The impact of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on physiological and biochemical parameters of the microalgae Spirulina platensis.

Nanoplastics, as emerging pollutants, have harmful effects on living organisms and the environment, the mechanisms and extent of which remain unclear. Microalgae, as one of the most important biological groups in the food chain and sensitive environmental indicators to various pollutants, are considered a suitable option for investigating the effects of nanoplastics. In this study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the growth rate, dry weight, chlorophyll a and carotenoid levels, proline, and lipid peroxidation in the Spirulina platensis were examined.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by and its Function Against and Fungi.

(NPs) can be produced by various methods such as physical and chemical processes. However, environmentally friendly ways are increasingly requested. In this research, (Ag-NPs) were produced by and its antifungal effect on and was investigated.

: A Double-Edged Sword of Aphid Defense against Parasitoids.

It is widely accepted that endosymbiont interactions with their hosts have significant effects on the fitness of both pests and beneficial species. A particular type of endosymbiosis is that of beneficial associations. Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria are associated with elements that provide aphids with protection from parasitoids.

Whole genome analysis of a novel nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate (SeMNPV-IR) to Iran.

Unlabelled: Baculoviruses are successful microbial control agents used in the biological control of agricultural pest species, especially in the order Lepidoptera. The beet armyworm, is a popular agricultural pest in the world. larvae, which are active in the all-summer period, cause economic losses by damaging many crops in agricultural production areas.

Impacts of polyethylene microplastics on the microalga, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis).

Microalgae play a critical role in the food web and biogeochemical cycling and produce compounds that are commercially exploited. However, their reactions and responses to microplastic contamination are not well understood. In this study, the widely distributed and commercially important cyanobacterium, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), was exposed to different concentrations (1-100 mg L) of low-density polyethylene microplastics (<5 μm) over a 20-d period.

Beneficial worm allies warn plants of parasite attack below-ground and reduce above-ground herbivore preference and performance.

Antagonistic interactions among different functional guilds of nematodes have been recognized for quite some time, but the underlying explanatory mechanisms are unclear. We investigated responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to two functional guilds of nematodes-plant parasite (Meloidogyne javanica) and entomopathogens (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema feltiae below-ground, and S. carpocapsae)-as well as a leaf mining insect (Tuta absoluta) above-ground.

Relationship between dietary diversity score and general health in female students.

Background: Adolescence is a critical period with respect to mental and psychological issues. The role of nutrients is well known in health condition in adolescents, but little emphasis is placed on total diet quality. Dietary diversity score (DDS) is often used to assess diet quality.

Entomophilic nematodes, Diploscapter coronatus and Oscheius tipulae from Afghanistan.

Several soil samples from different habitats in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan were collected to isolate and characterize bacteria feeding nematodes. The Galleria mellonella-baiting method was used for the isolation of the Afghan insect-associated nematodes. The nematodes were studied using morphological and morphometric data.

PET-microplastics as a vector for heavy metals in a simulated plant rhizosphere zone.

Although microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous contaminants in different ecosystems, their interactions with other pollutants including heavy metals remain relatively unknown. Wheat is an important grain that makes the basis of human food in many parts of the world. Thus, pollutants that affect its production are important subjects of study.

Role of gold nanoparticles in advanced biomedical applications.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have generated keen interest among researchers in recent years due to their excellent physicochemical properties. In general, GNPs are biocompatible, amenable to desired functionalization, non-corroding, and exhibit size and shape dependent optical and electronic properties. These excellent properties of GNPs exhibit their tremendous potential for use in diverse biomedical applications.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Potential Biological Control Agents of Subterranean Termite, Microcerotermes diversus (Blattodea: Termitidae) in Iraq.

The infectivity of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) such as Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), and H. bacteriophora Poinar (IRQ.1 strain) were examined against subterranean termite Microcerotermes diversus (Silvestri) (Blattodea: Termitidae) that is the most economically destructive termite in Iraq.

Behavior manipulation of mosquitoes by a mermithid nematode.

We examined manipulation of mosquito behavior by the parasitic mermithid nematode, Strelkovimermis spiculatus. This nematode species typically infects early instar host larvae and emerges after parasitic development to kill last-instar larvae. Parasitized adults, however, have occasionally been reported from field collections.

