---

Pimpinella anisum L. belongs to Apiaceae family. The samples of vegetative and reproductive organs at different stages of development were gathered and investigated by cell-histology methods. The investigation of the anatomical structure of vegetative organs showed that the secretory ducts are arranged between the parenchymal tissues of the leaf. Section of flower buds revealed that anthers had 4 pollen sacs, the division of pollen mother cell was of the simultaneous type, microspore tetrads were of tetragonal type and the tapetum layer was secretory. The study of the ultrastructure of pollen grains with SEM showed that they had 3 pores. The ovary was found to be two-chambered and two-carpeled the ovule to be anatropous and to have one membrane. In embryogenic investigation it was found that the embryos were globular, cotyledonary and torpedo-shaped and the transition between globular embryos to cordate embryos was found. The vegetative organs were observed to have the general structure of dicotyledons. The development patterns of ovule and embryo sac follow the Polygonum type. Tetrahedral microspore tetrads were observed. The ultrastructure of pollens was found to be similar to those of Smyrnium, a genus of Apiaceae family. All stages of embryogenesis were covered in this study. 

---

Phylogenetic relationships among the Eumeces schneiderii princeps and Eumeces schneiderii pavimentatus investigated using 509 bp partial sequences of 16S mitochondrial gene. Analyses were done by maximum-likelihood (RAxML) criteria on 52 specimens from over 20 geographically distinct localities. Our molecular results proposed two well-supported major clades by their phylogenetic positions, genetic differences and unique characterizations in their morphology and habitats including: (1) Eumeces schneiderii princeps+ Eumeces schneiderii pavimentatus (2) Eurylepis (3) Scincus and (4) Scincopus. However, the phylogenetic affinities of Eumeces sp. in the Scincus clade were not resolved. Phylogenetic analyses of the genus did not grouped Eurylepis with Eumeces and clustered it in a completely separate group . In addition, phylogenetic resultsrevealed a monophyletic status for Eumeces schneideri

---

The evolutionary trend of the morphological characters of the genus Stachys in Iran, on the basis of nrITS se-quence data, was investigated. A total of 28 nrITS sequences, representing 26 species of Stachys as well as Betonica of-ficinalis and Melittis mellisophyllum, were obtained from GenBank. Patterns of character evolution were assessed for 10 vegetative and reproductive characters with emphasis on taxonomic treatments of Stachys performed earlier to infer its history and interpret processes of change. The most important characters included habitat, growth form, leaf morp-hology, inflorescence, calyx and corolla as well as trichome morphology. Phylogenetic tree, based on the nrITS dataset, were constructed by Bayesian analysis. Parsimony mapping was performed in Mesquite v. 1.12. The present analysis revealed that the state of symmetrical calyx, the presence of basal leaves as well as the presence of glandular trichomes were not in agreement with the results of molecular data, which indicated the artificial nature of these characters in pr-evious classification. The presence of simple trichomes as well as the growth forms were consistent with phylogeny ba-sed on nrITS sequences. Evolutionary trend of morphological characters demonstrated that the sect. Eriostomum and sect. Fragilicaulis were the most primitive and the most advanced sections in Iran, respectively.

---

Hairy root induction in plants is the result of the insertion of T-DNA from Agrobacterium rhizogenes into the plant genome. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of bacterium strain and plant species type on hairy root induction in two endemic (Salvia eremophila and S. reuterana) and five non-endemic (S. macrosiphon, S. multicaulis, S. nemorosa, S. verticellata and S. virigata) Salvia by four bacteria strains including 1724, 2659, ATCC-15834 and A4. Petiole and stem explants were not capable of inducing hairy roots, while almost all leaf segments produced it. Confirmatory studies were carried out by direct detection of inserted rol C by the PCR. The results showed that different Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain and Salvia spices had significant effect on hairy roots number and frequency. The infection of S. macrosiphon via A. rhizogenes strain ATCC15834 showed the highest number of infe-cted roots per explant (5.12 hairy roots) and root frequency (82%). The highest number of hairy root per explant in S. eremophila (3.32 hairy roots) and S. reuterana (3.92 hairy roots) were achieved by inoculation with strain A4. Strain 2659 produced the highest hairy roots number in S. nemorosa (2.6 hairy roots), S. multicaulis (4.36 hairy roots) and S. verticillata (5 hairy roots). Also hairy roots formation occurred at the highest number in S. virigata (3 hairy roots) with infection by strain ATCC15834.

