Pyrethroid-linked resistance allelic mutations by molecular analysis in wild human head louse (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) populations from schoolgirls of South Iran.

Background: Human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, 1767 (Anoplura: Pediculidae), is one of the most frequent ectoparasites infesting Homo sapiens worldwide. Reduced sensitivity to treatment due to genetic mutations, in particular knockdown resistance (kdr) (or target site insensitivity) allele, has led to this infestation prevalence. Molecular characterization of this resistance has a crucial impact on selecting appropriate treatment protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate kdr gene mutations on voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) among wild head lice samples from Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: Head lice were collected using plastic detection combs on girls enrolled in public schools from 10 counties in Fars province. The specimens were screened in 10 pools (each pool per county containing 35 specimens), with three pools (30%) being positive. Following species identification with valid entomological keys, 350 (68%) out of 514 randomly collected adult head lice were analyzed after their somatic genomic DNA extraction using Sinaclon kit. Samples were investigated by polymerase chain reactions (PCR), and the amplicon was subsequently sequenced. Results: Sequence analysis showed that the sodium channel genes in the pooled ectoparasites had two intron and three exon regions. Single (L840F), double (I836L, E837K), and triple novel point mutations (V875L, Q876P, S879V); the last involving two concomitant allelic substitutions; were discovered in the second and third exon regions of head louse DNA on chromosome II from three (30%) counties. Other exon or intron regions remained non-mutated from the remaining seven counties. Conclusions: The detection of six amino acid substitutions from 30% of examined head lice among infested schoolgirls reveal that mutants are minutely developing. These findings provide further incentive to recapitulate the legitimacy of current control measures and resolve dynamics of resistance in human head louse populations.

A comparative study of perioperative techniques to attain negative margins and spare healthy breast tissue in breast conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Traditionally lumpectomy as a part of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is performed by palpation-guided method leading to positive margins and large excision volumes. There is no evidence suggesting that wide margin excisions decrease intra-breast tumour recurrence. Various perioperative techniques are used for margin assessment. We aimed to compare three commonly used techniques, i.e., ultrasound-guided surgery, palpation-guided surgery and cavity shaving for attaining negative margins and estimating the extent of healthy breast tissue resection. METHOD: A prospective comparative study was performed on 90 patients who underwent breast conservation surgery for early breast cancer between August 2018 and June 2019. Tumour excision with a minimum of 1 cm margin was done either using ultrasound, palpation or cavity shaving. Histopathological evaluation was done to assess the margin status and excess amount of resected normal breast tissue. Calculated resection ratio (CRR) defining the excess amount of the resected breast tissue was achieved by dividing the total resection volume (TRV) by optimal resection volume (ORV). The time taken for excision was also recorded. RESULTS: Histopathology of all 90 patients (30 in each group) revealed a negative resection margin in 93.3% of 30 patients in palpation-guided surgery group and 100% in both ultrasound-guided surgery and cavity shaving groups. Two patients (6.7%) from the cavity shaving group had positive margins on initial lumpectomy but shave margins were negative. TRV was significantly less in the ultrasound-guided surgery group compared to the palpation-guided surgery group and cavity shaving group (76.9 cm3, 94.7 cm3 and 126.3 cm3 respectively; p < 0.0051). CRR was 1.2 in ultrasound group compared to 1.9 in palpation group and 2.1 in cavity shave group which was also statistically significant (p < 0.0001).Excision time was significantly less (p < 0.001) in palpation-guided surgery group (13.8 min) compared to cavity shaving group (15.1 min) and ultrasound-guided group (19.4 min). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided surgery is more accurate in attaining negative margins with the removal of least amount of healthy breast tissue compared to palpation-guided surgery and cavity shaving.

Asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis and Moraxella catarrhalis in healthy children.

There is a close correlation between asymptomatic oropharyngeal colonization by bacterial pathogens and paediatric respiratory diseases. Evaluation of the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis and Moraxella catarrhalis in healthy children was the main aim of the current study. In this cross-sectional study, 123 oropharyngeal swabs were collected from children between 2 and 6 years old in kindergartens of Ilam, Iran. Moraxella catarrhalis and N. meningitidis were identified using phenotypic and genotypic assays. In addition, the occurrence of the virulence factors (ctrA and uspA1) and iron uptake (tbpA) genes was evaluated by PCR. Results showed that 21 M. catarrhalis isolates and 17 N. meningitidis isolates were identified by conventional microbiological and biochemical methods, but the RT-PCR assay detected that 18 and 8 isolates were positive for M. catarrhalis and N. meningitidis, respectively. The tbpA gene was positive in all N. meningitidis and M. catarrhalis isolates. Seven isolates were positive for the ctrA gene in N. meningitidis and seven isolates were positive for the uspA1 gene in M. catarrhalis. These pathogenic bacteria often occurred as asymptomatic carriage of N. meningitidis in children from large families with low economic status, which reflects the importance of the environment and socio-economic level of families in the distribution of these potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of children. Monitoring for the carriage of potential pathogenic bacteria in the nasopharynx of healthy children is important as this can predispose to infectious diseases; common exposure to human respiratory bacterial pathogens is a further risk factor.

Rapid and direct molecular detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae isolated in oropharynx and nasal cavity of children.

There is a direct correlation between asymptomatic oropharyngeal colonization by pathogenic bacteria and the prevalence of paediatric respiratory infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are common cause of serious bacterial infections such as meningitis in children. This study aimed to monitor healthy children to detect asymptomatic carriers of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. In the present cross-sectional study, real-time PCR assay was developed and evaluated in comparison with culture for direct detection of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in 123 oropharynx and nasal cavity specimens from healthy children in Ilam, Iran. In addition, virulence factor (ply and hpd) and iron uptake (tbpA and piuA) genes were evaluated by PCR. Our results demonstrated that among all isolates only 14 S. pneumoniae and eight H. influenzae were identified by phenotypic methods, whereas 37 and 21 S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were identified, respectively, by real-time PCR assay. All S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae isolates possessed tbpA and piuA genes. Also, 81% (30/37) of S. pneumoniae isolates were positive for ply gene, which encoded pneumolysin, as well as 90% (19/21) of H. influenzae isolates were positive for hpd gene. Simultaneous colonization of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae could indicate the importance of monitoring of healthy children to identification of carriers.

Autoimmunity and its association with regulatory T cells and B cell subsets in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Background: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs), which manifests a wide clinical variability such as autoimmunity, as well as T cell and B cell abnormalities. Methods: A total of 72 patients with CVID were enrolled in this study. Patients were evaluated for clinical manifestations and classified according to the presence or absence of autoimmune disease. We measured regulatory T cells (Tregs) and B-cell subsets using flow cytometry, as well as specific antibody response (SAR) to pneumococcal vaccine, autoantibodies and anti-IgA in patients. Results: Twenty-nine patients (40.3%) have shown at least one autoimmune manifestation. Autoimmune cytopenias and autoimmune gastrointestinal diseases were the most common. A significant association was detected between autoimmunity and presence of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Among CVID patients, 38.5% and 79.3% presented a defect in Tregs and switched memory B-cells, respectively, whereas 69.0% presented CD21low B cell expansion. Among patients with a defect in Treg, switched memory and CD21low B cell, the frequency of autoimmunity was 80.0%, 52.2% and 55.0%, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the frequency of Tregs and CD21low B cell population. 82.2% of patients had a defective SAR which was associated with the lack of autoantibodies. Conclusions: Autoimmunity may be the first clinical manifestation of CVID, thus routine screening of immunoglobulins is suggested for patients with autoimmunity. Lack of SAR in CVID is associated with the lack of specific autoantibodies in patients with autoimmunity. It is suggested that physicians use alternative diagnostic procedures (AU)

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Autoimmunity and its association with regulatory T cells and B cell subsets in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs), which manifests a wide clinical variability such as autoimmunity, as well as T cell and B cell abnormalities. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with CVID were enrolled in this study. Patients were evaluated for clinical manifestations and classified according to the presence or absence of autoimmune disease. We measured regulatory T cells (Tregs) and B-cell subsets using flow cytometry, as well as specific antibody response (SAR) to pneumococcal vaccine, autoantibodies and anti-IgA in patients. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (40.3%) have shown at least one autoimmune manifestation. Autoimmune cytopenias and autoimmune gastrointestinal diseases were the most common. A significant association was detected between autoimmunity and presence of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Among CVID patients, 38.5% and 79.3% presented a defect in Tregs and switched memory B-cells, respectively, whereas 69.0% presented CD21low B cell expansion. Among patients with a defect in Treg, switched memory and CD21low B cell, the frequency of autoimmunity was 80.0%, 52.2% and 55.0%, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the frequency of Tregs and CD21low B cell population. 82.2% of patients had a defective SAR which was associated with the lack of autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmunity may be the first clinical manifestation of CVID, thus routine screening of immunoglobulins is suggested for patients with autoimmunity. Lack of SAR in CVID is associated with the lack of specific autoantibodies in patients with autoimmunity. It is suggested that physicians use alternative diagnostic procedures.

New therapeutic approach by sirolimus for enteropathy treatment in patients with LRBA deficiency.

SUMMARY: Purpose. To report the successful use of sirolimus for management of enteropathy in four patients with LPS-responsive beige-like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency. Methods. Case series. Results. sirolimus therapy led to a complete improvement of symptoms including decrease in frequency and severity of diarrhea, as well as patients' weight gain. No signs of abdominal cramps and anorexia were also detected during the follow up period after treatment. Conclusions. sirolimus with its potential efficacy and immunomodulatory properties may be recommended for the treatment of severe enteropathy refractory to conventional therapy in patients with LRBA deficiency.

Electrochemical biosensing of influenza A subtype genome based on meso/macroporous cobalt (II) oxide nanoflakes-applied to human samples.

Meso/macroporous cobalt (II) oxide nanoflakes were electrodeposited in a one-step process in the presence of N-methylpyrrolidone. On the surface of nanoflakes, a specific single stranded DNA sequence from the genome of influenza A subtype was then immobilized to fabricate an electrochemical biosensor. Hybridization of the biosensor with complementary, non-complementary and base-mismatch sequences was electrochemically detected. The biosensor was also employed to detect complementary DNA of viral RNA in culture and human samples. The biosensor could detect the complementary sequence with a detection limit of 86.4 amol L-1 and a linear concentration range of 1.0 fmol L-1 to 1.0 nmol L-1. It also detected a complementary DNA sequence converted from viral RNA with a detection limit of 0.28 ng µL-1 in a linear concentration range of 0.5-10 ng µL-1. Low detection limit, simple method of preparation of the transducer and no needing any DNA strand modification and tag are the principal advantages of the biosensor.

Senior Smiles: preliminary results for a new model of oral health care utilizing the dental hygienist in residential aged care facilities.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether a qualified dental hygienist could improve oral health outcomes for residents living in residential aged care facilities on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: A qualified dental hygienist undertook a 24-week oral hygiene intervention in five residential aged care facilities to test the Senior Smiles, oral health model of care. The facilities were invited to take part in the research, which was funded by a grant from NSW Medicare Local, Erina. Residents were asked to consent to having oral health risk assessments, oral healthcare plans and to receiving referrals for treatment where needed. Pre- and post-intervention plaque scores were recorded for residents and P values calculated using a paired t-test. In addition, the number of residents examined, treated and referred for more complex dental care was recorded. RESULTS: The statistical analysis program, SPSS, was used to conduct a paired t-test to compare pre- and post-intervention plaque scores on residents from the 5 RACFs. A statistically significant result of P < 0.0001 showed the intervention of the dental hygienist was effective in reducing plaque scores in residents across the 5 RACFs. CONCLUSION: The Senior Smiles model of care provided residents with preventive oral hygiene care, referral pathways for complex dental treatment needs and established a formal management programme for ongoing oral health care within the RACFs. The Senior Smiles model of care is successful and transportable.

