The impact of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on physiological and biochemical parameters of the microalgae Spirulina platensis.

Nanoplastics, as emerging pollutants, have harmful effects on living organisms and the environment, the mechanisms and extent of which remain unclear. Microalgae, as one of the most important biological groups in the food chain and sensitive environmental indicators to various pollutants, are considered a suitable option for investigating the effects of nanoplastics. In this study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the growth rate, dry weight, chlorophyll a and carotenoid levels, proline, and lipid peroxidation in the Spirulina platensis were examined. Three concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 mg L-1 of PSNPs were used alongside a control sample with zero concentration, with four repetitions in one-liter containers for 20 days under optimal temperature and light conditions. Various analyses, including growth rate, dry weight, proline, chlorophyll a and carotenoid levels, and lipid peroxidation, were performed. The results indicated that exposure to PSNP stress led to a significant decrease in growth rate, dry weight, and chlorophyll a and carotenoid levels compared to the control sample. Furthermore, this stress increased the levels of proline and lipid peroxidation in Spirulina platensis. Morphological analysis via microscopy supported these findings, indicating considerable environmental risks associated with PSNPs.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Fusarium oxysporum and its Function Against Aspergillus and Fusarium Fungi.

(NPs) can be produced by various methods such as physical and chemical processes. However, environmentally friendly ways are increasingly requested. In this research, (Ag-NPs) were produced by Fusarium oxysporum, and its antifungal effect on Aspergillus and Fusarium was investigated. Nanoparticles were produced by silver nitrate salt and Fusarium oxysporum native to Isfahan city. In order to optimize the synthesis conditions, optimization of some factors such as volume, concentration, time, temperature, and pH of the extract was performed. The structural and physical properties of NPs were determined by spectrophotometer, XRD, FTIR FESEM, SEM, and TEM microscopy. For the study of the inhibitory effect of NPs on Fusarium and Aspergillus growth, the fungi were cultured in media containing various concentrations of NPs from 50 to 1500 ppm. Then, the colony diameter was measured for over 10 days and the growth inhibition percentage was estimated. For statistical analysis, the 600 Mann-Whitney tests have been applied.The NPs were produced after mixing the powdered fungal mass and silver nitrate salt in optimum conditions which were 2 mM of salt, triple fungal mass volume proportion relative to the salt, pH of 9, and temperature of 28 °C. The existence of a peak at 420 nm in FTIR was due to nanoparticle production. Based on the XRD, the synthesized NPs had suitable properties similar to the standard NPs reported in the studies. Images from TEM, SEM, and FESEM microscopes displayed uniform NPs in variable sizes between 25 and 100 nm. According to the results, the maximum growth inhibition percentage of Ag-NPs on Fusarium was approximately 60% at 1500 ppm, and 88% on Aspergillus at 800 ppm. Biosynthesized Ag-NPs with Fusarium oxysporum have desirable structural traits and can inhibit the growth of Fusarium and Aspergillus at significant levels.

Arsenophonus: A Double-Edged Sword of Aphid Defense against Parasitoids.

It is widely accepted that endosymbiont interactions with their hosts have significant effects on the fitness of both pests and beneficial species. A particular type of endosymbiosis is that of beneficial associations. Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria are associated with elements that provide aphids with protection from parasitoids. Arsenophonus (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) is one such endosymbiont bacterium, with infections being most commonly found among the Hemiptera species. Here, black cowpea aphids (BCAs), Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), naturally infected with Arsenophonus, were evaluated to determine the defensive role of this bacterium in BCAs against two parasitoid wasp species, Binodoxys angelicae and Lysiphlebus fabarum (both in Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Individuals of the black cowpea aphids infected with Arsenophonus were treated with a blend of ampicillin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin (Arsenophonus-reduced infection, AR) and subsequently subjected to parasitism assays. The results showed that the presence of Arsenophonus does not prevent BCAs from being parasitized by either B. angelicae or L. fabarum. Nonetheless, in BCA colonies parasitized by B. angelicae, the endosymbiont delayed both the larval maturation period and the emergence of the adult parasitoid wasps. In brief, Arsenophonus indirectly limits the effectiveness of B. angelicae parasitism by decreasing the number of emerged adult wasps. Therefore, other members of the BCA colony can survive. Arsenophonus acts as a double-edged sword, capturing the complex dynamic between A. craccivora and its parasitoids.

