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Extended Abstract Background: Sugars are one of the important components in the human diet, along with fats and proteins, which provide about 60-70% of their energy. Stevia is one of the most important medicinal plants with high antioxidant properties, obvious sugar characteristics, and without calories, which can replace sugars extracted from other sources. One of the features of this sweetener is that it is very useful for diabetics due to its lack of absorption in the digestive system. On the other hand, it is suitable for the diet of obese people due to its non-caloric nature. Sucrose is the transportable form of photosynthetic products, i.e. carbohydrates, in plants. Sucrose foliar spraying is important for the quick supply of compounds needed by plants. Methods: This factorial experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University from 2014 to 2015. Evaluated treatments consisted of different concentrations of a sucrose solution (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%). Thus, the mentioned material was diluted in solvents such as methanol 15%, boric acid (3 ppm), and acetic acid (1 ppm). Treatments were sprayed on plants at 10-day intervals until plants started the flowering stage. Some parameters, such as total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total phenol, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity, steviozide, and ribodiozide contents were measured at the beginning of flowering. Results: The results of the analysis of variance showed that the simple effect of the solvent type and sucrose concentration on all studied traits at the probability level of 0.01 and the interaction effect of the treatments on all traits, except for the amount of ribodiozide, were significant at the probability level of 0.05 and on the amount of steviozide at the probability level of 0.01. The average data comparison results showed that the amount of total chlorophyll in 10% sucrose concentration was significantly higher than the other sucrose concentrations. There was a significant difference between different concentrations of sucrose in terms of carotenoid content so that the highest (10.72 mg/g fresh weight) and the lowest (9.56 mg/g fresh weight) levels were recorded at concentrations of 5% and 0% sucrose, respectively. The amount of carotenoid in the methanol solvent (11.99 mg/g fresh weight) was significantly higher than in the other solvents, namely boric acid, acetic acid, and distilled water (its lowest amount). The amount of flavonoid was significantly different between different concentrations of sucrose and also in different solvents. Five percent sucrose concentration (10.82 mg of quercetin per gram of dry weight) and zero percent sucrose concentration produced the lowest (9.31 mg of quercetin per gram of dry weight) flavonoids. Based on the results of the data, the highest and lowest flavonoid contents were obtained in methanol (11.51 mg quercetin per gram of dry weight), boric acid (10.74 mg quercetin per gram of dry weight), acetic acid (9.42 mg quercetin per gram of dry weight) ), and distilled water (8.32 mg of quercetin per gram of dry weight) solutions, respectively. The amount of total phenol in the 5% sucrose concentration (19.54 mg of gallic acid per gram of dry weight) was significantly higher than in other concentrations. The results of comparing the average data showed a significant difference between different solvents in terms of the amount of total phenol so that the methanol solvent (23.07 mg of gallic acid per gram of dry weight) and the distilled water solvent (13.47 mg of gallic acid per gram of dry weight) contained the highest the lowest total phenol contents, respectively. The results obtained from this research showed a significant difference between different concentrations of sucrose in terms of the amount of antioxidants so that the highest (85.71%) and lowest (62.38%) amounts were found in five and zero percent concentrations, respectively. Based on variance analysis data, there was a significant difference in the amount of antioxidants in different solvents, and the highest and the lowest amounts were observed in methanol (90.59%) and distilled water (69.87%) solvents, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the methanol solvent had the highest (14.01%) and the distilled water solvent produced the lowest (11.27%) amounts of steviozide. Based on the comparison of average data, the lowest (5.77%) and the highest (13.01%) amounts of steviozide were measured at concentrations of 10% and 5% sucrose, respectively. According to the results of comparing the average concentrations of different sucrose levels on the amount of ribodiozide, the concentrations of 0% and 5% sucrose led to the lowest and the highest amounts of ribodiozide, respectively. According to the effect of the solvent, the highest and lowest amounts of ribodiozide belonged to methanol and distilled water solvents, respectively. Based on the mean comparison analysis, the most optimum amount of photosynthetic and phytochemical parameters were related to the concentration of 5% sucrose while the other concentrations were in the next orders. Moreover, the highest and the lowest optimum amounts were recorded in the methanol (15%), boric acid (3 ppm), acetic (1 ppm), and distilled water (control) solvents, respectively. Conclusion: The studied carbon sources had a significant effect on many investigated traits. An increase in the concentration of assimilated carbohydrates as a result of sucrose application at a concentration of 5% with the methanol solvent may increase the availability of respiratory intermediates, which results in the reduction of non-photochemical energy loss. The occurrence of these biochemical phenomena caused by the consumption of intermediate substances ultimately increases the photosynthetic efficiency and improves the accumulation of photosynthetic substances, as well as the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Finally, it can be concluded that the application of sucrose with its appropriate solvent (methanol) could decrease or replace the absolute requirement for carbon source in the environment.

Background: Many types of maxillary expansion devices with different expansion rates are used in the treatment of maxillary arch constriction. This study aimed to assess the effectivenessof a new removable plate appliance to improve maxillary arch constriction in comparison to similar common devices.Methods and Materials: The present quasiexperimental study was conducted on 15 patients who had referred to the dental clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences between July 2020 and December 2021. In the case group, the maxilla was widened with a transparent removable plate made of thermoplastic plates without wire components. The information of patients in the control group (treated with the removable acrylic plate with a midline screw and wire components) was extracted from a similar study. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPPS version 25. T-test, Mann-Whitney and one-sample T-test were used to compare groups. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The average amount of monthly intermolar expansion was 0.871±0.552 and 1.156±1.09 mm in the case and control groups, respectively. The mean amount of monthly inter-canine expansion was 0.994±0.498 mm and 0.931±0.869 mm in the case and control group, respectively. The results indicated no significant difference between the two study groups in terms of intermolar expansion (P=0.07) and intercanine expansion (P=0.68). The degree of satisfaction with the treatment was significantly higher in the case group, compared to the control group (P=0.01).Conclusion: It seems that the transparent thermoplastic removable plate without wire components is not more effective in the treatment of patients with maxillary arch stenosis compared to the common model with wire components. However, the use of this new device can be effective in increasing patients’ satisfaction by maintaining the efficiency of treatment.

This study aimed to develop an innovative paradigm of lighting and CO2 flow rate in dilution and photoinduction stages of H. pluvialis cultivation to overcome the cell number reduction and stimulate the astaxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acids accumulation joined by carbon bio-sequestration. The appropriate paradigm of lighting to reach the maximum cell number, astaxanthin concentration, and astaxanthin content in the dilution and photoinduction stages was obtained 2-fold (300 µmol/m2/s) and 6-fold (900 µmol/m2/s) of the final light intensity in the phototrophy stage (150 µmol/m2/s), respectively. Under the inventive lighting paradigm, feeding the 225 mL/L/min CO2 recorded optimum consequences in the dilution and photoinduction stages. The cell number, astaxanthin productivity, lipid content, polyunsaturated fatty acid and CO2 bio-fixation rate at the end of the photoinduction stages by lighting/CO2 balance were 94 %, 96 %, 32 %, 61 % and 40 % higher than control, respectively. Additionally, the levels of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids were 70 % and 73 % higher than the control, respectively. This substantial increase was achieved by maintaining an optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (3.05). Furthermore, to maximize the cell growth of microalgae and enhance the accumulation of valuable metabolites through CO2 bio sequestration, it is recommended to focus on the CO2 flow rate parameter instead of the CO2 percentage. That is affected by both the CO2 percentage and the aeration rate. Our findings provide a promising cost-effective and ecofriendly approach to improve the co-production of astaxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acids in H. pluvialis.

Abstract Carbon nanomaterials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer a new possibility for phyto-nanotechnology and biotechnology to improve the quality and quantity of secondary metabolites in vitro. The current study aimed to determine the SWCNTs effects on Thyme (Thymus daenensis celak.) seed germination. The seedlings were further assessed in terms of morphological and phytochemical properties. Sterile seeds were cultured in vitro and treated with various concentrations of SWCNTs. Biochemical analyses were designed on seedling sample extracts for measuring antioxidant activities (AA), total flavonoids (TFC) and phenolic contents, and the main enzymes involved in oxidative reactions under experimental treatments. The results indicated that an increase in SWCNTs concentration can enhance the total percentage of seed germination. The improvement was observed in samples that received SWCNTs levels of up to 125 µg ml−1, even though seedling height and biomass accumulation decreased. Seedling growth parameters in the control samples were higher than those of grown in SWCNT-fortified media. This may have happened because of more oxidative damage as well as a rise in POD and PPO activities in tissues. Additionally, secondary metabolites and relevant enzyme activities showed that maximum amounts of TPC, TFC, AA and the highest PAL enzyme activity were detected in samples exposed to 62.5 µg ml−1 SWCNTs. Our findings reveal that SWCNTs in a concentration-dependent manner has different effects on T. daenensis morphological and phytochemical properties. Microscopic images analysis revealed that SWCNTs pierce cell walls, enter the plant cells and agglomerate in the cellular cytoplasm and cell walls. The findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of SWCNTs on T. daenensis growth, germination and secondary metabolites production.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of coping skills in the relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and marital satisfaction. The research method was descriptive-correlation and structural equation modeling. Methods: The statistical population included all the men and women of Bandar Abbas, of whom 350 were selected by available sampling method. The sample of this study included 125 men (35.7%) and 225 women (64.3%). To collect data, the Cognitive Schema Questionnaire Activated in Sexual Context (QCSASC), the Elzaros and Folkman Coping Skills questionnaire (CSQ) and the Marital Satisfaction Scale were used. SPSS23 and AMOS software were used for data analysis. Results: Structural equation modeling showed that coping skills and cognitive schemas activated in sexual context both directly and indirectly affected marital satisfaction in men and women. The evaluation of the hypothetical research model using fit indices showed that the hypothetical model fits the measurement model (CFI=0.97, NFI=0.99, RMSEA=0.044). Conclusion: Consistent with the dual control model, the results of this research showed that coping skills have an effect on the marital satisfaction of women and men, and these findings emphasize that along with the coping skills of each person in marital relationships, the cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context are also important.

