Zanjan Province Research Articles

Phytoremediation potential of seedlings: comparing heavy metal accumulation in Ailanthus, Acer, and Fraxinus species.

This study investigates the phytoremediation potential of non-productive seedlings of Ailanthus altissima, Acer pseudoplatanus, and Fraxinus excelsior for lead, cadmium, and zinc accumulation in contaminated soils of Zanjan Province, an industrial area with significant pollution. The evaluation employed a completely randomized design, with three treatment levels for each element, alongside a control treatment, replicated three times over a two-year period. A total of 810 one-year-old seedlings from the three species were involved in the study. Soil contamination levels, ranging from 0 to 2000mg/kg for lead and zinc and from 0 to 200mg/kg for cadmium, were administered through soil pot irrigation. Sampling of seedling stems and pot soils was conducted in November of 2021 and 2022. The absorption levels of elements in the samples were determined using the dry acid digestion method and an ICP-OES atomic absorption spectrometer. Results indicate species-specific variations in metal absorption, with Ailanthus showing the highest accumulation rates. Findings suggest Ailanthus as a promising candidate for soil improvement in polluted environments, particularly in contaminated soils of Zanjan Province.

The Relationship Between Nurses’ Moral Distress, Their Spiritual Well-Being, and Moral Intelligence

Background: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Department (ED) nurses have faced several moral challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The factors associated with nurses’ moral distress (MD) can vary depending on the cultural context. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between MD, spiritual well-being (SWB), and moral intelligence (MQ) of nurses in ICUs and EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. The data were collected using self-report questionnaires, including those for personal and professional profiles, Corley’s Moral Distress Scale-Revised, Paloutzian & Ellison’s Spiritual Well-being, and Lennick & Kiel’s Moral Intelligence. Of the 543 nurses working in the ICUs and EDs of hospitals in Zanjan Province (Iran), 370 participants were selected by census sampling. Results: The study results indicated that 90.8% of nurses experienced high MD. The results of the partial correlation test showed no statistically significant relationship between nurses' MD and their SWB or MQ (P > 0.001). Nurses with an associate's degree (P = 0.019) and those working in the EDs (P = 0.001) and the COVID-19 care center hospital (P = 0.001) had higher levels of MD. Religious well-being and the educational level of nurses could predict only 2.5% of the variations in nurses’ MD. Conclusions: This study showed that SWB and MQ of nurses are not related to nurses’ MD, unlike environmental factors. It is recommended that managers provide more support to reduce nurses’ MD in critical situations, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extending the theory of planned behavior to predict the behavior of farmers in choosing low-water-intensive medicinal plants

Water scarcity has become a serious challenge in many parts of the world due to increasing demands and the impacts of climate change. The agriculture sector globally accounts for a major portion of water consumption, yet it also holds substantial potential for water conservation. Among the most effective ways to conserve water is to cultivate low-water-demanding crops, such as medicinal plants (MPs), instead of water-demanding crops (WDC). However, the voluntary participation of farmers, largely influenced by socio-psychological drivers, is crucial for successfully implementing most water conservation programs and needs to be addressed. Therefore, the main objectives of this paper were: (1) to identify the determinants that explain farmers' intention and behavior in cultivating MPs instead of WDC; and (2) to examine the effectiveness and performance of an extended version of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting farmers' intention and behavior toward cultivating MPs by innovatively incorporating four new variables into the original TPB model: perceived barriers, moral norms, compatibility, and relative advantage. The applicability of the theoretical framework was evaluated in the Sojasroud Plain, Zanjan province, Iran. The results of the structural equation modeling revealed that: (1) farmers' intention to cultivate MPs instead of WDC is significantly influenced by perceived barriers, moral norms, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control (the strongest predictor); and (2) farmers’ behavior in cultivating MPs instead of WDC is predicted by relative advantage, compatibility, and intention (the most prominent determinant). The R2 values for predicting intention and behavior were 55% and 53%, respectively. Based on the results, some practical policies were proposed to increase the cultivation of MPs in the study area.

Comparison of Dracocephalum Moldavica Essential Oil with Chlorhexidine on Cariogenic Bacteria.

Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most common oral problems. Chemical antibacterial agents often have side effects; thus, researchers have long been in search for organic and herbal products to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease. The present study has aimed to assess the effects of Dracocephalum moldavica essential oil on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus compared to Chlorhexidine (CHX). In this in vitro study, the plants were collected from Zanjan Province, Iran. Analysis of the essential oil was carried out by gas chromatography/mass chromatography. Micro-broth dilution and disc diffusion methods were used for assessment of the antimicrobial activity, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated. The mean diameter of the growth inhibition zones in the well plate method for Dracocephalum moldavica showed that it had greater antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus acidophilusthan others (p Value= 0.01). Furthermore, Dracocephalum moldavica had higher antimicrobial activity than CHX. The results of MIC and MBC showed that Dracocephalum moldavica had lower antibacterial activity than CHX. Dracocephalum moldavica essential oil demonstrated antibacterial properties against cariogenic bacteria. Given that other favorable properties of these essential oils are confirmed, they may be suitable for use as antibacterial agents in the formulation of oral healthcare products.

