Evaluation of the anxiolytic effect of Nepeta persica Boiss. in mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Nepeta persica Boiss. (Lamiaceae) on the elevated plus-maze (EPM) model of anxiety. The extract of arial parts of the plant was administered intraperitoneally to male NMRI mice, at various doses, 30 min before behavioural evaluation. The HE extract of N. persica at the dose of 50 mg kg−1 significantly increased the percentage of time spent and percentage of arm entries in the open arms of the EPM. This dose of plant extract affected neither animal's locomotor activity nor ketamine-induced sleeping time. The 50 mg kg−1 dose of the plant extract seemed to be the optimal dose in producing the anxiolytic effects, lower or higher doses of the plant produce either sedative or stimulant effects. At 100 mg kg−1, the plant extract increased the locomotor activity. These results suggested that the extract of N. persica at dose of 50 mg kg−1 possess anxiolytic effect with less sedative and hypnotic effects than that of diazepam and causes a non-specific stimulation at 100 mg kg−1

Relative growth of the fiddler crab, Uca sindensis(Crustacea: Ocypodidae) in a subtropical mangrove in Pohl Port, Iran

The relative growth of the fiddler crab Uca sindensis in Pohl Port was studied. Ten 0.5 m^2 quadrates were randomly sampled monthly during low tide periods from October 2009 to September 2010. A total of 840 crabs, 449 (53.45%) males and 391 (46.5%) ‌ females, were sampled. The Carapace width of males ranged from 5.5 to 13.5 mm (mean ± SD) (8.92 ± 2.04), and of females from 5.0 to 11.5 mm (mean ± SD) (7.95 ± 1.34). Carapace height (CH) and Carapace length (CL), height of the major cheliped (HMC) of males, abdomen width of females (AW), major cheliped length (LMC), dactiluse (D), feeding cheliped (CHF) and merouse (M) were employed as dependent variables and carapace width (CW) as independent variable. The relationship between CW × CH was positive in males and females. The equation (Log CH=Log-4.881+4.681LogCW) for males (P<0.05) and Log CH=Log-1.882+3.299LogCW for females (P<0.05). The females showed allometric positive growth for CW × AW relation to male (Log AW= Log0.784+1.217Log CW) (P<0.05). Also four male crabs were found with two major cheliped in this study. Remarkable ontogenetic changes were observed in the allometric growth of the male major cheliped and the female abdomen, indicating that these structures are closely connected to the timing of sexual maturity. The allometric growth of U. sindensis in Pohl Port mangrove differed from other Uca populations so far studied, indicating that growth could have been influenced by environment variables such as food availability, population density, distribution of vegetation, sex ratio, soil temperature , organic matter, different of surface and sediment

Biomarkers for precision immunotherapy in the metastatic setting: Hope or reality?

Precision immunotherapy is a crucial approach to improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments, particularly in the metastatic setting. In this respect, accurate patient selection takes advantage of the multidimensional integration of patients' clinical information and tumour-specific biomarkers status. Among these biomarkers, programmed death-ligand 1, tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair and tumour mutational burden have been widely investigated. However, novel tumour-specific biomarkers and testing methods will further improve patients' outcomes. Here, we discuss the currently available strategies for the implementation of a precision immunotherapy approach in the clinical management of metastatic solid tumours and highlight future perspectives

Effects of water temperature on filtration rate of micro-algae Isochrysis affines galbana by black lip pearl oyster spat (Pinctada margaritifera)

