Wood destroying fungi in Iran

This paper gives information on 76 species of wood destroying fungi, collected in Iranian forests and from logs and board in sawmills. The majority of the records are new and are mentioned here for the first time.     

Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Barley Cultivars Reveals Incongruence Between S-SAP,SNP and Pedigree Data

Accurate assessment of genetic similarity is important for plant breeding, germplasm enhancement and conservation of plant genetic resources. A comparative analysis of genome diversity among a group of six-rowed spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars was carried out using sequence-specific amplified polymorphism (S-SAP) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), with the results compared to the kinship coefficients derived from the pedigree data. Mean pair-wise GS values were estimated to be 0.0957 ± 0.144 (Kinship), 0.491 ± 0.189 (SNPs), and 0.602 ± 0.098 (S-SAPs). S-SAP and SNP-based genetic similarity (GS) values were normally distributed but kinship values had a non-normal and skewed distribution. Pair-wise correlation of GS values were lowest for the S-SAP and the SNP matrices (r =; 0.040, p<0.230) and highest for the SNP and pedigree matrices (r =; 0.240, p < 0.001). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) attributed about 90.4% of observed variation to the cultivars within each of the malting and feed groups. Variance component between malting and feed groups was 6.6% for both SNP and S-SAP data suggesting lack of a significant genetic differentiation along this agronomic division. The remaining 3% of variation was attributed to genetic diversity within cultivars. Although both DNA-based marker systems were able to differentiate all barley cultivars, significant difference were observed in the pattern of genetic relationships obtained by the two marker systems and the pedigree data.     

Effect of sowing dates on yield and yield components of spring safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Isfahan region

In order to study the effect of sowing dates on the yield and yield components of two safflower varieties, an experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Station of Isfahan Kabotar Abad in 2004. A split plot layout within randomized complete block design with three replications was used in the experimentation. Eight sowing dates were in the main plots, consist March 6, March 21, April 6, April 21, May 6, May 21, June 6 and June 21 and two varieties (Isfahan 14 and I.L111) were in the sub plots. The results showed that the number of seed per capitulum and seed yield were decreased significantly as the sowings dates were delayed. The Isfahan 14 variety in comparison with I.L111 produced more fertile capitulum in square meter and also, respectively seed per capitulum. The second sowing date (March 21) produced the highest seed yield (2306.2 kg ha(-1)), whereas the 7th sowing date (June 6) produced the lowest seed yield (622 kg ha(-1)). The effect of variety for seed yield was not significant. Farmers in the Kabotar Abad of Isfahan and in other areas with similar conditions are recommended to plant the Isfahan 14 variety on March 21.     

Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on the ratio of TH1/TH2 in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model of Multiple Sclerosis in C57BL/6

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as a progressive central nervous system inflammatory disease. Certain factors, such as interleukins, inflammatory cells, and oxidative stress are supposed to involve in MS etiology. Because of the important role of oxidative stress, antioxidant therapy for MS has received more attention. Although coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) acts as an antioxidant, there is a lack of enough research on its effects on MS. Therefore, the present research was designed. Methods: C57BL/6 female adult mice (n = 30) were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into trial and control groups. To induce MS, routine procedure for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was used, and scoring was performed based on clinical signs. By detecting score one, CoQ10 administration was started (10 mg/kg/three weeks). By using ELISA and real-time PCR, the brain levels of TNF-, IL-10, IL-4, and IL-12 were studied. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data and the P value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Clinical symptoms in EAE animals were significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared to control ones. In addition, the level of the TNF- was significantly decreased following CoQ10 administration versus IL-10. The ratio of TH1/TH2 interleukins in treated animals was significantly less than that in non-treated animals (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings showed that CoQ10 is capable of suppressing the inflammatory pathway of MS. Key Words: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)     

Gastrointestinal tract morphological alteration by unpleasant physical treatment and modulating role of Lactobacillus in broilers

1.?An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supposedly unpleasant physical treatment on broiler performance, small intestinal development and ameliorating role of probiotics.

