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Acanthamoeba, a widely distributed free-living amoeba with 20 genotypes identified through rRNA gene sequencing, exhibits varying degrees of pathogenicity influenced by its genotype. This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of Acanthamoeba species in the surface waters of Ilam, located in western Iran, utilizing morphological analysis and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene through the PCR method. A total of 50 water samples were collected from various regions within Ilam city, situated in the southwest of Iran. To isolate Acanthamoeba parasites from the samples, a culture method was used, and all utilized culture media were scrutinized through microscopic and molecular techniques. The parasite's genotype was determined by sequencing a 500-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Using microscopic and molecular methods, 19 and 16 water samples tested positive, respectively. The 18S rRNA sequences revealed that the isolates belonged to the T4, T2, and T11 genotypes. This study emphasizes the presence and inclination for close contact with highly pathogenic genotypes of Acanthamoeba in the surface waters of Ilam City. HIGHLIGHTS This study showed the widespread prevalence of Acanthamoeba in water resources.; Using microscopic and molecular methods, 19 and 16 water samples were found positive, respectively.; The 18S rRNA sequences showed that the isolates belong to the T4, T2, and T11 genotypes.; The 18S rRNA gene sequence showed the presence of T4, a highly pathogenic genotype with the highest frequency in the surface water of Ilam.;

This paper aimed to localize the joint operation planning process of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran by identifying and determining the steps of the local AJA joint operation planning process and the actions of each step so that commanders, officers of the Joint Staff and joint operation planners can use it. In this study, interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data. The results showed that 96.8% of the sample population believe in seven steps: mission, formation of joint command and staff, development of decisions, analysis of tactics and war game, decision and strategy of the commander, preparation of plan or order, review, approval of plan or order, and the actions associated with each of these steps are effective in the native process of planning AJA joint operations.

Standard finance is based on methodological individualism within the framework of Cartesian epistemology. Based on this rationalist structure, the investor enjoys Perfect rationality, Perfect selfishness, and Perfect willpower. Based on these three assumptions, the basic principles of investor behavior are formalized in the form of a thematic principle, and all theories are produced with a logical inference from these thematic principles. This methodological approach claims to have been able to descriptively and prescriptively describe, explain and predict the investor's behavior in the form of the principle of Optimizer Agent, but in practice, the observed data is significantly different from the theories predict, especially since the observation of numerous financial crises and the inability of this knowledge to explain them, makes a skepticism approach into the validity of standard finance. Heterodox paradigms such as structuralism, institutionalism, behaviorism, etc. have tried to explain financial crises. Behavioral finances, meanwhile, claim that the agents don’t choose per the standard model. Their behavior has a predictable bias. In the past three decades, behavioral finance has identified and categorized the types of biases in investors' behavior and provided rich literature in this regard. The question that why should we focus on investors' behavior and consider Economists as rational agents? Since classical finance theorists are human beings and their method of study is based on rationality. This study examines the historical process of methodological and philosophical foundations of standard finance in an abductive approach. According to the results of the research, classical financial theorists have been involved in bias in two ways: "methodology " and "mathematical tools" that along with investors' biases have resulted validation crisis. The prerequisite for solving these problems is a methodological modification, which is not possible in the philosophical structure of conventional economics.

Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Low efficacy and high cytotoxicity of the current treatment regimens for leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems. In this experimental study, anti-leishmanial effects of different concentrations of resveratrol and resveratrol nano-emulsion (RNE) were assessed. Methods RNE was prepared using the probe ultra-sonication method. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT technique on the L929 cell line. The anti-leishmanial activities on promastigotes of leishmania were assessed using vital staining and infected BALB/c mice were used to assess the in vivo anti-leishmanial effects. Results In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that all concentrations of resveratrol and RNE had valuable inhibitory effects against Leishmania major in comparison to the control group (P

Military planning is a decision-making process that begins with the receipt of a mission, and the set of activities of the commander and staff, taking into account resources and ways of working, to prepare plans or operational orders and achieve the set goals. Planning is actually a roadmap for military operations to achieve a goal. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of identifying the major factors affecting the planning of military operations in the coming war with a classical approach to provide a viable framework for military planning and to be used by commanders, staff officers and planners of operations. The results showed that 94.4% of the sample population believe in the dimensions of the principles of war, combat capability, basic rules of combat, ground combat systems, and creativity and innovation with relevant components and indicators in planning military operations in future wars with Influence the classical approach.

