Isfahan Province Research Articles

Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients, A seven years follow-up study from Iran.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a rare neuroinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent relapses. The most common signs are myelitis and optic neuritis. It can also present by cerebral or brain stem syndromes. There are still many challenges in its diagnosis and treatment, and long-term follow-up studies are needed to see the disease course over time. We established an electronic registration system of NMOSD patients starting from October 2015 in Kashani hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Every suspected patient was documented and included in the follow-up system to survey their disease course. Anti-aquaporine 4 (AQP4) antibody checked for all by cell-based assay method. All information such as demographic and clinical data and laboratory and MRI findings were documented. Participants were followed up for any relapses, new paraclinical tests and drug changes. This study is based on the definite NMOSD cases (according to the 2015 criteria) characteristics and clinical course during 7 years of registration. The study included 173 NMOSD cases and 56 ones were seropositive for AQP4 Ab. Their mean age was 40.02±11.11 years (45.78 in the seropositive group). The mean age at disease onset was about 30.16 years. The mean time of follow-up by our registration system is 55.84±18.94 months (54.82 months in seropositive ones). The annual relapse rate is estimated as 0.47±0.36. Long extended transvers myelitis (LETM) was present in the baseline MRI of 77 patients (44.5%), while 32 of them did not show any related clinical symptoms. 124 patients revealed an abnormality in the first brain MRI. 27 individuals suffer hypothyroidism as the most common comorbid disease. The disease seems to be more prevalent in the west and southwest areas of Isfahan province. The mean age of onset is higher than Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, but there are notable pediatric cases too. It should also be noticed that cervical LETM can be asymptomatic at first. Brain MRI abnormalities are frequently observed. The disease is more prevalent in the geographical areas where showing high MS prevalence.

Antibacterial potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using Nepeta sessilifolia Bunge and Salvia hydrangea DC. ex Benth. extracts from the natural habitats of Iran's Rangelands

BackgroundNowadays, the use of herbal extracts for the production of nanoparticles has attracted a lot of attention due to the fast reaction, economy, and compatibility with the environment. The aim of the present study is the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from the extracts of Nepeta sessilifolia Bunge and Salvia hydrangea DC. ex Benth. and their antibacterial activity was measured.MethodsFor this purpose, the flowering branch of N. sessilifolia and the flower of S. hydrangea were randomly collected from three places, respectively, from the rangelands of Aqdash Mountain and Biabe in Isfahan province, Iran in May 2021. After extracting aqueous extracts by hot method, silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the biological method. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles were analyzed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, and FESEM-EDAX. The antibacterial effect was evaluated by diffusion method in agar and determination of minimum growth inhibitory and lethal concentration (MIC and MBC) by dilution method in liquid culture medium.ResultsBased on the results of UV–Vis spectroscopy, silver nanoparticles synthesized from N. sessilifolia and S. hydrangea had distinct absorption peaks at wavelengths of 407 to 424 nm and 414 to 415 nm, respectively. The crystalline nature of these synthetic silver nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD. FESEM analysis showed that the size of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from N. sessilifolia and S. hydrangea extracts were 10–50 nm and 10–80 nm, respectively, and were cubic. The results of diffusion in agar showed that the largest diameter of the growth inhibition zone belonging to the synthetic silver nanoparticles from both extracts of N. sessilifolia (~ 26.00 mm) and S. hydrangea (~ 23.50 mm) was against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The most vigorous killing activity by synthetic silver nanoparticles from N. sessilifolia extract was against Klebsiella pneumoniae with a value of 250 μg/mL, two times stronger than rifampin.ConclusionTherefore, the studied extracts can be suitable options for fast and safe green synthesis of silver nanoparticles effective against some bacterial strains. These synthetic silver nanoparticles can be used as possible options and have strong potential for the production of natural antibiotics.

