Fatty acid and retinol-binding proteins (FARs) comprise a family of unusual α-helix rich lipid-binding proteins found exclusively in nematodes. They are secreted into host tissues by parasites of plants, animals and humans. The structure of a FAR protein from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is available, but this protein [C. elegans FAR-7 (Ce-FAR-7)] is from a subfamily of FARs ...

BACKGROUND Despite improvements in child health, malnutrition still remains one of the main public health challenges in Iran. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare under nutrition among under-five children with regard to ethnicity in rural area in north Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS In three cross-sectional studies 7575 subjects in three time-periods including 2339 children in 1998, ...

Background This study is the first phylogenetic genotype analysis of Giardia lamblia in Iran. The main objective was to determine genotyping and identify the sub-assemblages of Giardia lamblia isolates involved in the transmission of giardiasis in Fars Province, south of Iran, in 2012. Methods Forty G. lamblia isolates were collected from the patient's fecal samples with gastrointestinal disc...

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to characterise feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS). METHODS An online questionnaire was developed to capture information from owners with cats suffering from FARS. This was collated with the medical records from the primary veterinarian. Ninety-six cats were included. RESULTS Myoclonic seizures were one of the cardinal signs of this syndrome (90/96), freque...

Two new species of the genus Neophyllobius Berlese, 1886 are described: Neophyllobius lorestanicus sp. nov. collected from soil under Prunus domestica L. (Rosaceae) in Markazi province and Neophyllobius ostovani sp. nov. from soil and rotten leaves of oak trees in Fars province, Iran. A key to all known Iranian and Turkish species of Neophyllobius is provided.

BACKGROUND Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a polymorphic disease which may show various symptoms. Genetic diversity of the parasite is suggested to be one of the factors influencing the clinical manifestation of the disease. METHODS This study used PCR for the detection and identification of leishmanial parasites at the species level and applied a multilocus microsatellite typing ap...

BACKGROUND Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a progressive, multisystem, degenerative disorder caused by a reduction in frataxin. Loss of frataxin results in mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in patients and model systems. Previous studies have indicated that the antioxidant idebenone (5 mg/kg daily) reduces cardiac hypertrophy, but definite improvement in neurological function has not b...

The Mesopotamian Spiny-tailed Lizard Saara loricata (Blanford, 1874) (Figure S1) is distributed in Iran and Iraq (Papenfuss et al., 2009). In it found the Bushehr, Fars, Kohgiluyeh B...

Climate change is a phenomenon has been based on the available evidence from a very long time ago and now its existence is very probable. The speed and nature of climate parameters changes at the middle of twentieth century has been different and its quickness more than the before and its trend changed to some extent comparing to the past. Climate change issue now regarded as not only one of th...