A comparative study on the functional response of Wolbachia-infected and uninfected forms of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma brassicae

Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are haplo-diploid egg parasitoids that are frequently used as biological control agents against lepidopteran pests. These wasps display two reproductive modes, including arrhenotoky (bisexuality) and thelytoky (unisexuality). Thelytokous forms are often associated with the presence of endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria. The use of thelytokous wasps has long been considered as a way to enhance the efficacy of biological control. The present study investigates the potential of a thelytokous Wolbachiainfected and an arrhenotokous uninfected Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko strain as inundative biocontrol agents by evaluating their functional response towards different egg densities of the factitious host, the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). The results revealed a type II functional response for both strains in which parasitism efficiency decreases with host egg density because of an increasing host handling time. A model with an indicator variable was used to compare the parameters of Holling’s disc equation in different data sets. It was demonstrated that the two strains did not differ in host attack rate. However, the Wolbachia-infected strain did have an increased host handling time when compared to the bisexual strain. Some applied aspects of the findings are discusse

Concurrent papillary thyroid cancer and parathyroid adenoma as a rare condition: A case report

Although the pathological relationship between parathyroid and thyroid diseases is common, an association between parathyroid adenoma and thyroid cancer is rare. Concomitant thyroid cancer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has been reported at varying frequencies. WE present here a 23-year-old man who had papillary thyroid carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe and a parathyroid adenoma in the left thyroid lobe, which were confirmed surgically. Copyright © 2012 Via Medica

The Effect of Adiponectin on Osteonectin Gene Expression by Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein-Treated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Osteonectin is a bone-associated protein involved in vascular calcification. Adiponectin may protect against cardiovascular disease but possible effects on vascular calcification have been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of adiponectin on oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced expression of osteonectin in human aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (HA/VSMCs). HA/VSMCs were cultured in F12K media and then treated with oxLDL (100 mu g/mL) in the presence or absence of adoponectin (5 mu g/mL) for 24 and 48 hours. mRNA expression and protein level of osteonectin were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. After exposure to oxLDL, osteonectin expression increased 1.62 +/- 0.23- and 6.62 +/- 0.48-fold after 24 and 48 hours respectively compared to the control. Adiponectin increased oxLDL-induced osteonectin expression in a time-dependent manner after 24 and 48 hours (3.24 +/- 0.39- and 24.93 +/- 2.15-fold, respectively). Western blotting confirmed that osteonectin protein was upregulated by adiponectin. Our data suggest that OxLDL might cause the increase of osteonectin expression both at mRNA and protein level. This upregulation is intensified by adiponectin

TLR9-based immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic diseases

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a family of pattern recognition receptors expressed on many cell types of innate immunity, recognize the pathogen-associated molecular patterns of microbes. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that a reduced microbial exposure in early childhood increases the susceptibility to allergic diseases due to deviation in development of the immune system. TLRs are key roles in the right and healthy direction of adaptive immunity with the induction of T-helper 2 toward Th1 immune responses and regulatory T cells. TLR ligand CpG-ODN-based immunomodulation is independent of allergen and it mainly affects innate immune system. While, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide-based vaccination is allergen specific and induces adaptive immune system. The use of agonists of TLR9 in two distinct strategies of immunotherapy, immunomodulation and vaccination, could be presented as the curative method for the treatment of allergic diseases. First draft submitted: 29 August 2016; Accepted for publication: 8 February 2017; Published online: 17 March 2017 Keywords:  allergic diseases • immunotherapy • TLR9 • Toll-like receptor

Application of ZnO-Fe3O4 nanocomposite on the removal of azo dye from aqueous solutions: Kinetics and equilibrium studies

In this study, zinc oxide was immobilized on magnetite nanoparticles by chemical method and it was used as an adsorbent to remove reactive black 5 (RB5) dye from aqueous solution. The removal efficiency of RB5 was studied as the function of adsorbent dosage, pH, initial RB5 concentration, H2O 2, and ionic strength (sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfate, and sodium chloride). Removal efficiency of RB5 by ZnO-Fe 3O4 was greater than that by ZnO and Fe3O 4 in similar conditions. Maximum adsorption of ZnO-Fe 3O4 was obtained at neutral pH, and adsorption capacity was estimated to be 22.1 mg/g. Adsorption kinetic study revealed that the pseudo-second-order model better described the removal rate than the pseudo-first-order model. Adsorption isotherm was analyzed by both Langmuir and Freundlich equations, and results showed that it was better described by the Langmuir equation. The removal efficiency of RB5 was increased with increasing initial H2O2 concentrations from 2 to 5 mM but was decreased above 5 mM. The adsorption capacities of RB5 was increased in the presence of NaCl but was greatly decreased in the presence of bicarbonate, carbonate, and sulfate ion. Adsorption activity of RB5 by ZnO-Fe 3O4 composite was maintained even after five successive cycles, suggesting a promising adsorbent for wastewater-contaminated organic dyes. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014

Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Mixed Linkage (1,3;1,4)-beta-Glucan and Starch Contents in Rice Whole Grain

The glucan content of rice is a key factor defining its nutritional and economic value. Starch and its derivatives have many industrial applications such as in fuel and material production. Non-starch glucans such as (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan (mixed-linkage beta-glucan, MLG) have many benefits in human health, including lowering cholesterol, boosting the immune system, and modulating the gut microbiome. In this study, the genetic variability of MLG and starch contents were analyzed in rice (Oryza sativa L.) whole grain, by performing a new quantitative analysis of the polysaccharide content of rice grains. The 197 rice accessions investigated had an average MLG content of 252 mu g/mg, which was negatively correlated with the grain starch content. A new genome-wide association study revealed seven significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the MLG content and two QTLs associated with the starch content in rice whole grain. Novel genes associated with the MLG content were a hexose transporter and anthocyanidin 5,3-O-glucosyltransferase. Also, the novel gene associated with the starch content was a nodulin-like domain. The data pave the way for a better understanding of the genes involved in determining both MLG and starch contents in rice grains and should facilitate future plant breeding programs

Genome-wide association study for lignocellulosic compounds and fermentable sugar in rice straw

Cellulose and lignin are the two main components of secondary plant cell walls with substantial impact on stalk in the field and on straw during industrial processing. The amount of fermentable sugar that can be accessed is another important parameter affecting various industrial applications. In the present study, genetic variability of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for cellulose, lignin, and fermentable sugars contents was analyzed in rice straw. A genome-wide association study of 33,484 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a minor allele frequency (MAF) >0.05 was performed. The genome-wide association study identified seven, three, and three genomic regions to be significantly associated with cellulose, lignin, and fermentable sugar contents, respectively. Candidate genes in the associated genomic regions were enzymes mainly involved in cell wall metabolism. Novel SNP markers associated with cellulose were tagged to GH16, peroxidase, GT6, GT8, and CSLD2. For lignin content, Villin protein, OsWAK1/50/52/53, and GH16 were identified. For fermentable sugar content, UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1, and receptor-like protein kinase 5 were found. The results of this study should improve our understanding of the genetic basis of the factors that might be involved in biosynthesis, turnover, and modification of major cell wall components and saccharides in rice straw

MHC class II deficiency: Report of a novel mutation and special review

The MHC II deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency syndrome with increased susceptibility to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, failure to thrive and early mortality. This syndrome is caused by mutations in transcription regulators of the MHC II gene and results in development of blind lymphocytes due to the lack of indicatory MHC II molecules. Despite homogeneity of clinical manifestations of patients with MHC II deficiency, the genetic defects underlying this disease are heterogeneous. Herein, we report an Iranian patient with MHC II deficiency harbouring a novel mutation in RFXANK and novel misleading clinical features. He had ataxic gait and dysarthria from 30 months of age. Epidemiology, clinical and immunological features, therapeutic options and prognosis of patients with MHC II are reviewed in this paper. © 2017 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana, ˜ S.L.U. All rights reserved

Improvement of ram semen quality by luteolin enrichment during cold preservation

The present experiment aimed to investigate the probable protective role of luteolin (Lut) in ram spermatozoa kinematics and the oxidative/anti-oxidative/nitrosative status of semen during cold storage. Ejaculates were collected from five Qezel rams twice a week. Ejaculates were pooled, diluted with Tris–egg yolk extender (negative control) or supplemented with 0 (control; received the solvent of luteolin), 4, 8 and 16 µm Lut. Kinematics parameters, viability and membrane functionality of spermatozoa were assessed. Furthermore, amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA) and anti-oxidant activity (AOA), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and total nitrate nitrite (TNN) were evaluated in the medium (diluent) and spermatozoa, separately, at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after storage at 4 °C. Percentages of forward progressive motility and membrane integrity were significantly higher in 8 and 16 µm groups compared to control groups at 72 h (P&lt;0.05). No significant differences were observed in viability among groups during the study (P&gt;0.05). Lower MDA contents were observed in medium and spermatozoa of 8 and 16 µm treated groups compared to controls at 72 h (P&lt;0.05). In addition, higher AOA levels were observed in the medium of Lut-treated groups compared to controls at 48 and 72 h (P&lt;0.05). The activity of SOD was improved by luteolin addition. Luteolin enrichment did not affect TNN amounts. It seems that luteolin (at 8 and 16 µm) as a flavonoid protects the ram semen by its anti-oxidative properties and by reduction of lipid peroxidation following 48 and 72 h storage.</p

Molecular characterization of Iranian patients with possible familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder of lipoprotein metabolism caused mainly by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B 100 (APOB) genes. Until now, the molecular basis of FH has been demonstrated in detail in many populations, but there is still very limited Molecular data concerning FH in Iran. The aim of this study was to characterize the LDLR and APOB gene mutations in an Iranian population. A total of 30 non-related Iranian possible FH subjects were studied. Diagnosis of FH was based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network diagnostic criteria. All samples were initially tested for three common APOB gene mutations including R3500Q, R3500 W and R3531C using PCR-RFLP assay. Subsequently, promoter and coding region of the LDLR gene was screened by PCR-SSCP analysis and positive results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Four previously reported polymorphisms 1413G > A, 1725C > T, 1773T > C and 2140 + 5G > A were found in ~17% (5/30) of population studied. Moreover, no variation was found in APOB gene. Our data indicated that LDLR and APOB gene mutations have not contribution to possible FH in Iranian population studied here. However, we examined three common APOB mutations and LDLR in only 30 patients, and to determine the role of these genes in developing FH in Iran, more FH samples and populations needed to be investigated for the mutations of the related genes