Simulating long-term effect of Hyrcanian forest loss on phosphorus loading at the sub-watershed level

Conversion of forest land to farmland in the Hyrcanian forest of northern Iran increases the nutrient input, especially the phosphorus(P) nutrient, thus impacting the water quality. Modeling the effect of forest loss on surface water quality provides valuable information for forest management. This study predicts the future impacts of forest loss between 2010 and 2040 on P loading in the Tajan River watershed at the sub-watershed level. To understand drivers of the land cover, we used Land Change Modeler(LCM) combining with the Soil Water Assessment Tool(SWAT) model to simulate the impacts of land use change on P loading. We characterized priority management areas for locating comprehensive and cost-effective management practices at the sub-watershed level. Results show that agricultural expansion has led to an intense deforestation. During the future period 2010–2040, forest area is expected to decrease by 34,739 hm~2. And the areas of pasture and agriculture are expected to increase by 7668 and 27,071 hm~2, respectively. In most sub-watersheds, P pollution will be intensified with the increase in deforestation by the year 2040. And the P concentration is expected to increase from 0.08 to 2.30 mg/L in all of sub-watersheds by the year 2040. It should be noted that the phosphorous concentration exceeds the American Public Health Association′s water quality standard of 0.2 mg/L for P in drinking water in both current and future scenarios in the Tajan River watershed. Only 30% of sub-watersheds will comply with the water quality standards by the year 2040. The finding of the present study highlights the importance of conserving forest area to maintain a stable water quality.     

Utilization of Site-Specific Recombination in Biopharmaceutical Production

Mammalian expression systems, due to their capacity in post-translational modification, are preferred systems for biopharmaceutical protein production. Several recombinant protein systems have been introduced to the market, most of which are under clinical development. In spite of significant improvements such as cell line engineering, introducing novel expression methods, gene silencing and process development, expression level is unpredictable and unstable because of the random location of integration in the genome. Site-specific recombination techniques are capable of producing stable and high producer clonal cells; therefore, they are gaining more importance in the biopharmaceutical production. Site-specific recombination methods increase the recombinant protein production by specifically inserting a vector at a locus with specific expression trait. The present review focused on the latest developments in site-specific recombination techniques, their specific features and comparisons.     

The Effects of Estrogen Receptors' Antagonist on Brain Edema,Intracranial Pressure and Neurological Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rat

Background:

In previous studies, the neuroprotective effect of 17β-estradiol in diffuse traumatic brain injury has been shown. This study used ICI 182,780, a non-selective estrogen receptor antagonist, to test the hypothesis that the neuroprotective effect of 17β-estradiol in traumatic brain injury is mediated by the estrogen receptors.

Methods:

The ovariectomized rats were divided into eight groups. Brain injury was induced by Marmarou’s method. Estrogen was injected 30 minutes after traumatic brain injury, and ICI 182,780 was injected before traumatic brain injury and also before estrogen treatment. In one group only ICI 182,780 was injected. The brain water content and Evans blue dye content were measured 24 and 5 hours after traumatic brain injury, respectively. The neurologic outcomes and intracranial pressure were assessed before, 4, and 24 hours after traumatic brain injury.

Results:

Brain water content and Evans blue content were less in estrogen-treated group comparison to vehicle group. ICI 182,780 eliminated the effects of estrogen on brain edema and brain blood barrier permeability. Intracranial pressure was increased significantly after trauma, and estrogen decreased intracranial pressure at 4 and 24 hours after traumatic brain injury in comparison to vehicle. This inhibitory effect was also eliminated by treatment with ICI182,780. ICI 182,780 also inhibited the estrogen induced increase in neurologic outcomes following traumatic brain injury. However, the use of ICI 182,780 alone had no neuroprotective effect after traumatic brain injury.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that classical estrogen receptors have probably a role in the neuroprotective function of estrogen following traumatic brain injury.Key Words: Estrogens, Intracranial pressure (ICP), Brain edema     

Survey of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis</Emphasis> infection in slaughtered cattle in Kerman,Iran

The parasite of genus Sarcocystis is one of the most commonly found parasite in domestic animals worldwide. Some species of Sarcocystis cause important economic loss when causing clinical and sub clinical disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis in slaughtered Cattle in Kerman, Iran. The prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infection was investigated in 480 cattle, slaughtered from May 2005 to February 2006 in the Kerman, Iran using naked eye examination for macroscopic Sarcocysts, and peptic digestion, muscle squash, squeezing methods for microscopic types. Muscles from heart, tongue, and esophagus, cervical and abdominal muscles of 480 slaughtered cattle were examined for Sarcocystis cysts. The prevalence of microscopic Sarcocystis cysts in cattle was detected in 100% and there was no macroscopic cyst in examined cattle.     

Comparison of intramuscular and footpad subcutaneous immunization with DNA vaccine encoding HSV-gD2 in mice

Herpes simplex virus type 2 is the most common infectious agent in humans that causes genital herpes disease and vaccination is a desirable method to prevent herpes infections. An effective therapeutic vaccine will need to elicit virus-specific immune responses. The route of immunization has important role in immune responses. In this study, DNA vaccine encoding glycoprotein D of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-gD2) was prepared and injected via intramuscular and footpad routes to determine the optimal method of delivery for immune stimulation. The control manipulation of immune response by concerning route of administration is highly appreciated issue by researches. Although DNA vaccine containing HSV-gD2 is effective in both intramuscular and footpad injection routes, the latter could induce significantly higher cellular responses against HSV-2.     

Nutrient Accumulation in Faba Bean Varieties

Increasing the amount of nutrients in plant-based foods will help to improve the nutritional status of people in the World. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as a staple food in developing countries has the potential to provide many nutrients in human diets. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutrient concentrations in leaf, pod, and seed of faba bean varieties. A field study was conducted with six faba bean varieties. Variation in the elemental concentrations of nutrients and protein occurred among varieties and different parts of the plants. The highest concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, or copper and protein were in the seeds. However, the highest accumulation of calcium, magnesium, iron, or manganese was in the leaves. We recommend that faba bean can be considered as a valuable crop in the diet of nutrient-deficient consumers due to high concentration nutrients in edible parts of the plant.     

Effect of gypsum on potassium and iron release from phlogopite to alfalfa

This study evaluated the effects of gypsum on the release rate of potassium (K) and iron (Fe) from phlogopite to alfalfa under greenhouse conditions. The medium was a mixture of quartz sand as filling material, K- and Fe-bearing micaceous mineral (phlogopite) and different levels of gypsum (0%, 2%, 5%, 12% and 25%). During the 6-month cultivation period, the pots were irrigated and/or fed with distilled water and four different nutrient solutions. The results showed statistically significant effects of different levels of gypsum on dry weight and K and Fe concentration of shoots and roots. It seems that an increase in calcium (Ca) concentration, due to the addition of gypsum, changes the equilibrium of K and Fe in the root zone and plant tissues. The results of this study show that the rate of K and Fe release from micaceous minerals is extremely reduced in the presence of gypsum.     

Investigating Iranian Farmers' Satisfaction With Agricultural Extension Programs Using the American Customer Satisfaction Index

The aim of this article is to investigate and measure farmers' satisfaction regarding extension services to better understand why farmers do or do not participate in such programs in Iran. Our study sample consisted of 240 farmers selected through simple quota random sampling (160 male and 80 female) from a list of names from the extension organization. Data were gathered through a face-to-face survey of farmers. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that perceived quality and perceived value significantly predicted farmers' overall satisfaction. Furthermore, farmer satisfaction can predict farmers' loyalty to extension program activities. From a practical point of view, the present study provides a justification for using perceived quality and perceived value in policy and decision making that seeks to encourage farmers to use agricultural extension programs (AEPs).     

Responses of Anise Medicinal Plant Species in Terms of Essential Oil Contents and Concentrations to Different Planting Times and Various Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources under Semi-Arid Climatic Conditions

Essential oil content and concentration of anise plant planted in different times under various sources of nitrogen was evaluated in this study. The experiment was conducted in a split plot based on a randomized complete block (RCB) design (different sources of fertilizer as the main plot and planting dates as subplots) with three replications in the Agricultural Research Station at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2015–2016. Treatments included: planting times (sub plot factor): (27^th of October, 27^th of November, 1^st of March, 10^th of March, and 8^th of April) and nutritional sources (main plot factor): (Cow Manure, Chemical Fertilizer, and mixture of Cow Manure + Chemical Fertilizer). The results showed that the anise plant essential oil qualitative characteristics were significantly influenced by treatments. Also, interaction between the fertilizer treatments and planting dates on the essential oil content and concentration of the plants were significant. The highest percentage of plant essential oil (3.71%) was found in the cow manure treatment, and the lowest percentage of essential oil (2.95%) was obtained in the chemical fertilizer. The highest essential oil yield (16.09 kg/ha) was found in the mixed treatment of the cow manure and the chemical fertilizer, and the chemical fertilizer treatment had the lowest rate of essential oil yield (11.41 kg/ha). The highest percentages of the plant oil (14.31%) and the plant oil yield (77.46 kg/ha) were found in the integrated treatment of the cow manure and the chemical fertilizers. The lowest amounts of the plant oil (12.19%) and the plant oil yield (41.28 kg/ha) were found in the chemical fertilizer. According to the percentage and the yield of the essential oil, the best planting time and fertilizer treatment was the one on 10th of March and using integrated cow manure and chemical fertilizer.