مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 557 (هفته اول اسفند 1398)

Khuzestan Province is one of the most important provinces of Iran in the field of livestock breeding. On the other hand, the infection of sheep with ticks that are important carriers of human and animal pathogens is significant. Ticks can act as carriers of parasites, bacteria, viruses, and rickettsia. The aim of this study was to determine the variety of ticks on sheep in this province.

The ticks were collected from sheep body in 9 cities of Khuzestan Province. They were then transferred to the laboratory in 70% ethanol. Subsequently, sex, genus, and species were identified under a stereomicroscope with diagnostic keys.

A total of 2,722 collected ticks and species of ixodid ticks from 4 genera were identified (1552 male and 1170 female ticks). Hyalomma anatolicum was found as the most abundant tick (52%), whereas Rhipicephalus sanguineus (30%) and Hyalomma excavatum (9%) were also prevalent in this south-west region of Iran. Other observed ticks were Hyalomma asiaticum (8%) and Hakea sulcata (1%).

According to the prevalence of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks, further studies on the control of ticks based on their genetic differences are recommended.

Synthesis of nanoparticles by biological systems is a reliable and eco-friendly process. Silver nanoparticles are applied to medical and industrial processes because of their specific properties. Because of antioxidant property of saffron plant (Crocus sativus), it is considered as a reducing agent to synthesize metal nanoparticles. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of different parts of the saffron plant in reducing silver salt to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in various temperatures, and present or absent of light.

Three aqueous extracts were prepared from different parts of the plant (stigma, stamen, and purple petal). The Ag-NP synthesize was performed at various temperatures in the present and absent of light in final concentration of 1 mM silver nitrate solution. The prepared Ag-NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis).</em> The mean particle size was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS).

The UV-Vis spectrum showed absorption peaks at 400-460 nm. Moreover, the size range of the synthesized nanoparticles was about 15-20 nm. The red stigma and purple petal extracts produced Ag-NPs in the present of light at room temperature. In the absent of light, the absorbance was also observed for the petal extract, whereas the UV-Vis absorption was not observed in stigma extract in the absence of light at room temperature. The stamen extract produced nanoparticles at 60 0</sup>C and 80 0</sup>C in the presence and absent of light, respectively.

Various parts of saffron flower (except green part) showed appropriate ability as reducing and capping agent for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. In addition, light and temperature seemed to have critical effects on the efficiency of plant extracts for producing nanoparticles.

The organ transplantation has been developed due to recent advances in transplantation surgery. The method of preservation and the type of preserving solution are determining factors in the outcome of the transplantations. In this review article, we evaluated the process of organ preservation, and compared the employed storage solutions.

The relevant articles published up to the end of 2019 were collected by searching in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases using terms “Preservation Solutions”, “Organ Transplantation”, “Kidney”, “Pancreas”, and “Liver”.

The aim of developing preservation solutions is to minimize the damage through minimizing the cellular edema; decreasing the function of the membrane pumps, and supplying enough energy for viable cells. Additionally, the two problems of organ shortage for transplantation and time period from taking the organ in the procurement organization to delivering it to the transplant center are enough to encourage scientists to improve preservation methods and solutions for prolonging organ preservation time. The main building blocks of preservation solutions are electrolytes, antioxidants, and saccharides. Currently, there are many efforts to optimize solutions by employing cell death inhibitors such as specific siRNA for caspase 3 and caspase 8.

 In spite of all the efforts, these solutions do not have enough efficiency in preserving the organs for long periods. Hence, it is necessary to optimize preservation methods and solutions’ features to improve their functions.