Frequency of Cancer Associated with Children and Adolescents

Background: More than 175,000 new cases of cancer in children are diagnosed every year worldwide. : This study aimed to investigate the recorded cancer frequency in children and adolescents in Isfahan Province, Iran. : As one of the main reasons for death among children and adolescents is reported as cancer with different prevalence worldwide, therefore, reporting the occurrence of cancers in this population is crucial. Methods: Information from the years between 2013 to 2015 related to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results; (SEER) was collected from the Isfahan Cancer Registry. The cancer sites studied were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases and recorded by related topography codes. Results: Among all 30,465 registered cancers, there were 582 cases (2%) of cancer, including 57% of children and 43% of adolescents. The mean ± SD age of patients was 11.5 ± 5.9 years (Min; 1, Max 19). The top four ranked cancers were (n=264; 45%) comprised of; 1) hematopoietic and reticuloendothelial system (n= 122), 2) secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes (n=56), 3) malignant neoplasm of the brain (n=43) 4), thyroid gland (n=43). Death-reported data was associated with 32% of the total population studied. The neoplasm was reported in 174 cases, which was associated with 95% death. Conclusion: This frequency source of childhood cancers could be used for health strategy. The observed variations in the frequency of different cancers require continuous monitoring and investigation. Therefore, plan of health-system should focus based on greater efforts toward advanced evidence-based drug therapy in Iran.

Two Raji Dialects Converge with Persian: Contrasting Responses to Contact Influence

AbstractRaji is a Central Plateau (Iranic) language spoken in Kashan district, in the north-west corner of Esfahan Province, Iran. Here, we investigate the nature of Persian influence on the lexicon of two closely-related Raji dialects: that of Abuzeydabad, a desert outpost at 947m above sea level, and Barzok, a well-watered farming community at 2080m in mountains nearby. As expected, our analysis shows many inherited similarities due to linguistic relationship among the three Iranic varieties; cases of difference and innovation that distinguish them; and profound impact of Persian on both Raji dialects. Nonetheless, the degree and patterning of convergence with Persian is uneven, with the dialect of Abuzeydabad showing greater wholesale borrowing from Persian, as well as evidence of structural hybridization. To account for the divergent effects of Persian influence, we review social and geographic dynamics in the language contact situation. Key factors such as population, distance from the nearby Persian-speaking city of Kashan, language identity, and the impact of media and education are equivalent. However, a stark contrast between the towns’ geographic settings defines their social networks and patterns of mobility, and in turn how speakers of each linguistic code respond to Persian influence.

Gibbsiella quercinecans, a pathogen with an increasing prevalence: A study on the causative agents of bacterial canker of Persian walnut and oak trees in central provinces of Iran

AbstractThe cultivation of Persian walnuts in Iran is concentrated in the mountainous regions of Zagros and Alborz, encompassing Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‐Ahmad, Isfahan and Fars provinces. Historically, these areas were renowned for their abundant growth of oak trees. However, due to environmental stressors, oak populations in the Zagros region have been declining, leading to an increased risk of diseases caused by new and aggressive pathogens, exacerbated by climate change. Understanding the distribution and association of pathogenic bacteria in the environment, especially for less common or uncommon species, has become crucial. In this study, 80 bacterial strains were isolated from 84 symptomatic walnut and 16 symptomatic oak trees to investigate bacterial canker agents in primary walnut cultivation regions of Iran. Following the hypersensitivity test and pathogenicity assays, 21 strains were classed as ‘Brenneria nigrifluens’ or ‘Brenneria‐like’, based on their similarities to the reference strain B. nigrifluens ICMP 20120 using phenotypic techniques and specific primers (F1/C3, B. nigrifluens). Varying biochemical characteristics were exhibited by the ‘Brenneria‐like’ group in comparison to the ‘B. nigrifluens’ group. Multilocus sequence analysis was performed using the gyrB, rpoB, infB and atpD genes to determine the taxonomic classification of this group, revealing that it belonged to Gibbsiella quercinecans. The increasing reports of this bacterium from different woodland tree hosts suggest its opportunistic role as an individual causative agent, necessitating monitoring of its host expansion and morbidity.

