Rhamnus L. is the genus of Rhamnaceae in Iran with nearly eight species. These species are used as valuable shrubs. This research was carried out in order to investigate the anatomical leaf. Samples from nine populations of Rhamnus pallasii and Rhamnus cathartica were taken. Treatment specimen cover various habitats from north of Iran, moreover herbarium samples were taken into account. The results presented two forms of epidermal cells such as Polygonal and irregular cells in addition, waved and straight anti-clinical walls were observed in R. pallasii subsp. pallasii and R. pallasii subsp. sintensii. Two types of stomata were demonstrated like anemositic and parasitic in two main species. Some characters e.g. thrichome, parenchyma, collenchyma layers were determined to finding some similarity among treatment specimen.

In this survey, anatomical characteristics of leaves in 35 populations belonging to 18 taxa of Scrophularia have been studied. Among 39 quantitative and qualitative anatomical characters, some have more suitable taxonomic value for differentiation of taxa, such as blade thickness, thickness of upper and lower cuticle of midrib, length of upper and lower palisade parenchyma of blade, thickness of lower epidermis wall of midrib, thickness of upper and lower epidermis of blade, rows of spongy parenchyma of blade, upper collenchyma type of midrib and the presence of idioblast. Finally, comparison of the results of the current study together with Grau’s (1981) results confirm the validity of 4 groups out of the 12 groups which he had introduced. As for the remaining groups, no noticeable concordance was found.

Tea was planted in Lahijan by Kashefalsataneh in 1930. The main concern about important commercial plants such as tea is the formation of ice crystals in low temperatures. This can damage the live cells leading to lowering the quality of the plant and eventually its death. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is the result of various environmental stresses leading to freezing. Investigating the variations in any of these factors could help to understand the mechanism of freeze resistance in ever-green plants. The aim of the present research was to investigate lipid peroxidation, the presence of antifreeze protein and variations in the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidize (APX) and catalyse (CAT) in tea leaves subjected to 20, 0, -2, -5 and -8°C in tea leaves from the north of Iran. The results showed formation of an antifreeze protein with MW of about 20 KD in response to cold stress. It was also found that the activity of SOD, APX and CAT increased in tea leaves due to cold stress. The activity of SOD increased down to -8°C. APX and CAT increased their activity down to -5°C. On the other hand, the lipid per oxidation factor, MDA, was also elevated in response to the cold stress.

It is clear that DNA concentration and biological detection devices have many applications in the fields of genetics and biotechnology. For this goal, some similar devices have been designed working with the laser light which the disadvantages of them are high prices and the use of significant amounts of sample volume. But this designed device which works with LED light has very cheap manufacturing cost. The amounts of DNA used in this device are very low, about a few micro-liters and measurement of small, fast and portable it is also the advantages of these devices. The Data recorded as voltage versus time and the Fourier transform the frequency domain. From the frequency curve, by using the Byrlambrt it is possible to obtain the relative concentrations of DNA, viruses and assays measuring DNA damage and many other applications. By use of this device, the concentration of DNA colored with three different pigments was measured.

Basolateral Amygdala is an important site of anxiety. Interactions between α-adrenergic and opioidergic systems in Basolateral amygdale were used for investigation anxiety and memory. The elevated plus-maze has been employed. The male wistar rats were used for this test. The site of BLA was cannulated bilaterally. Rats we injected morphine (4, 5.6 mg/kg) intraperitonealy, while clonidine (1, 2, 4 µg/rat) and yohimbin (0.5, 1,2 µg/rat) were injected to BLA. Open arm time percentage (%OAT), open arm entry (%0AE) and locomotor activity were determined by this behavioral test. Retention tested 24 hours later. Administration of morphine (6mg/kg) increased the OAT% in anxiety test, indicating anxiolytic-like effect. Intra Basolateral amygdala infusion of clonidine (4μg/rat) has an anxiolytic-like effect. While co-administration clonidine (4μg/rat) and in effective dose of morphine (4mg/kg) showed significant increase of OAT% in anxiety test; thus presenting anxiolytic response. Intra Basolateral amygdala administration of yohimbine (2μg/rat) decreased OAT% indicating of decrease anxiety-like behavior. While co-administration of intra Basolateral amygdala clonidine (4μg/rat) and effective dose of morphine (6mg/kg) showed a significant increase of OAT%, presenting anxiolytic response; co-administration of ineffective doses of morphine (4mg/kg) and yohimbine (1μg/rat) with the effective dose of clonidine (4μg/rat) showed that yohimbine could reverse the anxiolytic-like effect of morphine and clonidine. It should be noted that there are no significant changes in locomotor activity. The results indicate that morphine creates the compromise changes in adrenergic neurons of Basolateral amygdala by changing the α-adrenergic system on anxiety.                                                                                                                                                                  

