Foraging initiation and foraging behavior in high and low performance of Iranian honeybee, Apis mellifera meda (Hym.: Apidae), colonies

The starting of foraging is likely the most important phenomenon in the age based division of labor in honeybees. It also prepare one of the most complicated phenotypic trait in biological system since the intercourse of different external, social and personage factors. Pollination effect is related to foraging behavior and foragers' population, so this research aims to determine foraging initiation and foraging behavior of worker bees in high and low performance colonies. There is a significant correlation between foraging behavior and honey production in different colonies and in various regions. Early foraging leads to higher production of honey in a colony. Also‚ based on the results obtained, the peak of foraging initiation in high performance colony was longer (age of 16-23 day) and in low performance colony was shorter (age of 17-21day). The results indicate that the retuned bees (P < 0.05) and returned bees with pollen load (P < 0.05) in high production colonies are more than low production colonies. Results have shown differences in the age of first foraging (AFF) comparing to previous studies‚ in which represented AFF starts 21 days after birthday of worker foragers. Obtained results have shown that the number of forager bees has positive correlation with honey production in honeybee colonies and also AFF of high production colonies was started in earlier age that can due to higher production in these colonies

Potential nutritive value of some forage species used as ruminants feed in Iran

A study was conducted to determine rumen degradability (in sacco) of dry matter and in vitro gas production of the most important forage species grown in Iran, to compare forage species according to calculated degradation and in vitro gas production parameters, and to establish prediction equations for relative feed value (RFV) from gas production parameters. Thus, six forage species consisting of Lucerne, Eruca sativa, Crocus sativus, Cardaria draba, Setaria Spp., and Triticum aestivum forages were evaluated. Crude protein (CP) contents in the forages ranged from 139.60 to 246.30 g kg-1 DM. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and organic matter (OM) were 273.30 to 596.60, 210.00 to 310.00, and 820.00 to 946.70 g kg-1 DM, respectively. The highest DM degradation and in vitro gas producton parameters were found for E. sativa. Also the relative feed value (RFV), relative forage quality (RFQ), dry mater intake and effective dry matter digestibility calculated for E. sativa was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than other forages. The variation of RFV explained by the gas production parameters ranged (R2) from 0.023 to 0.846. The gas production at 6, 24 and 48 h incubation times explained 0.836, 0.800 and 0.805 of variation of RFV, respectively. There was a negative correlation between in vitro gas production in different time incubation with NDF, ADF and a positive correlation between gas production parameters and CP content of forage species. The study shows that these forages relatively had a good nutritive value in comparison of Lucerne, and therefore, may serve as potential supplements for ruminants in Iran, and it seems that RFV index of six forage species such as used in this present study may be predicted from in vitro gas production parameters.Keywords: Forage species, in vitro gas production, in situ degradability, relative feed valu

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Apis florea Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Honey on Helicobacter pylori

Iranian men are at risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer caused by H. pylori. It is very imperative to find effective methods to control this bacterium as there are currently no very effective treatments for it. Honey has been shown to have antimicrobial properties against various pathogens. This study analyzed 15 honey samples from A. florea bees, collected from different floral and geographical origins, for their antimicrobial efficacy against H. pylori. Using atomic absorption measurements, the honey samples were also tested for their phenolic and flavonoid content, protein concentration, and mineral content. Antioxidant activity was determined using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS methods. The antibacterial activity of honey samples was investigated both in-vitro and in-vivo in the gastrointestinal tract of mice. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity. All honey samples showed antimicrobial activity in-vitro, among which jujube honey from Bushehr exhibiting the highest activity. Differences in antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were likely due to the flora of the plants and the geographic region from which the honey was harvested. Based on these results, A. florea honey may be used in the prevention and treatment of H. pylori-associated infections and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This feature can be applied to the control of Helicobacter pylori along with other available measures

Paleoenvironmental reconstruction, sequence stratigraphy and diagenetic processes of the Asmari Formation in KabirKuh Anticline, North of the Zargos Basin, Iran

