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Background and Objective: Genistein is a substance from the group of isoflavones that has been reported to have anti-cancer properties in various cancers. This study was designed to investigate the effect of genistein on oxidative stress markers in lung cancer cell line A549. Methods: In this experimental study, 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µM genistein concentrations were used to treat A549 cells and then cell viability was measured by MTT assay after 24 and 48 hours. After selecting the IC50 dose and performing the treatment, TAC, TOS and CAT tests were measured manually and PRx4, SOD and GPx tests were measured by the kit. Findings: The IC50 dose of genistein for A549 cells was 40 µM in 24 h. The 40 µM dose of genistein was significantly different for TAC compared with the control (0.05±0.01, 0.07±0.01 mmol/mg, respectively). However, it caused a significant increase in TOS (0.03±0.004, 0.01±0.002 mmol/mg, respectively) and OSI (0.57±0.08, 0.18±0.06, respectively) compared with the control group (p<0.05). Our results also showed that SOD (0.95±0.02, 2.56±0.19 UI/mg, respectively), CAT (0.45±0.11, 1.23±0.18 UI/mg, respectively) and PRXD4 (18.35±1.45, 42.83±3.75 pg/mg respectively) were significantly reduced in the treated groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). GPx was significantly reduced at a dose of 60 µM (85.28±4.36, 141.59±12.36 UI/mg, respectively) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that genistein reduces viability rate and induces oxidative stress in A549 cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ant-aphid mutualism may increase or decrease plant yield. This depends on the relative cost of damage by ant-tended aphids versus the relative benefit of ant suppression of other (non-aphid) herbivores and associated yield losses. To evaluate the effect of mutualism between cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and brown ant, Lasius brunneus, on the productivity of cotton plant, a field experiment was conducted in the presence or absence of ants in the Cotton Research Center of Golestan province (Iran), in 2014. During the two-month test, the numbers of A. gossypii and visiting ants L. brunneus as well as Coccinella septempunctata and Helicoverpa armigera on each plant were counted in fourday intervals and, finally, the yield of cotton plants was measured. Ant presence significantly increased the abundance of cotton aphid, whereas the ant with suppression in presence of C. septempunctata and H. armigera significantly reduced their abundance. Regardless of the increase in the abundance of A. gossypii, cotton plant yields significantly increased in the presence of L. brunneus. This could be due to the effect of ant presence and the reduction of H. armigera abundance and the associated yield losses on cotton plant. In general, the results of the current study showed that indirect benefits of antaphid mutualism influence cotton plants by suppression of H. armigera damage. Since this pest causes serious damage on cotton plant, increasing attention to the role of ant predation is economically useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On behalf of an ongoing project on diversity of insect pathogenic and insect parasitic nematodes of Iran, a new species was collected and characterized. This species was collected in soil from the Mashhad, Arak, and Mahalat regions of Iran through 2011-2012 using Galleria larvae baits. Based on morphologic and morphometric traits as well as SEM images, the species tentatively has been identified as Oscheius tipulae. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and 18S rDNA genes confirmed the species delimitation. This is the first record of this species from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been suggested as a key contributor of the pathogenesis and development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To investigate the association between oxidative stress status and inflammatory cytokines in follicular fluid of 21 PCOS women compared to 21 women with normal ovarian function who underwent intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. Concentration of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α was measured using sandwich ELISA. Oxidative stress was examined by measuring total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and thiol groups. PCOS women had an elevated concentration of MDA and TOS compared to controls. Levels of TAC and thiol groups were lower in PCOS compared to controls. PCOS patients had a higher concentration of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α compared to controls. Concentration of IL-10 was lower in PCOS compared to controls. Significant correlations were found between MDA and TOS concentration with TNF-a and between IL-6 and MDA, IL-8 and TAC, IL-10 and TOS levels and also between IL-10 and TAC levels. TAC and thiol groups were negatively correlated with TNF-α. Increased oxidative stress in PCOS is associated with inflammation which is closely linked. Inflammation can induce