Egyptian broomrape (Phelipanche aegyptiaca) response to silicon nutrition in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Egyptian broomrape is a root holoparasitic plant that causes severe damage to tomato in Iran. Experiments were conducted in 2013 to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) nutrition on broomrape response in tomato. Si concentration significantly delayed first appearance of broomrape and decreased number of tubercles in both cultivars, although the magnitude of reduction varied with cultivar and Si concentration. Broomrape infection significantly decreased root and shoot dry weights of tomato cultivars. However, Si nutrition at high concentration considerably reduced damage severity of broomrape compared to the treatment that received no Si. Infection of tomato with broomrape resulted in significant increase in peroxidase and catalase activity in the roots of resistant cultivar which led to enhanced crop resistance to oxidative stress and improved growth in this cultivar.     

The evaluation of the thermal and mechanical properties of aramid/semi-carbon fibers hybrid composites

In this research work, aramid and semi-carbon fibers (SCFs) were hybridized in the form of interlayer or layer by layer into epoxy matrix by hand lay-up method. Afterward, the effect of hybridization on the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites was characterized by thermal analysis; horizontal burning; tensile and bending tests. Based on the results of the mechanical tests, increasing SCFs to aramid fibers ratio decreased tensile strength, elastic and flexural modulus. But with increasing this ratio to 53 % failure strain reduced, whereas in the ratios of more than 53 %, the failure strain enhanced. The results of thermal analysis curves indicated that there are three stage mass loss at the temperature ranges of 100-220, 270-470 and 500-620 °C. It was also found that with increasing the SCFs to aramid fibers ratio decreased the third-stage of the mass loss. The results of horizontal burning showed that increasing the SCFs to aramid fibers ratio decreased the rate of burning.     

High Velocity Impact Response of Basalt Fibers/Epoxy Composites Containing Graphene Nanoplatelets

The effects of adding surface modified graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in various weight percentages (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 with respect to matrix) on the high velocity impact response of basalt fibers/epoxy composites were evaluated. High speed mechanical stirrer and ultrasonic waves were used for the dispersion of GNPs in the epoxy matrix, and hand layup method was utilized for the fabrication of the composite samples. High velocity impact testing was performed using a conical projectile. The results demonstrated that the maximum improvement in the impact limit velocity and energy absorption occurred in the 0.3 wt.% GNPs nanocomposite, i.e., 11 and 23 %, respectively. Also, the electron microscopy studies revealed that the addition of GNPs contributed in improving the impact properties by influencing the matrix and thus enhancing the interfacial characteristics between the basalt fibers and the matrix.     

Ultrasound for efficient emulsification and uniform coating of an anionic lubricant on cotton

In this paper, a softener of aliphatic acid ester was treated with an ultrasonic bath and coated on cotton. The particle size distribution of the softener in water was evaluated by a particle size analyzer. Physical and surface properties of the fabric after coating with the ultrasonic treated softener were compared with a control sample. Different technical measurements were utilized for this purpose including bending lengths measurement (BLM), friction coefficient measurement (FCM), evaluation of crease recovery angle (CRA), moisture regain measurement (MRM), evaluation of contact angle (CA), reflectance spectroscopy (RS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that ultrasound enhances softener distribution in water and it improves the drapeability, friction behavior, wrinkle recovery and water repellency of cotton due to uniform coating of softener.     

Comparative Analysis of CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Tumor Tissues,Lymph Nodes and the Peripheral Blood from Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are the main types of lymphocytes in cell-mediated immunity and play a central role in the induction of efficient immune responses against tumors. The frequencies of T cell subtypes in the peripheral blood and tumor tissues, and draining lymph nodes (dLN) can be considered as useful markers for evaluation of the immune system in cancers. Methods: In this study, the frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in blood, tumor tissues, and dLN samples of breast cancer patients were compared with each other and with similar tissues from normal individuals. Immunophenotyping was carried out by flow cytometry and the expression levels of CXCL10, granzyme B, and mammaglobin were evaluated by real-time PCR. Results: In the peripheral blood, there were no differences in the T cell subsets between the patients and the normal individuals. The frequency of CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in tumor tissue than normal breast tissues while granzyme B expression was similar. Based on mammaglobin expression levels, dLN have been classified into micro- and macro-metastatic dLN. We found significantly lower frequency of CD4+ in macro-metastatic dLN than micro-metastatic dLN. CD8+ frequency was similar in both dLN; however, granzyme B expression was higher in micro-metastatic ones. There was not any significant difference in CXCL10 expression between the two types of dLN. Conclusion: Based on our results, although the tumor does not affect the systemic immunity, tumoral cells affect the local immune system in the tumoral tissues and the metastatic dLN. Key Words: Breast neoplasms, CD4+ T lymphocyte, CD8+ T lymphocytes, CXCL10, Granzymes     

Cytogenetic and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 mutation analyses in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients

Background: The secondary genetic changes other than the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor (PML-RARA) fusion gene may contribute to the acute promyelocytic leukemogenesis. Chromosomal alterations and mutation of FLT3 (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3) tyrosine kinase receptor are the frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia. However, the prognostic significance of FLT3 mutations in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is not firmly established. Methods: In this study, the chromosomal abnormalities were analyzed by bone marrow cytogenetic in 45 APL patients and FLT3 internal tandem duplications (ITD) screening by fragment length analysis and FLT3 D835 mutation by melting curve analysis were screened in 23 APL samples. Results: Cytogenetic study showed 14.3% trisomy 8 and 17.1% chromosomal abnormalities other than t(15;17). About 13% of the patients had FLT3 ITD, and 26% had D835 point mutation. FLT3 ITD mutation was associated with higher white blood cell count at presentation and poor prognosis. Conclusion: The PML-RARA translocation alone may not be sufficient to induce leukemia. Therefore, we assume that FLT3 mutations and the other genetic and chromosomal alterations may cooperate with PML-RARA in the development of APL disease.Key Words: Chromosome aberrations, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3, Acute promyelocytic leukemia