---

Nowadays, with the applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) in pharmacy, food industry, cosmetics, toothpaste and sunscreens, pregnant women are exposed to nanoparticles. Since tooth development is vuln-erable to environmental impacts and mandibular first molar bud develops before maxillary first molar bud, in this ex-perimental study the effects of TiO₂-NPs on the development of first mandibular molar bud in NMRI mouse was inve-stigated. Twenty five female NMRI mice were randomly divided into five groups (N=5); Control group (pregnant mice without any treatment), sham group (treated with distilled water), experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 (treated with 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg BW TiO₂-NPs, respectively, via gavage from embryonic days 10.5-14.5). On E14.5, embryos heads were prepared for histological examination and dental tissues were evaluated. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and post hoc test (Tukey). Microscopic observation showed tissue disorganization in experimental groups. Findings showed that in experimental groups 1 and 2, the diameter of bud and dental papilla and the length of dental bud decreased sign-ificantly. In experimental group 2, decrease in the diameter of dental follicle, dental bud and dental papilla and the le-ngth of dental bud was significant. On the other hand, in experimental group 3, only the decrease in the length of dental bud was significant. These findings showed that nano titanium dioxide can reduce the size of dental buds and is capable of preventing tooth development.

---

Thirty eight ecotypes of watermelon were collected from different parts of Iran. After the preparation of the field, these eotypes were cultivated in a completely randomized block design with three replications. In order to invest-igate genetic diversity, genomic DNA samples were extracted from leaves and Polymerase chain reactions were optimized using 14 SRAP primer pairs. One hundred thirty six polymorphic bands were detected, of which the EM10-Me4 was the most abundant primer pair with 19 bands and EM16-Me4 and EM16-Me14 were the least primer pairs with 7 bands. PIC index varied from 0.20 to 0.32 and genetic diversity was 0.17 to 0.28 on the basis of Nei index. Fisher's Linear Detection Analysis showed that the UPGMA method and the grouping accuracy of about 90% are more appropriate than other cluster analysis methods. Cluster analysis, using Jakard method, was performed and the ecotypes studied were classified into five distinct groups. Based on the PCA, the first and second components included 92.5% of the variation, which represents the proper distribution of the markers on the whole genome.

---

Of different types of bio-compatible nano‌particles, iron oxide nanoparticle has attracted attention for its applications especially in medicine and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We decided to study histological changes in testis and spermatogenesis in mature male mice that are affected by ironoxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃) during fetal period. In this study, the mice were divided into three experimental and two control and sham groups. Iron oxide at do-ses of 10, 30, 50 mg/kg were injected into pregnant mice during 10th, 12th and 14th days of the critical period of fetus testis development. After the maturation of the mice which were born, slices with the thickness of 0.06 µm were prep-ared from adult male testis and epididymis, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The cells were counted, then the obta-ined data was analyzed with one-way ANONA and Tukey testes. The results showed that the number of epididymis sp-erms at the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, testis weight at the dose of 30 mg/kg, primary spermatocytes at the dose 10mg/kg had increased, while the testis diameter in all the three experimental groups and the volume of the testis at the dose of 50 mg/kg had decreased. Disorganization and vacuolization were observed at high doses. Passing through the cell me-mbrane, and considering its oxidation and reduction potentials, it was observed that Iron oxide nanoparticle acts as anti-oxidant at low doses and shows toxicity at high doses. The fact obtained in the paper reflects the dual potential of the ir-on oxide nanoparticle.

---

Aloe barbadensis is perennial, monocotyledonous, fleshy plant belongs to Aloaceae family. In this study, somoclonal variations of regenerated A. barbadensis plants were investigated. The plantlets of forth subculture transferred to the soil for further study. The genomic DNAs of 40 regenerated plantlets were extracted and genetic variations were studied using SPAR markers including RAPD and ISSR primers. The amounts of Aloe gel also were extracted from regenerated A. vera plants. Average percentage of polymorphism, Shannon index, Nei's genetic diversity and number of effective alleles based on RAPD data were higher than genetic parameters obtained from ISSR data. NJ cluster and STRUCTURE plot based on molecular markers grouped regenerated plants to distinct clusters. AMOVA analysis also showed a significant (P = 0.01) genetic distinction between studied groups. This result also confirmed differentiation of regenerated plants. The amount of Aloe gel in the four groups (based on clustering method) was compared by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed no significant (P = 0.746) differences between the amount of gel in four group. In total, our findings showed somaclonal variations on genomic level while no significant differences were observed in amount of gel among regenerated Aloe plantlets.
 

---

Abstract. Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), with 18 subspecies, has a wide distribution in deciduous forests of Eurasia. The subspecies S.e.persica is a resident bird in the Zagros Mountains, from north-west to south-west of Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of this subspecies to European, Asian, as well as Caucasian clades. For this purpose, 10 individuals of two populations from Zagros forests in Kermansha and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces were captured and blood samples were collected. Furthermore, we used ND2 sequence data (1041 bp) for 136 sequnces from GenBank. were used from Then genetic variations and Genealogical analysis was calculated using complete ND2 gene sequence (1041bp) and TRN+G model, Bayesian trees and maximum likelihood, respectively. Also, median joining algorithm showed the relationships among haplotypes. We found four new haplotypes for the Zagros populations. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genetic distance between Zagros population and Caucasian clade was significantly small, demonstrating Zagros populations are part of the Caucasian clade. F_ST statistical values, resulted from Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), represented significant variations in genetic structure among Eurasian Nuthatch populations. Moreover, F_CT revealed significant variation among European, Asian, and Caucasian clades. Overall our result suggests that Eurasian Nuthatch populations in Eurasia comprise three phylogenetic species, and likely biological species. Hoewever, the previous nomenclatured subspecies, S.e.caucasian and S.e.persica, can be considered as a common phylogenetic species.

---

Strictosidine synthase-like (SSL) is a group of gene families in the Arabidopsis genome, which whose orthologues in other plants are key enzymes in mono-terpenoid indole-alkaloid biosynthesis pathway. The SSL7 is upregulated upon treatments of Arabidopsis plants with signaling molecules such as SA, methyl jasmonate and ethylene. To find the functional role of the gene, a T-DNA-mediated knockout mutant (ssl7) along with the wildt ype were treated with different concentrations of NaCl. The expression level of salt stress genes including P5CS1, NCED3, AAO3 and RD29A at 150 mM NaCl demonstrated that the expression was significantly higher in ssl7 compared with the expression in Col-0. The activities of Catalase (CAT), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), Peroxidase (POD) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured in different concentrations of NaCl. The results suggested that the enzymes activities were significantly higher in ssl7 compared with wild-type Col-0. In total, the results suggest that SSL7 might have a salicylic acid-dependent negative regulatory role in plant resistance to salt stress.
 

---

The flowering process in plants proceeds through the induction of an inflorescence meristem triggered by several pathways. Many of the genes associated with these pathways encode transcription factors of the MADS domain family. The MADS-domain transcription factor APETALA1 (AP1) is a key regulator of flower development. The first step to understand the molecular mechanisms under the function of each gene in a plant is identification, sequencing and phylogeny analysis of that gene. For this purpose, total RNA was isolated from flower bud of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and was used for cDNA synthesis. The specific primers were designed based on nucleotide sequence alignment of AP1 homologus genes from plants of the same family Brassicaceae and were used in RT-PCR. After observing its electrophoretic pattern and ensuring the quality of PCR product, the amplicon was sent for sequencing. After receiving the results of sequencing, the sequence examined with BLAST, MUSCLE, Gene Runner and MEGA6 softwares. The results indicated amplification of 787 nucleotides fragment that named LsAP1 and was recorded by accession number KP070728 in NCBI database. The studies show high similarity and overlapping of gene bank sequences with LsAP1 illative protein. According to these results, LsAP1 may play a similar role as AP1 in flower induction and could act as a flower meristem identity gene in Lepidium sativum L.

