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Objective(s): To develop a statistical model to differentiate between patients who need CT scan and those who did not. Methods: 320 consecutive minor head trauma victims admitted in two teaching hospitals were entered into the study. After completion of medical care, clinical information were collected by physicians. Brain CT Scan was taken from all patients and after clinical use, was filed to be reported by a single radiologist for this research purpose. Logistic Regression method was utilized to analyze results and develop the prediction model. Results: Using logistic regression, a model was developed which showed 100% sensitivity and 74% specificity to detect a positive finding on brain CT scan. Using this model negative finding prevalence in minor head trauma brain scans decreased by 66% while no cases were missed. Conclusion: The proposed statistical model reveals the need for brain CT scan in 70% of minor head trauma victims while preventing any positive findings being missed. This model would be considered as a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) in rural areas to refer minor head trauma victims for Brain CT Scan. However, more investigation of this model with more sample size is recommended.

There are numerous challenges associated with the large-scale production of walnut In vitro-plantlets. It is imperative to develop new environmental control systems for its In vitro propagation. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impacts of lighting systems on the morpho-physiological traits and biomass accumulation in walnut tissue-cultured explants. In this study, walnut nodal shoots were subjected to eight different light spectra, including white, blue, red, green, far-red, blue-red combination, red-far-red combination, and a fluorescent lamp serving as a control, over a period of 28 days. The results indicated that combined spectra treatments, such as blue-red and red-far-red, led to improved biomass accumulation (total fresh and dry weight) compared to other monochromatic light spectral treatments. Furthermore, Light-emitting diode (LED) treatments had a discernible impact on the morpho-physiological traits of walnut In vitro-explants. Specifically, white light spectra enhanced Specific leaf area (SLA), while the green light spectra increased leaf water content (LWC) when compared to other light treatments. Additionally, the application of far-red light elevated leaf mass area (LMA) and water content per unit leaf area (LWCA). The findings of this study demonstrate that the quality, morphological, and growth characteristics of In vitro explants of walnut can be enhanced by utilizing specific light spectra.

Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is an accepted and approved treatment for carotid artery stenosis in high-risk patients, and recently in standard risk patients under the guidelines of the recent CMS National Coverage Determination. However, it's applicability is limited by certain anatomic criteria, such as heavily calcified internal carotid arteries. We retrospectively reviewed two patients at our institution with heavily calcified internal carotid artery plaques who underwent intravascular lithotripsy and TCAR. These two cases demonstrate the feasibility of lithotripsy for modification of heavy, calcified plaque prior to TCAR for patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy.

Abstract Persian walnut (Juglans regia) has a considerable economic importance worldwide. However, the vigor and vitality of walnut trees were heavily affected by bark canker during the last few years. Irregular longitudinal cankers in the outer bark, stem tissue necrosis, and bleeding with black-colored exudates walnut trees were observed in Kermanshah, Hamedan, Markazi, Alborz, Isfahan, Qom, Semnan, and Razavi Khorasan provinces in western, central and eastern Iran during 2018 and 2019. A total of 150 symptomatic samples were collected from affected walnut trees in order to identify bacteria associated with walnut decline. Two-hundred sixty strains with a metallic green sheen were isolated on EMB-agar medium. The pathogenicity of all strains was proved by inoculating a suspension of the bacterial strains under the bark of immature walnut fruits cv. ‘Hartley’. Ninety-five strains caused necrosis and a dark-colored region in the mesocarp around the inoculation site 14 days post-inoculation. Moreover, 12 representative strains induced necrotic and black-colored tissues in the bark of young green twigs of two-year old walnut seedling cv. ‘Chandler’. The strains were classified into four categories based on conventional phenotypic characters confirmed with the 16S rRNA gene sequences. A phylogenetic tree based on the concatenated sequences of two housekeeping gene fragments, gyrB and infB, indicated that strains including I1, Q6, and S6 were grouped in a cluster with Gibbsiella quercinecans FBR97T as well as strains I2, I5, and KE6 were clustered with Rahnella victoriana FRB 225T. Moreover, strains MR1, MR3, and MR5 were grouped with the Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. hoffmannii DSM 14563T. The phylogenetic analyses based on the partial sequencing of housekeeping genes including fusA, pyrG, and leuS revealed that strains KH1, KH3, and KH7 belong to Citrobacter braakii species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. braakii and E. hormaechei as plant pathogens and R. victoriana associated with walnut decline.

High genetic diversity is the guarantee of success in a breeding program. Therefore, it is important to study the genetic diversity in plant populations. Because Iran consider as one of the primary walnut origin centers, this study was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity of the walnut population in the Bavanat region in the Southwestern Iran during the 2010-2015 growing season. For this purpose, 349 walnut seed-originated walnut trees from seven different regions of Bavanat were pre-selected based on local information. After primary evaluation, 92 walnut genotypes were selected to be further studied. The phenological and pomological characteristics of the genotypes were evaluated based on IPGRI descriptor. The results showed that high genetic diversity was observed in the studied germplasm in terms of important horticultural traits, especially nut and kernel weight, kernel percentage, nut size, shell thickness, lateral bearing, leafing date, and harvest date. The nut weight, kernel percentage, kernel weight, and shell thickness varied between 6.75-16.33 g, 40.15-67.22%, 3.30-8.15 g, and 0.58-2.30 mm, respectively. Cluster analysis classified the studied genotypes into six main groups. Furthermore, correlations among some horticultural traits indicated that kernel weight, nut weight, difficulty of removal of kernel halves, and shell thickness are main traits in determining kernel percentage. Also, lateral bearing, leafing date, nut weight, and nut size determine the final yield of walnut trees. In conclusion, high biodiversity in the walnut population of Bavanat region provides unique plant genetic resources for walnut genetic improvement programs to achieve desirable commercial cultivars and rootstocks.

Light plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, which is an essential process for plantlets produced during in vitro tissue culture practices and ex vitro acclimatization. LED lights are an appropriate technology for in vitro lighting but their effect on propagation and photosynthesis under in vitro condition is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different light spectra on growth, photosynthetic functionality, and stomatal characteristics of micropropagated shoots of Persian walnut (cv. Chandler). Tissue-cultured walnut nodal shoots were grown under different light qualities including white, blue, red, far-red, green, combination of red and blue (70:30), combination of red and far-red (70:30), and fluorescent light as the control. Results showed that the best growth and vegetative characteristics of in vitro explants of Persian walnut were achieved under combination of red and blue light. The biggest size of stomata was detected under white and blue lights. Red light stimulated stomatal closure, while stomatal opening was induced under blue and white lights. Although the red and far-red light spectra resulted in the formation of elongated explants with more lateral shoots and anthocyanin content, they significantly reduced the photosynthetic functionality. Highest soluble carbohydrate content and maximum quantum yield of photosystem II were detected in explants grown under blue and white light spectra. In conclusion, growing walnut explants under combination of red and blue lights leads to better growth, photosynthesis functionality, and the emergence of functional stomata in in vitro explants of Persian walnuts.

Phosphorus (P) is a key element in many biological processes of plants and animals. We aimed to investigate the effect of different salinity levels and Ca:Mg ratios of irrigation water arid lands on soil available P, soluble P, and P absorbed by the pistachio plant. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment was conducted by sowing the seeds of pistachio in a factorial randomized block design with four soil salinity levels (S1 (6 dS.m-1irrigation water salinity, leaching fraction (LF) = 50), S2, S3, and S4 (9 dS.m-1 irrigation water salinity, LF = 50, 30 and 20, respectively)) and three Ca:Mg ratios (M1, M2, and M3 equal to 1, 0.5, and 0.25, respectively). After harvesting the plants, the amount of soil available P (Po), water-soluble P (Pw), and total P (Pt) at soil depths of 0-5, 5-25, 25-50, and 50-75 cm, and P concentration in the leaves of Pistachio seedlings were measured. The results showed that the salinity of soil saturated extract had no significant effect on Po, Pw, and Pt. The reduction in Ca:Mg ratio increased Po and Pw in soil surface but it did not affect Pt. Increasing salinity from S1 to S2 augmented plant P uptake but at higher salinity levels, P uptake was reduced. The decrease in Ca:Mg ratio had no significant effect on plant P contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was planned to develop and characterize extruded multilegume savory bars as a protein supplementary nutrition. Legumes were extruded to prepare composite flour. Proportions of extruded flour were mixed with whey protein concentrate, honey and palm oil for preparation of protein bar. The product was evaluated for physico-chemical, minerals, calorific value, color, hardness, protein digestibility and sensorial characteristics. In vitro protein digestibility was found from 62.04 to 74.98% and in vivo from 65.30 to 84.01%. Extrusion process and addition of whey protein concentrates significantly affected the nutritional and sensorial parameters of bars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of rat models in cariology research has made substantial contributions to decipher mechanisms of caries formation and to develop preventive treatments. The existing rat models still have potential for improvement toward establishing a more accurate standard caries protocol to utilize in testing and/or developing new dental technologies. The current caries-scoring methods rely on optical microscopy-based techniques, which necessitates formation of highly advanced lesions. Moreover, models that facilitate the implementation of cariogenic bacteria by shifting the balance of oral flora through desalivation and/or antibiotic treatment create a nonnatural environment. Furthermore, there is a paucity of detailed structural and mechanical characterization on the resulting carious lesions. The purpose of this study was to develop a rat model that induces formation of mild carious lesions and to provide comprehensive structural and mechanical characterization. With this aim in mind, an in vivo model promoting progression of mild lesions was established with specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats. Cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, was implemented into the oral flora without the use of antibiotics or desalivation surgery. During caries formation, progression of the infection was monitored by quantifying the relative abundance of S. mutans in oral flora with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A significant increase in colonization efficacy of S. mutans was detected during cariogenic challenge ( P < 0.01). The resulting carious lesions were analyzed by conventional light optical and scanning electron microscopy. A detailed structural and morphological characterization on fissure caries with different degrees of severity was provided. The changes in the morphology and demineralization state of the sound and carious tissues were quantified by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and local mechanical properties were acquired with nanoindentation. The principles laid out in this work can be utilized in cariology research and developed into a standard protocol for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has endangered crop production by reducing water availability and increasing temperature. Kaolin may protect plants against these conditions by reflecting the light and decreasing plant temperature. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of kaolin spraying on kernel yield and quality of four walnut cultivars and genotype. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot factorial design in time factor with four factors including irrigation levels (100% and 50% of regular irrigation), kaolin solution concentrations (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5%), walnut varieties (‘Chandler’, ‘Franquette’, ‘K72’ and ‘SG’) in two consecutive years (2012–2013). By increasing the kaolin concentration under well-watered irrigation, gas exchange, chlorophyll concentration, leaf potassium content, and kernel quality were improved. Moreover, increasing the kaolin concentration reduced sunburn and leaf temperature under different irrigation regimes. Based on results, genotypes ‘K72’ and ‘SG’ showed more severe sunburn symptoms. Water stress and no kaolin application had negative effect on the kernel color. Leaf temperature increased with reducing the irrigation and concentration of kaolin. Under water stress, ‘Chandler’ had the highest relative water content (58.25%) and ‘Franquette’ had the lowest RWC and therefore considered as the most drought sensitive cultivar. The lowest fruits sunburn in ‘Franquette’, was related to the thickness of its fruits’ husk. In general, the foliar application of kaolin 5% and 7.5% alleviated the negative effect of drought stress and improved the walnut kernels quality under water deficit condition by improving chlorophyll content, RWC, and gas exchange and reducing leaf temperature.

Huge genetic diversity of Persian walnut in Iran provides a great opportunity for walnut breeders to use it for introducing varieties with desirable traits. In this regard, evaluating the genetic diversity and introducing superior genotypes is the foundation step of a walnut breeding program. This study was conducted to exploit the genetic diversity in Savadkuh county, Mazandaran province, Iran to identify some superior genotypes during 2013-2016. In the first step, 91 seed-originated genotypes were selected based on questionnaire. In the second stage, the morphological characteristics of the selected genotypes were studied using two IPGRI and UPOV descriptors in 2015. The results showed that nut and kernel weight ranged between 7.3-16.7 g and 3.2-8.6 g, respectively. Also, kernel percentage and shell thickness varied from 36 to 60.74% and from 0.8 to 2.8 mm, respectively. According to the morphological evaluation, 9 out of 91 genotypes (SR7, SR8, SR14, SR23, SR24, SR33, SR52, SR60 and SR83) were selected as superior genotypes. The selected superior genotypes were morphologically evaluated for two consecutive years (2015-2016). These superior walnut genotypes had high yield, lateral bearing habit (45-60%), heavy (13.4-16.7 g) and large nuts, high kernel percentage (48.6-56.6%), thin to moderate shell (1.1-1.6 mm) with light kernel color. Due to distinct and desirable characteristics, the selected superior genotypes can not only be used as parents in the further breeding program, but also some of them have the potential to release as commercial varieties.

Controlled drainage is a best management practice that decreases nitrate loads from subsurface drainage, but questions remain about optimal operation strategies. One unanswered question is whether the outlet should be lowered prior to or directly after a rainfall event to reduce the amount of time that the water table is at a level that would be detrimental to either trafficability or crop yield. The objective of this study was to determine how much controlled drainage lengthens the time needed for the water table to fall after a rainfall event, to inform possible improvement in the management of controlled drainage systems. This objective was addressed using water table recession rates from two pairs of controlled and free-draining fields located at the Davis Purdue Agricultural Center in Indiana over a period of nine years (2006-2014). At each pair, comparison of mean recession rates from the two fields indicated that controlled drainage reduced recession rate. The significance of the relationship between paired observations and the effect of controlled drainage was determined by a paired watershed approach using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA). Raising the outlet of the subsurface drainage system decreased the mean rate of water table recession by 29% to 62%, increasing the time needed for the water table level to fall from the surface to 30 and 60 cm depths by approximately 12 to 26 h and 24 to 53 h, respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that lowering the outlet before storm events would reduce the amount of time that the water table is at a detrimental level for either crop growth or trafficability. However, the trade-off between costs and benefits of active management depends on the sensitivity of the crop and probability of a severe storm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Flower development and sufficient fruit set are important parameters with respect to walnut yield. Knowledge about flowering genes of fruit trees can help to conduct better molecular breeding programs. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the expression pattern of some flowering genes (FT, SOC1, CAL, LFY and TFL1) in Persian walnut (cv. Chandler) during the growing season and winter dormancy. Results The results showed that walnut flower induction and initiation in Shahmirzad, Iran occurred in early June and late September, respectively. After meeting chilling and heat requirement, flower differentiation and anthesis occurred in late-March and mid-April to early-May, respectively. Study of flowering gene expression showed that the expression of the FT gene increased in three stages including before breaking of bud dormancy, from late March to late April (coincided with flower differentiation and anthesis) and from late May to mid-June (coincided with flower induction). Like FT, the expression of SOC1 gene increased during flower induction and initiation (mid-May to early-August) as well as flower anthesis (mid-April to early-May). LFY and CAL genes as floral meristem identity genes are activated by FT and SOC1 genes. In contrast with flowering stimulus genes, TFL1 showed overexpression during winter dormancy which prevented flowering. Conclusion The expression of FT gene activated downstream floral meristem identity genes including SOC1, CAL and LFY which consequently led to release bud dormancy as well as flower anthesis and induction. Also, TFL1 as a flowering inhibitor gene in walnut showed overexpression during the bud dormancy. Chilling accumulation reduced TFL1 gene expression and increased the expression of flowering genes which ultimately led to overcome dormancy.

Motivated by recent studies of circuit complexity in weakly interacting scalar field theory, we explore the computation of circuit complexity in Z2 Even Effective Field Theories (Z2 EEFTs). We consider a massive free field theory with higher-order Wilsonian operators such as ϕ4, ϕ6, and ϕ8. To facilitate our computation, we regularize the theory by putting it on a lattice. First, we consider a simple case of two oscillators and later generalize the results to N oscillators. This study was carried out for nearly Gaussian states. In our computation, the reference state is an approximately Gaussian unentangled state, and the corresponding target state, calculated from our theory, is an approximately Gaussian entangled state. We compute the complexity using the geometric approach developed by Nielsen, parameterizing the path-ordered unitary transformation and minimizing the geodesic in the space of unitaries. The contribution of higher-order operators to the circuit complexity in our theory is discussed. We also explore the dependency of complexity on other parameters in our theory for various cases.

Evaluating genetic diversity in walnut (Juglans regia L.) populations is a rapid approach used by walnut breeding programs to distinguish superior genotypes. The present study was conducted on the walnut population of Hamedan Province, one of the richest and most genetically diverse regions in Iran, during 2018–2019. After the initial screening, 47 genotypes were selected for further evaluation of pomological and phenological traits based on International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors. Nut and kernel weights among the selected genotypes ranged from 7.15 to 21.05 g and 3.0 to 10.8 g, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) categorized the genotypes into three distinct groups. Whereas the cluster analysis (CA) revealed the similarities and dissimilarities among the genotypes by identifying four major clusters. Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation (p < 0.01) between nut weight (NWT), nut size, and kernel weight (KW), while a negative correlation (p < 0.01) between shell thickness (STH) and packing tissue thickness (PTT) with kernel percentage (KP) was observed. Lastly, 10 of 47 genotypes (TAL8, TAL9, TAL10, TAL14, TAL19, TAL22, TB2, TB4, TB6, and RDGH5) were considered superior. Superior genotypes were late-leafing (25–40 days after the standard) and displayed a lateral bearing (LB) habit with heavy nuts (12.52–16.82 g) and kernels (6.53–8.15 g), thin shells (1.06–1.25 mm), and lightly colored kernels.

Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data were experimentally determined and correlated for the aqueous solutions of a series of carboxylic acids (i.e., formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) with ethylbenzene at a temperature of 298.15 K and p = 101.32 kPa. The ternary mixtures containing of the acids exhibit type-1 LLE behavior. The quality of the observed tie-lines was checked using the Othmer-Tobias equation. The correlations were carried out using the thermodynamic and statistical modeling. The activity coefficient models of UNIQUAC and NRTL were applied to fit the tie lines and values of the binary interaction parameters between each pair of components were obtained. The correlation of the tie lines was also carried out by a GMDH type-NN, which are in agreement with those obtained experimentally. In this work, experimental distribution coefficients and separation factors were estimated. Moreover, the Kamlet-Taft LSER model was employed to correlate these quantities and was interpreted in terms of intermolecular interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increases in emergency department (ED) crowding and boarding are a nationwide issue resulting in worsening patient care and throughput. To compensate, ED administrators often look to modifying staffing models to improve efficiencies. Methods: This study evaluates the impact of implementing the waterfall model of physician staffing on door-to-doctor time (DDOC), door-to-disposition time (DDIS), left without being seen (LWBS) rate, elopement rate, and the number of patient sign-outs. We examined 9,082 pre-intervention ED visits and 8,983 post-intervention ED visits. Results: The change in DDOC, LWBS rate, and elopement rate demonstrated statistically significant improvement from a mean of 65.1 to 35 minutes (P

