فهرست مطالب amir mousavi

Iran has different environmental conditions due to specific geographical. Therefore, exploring essential oil and flavonoids components among different medicinal may be caused discoveries about valuable components. The present study aimed to study flavonoids profile and essential oils composition of four Lamiaceae species i.e. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl, Teucrium polium L., Thymus daenensis Čelak., and Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. from Oshtorankoh located on Zagros Mountains, Iran. The plants were collected during 2014-2015 and were identified using available references. A chemical study using two-dimensional paper chromatography (2-DPC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) showed that the four studied species contained flavone C and C-/O glucosides and flavonoid sulfates. The result of the present study revealed that T. polium had high levels of many flavonoids such as apigenin, genistein, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, andvitexin compared to the other studied plants. According to the results of GC/MS analysis, S. lavandulifolia was rich in α‑pinene (21.16%) and 1,8‑cineol (16.95%), T. polium in α‑pinene (12.21%) and sabinene (9.55%), T. daenensis in γ‑Terpinene (36.98%) and p‑Cymene (26.87%), and Z.‍clinopodioides in piperitone (16.84%) and 1,8‑cineol (16.11%) components.

Most of the garlic clones are non-bolting and sterile and propagate asexually; however, some of the clones are bolting, and there are some fertile clones among the bolting ones. A correct understanding of the MADS-BOX genes family expression pattern and structure, including AGL6, is a valuable project and will improve garlic breeding programs. So far there are no reports relating AGL6 identification as a flowering and fertility integrator gene in garlic. So the aim of this study is to investigate the relative expression of AGL6 in Iranian bolting, semi- and non-bolting garlic clones and to identify its structure and nucleotide sequence.

At first the relative expression of the AGL6 was investigated in the different organs of non-bolting, semi-bolting and bolting Iranian garlic clones using quantitative Real time- PCR. Then the isolation and cloning of the AGL6 partial sequences from the garlic floret was carried out using RT-PCR. The sequence of the recombinant plasmid was evaluated using BLAST, Vector NTI, ORF finder and MEGA6 software.

According to the obtained results, AGL6 was expressed in the meristem, inflorescence, tepal and carpel of green and purple flowers of the bolting garlic. But there was no sign of its expression in the stamen. AGL6 expression level in the meristem of bolting garlic was higher than the meristem of the semi-bolting and non-bolting garlic in all sampling stages, especially in the flowering induction stage. AGL6 was also expressed in the inflorescence of the semi-bolting and bolting garlic, but its expression in the inflorescence of the semi- bolting garlic was 4 times less than the inflorescence of the bolting garlic. Sequence analysis of the colonized fragment showed the coding region with a 728 bp length, which was registered in the NCBI database with the accession number of OK086759.1. This nucleotide sequence encodes a protein with 243 amino acids and has MADS-box and K-box domains. Results showed the high similarity of the sequence obtained in this research with other AGL6 gene homologues in other plant species, especially petaloid monocots such as onion, lily, narcissus and saffron in NCBI. Hence the resulting sequence was named AsAGL6.In this research, for the first time, the expression pattern of a key gene of the flowering and fertility pathway (AsAGL6) and its nucleotide structure were determined in garlic. The results of this research can be effectively used in the design of classical and molecular garlic breeding programs.

Most molecular genetic tests begin by extracting DNA and RNA. To achieve this, obtaining a suitable, reliable, and repeatable extraction method is of great importance. In this regard, optimization of the extraction of nucleic acids from the Iranian cyclamen plant (Cyclamen coum Miller) and the introduction and expression of housekeeping genes was performed. After collecting plant samples from the three organs of leaf, petal and hypocotyl, modified CTAB and SDS methods were used for DNA isolation and modified Trizol, CTAB-LiCl and RNX-Plus methods were used for RNA isolation. The quality of isolated DNA and RNA was checked by electrophoresis and their concentration was measured with nanodrop. The presence of 18S ribosomal, actin (ACT), tubulin (TUB) and elongation factor (EF-1a) gene fragments was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on the results, the lowest DNA concentration was related to the CTAB method. The DNA concentration and quality of Iranian cyclamen leaf, petal and hypocotyl samples were higher in the modified SDS method than in the CTAB method. The isolation of DNA using the modified SDS method not only had a high purity but also had relatively high performance. According to quality analysis of the RNA isolated from leaf, petal, and hypocotyl samples using Trizol, CTAB-LiCl, and RNX-Plus protocols, all three strategies may be used to isolate RNA from Iranian cyclamen tissues. However, the Trizol method is superior to other methods in terms of high band resolution and RNA concentration. The production of cDNA from RNA isolated from three Iranian cyclamen tissues was successfully performed only by Trizol and RNX-Plus methods. Based on the results, cDNA made from RNA isolated by Trizol method had better quality. To check the efficiency of RNA samples in RT-PCR reaction and the expression of housekeeping genes, RT-PCR test was performed. Based on the results, the presence of the bands related to the housekeeping genes fragment in the electrophoresis stage confirmed the good quality of the produced cDNA and also indicated the high quality of the isolated RNA from the Trizol and RNX-Plus methods. RT-PCR results showed that the expression of actin, EF-1a, 18S and tubulin gene was positive in most Iranian cyclamen organs. Among housekeeping genes, tubulin and 18S genes, had higher band resolution and higher quality in all samples and tissues.

