Design, Implement, and Evaluate a Short-term Blended Training Program on Nursing Students' Disaster Response Self-efficacy in Iran

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a training program on nursing students' disaster response self-efficacy.

METHODS

This study was conducted using a pre-test, post-test, and follow up design. A total of 92 nursing students participated in the study. The developed program was implemented both theoretically (online) and practically (in person). Nursing students' disaster response self-efficacy was measured using the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale that was filled out 1 week before the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention by the students. The students' satisfaction with the program and their views on the program were also surveyed.

RESULTS

Overall score and all items score had significant improvement in short-, and long-term except in 1 item (item 22). The highest increase in score was related to practical items and referral for psychiatric treatment (items 7, 8, 10, and 18) and the lowest increase was related to communication and ethical skill items (items 20, 21, and 22). It is possible that the students had a higher perception of communication and ethical skills even before the training. Most of the students were satisfied with the program.

CONCLUSIONS

A training intervention that can provide theoretical materials online, as well as face-to-face practical programs, can increase nursing students' disaster response self-efficacy.

Underlying mechanisms of long-term potentiation during the inhibition of the cannabinoid CB1 and GABAB receptors in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus

BACKGROUND

The release of various neurotransmitters and thereby the excitability of neuronal circuits are regulated by the endocannabinoid system in an activity-dependent manner. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is augmented in cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor-deficient mice. CB1 receptors exist on GABAergic axon terminals in the hippocampus. In our previous work, we showed that CB1 antagonists increased the population spike (PS) amplitude, field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP), and the LTP induction in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the rat hippocampus while the GABA_B antagonist decreased these parameters. Determining the underlying mechanisms of the pre- and/or postsynaptic locus of LTP expression is of great importance. In this study, we investigated whether LTP alteration acutely caused by CB1 and GABA_B receptor antagonists (AM251 and CGP55845, respectively) happens at the postsynaptic or presynaptic regions, or at both. Therefore, the paired-pulse ratio (PPR) was assessed prior to and following the LTP induction in the studied groups.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the groups of control, AM251, CGP55845, CGP55845 + AM251. A high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the perforant path (PP) was used to induce LTP in the DG region.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis revealed that AM251 produced significant increase in excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) slope and amplitude of PS. Conversely, administration of CGP55845 produced decrease in slope of EPSP. The current results indicated that the PPR was not influenced by LTP induction in the presence of AM251 or CGP55845 either alone or their combination.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that the site causing LTP expression is, at least in part, the postsynaptic site because PPR was not influenced by LTP induction in the presence of AM251 or CGP55845 either alone or their combination.

P-056 The reproductive toxicity of alginate coated silver nano-rod on sperm

Study question

What is the toxic effects of Au@Ag core-shell NR on sperm function?

Summary answer

Although sperm count and morphology did not differ significantly, changing the shape and envelope of the silver nanostructure did not reduce its toxicity.

What is known already

Spermatogenesis is a developmental process of germ cell reproduction that depends on hormonal or dynamic interplays between sertoli cells and germ cells. Silver is the most common noble metal used in the synthesis of nanoscale materials, particularly in room sprays, cosmetics, toys, clinical catheters, and wound dressings. The increasing usability of silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) has increased human exposure. Many studies have demonstrated that Ag nanoparticles, depending on their shape, size, and concentration, have cytotoxic effects that reduce cell viability. The toxicity of silver Nano-Rod by deformation and coating with alginate has been studied.

Study design, size, duration

Forty-eight male mice were divided into five groups (two treatments, two shams, and one control). The treated groups received the Ag Nano-Rod at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for fourteen and thirty-five days. The sham groups were treated with identical amounts and days, and the control group received no material. Finally, the cauda epididymis of the animals was removed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

In the present study, Ag Nano-Rod were characterized by HR-TEM, FT-IR, UV-visible, XRD and ICP-MS. Sperm analysis, including count, motility, viability, and morphology, was studied according to the criteria of WHO. A phase-contrast microscope was used to count the spermatozoa and assess their motility. Viability and morphology were examined by eosin-nigrosin and papanicolaou staining, respectively. TUNEL assay and gene expression for apoptotic and autophagic markers were also performed.

