Assessment of genetic diversity among Iranian Triticum germplasm using agro-morphological traits and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers

The knowledge about genetic diversity in the wild relatives of wheat provides useful information for breeding programs and gene pool management. In the present study, an assessment of agro-morphological diversity and molecular variability among 70 accessions of Triticum, belonging to T. boeoticum, T. urartu, T. durum and T. aestivum species, collected from different regions of Iran was made. According to phenotypic analysis, all traits except peduncle length, stem diameter and the number of seeds per spike indicated a high level of diversity among studied accessions. Also, principal component analysis identified six components that explained 87.53% of the total variation in agro-morphological traits. In molecular analysis, 15 start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism primers produced 166 bands, out of which, 162 (97.59%) were polymorphic. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated the 63% of the variation resided among populations. The maximum value of polymorphism information content (PIC), the observed (Na) and effective (Ne) number of alleles, Nie’s gene diversity (He) and Shannon’s information index (I) was detected for T. boeoticum than the other species. The SCoT-based tree revealed three different groups corresponding to the genomic constitution in Triticum germplasm, which was in part confirmed by STRUCTURE and principal coordinate (PCoA) analyses. Our results indicated a remarkable level of genetic diversity among studied Iranian Triticum species, especially T. boeoticum, which can be of interest for future breeding and other analyses associated with future studies of the wild relatives of wheat. More importantly, our results revealed that SCoT markers could be used to accurate evaluate genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among different Triticum species

Study on the effects of applying garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora extracts on Aeromonas hydrophila in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerling

In order to investigate the effect of ethanol extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora on Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)took the kids to the isolation and identification of bacteria, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila by garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts to determine the lethal concentrations of hydroalchoholic extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)children , and also to evaluate the efficacy and determine the effective doses of the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila extracts of in vitro and in vivo were measured. Due to the absence of the Aeromonas hydrophila identification by molecular country in the study of bacteria isolated from sturgeon disease is suspected after detection by screening DNA extraction and molecular By toward action and results by NSBI Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria and Authentication Code NSBI was recorded in Gen Bank JX987090. Based on studies done in vitro (in vitro) in this study, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria by extracts of garlic and thyme and arrange 1 mg/ml, 0.25mg/ml and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila by the extracts, respectively, and 2mg/ml, 0.5mg/ml. Study on lethal concentration (LC50) of Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract on fingerlings of Persian sturgeon showed that during 96h and 1h, the LC50 was 766.65 and 9933.44 mg/L, respectively. Also, LC50 of garlic extract during 96h and 1h was 1279.97 and 12624.08 mg/L, respectively. Investigation on white blood cells (WBC) showed significant difference in lymphocyte and neutrophil numbers in different treatments (P0.05). In this study, concentrations ranging from 400 to 1,000 mg/ml of hydroalchoholic extracts of Zataria multfor treating Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) infected with the Aeromonas hydrophila by intraperitoneal injection were determined. Based on the results of the concentration of the extract to 800 mg/ml during shower hour was determined. Assay to determine the concentration of garlic extract on the bacteria in the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)concentration range of 600 to 1200 mg/ml determine the effective concentration of extract equivalent to 1,000 mg/ml during shower hour was calculated. Study on the pictures taken out from sections of gill, liver and kidny of Persian sturgeon fingerlings (Acipenser persicus) showed that in different doses of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts the teretment grups were examined and some microscopic damages observed. They are hyperemia, adhesion in the gill filaments, cell necrosis, melanin pigments in gill primary filaments, cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, liver necrosis, hyperemia and increase in melanin pigments and melano macrophage centers in liver, glomerular changes such as congestion and blocked the dilation of Bowman's space, bleeding, cell necrosis, cloudy swelling of the in kidny

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

The effect of paragigantocellularis lateralis lesion on conditioned place preference (CPP) in presence or absence of α2 adrenergic agonist (clonidine) in male rats

The nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis (LPGi) is located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a brain stem region that regulates homeostatic functions such as blood pressure and cardiovascular reflexes, respiration, pain and opiate withdrawal syndrome. LPGi has many anatomical relationships with important nuclei such as arcute nucleus, caudal raphe nucleus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), and dentate. In this study we have examined the role of LPGi in the conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine in the presence and absence of clonidine in the rat. We used 49 male N-MRI rats which were divided into 7 groups randomly: 1: Control, 2: Control+saline, 3: sham control, 4: lesion, 5: lesion +0.02 mg/kg clonidine, 6: lesion +0.2 mg/kg clonidine, 7: lesion +2 mg/kg clonidine. Animals were anaesthetized with ketamine (110 mg/kg) and rampune (Xylazine) (3 mg/kg) mixture. In the process of surgery LPGi nucleus has been destroyed bilaterally by DC electrical current (1 mA, 6 second), with stainless steel electrode placed in stereotaxic coordinates of (AP=11.8, Lat±1.86 and Depth=10.5). After the recovery period, they were treated with clonidine one hour before the application of Hand's method to induce CPP. We have not found any significant differences between the results of control, control+saline and sham groups in the CPP test but there is a significant increase in the CPP time between sham and LPGi lesion+saline groups (P<0.019). Clonidine at different doses (0.02, 0.2 and 2 mg/kg) have decreased CPP time in LPGi lesioned group in comparison with lesioned+saline group as well (p<0.002). In this study we have also demonstrated that clonidine has not any effects on the CPP time in the intact animals. Our results indicate that LPGi lesion induces CPP. It seems that LPGi is involved in drug reinforcements and also LPGi lesion induces sensitivity to α2 adrenergic agonist

