West Azarbaijan Province Research Articles

A study on the role of non-farm activities on rural sustainable development in West Azarbaijan Province of Iran

A study on the role of non-farm activities on rural sustainable development in West Azarbaijan Province of Iran

Properties of biological activity of ten wild almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) species

To compare the antioxidant and antiradical activity of phenolic extracts of different species of wild almond kernels (including the brown skin), 10 wild almond species were selected from Shahindezh and Qasemloo Valley in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran. The fruits of these almonds were collected, their kernels were separated from their hulls and shells and then ground, and methanolic extracts were prepared from the kernels. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and a colorimetric method, respectively. The extracts were also evaluated on their reducing power and their capacity to scavenge for DPPH radicals. Significant differences were found in the phenolic and flavonoid contents of kernels from various species. The radical-scavenging capacity percentage also varied among 6 species at 50 ppm, although 100% radical scavenging was recorded for all species at 100 ppm. The results obtained were quite heterogeneous, revealing significant differences among the species assayed. A. pabotti Browicz and A. orientalis Duhamel revealed better antioxidant properties and the highest antioxidant contents. Therefore, these wild almonds can be used in breeding cultivated almonds and for rootstock improvement.

Parental risk factors of childhood acute leukemia: a case-control study.

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children, accounting for near to half of all childhood cancers. Different risk factors might be effective in the occurrence of this cancer such as parental characteristics. This study was done in West Azarbaijan Province in order to determine the relation between parental characteristics and acute leukemia in children. This matched case-control study was conducted on children less than 15 years affected by acute leukemia from March 20, 2003 to March 20, 2009. Two control groups were selected, one from hospital and the other from the study population. Cases and controls were matched on age and sex. Logistic regression model was used for data analysis. This study was done on 130 patients, 108 (83.1%) were affected by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and 22 (16.9%) by Acute Myeloblastic Leuke-mia. Seventy two of the patients were male (55.4%) and 58 were female (44.6%). There was a statistically significant correlation between acute leuke-mia and variables such as mother's education [OR=4.2, 95% CI: 2.42, 7.34], mother's history of using Oral Contraceptive Pills [OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.82] and parental relationship [OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.23]. It seems that some parental characteristics have an important role in etiology of childhood leukemia.

An analysis of energy use, input costs and relation between energy inputs and yield of apple orchard

This study examines the energy balance between the input and the output per hectare for an apple orchard in the West Azarbaijan province in Iran (2008–2009). Data were collected by using random sampling method for 80 “face to face” questioners. Results showed that the highest share of energy consumption belongs to packaging (57%) and irrigation (16%). The highest share of expenses was found to be 34% and 30% for labor and packaging, respectively. The total energy input for apple production, energy productivity, net energy and output-input energy value were estimated as 101,505 MJ/ha, 0.23 kg/MJ, –56,320 MJ/ha and 0.44, respectively. Results indicated that 71% and 96.7% of total energy input were in indirect and non-renewable form, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was estimated as 1.77. The regression results revealed that all exogenous variables (for machinery, fertilizers, farmyard manure and packaging energies) were found statistically significant. The packaging had the highest impact (3.23). According to the benefit-cost ratio, large farms were more successful in economic performance.

The essential oils compositions of Iranian Oregano (Origanum vulgareL.) populations in field and provenance from Piranshahr district, West Azarbaijan province, Iran

Objective: Origanum vulgare L. is rarely cultivated in Iran but it is the only species of the Origanum genus growing wild in this country. O.vulgare L. is widely spread all over the country. In this study, parameters of content, composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils of domestic and wild Iranian Oregano populations were compared with one another. Materials and Methods: The extractions were performed using a clevenger-type apparatus and the essential oils in the Oregano plants were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Results: The essential oils were obtained in the Oregano field at yield of (0.80%) and the 4 provenance Oregano (ranging from 0.93% to 1.66% v/w). In cultivated plant 22 constituents, representing 94.02% and in 4 provenance plants (O.v-w1--- O.v-w4), 21, 25, 22, 20 constituents, representing 96.55%, 95.66%, 95.8%, 94.48% of the oils, respectively, were identified. The two major constituents of the essential oils, carvacrol ranging from 23.54 to 67.09% and, γ-terpinene ranging from 7.71 to 20.94% were present in relatively equal amounts in all five samples from different localities. Five chemotypes of essential oils were identified. The main chemotype was carvacrol-γ-terpinene. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of essential oils of O.vulgare using DPPH radical scavenging was determined. All extracts exhibited almost the same pattern of antioxidant activity as ascorbic acid (vit C). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that the chemical composition of the essential oils of O. vulgare L. varies considering geographical location of collection site, climate and other ecological conditions which suggest both intrinsic/genetic and extrinsic/environmental factors such as: altitude, edaphic, temperature, humidity and climate, may play important roles in deter‌mining the oils composition.

