Geology,Oil and Gas Potential,Pipelines, and the Geopolitics of the Caspian Sea Region

The Caspian Sea region contains oil and gas reserves that are comparable to those of other of the world's fossil-fuel-producing regions, excluding the Middle East. We review here the economic, environmental, and complicated geopolitical concerns with respect to exploration and recovery of the region's fossil fuels. These include mud volcanoes, gas hydrates, earthquakes, pollution, rapid changes in sea level, desertification, ownership of resources, and the transportation routes of fossil fuels. Significant advances have been made concerning these problems in the short time since the breakup of the Soviet Union, fueling optimism for the future of the region.-     

New chromosome counts in the genus Cousinia and the related genus Schmalhausenia (Asteraceae, Cardueae)

Twenty chromosome counts are reported in the genus Cousinia and the monotypic genus Schmalhausenia , which are part of the Arctium group, from Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Twelve are new and eight provide confirmation of scarce or disputable previous data. The correlation between karyological data, pollen type and molecular phylogeny is very close, and on this basis two main groups can be defined. One is the arctioid group, which comprises the genera Arctium and Schmalhausenia , and a small part of the genus Cousinia , with x  = 18. The other is the genus Cousinia s.s. , with a dysploid series ranging from x  = 13–11. Some considerations on the chromosomal evolution in the group are made.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Socety , 2003, 143 , 411–418.     

A microRNA signature associated with chondrogenic lineage commitment

Generating appropriate cartilage for clinical applications to heal skeletal tissue loss is a major health concern. In this regard, cell-based approaches offer a potential therapeutic strategy for cartilage repair, although little is known about the precise mechanism of chondrogenesis. Unrestricted somatic stem cell (USSC) is considered as a suitable candidate because of its potential for differentiating into multiple cell types. Recent studies show that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in several biological processes including development and differentiation. To identify the chondro-specific miRNA signature, miRNA patterns of USSCs and differentiated chondrocytes were investigated using microarrays and validation by qPCR. Prior to these analyses, chondrogenic commitment of differentiated USSCs was verified by immunocytochemistry, specific staining and evaluation of some main chondrogenic marker genes. Various in silico explorations (for both putative targets and signalling pathways) and empirical analyses (miRNA transfections followed by qPCR of some chondrogenic indicators) were carried out to support our results. Transient modulation of multiple chondro-miRs (such as mir-630, mir-624 and mir-376) with chondrocyte targets (such as TGFbR, MAP3K, collagens, SMADs and cadherins) as mediators of chondrogenic signalling pathways including cell-cell interactions, TGF-beta, and MAPK signalling suggests a mechanism for genetic induction of chondrogenic differentiation. In conclusion, this research reveals more details about the allocation of USSCs into the chondrocytes through identification of miRNA signature which modulates targets and pathways required for chondrogenic lineage and could provide guidelines for future clinical treatments and anti-miRNA therapies.     

Demographic parameters of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover （Homoptera： Aphididae） on five cotton cultivars

Life table parameters of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, were estimated on five cotton cultivars （‘ Sealand＇ ,‘Siokra＇ ,＇ Vararnin＇ ,‘ Bakhtegan＇ and ‘ Sahel＇ ）. Demographic parameters of the cotton aphid were assessed at 27.5 ± 1 ℃, 65% ＋ 10% RH and a photoperiod of 14：10 （L： D）h. The shortest developmental time for the nymphal stages was 5.5 days on ‘Siokra＇ and the longest was 6.1 days on‘ Sealand＇. The highest offspring per female was 29.6 on ‘Sahel＇ and the lowest was 15.3 on ‘Sealand＇. The rm values varied from 0.272 on ‘Sealand＇ to 0.382 （day^-1） on ‘Varamin＇. Jackknife estimates of the A. gossypii parameters on these cultivars indicated the greatest developmental rate and fecundity on ‘ Varamin＇ and the poorest on ‘ Sealand＇ cultivar.