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Early diagnosis and genotyping of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in cervical tissue specimens is significant for cervical cancer prevention. A sensitive microplate fluorometric hybridization assay (MFHA) was designed for the detection of HPV DNA 16 and 18 in cervical tissue. Following optimization and validation of the method, 60 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded cervical samples representing different cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades of HPV-associated lesions were tested to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Using consensus GP5+/6+ biotin–labeled primers to amplify a conserved region within the L1 gene, the amplicons were added to the microplate wells coated with specific probes for the hybridization of HPV 16 and 18 individually. Final detection was performed with streptavidin-AlexaFluor488 conjugated. The results were then compared with type-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and colorimetric microplate assay. While the agreement between the results obtained by the type-specific nested PCR and fluorometric assay for the detection of both HR-HPV types was 100%, this agreement for the detection of HPV type 16 and 18 using microplate colorimetric assay was 94.2% and 85% respectively. Overall, the results of the fluorometric and colorimetric assays are promising for detecting both HR-HPV types in a large number of cervical tissue samples with the higher MFHA assay sensitivity.

Viruses hijack host metabolic pathways for their replicative advantage. Several observational trans-omics analyses associated carbon and amino acid metabolism in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity in patients but lacked mechanistic insights. In this study, using patient- derived multi-omics data andin vitroinfection assays, we aimed to understand i) role of key metabolic pathways in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) reproduction and ii) its association with disease severity. Our data suggests that monocytes are key to the altered immune response during COVID-19. COVID-19 infection was associated with increased plasma glutamate levels, while glucose and mannose levels were determinants of the disease severity. Monocytes showed altered expression pattern of carbohydrate and amino acid transporters, GLUT1 and xCT respectively in severe COVID-19. Furthermore, lung epithelial cells (Calu-3) showed a strong acute metabolic adaptation following infectionin vitroby modulating central carbon metabolism. We found that glycolysis and glutaminolysis are essential for virus replication and blocking these metabolic pathways caused significant reduction in virus production. Taken together, our study highlights that the virus utilizes and re-wires pathways governing central carbon metabolism leading to metabolic toxicity. Thus, the host metabolic perturbation could be an attractive strategy to limit the viral replication and disease severity.

Viruses hijack host metabolic pathways for their replicative advantage. In this study, using patient-derived multi-omics data and in vitro infection assays, we aimed to understand the role of key metabolic pathways that can regulate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) reproduction and their association with disease severity. We used multi-omics platforms (targeted and untargeted proteomics and untargeted metabolomics) on patient samples and cell line models along with immune phenotyping of metabolite transporters in patient blood to understand viral-induced metabolic modulations. We also modulated key metabolic pathways that were identified using multi-omics data to regulate the viral reproduction in vitro. COVID-19 disease severity was characterized by increased plasma glucose and mannose levels. Immune phenotyping identified altered expression patterns of carbohydrate transporter, GLUT1, in CD8+ T-cells, intermediate and non-classical monocytes, and amino acid transporter, xCT, in classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes. In in vitro lung epithelial cell (Calu-3) infection model we found that glycolysis and glutaminolysis are essential for virus replication and blocking these metabolic pathways caused significant reduction in virus production. Taken together, we therefore hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 utilizes and rewires pathways governing central carbon metabolism leading to the efflux of toxic metabolites and associated with disease severity. Thus, the host metabolic perturbation could be an attractive strategy to limit the viral replication and disease severity., Graphical abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are commonly used in biosensors of various kinds. However, its application to extract DNA from cancer tissues has not been extensively studied. The purification of DNA from cancer tissues is an important step in diagnostic and therapeutic development. Almost, all cervical cancer cases are associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Accurate viral diagnosis has so far relied on the extraction of adequate amounts of DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. Till now, no specific and sensitive DNA purification method has been introduced for the extraction of HR-HPV from FFPE tissue. Since the commercially available purification kits are not sensitive and specific enough for HR-HPV DNA targets, in this study, a DNA purification method was designed based on AuNPs to purify sufficient amounts of HR-HPV DNA from cervical cancer tissue samples. AuNPs were coated with a series of oligonucleotide probes to hybridize to specific DNA sequences of HR-HPV genotypes. Results showed that 733 out of 800 copies of type-specific HPV DNA were recovered with complete specificity, compared to 36 copies with a standard commercial kit (Qiagen FFPE). The high yield of DNA (91.6%) is the main advantage of the AuNPs-probe purification method.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are commonly used in biosensors of various kinds. The purification of DNA from cancer tissues is an important step in diagnostic and therapeutic development, but current methods are not optimal. Many cervical cancer patients are also susceptible to high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Accurate viral diagnosis has so far relied on the extraction of adequate amounts of DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. Since the sensitivity and specificity of commercially available purification kits are not optimal, we designed a DNA purification method based on AuNPs to purify sufficient amounts of HR-HPV DNA from cervical cancer tissue samples. AuNPs were coated with a series of oligonucleotide probes to hybridize to specific DNA sequences of HR-HPV genotypes. With this method, we recovered 733 out of 800 copies of type-specific HPV DNA with complete specificity, compared to 36 copies with a standard commercial kit (Qiagen FFPE).

Background: In spite of recent progress in mRNA technologies and their potential applications for treatment of human diseases, problems such as the transient nature of mRNA limit the stability of gene up-regulation and, thus, potentially reduce mRNA efficiency for gene therapy. Using human β-globin 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs), this study aimed to develop the different chimeric constructs of mRNAs to increase the stability of destabilized green fluorescent protein (EGFPd2) in HEK 293 cells. Methods: Purified human β-globin (HBG) 5′-3′UTRs, and the coding sequence of destabilized green fluorescent protein (EGFPd2) were amplified separately and ligated to each other using SOEing PCR method in a different format. As controls, the original construct of EGFPd2 under the control of T7 promoter was used. Following in vitro transcription, HEK 293 cells were then transfected with several constructs and incubated at 37°C in a CO2 incubator. They were monitored under a fluorescence microscope every four hours for the first 24 hr, then every 12 hr afterwards. The resulting fluorescence was measured as a surrogate for translation efficiency and duration. Results: By monitoring the HEK cells over 48 hr, cells transfected with mRNA with various HBG UTRs showed significantly different fluorescence intensity and stability in comparison with the pEGFPd2 prototype (control transcript) overtime. Overall, the images show that replacement of the 3′ UTR end of the prototype vector pGFPd2 with the 3′ end of β-globin mRNA increases the half-life of the chimeric mRNA for more than 32 hr. Conclusion: This result indicates that β-globin 3′ UTR would definitely increase the half-life of mRNA and may help to decrease the mRNA therapeutic dosage in the treatment of diseases associated with mRNA therapy.

Alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) is a molecular chaperone that can reduce the damage caused by excess free α-globin to erythroid cells in patients with impaired β-globin chain synthesis. We assessed the effect of sodium phenylbutyrate and sodium valproate, two histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) that are being studied for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies, on the expression of AHSP, BCL11A (all isoforms), γ-globin genes (HBG1/2), and some related transcription factors including GATA1, NFE2, EKLF, KLF4, and STAT3. For this purpose, the K562 cell line was cultured for 2, 4, and 6 days in the presence and absence of sodium phenylbutyrate and sodium valproate. Relative real-time qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA levels was performed to determine the effects of the two compounds on gene expression. Expression of all target mRNAs increased significantly (p < 0.05), except for the expression of BCL11A, which was down-regulated (p < 0.05) in the cells treated with both compounds relative to the levels measured for untreated cells. The findings indicated that sodium valproate had a more considerable effect than sodium phenylbutyrate (p < 0.0005) on BCL11A repression and the up-regulation of other studied genes. γ-Globin and AHSP gene expression continuously increased during the culture period in the treated cells, with the highest gene expression observed for 1 mM sodium valproate after 6 days. Both compounds repressed the expression of BCL11A (-XL, -L, -S) and up-regulated GATA1, NFE2, EKLF, KLF4, STAT3, AHSP, and γ-globin genes expression. Moreover, sodium valproate showed a stronger effect on repressing BCL11A and escalating the expression of other target genes. The findings of this in vitro experiment could be considered in selecting drugs for clinical use in patients with β-hemoglobinopathies.

