Características palinológicas de las subspecies de Linum mucronatum Bertol. con heterostilia

Linum mucronatum is a heterostylous species from sect. Syllinum with four subspecies in Iran. The present study examines palynological characteristics of the heterostylous subspecies of Linum mucronatum, pollen characters of brevistylous individuals (pins) as well as longistylous individuals (thrums) of these plants by scanning electron microscope and light microscope using the prolonged acetolysis procedure. Sixteen qualitative and quantitative characters were investigated. Pollen equatorial shapes varied between pin and thrum individuals of each subspecies with the exception of L. mucronatum subsp. assyriacum. Pollen sculptures varied between pin and thrum samples of each subspecies and were seen in the gemmate, clavate and baculate shapes. In addition, quantitative palynological characters differed between plants and ANOVA test showed significant variations for traits such as equatorial length, colpi width and apocolpium diameter. Hetrostylous individuals of each subspecies were separated from others in the UPGMA tree and also in the PCO and PCA plots. This study confirmed variations in pollen features between pin and thrum individuals of each subspecies.Linum mucronatum es una especie con heterostilia, que pertenece a la sección Syllinum del género Linum, y tiene cuatro subespecies en Irán. En el presente estudio se examinan las características palinológicas de las subespecies heterostilas de Linum mucronatum Bertol., así como los caracteres polínicos de individuos de los morfos brevistilo (pin) y longistilo (thrum) de estas plantas, mediante microscopía electrónica de scanning y microscopía óptica usando el método de acetolisis prolongada. Se estudiaron un total de 16 caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos. La forma ecuatorial del polen varía entre los morfos pin y thrum en todas las subspecies, excepto en L. mucronatum subsp. assyriacum. La ornamentación también varía entre las muestras de morfos pin y thrum de cada subespecie, en los que se puede observar polen gemado, clavado y baculado. En algunos caracteres palinológicos cuantitativos, se encontraron también diferencias entre morfos y el test de ANOVA muestra que son significativas en cuanto a la longitud ecuatorial, la anchura de los colpos y el diámetro del apocolpio. Los individuos heterostilos de cada susbespecie aparecen separados en el árbol UPGMA y también en los gráficos de PCO y PCA. Este estudio confirma las diferencias en las características del polen entre individuos pin y thrum de cada una de las subespecies

Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and morphological diversity in Onosma L. (Boraginaceae) species in Iran

Morphological characteristics as well as inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) molecular markers were used to study the species relationship in Onosma species (Boraginaceae) in Iran. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that morphological characters like caule leaf size and shape, bract shape, corolla shape, nutlet length, venation and corolla teeth size and anther length are the most variable morphological characters among Onosma species studied. Out of 17 ISSR primers used, 6 primers produced 41 polymorphic and reproducible bands. Few specific ISSR bands were obtained for the species studied which show genetic material change during species diversification. Such bands may be used in the species identification too. Morphological and molecular trees obtained partly agreed with each other. In both trees, Onosma dasytrichum and Onosma microcarpum are placed close to each other, Onosma procerum and Onosma pachypodum show affinity to each other and Onosma araraticum, Onosma bodeanum, Onosma bistonensis, Onosma stenosiphon and  Onosma bulbotrichum are placed close to each other while, Onosma rostellatum stands far from the other species. The combined morphological and ISSR tree obtained separated the members of three sections of Onosma, Podnosma and Protonosma from each other. Moreover, almost a good separation of different subsections in the section Onosma was observed in the combined tree.Key words: Inter-simple sequence repeats, morphometry, Onosma

Inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses of genetic diversity in Mehr cotton cultivar and its crossing progenies

Cotton is cultivated in Iran with diploid and tetraploid forms and hybridization is a means to increase the genetic diversity and obtain new elite cultivars in this crop. This present study considered the molecular genetic diversity in Mehr (Gossypium hirsutum) cotton cultivar and its crossing progenies. 21 of 30 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers produced 220 reproducible bands with average of 10.47 bands per primer and 80.12% of polymorphism. OPR02 primer showed the highest number of effective allele (Ne), Shannon index (I) and genetic diversity (H). Some of the cultivars had specific bands, for example the F1 progeny of Mehr X No. 200, Mehr parental genotype and Mehr X Belilzovar hybrid genotype. Results show that some RAPD bands were present in the F1 progenies, but absent in the parental genotypes. Some others were present in the parental genotypes, but were absent in their hybrids. The highest values of genetic diversity in RAPD markers were obtained in Mehr X Sindose and Mehr X Belilzovar hybrids. Nine of ten inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers used produced 113 reproducible bands with average of 54.35% polymorphism. UBC834 locus revealed the highest number of Ne, I and H values. Also, some ISSR bands occurred only in the parental genotype while some others occurred only in the hybrid genotypes. The highest values of genetic diversity in ISSR markers were obtained in Mehr X Sindose and Mehr X Belilzovar hybrids.Key words: Cotton, genetic diversity, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR)

