Chemical analyses of two plant essential oils and their effects on functional response of Habrobracon hebetor Say to Sitotroga cerealella Olivier larvae

Salvia officinalis L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. are two valuable medicinal plants from Kermanshah province in Iran. In this study, chemical analyses of their essential oils were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the effects investigated on functional response of Habrobracon hebetor Say on larval stage of Sitotroga cerealella Olivier. Accordingly, emerged females of H. hebetor were treated by LC30 of the isolated essential oils for 24 h. Then, six wasps were accidentally selected and introduced to densities of host larvae for 24 h. The results showed that naphthalene, decahydro-4a-methyl and alpha-thujone were dominant compounds in both essential oils, respectively. Holling model (1959) by using regression analyses confirmed functional response type III in the control wasps and type II in both essential oils treatments. The highest and lowest attack rates were observed in the control wasps (0.0443 ± 0.00278 h-1) and S. officinalis treatment (0.0349 ± 0.00257 h-1), respectively. Moreover, the treated wasps by G. glabra essential oil showed shorter handling time than S. officinalis treatment (0.4497 ± 0.0373 h versus 0.5196 ± 0.0589 h). Accordingly, G. glabra due to lower negative effects on the functional response of H. hebetor was more compatible than S. officinalis for their combination in integrated pest management schedules

Cooperative Control and Connectivity Assessment of Multi-Agent Systems subject to Disturbance and Constrained Measurements

The problem of designing distributed control strategies and developing connectivity metrics for multi-agent systems subject to constrained measurements and external disturbances is studied in this work. The constraint on the field of view (FOV) of the sensing devices used in multi-agent networks is ubiquitous in a wide range of applications. Such constraints have a fundamental impact on the overall performance of the network. The consensus and containment problems for a network of single-integrator agents are investigated, where each agent is assumed to have a sensor with a constrained angular FOV. The flocking problem for a network of double integrators with constrained FOVs is then investigated, where each agent is assumed to be equipped with relative distance and bearing angle sensors, with conic-shaped sensing areas of limited visibility. The angular velocity of the FOV of each agent along with the corresponding control inputs are designed such that the flocking objectives are achieved in a certain neighborhood of the desired configuration. A distributed consensus controller for a network of unicycle agents subject to external disturbances in input channels is also developed for two different cases of disturbances with known linear dynamics and unknown disturbances with known upper bounds. Then, a multi-agent system composed of underwater acoustic sensors is considered, where the network is modeled by a random graph. Different notions for the connectivity assessment of the expected graph of a random network are introduced, and efficient algorithms are developed to evaluate them. Simulations are provided throughout the work to support the theoretical findings

Effect of Low Intensity Cathodal Direct Current on Rate of Healing and Quality Of Life in Diabetic Patients with Ischemic Foot Ulcer

Introduction: Adjunctive treatment using electrical stimulation has recently been shown to promote healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether low intensity cathodal direct current electrical stimulation improves healing rate of foot ulcers and health related quality of life in diabetic patients. Materials and methods: A total of 30 type 2 diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcer were included in the present randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either electrical stimulation therapy (direct current with low intensity, ES group, n=15) or sham treatment (placebo group, n=15) for 1 h/day, 3 days/week, for 4 weeks (12 sessions). Improvement ratio of wound and quality of life was evaluated at the 1st and 12th sessions. The quality of life was assessed using SF-36 questionnaire. Results: The mean of improvement ratio was significantly higher in the electrical stimulation group (59.4%) compared with that of the placebo group (27.07%) at the 12th session (P=0.02). Overall score of quality of life significantly increased in the electrical stimulation group as compared with that for the placebo group (0.01). Conclusion: By promotion of wound healing, applied low intensity cathodal direct current may increase the health-related quality of life in diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcer.Key words: Diabetics, Ischemic foot ulcers, Low intensity direct current, Wound improvement rate, Quality of lif

Evaluation of fatty acids and the muscle quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings under aquaponics culture system

To evaluate the flesh quality of fingerling common carp reared in aquaponics culture system, fish with cucumber and lettuce was reared under the aquaponics system for 60 days with three treatments including cultivation of common carp without plants (T0), an aquaponics system for culturing common carp with lettuce (TL), and cucumber (TC) each with three replications. For the meat quality evaluation of reared fish, at the final rearing period after harvesting fish, chemical composition, fatty acid profile, color, texture profile analysis, and sensory assessment were determined. The result showed that protein and lipid content in T0 and TC were significantly higher than in TL (P<0.05). Most of the sum monounsaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA) were recorded in TC and T0, respectively. Lipid quality base on the atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices in TL was higher than in TC. According to color indices, fish skin in T0 and TL exhibited similar lightness and transparency, higher than in Tc. The color of fish muscle in TC displayed redness higher than in the other treatments. In case of texture profile analysis, springiness in TC was significantly higher compare to the other treatments. In case of sensory assessment, the score of odor attribute in TC was significantly lower compare to the other treatments. In conclusion, the muscle quality in the fish reared under aquaponics culture system was more acceptable in comparison with that in T0 (common carp reared without the plants) and in case of fish reared under aquaponics system, those reared with cucumber revealed better quality than the lettuce

