Releasing and structural/mechanical properties of nano-particle/Punica granatum (Pomegranate) in poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid/fibrin as nano-composite scaffold.

The effect of poly(lactic­co­glycolic acid) (PLGA) on structure, degradation, drug release and mechanical properties of fibrin/pomegranate(F/POM)-based drug­eluting scaffolds have been studied comprehensively. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Nanoparticle-fibrin is prepared from thrombin and fibrinogen dissolved in NaOH and HCl. Then pomegranate powder is added to it. Nanoparticles/pom are provided by freeze drying and freeze milling. The 3-D scaffold of poly(lactide-co­glycolic acid) (PLGA) was prepared via salt­leaching solvent/casting leaching method and impregnated with nanofibrin-pom. Structural and chemical component of the scaffolds were evaluated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and furrier transmission infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Moreover, the scaffolds were characterized from the degradation rate and drug releasing rate points of view of human Adipose Derive Stem Cells (hADSCs). Cytotoxicity effects of the scaffold were evaluated on hADSCs via MTT assay. RESULTS: The results showed that the size of nanoparticles was about 100 nm. The scaffold had a slow degradation rate and it caused a sustained release pattern of pom. MTT assay indicated that nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity and fibrin-pom nanoparticles increased compressive strength of PLGA/scaffolds dramatically and also caused a proper compressive modulus. CONCLUSIONS: By adding F/POM nanoparticle to PLGA and fabricating a three­dimensional nanocomposite scaffold (PLGA/F/POM nanoparticle), special physical and mechanical properties also suitable for drug release and cell behavior were achieved, which makes it suitable for cartilage tissue engineering applications (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 53) Keywords: hybrid composites, drug delivery, carrier, nanoparticles, scaffold.

Evaluation of multidrug resistance patterns in siderophore-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical and environmental samples in Gorgan, Iran.

Siderophores secreted by nonfermentative negative bacilli such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa are capable of increasing rates of resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. Furthermore, the resistance of these isolates to antibiotics has been enhanced by producing siderophores, and their frequencies have erratic patterns. We studied the outbreak of P. aeruginosa strains and their antibiotic patterns in different clinical samples. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 P. aeruginosa samples were isolated from different clinical specimens at the 5th Azar Hospital, Gorgan, Iran, in 2017. These strains were identified by biochemical tests, and their antibiotic resistance patterns were measured via the disc diffusion method. Next imipenem and EDTA-imipenem (10-30 µg) antibiotics were employed for the detection of siderophores. Amongst 100 P. aeruginosa samples, 31 isolates (31%) were siderophore carriers. The frequency of this enzyme among specimens was as follows: 56.2% in burn wounds, 36.4% in urine, 22.2% in respiratory secretion, 19.4% in blood and 16.7% in wounds (p > 0.05). Moreover, P. aeruginosa isolates producing siderophores had the highest range of resistance to ciprofloxacin (47.6%), gentamicin (46.7%), ceftazidime (34.9%), nalidixic acid (34.3%), amikacin (34.1%) and cefotaxime (31.6%). The prevalence of siderophore producers, and especially their antibiotic patterns have no specific algorithms; in addition, an antibiogram is recommended to identify the most effective antibiotics against those isolates.

Antibacterial efficacy of polymer containing nanoparticles in comparison with sodium hypochlorite in infected root canals.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial properties of PLGA polymer containing ZnO, Ag and ZnO/Ag nanoparticles with those of 2.5% NaOCl in root canals contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. METHODS: A total of 100 maxillary central incisors were selected. After the crowns were removed to achieve 12-mm-length roots, the root canals were prepared with RaCe rotary system. The samples were sterilized; then 200 µL of E. faecalis suspension (ATCC 29212) was placed in each root canal. The samples were divided into 5 groups based on the antibacterial agent used. Group 1 served as the control group. In group 2 the polymer suspension containing ZnO nanoparticles, in group 3 the polymer solution containing ZnO/Ag nanoparticles, in group 4 the polymer solution containing Ag nanoparticles and in group 5, 2.5% NaOCl were used. After 24 hours, a solution was prepared using dentin chips from each root canal and placed on agar plates, followed by colony-forming units (CFU) count determination. Means ± standard deviations were calculated and Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate the antibacterial properties of different irrigation agents. Mann-Whitney U test was used for two-by-two comparisons of the groups, with the level of significance being set at 0.05. RESULTS: The maximum and minimum CFU counts were observed in the control and NaOCl groups, respectively. In the polymer groups, the maximum and minimum CFU counts were observed in the Ag and ZnO/Ag groups, respectively. There were significant differences in CFU counts between the study groups after application of irrigation solutions (P<0.05). Two-by-two comparisons of the groups using Mann-Whitney U test showed significant differences between all the study groups (P<0.05), except for groups ZnO and Ag (P=0.7). CONCLUSION: Sodium hypochlorite solution was more effective than copolymer containing nanoparticles and of all the tested nanoparticles; ZnO/Ag nanoparticles exhibited the highest antibacterial activity.

Apical microleakage of AH Plus and MTA Fillapex® sealers in association with immediate and delayed post space preparation: a bacterial leakage study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the apical microleakage of root canals obturated with AH Plus and MTA Fillapex® sealers. METHODS: A total of 76 anterior teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups (N.=15) and in each group 2 positive and 2 negative control teeth. All the teeth were cleaned, shaped and obturated using lateral compaction technique with gutta-percha and AH Plus® sealer in groups 1 and 2 and MTA Fillapex® sealer in groups 3 and 4. In groups 1 and 3 post spaces were prepared immediately and groups 2 and 4 were stored for 1 week at 100% relative humidity and then post spaces were prepared. The teeth were connected to a bacterial microleakage evaluation system. Each 72 hours, E. faecalis bacteria were inoculated into the coronal thirds of the root canals. The study period was 90 days and the samples were evaluated on a daily basis, Meier-Kaplan technique was used for estimation of the mean time of microleakage to occur. Log-rank test was used for comparison of microleakage. RESULTS: Contamination occurred in positive control groups on the first day of bacterial inoculation; however, the negative control groups did not exhibit any contamination up to the end of 90-day study period. the difference was not statistically significant between two materials (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between AH Plus® and MTA Fillapex® sealers with the two immediate and delayed postspace preparation techniques.

The accuracy of Breastlight in detection of breast lesions.

AIM: Breastlight is a new product to improve breast health awareness of women. However, its accuracy in detection of breast lesions (BLs) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the Breastlight accuracy in detection of BLs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to September 2013, a total of 500 women referred to mammography unit in Yazd, Iran for screening were recruited to the study. The sensitivity and specificity of Breast light was measured with clinical breast examination (CBE), mammography and sonography. Sonographic and mammography examinations were performed according to breast density among women in two groups of younger (n = 105) and older (n = 395) than 30 years. RESULTS: The results have shown a statistically significant positive correlation between Breastlight, CBE, sonography, and mammography in detection of BLs. Breastlight significantly detected 60.3%, 35.8%, and 59% of lesions which were detected by mammography, CBE, and sonography, respectively. Its sensitivity varied significantly with breast density. Comparing the sensitivity of Breastlight among women younger and older than 30 years indicated that the Breastlight had a higher sensitivity for women older than 30 years. The greatest and lowest portion of positive predictive value occurred with CBE (94.7%) and mammography (91.1%). As well, its greatest and lowest portion of negative predictive value occurred with CBE (65.6%) and sonography (29.7%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the efficacy of Breastlight in detection of breast changes as domestic apparatus was appropriate. However, it is recommended further studies to evaluate the Breastlight efficacy and accuracy in detection of the BLs.

Antidepressant activities of Sambucus ebulus and Sambucus nigra.

