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Cydalima perspectalis (Walker), box tree moth (BTM) is a major invasive pest of Buxus hyrcana Pojark in northern Iran that has spread across Asia and Europe. To reduce the use of insecticides in the management of forest pests, developing integrated pest management (IPM) programs using biocontrol agents can be an effective strategy. During our studies on native entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in northern Iran, Beauveria bassiana (B2, F4, D2, B1) were naturally isolated from BTM larvae in Hyrcanian forests. Under laboratory conditions, the potential of the naturally occurring EPFs as a biological control method against the third-instar larvae of BTM was evaluated. The mean lethal concentration values (LC50) of isolates B2, F4, D2 and B1 were found to be 1.2×107, 2.0×107, 2.8×107 and 1.0×108 conidia ml-1, respectively on third-instar BTM larvae in the laboratory tests 96 hours after the treatment at 26 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% relative humidity. Under field conditions, the foliar applications of isolate B2 formulations containing linseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, and wettable powder resulted in 13.2-82.2% mortality against BTM in Maskupa, Mazandaran and 8.8-70.4% mortality in Sisangan Forest Park, Mazandaran (after 14 days at a concentration of 108 conidia ml-1), respectively. This investigation suggests that BTM larvae in Hyrcanian forests contain pathogenic B. bassiana isolates and highlights for the first time their potential as a biological control agent against BTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the last decades, bipolar disorder treatments have undergone a gradual shift away from relying on clinical expertise to adopting evidence-based practice guidelines and expert consensus, leading to an improvement in medical care safety, patient performance, and quality of life. Nonetheless, suboptimal prescribing has remained an issue, and there is an excellent opportunity for improving the care standards to reduce symptoms' recurrence, frequent hospitalizations, and costs. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate a medication assessment tool for evaluating prescribers' adherence to pharmacotherapy recommendations outlined in practice guidelines during the acute phase of bipolar disorder in Iran (MATAPBD). Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted from August 2021 to May 2022. A 54-item pool was developed based on the results from the literature review and research group discussion. The validity (i.e., face, content, and construct) and reliability (i.e., stability and internal consistency) of the tool were evaluated. Results: Four items were rewritten in qualitative content validity. Then, eleven and five items were excluded from the scale in terms of having low content validity ratios and corrected item-total correlation, respectively. The construct validity of the MATAPBD was assessed by adopting the maximum-likelihood exploratory factor analysis method and Promax rotation. The number of latent factors was calculated by performing Horn's parallel analysis. In exploratory factor analysis, the remaining 17 items were categorized into four factors which explained 57.97% of the total extracted variance. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega of all factors were > 0.7, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.914 revealing the strong reliability of MATAPBD. Conclusions: The MATAPBD had good psychometric properties and may have been a valuable tool to evaluate prescribers' adherence to practice guideline recommendations during the acute phase of bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad is an endemic and rare perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, which grows in a limited area in Binaloud Mountain in northeast of Iran. In this study to evaluate the diversity of 20 populations (localities) of N. binaludensis and the influence of environmental factors on essential oil (EO) content and composition, the plant aerial parts were collected at the full flowering stage. The plant materials dried in shade and subjected to hydro-distillation for obtaining their EOs. Analysis of the EO was carried out using GC and GC/MS. The oil yields were varied from 1.2 to 4.9%. Classification of populations was made based on EO compounds. The results of mean comparison between populations belong to different habitats showed that the populations of Darood and Friezy with average values of 4.91 and 1.2% had the highest and lowest EO yield, respectively. Twenty-two compounds were identified in the oils with 1,8-cineol (25.4–59.0%), 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone (13.8–55.1%), myrcene (2.3–5.5%) and p-cymene (1.1–5.7%) as the main components. Result of correlation analysis showed that the oil yield was positively correlated with precipitation and negatively with temperature. In addition, 1,8-cineole was positively and nepetalactone was negatively correlated with altitude. Cluster analysis by Ward method categorized the populations into two groups. The major compound of the oils in cluster 1 was nepetalactone (with an average of 37.9%), while the oils in cluster 2, contained higher percentage of 1,8-cineole (52–59%). Most of the populations in cluster 2, were originated from high, cold, rainy, and steep areas. Highlights: By increasing the altitude, changes in growth and essential oil composition of the plant are observed Result of correlation analysis showed that essential oil yield was positively correlated with precipitation, and negatively with temperature. In the present study the populations with high-amount of nepetalactone and 1,8 cineole were identified, The populations of cluster 2 with higher amount of 1,8-cineole, were growing in the high altitude, cold, rainy and sloping areas [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanacetum fisherae Aitch. & Hemsl. is an endemic plant growing wild in some brackish regions of Iran. Since there are not enough reports concerning the quantitative and qualitative analyses of its essential oil, it was decided to characterise the respective water-distilled oils obtained from the flowers and leaves of this medicinal plant. Characterisation of the corresponding essential oil profiles revealed that in