Low temperature during germination and early seedling growth is one of the most significant limiting factors in the productivity of plants. Tomato seedling germination is sensitive to chilling stress. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as a non-protein amino acid, involved in various stress tolerances in plants. In this study, 5-day old tomato seedlings were exposed to chilling stress (2±0.05°C for 48 h) and then the effects of 0, 100, 250, 500 and 750 μmolL −1 concentrations of GABA on electrolyte leakage, proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were investigated. The resultS showed that the antioxidant enzyme activity, electrolyte leakage, MDA and proline content were significantly reduced by GABA treatments. However under chilling stress seedlings treated with GABA exhibited significantly higher sugar and proline contents as compared to un-treated seedlings. These results suggest that GABA treatment protects tomato seedlings from chilling stress by enhancing some antioxidant enzymes activity and reducing MDA content which results in maintaining membrane integrity.

Effect of sodium alginate coating enriched with horsemint essential oil (HEO) on the quality of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets at refrigeration temperature (4 ± 1°C) was studied. Bighead carp fillets were coated with neat sodium alginate (SA) and sodium alginate containing 0.5 and 1% v/v of HEO and their quality changes in terms of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and microbial counts were investigated. SA coating enriched with the essential oil could reduce the spoilage of the fillets and extend their shelf-life. Samples treated with SA-containing HEO showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower TVB-N content and lipid oxidation, as reflected by lower PV, FFA and TBA values during the storage period compared with the SA and control. The treatment also reduced the degree of microbial deterioration of the fillets (about 1.5 log10 CFU/g) more efficiently than the SA.

Background. Treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered one of the public health priorities in the past decade. So far, probiotics have represented promising results in controlling the signs and symptoms of NAFLD. However, attempts to find the ideal probiotic strain are still ongoing. The present study is designed to find the best strain amongst suitable probiotic strains according to their ability to ameliorate histopathological and oxidative stress biomarkers in hepatic steatosis-induced rats. Methods. Initially, four probiotics species, including Lactobacillus (L.) acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, and Bacillus coagulans, were cultured and prepared as a lyophilized powder for animals. The experiment lasted for fifty days. Initially, hepatic steatosis was induced by excessive ingestion of D-fructose in rats for eight weeks, followed by eight weeks of administering probiotics and D-fructose concurrently. Forty-two six-week-old male rats were alienated to different groups and were supplemented with different probiotics ( 1 ∗ 10 9   CFU in 500 mL drinking water). After eight weeks, blood and liver samples were taken for further evaluation, and plasma and oxidative stress markers corresponding to liver injuries were examined. Results. Administration of probiotics over eight weeks reversed hepatic and blood triglyceride concentration and blood glucose levels. Also, probiotics significantly suppressed markers of oxidative stress in the liver tissue. Conclusions. Although some of the single probiotic formulations were able to mitigate oxidative stress markers, mixtures of probiotics significantly ameliorated more symptoms in the NAFLD animals. This enhanced effect might be due to probiotics’ cumulative potential to maintain oxidative stress and deliver improved lipid profiles, liver function markers, and inflammatory markers.

Salinity (NaCl Stress) was applied with 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM NaCl. The shoot and root respiration of two barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L. variety Afzal and variety EMB82-12) were determined in various concentrations ofNaCl. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content were significantly decreased, but carotenoids content increased under salinity. Decrease of chlorophyll content in EMB82-12 was higher than Afzal, but carotenoids content in Afzal variety was higher than EMB82-12. Relative Water Content (RWC) was used to indicate the degree of stress. Oxygen uptake declined in shoot and root with increasing NaCl concentrations. Decrease of oxygen uptake in shoot and root of EMB82-12 variety was higher than Afzal variety. RWC decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations. Lowering of RWC reduced growth and increased shoot/root ratio. Decrease of water content in EMB82-12 plants was higher than Afzal plants. Shoot/root ratio in EMB82-12 variety was higher than Afzal.

Laimaphalenchus hyrcanus n. sp., from bark samples of cypress (Cupressus sp.) and jujube (Ziziphus jujube Miller) from Gorgan, Golestan province in northern Iran, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by females with 670-870 μm body length, slender stylet of 11-12 µm, six-lobed cephalic region not divided by ribs, three incisures in the lateral field with slightly areolated outer lines in the posterior region, cuticular vulval flap, males with two pairs of caudal papillae, and subcylindrical tail in both sexes ending in a single stalk-like terminus with four pedunculate tubercles bearing 9-10 finger-like projections. The new species most closely resembles L. persicus and L. penardi but it can be differentiated by its having three incisures in the lateral field and two pairs of caudal papillae in males. Molecular analysis of the D2/D3 region of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene indicates a sister-taxon relationship with L. penardi (Steiner, 1914) Filipjev & Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1941 and L. deconincki Elmiligy & Geraert, 1972.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder in the endocrine system resulting from a defect in insulin secretion, insulin action or both of them. Adverse side effects of chemical drugs for treatment of diabetes persuaded the using of medical plants. Cherry as a traditionally used plant for treatment of diabetes, is packed with powerful plant pigments called anthocyanins. They give cherries their dark red color and are one of the richest antioxidant sources which lower the blood sugar and bear other beneficial health effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of cherry fruit on alloxan induced diabetic rats. In this study 36 Male Wistar rats, body weight of 150-200gr were divided into 6 groups. Diabetes was induced by intra peritoneal injection of 120 mg/kg Alloxan. The duration of the cherries treatment was 30 days in which single dose of extracts (200mg/kg) were oral administered to diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels were estimated with glucometer before treatment, 2h and 1- 4 weeks after administration of extracts. Treatment with extracts of the cherries resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and urinary microalbumin and an increase in the creatinine secretion level in urea. Extract of this plant is useful in controlling the blood glucose level. Cherries appear to aid in diabetes control and diminution of the complications of the disease. Some relevant patents are also outlined in this article.

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