The Effect of Short-Term Supplementation of Melissa Officinalis Extract on the Level of Serum Malondialdehyde and Total Antioxidant Capacity after Aerobic Activity at a Negative Slope

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of downhill running and short-term supplementation of Melissa officinalis on the level of serum Malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity in male athletes. In this study, 20 healthy male athletes were randomly divided into two groups of 10 subjects (supplement and placebo). The level of serum Malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity were measured before and after supplementation. After data collection, repeated variance analysis test for investigating time series and if significant, Bonferroni post hoc test was used and independent t-test was used to assess the differences between groups. The level of significance of (p≤0.05) was used. The study findings showed that the level of serum Malondialdehyde in the supplement group was increased less than placebo. Also, the total antioxidant capacity rate in the supplement group was more. In general, it is concluded that this herbal supplement can prevent the increase of serum malondialdehyde level and increase the total antioxidant capacity

Effectiveness of Various Solar Light Traps With and Without Sex Pheromone for Mass Trapping of Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta) in a Tomato Field

Tuta absolute was a quarantine pest in Iran that has been recorded for the first time in 2009. The most conventional methods for control of this pest in Iran are chemical methods and mass trapping, although the efficiency of the latter method is not clear. In 2013, the efficiency of three common types of solar light traps with and without sex pheromone, along with water pan pheromone traps for control, were investigated. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design within in a tomato field. The treatments were Behroyan light trap (BL), Zist bani light trap (ZL), Russell light trap (RL), BL + pheromone, ZL+ pheromone, RL+ pheromone and water pan pheromone trap (WPT). Traps were checked weekly and the number of captured tomato leaf miner (TLM), Noctuid moths, Chrysopa sp., Coccinella septempuctata and Syrphid flies were counted. Mean weekly capture of TLM in BL, ZL and RL traps without sex pheromone were 9.11 ± 1.16, 4.94 ± 0.24 and 1.66 ± 0.7, while within traps sex pheromone were 54.72 ± 11.8, 42.05 ± 6.47, 39.02 ± 2.82, respectively. The mean weekly capture of Noctuid moths in the traps without pheromone were 16.92 ± 1.39, 25.39 ± 0.57, 1.49 ± 0.27 and with pheromone were 21.04 ± 1.72, 28.09 ± 0.95, 2.76 ± 1.39, respectively. Mean weekly capture of TLM and Noctuid moths in WPT traps were 47.13 ± 3.06 and 0.73 ± 0.27, respectively. The total attracted numbers of predators by the three light traps were not significant. In conclusion, traps baited sex pheromone (especially BL and ZL) could be used as eco- friendly tools for mass trapping of TLM and some key Noctuid moth pests in isolated tomato fields

Outcomes of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Patients with Acute Arterial Thrombotic Limb Ischemia: A Prospective Interventional Case Series

Introduction: Acute limb ischemia is a critical medical condition that can quickly become a life threat. Therapeutic modalities such as catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) have demonstrated various levels of efficacy in previous studies. Objective: This study presents the descriptive findings of a series of cases who presented with acute arterial thrombotic limb ischemia and underwent CDT. Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-hospital-based case series, in which all patients who were diagnosed with acute arterial thrombotic limb ischemia, and consequently underwent CDT during the one-year study period were included.  Detailed baseline characteristics and clinical findings of the studied patients on presentation, after intervention and at one-year follow-up are presented. Results: A total of 21 patients with a mean age of 60.7±15.2 years, including 16 males (76.2%) were included. The initial technical and treatment success rates were 20 (95.2%) and 14 (66.7%), respectively. The amputation-free and the overall survival rates after the one-year follow-up were 15 (71.4%) and 17 (81%), respectively. Four patients (19%) developed complications, two (9.5%) of which were significant (pulmonary hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage). Amputation was performed in 6 (28.6%) cases. Conclusion: In this study, the treatment success rate and the technical success rate were satisfactory

