Micromonospora parastrephiae sp. nov. and Micromonospora tarensis sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of a Parastrephia quadrangularis plant growing in the Salar de Tara region of the Central Andes in Chile.

Two novel Micromonospora strains, STR1-7T and STR1S-6T, were isolated from the rhizosphere of a Parastrephia quadrangularis plant growing in the Salar de Tara region of the Atacama Desert, Chile. Chemotaxonomic, cultural and phenotypic features confirmed that the isolates belonged to the genus Micromonospora. They grew from 20 to 37 °C, from pH7 to 8 and in the presence of up to 3 %, w/v NaCl. The isolates formed distinct branches in Micromonospora gene trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and on a multi-locus sequence analysis of conserved house-keeping genes. A phylogenomic tree generated from the draft genomes of the isolates and their closest phylogenetic neighbours showed that isolate STR1-7T is most closely related to Micromonospora orduensis S2509T, and isolate STR1S-6 T forms a distinct branch that is most closely related to 12 validly named Micromonospora species, including Micromonospora saelicesensis the earliest proposed member of the group. The isolates were separated from one another and from their closest phylogenomic neighbours using a combination of chemotaxonomic, genomic and phenotypic features, and by low average nucleotide index and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values. Consequently, it is proposed that isolates STR1-7T and STR1S-6T be recognized as representing new species in the genus Micromonospora, namely as Micromonospora parastrephiae sp. nov. and Micromonospora tarensis sp. nov.; the type strains are STR1-7T (=CECT 9665T=LMG 30768T) and STR1S-6T (=CECT 9666T=LMG 30770T), respectively. Genome mining showed that the isolates have the capacity to produce novel specialized metabolites, notably antibiotics and compounds that promote plant growth, as well as a broad-range of stress-related genes that provide an insight into how they cope with harsh abiotic conditions that prevail in high-altitude Atacama Desert soils.

Epidemiological study of the prevalence of hydatidosis in ruminants at the Holy City of Karbala, Iraq

The paper describes a field survey performed to determine the prevalence of hydatid cyst disease in ruminants in butcher shops in the Holy City of Karbala, and to compare the rates of infection among these animals. The study lasted for five months from November 2016 to April 2017. During the study, 2115 cattle, 4230 sheep and 623 goats were examined. The results indicate that 39 cattle (1.84%), 84 sheep (1.9%) and 15 goats (2.4%) were infected. The livers of sheep and goats demonstrated a higher incidence of hydatid cysts than the lungs, with 1.2% of sheep livers and 2.08% of goat livers being infected. The incidence of lung infection was 0.7% of sheep and 0.32% of goats. In cattle, however, lung infection (1.22%) was more widespread than liver infection (0.61%).

BK Virus Load Associated with Serum Levels of sCD30 in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Background. Rejection is the main drawback facing the renal transplant operations. Complicated and overlapping factors, mainly related to the immune system, are responsible for this rejection. Elevated serum levels of sCD30 were frequently recorded as an indicator for renal allograft rejection, while BV virus is considered as one of the most serious consequences for immunosuppressive treatment of renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Aims. This study aimed to determine the association of BK virus load with serum levels of sCD30 in RTRs suffering from nephropathy. Patients and Methods. A total of 50 RTRs with nephropathy and 30 age-matched apparently healthy individuals were recruited for this study. Serum samples were obtained from each participant. Real-time PCR was used to quantify BK virus load in RTRs serum, while ELISA technique was employed to estimate serum levels of sCD30. Results. Twenty-two percent of RTRs had detectable BKV with mean viral load of 1.094E + 06 ± 2.291E + 06. RTRs showed higher mean serum level of sCD30 (20.669 ± 18.713 U/mL) than that of controls (5.517 ± 5.304 U/mL) with significant difference. BK virus load had significant positive correlation with the serum levels of sCD30 in RTRs group. Conclusion. These results suggest that serum levels of sCD30 could be used as an indicator of BK viremia, and accordingly the immunosuppressive regime should be adjusted.

The sexual and reproductive health of young people in the Arab countries and Iran.

This article reviews the sexual and reproductive health situation of young people aged 10-24 in the Arab states and Iran, based on published and unpublished literature and interviews with 51 key informants working mostly in NGOs and international agencies in the region. There are few national government programmes addressing young people's sexual and reproductive health, with the exceptions of Tunisia and Iran, and a lack of population-based data to guide such programmes. Although the strong emphasis on the integrity and strength of the family unit has a protective effect, young people lack access to information. Education curricula that include these topics are rare and where they do exist, relevant sections are frequently skipped over by teachers, who are unprepared. Health service providers neither recognise the needs of this age group nor make young people welcome, particularly those who are unmarried. Increased education and employment mean the age at marriage is rising, but unprotected forms of marriage are also reported. Taboos surrounding discussion of sexuality remain a key constraint, and data on unwanted pregnancy and abortion, violence against women, and STIs/HIV/AIDS are limited. Building on NGO models and existing efforts, there is a need for the development of national programmes to support the well-being of young people in this region.