Analyzing the Effects of Planting Date on the Uncertainty of CERES-Maize and Its Potential to Reduce Yield Gap in Arid and Mediterranean Climates

Decision support system tools such as crop models and considering the uncertainties associated with them are important for making an informed decision to fill the yield gap in farms and increase food security. This study’s objective was to identify and quantify the degree to which crop management practices, as well as climate and soil, affected the uncertainty of total biomass, evapotranspiration, and water productivity of silage maize by using a crop model and spatiotemporal input data. Using a calibrated crop model (DSSAT) and pSIMS platform, three planting dates by considering ten ensemble weather data and three soil profile data were simulated for the time period between 2002 and 2017 with a 2 km × 2 km resolution across maize production areas with arid and Mediterranean climates in Isfahan province, Iran. Additionally, the findings were used to determine the yield gap in the studied area to identify opportunities to boost food production. Our results showed larger uncertainty in Mediterranean climates than in arid climates, and it was more affected by planting date than weather parameters and soil profile. The accuracy of total biomass prediction by using pSIMS-CERES-Maize based on the spatiotemporal input data was 1.9% compared to field experimental data in the dry climate, and the yield gap based on the comparison of modified-pSIMS-CERES-Maize and reported biomass was 6.8 to 13 tons ha−1 in the arid and Mediterranean climate. Generally, all results represented the importance of using crop models and considering spatiotemporal data to increase reliability and accuracy, especially in Mediterranean climates, and their potential to increase food production in developing countries with limited water resources and poor agriculture management.

The Relationship Between Movie Violence and Violent Behavior in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Violent behavior in adolescents is one of the important public health problems; however, studies on this issue in developing countries are limited. Nowadays, adolescents spend a lot of day-night time watching TV. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between watching violent movies and perpetrating violent behaviors among adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2800 adolescents, aged 11 - 18 years, residing in urban and rural areas of Isfahan province were enrolled. This study received a part of a grant No. 188169 dedicated to a project scrutinizing if watching violent movies by adolescents encouraged violent behaviors in the three domains of physical, verbal, and psychological violence. The data were gathered by a valid and reliable questionnaire, and SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: Violent behaviors were significantly higher among adolescents who watched more violent movies (adjusted OR = 1.6, CI: 1.3 - 2.1). Physical, verbal, and psychological types of violence achieved the adjusted ORs of 1.6 (CI: 1.3 - 2.05), 1.3 (CI: 1.1 - 1.6), and 1.07 (CI = 0.8 - 1.3), respectively. Conclusions: Watching violent movies can noticeably increase the frequency of violent behaviors among adolescents, especially in boys and rural students.

Association of Rahnella victoriana, Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. hoffmannii and Citrobacter braakii with walnut decline

Persian walnut (Juglans regia) has a considerable economic importance worldwide. However, the vigor and vitality of walnut trees were heavily affected by bark canker during the last few years. Irregular longitudinal cankers in the outer bark, stem tissue necrosis, and bleeding with black-colored exudates walnut trees were observed in Kermanshah, Hamedan, Markazi, Alborz, Isfahan, Qom, Semnan, and Razavi Khorasan provinces in western, central and eastern Iran during 2018 and 2019. A total of 150 symptomatic samples were collected from affected walnut trees in order to identify bacteria associated with walnut decline. Two-hundred sixty strains with a metallic green sheen were isolated on EMB-agar medium. The pathogenicity of all strains was proved by inoculating a suspension of the bacterial strains under the bark of immature walnut fruits cv. ‘Hartley’. Ninety-five strains caused necrosis and a dark-colored region in the mesocarp around the inoculation site 14 days post-inoculation. Moreover, 12 representative strains induced necrotic and black-colored tissues in the bark of young green twigs of two-year old walnut seedling cv. ‘Chandler’. The strains were classified into four categories based on conventional phenotypic characters confirmed with the 16S rRNA gene sequences. A phylogenetic tree based on the concatenated sequences of two housekeeping gene fragments, gyrB and infB, indicated that strains including I1, Q6, and S6 were grouped in a cluster with Gibbsiella quercinecans FBR97T as well as strains I2, I5, and KE6 were clustered with Rahnella victoriana FRB 225T. Moreover, strains MR1, MR3, and MR5 were grouped with the Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. hoffmannii DSM 14563T. The phylogenetic analyses based on the partial sequencing of housekeeping genes including fusA, pyrG, and leuS revealed that strains KH1, KH3, and KH7 belong to Citrobacter braakii species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. braakii and E. hormaechei as plant pathogens and R. victoriana associated with walnut decline.

