Nonparametric phenotypic stability analysis in advanced barley (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare</Emphasis> L.) genotypes

The development of genotypes with adaptation to a wide range of environments is one of the most important goals of plant breeding programs. In order to compare nonparametric stability measures and to identify promising high-yield and stable barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), 20 barley genotypes selected from the Iran/ICARDA joint project and grown in nine environments during 2009-11 in Iran. Four nonparametric statistical tests of significance for genotype × environment (GE) interaction and 10 nonparametric measures of stability were used to identify stable genotypes in nine environments. Results of nonparametric tests of G×E interaction (Kubinger, Hildebrand, and Kroon/ Laan) and a combined ANOVA across environments, indicated the presence of both crossover and non-crossover interactions. Also, only TOP and rank-sum values were positively associated with high yield. Thus, in the simultaneous selection for high yield and stability, only the rank-sum and TOP methods were useful in terms of the principal component analysis results, and correlation analysis of nonparametric stability statistics and yield. According to these stability parameters (TOP and rank-sum), three genotypes (G13, G12, and G17) were the most stable for grain yield. The results also revealed that based on nonparametric test results, stability could be classified into three groups, according to agronomic and biological concepts of stability.     

Amplified fragment length polymorphism as a tool for molecular characterization of almond germplasm: genetic diversity among cultivated genotypes and related wild species of almond,and its relationships with agronomic traits

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis is a rapid and efficient method for producing DNA fingerprints and molecular characterization. Our objectives were to: estimate genetic similarities (GS), marker indices, and polymorphic information contents (PICs) for AFLP markers in almond cultivars; assess the genetic diversity of almond cultivars and wild species, using GS estimated from AFLP fingerprints and molecular characterization; and facilitate the use of markers in inter-specific introgression and cultivar improvement. The genetic diversity of 45 almond cultivars from Iran, Europe, and America, were studied assaying 19 primer combinations. In addition, several agronomic traits were evaluated, including flowering and maturity times, self-incompatibility, and kernel and fruit properties. Out of the 813 polymerase chain reaction fragments that were scored, 781 (96.23%) were polymorphic. GS ranged from 0.5 to 0.96, marker indices ranged from 51.37 to 78.79, and PICs ranged from 0.56 to 0.86. Results allowed the unique molecular identification of all assayed genotypes. However, the correlation between genetic similarity clustering as based on AFLP and clustering for agronomic traits was low. Cluster analysis based on AFLP data clearly differentiated the genotypes and wild species according to their origin and pedigree, whereas, cluster analysis based on agronomic data differentiated according the pomological characterization. Our results showed the great genetic diversity of the almond cultivars and their interest for almond breeding.     

The use of parametric and non-parametric measures for selecting stable and adapted barley lines

This research was carried out to estimate yield stability of 18 barley breeding lines using different parametric and non-parametric statistics across 15 environments during 2012–2015 growing seasons. The results of combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) and additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that environments (E), genotypes (G), GE interaction, as well as the first four interaction principal component axes were highly significant, suggesting that the lines interacted differentially with environments, so further general adaptability and stability analysis across environments should be followed before being introduced for cultivation. Based on correlation coefficient and principal components analysis (PCA), most of the non-parametric statistics were significantly inter-correlated with parametric statistics, hence seem to be suitable alternatives to complement parametric statistics. Furthermore, according to the static and dynamic concepts of stability, the results revealed that stability statistics can be clustered into three groups. The overall stability analysis following different stability methods concluded that four lines (G5, G7, G17 and G20) were highly stable for grain yield in rain-fed conditions of subtropical regions of Iran. Thus, these lines can be recognized as the most stable lines for cultivation in diverse environments of semi-warm regions of Iran.     

The effect of in planta TIBA and proline treatment on somatic embryogenesis of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The effect of in planta TIBA and L-proline onin vitro seedlings and cell culture of sugar beet was investigated. Sterilized seeds were grownin vitro on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 0 or3 mg/l TIBA. Calli obtained on young leaves cultured on MS medium containing 1 mg/l BAP, were used for the initiation of cell suspension cultures using MS basal composition supplemented with 0 or 50 mM proline. Aliquots of 1 ml from cell suspension culture were inoculated onto the first somatic embryo induction MS medium containing TIBA 0.5 mg/l, BAP 1.0 mg/l, and proline at 0 or 50 mM. After three weeks of culture, embryogenic calli were transferred to the second embryo induction medium supplemented with NAA and BAP at 0.2 and 0.5 mg/l, respectively. The frequency of somatic embryos of calli obtained from in plantaTIBA together with proline treatments on average was20 which was higher than that of the other treatments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA resolving complex taxonomic history in the genus Vicia L.

The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the 18S-28S nrDNA was sequenced in 49 Vicia species and subspecies selected from nine sections of the two subgenera to resolve taxonomic contradictions. Phylogenies derived from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences strongly support the view that both Vicia faba and Vicia bithynica are distant from the Narbonensis species complex (NSC) in section Faba. V. faba is more closely aligned with sections Peregrinae and Hypechusa, whereas V. bithynica is more closely aligned with section Vicia. Six synapomorphic substitutions unique to the NSC support a separate section for the Narbonensis complex. Vicia johannis subsp. johannis was the most diverged species within the NSC with high genetic distance between V. johannis subsp. johannis and remaining species and subspecies of the NSC. These results suggest that Vicia johannis subsp. johannis should be given species rank. The neighbor-joining and parsimony based trees supported the sections Vicia (after the exclusion of Vicia lathyroides) and Cracca (after the exclusion of Vicia vicioides and Vicia hirsuta). The section Hypechusa is polyphyletic and paraphyletic based on the present ITS sequence cladistic analysis. The x = 7 as the ancestral number for the genus is supported by the present study.     

