Association of allelic polymorphisms of IGFALS gene with growth traits in Makouei and Ghezel sheep breeds

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein acid-labile subunit (IGFALS) encodes a protein which binds to IGF1 and IGFBP-3 to regulate the growth, differentiation, and other physiological processes. The aim of this study was the identification of allelic polymorphisms of the IGFALS gene using the PCR-RFLP technique and evaluation of their association with growth traits. For this end, 120 blood samples were randomly collected from each breed. Following amplification of an 1113-bp fragment of exon 1 and a part of intron 1 of the IGFLAS gene, genotyping was conducted by three restriction enzymes including HinfI, MscI, and PvuII. The results showed that only one allele was observed in IGFALS-PvuII site, while in IGFLAS-MscI site, three AA, AB, and BB genotypes with the frequencies of 17.5%, 32%, and 50.5% and 11%, 37.5%, and 51.5% were observed in Makouei and Ghezel sheep breeds, respectively. Additionally, in the IGFLAS-HinfI site, two AB and BB genotypes with the frequency of 34.2% and 65.8% were observed in Makouei sheep and AA, AB, and BB genotypes with the frequency of 9%, 21%, and 70% were observed in Ghezel sheep. So that, Makouei sheep with AB genotype had more chest girth (CG) compared with other genotypes. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the genotypes of IGFLAS-HinfI with birth weight (BW) in Ghezel and BW, weaning weight (BW3), and CG in Makouei sheep. Haplotype analysis revealed an association between paternal haplotypes and BW in both Ghezel and Makouei breeds. So that, AAB and ABB haplotypes showed more BW than others in Makouei and Ghezel sheep, respectively.

     

Biological control of gray mold on apple fruits byBacillus licheniformis (EN74-1)

Bacillus licheniformis (EN74-1) was evaluated for the control of gray mold of apple caused byBotrytis mali. Dual culture, cell-free metabolite and volatile tests showed thatB. licheniformis (EN74-1) inhibited growth of the pathogen. Inhibition varied from 46.2% to 65.4% in the dual culture tests; 58.6% to 58.8% in the cell-free metabolite tests; and 28.4% to 33.8% in the volatile tests.B. licheniformis (EN74-1) appeared to be a good antagonist of gray mold on apples at 20° and 4°C. It reducedB. mali lesion diameter to 9–11 mm compared with to 32–41 mm in the control at 4°C. At 20°C the lesion diameter was reduced to 3.6–8.4 mm for the antagonistic treatment and to 25.8–38.2 mm for the control treatment after 14 days. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 11, 2007.     

Effect of nitrogen application on growth and yield of pumpkin

Evaluation of any crop response to different nitrogen amounts is important for determining the amount that can be considered as optimum from economical and environmental point of view. This study was conducted to (1) evaluate the growth and yield of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under different nitrogen rates and (2) determine the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of pumpkin in two growing seasons (2013 and 2014). In both growing seasons, nitrogen fertilizer (at three rates including 50, 150, and 250 kg ha^?1) was band-dressed on the planted side of each furrow, coinciding with 4–6 leaves stage and flowering. Crop performance over 2 years was evaluated by measuring shoot dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), intercepted PAR (PAR_i), radiation use efficiency (RUE), shoot nitrogen uptake, water use efficiency (WUE), NUE, and fruit and seed yield. The results showed that in both growing seasons, the highest growth and yield of pumpkin were obtained by applying 250 kg N ha^?1 (using urea fertilizer containing 46% nitrogen). Increased nitrogen rate from 50 to 250 kg ha^?1 resulted in 87.3%, 27.0%, 62.1%, 87.5%, and 84.5% increase in shoot dry weight, RUE, WUE, fruit yield, and seed yield of pumpkin, respectively, across both growing seasons. However, higher application nitrogen rate decreased the NUE of pumpkin, i.e., the NUE decreased by 62.5% when the nitrogen rate increased from 50 to 250 kg ha^?1. The effect of nitrogen applied in 2014 growing season on growth and yield of pumpkin was higher than that in 2013 growing season, which might be due to more suitable weather condition. In conclusion, the nitrogen rate of 250 kg ha^?1 produced the highest amount of fruit and seed yield in pumpkin.     