Autoimmunity in patients with selective IgA deficiency.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common primary antibody deticiency. Patients with SIgAD have a greater risk of concomitant autoimmune disorders than healthy individuals. The exact mechanism underlying the relationship between autoimmunity and SIgAD is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential associations between autoimmunity and specific clinical or immunological findings in patients with SIgAD. METHODS: The study population comprised 57 symptomatic patients (65% males) with confirmed SIgAD who were referred to our center. Demographic data and history of autoimmunity were recorded both for patients and for their relatives. Comprehensive clinical and laboratory examinations were performed to investigate autoimmune complications in all the patients. RESULTS: Autoimmune disorders were documented in 17 cases (29.8%; 9 males and 8 females). The most common manifestations were thyroiditis, vitiligo, and hemolytic anemia (3 cases each). Ten patients (17.5%) had a family history of autoimmunity. Significant associations were detected between autoimmunity and increased duration of follow-up (P = .003), serum level of IgM (P = .01), regulatory T-cell count (P = .03), and class-switched memory B-cell count (P = .01). Four cases of autoimmune SIgAD (23.5%) progressed to common variable immunodeficiency during the follow-up period (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune disorders, autoimmune cytopenia, and Ig subclass deficiency can lead to severe clinical manifestations in patients with SIgAD. Therefore, immunologists and pediatricians should be aware of these conditions.

Cryptococcus gattii infection in solid organ transplant recipients: description of Oregon outbreak cases.

Cryptococcus gattii was recognized as an emerging infection in the Pacific Northwest in 2004. Out of 62 total infections in Oregon since the outbreak, 11 were in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. SOT recipients were more likely to have disseminated disease and higher mortality than normal hosts, who mostly had isolated mass lesions. The median time from transplantation to C. gattii diagnosis was 17.8 months. The primary sites of infection were lung (n = 4), central nervous system (n = 3), or both (n = 4). The Oregon-endemic strain, VGII (subtypes IIa and IIc) was present in 10 of 11 patients; the median fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 12 µg/mL (range 2-32 µg/mL) for this strain. We found C. gattii infection among organ transplant recipients was disseminated at diagnosis, had low cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal antigen titers, and was associated with an elevated fluconazole MIC and high attributable mortality.

Primary Antibody Deficiency in a Tertiary Referral Hospital: A 30-Year Experiment.

BACKGROUND: Primary antibody deficiency (PAD) is the most common group of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID), with a broad spectrum of clinical features ranging from severe and recurrent infections to asymptomatic disease. OBJECTIVES: The current study was performed to evaluate and compare demographic and clinical data in the most common types of PAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of all PAD patients with a confirmed diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), hyper IgM syndrome (HIgM), selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD), and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) who were diagnosed during the last 30 years at the Children's Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: A total number of 280 cases of PAD (125 CVID, 32 HIgM, 63 SIgAD, and 60 XLA) were enrolled in the study. The median (range) age at the onset of disease in CVID, HIgM, SIgAD, and XLA was 2 (0-46), 0.91 (0-9), 1 (0-26), and 1 (0-10) years, respectively. Gastrointestinal infections were more prevalent in CVID patients, as were central nervous system infections in XLA patients. Autoimmune complications were more prevalent in HIgM patients, malignancies in CVID patients, and allergies in SIgAD patients. The mortality rate for CVID, HIgM, and XLA was 27.2%, 28.1%, and 25%, respectively. No deaths were reported in SIgAD patients. CONCLUSIONS: SIgAD patients had the best prognosis. While all PAD patients should be monitored for infectious complications, special attention should be paid to the finding of malignancy and autoimmune disorders in CVID and HIgM patients, respectively.

Autoimmunity in patients with selective IgA deficiency

Background and Objective: Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common primary antibody deficiency. Patients with SIgAD have a greater risk of concomitant autoimmune disorders than healthy individuals. The exact mechanism underlying the relationship between autoimmunity and SIgAD is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential associations between autoimmunity and specific clinical or immunological findings in patients with SIgAD. Methods: The study population comprised 57 symptomatic patients (65% males) with confirmed SIgAD who were referred to our center. Demographic data and history of autoimmunity were recorded both for patients and for their relatives. Comprehensive clinical and laboratory examinations were performed to investigate autoimmune complications in all the patients. Results: Autoimmune disorders were documented in 17 cases (29.8%; 9 males and 8 females). The most common manifestations were thyroiditis, vitiligo, and hemolytic anemia (3 cases each). Ten patients (17.5%) had a family history of autoimmunity. Significant associations were detected between autoimmunity and increased duration of follow-up (P=.003), serum level of IgM (P=.01), regulatory T-cell count (P=.03), and class-switched memory B-cell count (P=.01). Four cases of autoimmune SIgAD (23.5%) progressed to common variable immunodeficiency during the follow-up period (P=.006). Conclusions: Autoimmune disorders, autoimmune cytopenia, and Ig subclass deficiency can lead to severe clinical manifestations in patients with SIgAD. Therefore, immunologists and pediatricians should be aware of these conditions (AU)

Fundamento y objetivo: La deficiencia selectiva de IgA (SIGAD) es la inmunodeficiencia primaria de anticuerpos más frecuente. Se conoce que los pacientes con SIGAD tienen un mayor riesgo de padecer trastornos autoinmunes asociados, en comparación con la población normal. Sin embargo, no se encuentra aún esclarecido el mecanismo exacto de la relación entre la autoinmunidad y el SIGAD. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido el evaluar las asociaciones entre la autoinmunidad y los hallazgos clínicos o inmunológicos en los pacientes con SIGAD. Métodos: Han sido estudiados cincuenta y siete pacientes sintomáticos (65% varones), con diagnóstico confirmado de SIGAD. Se registraron sus datos demográficos y los antecedentes, personales y familiares, de enfermedades autoinmunes, y se realizaron múltiples exámenes clínicos y de laboratorio. Resultados: Se documentaron enfermedades autoinmunes en 17 casos (29,8%; 9 hombres y 8 mujeres), siendo la tiroiditis, el vitíligo y la anemia hemolítica, las manifestaciones autoinmunes más comunes, con 3 casos para cada trastorno. Diez pacientes (17,5%) contaban con antecedentes familiares de autoinmunidad. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas con el desarrollo de enfermedades autoinmunes en estos pacientes con SIGAD: un prolongado período de seguimiento (p=0,003), el nivel sérico de IgM (p=0,01), la cuantificación de las linfocitos T reguladores (p=0,03) y el cambio de isotipo de los linfocitos B de memoria (p=0,01). Cuatro casos de SIGAD, con enfermedad autoinmune asociada (23,5%), evolucionaron hacia una inmunodeficiencia variable común, durante el período de seguimiento (p=0,006). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SIGAD pueden desarrollar enfermedades autoinmunes que en ocasiones se manifiestan con formas clínicas graves y deben ser objeto de estudio y de seguimiento por parte del inmunólogo y del pediatra (AU)

Primary antibody deficiency in a tertiary referral hospital: a 30-year experiment

Background: Primary antibody deficiency (PAD) is the most common group of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID), with a broad spectrum of clinical features ranging from severe and recurrent infections to asymptomatic disease. Objectives: The current study was performed to evaluate and compare demographic and clinical data in the most common types of PAD. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of all PAD patients with a confirmed diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), hyper IgM syndrome (HIgM), selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD), and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) who were diagnosed during the last 30 years at the Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. Results: A total number of 280 cases of PAD (125 CVID, 32 HIgM, 63 SIgAD, and 60 XLA) were enrolled in the study. The median (range) age at the onset of disease in CVID, HIgM, SIgAD, and XLA was 2 (0-46), 0.91 (0-9), 1 (0-26), and 1 (0-10) years, respectively. Gastrointestinal infections were more prevalent in CVID patients, as were central nervous system infections in XLA patients. Autoimmune complications were more prevalent in HIgM patients, malignancies in CVID patients, and allergies in SIgAD patients. The mortality rate for CVID, HIgM, and XLA was 27.2%, 28.1%, and 25%, respectively. No deaths were reported in SIgAD patients. Conclusions: SIgAD patients had the best prognosis. While all PAD patients should be monitored for infectious complications, special attention should be paid to the finding of malignancy and autoimmune disorders in CVID and HIgM patients, respectively (AU)

