Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders in the world population resulting from over 200 different mutations of HBB gene. Beta-thalassemias are caused by point mutations or, more rarely, deletions in the HBB gene leading to reduced (beta+) or absent (beta0) synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin (Hb). High-resolution melting of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products can detect heterozygous and most homozygous mutations without electrophoretic or chromatographic separations. In the current study, blood samples collected from 20 individuals carrying minor thalassemia were genotyped using HRM technique. The genotype of each sample had been previously determined via the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS) or sequencing method. This study aimed to determine the specificity and sensitivity of HRM method in the diagnosis of carriers of FSC 36-37 (-T) mutation from carriers who do not have this mutation. DNA extraction from peripheral blood was performed and HRM method was used to genotype samples. The results were analyzed according to the normalized and difference plot. High-resolution melting analysis could correctly identify all carriers of FSC 36-37 (-T) from who did not have this mutation. In summary, HRM is a technique associated with high sensitivity and specificity for the identification of FSC 36-37 (-T) mutation.

Background: b -thalassemia, a monogenic autosomal recessive disorder, is prevalent in Middle East, particularly in Iran. In Iran, near to 20 mutations in the b-globin gene are introduced as common mutations with varying incidence frequencies in each city. Therefore, detection and screening for couples at high risk can help to solve the problems of this disease. In this study, optimized genotyping of two common mutations in Isfahan Province, IVSII-I (G-A) and FSC-8/9 insG, was performed using the T-ARMS method.Methods: In this case-control study, 10 healthy individuals and 30 patients affected by β-thalassemia major with a mean 24.76+4.5 years were selected from Omid Hospital in Isfahan Province. After designing tetra primers for two prevalent mutations IVSII-I (G-A) and FSC-8/9 insG, samples were genotyped using tetra-primers ARMS PCR technique.Results: We have developed a sensitive single tube tetra-primers PCR assay to detect both IVSII-1 (G-A) and FS8-9 insG mutations. Moreover, we have distinguished homozygous and heterozygous forms of these mutations successfully. The frequency of IVSII-1 (G-A) mutation from 30 patients in Isfahan was 86.6% (33.3% heterozygote, and 53.3% mutant homozygote) and for FS8-9 insG mutation was 16.6% (13.3% heterozygote, and 3.3% mutant homozygote).Conclusion: Tetra-primers ARMS PCR could be a reliable, accurate and simple technique for genotyping SNP and different mutations. So far, no study was done on optimization methods for genotyping mutations in b-thalassemia by T-ARMS. Here, we successfully adjusted and enhanced this method for recognizing two common mutations (FSC-8/9 insG and IVSII-I (G-A)) of b-thalassemia in Isfahan population.

Background: b-thalassemia is a common autosomal recessive disorder resulting from over 200 different mutations of beta globin genes. The aim of the present study was to identify the distribution and frequency of the most common b-thalassemia mutations among the population of Isfahan Province in central Iran.Methods: The data presented here were derived from a total of 114 b-thalassemia chromosomes of 18 affected patients and 78 unrelated carriers identified in our screening program. Furthermore, 23 pregnant women were analyzed among couples with a PND request for b-thalassemia. Allele identification was carried out using routine Reverse Dot Blot, ARMS, and genomic sequencing.Results: The most common mutation, IVS-II-I, followed by FSC-36-37, IVS-I-5, FSC-8-9, IVS-I-110, IVS-I,3’-end; -25bp, IVS-II-745, FSC-8, Cd-39, FSC-22-24, IVS-I-1, Cd-44, IVSII-2,3 (+11/-2), IVS-I-6, and FSC-16, respectively. The present study not only provides a guide for distribution and frequency of both recurrent and uncommon mutations, but also for the first time, reports a rare b-thalassemia mutation, IVSII-2, 3 (+11/-2), in the Isfahan province of Iran.Conclusion: The information presented here could greatly facilitate screening for b-thalassemia and prenatal diagnosis in the province of Isfahan.

Social capital refers to the effective functioning of social groups through networks of relationships. The lockdown measures due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may change the social capital among youths. This study aimed to evaluate changes in social capital before and during COVID-19 lockdown among Chinese youths. It was based on the online COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS) conducted among 10 540 youths at three educational levels, including high/vocational school, undergraduate, and graduate, before and during COVID-19 lockdown. Measures of perceptions of social capital were adapted from a validated Chinese version of Health-related Social Capital Measurement based on youths’,characteristics of living and studying environment. Social capital was measured at four dimensions, including individual social capital (ISC), family social capital (FSC), community social capital (CSC), and society social capital (SSC). Overall, compared to before lockdown, ISC and CSC scores decreased, while FSC and SSC scores increased during lockdown. When stratified by educational levels, the trends for each dimension of social capital were consistent with the overall population. There were 43. 9%, 5. 7%, 32. 1%, and 3. 7% of the participants showing decreased scores during lockdown for ISC, FSC, CSC, and SSC, respectively, while 7. 2%, 24. 0%, 15. 3%, and 10. 7% of participants showed increased scores for ISC, FSC, CSC, and SSC, respectively. Our timely, large-scale study showed decreased social capital in individual and community dimensions and increased social capital in family and society dimensions during lockdown.

Food supply chain management has become a crucial issue due to increasing food waste caused by globalization and population growth, which not only harms the environment but also social and economic aspects. The circular model has proven to be a powerful solution to overcome this, but its implementation is quite challenging due to the involvement of many stakeholders along the supply chain. So, it is important to understand the driving factors of a circular economy in the food supply chain (FSC) which can stimulate the development of a circular food supply chain, the barrier factors that can cause the failure of circular practices in the FSC, as well as strategies to overcome and mitigate the barriers that arise. Therefore, this study conducted a systematic literature review by analyzing 43 articles to answer specific research questions related to drivers, barriers, and circular food supply chain (CFSC) strategies. The results present nine main drivers, main barriers, and strategies, of which there are 47 sub-drivers, 50 barriers, and 47 strategies. Out of all the strategies identified, 24 greatest strategies using Pareto and SWOT analysis can be adopted for CFSC practice in Indonesia. This research contributes to the existing literature with the strategies, along with the responsible FSC stakeholders.