Abstract Objective: To study the frequency of self-medication and knowledge about out-of-counter drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of Iranian dental students. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among dental undergraduates from September 2021 to November 2021 after receiving ethical clearance from the Kerman Medical University Ethical Committee. A valid and reliable questionnaire, consisting of demographic data and questions about self-medication and knowledge about out-of-counter drugs, was sent to participants via E-mail. Data was analyzed by SPSS 26 software by using a t-test. The P-value was considered at a 0.05% significant level. Results: A total of 88 students participated in the study with a mean age of 21.39±3.71 years. Prevalence of self-medication was found in 53.4%. The most common cause for self-medication was headache. Acetaminophen was the most commonly used medicine for self-medication. Females had more self-medication than males, but there was no significant differences. There was no significant differences between entering year to university and self-medication. Younger students had significantly more self-medication (p=0.007). Knowledge about out-of-counter drugs was moderate. Conclusion: Moderate self-medication as noticed. The out-of-counter drugs were the most used. Although out-of-counter drugs seem relatively safe, their improper use can cause serious side effects. Dental students need to be educated regarding appropriate safe medication and out-of-counter drugs.

Abstract Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-unpleasant situation with contradictory and inadequate treatments. In this regard, the present study evaluated the effect of the possible pretreatment of lipase-pancreatin on L-arginine-induced AP. Forty adult mice were selected and divided into five groups: I) control group, II and III) AP groups (i.p.) receiving L-arginine of 2×300 and 2×400 mg/100 g body weight (b.w.), IV) AP (2×300 L-arginine) group + pancreatin (mice were i.p. injected by 350 U-lipase), and V) AP (2×400 L-arginine) group + pancreatin (mice were i.p. injected by 350 U-lipase). All AP groups displayed a significant increase in serum levels of ALT, AST, TBARS, and TNF-alpha compared to the control group. Moreover, pancreatic tissue edema, inflammation, and vacuolization of acinar cells were significantly higher in the untreated L-arginine group compared to the control and pancreatin groups. Conversely, the diameter of pancreatic islets significantly declined after induction of pancreatitis compared with control and pancreatin groups. Pancreatin treatment can be used in pancreatic dysfunction, however, this medicine showed no protective effect against L-arginine-induced AP in the mouse model.

RESUMO Contexto: O papel dos alimentos lácteos na doença inflamatória intestinal (DII) tem sido controverso e é discutível se os pacientes com DII devem ou não evitar leite e laticínios, bem como a relação entre esses alimentos e sintomas nesta população. Objetivo: Estudo transversal multicêntrico foi projetado para avaliar se é realmente necessário privar os pacientes com DII do consumo desta classe de alimentos. Métodos: Um estudo multicêntrico com 12 centros de referência em gastroenterologia de quatro países foi projetado para avaliar sintomas gastrointestinais após o consumo de alimentos lácteos em todos os ambulatórios de DII durante seis meses e comparar pacientes tratados nos mesmos centros sem DII. Resultados: No total, foram incluídos 1888 casos (872 pacientes com DII e 1016 casos sem DII. 56,6% dos participantes eram do sexo feminino com idade média de 40,1 anos. 79,8% dos participantes eram caucasianos e originalmente eram cidadãos de 10 países. A prevalência relativa de DII foi maior em africanos e indianos e a prevalência mais frequente de intolerância a alimentos lácteos observada nos asiáticos. Entre os pacientes com DII, 571 casos foram diagnosticados como colite ulcerativa e 189 participantes como doença de Crohn. A duração média do diagnóstico como DII foi de 6,8 anos (de 2 meses a 35 anos). Os sintomas de gastrointestinais mais prevalentes após o consumo de todos os alimentos lácteos foram inchaço e dor abdominal. No total, a intolerância aos alimentos lácteos e a deficiência de lactase foi mais prevalente entre os pacientes com DII em comparação com os casos sem DII (65,5% vs 46,1%, P=0,0001). A taxa de queixas gastrointestinais entre os pacientes com DII que não tinham histórico familiar de deficiência de lactase, histórico de sensibilidade alimentar ou ambos foram de 59,91%, 52,87% e 50,33% respectivamente e semelhantes aos casos sem DII (P=0,68, 0,98 e 0,99, respectivamente). Conclusão: A taxa de intolerância de alimentos lácteos entre pacientes com DII sem histórico familiar de deficiência de lactase ou histórico de sensibilidade alimentar é semelhante aos casos sem DII e provavelmente não há razão para privá-los dessa importante fonte de cálcio dietético, vitamina D e outros nutrientes.

