Genetic diversity and population structure of diverse Iranian Nepeta L. taxa

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - In the present study, we utilized ISSR molecular markers to investigate infraspecific and infrageneric genetic variations in 34 populations from 25 Nepeta L....     

A feasibility study of using two-component polyurethane adhesive in constructing wooden structures

This investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of using a two-component polyurethane （PUR） adhesive, with special waterproof properties, in constructing wooden structures. We designed and conducted tests to compare the shear strength and adhesion performance of PUR with polyvinyl acetate （PVAc） adhesive on block-shear specimens constructed of oriental beech （Fagus orientalis L.）, fir （Abies alba Mill.）, poplar （Populus deltoides Bartr.）, white oak （Quercus alba L.）, sycamore （Platanus orientalis L.） and white walnut （Juglans cinerea L.）. The values of the percentage of wood failure were also determined in specimens constructed with each adhesive. The highest shear strength values of both adhesives were obtained in specimens constructed of beech, while the lowest shear strength values were obtained in fir and poplar specimens. Average shear strength of the PUR adhesive was 16.5% higher than that of the PVAc adhesive. Specimens constructed of fir, poplar and sycamore were characterised by the highest percentages of wood failure, whereas the lowest average percentages of wood failure were obtained in beech and oak specimens. With the exception of oak specimens, there was no statistically significant difference between percentage of wood failure among the PUR and PVAc adhesives. Generally, the PUR adhesive showed an acceptable adhesion performance on wood materials used in our study.     

Combined effects of salinity and potassium concentration on juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, Temminck and Schlegel) in inland saline groundwater

This paper reports on experiments conducted to examine the combined effects of salinity and potassium concentration on survival and growth of juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, Temminck and Schlegel) in inland saline groundwater. Three separate experiments were conducted in 20 (±1)°C water. In the first experiment, mulloway were held in 60 L aquaria (triplicate) with salinities of 5, 15, 25 or 35 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60% or 80% of the concentration present in oceanic water of the equivalent salinity in a 4 × 4 factorial combination for 7 days. Response surface contour diagrams were generated from survival data to estimate optimal conditions. The results showed that maximum survival of juvenile mulloway occurred at salinities of >14 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of >38%. Survival was lowest at salinities of <7 and >33 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of <25%. The second experiment was conducted with mulloway held in 60 L aquaria at salinities of 15, 25 or 35 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% in a 3 × 4 factorial combination for 44 days. Optimal conditions for maximum survival and growth of mulloway were within a salinity range of 15–35 g L^?1 and potassium concentration above 40%. The third experiment was conducted in three 500 L tanks to record the survival and growth of mulloway fingerlings held at 20 (±1)°C, 23 g L^?1 salinity and potassium concentrations of 50% for 8 months. Survival and growth of mulloway fingerling in inland saline groundwater were similar to those reported from a semi‐intensive floating tank system in inland saline water and sea cage trials in oceanic water.     

Accumulation and remobilization of assimilates in different genotypes of durum wheat under terminal drought stress

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - The present research was conducted to examine the accumulation and remobilization of some promising lines of durum wheat assimilates using a randomized...     

Comparative in vitro study of the intestinal absorption of titanium and iron in rats

Rat Everted Gut Sac (EGS) model was employed to study the intestinal uptake of titanium and iron. Incubation of freshly prepared rat EGS in Earle's medium pH = 7.4 containing titanium showed that the absorption of titanium as well as iron was a dose dependent process. Ascorbic acid enhanced the absorption of both metal ions, while NaF (1 mM) as an inhibitor of glycolytic energy supply, decreased their absorption. The Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, ouabain (1 mM) reduced intestinal absorption of Titanium. This suggests that titanium uptake is an active transport process as is iron uptake. Iron absorption was reduced approximate by 17% when titanium was presented to incubation medium EGS whereas, the absorption of titanium was decreased by 35% when iron was added to the reaction mixture.     

Effect of Combination Therapy Using Hypothermia and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in a Rat Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death. Hypothermia has been recognized as an effective method in reducing brain injury. In this study, we assessed the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a neuroprotective agent and mild hypothermia on mortality, behavioral function, infarct volume, and brain edema in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male rats were used in five groups (eight rats in each group): control, hypothermy, G-CSF, combination hypothermy + CSF, and sham. Rats were anesthetized by injection of chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Transient cerebral ischemia was induced by 60-min intraluminal occlusion of left middle cerebral artery. Hypothermia, initiated at the time of reperfusion and G-CSF was started one hour after reperfusion at a dose of 15 mg/kg subcutaneously. The motor behavior was measured using Garcia’s index and animals were assigned for the assessments of infarction, brain swelling, and mortality rate. Results: The mortality was 38.46% (control group) and reduced in other groups. Neurological deficit score of control group (40.31 ± 1.56) was significantly lower than in treatment groups. The total cerebral infarct volume of treatment group was significantly lower than control group (43.96 ± 44.05 mm³). Treatment with hypothermy plus G-CSF (2.69 ± 0.24%) could significantly reduce brain swelling volume than other treatment groups. Conclusion: Our major finding is that mild hypothermic treatment plus G-CSF significantly reduced mortality rate and edema and improved neurological function. The results suggest that the combination of hypothermia and G-CSF is more effectively than other treatment groups being used alone. Key Words: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), Rats, Brain ischemia, Hypothermia     

Folic Acid Content of Ready‐to‐Eat Cereals Determined by Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry: Comparison to Product Label and to Values Determined by Microbiological Assay

Twelve popular ready‐to‐eat breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid were sampled in the United States in 2006, and the data have been incorporated into the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Cereals were collected from three statistically selected retail outlets in each of four primary census regions, and four composites of each product were prepared using random groupings of three locations each. Folic acid was determined using a validated LC‐MS method, with ¹³C‐folic acid as an internal standard, after trienzyme treatment and solid phase extraction. A cereal reference material (AACC VMA399) was analyzed as a control. Selected samples were also assayed using the standard microbiological method, with and without trienzyme extraction, to generate an estimate of endogenous folate. On average, as shown on the label, folate content was underestimated. In seven cereals, folate was within 5% of the declared value; in four cereals, it was 5–20% higher; and in two cereals, it was >20% greater, representing –75 to +69 μg/serving (mean 17) of the label value, equivalent to –19% to +17% of the 400 μg/daily value. The microbiologically determined folic acid was higher than LC‐MS by 10–67% (mean 40%). Therefore, use of label values might underestimate folate intake from some breakfast cereals.     

Evaluation of Anticancer and Cytotoxic Effects of Genistein on PC3 Prostate Cell Line under Three-Dimensional Culture Medium

Background:Prostate cancer is a major cause of disease and mortality among men. GNT is an isoflavone found naturally in legumes. Isoflavones, a subset of phytoestrogens, are structurally similar to mammalian estrogens. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of GNT on PC3 cell line under 3D culture medium. Methods:The 3D culture was created by encapsulating the PC3 cells in alginate hydrogel. MTT assay, neutral red uptake, comet assay, and cytochrome C assay were used to study the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of GNT at 120, 240, and 480 μM concentrations. Also, NO, catalase, and GSH levels were determined to evaluate the effect of GNT on the cellular stress. The culture medium was used as the negative control.Results:GNT reduced the production of cellular NO and increased the production of catalase and glutathione, confirming the results of the NO test. Evaluation of the toxicity effect of GNT at the concentrations of 120, 240, and 480 μM using comet assay showed that this chemical agent induces apoptosis in PC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. As the level of cytochrome C in PC3 cells treated with different concentrations of GNT was not significantly different from that of the control, GNT could induce apoptosis in PC3 cells through the non-mitochondrial pathway. Conclusion:The findings of this study disclose that the anticancer effect of GNT on PC3 cells under 3D culture conditions could increase the effectiveness of treatment. Also, the cell survival rate is dependent on GNT concentration. Key Words: Apoptosis, Genistein, Three-dimensional cell culture     

Potential of blended organic acids to improve performance and health of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis

Organic acids (OA) and their blends have been shown to positively affect performance and health of broilers. However, the data in the literature are not consistent. This study examined the potential of blended short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on performance, health and welfare of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis (NE). The additives used were: A) a blend of SCFA, MCFA, and a phenolic compound (SMP); B) a blend of free and buffered SCFA with MCFA (SMF); C) a blend of free and buffered SCFA with a high concentration of MCFA (SHM). A total of 1,404 Ross 308 one-day-old male parental chicks were randomly distributed into 78-floor pens with 13 replicates of 18 birds each. Six treatments were the following: T1, unchallenged control (UCC); T2, challenged control (CHC); T3, challenged group plus zinc bacitracin (BAC); T4, challenged group plus additive SMP; T5, challenged group plus additive SMF; T6, challenged group plus additive SHM. Challenged birds were gavaged with Eimeria spp. on d 9 and Clostridium perfringens EHE-NE18 on d 14. Post NE challenge and cumulatively, BWG, FCR, and nutrient digestibility of birds were compromised (P < 0.05) by NE challenge indicating a successful induction of sub-clinical NE. Additive SHM had higher BWG compared to CHC and BAC groups (P = 0.001; d 10 to 24) but not different from SMP and SMF groups (P > 0.05). All the 3 additive groups had lower FCR compared to CHC (P = 0.001; d 0 to 35), and exhibited similar jejunal lesions (d 16) compared to BAC and apparent ileal protein digestibility (d 21) compared to UCC and BAC groups (P > 0.05). Birds in additive SHM group had a higher concentration of serum IgA compared to all groups (P = 0.001) except additive SMF (P > 0.05; d 21). All the additive groups had lower footpad dermatitis and hock burns compared to CHC (P < 0.05). The findings suggest the potential of blended OA as alternatives to BAC to protect broilers from NE indicated by improved FCR, immunity, digestibility, and bird welfare.