Effect of Fluorohydroxyapatite on Biological and Physical Properties of MTA Angelus.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of addition of fluorohydroxyapatite (FHI) on biological and physical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Angelus. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro, experimental study, nano-FHI powder was first synthesized, and the morphology and chemical structure of particles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Three groups were evaluated in this study: MTA Angelus, MTA modified with 10% FHA, and MTA modified with 15% FHA. After mixing, the materials were applied to ring molds (10 mm diameter, 1 mm height), and the setting time of the three groups was evaluated according to ISO6876 and ASTMC266-03 with a Gillmore needle. The pH was measured using a pH meter at 24 and 48 hours and 7 days after mixing. The cytotoxicity of the materials was assessed in freshly mixed form and after 1 and 7 days using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay according to ISO10993-5. Data were analyzed by one-way and repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). Results: The addition of FHA to MTA significantly decreased the initial setting time (P < 0.05) and had no significant effect on cell viability (compared with pure MTA Angelus) at 1 and 7 days. However, modified MTA groups in freshly mixed form showed significantly lower cell viability (P < 0.05). The pH remained alkaline at all time points. Conclusion: Addition of 15% FHA to MTA Angelus decreased its setting time with no adverse effect on cell viability (except for fresh form) or pH.

Application of non-cooperative dynamic game theory for groundwater conflict resolution.

The opposing objectives of the groundwater stakeholders, ranging from maximum withdrawal for economic gain to minimum withdrawal for aquifer and environmental protection, lead stakeholders to behave non-cooperatively. In this study, dynamic non-cooperative games are applied to model these conflicts. These games incorporate stakeholders' non-cooperative decision-making processes and groundwater exploitation details over time. The two key players considered in this study are the government, which aims to minimize the groundwater drawdown, and local farmers, who pursue maximum economic gain. In order to calculate the players' payoffs over the modeling period, a simulation-optimization model is developed. For evaluation, the proposed methodology is implemented in the Bad-Khaledabad study area in Iran. Therefore, two dynamic non-cooperative games are developed, considering weak governmental power and players' interaction. It is concluded that creating a transactional relationship, involving the cropping patterns changes and the irrigation efficiency enhancement, will increase farmers' profits by 28% and decrease withdrawal from the aquifer by 21%.

Therapeutic application of multipotent stem cells.

Cell therapy is an emerging fields in the treatment of various diseases such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, and neoplastic diseases. Stem cells are an integral tool for cell therapy. Multipotent stem cells are an important class of stem cells which have the ability to self-renew through dividing and developing into multiple specific cell types in a specific tissue or organ. These cells are capable to activate or inhibit a sequence of cellular and molecular pathways leading to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects which might contribute to the treatment of various diseases. It has been showed that multipotent stem cells exert their therapeutic effects via inhibition/activation of a sequence of cellular and molecular pathways. Although the advantages of multipotent stem cells are numerous, further investigation is still necessary to clarify the biology and safety of these cells before they could be considered as a potential treatment for different types of diseases. This review summarizes different features of multipotent stem cells including isolation, differentiation, and therapeutic applications.

Assessment of input data selection methods for BOD simulation using data-driven models: a case study.

Using the multivariate statistical methods, this study interprets a set of data containing 23 water quality parameters from 10 quality monitoring stations in Karkheh River located in southwest of Iran over 5 years. According to cluster analysis, the stations are classified into three classes of quality, and the most important factors on the whole set of parameters and each class are determined by the help of factor analysis. The results indicate the effects of natural factors, soil weathering and erosion, urban and human wastewater, agricultural and industrial wastewater on water quality at different levels and any location. Afterwards, five input selection methods such as correlation model, principal component analysis, combination of gamma test and backward regression, gamma test and genetic algorithm, and gamma test by elimination method are used for modeling BOD, and then their efficiency is investigated in simulation BOD with local linear regression, Artificial Neural Network, and genetic programming. From five methods of input variables in BOD simulation by local linear regression, genetic test and backward regression with RMSE error of 0.27 are the best input methods; gamma test based on genetic algorithm is the best model in simulation by Artificial Neural Network with RMSE error of 0.28, and finally, the gamma test model based on genetic algorithm with RMSE error of 0.1303 is the most appropriate model in simulation with genetic programming.

Alpha-linolenic acid alleviates the detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide during in vitro ovine oocyte development.

During the transition period and early lactation of ruminants with higher production, the reproductive organs are exposed to various stressors, like inflammation stimulators such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as a consequence of high concentrate consumption. In this study, we aimed to determine the probable potential of α-linolenic acid (ALA) in alleviating LPS-induced effects in ovine oocytes in vitro as well as the underlying controlling mechanisms. Different concentrations of LPS (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL) were added to the oocyte maturation medium to evaluate its effect on oocyte developmental competence. Likewise, different concentrations of ALA (0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 µM/mL) were added to the maturation medium to define its effects on oocyte developmental competence. Accordingly, a combination of ALA and LPS in a dose-dependent manner was added to the maturation medium to elucidate their effect on oocyte developmental competence and uncover any possible potential of ALA to alleviate the detrimental effect induced by the presence of LPS. The expressions of candidate genes were measured in mature oocytes treated either with ALA, LPS, or ALA plus LPS. Adding LPS to the maturation medium decreased the cleavage rate of the treated oocytes, and those oocytes reached the blastocyst stage at a lower rate. Adding ALA to the maturation medium in the presence of LPS alleviated the detrimental effects of LPS in a dose-dependent manner, which ultimately led to higher cleavage and blastocyst formation. A higher expression of Trim26, GRHPR, NDUFA, PGC-1α, SOD, CS, SDH, p53, and CAT was observed in LPS-treated oocytes compared with the ALA and control groups. Additionally, CS and CAT transcripts were down-regulated in oocytes in LPS plus ALA-treated group compared to that of the LPS-treated group. These findings revealed that ALA has the potential to alleviate the detrimental effects induced by LPS on in ovine oocytes during maturation in vitro. Thus, LPS-detrimental effect and ALA-preventing mechanisms seem to be regulated through the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function, oxidative stress, and antioxidant systems.

In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of Bull Semen Processed with Zinc (Zn) Nanoparticles.

Defective sperms cause fertilization failure under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Therefore, providing optimal conditions during semen storage is a prerequisite for maintaining viability. The current study investigated bull semen quality in vitro and in vivo when zinc (Zn) nanoparticles were used as antioxidant during semen processing and cryopreservation. In total, 32 ejaculates were collected from four Holstein bulls. All ejaculates were pooled and diluted with Bioxcell-extender containing 0 (control group), 10-6, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3, and 10-2 M of Zn nanoparticles. Several physical and biochemical sperm parameters were determined after freeze-thawing process. In vitro embryo development rate and pregnancy rate were monitored after in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination using semen treated with Zn nanoparticles. Plasma membrane integrity was improved (P < 0.05) in bull semen treated with 10-6 M (69.3%), and 10-2 (62.4%) of Zn nanoparticles compared to untreated group (51.3%). In addition, proportions of live spermatozoa with active mitochondria were increased (P < 0.05) in semen supplemented with Zn nanoparticles at concentration of 10-6 M (67.3%), and 10-2 (85.3%) compared to control group (49.8%). Moreover, the level of MDA was lower (P < 0.05) in semen with Zn nanoparticles at 10-6 M (2.97 mol/mL) and 10-2 (2.7 mol/mL) concentrations than control semen samples (3.77 mol/mL). However, sperm total and progressive motility, sperm viability, DNA fragmentation, and pregnancy rate were not affected by treatment of semen with Zn nanoparticles. On the other hand, supplementation of in vitro maturation media with 10-6 M Zn nanoparticles has increased blastocyst rate (P < 0.05) compared to other experimental groups, while addition of Zn nanoparticles-treated sperm during in vitro fertilization did not affect embryo development rate. In conclusion, supplementation of Zn nanoparticles to semen has improved its quality without affecting embryo development rate in vitro. However, in vitro embryo development rate was increased when Zn nanoparticles were supplemented to IVM media. This support the notion of Zn nanoparticles beneficial action on improving bovine gametes quality without affecting pregnancy rate.

Transcriptional profile of ovine oocytes matured under lipopolysaccharide treatment in vitro.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from gram negative bacteria cell wall is known to cause ruminal acidosis and/or infectious diseases such as metritis and mastitis which has a significant negative impact on the reproductive performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LPS on oocyte maturation and subsequent development in vitro. Ovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in a medium supplemented with 0 (control), 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL LPS. Nuclear maturation, cleavage and blastocyst rate, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and changes to the transcript abundance were evaluated. In case of the maturation rate, the percentage of oocytes reaching the MII stage was lower following exposure to 10 µg/mL LPS in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the blastocyst rate decreased in case of 1 and 10 µg/mL LPS when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). ROS overproduction accompanied by a decreased ΔΨm were recorded in LPS treated oocytes in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). The 3' tag digital gene expression profiling method revealed that 7887 genes were expressed while only seven genes exhibited changes in the transcript abundance following exposure to LPS. Tripartite motif containing 25 (TRIM25), Tripartite motif containing 26 (TRIM26), Zona Pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3), Family with sequence similarity 50-member A (FAM50A), Glyoxalate and hydroxy pyruvate reductase (GRHPR), NADH ubiquinase oxireductase subunit A8 (NDUFA8) were down-regulated (P < 0.05), while only Centrin 3 (CETN3) was up-regulated (P < 0.05). Our findings show that LPS has undesirable effects on the maturation competence of ovine oocytes and subsequent embryo development. In addition, the transcriptomic profiling results may shed more light on the molecular mechanisms of LPS-induced infertility in ruminants.

Effect of Oral Midazolam Premedication on Children's Co-operation Before General Anesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Premedication is expedient in reducing the psychological trauma from recalling the unpleasant pre-anesthetic phases, hence, inducing a trouble-free anesthesia. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral midazolam in co-operation of the subjects before general anesthesia and in recalling the pre-anesthetic phases, performed on children candidate for dental treatment under general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this prospective clinical trial study, 62 healthy non-cooperative children, candidate for dental treatment under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into study and control groups. The children received 20ml orange juice, 20 minutes before starting the anesthesia. The juice of the test group contained 0.5mg/kg of midazolam and that of the control group included no medication. The induction and the maintenance process of anesthesia were similar in both groups. The manner of subjects when separated from parents, their cooperation during intravenous catheterization, and recalling the pre-anesthetic events were recorded. Data were analyzed by adopting chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Most of the children in the test group had a comfortable separation from parents, restful IV catheterization and 90% of the subjects did not recall the pre-anesthetic events. CONCLUSION: Under the circumstances of this study, it could be concluded that 0.5mg/kg oral midazolam premedication is effective for comfortable separation of children from parents and restful IV catheterization and also forgetting the pre-anesthetic events.