ABSTRACT Background: The role of dairy foods in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been controversial and it is debatable if patients with IBD should avoid milk and dairy products or not, as well as the relationship between these foods and symptoms among those population. Objective: This multi centric cross-sectional study designed to evaluate if it is really necessary to deprive IBD patients from consumption of dairy foods. Methods: A multicenter study with 12 gastroenterology referral centers in four countries was designed to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after consumption of dairy foods from all outpatients with IBD during 6 months and to compare patients treated at the same centers without IBD (non IBD cases). Results: Overall 1888 cases included (872 IBD patients and 1016 non IBD cases). 56.6% of participants were female with average age of 40.1 years. Racially 79.8% participants were Caucasians and originally they were citizens of 10 countries. Relative prevalence of IBD was higher in Africans and Indians and the most frequent prevalence of dairy foods intolerance was seen in Asians. Among IBD patients, 571 cases diagnosed as ulcerative colitis and 189 participants as Crohn’s disease. Average duration of diagnosis as IBD was 6.8 years (from 2 months to 35 years). The most prevalent GI symptoms after consumption of all the dairy foods were bloating and abdominal pain. Totally, intolerance of dairy foods and lactase deficiency was more prevalent among IBD patients in comparison with non IBD cases (65.5% vs 46.1%, P=0.0001). But the rate of GI complains among IBD patients who had not any family history of lactase deficiency, history of food sensitivity or both were 59.91%, 52.87% & 50.33% respectively and similar to non IBD cases (P=0.68, 0.98 & 0.99 respectively). Conclusion: The rate of dairy foods intolerance among IBD patients without family history of lactase deficiency or history of food sensitivity is similar to non IBD cases and probably there is no reason to deprive them from this important source of dietary calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients.

Abstract Objective. To determine the effect of interdisciplinary discharge planning on treatment adherence and readmission in the patients undergoing coronary artery angioplasty in the south of Iran in 2020. Methods. This experimental study had an intervention group and a control group with pre-test and post-test. 70 patients participated in the study who were randomly divided into the groups (intervention group (n=35) and control group (n=35)). In the intervention group, discharge planning was performed based on an interdisciplinary approach. Treatment adherence before, immediately, and one month after the intervention was evaluated with a 10-question survey scored from 1 to 5 (maximum score = 50), as well as readmission three months after the discharge was examined in both groups. Results. Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and the control groups in the treatment adherence score (18.22 versus 17.37; p=0.84) but immediately and one month after the intervention statistically significant differences between the groups were showed (21.51 versus 46.14 and 23.28 versus 43.12, respectively; p<0.001). Within three months after discharge, the readmission rate was 11.4% in the control group, while no readmission was reported in the intervention group. Within three months after discharge, the readmission rate was 11.4% in the control group, while no readmission was reported in the intervention group. Conclusion. The implementation of interdisciplinary discharge planning had positive effects on treatment adherence and readmission rate in patients undergoing coronary artery angioplasty; therefore, it is suggested that health care system managers make the necessary plans to institutionalize this new educational approach for other patients discharge planning.

Resumen Objetivo. Determinar el efecto de la planificación interdisciplinaria del alta en la adherencia al tratamiento y el reingreso en los pacientes sometidos a angioplastia de la arteria coronaria en el sur de Irán en 2020. Métodos. Este estudio experimental contó con un grupo de intervención y un grupo de control con evaluación pre-test y post-test. Participaron en el estudio 70 pacientes que se dividieron aleatoriamente en los grupos. En el grupo de intervención, la planificación del alta se realizó sobre la base de un enfoque interdisciplinario. En ambos grupos se examinó la adherencia al tratamiento antes, inmediatamente y un mes después de la intervención con una encuesta de 10 preguntas puntuadas de 1 a 5 (máximo puntaje = 50), así como el reingreso hasta tres meses después del alta. Resultados. Antes de la intervención, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo de intervención y el de control en la puntuación de la adherencia al tratamiento (18.22 versus 17.37; p=0.84), pero inmediatamente y un mes después de la intervención los grupos mostraron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (21.51 versus 46.14 y 23.28 versus. 43.12, respectivamente; p<0.001). A los tres meses del alta, la tasa de reingreso fue del 11.4% en el grupo de control, mientras que no se registró ningún reingreso en el grupo de intervención. Conclusión. La aplicación de la planificación interdisciplinaria del alta tuvo efectos positivos la adherencia del tratamiento y la tasa de reingreso en los pacientes sometidos a angioplastia de las arterias coronarias; por lo tanto, se sugiere que los gestores del sistema sanitario hagan los planes necesarios para institucionalizar este nuevo enfoque educativo para la planificación del alta de otros pacientes.

