Prevalence of avian influenza (H9N2) in commercial quail,partridge, and turkey farms in Iran, 2014–2015

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 subtype is endemic in Iran and causes substantial economic loss to the growing poultry industry within the country. In this...     

A Signature of Three microRNAs Is a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker for Glioblastoma

Background:Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant neoplasm of the central nervous system. Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment, glioblastoma still has a poor prognosis. This study aimed to examine whether a signature of three candidate miRNAs (i.e. hsa-let-7c-5p, hsa-miR-206-5p, and hsa-miR-1909-5p) can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing glioblastoma from healthy brain tissues. Methods:In this study, 50 FFPE glioblastoma tissue samples and 50 healthy tissue samples adjacent to tumor were included. The expression of each candidate miRNA (i.e. hsa-let-7c-5p, hsa-miR-206-5p, and hsa-miR-1909-5p) was measured using RT-qPCR. To show the roles of each miRNA and their biological effects on glioblastoma development and clinicopathological characteristics, in silico tools were used. ROC curves were performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of each miRNA. Results:Based on the results, hsa-let-7c-5p and hsa-miR-206-5p were downregulated, while hsa-miR-1909-5p was upregulated in glioblastoma tumors compared to healthy samples. No association was detected between the expression of each candidate miRNA and sex. Except for hsa-let-7c-5p, other miRNAs did not correlate with age status. ROC curve analysis indicated that the signature of candidate miRNAs is a potential biomarker distinguishing between glioblastoma and healthy samples. Only hsa-miR-206-5p suggested the association with poor prognosis in glioblastoma patients. Conclusion:Our findings revealed that the signature of three miRNAs is capable of distinguishing glioblastoma tumor and healthy tissues. These results are beneficial for the clinical management of glioblastoma patients.Key Words: Inflammation, Gastric cancer, Gene expression, Pattern recognition receptors, RNA-seq     

CANOLA OIL PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE AS AFFECTED BY PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING AND SULFUR OXIDIZING BACTERIA

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is a very important agricultural and industrial crop. Hence, the effects of chemical and biological treatments on canola oil production and nutrient uptake, under calcareous conditions, were evaluated in a field experiment. Phosphorus (P) fertilizer and sulfur (S)-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus sp.) increased canola oil production by a maximum of 548 and 335 kg ha^?1, respectively. P-solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus sp.) and Thiobacillus sp. enhanced the uptake of different nutrients including nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). Monthly measurements of soil P indicated that soil P fluctuations can be managed using the applied treatments for proper P fertilization in canola production. The results indicated the important role of chemical and biological (Bacillus sp.) P sources and S-oxidizing bacteria for canola growth and oil production as they resulted in significant increase in canola oil production and nutrient uptake. This can be very beneficial for the farmers and industry.     

Preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose superabsorbents from waste textiles

Production of superabsorbent polymers from cotton and viscose waste textiles was investigated. The cellulose wastes were carboxymethylated, crosslinked by divinylsulfone, and then converted to superabsorbent material using air-drying, freeze-drying, or air-drying after phase inversion. The separation of cellulose from synthetic polymers in the textile (polyester) was carried out by direct dissolution of cellulose in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), or separation by dissolution in water after carboxymethylation of the textiles. The progress of the carboxymethylation reaction was evaluated by measurement of the degree of substitution (DS) of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The DS values of 0.50–0.86 confirmed the prosperous substitution of hydrophilic carboxymethyl groups into the cellulosic chains. The water binding capacity and the swelling rate of the superabsorbents prepared under different conditions were measured. Under the best condition the superabsorbent obtained from waste textiles showed an ultimate water binding capacity of 541 g/g which was notably higher than that of the reference superabsorbent derived from cotton linter (470 g/g). The amount of absorbed water by this product exceeded that of the reference sample after 60 min immersion.     

Haematozoans from deep water fishes trawled off the Cape Verde Islands and over the Porcupine Seabight, with a revision of species within the genus Desseria (Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae)

Archived blood smears from 32 of 113 fishes in 18 families and 12 orders, trawled from deep North Atlantic waters off the Cape Verde Islands in 1999 and over the Porcupine Seabight in 2001 were found to harbour haematozoans. These included four species of haemogregarines (Adeleorina, Haemogregarinidae) and a species of trypanosome (Trypanosomatina, Trypanosomatidae) located in Porcupine Seabight fishes. Also present were Haemohormidium-like structures of uncertain status found in samples from this location and from the Cape Verde Islands. Although material was limited, two of the haemogregarines were provisionally named Desseria harriottae sp. n. from Harriotta raleighana Goode et Bean (Chimaeriformes, Rhinochimaeridae), and Haemogregarina bathysauri sp. n. from Bathysaurus ferox Günther (Aulopiformes, Bathysauridae). The two remaining haemogregarines were identified as Desseria marshalllairdi (Khan, Threlfall et Whitty, 1992) from Halosauropsis macrochir (Günther) (Notacanthiformes, Halosauridae), and Haemogregarina michaeljohnstoni (Davies et Merrett, 2000) from Cataetyx laticeps Koefoed (Ophidiformes, Bythitidae). The name H. michaeljohnstoni was proposed to replace Haemogregarinajohnstoni Davies et Merrett, 2000 from C. laticeps and to avoid confusion with Hepatozoon johnstoni (Mackerras, 1961) Smith, 1996 from varanid lizards, originally named Haemogregarina johnstoni Mackerras, 1961. The trypanosome formed a mixed parasitaemia with D. harriottae in H. raleighana and was provisionally named Trypanosoma harriottae sp. n. No blood parasites had been described previously from cartilaginous fishes of the Holocephali, making the finds in H. raleighana unique. Haemohormidium-like structures were located in erythrocytes in one fish, Coryphaenoides armatus (Hector), among the Cape Verde Islands samples and in 12 species of fishes from the Porcupine Seabight; all these hosts were bony fishes. Finally, the haemogregarine species listed in the genus Desseria Siddall, 1995 were reassessed. Of the original list of 41 species, 30 were retained and 5 species added, including D. harriottae, so that the genus now contains 35 species.     

