Molecular Study of Sheep Malignant Theileriosis at Barka Region in the Sultanate of Oman

Background: We used the PCR technique based on the abovementioned primer pair and sequenc­ing to demonstrate the Theileria infection in the sheep samples collected from Sultanate of Oman.Methods: According to the frame work of "integrated control of ticks and tick borne diseases in global­ized world managed by EU-ICTTD-3 project, the samples from blood, liver, spleen, lymph node and lung were sent to the laboratory of Iranian Research Center for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases (IRCTTD). Sam­ples from blood smear and impression smears from liver, spleen, lymph node, and lung were analyzed by Geimsa staining. The DNA was extracted from the abovemen­tioned samples and analyzed by PCR tech­nique using specific primers derived from the nucleo­tide sequences of 18S rRNA gene of T. lestoquardi, which can amplify the common region in other Theileria and Babesia spp. Subsequently the amplified DNA was sequenced.Results: The analysis of blood smears of the sheep was negative for piroplasmosis performed through the Giemsa staining. The impression smears prepared from liver, spleen, lymph node, and lung showed suspi­cious structures mimicking Theileria schizonts in some cells. The results showed an expected PCR prod­uct of 428 bp in length, which is specific for Theileria spp. The PCR products were subsequently se­quenced. The corresponding nucleotide sequence is registered under accession number JF309152 in Gen­Bank. The sequence alignment in GenBank showed that the PCR products had 99% homology to the known T. lestoquardi registered under accession number AF081135 in the GenBank. Conclusion: Oman sheep are highly susceptible for Theileria infection and the infected sheep mostly die before the microschizonts or erythrocytic form of Theileria appears in the nucleated or ery­trocytic cells respectively

Prediction of Coronary Artery Restenosis in Patients Undergoing Angioplasty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery restenosis following angioplasty may lead to major unwanted cardiac events. This is one of the most important concerns of cardiologists. This study was performed to evaluate the predictors of coronary artery restenosis in patients undergoing angioplasty. METHODS: In this cohort study, all 2159 patients who referred to Madani Hospital in Khorramabad, Iran for angioplasty between 2004 and 2015 were followed up regarding the incidence of coronary artery restenosis for one or two years (at least 50% stenosis in the place of the previous angioplasty) depending on the type of stent, and clinical variables related to the lesion and procedure were recorded in an information form. Then, agents for predicting coronary artery restenosis were identified based on CART (Classification and Regression Tree). FINDINGS: Cumulative incidence of coronary artery restenosis was 12.9% (279 patients) in subcategories: non-drug-eluting stent (25.8%, 114 patients), comorbidity of diabetes and hyperlipidemia (under the subcategory of drug-eluting stents, 19%, 32 patients), multiple drug-eluting stents (under the subcategory of non-diabetic patients, 14.6%, 25 patients), comorbidity of hyperlipidemia and drug abuse (under the subcategory of non-diabetic group who use one drug-eluting stent, 12.8%, 16 patients). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, stent type, history of diabetes, number of stents, hyperlipidemia and drug abuse are among the most important predictors of coronary artery restenosis

Spin relaxation in (110) and (001) InAs/GaSb superlattices

We report an enhancement of the electron spin relaxation time (T1) in a (110) InAs/GaSb superlattice by more than an order of magnitude (25 times) relative to the corresponding (001) structure. The spin dynamics were measured using polarization sensitive pump probe techniques and a mid-infrared, subpicosecond PPLN OPO. Longer T1 times in (110) superlattices are attributed to the suppression of the native interface asymmetry and bulk inversion asymmetry contributions to the precessional D'yakonov Perel spin relaxation process. Calculations using a nonperturbative 14-band nanostructure model give good agreement with experiment and indicate that possible structural inversion asymmetry contributions to T1 associated with compositional mixing at the superlattice interfaces may limit the observed spin lifetime in (110) superlattices. Our findings have implications for potential spintronics applications using InAs/GaSb heterostructures.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

State of malaria diagnostic testing at clinical laboratories in the United States, 2010: a nationwide survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The diagnosis of malaria can be difficult in non-endemic areas, such as the United States, and delays in diagnosis and errors in treatment occur too often.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A nationwide survey of laboratories in the United States and its nine dependent territories was conducted in 2010 to determine factors that may contribute to shortcomings in the diagnosis of malaria. This survey explored the availability of malaria diagnostic tests, techniques used, and reporting practices.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The survey was completed by 201 participants. Ninety percent reported that their laboratories had at least one type of malaria diagnostic test available on-site. Nearly all of the respondents' laboratories performed thick and thin smears on-site; approximately 50% had access to molecular testing; and only 17% had access to rapid diagnostic tests on-site. Seventy-three percent reported fewer than five confirmed cases of malaria in their laboratory during the 12-month period preceding the survey. Twenty-eight percent stated that results of species identification took more than 24 hours to report. Only five of 149 respondents that performed testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week complied with all of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines for analysis and reporting of results.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although malaria diagnostic testing services were available to a majority of U.S. laboratories surveyed, very few were in complete compliance with all of the CLSI guidelines for analysis and reporting of results, and most respondents reported very few cases of malaria annually. Laboratories' difficulty in adhering to the rigorous CLSI guidelines and their personnel's lack of practice and proficiency may account for delays and errors in diagnosis. It is recommended that laboratories that infrequently process samples for malaria seek opportunities for practice and proficiency training annually and take advantage of available resources to assist in species identification.</p

