Journal title

Distribution of Mycorrhizal Populations in Tandooreh National Park in relation to Calcium and Potassium in vitro

This investigation was carried out to identify type and extent of mycorrhizal distribution in Tandooreh National Park and determine the effects of Ca and K concentration on mycorrhizal development in vitro on Zea maiz using natural soil as substrate. Soil and root samples were taken from top 30 cm soil using a 10cm diam. steel borer from 7 stations located at 11 50 to 2300m heights from sea level. At least 2 plots of 100m2 (10 ´10m) were sampled. Plant samples were also collected. Sections were prepared from root samples were longitudinally sectioned and stained with Lacto phenol cotton blue. Spores of mycorhizae were isolated usingcentrifugation60% in sucrose solution centrifugation at 9000 rpm for 2 min. Surface characteristics of spores were used in their identification. 53 species of plants were identified. Majority of plants (50] species had vesicular aruscular mycorrhizae (greater than 90%). Seven species of Glmous were present in the rhizosphrere of all stations. Seedlings of maiz were grown in the pots containing Tandooreh soil with or without addition of given amounts of Ca and K in a factorial statistical plan. After 8 weeks of cultivation in greenhouse conditions, the plants were removed and their roots were separated and stained using method of Hyman and Philips to detect type and extent of mycorrhization. Dry weight and nutritional elements were determined in roots and shoots. K and Ca added in certain concentrations to soil were effective on mycorrhizal development. Ca and K had synergistic ionic effects in lower concentrations and showed antagonistic ionic effects in high concentrations in mycorrhizal development. There was also a correlation between mycorrhizal development and absorbed amount of Ca and K in shoots.

Teratogenic effects of Tolualdoxime on the Spermatogenesis of mature Balb/C mice

Oxime is an important functional group in organic chemistry which can protect carboxilic groups and are applied as insecticides, fungicide and acaricides. It has been reported that some members of oxime family decrease spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Due to the similar structure of tolualdoxime with other oximes, in this study we evaluated the effects of tolualdoxime on spermatogenesis in order to achieve a male contraceptive compound with minimum side effects. LD50 standard was found 350 mg/kg B.W. In this research mature mice received 175 mg/kg /B.W. a daily single dose for two weeks .The analysis of results showed significant decrease in different parameters (p<0.05) in the experimental group compared with the controls. The results observed are as follows: decrease in body weight and the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocyts, spermatids and sperms. In addition, in some experimental groups, spermatid cysts and release of primary spermatocytes, and spermatids into the lumen of seminiferous tubules were observed.

Erigeron Annuus (L.) Pers. (Asteraceae: Astereae), a new Record for the Flora of Iran

For genus Erigeron L. four species were reported from Iran in Flora Iranica treatment Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. is recorded here from Iran (Guilan province) for the first time. This species is native of Northern America and Canada and widely naturalized in Europe and Asia. An identification key for all the Iranian species is presented here. With addition of this species now, the genus includes five species in Iran.

The Study of the Effect of Mecrocyclic Diamid Dibenzo Sulfexide on Antioxidative Enzyme Activities, Oxidative Damage Biomdrkers ad Histological Characteristics of Liver and Testis in Balb/c mice

Dibenzo sulfoxide macrocyclic diamides possess a hydrophilic cavity surrounded by hydrophobic ring, which enable them to diffuse from cell membrane and interfere with different living systems including ion channels. This study evaluated cytotoxicity effects of this compound in a range of different doses on Balb/C mouse via inter peritoneal injection. Results showed that LD50 concentration was at 2500 µg/Kg.bodyweight. Histological evaluation of animals livers after one-week treatment to 1500 µg/Kg of this compound revealed insignificant changes in hepatocyte cords, portal area, sinusoids and cells of coopfer and hepatocytes with respect to control animals. On the other hand, Histological evaluation of animals’ testis indicated significant decrease in weight, seminiferous tubule diameter and volume of testis and also in the cell number of spermatogonia (A and B), primary spermatocytes, spermatides, spermatozoids and sertoli. In this condition of exposure, antioxidative enzyme activities of peripheral blood, liver and testis increased in a dose dependent manner and reached the highest and significant levels at 1500 µg/Kg. However, the increase in oxidative damage biomarkers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and dityrosine were considerable for peripheral blood and testis. Accordingly, the studied compound had toxic effect and could affected testis when the animals were treated with chemical agent subLD50 for one week. The liver didn’t show toxicity effect of this compound even at 1500 µg/Kg exposure for one week. It could be attributed to high metabolism potential and marked antioxidative activities of this tissue.

Characteristics and condition of andalusite formation in Dehsalm Metamorphic Complex, East of Iran

Dehsalm metamorphic complex (DMC), located in the east of Lut microcontinent margin, east Iran. It is mainly consist of pelitic schists, marble, amphibole schist, intruded by granitic intrusions and pegmatite veins. Andalusite occurred in both metamorphic and igneous rocks at DMC, with distinctive textural and geochemical features, and crystallographic habits. Andalusite is one of the Al2SiO5 polymorphs, usually formed in high temperature and low pressure metamorphism. New experimental study showed that andalusite may form in magmatic and metasomatic condition. EPMA point analyses shows that Fe, K, and REE signatures are different in DMC andalusites. Iron and potassium concentration in andalusite formed in magmatic rocks is 0.97-0.12 and 0.79 respectively while in metamorphic andalusite is 0.16-0.11, with negligible amount of K (less than 0.02%). The concentration of other major elements in the both andalusite are comparable. Recent investigations show that andalusite may form in magmatic rocks. Metamorphic andalusite in DMC, andalusite schists, formed as chiastolite with distinctive orientation along schistosity as a result of progressive metamorphism of a pelitic sequence. The metamorphic paragenetic sequence indicates that it may form at 380-450 C and 2-3 Kb pressure. Andalusite in magmatic rocks occurred in rim of granitic and pegmatite bodies as pink crystals without any carbon inclusion and no preferred orientation. It is possibly derived from Meta aluminous and alkali magma which has been in ionic exchange with surrounding metamorphic rocks in DMC. The K/Na ratios trends from schists in metamorphic halos toward granitic bodies confirm the occurrence of ion exchange and metasomatic reactions between magmas and its surrounding rocks

Floristic studies, life form and chorology of plants in Kalat highlands of Gonabad, Khorasan Razavi Province, East of Iran

This study was carried out in Kalat highlands of Gonabad located in East of Iran with the altitude of 1100 to 2830 m.a.s.l. The mean annual percipitation and temperature are 143.2 mm and 17.2 C, respectively. The aim of study was to identify and to introduce the flora, to determine chorology of plant species and to define their growth forms. Altogrther 190 plant species belong to 107 genera and 39 families were determined. The most important families were Asteraceae, Poaceae and Lamiaceae. Astragalus and Cousinia were the main genera. The life form spectrum, based on Raunkiaer, revealed that Therophytes with 36.84% and Hemicryptophytes with 36.32% are the dominant life forms. According to Zohary, Chorological characteristics of the plant species showed that most of them were Irano-Turanian elements. About 8 species were endemic to Iran. The species Phlomidoschema parviflorum is a rare and semi-endemic to Gonabad region. According to the IUCN, two categories of plant species viz. vulnerable (VU) and lower risk (LR) were introduced. There were 14 threatened plant species in the area