Reproductive effects of dietary soy phytoestrogens, genistein and equol on farmed female beluga, Huso huso

In this study, 54 five-year-old farmed female beluga at stage II of sexual maturation were treated with 0 [control], 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g of dietary soy equol [EQ] and genistein [GE] per each kilogram [kg] of diet during a year. Blood samples were collected and ovarian biopsy was performed quarterly. Results showed that 64.4% of the Huso huso sexually matured at EQ 0.4 g/kg and reached stage IV of sexual maturation. Oocytes diameters increased significantly at all concentrations of EQ and 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 concentrations of GE and reached a maximum [3 +/- 0.2 mm] at 0.4 g/kg EQ concentration at the end of experiment [P<0.05]. Blood plasma testosterone [T] level was 0.3 +/- 0.06 ng/ml at the beginning and reached a maximum [21.04 +/- 1.91 ng/ml] at EQ 0.4 g/kg at the end of the experiment [P<0.05]. 17a-estradiol [E2] levels increased significantly at some concentrations of GE and EQ at the end as compared to the beginning, reaching a maximum [12.6 +/- 1.04 ng/ml] at EQ 0.4 g/kg at the end of the experiment [P<0.05]. 17- hydroxy progesterone [17á-OHP] levels showed no significant difference [P>0.05]. In conclusion, EQ at a 0.4 g/kg concentration showed more powerful positive reproductive effects than other concentrations of EQ and GE in farmed female H. huso. Comparatively, EQ showed more estrogenic effects on ovary development in comparison to GE concentrations. Its use is therefore suggested as an additive to diets to induce ovary development in Huso huso

[Biopsy and histological study of gonads from farmed acipenser persicus]

Sexual cells in male fishes are microscopic and smaller than eggs in females. Due to the late maturation age in sturgeons, the biopsy of gonads and histological studies are one of the most important and reliable ways to detect and separate males and females from each other at early ages. The aim of the present study was to determine and divide the sexes in farmed Acipenser persicus reared under artificial conditions. In order to detect and determine sexual maturation stages, gonads of 81 farmed A. persicus were sampled by biopsy. Samples were fixed and studied by light microscope. Results showed that males and females were 30 [37%] and 51 [63%] individuals, respectively. The determination of sexual maturation stages in A. persicus showed that 16% were at stage I, 23.5% at stage I - II, 59.3% at stage II and 1.2% at stage III. The number of females was higher than that of males, but sexually mature females were at lower maturation stages than males in the same age and rearing conditions

[Evaluating the microleakage of class V cavity preparations restored with resin composite and resin modified glass ionomer]

Marginal seal in class V Cavities and determining the best restorative material to decrease microleakage of them is very important in operative dentistry. To evaluate the microleakage of class V cavity preparations restored with three different types of resin composite and resin modified glass Ionomer. Two class V cavities were prepared in buccal surface of 32 recently extracted premolar teeth. The occlusal margin of each restoration was on enamel and the gingival margin on dentin. Teeth were randomly assigned to four groups of 8 teeth and restored as follows: Group I: microhybrid resin composite [Z250]; Group II: nano composite [supreme]; Group III: Flowable composite [3M]; Group IV: resin modified glass Ionomer [vitremer]. In all groups the manufacture instructions were strictly followed. All teeth were immersed in 50% Silver Nitrate during 4 hours and developing solution for 8 hours after thermocycling. The teeth were longitudinally sectioned and observed under a stereomicroscope. The degree of dye penetration was recorded and analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test. There was no evidence of microleakage on the enamel margins in any groups. When the margins were in dentin vitremer and flowable composite had the less and the most level of microleakage in dentinal margin respectively [P<0.05]. There was no significant differents in other groups of dentinal margin. Vitremer has an efficterness role and flawable composite has a weakness role in reducting microleakage of dentinal margin

comparative analysis of routine techniques: Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and five cell lines for detection of enteroviruses in stool specimens

Each year, Enteroviruses infect millions of people and cause different diseases. The agents are usually detected using cell culture. RD [Rhabdomyosarcoma] and L20B [L cells] are among the recommended cells by the World Health Organisation [WHO] for this purpose. Even though cell culture is the most common method used in diagnosing Enteroviruses in stool specimens, this particular method poses some problems, which include false positive or negative results, lack of a unique cell line for diagnosing all Entero virus types in addition to being time consuming. For these reasons, an attempt was made to find better techniques of Entero virus detection. RT-PCR [Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction] is a technique used in place of the cell culture method. In this study, the cell culture method was compared with RT-PCR for detection of Enteroviruses in stool specimens. First, the chloroform treated stool samples were inoculated onto five cell lines, including RD, L20B, Hep-2 [Human Epidermoid carcinoma cell line], Vero [Verde Reno] and GMK [Green Monkey Kidney]. The results were then compared with data from Entero virus detection using the RT-PCR technique. The difference between RT-PCR and cell culture results was significant. Enteroviruses were detected in 24% of specimens using RT-PCR while cell lines could isolate Enteroviruses in just 14.4% of the samples

relationship between academic motivation and academic achievement in medical students of Isfahan university of medical sciences

Despite their ascribed intellectual ability and achieved academic pursuits, medical students' academic achievement is influenced by academic motivation. This study is an endeavor to examine the role of academic motivation in the academic achievement of medical students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional correlational study, out of the total 422 medical students, from 4th to final year during the academic year 2007-08, at school of medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 344 participated in completion of the Inventory of School Motivation [ISM], comprising of 43 items and measuring 8 aspects of motivation. The gold standard for academic achievement was their average academic marks at pre-clinical and clinical levels. Data were computer analyzed, using SPSS 15.1 and running a couple of descriptive and analytical tests including Pearson Correlation and t-student. Higher motivation scores in areas of competition, effort, social concern, and task was accompanied by higher average marks at pre-clinical as well as clinical levels. However, the later ones showed greater motivation for social power as compared to the former group. Task and Competition motivation for boys was higher than girls. In view of our observations, students' academic achievement requires coordination and interaction between different aspects of motivation

[FDG-PET/CT Scan in different non- hodgkin lymhoma according to the world health organization [WHO] classification system]

Abstract Introduction: According to the World Health Organization [WHO] classification Lymphoid neoplasms are categorized into 3 major groups: Hodgkin's disease [HD] and the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas [NHL] of B-cell or T-cell/natural killer [NK] cell origin. Few dedicated reports have been published about metabolic imaging by FDG-PET CT in different subtypes of NHL accordig to who classification

Objective: Determine the reliability of FDG-PET-C Tin detection of different subtypes of NHL according to using the WHO classification

Materials and Methods: In a total of 164 patients with a histological proven non-Hodgkin lymphoma, FDG-PET/CT imaging was performed for staging [n=138] and restaging [n=26]. FDG-uptake pattern according to different lymphoma subtypes was qualitatively evaluated

Results: Distinctive FDG-uptake could reliably be seen in one site of all patients with DLBCL [n=77], mediastinal large b-cell lymphoma [n=12], mantel cell lymphoma [n=5], PTLD [n=5], anaplastic large cell [t cell] lymphoma [n=6], precursor B lymphoblastic lymphoma [n=1], plasmacytoma of sternum [n=2], splenic marginal zone lymphoma [n=1], precursor t lymphoblastic lymphoma of thymus [n=1], extranodal NK/t cell NHL NASAL type [n=3], primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell [t cell] lymphoma [n=2], angioimmuoblastic t cell lymphoma [n=1] and Burkitt lymphoma [n=2]. One case of small lymphocytic lymphoma and one case of CLL were not detected by PET/CT. Evaluation of follicular lymphoma [86% positive] and MALT lymphoma [83% positive] revealed less reliable results

Conclusion: T-cell lymphomas and most B-cell lymphomas can be reliably evaluated by FDG-PET/CT imaging

[ environmental health indices in the holy prophet [pbuh] teachings]

Islam is a live and constructive religion which with a good life calls its followers for development in the all aspects of life. Holy prophet is architect of this stable structure which has been pioneer in sciences and ethics for centuries. The Holy prophet has always been emphasizing on the importance of public health. The goal is surveying the holy prophet teachings for environmental health indices. This is a descriptive and documented study. Data collected based on verses and interpretation of the Holy Quran, hadith books and related software's according to the nature of the text. This study focuses on Holy verses' Hadith and narrations related to environmental health in such different categories as water, waste water, disposal, home, publice, places and environmental protection. Truly, Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure and sent down upon you water from the clout that. It might thereby purify you and take away from you the uncleanness of the Satan and sends down rain from the sky: and by it [grows] the vegetation on which to feed your cattle. Eat the legal foods which Allah has made legal and do the righteous deeds. Remember we made the House, a place of safety; that you should purify my house for those who visit it and stand to pray, and lower your voice. And do not pollute the land after its reform; this is better for you if you are believers. Allah[Sot] does not like anyone who have mischief and destroys trees, plants and animals. The Holy Prophet has said: [Islam revolves around good health]. It's a holy duty of all faithful Moslems to be clean and pay attention to protection of environment. Nevertheless, any harm or pollution to the environment considered to be a great sin. Violation of the peoples' rights is prohibited in Islam and is considered as an illegal act. Health recommendations reflected in the Holy Prophet teachings can play paramount role in promoting the culture of health and health conditions in the society

[Evaluation and identification of colors used in dentin porcelain and determination of laboratory production method for colored dentin similar to Vita VMK68 dentin]

Since there are rich mines of porcelain in Iran, dental porcelain production has been considered. Dentin porcelain was produced in previous projects. Color plays an important role in dental porcelain therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify different colors used in VitaVMK68 dentin porcelain and produce the similar porcelain in Iran and compare the quality and quantity of the produced colored samples with Vita samples. In this technical report, the best firing conditions was determined by XRD device. Dentin powder structure was evaluated by SEM. Chemical compound analysis and identification of colored particle found in Vita porcelain powder was done by different methods. In order to make colored dentin samples, compound colors with different formula and percentage, was added to dentin powder and after providing a homogenous compound, they were pressed and put in vita furnace for firing. The color of new dentin was examined with colorimeter and compared with vita dentin. 1] The results of X-Ray diffraction showed complete conformity of different phases in experimental dentin powder with Vita dentin powder. 2] Experimental dentin powder particle size was very similar to Vita dentin powder. 3] The main colors used in Vita dentin powder had crystalline structure and were the same as ceramic stains. 4] Sintered experimental colored dentin samples showed acceptable similarity to sintered Vita dentin samples [according to delta E]. Experimental colored dentin samples showed acceptable similarity to Vita dentin samples with no clinically perceptible color differences

[Prevalence of hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection among Iranian prisoners during 2001-2005]

To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus [HBV] infection, as a blood borne viral infection, among prisoners and its associated factors in Iran. In this cross sectional study, 5317 inmates, who had stayed in prison for at least 3 months, were tested in 7 provinces from 2001 to 2005. The degree of contamination with HBV and its association with age and drug abuse were evaluated. The frequency of contamination with HBV ranged from 1% to 15% in different prisons. Overall frequency was 6.7% [95% CI: 6.1%-7.4%]. The crude and adjusted association between HBV infection and age was studied. While adjusted for prisons. The result showed no significant association between age and HBV infection [P = 0.88] based on Mantel Heanszel test. However, there was a significant association between HBV infection and drug abuse in two out of seven prisons [where the data was available]. The frequency of contamination with HBV infection is relatively high [more than twice] in prisons comparing to the general population [6.7% VS 2.8%]. Planning regular screening, preventive practices such as vaccination against HBV in prisoners as well as easy access to therapeutic facilities are highly recommended

effect of postpartum exercise on mothers' quality of life

In postpartum period, mothers are exposed to some potential complications and their health many decrease. Therefore, cares for the promotion of their health is necessary. Encouragement of mothers for exercise and supporting them is one of the postpartum cares, but its effect on postpartum health of mother has not been assessed yet. This was a prospective quasi experimental study that covered 62 women divided into two groups. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling. The data were collected through questionaires. The data were analyzed with SPSS. In six weeks after childbirth, the mean score of general, social and psychological health of case group was significantly higher than control group. There was a significant difference between two groups. [General health [p<0/001],[social] [p=0/01]], psychological [p=0/005], but there was no significant difference in physical health [p=0/082]. Subscales were significantly higher in case group. Two groups were matched in demographic variables. The case group's health was better than control groups'. Case group included mothers exercising in postpartum period while control group included those not. Therefore, instruction and encouragement of mothers to postpartum exercise and supporting them is beneficial to mothers' health and quality of life