Blood groups of the people of Ahwaz, Iran

ABO, Rh and MN blood groups were studied among the people of Ahwaz, Khuzistan, Iran. The people of Ahwaz are characterized by high frequencies of the blood groups 0 (41.16%), Rh-positive (90.0%) and MN (48.13%). These frequencies are significantly different from those obtained in other Iranian populations, which is caused by the co-operation of various factors.     

Seasonality of birth and sex ratio in Tehran, Iran

234 218 births (1975-1983) from a hospital in Tehran have been analysed for seasonality of birth and sex ratio. The results show more births in winter and less births in fall. The sex ratio is higher in summer and lower in fall. The occurrence of multibirths shows higher twinning and triplet rates in spring and fall, respectively, whereas lower twinning and triplet rates occur in winter and summer, respectively. It could be demonstrated that geographical factors influence the rates of births and multibirths as well as the sex ratio.     

Diversity of topological digital patterns in Iranian populations

We analyzed bilateral finger prints of 3158 individuals from 13 Iranian populations of diverse origins, for digital patterns, using the topological method. Some male/female differences, and a great deal of heterogeneity in interpopulational variation was observed. Distance analysis, and the resultant dendrograms separated the populations studied, but the separation was not in agreement with the known ethnohistory of this region. Comparison of the obtained results with those based on the traditional methodology showed that the traditional methodology gives better results in measuring population distances.     

Diversity of topological palmar patterns in Iranian populations

The bilateral palmar prints of 3,158 females and males from 13 Iranian populations of diverse origins were analyzed to see how well topological palmar pattern frequencies reflect population distances. The results showed bimanual variation among most of the populations studied. Sex variation showed significant differences among all of the populations studied. Distance analysis and constructed dendrograms showed separation between the populations studied. These distances were frequently in agreement with the known ethnohistoric background of the populations studied. The male data gave better results. It appears that topological palmar patterns are a better indicator of population distance than topological finger patterns.     

A computational model of visually guided locomotion in lamprey

This study addresses mechanisms for the generation and selection of visual behaviors in anamniotes. To demonstrate the function of these mechanisms, we have constructed an experimental platform where a simulated animal swims around in a virtual environment containing visually detectable objects. The simulated animal moves as a result of simulated mechanical forces between the water and its body. The undulations of the body are generated by contraction of simulated muscles attached to realistic body components. Muscles are driven by simulated motoneurons within networks of central pattern generators. Reticulospinal neurons, which drive the spinal pattern generators, are in turn driven directly and indirectly by visuomotor centers in the brainstem. The neural networks representing visuomotor centers receive sensory input from a simplified retina. The model also includes major components of the basal ganglia, as these are hypothesized to be key components in behavior selection. We have hypothesized that sensorimotor transformation in tectum and pretectum transforms the place-coded retinal information into rate-coded turning commands in the reticulospinal neurons via a recruitment network mimicking the layered structure of tectal areas. Via engagement of the basal ganglia, the system proves to be capable of selecting among several possible responses, even if exposed to conflicting stimuli. The anatomically based structure of the control system makes it possible to disconnect different neural components, yielding concrete predictions of how animals with corresponding lesions would behave. The model confirms that the neural networks identified in the lamprey are capable of responding appropriately to simple, multiple, and conflicting stimuli.     

Influence of exogenously applied paclobutrazol on some physiological traits and growth of Stevia rebaudiana under in vitro drought stress

This investigation was carried on to find out the changes occurred in Stevia rebaudiana in response to paclobutrazol (PBZ; 0–4 mg L^?1) treatment and drought stress. Polyethylene glycol (PEG; 0–6 % w/v) was used to stimulate drought stress. Drought stress reduced fresh and dry weight, water content, chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, water soluble carbohydrates, reducing sugar and proline amounts. Electrolyte leakage, MDA, α-tocopherol and glycine betaine contents increased in drought-stressed plants. The activity of P5CS and PDH enzymes and protein content showed no significant changes under drought stress. PBZ (with or without PEG) treatments decreased fresh and dry weight and water content. In PBZ-treated plants, less pigments was damaged by drought stress. PBZ treatment reduced the negative effect of drought stress on lipid peroxidation which resulted in lower electrolyte leakage and MDA content, compared to the same PEG level without PBZ. PBZ (with or without PEG) treatments increased glycine betaine, α-tocopherol, proline and protein contents. The amount of water soluble carbohydrates, reducing sugar and activity of P5CS and PDH were not affected by PBZ treatments. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that drought stress increased a 25 kD protein with a critical function in plant development under stresses. According to the results, PEG provoked a severe drought stress in S. rebaudiana that could partly be restored by PBZ treatment.     

High Transmitter CD4+ T-Cell Count Shortly after the Time of Transmission in a Study of African Serodiscordant Couples

Background

2013 WHO guidelines recommend starting ART at CD4+ T-cell counts ≤500 cells/μL. We present the T-cell counts from adult Africans with HIV shortly following transmission to their sexual partners.

Methods

HIV-discordant couples in Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda were followed prospectively and received couples counseling and condoms. HIV uninfected partners were tested for HIV at least quarterly and HIV-infected partners received HIV care and referral for ART per national guidelines. Upon diagnosis of incident HIV infection in the previously HIV-uninfected partner, a blood sample was collected from both partners to measure CD4+ T-cells and perform viral linkage. The estimated date of infection (EDI) of the incident case was calculated based on testing history. EDI was unknown for suspected transmitting partners.

Results

From 2006–2011, 4,705 HIV-discordant couples were enrolled in this cohort, and 443 cases of incident HIV infection were documented. Virus linkage analysis was performed in 374 transmission pairs, and 273 (73%) transmissions were linked genetically. CD4 counts in the transmitting partner were measured a median of 56 days after EDI (mean:90.5, min:10, max:396). The median CD4 count was 339 cells/μl (mean:386.4, min:15, max:1,434), and the proportion of partners with a CD4+ T-cell count above 500/μl was 25% (95% CI:21, 31).

Conclusions

In our cohort of discordant couples, 73% of HIV transmissions occurred within the relationship, and the transmitter CD4+ T cell count shortly after the transmission event was frequently higher than the WHO 2013 ART-initiation guidelines.     

Thermal requirement for development of Sancassania rodionovi (Acari: Acaridae) on mushrooms

The free-living mite species Sancassania rodionovi (Zachvatkin) (Acari: Acaridae), is a serious pest of mushrooms in Iran. Studies were conducted to examine the development of this mite in relation to temperature on two mushroom species: Agaricus bisporus Lange (button mushroom) and Pleurotus ostreatus Kummer (oyster mushroom). The developmental time of this acarid mite was studied at eight constant temperatures, ranging from 5 to 40 degrees C, and developmental rates were modeled as a function of temperature. Sancassania rodionovi completed immature development in 17.35 +/- 0.58 and 20.17 +/- 0.88 d at 25 degrees C on button and oyster mushrooms, respectively. When the mite fed on button mushroom, the rate of development increased gradually from 10 to 35 degrees C. Using a linear model, the developmental zero was estimated to be 3.50 degrees C with a thermal constant of 357.14 degree-days. The Logan 10, Briere 1, and Thermodynamic models adequately described the data for this mite and yielded R2 values >0.95; these models provided estimates of optimum temperature for development of 33.244, 32.145, and 32.148 degrees C, respectively. Understanding the influence of temperature on development of S. rodionovi is discussed with respect to pest management in mushroom production.