Foraging behavior of (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on tobacco aphid, (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The aim of this study was to investigate the foraging behavior of Aphidius matricariae (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a biological control agent of Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a key and cosmopolitan pest of tobacco fields. To achieve a strategy for the control of this pest and a mass-rearing program of the parasitoid, host stage preference, switching, functional response, and mutual interference of A. matricariae were investigated at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 h L:D photoperiod.

Biological and Clinical Relevance of Long Non-Coding RNA PCAT-1 in Cancer, A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) prostate cancer associated transcript 1 (PCAT-1) has been identified as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of dysregulation as well as the biological and clinical significance of lnc-PCAT-1 for predicting the malignancy status in several cancers. Two independent reviewers conducted an extensive search in electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed until the December of 2017.

miR-146a is deregulated in gastric cancer.

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most significant reasons for cancer-related death. miR-146a is one of the dysregulated factors associated with gastric tumorigenesis. However, deregulation of this microRNA (miRNA) has become controversial.

Effects of Tamoxifen on DNA Integrity in Mice.

Background: Tamoxifen (TX) is widely used to treat idiopathic infertility in men. Using TX has been shown to produce sperm in patients with oligospermia and azoospermia and improve male fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of TX on DNA and chromatin quality in mice regarding the importance of chromatin quality and sperm DNA at all stages of reproduction.

Quercetin attenuates H O -induced toxicity of rooster semen during liquid storage at 4°C.

Current study was carried out to examine the protective effects of quercetin against toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in rooster semen in vitro. Semen samples were collected from ten roosters (Ross 308 broiler breeder males, 32 weeks old) twice a week by abdominal massage method. Samples with ≥70% progressive motility were selected, pooled, diluted and used for the study.

Wolbachia induce cytoplasmic incompatibility and affect mate preference in Habrobracon hebetor to increase the chance of its transmission to the next generation.

Wolbachia are common intracellular bacteria that are generally found in arthropods, including a high proportion of insects and also some nematodes. This intracellular symbiont can affect sex ratio with a variety of reproductive anomalies in the host, including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in haplodiploids. In this study, we questioned if the parasitoid wasp, Habrobracon hebetor (Hym.

Medium containing different concentrations of catalase as a strategy for optimising sperm parameters and chromatin in normospermic persons.

The aim of this study was to comprise the effect of catalase on sperm parameters and chromatin in normospermic persons. Semen samples were obtained from fertile men. A certain amount of different concentrations of catalase (0.

Evidence for an alternative fatty acid desaturation pathway increasing cancer plasticity.

Most tumours have an aberrantly activated lipid metabolism that enables them to synthesize, elongate and desaturate fatty acids to support proliferation. However, only particular subsets of cancer cells are sensitive to approaches that target fatty acid metabolism and, in particular, fatty acid desaturation. This suggests that many cancer cells contain an unexplored plasticity in their fatty acid metabolism.

Effect of intravenous injection of antagomiR-1 on brain ischemia.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the world, but the underlying molecular mechanism of this disease remains elusive, thus it will be great challenges to finding appropriate protection. MicroRNAs are short, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs and recent studies have shown that they are aberrantly expressed in ischemic condition. Due to the fact that miR-1 has harmful effects on neural damages during brain ischemia, limited miR-1 has been proven to be protective in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Nanocrystalline cellulose-hyaluronic acid composite enriched with GM-CSF loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced wound healing.

In recent years, applications of biopolymers such as hyaluronic acid (HA) for wound dressing have attracted more attention. However, the poor mechanical properties of HA-based wound dressings limit their clinical applications. Incorporation of reinforcing agents such as nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) in HA-based wound dressings can improve their mechanical properties.

Three new species of the genus Choeras Mason, 1981 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Iran.

The genus Choeras Mason, 1981 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) in northern Iran is studied taxonomically. Specimens were collected using Malaise traps during 2010 and 2011. A total of five species were identified, three being new species which are described and illustrated: Choeras formosus Abdoli Fernandez-Triana sp.

Analysis of PRM1 and PRM2 Polymorphisms in Iranian Infertile Men with Idiopathic Teratozoospermia.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a number of genes involved in sperm maturation are considered as one of the main factors for male infertility. The aim of the present case-control study was to examine the association of SNPs in protamine1 (PRM1) and protamine2 (PRM2) genes with idiopathic teratozoospermia. In this case-control study, some SNPs in PRM1 (c.

Effect of freeze drying on stability, thermo-responsive characteristics, and wound healing of erythropoietin-loaded trimethyl chitosan/glycerophosphate hydrogel.

Erythropoietin (EPO) was successfully incorporated into a bioadhesive thermosensitive hydrogel based on trimethyl chitosan (TMC)/β-glycerophosphate (GP) for prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in cancerous patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of freeze drying on thermo-responsive property of the hydrogel and structural stability of the loaded protein. The freeze-dried EPO-loaded hydrogel were characterized using various methods.

Inhibition of glutamine synthetase in monocytes from patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure resuscitates their antibacterial and inflammatory capacity.

Objective: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with dysfunctional circulating monocytes whereby patients become highly susceptible to bacterial infections. Here, we identify the pathways underlying monocyte dysfunction in ACLF and we investigate whether metabolic rewiring reinstates their phagocytic and inflammatory capacity.