Functional Characterization of Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) in and through Insect Immune Defense Reactions.

and are entomopathogenic bacterial symbionts that produce toxic proteins that can interfere with the immune system of insects. Herein, we show that outer membrane proteins (OMPs) could be involved as bacterial virulence factors. Purified totals OMPs of both bacterial species were injected into fifth instar larvae of Hübner.

Effect of Age-Dependent Parasitism in Eggs of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Intraguild Predation Between Nabis pseudoferus (Hemiptera: Nabidae) and Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a destructive pest of tomato that can cause up to 100% yield loss. The predatory bug Nabis pseudoferus (Remane) (Hemiptera: Nabidae) and the parasitoid Trichogramma brassicae (Bezdenko) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are natural enemies of this pest. Since the interaction between predators and parasitoids in different trophic levels including intraguild predation (IGP) can decrease or increase the efficiency of natural enemies, the effects of age-dependent parasitism of host eggs on IGP between these two species were investigated under laboratory conditions.

Whole-genome-based revisit of Photorhabdus phylogeny: proposal for the elevation of most Photorhabdus subspecies to the species level and description of one novel species Photorhabdus bodei sp. nov., and one novel subspecies Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. clarkei subsp. nov.

Bacterial symbionts are crucial for the infectivity and success of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents. The current understanding of the symbiotic relationships is limited by taxonomic uncertainties. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing and traditional techniques to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships between all described Photorhabdus species and subspecies as well as 11 newly isolated symbiotic bacteria of Heterorhabditis nematodes, including the unreported bacterial partner of H.

Differential Expression of Mitochondrial in Exposed to Silver Nitrate and Silver Nanoparticles.

The increasing use of nanoparticles (NPs) may have negative impacts on both organisms and the environment. The differential expression of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase () gene in wheat in response to silver nitrate nanoparticles (AgNPs) and AgNO was investigated. A quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR experiment was carried out with gene using RNAs isolated from wheat shoots treated for 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h with 100 mg.

Microbial insecticides in Iran: History, current status, challenges and perspective.

Biological control programs with arthropods have been in practice in Iran since the 1930s. However, development and registration of microbial biopesticides is much more recent. Currently, about 15 biopesticide products are registered or pending registration for commercial use on various crops.

New Insight into the Management of the Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with Entomopathogenic Nematodes.

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a serious threat to tomato production in the world. Due to serious issues with insecticide resistance, there is a dire need for alternative control methods. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have potential for the biological control of T.

Depression is related to dietary diversity score in women: a cross-sectional study from a developing country.

Background: Substantial evidence provides support for the role of diet in the prevention and control of mental disorders. However, since there is no study regarding the relationship between dietary diversity and stress or depression, we aimed to determine the relationship between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and stress and depression in women.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 360 women aged 20-49 years attending health centers in the south of Tehran.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence and Aggression Among Elite Wrestlers in Hamadan Province of IRAN.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence and aggression among elite wrestlers of adolescent age group. The present study was descriptive of correlation type in terms of method and applied in terms of purpose. The population of this research was the elite wrestlers of adolescents age group aged 14-17 (mean and SD of 15.

The role of pilin protein of Xenorhabdus nematophila against immune defense reactions of insects.

Xenorhabdus nematophila is a symbiotic bacterium of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser). It produces several toxic proteins which interfere with the immune system of insects. The current study shows that purified pilin protein could be a virulence trait of X.

Differential Change Patterns of Main Antimicrobial Peptide Genes During Infection of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria.

The expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as the main humoral defense reactions of insects during infection by entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their symbiont is addressed herein. Three AMPs, attacin, cecropin, and spodoptericin, were evaluated in the fifth instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua Hübner (beet armyworm) when challenged with Steinernema carpocapsae or Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The results indicated that attacin was expressed to a greater extent than either cecropin or spodoptericin.

Are Entomopathogenic Nematodes Effective Biological Control Agents Against the Carob Moth, ?

The carob moth () is the key pest of pomegranate, which causes a significant percentage of losses in pomegranate orchards and warehouses of Iran annually. The pest larvae are characterized by displaying a cryptic behavior within the fruit, which avoids most routine control techniques, especially chemical method. The low efficiency of traditional measurements and also the rich species diversity of natural enemies within the infested fruits highlight the necessity of exploring effective control methods, especially environmental friendly approaches.

Association of dietary diversity score with anxiety in women.

Evidence suggests that diet plays an important role in the development of mental disorders, especially anxiety. Dietary diversity score is an indicator for assessing diet quality. However, its association with anxiety has not been investigated.