Cellular immune reactions of the sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps, to the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveriabassiana and its secondary metabolites

In this study, five morphological types of circulating hemocytes were recognized in thehemolymph of the adult sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae),namely prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, adipohemocytes, and oenocytoids. Theeffects of the secondary metabolites of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana oncellular immune defenses of Eurygaster integriceps were investigated. The results showed thatthe fungal secondary metabolites inhibited phagocytic activity of E. integriceps hemocytes andhampered nodule formation. A reduction of phenoloxidase activity was also observed. The datasuggest that B. bassiana produce secondary metabolites that disable several immune mechanismsallowing the fungus to overcome and then kill its host. This characteristic makes B. bassiana apromising model for biological control of insect pests such as E. integriceps

A laboratory investigation on virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae on Thrips tabaci (Thys.: Thripidae) and its predator, Orius albidipennis (Hem.: Anthocoridae)

In the present study, virulence of three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota, Clavicipitaceae) were evaluated on the second instar larvae of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindman by using spray potter tower at six conidial concentrations of isolates (103-108 conidia/ml) with Thrips Entomopathogenic Bioassay System (TEBS) method. Causing the highest total mortality rate on thrips larvae and having the lowest LC50 value (2.3 Ã 104 conidia/ml), M. anisopliae EUT118 was selected as the highest virulent isolate. Afterwards, the susceptibility of female adults and 5th nymphs of Orius albidipennis (Reuter) was tested against this isolate of M. anisopliae without attendance of host. Results indicated that two stages of predator; female adults and 5th instar nymphs had similarly low susceptibilities to fungal infection. In general, our results revealed that the anthocorid predator, O. albidipennis was less affected by this isolate of fungus. As a result, these two biocontrol agents could be used both together in control programs of T. tabaci in greenhouses

Report of Eristalis similis (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Iran

During a survey conducted on Syrphidae fauna in Guilan province (Masuleh & Lakan) in August 2006, some species of the genus Eristalis Latreille were collected and identified, of which E. similis (Fallen) is newly reported from Iran. The identification was confirmed by Heikki Hippa, Swedish Musem of Natural History

Olfactory response of the predatory bug, Orius niger (Hem.: Anthocoridae) to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on cucumber leaves treated or untreated by Beauveria bassiana

Olfactory experiments were performed to study the predation behavior of Orius niger Wolff (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in presence or absence of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.). The experiments were carried out with six day old female bugs by recording the predator direction towards each of the Y-tube olfactometer arms and through three dependent replicates consisted of 15 replicates each. The predatory bug showed a significant preference towards the odors related to infested cucumber leaves by T. urticae in the absence of fungus and when the predator received odors related to T. urticae infested leaves v.s. B.bassiana fungus treated, spider mite infested leaves (72 hours). There was no significant difference in the predator olfactory experiment when the alternative arms consisted of treated v.s. untreated spider mite infested cucumber leaves (0, 24 and 48 hours after treatment). The results showed the capacity of the predatory bug to recognize the patches infected by B.bassiana fungus and successfully avoiding it

Transmission possibility of the fungus Beauveria bassiana KCF102 by mating behavior between Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps (Hem.: Scutelleridae) adults

Horizontal transmission of an isolate of the etomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana KCF102, was examined by allowing inoculated Eurygaster integriceps Put. adults to mate with non-inoculated ones. In case of susceptibility to B. bassiana, there was no significant difference between the males and females. However, there was significant difference among treatments for mortality of non-inoculated adults. It meant horizontal transmission could be happened between the inoculated and non-inoculated adults. Recording no significant difference among the treatments of the inoculated males + non-inoculated males and treatment with inoculated females + non-inoculated males revealed that this kind of horizontal transmission was not merely due to the mating behavior, given that the same transmission could be existed between inoculated and non-inoculated males or between those of female adults. There was significant difference for mortality percentage of adults among the five body-part treatments, ranging from 16.6 to 48.9, with the highest mortality for total body treatment and the lowest one for the pronotum

The role of endogenous H2S formation in reversible remodeling of lung tissue during hibernation in the Syrian hamster

During hibernation, small mammals alternate between periods of metabolic suppression and low body temperature ('torpor') and periods of full metabolic recovery with euthermic temperatures ('arousal'). Previously, we demonstrated marked structural remodeling of the lung during torpor, which is rapidly reversed during arousal. We also found that cooling of hamster cells increased endogenous production of H2S through the enzyme cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). H2S suppresses the immune response and increases deposition of collagen. Therefore, we examined inflammatory markers and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in relation to CBS expression and H2S levels in lungs of euthermic and hibernating Syrian hamsters. Lung remodeling during torpor was confirmed by a strong increase in both collagenous and non-collagenous hydroxyproline content. The number of leukocytes in lung was unchanged in any phase of hibernation, while adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and the inflammatory marker NF-kappa B (P65) were modestly upregulated in torpor. Gelatinase activity was decreased in lungs from torpid animals, indicating inhibition of the Zn2+-dependent MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, expression of CBS and tissue levels of H2S were increased in torpor. All changes normalized during arousal. Inhibition of gelatinase activity in torpor is likely caused by quenching of Zn2+ by the sulphide ion of H2S. In accord, inhibition of CBS normalized gelatinase activity in torpid animals. Conversely, NaHS decreased the gelatinase activity of euthermic animals, which was attenuated by excess Zn2+. Similar results were obtained on the activity of the Zn2+-dependent angiotensin converting enzyme. Our data indicate that increased production of H2S through CBS in hamster lungs during torpor contributes to remodeling by inhibition of gelatinase activity and possibly by suppression of the inflammatory response. Although administration of H2S is known to induce metabolic suppression in nonhibernating mammals ('suspended animation'), this is the first report implying endogenous H2S production in natural hibernation

