Transcription of adaptive-immune genes upon challenge with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) in DNA vaccinated rainbow trout

In the present study, rainbow trout weighting 3±0.3 g were vaccinated with an oral DNA vaccine encoding VP2 gene of a prevalent isolate of IPNV in Iranian trout farms encapsulated in sodium alginate microspheres and Chitosan tripolyphosphate (CS/TPP) nanoparticles. The vaccinated fish were then challenged with a virulent isolate of IPNV at 30 days post-vaccination. The transcriptional changes of adaptive- immune genes (IgM and IgT), as well as the  VP4 gene of IPNV, as an indicators of viral replication were studied 45 days post-challenge. Analysis of RT-qPCR data showed lower levels of VP4 gene expression in the oral DNA vaccinated trout after IPNV challenge compared with the control one. Moreover, the constructed DNA vaccine did not enhance the expression of IgM and IgT genes above the levels observed in the carrier control group but it showed a mimic of viral activity and contributes to maintaining them at appreciable levels in vaccinated group

The Effect of Animal Manure and Humic Acid on Some Physiological Traits of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Under Irrigation Water Salinity Conditions

Introduction Salinity stress is an important abiotic stress threatening the production of cotton in arid and semi-arid regions of the country and the world, which can be reduced by the proper use of organic materials. Cotton is the most important fiber product, which is widely cultivated for agricultural and industrial purposes in temperate and hot regions of more than 15 countries of the world. Although cotton is known as a salinity-tolerant plant, not only is the resistance to salinity limited in this plant, but different stages of development also show different reactions to salinity. One of the effects of stress is disturbing the nutritional balance in the plant. Proper nutrition during times of stress can partially help the plant deal with various environmental stresses. In this regard, by using fertilizers containing micronutrient elements, firstly, plant yield increases, secondly, increasing the concentration of these elements in agricultural products plays an important role in improving the quality of food consumption. Using organic fertilizers, especially organic and animal manure such as humic acid, can improve the performance and performance components of different products under stress conditions.  Materials and Methods To study the effect of manure and humic acid on some of the physiological qualities of cotton under salt water salinity stress, an experiment was conducted as factorial split plots (factorial split plot) in which different levels of irrigation water salinity at three levels (2.5, 5.5 and 8.5 ds.m-1) as the main factor and two treatments of manure at two levels (0 and 20 t/h) and humic acid at two levels (0 and 200 gr/100 kg of seeds) as sub-factor in 4 replications in a farm located in Boshrouyeh city in 1398 years. The software SAS (V9.1) and Excel were used to analyze the data and draw the figures. Means were compared using the FLSD test at a 5% probability level. Results and Discussion Analysis of variance results showed that the simple effects of three experimental factors (salinity stress, manure, and humic acid) were significant on all studied traits (on the relative water content, Electrical conductivity and membrane stability, chlorophyll a and b contents, and proline content). With increasing salinity level, increased proline content (286.5%), membrane Electrical conductivity (4.2%) and carotenoids (88.79%) and decreased chlorophyll a (20.7 1 %) and b content (39.38%), relative water content (23.16%) and membrane stability (13.54%). The application of animal manure and humic acid increased the relative water content, membrane stability and chlorophyll content under stress conditions, which indicates the modifying effect of these fertilizers in reducing the adverse effects of salinity stress. The interaction effects were significant, too. Conclusion The results of this research showed that the use of water with high salinity, such as salinity of 8 ds.m-1, caused significant changes in the physiological traits of the plant, including relative leaf water content, membrane stability, membrane electrolyte leakage, chlorophylls, and proline. With increasing salinity levels, the amount of proline, membrane electrolyte leakage, and carotenoid increased, and the content of chlorophyll a and b, relative water content, and membrane stability decreased. The application of animal manure and humic acid increased the relative water content, membrane stability, and chlorophyll content under stress conditions, which indicates the moderating effect of these fertilizers in reducing the adverse effects of salinity stress. Considering the positive effects of using organic fertilizers in this experiment, it is recommended to test and investigate the use of humic acid during the growing season in addition to the use of animal manure before planting and the use of humic acid in bulk Thus, it is suggested to use humic acid and animal manure in cotton cultivation to adjust the salinity levels

Evaluation of forage maize yield and soil organic matter content under green manure cultivation

To investigate the effect of different green manures from Gramineae and Brassicaceae families on yield, some agronomic traits of forage maize, overgrowth with weeds and soil organic matter, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications for three consecutive years (2017-2020) at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre of Southern Khorasan. Experimental treatments included control (without application of green manure) and application of green manures from the cultivation of barley, triticale, canola, arugula with their optimum and twice optimum densities. The results showed that barley and triticale at twice optimum density with 865.7 and 802.9 g m-2, respectively, had a higher green manure dry mass at the time of returning to the soil. Just before maize cultivation, soil organic matter with an average of 0.73 % was higher in barley green manure at twice optimum density compared to other treatments. Based on the results, the highest maize forage yield with 45.7 and 44.9 t ha-1 were achieved after treatment with barley green manure in twice optimum and optimum density (22.8 and 20.7 percent more than control treatment) and after that triticale in both densities, and canola and arugula at twice optimum density had the highest yield

Optimization of Anti-CXCL10 Nanobody Expression Using Response Surface Methodology and Evaluation of its Anti-metastatic Effect on Breast Cancer cells

Some chemokines and chemokine receptors play important roles in various types of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cancer metastasis. Hence, production of neutralizing antibodies against them are under active investigation. We previously developed a nanobody against CXCL10, designated as 3NB12, which can be expressed by E. coli cells. In the present study, we carried out a detailed study to optimize its expression using response surface methodology based on manipulation of three variables, including temperature, IPTG concentration, and post-induction time. In addition, upon expression and purification of the nanobody, it was also used to evaluate its inhibitory effects on migration of CXCR3 overexpressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Seventeen experiments were designed. Total protein of the designed experiments was assayed by SDS-PAGE, followed by size exclusion chromatography to qualify and quantify the relative concentration of the nanobody in the optimized expression condition. The model designed according to the Box Behnken method predicted maximum 3NB12 expression at 28.5 degrees C, a post-induction time length of 15 h, and 0.9 mM IPTG. Chemotaxic assessment results showed that 3NB12 potently inhibits migration of the cells which has an important role in methastasis of breast cancer. Taken together, a reasonable amount of the nanobody could be produced according to the present study for being used in later in vitro and in vivo studies to further evaluate its anti metastatic and also anti-inflamatory effects

Evaluation of growth and yield of safflower cultivars in different planting dates

In order to evaluate growth and yield variations of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in different planting dates, a factorial experiment with four replications was conducted at University of Birjand, Iran. Three spring cultivars of safflower, including a local variety (Isfahan) with two foreign cultivars (Gilla and CU1) were sown at 4 and 19 Apr. and 4 May. Results showed except height of first branch, other morphological characteristics were affected by planting dates. The node number, height of first branch, and length of internodes varied considerably between cultivars, with a constant response of cultivars in different planting dates. The total and fertile capitula were not differing between cultivars, but Isfahan had the most kernels per capitulum with the lowest kernel weight and CU1 showed just the reverse response. Earlier planting date lead to more produced and fertile capitula, and formation of more kernels in secondary capitula, with the highest produced and fertile capitula for Gilla, the highest total kernel per capitula for Isfahan, and the highest kernel weight for CU1, especially in the first planting date. The stem height and diameter and branches numbers showed high correlation with seed yield; however, number of primary capitula showed the highest correlation with yield and was accounted for 90 percent of yield variation. According to these results, planting Isfahan variety at the first possible time, due to its nativeness and high adaptation to this arid climatic zone, provide an opportunity for producing higher yields in comparison with foreign cultivars. Keywords: Carthamus tinctorius, spring cultivation, yield components, planting dates

Assessment of Saffron Farmers Knowledge on the Issues Associated with Irrigation (Case Study: Southern Khorasan)

In spite of lots of work performed by saffron farmers in the Southern Khorasan province, a desirable yield has not been obtained which is partly attributed to the lack of scientific knowledge. This investigation is aimed to assess the indigenous knowledge of saffron farmers on the issues related to irrigation, and also to examine their strengths and weaknesses for taking effective steps to increase crop productivity. A questionnaire (researcher made) including 11 questions about the issues related to irrigation and 14 questions on general information and extensional items were randomly distributed to 235 subjects in the population of farmers of the Southern Khorasan province. The dependent variable was the score of the subjects for the correct answers. Statistical comparison between the levels of each of the independent variables (with significant effect) was undertaken by Tukey-Kramer test using the SAS software. The findings revealed that the groups of subjects participating in the extension courses who were either natives in the South Khorasan province, or had insuring their products answered a greater number of questions correctly with a significant level of 1%. However, the subjects living in the villages had more correct answers at a significance level of 5%. Overall, the results suggest that short-term and long-term programming are needed for the region's farmers to gain appropriate scientific knowledge about saffron planting

Influence of Exogenous Glycinebetaine Application on Improving Chilling Tolerance in Corn Seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Abstract\ud Glycinebetaine (GB) as an osmoprotectant plays an important role in improving plant resistance to abiotic stresses. In order to assess the effect of GB spray on enhancing chilling tolerance in corn plants, an experiment with 7 concentration treatments (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mM) of glycinebetaine was carried out as randomized complete block design with three replications. Corn plants were sprayed by corresponding GB concentrations at 2 to 3- leaf stage and then were exposed to low temperature of 4ºC for 3 days. Following the chilling stress period, plants were located in the room temperature (25 ± 5ºC). Results showed that seedlings sprayed with GB concentrations of 10-100 mM were visually in a better status and more tolerant to chilling injuries. Moreover, chlorophyll content and root and shoot dry weight of seedlings sprayed with this range of GB were significantly higher than those sprayed with distilled water. In addition, electrolyte leakage was effectively declined by spraying the seedlings with GB in the range of 10-50 and further increase in GB concentration significantly enhanced electrolyte leakage. In total, the foliar application of GB resulted in relative improvement of chilling tolerance in corn seedlings.\ud \ud Keywords: Chilling stress; Chlorophyll content; Electrolyte leakag