Effect of Freezing Stress on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of Olive cvs. ‘Fishomi’ and ‘Roughani’

Changes in freezing injury percentage, lipid peroxidation (malonaldehyde formation), antioxidant enzymes activity and proline content were monitored in the leaves of olive cvs. ‘Fishomi’ and ‘Roughani’ under different freezing temperatures (-5, -10, -15 and -20°C for 10 h). The results showed that freezing injury (determined by electrolyte leakage analysis) and malonaldehyde (MDA) content of cv. ‘Fishomi’ were significantly lower than of cv. ‘Roughani’ ones. The activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes of cv. ‘Fishomi’ were signifi cantly higher than those of cv. ‘Roughani’. However, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of cv. ‘Roughani’ was higher than of cv. ‘Fishomi’. The proline accumulated in leaves of cv. ‘Fishomi’ was significantly higher than of cv. ‘Roughani’ during freezing stress. The results demonstrated that freezing injury percentage was positively correlated with ion leakage percentage and MDA content in both cultivars. In contrast, SOD, APX and CAT activities and also proline content were negatively correlated with freezing injury percentage. There was a significant negative correlation between PPO activity and freezing injury in cv. ‘Fishomi’. It can be concluded that the lower freezing injury percentage, ion leakage, and MDA content followed by the higher antioxidant enzyme activates as well as proline content in cv. ‘Fishomi’ is a consequence of more effective protective mechanisms

Assessment of Salt Tolerance in Pepper Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Mineral Compositions

In this study, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and mineral compositions was used to compare pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars response to salt stress. Twentysix pepper cultivars were exposed to salt stress (100 mM NaCl) during two weeks. Thereafter, chlorophyll fluorescence components, stress tolerance index (STI), sodium, potassium and calcium content were measured. The results showed that a significant difference has been found among pepper cultivars for all studied characteristics. Reduced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under salinity treatment were different between pepper cultivars. Fo/Fm, Fv/Fm was declined, with NaCl treatment in all cultivars. Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, qp, K+, K+/Na+ and Ca++/Na+ were decreased but leaf Na+ content was increased by salinity stress. A significant correlation was found between salt stress tolerance index and fluorescence characteristics such as Fo/Fm, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Fv/Fm diminishing, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, and qp. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between Na+, K+, K+/ Na+ and Ca++/Na+ with salt stress tolerance index. Overall, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters followed by Na+, K+, K+/Na+ and Ca++/Na+ could be useful tool to screen salt tolerance pepper cultivars

Effects of Regulated Deficit Irrigation and Superabsorbent Polymer on Fruit Yield and Quality of \u27Granny Smith\u27 Apple

Water resource limitation has caused increasing interest in changing irrigation strategy to improve water use efficiency. In this study, effect of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) (75 and 50% ETC) in combination with different concentration of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) (0, 100, 200 and 300 g/tree) on fruit yield and quality of \u27Granny Smith\u27 apple was investigated during two consecutive growing seasons. The tree irrigated with 100 ETC was used as control. No significant difference was found between control and RDI and SAP treatments for apple fruit yield. But in the second year of the experiment, apple trees treated with 200 g/tree superabsorbent showed by 15% greater fruit weight. The fruit soluble solid content (SSC) was significantly affected by irrigation regimes and superabsorbent polymer. The highest SSC was found in RDI50 in two years and 200 g/tree superabsorbent in the first year. In the first season, titratable acidity (TA) was significantly affected by SAP levels. The apple trees that received 300 g/tree of SAP, had the highest content of TA in the first season. No significant difference was observed among treatments regarding dry matter percentage and firmness. Total phenolic content of apple fruits was significantly affected by both RDI and SAP treatments in both seasons. In each level of SAP application, by reducing RDI percent total phenolic content increased. The highest phenolic content was found when the trees were treated with 50% RDI with and without SAP treatment

Inhibition of Polyphenol Oxidases and Peroxidase Activities in Green Table Olives by some Anti-browning Agents

Almost, all table olive cultivars are susceptible to the formation of brown spots due to mechanical damage during harvesting and processing. Therefore, application of some anti-browning agents might be an effective strategy to minimize unfavourable effects of enzymatic browning in green table olives. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), oxalic acid (OA), 4-hexylresorcinol (HR) and sodium hexametaphosphate (NaHMP) on reducing enzymatic browning of four green table olive cultivars (\u27Mari\u27, \u27Shengeh\u27, \u27Manzanilla\u27 and \u27Zard\u27) fruit. The results showed that \u27Mari\u27 and ’Shengeh’ potentially had the highest browning index. AA could reduce peroxidase (POD) activity just in \u27Mari\u27, but NaHMP could beneficially suppress its activity in both cvs. \u27Manzanilla\u27 and \u27Mari\u27. In general, the monophenolase activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was significantly higher than its diphenolase activity in all studied cultivars. The highest inhibitory effect on monophenolase activity was found in \u27Manzanilla\u27 fruit by CA and OA, while HR and NaHMP could suppress monophenolase activity of \u27Mari\u27 fruits. Diphenolase activity of PPO with pyrocatechol and dopamine HCl substrates was also dependent on olive cultivars. The minimum diphenolase activity of PPO for both substrates was found in \u27Zard\u27 fruit with the lowest browning index. The inhibitory effect of anti-browning agents on reducing diphenolase activity of PPO with dopamine hydrocholoride (DPOA) substrates was cultivar-dependend. Total phenolic content of treated fruits was higher than control. Overall, this result confirms that the potency of anti-browning agents on suppressing POD and PPOs enzymes that are involved in fruits browning was completely cultivar-dependend

The efficiency of life skill training on emotional intelligence in chronic addicted women with a history of spousal abuse