Introduction: Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphorus insecticide that can produce reactive oxygen species, and oxidative stress in the kidney. On the other hand, rosemary extract is an antioxidant playing a protective role against free radicals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress in rat kidney due to the exposure to chlorpyrifos and to assess the antioxidant effect of two concentrations of 100 and 200 mg / kg rosemary extract on the nephrotoxicity caused by this pesticide. Material and method: In the current study, 30 male Wistar Rats, weighing 200-220 g were used. They were randomly divided into five groups and selected as the study groups, each group including six rats for further comparison. They were as following groupd: Group І: served as control (received dissilated water, i.p) , Group П: the chlorpyrifos exposure group (13.5 mg / kg, i.p.), Group Ш: the group exposed to rosemary extract (100 mg / kg) by gavage, Group ІV: the exposure group with rosemary 100 mg / kg concentration (by gavage) and after 30 minutes exposure to chlorpyrifos (13.5 mg / kg, i.p.) and Group V: simultaneous exposure of rosemary 200 mg / kg concentration (by gavage) and after 30 minutes exposure to chlorpyrifos (13.5 mg / kg, i.p.). After 2 and 4 weeks, the rats were weighed and killed. A section of kidney tissue was examined for changes of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and another section was tested for histopathological alterations. Results: The results showed that chlorpyrifos significantly damaged the kidney tissue and altered the activity of GPx and MDA compared to the control group, as well as it damaged the kidney tissue. Moreover, the simultaneous exposure to chlorpyrifos and rosemary extract with concentration of 100 mg/kg significantly made modifications to the MDA and GPx levels. In addition, with the increasing of rosemary doses from 100 to 200 mg / kg, changes in the levels of MDA and GPx were closer to those of the control group. Conclusion: The rosemary extract can reduce the oxidative stress caused by chlorpyrifos and, therefore, can be used to treat the poisoning caused by this pesticide.

BackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that causes high morbidity in the tropics and sub-tropics. Despite the remarkable advancements in the treatment of CL, the available therapeutics are far from ideal and also cause serious adverse side effects. Negative air ions (NAIs) generators are widely available for domestic and industrial uses. Several studies have reported on positive effects of NAIs therapy on human health as a non-pharmaceutical treatment for respiratory disease, allergy, or stress-related health conditions, including infectious diseases. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the effectiveness of the NAIs therapy against Leishmania parasites. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of NAIs therapy on Leishmania major (L. major) the causative agent of CL in in vitro and in a murine model.Methodology/principal findingsIn vitro anti-leishmanial effects of NAIs therapy were measured by parasitological methods. NAIs therapy was assessed in vivo in L. major infected BALB/c mice by measuring the footpad (FP) lesion size and parasite load using metric caliper tool and qPCR, respectively. Immune responses in treated and non-treated mice were assessed by measuring the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, NO and arginase activity. In vitro NAIs therapy significantly decreased the viability of Leishmania promastigotes and of amastigotes cultured in macrophages, but did not affect the host cells. NAIs therapy of L. major infected BALB/c mice resulted in reduced FP lesion size, diminished parasite burden, and importantly decreased induction of IL-4 and arginase activity in the presence of NAIs. In contrast IFN-γ and NO levels were significantly enhanced. NAIs therapy significantly diminished the progression of disease compared to the control group, but was less effective than amphotericin B treatment.ConclusionsOur study shows that NAIs treatment was effective in vitro and in Leishmania-infected mice, elicited a T-helper 1 (Th1) response and increased efficient cellular immunity, resulting in a diminished parasite load. Therefore, NAIs therapy can be considered as a useful and safe tool that can contribute to clearing L. major infections without inducing toxicity in host cells. The applications and mechanisms of NAIs therapy warrant further investigation especially in humans suffering from CL.