Optimization of elecrospinning process of zein using central composite design

Biodegradable edible sub-micron electrospun zein fibers were prepared using acetic acid as solvent. The solution concentration at three levels: 22, 26 and 30 w/v %, the electrospinning voltage at three levels: 10, 20 and 30 kV, the solution flow rate at three levels: 4, 8 and 12 ml/h and the distance between needle tip and collector at three levels: 10, 15 and 20 cm were studied. Central composite design (CCD) was utilized to modeling the effect of electrospinning parameters of zein solution on average fiber diameters and the data were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). Coefficient of determination, R², of fitted regression model was higher than 0.9 for response. The analysis of variance table showed that the lack of fit was not significant for response surface model at 95 %. Therefore, the model for response variable was highly adequate. Results also indicated that the solution concentration had significant influence (P<0.0001) on morphology and diameter of fibers. By increasing the solution concentration, uniform and bead-free fibers were obtained. As the solution concentration was increased, the average fiber diameters were also increased. Furthermore, the electrospinning voltage had significant effect (P<0.0001) on average fiber diameters. By increasing the electrospinning voltage, the average fiber diameters increased. The solution flow rate and the distance between needle tip and collector had no significant influence on the average fiber diameters. According to model optimization, the minimum average fiber diameter of electrospun zein fiber is given by following conditions: 24 w/v % zein concentration, 10 kV of the applied voltage, 10 cm of needle tip to collector distance, and 4 ml/h of solution flow rate.     

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal-Like Cells from Diploid and Triploid Human Embryonic Stem Cells Display Different Gene Expression Profiles

Background:hESCs-MSCs open a new insight into future cell therapy applications, due to their unique characteristics, including immunomodulatory features, proliferation, and differentiation. Methods:Herein, hESCs-MSCs were characterized by IF technique with CD105 and FIBRONECTIN as markers and FIBRONECTIN, VIMENTIN, CD10, CD105, and CD14 genes using RT-PCR technique. FACS was performed for CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 markers. Moreover, these fibroblast-like cells, due to multipotent characteristics, differentiated to the osteoblast. Results:MSCs were derived from diploid and triploid hESC lines using sequential 3D and 2D cultures and characterized with the specific markers. IF showed the expression of FIBRONECTIN and CD105 in hESCs-MSCs. Flow cytometry data indicated no significant difference in the expression of MSC markers after 6 and 13 passages. Interestingly, gene expression profiles revealed slight differences between MSCs from diploid and triploid hESCs. The hESCs-MSCs displayed osteogenic differentiation capacity, which was confirmed by Alizarin red staining. Conclusion:Our findings reveal that both diploid and triploid hESC lines are capable of forming MSCs; however, there are some differences in their gene expression profiles. Generation of MSCs from hESCs, as a non-invasive procedure in large scale, will lend itself for the future cell-based therapeutic applications. Key Words: Human embryonic stem cells, Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, Regenerative medicine     

Molecular and morphological characterization of Ektaphelenchoides maafiae n. sp. (Nematoda: Ektaphelenchinae) from northern forests of Iran

Ektaphelenchoides maafiae n. sp. was isolated during a survey of nematodes associated with bark samples of an oak tree (Quercus castaneifolia) in Gorgan, Golestan Province, northern Iran. The new species has a body length of 480–546 μm (in females) and 431–480 μm (in males). The cuticle is weakly annulated, with three lateral lines. Lip region offset. The stylet is 13–15 μm long without basal swellings. The excretory pore is located at the level of the metacorpus base to slightly posterior, and hemizonid is at 15–17 μm posterior to the excretory pore. The post‐uterine sac is short, 6–8 μm long. Spicules having rounded condylus, rostrum short, conical with bluntly pointed tip, a cucullus (apophysis) presented on the dorsal distal end. Male tail bearing four (2 + 2) caudal papillae, conical, with sharply pointed terminus. The new species is close to four known species of the genus, including E. hunti, E. ruehmi, E. caspiensis and E. poinari, but differs from them by body size, shape of tail terminus, stylet length, shape and size of spicules, length of post‐vulval uterine sac and number of caudal papillae. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) sequences of rDNA confirmed its status as a new species.     

Rabies Infection: An Overview of Lyssavirus-Host Protein Interactions

Viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites that use cell proteins to take the control of the cell functions in order to accomplish their life cycle. Studying the viral-host interactions would increase our knowledge of the viral biology and mechanisms of pathogenesis. Studies on pathogenesis mechanisms of lyssaviruses, which are the causative agents of rabies, have revealed some important host protein partners for viral proteins, especially for most studied species, i.e. RABV. In this review article, the key physical lyssavirus-host protein interactions, their contributions to rabies infection, and their exploitation are discussed to improve the knowledge about rabies pathogenesis. Key Words: Host-Pathogen Interactions, Lyssavirus, Rabies