both of the analysed oils, oxygenated monoterpenes constituted most of the chemical profiles. In this sense, the most prevailing natural compounds in the flower oils were cis-p-2-menthen-1-ol (11.2%), trans-p-2-menthen-1-ol (10.7%), trans-piperitol (7.8%), 1,8-cineole (6.1%), cis-piperitol (3.8%), α-terpineol (3.7%) and terpinene-4-ol (2.1%), whereas the main constituent components of the leaves oils were, respectively, 1,8-cineole (16.7%), cis-p-2-menthen-1-ol (14.6%), trans-p-2-menthen-1-ol (10.4%), trans-piperitol (12.8%), α-terpineol (5.4%), cis-piperitol (2.9%), borneol (2.7%), and terpinene-4-ol (2.1%). In addition, the second rank of natural compound constituting groups was due to oxygenated sesquiterpenes, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Chronic inflammation is thought to have a major role in the pathophysiology of depression. Diet has been shown to modulate the inflammatory state, thus emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic role in depression. But, little is known about the relationship between dietary intake and depression. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between major dietary patterns, a dietary inflammatory index (DII) score, and depression among women. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study included 4630 women aged 35– 65 years using baseline data from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study in Western Iran. Diet was evaluated using a validated 125-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to determine DII scores and dietary patterns. Traditional, healthy, and unhealthy dietary patterns were extracted using factor analyses. Results: A significant upward trend in the odds of depression was observed across the tertiles s of DII scores (P-trend: 0.019). After the adjustment for possible risk factors, a high adherence to an unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of depression than a low adherence (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.1– 2.4). A high adherence to a healthy dietary pattern was associated with the lower odds (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.04– 0.92). Among the main food groups, a high intake of eggs and refined grains was associated with a higher risk of depression. Conclusion: In women, a refined grain dietary pattern is a risk factor for depression, whereas a healthy dietary pattern is protective. We have also shown that adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet was significantly associated with depression. Adherence to a dietary pattern with high intakes of dairy products, seafood, red meats, nuts, vegetables, fruits, flavor, and vegetable oils and diets with low inflammatory properties were associated with a lower risk of depression in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Linum L. is an important plant genus as it contains the species with economic values and particularly Linum usitatissimum L. that is source of fibre and linseed oil. This genus contains 230 species throughout the world and has about 22 species in Iran. Little is known about Linum species relationship and phylogeny. Therefore, the aim of present study was molecular phylogenetic investigation of the Linum species growing in Iran and to present data on their biogeography. We used both ITS and chloroplast DNA sequences (psbA-trnHGUG region) for inferring the species phylogeny and relationship. We also used cpDNA for inferring the species time of divergence and with ISSR markers to identify the path of species distribution in the country. The phylogenetic trees obtained for both ITS and cpDNA sequences were almost congruent. NeighborNet diagram and BEAST tree based on Bayesian method separated the outgroup species Hugonia and Anisadenia from the other species studied. The subspecies studied in Linum macronicum were placed close to each other and along with L. corymbulosum comprised a separate clade. The clades obtained showed divergence time between 5–20 mya. The present study revealed that the species of the sect. Linum are monophyletic, while members of the sections Linastrum and Syllinum are intermixed and seem to be paraphyletic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) increases the risk of type II diabetes and morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. Flaxseed oil (FO), as a functional food, is one of the major vegetal sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of consumption of FO and sunflower seed oil (SO) on lipid peroxidation and other symptoms of MetSyn. Methods This randomized controlled interventional trial was conducted on 60 volunteers aged 30 to 60 years who were diagnosed with MetSyn in Shiraz, Iran. The participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to SO (n = 30, receiving 25 mL/d SO) and FO (n = 30, receiving 25 ml/d FO) groups using block randomization. The diets were identical for all the participants. Blood pressure (BP), serum lipid, fasting blood sugar, and malondialdehyde were measured at baseline and at the end of week 7. Result The results showed no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding blood lipid levels and fasting blood sugar at the end of the study. However, significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.6% in FO and 10.8% in SO), and triglyceride levels were seen within each group after treatment with FO and SO ( P < .05). Nonetheless, between-group changes were significant (<0.05) for systolic BP (mean [±standard deviation {SD}] changes were −14.0 ± 22.41 in the FO group [ P = .004] and 0.92 ± 8.70 in the SO group [ P = .594]) and diastolic BP (mean [±SD] changes were −4.26 ± 7.44 in the FO group [ P = .007] and 1.30 ± 6.91 in the SO group [ P = .344]), but marginally significant ( P = .053) for malondialdehyde level (mean [±SD] changes were −1.29 ± 1.48 in the FO group [ P < .001] and −0.52 ± 1.34 in the SO group [ P = .52]). A significant decrease in weight was also found in both groups. However, waist circumference decreased significantly only in the FO group at the end of the study ( P < .05). Conclusion Our results indicated that dietary FO could be effective in amelioration of some symptoms of MetSyn and decrease BP and lipid peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the therapeutic effect of flax seed oil topical gel and hand splint