The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) dephosphorylates PIP3 and antagonizes the prosurvival PI3K-Akt pathway. Targeted deletion of PTEN in mice led to early embryonic lethality. To elucidate its role in embryonic epithelial morphogenesis and the underlying mechanisms, we used embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid body (EB), an epithelial cyst structurally similar to the periimplantation embryo. PTEN is upregulated during EB morphogenesis in parallel with apoptosis of core cells, which mediates EB cavitation. Genetic ablation of PTEN causes Akt overactivation, apoptosis resistance and cavitation blockade. However, rescue experiments using mutant PTEN and pharmacological inhibition of Akt suggest that the phosphatase activity of PTEN and Akt are not involved in apoptosis-mediated cavitation. Instead, hypoxia-induced upregulation of Bnip3, a proapoptotic BH3-only protein, mediates PTEN-dependent apoptosis and cavitation. PTEN inactivation inhibits hypoxia- and reactive oxygen species-induced Bnip3 elevation. Overexpression of Bnip3 in PTEN-null EBs rescues apoptosis of the core cells. Mechanistically, suppression of Bnip3 following PTEN loss is likely due to reduction of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) because forced expression of an oxygen-stable HIF-2α mutant rescues Bnip3 expression and apoptosis. Lastly, we show that HIF-2α is upregulated by PTEN at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Ablation of prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2) in normal EBs or inhibition of PHD activities in PTEN-null EBs stabilizes HIF-2α and induces Bnip3 and caspase-3 activation. Altogether, these results suggest that PTEN is required for apoptosis-mediated cavitation during epithelial morphogenesis by regulating the expression of HIF-2α and Bnip3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improper use of antibiotics in the past decades has lead to appearance of strains which are resistant to methicillin and vancomycin. Hospital personnel are the major source of infection and transmission of this bacterium. The aim this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of to S.aureus isolated from personnel of Shiraz hospitals. Material and Methods: In this cross - sectional study in 1391, a total of 591 samples were collected from anterior nose of health care and health service workers of Shiraz hospitals. After identification of Staphylococcus aureus by biochemical and microbiological tests, antibiotic resistance patterns of isolates were investigated by disk diffusion method (CLSI) for 13 antibiotics. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for vancomycin,ticoplanin, linezolid and Quinupristin-Dalfopristin were assayed by E-test method (Liofilechem, Itly). Results: In this study14.6% of people were carriers of Staphylococcus aureus in their nose. 74% were health care workers and 26% were health service personnel. There was not statistically significant relation between being a nasal carrier with different jobs, wards or sex of personnel (p>0.05). The lowest resistance was seen for vancomycin, tiecoplanin, linezolid and Quinupristin-Dalfopristin (95.3%) and the high resistant antibiotic were amoxicillin and ampicillin (3.5%). In E-test method only two isolate was resistant to vancomycin. Only two strains were resistant to vancomycin in E-test method. Conclusion: As 14.6% of personnel in this study were carriers of Staphylococcus aureus and the isolates were resistant to most common antibiotics, thus determination of antibiotic resistance patterns for these resistant strains from hospital personnel can prevent nosocomial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of study: To predict genomic accuracy of binary traits considering different rates of disease incidence. Area of study: Simulation Material and methods: Two machine learning algorithms including Boosting and Random Forest (RF) as well as threshold BayesA (TBA) and genomic BLUP (GBLUP) were employed. The predictive ability methods were evaluated for different genomic architectures using imputed (i.e. 2.5K, 12.5K and 25K panels) and their original 50K genotypes. We evaluated the three strategies with different rates of disease incidence (including 16%, 50% and 84% threshold points) and their effects on genomic prediction accuracy. Main results: Genotype imputation performed poorly to estimate the predictive ability of GBLUP, RF, Boosting and TBA methods when using the low-density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) chip in low linkage disequilibrium (LD) scenarios. The highest predictive ability, when the rate of disease incidence into the training set was 16%, belonged to GBLUP, RF, Boosting and TBA methods. Across different genomic architectures, the Boosting method performed better than TBA, GBLUP and RF methods for all scenarios and proportions of the marker sets imputed. Regarding the changes, the RF resulted in a further reduction compared to Boosting, TBA and GBLUP, especially when the applied data set contained 2.5K panels of the imputed genotypes. Research highlights: Generally, considering high sensitivity of methods to imputation errors, the application of imputed genotypes using RF method should be carefully evaluated.

