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Heat transfer in foams consists of conduction through solid and gaseous phases, convection within the cells as well as radiation through the whole medium. Radiation thermal conduction affects the overall thermal conductivity by 40% in a high porosity. Therefore, the investigation of that term seems to be necessary. Radiation thermal conduction depends on the extinction coefficient which its determination is experimentally complex. In this study, this coefficient is theoretically estimated using the Glicksman model for polyolefin foams and is verified in comparison with the experimental data. Extinction coefficient which plays an effective role in the radiation thermal conduction depends on the morphological properties including foam and solid densities, cell, and strut diameters. The results demonstrate that the radiation thermal conduction decreases by reducing cell size and increasing foam density and strut diameter. An L25 orthogonal array of the Taguchi approach is used for the optimization of radiation thermal conduction with respect to foam density, cell, and strut diameters as variable parameters. The analysis of variance results illuminate that foam density and cell diameter with 58 and 32% contribution are the most effective parameters on the radiation thermal conduction, respectively. At optimum conditions according to the prediction tool of the Taguchi approach, the radiation thermal conduction significantly decreases to 1.0908 mW/mK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shrinkage is one of the most important defects of injection molded plastic parts. Injection molding processing parameters have a significant effect on shrinkage of the produced parts. In the present study the effect of different injection parameters on volumetric shrinkage of two polymers (high-density polyethylene (HOPE) semi-crystal-tine thermoplastics and polycarbonate (PC) as a representative of amorphous thermoplastics) was studied. Samples under different processing conditions according to a 1.27 orthogonal array of Taguchi experimental design approach were injected. Effect of material crystallintty on the shrinkage of injected samples was investigated. Obtained results revealed dun semi-crystalline thermoplastics have larger shrinkage values in comparison with amorphous thermoplastics Shrinkages of injec ted samples were also studied along and at ross the flow directions. Results showed that the flow path can dramatically affect the shrinkage of semi-crystalline thermoplastics However for amorphous fltermopfasttcs. results showed an independent, of obtained shrinkage to flow direction. Analysis of variance V A) results illustrated that tooling time was the most effective parameter on shrinkage for both PE and PC' injected samples, followed by injection temperature as the second important parameter. The optimum conditions to minimize shrinkage of injection molded samples are also achieved using signal to noise ratio (S,N) analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material selection is a main purpose in design process and plays an important role in desired performance of the products for diverse engineering applications. In order to solve material selection problem, multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methods can be used as an applicable tool. Bumper beam is one of the most important components of bumper system in absorbing energy. Therefore, selecting the best material that has the highest degree of satisfaction is necessary. In the present study, six polymeric nanocomposite materials were injection molded and considered as material alternatives. Criteria weighting was carried out through analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Entropy methods. Selecting the most appropriate material was applied using technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and the multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis (MOORA) methods respect to the considered criteria. Criteria weighting results illustrated that impact and tensile strengths are the most important criteria using AHP and Entropy methods, respectively. Results of ranking alternatives indicated that polycarbonate containing 0.5 wt% nano Al2O3 is the most appropriate material for automotive bumper beam due to its high impact and tensile strengths in addition to its low cost of raw material. Also, the sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the selection criteria and the results as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many countries make many of their governmental sectors private. This transition, however, may affect their employees in numerous ways. Objective: To determine the level of occupational stress and mental health of employees of a petrochemical company in Isfahan, Central Iran, before and 3 months after privatization. Methods: Out of the 700 employees of the studied company, using a stratified random sampling technique, 140 persons were selected. We used Steinmetz occupational stress and GHQ-28 questionnaires to determine the level of stress and mental health status of participants. Results: The reliability of the questionnaires used was acceptable (Chronbach alpha coefficients: 0.85 and 0.86, respectively). Job stress level was significantly increased 3 months after privatization; the mean±SD job stress score before and after privatization were 22.9±10.43 and 28.3±12.25, respectively (p<0.001). The mean±SD mental health score after privatization (17.57±11.63) was also significantly (p<0.001) higher than that before the privatization (13.8±6.0). There was a significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between the mental health status score and job score (r=0.476). Conclusion: After privatization, the job stress of employees increased significantly. This increase was associated with a decrease in mental health. To lessen the side effects of privatization, the process should be performed cautiously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of this paper is an investigation into the design, development, and optimization of a new polymeric hybrid auxetic structure by additive manufacturing (AM). This work will introduce an innovative class of polymeric hybrid auxetic structure by the integration of an arrow-head unit cell into a missing rib unit cell, which will be fabricated using fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique, that is, one subset of AM. The auxetic performance of the structure is validated through the measurement of its negative Poisson's ratio, confirming its potential for enhanced energy absorption. A chain of regression, linear, and quadratic polynomial machine learning algorithms are used to predict and optimize the energy absorption capability at variant processing conditions. Amongst them, the polynomial regression model stands out with an R-squared value of 92.46%, reflecting an excellent predictive capability for energy absorption of additively manufactured polymeric hybrid auxetic structure. The optimization technique revealed that the printing speed of 80 mm/s and layer height of 200 µm were the critical values to achieve a maximum amount of energy absorption at 5.954 kJ/m 2 , achieved at a printing temperature of 244.65 °C. Such results also contribute to the development of AM, since they show not only the potential for energy absorption of polymeric hybrid auxetic structures but also how effective machine learning is in the optimization of the AM process.

Background and Purpose: Mothers' attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy are crucial to their ability to adjust themselves to motherhood. Attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy questionnaire (PRE-MAMA) have been used in a few Iranian studies, and its validity and reliability have not been assessed yet. This study, hence, aimed to provide the psychometric properties of the PRE-MAMA in Iran. Methods: In this research, 110 pregnant women were selected through random sampling in 2020. The face, content, and construct validity of the PRE-MAMA were examined through exploratory and confirmatory analyses. The test-retest reliability and internal consistency were also employed to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The content validity index and content validity ratio of the PRE-MAMA were 0.98 and 0.97, respectively. The results of the scale-based exploratory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of the questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.63, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) was equal to 0.97 (.93-.99). Conclusion: The Iranian version of PRE-MAMA is a valid and reliable tool for assessing Iranian mothers' attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy., (© 2023 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.)

Background: The desire for fertility is the manifestation of yearning for immortality. Infertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) expose couples to great affective, anxiety, stress, and financial burden. Increasing evidence emphasize the impact of lifestyle on infertility. One of the most crucial factors affecting the fertility process is the nutrition patterns, the amount and quality of physical activities, emotional problems management; modulate stressors, relief from anxiety, and the living conditions of couples. Most ART treatment interventions in Iran are not integrated into lifestyle programs. Therefore, this research will investigate the impact of mixed fertility health-promoting programs in couples who use ARTs., Methodology/design: This study entails three steps. The first step includes the systematic review of literature on a health-promoting lifestyle in infertile couples undergoing ARTs, a systematic review of observational studies and interventions in couple's lifestyle, then, a systematic review of qualitative studies on infertility in couples and their lifestyle, and in the final step couple's life style literature systematically will evaluate in Iran. In case of failure to obtain the required results from systematic reviews, cross-sectional studies will be carried out to determine the lifestyle of infertile couples receiving ARTs. In the second stage, by holding a panel of experts, an intervention is planned based on the results of the previous stages in order to improve the lifestyle of couples. In the final step, the designed intervention will be administered as a random clinical trial-on ART candidates, in intervention or control groups in one of Iran University of Medical Sciences hospitals. Afterward, the data's will be evaluated by using standard questionnaires, that include health-promoting lifestyle questionnaire (HPLII), Beck's depression inventory (BDI), international physical activity questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF), and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The statistical analysis will be carried out in SPSS software. During the study, subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly selected and randomized into the intervention and control groups. The health-promoting lifestyle training program will be executed for the intervention group while the standard care program is administered to the control group. The content of this program will be obtained from the consensus opinions of the expert panel. The program includes diet recommendations, physical activity, and stress management. Appropriate time, frequency, duration and number of activities will be considered. Communication with subjects will be possible through private meeting special comfort room. Support to the participants will also be through clinical visits social media, SMS and phone calls. Nutritional changes, physical activity amount, anxiety and stress level, abdominal circumference (AC), and body mass index (BMI) will be measured after the completion of the specified time interval. The initial outcome includes examining chemical pregnancy (2 weeks after the transmission) and clinical pregnancy by ultrasound (6 weeks after). The secondary outcome will be live birth rate. Retrieved oocyte and embryo numbers will also be reported., Discussion: Health-promoting lifestyle programs are essential in assisted reproductive technologies to improve pregnancy results and live birth. These programs in association with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) influence the outcome of fertilization. In addition, enhancing parental health leads to healthy pregnancy outcome. Despite the frequency of lifestyle risk factors, employing proper methods helps reduce anxiety and stress, modify dietary patterns, and perform qualitatively and quantitatively balanced physical activities. In addition, having coping skills and mental health management methods, in nowadays modern world challenges seems crucial and effective in solving fertility problems and reducing them before pregnancy., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Over the last few years, researchers have shown a growing interest in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gasification and have conducted several studies to evaluate and enhance the process. These studies have recognized that processing parameters have a crucial impact on the assessment of PVC gasification. Despite this, there has been limited exploration of the use of machine learning techniques, particularly regression models, to optimize PVC waste gasification. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of regression models as machine learning algorithms in predicting the performance of PVC waste gasification. The study uses data collected through a validated thermodynamic model, and three different regression models are tested and compared in detail. Cold gas efficiency and normalized carbon dioxide emission are predicted using linear, quadratic, and quadratic with interaction algorithms. The outcomes for emission algorithms reveal that the linear emission algorithm possesses a high R-square value of 97.49%, which indicates its strong predictive capability. Nevertheless, the quadratic algorithm outperforms it, exhibiting an R-square value of 99.81%. The quadratic algorithm with an interaction term, however, proves to be the best among them all, displaying a perfect R-square value of 99.90%. A similar observation is detected for the cold gas efficiency algorithms. These findings suggest that the quadratic algorithm with an interaction term is superior and has a greater predictive accuracy. This research is expected to provide valuable insight into how regression algorithms can be used to maximize the efficiency of PVC waste gasification and reduce its associated environmental concerns.

Waste treatment has attracted much attention and, in this regard, gasification processes offer an efficient thermochemical technique that can produce a syngas rich in hydrogen. This technique has been well developed for solid waste and biomass while investigations on gasification of polymeric foam are rare. Therefore, this study explores the treatment of polyurethane foam waste with different gasifying agents, based on thermodynamic modeling. The polymeric foam gasification was developed using the best model for estimating higher heating value (gross calorific value). As the results indicated, models based on both ultimate and proximate analyses had better performance in predicting higher heating value. As one of the main objectives and novelties, the steam and air gasification performance of flexible and rigid polyurethane foam wastes was investigated and compared from efficiency and CO 2 emission viewpoints. Polyurethane foam gasification by steam resulted in higher hydrogen efficiency, led to lower energy efficiency and produced lower CO 2 emissions compared to gasification by air. A hydrogen efficiency of 41.4% was obtained for gasification of waste flexible polyurethane foam by steam. An energy efficiency of 76.6% and CO 2 emission of 7.43 g per mole of feedstock were attained for waste flexible polyurethane foam gasified by air.

The issues of global plastic waste generation and demand for hydrogen energy can be simultaneously resolved by gasification process. In this regard, feasibility and efficiency of steam and air co-gasification of coal by incorporating five different and prevalent types of plastic waste were investigated in this modeling study. All steam and air coal/plastic waste co-gasification types were multi-objective optimized utilizing a response surface methodology. The best co-gasification types were selected using VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) analysis. Overall, the results showed that incorporating plastic waste into coal gasification improved hydrogen concentration in the syngas and increased normalized carbon dioxide production due to the high carbon content of plastic waste and activation of water-gas and CO shift reactions. VIKOR analysis revealed that steam coal/low density polyethylene was the best optimized co-gasification type with hydrogen concentration of 62.8 mol %, normalized carbon dioxide production of 2.60 g/mol, based on the feedstock entering the system, and energy efficiency of 76.6%. Increasing gasifier temperature enhanced hydrogen concentration and decreased normalized carbon dioxide production. The energy efficiency was markedly improved by increasing the moisture content and decreasing the ratio of steam/feedstock. This study confirmed the hypothesis of efficient utilization of plastic waste in coal/plastic waste co-gasification., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effects of vitamin E and omega-3 used alone and in combination on the frequency and intensity of hot flushes (primary outcomes) and adverse effects (secondary outcome) in menopausal women. English and Persian databases were searched until March 18, 2021. The quality of the published papers was evaluated using Cochrane Handbook and the meta-analysis was conducted in RevMan 5.3. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 . In cases with substantial heterogeneity, a random effects model was used instead of a fixed effects model. A total of 387 papers were obtained from the databases. Finally, 10 papers with a sample size of 1100 participants entered the systematic review and a meta-analysis was conducted on nine of them. The results of the meta-analysis of two studies indicated that using vitamin E and omega-3 in combination significantly reduced the intensity of hot flushes compared to the placebo (mean difference (MD): -0.35; 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.21). The mean frequency (MD: -0.50; 95% CI: -1.58 to 0.58) and intensity (SMD: -0.61; 95% CI: -1.50 to 0.29) of hot flushes in the omega-3 group and the frequency of hot flushes (SMD: -0.21; 95% CI: -0.47 to 0.04) in the vitamin E group showed no significant differences with the placebo. No serious adverse effects were reported in the studies. Given the low number of RCTs, more clinical trials with larger sample size are required.

A broad range of conventional biomass and plastic waste types was considered and their air gasification process was modeled using a Gibbs free energy minimization coupled with Lagrange multiplier approach. The comparison between the performances of biomass and plastic waste gasification is the main issue of this study. Another important novelty and contribution of this study is analytical hierarchy process/technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution coupled method that is employed in gasification of conventional biomass and plastic waste, to prioritize the considered criteria and to select the best feedstock for gasification. Hydrogen production was linearly reduced in the case of conventional biomass with an in increase in the equivalence ratio; however, there was an optimum equivalence ratio to achieve the highest hydrogen production in plastic waste gasification. Plastic waste had a higher low heating value compared to conventional biomass. However, carbon monoxide and nitrogen production from conventional biomass was smaller than from plastic waste. Ten types of feedstock, comprising six types of conventional biomass and four types of plastic waste, were selected as alternatives. The multi-criteria decision analysis coupled method revealed that waste polypropylene and polyethylene were the best alternatives., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders among mothers during the postpartum period, which can lead to maternal and infant physical and psychological consequences. The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) predicts unique variance in postnatal outcomes over and above general anxiety tools. It has never been used in Iran and its validity and reliability have not been assessed either. Therefore, the present study aimed to translate and investigate the psychometric properties of the PSAS-IR., Methods: 510 women, from six weeks to six months postpartum, were selected through random sampling in 2020. After forward and back-translation, the face validity, content validity, and construct validity of PSAS (through confirmatory factor analysis) were examined. The reliability of the scale was assessed using both internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest stability methods., Results: CVI and CVR values of the PSAS tool were 0.89 and 0.88, respectively. The good fit indices confirmed the validity of four-factor structure. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Intra Correlation Coefficient (ICC) equaled 0.93 and 0.92, respectively., Conclusion: The Persian version of PSAS is a valid and reliable four-factor scale, it will improve the measurement of postpartum anxiety in an Iranian setting. This will improve the measurement of postpartum anxiety in an Iranian setting., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Salinity expressed as total dissolved solids (TDS), is the most challenging parameter in bioremediation of produced water which may inhibit the microbial activities and cause sedimentation problems. The present study explores the feasibility of using walnut shell as an inexpensive and accessible adsorbent-carrier for the immobilization of isolated halophilic microorganisms for treatment of synthetic oilfield produced water. The moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was examined with influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations from 900 to 3600 mg L -1 , TDS concentrations from 35,000-200,000 mg L -1 , and cycle times from 24 to 72 h. Comparison of the MBBR with the conventional sequencing batch reactor (SBR) indicated that both systems operated at lower influent COD and TDS concentrations satisfactorily; but at higher TDSs (above 150,000 mg L -1 ) the MBBR was more resistant to the shocks of toxicity (salinity) and organic load relative to the SBR. Also, the effluent turbidity was lower and the free sludge settling property was more favorable in the MBBR with average sludge volume index (SVI) of 38.8 mL g -1 compared to the SBR with SVI of 98.09 mL g -1 . Microbial identification confirmed the presence of eight dominant halophilic species which were hydrocarbon degraders and/or denitrifiers., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) causes an important parasitic infection known as toxoplasmosis, which is a globally distributed important zoonosis. One of the major serious characteristics of T. gondii is its ability to manipulate the behavior of intermediate hosts. We performed a cross-sectional study to determine toxoplasmosis in schizophrenic patients, as one of the major neuropsychiatric disorders, using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technic by targeting parasite B1 gene., Methods: Blood samples were taken from 118 schizophrenic patients hospitalized in tow hospitals including Baharan, Clinic of Psychiatric Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib Hospital (in Zahedan City), and Amir-al Momenin Psychiatric Hospital (in Zabol City), Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast Iran in 2016. They were analyzed using LAMP, and compared with the previous data of nested-PCR and serology., Results: Out of the 118 schizophrenic individuals, 56 patients (47.4%) were found to be infected with T. gondii . The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was confirmed in 41 patients (34.7%) via the nested-PCR. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in schizophrenic patients was 55.9% (66/118)., Conclusion: We found a high efficiency of LAMP method in identifying toxoplasmosis and its high prevalence among schizophrenic patients. Our findings could provide viable offer implications for the prevention of schizophrenia., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright© Iranian Society of Parasitology & Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Over one-third of the world's population are seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. One of the important traits of T. gondii is its ability to alter and manipulating the behavior and personality of its intermediate host. The current study was aimed to determine the prevalence of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in those persons suffer from schizophrenia using serological and molecular techniques. In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 118 Schizophrenia patients hospitalized in Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeast of Iran. IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, the presence of parasite was evaluated using nested-PCR B1 gene. Among 118 schizophrenic patients, 48 (40.67%), 4 (3.37%) and 14 (11.86%) were tested seropositive only for IgG, only for IgM and for both of IgG/IgM. So that, total prevalence was 66/118 (55.91%). All samples were also examined using nested-PCR and T. gondii DNA was found in 41 (34.74%) samples. Our study showed high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in southeast of Iran.