Abstract. Fig (Ficus cariaca) is native to western and eastern mediterranean regions such as western and northwestern of Iran. Iran is one of the important fig producers in the world. In this study, biochemical, phycochemistry characteristics and genetic diversity of 38 fig genotypes from Arsbaran in East Azerbaijan province in the Horticulture Laboratory of Urmia University in 2015 were investigated. Biochemical results showed that, TSS, pH, TSS/TA, vitamin c, antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanin, total flavonoid and total phenol were significant (p ≤ 0.01). Most of the studied biochemical traits indicated high variation. The results of the molecular data showed that a total of 131 bands were scored, of which 121 bands (92%) were polymorphic. The amount of polymorphic (PIC) information for the primers used varied from 0.22 to 0.47 in ISSR7 and ISSR20 respectively. Also, marker index were between 0.15 to 2.5 in ISSR7 and ISSR20 respectively. Based on the results of cluster analysis, the studied fig genotypes were classified into two main groups, so that the most of collected genotypes from Kalibar belonged to second group. So it could be concluded that geographic location of the studied fig genotypes is the main reason for their separation by this marker. Based on obtained results, the genotypes Kh9 and H17 were suggested for breeding programs.

Nowadays the US exploiting fighting against terrorism, is trying to show instability and insecurity in the region so that it could justify its presence west Asian countries This study was done with the aim to investigate the development of US Army, Navy and Air Force bases in West Asia and its impact on the military security of the I.R of Iran. According to the findings, the most important reasons for the development US Bases in West Asia are as follows: first, providing the security of the energy shipping; second, providing the security for US allies including Zionist Regime. In this regard, the development of US Bases in West Asia has direct and indirect impact on the military security of the I.R of Iran. Therefore, I.R of Iran must consider the following action: enforcing its military power, strengthening deterrence capability based on active diplomacy, improving short-range ballistic missiles, building strong and secret undercover sites, exploiting forces in line with resistance axis in the region, using opportunities and reliance building with the aim to expel foreigners from the region, signing joint defensive treaties and collective security.

Introduction: Cysticercus fasciolaris is the larval stage of the cestode Taenia taeniaeformis, whose definitive hosts are cats. Rodents and very rarely humans act as intermediate hosts. Here, we investigated the rate of infection among urban rats in the north of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran, and described the histopathological changes in the liver of infected animals. Methods: One hundred eight rats were collected from the cities Dezful, Sush, and Andimeshk in the north of Khuzestan province during 2014-2015. The rats were sacrificed, dissected, and their livers were removed and examined macroscopically for the presence of the cyst, which were then cut open and inspected for larvae. The cysts of infected livers were examined for the histopathological changes and the recovered larvae were identified based on morphometric features. Results: Out of 108 rats examined, 8 (7.4%) had small to moderate size cysts. Each cyst had two layers and contained one larva of C. fasciolaris. The scolex of the larvae had four suckers and a rostellum armed with two rows of hooks. The infected livers had multiple cysts and liver parenchyma necrosis or neoplastic evidence were not seen in the tissue sections. Conclusion: The small size cysts indicated actue infection, which may explain the absence of sarcoma as well.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı uterus kanser insidans ve mortalitesinin, İnsani Gelişme Indeksi (HDI) ve bunun 2012’deki komponentleri ile arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada kullanılan veriler, 2012 yılında GLOBOCAN tarafından sunulan insidans ve ölüm oranlarında elde edilmiştir. HDI ve bileşenleri hakkındaki veriler Dünya Bankası sitesinden alınmıştır. HDI ve komponentleri ile Standart Mortalite Oranları (SMH) ve Standart İnsidans Hızları (SIH) arasındaki korelasyonun değerlendirilmesi için iki değişkenli korelasyon yöntemi kullanıldı. Bulgular: Toplamda 2012'de dünyadaki tüm ülkelerde prostat kanseri için 52762 insidans vakası ve 265672 ölüm kaydedildi.Serviks uteri kanseri için SMH, tüm dünyada yüz bin kişi için 6.8 olarak saptandı. Uterus kanseri SIH ile HDI arasında -0.578'lik negatif korelasyon saptandı. Ayrıca, uterus kanseri (SMH) ile HDI arasında-0.717'lik negatif korelasyon saptandı. Sonuç: Bu çalışmanın sonuçları, az gelişmiş ülkelerde uterus kanser insidansının ve mortalitesinin daha yüksek olduğunu ve insidansın HDI ile pozitif ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, etkili ve kabul edilebilir tarama programlarının yaygınlaştırılmasının kanser insidansını etkili bir şekilde azaltabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Background: Identification of liver flukes, Fasciola hepatica, and Fasciola gigantica by morphometric parameters is not always reliable due to the overlapping measurements. This study aimed to characterize the liver flukes of animals from different parts of Iran by the genetic markers, ITS1, and COXI. Methods: We collected flukes from infected livestock in six provinces of Iran from Sep to Nov 2016. The flukes were identified by amplification of a 680 bp sequence of ITS1 locus followed by a restriction fragment polymorphism (RFLP) assay. The genetic diversity among isolates was evaluated by amplification and sequencing of a 493 bp fragment of the COXI gene. Results: We obtained 38 specimens from Khuzestan, 22 from Tehran, 10 from Isfahan, 10 from Mazandaran, 4 from Kurdistan, and 3 from Ardabil provinces. PCR-RFLP analysis revealed two patterns, representing F. hepatica, and F. gigantica. Fifty specimens from cattle and sheep exhibited F. hepatica pattern and 37 from the cattle, sheep, buffalo, and goat that of F. gigantica. The phylogeny based on COXI revealed two distinct clades separating F. hepatica from F. gigantica. In our phylogeny, the Iranian F. gigantica isolates showed a distinct separation from the African flukes, while grouped with the East Asia specimens demonstrating a common ancestor. The F. hepatica isolates clustered with the flukes from different parts of the world, including East Asia, Europe, and South America. Conclusion: The present study revealed a substantial genetic difference between F. gigantica populations of Asia and Africa, while F. hepatica isolates from different parts of the world shared high similarities.

