture has focused on the use of seawater, because of freshwater crisis in the world. Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is one of the most important species for aquaculture development, because of tolerance and adaptation to different ecological conditions. One of the advantages of species in aquaculture, compatibility status is dense in the rearing period. In this study, the effect of different densities (45/m^2 , 50/m^2 , 55/m^2 and 60/m^2 ), of primary stock whiteleg shrimp postlarvae (PL12) on the growth and survival rate were evaluated. Brackish water (10.52±0.43 ppt) was providing from Caspian Sea. The experiments were performed in 12 circular concrete pond with a sandy bed (area: 78m^2 ) in four treatments and three replications for each treatment. The experiments performed in a 75-day period. In this study, the water temperature was 27.4±1.79°C. The results showed statistically difference in growth parameters and survival rate among experimental treatments (Duncan test, P<0.05). Therefore, with high levels of density, has decreased the amount of weight gain and survival rate (SR), specific growth rate (SGR) and average daily growth (ADG). In addition, the treatments were different variations of FCR (P<0.05) and not depend on the primary stock density of postlarvae. In low density (45/m^2 ) were observed the highest growth (SGR=11±0.04 and ADG=0.25±0.01 gr/day/ind.), survival rate and calculate the amount of production per 78m2 equal 43.6±3.3kg (5596±433kg/ha). Therefore, It is possibility that there is commonly increasing primary stocking of density about L. vannamei postlarvae culture in Iran

An investigation of annual discards of the trawlers and gillnet in Khuzestan coastal water, northwest Persian Gulf

The main objective of this study was to describe and estimate the seasonal pattern of discarded fish in the waters of the Persian Gulf coast in Khuzestan. Data were collected from the fishing dhow with Khuzestan Fisheries partnership in fishing areas of Lifeh, Boseif, Khure-mussa and Bahrakan from October 2011 to September 2012. Discarded fish samples were included 109 species from 67 families, nearly 40 percent commercial and 60 percent of non-commercial species. Rayfish and catfish have been observed in most fishing nets. Average sizes of most species particularly bony fish were under 15 cm. The amount of discarded fish per unit of fishing effort was not significantly different between seasons. The highest portion of the catch belongs to rayfishes. Total discarded fishes of gillnets were estimated 3162 tones. Total weight of commercial fishes with small size in discarded fish was estimated 225 tones. The rate and ratio of discarded fish in total catch of gillnet was estimated 0.23 and 0.31 respectively. Chondrichthyes with 12 species and 60% of gillnet catch has the highest percentage of discarded fish of gillnet. High number of commercial species with small size could be due to nursery role of Khuzestan coastal waters. Trawl net has more impact on type and amount of discarded fish than moving gill net. According to different aquatic groups, the highest percentage of protein (77.84±2.088) in Perciformes belongs to Eupleurogrammus muticus and the lowest percentage (40.40±0.322) belongs to Liza klunzingeri, the most percentage of lipid was in Liza klunzingeri (33.78±0.277) and the lowest percentage was in Grammoplites suppositus (3.34±0.025), the highest and lowest percentage of ash (minerals) were in Cynoglossus arel and Acanthocephola abbreviate (28.14±.377) and oligo duvauceli (0.7±0.02) respectively. Therefore discarded fish have great potential in fulfilling nutritional requirements as fresh food (minimally processed) and with nutritional additives in forms of fish powder and fish oil and it can play an effective role in aquaculture development in the region

Evaluation of the large pelagic fishes (Scomberidae family) for optimum exploitation level in the Persian Gulf

Reproductive biology, Diet and population dynamics parameters of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus commerson, in the Persian Gulf were studied during 2011-2012. Fork length frequencies were collected from the commercial catch and from the current fishery nets (gill nets with 9 and 14cm mesh size) at the landing places. During 5 periods in October, December, March, April and July 20-40 specimens were also purchased from the fishermen at several landing sites to investigate and recording of data for feeding and reproductive conditions. Fork length (FL) of 2742 fishes was recorded to the nearest cm and weight of the specimens were measured to the nearest 0.01kg. FiSAT program was used to assess growth and mortality parameters. Reproductive maturity stages were assessed macroscopically using a five element scheme based on gonad size and appearance. The numbers of ovaries were fixed and preserved in 10% formalin. Central sections were embedded in wax, sectioned Hematoxylin–Eosin stains. For this subset, gonad maturation was categorized histological using a simplified five-stage description scheme and compared with the macroscopic assessments for validation. A Gonosomatic index (GSI) was also calculated for each fish. Feeding condition results showed that, sardines are the major prey of S. commerson. Pony fishes, Haltbeak and Indian mackerel were observed in the stomach content. These preys can be assumed as a secondary or accidental food items. Liver Somatic Index (HSI) was maximum in April and minimum in July. The annual instantaneous rate of fishing mortality (F= 0.42 year^−1) was considerably greater than the target (Fopt= 0.28) and limit (Flimit= 0.37) biological reference points, suggesting that the stock is heavily overexploited. Feeding and nutrition results showed that sardines are the major items prey of king S. commerson. Ponyfish, haltbeak and Indian mackerel fishes were observed in diet that can be considered as secondary or accidental foods. Maximum and minimum of Kn index was in October (9.3) and in March respectively. Liver Somatic Index (HSI) was the highest rate in February (1.70) and the lowest in July (0.85) that indicated on the worst and the best condition of fish in the mentioned periods respectively. No difference was observed in the weight stomach index and weight index (SI) in two sexes and it was about 0.09. The smallest of fish was observed 17cm FL and the biggest was 152cm FL. The mean size of fork length frequency was observed from maximum108cm (SD= 24) in February to minimum 29.4cm (SD= 5.5) in September. Based on growth curve analysis, growth parameters, K and L_∞ were estimated 0.23year^−1 and 156.45 cm respectively. Instantaneous total mortality (Z), was 1.13 year^−1 . The estimate of M was 0.43 year^−1 and thus, the estimate of F was0.7 year^−1 . This translates to an exploitation rate (F/Z) of 0.69 year^−1 . Target (Fopt) and limit (Flimit) biological reference points were calculated 0.17 year^−1 and 0.22 year^−1 respectively. The size at capture at a probability of 0.25 (L25), 0.5 (L.5) and 0.75 (L.75) was35.84 cm, 40.28cm and 61.98 cm respectively. Tmax was calculated as 3/K equal to 6 years. Matured females (Stages III, IV) were observed between mostly between April to July. By July, most fishes were in ripped and spent stages (StagesIV, V) indicating the end of the spawning season. The result of GSI avtivity in 153 male and female fish indicated the highest reproductive activity from April to July with the peak of July. The present study results shows that the highest of catch rate were done in 1 and 2 years olds of fish. Although exploitation rate have not indicated over fishing but Fopt and Flimit rates are less than fishing mortality that shows overexploitation was happened. Changes of the mesh size in the gillnet of 9cm and the size of the nets should be considered. Banning of the king mackerel catch in the June and July that is the spawning peak period can be helped to the brood stocks

