Two-sex life table parameters of Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lep.: Pyralidae) on different barley and wheat cultivars

In this study, two-sex life tableparameters of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) were studied on seven cultivars of barley (Dasht, Khorram, Sahra, Reihan03, Fajr30, 5shoor and EH-83-7) and two cultivars of wheat (Bam and Sepahan) at 25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% R.H., and 16:8 (L: D) h. The shortest and the longest larval periods were recorded on Reihan03 (42.58 ± 0.69 days) and EH-83-7 (53.42 ± 0.95 days) cultivars respectively. The longest and the shortest developmental periods for E. kuehniella were found on EH-83-7 (72.12 ± 1.61 days) and on Sepahan (58.19 ± 1.00 days) cultivars respectively. The heaviest and lightest pupaewere observed on Sepahan (21.07 ± 0.77 mg) and Fajr30 (15.20 ± 0.58 mg) cultivars respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate were the highest (0.07 ± 0.00 day-1 and 87.41 ± 1.89 offspring, respectively) on Sepahan, and the lowest (0.037 ± 0.00 day-1 and 12.29 ± 0.48 offspring, respectively) on Dasht cultivars. The results indicate that Sepahan wheat cultivar is the most suitable cultivar for the laboratory rearing of E. kuehniella

Nutritional indices of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Col.: Chrysomelidae) on six potato cultivars

سوسک کلرادوی سیب زمینی، Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)، یکی از آفات مهم سیب زمینی در ایران و جهان است. شاخص‌های تغذیه‌ای لارو‌های سن آخر این آفت روی برگ ارقام مختلف سیب زمینی (خاوران، ساوالان، لوتا، سانتا، سانته و آئولا) تحت شرایط آزمایشگاهی (دمای 1 ± ‌25 درجه سلسیوس، رطوبت نسبی 5‌ ± ‌65 در‌صد و دوره نوری 16 ساعت روشنایی و 8 ساعت تاریکی) بررسی شد. لاروهای پرورش‌یافته روی رقم سانته کم‌ترین کارایی تبدیل غذای خورده‌شده (07/1 ± 21/10 در‌صد) و هضم‌شده (08/1 ± 27/10 در‌صد) را داشتند. طبق نتایج به‌دست آمده، رقم سانته میزبان نامناسبی برای تغذیه این آفت بود

Digestive proteolytic activity of Scrobipalpa ocellatella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on various sugar beet cultivars

فعالیت پروتئولیتیک گوارشی بید چغندرقند، Scrobipalpa ocellatella (Boyd)، روی ارقام مختلف چغندرقند(Rosire, Laetitia, Ardabili, Persia, Aras and Flores) تحت شرایط مزرعه‌ای بررسی شد. لاروهای سن سوم روی رقم Flores بیشترین فعالیت آنزیمی و لاروهای پرورش‌یافته روی رقم Aras کمترین فعالیت آنزیمی را داشتند. آنالیز زایموگرام نشان داد که کمترین تعداد آیزوزایم‌های پروتئاز در عصاره معده میانی لاروهایی بود که از رقم Aras تغذیه کرده بودند. با توجه به نتایج به دست آمده، رقم چغندرقند بر فیزیولوژی گوارشی بید چغندرقند تأثیرگذار بود

