Heritability estimates and correlations between production and reproductive traits in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in Iran

Heritablities and correlations were estimated between lamb body weight at different ages and reproductive traits in the Lori-Bakhtiari sheep breed. Data and pedigree information for Lori-Bakhtiari sheep used in this study were 5826 records of body weight of lambs from 240 sires and 1627 dams, and 5741 records of reproductive traits from 1797 ewes collected from 1989 to 2006 from a Lori-Bakhtiari flock at the Shooli station in Shahrekord. The lamb traits investigated were weights at birth (BWT), weaning (WWT) and at six months of age (WT6). The reproductive traits were conception rate (CR), litter size at birth per ewe lambing (LSB/EL), litter size at weaning per ewe lambing (LSW/EL), litter size at birth per ewe exposed to a ram (LSB/EE), litter size at weaning per ewe exposed (LSW/EE), total litter weight at birth per ewe lambing (TLWB/EL), total litter weight at weaning per ewe lambing (TLWW/EL), total litter weight at birth per ewe exposed (TLWB/EE) and total litter weight at weaning per ewe exposed (TLWW/EE). (Co)Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure applying three multi-trait animal models. The estimates of direct heritability for lamb body weights were 0.31 ± 0.02 at birth, 0.10 ± 0.02 at weaning and 0.19 ± 0.02 at six months of age, and estimates of maternal heritability were 0.22 ± 0.02, 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.04 ± 0.02, respectively. The estimates of heritability for reproductive traits varied from 0.02 ± 0.01 for CR to 0.23 ± 0.01 for TLWB/EL, and repeatability estimates for reproductive traits ranged from 0.11 for CR to 0.28 for LSB. Genetic correlations among lamb body weight and various reproductive traits were positive and varied from 0.06 to 0.98. Phenotypic correlations were lower than genetic correlations (0.01 to 0.20). The estimates of genetic correlations between lamb body weight with CR and litter size at birth and at weaning were low to moderate, while those between lamb body weight with TLBW and TLWW per ewe lambing and per ewe exposed were positive and very high. Thus, lamb body weight at weaning or at six months of age could be considered as selection criteria to indirectly improve reproductive traits in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep because the heritability of lamb body weight was more than that of reproductive traits and can be measured at an early stage in the life of the animal. Keywords: Genetic correlations, early growth traits, reproductive traits South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (2) 2008: pp. 110-11

Calculation of the Probability of Survival for Trauma Patients Based on Trauma Score and the Injury Severity Score Model in Fatemi Hospital in Ardabil

Background: Trauma, in addition to economic and social costs, is the fourth cause of death in the world and in the year 2000 alone, it led to the death of more than 6000000 people. In Iran, Trauma has the first burden of disease and also needs a long medical surveillance. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of trauma cases using the trauma score and the injury severity score (TRISS) model and then comparing this with the results of a major trauma outcome study (MTOS) carried out in the US. Patients and Methods: This study is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study on 1000 patients aged 2 - 82 years old with closed or penetrating traumas staying at Ardebil Fatemi hospital. In this study, injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score (RTS), and TRISS were calculated and patients\' viability ratios were obtained. Results: The results showed that 714 patients (71.4%) were male and 286 patients (28.6%) female with the mean age of 35.68 years. In this study 45 (4.5%) and 955 patients (95.5%) had penetrating and blunt traumas, respectively, whereby the head and neck were the most prevalent (74%) areas of injury. The most common reason for these traumas was, accident with vehicles with 670 cases (67%), which resulted in hospitalization. From this group, ninety-seven cases (9.7%) died in the hospital. From these results, calculations of ISS and RTS were 15.50 ± 11.31 and 7.49 ± 0.79, respectively. According to the calculation of the TRISS model, 91.5% of trauma victims should be survived, while only 90.3% survived practically. Conclusions: We can conclude that the surveillance presented to our injured group probably had some defects that need to be revised in therapeutic services to enhance survival requirements

