Assessment of Salt Tolerance in Pepper Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Mineral Compositions

In this study, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and mineral compositions was used to compare pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars response to salt stress. Twentysix pepper cultivars were exposed to salt stress (100 mM NaCl) during two weeks. Thereafter, chlorophyll fluorescence components, stress tolerance index (STI), sodium, potassium and calcium content were measured. The results showed that a significant difference has been found among pepper cultivars for all studied characteristics. Reduced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under salinity treatment were different between pepper cultivars. Fo/Fm, Fv/Fm was declined, with NaCl treatment in all cultivars. Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, qp, K+, K+/Na+ and Ca++/Na+ were decreased but leaf Na+ content was increased by salinity stress. A significant correlation was found between salt stress tolerance index and fluorescence characteristics such as Fo/Fm, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Fv/Fm diminishing, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, and qp. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between Na+, K+, K+/ Na+ and Ca++/Na+ with salt stress tolerance index. Overall, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters followed by Na+, K+, K+/Na+ and Ca++/Na+ could be useful tool to screen salt tolerance pepper cultivars

Fluoride Varnish as Root Canal Sealer: A Scanning Electron Microscopy and Bacterial Penetration Study

Introduction: This study was carried out to evaluate the bacterial leakage of root canal fillings when cavity varnish containing 5% fluoride (Duraflur) was used as root canal sealer. Methods and Materials: Root canals of 88 straight single-rooted teeth were prepared. Eighty teeth were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups (n=20) and two positive and negative control groups of ten each. The roots in group I and II were obturated with gutta-percha and AH-26 sealer using lateral condensation technique. The root canal walls in group II were coated with a layer of varnish before obturation. In group III the canals were obturated with gutta-percha and fluoride varnish as the sealer. Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) was used to determine the bacterial leakage during 90 days. The Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used for assessing the leakage and log rank test was used for pairwise comparison. The rest of eight single rooted teeth were selected for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation with 5000× magnification. Results: Leakage occurred between 20 to 89 days. Group III showed significantly less bacterial penetration than groups I and II (P=0.001 and P=0.011, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between group I and II (P>0.05). SEM evaluation showed that the varnish had covered all dentinal tubules. Conclusion: The present study showed promising results for the use of fluoride varnish as root canal sealer but further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed

Assessment of Salt Tolerance in Pepper Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Mineral Compositions

Summary In this study, leaf chlorophyll fl uorescence and mineral compositions was used to compare pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars response to salt stress. Twentysix pepper cultivars were exposed to salt stress (100 mM NaCl) during two weeks. Th ereaft er, chlorophyll fl uorescence components, stress tolerance index (STI), sodium, potassium and calcium content were measured. Th e results showed that a signifi cant diff erence has been found among pepper cultivars for all studied characteristics. Reduced chlorophyll fl uorescence parameters under salinity treatment were diff erent between pepper cultivars. Fo/Fm, Fv/Fm was declined, with NaCl treatment in all cultivars. Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, qp, K + , K + /Na + and Ca ++ /Na + were decreased but leaf Na + content was increased by salinity stress. A signifi cant correlation was found between salt stress tolerance index and fl uorescence characteristics such as Fo/Fm, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, Fv/Fm diminishing, Φexc, ΦPSII, ETR, and qp. Furthermore, there was a signifi cant correlation between Na + , K + , K + / Na + and Ca ++ /Na + with salt stress tolerance index. Overall, chlorophyll fl uorescence parameters followed by Na + , K + , K + /Na + and Ca ++ /Na + could be useful tool to screen salt tolerance pepper cultivars

A Successful implementation of an idea to a nationally approved plan: Analyzing Iran's National Health Roadmap using the Kingdon model of policymaking

Introduction: Hospital beds, human resources, and medical equipment are the costliest elements in the health system and play an essential role at the time of treatment. In this paper, different phases of the NEDA 2026 project and its methodological approach were presented and its formulation process was analysed using the Kingdon model of policymaking. Methods: Iran Health Roadmap (NEDA 2026) project started in March 2016 and ended in March 2017. The main components of this project were hospital beds, clinical human resources, specialist personnel, capital medical equipment, laboratory facilities, emergency services, and service delivery model. Kingdon model of policymaking was used to evaluate NEDA 2026 development and implementation. In this study, all activities to accomplish each step in the Kingdon model was described. Results: The followings were done to accomplish the goals of each step: collecting experts' viewpoint (problem identification and definition), systematic review of the literature, analysis of previous experiences, stakeholder analysis, economic analysis, and feasibility study (solution appropriateness analysis), three-round Delphi survey (policy survey and scrutinization), and intersectoral and interasectoral agreement (policy legislation). Conclusion: In the provision of an efficient health service, various components affect each other and the desired outcome, so they need to be considered as parts of an integrated system in developing a roadmap for the health system. Thus, this study demonstrated the cooperation process at different levels of Iran's health system to formulate a roadmap to provide the necessary resources for the health sector for the next 10 years and to ensure its feasibility using the Kingdon policy framework

