POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION AND FRUIT PRODUCTION OF PAGE CITRUS ON A PUNSIRUS ROOTSTOCK: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE TRAITS

Determination of optimum rates of potassium (K) for high citrus production with great qualitative traits is of both agricultural and economical significance, particularly when performing long–term experiments. A five–year field experiment was conducted in the Citrus Research Center of Tonekabon, Iran in a silty clay loam. The objectives were to: 1) to apply different rates of K fertilizer and determine the optimum rates for citrus high production, and 2) to evaluate the effects of K fertilization on the fruit quantitative and qualitative traits for the production of tasty and great quality fruits for fresh or long consumption. Fifteen–year citrus trees were fertilized with five rates of potassium at control, 750, 1500, 2250 and 3000 g tree^?1 on the basis of a completely randomized block design in five replicates. Fruit parameters were determined. Potassium significantly increased fruit yield and qualitative traits at the optimum amount of 1500 g tree^?1.     

Soya bean‐based diets plus probiotics improve the profile of fatty acids,digestibility, intestinal microflora,growth performance and the innate immunity of beluga (Huso huso)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different methods of using probiotics Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis in soya bean‐based diets on the physiology of beluga (Huso huso) (351 ± 4 g). Five experimental diets were formulated to feed beluga for 10 weeks. The results showed that there was no significant difference in weight gain between control (446 g) and 70%SBM‐SPRAY2 (409 g) treatments. Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the muscle of beluga fed control (203.2 g/kg) and 70%SBM‐SPRAY2 (166.4 g/kg) diet did not change statistically. Blood performance as a newly introduced factor in individuals fed dietary control (64.06) and 70%SBM‐SPRAY2 (64.33) had higher value as compared with those fed dietary 70%SBM‐DIET2 (61.90) (p < 0.05). Also, total protein (1.68 g/dl) and RBC (0.74 × 10⁶/mm³) in fish fed 70%SBM were statistically lower than other treatments (p < 0.05). Lysozyme, alternative complement activity and total viable counts in beluga fed dietary probiotics were significantly higher than others. In conclusion, feeding fish with the 70%SBM‐SPRAY2 diet improved fish growth and health.     

Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Variations and Serum Pepsinogen Levels for Risk Assessment in Gastric Cancer

Background:Variations in mtDNA-CN of PBLs, as a potential biomarker for GC screening has currently been subject to controversy. Herein, we have assessed its efficiency in GC screening, in parallel and in combination with sPG I/II ratio, as an established indicator of gastric atrophy. Methods:The study population included GC (n = 53) and non-GC (n = 207) dyspeptic patients. The non-GC group was histologically categorized into CG (n = 104) and NM (n = 103) subgroups. The MtDNA-CN of PBLs was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The sPG I and II levels and anti-H. pylori serum IgG were measured by ELISA. Results:The mtDNA-CN was found significantly higher in GC vs. non-GC (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.4, 6.4) subjects. Conversely, GC patients had significantly lower sPG I/II ratio than the non-GC (OR = 3.2; CI = 1.4, 7.2) subjects. The combination of these two biomarkers yielded a dramatic amplification of the odds of GC risk in double-positive (high mtDNA-CN-low sPGI/II) subjects, in reference to double-negatives (low mtDNA-CN-high sPGI/II), when assessed against non-GC (OR = 27.1; CI = 5.0, 147.3), CG (OR = 13.1; CI = 2.4, 72.6), or NM (OR = 49.5; CI = 7.9, 311.6) groups. Conclusion:The combination of these two biomarkers, namely mtDNA-CN in PBLs and serum PG I/II ratio, drastically enhanced the efficiency of GC risk assessment, which calls for further validations. Key Words: Biomarkers, DNA copy number variation, Mitochondrial DNA, Stomach neoplasms     

Influence of dietary lipid sources on growth,reproductive performance and fatty acid compositions of muscle and egg in three‐spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) (Pallas, 1770)