2.?The following treatments were applied from day one: (1) chicks exposed to normal human contact fed basal diet (control); (2) chicks were exposed to unpleasant physical treatment and fed basal diet (UPT-BD); and (3) chicks were exposed to unpleasant physical treatment and fed basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus (UPT-BDL). Chicks were exposed to UPT from days 1 to 21. Different segments of gastrointestinal tract were sampled at 14, 28, 35 and 42 d of age.

3.?Broilers of UPT-BD had lower feed consumption compared with control group at 7 d of age. Overall, UPT-BDL birds showed higher body weight gain (BWG) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the course of the experiment.

4.?Birds of UPT-BD had lower concentrations of lactic, propionic and butyric acids in the caecum as compared with other groups at 14 d of age. Acetic acid concentration was profoundly decreased in both UPT groups compared to the control.

5.?Duodenal villus height of UPT-BD broilers showed a slight reduction compared to the control and UPT-BDL birds at 14 d of age. Afterwards until day 42, UPT-BDL birds showed the highest villus height among treatments in different parts of the small intestine.

6.?The results suggested that, even though UPT did not have significant inhibitory effects on the development of the small intestine and broiler performance, it negatively affected bacterial metabolic end products in the caecum, which could be ameliorated by the addition of Lactobacillus.     

A review of the contemporary knowledge of bovine tuberculosis and government policy in Iran

In 1931 Carpantier reported bovine TB (BTB) in Iranian cattle. Some eighty years on with a national test-and-slaughter programme in place for over four decades, the efforts to vanquish Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection in cattle have been in vain as the vast majority of the 30 Iranian provinces still have reports of BTB in their cattle herds every year. This paper reviews the present epidemiology of BTB in Iran and in the region and evaluates the success of government policy in controlling this disease.     

Evaluation of Intelligence Models to Estimate the Least Limiting Water Range Using Conveniently Measurable Soil Properties

Eurasian Soil Science - Direct measurement of the least limiting water range (LLWR) is costly and time-consuming. In this study, genetic algorithm-based neural network (ANN-GA), artificial neural...     

Mechanical characterization of clay reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites at high temperature

This paper focuses on the influence of temperature conditions and the clay contents on enhancement of mechanical characterization of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were prepared using the melt mixing technique in a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Nanocomposites properties such as impact strength and ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, failure strain, Young’s modulus and toughness are calculated. The addition of clay to PP matrix was showed remarkable enhancement in mechanical properties at the temperature of 25 oC and 120 °C. Nearly 36 % and 160 % increase in the Young’s modulus and about 45 % and 62 % increase in the impact strength were observed at both room temperature (RT) and high temperature (HT), respectively. But, the tensile strength was not affected much. The basal spacing of clay in the composites was measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the surface morphology of the fractured surfaces and dispersion of the nanoclay.     

Dietary supplementation of Zingiber officinale and Zingiber zerumbet to heat‐stressed broiler chickens and its effect on heat shock protein 70 expression,blood parameters and body temperature

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Zingiber officinale and Zingiber zerumbet and to heat‐stressed broiler chickens on heat shock protein (HSP) 70 density, plasma corticosterone concentration (CORT), heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (HLR) and body temperature. Beginning from day 28, chicks were divided into five dietary groups: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet +1%Z. zerumbet powder (ZZ1%), (iii) basal diet +2%Z. zerumbet powder (ZZ2%), (iv) basal diet +1%Z. officinale powder (ZO1%) and (v) basal diet +2%Z. officinale powder (ZO2%). From day 35–42, heat stress was induced by exposing birds to 38 ± 1 °C and 80% RH for 2 h/day. Irrespective of diet, heat challenge elevated HSP70 expression, CORT and HLR on day 42. On day 42, following heat challenge, the ZZ1% birds showed lower body temperatures than those of control, ZO1% and ZO2%. Neither CORT nor HLR was significantly affected by diet. The ZO2% and ZZ2% diets enhanced HSP70 expression when compared to the control groups. We concluded that dietary supplementation of Z. officinale and Z. zerumbet powder may induce HSP70 reaction in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress.     

Morphological and molecular identification of Neopestalotiopsis mesopotamica causing tomato fruit rot

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Severe fruit rot symptoms were observed on tomato crop (Lycopersicon esculentum) located in Hamedan province of Iran, in spring 2014. Affected fruits...