Spatial variation of symbiotic dinoflagellates on coral reefs of the northern Persian Gulf

Density, mitotic index, Chlorophyll-a content and cell size of symbiotic dinoflagellates of dominant reef-building corals were measured at two different depths in Kish Island and from one depth of Larak Island in the Persian Gulf. The higher densities of symbionts were found in shallow waters of Kish Island. However, ANOVA analyses of the mitotic index yielded mixed results. The cell sizes of symbionts did not significantly differ among depths, except for Porites corals at one site in Kish Island which displayed the larger cells in deeper water. The comparison of symbiont attributes between islands exhibited intraspecific variability. Density of zooxanthellae was only different in Porites and Favia corals between islands. Chlorophyll-a density (cm-2) was significantly different between islands in all species, with higher values for Kish corals. Chlorophyll a cell-1 was only significantly different in Porites and Platygyra corals, with higher values for Larak Island. The symbiont cell sizes usually exhibited no variability, except for Porites corals with larger sizes in Kish Island

The pattern determination of sea surface temperature distribution and chlorophyll a in the southern Caspian Sea using SOM model

Remote sensing has changed modern oceanography by proving synoptic periodic data which can be processed. Since the satellite data are usually too much and nonlinear, in most cases, it is difficult to distinguish the patterns from these images. In fact, SOM (Self-Organizing Maps) model is a type of ANN (Artificial Neural Network) that has the ability to distinguish the efficient patterns from the vast complex of satellite data. In this study, the sea surface temperature data and chlorophyll a related to a part of south Caspian Sea were investigated weekly by NOAA satellite for three years (2003–2005) and the annual and seasonal patterns were extracted (elicited) with their relative frequency using the SOM model. In all patterns the Caspian Sea coast has the highest chl-a and when you go away from the shore the rate decreases and when you approach to the middle parts the chl-a is of the least proportion on the sea surface

Molecular study of the populations of Artemia partenogenetica in Iran using PCR-RFLP Method

Considering the importance of genetic studies to manifest inter population differences in species, samples of Artemia partenogenetica were collected from seven inland lakes including Shoor and Inche-Borun lakes in Golestan Province, Hoze-Soltan and Namak lakes in Qom Province, Maharloo and Bakhteghan lakes in Fars Province and Mighan pool in Markazi Province. A total of 210 samples were subjected to DNA extraction by phenol-chloroform method. Primers were designed on a ribosomal fragment (16SrRNA) of the species' mtDNA sequence and the PCR was conducted on the samples. Digestion of the PCR product with approximately 1584bp lengths by 10 restriction endonuclease (AluI, EcoRI, Eco47I, HaeIII, HindIII, HinfI, MboI, MspI, RsaI, TaqI) showed 12 different haplotypes: 4 haplotypes in Shoor and Inche-Borun, 1 in Namak and Hoze-Soltan, 3 in Mighan pool, 1 in Bakhtegan and Maharloo and 3 in Maharloo. Haplotype diversity values within collected samples varied from zero in Hoze-Soltan, Namak and Bakhteghan samples to 0.7425 in Inche-Borun and Shoor while nucleotide diversity varied from zero in Hoze-Soltan, Namak and Bakhteghan, to 0.0077 in Mighan. The minimum nucleotide diversity among samples was zero between Hoze-Soltan vs. Namak and the maximum was 0.1700 between Inche-Borun and Shoor vs. Mighan. Nucleotide divergences among samples were least in Inche-Borun vs. Shoor (%-0.02) and most in Inche-Borun and Shoor vs. Mighan (%16.18), averaging to %3.40. The evolutionary distances between 12 haplotype showed that the maximum value belonged to Mighan haplotypes vs. Inche-Borun and Shoor haplotypes. Regarding the digestive patterns produced by each enzyme in the studied region, Eco47I is introduced as the population-specific marker of A. partenogenetica in Iran. Test of population differentiation based on haplotype frequencies were statistically significant (P≤0.001) with the exception of Hoze-Soltan vs. Namak and Inche-Borun vs. Shoor. We conclude that there are enough evidences in haplotypic level for dividing A. partenogenetica in Iran into five populations: Hoze-Soltan and Namak, Mighan, Maharloo, Bakhtegan, Incheh-Borun and Shoor

The effect of adipose-derived stem cells on the increased survival of crushed cartilage graft in rabbits

Background: In recent years the use of diced cartilage grafts in reconstructive surgery particulary rhinoplasty have been considered by most plastic surgeons. However, longterm resorption usually occurs. Stem cells are a powerful tool for reconstructive surgery to rebuild and maintain tissue with reduced complications. Since the adipose tissuederived stem cells (ADSCs) can rebuild a wide variety of tissues such as skin, fat, bone and cartilage are used, this is a very good chance for cosmetic surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of adipose-derived stem cells on the viability of diced cartilage grafts. Methods: This interventional study was performed on May 2014 in animal laboratory of Hazrat Fatima Hospital on 10 New Zealand white male rabbits, weighing 2000-2500 grams, approximately 12 to 16 weeks of age. Stem cells was harvested from inguinal adipose tissue of each rabbits. After completely removing the skin and perichondrium, cartilage became divided into two equal pieces using a scalpel. Then place the ear amputation was restored by nylon 4 zero. After weighing cartilages, on either side of the center line on the back of each rabbits, left and right, subcutaneous pocket created equal weight and each piece of cartilage was placed in an envelope. Stem cells were injected in one side and the other side was control. The cartilage weights were recorded both before implantation and after explantation. Evaluation of living chondrocytes was conducted 12 weeks after implantation. Results: The mean difference of cartilage weights was varied between two groups (intervention and control sides), So that the average was significantly higher in stem cell side than that in the control side (P= 0.021). The average number of live chondrocytes was significantly higher in the intervention side than the control side (P< 0.001). Conclusion: Despite the unclear mechanism, these results suggest that adipose-derived stem cells can maintain the viability of diced cartilage. Because adipose-derived stem cells are autologous and easy to harvest, they can be use to improve the long-term outcomes of diced cartilage grafting. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

