Search

A structure for refractive index sensing application in THz band is proposed and analyzed in this paper. This structure is comprised of a golden plasmonic metamaterial absorber in which water is used as a dielectric and a thin TOPAS layer-which does not have a significant effect on the performance of the sensor- is used for the separation of analyte and water. This structure has an absorption of 99.2% at resonance frequency of 2.8725 THz. Lateral absorption frequency shift occurs due to variation in the refractive index (RI) of the analyte. This structure can be used for refractive index measurement in the range of 1-1.4 with full-width half maximum (FWHM), sensitivity (S), the figure of merit (FoM), and quality factor (Q-factor) in the ranges of 0.01647 THz, 427-644 GHz per refractive index unit (RIU), 6.3-26.5 and 26.23-175.5, respectively. It is worth mentioning that for a limited refractive index range of 1.1 to 1.15, the values of FWHM, Q-factor, and FoM enhance to 0.0053327 THz, 516, and 90, respectively. The simplicity, compactness, and ease of fabrication due to the use of water as a dielectric along with appropriate refractive index sensitivity and FoM help this structure to be used in biological, medical, and environment sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel metamaterial absorber sensor has been proposed for refractive index measurement in the range of [1-2] for the THz frequency band. This structure is based on using a plasmonic coaxial resonator which is excited by an InSb cylinder. Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) are excited on the surface of the InSb cylinder due to an inward plane wave and propagate downward toward the cavity and through it. Based on the radius and height of the InSb cylinder, the “high-absorption” and “highquality factor” sensing performance is introduced and analyzed. It is shown that nearly 98% absorption can be achieved for all the range of refractive index [1-2] at 1.8622 THz and in the case of “high-quality factor”, absorption reaches nearly 100% for the refractive index range of [1.5-2]. Also, by changing the radius and height of the cavity, absorption can be changed. Furthermore, sensitivity, quality factor, and figure of merit in the range of 166-672 GHz per refractive index unit (GHz/RIU), 69.1-118.7 and 10.2-29.7 is achievable, respectively. A wide range of refractive index measurements besides superior sensing performance made this structure a good candidate for sensing applications such as medical and biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates, the elimination of methylene blue (MB) by adsorption on Black Titania (B-TiO2) in an aqueous solution in the dark room is investigated. Preparation of B-TiO2 was carried out via the reduction of white TiO2 by NaBH4 in a tube furnace under an inert gas atmosphere at 600°C. Characterization of the absorbent was carried out by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM mapping, photoluminescence, EDX analysis, Zeta potential, DLS, and FT-IR. The maximum adsorption capacity of B-TiO2 was found to be 88.65 mg g−1. The rate-limiting step was the intra-particle diffusion stage. The maximum adsorption was observed under the conditions: 26 mg of the B-TiO2 at pH 6 and MB concentration of 10 mg L−1. It was demonstrated that B-TiO2 might be recycled six times with very good adsorption results while keeping its high removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somayeh Kalanaky,1,2 Maryam Hafizi,1–3 Saideh Fakharzadeh,1 Mohammad Vasei,4 Ladan Langroudi,5 Ehsan Janzamin,6 Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi,7 Maryam Khayamzadeh,2 Masoud Soleimani,6 Mohammad Esmaeil Akbari,2 Mohammad Hassan Nazaran1 1Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran; 2Cancer Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 3Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Pathology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 5Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 6Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 7Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Purpose: In spite of all the efforts and researches on anticancer therapeutics, an absolute treatment is still a myth. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize novel technologies in order to synthesize smart multifunctional structures. In this study, for the first time, we have evaluated the anticancer effects of BCc1 nanocomplex by vitro and in vivo studies, which is designed based on the novel nanochelating technology.Methods: Human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and mouse embryonic fibroblasts were used for the in vitro study. Antioxidant potential, cell toxicity, apoptosis induction, and CD44 and CD24 protein expression were evaluated after treatment of cells with different concentrations of BCc1 nanocomplex. For the in vivo study, mammary tumor-bearing female Balb/c mice were treated with different doses of BCc1 and their effects on tumor growth rate and survival were evaluated.Results: BCc1 decreased CD44 protein expression and increased CD24 protein expression. It induced MCF-7 cell apoptosis but at the same concentrations did not have negative effects on mouse embryonic fibroblasts viability and protected them against oxidative stress. Treatment with nanocomplex increased survival and reduced the tumor size growth in breast cancer-bearing balb/c mice.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that BCc1 has the capacity to be assessed as a new anticancer agent in complementary studies. Keywords: BCc1, cancer, nanotechnology, nanochelating technology, nanocomplex