Evaluating Serum Levels of IL-33, IL-36, IL-37 and Gene Expression of IL-37 in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris

Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-33, IL-36 and IL-37 have been reported to be up-regulated in various T helper (Th)1/Th17 mediated autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Although IL-33 and IL-36 expression are increased in skin lesions of patients with psoriasis, their serum levels in such patients have not yet been adequately studied. We aimed to evaluate serum level of IL-33, IL-36 and IL-37 cytokines and IL-37 gene expression in patients with autoimmune/inflammatory disease of psoriasis and to explore their correlation with disease severity. Such evaluation further clarifies disease pathogenesis and may be utilized in clinical practice. 47 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 47 healthy individuals were included. Serum IL-33, IL-36 and IL-37 levels were measured by Elisa and gene expression of IL-37 measured by real time PCR in all participants. The disease activity was assessed by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Linear Correlation between interleukin measures and PASI score was calculated. Also sensitivity and specificity of such measurements were determined. Serum IL-36 and 37 levels in patients with psoriasis vulgaris were significantly higher than those in healthy controls and positively correlated with disease activity (PASI score). Serum IL-33 levels in patients were equal to those in healthy controls but positively correlated with disease activity. Serum IL-36 levels were significantly higher than serum IL-33 levels. Gene expression of IL-37 levels in patients were higher than healthy controls but was not correlated with disease activity. Serum IL-36 and IL-37 levels are generally increased in psoriasis vulgaris and correlated with disease severity. Therefore, serum IL-36 and IL-37 levels may be markers of treatment and diagnosis of psoriasis. Copyright© April 2018, Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. All rights reserved

Report of the genus Parhelophilus Grischner (Dip.: Syrphidae) from Iran

The species, Pharhelophilus versicolor (Fabricius), was collected during the study of the syrphid flies (Dip.: Syrphidae) fauna in Sangachin and Shijan, Guilan province. Further confirmation was made by Menno Reemer. The genus and species is newly recorded from Iran

Evaluation of the effect of MbNPV on cabbage moth, Plutella xylostella (Lep.: Plutellidae), in laboratory conditions

Cabbage moth, Plutella xylostella L., is the most important pest in cabbage and canola cultures in Iran. Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses are known as important natural enemies of this pest. Because of economic importance of cabbage moth and the necessity of its control, MbNPV (Baculoviridae) was chosen to evaluate its effect on cabbage moth. Experimental data showed that the virus had high virulence and could be considered as the important agent for the control of this insect. In infestation of egg surfaces with 1 Ã 105 PIB/ml of MbNPV, all of larvae died three days after hatching. The LC50 value for the second instar larvae of cabbage moth was calculated 11.99 PIB/mm2. The LT50 values for the same larvae with 19.5 and 47.86 PIB/mm2 doses of MbNPV were 7.16 and 6.11 days, respectively. Mean percentages of mortality with 47.86 PIB/mm2 for 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae were 74.44, 42.78 and 11.11, respectively

Study on potential of some solid natural substances in production of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota, Cordycipitaceae) conidia

In this study, two fungus isolates, Beauveria bassiana EUT105 and B. bassiana EUT116, were evaluated for production of aerial conidia on wheat, wheat flour, wheat bran, rice flour, rice bran, rice paddy, millet and corn flour using two phasic liquid-solid system. Data analysis showed that there are significant differences among treatments (simple media) in both isolates. In B. bassiana EUT105, the maximum and minimum productions were achieved on wheat bran, 2.3 Ã 1010 conidia/g and on rice paddy, 1.5 Ã 109 conidia/g of medium, respectively. In B. bassiana EUT116, wheat bran with 6.1 Ã 109 conidia/g and millet with 8 Ã 108 conidia/g had the maximum and minimum productions, respectively. Effect of adding nutritional complementary compounds to the growth media was significant in increasing of conidial yield. Related results showed that adding permeate increased the production but molasses did not it in comparison with control in both isolates. Wheat bran plus permeate had the maximum production, 5 Ã 1010 and 4.6 Ã 1010 conidia/g in B. bassiana EUT105 and EUT116, respectively and minimum production was obtained with rice flour plus molasses, 1.5 Ã 108 and 6 Ã 108 conidia/g in B. bassiana EUT105 and EUT116, respectively