Whole genome analysis of a novel Spodoptera exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate (SeMNPV-IR) to Iran.

Baculoviruses are successful microbial control agents used in the biological control of agricultural pest species, especially in the order Lepidoptera. The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua is a popular agricultural pest in the world. S exigua larvae, which are active in the all-summer period, cause economic losses by damaging many crops in agricultural production areas. This article aims to analyze the full genome of Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedroviruses from Iran (SeMNPV-IR) and to determine the geographical difference between the strains at the genomic level. The full genome of SeMNPV-IR is 135.764 base pairs in length that contained 136 open reading frames (ORFs), and 43.92% G + C content. The seven homologous repeated (hr) regions were identified. In the results of genome-wide phylogenetic analysis, it was determined that the SeMNPV-IR genome isolated from Iran was interestingly close to the genome of the US and Korea isolates. However, there are significant differences in the two hypothetical (Orf 83 and Orf 104) genes. The SeMNPV-IR has a unique homolog repeat region (hr1, 96 bp) that is not found in other SeMNPV genomes, and it also differs in terms of the hr2 region. In silico restriction endonuclease analysis by StuI and SacII enzymes show that there were significant differences between all geographic isolates of SeMNPV. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11756-023-01399-2.

Impacts of polyethylene microplastics on the microalga, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis).

Microalgae play a critical role in the food web and biogeochemical cycling and produce compounds that are commercially exploited. However, their reactions and responses to microplastic contamination are not well understood. In this study, the widely distributed and commercially important cyanobacterium, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), was exposed to different concentrations (1-100 mg L-1) of low-density polyethylene microplastics (<5 µm) over a 20-d period. Various end-points were combined with different microscopic techniques in order to examine physiological and biochemical effects and interactions between the plastic and microalga. Growth rate and photosynthetic activity decreased with increasing microplastic concentration, and a maximum inhibition ratio of about 9% was calculated from optical density measurements. Plastic concentrations above 10 mg L-1 resulted in oxidative stress and the intracellular production of proline. Fragmentation and swelling of trichomes and attachment of microplastics was observed in the exposures, and microplastics appeared to adhere or aggregate around fragmented or fragmenting regions. The latter effect may indicate trichome weakening by microplastics or their concentration around cytosolic debris; nevertheless, it provides a potential mechanism for internalisation of small particles. Although unrealistically high concentrations of well-defined microplastics have been employed, relatively small disruptions at the population level incurred by lower concentrations could have more serious implications for ecosystem services and functioning.

Beneficial worm allies warn plants of parasite attack below-ground and reduce above-ground herbivore preference and performance.

Antagonistic interactions among different functional guilds of nematodes have been recognized for quite some time, but the underlying explanatory mechanisms are unclear. We investigated responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to two functional guilds of nematodes-plant parasite (Meloidogyne javanica) and entomopathogens (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema feltiae below-ground, and S. carpocapsae)-as well as a leaf mining insect (Tuta absoluta) above-ground. Our results indicate that entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs): (1) reduced root knot nematode (RKN) infestation below-ground, (2) reduced herbivore (T. absoluta) host preference and performance above-ground, and (3) induced overlapping plant defence responses by rapidly activating polyphenol oxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activity in roots, but simultaneously suppressing this activity in above-ground tissues. Concurrently, we investigated potential plant signalling mechanisms underlying these interactions using transcriptome analyses. We found that both entomopathogens and plant parasites triggered immune responses in plant roots with shared gene expression. Secondary metabolite transcripts induced in response to the two nematode functional guilds were generally overlapping and showed an analogous profile of regulation. Likewise, we show that EPNs modulate plant defence against RKN invasion, in part, by suppressing active expression of antioxidant enzymes. Inoculations of roots with EPN triggered an immune response in tomato via upregulated phenylpropanoid metabolism and synthesis of protease inhibitors in plant tissues, which may explain decreased egg laying and developmental performance exhibited by herbivores on EPN-inoculated plants. Furthermore, changes induced in the volatile organic compound-related transcriptome indicated that M. javanica and/or S. carpocapsae inoculation of plants triggered both direct and indirect defences. Our results support the hypothesis that plants "mistake" subterranean EPNs for parasites, and these otherwise beneficial worms activate a battery of plant defences associated with systemic acquired resistance and/or induced systemic resistance with concomitant antagonistic effects on temporally co-occurring subterranean plant pathogenic nematodes and terrestrial herbivores.