Background and Objective: Stem cells are a suitable treatment method for improvement of central nervous system diseases. Neuron regeneration is occure in damaged region using stem cell transplantation. This study was done to determine the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on memory and neuronal cells graft number in the trimethyltin chloride damaged hippocampus. Methods: In this experimental study, 28 wistar male rats were allocated into four groups including control, model, Vehicle and treatment groups. Animals were received 8 mg/kg/bw of neurotoxin trimethyltin chloride by the intraperitoneal injection for causing damaged in hippocampus. One week after intraperitoneal injection of trimethyltin chloride, stem cells was injected by stereotaxy method. Six weeks after stem cells injection, the spatial memory was assessed by Morris water maze and histological studies were done by Nissl staining and normal cells count by Olysia bio report software. Results: After bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells graft, the number of normal cells were more in the treatment group (74±15.190) in compared to the Vehicle (44.67±12.971) and Model (48.56±18.105) groups (P

Background and Objective: Reduction in cerebral blood flow following cereblal ischemia cause the production of oxygen free radicals and finally leads to brain tissue destruction. Pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of hippocampus are highly sensitive to hypoxic condition. This study was done to determine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and vitamine E on cellular density of CA1 hippocampal area, learning ability and memory, following ischemia - reperfusion injury in mice. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 male mice in 5 groups as follow: sham control, ischemia, hCG treated, vitamine E treated and hCG + vitamine E treated groups. Single dose of vitamin E was injected intraperitonaly during the establishment of reperfusion and hCG was injected from 48h after ischemia for 5 days. Folowing the treatment period, mice brains were fixated by transcardial perfusion and stained by nissle method. The shuttle box was used to evaluate the learning memory. Results: Co-administartion of vitamine E and hCG, significantly increased the cell numbers in hippocampus compared to the ischemic group (P

Background and Objective: The first effect of stress on the immune system is usually a rapid increase in function which manifests itself by an increase in the number of inflammatory cytokines in blood. It is however, followed by a decrease of function in immunological response. During inflammation, the expression of hepcidin gene is increased in order to keep iron away from pathogens. This study was conducted to determine the effect of chronic mild stress on the expression of hepcidin gene in the hippocampus of the male adult rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 30 adult male Wistar rats, weighing approximately 200-250 grams. They were randomly allocated into two groups of 15 rats: control and chronic mild stress group. Animals in intervention group were exposed to chronic mild stress for 3 weeks. At the end of the stress protocol, 2 ml blood sample was collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-6. Real time PCR method was used to investigate hepcidin expression in hippocampus. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and independent t-test. Results: The mean level of IL-6 was significantly higher in the CMS exposure group (27.98±0.84 pg/ml) than control group (18.29±1.18 pg/ml) (P

Knowledge of transport and degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is important in assessing PAH contamination of soils and water resources. The transport of naphthalene, anthracene, pyrene and phenanthrene was determined in a contaminated calcareous soil obtained from the Shadegan wetland (Khozestan, Iran) considering a column study in laboratory conditions. The PAHs were added to the top 5 cm of soils at 75 and 150 mg kg-1 and leachates were collected for 10 pore volumes. PAH concentrations in the leachate fractions and soils (0-5, 5-10, 10-15 and 15-20 cm depths) were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography. Results showed that naphthalene had the most mobility among the PAHs, and differences among the mobility of selected PAHs were related to their water solubility and structure. Mass balance demonstrated that among the selected PAHs, anthracene and naphthalene were the most and the least recalcitrant compounds, respectively. Hence, naphthalene could have the greatest potential to contaminate surface and ground waters which should be considered apparently.