---

---

Cutin is a polymer that is constructed in plants by the condensation and oxidation of fatty acids and plays a key role in the protection of plants against pathogens. Cutinase is a hydrolase enzyme that breaks down the cutin. The purpose of this study was to extract cutin from red apples with oxalate buffer, cutinase enzyme activity assay in LB culture, and bioinformatic analysis. To attain these purposes the cutinase-producing strains that had previously been isolated were inoculated in culture medium containing cutin. After initial culture, the bacteria were cultured in LB medium and cutinase activity was measured using the p-Nitrophenyl butyrate. In order to execute bioinformatic analysis, the isolated sequences of six cutinase-producing bacteria were analyzed based on computational data bases and their phylogenetic trees were prepared. Then, the similarities in the sequences of a large number of cutinase-producing samples were analyzed by drawing the phylogenetic tree. The results showed the separation of cutinase-producing prokaryotes from cutinase-producing eukaryotes. Then, the sequence of 16S rDNA of these cutinase-producing samples as well as the samples we had prepared were evaluated and their phylogenetic relationships were determined. This analysis showed that the new sequence stood alongside the bacterial samples. Thus, our cutinases may be similar with these bacterial cutinases in structure and function.
 

 
 

---

Zebra fish is an important species in genetics and considering the proximity of its genome to the human genome, investigating the expression of some of the growth and appetite genes during its larvae development is essential. Genes coding growth and appetite (GH and ghrelin) hormones are involved in the synthesis and release of growth hormone, which can be considered to be economic genes in pisciculture. Given the importance of these genes during the early larvae development stages, this study was performed to assess their activity. Samples were collected at 4, 7, 10, 15, 30 and 45 post-hatching days. Samples were immediately placed in liquid nitrogen (-196 degree centigrade) and then stored in a freezer at -80 degree centigrade until RNA extraction (using RNX-Plus kit). To analyze normal expression of target genes, reference gene β-actin was used by 2^-∆∆Ct method. The expression of genes associated with the growth and appetite was significantly different at various stages of the development of zebra fish, as the gene expression of GH on day 4 and ghrelin gene on day 10 after hatching were significantly higher compared with other samples (P<0.05). Overall, the expression of GH and ghrelin genes at the early stages of growth is higher than other fish developmental stages due to their great importance in the survival of larvae at these stages of life.
 
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: " times="" new="" roman";mso-ascii-theme-font:major-bidi;mso-hansi-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-hansi-theme-font:major-bidi;mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi;color:#222222"="">

---

---

The phylogenetic relationships among 39 species belonging to 12 sections of Astragalus from Iran were studied on the basis of 29 morphological characters. The cladistics analysis of the morphological data was performed using PAUP* 4.0b10 program. The obtained data were compared with the molecular systematics data obtained from nuclear DNA ITS. In contrast with previous molecular systematic studies, the morphological data placed the sect. Caraganella as paraphyletic clade to the sects. Cenantrum, Nuculiella, and Eremophysa. Our results were similar to those obtained by previous molecular systematic studies which specified sects. Astragalus, Alopecuroidei and Laxiflori as paraphyletic clades. In accordance with data presented in previous molecular systematic studies, the species of the sect. Caprini showed close relationship with those in sects. Pelta and Pendulina. The present analysis, consistent with molecular systematic studies, rejected the monophyly of most sections studied. Therefore, although the circumscription of those sections needs to be carried out on the basis of the results of widely accepted molecular and morphological phylogenetic studies, future studies are needed to clarify and resolve some remaining ambiguities.
 