Determinant criteria for designing Health benefit package in selected countries

Health benefit package described as primary health interventions that provided with government using general funds for all regardless their financial ability. This study was aimed at determine appropriate pattern for Iran using comparative survey of Health benefit package in various countries. A review exploration was done, scholars was selected population of both developed and developing countries, required information was also extracted by articles, searches and reports of reliable sources and date were analyzed by SPSS, in brief. The vast majority frequencies was respectively allocated to accessibility (40.7%), cost- effectiveness (29.6%), prioritize, efficacy and cost (22.2%). most countries located in WHO African region were selected cost-effectiveness and accessibility, WHO southeast Asia region were selected, coverage, prioritize, efficacy and quality and finally most WHO Europeans region were elected effectiveness and services costs for including services in Health benefit package. According to most Health benefit package designer emphasis on criteria including accessibility and costeffectiveness, to design Health benefit package for Iran, these criteria must be noticed

Patient education process in teaching hospitals of Tehran University of medical sciences

Background: Patient education is widely recognized as a core component of nursing. Patient education can lead to quality outcomes including adherence, quality of life, patients' knowledge of their illness and self-management. This study aimed to clarify patient education process in teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013. In this descriptive quantitative study, the sample covered 187 head nurses selected from ten teaching hospitals through convenience sampling. Data were collected with a questionnaire developed specifically for this study. The questionnaire measured patient education process in four dimensions: need assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating. Results: The overall mean score of patient education was 3.326±0.0524. Among the four dimensions of the patient education process, planning was in the highest level (3.570±0.0591) and the lowest score belonged to the evaluation of patient education (2.840 ±0.0628). Conclusion: Clarifying patient education steps, developing standardized framework and providing easily understandable tool-kit of the patient education program will improve the ability of nurses in delivering effective patient education in general and specialized hospitals

Kappa-casein gene polymorphism in Holstein and Iranian native cattle by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Caseins amount to nearly 80% of the protein output in cow milk. Caseins are biologically important proteins and they are also a raw material for the cheese making industry. The aim of this study was to identify kappa-casein genotype in Holstein and Iranian native cattle. DNA was extracted from 457 blood samples of 247 Holstein and 210 native cattle for identification and genotyping of kappa-casein gene by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay using HindIII and TaqI restriction endonucleases. The PCR product of the specific primer K-F and K-R gives the 379 bp specific band. Digestion of 379 bp fragment by restriction endonuclease HindIII generated two fragments of 156 and 223 bp. Result of the cut with this enzyme indicate there genotypes AA, AB and BB in the samples. Also, the amplified DNA (379 bp) from the samples remained undigested by TaqI restriction enzyme. These findings suggest that BB genotype could be a good factor for increase of fat and protein content of milk.Key words: Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), kappa-casein gene, genotyping, Holstein, native cattle

Expression of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor type 1 (rhiGF-1) in Escherichia Coli

Background: Human insulin-like growth factor type 1 (hIGF-1) is a protein consisting of 70 amino acids (MW=7.6 kDa) and mainly synthesized by liver. Mecasermin (Trade name INCRELEX) is the synthetic form of the protein which is used as an effective treatment for particular disorders such as short stature, type 1 and 2 diabetes, and wound healing. Current study was aimed to investigate the expression of human insulin-like growth factor type1 in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 (DE3) expression system in order to produce an active recombinant form of the protein. Methods: For the purpose of the study, firstly codon optimization was done for hIGF-1 gene, using bioinformatics databases. Then, the gene was synthesized and inserted in pET-24a vector by a cutting strategy included NdeI and BamHI-HF enzymes. In the next step, gene was run in agarose gel and purified. The constructed expression cassette was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells through CaCl2 heat shock method. Identification and confirmation of the transformed colonies were performed using screening PCR method. Synthesis of hIGF-1 was induced by IPTG. The expression in induced strains was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting techniques. Confirmation of cloning and IGF-1 expression cassette was carried out through genetic engineering procedures. Results: Analysis of transformed E. coli strain with SDS-PAGE and western blotting techniques confirmed that gene was expressed in host cells. Molecular weight of the expressed protein was estimated to be 7.6 kDa. Conclusion: hIGF-1 expression cassette for cloning and expression in E. coli was designed and the protein of interest was successfully induced and identified. In addition, E. coli BL21 (DE3) can be used as a suitable host for production of recombinant hIGF-1 and this technology has a potential to be localized. © 2015, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology. All rights reserved

