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Microorganisms and plants have high potential for reducing the metal (biosynthesis of nanoparticles) through their metabolic pathways. Apart from the environmental benefits of biosynthesis of nanoparticles, there is the opportunity for production of nanomaterial with new properties in this method. In this study, the fruit aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa L. was used for synthesis of nanoparticles. To evaluate the reducing potential of plant, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts were measured by DPPH and FRAP methods. The aqueous extract showed a lower antioxidant activity than the ethanolic extract; however, it had high potential to reduce the free radicals and metal ions. After preparing the extract, for phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, 2 ml of extract was added to 4 ml of 1 mM silver nitrate. The extract was used as a reducing and stabilizing agents of the nanoparticles. The effect of determining parameters for optimizing synthesis of nanoparticles such as: pH of reaction, the amount of extract, concentration of metal ion and time of reaction were evaluated using Ultraviolent-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) .The spectrum of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) of silver nanoparticles showed the maximum absorbance at 415 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to identify the possible functional groups involved in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The Results showed that the nanoparticles were spherical shape and the size of them were about 8-12 nm.

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In the present study, the effects of different cadmium (Cd) levels of irrigation water (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg L^-1) on corn plants (foliage) under different irrigation intervals (1, 3, and 7 days) were investigated. Clear Cd toxicity symptoms appeared on the plants at the end of the experiment. The results showed that stem dry weight (DW) followed by transpiration (T) and plant height were the measured plant parameters most sensitive to increasing Cd levels of irrigation water. In addition, Cd reduced water uptake by corn and led to more soil moisture. The results also demonstrated that corn might produce more shoot biomass with Cd application, which should be taken into consideration if no visible symptoms of Cd toxicity and considerable amounts of the metal uptake are present. Cadmium application through irrigation did not show a marked impairment in the nutrient status of the plants. Moreover, accumulation of Cd in the leaves was more than the stems by 24, 56, and 27% at 1, 3, and 7-day irrigation frequencies, respectively. Also, corn stem was found to be more sensitive to Cd than leaf. The results showed that corn might be used for phytoremediation of Cd under optimum moisture conditions and light contamination of the soil. Furthermore, shoot Cd concentration followed an asymptote pattern as a function of soil Cd, which was expressed by a plateau-type model under each irrigation interval.

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This study was conducted to compare susceptibility of six different strains of male broilers to ascites syndrome. In this experiment, 612 one-day-old male broiler chicks from five international hybrids (e.g, Arbor Acres, Cobb 500, Hubbard, Lohmann, and Ross 508) and an Iranian hybrid (Arian) were used. Growth performance, ascites mortality ratio, the ratio of right ventricle to total ventricles weight (RV:TV) in dead and healthy broilers, hematocrit values, serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and T3: T4 ratio were studied to evaluate the susceptibility of the birds. The results showed that there were significant differences among the hybrids in ascites susceptibility. Arian and Hubbard were more susceptible, while, Lohmann was more resistant to ascites than the other hybrids. The results of this study showed that RV:TV ratio and the hematocrit value can be sensitive indicators for differentiating hybrids susceptible to ascites from the resistant ones.

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Rainfall Runoff modeling especially in ungauged watersheds is almost dependent on hydro-geomorphologic data. In this regard, the effects of data and DEM resolution on deriving watershed’s geomorphologic data such as subbasins area, channels and subbasins’ slope should be well realized in modeling. In this research, HEC-HMS as the rainfall runoff model and two subbasins with different areas, geomorphologic properties and climate were selected for studying. By reducing the cell size of the DEM derived from a topo map, simulated peaks increased. For DEM cell sizes less than 100 m, the differences in simulated peak were limited to 2 to 5%. Using SRTM DEMs against the topo DEM at the scale of 1:25000, representing the effects of data resolution in rainfall runoff modeling, led to obtaining higher flood peaks at the two watersheds. Such an outcome was obtained for time to peak, hydrograph base time, and the slope of hydrograph rising limb. Change of SRTM DEM resolution affected the model output more than the case of using topo DEM. Decreasing DEMs resolution by decreasing information content of the topo DEM reduced differences in the model output when using two different sources of DEM. Furthermore, it is concluded that the extent of scale effect in modeling could not be inferred by watershed size. It was illustrated that HEC-HMS application in a watershed of more diversity was more sensitive to data resolution. Using cell size of 100 m and less could guaranty the result of the HEC-HMS application regardless of DEM origin and size of watersheds. Rainfall Runoff modeling especially in ungauged watersheds is almost dependent on hydro-geomorphologic data. In this regard, the effects of data and DEM resolution on deriving watershed’s geomorphologic data such as subbasins area, channels and subbasins’ slope should be well realized in modeling. In this research, HEC-HMS as the rainfall runoff model and two subbasins with different areas, geomorphologic properties and climate were selected for studying. By reducing the cell size of the DEM derived from a topo map, simulated peaks increased. For DEM cell sizes less than 100 m, the differences in simulated peak were limited to 2 to 5%. Using SRTM DEMs against the topo DEM at the scale of 1:25000, representing the effects of data resolution in rainfall runoff modeling, led to obtaining higher flood peaks at the two watersheds. Such an outcome was obtained for time to peak, hydrograph base time, and the slope of hydrograph rising limb. Change of SRTM DEM resolution affected the model output more than the case of using topo DEM. Decreasing DEMs resolution by decreasing information content of the topo DEM reduced differences in the model output when using two different sources of DEM. Furthermore, it is concluded that the extent of scale effect in modeling could not be inferred by watershed size. It was illustrated that HEC-HMS application in a watershed of more diversity was more sensitive to data resolution. Using cell size of 100 m and less could guaranty the result of the HEC-HMS application regardless of DEM origin and size of watersheds.

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The current study was conducted to determine the effect of the feed form (mash, pellet, and extrude) on Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α mRNA) and heart index in broiler chickens. The relative weight of hearts and lungs, the ratio of Right Ventricle heart weight to the Total Ventricle weight (RV/TV, heart index), Hematocrit value (HCT) and gene expression (HIF-1α mRNA) in the hearts and lungs tissues of the broiler chickens were determined at 35 days of age. Also, mortality and performance parameters were recorded throughout the experiment. The results showed that Average Daily Weight Gain (ADWG), Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) (P< 0.01), Right Ventricle weight (RV), Ventricles Total weight (TV), hematocrit value and expression of HIF-1α mRNA in the lungs tissues were higher in the pellet and extrude diet form compared to the mash diet form (P< 0.05). Also, a higher Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) (P< 0.01) was observed in the mash diet form. The hematocrit value and expression of the HIF-1α mRNA gene in the lung tissues of the broiler chickens were increased by feeding pellet and extruded diets, which was associated with increase in mortality from ascites. Our findings, therefore, revealed that the HIF-1αmRNA gene might be concerned with the increase of pulmonary and ascites syndrome in the broiler chickens.

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Infertility in women is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including hormonal imbalances, infections, and lifestyle habits. Estrogen, a key hormone in female reproductive health, is pivotal in these processes. The microbiome, particularly Lactobacillus species, has been associated with improved outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Furthermore, alterations in both vaginal and gut microbiota can impact reproductive health and increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Recent research has highlighted the significant influence of gut microbes on behavioral, metabolic, and immune functions. This narrative review aims to explore the relationship between the microbiome and infertility in women. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases, focusing on full-text original research articles published in English from 2000 to 2024. The search terms included "microbiota," "microbiome," "fertility," and "infertility."Our findings suggest that the gut microbiome and its enzymatic activity, specifically β-glucuronidase, can influence estrogen levels, potentially leading to conditions characterized by estrogen excess or deficiency. Additionally, gut microbiota may contribute to endometriosis, pelvic pain, and infertility through hormonal imbalances. The genital microbiome, particularly the abundance of Lactobacillus species, has also been implicated in female infertility and protection against bacterial vaginosis. The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Gardnerella vaginalis, as well as a deficiency of Lactobacillus, has been linked to infertility