Objective(s): Recently, medicinal plants have grabbed much attention in the prevention and treatment of cancer due to their ability to increase the efficiency of chemotherapy agents. Luteolin is a flavonoid widely studied for its antitumor effects. However, luteolin has low bioavailability and poor efficacy due to its hydrophobicity. This study aimed to prepare luteolin nanoemulsion (NE) and evaluate its physicochemical and anti-tumor properties in combination with doxorubicin (DOX) in vitro. Materials and Methods: NE containing luteolin was prepared by the prob-sonicate method. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, including particle size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, viscosity, pH, drug release profile, and thermal stability were investigated. Finally, the toxicity of free luteolin and luteolin NEs at different concentrations, with and without DOX, was assessed against normal L929 fibroblast and C26 colon cancer cells in vitro. Results: Luteolin NE was found to mimic a non-newtonian fluid with pH: 5.5 and an average particle size of 38.72 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was obtained at 79.61%. No significant changes were observed in particle size, PDI, and zeta potential after three months of storage at 4 °C. Seventy-two-hour drug release from these nanoparticles was about 25% in a neutral environment and 85% in an acidic environment. The combination of DOX and luteolin NE showed synergistic antitumor effects, while neither free luteolin nor luteolin NE showed significant toxicity against normal cells up to the 50 µg/ml concentration. Conclusion: The simultaneous administration of DOX and luteolin NE synergistically increased the cytotoxicity of DOX against the C26 cell line. Therefore, the novel formulation developed can be considered a suitable alternative to increase the anti-tumor efficiency of DOX.

Abstract Background As effective immune modulators, Endocannabinoids may suppress the inflammatory responses in periodontitis. This study assessed the expression of cannabinoid receptors in gingiva and the impact on periodontitis. Methods A cross‐sectional study on 20 patients with more than stage II and Grade A periodontitis and a control group consisting of 19 healthy individuals was performed. The gingival biopsies were assessed for the expression of CB1 and CB2 using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, TaqMan method. Results The study sample consisted of 39 subjects, 31 females (79.5%) and 8 males (20.5%), including 20 periodontitis subjects (80% female and 20% male), and control groups (78.9% female and 21.1% male). The mean ages of cases and controls were 33.3 ± 4.7 and 35.7 ± 5.1 years, respectively. The gene expression of CB2 in periodontitis was 27.62 ± 7.96 and in healthy subjects was 78.15 ± 23.07. The CB2 was significantly lower than the control group (p = .008). In comparison, the gene expression index of CB1 in the periodontal group (9.42 ± 3.03) was higher than the control group (6.62 ± 1.13) but did not meet a significant value (p = .671). Conclusion The lower expression of CB2 receptors in the periodontitis group may be due to the reduced protective effect of anti‐inflammatory agents. These elements include cannabinoids and the imbalance leading to the predominance of pro‐inflammatory effects. Therefore, the local effects of cannabinoids as an immunomodulator could be useful for oral inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis.

Introduction Mentha is one of the most important genera of aromatic plants which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The genus of Mentha is distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. Mentha longifolia L., also known as wild mint, is a fast-growing aromatic perennial herb. It is widely used as herbal medicine and is beneficial for the immune system and fighting with secondary infections. The essential oil of this plant is partly responsible for the decongestant, antispasmodic and antibiotic effects. Currently, much emphasis is being laid on conserving plant germplasm as valuable bio-resources. Selection between and within accessions for a high level of herbage yield and other characters requires an effective tool to be applied by mint breeders. Achieving to cultivars that are more capable of optimum producing is a breeding goal. The objectives of this study were to analyze the diversion of the agronomical traits of Mentha longifolia L. genotypes from different regions of Iran under a similar condition in order to find the superior genotypes and introduce for the domestication of this plant. Material and MethodThis research was performed at the research field of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The field is located at 36˚15' North latitude and 59˚38' East longitude, at an altitude of 985 meters. The information related to temperature and precipitation was obtained from climate station. Soil sampling was done in the depth of 0.3 meter and physical experiments on samples were done before starting the experiment. The field was fertilized by 25 kg/ha animal manure. Seeds of 20 genotypes of M. longifolia L. were prepared from Gene Bank of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands and a view of the wild mint genotypes distribution was presented on the map. The experiment was performed in a field with 500m2 areas in 2015-2016 growing seasons. The experiment in form of compound analysis arranged in complete randomized design with three replicates of 20 wildmint's genotypes in every replication. In each furrow, fourteen bush was totally studied, in which the distance between the two plants was 20 cm. The plot was considered 1.2 by 3 m and the distance between rows was 0.50 m. The dimension in the plots for every replication area was 3.6 m2 and the distance between blocks were 1.5 and between experimental units were 0.5 meters. Picking up was done after elimination of 0.5 meters from every side of replication. The essential oil was extracted using Clevenger type apparatus and by hydrodistillation. Results and DiscussionAnalysis of variance showed that the effect of the diversity among the genotypes on morphological, agronomical and essential oil yield parameters of wild mint was significant (P≤0.01). The results of this study showed that Mentha longifolia L. herb has a high diversity under the same culture conditions among genotypes collected from 20 regions of Iran. Correlation result shows that vegetative organs have more effect on the essential oil content than the reproductive organs. This may be due to the distribution of essential oil accumulation and storage sites, which requires further research in this regard. The study of vegetative and reproductive characteristics suggests that the genotypes of the dry and semi-arid climates have different conditions, which may causes the separation of their genotypes compared with the other genotypes. The bi-plot, based on PC1 and PC2, reflects the relationships between the studied genotypes. The results of bi-plot of cluster analysis confirmed that genotypes were divided into two main groups based on agronomical and morphological traits. Conclusion Finally, plants of genotype G13 belongs to Hormozgan province and then G16 genotype belongs to Khuzestan province were selected because of more biomass, more aerial part volume and also the most essential oil performance compared to the other genotypes. Desirable traits for the aerial part such as the time of flowering, leaf length, leaf width, plant height, the highest number of leaves in the stem and internode distance are important traits that should be considered. In addition, the cultivation of these genotype in order to the further production can be the great help in the domestication of this species and, given the fact that the diversity is a precursor of breeding, this research can be an introduction for future breeding operations. However, further research is needed to confirm the phytochemical superior genotypes.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an attractive approach to implement the waste management system in terms of environmental sustainability. The variety of environmental options has been made an emergence requirement a methodology to choose the best options for decision-makers. This paper aims to generate a comprehensive model to facilitate the life cycle products to develop a cleaner production strategy in paper manufacture. In the first step, the requirement and adopting models are applied to determine the main criteria of LCA. Then, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model is designed to assess the LCA qualification of the paper manufacturing process according to the selected criteria. The environmental impact, production process, technical capability, raw material, energy consumption, human resource, manufactured products, and economic are selected as a higher priority after considering the requirement and adopting the decision model. Pair-wise comparative of 52 sub-criteria showed that circulating of water and solid waste reusing from wastewater treatment plant through dissolved air flotation (DAF) and disk filter enables us to have many advantages not only the pollutants removal but also the enhancement of the LCA framework.

Background and Objective: Ganoderma lucidum is one of the medicinal fungi frequently used as supplement. The intracellular polysaccharides of this fungus include high molecular weights and help strengthen the immune system. Furthermore, these polysaccharides act as antioxidants by inhibiting free radicals and enhancing activity of the enzymes. Addition of various elicitors to the fungi submerged culture media affects the cell growth and metabolite production. Fungal extracts are one of these elicitors. Material and Methods: In this study, Ganoderma lucidum was first cultured in various culture media to investigate the base media. Using three various methods (soaking the fruit body in water, disintegrating the fruit body with a blender and boiling the fruit body), Agaricus bisporus fruit body extract was prepared as elicitor and the extract with the highest sugar content was used. For the optimization of growth and antioxidant activity of the intracellular polysaccharides, effects of six independent factors were investigated using Placket-Burman method, including Agaricus bisporus extract, peptone, maltose, pH, vitamin B1 and CaCl2. Response surface method was used to optimize three factors of vitamin B1, Agaricus bisporus extract and maltose. Then, stirred tank bioreactor was used to culture Ganoderma lucidum. Results and Conclusion: The YPG culture medium was selected as the base medium based on mycelial growth and antioxidant activity of the intracellular polysaccharides (IC50). Sugar content of the Agaricus bisporus extract was 30.66 µg.ml-1. Placket-Burman method revealed that the extracts of Agaricus bisporus, maltose and vitamin B1 significantly increased antioxidant activity of the intracellular polysaccharides. After optimizing these factors using RSM, the IC50 was reported as 1.047 mg.ml-1. Ganoderma lucidum cultivation in bioreactor significantly increased the cell growth (5.29 g.l-1). Intracellular polysaccharides included an IC50 of 1.14 mg.ml-1, which was significantly higher than that the intracellular polysaccharides included in YPG culture media. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The production operation plays a crucial role in reducing environmental impacts in various stages of the life cycle of products, from extraction of materials to production, end use, reuse, and recycling. Therefore, the process of reducing these environmental impacts in relation to production contributes to competitive advantage and increased market share. The Medium Density Fibreboard industry consumes high volumes of materials and energy; this study formulates a strategic model for enhancing efficiency and minimising pollution and energy consumption of Medium Density Fibreboard and can be applied to most wood industry production. The Analytical Hierarchy Process was used to analyse the Kimia Choob Golestan medium density fibreboard factory. Reduction of energy consumption (0.228) was identified as the highest priority among the seven cleaner production alternatives. Process change (0.345), planning to prevent unnecessary stoppage in machinery, and equipment use change (0.072) are sub-criteria with highest priority. The results of sensitivity analysis indicate that human resources and process change were the most sensitive factors affecting the rankings.

Syllepsis and the determination of its types have not been a subject in some of the earlier rhetorical books. Mirza Abootalib Fendereski, the author of the treatise Bayanolbadi’, is the first person who defined and explained it in Persian rhetoric, following the Arabic rhetoric. After him, other people have discussed how and why those arts have been used and determined the boundaries of this art. The results of the comparison between these definitions and opinions are as follows: A. Syllepsis has three sub-categories: metaphorical syllepsis (verbal and nominal), non-metaphorical syllepsis, and pronoun syllepsis; B. The use of pronouns is most usual in Arabic language and literature not in Persian; C. There may be several A and B’s (two sides of a simile) in syllepsis; D. In metaphorical syllepsis, the form has a concrete and real meaning in one of the parts of the syllepsis and is conceptually rational, abstractive compared with the other. To clarify the issue, we provided examples for each of these types of syllepsis. Metaphorical and non-metaphorical syllepsis 1- Metaphorical syllepsis A. Verb Metaphorical syllepsis کاین سگ و باز چـــــون شکارگــر است (خاقانی، 1388: 63) * عقـــل سگ‌جان هوا گرفت چـو بــاز The dog-spirit ration peaked up in the air like an eagle, because the dog and the eagle are like a hunter (Khaghani, 1388: 63) "To peak up in the air" (هوا گرفتن) has two meanings: "to go up in the air, to fly, as well as the illusion of becoming excitable and going crazy." (Barzgar Khaleghi, 1387, 1/329). Thus, the combination of "peaking up in the air" syllepsis in connection with "eagle" means to reach the peak, while in connection with "ration", it means to become mercurial and whimsical. B. Noun metaphorical syllepsis: راستی را چه بلایی است که بالاست تو را (خواجو، 1391: 155) * همچو بالات بگویم سخنی راست تو را Let me tell you the right speech that is like your straight height/ what a disaster that your height is straight. (Khajoo, 1391: 155) The word "right" (راست) is syllepsis: a. Regarding "speech", it means "true', and "factual". B. Regarding "height" (بالا، قد), it means a straight and tall height without any distortion. 2- Non-metaphorical syllepsis: نیک نامفهوم و بیش از حدّ پریشان گفته‌اند (خجندی، 1372: 120) * وصف آن زلف و دهان سوداییان تنگدل The description of that mouth and hair by the limit-hearted melancholy has been overly incomprehensible and distracted (Khojandi, 1372: 120). The word "distracted" (پریشان) in connection with "hair" means apparent and visual turmoil while in connection with "description" in the spiritual sense means anxious and distressed. The adjective "incomprehensible" can also be syllepsis in the same way and used in connection with "mouth" in the sense of the invisible and exaggerated description of the smallness of the beloved's mouth. With this introduction and searching for several Divans of the poets of equivoque, a new kind of syllepsis has been found. That new syllepsis could be considered as a subset of metaphorical and non-metaphorical ones. The specificity of such syllepsis in some examples is due to an equivoque word beside the syllepsis that increases its semantic complexity. There is another ambiguous word that increases the artistic complexity of the meaning. In other instances, different interpretations of a compound and sometimes a combination and association of its components with another equivocal word create syllepsis. Example: 3- Syllepsis of another type به که نفـــــروشند مستوری به مستان شما (حافظ، 1387: 102) * کس به دور نرگست طرفی نبست از عافیت No one in the age of Narcissus of your eyes benefited from the comfort It is better not to sell mysteriousness (being undercover) to your drunks (who are in an unconscious state of loving) (Hafiz, 1387: 102 The word "طرف" has two meanings: 1. Eyes 2. "In Persian usage [...] waistband, silver or gold strap on the waist." (Dehkhoda, 1377) Now it could be seen how the verb "to close (بستن)" changes its meaning concerning the dual meanings of the word "Tarf (طرف)". Meanings of the bit: a. No one benefited from the comfort (in the sense of wearing waistband flower) (which is an equivoque). B. No one benefited from the comfort (in the sense of as long as closing one's eyes). It could be seen that the verb "to close" has different meanings in connection with the "eye" and " Narcissus flower". The syllepsis in this verse is a kind of non-metaphorical syllepsis that seems to have been created with the combination of the syllepsis verb "to close" and the literal equivoque of the word "Tarf". The use of this type of syllepsis has increased the formalistic and rhetorical value of the verses in question.

Objective: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant brain tumor and has a poor prognosis. This study was aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. (D. kotschyi) extracts in GBM U87 cell line. Materials and Methods: The extracts of D. kotschyi obtained by two different ways of Soxhlet and soaked. The cytotoxic effects of D. kotschyi extracts were measured using MTT assay following treatment for different times of exposure (24, 48, and 72 hr) and at different concentrations of D. kotschyi extracts. The effects of D. kotschyi extracts on cellular oxidative stress were also evaluated by measuring cellular ROS levels. Furthermore, cellular death and apoptosis were studied by sub G1 analysis and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining using flow cytometry method, respectively. Characterization of the extracts was carried out using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis by Agilent GC-MSD system. Results: Our results indicated thatD. kotschyi extracts decreased U87 cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, treatment with D. kotschyi extracted by Soxhlet for 24 and 48 hr significantly increased the levels of cellular ROS and Sub G1 population (p D. kotschyi mainly consisted of β-caryophellene, α-pinene and limonene. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that D. kotschyi extracts can exert cytotoxic effects against GBM U87 cell line in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and these effects may be mediated through intracellular ROS accumulating. However, further studies should be performed to confirm the efficacy and exact mechanism of action of the extracts.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of different genotypes of this valuable medicinal plant under the same culture condition which can be used as an introduction to domestication, germplasm conservation, and possible cross in the future. Materials and Methods In this study, after preparing 20 different genotypes from all over Iran, they were cultivated in complete randomized blocks design with three replications under the same condition. After extraction of DNA, the survey of genetic diversity using 12 ISSR markers from 15 markers was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The essential oil for each genotype was extracted by water distillation. The dry yield based on gr/m2 and essential oil content (w/w, based on dry weight) were measured. Furthermore, the correlation of molecular markers with dry yield and essential oil content from each genotype was determined using stepwise regression. Results The mean percentage of polymorphism determined in all the genotypes was 91.97. The number of polymorphic bands for each primer varied from 5 to 9 and a total of 89 replicate bands were scored, of which 82 bands showed polymorphism. The average content of primer information polymorphism (PIC) was estimated to be 0.31 and the IS1 primer showed the highest PIC (0.46). The Ni and Shannon indices for IS1 primers were 0.43 and 0.61, respectively. Cluster analysis using the Jaccard similarity coefficient and UPGMA algorithm divided the studied genotypes into four groups. The highest genetic distance was observed between Khuzestan and Qazvin genotypes with a coefficient of 0.39 and the lowest between Kerman-2 and Kerman-4 genotypes with a similarity coefficient of 0.77. Stepwise regression showed that the IS10 primer has a coefficient of 0.70 with the essential oil percentage and dry matter yield. Conclusion The results of this study showed that ISSR markers can be effectively used to study the genetic diversity of wild mint genotypes and will provide the possibility of breeding. So that, IS1 and IS10 primers were introduced as the best markers. Also, Khuzestan and Qazvin genotypes had the highest genetic distance.

Objective:Owing to the increasing demand from orthodontic patients for a more rapid treatment, many studies have focused on accelerated tooth movement. Currently, one of the prevalent methods to achieve accelerated tooth movement is piezo-puncture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a modified piezo-puncture method on tooth movement rate and type during canine retraction.Methods:A total of 17 patients who required fixed orthodontic treatment with extraction of the maxillary first premolars were included in the study. Following a split-mouth design, upper canines were retracted with Ni–Ti coil spring that applied 150 g of force on each side (piezo-puncture on one side and contralateral side served as the control). Then, the rates of tooth movement, canine angulation and rotation, and anchorage loss were evaluated at T0 (before the intervention), T1 (1 month after the intervention), and T2 (2 months after the intervention). For calculating the canine movement rate, either the distance between the canine and the lateral incisor or the space between the second premolar and the canine was measured. In addition, pain perception was documented by Visual Analog Scale. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test, Spearman correlation test, paired sample t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results:No significant acceleration was observed in canine movement, canine tipping, rotation, or anchorage loss of molar in different times.Conclusion:Considering the limitations of the study, the application of piezo-puncture employing the protocol used in the present study failed to accelerate tooth movement and to decrease the unfavorable tipping, rotation, and molar anchorage loss.

Allelopathy is a physiological process with an ecological concept and application. Allelopathy is the result of the production of biologically active molecules by growing plants or their remains, which may have a direct effect on the growth and development of individuals of the same species or other species after changing their shape and entering the environment. As regards, the use of natural compounds in the control of weeds and pests is a priority. In this research, the allelopathic activity of 123 specimens of medicinal and aromatic plants were investigated individually by the dish-pack method using lettuce seeds as a model. Then, the strongest inhibitory ones were selected and their allelopathic interaction effects were investigated for the first time by interacting them together. Two methods were used to evaluate allelopathic interaction effects: calculating Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) and drawing Isobologram diagrams. Lettuce hypocotyl length, root length, germination percentage, and germination rate were investigated. Pelargonium graveolens (leaf) had the greatest inhibitory effect on lettuce radicle growth (EC50 = 5.31 mg/well) and Echinophora platyloba (stem) had the greatest effect on hypocotyl growth inhibition (EC50 = 7.91 mg/well). Also, the lowest lettuce germination percentages were observed in the treatments Lavandula officinalis (flower) and Nepeta binaloudensis (leaf), respectively (23.61, 22.85%). The highest inhibitory effect by considering lettuce germination rate was detected in Salvia ceratophylla (leaf), (12.86 seed/day) and the lowest belonged to Nepeta binaloudensis (leaf) and Lavandula officinalis (flower), respectively (3.60, 3.32 seed/day). According to FIC calculations and isobolograms, two types of interaction, including synergist (Nepeta binaloudensis (leaf) with Trachyspermum ammi (fruit) and Nepeta binaloudensis (leaf) with Lavandula officinalis (flower) and antagonist (Pelargonium graveolens (leaf) with Lavandula officinalis (flower)), were observed significantly among the plants tested in this research. These interactions can be used to prepare more effective natural herbicides and decrease the use of herbicides.

Often, literary texts are influential, in addition of aesthetic and imaginations. One of the factors in the influence and rhetoric of the word in these texts is the multidimensional meaning of the text and its interpreting capability. In Hafez's poems, there are many couplets that are multi-dimensional and they have the capacity to interpret two or more distinct meanings. In this paper, by analyzing descriptive method, we will examine how Hafez has made his words polysemic and multi-dimensional and, finally, he made effective his speech with what tools, techniques and arrangements, and does Hafez use these measures deliberately and consciously? The results of the studies showed that some of Hafez's skills in creating the semantic capacities and fertility of text are: using of polysemic words, using of metonymy in new semantic contexts, the floating of different meanings in the general context of the word due to specific syntactic structures, suspension of meaning due to two-sided or multidimensionality of reference of the pronouns, the possibility of conversion of additional compositions, and simultaneous using of different capacities of the kind of “ya” in Persian Language (Unity, indefinite, Infinitive). Moreover, Hafiz's frequent use of these techniques in many couplets Indicate his intention in this work and Conscious and purposeful presence of these devices in his poem.

In a natural ecosystem, endophytic fungi in the internal tissues of plants help to improve the growth of the host plants and to decrease the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stresses without having adverse effects. In Japan, Vicia villosa (hairy vetch), a legume plant with a high capacity to fix nitrogen, is usually used as a cover crop before soybeans to enhance the fertility and structure of the soil. This study aimed to isolate endophytic fungi associated with different tissues of hairy vetch and to evaluate their potential for growth-promoting and biocontrol effects in plants. Thirty-three fungal endophytes belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were isolated from the leaf, stem, and root tissues of hairy vetch grown under both greenhouse and field conditions. The highest colonization frequency in both the greenhouse and field-grown hairy vetch plants was obtained from the root tissues. All isolates were checked for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production. The maximum IAA content in the culture filtrate (4.21 μg mL−1) was produced by the isolate hvef7 (Cladosporium cladosporioides), followed by hvef18 (Penicillium simplicissimum) (3.02 μg mL−1) and hvef1 (Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides) (2.32 μg mL−1). Nineteen isolates among a total of thirty-three isolates produced siderophores. Moreover, some of the isolated strains could solubilize phosphate and potassium. Most of the isolates showed antagonistic potential against Calonectria ilicicola. The results of this study show that endophytic fungi isolated from hairy vetch have the potential for application as plant growth promotion fungi (PGPF) to promote plant growth and control disease in sustainable agriculture.

As one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae family, Salvia has a wide distribution worldwide. Despite their great importance and medicinal use, most Salvia species are collected from their natural habitats, and some of them are endangered and vulnerable. This study aimed to evaluate the domestication process of eight Iranian native Salvia species. The studied species were cultivated and adapted to the cultivation area after two years, and then some of their important biochemical properties were investigated. According to some significant results, the root architecture was closely correlated with the climatic conditions of the species origins. The distribution of total dry matter varied widely among species; accordingly, S. sclarea and S. officinalis had 65.6% and 55.9% dry weights in their leaves, respectively. Moreover, S. nemorosa had a 24.3% dry weight in its flowers, while S. frigida (Jahrom), S. frigida (Targavar), S. virgata (Eghled), and S. macrosiphon had 44.6%, 43.3%, 46.0%, and 44.3% dry weights in their roots. The most potent antioxidant activity (IC50) was observed in the roots of S. macrosiphon (10.9 μg/mL) and S. sclarea (14.9 μg/mL), the stem of S. nemorosa (14.3 μg/mL), and the leaves of S. atropatana (14.0 μg/mL). Rosmarinic acid, a key phenolic substance in Salvia species, was present in the range of 0.24–0.47 mg/g dry weight. The essential oil content ranged from 0.35% in S. atropatana to 1.45% (w/w) in S. officinalis. β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and germacrene D were the major ingredients of the essential oils. The cluster analysis based on the essential oil data revealed the most similarities between S. sclarea and S. macrosiphon, and a clear separation of S. virgate, S. syriaca, and S. officinalis from other species. Salvia spp. contain a wide variety of compounds of interest under cultivation, with S. sclarea having the greatest potential to profit from the production of medicinal compounds, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and essential oils. Furthermore, S. officinalis, S. nemorosa, and S. sclarea are the best species for producing raw medicinal materials.

Seedless barberry fruit is native small fruit in Iran. To examine the impact of various drying methods and storage on the biochemical attributes (Vitamin C, Anthocyanin, Phenol, pH, TA), color index (a*, b*, L*, ab, and Chroma), drying time, and fruit microstructure (by SEM) of seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris var. asperma), and effective moisture diffusivity coefficient (Deff), specific energy consumption (SEC), energy efficiency (EE) of the dryers, this experiment was performed. Drying treatments include microwave (100, 170, and 270 W), oven (60 and 70 °C), cabinet (50 and 70 °C), shade, sun, and fresh samples (control) and storage 6 months after drying (in polyethylene packaging and at a temperature of 5–10 °C). Results showed minimum and maximum drying times (50 min and 696 h), were related to microwave (270 W) and shade methods, respectively. The highest color values were observed in fruits treated with control, shade and sun treatments and the lowest values were observed in cabinet (70 °C) methods. According to the SEM results, microwave significantly affected surface structure of the dried sample compared to others. The findings indicated that the use of artificial drying methods than natural methods (sun and shade) cause a more significant reduction in color indexes, while vitamin C, soluble solids, and anthocyanin were significantly maintained at a high level. Storage reduced anthocyanin content of fruits almost 12%. Moreover, it was discovered EE and SEC values varied in the range of 1.16–25.26% and 12.20–1182 MJ/kg, respectively. Deff values were higher in microwave 270 W.

Background: Mosquito species are highly considering as disease transmission as well as nuisance insects. One of the principal strategy to protect human from the mosquito bites is repellent agents. This study aimed to assess repellency of two organic essential oils, Eucalyptus globulus and Syzygium aromaticum from bites of malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi. Methods: The study was conducted in 2019-2020. The components of essential oils of E. globulus and S. aromaticum was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The unfed female mosquitoes aged 2-5 d old were used in all experiments. In vivo Klun and Debboun module bioassays were utilized on human-volunteer skin. The essential oils at serial concentrations were used to find repellent efficacy against Anopheles landings and bites. To find the synergistic effect, four combinations of the essential oils were tested. Results: The main composition of E. globulus essential oil was 1,8-Cineol (78.20%), whereas that of S. aromaticum essential oil was 2-methoxy-3-(2-propenyl) (77.04%). Based on minimum effective dose (≤1% biting), 10% (v/v) of E. globulus showed high landing repellency (77.78%), whereas minimum effective dose of S. aromaticum at concentration of 1% had high landing repellency (88.89%). Among four combinations, the ratio of 1:1 of E. globulus (10%):S. aromaticum (1%) showed the most landing repellency (94.44%). Conclusion: The combinations of two essential oils had the most potential repellency effect against landing of mosquitoes. As essential oils are eco-friendly with less irritation for human skin, E. globulus and S. aromaticum essential oils are recommended as effective and safe mosquito repellents.

Karyotypes of nine populations belonging to six endemic species of the genus Trigonella (Trifolieae/Fabaceae) studied in this survey. All studied species are perennial and recorded only from Northeast of Iran. Excluding the karyotype of Trigonella subenervis, which was previously reported, all of the other species studied here (six species) for the first time. Our results present that all assessed genotypes are diploid with 2n=2x=16 and the chromosomal basis of x=8. In addition to the chromosome counts, length of long and short arms of the chromosome and their ratios analyzed and presented in this study.

The objective of this research is to design an approach for selecting appropriate solutions to efficiently and productively reduce environmental pollution and water, energy and raw material consumption in a recycled paper manufacturing facility, the paper mill in Latif, Iran. To reach this goal, we develop a decision-making model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The proposed model provides a framework for cleaner production implementation specific to the paper industry. Pairwise comparisons of the results of designed questionnaires resulted in the hierarchy model being divided into five major groups: production modification; process change; preventive maintenance; renewal; and manpower resources.These five groups include 31 sub-criteria and seven alternatives. The results showed that process change yields the highest priority among the main criteria and that industrial automation and its technology level gives the highest priority among sub-criteria. Regarding the alternatives, reduction of environmental pollution is the most important solution for cleaner production in the industry. Also, product modification is the most sensitive criterion affecting the alternatives priority.

With the increasing number of young adults seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile esthetics or oral function, the time spent wearing brackets is one of the biggest challenges for these patients. Various surgical techniques have been developed over the years to accelerate tooth movement and reduce the total treatment time. A newly introduced, minimally invasive procedure namely piezopuncture, which uses a piezosurgical tool to create multiple cortical punctures through the gingiva, is presented in this report of two extraction cases.

Introduction: Among the heavy metals, cadmium, because of high mobility and bioavailability in soil and also toxicity at low concentrations is very important. Cadmium (Cd) is known as carcinogen and can induce many types of cancers. Human activities (metallic industries, contaminated fertilizer, herbicides or insecticides, irrigation with contaminated groundwater, and use of contaminated sewage sludge) are largely responsible for accumulation of different levels of Cd in soil. Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a medicinal plant and belongs to the family Hypericaceae which its extract, one of the best-characterized herbal medicines, known as the Cd-hyperaccumulator, is widely sold for the treatment of depression. Hyperaccumulator plants are species able to accumulate high amounts of heavy metals in their tissue at concentrations of 10 to 100 times higher than tolerated by crop plants. Zinc (Zn) is an essential element occurring in several enzymes, where it plays a catalytic or structural role. Cadmium and zinc have similar electron configuration, valence state as well as affinity to S, N and O donor ligands and thus their geochemical and environmental properties are comparable. The antagonism activity between Cd and Zn in the environment and their chemical similarity can lead to interactions between Cd and Zn during plant uptake, transport from roots to shoots, or accumulation in edible tissues. Ion exchange is one of the methods used for the removal of several toxic substances. In recent years, natural amendments, such as zeolite have been widely used to address trace metals contamination. Therefore, adding zinc and zeolite to the growth medium of plant can be moderating the toxic effects of cadmium. Materials and Methods: This pot experiment was conducted at the Experimental Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM) from September 2013 to June 2014. Treatments consisted of three levels of cadmium (0, 10 and 20 mg Cd kg-1 soil), three levels of zinc (0, 25 and 50 mg Zn kg-1 soil) and three levels of Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) (0, 5 and 10g zeolite kg-1 soil) arranged in a factorial based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Cadmium sulfate (CdSO4·4H2O) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O) were purchased from MERCK company. The zeolite used in this research was collected from the Semnan mine, located in South of Semnan Province. After preparing the soil, the pots (30 cm in diameter with 18 kg capacity) were filled with 18 kg soil and thoroughly mixed with appropriate amounts of cadmium, zinc and zeolite diluted in distilled water. Seeds of H. perforatum L. cv. “Topaz” were obtained from the FUM Research Field. After 24 hours of soaking in tap water, the seeds were sown on the surface of moistened soil in each pot and germinated after 10 days. Following germination, the seedlings (about 1.0 cm high) were thinned and only 10 seedlings in each pot were kept. At the full flowering stage, these plants were harvested after 9 months. Plant height, root length, flowering stem and flower number, leaf area, relative chlorophyll and number of black nodules was measured. Chlorophyll (Chl) content were determined by leaf area meter (Li-Cor-1300,USA) and SPAD chlorophyll meter. Data were analyzed statistically by using JMP 8 and Excel software. The differences between averages were tested by Tukeyʼs test at P < 0.05. Results and Discussion: The results showed that increasing cadmium levels lead to significant decrease of 6.28, 3.45, 2.04, 5.49, 0.82, 15.71 percents in plant height, root length, flowering stem, flower number, leaf area and relative chlorophyll, respectively compared with control. In comparison to control, the number of black nodules in leaf significantly increased by 4.23 percent. Combined application of cadmium and zinc could significantly decline the effects of cadmium on plant height and root length. Meanwhile, interaction effect of cadmium and zeolite was detected significantly on root length and number of flowers. The results of three-way interactions for root length were superior in Zn0Cd0Z10 treatment. Cadmium is an inhibitor of uptake and accumulation of essential mineral nutrients, reduces conductivity of stomata andwater potential of cells and damaged photosystems; therefore, can decrease biomass production in stem, flower and root. The reduction of Chl content could lead to enzymatic degradation of these pigments or inhibition of their biosynthesis, which could be connected with Cd-induced deficiency of iron and zinc, decrease of magnesium content or cadmium bond to essential thiol groups in both the protochlorophyllide reductase protein and other enzymes involved in the light dependent synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid. Heavy metal stress with impact on biosynthetic pathways of pharmacologically active molecules can either increase or decrease them. Changes in black nodules number, containing hypericin and other secondary metabolites in H. perforatum in response to heavy metals can help us understand the role of this material in stress conditions. It could be assumed that high metal accumulating ability of plants producing specific secondary metabolites in H. perforatum could be also connected with chelation of toxic metals with mentioned substances. Conclusions: Our results confirmed that the addition of zeolite and zinc presumably improved plant growth, because of increased availability of essential nutrient elements such as K, Mg, Ca, NH4, and micronutrients in presence of zeolite or decreased Cd sorption and transmission in presence of zinc.

Cleaner production process is an environmentally friendly approach that attempts to reduce waste and energy consumption then reduce environmental pollutions of industrial processes to provide the possibility of sustainable production in industrial units. To achieve this goal and alignment with cleaner production strategies, paper industries should consider reducing wastes of production processes and irregular consumption of energy as a priority in their programs. In this research Analytic Hierarchy Process has been applied and a three level hierarchy model was structured to facilitate the cleaner production process in Latif paper products firm. Using a literature review and field study, the proposed model provided a framework for cleaner production implementation in the firm. Results showed priorities of the main criteria of cleaner production are process change, product modification, implementation of preventive maintenance system, resititution and man force capitals respectively. Process change criterion allocated 40 percent of the total weighing value and has the highest priority in implementation of cleaner production strategy. Existence of industrial automation and its technology level which is a sub criterion of process change has the highest priority among 31 sub criteria. Also some of higher priority sub criteria such as use of higher quality inclusion and implementation of calibration system are related to process change. Therefore, to achieve cleaner production goals and implementation of its strategic objectives it is necessary to pay more attention to this criterion. Inconsistency ratio of the research is 0.06 which indicates the results are compatible. The results of this research can be used to accelerate the implementation of cleaner production process in Iran’s pulp and paper industry.

Introduction: Evening primrose (OenotherabiennisL.) is a relatively new and valuable oilseed crop for temperate region. Its oilseed is important because of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid. Seeds contain 20-30% oil which includes 70% linoleic acid (LA) and 10% gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Oil content in O. biennis is a quantitative trait which controlled by many genes and similar to any other quantitative traits varies with environmental conditionssuch factors as age of seed and growth conditions. Evening primrose oil, especially gamma-linolenic acid, has many therapeutic properties, and it uses as cure for many diseases such as Diabetes, Eczema, inflammation, Cardiovascular, Cancer, Autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression. Studies on Medicinal Plants in nature and farmlands show that the use of sustainable agriculturae andnatural sources are two suitable methods for producing healthy plants.Additionally, the use of bio-fertilizers lead to maximum yield and quality in these plants. Azizi et al.(6) showed that interactions of vermicompost and plant density had significant effect on oil content, oil density and refractive index of evening primrose oil. The best treatments were also including 2 Kg/m2 of vermicompost,20 plants/ m2in terms of oil production,9 plants/ m2in terms of oil quality and ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated, respectively. Material and Method: The aim of this research was to determine the effect of humic acid and bio-phosphor application on growth parameters in O. biennis. The experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with 8 treatments and three replicates during 2013-2014 growing season, at the experimental farm of the faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.. Treatments consisted of 4 levels of humic acid (0, 1, 3, 5 ml/L) and 2 levels of bio-phosphor (without bio-phosphor or with bio-phosphor). Liquid form of humic acid was used, which has low percentage of organic matters (16.5%) and applied as foliar spray after stem elongation in three stages with 10 days intervals until flowers stage. The use of bio-phosphor contain three strains of phosphate solubilizing bacteria(Pseudomonas pautida, Bacillus circulans and Bacillus subtilus) withCFU 108 numbers of spores (the number of living cells of each bacteria per milliliter). Analysis of variance was calculated using MSTATC andDuncan's multiple range tests was employed at probability level of 5%. Results and Discussion: The results showed thatmaximum plant height (85.59 cm),number of seed per capsules on main shoot (251.17), oil percent (21.75 %) was obtainedby interaction effect between 5 ml/Lhumic acid and without bio-phosphor. Also, seed yield (1080 kg/ha) and oil yield (227 kg/ha) increased byinteraction effect between 3 ml/Lhumic acid and without bio-phosphor. Humic acid had a significant effect on increasing number of lateral branches (26/8), number of capsules on main shoot (117/35), as the highest value of all traits were obtained in 5 ml/L humic acid treatment. The highest number of capsules in lateral branches was observed in bio-phosphor treatment without humic acid. Bio-phosphor application had no significant effect on increasing oil percent. Oil yield was reduced by using of this fertilizer with 1ml/L humic acid treatment but application of 3 and 5 ml/L of humic acid showed no significant difference in comparison to control. Ahmed et al.reported that humic acid is a suspension based on potassium humate, which can be used as a plant growth stimulant in order to increase plant natural resistance against diseases and pests and subsequently increase plant yields. Phosphorus is an important element for cell division, root development and seed formation. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria produce organic acids which increase solubility of phosphorus and make it available for plants. Use of bio-fertilizers not only improves plant structure and activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, also it provides good availability of water and nutrients which finally improve plant yield. It can be said that foliar spray by humic acid stimulates plant growth and increaseevening primrose oil content. Conclusions: Application of 3 and 5 ml/L of humic acid had the best results on traits andinteraction effect between humic acid and bio-phosphor showed positive effects on all traits except oil percent and oil yield. Generally, humic acid had positive effect on plant growth, oil yield, content and composition. Although, bio-phosphor had good effect on seed yield as a growth trait,its application with humic acid improved this trait.While bio-phosphor had no significant effect on oil content, it can be relative impact on oil composition.

Objective(s): Development of a nanobiosystem by using plant essential oils with green synthesized silver nanoparticles that present synergistic antibacterial activity for overcoming antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. Material and Methods: Essential oils (EOs) of Kelussia odoratissima and Teucrium polium extracted by hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Then leaf aqueous extract of K. odoratissima prepared and used for green synthesise of silver nanoparticles (SNPs). The oils, and the colloidal preparations of silver nanoparticles, were then subjected to microdilution technique using ELISA reader to determine their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The type of interaction between EO and SNPs was also determined by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration index and isibologram type. Results: GC-MS analysis of K. odoratissima EO showed (Z)-ligustilide, (Z)-3-butylidene-phthalide, limonene and β-phellandren as main constiuents, while T. polium EO has β-caryophylene, germacrene D, γ-cadinene, (Z)-nerolidol, camphor, β-pinene, α- camphene, linalool and α-humulene. T. polium EO has more potent antibacterial property at MIC of 0.16-1.25 mg/ml compared to K. odoratissima (MIC of 0.3-2.5 mg/ml). Silver nanoparticles showed a potent antibacterial property (MIC of 0.006-0.025 mg/ml), and its colloidal suspension with plant EOs revealed a pathogen-dependent synergistic and additive effect based on calculated fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICi).

Introduction: Fenugreek (Trigonalla foenum-graecum L.), an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Coleoidea (Fabaceae) family, has numerous medicinal properties such as decreasing blood glucose, laxative, appetizer, mucus, antipyretic and increasing the amount of milk during lactation . Among the most important problems in arid and semi-arid regions, drought stress or water shortage will have negative effects on plant growth. Drought stress occurs mostly because of reducing water availability in the soil. This may be due to excessive water loss or absorption problems, or both of them. One of the major factors limiting germination, which occurs in more arid and semi-arid regions, is salt stress. The study was done to evaluate germination of four Iranian population of fenugreek (Amol, Tabriz, Sari and Mashhad) under drought and salinity stresses. Materials and methods: To investigate the effect of salinity and drought stresses on germination and seedling growth characteristics of native landrace fenugreek, two separate experiments were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications in Seed Laboratory of University of Mashhad in 2014. The experiment treatments consisted of four levels of salinity (0, 60, 120, 180 mM) that was induced by different concentrations of sodium chloride and drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) at four levels (0, -3, -6 and -9 Bar) with three replications. The drought stress levels were simulation by polyethylene glycol 6000 and using the Michel and Kaufmann formula. Distilled water was applied as control. Iranian seed population of fenugreek were purchased from the city of Amol, Tabriz, Sari and Mashhad then the seeds were washed with sodium hypochlorite (3 % v/v) for two minutes for disinfestation and washed three times with distilled water. On the twelfth day of experiment, seedling traits such as plumule and root length and weight in Petri dishes were measured. Results and Discussion: The results of ANOVA showed that salinity and drought stress significantly (p≤0.01) affect germination process. The results of the means comparison confirmed that fenugreek germination in all seed population was reduced by increasing salinity levels. The lowest germination was detected under 180 mM salt stress in “Tabriz” population (12.04%), while the highest germination (95/26%) was calculated in “Mashhad” population at control. Seeds of “Mashhad” population in comparison to other population showed higher germination at other salinity levels. Germination rate also was significantly affected by salinity (p≤0.01). Decreasing of germination rate in fenugreek population of Amol, Tabriz, Sari and Mashhad under 180 mM salinity stress in comparison to control (0 mM) were 84/62, 87/80, 85/93, 82/59, respectively. Mashhad and Amol (second order) populations showed more germination rate stability after changes in salinity levels. The results of analysis of variance from this study showed that interaction effect of salinity and population significantly (p≤0.05) affect root length of the fenugreek. The root length of Mashhad and Amol populations were more stable at high level of salinity. Other researcher also reported that the root length decreased after salinity treatments (10, 13). Salinity stress affect water absorption by seed and decreasing Amylase and lipase activity caused degradation of stored material in seeds and then decreasing root length (23). Salinity, population and interaction between these factors significantly (p≤0.01) affected length of plumule. The results showed that Mashhad population had the highest and Tabriz revealed the lowest length of plumule. Interaction effects of treatments on seedling dry weight showed significant (p≤0.01) differences. Mashhad in comparison to the other populations had the highest seedling dry weight as 9.26, 8.10, 7.22 and 3.6 mg/seedling at different salinity treatments (0, 60, 120, 180 mM), respectively. Interaction effects of drought stress and population on germination percentage was significant (p≤0.01). Mashhad and Amol (second order) populations were the best populations. At the highest level of drought stress (-9 Bar), these two populations had the lowest decrease in germination percentage. The mechanism of the results was the same as salinity which explained in above. According to the results of analysis of variance (ANOVA), all treatments and all interaction had significant effect (p≤0.01) on germination rate. The Mashhad and Sari populations were more tolerant than other populations against drought stress examined as germination rate as concerned. Analysis of variance showed that the simple effects of drought stress and population on root length were significant at one percent but interaction effect of drought stress and population was not significant statistically. The root length was in the range of 26.78 to 50.29 mm in the tested population. Mashhad population was more tolerant against drought stress in comparison to the other tested populations. Analysis of variance showed that simple effect of drought and population were significant (p≤0.01) on this trait but their interaction was not significant. Length of plumule mean comparison showed that the traite was in the range of 21.74 to 43.31 mm in Tabriz and Mashhad populations, respectively.Acoording to the length of plumule,Mashhad population in comparison to other tested populations under drought stress was tolerant . The water potential (drought stress), population and interaction between them showed significant effect (p≤0.01) on seedling dry weight. Among the evaluated population the Mashhad population was tolerant to drought stress when seedling dry weight was concerned. The highest correlation coefficient (r=0.96) was detected between germination percentage and root length and in second order the correlation coefficient between germination percentage and seedling dry weight was 0.93. The lowest correlation coefficient (0.61) was observed between germination rates and seedling dry weight. Conclusions: The decline in germination percentage, germination rate, root length, shoot length and dry weight of seedlings with increased water osmotic potential in Mashhad population was less than other evaluated populations. Seed germination rate was more sensitive than seed germination percentage in both salt and drought stress therefore this trait is a suitable criterion for screening of tolerant population for future breeding purpose. The order for tolerance to salinity and drought stress in evaluated population was Mashhad, Tabriz, Sari and Amol.

Concerns related to the rise of disposition to the application of the medicinal plants throughout the world have gone up on their cultivation and production processes. In order to study the effect of planting seasons on morphological traits, yield, oil content and oil composition of black cumin, an experiment was conducted under field condition in Mashhad, Iran in 2012-2013 as a randomized complete block design with two treatments and three replications. The treatments were included spring (April 2013) and autumn November 2012) planting dates. During growth seasons, the phonological stages in both autumn and spring were recorded. The results showed that the species could be planted well in spring and autumn. Also, results showed that with the delay in sowing from spring to autumn, plant height, branch number per plant, plant dry weight, LAI, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, seed number per plant, seed weight, and seed yield and oil content significantly decreased. Major constituents of fatty oil were determined as linoleic, palmitic and oleic acid. Spring sowing dates and maximum change was seen in linoleic acid from 55.71% in autumn to 55.5% in spring. Growth periods from sowing to fruiting stage were 187 and 103 days in autumn and spring sowing date, respectively.

Hypericum perforatum L. (St. Johns’ wort) is the most commercially important species of the genus Hypericum and contains a wide range of components including naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, tannins, xanthones, phenolic acids and essential oil. In order to establish an efficient protocol for regeneration, the effects of explant type and plant growth regulators on direct and indirect shoot regeneration in H. perforatum were evaluated. According to obtained results the media supplemented with 0.1 mg l-1 Benzyl Adenine (BA) was effective for shoot proliferation from shoot tip explants of H. perforatum that showed the highest shoots number (15.5 shoots per explant) and shoot height (2.07 cm). In second experiment a method for rapid micro propagation of H. perforatum through indirect plant regeneration from calli has been developed. The results demonstrated that a combination of auxin and cytokinin was needed for optimum callus induction and leaf segments were suitable explant for callus induction in H. perforatum. Callus induction was observed in most studied treatments but the highest callus volume (1.43 cm3) was obtained by leaf segments in media supplemented with 0.25 mg l-1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)+1 mg l-1 Kinetin. Successful shoot regeneration from callus was observed in MS medium containing 0.5 mg l-1 BA, which resulted the highest shoot proliferation rate (61.75%) and maximum number of induced shoots (9 shoots per explant). All of shoots formed root in media with 0.5 mg l-1 Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) on which 100% of the regenerated shoots developed roots with an average number of 5 roots per shoot. The plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse with 80% survival. This in vitro propagation protocol should be useful for conservation as well as mass propagation of H. perforatum plant.

Introduction: With regard to two adverse climatic phenomena of urban heat islands and global warming that has been leading to increase temperature in many cities in the world, providing human thermal comfort especially in large cities with hot and dry climates, during the hottest periods of the year is crucial. Mainly vegetation with three methods: shading, evapotranspiration and wind breaking can affect micro-climate. The aim of this study was to asses and simulate the impact of existing and proposed vegetation on the human thermal comfort and micro climate changes in some residential areas of Mashhad during the hottest periods of the year by using a modeling and computer simulation approach. Materials and Methods: This research was performed in the Ghasemabad residential area, Andisheh and Hesabi blocks, and in the hottest period of the year 2012 in Mashhad. Recorded data in the residential sites along with observed data from Mashhad weather station that included temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. Soil data (soil temperature and humidity, soil\ type), plant data (plant type, plant height, leaf area index) and building data (inner temperature in the building, height and area buildings) as input data were used in the ENVI-met model. Both two sites, Andishe and Hesabi residential blocks, with vegetation (different trees and bushes plants, for example Acacia, ash, sycamore, mulberry, chinaberry, barberry, boxwood and Cotoneaster that all of them are tolerant and semi-tolerant to drought) about 20% were simulated. Regarding the area of simulating, 3 receptors were considered in per sites. Simulation was commenced from 6 AM and continued until 18 pm, but just data of 11-15 hours were analysed (the hours of peak traffic). Results and Discussion: Analysis of outputs data revealed that the temperature of two residential sites in all three receptors during the study were almost the same. In general, the maximum temperature difference between receptors was obtained at 13 hour. The trend of relative humidity changes was very similar in both residential sites. In these two sites the most differences in the relative humidity was obtained at 12 oclock.. In addition, the trend of Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) in Andisheh residential block showed that these changes in central and south-west part of the site were similar. The simulation with vegetation in the sites, also, showed that the trend of temperature and relative humidity changes were similar. The trends of temperature changes in residential site, Hesabi, in the defined receptors were very similar. So that temperature increased from 12 oclock to 15. While the trend of relative humidity changes was quite the reverse. This study results showed that the difference in temperature, relative humidity and PMV between measured and simulated data were minimal in both residential sites. Moreover, the data comparison of PMV indicated that in both residential sites, despite of simulation with vegetation, the human thermal comfort did not improve, so that these sites were in the range of extreme heat stress. There are several reasons to justify this issue, such as the percentage and the type of vegetation, factors related to the topography and geography of area, building distribution and density, type and color of the building materials and surfaces, etc. However, in this part of the study, other factors were constant, except vegetation. It seems that with increase of percentage and the ratio of vegetation, changes in temperature, relative humidity and other micro-climate factors, are created, but sometimes for the reasons stated, the temperature during the hottest period of the year is too high so that increase in vegetation will have little impact on outdoor thermal comfort. It might be the simulated area on these sites as well as the type and the ratio of the selected species to reduce the temperature and increase the relative humidity have been not adequately represent all conditions which be able to improve thermal comfort. Conclusions: In this study eventually we can conclude that in the simulated sites with about 20 percent vegetation cover,, despite the slight decrease and increase in temperature and relative humidity, respectively compared with the real sites, the thermal comfort range was similar. It is advisable in the future studies to simulate the green area in shape of the vertical and horizontal, changes in species composition in green area like trees, shrubs, and cover plants and also the test of different combinations of type and percentage of vegetation.

Introduction: Plants native to tropical and subtropical climates which grown in the temperate climate zone, suffer chilling injury when exposed to non-freezing temperatures for a certain period of time. The optimum growth temperature for cucumber (a tropical plant) is 20 to 25°C. Cucumber is sensitive to temperatures lower than 10 °C. Cucumber area of production exposes to late spring and early autumn cold weather in Khorasan-e-Razavai, Iran. Studies showed that chilling leads to an alteration in fatty acid composition of membrane lipids and its permeability, changes in photosynthetic pigments content and decrease in photosynthesis. Many researchers pointed to a possible role of polyamine compounds in plant defense against environmental stresses. Exog enous application Spd could prevent the electrolyte and amino acid leakage or recovering the plasma membrane damage in rice and cucumber in response to salinity, chilling and water stressed conditions. Materials and methods: A factorial experiment, based on completely randomized design was conducted to investigate the effect of short-term chilling on cucumber plantlets which was earlier treated with spermidine. Factors were included two levels of temperature (6 and 12°C) and four levels of spermidine (0, 0.25, 0.5 and .0.75 mg/L). The studied cultivar was ‘Super-Dominus’. In order to determine the extent of chilling injury, plants of each treatment were rated based on visual symptoms. By assigning values of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 while 1: no visible symptoms 2:5% of leaf area necrotic, 3: 5-25% of leaf area necrotic, 4: 26-50% of leaf area necrotic but plant still alive, 5: lost, entire plant necrotic and collapsed. Measured traits were root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weight, root and leaf electrical leakage, and leaf chlorophyll content. Results and discussion: Plants which exposed to low temperature showed chilling injury symptoms (5-25% leaf area necrotic). The symptoms reduced (less than 5% leaf area necrotic) by using 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L spermidine. The symptoms enhanced by 50% by applying 0.75 mg/L spermidine at 6°C. Analysis of variance showed that there was significant difference between temperature levels, spermidine levels and interaction between them in respect to root length, shoot length, shoot dry weight and root and leaf electrical leakage. Root dry weight, root to shoot ratio and chlorophyll content just affected by temperature and spermidines levels but not by interaction between them. Root and shoot length and dry weight decreased by low temperature. At cold stress condition growth decreased due to a reduction in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism .Root and shoot length decreased more than 79% at 6°C compare with 12°. Root to shoot ratio increased at cold condition which was the result of lower root weight loss in response to cold temperature compared with shoot weight losses. Electrical leakage (EL) enhanced in leaf and root cells at chilling temperature, but the enhancement was significantly more at root cells. Electrical leakage enhanced more than 52% in root cells at 6°C compared with 35% in leaf cells. EL suppressed, using 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L spermidine while an increase observed in El at 0.75 mg/L spermidine. The lowest EL percentage observed for leaf samples treated with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L spermidine at 12°C. The highest EL percentage belonged to root samples treated with 0.75 mg/L Spd at 6°C .Chlorophyll content (ChlC) decreased at cold condition. ChlC was 52% at12°C compared with 37% at 6°C. High significant correlation observed between chlorophyll content and shoot dry matter (r2= 0.96**). Root and shoot length and dry weight and leaf chlorophyll content enhanced using 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L spermidine at both chilling and control temperatures. A decrease observed in measured traits applying 0.75mg/L spermidine. There was no significant difference between 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L spermidine levels in respect of measured traits expect for shoot dry weight. Spermidine enhances chilling tolerance in cucumber by prohibiting the activity of NADPH oxidase. The capacity of PAs to enhance the tolerance of cucumber to chilling injury is attributed to the scavenging of H2O2 production under chilling condition. Conclusion: Results showed that root and shoot length and weight, root and leaf electrical leakage and chlorophyll content of leaf adversely affected by chilling stress. Using 0.25 mg/L spermidine modulates plant responses to chilling stress. There was no significant difference between 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L spermidine in respect of measured traits. But all measured traits adversely affected using 0.75 mg/L spermidine at both 6 and 12°C.

Abstract:Considering the increasing consumption of wood and wood products in Iran and limited domestic sources of wood and shortage of wood raw material in Iran, wood raw material imports is a solution for Iranian developing wood industries' wood procurement.But, wood imports to Iran, always faced with a lot of challenges. The aim of this research is to determine and evaluate the challenges in the way of wood imports to Iran. The research method used in this study is a descriptive-analytic method. The analytic method used in the study to evaluate the challenges is the Fuzzy Delphi Analytical Hierarchy Process (FDAHP). First the findings of previous researches in the field and the literature were studied and doing interviews with industry experts, the challenges in the way of wood imports to Iran were extracted and classified in 5 groups and 35 factors and were evaluated.The results shows that in the first level (groups) the regulation, economic, politic, infrastructure and management groups have the most importance respectively. In second level (challenges), plant protection regulations have the most importance. After that, exchange rate tolerance, oil income, banking support and GDP have most importance respectively.

Introduction: The ever-increasing tendency to the use of medicinal plants in the world has grown concerns about their cultivation and production processes. As medicinal plants are more compatible with the nature, special interest and attention have recently been given to herb therapy, and use of medicinal plants, being limited by the rise of pharmaceutical drugs, has become again common and widespread due to a number of reasons. In a sustainable agriculture system, application of the fertilizers which are nature friendly and suitable for plants is essential. This becomes more important when dealing with medicinal plants. Doing studies over the effect of nano¬pharmax and humic acid fertilizer on the plant, no research findings were obtained. So, in order to use less chemical fertilizers to prevent environmental pollution and encourage farmers to use more organic fertilizer, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of foliar application of humic acid and nano-pharmax fertilizer on the growth index, yield, yield components, essential oil content of N. sativa. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted at Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2012-2013. Land preparation was done in October. The land area was 80 square meters in which three blocks were designed. Eight plots were prepared within each block and each plot was planted with 4 lines. Furrow sowing operations were carried out on October 29. The plants were thinned in 4-6 leaf stage. First irrigation after planting, and subsequent ones were done every 7 days until the end of the growing season. No herbicides were applied in this plan and weeding was done by hand. The test treatments included humic acid and nano¬pharmax fertilizer with the levels of 0, 1, 3 and 6 mg per liter and 0 and 1 ml per liter, respectively. Fertilizer treatments was applied at the 8-10 leaf stage and continued once every two weeks, three times until after flowering. Foliar application continued until the plants were well treated with the solution. Plant height, leaf area index, dry weight, the number of branches, and the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, essential oil content and yield were measured. The factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. For the variance analysis of test data and drawing graphs, Excel and Minitab-16 software was used. All the averages data were compared at the 5 and 1% level, according to LSD test. Results and Discussion: Different levels of humic acid imposed a significant effect on plant height, leaf area index, dry weight, the number of branches, and the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, essential oil content and yield. Nano fertilizer application significantly increased the yield and essential oil content of Nigella sativa. Combined treatment at various levels had significant effect on dry weight, seed weight, biological yield and essential oil content and yield. According to the results, it can be concluded that the levels of 6 mg.l-1 of humic acid and Nano fertilizer (Farmks®) application the treatments were more effective in the increase of growth index, yield, yield components, essential oil content on other traits. The increased seed yield affected by humic acid and nano¬ fertilizer can be attributed to the better vegetative growth, canopy development and consequently, more appropriate use of solar radiation and high photosynthesis. Using nano ¬fertilizer, the time and speed of nutrients dispersion is coordinated by food requirements of the plant and thus, the plant will be able to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients and therefore, while reducing the leaching of nutrients and the crop yield increases. Conclusion: The results showed that the use of nano fertilizer and humic acid can have positive effects on yield components and yield of N. sativa. Application of nano¬ fertilizer and humic acid concentrations of 6 mg/l showed higher yield than other treatments. Intensifying the vegetative growth, these treatments increased the yield in N. sativa species. The combined treatments significantly increased the seed weight, growth index, seed yield, biological yield essential oil content and yield. Therefore, on the basis of the results of current study, it sounds like that nano¬ fertilizer and humic acid can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and environmental pollution. They also play an important role in achieving the goals of sustainable agriculture.

Introduction: Nowadays, mushroom and fungi are one of the most promising organisms which are used in biotechnology research (industry, medicine and agriculture). In the meantime, medicinal mushroom (mostly consumed as edible and medicinal products) have become a valuable biological resourcesin the pharmaceutical industry. Ganoderma the most legendary species of fungi in China with a long history dating back more than two thousand years.Ganodermalucidum (Fr.) Karst isa species belonging to the order of Aphyllophorales and family Basidiomycetes. The mushroom only growth on two or three types of trees among 10,000 known trees in the world and therefore is very rare. Ganoderma fruiting bodies and spores contain about 400 different bioactive compounds, which mainly includeTriterpenes, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins andpeptides. The mushroom polysaccharides, in addition to cancer treatment have showed antiviral properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and prevent blood clotting. Tavana et al (1) in the evaluation of the use of some agricultural and forest wastes material for production of the mushroom stated that the residue are suitable as a helpful supplements for the activity. Gonzalez-Matute et al (11) used sunflower seed shell after oil extraction as a substrate. They concluded that the sunflower seed shell can be used as the main energy source in the substrate to grow the mushroom. There are different agricultural wastematerials which are good sources for growing mushroom in our country. The use of agricultural residues has attracted much attention in recent years. To the best of our knowledge there are a few published studieson the production of Ganoderma in the field condition. This study was performed on Reishi mushroom (Ganodermalucidum) to investigate the effects of different agricultural wastes on some morphological characteristics (growth rate, fresh weight and dry weight of mycelia, biological yield andcrude polysaccharide content) and polysaccharide contents of fruits. Material and Methods:The main portion of the medium for production of Ganodermalucidum was wood chips as 5-10 mm long that supplemented with different agricultural wastes included black seed waste, tea waste, hazelnut waste, coconut waste, almond wasteand sesame waste, with two types of bran (wheat and rice). The statistical design was afactorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design with threereplications. The treatment were included Wood chips (80 percent) + black seed waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + tea waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + sesame waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + hazelnut waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + coconut waste (10 percent) + rice bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + black seed waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + almond waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + sesame waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + hazelnut waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent) Wood chips (80 percent) + coconut waste (10 percent) + wheat bran (10 percent) At first Wood chips soaked in water for 2 days until the their moisture reached60-65 then the other agricultural waste materials added on the basis of the treatments and the autoclavable propylene bags filledwith the mixture and autoclaved for 2 hours at 121ºC. After cooling, all bags inoculated with wheat spawn of the Ganodermalucidium and the bags putunderdark condition in growth chamber with 85-95% humidity at 30ºC. After full colonization of the bags, they transfer to the light condition (200-500 Lux) at 25ºC until primordial formation. Then the light increased to 500-700 Lux until fruiting body formation. Results and Discussion: The results of analysis of variance showed that the use of these agricultural wastes had a significant effect (P≤0.01) on growth rate, fresh weight, dry weight of myceliumand biological yield. The highest growth rate of mycelia (on the basis of days after inoculation to medium colonized completely) was detected in media enriched with tea waste, hazelnut waste, coconut waste and almond waste (15.33, 16.67, 15.33 and 14.33 days, respectively). The lowest growth rate of mycelium was detected in media enriched with black seed waste (30.33 days). The substrate supplemented with almond waste produced the highest amount of fresh fruit weight (31 g) and the lowest fresh fruit weight (15.74 g) was detected under coconut waste treatment. The highest amount of fruit dry weight (6.51 g) observed under the almond waste treatment and the lowest one observed under the coconut waste treatment (3.75 g). The media supplemented with almond wastes produced the highest biological yield (7.75%), but tea waste, hazelnut waste and coconut waste treatments had the lowest biological yield (4.75, 5.32, 5.27 and 3.93 percent, respectively) without significant differences (P≤0.01).

Introduction: Organic fertilizers with beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability help maintain yield and quality, and they are less costly than synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are two organic fertilizers that they contain a biologically active mixture of bacteria, enzymes and phytohormones, also these organic fertilizers can supply the nutritional needs of plants. Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora Kunth, Verbenaceae) is an evergreen perennial aromatic plant. The lemon-scented essential oil from the lemon verbena has been widely used for its digestive, relaxing, antimalarial and lemony flavor properties. In order to decrease the use of chemical fertilizers for reduction of environmental pollution, this research was undertaken to determine effects of vermicompost and vermiwash in comparison with chemical fertilizer on leaf yield, essential oil content and composition of lemon verbena. Materials and Methods: A pot experiment based on a completely randomized design with six treatments and three replications on Lemon verbena was carried out in the experimental greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 2012. Treatments consisted of 10, 20 and 30 % by volume of vermicompost and vermiwash (with an addition to irrigation in three steps, including: two weeks after the establishment of plants in pots, the appearing of branches and three weeks before harvest), complete fertilizer and control without any fertilizer. Each replication contained six pots and each pot contained one plant of Lemon verbena provided from Institute of Medicinal Plants, Karaj, therefore 108 pots were used in this experiment. The pots were filled up by a mixture contained 3/5 soil and 2/5 sand (v/v). After three months, plant aerial parts were harvested concomitantly at starting of the flowering stage. Aerial parts were dried at room temperature for 72 hours and dry weights of dried branches and leaves were measured. For isolation of essential oils, about 20 g of dried leaves (three replications of each treatment) was subjected to hydro-distillation for 2 h with a Clevenger apparatus. The extracted essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and then they analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software and means compared with Duncan's multiple range test. Results and Discussion: The results showed that differences between treated plants with organic fertilizers were not significant for aerial part yield, but leaf yield and essential oil content were affected by fertilizer type (p

This study was aimed at determining the effective criteria for location selection of WPC Plants from agricultural residues in Iran. For this purpose, after review and studies papers and books, Six criteria" products and materials, regulations, technical and human, economic, infrastructure and environmental and also 30 sub-criteria were identified. The priority rates of these criteria and sub-criteria were evaluated by AHP technique. The results indicated that among 30 effective sub-criteria in location selection of the WPC plants from agricultural residues, amount of wastes supply (0.087), continuity of wastes supply, cost of wastes supply, amount of sales and export, granted facilities and less Hazards for the environment and forest had the highest priorities, which were rated as 0.071, 0.067, 0.065, 0.064 and 0.062 respectively.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the indicators and provide effective solutions to optimize the use of wood in construction classical furniture using the analytic hierarchy process (case study in Qom). For this purpose, studies and results of other researchers and interviews with experts, the factors affecting the optimization of wood consumption were divided into 4 main categories and 23 sub-indicators. The importance of the sub after getting feedback furniture producers were determined by AHP. The results show that the original surface design and human resources are of great importance. In addition, among 23 sub-effective optimization of the use of wood in construction classical furniture, ergonomics, style, skill training and inlaid in classical furniture industry in order to weight the value of 0/247, 0/181, 0/124 and 0/087 are of paramount importance and the method of use of force specialist solutions were a priority.

To study the interaction of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial effects of Kelussia odoratissima and Teucrium polium essential oils consolidated trial based on calculation of MIC and FIC index or differential inhibitory concentration and simple method checkboard designed and implemented. Essential oil of the plants extracted by hydro-distillation using clevenger apparatus. In this study, common food contaminant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella enterica and Ps. aureogenosa were used. The results showed that the antibacterial properties of the essential oil of Teucrium is stronger (MIC between 0.16 to 1.25 mg/ ml) than of the oil of Kelussia (MIC between 0.3 to 2.5 mg/ml). Antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (MIC between 0.006 to 0.025 mg) were stronger significantly. Calculate the differential inhibitory concentration index (FICi) implies the existence of synergistic and additive effect between silver nanoparticles and oil of both plant which will depend on the type of pathogen. This means that the combined use of silver nanoparticles and essential oil of the plant especially Teucrium essential oils strong inhibitory effect with lower concentrations of the essential oils was observed. Antagonistic interaction between silver nanoparticles and oil treatments in any of these two plants were observed.

The present study was investigated the effects of two elicitors methyl jasmonate (0, 125, 250 and 500 µM) and chitosan (0, 50, 150 and 250 mg L-1) on shoot and callus growth of Iranian Hypericum perforatumL. in vitro cultures in separate experiments. The experiment was done in the base of completely randomized design with five replications and five explants in each replication. Methyl jasmonate significantly reduced the regeneration of cultured shoots and developed shoots necrosis as well as the growth of treated calluswith methyl jasmonate was ceased. In spite of methyl jasmonate, chitosanwas more effective in stimulating the growth of cultured explants. Chitosan significantly increase the regeneration of H. perforatum shoots and the highest regenerated shoots number (9.29 shoots per explant) and shoot weight (1.82 g) were obtained in 250 mg L-1chitosan. The growth of callus in response to chitosan was higher than control treatment and the treated calli with 250 mg L-1 chitosan showed the highest diameter and weight. The essential oil content and chemical compositions of in vitro proliferated Iranian H. perforatum shoots were also investigated. The essential oil content was 0.02% (w w-1). The characterization of essential oil by GC and GC/MS analyses, allowed the identification of 35 volatile constituents, accounting for 97.01% of the total oil composition and sesquiterpenes (51.72%) represented by γ–gurjunene (22.34%) were the main compounds.

The effects of different mixing, bamboo mesh size and heat treatment on the physical and mechanical properties and biodegradability of a polylactic acid (PLA) composite were determined. The results indicated that this composite exhibited high strength in all mechanical properties examined, except hardness using the pure polymer (PLA). The mesh size of the bamboo flour and heat treatment had considerable effects on all tests expect the decay resistance. The water absorbance and thickness swelling of the PLA composite was reduced to nearly zero after 3000 hours immersion in water. Moreover, the fungal decay test results demonstrated that PLA was highly resistant to both Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes fungi. The brown rot fungi, however, produced an extensive mass loss in the composite composed of different levels of bamboo flour.

The effects of pulse and permanent treatments were studied on vase life, water content and hydraulic conductivity of gerbera cut flower cv. Rosalin. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was pulse treatments, using nanosilver (NS) 5 and 10 mg/L, salicylic acid (SA) 50 and 100 mg/L and distilled water as control, and the second factor was permanent treatments applying distilled water, sucrose, peppermint, thyme and clove essential oils (EO). The results showed that NS 10 mg/L + peppermint EO 100 mg/L and NS 10 mg/L + thyme EO 100 mg/L treatments had the best effect on longevity and maintaining the water content and hydraulic conductance of Rosalin cut flower, compare to other treatments. These solutions enhanced life of gerbera cut flowers to about 14 days. Flower water content was high (about 90%) except in 4% sucrose permanent treatment flowers which decreased more rapidly during the vase life. The effective hydraulic conductivity was observed in NS 10 mg/L + peppermint EO 100 mg/L (0.16 cm/min) and NS 10 mg/L + thyme EO 100 mg/L (0.21 cm/min) solutions and had nearly stable trend even in day 8 after pulsing.

Vegetative and reproductive characteristics, fruit yield, and biochemical compounds of six bitter melon cultivars (Iranshahr, Mestisa, No. 486, Local Japanese, Isfahan, and Ilocano) were evaluated under Karaj conditions in Iran. The phytochemical properties of the cultivars were evaluated using both shade-dried and freeze-dried samples at three fruit developmental stages (unripe, semi-ripe, and ripe). There were significant differences in the vegetative and reproductive characteristics among cultivars, where cv. No. 486 was superior to most vegetative attributes. The fruit yield of cultivars varied from 2.98–5.22 kg/plant. The number of days to male and female flower appearance ranged from 19.00–25.33 and from 25–33 days, respectively. The leaf charantin content was in the range of 4.83–11.08 μg/g. Fruit charantin content varied with developmental stage, drying method, and cultivar. The highest charantin content (13.84 ± 3.55 µg/g) was observed at the semi-ripe fruit stage, and it was much higher in the freeze-dried samples than the shade-dried samples. Cultivar No. 486 had the highest (15.43 ± 2.4 µg/g) charantin content, whereas the lowest charantin content (8.51 ± 1.15 µg/g) was recorded in cultivar cv. Local Japanese. The highest total phenol content (25.17 ± 2.27 mg GAE/g) was recorded in freeze-dried samples of ripe fruits of cv. No. 486, whereas the lowest phenol content was detected in the shade-dried samples of semi-ripe fruits of Isfahan. cv. Flavonoid content was higher with the shade-drying method, irrespective of cultivar. In conclusion, considering the fruit yield and active biological compounds in the studied cultivars, cv. No. 486 should be grown commercially because of its higher yield and production of other secondary metabolites.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a highly valuable plant. Iran provides nearly 90% of the world’s total saffron and is the biggest global producer. The allelopathic effects of saffron corm (SC) and saffron field soil (SFS) have been hypothesized to play an important role in replanting. Recently, adsorbent materials have been used to neutralize the effects of allelochemicals. These materials, including activated carbon and zeolite, have large surface areas, pore volumes, as well as tremendous adsorptive capacity and complex chemical and physical properties. In this study, three independent experiments were conducted. In the first test, the allelopathic effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of SC remnant and 9-year-old SFS as well as filtered aqueous extract of soil were investigated. In the second assay, the effects of SC remnants and SFS with different ages (i.e., 4, 6, and 9 years old) in combination with adsorbents were examined on the germination and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings by the sandwich method. In the third experiment, we examined the effects of SC remnants combined with adsorbents on lettuce growth parameters. Our results showed that the allelopathic effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of SC remnant were significantly superior to those of 9-year-old SFS. The aqueous extract of SC remnant reduced the root length of lettuce by 50%. The use of activated carbon and zeolites significantly decreased the observed allelopathic effect. Moreover, lettuce growth in rhizosphere soil was significantly inhibited by SC remnant and SFS extracts. The allelopathic effects of SC remnants caused a growth imbalance between the shoot and roots. Based on biochemical analyses, using the adsorbents increased the carotenoid content and chlorophyll index of lettuce by 23.33% and 5.25%, respectively. Adsorbents may play a role in treating soils contaminated by allelochemicals.

One of the major factors limiting the production of medicinal plants in arid and semi-arid areas is water deficit or drought stress. One-third of the land in the world is arid and semi-arid and is inhabited by nearly 4 × 108 people. Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) is a valuable medicinal plant that is sensitive to water deficit, and water shortage negatively affects sweet basil yield and quality. Water availability in the root zone of basil could ameliorate the negative effects of water shortage. To the best of our knowledge, although the effects of hydrophilic polymers (HPs) have been studied in different agricultural crops, the effects of HP application in medicinal plants have not been previously investigated. This investigation was conducted to explore the effects on water use efficiency when using Stockosorb® (STS) and psyllium seed mucilage (PSM) as hydrophilic polymers (HPs) and the effects of these HPs on essential oil quality, quantity, and yield. The research was set up in a factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized block design with three replications. We used two HPs, STS (industrial) and PSM (herbal), with two methods of application (mixed with soil, mixed with soil + root) at four concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% (w/w)). Results showed that the STS and PSM significantly increased the dry herb yield (both shoot and root) in comparison to the control, and the improving effect was higher when these HPs were mixed with soil + root. The highest dry herb yield (6.74 and 3.68 g/plant for shoot and root, respectively) was detected in the PSM at 0.1% mixed with soil + root. There was not any significant difference in dry herb yield among PSM (0.1%), PSM (0.2%), and STS (0.2%) when mixed with soil + root. Soil application of PSM and soil + root application of STS at a concentration of 0.3% increased the Essential Oil (EO) content almost three-fold in comparison to the control (0.5% and 0.52% to 0.18% v/w, respectively). The maximum essential oil yield was recorded in plants treated with STS (0.2% in) or PSM (0.1%) by soil + root application (0.21 and 0.19 mL/plant, respectively). PSM at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.2% (mixed with soil + root) showed the highest water use efficiency (1.91 and 1.82 g dry weight (DW)/L H2O, respectively). STS mixed with soil also significantly improved water use efficiency (WUE) in comparison to the control. The application of these HPs improved the quality of sweet basil essential oil by increasing the linalool and decreasing the eugenol, epi-α-cadinol, and trans-α-bergamotene content.

The inhibitory activities of the leachates and volatiles from 53 plant species (spices and herbs) were evaluated against lettuce (Lactuca sativa “Great Lakes 366”) seedling growth using the sandwich and dish pack methods, respectively. With the sandwich method, parsley (Petroselinum sativum) showed the strongest inhibitory effect on lettuce radicle growth (77%), followed by tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) (72%). However, caraway (Carum carvi), dill (Anethum graveolens) (seed), laurel (Laurus nobilis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and sage (Salvia officinalis) were the most inhibitory species (100% inhibition of lettuce radicle and hypocotyl growth inhibition at all distance wells) in the dish pack method. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) also showed strong inhibitory activity (100% for radicle and hypocotyl growth inhibition at all 41 and 58 mm distance wells). The headspace sampling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified the main inhibitory active compounds as carvone in caraway and dill (seeds), 1,8-cineole in laurel and cardamom, and borneol in thyme. Both camphor and 1,8-cineole were detected in rosemary and sage, and the total activity evaluation showed that camphor was the major inhibitory compound in rosemary, although both compounds played equal roles in sage.