Main results and the role of chance

High magnification images TEM were obtained. According to this, the Ag nanostructure was rod-shaped and the average size of the particles was 50nm. The UV-visible confirms the formation of the synthesized nanosilver (rod shape). The change in nanostructure coating from CTAB to alginate was studied by FTIR analysis, and XRD proved the presence of silver in the composition. The results of sperm analysis showed that there was no significant decrease in sperm count and morphology but the parameters of motility and viability of the nanosilver groups showed a significant decline compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation by the TUNEL assay showed that the nanosilver groups had significantly higher DNA fragmentation and the real-time PCR results also confirmed this. Expression of autophagic and apoptotic markers indicates activation of the apoptosis pathway compared to the autophagy pathway. The expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 (markers that initiate and continue the autophagy) was reduced compared to the sham and control groups. Also, examination of apoptotic pathway genes showed a decrease in Bcl-2 expression and an increase in Bax and caspase-3 expression.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This study requires further research, including protein expression in these two pathways.

Wider implications of the findings

This study investigated the acute (14 days) and chronic (35 days) effects of silver nanorod on reproductive toxicity, which can lead to significant changes in sperm quality. This reduction in quality was observed mainly in the chronic phase and severely affected sperm motility.

Trial registration number

Not Applicable

Modulation of Negative Effects of Physiological Stress on Frozen-Thawed Semen with Nutrition of Organic Selenium in Ross 308 Rooster

Current experiment was carried out in factorial 2×2 arrangement to study the effects of stress (with or without dexamethasone administration) and addition of dietary selenium (with or without selenium supplementation in the diet) in male broiler breeder on the quality of frozen-thawed sperm under oxidative stress induced by dexamethasone. A total of 24 broiler breeder roosters with the age of 28 weeks were used based on a completely randomized design with four therapeutic approaches (factorial 2×2) and six birds in each approach. The experimental treatments were: 1) basal diet without selenium supplementation and injection of saline (CON), 2) basal diet with dexamethasone injection (4 mg/kg BW, three times every other day for one week), (DEX), 3) without dexamethasone injection and supplementation with 0.3 mg/kg selenium (Sel-Plex), and 4) dexamethasone injection and basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of diet selenium (Sel-Plex+Dex). Sperm samples were collected from roosters. Motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, malondialdehyde concentration and antioxidant parameters were evaluated in fresh and frozen-thawed semen. In spite of non-significant interaction effects, factorial analysis indicated the significant effect of every factor on different experimental parameters in fresh and frozen-thawed semen (P<0.05); The results revealed that total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were lower in DEX group when compared with other treatments (P<0.05). On the other hand, malondialdehyde concentration was higher in DEX group in comparison with Con, Sel-Plex and Sel-Plex+DEX groups (P<0.05). Moreover, total antioxidant capacity, level of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were lower in DEX group as compared with other treatments (P<0.05). Our findings indicated that administration of selenium in dexamethasone-receiving roosters (Sel-Plex+DEX) improved the parameters of fresh and frozen-thawed sperm; but the best results were observed in Sel-Plex treatment. Therefore, selenium supplementation in the diet of roosters without dexamethasone injection improved total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity, viability, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase pre- and post-freezing. It can be concluded, selenium in organic forms in stressed and non-stressed rooster's diet might improve all motility and antioxidant parameters in fresh and frozen-thawed sperm.

Freezing of few nanometers water droplets

Water-ice transformation of few nm nanodroplets plays a critical role in nature including climate change, microphysics of clouds, survival mechanism of animals in cold environments, and a broad spectrum of technologies. In most of these scenarios, water-ice transformation occurs in a heterogenous mode where nanodroplets are in contact with another medium. Despite computational efforts, experimental probing of this transformation at few nm scales remains unresolved. Here, we report direct probing of water-ice transformation down to 2 nm scale and the length-scale dependence of transformation temperature through two independent metrologies. The transformation temperature shows a sharp length dependence in nanodroplets smaller than 10 nm and for 2 nm droplet, this temperature falls below the homogenous bulk nucleation limit. Contrary to nucleation on curved rigid solid surfaces, ice formation on soft interfaces (omnipresent in nature) can deform the interface leading to suppression of ice nucleation. For soft interfaces, ice nucleation temperature depends on surface modulus. Considering the interfacial deformation, the findings are in good agreement with predictions of classical nucleation theory. This understanding contributes to a greater knowledge of natural phenomena and rational design of anti-icing systems for aviation, wind energy and infrastructures and even cryopreservation systems.