Background: Epidemiological studies have reported commonly distributed transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) in different populations with parental risk factors, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objectives: This study was performed to determine and compare the prevalence of TTV infection among HIV-positive patients and healthy blood donors. Patients and Methods:: A total of 186 HIV patients and 165 healthy blood donors with no markers of HIV infection were included in this study during 2004 - 2012. Semi-nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was performed for the detection of TTV DNA. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (HCVAb), and CD4 were investigated in the sera of HIV-positive subjects. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were also measured. Results: The mean age of HIV-positive and healthy subjects was 39.3 and 40.5 years, respectively. In total, 182 (97.9%) subjects were male and 4 (2.1%) were female. TTV DNA was detected in 35 out of 186 HIV patients (18.8%; 95% CI, 13.2 - 24.4%). The prevalence of TTV in the HIV group was significantly higher (P = 0.027) than blood donors (11%; 95% CI, 6.2 - 15.8%). Age, marital status, unsafe sexual activity, and use of injection drugs were not significantly associated with the prevalence of TTV infection in HIV patients. Conclusions: Considering the higher frequency of TTV infection in HIV patients in comparison to healthy blood donors, HIV infection may be an important risk factor for TTV infection. In addition, the lower frequency of TTV infection in healthy individuals in comparison to HIV patients reveals the transmission of TTV infection via routes other than blood and drug injection; therefore, the effect of fecal-oral route needs to be examined in future studies.

Background: Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in developing countries and reveals significant regional differences. Several studies have reported virus transmission via blood transfusion. To date, however, no cases of HEV RNA detection in blood donors have been reported from Iran. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HEV RNA in plasma samples of blood donors referred to a blood transfusion center in Shiraz in the southwest of Iran. The HEV genotypes were also investigated using nucleotide sequencing. Patients and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 700 blood donors who were referred to Fars blood transfusion organization from January to March 2014. Plasma samples were screened for the presence of HEV IgG and IgM antibodies by standard enzyme immunoassay. Samples seroreactive to anti-HEV were further tested for the presence of HEV RNA using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal primers for detection of all four HEV genotypes. Positive PCR samples were then subjected to DNA sequencing for further analysis. Results: Fifty (50, 7.1%) out of 700 plasma samples tested positive for anti-HEV antibodies. HEV RNA was detected in 7/50 (12%) of the antibody-positive samples, the majority of which were IgM positive. Sequence analysis of seven isolates of the HEV RNA ORF 2 gene region revealed > 80% similarity with genotype 1. Conclusions: The analysis indicates that the HEV isolated from blood donors in the southwest of Iran belongs to genotype 1. However, more samples from other geographic regions of Iran are needed to confirm these findings. Because transmission of HEV by administration of blood or blood components is likely to occur, it may be sensible to screen donor blood for HEV to eliminate transfusion-transmitted HEV infection when the recipient is immunocompromised.

BACKGROUND: Viral load measurements are commonly used to monitor HCV infection in patients with chronic diseases or determining the number of HCV-genomes in serum samples of patients after sustained virological response. However, in some patients, HCV viral load in serum samples is too low to be detected by PCR, especially after treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a highly specific, sensitive, and reproducible in-house quantitative PCR using specific primers and probe cited in highly conservative region of HCV genome that allows simultaneous detection of HCV genotypes 1 - 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, three sets of primer pairs and a TaqMan probe for amplification and detection of selected region within 5'-non-coding (5'NCR) of four HCV genotypes were used. Using plasmid containing 5'NCR region of HCV, standard curve, threshold, and threshold cycle (CT) values were determined. Real-time and nested PCR were performed on HCV genotypes 1 - 4 extracted from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples collected from patients with chronic HCV infection. RESULTS: The lower limit detection of this in-house HCV real-time RT-PCR was determined as 100 RNA copies/mL. Inter- and intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of this in-house HCV real-time RT-PCR ranged from 0.9% to 1.8% and 1.76% to 3.94%, respectively. The viral load of the genotyped samples ranged from 2.0 × 10(6) ± 0.31 to 2.7 × 10(5) ± 0.46 copies/mL in serum samples and 5 × 10(2) ± 0.36 to 4.0 × 10(3) ± 0.51 copies/10(6) cells/mL of PBMCs. CONCLUSIONS: The quite sensitive in-house TaqMan real time RT-PCR assay was able to detect and quantify all four main HCV genotypes prevailing around all geographical regions of Iran.

The bacterial ghost (BG) production is a field of biotechnology for applications in vaccine and drug delivery. We assessed the capacity of BG for delivery of a recombinant gene encoded for both cell mediated and antibody dependent epitopes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) into murine macrophages. Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells were transformed with the lysis plasmid (pHH43). To produce chimeric gene, NS3 (non-structural protein 3) and core regions of HCV genome were fused together by splicing by overlap extension (SOEing) PCR and were cloned into plasmid pEGFP-C1. Bacterial ghosts were loaded with recombinant pEGFP-C1 and then were transferred to murine macrophages (RAW 264.7). To investigate plasmid transfection and chimeric mRNA transcription, fluorescent microscopy and RT-PCR were used. In vitro studies indicated that bacterial ghosts loaded with pEGFP-C1 plasmid were efficiently taken up by murine macrophages and indicated a high transfection rate (62%), as shown by fluorescent microscopy. RT-PCR from extracted intracellular mRNAs for chimeric Core-NS3 gene showed a specific 607 bp fragment of the gene. The sequence analysis of purified PCR products demonstrated the expected unique mRNA sequence. We constructed a chimeric HCV gene containing both cell mediated and antibody dependent epitopes with a significant expression in murine macrophages delivered by bacterial ghost.

Macro benthic invertebrate distribution and abundance in northern creeks of Boushehr province were analyzed by seasonal sampling from autumn 2000 till summer 2001. Sampling was carried out of sediments from bottom of nine stations which located in creeks and one control station in the sea by using of Van Veen Grab sampler. In additional, eight groups of macro benthos were identified which the most abundant populations among them were Gastropoda (51%), Bivalvia and Polychaeta (17.4%) and Amphipoda (5.3%) respectively. The maximum density of macro benthos was 2378 ind/m2 in spring and the minimum was 1174 ind/m^2 in autumn and also maximum and minimum biomass was 79.06g/ m^2 in summer and 17.72g/ m^2 in winter. The average wet weight of macro fauna biomass was 49.95 (± 33.6) g/ m^2.

In order to investigate some ecological condition of the waters of Bushehr province in the Persian gulf between 50~'-01 E to 52~'-47 E and 26~'-39 N to 29~'-03 N, 18 major and 16 minor stations have been studied from Nayband bay to Kharg Island, using R.V. Ferdows 1. There have been a preliminary survey in winter 2001, 4 seasonal surveys in 2001-2 and a complementary one in summer 2002. During this period the seasonal environmental conditions, physico-chemical parameters, zoo and phytoplankton concentrations in water layers, macrobenthoses and sediments were studied. Sea bed swelling in the Motaf region has resulted in division of the area in two parts and in a such away that the climatic and chemico-physical conditions in the southeast area are different from the northwest area. In the southeast area the termocline, halocline, picnocline and oxycline are generated in spring, increased in summer, moved down to the deeper layers in fall and disappeared in the winter. In the Northwest area the clines are only formed in spring and summer but disappear in fall and winter due to almost perfect water column mixing resulted from climatological conditions. During survey period the water temperature ranged from 18 34.1~'C, salinity 37.9 41.3 ppt, conductivity 51.3 70.4 ms/cm, sigmaT 23.1 30.2 g/cm3, dissolved oxygen 0.2 8 ppm, and chlorophyll a 0.1 3.6 mg/m3. It is observed that salinity, conductivity and sigmaT have increased from surface to depeer layer, while oxygen and chlorophyll a had a pick in mean layers but temperature have decreased from surface to the depth. Temperature and conductivity decreased from southeast to the northwest and from costal to offshore. Salinity and sigmaT increased from southeast to the northwest. Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a did not show any trend. The concentration of nutrients including ortho silicate (Si-SiO4- 4), ortho phosphosphate (P PO4-4), nitrate (N NO3- ) and nitrite (N NO2- ) varied between 0.4 13.3, 0.05 1.6, 0.1 12.3 and 0.1 1.4 ~kmol/l, respectively. The overall nutrient concentrations increased from surface to depth. 61 genuses of 5 phytoplankton groups and 8 branches, 12 classes of zooplankton were identified. The identified phytoplanktons included 42 Diatom, 16 Dinophyceae, 3 Cyanophyceae, one Chrysophyceae and one Euglenaphyceae geneses. The highest intensity of phytoplanktons was recorded in summer, while in the case of zooplankton, was recorded in spring. Diatoms had the highest variety in all seasons and the maximum abundance in fall and winter. Cyanophyceaes were predominant group in the spring and summer. On the contrary to zooplanktons, the intensity of phytoplanktons decreased from coastal to the offshore waters. The highest intensity of all planktons (zoo and phyto) was in 10-20 m layer. The intensity of phyto plankton increased from southeast towards northwest. The zooplankton concentration didn t follow any particular trend. The identified macrobenthoses were 69 families including 34 polychaets, 22 gastropods, 10 of bivalvs, 1 crustacean, 1 scaphopoda, 1 foraminifera, 5 classes and 6 orders of crustacea, 1 order of echinodermata, 1 fish larva and 6 branches of other benthoses. Intensity and biomass of all groups were determined. The polychaets and malacostraca had the most abundance in contrast to the other groups. Macrobenthosis intensity decreased from coast to the offshore in southeast of Motaf region, while the middle stations of northwest of Motaf had a better intensity. The mean abundance and biomass of total area decreased from coast to the offshore, and the slope of decrease in biomass was more than abundance. Seasonal minimum and maximum abundance ranged from 1457 to 1903 per square meter in spring and winter, and the biomass ranged between 7.8-10.8 g/m2 in summer and spring, respectively. In spite of high abundance of macrobenthose in the transect no: 13, the estimated biomass was lower than other transects. This might be due to prolonged exposition to more pollutant. The grain size of sediments was classified as gravel, sand, silt and clay. The organic matter of sediments ranged from 1.12 3.3% with annual average of 1.6%. The grain size of sediments in southeastern point was coarser than other areas. The middle stations of northwestern area had fine grain and more organic matter in contrast to the offshore and coastal stations.