Association between nucleotide mutation of eNOS gene and serum level of vessel expansion factor (VEF) in non-smoker patients with vascular heart disease

Various mutation on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOs) gene cause reduced production of NO, the expansion factor (VEF) and may accelerate the process of atherosclerosis. The study was designed to investigate the frequency of T-786C polymorphism of the gene or nucleotide mutation of eNOS gene in patients suffering from vascular heart disease (VHD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) in North West of Iran. 120 subjects including 60 patients with angiographically diagnosed CAD and 60 age and sex matched CAD-free subjects as control were studied. The levels of Nitric oxide in the samples were measured with the Griess method. The genotype studies were carried out using allele specific PCR. Comparing with the control reduced levels of NO were noticed in the patient group (P<0.05) and significantly high frequency of eNOs -786C genotype was found in CAD patients (P<0.05). The low levels of NO and increased frequency of T-786C polymorphism might be a risk factor in progression of coronary artery disease in the studied subjects.Keywords: Vascular heart disease, endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene, TC 786 SNP, vessel expansion factor (VEF), non-smokerAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 3023-302

Programming temporal shapeshifting

Shapeshifting enables a wide range of engineering and biomedical applications, but until now transformations have required external triggers. This prerequisite limits viability in closed or inert systems and puts forward the challenge of developing materials with intrinsically encoded shape evolution. Herein we demonstrate programmable shape-memory materials that perform a sequence of encoded actuations under constant environment conditions without using an external trigger. We employ dual network hydrogels: in the first network, covalent crosslinks are introduced for elastic energy storage, and in the second one, temporary hydrogen-bonds regulate the energy release rate. Through strain-induced and time-dependent reorganization of the reversible hydrogen-bonds, this dual network allows for encoding both the rate and pathway of shape transformations on timescales from seconds to hours. This generic mechanism for programming trigger-free shapeshifting opens new ways to design autonomous actuators, drug-release systems and active implants

Hepatitis C virus-related policy-making in Iran: A stakeholder and social network analysis

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health challenge worldwide. Implementing policies to cope with this challenge requires commitment from all stakeholders at various levels, and all necessary resources should be mobilised. Support for various HCV-related stakeholders can reduce the challenges and obstacles that can be encountered during the programme implementation. The present study aims to identify all stakeholders involved with HCV-related policy-making in Iran at different steps (policy development, implementation and evaluation) and to characterise them in terms of interest, position, power and influence, in order to provide valuable information for appropriate decision-making and design. The present study can also serve as a case study for healthcare systems in other countries. Method: An approach based on social network analysis was utilised. Data collected included relevant document searches and in-depth interviews to a sample of 18 key informants. Results: Various stakeholders were found to be involved with HCV-related policies in Iran. The extent of their participation and support in policy-making varied. Specifically, international agencies had a high interest for HCV-related policy-making, whereas media and members of the private sector were characterised by a medium interest and governmental and non-governmental bodies by a highly variable interest, ranging from low to high, depending on the specific organism. Moreover, media and members of the private sector, non-governmental institutions and international agencies were rated low in terms of position, whereas governmental actors were rated low to high. Media were rated medium in terms of power, whereas international agencies and members of the private sector were respectively rated low to medium and low. Non-governmental actors were rated low, whilst governmental bodies were rated low to high. Finally, media, members of the private sector and international agencies were rated medium in terms of influence, whereas non-governmental and governmental actors were respectively rated low to medium and low to high. Conclusion: Policy-making involves trust, negotiation and integration of the different views of all stakeholders. Social network analysis was critical for identifying stakeholders and showing that, in Iran, involvement in HCV-related policy-making is generally low. This information is of practical implication for policy- and decision-makers regarding the adoption of more favourable and effective strategies. © 2019 The Author(s)