BACKGROUND: Low emotional intelligence (EI) could affect individuals' coping strategies and make them vulnerable to violence and addiction. This study aims to study the effect of life skill training to improve EI in chronic addicted women with a history of spousal abuse.METHODS: The study was semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test design. Conducted between October 2016 and January 2017, this study included women addicted to cannabis with a history of spousal abuse referring to some addiction intervention clinics in Tehran, Iran. 30 individuals were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and also cut-off point for EI using the convenience sampling method. They were then assigned to two groups randomly (each group n = 15). In six sessions, the experimental group received life skill training and the control group were in the waiting list. Both groups were evaluated in baseline and after the intervention by Ghahari’s domestic violence questionnaire and Bar-on Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software.RESULTS: The experimental group had improvements in total score and components of EI including interpersonal EQ (F = 312.30, P < 0.050) and intrapersonal EQ (F = 295.04, P < 0.050).CONCLUSION: Life skill training could improve EI in addicted women with a history of spousal abuse

Fruit Growth and Sensory Evaluation of ´Hayward´ Kiwifruit in Response to Preharvest Calcium Chloride Application and Orchard Location

In order to receive reliable results in the effect of preharvest calcium chloride (CaCl2) application on fruit growth and sensory characteristics of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cultivar ‘Hayward’) at the harvest time, a field experiment was carried out in two commercial orchards at different locations. The vines were sprayed with CaCl2 (1.5%), one, two, or three times in 35, 85 and 125 days after full bloom. The results showed that CaCl2 treatment significantly reduced fruit size, fresh weight and total dry matter content. Moreover, fruit growth relative attributes such as relative growth index, daily relative growth rate, daily transpiration rate, total carbon received by fruit and yield threshold pressure significantly decreased by thrice application. After thrice application of CaCl2, fruits showed better sensory quality. Overall, one time preharvest CaCl2 application had no-significant effect on the most fruits characteristics, while thrice application of CaCl2 could delay fruit ripening process

Assessment of Salt Tolerance in Pepper Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Mineral Compositions

Summary In this study, leaf chlorophyll fl uorescence and mineral compositions was used to compare pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars response to salt stress. Twentysix pepper cultivars were exposed to salt stress (100 mM NaCl) during two weeks. Th ereaft er, chlorophyll fl uorescence components, stress tolerance index (STI), sodium, potassium and calcium content were measured. Th e results showed that a signifi cant diff erence has been found among pepper cultivars for all studied characteristics. Reduced chlorophyll fl uorescence parameters under salinity treatment were diff erent between pepper cultivars. Fo/Fm, Fv/Fm was declined, with NaCl treatment in all cultivars. Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, qp, K + , K + /Na + and Ca ++ /Na + were decreased but leaf Na + content was increased by salinity stress. A signifi cant correlation was found between salt stress tolerance index and fl uorescence characteristics such as Fo/Fm, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Fv/Fm diminishing, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, and qp. Furthermore, there was a signifi cant correlation between Na + , K + , K + / Na + and Ca ++ /Na + with salt stress tolerance index. Overall, chlorophyll fl uorescence parameters followed by Na + , K + , K + /Na + and Ca ++ /Na + could be useful tool to screen salt tolerance pepper cultivars

Evaluation of bax, bcl-2, p21 and p53 genes expression variations on cerebellum of BALB/c mice before and after birth under mobile phone radiation exposure

Objective(s): The increasing rate of over using cell phones has been considerable in youths and pregnant women. We examined the effect of mobile phones radiation on genes expression variation on cerebellum of BALB/c mice before and after of the birth. Materials and Methods: In this study, amobile phone jammer, which is an instrument to prevent receiving signals between cellular phonesand base transceiver stations (two frequencies 900 and 1800 MHz) for exposure was used and twelve pregnant mice (BALB/c) divided into two groups (n=6), first group irradiated in pregnancy period (19th day), the second group did not irradiate in pregnancy period. After childbirth, offspring wereclassified into four groups (n=4):Group1: control, Group 2: B1 (Irradiated after birth), Group 3: B2 (Irradiated in pregnancy period and after birth), Group 4: B3 (Irradiated in pregnancy period). When maturity was completed (8-10 weeks old), mice were dissected and cerebellum was isolated. The expression level of bax, bcl-2, p21 and p53 genes examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time RT- PCR). Results: The data showed that mobile phone radio waves were ineffective on the expression level of bcl-2 and p53 genes) P>0.05(. Also gene expression level of bax decreased and gene expression level of p21 increased comparing to the control group (

Effects of Regulated Deficit Irrigation on Vegetative Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality of Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina Lindell \u27Methly\u27)

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) can be used as an effective strategy for increasing water use efficiency (WUE) under arid and semiarid climate. Therefore, in this study the effect of RDI (50 and 75% evapotranspiration of a crop under irrigation (ETC)) as compared to control during pit hardening and after fruit harvest on vegetative growth, fruit yield and quality of Japanese plum \u27Methly\u27 was investigated during two consecutive years. The results showed that water available limitation in RDI 50% both during pit hardening and after fruit harvest significantly reduced shoot growth. RDI treatment during postharvest decreased both node number and internode length. The highest flowering rate and fruit set percentage was found when plum tree was irrigated 75% ETC during pit hardening in both years. In the first year, RDI decreased fruit yield, whereas, in the second year, RDI 75% during pit hardening even increased slightly fruit yields for 6 and 11% as compared to control and postharvest stage, respectively. Fruit weight was significantly reduced under RDI 50%. Fruit produced under 50% RDI showed higher firmness and lower soluble solids concentration (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) than control and other treatment. Furthermore, RDI treated fruits had lower N, P, Mg content and N/Ca and Mg/Ca ratio and higher Ca content than control. Overall, moderate water stress (75% RDI) improved fruit yield and saved water without undesirable effect on plum fruit quality. F