Seed Polyphenolic Profile,Antioxidative Activity,and Fatty Acids Composition of Wild and Cultivated Carthamus Species

Total flavonoid content (TFC) and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (Cyd‐3‐glu) of seed and seed coat extract of 16 genotypes from five species of Carthamus were studied, and their major polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the seed coat extracts were determined using HPLC analysis and DPPH assay, respectively. Additionally, fatty acids composition of the seed oil was analyzed by GC. In general, TFC and Cyd‐3‐glu content of seed coat extracts were higher than those of seed extracts. A novel breeding line with black seed coat (named A82) depicted lower TFC (3.79 mg QUE/g DW) but higher Cyd‐3‐glu (24.64 mg/g DW) compared to the white and other seed‐pigmented genotypes. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed a strong association with Cyd‐3‐glu content (r = 0.84), but no correlation with TFC (r = ?0.32). HPLC analysis of seed coat extracts revealed that four compounds were dominant constituents including rutin (7.23 – 117.95 mg/100 g DW), apigenin (4.37 – 64.88 mg/100 g DW), quercetin (3.09 – 14.10 mg/100 g DW), and ferulic acid (4.49 – 30.41 mg/100 g DW). Interestingly, the genotype A82 with an appropriate polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids index (5.46%) and a moderate linoleic fatty acid content (64.70%) had higher nutritional and pharmaceutical value than all the other genotypes.     

Life-history variations of killifish (Aphanius sophiae) populations in two environmentally different habitats in central Iran

Two populations of Aphanius sophiae from two different habitats (one in a spring with stable environmental conditions and the other in a river with variable conditions) were examined to determine whether these conditions elicit differences in life history traits. Age composition revealed that females from the spring live longer. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters showed that L(∞) in the river population was higher than in the spring population. GSI showed a shorter reproduction period in A. sophiae from the river system. Egg diameter was significantly larger in the spring population. These results confirm the hypothesis of the response of killifish to local selective pressures in different habitats through adaptations via changes in the duration of the reproductive period, egg diameter, size changes, age composition and growth rate.     

Analysis of SNPs and Haplotypes in Vitamin D Pathway Genes and Renal Cancer Risk

In the kidney vitamin D is converted to its active form. Since vitamin D exerts its activity through binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), most genetic studies have primarily focused on variation within this gene. Therefore, analysis of genetic variation in VDR and other vitamin D pathway genes may provide insight into the role of vitamin D in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) etiology. RCC cases (N = 777) and controls (N = 1,035) were genotyped to investigate the relationship between RCC risk and variation in eight target genes. Minimum-p-value permutation (Min-P) tests were used to identify genes associated with risk. A three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sliding window was used to identify chromosomal regions with a False Discovery Rate of <10%, where subsequently, haplotype relative risks were computed in Haplostats. Min-P values showed that VDR (p-value = 0.02) and retinoid-X-receptor-alpha (RXRA) (p-value = 0.10) were associated with RCC risk. Within VDR, three haplotypes across two chromosomal regions of interest were identified. The first region, located within intron 2, contained two haplotypes that increased RCC risk by approximately 25%. The second region included a haplotype (rs2239179, rs12717991) across intron 4 that increased risk among participants with the TC (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.09–1.57) haplotype compared to participants with the common haplotype, TT. Across RXRA, one haplotype located 3′ of the coding sequence (rs748964, rs3118523), increased RCC risk 35% among individuals with the variant haplotype compared to those with the most common haplotype. This study comprehensively evaluated genetic variation across eight vitamin D pathway genes in relation to RCC risk. We found increased risk associated with VDR and RXRA. Replication studies are warranted to confirm these findings.     

Effect of PGF2α and GnRH on the reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows subjected to synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination during the warm or cold periods of the year

This study was designed to evaluate the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows (Holstein Friesian) after the injection of PGF_2α analogue on Day 15 postpartum, and GnRH analogue on Day 23 after artificial insemination (AI) with Presynch (two injections of PGF_2α, administered 14 days apart starting at 30–35 days postpartum) + Ovsynch-based (GnRH–7 days–PGF_2α–2 days–GnRH–16–20 hours–timed artificial insemination) treatments, during the warm and cold periods of the year. All the cows (n = 313) were assigned to one of the four groups including: M₁ (n = 72) in which the cows were treated with PGF_2α on Day 15 postpartum + Presynch-Ovsynch + GnRH on Day 23 post-AI; M₂ (n = 41) in which the cows received PGF_2α on Day 15 postpartum + Presynch-Ovsynch; M₃ (n = 100) including the cows that got Presynch-Ovsynch; and control group (n = 100) including the cows that were not treated and were inseminated at natural estrus. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 28 to 35 days post-insemination by means of ultrasound. The results showed that treatment with PGF_2α on Day 15 postpartum significantly decreased the days to conception and the number of services per conception (P < 0.01) and it also improved the first service conception rate (P < 0.1) only in cows that were treated with M₂ protocol. Whereas, the days to first service was not influenced by the treatment of PGF_2α on Day 15 postpartum (P > 0.05). In contrast, administration of GnRH on Day 23 post-AI increased the days to conception and the number of service per conception (P < 0.01) and tended to decrease the first service conception rate (P < 0.1) in cows that were treated with M₁ compared with M₂ protocol. Therefore, it was concluded that Presynch-Ovsynch protocol could be more reproductive and beneficial when a single treatment with PGF_2α was administered at 15 days postpartum (15 days after the PGF_2α, Presynch-Ovsynch protocol was initiated). Interestingly, the administration of a GnRH agonist on Day 23 post-AI not only did not improve the reproductive performance of the cows receiving first postpartum timed artificial insemination after Presynch-Ovsynch protocol but also reduced that.     

Effect of Prepartum Supplementation of Selenium and Vitamin E on Serum Se, IgG Concentrations and Colostrum of Heifers and on Hematology, Passive Immunity and Se Status of Their Offspring

Forty heifers at the late stage of gestation were randomly assigned into five groups. Heifers were balanced for age, weight, and time of calving in each group. Four and 2?weeks before expected time of calving, the heifers were injected with 0?ml (C), 10?ml (T1), 20?ml (T2), 30?ml (T3), and 40?ml (T4) Se and VE supplements, respectively. Each milliliter of the supplement contained of 0.5?mg Se as sodium selenite and 50?IU of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Blood samples were collected from the heifers 4?weeks before expected calving and at calving day and from the calves at birth and 7?days of age. The serum Se and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, white blood cell and differential leukocyte counts were measured. The Se concentrations in the sera of the heifers before the injections of Se and VE supplements were the same among the groups (P?>?0.05), but after calving were significantly increased in the treated heifers (P??0.05). The white blood cell counts were higher in calves of heifers in groups T3 and T4 compared with the control group at 7?days of age (P?相似文献   

Bioavailability and Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Sediments and Leaves of Grey Mangrove, <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Avicennia marina</Emphasis> (Forsk.) Vierh,in Sirik Azini Creek,Iran

The concentration and bioavailability of Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb in the sediments and leaves of grey mangrove, Avicennia marina, were studied throughout Sirik Azini creek (Iran) with a view to determine heavy metals bioavailability, and two methods were used. Results show that Zn and Ni had the highest concentrations in the sediments, while Cd and Cu were found to have the lowest concentrations in the sediments. Compared to the mean concentrations of heavy metals in sedimentary rock (shales), Zn and Cu showed lower concentration, possibly indicating that the origin of these heavy metals is natural. A geo-accumulation index (I _geo) was used to determine the degree of contamination in the sediments. I _geo values for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni showed that there is no pollution from these metals in the study area. As heavy metal concentrations in leaves were higher than the bioavailable fraction of metals in sediments, it follows that bioconcentration factors (leaf/bioavailable sediment) for some metals were higher than 1.     

Parasitism capacity and searching efficiency of Diaeretiella rapae parasitizing Brevicoryne brassicae on susceptible and resistant canola cultivars

Different cultivars of aplant species can affect the foraging and efficiency of natural enemies, both directly through physical and biochemical properties or indirectly through the herbivore's diet. In this study, the parasitism capacity and functional response of Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh were determined on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) reared on susceptible (Opera) and resistant (Okapi) canola cultivars under laboratory conditions at 25?±?1?°C, 60?±?5% RH and a16:8?h L:D photoperiod. The parasitoid exhibited Type II and Type III functional responses on the resistant and susceptible cultivars, respectively. The estimated value of searching efficiency (a) was 0.1637?±?0.1095?h^?1 on the resistant cultivar whereas its value was dependent on host density on the susceptible cultivar. The handling times (T_h) on the susceptible and resistant canola cultivars were 0.108?±?0.040 and 0.320?±?0.048?h, respectively. The net parasitism rate (C₀) of the parasitoid wasp varied from 128.09 hosts per parasitoid lifetime on the susceptible to 71.01hosts on the resistant canola cultivar. The transformation rate from host population to parasitoid offspring (Qp) was equal to 1 on both cultivars (C₀?=?R₀). The finite parasitism rate (ω) on the susceptible cultivar (0.819 hosts per parasitoid per day) was significantly higher than that on the resistant one (0.578 hosts per parasitoid per day). In conclusion, canola cultivars affected the performance of D. rapae in controlled small-scale laboratory experiments and compared with the susceptible cultivar, the resistant one had anadverseeffect on the efficiency of the parasitoid.     

