Eimeria leuckarti in equid coprolites from the Sassanid Era (2nd-6th century CE) excavated in Chehrabad Salt Mine archaeological site, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports coccidian oocysts in an equid coprolite dated to the Sassanid Empire (2nd-6th century CE) recovered in Chehrabad Salt Mine archaeological site, Iran. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2017, an archaeoparasitological investigation led to the discovery of an equid coprolite in the Chehrabad Salt Mine archeological site, (Douzlakh), western Iran. Samples were rehydrated using trisodium phosphate solution and were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: Seven oocysts of Eimeria leuckarti (Flesch, 1883) were identified; they were in various stages of sporulation. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of ancient coccidian oocysts from equids. The importance of this observation is discussed, and current knowledge of eimeriid oocysts at archaeological sites is reviewed. SIGNIFICANCE: The observations of E. leuckarti increases current knowledge of parasite biodiversity in ancient Iran when it rested along the Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting the East and West that was central to economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions, and to livestock movement that could contribute to the transmission of the parasites from/to other regions. LIMITATIONS: The contextual information about animal species present in and around the Salt Mine during its working periods, including Achaemenid dynasty (6th to 4th century BCE) and Sassanid era (2nd to 6th century CE), is very limited and does not allow secure conclusions regarding the host origin of the coprolites. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Application of molecular biology tools to identify the correct host origin of the coprolites and to detect more parasite species is advocated.

A Green Conformable Thermoformed Printed Circuit Board Sourced from Renewable Materials.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) physically support and connect electronic components to the implementation of complex circuits. The most widespread insulating substrate that also acts as a mechanical support in PCBs is commercially known as FR4, and it is a glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin laminate. FR4 has exceptional dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, it was designed without considering sustainability and end-of-life aspects, heavily contributing to the accumulation of electronic waste in the environment. Thus, greener alternatives that can be reprocessed, reused, biodegraded, or composted at the end of their function are needed. This work presents the development and characterization of a PCB substrate based on poly(lactic acid) and cotton fabric, a compostable alternative to the conventional FR4. The substrate has been developed by compression molding, a process compatible with the polymer industry. We demonstrate that conductive silver ink can be additively printed on the substrate's surface, as its morphology and wettability are similar to those of FR4. For example, the compostable PCB's water contact angle is 72°, close to FR4's contact angle of 64°. The developed substrate can be thermoformed to curved surfaces at low temperatures while preserving the conductivity of the silver tracks. The green substrate has a dielectric constant comparable to that of the standard FR4, showing a value of 5.6 and 4.6 at 10 and 100 kHz, respectively, which is close to the constant value of 4.6 of FR4. The substrate is suitable for microdrilling, a fundamental process for integrating electronic components to the PCB. We implemented a proof-of-principle circuit to control the blinking of LEDs on top of the PCB, comprising resistors, capacitors, LEDs, and a dual in-line package circuit timer. The developed PCB substrate represents a sustainable alternative to standard FR4 and could contribute to the reduction of the overwhelming load of electronic waste in landfills.

Tracking the existence of Dioctophyma renale in Parthian Empire of Iran (247 BC-224 AD).

Paleoparasitological investigation in the archeological site of the Caspian Sea littoral revealed the presence of human Dioctophyma renale infection, a ubiquitous kidney-residing helminth of mammals, during the Parthian Empire of Iran (247 BC-224 AD). This study reports the oldest human infection with giant kidney worm in the Middle East, mainly in an area where the infection is reported nowadays. The paucity of records throughout the literature suggests that the same species of parasite occurred with low frequency in the past, as well. The cemetery in the archeological site of Kiasar represented a unique opportunity of studying human and animal parasites of the Parthian Empire in Iran.

Dermatoparasitoses in Referral Patients to the Laboratory.

Background: Dermatoparasitic infestations due to the mites Demodex spp. and Sarcoptes scabie are prevalent dermatological disorders worldwide. Methods: Referral patients from the Departments of Dermatology, Infectious Diseases, and from the psychologists, in some cases, to the laboratory of Medical Helminthology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran were examined and documented for demodicosis and scabies from March 2009 to December 2020. All patients' data were collected and then analyzed statistically by SDATA version 14, using the Chi-square test. Results: Out of 494-suspected patients suffering from dermal disorders, 99 patients (20.04%) and 20 cases (4.04%) were found infested with demodicosis and scabies, respectively. Most demodicosis cases belonged to the 46-60 year age group while the infestation rate of scabies was higher in the age group under 5 years (P=<0.0001). Demodicosis was seen more prevalent in women than men, and scabies were higher in men (P =0.15). The cases of demodicosis in fall and scabies in winter and spring were more frequent. Demodicosis picked up in 2015 and 2017 (P=0.03), while the prevalent year for scabies was in 2016 (P=0.77). Both current ectoparasites declined dramatically by Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Demodicosis and scabies have been found correlated with age, and no statistical association was seen between the gender and seasonal factors. Besides, the obvious decline of demodicosis and scabies infestation rates during the Covid-19 outbreak can mention that social distance and hygiene standards have negative effects on dermatoparasites transmission.

Confusing a Pollen Grain with a Parasite Egg: Infection or Traditional Medicine?

Camacho & Reinhard stated in the December 2019 issue of the KJP (57: 621-625) that we confused a pollen grain with an Enterobius egg found in the grave of a female adolescent residing in ancient Tehran 7,000 years ago. We want here to clarify and answer to the outlined points in their article.

Retrieving ascarid and taeniid eggs from the biological remains of a Neolithic dog from the late 9th millennium BC in Western Iran.

BACKGROUND: Paleoparasitology reveals the status of parasitic infections in humans and animals in ancient times based on parasitic particles found in biological remains from archaeological excavations. This line of research emerged in Iran in 2013. OBJECTIVE: The identification of parasites from Neolithic times is an attractive subject that shows the oldest origins of parasitic infections in a given geographical region. From an archaeological point of view, this archaeological site is well-known for animal domestication and agriculture in ancient Iran. METHODS: In this study, soil deposited on the surface and in the pores of a dog pelvic bone was carefully collected and rehydrated using trisodium phosphate solution. FINDINGS: The results showed ascarid and taeniid eggs retrieved from the biological remains of a dog excavated at the East Chia Sabz archaeological site, which dates back to the Neolithic period (8100 BC). MAIN CONCLUSION: The current findings clearly illustrate the natural circulation of nematode and cestode parasites among dogs at that time. These ancient helminth eggs can also be used to track the oldest parasitic infections in the Iranian plateau and contribute to the paleoparasitological documentation of the Fertile Crescent.

Retrieving ascarid and taeniid eggs from the biological remains of a Neolithic dog from the late 9th millennium BC in Western Iran

BACKGROUND Paleoparasitology reveals the status of parasitic infections in humans and animals in ancient times based on parasitic particles found in biological remains from archaeological excavations. This line of research emerged in Iran in 2013. OBJECTIVE The identification of parasites from Neolithic times is an attractive subject that shows the oldest origins of parasitic infections in a given geographical region. From an archaeological point of view, this archaeological site is well-known for animal domestication and agriculture in ancient Iran. METHODS In this study, soil deposited on the surface and in the pores of a dog pelvic bone was carefully collected and rehydrated using trisodium phosphate solution. FINDINGS The results showed ascarid and taeniid eggs retrieved from the biological remains of a dog excavated at the East Chia Sabz archaeological site, which dates back to the Neolithic period (8100 BC). MAIN CONCLUSION The current findings clearly illustrate the natural circulation of nematode and cestode parasites among dogs at that time. These ancient helminth eggs can also be used to track the oldest parasitic infections in the Iranian plateau and contribute to the paleoparasitological documentation of the Fertile Crescent.

Dicrocoelium Egg Identified in an Ancient Cemetery in Kiasar Archeological Site, Northern Iran, Dated Back 247 BC-224 AD.

BACKGROUND: Along with the newly emergence of paleoparasitology research in Iran, findings of parasites from Northern part of the county have not been reported so far. In this study tracking for the lancet liver fluke dates back 250 BC is addressed. METHODS: Samples were taken from grave crypts of the soil layers attached to the pelvic bones from above-mentioned site in 2015. The laboratory examinations were conducted in the Dept. of Medial Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Current rehydration technique using TSP 0.5% was utilized for examining the samples. RESULTS: Out of 10 burial soil samples examined, one individual was seen parasitized with a Dicrocoelium egg. The burial belonged to an adolescent male 20-22 yr old. The egg was in brown color and the length/width parameters of 36×22/5 µm. Parthian coins found in nearby the burials in Kiasar Cemetery, declared the time of the skeleton about 247 BC - 224 AD confidently. CONCLUSION: Although the possibility of transit infection with D. dendriticum is high, yet the environmental and geographical conditions in that time are in favor of a normal human transmission in northern Iran.