Screening of two neighboring CFTR mutations in Iranian infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia

The genetic association between cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator [CFTR] gene mutations and male infertility due to congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens [CBAVD] is well established. Mutant CFTR, however may also be involved in the etiology of male infertility in non-CBAVD cases. The present study was conducted to estimate the frequency of DELTA I507 and DELTA F508 CFTR gene mutations in Iranian infertile males. We undertook the first study of association between these CFTR mutations and non-obstructive azoospermia in Iran. In this case-control study, 100 fertile healthy fathers and 100 non-obstructive azoospermia's men were recruited from Isfahan Infertility Center [IIC] and Sari Saint Mary's Infertility Center, between 2008 and 2009. Screening of F508del and I507del mutations was carried out by the multiplex-ARMS-PCR. Significance of differences in mutation frequencies between the patient and control groups was assessed by Fisher's exact test. The DELTA F508 was detected in three patients. However there are no significant association was found between the presence of this mutated allele and infertility [OR=9.2 [allele-based] and 7.2 [individual-based], P=0.179]. None of the samples carried the DELTA I507 mutation. Altogether, we show that neither DELTA I507 nor DELTA F508 is involved in this population of Iranian infertile males with non-obstructive azoospermia

Study the effect of endocannabinoid system on rat behavior in elevated plus-maze

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that cannabinoidergic system is involved in anxiety. However, there are controversial reports in the experimental studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of pharmacological stimulation or blocking of CB1 receptors and inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation in anxiety like behavior in elevated plus-maze [EPM] test in rat. The EPM is one of the most widely used animal models of anxiety

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to ten groups. Different groups of animals intraperitoneally received Win-55212 [0.3, 1 and 5 mg/kg] as CB1 receptor agonist, AM- 251 [0.3, 1 and 5 mg/kg] as CB1 receptor antagonist, URB-597 [0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg] as endocannabinoid breakdown inhibitor or saline [as control group] 30 min before submitting into EPM test

Results: The results showed that compared to the control group, Win-55212 [1 and 5 mg/kg] and URB-597 [0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg] significantly increased both of the time and percentage of entries into open arms. AM-251 [1 and 5 mg/kg] significantly decreased the time and percentage of entries into open arms in the EPM test. These substances have no effects on the total distance covered by animals and number of closed arm entries

Discussion: It is concluded that activation of cannabinoid receptor exert anxiolytic effect while blocking of cannabinoid receptor resulted in anxiety behavior. The locomotor activity was not significantly changed by cannabinoid system. It is suggested that potentiation of cannabinoid system may be therapeutic strategy for the anxiety behavior

Laser applications in orthodontics

A laser is a collimated single wavelength of light which delivers a concentrated source of energy. Soon after different types of lasers were invented, investigators began to examine the effects of different wavelengths of laser energy on oral tissues, routine dental procedures and experimental applications. Orthodontists, along with other specialist in different fields of dentistry, can now benefit from several different advantages that lasers provide during the treatment process, from the beginning of the treatment, when separators are placed, to the time of resin residues removal from the tooth surface at the end of orthodontic treatment. This article outlines some of the most common usages of laser beam in orthodontics and also provides a comparison between laser and other conventional method that were the standard of care prior to the advent of laser in this field.

[Cephalometric evaluation of Class three patients treated with facemask: 12 months follow-up [Clinical trial]]

Skeletal class III malocclusions are considered as one of the most complex and difficult orthodontic problems to diagnose and treat. Facial appearance and occlusion problems make the patients to seek treatment as soon as possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of early treatment with facemask compared to the patients who had no treatment. For this retrospective study, 38 growing patients [mean age, 8.5 years old] with class III dentoskeletal malocclusion were divided into 2 groups. 23 patients were treated with facemask and 15 patients who did not receive any treatment were assigned as control group. Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after treatment and dentoskeletal changes were estimated. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The results revealed statistically significant forward displacement of maxillary bone and upper incisors [P<0.001], and downward-backward rotation of mandible in facemask group [P<0.001]. Increased lower facial height was seen in both treatment and untreated groups. However, in untreated group some measurements revealed forward displacement of maxillary complex as well. It seems that in class III patients, facemask therapy is a suitable choice for early treatment especially in patients with maxillary deficiency. Moreover, specific attention to the type of patient's skeletal discrepancy is necessary in treatment planning and appliance selection