The changes of germination characteristics and enzyme activity of barley seeds under accelerated aging

Seed aging is the main problem of seed storage. Changes of enzyme activity and reduction of seedling growth are consequence of seed deterioration. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of accelerated aging on germination indexes and enzyme activity of barley seeds. Seeds were incubated in closed plastic boxes for the accelerated aging treatments at 41°C. Three accelerate aging regimes were performed by placing seeds at 41°C and relative humidity (RH) of 90-100 % for 0, 4 and 8 day periods. Our results showed that increasing aging duration resulted higher reduction in germination percentage, germination index, mean time to germination, normal seedling percentage, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. The highest germination percentage, germination index, normal seedling percentage and enzyme activity were achieved in control conditions (0 day of aging). Under aging conditions, germination percentage, means time to germination, germination index, normal seedling percentage and enzyme activity decrease significantly. Also, our results indicated that seed aging is related to decrease of enzymes and may contribute to low germination efficiency. The general decreases in enzyme activity in the seed lowers the respiratory capacity, which in turn lowers both the energy (ATP) and assimilates supply of the germinating seed, also decrease in antioxidant enzymes is linked to an increased accelerated ageing and decreased germination characteristics. Subsequently, proposed a positive relationship between antioxidant enzyme capacity and the vigour of the seed

Predicting seed germination of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivars using hydrotime model

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant. It is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds, which is cultivated under arid environments. In such environments, the water needed for germination is available for only a short time and, consequently, successful crop establishment depends not only on rapid and uniform germination of the seedlot, but also on its ability to germinate under low water availability. All of these attributes can be analyzed through the hydrotime model (HT). Safflower seeds were germinated in various polyethylene glycol (PEG 600) solutions to obtain water potentials of 0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, and -0.8 Mpa. Results indicated that germination of safflower cultivars decreased significantly with reduction of osmotic potential. The highest germination percentage for Sina (93.06 and 94.02%), Faraman (93.52 and 95.33%), Talaei (94.98 and 93.98%) and Kouseh (93.58 and 95.55%) cultivars were attained from distilled water (0 MPa) and -0.2 MPa, respectively. The hydrotime constant (θH) for Sina, Faraman, Talaei and Kouseh cultivars were 0.93, 0.84, 0.78 and 0.72 MPa d, and the water potential (Ψb(50)) for Sina, Faraman, Talaei and Kouseh cultivars were -0.56, -0.67, -0.64 and -0.77 MPa, respectively. Cumulative germination of safflower seed was higher in Kouseh cultivar, than in Sina, Faraman and Talaei cultivars. Results showed that, hydrotime model is suited to predicting seed germination of safflower seeds. In addition, the information gathered with this work allows us to build mathematical models to predict germination of safflower cultivars in the field under various environments

Quantification of germination response of Millet (Panicum Miliaceum L.) seeds to water potential and priming using hydrotime model

Seed germination is a complex biological process that is influenced by different environmental physical factors including temperature, water potential, salinity, pH and light, as well as intrinsic genetic factors. In such environments, the water needed for germination is available for only a short time, and consequently, successful crop establishment depends not only on rapid and uniform germination of the seedlot, but also on its ability to germinate under low water availability. All of these attributes can be analyzed through the hydrotime model (HT). Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Therefore, in this study, using the hydrotime modeling approach, germination response of millet to priming (water and gibberellin 50 ppm at 15°C for 24 h) and water potential (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, and -1.2 Mpa) was studied. Hydrotime (HT) model were fitted to cumulative germination of seeds and recorded in germination tests carried out at different water potentials (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) and priming treatments (control, hydropriming and hormone priming). Results showed that, germination of millet decreased significantly with reduction of osmotic potential. Results indicated that the hydrotime constant (θH) for control, hydropriming and hormone priming were 0.89, 0.79 and 0.67 MPa d, the water potential (Ψb(50)) for control, hydropriming and hormone priming were -0.89, -0.94 and -1.11 MPa, respectively. Results indicated that the use of hydrotime model in germination prediction could be useful to provide more accurate estimates for the timing of sowing and management of millet

λ phage nanobioparticle expressing apoptin efficiently suppress human breast carcinoma tumor growth in vivo

Using phages is a novel field of cancer therapy and phage nanobioparticles (NBPs) such as λ phage could be modified to deliver and express genetic cassettes into eukaryotic cells safely in contrast with animal viruses. Apoptin, a protein from chicken anemia virus (CAV) has the ability to specifically induce apoptosis only in carcinoma cells. We presented a safe method of breast tumor therapy via the apoptin expressing λ NBPs. Here, we constructed a λ ZAP-CMV-apoptin recombinant NBP and investigated the effectiveness of its apoptotic activity on BT-474, MDA-MB-361, SKBR-3, UACC-812 and ZR-75 cell lines that over-expressing her-2 marker. Apoptosis was evaluated via annexin-V fluorescent iso-thiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, flow-cytometric method and TUNEL assay. Transfection with NBPs carrying λ ZAP-CMV-apoptin significantly inhibited growth of all the breast carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Also nude mice model implanted BT-474 human breast tumor was successfully responded to the systemic and local injection of untargeted recombinant λ NBPs. The results presented here reveal important features of recombinant λ nanobioparticles to serve as safe delivery and expression platform for human cancer therapy. © 2013 Shoae-Hassani et al

