Monitoring pyrethroid insecticide resistance in major malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies: comparison of molecular tools and conventional susceptibility test

BACKGROUND: Anopheles culicifacies is a main malaria vector in southeastern part of Iran, bordring Afghanistan and Pakistan. So far, resistance to DDT, dieldrin, malathion and partial tolerance to pyrethroids has been reported in An. stephensi, but nothing confirmed on resistance status of An. culicifacies in Iran. METHODS: In current study, along with WHO routine susceptibility test with DDT (4%), dieldrin (0.4%), malathion (5%), permethrin (0.25%), lambadacyhalothrin (0.1%), and deltamethrin 0.025, we cloned and sequenced segment VI of domain II (SII6) in voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene of An. culicifacies specimens collected in Sistan and Baluchistan province (Iran). RESULTS: A 221-bp amplified fragment showed 91% and 93% similarity with exon I and exon II of An. gambiae. The size of intron II in An. culicifacies is 62 bp, while in An. gambiae is 57 bp. The major difference within An. culicifacies specimens and also with An. gambiae is in position 29 of exon I, which led to substitution of Leu to His amino acid. CONCLUSION: This data will act as first report on partial sequence of vgsc gene and its polymorphism in An. culicifacies. A Leu to His amino acid substitution detected upstream the formerly known knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation site could be an indication for other possible mutations related to insecticide resistance. However, the result of WHO susceptibility test carried out in Baluchistan of Iran revealed a level of tolerance to DDT and dieldrin, but almost complete susceptibility to pyrethroids in An. culicifacies. We postulate that the molecular diagnostic tool developed for detection and identification of kdr-related mutations in An. culicifacies, could be useful in monitoring insecticide resistance in Iran and neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. A phylogenetic tree also constructed based on the sequence of exon I and II, which readily separated An. culicifacies populations from An. stephensi, An. fluviatilis and An. gambiae.     

Effects of different dietary selenium sources (sodium selenite,selenomethionine and nanoselenium) on growth performance,muscle composition,blood enzymes and antioxidant status of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of different sources of selenium (Se) on growth, muscle Se concentration, muscle proximate composition, blood enzymes and antioxidant status of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Organic Se (selenomethionine, SeMet), inorganic Se (sodium selenite, Na₂SeO₃), or nanoselenium were each added to the basal diet at 0.7 mg Se kg^?1 diet. Four groups of fish with an average weight of 9.69 ± 0.12 g were fed one of the experimental diets for 8 weeks. Nano‐Se diet resulted in better growth performance (P < 0.05). Fish fed with Se‐supplemented diets showed a higher (P < 0.05) Se content in the muscle and liver tissues. Fish fed nano‐Se had the highest liver glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities (P < 0.05). Liver malondialdehyde level was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in fish fed on SeMet and nano‐Se diets as compared to control. The carp fed on nano‐Se diet had the lowest values of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly lower in fish fed on SeMet and nano‐Se diets. This study shows that nano‐Se acts more efficiently on growth performance and antioxidant defence system of common carp than organic and inorganic sources of Se.     

Effects of different salinities on amino acid profile in Artemia franciscana

The effects of different salinity levels, including 10–15, 30–35, 70–75, 110–115 and 150–155 ppt, were evaluated on survival and the body amino acids (BAA) of Artemia franciscana. The results were expressed as total essential (TE), non‐essential (NE) and total amino acids (TAA); also, the ratio of the TE to NE (ENAA) on days 3 and 13 of the culture is reported. The study of changes in Artemia BAA showed that with the increase in the water salinity, the TE, NE and TAA increased significantly on days 3 and 13 of the culture. However, the highest ratio of ENAA was observed in the 110 gL^?1 salinity treatment on day 3 (1.067 ± 1.25). Regarding the effects of different salinity treatments on the survival rate of Artemia, it was observed that, generally, an increase in the water salinity would reduce the survival rate of this species. This reduction was observed on day 3 of culture in the salinity treatments above 120 (66.66 ± 1.68%) and below 30 gL^?1 (89.66 ± 0.34%) and on day 13 of culture in the salinity treatments below 30 (11.86 ± 0.13%) and above 70 gL^?1. Basically, it can be concluded that A. franciscana culture at a salinity of 110 gL^?1 can lead to the biological enrichment of Artemia in terms of amino acid profile.     

Exploring changes in middle-school student lunch consumption after local school food service policy modifications

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of changes in school food policy on student lunch consumption in middle schools. METHODS: Two years of lunch food records were collected from students at three middle schools in the Houston, Texas area. During the first year, no changes occurred in the school food environment. After that school year was completed, chips and dessert foods were removed from the snack bars of all schools by the Food Service Director. Students recorded the amount and source of food and beverage items consumed. Point-of-service purchase machines provided a day-by-day electronic data file with food and beverage purchases from the snack bars during the 2-year period. Independent t-tests and time series analyses were used to document the impact of the policy change on consumption and sales data between the two years. RESULTS: In general, student consumption of sweetened beverages declined and milk, calcium, vitamin A, saturated fat and sodium increased after the policy change. Snack chips consumption from the snack bar declined in year 2; however, consumption of snack chips and candy from vending increased and the number of vending machines in study schools doubled during the study period. Ice cream sales increased significantly in year 2. CONCLUSIONS: Policy changes on foods sold in schools can result in changes in student consumption from the targeted environments. However, if all environments do not make similar changes, compensation may occur.     

Food-purchasing patterns for home: a grocery store-intercept survey

OBJECTIVES: To identify the most common frequency of food-purchasing patterns and relate this pattern to characteristics of individuals and families.DESIGN: A customer-intercept survey was conducted in the greater Houston area, Texas, USA, in 2002. The frequency of food shopping at supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants to buy food for eating at home was assessed.SUBJECTS: A total of 823 adults (78.5% female; mean age 37.4 years) who went to any of several grocery or convenience stores, including European, Hispanic and African Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.RESULTS: Major food-shopping patterns were a weekly big trip with a few small trips (34.9%), biweekly big trips with a few small trips (21.9%), no big shopping trips (15.4%), a weekly big trip without small trips (13.9%), a monthly big trip (8.3%), and biweekly big trips without small trips (6.4%). While 61.1% of participants never went to convenience stores to buy fruit and vegetables (F&V) for eating at home, 67% went to restaurants for F&V. African American families shopped for food least frequently, while Asian American families shopped for food most frequently. Educational level was negatively associated with the use of convenience stores and positively associated with take-away from restaurants.CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variability in the frequency of food shopping. Future research on food shopping should incorporate this variable.     

Isoforms of the heteropteran Nezara viridula ecdysone receptor: protein characterisation, RH5992 insecticide binding and homology modelling

BACKGROUND: Certain bisacylhydrazine compounds such as tebufenozide (RH5992) have been shown to act as order‐specific insecticides. Their compatibility with predatory Heteroptera, which are used as biological control agents, has also been demonstrated. However, the molecular mode of action of these ecdysone agonists has not been explored in a heteropteran, much less one that is a significant agricultural pest, such as Nezara viridula. RESULTS: Alternatively spliced ligand‐binding regions of the N. viridula ecdysone receptor were expressed, purified and characterised by 2D gel analysis, mass spectrometry, homology modelling and competitive binding of a bisacylhydrazine insecticidal compound (RH5992) and various ecdysteroids. Ligand binding by the two splice isoforms was indistinguishable, and relative affinities were found to occur in the order muristerone A > ponasterone A > 20‐hydroxyecdysone > inokosterone > RH5992 > α‐ecdysone. CONCLUSION: The predicted difference in amino acid sequence between the ligand‐binding domains of the N. viridula ecdysone receptor splice variants was verified by mass spectrometry. Both splice variant isoforms exhibit a greater affinity for the bisacylhydrazine insecticide RH5992 than do the other hemipteran ecdysone receptors characterised to date. Their affinities for a range of ecdysteroids also distinguish them from the ecdysone receptors of other Hemiptera characterised thus far. Homology models of both N. viridula receptor isoforms provide further insight into the bisacylhydrazine‐ and ecdysteroid‐binding properties of these receptors, including their similar affinity for 20‐hydroxyecdysone and the postulated pentatomomorphan moulting hormone makisterone A. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

CD226 rs763361 (Gly307Ser) Polymorphism Is Associated with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis in Zahedan,Southeast Iran

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with many genetic factors predisposing to disease susceptibility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of CD226 rs727088 and rs763361 polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA in a sample of the Iranian population. Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 100 patients with RA and 104 healthy subjects. The polymorphisms were determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: The rs763361 (Gly307Ser) polymorphism increased the risk of RA in codominant, dominant and recessive-tested inheritance models (odds ratio [OR] = 3.18, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.44-7.02, P = 0.004, CC vs. TT, and OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.10-3.57, P = 0.023, CC vs. CT-TT, and OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.26-5.37, P = 0.010, CC + CT vs. TT, respectively). In addition, the rs763361 T allele increased the risk of RA (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.38-3.08, P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed among the groups regarding CD226 rs727088 polymorphism (χ2 = 3.20, P = 0.202). Conclusions: Our finding showed that CD226 rs763361, but not rs727088, gene polymorphism increased the risk of RA in a sample of the Iranian population.Key Words: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), CD226, Polymorphism     

