Protective effect of vitamin E on sperm parameters in rats infected with Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is one of the most frequent pathogens present in the reproductive system. The negative in vitro effects of C. albicans on sperm functions have previously been studied. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of C. albicans infection in vivo on sperm quality and to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin E administration in rats infected with C. albicans. In this study, 5 days after infection induction, animals were treated with vitamin E for 5 weeks. Thereafter, sperm parameters, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hormonal analysis and testis histology were evaluated. Based on the results, sperm parameters and TAC significantly reduced, while LPO and tissue damage increased (p ≤ .05) following the infection. Hormone analysis showed low LH and testosterone levels in serum of the infected rats. Treatment with vitamin E significantly (p ≤ .05) improved sperm quality and testis histology, increased TAC and reduced LPO. In addition, vitamin E administration significantly increased (p ≤ .05) serum LH and testosterone levels. These results clearly indicate that vitamin E is effective in attenuating the adverse effects of C. albicans infection on male fertility and could be used as a complementary treatment for patients who suffer from fertility disorders following C. albicans infection.

Comparison of the effects of tranexamic acid, nitroglycerin, and remifentanil on the prevention of bleeding during herniated lumbar intervertebral disc surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Surgery is a well-known and effective method of treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. The present study aimed to compare the effects of administering tranexamic acid (TXA), nitroglycerin (NTG), and remifentanil (REF) on hemorrhage prevention during herniated lumbar intervertebral disc surgery. Methods: A double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 135 participants undergoing lumbar intervertebral disc surgery. A randomized block design was used for subject assignment to three groups including TXA, NTG, and REF. The hemodynamic parameters, bleeding rate, hemoglobin level, and the amount of infused propofol were measured and recorded after surgery. Data were then analyzed in SPSS software using Chi-square test and analysis of variance. Results: The mean age of participants in the study was 42.12 ± 7.93 years, and all three groups were equal in terms of demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the TXA and NTG groups was notably higher than the REF group (P < 0.008). The mean heart rate (HR) of the TXA and NTG groups was notably higher than the REF group (P < 0.05). The propofol dosage used in the TXA group was higher than the two groups of NTG and REF (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Among participants undergoing lumbar intervertebral disc surgery, the greatest MAP variability was observed in the NTG group. Higher mean HR and propofol consumption was observed in the NTG and TXA groups when compared to REF. No statistically significant differences were noted between groups in oxygen saturation or bleeding risk. Based on these findings, REF may be considered a preferred surgical adjunct over TXA and NTG during lumbar intervertebral disc surgery.

Evaluation of the Fractured Surface of Five Endodontic Rotary Instruments: A Metallurgical Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare several metallurgic properties of Neoniti instrument with four other commonly used endodontic rotary files. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Neoniti A1 (25/0.08), RaCe (25/0.06), Mtwo (25/0.06), Twisted file (25/0.06) and ProTaper Next X2 (25/0.06) were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) before and after heat treatment at 500°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was also performed on the specimens. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray energy-dispersive spectrometric (EDS) analyses were carried out on randomly selected fractured files. RESULTS: In SEM tests, dimpled ruptures, characteristic of ductile fracture, were seen in all evaluated cross sections of all files. The SEM results of all evaluated files were alike. EDS results revealed higher proportions of Nickel (Ni) rich intermetallic compounds in Neoniti; whereas, in all the other files the proportion of Titanium (Ti) rich precipitates was higher. DSC results indicated that the temperature present in the oral environment, the austenite phase existed in all files. Mtwo and RaCe files did not show austenite transformation in the temperature range evaluated in this study. Only Neoniti revealed rhombohedal phase (R-phase) transformation. After heat treatment. No significant difference was seen in the transformation temperatures of all evaluated files. XRD evaluations revealed that Neoniti contained both Ni-rich and Ti-rich precipitates. The amount of the martensite phase was higher in ProTaper Next. CONCLUSION: The metallurgic properties of Neoniti files were different from other evaluated rotary files. This file contained higher proportions of Ni-rich precipitates.