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death worldwide and result in 1.4 million deaths per year. Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Iran, with rates of 4.7 to 9.2 per 100 thousand populations. Despite the low incidence, survival is not promising. Identification of biological markers and their application in diagnosis of cancer could lead to early diagnosis and therefore longer survival rate in patients. In this study, we evaluated the association of SNP rs11614913 in mir-196a2 with risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in population of southern Iran. SNP rs11614913 in miR-196a2 was assayed in 95 lung cancer patients and 100 controls. Polymorphism was determined by RFLP-PCR. The PCR product was digested with TaaI (5’ ACN^GT) which generated two bands (187bp and 196bp) in TT, three bands (187bp, 196bp and 383bp) in TC and one bandn(383bp) in CC individuals. Analysis of electrophoretic pattern of digestion products revealed that the frequencies of C allele for SNP rs11614913 miR-196a2 were 0.695 in patients and 0.76 in controls. As a result, the genotype frequencies of TT, TC and CC were 0.074, 0.463 and 0.463 in patients and 0.06, 0.36 and 0.58 in controls. The statistical analysis indicates the presence of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium between the two alleles of the gene in the population studied (p>0.05). Based on the results in this study, no significant association between SNP rs11614913 and susceptibility to NSCLC was found. However, male participants who possess TC/TT genotypes showed high risk for NSCLC compared to those possessed CC genotypes (recessive genetic model).

Since administration of androgens has been considered appreciable in hair follicle growth and wound healing, therefore the main objective in this study is evaluation the effect of sheep testis extract on improvement and growth of hair follicle and regeneration of injured Wistar rat skin. In this experimental study, rats were randomly divided into 7 groups, control (negative control), sham (treatment with physiologic serum), experimental group 1 (treatment with 100% sheep testis extract), experimental group 2 (treatment with 75% extract), experimental group 3 (treatment with 50% extract), positive control 1 (treatment with honey) for evaluation of wound healing and positive control 2 (treatment with Minoxidil) for evaluation of hair follicle growth. Then, rats were killed after and removed approximate wound skin, fixed in 10% formalin, kept in paraffin block. In addition, it was prepared serial section with 6 µm thickness and performed hematoxylin eosin staining. Then, epidermal thickness, the number of fibroblast, basal cells, inflammatory cells, vessel bud and hair follicle were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed by one way ANOVA, Tukey test at p ˃0.05. The results showed that wound healing process, hair follicle formation, the re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, the number of basal cell, fibroblasts, and the number of follicles was significantly improved in the experimental group 1, 2, rather than control group (p ˃0.05).  Results of this study demonstrated that the sheep testis extract induced improvement in regeneration process, wound healing and hair follicle growth in rats which can be suggested as an appreciable candidate due to rich source of androgen and growth factors in clinical wound healing studies.

In this study phylogenetic relationship of the Jajrud River Brown trout Salmo trutta L. 1758 in the Namak Lake basin was analyzed using complete D-Loop sequence of the mitochondrial genome, compared to other Iranian populations of the species. The results clarified that Jajrud brown trout, similar to other Iranian brown trout populations belongs to the Danube phylogenetic lineage. The observed haplotype in the Jajrud population is similar to the reported haplotype in the Karaj River. Based on the results the Namak Lake basin brown trout affined to the Caspian populations and its relationship to Salmo macrostigma was not confirmed.  Since the Karaj and Jajrud River haplotypes have not been observed in the Caspian Sea basin and because of its relationship to other Iranian and Danube haplotypes it is plausible to consider this haplotype as an old haplotype that also may exist in the Caspian Sea basin. According to the biology of Brown trout, geographic characteristics, and based on the properties of the Namak haplotype it may be inferred that the Namak Basin Brown trout populations are native to the basin and are not introduced.

Nowadays, nanoparticles (NPs) have the great potential application in different industries. Among all NPs, titanium dioxide NPs is the biggest ecotoxicological and ecophysiology concerns due to the increase of anthropogenic input into the aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the effects of titanium dioxide NPs enriched yeast on the growth, survival; digestive enzymes activity and lipid metabolism in Artemia urmiana (AU) and Artemia franciscana (AF) were investigated. The experiment was designed in two treatments (control and enriched yeast with titanium dioxide NPs) and each with four replicates for both Artemia species. At the end of experiment, the results indicated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles did not affect on the Artemia species growth but significantly increased AF survival. No significant difference was observed in AU survival. Also the results showed, NPs significantly decrease AU digestive enzymes activity and reverse pattern was observed for AF. The effect of NPs on the body lipid content was investigated in Artemia species and the results revealed that all the NPs decrease this parameter in AU but did not affect on AF lipid body content. The results obtained in this experiment, suggest that the eco-physiological effects of titanium dioxide NPs different in Artemia urmiana and Artemia franciscana.

