Nova Biologica Reperta

Abstract Objective: Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPMV) is a destructive Begomovirus with a bipartite. Despite reports of ToLCPMV in certain Iranian provinces, there is currently no information regarding the presence and genetic diversity of this virus in cucumber fields and greenhouses in Khouzestan province. Therefore, this study aims to detect ToLCPMV and determine the phylogenetic relationships of its isolates in this region.
Method: To detect and investigate the genetic diversity of ToLCPMV, suspected plants were sampled in spring and summer 2023. Using degenerate primers for whitefly-transmitted Begomoviruses, a fragment related to the pre-coat protein gene was amplified. To study the viral species precisely and confirm their nature, the movement protein gene was amplified, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Additionally, a comparison matrix was drawn with sequences received from GeneBank.
Results: The amplification of the studied genes indicated infection with Begomoviruses. Analysis and determination of relationships based on two gene regions showed that the Andimeshk, Dezful, and Soush isolates were placed in the Iranian isolate group and had the highest genetic similarity to the Jiroft isolates on the cucumber host. Also, the results showed the three mentioned isolates have a high similarity at the nucleotide level and showed the highest similarity with isolate FJ660426.1 (cucumber, Jiroft with 96.39%), isolate FJ660435.1 (cucumber, Jiroft with 98.30%), and isolate OP810507.1 (tomato, Iraq with 98.87%).
Conclusions: This is the first report of the widespread occurrence of ToLCPMV in cucumber-cultivating areas in the north of Khouzestan province.

Abstract Objective: Walnut is classified as a strategic species for human nutrition and is an important product widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for its green husk, shell, kernel, and leaves.
Methods: To investigate the biochemical properties of walnut kernels in some regions of western Iran (Hamedan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah provinces), an experiment was designed, and walnuts were collected from three ecotypes: Tuyserkan, Marivan, Kangavar and the total phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity of the kernels were studied.
Results: Results of variance analysis for each trait showed significant differences in total phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity among the three sites. The highest and lowest total phenolic content was observed in walnuts from Tuyserkan and Kangavar, respectively. The highest flavonoid content was found in the kernels of Tuyserkan walnuts, while the lowest was in Marivan walnuts; the highest antioxidant capacity was also obtained from the kernels of Tuyserkan county.
Conclusion: Therefore, it appears that among the studied regions, Tuyserkan County provides better conditions for the growth and accumulation of biochemical compounds in walnut kernels, making Tuyserkan walnuts suitable for both the food industry as a quality nut and for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to their favorable biochemical properties.

Abstract Objective: The genus Linaria Mill. (Plantaginaceae) represents a taxonomically complex group characterized by high morphological similarity and extensive intraspecific variation, which often complicates the delimitation of species.
Method: In this study, four taxa belonging to the Linaria lineolata s.s. complex (Linaria lineolata, Linaria elymaitica, Linaria karajensis, and Linaria khalkhalensis) were investigated using an integrative approach that combined morphological and molecular data. A total of 20 quantitative and qualitative morphological characters were analyzed using univariate statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). To investigate molecular relationships, sequences of the low-copy nuclear gene AGT1 and the chloroplast intergenic spacer rpl32–trnL were analyzed, and phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using Bayesian inference.
Results: The PCA results revealed a clear separation among the studied taxa, with the first two principal components explaining a substantial proportion of the total variance. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear gene AGT1 and the chloroplast intergenic spacer rpl32–trnL further supported the delimitation of the studied taxa, revealing distinct and well-supported clades.
Conclusions: A dichotomous identification key was also constructed using the most diagnostic morphological characters. The congruence between morphological and molecular datasets indicates clear taxonomic independence among the investigated species. These findings provide evidence for the delimitation of species boundaries within the L. lineolata s.s. complex and highlight the effectiveness of an integrative taxonomic approach in resolving species complexes within Linaria.

Abstract Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) were discovered with the discovery of prokaryotic CRISPR-related proteins called Cas, which are capable of creating double-strand breaks in target sequences in the mammalian genome with the help of guide RNA. This discovery led to the development of CRISPR systems that harness natural DNA repair mechanisms to precisely create mutations in defective genes. CRISPR has been used to remove deleterious mutated genes and correct errors in protein-coding sequences to rescue disease phenotypes in preclinical studies and in several clinical trials. However, most genetic disorders result from a combination of other mutations involving deletions and duplications in both coding and non-coding regions of the genome and therefore require complex genome engineering strategies beyond simple gene deletion. To overcome this limitation, the toolbox of natural and engineered CRISPR-Cas systems has expanded dramatically to include a variety of tools. The use of CRISPR technology to edit non-coding genomes, regulate gene expression, make precise genetic changes, and target infectious diseases has the potential to lead to therapeutic solutions for many incurable diseases.

Abstract Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. This study investigated the effects of carvacrol and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on antioxidant and apoptotic markers, including MDA, SOD, catalase, and Caspase-3, in a mouse model of PCOS.

Methods: PCOS was induced in mice by estradiol valerate injection. Treatments included a single tail-vein injection of bone marrow-derived EPCs, daily oral gavage of carvacrol for one month, or their combination. One month after the interventions, serum antioxidant markers (MDA, SOD, and catalase) and ovarian Caspase-3 expression were assessed by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively.

Results: ELISA results showed that catalase and SOD levels were significantly reduced in the PCOS group compared with controls (p < 0.001), whereas they increased after treatment with carvacrol and EPCs (p < 0.05). In contrast, MDA levels were elevated in the PCOS group relative to controls (p < 0.01) and were significantly reduced following intervention (p < 0.001). Western blot analysis also showed that Caspase-3 expression was increased in the PCOS group compared with controls (p < 0.01) and decreased after carvacrol and EPC treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: EPCs and carvacrol reduced apoptotic markers and improved antioxidant status in the PCOS mouse model. These findings suggest that, following further preclinical validation, this approach may have potential for inclusion in therapeutic protocols for PCOS

Abstract Objective: Azo dyes are group of chemical dyes widely used in various industries. When released into the environment, these dyes cause environmental toxicity and reduce processes such as photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the treatment of such wastewater is of great importance. The aim of this study was to isolate a microbial strain capable of removing pollutant compounds.

Method: For this purpose, 18 soil samples were collected from different areas of Behshahr forests. Microbial isolation was then performed, and the obtained isolates were screened for dye removal efficiency in dye-containing solutions.

Results: Among the nine isolates obtained, isolate number 6 was selected as the most efficient strain, achieving 79% dye removal. Molecular identification showed 100% sequence similarity to Bacillus tropicus LM1212-W3. Investigation of the effects of dye concentration and adsorbent dosage revealed that increasing both parameters led to an increase in dye removal efficiency. Evaluation of the adsorption capacity of autoclaved biomass showed a significant decrease in dye removal, indicating that dye removal is dependent on the cellular metabolism of Bacillus sp. A1.

Conclusions: Based on these results, the studied bacterial biomass is introduced as an effective dye-removal agent, which can be considered promising candidate for the removal of environmental pollutants.