The effect of climatic conditions on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in 10-12 year old students

Exercise-induced asthma is seen following vigorous or prolonged exercise or physical exertion. It has been suggested that climatic conditions have an influence on exercise-induced asthma. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of two climatic conditions on exercise-induced deterioration of pulmonary function tests in 10-12 year old students.Two hundred and fifty six students were randomly chosen from two cities namely Kerman and Gorgan (128 subjects in each who were equally from both cities) including 62 girls and 66 boys of 10-12 years old. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information and to identify the prevalence of asthma symptoms. Each subject performed a seven-minute free run exercise with maximum effort and sufficient motivation until they reached 70-75% heart rate. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) including, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximum expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (MEF50) were measured before, at the beginning, and 7 and 20 min after physical activity.The prevalence of both asthma (28.12%) and exercise-induced asthma (20.31%) in Kerman students was higher than those of Gorgan students (21.09% and 17%, respectively). All PFT values declined 7 and 20 min post-exercise in both groups. Although all baselines PFT in Kerman students were higher than those of Gorgan students, the decline in PFT values in Kerman students was greater than those of Gorgan students. At 20 min post exercise, the decline in FEV1, PEF and MEF50 in Kerman students was significantly higher than those of Gorgan students (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01).The results of the present study showed that prevalence of both asthma and exercise-induced asthma in a city with dry and cool climate such as Kerman was higher than in a city with humid climate such as Gorgan. In addition, the results showed that in a humid climate, post-exercise decline in PFT values was less than in a dry climate. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Evaluation of effects of two spring applications of micronutrients on the population density of common pistachio psylla (Agonoscena pistaciae) in pistachio orchards

The common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) is one of the most detrimental pests to pistachio trees. This pest is distributed throughout all the pistachio producing regions of Iran. Nowadays various pesticides are used to control the common pistachio psylla, but extensive pesticide spraying against this pest over a period of several years has overpowered its natural enemies. Moreover, the overlapping of generations has resulted in an abundant presence of the pest. Many herbivorous insects can make qualitative distinctions between host plants, they can feed and oviposit preferentially on higher quality plants. Cultural methods such as crop fertilization can affect the susceptibility of plants to insect pests by altering a plant tissue's nutrient level. This study tested nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers on A. pistaciae in pistachio orchards. The experiment was based on complete randomized blocks with three replications and nine treatments including once-applied Zn, Ca, N, NCa, ZnCa, ZnN, ZnCaN, pesticide (amitraz) and a control (distilled water), on common pistachio psylla fed on 20-year-old pistachio trees of Ahmadaghaei rootstock. The results demonstrated that the effect of nutritional solutions on nymph and egg populations showed a significant difference at a 5% level. The highest measure of control on eggs was related to amitraz, ZnCa and Zn while the least was related to NZn. The results also showed that the highest measure of pest control was related to Ca while the least was related to N and Zn. The results indicated that combinations of the elements mentioned had a stronger reducing effect on the concentration of pistachio psylla nymphs than the effect pesticide had

Hepatoprotective effect of berberine against methotrexate induced liver toxicity in rats

Hepatotoxicity is one of the major side effects of methotrexate (MTX), which restricts the clinical use of this drug. Berberine (BBR) is a natural compound with multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the effect of BBR on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity was studied. A total number of 28 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Rats were pretreated with BBR orally with dose of 100 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days and MTX (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administrated on the 9th day. Then on day 11, blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The extracted livers were used for histological examination, biochemical assays and real time PCR studies. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl (PC), nitric oxide (NO) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were assessed in hepatic tissue. In addition, the expression of SOD and PGx was measured using real-time PCR method in hepatic tissue. Results showed that MTX administration significantly increases AST, ALT and ALP levels (all p < 0.001). It also, increases MDA, PC, NO levels and MPO activity (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). Moreover, MTX decreases hepatic GSH level, SOD, GPx and CAT activities (all p < 0.001). Pre-treatment with BBR for 10 days prevented some of these changes. Serum levels of AST and ALT decreased (all p < 0.001). Hepatic MDA level decreased (p < 0.001) and GSH level as well as GPx activity increased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). Our results indicated that BBR might be useful for prevention of the hepatotoxicity induced by MTX via ameliorative effects on biochemical and oxidative stress indices. © 2017 Elsevier Masson SA

Hepatoprotective effect of berberine against methotrexate induced liver toxicity in rats

Hepatotoxicity is one of the major side effects of methotrexate (MTX), which restricts the clinical use of this drug. Berberine (BBR) is a natural compound with multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the effect of BBR on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity was studied. A total number of 28 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Rats were pretreated with BBR orally with dose of 100 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days and MTX (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administrated on the 9th day. Then on day 11, blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The extracted livers were used for histological examination, biochemical assays and real time PCR studies. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl (PC), nitric oxide (NO) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were assessed in hepatic tissue. In addition, the expression of SOD and PGx was measured using real-time PCR method in hepatic tissue. Results showed that MTX administration significantly increases AST, ALT and ALP levels (all p < 0.001). It also, increases MDA, PC, NO levels and MPO activity (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). Moreover, MTX decreases hepatic GSH level, SOD, GPx and CAT activities (all p < 0.001). Pre-treatment with BBR for 10 days prevented some of these changes. Serum levels of AST and ALT decreased (all p < 0.001). Hepatic MDA level decreased (p < 0.001) and GSH level as well as GPx activity increased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). Our results indicated that BBR might be useful for prevention of the hepatotoxicity induced by MTX via ameliorative effects on biochemical and oxidative stress indices. © 2017 Elsevier Masson SA

