Notes

Hydrolysis of methylphosphonic anhydride sound to methylphosphonic acidity probed by Raman and infra-red reflectance spectroscopies.
1. The simple bioenergetic models in the family of Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) consist of a small number of state equations quantifying universal processes, such as feeding, maintenance, development, reproduction and growth. Linking these organismal level processes to underlying suborganismal mechanisms at the molecular, cellular and organ level constitutes a major challenge for predictive ecological risk assessments. 2. Motivated by the need for process-based models to evaluate the impact of endocrine disruptors on ecologically relevant endpoints, this paper develops and evaluates two general modeling modules describing demand-driven feedback mechanisms exerted by gonads on the allocation of resources to production of reproductive matter within the DEB modeling framework. 3. These modules describe iteroparous, semelparous and batch-mode reproductive strategies. The modules have a generic form with both positive and negative feedback components; species and sex specific attributes of endocrine regulation can be added without changing the core of the modules. 4. We demonstrate that these modules successfully describe time-resolved measurements of wet weight of body, ovaries and liver, egg diameter and plasma content of vitellogenin and estradiol in rainbow trout (Oncorynchus mykiss) by fitting these models to published and new data, which require the estimation of less than two parameters per data type. 5. We illustrate the general applicability of the concept of demand-driven allocation of resources to reproduction as worked out in this paper by evaluating one of the modules with data on growth and seed production of an annual plant, the common bean (Phaseolis vulgaris).Labial adhesion (LA) is a rare clinical entity in postmenopausal women. Estrogen deficiency and lack of sexual activity are probable contributing causes. Voiding dysfunction due to LA is even rarer in postmenopausal women, and only a few studies have previously reported such occurrence. A 62-year-old virgin postmenopausal woman presented to the Al-Zahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) with a 5-year history of voiding dysfunction and recurrent urinary tract infection. Despite multiple medical visits, no genital examination was ever performed by a medical practitioner, mainly due to the patient's refusal to be examined by a male physician. On physical examination, we observed extensive LA with only a small opening. Surgical separation of the labia was performed and subsequently, the urinary tract symptoms were completely resolved. Herein, we present a case of LA causing urinary problems in a virgin postmenopausal woman. this website The case underlines the importance of the genital examination of female patients with urinary tract symptoms. Copyright © Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Hemangioblastoma (HB) in the supratentorial region of the brain is rare and only a few cases are reported on intraventricular HB. HB of the lateral ventricles is even rarer. We present a case of a 30-year-old man with generalized tonic clonic seizures. The brain computed tomography showed a 5.5 cm heterogeneous mass extending into both lateral ventricles with partial enhancement. Based on the size and imaging features, we present the fourth documented case of a large solitary intraventricular HB. Our approach to this unique case and some treatment complexities are also described. Considering the rarity of the case and the patient's imaging features, the present study provides a better understanding of HB and recommends HB to be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses in the lateral ventricles. In addition, some preventable pitfalls in the treatment of such complex cases are described. Copyright © Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Background Aluminum (Al) exposure is among the environmental risk factors that may involve in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress has a critical role in the Al-induced toxicity. Saffron is a plant with potent radical scavenging and anti-oxidative properties. This investigation was designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of saffron extract (SE) on aluminum maltolate (Almal)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cell line. Methods In this in vitro study, PC12 cells were divided into four groups including control, Almal (500 µM), Almal+SE (50 μg/ml), and Almal+SE (100 μg/ml). After 48 hours of treatment with Almal in the absence and presence of SE, cell viability and apoptosis were determined using MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Annexin V flow cytometry, respectively. Catalase activity was determined as an index of oxidative stress. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA (SPSS version 16.0). P less then 0.05 was accepted as a statistically significant difference between groups. Results Almal decreased the PC12 cells viability dose-dependently (IC50=500µM). Co-treatment of 50 and 100 μg/ml of SE with 500 µM of Al increased cell viability to 79% (P=0.04) and 86% (P=0.02) of the control group, respectively. Al also increased PC12 cells apoptosis and catalase activity to 37 and 2.7 folds of those of the control group (P less then 0.001 and =0.001respectively). 100 μg/ml of SE blunted the effects of Al on the increased cell apoptosis (P=0.02) and changes in the catalase activity (P=0.003). Conclusion SE has protective effects against Al-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress and may possess therapeutic values in the treatment of Al-neurotoxicity. Copyright © Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Background Usually, chemoradiotherapy can be used for the treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) before surgery. On the other hand, some studies have shown that fractional radiation of tumor cells leads to chemoresistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemoresistance of radioresistant sub-line (RR sub-line). Methods This study was done in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2017-2018. MTT assay and sub-G1 fraction analysis by flow cytometry were used to evaluate cross-resistance of RR sub-line to gefitinib and regorafenib. Real-time PCR was used to investigate the role of four miRNAs and their target genes in the cross-resistance of RR sub-line. The t test and repeated measures test were used for the assessment of statistical significance between groups. Results The IC50 of gefitinib and regorafenib for RR sub-line were significantly higher than those of the parental cell line. On the other hand, the resistance index of RR sub-line for gefitinib and regorafenib were 1.92 and 1.44, respectively. The sub-G1 fraction of RR sub-line following treatment with gefitinib and regorafenib was significantly lower than that of the parental cell line (P=0.012 and P=0.038, respectively). The expression of miR-9, Let-7e, and Let-7b in RRsub-line was significantly lower than that of the parental cell line. However, NRAS, IGF1R, NFKB1, and CCND1 found to be upregulated in RR sub-line in comparison with the parental cell line. Conclusion We can conclude that the acquired RR sub-line was cross-resistance to gefitinib and regorafenib. Furthermore, miR-9/NFKB1, let-7b/CCND1, let-7e/NRAS, and IGF1R played essential roles in the chemoradioresistance of CRC. Copyright © Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Background Liposomes constitute a promising drug delivery vehicle, and are believed to improve drugs' effectiveness. This study was aimed to compare antihypertensive and vascular modifying activities of liposomal and non-liposomal forms of ascorbic acid. Methods Forty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=7) A sham vehicle-receiving (Sham-veh), hypertensive (HTN), vehicle-receiving hypertensive (HTN-Veh), two liposomal Ascorbic acid-treated hypertensive at 50 or 100 mg/kg/day (LVC-50 and LVC-100), and two non-liposomal Ascorbic acid-treated hypertensive at 50 or 100 mg/kg/day (VC-50 and VC-100). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured weekly; after 4 weeks, dose-responses to phenylephrine (PE) in the absence and presence of nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), acetylcholine (Ach), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were obtained on aortic rings. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test at a P value of less then 0.05 using Sigmastat statistical software. Results Compared to the non-liposomal form, the liposomal one was associated with more prominent effects on the final SBP. Both forms of Ascorbic acid decreased SBP dose-dependently. The basal and stimulated release of Nitric Oxide (NO) was significantly recovered by both forms of Ascorbic acid. The PE maximal responses were not significantly different between the liposomal and non-liposomal groups (P=0.08). Although the Emax of Ach-relaxation response was not different in two preparation forms, Ach-relaxation response induced a lower concentration of the liposomal form of Ascorbic acid (P=0.03. Conclusion The liposomal Ascorbic acid exhibited relaxation activity in significantly lower concentrations. The observed effects were partly mediated by the increased basal release of NO. Copyright © Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Background Antiepileptic drugs, such as sodium valproate (SV), are teratogenic as their usage by the pregnant mother has been associated with an increased risk of major congenital abnormalities in the fetus. In this study, the effects of voluntary exercise and prenatal exposure to SV on learning, memory, and anxiety in rats' offspring are investigated. Methods In the present study, 70 female albino Wistar rats (200-240g) were used. The rats were categorized in seven groups 1 and 2, pregnant rats with exposure to SV (10 mg/kg/day i.p) 3 and 4, pregnant rats with exposure to SV (20 mg/kg/day i.p) 5 and 6, pregnant rats with exposure to normal saline (0.4 ml/day i.p) and 7, pregnant rats with exposure to lamotrigine (20 mg/kg/day i.p). The even and odd groups were sedentary and voluntary exercise groups, respectively. Learning and memory were tested in male offspring using shuttle-box; anxiety was tested by elevated plus-maze (each group n=12). Statistical analyses were performed using the one-way ANOVA (the Tukey test) and/or two-way ANOVA on rank. Results The results showed that voluntary exercise in male rats caused improvement of latency and duration time in the dark box compared to sedentary groups (P=0.004). Moreover, the group administrated with 10 mg/kg SV showed better learning capability than the group administrated with 20 mg/kg SV. Voluntary exercise could also improve anxiety (P=0.001). Conclusion This study indicated that exercise could increase learning capacity and improve memories in rats' offspring whose mothers were exposed to SV. Voluntary exercise could improve anxiety too, and the effect was dose-dependent. Copyright © Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Background Community-acquired infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella species (Klebsiella spp.) is of major concern worldwide. Antibiotic resistance, production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), and carbapenemases, as well as the presence of classes 1, 2, and 3 integrons in outpatient isolates of Klebsiella collected from Yazd central laboratory, Yazd, Iran. Methods We collected 250 Klebsiella isolates from Yazd central laboratory between August 2015 and October 2017. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined against 18 antibiotics by disc diffusion, and multidrug-resistant isolates were tested for ESBL production by the phenotypic confirmatory test according to CLSI 2017 protocols. The amplification of β-lactamase genes blaSHV , blaTEM , blaCTX-M , blaOXA-48 , blaKPC , and blaNDM , classes 1, 2, and 3 integrase genes, was carried out using specific primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Of the 250 Klebsiella outpatient isolates, 3.
Homepage: https://www.selleckchem.com/products/AC-220.html