Species differentiation in annual Persicaria based on different markers

Persicaria with 70–100 species in the world is distributed in temperate regions of both hemispheres. It has 11 species in Iran growing in moist areas and margins of rivers. Through hybridisation, plasticity and existence of overlapping habitats, species identification shows difficulty. In this study, we aimed to investigate karyotype characters and morphological features, evaluate genetic variability within and among species studied and examine species relationship using ISSR data. Nine annual taxa of Persicaria were gathered from different localities in Iran and used for studies. Our studies showed that combination of karyological, morphological and molecular data can delimit species studied. Based on karyological results, three chromosome counts (P. hydropiper (2n = 2x = 20), P. maculosa (2n = 2x = 22), P. orientalis (2n = 2x = 22)) were the first reports for the Flora of Iran. Analyses of morphological characters showed diagnostic features among taxa. STRUCTURE and AMOVA analyses showed high intraspecific genetic diversity. Our results suggested that phenotypic plasticity and hybridisation may cause genetic diversity within Persicaria species

Species relationship and population structure analysis in Geranium subg. Robertium with the use of ISSR molecular markers

Species delimitation is essential since species is regarded as the basic unit of analysis in nearly all biological disciplines, such as ecology, biogeography, conservation biology, and macroevolution. The genus Geranium (Geraniaceae) comprises about 350 species distributed throughout most parts of the world. The subg. Robertium comprises 30 species which are arranged in 8 sections. This subgenus is represented in Iran by 10 species. These species are grouped into 5 sections. In spite vast distribution of many Geranium species that grow in Iran, there are not any available report on their genetic diversity, mode of divergence and patterns of dispersal. Therefore molecular (ISSR markers) and morphological studies of 147 accessions from 10 species of Geranium (subg. Robertium), that were collected from different habitats in Iran were performed. The aims of the present study are: 1) to find the diagnostic value of ISSR markers in delimitation of Geranium species, 2) to find the genetic structure of these taxa in Iran, and 3) to investigate the species inter-relationship. The present study revealed that combination of morphological and ISSR data can delimit the species. AMOVA and STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the species of subg. Robertium are genetically differentiated but have some degree of shared common alleles

Species delimitation in Geranium sect. Batrachioidea: morphological and molecular

Geranium subg. Robertium (Geraniaceae) comprises eight sections, of which sect. Batrachioidea contains four species centred in Eurasia, Mediterranean region and the Himalaya Mountains. Three species of Geranium pusillum, G. molle and G. pyrenaicum occur in Iran show some degree of morphological overlaps that make the species delimitation difficult. Moreover, hybrids are known to be formed between these species elsewhere. Till present time, there has been no detailed information available on molecular phylogeny and genetic structure of these species in the country. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim to investigate species delimitation by both morphological and molecular data and to reveal genetic diversity and population structure in these three Geranium species. For this study, 216 randomly collected plants from 30 geographical populations in three Geranium species were used. We encountered extensive within species genetic and morphological diversity. ISSR molecular markers could not delimit the studied species. STRUCTURE analysis revealed the occurrence gene flow between these species. The Mantel test showed no correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance of the populations studied. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between ITS and rbcL sequences and phylogenetic tree was constructed based on combined data set which separated outgroups from the studied species. Genetic affinity of the studied species has been discussed

The pollen morphological diversity of Ziziphora clinopodioides (Lamiaceae)

A cogent medicinal and aromatic plant, Ziziphora clinopodioides (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb, its aerial parts is used as a wild vegetable or additive in foods to proffer pleasant aroma and flavour. There are many discussions about the intraspecific classification of this species and several subspecies have been introduced for it in different flora. These subspecies are morphologically very similar and identification of them is very difficult and in some cases, impossible. Therefore, in the present study, the pollen grains morphology of nine subspecies (32 specimens) of Z. clinopodioides were probed and documented in details utilising the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In total, eleven pollen morphological characteristics were investigated and analysed by PAST software. The obtained results showed that pollen grains were hexacolpate and their equatorial views were sub-oblate to prolate. The exine ornamentation types of the pollen grains are bireticulate, microreticulate, reticulate and bireticulate-reticulate. The ANOVA test did not show significant difference for the studied quantitative traits. Although, the results of the multivariate analysis revealed a high diversity amongst the specimens even in the specimens of a single subspecies; it did not confirm the separation of subspecies in Z. clinopodioides

The effect of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones and desire to eat: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

UNLABELLED: Recent studies have demonstrated the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on adiponectin and leptin levels; however, those findings remain contested. The present study aimed to explore the impact of probiotics/synbiotics on appetite-regulating hormones and the desire to eat. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching the Medline (PubMed) and Scopus databases from inception to December 2021, using relevant keywords and MeSH terms, and appropriate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted. The standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated as part of the meta-analysis using a random-effect model to determine the mean effect sizes. Analysis of Galbraith plots and the Cochrane Chi-squared test were conducted to examine heterogeneity. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of data from a total of 26 RCTs (n = 1536) showed a significant decrease in serum/plasma leptin concentration following probiotic/synbiotic supplementation (SMD: -0.38, 95%CI= -0.638, -0.124); P-value= 0.004; I(2)= 69.4%; P heterogeneity <0.001). The leptin level decrease from probiotic/synbiotic supplementation was higher in patients with NAFLD than those with overweight/obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus/ metabolic syndrome/ prediabetes. Probiotic/synbiotic supplementation was associated with a trending increase in adiponectin levels, stronger in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and prediabetes (SMD: 0.25, 95%CI= 0.04, 0.46) µg/mL; P-value=0.021; I(2)=16.8%; P heterogeneity= 0.30). Additionally, supplementation with probiotic/synbiotic was linked to a slight increase in desire to eat (SMD: 0.34, 95%CI= 0.03, 0.66) P-value = 0.030; I(2)=39.4%; P heterogeneity= 0.16). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis indicates a favorable impact of probiotic/synbiotic supplementation on regulating leptin and adiponectin secretion

Nucleotide and phylogenetic analyses of the Chlamydia trachomatis ompA gene indicates it is a hotspot for mutation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Serovars of the human pathogen <it>Chlamydia trachomatis </it>occupy one of three specific tissue niches. Genomic analyses indicate that the serovars have a phylogeny congruent with their pathobiology and have an average substitution rate of less than one nucleotide per kilobase. In contrast, the gene that determines serovar specificity, <it>ompA</it>, has a phylogenetic association that is not congruent with tissue tropism and has a degree of nucleotide variability much higher than other genomic loci. The <it>ompA </it>gene encodes the major surface-exposed antigenic determinant, and the observed nucleotide diversity at the <it>ompA </it>locus is thought to be due to recombination and host immune selection pressure. The possible contribution of a localized increase in mutation rate, however, has not been investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nucleotide diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the five constant and four variable domains of the <it>ompA </it>gene, as well as several loci surrounding <it>ompA</it>, were examined for each serovar. The loci flanking the <it>ompA </it>gene demonstrated that nucleotide diversity increased monotonically as <it>ompA </it>is approached and that their gene trees are not congruent with either <it>ompA </it>or tissue tropism. The variable domains of the <it>ompA </it>gene had a very high level of non-synonymous change, which is expected as these regions encode the surface-exposed epitopes and are under positive selection. However, the synonymous changes are clustered in the variable regions compared to the constant domains; if hitchhiking were to account for the increase in synonymous changes, these substitutions should be more evenly distributed across the gene. Recombination also cannot entirely account for this increase as the phylogenetic relationships of the constant and variable domains are congruent with each other.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high number of synonymous substitutions observed within the variable domains of <it>ompA </it>appears to be due to an increased mutation rate within this region of the genome, whereas the increase in nucleotide substitution rate and the lack of phylogenetic congruence in the regions flanking <it>ompA </it>are characteristic motifs of gene conversion. Together, the increased mutation rate in the <it>ompA </it>gene, in conjunction with gene conversion and positive selection, results in a high degree of variability that promotes host immune evasion.</p

Study of morphological traits changes in different media culture of two apple rootstocks (M26 and MM106)

Numerous studies have reported on regeneration from apple somatic tissues, andorganogenesis has been proved to be influenced by several factors including mother shoots (genotype, size, type, and age of explant), in vitro conditions (dark period, light intensity, and quality), and others (wounding, orientation of leaf explants). However, one of the most important factors during the regeneration process ismicro and macro elements in media culture and the type and concentration of cytokinin applied. For optimization of the elongation shoot and proliferation medium, two different macro and micro element formulations were tested: MS and DKW. The 2-isopentnyl adenine (2-ip) and benzyl adenine (BA) are the most frequently used cytokinins in the regeneration systems, but their efficiency depends on genotype and other factors. The organogenic ability of explants can also be increased by a properly selected cytokinin treatment. Phytohormones (2 mgl-1 BA and 2 mgl-1 2-ip with 0.1 mgl-1 IBA) established for the proliferation of M26 and MM106 apple rootstocks. The both of rootstocks, the MS medium with BA (2 mgl-1) yielded in general the best shoot growth and elongation of branch also, DKW with 2-ip (2 mgl-1) showed the best callus formation and branching. Significantly better growth with the MS medium was also favored by BA as the cytokinin