A genomic scan for detection of selection signatures using snp data in Australian merino sheep

Deciphering the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity is one of the main aims of biological research. Domestic animals are useful tool for making substantial progress towards this goal. Selection signatures are the regions of the genome that are functionally important and therefore have been under either natural or artificial selection. In this paper, a whole genome scan was performed using 3000 individuals, ~50000 SNP markers from nine populations of Australian Merino sheep, with the aim of identifying divergently selected regions of the genome. Five genomic regions on 4 chromosomes were identified as putatively harboring selective sweeps. These regions were located on chromosomes 6, 7, 11 (two areas) and 26. These selected genomic regions were surveyed to find encoding putative candidate genes and 9 genes were extracted from areas Ovine Genome v3.1 Assembly.Study of the reported QTL in these regions of the sheep genome showed that they overlapped with QTL of economically important traits such as carcass yield, growth and wool traits. Further investigation of these regions in validation studies will help to identify the candidate genes for economically important traits in sheep breeds

Improving strawberry plant resilience to salinity and alkalinity through the use of diverse spectra of supplemental lighting

Abstract Background This study explores the impact of various light spectra on the photosynthetic performance of strawberry plants subjected to salinity, alkalinity, and combined salinity/alkalinity stress. We employed supplemental lighting through Light-emitting Diodes (LEDs) with specific wavelengths: monochromatic blue (460 nm), monochromatic red (660 nm), dichromatic blue/red (1:3 ratio), and white/yellow (400–700 nm), all at an intensity of 200 µmol m-2 S-1. Additionally, a control group (ambient light) without LED treatment was included in the study. The tested experimental variants were: optimal growth conditions (control), alkalinity (40 mM NaHCO3), salinity (80 mM NaCl), and a combination of salinity/alkalinity. Results The results revealed a notable decrease in photosynthetic efficiency under both salinity and alkalinity stresses, especially when these stresses were combined, in comparison to the no-stress condition. However, the application of supplemental lighting, particularly with the red and blue/red spectra, mitigated the adverse effects of stress. The imposed stress conditions had a detrimental impact on both gas exchange parameters and photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. In contrast, treatments involving blue, red, and blue/red light exhibited a beneficial effect on photosynthetic efficiency compared to other lighting conditions. Further analysis of JIP-test parameters confirmed that these specific light treatments significantly ameliorated the stress impacts. Conclusions In summary, the utilization of blue, red, and blue/red light spectra has the potential to enhance plant resilience in the face of salinity and alkalinity stresses. This discovery presents a promising strategy for cultivating plants in anticipation of future challenging environmental conditions

Protective effects of gallic acid against methotrexate-induced toxicity in rats

Background: Methotrexate, as a chemotherapy drug, can cause chronic liver damage and oxidative stress. Aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of gallic acid (GA) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Methods: Twenty-eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.), MTX + GA (30 mg/kg/day, orally) and GA treated. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were used as biochemical markers of MTX-induced hepatic injury. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and hepatic antioxidant enzymes activities including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assayed in liver tissue. The expression of SOD2 and GPx1 genes were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and liver histopathology was evaluated by light microscopy. Results: The result obtained from current study showed that GA remarkably reduced MTX-induced elevation of AST, ALT and ALP and increased MTX-induced reduction in GSH content, GPx, CAT and SOD activity as well as GPx1 and SOD2 gene expressions. Histological results showed that MTX led to liver damage and GA could improve histological changes. Conclusions: Our results indicate that GA ameliorates biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in the liver of rats exposed to MTX. © 2017, © 2017 The Royal Belgian Society for Surgery

Protective effects of gallic acid against methotrexate-induced toxicity in rats

Background: Methotrexate, as a chemotherapy drug, can cause chronic liver damage and oxidative stress. Aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of gallic acid (GA) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Methods: Twenty-eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.), MTX + GA (30 mg/kg/day, orally) and GA treated. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were used as biochemical markers of MTX-induced hepatic injury. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and hepatic antioxidant enzymes activities including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assayed in liver tissue. The expression of SOD2 and GPx1 genes were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and liver histopathology was evaluated by light microscopy. Results: The result obtained from current study showed that GA remarkably reduced MTX-induced elevation of AST, ALT and ALP and increased MTX-induced reduction in GSH content, GPx, CAT and SOD activity as well as GPx1 and SOD2 gene expressions. Histological results showed that MTX led to liver damage and GA could improve histological changes. Conclusions: Our results indicate that GA ameliorates biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in the liver of rats exposed to MTX. © 2017, © 2017 The Royal Belgian Society for Surgery

Additional file 1 of Improving strawberry plant resilience to salinity and alkalinity through the use of diverse spectra of supplemental lighting

Supplementary Material 1