A comparison of life history traits of sexual and asexual strains of the parasitoid wasp,Lysiphlebus fabarum (Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

1. This study examined biological characteristics of sexual and asexual strains of the parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). 2. Strains were reared in different instar hosts (the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli) under identical environmental conditions (21 °C, 65–75% RH, and LD 16:8 h). 3. Results showed that the second instar of the aphid is the most suitable growth stage for both strains, as the wasps that emerged from the second instar hosts were larger, more fecund, and had larger egg size. Trade‐offs between the fitness components of the parasitoid were clearer when the parasitoids were reared in suboptimal instars. 4. According to the results, sexual females emerged around 1 day earlier and lived around 0.5 day less than asexual females. Also, sexual females emerged with a lower initial egg load, although these wasps tend to have larger eggs than asexual females. Asexual females may enjoy greater longevity and higher developmental plasticity which suggests a higher degree of synchronization with pest population dynamism. 5. The results suggest that sexual wasps, in contrast to asexual wasps, invest more in egg size than in egg load. This study suggests strain‐specific adaptations of L. fabarum to different instars of the black bean aphid by which the allocation of nutritional resources to various functions differs between strains. 6. Furthermore, differences in life history traits between strains can greatly influence the population dynamics of each strain, and hence their effectiveness in suppressing pest populations.     

Improvement of the folliculogenesis by transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in mice with induced polycystic ovary syndrome

Background

Many studies have reported that inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, we investigate the beneficial effect of stem cell therapy on folliculogenesis in mice with induced PCOS

A ROBUST,PARTICULARIST ETHICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM

Recently, in increasing numbers, citizens of wealthy nations are heading to poorer countries for medical care. They are traveling to the global South as medical tourists because in their home nations either they cannot get timely medical care or they cannot afford needed treatments. This essay offers a robust, particularist ethical assessment of the practice of citizens of richer nations traveling to poorer countries for healthcare.     

Chemical constituents and fumigant toxicity of essential oil from Carum copticum against two stored product beetles

Plant secondary metabolites play an important role in plant-insect interactions and therefore such compounds may have insecticidal or antifeedant activity against insects. Carum copticum C. B. Clarke （Apiaceae） is one of these plants that have medicinal effects on humans. The chemical composition of the essential oil from dry seeds of C. copticum was studied by gas chromatography （GC） and gas chromatography mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. Thymol （41.34%）,α-terpinolene （17.46%） and ρ-cymene （11.76%） were found to be the major constituents of the oil. In fumigant toxicity tests with the essential oil against adults of Sitophilus oryzae （L.） and Tribolium castaneum （Herbst） at 27 ±1℃ and 60% ± 5% RH, it was observed that S. oryzae （LC50 = 0.91 μL/L） were significantly susceptible than T. castaneum （LC50 = 33.14 μL/L）. The mortalities of the insect species reached 100% at concentrations higher than 185.2 μL/L and 12-h exposure time. The findings indicate the strong insecticidal activity of C. copticum oil and its potential role as a fumigant for storedproduct insects.     

蜡状芽胞杆菌nos基因簇基因克隆及生物信息学分析

为了探究革兰氏阳性菌蜡状芽胞杆菌HS-N10 nos基因簇相关基因的特点,PCR扩增获得了HS-N10 nos基因簇相关基因,其中包括nosZ全长1 914bp、nosR部分片段1 749bp、nosD部分片段946bp和nosF部分片段495bp。经BLASTN分析,HS-N10 nosZ序列和nosD序列分别与施氏假单胞菌(Pseudomonas stutzeri)相应序列相似性最高;HS-N10 nosR序列和nosF序列分别与裂环无色杆菌(Achromobacter cycloclastes)相应序列相似性最高。通过在线数据库与分析工具分别对HSN10nos基因簇相关基因进行了生物信息学分析。     

The Effect of Environmental Stresses on lipL32 Gene Expression in Pathogenic Leptospira spp. through Real-Time PCR

Leptospirosis is a worldwide infectious and zoonotic disease. The incidence of this disease is high in temperate regions, especially in northern Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature, pH, and Phyllanthus amarus plant extract on the lipL32 gene expression in pathogenic Leptospira spp. Fifty water samples were collected. Culture and PCR technique were used to isolate and identify the bacterium and the presence of the lipL32 gene. The samples were exposed to different temperatures and pH levels for one day and the Ph. amarus plant extract at different concentrations for one and seven days. RNA was extracted, and cDNA synthesis was performed for all the samples. All cDNAs were evaluated by the real-time PCR (SYBR green) technique. Out of the 50 samples, ten samples (20%), using PCR were determined to contain the pathogenic Leptospira. Fold change of the expression of the lipL32 gene associated with stresses was as follows: temperature stress of 40°C, 35°C, and 25°C reduced the lipL32 gene expression in all three isolates, especially in the isolates type 1. The pH stress, i.e., pH values equal to 8 or 9 reduced the gene expression in three types of isolates, and pH = 6 stress increases the lipL32 gene expression in the isolates of type 1. Ph. amarus plant extract stress reduced the mentioned gene expression only in isolates of type 2. Temperature and pH stresses could lead to differences in the expression level and cause the lipL32 gene expression decrease in three pathogenic isolates. The MIC results showed anti-leptospiral effect of Ph. amarus plant extract.Key words: Leptospira, Phyllanthus amarus, lipL32 gene expression, real-time PCR, stress