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Initiation of spermatogenesis in primates is triggered at puberty by an increase in gonadotropins; i.e., follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Prior to puberty, testis of the monkey contains only undifferentiated germ cells. However, sermatogonial differentiation and spermatogenesis may be initiated prior to puberty after stimulation with exogenous LH and FSH. Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is considered to be a major component that drives spermatogonial differentiation. We were interested in evaluating the relative role of LH and FSH, either alone or in combination, in regulating the retinoic acid signaling in monkey testis. Sixteen juvenile male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were infused with intermittent recombinant single chain human LH (schLH) or recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) or a combination of both for 11 days. We then analyzed the expression of the several putative RA signaling pathway related genes; i.e. RDH10, RDH11, ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, CYP26B1, CRABP1, CRABP2, STRA6, STRA8 in the testis after 11 days of stimulation with vehicle, LH, FSH and combination LH/FSH using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The qPCR results analysis showed that administration of gonadotropins affected a significant change in expression of some RA signaling related genes in the monkey testis. The gonadotropins, either alone or in combination dramatically increased expression of CRABP2 (p≤0.001), whereas there was a decrease in ALDH1A2 expression (p≤0.001). Moreover, combined gonadotropin treatment led to the significant decrease in CRABP1 expression (p≤0.05). These findings are the first evidence that the activity of retinoic acid signaling in the monkey testis is regulated through gonadotropins (LH/FSH) levels.

Objective: The present meta-analysis was designed to assess the effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of the literature in Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar until May 2018. The pooled Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) and its 95% Confidence Interval (CI) in baseline and at the end of the trial were calculated to assess the net change in serum CRP by using random-effects model. The heterogeneity was assessed by I2 test. Combined and stratified analyses were used in the metaanalysis., Results: From 306 articles found and screened in our initial search, 12 studies were included with 446 participants in supplementation groups and 447 in control groups. The pooled effect size analysis showed a significant reducing effect of vitamin C supplementation on circulating CRP level (-0.23 mg/L, 95% CI, -0.44, -0.03, p=0.02), with a significant heterogeneity effect across the studies involved. Subgroup analyses showed that vitamin C supplementation significantly lowered CRP among trials. The most significant effect was found 1) on hs- CRP as the representative inflammatory marker (-0.43 mg/L, 95% CI -0.76, -0.1) 2) in subjects with a baseline CRP≥3 (-1.48 mg/L, 95% CI -2.84, -0.11) 3) in subjects under <60 years old of age (-0.23 mg/L, 95% CI -0.44,- 0.01) 4) or using intravenous administration of vitamin C (-0.89 mg/L, 95% CI -1.49,-0.3)., Conclusion: The present meta-analysis shows that vitamin C supplementation reduces serum CRP level, particularly in younger subjects, with higher CRP baseline level, at a lower dosage and intravenous administration., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)., Subjects and Methods: Three hundred thirty-two patients (236 males and 96 females) with suspected NASH from the Amol cohort study were included in this study. MetS was diagnosed based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and HRQOL was measured using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire (with 8 subscales and 2 summary components). A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the independent effect of MetS on HRQOL., Results: The mean age of the study population was 42 ± 13 years (range 18-82). The prevalence of MetS was 43.4% (n = 144) and the mean scores on the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary were 72.4 ± 20.86 and 42.7 ± 12.42, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model showed that MetS was negatively associated with 4 subscales of HRQOL that included: role limitations due to physical problems (RP) (B = -14.05, p = 0.004), bodily pain (BP) (B = -7.37, p = 0.02), vitality (VT) (B = -7.72, p = 0.022), and role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) (B = -12.67, p = 0.005) after adjustment for other variables. Also, MetS had a borderline association with the general health and mental health subscales and the PCS (p < 0.1)., Conclusion: In this study, there was a strong association between MetS and 4 subscales (RP, BP, VT, and RE) of HRQOL in patients with suspected NASH; this could be considered as a part of health policy to improve general health., (© 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: During the course of disease, particularly of chronic diseases, changes in internal standards cause certain changes in the estimation of quality of life (QOL). These changes indicate the phenomenon of 'response shift'. The present study aimed at assessing response shift in different scales of QOL in Iranian cancer patients. Methods: To assess response shift through the 'then test' approach, we asked 211 cancer patients to complete the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire at pretest (at the beginning of the study), posttest (3 months later), and then test (administered immediately after the posttest). Paired t test and Cohen's effect size were used for comparison. Results: Response shift was significant in all 4 scales under study, i.e. fatigue, pain, emotional functioning, and general QOL (p<0.001). Fatigue, pain, and global QOL have deteriorated significantly with then test approach and emotional function was significantly improved. Conclusion: We observed a response shift in Iranian cancer patients in our study. Thus, in light of the multifactorial nature of QOL and the effect of the response shift bias on different aspects of QOL changes, it is of utmost importance to keep this bias in mind when interpreting the results and managing cancer patients' treatment regimens.

Purpose: To investigate biomechanical and ultrastructural corneal parameters and ocular biometrics in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) as compared to unaffected fellow eyes and age-matched healthy controls., Methods: A total of 12 patients with treated unilateral PCG and 10 normal subjects were evaluated. LENSTAR was performed to determine biometric parameters; the ocular response analyser was employed to determine biomechanical properties and slit-scanning confocal microscopy was used for evaluation of corneal ultrastucture., Results: Axial length was significantly higher and mean keratometry in affected eyes was significantly flatter in affected eyes as compared to fellow eyes and normal controls (p < 0.05), and a negative correlation was present between axial length and mean keratometry (p < 0.05). Mean aqueous depth and anterior chamber depth were increased in affected eyes as compared to fellow eyes and normal controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in central corneal thickness (CCT) among affected eyes, fellow eyes and normal controls. Corneal hysteresis (CH) was significantly reduced in affected eyes (p < 0.05) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) was also reduced in the affected eyes as compared to fellow eyes and normal controls, although not statistically significant. Mean endothelial cell density was reduced in the affected eyes compared to fellow eyes and normal controls (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Corneal biometrics, biomechanical parameters and ultrastructural features are altered in eyes affected with PCG despite clinically normal and clear corneas. These findings should be considered in the preoperative assessment of intraocular or corneal surgery in these patients., (© 2017 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Myelination, the insulating ensheathment of axons by oligodendrocytes, is thought to both optimize signal propagation and provide metabolic support. Despite the well-established physiological importance of myelination to neuronal function, relatively little is known about the myelination of GABAergic interneurons in the cerebral cortex. Here, we report that a large fraction of myelin in mouse cerebral cortex ensheaths GABAergic interneurons, reaching up to 80% in hippocampal subregions. Moreover, we find that a very high proportion of neocortical and hippocampal parvalbumin (PV) interneurons exhibit axonal myelination. Using a combination of intracellular recordings and biocytin labeling of ex vivo human neocortex, we also confirm that axons of fast-spiking PV interneurons are extensively myelinated in the human brain. PV interneuron myelination in both mice and humans exhibits a stereotyped topography with a bias towards proximal axonal segments and relatively short internodes (~27 μm) interspersed with branch points. Interestingly, myelin-deficient Shiverer mice exhibit an increased density and more proximal location of en passant boutons, suggesting that myelination might function in part to regulate synapse formation along PV interneuron axons. Taken together, fast-spiking interneuron myelination is likely to have broad implications for cerebral cortex function in health and disease., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Background. Unstimulated salivary flow rate can be influenced by different factors. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of stress, anxiety and depression on unstimulated salivary flow rate in adults. Methods. A total of 247 adult subjects, randomly selected from patients referring to Zanjan Dental School, were included in this investigation. The study procedures consisted of collecting salivary samples (in 5 minutes), completing a form for feeling of xerostomia and completing Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) Questionnaire to assess the severity of stress, anxiety and depression. Based on the results, the patients were categorized in four groups: Low salivary flow rate plus xerostomia (group 1, n=60), normal salivary flow rate plus xerostomia (group 2, n=59), low salivary flow rate without xerostomia (group 3, n=60) and normal salivary flow rate without xerostomia (control group, n=68). Results. The frequencies of subjects with severe and major depression in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 31.4%, 11.7% and 8.5%, respectively, with 4.4% in the control group. The frequencies of subjects with severe stress in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 21.7%, 3.3% and 11.9%, respectively, with 1.5% in the control group. The frequencies of patients with severe anxiety in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 50%, 30% and 61.1%, respectively, with 4.4% in the control group. Stress, anxiety and depression exhibited a statistically significant relationship with unstimulated salivary flow rate and xerostomia (P<0.05). Conclusion. Stress, anxiety and depression can influence unstimulated salivary flow rate and lead to xerostomia.

Abstract : Evidence suggests that reduced intake of fruit and vegetables may play a critical role in the development of asthma and allergies. The present review aimed to summarize the evidence for the association between fruit and vegetable intake, risk of asthma/wheeze and immune responses. Databases including PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched up to June 2016. Studies that investigated the effects of fruit and vegetable intake on risk of asthma/wheeze and immune responses were considered eligible ( n = 58). Studies used cross-sectional ( n = 30), cohort ( n = 13), case-control ( n = 8) and experimental ( n = 7) designs. Most of the studies ( n = 30) reported beneficial associations of fruit and vegetable consumption with risk of asthma and/or respiratory function, while eight studies found no significant relationship. Some studies ( n = 20) reported mixed results, as they found a negative association between fruit only or vegetable only, and asthma. In addition, the meta-analyses in both adults and children showed inverse associations between fruit intake and risk of prevalent wheeze and asthma severity ( p < 0.05). Likewise, vegetable intake was negatively associated with risk of prevalent asthma ( p < 0.05). Seven studies examined immune responses in relation to fruit and vegetable intake in asthma, with n = 6 showing a protective effect against either systemic or airway inflammation. Fruit and vegetable consumption appears to be protective against asthma.

Background: Recent understanding that specific algae have high hydrocarbon production potential has attracted considerable attention. Botryococcus braunii is a microalga with an extracellular hydrocarbon matrix, which makes it an appropriate green energy source., Results: This study focuses on extracting oil from the microalgae matrix rather than the cells, eliminating the need for an excessive electric field to create electro-permeabilization. In such a way, technical limitations due to high extraction energy and cost can be overcome. Here, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) with 80 ns duration and 20-65 kV/cm electric fields were applied. To understand the extraction mechanism, the structure of the algae was accurately studied under fluorescence microscope; extraction was quantified using image analysis; quality of extraction was examined by thin-layer chromatography (TLC); and the cell/matrix separation was observed real-time under a microscope during nsPEF application. Furthermore, optimization was carried out by screening values of electric fields, pulse repetition frequencies, and energy spent., Conclusions: The results offer a novel method applicable for fast and continues hydrocarbon extraction process at low energy cost.

The global prevalence of obesity has doubled in recent decades. Compelling evidences indicated that obesity was associated with lower concentrations of specific antioxidants which may play a role in the development of obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease. The present review aimed to synthesize the evidence from studies on the association between obesity and antioxidant micronutrients in a systematic manner. Data bases including MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Cochrane were searched from inception to October 2015. Thirty-one articles were reviewed using the MOOSE checklist. Lower concentrations of antioxidants have been reported in obese individuals among age groups worldwide. Circulatory levels of carotenoids, vitamins E and C, as well as zinc, magnesium, and selenium were inversely correlated with obesity and body fat mass. However, studies demonstrated inconsistencies in findings. Lower status of carotenoids, vitamins E and C, zinc, magnesium, and selenium appears to be associated with adiposity. Intervention studies may be needed to establish the causality of these associations.

The medicinal plant Hyoscyamus reticulatus L. is a rich source of hyoscyamine and scopolamine, the tropane alkaloids. The use of hairy root cultures has focused significant attention on production of important metabolites such as stable tropane alkaloid production. Elicitation is an effective approach to induce secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. Hairy roots were derived from cotyledon explants inoculated with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and elicited by iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) at different concentrations (0, 450, 900, 1800, and 3600 mg L -1 ) for different exposure times (24, 48, and 72 h). The highest hairy root fresh and dry weights were found in the medium supplemented with 900 mg L -1 FeNPs. Antioxidant enzyme activity was significantly increased in induced hairy roots compared to non-transgenic roots. The highest hyoscyamine and scopolamine production (about fivefold increase over the control) was achieved with 900 and 450 mg L -1 FeNPs at 24 and 48 h of exposure time, respectively. This is the first report of the effect of FeNP elicitor on hairy root cultures of a medicinal plant. We suggest that FeNPs could be an effective elicitor in hairy root cultures in order to increase tropane alkaloid production.

Osteoporosis and fragility fractures have been regarded as important public health concerns. We investigated their possible association with vitamin D receptor (VDR) FOK1 polymorphisms (rs10735810) and dietary parameters such as calcium and vitamin D intake. A total of 264 Iranian obese women (BMI>30 kg/m 2 ) were categorized based on the FOK1 genotype and divided into two groups: group one with the FF genotype (n=184) and the f allele carrier group with the Ff or ff genotype (n=80). The body composition, dietary intake and bone mineral density were assessed for all cases. The frequency of the F and f alleles for FOK1 in the study were 71.5% and 28.5%, respectively. Women with the f allele had a higher BMI (p=0.05), as well as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentration (p=0.05, p=0.01, respectively). Participants with calcium intakes of more than 1,000 mg/d and the ff genotype had a higher L2&#95;L4 Z-score. Moreover, women with vitamin D intakes of less than 600 IU/d and the ff genotype had a higher total T-score and total Z-score. Although women whose dietary intake of vitamin D was higher than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA>600 IU/d) and had the FF genotype had a higher total T-score and total Z-score, as well. Our findings suggest that interactions between FOK1 polymorphisms in Iranian obese women and dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D may play a decisive role in bone mineral density and osteoporosis among these women.

Background: Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) is a noninvasive marker of the extent and severity of subclinical atherosclerosis. Micronutrient intake may affect atherosclerosis and play a major role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)., Objective: The primary aim of this review was to synthesize the evidence regarding the association between carotid IMT and selected micronutrients., Method: The authors searched PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases from inception to June 2016 for selected micronutrients, CVD, carotid IMT, and antioxidants. Thirty-five original studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed following preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines., Results: Although not all studies found consistent results, the weight of the evidence suggests that high intakes and/or circulatory levels of magnesium, as well as vitamin D and the vitamin B group, may be associated with lower carotid IMT or reduced progression of carotid IMT. The majority of studies did not find any significant association between vitamin E and C and carotid IMT. Less evidence was available for associations of retinol, zinc, and iron with carotid IMT., Conclusions: In general, the current evidence concerning micronutrient intake and carotid IMT is largely inconclusive. Pragmatic clinical trials are required to determine whether dietary or supplemental intake of specific micronutrients alters carotid IMT, which is a surrogate measure of cardiovascular risk., (Copyright © 2017 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of combination of meperidine and dexamethasone with that of placebo, meperidine alone, and the combination of ketamine and midazolam in preventing shivering during spinal anesthesia., Design: This is a prospective, placebo-controlled study., Setting: The setting is at an operating room of a university-based teaching hospital., Patients: Two hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II patients undergoing orthopedic and urologic surgery under spinal anesthesia were included., Interventions: Subarachnoid anesthesia was performed by using 15mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Patients were randomly allocated to receive saline (placebo, group C), meperidine 0.4mg/kg (group Me), ketamine 0.25mg/kg plus midazolam 37.5μg/kg (group KMi), and meperidine 0.2mg/kg plus dexamethasone 0.1mg/kg (group MeD). All drugs were given as an intravenous bolus immediately after intrathecal injection., Measurements: During surgery and stay in the recovery room, shivering score, blood pressure, and some other adverse effects were recorded at 5-minute intervals. Axillary and tympanic temperatures were recorded at 15-minute intervals during the perioperative period., Main Results: The incidence of shivering after 30minutes of spinal anesthesia in groups C, Me, KMi, and MeD was 64%, 20%, 20%, and 4%, respectively, which was significantly higher in group C compared with other groups (P<.0001). Regarding adverse effects, there was no significant difference between groups (P≥.2). Axillary temperature significantly increased in the 15th-120th-minute interval in groups Me, KMi, and MeD (P<.0001) and in group MeD was higher than that in other groups. Core temperature decreased in the 15th-120th-minute interval in group MeD, lower than that in other groups (P<.0001)., Conclusions: Prophylactic use of meperidine 0.2mg/kg plus dexamethasone 0.1mg/kg was more effective than meperidine 0.4mg/kg as a sole agent or the combination of ketamine 0.25mg/kg and midazolam 37.5μg/kg in preventing shivering resulting from spinal anesthesia., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The value of computer-aided implant planning using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) for single immediate implants was explored. Eighteen patients requiring extraction of a tooth followed by a single immediate implant were enrolled. Small volume preoperative CBCT scans were used to plan the position of the implant. A taper screwed-type implant was immediately placed into a fresh socket using only the final 1 or 2 drills for osteotomy. Postoperative CBCTs were used for the analysis of actual implant placement positioning. Measurements of the planned and the actual implant position were made with respect to their position relative to the adjacent teeth. Mesio-distal displacements and the facial-lingual deviation of the implant from the planned position were determined. Changes in the angulation of the planned and actual implant position in relation to the clinical crown were also measured. To statistically summarize the results, box plots and 95% CIs for means of paired differences were used. The analysis showed no statistical difference between the planned position and final implant placement position in any measurement. The CBCT scans coupled with the computer-aided implant planning program along with a final 1-to-2 drill protocol may improve the accuracy of single immediate implant placement for taper screwed-type implants.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious public health concern worldwide; however, the pathogenesis of this disease has not been yet cleared. This study aimed to compare diet quality in obese/overweight participants with/without metabolic syndrome with normal weight controls., Methods: This was a comparative study on 147 Iranian adults under treatment at the Endocrinology Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. They were assigned into three groups (normal weight, obese weight with/without MetS) according to the inclusion- exclusion criteria. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the NCEP ATPIII consensus criteria. Healthy Eating Index Data were obtained from the validated FFQ to determine the diet quality index scores, using the Healthy Eating Index-2010., Results: Our findings demonstrated that FBS, TG, SBP, WC and weight were higher among MetS patients compared to the both weight matched and non-weight matched participants, while HDL-c was lowest in this group (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between healthy weight controls and obese/overweight participants with/without MetS in HEI-2010, and 9 of the 12 HEI-2010 components score (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Our study revealed that low diet quality was a risk factor in developing MetS.

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) has recently been considered as one of the necessary elements for success and achievement in medical fields. The present study was conducted in Iran to compare the EI in medical and non-medical students adjusted for the other relevant factors., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2011 to January 2012 on 872 students of medicine, paramedical and non-medical groups in Tehran University and Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran selected by multi-stage weighted cluster sampling. The Farsi version of revised Schutte Emotional Intelligence (FEIS) was used to estimate emotional intelligence., Results: The mean of total EI was equal to 124.9 (SD=8.4) out of 205 and the means for its dimensions were as follows: regulation of emotions 39.3 (SD=5.1), utilization of emotions 26.7 (SD=3.6) and appraisal of emotions 33.5 (SD=5.3). While the paramedical and non-medical students' total EI score was significantly higher than the medical students', in the utilization of emotions dimension, the medical students scored significantly higher than the other two groups., Conclusion: The lower levels of the medical students' total EI score in comparison with paramedical and non-medical students in this study demands the relevant authorities to pay even more attention to the selection and training of medical students.