Five isonitrogenous (420 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.3 kJ g^?1) practical diets were formulated to contain fish oil (FO), Kilka fish oil (KFO), linseed (LO), canola (CO) and soybean (SBO) oils fed to juveniles of three‐spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) (initial weight 1 ± 0.03 g) three times per day to apparent satiation for 14 weeks. Results showed the mean final weight of brooders was not significantly affected by dietary oil sources. Specific growth rate for fish fed in SBO and CO diets was statistically higher than for fish fed diet LO. Fish fed diets CO and KFO showed in significantly higher GSI value compared with other diets. Absolute fecundity was greatest in fish fed diets KFO and CO, which significantly differ with other treatments. Except for KFO diet, high fertilization percentages (87.3–93.45%) were observed in other treatments. Fatty acid composition of muscle and egg was found to be positively correlated with their respective dietary lipid sources. High levels of EPA, DHA and n‐3 HUFA in brooders fed diet FO negatively affect egg quality parameters. Therefore, the results demonstrated that vegetable oil‐based diets (CO, SBO and LO, respectively) can positively affect on growth performance of juveniles compared with fish oil‐based diets. Furthermore, CO and LO diets, respectively, showed positive effects on reproductive performance in T. trichopterus compared with fish oil diets during experimental period under controlled conditions.     

Pistachio Production Management in Iran by Rest-breaking Treatment and Comparison of Dynamic vs Chill Hour Model for Chill Accumulation

Shortage of winter chill has reduced pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) fruit yield and quality from 2015 to 2018 in Iran. In this study accumulated chilling was determined by the chill hour (CH) and the dynamic (DM) model in five regions near Shahrebabak County, Kerman Province, Iran, for dormant season 2017–2018. The CH model has been routinely used in Iran for reporting chilling accumulation for pistachios. This study suggested that the DM better differentiated regional chill accumulations, the impact of chilling on phenological indices of growth and production between cultivars ‘Owhadi’ and ‘Akbari’, with and without rest-breaking (RB) treatments of Volk dormant oil. Volk oil treatment significantly improved vegetative and reproductive development, offset lack of chilling effects on pollination and nut filling, and may have advanced budbreak in some instances.

     

Removal of Chromium by Coagulation-Dissolved Air Flotation System Using Ferric Chloride and Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) as Coagulants

In this study, dissolved air flotation (DAF) was examined as a possible treatment method for the removal of chromium from aqueous solution and plating wastewater. Two coagulants, ferric chloride and poly aluminum chloride (PAC), were used for pretreatment of wastewater. Maximum removal of chromium was achieved for poly aluminum chloride (98 %). Artificial neural network was used for the prediction of the DAF system. The best neuron used for the prediction of chromium removal percentage of interpolated wastewater was 6 %. The mean score error and the coefficient correlation were 0.0007542 and 0.997, respectively.     

A Novel Splice Site Variant in the LDLRAP1 Gene Causes Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Background:FH, a hereditary disorder, is caused by pathogenic variants in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes. This study has assessed genetic variants in a family, clinically diagnosed with FH. Methods:A family was recruited from MASHAD study in Iran with possible FH based on the Simon Broom criteria. The DNA sample of an affected individual (proband) was analyzed using WES, followed by bioinformatics and segregation analyses. Results:A novel splice site variant (c.345-2A>G) was detected in the LDLRAP1 gene, which was segregated in all affected family members. Moreover, HMGCR rs3846662 g.23092A>G was found to be homozygous (G/G) in the proband, probably leading to reduced response to simvastatin and pravastatin. Conclusion:LDLRAP1 c.345-2A>G could alter the PTB, which acts as an important part of biological pathways related to lipid metabolism. Key Words: Genetic research, LDLRAP1, Hypercholesterolemia, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors     

Functional Properties of Rice Bran Protein Isolate at Different pH Levels

The functional properties of proteins from Tarom and Shiroodi cultivars were determined and compared with technological aspects of food and nutraceutical applications. Shiroodi has higher protein content than Tarom, and the yields of protein obtained were 72.88 and 66.36%, respectively. Nitrogen solubilities of rice bran protein of Tarom were more than Shiroodi at all pH levels. In addition, higher solubility was found in acidic or alkaline conditions. Although the rice bran proteins had lower emulsifying properties than bovine serum albumin, they had similar foaming properties in comparison with egg white. Tarom isolates had a significantly higher solubility, emulsifying property, and foaming stability and greater surface properties than Shiroodi isolates. The results showed the surface hydrophobicities of rice bran protein were greater than casein and ovalbumin and lower than other proteins such as bovine serum albumin. Water and oil absorption capacities were 1.03 and 1.66 for Tarom and 87.3 and 75.3 for Shiroodi, respectively. The bulk densities of Tarom and Shiroodi were also 0.55 and 0.53 g/mL, which make them suitable for weaning food and other industrial applications. As a result, these rice bran proteins showed higher hydrophobicity than that of other rice bran protein varieties as well as more functionality. Thus, they have good potential in the food and pharmaceutical industries.