Fauna and the distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari province, 2011-2012

زمینه و هدف: پشه‌ها خانواده‌ی بزرگی از دوبالان را شامل می‌شوند که به لحاظ توانایی انتقال انواع عوامل بیماری‌زا در پزشکی و بهداشت اهمیت فراوانی دارند. این مطالعه به منظور تکمیل اطلاعات موجود در زمینه‌ی تنوع گونه‌ای و انتشار پشه‌های بومی استان چهارمحال و بختیاری انجام گرفته است. روش بررسی: این پژوهش توصیفی و مقطعی در طول تابستان 1390 و 1391 در تمامی شهرستان‌های استان چهارمحال و بختیاری انجام گردید. نمونه‌ها به روش ملاقه زنی جمع آوری و با استفاده از کلیدهای معتبر شناسایی شدند. داده‌های تعیین هویت و مختصات جغرافیایی نقاط نمونه برداری در نرم افزار ArcGIS 10 وارد گردید تا نقشه‌ی پراکندگی هر یک از گونه‌ها به دست آید. یافته ها: در این مطالعه، 8335 لارو از 92 زیستگاه لاروی جمع آوری گردید که به 18 گونه شامل کولیستا لانجی آرئولاتا، کولیستا ساب اوکریا، اوکلروتاتوس کاسپیوس سنسولاتو، کولکس تیلری، کولکس تریتانس، کولکس هورتنزیس، کولکس پیپینس، کولکس پرگزیگوس، کولکس میمتیکوس، کولکس ترای تنیورینکوس، کولکس اربیینی، کولکس لاتیسینکتوس، آنوفل ماکولیپنیس سنسولاتو، آنوفل سوپرپیکتوس، آنوفل دتالی، آنوفل مارتری، آنوفل کلاویژر و آنوفل تورکودی تعلق داشتند. کولکس تریتانس به عنوان یک گونه‌ی جدید برای استان چهارمحال و بختیاری گزارش می‌گردد. کولکس تیلری و آنوفل سوپرپیکتوس بیش ترین فراوانی و گسترده ترین انتشار را در استان نشان دادند. نتیجه گیری: این مطالعه نشان می‌دهد که برخی از مهم ترین پشه‌های ناقل بیماری‌ها در سطح استان چهارمحال و بختیاری از تنوع و پراکندگی وسیعی برخوردار هستند. برای تعیین توانایی پشه‌های بومی در انتقال عوامل بیماری زا در استان به مطالعات بیشتری نیاز است

Biological Properties of Vitex agnus-castus Essential Oil (Phytochemical Component, Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity)

Background: Vitex agnus-castus is a deciduous shrub that is native to the Mediterranean region. It has traditionally been used in Iranian medicine. In the current study, Vitex agnus-castus Essential Oil (EO) leaves were analyzed for their chemical component as well as antioxidant and antifungal activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the biological properties (phytochemical component, and antioxidant and antifungal activity) of Vitex agnus-castus EO from an Iranian origin. Materials and Methods: Chemical composition of the EO was determined by using Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity of the Vitex agnus-castus EO was examined by the 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, while the total phenolic content was also determined. Antifungal activity (against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida dubliniensis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium species and Alternaria species) was performed by a broth microdilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocols M27-A and M38-A for yeasts and filamentous species. Results: Thirty-two components were identified in Vitex agnus-castus EO. The main compound was alpha-Pinene (19.48%). The total phenolic content of EO was determined as 82.26 ± 5.94 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/g EO. The EO exhibited significant radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 27.16 μg/mL. The obtained EO showed significant antifungal activity. Aspergillus niger was more susceptible than other fungi (MIC: 0.78 μL/mL). Conclusions: Potent antifungal activity, make this plant an effective replacement treatment for fungal infections or fungal strains that are resistance to synthetic antifungals. Keywords: Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; Essential oil; Phenolic Component; Vitex agnus-castus; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometr

Troxerutin affects the male fertility in prepubertal type 1 diabetic male rats

Objective(s): Diabetes can gradually cause damage to the function and structure of male gonads. This survey was conducted to investigate the effect of troxerutin on hormonal changes, serum oxidative stress indices, and testicular function and structure in prepubertal diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Fifty prepubertal (6 weeks old) male Wistar rats were divided into five groups including Control, Troxerutin, Diabetic, Diabetic+Troxerutin, and Diabetic+Insulin. Type I diabetes was induced by 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The groups were treated with 150 mg/kg/day troxerutin via oral gavage or 4-6 IU/day insulin via subcutaneous injection for 4 consecutive weeks. Blood sugar (BS) and serum levels of insulin, FSH, LH, testosterone, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were analyzed. Testis and epididymis were removed for histopathologic study and analysis of sperm parameters.Results: Troxerutin significantly reduced the BS in the diabetic group similar to insulin but could not affect insulin, FSH, or LH significantly. Troxerutin caused a significant increase in testosterone and GPX but had no significant effect on serum MDA, TAC, and SOD levels. In addition, troxerutin had a better effect than insulin on diabetes-induced testicular structural damage. Sperm analysis results also revealed that troxerutin and insulin could improve sperm number, motility, and viability in diabetic rats.Conclusion: According to these results, it can be derived that administration of troxerutin is a suitable protective strategy for side effects of diabetes in testis of prepubertal diabetic male rats