The comprehensive hydrobiological studies in the northern part of the Persian Gulf within the Iranian waters were conducted during 2001 2002. The project was implemented using Ferdous research vessel and with the cooperation of Hormuzgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan Fisheries Research Centers. The sampling area included the whole stretch of the Iranian waters along the northern part of the Persian Gulf from the northwest of the Iranian marine border of Khuzestan province to the mouth of the Hormuz Strait in Houmuzgan province. Along this stretch 15 equally distributed transects at a distance of 30 miles from one another were designated. 3 main sampling stations at a distance of 10 miles from one another were fixed at each transect. 1 to 3 secondary station depending on the distance of the third main station to the international waterway was also selected on each transects so as to cover as much Iranian waters as possible. Sampling was conducted seasonally from Feb. 2001 to Feb. 2002. Physicochemical parameters of water such as temperature, salinity, density, dissolved Oxygen, PH, EC and chlorophyll-a were recorded at stations using CTD multi parameter probe. Nutrients were measured by spectophotometric method. Plankton samples were collected by Niskin sampling bottles from 5 different depth layers in the water column. Bottom sediment for grain size and benthic analysis were collected using a Peterson bottom samples. Petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals concentration in water, sediment and demersal fish species were measured by GC-MS and ICP-MS respectively. According to the results a seasonal thermocline appears in the Iranian waters during spring, extended with its maximum formation in summer performing a temperature differences between surface and bottom waters as much as 10 C. The thermocline diminishes in autumn and gradually eliminate during winter season. The density of nutrients decreases from northeast (Hormuz Strait) towards northwest in the Khuzestan province, whereas the annual average of phytoplankton abundance was maximum in Khuzestan province and minimum in Hormuz province. The reasons for these differences within the survey area are discussed in detail in the report. Concerning zooplankton, the comparison of present data with other previous documents clearly shows that Cyclopoida which have less ecological value in the marine food chain has become the dominant group instead replacing Calanoids. The total of 146 families of macro benthic fauna were identified in this study, out of which Polycheats and Gastropods with 46 and 45 families were most diverse groups. Average biomass of macro fauna in the whole study area was estimated as 8.700 g/m2 wet weight. Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ni in the sediments were considerably higher than global baseline values. The mean concentration of these elements in muscle of 3 selected demersal fish species from the study area clearly indicates that nearly in all cases the values were markedly below the permissible amounts for human consumption. The highest and lowest concentration of petroleum hydrocarbon in coastal waters was measured as 1.52 and 36.1 µg/l respectively. The general distribution pattern of petroleum hydrocarbon in waters and sediments shows an increase in concentration towards the northwest of the survey area in the Khuzestan province. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