 

---

The occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing bacteria is an important public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate phenotypic and genotypic characteristics regarding the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamase ctx-m, per and ver producing Escherichia coli isolated from raw dairy samples. For this purpose, E. coli were isolated from 247 raw dairy samples (milk and cheese) in Yasooj in 2015-2017, and the isolates were screened for antibiotic resistance, extended spectrum β-lactamase and the presence of ctx-m, per and ver. In total, 200 isolates were selected. The highest frequency of resistance in isolates was against tetracycline (96.5%) and ampicillin (95.5%) antibiotics and the lowest against imipenem (12.5%), In addition, multidrug resistance against four or more antibiotics was observed in some isolates. Extended spectrum β-lactamase resistance was detected in 86 isolates (43%) and ctx-m, per and ver genes were detected in 82, 0 and 7 E. coli isolates, respectively. These findings demonstrated that raw dairy products may be reservoirs for the dissemination of β-lactam antibiotics and that resistance genes could be transmitted to humans through the food chain.

 

---

The cave barb habitat is located in a Karst formation along the Sezar River. The springs on the walls of the Sezar River valley may provide a means for fish in surface waters to penetrate into the underground waters. These observations propose the probability for a migratory relationship between Garra gymnothorax in the Sezar River and the cave barbs (Garra typhlops and Garra lorestanensis). In addition, a variety of different body shapes including fusiform and slender body forms are observed among the cave fish. This phenotypical variation may be a sign of an unknown genetic diversity or could be attributed to the variable environmental conditions in different parts of the subterranean habitat. To clarify the situation, we used the sequences of mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I and next generation sequencing method. The results showed that the fusiform and slender body shapes of G. typhlops and G. lorestanensis were not different with regard to their mtDNA and genomic compositions. Moreover, the analysis of the genomic their mtDNA and genomic compositions. Moreover, the analysis of the genomic showed that a limited level of gene flow (less than 3%) from G. gymnothorax probably existed in G. thyphlops. The low level of gene flow may be related to the lower fitness and adaptability of the surface dwelling fish to the subterranean life conditions.
 
 

---

One of the main strategies to improve plant tolerance is the expression of stress-induced genes, which play a significant role in the ionic balance of plants. SOS3 is one of the important components of SOS-regulated ionic homeostasis pathway. Therefore, the expression of this gene could be an important step towards producing salt-resistant plants. In this work, we have transformed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by Agrobacterium (GV3101 and LBA4404) containing plasmids with SOS3 genes. The maximum regeneration rate was determined in cotyledons of CH genotype. The simultaneous use of cotyledons and hypocotyls in the culture medium had the best outcome. In addition, the best time was found to be one day after inoculation. Also, the best transgenic variety was detected for Agrobacterium GV3101, which can be attributed to the interaction between the genus Agrobacterium and the tomato variety. Transgenic plants were transferred to a culture medium containing sequestrene, which caused the acceleration of the seedling growth in particular. The presence of the SOS3 in the transgenic plants was verified by PCR and RT-PCR methods.
 
 
 
 

---

There are different methods to investigate the effects of climatic fluctuations on the biota, two of which, molecular phylogeography and SDM, are the most useful tools to trace the past climate induced modifications on species’ geographic distributions. In this study, seven samples were collected from the species distribution range in Iran for the purpose of measuring the genetic variation within the Iranian spiny-tailed lizards, using cytochrome b. SDM was carried out by 41 presence points and bioclimatic variables for the present and future climatic conditions (by the year 2050), employing the statistical package ‘sdm’ in order to implement the ensemble model. The results of genetic analyses revealed that the specimens from Bastak in Hormozgan Province are distinguishable from all other specimens. Haplotype diversity was calculated as 0.8. The haplotype network illustrated that the central haplotype is located in the central Iranian Plateau. Moreover, the ensemble model predicted that, while the suitable habitats of this species were found to be in the south of Iran and the Iranian Central Plateau in the present climatic conditions, there will be a decrease in the extent of these patches and Baluchistan will be added as a suitable habitat in 2050. Generally, both genetic studies and modeling predictions suggested that the western and southern specimens (Bastak in Hormozgan) were divided according to the separation of their habitats. In addition, based on modeling scenarios in the future, the optimal habitat for the species is located in the central haplotype area.