Entomophilic nematodes, Diploscapter coronatus and Oscheius tipulae from Afghanistan.

Several soil samples from different habitats in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan were collected to isolate and characterize bacteria feeding nematodes. The Galleria mellonella-baiting method was used for the isolation of the Afghan insect-associated nematodes. The nematodes were studied using morphological and morphometric data. The Oscheius specimen was characterized by a longer body (630-820 µm) and shorter pharynx (125-145 µm), whereas other morphological characters were not unusual. The Diploscapter specimen had an annulated cuticle, with lip region width 1.5 times shorter than the stoma, and had separated pharyngeal corpus from the isthmus and vulva located in the middle of the body. The molecular data were derived using three loci; 18S, 28S (D2/D3 segment), and ITS rRNA region, which were utilized to measure the genetic distance. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted to reconstruct the relationship tree. Both morphological and molecular approaches confirmed the identity of nematode isolates as Oscheius tipulae and Diploscapter coronatus. This is the first report of insect-associated nematodes from the soil of Afghanistan. Both species were capable of infecting and killing G. mellonella larvae in less than 96 h.

Relationship between dietary diversity score and general health in female students.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period with respect to mental and psychological issues. The role of nutrients is well known in health condition in adolescents, but little emphasis is placed on total diet quality. Dietary diversity score (DDS) is often used to assess diet quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between DDS and general health in girl students. METHODS: The present research is a cross-sectional study which used descriptive-analytical approach. A total of 384 high-school female students selected using proportional stratified sampling. Physical activity level, diet and general health information collected using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Dietary Diversity Questionnaire (FAO-2013) and 28-item self-reported general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), respectively. In addition, weight, height and waist circumference (WC) measured. Data analyzed using Chi-Square test, one-way ANOVA and Multinomial Logistic Regression. RESULTS: Mean DDS was 4.43±1.09. After adjustment for confounders of age, body mass index, physical activity, socioeconomic status and nutritional supplement intake, students with higher DDS were less prone to general health disorders (P≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These finding implicate higher DDS in adolescents may associate with better general health.

PET-microplastics as a vector for heavy metals in a simulated plant rhizosphere zone.

Although microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous contaminants in different ecosystems, their interactions with other pollutants including heavy metals remain relatively unknown. Wheat is an important grain that makes the basis of human food in many parts of the world. Thus, pollutants that affect its production are important subjects of study. This research focuses on the possible effects of the transport of the adsorbed heavy metals onto MPs to the roots of growing wheat. The adsorption of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) onto PET particles was examined. Pb and Cd were selected because they are known to be toxic, while Zn is an essential nutrient for plants. Adsorption experiments were performed using 1 g of PET-MP particles in 20 ml of five different concentrations of each individual element (Pb, Cd, and Zn) (denoted as S-elements). To investigate the antagonistic and synergistic effects of these elements on each other, they were studied collectively with all 3 elements present (denoted as C-elements). Desorption experiments were then performed for three scenarios in which the wheat rhizosphere zone was simulated. Generally, the concentration of the investigated heavy metals adsorption on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) decreased in the order: S-Cd > S-Zn > S-Pb and C-Zn > T-Cd > C-Pb. PET particles exposed to Zn, Cd, and Pb solution adsorbed from 7.2 to 8.5%, 5.3 to 9.8%, and 29.8 to 68.5% of the initial heavy metals concentration, respectively. 11.3 to 15.2%, 12.5 to 23.35%, and 5.5 to 33.6% of the initially adsorbed Zn, Cd, and Pb were desorbed in the wheat rhizosphere zone in the three defined scenarios, respectively. The results show that PET particles can act as a vector in transferring heavy metals to the rhizosphere zone.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Potential Biological Control Agents of Subterranean Termite, Microcerotermes diversus (Blattodea: Termitidae) in Iraq.

