Performance of different rice genotypes against blast pathogen through linked molecular markers

In order to study the function of blast resistance gene and estimate resistance scale to Pyricularia grisea Sacc., the cause of Rice Blast Disease in rice, we evaluated 58 rice genotypes for phenotypic and molecular assessment. Phenotypic tests were conducted in a blast upland nursery and also in the greenhouse by using specific races of blast IA-82 and IA-90 in the greenhouse and local races for the nursery. The traits assessed consisted of infection type (IT), percent diseased leaf area (DLA) (in both nursery and greenhouse), and lesion number (LN), lesion size (LS, mm2) only in greenhouse conditions. Molecular assessment was done by using three STS, JJ80, JJ81, and JJ113, and four microsatellite markers, RM224, RM277, RM463, and RM179 which are linked to resistance genes on rice chromosomes. Genotypes had different reactions against blast races in the phenotypic part of experiment. Consequently, all genotypes were divided into three groups with high, intermediate, and susceptible resistance. Our results indicated that partial resistant genotypes are preferable for achieving durable control. Eventually, the association test between molecular data and phenotypic results showed that there is a significant level for some of the SSR markers. This means there is at least one race-specific resistance gene in the genetic sources of these genotypes that bring about resistance functions to the blast races. These results demonstrated the existence of functional resistance genes in Iranian rice genotypes. Thus, these functional genes are responsible for some parts of resistance that have been measured in phenotypic tests. Our results could be useful for breeding programs to make some modifications in the rice germplasm and would also be applicable for the marker-assisted selection process.     

Morphology and genetic diversity of Marrubium cuneatum Russell and M. parviflorum Fisch. & C.A. Mey

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Marrubium parviflorum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. and Marrubium cuneatum Russell, are naturally distributed in various parts of Iran. It is difficult to...     

Evaluation of Salinity Effects on Ionic Balance and Compatible Solute Contents in Nine Grape (Vitis L.) Genotypes

The salinity tolerance of nine grape genotypes was studied. Salinity was applied as nutrient solutions containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for two weeks. Growth was significantly reduced by salinity, whereas chloride (Cl^?) and sodium (Na⁺) contents increased. Sodium ion accumulation exceeded that of Cl^? in all treatments. Shirazi and H₆ had higher and lower Cl^? concentrations in their lamina than others. There were significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between Cl^? and Na⁺ and negative correlation between Na⁺ and potassium (K⁺) in roots and laminas of all genotypes. Soluble sugars, proline, and glycine betaine contents increased in laminas of all of the genotypes with moderate salinity. There were positive correlations (P < 0.01) between lamina and root Na⁺ and Cl^? contents and compatible solutes in all genotypes. Overall results revealed that unlike Shirazi with higher Na⁺ and Cl^? accumulation in shoot, H₆ showed a higher capacity to restrict Na⁺ and Cl^? transport to shoot.     

Influence of humic acid and salicylic acid on yield,fruit quality,and leaf mineral elements of strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa duch.) cv. Camarosa

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of foliarly-applied Humic Acid (HA) and Salicylic Acid (SA) on strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa cv. Camarosa). On average, HA applications, regardless of concentration, increased overall yield, Soluble Solids Concentrations (SSC), Titratable Acidity (TA), vitamin C, red tone (a*), leaf potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) while had no effect on pH and fruit luminosity (L*). In contrast, fruit from the untreated control tended to have higher Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and SSC: TA ratio than HA-treated plants. Application of SA significantly increased yield, vitamin C, SSC, SSC: TA ratio, TAC, a*, leaf P and Ca while had no effect on TA, fruit size, L* and pH. In general, application of either HA at 25 mg L¹ or SA at 2 mM resulted in better strawberry performance than did other rates of these compounds.     

Effects of green synthesized zinc and copper nano-fertilizers on the morphological and biochemical attributes of basil plant

Abstract

In the present study, the green synthesis of Zn and Cu nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out via Zn and Cu ions reduction during their exposure to basil extract. The shape, size and chemical identity of the Zn and Cu NPs were determined using SEM and XRD analysis. To investigate the effects of the Zn and Cu NPs on the morphological and biochemical traits of basil plant, an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on completely randomized design with 4 levels of Zn NPs (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000?ppm) and 4 levels of Cu NPs (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000?ppm). Based on the results, nutrient treatments, especially 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 2000?ppm Cu NPs caused a significant increase in most morphological parameters. The application of the Zn and Cu NPs significantly affected concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid in the leaves of basil plants. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was obtained for 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 2000?ppm Cu NPs treatment. Plants treated with 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 0?ppm Cu NPs showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by 4000?ppm Zn NPs + 2000?ppm Cu NPs and 2000?ppm Zn NPs + 0?ppm Cu NPs. It can be concluded that foliar application of the Zn and Cu NPs is necessary for obtaining better quantity and quality in basil.     

Identification of Sequence Variation in the Apolipoprotein A2 Gene and Their Relationship with Serum High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels

Background:

Apolipoprotein A2 (APOA2) is the second major apolipoprotein of the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The study aim was to identify APOA2 gene variation in individuals within two extreme tails of HDL-C levels and its relationship with HDL-C level.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey was conducted on participants from Tehran Glucose and Lipid Study (TLGS) at Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Tehran, Iran from April 2012 to February 2013. In total, 79 individuals with extreme low HDL-C levels (≤5^th percentile for age and gender) and 63 individuals with extreme high HDL-C levels (≥95^th percentile for age and gender) were selected. Variants were identified using DNA amplification and direct sequencing.

Results:

Screen of all exons and the core promoter region of APOA2 gene identified nine single nucleotide substitutions and one microsatellite; five of which were known and four were new variants. Of these nine variants, two were common tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and seven were rare SNPs. Both exonic substitutions were missense mutations and caused an amino acid change. There was a significant association between the new missense mutation (variant Chr.1:16119226, Ala98Pro) and HDL-C level.

Conclusion:

None of two common tag SNPs of rs6413453 and rs5082 contributes to the HDL-C trait in Iranian population, but a new missense mutation in APOA2 in our population has a significant association with HDL-C.     

Application of one-quarter fractional and full factorial design to study set mark phenomenon of multifilament polyester fabrics

Set marks are fabric defects in weft direction which are caused by an interruption of the weaving process. In this study, based on one-quarter fractional factorial design, among eight parameters of weaving machine, i.e. horizontal and vertical position of back rest roller, horizontal position of warp stop motion, shed crossing degree, shed crossing point position, warp tension, stoppage position of machine, and stoppage time, four most effective parameters was determined. These parameters were stoppage position of machine, vertical position of back rest roller, shed crossing point, and horizontal position of warp stop motion. Then using full factorial design effectiveness of these parameters was evaluated statistically at 99 % confidence level and effect of them on set mark studied in detail. Statistical evaluations showed that the stoppage position of machine was the most effective parameters on intensity of set mark of multifilament polyester fabric. A specific image capturing device for using on weaving machine based on CCD camera was designed. Image processing technique was used to measure the pickspacing in stop zone objectively. Five picks before and five picks after stoppage was considered as stop zone and the standard deviation of pickspacing was used as a criterion which interpret this defect. Dynamic loading of warp yarns were execute to evaluate the relaxation behavior of polyester multifilament warp yarns.     

Pre- and post-McDonald cerclage cervical length, width and funneling rate and their association with duration of pregnancy

Changes of cervical ultrasonographic physical parameters and their association with outcome of cerclage have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed at evaluating association between ultrasonographic physical cervical shapes before and after McDonald cerclage with the length of pregnancy. Cervical length, width and funneling rate were assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography before and after the procedure. Mean pre-cerclage cervical length, width and funneling rate were 29.28 +/- 5.54, 19.92 +/- 10.30 mm and 12.90 +/- 18.87%, respectively. The mean post-cerclage cervical length, diameter and funneling rate were 31.68 +/- 4.21, 9.78 +/- 13.86 and 4.32 +/- 10.89%, respectively (p < 0.001 for all pre- and post-cerclage changes). The mean post-cerclage duration of pregnancy was 19.78 +/- 5.94 weeks. There were significant direct correlations between the pre-and post-cerclage cervical lengths with pregnancy duration (r = 0.24, p = 0.04 and r = 0.44, p < 0.001, respectively). There were significant indirect correlations between the pre- and post-cerclage funneling rate with pregnancy duration (r = -0.30, p = 0.01 and r = -0.20, p = 0.01, respectively). Similar correlations were not significant for the cervical widths. This study showed that the pre- and post-cerclage ultrasonographically determined cervical length and funneling are good predictors of pregnancy duration.     

Impact of ABCB1 Gene Polymorphisms and Smoking on the Susceptibility Risk of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Cytogenetic Response

Background:IM, a strong and selective TKI, has been approved as the front line of treatment in CML patients. In spite of satisfactory results of imatinib in the treatment of patients with CML, patients with treatment failure or suboptimal response developed resistance that might be because of pharmacogenetic variants. This study attempted to evaluate the influence of ABCB1 gene polymorphisms and smoking on CML risk and resistance to imatinib. Methods: ABCB1 (c.1236C>T, c.3435C>T) polymorphisms were genotyped in 98 CML patients and 100 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects by PCR-RFLP method, followed by sequencing. The patients were evaluated for cytogenetic response by the standard chromosome banding analysis in regular intervals. Results:Our results showed that c.1236CC genotype was significantly associated with imatinib resistance (OR = 3.94; p = 0.038). Analysis of the joint of SNP-smoking combination showed that smokers with c.1236TT/CT and c.1236CC genotypes had the increased risk of CML (OR = 6.04; p = 0.00 and OR = 4.95, p = 0.005) and treatment failure (OR = 5.36, p = 0.001 and OR = 15.7, p = 0.002), respectively. Smokers with c.3435TT/CT and c.3435CC genotypes also displayed the elevated risk of CML development (OR = 6.01, p = 0 and OR = 4.36, p = 0.011) and IM resistance (OR = 5.61, p = 0.001 and OR = 13.58, p = 0.002), respectively. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that c.1236CC genotype has clinical importance in the prediction of treatment outcome with IM, and smoking could have a synergistic role in CML risk and IM resistance. Key Words: ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily B, Imatinib mesylate, Smoking