In search of genetic diversity in Rosa foetida Hermann in Iran

Rosa foetida is a dense, erect shrub with bright yellow or scarlet flowers with a yellowish reverse petal. It is most abundant in South West Asia. In Iran R. foetida occurs mainly in the mountainous North and West regions. The species is the origin of the strong yellow color in hybrid roses, which was introduced into modern cultivars in 1900 through a single species hybridization event. In this study we have used 10 microsatellite markers to determine diversity in Rosa foetida accessions collected across Iran. To our surprise, nearly all samples collected were of the same genotype, even when collected at different sites. Only four different genotypes have been detected in total. The results are discussed in relation to breeding system, human influence and overall gene pool statu

Safety and efficacy of filgotinib, lanraplenib and tirabrutinib in Sjogren's syndrome: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the safety and efficacy of filgotinib, lanraplenib and tirabrutinib in patients with active SS. METHODS: This multicentre, double-blind study randomized patients with active primary or secondary SS [EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI) ≥5) to receive filgotinib 200 mg (Janus kinase-1 inhibitor), lanraplenib 30 mg (spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor), tirabrutinib 40 mg (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor), or placebo. The composite primary end point was the week-12 proportion of patients fulfilling protocol-specified improvement criteria (based on CRP and SS-related symptoms). The EULAR SS patient-reported index (ESSPRI) and the ESSDAI change from baseline (CFB) were secondary end points. Exploratory end points included disease-related biomarkers. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) represented safety outcomes. RESULTS: The mean of the baseline ESSDAI was 10.1, and of ESSPRI was 6.2 in the 150 patients who were treated; 125 completed the 24-week placebo-controlled treatment period. At week 12, 43.3% of the filgotinib group achieved the primary end point (P = 0.17 vs placebo) vs 42.3% (P = 0.16), 34.7% (P = 0.33), and 26.7% of lanraplenib, tirabrutinib, and placebo groups, respectively. Neither secondary end point was met. Biomarker reductions included immunoglobulins classically associated with SS disease activity. Filgotinib ESSDAI CFB appeared more pronounced in subgroups with baseline ESSDAI ≥14 or without DMARDs/CSs. Most AEs were Grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSION: Three drugs with disparate mechanisms were tested, but no significant differences vs placebo in primary or secondary end points were observed. These results may be considered hypothesis-generating, given the drug tolerability, subgroup analysis, and biomarker findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03100942

Molecular Detection of Grape Decline Phytoplasma in Leafhopper Species Associated with Infected Grapevines in Iran

Following recent detection of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini’, ‘Ca. P. aurantifolia’, ‘Ca. P. solani’ and ‘Ca. P. phoenicium’-related strains in Iranian vineyards, a survey was conducted in 2016–2017 in vineyards located in Qazvin province of Iran. Nested PCR analysis was performed to identify phytoplasma strains in leafhopper species. The overall, less than 5% of grapevine trees shows phytoplasma symptoms and phyto-plasma was detected in all symptomatic samples. Phytoplasma DNA was detected in two leafhopper species. Most leafhopper species in which phytoplasma DNA were detected are recorded to be grass feeders, among which, Stolbur phytoplasma vectors, i.e. Psammotettix alienus (Dahlbom 1851) and Agallia ribauti (Ossian-nilsson, 1938), showed a strong potential ability for ‘Ca. P. solani’ transmission in Qazvin vineyards. The possibility of phytoplasma transmission between leafhoppers and grapevines is discussed

The College News, 1941-05-14, Vol. 27, No. 24

Bryn Mawr College student newspaper. Merged with The Haverford News in 1968 to form the Bi-college News (with various titles from 1968 on). Published weekly (except holidays) during the academic year

Benefícios do ômega 3 na prevenção de doença cardiovascular: Revisão integrativa de literatura

Introduction: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a fat found in plant foods, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both found in fish, have been considered relevant substances for the maintenance of health, so that supplementation is being considered relevant for the reduction of cardiovascular risks. Objective: To identify and analyze the scientific evidence available in the literature on the contribution of omega 3 in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Materials and Methods: Integrative literature review, with deference to materials published in the Scielo and PubMed databases, which considered as inclusion criteria articles published in the last 5 years, available in full, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, which addressed the proposed theme; the exclusion criteria were editorials, letters to the editor, review studies, theses, dissertations, and duplicate articles that did not correspond to the theme. Results: Based on the aforementioned scientific evidence, the body's omega-3 indices are relevant to identify possible cardiovascular risk, so it can therefore be used as an objective for treatment when there is a possible risk for these manifestations. This risk factor can be modified by taking EPA and DHA. The standard 1 g/day dose of EPA and DHA recommended by cardiac societies is, however, probably far from ideal for everyone, as not only this standard dose but also diet, individual genetic history, body mass index, calorie intake and disposal, and other factors all together probably determine a person's level of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, it is suggested that the omega-3 index acts not only as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but that other contexts allied to the patient's lifestyle should be considered. Conclusion: Diet or supplementation of these nutrients may result in cardiovascular and other types of benefits to society as a whole