The Prevalence of Brucella Spp. in Dairy Products in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Brucellosis, a significant zoonotic disease, threatens food safety substantially, particularly in developing nations such as the Middle East. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of Brucella spp. in Iranian milk and dairy products through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A thorough search of international and domestic databases from January 2008 to October 2023 identified 38 relevant studies encompassing 11,130 samples for meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of Brucella spp. in Iranian dairy products was 22% (95% CI: 16-28%). The highest and lowest overall prevalence of Brucella spp. in milk were found in raw goat milk 27% (95% CI: 11-42%) and raw camel milk 15% (95% CI: -0.42 to 72%), respectively. The overall prevalence of traditional cheese, ice cream, and cream is estimated to be 9% (95% CI: -16 to 35%), 2% (95% CI: -2.78 to 2.82%), and 9% (95% CI: -0.94 to 1.12%). Geographical disparities were evident, with Zanjan province reporting the highest contamination rate, 53%, while Razavi Khorasan province had the lowest, 1%. However, the prevalence of Brucella spp. in Iranian dairy products has fluctuated over time, with a significant association between the study year and sample size. Comprehensive planning, robust policy implementation, and rigorous monitoring are imperative to mitigate and ultimately eliminate Brucella contamination in dairy products effectively. Further research is essential to refine prevalence estimates and develop targeted prevention strategies to safeguard public health.

Detection of Paecilomyces formosus associated with declining urban forests and beetles in Iran

Urban forest trees are vital components of urban ecosystems, offering a range of benefits that are essential for improving the livability and sustainability of cities, providing numerous advantages for both the environment and public health. They enhance air quality by filtering pollutants, assist in regulating urban temperatures, and alleviate the urban heat island effect, which can result in substantial energy savings. Trees are often vulnerable to pathogens and pests that can cause significant damage. A survey of different trees in five provinces of Iran revealed a severe decline and dieback disease on woody plants. The affected trees included ailanthus, cedrus, cypress, ash, haloxylon, walnut, magnolia, black mulberry, paulownia, pine, oriental plane, apricot, wild pear, and elm trees. Samples of symptomatic branches and trunks were collected, and the causal fungal pathogen was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. A total of 90 fungal isolates were obtained from trees (60 isolates) and insects (30 isolates) and then morphological investigations were done for all isolates. Molecular identification was confirmed through sequencing of the ITS and tub2 regions. This study reports 14 new hosts for Paecilomyces formosus in Iran and worldwide. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on detached branches of apricot, ailanthus, cypress, pine, sycamore, and walnut trees. The study showed that most isolates were pathogenic to six woody plants, and some isolates were associated with disease for eight woody plant species. Additionally, potential vectors and reservoirs for P. formosus were assessed in different beetles, including Aeolesthes sarta, Scolytus kirschii, and Orthotomicus erusus in Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Lorestan, and Zanjan Provinces. The results confirmed the potential of beetles for the transmission and maintenance of P. formosus.

Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella variicola associated with onion bacterial streak and bulb rot

The bulb onion (Allium cepa) is second only to tomatoes in value of vegetable crops cultivated worldwide. Water-soaked lesions, bleaching and blight on leaves and slippery skin, sour skin, soft rot near the neck and centre rot on onion bulbs were observed in surveys of the onion fields, storage as well as fruit and vegetable markets of northwestern provinces of Iran in 2020. Thirty-four samples were collected from onion fields of East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan and Zanjan provinces and the central storage of Bonab city. Fifty bacterial strains were isolated from symptomatic samples. Pathogenicity of the strains was confirmed by inoculating on onion bulb cultivars Azarshahr and Ghermez Anari. Twenty-eight strains were able to induce soft rot on the inoculated sites of cut onion bulbs. Onion bulbs turned dark brown at lesion sites and became odorous over time. All pathogenic strains were Gram-negative, facultative aerobic and catalase positive. Strains mainly varied in starch and aesculin hydrolysis, potato rot and hypersensitive reaction. Pathogenic strains separated into four groups based on phenotypic assays. In the phylogenetic tree based on concatenated sequences of gyrB and infB genes, the strains were divided into four clusters containing the type strains of Enterobacter ludwigii, Klebsiella variicola, Proteus mirabilis and Pantoea agglomerans, confirming their identity as belonging to these four species. This is the first report of P. mirabilis as a plant pathogen and of K. variicola as a causal agent of onion bulb rot. Moreover, this is the first report of E. ludwigii and P. agglomerans associated with onion bulb rot in Iran.

