Survey of epidemiology and bacteriology features of cholera in Iran

AbstractObjectiveTo determine epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Vibrio (V.) cholerae O1 biotype EL Tor in summer outbreak of 2008 in Iran.MethodsStool samples were collected from patients suspected to have cholera admitted to hospitals and clinics. Specimens examined by conventional bacteriological methods. All isolates were sent to cholera reference laboratory for further confirmation, stereotyping and susceptibility testing.ResultsA total of 220 patients were diagnosed as cholera. All cases confirmed by Iranian reference health laboratory. One hundred ninety nine of 220 V. cholerae serotypes were Inaba and 21 serotypes were Ogawa. All cases were reported from thirteen provinces. The majorities of cases were from Tehran, Qum and Zahedan provinces with 56, 26 and 25 cases respectively. 24(11%) of patients were under 15 years old and 196 (89%) of patients were older than 15 years.149 (68%) of patients were male and 71 (32 %) were female. 129(59%) of patients had Iranian nationality,79 (36.5%) were from Afghanistan and, 12 (5%) were from Pakistan. All isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, furazolidone, and intermediate to chloramphenicol and were susceptible to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin.ConclusionOur study reveals that in recent outbreak caused by V. cholerae EL Tor serotype Inaba is the predominant serotype. All isolates are resistant to cotrimoxazole, nalidix acid and furazolidon

The validation of one halitosis measuring device (Etiquette checker)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Various measurement devices are available for detection of halitosis. For epidemiologic studies, it is necessary to use a portable and small device. This study aimed to investigation of correlation between measuring the device (Etiquette checker) with Halimeter. METHODS: One hundred volunteers (students and patients) participated in this study. The amount of volatile sulfur compounds was carried out by Halimeter and compared with Etiquette measurement. The sensitivity and specificity of Etiquette checker was detected comparing with Halimeter. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity test with Etiquette checker were 86% and 100%, respectively. The best sensitive and specific point of this device was no. 2 for mouth odor detection. CONCLUSION: Etiquette checker had acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detection of oral malodor. In the future epidemiologic studies, this device could be used. KEYWORDS: Halitosis, Halimeter, Instrumental Measurement, Sensitivity, Specificit

Investigation the structure of vegetative organs and development of reproductive organs of Pimpinella anisum L.

Pimpinella anisum L. belongs to Apiaceae family. The samples of vegetative and reproductive organs at different stages of development were gathered and investigated by cell-histology methods. The investigation of the anatomical structure of vegetative organs showed that the secretory ducts are arranged between the parenchymal tissues of the leaf. Section of flower buds revealed that anthers had 4 pollen sacs, the division of pollen mother cell was of the simultaneous type, microspore tetrads were of tetragonal type and the tapetum layer was secretory. The study of the ultrastructure of pollen grains with SEM showed that they had 3 pores. The ovary was found to be two-chambered and two-carpeled the ovule to be anatropous and to have one membrane. In embryogenic investigation it was found that the embryos were globular, cotyledonary and torpedo-shaped and the transition between globular embryos to cordate embryos was found. The vegetative organs were observed to have the general structure of dicotyledons. The development patterns of ovule and embryo sac follow the Polygonum type. Tetrahedral microspore tetrads were observed. The ultrastructure of pollens was found to be similar to those of Smyrnium, a genus of Apiaceae family. All stages of embryogenesis were covered in this study

Do young trees contribute to soil labile carbon and nitrogen recovery?

