Karyotype analysis of Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) in Fars Province

The number of chromosome and karyotype of Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) was determined by the conventional preparation and Gimsa staining technique, using gill epithelia and kidney cells. In this investigation, 5 specimens of G. rufa were used which collected from Rodbal River, Firouzabad, Fars Province. Based on 30 chromosome spreads counts, the chromosome number was found to be 2n=50 with arm number NF=84. By using the ratio of long arm to short arm, the karyotype formula of 10 metacentric, 24 sub-metacentric and 16 sub-telocentric (10M +24SM +16St) was obtained

Otolith morphology of some freshwater fishes of Iran

Otoliths or ear stones are small white bodies present in the ear of bony fishes. Otoliths are important in keeping fish position and steadiness and also are useful structures in hearing. There are three pairs of otoliths which are called Sagittus, Lapillus and Astriscus. In the present study, otoliths of 15 species belonging to 14 genera and 6 families were collected from different basins including Kor Watershed, (Ghadamgah), Persian Gulf (Ghara Aghaj River), Hormuz (Khurgu Hot Spring), Tigris and Karon (Ghaghakhor wetland) and also some fish farms of Fars province were examined. Results showed that in Salmonidae, Cichlidae and Cyprinodontidae families Sagittus is larger while in the Balitoridae, Cobitidae and Cyprinidae Asteriscus is bigger than the other otoliths. Moreover, there is high variation in Asteriscus shape in different families

The Osteogenic Effect of Zingerone on Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cells via miR-590 and Smad7 Expressions

Background and Objective: The Osteoblast differentiation is an essential process that causes bone stability and homeostasis. Zingerone (ZG) 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone isolated from the ginger plant is involved in many biological processes and can be used to treat diseases as an anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic agent. This study aims to identify ZG potential to bone tissue regeneration by investigating the effect of Zingerone on human umbilical cord stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and their differentiation into osteoblasts. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the effect of Zingerone toxicity on 2×106 hUC-MSCs cells was investigated in 4 groups; one control group without any ZG and 3 groups threated with 50µM, 100µM and 200µM ZG. Cell viability was evaluated by the MTT method after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The gene expression of miR-590 and Smad7 and differentiation markers such as Osterix (OSX) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression level of this enzyme was checked by an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reaction. Findings: Zingerone has significant proliferative effects on hUC-MSCs cells in 200µM (p<0.05). Zingerone positively affects the differentiation process of osteoblasts by influencing the expression of specific markers such as ALP (p<0.05 in 200µM), RUNX2 (p<0.001 in 200µM), and OSX (p<0.001). The expression of miR-590 is increased in 200µM (p<0.05), while that of Smad7 is decreased under the influence of different Zingerone concentrations (p<0.001). In fact, miR-590 suppresses Smad7 and helps the differentiation of osteoblast cells. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Zingron causes the differentiation of osteoblast cells by increasing the expression of specific markers of osteoblasts (OSX, RUNX2 and ALP). In addition, increasing the expression of miR-590 suppresses Smad7 and helps the differentiation of osteoblast cells