Effects of two host plants on the functional response of adult Orius albidipennis (Hem.: Anthocoridae) to different densities of the second instar larvae of Thrips tabaci (Thys.: Thripidae)

Thrips tabaci Lindeman, is one of the most important pests of vegetables and ornamental plants across the world. The functional response of Orius albidipennis Reuter was studied in relation to different densities of second instar larvae of T. tabaci. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of two different host plants (cucumber and bean plantlets) on the functional response and its parameters (attack rate and handling time) using different densities of 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 thrips. The cucumber and bean plantlets, in relatively small pots with a diameter of 4 cm and 7 cm high were supplied to the predators to feed on the thrips in a 24-hour-period. Each density was repeated 10 times. The experiment was carried out at 25-29°C, 60 ± 5% R.H. and photoperiod of 16: 8 L: D hours. The logistic regression suggested a type II functional response on two host plants. The Rogerâs random predator equation was compatible with the results. The type of functional response was not affected by the host plants. Attack rate (a), handling time (Th) and maximum predation of O. albidipennis were 0.073 ± 0.013, 1.67 ± 0.12 and 14.37 on the cucumber and 0.095 ± 0.02, 1.51 ± 0.11 and 15.89 on the bean plantlets, respectively. There was no significant difference among estimated parameters in both plantlets

Climate Change and Reproductive Biocomplexity in Fishes: Innovative Management Approaches towards Sustainability of Fisheries and Aquaculture

The ongoing rapid climate change, combined with the disturbance of fish breeding grounds, may impact reproduction by endangering successful breeding and survival, and thus affect the viable sustainability in aquaculture systems as well as in the sea. In this study we focus on the biocomplexity of fish reproduction in response to climate change. Further, we propose adaptive strategies, including technological advancements, using a noninvasive and non-lethal approach, and we outline an assisted reproduction and nutrigenomics approach to mitigating fish reproductive risks posed by climate change. This was done in an effort to monitor fish aquaculture and ensure that, as a livelihood, it may provide a useful source of nutrition for our society

Risk of acute kidney injury and survival in patients treated with Metformin:an observational cohort study

Background: Whether metformin precipitates lactic acidosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains under debate. We examined whether metformin use was associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) as a proxy for lactic acidosis and whether survival among those with AKI varied by metformin exposure. Methods: All individuals with type 2 diabetes and available prescribing data between 2004 and 2013 in Tayside, Scotland were included. The electronic health record for diabetes which includes issued prescriptions was linked to laboratory biochemistry, hospital admission, death register and Scottish Renal Registry data. AKI events were defined using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria with a rise in serum creatinine of at least 26.5 μmol/l or a rise of greater than 150% from baseline for all hospital admissions. Cox Regression Analyses were used to examine whether person-time periods in which current metformin exposure occurred were associated with an increased rate of first AKI compared to unexposed periods. Cox regression was also used to compare 28 day survival rates following first AKI events in those exposed to metformin versus those not exposed. Results: Twenty-five thousand one-hundred fourty-eight patients were included with a total person-time of 126,904 person years. 4944 (19.7%) people had at least one episode of AKI during the study period. There were 32.4 cases of first AKI/1000pyrs in current metformin exposed person-time periods compared to 44.9 cases/1000pyrs in unexposed periods. After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, calendar time, number of diabetes drugs and baseline renal function, current metformin use was not associated with AKI incidence, HR 0.94 (95% CI 0.87, 1.02, p = 0.15). Among those with incident AKI, being on metformin at admission was associated with a higher rate of survival at 28 days (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69, 0.94, p = 0.006) even after adjustment for age, sex, pre-admission eGFR, HbA1c and diabetes duration. Conclusions: Contrary to common perceptions, we found no evidence that metformin increases incidence of AKI and was associated with higher 28 day survival following incident AKI

Usporedba djelovanja blokatora kalcijevih kanala, blokatora autonomnoga živčanog sustava te inhibitora slobodnih radikala na hiposekreciju inzulin iz izolirnih langerhansovih otočića štakora uzrokovanu diazinonom

