Molecular genetic diversity within Myrmeleontidae family

Antlions are insects which feed on ants, insect which dig a pit and lies in wait for ants and other insects. Twelve species of Myrmeleontidae family as antlions and many specimens were identified in different locations in Fars province in Iran. To unveil the genetic similarity between these species, their DNA was extracted by modified CTAB method and with the use of seventeen 10-nucleotides primers of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD); the genetic analysis of them was investigated. After PCR, agarose 1.5?% was used for electrophoresis. The obtained electrophoresis bands had base pairs range between 150 and 1,000?bp. The maximum of polymorphic bands belonged to OPH5, N13, and the minimum of polymorphic bands belonged to OPA7 primers. Different genetic similarity indices were found between eight species of antlions. Possibility of use of RAPD marker together with morphological studies for classification and identification of antlions is discussed.     

An updated check-list of caddisflies (Insecta,Trichoptera) from Iran,with new records

Abstract

A list of the known species of Trichoptera from Iran is given. Since MALICKY (1986), Hydroptila astraia, H.asteria, Chimarra zagrosensis and Hydropsyche iokaste has been newly described from Iran. New records for the country are Ithytrichia clavata, Pseudoneureclipsis graograman, Hydropsyche bitlis, Micropterna hatatitla and Adicella hakkariensis. The species Hydroptila simulans and Hydropsyche pellucidula could not be confirmed for the fauna of Iran.     

The impact of ant attendance on protecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> against two aphidophagous predators and it’s role on the Intraguild Predation between them

In this study the changes in Aphis gossypii Glover populations tended by the homopteran- tending ant, Tapinoma simrothi Krausse when exposed to the natural enemies Chrysoperla carnea Stephens and Coccinellia septempunctata Mulsant was studied. We also studied the effect of ant’s attendance on the consequence of intraguild predation (IGP) between these two predators. The presence of ants T. simrothi had deterrent impact on natural enemies of A. gossypii compared to control aphid populations in absence of ants. Equally we observed that IGP between two aphid predators decreased when T. simrothi was present. The lowest IGP level was observed when both aphids and ants were present in the microcosm arena. In the microcosm arena the presence of ants had an indirect effect on the occurrence of IGP. Our results suggest that although the mutualistic ants have an indirect impact on the IGP by aphidophages predators, but their roles should not be ignored.     

Subtype Classification of Iranian HIV-1 Sequences Registered in the HIV Databases, 2006-2013

Background

The rate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in Iran has increased dramatically in the past few years. While the earliest cases were among hemophiliacs, injection drug users (IDUs) fuel the current epidemic. Previous molecular epidemiological analysis found that subtype A was most common among IDUs but more recent studies suggest CRF_35AD may be more prevalent now. To gain a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Iran, we analyzed all Iranian HIV sequence data from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Methods

All Iranian HIV sequences from subtyping studies with pol, gag, env and full-length HIV-1 genome sequences registered in the HIV databases (www.hiv.lanl.gov) between 2006 and 2013 were downloaded. Phylogenetic trees of each region were constructed using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony methods.

Results

A total of 475 HIV sequences were analyzed. Overall, 78% of sequences were CRF_35AD. By gene region, CRF_35AD comprised 83% of HIV-1 pol, 62% of env, 78% of gag, and 90% of full-length genome sequences analyzed. There were 240 sequences re-categorized as CRF_AD. The proportion of CRF_35AD sequences categorized by the present study is nearly double the proportion of what had been reported.

Conclusions

Phylogenetic analysis indicates HIV-1 subtype CRF_35AD is the predominant circulating strain in Iran. This result differed from previous studies that reported subtype A as most prevalent in HIV- infected patients but confirmed other studies which reported CRF_35AD as predominant among IDUs. The observed epidemiological connection between HIV strains circulating in Iran and Afghanistan may be due to drug trafficking and/or immigration between the two countries. This finding suggests the possible origins and transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS within Iran and provides useful information for designing control and intervention strategies.     

Study of individual and sex genetic diversity among each genus and between two genera of Chrysopa and Chrysoperla (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) based on RAPD-PCR polymorphism

RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) was used to distinguish the genetic diversities between two genera of Chrysopa and Chrysoperla (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae). Sixty specimens were collected in different places in Kermanshah, west of Iran. The wing venation was used for identification of each type of two genera, and the gender was determined by study of external genitalia. 20 random primers were used for polymerase chain reaction. Then, the electrophoresis was used for separation of the PCR products on agarose gel. 294 bands were amplified, which 235 bands were polymorph and others (59s) determined as monomorph. The electrophoresis results showed that the primers OPA02 with 19 bands and OPA03 with 8 bands successively amplified the maximum and minimum of bands among the applied primers. The results showed that there are maximum of genetic diversity and minimum of genetic similarity between Chrysopa male (Chrysopa-M) and Chrysoperla female)Chrysoperla-F) population, in contrast, there are maximum of genetic similarity and minimum of genetic diversity between Chrysoperla-M and Chrysoperla-F, and Chrysopa-M and Chrysopa-F. There are also more genetic similarities, between males and females of Chrysopa and Chrysoperla, than between male of Chrysopa with female of Chrysoperla or vice versa.     