The Effect of Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone and Hydroxyapatite on Osteogenesis in Pulp Stem Cells of Human Teeth Transferred into Polyester Scaffolds

Presently, tissue engineering is employed in the restoration and repair of tissue defects. Degradable scaffolds, stem cells and stimulating factors are employed in this method. In this study, the effect of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and/or hydroxyapatite (HA) on proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, and mineralization of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) seeded on PLLA-PCL nanofibrous scaffolds was evaluated. For this aim, PLLA-PCL-HA nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated using electrospinning method. FE-SEM images exhibited that all nanofibers had bead-free morphologies with average diameters ranging from 150–205 nm. Human DPSCs seeded into PLLA-PCL nanofibers were treated with MSH. Cell viability, proliferation, morphology, osteogenic potential, and the expression of tissue-specific genes were assessed by means of MTT assay, FE-SEM, alizarin red S staining, and RT-PCR analysis. hDPSCs exhibited improved adhesion and proliferation capacity on the PLLA-PCL-HA nanofibers treated with MSH compared to other groups (p<0.05). Additionally, PLLA-PCL-HA nanofibers treated with MSH exhibited significantly higher mineralization and alkaline phosphatase activity than other groups. RT-PCR results confirmed that PLLA-PCL-HA nanofibers enriched with MSH could significantly unregulated the gene expression of BMP2, osteocalcin, RUNX2 and DSPP that correlated to osteogenic differentiation (p<0.05). Based on results, incorporation of HA nanoparticles in PLLA-PCL nanofibers and addition of MSH in media exhibited synergistic effects on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenesis differentiation of hDPSCs, and therefore assumed to be a favorable scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications.     

Identification of bacterial leaf streak of cereals by their phenotypic characteristics and host range in Iran

Forty-four bacterial isolates were obtained from infected wheat, barley and various grasses from different regions of Iran. All isolates were bacteriologically similar toXanthomonas campestris and some of their physiological and biochemical features can be useful for a primary differentiation between them. Depending on their pathogenicity, the isolates were split into two groups; the wheat group isolated from wheat, barley and grasses could infect artificially wheat, barley, rye,Agropyron elongatum, Bromus inermis, andLolium multiflorum but not oat, whereas the barley group obtained from cultivated or wild barley was pathogenic to barley only. From their bacteriological characteristics and host range, the barley and the wheat group isolated were identified asX. campestris pvs.hordei andcerealis, respectively.Aegilops sp.,Sclerochloa dura, andHeteranthelium sp. were, for the first time, shown to be hosts ofX. c. pv.cerealis.     

Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: a Double-Blinded,Randomized Crossover Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the simultaneous effect of pomegranate juice on components of the metabolic syndrome, including high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as an inflammatory index and glycemic and lipid profile indices in patients with metabolic syndrome. In a double- blind 2*2 crossover study, 30 individuals suffering from metabolic syndrome received a daily dose of 500 mL pomegranate juice for a period of one week. After one week of wash out period, they received a placebo for one week. Lipid profile, blood glucose control indices including fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and hs-CRP were measured at the beginning and end of the study. To analyze the data, a repeated measure analysis of variance and a t-test were performed. The results indicated that in comparison to the placebo, pomegranate juice was more effective in reducing the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.00) and hs-CRP (p = 0.018). The level of triglyceride (p = 0.030) and very low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (VLDL-C) (p = 0.014) were increased after the consumption of pomegranate juice, as opposed to the baseline condition. The rest of lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin, and HOMA-IR of the participants did not show any significant difference. Natural pomegranate juice supplementation lowered the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome as well as their blood hs-CRP. However, it also increased their triglyceride and VLDL-C.     

Rearing of the Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei in a biofloc system: The effects of different food sources and salinity levels

The present study assessed the effects of different types of feeds and salinity levels on water quality, growth performance, survival rate and body composition of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, juveniles in a biofloc system. Shrimp juveniles (2.56 ± 0.33 g) were cultured for 35 days in 300 L fibreglass tanks (water volume of 180 L) with a density of 1 g/L in six treatments. Three sources of feed (100% formulated feed, mixture of 66.6% formulated diet and 33.3% wet biofloc, and 100% wet biofloc) and two levels of salinity (10 and 32 ppt) were considered in two control groups and four biofloc treatments. Water quality parameters in the biofloc treatments were significantly better than control groups (p < .05). The highest increase in growth performance and survival rate were obtained in salinity of 32 ppt and mixed feed sources. Analysing the proximate composition of body shrimp indicates an increase in lipid and ash levels in biofloc treatments, which was more evident in the salinity of 32 ppt. In addition, the proximate analysis of shrimp body showed significant differences between biofloc treatments and control groups (p < .05). The highest FCR was found in the treatment with salinity level of 10 ppt and fed only with floc. Overall, it was found that the artificial diet supplemented with biofloc at the salinity of 32 showed better performance in the juvenile stage of Pacific white shrimp.     

Analyzing the quasi-static puncture resistance performance of shear thickening fluid enhanced p-aramid composite

The quasi-static (QS) puncture resistance of p-aramid Twaron fabric impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF) based on the molecular weight variation of the base liquid has been investigated. To synthesis the STF, the 12 nm silica particles have been dispersed in polyethylene glycol (PEG) with two different molecular weights, 200 and 400 g/mol by means of mechanical mixing. The weight percentages of silica particles in the continuous phase were selected as 15, 25 and 35 wt%. The results of rheological tests indicate that with the increase of the polymer’s molecular weight, the viscosity and instability of the suspension increase, while its critical shear rate diminishes. The STF impregnated Twaron fabrics were subjected to QS puncture resistance tests according to the ASTM standard D6264. The quasi-static puncture resistance increased about 4.5 fold for Twaron fabric impregnated with 35 wt% concentration STF relative to the neat Twaron. Also, with the increase of the PEG’s molecular weight in Twaron fabrics impregnated with 15 and 25 wt% concentration STFs, the QS puncture resistance of Twaron fabrics improved considerably, but it didn’t change too much in the Twaron fabric impregnated with 35 wt% concentration STF.     

Improvement in In Vitro Fertilization Rate,Decrease in Reactive Oxygen Species and Spermatozoa Death Incidence in Rams by Dietary Fish Oil

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of fish oil feeding on sperm classical parameters, level of reactive oxygen spices (ROS), spermatozoa death incidence and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate in rams. We randomly assigned nine rams, into two experimental groups (isoenergetic and isonitrogenous rations with constant level of vitamin E supplement): control (CTR; n = 5) and fish oil (FO; n = 4, 35 g/day/ram). Diets were fed for 70 days during the physiological breeding season. After a 21‐day dietary adaptation period, semen was collected weekly from each ram by an artificial vagina. Sperm classical parameters were determined by the computer‐assisted sperm analyzer system (CASA), and it was prepared for IVF process by swim‐up technique. These evaluations were performed during the first and last weeks of sampling. Intracellular ROS level and spermatozoa death incidence were detected by flow cytometry on a weekly basis after adaptation. Data were analysed with SPSS 15. The volume, concentration (3.6 and 2.7 × 10⁹/ml) and sperm progressive motility (60 and 48%) were significantly improved in the FO group compared with the CTR (p < 0.05). A comparison of two‐cell stage embryos following IVF in the two groups showed a significantly higher fertilization rate in the FO group (56%) compared with the CTR (49%). Superoxide anion (O₂^?) rate was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at the third week of sampling in the FO. Although the H₂O₂ rate was numerically lower in the FO group compared with the CTR, this difference was not significant. In addition, apoptosis showed a significant difference in the third week of sampling (15 and 30% for FO and CTR, respectively; p < 0.05). Overall, adding fish oil to the ram diet not only improved sperm quality and IVF results, it also could reduce oxygen‐free radicals and the incidence of spermatozoa death.