Cupressus atlantica Gaussen （Cupressaceae） is an endemic and endangered coniferous tree geographically restricted to the N＇Fis valley in South-Western Morocco. Like many forest species, C. atlantica exhibits dorman...Cupressus atlantica Gaussen （Cupressaceae） is an endemic and endangered coniferous tree geographically restricted to the N＇Fis valley in South-Western Morocco. Like many forest species, C. atlantica exhibits dormancy which delays and reduces germination. To improve seed germination, different pre-treatments were conducted on C. atlantica seeds after storage for different periods （one, two and five years） including： scarification with sandy paper; soaking seeds in hot distilled water at 60℃ and 80℃ for 15 min and soaking seeds for 48 h in a gibberellic acid （GA3） at 1,000 and 2,000 mg·L-1. Results showed that scarification with sandy paper increased the germination rate of Atlas cypress by up to 67%, indicating that the species possess essentially an exogenous dormancy （physical dormancy） due to the hard seed coat （hardseededness）. Exogenous application of gibberellic acid （GA3） at 1,000 mg.L-1 was also effective in breaking seed dormancy and germination induction. These two treatments induced faster speed germination expressed by low number of days to first germination （8-10 days） and low values of mean germination times （MGT）. However, germination rate, under any treatment, is greatly dependent on the year of seed collection. Seeds collected in year 2004 gave the highest value, suggesting that even after five years of storage, the germination capacity of C. atlantica seeds could remain high. This observation is very interesting in the ex-situ conservation of such endemic and endangered species where the production of seeds is irregular over the years.展开更多
Objective:To assess the anti-tumor effects of Pistacia atlantica methanolic extract(PAME)compared with cyclophosphamide against Ehrlich solid tumors in mice.Methods:Swiss albino mice(n=40)were divided into five groups...Objective:To assess the anti-tumor effects of Pistacia atlantica methanolic extract(PAME)compared with cyclophosphamide against Ehrlich solid tumors in mice.Methods:Swiss albino mice(n=40)were divided into five groups:normal control mice,mice with Ehrlich solid tumors treated with normal saline,mice with Ehrlich solid tumors treated with cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally once a day for 14 d,or 50mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PAME orally once a day for 14 d.Tumor growth inhibition,body weight,tumor markers,liver and kidney enzymes,oxidative stress markers,antioxidant enzymes,tumor necrosis factor-alpha level(TNF-α),and apoptosis-regulatory gene expression were evaluated.Results:Treatment of mice bearing Ehrlich solid tumors with PAME at 50 and 100 mg/kg orally significantly decreased tumor volume,body weight,tumor markers,liver and kidney enzymes,oxidative stress markers and TNF-αlevel in comparison with mice with Ehrlich solid tumors receiving normal saline.whereas PAME at 50 and 100 mg/kg/day significantly elevated the level of antioxidant enzymes(P<0.05).Conclusions:Pistacia atlantica methanolic extract has potent antitumor activity in mice.Therefore,the extract might be considered as an alternative anticancer agent against tumors,however,additional studies especially in the clinical setting are required to confirm this finding.展开更多
Visfatin, a novel adipokine, was revealed to be associated with obesity and to have insulin mimetic effect that is highly expressed in visceral adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the liver and kidn...Visfatin, a novel adipokine, was revealed to be associated with obesity and to have insulin mimetic effect that is highly expressed in visceral adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the liver and kidney visfatin relative gene expression. Twenty wistar rats (6-8 weeks old and 125-135 g weight) were used. Animals were randomly assigned into saline-control (SC), saline-training (ST), and Baneh-control (BC), and Baneh-training (BT). Training groups was given exercise on a motor-driven treadmill at 25 m/min (0% grade) for 60 min/day and 5 days/week for eight weeks. Subjects were fed oral, with Baneh extraction and saline for four weeks. Visfatin relative gene expression was detected by Real-time PCR method. Also plasma was collected for glucose measurements. Results demonstrated that Baneh extraction significantly increase visfatin relative gene expression in liver (P < 0.002) and increase not significantly in kidney tissue. Exercise training significantly reduce visfatin relative gene expression in liver (P < 0.042), and reduce not significantly in kidney tissue. Plasma and liver glucose level increases by Baneh. Exercise training decreses visfatin relative gene expression and Baneh increases visfatin relative gene expression in liver and kidney. Also Baneh can increases plasma glucose and liver glucose and glycogen concentration probably due to high fatty acid and component.展开更多
This work was conducted to assess the anatomical features of Pistacia atlantica Desf. under Mediterranean semi-arid climate conditions. In this study, phytoecological approach was used at different observation scales ...This work was conducted to assess the anatomical features of Pistacia atlantica Desf. under Mediterranean semi-arid climate conditions. In this study, phytoecological approach was used at different observation scales including the large ecological scale. 11 samples of P. atlantica species were randomly selected in order to study the anatomy of leaves and branches. The results show that leaves have palisade parenchyma occupying almost the entire mesophyll, measuring 100 to 170 μm. While in branches, the only pith occupies 38% followed by the xylem (24%), relative to the rest of the tissue (epidermis, periderm, collenchyma, pericyclic fiber, secretory duct and phloem). The current results suggest that P. atlantica species has xeromorphic anatomical characters, giving it great ecological plasticity in an arid environment. Moreover, this study shows that the human activities are causing local extinction of this rare species in Algeria.展开更多
In our context, and in the goal to valorize the Pistacia atlantica species Desfthat grows spontaneously in Algeria occidental except the coastline, and that is used by the nomadic populations in their daily consumptio...In our context, and in the goal to valorize the Pistacia atlantica species Desfthat grows spontaneously in Algeria occidental except the coastline, and that is used by the nomadic populations in their daily consumptions, we are thinking about drying its leaves. Here, the biochemical analysis of dried leaves ofPistacia atlantica is determined, the sorption is other ms are of great importance in the food industry, especially in the drying; the sorption isotherms of pistachio leaves were measured by the gravimetric method at three temperatures 40, 50 and 60 ℃. The equilibrium was achieved after eight days for desorption and seven days for adsorption with water activity ranging from 5% to 90%. Only the GAB and Peleg models were found to be the most suitable for describing the sorption curves. The isosteric heat of sorption of Pistacia atlantica leaves decreases with an increase in moisture content and was found to be an exponential function of moisture content for adsorption and desorption. The pistachio leaves could be considered as a rich natural source of valuable nutriments （carbohydrates, proteins and lipids）; lipid fraction is equal to 2.25%; proteins are the second macronutriment that predominates in these sheets： 4.35%; accordingly carbohydrates content was about 25.77%.展开更多
Khojir national park is one of the oldest protected areas in Iran that is greatly considerable in terms of biodiversity and ecological values.Pistachio(Pistacia atlantica Desf.) communities,which create some woodland ...Khojir national park is one of the oldest protected areas in Iran that is greatly considerable in terms of biodiversity and ecological values.Pistachio(Pistacia atlantica Desf.) communities,which create some woodland in this park,are unique because they grow tolerantly in a dry land,in the vicinity of Tehran capital.This research is about some ecological properties of Pistachio woodlands.The dominant community of the area is Pistacia-Amygdalus lycioides.The density of Pistacia is 86 per hectare.The density of Pistachio trees was greater in the higher elevation than in the lower one.In addition,the collar diameter and the height of trees in the higher class were less.The average density of Pistacia in plots in northern slopes was significantly more than southern slopes(at 5% level),but the average collar diameter of them were more on the southern aspect.The distribution,diameter and height of pistachio trees were not significantly related to the percentage of slope.Among the soil variables,the saturated water percentage(SP),N(total nitrogen) and texture of soil were effective factors which played significant role in ordination of plots containing pistachio.Considering the important role of P.atlantica forest stands in soil and water conservation in Iran,we should attach more importance to their protection and conservation,as well as activities such as road and dam construction,and garden establishment in such unique ecosystems.展开更多
For analyzing the effects of forest litter and slope aspect on soil properties eight soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm near(i.e.,beneath the crown)and away from(i.e.,not influenced by crown)five Persi...For analyzing the effects of forest litter and slope aspect on soil properties eight soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm near(i.e.,beneath the crown)and away from(i.e.,not influenced by crown)five Persian turpentine trees each on a north and a south slope at the same elevation in a Zagros forest,Iran.The litter beneath tree crowns and slope exposure were found to have significant interactive effects on C,N,P,K,and electrical conductivity of the soils,however,Ca,Mg and the soil pH were not significantly influenced by these factors.The soil beneath the crowns was enriched in cations compared to more distal positions.Generally,Persian turpentine trees have positive impacts on soil properties in the forest.Degrading or killing these trees by sap extraction,extreme grazing,cutting,fire and expansion of agriculture will lead to significant losses in soil fertility and increases in soil erosion.展开更多
Based on a cladistic biogeographic analysis of 6 species-level phylogenies of harvestman taxa, wesearched for congruence in the historical relationships of 12 areas of endemism of the BrazilianAtlantic Rain Forest. We...Based on a cladistic biogeographic analysis of 6 species-level phylogenies of harvestman taxa, wesearched for congruence in the historical relationships of 12 areas of endemism of the BrazilianAtlantic Rain Forest. We constructed general area cladograms using Primary Brooks ParsimonyAnaJysis （BPA）, BPA of nodes, and paralogy-free subtree analysis. These analyses resulted in 6general area cladograms, that allow to infer a general pattern of the relationships among areas ofendemism from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest. Northern areas resulted related basally showingmain disjunctions at the Doce River Valley and Todos os Santos Bay/S^o Francisco River Valley.The remaining areas of endemism were included in a southern and a southeastern block, sepa-rated by the Ribeira do Iguape Valley. Incongruence Length Differences tests showed no significantincongruence among the resulting cladograms and other matrix partitions. We concluded that tec-tonism and ancient marine transgressions were the probable processes responsible for the maindisjunctions, whereas Neogene refugia seem to have caused the more recent disjunctions. Thegeneral pattern and redundancy in area relationships suggest a model of main reiterative barriersin diversification at multiple times for the evolution of the Atlantic Rain Forest. The renewal of cla-distic biogeography and the search for common biogeographic patterns are discussed.展开更多
文摘Cupressus atlantica Gaussen （Cupressaceae） is an endemic and endangered coniferous tree geographically restricted to the N＇Fis valley in South-Western Morocco. Like many forest species, C. atlantica exhibits dormancy which delays and reduces germination. To improve seed germination, different pre-treatments were conducted on C. atlantica seeds after storage for different periods （one, two and five years） including： scarification with sandy paper; soaking seeds in hot distilled water at 60℃ and 80℃ for 15 min and soaking seeds for 48 h in a gibberellic acid （GA3） at 1,000 and 2,000 mg·L-1. Results showed that scarification with sandy paper increased the germination rate of Atlas cypress by up to 67%, indicating that the species possess essentially an exogenous dormancy （physical dormancy） due to the hard seed coat （hardseededness）. Exogenous application of gibberellic acid （GA3） at 1,000 mg.L-1 was also effective in breaking seed dormancy and germination induction. These two treatments induced faster speed germination expressed by low number of days to first germination （8-10 days） and low values of mean germination times （MGT）. However, germination rate, under any treatment, is greatly dependent on the year of seed collection. Seeds collected in year 2004 gave the highest value, suggesting that even after five years of storage, the germination capacity of C. atlantica seeds could remain high. This observation is very interesting in the ex-situ conservation of such endemic and endangered species where the production of seeds is irregular over the years.
文摘Objective:To assess the anti-tumor effects of Pistacia atlantica methanolic extract(PAME)compared with cyclophosphamide against Ehrlich solid tumors in mice.Methods:Swiss albino mice(n=40)were divided into five groups:normal control mice,mice with Ehrlich solid tumors treated with normal saline,mice with Ehrlich solid tumors treated with cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally once a day for 14 d,or 50mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PAME orally once a day for 14 d.Tumor growth inhibition,body weight,tumor markers,liver and kidney enzymes,oxidative stress markers,antioxidant enzymes,tumor necrosis factor-alpha level(TNF-α),and apoptosis-regulatory gene expression were evaluated.Results:Treatment of mice bearing Ehrlich solid tumors with PAME at 50 and 100 mg/kg orally significantly decreased tumor volume,body weight,tumor markers,liver and kidney enzymes,oxidative stress markers and TNF-αlevel in comparison with mice with Ehrlich solid tumors receiving normal saline.whereas PAME at 50 and 100 mg/kg/day significantly elevated the level of antioxidant enzymes(P<0.05).Conclusions:Pistacia atlantica methanolic extract has potent antitumor activity in mice.Therefore,the extract might be considered as an alternative anticancer agent against tumors,however,additional studies especially in the clinical setting are required to confirm this finding.
文摘Visfatin, a novel adipokine, was revealed to be associated with obesity and to have insulin mimetic effect that is highly expressed in visceral adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the liver and kidney visfatin relative gene expression. Twenty wistar rats (6-8 weeks old and 125-135 g weight) were used. Animals were randomly assigned into saline-control (SC), saline-training (ST), and Baneh-control (BC), and Baneh-training (BT). Training groups was given exercise on a motor-driven treadmill at 25 m/min (0% grade) for 60 min/day and 5 days/week for eight weeks. Subjects were fed oral, with Baneh extraction and saline for four weeks. Visfatin relative gene expression was detected by Real-time PCR method. Also plasma was collected for glucose measurements. Results demonstrated that Baneh extraction significantly increase visfatin relative gene expression in liver (P < 0.002) and increase not significantly in kidney tissue. Exercise training significantly reduce visfatin relative gene expression in liver (P < 0.042), and reduce not significantly in kidney tissue. Plasma and liver glucose level increases by Baneh. Exercise training decreses visfatin relative gene expression and Baneh increases visfatin relative gene expression in liver and kidney. Also Baneh can increases plasma glucose and liver glucose and glycogen concentration probably due to high fatty acid and component.
文摘This work was conducted to assess the anatomical features of Pistacia atlantica Desf. under Mediterranean semi-arid climate conditions. In this study, phytoecological approach was used at different observation scales including the large ecological scale. 11 samples of P. atlantica species were randomly selected in order to study the anatomy of leaves and branches. The results show that leaves have palisade parenchyma occupying almost the entire mesophyll, measuring 100 to 170 μm. While in branches, the only pith occupies 38% followed by the xylem (24%), relative to the rest of the tissue (epidermis, periderm, collenchyma, pericyclic fiber, secretory duct and phloem). The current results suggest that P. atlantica species has xeromorphic anatomical characters, giving it great ecological plasticity in an arid environment. Moreover, this study shows that the human activities are causing local extinction of this rare species in Algeria.
文摘In our context, and in the goal to valorize the Pistacia atlantica species Desfthat grows spontaneously in Algeria occidental except the coastline, and that is used by the nomadic populations in their daily consumptions, we are thinking about drying its leaves. Here, the biochemical analysis of dried leaves ofPistacia atlantica is determined, the sorption is other ms are of great importance in the food industry, especially in the drying; the sorption isotherms of pistachio leaves were measured by the gravimetric method at three temperatures 40, 50 and 60 ℃. The equilibrium was achieved after eight days for desorption and seven days for adsorption with water activity ranging from 5% to 90%. Only the GAB and Peleg models were found to be the most suitable for describing the sorption curves. The isosteric heat of sorption of Pistacia atlantica leaves decreases with an increase in moisture content and was found to be an exponential function of moisture content for adsorption and desorption. The pistachio leaves could be considered as a rich natural source of valuable nutriments （carbohydrates, proteins and lipids）; lipid fraction is equal to 2.25%; proteins are the second macronutriment that predominates in these sheets： 4.35%; accordingly carbohydrates content was about 25.77%.
文摘Khojir national park is one of the oldest protected areas in Iran that is greatly considerable in terms of biodiversity and ecological values.Pistachio(Pistacia atlantica Desf.) communities,which create some woodland in this park,are unique because they grow tolerantly in a dry land,in the vicinity of Tehran capital.This research is about some ecological properties of Pistachio woodlands.The dominant community of the area is Pistacia-Amygdalus lycioides.The density of Pistacia is 86 per hectare.The density of Pistachio trees was greater in the higher elevation than in the lower one.In addition,the collar diameter and the height of trees in the higher class were less.The average density of Pistacia in plots in northern slopes was significantly more than southern slopes(at 5% level),but the average collar diameter of them were more on the southern aspect.The distribution,diameter and height of pistachio trees were not significantly related to the percentage of slope.Among the soil variables,the saturated water percentage(SP),N(total nitrogen) and texture of soil were effective factors which played significant role in ordination of plots containing pistachio.Considering the important role of P.atlantica forest stands in soil and water conservation in Iran,we should attach more importance to their protection and conservation,as well as activities such as road and dam construction,and garden establishment in such unique ecosystems.
基金supported by research grants of the University of Kurdistan,Iran。
文摘For analyzing the effects of forest litter and slope aspect on soil properties eight soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm near(i.e.,beneath the crown)and away from(i.e.,not influenced by crown)five Persian turpentine trees each on a north and a south slope at the same elevation in a Zagros forest,Iran.The litter beneath tree crowns and slope exposure were found to have significant interactive effects on C,N,P,K,and electrical conductivity of the soils,however,Ca,Mg and the soil pH were not significantly influenced by these factors.The soil beneath the crowns was enriched in cations compared to more distal positions.Generally,Persian turpentine trees have positive impacts on soil properties in the forest.Degrading or killing these trees by sap extraction,extreme grazing,cutting,fire and expansion of agriculture will lead to significant losses in soil fertility and increases in soil erosion.
文摘Based on a cladistic biogeographic analysis of 6 species-level phylogenies of harvestman taxa, wesearched for congruence in the historical relationships of 12 areas of endemism of the BrazilianAtlantic Rain Forest. We constructed general area cladograms using Primary Brooks ParsimonyAnaJysis （BPA）, BPA of nodes, and paralogy-free subtree analysis. These analyses resulted in 6general area cladograms, that allow to infer a general pattern of the relationships among areas ofendemism from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest. Northern areas resulted related basally showingmain disjunctions at the Doce River Valley and Todos os Santos Bay/S^o Francisco River Valley.The remaining areas of endemism were included in a southern and a southeastern block, sepa-rated by the Ribeira do Iguape Valley. Incongruence Length Differences tests showed no significantincongruence among the resulting cladograms and other matrix partitions. We concluded that tec-tonism and ancient marine transgressions were the probable processes responsible for the maindisjunctions, whereas Neogene refugia seem to have caused the more recent disjunctions. Thegeneral pattern and redundancy in area relationships suggest a model of main reiterative barriersin diversification at multiple times for the evolution of the Atlantic Rain Forest. The renewal of cla-distic biogeography and the search for common biogeographic patterns are discussed.