Survey on fungal, parasites and epibionts infestation on the Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823), in Aras Reservoir West Azarbaijan, Iran.

A total of 394 (255 males,139 females) live freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus from four stations of Aras reservoir in West Azarbaijan Province (North-Western Iran) were studied during the winter until early autumn of 2009 for the presence of parasites, Epibionts and Fungal agents. Parasitological surveys were carried out on gills; exoskeleton and internal organs, mycological examinations on the exoskeleton (the legs, abdominal cuticle and the eggs). 9 epibionts and parasites peritrich protozoans including :Cothurnia sieboldii (68.5%), Zoothamnium spp. (56.6%), Vorticella similis (45.6%) , Chilodonella spp. (0.5%), Podophrya fixa (7.8%), Epistylis chrysemidis (53.2%), Pyxicola annulata (66%), Opercularia articulata (19.8%), Tetrahymena pyriformis (0.5%) were recorded. From Metazoan parasites group, Branchiobdella kozarovi (71%) as the first observation was the only parasite recorded from exoskeleton with prevalence (100%) during spring and summer of the study year. Infected gills were heavily damaged with Aeolosoma hemprichi (Annelid) in winter with 90% prevalence. Other Epibiont fouling organisms such as Rotatoria; free living Nematods were observed in this survey. Furthermore, on the mycotic agents identified Penicillium expansum; Aspergillus flavus; Alternaria sp. ; Fusarium sp. and Saprolegnia sp. were isolated in IM media and identified with slides cultured from cuticular melanized lesions and eggs of infected specimens. This is the first investigation on epibionts, parasites and fungal organisms of the endemic crayfish in Aras reservoir, Iran.

New records of lacertid genera, Iranolacerta and Apathya (Sauria: Lacertidae) in Iran

This report presents a new record of Iranolacerta brandtii brandtii from 30 km south of Tekab City, West Azarbaijan Province and 130 km south of the previously known distribution range of the subspecies; a new record of Iranolacerta zagrosica in Kaljonun mountain peak, Lorestan Province, about 70 km northwest of the type locality; a new record of Apathya cappadocica urmiana in the Manesht protected area in Ilam Province, which is the southernmost known locality of the subspecies; and a new record of Apathya yassujica in Pire Ghar, south of Farsan city in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, about 200 km northwest of the type locality.

The Pattern of Local Community-Based Management for Sustainable Rural Development in West Azarbaijan Province

Problem Statement: Community-based management as incorporates both a top-down and bottom-up approach that involvement beneficiary sections such as local community, government states and non governmental organizations. It has also been applied to designate approaches where local communities play a central but not exclusive role in rural sustainable development process management. Approach: This study was survey method and is descriptive-correlation research, which was carried out to designee the pattern of community-based management and its application for sustainable rural development process in west Azarbaijan province. Study population were consisted 270 of, local community (rural councilors), offices experts in rural related office activities and agricultural and natural resources engineering organization NGO’s members. Results: Results of structural equation modeling of the accepted characteristics indicated that latent variable such as &#34Stakeholder’s Role&#34 and &#34Affecting Factors&#34 have positive effect and &#34Obstacles&#34 latent variable has a negative role to design CBM. A structural equation indicated these variables altogether account 93% of variance (R2 = 0.93) in designing community-based management. Conclusion/Recommendations: On the basis of structural model, we can conclude that factors, stakholers and obstacles have important affect on community-based management. Overall community based management will have more impotent role in rural developments process planning, organizing, staffing, controlling and directing.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Drinking and Agricultural Uses in the Oshnavieh Area, Northwest of Iran

The Oshnavieh plain is part of the West Azarbaijan province, which is located; 100 km south of Urmia City, northwestern of Iran, and its groundwater resources are developed for water supply and irrigation purposes. In order to evaluate the quality of groundwater in study area, 31 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for various parameters. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater such as electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO3, CO3, SO4, NO3, NH3, PO4, Fe, F were determined. Chemical index like percentage of sodium, sodium ad-sorption ratio, and residual sodium carbonated, permeability index (PI) and chloroalkaline indices were calculated. Based on the analytical results, groundwater in the area is generally fresh and hard to very hard. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: HCO3 > SO4 > Cl and Ca > Mg > Na > K. The dominant hydrochemical facieses of groundwater is Ca-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-HCO3 type. According to Gibbs diagrams samples fall in the rock dominance field and the chemical quality of groundwater is related to the lithology of the area. The results of calculation saturation index by computer pro-gram PHREEQC shows that the nearly all of the water samples were saturated to undersaturated with respect to carbon-ate minerals and undersaturated with respect to sulfate minerals. Assessment of water samples from various methods in-dicated that groundwater in study area is chemically suitable for drinking and agricultural uses. Fluoride and nitrate are within the permissible limits for human consumption and crops as per the international standards.

