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Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have regulatory effects on gene expression. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has an essential impact on the transcriptome, influencing cellular functions and behaviors. High expression of lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 has been widely reported in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The purpose of this study was to predict some of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by which AFAP1-AS1 can influence the transcriptome in LUAD. R software was used to determine the DEGs from TCGA-LUAD expression data. It was focused on DEmRNAs that may be directly (mRNA-lncRNA) or indirectly (TFs- or miRNAs-lncRNA) influenced by AFAP1-AS1 according to the RNAInter, TRRUST, and miRTarBase databases. Approximately, 1584 DEmRNAs could be influenced by AFAP1-AS1 in LUAD. Cell cycle and cellular senescence were the most significant enriched pathways of the 1584 DEmRNAs. In the transcription regulatory network, several overexpressed oncogenes such as CCNE1, BIRC5, CDK1, MMP9, and MMP1 were identified as diagnostic biomarkers based on ROC curve analysis. AFAP1-AS1 competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network included 5 low-expressed miRNAs and 12 high-expressed mRNAs (such as CDK1). It was found significant correlations between the expression of AFAP1-AS1 related DEmRNAs such as MMP9 and MMP1 (metastatic genes) and tumor infiltration of the cancer-associated fibroblast in LUAD based on the TIMER2.0 database. The results of this study highlight AFAP1-AS1 effect on cell cycle and metastasis and provide new insights into how highly expressed AFAP1-AS1 acts as an oncogene and could be considered as a therapeutic target in LUAD.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern with a rising incidence among younger populations. This study aims to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC by evaluating the expression of two key genes, GBP4 and IL20RB, at various stages of CRC development and progression. GBP4, a member of the guanylate-binding protein (GBP) family, plays a crucial role in inflammation and immunity, while IL20RB, an interleukin-20 receptor subunit, is implicated in chronic inflammation and malignancies. The selection of these particular genes was based on their potential roles as biomarkers in CRC research. Tumor tissue samples (n=40) from patients with colorectal cancer and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from the Iranian Tumor Bank. Following total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression levels of GBP4 and IL20RB were measured using the qRT-PCR technique. Finally, the diagnostic capacities of both gene expressions were evaluated through ROC curve analysis. GBP4 was significantly downregulated in colorectal tumors (p-value = 0.03), as well as in both non-metastatic (p-value = 0.04) and metastatic samples (p-value = 0.002) compared to adjacent normal tissues. Additionally, IL20RB was significantly upregulated in non-metastatic tumor tissues (p-value = 0.03) compared to adjacent normal tissues, but its expression showed no significant difference in metastatic tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. The expression level of GBP4 decreases during the development and progression of CRC, while IL20RB is primarily associated with CRC development, specifically in non-metastatic stages. Both genes may serve as promising prognostic biomarkers for CRC.

Nanocarriers have garnered significant global attention in pharmaceutical research due to their potential to revolutionize drug transportation and formulation. These systems enhance therapeutic efficacy, minimize off-target effects, and enable controlled release, making the identification of safer, more efficient nano-delivery platforms critical for advancing in vitro and clinical applications. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of two novel drug delivery systems—superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with silica (SPION@silica) and iron-containing polyoxometalate (FeMo6)—against prostate cancer (PC-3) and normal Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines. SPION@silica and FeMo6 were synthesized via co-precipitation and solvothermal methods, respectively, yielding uniform particle sizes of 20 nm and 50 nm, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Structural and compositional integrity were validated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity assessments via MTT assay revealed distinct profiles for the two systems. FeMo6 demonstrated potent tumor-killing activity, reducing PC-3 cell viability to 35% at 48 hours post-treatment, compared to 65% viability with SPION@silica. However, FeMo6 also exhibited moderate cytotoxicity toward CHO cells (55% viability), suggesting non-selective mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species generation or mitochondrial disruption. In contrast, SPION@silica showed minimal toxicity to healthy cells (85% CHO viability), attributed to the biocompatible silica shell shielding the magnetic core. These findings highlight a critical trade-off: while FeMo6’s polyoxometalate structure enables robust anticancer activity, its broader cytotoxicity necessitates caution in therapeutic applications. SPION@silica, with its favorable safety profile, emerges as a promising candidate for targeted drug delivery, though its lower tumor suppression efficacy warrants further optimization.

