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Background: Electrospray (Electrohydrodynamic atomization) has been introduced as a novel approach to prepare nanoparticles. This work aimed to prepare SLNs through electrospray and evaluate factors affecting particle size of prepared Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs). Methods: SLNs were prepared by electrospray method. To study the factors affecting particle size of SLNs, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were employed. Four input variables, namely, Tween 80 concentration, lipid concentration, flow rate, and polymer to lipid ratio were analyzed through ANNs and particle size was the output. Results: The analyzed model presented concentration of Tween 80 (surfactant) and lipid as effective parameters on particle size. By increasing surfactant and decreasing lipid concentration, minimum size could be obtained, while flow rate and polymer to lipid ratio appeared not to be effective. Conclusion: Concentration of surfactant/lipid plays the most important role in determining the size.

In this study, to assess and classify risks associated with working in the laboratories of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, the method of "Failure Mode Effects Analysis" (FMEA) as well as some statistical methods were used. The results of the risk assessment in the 11 affiliated laboratories showed that the risk levels in all cases, except for benthos laboratory, could be evaluated as moderate or high and therefore appropriate corrective actions must be implemented. Based on the results of the Kruskal-Wallis tests both before and after the corrective actions, there were significant differences between the laboratories from the viewpoint of risk priority number (RPN). The post hoc tests showed the lowest risk levels for the benthose and histology laboratories, while the highest risks identified in the laboratory of instrumental analysis. The results of the classification of the laboratories using cluster analysis are largely similar to those of the posthoc tests. According to Mann-Whitney U test, only in the case of the samples preparation laboratory, significant differences between the values of the RPN before and after the corrective actions could be observed (p> 0.05), however, the risk levels still remained high. In general it can be concluded that FMEA is an effective method for risk assessment in the research laboratories and appropriate statistical methods can also be used for complementary analysis.

Without industrial and urban development and their effects on marine ecosystem, due to high biotic potential, Khure-Mussa would be one of the productive coastal areas. Because of sensitivity and vulnerability to environmental changes this area are classified in sensitive ecologic area. This study was conducted to evaluation ecological health status in Khure-Mussa in the Northwest of Persian Gulf by using benthic indices. Twenty creeks in Khure-Mussa area were set up for study and sampling in four seasons from winter 2008 to autumn 2009. Monthly water sampling for physico-chemical parameters was done by bottle sampler and seasonal samples of surface sediment were collected by Peterson grab sampler (0.125m^2) .At each station three samples for macrobenthic study and one sample for grain size analysis and organic matter determination were obtain. Totally, 187589 macrobenthic individual were collected and separated. Among identified groups, Polychaetes with total number108906, Crustacean with total number 46561, Bivalve with total number 14156 and seapen with total number 9841 were the dominant groups and were included 58, 25, 8 and 5 percentage of total number respectively. The highest abundance in the spring and the lowest abundance in the summer were observed. According to mean abundance, Somaily creek and Khure-mussa (3) station showed the highest and the lowest abundance respectively. Seapen is included more than 90 % of total biomass. The range of Shannon diversity index was (1.95-3.58) which the minimum and the maximum values were found in Shipping and Patil station respectively. Significance benthic biological parameters (abundance and richness) in different creeks explained the variation of benthic community structure in studied creeks. In addition, seasonal significant differences were found in these parameters due to seasonal changes in benthic animal s succession. The results of grain size analysis showed that the range of siltclay was (63.6-95.59). According to AMBI index values, all of the studied creeks are classified in slightly pollution level and disturbed condition except for Petrochemical station that placed in moderate pollution level. The BOPA index values in all stations showed more than threshold level (0.19) that means bad and weak ecological condition. The highest and the lowest ITI index values were observed in Oil exporting port station (64.92) and Ghazaleh creek (29.53) respectively. The others were grouped in 30-60 range that means moderate pollution level and disturbed ecological status. The values of ABC (Abundance Biomass Curve) that explained the relation between macrobenthic biomass and abundance, were calculated near zero from 0.1 to -0.1 in all studied creeks that show moderate condition for living animals. In general the studied creeks showed pollution potential and benthic biological parameters indicated downward trend in ecological quality and health status.

Without industrial and urban development and their effects on marine ecosystem, due to high biotic potential, Khure-Mussa would be one of the productive coastal areas. Because of sensitivity and vulnerability to environmental changes this area are classified in sensitive ecologic area. This study was conducted to evaluation ecological health status in Khure-Mussa in the Northwest of Persian Gulf by using benthic indices. Twenty creeks in Khure-Mussa area were set up for study and sampling in four seasons from winter 2008 to autumn 2009. Monthly water sampling for physico-chemical parameters was done by bottle sampler and seasonal samples of surface sediment were collected by Peterson grab sampler (0.125m2) .At each station three samples for macrobenthic study and one sample for grain size analysis and organic matter determination were obtain. Totally, 187589 macrobenthic individual were collected and separated. Among identified groups, Polychaetes with total number108906, Crustacean with total number 46561, Bivalve with total number 14156 and seapen with total number 9841 were the dominant groups and were included 58, 25, 8 and 5 percentage of total number respectively. The highest abundance in the spring and the lowest abundance in the summer were observed. According to mean abundance, Somaily creek and Khure-mussa (3) station showed the highest and the lowest abundance respectively. Seapen is included more than 90 % of total biomass. The range of Shannon diversity index was (1.95-3.58) which the minimum and the maximum values were found in Shipping and Patil station respectively. Significance benthic biological parameters (abundance and richness) in different creeks explained the variation of benthic community structure in studied creeks. In addition, seasonal significant differences were found in these parameters due to seasonal changes in benthic animal s succession. The results of grain size analysis showed that the range of siltclay was (63.6-95.59). According to AMBI index values, all of the studied creeks are classified in slightly pollution level and disturbed condition except for Petrochemical station that placed in moderate pollution level. The BOPA index values in all stations showed more than threshold level (0.19) that means bad and weak ecological condition. The highest and the lowest ITI index values were observed in Oil exporting port station (64.92) and Ghazaleh creek (29.53) respectively. The others were grouped in 30-60 range that means moderate pollution level and disturbed ecological status. The values of ABC (Abundance Biomass Curve) that explained the relation between macrobenthic biomass and abundance, were calculated near zero from 0.1 to -0.1 in all studied creeks that show moderate condition for living animals. In general the studied creeks showed pollution potential and benthic biological parameters indicated downward trend in ecological quality and health status. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

Designing and establishment ISO/IEC17025 in IFRO and related research centers (Bushehr, Sari, Bandar Abbas ) is of interest from both research programs and improved research services . This project has been conducted for the first time in ISRC at Bushehr province by co-operation of IFRO and IGX Co from 2007 to 2010. The aim of this study was to investigate the establishment of ISO/IEC17025 in test laboratories . . Establishment of ISO/IEC17025 has been done in three stages . In first step gap analysis of laboratories was done .In second step training courses for laboratories staffs and different type of procedures was compiled . Review of documents , internal auditing training course and internal auditing activity of laboratories was also done and applied to laboratory conformity . In present study laboratory facilities has completed including: sandwich panel partitioning whit coated electrostatic 10 cm diameter , 147.68 m 2 ( square meter ) and also one way door whit slit slot 9 , cabinets 30 m2 ( square meter ) , mechanical and electrical affairs , laboratories equipments19 unit : micro centrifuge , hydrometers , bougarof lam , sampling bottles , plankton nets , digital autoclave , friseur , refrigerators , on the job training courses 5 ,QM(1) , Instructor procedures (21) , test method instructors(9) , sampling instructors (4) , technical equipment instructors ( 21) , and 50 forms and lists . The system has been audited during summer 2009 in a laboratory site located Bahmany area, Bushehr. The audit has worked out well and result show that no serious operational problems have accrued. Results also showed that QMS was successfully achieved ISO/IEC17025 accreditation by the IAS( Iran accreditation system) for three laboratories named , molecular genetics , pathology and plankton . Here we also found that accurate approaches for useful to more study of the other laboratories of ISRC and have the potential to provide long term data sets. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

