A review of the role of lymphoma markers and occupational and environmental exposures

Immune deficiency and altered immunity are among the best characterized and strongest known risk factors of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). For instance, chronic inflammation or certain disturbances in the immune system are associated with an increased lymphoma risk. Occupational and environmental factors (i.e., dioxin) as well as lifestyle factors (i.e., obesity) may contribute to these risk factors. The precise role of these factors in the etiology of NHL, however, is still not entirely clear. Although the existing epidemiologic studies have not revealed consistent patterns of perturbations of the immune system by these factors, the findings might suggest an adverse impact on both the humoral and cell-mediated immune system.     

Synchronous feeding of liquid protein source with different grains on performance,digestibility, ruminal fermentation,blood metabolites,and carcass characters in growing lambs

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The effects of feeding corn steep liquor (CSL; 420 g/kg crude protein, DM basis) along with different cereal grains on performance, digestibility,...     

Molecular characterization of the surface glycoprotein genes of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses detected in Iran in 2011

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is causing the death of a large number of wild birds and poultry. HPAI H5N1 was reported in the north of Iran in 2011. In this study, two A/Chicken/Iran/271/2011 and A/Duck/Iran/178/2011 viruses were genetically characterized by sequence analysis of Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these viruses were different from previous Iranian isolates (Clade 2.2) and belonged to the subclade 2.3.2.1. The results showed that the detected viruses are almost identical to each other and closely related to HPAI H5N1 strains isolated in Mongolia in 2010. Based on the amino acid sequence analysis, these viruses at their HA cleavage sites contained the multibasic amino acid motif PQRERRRK-R/GLF lacking a lysine residue compared with the previous reports of the same motif. There is also a 20-amino acid deletion (resides 49–69) in the NA stalk similar to other viruses isolated after 2000. It seems that introduction of HPAI H5N1 to Iran might have happened by wild birds from Mongolian origin virus.     

Full sequence analysis of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes and proteins of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus detected in Iran, 2015

Over the last two decades, the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has gained a lot of attention due to its zoonotic and mutative nature. Iran is among the countries significantly affected by the virus as it hosts migratory birds during seasonal migration. In this study, the molecular characterizations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes and proteins of H5N1 strain A/chicken/Iran/8/2015 detected in backyard poultry, Mazandaran province, were investigated. Phylogenetic analysis classified this virus as a member of subclade 2.3.2.1c, with the cleavage site motif of “PQRERRRK-R/GLF”. HA carried a few mutations altering affinity to mammalian cells; however, the virus was categorized as avian. NA protein had the 20-amino acid deletion at aa position 49–69 similar to those isolated since 2000. Mutations of H253Y and H274Y contributing to antiviral resistance were present in NA. From this analysis, it can be concluded that the wild migratory birds flying from Western Asia to Eastern Africa are probably the main carriers of seasonal H5N1 in the country.

     

Release of aloe vera from electrospun aloe vera-PVA nanofibrous pad

The electrospinnability of aloe vera gel and the release mechanism as well as the kinetic of its release from poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous matrix is reported. Addition of PVA by an amount of only 1 % (w/w) to aloe vera solution made its electrospinning possible leading, to the fabrication of aloe vera nanofiber (99 %) with an average diameter of around 80 nm. Electrospinning of aloe vera-PVA solutions (25-75, 50-50, 75-25) led to the fabrication of nanofibers with average diameter of around 55, 105 and 110 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis showed no reaction between aloe vera and PVA. X-ray diffraction patterns showed no considerable effect from aloe vera on the amorphous structure of PVA. The release mechanism of aloe vera from PVA matrix in phosphate buffer solution was of Ficki type and the kinetic of the release followed Higuchi model. Aloe vera or aloe vera-PVA electrospun nanofibers may be used as an aloe vera release system in wound care. In a phosphate buffer solution, at least 60 percent of aloe vera is released in the first hour and about 90 % of aloe vera is released in 2-4 hours depending on the diameter of the nanofibers.     

