https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/ Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences en daily 1 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0330 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0330 https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_5976.html The health advantages of consuming extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the diet are associated with its phenolic compounds which are potentially beneficial and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The unsaturated fatty acids in olive oil reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure. Spain, Italy and Greece are main source of olive oil creation in the world. Investigations indicate that the probability of the people of these countries to the colon, breast or prostate cancers, as well as Alzheimer's disease is lower than the residents in Northern Europe, and life expectancy has increased. The purpose of this review emphasizes the importance of case-control and cohort studies on the olive oil consumption and its beneficial result on human health https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6185.html The purpose of this work was to assess the prevalence of cas genes (cas 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7) in UPEC isolates, as well as the connection between CRISPR-associated cas genes and beta-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M). The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique was used to assess the susceptibility of isolates to targeted antibiotics. For isolates that were resistant to at least one of the third-generation of cephalosporins in the antibiotic susceptibility test, the combined disk test was conducted. The blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and cas genes (cas 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7) were identified molecularly using the polymerase chain reaction technique. A total of 106 uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates were identified from 437 positive urine culture samples. Overall, 64.1 % of isolates harbored blaTEM genes. Nevertheless, 46.2 % and 35.9 % of isolates, respectively, carried blaSHV and blaCTX-M. The cas 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 genes were detected in 96.2 %, 48.1 %, 60.4 %, 65.1%, and 50% of isolates, respectively. We discovered a statistically significant association between the presence of cas2 and the presence of blaSHV (p-value = 0.01) and blaTEM (p-value = 0.02) viruses. We observed a statistically significant association between the presence of at least three cas genes and the presence of blaSHV (p-value = 0.001) gene. At the end, we detected a statistically significance between simultaneous presence of at least five cas genes and simultaneous presence of beta-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M; Pv: 0.01).  In general, there is an inverse relationship between the presence of cas2 gene and the presence of blaSHV (Pv: 0.01) and (Pv: 0.02) blaTEM and also between the presence of blaSHV gene alone and the simultaneous presence of blaSHV and blaTEM genes with the simultaneous presence of at least three cas genes in UPEC strains. In general, there is an inverse relationship between the presence of cas2 gene and the presence of blaSHV (Pv: 0.01) and (Pv: 0.02) blaTEM and also between the presence of blaSHV gene alone and the simultaneous presence of blaSHV and blaTEM genes with the simultaneous presence of at least three cas genes in UPEC strains.In general, an inverse relationship between genes cas2 and the blaSHV (Pv: 0.01) and (Pv: 0.02) blaTEM as well as the presence of blaSHV alone and the simultaneous presence of genes blaSHV and blaTEM with the simultaneous presence of at least three genes cas strains UPECIn general, an inverse relationship between genes cas2 and the blaSHV (Pv: 0.01) and (Pv: 0.02) blaTEM as well as the presence of blaSHV alone and the simultaneous presence of genes blaSHV and blaTEM with the simultaneous presence of at least three genes cas strains UPEC. The results of this study indicated that the presence of cas genes linked with the CRISPR system may help lower the presence of beta-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M) in UPEC isolates. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6192.html Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most common causes of mortality around the world. The aim of this study is to summarize using native plants in Dehloran City, Ilam Province, Western Iran in heart atonic conditions. According to the results obtained from the filled questionnaires, the sixteen effective medicinal herbs recognized in the region, the most important of them include Astragalus glaucacanthus, Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., Crataegus pontica C. Koch, Crocus sativus L., Nerium oleander L., and Xanthium spinosum L.  Its optimal use is in the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adult patients and to increase myocardial contraction. Therefore, it is possible to produce effective herbal medicines as alternatives to synthetic drugs and improve the cardiac tone for sufficient contraction in heart failures. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6700.html An update checklist of the ground beetles in the middle of Iraq is presented. This investigation was conducted from October 2020 till September 2021 and revealed 42 species belonging to 32 genera, 17 tribes and 13 subfamilies of Carabidae. In the present checklist, synonyms, locations and global distributions were provided.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6701.html Cancer is the biggest public health problem and the third leading cause of death in Iran. A healthy diet and daily consumption of natural antioxidants can help prevent cancer. Natural antioxidants have been recommended for a variety of health benefits due to their ability to scavenge free radicals, reactive derivatives, reducing oxidative stress and related damages. Rhus coriaria L. is rich in antioxidant compounds. Its anti-cancer effects have been documented in many in vitro and in vivo studies involving several cell lines and animal models. It inhibits carcinogens by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibiting oxygen species (ROS), and reducing tumour size. On the other hand, the high toxic effect of R. coriaria on cancer cells is associated with few or no side effects or damage to normal cells. Accordingly, this review provides an overview of recent advances in the use of R. coriaria against various types of cancer along with mechanisms of action. In addition, the present study summarizes R. coriaria as an anti-cancer agent and evaluates the potential of this natural compound as a complementary or alternative drug for cancer prevention and treatment. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6705.html The effects of temperature and pH on the growth and quantity of vital products extracted from the cyanobacterial species Anabaena oryzae in the ASM-1 culture media were studied. Three levels of temperature (18 ± 2 °C, 27 ± 2 °C and 30 ± 2°C) and pH (6.8, 7.6 and 8.4) were selected. It was found that the best daily growth and the largest amount of vital products occur at a temperature of 27 ± 2 ° C and pH 7.6. The vital products were diagnosed by a GC-MS device, and the results of the diagnosis have shown the presence of the compounds dihydroxyphenyl glycol, n -acetyl-Dglucosamine, linalool, niacinamide and gibberellins. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6706.html The decorative, pharmaceutical plant, Costus speciosus can be useful for health as therapeutic agent. This study tends to estimate the antibacterial activity of this plant rhizomes (aqueous and methanol extract) on   Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth using the well diffusion method. In this study, the C. speciosus sundried rhizomes were powdered and extracted using Soxhlet apparatus, diluted for specific concentrations of the collected dried extract, then qualitative detection in raw extract of the plant rhizomes was performed for detection of the active compound’s presence. The P. aeruginosa which is pathogenic bacteria, was placed in a culture of brain heart infusion broth and adjusted to McFarland tube. The resulted extract was two kinds (three samples for each concentration), initial concentration was adjusted to 200 mg mL-1.  Measurement of zones of inhibition were performed after incubation, followed by statistical collection and analysis of data.  Five compounds in the C. speciosus rhizomes methanol extract were present using the qualitative detection of the active compounds including alkaloids, saponites, turbines, tannins, and flavonoids. The extracts showed influential inhibition of growth of bacterium used in this study. The methanol and aqueous extracts with the concentration of 200 µg mL-1 showed the maximum antibacterial effect with the zone inhibition diameters of 16 and 17 mm respectively. The methanol extract was moderately effective with the concentration of 100 µg mL-1 and the inhibition zone diameter of about 10 mm. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6823.html Air pollution plays an important role in the health of reproduction. Studies on the destructive effects of environmental pollutants have been focused more on their effects on testicular and sperm quality, while the study on the female reproductive system has received less attention. Therefore, in this study, the effects of PM2.5 on the female mice's uterine quality were assessed. A total of 24 Wistar albino rats were divided into three treatments and control for a three months’ period. Three groups were defined including healthy control (C) that used air with a clean standard condition, Treatment 1 (T1) was exposed to only gaseous pollutants, while treatment 2 (T2) to gaseous pollutants plus PM2.5. Uterus tissue was removed after dissection of rats, then the oestrogen and progesterone receptors, immunohistochemical assays, and oxidative stress activity for all groups were evaluated. The activity of enzymes involved in oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, GPx, and CAT) in the treatment and control groups were examined in mice uterus tissue after three months. T1 and T2 showed a statistically significant decrease in SOD, GPx, and CAT compared to control. On the other hand, T2 exhibited a significant decline in these enzymes compared to T1. In the case of MDA, T1 and T2 displayed a significant elevation compared to control (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) respectively, while T2 indicated a significant decrease compared to T1 (p < 0.01). In T2, the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) Immunohistochemical results showed a sharp drop compared to control and T1. Serious programs should be implemented to control and reduce PM2.5 emissions in metropolitan areas. These findings may be useful to provide insights for reducing infertility disorders caused by exposure to PM2.5 or other air pollutants.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6824.html Oral lichen planus (OLP) have become a serious problem for health system. Curcuma longa (C. longa) is recognized as a medicinal plant with numerous biological properties. Hence, this study was conducted to review the effect of C. longa and its derivatives, curcumin and curcuminoids in treatment of OLP. This study followed systematic review design. We used the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements. To perform this study, we searched Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar tools using appropriate keywords including “oral lichen planus”, ” turmeric”, ” Curcuma longa”, “curcumin” and “curcuminoids”. The search was limited to English articles. In this study, all studies published until May 2023 were used.  Of 76 identified articles from searching, 16 studies including 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two case- controls and one case report were included in this systematic review. The sample size in these studies was 570 patients. Furthermore, most of these studies was done in India, Iran and USA. Taking together, turmeric and its derivatives curcumin and curcuminoids play important role in treatment of OLP. Indeed, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics are probably responsible for therapeutic effects of turmeric and its derivatives. However, further studies are recommended for explaining therapeutic mechanisms of these compounds. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6825.html Air pollution is associated with respiratory pathologies, and exposure to airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) is a significant risk factor for respiratory patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PM2.5 exposures on lung tissue pathology and the function of antioxidant enzymes in a rat animal model. The animals were exposed to PM2.5 for two different periods: 3 and 6 months, with a frequency of 4 days per week and a duration of 5 hours (from 9.00 am to 14.00 pm) per day. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, as well as lung histology and the protein expression of p53, Nrf2, and HO-1, were assessed in the lung tissue of the exposed rats. The results revealed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GPx) in the animals exposed to PM2.5. Moreover, a noticeable reduction in the protein levels of p53, Nrf2, and HO-1 was observed in the lung tissues of the rats after PM2.5 exposure, which was accompanied by pathological changes. In conclusion, PM2.5 exposure leads to severe damage to lung tissue by reducing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and inducing oxidative stress through the activation of Nrf2 and P53 signalling pathways. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7062.html The Covid-19 pandemic has an impact on the agricultural sector in Central Sulawesi, which was previously the victim of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and liquefaction. Muhammadiyah is committed to helping by initiating an empowerment program for local Palu shallot farmers as part of the congregation-based Da'wah movement. This empowerment aims to increase farmer income, improve farm management and recommend farmer empowerment models to reduce the impact of Covid-19. The research method used observation, interview, and focus group discussion (FGD) techniques involving 20 local Palu shallot farmers. The results showed an increase in farmers' income by 45.97%, in addition to farm management including the functions of planning, organizing, driving, and controlling, which are included in the criteria of Good to Very Good. The empowerment model recommendation is an integrated, synergies, and comprehensive activity from the aspect of farm management to increase the capacity of location-specific and sustainable groups to support farmer corporations and strengthen agricultural businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7102.html Exposure of males to particulate matter and gaseous air pollution poses a serious threat to spermatogenesis. However, the specific molecular mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. In this in-vivo study on Wistar albino rats, we investigated the impact of combined exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants on the BCL2/BAX signaling pathway, as well as GATA4 and GATA6 gene and protein expression in Sertoli cells. A total of twenty-one male rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group exposed to standard air conditions, a Gas group exposed to gaseous pollutants alone, and a Gas+PM2.5 group exposed to both PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants. All groups were exposed for four days a week, five hours per day, for three months. Sertoli cells were isolated and analyzed for gene and protein expression. The findings revealed a significant reduction in BCL2, GATA4, and GATA6 gene and protein expression in the Sertoli cells of the Gas+ PM2.5 group, accompanied by an elevation in the Bax gene and protein expression compared to the control group. Consequently, the combined exposure to ambient PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants is likely to trigger the upraised Sertoli cell apoptosis via activation of the BCL2/BAX pathway and possible interaction with GATA 4 and GATA 6 proteins.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7124.html Intensive use of arable land with unbalanced application of mineral fertilizers negatively affects soil fertility and the environment. Anthropogenic activity alters the relatively stable natural balance. The nature and direction of such alterations are largely determined by the intensity of agricultural practices implemented during field crop growing, among which the most important are the cultivation method, the fertilizer system and chemical soil reclamation. To improve the balance of organic matter in sod-podzolic light loamy soil, it is recommended to apply organic mineral fertilizers with a chemical ameliorant (lime), which reduces the rate of humus mineralization in soil and improves plant nutrition. The article shows the influence of mineral fertilizers, manure and lime on humus balance and its stabilization in the agroecosystem of the long-term field experiment. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7125.html Using endophytic microorganisms as biological agents is gaining particular interest due to their multiple properties. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the endophytic bacterium, Bacillus mojavensis PS17 (Russian patent RU2737208C1) isolated from surface-sterilized wheat seeds, to colonize different agronomic crops. The plant colonization ability was studied in pot experiments containing a mixture (1:1) of the garden and bulk soil moistened with distilled water to 60% of its water-holding capacity. The bacterium culture was applied on non-sterile seed as vegetative cells diluted in PBS buffer to an optical density of 0.1 at 595 nm. As a marker, a spontaneous rifampicin-mutant (15 μg mL-1) of the studied strain was used. The plants were grown in a laboratory condition. After 3 weeks, their roots and shoot were surface-sterilized and plated onto LB medium agar amended with Rifampicin and nystatin. For the realities of results, bacterium grown on a selective medium was compared with their parent strain using fingerprinting BOX-PCR. The obtained results demonstrated that B. mojavensis PS17 can reside in tissues of all plants tested without causing any harm to plant growth and development, making it a good candidate for using as an endophyte biological agent for plant protection. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7173.html Water photocatalytic treatment has found more attention in recent years. Photocatalytic process can degrade various organic pollutants in water using free solar energy. In this study, manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) as magnetic photocatalysts were prepared through novel, green and simple co-precipitation route. So, marshmallow extract was applied as green capping agent for morphological engineering of products. The crystalline structure, shape, and particle size of prepared products were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The cubic phase of the products with sphere-like morphology were formed. The BET analysis revealed that the prepared MnFe2O4 (72.30 m2 g-1) and CoFe2O4 (65.85 m2 g-1) have sufficient surface area for photocatalytic application. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analysis was applied for assessment of the optical properties of these products. The optical band gap of as-obtained MnFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 were 2.42 and 2.71 eV, respectively.  Finally, the results indicated that the MnFe2O4 can removed 78, 84, and 92% of methyl orange, methylene blue, and acid violet 7 from water, after 80 min UV irradiation respectively. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of CoFe2O4 is lower than MnFe2O4. Also, the further examination revealed that the photocatalytic efficiency has decreased under visible light irradiation. This study introduces MnFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 as excellent photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7194.html Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus portion as an important food-borne pathogen is unmoving unidentified. This survey assessed the antibiotic resistance properties, molecular typing, and virulence characters of MRSA isolated from raw milk and dairy samples. Totally, 350 raw milk and dairy samples were examined for S. aureus. MRSA bacteria were identified using disk diffusion based on cefoxitin and oxacillin. Phenotypic and genotypic patterns of antibiotic resistance were assessed using disk diffusion and PCR, respectively. The PCR assessed the distribution of virulence characters. MRTSA typing was done using RAPD-PCR. Forty-five out of 350 (12.85%) raw milk and dairy samples were contaminated with S. aureus. Its distributions amongst the raw milk and dairy samples were 9.72% and 16.36%, respectively. Twenty-six strains out of 45 (57.77%) isolated S. aureus bacteria were determined as MRSA. These bacteria revealed the uppermost rate of resistance against cefoxitin (100%), ceftaroline (100%), penicillin (100%), tetracycline (92.30%), gentamicin (80.76%), erythromycin (69.23%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (69.23%). BlaCTX-M (100%) and blaZ (100%) were detected in all MRSA isolates. TetK (73.07%), aacA-D (69.23%), dfrA1 (50%), vanA (42.30%), ermA (42.30%), and msrA (42.30%) were the most routinely detected antibiotic-resistance determinants. PVL gene was detected in 69.23% of MRSA isolates. Coa (61.53%), hla (42.30%), and fnbA (38.46%) were also the most routinely detected virulence characters. MRSA isolates had a lower than 80% similarity pattern and were characterized in the same group. Simultaneous presence of virulence and antibiotic- resistance determinants amongst the MDR-MRSA bacteria suggests an imperative threat rendering contaminated raw milk and dairy consumption. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7200.html Developing citronella oil processing in rural areas is a strategic step in spurring regional economic growth and increasing farmers' income and employment opportunities. Fluctuations in input and output prices reduce the income of citronella oil farmers. This study analyzes the factors that influence the profit level of the citronella oil business in Blangjerango district of Gayo Lues Regency, Indonesia. The population in this study was 742 citronella farmers in this regency. Samples were taken using simple random sampling from 60 respondents. Data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. The results showed that partially and simultaneously, the amount of production, labor costs, the price of citronella leaves, and the output price of citronella oil significantly affect citronella oil profit at the 95% confidence level. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7201.html In this study, the peculiarities of the environment and the economy interaction were assessed, while the emphasis was placed on the role of sustainable development in achieving both environmental and economic benefits.  The subject of the author's analysis was to study the impact of sustainable development on the formation of a balance in the field of both doing business and managing and using resources. Environmental problems in the modern world, especially those that arise in the course of the activities of enterprises of various industrial sectors, nowadays require immediate solutions, since their long-term impact can lead to an environmental catastrophe. To do so, data analysis was carried out within the framework of the topic of the work, and comparative and analytical research methods were used in the preparation of the work.  The study presents examples from existing practice that allow applying the principles of sustainable development, environmental responsibility in practice at the present stage. It is shown how individual companies carry out work in the field of overcoming environmental problems and develop measures in the field of overcoming them.   It is concluded that the integrative foundations of economics, ecology and modern entrepreneurial initiatives not only act as a kind of engine of the economy, but also serve as a certain incentive for the development of competitiveness of modern companies. In general, the author concludes that the modern approach to achieving a balance in the field of ecology and business is quite promising, which in the future may bring positive results for humanity as a whole. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7202.html Milk production is mainly affected by pathologies such as mastitis, caused mainly by bacteria, where one of the most important is Escherichia coli. In this sense, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of the essential oil of Origanum vulgare against strains of E. coli isolated from bovine mastitis. Therefore, the presence of the bacterium was analyzed in the farm "La felicidad" located in the province of Chimborazo (Ecuador). The initial identification of the microorganism was made using the CMT diagnostic test. Subsequently, the isolation by means of plate culture and its characterization using the IMVIC tests were carried out. On the other hand, the essential oil of oregano was obtained by steam distillation. These oils were studied for their antimicrobial affectivity against the isolated strains of E. coli, and their MIC was also analyzed. As results, the total prevalence of mastitis was 26.25%. Of the 28 samples analyzed, 18 isolates (64.29%) corresponded to Escherichia coli. After the antimicrobial activity, oregano oil with a 60% concentration was the one that showed the best performance against the pathogen. In the CMI, from the concentration of 3% of essential oil there was an inhibitory effect. Finally, gas chromatography of oregano oil showed that formic acid and p-Cymeno were the most present. In conclusion, natural organ oil can be a phytopharmacological alternative against pathogens that cause bovine mastitis.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7207.html The North Tapanuli Regency cultivates two types of coffee: Robusta and Arabica; Robusta is the most significant amount of production. Robusta coffee is a commodity with strategic value in efforts to empower the people's economy. The more competition opens up in the Robusta coffee trade in domestic and international markets, the more farmers are required to produce highly competitive products. Should this situation be imbalanced by an increase in producer prices, it is expected to result in a decline in production and farmers' interest in cultivating Robusta coffee. It implies that price movements from consumers to producers are closely related to production performance. This research aims to analyze the causal relationship between the Robusta coffee prices among farmers, wholesalers, and retailers or consumers in North Tapanuli Regency. The analytical model used is the Granger Causality Test to analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between Robusta coffee prices in North Tapanuli Regency. The data used are secondary; the monthly data from 2016 to 2022 obtained 84. The results show no causal (reciprocal) relationship between Robusta coffee prices for wholesalers and retailers or consumers. However, there is a one-way relationship, i.e., Robusta coffee prices for retailers or consumers influence its price for wholesalers in North Tapanuli Regency. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7215.html A large portion of available seeds in the local market of Iran is supplied from imported sources. These cultivars exhibit diversity in terms of qualitative and quantitative properties. Since they have been bred according to conditions of origin countries, it is requisite to analyze their level of adaptability to the new environment. In this study, qualitative, quantitative, and yield properties of seven cucumber cultivars were investigated.  A greenhouse experiment was conducted in a soil bed medium in Varamin, based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The grouping was performed based on the LSD test and cluster analysis. The results showed that the number of fruits per node has the highest positive effect on yield. The fruits in each internode were maximally set in the FC-043 cultivar. FC-043 cultivar were in the same class as Voila cultivar as the control in cluster analysis. This cultivar exhibited superiority and greater positive coefficients in the two main traits, including fruit number per node and yield. Generally, the results revealed that the FC-043 cultivar had high adaptability in soil bed culture medium in greenhouses and can be cultivated as a high-performance cultivar. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7216.html This study was conducted between 2018-2020 on small lakes, situated in Kazan city (Republic of Tatarstan, Russia). Over the course of the research, the enhancement measures performed on the small lakes Harovoe and Maryino and their effect on the state of the lakes were evaluated. Changes and alterations in the natural characteristics of objects, water quality, biodiversity, and recreational areas were taken into consideration. Various consequences of enhancement measures on the state of lakes are revealed. Furthermore, factors affecting the formation of lakes have been identified: human impact and natural factors. The natural factors include air temperature fluctuations, wind influence, precipitation, water runoff influence, mineral composition, groundwater, water currents and waves. Given the results, it can be concluded that the improvement of water bodies in the urban environment should be carried out considering the impact of measures on water quality and biodiversity of the natural environment, with the creation of Park or green areas around lakes, with the preservation of the catchment area. The improvement of the territory, accompanied by measures to improve and enhance the quality of water, engenders better results, both for the water body itself and for the environment and ecosystem as a whole. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7228.html In this study, the results of changes in the zoobenthos community of Lake Skurcha, the Republic of Abkhazia after hydrotechnical measures for eco-rehabilitation of the reservoir are described. The Lake-Lagoon Skurcha was in adverse ecological condition (there was a shortage of oxygen, fish starvation, low species diversity). During the events, constructing channel from Kodor River, subordinate reservoirs, wetlands, tributaries have been created here to improve the water quality in the lake. The study was carried out on the species composition, abundance and biomass of organisms, indices of species diversity and similarity of zoobenthos in the period from 2009 to 2016. During this period, 56 species of zoobenthos organisms were found (Insects 32, Crustaceans 10, Hirudinea 2, Polychaetes 1, Gastropoda 9 and Bivalvia 2 species). The highest wealth was observed during the inflow period in the first years of the experiment (2011-2012), in conditions of desalination and brackish water. There is no similarity in the species composition of zoobenthos, which indicates a strong transformation of the community. During the influx period, biomass and abundance indicators increased due to insect organisms, then the proportion of brackish-water species upraised. Currently, freshwater and brackish-water species coexist in the lake, with brackish-water species dominating in the composition of zoobenthos. Improvement of water quality and diversity of zoobenthos were revealed after eco-rehabilitation measures. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7284.html One of the ways to optimize the potential of land to increase the income of lowland rice farmers is to engineer land from a monoculture system to a diversified rice-fish cultivation system. The study aimed to compare the feasibility of farming for three growing seasons using cropping pattern 1 with the Rice-Fish – Rice-Fish – Rice-Fish sequence and cropping pattern 2 with the Rice-Fish – Rice – Rice sequence and see which composition of the cropping pattern is the most profitable between the two. The research was conducted in Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia, using the survey method. The population consisted of 49 farmers; using the Slovin technique, a sample of 33 farmers was taken. The sample was taken using the simple random sampling technique. It was carried out during the 2020-2021 planting period. The results showed that farming using both cropping patterns is feasible because it has an R/C ratio > 1 (Revenue is higher than costs). Cropping pattern 1 shows greater farming profits compared to cropping pattern 2. The difference in profits is due to the income from fish planted in addition to rice yields. Planting with the Rice-Fish cropping system provides significant additional income for farmers, risk mitigations and improve environment. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7314.html This research was carried out in flowerpots within the framework of a completely randomized design with eight treatments. Statistical data analysis was performed using SAS ver. 9, and the charts were drawn with the help of Excel 2016. One of the aims of this study was to investigate the effect of super-absorbent nano polymer, complete Gromor fertilizer, iron, and zinc on the quantitative and qualitative performance of Agave marginata L. in the climatic conditions of Shiraz regarding one of its biologic products called hecogenin. The results of the analysis of variance of the effect of treatment on hecogenin in the first year became significant at the statistical levels of 5% and 1%. The same analysis for the second year produced significant results at the statistical levels of 5% and 1%. In the first and second years, the application of different treatments caused a significant reduction in hecogenin concentrations. Furthermore, dry plant weight had significant positive correlations with dry matter percentage and hecogenin concentration (P<0.01). Hecogenin is derived from the leaves of Agave marginata L. after sisal fibers are extracted from it. This substance is used in pharmacy to produce cortisone and sex hormones (Ahmadzadeh & Rostami, 2016). https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7326.html Green culture is being promoted all over the world. One application of go green means changing the use of plastic into paper bags made from pulp from the felling of eucalyptus trees. Population growth also has implications for increasing demand for eucalyptus trees, causing a shortage of raw material supplies at various pulp and paper companies in Indonesia, India, Australia, and European countries. Lack of supply of raw materials triggers arrangements to maximize the available land area. Replanting is one arrangement to maximize the amount of eucalyptus produced in a limited area. However, the current unavailability of a replanting support system is an obstacle. This study aims to develop a decision support system for eucalyptus replanting activities using a supply-demand approach to pulp production and a simulation approach modeled by System Dynamics (SD). Then the simulation results were analyzed using MAPE and APE. Analysis of the MAPE value of 8.2%. For the Average Percentage Error (APE) value, there is a deviation of 1% in 2019. This indicates that the possibility of deviations occurring is minimal, and the MAPE value is below 10%, so the designed model is valid. The average increase rate in the span of 15 years are 4.954 tons for wood production, 161,58 Ha for total replanting area, and Rp 4.024.461.525.257,7 for total cost. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7334.html The researchers of Russian State Agrarian University, Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy conducted in 2013-2016 a long-term stationar experiment to study chemical and toxicological properties of fiber flax, Voskhod variety, growing on sod-podzolic soil in the soil and climate of the Moscow region. Test plots were selected with following crop rotation options: (i) without fertilizers, without liming; (ii) without fertilizers, with liming; (iii) N100P150K120 (kg ha-1), without liming; (iv) N100P150K120, with liming; (v) N100P150K120 + manure 20 ton ha-1, without liming; and (vi) N100P150K120 + manure 20 ton ha-1, with liming. The agro-climatic conditions of the growing seasons during the research years did not have a negative impact on the growth and development of fiber flax. The hydro-thermal indices were 1.1 in 2013, -1.05 in 2014, 1.5 in 2015, and 1.5 in 2016. The maintained crop rotation and the introduction of a full range of mineral and organic fertilizers were found to contribute to high yields of flax in terms of fiber (18.5-18.9 hwt ha-1) and seeds (7.9-8.3 hwt ha-1). The seeds contained 16.9-19.5% protein and 33.5-39.4% lipids. The yield of flaxseed oil from seeds ranged from 19.5-35.7% on average for different variants of the experiment. The peroxide number index was 1.5-2.5 mg-eq O2 kg-1, and the acid number index was 1.1-1.9 mg KOH g-1, which correspond to the obtaining high-quality linseed oil in compliance with quality standards for all variants of the experiment. In the fatty acid composition of flaxseed oil, the content of total saturated fatty acids, the amount of unsaturated fatty acids and a high content of essential α-linolenic acid were 9.0-14.1%, 85.9-91.0%, and 46.9-60.9% respectively. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7447.html The present study focused to assess the effects of hospital wastewater discharged from the Medical City Hospital in Baghdad to Tigris River. Two sampling sites were selected. The first was located to the north centre of Baghdad about 12 km as control (S1). The second location was represented the discharge point of Medical City station (S2). The water quality parameter of pH, EC, TDS, cations, anions, and heavy metals (Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+) were studied during January to August 2022. The obtained results showed that the EC values were 591-1453 µs/cm (mean ± SD = of 809 ± 62.5 µs/cm) in S1, while 475-1374 µs/cm (mean ± SD = 872 ± 64.5 µs/cm) in S2. TDS values were 304-879 ppm (mean ± SD = 518 ± 40.0 ppm) in S1 and    378-930 ppm (mean ± SD = 558 ± 41.5 ppm) in S2 respectively. The results found that the highest value for total hardness in S1 and S2 were 249-354 ppm (mean ± SD = 29 5 ± 6.93 ppm), and 256-360 ppm (mean ± SD = 299 ± 6.57 ppm), respectively. The monthly accumulative concentrations were examined by assaying the elevated concentrations of TDS, Na+ and Cl-. The results showed that there were also significant differences (p < 0.05) in average TDS, Na+ and Cl- values ​​on the monthly basis. The TDS value ​​ (%) was higher in August (58.25), compared to January, February, March, April, May, June, and July (54.37, 51.50, 44.83, 43.33, 33.43 and 25.26 respectively). The Na+ and Cl- values (%) were higher in August (54.44 and 50 respectively) compared to January, February, March, April, May, June, and July (53.3, 49.52, 37.21, 34.46, 38.49, 25.2 and 50, 48.90, 37.72, 36.01, 37.76, 25.09, 7.3) respectively. Also, it was concluded that over 50% of TDS, Na+ and Cl- discharges to Tigris River occurred in August compared to January and February. It was recommended that in the case of the Medical City station (S2), we need to establish a methodology for systematic data monitoring, and to assess the negative-effect of wastewater on Tigris River. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7460.html In the current study, the qualitative and sensory characteristics of cold-stored beef burger tablets were evaluated using cumin powder, as 0, 0.5 and 1% added to ground beef that was made into tablets, then the product was stored for 1, 5 and 10 days in refrigeration 4 °C. Some chemical and physical tests, oxidation indicators and sensory characteristics were conducted for this product. The results showed that the protein percentage in the samples to which cumin powder was added slightly increased insignificantly by the elevated concentrations of the added powder, as well as an upraise in the fat and ash rates (%) throughout the storage period, offset by an insignificant decrease in the percentage of moisture compared to the control. The highest values ​​of water-carrying capacity of beef were recorded for cold-stored beef burgers, which elevated by the increased concentrations of cumin powder. The pH values ​​increased slightly and insignificantly, while the loss during cooking recorded a slight and insignificant drop by the upraised concentration of cumin powder throughout the storage period. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of PV peroxide, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), the percentage of free fatty acids FFA and the percentage of TVN compared to the control. It was also noted that the treatments to which cumin powder was added had an effect in reducing the total number of bacteria, cold-loving bacteria and coliform bacteria in beef during cold storage. Compared to the control group, adding cumin powder led to an elevation in the values ​​of flavor, juiciness, and freshness and general acceptance. In conclusion, it is possible to use cumin powder at a rate of 0.5 and 1% in beef tablets, which improved the studied chemical, qualitative and sensory characteristics, decreased oxidation indicators of beef, and the upraised storage life of the product throughout the period of cold storage for 10 days without any alteration in the quality and sensory qualities of the product. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7461.html In a vegetation experiment with soybean plants of the Svapa and Mageva varieties and in a field experiment with bean plants of the Geliada and Shokoladnitsa varieties, we studied the effect of pre-sowing treatment of the seeds of these plants with Rizotorfin and Epin-extra on the nitrogenase activity of the nodules of these plants and their ultrastructure. The highest indices of the mass and number of nodules and the activity of nitrogenase in them were found in bean plants of the Heliada cultivar when the seeds were treated with Epin-extra against the background of inoculation with Rizotorfin, so that, the largest area of ​​symbiosomes, volutin and their number was noted in the nodules. Beans of the Shokoladnitsa variety showed the protective effect of Rizotorfin. In the nodules of soybean plants of the Svapa variety, the seeds of which were treated with Epin-extra against the background of inoculation with Rizotorfin, the presence of a large number of symbiosomes, bacteroids, volutin inclusions with a larger area and a minimum number of inclusions of poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) was noted, as well as the highest indicators of symbiotic activity. Soybean plants of the Mageva variety showed the protective effect of Rizotorfin.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7463.html Diet is one of the most important variables that control reproduction. Fasting is a kind of physical stress and can cause oxidative stress. Fasting can affect the formation of sperm. The ketogenic diet consists of about 70% fat, 25% protein, and 5% carbohydrates. It is similar to fasting as it leads to increased ROS. This study aimed to compare histological and histochemical alterations in the male reproductive system between the fasting and ketogenic diet groups. In this study, 120 male mice were used. They were divided into three groups: (i) the control group, they were given regular diets; (ii) the fasting group, which were given one meal per day; and (iii) the ketogenic diet group which were subjected to the keto diet. Each group consisted of 40 male mice, average age 8-12 weeks, and average weight of 28 g. The experiment lasted 8 weeks. Ten male mice from each group were killed at the end of every two weeks to obtain organs (testes and epididymis) to prepare tissue sections for microscopic examination. In this study, PAS stain was used. The results of the histological study showed the presence of histological alterations in each of testis and epididymis in both groups. The results of the histochemical study showed the interaction of the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules in the testis with PAS ranged from weak to strong in the fasting group, while in the ketogenic diet ranged moderate to strong, albeit the reaction of the basement membrane of the epididymal tubules with PAS was strong in the two groups for eight weeks.                                    .                                                                                                                     https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7465.html In the present study, phytochemical analyses were performed on the methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Moringa oliefera root and branches of the stem using Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This plant has therapeutic properties in its different parts. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of many phytochemicals in root methanolic extracts involving 14 active compounds. It was found that a high percent area is 2-furancarboxylaldehyde (50.07%). Ethyl aldehyde had the lowest area (0.49%). In contrast, ethanolic extract of root contained 19 active compounds as GC-MS isolated and characterized. The technique confirmed that 6-octadecenoic acid was the highest compound (59.43%), while N-sulfinyl butylamine has rarely been detected in plant extracts (0.12%). Many other phytochemicals were also detected. Similarly, methanol extract for stem branches included three active compounds. A 5-hydroxymethylfufural was the most abundant (63.06%), while 2-acetyl-2H-tetrazole possessed the lowest area (9.70%). Ethanol extract contained six isolated active compounds. Few major compounds were found with a high percent peak area in branches by ethanol extract including 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (55.81%), whereas, the lowest one was hydrazinecarboxaldehyde (0.49%). https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7469.html Hypericum perforatum is a medicinal plant of the Family Hypericaceae with phenolic and flavonoid compounds with high antimicrobial properties. The present study was aimed to assess the antimicrobial effects of H. perforatum ethanolic, acetone, and triethylamine extracts against pathogenic bacteria. The H. perforatum aerial parts were prepared, dried, powdered and used to prepare ethanolic, acetone, and triethylamine extracts by maceration method. Phytochemical components were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The diameter of the growth inhibition zones of bacteria was assessed using disk diffusion. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) of extracts were evaluated using an ELISA plate and compared to antibiotics. Hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin derivatives were identified in ethanolic extract. According to molecular docking, hypericin exhibited high binding energy to Beta-Lactamase Escherichia coli (-6.88 kj/mol), Glycosyltransferase-Staphylococcus bacterial enzymes (-6.47 kj/mol) and Pseudohypericin with Porin D-Pseudomonas aeruginosa (-8.31 kj/mol). Pseudohypericin connection was almost higher than the three antibiotics, i.e., Ceftazidime (-7.86 kj/mol), Imipenem (-8.79 kj/mol) and Vancomycin (-5.25 kj/mol) with Porin D. Only 3 components were identified in the acetone and triethylamine extracts, respectively. The growth inhibition zone of bacteria was in the range of 17.72 ± 1.31 to 4.61 ± 0.17 mm. H. perforatum antimicrobial effects were dose-dependent up to 50 mg mL-1 concentration (p < 0.05). Application of 50 mg mL-1 H. perforatum ethanolic extract exhibited the largest growth inhibition zone of Staphylococcus aureus (17.72 ± 1.31 mm), Escherichia coli (14.51 ± 1.22 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.97 ± 1.18 mm), and Acinetobacter baumannii (10.20 ± 0.56 mm). The growth inhibition zone of H. perforatum was significantly higher than some tested antibiotics (p < 0.05). The lowest MIC (12.50 mg mL-1) and MBC (25 mg mL-1) were obtained for the H. perforatum ethanolic extract, ceftazidime, imipenem, and vancomycin. H. perforatum triethylamine extract displayed the highest MIC and MBC values. Given the high growth inhibition zone, as well as low MIC and MBC levels of H. perforatum ethanolic extract (50 mg mL-1) in comparison with the antibiotic agents, it can be recommended as an economical source of antimicrobials. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7502.html This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of ginger oil on the roles of Rhyzopertha dominica. The results showed: With a concentration of 8% after 48 hours of treatment, ginger oil had the highest mortality rate for the second larval instar, reaching 86.7%, and the lowest mortality rate for the second larval instar, 16.7% at a concentration of 2% after 24 hours of treatment. The lowest death rate for females was 0% at a concentration of 2% after 24 hours of therapy, reaching 86.7% after 72 hours at a dosage of 8%. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7503.html From Streptomyces species isolated from agricultural soil, an extracellular L-glutamate oxidase was recovered. The Streptomyces bacterial isolates were grown in a selective medium that had L-glutamate as a substrate. The filtrate, which is representative of the crude enzyme, was subsequently obtained by extracting the extracellular enzyme using a cooling centrifugation procedure. L-glutamate oxidase purification operations were then performed, starting with fractionation with 40% ammonium salts and continuing with ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration with a final 8.25 units/mg and 61.8% yield. Both positive and negative bacteria were sensitive to the pure L-glutamate oxidase's effects. Purified L-glutamate oxidase outperformed other examined bacterial isolates in terms of activity, with MIC values of 32 µg/ml for Klebsiella pneumonia and 64 µg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Thus, pure L-glutamate oxidase may be viewed as a promising possibility in the rational design of new antibiotics. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7505.html The present study was conducted for the period from April to October 2022 in University of Samarra laboratories. The study included 20 male laboratory rabbits, whose weight ranged from (1.4-1.5) Kg, ten of them were as a control group and the other ten were infected with N. americanus parasite. Some biochemical tests such as lipid profile (HDL, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides) and liver enzymes (GOT and GPT), as well as tissue sections of the liver, lung and small intestine to see the changes that occur due to infection. The present results showed significant differences for total cholesterol between control and infected groups (88.40 and 71.80) mg/dl, respectively, as for triglycerides, non-significant variances were recorded between control and infected groups (68.80 and 69.80) mg/dL, respectively, whereas for HDL the present results showed significant differences between control and infected groups (27.40 and 22.60) mg/dL, respectively. The current results showed significant increase in concentration of GOT of infected group compared with control group (27.20 and 15.60) mg/dL, respectively, as for GPT, non-significant variances were recorded between infected and control groups (17.80 and 14.60) mg/dL, respectively, while for Iron, significant differences occure between infected and control groups (74.00 and 101.40) mg/dL, respectively. The histological study showed the presence of histological changes in the members infected group that were studied. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7506.html Goal No.6 (SDG’s) are dedicated to ensuring the availability and access to clean drinking water around world. Bottled drinking water (BDW) become the safest choice for many people in Iraq due to the lack of credible tap water sources. To assess the validity of BDW sold in Iraq-Baghdad 40 samples were examined for the presence of toxic heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Ni, Mn and Fe) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry; then we check if the concentration safe according to Iraqi and WHO standard. The result revealed that concentrations of (Cr, Ni and Pb) up over the permissible levels; while (Cd and Mn) not detected any more. The presence of (Cr, Ni and Pb) in BDW have many health risk especially for children; thus our study suggested activating the periodic examination on the bottled drinking water by the competent authorities and environmental humanitarian organizations. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7507.html Condensation nuclei are one of the main factors in building the structure of the cloud during its formation stages, so it is the basic structure around which water vapor gathers by a specific mechanism to form a cloud droplet, However, this cloud soon disappears due to a defect in one of the conditions for its formation, and the fact is that the nuclei of condensation here are either few or increased due to convection currents caused by the winds, which are various materials present in the atmosphere. These materials are classified into liquefied and non-liquefied, according to the nature of those materials, which have the ability to attract water vapor molecules around them, so the aim of the research is to study and discover some materials that may have the ability to be used in artificial seeding. Where a group of samples were collected such as (carbon generators, Himalayan salt, pollen grains, Refrigerated helfa), which were analyzed by FT_IR & SEM device, as well as examining the surface tension in unite Newton meter of each material separately, it was found that some of the analyzed materials that They appeared as chemical compounds that behaved as liquefies, It was concluded that the most effective substance is (K2CO3) which is present in pollen grains, whose value was (4.296)%, as well as the presence of (CaO) compound, which recorded the highest value (26)%, as well as (Na2O) in Himalayan salt, whose value was (38.0) %, As well as the Refrigerated helfa, which recorded the highest value for (SiO2) with a value of (4.761)%. The effectiveness of the surface tension was represented in the Refrigerated helfa, where the surface tension decreased from (51.67) mN/m to (43.95) mN/m when adding each (0.5) gm to the solution. Also, in the Refrigerated helfa, the surface tension decreased from (55.3) mN/m to (47.89) mN/m when adding (0.5) gm each time. As for the Himalayan salt, when the same amount of solution was added, the surface tension decreased from (68.3) mN/m to (49.44) mN/m when the solution was added gradually from (0.5 to 2) gm for every 0.5.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7509.html Despite of the remarkable conservation efforts to save the diversity and population of wildlife, both population and diversity have been still under the threat of decline. Thus the current investigation was designed to highlight the situation of raptors that hunted and selling in local markets of Al-Qadissiya Governerate/Iraq. Thirty fife individuals of raptors were recorded. These individuals represented 11 species that belong to 2 orders; Acciptriformes and Falconiformes. The most significant feature that honey buzzard was observed that considered the first observation of this species in this province.  In addition, two out of 11 species were listed under the endangered (EN) category there were; Neophron percnopterus and Aquila nipalensis, while, one species was detected under Near Threatened (NT) category it was Steppe Eagle  Aegypius monachus in accordind to International Union of Conservation Nature (IUCN), while, 8 species are classified under the Least Concern (LC) category. Thus, these observations confirm the deterioration in wildlife situation in Iraq as a result of human activities adverse effects. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7597.html Coagulant materials are usually expensive and the purchase, transportation, and maintenance costs are high for all water treatment plants. The disposal of sludge resulting from used coagulants also requires knowledge-based management, and it is necessary to foresee scientific and economic points of view for the disposal of sludge resulting from coagulants in the environment. The present study aimed to design cost-effective and simple Ferrum-based coagulants. So, Fe3+ was recovered through acid digestion and the Nafion 117 membrane, then these methods efficiency was compared together. The present study showed that the average recovery rates (%) of Fe3+ by acid digestion and Nafion 117 membrane were 73% and 71.5% after 30 and 25 min, respectively. Also, the ratio of return sludge to sulfuric acid was 40:60 during the acid digestion method. According to the results, the Nafion 117 membrane in addition to a significant effect in reducing the concentration of FeCl3 in wastewater did not release sulfuric acid, meaning that reducing the disposal of chemical sludge by Nafion 117 has not environmental negative effects, and can prevent the biological and physical degradation of farms. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7598.html The phenomenon of climate change is occurring more rapidly in the global climate due to the role of human factors than in other periods of climate change, and this feature causes the existing ecosystems and species to not have enough time to adapt to this environmental change. The impacts of climate change on the ‎spatial distribution of spiny eel Mastacembelus‏ ‏mastacembelus in Iran were investigated ‎ using the MaxEnt modeling technique in R software environment under optimistic and pessimistic climate change scenarios of the 2050s and 2080s. Six environmental variables, ‎including annual ‎precipitation, slope, flow accumulation, temperature annual range, annual ‎mean temperature, and upstream drainage area were used. The performance of the model in predicting the species was ‎"good" based on the AUC (area under the curve) criterion. This spatial distribution of species will decrease under ‎optimistic and pessimistic scenarios in 2050 and 2080. These results can be used by the manager in order to plan conservational strategies to protect this species in the future in front of climate change impacts. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7601.html The present study was conducted for the period from April to October 2022 in University of Samarra laboratories, Iraq. The study included 20 male laboratory rabbits, whose weight ranged from 1.4 to 1.5 kg, ten of them were as a control group and the other ten were infected with N. americanus parasite. Some biochemical tests were carried out such as lipid profile (HDL, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides) and liver enzymes (GOT and GPT), as well as tissue sections of the liver, lung and small intestine to see the alterations due to infection. The present results showed significant differences for total cholesterol between control and infected groups (88.40 and 71.80 mg dL-1, respectively). In the case of triglycerides, non-significant variances were recorded between control and infected groups (68.80 and 69.80 mg dL-1, respectively), whereas in the case of HDL, the present results showed significant differences between control and infected groups (27.40 and 22.60 mg dL-1, respectively). The current results showed significant increase in concentration of GOT of infected group compared to control group (27.20 and 15.60 mg dL-1, respectively). As for GPT, non-significant variances were recorded between infected and control groups (17.80 and 14.60 mg dL-1, respectively), while for Iron, significant differences occured between infected and control groups (74.00 and 101.40 mg dL-1 respectively). The histological study showed the presence of histological alterations in the members of infected group. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7756.html The two factors of food supply and production stability make people use the latest technology in the agricultural sector. The combination of the Internet of Things (IoT) and modern agriculture in the fields of water management, meteorological forecasting, forestry, pest management, plant diseases and the cost of storing agricultural products has a positive impact. Therefore, there is a need for smart agriculture. The IoT and smart digital system will help increase smart agriculture, which works in different domains of agriculture to improve time efficiency, water management and crop monitoring, soil management, pesticide control, and also minimize human efforts. It simplifies agricultural techniques and helps increase smart agriculture. Along with these features, smart agriculture can help market growth and development of agricultural products. In this study, the impact of the integrated IoT system and digital Supply Chain Management (SCM) has been investigated on the performance of agricultural products in the four areas of responsiveness, flexibility, cost and environment. The results showed that the use of digital technology and IoT has significantly improved the response speed and cost of the system and up to 20% can reduce the harmful environmental effects. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7777.html The research focused on assessing the effects of escalating food prices on the welfare of low-income households in Iran. The study utilized household cost-income survey data from 2020 and calculated compensatory price elasticities using the quadratic almost ideal demand system. The findings revealed that all food price elasticities were negative and less than one, with the highest elasticity observed in dairy products, while the lowest in oil and fat. The income elasticity of food varied from 0.136% to 1.392%. The welfare impact of food price changes was assessed through the calculation of the welfare index of compensated changes, which indicated that the food Compensated Variation (CV) welfare index for low-income households due to the rise in food prices following the implementation of the pollution tax policy is $46.67, representing 33.22% of their food expenses. This means that the income of Iranian households is expected to increase by 33.22% due to the application of the environmental tax policy. Furthermore, the vulnerability index of households was projected to increase by 8.69% as a result of food price changes, but the provision of cash subsidies could mitigate this vulnerability by 3.54%. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7783.html The quality and quantity of urban green spaces have a direct or indirect impact on residents' living environment, providing environmental, social, psychological, and aesthetic benefits. However, these advantages can only be realized by all citizens if there is an adequate and equitable distribution of green infrastructure that meets the needs and expectations of users. In Morocco, the analysis of urban green spaces has primarily focused on quantitative aspects, offering only a partial understanding of the current situation. This study represents a pioneering effort at the national level, aiming to introduce a methodology for evaluating the provision of urban green spaces. The city of Oujda, situated in the Northeast region of Morocco, is used as a case study, employing various approaches that prominently consider accessibility and user satisfaction. This analysis incorporates three key approaches: firstly, a quantitative assessment utilizing ratios of urban green spaces per capita and per city area; secondly, a spatial and accessibility-focused investigation using maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) software; and thirdly, a qualitative examination based on a survey conducted among the city's residents. The results reveal a total green infrastructure of 1821 hectares, comprising 10 different types of green spaces and 132,457 meters of tree-lined streets, corresponding to ratios of 23% of the city's area and 37 m² per inhabitant. These figures surpass both national and international recommendations. However, the ratio of tree-lined streets per inhabitant remains relatively low compared to other European cities, at 0.27 linear meters per inhabitant. Notably, forests stand out as the most abundantly endowed green space type, with a ratio of 33 m² per inhabitant, surpassing national recommendations, while all other types fall below the recommended minimum. The distribution analysis of green spaces throughout the city reveals significant disparities between different districts. Employing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for cartographic analysis, it was observed that vegetation within the urban perimeter covers a total of 2,331 hectares, accounting for 29% of the city's area. Furthermore, the analysis of green space service areas shows coverage across 5,805 hectares, representing 72% of the city's area. Overlaying these analyses highlights the most underserved zones in terms of vegetation, encompassing an area of 1,232 hectares, or 15% of the city's area, with an estimated population of 71,667 inhabitants, or 15% of the city's population. The inequitable distribution of urban green spaces is further underscored by the qualitative analysis, wherein city residents report having to travel considerable distances beyond accessibility norms to access green zones. They assert that these spaces are inadequately equipped and fail to meet their quality requirements. The survey also reveals that their preferences lean towards larger, versatile green spaces that offer tranquility, proximity to nature, and a sense of calm. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7792.html Manganese (Mn), functioning as a microelement, serves as a crucial cofactor in numerous enzyme systems. This element is indispensable for regulating the nervous system, bone growth, and reproduction, while also playing a pivotal role in carbohydrate metabolism. This research endeavours to establish the optimal dietary Mn range for young beluga, Huso huso. A cohort of 180 young beluga, with an average initial weight of 266 ± 3.05 g, underwent a two-week acclimatization period to adapt to their environment. The fish were systematically allocated into 6 treatments, each with three replications, encompassing concentrations of 5 (Mn1), 10 (Mn2), 15 (Mn3), 20 (Mn4), and 25 (Mn5) mg of Mn sulphate monohydrate (MnSO4, H2O) per kg of diet. A control treatment (Mn0), devoid of MnSO4 supplementation, was also included. The feeding regimen involved 3 time-daily feedings, constituting 1.8% of the biomass, sustained over two months. Biometric growth indices at the end of each month revealed no statistically significant differences across diverse treatments (p > 0.05), but the maximum values of these indices were observed in the control and Mn3 treatments, respectively. However, the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBC), as well as haemoglobin (Hb) levels, exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant variations were observed in the plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Mn2 treatment demonstrated the highest significant activity of lysozyme and total immunoglobulin (Total Ig) levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels and complements activity (C3 and C4) remained non-significant across Mn0, Mn1, and Mn2 treatments (p > 0.05). Despite the noteworthy level of tissue Mn aggregation (p < 0.05), no significant differences were noted in the tissue cumulation of Ca, Fe, and P elements within muscle, blood, cartilage, and liver (p > 0.05). Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the optimal supplementation level of MnSO4 required for young H. huso falls within the range of 10-15 mg kg-1 of diet. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7853.html The research includes a wide general Molecular analysis of 9 species all belonging to the genus Lotus L. grew freely in Iraq. The banding pattern has a lot of meaning when it comes to recognizing species relationships. There was also an attempt to use DNA markers in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique to identify the nine Lotus taxa and find genetic variability among them. A commercial kit was used to extract total genomic DNA from dried and fresh leaves of the species investigated. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) approach was used to do the molecular analysis, which included ten random markers.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7855.html The current study's goal is to see if phytoremediation can be utilized to treat soil that has been contaminated with crude oil, and it used the Cassia glauca plant, which was grown in industrially polluted soil, to do so. With four crude oil concentrations: 25, 50, 75, and 100 g/kg The soil was clayey clay with mild alkalinity and acidity, according to the results of the physical and chemical investigation. The findings revealed the impact of crude oil on various soil parameters, including low pH and high total nitrogen, moisture content, organic matter, EC, and the total carbon to total nitrogen ratio. Plant phenotypic and biochemical measurements, such as chlorophyll measurement, were also included in the study. In addition, sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified. As priority pollutants recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency as naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorine, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysine, and benzene [b] in plants by extraction and chromatography utilizing HPLC analysis technique. The results show that majority of these chemicals accumulate in Cassia glauca, including:  benzo[k]fluoranthene,benzo[a]pyrene,dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3cd-pyrene]. After a month of testing, in the plant, demonstrating the plant's efficacy in eliminating polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7856.html In this study, a qualitative and quantitative estimation of the most important active constituents of ficus carica L. leaves was made, and the results showed that they contained good amounts of them. Terpenes were extracted from the leaves and their potential impact on the life performance of Culex pipienes mosquitoes, the percentage of cumulative and non-cumulative deaths in immature roles, growth period, and female productivity were selected as criteria for live performance, where concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10) mg/ml were used for Evaluation of its effect on the life of mosquitoes. The results showed that the leaves of the plant had a significant effect On some aspects of the biological performance of Culex mosquitoes. The mortality of the larval stages of the insect was significantly increased compared to the control group, and its adult productivity was significantly reduced, and The results of the statistical analysis indicated that there were statistically significant differences concerning the concentrations and number of eggs. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7967.html The Caspian Sea and its southern basin are habitats for a wide range of the temperate waters ornamental fish (cold water ornamental fish) that, despite many commonalities with other water resources in Asia and Europe, have received less attention in the aquarium and ornamental fish industries in the world. The results showed that there are 43 ornamental fish species in 27 genera, 16 families, 8 orders and 1 class in the Caspian Sea and its southern basin. The most diverse order is Cypriniformes with 17 species (39.53%), followed by Gobiiformes with 11 species (25.58%), Acipenseriformes with 6 species (13.95%), Siluriformes with 3 species (6.98%), Cyprinodontiformes and Gasterosteiformes each with 2 species (each 4.65%), and Characiformes and Syngnathiformes each with one species (2.33%). Considering that the change in approach to the export of ornamental fish, from traditional markets to new markets and from species caught in nature to species produced in captivity, has become an important general and strategic trend over the past decade, it is better to pay more attention to the biotechnology of production of these fish and its development in the ornamental fish industry. In this study, all fish species of the Caspian Sea and its southern basin were studied in terms of ornamental function (aquarium industry). https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7971.html By  the increased  global warming on the one hand and the cost of energy on the other hand, the use of air conditioning systems that can have the least pollution and energy consumption has attracted the attention of various industries. Therefore, in this article, an attempt has been made to adjust the air conditioning system for cooling and heating in such a way that it has a proper performance while reducing energy consumption. For this purpose, the design of the air conditioning system has been optimized with the objective function of reducing energy consumption and the condition of providing air conditioning (functional condition). The peso algorithm is used for optimization. The designed system shows that by designing an optimal system, energy consumption can be reduced by 20% in the same efficiency and performance of air conditioning, which leads to a reduction in cost and pollution. Also, the results showed that by freely adjusting the parameters, compared to the basic state, the power consumption and efficiency of the system will increase by 10 and 20 percent, respectively. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7989.html Insecticides have influences on survival, growth and pathogenic pathways of entomopathogenic fungi (EF). Screening of EFs compatibility to insecticides is important to achieve an efficient pest control in integrated pest management. In the current investigation, potential effects of permethrin, fenitrothion, tebufenozide and trichlorfen were investigated on germination, mycelial growth, spore production and enzymatic activities of the native isolates of Beauveria bassiana (BBRR1, BBAL1, BBLN1, BBLN2) and Metarhizium anisopliae (MASA, MAAI). Spore production of the isolates significantly decreased following treatment with insecticides, mainly at the field dose concentration, except for permethrin and fenitrothion on BBAL1 and MASA. Germination rate significantly decreased after fungal isolates spores treatments with the insecticides except for MAAI. Treatment of the fungal isolates by insecticides reduced colony radial growth rate, especially after field dose treatments. Chitinase activity significantly decreased in the treated isolates, although no statistical differences were recorded on BBAL1 following treatment by fenitrothion, tebufenozide and trichlorfen. Finally, protease activity was also affected in the treated fungal isolates by insecticides. The current results showed that permethrin, fenitrothion, tebufenozide and trichlorfen negatively affected growth, development and spore production in addition to microbial enzymes involved in the pathogenic process. Some exceptions were observed mainly on BBAL1, which should be considered in the joint use of insecticides with the entomopathogenic fungi.     https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8001.html Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii) is the most common species of the Cyprinidea family in the Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea and comprises, on average, more than 70% of the annual commercial bony fish catch. This species consists of two migratory forms, the spring race (SR) and autumn race (AR), which show morphological identities. The morphological differences are classified as phenotypic markers and cannot be a reliable method for distinguishing individual and populations. Therefore, we performed histological analysis concerning ovarians, as well as gene expression profiling differences, to gain more knowledge about the differential migratory behavior of the races. Ovary and liver samples were collected to observe  the  reproductive  performance  based  on  the  ovarian  histology  and  related gene  expression  using  real-time  quantitative  polymerase  chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Histological study of the AR and the SR broods showed that the ovaries were at vitellogenic (oocyte diameter is 978.4 ± 32.3 µm) and maturation (oocyte diameter is 1225 ± 27.6 µm) stages, respectively. The steps identified were predictable because the AR broods need a hibernate after migration for spawning, and the SR broods are usually ready for spawning after moving into the spawning grounds. Additionally, we performed qRT-PCR to confirm the genes involved in the vitellogenic and maturation stages of ovarian development in R. frisii. Given the lack of information about the population aspects of this species, histological and gene profiling analyses in the current study showed evidence of different migratory behaviors in the two races. These valuable results can be used in fishery management programs. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8006.html Elaeagnus angustifolia is a well-known medicinal plant in Iran with high pharmacological effects on human health. The present study was done to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects of E. angustifolia L. fruit ethanolic and methanolic extracts. E. angustifolia was collected and identified. Extracts were prepared using methanol and ethanol solvents. Antioxidant effects were assessed using the DPPH assay. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were also examined. Disk diffusion, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, and Minimum Bacterial concentration methods were used to assess extract antimicrobial effects. MTT assay was used to detect the anticancer effects. The concentrations at which the E. angustifolia methanolic and ethanolic extracts scavenged 50% of free radicals (IC50) were 597.24 ± 10.09 and 605.33 ± 10.91 µg mL-1, respectively. The total E. angustifolia ethanolic and methanolic extracts flavonoid contents were 15.25 ± 1.87 and 17.20 ± 1.30 mg QE/g, respectively. E. angustifolia ethanolic and methanolic extract's phenolic contents were 57.33 ± 2.14 and 60.13 ± 1.88 mg GAE g-1, respectively. The methanolic extract exhibited higher antimicrobial effects, especially against S. aureus with low MIC and MBC levels. An elevation in the E. angustifolia extract concentration caused a significant decrease in cell viability. The first step of decrease in the cell viability in treatment with the E. angustifolia ethanolic and methanolic extracts was caused by the concentrations of 10 and 2.5 µg mL-1, respectively. IC50 levels of E. angustifolia ethanolic and methanolic extracts were 15.97 and 8.23 µg mL-1, respectively. Anticancer effects against the U87 cell line were performed within 24 h. These findings provided a better understanding of the widespread application of E. angustifolia as potential antioxidants, antibacterial and anticancer sources, and safe natural medicines.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8012.html Assessing surface water quality characteristics is essential in planning related to water resources management as assessing basin health and managing its changes. Therefore, in this study, a comparative measurement of water quality changes in Polroud and Sefidroud rivers in Gilan province, Iran has been made using statistical and graphical methods. This study used the recorded data of water quality variables in two hydrometric stations of Polroud and Sefidroud rivers from 1999 to 2018. Schuler diagrams were used to evaluate drinking quality, Wilcox for agricultural quality, Piper to use water type, Mann-Kendal method to examine time series, and Pearson correlation test to examine the relationships between parameters. According to the results obtained from the Schuler diagram, the water quality of the Polroud River is in good condition in terms of drinking water over 20 years, and the Sefidroud River is in good condition. The Wilcox diagram of Polroud River showed that the condition of agricultural water consumption of Polroud River is in C2S1 condition, which shows that the water quality condition is suitable for agriculture. Still,  the results of this diagram for Sefidroud River showed that in spring water in The C3S1 area is located, which indicates the average water quality of the river, while in summer, autumn, and winter, the water is located in the C2S1, and C3S1 area, which indicates the fluctuation of water in this area in the good and average range. Based on the Piper diagram, the water of both rivers is corrosive and hard. The results of qualitative statistical analysis of the parameters studied in this study for the two rivers showed that in the period from 1999 to 2018 in the summer, the measured parameters have high values ​​compared to other seasons so that the highest arithmetic mean for the index EC in this season is equal to 290.85 mg L-1 for Polroud river and 314.66 mg L-1 for Sefidroud river, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) index for Polroud river is equal to 246.3 mg L-1 and for Sefidroud river is 277.5 mg L-1 and PH index for Polroud river is equal to 7.65 and for Sefidroud River was 7.79. Also, the study of the significance level of the Pearson correlation test for the studied parameters in Polroud showed that the Ca, Mg, Na, and K indices with a significance level of 0.038, 0.042, 0.015 and 0.024, respectively, were directly correlated with the EC index. This is consistent with the results obtained for Sefidroud River that the significance level of Ca, Mg, and Na indices with EC index were 0.024, 0.034, and 0.022, respectively, indicating the direct relationship between them. In general, the results showed that there is not much difference in the qualitative and quantitative changes of the two rivers in the period under study and the role of human influence as a common factor in increasing the pollution in these two rivers is evident.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8017.html Numerous juvenile sturgeons are released into the Caspian Sea every year mainly through the Sefid-Rud River. This river has experienced various crises in the last decade including water drought, fishing, pollution, and especially the proliferation of hydraulic structures and lack of secured effective artificial canal for juvenile sturgeon release into the Caspian Sea. To challenge the problem of decreasing trends in sturgeon stocks of the Caspian Sea, a study was conducted to select and adapt a suitable, safe, and enemy-free artificial canal to safely release sturgeon juveniles to the Caspian Sea with the highest possible survival ratio. Therefore, the Kiashahr Waterway located in Bujagh Wetland, Southwest Caspian Sea was selected and investigated thoroughly as an alternative to the Sefid-Rud River. Water quality and quantity as well as sediment type were analyzed before and during the introduction of juveniles to the Kiashahr Waterway. Sturgeon juvenile release was conducted in June and July 2019 and 2020. The physical parameters of water, i.e., temperature, pH, transparency and chemical parameters including dissolved oxygen (2.41 ± 7.17 mg L-1), and orthophosphate (0.10 ± 0.27 mg L-1), nitrate (0.14 ± 1.37 mg L-1), nitrite (0.02 ± 0.03 mg L-1), ammonium (0.05 ± 0.43 mg L-1) and COD (50.2 ± 120 mg L-1) were determined. A huge pen was installed in the waterway and sturgeon fry were stocked in this pen for adaptation. Following days of adaption, some 192000 sturgeon juveniles were transported in floating cages and along the waterway to the estuary and released into the Caspian Sea safely in a very healthy shape and activity in 2019 and 2020. The survival rate of the released juveniles was monitored using a cast net (mesh size 0.7 cm) for several hours at the estuary (mesh = 0.7cm). No mortality was observed. All juveniles (100%) were transported in 12 portions, and released into the sea, and disappeared in its open waters. We suggest investigating other migration paths for the safer release of the precious sturgeon juveniles in the future to enhance the stocks in the Caspian Sea. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8018.html Portulaca oleracea is a folk medicine in various countries. This study aimed to consider the anti-microbial effects of the water and alcoholic extracts of P. oleracea and its orange leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus salivarius, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans strains. Plant extracts were obtained using the maceration method. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was measured using the Disc agar diffusion (DAD) test method. The minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations for each extract were considered by the macro dilution method. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts showed acceptable antibacterial and anti-fungal activities at all concentrations (from 30 mg mL-1 to pure extract. However, pure extracts showed significantly higher inhibitory effects compared to the other concentrations (p < 0.01). The inhibitory effect of both aqueous and methanolic extracts was significantly increased in proportion to their concentrations (p < 0.05); however, methanolic extract was slightly more effective than aqueous extract. Compared to ampicillin antibiotics, pure methanolic and aqueous extracts showed significantly higher inhibitory effects against S. aureus and Klebsiella (p < 0.05). S. aureus was a more sensitive strain to methanolic (showing the MIC of 30 mg mL-1 and MBC of 50 mg mL-1) and aqueous (showing the MIC of 50 mg mL-1  and MBC of 70 mg mL-1). P. oleracea extracts, especially alcoholic extract, exhibited acceptable antibacterial and anti-fungal properties against various microorganisms. However, further clinical research is needed to obtain information about the effectiveness of the plant extracts such as Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Water extract, Alcoholic extract, MIC, MBC. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8033.html In developing countries such as Iran, where comprehensive wastewater treatment measures have yet to be implemented, sewage disposal in rivers represents a means of eliminating it. This phenomenon results in the transformation of urban rivers into open sewers. The study's objective was to quantify the odor-producing gases and assess their potential impact on the residents in the vicinity of the Gohar-Rud River in Iran. The identification and measurement of odor-producing gases from this sewage river were conducted through the sampling and laboratory analysis of gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and mercaptans in the initial area of human exploitation near the river. This was carried out following the global NIOSH method. The study was conducted by distributing questionnaires to residents near the river, and the results were subsequently analyzed using SPSS software. Based on field observations and laboratory studies on odor-producing gases, it can be concluded that hydrogen sulfide with an average concentration of 3.51 ± 0.09 ppm, is the primary cause of odor in this river. The findings of this study demonstrate the impact of the Gohar-Rud River's unpleasant odor on the health and quality of life of those residing in its vicinity. This was achieved through the utilization of self-perceived and self-sensory methodologies. The results show that the level of life convenience influences the quality of human life. In this regard, qualitative criteria such as convenience with health, good mental conditions, and having stable conditions in daily habits can be effective. The level of convenience with the quality of life in the marginal residents of Gohar-Rud River based on the level of enjoyment of life in daily activities is low. Inconvenience with health and nervous disorders is important in reducing the level of convenience among the residents of this river.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8060.html Fish and its products play an important role in human health by containing an excellent source of major nutrients, especially proteins, vitamins and minerals. This study is designed to provide information for the fish canning industry to better attract more consumers for purchasing fish can. By completing a questionnaire from 300 households in 22 areas of Tehran, Iran the amount and behaviour of canned fish consumption were investigated. After analysing the descriptive and inferential results of nonparametric statistics, the hypotheses of the study were also tested. In this study, factors affecting the canned fish purchase were identified and main preferences were identified. Taste, odor, the health of cans, and standard badge exhibit the highest rates, however, the main priorities of canned fish purchase at this time have been the brand name, taste and odor, as well as the composition of contents in canned goods by consumers in Tehran. They are most interested in canned tuna in oil, then canned salmon and trout, however, they prefer now canned tuna in oil, canned tuna with Anethum and tuna salad. Among the commercial names of canned fish, Tohfe, Shilton and Oila were the first three priority brands. The majority of canned fish consumers in Tehran are considered fresh fish more superior to canned fish in terms of health and quality and are more concerned about canned fish than fresh ones. However, consumption of canned fish in Tehran are 8 cans per capita, while the consumption rate of fresh ones is about 2 kg per capita, which is very low, and needs to be taken into consideration. Therefore, the goal of producers should be focused on the taste and composition of canned fish as well as on the production and market of canned tuna in oil.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8062.html The Caspian Sea, Earth's largest enclosed inland water body, faces significant environmental challenges due to anthropogenic pollution. This study aimed to assess pollution levels in Caspian Sea sediments and evaluate the potential for microbial bioremediation. Sediment samples were collected from 15 sites along the Caspian coastline. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (lead and cadmium) were quantified using GC-MS and AAS, respectively. Microbial community analysis was performed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Native bacterial strains were isolated, characterized for their pollutant degradation capabilities, and tested in laboratory-scale bioremediation experiments. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 119.5 to 2032.7 μg/kg dry weight, while mean concentrations of lead and cadmium were 67.9 and 2.15 mg/kg, respectively. Microbial analysis revealed diverse communities dominated by Proteobacteria, with genera known for hydrocarbon degradation (e.g., Pseudomonas, Alcanivorax) showing strong positive correlations with contaminant levels. Isolated bacterial strains demonstrated remarkable PAH degradation (up to 87% for naphthalene) and heavy metal removal capabilities. In microcosm experiments, bacterial consortia achieved up to 89.7% PAH removal and 61.4% lead removal after 30 days. This study provides comprehensive insights into pollution status and microbial ecology in Caspian Sea sediments, revealing both significant contamination and remarkable potential for intrinsic bioremediation. The identified native bacterial strains and consortia offer promising avenues for developing tailored bioremediation strategies, although further field-scale trials are necessary to validate their effectiveness under real-world conditions. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8064.html The research includes a wide general molecular analysis of 9 species all belonging to the genus Lotus L. growing freely in Iraq. The banding pattern has a lot of meaning when it comes to recognizing species relationships. There was also an attempt to use DNA markers in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique to identify the nine Lotus taxa and find genetic variability among them. A commercial kit was used to extract total genomic DNA from dried and fresh leaves of the species investigated. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) approach was used to do the molecular analysis, which included ten random markers. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8069.html Climate change is rapidly altering Arctic ecosystems, forcing native species to adapt. This study investigated the behavioral adaptations of Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in response to climate change, focusing on changes in hunting patterns, den site selection, and social interactions. Over a three-year period (2021-2023) in northern Alaska, we employed GPS tracking of 60 foxes, 100 remote camera traps, and direct field observations. We analyzed den site characteristics, prey availability, and environmental data. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess relationships between environmental variables and fox behaviors. Significant shifts in behavior were observed: (1) Diurnal foraging activity increased by 30.1%; (2) Den sites at elevations above 100m increased by 13%; (3) Cooperative hunting behaviors, particularly among non-kin groups, rose by 15.2%. Diet composition changed markedly, with lemming consumption decreasing from 62.3% to 33.7%, offset by increases in alternative prey. Hunting success rates for cooperative strategies improved, especially for marine prey (13.7% increase). Arctic foxes demonstrate remarkable behavioral plasticity in response to climate change, rapidly altering their hunting patterns, den site preferences, and social dynamics. While these adaptations suggest resilience, their long-term implications for Arctic fox populations and tundra ecosystems remain uncertain, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8076.html The aim of this study is to see if phytoremediation can treat soil that has been contaminated with crude oil, and using Cassia glauca, which was grown in industrially polluted soil, to do so with four crude oil concentrations: 25, 50, 75, and 100 g kg-1. The soil was clayey clay with mild alkalinity and acidity, according to the results of the physical and chemical investigation. The findings revealed the impact of crude oil on various soil parameters, including low pH and high total nitrogen, moisture content, organic matter, EC, and the total carbon to total nitrogen ratio. Plant phenotypic and biochemical measurements, such as chlorophyll measurement, were also included in the study. In addition, sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified. The pollutants recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency included naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorine, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysine, and benzene [b] in plants by extraction and chromatography utilizing HPLC analysis technique. The results show that majority of these chemicals accumulate in Cassia glauca, including:  benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3cd-pyrene]. After a month of testing, in the plant, demonstrating the plant's efficacy in eliminating polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8078.html The northern region of Iran comprises three provinces facing environmental and socioeconomic challenges due to their special and unique ecological and geological characteristics, such as special wetlands, forests, flora, and fauna. A unique environmental regulation system is required for particular traits of the ecosystems of this region, their unique functions and susceptibilities, and interconnections with socioeconomic affairs. It is supposed that one of the leading environmental problems of these susceptible provinces is the need for adapted environmental regulations harmonized with their regional special circumstances. Despite its necessity, few environmental regulations have been passed concerning the special ecological circumstances of this region. However, there still needs to be a framework and integrated regulatory system to protect the environment of this region entirely and be compatible with socioeconomic considerations. This study diagnoses the current environmental regulation regime of the northern region of Iran and its challenges based on legal descriptive and analytical methods; then, it examines how to choose a regional environmental regulation system to harmonize this regulatory system with this region's exceptional ecological and socioeconomic circumstances.  The findings showed that besides the absence of an adaptive environmental regulation, the region lacks a legally enforced comprehensive sustainable development strategy to link the environmental and socioeconomic considerations. The article suggests an adaptive regional environmental regulation mechanism empowered with special regulations, local multilevel environmental governance, environmental decentralization, and establishing a regional environmental council to appropriately coordinate the related organizations to protect the northern natural environment. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8148.html Curcumin is a natural antioxidant agent derived from turmeric. The present survey assessed the anti-cataract effect of curcumin on experimentally induced cataracts in rabbit models. Twenty-four healthy rabbits were selected, numbered, and kept individually in separate cages for 2 weeks with routine feeding. Clinical examinations were done to assess the rabbit’s eye health. Up to cataract formation, all rabbits received 0.1% sodium selenite (1 mg kg-1 body weight subcutaneously). Then, rabbits were classified into four groups: control group I (without any oral treatment), control II (with oral normal saline), treatment I (oral consumption of commercial curcumin), and treatment II (oral consumption of vitamin E). Curcumin, vitamin E, and normal saline were fed to rabbits 3 times a day for 20 days at a rate of 15 mg kg-1 body weight each time. Then, during ultrasound, the diameters of the anterior capsule of the lens, the posterior capsule of the lens, and the anterior-posterior of the lens were evaluated. Examination with slit lamp biomicroscopy was also done once every 3 days. Injection of 1 mg kg-1 of body weight every 72 h three times caused rabbits to survive for more than a month, and the cataract was created. An increase in the thickness of the lens anterior and posterior capsules could be seen and measured from the 4th day, and this increase continued until the 12th day and did not change until the last day of the study. Sodium selenite caused an elevation in the diameters of the lens anterior, posterior, and anterior-posterior capsules. On the 20th day of the experiment, the lowest diameter of the anterior, posterior, and anterior-posterior capsules was obtained for rabbits of treatment I (Curcumin; 0.063 ± 0.002, 0.065 ± 0.002, and 0.598 ± 0.02 cm, respectively). Statistically significant differences were obtained for the diameter of the lens capsules between treatment I and control and treatment II (p < 0.05). The administration of oral curcumin (1 mg kg-1 body weight 3 times a day for 20 days) significantly inhibited eye cataracts induced by sodium selenite in rabbit models. Rendering the edible route of curcumin and its beneficial effects, as well as synthesizing edible drugs based on curcumin for treating eye cataracts, has been recommended. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8151.html Limited research has focused on the nutritional requirements of Salmo caspius. This study investigates the effects of Selenomethionine (SelMet) and synbiotic Diproplus (Dip+) oral supplements on growth, hematology, carcass analysis, immune responses, and the IL-1 and TNF-α relative gene expression in S. caspius. By employing a randomized design, the dietary control group and various treatments (per kg of diet) were established, including T1 (2 g Dip+ + 0 mg SelMet), T2 (3 g Dip+ + 0 mg SelMet), T3 (0 g Dip+ + 2 mg SelMet), T4 (0 g Dip+ + 4 mg SelMet), T5 (2 g Dip+ + 2 mg SelMet), T6 (2 g Dip+ + 4 mg SelMet), T7 (3 g Dip+ + 2 mg SelMet) and T8 (3 g Dip+ + 4 mg SelMet). Significant increases in growth performance and the highest lysozyme activity were observed in T6 (p < 0.05). T3 and T7 showed the highest total Ig and IgM levels, respectively (p < 0.05).  Additionally, T8 exhibited significantly elevated WBCs, RBCs, Hb, and Hct (p < 0.05). Carcass analysis indicated that the control group had the highest fat content and lowest amounts of ash, protein, and moisture (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the IL-1 and TNF-α relative gene expression levels increased approximately 16 and 22 times in T8, respectively (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the combined use of Dip+ and SelMet yields superior results compared to their individual use. We recommend combining 4 mg SelMet and 3 g Dip+ in fish farms. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8158.html Both internal and external environmental cues during prenatal life have been shown to play an important role in mammalian brain development. Epidemiological data have indicated a possible common link between neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia, and microbial pathogen infections during the prenatal period. The gut is exposed to a wide range of external influences due to its extensive surface area. By working alongside the beneficial microbes in the gut, the brain efficiently processes the large volume of chemical signals that enter the gut daily. Most bacteria in mammals are located in the colon. Given their presence in the mammalian body for millions of years, it is plausible that microbes have co-evolved with the animals. Recent environmental studies have delved into the hypothesis of the microbiota-gut-brain axis to elucidate the impact of the gut microbiota on the mammalian brain. Certain components of the bacterial cell wall have the ability to traverse the placenta and reach the brain. Toll-like receptor two activation leads to increased expression of transcription factors that regulate development and neurogenesis. Research has revealed a new connection between the effects of cytokines produced by microbiota-controlled microbial activity and the neurogenesis process. This review explores the influence of gut microbiome (GM) on mammalian neurogenesis, myelination, and the blood-brain barrier. The findings support the conclusion that GM impacts the behaviors of neural stem cells and neurogenesis, which is essential for mammalian brain development. Moreover, disturbances in gut microbiota can lead to abnormal neurogenesis and mammalian brain mal-development. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8206.html Monitoring molecular oxygen concentrations is critical for many applications, yet developing robust and cost-effective colorimetric sensors capable of detecting color changes remains a longstanding challenge. The current work exhibits the development of an optical oxygen sensor using a smartphone and a sensitive membrane. Radical polymerization was used to coat the surface of silica nanoparticles with a 2,6-dichloroindophenol molecularly imprinted polymer using methacrylic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as the functional monomer, cross-linker, and initiator, respectively. After characterizing the imprinted polymers with FTIR, SEM, and XRD, this nanocomposite was impregnated into a PVDF membrane, which changes color when exposed to oxygen. A smartphone's camera was used to identify the color changes using RGB profiling, and this standalone sensor demonstrated good sensitivity.  An increasing calibration curve with a linear detection range of 4.79-40 KPa was found by calibrating oxygen samples with slopes for R + G + B pixels. This sensor's suitability for use in food packaging was investigated. The fabricated sensor is very low-cost, easy to use, and can potentially be used in various industries for inexpensive oxygen detection. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8368.html The present study showed intersex conditions in the wild population of Caspian kutum in the Southwest Caspian Sea. Evidence and examples of morphological and structural changes have been found in recent years among Caspian kutum, Rutilus kutum. The present study included sampling and examining morphological and anatomical characteristics of 350 pieces of kutumspecimens (38.5 ± 1.87 cm, 755 ± 6.52 g, and +3yr) as per their gender. Out of these numbers, a single male (+3 years old and a length/weight of 32.25 cm/628.5 g respectively) showed anomalies comprising seminal and gonadal sacs with simultaneous presence of male and female gonads. Histological observations of the male gonad revealed the presence of ovotestis tissue containing oocytes and spermatozoa throughout the entire testis. Male gonad tissue exhibited somniferous tubular structures with spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. The histological examination of the gonads also showed the predominance of oocytes at different developmental stages. The intersexuality might have been due to determining processes or a combination of natural malformation and chemical contamination. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8479.html This study aimed to determine the complete mitochondrial genome of the Persian sturgeon. Acipenser persicus, Borodin 1897 by direct sequencing of PCR products to understand the systematic status of this species. The whole mitogenome sequence has been deposited in GenBank under accession number MW713795. The circular mitochondrial genome was 16,588 bp long and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one non-coding control region (D-loop). Besides, all genes were encoded on the heavy strain except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes, exhibiting high similarity with other vertebrates in mitochondrial gene arrangement. The overall nucleotide composition was 30.30 % A (a: 5026), 29.17 % C (c: 4839), 16.30 % G (g: 2702), 24.23 % T (4020: t), and a degenerate nucleotide (R), with a skewness of 55.5 % AT. This research characterized the termination-associated sequence domain (ETAS), two central conserved sequence block domains (CSB-E and CSB-F), and three conserved sequence block domains (CSB-1, CSB-2, and CSB-3) in the control region. It corroborates the regulatory elements of the D-loop, indicating similarities across the sturgeon control region to that of other fish, showing the homologous of the CSB-conserved blocks located upstream of these blocks. Moreover, results further supported the Persian sturgeon evolution by phylogenetic tree based on encoded H-strand 13 protein-coding genes of mitochondrial genomes of 23 related species. The results indicated that A. persicus is closely related to Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and forms a monophyletic group with Acipenser sinensis. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8651.html Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous heavy metal devoid of any essential biological function, presenting considerable risks to both human and animal health, even at minimal exposure levels. This investigation examines the influence of cadmium on the male reproductive system of rats. It assesses the probable preserving effects of the total methanolic extract derived from orange peel (Citrus sinensis). The research underscores that cadmium, a common environmental contaminant from industrial processes, can accumulate in biological tissues, particularly within the testes, leading to reproductive toxicity and structural impairments. The study involved administering cadmium chloride to male rats at a concentration of 2 mg/kg, while a separate cohort received orange peel extract (250 mg/kg). The experimental period lasted eight weeks, with daily treatments delivered via gavage. The results revealed significant changes in liver enzyme levels, indicating hepatic damage and oxidative stress associated with cadmium exposure. Conversely, the administration of orange peel extract exhibited both protective and restorative effects against liver toxicity induced by cadmium, as demonstrated by a decrease in oxidative stress markers. These outcomes highlight the possibility of the orange peel as an expected intervention to alleviate the detrimental effects of cadmium toxicity in the male reproduction system. This research enhances the understanding of cadmium's influence on male reproductive health and emphasizes the therapeutic advantages of natural extracts in addressing heavy metal-induced harm. Overall, the study underscores the necessity of investigating natural products' protective capabilities against environmental toxins, thereby paving the way for future inquiries in this domain. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8652.html The article focuses on the characterization of hunting grounds through the application of GIS technologies. The research involved an in-depth study of the biological diversity of mammals, assessing the typology of their habitats. Utilizing GIS technologies, the study analyzed the spatial distribution of rare animal species, such as predatory mammals, within specially protected natural areas of Kazakhstan, particularly the Andalusia State Natural (Zoological) Nature Reserve and the Ile-Alatau State Natural Park. Drawing on the findings from the project and surveys, we classified the areas into distinct types of animal habitats based on ecological conditions, topography, and soil-plant characteristics. For the first time, data on the typology of hunting grounds, including the categorization of their types and numerical indicators for each, were collected to support hunting planning. Consequently, a division map of the Andasai Nature Reserve and the Aksai branch of the Ile-Alatau National Natural Park was generated in GIS format for previously unclassified land types. Following the interpretation of the results, planning and cartographic resources for various types of hunting grounds were created, reflecting the actual area of the natural reserve. These resources can be utilized to enhance biotechnical and hunting operations conducted in the Andasai Nature Reserve and the Ile-Alatau State National Nature Park, contributing to improved security measures. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8656.html The current research seeks to find an answer to the question of why the sense of belonging to a place has faded in rural settlements. The research method combines descriptive-analytical methods, field observations, and a questionnaire that also uses remote sensing techniques. For this purpose, 374 questionnaires in the studied area were distributed among the residents of the mountain villages of Rudbar, Siahkal, and Amlesh. Also, to back up the amount of physical changes that occurred in the studied period, the algorithm of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and several times of surveying to record sample and educational cases by GPS. In the following, the land use map in 5 classes was extracted from Landsat satellite images in 2000 and 2022. The results indicate visible changes, especially for the use of man-made structures, which is the result of the change of physical and architectural elements and, as a result, the reduction of place belonging among the residents of the studied villages. This is although the sense of physical belonging to the place of traditional settlements is more compared than new settlements. Finally, the lack of necessary infrastructure in moutainous villages and livelihood problems have caused events such as the sale of land, the migration of villagers, and the loss of the sense of belonging to a place https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8721.html The social life cycle is an emerging field in the agricultural and food industry that quantifies social impacts, e.g., working conditions, community impacts, and human rights concerns. The publication of guidelines for social life cycle assessment of products and services in 2009 brought about a new and remarkable development in life cycle assessment. In the current situation that we are moving towards sustainable development and responsible production and consumption, it is necessary to focus on improving not only the environmental conditions but also the social conditions of production. Social life cycle assessment is presented as the most effective technique to assess the social impacts of products during their life cycle. The present research was conducted in Talesh County, Guilan Province in 2025 to investigate the social effects of rice production by using social life cycle assessment. So, 416 participants were randomly sampled from five stakeholder groups, including rice mill managers (n = 49), rice mill workers (n = 81), rice farmers (n = 95), rice field workers (n = 95), and the local community (n = 96). In the present study, to investigate the social impacts of rice production, four social indicators were evaluated: "human rights", "working conditions", "cultural heritage and community development", and "socio-economic consequences". The results showed that the social conditions governing the rice production cycle in Talesh County were at a moderate level. Some social indicators, such as "working conditions," were found to have an average status from the perspective of the stakeholder groups of factory managers, factory workers, rice farmers, and rice field workers. The criterion "cultural heritage and community development" was revealed to be weak and need improvement from the perspective of factory workers, rice farmers, and rice field workers. Based on the results, the sub-criterion of "working conditions" did not gain a good score. In the two sub-criteria of freedom of association and collective negotiations of employees with the employer and fair rights, rice farm workers did not have a favorable situation while a large number of workers were unaware of their basic rights, resulting in labor and employer conflicts and the reluctance of workers to do the work properly and the resulting dissatisfaction of both groups. If wage inequalities and gender gaps in this sector are reduced, households' living conditions and well-being will be significantly improved. By prioritizing workers' welfare, the sector can have a more sustainable and responsible workforce. As workers' satisfaction increases in all aspects, the aspects of social sustainability will be in more favorable conditions.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8732.html Considering the reduction of natural resources, increasing world population, and food security, the development of greenhouse production is necessary. This study aimed to investigate and compare the energy use patterns, economic indices, and associated greenhouse gas emissions of strawberry production in both greenhouse and open-field farms in Guilan Province, Northwest Iran. Energy use efficiency was calculated at 0.13 and 0.48 for greenhouse and open-field strawberry production, respectively. Applications of fertilizers, human labor, and diesel fuel energy inputs were significant in both production methods. Greenhouse sensitivity analysis showed that an increase of 1 MJ in each water input for irrigation, human labor, and chemical energy would lead to an additional yield increase of 4.13, 2.63, and 2.11 kg ha-1, respectively.  Although the mean technical efficiency in greenhouses is slightly higher than in open fields, the low mean values of technical efficiencies indicate ample room for improvement in operating practices to enhance energy use efficiency for both greenhouse and open-field strawberry producers. The benefit-to-cost ratios for strawberry production in the surveyed greenhouses and farms were calculated to be 1.74 and 1.49, respectively. Diesel fuel and electricity are the main contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in greenhouses. Greenhouses consumed significantly more energy (18 times higher), Greenhouse gas emissions (78 times higher), and incurred a higher total cost of production (8.87 times higher). However, greenhouses were more beneficial for producers as they provided a 25.75-fold higher net return due to their ability to yield more produce, produce off-season, and command premium prices. To achieve sustainable development of greenhouses, more efforts should be made in intelligent management and reducing the consumption of electricity, fuel, fertilizers, and chemicals.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8957.html Iran is one of the most important biodiversity areas in the world. However, currently, most freshwater ecosystem fish species in this country face serious threats due to human activities. In addition to these threats, climate change is also a double threat that may accelerate extinction or decrease the population size of species. Luciobarbus brachycephalus is one of the native and valuable fishery species in the southern Caspian Sea Basin, which is categorized as endangered in the latest list provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In this study, the distribution of the aforementioned species in two optimistic and pessimistic scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 8.5) for 2050 and 2080 was predicted using the Maxent model. The results showed that the performance of the model in predicting species distribution based on the Area Under the Curve (AUC) criterion was excellent. Based on the predictions, it was found that this species will likely face a decrease in habitat suitability in the future in all optimistic and pessimistic scenarios for 2050 and 2080. The range of changes in all the mentioned situations is negative (i.e., the percentage of habitat suitability decrease is greater than its increase). Therefore, it is suggested that managers and decision-makers prioritize the protection of this economically important species to ensure that its population does not become completely extinct in the future. In addition, such a study of other species in the Iranian regions can effectively help protect the valuable biodiversity of this area against various threats, especially climate change. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8958.html Pikeperch, Sander lucioperca is a commercially valuable species with a high market acceptance. Its stocks are declining due to environmental disturbances, pollution, and especially overfishing. One of the main feeders of the Caspian Sea is the Aras River, and the Aras Dam reservoir is one of the main inland fisheries sources in Northwest Iran. The most recent catch maximum sustainable yield (CMSY++) model was applied to estimate fisheries reference points of pikeperch in Aras Dam reservoir using catch data from October 2013 to March 2022 for applying fast management strategies, in addition to biometric data during the fishing season in 2023 for calculating the length-weight relationship. The values of both B/BMSY and F/FMSY were estimated to be smaller than 1.0. The MSY was estimated as 20.3. In 2013 and 2014, the amount of catch was more than the MSY, and the species has been under fishing pressure. Due to the high fishing pressure, the amount of catch has always been lower than the MSY in the following years. In this situation, the biomass is less than the BMSY, which has created a critical condition for pikeperch stock in the Aras Dam reservoir. In general, the continuation of this trend and the failure to adjust the exploitation of this stock will lead to stock reduction and depletion. Therefore, the estimations obtained from the modeling of this study recommend that the policy makers and fisheries managers to adjust illegal fishing and pay attention to the annual harvest limit for pikeperch stock, as well as protection of the nursery grounds for sustainable fisheries in the Aras Dam reservoir. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8966.html The verification of biomaterial used in cosmetic products needs to be tested through some techniques such as hybridization, DNA-binding protein, fluorescence dye, and quantitative PCR, all based on identifying protein or DNA remaining in the product. In this research, a real-time PCR method was used to evaluate the remaining DNA of caviar extract, which is based on the use of Syber ​​Green buffer. At first, DNA extraction was performed from the fin tissue of the Caspian Sea sturgeons, including Siberian and Sterlet sturgeons, as a model for fragment amplification. So, a small cytochrome oxidase Ι gene fragment was amplified using the conventional PCR. To verify the presence of DNA in caviar extract using the real-time PCR method, a standard curve was drawn using the DNA of the fin tissue of Siberian sturgeon. The primer specificity for sturgeons was tested using negative control DNA like human, yeast, and bacteria. Results showed that all seven sturgeons amplified a fragment of CoΙ gene with specific sturgeon primers. A standard curve was drawn with a linear relationship between threshold cycle values, and a coefficient higher than 98% was obtained with the real-time PCR method. According to the standard curve, unknown samples of caviar cream DNA concentration ranges were 2 ng - 400 pg. None of the irrelevant genomic DNA (human, yeast, and bacteria) was indistinguishable from the response of the negative control when analyzed with the COI sturgeon's specific primer. In this research, real-time PCR could detect picogram and nanogram levels of residual DNA in cosmetic products, and the verification of caviar cream was approved for making it with caviar extract using this sensitive technique.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8967.html The current research seeks to find an answer to the question of why the sense of belonging to a place has faded in rural settlements. The research method combines descriptive-analytical methods, field observations, and a questionnaire that also uses remote sensing techniques. For this purpose, 374 questionnaires in the studied area were distributed among the residents of the mountain villages of Rudbar, Siahkal, and Amlesh. Additionally, to support the number of physical changes that occurred during the studied period, we utilized the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm and several surveys to record sample and educational cases using GPS. Then, the land use map in 5 classes was extracted from Landsat satellite images in 2000 and 2022. The results indicate visible changes, especially for the use of man-made structures, which is the result of the change of physical and architectural elements and, as a result, the reduction of place belonging among the residents of the studied villages. This is despite the sense of physical belonging to the place of traditional settlements is more compared to new settlements. Finally, the lack of necessary infrastructure in mountainous villages and livelihood problems have caused events such as the sale of land, the migration of villagers, and the loss of the sense of belonging to a place https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9017.html Corn is one of the most important cereals, serving as a rich source of nutrition for both humans and animals, in addition to its industrial uses and role in biofuels. This study aimed to assess the morpho-physiological characteristics and weed management of various maize varieties under different row spacings. A factorial experiment was conducted within a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station of Moghan Agro-Industry and Livestock Co., Northwest Iran in 2023. The first factor was planting row spacing at three levels (50, 65, and 75 cm). The second factor consisted of four corn cultivars: TWC647 (medium maturing group), KSC704 (late-maturing group), D5 (♀M41 × L51♂, very late maturing: tropical), and variety mixture KSC704 + D5 planted as two rows of KSC704 and two rows of D5. The analysis of variance showed significant differences between the cultivars and planting row spacings with respect to morpho-physiological characteristics and weed management. Thus, the maximum forage yield belonged to the combination of KSC704 + D5 at a row spacing of 50 cm. Whereas the highest dry weight of weeds at a row spacing of 75 cm was related to the TWC647, the lowest dry weight of weeds for all cultivars was obtained at a planting row spacing of 50 cm. The highest chlorophyll index and leaf area were attributed to the KSC704 and D5 cultivars. The results obtained from this study revealed that narrow planting row spacing and cultivation of competitive cultivars manage weeds and improve maize performance under sustainable agriculture. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9018.html Aeromonas hydrophila is one of the most significant and prevalent bacteria in fish farming. In this study, the effects of some killing methods of A. hydrophila on liver enzymes, biochemical parameters, and gene expression in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss were evaluated. Four groups of 20 fish, each an average weight of 5 g with three replicates were exposed to live A. hydrophila and heat, formalin, and UV-killed bacteria via intraperitoneal injection. The results showed that the levels of liver enzymes, AST and ALT did not differ significantly among the treatments (p > 0.05). Blood biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in total protein levels in the treatment groups compared to the control (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in albumin levels (p > 0.05). The expression of immune-related genes (TNF-α and IL-6) varied significantly among treatments, with the formalin treatment showing the highest expression levels (p < 0.05), and the control group showing. These findings suggest that inactivation of A. hydrophila with formalin is more effective in enhancing the immune response of rainbow trout compared to heat or UV inactivation methods. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9028.html The spatial variation in tree density and basal area provides crucial information for forest health assessment, sustainable forest management, ecosystem monitoring, carbon storage assessment, and climate change mitigation. Literature reviews confirm that geostatistical methods have been effectively applied across various forest management applications. However, their use in traditionally managed oak forests (silvopastoral systems) remains underexplored. The primary challenge in applying these methods lies in the clumped spatial distribution of trees within pollarded oak forests under silvopastoral management.This research applies geostatistical techniques to study the spatial distribution of tree density and basal area in the pollarded oak forests (9,178 ha) of the Northern Zagros region, Northwest Iran, managed under a silvopastoral system. Field measurements were taken in 2019 using a random-systematic sampling design across 117 georeferenced circular plots (0.1 ha each). The mean tree density was 291 stem ha-1 (CV = 65.6%), while basal area averaged 14.12 m² ha-1 (CV = 49.9%). Variogram analysis showed isotropic behavior and high spatial dependence (SDD = 88% for tree density and 80% for basal area). An exponential model explained 72% and 68% of variability in tree density and basal area, respectively. Small nugget effect values (0.0384 for density, and 0.0476 for basal area) indicated the reliability of the models. Ordinary kriging produced the best predictions, with relative errors of 33.3% (MAEr) and 44.4% (rRMSE) for tree density as well as 30.63% (MAEr) and 41.8% (rRMSE) for basal area. Although higher rRMSE values reflected local deviations, t-test results revealed no significant differences between measured and estimated values. This study underscores the suitability of kriging methods for mapping spatial variations in tree density and basal area, offering valuable approach for forest health assessment and management. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9030.html Environmental toxins—including heavy metals, organic pollutants, mycotoxins, and airborne toxicants—pose significant threats to human health by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genomic damage. Current detoxification strategies are limited in efficacy and safety, creating demand for complementary approaches. This review summarizes the protective and detoxification mechanisms of medicinal plants against environmental toxins, with emphasis on molecular pathways and translational evidence. We examined experimental and clinical studies addressing the role of medicinal plants in mitigating toxin-induced damage, focusing on antioxidant activity, xenobiotic metabolism, chelation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Key phytochemicals—including silymarin (Silybum marianum), curcumin (Curcuma longa), catechins (Camellia sinensis), sulforaphane (Brassica spp.), allicin (Allium sativum), and resveratrol (Vitis vinifera)—exert protective effects via multiple mechanisms: Activation of Nrf2–ARE signaling and induction of detoxification enzymes, Chelation of toxic metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), Suppression of NF-κB–mediated inflammation, Stabilization of mitochondria and cell membranes, and Support of glutathione metabolism. Several plants, such as broccoli sprouts and garlic, show measurable benefits in human trials (e.g., increased excretion of benzene metabolites, reduced lead burden). However, limitations include variability in phytochemical content, poor bioavailability (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol), and potential herb–drug interactions. Medicinal plants offer promising, multi-targeted strategies for mitigating the adverse health effects of environmental toxins. While robust preclinical evidence supports their use, large-scale, standardized clinical trials are essential to validate efficacy, optimize dosing, and ensure safety. Integration of phytomedicine with modern detoxification strategies may provide a sustainable approach to environmental health challenges. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9043.html Chronic diseases result from complex interactions among genetic factors, environmental toxins like metals and air pollutants, lifestyle choices, and our overall exposure. At the same time, medicinal plants and their active components have various effects that may counteract or sometimes worsen these toxin-related processes. Many phytochemicals influence oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolism of foreign substances, hormonal signaling, genetic programming, mitochondrial function, and the gut-microbiome-liver connection—all of which can be disrupted by toxins. The most substantial evidence suggests that polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and sulfur compounds, such as curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, silymarin, EGCG, and sulforaphane, are effective, although their clinical applications vary. These interactions can include benefits such as activating Nrf2, chelating metals, and reshaping the microbiome, as well as risks including inhibiting CYP/P-gp, producing oxidative effects at high doses, and contamination. Plant-based interventions show potential for countering the harmful effects of toxins in chronic conditions like heart disease, liver disease, kidney issues, neurodegenerative disorders, immune problems, and cancer. Future research should focus on trials that consider exposure, validated biomarkers, and integrated methods that connect exposomics and pharmacology. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9044.html Environmental diseases pose a double threat—as such diseases affect the general population or affect only a very small segment of it-they continue to be recognized as one of the biggest health hazards in the world. Changes in respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and metabolic diseases all fall into this never-ending category. Diseases may be directly or indirectly caused by environmental pollution through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune disturbance, or even epigenetic transformation. Medicinal plants and their phytochemicals offer the possibility of treatment since their actions on physiological systems are many and varied, have been proven to be safe at appropriate doses, and almost all have been used by humans practically since the beginning of civilization for medicine. This review will cover the mechanistic basis of phytochemicals counteracting pathological responses to toxicants, examples of their incorporation into pharmacy practice, and obstacles to their enabling actual use in clinical applications. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9052.html The climate phenomenon is the biggest environmental challenge currently facing the world, impacting all ecosystems, including the distribution of plant species. This research aims to predict the climatic effects on the spatial distribution of the R. aucheri under the scenarios of the RCP8.5 (optimistic) and RCP2.6 (pessimistic) models for two-time scales: 2050 and 2080. It utilizes five species distribution modeling methods, including generalized linear models, classification tree analysis, artificial neural networks, generalized additive models, and random forests, within a consensus framework in R software. The results have been analysed and compared. The overall conclusion from these reports is that the most significant variables affecting the distribution of this species, based on the modeling results, are temperature, soil depth, precipitation, and sand content, in that order. Model evaluation indicates that this species will experience a reduction in its distribution area due to climate change and will also be introduced to other areas, with the least change being a 28.35% reduction in range under the optimistic scenario by 2050, and the most significant change being a 67.12% reduction in range under the pessimistic scenario by 2080. The results of this study can be utilized in conservation and corrective programs for the R.aucheri. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9053.html Climate changes have a significant impact on the blue ecosystem especially watershed's ecosystem services. Nowadays, increasing air Temperature (Ta), Land Surface Temperature (LST) and drought are consequences of climate change affecting the access to water sources directly. The aim of this study is to evaluate the climate change effects on the ecosystem services such as Ta and LST regulation and drought reduction in the Tajan watershed, Northern Iran. Landsat 8 OLI satellite images used to investigate LST and drought indices include Vegetation Health Index (VHI), Temperature Condition Index (TCI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from July to September during 2013 to 2023. The results indicated that the LST minimum and maximum value at Tajan watershed had an upward trend from 2013 to 2022. In other words, the mean value of LST increased by 8 ℃ in the watershed during the period of 10 years. Also, analyzing drought indices showed that the drought has increased significantly in the central, eastern, and southeastern parts of Tajan watershed from 2013 to 2022. The drought indices results demonstrated that vegetation cover and climate change have significant effects on LST trends. Therefore, it can be said that climate change, vegetation cover destruction and also converting forests and agriculture land to residential and barren lands increase the LST and drought in Tajan watershed, hence significantly impact on its ecosystem services. Findings indicated that severe drought and heat islands will occur in Tajan watershed in the future. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9056.html Air pollution has become a significant global health concern. Exposure to PM2.5, particles with a diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 μm, has been linked to certain diseases, including female reproductive disorders. Several molecular mechanisms in the female reproductive system may be affected by PM2.5 exposure. The present study investigated the effect of PM2.5 exposure on the expression of ESR-1 and PGR steroid hormone receptors in uterine and ovarian tissues of rats as an air pollution model. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were prepared for PM2.5 exposure for three months. Exposure was conducted for five hours per day, and four days in week. Three groups were defined, including 'Group A' with exposure to PM2.5 plus gaseous pollutants, 'Group B' with exposure to gaseous pollutants only, and 'Group C' as a control group with clean standard air. Uterus and ovary tissues were removed after the scarification of the rats, and the mRNA level was examined for ESR-1 and PGR using quantitative Real-Time PCR. Findings showed significant overexpression of ESR-1 and PGR genes in exposure groups (A and B) in comparison with the control group (C). Significant up-regulation of ESR-1 and PGR genes in the uterus of group A was detected compared to group B. Results showed that PM2.5 exposure may cause upregulation of the female sex hormone receptors. It seems that PM2.5 exposure could potentially lead to several diseases related to the female reproductive system.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9069.html In recent decades, significant taxonomic and floristic studies have been conducted in Zanjan Province and in the present study we aim to provide an orderly and updated list of plants collected in these studies. We analized 35 different studies conducted in the province. The scientific names of introduced plants and their authors were updated based on POWO and GBIF. The geographical distribution and native status of the plants were done by referring to the Flora of Iran, Flora Iranica, POWO and GBIF. A total of 1817 species and subspecies of vascular plants belonging to 548 genera and 92 families were listed. Among the endemic and sub-endemic species of Iran, 352 are found in this province and the endemic rate of the province is 19.25%. Asteraceae with 233 species (13% of all species) and 71 genera (13% of all genera), Fabaceae (270 species, 15% of all; 24 genera, 4.5% of all), Poaceae (136 species, 7.5% of all; 59 genera, 11% of all), Brassicaceae (118 species, 6.5% of all; 49 genera, 9% of all), Lamiaceae (103 species, 6% of all; 20 genera, 4% of all), Caryophyllaceae (92 species, 5% of all; 22 genera, 4% of all), Apiaceae (76 species, 4% of all; 40 genera, 7% of all), Rosaceae (66 species, 4% of all; 17 genera, 3% of all) and Boraginaceae (65 species, 4% of all; 25 genera, 5% of all) are the largest families that comprise approximately 65% of species (n = 1160) and 60% of genera (n = 328) of the vascular flora of Zanjan Province. Astragalus (with 173 species) is the largest genus in the flora of Zanjan Province. The results of this study show that, 15% of Iran's endemic Astragalus is present in Zanjan Province and 22% (more than one fifth) of the total inventory of the Astragalus in Zanjan Province are endemic to the province. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9075.html The present study focuses on evaluating cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. varieties and their hybrids for resistance to Verticillium dahliae Kleb., one of the major pathogens causing wilt disease. Five varieties of different genetic origins—SB-6, C-6541, Namangan-34, C-6545, and Namangan-77—were used as initial material for hybridization and further analyzed along with their F1 and F2 generations. Resistance was assessed by two complementary approaches: an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test system and a six-point field assessment method. Both methods provided consistent and comparable results, confirming their reliability for evaluating resistance to V. dahliae. The most resistant parental varieties were Namangan-34, Namangan-77, and C-6541. Among F1 hybrids, high levels of resistance were observed in the combinations Namangan-77 × C-6541, Namangan-34 × SB-6, C-6541 × SB-6, C-6541 × C-6545, C-6545 × C-6541, and SB-6 × C-6541. Analysis of the dominance index (hp) indicated adverse effects of both complete and incomplete dominance for susceptibility traits in several hybrid combinations, suggesting their potential use in breeding programs for developing resistant varieties. In the F2 generation, combinations such as Namangan-34 × C-6545, Namangan-34 × SB-6, C-6541 × Namangan-77, and SB-6 × Namangan-77 exhibited lower mean susceptibility to V. dahliae. Variation series analysis also revealed individual plants with significantly greater resistance than either parent. Heritability coefficient (h²) analysis demonstrated genotypic variability ranging from weak to strong expression across hybrids. These findings highlight promising hybrid combinations and confirm the effectiveness of combined biochemical and field assessments for breeding cotton resistant to V. dahliae.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9088.html The dynamics of water resources are influenced by a variety of socio-economic and climatic factors. Climate change and population growth are particularly significant in shaping these dynamics. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and understand the potential impacts of these variables to ensure the sustainable use of water resources. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of the effects of climate change and population growth on water resources in the Doroudzan Dam basin in southern Iran, utilizing a system dynamics (SD) approach. An important objective of the model was to provide a learning tool for policy-makers to improve their understanding of the long-term dynamic behavior of the basin and as a decision-support tool for exploring plausible policy scenarios necessary for sustainable water resource management. The findings reveal a rise in water demand driven by population growth, as well as a decline in water supply due to severe drought. This imbalance between water supply and demand poses a serious threat to the region's water resources and supports the idea that the gap between supply and demand for water increases continuously and the water system becomes more vulnerable in the future. In the other section of this study, the effects of a climate change scenario were investigated using a combined WEAP and SD model. The results confirmed the negative impact of climate change on crop yield, crop water requirement, and water availability. Conversely, under moderate and optimistic scenarios, water abstraction decreases and agricultural production increases which can lead to greater self-sufficiency in the region. However, under a pessimistic scenario, water demand increases, leading to a potential water shortage. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9107.html Nowadays, the security of water, food, and energy is among the most discussed world challenges. So that ensuring the supply of food, water, and energy in the long term and achieving sustainable development is the topic discussed by policymakers worldwide. Effective policymaking to achieve food, water, and energy security requires systemic thinking. So, this study is an attempt to develop a  System Dynamics (SD) model to evaluate the management policies of the water-food-energy system (WFE) for sustainable development in the Duroudzan basin, Fars province, Iran. SD is a method to study and manage complex systems with feedback and understand the behavior of complex systems over time. It deals with internal feedback loops and time delays that affect overall system behavior. The results showed that the demand for water, food, and energy is increasing due to the increase in population. Due to the demand growth for water, the withdrawal of water resources will eventually. The findings indicated that the water security index is continuously decreasing, and the WFE system will become more vulnerable in the future. Under business-as-usual conditions (Baseline), the average food security and sustainability index were 51.04 and 120.62, respectively, indicating that the food supply at the basin is likely to be sustainable. However, this index has experienced a downward trend during the period from 2022 to 2040. This means reducing the system's ability to meet the increasing demand in the future. Through the use of multi-objective programming to modify cultivation patterns and improve irrigation efficiency, management scenarios have demonstrated a positive impact on the sustainability of the WFE nexus system. Additionally, the implementation of policy scenarios under varying climate conditions and population growth has the potential to significantly increase the water security index from 1.72 to 6.48. Although the optimal cultivation pattern results in a reduction of the cultivated area, the sustainability index is expected to improve by 89%. Nevertheless, the food security index is lower compared to the baseline.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9136.html This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of land surface temperature (LST) and vegetation cover, represented by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), in Central Guilan Province, Northern Iran, a core part of the relic Hyrcanian biome, from 1989 to 2023. LST was retrieved from Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS, while NDVI was derived from red and near-infrared bands. Spatial autocorrelation of LST was assessed with Global Moran’s I, and Pearson correlation was applied to quantify LST–NDVI relationships. Results show a marked rise in mean LST from 18.48 °C in 1989 to 23.13 °C in 2023. Strong negative correlations between LST and NDVI were identified (r = –0.718 in 1989; r = –0.743 in 2023), confirming vegetation’s key role in regulating surface temperatures. Spatial clustering of thermal anomalies was intensified during the study period, with Moran’s I increasing from 0.39 to 0.68, indicating urban heat island (UHI) expansion. These findings demonstrate that how land transformation has altered regional microclimates and highlight the urgent need for sustainable planning to enhance climate resilience. Given Central Guilan’s location within the globally valuable Hyrcanian biome, effective conservation and adaptive land management are essential to protect its ecological integrity under ongoing climate and land-use pressures. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9145.html Heavy metal pollution, particularly lead and cadmium, poses significant health risks due to bioaccumulation and multi-organ damage. This study investigates the detoxification potential of pumpkin pectin and pectin-rich products in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus). Male rats (230 ± 20 g) were chronically intoxicated with lead nitrate (2.0 mg/kg) or cadmium chloride (2.08 mg/kg) over three months. Correctors, including pumpkin pectin (0.06 g/day), pectin-enriched bread (0.5%), and confiture (1.0%), were administered orally. Haematological and biochemical blood parameters were assessed using a Hitachi spectrophotometer and a Mindray BC-3000 analyzer. Heavy metal accumulation reduced total protein (91-95% of control) and haemoglobin, and increased urea. Pumpkin pectin correction restored these parameters, with better outcomes in lead-induced rats than in cadmium-induced rats. Pectin-rich products showed moderate improvements. These findings demonstrate that pumpkin pectin serves as an effective natural chelator, mitigating the toxic effects of heavy metals. Its use is recommended for therapeutic and preventive purposes in populations exposed to chronic heavy metal pollution in industrial regions. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9160.html Niacin (B3) and other vitamins found in malt extract (ME) play a major role in the cellular metabolism and energy production. These nutritional supplements improve feed digestibility and feed conversion ratio (FCR). This study investigated the effects of malt extract and vitamin B3 on the growth, immunity, liver enzymes, and gut microbiota of the Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii. In total, 240 Siberian sturgeons with an initial weight of 23.77 ± 4.66  g were selected and assigned to 8 groups with three replications. During this 8-week trial, the fish were kept in 24 500-liter circular fiberglass tanks equipped with an aerator and a central water outlet (10 fish in each tank). The fish in the control group (T1) were fed with a certain formulated feed and those in the experimental groups (2-8) with the routine feed containing 1% ME, 1.5% ME, 20 mg kg-1 B3, 30 mg kg-1 B3, 1% ME + 20 mg kg-1 B3, 1.5% ME + 30 mg kg-1 B3, and 96% alcohol, respectively. The highest mean final total weight (49.41 ± 6.79 g) was observed in Group 7. The fish in T7 exhibited the best performance in weight gain (0.72 ± 0.18), and daily growth (1.28 ± 0.32 % d−1) indicating a significant difference between T7 and other groups (p < 0.05). The highest condition factor (CF) was observed in T3 with a mean of 1.33 ± 0.069 % (p < 0.05). The highest specific growth rate was observed in T2 with a mean of 0.30 ± 0.75 % (p < 0.05). The analysis of gastrointestinal and liver enzymes demonstrated that the highest mean of ALT (34.65 ± 0.49 U L-1) and AST (260.65 ± 17.68 U L-1) were related to Group 6 (p < 0.05). The results also showed that the highest number of gut microbiota (6.55 ± 0.84 log CFU g-1) and lactic acid microbiota (2.54 ± 0.41 log CFU mL-1) were observed in T2 (p < 0.05). Based on the study findings, the addition of 1% ME + 20 mg kg-1 B3 and 1.5% ME + 30 mg kg-1 B3 to the certain formulated feed of Siberian sturgeons improved their growth and immunological parameters. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9175.html The present study investigates the carbon sequestration service and its economic value in Hyrcanian forests. Eleven Hyrcanian forest communities with different spatial conditions (Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan basins) in Northern Iran were studied in 2022-2023. To examine the amount of carbon production, information from the Iranian Forestry and Watershed Management Organization, GIS 10.7, INVEST 3.9, and the replacement cost method were used. The results showed that the level of carbon sequestration varied depending on spatial conditions, species, and other factors. Different species followed distinct growth patterns. In addition, carbon sequestration varied from a minimum of 221 tons ha-1 in the mixed forest community of Asalem, Guilan, area 7, to a maximum of 314 tons ha-1 in the hornbeam Nur-Chamestan forest community, Mazandaran, area 51, with an average of 261 tons ha-1 in all the study areas. The cost of carbon sequestration was calculated based on the costs of carbon capture and storage, approximately $110 per ton. As a result, the average value per ha and the total forests studied were estimated at 12068 and 937451914 million IRR, respectively. By generalizing this figure to the total area of ​​northern Iranian forests (2.3 million hectares), the value of northern forests for carbon sequestration was 27755614523 million IRR, equivalent to $67308 million. Policymakers at national and regional levels should incorporate carbon sequestration values into environmental planning, carbon offset mechanisms, and payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes to incentivize forest conservation and climate mitigation. This integration should be accompanied by forest management strategies that are tailored to the ecological characteristics and carbon sequestration potential of different forest types, prioritizing high-biomass ecosystems such as beech forests for targeted conservation efforts. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9183.html Satellite remote sensing is effectively used for environmental monitoring and change detection for the sustainable development of human society. While several methods exist for classifying satellite images, relatively few studies have focused on comparing these methods, especially considering the dimensional ratio and spatial distribution of the target phenomena. This study evaluates the performance of three classification methods including ANN, SVM, and an integrated approach that simultaneously uses three spectral indices of NDVI, GNDVI and, NDBI. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient were calculated from the confusion matrix to statistically evaluate the three methods. Considering that statistical parameters are strongly sensitive to the dispersion and spatial distribution of the test points, a visual comparison was performed by overlaying the classified images with corresponding Google Earth imagery. Comparisons were made for several sample areas, which were categorized based on whether the land uses were integrated or scattered. Based on overall accuracy and kappa coefficient, the methods were ranked as SVM (97.36% and 0.9622), integrated spectral indices (94.06% and 0.9136), and ANN (93.42% and 0.9051). The visual comparison confirmed that SVM provided the best overall performance, consistent with the statistical results. Despite its lower overall accuracy, ANN was found more effective method in narrow areas compared to the other methods. Therefore, ANN is only recommended for detecting land uses with high levels of interference/integration with other features like rivers and roads that are surrounded by some other land uses. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9199.html Canopy gaps are important for forest dynamics. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different canopy gap classes on soil biological and enzymatic activities in beech forests. For this purpose, 18 canopy gaps were examined, grouped into four classes: small (less than 200 m2), medium (200-300 m2), large (300-400 m2), and very large (larger than 400 m2). Mixed soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-20 cm. Also, the frequency of bacterial and fungal populations was counted to measure soil biological activity in each sampling point. The activity of acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase enzymes was measured by reaction with substrate and the photometric method. The results showed that the highest activity of acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase enzymes was observed in the 300-400 m2 class, but there was a significant difference between of acid-phosphatase activity in different canopy gaps of area. The highest abundance of bacteria and fungi was observed in gap areas smaller than 200 m2 and more than 400 m2, respectively. Furthermore, the results revealed significant differences in terms of frequency of bacterial and fungal populations sampled among the four gap size classes. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9224.html The article presents the long-term results of the “Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing” LLP on improving the assortment of fruit crops. The “State Register of Breeding Achievements Recommended for Use in the Republic of Kazakhstan” includes 22 varieties of apple trees and 3 varieties of pears. Over the past 20 years, 97 varieties of apple trees and 25 varieties of pears have been transferred to the State Variety Testing; about 50 varieties of apple trees have been brought into the gene pool of the “Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing” LLP - Honey Crisp, Champion, Red Chive, Pink Lady, Samurlet, Quinty, Jenny Grent, and others; 21 varieties of pears - Lyra, Yesenevskaya, Muratovskaya, Cheremshina, Vrodliva, Claude Sablinsky, Williams, and others. The introduced varieties were studied in the climatic conditions of the south and southeast of Kazakhstan for economically valuable traits such as early fruiting, productivity, adaptability, fruit quality, resistance to major diseases (scab, powdery mildew, fire blight), and pests etc. The article provides an economic and biological description of seven apple varieties and four pear varieties selected domestically, as well as five apple varieties and five pear varieties selected from abroad. Data on their biological and economic indicators and their suitability for intensive gardening technologies are presented. Additionally, the paper examines the prospects for further enhancing the assortment through the introduction of new varieties and breeding efforts. The results obtained can be used not only in scientific research but also in the establishment of modern industrial gardens aimed at increasing the productivity and quality of fruit products. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9225.html The purpose of the study is to develop a mathematical model for astrological forecasting of agricultural development, which can serve as a basis for the balanced development of related sectors within the country's agro-industrial complex and contribute to achieving the highest efficiency of its functioning. Forecasting enables the transformation of the agricultural sector from a source of risks into a driver of stable economic growth and a guarantor of national security. The forecasting methodology proposed in this research is based on the combined application of statistical evaluation methods aimed at obtaining an adequate trend-based astrological simulation model. Implementation of the proposed algorithm using the method of astrological forecasting produced reliable and effective results, particularly in modeling the economic development of agricultural production within Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial complex. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9226.html The work is aimed at studying the behavior of introduced and domestic grape varieties in the conditions of southeastern Kazakhstan. The biological characteristics, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and ripening periods are evaluated. Based on the results of long-term observations, promising varieties have been identified and recommended for industrial cultivation in the foothill and lowland regions of the region. A comparative study of introduced foreign grape varieties and domestic breeding forms has been conducted to assess their agrobiological characteristics and resistance to abiotic and biotic factors. It has been established that some local varieties are more resistant and productive than their introduced counterparts, which confirms the feasibility of their further zoning and implementation. The article provides a comparative analysis of introduced and domestic grape varieties for the period 2022-2024 in the ecological and climatic conditions of the Saryagash District of the Turkestan Region in the regional branch of Saryagash and the Talgar District of the Almaty Region in the regional branch of Talgar. As a result of the conducted yield studies, grape varieties and hybrid forms KV-2/9 – 8.5 kg, DV-10/11 – 7.8 kg, Azim – 8.0 kg, DV-7/17 – 8.0 kg, Aisulu – 7.7 kg, Mereitoy-50 – 7.3 kg were isolated from the bush, the lowest yield was noted in grape varieties and hybrid Hungarian muscat (st) – 4.7 kg, Goat carcass – 4.4 kg, DX-17/90 – 4.4 kg, KII-1/29 – 4.8 kg. In the course of the molecular genetic analysis of the Kazakhstani varieties and hybrids of grapes, samples were identified that have resistant alleles to the main fungal diseases - powdery (Oidium) and downy mildew (mildew). Markers to the loci Run1, Ren1, Rpv3, Rpv10 and Rpv12 were used. According to the results of the study, six genotypes were identified (including the reference varieties Muscat Hungarian, Tayfi Pink, Zhemchug Saba, and hybrids DV-10/11, KII-1/29, and KV-2/9), which have complex resistance at several loci. These forms are of significant interest for use in breeding programs to create resistant grape varieties. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9231.html The purpose of this article is to develop a new monetary policy framework for the agro-industrial complex (AIC) of the Republic of Kazakhstan, designed as a key macroeconomic instrument for achieving sustainable and innovation-driven development of the sector. The study proceeds from the premise that the new monetary policy must be organically integrated into the overall socio-economic development system of the republic. Accordingly, the article outlines the theoretical foundations of economic growth, including the main factors, approaches, and methods of economic development; the experience of developed countries in fostering innovation through digital technologies; and the role of the state in transforming the economy toward an innovation-based model. It further examines the theoretical principles underlying monetary policy formation, as well as the mechanisms for enhancing the effectiveness of the banking system in meeting economic and public needs. The discussion also addresses the classical principles governing the functioning of the monetary system, the problem of inflation and its mitigation strategies, and a synthesis of the United States and European Union experience in monetary policymaking. A critical assessment of the National Bank of Kazakhstan’s monetary policy is presented, focusing on refinancing and lending rates, banking margins, loan structures by maturity, currency denomination, lending terms, and borrower categories over the past 14 years. In addition, the article provides a detailed evaluation of credit allocation across individual sectors, identifying deficiencies, regulatory violations, and their consequences. Finally, proposals for the development of a new monetary policy framework are substantiated, followed by the main conclusions of the study. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9316.html Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening tick-borne viral infection that poses a persistent threat to public health in Kazakhstan. This study presents an in-depth descriptive epidemiological analysis of confirmed CCHF cases in the Turkestan region from May 2023 to August 2024. We performed a retrospective analysis of 24 laboratory-confirmed cases (RT-PCR and ELISA IgM). Data were synthesized from national surveillance reports, focusing on clinical and demographic variables, as well as exposure pathways. The case fatality rate (CFR) was remarkably low at 4.1%. Predominance was observed in males (62.5%) and rural inhabitants (91.7%). Direct interaction with cattle was the primary occupational risk factor (54.1%). Notably, a peak in June (50%) coincided with the seasonal surge of Hyalomma ticks. Clinical manifestations were dominated by severe weakness (100%) and fever (75%), while 50% of patients exhibited thrombocytopenia.  In conclusion, the paradox of high severity (54.2% severe cases) yet low mortality suggests that early clinical intervention (mean 2.7 days to admission) is a decisive factor in survival. Strategic focus must shift toward cattle-management safety and rural health literacy to mitigate spillover events. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9337.html When breeding dairy cattle, scientists and specialists focus special attention on their productive qualities (milk yield per lactation, fat and protein content, growth rate of young animals, etc.) and the influence of both genetic and paratypic factors on them. The impact of several dietary factors is especially relevant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dietary protein concentration, 20.87% (Control), 23.49% (Mid), and 30.52%, on the growth of young dairy cattle bred in the Northern region of Kazakhstan. The study involved 60 Holstein heifers, aged 90 days (± 5 days), with a body weight of 107.2 ± 0.48 kg. Their daily consumption of dry matter was 2.5 kg/day which contained 10.10-10.60 MJ metabolizable energy, indigestible protein 14.4-17.8% and crude fiber 22.6-24.6%. The body weight of newborn calves in all groups did not differ and was 31.8-32.6 kg. At the age of 6 months, difference in body weight in the Control, Mid, and High groups were 181.1 kg, 198.6 kg, and 200.8 kg. The gain of calves in two experimental groups exceeded that of the control by 9.7% (p < 0.001) and 10.9% (p < 0.001), respectively. No differences in blood glucose were found. Highest AST values were observed in the control compared to Mid (5.14 U/L) and High (8.25 U/L). The Coefficient of Ritis value was within 2.74-3.11. Research indicates that a ratio in dry matter with an optimal proportion of indigestible protein 23.49% and degradable protein 70% was economically justified. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9382.html ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of the carbon sources glucose and fructose on the growth of recombinant Pichia pastoris harboring the human transferrin gene, which was codon-optimized, cloned into the pPICZαB vector, and integrated into the genome of P. pastoris strain GS115. The resulting recombinant strain was cultivated in defined media using either glucose or fructose as the sole carbon source. Cell growth was monitored over time by measuring optical density at 600 nm (OD₆₀₀). Our results demonstrated that the carbon source significantly influenced growth kinetics and final biomass yield. Cultures supplemented with fructose achieved a higher maximum cell density and exhibited faster growth rates compared to those cultivated on glucose. This study identifies fructose as the superior carbon source for promoting the growth of recombinant Pichia pastoris, providing a crucial physiological foundation for optimizing the cultivation process of this engineered yeast strain. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9397.html Water erosion causes significant damage to forest roads. Protecting cut-and-fill slopes can mitigate these damages. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of several protective coverings based on nano-materials in reducing runoff and sediment yield from forest road trenches. Nano-hydromulch with rice straw, sawdust and grass, nano-hydromulch with grass, grass, and control were investigated under laboratory conditions on slopes of 10% and 30%, as representatives of the major slopes of forest road trenches, with three replications. Using a rainfall simulator, a rainfall event with a volume of 1800 cm3 was simulated, and runoff, sediment, sediment concentration, runoff coefficient, and soil loss were measured in the treatments. Results indicated that increasing slope steepness from 10 to 30% significantly increased runoff by 76%, sediment yield by 979%, and soil loss percentage by 480% (p < 0.01). Therefore, cut-and-fill slopes should be adequately protected. Nano-hydromulch treatments effectively reduced runoff, and by creating proper soil aggregate adhesion, reduced substantially sediment yield and soil loss (p < 0.01). It is recommended to use nano-hydromulch, especially combined with grass, to protect cut-and-fill slopes of forest roads, thereby reducing maintenance costs.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9412.html   Effective waste management is a crucial component of sustainable development due to its significant role in environmental preservation. Given that a substantial portion of waste management expenditures is allocated to collection and transportation, strategic planning and efficient management can significantly enhance system performance and reduce unnecessary costs and time delays. This study evaluates the application of the WAGS software—a managerial-economic tool comprising 40 primary variables and 16 default parameters—for the optimization of waste collection and transportation systems over a 15-year period. The case study focuses on the Ports and Maritime Department of Guilan Province, Northwest Iran which covers an area of 142 hectares and serves a population of 6,700. Waste sampling was conducted three times per month throughout 2017 at various collection points across the port. Each sample was weighed, separated into categories (organic, plastic, metal, paper, etc.), and analyzed for moisture content and density. The software facilitated the assessment of key resource requirements including supplies, equipment maintenance, personnel, and fuel. Findings indicate that in 2017, the total cost of waste collection and transportation was approximately 5,850 million Rials. Projected costs for the next 15 years amount to 11.162 billion Rials, with machinery procurement accounting for the highest share. Capital distribution was as follows: machinery (49%), manpower (28%), fuel (14%), and maintenance (9%). The study proposes an optimized model for organizing and managing waste systems in port environments. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9436.html Soil erosion and surface runoff are among the main challenges in sloping areas that can lead to reduced soil fertility and land degradation. Nowadays, biodegradable hydromulch has been introduced as a protective solution to reduce runoff and soil loss in sloping lands. The present study aimed to investigate and evaluate the feasibility of using biodegradable hydromulch to reduce runoff and soil loss in sloping lands under laboratory conditions. The study was designed as a factorial experiment with three main factors: soil type treatments at three levels including soils from cut and fill slopes of forest road, and the soil of the machine-operating trails, protection treatments at three levels including nano-biodegradable hydromulch (NBH) with grass vegetation, simple hydromulch without vegetation (SH), and the control, and slope treatments at two levels of 10% and 30%, with three replications for each combination. These hydromulches were based on a new natural material derived from the roots of plant. Using a Kamphorst rain simulator, rainfall was simulated on all experimental units, and the amount of runoff, sediment yield, and soil loss were measured. The analysis of variance results showed that the effect of slope on soil loss, sediment yield, and sediment concentration was significant (p < 0.05), so that by elevating slope, soil loss and sediment yield increased significantly. Soil type did not have a significant effect on runoff and sediment yield (p > 0.05). The results of protection treatments effect showed that the use of hydromulches, especially NBH in combination with grass, significantly reduced sediment yield, sediment concentration, and soil loss as compared to the control treatment (p < 0.01). Compared to the control, sediment yield was reduced by 90% and 96% through the application of SH and NBH, respectively. These results indicate the high potential of SH and NBH in soil protection and erosion reduction in sloping areas. According to a simple economic evaluation, while SH is the most economical and effective option, adding grass improves protection, and the optimal choice is NBH with grass. Based on the findings of this study, the use of protective treatments, especially in lands with steep slopes, can be recommended as an effective solution in managing water and soil resources in vulnerable areas such as forest road side slopes and the machine-operating trails. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9437.html Understanding diversity patterns along elevation gradients is critical for conservation. This study examined bird diversity and density in relation to environmental variables across elevation gradients in the Saadabad-Naharkhoran forest, a subregion of Iran’s Hyrcanian forests. Birds and environmental variables were recorded within a 25-meter radius at 62 sampling points during autumn and winter 2017–2018. Density was estimated using DISTANCE 6.0, and diversity patterns were analyzed using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) in CANOCO 4.5. Results revealed distinct bird communities across two elevation classes. Species such as the Coal Tit, Great Tit, and Blackbird were associated with the first elevation class and correlated with variables like shrub cover, temperature, and leaf litter percentage. In contrast, species such as the Tree creeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Nuthatch were associated with the second elevation class and correlated with humidity, canopy cover, and large-diameter trees. These findings highlight the significant influence of elevation gradients and habitat structure on bird community composition. The results underscore the importance of preserving old-growth forest structures and maintaining habitat mosaics to support biodiversity. This study provides valuable insights for sustainable forest management in the Hyrcanian forests, emphasizing the need to balance harvesting practices with conservation efforts. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9438.html Ancient symbols, manifested through motifs in art, architecture, pottery, and other material culture, provide critical insights into the historical relationships between human societies and their environments. Many of these symbols depict regional flora and fauna, reflecting the biodiversity prevalent in specific ecological zones at different times in history. These motifs often served multiple functions spiritual, social, and ecological symbolizing deities, mythological creatures, or natural elements central to cultural identity. Analyzing these symbols allows for the reconstruction of past biodiversity patterns and ecological knowledge systems. They frequently encode information about species of ecological and cultural significance, serving as indicators of historical species distribution and abundance. The Flag of Shahdad, an ancient artifact unearthed at the archaeological site of Shahdad in Southeastern Iran, stands as one of the earliest known examples of flag-like objects in human history. Dating to the third millennium BCE, this artifact offers valuable insights into the cultural, social, and political dynamics of early civilizations on the Iranian Plateau, as well as regional biodiversity. The flag consists of a rectangular bronze plate measuring approximately 22 cm in height and 15 cm in width, mounted on a 128-cm metal axle allowing the flag to turn. At its top is an eagle with outstretched wings. The central portion of the bronze plaque features a series of intricate motifs and patterns, including: (i) symmetrical and repetitive geometric designs demonstrating high-precision craftsmanship; (ii) artistic representations of plant life (floral patterns) possibly symbolizing natural elements;(iii) depictions of animals (faunal figures) that may hold cultural or symbolic significance;(iv) representations of human figures, potentially reflecting societal or ritualistic themes; and(v) abstract, non-representational artistic elements highlighting the artisans’ creativity. In this study, by integrating archaeological evidence, historical documentation, archaeozoology, archaeobotany, and comparative analyses, we demonstrate how ancient cultures identified, classified, and interacted with their surrounding ecosystems. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to a deeper understanding of long-term human-environment dynamics, elucidates the ecological worldview of past societies, and highlights the profound connections between biodiversity and cultural identity. Such integration underscores the importance of combining ecological and cultural perspectives in archaeological research, enriching fields such as archaeozoology, ethno-zoology, archaeobotany, ethno-botany, and conservation science.   https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9453.html To identify genotypes tolerant to water stress and screen the tolerance and sensitivity indices to water stress, the present study was conducted in 2022 in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. The study included 50 cucumber genotypes in split plots and a completely randomized basic design with two levels of irrigation: full irrigation and deficit irrigation (50% of the water provided in full irrigation), each with three replications and two plants per replication. Based on the yield observed under both full and deficit irrigation conditions, various indices were calculated to assess tolerance and sensitivity to water stress. These indices included SSI, SI, HM, TOL, MP, YSI, GMP, STI, MRP, YI, REI, and SRI. The results of the mean comparison indicated that genotype 42 achieved the highest yield under full irrigation, while genotype 45 produced the highest yield under deficit irrigation. The highest values for MP, MRP, REI, STI, GMP, and HM indices were recorded in genotypes 45, 42, 43, and 22. The correlation test results also indicated that these six indices had the highest correlation with yield under both full and deficit irrigation conditions, making them the most suitable indices for screening and identifying superior genotypes. Using various methods in the present study, such as three-dimensional diagrams, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis, genotypes 45, 43, and 42 were identified as superior for achieving high yield under water scarcity conditions. Given Iran's water crisis and its exacerbation by climate change, breeding cucumber cultivars resistant to deficit irrigation is crucial for developing new hybrids suitable for the Iranian environment. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9465.html Assessments of forest vulnerability to climate change often emphasize average meteorological conditions, overlooking the role of extreme events in shaping forest dynamics. This study quantifies the influence of climate extremes on the decline of Zagros forests in western Iran. Using RClimDex, we analyzed minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation records from 19 synoptic stations over 33 years (1987–2019). Stations were grouped into three climate types, semi-dry, Mediterranean, and very humid, and divided into two temporal phases: pre-decline (1987-2000) and post-decline (2001-2019). Trends in 14 extreme climate indices, including temperature extremes, precipitation intensity, spell durations, growing season length, and annual wet-day totals, were evaluated for each region and period. Of 266 trends analyzed, 21% were statistically significant in both pre- and post-decline phases. In the very humid region, the proportion of significant trends fell from 28.5% to 21.4% after the decline, while in the semi-dry region, significance remained stable (~19%). The Mediterranean region showed a slight increase from 19.5% to 23%. Over the full study period, 52.2% of trends were significant, with the highest proportion (69%) in the very humid region, followed by semi-dry (48.8%) and Mediterranean (50%). These results highlight marked spatial and temporal variability in extreme climate events, underscoring their importance in accelerating forest decline. This work provides a quantitative basis for incorporating extreme climate indices into adaptive forest management and climate resilience strategies. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9487.html The article presents the results of a comprehensive physiological study on the fruit and berry plants introduced ex situ under the arid conditions of Mangystau, Kazakhstan. The research focused on species belonging to the genera Crataegus, Hippophae, Lonicera, Ribes, and Rosa grown at the Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden. During the 2024–2025 growing seasons. Key indicators of plant water regime (transpiration rate, leaf water content, and water retention capacity) and photosynthetic performance (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) were analysed in relation to temperature and hydrothermal conditions. The results revealed that, compared to 2024, most species in 2025 exhibited a 30–35% decrease in transpiration rate, accompanied by a 1.4–2.3-fold increase in leaf water content and elevated chlorophyll a and b concentrations. These shifts indicate a transition from an intensive to a water-saving water-use strategy under more favourable hydrothermal conditions. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative relationship between leaf water content and air temperature, while a positive association with photosynthetic pigments. At the same time, carotenoids served as key indicators of photoprotective responses to thermal stress. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering distinguished three major physiological adaptation strategies: hydration-stable, stress-adaptive, and plastic. Integrated physiological stability indices (PSI and WBI) identified Hippophae rhamnoides and Rosa canina as the most physiologically resilient species, whereas Lonicera species showed pronounced physiological plasticity. The findings provide a scientific basis for selecting drought- and heat-tolerant fruit and berry plants for introduction, landscaping, and phytomelioration in the arid regions of Mangystau and Western Kazakhstan. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9491.html This paper presents the results of the experimental study on the use of low-pressure drip system for irrigation of sorghum and rice crops. The experimental studies have been conducted on moderately clayey soil. In case of shortage of irrigation water, the use of low-pressure drip system for irrigation of agricultural crops has been considered. Grain growingsuch as sorghum and rice using the drip irrigation method has shown that in the Aral Sea region, where the air temperature is very high and very dry, its environmental conditions are unfavorable, keeping the air humidity in the ground layer within acceptable limits for plants, provides flexible regulation of the water reserve in the root layerof soil. These crops are good phytomeliorants and a reliable means of controlling salinization of irrigated lands. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9492.html The article presents the results of studies on the developmental biology of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) on agricultural, ornamental, and forest plants under the conditions of the city of Almaty and the Almaty Region in 2024-2025. It was established that overwintered populations in Almaty city appear during the second decade of May to June, whereas in the Almaty Region they emerge in the third decade of May. The first generation was formed in June, the second in July-August, and the third in August; adults entered diapause from late October. The duration of larval (nymphal) development differed among regions of the Almaty Region (Talgar District, Tuzdybastau village, and Enbekshikazak District, Turgen village): developmental stages occurred later and were characterized by different values of the sum of effective temperatures (SET) compared to Almaty city. Despite these differences, two generations were observed in both regions in 2024 and three generations in 2025. A gradual increase in SET from early to later nymphal instars was recorded, reflecting the adaptive plasticity of the species to regional climatic conditions. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9550.html Aquatic ecosystems are at serious risk due to the global contamination of surface waters sediments and biota caused by agricultural pesticides. The results of 27 original studies (2011–2026) from a variety of geographical areas including North America Europe Asia Africa Latin America and the Amazon are summarized in this review. In agricultural and periurban sites pesticides were found in 88–100% of samples often surpassing both acute and chronic toxicity thresholds (e.g., RAC exceedances in 70% of protected German streams, PTI > 0.1 in 69.4% of USA sites, and RQ > 100 for organophosphates in Ethiopian lakes). Risk profiles were dominated by neonicotinoids organophosphates pyrethroids and legacy compounds (fipronil chlorpyrifos) with insecticides typically causing acute toxicity and herbicides and fungicides causing long-term effects. When only water is monitored risks are underestimated because strong sorption to periphyton and sediment creates prolonged exposure routes. Consistent shifts toward tolerant taxa were observed in aquatic invertebrate communities (e.g., Chironomidae dominance, decreased richness), impaired ecosystem processes like leaf-litter decomposition and almost no sensitive mayflies or stoneflies. At environmentally relevant concentrations fish showed developmental toxicity (oedema deformities delayed hatching apoptosis) and immunotoxicity (activation of the JAK-STAT pathway). Non-additive results were frequently produced by mixture effects and multi-stressor interactions (nutrients sediment fungicides) with regional variations clearly visible (e.g., greater resistance to pyrethroids in the tropics). In general agricultural intensification puts aquatic biota under constant widespread pesticide pressure which has a domino effect on food webs and ecosystem stability. Stricter riparian buffers updated registration of highly hazardous compounds and improved monitoring of sediments transformation products and body burdens are desperately needed. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9551.html In contrast to conventional systems, which have shown negative impacts on soils and biodiversity, new approaches to sustainable farming, such as Conservation Agriculture (CA), regenerative farming, organic farming, legume rotations, cover crops, prairie strips, and bio-inputs, have been promoted as new strategies to face future challenges. Their effectiveness varies depending on the specific case. A critical review of 26 articles was carried out to analyze the relationships between soils and biodiversity under different sustainable farming systems, focusing on patterns of success that are not usually highlighted in reviews based on conventional approaches.  In terms of physical properties, stable aggregates increased by 38 to 47%, while sediment loss was reduced by 20-fold. Soil organic carbon was also increased by up to 8.4 g kg⁻¹, while microbial biomass was increased by up to 293%. Three patterns have been identified: "Win-Win-Win" (positive impacts on soils, biodiversity, and economic returns) in perennial systems (olive groves, almond trees); "Trade-off" systems (organic vineyards: + biodiversity, -16% in yields); and "Context-specific" systems, where results depend heavily on site-specific conditions. Interestingly, two types of microbial responses have been identified, namely, compositional changes without increased richness and concomitant increases in richness. Most studies have been conducted in the short term (<10 years), have not considered transition costs (which can involve a 10- to 15% loss in yield), and have not examined the networks of biotic interactions. Sustainable practices can have positive effects on both soil and biodiversity, and this "golden triangle" can be achieved. However, this is not always the case and is highly dependent on the type of crops used (perennial or annual), initial soil conditions, and socio-economic factors. Without policy intervention to help offset transition costs, there are significant challenges to scaling up. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9552.html Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops; however, its productivity under open-field conditions is significantly constrained by a complex of fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases, as well as insect pests. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated tomato protection system based on the application of protective-stimulating formulations for seed treatment under the agroecological conditions of southeastern Kazakhstan. Laboratory experiments included seed phytosanitary assessment and evaluation of the effects of protective-stimulating formulations on seed sowing quality and contamination with phytopathogens. Under field conditions, the biological and agronomic efficacy of integrated protection schemes against the major tomato diseases and pests was investigated.The results demonstrated that tomato seeds represented a significant source of bacterial infection. Application of the protective-stimulating formulation PSF No. 3 resulted in complete suppression of bacterial infection and a marked improvement in seed sowing quality. The integrated protection schemes effectively reduced the development of root rot and early blight (Alternaria spp.), with the highest yield obtained under protection scheme No. 2. The findings confirm the high potential of an integrated tomato protection system based on biological methods as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical control strategies. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9553.html Deep processing of agricultural products is an important direction for the development of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan and for increasing the value added of agricultural raw materials. The study is based on the analysis of official statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan and employs comparative and structural analysis methods. The results demonstrate that Kazakhstan possesses significant raw-material potential, particularly in the production of cereals, oilseeds, and livestock products. At the same time, an insufficient depth of processing has been identified for a number of commodity groups. Promising areas for the development of processing industries include the production of starch products, vegetable oils, dairy products, and fruit and vegetable products. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9554.html This article examines the organizational and economic aspects of the development of agricultural cooperation among small-scale farming units in the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan. The analysis is based on data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan and materials from state agricultural development programs. Systemic, comparative, and economic-statistical methods were applied to assess the dynamics of agricultural cooperative development, the structure of crop and livestock production, and the level of participation of farms in cooperative structures. The results indicate a positive trend in the development of the cooperative sector, an increase in agricultural production, and the expansion of marketing channels for agricultural products. Organizational and economic mechanisms and models of cooperation aimed at developing agricultural processing, improving the efficiency of resource utilization, and strengthening agri-food value chains are substantiated. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9555.html Wheat leaf rust, caused by the obligate parasite Puccinia triticina, is one of the most destructive and widespread diseases of cereal crops worldwide, leading to substantial yield losses and deterioration of grain quality. The increasing frequency of epidemic outbreaks, exacerbated by climate change and agricultural intensification, highlights the vulnerability of modern agroecosystems and necessitates the adoption of sustainable plant protection strategies. For decades, chemical fungicides have remained the primary method of disease control; however, their intensive and repeated use has imposed strong selection pressure on pathogen populations, resulting in the emergence of fungicide resistance and reduced treatment efficacy. This review synthesizes current knowledge on fungicide classification and modes of action, examines the mechanisms driving resistance development and spread, and summarizes regional data on pathogen sensitivity to major fungicide classes. Particular attention is given to integrated disease management approaches, including agronomic practices, rotation of active ingredients with different modes of action, use of biological control agents, and innovative biotechnological solutions aimed at reducing environmental impacts and enhancing the long-term resilience and sustainability of agroecosystems. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9559.html The work aimed at studying the behavior of introduced and domestic grape varieties in the conditions of Southeastern Kazakhstan. The biological characteristics, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and ripening periods were evaluated. Based on the results of long-term observations, promising varieties were identified and recommended for industrial cultivation in the foothill and lowland regions of the region. A comparative study of introduced foreign grape varieties and domestic breeding forms was conducted to assess their agrobiological characteristics and resistance to abiotic and biotic factors. It has been established that some local varieties are more resistant and productive than their introduced counterparts, which confirms the feasibility of their further zoning and implementation. The study provides a comparative analysis of the introduced and domestic grape varieties for the period 2022-2024 in the ecological and climatic conditions of the Saryagash District of the Turkestan Region in the regional branch of Saryagash and the Talgar District of the Almaty Region in the regional branch of Talgar. As a result of the conducted yield studies, grape varieties and hybrid forms KV-2/9 (8.5 kg), DV-10/11 (7.8 kg), Azim (8.0 kg), DV-7/17 (8.0 kg), Aisulu (7.7 kg), Mereitoy-50 (7.3 kg) were isolated from the bush. The lowest yield was noted in grape varieties and hybrid Hungarian muscat (st; 4.7 kg), Goat carcass (4.4 kg), DX-17/90 (4.4 kg), KII-1/29 (4.8 kg). In the course of the molecular genetic analysis of the Kazakhstani varieties and hybrids of grapes, samples were identified that have resistant alleles to the main fungal diseases: powdery (Oidium) and downy mildew (mildew). Markers to the loci Run1, Ren1, Rpv3, Rpv10 and Rpv12 were used. According to the results of the study, six genotypes were identified (including the reference varieties Muscat Hungarian, Tayfi Pink, Zhemchug Saba, and hybrids DV-10/11, KII-1/29, and KV-2/9), which have complex resistance at several loci. These forms are of significant interest for use in breeding programs to create resistant grape varieties. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9488.html The article presents the results of research to assess the effect of drip irrigation on the agrochemical and agrophysical properties of light chestnut soils, as well as on the formation of yields of major crops in the foothill zone in Ili Alatau, Kazakhstan. The objects of research were winter wheat, soybeans and corn cultivated in irrigated crop rotation. In the course of field experiments, we studied changes in the density of soil composition, the content of agronomically valuable and durable aggregates, as well as the dynamics of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen, mobile phosphorus and exchangeable potassium during the growing season. It has been established that the use of drip irrigation improves the structural condition of light chestnut soil, increases the proportion of agronomically valuable aggregates and optimizes agrophysical parameters without exceeding the permissible values of the density of addition. It is shown that the maximum values of nutrients in the soil are observed in the middle of the growing season, and by the time of harvest, their content decreases due to active absorption by plants. With optimal agrochemical parameters, high yields are achieved: winter wheat: up to 5.5 tons ha-1, soybeans:  up to 4.7 tons ha-1 and corn: up to 17.2 tons ha-1. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9489.html It is well established that adequate and proper sleep is essential for the health of children and adolescents. This study examined the effect of a 1.5–2-hour difference between administrative and natural time in Kazakhstan on adolescents (n = 120).  In particular, adolescents in Atyrau, where administrative time is ahead of natural time, experienced chronic desynchronization. Consequently, this situation led to lowered sleep duration and quality, impaired cognitive performance, increased emotional instability, and compromised immune function. The predominance of “owl” and “dove” chronotypes among adolescents indicates a misalignment between their natural biological rhythms and school schedules. As a result, scores for memory, attention, and visual-motor reaction were below average. This decline in cognitive performance, particularly in the morning, negatively affected academic achievement. Notably, in the 9th grade, when classes started earlier, grades dropped across all subjects, demonstrating the direct impact of desynchrony on learning efficiency. Physiological compensatory responses were observed in the respiratory system, including increased vital capacity of lungs and related indicators, and the cardiovascular system was also investigated. Additionally, a marked rise in disease incidence was noted among girls. These findings suggest that prolonged desynchronization has a significant impact on adolescent health. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9493.html This study investigated the molecular responses of Nicotiana benthamiana to combined heat stress and tobacco mosaic virus. Results indicated that the combined stresses were synergistic, leading to a 49.4% loss in plant height and 52.5% loss in leaf area. Transcriptome analysis of the plants indicated significant activation of the DNA repair pathways and the up-regulation of RAD51 and XRCC4 genes by 3.15- and 4.18-fold, respectively. Moreover, the convergence among promoters from genes responsive to combined stress was high, and the genes involved in DNA repair shared, on average, 4.5 regulatory elements. Confirmation of the results by Real-time PCR presented a high correlation (R² > 0.92) with the sequencing data. On the other hand, the data from the Comet assay confirmed more severe DNA damage under combined stress conditions. The study has shown that plants tackle combined stresses through integrated molecular mechanisms, whose understanding may be effective in developing varieties resistant to multiple stresses. Convergence at the promoter level and activation of the DNA repair system, among others, are some of the major strategies through which plants deal with such conditions. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9494.html Urban green spaces are a key element in the conservation of biological diversity and the maintenance of environmental sustainability under conditions of intensive urbanization, especially in regions with a sharply continental climate. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the ecological status, sanitary condition, and taxonomic diversity of tree and shrub plantings in the city of Astana (Kazakhstan) based on field inventory data and geoinformation analysis. During the study, 1,345,872 specimens of tree and shrub plants belonging to 155 species, forms, and cultivars, 61 genera, and 27 families were recorded. The taxonomic structure is dominated by the families Rosaceae (30.3%), Pinaceae (9.0%), and Salicaceae (9.0%). Deciduous species account for 85.4%, and coniferous species for 14.6% of the total number of plantings. According to the results of the sanitary assessment, more than 69.0% of plants belong to the sanitary condition category I (healthy). Salix alba and Populus nigra proved to be the most resistant to urban environmental conditions. Spatial analysis revealed pronounced differences between the administrative districts of the city, determined by the history of urban development, the level of anthropogenic load, and the intensity of maintenance of green spaces. The obtained results emphasize the importance of systematic GIS-based inventory as a tool for monitoring urban biodiversity and for developing scientifically grounded strategies for sustainable management of green infrastructure in cities with a continental climate. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9495.html The issue of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has created an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two natural compounds, carvacrol and curcumin, against clinically resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The research methodology included determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), investigation of membrane damage, and evaluation of the combined effect with conventional antibiotics using the checkerboard method and calculation of the FIC index. Quantitative results showed that carvacrol had stronger activity; its MIC for MRSA strains ranged from 62.5 to 125 μg mL-1  and its MBC/MIC ratio was 2 to 4, indicating a strong bactericidal effect. The compound also caused significant leakage of 260 nm adsorbents from the cells, confirming the membrane damage mechanism. In contrast, curcumin exhibited a higher MIC (250-500 μg mL-1 for MRSA) and an MBC/MIC ratio of ≥8, indicating a bacteriostatic agent. The most important finding was the high synergistic effect of carvacrol with vancomycin against MRSA, which was confirmed by an FIC of 0.375. An additive or partial synergistic effect was also observed between carvacrol and ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas. In the serial passage test, carvacrol, despite its potent effect, showed a lower potential to induce resistance to some agents. In conclusion, carvacrol has promising therapeutic potential as an adjuvant or sensitizer against resistant pathogens due to its direct killing properties and ability to enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics. These findings provide a basis for further studies in the formulation and preclinical evaluation of this compound. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9496.html Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening tick-borne viral infection that poses a persistent threat to public health in Kazakhstan. This study presents an in-depth descriptive epidemiological analysis of confirmed CCHF cases in the Turkestan region from May 2023 to August 2024. We performed a retrospective analysis of 24 laboratory-confirmed cases (RT-PCR and ELISA IgM). Data were synthesized from national surveillance reports, focusing on clinical and demographic variables, as well as exposure pathways. The case fatality rate (CFR) was remarkably low at 4.1%. Predominance was observed in males (62.5%) and rural inhabitants (91.7%). Direct interaction with cattle was the primary occupational risk factor (54.1%). Notably, a peak in June (50%) coincided with the seasonal surge of Hyalomma ticks. Clinical manifestations were dominated by severe weakness (100%) and fever (75%), while 50% of patients exhibited thrombocytopenia.  In conclusion, the paradox of high severity (54.2% severe cases) yet low mortality suggests that early clinical intervention (mean 2.7 days to admission) is a decisive factor in survival. Strategic focus must shift toward cattle-management safety and rural health literacy to mitigate spillover events. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9499.html Mining and metallurgical industrial activities often lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil and create ecological pressure on adjacent ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the impact of soil geochemical pollution on the stability of plant communities in two industrial regions of Dzhezkazgan (copper deposit) and Temirtau (steel industry) in Kazakhstan. In each region, 15 study plots were established and their soil samples were collected. Heavy metal concentrations (copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, and nickel) were measured with a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device and soil texture was determined by hydrometry. In addition, the vegetation cover of each plot was fully recorded and diversity indices were calculated. The results showed that the soil in both regions is severely polluted. The average copper concentration in Dzhezkazgan was 412.5 ± 185.5 mg kg-1 and the average lead concentration in Temirtau was 255.3±110.8 mg kg-1. Correlation analysis showed a strong and significant negative relationship between the concentration of these metals and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index of plant communities (r = -0.92 for lead in Temirtau). By increasing pollution, sensitive species such as Stipa capillata and Festuca valesiaca completely disappeared, and resistant and roderal species such as Artemisia austriaca occupied up to 38.5% of the dominant cover. The diversity index in the most polluted plots was significantly reduced compared to the reference points. The rank-order analysis (RDA) confirmed that heavy metals explained 68% of the variance in species composition. Also, the integrated soil quality index (SQI) showed that 60% of the Temirtau plots and 40% of the Dzhezkazgan plots were in a “degraded” state. Finally, this study showed that industrial soil pollution not only drastically alters the chemical composition of the soil, but also the structure, diversity, and stability of plant communities, leading to the formation of poor communities composed of resistant species. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9500.html Elderberry, Hippophae rhamnoides is a valuable plant with medicinal, food and soil conservation applications, but its traditional propagation is limited due to problems such as genetic heterogeneity of seeds and difficulty in rooting cuttings. This study aimed to systematically optimize the in vitro micropropagation protocol to increase the efficiency of producing uniform and high-quality nursery stock of this plant. Optimization was performed in three main stages of establishment, propagation and rooting using nodal explants. The results showed that in the establishment stage, the use of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with half strength of macroelements along with 1 mg L-1 benzylaminopurine (BAP) had the best results, resulting in 92% survival and 83% initiation of branching. In the propagation stage, the combination of 2 mg L-1 BAP with 0.2 mg L-1 auxin naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in complete MS medium produced the highest propagation coefficient (6.7 lateral branches per explant) and the highest quality branches without the problem of vitrification. At the rooting stage, the rapid immersion method for 30 seconds in 1 mg L-1 auxin indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution and then transfer to hormone-free medium was superior to continuous cultivation in auxin-containing medium, with 87% rooting and formation of healthy and branched root systems. Incorporating these optimal conditions into an integrated protocol resulted in a significant increase in overall efficiency. The final propagation rate increased from about 1 seedling per explant in the basic protocol to more than 5.36 seedlings. Also, the time for each complete micropropagation cycle was reduced to 4 weeks. The seedlings obtained from the optimized protocol had excellent morphological vigor, which was confirmed by their 93.3% survival rate during the adaptation phase in the greenhouse. This optimized protocol provides an effective tool for mass and clonal production of superior elderberry genotypes. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9501.html Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with the ability to accumulate in various organs of the body that can cause severe cellular damage. This study was conducted to investigate and compare the microstructural changes caused by cadmium chloride in three important somatic tissues including gums, kidney and liver in an animal model. In this experimental study, 30 male rats were divided into three groups: control, low dose (2 mg kg-1) and high dose (5 mg kg-1) of cadmium chloride for 28 days. After the end of the period, tissue samples were collected and examined using transmission electron microscopy. Qualitative changes were recorded and quantitative parameters including the percentage of swollen mitochondria, nuclear chromatin condensation index and the number of cytoplasmic vacuoles were measured by ImageJ software and analyzed by appropriate statistical tests. The results of the study confirmed severe and dose-dependent damage in all tissues. The percentage of swollen mitochondria in hepatocytes increased from 2.4% in the control group to 3.72% in the high-dose group, a significant increase (p < 0.05). The liver showed the highest sensitivity, followed by the kidney and then the gingiva. The chromatin condensation index in gingival cells at the high dose reached 2.7, indicating significant nuclear changes in this tissue. A strong dose-response relationship was observed for all measured parameters (Pearson correlation r = 0.98 for liver mitochondrial damage, p < 0.001). The formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles was also significantly increased in the treatment groups. Consequently, cadmium chloride causes significant microstructural damage at the cellular level, the pattern of which varies in different tissues. Mitochondria were identified as the main target of toxicity in all tissues. These findings provide direct and exact evidence of the mechanisms of cadmium cytotoxicity and emphasize the need to manage exposure to this toxic metal.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9502.html This article explores efficient strategies for sustainable agricultural chemicalization, aiming to enhance crop yields while minimizing mineral fertilizer and pesticide use. It presents an analysis of long-term studies on human- and animal-safe bionutrients synthesized using triethanolammonium salt of orthocresoxyacetic acid and 1-chloromethylsilatrane. Research indicates that high industrial crop yields can be achieved without escalating mineral fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Treating flax seeds and plants with these bionutrients resulted in increased seed yields, attributed to improved germination energy and seed germination, without additional fertilizer. Similarly, flax straw yield increased by 18-20%. These bionutrients also suppress fungal diseases, potentially reducing or eliminating pesticide reliance. Consequently, silatranes and other organosilicon compounds offer promise as crucial elements in eco-friendly agricultural technologies, enhancing plant metabolism, improving nutrient utilization from mineral fertilizers, and decreasing pesticide dependence. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9503.html Heavy metal exposure is an environmental and occupational concern that threatens the health of the integumentary tissues, the body's first line of defense. This study aimed to investigate and compare the microstructural changes induced by three common heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], and lead (Pb), in lung (A549) and intestinal (Caco-2) epithelial cell lines. Cells were treated with subtoxic and toxic concentrations of these metals for 24 and 48 hours and then evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and numerical image analysis. The results revealed distinct, dose- and time-dependent pathological patterns for each metal. Cadmium and chromium predominantly induced severe mitochondrial swelling and crystallolysis, with the percentage of swollen mitochondria reaching 68.5 ± 8.3% in A549 cells treated with 20 μM cadmium. In contrast, lead mainly caused mitochondrial matrix condensation (45.6 ± 9.2% at 50 μM). At the nuclear level, cadmium caused severe chromatin marginalization (index 2.8 ± 0.4) and chromium caused diffuse condensation and indentation of the nuclear membrane in 22% of the cells. All metals also significantly induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy activation. The number of cytoplasmic vacuoles in cadmium-treated cells increased to 15.2 ± 3.4 per cell. Comparison of the two cell lines showed that intestinal Caco-2 cells were more vulnerable to vacuole formation induced by cadmium and chromium than lung A549 cells. Overall, each metal produced a unique micromorphological “signature” that reflects its specific mechanisms of toxicity. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9504.html The Dzhezkazgan region of Kazakhstan, with a long history of copper mining and smelting, is known as a potential heavy metal contaminated site. This study aimed to investigate the geochemical characteristics, assess the degree of contamination, and analyze the spatial variability of heavy metals in surface soils of this region. A total of 50 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-20 cm based on a systematic grid. The total concentration of heavy metals (copper, lead, zinc, nickel, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and cobalt) was measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Geoaccumulation, pollution load, and potential ecological risk indices were used to assess contamination and risk. Multivariate statistical analyses and geostatistical methods (variogram and kriging) were used to identify the origin of metals and to map their spatial distribution, respectively. The results showed that the average concentrations of copper (3.452 mg kg-1) and lead (5.98 mg kg-1) were 15 and 4.9 times the background concentrations of the area, respectively. The geoaccumulation index classified the soil contamination as “moderate to severe” for copper and “moderate” for lead and arsenic. The total potential ecological risk index (8.623) placed the area at “high ecological risk”. Principal component analysis showed that copper, lead, zinc and arsenic had a common anthropogenic origin related to mining activities, while nickel and chromium showed a geological origin. Variogram analysis indicated a strong spatial structure for copper (nugget/flood ratio: 25%) with an influence range of 3.5 km. The equivalent maps obtained by Kriging interpolation showed a steep gradient of decreasing concentration by elevating distance from the main smelter, such that the copper concentration decreased from 1850 mg kg-1 in the vicinity of the source to 50 mg kg-1 at a distance of 14 km. As a result, the soils of the Zhezkazgan region have experienced widespread and severe contamination by heavy metals, especially copper, the spatial pattern of which is mainly controlled by atmospheric emissions from industrial fixed points. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9182.html Otoliths were used to investigate the first sexual maturity, an important factor for conservation, in females of two economically and ecologically important mullet species, Chelon aurata and Chelon saliens. Samples were taken at the Kiashahr port in the Southwestern Caspian Sea during 2020-2021. The chi-square independence test and repeated measures analyses were used to examine the age/length composition and to compare the width of the annual rings of each species. The length range of  C. aurata (n = 38) and C. saliens (n = 48) were 20.5-42 and 18-26.5 cm respectively. The width of the dark ring in the second year of growth in the females of these two species were measured. The results indicated that the female C. aurata and C. saliens reach sexual maturity at 2nd and 3rd year of age, respectively. These findings provide valuable benchmarks for the timing of first sexual maturity of mullets in the Southwestern Caspian Sea and highlight the significance of age-based otolith analysis in fisheries management. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9267.html Phytoremediation is a method in which plants are used to absorb contaminants. Heavy metals significantly affect plant distributions by competing with nutrients and limiting plant growth. In this study, three-year-old seedlings of Crataegus aronia and Juniperus polycarpos were exposed to different concentrations of zinc nitrate (0, 50, 250, and 500 ppm) in a completely randomized design with three replications. Then, the amounts of zinc uptake in different organs of C. aronia and J. polycarpos seedlings were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy after acid digestion and total chlorophyll content was measured with a spectrophotometer after extraction. The results obtained from the analysis of variance showed that in both species, zinc accumulation increased in roots and stems by elevating the heavy metal concentration and that zinc accumulation was higher in root tissues than in stem tissues in all treatments (p < 0.05). In addition, zinc contamination decreased the concentration of all nutrient contents in leaves and stems of seedlings, and total chlorophyll decreased by 56% in J. polycarpos and 47% in C. aronia. Accordingly, it can be said that the seedlings of C. aronia and J. polycarpos have the ability to prevent the transfer of the metal to aerial parts and to lower its toxicity to the plant by accumulating zinc in the roots. It should be noted that J. polycarpos was a better accumulator of zinc than C. aronia by 33%. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9261.html There is a small population of cells with stem cell properties in cancer tissues that are responsible for the initiation of tumour formation and have the ability to resist apoptosis inducing agents and chemotherapy. SOX2 is a transcription factor in stem cells and OCT4 is a pluripotency factor known as cancer stem cell markers. The use of plant compounds as cancer suppressors has become increasingly important today. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of self-renewal genes SOX2 and OCT4 in a prostate cancer cell line (PC3) treated with different concentrations of methanolic, chloroform, aqueous and hexane extracts of the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. PC3 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of microalgae extract after cultivation. The percentage of survival was checked using the MTT method, and the change in expression change of SOX2 and OCT4 genes was studied using the RT-qPCR technique.  The results of the evaluations showed that the hexane extract of microalgae caused a significant decrease in the number of living cells compared to the control and significantly decreased the expression of the SOX2 and OCT4 genes. Therefore, the hexane extract of H. pluvialis can be considered a factor affecting the expression pathway in self-renewal genes of stem cells.  https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8723.html The shrimp farming industry faces environmental challenges, such as the production of wastewater rich in organic matter and nutrients, which can pose a threat to marine ecosystems. The main objective of this research is to treat this wastewater before its release. For this study, three species of macroalgae—Gracilaria pygmaea, Rhizoclonium riparium, and Sargassum glaucescens—were collected from the shores of the Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province). Additionally, a microalgae species, Nannochloropsis oculata, was obtained from a cultivation center. The results indicated that R. riparium exhibited the highest efficiency among the macroalgae, with a 70% nitrate removal capability within 48 hours. However, N. oculata demonstrated the highest overall efficiency, achieving 85% nitrate removal. This study highlights that the examined microalgae species (N. oculata) exhibited a greater capacity for absorbing and removing nitrates and phosphates compared to the studied macroalgae species. These findings could contribute to improving wastewater treatment processes associated with the shrimp farming industry. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9507.html Water erosion causes significant damage to forest roads. Protecting cut-and-fill slopes can mitigate these damages. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of several protective coverings based on nano-materials in reducing runoff and sediment yield from forest road trenches. Nano-hydromulch (NH) with rice straw, sawdust and grass, NH with grass, grass, and control were investigated under laboratory conditions on slopes of 10% and 30%, as representatives of the major slopes of forest road trenches, with three replications. Using a rainfall simulator, a rainfall event with a volume of 1800 cm3 was simulated, and runoff, sediment, sediment concentration, runoff coefficient, and soil loss were measured in the treatments. Results indicated that increasing slope steepness from 10 to 30% significantly increased runoff by 76%, sediment yield by 979%, and soil loss percentage by 480% (p < 0.01). Therefore, cut-and-fill slopes should be adequately protected. NH treatments effectively reduced runoff, and by creating proper soil aggregate adhesion, reduced substantially sediment yield and soil loss (p < 0.01). It is recommended to use NH, especially combined with grass, to protect cut-and-fill slopes of forest roads, thereby reducing maintenance costs. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9490.html The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål) is a quarantine invasive pest capable of causing significant economic losses in agricultural and forest ecosystems. In Kazakhstan, this species was first recorded in 2016 on agricultural and forest plantations, prompting comprehensive monitoring of its distribution and the assessment of its potential threat to fruit, vegetable, ornamental, and forest plants. During 2024-2025, surveys in the southern and southeastern regions of Kazakhstan, including Almaty city, Almaty, Turkestan, and Kyzylorda Regions, investigated Trissolcus parasitoids as potential biological control agents of H. halys for the first time. The primary objectives were to identify the species composition of egg parasitoids, evaluate their biological effectiveness, and assess their suitability for using H. halys as a host. Field studies employed pheromone traps, manual collection, and visual plant inspections. Laboratory experiments examined the parasitoids’ life cycle, the duration of preimaginal development, parasitism rates of egg masses, and adult emergence. Morphological identification was corroborated using molecular genetic methods with COI and ITS marker genes. Two parasitoid species were detected – Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus semistriatus – demonstrating high parasitism rates (86.3-89.6%) and successful adult emergence (>92%). The highest densities of H. halys were recorded on apple (Malus domestica), paulownia (Paulownia spp.), and northern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides), indicating stable population reproduction in the region. The duration of preimaginal development and the average adult lifespan of the parasitoids confirm their suitability for mass rearing under laboratory conditions. These results highlight the strong potential of Trissolcus spp. as biological control agents of H. halys in agricultural and forest ecosystems in Kazakhstan, and underscore the importance of molecular identification in studying beneficial insect biodiversity. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7828.html The purpose of this research was to study the fatty acid composition of total lipids of Artemia cysts, Artemia sp., taken from four lakes in the Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan in different seasons. Extraction of total lipids was carried out with a binary mixture of organic solvents chloroform-ethanol (2:1). Gas chromatographic separation of fatty acids was carried out after methanolysis of lipids to obtain methyl esters of fatty acids. Quantification was based on the internal standard method using a calibration curve. The seasonal dynamics in the content of both the main groups of fatty acids and individual fractions was shown since a change in ambient temperature induced a modification of the fatty acid composition of lipids. In particular, by autumn, a decrease in the synthesis of monoenoic acids and an elevation in the amount of saturated fatty acids were established. Alterations in the qualitative composition of saturated fatty acids were also noted, in particular, in the autumn samples. There were no such acids as C6:0 caproic, C8:0 caprylic, C10:0 capric, C11:0 undecanoic, C12:0 lauric, C13:0 tridecanoic. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8856.html The research then focuses on soluble tablet formulation of a Metarhizium anisopliae, an entomopathogenic fungus, for optimal biological pest control. Metarhizium anisopliae is well known for its broad spectrum of activity against a number of insect pests, and could be an important part of any IPM program. However, challenges are associated with stability, shelf life, and environmental persistence of fungal-based biopesticides. The soluble tablet formulation addresses the challenge of delivering fungal spores by providing better protection against environmental stressors and enabling farmers to apply the spores with greater accuracy and ease. The formulated E formulation showed the highest performance compared to the other samples, where it released the conidia within the shortest time (258s) and disintegrated fully in water; it released the highest concentration of initial conidial spores of (16.24×10⁸ spores/g), and it maintained pest control capacity for up to 12 weeks of storage. On the other hand, Formulation G recorded poor dispersion, the longest disintegration time of 529 seconds, and the lowest viability. The study's findings can help overcome the current challenges related to the formulation of entomopathogenic fungi, providing a promising, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides in agricultural production. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7550.html The object of the study: honey products, artificial feed for bees enriched with biologically active substances. The purpose of the study is the development of effective technologies in the beekeeping industry. Generally accepted zootechnical methods for determining the composition and properties of honey products, new feed for the growth and development of bee colonies. A recommendation has been developed for the maintenance of bee colonies for the production of environmentally friendly organic honey products in apiaries. A standard has been developed for organic honey products, production, and processing rules at the Scientific Council No. 3 dated 08/11/2020. Technology has been developed for obtaining stimulative feeding to increase the strength of bee colonies in the early spring and during the autumn to increase the mass of bees. It has been established that the highest stimulating effect on egg-laying capacity and sealed brood is provided by composite feeding inverted syrup with purple coneflower Echinacea Purpurea 400 g. Recommendations for the implementation or R&D implementation results: The research results can characterize the ecological state of the study area, and the quality of the products obtained, expand the composition of biologically active additives, and serve as a scientific basis for the technology of processing and storing honey products. Economic efficiency. The production of brood frames using composition to stimulate the development of bee families, the total cost is 1230 tenge. And when using the composition “IS + Echinacea purpurea”, the cost of expenses on average is 1181 tenge, and the composition “IS + Melissa” - 1123.3 tenge. Forecast proposal for the development of the research object: Further research is needed to develop the technology for processing and storing honey products. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7874.html The early stage of development is a vital period in the life cycle of fish in terms of achieving a suitable efficiency for survival. Knowing about fish growth patterns, including morphological changes and normal skeletal development, can be useful for optimizing hatchery production and monitoring and managing fish populations. This study aimed to survey allometric growth patterns and skeletal trait changes of the most popular variety of Carassius auratus, butterfly tail goldfish compared with its common strain during development. For the morphological part, specimens were photographed from the lateral view with a digital camera, and seven morphometric traits were measured. The allometric growth patterns were calculated as a power function of total length, and the inflexion points of growth curves were extracted. To study skeletal structure, specimens were cleared and stained with alizarin red for bone and alcian blue for cartilage. The positive allometric growth of the head, along with the onset of formation of its skeletal structures at the first-day post hatch that was observed in two studied strains, indicate the importance of the sensory system, nutritional and respiratory organs, which has a great effect on increasing survival rate. The most significant difference between common and butterfly goldfish was the formation and development of caudal fin. The formation process of tail skeletal elements was begun earlier in butterfly goldfish, and the growth pattern of TaL was approximately twice as fast as the common strain. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7563.html The salinity and feeding frequency are two fundamental challenges in breeding stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus juveniles both for aquaculture and restocking purposes. We evaluated growth indices, biochemical and digestive enzymes, osmoregulation indices, and gill tissues of 810 stellate sturgeons (10.96 ± 0.89 g in weight and 12.64±0.96 cm in length) in 9 treatments including three salinity levels with three types of feeding during eight weeks of rearing. The treatments included two, four and six times (2T, 4T and 6T) of feeding in combination with zero, 6 and 12 ppt salinities (0‰, 6‰ and 12‰). The main growth indices and food efficiency exhibited an upward trend by increasing in salinity and feeding frequency. The average final weight and length in 6T + 12‰ were higher than in other treatments. In addition, the highest average condition factor was measured in 4T + 6‰ (p < 0.05). The average food conversion ratio of all treatments decreased compared to 2T + 0‰. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in 2T + 0‰, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in 6T + 6‰, 2T + 12‰, 4T + 12‰, 6T + 12‰, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 4T+12‰ and 6T+12‰ were higher than in the other treatments (p < 0.05). The highest amount of amylase was measured in 2T + 6‰ and lipase in 6T + 0‰, 2T + 6‰, and 4T + 12‰ (p < 0.05). The results of the investigated indices showed that it is not necessary to increase meals at higher salinities. In addition, raising the salinity of the breeding environment to 6 ppt is favorable for safety factors and fish growth. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8981.html Fish in an optimum temperature range seem to have different nutritional requirements compared to optimal conditions. To evaluate the effect of different dietary protein levels during winter feeding of Beluga sturgeon, Huso huso (334.1 ± 0.3 g initial body weight; mean ± SD) a feeding trial with 8 weeks duration was conducted. Four diets with three replicates were formulated containing different dietary protein levels of 32%, 36%, 40% and 44% with 14.5% crude fat at low temperature of 8.8 ± 2.0 °C in twelve circular concrete tanks (900 L volume; 5 fish per tank). Fish were fed 1% of body weight three times daily, and at the end of the experiment, fish were weighed and sampled for plasma biochemical indices. The results have shown that various dietary protein levels had no noteworthy effect on growth indices (p > 0.05). The highest numerical, but not significant, final weight, specific growth rate, protein and lipid efficiency ratios were found in diets comprising 36% protein. No mortality was recorded throughout the trial. The results of biochemical plasma parameters showed that triglyceride, cholesterol, and total protein were not influenced by dietary protein levels (p > 0.05), while the glucose in fish fed 44% protein was significantly lower than the other treatments (p < 0.05). Hematocrit was significantly increased by increasing dietary protein levels, and the highest value was observed in the 44% treatment (p < 0.05). Based on the findings, it is advised that a protein level of 36% would be beneficial for optimal growth and physiological conditions in winter feeding of juvenile Beluga sturgeon. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7553.html Camel milk and mare milk are a necessary source of protein for people living in arid countries of the world. It is a fact that camel and mare milk have similarities to breast milk and the lack of the necessity for thermal treatment. Raw camel milk and fermented milk can be readily regarded as sources of potential probiotic strains. It is proven that milk-fermented products have high nutritional value and biomedical properties because of its unique physical and chemical composition. A great number of research articles have been analyzed. They are touching upon the applicability of mare and camel milk, as well as its products in medical practice. The article is made within the framework of the project "The state of cellular immunity and intestinal microbiota in patients with COVID-19 when using Saumal". IRN: 0122РКИ0051. Some natural foods, such as camel and mare's milk, can strengthen the immune system and suppress viral infection. Both have lysozyme, immunoglobulin and lactoferrin, which have antioxidants and membrane-stabilizing properties. Camel milk has its advantages in terms of treating cancer, as it promotes the elimination of carcinogenic compounds from the mice model. It is also effective against the diabetes. Mare milk has immunostimulant effects that protect the human body from pathogenic bacteria and viruses due to its positive effect on gut microbiome.  Mare and camel milk can be also used in the treatment of the Hepatitis C. It is feasible to use mare and camel milk for the treatment of many illnesses in medical practice. To create efficient treatment alternatives for ailments that can result in severe complications, it is crucial to perform top-notch research, such as randomized clinical trials. Additional studies are required to get a better grasp of the situation that concentrate on the use of natural foods with a host of beneficial qualities as the main approach to treatment. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9517.html This article examines the use of medicinal plants and their distribution areas. In general, the basis of medicinal growth in the Zailiysky and Zhetysu Alatau is medicinal herbs, which have therapeutic or prophylactic effects for various diseases. The development of effective and safe domestic drugs and pharmaceutical substances, as well as the study of phytochemicals, antioxidants, antimicrobials, and other properties, is a pressing issue today. Therefore, the current status and prospects for the use of medicinal plants growing in the Zailiysky and Zhetysu Alatau indicate the need for a comprehensive review. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9518.html The study of organic agriculture has become increasingly important in both Russia and globally due to various factors affecting the environment, public health, and agricultural sustainability. This work aims to analyze the development dynamics of the organic agriculture market in Russia and the world from 2019 to 2023, while identifying potential opportunities for further growth in the Russian Federation. The research methodology involves statistical analysis and comparison of key indicators related to the development of organic production in Russia and globally. The materials used in this study include reports from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM – Organics International), the Russian Union of Organic Agriculture, and data from the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Key findings of the study are as follows: The area of land dedicated to organic agriculture increased by nearly one-third during the examined period, reaching a total of 98.8 million hectares. However, despite this positive global trend, Russia has experienced a decrease in its organic land area. While the number of organic producers has grown, Russian figures remain significantly lower compared to global standards. The global organic market expanded by approximately 30 billion euros, reaching a total size of 136.4 billion euros, whereas the Russian market remained stagnant, holding a minimal share of the global market. The analysis reveals a strong dependence of Russian producers on imports, with a considerable portion of exported products consisting of unprocessed raw materials. These factors underscore the significant potential for the development of the organic sector in Russia, particularly with the rising demand for natural food products and healthy lifestyles. However, to capitalize on these opportunities, active government policies are necessary to support producers, promote product certification, and eliminate administrative barriers. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7315.html https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_7316.html