Clinical predictors of abnormal brain computed tomography findings in mild traumatic brain injury: A cross-sectional study.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a health challenge world widely. Local evidence is essential to establish decision-making algorithms. According to the lack of sufficient evidence, the present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of mTBI and predictive factors of abnormal brain computed tomography (CT) scans. The present analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2021 to September 2022 on patients with the diagnosis of mTBI. Subjects were individuals who were diagnosed with mTBI in 2 Level I trauma centers located in Isfahan province, which serves as the referral center for the entire population of the province. Demographic and clinical data were recorded during a face-to-face interview. The brain CT scans were interpreted by an experienced radiologist. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Mac, Version 24.0. 498 patients were enrolled in the study, consisting of 393 (78.9%) men and 65 (13.1%) children younger than 10 years old. 100 (20%) of them had abnormal CT scan findings. The mean age of participants was 33.39 ± 19.69, which was significantly higher in patients who had abnormal CT scans (P value = .002). Despite the most common mechanism in both groups being motor accidents, the rate of motor accidents was higher in patients with abnormal findings of CT scan (P value = .048). Multiple logistic regression revealed that post-traumatic vomiting (PTV) (odd ratios [OR]: 3.736), post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) (OR:3.613), raccoon eyes (OR:47.878), and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of 15 (OR:0.11) are predictive factors for abnormal findings. The present study suggested the presence of PTV, PTA, raccoon eyes and GCS of 13 or 14 as predictive factors for abnormal findings in mTBI populations.

The impact of green culture on employee organizational commitment: The mediating role of green identity

ABSTRACT The importance of environmental issues leads the managers of organizations to implement green policies. Besides having environmental benefits and fulfilling the organization’s social responsibilities, implementing these policies will also have internal benefits that encourage managers to review internal organizational structures and identify the factors that affect them. This study examines how the green culture of the organization is one of the critical structures within the organization on the level of employee commitment through the mediation of the green identity of the organization. In this study, the analysis of standard questions of research variables in the statistical population, i.e. the staff of industrial estates in Isfahan province, has been used. The approach used in this research is structural equational modeling with the partial least squares method, done and analyzed by SmartPLSsoftware. The results show that green organizational culture directly affects organizational commitment. In addition, green organizational culture through green organizational identity as a mediating variable affects organizational commitment, and thus the mediating role of green organizational identity is strongly confirmed. The responsibility of organizations to protect the environment can be considered a factor in increasing organizational commitment and thus lead to further promotion and success of the organization. Therefore, organizations can create policies to implement green culture in addition to green identity in the organization can increase employee commitment to the organization, which is an essential result of this research.

Proposing a framework for analyzing the effect of lean and agile innovation on lean and agile supply chain