Age-related variations in corneal biomechanical properties

Purpose To determine age-related changes in corneal viscoelastic properties in healthy individuals. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran and included 302 healthy individuals in 6 age decades (range: 10�69 years). After complete ocular examination, corneal viscoelastic properties were measured by ocular response analyzer and central corneal thickness (CCT) by an ultrasonic pachymeter. Our main outcome measures were corneal viscoelastic properties in different age groups. Results Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) showed a significant negative correlation with age (P < 0.001 for both, r = �0.353 and r = �0.246, respectively). Female gender had significantly higher CH (P = 0.017) and CRF (P = 0.019). CH and CRF were significantly correlated (P < 0.001, r = 0.821). CCT showed a biphasic pattern with significantly higher thicknesses before 20 and after 50 years of age. CH and CRF were significantly correlated with CCT (P < 0.001 for both, r = 0.21 and r = 0.26, respectively) and intraocular pressure (IOP) (P < 0.001 for both, r = �0.474 and r = 0.598, respectively). Corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) was significantly higher after age 40 compared to age group <20 (p < 0.045). Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) was significantly correlated with CCT (P = 0.001, r = 0.193), while IOPcc showed no correlation with CCT (P = 0.265, r = 0.062). CH was significantly higher in hyperopic eyes compared to emmetropic eyes (P = 0.009) and myopic eye (P < 0.001). Conclusions In this study, there was a decrease in CH and CRF with an increase in age. Hyperopia and female gender are associated with higher CH and CRF. CCT is higher toward the extremes of life and is significantly correlated with CH and CRF. © 2016 Iranian Society of Ophthalmolog

Age-related variations in corneal biomechanical properties

Purpose To determine age-related changes in corneal viscoelastic properties in healthy individuals. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran and included 302 healthy individuals in 6 age decades (range: 10�69 years). After complete ocular examination, corneal viscoelastic properties were measured by ocular response analyzer and central corneal thickness (CCT) by an ultrasonic pachymeter. Our main outcome measures were corneal viscoelastic properties in different age groups. Results Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) showed a significant negative correlation with age (P < 0.001 for both, r = �0.353 and r = �0.246, respectively). Female gender had significantly higher CH (P = 0.017) and CRF (P = 0.019). CH and CRF were significantly correlated (P < 0.001, r = 0.821). CCT showed a biphasic pattern with significantly higher thicknesses before 20 and after 50 years of age. CH and CRF were significantly correlated with CCT (P < 0.001 for both, r = 0.21 and r = 0.26, respectively) and intraocular pressure (IOP) (P < 0.001 for both, r = �0.474 and r = 0.598, respectively). Corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) was significantly higher after age 40 compared to age group <20 (p < 0.045). Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) was significantly correlated with CCT (P = 0.001, r = 0.193), while IOPcc showed no correlation with CCT (P = 0.265, r = 0.062). CH was significantly higher in hyperopic eyes compared to emmetropic eyes (P = 0.009) and myopic eye (P < 0.001). Conclusions In this study, there was a decrease in CH and CRF with an increase in age. Hyperopia and female gender are associated with higher CH and CRF. CCT is higher toward the extremes of life and is significantly correlated with CH and CRF. © 2016 Iranian Society of Ophthalmolog

The link between plant-based diet indices with biochemical markers of bone turn over, inflammation, and insulin in Iranian older adults

Background: The association of plant-based diets and biomarkers of bone, insulin, and inflammation is still unclear. Objectives: We investigated the associations between biomarkers of bone, insulin, and inflammation and three plant-based diet indices: an overall plant-based diet index (PDI); a healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI); and an unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI). Methods: We included 178 elderly subjects who referred to health centers in Tehran. Blood and urine samples were collected to measure osteocalcin. The Human C-telopeptide of type â collagen (u-CTX-I), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) D, and insulin resistance and sensitivity. We created an overall PDI, hPDI, and uPDI from semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data. Results: Dietary groups of Vegetables (r =.15, p =.03), nuts (r =.16, p =.03), dairy (r =.25, p =.001), eggs (r =.27, p <.001), red meat, and animal products (r =.25, p =.001) were directly correlated with osteocalcin. Refined grains were also had a positive association with serum insulin concentration (r =.14, p =.04). PTH levels are inversely associated with PDI score (β = â��0.18, p =.01). Also, serum insulin concentration was negatively associated with PDI score (β = â��0.10, p =.04). Urine CTX-1 levels were significantly associated with hPDI score (β = â��0.06, p =.04). u-CTX-1 levels are inversely associated with uPDI score. This significance did not change with the adjustment of the confounders (β = â��0.28, p <.001). Conclusions: More adherence to PDI and hPDI and less in uPDI may have a beneficial effect on biomarkers of bone, inflammation, and insulin thus preserving chronic diseases. © 2021 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LL