Background and Objective: Vancomycin is used for treatment of methicillin-resistant S. Aureus (MRSA) infections; therefore, resistance to this antibiotic is increasing. We aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern and frequency of vancomycin resistant S. Areas (VRSA) strains isolated from clinical samples. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 S. Aureus isolates collected from hospitals in Shiraz during six months, 2012, were identified by biochemical, microbiological and molecular methods. After determination of antibiotic susceptibility pattern by disc diffusion method and vancomycin agar screening test, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by E-test for vancomycin, thicoplanin, linezolid and quinupristin-dalfopristin. Results: The most resistant and the most sensitive antibiotic were ampicillin (%95) and quinupristin-dalfopristin (99%), respectively, and 44% of isolates were resistant to methicillin. In agar screening test, 48% of strains had reduced sensitivity and in disc diffusion 3% strains were resistant to vancomycin. In E-test method, only one isolate was resistant to vancomycin. Conclusion: given the presence of VRSA and new antibiotic resistant strains, we recommend doing some intervention to prevent from spreading these strains in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The members of the genus Acinetobacter are Gram-negative cocobacilli that are frequently found in the environment but also in the hospital setting where they have been associated with outbreaks of nosocomial infections such as meningitis, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infection, conjunctivitis, burn wound infection and bacteremia. This organism has been shown resistance to different antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to determination antibiotic resistance profile of Acinetobacter strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Taleghani hospital (Ahvaz, Iran). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 43 Acinetobacter strains isolated from hospitalized patients. Clinical specimens were cultured on microbiological media. Subsequently, drug susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method according to CLSI recommendations. Results: Acinetobacter strains were isolated from different specimens consisting biopsy 24 (55.8%), wound 13 (30/2%) and blood 6 (14%). In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, colistin exhibited the greatest activity (60.5%) against isolated strains. 33 (76/7%) isolates demonstrated resistance to imipenem. Conclusion: In outbreak situations, surveillance cultures of patients involved in the outbreak or who are deemed at risk for colonization/infection with the outbreak organism are often parts of the planned intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Trace-element and isotopic data for Quaternary Qa’le Hasan Ali basanite tephrites. [•] Discovery of calcite, allanite and britholite bearing cognate plutonic xenoliths. [•] Plutonic xenoliths suggest a shallow carbonatite complex below the QHA maars. [•] New petrogenetic interpretation for the post-collisional QHA ultrapotassic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The increasing incidence of infections caused by strains of Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant (MRSA), has led to the increased use of effective antibiotics such as clindamycin and erythromycin for treatment of systemic and local infections caused by this organism. However, concern over the possibility of emergence of clindamycin resistance during therapy has discouraged some clinicians from prescribing it. The aim of this study was to identify the induced clindamycin resistance in clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 S.aureus strains isolated from clinical specimens were collected from laboratories in Shiraz (Shahid Faghihi, Nemazi and MRI) hospitals. Re-identification of the isolates was performed by conventional microbiological and biochemical testes. Methicillin resistant strains were selected by disc diffusion method, and inducible clindamycin resistance in these strains was identified using D-zone Test. Results: The result of susceptibility testing showed that out of 100 Staphylococcus aureus samples 44 isolates (44%) were resistant to methicillin. Forty-six percent of the isolates were resistant to erythromycin and 51% to clindamycin. Conclusion: The results showed that performing D-zone test in clinical laboratories for identification of induced clindamycin resistance, reporting the results to the physician for prescribing these two antibiotics for treatment of infections caused by inducible clindamycin resistant strains, and replacing the appropriate treatment regimen are essential measures to be taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and consumption of nuts are increasing in the world due to strong economic returns and the nutritional value of their products. With the increasing role and importance given to nuts (i.e., walnuts, hazelnut, pistachio, pecan, almond) in a balanced and healthy diet and their benefits to human health, breeding of the nuts species has also been stepped up. Most recent fruit breeding programs have focused on scion genetic improvement. However, the use of locally adapted grafted rootstocks also enhanced the productivity and quality of tree fruit crops. Grafting is an ancient horticultural practice used in nut crops to manipulate scion phenotype and productivity and overcome biotic and abiotic stresses. There are complex rootstock breeding objectives and physiological and molecular aspects of rootstock–scion interactions in nut crops. In this review, we provide an overview of these, considering the mechanisms involved in nutrient and water uptake, regulation of phytohormones, and rootstock influences on the scion molecular processes, including long-distance gene silencing and trans-grafting. Understanding the mechanisms resulting from rootstock × scion × environmental interactions will contribute to developing new rootstocks with resilience in the face of climate change, but also of the multitude of diseases and pests.

Study design:Cross-sectional observational study.Objectives:To examine variables associated with the development of pressure ulcers in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI).Setting:SCI patients under coverage of the State Welfare Organization of Iran.Methods:Mobile rehabilitation teams gathered data from 20 of the 30 provinces in Iran. There were 8104 SCI patients registered in the database; 7489 patients were included in the analysis. The prevalence of PU in patients aged <10 years was lower than those aged >10; therefore, we used different logistic models for these groups. Likewise, separate models were created for patients who had experienced SCI during the past year versus patients injured >1 year before the evaluation.Results:PU was present in 34.6% of the patients. The variables associated with PU in patients aged <10 years were female gender and the time passed since SCI. In patients aged >11 years, male gender, the time passed since SCI, lower level of education, lack of an intimate partner, quadriplegia and older age presented a significant association with PU. Patients for whom <1 year has passed since SCI, male gender, quadriplegia and older age were associated with PU. And patients for whom >1 year had passed since SCI, male gender, quadriplegia, older age, lower level of education and lack of an intimate partner were associated with PU.Conclusion:SCI patients are a heterogeneous group and the risk factors associated with PU may vary in specific subgroups. Different models are needed to describe PU in SCI patients depending on the patient's age and the time passed since SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]