Resumo Objetivo. Determinar o efeito do planejamento de alta interdisciplinar na adesão ao tratamento e readmissão em pacientes submetidos à angioplastia de artéria coronária no sul do Irã em 2020. Métodos. Este estudo experimental contou com um grupo intervenção e um grupo controle com avaliação pré-teste e pós-teste. Participaram do estudo 70 pacientes que foram divididos aleatoriamente em grupos. No grupo intervenção, o planejamento da alta foi realizado com base na abordagem interdisciplinar. Em ambos os grupos, a adesão ao tratamento foi examinada antes, imediatamente e um mês após a intervenção com um questionário de 10 questões pontuadas de 1 a 5 (pontuação máxima = 50), bem como a readmissão até três meses após a alta. Resultados. Antes da intervenção, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos intervenção e controle na pontuação de adesão ao tratamento (18.22 vr. 17.37; p = 0.84), mas imediatamente e um mês após a intervenção os grupos apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa (21.51 vr. 46.14 e 23.28 vr. 43.12, respectivamente; p <0.001). Aos três meses após a alta, a taxa de readmissão foi de 11.4% no grupo de controle, enquanto nenhuma readmissão foi registrada no grupo de intervenção. Conclusão. A aplicação do planejamento de alta interdisciplinar teve efeitos positivos na adesão ao tratamento e na taxa de readmissão em pacientes submetidos à angioplastia de artéria coronária; portanto, sugere-se que os gestores do sistema de saúde façam os planos necessários para institucionalizar essa nova abordagem educativa para o planejamento da alta de outros pacientes.

The mixing characteristics of industrial flotation columns were investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Particular emphasis was placed on the clarification of the relationship between the liquid and solids mixing parameters such as the mean residence time and axial dispersion coefficients. The effects of particle size and bubble size on liquid dispersion in the column were also studied. An Eulerian-Eulerian method was applied to simulate the multiphase flow, while additional scalar transport equations were introduced to predict the liquid residence time distribution (RTD) and particle age distribution inside the column. The results obtained show that particle residence time decreases with increasing particle size. The residence time of the coarser particles (112.5 pm) was found to be at least 60% of the liquid residence time, while the finer particles (19 pm) had a residence time similar to the liquid. The results also show that an increase in the particle size of the solids results in a decrease in the liquid vessel dispersion number, while a decrease in the bubble size increases liquid axial mixing. Finally, the simulated axial velocity profiles confirm the similarity between the liquid and solids axial dispersion coefficients in column flotation.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the frequency of occupational hazards and the criteria for their prevention among Iranian dentists. Material and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 general dentists in Kerman. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including personal information (gender, age, marital status, condition and place and years of employment, and the average of weekly working hours) and a valid and reliable questionnaire of occupational hazards, including 24 questions about occupational hazards (6 domain) and nine questions about criteria for the prevention of the risks of dentistry. The t-test, chi-square, and linear regression were used. Results 92 (49.2%) were men. The mean and standard deviation of the score of occupational hazards was 27.04±16.21 out of 96, and the criteria of prevention were 22.00±7.28 out of 36. Regression analysis showed significant correlations between single statuses, years of occupational and type of employment, weekly work hours and occupational hazards, participation in occupational injury identification courses, and hepatitis vaccination. In addition, there were significant correlations between gender, age, weekly work hours, and preventive measures. Moreover, 3.2% of dentists were in a high-risk group and 26.2% were weak in preventive measures. Conclusion A total of 32.6% of dentists are at moderate risk of occupational hazards, and 10.7% meet the prevention criteria properly. It is recommended to hold training classes to identify occupational hazards and the criteria for their prevention among dentists.

