Almond is one of the earliest flowering fruit trees, making it highly susceptible to late spring frosts, which can result in significant yield losses. In Iran, where orchards are often exposed to spring frosts, developing strategies to delay flowering is of critical importance. Delayed flowering is considered a passive frost-avoidance strategy that may reduce frost risk depending on local climatic conditions. Interstocks, inserted between rootstocks and scions, have the potential to influence phenology by modulating hormonal balance, carbohydrate allocation, and gene expression. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various rootstock–interstock–scion combinations on delaying bloom in Iranian commercial almond cultivars using morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Specifically, two vegetative rootstocks (GN15 and GF677), three late-flowering almond genotypes (Shahrud 7, Shahrud 12, and Prunus arabica), and two Iranian commercial cultivars (Mamaee and Sefid) were evaluated in different grafting configurations, with non-interstock grafted combinations used as controls. During the 2024–2025 seasons, interstocks significantly influenced flowering time, flower density, vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigment composition, hormone profiles, and the expression of flowering-related genes. In the Mamaee cultivar, the combinations of Shahrud7 and Arabica interstocks on GN15 rootstock resulted in the most pronounced flowering delay, occurring more than 14 days later than the earliest-flowering combination (GF677–Arabica–Sefid) and approximately 5 days later than the control (GN15–Mamaee). In the Sefid cultivar, the inclusion of the Shahrud7 interstock in the GF677–Shahrud7–Sefid combination delayed flowering by approximately 9 days, whereas the same interstock grafted onto GN15 advanced flowering, highlighting a strong three-way interaction among rootstock, interstock, and scion. Pigment analyses indicated that Arabica interstocks enhanced chlorophyll b and carotenoid levels, whereas Shahrud7 promoted chlorophyll a, suggesting interstock-specific physiological pathways. Late-flowering combinations were associated with relatively higher levels of abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and gibberellic acid (GA3), which may contribute to prolonged dormancy and delayed floral transition. Gene expression analyses revealed reduced transcription of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), CONSTANS (CO), SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1(SOC1), LEAFY (LFY), and APETALA1 (AP1) in late-flowering combinations. Multivariate analyses further separated early- and late-flowering groups, emphasizing the regulatory role of interstocks. This study demonstrates that flowering phenology in Iranian commercial almonds is strongly dependent on rootstock–interstock–scion interactions rather than interstock identity alone. Certain grafting combinations were capable of delaying flowering or enhancing reproductive traits, indicating that interstock selection represents a potentially effective passive strategy for frost-risk mitigation when matched with appropriate rootstock–scion combinations. By integrating morphophysiological, hormonal, and molecular evidence, this work provides a mechanistic and application-oriented framework for optimizing almond orchard performance through targeted interstock use.

Orchard productivity in almond trees is strongly influenced by rootstock selection, which plays a key role in floral induction and yield optimization. Although several rootstocks are commonly used in Iran, their comparative effects on floral induction in major commercial cultivars remain poorly understood. This study evaluated five Peach × Almond hybrid rootstocks (GN15, GF677, GN15-M, Shurab2, and Shurab3) grafted with two widely grown Iranian cultivars, Mamaee and Shahrud12, to investigate rootstock–scion interactions. These combinations were chosen based on their commercial importance and regional adaptability. A four-year factorial experiment (2021–2025) was conducted in a completely randomized design. Morphological traits, including flower number, blooming density, and vegetative growth, were measured alongside photosynthetic pigments and endogenous hormone profiles. Additionally, the expression of flowering-related genes was analyzed in leaf and bud tissues. Results revealed that Shurab3 significantly enhanced floral induction in both cultivars, with the Shurab3–Shahrud12 combination producing the highest flower number and bloom density. Shurab3 also outperformed GN15 in promoting flowering in Mamaee, whereas the GN15–Mamaee combination showed the lowest performance. Rootstocks GF677, GN15-M, and Shurab2 exhibited intermediate effects. Shurab3 combinations were further associated with higher chlorophyll content, increased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and dynamic patterns of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA3). Molecular analyses confirmed upregulation of FLOWERING LOCUS T ( FT ), CONSTANS ( CO ), SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 ( SOC1 ), LEAFY ( LFY ), and APETALA1 ( AP1 ) in Shurab3–Shahrud12, consistent with observed phenotypic improvements. Overall, these findings indicate that both rootstock and scion selection critically influence reproductive performance. Shurab3 emerges as a promising flower-inducing rootstock, providing practical guidance for optimizing orchard management and enhancing almond productivity under regional climatic conditions.

The primary objective concerning almond kernels revolves around preserving their quality, a factor largely influenced by enzymatic activity leading to browning. In essence, the paramount concern is to uphold the high standard of almond kernels, with the color being significantly affected by these enzymes. The quality of almonds is intricately linked to the functioning of these enzymes and their role in determining the color of the kernels. Due to the limited understanding of these enzymes, this study was undertaken to examine the impact of genes associated with these enzymes in the pollen grains of various cultivars on the browning of almond kernels. Moreover, variations in the activity of defense enzymes, specifically peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), were assessed. Additionally, alterations in the expression levels of enzyme genes were examined at different stages of almond seed development, specifically 67, 85, 97, and 109 days after pollination. A factorial experiment utilizing a randomized complete block design with three replications and six treatments was carried out to investigate the impact of peroxidase (per67) and chorismate mutase2 (CM2) genes on both the quality and quantity of almond kernels. Each block consisted of a single tree. The phenylpropanoid pathway's peroxidase (per67) and chorismate mutase2 (CM2) genes encode phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes, respectively, which play a crucial role in the browning process of almond kernels. The results from RT-qPCR indicated a more substantial increase in the expression of per67 and CM2 genes in seeds resulting from the crossbreeding of 'Sefid' & times; 'Mamaee' and 'Pooya' & times; 'Mamaee' compared to those from the paternal groups 'Orientalis' and 'Sefid'. Notably, certain genes exhibited significant variation in expression between different crossbreeding and seed development stages, potentially influencing the coloration of almond kernels. Morphological observations of the seeds highlighted a distinct contrast between Mamaee and Orientalis pollination, with Mamaee-pollinated seeds displaying a more pronounced kernel color. This underscores the impact of pollen grains on the browning process of almond kernels.

In this study, we examined the efficacy of the artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) technology in targeting the HOS1 gene for the enhancement of cold stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana Ler-0 ecotype. The impact of athHOS1-amiRNA overexpression on the response of transgenic plants to cold stress was assessed using RT-qPCR in 3-week-old seedlings of the T3 generation. Additionally, the response of wild-type plants of the same age to cold stress (4 degrees C) for various durations (6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours) was also evaluated. Comparative analysis revealed that athHOS1-amiRNA downregulated athHOS1 in transgenic plants after prolonged exposure to low temperature (48 h and 96 h) (Pearson's correlation coefficient of -0.407; P<0.05). Interestingly, while prolonged cold stress at 96 h led to a significant upregulation of athHOS1 in wild-type plants, the suppression of athHOS1-amiRNA in transgenic plants disrupted the expected circadian rhythm of athHOS1 by preventing its upregulation. Furthermore, T3 plants that had been cold-acclimated exhibited a 17% increase in freezing tolerance (-1 to -8 degrees C) compared to wild-type plants, indicating the success of this approach in enhancing Arabidopsis tolerance to low temperatures, at least in the Ler-0 ecotype. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics of gene/protein networking during cold acclimation and its interaction with the athHOS1-amiRNA approach, further characterization is required. This includes measuring the expression levels and half-life of athHOS1-amiRNA and HOS1 mRNA, as well as evaluating the protein level of HOS1 and its direct targets, such as ICE1, in different Arabidopsis ecotypes and at different time intervals of low temperature exposure.

Drought stress has a significant impact on photosynthesis in plants, leading to reduced photosynthesis rates and affecting plant growth and yield. Understanding the effects of drought stress on photosynthetic pathways, particularly in C3 and C4 plants, is crucial for maximizing agricultural productivity and maintaining food security. In this study, we analyzed RNA-seq data from leaves of common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), as representatives of C3 and C4, using a meta-analysis approach to investigate the photosynthesis-related genes involved in the response to drought stress. We identified specific genes and components of the photosynthesis pathway that are affected by drought stress. The findings suggest that wheat and sorghum respond differently to drought stress, with sorghum showing a more effective defense system against photoinhibition and damage to photosystems. On the other hand, it seems that in wheat, in order to deal with oxidative stress, the expression of homologous genes of C4 enzyme and genes involved in heme and siroheme synthesis pathway has increased under stress. This is probably due to the higher photoinhibition in C3 photosynthetic system compared to C4. Furthermore, drought stress affected chlorophyll biosynthesis and degradation pathways in both wheat and sorghum, but compared with sorghum, drought stress had a greater inhibitory effect on chlorophyll biosynthesis in wheat, which indicates the difference in their ability to cope with photoinhibition.

Lentil Ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta lentis) is one of the most important limiting factors of lentil cultivation and production in most regions of the world. Introducing resistance sources against the pathogen is a suitable strategy to conquer this biotic stress. In this study, A. lentis-lentil pathosystem was inspected through the evaluation of 79 lentil genotypes in greenhouse conditions. Afterward, germplasm population structure as well as genomic regions conferring in differentiation of disease response types were determined by defense-genes related SSRs. Also, comprehensive analysis of the lentil defense system in facing A. lentis was done by measuring transcripts of defense-related genes of PR-2 and RBP-hnRNPs at 24, 48, and 72 h post inoculation. Non-parametric analysis of variance showed significant differences among studied genotypes regarding disease severity and AUDPC, where 69.62%, 21.51%, and 8.86% of them showed susceptible, moderate resistant, and resistant reactions, respectively. Genomic fingerprinting of genotypes by using 9 SSR loci specific to defense genes, manifested 51 alleles. Among the studied SSR loci, RRM1 with PIC values of 0.74 possessed the highest efficacy in evaluation of the lentil germplasm. Discriminant analysis of principle component analysis, showed efficacy of defense-genes related SSRs in prediction of R, S, and MR reactions that were determined phenotypically in greenhouse conditions. Combination of genetic algorithm with quadratic SVM as supervised machine learning method revealed allele PP2C-7 of gene PP2C (has act in pathway of plant stress signaling) as important feature for prediction of lentil reaction types against A. lentis. Study of molecular response against A. lentis showed overexpression of genes RBP-hnRNPs (transcriptional factor) and PR-2 (anti-fungal compound), especially at 48 hpi and 72 hpi for resistant genotype. In total, screening lentil germplasm is continuous work regarding the co-evolution of pathogens and resistant genes, and in this way, artificial intelligence through defense genes relevant SSRs could reliably identify resistance type genotypes. AB-resistant lentil genotypes respond rapidly and rigidly against infection compared with susceptible genotypes.

Eight field-grown Alcea species (A. koelzii, A. kurdica, A. lavateriflora, A. rechingeri, A. remotiflora, A. rufescenc, A. schiraziana and A. tehranica) were analyzed for their mucilage content to identify the species with the highest yield. The mucilage was extracted with boiling water, precipitated by methanol, and subjected to acid hydrolysis by trifluoroacetic acid. Although mucilage content varied across Alcea species, root yields generally exceeded flower yields, with A. rechingeri roots reaching up to 26.43 %. HPLC analysis showed glucose as the dominant monosaccharide in root mucilage across all species. Rhamnose and fructose content, however, exhibited variations among the species. Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed layered or fibrous structures, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis confirmed a polysaccharide-based composition for flower and root mucilage. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis detected calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, with higher concentrations in flower mucilage. X-Ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of both amorphous and semi-crystalline regions within the mucilage samples, with crystalline phases identified as calcium oxalate hydrate, alpha-cyclodextrin, and glutamic acid. In conclusion, A. koelzii flowers and A. rechingeri roots yielded the highest mucilage content, suggesting Alcea as a promising source of polysaccharides with potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

In Catharanthus roseus, vital plant hormones, namely methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethylene, serve as abiotic triggers, playing a crucial role in stimulating the production of specific secondary compounds with anticancer properties. Understanding how plants react to various stresses, stimuli, and the pathways involved in biosynthesis holds significant promise. The application of stressors like ethylene and MeJA induces the plant's defense mechanisms, leading to increased secondary metabolite production. To delve into the essential transcriptomic processes linked to hormonal responses, this study employed an integrated approach combining RNA-Seq data meta-analysis and system biology methodologies. Furthermore, the validity of the meta-analysis findings was confirmed using RT-qPCR. Within the meta-analysis, 903 genes exhibited differential expression (DEGs) when comparing normal conditions to those of the treatment. Subsequent analysis, encompassing gene ontology, KEGG, TF, and motifs, revealed that these DEGs were actively engaged in multiple biological processes, particularly in responding to various stresses and stimuli. Additionally, these genes were notably enriched in diverse biosynthetic pathways, including those related to TIAs, housing valuable medicinal compounds found in this plant. Furthermore, by conducting co-expression network analysis, we identified hub genes within modules associated with stress response and the production of TIAs. Most genes linked to the biosynthesis pathway of TIAs clustered within three specific modules. Noteworthy hub genes, including Helicase ATP-binding domain, hbdA, and ALP1 genes within the blue, turquoise, and green module networks, are presumed to play a role in the TIAs pathway. These identified candidate genes hold potential for forthcoming genetic and metabolic engineering initiatives aimed at augmenting the production of secondary metabolites and medicinal compounds within C. roseus.

Objective Iran is one of the few countries where the origin of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in the world. About half of the pomegranate genotypes are endangered. Despite the similarity between some genotypes in terms of appearance, there are differences between anthocyanins, phytochemicals, antioxidants, etc., of them that are very much affected by the environment (especially stress) and require DNA barcoding. For this reason, more accurate molecular studies, especially DNA identification, are necessary to aid in classification, identification of the required genotype, non-incorrect naming of genotypes, and identification of cultivars. By performing this research, it is possible to reduce the volume of genotypes and eliminate duplicate and similar genotypes in Saveh pomegranate collection to reduce their maintenance and management costs. Also used to select the best plant barcode to identify, differentiate and determine the diversity of genotypes for use in breeding programs. Materials and methods In this study, 58 genotypes in Saveh pomegranate collection were examined by ITS barcode region. After receiving the sequences, first all the sequences blast in the NCBI site for the accuracy of the desired area and after sure of the desired plant area (pomegranate), the quality of the sequences was measured with Chromas software and in addition to deleting the M13 sequence, the beginning and end sequences and poor-quality sequences were deleted. Then, for multiple alignments by clustalW method, bioinformatics analysis was performed using MEGA software. Results The results showed that the success rate of propagation in this area by PCR was 79%. Also, the success rate of sequencing in this area was 74.68%. The GC content of this area was 64.23%. The lowest genetic distance for this region (0.005) was between the genotypes of Malls Tabas with Chatroud Shirin and the Torsh Dorag Rafsanjan with Globland Bafgh and the highest genetic distance (5.314) was between the genotypes of Gol Magasi Taft with Dane Siyah Ardestan, Poost Ghermez Zanjan, Malas Paveh, Peyvndi Ashkzar and Dane Ghermez Zavareh genotypes. The results of phylogenetic tree also showed that wild genotypes of Tamin Khash, Domezeh Bagh Malek Izeh and Dorag Malas Bajestan and Gol Magasi Taft were each in separate groups and other genotypes were in other groups. Conclusions In general, Ardestan, Khash, Gol Magasi Taft, Malas Peyvandi Ashkzar, Zanjan, Paveh, Zavareh and Ravar genotypes had the highest genetic diversity and distance with other genotypes that according to other characteristics of genotypes, they can be used as parents for breeding programs. Also, considering that this region, unlike other regions, carries both paternal and maternal genes and due to the facilitation of reproduction and the success of their sequences, was identified as a suitable region to show genetic diversity between genotypes which can be used in future research.

The combination of nuclear and chloroplast barcode regions was very effective for distinguishing pomegranate genotypes. The simultaneous use of molecular, biochemical and morphological markers had a complementary function. Exclusion of similar genotypes regardless of their geographic region based on different markers helps to reduce the size of the collection, especially when building a core collection is the ultimate goal. Accurate identification of genotypes and their relationships is one of the major challenges in the study of plant taxonomy, especially at the subspecies level. For this purpose, molecular, biochemical, and morphological markers are commonly used in different plant species. In the present study, the sequences of three DNA barcode regions, including the ITS, trnl-F, and matK regions, and all their possible combinations were examined in 21 pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) accessions. In addition, 18 morphological and biochemical characteristics of the genotypes were measured simultaneously to confirm the distinctions. The results show that the combination of three barcode regions (ITS + trnl-F + matK) has the highest efficiency due to the highest number of variable sites as well as parsimony informative sites. Considering the phylogenetic trees obtained from the barcode regions and the morpho-biochemical traits, it can be seen that genotype 808 is clearly different from the other genotypes. Of the genotypes studied in this experiment, ten genotypes were classified into close groups based on their geographic origin in both the barcode and morpho-biochemical clusters. However, genotypes 709, 712, and 708, which were grown in different geographical areas, had similar characteristics, so they were grouped in close branches in both dendrograms. This suggests that the simultaneous use of molecular and morphological markers is essential for distinguishing pomegranate genotypes.

The main factor leading to a decrease in crop productivity is abiotic stresses, particularly drought. Plants with C4 and CAM photosynthesis are better adapted to drought-prone areas than C3 plants. Therefore, it is beneficial to compare the stress response of plants with different photosynthetic pathways. Since most crops are C3 and C4 plants, this study focused on conducting an RNA-seq meta-analysis to investigate and compare how C3 and C4 plants respond to drought stress at the gene expression level in their leaves. Additionally, the accuracy of the meta-analysis results was confirmed with RT-qPCR. Based on the functional enrichment and network analysis, hub genes related to ribosomal proteins and photosynthesis were found to play a potential role in stress response. Moreover, our findings suggest that the low abundant amino acid degradation pathway, possibly through providing ATP source for the TCA cycle, in both groups of plants and the activation of the OPPP pathway in C4 plants, through providing the electron source required by this plant, can help to improve drought stress tolerance.

From the past, till now various improved almond cultivars with desired traits have been introduced through breeding programs based on classical and biotechnological approaches. Despite the success of these methods, the development of almond cultivation has been encountered with a variety of constraints. In all plants, including almond, regulatory mechanisms at different levels of transcription, post-transcription, translation, and post-translation have evolved under different conditions, and an in-depth understanding of these mechanisms may suggest new strategies for the development of desirable cultivars. Since the discovery of the first plant microRNA (miRNA) over the last two decades, several miRNAomes studies including identification, expression profiling, miRNA-mRNA interactions, and miRNA functional analysis have provided novel intuitions on regulatory mechanisms. In almond, recent studies illustrated the microRNA-mediated gene regulation under abiotic stresses (cold stress and drought stress), symbiosis, and during fruit development. In this chapter, we have discussed the results of these studies and highlighted the candidate responsive miRNAs for further functional studies and appliance them for genetic manipulation and desired almond cultivars introduction.

Almond is a stone fruit crop belonging to the Rosaceae family, cultivated in the temperate region of the world for its high nutritive valued fruits. In today’s marketplace, the grower profit is directly related to input traits such as large fruit size. To elucidate the genetic control of seed size in almonds, we use the xenia phenomenon. For this purpose, in this study, almond cultivars ‘Sefid’ and ‘Mamaee Pooya’ were pollinated with pollen from almond cultivars ‘Mamaee’ (large seeds) and a genotype ‘Orientalis’ (small seeds). The seed quantitative traits showed pollination with ‘Mamaee’ increased these traits of each female parent compared to pollination with ‘Orientalis’. Comparative profiling demonstrated 258 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two assayed RNA-Seq samples (one sample containing a pool of seeds of ‘Sefid’ × ‘Mamaee’ and the other a pool of seeds of ‘Sefid’ × ‘Orientalis’). Which among them 150 were up-regulated and 108 were down-regulated. Gene ontology (GO) annotation analysis revealed that DEGs were associated with hormone signaling, metabolite synthesis and cell communication. KEGG pathway analysis on 256 DEGs showed that many genes are engaged in the control of kernel size. Also, analysis of protein–protein interaction network displayed that several genes such as PduBEN1 (Protein BRI1-5 ENHANCED 1), PduSUS2 (Sucrose synthase 2), PduGA2OX2 (Gibberellin 2-beta-dioxygenase 2), PduABCG25 (ABC transporter G family member 25), PduGASA1 (gibberellic acid-stimulated Arabidopsis) and PduCYP72C1 (cytochrome p450 72c1) had a remarkable impact on kernel size. This study has provided considerable insights into the complicated regulatory mechanism underlying the kernel size trait in almonds.

Wheat is the most important cereal. One of the environmental stresses is drought that harm the production of many cereals and every year due to low rainfall and frequent droughts, the need to produce plants resistant to this stress is felt. Therefore, identification and evaluation of the genes involved in the production of this resistance in plants are of great importance. By identifying these genes and changing their expression, it is possible to produce resistant plants that can tolerate dehydration and drought, with at least a qualitative and quantitative reduction in yield. Based on the meta-analysis results obtained in this study, in resistant cultivars ~ 4% (2394/61290) of the probe IDs decreased and ~ 4.5% (2670/61290) increased expression, furthermore in susceptible cultivars ~ 7% (4183/61290) of probe IDs decreased and ~ 6% (3591/61290) increased expression (P value ≤ 0.05). List of up- and downregulated genes was revealed, among the expressed genes of transcription factors Myb3, ethylene-responsive 5a, MIKC-type MADS-box WM24B, and salinity inducible ERF4 in resistant cultivars and transcription factors WRKY15, MADS-box TaAGL8, WRKY39, and Myb in susceptible cultivars, they showed a significant increase in expression, these transcription factors are of great importance in drought stress. Among them, ethylene responsive 5a in resistant cultivars by 3 times and Myb in susceptible cultivars by 2.6 times have shown the highest expression change. Using Cytoscape Hub software, the Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and lyase isocitrate (TaSAG7) genes, which have significantly different expressions in resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars. PEPC and TaSAG7 genes were upregulated in resistant wheat cultivars as well as down regulated in susceptible cultivars. Also, the qPCR results of selected genes were consistent with the outcomes of the meta-analysis. All microarray data were collected from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus site. Libraries with drought-tolerant and susceptible cultivars for wheat were considered under the stress and control conditions from whole leaf tissue. By meta-analysis combined the purposeful results of multiple experiments, and found list of genes expressed in reverse between the two cultivars. These genes can distinguish between different susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars.

SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron with its lineages BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 has triggered a fresh wave of Covid‐19 infections. Though, Omicron has, so far, produced mild symptoms, its genome contains 60 mutations including 37 in the spike protein and 15 in the receptor‐binding domain. Thirteen sites conserved in previous SARS‐CoV‐2 variants carry mutations in Omicron. Many mutations have shown evolution under positive selection. Omicron's giant mutational leap has raised concerns as there are signs of higher virus infectivity rate, pathogenesis, reinfection, and immune evasion. Preliminary studies have reported waning of immunity after two‐dose primary vaccine regime, need for the boosters, folds reduction in vaccine effectiveness and neutralizing antibodies even after boosting and significant neutralization resistance with the therapeutic monoclonal, polyclonal, and convalescent antibodies against Omicron. The narrative that “Omicron is mild,” therefore, needs time to be tested with a deeper, scientific dwelling into the facts.

Abstract Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) is a parasite disease in small ruminants that causes diarrhea, weight loss and reduced economic benefits. The purpose of this epidemiological study was to use microscopical and molecular assays to detect coccidia prevalence and isolate species-specific Eimeria from sheep and goats kept in a common pan at high altitude in the central Zagros region. The central Zagros region is a mountainous, semi-humid and cold region with average rainfall which its southern counties are warmer than other districts. For these reasons, throughout the course of several seasons, 1200 fecal samples were obtained from three age groups (less than six months, six to twelve months, and more than six months). Oocytes were counted using saturated saline floating and modified MacMaster techniques and the physical characteristics of sporulated Eimeria oocytes were used to identify them. Finally, all positive fecal samples were sent to a PCR analysis, and coccidia infection was verified. Eimeria infection was shown to be more prevalent in sheep than in goats, with the highest prevalence in spring and the lowest in winter. Females and animals younger than 6 months were similarly found to be more susceptible to Eimeriosis than males and older animals (P < 0.05). In comparison to the southern (1556 meters above sea level) area, the western (2365 meters) and eastern (2432 meters) counties had the highest rates of oocyst excretion in sheep and goats, respectively. In addition, a total of fourteen Eimeria species were isolated, including the highly pathogenic Eimeria granulosa for sheep and E. jolchijevi for goats. These findings explain how coccidia prevalence varies with age, season, and geographic direction, and use of PCR to rule out the possibility of co-infection between sheep and goats kept in the same stall. region.

ObjectiveUnderstanding the molecular mechanisms of response to stress such as drought can significantly improve the science of plant molecular breeding. Transcriptomic studies can make a large amount of information available to researchers. Integrating such data from different sources through advanced statistical methods such as meta-analysis provides a new opportunity to overcome biological complexity, identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and obtain more reliable results. The present study aimed to identify DEGs in response to drought stress using transcriptomic data through a meta-analysis of RNA-seq data.Materials and methodsRNA-seq data were downloaded from the EMBL-EBI database and after preprocessing, high-quality reads were mapped on the rice reference genome with the STAR software. Differential expression genes were evaluated separately for each dataset using the edgeR package. The outputs were used for meta-analysis using the metaRNAseq package. Genes with different and significant expressions in response to drought stress were examined for functional enrichment, biological pathways, and protein interaction. Finally, hub genes were identified.ResultsAccording to the meta-analysis results, 6607 differential expression genes with average log2FC≥|1| And FDR≤0.05 were detected. 3313 and 3294 of them were regulated up and down, respectively, and 162 genes were not identified as DEG in individual analyzes and were identified only by meta-analysis, which shows the statistical power of this method in identifying new genes. The results of functional enrichment of DEGs indicate the induction of various metabolic pathways under stress including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and amino acids, carbohydrate metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Investigation of protein interaction and identification of hub genes also showed their role in stress response, oxidoreductase activity, and amino acid metabolism.ConclusionsThis study can increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of rice response to drought stress and be useful in identifying key and new genes, even as molecular markers to improve drought stress tolerance in rice breeding programs.

In this study, the joint effects of developmental stage and soil water availability on biomass accumulation, harvest index, as well as essential oil content, yield and composition were investigated in Thymus armeniacus. For comparison purposes, Thymus kotschyanus was also considered. Plants were irrigated to either 75 or 50% of field capacity, and were sampled at 50 or 100% blooming. In both species, water deficit exerted limited effect on the time required to initiate or complete flowering. In most critical aspects of yield (harvestable organs dry weight, essential oil yield), T. armeniacus was found to be superior than T. kotschyanus. In these traits, however, T. armeniacus underwent a more drastic water deficit-induced decrease. Across treatments, metabolite levels fairly correlated to transcript accumulation profiles of terpene synthases and cytochrome P450 genes. Indices affiliated with reactive oxygen species were inter-correlated with the activity of five major antioxidant enzymes, while the same was noted between leaf water status and pigment content. Taken together, these results indicate that when water availability can be achieved, higher yields will be obtained by cultivation of T. armeniacus. Under water deficit conditions, instead, the more drought tolerant T. kotschyanus stands out as the primary choice.

Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) is a parasite disease in small ruminants that causes diarrhea and reduced economic benefits. The purpose of this epidemiological study was to use microscopical and molecular assays to detect coccidia prevalence and isolate species-specific Eimeria from sheep and goats kept in a common pan in the central Zagros region. This region is a mountainous and cold region which its southern counties are warmer than other districts. Throughout the course of several seasons, 1200 fecal samples were obtained from three age groups (less than six months, six to twelve months, and more than six months). Oocytes were counted using saturated saline floating and modified MacMaster techniques and the physical characteristics of sporulated Eimeria oocytes were used to identify them. Eimeria infection was shown to be more prevalent in sheep than in goats, with the highest prevalence in spring and the lowest in winter. Females and animals younger than 6 months were similarly found to be more susceptible to coccidiosis than males and older animals (P<0.05). In comparison to the southern area, the western and eastern counties had the highest rates of oocyst excretion in sheep and goats, respectively. In addition, a total of fourteen Eimeria species were isolated, including the highly pathogenic Eimeria granulosa for sheep and E. jolchijevi for goats. These findings explain how coccidia prevalence varies with age, season, and geographic direction, and use of PCR to rule out the possibility of co-infection between sheep and goats kept in the same stall.

Many studies have investigated the role of miRNAs on the yield of various plants, but so far, no report is available on the identification and role of miRNAs in fruit and seed development of almonds. In this study, preliminary analysis by high-throughput sequencing of short RNAs of kernels from the crosses between almond cultivars 'Sefid' × 'Mamaee' (with small and large kernels, respectively) and 'Sefid' × 'P. orientalis' (with small kernels) showed that the expressions of several miRNAs such as Pdu-miR395a-3p, Pdu-miR8123-5p, Pdu-miR482f, Pdu-miR6285, and Pdu-miR396a were significantly different. These miRNAs targeted genes encoding different proteins such as NYFB-3, SPX1, PGSIP3 (GUX2), GH3.9, and BEN1. The result of RT-qPCR revealed that the expression of these genes showed significant differences between the crosses and developmental stages of the seeds, suggesting that these genes might be involved in controlling kernel size because the presence of these miRNAs had a negative effect on their target genes. Pollen source can influence kernel size by affecting hormonal signaling and metabolic pathways through related miRNAs, a phenomenon known as xenia.