Hosseini Bai, S ORCiD: 0000-0001-8646-6423Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tree cover (tree plots (Acacia disparrima and Eucalyptus crebra) vs. non-tree plots) on soil labile carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) recovery in revegetation trials, without and with topsoil removal, 3 years following tree planting. Materials and methods: Soil total C (TC) and total N (TN), hot-water-extractable organic C (HWEOC), hot-water-extractable total N (HWETN), microbial biomass (MB) and potentially mineralisable N (PMN) were measured. Results and discussion: Where topsoil had not been removed, soil TN, HWEOC, HWETN and PMN were significantly higher in the tree-covered plots compared to non-tree-covered plots. In contrast, tree cover did not significantly increase soil labile C and N when topsoil had been removed. Both leguminous and non-leguminous species (A. disparrima and E. crebra) had similar effects on soil labile C and N. Tree cover did not accelerate C and N recovery at their early stage of establishment when topsoil had been removed. Therefore, our finding suggests that topsoil-removed plots may need more than 3 years to replenish soil C and N to their initial levels. There was also a clear indication of C and N depletion in the topsoil in areas not covered by trees even though the topsoil had not been removed. Conclusions: Altogether, these results demonstrate the importance of longer-term monitoring of revegetation areas to be able to assess its success in improving soil quality. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Evaluation of sulfur and foliar application of Zn and Fe on yield and biochemical factors of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) under irrigation regimes

Introduction: Cumin, due to its food and medicinal properties, is one of the important plant species in the world. Moreover, water and nutrition deficiencies are serious abiotic stress factors. So, this experiment was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of sulfur and foliar application of Fe and Zn on yield and biochemical characteristics of cumin under irrigation regimes. Methods: The experiment was conducted as a split plot on the basis of a completely randomized block design during the 2016-2017 growing seasons with three replications. Experimental factors were arranged in irrigation regimes as main plots at three levels (I1: No stress (control), I2: irrigation based on 40% available water discharge, I3: 80% available water discharge) and foliar application of Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) as subplots [F1: control (water-soluble), F2: Iron, F3: Zinc, F4: Zinc and Iron chelate] and sub-sub plots including sulfur fertilizer [S1: control (no use of sulfur), S2: sulfur fertilizer with Thiobacillus]. Results: Analyzed data showed that total phenol content and flavonoids were enhanced with the increase of drought intensity and the maximum amount was recorded under I3, while I3 caused a substantial reduction in grain yield. Flavonoid and grain yield significantly increased in F4. Total phenol content was the highest in F2 and F3 treatments. Application of sulfur fertilizer resulted in a significant increase in peroxidase, phenol and flavonoids. The highest amount of peroxidase was obtained in I3F4 and I3F3. The largest total soluble sugar (TSS) was resulted by I3S2 and the least by I1S1. Foliar application of Zn and Fe with sulfur fertilizer increased TSS. Conclusion: The present study suggests that foliar application of Fe and Zn and sulfur fertilizer can improve the injurious effects of water deficiency on cumin plant through alteration in yield and biochemical characteristics

Do young trees contribute to soil labile carbon and nitrogen recovery?

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tree cover (tree plots (Acacia disparrima and Eucalyptus crebra) vs. non-tree plots) on soil labile carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) recovery in revegetation trials, without and with topsoil removal, 3 years following tree planting. Materials and methods: Soil total C (TC) and total N (TN), hot-water-extractable organic C (HWEOC), hot-water-extractable total N (HWETN), microbial biomass (MB) and potentially mineralisable N (PMN) were measured. Results and discussion: Where topsoil had not been removed, soil TN, HWEOC, HWETN and PMN were significantly higher in the tree-covered plots compared to non-tree-covered plots. In contrast, tree cover did not significantly increase soil labile C and N when topsoil had been removed. Both leguminous and non-leguminous species (A. disparrima and E. crebra) had similar effects on soil labile C and N. Tree cover did not accelerate C and N recovery at their early stage of establishment when topsoil had been removed. Therefore, our finding suggests that topsoil-removed plots may need more than 3 years to replenish soil C and N to their initial levels. There was also a clear indication of C and N depletion in the topsoil in areas not covered by trees even though the topsoil had not been removed. Conclusions: Altogether, these results demonstrate the importance of longer-term monitoring of revegetation areas to be able to assess its success in improving soil quality. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg