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Background: Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most important risk factors for developing cervix cancer. Since cell culture and serological methods have no diagnostic value for the detection of this virus and its variants, the importance of molecular methods such as PCR in the early and definite diagnosis of such virus becomes evident. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of HPV18 based on detecting E6 gene in paraffin block samples using the PCR method. Materials and Methods: In this study, 69 out of 150 cervix samples of precancerous and cancerous lesions were collected during 2007-2012. DNA was extracted from paraffin blocks using the phenol/chloroform method. Two L1 and E6 consensus primers were used to evaluate the HPV and 18 HPV, respectively. Results: Among 69 patients with cervix cancer, 53 (76.8%) cases were HPV-positive and 16 (23.19%) HPV-negative. Twelve out of 53 (17.39%) HPV-positive cases were HPV18- positive. Moreover, 6 cases were diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II, III and 6 with squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Results of the study confirm the previous reports concerning the relationship between HPV and cervix cancer. Considering the efficiency of DNA extraction and PCR protocol, we can use the test in pathology labs with simple and inexpensive facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High abundances of coccoliths have been observed in surface sediment samples from near the coasts of the Oman Sea in February 2011. At the end of the NE monsoon, the locally observed high Gephyrocapsa oceanica production is hypothesized to respond to local injections of nutrient-rich deep water into the surface water due to sea-surface cooling leading to convection. The most abundant coccolithophore species are G. oceanica followed by Emiliania huxleyi, Helicosphaera carteri, Calcidiscus leptoporus. Some species, such as Gephyrocapsa muellerae, Gephyrocapsa ericsonii, Umbilicosphaera sibogae, Umbellosphaera tenuis and Florisphaera profunda, are rare. The G. oceanica suggested a prevalence of upwelling conditions or high supply of nutrients in the Oman Sea (especially West Jask) at the end of the NE monsoon. E. huxleyi showed low relative abundances at the end of the NE monsoon. Due to the location of the Oman Sea in low latitudes with high temperatures, we have observed low abundances of G. muellerae in the study area. Additionally, we have identified low abundances of G. ericsonii at the end of the NE monsoon. Helicosphaera carteri showed a clear negative response with decreasing amounts (relative abundances) at the end of the NE monsoon. C. leptoporus, U. sibogae and U. tenuis have very low relative abundances in the NE monsoon and declined extremely at the end of the NE monsoon. F. profunda, which is known to inhabit the lower photic zone (

Long marine sedimentary cores can be effective in paleo-climate reconstruction. The present research aims at analyzing the temporal variation of temperature as an important climate parameter and also variations in metal concentrations (As, Ba, Cd, Li, Mo, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, Zn, Fe, Ca, Al) of two long sedimentary cores at the Persian Gulf back to the Holocene. The obtained results revealed that the average elemental concentrations, apart from Ni, Sr, Ca and Na, are less than the shale value in both sedimentary cores. Moreover, the amount of δ13c varies from -1.31 versus 1.02 in Bushehr, to -1.69 versus 1.56 in Bandar Abbas sedimentary cores, respectively. In addition, δ18o change from -3.63 Vs -2.02 in Bushehr to -3.79 Vs -1.36 in Bandar Abbas sedimentary cores, respectively. Abrupt change in δ13c and δ18o can be seen in both sedimentary cores at two different periods (3000 to 5000 and 8000 to 9000 years ago). The maximum increase in temperature in sedimentary cores was at 0.4°C per 100 years in Bushehr and 0.01°C per 100 years in Bandar Abbas. The minimum temperature reached to -0.8°C per 100 years in Bushehr to -0.02°C per 100 years in Bandar Abbas sedimentary cores. Compared to the previously obtained temperatures in this research, there has been temperature changes in the last 40 years in the Persian Gulf, which indicates that the recent rate change in sea water temperature has been unprecedented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]