Introduction: Some postgraduate students reported the presence of a nematode infection, presumably, Trichosomoides crassicauda in the urinary bladder of rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the animal house of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). We prompted to explore the prevalence of this infection among the rats of animal houses belonging to medical and veterinary research centers in Tehran. We also described the histopathological changes in the bladder tissue of the infected rats. Methods: We collected 214 adult rats (R. norvegicus) from four animal houses including TUMS in Tehran. The urine of 112 animals was collected during 24 h and inspected microscopically for helminths eggs. Then, the rats were euthanized, sacrificed and dissected; their bladders were removed and examined under a stereomicroscope for the presence of worms and histopathological changes. Results: Out of 112 urine samples checked, 16 contained T. crassicauda eggs. Out of 214 rats, 114 showed infection urinary bladder with the nematode T. crassicauda. The histopathological changes in the urinary bladder included hyperemia, edema, hyperplasia, and metaplasia. In the transitional epithelium, the features of gravid female nematodes, with an egg-filled uterus were visible. Conclusion: Trichosomoides crassicauda is a prevalent infection in laboratory rats of research centers in Tehran and its identification cannot be made merely based on urine examination of the rats.

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Background: Rodents are an important source of zoonotic diseases for human. The aim of this study was to determine the infectivity of rodents with intestinal helminths in North Khorasan Province, Iran. Methods: One hundred and thirteen rodents were collected using different collection methods such as kill and live traps, digging of their burrow, filling of their hiding places with water and hand net during 2011-2013. Their alimentary canals were removed in the laboratory and helminths were determined in the department of parasitology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Results: Thirteen species of helminths parasites were found in 13 species of rodents, including Aspiculuris tetraptera, Hymenolepis diminuta, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Protospirura Seurat, Rictolaria ratti, Skrjabinitaenia lobata, Streptopharagus kuntzi, Syphacia obvelata, Taenia taeniaeformis, Trichuris muris, Cysticercus fasciolaris, Acanthocephal. spp and Trichuris spp. Some of them were reported for the first time in new host in Iran. S. obvelata and A. tetraptera were the most frequent parasites and P. Seurat, R. ratti and C. fasciolaris were found only in one rodent. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the intestinal parasites in rodents in this area. Among different species identified, some of helminths were reported in new host.

Background: Hymenolepis diminuta is a cestod of rodents and rarely infects humans. Infection in humans is via ingestion of infected insects. This study was aimed to detect H. diminuta cysticercoids in red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum, and cockroaches originated from different regions of Iran. Methods: The red flour beetles and cockroaches were collected from local bakeries in five cities including Tehran, Ahvaz, Kazerun, and Sabzevar during 2010–2011. Some beetles and cockroaches were colonized in insectary and adults from F1 generation were fed on H. diminuta eggs. Both laboratory-infected and field-collected samples were dissected and examined for cysticercoids. Detection of H. diminuta DNA in T. castaneum beetles was performed by targeting a partial sequence of Ribosomal gene. Results: Except the beetles from Ahvaz, all specimens were negative for cysticercoid by microscopy. Of the four dissected beetles from Ahvaz, one harbored 12 cysticercoids. Also, 110 (52%) of laboratory-infected beetles showed infection with an average of 12–14 larvae. None of the cockroaches was infected. Two beetles from Ahvaz, includ­ing the remainder of the microscopic positive specimen, yielded the expected amplicon in PCR assay. The H. diminuta DNA sequences generated in this study were identical and matched 97–100% with similar sequences from GenBank database. Conclusion: Lack of infection in the majority of beetles may reflect a low rat infestation rate in those areas, alternatively, the examined specimens might not have been the representative samples of the T. castaneum populations.

Introduction: There is not much data on parasitic infections of laboratory animals that are kept in conventional conditions in Iran. The present study was designed to investigate intestinal helminths infections in laboratory colonies of rats and mice. Methods: Droppings from 110 mice and 110 rats (each animal one dropping) belonging to experimental and breeding groups in four animal houses were collected. Experimental groups were being used in biomedical researches and breeding groups were not under any experiment. The droppings were preserved in formaldehyde 10% individually and examined by microscopy with 10x magnification. Results: Out of 220 droppings examined, 96 (43.6%) harbored helminths eggs; 53 (48.1%) belonged to mice and 43 (39.09%) to rats. Four helminthes species including, Syphacia obvelata, Syphasia muris, Hymenolepis nana, and Hetrakis spumosa were identified in the both animals, while Aspicularis tetraptera was merely seen in mice. H. nana was the most frequent helminth infection in mice and rats and infection with H. spumosa and A. tetraptera, showed the lowest rates in droppings of mice and rats, respectively. Mixed infections with ≥ two species was observed in 21 (9.5%) of 220 droppings, 14 (12.7%) belonged to mice and 7 (6.3%) to rats. Conclusion: The present results emphasizes more careful monitoring in laboratory animal houses, such as improving the cleaning and ventilating systems as well as adopting therapeutic measures, when required.

During a long term of road survey for detection of the zoonotic helminthes in carnivores, a male Vulpes vulpes was naturally found infected by Dioctophyme renale in Caspian Sea littoral in Iran. Since the parasite transmission usually occurs through consumption of fish and other accidental food items, investigation of the worm amongst fish-eating animals in the areas with potential circulation of the helminth life cycle, has been regarded as a public health importance so far. Concerning the rout of parasite transmission to humans, different epidemiological aspects should be studied in the country. Present paper describes a destructive lesion of the kidney in the fox due to D. renale after almost a decade of monitoring for the parasite reservoirs in the region.

Objective/background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. This is especially true in Northern Iran, which has high TB prevalence. The chronic nature of this disease is further exacerbated if it is accompanied by fungal infection, which usually remains undiagnosed and thus untreated. Thus, mycotic infections add fatal dimensions to pulmonary TB. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of invasive forms of fungal elements in sputum samples collected from patients with pulmonary TB at a reference laboratory in Ghaemshahr, Northern Iran, during the past 10 years. Methods: In this retrospective study, sputum samples collected from 430 patients were examined. Pulmonary TB in patients was confirmed in our laboratory, and samples obtained during the period from March 2006 to February 2016 were analyzed. The sputum samples were subjected to biological (bacterial) staining (Ziehl–Neelsen and fluorochrome) and mycological investigation using KOH+ Calcofluor White (Sigma-Aldrich, India) by fluorescent microscopy and fungal culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar (Sigma-Aldrich, India) and CHROMagar (Paris, France). Results: Invasive forms of fungal pathogens were observed as co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 28/430 cases (6.51%). The frequency of Aspergillus, both branching and dichotomous infection, accounted for 3.72% (16/430): Aspergillus flavus, 1.63%; Aspergillus fumigatus, 1.16%; Aspergillus niger, 0.69%; and Aspergillus oryzae, 0.23%, respectively. Blastoconidia and pseudohyphae forms of yeast were observed as co-infection with M. tuberculosis in 2.79% (12/430) of the cases: Candida albicans, 1.86%; Candida krusei, 0.46%; and other Candida species, 0.46%, respectively. Conclusion: Northern Iran is a critical region in the TB world and multidrug-resistant TB is a serious problem in this region. Although it is believed that there exists a commensal relationship between fungus and TB infections, the invasive forms of fungal pathogens and their co-infection can be caused by increasing disability and failure of treatment. Diagnosis of secondary or co-existing fungal infections in TB is most important for reducing the mortality and morbidity of these patients.