Hyperglycaemia has been observed with exposure to organophosphate insecticides. This study was designed to compare the effects of calcium channel blockers, alpha-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, and muscarinic receptor blockers, and of free radical scavengers on insulin secretion from diazinon-treated islets of Langerhans isolated from the pancreas of rats using standard collagenase digestion, separation by centrifugation, and hand-picking technique. The islets were then cultured in an incubator at 37 °C and 5 % CO2. In each experimental set 1 mL of 8 mmol L-1 glucose plus 125 µg mL-1 or 625 µg mL-1 of diazinon were added, except for the control group, which received 8 mmol L-1 glucose alone. The cultures were then treated with one of the following: 30 µmol L-1 atropine, 100 µmol L-1 ACh + 10 µmol L-1 neostigmine, 0.1 µmol L-1 propranolol, 2 µmol L-1 nifedipine, 50 µmol L-1 phenoxybenzamine, or 10 µmol L-1 alphatocopherol. In all experiments, diazinon significantly reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion at both doses, showing no dose dependency, as the average inhibition for the lower dose was 62.20 % and for the higher dose 64.38 %. Acetylcholine and alpha-tocopherol restored, whereas atropine potentiated diazinoninduced hyposecretion of insulin. Alpha-, beta- and calcium channel blockers did not change diazinoninduced effects. These findings suggest that diazinon affects insulin secretion mainly by disturbing the balance between free radicals and antioxidants in the islets of Langerhans and by inducing toxic stress.U osoba izloženih organofosfatnim insekticidima zamijećen je nastanak hiperglikemije. Svrha je ovo istraživanja bila usporediti djelovanje blokatora kalcijevih kanala, alfa i beta-adrenergičkih i muskarinskih receptora te inhibicije slobodnih radikala na lučenje inzulina iz Langerhansovih otočića izoliranih iz štakora tretiranih diazinonom. Otočići su izolirani iz gušterače štakora s pomoću standardnog postupka digestije kolagenazom, odvajanja centrifugiranjem i metodom ručnog probira (engl. hand-picking) te su kultivirani u inkubatoru pri 37 °C i 5 % CO2. Pokusne su kulture inkubirane s 1 mL glukoze u koncentraciji od 8 mmol L-1 te diazinonom u dozi od 125 μg mL-1, odnosno 625 μg mL-1. U kontrolu je dodana samo glukoza u koncentraciji od 8 mmol L-1. Nakon toga je u kulture dodan jedan od sljedećih agenasa: 30 µmol L-1 atropin, 100 µmol L-1 ACh + 10 µmol L-1 neostigmin, 0,1 µmol L-1 propranolol, 2 µmol L-1 nifedipin, 50 µmol L-1 fenoksibenzamin, odnosno 10 µmol L-1 alfa-tokoferol. U svim je pokusima diazinon značajno smanjio lučenje inzulina, s time da je doza od 125 μg mL-1 dovela do 62,2 %-tne inhibicije, a doza od 625 μg mL-1 do 64,38 %-tne inhibicije lučenja inzulina, što upućuje na djelovanje neovisno o dozi. Acetilkolin i alfa-tokoferol su ponovno potaknuli lučenje inzulina, za razliku od atropina koji ga je dodatno smanjio. Primjena blokatora alfa i beta-adrenergičkih receptora te blokatora kalcijevih kanala nije utjecala na djelovanje diazinona. Autori zaključuju da diazinon utječe na lučenje inzulina ponajviše narušavanjem ravnoteže između slobodnih radikala i antioksidansa u Langerhansovim otočićima te dovodi do toksičnoga stresa

Normalized Electromyography of Shoulder Muscles during Selected Functional Tasks of Upper Limb in Patients with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Abstract: Background & Aims: Precise muscle activity pattern is required to maintain normal shoulder function and any alteration in muscle activity can result in movement impairment. The purpose of this study was to assess normalized electromyography (EMG) of shoulder muscles during selected functional tasks of upper limb in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: Test group consisted of 15 subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome selected by nonprobability convenient sampling and control group consisted of 15 matched healthy subjects. In each group selected exercises including open kinetic chain with and without external load and closed kinetic chain with axial load were done and during each exercise surface EMG from selected muscle was recorded. Results: There was significant difference between the two groups in the activities of upper trapezius, infraspinatus and three regions of deltoid muscle (P2E showed minimum changes and tripod showed maximum changes in muscle activity domain. Conclusion: Decrease in activity domain of infraspinatus and trapezius muscles in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome causes impairment of shoulder function. D2E with causing minimum changes and Tripod with causing maximum changes in muscles activity domain are suggested respectively as the first and the last activity patterns in the treatment of these patients. Keywords: Shoulder joint, Shoulder impingement syndrome, Electromyography, Exercise, Biomechanic

Comparison of addicts personal/Social motives and social Capital among treatment groups in city of Isfahan

The Purpose of this article was comparison of addiction treatment motives and social capital among treating addicts at city of Isfahan. In this survey, statistical population consist of all addicts in city of Isfahan who were under treatment as member in Narcotics Anonymous. Therapeutic community, Methadone maintenance Therapy, and camps. Statistical sample included 300 addicts under treatment who were selected randomly based on type and place of treatment in 1388. Research instrument was a self-made questionnaire including three sections of intergroup, intergroup social capital and personal/social motives. Results from manova using spss 16 showed that there was significant difference between treatment samples based on official trust, informal trust (P.05), generalized trust, belonging and inter groups social capital (P.01) , but there showed no difference among treatment samples interms of general trust, participation, and inter groups social capital. Findings showed that there was no significant difference among treatment sample with regard to social motives, but it was significant for personal motives (P.01). In indices of formal trust, informal trust, inter group social capital, MM, and in participation indices, belonging and social motive, NA; and in intergroup social capital, TC had most average. In this research, history and type of possible past treatment were not studied, but it seems that are mostly personal. On this basis, individualism in community is prevailing while participation in social affairs is declining and social capital is not applied in treatment of addicts. Hence, there is need for planning and logical cooperation of different social organizations and institutions to pay more attention to social health and treatment. This article emphasize the role of non-government institution cooperation in developing social capital and their effect on preventing ways based on social approaches

The nature of Iraqi Turkmens and their relationship with Seljuq Turkmen (1009-1043)

Migration of Seljuq Turks and formation of the first government with a tribal origin was the preface of outstanding changes in the culture of Iran. Iraqi Turkmens as pioneers of this migration because of penetration in non-Arab regions of Iraq were known as Iraqis. The nature and ethnic roots of this groups and their relationship with Seljuqs can be investigated from two different perspectives: A group of historians know them as Israel citizens who were authorized by the son of Seljuq and migrated to Iran after he was captured by Mohammad Ghaznavid. The present article referring to available sources does not approve this theory and considers them as a branch of Seljuqs. From another perspective, actions Ghaznavids performed to restrain them and the policy Seljuqs later applied for Turkmens, not only before their arrival to Iran but also after their seizing power in Iran, experienced meaningful ups and downs. Such actions can be divided into three steps: neutral state against them, temporary alliance with them and repressive state against them