In recent years MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) have been known as a flexible tool to improve fishery management as well as to preserve biodiversity in valuable coastal waters habitats. This study was conducted to selecting the sensitive and high potential area that are impacted by several environmental stress and associated habitats are being damaged in Mahshahr creeks in Northwest of Persian Gulf. Study was done in eight creeks from October 2005 to September 2006. Different biotic parameters such as phytoplanktons, zooplankton, macro zooplankton, benthic animals and fishes (trawled species) communities and also physico-chemical parameters and sediments heavy metals were investigated. Different parameters were sampled monthly or seasonal from each creek. Water samples with bottle sampler and sediment were collected by Peterson grab. Several ecological and biological indices based on heavy metals and benthic communities were used. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using voltammetric plarography method (Methrom 797). The range and mean concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 35.16-15.03 (27.01) for Cu, 171.41-65.57 (102.672) for Ni, 20.06-4.63 (13.22) for Co, 0.78-0.093 (0.22) for Hg, 379-65.07 (113.7) for Zn, 1.00-0.27 (0.559) for Cd and 29.72-7.09 (14.66) for Pb. To evaluate the levels of sediment contaminations, the background values of the different heavy metals were calculated and contamination factor for each metals and degree of contamination for each creek determined as well. Measured concentrations were compared with International standards. Ultimately the heavy metals contamination factors (Cf) can be arranged as follows: Hg> Zn> Cu≥ Ni> Pb≥ Co > Cd and according to contamination degree (Cd), different creeks can be arranged as follows too: Ghannam> Ahmady≥ Zangy> Doragh≥ Darvish> ghazaleh> Patil> Bihad Regarding the results some elements such as Hg, Zn and Ni, are at risk level and all of the studied creeks are classified in moderate degree of pollution except Ghannam showing considerable degree of pollution. The benthic invertebrates are a well-established target in evaluations of environmental quality status. The AMBI (AZTI,s Marine Biotic Index) was developed to determine the impacts and the quality status in softbottom marine benthic communities. All creeks are characterized by muddy bottom. Macrobenthic animals, according to their sensitivity to an increasing stress gradient, classified in five ecological groups. In present study due to appearance of dominant species such as Capitella sp and nematodes (as opportunist species), diversity values was reduced. Two way ANOVAs showed only seasonal significant differences in mean abundance (P

In recent years MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) have been known as a flexible tool to improve fishery management as well as to preserve biodiversity in valuable coastal waters habitats. This study was conducted to selecting the sensitive and high potential area that are impacted by several environmental stress and associated habitats are being damaged in Mahshahr creeks in Northwest of Persian Gulf. Study was done in eight creeks from October 2005 to September 2006. Different biotic parameters such as phytoplanktons, zooplankton, macro zooplankton, benthic animals and fishes (trawled species) communities and also physico-chemical parameters and sediments heavy metals were investigated. Different parameters were sampled monthly or seasonal from each creek. Water samples with bottle sampler and sediment were collected by Peterson grab. Several ecological and biological indices based on heavy metals and benthic communities were used. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using voltammetric plarography method (Methrom 797). The range and mean concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 35.16-15.03 (27.01) for Cu, 171.41-65.57 (102.672) for Ni, 20.06-4.63 (13.22) for Co, 0.78-0.093 (0.22) for Hg, 379-65.07 (113.7) for Zn, 1.00-0.27 (0.559) for Cd and 29.72-7.09 (14.66) for Pb. To evaluate the levels of sediment contaminations, the background values of the different heavy metals were calculated and contamination factor for each metals and degree of contamination for each creek determined as well. Measured concentrations were compared with International standards. Ultimately the heavy metals contamination factors (Cf) can be arranged as follows: Hg> Zn> Cu≥ Ni> Pb≥ Co > Cd and according to contamination degree (Cd), different creeks can be arranged as follows too: Ghannam> Ahmady≥ Zangy> Doragh≥ Darvish> ghazaleh> Patil> Bihad Regarding the results some elements such as Hg, Zn and Ni, are at risk level and all of the studied creeks are classified in moderate degree of pollution except Ghannam showing considerable degree of pollution. The benthic invertebrates are a well-established target in evaluations of environmental quality status. The AMBI(AZTI,s Marine Biotic Index) was developed to determine the impacts and the quality status in softbottom marine benthic communities. All creeks are characterized by muddy bottom. Macrobenthic animals, according to their sensitivity to an increasing stress gradient, classified in five ecological groups. In present study due to appearance of dominant species such as Capitella sp and nematodes (as opportunist species), diversity values was reduced. Two way ANOVAs showed only seasonal significant differences in mean abundance (P

Bahmanshir River branches out of the Karoun River and empties into the Persian Gulf. This river is a tidal water body with characteristics under effects of such condition. Sea water moves ahead of the river by tidal forces and affects salinity, phytoplankton species composition and distribution. We conducted a year round study in five stations in the river and determined phytoplankton species composition and distribution. Bacillariophyceae had the highest frequency and Cyclotella, Nitzschia and Melosira genera were very frequent. Cyanophyceae was present in estuary area. Salinity caused areas of water to be dominated by Euryhaline and Stenohaline species. Some species including Nitzschia, Cyclotella, Synedra and Melosira were seen in wide range of salinity and other frequent species such as Lauedria, Coscinodiscus, Cheatocerus and Rhizosolenia were only presented in the estuary or highly saline waters. Because of high tide, some of the marine phytoplankton species were also spotted at the mouth of Bahamanshir River.

In this study which was carried out in khouzestan province, 1914 Pieces (1160 Pieces silver carp, Hypophthalmychthys molitrix; 498 Pieces common carp, cyprinus carpio; 172 Pieces Grass carp, ctenophryngodon idella and 84 Pieces Big head, Arysthychthys nobilis) from different parts of the province were examined. In three year period, 1378 to 1381, fish samples from four stations were transferred a live to the lab. Water samples also were taken and tested for some of the physicochemical factors. From a total of 1914 fish examined, 1190 showed parasitic infestation and bacterial infections (62.2%). Infestation study, infestation with these parasites have been found: Ichthophthirius, cryptobia, Trichodina, Costia, Hexamita, Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Lernea, Bothrio cephalus, Diplostomum and Capillaria. Also some species of Aeromonas, staphylococcus, Moraxella, Pectobacterium, Flavobacterium, Citrobacteria, pasteurella, Psedomonas and Alcaligenese were identified in the samples, which normally occur in Water, but in some conditions (High pH, temperature and ammonia) could cause disease and lesions specially in gills. Infestation with dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus was found in all four kind of fishes with different infestation rate. But the highest infestation rate with dactylogyrus was in silver carp (55.2%) and lowest in common carp (14.6%). The highest infestation rate with gyrodactylus was in grass carp (42.4%) and lowest in common carp (10.6%). Ich, Bothrio cephalus and capillalia were found only in common carp and grass carp. Infestation with adult lernea and copepodid stage of lernea had greater percentage in the gills and derm of grass carp. The data showed infestation with this parasites (especially protozoans and lernea) and bacterial infection had occurred in all seasons especially in C area.