Ginger is a popular spice, and 6-gingerol (6-Gin) is a bioactive phenolic compound. The compound 6-Gin exhibits certain drawbacks, including poor solubility in water and sensitivity to temperature, pH, and oxygen. To overcome these challenges, a novel green method has been developed to produce zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) modified with chitosan and folate, which can effectively deliver 6-Gin (6-Gin-CZF-NPs) and enhance its anticancer properties. The nanoparticles were initially synthesized and subsequently surface-modified. Their physicochemical properties were assessed using various methods. The size of the 6-Gin-CZF-NPs was measured at 110.66 nm, exhibiting a smooth surface and a spherical shape. The surface potential of the nanoparticles was reported to be +29 mV, and the drug encapsulation efficiency was 86.9%. The antioxidant properties and anticancer effects of the 6-Gin-CZF-NPs were evaluated. The cytotoxic effects of the 6-Gin-CZF-NPs on breast, stomach, and colon cancer cells were compared to those on HFF cells, yielding IC50 values of 94.4, 180.5, and 369.2 μg/mL, respectively. Results from DAPI staining and flow cytometry indicated that in the treated groups, apoptosis increased with higher concentrations, leading to an accumulation of treated cells in the SubG1 phase. The increase in Caspase 3, 8, and 9 further confirmed the pro-apoptotic activity of the 6-Gin-CZF-NPs. This inhibition of cancer cells occurs through the induction of apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The IC50 values for ABTS and DPPH assays were 197.7 and 475.3 µg/mL, respectively. The results regarding antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis of these newly prepared nanoparticles confirm their anticancer efficacy, particularly against breast cancer cells.

Morphometric analysis of gametes and embryos is crucial for optimizing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the importance of morphometric parameters at oocyte, zygote, and embryo stages, focusing on their potential as indicators of developmental competence and quality. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on key morphometric ratios, including the total embryo area to blastomere area (TEa/Ba), total oocyte area to polar body area (TOa/PBa), and oocyte area to polar body area (Oa/PBa), using ART-derived samples categorized into quality classes (Hight (A), medium (B), and low (C)). The materials and methods included precise imaging and statistical evaluation of the structural differences influenced by factors such as maternal age, hormonal levels (FSH, LH), and developmental progression. The results revealed significant differences in the morphometric parameters across quality classes (p-value < 0.05). While maternal age did not significantly affect TOa/Oa, an upward trend in TOa/PBa and Oa/PBa ratios was observed in older participants (>33 years), suggesting subtle age-related structural changes. Vitamin D3 levels showed no significant impact on morphometric ratios, though a slight elevation in TOa/PBa was noted in Vitamin D3-deficient participants. High-quality embryos (Class A) exhibited lower embryo area to average cleavage blastomere area (Ea/Ba) (p-value = 0.04) and TEa/Ba ratios (p-value = 0.0509), reflecting uniform cleavage and superior blastomere organization. In contrast, lower-quality zygotes (Class C) and oocytes showed irregularities in pronuclear and polar body dimensions, correlating with reduced developmental potential. These findings suggest that morphometric parameters could serve as valuable indicators of gamete and embryo quality. When used in conjunction with other assessment methods, these metrics may enhance embryo selection precision, potentially contributing to improved implantation success and advancements in reproductive medicine.

Cells are related to the extracellular matrix (ECM) via integrin and feel varying amounts of stiffness caused by various tissues, which can influence cancer cell treatment and control. Improving cancer treatment tactics requires understanding how substrate stiffness affects cancer cell behavior and how they respond to therapy. One of the most important novelties of this study is the investigation of drug concentrations on cancer cells cultured on substrates with different elastic modulus. Another novelty of this study is the investigation of the effects of anti-cancer drugs targeting the skeletal structure of cancer cells in contact with ECMs with different elastic moduli. In the present study, assays were used to investigate the effects of the elastic modulus of different ECMs on the treatment of cells. First, the effect of different drug concentrations on cancer cells cultured on different substrates was investigated with MTT assay, and then tests were performed to evaluate cell viability, migration, and gene expression of cultured cells on different substrates. The results show that substrate stiffness significantly affects drug response, with soft substrates showing higher levels of cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis, and antimetastatic properties when compared to medium and stiff substrates. Furthermore, changes in apoptotic gene expression point to a mechanistic relationship between drug response, cellular fate determination, and substrate stiffness. These findings highlight the importance of using biomechanical cues in cancer therapy strategies and point to the possibility of using substrate stiffness as a target for therapeutic intervention and a prognosis marker.