First record of Limnodrilus claparedeianus ratzel, 1868 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: tubificidae) from Anzali wetland, Guilan Province, Iran

Oligochaeta worms are important organisms in aquatic ecosystem. Their omnipresence makes them as an indicator of environmental changes and health of aquatic ecosystem. The members of the family Tubificidae and in particular, genus Limnodrilus are considered as the most tolerant oligochaets to aquatic pollution. Therefore identification and biological characteristics of this taxon are of great help to evaluate the ecosystem of water bodies. Limnodrilus claparedeianus were collected from Anzali Wetland with a grab of 0.04 m2 capacity at 13 stations from August 2012 through June 2013. Penis sheath was one of the main characteristics to identify them. Results showed their maximum and the minimum density in spring (601.27 ± 466.8346 Ind.m-2) and in autumn (156.12 ± 136.3 Ind.m-2) respectively which was significantly different (P<0.05). Comparative spatial distribution of L. claparedeianus among 13 stations revealed significant differences in the west stations (P<0.05). According to the results, correlation analysis did not exhibit any relation between abundance of L. claparedeianus and total organic matter, abundance of the species and percentage of silt in substrate sediment

Bloom of phytoplankton in Anzali Lagoon and identification of poisonous algae

During the period of 1979-1980 in Abkenar and Hendkhaleh in Anzali lagoon, 67 I genus of phytoplanktons belong to 5 phylum were identified. The results showed that there is two peaks of phytoplankton blooms during a year (summer and, autumn) in which Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) were the most abundant groups. 5 species of them were identified in which one species was recognized toxic. This toxicity was confirmed through bioassay studies on mouse. Also, This toxin was hepatotoxin belongs to microcystins. Microcystins are cyclic peptides and contain seven aminoacids

Population genetic structure of silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus, in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in Iran and Kuwait waters by using10 Microsatellite Markers

The silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus, is distributed in Indo-western pacific ocean, especially in Persian Gulf and Oman sea, and although is widely commercially exploited, the genetics structure of this species is not clear completely. In the present study, the genetic diversity and population structure of Pampus argentus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea were investigated using microsatellite DNA markers. Genomic DNA from 125 specimens was extracted and PCR amplification performed. Seven loci with reasonable polymorphism were amplified. The results showed that average of observed heterozygosity was ranged from 0.54 while expected heterozygosity was 0.67. After applying the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) test, some loci were found to be significantly deviated from HWE in some populations in which deficiency of heterozygotes was apparent. Population differentiation observed among all populations (P<0.01). The population differentiation (Fst) value between Kuwait and bushehr was the highest and significant (0.087) and between Chabahar and Bushehr (0.021) was the lowest and significant. Genetic distance analysis showed that the largest distance (0.269) was between Khuzestan and Chabahar and the smallest distance (0.075) was between Bushehr and Chabahar. The reported results could be of interest for management and conservation programmes of this species in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The relationship between oil pollution and density of pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) in the Persian Gulf

The pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) is considered as a valuable resources in the Persian Gulf. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on density as well as destruction of this oyster. For this purpos, the Lavan region (Dardur, Hedabad, Chalil), Nakhilou and Hendurabi were chosen as the present habitat of the pearl oyster and Bostaneh, Moghooyeh, Molou and Geshe as the former habitat. The statistical analysis showed that the amount of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments and soft tissues of oysters of Lavan stations is significantly different and Lavan region due to being close to oil terminals is more polluted. Meanwhile in winter petroleum hydrocarbons was found more than summer. Regarding to the density of oyters, it can be concluded that in present habitats with the increase of petroleum hydrocarbons in the body of oysters and sediments, the density of oyster was decreased

The effect of sub-epineural platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on regeneration of the sciatic nerve in a rat model

Background: Peripheral nerve injury is one of the most challenging of modern surgical problem. Recent advances in understanding the physiological and molecular pathways demonstrated the important role of growth factors in peripheral nerve regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product that has many growth factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PRP in the regeneration of sciatic nerve crush in the rat model. Methods: In this experimental study that established in the animal lab of the Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital in Tehran from September to October 2013, Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into two groups. In all rats the sciatic nerve was cut and then carefully repaired by the tension free method under a light microscope. In group 1, after the repair, 0.05 μL of PRP was injected below the epineurium to the proximal and distal parts of the repaired area. In group 2 the same amount of normal saline was injected to the proximal and distal of the repaired area. After six weeks footprint analysis, neurophysiologic and histopathology evaluations were performed. Results: Significant differences existed between the two groups footprint analysis (P= 0.001). Also the nerve conduction latency test was significantly shorter in PRP group. (1.0233 ms in PRP group and 1.7375 ms in control) (P< 0.001). The average amplitude in the first group and the second group was 7.6250 mv (control) 6.3667 mv that does not show a statistically significant difference (P= 0.093). Significant differences between the two groups in the number of axons of the proximal portion of the study was not seen (P= 0.29). The parameters included number of axons of the proximal and the distal part of axons, the diameter of the distal and proximal axons in the two groups were compared. In the two groups there was statistically significant difference between the above parameters. (P= 0.298). Conclusion: It seems that PRP may have an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery after nerve laceration and repair. Further clinical evaluation recommended. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved