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.     

Comparative effects of copper, iron, vanadium and titanium on low density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro

INTRODUCTION: Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been strongly implicated in the phathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The use of oxidants in dietary food stuff may lead to the production of oxidized LDL and may increase both the development and the progression of atherosclerosis. The present work investigated the effects of some elements including: copper (Cu), iron (Fe), vanadium (V) and titanium (Ti) on in vitro LDL oxidation quantitatively. METHODS: The first LDL fraction was isolated from fresh plasma by single vertical discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. The formation of conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase in electrophoretic mobility of LDL were monitored as markers of the oxidation of LDL. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that Cu, Fe, V and Ti exhibited strong oxidant activity in this respect (P<0.001). Oxidation of LDL in the presence of Cu was more and appeared to be in this order Cu>Fe>V>Ti. DISCUSSION: Cu, Fe, V and Ti are redox-active transition metals that may cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA molecules. We suggest that these elements may also influence the oxidation of LDL in vivo, which could increase both the development and progression of atherosclerosis.     

Effects of grazing on natural regeneration of tree and herb species of Kheyroud forest in northern Iran

We investigated the effects of grazing on natural regeneration, quantity, and diversity of woody species and dominant herb species in Kheyroud forest in northern Iran. We sampled vegetation in 5m2 plots in custom units, which are demarcated resource areas traditionally used by local livestock producers. The authors quantified number of species, height of seedlings, and diameter of seedlings. Height classes were 0-30 cm, 30-130 cm, and >130 cm, and diameter classes were 0-2.5 cm, 2.5-5 cm and 5-7.5 cm. The density of seedlings declined with distance from corral until reaching the custom unit boundary. Most seedlings had diameters of 0-2.5 cm and heights of 0-30 cm. Predominant species, Carpinus betulus and Acer capadocicum, were in plots near the centers of custom units, Fagus orientalis, Acer velutinum, Quercus castanifolia species were dominant in plots near the custom unit boundary. Plant species such as Oplismenus undulatifolius, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Rubus fruticos and Pteridium aquilinum were dominant in plots nearer to forest corral. Healthy seedlings were more numerous in plots nearest the corral, while defective and deformed seedlings were more abundant away from the corral. We conclude that grazing had negative effects on the quantity and quality of vegetative regeneration. Continuation of overgrazing will not only endanger the sustainability of forest ecosystems, but also will increase the challenge of sustainable forest management.     

Preventive effect of zinc against cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the rat testis

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant role of zinc (Zn) in the Cd-exposed testes of Wistar rats. Subchronic exposure to Cd (CdCl(2), 40 mg/l, per os) for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in growth rate (-11%) and relative weights of testes (-36%) and seminal vesicles (-80%). Treated rats displayed a decrease in testicular and plasma testosterone levels, respectively (-70%, P<0.05; -48%, P<0.05), epididymal sperm count (-22%, P<0.05), and spermatozoa motility (-35%, P<0.05). In contrast, Cd increased the malondialdehyde (+46%, P<0.05), metallothionein (+200%, P<0.05), and 8-oxodGuo concentrations (+71%, P<0.05) in the testis. In the gonad, Cd decreased the GPx (-30%, P<0.05), CAT (-32%, P<0.05), mitochondrial Mn-SOD (-34%, P<0.05), and cytosolic CuZn-SOD (-32%, P<0.05) activities. Zinc supplementation (ZnCl(2), 40 mg/l, per os) in the Cd-exposed rats restored the activities of GPx, CuZn-SOD, and Mn-SOD in the testes to the levels of the control group. Moreover, zinc administration was capable of reducing the elevated levels of malondialdehyde in the testis. Interestingly, zinc supplementation attenuated DNA oxidation induced by Cd in the gonad and restored the testosterone level and sperm count to the levels of the control group. Zinc administration minimized oxidative damage and reversed the impairment of spermatogenesis and testosterone production induced by Cd in the rat testis.     