858-867Because of the importance of the Asmari Formation in Lurestan zone (north of the Zagros basin), Jahangirabad section with a total thickness of 179 meters consist of mixed limestone-evaporites have been studied in order to interpretfacies, paleoenvironment, sequence stratigraphy and diagenetic processes. Based on lithostratigraphic classification in Lurestan zone by Adams studies, the Asmari Formation (Late Oligocene – early Miocene deposits) in study area has been divided into 3 units (including 5 sub-units). According to the field studies and laboratory works, 13 microfacies in 5 facies association were recognized, which belong to open marine, shoal, lagoon, intertidal environments. By considering the Lower Kalhur evaporites (with observed micro-texture), which are located in the lower part of this formation, it seems that the precipitation of these evaporates has occurred in the restricted basin during fall of sea level in saline environments. The precipitation of limestone with pelagic fauna has occurred over basal anhydrite during the rise of sea level. The main recognized diagenetic processes are dissolution and dolomitization which has influence on Asmari formation in this region. Three depositional sequences were identified based on facies distribution and sequence boundary

A comparison of maladaptive early schemas and appearance schemas in obese and normal weight control subjects

The purpose of this study was to compare early maladaptive and appearance schemas in obse and and normal-weight subjects. Materials and Methods: The method of the study was causal- comparative and groups were included 30 obese (BMI�35) and 30 normal-weight adults (BMI<25). All participants completed Young Schema Questionnaire�Short Version (YSQ-S) and appearance schema Inventory (ASI) questionnaire. Results: Obse subjects showed significantly higher scores in compare to control group in self-sacrifice and emotional inhibition schemas. In addition, severity of appearance schemas in body- image vulnerability and self- investment subscales were significantly greater in obese subjects than in control group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that some early maladaptive and appearance schemas are associated with obesity and therefore, theoretical conceptualizations and psychological interventions should address the above thesis constructs. © 2015, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Evaluation of the modified HTK solution in pancreas transplantationdAn experimental model

One of the great challenges in pancreas transplantation is the ischemia reperfusion injury. It is mentioned that free oxygen and/or nitrogen radicals play a prominent role in this phase. To minimize this problem, a modified histidineetryptophan eketoglutarate (HTK) solution that contains modified antioxidants has been developed. Our aim was to evaluate this solution in improving the viability of the pancreas in comparison with standard HTK and University of Wisconsin (UW) solutions in a porcine model of pancreas transplantation

Differences in and correlates of sexual function in infertile women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: The aim of this study was to examine sexual function and its correlates among infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with their non-PCOS counterparts. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 209 infertile women (116 PCOS and 93 non-PCOS) from Tehran, Iran, were evaluated in February and March 2018. Female sexual function index (FSFI), hormonal status, and documented reports of hyperandrogenic manifestations of the patients were investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32.00 ± 5.00 years old. Eighty-four (40.2) patients including 42.2 of the PCOS patients and 37.6 of the non-PCOS cases (P>0.05), were suspected of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The most impaired functions in both groups were desire and arousal. Sexual function was not significantly different between the groups. However, PCOS women had more orgasm problems and acne worsened their sexual function. Total FSFI was positively associated with prolactin level but negatively associated with central obesity in the non-PCOS group; it was negatively correlated with marital duration in the PCOS group. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and pain, prolactin level and lubrication, and central obesity and arousal were correlated in the non-PCOS women. Prolactin level and orgasm, marital duration and arousal, and marital duration and the total FSFI were correlated in the PCOS women. Conclusion: Sexual function was similarly low in infertile PCOS and non-PCOS women. However, orgasm problems and the negative effect of acne varied between the two groups. Further investigations may target how hormonal profile may affect sexual function. Practitioners should scrutinize the specific impaired sexual domains and their correlated conditions in PCOS women, notably orgasm, acne, and prolactin level. Interventions should be well tailored based on particular needs of infertile PCOS women. © 2021, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

IR spectroscopic characterization of the co-adsorption of CO2 and H2 onto cationic Cun+ clusters

NWOTheoretical Chemistr