Fluorescence properties of Phycocyanin and Phycocyanin-human serum albumin complex.

In this work, the fluorescence properties of Phycocyanin (PC) and the corresponding quenching effects are investigated in attendance of human serum albumin (HSA). At first, PC is excited at 532 nm using CW SHG Nd:YAG laser, then the emission wavelength, Stokes shift, quantum yield, extinction constant and self-quenching coefficient are obtained based on the modified Beer-Lambert equation. It is shown that a notable red shift appears in terms of PC concentration. According to the fluorescence spectra, the addition of HSA in PC solution leads to a significant reduction in the fluorescence signal via quenching events, however a lucid blue shift takes place in the same time. Stern-Volmer formalism is used to determine the quenching constant (KS), the number of binding sites (n) between PC and HSA as well as the association constant Ka for the purpose of facile transportation to the target in the context of drug delivery. Eventually, temperature dependent coefficients and corresponding spectral shifts are investigated over a wide range of temperatures at a couple of distinct PC concentrations to attest the dominant static quenching takes place. The rate of conjugate formations elevates at low temperatures leading to a certain blue shift. Furthermore, large KS is measured in the course of signal reduction, particularly at low PC populations. In fact, PC conjugation to HSA is essential interaction to enhance chemo drug transportation. Here, at the body temperature, the quenching coefficient decreases to facilitate the drug release. Moreover, the spectral shift of fluorescence emission can be useful for simultaneous monitoring and drug delivery treatment.

Validity testing of classroom community scale in virtual environment learning: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Fostering a Sense of Classroom Community is considered to be associated with the reduction of student's dropout rate in an online environment. Many scales have been developed to measure sense of community in online and traditional learning, and Rovai's Classroom Community Scale has been widely used. This study was designed to examine the psychometric properties and the theoretical structure of the Classroom Community Scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 215 postgraduate virtual students responded to the Classroom Community Scale. A measurement model was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis to determine the adequacy of goodness-of-fit to sample data. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis provided valid data that the Classroom Community Scale with a two-factor structure is a valid scale with adequate model fit. Connectedness and learning subscales were also valid and reliable. Overall, the results supported the high reliability, face and content validity of all items of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The 20 item Classroom Community Scale provides a valid and reliable scale to measure sense of community among postgraduate medical education students.

Molecular basis of Bombay phenotype in Mashhad, Iran: identification of a novel FUT1 deletion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bombay phenotype is characterized by the lack of H substance both on red blood cell (RBC) surface and in body secretions. Mutations of fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1) and fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) genes are resulted in this rare phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five unrelated patients were tested by hemagglutination and adsorption/elution techniques for the presence of ABH antigens. The saliva specimens were analysed by hemagglutination inhibition method. The exons 6 and 7 of ABO gene were sequenced to determine ABO genotype. The coding fragments of FUT1 and FUT2 were amplified and sequenced by specific primers. RESULTS: Serologic investigation confirmed Bombay phenotype in all individuals. FUT1 molecular analysis revealed a novel large deletion. Also two novel homozygous mutations were detected; one was a missense mutation (392T>C, L131P) and the other a three nucleotide deletion (668_670delACT, Y224del). FUT2 sequencing showed one reported null allele (428G>A, W143X) and one homozygous deletion of FUT2. CONCLUSION: Although FUT2 deletion has been reported, this is the first report of FUT1 deletion. Finding two FUT1 novel alleles in Iranian people is indicative of mutation diversity in this gene.

Radiographic evaluation of third molar development in 5- to 25 year olds in tehran, iran.

OBJECTIVE: Radiographic evaluation of the third molar tooth to determine its position and degree of development is an important part in diagnosis and treatment planning, as well as in forensic dentistry procedures. The objective was to investigate the developmental stages of third molars in relation to chronologic age, gender and location (maxillary/mandibular) in an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were collected in departments of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, Tehran Faculty of Dentistry and four private offices. Three calibrated observers visited the centers to examine panoramic radiographs and corresponded patients documents in each age cohort in the range of 5- to-25-years old. Data were analyzed by Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) in the linear mode and exchangeable correlation structure. The significance level was defined as 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of emerging third molars' follicle was 9.29±1.65 years. Early calcification was seen at the mean age of 10.28±1.66 years. The GEE model controlling for age, gender and tooth location (maxillary/mandibular) revealed that besides age (ß=0.43, p<0.001), the tooth location had association with the developmental stage (ß=0.11, p<0.001) so that maxillary teeth were prior in calcification stages, but no relationship between gender and developmental stages was seen (ß=0.03, p=0.69). CONCLUSION: Maxillary teeth were ahead of mandibular teeth in calcification stages with no gender difference. The present study may provide a reference for oral surgeons, pediatric dentists and orthodontists practicing in Iran and may have implications for the neighboring countries especially those with Caucasian populations.

