Response study of canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars to multi-environments using genotype plus genotype environment interaction (GGE) biplot method in Iran

To study the interaction of genotype and environment in canola crop, a study was carried out in 2010. Ten genotypes (Modena, Okapi, Hyola 401, Licord, Opera, Zarfam, RGS 003, SLM046, Sarigol, and Hyola 308) of canola were studied under normal conditions of irrigation in four locations (Karaj, Birjand, Shiraz, and Kashmar) using randomized complete block design with three replications. Using GGE biplot method, grain yield was investigated for each cultivar. According to analysis of variance, there was a very significant difference among the regions. According to the yield average and genotype stability, Licord, Hyola 308, Modena and Zarfam were the best cultivars. The graphs obtained from GGE biplot software indicated that Hyola 401, Opera, and Sarigol were better than the rest of the genotypes based on stability and yield performance. At location Shiraz, none of the genotype had appropriate stability or yield. Four locations were divided into three mega-environments including Karaj, Kashmar (first mega-environment), Birjand (second mega-environment), and Shiraz (third mega-environment). Moreover, Karaj was recognized as the best region of the classification and ranking of genotypes. The study indicated that the highest and lowest genotypic reaction rates belonged to Licord and SLM 046 cultivars, respectively.Keywords: Canola, genotype environment interaction, grain yield, GGE biplot

First report of Polysarcus denticauda (Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from Iran and its bioacoustic characteristics

In 2013, during a bioacoustic investigation upon bushcrickets (Orthoptera, Ensifera) in Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, north-west of Iran, some ensiferans were collected in Azarshahr and identified as Polysarcus denticauda (Charpentier, 1825) (Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae). This is the first record of the species from Iran. Herewith, several diagnostic morphological and bioacoustic remarks are given

Inheritance of microsatellite markers in the hybrid of female Chalcalburnus chalcoides and male Vimba vimba persa Chalcalburnus chalcoides (Gueldenstaedt, 1772) ×Vimba vimba persa (Pallas, 1814)

The Mendelian Inheritance of produced hybrids from Chalcalburnus chalcoides and Vimba vimba persa was investigated using Microsatellite Markers. Genomic DNA from the produced larva and also small piece of dorsal and pectoral fin of their parents were extracted by Phenol-Chlorophorm method and PCR reaction was accomplished. 10 loci were amplified, in which 7 of them were amplified with reasonable polymorphism and 3 were monomorphism. In order to study the segregation of the produced F1 hybrids from female Chalcalburnus chalcoides and male Vimba vimba persa, seven loci (LCO3, LCO1, Lid11, Rru2, Z1-2, Z7-8, and Z9-10) were used. According to the results it showed that parents and F1 larva‘s allelic distribution were almost segregated based on Mendelian inheritance in 7 loci. The present study showed that Microsatellite markers are useful marker in study of inheritance

Neutrophils in cancer: neutral no more

Neutrophils are indispensable antagonists of microbial infection and facilitators of wound healing. In the cancer setting, a newfound appreciation for neutrophils has come into view. The traditionally held belief that neutrophils are inert bystanders is being challenged by the recent literature. Emerging evidence indicates that tumours manipulate neutrophils, sometimes early in their differentiation process, to create diverse phenotypic and functional polarization states able to alter tumour behaviour. In this Review, we discuss the involvement of neutrophils in cancer initiation and progression, and their potential as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets

The Tumor Microenvironment: The Making of a Paradigm

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the su

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Investigating effectiveness of clandestine advertisement and organizational strategy in brand management

This investigation tries to examine correlation between clandestine advertisement and organizational strategy in brand management via available sources and by using a field study. In fact, it intends to raise the question “Are clandestine advertisement and organizational strategy effective in management of products brands?” This is an applied and descriptive-approaching study. The study chooses a sample of 171 regular customers who do their day-to-day banking business activities through an Iranian bank named Sepah bank in city of Tehran, Iran. Using structural equation modeling, the study confirms a positive and meaningful relationship between clandestine advertisement and organizational strategy in brand management

Diagnostic value of ERCP and PTC in bilary tract and pancreatic diseases

History and Objectives: Due to prevalence of biliary tract and pancreatic disease and their known side effects and questionable surgical treatment, diagnostic value of ERCP and PTC, various discrepancies on the diagnostic values of these two methods, the present investigation was carried out on patients referred to Ayatollah Taleghani hospital in 1995. Materials and Methods: A diagnostic clinical trial was performed on 44 patients with obstructive icterus and indication for surgery. Patient's consent was obtained. Patient's profile including age, sex, ERCP, PTC findings were recorded (Form No.1). Surgical observation, pathological data as the etiology of the disease was collected in a double blind manner and recorded in form No.2. Data were classified and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and usefulness was determined. Results: Patients were in 25-80 (Mean 55) age range (Female 45.5, male 54.5). 70 were referred with icterus and RUQ pain. Sensitivity, specificity and usefulness of ERCP were 84, 100 and 84 respectively. The data for PTC were 90, 100 and 90 respectively. Conclusion: Performing ERCP and PTC and can be beneficial to the diagnosis of the disease. In case of obstructive biliary tract PTC (Due to simplicity) is recommended. Further research into diagnostic efficacy of these two methods is needed. Etiologic study on pancreatic diseases and biliary diseases is suggested