Effect of Border Markets on the Economy of West Azarbaijan Province, Iran

The present study attempts to assess the performance of border markets and their effects on the sustainable development of border regions of Iran. Tamarchin, the oldest border market of Piranshahr, West Azarbaijan Province, Iran, was selected as the case for the study since it has ranked first in the country, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The data for the study was collected from two different sources: official statistics released by the Customs Office, the Ministries of Commerce and Corporation of Iran during 2001-2007 and data gathered from a questionnaire distributed among some active West Azerbaijan border traders and also from a face-to-face interview with those traders. The results of the study indicated that considering high growth potential and many other advantages of the province, West Azarbaijan can play a significant role in the creation and establishment of border markets of the country.

Traffic injury deaths in West Azarbaijan province of Iran: a cross-sectional interview-based study on victims' characteristics and pre-hospital care

This study highlights the socio-demographics and death circumstances of victims of fatal road traffic injuries (RTIs) in one Iranian province. A representative sample of cases was selected from a national register and interviews were conducted with the victims' family members. The study shows that there is a strong association between victim attributes (e.g. sex, age, occupation, education or marital status) and category of road-user. Although men are over-represented in all categories, women die above all as car passengers or pedestrians. Deaths of vulnerable road-users are more frequent among the younger and older age groups. Two-thirds of all deaths occurred before arrival at the hospital and 11% of the victims received ambulance transport. The patterns of fatal RTIs observed in the province differ somewhat from the rest of Iran and other low- and middle-income countries. Not only pre- but also post-crash counter-measures could help save lives in the region.

Estimating road traffic mortality more accurately: Use of the capture–recapture method in the West Azarbaijan Province of Iran

The study estimates the rate of fatal road traffic injuries (RTIs) by population and road-users group in one Iranian province. The capture – recapture method was employed, using both the death register and the forensic medicine register over one year. They recorded totals of 669 and 665 RTIs respectively, giving a non-overlapping number of 897 cases. An estimate of 1018 fatalities occurred, at rates of 34 per 100,000 of the population for all road users aggregated, 10 per 100,000 for pedestrians and 25 per 100,000 for other road users. Coverage was somewhat better for victims less than 15 years of age, and also for males. The method showed 121 under-reported cases in both sources; however, it can help Iranian policy-makers to produce a good estimation of fatal RTIs number each year, when following up current RTIs-prevention programmes. Yet, given that each registry operates separately, optimum coverage will only be obtained when both sources are integrated and work together.

Distribution of fluoride in groundwater of Maku area, northwest of Iran

High fluoride groundwater occurs in Maku area, in the north of West Azarbaijan province, northwest of Iran. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the area residents. Groundwater samples were collected from 72 selected points including 40 basaltic and 32 nonbasaltic springs and wells, in two stages, during June and August 2006. The areas with high fluoride concentrations have been identified, and the possible causes for its variation have been investigated. Regional hydrogeochemical investigation indicates that water-rock interaction is probably the main reason for the high concentration of ions in groundwater. The concentration of F− in groundwater is positively correlated with that of HCO3 − and Na+, indicating that groundwater with high HCO3 − and Na+ concentrations help to dissolve some fluoride-rich minerals. All of the water samples, collected from the basaltic areas do not meet the water quality standards for fluoride concentration and some other parameters. Hence, it is not suitable for consumption without any prior treatment. Inhabitants of the area that obtain their drinking water supplies from basaltic springs and wells are suffering from dental fluorosis. The population of the study area is at a high risk due to excessive fluoride intake especially when they are unaware of the amount of fluoride being ingested due to lack of awareness.

First Report Of Ectopsocus briggsi and Trichopsocus dalii (Psocoptera: Psocomorpha: Ectopsocidae and Trichopsocidae) from Iran

Two species of Psocoptera, Ectopsocus briggsi McLachlan 1899, and Trichopsocus dalii (McLachlan 1867) have been found for the first time on citrus leaves in 2 agricultural regions of Iran: Gonbad-e Kavous of Golestan Province and Sari of Mazandaran Province. The biology of psocid insects are poorly known, but in the year 2000, 4408 described species belonging to 371 genera and 41 families were known world wide (Lienhard & Smithers 2002), and by the end of 2005, 103 new genera and 1149 new spe cies were added (Garcia Aldrete 2006). Only 5 species have been previously recorded in Iran, all belonging to the genus Liposcelis Motschul sky 1852, from Liposcelididae, infraorder Nan opsocetae and suborder Troctomorpha. Shah Hosseini & Kamali (1989) reported only 1 spe cies, L. divinatorius (M?ller) sensu Pearman 1946, on flour, seeds of kanaf, maize, corn flakes, and cereals from Uromieh (in West Az arbaijan Province), Ahwaz (in Khuzestan Prov ince), Bandar Anzali (in Gilan Province) and Karaj (in Tehran Province). Modarres Awal (2001) mentioned this species in his insect checklist of Iran. Ahadiyat (2004) found L. ke leri G?nther 1974 as a new record for the insect fauna of Iran from the galleries of the almond bark beetle, Scolytus amygdali Guerin-Menev ille 1847. It also was found under bark of some rosaceous fruit trees, including cherry, apricot, and plum, in Kamaal-shahr region of Karaj, Te hran Province. Jalalizand et al. (2005) reported 4 psocid species including L. bostrychophila Ba donnel 1931 and L. corrodens (Heymons 1909), respectively, on 10-IVand 3-VI-2003 in holes of undetermined elm bark beetles, and L. decolor (Pearman 1925) and L. keleri, respectively, on 16-VIand 5-IX-2003 in holes of undetermined elm bark beetles and also from holes of an eco nomically importance long-horned beetle, Aeol esthes sp., all from Isfahan city, Isfahan Prov ince. Recently, Ahadiyat et al. (unpublished data) found another new psocid family of the suborder Psocomorpha for the insect fauna of Iran. Two species were collected by 2 collectors, mentioned below, and thereafter identified by Charles Lienhard, Museum of Natural History, Geneva, Switzerland, as Ectopsocus briggsi from Ectopsocidae, and Trichopsocus dalii from Tri chopsocidae, both families belonging to the in fraorder Homilopsocidea, and suborder Psoco morpha (= Eupsocida). Ectopsocus briggsi was first collected from the upper surface of concave and webby elder leaves of orange and sour orange by Hemra Khozeini, on 23-111-2006. Additional specimens of E. briggsi and all of the specimens of Trichopsocus dalii were collected by Golsa Abbaskhani from the in fested tangerine leaves in early May 2006. A description of the species is briefly as follows: Ectopsocus briggsi McLachlan 1899 Ectopsocus limbatus Navas 1909 Peripsocus parvulus Kolbe, Enderlein 1927 Wings large, long and membranous, forewing without vein Cula; head and thorax and its ap pendages brown; abdomen yellowish-cream; tarsi two-segmented; gnapophyses with 3 valvulae. Distribution: This is a cosmopolitan species and has been previously recorded from western Palaearctic (Algeria, Belgium, Cyprus, former Czechoslovakia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, It aly, Luxemburg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, former USSR (European part) and former Yugoslavia), Atlantic Ocean Islands (Azores, Canary Islands, Gough Island, Madeira, Saint Helena), North America (USA), Central America (Mexico), South America (Ar gentina, Chile and Venezuela), Africa (Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe), Indian Ocean Islands (Mascarene Islands), Asia including eastern Palaearctic and Oriental (India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongo lia and Nepal), Australia, New Zealand, and Pa cific Ocean Islands (Micronesia and Pacific) (Garcia Aldrete 1991; Lienhard & Smithers 2002). Ectopsocus briggsi moves quickly from leaf up per surface to lower surface when disturbed. The species is found on both living and dead leaves of various broad-leaf trees and occurs occasionally on conifer foliage (Mockford 1993). Material Examined: Total specimens: 6 S S and 8 9 9. The numbers of specimens and their sexes, plant host, locality, date of collecting and collector name are as follows: 1 S and 2 ? 9 ; on the upper surface of orange and sour orange leaves; Gonbad-e Kavous, Gole

Determination of anthrax foci through isolation of Bacillus anthracis form soil samples of different regions of Iran

