The effectiveness of caffeinated chewing gum in ameliorating cognitive functions affected by sleep deprivation.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to compare caffeinated gums with two different dosages of caffeine (200mg vs. 300mg) by assessing their effectiveness on the improvement of cognitive functions among Iranian individuals voluntarily suffering from 30 hours of sleep deprivation. Material and Methods: Thirty-four healthy male volunteers with ages from 28 to 35 years old were randomly assigned to either 200 or 300mg caffeine intake. Each participant completed CANTAB subtests to assess their core cognitive functions including MOT, RTI, RVP, and SWM before and after sleep deprivation, as well as after being treated with caffeinated gum. Results: The 300mg caffeine intake group indicated higher levels of enhancement of core cognitive functions compared with those in the 200mg caffeine intake group. Conclusion: This study suggests that the dose of 300mg of caffeine could effectively enhance the cognitive functions of Iranian individuals suffering from sleep deprivation.

The protective effects of Arctium lappa L. Extract on testicular injuries induced by ethanol in rats.

The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant activity and also protective effects of Arctium lappa L. (AL) extract on ethanol-induced testicular injuries in rats. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts were analysed and the antioxidant activity of the extract was investigated. The studied extract possessed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 ; 0.113 ± 0.007 mg/ml) and exhibited more active than the ascorbic acid (IC50 ; 0.142 ± 0.002 mg/ml). The histological examinations revealed that the co-administration of ethanol and AL extract inhibits the testicular injuries, alterations in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and H2 O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed in ethanol-treated rats in comparison to the control group. The obtained results demonstrated strong pharmaceutical activities of AL and its potential capacity to be developed as a new health-care supplement against ROS-related substances.

A comparative immunohistochemical study of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression in solid ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor.

BACKGROUND: Solid ameloblastoma (SAB) is an invasive tumor which infiltrates adjacent normal tissues. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor is a noninvasive tumor and never infiltrates surrounding normal tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine the biological behavior of these two epithelial odontogenic neoplasm by detecting Ki-67 and Bcl-2, which are mitotic and anti apoptotic markers respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this analytical retrospective study, 16 samples of SAB and 16 samples of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor were selected. The samples were deparafinized and antigens were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry technique was applied for evaluation of these two markers. Monoclonal antibodies MIB1 and Bcl-2 were used to detect Ki-67 and Bcl-2 protein respectively, then the labeling index (LI) was calculated for both markers according to cellular staining. Data were analyzed by "t" test, (P<0.05). RESULTS: The mean values of LI for Ki-67 in SAB and Adenomatiod odontogenic tumor (AOT) were 4 and 1% respectively and for Bcl-2 in SAB and AOT were 63 and 26% respectively. The indices of both markers were higher in SAB compared to AOT (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher percentage of these two markers in SAB compared to AOT confirms the aggressive behavior of SAB and the hamartomatosis behavior of AOT.

Closure of a muscular ventricular septal defect using the Amplatzer ventricular occluder.

Surgical closure of ventricular septal defect is safe, however, the inherent risks associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and the potential early and late postsurgical complications including complete heart block, arrhythmias, postpericardiotomy syndrome, and rare deaths have led physicians to prefer transcatheter occlusion technique for closure of such defects. The use of Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluder is safe and associated with a higher success rate than other previously used devices. For the first time in Iran, we report an 18-year-old patient with ventricular septal defect who was successfully treated using the Amplatzer ventricular septal defect occluder.