Determination of aflatoxin M and ochratoxin A in breast milk in rural centers of Yazd, Iran: Exposure assessment and risk characterization.

Breast milk (BM) is considered as the best source of nutrition which could have prevention effects on various diseases in the first years of a child. Along with nutritive compounds, presence of contaminants such as mycotoxins in BM could be transmitted into neonate. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence, levels, and factors associated with the presence of aflatoxin M (AFM) and ocratoxin a (OTA) in BM samples of nursing mothers in rural centers of Yazd, Iran.

Zika virus as an emerging arbovirus of international public health concern.

Zika virus (ZIKV) was identified in 1947 in a rhesus monkey during an investigation of the yellow fever virus in the Zika Forest of Uganda; it was also isolated later from humans in Nigeria. The main distribution areas of ZIKV were the African mainland and South-East Asia in the 1980s, Micronesia in 2007, and more recently the Americas in 2014. ZIKV belongs to the Flaviviridae family and Flavivirus genus.

The effect of Propolis on inhibition of growth, aflatoxin production and expression of aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway genes.

Background And Purpose: Aflatoxins are one of the most important mycotoxins, which have been classified as Group I carcinogenic compounds by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This investigation aimed to examine the effect of Propolis on inhibition of the growth, aflatoxin production and expression of aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway genes.

Materials And Methods: A standard strain of (ATCC 15517) was used to perform antifungal susceptibility test, using a microdilution method in accordance with the CLSI M38-A2 guidelines.

Knowledge and Attitude of Iranian Red Crescent Society Volunteers in Dealing with Chemical Attacks.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and preparedness of Mahabad Red Crescent Society volunteers in dealing with chemical attacks.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 Red Crescent Society volunteers in Mahabad City, Iran, during 2014-2015.The knowledge of the volunteers was evaluated and rated using a questionnaire as poor, moderate, and good.

Knowledge and Attitude of Iranian Red Crescent Society Volunteers in Dealing with Bioterrorist attacks.

Introduction: Bioterrorism is a worldwide problem and has been the focus of attention during recent decades. There is no precise information on the knowledge, attitude, and preparedness of Iranian Red Crescent volunteers in dealing with bioterrorism. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the above-mentioned parameters in Mahabad Red Crescent Society volunteers.