This study was conducted to compare the effects of varying water temperatures on filtration rate of micro-algae Isochrysis affines galbana by Pinctada margaritfera spat on microalgae. To determine the optimum temperature and maximum filtration rate, 10 pearl oyster. margaritfera spats with mean total and total hinge length 32.67 ±2.76 and 31.57 ±2.90 respectively were stocked in 70 liter rectangular glass tanks supplied with filtered seawater. The spats were exposed to seven treatments of temperature including 18.5 ±0.21°C, 20.5 ±0.21°C, 23 ±0.1°C, 24.5 ±0.31°C, 26.5 ±0.21°C, 27.5 ±0.15°C and 28.5 ±0.21°C with 3 replicates. The results of filtration on I. affines galbana showed that the maximum filtration of spats on microalgae cells and water volume were 181,324,595 cells and 3626 ml per hour and 635,031,212 cells and 12700 ml per two hours in 27.5 ±0.15°C, respectively. The minimum filtration of microalgae cells and water volume were 5,224,028 and 104ml per hour and 65,874,413 cells and 1317 ml per two hours in 18.50 ±021C, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that the optimum temperature for maximum feeding of spats on I. affines galbana is 27.5 ±0.15°C

Identification of chemical compounds of <em>Nardostachys Jatamansi </em>essence available in Iran

Introduction: With regard to using drugs with plant origin and with the aim of suitable use of these types of drugs and preventing them to be abused, it is necessary to determine the standards of these plants. The aim of the present study was to identify and study chemical compounds of Nardostachys Jatamansi essence in Iran and define monograph of this plant for the Iranian plant pharmacopeia. Methods: In an experimental study the Nardostachys Jatamansi specimen was prepared from the market in Iran. The essence of the plant was prepared by the hydro-distillation in Clevenger apparatus. Essence was obtained as a greenish yellow oil layer with the 0.07 yield. The essence compounds were identified quantitatively by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) method. Results: Totally, 29 compounds were identified in Nardostachys Jatamansi essence. The retention indexes (RI) were only similar with overall standard values in two compounds like mesitylene and P-cymene. In this line the RI values about three compounds of valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate were determined significantly higher than standard values of RI. Conclusion: The essence prepared from the Nardostachys Jatamansi plant in Iran was different in terms of some compounds and components including valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate and so it is necessary to identify and register quality and quantity characteristics of compounds available in this plat in the Iranian medicinal plants pharmacopeia.</p

Effect of stocking density on the growth of Gracilariopsis persica and Gracilaria corticata, with the potential for mariculture in Persian Gulf

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of initial stocking density of red algae Gracilaropsis persica and Gracilaria corticata on the growth and biomass production of these species. Three stocking densities of 50 gm^-1, 125 gm^-1 and 200 gm^-1 were used and algae cultivated in Persian Gulf (Bandar Abbas) in winter for 45 days. Algae collected from natural environment and cultivated on poly ethylene rope in the sea. Relative growth rate (RGR) and total biomass were measured fortnightly. Temperature, salinity, pH and nutrients (nitrate, nitrite and phosphate) were measured during the trial. The result of the present study showed that there were significant differences in growth rate between different treatments in both species (P<0.05). Algae that cultivated with 50 gm^-1 initial stocking density had the highest relative growth rate in both species. At the end of 45-day trial, total biomass was the highest in 200 gm^-1 treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the present study showed that the growth rate of Gracilariopsis persica was higher than Gracilaria corticata. The results of the present study showed that stocking density is able to affect the growth of red algae Gracilariopsis persica and Gracilaria corticata and Gracilariopsis persica have higher growth rate and better potential of commercial culture in the Persian Gulf compared to Gracilaria corticata

Pten alterations and their role in cancer management: Are we making headway on precision medicine?

Alterations in the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) occur in a substantial proportion of solid tumors. These events drive tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Given its central role as a downregulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, PTEN is deeply involved in cell growth, proliferation, and survival. This gene is also implicated in the modulation of the DNA damage response and in tumor immune microenvironment modeling. Despite the actionability of PTEN alterations, their role as biomarkers remains controversial in clinical practice. To date, there is still a substantial lack of validated guidelines and/or recommendations for PTEN testing. Here, we provide an update on the current state of knowledge on biologic and genetic alterations of PTEN across the most frequent solid tumors, as well as on their actual and/or possible clinical applications. We focus on possible tailored schemes for cancer patients\u2019 clinical management, including risk assessment, diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment