University of Maragheh is a public university in the city of Maragheh, in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. The university is a state-funded institution which has 4 faculties and 14 departments. Coming from different parts of Iran, approximately 3000 students attend Maragheh university. In addition, famous enough in the region, Maragheh University enjoys computer sites, modern facilities and laboratories..
The increasing demand for antibacterial and biocompatible materials in biomedical applications prompts the development of titanium-copper (Ti-Cu) alloys as promising candidates. These alloys attract wide attention due to their potent antibacterial activity against various bacteria. This study thoroughly reviews the antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and corrosion performance of Ti-Cu alloys in different circumstances. The effects of copper content, processing routes, surface treatments, and other parameters on antibacterial efficacy, cytocompatibility, osseointegration, and corrosion resistance are analyzed. The investigation spans multiple length scales, examining factors from bulk alloy composition to microstructural features like intermetallic phases and their morphology, distribution, and surface characteristics including topography and wettability. Ultimately, the ongoing challenges associated with Ti-Cu biomedical alloys are critically evaluated, mapping out strategic research directions to fully harness their multifunctional capabilities.
Despite existing studies on vegetation-temperature relationships, a framework to isolate the thermal response of urban areas attributable solely to devegetation remains limited, restricting its practical use in targeted urban climate management. This study introduces an AI-based framework to pinpoint Thermal Sensitivity to Devegetation (TSD). The input data for the framework consists of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST). This framework consists of two levels: (i) Level 1, the principal component analysis, which reduces the dimension of the NDVI and LST images and identifies the principal components, and (ii) Level 2, the self-organizing map, which conducts the cluster analysis using the first components of NDVI and LST at Level 1 and prioritizes the identified clusters based on the simultaneous trend of NDVI decrease and temperature increase. The framework identified TSD clusters in Maragheh, Iran, as a 'garden city' threatened by devegetation. The results reveal hotspots in peripheral areas of the city resulting from urbanization. A Silhouette Index of 0.703 confirmed a strong cluster structure. Additionally, the visual compression of TSD clusters using Google Earth images (2007-2024) corroborated severe devegetation in the most thermally vulnerable clusters. The findings provide a spatial basis for prioritizing vegetation conservation and restoration efforts and for supporting climate-responsive urban planning strategies.
In this study, two new mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, mer-[Ru(pyrrolyl-tpy)(N-N)Cl]Cl (N-N = 2,2 '-bipyridine for complex 1 and 1,10-phenanthroline for complex 2), were synthesized and structurally characterized. Kinetic studies of the ligand substitution reactions with biologically relevant nucleophiles (5 '-GMP and L-cysteine) revealed that reactivity of complexes is influenced by the electronic nature of the N-N ligands. The data also confirmed the known dependence of the substitution rates on the nature of the entering nucleophile. DNA-binding studies using calf thymus DNA indicated a mixed binding mode partial intercalation and minor groove binding, with complex 2 showing higher affinity. Both complexes also exhibited strong binding to human serum albumin (HSA) without site selectivity, supported by experiments in PBS (pH 7.4) and biocompatible ionic liquids (Bio-ILs), where increased solvent polarity enhanced binding efficiency. Molecular docking corroborated the experimental findings. Complex 2 demonstrated greater cytotoxicity and selectivity toward HeLa cells compared to other cancer and normal cell lines (MRC-5). It induced cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase and showed a concentration-dependent ability to trigger apoptosis, although less pronounced than classical agents like cisplatin. These findings highlight complex 2 as a promising candidate for further investigation, particularly regarding alternative mechanisms of cell death beyond apoptosis.
Camelina sativa (L.) is a re-emerging oilseed crop from the Brassicaceae, and has attracted global interest as a low-input, climate-resilient source of edible and industrial oil. Limited information exists on how traits determine seed yield in camelina, so understanding the interrelationships is needed for identifying selection indices in breeding programs. This research aimed to explore the relationships among phenological, morphological, and yield-related traits of camelina through genotypic correlation and path coefficient analyses. Twenty-three camelina accessions from Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Germany, were evaluated during 2024 and 2025. Phenological and agronomical traits were measured, and genotypic correlation and path analyses were used to determine direct and indirect effects of traits on seed yield. Seed yield indicated positive associations with reproductive traits, particularly pods per lateral branch, seeds per lateral pod, and thousand-seed weight, while phenological traits such as flowering and maturity contributed indirectly. Some flowering and branching traits showed unfavorable or indirect negative effects on yield. The results indicated that yield determination in camelina follows sequential causal chains in which branching and pod formation precede seed development and weight accumulation. Seed yield in camelina is controlled by pod- and seed-related traits, whereas phenological and vegetative characteristics act through indirect paths. Selection focused on reproductive and yield-component traits will be most effective for enhancing productivity of camelina.
BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and a major cause of dementia.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training on the expression changes of Notch1, Rbpjk, Hes1, and Hey1genes in the hippocampus of Alzheimer rats.MethodsForty, 8-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (n = 10), exercise (n = 10), AD (n = 10), AD + exercise (n = 10). Endurance training was implemented with increasing intensity starting at 15 m/min in the first week and progressing to speeds of 16-20 m/min over the next five weeks with increased durations each week. After 6 weeks, animals were euthanized and hippocampus was collected, frozen and RNA was isolated to quantify Notch1, Rbpjk, Hes1, and Hey1 expression. All statistical analyses and graphs were conducted using SPSS and visualized using GraphPad Prism, with significance set at p < 0.05.ResultsOne-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post-hoc analysis found that the Alz group had significantly lower expression of Notch1 with increased expression of Rbpjk and Hes1. Conversely, the AD + Ex group was observed to have significantly higher Notch1 and significantly lower Rbpjk compared to the AD group.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that exercise may serve as a complementary neuroprotective intervention via manipulation of Notch1 signaling. Overall, the study highlights the need for further research on the relationship between physical activity and gene expression in the context of AD.