Low dose ribavirin for treatment of HCV infected thalassemia major patients; new indications for combination therapy

Background: Treatment guidelines contraindicate ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in thalassemia major patients. Nevertheless, the current evidence suggests that ribavirin might be tolerated by these patients. Objectives: Despite this evidence, low dose ribavirin combination therapy has not been compared with peg interferon monotherapy in these patients so far. Patients and Methods: Two hundred eighty thalassemia patients with detectable HCVRNA PCR (� 50 IU/mL) and liver histology consistent with chronic HCV infection were self-assigned to receive peg interferon alfa-2a (n = 81) monotherapy or its combination therapy with ribavirin, 600-800 mg QD, according to hemoglobin levels (n = 199). Treatment experienced patients were eligible for this study. Results: Sustained virological response (SVR) was significantly higher in patients who received ribavirin (51 vs. 38 P = 0.02). In multivariate regression, OR of ribavirin for prediction of SVR was 2.2 (95 CI 1.24-3.91). The SVR was significantly higher in the ribavirin group in subgroups of patients with more than 24 years of age, elevated ALT, ferritin < 2006 ng/mL, previous treatment failure, genotype 1, positive history of splenectomy, fibrosis score of 0-4 HAI and viral load < 600,000 IU/mL. Treatment discontinuations due to the safety concerns were comparable between the treatment groups (6.5 and 8 ). Furthermore, transfusion intervals were almost halved in patients who received low dose ribavirin. Conclusions: According to the present study, adult thalassemia patients with HCV infection can be treated successfully with low dose ribavirin. Hence, we strongly advise combination therapy in thalassemia patients with aforementioned clinical characteristics. Moreover, ribavirin does not seem to be beneficial in thalassemia patients below 18 years of age. © 2012 Kowsar Corp. All rights reserved

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

The effects of salinity stress on seed reserve utilization and germination percentage of treated seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

In order to investigate salinity stress on seed reserve utilization and seedling growth of treated seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), an experiment was carried out. Factorial experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with three replicates. To create salinity stress, NaCl in osmotic levels at 0 (as control), -4, -8, -12 and -16 bar were used. For seed priming, gibberellin (GA) 50 ppm was used. Our results showed that treatment × drought interaction on these traits: germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were significant. The highest germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were attained from priming by gibberellin at control conditions. Thus, priming increased characteristics as compared to the unprimed. Priming improved seed reserve utilization such as: weight of utilized (mobilized) seed reserve, seed reserve depletion percentage, seed reserve utilization efficiency and seedling growth in barley under salinity stress

The effect halo-and hydro-priming on seed reserve utilization and seed germination of wheat seeds under salinity stress

Seed germination and seedling growth are critical stages in the life cycle of a plant, especially under adverse abiotic stresses. Seed germination negatively affected by stress conditions. Seed priming techniques have been used to increase germination characteristics and improve germination uniformity in more field crops under stressed conditions. This experimental aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity and halo-priming on seed reserve utilization and seed germination of wheat seeds. For create salinity stress, NaCl in osmotic levels at 0 (as control), -4, -8, - 12 and -16 bar was used. Seeds of were pretreated with halo-priming at 10 °C for 24 h and water at 10 °C for 24 h. Our results showed that treatment×drought interaction on these traits: germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were significant. The highest germination percentage was obtained from halo priming in control conditions. Thus priming improved study traits in wheat under salinity stress. Priming increased germination percentage and seed reserve utilization as compared to the unprimed seeds. The highest germination percentage and seed reserve utilization were as obtained from halo priming in control conditions

The Effects of Salinity Stress on Seed Reserve Utilization and Germination Percentage of Treated Seeds of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.)

In order to investigate salinity stress on seed reserve utilization and seedling growth of treated seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), an experiment was carried out. Factorial experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with three replicates. To create salinity stress, NaCl in osmotic levels at 0 (as control), -4, -8, -12 and -16 bar were used. For seed priming, gibberellin (GA) 50 ppm was used. Our results showed that treatment × drought interaction on these traits: germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were significant. The highest germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were attained from priming by gibberellin at control conditions. Thus, priming increased characteristics as compared to the unprimed. Priming improved seed reserve utilization such as: weight of utilized (mobilized) seed reserve, seed reserve depletion percentage, seed reserve utilization efficiency and seedling growth in barley under salinity stress