Design: Following phenotypic characterisation, we performed RNA sequencing on CD14CD16 monocytes from patients with ACLF and decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis.

Effect of oral magnesium sulfate administration on blood glucose hemostasis via inhibition of gluconeogenesis and FOXO1 gene expression in liver and muscle in diabetic rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the possible role of Mg in suppression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK) enzyme via inhibition of FOXO1gene expression in liver and we also examined whether Mg contributes to decrease blood glucose in muscle via inhibiting FOXO1 gene and protein expression. Fifty rats in five groups of experiment were considered as; non-diabetic control (NDC), Mg-treated non-diabetic control (Mg-NDC), chronic diabetic (CD), Mg-treated chronic diabetic (Mg-CD), and insulin-treated chronic diabetic (Ins-CD). Streptozotocin (STZ) was used for diabetes induction.

Effect of Long-term Administration of Oral Magnesium Sulfate and Insulin to Reduce Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia in Rats: the Role of Akt2 and IRS1 Gene Expressions.

The effects of long-term oral administration of magnesium sulfate and insulin on hyperglycemia were investigated using Akt2 and IRS1 gene expression methods in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups: 1, non-diabetic control (NDC); 2, Mg-treated non-diabetic control (Mg-NDC); 3, chronic diabetic (CD); 4, Mg-treated chronic diabetic (Mg-CD); and 5, insulin-treated chronic diabetic (Ins-CD). Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes.

Polymorphisms of sperm protamine genes and CMA3 staining in infertile men with varicocele.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate polymorphisms of sperm protamine genes and their effects on the result of CMA3 staining in varicocele men.

Material And Methods: In a case control study, 128 patients with male infertility due to varicocele and 128 controls were recruited. Polymorphisms of PRM1 and PRM2 genes in extracted DNA samples were assessed by PCR-SSCP and sequencing.

Effect of oral magnesium sulfate administration on lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 gene expression to prevent atherosclerosis in diabetic rat vessels.

Aims/introduction: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible effect of oral magnesium sulfate (MgSO ) in the reduction of atherosclerosis plaques through inhibition of lectin-like low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) gene expression in diabetic vessels.

Materials And Methods: A total of 50 rats were divided into five groups, including non-diabetic control, Mg-treated non-diabetic control, chronic diabetic, Mg-treated chronic diabetic and insulin-treated chronic diabetic. The induction of diabetes was carried out by streptozotocin.

The Influence of Brass Compensator Thickness and Field Size on Neutron Contamination Spectrum in 18MV Elekta SL 75/25 Medical Linear Accelerator with and without Flattening Filter: A Monte Carlo Study.

Background: One of the most significant Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy treatment benefits is a high target to normal tissue dose ratio. To improve this advantage, an additional accessory such as a compensator is used to deliver doses. Compensator-based IMRT treatment is usually operated with an energy higher than 10 MV.

Effects of Essential Oils Combination on Sporulation of Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Eimeria Oocysts.

Avian coccidiosis is the most important parasitic disease in poultry production, which inflicts numerous losses to the industry. The extensive use of anticoccidial drugs leads to parasite resistance and drug residue in poultry products. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of three famous essential oils (EOs) and their combination on inactivation of mixed oocysts of Eimeria adenoides, Eimeria dispersa, Eimeria meleagrimitis, and Eimeria meleagridis.

The efficiency of Amblyseius swirskii in control of Tetranychus urticae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum is affected by various factors.

Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot is a well-known predator that is used for controlling the population of two-spotted spider mites (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, and greenhouse whitefly (GHWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, in strawberry greenhouses. To find the effective factors that influence the efficiency of this predator, the predation rates of A. swirskii fed on (Ι) TSSM in the presence and absence of the pollen, webbing, and GHWF, as well as on (II) GHWF in the presence and absence of the pollen, and GHWF-produced honeydew were determined.

The efficacy of curcuminoids in improvement of ulcerative colitis symptoms and patients' self-reported well-being: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Background: Curcuminoids are polyphenols with documented anti-inflammatory activity and has been shown to improve the symptoms of several inflammatory diseases. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nanoformulation of curcuminoids in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Methods: This randomized double-blinded controlled trial was conducted on 56 patients aged 18 years or older with the final diagnosis of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis according to the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI).

Effects of antidepressants on parameters, melondiadehyde, and diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl levels in mice spermatozoa.

Background: Prescribing antidepressant drugs is becoming common. These drugs are known to affect sexual functions.

Objective: The study is aimed to assess the effects of amitriptyline and venlafaxine on sperm parameters and evaluate Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl values in BALB/ mice spermatozoa.

Small interfering RNA pathway contributes to antiviral immunity in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells following Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection.

Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is a well-known virus in the Baculoviridae family. Presence of the p35 gene in the AcMNPV genome as a suppressor of the short interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway is a strong reason for the importance of the siRNA pathway in the host cellular defense. Given that, here we explored the roles of Dicer-2 (Dcr2) and Argonaute 2 (Ago2) genes, key factors in the siRNA pathway in response to AcMNPV infection in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells.