The impacts of changing climate and streamflow on nutrient speciation in a large Prairie reservoir.

Climate mediated warming water temperature, drought and extreme flooding are projected to shift the phenology of nutrients in receiving lakes and reservoirs further intensifying eutrophication and algal blooms, especially in temperate reservoirs. An emerging issue in reservoir management is the prediction of climate change impacts, a necessity for sound decision making and sustainable management. Lake Diefenbaker is a large multipurpose reservoir in the Canadian Prairies. In this study, the impact of climate change on nutrient speciation in Lake Diefenbaker is examined using loosely linked SpAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) and CE-QUAL-W2 models. Two climate mediated scenarios, RCP 8.5 representing the most extreme climate change, and climate induced streamflow were modelled. Nutrient levels are anticipated to double under the climate change and streamflow scenarios. Winter and spring were identified as hot moments for nitrogen pollution with a plausible saturation of nitrous oxides in the future. Of concern is a plausible recycling of nitrate through dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. Summer and fall on the other hand represent the period for phosphorus enrichment and internal loading with a probable succession of cyanobacteria in the summer.

Study of vitellogenin in Boophilus annulatus tick larvae and its immunological aspects.

Boophilus annulatus is an important one-host tick in the Mediterranean regions and Iran. It can transmit the Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis and Anaplasma marginale to cattle. Nowadays, immunization programs by tick proteins is one of the potential methods for the control and prevention of tick infestations. Therefore, the characterization and identification of various tick proteins are necessary. Vitellogenin is a precursor of vitellin that is produced in mid gut cells and fat bodies in ticks. In this study, we characterized vitellogenin protein of B. annulatus unfed larvae using one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblotting. In one-dimensional immunoblotting, 48, 70, 100, 130 and >250 kDa protein bands positively reacted with immune sera. In two-dimensional immunoblotting many protein spots positively reacted with immune sera. Six of them were analyzed by MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF- TOF mass spectrometry. The results showed that amino acid sequences of four immunogenic proteins with molecular weights of 38, 43, 85 and 97 kDa had identity to tick vitellogenin and its homologues (GP80), based on the Mascot search results. It seems that more knowledge on tick proteins including vitellogenin and their characterization could be useful for the development of anti-tick vaccines.

First Detection of Nosema ceranae, a Microsporidian Protozoa of European Honeybees (Apis mellifera) In Iran.

BACKGROUND: Nosemosis of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is present in bee colonies worldwide. Until recently, Nosema apis had been regarded as the causative agent of the disease, that causes heavy economic losses in apicultures. Nosema ceranae is an emerging microsporidian parasite of European honeybees, A. mellifera, but its distribution is not well known. Previously, nosemosis in honeybees in Iran was attributed exclusively to N. apis. METHODS: Six Nosema positive samples (determined from light microscopy of spores) of adult worker bees from one province of Iran (Savadkouh- Mazandaran, northern Iran) were tested to determine Nosema species using previously- developed PCR primers of the 16 S rRNA gene. As it is difficult to distinguish N. ceranae and N. apis morphologically, a PCR assay based on 16 S ribosomal RNA has been used to differentiate N. apis and N. ceranae. RESULTS: Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species present in Iran apiaries. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of N. ceranae in colonies of A. mellifera in Iran. It seems that intensive surveys are needed to determine the distribution and prevalence of N. ceranae in different regions of Iran.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection and associated risk factors among addicted prisoners in Sari-Iran.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection and associated risk factors among addicted prisoners in Sari-Iran. This is a simple random sampling cross sectional study that was performed on 312 addicted prisoner men at Khazarabad addicts' prison in Sari/Iran in September 2001. Their blood samples were examined through third generation enzyme immunoassay. Data were collected through questionnaires and interview. Associated risk factors were compared in 82 hepatitis C antibody positive addicts (the affected group) and 148 hepatitis C antibody negative addicts (the unaffected group). Out of 312 addicted prisoners, 96 were hepatitis C anti body positive. The seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection was found to be 30.8%. Major associated risk factors in the affected group were as follows: duration of addiction, duration of imprisonment (mean 48 months), route of drug administration, length of alcohol consumption, tattooing, shared usage of needles and razors, multiple sexual partners and type of drugs (p < 0.05). On multivariate logistic regression analysis these factors were found to be significant independent risk factors for HCV infection: tattooing (OR 100, 95% CI), multiple sexual partners (OR 4.97, 95% CI) and history of surgery (OR 6.23, 95% CI). It is concluded that hepatitis C infection had a considerable prevalence in addicted prisoners. High risk and unsafe behaviors were found to be the main factors of contamination.