Seasonal variation and vertical distribution of water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a from the Iranian waters of Hormozgan province in the Persian Gulf were studied from February 2001 to February 2002. All parameters were measured by using CTD multi parameter probes at 30 sampling stations. Data obtain revealed that seasonal thermocline appears in the survey area during spring, extended in summer, diminishes in autumn and gradually eliminate during winter season. Variation in electrical conductivity follows the changes in winter temperature throughout the year except in winter. Dissolved oxygen was recorded to be higher in the depth layer of 10-25 meters and decreases by increasing depth. Vertical pH of water indicated a decreasing pattern from surface to bottom throughout the year, with highest decrease in autumn, when the dissolved oxygen decreases as well. The maximum concentration of chlorophyll-a was recorded at depth layers of 20-40m and 10-20m during first and second half of the year, respectively.

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, nickel and vanadium were determined in water, surficial sediments and the muscle of three demersal fish species (Epinephelus coioides, Psettodes erumei and Solea elongate) from 15 sampling sites in the northern part of Persian Gulf. Concentrations of the elements were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. There were no significant differences among the sampling sites in Cd and Pb levels in the sediments. The highest concentrations of Ni and V in sediments were found near the southern coast of Qeshm Iland and Bandar Lengeh. Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ni in the sediments were notably higher than global baseline values. Nearly in all cases the element concentrations in the sediments were considerably greater than RSA (ROPME Sea Area) and the ERL (Effects Range Low) guidelines. Significant differences among the sampling sites could be found for concentrations of all the four metals in water. The mean Ni, Pb and Cd levels in the water samples were relatively higher than those in some other regions of the Persian Gulf. Except few cases, the mean concentrations of the elements in muscle of the selected fish species were markedly below the international guidelines for human consumption.

We present some results of the design and implementation of a research and study course for the Mathematics teacher trainees. The research is based on the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic. We analyze which gestures of the paradigm of the questioning and the research are identified in teacher trainees that study the question: how to teach mathematical knowledge. Nous présentons quelques résultats de la conception et de la mise en œuvre d'un programme d'étude et recherche pour la formation des enseignants en mathématiques, basé sur la Théorie Anthropologique du Didactique. On analyse les gestes du paradigme de la recherche et du questionnement du monde identifiés chez les étudiants quand ils étudient la question: comment enseigner des mathématiques? Fil: Corica, Ana Rosa. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Núcleo de Investigación en Educacion Ciencia y Tecnologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentina Fil: Otero, Maria Rita. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Núcleo de Investigación en Educacion Ciencia y Tecnologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentina

Population density, distribution and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in Chabahar Bay were investigated from May 1995 to Match 1996 on a bimonthly basis. The most abundant groups were Amphipods (21.0%), Polychaetes (19.0%), Gastropods (15.7%) and Bivalves (10.6%). Maximum (13000 individuals/m^2) and minimum (4600 individuals/m2) were observed in May and July, respectively. The changes in density were influenced by monsoon season of the Indian Ocean. Spatial and temporal variation in biomass were recorded for all groups separately. The lowest biomass was observed during monsoon period (July-September) with a mean of 51.5g dry wt/m^2 and the highest in premonsoon period (March-May) with an average 164.8gr dry wt/m^2. Furthermore, the average biomass of total macrofauna in the survey area estimated as 109.3 g dry wt/m^2 (corresponding to 481.0 wet wt/m^2) Having these figures, the annual production of Macrobenthic fauna was estimated for the whole studied area. The potential yield of demersal fishery resources (fish and crustacean) was then estimated to be 15390 tons/year. Accordingly the annual exploitable demersal fishery resources for the entire Chabahar Bay was estimated to be 7700 to 8500) tons/year.

Population density, distribution and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in Chabahar Bay were investigated from May 1995 to March 1996 on a bimonthly basis. The most abundant groups were Amphipods (21%), Polychaetes (19%), Gastropods (15.7%) and Bivalves (10.6%). Maximum (13000 individuals/m2) and minimum (4600 individuals/m2) were observed in May and July respectively. The changes in density were influenced by monsoon season of the Indian Ocean. Spatial and temporal variations in biomass were recorded for all groups separately. The lowest biomass was observed during monsoon period (July-September) with a mean of 51.5 g dry wt/m2 and the highest in permonsoon period (March-May) with an average of 164.8 g dry wt/m2. The results are discussed in terms of understanding secondary production of Chabahar Bay.

The population density, distribution, diversity and secondry production of macrobenthic fauna of the inner Chahbahar Bay were studied through bi-monthly sampling from April 1995 to March 1996. Samples were collected from water near the bottom and sediment at 14 stations inside the Bay and one reference station located outside at the entrance to the Bay. The environmental parameters Such as temperature, water depth, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen as well as percentage silt-clay and total organic matter of the sediment were measured. The faunal population density and their distribution is discussed in relation to the environmental changes. results obtained indicated both spatial and temporal heterogeneity in faunal distribution of the Chahbahar Bay. The total of 18 groups of macrofauna were identified in all samples. Amphipods formed the dominant group (21%) followed by polychaetes (19%), gastropods (15.7%) bivalves (10.6%) and all other groups (33.7%). Seasonal changes in faunal density is shown in relation to Indian Ocean southwest monsoon,the result of which indicated lower population density during monsoon (June to September) than that of the premonsoon (February to May) and post monsoon (October to January) periods. The numerical abundance of macrobenthos varied from 10260.m2 before monsoon to 5190 m2 during monsoon season. Three dominant groups of macrofauna including polychaetes, gastropods, and bivalves were identified in all collected samples. Indices of diversity, richness and evenness were calculated for these three dominant groups. The Shannon-Weaver information index was used to describe the spatially and temporally variation in diversity of these three major faunal groups. The results exhibited lower faunal diversity during monsoon period. The annual production of two dominant macrofauna species including a species of bivalve, Nuculana acuta and a species of Cephalochordata, Branchiostoma lanceolatum were measured by using age group determination. Furthermore the mean biomass and total annual production of macrobenthic fauna were estimated for the whole studied area. The potential yield of demersal fishery resources (fish and crustacean) then estimated and worked out to be 15360 tons/year asuming 10% ecological efficiency of hypothetical pyramid from 3rd to 4th marine trophic level. Accordingly the annual exploitable demersal fishery resources for the entire Chahbahar Bay was estimated to be 7600 to 8500 tons/year by taking 50 to 55% of the total estimated potential in to account. PhD Advisors: A. Savary counsellors: H.Emady, M. Ahmady

Sampling of longtail tuna (Thunnus longgol) was conducted during each delivery of tuna catch to the tuna. Canning factory in Bandar Abbas, length frequency data was collected on a monthly basis. All individuals in the samples were examined for sex identification. The maturity stages for females were determined according to a 5 point scale. For the purpose the gonad index based on the weight of the fish was applied, most longtail tuna captured off the almost coast Iran principally from the Gulf of Oman arc considerably larger ranging from 75 to 80 cm fork length. Fish below 55 cm length were not represented in the samples. This results provide no modal progression for the monthly length frequency. Thy possible sources creating bias in the length distribution data such as migratory nature of longtail tuna and gear selectivity has been discussed. The study on the maturity magus reveals that the spawning season for longtail tuna captured in Iran from the sea of Oman extends from August through October. The possible multiple spawning season for this species has also been discussed.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is widely distributed throughout Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia, and Southern and Eastern Europe. Spread by Hyalomma ticks or by contact with infected animals, CCHF begins non-specifically but can rapidly progress to severe, sometimes fatal, disease. Due to the non-specific early symptoms and often unrecognized infections, patients often present to healthcare systems exhibiting later stages of disease, when treatment is limited to supportive care. Consequently, simple vaccines are critically needed to protect populations at risk of CCHFV infection. Currently, there are no widely approved vaccines for CCHFV. We have previously reported significant efficacy of a three-dose DNA-based vaccination regimen for CCHFV in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fasicularis). Here, we show that in cynomolgus macaques, plasmid-expressed CCHFV nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein precursor (GPC) antigens elicit primarily humoral and cellular immunity, respectively. We found that a two-dose vaccination regimen with plasmids expressing the NP and GPC provides significant protection against CCHFV infection. Studies investigating vaccinations with either antigen alone showed that plasmid-expressed NPs could also confer protection. Cumulatively, our data show that this vaccine confers robust protection against CCHFV and suggest that both humoral and cellular immunity contribute to optimal vaccine-mediated protection.