Evaluation of the anxiolytic effect of Nepeta persica Boiss. in mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Nepeta persica Boiss. (Lamiaceae) on the elevated plus-maze (EPM) model of anxiety. The extract of arial parts of the plant was administered intraperitoneally to male NMRI mice, at various doses, 30 min before behavioural evaluation. The HE extract of N. persica at the dose of 50 mg kg−1 significantly increased the percentage of time spent and percentage of arm entries in the open arms of the EPM. This dose of plant extract affected neither animal's locomotor activity nor ketamine-induced sleeping time. The 50 mg kg−1 dose of the plant extract seemed to be the optimal dose in producing the anxiolytic effects, lower or higher doses of the plant produce either sedative or stimulant effects. At 100 mg kg−1, the plant extract increased the locomotor activity. These results suggested that the extract of N. persica at dose of 50 mg kg−1 possess anxiolytic effect with less sedative and hypnotic effects than that of diazepam and causes a non-specific stimulation at 100 mg kg−1

Relative growth of the fiddler crab, Uca sindensis(Crustacea: Ocypodidae) in a subtropical mangrove in Pohl Port, Iran

The relative growth of the fiddler crab Uca sindensis in Pohl Port was studied. Ten 0.5 m^2 quadrates were randomly sampled monthly during low tide periods from October 2009 to September 2010. A total of 840 crabs, 449 (53.45%) males and 391 (46.5%) ‌ females, were sampled. The Carapace width of males ranged from 5.5 to 13.5 mm (mean ± SD) (8.92 ± 2.04), and of females from 5.0 to 11.5 mm (mean ± SD) (7.95 ± 1.34). Carapace height (CH) and Carapace length (CL), height of the major cheliped (HMC) of males, abdomen width of females (AW), major cheliped length (LMC), dactiluse (D), feeding cheliped (CHF) and merouse (M) were employed as dependent variables and carapace width (CW) as independent variable. The relationship between CW × CH was positive in males and females. The equation (Log CH=Log-4.881+4.681LogCW) for males (P<0.05) and Log CH=Log-1.882+3.299LogCW for females (P<0.05). The females showed allometric positive growth for CW × AW relation to male (Log AW= Log0.784+1.217Log CW) (P<0.05). Also four male crabs were found with two major cheliped in this study. Remarkable ontogenetic changes were observed in the allometric growth of the male major cheliped and the female abdomen, indicating that these structures are closely connected to the timing of sexual maturity. The allometric growth of U. sindensis in Pohl Port mangrove differed from other Uca populations so far studied, indicating that growth could have been influenced by environment variables such as food availability, population density, distribution of vegetation, sex ratio, soil temperature , organic matter, different of surface and sediment

Effect of stocking density on the growth of Gracilariopsis persica and Gracilaria corticata, with the potential for mariculture in Persian Gulf

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of initial stocking density of red algae Gracilaropsis persica and Gracilaria corticata on the growth and biomass production of these species. Three stocking densities of 50 gm^-1, 125 gm^-1 and 200 gm^-1 were used and algae cultivated in Persian Gulf (Bandar Abbas) in winter for 45 days. Algae collected from natural environment and cultivated on poly ethylene rope in the sea. Relative growth rate (RGR) and total biomass were measured fortnightly. Temperature, salinity, pH and nutrients (nitrate, nitrite and phosphate) were measured during the trial. The result of the present study showed that there were significant differences in growth rate between different treatments in both species (P<0.05). Algae that cultivated with 50 gm^-1 initial stocking density had the highest relative growth rate in both species. At the end of 45-day trial, total biomass was the highest in 200 gm^-1 treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the present study showed that the growth rate of Gracilariopsis persica was higher than Gracilaria corticata. The results of the present study showed that stocking density is able to affect the growth of red algae Gracilariopsis persica and Gracilaria corticata and Gracilariopsis persica have higher growth rate and better potential of commercial culture in the Persian Gulf compared to Gracilaria corticata

Pten alterations and their role in cancer management: Are we making headway on precision medicine?

Alterations in the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) occur in a substantial proportion of solid tumors. These events drive tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Given its central role as a downregulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, PTEN is deeply involved in cell growth, proliferation, and survival. This gene is also implicated in the modulation of the DNA damage response and in tumor immune microenvironment modeling. Despite the actionability of PTEN alterations, their role as biomarkers remains controversial in clinical practice. To date, there is still a substantial lack of validated guidelines and/or recommendations for PTEN testing. Here, we provide an update on the current state of knowledge on biologic and genetic alterations of PTEN across the most frequent solid tumors, as well as on their actual and/or possible clinical applications. We focus on possible tailored schemes for cancer patients\u2019 clinical management, including risk assessment, diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment

Influence of Nanosized Silicon Carbide on Dimensional Stability of Al/SiC Nanocomposite

This study concentrated on the role of particle size of silicon carbide (SiC) on dimensional stability of aluminum. Three kinds of Al/SiC composite reinforced with different SiC particle sizes (25 μm, 5 μm, and 70 nm) were produced using a high-energy ball mill. The standard samples were fabricated using powder metallurgy method. The samples were heated from room temperature up to 500∘C in a dilatometer at different heating rates, that is, 10, 30, 40, and 60∘C/min. The results showed that for all materials, there was an increase in length change as temperature increased and the temperature sensitivity of aluminum decreased in the presence of both micro- and nanosized silicon carbide. At the same condition, dimensional stability of Al/SiC nanocomposite was better than conventional Al/SiC composites

Integrating Biological Advances Into the Clinical Management of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) occurs in a significant number of breast cancer survivors as a consequence of the axillary lymphatics' impairment after therapy (mainly axillary surgery and irradiation). Despite the recent achievements in the clinical management of these patients, BCRL is often diagnosed at its occurrence. In most cases, it remains a progressive and irreversible condition, with dramatic consequences in terms of quality of life and on sanitary costs. There are still no validated pre-surgical strategies to identify individuals that harbor an increased risk of BCRL. However, clinical, therapeutic, and tumor-specific traits are recurrent in these patients. Over the past few years, many studies have unraveled the complexity of the molecular and transcriptional events leading to the lymphatic system ontogenesis. Additionally, molecular insights are coming from the study of the germline alterations involved at variable levels in BCRL models. Regrettably, there is a substantial lack of predictive biomarkers for BCRL, given that our knowledge of its molecular milieu remains extremely puzzled. The purposes of this review were (i) to outline the biology underpinning the ontogenesis of the lymphatic system; (ii) to assess the current state of knowledge of the molecular alterations that can be involved in BCRL pathogenesis and progression; (iii) to discuss the present and short-term future perspectives in biomarker-based patients' risk stratification; and (iv) to provide practical information that can be employed to improve the quality of life of these patients