The study was designed to determine the effect of thirty days of pomegranate extract oral supplementation on plasma inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers as well as serum metabolic profiles, in overweight and obese individuals. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 48 obese and overweight participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1000 mg of pomegranate extract, or a placebo, daily for 30 days. At baseline, and after 30 days of treatment, anthropometric parameters, dietary intake, plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde, interleukin-6 and hyper sensitive-C reactive protein and levels of serum lipids, glucose and insulin were assessed. Thirty days of PE supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in mean serum levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and plasma MDA, IL-6 and hs-CRP. HDL-C significantly increased following the PE versus the PL intervention. Our study suggests that pomegranate extract consumption may reduce complications linked with obesity., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Oral and dental manifestations in diabetic patients can arise due to numerous factors, including elevated salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) levels. This study aimed to evaluate s-IgA concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to investigate the association between s-IgA levels and oral and dental manifestations of T2DM., Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between October 2011 and September 2012 in Kerman, Iran, and included 260 subjects (128 patients with T2DM and 132 healthy controls). Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from all subjects and s-IgA levels were determined using the immunoturbidimetric method. The oral cavities and teeth of T2DM patients were evaluated for oral and dental manifestations., Results: Both diabetic and control subjects with higher concentrations of s-IgA had significantly higher numbers of decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) and periodontal index (PDI) scores (P <0.050). s-IgA levels were significantly higher in subjects with oral candidiasis (P <0.050). Among diabetic patients, significantly higher s-IgA levels were concomitant with xerostomia and denture stomatitis (P ≤0.050). There were no significant differences between s-IgA concentrations and other oral or dental manifestations in either group., Conclusion: Individuals with a greater number of DMFT, a higher PDI score and oral candidiasis had significantly higher s-IgA levels. s-IgA levels were not significantly higher among diabetic patients in comparison to the control group. However, significantly higher s-IgA levels occurred with xerostomia and denture stomatitis in diabetic patients. In addition, s-IgA was significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled diabetes compared to those with controlled diabetes.

Overprescription of antibiotics can cause bacterial resistance problems, leading to life-threatening illnesses and public health crises. Clinicians often believe antibiotics can prevent dental implant failure and postoperative complications. In conjunction with implant surgery, antibiotics are therefore routinely prescribed for all cases. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, the effects of antibiotics on the clinical outcomes of immediate implant placement upon replacing a tooth with an apical pathology were examined to compare antibiotics (n = 10) and placebo (n = 10). In each subject, a tooth with a chronic apical lesion was extracted, thoroughly curetted, irrigated, and replaced with single implant with a screw-retained custom provisional abutment/crown. Postoperative pain/discomfort was measured at 1- and 4-week postsurgical follow-up visits using visual analog scales. Facial alveolar bone and soft-tissue changes were measured using pre- and postoperative cone-beam computerized tomography and impressions. We found survival rates of 100% (antibiotics) and 78% (control). However, there was no statistical difference in means for any clinical outcome (t tests with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple testing), except for midfacial soft-tissue changes: 0.43 mm (SD, 0.76) in the antibiotics group and 1.70 mm (SD, 1.06) in the placebo group (t15 = -2.89, P = .011). The average change of the midfacial alveolar plate was 0.62 mm (SD, 0.46) and 1.34 mm (SD, 0.91) for the antibiotic and placebo groups, respectively, which did not significantly differ statistically. No significant correlation (Spearman correlation) existed between the changes in facial alveolar bone and the facial gingival margin. Antibiotics appear to have little effect on immediate implant treatment outcomes.

The OPERA experiment was designed to search for ν&#95;{μ}→ν&#95;{τ} oscillations in appearance mode, i.e., by detecting the τ leptons produced in charged current ν&#95;{τ} interactions. The experiment took data from 2008 to 2012 in the CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso beam. The observation of the ν&#95;{μ}→ν&#95;{τ} appearance, achieved with four candidate events in a subsample of the data, was previously reported. In this Letter, a fifth ν&#95;{τ} candidate event, found in an enlarged data sample, is described. Together with a further reduction of the expected background, the candidate events detected so far allow us to assess the discovery of ν&#95;{μ}→ν&#95;{τ} oscillations in appearance mode with a significance larger than 5σ.

This study explored the necessity of perioperative antibiotics on survival rates of implants immediately placed and provisionalized into sites with infection. Subjects were randomly assigned into antibiotic or placebo groups. Extraction, immediate placement, and provisionalization of an implant were performed. Eight subjects received placebo and five subjects received both a pre- and post-operative antibiotic regimen. One implant from each group failed. Perioperative antibiotic therapy may not be needed in selected immediate implant therapy.

A missing or deficient buccal alveolar bone plate is often an important limiting factor for immediate implant placement. Titanium dental implants enhanced with porous tantalum-based trabecular metal material (PTTM) are designed for osseoincorporation, a combination of vascularized bone ingrowth and osseointegration (bone on-growth). Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) contains growth factors with good handling characteristics. However, the combination of these 2 materials in facial alveolar bone regeneration associated with immediate implant therapy has not been reported. A 65-year-old Asian woman presented with a failing central incisor. Most of the buccal alveolar bone plate of the socket was missing. A PTTM enhanced implant was immediately placed with DBM. Cone beam computed tomography scans 12 months after the insertion of the definitive restoration showed regeneration of buccal alveolar bone. A combination of a PTTM enhanced implant, DBM, and a custom healing abutment may have an advantage in retaining biologically active molecules and form a scaffold for neovascularization and osteogenesis. This treatment protocol may be a viable option for immediate implant therapy in a failed tooth with deficient buccal alveolar bone., (Copyright © 2015 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Effectiveness of hospital management of disasters requires a well-defined and rehearsed system. The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), as a standardized method for command and control, was established in Iranian hospitals, but it has performed fairly during disaster exercises. This paper describes the process for, and modifications to HICS undertaken to optimize disaster management in hospitals in Iran., Methods: In 2013, a group of 11 subject matter experts participated in an expert consensus modified Delphi to develop modifications to the 2006 version of HICS., Results: The following changes were recommended by the expert panel and subsequently implemented: 1) A Quality Control Officer was added to the Command group; 2) Security was defined as a new section; 3) Infrastructure and Business Continuity Branches were moved from the Operations Section to the Logistics and the Administration Sections, respectively; and 4) the Planning Section was merged within the Finance/Administration Section., Conclusion: An expert consensus group developed a modified HICS that is more feasible to implement given the managerial organization of hospitals in Iran. This new model may enhance hospital performance in managing disasters. Additional studies are needed to test the feasibility and efficacy of the modified HICS in Iran, both during simulations and actual disasters. This process may be a useful model for other countries desiring to improve disaster incident management systems for their hospitals.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% for treatment of mustard gas-induced ocular surface disorders with special attention to conjunctival goblet cell density in patients with severe dry eye., Methods: This prospective clinical study included 20 eyes of 20 patients previously exposed to mustard gas with dry eye syndrome unresponsive to artificial tears. Before and after treatment with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% twice daily for 3 months, subjects were evaluated for improvement in symptoms using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and signs by tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer test and measurement of superior bulbar conjunctival goblet cell density. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and the degree of corneal squamous cell metaplasia were also assessed before and after treatment., Results: Before treatment, mean OSDI score, Schirmer test I value and mean TBUT were 42.8 ± 6.1, 4.2 ± 1.2 mm and 2.5 ± 1.3 s, respectively. After 3 months of treatment with topical cyclosporine A, these scores reached 36.4 ± 5.2, 5.8 ± 1.6 mm and 4.9 ± 2.1 s, respectively showing a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) in all parameters. Mean goblet cell density was 23.3 ± 17.1/high power field (hpf) at baseline which was significantly increased to 47.7 ± 16.1/hpf at the end of the study (P < 0.001). There was no improvement, however, in corneal conjunctivalization, LSCD and the degree of corneal squamous cell metaplasia based on impression cytology reports (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Treatment with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% in patients with severe dry eye due to mustard gas injury increases goblet cell density in the bulbar conjunctiva and improves symptoms of the disease.

Background: Ploidy manipulation is considered an efficient method to increase production potential of medicinally important compounds. Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. is an endangered medicinal plant of Iran. Various concentrations of colchicine (0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.50% w/v) were applied to shoot apical meristems of D. kotschyi seedlings in two and four-leaf stages to induce tetraploidy., Results: According to the results, 0.5% (w/v) of colchicine can be effective for polyploidy induction in D. kotschyi. Putative tetraploids were selected by morphological and microscopic characteristics and their ploidy level was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome counting. The chromosome number of original diploid plant was confirmed to be 2n = 2× = 20 whereas that of the tetraploid plant was 2n = 4× = 40. Tetraploid and mixoploid plants showed different morphological, physiological and microscopic characteristics from those of diploid counterparts. The total content of flavonoids was increased from 1583.28 in diploids to 1890.07 (μg/g DW) in stable tetraploids., Conclusion: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) confirmed over accumulation of methoxylated hydroxyflavones in solid tetraploid plants of D. kotschyi.

Background: Porous tantalum trabecular metal has recently been incorporated in titanium dental implants as a new form of implant surface enhancement. However, there is little information on the applications of this material in implant dentistry., Purpose: The purpose of this article is to summarize the contemporary concept on the applications of porous tantalum trabecular metal in implant dentistry., Materials and Methods: We therefore review the current literature on the basic science and clinical uses of this material., Results: Porous tantalum metal is used to improve the contact between osseous structure and dental implants and therefore presumably facilitate osseointegration. Success of porous tantalum metal in orthopedic implants led to the incorporation of porous tantalum metal in the design of root-form endosseous titanium implants. The porous tantalum three-dimensional enhancement of titanium dental implant surface allows for combining bone ongrowth together with bone ingrowth, or osseoincorporation. While little is known about the biological aspect of the porous tantalum in the oral cavity, there seems to be several possible advantages of this implant design. This article reviews the biological aspects of porous tantalum-enhanced titanium dental implants, in particular the effects of anatomical consideration and oral environment to implant designs., Conclusions: We propose here possible clinical situations and applications for this type of dental implant. Advantages and disadvantages of the implants as well as needed future clinical studies are discussed., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Cognitive impairment is often reported in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS). Using serial cognitive data from 35 individuals with pediatric-onset MS, this study examined how age at disease-onset and proxies of cognitive reserve may impact cognitive maturation over the course of childhood and adolescence. Neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at baseline and up to four more assessments. Of the 35 participants, 7 completed only one assessment, 5 completed two assessments, 13 completed three assessments, 10 completed four or more assessments. Growth curve modeling was used to assess longitudinal trajectories on the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) and the Symbol Digit Modalities (SDMT; oral version) and to examine how age at disease onset, baseline Full Scale IQ, and social status may moderate rate of change on these measures. Mean number of evaluations completed per patient was 2.8. Younger age at disease onset was associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive decline on both the TMT-B (p=.001) and SDMT (p=.005). Baseline IQ and parental social status did not moderate any of the cognitive trajectories. Findings suggest that younger age at disease-onset increases the vulnerability for disrupted performance on measures of information processing, visual scanning, perceptual/motor speed, and working memory. Proxies of cognitive reserve did not protect against the progression of decline on these measures. Young patients with MS should be advised to seek follow-up cognitive evaluation to assess cognitive maturation and to screen for the potential late emergence of cognitive deficits. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1-9).

Objective: To develop an in vitro regeneration system to increase the recovery of Carum copticum L. plantlets as a part of developing a metabolic engineering program., Methods: The efficacy of different concentrations and combinations of 6-benzyladenine, indole-3-acetic acid and indole butyric acid on direct shoot regeneration and rooting of ajowan from apical bud explants were assessed. All explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different combinations of 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) (0, 2.2, 4.4, 8.8 µmol/L) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0, 0.5, 1.1, 2.2 µmol/L)., Results: The maximum shoot regeneration frequency (97.5%) and the highest number of shoots produced from apical buds (34 shoots per explant) were obtained on MS medium fortified with BAP (4.4 µmol/L) and IAA (0.5 µmol/L). Low shoot regeneration frequency was observed in BAP free treatments. The effects of different strengths of MS medium and various concentrations of IAA and indole-3- butyric acid on rooting rate, length and average number of roots were also investigated. Application of indole-3- butyric acid (6 µmol/L) in full-strength MS medium, was more effective than IAA and resulted in highest shoot regeneration frequency with the rooting rate of 100% and highest mean number of roots per shoot (41.8). The rooted plantlets were acclimatized successfully in greenhouse conditions with a survival rate of 90%., Conclusion: In this study, a simple and reliable regeneration and acclimatization protocol for Carum copticum has been presented. This protocol can be found very advantageous for a variety of purposes, including mass multiplication of Carum species, medicinal plant breeding studies and transgenic plant production.