Evaluation of an Experimental Model for Flat-Fan Nozzles Drift in Wind Tunnel by Image Processing

Each year, millions of liters of toxic liquid, are used to combat with pests and plant diseases in farms. The wide spread use of chemical pesticides causes great environmental hazards. Particles drift is one of the main problems in spraying which results in the contamination of farm lands, humans and animals. Management of particle size is regarded as the main factor in drift control. In this study, the effect of some parameters on the size of deposited particles on non-target areas was studied using statistical method. The effects of nozzle type (orifice size), spraying pressure, spraying boom height and wind speed as effective factors on drift were examined. A horizontal wind tunnel with working section of 0.47 m wide, 0.75 m height and 5.5 m long was used for testing. Experiment was performed in the form of factorial split-plot based on randomized complete block design with two replications. Droplets were measured in the treatment combinations of the type of flat-fan nozzle with three orifice area (11003- 0.87 mm2, 11004-1.18 mm2 and 11006- 1.8 mm2), spraying pressure (150, 275 and 400 kpa), wind speed (1, 2 and 3 m s-1) and the boom height of (0.35, 0.55 and 0.75 m). Water-sensitive papers were used at intervals of 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4 m from the tip of nozzles for detecting droplets size. The factors of pressure, speed and height had positive effects on the droplet size at the desired distance, but the effect of nozzle size on droplet size was negative. In the regression model the coefficients of speed was higher than the others

Effects of the flavanone combination hesperetin-naringenin, and orange and grapefruit juices, on airway inflammation and remodeling in a murine asthma model

We investigated whether flavanones, hesperetin-naringenin, orange, and grapefruit juices reduce airway inflammation and remodeling in murine chronic asthma model. To establish chronic asthma, mice received house dust mite (HDM) for 3days in 2weeks, followed by twice per week for 4weeks. Concurrently, during the last 4weeks, mice received hesperetin plus naringenin (HN), orange plus grapefruit juice (OGJ), orange juice (OJ), or grapefruit juice (GJ); whereas the asthmatic control (AC) group and non-asthmatic control (NC) group consumed water ad libitum. In histopathological examination, no goblet cells metaplasia was observed in the HN, OJ, and GJ groups; also, intra-alveolar macrophages decreased compared with those of the AC group. Hesperetin plus naringenin significantly decreased subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy in airways, and lung atelectasis compared with the AC group. Also, there was a reduction of subepithelial fibrosis in airways in OJ and GJ groups compared with AC group, but it was not noticed in OGJ group. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, macrophages numbers decreased in OJ and OGJ groups, whereas eosinophil numbers were increased in OJ group compared with NC group. Our finding revealed that hesperetin plus naringenin ameliorate airway structural remodeling more than orange juice and grapefruit juice in murine model of HDM-induced asthma. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Maternal Voluntary Exercise during Pregnancy Enhances the Spatial Learning Acquisition but not the Retention of Memory in Rat Pups via a TrkB-mediated Mechanism: The Role of Hippocampal BDNF Expression

Objective(s): The effect of maternal voluntary exercise on hippocampal BDNF level in rat offspring was studied. In addition, the possible role of hippocampal BDNF receptors in maternal exercise induced enhancement of learning in the rat pups was investigated.   Materials and Methods: Pregnant rats have been randomly assigned to sedentary control or voluntary exercise groups. Each of the exercising pregnant rats was given access to a cage that was equipped with a running wheel until the end of their pregnancy. On post natal day (PND) 36, two groups consisted of 7 male rat pups in each group from sedentary or exercised mothers were sacrificed and the hippocampus was dissected for BDNF proteins level determination. Also, bilateral injection of K252a to the hippocampus was used to block the hippocampal BDNF action on PND59 in the rat pups. Results: Voluntary exercise during pregnancy significantly increased the level of BDNF protein in the hippocampus of the rat pups on PND36 compared to the control group (P=0.048). Inhibiting BDNF action abolished the exercise-induced improvement of learning acquisition in offspring in training trials (P=0.0001). No difference was observed in the platform location latency and the time spent in the target in the probe test between two groups. Conclusion : This study demonstrates that voluntary exercise during pregnancy via a TrkB-mediated mechanism enhances the spatial learning acquisition, however, not the retention of memory in the rat pups

The frequency of HHV-8 Infection in otherwise healthy blood donors as well as renal allograft recipients living in Iran

Background: Different reports from Middle East countries demonstrated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in transplant population. This vascular malignancy occurs mostly among immunocompromised individuals. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) appears to be the causative factor for the development of this neoplasm. Transplant programs are concerned about the frequencies of HHV-8 infection either in general population or transplant patients. Methods: The current study was conducted in two phases. Firstly, we detected antibodies against HHV-8 in 790 otherwise healthy blood donors. Secondly, a total of 125 kidney allograft recipients evaluated as being seropositive for HHV-8. We utilized enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for serologic studies. Results: Among blood donors, the male to female ratio was 1.05 (405 vs. 385) while the mean age was 38.9 ± 11.7 years. The serostatus of none of these blood donors were positive for HHV-8. Among kidney recipients, the male to female ratio was 1.9 (82 vs. 43). The mean age was 39.01 ± 14.77 years. Two (1.6) patients were seropositive for HHV-8. Conclusion: The prevalence of HHV-8 infection among Iranians is likely to be low. Yet, owing to the evidence of this infection among kidney allograft recipients and its probable role in developing post- transplantation KS (PT-KS), further studies appear to be required to keep the various aspects of this infection under close surveillance