To isolate and detect anthrax spores form soil in different regions of Iran in order to find the anthrax foci‚ a total of 668 environmental specimens were collected during 2003-2004. Bacterial endospores were extracted from soil specimens via flotation in distilled water, incubation at room temperature, filtration, heat shock and culture on blood agar and selective PLET media. Bacillus anthracis was identified using conventional bacteriological, biochemical and biological tests. Viable B. anthracis spores were isolated from 61 (9.1%) soil samples of the 668 collected specimens in which 21 (34.4%) isolates were encapsulated with different virulence from very high virulence to low virulence and the others (40 isolates) were unencapsulated. The isolated bacteria and their virulence were confirmed with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using B. anthracis‚ cap and pa specific primers. They also confirmed by inoculation into laboratory animals. Isolation of B. anthracis from soil in this study is reported for the first time in Iran. The encapsulated virulent bacteria were isolated from soil specimens of Isfahan, Khuzestan, West Azarbaijan, Khorasan, Charmohal Bakhtiari and Gazvin provinces. It is recommended that due to existence of highly virulent strains of B. anthracis in these regions, a review of implementation of control programs such as regular vaccination of all susceptible livestocks and surveillance of the disease in animals and human in such endemic areas is required.

Comparing Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan Provinces of Iran by Using IS6110-RFLP Method

Comparing Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan Provinces of Iran by Using IS6110-RFLP Method

A study on intestinal helminthes of dogs, foxes and jackals in the western part of Iran

Human infection especially with helminth parasites is an emerging health issue, as the human environment is increasingly shared with infected animals, either pets or wild life. In this survey, the intestinal content of 83 stray dogs, 22 red foxes and 10 golden Jackals collected from the West Azarbaijan, Kordestan and Kermanshah provinces in the west of Iran, were studied for the presence of helminth parasites. The percentage of different species recovered from these animals is listed as follows: From stray dogs: Toxocara canis (6.02%), Toxascaris leonina (32.53%), Ancylostoma caninum (3.61%), Oxynema sp. (1.35%), Rictularia affinis (12.05%), Taenia hydatigena (53.01%), Taenia ovis (7.23%), Taenia multiceps (4.82%), Echinococcus granulosus (13.25%), Dipylidium caninum (38.55%), Mesocestoides lineatus (26.50%) and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (4.82%). From red foxes: T. canis (4.54%), T. leonina (31.82%), A. caninum (4.54%), Uncinaria stenocephala (13.64%), Oxynema sp. (9.09%), R. affinis (54.54%), Strongyloides sp. (4.54%), Physaloptera sp. (4.54%), T. hydatigena (9.09%), E. granulosus (4.54%), D. caninum (9.09%), M. lineatus (81.82%), Joyeuxiella pasqalei (27.27%), Diplopylidium nolleri (4.54%), M. hirudinaceus (22.72%) and Macracanthorhynchus sp. (9.09%). From golden jackals: T. canis (10%), T. leonina (30%), R. affinis (50%), T. hydatigena (10%), D. caninum (20%), M. lineatus (70%), J. pasqalei (30%.), Alaria canis (10%), M. hirudinaceus (30%) and Macracanthomynchus sp. (10%).

Cytogenetic study of Artemia from Urmiah, Maharloo and Incheborun Lakes

Three populations of Artemia from Urmiah (West-Azarbaijan Province), Maharloo (Fars Province) and Incheborun (Golestan Province) Lakes in Iran were cytogenetically analyzed. In order to study the reproduction mode in Artemia populations, cyst samples reared for three successive generations (F1--F3). The results obtained from rearing until maturation indicated that, there are two subpopulations of Artemia in Urmiah lake (bisexual and parthenogenetic). These two subpopulations have the same diploid chromosome number (2 n =42). The results obtained from rearing and cytogenetic analysis of Artemia from Maharloo and Incheborun Lakes showed that these two populations are parthenogenetic and their chromosome number is also 2 n=42. So far, no cytogenetic differences in ploidy level have been detected among the populations investigated in this study. Very small chromosomes with metacentric, submetacentric and telocentric morphology were observed in mitotic prometaphase cells, implying that chromosomes of Artemia may be monocentric.

News records of phoretic and soil-living mites from Iran (Acari, Heterostigmata, Scutacaridae)

New records of phoretic and soil-living mites from Iran (Acari, Heterostigmata, Scutacaridae). - Scutacarus iranicus sp. n. is described from the West-Azarbaijan province (northwestern Iran). The new species was found to be phoretic on the scarabaeid beetle Pleurophorus anatolicus Petr. At the same locality, but in the soil, other scutacarids were found: Scutacarus quadrangularis (Paoli, 1911), Scutacarus serotinus Sevastianov & Chydyrov, 1992, Pygmodispus (Allodispus) latisternus Paoli, 1911 and Pygmodispus (Pygmodispus) calcaratus Paoli, 1911. These species are recorded for the first time from Iran.