An Integrated Approach of Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment and Fuzzy Multi-Objective Programming Tosustainable Supplier Selection and Order Allocation

The emergence of sustainability paradigm has influenced many research disciplines including supply chain management. It has drawn the attention of manufacturing companies’ CEOs to incorporate sustainability in their supply chain and manufacturing activities. Supplier selection problem, as one of the main problems in supply chain activities, is also combined with sustainable development where traditional procedures are now transformed to sustainable initiatives. Moreover, allocating optimal order quantities to sustainable suppliers has also attracted attention of many scholars and industrial practitioners, which has not been comprehensively addressed. Therefore, a practical model of supplier selection and order allocation based on the sustainability Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach is presented in this research article. The proposed approach utilizes Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process combined with Quality Function Deployment (FAHP-QFD) for reflecting buyer’s sustainability requirements into the preference weights that are then exerted by an efficient Fuzzy Assessment Method (FAM) to assess the suppliers to obtain their sustainability scores. Thereupon, these scores are utilized in a fuzzy multi-objective mix-integer non-linear programming model (MINLP) for allocating orders to suppliers based on the manufacturer’s sustainability preference. A real-world application of food industry is presented to show the practicality of the proposed approach

The effect of mesenchymal stem cells as co-culture in in vitro nuclear maturation of ovine oocytes

This study compared the effects of ovine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and ovine oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) as feeder cells in cell free culture systems (HEPES-modified tissue culture medium, TCM199) supplemented with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or fetal calf serum (FCS) on in vitro oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development (IVM/IVC). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were harvested from ovine ovaries and subjected to IVM in the above-mentioned culture media. After culture for 24 h, nuclear maturation of the oocytes was evaluated by 4, 6-diamino- 2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. After fertilization the presumptive zygotes were cultured under identical culture conditions and embryo development was evaluated. The percentage of oocytes at nuclear maturation (metaphase II) cultured in the MSC group was higher than for the IVM medium + PVA group (P<0.05), while between MSCs, OECs and IVM medium + FCS it was non-significant. The rates (%) of cleavage and the percentage of total blastocysts in MSCs and the IVM medium + FCS group were higher than for OECs and the IVM medium + PVA group (P<0.05). These rates were non-significant between MSCs and the IVM medium + FCS group or between OECs and the IVM medium + PVA group. The percentage of hatched blastocysts (%) was significantly increased in MSCs and the IVM medium + FCS group when compared to OECs and the IVM medium + PVA group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the effects of mesenchymal stem cells as co-culture on oocyte maturation and the successive embryo development in vitro are similar to those in the medium supplemented with FCS. This study suggests that co-culturing with mesenchymal stem cells may be a promising alternative to FCS-medium

Management of a Penetrating Thoracic Injury with Thoracoscopy; A Case Study

Introduction: Various strategies could be considered dealing with penetrating thoracic injuries. Thoracoscopy is much less invasive than routine thoracotomy approach for managing such cases in which the sharp object remains in the body. The case presented in this article was managed with thoracoscopy for a penetrating dorsolateral thoracic injury.&nbsp;Case Presentation: A 35-year-old man with a penetrating dorsolateral thoracic injury referred to the emergency department. Despite an elevated pulse rate, the patient has proper blood pressure and O2 saturation. Considering the patient's stability and the results of imaging which did not show any massive vascular injury, the patient was taken to the operation room for thoracoscopy.&nbsp;At thoracoscopy, we saw 4 cm of the blade in the thoracic cavity between the third and fourth intercostal space. There was a mild laceration of lung tissue without any active bleeding. Considering the position of the blade and the absence of active bleeding and vascular injury at the trauma site, we successfully removed the blade by the thoracoscope without any complications.&nbsp;Conclusion: Our experience of removing a retained knife by thoracoscopy showed that it can be an appropriate alternative for patients with penetrating thoracic injury who are hemodynamically stable and have appropriate conditions for thoracoscopy