Distribution and phylogenetic analysis of the 3′UTR and coat protein gene of Iranian Beet black scorch virus

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Beet black scorch virus (BBSV) was surveyed in major sugar beet cultivation areas in Iran in 2008–2013 growing seasons. A total of 148 out of 308...     

Heavy Metal Release from Some Industrial Wastes: Influence of Organic and Inorganic Acids, Clay Minerals, and Nanoparticles

Knowledge about heavy metal release from industrial solid wastes(ISWs) is crucial for better management of their environmental risks. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic acids, clay minerals, and nanoparticles(NPs) on the release of heavy metals from sugar factory waste, ceramic factory waste, leather factory waste, and stone cutting waste. The influence of the extractants on heavy metal release from these ISWs was in the following descending order: citric acid oxalic acid nitric acid≥ sulfuric acid Ca Cl2. Addition of clay minerals and NPs as adsorbents decreased heavy metal release, which was significantly lower in NP-treated wastes than in the clay mineral-treated wastes. On the other hand, the presence of organic and inorganic acids increased heavy metal adsorption by NPs and clay minerals. These results suggest that NPs can be applied successfully in waste remediation,and organic and inorganic acids play an important role in the removal of heavy metals from the studied adsorbents.     

Kinetics of phosphorus release from calcareous soils under different land use in Iran

The rate of phosporus (P) release from soils can significantly influence P fertility of soils. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of land‐use types on the kinetics of P release under different management practices and the relationship between kinetic parameters and soil physical and chemical properties from calcareous soils. The kinetics of P release in 0.01 M CaCl₂ was studied in surface samples of 30 calcareous soils planted to garlic, garden, pasture, potato, vegetables, and wheat. Trend in P‐release kinetics was similar between land‐use types. Significantly different quantities of P were released under different land use. The maximum amount (average of five soils) (46.4 mg kg^–1) of P was released in soil under potato and the minimum amount (10.4 mg kg^–1) under pasture. The kinetics of P release from soils can be described as an initial rapid rate followed by a slower rate. Different models were used to describe P release. In general, parabolic diffusion and power equation were found to be appropriate for modeling P release. The P‐release rate for the soils was estimated by parabolic equation for the studied land‐use types. The constant b was lower for pasture and wheat than for garlic and potato. The relationship between the rate of P release with Olsen‐P was linear, while it was curved with respect to the CaCl₂‐P, indicating that release of P was diffusion‐controlled. When the kinetic parameters of models were regressed on soil properties, CaCl₂‐P and CaCO₃ appeared to be the most important soil properties influencing P‐release rates in these soils.     

Linagliptin Protects Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells against Amyloid-β Cytotoxicity via the Activation of Wnt1 and Suppression of IL-6 Release

Background:Alzheimer’s disease is one of the neurodegenerative disorders typified by the aggregate of Aβ and phosphorylated tau protein. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, because of Aβ peptides, are strongly involved in the pathophysiology of AD. Linagliptin shows neuroprotective properties against AD pathological processes through alleviation of neural inflammation and AMPK activation. Methods:We assessed the benefits of linagliptin pretreatment (at 10, 20, and 50 nM concentrations), against Aβ1-42 toxicity (20 μM) in SH-SY5Y cells. The concentrations of secreted cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and signaling proteins, including pCREB, Wnt1, and PKCε, were quantified by ELISA. Results:We observed that Aβ led to cellular inflammation, which was assessed by measuring inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Moreover, Aβ1-42 treatment impaired pCREB, PKCε, and Wnt1 signaling in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Addition of Linagliptin significantly reduced IL-6 levels in the lysates of cells, treated with Aβ1-42. Furthermore, linagliptin prevented the downregulation of Wnt1 in Aβ1-42-treated cells exposed. Conclusion: The current findings reveal that linagliptin alleviates Aβ1-42-induced inflammation in SH-SY5Y cells, probably through the suppression of IL-6 release, and some of its benefits are mediated through the activation of the Wnt1 signaling pathway. Key Words: Alzheimer disease, Interleukin-6, Linagliptin, Wnt1 protein