Survey and feasibility study for the introduction of native fish and non- native fish for cage culture in the southern part of Caspian Sea

The aim of this study is the feasibility of introducing suitable species of fish (native and exotic) for rearing in cages in the southern region of the Caspian Sea. This study from the perspective of economic efficiency and maintaining ecology were analyzed. The results showed that the southern Caspian Sea has the ability to aquaculture fish. However, due to the yearly temperature variations of water (from surface to a depth of 50 meters), the talent of aquaculture area is preferred for fish in cold water than warm water fish due to possibility rearing over the years. The survey showed that the current conditions and due to unfavorable changes in the ecology of the area in the last decade, the use of non-native fish culture in cages is not recommended. Many species of native fish are suitable for rearing in cages. Nevertheless, there is no infrastructure suitable for the production of all of them. Therefore, respectively species of Salmo caspius, Huso huso and Common carp of Caspian Sea for cultivation of in cages was suggested. In the current situation, this fish for their ability to grow faster than the need for selectivity. It is noteworthy that detailed environmental assessments and species risk assessments before the final introduction of any fish species (native and exotic) for rearing in cages in the Caspian Sea ecosystem is essential

Glycans in Sera of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients and Their Role in Killing Neuronal Cells

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. To date, glycosylation patterns of glycoproteins in fluids of ALS patients have not been described. Moreover, the aberrant glycosylation related to the pathogenesis of other neurodegenerative diseases encouraged us to explore the glycome of ALS patient sera. We found high levels of sialylated glycans and low levels of core fucosylated glycans in serum-derived N-glycans of patients with ALS, compared to healthy volunteer sera. Based on these results, we analyzed the IgG Fc N297-glycans, as IgG are major serum glycoproteins affected by sialylation or core fucosylation and are found in the motor cortex of ALS patients. The analyses revealed a distinct glycan, A2BG2, in IgG derived from ALS patient sera (ALS-IgG). This glycan increases the affinity of IgG to CD16 on effector cells, consequently enhancing Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC). Therefore, we explore whether the Fc-N297-glycans of IgG may be involved in ALS disease. Immunostaining of brain and spinal cord tissues revealed over-expression of CD16 and co-localization of intact ALS-IgG with CD16 and in brain with activated microglia of G93A-SOD1 mice. Intact ALS-IgG enhanced effector cell activation and ADCC reaction in comparison to sugar-depleted or control IgG. ALS-IgG were localized in the synapse between brain microglia and neurons of G93A-SOD1 mice, manifesting a promising in vivo ADCC reaction. Therefore, glycans of ALS-IgG may serve as a biomarker for the disease and may be involved in neuronal damage

Nr2e3 is a Genetic Modifier That Rescues Retinal Degeneration and Promotes Homeostasis in Multiple Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Recent advances in viral vector engineering, as well as an increased understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanism of retinal diseases, have led to the development of novel gene therapy approaches. Furthermore, ease of accessibility and ocular immune privilege makes the retina an ideal target for gene therapies. In this study, the nuclear hormone receptor gene Nr2e3 was evaluated for efficacy as broad-spectrum therapy to attenuate early to intermediate stages of retinal degeneration in five unique mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). RP is a group of heterogenic inherited retinal diseases associated with over 150 gene mutations, affecting over 1.5 million individuals worldwide. RP varies in age of onset, severity, and rate of progression. In addition, ~40% of RP patients cannot be genetically diagnosed, confounding the ability to develop personalized RP therapies. Remarkably, Nr2e3 administered therapy resulted in reduced retinal degeneration as observed by increase in photoreceptor cells, improved electroretinogram, and a dramatic molecular reset of key transcription factors and associated gene networks. These therapeutic effects improved retinal homeostasis in diseased tissue. Results of this study provide evidence that Nr2e3 can serve as a broad-spectrum therapy to treat multiple forms of RP