Phytopharmacology and phytotherapy of regulatory T cells: A new approach to treat multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder of central nervous system characterized by demyelination, inflammation, and axonal injury. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been defined as CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T-cells that play a critical role in maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases. Dysfunction and decreased numbers of Tregs may lead to MS. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using the Endnote software for the publications about the role of Tregs in MS published from 2000 to February 2016. The medicinal plants and their derivatives, including Hypericum perforatum, Astragalus membranaceus, Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, curcumin, resveratrol, matrine, Bu Shen Yi Sui Capsule, and Hyungbangpaedok-san have been reported to regulate the function of Tregs in MS. The medicinal plants and their derivatives reported in this study might be useful for upregulation of Tregs through suppressing the activation of autoreactive T cells and hence controlling MS. They should be investigated in clinical trials to help to prevent and treat MS

Suppressive effects of medicinal plants and their derivatives on inflammasome complex: A systematic review

Inflammasome activation is mediated by (NOD)-like receptors (NLR) proteins that respond to stimuli. Among NLRs, NACHT-LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) senses the widest array of stimuli. NLRP3 inflammasome has an important role in the development of many inflammation disorders. Regarding the significance of inflammatory diseases, and the necessity of preventing and treating these diseases, the aim of this review article is to report medicinal plants and their nature-based derivatives that are effective on suppression of inflammasome complex. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using the Endnote software for the publications about the role herbal medicine in inflammasome activation pathways from 2000 to February 2016. Sophora flavescens, Lyciumbarbarum, Impatiens textori Miq., Syneilesis palmata (Thunb.), Aloe vera, citral (3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal), celastrol, sulforaphane, schisandrin, resveratrol, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DHCA), luteoloside, Pulsatilla decoction, and Wuling San have been reported to suppression function of inflammasome. Medicinal plants and their derivatives can be useful for inflammation related disorders by suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, they should be investigated in clinical trials to help to prevent and treatment of inflammatory diseases

Protocol Adherence in Prehospital Medical Care Provided for Patients with Chest Pain and Loss of Consciousness; a Brief Report

Introduction: Although many protocols are available in the field of the prehospital medical care (PMC), there is still a notable gap between protocol based directions and applied clinical practice. This study measures the rate of protocol adherence in PMC provided for patients with chest pain and loss of consciousness (LOC).Method: In this cross-sectional study, 10 educated research assistants audited the situation of provided PMC for non-traumatic chest pain and LOC patients, presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary level teaching hospital, compare to national recommendations in these regards.Results: 101 cases with the mean age of 56.7 ± 12.3 years (30-78) were audited (55.4% male). 61 (60.3%) patients had chest pain and 40 (39.7%) cases had LOC. Protocol adherence rates for cardiac monitoring (62.3%), O2 therapy (32.8%), nitroglycerin administration (60.7%), and aspirin administration (52.5%) in prehospital care of patients with chest pain were fair to poor. Protocol adherence rates for correct patient positioning (25%), O2 therapy (75%), cardiac monitoring (25%), pupils examination (25%), bedside glucometery (50%), and assessing for naloxone administration (55%) in prehospital care of patients with LOC were fair to poor.Conclusion: There were more than 20% protocol violation regarding prehospital care of chest pain patients regarding cardiac monitoring, O2 therapy, and nitroglycerin and aspirin administration. There were same situation regarding O2 therapy, positioning, cardiac monitoring, pupils examination, bedside glucometery, and assessing for naloxone administration of LOC patients in prehospital setting

Comparison of the Effect of Ciprofloxacin and Nalidixic Acid in the Infection of Different Parts of the Urinary Tract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections. The most common cause is Escherichia coli. This research is done with the aim at compare effect of ciprofloxacin with nalidixic acid in the infection of different parts of the urinary tract.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 patients with symptoms of the urinary tract infection referred to Imam Hossain Hospital of Shahrood were studied. For the all patients, urine samples were collected by standard method and urine analysis and culture was performed. Then, positive culture samples were tested by antibiogram and the resistance rate for the two antibiotics ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid and MBC and MIC was investigated.Results: Of the 130 patients with symptoms of UTI (fever, flank pain or tenderness and dysuria, urgency or frequency (84 patients had positive urine culture. Of all patients with positive urine, 31 cases had symptoms of pyelonephritis, 25 patients had symptoms of cystitis and 28 patients had symptoms of UTI. In antibiogram for positive urine samples, 21 pieces were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 46 pieces were resistant to nalidixic acid which significantly reduced resistance to ciprofloxacin (P=0.005). There was no significant difference between the two antibiotics in place of clinical symptoms and drug resistance. So there was no significant difference between the two MIC and MBC in place of clinical symptoms and drug resistance.Conclusions: This study showed that ciprofloxacin is more effective in controlling infection of different parts of the urinary tract due to less drug resistance