Fish, Fish-Derived n-3 Fatty Acids, and Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Results of observational and experimental studies investigating the association between intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been inconsistent.We studied the association of fish and the fish-derived n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with the risk of incident AF in individuals aged 45-64 from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort (n = 14,222, 27% African Americans). Intake of fish and of DHA and EPA were measured via food frequency questionnaire. Plasma levels of DHA and EPA were measured in phospholipids in a subset of participants (n = 3,757). Incident AF was identified through the end of 2008 using ECGs, hospital discharge codes and death certificates. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios of AF by quartiles of n-3 PUFAs or by fish intake.During the average follow-up of 17.6 years, 1,604 AF events were identified. In multivariable analyses, total fish intake and dietary DHA and EPA were not associated with AF risk. Higher intake of oily fish and canned tuna was associated with a nonsignificant lower risk of AF (p for trend = 0.09). Phospholipid levels of DHA+EPA were not related to incident AF. However, DHA and EPA showed differential associations with AF risk when analyzed separately, with lower risk of AF in those with higher levels of DHA but no association between EPA levels and AF risk.In this racially diverse sample, dietary intake of fish and fish-derived n-3 fatty acids, as well as plasma biomarkers of fish intake, were not associated with AF risk

Sexual dimorphism in the wing shape and size of the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), belongs to the family Pyralidae and the subfamily Phycitinae. In spite of some features of sexual dimorphism in size and shape in the order Lepidoptera and the mentioned family, it has not been recorded in this species. In the current study, sexual dimorphism in the wing shape and size of carob moth on four hosts (pomegranate, fig, pistachio and walnut) were detected using landmark- based geometric morphometric and analysis of partial warp scores and centroid sizes. The analysis showed significant wing shape differences (fore wing: P = 1.315E-011, hind wing: P = 1.168E-007) which was the same on all tested hosts. Geometric changes in the fore and hind wing of both sexes were illustrated. Analyses of size showed wings of the females are bigger than those of the males (fore wing: F = 23.19, P = 0.000; hind wing: F = 16.73, P = 0.000) on tested hosts and in spite of allometric growth in test specimens, significant shape differences are still remain in constant size

The first report of Macrosteles chobauti (Hem.: Cicadellidae) from Iran

In the course of our faunistic survey on leafhoppers (Hem.: Cicadellidae) in northwestern Iran, 46 species were collected and identified of which the species Macrosteles chobauti Ribaut, 1952 is newly recorded from Iran. Drs. Hani Abdul-Nour (Lebanese University, Lebanon) and Paul Freytag (University of Kentucky, USA) confirmed the identification of the species

Physical activity and incidence of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Whether physical activity increases or decreases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between AF and extent of physical activity. We searched Medline and EMBASE in June 2014 for studies that reported on the associated risk of AF according to history of physical activity. Pooled risk ratios for AF were calculated using inverse variance random effects model, and heterogeneity assessed using I2. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the nature of the physical activity, and the quality of the studies. We identified 19 relevant studies with a total of over half a million participants (n = 511,503). The pooled analysis showed no association between intensive physical activity and AF (RR 1.00 95% CI 0.82–1.22, I2 = 73%, 8 studies, 152,925 participants) with no difference considering low and moderate to high risk of bias studies. Pooled analysis of studies reporting on increasing amount of time spent on physical activities did not show a significant association with AF (RR 0.95 95% CI 0.72–1.26, I2 = 84%, 4 studies, 112,784 participants). Studies of athletes or participants with a history of sports activity which were of poor methodology quality showed a borderline significant association with AF (pooled RR 1.98 95% CI 1.00–3.94, I2 = 59%, 6 studies, 1973 participants). In conclusion, we found no significant increase in AF with a higher level of physical activity. These findings support clinical guidelines encouraging patients to exercise as there is no evidence for harm associated with increased physical activity