Distribution and abundance of fish in the southwest of Caspian Sea coastal waters

This study was carried out in southwestern Caspian Sea coastal area to elucidate demersal bony fishes distribution and abundance. Twenty two species were found in shore line, which belong to 6 families. In deeper waters down to 7 meters only 5 species of Gobiidae and 1 species of Syngnathidae were identified. Two species Neogobius caspius and N. pallasi were the main components of demersal fishes; however in some regions Rutilus caspicus, Rutilus kutum and Liza spp. were dominated. Most places were dominantly occupied by Atherina boyeri, which had the highest abundance among the pelagic fishes. Conversely, the Ponticola gorlap, N. melanostomus and Proterorhinus nasalis showed the lowest abundances (less than 1 ind./100 m²). Benthophilus stellatus and P. nasali had the lowest niche overlaps with other species. Both of these two species and P. gorlap are suggested to be classified as endangered or vulnerable species based on their low abundance. The distribution of Syngnathus abaster depends on algae, while algae grow up into the stony construction of the coastal line. A negative insignificant correlation was observed between pelagic and demersal fish abundances. The commercial fisheries data of 76 beach seines in our study area during 2002–2013 was compared with our results on fish abundance and species composition. More than 93% of total fish catch constituted Liza spp. and Rutilus kutum. The relationship between the abundance and distribution of the studied species, and the restocking activities performed by Iranian fisheries organization are discussed. The high abundance and distribution of small size fish in tidal zone could be related to the distribution of crustacean, which provide a good source of food for these fish species.     

Morphological variation of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) in the southern Caspian Sea, using a truss system

A morphometric truss network system and meristic counts were used to investigate the hypothesis of population fragmentation of pikeperch Sander lucioperca among four major fishing areas in the Caspian Sea drainage. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between the means of the four groups for 20 out of 32 standardized morphometric measurements (27 truss, five traditional characters) and six out of nine meristic counts. The first two canonical discriminant functions accounted for 93 and 92.3% of the total variability in morphometric and meristic characteristics, respectively. A dendogram derived from cluster analysis of Mahalanobis distances and a discriminant analysis among the groups confirmed three distinct populations in these regions, while there was a relatively high degree of overlap between all locations when using meristic characters. The most relevant morphometric characteristics were the measured distances on body heights and the caudal peduncle area. This study indicated that the morphometric truss network system was more adequate than meristic characters for separation among the populations.     

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress,Apoptosis, and Expression of MicroRNA-208a and MicroRNA-1 in Cardiovascular Patients

Background:MicroRNA expression signature and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production have been associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and the expression of miRNA-208a and miRNA-1 in cardiovascular patients.Methods:The study population included four types of patients (acute coronary syndromes (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmia, and heart failure (HF)), with 10 people in each group, as well as a control group. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure mir-208 and miR-1 expression, the mRNAs of inflammatory mediators (TNFα, iNOS/eNOS), and apoptotic factors (Bax and Bcl2). XOX, MDA, and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GPx) were measured by ZellBio GmbH kits by an ELISA Reader.Results:The results showed significant decreases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and Gpx) and a significant increase in the activity of the MDA and XOX in cardiovascular patients. Significant increases in IL-10, iNos, iNOS / eNOS, and TNF-α in cardiovascular patients were also observed. Also, a significant increase in the expression of miR-208 (HF> arrhythmia> ACS> MI) and a significant decrease in the expression of miR-1 (ACS> arrhythmia> HF> MI) were found in all four groups in cardiovascular patients.Conclusion:The results showed increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptotic factors, and in the expression of miR-208a in a variety of cardiovascular patients (ACS, MI, arrhythmia, and HF). It is suggested that future studies determine the relationships that miR-1, miR-208, and oxidative stress indices have with inflammation and apoptosis.Key Words: Apoptosis, Cardiovascular diseases, Inflammation, microRNA-208a, microRNA-1, Oxidative stress