Molecular characterization of two sugarcane streak mosaic virus isolates from Iran with emphasis on its population structure.

Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV; the genus Poacevirus, the family Potyviridae) is an economically important causal agent of sugarcane mosaic disease in Asia. In this study, for the first time, we determined the complete genomic sequences of two Iranian SCSMV isolates, IR-Khuz6 and IR-Khuz57 from sugarcane. The sequences of both isolates were 9,782 nucleotides (nt) long, excluding the 3' poly(A) tail. Both of them contained a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 199 nt, an open reading frame of 9,393 nt encoding a polyprotein of 3,130 amino acids (aa), and 3'-UTR of 190 nt. SCSMV-IR-Khuz6 and IR-Khuz57 genome nucleotide sequences were in 97.7% identical and shared identities of 81-92.4% with 10 other SCSMV isolates available in the GenBank. The highest identity was shared with the isolate PAK (NC_014037) from Pakistan. When separate genes were compared, most of the genes shared the highest identities with Pakistani isolate. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genomic nucleotide and polyprotein amino acid sequences reveals that all SCSMV isolates clustered into two main groups. Both IR-Khuz6 and IR-Khuz57 clustered with isolates from Pakistan (PAK) and India (IND671) in group II but formed a separate subgroup. Population genetic analysis revealed greater between-group than within-group evolutionary divergence values, further supporting the results of the phylogenetic analysis. The results indicate that gene flow and selection pressure are important evolutionary factors shaping the genetic structure of SCSMV populations with implications for global exchange of sugarcane germplasm.

Biodegradation of direct blue 129 diazo dye by Spirodela polyrrhiza: An artificial neural networks modeling.

Phytoremediation potential of the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza was examined for direct blue 129 (DB129) azo dye. The dye removal efficiency was optimized under the variable conditions of the operational parameters including removal time, initial dye concentration, pH, temperature and amount of plant. The study reflected the significantly enhanced dye removal efficiency of S. polyrrhiza by increasing the temperature, initial dye concentration and amount of plant. Intriguingly, artificial neural network (ANN) predicted the removal time as the most dominant parameter on DB129 removal efficiency. Furthermore, the effect of dye treatment on some physiologic indices of S. polyrrhiza including growth rate, photosynthetic pigments content, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were studied. The results revealed a reduction in photosynthetic pigments content and in multiplication of fronds after exposure to dye solution. In contrast, malondialdehyde content as well as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities significantly increased that was probably due to the ability of plant to overcome oxidative stress. As a result of DB129 biodegradation, a number of intermediate compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Accordingly, the probable degradation pathway of DB129 in S. polyrrhiza was postulated.

Evaluation of stress factors among the elderly in the nursing homes for the elderly (Eram and Mother) in Kermanshah, in 2015.

Introduction: The goal of this research was to assess the stress factors among the elderly living in nursing homes (Eram and Mother) in Kermanshah, in 2015. Research method: This was a descriptive - cross analysis and was performed in the first half of 2015 in a sectional way. The statistical population included 150 elderly men and women aged 60 to 74, and the sample size was selected from 108 people using the Cochran formula. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data from a previously validated survey. Finally, a total of 100 questionnaires were filled in and data were analyzed by using Amos 21 and SPSS 21 software. Results: The results revealed that the dimension of the physiological problems had the highest average and variance of 5.36 ± 21.02 and Disappointment, Home empty, Disability and independence, Relationship problems, Seclusion with an average and variance of 3.12 ± 20.55, 5.29 ± 18.82, 4.54 ± 17.72, 3.59 ± 16.66 and 4.55 ± 16.41, had the largest average and variance. Conclusion: Given that the greater number of elderly live with the family in Kermanshah and have sufficient support, recommended that the government planned to reduce isolation and increase the social support for this group of elderly nursing.

The effect of ubiquinone on functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve regeneration.

A common cause of peripheral nerve injury is trauma. The positive effect of antioxidants on the improvement of nerve regeneration has currently become a focus of attention. In this experiment, the effect of intraperitoneal administration of ubiquinone (CoQ10) on an acute experimentally sciatic nerve crush was studied in a rat model. Forty-five male Wistar rats, weighing between 160-180 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n=20). Each group was further subdivided into four subgroups of five animals each. Functional studies confirmed the faster recovery of regenerated axons in the treatment group compared to the un-treated group (P<0.05). Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers to be significantly higher in the treatment group than the un-treated group (P<0.05). Intraperitoneal administration of CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day) in the early inflammatory stage of sciatic nerve crush was found to improve nerve regeneration.