A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different doses of gamma irradiation on postharvest life and quality of bulbs of four Iranian onion cultivars (White-Ghom, White-Neyshabour, Red-Ridge-Lump, Red-Ray-Corrugated) during 120 days storage at 10-15 °C and 70% relative humidity. Interactive effects of cultivar and irradiation dose significantly affected sprouting, weight loss, firmness, soluble solids content (TSS), and contents of reducing sugars and pyruvic acid (PA) of the bulbs after 120 days of storage. Sprouting of the bulbs ranged between 10-100%. The untreated bulbs represented the highest sprouting and weight loss. Gamma irradiation (30-150 Gy) significantly restricted sprouting percentage and consequently decreased weight loss of the bulbs. Firmness of the irradiated bulbs (90-150 Gy) was higher than the control bulbs. Weight loss of the bulbs was positively correlated with sprouting and it was negatively correlated with bulb firmness. The irradiation treatments increased TSS (30-150 Gy) and reducing sugar content (60-150 Gy) of the bulbs. The untreated bulbs had the lowest PA content at the end of the experiment. Exposure to 90-150 Gy irradiation doses resulted in the highest PA content in the bulbs. In summary, application of 90 to 120 Gy of gamma radiation for improving postharvest shelf life and quality of onions can be considered as a general guideline.

Saintpaulia ionantha is one of the most important commercial plants with unique natures in color and shape, which has made it, the most popular indoor plant. Genetic engineering would be one of the most widely used technique for plant breeding. However, these methods are based on tissue culture techniques to create and produce novel cultivars. It also seems that successful direct regeneration constitutes the first step in developing strategies for genetic manipulation. This study aimed to determine the influence of MS medium supplemented with various amounts of growth regulators including IAA, BA, TDZ on direct organogenesis of two African violet cultivars (Little Maya and Grinia) from leaf and petiole explants, using the response surface methodology. Treatments applied on both cultivars resulted in the induction of regeneration in leaf and petiole explants. However, leaf explants showed more organogenic potential than petioles. The potential of direct organogenesis of both cultivars was not significantly different from each other in the same explants. Although, predicted model by historical data design which were investigated practically in 3 replications indicated that, the Little Maya cultivar had the highest percentage of direct organogenesis. In this regard, medium containing BA 0.05 mg/l + TDZ 0.01 mg/l + IAA 1 mg/l was more successful in inducing direct organogenesis in both cultivars. Therefore, according to the obtained model, it seems that the direct organogenesis potential was affected by the interaction of hormones and explants, which could also result from the genotypes.

In almonds (Prunus dulcis), selecting salt-tolerant rootstocks and genotypes is an appropriate breeding strategy. In the present research, we grafted two commercial almond cultivars (‘Sahand’ and ‘TS3’) on the ‘GF677’ rootstock. Then, we monitored the impact of salinity (0.5, 6.5, and 8.5 dS m-1) on the morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics of the Sahand and TS3 cultivars. The photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll (a, b and total) content, and carotenoid content decreased with increasing salinity levels in both cultivars, with the least decrease observed in TS3. Under a salinity level of 8.5 dS/m, Sahand exhibited the lowest growth (8.9 cm), leaf area (5412.5 mm2), Chla, Chlb, Chltotal and carotenoid contents (0.58, 0.15, 0.74 and 0.31 mg g-1FW, respectively). Additionally, Sahand had a Fm/Fv (0.75), N content (1.33%) and Ca, B, Mg, S, Fe and Zn values of 1654.55, 1.64, 395.28, 168.6, 10.35 and 3.05 mg L-1, respectively. Furthermore, Sahand exhibited the highest MDA level (25.17 nmol g-1FW), TFC (2.95 mg GA g−1FW), Na content (649.84 mg L-1) and Cl content (3.52%).  the lowest TFC (1.75 mg GA g−1FW) and the highest NHX1 expression, photosynthesis rate (5.65 μmol m-2 s-1), gs (0.1 mol m-1 s-1) transpiration rate (6.08 mmol m-1 s-1), Ca, S and B content (1903.63, 196.9 and 2.09 mg L-1, respectively) were belonged to TS3 under 0.5 dS/m salinity. Higher levels of Mg and Fe in the TS3 cultivar resulted in the stablization of photosynthetic pigments. Compared to Sahand, TS3 had a higher nitrogen content, and its greater NHX1 expression was a molecular confirmation of its salt tolerance.

Signal peptides can be used to effectively transfer recombinant proteins into chloroplast for their appropriate functionality or storage. In this study, the efficiency of candidate signal peptides was studied using in silico and in vitro approaches. At first, the cleavage sites, ability to transport into chloroplast, and hydrophobicity of 160 signal peptides were analyzed by bioinformatic tools such as Targetp, Tppred, PredSL, and Protoscale. The secondary structures of the transcripts of reporter gene fused to these signal peptides were also predicted. In the next step, signal peptides of epsps and pcaD genes respectively from petunia (Petunia × hybrida) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) were cloned using specific primers. β-glucuronidase gene and each signal peptides coding sequences were fused together. The resulting fragments were then transferred by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and over-expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) as a model plant. Chloroplasts were extracted from transgenic young and green leaves and β-glucuronidase activity was assayed qualitatively by histochemical and quantitatively by fluorometric methods. The results showed that GUS was present and active in chloroplasts and the epsps signal peptide was more effective than pcaD in transferring the target protein. In conclusion, we can speculate that the identified signal sequences have the potential to transfer recombinant proteins into plastids for more effectiveness or for storage and extraction purposes.

In this study, the possibility of organogenesis of leaves and petioles of two African violet cultivars were evaluated using MS media containing various concentration of plant growth regulators (IAA (1,2 mg/l), BA (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 mg/l), NAA (1, 2 mg/l), and TDZ (0.01 mg/l)). All experiments were arranged completely randomized design then data analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and means were separated using Duncan’s new multiple range test (𝑃 ≤ 0.01). Direct and indirect organogenesis from the whole leaf with petiole bases were observed in both cultivars. However, the separated leaf blade and petiole were unable to produce any organs. The organogenesis potential of cultivars was significantly different, although the medium containing BA (0.1 mg/l) + IAA (1 mg/l) showed the highest indirect organogenesis (90 %< in both cultivars). In contrast, the media containing BA 0.05 mg/l + TDZ 0.01 mg/l + IAA 2 mg/l and BA 0.05 mg/l + TDZ 0.01 mg/l + IAA 1 mg /l had more success on the induction of direct organogenesis. Therefore, the level of direct and indirect organogenesis appears to be dependent on the interaction between the PGRs and the explant type having a direct correlation with the genotype.

A karyological study of five taxa (15 populations) of the genus Satureja L. from different geographic origins is presented. The haploid levels were different among species (n= 12 and 15). The work deals with chromosome number and morphometry. We found two of the usual basic chromosome numbers in this study for satureja species, x= 12 and x= 15. All populations were diploid and were located in 1B or 2B Stebbins classes. The karyotypic results showed the diversity among the species as mostly displayed median region (m) and submedian region (sm) and the chromosome lengths were determined between 0.60 µm in Satureja sahendica Bornm. (1041) to 2.27 µm in S. macrantha C.A.Mey. (3). Detailed karyotype analysis allows us to group the different populations and determine the relationships among them. It also pointed out the possibility of inter and intra-species cross to improve plants.