station in Dez river (after dam ). Station five in enterance of the river to lake showed riverine or lake condition according to water supply. In spite of significant difference between monthly sampling no significance were observed in depth and stations and the physico chemical results showed that all of the studied factors were in optimal range for fish culture and qrowth . The most dominant phytoplanktons were observed in Mar. and Aug. respectively. The most dominant zooplankton were in Feb .Cyclotella was the most abandance genus from sixtheen identified phytoplanktons genera. Dinophycea and Bacillariophycea were the most abundant classes from five main classes of phytoplanktons. Dinophycea showed same abundance in different depth but Bacillariophycea was dominant in surface. From nine genera of zooplankton groups include Protozoa , Rotifera , Cladocera and Copepoda , Brachinus was the most abundant genus. Benthic fauna include Oligochaeta , Corbicula and Chironomids larvae were more abundant in stations one & two in late spring and summer. Station three and four due to higher depth and station five due to comprise special condition and unstable bottom , showed low diversity and abundance. In this study 12 fish species , belong to 3 family , were identified and Cyprinid fishes with nine species were the most dominant family. Capoeta trutta , Barbus grypus and Barbus esocinus were the most species respectively . The most abundant fishes was observed in summer. Indices: diversity, richness , evenness and dominance 1.11 , 1.05 , 0.45 and 0.46 were determined respectively . Most of fishes were omnivor and also planktivor , carnivor fishes were observed. Spawning of the most species is occurred the late winter and spring and some species was spawning in different seasonal time. According to the result , Dez lake can be clssified as oligotroph mesotroph lake . Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

This study was carried out in North of Persian Gulf from 2001 to 2002. Sampling was done in two transect (6 stations) in different depth in Khuzestan coastal waters. Some environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, DO, density, EC and chlorophyll a by CTD instrument and also Nutrient were measured. Phytoplankton was collected with Niskin sampler from 4 layers 0.5, 20, 50 meter and 2 meter above the bottom. Zooplankton and benthic fauna sampled by Pump and Peterson grab respectively. Physical and chemical parameters were showed little fluctuation during the year. The highest variation ranges were observed in: temperature (17.7-33.8), pH (5.3 - 7.2), DO mg/lit (2.9 -7.5), turbidity (3.8-16.3), salinity (39.4-40.9). The most frequent phytoplankton was observed in classes of: Bacilariophyceae (62%), Cyanophyceae (29%), and Dinophyceae (16%).The most frequent genus of each phytoplankton group were Rhizosolenia, Nitzschia, and Pluerosigma. Occurrence of phytoplankton decreased from surface water to depth layers and then increased near the bottom. The highest diversity and evenness indexes were in spring, summer and winter respectively. The most abundant of zooplankton were founded 5 groups included: Crustacean, moullsca and polycheata larvae, protozoa and some a few Chaetognaths. The most frequent groups of zooplankton were Copepod (62.9%); Moullsca larvae (26.1 %) and the most abundant of copepod genus were: paracalanus, Oncea, Oithona, Microsetella. Zooplankton in off shore stations were more than near shore stations. The most abundant of benthic groups were: Amphipoda (25%), Bivalve (18%), and polycheata (17%). The type of sediment in all stations was silt - clay. Max. and Min. anmount organic matter was 47.18% and 15.3% respectively. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