Evaluation and Selection of Native Lentil Lines Collected from Zanjan Province Regarding Potential Yield and Agro-Morphological Trait

Evaluation and Selection of Native Lentil Lines Collected from Zanjan Province Regarding Potential Yield and Agro-Morphological Trait

Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and foxes in the Zanjan province of Iran: With an emphasis on Echinococcus species

Canids harbor many zoonotic parasites and play an important role in the spread of parasites in the human environment. Estimation of parasitic infection among canids as definitive hosts may help competent authorities design efficient control programs. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs and foxes with an emphasis on Echinococcus spp. A total of 500 fecal samples of dogs and 30 fecal samples of foxes were studied in the summer, autumn, and winter of 2021 in the Zanjan province using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, followed by multiplex PCR. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection was estimated to be 19.05%. The prevalence was 24.8%, 10.2%, and 26.7% in stray, shelter dogs and foxes, respectively. No parasites were found among pet and guard dog samples. PCR results on Taenidae eggs showed that 2.4% of samples were positive for Echinococcus granulosus and none contained E. multilocularis. Noteworthy is that E. granulosus was identified only in stray dog samples. The higher prevalence of E. granulosus infection in stray dogs in this province emphasizes the importance of monitoring the food sources consumed by these animals.

Exploring socio-psychological factors affecting farmers' intention to choose a low-water-demand cropping pattern for water resources conservation: Application of the health belief model

Water scarcity threatens food security and leads to various economic, social, and environmental challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. As the agricultural sector consumes the most significant amount of water, conserving water resources in this sector is particularly important. Cultivation of low-water-demand (LWD) crops with high value-added is one of the effective measures to reduce agricultural water demand and improve farmers' livelihoods. However, changing water-intensive crops to LWD crops (e.g., medicinal plants) is voluntary pro-environmental behavior. Considering the role of psychological theories in understanding and explaining human behaviors, the main purpose of the current paper is to explore the socio-psychological determinants underlying farmers' intention to adopt an LWD cropping pattern using the Health Belief Model (HBM). In this regard, data were collected using face-to-face interviews with 184 farmers living in Zanjan province, Iran to examine their intention to cultivate LWD medicinal plants. Using structural equation modeling for data analysis, the HBM explained 49% of the variance in farmers' behavioral intentions. The structural equation modeling outcomes also revealed that self-efficacy, perceived barriers, cues to action, and perceived benefits are significantly related to farmers' intention to choose medicinal plants. Overall, the findings indicated the effectiveness and applicability of the HBM in illustrating farmers’ intention to change their cropping pattern. Applying some strategies such as providing the necessary facilities and training programs for farmers, as well as, advertisements aimed at promoting the cultivation of medicinal plants can significantly contribute to conserving water resources in the study area.

The Information Needs and Expectations of the Azeri Community Living in East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil and Zanjan Provinces from Public Libraries

The Information Needs and Expectations of the Azeri Community Living in East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil and Zanjan Provinces from Public Libraries

Emergent spotted fever group Rickettsiae infections among hard ticks in Islamic Republic of Iran.

Tick-borne rickettsioses have become a health concern worldwide following the increasing incidence in recent decades. However, there is limited information about these diseases in Islamic Republic of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the Rickettsia infection among ixodid ticks collected from cattle, sheep and goats in Islamic Republic of Iran. The DNA of ixodid ticks collected from cattle, sheep and goats in 54 villages of Zanjan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran, were collected and analysed using a spectrophotometer. Rickettsial-positive samples were screened by targeting the htrA gene and fragments of gltA gene were analysed. The variables were analysed using descriptive statistics and the χ2 test was used to compare the variables. A total of 528 ticks were tested. Overall, Rickettsia infection rate was 6.44%. Nine of the 12 tick species were infected. Rickettsial positive rates in Hyalomma marginatum and Dermacentor marginatus were 21.33% and 12.77%, respectively. R. aeschlimannii, the predominant rickettsia, was detected only in Hy. marginatum. R. raoultii, R. sibirica and R. slovaca comprised about half of the positive ticks and were recovered from more than one tick species. Considering the discovery of infected ticks in the Islamic Republic of Iran, there is a need to establish a tick control programme in the country, paying attention to populations at high-risk.

