mina motamedi

 One of the results of climate change is the lack of fresh water and as a result land destruction or desertification, increase in wind erosion and the occurrence of dust storms. Although by implementing desertification operations, an attempt is made to control the destructive effects of dust storms, but identifying the causes of erosion, the temporal distribution of storms, and the location of the start zones of storms can be effective in the effectiveness of projects and reducing damages caused by storms. In this regard, this research was conducted with the aim of knowing the effective atmospheric factors in the activity of dust centers with domestic origin in Isfahan province. Knowing the existence of internal focuses and their location, the date of occurrence of local, intense and short-term dusts at the focal point was investigated. The results showed that convective conditions played a significant role in these cases and the occurrence of such internal dusts due to the timeframe of occurrence and locality requires thermodynamic information, especially cin, cape, TT, ki, ko, li and tools such as Skewet diagram. Also, due to the scale of these phenomena, companion maps do not help much and output of microscale models such as wrf, satellite imagery and if radar access is required

The cyprinodontid fishes belong to the order Cyprinodontiformes (Teleostei) and consisting of small fishes, which has aesthetic value, and also are important in biological control and also in ecological and bio-medicine researches. The genus Aphanius has already been in the family Cyprinodontidae but it has recently been placed in the family Aphaniidae. To evaluate the phylogenetic validity of the new family Aphaniidae in this study, seven families of the order Cyprinodontiformes were selected and their phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. The phylogenetic tree was estimated based on a data set, including the complete mitochondrial genome genes from the database as well as the complete mitochondrial genome of Aphanius farsicus as representative of the family Aphaniidae. The phylogenetic analysis indicates a close relationship between the genera Aphanius (Aphaniidae) and Cyprinodon (Cyprinodontidae) so that the group containing these two families was paraphyletic. Therefore, by considering the phylogenetic position of the genus Aphanius in the tree, the validation of the family Aphaniidae still needs more phylogenetic supports and it should be investigated by accumulating more sequences from the Aphanius species.

Morphology of structures involved in the posterior region of scales in two flathead fish species viz. Platycephalus indicus and Grammoplites suppositus was studied using ultramicroscopy. The fish individuals were divided into three size groups based on their standard lengths and their scales were removed from four body regions. The microscopic observations indicated that the scales of both species were ctenoid. The posterior margin of all scales was formed by two rows of ctenii. Typically, the shape of the posterior region of scales in P. indicus was crescent, while it was triangular in G. suppositus. The number of ctenii in the scales of P. indicus was minimum 12 and maximum 60, while in G. suppositus it was minimum 6 and maximum 38. Moreover, the results indicated that the number of ctenii was increased during fish development because the smaller fishes have fewer ctenii in their scales than the adults, while, their general morphology has not been changed properly. This developmental change was significantly higher in P. indicus than G. suppositus. The increase of ctenii during fish development allows greater flexibility in movement. In conclusion, modification in the ornamentations of the posterior region has a hydrodynamic function and they are subject to modification during the fish development. The ctenii varying considerably in the number and could be easily counted, therefore, could be used as an appropriate taxonomic character at least in flathead fishes or even other fish groups.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin are used to cure bacterial infections in humans and other animals, but they can cause nephritic damage, as well. Nephrotoxicity is one of the side effects of gentamicin.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of toxicity induced by gentamicin on the kidney of killifish Aphaniops hormuzensis. Also, we aimed to study the expression pattern of Wt1 and MMP9 genes by real-time PCR in response to this toxicity.

First, 10 µg/g (sub-lethal dose) gentamicin was given to adult fish. The kidney tissues were dissected and preserved in 10% formalin for a 24-hour; then, they underwent standard histological procedures. The sections were prepared at 3 μm and stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin (H&E). The slide microphotography process was done by an Olympus CH2 microscope. The RNA was isolated, and cDNA was synthesized with a standard protocol, and the expression patterns of Wt1 and MMP9 genes were examined by real-time PCR.

Nephrotoxicity occurred 10 hours after the injection of gentamicin, and the injury was detected in the epithelium of kidney tubules. The kidney tubule regenerated itself within 10 days post-injection (dpi). On 7 dpi, the nephrogenic body formation occurred and was differentiated into renal nephrons. The Wt1 gene was upregulated (two-fold) on 5 dpi after kidney damage and then had a down-regulation on 7 dpi when the kidney began to regenerate. The MMP9 gene showed increased expression in comparison with the control sample in the study days, and this expression increased on 7 dpi by 6.6 folds.

The results of this study, for the first time, highlighted that nephritic damage appears in the kidney of A. hormuzensis after toxicity induced by gentamicin and that changes in the expression of the examined genes are consistent with their roles in the process of renal regeneration in this species.

Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution. The present study focused on comparative morphologic and morphometric observations on the developmental aspects of whole body, more special the reproductive structures of in vitro reared adult worms (RAW) and in vivo reared adult worms in definitive host (AWIDH) using differential interference contrast (DIC)/Nomarski, phase contrast and routine optical microscopy.

A total number of 10 in vitro and 10 in vivo reared adult worms of E. granulosus sensu stricto, G1 strain were selected. The worms were processed by Formaldehyde-Alcohol-Azocarmine-Lactophenol (FAAL). The details of morphological factors and reproductive structures of each worm including 25 biometrical parameters were studied by routine optical, phase contrast and Nomarski microscopy. The details of the samples were photographed, measured and analyzed. The fine structures of the parasite including the details of cirrus sac and developmental stages in different strobila were more obvious observing by Nomarski microscopy.

The morphometric characters in the RAW and AWIDH showed that length of immature proglottid, length of mature proglottid, length of suckers are larger in RAW than AWIDH worms with statistical difference. Characters in E. granulosus of RAW and AWIDH showed that total number of segments, number of mature segments and the total number of testes were greater in RAW than AWIDH worms; while only the number of mature segments was statistically different is two groups.

Application of DIC/Nomarski and phase contrast microscopy together with morphometric criteria are useful means for comparing the developmental aspects of in vitro and in vivo reared adults of E. granulosus.

Gentamicin is known to stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species and lead to renal damage in some groups of vertebrates through oxidative stress. The kidney regeneration of the killifish Aphanius furcatus was studied after gentamicin-induced oxidative stress. In addition, we evaluated the possible role of vitamin C as an antioxidant in the reduction of renal toxicity. A total of 24 specimens (3.5-4cm in total length) were divided into four groups: In group-I two fish specimens treated with 7.5µl of normal saline injection; in group-II, 10 specimens received 10µg/g body weight (b.w) gentamicin; in group-III, two fish were treated with totally 60µg/g b.w vitamin C; and in group-IV, 10 specimens received both 10µg/g gentamicin and 60µg/g b.w vitamin C. The kidney tissues of group-I, III and IV were sampled during the nephrotoxicity phase (i.e., 10 hours post injection (hpi) to 5 days post injection (dpi)) and kidney tissues of group-II sampled daily for 10 dpi until regeneration completed. The kidney regeneration of A. furcatus through nephron neogenesis was detected by newly formed nephron on 8 dpi, and it is completed on 10 dpi. Our histological results in gentamicin-induced oxidative stress (group-II) clearly showed that the most severe damage is occurred in the kidney tissue within 1-4 dpi. However, in the specimens that antioxidant therapy supplied with vitamin C (group-IV), damage effect of gentamicin has remarkably repressed within these days. The outcome of this study revealed that administration of vitamin C is effective in reduction of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in A. furcatus. Vitamin C reduces the toxicity effect of gentamicin by reduction of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) through its antioxidant activity. Therefore, using vitamin C together with gentamicin enhances the body resistance to the stress condition and reduces the toxicity effect of gentamicin.

The aim of this manuscript is to study for the first time identification, extraction and expression pattern of lifeguard genes in fresh water polyp Hydra Vulgaris. To do this objective, 100 freshwater polyps were cultured and total DNA extraction was performed. Specific primers were designed for all genes and PCR reaction applied to amplify Lifeguard genes. In order to investigate the gene expression pattern, In situ hybridization experiment used. The experiments revealed that there are three lifeguard genes in hydra, which are called Lifeguard-4 and two homologous of invertebrates’ Lifeguard-1. In situ hybridization showed that Lifeguard-4 expressed in endodermic layer of polyps in all budding stages and also in different stages of oogenesis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that lifeguard genes are well conserved and present at the base of Euometazoa like freshwater Hydra polyp. Since apoptosis signaling pathway is present during Hydra gametogenesis (oogenesis and spermatogenesis), expressions of Lifeguard-4 as an apoptosis regulatory gene, in places were apoptosis occur is logistic and confirms the regulatory function of these genes.

Regeneration ability is known for several Actinopterygii or ray-finned fishes. In order to assess the universality of regenerative potencies in this group of fishes, we have examined for the first time, caudal fin regeneration in tooth-carp, Aphanius dispar (Rüppell, 1829). The caudal fin is used because of its accessibility, simple structure and fast regeneration. The results revealed the regeneration ability in caudal fin of A. dispar. The initiation of the regenerative outgrowth was differing in three examined water temperatures. It is started approximately 5 days post amputation (5 dpa) at room temperature, and 2 dpa at 25°С and 28°С. Our finding indicates that water temperature more than 25°С promotes procedure in caudal fin regeneration of A. dispar. By considering the high regeneration ability in A. dispar, and also the relatively short life span of the members of the genus Aphanius, we concluded that these fishes could probably be used in regeneration researches. However, details of this mechanism in Aphanius need further examinations.

Species of the genus Aphanius are known for their attractive color pattern. They are also suitable biological tool for controlling of mosquito. For that reason, they could be potential candidates to be translocated from natural environments to artificial man-made environments such as aquarium, canals and pools. In present paper, morphometric, morphological and molecular evidences suggest the translocation of native Aphanius populations (belong to A. dispar group) between different drainages in Iran. The results indicate that A. dispar found in a man-made pool in Kahnuj city, and in man-made canals in Bandar Abbas city had been introduced. It has already been documented that populations from south, southeastern and southwestern Iran probably are distinct; therefore, translocation of the individuals between these genetically divergent populations probably have adverse effects through the loss of genetic diversity, and also make their taxonomic relationships difficult to understand.

Different groups of animals show phenotypic characters, which have been resulted by the reductive phenomena. The examples are the absence of pigmentation; dwindle of eyes in some cave-living animals, and also the absence of scale in some fishes. These characters are often leaded to evolution of new species with special adaptation that is so called "Regressive evolution". The reductive phenomena occur as a result of a long time adaptation of populations to the environments with extreme ecological conditions such as high salinity, high solphure and low oxygen concentration. Many fish species such as the only Iranian scaleless tooth-carp (Aphanius furcatus</em>) have been evolved by this event. The principle mechanisms of this event have not been understood well, but it is suggested that some specific genes such as Ectodysplasin probably play role in the reductive event because Ectodysplasin is responsible to produce the ectodermal structures such as teeth and scale. Therefore, mutation in this gene pathway causes reduction in development and forming of the ectodermal structures. As results, the reductive events in most of the animals caused speciation, while the result of this event in human seems to be different than other animals.

Deciphering the exact fundamental relations of morphological differentiation among isolated populations of animal species is generally difficult. Usually changes in morphology are resulted from adaptation to different environmental conditions (ecoplasticity) or represent an expression of genetic differences and/or gene pool pauperization, and in most instances, however, changes in morphology are the result of the interplay between environmental factors and genetic plasticity. In this study, the morphology and molecular phylogenies of common tooth-carp populations (Aphanius dispar) were studied in three basins in Southern part of Iran to discuss an important aspect relate to the question whether morphologically differentiated populations of a single species function as Operational Taxonomic Units. All morphological analyses were revealed significant and strong morphological differentiation between the populations that corresponds well with their zoogeography and their molecular phylogeny in geographically isolated basins. Therefore, it can be concluded that when the interaction between gene flow among populations and natural selection is resulted owing to a long evolutionary history, then the observed morphological differences can be functioned as different Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) in subspecies or even species levels. In addition, biological characteristics of the A. dispar, its high tolerance, geological and ecological conditions in Southern Iran are the main factors that increase chance of reproductive isolation and genetic diversity in this region.

The toxic impact of copper sulfate in lethal and sublethal concentrations was investigated on gill of grass carp, Ctenopharynogodon idella. In this investigation, 27 specimens were used as control group and three treatment groups were treated with 2.5 and 5mg/l of copper sulfate. Gill samples were collected from each treatment after 96hr and lesions were analyzed by light microscopy. In histopathological study of the gill tissues, hyperplasia was clearly obvious in treatment specimens. In all of the treated groups, heavy gill-mucus response was observed, which indicate a direct relation with high concentrations. Also, in histological study of the gill, epithelial cells faced to hyperplasia, which increased with high copper densities. Primary lamellar cells wrinkling and also changing in formation were observed in chloride cells. This lesion enhanced in higher densities and in concentrations of 2.5 and 5mg/l, primary and secondary lamellar epithelial cells were degenerated.

The study of the influence of serum indices can be a good indicator to assess the toxicity of pesticides in the environment. In this study¡ the effects of Fenpropathrine on plasma Na¡ K and cortisol level of common carp¡ Cyprinus carpio was investigated. The acute toxicity concentration (LC50) was determined for 96 hours according to O.E.C.D (1989) standard method. Then fish specimens were exposed to 5¡ 10 and 20% of LC50 (14µg/l) and also control group with three replicates. In each treatment¡ 54 healthy fish specimens (mean standard length: 7.8±0.6cm; mean weight: 10±1.2 g) were used. Sub lethal experiment was conducted for a period of 14 days and blood sampling was collected at 1¡ 7 and 14th day post exposure time. Plasma Na¡ K and cortisol levels were measured. The results show that plasma K levels of the exposed specimens increased and levels of plasma Na decreased significantly. Plasma cortisol levels increased in all treatments compared to control during the first day¡ and then decreased gradually. In conclusion¡ Fenpropathrine have direct effect on common carp stress and osmoregulation mechanisms.