The infectivity of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) such as Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), and H. bacteriophora Poinar (IRQ.1 strain) were examined against subterranean termite Microcerotermes diversus (Silvestri) (Blattodea: Termitidae) that is the most economically destructive termite in Iraq. Laboratory and field efficacy of these strains were evaluated to test the feasibility of indigenous EPNs to be used in a biological control program. The biological traits examined included pathogenicity, penetration, and reproduction of EPN species. Filter paper and wood bioassays were conducted using six concentrations: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 IJs/termite. In both tests, all strains were virulent against M. diversus workers. The LC50 of S. carpocapsae in both petri dishes and in containers with sawdust was (57.9 and 15.7 IJs/termite) less than both indigenous (274.2 and 60.8 IJs/termite) and commercial (139.6 and 52.6 IJs/termite) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, respectively. In the field, the percent mortality of the tested workers ranged from 22.5-80 ± 8.3%, 37.5-96.2 ± 8.9%, and 28.7-67.5 ± 6.8% for commercial H. bacteriophora and S. carpocapsae and native H. bacteriophora, respectively. All EPN strains successfully penetrated the M. diversus workers under field conditions, while the results showed that there was a significant difference between the three EPN strains. The percent mortality caused by native H. bacteriophora against termites was higher (43.6 ± 2.7%) than both commercial strains of S. carpocapsae (36.9 ± 1.6%) and H. bacteriophora (29.9 ± 1.4 %). These results highlight the efficiency of EPNs for the control of M. diversus workers.

Role of gold nanoparticles in advanced biomedical applications.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have generated keen interest among researchers in recent years due to their excellent physicochemical properties. In general, GNPs are biocompatible, amenable to desired functionalization, non-corroding, and exhibit size and shape dependent optical and electronic properties. These excellent properties of GNPs exhibit their tremendous potential for use in diverse biomedical applications. Herein, we have evaluated the recent advancements of GNPs to highlight their exceptional potential in the biomedical field. Special focus has been given to emerging biomedical applications including bio-imaging, site specific drug/gene delivery, nano-sensing, diagnostics, photon induced therapeutics, and theranostics. We have also elaborated on the basics, presented a historical preview, and discussed the synthesis strategies, functionalization methods, stabilization techniques, and key properties of GNPs. Lastly, we have concluded this article with key findings and unaddressed challenges. Overall, this review is a complete package to understand the importance and achievements of GNPs in the biomedical field.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence and Aggression Among Elite Wrestlers in Hamadan Province of IRAN.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence and aggression among elite wrestlers of adolescent age group. The present study was descriptive of correlation type in terms of method and applied in terms of purpose. The population of this research was the elite wrestlers of adolescents age group aged 14-17 (mean and SD of 15.27 ± 1.33) using the convenient sampling method for adolescent wrestling teams of Hamedan clubs selected as samples. To measure variables, King's spiritual intelligence scale and Bass and Perry aggression questionnaire were used. Pearson correlation coefficient and simple regression method were used for data analysis. Results showed a significant negative relationship between spiritual intelligence and aggression. The spiritual intelligence scores also have a significant effect on aggression. The findings show that the higher the spiritual intelligence, the less likely the aggression of the elite wrestlers in different competitions and they can have a better performance than others.

Behavior manipulation of mosquitoes by a mermithid nematode.

