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The egg parasitoid, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood, is used for inundative releases in biological control programs against the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta Meyrick, in agro-ecosystems. One of the most important host-parasitoid interactions is functional response that its type and parameters are affected by different factors including host plant characteristics. In this research, functional response of T. evanescens to different egg densities (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64) of T. absoluta was investigated in a growth chamber (26±2°C, 50±10% RH, and 16:8 hours L:D photoperiod), on three varieties of tomato (Mobil, Riogrande, and Early Urbana-703). Type of functional response was determined by logistic regression and its parameters, i.e. searching efficiency and handling time, were calculated by nonlinear regression model using SAS software. Functional response of this parasitoid was type III on Mobil and Riogrande and type II on Early Urbana- 703. Searching efficiency (a) for each host density was 0.0368, 0.0736, 0.1472, 0.2944, 0.5888, and 1.1776 on Mobil, and 0.0374, 0.0748, 0.1469, 0.2992, 0.5984, and 1.1968 h-1 on Riogrande varieties, respectively. Also, on Early Urbana-703, the attack rate was 0.1045 h-1. The handling time was 1.0276, 1.1017, and 1.3289 hours with maximum parasitism of 23.3, 21.7, and 18.06 eggs on these varieties, respectively. It is suggested that physical structure of Early Urbana-703 variety may interfere with the parasitoid’s performance, resulting in an impaired searching efficiency and parasitism ability. Some applied aspects of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on the inactivation of bacterial growth using a mixture containing Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli. This bacterial mixture was added to chicken eggshells and subsequently targeted for elimination using two types of silver nanoparticle (Ag-NP) delivery systems: a composite film (named cover) and a colloidal spray. Both systems were applied to the eggshells' packaging at concentrations of 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm over 28 days. A General Linear Model (GLM), repeated measurement-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) procedure was used to analyse the effect of time and concentration of the Ag-NP materials on the inactivation of bacteria. The maximum reduction of bacterial growth resulted from the "Spray 2000 ppm", for which the value of the bacteria reached a minimum (0.93 ± 0.42) on day 7, and was calculated to be undetected on days 14 and 28, followed by Spray 1000 ppm. In other words, increasing the concentration of the Ag-NP in both coatings, either spray or cover, significantly decreased the number of bacteria colonies on the eggshells. However, the effect of packaging with different concentrations of nanocomposites and the length of the study (number of days) did not show statistically significant results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years frequency of skin allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) and urticaria is reported to be high in the region. Identi?cation of reactive allergens in different areas are very important in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of common allergens in patients with skin allergies in province of Bushehr with regards to eczema and urticaria. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 234 patients with urticarial and eczema were enrolled. The participants reacted to at least one allergen with SPT. Skin prick test with standard inhaled and food was performed on patients according to the herbal geography of the area. Results: Among 837 patients referred to allergy clinic, 91 patients had eczema and 143 had urticaria. The frequency of both eczema and urticaria was significantly higher in females than in males. The most common food allergens in patients with eczema were almond (56.6%), walnut (47.7%) and soybean (46.1%). And in patients with urticaria were almond (58%), walnut (53.1%) and tomato (48.2%). Also, aeroallergens in the subjects were house dust mite (HDM) (63.7%), Russian thistle (57.7%) and Alternaria alternara (51.6%). Meanwhile, the common aeroallergens in the patients were HDM (66.4%), Russian thistle (52.4%) and date palm (51%). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that almond and walnut are important food allergens in participants with eczema and urticaria. Moreover, SPT reactivity was positive with aeroallergens such as HDM and weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study demonstrating the potential of bacteria infected and uninfected strains of Trichogramma brassicae, a wasp to act as a biological control agent of its host Sitotroga cerealella grain moth. It is stated that thelytokous wasps were considered as a way to enhance the efficacy of biological control while study relvealed the decrease in parasitism activity of wasp with increase in the host eggs. It further demonstrates the lower host handling time of infected strain.

Background: The role of the peripatellar retinaculum as a frontal plane stabilizer of the patellofemoral joint has been well established. However, as a result of its unique orientation, the retinaculum also may influence the distribution of forces within the extensor mechanism. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which the peripatellar retinaculum affects the magnitude of forces experienced by the patellar tendon.Methods: Ten cadaver knees were used in this investigation. Each was mounted on a custom test apparatus that was fixed to an Instron frame. The extensor mechanism was loaded by applying forces through the individual heads of the quadriceps femoris. Patellar tendon tension was measured at 0 degrees , 20 degrees , 40 degrees , and 60 degrees of knee flexion with use of a buckle transducer under two conditions: (1) with the peripatellar retinaculum intact, and (2) with the peripatellar retinaculum removed. Patellar tendon tension was compared between the two conditions across the knee flexion angles.Results: At each knee flexion angle, the patellar tendon tension was greater with the retinaculum removed than it was with the retinaculum intact. However, the difference was significant only at 0 degrees and 60 degrees , at which positions the force transmitted to the patellar tendon was increased by 16.6% and 9.6%, respectively.Conclusions: The observed increases in patellar tendon tension after removal of the peripatellar retinaculum is an indication of the load-sharing function of that structure as a part of the extensor mechanism.Clinical Relevance: Our results suggest that compromise of the peripatellar retinaculum may alter patellar tendon and/or patellofemoral joint forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic hypomelanotic disorder characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules resulting from the loss of cutaneous melanocytes. Objective In order to evaluate the immune system of Iranian patients with vitiligo, this study was accomplished. Methods Fifty-five Iranian patients with vitiligo and 60 healthy persons as control were investigated in this study. The laboratory techniques were included: antimelanocyte antibody (AMA) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) with indirect immunoflorescent test, C3 and C4 levels with single radial immunodiffusion (SRID), and rheumatoid factor (RF) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results AMA was positive in 17 patients (30.9%) and was negative in the entire control group ( P < 0.0001). ANA was positive in 4 patients (7.3%), which was insignificantly higher than control group (1.7%). IgM-RF was positive in 6 patients (10.8%) while it was negative in the entire control group ( P = 0.027). C3 and C4 values decreased in 14 patients (25.5%), which was significantly higher than control group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion The important role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of vitiligo could be suggested. In addition, the autoimmune hypothesis of vitiligo could be confirmed based on the results of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]