Bu-Ali Sina University

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

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

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

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

The study focuses on the role of neuroinflammation and impaired synaptic plasticity in the progression of Alzheimer's disease caused by amyloid-beta accumulation. It examines the potential therapeutic effects of Ecdysterone, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and high-intensity interval training, which may also support brain health. The primary goal is to assess how Ecdy and HIIT, alone or combined, influence depressive-like behavior, synaptic function, inflammation, and Aβ buildup in a rat model of AD. Ten days after Aβ administration, treatments began with Ecdy (10 mg/kg/day, orally) and/or HIIT, continuing for 8 weeks. Rats were tested for depression-like behavior using the forced swim test. Brain synaptic plasticity was measured through long-term potentiation at the perforant path-dentate gyrus synapse by analyzing population spike amplitude and fEPSP slope. Congo red staining was used to identify Aβ plaques in the brain, and neuroinflammatory markers were quantified in both the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Aβ injection led to depression, impaired synaptic plasticity, increased inflammation, and Aβ buildup in the brain. While Ecdy and HIIT individually offered some protection, their combination was significantly more effective in improving depression, restoring synaptic function, reducing inflammation, and decreasing Aβ accumulation in both the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (0.05 > P). This data provides evidence that HIIT, accompanied by Ecdy, improves Aβ-induced depression-like behavior, which may be partly related to the amelioration of synaptic dysfunction, a decrease in neuroinflammation, and suppression of Aβ plaque formation.