A reliable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration protocol was developed for commercially important endemic Persian melon cultigens (Cucumis melo L.) comprising ‘Eyvanaki’, ‘Samsoori’, and ‘Khatooni’. The effect of selective Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing various concentrations of 6-benzyl adenine (BA) (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg l-1) and 1 mg l-1 Gibberellic acid (GA3) on regeneration of cotyledon, hypocotyl, and cotyledonary petioles derived from 6-day-old in vitro grown seedlings of the three Persian melons were investigated. For transformation, the sensitivity to kanamycin (Km) concentrations (0, 50, 75, 100, 125 mg l-1 ), the effect of three A. tumefaciens strains (GV3103, LBA4404, and AGL0), inoculation time (0.5, 1, 5, and 30 min), and co-cultivation time (24, 48, and 72 h) on direct shoot regeneration of cotyledonary petiole of ‘Samsoori’ were investigated. Shoot regeneration from cotyledonary petiole explants received the highest attention. Cotyledonary petiole segments of ‘Samsoori’ and ‘Khatooni’ treated respectively with 1.0 mg l-1 and 1.5 mg l-1 BA exhibited the highest potential for shoot multiplication; while the regeneration rate of ‘Eyvanaki’ was drastically lower. Putative transgenic ‘Samsoori’ plantlets selected in 100 mg l-1 Km were subcultured on elongation MS medium composed of 100 mg l-1 Km, 0.1 mg l-1 BA, 1 mg l-1 GA3 plus 400 mg l-1 CTX, and then successfully rooted on growth regulator-free MS medium for two weeks. Using histochemical GUS assay along with genomic PCR screening for GusA and VirG genes, the efficiency of transformation was estimated to be 10% for AGL0 and 6% in LBA4404.

Introduction:

From an agricultural point of view, seeds are the starting point of all activities that lead to crop production. Today, agricultural machinery is one of the most important sources of environmental pollutants in mechanized farms and pollution caused by them can disrupt the germination process and plant growth. Therefore, in addition to a variety of environmental challenges, such as salinity and drought stress, contamination from agricultural machinery can also be added to germination and seedling growth as a threat. 

Materials and Methods:

Based on the gray correlation coefficient between the comparison series and the standard series, a relative series can be created. If γ (x_0, x_i) ≥γ (x_0, x_j), which indicates the degree of correlation between x_i and x_0, is greater than x_j and x_0; In this case, the relationship between potential causes and the optimal amounts of decision factors is shown. In the sense that a larger degree of connection has a smaller effect. Therefore, increasing the degree of prioritization of risk indicates the potential reasons that need to be improved. To analyze the risk of gaseous pollutants leaving the tractor exhaust, the treatment with the lowest gray correlation coefficient should show the highest risk priority. So that the highest degree of gray connection determines the best state of seed treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pollutants from tractor exhaust in three different initial life, useful life and burn on canola seed germination. This factorial experiment was performed based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental treatments include three different tractor life periods including initial life, useful life and wear as the first factor, and treatment for the duration of seeds exposed to tractor exhaust pollution including zero, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes as the factor. The second was considered. 

Results and Discussion:

The results showed that the highest values of root and stem length, germination rate coefficient, germination index, germination rate index and canola seed vigor were obtained from the absence of exhaust pollution; while the lowest amount of these traits was related to the treatment of exposure to contamination for 120 minutes and worn tractor. Conversely, the amount of seed protein and the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and peroxidase increased with increasing tractor wear and duration of contamination. Calculations based on gray theory showed that the treatment with a lower rank is the preferred treatment and has a lower risk according to all growth indices considered for rapeseed. In this study, zero time for different tractor lives without treatment, the risk was identified. Therefore, it is likely that increasing the exposure time to the tractor exhaust contaminant will gradually reduce the seed tolerance and poisoning threshold. 

Conclusion:

Gray's theory has shown that the duration of exposure is more important than the amount of contamination. The severity of exposure also varied depending on the degree of infection. Rapeseed seeds were more sensitive to contaminants from worn-out tractors than new tractors. The sensitivity of these seeds doubles the need to replace worn-out machines, service and repair tractors in a timely manner, use clean fuel, and use new or serviceable tractors.

In this study, in order to investigate morphological characteristics, yield of fiber, essential oil and seed oil yields, seeds of two native ecotypes from Iran and one foreign variety (Fedora17) with its progenies (Fedora17-2) were cultivated in research fields of three locations (Gilan, Golestan, and Alborz province) in Iran and their morphological and phytochemical characteristics were studied. The greatest height and shoot dry matter were observed in Fedora17 and its progenies while the widest coverage and thickest stem was observed in the native ecotypes of Iran. Also, the oil content varied from 18.88% in Fedora17-2 to 40.09 % in Yazd. The highest oil yield was observed in native ecotype of Fars (820 kg ha-1) and Yazd (830 kg ha-1). Plant height fluctuated from 99.7 cm in Safrabasteh to 197.5 cm in Alborz. Fiber yield ranged from 1569 kg ha-1 in Safrabasteh to13991 kg ha-1 in Alborz. The hemp cultivated in Alborz, in terms of morphological and reproductive properties and fiber yield was significantly better compared to the other stations. The oil yield per plant was 11.35 kg in Chalaky station to 36.39 kg in Alborz  station. Therefore, cannabis cultivation is recommended in Alborz with average production of 13991 kg ha-1 fiber, 2.2 t ha-1 essential oil and 1110 kg ha-1 seed oil. The foreign cultivars with the tallest stem and the highest percentage of stem dry matter were proper for fiber production. In addition, the morphological characteristics of Fedora 17 were also preserved in its progeny.

Although epidermal growth factor (EGF) controls many crucial processes in the human body, it can increase the risk of developing cancer when overexpresses. This study focused on detecting cancer-associated genes that are dysregulated by EGF overexpression. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), two independent meta-analyses with normal and cancer RNA-Seq samples treated by EGF were conducted. The new DEGs detected only via two meta-analyses were used in all downstream analyses. To reach count data, the tools of FastQC, Trimmomatic, HISAT2, SAMtools, and HTSeq-count were employed. DEGs in each individual RNA-Seq study and the meta-analysis of RNA-Seq studies were identified using DESeq2 and metaSeq R package, respectively. MCODE detected densely interconnected top clusters in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs obtained from normal and cancer datasets. The DEGs were then introduced to Enrichr and ClueGO/CluePedia, and terms, pathways, and hub genes enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG and Reactome were detected. The meta-analysis of normal and cancer datasets revealed 990 and 541 new DEGs, all upregulated. A number of DEGs were enriched in protein K48-linked deubiquitination, ncRNA processing, ribosomal large subunit binding, and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Hub genes overexpression (DHX33, INTS8, NMD3, OTUD4, P4HB, RPS3A, SEC13, SKP1, USP34, USP9X, and YOD1) in tumor samples were validated by TCGA and GTEx databases. Overall survival and disease-free survival analysis also confirmed worse survival in patients with hub genes overexpression. The detected hub genes could be used as cancer biomarkers when EGF overexpresses.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide. It is vegetatively propagated using pieces or whole potato tubers, but a virus infection causes crop reduction to almost a half or even one third, which varies from place to place and from season to another. Micropropagation is the practice of rapidly multiplying stock plant material to produce many progeny plants, using modern plant tissue culture methods. Microtuberization in potato needs the right interaction between several factors such as cyto, sucrose and osmotic stress. The purpose of present study was to investigate microtuberization efficiency of three potato cultivars under osmotic stress and in vitro conditions.

This experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications. Potato seeds of three cultivars (Agria, Savalan and HPS-II/67) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. After proliferation, plantlets were transferred to the media containing nine treatments with polyethylene glycol hydrogel (PEG) at four levels (0.003, 0.006, 0.009, 0.012 M), sorbitol at four levels (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 M). For this purpose, potato quality, microtuberization percentage, proline concentration, chlorophyll content, and Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured.

The results showed that plantlets grown under non-stressed conditions (control) possessed higher rates of leaf number, new shoot length and proliferation index compared to the under stressed conditions. Agria cultivar presented better growth characteristics under stressed conditions compared to other experimental cultivars. The highest potato destruction was observed at 0.012 M PEG in Savalan cultivar followed by 0.4 M sorbitol in all cultivars. Microtuberization percentage increased in all three cultivars by stress conditions, in which it increased with progressing in stress levels. The greatest percentage of microtuberization was obtained from Agria cultivar at 0.003 M PEG. Compared to the control, proline concentration, and also CAT and SOD activities increased under stress conditions. Moreover, total chlorophyll content decreased under the stress conditions in comparison to the control.

Generally, based on the results, maximum rates of microtuberization and viability were observed in Agria followed by HPS-II/67, and the highest microtuber weight was obtained in HPS-II/67 cultivar. When plants are faced to stress conditions like osmotic stress, free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases. On the other hand, plants use different strategies to scavenge the generated ROS. The reduction of chlorophyll content and increases of antioxidant enzyme activities are due to increase of ROS under osmotic stress conditions. At slight stress conditions, potato plants utilize the strategy to generate more tuber. Therefore, the lower concentrations of PEG can be introduced as a stimulator of microtuber.

In order to improve the quantity and quality of medicinal plants, the use of natural substances such as amino acids have increased in recent years, which provide little information on their individual effects, as well as interaction with other fertilizer sources.

