Effect of Exogenous Oil Revenue Shocks on Reallocation of Public and Private Investments in Iran

Determining the mechanism of oil shock effects on macroeconomic variables of oil-producing countries and incorporating these effects into the models that predict such variables is of utmost importance for the fiscal policy makers attempting to adopt appropriate policies to counter the shock induced volatilities. In this study, a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model based on the real business cycle (RBC) theory is used to investigate the effect of oil revenue shocks on reallocation of private and public investment and the presence of resource curse in Iran's economy over the period 1974-2012. For this purpose, after estimating the model parameters and conducting a simulation, variables' impulse response to shocks are plotted and analyzed. The results demonstrate the negative effects of positive oil shock on private sector, a substitution relation between public and private investment, and the presence of resource curse during this period of Iran's economy. Keywords: real business cycle, oil shock, substitution relation, resource curse. JEL Classifications: F44, O13, Q1

Molecular characterization of fasciola and dicrocoelium species isolated from ruminant livestock in Qazvin, Iran

Introduction: Fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis are the most frequent zoonotic diseases with increasing human health problems in different parts of Iran. Two species, Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) and Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica), are spread in the country. Molecular approaches have a decisive role in identifying both the species. The aim of this study was to detect Fasciola spp. and Dicrocoelium spp. by amplifying the ITS-2 and 28S rDNA gene sequence. Methods: Overall, 30 infected liver samples were collected from the livestock of Qazvin, Iran. The adult flukes were collected from different livestock. DNA extraction and PCR amplification of ribosomal RNA gene region (ITS2) and 28S rDNA gene fragment were conducted and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Result: All the isolates obtained from the cattle (No: 7) and 82.6% (No: 19) of sheep isolates were infected with F. hepatica species, whereas 17.4% (No: 4) of sheep isolates were infected with F. gigantica. It was also shown that F. hepatica was the predominant species of Fasciola present in the region. All the specimens were infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum (D. dendriticum). Conclusion: Both the species of Fasciola were found in Qazvin. D. dendriticum was the sole infecting species of the Dicrocoelium genus in the livestock of the city of Qazvin. Further research studies are needed to determine the intermediate host of the parasites in the region

Study of Protoscolicidal Effects of Hypertonic Glucose on Protoscolices of Hydatid Cyst at Different Concentrations and Exposure Times

Surgical operation is the treatment of choice for hydatid cyst. To date, many protoscolicidal substances have been used for inactivation of hydatid cyst contents but most of these compounds may produce several side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protoscolicidal effects of hypertonic glucose on protoscolices of hydatid cyst at different concentrations and exposure times. Protoscolices were obtained aseptically from the livers of slaughtered sheep at Qazvin abattoir, Iran. Protoscolices were exposed to different concentrations of hypertonic glucose (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) at different times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min). Viability of protoscolices was evaluated by 0.1% eosin and the movement of protoscolices flame cells. The highest protoscolicidal effect (100%) of hypertonic glucose was obtained at concentrations 40% and 50% following 40 and 20 min exposure times, respectively. Some protoscolicidal agents show a variety of dangerous complications such as biliary tract fibrosis and liver necrosis; however, hypertonic glucose especially at a concentration of 40% may demonstrate less side effects compared with glucose 50%. Further in vivo investigations are suggested

Molecular Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto Isolated from the Livestock of Qazvin, Iran

Introduction: Hydatidiosis is a serious parasitic disease in humans and livestock, worldwide. Echinococcus granulosus shows notable genetic variation among intermediate hosts. Several genotypes of the worm have been reported from different parts of Iran, but no information on the parasite genotypes status in the study region is available. The current study investigated the presence of different genotypes of E. granulosus in the livestock of Qazvin, Iran, by sequencing the mitochondrial Cox1 genes. Methodology: One hundred twenty E. granulosus isolates, including 30 from goats, 40 from cattle and 50 from sheep, were collected from the slaughterhouses in Qazvin province. Mitochondrial Cox1 gene region was amplified by PCR and 30 isolates were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by using the MEGA 7.0 software. Morphological analysis was performed on rostellar hook length of protoscoleces. Results: All isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-G3 complex) among 17% of the isolates clarified as G3 genotypes. G1 was the predominant genotype among the specimens. No significant difference between the rostellar hooks measurements of different genotypes was observed. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the presence of E. granulosus sensu stricto in the region, although further studies are required to determine the haplotype diversity of E. granulosus using different mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Keywords: Cox1; Echinococcus granulosus; Iran.; Qazvin; genotype; livestock

Molecular characterization of fasciola and dicrocoelium species isolated from ruminant livestock in Qazvin, Iran

Introduction: Fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis are the most frequent zoonotic diseases with increasing human health problems in different parts of Iran. Two species, Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) and Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica), are spread in the country. Molecular ap-proaches have a decisive role in identifying both the species. The aim of this study was to detect Fasciola spp. and Dicrocoelium spp. by amplifying the ITS-2 and 28S rDNA gene sequence. Methods: Overall, 30 infected liver samples were collected from the livestock of Qazvin, Iran. The adult flukes were collected from different livestock. DNA extraction and PCR amplification of ribosomal RNA gene region (ITS2) and 28S rDNA gene fragment were conducted and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Result: All the isolates obtained from the cattle (No: 7) and 82.6% (No: 19) of sheep isolates were infected with F. hepatica species, whereas 17.4% (No: 4) of sheep isolates were infected with F. gigantica. It was also shown that F. hepatica was the predominant species of Fasciola present in the region. All the specimens were infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum (D. dendriticum). Conclusion: Both the species of Fasciola were found in Qazvin. D. dendriticum was the sole infecting species of the Dicrocoelium genus in the livestock of the city of Qazvin. Further research studies are needed to determine the intermediate host of the parasites in the region