This study was carried out in Karkheh reservoir in North of Khuzestan Province from January to December 2003.Monthly sampling was done from 3 stations in lake with different depth and also 2 stations in input and out put points of reservoir in Karkheh river. Average volume and surface of reservoir were 2870 milioncubic and 10427 hectares respectively. Mean depth in stations 2, 3 and 4 were 36.07, 53.42 and 31.71 meter respectively. The DO content was recorded as optimum level, the highest Nitrite, TDS and TSS were observed in 20 meter depth layer. The ranges of nutrients were: Nitrate (1.2-31.8), Phosphate (0.01-2.11), and Silicate (2.1-18.7) mg/liter.EC and pH range were 599- 1629µs/cm and 7.42-8.78 respectively. The amount of ammonia and co2 were very little during the year.BOD5 was below 5 mg/liter, that is indicator of clear waters. Dam water was classified in hard to very hard water group. Other factors of water were in acceptable range. The most frequent occurrence of phytoplankton classes were: cyanophyceae (72.04%), Bacillariophyceae (12.39%), Dinophyceae (10.46%), Chlorophyceae (4.88%) and Chrysophyceae (0.22%).The most frequent genuses of each group phytoplankton was chroococcus, cyclotella, Melosira XPeridinium XScenedesmus X Gelocapsa. Cyanophyceae was in surface and 20meter depth and other classes only in 20 meter depth observed. The most abundant of zooplankton group were Copepoda (44.8%), Protozoa (27.32%), Rotifera (22.45%) and Cladocera (5.43%) and genuses including are Cyclops, Tintinopsis, Keratella, Brachionus and Daphnia were abundant. Protozoa in 20, Cladocera in 20 and 40 and Copepoda in 60 meter depth were more abundant. The chlorophyll a in stations 3, 4 was higher than stations 2. The mean and total primary production were 0.33, 93.44 gc/m2/day respectively. The highest abundant benthic group were: Oligocheta (74%), Ephemeroptera (13%) ( Chironomidae (5%) and others (8%).The most and the lowest abundant macro benthic were observed in February and October. The Lowest density of benthic fauna was found in the deepest stations 3. station 4 was showed the lowest amount of silty-clay ,but the most organic matter was found in station 3.Identified nektons were include: 18 species from 6 families: cyprinidae (13 sp.), mugilidae (1 sp.), mastacembelidae (1 sp.), Sisoridae (1 sp.), Graspidae (1 sp.), bagridae (1 sp.).The most abundant fishes were: Capota trutta (25.4%), Cyprinion macrostmum (18.3%), Barbus esocinus (15.4%) and others species (40.9%). Potential of Fish production based on primary production was measured about 102.7 kg/Hectares in year. Trophic State Index (TSI) was 16.06, that indicator of oligothrophic waters. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

In regarding to study the fecundity and feeding behaviour of Barbus xanthopterus in Karkheh river and Hoor-al-Azim marsh, 393 specimens of this species were collected monthly by drift gillnet, set net and castnet from October 1996 to September 1997. The bottom substrate of marsh was silty-clay and in some points it was sandy. Seventeen types of benthic invertebrates from 6 orders were identified, among which insects had the highest density and diversity. Maximum and minimum absolute fecundity was 549211±7295 and 136924±652 and for relative fecundity they were 142.53±1.95 and 18.886±0.O9 for each gram of body weight, respectively. Absolute and relative fecundity showed the highest correlation with girth and fork length, respectively. Feeding intensity did not show a regular trend and intestine fullness in river fishes is more than that of Hoor-al-Azim which was an indicative of active feeding in Hoor-al-Azim and migration to the Karkheh river for spawning. Main food item was invertebrates and plants and relative index of intestine and its contents showed that B. xanthopterus is an omnivorous species.

In winter 1994, a mortality up to70% was observed in cultured silver Carp (H. molitrix) in one of the Khouzestan Province fish farms. Bacteriological studies were carried out on the samples obtained from kidney, liver, eroded tails and gills using Cytophaga medium resulted in isolation of filamenus gram negative bacteria. These bacteria were similar to Flavobacterium psychrophilus from point of chemical characteristics. Histological observations showed some necrosis in skin's layers, tissues or livers, kidneys and some sections of gill filaments. Review of present Literature indicate that there is no pervious report on natural occurence of Flavobacrerium psychrophilus infection in silver carp.

In summer 1994, 30 grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were caught from a pond culture and blood sampling was done, while the fish were alive, for ichthyohaernatologicall examination. The fish and blood were brought to the laboratory, the digestive tract and internal organs of fish were examined for parasitological investigation. Eleven fishes were infected by a tape worm (Bothriocephalus) seriously. Number of parasites in intestine of each fish specimen was between 70 -80 and they cause intestinal obstipation. Amount of haemoglobin, haematocrit value and erythrocyte in infected fishes was lower than healthy fishes.