Evaluation of a custom QIAseq targeted DNA panel with 164 ancestry informative markers sequenced with the Illumina MiSeq

Introduction of new methods requires meticulous evaluation before they can be applied to forensic genetic case work. Here, a custom QIAseq Targeted DNA panel with 164 ancestry informative markers was assessed using the MiSeq sequencing platform. Concordance, sensitivity, and the capability for analysis of mixtures were tested. The assay gave reproducible and nearly concordant results with an input of 10 and 2 ng DNA. Lower DNA input led to an increase in both locus and allele drop-outs, and a higher variation in heterozygote balance. Locus or allele drop-outs in the samples with less than 2 ng DNA input were not necessarily associated with the overall performance of a locus. Thus, the QIAseq assay will be difficult to implement in a forensic genetic setting where the sample material is often scarce and of poor quality. With equal or near equal mixture ratios, the mixture DNA profiles were easily identified by an increased number of imbalanced heterozygotes. For more skewed mixture ratios, the mixture DNA profiles were identified by an increased noise level. Lastly, individuals from Great Britain and the Middle East were investigated. The Middle Eastern individuals showed a greater affinity with South European populations compared to North European populations.

Investigating the relationship between noise and occupation on the status of mental disorders and depression of workers using questionnaire (DASS) and (BAKK) in steel industries

Introduction: In most industrial environments, people are exposed to noise daily. Exposure to this physical hazard can lead to cognitive impairment in individuals. Noise, like all pollutants, reduces the quality of life and causes significant mood disorders in people. The present study examines a set of cognitive factors to assess the mental health status of workers in terms of depression and stress in a noisy workplace. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study in 1399, 1100 steelworkers were evaluated to determine the degree of depression and mood swings. The data were analyzed through a public call at the Isfahan Steel Plant. ISO 9612 (2009) standard was used to measure the sound pressure level. In addition to conducting clinical interviews, subjects answered the BAKK Depression Inventory and the DASS-42 Inventory Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v. 22). Results: Based on the findings of the study, annoying noise (above 85 decibels) had a significant effect on age factor on depression, marital status factor on anxiety, and shift factor on stress and self-criticism of employees (p <0.05). The mean of the stress variable in the case group was significantly higher than the control group (p <0.001), which indicates the effect of sound intensity level on increasing stress and depression in a noisy environment. Conclusion: The results of this study: Occupational noise higher than the standard 85 dB can have devastating effects on moods and various dimensions of workers' cognitive status.

Transport Phenomena in Nano/Molecular Confinements

The transport of fluid and ions in nano/molecular confinements is the governing physics of a myriad of embodiments in nature and technology including human physiology, plants, energy modules, water collection and treatment systems, chemical processes, materials synthesis, and medicine. At nano/molecular scales, the confinement dimension approaches the molecular size and the transport characteristics deviates significantly from that at macro/micro scales. A thorough understanding of physics of transport at these scales and associated fluid properties is undoubtedly critical for future technologies. This compressive review provides an elaborate picture on the promising future applications of nano/molecular transport, highlights experimental and simulation metrologies to probe and comprehend this transport phenomenon, discusses the physics of fluid transport, tunable flow by orders of magnitude, and gating mechanisms at these scales, and lists the advancement in the fabrication methodologies to turn these transport concepts into reality. Properties such as chain-like liquid transport, confined gas transport, surface charge-driven ion transport, physical/chemical ion gates, and ion diodes will provide avenues to devise technologies with enhanced performance inaccessible through macro/micro systems. This review aims to provide a consolidated body of knowledge to accelerate innovation and breakthrough in the above fields.

On interfacial viscosity in nanochannels

Capillary driven transport of liquids in nanoscopic channels is an omnipresent phenomenon in nature and technology including fluid flow in the human body and plants, drug delivery, nanofluidic devices, and energy/water systems. However, the kinetics of this mass transport mechanism remains in question as the well-known Lucas-Washburn (LW) model predicts significantly faster flow rates compared to the experimental observations. We here showed the role of interfacial viscosity in capillary motion slowdown in nanochannels through a combination of experimental, analytical and molecular dynamics techniques. We showed that the slower liquid flow is due to the formation of a thin liquid layer adjacent to the channel walls with a viscosity substantially greater than the bulk liquid. By incorporating the effect of the interfacial layer, we presented a theoretical model that accurately predicts the capillarity kinetics in nanochannels of different heights. Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the obtained interfacial viscosities. The viscosities of isopropanol and ethanol within the interfacial layer were 9.048 mPa s and 4.405 mPa s, respectively (i.e. 279% and 276% greater than their bulk values). We also showed that the interfacial layers are 6.4 nm- and 5.3 nm-thick for isopropanol and ethanol, respectively.