Effects of Bentonite Application and Urea Fertilization Time on Growth,Development and Nitrate Accumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae L.)

Under excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, vegetables can accumulate high levels of nitrate in their vegetative body and, when consumed by living organisms, pose serious health-related risks for humans. Regarding such problems, it is necessary to minimize the accumulation of nitrate in leafy vegetables. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate bentonite levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 g/kg soil) application and urea fertilization times (25, 50, 75 days after sowing; at the rate of 0.2 g per pot) on the growth, development and nitrate accumulation of spinach. Results showed that urea fertilization on 25 days after sowing date had the highest effect on the quality, while application of 60 gr bentonite had the highest effect on the improvement of growth parameters of spinach. The lowest nitrate and nitrite accumulation rate was observed at urea fertilization on 50 days after planting and lack of bentonite application, whereas the lowest oxalic acid content was obtained at urea fertilization on 25 days after planting in a soil without bentonite application. The results showed that implementing an appropriate rate of bentonite and urea fertilization times may bring about favorable results for spinach production.     

Fruit Quality and Nitrogen,Potassium, and Calcium Content of Apple as Influenced by Nitrate: Ammonium Ratios in Tree Nutrition

Evaluations of fruit quality and nitrogen, potassium, and calcium concentration of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cvs. Gala and Golab) grown with five treatments of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺ ratios were made in pot culture. The concentrations of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺ ratios were 2.5:0.1, 6:1, 6:0.7, 6:0.5, 6:0.3 meq L^?1. Fruit size, percent dry matter, total dissolved solids, total acidity, or juice pH was not affected by increased ammonium in the ratio. Firmness decreased as the proportion of NH₄⁺ increased. Gala and Golab differed in some of these parameters. Concentrations of N and K increased as NH₄⁺ increased, whereas Ca had no trend or decreased. Generally, the treatment of 2.5:0.1 produced fruits with lower N but higher K and Ca concentrations than the other treatments. This research showed that some parameters such as fruit weight, length, and diameter, juice pH, and dry matter were not affected significantly by NH₄⁺ concentration whereas composition was affected.     

Marine Natural Products: Promising Candidates in the Modulation of Gut-Brain Axis towards Neuroprotection

In recent decades, several neuroprotective agents have been provided in combating neuronal dysfunctions; however, no effective treatment has been found towards the complete eradication of neurodegenerative diseases. From the pathophysiological point of view, growing studies are indicating a bidirectional relationship between gut and brain termed gut-brain axis in the context of health/disease. Revealing the gut-brain axis has survived new hopes in the prevention, management, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, introducing novel alternative therapies in regulating the gut-brain axis seems to be an emerging concept to pave the road in fighting neurodegenerative diseases. Growing studies have developed marine-derived natural products as hopeful candidates in a simultaneous targeting of gut-brain dysregulated mediators towards neuroprotection. Of marine natural products, carotenoids (e.g., fucoxanthin, and astaxanthin), phytosterols (e.g., fucosterol), polysaccharides (e.g., fucoidan, chitosan, alginate, and laminarin), macrolactins (e.g., macrolactin A), diterpenes (e.g., lobocrasol, excavatolide B, and crassumol E) and sesquiterpenes (e.g., zonarol) have shown to be promising candidates in modulating gut-brain axis. The aforementioned marine natural products are potential regulators of inflammatory, apoptotic, and oxidative stress mediators towards a bidirectional regulation of the gut-brain axis. The present study aims at describing the gut-brain axis, the importance of gut microbiota in neurological diseases, as well as the modulatory role of marine natural products towards neuroprotection.     

Grain Yield and Qualitative of Rapeseed Genotypes Change in Response to Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid and Planting Density

Gesunde Pflanzen - A factorial split-plot experiment (2015–17) was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Karaj, Iran, to investigate...     

Symptoms and fungi associated with elm trees decline in Iran

Elm (Ulmus, Ulmaceae) is one of the most popular and important trees in urban and landscape areas in Iran. A severe decline of elm trees has recently been observed in some areas of Kerman and Shiraz cities. However, the identity of the causal agents has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study, carried out in the years 2012–2014, was to isolate and identify fungal trunk pathogens associated with decline symptoms observed in elm trees. Samples were collected from trunks and branches of trees showing various disease symptoms and internal wood lesions. Fungal isolations were made from discolored or decayed wood tissue. In Kerman some elm trees were attacked by the beetle Aeolesthes sarta; therefore, samples were also collected from larvae and adults of beetles associated with trees showing wood damage. Fungal isolates were identified by morphological, cultural and molecular characteristics. Thirteen fungal species, Phaeoacremonium (P.) minimum, P. parasiticum, P. sicilianum, P. alvesii, P. fraxinopennsylvanicum, Spencermartinsia viticola, Dothiorella (Do.) sarmentorum, Neoscytalidium hyalinum, Diatrype (Di.) whitmanensis, Cosmospora viridescens, Phoma (Pho.) herbarum, Phellinus (Phe.) tuberculosus and Inonotus levis were identified. Phaeoacremonium parasiticum was the only species isolated from both larvae and adult beetles. Pathogenicity trials were performed on detached shoots of elm under greenhouse conditions. Dothiorella sarmentorum was the most virulent species based on the length of wood necrosis. This study is the first report of P. sicilianum, C. viridescens and Phe. tuberculosus in Iran. In addition, most of the isolated species are reported for the first time on elm trees in the world.