Bu-Ali Sina University

Salinity stress adversely affects wheat growth and grain yield by altering the expression of particular genes. To identify salinity-tolerance screening markers, we analyzed phenological, morpho-physiological, and biochemical traits, as well as six abscisic acid-related genes, in a salt-susceptible (Saji) and a salt-tolerant (Yavarous) durum wheat cultivar under salinity stress conditions (250 mM NaCl). Significant genetic diversity was observed between the cultivars for all traits. According to the results, increasing phenological traits, including day to maturity, showed a significant negative correlation with grain yield per plant (GYPP). The traits most strongly associated with GYPP were excised leaf water loss (ELWL) with a negative regression coefficient, grain water use efficiency (GWUE), catalase activity, and the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Regarding yield components, grain weight per main spike, 1000-grain weight, grain number per main spike, and grain number per plant can be suggested as desirable markers for selecting salt-tolerant genotypes. Selection for increasing the traits of GWUE, ELWR, RWC, total chlorophyll, and total carotenoids, and decreasing ELWL and the chlorophyll A/B ratio, were suggested as favorable physiological markers. Among biochemical traits, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, Mg²⁺/Na⁺ ratio, proline accumulation, total protein, total leaf sugar, total phenol, and flavonoid content, as well as reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels, can be proposed as selective salt-tolerance markers. According to the results, the expression of genes involved in the abscisic acid biosynthesis and signaling pathways was higher in the salt-susceptible cultivar Saji than in the salt-tolerant cultivar Yavarous under salinity stress. It might be stated that salt-susceptible cultivars rely primarily on rapid gene activation, while salt-tolerant cultivars benefit from preexisting molecular defenses. We believe that the identified markers and the proposed cultivars could be used as favorable indicators and donor parents in future wheat breeding programs.

Aporrectodea rosea (Savigny, 1826) is a common earthworm species found in the temperate regions of the Holarctic region. This species exhibits significant intraspecific variation, and several cryptic genetic lineages having been described. The high genetic diversity is likely due to its ecological plasticity and adaptability to different environmental conditions. Integrative approaches that combine morphological, ecological, and molecular data have proven to be useful in resolving taxonomic uncertainties in earthworm species. In this study, we investigated the genetic and morphological diversity of several populations of A. rosea from Iran. By combining molecular analyses with morphological and ecological data, we evaluated whether the observed diversity can be linked to phylogeographic origins (Eurosiberian vs. Mediterranean regions). This integrative approach provides new insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary history of A. rosea, contributing to a better understanding of earthworm biodiversity in the Holarctic region.

We evaluated the molecular variation within A. rosea by analyzing both nuclear and mitochondrial markers. The phylogenetic results were combined with morphological data, ecological information, and genetic distances using the COI K2P method to assess species delimitations. Cluster analysis revealed the existence of two distinct morphotypes: a reddish morphotype associated with organic-rich, woodland habitats, and a pale morphotype found in drier grassland environments. Our molecular analyses involving sequencing the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear histone H3 gene confirmed the existence of two lineages within A. rosea: a Eurosiberian lineage and a Mediterranean lineage.

Our analyses confirmed that nearly all specimens collected from Iran fall within the two established lineages: Mediterranean and Eurosiberian. The observed genetic differences between the two morphotype samples can be related to their phylogeographic origins (Eurosiberian/Mediterranean).

Hyperthermia is a cancer treatment method that applies controlled heat to target and destroy cancer cells. Hyperthermia raises tumor temperatures to 42-46 °C, selectively damaging cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. In this study, the potential of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermic treatment is explored through computational simulations. When exposed to an external alternating magnetic field, these nanoparticles generate localized heat, effectively elevating the temperature of the tumor region. Simulations were conducted during three distinct phases of breathing (inhalation, exhalation, and breath-hold) to evaluate their influence on heat distribution and temperature changes in both cancerous and healthy tissues. The results show that during the breath-hold phase, heat is primarily transferred to the air within the larynx, reducing the thermal effect on adjacent muscle tissues. In contrast, during the inhalation and exhalation phases, significant heat transfer occurs to the surrounding tissues, resulting in more pronounced temperature increases. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing hyperthermic treatment protocols and suggest that magnetic nanoparticle-based hyperthermia may offer enhanced efficacy and safety for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.