Expression analysis and genotyping of DGKZ: a GWAS-derived risk gene for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a disabling and severe mental illness characterized by abnormal social behavior and disrupted emotions. Similar to other neuropsychological disorders, both genetics and environmental factors interplay so as to develop SCZ. It is acknowledged that genes such as DGKZ are involved in lipid signaling pathways that are the basis of neural activities, memory, and learning and are considered as candidate loci for SCZ. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression level and genotypes of DGKZ in patients with SCZ and controls. We used q-PCR to measure the relative expression of DGKZ in blood. To determine DGKZ–rs7951870 genotypes, tetra-ARMS PCR was used. Our results showed a significant difference in DGKZ mRNA ratio between SCZ patients and healthy controls (P?=?2?×?10^?4). Also, we showed that rs7951870-TT genotype was strongly associated with increased DGKZ expression level (P?=?0.038). In conclusion, our findings revealed dysregulation of DGKZ in SCZ patients and a significant correction between the gene expression and DGKZ variant rs7951870.

     

Genetic diversity analysis of chrysopidae family (insecta,neuroptera) via molecular markers

In entomology, improvement of molecular methods would be beneficial tools for accurate identification and detecting the genetic diversity of insect species to discover a corroborative evidence for the traditional classification based on morphology. The aim of this study was focused on RAPD-PCR method for distinguishing the genetic diversity between eight species of Chrysopidae family. In current research, many specimens were collected in different locations of Tehran province (Iran), between them 24 specimens were identified. The wing venation, male genitalia and other morphological characters were used for identification and also the sexing of species was recognized with study of external genitalia. Then, the DNA was extracted with CTAB method. The RAPD-PCR method was carried out with twenty random primers. The agarose gel electrophoresis was used for separation of the PCR products. Based on electrophoresis results, 133 bands were amplified and between them, 126 bands were poly-morph and others were mono-morph. Also, among the applied primers, the primers OPA02 with 19 bands and OPA03 with 8 bands were amplified the maximum and minimum of bands, respectively. The results showed that 80.35 and 73.21 % of genetic similarity existed between Chrysopa pallens–Chrysopa dubitans, and between the Chrysoperla kolthoffi and Chrysoperla carnea, respectively. The minimum (45.53 %) of genetic similarity was observed between C. kolthoffi and C. dubitans, and the maximum (0.80 %) was seen between C. pallens and C. dubitans.     

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted production of ergosterol from Penicillium brevicompactum by Taguchi statistical method

Ergosterol as a primary metabolite and precursor of vitamin D2, is the most plentiful mycosterols in fungal cell membrane. Process optimization to increase the yield and productivity of biological products is a topic of interest. Ultrasonic waves have many applications in biotechnology, like cell disruption, and enhancement of primary and secondary metabolites production. This study disclosed an optimal condition for ultrasound-assisted production (UAP) of ergosterol from Penicillium brevicompactum MUCL 19,011 using L₉ Taguchi statistical method. The intensity (IS), time of sonication (TS), treatment frequency (TF), and number of days of treatment (DT) were allocated to study the effects of ultrasound on ergosterol production. The results were analyzed using Minitab version 19. The maximum ergosterol, 11 mg/g cell dry weight (CDW), was produced on the tenth day while all factors were at a low level. The days of treatment with a contribution of 45.48% was the most significant factor for ergosterol production. For the first time, this study revealed the positive effect of ultrasound on the production of ergosterol. Ergosterol production increased 73% (4.63 mg/g CDW) after process optimization. Finally, a mathematical model of ultrasound factors with a regression coefficient of R²?=?0.978 was obtained for the ergosterol production during ultrasound treatment.

     

Forty years of studies by Iranian entomologists on the Chrysopidae fauna of Iran (1961–2000) (Insecta,Neuroptera)

Abstract

The first check-list of the Iranian fauna of the neuropteran family Chrysopidae was published more than forty years ago (FARAHBAKHSH 1961). Since then, a number of Iranian authors have collected and reported on specimens of Chrysopidae, and have studied their biology, ecology, and taxonomy in various regions of Iran. This paper summarises their findings.