OBJECTIVE: Many pharmacological activities have been reported in Sambucus (S.) genus. The aim of present study was to investigate antidepressant activities of different parts of S. ebulus and S. nigra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antidepressant activity of methanolic extracts were evaluated by forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST) in male Swiss albino mice. RESULTS: Extracts showed very good antidepressant activity in both FST and TST. They shortened remarkably the immobility period in both FST and TST and exhibited a dose dependent activity. Extracts in all tested doses showed significant activity as compared to control group (p<0.001). S. nigra showed better activity than S. ebulus. Its leaf extract at 1200 mg kg(-1) showed the same activity as imipramine in FST (p>0.05). Its fruit extract at 1200 mg kg(-1) showed far better activity than imipramine in FST (p<0.001). S. ebulus fruit extract in 1200 mg kg(-1) showed significant activity which was so better than imipramine at 10 mg kg(-1), in decreasing immobility period in TST (p<0.001). No mortality was observed after 48 hours at 3 g kg(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Our report indicated the S. ebulus and S. nigra. extracts were safe and showed remarkable antidepressant activity in FST and TST in mice. These results introduced these plants as easily accessible source of natural antidepressant.

The effect of parental ABO blood group on fetal surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Several factors may cause infertility and fetal loss. Blood groups antigens seem to be implied in the mechanisms of infertility and fetal loss. Maternal natural antibody can react against father's blood group antigens on spermatozoa. The effects of parental blood group system on infertility and fetal surveillance perceived by its manifestation in prezygotic (caused infertility) and postzygotic (caused fetal loss) stages. Objective of the present study is to determine the effect of parental ABO blood group on fetal surveillance and men infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross sectional study. Our study was carried out in fertility and infertility center of Yazd city. Blood group of 118males (group1:100 males with infertility and group 2: 18 males with abortion history in female partners) that referred to this center was evaluated based on medical document's patients. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16 software using chi-square test. The results were considered significant when P-value was <0.05, CI: 0.95. RESULTS: Results indicated that overall distribution of blood groups in group 1 was:50%, 25%, 16% and 9% and in group 2: 56%,27%,11%,6% for blood groups O, A, B and AB respectively. There is a significant relationship between male infertility and blood group O (P value = 0.01). There is also a significant relationship between parental blood group O and fetal loss in group 2 (P value =0.03). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that there is a significant relationship between father's blood group O and fetal loss, so that appropriate intervention strategies can be followed.

Vertical strabismus cases and their surgical outcome in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Early diagnosis and management of strabismus is needed to avoid complications such as amblyopia. In this retrospective cohort study we reviewed the profile and surgical outcome of vertical strabismus patients attending a clinic in Yazd city in the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the medical files of 265 patients, 19.2% were found to have pure vertical deviation and 80.8% had combined horizontal and vertical strabismus. Congenital causes were recorded for 83.0% of cases and 24.9% had a family history of strabismus. Hypertropia (91.7%) was more common than hypotropia (8.3%). There was a statistically significant relationship between age at onset and vertical strabismus. Female patients had a higher rate of congenital vertical strabismus than did male patients. There was no significant association between surgery outcomes and sex or age of onset of strabismus. Early diagnosis and management in affected families and screening ofpatientswith strabismus family history is needed.

Cytochemical evaluation of sperm chromatin and DNA integrity in couples with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions.

The aim of this study was to examine the possible relationship between sperm DNA integrity and chromatin packaging evaluated by cytochemical assays, traditional sperm parameters and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) of unknown origin. In this cohort study, 40 couples with a history of RSA and 40 couples with proven fertility were considered as case and control groups respectively. The semen samples of all husbands were analysed for sperm parameters and also sperm chromatin and DNA integrity assessed using cytochemical tests including aniline blue (AB), chromomycin A3 (CMA3), toluidine blue (TB), acridine orange (AOT) and nuclear chromatin stability assay. Among different sperm parameters, only slow motility was significantly different between the two groups. In sperm chromatin evaluations, there were significant differences between the two groups in all of the tests. In addition, the majority of semen samples in RSA patients exhibited upper percentages of abnormal spermatozoa than the cut-off values regarding different cytochemical assays. Our study showed that in the cases of RSA, slow motility had a significant reduction in comparison with controls and also spermatozoa of men from RSA group had less chromatin condensation and poorer DNA integrity than spermatozoa that obtained from fertile men with no history of RSA.