Antecedentes: Las inmunodeficiencias humorales primarias (PAD) es el grupo más frecuente de inmunodeficiencias primarias (IDP), y engloba un amplio espectro de características clínicas, que van desde los pacientes con infecciones graves y recurrentes a los casos asintomáticos. Objetivos: El presente estudio se realizó para evaluar y comparar los datos demográficos y clínicos de los tipos más comunes de PAD. Materiales y Métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente, las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes con PAD con un diagnóstico confirmado de: inmunodeficiencia variable común (CVID), síndrome de hiper IgM (HIgM), deficiencia selectiva de IgA (SIgAD),y de agammaglobulinemia ligada al cromosoma X (XLA), que fueron diagnosticados durante los últimos 30 años, en el Centro Médico de Niños, Teherán, Irán. Resultados: Se incluyeron en este estudio un total de 280 casos de PAD, englobando 125 pacientes con CVID, 32 HIgM, 63 SIgAD, y 60 pacientes con XLA. La mediana (rango) de edad al inicio de la enfermedad en la CVID, HIgM, SIgAD y XLA fue: 2 (0-46), 0,91 (0-9), 1 (0-26) y 1 (0-10) años, respectivamente. Las infecciones gastrointestinales fueron más frecuentes en los pacientes con CVID, mientras que las infecciones del sistema nervioso central lo fueron en la XLA. Las complicaciones autoinmunes fueron más prevalentes en los pacientes con HIgM, los tumores malignos en las CVID y las enfermedades alérgicas en las SIgAD. La tasa de mortalidad de CVID, HIgM y XLA fue 27,2%, 28,1% y 25%, respectivamente. No hubo mortalidad en el grupo de pacientes con SIgAD. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SIgAD tuvieron el mejor pronóstico. Aunque todos los pacientes con PAD deben ser controlados estrechamente para evitar las complicaciones infecciosas, se debe prestar especial atención a la aparición de enfermedades malignas y autoinmunes en los pacientes con CVID y HIgM, respectivamente (AU)

Identification and determination of the fatty acid composition of Quercus brantii growing in southwestern Iran by GC-MS.

This article reports the fatty acid composition of the oil extracts from Quercus brantii fruits growing in Kohgiloye va Boyer Ahmad province in southwestern Iran. The oil from Q. brantii fruits was extracted with hexane in Soxhlet apparatus and subsequently identified and determined by using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results revealed that the major fatty acids were oleic acid (52.99-66.14%), linoleic acid (10.80-11.11%), palmitic acid (8.08-10.06%), stearic acid (0.74-1.57%), α-linolenic acid (0.19-0.35%), erucic acid (0.12-0.15%) and arachidic acid (0.12-0.13%). The total proportion of unsaturated and saturated oil was 64.60-77.27% and 9.17-11.75%, respectively. Results indicate that the fruits of Q. brantii contained 0.19-0.35% omega-3, 10.92-14.77% omega-6 and 53.14-66.26% omega-9. Therefore, Q. brantii can be introduced as rich sources of fatty acid in food dietary and medical health.

Spatial analysis of Cd and Pb in the Pike (Esox lucius) from Western Anzali wetlands of Iran.

Geostatistical studies are used to estimate pollution burden in aquatic ecosystems and to plan large-scale control programs to protect these environments. Geostatistical studies allow us to predicted pollutant concentrations for areas that have not been sampled. This is done by taking into account the spatial correlations between estimated and sampled points and by minimizing the variance of estimation error. The use of geostatistical techniques in biomonitoring of fish species can illuminate extent and source of pollution, thereby providing an effective tool for developing intervention strategies to protect such environments. This study investigates the spatial distribution patterns of cadmium and lead in the Pike (Esox lucius). Fish were captured in the western parts of the Anzali wetlands located on the Caspian Sea in Iran. The muscle tissue of Anzali Pike had 5 ± 0.25 and 168 ± 18.4 (ng/g dw) cadmium and lead, respectively. Positive relationships were detected between Pike's length and weight (r = 0.85, p < 0.05), length and age (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), and muscle cadmium and lead (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). By contrast, there was a negative relationship between lead levels and weight in Pike (r = -0.36, p < 0.05). For both metals, the resulting metal concentration maps indicated higher pollutant concentrations in the southeast parts of the study area. Considerable boat traffic activity and agricultural activity contribute to the pollution in these areas, undermining the integrity of local habitat for fish survival and reproduction.

Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae: an emerging respiratory tract pathogen.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae a member of the Viridans Streptococci, is known to be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory tract infections (RTI). Very scanty information is available on the isolation of S. pseudopneumoniae from India. Hence, the present study was an attempt to isolate S. pseudopneumoniae from clinical samples and to study their drug resistance pattern. METHODS: Sputum samples (n=150) submitted to the microbiology laboratory for routine culture from patients clinically suspected to have lower respiratory tract infection were inoculated onto sheep blood agar and chocolate agar plates. Alpha haemolytic colonies were identified as S. pseudopneumoniae based on absence of capsule, bile solubility and optochin susceptibility in 5 per cent CO2 and ambient air. Disk diffusion method was used for antibiotic susceptibilily testing. RESULTS: Among the samples screened, 4 per cent showed the growth of only S. pseudopneumoniae. Other pathogens isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans. All the S. pseudopneumoniae isolates were resistant to erythromycin. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results showed presence of S. pseudopneumoniae in this part of the country and these were associated with RTI. Currently, most clinical laboratories report optochin susceptible isolates in 5 per cent CO2 as S. pneumoniae and the resistant ones are not further tested for susceptibility in ambient air. As a result, S. pseudopneumoniae may be missed out. Hence, performance of at least two tests, viz. optochin susceptibility with incubation in 5 per cent CO2 and ambient air along with bile solubility is necessary to differentiate S. pneumoniae from S. pseudopneumoniae.

Naz, a resistant cultivar on bean root rot disease in Zanjan province, northwest Iran.

Field bean is a major crops in different parts of northwest Iran especially Zanjan province. Recently the bean plants were severely subjected to damping off or decline disease which caused yield losses in bean growing regions. A regional research was done from 2003 to 2005 to get general information on the causal agent of disease and its control management. Infected plants were collected from different studied areas and transferred to laboratory. Crown and plant roots were cultured in PDA as common media and PPA as selective media for Fusarium species after surface sterilization with sodium hypochlorite. Plates were incubated in standard culture room then isolated fungi were identified. Different Fusarium species were isolated, however the main pathogen isolated from plant samples and soil around the roots was F. sambucium Fuckel. The disease caused up to 50% yield losses in some fields in studied areas. Study showed the "Naz" cultivar was the main resistant race to the disease and had the most yield production in the field.

Stand structure and spatial patterns of trees in mixed Hyrcanian Beech forest, Iran.

The mixed beach forests (Fagus orientalis) commonly dominate by shade tolerance species with irregular uneven age stand structure. The aim of this study was to analyze the stand structure and spatial pattern in order to identify specific structural patterns. Data was collected from a 16 ha permanent plot. We mapped all stems > 7.5 cm in diameter at breast height on permanent plot. The six main species were divided into two groups based on density and stand structure. Group A had higher density than group B, as well as L-shaped DBH distribution of live stems. Species in group B had bell-shaped DBH distributions. Species in group A have clump spatial distribution pattern in all layers but clump intensity is more than in understory layer and size of patch clump is small in this group. This phenomenon for group A may explaining by having numerous coppice, sucker and patch regeneration in the understory layer. Middlestory and understory stems of the six major tree species were patchily distributed throughout the plot but for Alder and Maple species common pattern in canopy layer was complete spatial randomness. The distribution of Beech and Hornbeam trees were negatively associated with other species. These results suggest species differences in favorable canopy condition.

Wire-coated silver(I) ion-selective electrode based on 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) ionophore: application to the determination of silver in real samples.

A new wire-coated silver ion-selective electrode with a wider concentration range (10(-7) M - 10(-1) M) was developed using 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) as a neutral ionophore. An optimum mixture of PVC, ionophore, dioctylphtalate (DOP) as a plasticizer and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an ion-pairing agent was used in preparing the coatings. The effect of various parameters, such as the electrode bed nature, coating composition and solution pH, on the efficiency of the electrode is described. It has been shown that platinum acts as a more suitable bed for electrode preparation, and exhibits a slope of 59.5 +/- 1 mV over the whole range of studied concentrations. The selectivity coefficient of the electrode towards various interfering cations as well as its reproducibility, response time and lifetime of the electrode were estimated. The developed electrode was successfully used for the determination of trace amounts of silver in human hair and photographic waste as real samples and in the potentiometric titration of halides as an indicator electrode.