production of inflammatory cytokines in this syndrome and directly stimulates excess ovarian androgen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing nitrogen status of floriculture plants is an effective tactic in pest management by decreasing host plant quality. Life table parameters and population growth rate of Aphis craccivora(Hemiptera: Aphidiae), as well as cosmetic and qualitative parameters losses associated with aphid infestation were evaluated in relation to N fertilization levels on Gomphrena globosa, under greenhouse condition. Four N fertilization levels (0, 30, 60, and 100% of recommended 2 kg m-3) were used. The results indicated that aphid's intrinsic rate of natural increase on plants fertilized with 100% of the recommended N level was the highest. Abundance and population growth rate of aphid also positively correlated with N fertilization levels. The interactive effect of aphid population and N fertility significantly affected growth parameters of the plants. In the absence of aphid, plant yield improved linearly with increasing N levels. However, aphid population highly decreased shoot to root ratio and the number of flowers in plants fertilized with 100% of the recommended N level. According to our findings, fine-tuning fertility to reduce A. craccivora population is a steadfast tactic to produce marketable globe amaranth ornamental plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major issue required to enhance the autonomy level of unmanned vehicles is real-time motion planning. In this context, optimal trajectories need to be generated online considering the vehicle’s dynamic potentials and constraints. However, autonomous air vehicles often need to plan and execute their missions with varying objectives that may even be dictated in flight. Therefore, the current study introduces and focuses on the new concept of variable-objective motion planning. In this regard, a new dynamic multi-objective heuristic optimization algorithm is developed for path and motion planning of autonomous air vehicles in presence of deterministic terrain obstacles as well as random threats. Effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated via several simulated scenarios and verified against past research. The results are promising and indicative of a good potential of the proposed algorithm in producing optimal real-time optimal feasible trajectories with multi-variable objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which explores the attitudes of rural and urban college students regarding the commitment to traditional culture of marriage in Sanandaj, Iran. The impact of several variables including gender, level of education and geographical location on the commitment to marriage traditions is examined. The goal of the study is outlined which aims to explain the changes in marriage culture.

Motion planning and trajectory control are two basic challenges of unmanned vehicles. In motion planning problem, feasible trajectories are developed while nonlinear dynamic model and performance constraints of the vehicle under utility are considered. In this study, motion planning is performed via an enhanced particle swarm optimization algorithm. The resulting offline generated trajectories are tracked using a nonlinear trajectory control system methodology. The Lyapunov-based constrained backstepping approach and command filters are utilized in designing the trajectory control system. Command filters smoothen the input signals and provide their derivatives. Evaluation of the proposed integrated approach in several simulated scenarios has effectively demonstrated the potential of both algorithms in generating optimal contour matching trajectories as well as excellent tracking capability of the trajectory control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA barcoding is a modern method for the identification of different species, including insects. Among animals, the major emphasis of DNA barcoding is on insects. Due to this global trend we addressed this approach for surveying a group of insects. The parasitic wasps (including primary and hyperparasitoids) of pome fruit orchard aphids were collected from Iran-Mashhad during 2009-2010. Preliminary identification of this group was performed by using morphological and morphometric characters and SEM. The COI gene in the specimens was amplified and sequenced. In this survey, Aphidius matricariae, Binodoxys angelicae, Diaeretiella rapae, Ephedrus persicae, Lysiphlebus fabarum and Praon volucre parasitoids and Alloxysta sp., Asaphes suspensus, Dendrocerus carpenteri, Pachyneuron aphidis, Syrphophagus aphidivorus hyperparasitoids were studied. Based on intra-interspecies distances and phylogenetic analysis using NJ, all species possess diagnostic barcode sequences. The results of this study show that the COI sequence could be useful in identification study of this group of insects. Here we have provided the first GenBank data for the COI gene of the above-mentioned hyperparasitoids as well as an initial attempt toward preparing DNA barcodes for Iranian parasitoid and hyperparasitoid aphids.