Immuno-modulatory effects of inactivated Dietzia Maris on the selected aspects of cellular and humoral immune responses in mice

Background: The current study is an attempt to register the alterations in the immunological and histological parameters in mice arising from the administration of Dietza maris (D. maris) in order to confirm its protective properties. Materials and Methods: Mice underwent 7 days of treatment with three doses of D. maris. Then, animals were scrutinized in terms of body weight, relative weight of organs, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) response, and hemagglutination titer (HT). The determination of villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus/crypt ratio (V/C), Goblet cells, and intestinal epithelial lymphocyte (IEL) density in villi was carried out. Results: A boosted DTH response was observed as a result of bacteria at medium dose. A variation was noted between the hemagglutinin titer of the control group and that of the high-dose group. Crypt depth, villus width, and villus height manifested alterations. High-dose-treated mice demonstrated proliferation of Goblet cells in the villi, whereas both in medium- and high-dose-treated mice, a distribution of IELs in the villus epithelium was noted. Overall, D. maris showed a stimulatory effect on immune functions in mice. Thus, thanks to improved cellular and humoral immunity and the increased quality of intestine function, we believe that D. maris promises novel therapeutic applications in the future. Conclusion: The attained findings lend credence to immuno-stimulatory effects arising from the capacity of D. maris to function as immunological adjuvants and to enhance humoral and cellular immunity as well as the intestinal structure and function

Effect of endurance swimming training during pregnancy on histology and apoptotic index of rats\' liver

Background: The studies have reported that exercise induced apoptosis in various tissues. The abnormal regulation of apoptosis contributes to the progression of pathological processes in the placenta and effects on embryo development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of swimming endurance training during pregnancy on apoptosis induction in pregnant rats' liver. Materials and Methods:: Sixteen female Wistar rats with an average weight of 200 &plusmn; 20 grams were divided into two groups: swimming and control. The rats of training group were forced from first day of pregnancy to delivery in a particular pool. The time of training in first day of pregnancy was 10 min and this time in second week reached to 60 min by increasing of 5 min per day. The time of 60 min continued to end of third week. The sampling of the rats' liver was performed two days after delivery and the liver apoptotic index was determined with TUNEL technique. Statistical analysis of the data was done using independent t-test (&alpha;&le; 0.05). Results: The results of study showed that swimming endurance training did not induce significant change in liver apoptosis (p < 0.424). The mean of apoptosis in control and training groups was %7.40 and %8.60 respectively. But 3-wk period of swimming training induced significantly minor increase in the amount of post pregnancy weight gain compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, it was observed non-significant decrease in weight of training groups rat's liver compared to the control group (p = 1.00). Conclusion: It seems that endurance swimming training during pregnancy has no anguishing effect on apoptosis induction in liver and it is considered as safe exercise way in the improvement of mother and infant health

The Effect of Endurance Swimming Exercise Training on Structural Remodeling and Apoptotic Index of Adrenal Cortex in Pregnant Rats Exposed to Cadmium Toxicity

&nbsp; Background & objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance swimming exercise training on structural remodeling (volume and parenchymal cell number) and apoptotic index of adrenal gland in pregnant rats exposed to cadmium poisoning. Methods: A total of 32 pregnant rats weighing 200 &plusmn; 20 g were randomly divided into four groups of control, cadmium, swimming, and cadmium-swimming. Cadmium dissolved in drinking water was administered to treatment groups, available ad libitum during pregnancy. Swimming exercises 5 days/week and 60 min/day were performed from the first day of gestation until the end of the period. Two days after delivery, the mothers were sacrificed and their adrenal glands were removed. After stabilizing the samples, Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and TUNEL assay were performed, and the number of necrotic and apoptotic cells in 10 microscopic fields was counted randomly. The size of various regions of the adrenal gland and total number of parenchymal cells were estimated using stereological methods. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA under SPSS software (version 21). Results: Cadmium poisoning caused extensive bleeding and tissue destruction in the adrenal gland of the pregnant mothers, but endurance training reduced the amount of bleeding. Cadmium poisoning during pregnancy decreased the total volume of the gland, the volume of the cortical part and its different layers as well as the number, size and function of parenchymal cells in all three cortical zones, especially the fasciculata zone. Performing swimming exercise training in this condition worsened the structural state of the gland and led to a further reduction in the number of parenchymal cells within all three parts of the adrenal gland. Conclusion: Exercise training in determined intensity increased the structural and morphological complications of cadmium toxicity in the adrenal gland of pregnant rats. So, pregnant mothers are advised to use low-intensity exercises and trainings

Response of Melanomacrophage Centers in Yellowfin Seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) Immune Organs as an Immunohistological Biomarker in Short-term Exposure to Phenanthrene

