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Introduction: Measurement of thrombolytic activity is crucial for research and development of novel thrombolytics. It is a key factor in the assessment of the effectiveness of conventionally used thrombolytic therapies in the clinic. Previous methods used for the assessment of thrombolytic activity are often associated with some drawbacks such as being costly, time-consuming, complex with low accuracy. Here, we introduce a simple, economic, relatively accurate and fast method of spectrophotometric analysis of thrombolytic activity (SATA) assay, standardized by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which can quantitatively measure in vitro thrombolytic activity. Methods: Blood clots were formed, uniformly, by mixing citrated whole blood with partial thromboplastin time (PTT) reagent, together with calcium chloride. Then, designated concentrations of tPA were added to the samples, and the released red blood cells from each clot were quantified using spectrophotometry (λmax=405nm) as an indicator of thrombolytic activity. The accuracy of the method was tested by assessment of dose-responsibility against R2 value obtained by linear equation and measurement of the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). The SATA assay was validated in comparison with some currently used techniques. Results: A linear relationship was obtained between different concentrations of tPA versus the spectrophotometric absorbance of the related dilutions of lysed clots, at λmax=405nm. Calculated R2 values were greater than 0.9; with LOD of 0.90 µg/mL of tPA (436.50IU) and LOQ of 2.99 µg/mL of tPA (1450.15IU). Conclusions: Conclusively, the SATA assay is a very simple quantitative method with repeatable and reproducible results for estimating the potency of an unknown thrombolytic agent, and calculating the activity as delicate as 1 µg/mL of tPA (485 IU/mL of thrombolytic dose).

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death among all cancer deaths. This cancer is classified into two different histological subtypes: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common subtype, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is the most aggressive subtype. Understanding the molecular characteristics of lung cancer has expanded our knowledge of the cellular origins and molecular pathways affected by each of these subtypes and has contributed to the development of new therapies. Traditional treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Advances in understanding the nature and specificity of lung cancer have led to the development of immunotherapy, which is the newest and most specialized treatment in the treatment of lung cancer. Each of these treatments has advantages and disadvantages and causes side effects. Today, combination therapy for lung cancer reduces side effects and increases the speed of recovery. Despite the significant progress that has been made in the treatment of lung cancer in the last decade, further research into new drugs and combination therapies is needed to extend the clinical benefits and improve outcomes in lung cancer. In this review article, we discussed common lung cancer treatments and their combinations from the most advanced to the newest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The standard treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma is post-surgical radioiodine ablation; however, salivary gland damage is prevalent. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM) aerial part essential oil in protecting salivary glands from post-radioiodine therapy damage in differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 24 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were randomly allocated to two groups: 11 patients in the ZM essential oil group and 13 in the placebo group. Patients in the intervention and placebo groups received 20 oral drops three times a day of ZM essential oil or placebo respectively, starting from one week before radioiodine therapy to 4 weeks afterward. Salivary gland function was assessed using scintigraphic parameters before and six months following radioiodine therapy. Results: Follow-up scintigraphy demonstrated significant decrease in parotid UI in the placebo group (P=0.032) while significant increase in UI (P=0.025) and EF (P=0.042) of the parotid was observed in the ZM group. Comparing changes in functional indices of salivary glands between the two groups after six months revealed significantly better function in parotid UI (P=0.005) and parotid EF (P=0.006) in the ZM group. Substantial damage to parotid UI was significantly less in the ZM group (P=0.044). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated that administration of ZM essential oil to patients with differentiated thyroid cancer may protect the salivary glands from radioiodine injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of drought and salinity stresses on germination, seedling growth and cell membrane stability of anise (Pimpinella anisum) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in two separate experiments, using a completely randomized design with three replications in Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar Branch in 2013. Drought stress was applied by PEG 6000 and included 0, -2, -4, -6 and -8 bar and salinity treatments were 0, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl solutions. Salt and drought stresses significantly reduced germination percentage and seedling fresh weight of anise and fennel, but increased mean germination time and seedling electrical leakage. The results showed that the highest salinity and drought stresses levels increased seedling electrical leakage of anise by 83% and 76% compared with the control conditions. Moreover, seedling electrical leakage of fennel increased up to 77% and 75%, as compared with the control. The results showed that at germination stage, salt and drought stresses increased cell membrane damage, but decreased anise and fennel seedling growth. Highlight: Variations in concentration and the rate of destruction of seedling membranes of anise and fennel plants were studied in response to environmental stresses. The germination characteristics of anise and fennel were studied under salt and drought stresses.

Introduction Allelopathy means any process involving the secondary metabolites (allelochemicals) produced by plants, algae, bacteria, and fungi (excluding animals) that influences the growth and development of agricultural and biological systems, with positive or negative effects. Plants produce secondary metabolites and in certain circumstances, these can act as phytotoxins, inhibiting or promoting some biochemical or physiological processes in the other plants or organisms. Toxicity of allelochemical compounds include effects on growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, relative growth rate, and oxygen uptake in many crops. Furthermore, the influence of allelochemicals on alpha amylase, oxidase, sucrose synthase activity and malon dialdehyde concentration were analysed. The role of numerous plant secondary metabolites is still unclear, and this raises curiosity for both plant physiologist and ecologists. Inhibitory effects on germination and establishments of crops caused by residues of either crops or weeds have lead to investigation of the release of toxic compounds from such residues. This present study was designed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of milk thistle for controlling common cocklebur in vegetables. Materials and Methods In order to investigate the effect of milk thistle aqueous extract on growth and enzyme activities of common cocklebur seedlings, two separate experiments were carried out in randomized complete design and randomized complete block designs with five and four replications, respectively, in spring 2012 in seed technology laboratory and greenhouse of Azad University, Shoushtar branch, Shoushtar, Iran. Milk thistle aqueous extract concentrations were involved (0, 5, 10 and 15% (v/v)) in petridish and (0, 10, 20 and 30% (v/v)) as spraying on common cocklebur seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Whole plants of milk thistle were gathered from medicine plant farm of Azad University. Then, their flowers were cut and their shoots were dried in 60 °C and grinded. For preparing aqueous extract 100 g powder of milk thistle dissolved in 1000 ml distilled water and maintained at 20 °C. The solution was filtered and cleared. The aqueous extract was considered as stock and other aqueous extracts were prepared from it. After application extract concentration in petridish and pot, seedling fresh weight, activity of sucrose synthase, alpha amylase, catalase enzymes and malon dealdehyde concentration of common cocklebur were measured. Statistical calculations were accomplished through the SPSS software and graphs were drawn by the Excel software. Results and Discussion Results showed that fresh weight of common cocklebur seedlings were affected by milk thistle extract. Milk thistle extract reduced alpha amylase enzyme activity and seedling growth of common cocklebur. In addition, increase in aqueous extract of milk thistle resulted in reduction and increase in catalase and malon dialdehyde concentration in cocklebur seedling; respectively. The minimum alpha amylase enzyme activity (2.1 nM/g seed/min) and seedling fresh weight (0.32 g) were observed in 15% aqueous extract. Malon dialdehyde concentration of cocklebur seedlings was 0.4 (nM/g FW) in 15% aqueous extract of milk thistle. Catalase enzyme activity was the lowest (1.4 nM H2O2/mg Protein/min) and the greatest (27 protein absorption/60s) in 15% aqueous extract of milk thistle. In greenhouse experiment, also, with increasing aqueous extract of milk thistle was reduced seedling fresh weight, catalase and sucrose synthase enzyme activities. Catalase and sucrose enzyme activities were 1.8 (nM H2O2/mg Protein/min) and 2 (nM/ mg protein/min) at 30% aqueous extract of milk thistle. Futhermore, increase in aqueous extract of milk thistle resulting in increase cell memberane destruction and malon dialdehyde concentration in cocklebur seedling tissue. The lowest (0.0029 nM/g FW) and greatest (0.93 nM/g FW) malon dialdehyde concentration was at 30% aqueous extract. Conclusions In this study, with increasing the amount of milk thistle extract, values of measured traits including fresh weight, sucrose synthase and catalase enzymes of cocklebur seedlings compared to control treatment (distilled water) have a decreasing trend, but malon dialdehyde concentration of cocklebur seedlings had increased compared to the control. The destruction of cell membranes under the influence of cocklebur allelopathic compounds can be one reason for the reduced growth of weed seedlings. Reduced sucrose synthase activity, led to reduced production of sucrose that was associated with reduced seedling growth. The present study confirmed that milk thistle can be used as an allelopathic plant for weed suppression in agroecosystems through its release of allelochemicals. Knowledge about the challenges related to the demonstration of allelopathy, as an ecological significant mechanism, is important in the assessment of ecological effects of allelopathic plants.

A 25-year-old woman with a known case of papillary thyroid carcinoma conventional type referred to our center for treatment with radioactive iodine after total thyroidectomy. She received 200 mCi of radioiodine, and in the whole-body scan 1 week after the radioiodine therapy, an area of increased absorption was seen on the right side of the pelvis, which was diagnosed as an endometriotic ovarian cyst in the follow-up examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehension of the typical distribution pattern of 99mTc‑methylenediphosphonate (MDP) is crucial for precise interpretation of bone scintigraphy. The presence of nonskeletal activity is predominantly confined to the kidneys and bladder, attributed to the standard renal excretion of 99mTc‑MDP. We discuss a 70‑year‑old woman with a known case of brucellosis using rifampin, doxycycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co‑trimoxazole), and ciprofloxacin for the past 8 months. Anterior and posterior aspects of the whole‑body bone scan showed diffuse increased uptake in the bodies of L2 and L3 vertebrae and related intervertebral disks. However, unexpected uptake is noted in the right upper quadrant in the region of the gallbladder. Radiochemical impurities did not show during radiopharmaceutical (MDP) quality control, and the other patients showed normal distribution. This gallbladder uptake may be attributed to the altered distribution of the radiotracer and/or gallbladder injury caused by the administration of antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the drawbacks of tooth-colored dental restorations is their discoloration over time. The present study aimed to determine the effect of four categories of pediatric medications, including analgesics, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and multivitamins, on two types of tooth-colored dental materials, namely, composite resins and glass ionomer cements. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, a total of 40 specimens with disc shapes (with a diameter of 5 mm and thickness of 2 mm) were prepared from each material and immersed in eight different drugs for 2 min three times a day for 1 week. The values of the baseline color were calculated based on the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) L*a*b* system. After 7 days, ΔE values were calculated. Two-way analysis of variance was employed for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined at 0.05. Results: Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between ΔE and different restorative materials as well as ΔE and drug types (P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this in vitro study, all the four types of drugs caused the discoloration in all the restorative materials, and the color change values were affected by the type of used drug and restorative material.

This paper describes the hydraulic characteristics of flow through a sluice gate over a broad-crested weir with a fixed upstream ramp slope of 1:2 and downstream ramp slopes of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. A relationship was proposed to determine the contraction coefficient of the flow passing through the gate, under free-flow conditions, in which the average value was 0.71 for all observed data. The developed relationship was used to calculate the head-loss coefficient from the studied structures under free-flow conditions, which averaged 0.31. The value of the mean absolute relative error for the proposed relationship to estimate the discharge coefficient under free-flow conditions was 1.7%. Examination of the different downstream slopes on the discharge coefficient under free-flow conditions showed that a downstream ramp slope of 1:3 is most appropriate when compared to the results for the other slopes. The value of the mean absolute relative error of the developed relationship to estimate the discharge coefficient under submerged flow conditions was 5.7%, while its corresponding value from the WinGate software was 13.1%. A survey of the effect of downstream ramp slope on the depth of submergence threshold showed that an increase in the downstream slope tends to increase the depth of the submergence threshold, whereby its value under low slopes was not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]