Background and Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common in psychology and Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) is one of the most frequently prescribed pediatric medicine. This study was done to determine the effect of Methylphenidate hydrochloride on ovarian and pituitary gonadotropin hormone in peripubertal mice Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 preipubertal female mice (BALB/c) with three weeks age and approximate 12-15 gram. The mice were allocated randomly in one control and three experimental groups, designated as I, II and III. Animals in group I, II and III were received by gavage Methylphenidate hydrochloride with 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight for six days, respectively. At the end of experiment body weight, serum estrogen, progesterone and pituitary gonadotropins were measured. Morphometric and histopathological evaluation of ovary were examined. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The body weight and ovary dimensions of animals in experimental groups were reduced significantly in comparison with control (P

Background and Objective: Brain ischemia is one of the most important factor of morbidity and mortality and leaving many people with mental and physical disabilities. Until now there are no appropriate medications to prevent and cure ischemic injury. This study was done to evaluate the protective effect of Adenosine A1 receptor and ascorbic acid on hippocampal neuronal density and memory disorder in ischemia reperfusion induced Rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on the hippocampus pyramidal neurons on 56 male BALB/c mice. Animals randmly allocated into 8 groups (N=7) including: 1) intact, 2) ischemic control group, 3) ischemic, plus agonist and adenosine of A1 receptor, 4) ascorbic acid (100 mg/daily), 5) ischemic plus agonist adenosine receptor (1 mg/1 kg) one week after ischemia, 6) ischemia, ascorbic acid befor and after ischemia and A1 receptor (1 mg/1 kg) agonist after ischemia, 7) A1 receptor, antagonist (2.25 / 1 kg), one weed after ischemia, 8) Ascorbic acid (100 mg/1kg) before and after ischemia plus A1 receptor antagonist (2.25 / 1 kg) after ischemia. Ischemia induced by clamping of common carotid artery and the drugs was injected subsequently into peritoneum after reduction of inflammation of ischemic zone. The Y-maze memory test performed after completing the treatment period, afterward brains fixed and prepared for microscopic nissl staining method. The counting of pyramidal cells were performed at 53500 square micrometer of CA1. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15 and ANOVA test. Results: The Y-maze test showed extensive deficit in short-term memory in ischemic group (PA=200) but in treatment groups this deficit significantly reduced (PA=243, 248 and 265). The normal neuronal cell in ischemic group was significantly lowered (n=87) than treatment groups (n=111, 105 and 125) including ascorbic acid group (125), adenosine receptor agonist (105) and ascorbic acid plus agonist adenosine receptor (111). The number of normal neuronal cell in ischemic groups significantly is reduced compared to treatment group (P

Background and Objective: Ischemia-reperfusion invoke cell death in hippocampus. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) of dentyte jyrus neurons and pyramidal cells of CA1 subfiled of hippocampus following ischemia-reperfusion in rat models. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300gr. Animals were divided in four groups: control (n=7), sham (n=7), ischemia (n=14) and treatment (n=14). Sham group was just under surgical stress. In ischemia and treatment groups after induction of ischemia-reperfiusion by obstruction of carotid arteries blocked for 30 minutes, reperfusion PBS (phosphate buffer salin) and subsequently TGF-alpha (50 ng) were injected stereotaxicaly in lateral ventricle, respectively. In 12 and 72 days after treatment the brains were fixated by transcardial perfusion and stained by immunohistochemestry and nissle methods. Furthermore, morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning memory. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and ANOVA test. Results: Injection of TGF-alpha increased the cell number in hippocampus of treatment group compared to ischemic group. TGF-alpha increased expression of neuron in dentyte jyrus of treatment group in comparison with ischemic group (P

Background: Bone Marrow Transplantations (BMT) are limited by low CD34+ cell counts in umbilical cord blood (UCB) and these cells need to be expanded for success in such procedures. To achieve this goal, ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by enhancing their self-renewal activity on demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffold coated with mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) and unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) was recommended. TGF-b pathway is a key inhibitory factor for HSCs self-renewal. In this study ex vivo expansion and downregulation of TGF-b pathway were simultaneously performed. Methods: USSC cells were isolated from UCB and then coated on DBM scaffold as a feeder layer. UCB CD34+ cells were isolated from UCB by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) method and were transfected by siRNA against TGFbR2 in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures by co-cultivation with USSC. TGFbR2 expression levels were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell count and flow cytometry were performed and clonogenic activity was evaluated. Results: Ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells was significantly enhanced (41±0.7 folds) by TGFbR2 downregulation, especially in 2D than 3D cultures. Finally, 2D culture showed less TGFbR2 expression levels and higher increase in the percentage of CD34 markers by flow cytometry assay. Conclusion: The 3D siRNA delivery system would be of lower efficiency in contrast to 2D settings where the cells have less freedom and are in more contact with the feeder layer.

Seyed Ali Tabatabaei1, Mohammad Soleimani2, Mahdi Alizadeh1, Morteza Movasat1, Mohammad Reza Mansoori1, Zakieh Alami1, Alireza Foroutan2, Mahmood Joshaghani2, Saeid Safari2, Arzhang Goldiz21Farabi Eye Research Centre, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 2Iran Eye Research Centre, Rassul Akram Hospital, Tehran, IranBackground: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of flash visual-evoked potentials (VEP), relative afferent pupillary defect, and presence of orbital fractures in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy.Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 15 patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy. All patients underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination. Initial visual acuity, final visual acuity, and relative afferent pupillary defect were determined, and visual acuity was converted into logMAR units. We performed flash VEP and an orbital computed tomography scan in all patients.Results: There was a good correlation between relative afferent pupillary defect and final visual acuity (r = −0.83), and better initial visual acuity could predict better final visual acuity (r = 0.92). According to findings from flash VEP parameters, there was a relationship between final visual acuity and amplitude ratio of the wave (r = 0.59) and latency ratio of the wave (r = −0.61). Neither primary visual acuity nor final visual acuity was related to the presence of orbital fractures in the orbital CT scan.Conclusion: Patients with traumatic optic neuropathy often present with severe vision loss. Flash VEP, poor initial visual acuity, and higher grade of relative afferent pupillary defect could predict final visual acuity in these patients. Presence of orbital fracture was not a predictive factor for primary visual acuity or final visual acuity.Keywords: visual acuity, flash VEP, RAPD, orbital fracture, CT scan

Haleh Bakhshandeh1, Masoud Soleimani2, Saied Shah Hosseini3, Hassan Hashemi3, Iman Shabani4, Abbas Shafiee5, Amir Houshang Behesht Nejad6, Mohammad Erfan1, Rassoul Dinarvand7, Fatemeh Atyabi71Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shaheed Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran; 2Hematology Department, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 3Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran; 4Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Department, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran; 5Stem Cell Biology Department, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran; 6Ophthalmology Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 7Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAbstract: The study aimed to fabricate and characterize a 2-part artificial cornea as a substitute for penetrating keratoplasty in patients with corneal blindness. The peripheral part of the artificial cornea consisted of plasma-treated electrospun poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers, which were attached to a hydrogel disc of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a central optical part. The physical properties of the prepared artificial cornea, including morphology, mechanical properties, light transmittance, and contact angle, were assessed. Cell attachment and proliferation studies were performed on rabbit limbal stem cells. The SEM image of the polymeric system showed that the peripheral part formed a highly porous scaffold that could facilitate tissue biointegration. Assessment of the mechanical properties of the peripheral nanofibrous part and the hydrogel optical part showed suitable elasticity. Young’s modulus values of the electrospun PCL skirt and PVA hydrogel core were 7.5 and 5.3 MPa, respectively, which is in line with the elasticity range of natural human cornea (0.3–7 MPa). The light transmittance of the central part was >85% when measured in the 400–800 nm wavelength range. The plasma-treated PCL nanofibrous scaffold promoted limbal stem cell adhesion and proliferation within 10 days. These results confirmed that the polymeric artificial cornea showed suitable physical properties and good biocompatibility and epithelialization ability.Keywords: two part artificial cornea, nanofibers, electrospun, poly (ε-caprolactone), polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, limbal stem cells

"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Patients with chronic renal disease, if not treated appropriately, will be usually terminated into an irreversible stage known as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), the final stage of kidney disease. End stage renal disease patients cannot excrete the appropriately potassium ion through the kidney. Among the crystalloid solutions, normal saline is devoid of potassium; so it is used in a widespread manner in renal transplant patients. High doses of this solution may cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis that is accompanied by extracellular potassium shift and impaired splanchnic perfusion. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of two types of solutions, normal saline vs. lactated ringer in these patients during the perioperative period. "n"nMethods: In a double blind clinical trial, 108 patients were randomly assigned in two groups (54 in each), while were assimilated regarding all aspects except for the type of the crystalloid solution. Age, weight, duration of the surgery, total volume of the infused crystalloid, central venous pressure and sex were all assessed."n"nResults: The two groups were the same regarding the results gained for pre- and post-operative parameters. Follow up assessments did not show any difference between the two groups regarding above variables."n"nConclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that both of the crystalloid solutions assessed, normal saline and lactated ringer solution, are safe for using in patients undergoing surgical operation and there is not a risk of hyperkalemia in renal transplant patients receiving lactated ringer. This study was performed on live kidney transplants and the results were not applicable to cadaver transplants.