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Wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris is considered as a rare species in Europe and Iran and possesses restricted distribution due to threatening factors. Natural populations of wild grapevine in the north of Iran were evaluated in three wild areas of coastal and plains areas of Miankaleh, submontane areas of Amol and the forest patches of Kojour and a cultivated sample of crop grapevine, V. v. subsp. vinifera in Babolsar. A total of 41 anatomical traits and important ecological factors such as soil and climatic variables were investigated and included in further analyses. Anatomical characteristics of leaf blade and petiole had the most important impact on the separation of wild and the cultivated taxon. All the soil and climatic factors, particularly altitude and annual rainfall were significant between studied stations. Mean temperature of the warmest month along with soil clay and calcareous percentage had the highest effect and relationship with the anatomical traits. Based on the current result, anatomical characters can be used for separation between wild and cultivated populations. They are also effective in separation of different populations of wild grapevine. Quantitative anatomical changes in the studied populations are reflection of the different soil and climatic conditions of their habitat.
 

 
 

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This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Arctium lappa (AL) on gentamicin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups including: control group; GM group (intrapritoneal injection, IP, of 100 mg/kg GM B.W.); GM+AL group (received IP injection of 100 mg/kg GM and 500 mg/kg AL orally) and AL group (received 500 mg/kg AL orally). The experimental period lasted for 10 days. Nephrotoxicity was biochemically and histologically evaluated. The concentrations of creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxide hydrogen (H₂O₂) in the serum samples were determined. Moreover, histological examinations were performed. The animals treated with gentamicin showed significantly higher serum urea, creatinine, MDA and H₂O₂ levels and lower SOD activity. However, co-administration of AL produced amelioration in biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in serum. Histomorphological examination showed necrosis and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells in the renal cortex in animals treated with gentamicin whereas simultaneous administration of AL and GM reduced histological damages. The data obtained suggest that treatment with AL extract can help to reduce gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
 
 
 

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Special properties and various applications of Spirulina species have led to the growing focus of biotechnology to the cost effective cultivation. Open ponds used in the most commercial cultivation have many deficiencies such as risk of contamination, lack of light penetration, inefficient mixing and low productivity. In this study, an innovative reactor was designed and manufactured. By adding a control area, it was possible to control some environmental conditions for a limited amount of open pond volume. The conventional pumping system was replaced by a new elevator system to reduce the damage of to the fragile cells. The baffles structure and aeration from bottom, contributed to better mixing system. The effect of tree factors (Circulation Cycle (Cir. Cyc.), Control Volume (Con.Vol.) and Irradiance Intensity (Irr. Int.) in units of hours, percentage and Lux respectively) on the quantity of biomass (Specific Growth Rate (SGR, day^-1) and fifth and seventh day dry weight (g/L)) were evaluated using RSM-CCD. The maximum biomass dry weight (0.915 g/L) was achieved in longest circulation cycle (12 hours), 30% Con. Vol. and 7000 Lux light intensity. The optimal irradiance intensity to achieve the highest biomass was 8700 Lux. According to the results, due to the great influence of Con. Vol. and Cir. Cyc., it is possible to increase the productivity and enhance the culture dry weight by controlling a limited amount of ponds volume (20%), subject to economic considerations. These successful results can provide the context using a control zone for several open ponds to improve the overall efficiency.
 

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Lallemantia (Lamaceae; Nepetoideae) is a small genus species with a wide distribution area in Iran, is a traditionally used in folk medicine. In this study, we comparatively investigated Lallemantia species in terms of vegetative anatomy in order to evaluate usefulness of this characteristics for taxonomic porpuse. For anatomical examination, cross sections taken from stems and leaves of species were investigated using hand cutting method and bismak brown, carmin and metylenblue staining. Also, the anatomical characters were numerically analyzed by cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Athough general stem and leaf anatomical charactristics are very similar in the studied species, But, multivariate analysis indicated that some anatomical quantitative characters such as the thickness of lamina, palisade and spongy parenchyma provides valuable characters that would be taxonomically useful in this genus. Morphological similarity between L. baldshuanica and L. royleana have supported by stem and leaf anatomical data. 

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In order to investigate different treatment effects on germination in Gundelia tournefortii, three factorial experiments were carried out in the completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was stratification at 4^oC in three levels including 0, 3 and 6 weeks, the second factor was mechanical scarification in two levels including seeds with/without scarification and the third factor was chemical treatments of seed dormancy breaking in three levels including distilled water and gibberellic acid at concentrations of 1000 and 1500 mg/l and Thiourea 0.1%. The results showed that the effects of stratification, scarification and chemical treatments of dormancy breaking and their interactions were significant on all studied parameters (p<0.01). Mean comparison values were significant for the effects of spate treatments together with mechanical scarification for the improvement of all traits. The results also revealed that treatment of mechanical scarification treatment together with gibberellic acid 1000 mg/l in six weeks stratification, due to maximum germination speed, seedling dry weight, seedling length, large-scale germination percentage and seedling vigor index and modest average germination period, was the most influential treatment for seed dormancy breaking of this plant. Correlation between germination percentage with germination rate, dry weight and seedling length was significant. It seems that seed dormancy type in Gundelia tournefortii is physiological and physical, as eliminating physiological and physical factors leads to its germination improvement.
 

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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.
 

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A laboratory research carried out to evaluate the effect of drought stress on germination characteristics in two 'Indian' and 'Isfahanian' populations of Fenugreek. This experiment performed in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replicates. Four levels of drought stress applied by using polyethylene glycol 6000. Percentage of germination, germination rate, vigor index, root and shoot length as well as fresh and dry weight were measured after 7 days. The results showed that drought stress caused a significant reduction in both population growth and germination, although the percentage of germination, seedling growth and vigor index in the Isfahanian population was higher than the Indian. With the increase of water stress and the reduction of water potential from -3 Bar to -7 Bar, the percentage of germination, vigor index, root and shoot length as well as fresh and dry weight significantly decreased.

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In this study, the associations between ISSR markers with some agronomic traits in 22 ispaghula ecotypes were used by stepwise regression analysis. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed a significant association between traits and some of loci markers positions. For some traits was detected more than one informative marker. Totally 90 informative ISSR markers were revealed that due to the associated of some markers in control of several traits, finally, the 48 markers were significantly associated with traits. The UBC816-2, UBC826-2 and UBC826-3 markers showed a significant correlation with grain yield and controlled 53.5% of the phenotypic variation. Among the ISSR primers, special attention should be drawn to primer UBC811 and UBC813-11 marker, because of the highest associated had exist between this primer and this marker with the studied traits. Some of these markers were associated with more than one trait that these traits had very close linkage together or possibly were controlled by pleiotropic effects. These primers have been found useful for improved Ispaghula.

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Medicinal plants are rich sources of secondary metabolites. Lepidium sativum possess active compounds and secondary metabolites, including polyphenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid compounds, which are of special pharmaceutical and economic importance. Melatonin as bio-stimulator compound has a regulatory role on the amount of secondary metabolites and plant tolerance to environmental stresses. In this study, the effect of exogenous melatonin on secondary metabolites production on Lepidium sativum plants was carried out in a completely randomized design with 5 melatonin treatments (0, 5, 10, 50 and 100 μM) and 3 replications. After applying the treatment, the growth rate and content of the photosynthetic pigments, the leaf water content, as well as the content of flavonoids, anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds were investigated. Seed treatment with melatonin, especially at concentrations of 50 and 100 μM, improved the growth parameters and content of photosynthetic pigments. High levels of melatonin also increased the plant's secondary metabolites, including anthocyanins, carotenoids, and plant phenolic compounds. These effects can confirm the role of melatonin as a growth regulator and its impact on plant growth and resistance.

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In this paper, the urinary infection, that is a common symptom of the decline of the immune system, is discussed based on the well-known algorithms in machine learning, such as Bayesian networks in both Markov and tree structures. A large scale sampling has been executed to evaluate the performance of Bayesian network algorithm. A number of 4052 samples wereobtained from the database of the Takestan Department of Health, a center affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. According to the goals of the study and using the expert opinion of the laboratory and urologist, 15 variables were selected. The database included both urine analysis and culture tests. The results indicated 99.7% accuracy of the diagnosis for the training data, (75% of total data), and 99.8% accuracy of the diagnosis for testing data (25% of total data). Based on the Bayesian network model, the important covariates influencing the Urinary infection have been proved to be the increase of bacteria and the decrease of white blood cells in different age groups. The results of this study can be used in the context of machine learning and intelligent systems for rapid diagnosis of the disease and the treatment of people suspected of suffering from it.
 

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To understand the Eco physiological adaptation mechanisms of Fagus orientalis Lipesk to altitude changes, the activities of Peroxidase (POD), Catalase (CAT), and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves of Fagus orientalis in different altitudes (A1: 700 m, A2: 1200 m, A3: 1700 m above sea level)  Was studied in the forests of Guilan. The sampling of leaves was collected from southern and northern parts of the crown of healthy and mature trees. The results of analysis variance showed that there was a significant difference between and within the population for the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes at the probability level of 0.05 and with increasing altitude, the activity of catalase and peroxidase were increased but the activity of Ascorbate peroxidase enzyme was initially increased and its level of activity decreased from the middle altitude with increasing altitude. Also, the results showed that the enzymatic activity of peroxidase and catalase in the northern leaves was more than the southern leaves that collected in crown of the trees.

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Allium ampeloprasum (Amaryllidaceae) is recorded as a new taxon for the flora of Iran. It is morphologically most similar to Allium atroviolaceum and Allium iranicum. This species is compared with its two aforementioned relative species and some notes are given on its affinities. A full description, images and a distribution map are also provided. In addition, a lectotype is selected for A. atroviolaceum.
 

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In the framework of floristic and vegetation studies of different parts of the Hyrcanian region of northern Iran, Lepidium virginicum L. (Brassicaceae) is reported here for the first time for the flora of Iran. Along with a distribution map for the species, an identification key is provided for the nine annual or biennial species of Lepidium, already reported from Iran.
 
 

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Plantago lagocephala is recorded as a new species for the flora of Iran from Razavi Khorassan Province. It is compared with the closely related species including P. lachnantha, P. ciliata and P. psammophila. Moreover, the diagnostic morphological characters and a distribution map are provided. The conservation status of the new record is evaluated based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria.
 

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Cousinia elymaitica, which has been collected from western Iran, is described in this paper as a new species. This new species has been assigned to the sect. Pugioniferae on the basis of its habit, purple corolla and decurrent leaves. Its closest related species is C. macroptera. A distribution map and an illustration of the related specimens have also been provided.
 

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Gypsophila hispida, sect. Hispidae, is reported for the first time from NW Iran. Illustrations, morphological and palynological descriptions and distribution are provided in detail, along with a key for the six taxa of subgen. Hagenia from Iran.
 

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During the study on the specimens of Astragalus sect. Ammodendron in the herbarium of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUMH), based on the last and most recent sources, two new species, i.e. A. microfoliolatus sp. nova and A. rashed-mohasseli sp. nova were found and described. Morphological evidence confirmed that the belonging of these taxa to Astragalus sect. Ammodendron. The most important differences between A. microfoliolatus and its closest relatives are leaflets with very small size and glabrescent legume. Also, the main distinctive characters ofA. rashed-mohasseli are the presence of hairs on the dorsal side of vexillum, oblong legume and short rachis. Hairy vexillum has been obseverd for the first time in this section. In addition, A. aiwadzhi is recorded as a new species for the flora of Iran. Taxonomic descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps are provided to expedite identification.
 
 

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The Palang Galoun protected region, comprising 34935 hectares, is located 75 km northwest of Najaf Abad, and 102 km northwest of Isfahan city. The aim of this research was to assess the floristic spectrum, life form varieties, chorological analysis, determination of protected status and identification of medicinal, threatened species criteria and poisonous plants of this natural heritage. Plant samples were collected during different vegetative seasons at several stages. Life forms of samples were determined and chorological analysis was performed. On the basis of the obtained results, a total of 166 species belonging to 126 genera and 39 families were identified. Six families, 23 genera and 26 species belonged to monocotyledons, whereas 33 families, 103 genera and 140 species belonged to dicotyledons. In terms of chorological analysis, 58% of plant species were distributed in the Irano-Turanian region. It is noteworthy that 44 endemic species, 97 medicinal species, 48 pasture species and 23 poisonous species were present in the studied area. Life forms were found to comprise 54% hemicryptophytes, 24% therophytes, 10% geophytes, 7% chamaephytes and 5% phanerophytes. Based on IUCN red list categories and criteria, there were 22 species in the lower risk category and seven species categorized as vulnerable case.
 

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The current investigations suggest the segregation of Jurinea cartilaginea from Jurinea, and its placement among Centaureinae. Molecular studies, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS), chromosome number data and pollen morphology, support the morphological results. Based on these results, J. cartilaginea is related to and, therefore, transferred to the genus Karvandarina. Due to the morphological characters differing from Karvanderina aphylla, a new subgenus, Pseudojurinea, is described. Molecular study also supports the monophyly of Jurinea.

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In this study, we investigated the chromosome numbers of some endemic species distributed in East and South-East Iran. The mitotic chromosome counts were presented for the first time for six species in three angiosperm families including: Linaria iranica (2n=12), Nanorrhinum campyloceras (2n=18), Chaenorhinum grossecostatum (2n=24) (Plantaginaceae), Gaillonia bruguieri (Rubiaceae) (2n=22), Nepeta rivularis and N. assurgens (Lamiaceae) (2n=18).