Ascorbic acid (AA) as a vitamin and neuromodulator is present in most parts of CNS such as nucleus accumbens shell (Acbsh). This study evaluates the effect of intra-nucleus accumbens shell injection of AA on spatial learning and memory. 35 adult male Wistar rats (220-270 g) were divided into 5 groups: control (intact), sham AA (injected normal saline as AA vehicle) as well as 3 groups of AA (12, 24 and 48 μg/rat/side). After one week of recovery injections were performed. Thirty minutes after each injection the rats were trained in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and spatial learning and memory parameters were recorded and then analyzed. The results showed that AA at the dose of 48 μg/rat/side significantly increased the travelled distance and latency time to reach the hidden platform in comparison with either control or sham groups (p<0.001). Intra-Acbsh injection of AA led to deficiency of spatial learning.

During a period from spring 2008 till fall 2010, Iranian Jerboa population abundance was estimated using distance (linear transect) and capture-recapture methods in the Mirabad plains near Shahreza city in Isfahan Province. In the study period, during the active time of the species except reproduction time, we tried to live-trap, mark, release and recapture individuals based on Schnabel method on different sampling occasions. Simultaneously, we also traversed line transects using motorcycle and spot-light by two observers in different habitat types. We tried to get uniform trapping nights in different lunar nights and different habitat types. The population abundance, using Schnabel and distance methods was estimated to be 226 and 402 individuals, respectively. With regard to the obtained results and species behavior, it seems that distance method yields more precise confidence limits of the estimation compared with capture-recapture method. However, capture-recapture method yields more precise estimates for closed populations because of its more limiting assumptions, but the confidence reliability of abundance estimation of a species depends on the species and its habitat selection behavior completely.                               
                            

The availability of iron for roots has been demonstrated as a critical factor in plant production. The addition of synthetic iron chelates to soil is a common practice in agriculture, which is not economically beneficial. Besides, chemical iron fertilizers cause many problems such as food contamination and environmental pollution. Development of natural Ferrioxamine B as an efficient and safe iron source may be the best strategy to overcome plant iron deficiency and prevention of synthetic agent pollution. The present study investigates the ability of a hydroxamate type siderophores (Ferrioxamine B) as a substitute Fe source during tissue culture of chickpea plants. For this purpose, embryo axes from chickpea seeds were surface sterilized and cultured in 1/2MS and MS culture media including 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar with Ferrioxamine B or Fe–EDTA. The root and shoot length, shoot and root dry weight, total fresh and dry weight, as well as chlorophylls a and b were analysed. Results indicated that Ferrioxamine B did not increase chlorophylls a and b in comparison with Fe-EDTA. However, rooting (22%), total dry weight (38%) and root (75%) and shoot (22%) dry weight significantly (p≤0.05) increased in MS containing Ferrioxamine B in comparison with Fe-EDTA. Consequently, Ferrioxamine B is introduced as a cost-effective and applicable Fe source to favour iron deficiency in vitro.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the water extracts of three species of Salvia (S. perspolitana, S. palaestina, S. bracteata) on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. The antibacterial activity of water extracts of the studied species on the bacterial strains was examined using well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results showed that only S. bracteata formed growth inhibitory zone (9 mm) on Staphylococcus aureus. The extracts of all three plants formed growth inhibitory zone on E.coli and P. aeroginosa. The extract of S. bracteata was more effective than that of the other species. Results for MIC also showed that the extracts of S. perspolitana had the lowest effect on St. aureus and its MIC was observed in a concentration of 1024 µg/ml. The extracts of this species had the inhibitory effect in a concentration of 256 µg/ml. The uppermost inhibitory effect was provided by the extract of S. bracteata, since the minimum inhibitory concentration of this species for S. aureus was equal to 64 µg/ml; and for the other two bacteria, it was equal to 128 µg/ml. The extracts of S. palaestina had the lowest effect on S. aureus and its MIC was observed in a concentration of 1024 µg/ml. The extracts of this species had an MIC equal to 512 µg/ml for the other two bacteria. It was concluded that S. bracreata could be considered a suitable species with anti-bacterial activities in future researches.