We examined manipulation of mosquito behavior by the parasitic mermithid nematode, Strelkovimermis spiculatus. This nematode species typically infects early instar host larvae and emerges after parasitic development to kill last-instar larvae. Parasitized adults, however, have occasionally been reported from field collections. We obtained low rates (1.7-11.5%) of parasitized adults in laboratory exposures only when Culex pipiens pipiens fourth-instar larvae nearing pupation were exposed to infective nematodes. This did not allow an adequate interval for parasitic development in immature host stages. Parasitized adult females in a multiple-choice assay were three times more likely to seek water than a blood source (63.1 vs. 20.5%), whereas uninfected females were twice as likely to seek blood than water (64%3.9 vs. 32.6%). This altered host behavior benefits the parasite by providing the only mechanism for dispersal and colonization of new host habitats while concurrently avoiding risks from the defensive behaviors associated with blood-feeding. Behavioral alternation in Cx. p. pipiens larval hosts was also examined using larvae infected as second instars to allow for a normal duration of parasitic development. As larvae neared pupation and parasite emergence, parasitized larvae became more spatially aggregated than unparasitized larvae. This altered host behavior benefits the parasite by providing a corresponding increase in post-parasite aggregation, which facilitates formation of large mating clusters and concomitantly reproductive success. Parasites derive fitness gains by overriding host autonomy, whereas hosts have zero fitness once parasitism is established, suggesting a coevolutionary response is inoperative and that the behavioral modifications may be adaptive.

Functional Characterization of Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) in Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus luminescens through Insect Immune Defense Reactions.

Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus luminescens are entomopathogenic bacterial symbionts that produce toxic proteins that can interfere with the immune system of insects. Herein, we show that outer membrane proteins (OMPs) could be involved as bacterial virulence factors. Purified totals OMPs of both bacterial species were injected into fifth instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua Hübner. Larvae were surveyed for cellular defenses fluctuations in total haemocyte counts (THC) and granulocyte percentage and for the humoral defenses protease, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and phenoloxidase (PO) activities at specific time intervals. Changes in the expression of the three inducible antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), cecropin, attacin, and spodoptericin, were also measured. Larvae treated with OMPs of both bacterial species had more haemocytes than did the negative controls. OMPs of X. nematophila caused more haemocyte destruction than did the OMPs of P. luminescens. The OMPs of both bacterial species initially activated insect defensive enzymes post-injection, the degree of activation varying with enzyme type. The AMPs, attacin, cecropin, and spodoptericin were up-regulated by OMP injections compared with the normal larvae. The expression of these three AMPs was maximal at four hours post injection (hpi) with P. luminescens OMPs treatment. Expression of the three AMPs in X. nematophila treated insects was irregular and lower than in the P. luminescens OMPs treatment. These findings provide insights into the role of OMPs of entomopathogenic nematode bacterial symbionts in countering the physiological defenses of insects.

Effect of Age-Dependent Parasitism in Eggs of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Intraguild Predation Between Nabis pseudoferus (Hemiptera: Nabidae) and Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a destructive pest of tomato that can cause up to 100% yield loss. The predatory bug Nabis pseudoferus (Remane) (Hemiptera: Nabidae) and the parasitoid Trichogramma brassicae (Bezdenko) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are natural enemies of this pest. Since the interaction between predators and parasitoids in different trophic levels including intraguild predation (IGP) can decrease or increase the efficiency of natural enemies, the effects of age-dependent parasitism of host eggs on IGP between these two species were investigated under laboratory conditions. In no-choice and choice preference tests, the predatory bug was exposed to 40 parasitized and nonparasitized eggs of different ages (24, 48, and 72 h old). Investigation of switching behavior was conducted using various combinations of tomato leafminer eggs (30:90, 45:75, 60:60, 75:45, and 90:30 nonparasitized:parasitized eggs) using eggs of different ages (24, 48, and 72 h old). In no-choice tests, the highest feeding rate of the predatory bug was 39.21 ± 0.36 eggs on 24-h-old nonparasitized eggs and the lowest feeding rate was 1.4 ± 0.80 eggs on 72-h-old parasitized eggs. In choice tests, comparison of the Manly's ß indices indicated that the predatory bug preferred to feed on nonparasitized eggs with 48- and 72-h-old eggs, but there was no significant preference for the 24-h-old eggs. Results of switching test showed that the linear regression between Manly's ß index and different ratios of nonparasitized eggs to parasitized and nonparasitized eggs was not significant in 72-h-old eggs. However, this regression was significant with 24- and 48-h-old eggs and the predator's preference was dependent upon the ratio of nonparasitized and parasitized tomato leafminer eggs. Results of the current study showed that the increasing age of parasitized egg decreased intensity of IGP between N. pseudoferus and T. brassicae.

