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This paper reports a comparative study exploring language learning strategy use and beliefs about language learning of high-school students and students attending English institutes. Oxford's (1990) strategy inventory for language learning (SILL) and Horwitz's (1987) beliefs about language learning inventory (BALLI), were used to collect data. One-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups regarding their strategy use and beliefs about language learning. Institute students used significantly more memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive and social strategies. Also they held stronger beliefs about the difficulty of language learning and motivation and expectation than their peers in high school. The conclusions of the study along with related pedagogical implications are also discussed.

This study offers new perspectives on the biochemical and physiological changes that occur in wheat following a gene-for-gene interaction with the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. The Z. tritici isolate IPO323, carries AvrStb6, while ΔAvrStb6#33, lacks AvrStb6. The wheat cultivar (cv.) Shafir, bears the corresponding resistance gene Stb6. Inoculation of cv. Shafir with these isolates results in two contrasted phenotypes, offering a unique opportunity to study the immune response caused by the recognition of AvrStb6 by Stb6. We employed a variety of methodologies to dissect the physiological and biochemical events altered in cv. Shafir, as a result of the AvrStb6-Stb6 interaction. Comparative analysis of stomatal conductance demonstrated that AvrStb6-Stb6 mediates transient stomatal closures to restrict the penetration of Zymoseptoria tritici. Tracking photosynthetic functionality through chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis demonstrated that AvrStb6-Stb6 retains the functionality of photosynthesis apparatus by promoting Non-Photochemical Quenching (NPQ). Furthermore, the PlantCV image analysis tool was used to compare the H2O2 accumulation and incidence of cell death (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 21 dpi), over Z. tritici infection. Finally, our research shows that the AvrStb6-Stb6 interaction coordinates the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, both enzymatic and non- enzymatic, to counteract oxidative stress. In conclusion, the Stb6-AvrStb6 interaction in the Z. tritici-wheat pathosystem triggers transient stomatal closure and maintains photosynthesis while regulating oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Zymoseptoria tritici is a dimorphic pathogenic fungus in which the switching growth pattern plays a crucial role in the development of diseases. Therefore, Tup1 protein, the global transcriptional repressor which is a well-known regulator of dimorphism might be a qualified candidate for preliminary study in the pathogen. Materials and methods: Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae Tup1p as a model, the functional domains of the protein were plotted using InterPro (Pfam) software. Then, Zt.Tup1p tertiary structure was represented by Accelrys DS visualize software. Finally, the in vitro and in vivo levels of expression of Zt.Tup were evaluated by the Real-Time RTPCR method. Results: Zt.Tup1p included public structures available in the other Tup1-like eukaryotic proteins, with an N-terminal domain, a poorly conserved middle region, and a C-terminal domain with seven WD repeats. Also, the results showed that the two glutamine-rich elements (Q1 and Q2) contrary to what was identified in the S. cerevisiae, do not exist in Zt.Tup1p structure. The results indicated that the expression level of Zt.tup1 up-regulated during mycelial stage. In addition, Zt.Tup1p was partly up-regulated in 14th and 24th postinoculations. Discussion and conclusion: The presence of seven conserved WD repeats in the C terminal domain of Zt.Tup1p and the other related fungi indicated that such functional domains play an important role in the life of these microorganisms. According to the results of the present study, the up-regulation of Zt.tup1 gene during the mycelial stage suggests that it may play a major role in the mycelium development than in conidia formation. Furthermore, its up-regulation during necrotrophy which is characterized by the development of pycnidia shows that the gene may play a key role in the growth and pathogenicity of Z. tritici. The present study can be considered as promising new leads for starting a new comprehensive survey for clarifying the detailed functions of this gene during the development and pathogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most prevalent types of epilepsy in human. Huperzine A (Hup‐A) has been reported to possess antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties; however, its role in TLE induced by kainic acid has not been determined. The current study investigated the protective effects of Hup‐A (0.1 mg/kg) in kainic acid‐induced model of TLE in the rat. In the current study, it was found that Hup‐A significantly prevented the seizure intensity and learning and memory deterioration which was assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition task (NOR). Additionally, Hup‐A inhibited oxidative stress, inflammation, and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). In addition, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increased after Hup‐A treatment, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels significantly reduced. Regarding inflammation, this drug decreased kainic acid‐induced NLRP3 expression in microglial cells and caspase‐1 activity in hippocampal tissue, possibly through diminishing oxidative stress. Taken together, our data showed that Hup‐A could be a potential protective substance to ameliorate seizure severity and some memory deficits related to epilepsy via attenuating neuroinflammation and protection of neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Zymoseptoria tritici, is a species of filamentous fungus and causes the widespread wheat disease Septoria tritici blotch (STB). Salicylic acid has a key role in plant defence reactions and is also involved in the induction of systemic acquired resistance. However, the contribution of SA to the interaction of Z. tritici -wheat in STB is not entirely clear. In this study, it was shown that the Z. tritici mycelial growth and conidia germination were significantly inhibited the presence of increasing concentration of SA in both liquid and solid media. In addition, the effect of SA on pathogenicity of Z. tritici in wheat was investigated. Materials and methods: In this study, the inhibitory effect of SA on