Carnosic acid and Rosmarinic acid are family of polyphenols that are found in Rosmary plant. They have property biological behaviors such as anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-oxidants. This study compared the effects of these two compounds based on ceramide metabolism in cell line of Hep- G2. In this experimental study, Hep-G2 cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented containing bovine fetal serum and antibiotics. Cells with double dilution were then cultured from  tow substance Carnosic acid and Rosmarinic acid from concentrations  0 to 70 µM for 24 h and viability of cells was determined by MTT method.  Spectrophotometer was used to measure of caspase-3 activity.To measure the level of ceramide, a recombinant ceramidase acid enzyme and naphthalene-2,3-dialdehyde, which is fluorescent and is connected to sphingosine resulted from ceramidase acid, were added to the cell extract and was ultimately determined by HPLC. In this study also activity of ensymes as sphingomylinase, acid ceramidase, glucosyl ceramide synthase was measured. Carnosic acid increased cell viability dose-dependent in Hep-G2 cells by reducing ceramide levels and decreasing activity of ensymes as caspse-3, sphingomylinase, glucosyl ceramide synthase and  increasing activity of the enzyme acid ceramidase. Rosmarinic acid in concentrations of up to 50 µM decreased cell viability by increasing ceramide levels and activity of caspse-3, sphingomylinase and decreasing activity of  enzymes as acid ceramidese and glucosyl ceramide synthase. Also this substance in concentrations of up to 40 µM caused increasing activity of caspse-3 enzyme. Although in most cases, polyphenols have resulted in induction of apoptosis and decreased cell viability, but in some cases they have inversely affected and caused cell growth.

In order to study the interaction effects of salinity and ascorbic acid on the photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugar, proline, and protein in Satureja khuzestanica plant, factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (salinity in 4 levels 0, 40, 80 and 120g in 100kg soil and ascorbic acid in 2 levels 0 and 2 mM ) with 6 replicates. The results showed that salt stress reduced photosynthetic pigments amount by increasing the soil salinity from 0 to 40g NaCl in 100kg soil and then increased by 80g NaCl in 100kg soil and again decreased by concentration of 120g NaCl in 100kg soil. The amount of solouble sugar, proline and protein by the soil salinity increased from 0 to 40g in 100kg soil and then decreased in concentration of 80g NaCl in 100kg soil, in 120g NaCl in 100 kg soil increased amount of characters. In present of ascorbic acid photosynthetic pigments amount of pigments increased by increase the soil salinity from 0 to 40g NaCl in 100kg soil and then decreased by 80g NaCl in 100kg soil and again increased by concentration of 120g NaCl in 100kg soil. But, amount of solouble sugar, proline and protein by the soil salinity decreased from 0 to 40g in 100kg soil and then increased in concentration of 80g NaCl in 100kg soil. Finally, in 120g NaCl in 100kg soil decreased amount of characters.

The increasing influence of APG classification system necessitates an update on taxa recorded in most regional floras including Iran. Many changes in circumscriptions of families and orders have occurred in APG in comparison with other classification systems. However, here we only attempt to emphasize on changes in the Iranian flora, especially in comparison with “Flora Iranica” and “Flora of Iran”. Of the overall 132 family names which have been mentioned here, 22 families are not found in Flora Iranica. Based on the APG IV system, 21 families which had been mentioned in Flora Iranica for Iran should be merged with other families. Accordingly, the angiosperms of Iran comprise 8012 species, approximately 1234 genera and 132 families placed in 39 orders. Gymnosperms (17 spp.), ferns (60 spp.) and mosses (534 spp.) included, the number of plant species of Iran exceeds approximately 8628 species. The largest angiosperms families of Iran are Fabaceae (1401 spp.) and Asteraceae (1234 spp.) in terms of number of species, and Asteraceae, Poaceae, Apiaceae and Fabaceae in terms of number of genera. The largest angiosperm order of Iran in terms of family number is Caryophyllales. The largest genera of Iran are Astragalus with about 830 species and Cousinia with about 280 species. In the two latest versions of APG a linear sequence of families is provided to be used by herbarium curators.

Salvia leriifolia Benth. from Lamiaceae family is a plant native to Iran and Afghanistan with significant applications in medical, pharmaceutical and food industries. The aim of current investigation was to evaluate the composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils (EOs) of S. leriifolia growing naturally in Neyshabur and Bajestan (Northeast of Iran). The aerial parts of the plant were subjected to hydro-distillation and the EOs were analyzed with GC/MS. According to the results, 1,8-cineole (20.24%, 26.39 %), α-pinene (15.14%, 14.39 %) and β-pinene (24.33%, 26.01%) were the main constituents of the EOs of the plant populations in Bajestan and Neyshabur, respectively. Antioxidant activity of the EOs was measured by three different methods, 2,2´-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and β-carotene bleaching (BCB). The total EO and three standards (α-pinene, β -pinene and 1,8-cineole) displayed a significant antioxidant effect in all assays. Antioxidant activities obtained by means of TBARS and BCB methods were higher than those measured by the DPPH assay. Moreover, BCB was proved to be the most appropriate method for measurement of antioxidant activity. The EOs of the plants grown in Neyshabur showed stronger antioxidant effects in comparison with those grown in Bajestan.

The genus Elaeagnus (Elaeagnaceae) has been introduced in Iran by one or two species, i. e. E. angustifolia and E. orientalis . The species are widely cultivated trees, but native in a few localities. They are extremely variable in shape of leaves and fruits. Fruits used to be eaten highly and as they have variable tastes, the preferred ones have been subject to selection in the course of time. Nowadays, several distinct cultivars are known in Iran. The species and cultivars were studied in the field and different herbaria in Iran. In this paper a single Shurei^, are^، Kolahi^, and^، Churuk^,,^، Khormai^,,^، Anabi^,,^، Shekari^,,^، species E. angustifolia and its six cultivars, i.e.introduced from Iran

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

Silene ghahremaninejadii (Caryophyllaceae) is described as a new species to science in this article based on critical differences in certain characters of both vegetative and reproductive organs, compared with its closely related taxa, i.e. S. marschallii and S. ruprechtii. The new species has compact caudex, glabrous leaves and pedicles, cylindrical calyx without indumentums on its inner surface, deeply bifid petals without coronal scales and glabrousfilaments. In addition, a hypothesis about the speciation process of the species is proposed.

Trigonella L. is one of the important genera of the family Fabaceae, many species of which have nutritional and medicinal properties. In this investigation, morphological characters related to habit and pollen grain of three Trigonella species i.e., T. disperma, T. subenervis and T. aphanoneura were studied. Oils from the aerial parts of two species were investigated by GC and GC/MS methods and compared with T. disperma, which had been studied in advance. T. subenervis represented oils rich in spathulenol (15.1%). It also contained a small amount of germacrene D (0.6%). T. aphanoneura also represented oils rich in spathulenol (10.4%). The amount of four compounds in this species was ≤1%, and n-octyl acetate was the lowest component in quantity. According what we found out, phytochemical and morphological data could clarify the relationships among the Trigonellaspecies better than pollen morphological data

 Specimens collected from the forest areas of Mazandaran Province (Iran), Kojour, between Lashkenareh

and Gandis-Kala village showed significant characteristics. At first glance, these specimens looked similar to A. szowitsianum, but with no indumentum on fruit. Further studies showed that those specimens belong to a new species, Alyssum mazandaranicum Mirzadeh & Assadi sp. nov., which was confined to the ecotone area between Euro-Siberian and Irano -Turanian regions. More populations of this new species were also found in other localities with similar ecological circumstances. Here, the new species is described, illustrated and compared with the closest taxon.

Tripleurospermum transcaucasicum (Manden.) Pobed (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) is newly recorded from East Azarbayejan Provice, NW Iran. It is morphologically similar to T. caucasicum (Willd.) Hayek and T. monticolum (Boiss. & A.Huet) Bornm. The morphological and anatomical diagnostic characters of new record are compared with closely related species. The geographical distribution of new records and related species in Iran are presented.

Viviparity is an advanced reproducing process observed in certain bony fishes. Fish oocyte is protected by different coverings, the immediate one over oolemma being a non-cellular membrane known as Zona Radiata (ZR). ZR has shown variations in thickness, configuration and probably function at different fish oocyte and oocyte growth stages. In the present research work the ultrastructure of zona radiata around oocytes of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) has been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy methods concerning different oocyte growth stages. ZR was not observed at stages I and II. At stage III ZR was observed as a thin layer around the oocyte. It increased in thickness and complexity at stage IV (vitellogenesis) but showed different appearance and declined in thickness during the following stage. External surface characteristics, features of pore canals and probable function of ZR during oocyte development were also investigated.