Microbial insecticides in Iran: History, current status, challenges and perspective.

Biological control programs with arthropods have been in practice in Iran since the 1930s. However, development and registration of microbial biopesticides is much more recent. Currently, about 15 biopesticide products are registered or pending registration for commercial use on various crops. Products based on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki are most widely sold for lepidopteran pest control, followed by B. thuringiensis subsp. isralensis against dipteran pests in vector control programs. Additionally, mycoinsecticides based on Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana, against various arthropod pests, and a mycofungicide based on Trichoderma harzianum for controlling soilborne diseases are also registered. In Iran, the national Plant Protection Organization (PPO) manages regulation of microbial pesticides and the Pesticide Supervision Board within the PPO oversees registration of all pesticides. Currently, two Iranian companies produce microbial pesticides and two more companies are approved to start production in the near future. We review the history of microbial control of arthropod pests in Iran with examples of sustainable agricultural practices, the current status of the market and registration procedures for microbial pesticides, along with the challenges and opportunities for the advancement of microbial control in Iran.

Whole-genome-based revisit of Photorhabdus phylogeny: proposal for the elevation of most Photorhabdus subspecies to the species level and description of one novel species Photorhabdus bodei sp. nov., and one novel subspecies Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. clarkei subsp. nov.

Bacterial symbionts are crucial for the infectivity and success of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents. The current understanding of the symbiotic relationships is limited by taxonomic uncertainties. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing and traditional techniques to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships between all described Photorhabdus species and subspecies as well as 11 newly isolated symbiotic bacteria of Heterorhabditis nematodes, including the unreported bacterial partner of H. beicherriana. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization, orthologous average nucleotide identity and nucleotide sequence identity of concatenated housekeeping genes scores were calculated and set into relation with current cut-off values for species delimitation in bacteria. Sequence data were complemented with biochemical and chemotaxonomic markers, and ribosomal protein fingerprinting profiles. This polyphasic approach resolves the ambiguous taxonomy of Photorhabdusand lead to the proposal for the elevation of most of them into a higher taxon and the creation of several new taxa: 15 new species, one of which is newly described: Photorhabdus bodei sp. nov. (type strain LJ24-63T=DSM 105690T=CCOS 1159T) and the other 14 arise through the proposal of elevating already described subspecies to species, and are proposed to be renamed as follows: Photorhabdus asymbioticasubsp. australis as Photorhabdus australis sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. akhurstii as Photorhabdus akhurstii sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. caribbeanensis as Photorhabdus caribbeanensis sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. hainanensis as Photorhabdus hainanensis sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. kayaii as Photorhabdus kayaii sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. kleinii as Photorhabdus kleinii sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. namnaonensis as Photorhabdus namnaonensis sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. noenieputensis as Photorhabdus noenieputensis sp. nov., Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp.laumondii as Photorhabdus laumondii sp. nov., Photorhabdus temperatasubsp. cinerea as Photorhabdus cinerea sp. nov., Photorhabdus temperatasubsp. khanii as Photorhabdus khanii sp. nov., Photorhabdus temperatasubsp. stackebrandtii as Photorhabdus stackebrandtii sp. nov., Photorhabdus temperatasubsp. tasmaniensis as Photorhabdus tasmaniensis sp. nov., and Photorhabdus temperatasubsp. thracensis as Photorhabdus thracensis sp. nov. In addition, we propose the creation of two new subspecies, one of which arises through the reduction of rank: Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. laumondii comb. nov. (basonym: P. luminescenssubsp. laumondii) and the second one is newly described: Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. clarkei subsp. nov. (type strain BOJ-47T=DSM 105531T=CCOS 1160T). Finally, we propose to emend the description of three species, which results from the proposal of elevating three subspecies to the species status: Photorhabdus asymbiotica, Photorhabdus temperata and Photorhabdus luminescens, formerly classified as Photorhabdus asymbioticasubsp. asymbiotica, Photorhabdus temperatasubsp.temperata and Photorhabdus luminescenssubsp. luminescens, respectively.