Z. tritici at different concentrations (1 to 20 mM) in vitro, and also, the efficacy of its exogenous application in the suppression of STB in wheat under the greenhouse condition were investigated. In vitro evaluation was done on YMDA and YMDB to determine the effect of SA on the germination of conidia and growth of mycelium, respectively. Susceptible bread wheat cultivar was grown in pot and inoculated with fungus spores and SA in a three-leaf stage for green house experiments. Results: The results showed that the germination of conidia was completely inhibited by 4 mM SA. Furthermore, in modified YMDA plates at over 0.8 mM, the colonies diameter was reduced significantly. The result of in planta assay indicated that the foliar application of 4 mM SA can significantly reduce the disease symptoms on the wheat leaves. Discussion and conclusion: Regarding our data, it seems that SA shows more inhibitory effect in in vitro experiments than in planta. Moreover, according to the positive effects of SA on STB, the survey results can be considered as a potential approach in the management of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an incompletely defined aetiology that is associated with memory and cognitive impairment. Currently available therapeutics only provide temporary assistance with symptoms. In spite of plentiful research in the field and the generation of thousands of studies, much is still to be clarified on precise mechanisms of pathobiology, prevention modalities, disease course and cure. Netrin‐1, a laminin family protein, is said to have anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects and has a key role in neurogenesis and morphogenesis of neural structures. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate protective effects of bilateral intrahippocampal fissure microinjections of netrin‐1 on memory impairment in rat model of AD. Concomitant administration of netrin‐1 with amyloid beta 1‐42 (Aβ1‐42) improved cognitive dysfunction in novel object recognition task (NOR), ameliorated impaired spatial memory in Morris water maze (MWM) setting, increased neuronal density and reduced amyloid aggregation in rat AD model. Netrin‐1 was also seen to prevent Aβ1‐42‐induced caspase‐3, caspase‐7 and NF‐κB (nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells) activation. Therefore, based on the data reported here, netrin‐1 may be a promising biologic therapeutic that addresses the memory and neuronal loss associated with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment in drug users is a marker for predicting recurrence and poorer adherence to treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the cognitive function in three groups of methadone users methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), compared to methadone and methamphetamine (MAMP) users (MMT + MAMP) and healthy people (control group)., Methods: Three groups of 90 people including 30 users of MMT, 30 users of MMT + MAMP, and 30 healthy persons participated in this cross-sectional and purposeful study. The study was performed on outpatients of MMT Clinic of Psychiatric Hospital in Kerman, Iran. The demographic and related data questionnaire was filled out. In addition, Persian version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) was used to assess cognitive function., Findings: The mean of total number of scores and all BACS subscales were significantly better in control group than the other two groups of patients. Moreover, not only the mean of total number of BACS was significantly different between two substance abuser groups, but also there was a significant difference between them on verbal memory, digit sequencing, and token motor test, with MMT + MAMP group performing worse than MMT group., Conclusion: Concomitant use of opioids and stimulant substance such as MAMP results in cumulative toxic effect of them on brain and cognitive functions., (© 2022 Kerman University of Medical Sciences.)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an incompletely defined aetiology that is associated with memory and cognitive impairment. Currently available therapeutics only provide temporary assistance with symptoms. In spite of plentiful research in the field and the generation of thousands of studies, much is still to be clarified on precise mechanisms of pathobiology, prevention modalities, disease course and cure. Netrin-1, a laminin family protein, is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects and has a key role in neurogenesis and morphogenesis of neural structures. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate protective effects of bilateral intrahippocampal fissure microinjections of netrin-1 on memory impairment in rat model of AD. Concomitant administration of netrin-1 with amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ 1-42 ) improved cognitive dysfunction in novel object recognition task (NOR), ameliorated impaired spatial memory in Morris water maze (MWM) setting, increased neuronal density and reduced amyloid aggregation in rat AD model. Netrin-1 was also seen to prevent Aβ 1-42 -induced caspase-3, caspase-7 and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) activation. Therefore, based on the data reported here, netrin-1 may be a promising biologic therapeutic that addresses the memory and neuronal loss associated with AD., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Increasing attentions have been paid on the application of essential oils and plant extracts for control of postharvest pathogens due to their natural origin and less appearance of resistance in fungi pathogens. Some Aspergillus species are toxigenic and responsible for many cases of food and feed contamination. Some Toxins that produce with some Aspergillus species are known to be potent hepatocarcinogens in animals and humans. The present work evaluated the parameters of antifungal activity of the essential oils of Zataria multiflora, Thymus migricus, Satureja hortensis, Foeniculum vulgare, Carum capticum and thiabendazol fungicide on survival and growth of different species of Aspergillus. Aerial part and seeds of plant species were collected then dried and its essential oils isolated by means of hydrodistillation. Antifungal activity was evaluated in vitro by poisonous medium technique with PDA medium at six concentrations. Results showed that all essential oils could inhibit the growth of Aspergillus species. The essential oil with the best effect and lowest EC50 and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) was Z. multiflora (223 microl/l and 650 microl/l, respectively). The chemical composition of the Z. multiflora essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS.