[Isolation and molecular typing of wolbachia pipientis from two species of phlebotomus caucasicus and phlebotomus mongolensis sandflies]

In Iran, zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is an endemic disease in many foci in the northeastern, southern, and central parts of the country. This disease goes through the geographical distribution along with dispersion in their reservoirs [gerbils] and their vectors [sandflies]. Therefore, controlling the vectors or reservoirs has a significant role in prevention of Leishmania parasites which is transmitted by sandflies. Nowadays, because of vectors implications, the routine methods of controlling and spraying has no more useful effects on vectors and reservoirs. Consequently, in recent years maternally inherited intracellular Rickettsia like bacteria [Wolbachia] has been fascinated by many researchers. The aim of the present study was to improve our knowledge about detection of two species of Paraphlebotomus sandflies infected with W. pipientis which yet has not been reported in Iran and the world. The new surveys have been conducted in the case of Wolbachis detection in two mentioned ZCL vectors. In Turkemen Sahara within the ZCL focus, two species of Phlebotomus cauccasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis sandflies has been frequently collected from eighteen villages. Sticky papers and CDC traps were used to sampling sandflies in rural areas. In the laboratory, sandflies were identified to species by dissecting and mounting genitalia of each sandfly. DNA from sandflies [Thorax and abdomen] was extracted, the wsp gene confirmed for the presence of Wolbachia using wsp general primers [81F/691R]. After sequencing, the data were analyzed by molecular software. We examined a total of 136 individuals [91 male and 45 males] from Phlebotomus caucasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis species; 10 out of 44 positive [32.35%] samples had enough DNA to sequencing. Wobachia infections have been found and verified for the first time in each of two Phlebotomus caucasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis species in Iran and the world. In this procedure, 3 haplotypes [2 common Haplotypes and 1 unique Haplotype] of 2 species of Paraphlebotomus subgenus has been recognized in 10 sand flies of Iran. Paraphlebotomus sandflies are the secondary vectors of ZCL after Phlebotomus which play a decisive role in maintaining disease of their reservoirs. Wolbachia provide a starting point for inducing changes in host sex or sexuality. By manipulating Wolbachia as a transgene, it is hoped that these bacteria may be used as controlling system for decreasing vector-borne-disease

Evaluation of the physical characteristic of Cerrobend blocks used for radiation therapy

In Radiation Therapy, the sparing of normal tissues can be performed using either multi-leaf collimators or Cerrobend blocks. The current work focuses on the physical characteristics of Cerrobend blocks including attenuation coefficient, effective penumbra width and isodose curves undulation in penumbral regions. All measurements were performed using a dual energy linac and the Cerrobend blocks designed and fabricated using a commercial Cerrobend material. Data were collected using a calibrated ionization chamber as well as EDR2 films. The results showed that the attenuation coefficient was found to be 0.4475 and 0.4276 cm[-1] for photon beams 6MV and 15 MV, respectively, and a potential air bubble with a diameter greater than 3 mm affects beam attenuation significantly. The optimum Cerrobend block width was found to be around 16 mm. The isodose curves scalloping achieved for secondary collimator jaws, were also similar. If Cerrobend blocks are used as a basic method to protect normal tissues, its physical characteristics will be recommended to be taken into account comprehensively