Human Epidermal Neural Crest Stem Cells (hEPI-NCSCs), as a transient population of multipotent migratory stem cells can differentiate into multiple types of neural and non-neural cells and tissues in the body. Here, we tried to determine the role of chemo agents in mediating the stress induced pathways like autophagy and unfolded protein responses (UPR), as well as the migratory potential of NCSCs. hEPI-NCSCs were treated with chemo agents including Dithiothreitol [(DTT) 10µM)], Salinomycin (9mM), Ebselen (10mM), 5-Fluorouracil [(5-FU) 8µM] and Cisplatin (6mM) for 72 hours. The reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT- qPCR) and scratch wound healing assays were used to assess the effect of chemo agents on NCSCs function. After treatment with DTT, hEPI-NCSCs upregulated the expression of genes related to autophagy and UPR pathways including LC3, P62 and CHOP. These genes were also overexpressed when NCSCs were treated with Salinomycin. Reverse results were verified by 5-FU, Ebselen and Cisplatin treatment. Salinomycin and Cisplatin upregulated the expression of XBP-1, which down regulated with DTT, 5-FU and Ebselen. Inhibition in migratory capacity of NCSCs was detected following treatment by Salinomycin, 5-FU, Ebselen and Cisplatin. DTT and 5-FU promoted the expression of BDNF, while Salinomycin, Cisplatin and Ebselen treatment reduced its expression. During exposition to DTT, the autophagy pathway was activated, implying that autophagy functions as a survival mechanism for deactivating the inhibitory effects of DTT on the migratory capacity of NCSCs. Chemotherapeutic agents like 5-FU and cisplatin exert cytotoxic effects on NCSCs by suppressing autophagy, UPR pathways, and the migratory potential of NCSCs.

The expression level of exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be relevant for clinical diagnostic approaches. The object of our study was to evaluate the differential expression of lncRNAs colon cancer associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) and X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in plasma exosomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and investigate their potential as clinical biomarkers. In a case-control study, 62 CRC patients and 62 healthy persons were studied. Plasma exosomes were isolated by a centrifugation approach and were characterized by microscopy and western blotting. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, using real-time PCR technique, the relative expression of lncRNAs was evaluated. The expression levels of lncRNA CCAT1, but not XIST, were meaningfully increased in the plasma-derived exosomes of CRC patients compared to non-cancer individuals (p= 0.001, 0.083 respectively). Further analyses revealed that the expression levels of exosomal lncRNA CCAT1 were associated with the lymphovascular invasion and tumor differentiation (p<0.05). ROC curve analysis documented a diagnostic power for lncRNA CCAT1 in CRC with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 80% with an optimal cutoff point 6.5, with an area under curve (AUC)=86% and p<0.0001. Also, lncRNA XIST revealed a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 61% with a cutoff point 2.4, with an AUC=65%. Our findings indicated the potential of plasma-derived exosomal lncRNA CCAT1 as a non-invasive clinical indicator for the diagnosis of CRC patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most frequent type of leukemia among adults. Investigating AML heterogeneity based on DNA methylation can improve clinical diagnosis and prognosis. This study was conducted to investigate NR4A1 and NR4A3 gene methylation in fifty newly diagnosed AML patients and fifty healthy controls using Methyl specific PCR (MSP). The frequency of the rs1569686 in the DNMT3B was also determined by Tetra primer ARMS PCR. Also, the association between methylation of studied genes and some prognostic marker including mutation of FLT3 and NPM genes, as well as some hematological factors of patients was evaluated. According to the findings, AML patients have a significantly higher prevalence of methylated NR4A1 and NR4A3 genes than those without AML. AML patients with un-methylated NR4A3 had significantly higher frequency of FLT-ITD positivity than AML patients with methylated NR4A3. Also, there was no significant association between rs1569686 and AML. Finally, the distribution of different genotypes of rs1569686 between AML patients with and without methylation in NR4A1 and NR4A3 did not show any significant association. The results found that NR4A1 and NR4A3 were hyper-methylated in AML patients. However, rs1569686 polymorphism was not a main contributor to methylation status of studied gene. Future studies should consider other mechanisms influencing the role of NR4A1 and NR4A3 hypermethylation in AML.

Chromosome aberrations certainly aneuploidie are the cause of the majority of spontaneous abortions in humans. BUB1 (budding uninhibited by benzimidazole 1) and BUBR1 (BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B) are two key proteins mediating spindle-checkpoint activation that play a role in the inhibition of the anaphase-promoting complex/ cyclosome (APC/C), delaying the onset of anaphase and ensuring proper chromosome segregation. This study aimed to evaluate the probable roles of BUB1 and BUBR1 pathogenic variants in abortion of the fetuses with aneuploidy. Fifty aborted fetuses with approved aneuploidy using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) were included. BUB1 and BUBR1 genes were studied using the Sanger sequencing for the single nucleotide variant (SNV) detection, certainly rs121909055 and rs28989185 as the pathogenic target variants. The sequencing results were analyzed by finch TV software.Neither homozygous nor heterozygous variant of the targeted SNVs was observed in the samples. No other SNV was detectable in the analyzed parts of the BUB1 and BUBR1 genes in all samples. Since the allele frequencies of the variants of interest were zero in 50 studied samples, these SNVs would not be prioritized for screening in the parents with a history of miscarriage due to aneuploidy.

Cervical cancer is one of the common types of cancer in women. Treatment regimens include use of chemotherapy but it leads to certain side effects thereby creating a need for safer therapeutic options. Ayurveda has a great potential to provide better treatment strategies. In this study, computational approaches have been employed to investigate the molecular mechanism of anti-cervical cancer Ayurvedic herbs. Initially, Ayurvedic plants possessing anti-cervical cancer activities were obtained from literature. Bioactive compounds present in such plants were evaluated for drug-likeliness, biological functions and associations with cancer-related pathways. This resulted in the most promising drug-like bioactive compounds which were found to target cancer pathways like microRNA and proteoglycans, Human papillomavirus infection. Anti-cervical cancer activity possessing herbs derived from the study include Camellia sinensis, Equisetum arvense, Rosmarinus officinalis. Major bioactive compounds extracted from the enlisted herbs that contribute in promoting anti-cervical cancer effects include allicin, apigenin, and mataresinol. Overall, our study has provided insights into the scientific mechanism behind anti-cervical cancer activities of the indigenous herbs of Ayurveda. In addition, this study has also highlighted key bioactive compounds which have a potential in targeting cancer related pathways and thus can further be utilized to devise better therapeutics to cure cervical cancer.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast to spiritually prepare their bodies and spirits. The autophagy pathway restores cellular homeostasis and is being studied as a therapy for a variety of disorders. According to previous studies, fasting or calorie restriction has a role in the up-regulation of autophagy especially through the initiation step. The effects of Ramadan fasting on the autophagy pathways and metabolic health outcome in healthy adults were investigated in this study. In this controlled cohort study, 50 healthy subjects (20-78 years old) 24-fasting and 26 non-fasting were included. At the end of Ramadan, a blood was drawn to assess biochemical, hematological, and inflammatory variables. Serum IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were measured. The serum proteins (Beclin-1 and LC3β) and mRNAs gene expressions’ (Beclin-1, p62, and LC3β) of the autophagy marker were evaluated by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. During Ramadan, there were no significant differences for biochemical parameters (except for BUN-level), inflammatory markers (IL-6 and hs-CRP), and hematological indices during Ramadan. Beclin-1 gene expression was significantly upregulated in the fasting-group as the main marker of initiation of autophagy; yet, the LC3β and the p62 levels were decreased in the fasting-group in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, fasting women alone displayed a significantly high serum Beclin-1 level. Ramadan fasting does not have any adverse effects on biochemical, hematological, and inflammatory parameters. According to our results, people observing Ramadan may benefit from the autophagy pathway to compensate reduction in energy and vital metabolites in the face of food restriction.

Diabetes mellitus has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer, with hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation contributing to malignant transformation. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the role of specific genes and biomarkers associated with the process. While hyperglycemia accelerates cancer progression, Metformin, an anti-diabetic medication, is found to reduce the recurrence. Future research should focus on understanding molecular mechanisms, developing early diagnostic tools, and assessing the impact of glycemic control in managing potentially oral malignant lesions in diabetic patients.

Cobalt (Co) toxicity presents a substantial challenge to agricultural output, especially in economically significant crops like guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.). This research explored the capacity of jasmonic acid (JA) to lessen the detrimental impacts of cobalt-induced stress on the physiological and morphophysiological attributes of guar plants. Guar seedlings were subjected to varying levels of Co (0, 50, 100, and 200 µM) and treated with JA (0, 5, 10, and 15 µM). The results indicated that elevated Co concentrations significantly diminished plant growth, biomass accumulation, gum and carbohydrate levels, and water content while simultaneously increasing proline, catalase, peroxidase, phenol, and superoxide dismutase activities, suggesting the presence of oxidative stress. In contrast, applications of JA, particularly at lower concentrations (5 and 10 µM), successfully ameliorated these adverse effects by enhancing water status, reducing cobalt absorption, strengthening antioxidant defense mechanisms, and improving photosynthetic performance. Notably, JA treatment sustained or improved biomass, carbohydrate content, water content, and increased viscosity under Co stress conditions. These results highlight the potential of JA as a bio stimulant to improve guar plant tolerance against Co toxicity, offering a viable approach for sustainable agricultural practices in contaminated settings.

Cadmium (Cd) is recognized as a major environmental pollutant that, upon absorption by plants, disrupts various physiological processes, leading to significant stress. This study investigates the effects of different Cd concentrations on root growth parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in soft wheat (Triticum aestivum). Treatments with 50 and 100 mg/L Cd reduced root biomass by 28.70% and 30.91%, respectively, compared to the control. The Tolerance Index (TI) peaked at 80% under 50 mg/L Cd but declined to 50% at 100 mg/L, indicating moderate tolerance at lower Cd levels. Exposure to higher Cd concentrations (200 and 500 mg/L) resulted in biomass reductions of 95% and 80%, respectively, demonstrating severe toxicity. Antioxidant enzyme analysis revealed that ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was stimulated across all Cd treatments, while catalase (CAT) activity exhibited a non-linear response to increasing Cd concentrations. Overall, cadmium exposure negatively affected root development in wheat by impairing physiological mechanisms and inducing oxidative stress.

In this work, the effects of foliar zinc sprayings on some growth parameters and essential oil composition of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) were assessed. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with two sources of zinc including zinc oxide (ZnO, as ordinary fertilizer) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP, as nano-fertilizer), each having four concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/l). Results showed that sprayings with zinc had significant influence on the evaluated parameters. Treatments with ZnO and ZnO-NP significantly increased root length, shoot height, root and shoot dry weights, photosynthesis pigments contents, antioxidant enzymes activity, and essential oil percentage, and in the impact of ZnO-NP was more effective than ZnO. The highest growth parameters and pigment contents were observed at 100 mg/L ZnO-NP. Based on the results, 27 components were identified in the dragonhead essential oil in which the maximum values belonged to oxygenated monoterpenes with four main components as geranial (27.91-36.09%), geranyl acetate (18.36-25.48%), neral (19.18-21.7%), and geraniol (5.93-8.30%). The amounts of these monoterpenes under ZnO-NP (especially at 100 mg/L) were higher than ZnO treatment and control plants. The findings of this study showed that the effect of ZnO-NP in increasing the growth, the antioxidant enzymes, and bioactive ingredients of dragonhead was more than ZnO, and it may be possible to use ZnO-NP as a nano-fertilizer in the sustainable production of essential oil in medicinal plants.

Fig fruits are well-known for their significant nutritional and medicinal benefits. In this research, the phytochemical compounds present in 18 local and wild fig accessions from the South Khorasan region, east of Iran, were extracted and compared with the three well-known Iranian fig cultivars (Shah Anjir, Siah, Sabz). The results indicated that the studied genotypes exhibited significant differences in various biochemical traits, including total acidity, vitamin C, total antioxidant capacity, total phenols, anthocyanin, soluble solids, pH, quercetin, and catechin. However, there was no significant variation in flavonoid content among the genotypes. Accession 2 had the highest total acidity while Accession 20 had the lowest. The fruits of Accession 36 contained the highest levels of vitamin C, whereas the highest phenol content was found in the fruits of Accession 13. The fruits collected from Accession 4 displayed the highest sugar content while Accessions 1 and 35 were identified as rich sources of quercetin and catechin, respectively. Following factor analysis, it was revealed that, among the 11 factors analyzed, factor 1 accounted for 97% of the variation in biochemical traits. Finally, the cluster analysis categorized these fig accessions into three groups. Accessions 4,5,10,50, and 51 formed a subgroup along with the well-known, commercial cultivars of Estehban (Fars Province), indicating that these genotypes have potential for planting and further evaluation. The unique compounds found in these genotypes may be used to identify health benefits. Additionally, the findings may contribute to the conservation of these valuable genetic resources and enhance breeding programs focused on enhancing the nutritional quality of commercial fig cultivars.

Drought is a global crisis that poses a serious threat to agriculture, which reduces growth as well as yield of plants. Salicylic Acid (SA) is a phenolic growth regulator that has a protective role against stress conditions in the plants. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the impact of foliar spray of SA on the resistance of sweet pepper plants to drought. This experiment was performed as factorial in a completely randomized design, and treatments consisted of three levels of salicylic acid (0, 0.5 and 1mM) and three levels of drought stress (irrigation at 100, 60, and 30% of field capacity). Findings suggested that drought reduced plant growth factors such as number and weight of pepper fruit, yield, plant height, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, and total) and carotenoids. It also increased activity rate of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), soluble sugars, proline, anthocyanins, malondialdehyde (MDA), and H2O2. SA treatment improved plant growth parameters, enhancing CAT, SOD, POD, chlorophyll a and b, proline contents, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, soluble carbohydrates, anthocyanins while decreasing the content of MDA and H2O2. The study concludes that application of SA enhances the activity of the enzymes and decreases the harmful impacts of drought.

Over the last two decades, the stimulatory and PGRs-like effects of plant-derived smoke (smoke-water: SW) have been noticed on seed germination rate and seedling development. In this study, SW-priming was investigated as a new method to stimulate seed germination and enhance the seedling vigor of chili peppers under salinity stress conditions. This experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering of Razi University in 2024. The experimental factors included two levels of salinity stress (control and 80 mM of NaCl) and six levels of chili pepper seed priming (control, hydro-prime, and SW-prime at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1% concentrations. Results showed that salinity stress reduced SDW (11.29%), RL (51.71%), PL (26.38%), GP (9.16%), AC (34.36%), SLVI (51.24 %), and SWVI (19.12%), compared to the control treatment. SW-priming at a concentration of 0.1% increased SDW (13.88%), RL (42.24%), PL (19.64%), GP (32.76%), SLVI (75.58%), and SWVI (49.68%) compared to the control. SW-priming also caused MGT reduction in control and salinity stress conditions compared to the control. Therefore, SW-priming can potentially reduce the adverse effects of salinity stress at early stages of the chili pepper life cycle.

Lead and drought stress have negative effects on plant growth and decrease crop production. In recent years, many studies have been reported on the role of nitric oxide (NO) in reducing these effects. The present study was conducted on Brassica napus L. to investigate the interaction of lead, drought, and their combination with NO using Hyola 401 cultivars. One hundred (100) μmol / L lead with Pb (NO3)2, drought with 0.5% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 (-0.003 MPa), and NO with 100 μmol / L sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were used. Lead and its combined treatment significantly decreased growth while drought stress affected only shoots. NO treatment reduced negative effects on plant growth. Adding NO in the lead treated plants under drought stress caused an increase in soluble sugar contents. Plant proline significantly increased by application of NO in control, lead treatment, and simultaneous lead and drought treatment. A significant increase in the activity of the enzymes assayed (peroxidase and catalase) was observed in the plant exposed to lead and its combination with drought stress. The use of NO caused a significant decrease in the activity of these enzymes. The antioxidant role of NO may be the reason for this decrease in activities.