The impact of road disturbance on vegetation and soil properties in a beech stand,Hyrcanian forest

The ‘road-effect zone’ is a concept developed to describe the impact of road construction on the surrounding area. Although many aspects of the road-effect zone have been investigated, the road-effect zone on soil properties (pH, bulk density, soil moisture, electrical conductivity, organic matter (%), C (%), total N (%), available Na, Ca, Mg, P, and K), light regimes (leaf area index and canopy cover), and a Raunkiaer’s life-form classification of plants remains poorly understood, especially in oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forests. Hence, the main aims of this research were to estimate the extent of the road-effect zone and to identify the main environmental changes due to forest roads. Specifically, we aimed to evaluate road-effects on: (1) the composition of herbaceous species and tree regeneration (up to 100 m distance from the forest road); (2) the light regime; and (3) soil properties, potentially related to changes in ecosystem functions and composition. We observed that forest roads can have significant impacts on soil, stand characteristics, and vegetation composition. The estimated road-effect zone extended up to 30 m from the road edge. Landscape planners should be aware that road-effect zones can potentially influence the ecology and environmental conditions of an area up to 30 m from the road edge.     

Hard ticks on one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in southeast, Iran

The primary objective of this study was to determine the diversity and intensity of ticks found on camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in Kerman, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, a total of 426 tick specimens were collected from 217 infested camels in southeast of Iran during activating seasons of ticks (April 2009 to March 2010). The species collected from camel were Hyalomma dromedarii (84.7%), Hyalomma marginatum (8.7%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (5.4%), and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (1.2%). The highest seasonal activities occurred in summer. The ratio of male ticks was more than female ticks. H. dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 84.7% of the ticks.     

Biodiversity and prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in a selected semiarid zone of South Khorasan, Iran

Five species of nematodes and cestodes were collected from alimentary canals of pigeons: the nematodes were two species: Ascaridia colombae (16.66%) and Hadjelia truncata (1.96%), while the cestodes were Cotugnia digonopora (13.79%), Raillietina magninumida (18.62%) and Raillietina achinobothridia (32.35%); fecal examination revealed: Eimeria spp. (40.19%) and Cryptosporidium oocysts (2.94%); and blood smears showed: Haemoproteus cloumbae (47/05%); in mouth, throat and larynx: Trichomonans gallinae (57.84%); four species of ectoparasites were collected from feathers and subcutaneous nodules as follows: feathers: Pseudolynchia canariensis (63.72%), Columbicola columbae (79.41%), Menopen gallinea (44.11%); subcutaneous nodules: Laminosioptes cysticola (1.96%). From the parasitic fauna identified in this study, it is imperative to institute an integrated parasitic control through constant changing of litter, regular use of antihelminthics, anticoccidials and dusting of birds with pesticides.     

The Effects of Verapamil Hydrochloride on Electrocardiographic (ECG) Parameters of Domestic Donkey (Equus asinus)

Verapamil hydrochloride, a calcium channel blocker, has been used in domestic animals. Its effects on electrical activities of the heart of donkeys were studied in this preliminary research work. This experiment was carried out on 10 healthy donkeys ranging in age from 4 to 7 years and mean body weight of 155 ± 18.6 kg. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded on a base apex lead before (for 3 days), during, and after verapamil injection (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes). Verapamil hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg body weight) was given via catheterizaion as an intravenous bolus over 2 minutes. Heart rate, rhythm, ECG morphology, amplitude, durations, and intervals were measured and taken into consideration and values were compared. Results showed that heart rate was significantly increased at the time of injection from 55 ± 10.7 before injection to 77.61 ± 12.6 beats per minute after injection (P < .05). Duration of P and T waves; P-R interval, and also P-R segment were increased (P < .05). However, duration of QRS complex, P-P and R-R intervals, and S-T segment were significantly decreased after verapamil injection (P < .05). Sinus arrest (2 cases), bradycardia (1 case), and wandering pacemaker (1 case) were recorded before treatment and verapamil injection did not affect these arrhythmias, except in one case in which sinus arrest disappeared. However, after injection of verapamil, four types of arrhythmias (wandering pacemaker [WPM], sinus tachycardia, 1^st degree AVB, and 2^nd degree AVB) were recognized. These arrhythmias (with the exception of tachycardia) can be related to the increase of vagal tone activity that might be attributed to the negative effect of verapamil on SA and atrioventricular block [AV] nodes.     

Effect of trifluralin,pronamide, haloxyfop-p methyl,propaquizafop, and isoxaben on weed control and oilseed rape yield in Iran

In order to investigate the effect of trifluralin, pronamide, haloxyfop-p methyl, propaquizafop and isoxaben on weed control and oilseed rape yield, a two year field experiment was conducted at Darab, Iran, during 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 growing seasons. Herbicides reduced weed biomass compared with the weedy check. In 2004–2005, at 16 WAP (weeks after planting), application of trifluralin plus propaquizafop plus isoxaben at 1200 + 200 + 250 g a.i./ha and trifluralin plus haloxyfop-p methyl plus isoxaben at 1200 + 100 + 500 g a.i./ha provided best control (80%) of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.), compared to other treatments. At 8 and 16 WAP, wild mustard control decreased to 47 and 42%, respectively, when trifluralin was applied alone at 1400 g a.i./ha. In 2005–2006 at 16 WAP, maximum reduction in wild mustard biomass (82%) was achieved with trifluralin plus propaquizafop plus isoxaben at 1200 + 200 + 250 g a.i./ha. In both years, all herbicide treatments controlled fumitory (Fumaria officinalis L.) 64–96%. In 2004–2005, at 16 WAP, wild oat (Avena fatua L.) biomass reduction by trifluralin plus propaquizafop plus isoxaben at 1200 + 200 + 250 g a.i./ha was 95%. In 2005–2006, at 8 and 16 WAP, minimum biomass reduction of wild oat (37–53%) was observed with trifluralin at 1200 and 1400 g a.i./ha. In both years, at 8 and 16 WAP, the most effective herbicide treatments were trifluralin plus propaquizafop plus isoxaben and trifluralin plus haloxyfop-p methyl plus isoxaben regardless of the dose applied and provided maximum reduction in total weed biomass (77–89%) compared to other treatments. Results of both years showed that all herbicide treatments increased oilseed rape grain yield as compared with the weedy check but percentage of oil was not affected by various herbicide treatments. Maximum grain yield was obtained with trifluralin plus haloxyfop-p methyl plus isoxaben at 1200 + 100 + 500 g a.i./ha.     

