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A survey of cereal fields of Khuzestan province during 2008-2011 revealed that cereal cyst nematodes (CCNs) are widely distributed in this region. The CCNs were present in 37 and 35% of the 200 samples collected from wheat and barley fields respectively. The species were identified as Heterodera avenae type B and H. filipjevi the morphological and morphometric identifications of which were confirmed by rRNA-ITS RFLP. Population density of CCNs ranged from 2 to 103 cysts (mean 18)/100 g of dried soil with an average of 395 (0-3400) J2 and eggs in wheat samples. Whilst the number of cysts in barley samples were counted 3-71 cysts (mean 11) /100 g soil, the J2 and eggs averaged 166 (0-900). The lowest and the highest rates of infestation (8 and 83%) were observed in the regions of Ahvaz and Behbahan respectively. The number of J2 and eggs of CCNs in some regions were greater than the damage threshold level considered for CCNs and it is likely they could cause economic yield loss in these regions.  

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Papain (EC2.22.4.3) is a thiol protease with high level of activity that has widespread industrial applications. The use of immobilized papain provides many advantages over its free form. In many applications, cysteine must be added as an activator. On the other hand, certain bivalent metal ions including Ca²⁺ behave as the inhibitors of papaein. In the present study, after preparation of Sepharose 6B with CNBr, a 5 mg/ml-protein solution was added to activate the gel for covalent attachment of enzyme and, subsequently, 2M glycine solution was added to block the remaining active groups on the gel.  The immobilization process brought about significant enhancement of storage, thermal stability, stability at extreme pHs, and resistance against the inhibitory effect of bivalent metal ions with respect to papain. The optimum temperature of papain was increased by 20 °C (from 60 to 80 °C) and its optimum pH was shifted from 7 to 8.0 upon immobilization. Also k_m and k_cat of the enzyme altered due to the immobilization process.These results are important in particular if one considers that the major problem in enzyme immobilization is the loss of enzyme activity and catalytic efficiency.

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The use of genetic engineering tools to produce industrial strains, especially from non-model microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, is always subject to limitations. In this research, a system-oriented method was used to design a culture medium instead of strain designing and its ability to increase ethanol production by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 was experimentally evaluated. In this method, compounds are added to the medium to regulate the activity of target enzymes not for the purpose of being consumed by the cells, and thus, the designed culture medium eliminates the intracellular constraints on the production. A metabolic model was used to determine the minimum level of ethanol production and to identify genes that increase or decrease of their expression increase this minimum level. Then, regulators of the enzyme expressed by the target genes were extracted from the Brenda database and their effect on the production was evaluated experimentally and design of experiment was performed to optimize the concentration of the selected compounds. Among the compounds identified, two inhibitors (salicylic acid and mercuric chloride) and one activator (pyruvate) were selected to be added to the medium and their concentration was optimized using the central composite design method. The proposed regulatory medium increased the production of ethanol from 352 to 1116 mg/l, indicating the effectiveness of the added regulatory compounds on the cyanobacteria metabolism. The proposed system-oriented method can be used to design medium culture for other important bio-products such as recombinant proteins.

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The effect of four light intensities (0, 100, 2000 and 5000 lux) on some reproductive charachteristicsof Artemiaurmianabroodstocks was investigated. 30 male and female individuals were reared in 3 liter containers until the death of all females over the consecutive weeks. Results showed significant differences in terms of average weekly offspring productions among the treatments. The broodstocks cultured in 5000 lux had an increasing trend in offspring production from the first to the fifth week, but a decreasing trend from the sixth to the tenth week. A relatively similar situation was observed in the 2000 lux treatment. The broodstocks cultured in 0 and 100 lux intensities had reduction fluctuations in offspring production from the first to the sixth and seventh weeks, respectively. The highest percentages of egg-sac females were observed in the early and mid-raising weeks, showing the maximum in the mid-week (until the fifth week) in all treatments. In most weeks, a considerable increase was detected in the encysted embryos production in the broodstocks reared in 0 and 100 lux intensities as compared with 2000 and 5000 lux intensities. The survival percentage of broodstocks at the end of the fifth week was 95, 86, 23 and 30 % (in order from high to low levels of light intensities).Considering the increased production of offspring and higher survival rate in the broodstocks as well as the increase in egg-sacsfemales (during the first five weeks), it is recommended that the light intensity of 5000 lux is useful for the mass culture of A. urmianain hatchery reared broodstock.

