Nova Biologica Reperta

Abstract Objective: Plants, as sessile organisms, are subjected to diverse abiotic stresses, including salinity, metal toxicity, thermal fluctuations, and hypoxia at different phases of plant growth. Plants can activate messenger molecules to initiate a signaling cascade in response to environmental stresses, resulting in either cell death or plant acclimation. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, , gaseous, redox-active molecule that plays a plethora of physiological roles in plants and has emerged as a key regulator of plant growth, development, flowering, senescence, stomatal closure, dormancy, photosynthesis, geotropism, and responses to abiotic and biotic stressors. It can also facilitate alteration in protein function and reprogram the gene profiling by direct or indirect interaction with different target molecules. As a key redox molecule, nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule with diverse physiological functions in plants was classified as a phytohormone that might regulate plant growth. NO had physiological effects in plants, such as growth and development, dormancy, regulation of metabolism, aging, cell death, stomata, photosynthesis, geotropism, flowering, and response to abiotic and biotic stressors.

Conclusions: This review discusses some aspects related to NO in plants, such as chemical properties, synthesis pathways, and physiological and biochemical changes that occur in plants under stress conditions.

Abstract Phylogenetic analyses of Avicennia species have been carried out using diverse molecular datasets, including chloroplast genome sequences and multilocus nuclear gene markers. These studies have contributed valuable insights into evolutionary relationships within the genus and clarified its placement in the Acanthaceae family. Concatenated sequence datasets provide broader genomic information and can enhance the resolution and reliability of phylogenetic trees. In parallel, the multispecies coalescent (MSC) model offers a robust framework for addressing evolutionary questions such as estimating species divergence times, population sizes, species tree topologies despite gene tree discordance, interspecific gene flow, and species delimitation.The genus Avicennia L., comprising approximately eight species, represents a key group of mangrove plants, some of which occur along the southern coasts of Iran. However, considerable uncertainty remains regarding the molecular phylogeny of these species. Therefore, this study applies both MSC-based and concatenation-based phylogenetic approaches to investigate species relationships within Avicennia, using molecular data from nuclear ITS and chloroplast psbA sequences. We constructed species trees using BEAST (StarBEAST), performed gene-based analyses in Mesquite, and generated maximum likelihood trees. The results revealed two major divergent clades, with evidence of deep coalescence, interspecific introgression, and structural DNA variations, suggesting a complex evolutionary history within the genus.

Abstract Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women, with a prevalence of 6–13%. The precise molecular network structure and central driver genes in PCOS pathogenesis remain incompletely understood.
Method: A total of 200 differentially expressed genes linked to PCOS were retrieved from multiple transcriptomic studies. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database (confidence score >0.40) and further analyzed in Cytoscape version 3.10.2. Hub genes were identified by CytoHubba plugin based on degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality measures. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted using KEGG, Gene Ontology, Reactome, and WikiPathways databases; only terms with FDR <0.05 were considered significant.
Results: The resulting network consisted of 200 nodes and 4,979 edges. Four core genes—PIK3CA, PIK3CD, AKT1, and PIK3CB—were present in all eight highly dysregulated pathways (PI3K-Akt, AMPK, longevity regulating, AGE-RAGE, FoxO, insulin resistance, HIF-1, and TNF signaling), with PI3K-Akt showing the strongest enrichment (29 genes, FDR=3.28×10⁻¹â°). Three additional biomarkers (INSR, INS, IL6) overlapped in six pathways.
Conclusions: PIK3CA, PIK3CD, AKT1, and PIK3CB emerge as central molecular hubs and promising therapeutic targets in PCOS. Extensive pathway convergence on these nodes highlights the systemic metabolic-inflammatory basis of the disorder.

Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor that is functional in the survival, maintenance and differentiation of nervous system cells. This protein has three subunits, of which the beta subunit has the main activity. Its structure consists of a cysteine knot motif made up of beta strands linked by disulfide bonds. It can be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of many diseases. As NGF extracted from natural sources is unsuitable for therapeutic goals, many studies have attempted to produce recombinant β-NGF. In this study, Trigger Factor (TF) chaperone was expressed simultaneously with β-NGF in E. coli in order to obtain increased yield of soluble recombinant human β-NGF. For this purpose, pET39b (+)::β-NGF and chaperone plasmid pTf16 were transferred to E.coli (DE3 strain). After the induction of each promoter, the total proteins and periplasmic proteins were extracted. To confirm the effects of TF on total protein and soluble β-NGF expression level, Bradford and Dot blot techniques and ImageJ software were used. Then, β-NGF was purified using affinity chromatography column (Ni⁺²-NTA). Also, the PC12 cells were treated with the protein for one week in order to study the function of purified NGF. Our data indicated that co-expression of TF could increase the soluble and periplasmic production of β-NGF but not total proteins. Also, the treatment of PC12 cell line with purified β-NGF, co-expressed with TF chaperone, showed differentiation of these cells to nerve cells. This indicated that the purified NGF is fully functional. Our data suggest that the co-expression of cytoplasmic chaperone (TF) with recombinant nerve growth factor might be an efficient approach to produce a proper quantity of soluble and active rhNGF.

Abstract Nutlets of 20 taxa of Phlomoides, representing most of the currently recognized sections were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The basic shape of nutlets in most taxa studied is broadly ovate, but ovate, triangular and oblong ones can also be found in few species. Regarding the sculpturing pattern of nutlet surface, four basic types can be distinguished: reticulate, scalariform, ruminate and rugose. The reticulate type is the most common among the studied species, but the variation in alignment, size and shape of its composing cells provide further evidence that are useful as diagnostic characteristics. However, the type of sculpturing is more useful for separating species within the sections, rather than correlating them to each other. For example, sect. Filipendula show four different types of sculpturing. Therefore, nutlet microsculpturing is not useful in separating large natural groups like sections in this genus. It seems also that contrary to other genera of Lamiaceae, nutlet characters are of low phylogenetic value in this genus.

Abstract Finger length ratios are organized during embryonic development of fingers as they exposed to sex steroid hormones, and may show varying degrees of sexual dimorphism between males and females in different animal groups. Among all the finger length ratios calculated in a sample, the ratio between the second to fourth fingers (2D: 4D) is the most important one. In this study, the 2D:4D ratios in both sides of the body (right and left) in all limbs were investigated to determine if sexual dimorphism is present in the 2D: 4D ratios in 44 specimens studied (20 males and 24 females) of Acanthodactylus blanfordi. Other morphological traits of the two sexes were also examined (23 metric and meristic traits), as a result, sexual dimorphism was observed in five metric and meristic morphological traits. In terms of the ratio of the size of the fingers and toes, sexual dimorphism in the length of the fingers was observed only in 2D: 4D on the right side of the body in forelimbs and hindlimbs. The value of this trait was higher in males than females and this difference was statistically significant P ≤0.05).

Abstract The present research, a floristic study was executed on Imamverdy, Dartum, Ghapagh, Garivan and Niestaneh villages, located 30 km south of Bojnourd (North Khorassan province) with altitudinal range of 1442-1783 m. The present study aimed to identify the specimens, their possible medicinal properties, endemism and concervation status. For this purpose, the specimens were collected during March-November 2012 and identified using Flora of Iran and Flora Iranica. The results showed the presence of 133 species from 104 genera and 38 families, one species belonged to Gymnosperms and the rest, 132 species, belonged to Angiosperms, of which five families, 13 genera and 18 species were monocotyledons and 32 families, 90 genera and 114 species were dicotyledons. Moreover, 40 species were found to have medicinal applications in the studied region. Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the largest families and Astragalus, Poa, Vicia and Euphorbia were reported as the largest genera in the region. Erysimum koelzii, Astragalus khoshjailensis, Eryngium bungei, Acanthophyllum pachystegium, Sclerorachis platyrachis, Taraxacum hydrophyllum were endemic species for Iran. Astragalus ackerbergensis was found to be in vulnerable status and Rubia florida, Mentha longifolia, Fumaria vaillanti and Onopordum carmanicum were found to be at low-risk status. The maximum and minimum percentages of chorotypes were related to Irano-Turanian with 68.14% and Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian regions with 0.7%, respectively. The maximum and minimum percentage of life form were reported to be hemicryptophytes with 45.8% and cryptophytes with 3%, respectively. The results reflected the cold and arid climate and uncontrolled grazing in the studied region.

Abstract Introduction: Due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, the use of antibacterial potential of bacteriophages has been considered as an effective approach in controlling the infections. Material and Method: After isolating lytic bacteriophage (PKpMa1/19) against K.pneumoniae PTCC1290 from Maragheh urban sewage by agar bilayer method, purification, titration and enrichment of the bacteriophage were performed. Morphological characteristics of PKpMa1/19 were determined using electron microscopy. One step growth, latent period, burst size, stability and finally host range of the bacteriophage was evaluated using spot test. Results: A bacteriophage with the morphological features of Tectiviridae family was isolated and purified. Its latent period and burst size were 20 min and 311 PFU respectively. Appropriate lytic effect of the bacteriophage was shown between -22 and 37 . Stability of the phage was high in pH= 4-10. The phage (PKpMa1/19), was effective against one of the 20 clinical isolates of K.pneumoniae (5% of K. pneumoniae isolates), but it showed antibacterial effect on 10 Pseudomonas aeroginosa ( 50% of P. aeruginosa isolates) and 16 Staphylococcus aureus isolates (80% of S. aureus isolates). Discussion and Conclusion: In spite of appropriate lytic effect and also, high stability to environmental conditions, Due to its narrow host range to K. pneumoniae clinical isolates, it needs to exactly determination of its host range and efficacy of the phage against problematic strains of bacteria for using it as phage therapy candidate. Detailed survey of molecular characteristics of the bacteriophage is necessary.

Abstract Phosphorus, the most essential nutrient for plants, becomes quickly unavailable for the plants in the soil. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB( can play an important role in providing Phosphorus for plants. In this study, the PSBs were screened from plant rhizosphere by Pikovskaya method. Then, the growth rate and phosphate solubilizing ability of 9 superior strains were measured at different temperatures and levels of salinity and pH. The best strain was identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Finally, the genetic diversity of phosphate solubilizing strains were examined by RAPD markers. Results showed that 25 strains were capable of solubilizing insoluble phosphates among the 57 isolates studied. Of the nine superior strains, Cke1 had the highest solubilizing index with the average growth rate under all conditions and was introduced as the best PSB strain identified in the present study. 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis showed that this strain belonged to the Enterobacter genus. The results of genetic variation showed that all stains were divided into six groups and three strains that had the lowest similarity with other strains were placed in three separate groups. Given that Cke1 strain has the ability of solubilizing the insoluble phosphate in different stresses, it can be a good candidate for providing phosphorus at temperatures of 30 and 35 °C, 1.2% and 1.8% salinity levels and pH levels of 6 and 8 for the crops.

Abstract Objective: This research was conducted to investigate the effects of sowing date and different seed priming treatments on morpho-physiological traits and grain yield of Simin wheat cultivar under late spring cold stress conditions in West Azerbaijan province.

Methods: The experiment was carried out as a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2024-2025 growing season. The first factor included two sowing dates (November 21 and December 22) and the second factor consisted of seed priming treatments.

Results: The results indicated that the first sowing date showed significant superiority in all traits and led to a 38% increase in grain yield compared to the second sowing date. Among priming treatments, melatonin was identified as the most effective treatment with 37% and 42% increase in grain yield in the first and second sowing dates, respectively. In contrast, salicylic acid treatment in the second sowing date caused 92% reduction in grain yield ratio and 75% reduction in biomass production efficiency.

Conclusion: Optimal sowing date along with the application of priming treatments such as melatonin and gibberellic acid can be recommended as an effective strategy for improving grain yield and late spring cold stress tolerance in wheat.