Comparative study of the effects of gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin and ofloxacin antibiotics on sperm parameters and testis apoptosis in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative effects of aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones on testis apoptosis and sperm parameters in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 40) groups. The experimental groups subdivided into four groups often. Each received 5 mg kg(-1) (IP) gentamicin, 50 mg kg(-1) (IP) neomycin, 40 mg kg(-1) (IP) streptomycin and 72 mg kg(-1) (IP) ofloxacin daily for 14 days, respectively; however, the control group just received vehicle (IP). In the fourteenth day, rats were killed and sperm analyzed for sperm parameters. Testis tissues were also prepared for TUNEL assay for detection of apoptosis. There was a significant decrease in sperm count, viability and motility in all of experimental groups when compared with control group. Although in streptomycin group these parameters were less decreased than in the other experimental groups. The apoptotic cells were significantly increased in all experimental groups when compared with those seen in the controlled group. Gentamicin, neomycin and streptomycin and ofloxacin have negative effects on sperm parameters and testis apoptosis in rats. However, these side effects are less seen in the streptomycin group. Therefore, it is recommended that usage of this drug have fewer side effects on male fertility.     

Assessing the feasibility of using pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil,rich in conjugated linolenic acid,as a lipid source in the diet of common carp,Cyprinus carpio,juveniles

In this study, the feasibility of using pomegranate seed oil, rich in conjugated linolenic acid and its partial replacement for fish oil in fish diet were investigated. Common carp, Cyprinus carpio, juveniles (1.8 ± 0.1 g) were fed four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with similar basal composition but different oil mixture containing 100% fish oil (A), 50% fish oil +50% sunflower oil (B), 50% fish oil +25% sunflower oil +25% pomegranate seed oil (C) and 50% fish oil +50% pomegranate seed oil (D) for 8 weeks. The highest weight gain was observed in fish fed diet D (p < 0.05). Test diets had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents of fish muscle. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3; DHA) was significantly lower in the muscle of fish fed diet B (p < 0.05) compared to those fed diet A. However, there was no significant difference in the muscle DHA content of fish fed diets A, C, or D. No specific hepatocyte damage associated to dietary pomegranate seed oil was found in this study. This study showed a 50‐50 combination of fish oil and pomegranate seed oil could be used as dietary lipid source for common carp without any adverse effect on growth performance or muscle n‐3 content while accumulated punicic acid in the muscle could be considered as added value for the final human consumer.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel self-colored PET (polyethylene terephthalate) by step-growth polymerization containing dye based on 1,8-naphthalimide group

A novel self-colored polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was synthesized using a synthesized dye, 4-amino-N-propanoic acid-1,8-naphthalimide. For this purpose, the prepared naphthalimide dye was added upon the polycondensation step and then a self-colored PET was prepared by step-growth polymerization. The characterization of synthesized self-colored PET and naphthalimide dye were carried out using TLC, FTIR, ¹HNMR, DSC, UV-visible and Fluorometery. Results indicated that, the novel fluorescent yellow-green PET with appropriate properties was obtained. The glass transition temperature of self-colored PET was 70 °C and it was measured by differential scanning calorimeter, which revealed that addition of dye to the chains of polymer did not affect the context of glass transition of polymer. UV-visible spectrum indicated that, 99 percent of dye was incorporated in polymer chains chemically. Furthermore, the intrinsic viscosity of self-colored PET was 0.556 dl/g and molecular weight of polymer was around 35000 (g/mol) and measured using the viscometer technique.     

The potential of glauconitic sandstone as a potassium fertilizer for olive plants

This study evaluated the potential of glauconitic sandstone as a fertilizer for supplying potassium to plants. The glauconite sandstone (Maraveh, Iran), as analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, was composed of 2.24% potassium oxide plus high contents of silicon, aluminum and ferric oxide. One-year old olive trees, Olea europaea L., were grown in sand or hydroponic culture in a greenhouse under three potassium treatments. Modified Hoagland nutrient solutions based on potassium treatments including 0.5 mM K⁺, 5 mM K⁺ and 400 g glauconitic sandstone powders (per 10 L in hydroponics and per 2.5 L in sand instead of K⁺ supply) were used in both cultures. Plants grown under the three different potassium treatments did not show any potassium deficiency symptoms. In the sand culture, growth and potassium content were higher in plants fed with 5 mM potassium than with the other two potassium treatments. Growth retardation and decreased potassium content in plants fed with 0.5 mM potassium were more severe in the hydroponic culture than in the sand culture. However, plants fed with 400 g glauconitic sandstone showed higher growth in the hydroponic culture than the sand culture. Thus, glauconitic sandstone has the ability to release potassium and can be utilized in combination with other potassium fertilizers.