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In order to determine the most effective hormones on the in vitro oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown - GVBD) in a hybrid sturgeon bester, ovarian follicles were incubated at the migratory nucleus stage in the presence of several steroids, gonadotropin preparations and forskolin. Occurrence of GVBD and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3 -one (DHP) production were followed during an experimental period of one year of germinal vesicle (GV) migration. From all the steroids tested, three progesterone derivatives-17α- hydroxyprogesterone (17αOHP), 17, 20β, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17, 20 β, 21- triol), and DHP-were the most potent steroid inducers of GVBD, followed closely by deoxycorticosterone (DOC). No GVBD responses were found in ovarian follicles in July when the GV was still central. The responsiveness increased gradually from then and reached its peak in November when the GV had migrated fully towards the oocyte periphery. Their potencys gradually declined later from December and the oocytes lost their ability to mature the next July when degeneration set in. DHP production by ovarian follicle during successive months of nucleus migration demonstrated a relatively similar pattern of GVBD frequencies. These results indicated again a relevant role for DHP on oocyte maturation in the bester and also suggested that GV localization along with in vitro oocyte maturation assay can be used as practical tools for selecting the appropriate individuals in exogenous induced spawning in bester.

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In this study three different varieties of olives from Fars Province were chosen and subjected to oil extraction. The varieties are Zard (Iran), Arbeqina (Spain) and Kronaiky (Greek). We harvest their fruit in 4 mounts: Mordad, Shahrivar, Mehr and Aban.  In this study changes in the polyphenol composition of the oil extracted from olive fruit by HPLC and oil percent by Soxhlet during the course of maturation is investigated. This work is concerned with the best harvesting point when total polyphenol reaches its maximum concentration. The quantitative and qualitative determinations concerned with the polyphenol composition were carried out on the oil and concluded the maturation of olives depending on the variety played an important role in the polyphenol composition and oil percent of the extracted oils.

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Objective: Menstrual blood stromal stem cells (MBSCs) share some phenotypic and functional similarities with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are shown to inhibit either the function or generation of different immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs). However, data regarding MBSCs’ potential effects on immune system cells are elusive. Here, we examine whether MBSCs affect the generation of human monocyte-derived DCs. Methods: Menstrual blood samples were collected from apparently healthy women on the second day of their menstrual cycles. The adherent portions were subcultured to omit unwanted cells and obtain MBSCs. Magnetically-isolated peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated towards DCs through treatment with recombinant granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) in the presence or absence of MBSCs. After five days, monocyte-derived DCs were analyzed for the expression of surface markers by flow cytometry. IL-6 level was determined in the co-culture supernatants. Results: Co-culture with MBSCs significantly down regulated the expression of DC marker (CD1a) and up regulated the expression of monocyte marker (CD14) on monocyte-derived DCs compared with the control group. IL-6 level was shown to be significantly higher in the supernatant of the monocyte-MBSC co-culture. Conclusion: Collectively, this is the first study to show the inhibitory impacts of MBSCs on the generation of DCs. IL-6 could be viewd as a potential factor mediating this effect. Regarding the known advantages over MSCs, MBSCs could be considered as a promising future candidate for immunomodulatory purposes in the clinical setting.

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The majority of cancer treatments are invasive. Gonadal injuries cause reductions in fertility which results in lack of hope for conception in cancer patients and frustration for their partners. Fortunately, current advancements in cryopreservation and transplantation sciences regarding fertility preservation lead to cryostorage of gonads and preservation prior to the onset of chemo- and radiotherapy treatments. Accordingly in women, the main goal of ovarian cryopreservation is establishment of fertility and hormonal cycle restoration after auto-transplantation. Although the history of ovarian transplantation dates back to the 19^th century, there are reports of live human births following ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation since the past 100 years. Despite this success and additional research in the field of ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation, numerous questions remain unanswered. Among these questions, growth factors and hormonal changes because of their effects on follicular function appear to be more important during ovarian tissue transplantation. This review attempts to address hormones and growth factor functions with the specifics of ovarian cryopreservation and auto-transplantation.

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Second-language (L2) acquisition is generally thought to be constrained by maturational factors that circumscribe a critical period for native-like attainment. Consistent with the maturational view are age effects among learners who begin L2 acquisition prior to, but not after, closure of the putative critical period. Some studies indicate that native-like acquisition of a second language by learners after critical period rarely happens. Some subsequent studies do not support the critical period account of L2 acquisition constraints, however. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate the impacts of maturational constraints on native-like attainment of second language accent, pronunciation, and intonation by Iranians who spent some years in English-speaking countries. The performance of 120 Iranian late and early arrivals was evaluated using a 6 point semantic differential scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics (independent sample t-test and ANOVA) were run (p≤ .05) to analyze the data. In keeping with other researchers, the results of the study indicate that L2 native-like attainment is constrained by the age of language learners. The results also indicate that late language learners who lived in an English-speaking country acquired near native-like proficiency whereas the late language learners who lived just in Iran were not able to acquire near native-like pronunciation. We also found modest evidence of native-like attainment among late learners.

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Knowledge of buffalo growth curves is essential for improving reproductive management, nutritional strategies and identifying the best slaughter age. We provided the first joint study comparing growth curves of the three major buffalo breeds. Additionally, we used principal component analysis and Biplot graphics to evaluate the degree of similarity between the groups (breed by sex) and their relationship with mature weight, maturation rate and weight at different ages. The dataset included 8,550 weight records from 1,391 Jaffarabadi, Mediterranean and Murrah buffaloes. The Bertalanffy model had the best fit. The mature weights were 696.64±8.50 and 678.53±9.44 kg (Mediterranean), 716.26±48.54 and 629.28±32.11 kg (Jaffarabadi) and 694.69±17.97 and 556.53±15.49 kg (Murrah) male and female, respectively, by Bertalanffy model. All breeds reaching 75% of mature weight in less than two years. Murrah females were particularly productive, having high precocity and low weight maturity - important biotypes for milk production. Murrah males showed intermediate characteristics, and high potential for meat production in dairy herds. Mediterranean animals showed high weight gain, median precocity and medium to high weight at maturity, supporting its status as the main breed for beef production in Brazil. Jaffarabadi males had high mature weight, slow growth in the first year of life followed by high growth thereafter. Female Jaffarabadi were smaller and showed a similar level of precocity to Mediterranean animals. Buffaloes in Brazil have traditionally been used for milk production; however, our study clearly demonstrates that all three breeds have appropriate characteristics for meat production.