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in plasma levels of antioxidant enzymes and melano-macrophage centers (MMCs) in immune tissues as biomarkers of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) exposed to phenanthrene (Phe) for 14 days. Methods: The research was carried out at Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran in Jan 2016. Thirty-six immature fish were intraperitoneally injected with coconut oil (10 μl/g-bw) containing Phe (70mg/kg-bw) and compared with control group (without injection). Then tissue and blood samples were obtained at 1, 4, 7 and 14 d after injection. Results: The SOD and CAT activity showed a significant decrease in fish exposed to Phe up to day 7, then activity increased at day 14 in Phe-treated fish (P<0.05). The size and number of MMCs in treated fish in spleen and head kidney were higher than control. Conclusion: Changes in these parameters (SOD, CAT, and MMCs) might be used as useful biomarkers for evaluating immunosuppressive Phe in fish

The Effect of Phenanthrene on Some Hematological Indices Yellowfin Seabream (Acanthopagrus Latus)

Background: We examined the effects of phenanthrene (Phe) on hematological parameters of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus). Methods: The research was carried out in Jan 2016 at Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran. Fish were injected with different concentrations (0, 2, 20 and 40 mg/kg) of Phe and blood, samples were taken from fish 1, 4, 7 and 14 d after injection. Results: Results of Phe-treated fish showed a decrease in red blood cell and white blood cell counts, hematocrit amount after 4 d and in hemoglobin concentration after 7 d (P<0.05). Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was enhanced in fish exposed to Phe up to day 4 (P<0.05). Phe-exposed fish showed an increase in the percentage of neutrophils with a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes (P<0.05) and did not represent any effects on percentage of monocytes and eosinophils, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Conclusion: Changes in hematological parameters after exposure to Phe result in a decrease of non-specific immunity

Restricted maternal nutrition and supplementation of propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen‐protected choline chloride during late pregnancy does not affect muscle fibre characteristics of offspring

Abstract Background Grazing in arid and semi‐arid regions faces pregnant ewes with feed restrictions and hence affects the offspring muscle fibre characteristics. Using feed additives that enhance nutrient availability during foetal muscle development is expected to alter offspring skeletal muscle characteristics. Objectives This study evaluated the effect of maternal restricted nutrition and supplementation of propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen‐protected choline chloride on lamb's muscle fibre characteristics. Methods Forty‐eight Ghezel ewes were randomly allocated to one of six diets (N = 8) during the last 6 weeks of gestation: ad libitum feed intake (AL); restricted feeding (RF); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol (PG); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol and monensin sodium (MS); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol and rumen‐protected choline chloride (RPC); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen‐protected choline chloride (PMC). The muscle samples were obtained from the semitendinosus muscle of 2‐week‐old male lambs (n = 5/treatment) via biopsy and were stained and classified as fibre types I, IIA and IIB. Results Pre‐parturient maternal feed restriction and administration of propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen‐protected choline chloride had no significant effect on fibre‐type composition, fibre density of muscle, muscle cross‐sectional area and volume density of fibres (p > 0.05). Conclusions Either maternal dietary restriction or supplementation of nutrient flux–involved additives during late pregnancy did not alter muscle fibre development and had no short‐term effects on muscle properties of the resulting offspring as myogenesis occurs in early and mid‐gestation, not late gestation. Therefore, maternal nutrition may not be a problematic issue in sheep production in arid and semi‐arid areas

An investigation of the inhibitory effects of dendrosomal nanocurcumin on Candida albicans and systemic candidiasis in BALB/c mice

Background and Purpose: Use of curcumin, as a promising antifungal agent, is considered an alternative treatment for fungal infections; however, the low solubility of this agent limits its efficacy. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of dendrosomal nanocurcumin with improved solubility and bioavailability. Materials & Methods: The in vitro antifungal activities of several Candida species, including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. dubliniensis, were evaluated, using the broth microdilution method. In the in vivo study, different doses of nanocurcumin (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were administered to mice with systemic C. albicans infection via intraperitoneal injection. All mice were euthanized at 20 days following the administration of different doses of nanocurcumin. Different organs were extracted for organ culture and histopathological investigation. Results: Based on the findings, 40 mg/kg of nanocurcumin significantly decreased the fungal load in the evaluated organs; the results were confirmed with histopathological examination. The kidney was found to be the most affected organ with the highest number of severe lesions. Yeasts and pseudohyphae were observed in the blood vessels, kidney, and brain. Also, yeasts were present in the liver, brain, lungs, and heart of the control group. Conclusion: Although curcumin is generally an excellent antifungal component, its nano-sized form showed more potent properties. Based on the gathered data, dendrosomal nanocurcumin is an effective antifungal agent with good efficacy against disseminated candidiasis. However, further studies are required to evaluate the effects of dendrosomal nanocurcumin on other fungal infections. Also, this agent could be useful for the prevention of fungal infections, such as candidiasis, particularly in high-risk patient