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Arterial Vasomotion, Stiffness and Endothelial Biomarkers in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background: Cardiovascular events are frequent and vascular endothelial function is abnormal in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We demonstrated endothelial dysfunction with vitamin D deficiency in CKD patients; however the impact of cholecalciferol supplementation on vascular stiffness and vasomotor function, endothelial and bone biomarkers in CKD patients with low 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] is unknown, which this study investigated. Methods: We assessed non-diabetic patients with CKD stage 3/4, age 17–80 years and serum 25(OH)D ,75 nmol/L. Brachial artery Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD), Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), Augmentation Index (AI) and circulating blood biomarkers were evaluated at baseline and at 16 weeks. Oral 300,000 units cholecalciferol was administered at baseline and 8-weeks. Results: Clinical characteristics of 26 patients were: age 50614 (mean61SD) years, eGFR 41611 ml/min/1.73 m2, males 73%, dyslipidaemia 36%, smokers 23% and hypertensives 87%. At 16-week serum 25(OH)D and calcium increased (43616 to 84629 nmol/L, p,0.001 and 2.3760.09 to 2.4260.09 mmol/L; p = 0.004, respectively) and parathyroid hormone decreased (10.868.6 to 7.464.4; p = 0.001). FMD improved from 3.163.3% to 6.163.7%, p = 0.001. Endothelial biomarker concentrations decreased: E-Selectin from 566662123 to 525662058 pg/mL; p = 0.032, ICAM-1, 3.4560.01 to 3.1061.04 ng/mL; p = 0.038 and VCAM-1, 54633 to 42633 ng/mL; p = 0.006. eGFR, BP, PWV, AI, hsCRP, von Willebrand factor and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23, remained unchanged. Conclusion: This study demonstrates for the first time improvement of endothelial vasomotor and secretory functions with vitamin D in CKD patients without significant adverse effects on arterial stiffness, serum calcium or FGF-23. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0200571

Regular consumption of vitamin D-fortified yogurt drink (Doogh) improved endothelial biomarkers in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed as the underlying cause of diabetic angiopathy that eventually leads to cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death in diabetes. We recently demonstrated the ameliorating effect of regular vitamin D intake on the glycemic status of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, the effects of improvement of vitamin D status on glycemic status, lipid profile and endothelial biomarkers in T2D subjects were investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with T2D were randomly allocated to one of the two groups to receive either plain yogurt drink (PYD; containing 170 mg calcium and no vitamin D/250 mL, n₁= 50) or vitamin D3-fortified yogurt drink (FYD; containing 170 mg calcium and 500 IU/250 mL, n₂= 50) twice a day for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, lipid profile, body fat mass (FM) and endothelial biomarkers including serum endothelin-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were evaluated at the beginning and after the 12-week intervention period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intervention resulted in a significant improvement in fasting glucose, the Quantitative Insulin Check Index (QUICKI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triacylglycerols, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), endothelin-1, E-selectin and MMP-9 in FYD compared to PYD (<it>P </it>< 0.05, for all). Interestingly, difference in changes of endothelin-1, E-selectin and MMP-9 concentrations in FYD compared to PYD (-0.35 ± 0.63 versus -0.03 ± 0.55, <it>P </it>= 0.028; -3.8 ± 7.3 versus 0.95 ± 8.3, <it>P </it>= 0.003 and -2.3 ± 3.7 versus 0.44 ± 7.1 ng/mL, respectively, <it>P </it>< 0.05 for all), even after controlling for changes of QUICKI, FM and waist circumference, remained significant for endothelin-1 and MMP-9 (<it>P </it>= 0.009 and <it>P </it>= 0.005, respectively) but disappeared for E-selectin (<it>P </it>= 0.092). On the contrary, after controlling for serum 25(OH)D, the differences disappeared for endothelin-1(<it>P </it>= 0.066) and MMP-9 (<it>P </it>= 0.277) but still remained significant for E-selectin (<it>P </it>= 0.011).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Ameliorated vitamin D status was accompanied by improved glycemic status, lipid profile and endothelial biomarkers in T2D subjects. Our findings suggest both direct and indirect ameliorating effects of vitamin D on the endothelial biomarkers.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01236846">NCT01236846</a></p

