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Aims: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus are quite distant viruses, but they share significant similarities such as mode of transmission and clinical manifestations. No specific clinical signs reliably distinguish early influenza sickness from the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19); therefore, it will be critical in clinical practice to determine the viral etiology. The present study aimed to screen for influenza virus A and B among COVID-19 patients by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Materials & Methods: A total of 100 nasal swabs from COVID-19 patients were collected in viral transport medium (VTM) during June to July 2022. RNA extraction was done using QIagen RNA extraction kit, and then RT-qPCR was performed using HELINI swine flu (H1N1) kit.
Findings: The average age of the study participants was 31 years, and 13 patients were hospitalized due to the COVID infection. Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic lung, heart and kidney diseases were identified as comorbidities. It was found that none of the tested samples were positive for influenza A and B.
Conclusion: Although none of the patients were positive for influenza, the importance of co-infection could not be ignored. Screening of a large number of samples is needed during the seasonal period.

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The inhibitory activities of aqueous and solvent extracts of twelve selected medicinal plants were evaluated against biosynthesis of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) by Aspergillus flavus. The A. flavus was isolated from maize, and aflatoxin B₁ biosynthesis was confirmed by comparison with standard AFB₁ using TLC method. In vivo antiaflatoxigenic efficacies of activity guided solvent extracts were determined in maize model system. All the extracts showed varying degree of antifungal and AFB₁ inhibitory activities, but chloroformic extract of Albizia amara, Cassia spectabilis and Solanum indicum, and methanolic extract of Acacia catechu, Albizia saman andAnogeissus latifolia showed the highest activity. Further investigations on identification of active principles from these plants are needed to develop plant based formulations for management of A. flavus growth and AFB₁ contamination in food grains.

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This study was carried out to determine the genetic variability and the relationship between twenty traits for nut yield in fourteen cashew genotypes. The genotypes show considerable variation, and nut yield tree^-1 had the highest genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation. The number of nuts panicle^-1, kernel weight and nut yield tree^-1 all had substantial heritability and genetic advance in percent of mean. Plant height, canopy spread, leaf size, flowering intensity, length of inflorescence, percentage fruit set, number of nuts panicle^-1, nut weight, shell thickness, kernel weight, apple weight and TSS of juice all showed a significant positive association with nut yield tree^-1. Path analysis revealed that the main factors influencing nut yield tree^-1 were canopy spread (east-west direction), apple weight, length of the inflorescence and the number of nuts panicle^-1. The information on these statistical metrics would be useful in identifying genotypes with greater yield potential that can be used in the cashew improvement program.

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The lack of recognizing Food Valley's potential and the lack of incorporating open innovation into food industry strategies are serious obstacles that debilitate their sustainability and viability. A mixed method approach was used to answer the question of “what are the external and internal factors in a SWOT analysis to evaluate the possibility of establishment of a Food Valley in Iran”. Data was collected using structured interviews with 16 entrepreneurship and food industry experts. The SWOT matrix was based on 42 identified factors, drawn into four categories of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A total of 17 strategies were presented to establish Food Valley, including 5 offensive strategies, 5 revision strategies, 3 diversity strategies, and 4 defensive strategies. The results found that building trust, creating joint professional workgroups in food companies, having cooperation contracts for the exchange of skilful workforce, sharing information, developing continuous relationships with scientific centers and academia are among the most important strategies for establishing the Food Valley in Iran. Prioritizing alternative strategies illustrated that, since Food Valley is a critical factor in the field of food security, this study contributes to the literature on food security. Policymakers could design special plans to promote strategies for launching and establishing Food Valley and the adoption of open innovation by the agri-food industries and (Small and medium enterprises) SMEs and emphasize the effects of this paradigm to improve innovative products and services.