Productivity,persistence and traits related to drought tolerance in smooth bromegrass

This study was conducted to evaluate drought tolerance and persistence in a germplasm of smooth bromegrass and association of forage productivity with different traits. Thirty‐six genotypes of smooth bromegrass were clonally propagated and evaluated under two soil moisture environments for three years (2013–2015). High genotypic variation was observed among genotypes for all the measured traits. Drought stress decreased mean values for traits related to productivity. Also, the long‐term stress for three years reduced the persistence of plants. Results indicated that indirect selection based on components of forage yield, which had high heritability and high correlation with yield, would be more effective to improve drought tolerance in this germplasm. The results of principal component analysis showed that there was a negative relationship between phenological traits with the persistence‐related traits and yield production. This suggests that selection for earliness may indirectly promote persistent genotypes. The results showed that some Hungarian genotypes are valuable gene sources for persistence. The most persistent genotypes from both groups (Iranian and foreign) were identified using the biplot method. These genotypes may be useful for the development of populations for future studies.     

Morphology and genetic diversity of Marrubium cuneatum Russell and M. parviflorum Fisch. & C.A. Mey

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Marrubium parviflorum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. and Marrubium cuneatum Russell, are naturally distributed in various parts of Iran. It is difficult to...     

Evaluation of Salinity Effects on Ionic Balance and Compatible Solute Contents in Nine Grape (Vitis L.) Genotypes

The salinity tolerance of nine grape genotypes was studied. Salinity was applied as nutrient solutions containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for two weeks. Growth was significantly reduced by salinity, whereas chloride (Cl^?) and sodium (Na⁺) contents increased. Sodium ion accumulation exceeded that of Cl^? in all treatments. Shirazi and H₆ had higher and lower Cl^? concentrations in their lamina than others. There were significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between Cl^? and Na⁺ and negative correlation between Na⁺ and potassium (K⁺) in roots and laminas of all genotypes. Soluble sugars, proline, and glycine betaine contents increased in laminas of all of the genotypes with moderate salinity. There were positive correlations (P < 0.01) between lamina and root Na⁺ and Cl^? contents and compatible solutes in all genotypes. Overall results revealed that unlike Shirazi with higher Na⁺ and Cl^? accumulation in shoot, H₆ showed a higher capacity to restrict Na⁺ and Cl^? transport to shoot.     

Effects of green synthesized zinc and copper nano-fertilizers on the morphological and biochemical attributes of basil plant

Abstract

In the present study, the green synthesis of Zn and Cu nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out via Zn and Cu ions reduction during their exposure to basil extract. The shape, size and chemical identity of the Zn and Cu NPs were determined using SEM and XRD analysis. To investigate the effects of the Zn and Cu NPs on the morphological and biochemical traits of basil plant, an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on completely randomized design with 4 levels of Zn NPs (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000?ppm) and 4 levels of Cu NPs (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000?ppm). Based on the results, nutrient treatments, especially 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 2000?ppm Cu NPs caused a significant increase in most morphological parameters. The application of the Zn and Cu NPs significantly affected concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid in the leaves of basil plants. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was obtained for 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 2000?ppm Cu NPs treatment. Plants treated with 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 0?ppm Cu NPs showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 2000?ppm Cu NPs and 2000?ppm Zn NPs + 0?ppm Cu NPs. It can be concluded that foliar application of the Zn and Cu NPs is necessary for obtaining better quantity and quality in basil.     

Quantitative study of poplar plantations in three Iranian provinces

Fast growing poplar species enjoy a highly favored position in Iran＇s forest product industries. Howeve~ information on poplar plantations, such as areas, growing stock and harvest volumes, are largely obtained by now scientific means and poorly executed methods. A few studies have been conducted to obtain data on the capacit,. of poplar plantations, their extent, existing growing stock, distribution and species choice in three provinces, i.e. Western Azerbaijan, Kurdistan and Hamedan, with relatively well developed management systems. We opted for cluster method, a standard sampling method for conducting similar investigations, consisting of two phases. In the firs phase we collected library information and conducted half-open interviews with villagers. In the second phase fiel~ measurements in the villages of these three provinces were carried out. Information from field measurements on growin! stock, cultivated areas, dominant species were used to estimate volumes by way of volume and weight tables. Result~ obtained from the present study indicate that the average annual volume of timber harvested in the three province~ was 697,723 m~, with an average sampling error of 22.7 per cent. This annual volume of poplar timber harvested fron the three provinces was estimated to amount to about 25 per cent of overall harvest; at that rate, the overall annu~ utilization potential of poplar plantations will be 10 million m3, which constitutes a reliable resource of raw timber for us~ in wood and paper industries.