The use of reproductive vigor descriptors in studying genetic variability in nine Tunisian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) populations

A collection of nine Tunisian faba bean (Vicia faba) populations belonging to three botanical classes (Var. minor, var. equina and var. major) was evaluated using twenty seven agro-morphological traits. Analysis of variance, correlation coefficients and principal components analysis (PCA) were performed based on MVSP 3.13 program. Significant differences between populations were noted for most agromorphological traits in four main groups. The first group, positively correlated to the two axes, isrepresented by ‘Bachaar’ belonging to V. faba. var. minor, the second group, including V. faba. var. minor population (‘Massri’ and ‘Badï’), is positively correlated to the PC1 and negatively correlated to the PC2 while the third group, is composed of two V. faba var. major (‘Malti’ and ‘Batata’) and were positively and negatively correlated to the PC2 and PC1, respectively. Finally, the fourth group negatively correlated to the two axes, gathers the remaining population (‘Chahbi’, ‘Chemlali’, ‘Aguadulce’ and ‘Super Aguadulce’). The dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance of the 9 populations using UPGMA method, show some genetic drift between populations.Key words: Faba bean, agromorphological traits, principal components analysis, UPGMA method

A synoptic study on seasonal patterns of wet and dry spells in midwest of Iran

The effective patterns and mechanisms of synoptic systems during the wet and dry spells in Midwest of Iran(MWI) analyzed and discussed on seasonal scales from 1974 to 2003. Synoptic Analysis is based on synoptic chartson Sea Level Pressure (SLP), 850 and 500 Hpa levels. The results of synoptic analysis show that dry spells in MWIare mostly corresponded to Azores High (AZH) intensifying and its central movement to east and northeast of normalposition. Furthermore the Siberian High (SH) ridge is extended from northeast to Iran. The linkage between SH andAZH ridges through Iran, Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Arabic Peninsula lead to drought occurrence in the Middle Eastespecially Iran. The Sudan Low (SL) and Mediterranean Trough (MT) have a limited extend during drought periods(dry spells). The most important occurrence index of droughts in upper charts is reinforcing and extending northwardof Arabia South High (ASH) to Iran and Mesopotamia. This event is marked by a strong ridge in 500 Hpa charts overstudy area. The Circumpolar Vortex (CPV) is contracted to polar area during dry spells and expanded equatorward inwet spells. In Summarized SH extends during wet spells but dose not reach to Iran. In addition Mediterranean EastTrough (MET) reinforced and extended from 25°E to 40°E and its meridional expands reaches to the Red Sea (RS)and Sudan Low. The other result is that during wet and dry spells, the orientation of Blocking Highs ridges in thenorth of Caspian Sea and over Ural Mountain (UM) causes different climatic conditions in Iran

Generating inner ear organoids containing putative cochlear hair cells from human pluripotent stem cells

In view of the prevalence of sensorineural hearing defects in an ageing population, the development of protocols to generate cochlear hair cells and their associated sensory neurons as tools to further our understanding of inner ear development are highly desirable. We report herein a robust protocol for the generation of both vestibular and cochlear hair cells from human pluripotent stem cells which represents an advance over currently available methods that have been reported to generate vestibular hair cells only. Generating otic organoids from human pluripotent stem cells using a three-dimensional culture system, we show formation of both types of sensory hair cells bearing stereociliary bundles with active mechano-sensory ion channels. These cells share many morphological characteristics with their in vivo counterparts during embryonic development of the cochlear and vestibular organs and moreover demonstrate electrophysiological activity detected through single-cell patch clamping. Collectively these data represent an advance in our ability to generate cells of an otic lineage and will be useful for building models of the sensory regions of the cochlea and vestibule

High prevalence of hepatitis E among regular hemodialysis patients in South of Iran

Objective: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the prevalent nosocomially transmitted agents among patients on maintenance hemodialysis due to parenteral transmission of HEV and immunocompromised condition of chronic hemodialysis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate prevalence, risk factors, and genotypic pattern of HEV infection among hemodialysis patients in South of Iran. Methods: All patients on maintenance hemodialysis attending the hemodialysis centers of Bushehr, Borazjan, and Genaveh cities for regular hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies using ELISA kit. The serum samples were further tested for detection of HEV RNA using nested RT-PCR. Results: Of 226 hemodialysis patients, 155 patients (68.6%, 95% CI: 62.3%–74.3%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody, of which 33 patients (14.6%, 95% CI: 10.6%–19.8%) had anti-HEV IgM antibody. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-IgM antibodies in non-hemodialysis controls were 65.1% and 9.6%, respectively. Although the hemodialysis patients had higher prevalence of HEV than the controls, the difference was not significant. All samples were negative for HEV RNA. HEV seroprevalence among hemodialysis patients was not significantly associated with place of residency, ethnicity, level of education, gender distribution, hemodialysis duration, and levels of liver enzymes. HEV seropositive patients had significantly higher mean age compared to seronegative patients. Conclusion: This study reports the highest seroprevalence of HEV among hemodialysis patients in Iran. Inapparent HEV infection in the dialysis setting calls for regular screening of hemodialysis patients regardless of the hemodialysis duration, clinical symptoms, and liver function parameters

Yield and Yield Components of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) as Influenced by Supplemental Irrigation under Semi-arid Region of Tunisia

Abstract A field experiment was conducted at the research station of Higher Agriculture School of Kef located in a semi-arid region of Tunisia to study the effect of supplemental irrigation on yield and yield components of four Tunisian faba bean genotypes (Bachaar, Badii, Chahbi and locale). Two supplemental irrigations were applied at the flowering and pod formation stages. Results showed a significant effect of supplemental irrigation on biological yield (BY/P), seed number per plant (SN/P), 100-seed weight (100 SW), grain yield (GY/m 2 ), harvest index (HI) and number of days to maturity (NDM). Grain yields under supplemental irrigation varied from 83.9 to 208.7 g/m2, and they varied from 18.6 to 65.8 g/m 2 under drought conditions. Average 100-seeds weight increment due to supplemental irrigation condition was 52.8%. Results showed also that under rain fed condition, Bachar genotypes required minimum number of days to maturity (134.3 days). Drought susceptibility index (DSI) values for grain yield ranged from 0.8 to 1.13. Chahbi was relatively drought resistant (DSI values <1). This genotype proved high yielding and drought tolerant and can be incorporated in stress breeding programme for the development of drought tolerant faba bean varieties