Wandering Spleen in an Adult Man Associated With the Horseshoe Kidney

Introduction: A wandering spleen occurs when there is a laxity of the ligaments that fix the spleen in its normal anatomical position. Case Presentation: This is a case report of a wandering spleen with horseshoe kidney in a 29-year-old male admitted with acute lower abdominal pain and vomiting to emergency department of Shariati hospital in Isfahan province. Sonographic examination showed a homogeneous 21 × 15 × 8 cm mass in the lower part of the abdomen and pelvis associated with a horseshoe kidney. Laparotomy confirmed the clinical and ultrasound findings. Conclusions: The association of horseshoe kidney with a wandering spleen in this case may be due to an embryological anomaly

Local order measurement in SnGe alloys and monolayer Sn films on Si with reflection electron energy loss spectrometry

Measurements of local order are demonstrated in Sn-containing alloys and epitaxial monolayer thickness films by analysis of extended-edge energy loss fine structure (EXELFS) data obtained by reflection electron energy loss spectrometry (REELS). These measurements of short-range order provide a complement to the chemical information obtained with REELS and long-range order obtained using reflection high energy electron diffraction. The results suggest that EXELFS measurements are practical for samples mounted on the growth manipulator in a molecular beam epitaxy chamber. Advantages and limitations of reflection EXELFS are discussed

In situ reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements of low temperature surface cleaning for Si molecular beam epitaxy

In situ analysis of hydrocarbon desorption from hydrogen terminated Si(100) surfaces was performed in a silicon molecular beam epitaxy system, using reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy, in conjunction with conventional reflection high energy electron diffraction analysis. Measurements of C K edge core loss intensities demonstrate that this method is sufficiently sensitive to enable in situ analysis of hydrocarbon desorption at fractional monolayer coverages during low-temperature isothermal anneals. Hydrocarbon desorption was found to begin at 115 °C, and at 200 °C complete desorption occurred within 10 min. Hydrocarbon coverage was not measurably affected by operation of ionization gauge filaments during low temperature anneals, but was increased by transient outgassing of the sample holder, and its environs

Il-1� C376a transversion variant and risk of idiopathic male infertility in Iranian men: A genetic association study

Background: IL-1α produced by Sertoli cells is considered to act as a growth factor for spermatogonia. In this study, we investigated the association of the C376A polymorphism in IL-1α with male infertility in men referring to the Kashan IVF Center. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 2 ml of blood was collected from 230 fertile and 230 infertile men. After DNA extraction, the C376A variant was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In addition, the molecular effects of the C376A transversion were analysed using bioinformatics tools. Results: A significant association was observed between the homozygous genotype CC with male infertility [odds ratio (OR)=1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.14-3.41, P=0.016)]. Carriers of C (AC+CC) showed a similar risk for male infertility (OR=1.78, 95% CI=1.06-2.99, P=0.030). Also, allelic analysis showed that the C allele is associated with male infertility (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.09-1.88, P=0.011). In sub-group analysis, we found that the AC genotype is associated with asthenozoospermia (OR=2.38, 95% CI=1.03-5.53, P=0.043). In addition, carriers of C were at high risk for asthenozoospermia (OR=2.25, 95% CI=1.01-4.10, P=0.047). Also, C allele was significantly associated with oligozoospermia (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.01-2.06, P=0.049) and non-obstructive azoospermia (OR=1.67, 95% CI =1.04-2.68, P=0.034). Finally, in silico analysis showed that the C376A polymorphism could alter splicing especially in the acceptor site. Conclusion: This is the preliminary report on the association of IL-1α C376A polymorphism with male infertility in the Kashan population. This association shows that the IL-1α gene may be a biomarker for male infertility, and therefore needs additional investigations in future studies to validate this. Keywords: Genetic Polymorphism, Interleukin-1α, Male Infertility, Spermatogenesi

Mouse Lung Conditioned Medium Induces Short Term Erythropoiesis in Mouse Long Term Bone Marrow Culture System

Dexter-type long-term bone marrow culture is a myelopoietic culture system that allows maintenance of  mouse and human hematopoiesis in vitro over a period of several months. In mouse unperturbed long-term  bone marrow culture, erythropoiesis activity is limited to the production of immature erythroid progenitors  (BFU-E) from primitive hematopoietic stem cells. In this study the effects of mouse lung conditioned  medium (MLCM) as a source of myeloid growth factors, on long-term mouse bone marrow cultures was  studied. Numbers of cells in adherent and non-adherent layers of cultures were counted weekly and the  morphological appearances of mature cells that were produced in non-adherent layers were analyzed. In the  presence of MLCM, mature nonnucleated and hemoglobinized red blood cells were produced in the nonadherent  layers of the cultures.