Vertical strabismus cases and their surgical outcome in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

Early diagnosis and management of strabismus is needed to avoid complications such as amblyopia. In this retrospective cohort study we reviewed the profile and surgical outcome of vertical strabismus patients attending a clinic in Yazd city in the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the medical files of 265 patients, 19.2% were found to have pure vertical deviation and 80.8% had combined horizontal and vertical strabismus. Congenital causes were recorded for 83.0% of cases and 24.9% had a family history of strabismus. Hypertropia [91.7%] was more common than hypotropia [8.3%]. There was a statistically significant relationship between age at onset and vertical strabismus. Female patients had a higher rate of congenital vertical strabismus than did male patients. There was no significant association between surgery outcomes and sex or age of onset of strabismus. Early diagnosis and management in affected families and screening of patients with strabismus family history is needed

Production of chlorogenic acid in Varthemia persica DC (var. persica) callus cultures.

Chlorogenic acid, a pharmacologically important compound, is a phenolic compound that occurs in certain commonly used medicinal herbs. We looked for the presence of this compound in the callus cultures of Varthemia persica DC (var. persica). We have evaluated the conditions for establishment of callus cultures of V. persica and the in vitro production of chlorogenic acid. Callus was initiated by culturing seedling of V. persica on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of kinetin, naphthalene acetic acid and 2,4-diphenoxy acetic acid. Also, the influence of light, and phytohormones on the production of chlorogenic acid was examined. Kinetin stimulated the production of chlorogenic acid. Replacement of 2,4-diphenoxy acetic acid with naphthalene acetic acid did not alter the chlorogenic acid production. The ability to induce the accumulation of chlorogenic acid in the V. persica callus cultures offers an opportunity to produce a phenolic compound with therapeutic value.

Effect of long-term administration of zinc after scrotal heating on mice spermatozoa and subsequent offspring quality.

This study was set to investigate whether the adverse effects of heat on spermatozoa and subsequent foetuses could be prevented by long-term zinc administration. The scrotums of animals were immersed in water at either 43 degrees C (heat group) or 23 degrees C (control group). Half of the heat and control mice were given 10 mg kg(-1) zinc every other day for 60 days and the others received sterile saline instead of zinc. Heat stress significantly reduced sperm motility, concentration, hypoosmotic swelling-water test (HOS-WT) positive and chromomycin A(3) (CMA(3)) negative spermatozoa at the first 15 days, and the greatest decrease occurred at 30 days (P < 0.05). Sperm motility, concentration and HOS-WT positive spermatozoa were also reduced initially in the zinc administered group, but we did not observe any further decrease in the above mentioned parameters on day 30 (P < 0.05). The weight of foetuses obtained from the females mated with paternal heat treatment males was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05) and long-term zinc therapy caused a partial recovery (P > 0.05). This study demonstrates that the adverse effects of hyperthermia on semen parameters may be prevented by zinc therapy. Likewise, long-term administration of zinc could improve quality of litter obtained from the females mated with scrotal heat treatment males.

Urine steroid profile of judo competitors affected by acute physical exercises.

A heterogeneous group of 10 male and 15 female judo players are utilized in this study. The subjects complete a standardized maximal treadmill exercise test. Urine samples are collected at the pre- and postexercise stages. The urine steroids are measured using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument. In rest and after exercise, significantly higher testosterone and epitestosterone concentrations in males (p < 0.01) are found. The etiocholanolone-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratio is significantly lower in males than females (p < 0.05). In both males and females, etiocholanolone concentration significantly decreases with the effect of exercise (p < 0.05). 11-OH etiocholanolone concentration also significantly decreases, but only in females (p < 0.05). Positive correlation is found between the changes of the etiocholanolone and epitestosterone concentration caused by exercise.