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Sarcocyst is one of the obligatory heteroxenous protozoa which there is sporogony and gametogony stages of parasite in the intestine of final host and schizogony stage of parasite in the muscles of intermediate host. In this research 117 frozen raw hand made and industrial hamburgers which was ready to sell in Tehran, studied for detection of sarcocyst cysts contamination rate by Dab smear method. After defreezing, samples test for observation of macrocyst, then contacted to the surface of slid, fixed and stained with Giemsa staining method, and studied by light microscope. Results analyzed with SPSS.11 software. There was macrocyst of parasite only in one hand made sample, and also there were microcyst of sarcocyst in 56 hamburgers. Statistical analysis didn’t show any significant difference between the contamination rate of hand made and industrial samples.

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β- Xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium (SXA) is one of the most important enzyme for the hydrolysis of cell wall hemicellulose. SXA has potential utility in industrial processes especially production of bioethanol from bagasse. However, this xylosidase lose activ‌ity drastically above 50 °C. Each monomer of this homotetramer has four free buried cysteine. It seems that cysteine 286 has no role in protein function. In this study, to investigate effects of free buried cysteine on protein thermal stability, Cys 286 was replaced with the same size amino acid, valine. The mutant and native protein have expressed in Pichia pastoris. Kinetic and thermostability parameters of mutant were compared with the wild type enzyme. While pH optimum, temperature profile and catalytic efficiency of recombinant mutant were be found similar to native enzyme, mutant showed about 65% increase in thermostability respect to the wild type at 55 ˚C. Our results showed that free thiol group of cysteine caused the destabilization. Moreover, hydrophobic side chain of valine could involve in a hydrophobic interaction to stabilize SXA. Elimination of a free cysteine enhanced thermal stability without changing the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme that could be very important for biotechnological applications.

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Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida are major limiting factors to potato cultivation globally. Effective use of nematode antagonistic bio-agents is a potentially important component of the eco-friendly agro-farming. Pseudomonas fluorescens and Purpureocillium lilacinum are known for their nematode antagonistic potential and plant growth promotion ability. The effect of seed treatment with liquid suspension of P. fluorescens at 1 l/ton seeds and soil drenching with suspension of P. lilacinum at 5 l/ha, singly and jointly, was studied to minimize the damage caused by PCNin potato plants under field conditions in two regions in India. Both applications showed significantly greater PCN suppression and better plant growth promotion in comparison to solo application. The both application showed the highest reduction of cyst population (75.7%) in soil, female population (79.9%) in root and egg numbers per soil of each location (84%). The potato plants from P. fluorescens-seed treatment and P. lilacinum-soil drenching both applied plots were 33.5% taller with 45.6% more number of tubers than untreated plants. The tuber yield was also significantly higher (35.9%) in both application than untreated control. There was no significant difference on the root colonization of P. fluorescens and P. lilacinum in solo and both treatments.
 

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Chitin and chitosan are two very important biopolymer products that have so many usages in the high cost industries. Chitin Converts into chitosan via de-acetylation of chitin. It occurs by alkaline melting method in the absence of oxygen. Chemical structure change, severe environmental pollution and De-polymerization are of the major problems in producing high quality chitosan. In this study for conversion of chitin into chitosan fungus Aspergillus niger strains (ATHUM-10864), the generator of de-acetylases enzymes were used instead of chemicals. Chitosan quality was determined via elemental analysis infrared spectroscopy, X-ray tomography, molecular weight determination and estimation of crystallinity percent, color and molecular structure.The results showed 80±5% efficiency in the conversion of chitin into chitosan or de-acetylation degree of chitin. The gained chitosan contained of 44.4 % carbon, 8.9 % nitrogen, 2.7 % hydrogen and 39.5 % oxygen. The physical characteristics were as 94.5% Crystallinity and pale brown color. The chemical structure of per unit of chitosan was obtained as C6H12NO4. The results showed that replacing biological methods instead of chemicals was possible to access well quality products. It also eliminates the use of chemical materials such as concentrate sodium hydroxide that is damaging the environment.

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The effects of salicylic acid (SA) nano-formulation on expression of peroxidase (113-114) genes and peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) were investigated in wheat cultivar (Bezostaya) susceptible to Heterodera filipjevi. The wheat roots and leaves were randomly divided into control group and groups exposed to 62.5, 125 and 250μg/ml SA. A spectrophotometric analysis was carried out using root extracts from infected plants at 4, 7 and 11days post inoculation with nematode (DAI) for peroxidase and PAL. The expression of peroxidase (113-114) genes was evaluated by Real time PCR analysis. Peroxidase activity was significantly increased in treatments exposed to 250µg/ml of nanosalicylic acid at 11 DAI. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity was induced in the treatments exposed to 250 and 125µg/ml nanosalicylic acid compared to the control at 4 and 7 DAI, respectively. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity was also increased in the treatments exposed to 62.5 and 250µg/ml of nanosalicylic acid compared to the control at 7 DAI. The expression level of peroxidase 113-114 in wheat leaves was significantly raised at 4 DAI when 62.5µg/ml of nanosalicylic acid was used. There was also a significant difference between expression levels of peroxidase 113-114 genes at applications of 125 and 250µg/ml of SA in comparison with the control at 4 and 7 DAI, a significant decrease was revealed in the gene expression in treatments exposed to 62.5, 125 and 250µg/ml of nanosalicylic acid compared to the control at 11 DAI. It was concluded that higher concentrations of nanosalicylic acid have a potential effect on peroxidase and PAL activities in wheat infected by H. filipjevi. High concentration of nanosalicylic acid has inhibitory effects on the expression level of peroxidase gene.

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Purpose: Evaluation of humoral and cellular immune responses of naturally infected dogs against type I (rCPB) (Recombinant cycsteine proteinase B), and II (rCPA) (Recombinant cycsteine proteinase A) recombinant cysteine proteinases and C-terminal extension (CTE) of Leishmania infantum (L. infantum). Materials and Methods: In this study, fourteen infected dogs (7 with symptoms, 7 asymptomatics) from an endemic area and three uninfected dogs from a nonendemic region were selected and their humoral and cellular responses against type I and II recombinant cysteine proteinases, C-terminal extension (CTE) and F/T of Leishmania infantum were evaluated using the ELISA and lymphocyte proliferation assay, respectively. The level of specific IgG isotypes (IgG1 and IgG2) and lymphocyte proliferative response against rCPA, rCPB, CTE and Freezed/Thawed lysate (F/T) of L. infantum were examined. Results and Discussion: The results showed that in both of the symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs there is a high lymphoproliferative response to F/T antigens and moderate responses were observed when rCPs (Recombinant cycsteine proteinase) (rCPA and rCPB) and CTE were used. The level of antibody (total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2) recognition toward rCPA was low in the both groups of the dogs. In contrast, the CTE stimulates similarly as the CPB both of the humoral and cellular responses of all the infected animals and the level of total IgG and IgG2 isotypes against these antigens compared to the IgG1 was higher in the asymptomatic dogs. Since, the CTE is the terminal fragment of the CPB, it seems that the immunogenicity of the CPB is dependent on the CTE. Conclusion: The results of our investigation indicates that the CPB and CTE stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses of L. infantum infected dogs, wherase the CPA is a weaker immunogen.

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The potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis (PCN) causes severe damage to potato production worldwide. The stimulatory effects of root diffusates of 9 plant families on hatch of second stage juveniles (J2) of PCN and their possible use as trap crops were studied. In the laboratory, cysts were placed in leachates from roots and hatched J2s were collected weekly; in addition, the selected plants were grown in soil for 3 months and the rates of decline of eggs from inoculated cysts, were determined in two experiments with various plant species. Species of Solanaceae, such as the susceptible potato cultivar Marfona, tomato and the resistant potato cultivar Agria, induced 84%, 75% and 65% hatch respectively. Moreover, considerable hatching (49%-70%) was caused by exposure to root exudates of weeds of Solanum nigrum and S. villosum. Among non-host and non-Solanaceae plants, 11-32% of J2s hatched in root exudates of treatments of wheat, corn and barley in soil. There were differences in the rates of decline of J2 populations caused by the different plant species examined. In S. sisymbriifolium (a non-host species of Solanaceae) treatment, the density of encysted eggs declined by 62%. The potential of aforementioned plant species, the resistant cv Agria and some other tested plant species as suitable trap crops are further discussed; and in conclusion, the use of the trap crops could be an important component of PCN management program in Iran. 

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Aims: Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite among humans and various animals, including birds. The parasite has at least 28 known subtypes, of which nine subtypes have been reported in humans and livestock. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and common subtypes of Blastocystis hominis in pigeons and their owners in Tafresh city.
Materials & Methods: The present study was designed and conducted as a case control in Tafresh city (Markazi province) during 2020-2021. For this purpose, fecal samples were collected from pigeons (300 samples) and their owners (100 samples). Stool samples were studied by microscopic methods (direct and trichrome staining examinations). Then positive stool samples were examined by PCR method through amplification of 18 SrRNA gene and sequencing.
Findings: In direct stool examination, 39 (13%) out of 300 pigeon samples and 18 (18%) out of 100 human fecal samples were found to be positive for Blastocystis. In trichrome staining method, 18% of human samples and 15% of pigeon samples were positive, while in PCR test, only 2.5% of pigeon samples and 4.5% of human samples were Blastocystis positive. The alignment results showed that all Blastocystis strains isolated in this study (100%) were similar to subtype 3.
Conclusion: Due to the low prevalence rate of this parasite in pigeons in Tafresh city, their owners are less likely to be infected with this parasite. Therefore, the relative transmission risk of this parasite from pigeons to humans is low.

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Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of human hydatidosis in Kurdestan province by ELISA technique. Materials and Methods: In this study the sera of 1979 individuals were collected from different area (cities and villages) of Kordestan province. The serum dilution of 1/400 was selected for ELISA test. Results:The results indicated that 1.12% of the individuals from Kordestan province showed positive sera. The results also showed that in Kordestan 0.9 % and 1.42% of the people who live in the cities and villages had positive sera respectively. In this study 1.65% of female and 0.45 % of male were positive. From the obtained result we found maximum number of infected people were in the range of 30-40 years (1.59%). Conclusion: According to the results obtained from this study the highest percent of infection was found in the city of Ivandarre, the reasone for this defference (1.69%) is due to the fact that most of the people who are involved in animal husbendary in the province live in this city.

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Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors for polycystic ovarian syndrome among Baghdad women.
Material & Methods: The current case-control study was performed on 100 PCOS women and 100 controls without PCOS in Baghdad hospitals from 1 Sep 2019 to 15 Dec 2019. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews and a questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, menstrual history, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity, family history of PCOS, diet, drug use, and clinical symptoms of PCOS. Among other methods, the data were analyzed using SPSS 22, the Chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.
Findings: Some of the significant factors of PCOS included age (P=0.02), occupational status (p=0.004), educational level (p=0.003), BMI (p=0.003), waist circumference (p=0.004), family history of PCOS (p=0.000), diet (p=0.001), regular menstrual cycle (p=0.00) and Clomid use (p=0.00). other risk factors were regular physical exercise (p=0.16) and having children (p=0.55) which were not significant.
Conclusion: Target the risk factors of age, educational level, occupational status, BMI, waist circumference, family history, diet, regular menstrual cycle, and Clomid used, we should perform early screening, the diagnosis and treatment of POCS and identify its risk factors for decreasing PCOS incidence and improve its prognosis.
 

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Iran is one of the most important fig producer countries around the world. Intermediate moisture fig is a processed product. One problem about intermediate moisture fig is that the color will be changed and transmute to brown during storage after processing. The purpose of this research was to study soaking temperature and time effects and to evaluate the effects of calcium chloride, cysteine, sodium metabisulphite and citric acid in various concentrations on prevention of semi-moisture fig browning at room temperature. Chemical compounds (protein, total sugar, fat, fiber and moisture) of fig samples were determined. In order to prepare product five different periods of time(3, 6, 9, 12, 15 min) and five different degrees of temperature (20, 40, 60, 80, 100°C) based on central composite rotational design were used. Samples were kept in room temperature for 2 weeks to evaluate the effects of soaking parameters on color and texture of product. After that moisture, color and texture of samples were determined. First different solution of calcium chloride (0.6, 1, 1.5, 2% w/w), citric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 3%w/w), cysteine (0.05, 0.07, 0.2, 0.5%w/w) and sodium metabisulphite (500, 800, 1000 and 1200 ppm ) were prepared. Dried figs were dipped in prepared solutions and water was used to evaluate control samples to optimize the time and temperature, then color of the samples were measured in specific period of time during four months. Results showed that temperature of 60°C and 3min interval provided 20% moisture in the product which assessed as the best moisture content for preserving color and texture. The most desirable L value was obtained using citric acid (1, 2, 3%w/w) and Calcium chloride (1.5%w/w). However sodium metabisulphite and cysteine in concentration of 0.07%, 0.05%, 0.2% showed significant difference with control, the results were not satisfactory. Results showed that using suitable temperature in rehydration of fig to inactivate poly phenol oxidase and chemical treatments to postpone and reduce the browning reaction rate were effective.    