PurposeThis study aims to propose an integrated framework for analyzing the effect of lean and agile innovation on the lean and agile supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe literature was reviewed and the dimensions of lean and agile supply chain/innovation were extracted. The statistical population included the managers and experts of pharmaceutical companies in Isfahan province. Eight pharmaceutical companies were selected. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to investigate the research variables. The face and content validity of the questionnaire and the data reliability were confirmed. After data collection, the studied companies were positioned in a two-by-two matrix and the associated data of two cells of the matrix, i.e. high lean supply chain/innovation and high agile supply chain/innovation were used for further statistical effect analysis using Smart-PLS.FindingsThe research results indicated that with the improvement of lean innovation in pharmaceutical companies, the lean supply chain improved by 97.9%; and with the improvement of agile innovation, the agile supply chain improved by 97.1%.Practical implicationsConsidering lean innovation, pharmaceutical companies should deal with the process of conceptualizing innovation, and regarding agility strategy, their focus should be more on generating ideas to improve their agile supply chain. This study was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers appropriate innovation strategies to improve the supply chain of pharmaceutical companies.Originality/valueThe literature review implies that no research has been conducted on the selected and classified variables of this study. Also, using the positioning matrix before statistical analysis distinguishes this paper from similar studies.

Is Neighborhood With a Steel Factory Associated With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors?

Background and aims: Staying adjacent to steel plants may raise the chance of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors for their inhabitants. The present study aimed to compare some CVD risk factors in the residents of a city adjacent to the steel plant as the exposed city in comparison with the residents of a control city in the Isfahan province. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2021, the data related to the prevalence rate of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), Hyperlipidemia, overweight, and obesity were collected in the over 30 years old inhabitants who were living in Chamgordan as the exposed city and Ferydounshahr as the control city and underwent cardiovascular risk assessment. The data were gathered from the Iranian electronic health file system by the census sampling method. Results: Among the more than 30 years old population who stayed in the exposed and the control cities, the prevalence rates of CVD risk factors were as HTN (20.53% and 16.54%), DM (10.32% and 7.13%), and overweight and obesity (32.55% and 27.07%), respectively. There were no significant statistical differences between the exposed and control cities regarding HTN (P=0.471), DM (P=0.447), and overweight and obesity (P=0.355). However, hyperlipidemia was significantly more prevalent in the exposed city by 11.53% in comparison with 0.45% in the control city (P=0.001). Conclusion: Except for hyperlipidemia, there was no significant statistical difference in the prevalence rates of HTN, DM, overweight, and obesity between the exposed and the control cities.

New records of brachiopods from the Lower Miocene deposits of the Qom Formation of the Isfahan province, Central Iran

The study presents new records of brachiopods from the Lower Miocene deposits of the Qom Formation from two sections, Bagh and Ramsheh in the Isfahan province, Central Iran. Three species, i.e. Argyrotheca bitnerae, Joania cordata, and Platidia anomioides, have been identified in the investigated material. All species are present in the Bagh section whereas in the material from Ramsheh A. bitnerae was not found. Although the species recognized here were already described from the Miocene of the Qom Formation, this is their first report from the localities of Bagh and Ramsheh, providing new data on the distribution of brachiopods in the Cenozoic of Iran.

Translation and validation of the ageism scale for dental students in Iran (ASDS-Persian).

A longer life and the growing population of older adults are the achievements of the 20th century. The World Health Organization considers ageism an important barrier to age-appropriate care for older adults. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the ageism scale for dental students in Iran (ASDS-Persian). The 27-question ASDS was translated from English into Persian (Farsi) and completed by 275 dental students from two universities in Isfahan, Iran. Principal component analysis (PCA), internal consistency reliability, and discriminant validity were estimated. Furthermore, in this study we conducted an analytical cross sectional study among dental students of Isfahan province (two universities) with the aim of proving data regarding their ageism beliefs and attitudes. PCA revealed an 18-question, four-component scale with acceptable validity and reliability. The four components are 'barriers/concerns on dental treatment in older adults', 'opinions about older adults', 'practitioner's perspective,' and 'older adults' perspective'. This preliminary validation of ASDS-Persian produced a new 18-question scale with four components with acceptable validity and reliability. This instrument could be further tested in larger samples in Farsi speaking countries.