Effects of dietary organic,inorganic, and nanoparticulate selenium sources on growth,hemato-immunological,and serum biochemical parameters of common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to compare the effects of supplementing (0.7 mg kg^?1) different dietary selenium (Se) sources including organic [selenomethionine (SeMet)], inorganic [sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)], and nanoparticulate Se (nano-Se) on physiological responses of common carp, Cyprinus carpio juveniles (9.7?±?0.1 g). Basal diet without Se supplementation used as control. Fish fed nano-Se supplemented diet had the highest weight gain (97.2?±?10.8%) and feed efficiency ratio (42.4?±?0.8%). Intestinal villi height was significantly taller in fish fed nano-Se diet than in the control group in both foregut and midgut sections. Serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher in nano-Se and SeMet groups than in control and sodium selenite groups. Fish fed Se-supplemented diets had greater red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin values than the control group (P?<?0.05). Nano-Se and SeMet groups showed a significant increase in white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, and serum lysozyme activity than the other groups. Fish fed nano-Se diet had the highest serum hemolytic activity, total immunoglobulin, and total protein and albumin contents, as well as the lowest serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels (P?<?0.05). Overall, significant improvements in growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal morphology, and hemato-immunological and serum biochemical parameters of common carp juveniles suggest nano-Se as an efficient source for providing dietary Se in this species.     

Pathogenic fungi associated with pre‐ and post‐emergence seedling blight of pine and cypress in Fars Province,Iran

Seed and root rot of pine and cypress seedlings cause heavy annual losses to forest nurseries in Fars Province. Root and crown samples of various species of conifers, such as Tehran pine (Pinus eldarica), brutia pine (Pinus brutia), Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica), Shirazian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens var. fastigiata), common cypress (C. sempervirens var. horizontalis) and oriental arborvitae (Thuja orientalis), showing chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, defoliation and root and crown rot symptoms were collected from pine and cypress nurseries across Fars province at various time intervals. Infected tissues were washed and cultured on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) and corn meal agar (CMA) amended with Delvocide and ampicillin, with and without surface sterilization, respectively, and incubated at 25°C for 3–5 days. Decaying seeds of all plant species were also collected from nursery seed stocks and cultured on PDA. Hyphal tip isolates were used for further studies. Species of Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium were isolated from symptomatic seedlings of pine and cypress at different times during the growing season. Pathogenicity of isolates of Phytophthora, Pythium and Rhizoctonia was confirmed on seedlings of all plant species, whereas Fusarium sp. isolated from the seeds of Tehran pine was only pathogenic on seedlings of Tehran pine and Arizona cypress. Virulent isolates identified as Phytophthora nicotiana var. parasitica, Pythium ultimum, Pythium paroecandrum, Rhizoctonia solani and binucleate Rhizoctonia‐like fungus caused root and crown rot of pine and cypress seedlings. Pathogenic isolates of Fusarium identified as Fusarium proliferatum also caused pre‐emergence seed decay of pine and cypress. Isolates of Phytophthora and Pythium were the most virulent of these fungal isolates.     

Effects of processing methods on the proximate composition and momordicosides K and L content of bitter melon vegetable

Bitter melon (Mormodica charantia L.) has been associated with health benefits such as hypoglycemic, antiatherogenic, and anti-HIV activities. The vegetable, however, has an unpleasant bitter taste. The purpose of this research was to establish the effect of various processing methods on the moisture, lipid, and protein content of the Sri Lanka variety of bitter melon and to determine the effect of the processing methods on momordicosides K and L contents. The processing methods used were frying, blanching, sun drying, oven drying, freeze drying, and bitter masking with five different commercial bitter masking agents. Moisture, lipid, and protein analyses were done using standard AACC methods. Drying decreased moisture content from 92% to 9.5-10.2%. Frying lowered moisture content to 0.8% while increasing lipid content from 3.6 to 67%. Protein content remained unaffected by treatments. A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/ESI/MS) method was used to identify momordicosides K and L in methanolic extracts of fresh and processed samples. Only extracted ion chromatographs for blanched bitter melon and bitter melon with MY 68 agent showed the absence of momordicosides K and L.