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Abstract Background & aim: Vitrification is a simple and ultra rapid technique for the conservation of fertility. Improving pregnancy rate associate with the use of cryopreserved oocytes would be an important advanced in human assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this study was to evaluate survival, oocytes maturation and embryo development to the blastocyst stage after vitrification of oocytes germinal vesicle-stage and multi stage Methods: In the present experimental study, germinal vesicle oocytes with or without cumulus cells were transferred to vitrification solution containing 30% (v/v) ethylene glycol, 18% (w/v) Ficoll-70, and 0.3 M sucrose, either by single step or in a step-wise way. After vitrification and storage in liquid nitrogen, the oocytes were thawed and washed twice in culture medium TCM119, and then subjected to in vitro maturation, fertilization, and culture. Data analysis was performed by using One-way variance and Tukey tests. Results: Oocytes survival, metaphase 2 stage oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo formed blastocyst in vitrification methods multistage were significantly higher than the single step procedure (P<0/05) Conclusion: The Germinal vesicle stage oocytes vitrified with cumulus cells and stepwise procedure had positive effect on the survival, maturation and developmental rate on blastocyst compared to oocytes without cumulus cell and single step procedure. Key words: Germinal Vesicle Oocyte, Blastocyst, Vitrification, Ethylene glycol

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Abstract
 
Background & aim: Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic parasite which lives in the digestive system and can be a zoonotic parasite in different hosts. This study was carried out to identify subtypes and to investigate the genetic variation of Blastocystis sp. from human samples in Urmia, Tabriz & Maragheh cities Northwest of Iran.
 
Methods: In the present descriptive-cross sectional study, 300 human stools from January to October 2017 were randomly selected from treatment centers in North West of Iran. Based on microscopic observation, positive samples examined by DNA barcoding methods for detection of Blastocystis sp. subtypes and their sequences were analyzed. 
 
Results: of the 300 samples, 22 specimens diagnosed as Blastocystis sp. with the microscopic method. Sixteen apart isolates from the positive cases obtained by the molecular method (PCR) and the sequences of the products were examined. Three types of subtypes including ST1, ST2 and ST3 obtained from these samples. One of the samples after two different sequencings, was reported as both of the ST1 and ST3 subspecies, but re-sequencing of the dominant show ST3.
 
Conclusion: There are various subtypes of this parasite in this area. Due to the nature of the subtypes, the zoonotic cycle of this parasite exists in this region. By identifying and determining the Blastocysts subspecies in different hosts as a zoonotic organism, it is possible to detect genetic migration and parasite transmission. It seems that the parasite subtype pattern can be considered in future studies in relation to clinical manifestations.
  

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Background & aim: Blastocystis hominis is one of the most common protozoa found in the intestines of humans and animals. However, its pathogenicity, diagnosis, and treatment remain a challenge. The purpose of the present study was to determine and evaluate the knowledge and practice of Ahvaz laboratory workers regarding Blastocystis hominis during the years 2018 to 2019.

Methods: The present a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 464 laboratory employees working in private and public laboratories in Ahvaz, Iran, during the years 2018-2019. The present study used a questionnaire and face-to-face and electronic interviews to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice of the laboratory staff regarding the protozoan Blastocystis hominis. The collected data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical tests, t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Tukey's post hoc test.

Results: Out of the 464 participants in the study, 22.8% answered the questions through face-to-face interviews, and 77.2% answered the questions electronically. The minimum and maximum number of participants were associates (10.3%) and experts (56.7%), respectively. 67% of the participants had more than 10 years of work experience. More than 85% were aware of the protozoan nature of Blastocystis hominis. Over 50% of the participants considered Blastocystis hominis as one of the causes of diarrhea and abdominal pain, but their awareness of other clinical symptoms such as hives was low (12.3%). The practice of about 93% of the participants in using the direct expansion method was acceptable as a suitable diagnostic method for Blastocystis hominis. The relationship between work experience and their practice regarding this protozoan was also significant (p=0.007).

Conclusion: The present study indicated that laboratory staffs had an acceptable level of knowledge about Blastocystis hominis, but their performance in dealing with this protozoan was not at an acceptable level. Despite having proper knowledge about this protozoan, it seems that it has not received the attention it deserves within the laboratory community, and it is not of special importance among the intestinal parasites that are routinely reported. Therefore, it is important to bring more focus on this parasite in the field of medicine, especially in the teaching of parasitology to students of various medical fields, as well as through scientific conferences and refresher courses. This would help ensure the adoption of correct diagnostic and treatment methods for Blastocystis hominis.