Preventive Covid-19 behavior among Youth using the health belief model in Khomeyni Shahr, Isfahan

Abstract
 Introduction: Corona virus infected all the countries of the world due to its high spread in less than a few months, so it became necessary to promote preventive behaviors of the disease in correct health plans. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the Preventive Covid-19 behavior among Youth using the health belief model.
 Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 412 youth people aged 18-30 in Khomeyni shahr of Isfahan province. The information was collected using a standardized researcher-made questionnaire based on the health belief model using available sampling. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software.
 Results: Preventive behaviors and obstacles to doing it were more in women than in men. A positive and significant correlation was observed between age, education level and preventive behaviors of covid-19. There was a positive and significant correlation between preventive behaviors from Covid-19 with perceived sensitivity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-efficacy. Meanwhile, the strongest correlation in this study was between self-efficacy and perceived benefits.
 Conclusion: According to the findings of the research and the relationship between the structures that make up the health belief model and the preventive behaviors of the corona disease in young people, it seems that the use of methods based on the health belief model to increase the preventive behaviors of the Covid-19, especially in men, is effective and recommended. It is also suggested that changing self-efficacy structures and perceived benefits should be prioritized in the design of future interventions to promote preventive behaviors against corona disease in young people.

Regional disparities in cancer survival in Iran: Insight from a National Surveillance of Cancer Survival in Iran (IRANCANSURV)

Background and objectivesWe aimed to investigate geographical disparity in cancer survival in 9 provincial population-based cancer registries in Iran from 2015 to 2016. Material and methodIn the current study, data from 90,862 adult patients (aged >15 years) diagnosed with cancer were retrieved from 9 population-based cancer registries across Iran. Five-year survival rates were estimated by applying relative survival approaches. We also applied the international cancer survival standard weights for age standardization. Finally, we calculated the excess hazard ratio (EHR) for each province adjusted for age, sex, and cancer sites to estimate the excess hazard ratio of mortality compared to the capital province (Tehran). ResultsThe largest gap in survival was observed in more curable cancer types, including melanoma (41.4%), ovary (32.3%), cervix (35.0%), prostate (26.7%), and rectum (21.4%), while the observed geographical disparity in lethal cancers such as lung, brain, stomach, and pancreas was less than 15%. Compared to Tehran, we found the highest excess hazard of death in Western Azerbaijan (EHR=1.60, 95% CI 1.51, 1.65), Kermanshah (EHR=1.52, 95% CI=1.44, 1.61), and Kerman (EHR=1.46, 95% CI=1.38, 1.53). The hazard ratio of death was almost identical in Isfahan (EHR=1.04, 95% CI=1.03, 1.06) and Tehran provinces. ConclusionProvinces with higher HDI had better survival rates. IRANCANSURV study showed regional disparities in cancer survival in Iran. Cancer patients in provinces with a higher Human Development Index (HDI) had a higher survival rate and lived longer compared to the patients in provinces with medium and low HDI regions.

Does folate deficiency alter sperm parameters in infertile males?

Introduction: There is not enough evidence regarding the influence of folate deficiency in the etiology of idiopathic male infertility. Objectives: The objective of the current study was to examine whether there is an association between serum levels of folate and sperm parameters among infertile males. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on a sample of infertile males referring to an infertility treatment clinic in Isfahan province, Iran. Semen parameters, comprising sperm concentration, progressive/total motility, morphology, semen leukocyte, agglutination, and vitality were assessed based on standard protocols. The sperm DNA fragmentation assay (SDFA) and sperm chromatin maturity assay (SCMA) were also assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion and aniline-blue tests respectively. Results: In general, 70 infertile males including 46 with sufficient serum folate level and 24 with insufficient serum folate level were examined. Subjects with sufficient serum folate level had a significantly higher mean of sperm concentration, vitality, progressive motility, total motility, SDFA, and SCMA (P<0.05). Higher serum folate level was also associated with lower risk of abnormal sperm agglutination (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.65), and morphology (OR: 0.12, 95% CI: (0.02-0.60) after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion: The present study found a significant association between serum folate level and infertility among Iranian infertile males. However, prospective large-scale population-based research is required to confirm the finding.