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interests All authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

Background: For overcoming the existing problems and finding a pathway for realization of universal health care, health complexes were implemented in the form of a pilot project in Tabriz suburban area., Methods: Tabriz Health Complex Project was designed in 2013 in the provincial health center of East Azerbaijan. In terms of execution schedule, this intervention had 4 phases including 1) study phase, 2) planning phase, 3) pilot phase, and 4) implementation phase. Each health complex covers a population of 40,000 to 120,000 in a defined geographic area and consists of a Comprehensive Health Center (CHC) including health centers and a management center, which usually located in CHC. The important features of this project are as follows: people-centered primary health care, special attention to health promotion and prevention and establishment of a referral system within the region (organic connection between the first and second levels)., Results: An accountable and responsive health care system has been established to deliver integrated care services to people in a defined catchment area against identified per capita payment, under district health centre policies and regulations. Each health team consisted of a general practitioner and a family health nurse who covered around 4000 people to deliver prevention, promotion, and treatment services especially in and NCDs field., Conclusion: Health complex as a model of public-private participation and practical solution to address many of the problems in the primary care system of the country. The project can organize the PHC system and family medicine program., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

The aim of this research was to prepare of bionanocomposite films based on chitosan (CH) incorporated with Carum copticum essential oil and reinforced with cellulose nanofibers (CNF) or lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNF). The FTIR analysis showed new interactions in bionanocomposites. AFM and SEM analyses showed an increased roughness for bionanocomposites but suggested good dispersion of CNF and LCNF in CH matrix. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the degree of crystallinity was increased by addition of CNF/LCNF. The results suggested that the CH-EO film had high antioxidant activity and was more effective against E. coli and B. cereus bacteria than CH-EOCNF and CH-EO-LCNF films, which shows the release controlling effect of nanofibers. Mechanical properties were improved with addition of EO and CNF/LCNF. Incorporation of EO and CNF/LCNF improved water vapor barrier properties of films. In general, uniform dispersion and improving effect of LCNF on properties of CH-EO films was more than CNF., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this study, effective novel magnetic nanocomposite particles (MNCPs) were prepared based on iminodiacetic acid grafted poly (glycidylmethacrylate-maleicanhydride) (PGMA-MAn) copolymer. For this purpose, firstly Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles reacted with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane for the production of magnetite nanoparticles containing amine groups (MNPs-NH 2 ). Then iminodiacetic acid reacted with PGMA-MAn copolymer to produce iminodiacetic acid grafted PGMA-MAn copolymer (ID-g-PGMA-MAn). Finally, the MNPs-NH 2 reacted with the ID-g-PGMA-MAn and the reaction was completed by propylenediamine (PDA) to produce MNCPs. Structure, magnetic property, size, and porosity of the prepared magnetic nanocomposite were investigated by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, EDX, SEM and BET analyses. The ability of these MNCPs for removing Pb(II) and Cd(II) from water and wastewater was studied, and the effects of different parameters (pH, adsorbent dosage, metal ion concentration, contact time and agitation) on the adsorption process were investigated. The isotherm models were used to describe adsorption equilibrium. The results showed that the best fit was achieved with the Langmuir isotherm equation, yielding maximum adsorption capacities of 53.33 and 48.53mg/g for Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The kinetics equations were used for modeling of adsorption data and it was shown that pseudo-second-order kinetic equation could best describe the adsorption kinetics. Furthermore, phenol pollutant can be removed effectively by metal ions of the nanocomposite-metal complex; therefore, the synthesized adsorbent was useful not only in recovering toxic metal ions but also in the treating phenol pollutants in wastewater., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This report describes a rare case of ophthalmic dirofilariasis in a 2-year-old boy with redness, irritation, pain and foreign body sensation in the right eye. Slit lamp examination demonstrated a thread-like whitish nematode in the anterior chamber of the right eye that twisted around itself. The nematode worm (35mm long and 150-200μm width) was removed surgically. The presence of the smooth cuticular surface without longitudinal ridges and the vulva showed that it could be a female Diroflaria immitis. PCR amplification was done to verify the Diroflaria species. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of mitochondrial 12S rDNA confirmed that recovered worm was D. immitis. Ocular dirofilariasis caused by D. immitis is very rare, but it must be considered in humans living in endemic areas., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is a rhabdovirus that causes one of the most important fish diseases in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production industry. During the present study from October 2014 to July 2015, the virus causing viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) was isolated and identified in rainbow trout farms from five of sixteen farms experiencing mass mortalities in six provinces of Iran with major trout production. Cumulative mortalities at VHSV-positive farms ranged from 30 to 70%. Clinical signs of disease included exophthalmia, petechial hemorrhages in the mandible and around the eyes, a swollen abdomen and darkening of the integument, widespread petechiae of the musculature and pyloric regions, severe congestion of the kidney, and pale enlarged livers. In addition, histopathologic examinations of tissues showed severe lesions in muscle, kidney and liver, which were compatible with those already described for VHS. Furthermore, homogenates tissues of diseased fish induced cytopathic effects (CPE) in CHSE-214 cells, and confirmatory diagnosis of VHS was made by RT-PCR reactions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and identification of VHSV from farmed trout in Iran, which may have originated from Europe., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is a member of the family Birnaviridae which causes significant losses in the aquaculture industry. To develop a recombinant vaccine for IPNV, a cDNA construct of IPNV VP2-VP3 fusion gene was prepared and cloned into an Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression vector (pET-26b) to obtain recombinant protein products. A study was conducted to determine the antibody responses and protective capacity of this recombinant vaccine expressing VP2-VP3 fusion protein. Subsequently, juvenile rainbow trout were inoculated by injecting purified recombinant IPNV VP2-VP3 proteins, followed by challenge with virulent IPNV in rainbow trout. Our results demonstrate that recombinant E. coli derived VP2-VP3 fusion protein induced a strong and significantly (P < 0.05) higher IgM antibody response in serum samples compared to control groups. Following intraperitoneal challenge, the relative percent survival (RPS) rate of survivors was 83% for the vaccinated group. Statistical analysis of IgM levels indicated that immunogenicity of recombinant VP2-VP3 protein, combined with adjuvant, was much higher than any other groups of rainbow trout challenged with virulent IPNV. This result was confirmed by measuring the viral loads of IPNV in immunized rainbow trout which was drastically reduced, as analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. In summary, we demonstrate that E. coli-expressed IPNV VP2-VP3 injectable vaccine is highly immunogenic and protective against IPNV infection., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The new nanocomposite films based on poly(styrene-alternative-maleic anhydride) grafted to 3-aminobenzoic acid (PSMA-g-3ABA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were applied to immobilize hemoglobin (Hb) for biosensor fabrication (PSMA-g-3ABA/MWCNTs). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to confirm the adsorption of Hb onto the surface of PSMA-g-3ABA/MWCNTs. The immobilized Hb maintains its bioactivities and displays an excellent electrochemical behavior. The biosensor was used to catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The electrocatalytic response showed a linear dependence on the H2O2 concentration ranging widely from 1.0×10(-6)M to 5.0×10(-4)M with a detection limit of 3.2×10(-7)M. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of Hb on the modified electrode was estimated to be 0.22mM. The proposed method opens a way to develop biosensors by using nanostructured materials with low electrical conductivity., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is the causal agent of a highly contagious disease that affects many species of fish and shellfish. This virus causes economically significant diseases of farmed rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in Iran, which is often associated with the transmission of pathogens from European resources. In this study, moribund rainbow trout fry samples were collected during an outbreak of IPNV in three different fish farms in north and west provinces of Iran in 2012; and we investigated the full genome sequence of Iranian IPNV and compared it with previously identified IPNV sequences. The sequences of different structural and nonstructural-protein genes were compared to those of other aquatic birnaviruses sequenced to date. Our results show that the Iranian isolate falls within genogroup 5, serotype A2 strain SP, having 99% identity with the strain 1146 from Spain. These results suggest that the Iranian isolate may have originated from Europe.