To investigate effect of different fertilizers and the foliar application of L-phenylalanine on nutritional elements of hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.)], an experiment was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications during two consecutive years of 2016 and 2017 in a field experiment at the experimental field, Shahrekord. The investigated factors were fertilizer treatments including chemical fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizers (animal and vermicompost) and a bio-fertilizer, mycorrhizal fungus (including Glomus genus) in the main plots and L-phenylalanine (at three levels: 0, 500, and 1000 mg/L) in sub plots.

Results indicated that the application of different fertilizers along L-phenylalanine at two studied concentrations (500 and 1000 mg/L) led to significant increase in the concentration of most nutrient elements including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micro elemts [Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu)] in the leaf were compared to the control. Among them, the application of fungal and vermicompost fertilizers, L-phenylalanine × fungal fertilization, and phenylalanine × vermicompost had highest effects on the increase of these traits. In conclusion, the results indicated that the application of organic fertilizers along with L-phenylalanine spraying at 1000 mg/L level has a beneficial role in the improvement of nutritional elements and dry matter yield of H. officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.).

Plants are very efficient in producing valuable pharmaceutical proteins. Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) has numerous effects on various cellular systems, including wound healing, organogenesis, and so on. The present study was carried out with the aim of constructing monocotyledonous-specific vectors for hegf insertion and mass-production in a self-pollinated crop, barley, afterwards. This crop plant, with high protein yield and very low cross-pollination, is an ideal host for the production of epidermal growth factor.

The hegf sequence was optimized by COOL software, based on the codon preference of the host plant, and synthesized with a specific promoter, D-hordein. The encoding sequence of signal peptide targeting protein storage organelles in barley seeds was included at the beginning of the encoding area. The synthesized gene cassette was isolated from the cloning vector pUC57Hvorhegf by SacI and HindIII and cloned in pBI121. To insert the gene cassette of interest into pGH215, due to the lack of similar restriction sites in pUC57Hvorhegf and pGH215, the intermediate vector, pBI121Gus-12, was applied. After digesting pUC57Hvorhegf and pBI121Gus-12 by SacI and KpnI, the sequence of interest was incorporated into pBI121Gus-12. Finally, the recombinant pBI121Gus-12 and pGH215 were digested with KpnI and SalI, and the gene cassette was cloned at the right border of T-DNA, behind the NOS terminator.

Cloning accuracy and constructing pBI121Hvorhegf and pGH215Hvorhegf vectors bearing kanamycin and hygromycin, respectively, suitable for monocotyledons-crop transformation was confirmed by colony PCR, digestion pattern, and sequencing with forward and reverse primers.

The modified recombinant expression vector pGH215 with the gene of interest carrying the hygromycin gene cassette, giving a high level of ability to select transformed explants, can be used to transfer desired genes in monocotyledons and express those genes in protein storage organelles.

The influence of five open-pollinated seedling rootstocks and two marketed seed lots (as the controls) were assessed on pomological, biochemical, and organoleptic traits of four apple cultivars (Malus×domestica Borkh.), grown in Meshkin Abad Horticultural Research Station (Karaj, Iran). The maternal parents, as the three crabs 'Zinati', 'Morabbaei', and 'Azayesh' along with the standard trees 'Northern Spy' and 'Golden Karaj' were selected as the seed sources through a breeding program in 2003. The present study was achieved on the 4- and 5-year-old trees, spindle formed, planted in 3.5×4 m, and drop irrigated in 28 combinations (four cultivars onto 5+2 rootstocks, distributed in four distinct parcels). The investigation was carried out on pomological traits based on UPOV scales, as well as biochemical and organoleptic traits. Higher fruit length, diameter, and weight were recorded for the cultivars grafted onto 'Northern Spy', followed by 'Zinati' and 'Morabbaei' seed sources. 'Zinati' F1 crab seedling induced higher flesh firmness combined with the four scions. The crab seedling rootstocks 'Zinati' followed by 'Azayesh' caused a higher organoleptic scent, flavor, and sweetness attributed by the panel members. Moreover, pH, TA, and TSS were influenced by scion, while rootstock effect was negligible. These results indicated that F1 half-sib seedling rootstocks positively influenced the pomological and organoleptic traits and improved the fruit's quality.