in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. This study was a randomized clinical trial. Forty-nine patients, 96 hands, with mild to moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were divided into 2 groups randomly. One group was treated by topical gel and the other group by hand splint. Intensity of symptoms and function before and after intervention was measured via Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. After intervention, the ANCOVA showed a significant difference between the symptom and function scores of the 2 groups. In both cases, recovery was higher in the gel group (P < .001). The topical use of flax seed oil gel is more effective in the improvement of symptoms and function of patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome as compared with hand splint, and it can be introduced as an effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is known as the most common entrapment neuropathy. Conservative treatments cannot reduce the symptomatic severity satisfactorily; therefore, effectiveness of Linum usitatissimum L. (linseed) oil on carpal tunnel syndrome, as a complementary treatment, was evaluated in the current study. Linseed oil is a well-known preparation in Iranian traditional medicine and its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects have been shown in previous studies. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. One hundred patients (155 hands) with idiopathic mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome aged between 18 and 65 years old were randomized in two parallel groups. These two groups were treated during 4 weeks with topical placebo and linseed oil. In addition, a night wrist splint was prescribed for both groups. Symptomatic severity and functional status were measured using Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. In addition, median sensory nerve conduction velocity, motor distal latency, sensory distal latency and compound latency as electrodiagnostic parameters were measured at baseline and after the intervention period. Results: After the intervention, significant improvement was observed regarding Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptomatic severity and functional status mean differences (p <0.001) in the linseed oil group compared with those in the placebo group. Also, regarding the mean differences of both groups, significant improvement of nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve was seen in the linseed oil group by a value of 2.38 m/sec (p < 0.05). However, motor distal latency and sensory distal latency of the median nerve showed no between-group significant changes (p = 0.14 for both items). Finally, compound latency was improved slightly in the case group, comparing mean differences between the groups (p <0.05). No significant adverse events were reported from using linseed oil. Conclusions: It seems that linseed oil could be effective in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in improving the severity of symptoms and functional status. In addition, its effect on electerodiagnostic parameters, especially on the nerve conduction velocity, can be considered as a valuable point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Physicochemical properties of camelina oil obtained from Iranian cultivars. • Regions had significant effect on the physicochemical properties of the extracted oils. • Linolenic acid was the predominant fatty acid followed by linoleic and oleic acids. • β-sitosterol and campesterol were the predominant sterols. • Oxidative stability and quality parameters were acceptable for cold-pressed oils. Camelina oil, as an alternative to linseed oil, is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids with higher oxidative stability and valuable nutritional properties. Although Iran is a suitable location for the cultivation of the Camelina sativa plant, it is not well known. Therefore, in this study, the physicochemical properties of camelina oil obtained from the Soheil cultivars grown in different regions of Iran (Ilam, Kermanshah, Fars, and Hamedan) were determined to be used as an edible oil source. Results showed that regions had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the physicochemical properties of the extracted oils. Linolenic acid was the predominant fatty acid (30–33%) followed by linoleic and oleic acids. Among the tocopherols, γ-tocopherol was predominant. In sterol composition, β-sitosterol and campesterol were the predominant compounds. Oxidative stability and quality parameters of camelina oil were in the ranges of acceptable values for cold-pressed oils. In conclusion, this plant can be cultivated in the different regions of Iran to extract oil to be used as salad and cooking oils and also in food product formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The best date of linseed planting is around mid-March in the region. • For high seed yield, good vegetable growth is needed. • Delays in planting reduced the direct and indirect effects in the model. • Sowing date influenced α-linoleic and oleic acid conversely. Linseed is a rich source of ω–3 fatty acids and high-quality protein. While in recent years, various industrial applications of linseed oil such as biofuels, are increasing. To find out appropriate sowing dates of two linseed cultivars, a four-year field experiment was accomplished during the growing seasons of 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 in Kermanshah, west of Iran. The results showed that the flowering period reduced with delay in planting that followed by exposure to the development of the seed and capsule ripening stages to higher environmental temperature and reduced grain yield consequently. In both cultivars, delays in the planting date also resulted in reductions in yield components. Delayed planting in both cultivars reduced the amount of α-linoleic acid and increased oleic acid. While was not observed significant changes in the total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with a delay in planting date. In general, based on the results of this experiment, linseed can be cultivated in the region to produce a suitable seed and oil yield, while it should be noted that delay in planting, in addition to reducing yield, will reduce the quality of oil for industrial uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]