Analysis of causes and outcomes of corneal transplantation in al-zahra eye hospital in southeast of Iran from 2011-2016

Background: Corneal transplantation is known as the most successful and common type of organ transplant, but it calls for more intensive and long-term care. Given the lack of adequate information on this important surgery in this province and the differences between indications and causes of corneal transplantation, the present research was carried out to examine the causes and outcomes of corneal transplant in patients visiting Al-Zahra eye hospital who had received donated cornea in the past five years.Methods: In a retrospective analytical-descriptive study 135 files of 149 eyes that had gone through corneal transplantation were examined. Information on the age, gender, residence, indications, and surgery consequences was extracted and was analyzed in SPSS 19 statistical software with descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, mean, and standard deviation.Results: The highest transplant indication was keratoconus with a frequency of 39.9% followed by bullous keratopathy, corneal opacity, and transplant rejection with frequencies of 16.1, 12.7, and 10.1%, respectively. Other indications were corneal scar (9.4%), corneal perforation (2.7%), trauma (2.7%), and Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy (1.3%) in the order mentioned. Concerning postoperative complications in this research, 57.7% of the eyes (86 cases) showed no complication. Moreover, complications were mostly related to astigmatism with a frequency of 30.8% (46 cases).Conclusions: In general, the most common indication in this research was keratoconus. Most surgeries were also complication-free and most complications were associated with astigmatism

Foliar applicaton of asparagine and casein on biochemical and morphological attributes of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) plants under greenhouse conditions

In this study, the effect of foliar application of Asparagine (ASN) and Casein (CSN) during the vegetative stage at four rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg l-1) was investigated on garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.). The results showed that asparagine application, especially at a high level, could significantly increase the morpho-physiological traits such as plant height, leaf and stem fresh weights and leaf and stem dry weights, leaf pigments (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) and leaf nutrients content (Nitrogen and Phosphorus). Also, the results indicated that casein application at 50 mg l-1 rate had the best performance through in stem and root fresh weights, stem dry weight and diameter of main stem traits. Casein application at rate 100 mg l-1 had the highest leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content. Generally, our findings suggest that the use of asparagine and casein can be considered as an appropriate growth regulator in garden cress cultivation

A Systematic Review of the Possibility of Determining Age Based on DNA Methylation of the ELOVL2 Gene in Human Samples

Background: In forensic medicine, predicting the age of a victim or suspect can be a clue to solving a crime. Epigenetics has recently played a vital role in age prediction in forensic medicine. Cytosine methylation at cytosine and guanine separated by phosphate (CpG) sites is well recognized as a novel epigenetic marker for age estimation. This study aimed to summarize the information obtained from previous studies to determine age by evaluating DNA methylation in the ELOVL2 gene.Methods: In this systematic review, all related articles published between 2012 and 2022 were extracted by searching reputable scientific databases, such as ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus. After selecting the appropriate articles, the full text of the articles was prepared and fully evaluated by the researchers. The protocol of this study was carried out based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.Results: Out of 307 articles, 5 articles were eligible for review according to the study protocol. The strongest correlation between DNA methylation and age was observed at sites 11044644 and 11044634 on chromosome 6 in the living cases. The relationship between the chronological age and the age calculated through DNA methylation was above 90% with an approximate error ranging from 7.5 to 10.4. However, the relationship between the chronological age and the age calculated through DNA methylation was above 90% in the multivariate analysis of sites 11044624 and 11044634 on chromosome 6. In this case, the calculation error reached approximately 6.9 years. Hence, considering a combination of multiple cytosine and guanine separated by phosphate (CpG) sites improves the calculation accuracy and reduces the error percentage. The relationships between DNA methylation and the age at sites 11044880 and 11044640 on chromosome 6 were significantly less reported in the blood samples taken from the dead and in those taken from the living (nearly 64%–78.5%).Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that DNA methylation in the ELOVL2 gene could help predict a person’s biological age

Influence of an exogenous application of glycine betaine and methionine on biochemical and morphological traits of basils (Ocimum basilicum L)

Purpose: This experiment was carried out to examine the impacts of glycine betaine (GB) and methionine (Met) on basil plants' biochemical and morphological traits in two experiments under greenhouse conditions at Guilan University, Iran. Research method: Two completely randomized plans were used for the experiment, each involving three replications. The experiment factors during the first experiment were various amounts of GB (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg. L-1), and in the second experiment, we utilized four Met quantities (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L-1). Findings: The results showed that GB utilized at 150 mg L-1 led to the maximum leaf fresh and dry weight, stem dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total antioxidants, and leaf calcium and nitrogen content. The treatments with GB had a 1000 seed weight higher than the control. According to the results, leaf fresh and dry weight, root dry weight, and chlorophyll a and b in control were significantly higher than other Met treatments. Root fresh weight and the florets number per plant in control and 50 mg L-1 Met were significantly higher than in other treatments. Besides, the 50 mg L-1 Met treatments resulted in higher total phenol, antioxidants, and leaf phosphorus content than the control. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: The findings of this experiment demonstrate that the use of Met in greenhouse conditions does not have significant effects on basil plants, but GB has significant effects

Alleviating adverse effects of salt stress in pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) by foliar spray of silicon and nano-silicon under greenhouse and field conditions

Purpose: In order to assay the impact of silicon (Si) and nano-Si on morphological and physiological traits of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) under salt stress conditions, an experiment was conducted under greenhouse and field conditions. Research Method: The experiment was based on a completely randomized design including two levels of saline water (1.1 (control) and 6.1 dS m-1) and three levels of foliar spray (0, 2.5 mM Si and nano-Si) with 4 replications. Findings: Salinity stress decreased the vegetative and flowering parameters of pot marigold in the both conditions. Supplemental Si and nano-Si increased the dry weight of flowers under salt stress in the greenhouse (47 and 71%) and field (86 and 94%) conditions, respectively. Foliar application of nano-Si enhanced the flower total phenols of salt-stressed plants by 76% (greenhouse) and 50% (field), respectively. Under saline conditions, the use of nano-Si increased the flower antioxidant activity in the field by 17% in comparison to the control. Supplemental Si and nano-Si could reduce the negative impacts of salinity through increasing enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, accumulating soluble sugars, improving water relations, and enhancing chlorophyll content. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/value: Based on the results of present study, the use of Si and nano-Si improved the growth and physiological characteristics of pot marigold under saline conditions

Effect of compost on antioxidant components and fruit quality of sweet pepper (capsicum annuum L.)

In order to determine the effect of compost (CO) on antioxidant compounds and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.), an experiment was conducted in open field. Treatments consisted of four levels of compost (0, 5, 10 and 15 ton ha-1).The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications. Compost treatments positively affected fruit antioxidant compounds of pepper (antioxidant activity, total phenolic and carbohydrate content).But, no significant difference was found in total flavonoid content between compost and control treatments. The highest antioxidant activity and carbohydrate content were obtained in plants treated with10 ton ha-1 of compost. Fruit quality factors (pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and fruit firmness) were influenced by compost treatments. Total soluble solids, and fruit firmness significantly increased in response to compost treatments and the highest values were obtained from the most level of compost treatment (15 t ha-1). Thus, these results showed that compost has strong impact on fruit quality and antioxidant compounds of pepper plants under field conditions

Effect of cow vermicompost on growth, fruit yield, and quality of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum var. Red chili)

Purpose This study evaluated the response of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum var. Red chili) towards cow vermicompost application under field conditions.Method Cow vermicompost was supplied in four levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha-1) across the two growing seasons in 2017 and 2018. Results Vermicompost application significantly increased the plant height, internode distance, and the number of lateral branches in both seasons. It was noticed that manuring with 15 t ha-1 of cow vermicompost resulted with enhanced chlorophyll contents, fruit yield, and fruit number in both years. In both seasons, the highest leaf number, fruit weight, and total soluble solids are related to the third treatment (10 t ha-1 of cow vermicompost). The results showed that 1000-seed weight and vitamin C content were affected by cow vermicompost. Data showed that manuring with vermicompost (5 t ha-1) caused the best quality components in 2017 and 2018.Conclusion It was concluded that the application of vermicompost had a significant impact on vegetative and reproductive growth and fruit quality of hot pepper

Effects of of fulvic acid and cow manure on stigma active components and petal Antiradical Activity of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

components of saffron were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were four levels cow manure (0, 10, 20 and 30 t.ha-1) and three fulvic acid (0, 5 and 10 kg.ha-1). This experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized completely block design with three replications in research farm of Birjand University, Iran, during cropping year 2015-2016. Results showed that cow manure improved the active ingredients of stigma (picrocrocin, safranal and crocin) in first year of study. Also, results showed that petal antioxidant compounds (total phenol and anthocyanin) and active ingredients of stigma were influenced by cow manure in second year of study. The highest safranal was obtained in plants treated with 10 t.ha-1 cow manure in first year of experiment. Results also showed that fulvic acid has a positive effect active ingredients of stigma (picrocrocin and crocin), anthocyanin and total phenol in two years of experiment and the highest rate of anthocyanin and total phenol were obtained with 5 kg.ha-1 fulvic acid while the lowest values were recorded in control. Application of different levels of cow manure and fulvic acid had a positive effect on the active ingredients of stigma in two years of experiment and anthocyanin and phenol in second year of study. Thus, results showed that cow manure and fulvic acid have significant impact on antioxidant compounds and active ingredients of saffron under field conditions