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Objective: Exercise activity could be an amendment to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However the acute and chronic effects of various exercise intensities on serum leptin levels are ambiguous. This study investigates the acute and chronic responses of various intensities of exercise on serum leptin levels and weights of female rats with PCOS. Methods: In this semi-empirical study, 80 adult Wistar rats (185±22 gr) after PCOS induction were divided into two groups. Group 1 participated in an exercise program at an intensity of 50%-55% maximal oxygen consumption (20 m/min), 70%-75% maximal oxygen consumption (28 m/min) and 80%-85% maximal oxygen consumption (34 m/min). Group 2 participated in an eight-week training program, three days a week for 60 minutes. One-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was used to compare differences between groups. Significance was p<0.05. Results: In the acute training group, there was no change in weight in the sub-groups of group 1. In group 2, training reduced in the medium intensity 2 compared to the PCOS control 2 groups. Serum leptin levels did not respond to one session of exercise at various intensities in group 1 subgroups. Leptin levels significantly reduced in the medium intensity 2 group compared to the PCOS control 2 (p=0.044) group. Conclusion: One exercise session does not seem to significantly affect serum leptin levels. Exercise training at medium intensity probably can reduce leptin levels and weight in subjects as a non-pharmaceutical alternative in PCOS patients.  

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Objective: Vitrification is a convenient, effective method for freezing and storing embryos. Under certain situations, such as an unsuitable endometrial environment, extra embryos can be re-vitrified for future use. There is inadequate data on the effects of re-vitrification on embryos, so we have evaluated the effects of re-vitrification on the development rate and expression of apoptotic and implantation genes. Methods: Female NMRI mice, ages six-eight weeks were super-ovulated with 7.5 IU PMSG and 7.5 IU hCG. Females were mated with males from the same strain and inspected for the presence of vaginal plugs the following morning. Females with the presence of vaginal plugs were considered to be pregnant and killed 62 h post hCG injection. Eight-cell embryos were flushed from their oviducts and subsequently divided into three experimental groups: fresh, vitrified-warmed 8-cell embryos, and re-vitrified-warmed blastocyst embryos. RNA was extracted and we used real-time PCR to evaluate expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and ErbB4. Data was analyzed by the chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: A significant difference existed in blastocyst formation rate, degeneration rate, and expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and ErbB4 in re-vitrified embryos compared to fresh embryos. Conclusion: The vitrification and warming process did not affect the developmental rate and expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and ErbB4 in the eight-cell stage embryos. However, we observed a change in development rate and expression rates of Bax, Bcl-2, and ErbB4 after re-vitrification in the early blastocyst stage.

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The impact of three different fabaceous host plants including cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds was investigated using biochemical approaches on possible changes of gut proteolytic activity of the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus at 30±1˚C and 70±5% RH and a photoperiod of 8:16 (L:D). Results revealed that pH of 4-5 and 9 was optimal for the activity of larval gut proteases using azocasein and hemoglobin as general substrates. Different serine (BApNA, SAAPFpNA, PMSF, TLCK, and TPCK) and cysteine (Z-Arg-Arg- pNA, Z-Phe-Arg-pNA and DTT) specific substrates inhibitors and activator were used as a further proof of the proteolytic profile in the gut of C. maculates. Although combinations of serine and cysteine proteases were observed, the cysteine proteases had the highest rate on the studied hosts. The protease activity, especially cystein protease, was the highest on cowpea, which was supported by hemoglobin (0.156±0.045 U mg^-1), Z-Phe-Arg-pNA (2.85 U mg^-1) substrates and DTT (90.00±0.10%) as an activator. Due to the importance and frequency of cysteine proteinases and their effects on biological and physiological process, it would be better to design pest management programs based on cysteine plant proteinase inhibitors as transgenic plants.

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Background: Free-living amoebae, including acanthamoeba constitute a large group, which live in fresh water, salty and bitter, moist soil, carious plants and some on the stool and has been considered as a medical important agent. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of aqueous and alcoholic extract of Artemisia annua on trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba in vitro.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, after genotyping the clinical isolate, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Artemisia annua were prepared. Then different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml) of aqueous and alcoholic extract of plant as well as artemisinin were tested in three different times (24, 48 and 72h) on trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba in vitro. The viability of the parasite was evaluated by trypan blue, MTT and flowcytometry methods.
Results: Our result, indicated the anti-acanthamoeba activity of different concentrations of the extract of Artemisia. That, in the presence of 10 mg/ml alcoholic extract in medium culture after 72 hours, 30.51% and 91.40% trophozoite and cyst of Acanthamoeba were found alive. However, in the presence of 10 mg/ml aqueous extract of Artemisia annua, 58.25% and 81.53% trophozoite and cyst respectively were found alive in the in medium culture, after 72 hours.
Conclusion: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Artemisia annua showed anti-acanthamoebic activity which is dose and time dependent.