Evaluation Employees’ Organizational Commitment—Evidence from Iran

Today, the ultimate approach of an organization in any society is to attract as many beneficiaries as possible. Due to the nature-oriented development of their rural communities, they have to satisfy their interest groups more than other communities. When it comes to rural development in Iran, there are many credible organizations that directly and indirectly engage with the target community. The absence of organizational tasks leads to failure in achieving predetermined goals. Allen and Meyer’s standard organizational commitment questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Descriptive statistical measures such as focus and dispersion indices were used to analyze the results. Inferential statistical measures such as the mean difference comparison test and the correlation coefficient were also used. The results showed that the level of organizational commitment among employees of Jihad-e-Agriculture Organization in Isfahan Province is 55%. The results also showed that the most important factors affecting employees’ organizational commitment were social responsibility, psychological factors and income satisfaction, which could explain up to 50% of employees’ organizational commitment.

Investigation of Virulence and Antibiotic-Resistance of Bacillus cereus Isolated from Various Spices.

Spices and herbs are potential vectors for virulent and pathogenic micro-organisms, which cause illness in consumers, contribute to spoilage, and reduce the durability of foodstuffs. The present study aims to provide relevant data about virulence and antibiotic resistance of Bacillus cereus isolated from various spices. A total of 200 samples of 8 types of spices (black pepper, chilli, white pepper, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, curry powder, and sumac) were collected from various markets, retail shops, and sucuk production premises located in the Isfahan province of Iran. Presumptive B. cereus strains were obtained using Bacara Agar plates after enrichment in saline peptone water and final colonies were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Enterotoxin (HBL) and nonhaemolytic enterotoxin (NHE) production were assessed using the Duopath® Cereus Enterotoxins Test kit. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was applied as antibiotics susceptibility test. PCR was used to detect Emetic toxin gene (CES and CER) and enterotoxigenic toxin gene (cytK, nheA, hblC, and entFM). Results show a significant prevalence of B. cereus (42%) in spices. However, the spices meet food safety recommendations (<104 cfu/g). Antibiotics susceptibility test show alarming rate of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics specially ampicillin (83.33%) and penicillin (82.14%). Concerning the toxin producing capacity more than half of the isolates (51.19%) produce NHE toxin and 27.38% produce HBL toxin. The most abundant gene were nheA, nheB, and nheC and a combination of 4 genes (entFM, nheA, hblC, and cytK) was detected in many isolates. In conclusion, the presence of multidrug resistant B. cereus strains carrying diarrhoeal toxin-encoding genes in spices intended for human consumption represents a serious health hazard. These results indicate the need for regular surveillance of the occurrence of B. cereus strains in spices and food products in Iran.

Remote Sensing Indexes Assessment for Drought Monitoring Using Sentinel Satellite Imagery: A Case Study from Natanz County, Iran

In recent years, the problem of climate change and decrease in rainfall has become a big challenge in Iran, so it’s monitoring and control is very vital and necessary. In addition to the classical methods, nowadays with the progress of the space industry in the world, the use of remote sensing techniques has greatly helped to detect and monitor drought. The science of remote sensing and the use of satellite images is considered a useful and optimal tool for drought monitoring. In this project, we investigated the occurrence of drought using satellite images and remote sensing techniques. In this way, we have calculated the drought-related remote sensing indicators, including NDVI, VCI, TCI, and VHI, in the six-year period between 2015 and 2021 for Natanz county located in Isfahan province. In order to calculate the indicators, Sentinel satellite data was used, and to calculate the Standard Rainfall Index (SPI), data from the synoptic station of Natanz county was used. According to the general results obtained from the indicators, currently the drought situation in the southwestern region of this area has been increasing compared to the last five years, and in other regions we are witnessing the growth and occurrence of drought sporadically. The results of this research show that the best index for calculating and monitoring drought is the VCI index because it has a higher correlation with meteorological data and the SPI index.