In vitro effects of several surface preparation methods on shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets to caries-like lesions of enamel.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of several surface preparation methods for improving shear bond strength of brackets to demineralised enamel. STUDY DESIGN: in vitro study. Eighty premolars were selected and divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as the control, while the remaining 4 groups were immersed in a demineralising solution (pH 4.8) for 12 weeks. In groups 1 (control) and 2 (demineralised/control) conventional acid etching was used. In group 3, a solution of 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was applied on enamel surface for one minute after acid etching. The brackets in group 4 were bonded with Transbond Plus self-etching primer, and group 5 underwent treatment with a 2% sodium fluoride (NaF) gel, which was applied on the enamel surface for 4 minutes before etching. Shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) were determined in all groups, and surface morphology was examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The mean SBS of acid-etched demineralised enamel was significantly lower than that of acid-etched sound enamel (p<0.05). Treatment of caries-like lesions with 5% NaOCl or self-etching primer failed to improve the bond strength. After NaF treatment and acid etching of demineralised enamel, both type 1 and type 2 etching patterns were observed and the resulting SBS was comparable to that of sound enamel (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of 2% NaF on enamel caries before bracket bonding is an effective way for enhancing the bond strength.

Comparison of some dietary habits on corrosion behavior of stainless steel brackets: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Resistance to corrosion is an advantageous property of orthodontic brackets; however, due to low levels of pH found in the mouth of a patient, localized corrosion may occur This can affect tooth movement by increasing friction between the arch wire and bracket slot and initiate enamel discoloration. Additionally, corrosion causes the release of elements that may lead to cytotoxic and biological side effects. The aim of this study was to compare the amount of corrosion caused by lemon juice, vinegar and Coca-Cola on orthodontic brackets in vitro and then to recommend the most suitable diet during orthodontic treatment. METHOD: Sixty orthodontic brackets in three groups of twenty were immersed in a test solution (Fusamaya-Meyer artificial saliva plus lemon juice, vinegar or Coca-Cola) at a temperature of 37 degrees C +/- 1. Moreover, a negative control consisting of twenty brackets were put in pure artificial saliva. After 6 weeks the amount of corrosion was determined by measuring delta W of mean weights of brackets and the results were analyzed by general linear models (repeated measurement). RESULTS: Significant differences were seen during different weeks of the study (P < 0.001) and different solutions (P < 0.001). This study showed the amount of corrosion in orthodontic brackets was the most for cola followed by vinegar and then lemon juice. In addition, mean differences for cola versus lemon juice was -0.010 (sig. <0.001), vinegar versus lemon juice was -0.006 (sig. = 0.001) and cola versus vinegar was -0.004 (sig. = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Acidic effervescent soft drinks such as cola have to be eliminated or minimized in the nutritional diet of orthodontic patients because of their harmful effects on their brackets.

Comparison of physicomechanical properties of films prepared from organic solutions and aqueous dispersion of Eudragit RL.

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Mechanical properties of films prepared from aqueous dispersion and organic solutions of Eudragit RL were assessed and the effects of plasticizer type, concentration and curing were examined. METHODS: Films were prepared from aqueous dispersion and solutions of Eudragit RL (isopropy alcohol-water 9:1) containing 0, 10 or 20% (based on polymer weight) of PEG 400 or Triethyl Citrate (TEC) as plasticizer using casting method. Samples of films were stored in oven at 60°C for 24 hrs (Cured). The stress-strain curve was obtained for each film using material testing machine and tensile strength, elastic modulus, %elongation and work of failure were calculated. RESULTS AND MAJOR CONCLUSION: The films with no plasticizer showed different mechanical properties depending on the vehicle used. Addition of 10% or 20% of plasticizer decreased the tensile strength and elastic modulus and increased %elongation and work of failure for all films. The effect of PEG 400 on mechanical properties of Eudragit RL films was more pronounced. The differences in mechanical properties of the films due to vehicle decreased with addition of plasticizer and increase in its concentration. Curing process weakened the mechanical properties of the films with no plasticizer and for films with 10% plasticizer no considerable difference in mechanical properties was observed before and after curing. For those with 20% plasticizer only films prepared from aqueous dispersion showed remarkable difference in mechanical properties before and after curing. Results of this study suggest that the mechanical properties of the Eudragit RL films were affected by the vehicle, type of plasticizer and its concentration in the coating liquid.

An investigation of the tylosis with oesophageal cancer (TOC) locus in Iranian patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Oesophageal cancer is one of the ten leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Earlier loss of heterozygosity (or allelic imbalance) studies have implicated regions on chromosomes 3p, 5q, 9p, 13q, 17p, 17q, and 18q in the development of sporadic oesophageal cancer and recent data have linked the familial tylosis with oesophageal cancer (TOC) gene-containing region on chromosome 17q25 with this cancer. We have studied allelic imbalance (AI) at microsatellite markers both closely linked to and distant from the TOC gene locus in 60 sporadic squamous cell oesophageal cancers from Iran and have investigated the most likely candidate gene by mutation analysis in these tumours. Forty-four out of these 60 samples (73%) show allelic imbalance at one or more loci within or adjacent to the TOC minimal region, while the highest incidence of AI was observed at the D17S2244 and D17S2246 loci (almost 70% AI in informative cases), correlating with the TOC minimal region. Analysis of the coding regions of a candidate gene in these tumours failed to show an equivalently high incidence of mutation, although two mutations and one polymorphism were observed. These data support and extend previous observations that the TOC region of chromosome 17q25 may be involved in the aetiology of the sporadic form of oesophageal cancer from a number of different geographical populations and suggest that the causative gene may be epigenetically silenced rather than mutated.