Abstract Background: Recent advances in the synthesis of bioactive nanoparticles resulted in the discovery and introduction of new bioactive nanoparticles to the pharmaceutical industry. In this regard, this research is aimed to synthesize the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Hyssopus officinalis L. extract and to evaluate the safety of nanoparticles using Balb/C mice. Methods: Forty male mice were divided into four groups and received 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of ZnO-NPs for thirty days. At the end of the experiment, blood sugar, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (A.S.T.), and alanine aminotransferase (A.L.T.) were determined. Furthermore, histopathological and oxidative stress biomarker analyses in liver and kidney tissues were performed. The changes in the major inflammatory- and antioxidant-related genes were determined. Results: The results showed that blood sugar and creatinine reduced significantly (P < 0.05) when 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg ZnO-NPs were supplemented to the diet. The serum ALT and AST and lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney tissues were increased significantly (p < 0.05) when 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg ZnO-NPs were supplemented to the diet. Supplementation of ZnO-NPs suppressed the expression of antioxidant-related genes (SOD and CAT) and up-regulated the inflammatory biomarkers (iNOS and TNF- α). The concentration of 200 mg/Kg nanoparticles indicated cellular degeneration and necrosis in the liver and kidney tissues. Conclusions: Overall, it can be concluded that supplementation of ZnO-NPs synthesized using Hyssopus Officinalis L. extract in this study at 50 mg/kg or higher concentrations might be toxic to the mice.

RESUMEN Este artículo tiene como objetivo estudiar la formulación de políticas resultante del impacto de factores intra y extraorganizacionales de los parques científicos y tecnológicos (parques C&T). Este artículo se clasifica como aplicado, en términos de objetivo, y cuantitativo, en términos de recopilación de datos. La población está compuesta por altos directivos de empresas establecidas en los cinco parques C&T seleccionados, alcanzando un total de 493. Aplicando el método de muestreo aleatorio estratificado y la fórmula de Cochran, el tamaño de la muestra se determinó en 216. La validez del contenido del cuestionario fue avalada por profesores, expertos y especialistas. Se extrajo el alfa de Cronbach del cuestionario para ser superior a los niveles avalados en todas las dimensiones, lo que demuestra la fiabilidad de la investigación. Los resultados muestran que los factores intraorganizacionales (organizacionales, en red, legales y fiscales) con la intervención de factores extraorganizacionales (institucionales, culturales y contextuales, de capital y ubicación) conducen al desarrollo de seis categorías de formulación de políticas de parques C&T (formulación de políticas: para la cultura y la motivación; para la creación de incentivos; para el desarrollo de capacidades y aptitudes; para la infraestructura; para atraer inversiones y para la creación de oportunidades de negocio). JEL: I21, I23, M1

ABSTRACT This article aims to study policymaking resulting from the impact of intra- and extra-organizational factors of science and technology parks (S&T parks). This article is classified as applied in terms of objective and quantitative in terms of data gathering. The population comprises senior managers of companies established in the five selected S&T parks, totaling 493. Applying the stratified random sampling method and the Cochran formula, the sample size was determined at 216. The validity of the questionnaire’s content was endorsed by professors, experts and pundits. The Cronbach’s alpha of the questionnaire was extracted to be higher than endorsed levels in all dimensions, which shows the reliability of the research. Results show that intra-organizational factors (organizational, networking, legal and fiscal), with the intervention of extra-organizational factors (institutional, cultural and contextual, capital and location), lead to development of six S&T park policymaking categories (policymaking for culture and motivation, policymaking for creation of incentives, policymaking for development of capacity and capability, policymaking for infrastructure, policymaking for attracting investment, policymaking for creating business opportunities). JEL: I21, I23, M1

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess sociodemographic factors and cancer information on patients' quality of life with head and neck cancer. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 69 patients with head and neck cancer who attended in one of the oncology centers in Mashhad, Iran, from September 2019 to December 2019. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisted of demographic information (gender, age, educational level, and job) and cancer information (type, location, treatment, clinical stage) and standard quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-H&N35). Data analyzed in SPSS22 software using T, ANOVA, Linear regression tests at 0.05 significant levels. Results: 49 participants (72.1%) were men. The mean age was 60.48 ± 13.74 years. Forty-nine participants (72.1%) had squamous cell carcinoma and 26 participants (38.2%) had a larynx tumor. Forty-six participants (67.6%) were in clinical stage 3, mainly with a problem and complain about hard food swallowing, xerostomia and speech. The mean score of QLQ-H&N35 was 42.06 ± 20.12 from 90. Quality of life in 47.1% of cases was moderate. There was no significant relationship between gender, job, educational level, type and location of cancer (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between the patient's age, clinical stage, type of treatment, and quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: Quality of life in 47.1% was moderate. Clinical stage, age of patients and type of treatment statically and significantly affected the quality of life. Assessing quality of life in HNC patients can identify important side effects of treatment that affected quality of life and look for ways to improve QoL.

Abstract Developing fragility functions is the essential step in incorporating important uncertainties in next-generation performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) methodology. The present paper is aimed to involve record-to-record variability as well as modelling uncertainty sources in developing the fragility curves at the collapse limit state. In this article, in order to reduce the dispersion of uncertainties, Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) in combination with Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) is used to develop structural collapse fragility curve, considering effects of epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. A Steel Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF) is chosen as the tested structure. The fragility curves obtained by the proposed method which belongs to GMDH approaches are compared with those resulted from simple and well-known available methods such as First-Order Second-Moment (FOSM), Approximate Second-Order Second-Moment (ASOSM) and Monte Carlo (MC)/Response Surface Method (RSM), somehow, as an accurate method. The results of the application of the proposed approach indicate increasing accuracy and precision of the outputs as well as power with the same computational time compared to aforementioned methods. The GMDH method introduced here can be applied to the other performance levels.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the students of Kerman dental school (Iran) about ethics in dental research. Material and Methods: This cross-section study was conducted on 307 dental students selected through the census sampling method. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 12 items about knowledge and 17 items about attitude toward research ethics. Data analyzed in SPSS software using t-test and linear regression test. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of the respondents, 33.9% were male and 66.1% were female, and 44% had good knowledge and 20.8% had a positive attitude about research ethics. A significant correlation was found between knowledge and attitude. A significant correlation was also observed between knowledge and participation in research workshops. Knowledge and attitude showed no significant correlation with gender or year of admission. Conclusion: Participants had appropriate knowledge and attitude about research ethics. There is some room for improvement in research ethics education concerning experimental works and retrospective studies on biologic samples. Holding research workshops with an introduction to ethical codes of research is recommended.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the frequency of oral potentially malignant disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and evaluate the consistency between their clinical and pathological features. Material and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on records with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia, oral erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia, actinic cheilitis, lichen planus, and OSCC in the Pathology Department of Kerman dental school from September 1997 to September 2017. Data were analyzed in SPSS 21 at the significance level of ≤5%. Results: There were 378 cases of oral potentially malignant disorders and 70 cases of OSCC with a mean age of 46.82 ± 15.24 years. Buccal mucosa was the most frequent site, and lichen planus the most common lesion. Females were significantly older than males in leukoplakia and carcinoma in situ lesions. Clinical diagnosis and histopathology were consistent in 69.03% of cases. Conclusion: Clinical and histopathological diagnoses were consistent in 69.03% of records. The highest degree of clinical compliance with histopathology was observed in OSCC. Dentists should pay attention to oral potentially malignant disorders for early diagnosis to prevent their transformation to malignancy.

Abstract Background: Improving the nutritional condition of grapevine in spring to regulate bloom, fruit set, and yield is among the management goals of vineyards. Methods: In the present study, the early season spray of calcium sulfate (C; 0.00 and 2.00%), potassium sulfate (K; 0.00 and 3.00%), and agricultural grade mineral oil (V; 0.00 and 1.00%) on flower and fruit phenology, nutrient concentration, and cluster biophysical indices and yield of Sultana grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) were investigated for two consecutive years. Results: Based on the results, the spray of this nutrient combined with mineral oil significantly affected all the treatments except cluster length, berry length, and phosphorus concentration. The highest concentrations of potassium, calcium, and magnesium were obtained in the vines treated with V0K1C1, and the highest concentrations of zinc and iron were obtained only in the vines treated with mineral oil. In treatments containing mineral oil, especially in combination with the second level of calcium and potassium (V1K1C1), bloom time, berries pea-sized time, and harvest time were delayed by 3, 3, and 6 days compared with control vines. While in vines treated with a combination of the second level of potassium and calcium (V0K1C1), bloom time, berries pea-sized time, and harvest time were advanced by 5, 4, and 1.50 days, respectively, compared with control vines. Regarding the biophysical indices of the cluster, it was found that the vines treated with V1K1C1 had higher cluster weight, berry weight, fruit, and raisins yield than other treatments. Also, the highest berry quality, including total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total phenol content, were obtained in the vines treated with V0K1C1. However, the lowest berry quality was observed in the vines treated with mineral oil. Conclusions: Therefore, the combination of nutrients with mineral oil can alleviate the adverse effect of mineral oil solely on some phenological indices and berry quality-related traits in vineyards.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de farinha de minhoca (EW) (Eisenia fetida) dietética, associada ao vermi-húmus (VH), sobre o desempenho, as características dos ovos, a imunidade e os constituintes do sangue de codornas poedeiras. Um total de 336 codornas fêmeas (42,5±1,5 g), com 30 dias de idade, foi distribuído em 7 tratamentos e 4 repetições de 12 aves, por 42 dias. Foram avaliados os seguintes tratamentos: dieta controle sem a inclusão de VH e EW; dieta com inclusão somente de 0,8% VH; e dieta com 0,8% VH suplementada com diferentes níveis de EW (0,5, 1,0, 1,5, 2,0 e 2,5%). Foram obtidos maiores peso vivo, ganho de peso e consumo de ração com 1,5% de EW; maior produção de ovos com 0,5–1,0% de EW; e maior massa de ovos com 0,5% de EW. A inclusão de 2,5% EW reduziu o peso e a espessura da casca do ovo. Níveis de 1,0–2,0% de EW diminuíram o malonaldeído nos ovos, enquanto o de 2,0% de EW reduziu o conteúdo de colesterol. Foram obtidos maiores volume de células sanguíneas e título de anticorpos com 1,0% de EW, enquanto maiores proteína total, globulina e cálcio foram obtidos com 0,5% de EW. Níveis de 1,0–1,5% + 0,8% de VH melhoram a produção e as características dos ovos, bem como a resposta humoral das codornas, cujo desempenho não é afetado.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of dietary earthworm (Eisenia fetida) meal (EW), associated with vermi-humus (VH), on the performance, egg characteristics, immunity, and blood constituents of laying quails. A total of 336 female quails (42.5±1.5 g), with 30 days of age, was distributed in 7 treatments and 4 replicates of 12 birds during 42 days. The following treatments were evaluated: control diet without the inclusion of VH and EW; diet with the inclusion of only 0.8% VH; and diets with 0.8% VH supplemented with different EW levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5%). A greater body weight, weight gain, and feed intake were obtained with 1.5% EW; a higher egg productivity, with 0.5–1.0% EW; and a higher egg mass, with 0.5% EW. The inclusion of 2.5% EW reduced eggshell weight and thickness. Levels of 1.0–2.0% EW decreased malondialdehyde in the eggs, whereas 2.0% EW reduced cholesterol content. Higher blood cell volume and antibody titer were obtained with 1.0% EW, whereas higher total protein, globulin, and calcium were obtained with 0.5% EW. Levels of 1.0–1.5% EW + 0.8% VH improve egg production and characteristics, as well as the humoral response of quails, whose performance is not affected.

Abstract: Forest trees are considered important in ameliorating climate change through removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, stabilizing water catchments and for timber production. Wood decay fungi are among the most important biotic factors in ecosystems, infecting valuable landscaping trees causing an economic loss or the preeminent recyclers of the wood. In a survey of forest trees in the Alamdardeh forest, northern Iran, fungal fruit bodies were collected and isolations made. Based on a combination of macro-morphological characteristics and molecular analyses, using the sequence data of ITS-rDNA, isolates were identified to the species level. A total of 22 species in nine families and 15 genera were identified. Most isolates were the white-rot fungi. Additionally, the brown-rot fungus Laetiporus sulphureus and the soft-rot species Xylaria longipes were identified.