The Effective Clinical Teaching from Faculty Members\' and Rehabilitation Students\' Point of View

Introduction: Teaching and learning are interdependent in educational process. Teaching effectiveness, therefore, should be investigated both from teachers' and learners' viewpoints in order to achieve a better education. This study was conducted to determine and compare the factors related to effective clinical education from teachers' and students' viewpoint in School of rehabilitation in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 23 faculty members and 107 senior students selected through census sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher made questionnaire consisted of demographic information and factors related to clinical education which contained 5 general areas (individual features of the learner, individual features of clinical teacher, clinical environment, educational planning, and clinical evaluation). 32 questions related to these areas were scored based on a five point likert scale. The data was analyzed by SPSS 18 software. Results: Individual features of clinical teachers (3.04±0.74) and students (2.96±0.67) got the most scores in two groups (faculty members and students). The effect of clinical environment and clinical evaluation were found to be significantly different between students and teachers (p <0.05). Students’ scores were higher than teachers in term of clinical environment (2.49±1.14 vs. 1.90±0.8) and clinical evaluation (2.56±1.09 vs. 1.99±0.98). Conclusion: Two areas of individual features of clinical teachers and students are ،more influential on clinical teaching than other areas. Therefore, attention to and strengthen the individual features of clinical teachers and students, systematic providing and revision of curriculum, providing proper clinical environment (in term of facilities and personnel) ،regular and accurate evaluation of internship course and giving feedback to the educational authorities could be important in the effectiveness of clinical education

Comparison of effect of zinc-enriched pod of Phaseolus vulgaris and inner rice husk composts with zinc sulphate and zinc 14% chelate on zinc availability in maize plant in a calcareous soil

Mixtures of Zn salts and organic matter have been used successfully in controlling zinc deficiency in various crops. The aim of the present study was to optimize the effectiveness, on zinc availability in maize, of natural organic substances by enriching them with zinc sulfate. For this purpose pod of Phaseolus vulgaris and inner rice husk, as abundant organic wastes in the north of Iran, were incubated with increasing quantities of zinc sulphate. The effect of these zinc-enriched composts, zinc sulphate, and zinc 14% chelate on zinc availability in maize in a calcareous soil was studied in a greenhouse experiment. DTPA-extractable zinc of the soil, total zinc concentration, and chlorophyll of plant leaves were measured. Soil applications of all treatments, especially zinc-enriched composts, increased DTPA-extractable zinc more than control treatment, but this increase is not significant for zinc chelate. The plant analysis indicated that zinc-enriched composts of both organic matters significantly increased total zinc concentration in plant leaves more than control treatment, and their effects increased by increasing the level of enrichment until toxic level, even over that of zinc chelate. Non-enriched of both organic matters and zinc chelate had the most effect on leaf chlorophyll and significantly increased the amount of chlorophyll more than control treatment

Relative frequency of human papillomavirus genotypes and related sociodemographic characteristics in women referred to a general hospital in Tehran, 2014- 2015: A cross-sectional study

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the major public health problems and the main causes of cervical cancer. The prevalence HPV infection in developing countries with low financial resources is high. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relative frequency of HPV genotypes and its sociodemographic characteristics in women referred to a general hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2014-2015. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 400 women with Pap smear samples, referring to to a general hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2014- 2015. The detection of 28 HPV genotypes was performed by using the Multiplex PCR technique. The sociodemographic survey was conducted for each HPV positive woman. Results: HPV-positive infection was detected in 155 (38.75%) women aged 17-85 years. HPV 16 (19.1%) was the most prevalent type, followed by HPV 39 (12.5%) and HPV 18 (8.9%). The highest rate of HPV infection was observed at the age of 36 years (7.7%). The level of education and economic situation of each woman were showed most of HPV-positive women had a high school diploma (34.6%) and average economic situation (67,9%). 60.9% of these women were a housewife, and 67.3% lived in the capital . Conclusion: Determination of HPV genotype and risk factor related to HPV infection in each geographical region can lead to the production of effective vaccines against the HPV virus. It can also be useful for disease management and high sensitivity diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasi