Comparative effectiveness of different infiltration models in estimation of watershed flood hydrograph

The present study aims to evaluate performance of different infiltration models, namely initial and constant rate, soil conservation service (SCS) curve number and Green–Ampt in simulation of flood hydrographs for the small-sized Amameh Watershed, Iran. To achieve the study purpose, the infiltration rates were measured using rainfall simulator in work units acquired through overlaying topography, land use, drainage network and soil hydrologic group maps. All parameters of the study infiltration models were determined with the help of the Infilt. software package. The performances of the models in simulation of the observed output hydrographs from the entire watershed were ultimately evaluated for 28 rainfall–runoff events in the HEC-HMS environment. The different components of the observed and estimated hydrographs including time to peak, runoff volume, peak discharge, discharge values and peak time deviation were compared using relative error (RE), coefficient of determination (R²), peak-weighted root mean square error (PWRMSE) and Nash–Sutcliffe (NS) criteria. The general performance of estimations was also qualitatively assessed using scatter plot and distribution of study variables around standard lines of 1:1 slope. The results revealed that the SCS infiltration model with PWRMSE = 0.61 m³ s^?1 and NS = 0.53 performed better than initial and constant rate model with PWRMSE = 1.1 m³ s^?1 and NS = 0.54, and Green Ampt model with PWRMSE = 1.35 m³ s^?1 and NS = 0.29 in estimation of flood hydrograph for the Amameh Watershed.     

Revealing Genetic Relationship and Prospecting of Novel Donors Among Upland Rice Genotypes Using qDTY-Linked SSR Markers

A total of 17 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to QTLs (qDTYs) governing grain yield under reproductive stage (RS) drought stress were used to assess the genetic relationship and prospecting new donors for qDTYs among 32 popular upland rice genotypes. These SSR markers generated a total of 36 alleles with an average allele count of 2.1 per locus. Polymorphic information content value of the markers ranged from 0.376 to 0.662 with an average value of 0.484. The expected heterozyogosity ranged from 0.381 to 0.632. STRUCTURE analysis divided the 32 genotypes into three sub-populations. Subsequent phenotyping revealed that all the tolerant genotypes were grouped into one sub-population, whereas the moderately tolerant and susceptible genotypes were grouped into separate sub-populations. Phylogenetic tree constructed by the unweighted neighbour-joining method also divided the genotypes into three clusters. The grouping pattern of genotypes into the clusters was similar to that into the STRUCTURE analysis, on the basis of drought tolerance level. The average value of genetic dissimilarity coefficient among the genotypes was observed to be 0.486. Furthermore, by combining genotyping data with phenotyping data, 16 new donors for 6 qDTYs were identified.     

Biological Activities of Freshwater Algae,Spirogyra singularis Nordstedt

Spirogyra is commonly found as accessible algae in freshwater areas all over the world. Some medical uses have been reported from this genus. Biological activities of Spirogyra singularis were investigated employing eight in vitro assays. The extract showed different antioxidant activity. IC₅₀ for DPPH radical-scavenging was 4.71 ± 0.11 μg mL^?1. The extract showed very strong nitric oxide-scavenging activity with IC₅₀ = 77.3 ± 2.07 μg mL^?1, but its Fe²⁺ chelating ability was weak. The extract also exhibited high antioxidant activity in hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation tests and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. The extract also showed good antihemolytic activity. The total amount of phenolic content in the extract was determined as gallic acid equivalents, and total flavonoid content was calculated as quercetin equivalents. Biological activities may be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of phenol and flavonoid contents in the extract.     

Influence of the Dietary Addition of Butylated-Hydroxytoluene and Lipid Level on the Flesh Lipid Quality of Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) During Frozen Storage

The main aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of dietary butylated-hydroxytoulene (BHT as an antioxidant) and dietary lipid level on flesh lipid quality of Beluga sturgeon during frozen storage. An initial 135-day feeding trial evaluated practical-type diets containing 0 or 250 mg BHT kg^?1 with two lipid levels (12 and 24% diet on dry matter basis) in a factorial arrangement. Fillet samples were analyzed fresh or after storage at ?18 ± 1°C for 12 months. Dietary antioxidant supplementation had no significant effect on fat content and fatty acid composition in the studied fish muscle, but increasing the lipid concentration in the feed increased muscle lipid concentration. Lipid oxidation in fish muscle is related to increasing lipid concentration in the feed. In addition, oxidation was reduced for fish fed BHT. Results showed that dietary BHT supplementation can slow down the level of lipid oxidation in Beluga sturgeon muscles during frozen storage, but it had a direct relationship with dietary lipid level.     

Delivery of epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC) to hippocamp in Alzheimer's disease rat model

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive neuronal loss in hippocamp. Epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC) can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transplanting EPI-NCSC into AD rat model. Methods: Two weeks after induction of AD by injection of Amyloid-β 1-40 into CA1 area of rat hippocamp, Y-maze and single-trial passive avoidance tests were used to show deficit of learning and memory abilities. EPI-NCSC were obtained from the vibrissa hair follicle of rat, cultured and labeled with bromodeoxyuridine. When Alzheimer was proved by behavioral tests, EPI-NCSC was transplanted into CA3 area of hippocamp in AD rat model. The staining of EPI-NCSC markers (nestin and SOX10) was done in vitro. Double-labeling immunofluorescence was performed to study survival and differentiation of the grafted cells. Results: We showed that transplanted EPI-NCSC survive and produce many neurons and a few glial cells, presenting glial fibrillary acidic protein. Total number of granule cells in hippocamp was estimated to be more in the AD rat model with transplanted cells as compared to AD control group. We observed that rats with hippocampal damage made more errors than control rats on the Y-maze, when reward locations were reversed. Conclusion: Transplanted cells were migrated to all areas of hippocamp and the total number of granule cell in treatment group was equal compared to control group. Transplantation of EPI-NCSC into hippocamp might differentiate into cholinergic neurons and could cure impairment of memory in AD rat model.Key Words: Alzheimer’s disease, Cholinergic neuron, Hair follicle     

Practical methods for increasing light interception efficiency and root growth in soybean

Determining the effect of different sources of nitrogen and weeds on two varieties of soybean, an experiment was conducted out at research station of Tabriz University, Iran. Treatments were two varieties (Williams and Harcor), four nitrogen levels (two levels of symbiotic bacteria and two levels of urea) and weeds (with and without control). Results showed that three various factors can significantly change the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) amount at different layers of canopy. Solar radiation decreased in a vertical profile of canopy because of increasing Leaf Area Index (LAI). At the bottom level of canopy only 6% of total arrived PAR was recorded. Increasing LAI caused a sharp decrease in Light Interception Efficiency (LIE) in the canopy. Weeds significantly affected root nodules in dry and fresh weights. So, in weedy condition of soybean canopy, accumulation of dry matter decreases due to decline in LIE. On the other hand, weeds can strongly affect on nodules activity and decrease potential of nitrogen fixation by symbiosis bacteria.     

A 64 years old man with multiple myeloma and low HDL

In a 64 year old man with dyspnea and palpitation and fatigue and non angina chest pain, we found all the Para clinics prefect but only it showed low HDL and a normocytic, normochromic anemia. In searching about cause of anemia, in bone marrow biopsy showed Paraproteinemia. Therefore false low HDL because of paraproteinemia, leads to miss-diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.     

An abattoir study on hepatic tumors of sheep

The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence and age distribution of hepatic tumors of sheep as well as study of their histopathologic characteristics. For this purpose, 3000 slaughtered sheep, consisting of 284 rams with approximate age of 7 to 20 months and 2716 ewes with approximate age of 3 to 7 years, were inspected during a routine postmortem examination. This study was conducted at Tabriz abattoir in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran, in a course of 8 months from March to November 2006. In this survey, two livers were encountered tumoral. Representative sections of the tumors were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Gross and microscopic features of these tumors supported diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma for a seven-years-old crossbreed ewe and a five-years-old native breed ewe respectively. In this survey, 0.074% of slaughtered ewes had hepatic neoplasia. That is, the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma in aged ewes was equally 0.037% in this study.