Drought-stress induced changes of fatty acid composition affecting sunflower grain yield and oil quality.

Water availability is the most important key factor affecting sunflower productivity and its oil quality. This study investigated the effect of drought stress on sunflower fatty acids and its effects on grain yield and related components. Thirteen sunflower hybrids were evaluated as randomized complete block design with three replications under normal and drought stress conditions in Karaj, Iran, during 2 years (2019 and 2020). Drought stress was imposed by water withholding during the reproductive stage. Drought stress accelerated the maturity of sunflower and caused a reduction in grain yield (30%), grains weight (11%), and grain numbers/head (22%) compared with normal irrigation. Means of grain yield were 2.7 and 1.8 t/ha under normal and drought stress conditions respectively. Grain numbers/head had higher correlation with grain yield than grains weight under both conditions. Among the fatty acids, the contents of palmitic and linoleic acids were increased (11% and 3%, respectively) while stearic and oleic acids were decreased (6% and 11%). The results indicated that sunflower hybrids benefit from the escape strategy differentially to adapt drought stress condition. However, this adaptation changes sunflower fatty acid profile that reduces grain yield and quality of sunflower oil in Karaj conditions in Iran. In order to achieve the higher yields and higher oil quality, it is necessary to avoid drought stress in sunflower production fields.

Genotype by yield* trait (GYT) biplot analysis: A novel approach for phenotyping sunflower single cross hybrids based on multiple traits.

Sunflower is one of the most important oilseed plants in the world and its oil has nutritional and high economic value. Selection of high-yielding hybrids is important in sunflower breeding. In this regard, 11 new hybrids along with four cultivars were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications during the 2018-2020 growing seasons. The phenological and agronomic traits including days to flowering, days to ripening, plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, seed number per head, thousand-seed weight, oil content, and seed yield were measured. In this study, the methods of genotype × trait (GT) and genotype × yield × trait biplot (GYT) were used to identify interrelationships between different traits and to select the best sunflower hybrids based on multiple traits. According to the results, GYT biplot method was more efficient compared to the GT biplot method. Considering both superiority index (SI) and GYT biplot, the genotypes G8, G11, G5, and G3 were superior in terms of agronomical attributes such as flowering and maturity times, stem and head diameter, plant height, thousand-seed weight, and seed number per head in close relationship with grain yield. Oil content of the hybrids G8, G11, G5, and G3 was 47.9%, 46.4%, 45.8%, and 46.3%, respectively. The results indicated that there is a potential for simultaneous genetic improvement of the characteristics (i.e., plant height, thousand-seed weight, seed number per head, early maturity) in sunflower. Overall, the GYT graphical biplot method provides a practical and efficient new approach for the identification of suitable hybrids according to the set of intended characteristics in sunflower improvement under multi-years or multi-locations.

The effect of aerobic exercise on metabolic parameters of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on fasting blood glucose, Insulin, Insulin resistance, Glycosylated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C), Lipid profile as important indicators of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This research is a systematic review and meta-analysis that was conducted in 2021. For the present study, databases, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, science of Web, SID, Magiran and Google Scholar from 2010 to 2021, were searched along with keywords. After the initial screening, the full text of the articles was evaluated and the articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. A total of 120 articles were reviewed, of which 16 articles met the criteria for entering the systematic review and meta-analysis. Accordingly, 710 people with fatty liver disease were divided into two groups of control and experimental group of 307 and 403 people, respectively. The mean age of the subjects in the present study was 52±10 years. The intervention effects were evaluated using the mean difference (MD) and the random effects model. Data were analyzed using effect size tests, bias analysis and heterogeneity analysis and by STATA software. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Meta-analysis results indicated that endurance training in general significantly reduced glucose levels (P=0.004, SDM=-0.26, SE=0.09), insulin (P=0.01, SDM=-0.29, SE=0.11), HOMA-IR (P=0.01, SDM=-0.28, SE=0.11), Hba1c (P=0.001, SDM=-0.33, SE=0.12), triglycerides (P=0.02, SDM=-0.31, SE=0.13) and LDL (P=0.03, SDM=-0.21, SE=0.1). CONCLUSIONS: The results of meta-analysis did not show a significant effect on HDL levels after aerobic exercise in patients with fatty liver (P=0.97, SDM=0, SE=0.09). Endurance training improves the levels of glucose, insulin, Hba1c, Homa-IR, triglyceride, and LDL; although, there was no significant change in HDL levels due to endurance training. However, there is still a need for further research in this area.

Comparing spinal anesthesia approaches for transurethral lithotripsy in patients with proximal ureteral stones: A randomized clinical trial of bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine with fentanyl.

Despite the benefits of spinal anesthesia and the preference of anesthesiologists for this technique, it is less accepted by urologists due to the proximity of the stone place in the ureter and the possibility of pain, restlessness, and occasional movements of the patient during surgery. The current study investigated the success of bupivacaine plus intrathecal fentanyl in patients undergoing transurethral lithotripsy (TUL). In this randomized clinical trial, from April 2021 to September 2021, 54 patients with proximal urolithiasis candidates for TUL were enrolled. Patients were randomly categorized into two groups: group A received bupivacaine 10 mg and 0.5 ml of normal saline, while group B received bupivacaine 10 mg with 0.5 ml (25µg) of intrathecal fentanyl. According to our findings, about 74% of the patients were men, and the mean age of the patients was 66.14±22.46 years. The onset time of the sensory block, sensory block level, pain score, degree of relaxation, depth of the motor block, occurrence of anesthesia complications, oxygen saturation, and mean arterial blood pressure were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the duration of the motor block in group B was longer than in group A (p<0.001). Also, retropulsion was observed only in five patients (18.5%) in group A, significantly higher than in group B (p=0.019). Bupivacaine with fentanyl 25µg provided adequate spinal anesthesia with lower retropulsion in patients with urolithiasis who are candidates for TUL.

The effect of resistance and endurance training with ursolic acid on atrophy-related biomarkers in muscle tissue of diabetic male rats induced by streptozotocin and a high-fat diet.

In this study, the effect of resistance and endurance training with/without ursolic acid supplementation was evaluated to identify atrophy-related biomarkers in elderly rats induced by diabetes and a high-fat diet (HFD) based on in silico analysis algorithms and pharmaceutical methods. The visualizer software found differential gene expression levels in skeletal muscle atrophy via computed hub gene network parameters. Also, the impact of ursolic acid, as a potent inducer of the Trp53 protein in ameliorating decreased muscle mass, was analyzed in diabetic rats. Fifty-six-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into seven groups, including healthy control (Control), diabetic control (DM), Ursolic acid supplementation (UA), resistance training (RT), endurance training (ET), resistance training+ Ursolic acid supplementation (RT + U), and endurance training in combination with Ursolic acid supplementation (ET + U). Exercise intervention included 8 weeks of resistance or endurance training programs. Biomedical informatic outputs determined the P53 signaling pathway as a remarkable causative factor in the pathomechanism of atrophy. In addition, the results demonstrated that exercise and supplementation of UA impeded the interactions among p53/ATF4/p21. Moreover, ET and ursolic acid had a synergetic effect on the signaling pathway of p53/ATF4/p21 and probably could inhibit the aging process and modulate the p53/ATF4/p21 molecular pathway. The interaction between UA and endurance exercise significantly modified the activity of the p53/ATF4/p21 signaling pathway. Based on in silico studies, the p53/ATF4/p21 pathway plays an essential role in aging, and the inhibition of this pathway would be beneficial in decelerating the aging process. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid found in apples (a major compound of apple wax) and other fruits; it is known to improve skeletal muscle function and reduce the muscular atrophy pathways. We indicated that p53/ATF4/p21 signaling is an essential factor in aging, and the suppression of this pathway could be beneficial in the deceleration of the aging process. Therefore, this work would shed light on understanding the effect of exercise and nutrition interventions on preventing atrophy markers of skeletal muscle in diabetic rats. Further studies are needed to seek the precise mechanism of the synergism between UA and exercise in ameliorating atrophy markers.

The effects of Cuminum cyminum on glycemic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cuminum Cyminum (CC) is a traditional herbal medicine using as an antiseptic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Recently hypoglycemic characteristics of CC have been indicated. AIM OF THE STUDY: We intended to conduct a meta-analysis on the effect of CC supplementation on glycemic parameters in patients with different chronic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched until May 2021. Random effect model was conducted to perform the meta-analysis. Source of heterogeneity was explored using the meta-regression and subgroup analyses. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the quality of studies. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Findings of eight studies showed that CC supplementation reduced FBS (SMD = -1.4 mg/dl; 95 % CI: -2.29, -0.51; P = 0.002), HbA1c (SMD = -1.71 %; 95 % CI: -3.24, -0.18; P = 0.028), and HOMA-ß (SMD = 0.46; 95 % CI: -0.62, 1.55; P = 0.404) significantly. Also, CC increased QUICKI level (SMD = 0.89; 95 % CI: 0.37, 1.4; P = 0.001. However, no significant effect of CC was observed on insulin (SMD = -0.70 µIU/dl; 95 % CI: -1.84, 0.45; P = 0.234) and HOMA-IR (SMD = 0.46; 95 % CI: -0.62, 1.55; P = 0.404). CONCLUSION: CC had an improving effect on FBS, HbA1C, HOMA-B, and QUICKI. The effect of CC on amending HOMA-IR was significant after sensitivity analysis. However, the insulin level was not changed significantly.

Development of a robust hydroponic method for screening of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) accessions for tolerance to heat and osmotic stress.

Hydroponic systems are known to provide a platform for uniform growth conditions until the reproductive stage. However, many plant species, including sunflower, show poor growth and survivability under conventional hydroponic systems due to poor nutrient availability, hypoxia and algal contamination. Thus, we tested various hydroponic systems to select a hydroponic system suitable for screening of sunflower germplasm. Sunflower accessions showed better growth and leaf gas exchange in newly-designed over conventional hydroponic systems. Selected hydroponic systems were further engaged in sunflower accession screening under heat and osmotic stress in a two-pan system (210 cm × 60 cm). Heat stress treatment was applied by growing sunflower germplasm at 42 °C and osmotic stress by adding polyethylene glycol 8000 which decreased the osmotic potential to - 0.6 MPa. There was significant variability among the sunflower accessions for their ability to survive under stress. Accessions such as C-2721 (43%), C-291 (46%) and D-14 (43%) had lower cell membrane injury percentage under osmotic stress and high seedling survivability (60‒80%) under heat stress when compared with susceptible accessions. Moreover, resistant accessions exhibited greater cuticular waxes and root length but lower transpiration losses. The newly designed hydroponic platform proved reliable for the selection of resistant sunflower accessions. Selected parental lines were validated by assessing their hybrids under field trials across two seasons under water and temperature stress during the reproductive phase (autumn). Hybrid H3 obtained by crossing drought and heat resistant parents had the highest seed yield and water use efficiency.

Preparation and characterization of semi-IPNs of polycaprolactone/poly (acrylic acid)/cellulosic nanowhisker as artificial articular cartilage.

Cartilage is a semi-solid resilient and smooth elastic connective tissue and upon damage, its repair is almost impossible or occurs with a very slow recovery process. Polycaprolactone (PCL), used as a biocompatible polymer, withholds all required mechanical properties, except suitable cell adhesion due to its hydrophobicity. In order to resolve this issue, we sought to introduce appropriate semi-IPNs into the system to regain its hydrophilicity base on increasing of the hydrophilic polymer. PCL and Cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) were entrapped in a network of poly (acrylic acid) that had been crosslinked via a novel acrylic-urethane crosslinker. The influential synthetic parameters on the preparation of artificial articular cartilages were investigated based on the Taguchi test design. The prepared CNW, acrylic-urethane crosslinker and semi-IPNs were studied via 1H NMR, FTIR, SEM, TEM, TGA, water swelling, water contact angle, tensile, and MTT analyses. According to the results, the optimal amount of monomer was about 46%. Incorporation of an optimized amount of CNW, which was 0.5%, improved the mechanical properties of artificial cartilage. After a 30 h time period, semi-IPNs showed the water absorption of about 30%. MTT on days 1, 3 and 5, as well as cell attachment, confirmed the biocompatibility of the semi-IPNs.

Assessment of genetic diversity among sunflower genotypes using microsatellite markers.

Genetic diversity estimation of plant materials is one of the important pre-breeding activities in breeding field crops. Twenty-one microsatellite markers used to assess genetic diversity and relationship of 68 sunflower genotypes (Helianthus annuus L.). All of 21 pairs of SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) markers produced a total number of 49 polymorphic bands. DNA fragments ranged from 92 to 850 bp. The highest and lowest polymorphic information content (PIC) values were determined as 0.58 and 0.10 for marker Ha806-ar and Ha494-ar. The number of alleles per locus was calculated as 2-6 with the average of 2.86. In this study, CMS (Cytoplasmic Male Sterility) lines showed the highest and Iranian hybrids showed the least polymorphism, respectively. Principal coordinates analysis revealed that Iranian hybrids were well-separated compare to the other groups. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated higher genetic variation within groups (90%) rather than among groups (10%). This study revealed that the SSR markers such as Ha806-ar could be a useful tool for distinguishing sunflowers genotypes. According to the study, there is a significant genetic distance among individuals. Parental lines (R26 and CMS502 lines with lowest similarity coefficient) may be useful for future sunflower crossing and hybrid breeding programs. Generally, high similarity coefficient estimation among investigated sunflower groups revealed that there was a narrow genetic base in investigated materials suggesting broadening its genetic base by introduction of new genes into existing breeding materials.

High-volumetric performance aligned nano-porous microwave exfoliated graphite oxide-based electrochemical capacitors.

Ultra-high volumetric performance electrochemical double layer capacitors based on high density aligned nano-porous microwave exfoliated graphite oxide have been studied. Elimination of macro-, meso-, and larger micro-pores from electrodes and controlling the nano-morphology results in very high volumetric capacitance, energy, and power density values.

Direct observation of ion distributions near electrodes in ionic polymer actuators containing ionic liquids.

The recent boom of energy storage and conversion devices, exploiting ionic liquids (ILs) to enhance the performance, requires an in-depth understanding of this new class of electrolytes in device operation conditions. One central question critical to device performance is how the mobile ions accumulate near charged electrodes. Here, we present the excess ion depth profiles of ILs in ionomer membrane actuators (Aquivion/1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride (BMMI-Cl), 27 µm thick), characterized directly by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) at liquid nitrogen temperature. Experimental results reveal that for the IL studied, cations and anions are accumulated at both electrodes. The large difference in the total volume occupied by the excess ions between the two electrodes cause the observed large bending actuation of the actuator. Hence we demonstrate that ToF-SIMS experiment provides great insights on the physics nature of ionic devices.

Differential response of root proteome to drought stress in drought sensitive and tolerant sunflower inbred lines.

Productivity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), the fourth most important oilseed crop, is strongly dependent on water availability. To search for genetic variation in the ability of roots to grow into drying soil, 16 sunflower lines were screened in 2 years field experiments by imposing drought stress at flowering stage. The results differentiated RGK 21 and BGK 329 as the most sensitive and tolerant lines respectively. The time course physiological assay of these lines at seedling stage revealed roots as the most affected organ 6 days after imposing drought stress. A proteomics approach was adapted for investigating of differential changes in roots proteome under contrasting moisture regimes. Protein spots with significant changes in protein abundance were identified by nano LC-MS/MS. The results indicated that under drought stress relative abundance of metabolism related proteins were decreased in both sensitive and tolerant lines. Abundance of energy and disease/defence related proteins were decreased in the sensitive but increased in the tolerant line. The results indicate that changes in energy usage, water transport and ROS scavenging are important mechanisms for maintaining root growth as the soil dries.

A pH-sensitive molecularly imprinted nanospheres/hydrogel composite as a coating for implantable biosensors.

A pH-sensitive molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanospheres/hydrogel composite exhibiting controlled release of dexamethasone-21 phosphate disodium (DXP) was developed as a potential coating for implantable biosensors to improve their biocompatibility. The molecularly imprinted pH-sensitive nanospheres were prepared by UV-initiated precipitation polymerization using DXP as the template molecule. The DXP loading and release experiments showed that the MIP nanospheres exhibited a higher loading level and slower release rate than non-imprinted polymer (NIP) nanospheres due to the interaction of DXP with the DXP-imprinted cavities within the MIP nanospheres. Furthermore, the MIP nanospheres exhibited a faster DXP release rate at a lower pH value within the pH range tested (i.e., 6.0-7.4), which is desirable for suppressing inflammation because inflammation induces an acidic microenvironment. In contrast, the NIP nanospheres did not show a notable pH-responsive DXP release behavior. The hydrogel poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) -N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NVP) -2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)) was prepared by UV polymerization. The MIP nanospheres were successfully incorporated into the hydrogel. The equilibrium water content and swelling kinetics of the MIP nanospheres/hydrogel composite were similar to those of pure hydrogel. The MIP nanospheres/hydrogel composite exhibited a much better controlled DXP release profile than the pure hydrogel. This pH-sensitive MIP nanospheres/hydrogel composite designed as a coating for implantable biosensors can potentially suppress the inflammation response of the implanted biosensors efficiently thereby effectively improving their lifetime.