Diversity of woody plant species and their relationship to physiographic factors in central Zagros forests (Case study: Perc forest,Khorramabad, Iran)

Topography is the most factor that has the greatest impact of all factor that affect the distribution.To study the diversity of trees and shrub species in the Perc forest situated in Khorramabad,Lorestan,140 circular plots of 1200 m~2 in a grid of 300 m 9 250 m were surveyed,using a systematic random sampling method.In each plot,the Margalef richness index,Shannon–Wiener diversity index,Hill's N_1 and Simpson indices and the evenness index of Simpson and Smith-Wilson were calculated and ordered on the basis of different classes of elevation,exposition and slope.The results indicated that slope did not have any significant effect on the indices.Exposition and elevation classes significant impacted the richness and diversity indices,but did not influence evenness.In general,the highest plant diversity was observed for slopes less than 15 %,northern aspects,without geographical direction,and elevations of 2100–2200 m.This information can be very useful in achieving the goals for sustainable management of forests.In addition to greater protection for regions with high diversity and reforestation(compatible species) in degraded area,we can help increase diversity in forests.     

Elevated Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone in an Arabian Mare with Granulosa Cell Tumor

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), produced by granulosa cells, has been reported to be elevated in mares with granulosa cell tumor. A 13-year-old Arabian mare was referred after 3 years of infertility. Rectal and ultrasonographic examination revealed enlargement and multicystic appearance of the left ovary. The mare had substantially higher concentration of AMH (21.6 ng/mL) compared with normal cyclic mares (n = 5; 0.36 ± 0.02 ng/mL). Testosterone (50 pg/mL) concentration was also elevated, but progesterone concentration (0.4 ng/mL) was lowered. Accordingly, the mare was presumptively diagnosed with granulosa-theca cell tumor and a left ovariectomy implemented using ventral midline approach under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of granulosa-theca cell tumor. Serum concentrations of AMH decreased to 2 ng/mL and 0.5 ng/mL 2 and 4 weeks after tumor removal, respectively. In conclusion, the current report presents confirmatory evidence that evaluation of serum AMH could be useful for diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor in mare.     

Durum wheat cultivation associated with Aegilops tauschii in northern Iran

Hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. aestivum) is assumed to have originated by natural hybridization between cultivated tetraploid Triticum turgidum L. and wild diploid Aegilops tauschii Coss. This scenario is broadly accepted, but very little is known about the ecological aspects of bread wheat evolution. In this study, we examined whether T. turgidum cultivation still is associated with weedy Ae. tauschii in today’s Middle Eastern agroecosystems. We surveyed current distributions of T. turgidum and Ae. tauschii in northern Iran and searched for sites where these two species coexist. Ae. tauschii occurred widely in the study area, whereas cultivated T. turgidum had a narrow distribution range. Traditional durum wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) cultivation associated with weedy Ae. tauschii was observed in the Alamut and Deylaman-Barrehsar districts of the central Alborz Mountain region. The results of our field survey showed that the T. turgidum–Ae. tauschii association hypothesized in the theory of bread wheat evolution still exists in the area where bread wheat probably evolved.     

Cardinal temperatures for seed germination of wild barley,barley grass and hoary cress

It is necessary to understand the effects of environmental conditions, especially temperature, on weed seed germination patterns, in order to make comprehensive and effective weed management decisions. The effect of cardinal temperature (0°C, 5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C) on the germination pattern of three noxious weeds, such as wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum Koch.), barley grass (H. murinum L.) and hoary cress (Cardaria draba L.) in wheat fields of Iran, was studied in three separate experiments. The experiments were conducted based on completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The result showed that the germination of all three species started at low temperatures and there was no significant difference in germination percentage (GP) at lower temperatures. About 50% of the weed population germinated within a short period when using a dent-like model indicating the high ability of these weeds to compete for space and resources. Segmented and dent-like models were used to evaluate the cardinal temperatures. The results showed that dent-like model was the preferred model to evaluate germination rate in relation to variable temperatures in hoary cress, while the segmented model was better in wild barley. However, there was no significant difference between the two models for barley grass. The results of this study showed that mechanical, cultural (pre-planting irrigation) and chemical practices could be more useful and effective at 10–30°C.     

A Class IV Chitinase Is Up-Regulated by Fungal Infection and Abiotic Stresses and Associated with Slow-Canker-Growth Resistance to Cronartium ribicola in Western White Pine (Pinus monticola)

ABSTRACT In the present study, in a candidate gene approach, a class IV chitinase gene (PmCh4A) of pathogenesis-related family three was cloned and characterized in western white pine (Pinus monticola). PmCh4A chitinase expression in the different organs of healthy seedlings was below levels detectable by western immunoblot analysis using an antibody raised against PmCh4A protein. However, a 27-kDa isozyme of PmCh4A accu mulated in both susceptible and slow-canker-growth (SCG) resistant seedlings after infection by Cronartium ribicola. As with fungal infection, the application of a signal chemical (methyl jasmonate) and a protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor (okadaic acid) increased the PmCh4A protein accumulation. Furthermore, another 26-kDa isozyme was expressed specifically in SCG resistant seedlings, providing a potential tool for marker-assisted selection in forest breeding. Wounding treatment also induced expression of the protein. These data suggest that the class IV chitinase PmCh4A is involved in the defense response of western white pine to infection and abiotic stresses.     

Modulatory effects of vitamin C on biochemical and oxidative changes induced by acute exposure to diazinon in rat various tissues: Prophylactic and therapeutic roles

Diazinon (DZN) as an organophosphate pesticide may cause oxidative stress in different tissues. Antioxidants increase tissue protection from oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate prophylactic and therapeutic effects of vitamin C against oxidative stress caused by DZN in various tissues of male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups: control group received corn oil as DZN solvent, DZN group received 100 mg/kg of DZN, C group received 200 mg/kg of vitamin C, C‐DZN and DZN‐C groups received vitamin C before and after DZN injection. Plasma and various tissues were prepared and evaluated for measurement of the biochemical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers. Results showed that acute administration of DZN significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione‐S‐transferase activities and malondialdehyde level in all tissues, catalase (CAT) activity in liver, kidney and heart and some plasma biochemical indices, while it decreased cholinesterase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and glutathione content in all tissues. CAT activity in erythrocytes, brain and spleen was decreased in DZN‐exposed rats compared with the control group. Administration of vitamins C in both prophylactic and therapeutic groups ameliorated in these parameters, although all these tests in tissues did not return to the normal level. These data suggest that oxidative stress is an essential mechanism involved in DZN‐induced adversity effect, as evidenced by the altered activity of antioxidant enzymes, depleted GSH content and the enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation. Both the prophylactic and therapeutic treatments of rats to vitamin C have beneficial effects against oxidative stress and cholinergic hyperactivity induced by DZN in tissues especially in the brain tissue through free radical scavenging.     

Wide genetic diversity of Rosa damascena Mill. germplasm in Iran as revealed by RAPD analysis

The genetic relationships among 41 Rosa damascena accessions from various cultivation areas of Iran and one accession from Bulgaria were analyzed using 31 RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) primers. Each primer exhibited 3–12 banding patterns for a total of 343 scorable and 184 polymorphic bands. The combination of 11 primers was found optimal for discrimination of 42 accessions with very low values of cumulative confusion probability (9.7 × 10⁻⁵); indicating that only one pair from over 10,000 distinct pairs of accessions would be indistinguishable. Unweighted pair group method cluster analysis based on similarity values revealed 10 groups at the distance of 0.85. The Bulgarian genotype grouped with the majority of the Iranian genotypes in a main cluster. Results of molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) indicated that the major proportion (65.7%) of the total genetic variation was within collecting provinces rather than between them. The wide genetic variation seen for R. damascena in Iran indicates that Iran is a center of genetic diversity for this species and that there is a promising future for the breeding.     

The morphological changes of adult mouse testes after 60Co gamma-Radiation

BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic therapy can lead to prolonged azoospermia or even sterility. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes of mouse testes after gamma-Radiation. METHODS: After anaesthetizing of NMRI mice, testes and their surrounding tissues were irradiated using a cobalt therapy machine. Four experimental groups were irradiated with fractionated doses of: 1.5 + 8, 1.5 + 12 and 1.5 + 16 Gy (with an interval of 24 h) and single dose of 14 Gy. Non-irradiated mice were considered as control group. Testes were removed 4, 6 and 8 weeks following irradiation, weighed and processed for light microscopic study. Diameters of seminiferous tubules and their lumens, epithelium thickness, percentage of different types of tubules and number of spermatogenic cell were measured. Moreover, sperm count motility and viability rates were evaluated in epididymis. RESULTS: Number of normal tubules, epithelium thickness, tubules diameter and lumen diameter were significantly reduced with high dose irradiation in comparison with control testes. The recovery was observed after 8 weeks. Epididymal sperm count, motility and viability rates were significantly decreased in the irradiated mice comparing non-irradiated ones. These parameters were increased after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: According to the results, irradiation can cause temporary azoospermia in mouse and this effect is reversible after 8 weeks.