Management of a Penetrating Thoracic Injury with Thoracoscopy; A Case Study

Introduction: Various strategies could be considered dealing with penetrating thoracic injuries. Thoracoscopy is much less invasive than routine thoracotomy approach for managing such cases in which the sharp object remains in the body. The case presented in this article was managed with thoracoscopy for a penetrating dorsolateral thoracic injury.&nbsp;Case Presentation: A 35-year-old man with a penetrating dorsolateral thoracic injury referred to the emergency department. Despite an elevated pulse rate, the patient has proper blood pressure and O2 saturation. Considering the patient's stability and the results of imaging which did not show any massive vascular injury, the patient was taken to the operation room for thoracoscopy.&nbsp;At thoracoscopy, we saw 4 cm of the blade in the thoracic cavity between the third and fourth intercostal space. There was a mild laceration of lung tissue without any active bleeding. Considering the position of the blade and the absence of active bleeding and vascular injury at the trauma site, we successfully removed the blade by the thoracoscope without any complications.&nbsp;Conclusion: Our experience of removing a retained knife by thoracoscopy showed that it can be an appropriate alternative for patients with penetrating thoracic injury who are hemodynamically stable and have appropriate conditions for thoracoscopy

Life Cycle-based Environmental Performance Indicator for the Coal-to-energy Supply Chain: A Chinese Case Application

Coal consumption and energy production (CCEP) has received increasing attention since coal-fired power plants play a dominant role in the power sector worldwide. In China, coal is expected to retain its primary energy position over the next few decades. However, a large share of CO2 emissions and other environmental hazards, such as SO2 and NOx, are attributed to coal consumption. Therefore, understanding the environmental implications of the life cycle of coal from its production in coal mines to its consumption at coal-fired power plants is an essential task. Evaluation of such environmental burdens can be conducted using the life cycle assessment (LCA) tool. The main issues with the traditional LCA results are the lack of a numerical magnitude associated with the performance level of the obtained environmental burden values and the inherent uncertainty associated with the output results. This issue was addressed in this research by integrating the traditional LCA methodology with a weighted fuzzy inference system model, which is applied to a Chinese coal-to-energy supply chain system to demonstrate its applicability and effectiveness. Regarding the coal-to-energy supply chain under investigation, the CCEP environmental performance has been determined as “medium performance”, with an indicator score of 39.15%. Accordingly, the decision makers suggested additional scenarios (redesign, equipment replacement, etc.) to improve the performance. A scenario-based analysis was designed to identify alternative paths to mitigate the environmental impact of the coal-to-energy supply chain. Finally, limitations and possible future work are discussed, and the conclusions are presented

Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) as a Biological Control Agent of Lentil Weevil, Bruchus lentis, Under Laboratory Conditions

Stored-product pests in the family Bruchidae of Coleoptera represent important pests affecting legume seeds. The lentil weevil, Bruchus lentis Froelich (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is one of the major lentil pests in Iran and in the world. The economic losses caused by this pest on lentil grow up to 40%. Synthetic pesticides are currently the chosen method to protect stored grain from insect damage. However, their widespread use has led to the development of pest strains resistant to insecticides and pest resurgence. In recent years, nonchemical methods, including biological agents are considered safe methods to control the stored grain pests. Positive characteristics of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control factors of arthropod pests, introduce them as an appropriate option for controlling the integrated pest management of lentil weevil. In the present study, an isolate of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae, isolated from soils around Yasouj and based on morphological traits and morphometric data were identified.  Adult insects of lentil weevil were exposed to concentrations of 0; 500; 1,000; 2,000 and 3,000 infective juvenile/ml of distilled water at different temperatures (20, 23, 26 and 29 °C). Insects were placed on filter paper impregnated with 1 ml of nematode suspension in Petri dishes for three days. Mortality of the insects was recorded every 24 hours. The highest mortality was recorded after 72 hours, which represented 79.40%, at the concentration of 3,000 infective juvenile at 26 °C