Effects of different doses of hyaloronan on human sperm motility, vitality and morphology

Important aspect of sperm function such as motility and capacitation appear to be mediated at least partially though hyaloronic acid (HA). Present study investigated effects of different doses of HA on sperm motility and vitality in human. Sperm was obtained from 20 male from IVF clinic in Imam Khomeini Hospital. Sperm motility and vitality in human semen was analyzed according to WHO criteria before and 4 hours after treatment with different doses of HA (0.750, 1000 and 1250 μg/ml). The results showed that in 1000 μg/ml the percent of stage 3 and 4 increased compare to control group. Percent of stage 1 and 2 decreased in group with 1000 μg/ml HA, there was an increase in the percentage of stage 3 and 4 and decrease in percentage of stage 1 and 2 compare to control. In the group treated with 1250 μg/ml stage 1 and 2 increased while stage 3 and 4 decreased. Vitality in all groups decreased except of the group treated with 1000 μg/ml HA. The group with 1250 μg/ml showed significantly decrease in vitality compare to fresh group (P < 0.05). The present study showed that the effects of HA on sperm motility and vitality is dose dependant and 1000 μg/ml HA had the effective role on sperm parameters. © 2009 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Piezoelectrically enhanced photocathode

A photocathode, for generating electrons in response to incident photons in a photodetector, includes a base layer having a first lattice structure and an active layer having a second lattice structure and epitaxially formed on the base layer, the first and second lattice structures being sufficiently different to create a strain in the active layer with a corresponding piezoelectrically induced polarization field in the active layer, the active layer having a band gap energy corresponding to a desired photon energy

Prevention of methylprednisolone acetate-induced osteoporosis with calcium administration in rat model

Glucocorticoid steroids are widely used as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications and are well known to induce osteoporosis. In Present study 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=6): Group A (control), Group B (sham)that was treated only by normal saline for 1 month.Group C that was treated by methylprednisolone acetate alone (0.2 mg/kg) for 1 month. Group D that was treated by methylprednisolone acetate (0.2 mg/kg) and oral calcium supplementation (15 mg/kg) for 1 month. Changes in concentration of bone metabolic markers such as osteocalcine, acid phosphatase and calcium were evaluated before and after treatment. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae was also measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The results showed that concentration mean of serum acid phosphatase was increased significantly (P � 0.05) in C and D groups in compared to A and B groups. The concentration mean of serum osteocalcine in group C was decreased significantly (P � 0.05) in comparison to A and B groups but increased significantly in the group D in comparison to group C. The concentration mean of serum calcium was decreased significantly (P � 0.05) in C and D groups in compared to A and B groups. The bone mineral density (g/cm2) was decreased significantly (P � 0.05) in group C in compared to A and B groups. This increased significantly in group D in compared to group C. These results are compatible with the view that low doses of methylprednisolone acetate decreases bone formation and increase bone resorption in the lumbar vertebrae of rats. Calcium administration decreased effects of methylprednisolone. © 2009 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Piezoelectrically Enhanced Photocathodes

Doping of photocathodes with materials that have large piezoelectric coefficients has been proposed as an alternative means of increasing the desired photoemission of electrons. Treating cathode materials to increase emission of electrons is called "activation" in the art. It has been common practice to activate photocathodes by depositing thin layers of suitable metals (usually, cesium). Because cesium is unstable in air, fabrication of cesiated photocathodes and devices that contain them must be performed in sealed tubes under vacuum. It is difficult and costly to perform fabrication processes in enclosed, evacuated spaces. The proposed piezoelectrically enhanced photocathodes would have electron-emission properties similar to those of cesiated photocathodes but would be stable in air, and therefore could be fabricated more easily and at lower cost. Candidate photocathodes include nitrides of elements in column III of the periodic table . especially compounds of the general formula Al(x)Ga(1.x)N (where 0< or = x < or =.1). These compounds have high piezoelectric coefficients and are suitable for obtaining response to ultraviolet light. Fabrication of a photocathode according to the proposal would include inducement of strain in cathode layers during growth of the layers on a substrate. The strain would be induced by exploiting structural mismatches among the various constituent materials of the cathode. Because of the piezoelectric effect in this material, the strain would give rise to strong electric fields that, in turn, would give rise to a high concentration of charge near the surface. Examples of devices in which piezoelectrically enhanced photocathodes could be used include microchannel plates, electron- bombarded charge-coupled devices, image tubes, and night-vision goggles. Piezoelectrically enhanced photocathode materials could also be used in making highly efficient monolithic photodetectors. Highly efficient and stable piezoelectrically enhanced, ultraviolet-sensitive photocathodes and photodetectors could be fabricated by use of novel techniques for growing piezoelectrically enhanced layers, in conjunction with thinning and dopant-selective etching techniques

Evaluating the interaction of 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser with human dentin and enamel hard tissues

Background: The pulsed output of the 308 nm XeCl laser and its photoablation action rather than photothermal action offers the ability to remove dental hard tissues with minimal generation of heat in the tissue. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 human molar teeth (ten teeth used as enamel samples and ten teeth used as dentin samples after removing the enamel tissue from their crowns) were irradiated by the laser. The crown of each sample was regarded as a cube which its lateral sides were exposed in 2Hz frequency without water cooling. Also, 18 holes for all enamel samples and 18 holes for all dentin samples were obtained. Three different amounts of energy were selected as a variable factor with 6 different numbers of pulses in each energy. The images of these holes were prepared by optic and computer combining, and the amounts of the ablation depth and effective ablation area were calculated using the MATLAB software. Results: The amounts of ablation depth were increased with increasing the number of pulses for both enamel and dentin tissues. The amounts of ablation depth were also increased with increasing the amounts of energy for both enamel and dentin tissues. The greater amounts of ablation depth and effective ablation area were observed in the dentin tissue rather than the enamel tissue. The borders of created holes were reported sharp and clear. Conclusion: The application of the XeCl laser for hard tissue removal and cavity preparation can be possible after some certain modifications