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Background: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) as an adjuvant induce antigen‐specific immunity through facilitating antigen presentation and stimulating T cells. In this study, the immunostimulatory properties of two major fragments of Hsp70 (N‐Hsp70(aa 1–387) with ATPase property and C‐Hsp70 (aa 508–641) with peptide‐binding capacity) and the full length of Hsp27 as vaccine adjuvants were evaluated to boost HIV‐1 Nef antigen‐specific immunity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Method s : At first, the nanoparticles harbouring DNA fusion constructs (i.e. N‐Hsp70‐Nef, C‐Hsp70‐Nef and Hsp27‐Nef) complexed with HIV Rev (34–50) cell‐penetrating peptide were generated to deliver DNA into the cells. Then, the recombinant Nef, Hsp27‐Nef, N‐Hsp70‐Nef and C‐Hsp70‐Nef proteins were generated in E.coli expression system. Next, the immunostimulatory properties of these fusion constructs were evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Finally, the secretion of main cytokines from single‐cycle replicable (SCR) HIV‐1 virion‐exposed splenocytes was investigated. Results: Our data showed that the stable and non‐toxic DNA/Rev nanoparticles could successfully deliver the genes of interest into the cells. Moreover, higher secretion of antibodies and cytokines was detected in mice receiving the Hsp‐Nef constructs than in mice receiving Nef antigen. The C‐Hsp70 was also superior for inducing Nef‐specific Th1 and CTL immunity compared with N‐Hsp70 and Hsp27. The T‐cell activity was maintained in the SCR‐exposed splenocytes, especially the splenocytes of mice receiving the C‐Hsp70‐Nef regimen. Conclusion: Altogether, these findings demonstrate the significance of Hsps as enhancers of antigen‐specific immunity. Notably, the C‐Hsp70 region showed better adjuvant properties for inducing cellular immunity in the improvement of HIV‐1 therapeutic vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass displacement of materials such as landslide is considered among problematic phenomena in Baqi Basin located at southern slopes of Binaloud, Iran; since, it destroys agricultural lands and pastures and also increases deposits at the basin exit. Therefore, it is necessary to identify areas which are sensitive to landslide and estimate the significant volume. In the present study, in order to estimate the volume of landslide, information about depth and area of slides was collected; then, considering regression assumptions, a power regression model was given which was compared with 17 suggested models in various regions in different countries. The results showed that values of estimated mass obtained from the suggested model were consistent with observed data (P value= 0.000 and R = 0.692) and some of the existing relations which implies on efficiency of the suggested model. Also, relations that were created in small-area landslides were more suitable rather than the ones created in large-area landslides for using in Baqi Basin. According to the suggested relation, average depth value of landslides was estimated 3.314 meters in Baqi Basin which was close to the observed value, 4.609 m.

Background: Pterygium is a common disease of the eye affected by environmental factors, especially climatic parameters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of climatic factors on pterygium in the cities of Mashhad and Zahedan in Iran eastern half. Methods: The data of 130,464 patients referred to Zahedan Alzahra Ophthalmology Clinic (from them, 28,776 patients with pterygium) and 974,542 patients referred to Mashhad Khatam ol-Anbia Ophthalmology Clinic (from them, 20,222 patients with pterygium) during 2006-2011 were used. Climatic data elements including sunshine hours, dusty days, wind speed, ultraviolet and total sunshine index, maximum and minimum temperature, and humidity for two stations in Zahedan and Mashhad were obtained from the Iran Meteorological Organization. To study and compare the relationship of climatic factors and pterygium, correlation model, to analyze time delays, autocorrelation functions (ACF) and partial and autocorrelation functions (PACF), to assess seasonal differences in prevalence of pterygium model, ANOVA test, and to compare the prevalence of pterygium among patients in both two cities, independent sample t-test were used. Findings: In Zahedan, dusty days, sunshine hours, wind speed indicator, and ultraviolet and total sunshine indexes were the most effective factors on the prevalence of pterygium, respectively; while in Mashhad, wind speed, dusty days, and ultraviolet index were the most effective factors, respectively. ANOVA test showed no significant differences in terms of prevalence in different seasons. The t-test results showed that the prevalence of eye disease among patients in Zahedan was more than the city of Mashhad significantly. There was delay time in influencing the prevalence of pterygium by seasonal climate elements. Conclusion: In general, the incidence of pterygium was higher in Zahedan than Mashhad. It seems that the role of climatic factors in the incidence and severity of pterygium is more notable in Zahedan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Zr‐based conversion coatings represent an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional phosphating and chromating in the automotive industry. In this study, we employ XPS and LEIS to investigate the formation of Zr‐conversion layers on Zn–Mg–Al alloy after alkaline and acidic model pretreatments. On alkaline pretreated surfaces, a Zr‐oxide/oxyfluoride layer and an underlying Mg–Al–fluoride layer are formed, whereas acidic pretreatment results in only an oxidic layer. The thickness of the Zr‐layer depends on pretreatment pH and immersion time. Acidic treatment achieves an approximately 23 nm‐thick Zr‐oxide/oxyfluoride layer after 1 min, while prolonged treatment increases the thickness of the oxidic layer for strong alkaline and acidic conditions. Mild alkaline pretreatments, however, do not benefit from extended immersion. F‐induced corrosion pits are observed after mild alkaline treatment. The strong alkaline pretreatment proved to be the most efficient in creating a double‐layered Zr‐conversion coating with increased oxidic layer thickness over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]