New Insight into the Management of the Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with Entomopathogenic Nematodes.

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a serious threat to tomato production in the world. Due to serious issues with insecticide resistance, there is a dire need for alternative control methods. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have potential for the biological control of T. absoluta. In the laboratory, we examined the effect of temperature, soil type, and exposure time on the efficacy of the EPN species Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) against last-instar T. absoluta larvae. Both species caused high mortality in loamy sand (89%) and coco peat (93%) but not in sandy loam (17%). H. bacteriophora caused 92-96% mortality at 19, 25, and 31°C; S. carpocapsae caused 89-91% mortality at 25 and 31°C but only 76% at 19°C. Both species caused similar mortality levels after 65-min exposure; thereafter, mortality increased only with S. carpocapsae reaching high levels even at a low concentration. Both species infected larvae within leaf galleries. When applied to whole large tomato plants in the greenhouse, both species provided similar control levels (48-51%) at high pest densities. Both species could be incorporated as an effective alternative to synthetic insecticides into T. absoluta management programs in greenhouse tomato production.

Depression is related to dietary diversity score in women: a cross-sectional study from a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence provides support for the role of diet in the prevention and control of mental disorders. However, since there is no study regarding the relationship between dietary diversity and stress or depression, we aimed to determine the relationship between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and stress and depression in women. METHODS: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 360 women aged 20-49 years attending health centers in the south of Tehran. The dietary intake and score of depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using a 24-h dietary recall and the 42-item depression, anxiety, stress scales questionnaire, respectively. The DDS was calculated based on the FAO 2013 guidelines. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, analysis of variance, Spearman correlation coefficient, and multivariable logistic regression tests. RESULTS: In total, 31.4 and 25.8% of the subjects suffered from depression and stress, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a one-unit increase in DDS was associated with a 39% reduction in the risk of severe depression. The DDS was not significantly associated with mild or moderate depression, and no significant relationship was observed between the DDS and stress. CONCLUSIONS: The DDS could be inversely associated with depression in women. Since we observed no significant relationship between stress and DDS, further studies are needed in this regard.

The role of pilin protein of Xenorhabdus nematophila against immune defense reactions of insects.

Xenorhabdus nematophila is a symbiotic bacterium of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser). It produces several toxic proteins which interfere with the immune system of insects. The current study shows that purified pilin protein could be a virulence trait of X. nematophila. The fifth instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) was injected with purified pilin. Changes in the cellular defenses in terms of total haemocyte counts and granulocyte percentage and humoral factors including total protease, phospholipase A2, and phenoloxidase activities (humoral defense) as well as the expression of the three main antimicrobial peptides attacin, cecropin, and spodoptericin were measured at specific times. The level of THC and granulocytes in larvae with different concentrations of pilin protein were less than the negative control. Also agglutination of haemocytes was observed 8-16h post-injection. The pilin protein activated phenoloxidase in the initial hour post-injection, by 2hpi, activity was stable. The activities of phospholipase A2 and protease activities reached maximum levels at 12 and 4hpi, respectively, and then decreased. The expressions of attacin, cecropin, and spodoptericin in larvae treated with pilin protein were up-regulated above that of the normal sample. The overexpression of cecropin was greater than the other antimicrobial protein mRNA transcripts. The spodoptericin expression had an irregular trend while expressions of attacin and cecropin reached maximum levels at 4hpi and then decreased. Generally, after the injection of pilin protein, the cellular and humoral immune system of S. exigua is activated but this toxin was able to inhibit them. This is the first report of the role of pilin protein when the bacterial symbiont of S. carpocapsae encounters the humoral defense of an insect.