Stress-localized durable anti-biofouling surfaces

Growing demands for bio-friendly antifouling surfaces have stimulated the development of new and ever-improving material paradigms. Despite notable progress in bio-friendly coatings, the biofouling problem remains a critical challenge. In addition to biofouling characteristics, mechanically stressed surfaces such as ship hulls, piping systems, and heat exchangers require long-term durability in marine environments. Here, we introduce a new generation of anti-biofouling coatings with superior characteristics and high mechanical, chemical and environmental durability. In these surfaces, we have implemented the new physics of stress localization to minimize the adhesion of bio-species on the coatings. This polymeric material contains dispersed organogels in a high shear modulus matrix. Interfacial cavitation induced at the interface of bio-species and organogel particles leads to stress localization and detachment of bio-species from these surfaces with minimal shear stress. In a comprehensive study, the performance of these surfaces is assessed for both soft and hard biofouling including Ulva, bacteria, diatoms, barnacles and mussels, and is compared with that of state-of-the-art surfaces. These surfaces show Ulva accumulation of less than 1%, minimal bacterial biofilm growth, diatom attachment of 2%, barnacle adhesion of 0.02 MPa and mussel adhesion of 7.5 N. These surfaces promise a new physics-based route to address the biofouling problem and avoid adverse effects of biofouling on the environment and relevant technologies.

An in situ method on kinetics of gas hydrates

Gas hydrate formation is a high-risk and common flow assurance problem in subsea oil production plants. The modern strategies to mitigate hydrate formation have switched from thermodynamic inhibition to risk management. In this new mitigation strategy, hydrate formation is allowed as long as it does not lead to plugging of pipelines. Thus, understanding the growth kinetics of gas hydrates plays a critical role in risk management strategies. Here, we report a new accurate and in situ approach to probe the kinetics of gas hydrate formation. This approach is based on the hot-wire method, which probes the thermal properties of the medium surrounding the hot-wire. As the thermal properties of gas hydrate and its initial constituents are different, variation in these properties is used to probe kinetics of hydrate growth front. Through this in situ method, we determine kinetics of cyclopentane hydrate formation in both mixing and flow conditions. The findings show that at ambient pressure and a temperature of 1-2 °C, the hydrate formation rate under mixing condition varies between 1.9 × 10^-5 and 3.9 × 10^-5 kg m^-2 s^-1, while in flow condition, this growth rate drops to 4.5 × 10^-6 kg m^-2 s^-1. To our knowledge, this is the first reported growth rate of cyclopentane hydrate. This in situ approach allows us to probe kinetics of hydrate formation where there is no optical access and provides a tool to rationally design risk management strategies for subsea infrastructures.

Expression profiling of plac1 in murine cancer cell lines

Placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) is among recently-discovered placental antigens which exerts fundamental role in placental function and development. Increasing body of literature shows that PLAC1 is frequently activated and expressed in a wide variety of human cancers and promote cancer progression. However, no data is available regarding the expression of mouse orthologue, plac1, in murine cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: We investigated the expression of plac1 in a series of murine cell lines from different histological origins, mammary carcinoma (4T1), melanoma (B16F10), colorectal carcinoma (CT26), renal carcinoma (Renca), glioma (GL26), B-cell lymphoma (A20 and BCL1) and also two fibroblast cell lines (NIH3T3 and L929), using RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. Results: Our data demonstrated that plac1 transcript and plac1 protein were expressed in all examined cell lines, as judged by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The molecular weight of mouse plac1 was experimentally observed to be approximately 24 kD. Flow cytometric analysis showed surface expression of plac1 in aforesaid cell lines ranging from 2% to 42.5%. Conclusion: Based on the ubiquitous expression of plac1, the investigated cancer cell lines or immortalized cell lines can be used to examine the role of plac1 in the process of immortalization.

Ultrahigh Evaporative Heat Fluxes in Nanoconfined Geometries

Advancement in high-performance photonics/electronics devices has boosted generated thermal energy, making thermal management a bottleneck for accelerated innovation in these disciplines. Although various methods have been used to tackle the thermal management problem, evaporation with nanometer fluid thickness is one of the most promising approaches for future technological demands. Here, we studied thin-film evaporation in nanochannels under absolute negative pressure in both transient and steady-state conditions. We demonstrated that thin-film evaporation in nanochannels can be a bubble-free process even at temperatures higher than boiling temperature, providing high reliability in thermal management systems. To achieve this bubble-free characteristic, the dimension of nanochannels should be smaller than the critical nucleolus dimension. In transient evaporative conditions, there is a plateau in the velocity of liquid in the nanochannels, which limits the evaporative heat flux. This limit is imposed by liquid viscous dissipation in the moving evaporative meniscus. In contrast, in steady-state condition, unprecedented average interfacial heat flux of 11 ± 2 kW cm^-2 is achieved in the nanochannels, which corresponds to liquid velocity of 0.204 m s^-1. This ultrahigh heat flux is demonstrated for a long period of time. The vapor outward transport from the interface is both advective and diffusion controlled. The momentum transport of liquid to the interface is the limiting physics of evaporation at steady state. The developed concept and platform provide a rational route to design thermal management technologies for high-performance electronic systems.

Ultrafast dynamics in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: the key case of conical intersections at higher excited states and their role in the photophysics of phenanthrene monomer

Proper interpretation of phenanthrene's and similar PAHs’ photocycle relies on two higher excited state relaxations due to the simultaneous presence of non-adiabatic and adiabatic transitions.

Evaporation Mass Flux: A Predictive Model and Experiments

Evaporation is a fundamental and core phenomenon in a broad range of disciplines including power generation and refrigeration systems, desalination, electronic/photonic cooling, aviation systems, and even biosciences. Despite its importance, the current theories on evaporation suffer from fitting coefficients with reported values varying in a few orders of magnitude. Lack of a sound model impedes simulation and prediction of characteristics of many systems in these disciplines. Here, we studied evaporation at a planar liquid-vapor interface through a custom-designed, controlled, and automated experimental setup. This experimental setup provides the ability to accurately probe thermodynamic properties in vapor, liquid, and close to the liquid-vapor interface. Through analysis of these thermodynamic properties in a wide range of evaporation mass fluxes, we cast a predictive model of evaporation based on nonequilibrium thermodynamics with no fitting parameters. In this model, only the interfacial temperatures of liquid and vapor phases along with the vapor pressure are needed to predict evaporation mass flux. The model was validated by the reported study of an independent research group. The developed model provides a foundation for all liquid-vapor phase change studies including energy, water, and biological systems.

Effects of Hypericum scabrum extract on learning and memory and oxidant/antioxidant status in rats fed a long-term high-fat diet

A high-fat diet (HFD) causes deficits in learning and memory by increasing oxidative stress. Antioxidants are known to improve learning and memory. Since Hypericum scabrum (H. scabrum) extract is rich in antioxidants, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the administration of H. scabrum extract on passive avoidance learning (PAL), novel object recognition (NOR), and locomotor activity in male rats on a HFD. Fifty-four male Wistar rats (weighing 220 ± 10 g) were divided into the following six groups: (1) Control (standard diet), (2) Ext100 (standard diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg extract once/day), (3) Ext300 (standard diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg extract once/day), (4) HFD (high-fat diet), (5) HFD + Ext100, and (6) HFD + Ext300. Rats in these groups were maintained on their respective diets for 3 months. In the PAL test, the step-through latencies in the retention test (STLr) were significantly higher in the HFD + extract group than in the HFD group. The time spent in the dark compartment (TDC) was significantly lesser and the time spent in exploring the novel object was significantly greater in the HFD + extract group than in the HFD group. In the HFD-fed rats, the activity of catalase had significantly decreased, and level of malondialdehyde had significantly increased; H. scabrum extract administration significantly reversed these changes. In conclusion, these results suggested that the administration of H. scabrum extract and its strong antioxidant properties enhanced learning and memory and reversed the memory impairment induced by chronic HFD consumption.

Super RLuc8-sFv; a new luciferase-labeled probe for detection of human CD4+ cells

A probe has been designed, produced and assayed for the detection of T-helper cells. The sFv fragment fused to the C-terminus of super Renilla luciferase 8 (Super RLuc8) and the probe successfully used for detection of human CD4+ cells using luminometer.

Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptor Genes in Iranian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent synovitis, ultimately leading to cartilage and bone degeneration. Natural Killer cells and CD28 null T-cells are suspected as role players in RA pathogenesis. These cells are similar in feature and function, as they both exert their cytotoxic effect via Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptors (KIR) on their surface. KIR genes have either an inhibitory or activating effect depending on their intracytoplasmic structure. Herein we genotyped 16 KIR genes, 3 pseudo genes and 6 HLA class І genes as their corresponding ligands in RA patients and control subjects.

Methods

In this case-control study, KIR and HLA genes were genotyped in 400 RA patients and 372 matched healthy controls using sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR). Differences in the frequency of genes and haplotypes were determined by χ² test.

Results

KIR2DL2, 2DL5a, 2DL5b and activating KIR: KIR2DS5 and 3DS1 were all protective against RA. KIR2DL5 removal from a full Inhibitory KIR haplotype converted the mild protection (OR = 0.56) to a powerful predisposition to RA (OR = 16.47). Inhibitory haplotype No. 7 comprising KIR2DL5 in the absence of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 confers a 14-fold protective effect against RA.

Conclusion

Individuals carrying the inhibitory KIR haplotype No. 6 have a high potential risk for developing RA.

Effects of vitamin E on lead-induced impairments in hippocampal synaptic plasticity

Lead (Pb) exposure during development is associated with impaired cognitive function and long-term potentiation (LTP). Vitamin E (VE) is an antioxidant that could have protective effects against Pb intoxication. In this study, we examined the protective effects of vitamin E against Pb-induced LTP impairments. Forty-six adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups: (1) control; (2) Pb exposure; (3) VE; (4) Pb +VE; (5) Pb exposure followed by VE 2 months after exposure; (6) VE followed by Pb exposure 1 month after treatment. Rats were exposed to Pb through daily consumption of Pb-contaminated distilled water; VE was administered by daily gavage for 3 months. After this period, the population spike (PS) amplitudes and the slopes of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were measured in the dentate gyrus (DG) area of the hippocampus in adult rats in response to electrical stimulation applied to the perforant pathway in vivo. Blood samples were also collected to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS). Biochemical analyses demonstrated significant increases in plasma MDA and TOS levels in the Pb-exposed group compared to the control group. VE-protected groups revealed significant increases in TAC levels. Our results demonstrate that Pb decreased EPSP slopes and PS amplitudes compared to the control group, whereas VE increased these parameters compared to the control group. Co-administration of VE with Pb exposure inhibited Pb-induced effects. These findings suggest that VE via its antioxidant activity reverses Pb-induced impairments of synaptic plasticity in the DG.

FcUni-RLuc: an engineered Renilla luciferase with Fc binding ability and light emission activity

Schematic representation of the labelling of IgG using FcUni-RLuc.

Raman measurements of substrate temperature in a molecular beam epitaxy growth chamber

A method is described for directly measuring the temperature of a substrate in a molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) growth system. The approach relies on the establishment of the temperature dependence of Raman-active phonons of the substrate material using independently known calibration points across the range of interest. An unknown temperature in this range is then determined based on the Raman peak position with the substrate in situ the MBE chamber. The apparatus relies on conventional optics and Raman components. Shifting and broadening of the Raman spectrum are described based on the effects of thermal expansion and anharmonic decay. The choice of reference temperature is discussed. The method is qualified by examining the substrate temperature dependence, relative to that of a standard thermocouple, during a commonly used ramp procedure. Both temperature difference and time lag are obtained.

CD4 D3-binding probe: a novel fluorescence tool for detection and enumeration of CD4+ cells

A new and advanced CD4-binding reporter has been designed, produced and functionally assayed for the detection of T-helper cells.

Non-Newtonian unconfined flow and heat transfer over a heated cylinder using the direct-forcing immersed boundary-thermal lattice Boltzmann method

In this study, the immersed boundary-thermal lattice Boltzmann method has been used to simulate non-Newtonian fluid flow over a heated circular cylinder. The direct-forcing algorithm has been employed to couple the off-lattice obstacles and on-lattice fluid nodes. To investigate the effect of boundary sharpness, two different diffuse interface schemes are considered to interpolate the velocity and temperature between the boundary and computational grid points. The lattice Boltzmann equation with split-forcing term is applied to consider the effects of the discrete lattice and the body force to the momentum flux, simultaneously. A method for calculating the Nusselt number based on diffuse interface schemes is developed. The rheological and thermal properties of non-Newtonian fluids are investigated under the different power-law indices and Reynolds numbers. The effect of numerical parameters on the accuracy of the proposed method has been investigated in detail. Results show that the rheological and thermal properties of non-Newtonian fluids in the presence of a heated immersed body can be suitably captured using the immersed boundary thermal lattice Boltzmann method.

Comparison of maternal characteristics in low birth weight and normal birth weight infants

Low birth weight is a key determinant in the risk of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period and during childhood. This unmatched case-control study in Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran, compared the characteristics of mothers of low- and normal-birth-weight infants. Maternal sociodemographic data, pregnancy history, anthropometric data and cord plasma zinc level were collected from 134 mothers of low-birth-weight infants and 134 mothers of normal infants at the time of delivery. Significant differences in maternal characteristics namely gravida, parity, body mass index, maternal weight gain during pregnancy and plasma cord blood zinc were found between low- and normal-birth-weight infants. There were no significant differences in maternal age, maternal education, maternal occupation, family income, previous abortion, previous preterm labour, birth Iinterval, type of clinic and place of residence between the 2 groups.

Anopheline species composition in borderline of Iran-Azerbaijan

Malaria is still one of the most important health-problems in the world and is endemic in Iran. Since 1994, after collapse of former Soviet Union, a new threat of malaria importation emerged from those countries into the northern Iran. This work was carried out to provide further evidence on the status of anopheline species composition, the malaria parasite species, and natural infectivity of mosquitoes distributed in Pars-Abad district, on the borderline of Azerbaijan in northwestern Iran. Mosquitoes were collected from May to December 2008 in anopheline seasonal activity and were identified at the species level. The genus- and species-specific primers against Plasmodium ssrDNA gene were used for specific amplification on female mosquito head+thorax. Members of the Anoheles maculipennis complex were identified by sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer II (ITS2-rDNA). Morphological character-based identification showed that out of 1455 anopheline female specimens, 1121 (77%) were of A. maculipennis s.l. and 334 (23%) were of Anoheles hyrcanus. Molecular analysis of the species complex indicated the presence of Anoheles sacharovi 984 (67.6%) and A. maculipennis 137 (9.4%) in the region. None of themosquito's head-thorax was found to be naturally infected by malaria parasite. Results of this study, particularly high dominance of A. sacharovi, suggest a potential risk of malaria epidemic in the region, and the need for a continuous epidemiological surveillance.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and total serum cholesterol level in Iranian population

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is known as a major regulator of blood lipid levels in humans. A number of APOE gene allelic variants have been reported including E2, E3 and E4. Recent studies suggested a role for APOE in obesity and increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and plasma lipid levels in obese children.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the association between APOE genetic variants and the BMI and lipid profile in an Iranian cohort.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Samples were obtained from subjects who participated in a study based on the WHO-designed MONICA (multinational monitoring of trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease) study for coronary artery disease risk assessment in Zone 17 of Tehran. The study was approved by the local ethical committee. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects included in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects (n=320) were recruited. The level of triglyceride (TG) and total serum cholesterol was tested for all subjects in this study. Genotyping for APOE was carried using polymerase chain reaction-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)technique.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Levels of significance were determined using contingency tables by either Chi-square or Fisher exact analysis using the STATA (v8) software. The analysis of regression and significance of differences for level of cholesterol and TG was established by one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett post hoc multiple comparison tests using SPSS software Version 11.5.

RESULTS

The frequency of allele E2 was significantly higher in patients with total serum cholesterol level <200 mg/dl (P 0.01 OR 2.1 95% CI 1.1-4.2).

CONCLUSION

The association found in this study between allele E2 and lower total cholesterol level had been reported in previous studies. We have also observed that the frequency of genotype E2/E3 and E2/E4 was significantly higher in patients with normal total serum cholesterol level compared to patients with abnormal cholesterol (P=0.003 OR 2.4 95% CI; 1.3-4.6). Our data needs to be repeated in a larger population with more information for serum LDL and HDL levels and their subgroups.