Study on abundance and diversity species of phytoplankton with emphasis on potential of algal bloom in the southern part of the Caspian Sea-Mazandaran Providence

This study was conducted to determine of phytoplankton abundance and diversity of water and their spatial and temporal fluctuations in the Mazandaran coastal of Caspian Sea in 6 months, at 4 transects (Tonekabon, Nowshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad) during different season of 2012-2013. 72 samples were collected at surface layer of water in 5, 15 and 30 m depths. The samples were analyzed based on the standard methods. 112 species contributed in phytoplankton community structure which where classified in 9 phyla namly: Bacillariophyta (42 species), Pyrrophyta (18 species), Cyanophyta (14 species), Chlorophyta (15 species), Euglenophyta (11 species), Cryptophyta (2 species), Chrysophyta (3 species), Haptophyta (1 species) and Xantophyta (1 species). Meanwhile small flagellate algae with Maximum Linear Dimension (MLD) <10 µ observed which they classified in small flagellates. Mean annual phytoplankton abundance with standard error obtained 164±32 million Cells/m^3. Seasonal study showed that phytoplankon abndance of summer was 1.5 folds of spring. The value in auttuman was same as spring, however it increased sharply in winter. The mean phytoplankton abundance of winter was 5 folds of the other seasons. Mean phytoplankton abundance of Tonkabon and Nowshahr (west transects) were 1.6 and 2 folds of Amirabad (east transect), respectively. Bacillariophyta with 89 percent of total abundance was the predominant phylum and Pyrrophyta was the second one. The third and fourth of dominant phyla were Cyanophyta and Chlorophyta, respectively. Chrysophyta and small flagellates showed equal percentage of abundance (1.4 percent of total abundance). Monthly study showed that Chaetoceros throndsenii was the first dominant species in Ordibehesht, Tir and Shahrivar. However, the first dominant species in Aban, Day and Esfand were Thalassionema nitzschioides, Skeletonema costatum and Pseudonitzschia seratia respectively. Mean phytoplankton biomass calculated 156.5 ± 18.1 during the study period. The mean of biomass was higher in summer and winter than the two other seasons. Phytoplankton biomass was formed mainly by Bacillariophyta and Pyrrophyta in all seasons. The highest biomass were belonged to Cyclotella meneghiniana and Coscinodiscus jonesianus (Bacillariophyta) in spring and summer respectively.While in fall and winter Prorocentrum proximum was in the first place of dominat species. Small size and flagellates species of different phyla (Chrysophyta, Bacillariophyt...) had importance role for determination of ecological and water quality conditions during spring to autuman. The increasing of phytoplankton abundance within these times indicates to regeneration of nutrients or entrainment of nutrient-rich deep water. Dominant species were observed in single forms, small filament and loose colonies during spring to autuman. However, these form shifted to fair-long chains form in winter which it indicates to nutrient-rich water was brought to the surface by vertical mixing process. It seems that environmental stress and instability of ecosystem was benefit to Chaetoceros throndsenii and Pseudonitzschia seriata which are known as species with bloom potential. Ability of reproduction in sewage environment (Chaetoceros throndsenii) and toxin production (Pseudonitzschia seriata) are the ecological and physiological significant characters of the two species

Phytochemical studies and antioxidant activity of two South African medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of opportunistic fungal infections in HIV/AIDS patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been observed that perturbations in the antioxidant defense systems, and consequently redox imbalance, are present in many tissues of HIV-infected patients. Hence, the exogenous supply of antioxidants, as natural compounds that scavenge free radicals, might represent an important additional strategy for the treatment of HIV infection. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of <it>Gasteria bicolor </it>Haw and <it>Pittosporum viridiflorum </it>Sims., two South African plants traditionally used for the management of opportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) in AIDS patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant properties of the two plants were screened through DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), NO (nitric oxide), H₂O₂(hydrogen peroxide) radical scavenging effects and reducing power assays. Phytochemical studies were done by spectrophotometric techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no significant differences in the flavonoid and proanthocyanidins contents between the leaves and bark extracts of <it>Gasteria bicolor </it>and <it>Pittosporum viridiflorum </it>respectively, while the total phenolic content of the bark extract of <it>P. viridiflorum </it>was significantly higher than that of <it>G. bicolor </it>leaf. The acetone extracts of both plants indicated strong antioxidant activities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results from this study indicate that the leaves and stem extracts of <it>Gasteria bicolor </it>and <it>Pittosporum viridiflorum </it>respectively possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors, acting possibly as primary antioxidants. Since reactive oxygen species are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of AIDS, and HIV-infected individuals often have impaired antioxidant defenses, the inhibitory effect of the extracts on free radicals may partially justify the traditional use of these plants in the management of OFIs in HIV patients in South Africa.</p

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic