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Aldosterone is a key component of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS). The RAAS could play a substantial role in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Moreover, the dynamics of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis may have changed in COVID-19. Cortisol, as an important factor in assessing immune system activity, is an important part of this axis. The present study compared the serum levels of aldosterone and cortisol in COVID-19 outpatients with those of potentially non-infected participants. It was also aimed to assess the possible association between serum levels of aldosterone and cortisol with clinical symptoms progression in COVID-19 outpatients. Demographic characteristics (i.e., gender and age) and clinical data (i.e., oxygen saturation [SPO2], respiratory rate [RR], and heart rate) were collected. Serum cortisol and aldosterone measurements were conducted using the ELISA technique. Clinical symptoms of the positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) group were followed up on for 28 days in weekly intervals. SPO2 was significantly lower in the positive PCR group; however, the RR was significantly higher (P=0.03 and P=0.001, respectively). Significantly higher levels of aldosterone were found in males of the negative PCR group, compared to females (P=0.05). Cortisol (OR=0.937, P=0.033) and aldosterone (OR=1.005, P=0.020) levels had a decreasing and increasing effect on the chances of respiratory symptoms occurring over time, respectively. Furthermore, over time, women were twice as likely as men to develop neurologic symptoms (OR=0.530, P=0.015). According to the findings of this study, cortisol and aldosterone are associated with the chance of respiratory symptoms occurring over time. However, the levels of these two markers do not seem to be related to the progression of clinical symptoms of lower grades of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phosphorus is an essential and limiting nutrient for all living organisms. Although phosphorus is a finite resource on earth, it is usually wasted today. Precipitation of struvite from waste residues is mainly carried out to recover phosphorus. This study aimed to investigate the percentage of phosphorous recovery from sewage sludge in the presence of grape-biochar via the formation of biochar/struvite precipitates. METHODS: Different amounts of grape-biochar were applied to recover nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, and magnesium) from sewage sludge via the formation of struvite by digestion of sewage sludge with H2SO4 and the molar ratio of magnesium/ammonium/phosphorus in 2:1:1 at pH=8.5. Solubility and release properties of the precipitates were determined and the equations, such as first-order, parabolic diffusion, power function, and simple Elovich models, were fitted to the kinetic data. FINDINGS: The phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge increased by application of grape biochar in the precipitation system, and the accumulation release of nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, and magnesium) from samples increased in the presence of grape biochar, especially in high amounts. Increasing the remove and recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge by application of grape-biochar decreased the incidence of eutrophication, as an environmental dilemma, and provided the requirement for phosphorus-fertilizers by solid waste management. The solubility of the samples was 0.5 mole per liter hydrochloric acid > in 20 gram per liter citric acid > water. The results showed that the phosphorus - cumulative - release of composites in water good fitted the parabolic kinetic model (R²=0.97-0.99), whereas it followed the simple Elovich model (R²=0.86-0.92) in 0.5 mole per liter hydrochloric acid and first-order kinetics model (R²=0.76-0.92) in 20 gram per liter critic acid. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the presence of grape-biochar for recovery of phosphorus from sludge as struvite had a good potential for increasing the release of nutrients for the formation of struvite, and these precipitates had a high potential to be used as a slow-release phosphorus-fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution by heavy metals is a main global issue in developed communities due to human and industrial operations. This study was aimed to assess the efficiency of nano-TiO2 and Fe2O3 adsorbents for removal of cadmium and zinc in single- and double-ion aqueous solutions. The effects of pH (cadmium = 4, 6, and 7, zinc = 4, 5, and 6), background electrolyte type (NaNO3 and Ca (NO3)2), and ionic strength (0.03 and 0.1 M) were studied at the batch single- and binary-adsorption (50 and 100 mg L–1) experiments according to standard experimental methods. The equilibrium data were fitted with the Freundlich (R2 = 0.92–1), Langmuir (R2 = 0.83–0.99), Temkin (R2 = 0.75–0.99), and Dubinin–Radushkevich (R2 = 0.64–0.99) isotherm models. All sorption parameters in models for the sorption of cadmium and zinc by nano-adsorbents decreased by increasing ionic strength from 0.03 to 0.1 M, but pH had an inverse effect. The Freundlich sorption capacity of TiO2 and Fe2O3 nano-adsorbents was found to be 1.32 and 1.18 (mg1–1/n L1/n g–1) for cadmium and 1.23 and 1.03 for zinc in non-competitive adsorption system and 0.56 and 0.45 for cadmium and 0.60 and 0.37 for zinc in competitive adsorption system, respectively. The E-values of the Dubinin–Radushkevich model (E < 8) and negative Gibbs free energy (∆G0) values demonstrated the physical and spontaneous sorption nature of metals onto TiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles. In conclusion, the adsorption of cadmium by studied nanoparticles in the presence of zinc showed greater efficacy than that of vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High concentration of labile metals in soil directly affects soil quality, water health and human safety. Decreasing mobility of metals, especially in contaminated soils, by cost-effective amendments may alleviate environmental problems. Natural diatomite was investigated to immobilize toxic elements of zinc, lead, copper and cadmium in a contaminated calcareous soil. The diatomite was characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. Contaminated soil was incubated with 0, 2 and 5 weight -% of diatomite at 25 °C for 8 weeks. Tessier sequential extraction method was also used as a suitable method for identification of chemical forms of heavy metals; metal stability index and mobility factor were calculated. Results showed that application of diatomite in soil significantly decreased the metals in the exchangeable fraction and increased them in the residual fraction. The exchangeable metal fractions decreased by 66–88%, and residual fractions increased by 18–94% in the 5 weight -% of diatomite treatment after 8-week incubation. With an increase in the amount of diatomite applied and the incubation time, metal mobility factor values significantly decreased and soil pH values increased. Application of diatomite caused the heavy metals redistribution toward more stable forms and leads to an increase in stability index values. In conclusion, in situ immobilization of heavy metals by application of diatomite, as a low-cost amendment, had a significant potential to stabilize metals in the contaminated calcareous soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Hemiscorpius lepturus is the main deadliest species responsible for scorpionstings in Khuzestan province, SW of Iran. Toxins vary according to species and consist of a mixture of proteins and other substances and toxicity depends on time and other factors. This study was carried out in the two regions of Khuzestan province incuding : Ahvaz with a plain area and Baghmalek as a mountainous. The results showed there were some significant betweenH.leptourus collected from two areas from point of morphometric. Therefore, it is concluded there should be at least two sub-species regarding the current specie in this province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies multi-objective no-wait flowshop scheduling problems to minimise both makespan and total tardiness. This problem is commonly denoted by . This article mathematically formulates the problem using two effective multi-objective mixed integer linear programming models. The multi-objective mathematical models are then solved by a multiple criteria decision making approach, called Fuzzy programming method. Moreover, the article proposes a novel multi-objective iterated local search algorithm incorporating three types of local search engine: greedy, moderate and curtailed fashions. The algorithm is carefully evaluated for its performance against two available algorithms by means of multi-objective performance measures and statistical tools. The results show that the proposed solution method outperforms the others. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We present the results of a systematic pore‐scale experimental investigation of two‐phase oil/brine flow through a miniature water‐wet, fractured sandstone core sample. X‐ray microtomography is employed to generate three‐dimensional fluid occupancy maps within a rough‐walled fracture and its neighboring rock matrix during drainage and imbibition flow experiments. Several different imbibition flow conditions were created by changing brine flow rate, fracture aperture field, and interfacial tension between the fluids. These maps along with steady‐state pressure drop data are then used to shed light on the dominant flow mechanisms and preferential flow paths through the matrix and fracture domains as well as fluid transfer between them during the imbibition processes. Depending on the fracture aperture properties and the magnitude of the local capillary pressures that are established under varying flow conditions, transport of the wetting phase across the hybrid matrix‐fracture medium is governed by flow through wetting layers of brine on fracture walls (fracture layer flow), center of the fracture (fracture bulk flow), and brine‐filled pores within the matrix. The hydraulic conductivity through these conduits is regulated by the medium as it identifies a combined flow path with minimum pressure drop from the inlet to the outlet of the system. The resulting balance determines the magnitude of fluid transfer experienced by the neighboring matrix and ultimate oil recovery as a result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of salt precipitation and its impact on fluid flow in ultratight porous media are investigated in three preserved core plugs selected from two different wells in an unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir. Small specimens are cut from the core plugs and then imaged using a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) to detect any salt precipitation in the pore space. The SEM results show that salt covers the pore walls and either partially or fully blocks pore elements, making some parts of the pore space inaccessible to flow. To examine the effect of salt removal on fluid flow, one of the core plugs is subjected to a cleaning process. The plug is initially saturated with methanol, and then methanol is continuously injected into the sample while the effluent is periodically titrated using silver nitrate to monitor salt removal. The variation of the salinity of the methanol effluent with time, the decrease in the pressure drop across the core, and the increased permeability to methanol indicated the effectiveness of the cleaning process. The successful removal of salt from the sample prompts the adoption of a new workflow for preparing tight rock samples for laboratory experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of micro-scale core-flooding experiments were performed on reservoir core samples at elevated temperature and pressure conditions to develop better insights into wettability alteration and pore-scale displacement mechanisms taking place during low-salinity waterflooding (LSWF). Two individual miniature core samples were cut from a preserved reservoir whole core, saturated to establish initial reservoir fluid saturation conditions, and subsequently waterflooded with low-salinity and high-salinity brines. A third miniature sister core sample was also cut, solvent-cleaned, and subjected to a dynamic wettability restoration process (to reestablish native state wettability) and then a low-salinity waterflood. All samples were imaged during the experiments using a micro-CT scanner to obtain fluid occupancy maps and measure in situ oil-water contact angles. The results of the experiments performed on the preserved core samples show a significantly improved performance of low-salinity waterflooding compared to that of high-salinity waterflooding (HSWF). Pore-scale contact angle measurements provide direct evidence of wettability alteration from weakly oil-wet toward weakly water-wet conditions during LSWF, whereas contact angles measured during HSWF remain unchanged. We believe that the reduction in oil-water contact angles toward increased water-wetness lowers the threshold water pressure needed to displace oil from some medium-sized pore elements. Contact angles measured during the dynamic wettability restoration process show an equilibrium wettability state very similar to the initial one observed in the preserved samples. This indicates that drilling fluid contaminants had a negligible effect on the reservoir rock wettability. The experimental results also reveal similarities between saturation trends for the preserved-LSWF and restored-LSWF tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new Bayesian framework for the validation of models for subsurface flows. We use a compositional model to simulate CO storage in saline aquifers, comparing simulated saturations to observed saturations, together with a Bayesian analysis, to refine the permeability field. At the laboratory scale, we consider a core that is initially fully saturated with brine in a drainage experiment performed at aquifer conditions. Two types of data are incorporated in the framework: the porosity field in the entire core and CO saturation values at equally spaced core slices for several values of time. These parameters are directly measured with a computed tomography scanner. We then find permeability fields that (1) are consistent with the measured parameters and, at the same time, (2) allow one to predict future fluid flow. We combine high performance computing, Bayesian inference, and a Markov chain Monte Carlo (McMC) method for characterizing the posterior distribution of the permeability field conditioned on the available dynamic measurements (saturation values at slices). We assess the quality of our characterization procedure by Monte Carlo predictive simulations, using permeability fields sampled from the posterior distribution. In our characterization step, we solve a compositional two-phase flow model for each permeability proposal and compare the solution of the model with the measured data. To establish the feasibility of the proposed framework, we present computational experiments involving a synthetic permeability field known in detail. The experiments show that the framework captures almost all the information about the heterogeneity of the permeability field of the core. We then apply the framework to real cores, using data measured in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capillary trapping is a physical mechanism by which carbon dioxide ( CO2) is naturally immobilized in the pore spaces of aquifer rocks during geologic carbon sequestration operations, and thus a key aspect of estimating geologic storage potential. Here, we studied capillary trapping of supercritical carbon dioxide (sc CO2), and the effect of initial sc CO2 saturation and flow rate on the storage/trapping potential of Berea sandstone. We performed two-phase, sc CO2-brine displacements in two samples, each subject to four sequential drainage-imbibition core-flooding cycles to quantify end-point saturations of sc CO2 with the aid of micro- and macro-computed tomography imaging. From these experiments, we found that between 51% and 75% of the initial CO2 injected can be left behind after the brine injection. We also observed that the initial sc CO2 saturation influenced the residual sc CO2 saturation to a greater extent than the rate of brine injection under the experimental conditions examined. In spite of differences in the experimental conditions tested, as well as those reported in the literature, initial and residual saturations were found to follow a consistent relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequestration of supercritical carbon dioxide in saline aquifers has been proposed to mitigate global climate change. An important issue is whether it escapes to the atmosphere: chemical retention, for instance, is permanent in well chosen aquifers. The effects of chemical reactions may take time, so one needs short-term containment techniques such as CO capillary retention enhanced by permeability hysteresis during water imbibition. This retention is predicted in a class of permeability models for the capillary-dominated regime. Here, we use high-quality laboratory-measured permeabilities as well as exact analytic solutions and accurate simulation techniques to quantify the amount of carbon dioxide that can be trapped. This study on one-dimensional, vertically upward flow demonstrates that under ideal conditions, all of the carbon dioxide is immobilized permanently. This is achieved by a trapping shock due to switching under hysteresis from CO to chase-brine injection. This shock is peculiar: it possesses a very small amplitude but a large speed, making it difficult to simulate and detect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Ethanol and nicotine increase dopamine release in different parts of the brain such as the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus. Dopamine D1 receptors have been detected in dorsal hippocampus known as a key brain region that seems to mediate some behavioral effect of ethanol and nicotine. The present study was carried out to determine the influence of dopamine D1 receptors of dorsal hippocampus as to the effect of Nicotine on ethanol-induced amnesia. Materials and Methods. In this experimental study, 192 adult male NMRI mice were anaesthetized and cannulae implanted bilaterally in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus using stereotaxic method. Seven days after recovery from surgery, the behavioral testing was started using inhibitory avoidance task. In this study, ethanol, nicotine and SCH23390 (D1 receptor antagonist) were used. Results: Pre-training or pre-test injection of ethanol induced amnesia (P<0.001). Phe amnesia induced by pre-training ethanol restored with pre-test administration of same doses of ethanol (P<0.001). Pre-test injection of nicotine restored amnesia induced by pre-training ethanol (P<0.001). Pre-test intra-CA1 injection of SCH23390 by itself impaired memory and prevented the nicotine reversal effect on ethanol- induced memory impairment (P<0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that dopamine D1 receptor of dorsal hippocampus may play an important role in improving effect of nicotine on the ethanol-induced amnesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the effect of different saturation histories relevant to various oil displacement processes (including secondary and tertiary gas injections) on three-phase gas/oil/brine relative permeabilities of water-wet sandstone. It is found that three-phase water (wetting phase) relative permeability is primarily a function of water saturation and shows no dependency upon saturation history. Three-phase gas (nonwetting phase) relative permeability is also a function of gas saturation as well as the direction of gas saturation change. Three-phase relative permeability to oil (intermediate-wetting phase) appears to depend on all phase saturations, and saturation history have no significant impact on it. Three-phase oil relative permeability shows weak sensitivity to initial oil saturation prior to gas injection. The functional forms of oil relative permeability with saturation, particularly at low oil saturations, are also examined. It is observed that, at high oil saturations where networks of oil-filled elements govern oil flow, oil relative permeability exhibits a quartic form with oil saturation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nitric oxide and mecamylamine have an important role in anxiety-like behavior. Determining the site of action in the brain and interaction between these agents need to be investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the possible interaction between mecamylamine and nitric oxide in dorsal hippocampus using the elevated plus-maze test of anxiety. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 180 male NMRI mice. Mice were anaesthetized with ketamine and xylazine and two cannuale were inserted stereotaxically into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. All animals were allowed to recover for 1 week before the beginning of the behavioral testing. The elevated plus-maze was used to test the anxiety-like behavior. Results: Bilateral intra-dorsal hippocampal injections of mecamylamine, L-arginine or LNAME induced the anxiogenic effects. Intra-dorsal hippocampal injection of ineffective dose of mecamylamine before different doses of L-arginine or L-NAME potentiated the anxiogenic effects of L-arginine or L-NAME. Conclusion: Results reveal that both nitric oxide and mecamylamine not only play a part in the modulation of anxiety in the dorsal hippocampus of mouse but also have demonstrated a complex interaction as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: It has been shown that cannabinoids exert widespread effects on cognitive functions. An overlapping distribution of GABA with cannabinoid receptors has been reported in some brain structures such as dorsal hippocampus. Thus, the functional interactions between cannabinoid and GABAergic systems in cognitive control seem possible. The present study evaluated the potential role of cannabinoid CB1 receptors of the dorsal hippocampus on muscimol induced amnesia and muscimol state- dependent memory in adult male mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 250 adult male NMRI mice were entered. Drugs of muscimol and ACPA were used. Mice were anaesthetized and cannulae implantation was bilaterally used in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus via stereotaxic method. Seven days after recovery from surgery, the behavioral testing was started by means of inhibitory avoidance task. Results: Post-training injection of muscimol (0.075, 0.15 µg/mouse) impaired inhibitory avoidance memory. The memory impairment induced by ACPA (0.15 µg/mouse) was completely reversed by pre-test administration of ACPA and/or muscimol, suggesting muscimol induced state-dependent memory. Conclusion: These results suggest that cannabinoid CB1 receptors of the dorsal hippocampal may play an essential role in muscimol-induced amnesia and muscimol state-dependent memory in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Needs assessment is one of the most controversial concepts in the field of social services, education and training and curriculum planning. This study aimed to assess and prioritization the needs of first aid trainer's of West Azarbaijan Red Crescent Society in the viewpoint of experts, educational managers and trainers. Methods This survey- descriptive research was performed in experts, educational managers and trainers of West Azarbaijan Red Crescent Society in 2010. 189 individuals were selected by simple randomly sampling method. Data were gathered by a questionnaire with 30 questions about educational needs of first aid trainers. Friedman and Kruskal Wallis tests were used for data analyses by using SPSS 14 statistical software. Results There was a significant difference between the needs prioritization of trainers and educational managers (p=0.001). The most important need was "holding non-attendance courses by sending selftraining books and supplies" in trainers' viewpoint and "Familiarity with the methods and techniques of teaching and class managing" in managers' viewpoint. All over, the difference between two groups was high in needs prioritization. Conclusion Although the trainers and educational managers of Red Crescent Society have serious differences in needs prioritization, but both groups recognize "holding retraing courses and providing the latest cases of teaching first aid during the year" the most and "Familiarity with bone and joint injuries" the least needs in educational field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drugs of abuse such as nicotine and morphine produce their effects through the stimulation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-test injection of nicotine on morphine state-dependent learning as well as the effect of intra-nucleus accumbens (NAc) administration of D1 receptor antagonist on nicotine's effects in morphine state-dependent learning model. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 200 male rats. Rats were anesthetized with intra-peritoneal injection of ketamine hydrochloride plus xylazine and then placed in a stereotaxic frame. Two stainless-steel cannuale were placed in the NAc shell. The behavioral testing was started using an inhibitory avoidance task and afterwards the stepthrough latency of entering into the dark compartment was measured as a criterion for the assessment of memory. Results: Post-training injection of morphine induced amnesia. The post-training morphine-induced amnesia was restored by pre-test administration of the same doses of morphine and also nicotine. Moreover, the pre-test intra-NAc injection of SCH23390 prevented the nicotine reversal of morphine effect on memory. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the dopamine D1 receptor of the NAc may play an important role in improving the effect of nicotine on morphine-induced amnesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cannabinoids exert widespread effects on cognitive functions. An overlappeddistribution of GABA receptors and cannabinoid receptors has been reported in some brainstructures (e.g. dorsal hippocampus). Thus, the present study was undertaken to examine the possible role of the dorsal hippocampus GABAA receptors on ACPA induced amnesia and ACPA state-dependent memory. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 250 adult male NMRI mice. Muscimol and ACPA were used as agonists of GABAA and the cannabinoid CB1 receptors, respectively. Mice were anaesthetized and cannulae were implanted bilaterally into the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus. Seven days after post-surgery recovery, the behavioral testing was performed using an inhibitory avoidance task and the step-down latency of the animals was used to assess memory retention. Results: Post-training administration of ACPA (3ng/mouse) impaired the memory retrieval. The memory impairment induced by ACPA was fully reversed by pre-test administration of ACPA or muscimol. Conclusion: The results suggest that the GABAA receptors of the dorsal hippocampal may play an important role in ACPA-induced amnesia and ACPA state-dependent memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Considering the important effect of histamine and nitric oxide on anxiety behavior in dorsal hippocampus, the present study was designed to evaluate the role of nitric oxide system in histamine induced anxiety behavior. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was performed on 140 male NMRI mice. Mice were anaesthetized and two cannulas were inserted into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. After a one-week recovery, the effect of histamine on anxiety behavior in dorsal hippocampus and the effect of L-arginine and L-NAME on histamine induced anxiety behavior were investigated during three tests. The elevated plus maze test was used to test anxiety-like behaviors. One-way variance analysis followed by LSD test were used for analysis of the data using SPSS 17 software. Results: Intra-CA1 injection of histamine (9μg/mouse) induced anxiety. Intra-CA1 injection of L-arginine (0.1 and 0.5μg/mouse) 2min after of effective dose of histamine inhibited the anxiogenic effects of histamine but intra-CA1 injection of L-NAME (5, 10 and 50ng/mouse) had no effect on histamine response. Conclusion: These results show that there are complex interactions between histamine and nitric oxide system that affect anxiety behaviors in the CA1 region of dorsal hippocampus. Activation of nitric oxide system inhibits the anxiogenic response of histamine in the dorsal hippocampus but inhibition of nitric oxide in this site has no effect on histamine response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Histaminergic and dopaminergic systems influence anxiety-related behavior. Furthermore, interaction between histaminergic and dopaminergic receptors has been demonstrated in the modulation of some behaviors in the hippocampus. In the present study, the interaction between histaminergic and dopaminergic receptors of dorsal hippocampus in the anxiety-related behavior has been evaluated. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 140 male NMRI mice. Mice were anesthetized with intra-peritoneal injection of ketamine hydrochloride plus xylazine and then placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Two cannuales were placed in the CA1 region of hippocampus. All animals were allowed to recover for one week before the beginning of the behavioral testing. The elevated plus-maze test was used to evaluate anxiety-related behaviors. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by LSD test were done for the statistical analysis of the data. All experiments were conducted in accordance with institutional guidelines for animal care and use. Results: Intra-CA1 injection of histamine (10 µg/mouse) or apomorphine (0.1 and 0.3 µg/mouse) 5 min before testing induced anxiety. Intra-CA1 injection of apomorphine (0.01 and 0.1 µg/mouse) 2 min before the effective dose of histamine (10 µg/mouse) inhibited the anxiogenic effects of histamine. Conclusion: It seems that both histaminergic and dopaminergic system not only play a role in the modulation of anxiety in the dorsal hippocampus of mice but also demonstrate a complex interaction as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to obtain quantitative evidence of pore-scale immiscible fluid distribution in oil-wet and water-wet porous media using X-ray computed microtomography. Temporal and spatial saturation profiles, as well as surface and interfacial areas, are thoroughly analyzed through cycles of drainage and imbibition using samples with different wetting characteristics but similar pore structures. The population of individual immiscible fluid structures ('blobs') was also evaluated. The specific nonwetting phase surface areas of both porous media are found to be in close correlation with the specific solid surface area. On the other hand, the differing wetting strengths of the two porous media affect the curvature of the fluid-fluid interface and thus the specific meniscus interfacial area of the two porous media. Although the magnitude of the specific meniscus interfacial areas is different, they both trend toward a maximum at wetting phase saturations of 0.35-0.55. The differences in wetting characteristics are also apparent in the blob populations. The number of blobs in the oil-wet porous media is three times greater than that of the water-wet porous media at similar saturations; the increase in population is a result of the increase in the amount of smaller blobs inhabiting the smaller pore spaces. The surface areas of individual blobs as a function of the individual blob volumes are found to closely agree with the specific surface area of a sphere at blob volumes below the minimum individual grain volume and with the specific pore space surface area above this volume. These results show how wettability and saturation history influence the distribution of immiscible fluids within the pore space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Studies have revealed the effect of nitric oxide on different types of memory and learning and also the interaction between the nicotinic system and opioids. In the present study, the effect of pre-test injection of nicotine on morphine state dependent learning and the effect of intra-NA administration of the nitric oxide on nicotine's effects in morphine statedependent learning were investigated. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was performed on 230 Wistar rats. Rats were anesthetized and then placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Two cannulas were placed 2 mm above nucleus accumbens hell. A one week gap was considered before beginning of behavioral test. Animals were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task. The drugs were injected after training. The step-through latency was considered as the criterion for the assessment of memory. Data was analyzed by one and two-way variance analysis and Tukey's test using SPSS17. Results: Post-training injection of morphine induced amnesia (p<0.001) and the amnesia restored with pre-test administration of same doses of morphine. Pre-test injection of nicotine had no effect on inhibitory avoidance memory retrieval, but restored the amnesia. Co-administration of ineffective dose of morphine with different doses of nicotine synergically restored morphine amnesia. Pre-test injection of L-arginine that had no effect (p>0.05) prevented the nicotine reversal effect on memory. Conclusion: Nicotinic acetylcholine and nitric oxide system may be involved in morphine state dependent learning. In addition, L-arginine can inhibit the improving effect of nicotine on morphine-induced amnesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: β-carboline alkaloids, such as harmane, are found in common plant-derived foodstuffs and plant-derived inhalation components of tobacco. In the present study, the involvement of dorsal hippocampus nicotinic receptor in the harmane effects on anxiety behavior has been evaluated. Materials and Methods: Mice were anesthetized with an intra-peritoneal injection of ketamine hydrochloride plus xylazine and then placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Cannual were bilaterally implanted in the CA1 region of hippocampus. All animals were allowed to recover for 1 week before the beginning of the behavioral testing. The hole-board test was used to evaluate the anxiety-like behaviors. One-way analys was of variance so that Dunnett's test was used to analyse data. All experiments were performed in accordance with institutional guidelines for animal care and use. Results: Intraperitoneal injection of harmane decreased the number of head dip and locomotion (P<0.001). While bilateral intra-dorsal hippocampal injections of nicotine decreased the number of head dip (P<0.01), it had no effect on locomotor activity. Furthermore, intra-dorsal hippocampal injection of mecamylamine (nicotinic receptor antagonist) in the presence and absence of harmane had no effect on anxiety behavior and locomotion (P>0.05). Conclusion: harmane and nicotine not only display anxiogenic effects but also demonstrate a complex interaction. The findings also indicated that harmane induces anxiety via nonnicotinic receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor seed germination is a common phenomenon at suboptimal temperatures. Several priming treatments have been reported to enhance germination percentage under low-temperature sowings in various crop seeds. In this study, seed priming was carried out with KNO3, K2HPO4, and NaCl in concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% w/v and subsequent germination at incubation temperatures of 15 and 25°C on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Super dominos) seed using a completely randomized design with three replications. Results indicated interaction between priming solution material, priming solution concentration, and incubation temperature affecting germination percentage, seedling fresh and dry weights, and seedling root volume. Priming did not benefit germination at 25°C. Priming with K2HPO4 at 15°C had little beneficial effect at higher solution concentrations and was generally less than all other materials at 15°C. When the priming material was KNO3, the control had seedling fresh weight values lower than the 1% and 5% concentrations. At 15°C, over all priming materials, seedling fresh weight, dry weight, and root volume were better than for controls. For K2HPO4 and KNO3 there were no differences in seedling dry weight between temperatures. For all priming materials seedling dry weight was lower at 15°C than at 25°C. It is recommended that KNO3 and NaCl be used as suitable priming material to enhance cucumber seed germination at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a considerable effort has been made to determine the precise displacement criteria for three-fluid configurations in pores of angular cross section. These configurations may contain thick conducting fluid layers, such as oil layers residing between gas in the center and water in the corners of the pore. For pores of uniform, but arbitrary, wettability and in the absence of contact angle hysteresis, a precise thermodynamic criterion for the existence of such layers has been established. In this paper we derive similar criteria for layers in pores of nonuniform wettability, where additional and more complicated layer configurations arise. The criteria for formation and removal of layers are consistent with the capillary entry conditions for the accompanying three-phase bulk displacements, which is essential for accurate pore-scale modeling of three-phase flow. We consider the particular case of three-phase gas invasion in a star-shaped pore with a specific choice of interfacial tensions and contact angles. For this case all possible fluid configurations arise, but only if the water-wet surface in the pore corners is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]