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This research was performed to assess the concentration and health risk of eight trace elements (manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)) in animal product samples (n = 120) in Markazi province of Iran by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Some trace elements such as Mn, Hg, Cu, Pb, Fe, and Zn were detected in samples while Cd and As non-detected. Fe had the highest mean level of trace elements in meat samples (1551.28 ± 83.25 μg/kg). The levels of Pb and Hg in some samples were upper than the limit of the European Commission (EC) and the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI), International/National Standards for Heavy Metals, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Deterministic and probabilistic health risk assessment approaches to evaluate of the target hazard quotients (THQ) and carcinogenic risks (CR) index were applied. The Monte Carlo probability distributions revealed that the rank order of total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) was milk > meat > egg. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic index of toxic elements indicated that exposed population in Markazi province was safe (1> THQ, 10−4> CR), except Hg exposure for children in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explains the lineage in embryo donation and the inheritance of born children. This study was conducted with a library, descriptive and analytical design, relying on books of jurisprudence and laws of Shia and other Islamic religions, as well as citing some legal studies. Under Ayatollah Khamenei's original fatwa in 1990, which permitted gamete donation by third parties. This legal approach paved the way for the adoption of the Embryo Donation to Infertile Spouses Act in 2003. The embryos formed from a man's sperm and the ovum of his legitimate wife, with any methods of embryo formation and its transfer to the aforementioned man and woman, have a legitimate lineage and there will be no problem in the inheritance for the baby. However, the embryos formed from the sperm of another man (other than a legal husband) or the egg of another woman (other than a legal wife) regardless of the method (natural or artificial) will not have legitimate lineage, and as a result, donated children are deprived of inheritance. To ensure the financial future of children born through embryo donation, solutions such as an official will or using the life insurance industry can be considered as a temporary solution. However, it is necessary to review the embryo donation law by religious and legislative authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most common serovars, associated with human salmonellosis. The food-borne outbreak of this bacterium is mainly related to the consumption of contaminated poultry meat and poultry products, including eggs. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection, besides investigation of virulence characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. Enteritidis in poultry and poultry egg samples is essential. A total of 3125 samples (2250 poultry and 875 poultry egg samples), sent to the administrative centers of veterinary microbiology laboratories in six provinces of Iran, were examined for Salmonella contamination, according to the ISO 6579 guideline. Next, duplex PCR was conducted on 250 presumptive Salmonella isolates to detect invA gene for identification of the genus Salmonella and sdf gene for identification of S. Enteritidis. Subsequently, the S. Enteritidis isolates were examined for detection of important virulence genes (pagC, cdtB, msgA, spaN, tolC, lpfC, and spvC) and determination of antibiotic resistance patterns against nalidixic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cephalothin, ceftazidime, colistin sulfate, and kanamycin by the disk diffusion method. Results: Overall, 8.7 and 2.3% of poultry samples and 6.3 and 1.3% of eggs were contaminated with Salmonella species and S. Enteritidis, respectively. The invA and msgA genes (100%) and cdtB gene (6.3%) had the highest and the lowest prevalence rates in S. Enteritidis isolates. The spvC gene, which is mainly located on the Salmonella virulence plasmid, was detected in 50.8% of S. Enteritidis isolates. The S. Enteritidis isolates showed the highest and the lowest resistance to nalidixic acid (87.3%) and ceftazidime (11.1%), respectively. Unfortunately, 27.0% of S. Enteritidis isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Conclusion: The rate of contamination with Salmonella in the poultry and egg samples, besides the presence of antimicrobial resistant and MDR Salmonella isolates harboring the virulence genes in these samples, could significantly affect food safety and subsequently, human health. Therefore, continuous monitoring of animal-source foods, enhancement of poultry farm control measures, and limiting the use of antibiotics for prophylactic purposes in food producing animals, are essential for reducing the zoonotic risk of this foodborne pathogen for consumers and also choosing effective antibiotics for the treatment of salmonellosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canids harbor many zoonotic parasites and play an important role in the spread of parasites in the human environment. Estimation of parasitic infection among canids as definitive hosts may help competent authorities design efficient control programs. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs and foxes with an emphasis on Echinococcus spp. A total of 500 fecal samples of dogs and 30 fecal samples of foxes were studied in the summer, autumn, and winter of 2021 in the Zanjan province using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, followed by multiplex PCR. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection was estimated to be 19.05%. The prevalence was 24.8%, 10.2%, and 26.7% in stray, shelter dogs and foxes, respectively. No parasites were found among pet and guard dog samples. PCR results on Taenidae eggs showed that 2.4% of samples were positive for Echinococcus granulosus and none contained E. multilocularis. Noteworthy is that E. granulosus was identified only in stray dog samples. The higher prevalence of E. granulosus infection in stray dogs in this province emphasizes the importance of monitoring the food sources consumed by these animals., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The embryonic and early developmental stages of Killifish Aphanius hormuzensis reared in a laboratory condition were investigated in detail using light microscopy. The adult male and female of A. hormuzensis were captured from the wild. They were kept in laboratory condition for 2 months and spontaneously spawned at 28 ± 1°C. The fertilized macrolecithal eggs were characterized with spherical shape, transparent and average 1.60 ± 0.20 mm in diameter. The embryonic development was started with fertilized egg activation and the first cleavage was observed in 2.5 hr ± 20 min post fertilization (hpf), followed by blastula formation and gastrulation stages in 7 and 11 hpf respectively. First somite was observed in 20 hpf and the heart beating was detected in 25 hpf. The early ontogeny of A. hormuzensis was followed by complements of organs formation and the newly hatched larva with 4.9 ± 0.10 mm in length was detected in 166 hpf. This study provides a basis for further research on reproductive biology, conservation and breeding of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: No previous study has examined the associations between egg consumption and prevalence of psychological disorders. The present study was conducted to determine the association between egg consumption and depression in a large sample of Iranian adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3172 adults in Isfahan, Iran. Egg consumption was assessed by using a validated, self-administered, dish-based, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The Iranian validated version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to screen for anxiety and depression. The Iranian validated version of General Health Questionnaire with 12 items was used to assess psychological distress. Depression, anxiety and psychological distress were defined according to standard criteria. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 36.5 ± 7.9 years. Depression, anxiety and psychological distress were prevalent among 28.4, 13.6 and 23% of the study subjects, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, no significant association was observed between egg intake and depression (OR for comparing extreme quartiles: 1.08; 95% CIs 0.80–1.45) and anxiety (OR 0.79; 95% CIs 0.54–1.16), as well as psychological distress (OR 1.03; 95% CIs 0.76–1.41) in the whole population. In men, significant positive associations were observed between egg intake and depression before controlling for BMI (OR 1.68; 95% CIs 1.01–2.80); however, the associations became non-significant after taking BMI into account (OR 1.62; 95% CIs 0.96–2.72). Conclusions: We found no significant association between egg intake and psychological disorders. Further studies, in particular of prospective design, are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) is one of the most valuable fish species native to the Caspian Sea and Iran's waters. This study was designed to estimate the heritability of Persian sturgeon eggs and larval hatching. Six fish were caught from the southern Caspian Sea and transferred to "Shahid Beheshti Propagation Complex" during 2016. Cross-breeding was carried out using a 3 × 3 factorial plan. The result of mating among them was nine treatments. For heritability estimates, the total weight, egg size (No. 405), overall weight, and total length of 135 pieces of newly hatched Persian sturgeon larvae were examined. Features including weight and size of larvae and eggs at blastula, gastrula, and neurola stages were evaluated. Weight and length of larvae were measured. Variance components were estimated using software R linear mixed model (LMM) closed Lme 4. Weights at blastula, gastrula, and neurola stages were 0.218 ± 0.124, 0.033 ± 0.01, and 0, respectively. At these stages, heritability of egg size showed 0.375 ± 0.145, 0, and 0, respectively. The heritability of weight and the total length of larvae recorded were 0.231 ± 0.122, 0.161 ± 0.042, respectively. The result of additive genetic value prediction identified three females and three males as the best breeders in the broodstock. The phenotypic correlations between egg weight and size at blastula, gastrula, and neurola stages were 0.106, 0.44, and 0.43, respectively. However, the weight and length correlation of larvae was 0.435. The estimated heritability for these traits supports its suitability as a selection tool in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shahr-e Sukhteh (meaning burnt city in Persian) in Iran is an archeological site dated back to around 3,200-1,800 BC. It is located in Sistan and Baluchistan Province of Iran and known as the junction of Bronze Age trade routes crossing the Iranian plateau. It was appointed as current study area for paleoparasitological investigations. Excavations at this site have revealed various archeological materials since 1967. In the present study, sheep and carnivore coprolites excavated from this site were analyzed by means of rehydration technique using TSP solution for finding helminth eggs. Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Capillaria sp., and Taenia sp. eggs were identified, while some other objects similar to Anoplocephalidae and Toxocara spp. eggs were also retrieved from the samples but their measured parameters did not match those of these species. The present paper illustrates the first paleoparasitological findings of Bronze Age in eastern Iran supporting the economic activities, peopling, and communication as well as the appropriate condition for zoonotic helminthiasis life cycle in Shahr-e Sukhteh archeological site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neospora caninum is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, phylum Apicomplexa. Canids are definitive hosts and different animals can be intermediate hosts. Neospora DNA has been also detected in humans, recently. This study aimed to understand the infection rate of N. caninum in chicken meat because consumption of raw and undercooked meat can be the main risk factor for canine neosporosis. Investigation of Neospora vertical transmission to the eggs is also important. One hundred chicken legs, and fifty eggs from free-range chickens, and fifty eggs from industrial chickens were collected from different stores in Semnan city, Iran. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of samples was extracted, and the Nested-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) on Neospora internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene was performed. Neospora caninum DNA was detected in eight out of one hundred (8%) chicken legs, and no eggs were infected. These results revealed that N. caninum infection in chicken meat for the first time in Iran. For the investigation of Neospora vertical transmission to eggs, more studies will be necessary. Indoor carnivores should be fed, and humans should be consumed well-cooked chicken meat to prevent infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None declared., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fasciolosis, caused by the liver flukes of the genus Fasciola, is one of the most prevalent diseases of domestic livestock and human throughout the world, imposing considerable economic losses. The present study was aimed to assess the effects of different pH values on hatching rate of Fasciola miracidia. Methods: The flukes were isolated from the infected livers of the slaughtered ruminants at the abattoir of Urmia City, Iran, crushed thoroughly and sieved for isolation of the Fasciola eggs. The eggs were washed up several times by PBS (0.01N, pH 7.2). They were incubated at different pH values of 7±0.1 (control) and 3-9.5 (treatments) at 28°C for 16 days. Results: The maximum hatching rate was observed at pH 7 (14.93±0.65%), while no miracidia were hatched at pH 3 and/or pH 9-9.5. There were significant differences between the hatching rate of the treatments and that of the control group. Conclusion: Water pH is proven to be a crucial factor affecting the life cycle of Fasciola and its epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. High cholesterol intake may increase the risk of hyperglycemia, yet little research has evaluated the relation between cholesterol or egg as a main source of dietary cholesterol and GDM. We aimed to study this association among pregnant Iranian women. Introduction: Four hundred sixty-two pregnant women participated in this case-control study. Participants' dietary intake, weight, height, and blood pressure were obtained and BMI was calculated. Fasting plasma glucose and liver enzymes were also measured. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for GDM across tertiles of cholesterol and egg consumption. Methods and Participants: Among study participants, 115 consumed less than one, 194 consumed one and the remaining participants consumed more than one egg per week (mean cholesterol intake 121.31±61.69 mg/d). Participants within the highest tertile of egg consumption had 41% lower risk of GDM (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.35-0.99) compared with those in the lowest tertile (P=0.01). Higher egg consumption was associated with lower risk of having high blood pressure (P=0.01). The difference in odds of GDM and high blood pressure between the highest and the lowest tertile of cholesterol consumption was not significant, even after controlling for age, energy intake, number of children and socio-economic status. Results: Higher dietary intake of egg during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of GDM. We found no significant association between cholesterol intake and odds of GDM. Further research are needed to confirm these results and determine causality.Conclusion: Higher dietary intake of egg during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of GDM. We found no significant association between cholesterol intake and odds of GDM. Further research are needed to confirm these results and determine causality.

Introduction: Applications of modern methods of infertility treatment must be necessarily based on the cultural and social norms of a given community. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions and attitudes of infertile couples about the sociocultural aspects of using modern technologies of embryo or egg donation Materials and Methods: The data were anonymously collected by 110 referees to the IVF infertility center in Isfahan and Dr. Rasekh's clinic in Jahrom by randomly distributed questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of two parts; the first part included demographic information and the second part asked 12 questions. The data were collected during summer 2013. Data were reported as frequency and percentage. Results: The mean age of respondents was 29.5 years. The Education levels ranged from illiteracy to academic education. 81% of respondents were housewives. The results of this study indicated that 57% of responders did not have preference for their babies' gender, 15% preferred adoption over donation. Only 11% of people were fully aware of the laws for donation. 32% of the people insisted that their children should not be informed of donation. 42% of people tended to correct genetic abnormalities in embryo or egg donations. 76% of people requested that egg donations remain confidential. 70% of people stated they could love the offspring they receive by donation as much as their own genetic offspring. Conclusion: Egg donation process should provide referees with accurate medical information, counseling sessions for explaining the exact legal and religious consequences, medical complications before the treatment begins. Moreover, Enhancing public awareness of medical complications and its relevant laws will generally change people's attitudes towards infertility treatments and will affect infertile couples' decisions for using of egg or embryo donation in their treatmen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid, low-cost and simple technique has been developed for the determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in eggs and livers using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. In this study, the presence of AFB1 was investigated in 150 eggs and 50 chicken livers from the local market of Tabriz, Iran. AFB1 was extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile:water (80:20) and cleaned up by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction which is a very economical, fast and sensitive method. AFB1 was quantified by HPLC-UV without need for any complex derivatisation in samples to enhance the detection. The results showed that 72% of the liver and 58% of the egg samples were contaminated with AFB1 ranging from 0.30 to 16.36 µg kg (̶1). limit of detection and limit of quantification for AFB1 were 0.08 and 0.28 µg kg (̶ 1), respectively. The proposed method is suitable for fast analysing of AFB1 in egg and liver samples.