Hydrological responses to future climate change in semi-arid region of Iran (Golabar and Taham Basins, Zanjan Province)

One of the most challenging and warning issues that have globally been introduced is the climate change and its effects on water resources. Climate change due to global warming has increased temperature and evaporation potential and has changed the precipitation pattern as well as precipitation amount in different seasons. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of climate change on the hydrological response of the basins of Golabar and Taham (in Zanjan province, Iran) in two future periods 2020–2030 and 2046–2065.10 different Global Climate Models (GCM) were analyzed to introduce novel selected model for future climate projections. The future climate parameters were simulated using the best climate model under the A1B and B1 emission scenarios. Two pessimistic and optimistic future climatic scenarios were defined based on the worst and the most desirable climate condition (using the temperature and precipitation data). The results showed that in the pessimistic scenario, the average annual temperature will rise 1.77 °C and 2.19 °C in Golabar and Taham basins, respectively. For the annual precipitation, reduction of 6.49 and 3.75 percent is shown for the Golabar and Taham basins, respectively. Also, in the average annual river flow, Golabar and Taham basins will experience a decrease of more than 25 percent in the future period (2046–2065). In the optimistic scenario, Golabar and Taham basins will experience 0.29 °C and 0.51 °C increase in the average annual temperature, respectively. In the annual precipitation, 3.6 and 7.01 percent increase is shown for the Golabar and Taham basins, respectively. In the average annual river flow, an increase of 7 % and 15 % would be expected in the future period (2020–2030) for the Golabar and the Taham basins, respectively.

The identification of primary school students who are gifted in science

ABSTRACT Emphasizing the identification of individuals with exceptional abilities in understanding school science is of great importance. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate students’ cognitive abilities to identify those with special talents in primary school science. The statistical population of the study included all male and female fourth-grade students in Zanjan City, Zanjan Province, Iran during the academic year 2015–2016. A total of 300 students (150 girls and 150 boys) were selected for the study. The analysis demonstrated strong correlations of 0.675, 0.681, and 0.674 between academic achievement and the combined scores of three key cognitive abilities (scientific reasoning, reading comprehension, and problem-solving) across the entire sample, as well as within the female and male subgroups. Our finding indicated a good overlap in the frequency of gifted individuals (5% of the sample) in both academic achievement and cognitive ability tests, particularly in the three mentioned components. In future research, the effect of the educational environment on the development of gifted students with low academic achievement can be studied.

Obstacles to complying with health protocols in coronavirus disease 2019 patient care among emergency medical staff of Zanjan province in 202

Obstacles to complying with health protocols in coronavirus disease 2019 patient care among emergency medical staff of Zanjan province in 202

Presenting an Effective Training Model for Red Crescent Society Staff of Zanjan Province

Presenting an Effective Training Model for Red Crescent Society Staff of Zanjan Province

Prediction of Psychological Distress Based on Job Security, Spiritual Intelligence, and Social Acceptance Among Nurses Working at the COVID-19 Referral Center of Zanjan Province in 2021

Prediction of Psychological Distress Based on Job Security, Spiritual Intelligence, and Social Acceptance Among Nurses Working at the COVID-19 Referral Center of Zanjan Province in 2021

Frequency of Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside Resistance Genes in Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Chicken Raw Meat Samples

Background: Enterococci are main normal microbial flora of both humans and animals and can survive in a diverse range of environments. These bacteria carry out aminoglycoside and vancomycin resistance genes and spread them in environment by many routs such as chicken meat products. The present study was aimed to determine the frequency of aminoglycoside and vancomycin resistant genes in Enterococcus species isolated from chicken meat specimens. Methods: A total of 250 chicken raw meat specimens was prepared from slaughterhouses at Zanjan province, cultured at BHI broth and incubated at 37°C for 24h. The positive cultures were sub-cultured in blood agar plates and grown colonies identified using phenotypical and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards and PCR assays were performed to detect vanA, vanB, aph (2")1c, aph (2")1b, aph (2")1d, ant(3'), aph(3')IIIa, ant(4')1a, ant(6') and aac(6') genes. Results: In total, 100 Enterococcus species isolated from 250 specimens and 35% of them belonged to E. faecalis and the others were E. faecium (65%). The prevalence of the vanA, vanB, aph (2")1c, aph (2")1b, aph (2")1d, ant(3'), aph(3')IIIa, ant(4')1a, ant(6') and aac(6') genes among the 100 Enterococcus species was 14%, 12%, 10%, 1%, 2%, 50%, 26%, 9%, 18% and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the rate of antimicrobial resistance genes to aminoglycosides and vancomycin was worrying and health measurements in meat products industries must be performed to prevent spread of antimicrobial resistance elements among bacteria.

Determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk samples of Zanjan, Gilan, East Azerbaijan and Kermanshah provinces by ELASA method

Determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk samples of Zanjan, Gilan, East Azerbaijan and Kermanshah provinces by ELASA method

Presenting a Management Model for the Prevention of Cyber Addiction in the Youth of Zanjan Province

Presenting a Management Model for the Prevention of Cyber Addiction in the Youth of Zanjan Province