The study presents flavonoids compounds patterns of thirty two Lamiaceae (Mint) taxa from Oshtorankoh located on Zagros Mountains, Iran for understanding flavonoids role in mint chemotaxonomy and their usages as food additive, edible, spices and medicine. This is a novel report of some Iranian Mint taxa flavonoids using two-dimensional paper chromatography and thin layer chromatography methods. Results showed all of the studied taxa contained flavone C-&C-/O-glucosides and flavonoid sulphates. Eight taxa had aglycones while the rest lacked. Quercetin was found in all of taxa except Lamium album ssp. crinitum and Nepeta persica. Stachys setifera had not myricetin while others had. Rhamnetin, tricin and morin were not detected in all taxa exceptional Salvia brachycalyx and Salvia staminea those had. Kaempferol was found in all taxa except Ajuga chamaecistus, Lamium amplexicaule var. amplexicaule, Nepeta persica and Stachys pilifera. All of taxa except six species had luteolin. These results showed aerial parts flavonoids compounds variation in studied taxa can be useful for studying relationships within relatively narrow taxonomic limits, e. g. at the species and genus levels and their importance in chemotaxonomic surveys of mint genera. Also flavonoids compounds presence in studied taxa increase their quality and antioxidant activity as edible, spices and medicinal plants.

Phenotypic and genetic diversity are mandatory aspects to allow future breeding in fruit trees. This work was aimed to study the genetic diversity and heritability of important phenological traits in several almond genotypes. The seedlings were planted in randomized complete block design with 3 replications (two trees in each replication). Phenological traits including flower size, petal length, petal width, sepal length, sepal width, pistil length, pistil thickness were evaluated. Furthermore, number of stamens, first flowering, 10% flowering, 50% flowering, 90% flowering, date of flowering among 33 selected almond cultivars and genotypes were also evaluated using almond descriptors during 27 February to 29 March 2017. The results showed the existence of genetic variation among the studied cultivars and genotypes. A great phenotypic variation was observed for pistil length, petal width and flowering time. The exact and extended characterizations of all the new materials of almond could provide breeders new opportunities to develop future crosses and to obtain more resistant seedlings that can be better adapted to extreme and changing weather conditions in this area and in other regions of the world.

Sour lime (Citrus aurantifolia L.) is one of the most important woody plants is widely known for its recalcitrance to genetic transformation. We aimed herein to evaluate effective factors influencing the transformation efficiency and the reduction of chimeric transgenic shoots in sour lime. Epicotyl and internode explants were genetically transformed with different Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains e.g., LBA4404, GV3850, and GV3101, harboring the vectors pBI121 and pCAMBIA3301 containing β-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter gene. The effect of the following factors was evaluated: Agrobacterium concentration (OD600=0.3, 0.5 and 1), during inoculation (5 seconds, 10 minutes and 30 minutes), co-culture (2 and 3 days), and the selection regime (phosphinothricin at 1, 3, 5 and 10 mg/l and kanamycin at 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/l). In following, transformation efficiency and the chimeric transgenic shoots rate were respectively confirmed by PCR and GUS assays. The results showed that Agrobacterium strain LBA4404, at the OD600 of 0.5, with 5 seconds (for epicotyl) and 10 minutes (for internode) inoculation at two-day co-culture period, were identified the most suitable treatments for both explants. The transformation frequencies ranged from 0.93% for internode on DKW medium containing 1.0 mg/l of phosphinothricin to 14.29% for epicotyl on DKW medium containing 50 mg/l of kanamycin. Inclusion of the high-level of selective treatments, improved the transformation rate through decreasing frequency escape and chimeric transgenic shoots. These findings provide novel insights into the appropriate procedure to constitute non-chimeric lime transgenic shoots.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most damaging viruses of potato plants which infects most cultivars and causes a significant decrease in yield products quality and also economical losses annually. Recently, the application of pathogen derived resistance mechanisms has opened new horizons for the development of virus-resistant transgenic plants. This research was carried out to study RNA silencing to engineered potato plants that are resistant to potato virus Y (PVY). RNAi construct was designed from coat protein (CP) segment of PVY. Potato explants were transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens AGL1 with pCAMRNAiCP containing bar selectable gene. The rate of regenerated plants was evaluated in the selected medium containing the herbicide phosphinotricin after growth and propagation. Transgenic plants and their gene expression were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR. Results showed that 42 percent of regenerated plants were transformed. The expression of CP hairpin construct was determined by RT-PCR analysis in most of the lines. PVY resistance bioassay showed that 82 percent of transgenic potato plants were resistance to PVY.

This is the first report on the analysis ISSR markers for assessing the genetic variation in Arnebia pulchra. As the rate of cell division and propagation in A. pulchra is very low, the achievement of biomass in this valuable plant requires techniques and strategies that can guarantee the survival of the callus. The present study was performed to investigate genetic variation in two in vitro culture samples of the medicinal plant A. pulchra including new (one month old) and old (four years old) calli versus seeds by Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) marker. In total, 79 bands were produced by 10 ISSR primers. The total expected heterozygosity (He) was calculated 0.028 and the greatest value was contributed to seeds samples (0.054) followed by old and new calli, respectively. The maximum values of different alleles (Na), effective alleles (Ne) and Shannon’s index were also observed in seeds. Cluster analysis was performed in the form of dendogram to indicate the genetic stability of the samples. UPGMA tree discriminated samples in two major groups and principal component analysis (PCoA) confirmed the clustering result. The first major cluster included seeds and the second involved new and old calli. Although it was thought that the morphological changes of A. pulchra could be due to the somaclonal variation caused by successive subcultures, however, the results indicated that the new and old calli were clustered in the same group. Therefore, it can be concluded that the morphological changes of the old and new calli could be due to environmental parameters or epigenetic changes but not directly due to somaclonal variation.

 Due to the development of social media in the country, it is essential that organizational leaders, as the main factors shaping the organizational culture, acquire the necessary skills to use this new communicational platforms. The aim of this researcher in this study is to examine changes in leadership style in organizations due to advent of social media.

Methodolgy:

 The research method is using Grounded Theory. In this study, the statistical population is advertising agencies. Statistical samples were selected by judging method and snowball from elite groups working in advertising agencies. In this research, interviews with 12 people have reached saturation and theoretical adequacy.

 The results showed that strategic thinking, personality traits of the leader and the leadership brand of the organization have been identified as the basis for changes in leadership style and perceptual, communicative and motivational indicators have been identified as its components. Also, organizational structure, economic factors, cultural factors and human capital of the organization are environmental factors affecting these changes.

Results and limitations:

 Lack of similar research and lack of objective indicators for comparison within the country were also the most important limitations.

Practical implications:

 The study was conducted in the advertising industry, which challenges its generalizability to other areas to some extent.

Article Value:

 Article improves to better understanding of changes in organizational leadership by using modern communication platforms (Social media)

Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic herbicide with a broad spectrum of weed control that inhibits a key enzyme, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, in the shikimate pathway.

Isolation and analysis of the epsps (aroA) gene responsible for glyphosate-tolerance in bacteria from Roundupcontaminated soils was the aim of this study.

Sampling was done from the soil of the gardens which were heavily contaminated by Roundup herbicide and then bacterial screening was performed in the presence of high concentrations of glyphosate. The genus of bacterium was identified via molecular methods such as 16S rRNA sequencing. The aroA gene of this bacterium (aroAHA-09) was isolated using the primers designed-upon specific regions of aroA genes available in NCBI GenBank database. The PCR product was cloned, sequenced and subcloned into pET28a as an expression vector and transferred into E. coli strainBL21(DE3). The cells were inoculated in liquid M9 minimal medium containing IPTG and different concentrations of glyphosate.

The genus of bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain HA-09. The isolated aroAHA-09 gene from this bacterium was approximately 2.2 kb in size. Bioassay of E. coli expressing this gene showed high tolerance to glyphosate(up to 300 mM).

The aroAHA-09 gene could be considered as a novel and efficient candidate for development of glyphosatetolerant crop plants.

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important fruit crops throughout the Mediterranean Basin, mainly propagated by cuttings. One of the fundamental processes in woody plant propagation, especially olive is rooting ability of cuttings. Rooting ability in various plants and ecotypes is different significantly. Also, many genes are affecting rooting ability process in plants. One of these is OeAOX2 gene which plays a central role in the balance of reactive oxygen species in plants. OeAOX2 as a candidate gene has been introduced and it induces rooting in an Italian olive population (Cross progenies of Leccino and Dolce Agogia). In this project, rooting ability of 99 semi-hard cutting of Iranian olive genotypes was studied from different provinces of Iran, so genotypes with high- and low-rooting ability were determined. Then, the full length of OeAOX2 gene was evaluated in two Iranian olive genotypes such as Dalahoo (high rooting) and Uzineh (low rooting) from Kermanshah and Golestan provinces, respectively. Also, the sequence of this gene was studied in 20 Iranian olive genotypes with high and low rooting in 5’UTR and exon 1 region. Bioinformatics studies of the OeAOX2 gene indicated that there are many polymorphisms in the introns, but only one polymorphism was observed in the exon levels. On the other hand, polymorphism of the OeAOX2 gene in 20 Iranian olive genotypes did not lead to protein alteration and probably it influenced rooting induction in transcript level.