The present study investigated how gaze following eye movements are affected by stimulus contrast and spatial frequency and by aberrations in central visual acuity due to refractive errors. We measured 30 healthy subjects with a range of visual acuities but without any refractive correction. Visual acuity was tested using a Landolt-C chart. Subjects were divided into three groups with low, intermediate, or good visual acuity. Gaze following responses (GFR) to moving Gabor patches were recorded by video-oculography. In each trial, the subjects were presented with a single Gabor patch with a specific spatial frequency and luminance contrast that moved sinusoidally in the horizontal plane. We observed that GFR gain decreased with increasing spatial frequency and decreasing contrast and was correlated with visual acuity. GFR gain was lower and decreased more for subjects with lower visual acuity; this was especially so for lower stimulus contrasts that are not tested in standard acuity tests. The largest differences between the groups were observed at spatial frequencies around 4 cpd and at contrasts up to 10%. Aberrations in central visual acuity due to refractive errors affect the GFR response depending on the contrast and spatial frequency of the moving stimulus. Measuring this effect may contribute to a better estimate of changes in visual function as a result of aging, disease, or treatments meant to improve vision.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of bipolar disorder in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO). One hundred and ten women with definite diagnosis of PCO and one hundred and ten age-matched infertile women due to other reasons except for PCO were enrolled in this case-control study. Ten ml fasting venous blood sample obtained to measure fasting glucose, LH and FSH. Height, weight and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were also recorded by an expert technician. A psychiatrist examined all 220 cases in order to determine the prevalence of depression and bipolarity. Mean age of each group participants were not significantly different while FBS, LH and LH/FSH levels were significantly higher in PCO patients. Eighty eight case were depressed in PCO group while 96 were depressed in control group (P=0.03). Bipolar disorder were higher in PCO group in comparison with controls (8 vs. 0, P=0.004). Psychiatric disorders should be considered in PCO women.

Papaver bracteatum is an important medicinal plant valued for its high content of thebaine and an alternative to P. somniferum for benzylisoquinoline alkaloid production. Salutaridinol 7-o-acetyltransferase (SalAT) is a key gene in morphinan alkaloids biosynthesis pathway. Over expression of SalAT gene was used for metabolic engineering in P. bracteatum hairy root cultures. Transcript level of the salutaridinol 7-o-acetyltransferase gene in transgenic hairy root lines increased up to 154 and 128 % in comparison with hairy roots without SalAT over expression and wild type roots, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the transgenic hairy roots relatively improved levels of thebaine (1.28 % dry weight), codeine (0.02 % dry weight) and morphine (0.03 % dry weight) compared to those hairy roots without SalAT over expression. This suggests that P. bracteatum hairy roots expressing the SalAT gene could be potentially used for the production of valuable morphinan alkaloids.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of wheat resistance on digestibility of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) in the Coccinella septempunctata L. gut. Four wheat genotypes including an ancient wheat species (Einkorn) and three Iranian wheat genotypes (Azadi, Ommid, and Moghan2) were used. Einkorn was found to be a highly resistant species, while Azadi, Ommid, and Moghan2 were characterized as resistant, semiresistant, and susceptible genotypes, respectively, based on some biological parameters of S. graminum on these plants. Adult C. septempunctata starved for 24 h were fed one S. graminum reared on the selected wheat genotypes. A semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction technique using specific primers for the gene cytochrome oxidase II (COII) of S. graminum showed a significant effect of plant resistance on S. graminum DNA disappearance time. The DNA half-lives of S. graminum fed on Einkorn, Azadi, Ommid, and Moghan2 in C. septempunctata gut was 3.3, 3.6, 4.8, and 6.7 h, respectively. The findings suggest that digestibility of S. graminum fed on resistant plant genotypes is higher than those fed on susceptible plants because of the lighter weights and smaller sizes of the first. This phenomenon could result in faster ingestion of S. graminum by C. septempunctata on these resistant plants. It is also possible that some metabolites found differentially in Einkorn and Azadi genotypes may have affected S. graminum quality as a food for C. septempunctata.

In this study, the aim was the evaluation of effect of intravenous (IV) administration of ketamine, peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol and their combination for control of post-operative pain in comparison with single use of each drug in children undergoing tonsillectomy. One hundred and twenty children, aged 2- 15 years, selected for elective adenotonsillectomy were enrolled in the study. We divided the patients into four groups of 30 each, Group I: received IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, Group II: received peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol 2 mg/kg, Group III: received IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg added to peritonsillar tramadol 2 mg/kg and Group IV: received IV and peritonsillar infiltration of 0.9% saline. We utilized the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) recorded each 15 min after surgery to the first h and then each 2 , 4, 6, 8, 16, 24 h to assess pain levels postoperatively. The analysis of data showed that Group III had significantly lower CHEOPS scores than another three groups (P<0.001), while both Groups I and II had the same ranged scores, which were not statistically significant (P>0.05). During 24 h after surgery, the first time for analgesic requirement was higher in Group III in comparison with other groups (P<0.001). Combined use of IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg with peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol 2 mg/kg provided better and more prolong analgesic effects compared with using each drug alone in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

Purpose: To report impression cytology findings in specimens obtained from eyes with clinical and confocal microscopic features of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK)., Methods: In this interventional case series, impression cytology was obtained from corneas of patients with clinical and confocal microscopic features indicative of AK. Specimens were stained with Periodic acid-Schiff/Papanicolaou (PAS/PAP) and examined for the presence of PAS-reactive Acanthamoeba cysts and/or hyperchromatic pear-shaped trophozoites. All specimens were then decolorized and re-stained with calcofluor white (CFW) for the presence of chemofluorescent cysts., Results: Fifty-six eyes of 50 patients with mean age of 25.5±9.3 (range, 17 to 78) years were evaluated. Forty-one (82%) cases were female and 51 (91.1%) eyes had history of contact lens wear. PAS-reactive Acanthamoeba cysts and/or hyperchromatic pear-shaped trophozoites were identified in 53 eyes (94.6%), 2 of which demonstrated only trophozoite- like structures. CFW staining was able to reveal the presence of chemofluorescent cysts in all 51 specimens (91.1%) in which cysts had been demonstrated with PAS/PAP staining. Trophozoites were not detected with CFW due to background staining of the cellulose acetate strip used for impression cytology., Conclusion: Corneal impression cytology, stained with PAS/PAP or with CFW, successfully detects Acanthamoeba and can be employed for early noninvasive diagnosis of AK.

Background: The styloid process and the attached ligaments have the potential for calcification and ossification in specific conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the elongated styloid process (ESP) frequency and some of the systemic health factors of patients over 40 years of age., Materials and Methods: In this analytical-descriptive study, 296 panoramic radiographs of patients over 40 years of age (165 female and 131 male) referred to the Dental School of Khorasgan Azad University were selected. The length of the styloid process was measured by a special ruler and recorded in a questionnaire form. Other data such as sex, age, height, weight, blood pressure, heartbeat and the number of teeth present in the mouth were also recorded. The lengths equal to or more than 30 mm on the radiographs were considered as ESP. Data analysis were done by independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-square test at a significance level of < 0.05., Results: ESP was observed in 135 cases (45.6%). There was a significant relationship between ESP and the body height, weight and the blood pressure, but there was no significant correlation between ESP, the heartbeat and the number of teeth present in the mouth., Conclusion: Because of the significant relationship between the length of the styloid process and the blood pressure, height and weight it is reasonable to evaluate a patient's systemic health conditions when radiographic signs of ESP are observed.

Objective: To determine the toxicity and effectiveness of 24 months of adjuvant temozolomide (tmz) with cis-retinoic acid (cra) for patients with glioblastoma., Methods: This retrospective population-based review considered the charts of all patients diagnosed with glioblastoma in Manitoba and referred to a provincial cancer centre during 2002-2008. Consecutive patients came from a population-based referral centre and provincial cancer registry. All patients were treated according to the local standard of care with surgical resection followed by concurrent radiotherapy and tmz 75 mg/m(2) daily, followed by tmz 150-200 mg/m(2) for days 1-5, repeated every 28 days for up to 24 cycles, and cra 50 mg/m(2) twice daily for days 1-21, repeated every 28 days. The main outcome measures were safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of long-term tmz and cra., Results: Of 247 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma in Manitoba during the study period, 116 started concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and 80 received adjuvant tmz. Of the patients who started concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 80 began adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients completed a median of 5.5 cycles of tmz and 3 cycles of cra. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was noted in 16% of patients. Median overall survival was 15.1 months, and 26.7% of patients remained alive at 2 years., Conclusions: Extended adjuvant tmz and cra is well tolerated. However, the population-based effectiveness of this regimen is similar to the clinical trial efficacy of 6 months of adjuvant tmz. Future studies in glioblastoma should incorporate duration of adjuvant chemotherapy into the study design.

Background: Adenotonsillectomy is the most frequently performed ambulatory surgical procedure in children. Post operative agitation and inadequate pain control, for children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, can be a challenge. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intravenous dexamethasone and oral acetaminophen codeine on emergence agitation and pain after adenotonsillectomy in children., Methods: One hundred and five pediatric patients (3-7 years old), scheduled to undergo adenotonsillectomy under general anesthesia, were enrolled in the study. Thirty minutes before induction, patients were randomized to three groups. Group 1 received 0.2 mg/kg of intravenous dexamethasone and 0.25 ml/kg of oral placebo syrup. Group 2 received 20 mg/kg of oral acetaminophen codeine syrup and 0.05 ml/kg of intravenous saline. Group 3 received 0.25 ml/kg of oral placebo syrup and 0.05 ml/kg of intravenous saline. Emergence agitation and postoperative pain were assessed, recorded and compared., Result: Agitation was less frequent in dexamethasone and acetaminophen codeine groups in comparison with placebo group, but there were not significant differences between the two groups. The pain frequencies in the three groups were not significantly different., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the administration of intravenous dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg) and oral acetaminophen codeine (20 mg/kg) thirty minutes before anesthesia can significantly decrease the incidence and severity of agitation but does not have an effect on postoperative pain.

Background and Objectives: Weak expression of A/B histo-blood group antigens is often explained by single nucleotide substitutions at the ABO locus. However, hybrid alleles containing segments from different ABO alleles can result in unexpected phenotypes and may complicate genotype analysis. We investigated the basis of weak B phenotype in a referred sample., Materials and Methods: A healthy young woman was serologically phenotyped as AB(weak) and RBCs were characterized by flow cytometry. All seven ABO exons, five introns plus the 5'-region including the CCAAT-binding factor/Nuclear Factor Y (CBF/NF-Y) binding enhancer were sequenced. ABO transcript levels were measured in fresh peripheral blood samples. Expression of B antigen was semiquantified following transfection of HeLa cells., Results: A new B(weak) allele with 53G>T resulted in a characteristic pattern of moderately weakened B antigen expression on RBCs. Its sequence revealed a novel hybrid between O(2) [O03] and B [B101] alleles with a crossingover region in intron 4 as defined by allele-specific polymorphisms. B transcript levels were similar to normal controls despite the O(2) -related single CBF/NF-Y-binding 43-bp motif in the enhancer region. Expression of the glycosyltransferase including the O(2) -specific Arg18Leu substitution resulted in a slight decrease in B-antigen-positive cells., Conclusion: We describe here the first hybrid between an O(2) and a B allele and characterized the associated decrease in B antigen expression. Although it lacks three enhancer repeat units compared to common B alleles, the resulting transcript level was unaltered. This study challenges previous suggestions that the number of 43-bp motifs in the ABO enhancer determines transcription rates in erythroid cells., (© 2011 The Author(s). Vox Sanguinis © 2011 International Society of Blood Transfusion.)

Background and Objectives: Increase of mortality rates of gastric cancer in Iran and the world in recent years reveal necessity of studies on this disease. Here, hazard function for gastric cancer patients was estimated using Wavelet and Kernel methods and some related factors were assessed., Materials and Methods: Ninety- five gastric cancer patients in Fayazbakhsh Hospital between 1996 and 2003 were studied. The effects of age of patients, gender, stage of disease and treatment method on patient's lifetime were assessed. For data analyses, survival analyses using Wavelet method and Log-rank test in R software were used., Results: Nearly 25.3% of patients were female. Fourteen percent had surgery treatment and the rest had treatment without surgery. Three fourths died and the rest were censored. Almost 9.5% of patients were in early stages of the disease, 53.7% in locally advance stage and 36.8% in metastatic stage. Hazard function estimation with the wavelet method showed significant difference for stages of disease (P<0.001) and did not reveal any significant difference for age, gender and treatment method., Conclusion: Only stage of disease had effects on hazard and most patients were diagnosed in late stages of disease, which is possibly one of the most reasons for high hazard rate and low survival. Therefore, it seems to be necessary a public education about symptoms of disease by media and regular tests and screening for early diagnosis.

Purpose: To evaluate electroretinogram (ERG) changes after silicone oil removal., Methods: Scotopic and photopic ERGs, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were checked before and shortly after silicone oil removal in eyes that had previously undergone vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment. Pre- and postoperative ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes were compared., Results: Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients including 20 male and 8 female subjects with mean age of 39.3 ± 0.06 (range, 12 to 85) years were studied. Mean interval from primary vitreoretinal surgery to silicone oil removal was 21.04 ± 0.52 (range, 7 to 39) months. Mean duration from silicone oil removal to second ERG was 13.04 ± 1.75 (range, 10 to 16) days. Before silicone oil removal, mean a-wave amplitudes in maximal combined response, rod response and cone response ERGs were 27.4 ± 19.9, 7.2 ± 4.5 and 5.5 ± 3.4 μv, respectively. These values increased to 48.8 ± 31.9, 15.1 ± 14.4 and 17.4 ± 22.2 μv, respectively after silicone oil removal (P < 0.001). Mean b-wave amplitudes in the same order, were 69.41 ± 51, 41.2 ± 30.4 and 25.1 ± 33.9 μv before silicone oil removal, increasing to 165.6 ± 102.5, 81.7 ± 53.7 and 44.7 ± 34.1 μv respectively, after silicone oil removal (P < 0.001). Mean BCVA significantly improved from 1.10 ± 0.34 at baseline to 1.02 ± 0.33 logMAR after silicone oil removal (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The amplitudes of ERG a- and b-waves under scotopic and photopic conditions increased significantly shortly after silicone oil removal. An increase in BCVA was also observed. These changes may be explained by the insulating effect of silicone oil on the retina.

Introduction: Papaver somniferum is the commercial source of morphine and codeine. The isolation of effective genes involved in the morphine biosynthesis of P. somniferum is very important in the production of specific metabolites achieved using metabolic engi-neering techniques. In this pathway, the key enzyme COR is involved in the conversion of codeinone to codeine and morphinone to morphine., Methods: the gene encoding of this enzyme was isolated using primers designed on the base of gene sequence available on (NCBI) for P. somniferum. This gene correct size around (960 bp) was first subcloned into pTZ57RIT vector then cloned into expression vectors (pBI121) between BamHI and SacI sites to allow the expression of cor gene driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S pro-moter. The result was confirmed through different molecular methods e.g. PCR and en-zyme digestion by BamHI and SacI. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into the E. coli strain DH5α using a freeze-thaw method. Having selected positive colones on selection medium, plasmid was extracted by miniprep method and recombinant plasmids were selected based on PCR and digestion. The construct was then mobilized in Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58/pGV3850 (KmR RifR). After gene transformation to P. somniferum plants, the agroinfiltration method was also used for transient expression of COR enzyme., Results: evaluation results showed that morphine and codeine were detectable in the leaves of transgenic plants containing cor transgene and there was significant difference in the final production. After completing this experiment for three times, results showed that in 11 sets from 15 sets of leaves experiment tested, main alkaloids (codeine, morphine, papaverin, noscapine and thebaine) were detectable., Conclusion: Whereas no signal was detected in non-infiltrated control leaves or in leaves infiltrated with non-recombinant bacteria for morphine and codeine, others such as thebaine and papaverine were detectable.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine left ventricular (LV) mass index via echocardiography in end-stage renal disease patients (ESRD) before and after renal transplantation, and its association with one-year survival., Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients with ESRD who were candidate for renal transplantation were evaluated with echocardiography before and 4 months after the operation. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), LV mass, and LV mass index were determined. All of the patients were followed up for 1 year., Results: Mean LVEF was 51.6% which increased to 53.7% after renal transplantation (P = .001). Mean LV mass was 209 gr before the operation which decreased to 189 gr after the operation (P = .001). Mean LV mass index before the operation was 120 gr/m2 which decreased to 110 gr/m2 following the operation (P = .002). All of the patients survived during 1-year follow-up, and no death was reported., Conclusion: Renal transplantation had beneficial effects in terms of LV function in young patients with ESRD.

Preeclampsia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. To date, the pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood. Recent studies show that preeclampsia is associated with overexpression of the hemoglobin genes alpha2 and gamma and accumulation of the protein in the vascular lumen of the placenta. Hypothesizing that cell-free hemoglobin leaks from the placenta into the maternal circulation and contributes to the endothelial damage and symptoms by inducing oxidative stress, we analyzed fetal and adult hemoglobin (HbF, HbA), haptoglobin, oxidation markers, and the heme scavenger and antioxidant alpha(1)-microglobulin in plasma, urine, and placenta in preeclamptic women (n=28) and women with normal pregnancy (n=27). The mean plasma concentrations of HbF, HbA, protein carbonyl groups, membrane peroxidation capacity, and alpha(1)-microglobulin were significantly increased in preeclamptic women. The levels of total plasma Hb correlated strongly with the systolic blood pressure. The plasma haptoglobin concentrations of women with preeclampsia were significantly depressed. Increased amounts of alpha(1)-microglobulin mRNA and protein were found in placenta from preeclamptic women, and the levels of plasma and placenta alpha(1)-microglobulin correlated with the plasma Hb concentrations. The heme-degrading form t-alpha(1)-microglobulin was significantly increased in urine in preeclampsia. These results support the idea that hemoglobin-induced oxidative stress is a pathogenic factor in preeclampsia., (Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE) was applied for gene expression profiling in seeds of oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. napus). The usefulness of this technique for detailed expression profiling in a non-model organism was demonstrated for the highly complex, neither fully sequenced nor annotated genome of B. napus by applying a tag-to-gene matching strategy based on Brassica ESTs and the annotated proteome of the closely related model crucifer A. thaliana., Results: Transcripts from 3,094 genes were detected at two time-points of seed development, 23 days and 35 days after pollination (DAP). Differential expression showed a shift from gene expression involved in diverse developmental processes including cell proliferation and seed coat formation at 23 DAP to more focussed metabolic processes including storage protein accumulation and lipid deposition at 35 DAP. The most abundant transcripts at 23 DAP were coding for diverse protease inhibitor proteins and proteases, including cysteine proteases involved in seed coat formation and a number of lipid transfer proteins involved in embryo pattern formation. At 35 DAP, transcripts encoding napin, cruciferin and oleosin storage proteins were most abundant. Over both time-points, 18.6% of the detected genes were matched by Brassica ESTs identified by LongSAGE tags in antisense orientation. This suggests a strong involvement of antisense transcript expression in regulatory processes during B. napus seed development., Conclusion: This study underlines the potential of transcript tagging approaches for gene expression profiling in Brassica crop species via EST matching to annotated A. thaliana genes. Limits of tag detection for low-abundance transcripts can today be overcome by ultra-high throughput sequencing approaches, so that tag-based gene expression profiling may soon become the method of choice for global expression profiling in non-model species.