Benign Orbital Tumors with Bone Destruction in Children

Purpose: To present rare benign orbital tumors with bone destruction in children who could not be diagnosed presurgically and may simulate malignant ones. Methods: A retrospective review of cases. Clinical, operative and pathological records in all children with a diagnosis of benign orbital tumors who showed remarkable bone destruction at a tertiary Ophthalmic Center in China between Jan 1, 2000 and Dec 31, 2009 were reviewed. All patients had definitive histopathologic diagnosis. Results: Eight patients with benign orbital tumors showed obvious bone destruction, including six cases of eosinophilic granuloma, one case of leiomyoma and one case of primary orbital intraosseous hemangioma. Among them, three patients were females and five patients were males. Tumors were unilateral in all cases, with both the right and left side affected equally. Age ranged from 3 to 7 years (mean 4.1 years). Symptom duration ranged from 1 to 5 weeks (mean 4.8 weeks). Eyelid swelling and palpable mass were the most common complaint. There was no evidence for multifocal involvement in cases with eosinophilic granuloma. Among six patients with eosinophilic granuloma, two were treated with low dose radiation (10 Gy), three received systemic corticosteroid and one was periodically observed only after incisional biopsy or subtotal curettage. There was no postoperative therapeutic intervention in the two patients with leiomyoma and intraosseous hemangioma. All eight patients regained normal vision without local recurrence after a mean follow-up time o

Ergocalciferol and Microcirculatory Function in Chronic Kidney Disease and Concomitant Vitamin D Deficiency: An Exploratory, Double Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial

Vitamin D deficiency and endothelial dysfunction are non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease. Previous studies in chronic kidney disease have failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect of vitamin D on arterial stiffness, left ventricular mass and inflammation but none have assessed the effect of vitamin D on microcirculatory endothelial function.We conducted a randomised controlled trial of 38 patients with non diabetic chronic kidney disease stage 3-4 and concomitant vitamin D deficiency (<16 ng/dl) who received oral ergocalciferol (50,000 IU weekly for one month followed by 50,000 IU monthly) or placebo over 6 months. The primary outcome was change in microcirculatory function measured by laser Doppler flowmetry after iontophoresis of acetylcholine. Secondary endpoints were tissue advanced glycation end products, sublingual functional capillary density and flow index as well as macrovascular parameters. Parallel in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the effect of ergocalciferol on cultured human endothelial cells.Twenty patients received ergocalciferol and 18 patients received placebo. After 6 months, there was a significant improvement in the ergocalciferol group in both endothelium dependent microcirculatory vasodilatation after iontophoresis of acetylcholine (p = 0.03) and a reduction in tissue advanced glycation end products (p = 0.03). There were no changes in sublingual microcirculatory parameters. Pulse pressure (p = 0.01) but not aortic pulse wave velocity was reduced. There were no significant changes in bone mineral parameters, blood pressure or left ventricular mass index suggesting that ergocalciferol improved endothelial function independently of these parameters. In parallel experiments, expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and activity were increased in human endothelial cells in a dose dependent manner.Ergocalciferol improved microcirculatory endothelial function in patients with chronic kidney disease and concomitant vitamin D deficiency. This process may be mediated through enhanced expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.Clinical trials.gov NCT00882401