Seasonal changes of fatty acids in Nerita textilis on intertidal area of Chabahar Bay (Oman Sea)

The aim of this research was to identify and isolate the fatty acids composition of Nerita textiles in intertidal area of Chabahar Bay, and also to explore the seasonal changes of fatty acid content in Nerita textiles. GC/MS resulted thirteen fatty acids, that saturated fatty acids (SFA) of palmitic acid (16:0) was the most abundant category of fatty acid obtained in total lipids. There were no significant differences in total saturated fatty acids between different seasons. No significant differences were also observed in total unsaturated fatty acids between different seasons. The majority of unsaturated fatty acid reached their maximum levels during winter, while saturated acids reached their maximum levels in summer. Saturated acids were more than unsaturated fatty acids. Statistical analysis showed the positive significant correlation between temperature and saturated fatty acids and a negative significant correlation between temperature and unsaturated fatty acids. Biomarker fatty acids revealed that diet of Nerita textiles probably includes phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, bacteria, diatoms, red and brown algae. The results showed that meat quality indicated n-6/n-3 ratio in the range of 1.9 to 4.3

On the role of trust types and levels on inventory replenishment decision

Using a participatory simulation platform, this paper investigates the inventory replenishment decisions made under different trust categories. Depending on the type of trust (trust in supplier versus trust in customer) and level of trust (high versus low), each decision is categorized and analyzed. We investigate how the inventory manager`s ordering behavior varies regarding their type and level of trust. This study provides evidence for the role of trust in inventory replenishment decision. The findings on the influence of trust on inventory decision indicators provide a new perspective in respect to the supply chain management literature, which generally postulates a positive influence of trust on supply chain stability and uncertainty reduction

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Screening as a Criterion for the Rational Selection of Tear Substitutes

A large number of artificial tears are currently available in the pharmaceutical market. Selecting the right drug for the patient remains a challenge for both the doctor and the patient. Comparing the cytotoxicity of artificial tears is one of the criteria for the rational selection of a drug that promotes maximum clinical efficacy and a higher safety profile. It is known that cells grown in vitro retain many metabolic features of the parent host tissues and at the same time lack tissue and organ interrelations and regulatory effects of the nervous and endocrine systems and have very limited compensatory capabilities. These features of cell cultures provide an opportunity to investigate the interaction of chemical agents directly with the cell itself, to identify changes in cellular and subcellular structures that can be masked in whole-organism settings. This study presents the results of assessing the cytotoxicity of tear substitutes, which demonstrate that these drugs can have a cytostatic effect in vitro and differ in their cytotoxic potential. In recent years, the problem of drug therapy of patients with dry eye syndrome has been attracting increasing attention of ophthalmologists, so screening the cytotoxicity of a wide range of tear substitutes using cell culture-based test systems can promote the rational selection of these drugs

Influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the fertility system: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Due to the increased number of users of mobile phones, tablets, and other devices over the past few years, concerns about the potential impact of mobile phones on health are growing. The influence of mobile phone exposure on male fertility has been studied in recent years. Other research has shown that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) increase macrophages in the corpus luteum and growing follicles. Due to conflicting results among studies and since no systematic review has been performed to analyze the effects of radiofrequency EMF exposure from electronic devices on the fertility system in recent years, this evidence-based study is necessary. Objective: The main objectives of this study are to determine the best evidence associated with the influence of radiofrequency EMFs on the fertility system and to provide insight into a potential mechanism using our observations. Methods: In this systematic review, the databases and gray literature will be searched with no language and date limitation. The following databases will be searched: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and other Persian databases. The combination of the Medical Subject Heading terms �radiofrequency electromagnetic� and �male reproductive system� or �female reproductive system� will be searched. Observational study designs will be included but case reports, case series, reviews, and letters to the editor will be excluded. Papers selected for retrieval will be evaluated by two independent referees for methodological validation before entering a review using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for nonrandomized studies and cohort studies. Results: The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and also presented at PROSPERO. Conclusions: This systematic review will provide evidence-based data on the effect of radiofrequency EMFs on the fertility system. This article will also classify the harmful effect of radiofrequency waves on primary and secondary infertility. This study could be useful for decreasing infertility. This is important because the rate of infertility is growing, leading to negative outcomes for couples and the health care system. � Nasibeh Roozbeh, Fatemeh Abdi, Azadeh Amraee, Zahra Atarodi Kashani, Leili Darvish

Variability of Fragments of Nuclear Brca1 Gene, Exon 11, and Mitochondrial Cox1 Gene in House Mice Mus musculus

To clarify genetic differences between subspecies of the house mouse Mus musculus, their distribution, and hybridization, we first conducted a comparative analysis of variability of nucleotide sequences of fragments of the nuclear gene Brca1, exon 11 (2331 bp), and mitochondrial gene Cox1 (1260 bp) in 40 house mice from West and East Europe, Transcaucasia, Siberia, and Central and South Asia. Brca1 genotypes were divided into five main groups, which differed in a number of fixed substitutions. Genotypes of each group are characteristic for the certain geographical region and the following subspecies: M. m. musculus, M. m. domesticus, M. m. castaneus, and M. m. wagneri together with M. m. gansuensis; a fifth group corresponds to an unidentified subspecies or a distinct genetic form of M. musculus from India (Sikkim State). Besides the homozygous specimens, we revealed mice, which were heterozygous for all diagnostic loci simultaneously; these specimens were determined as hybrid. Hybrid mice were mainly found in the zones of contact of subspecies, but in some cases, quite far from one of the parent subspecies (possibly, due to transportation). In two hybrid mice (from Bakhtiari Province of Iran and Transbaikalia of Russia), unique Brca1 haplotypes were detected. It cannot be ruled out that, at least partly, they may be characteristic of the M. m. bactrianus and M. m. gansuensis subspecies, respectively. Thus, the results of the study showed that the nuclear Brca1 gene is a promising molecular genetic marker for the analysis of variability, differentiation, and hybridization of house mice as well for subspecific identification of M. musculus specimens. Despite more rapid evolution of the Cox1 gene, it is not well suited for discrimination of M.m. musculus, M. m. wagneri, M. m. gansuensis specimens and Transcaucasian representatives of M.m. domesticus due to introgression and long-term maintenance of foreign mitochondrial DNA in populations. However, Cox1 gene analysis (along with the diagnostics of animals by nuclear DNA) may be useful for estimation of population differences in M. m. castaneus and M.m. domesticus subspecies

Comparison of coronal discoloration induced by White MTA and CEM Cement

Coronal discoloration of endodontically treated teeth is a challenge in clinical dentistry. This study aimed to compare coronal discoloration induced by White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-enriched mixture cement. Fifty single-rooted, unrestored premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons were selected. After access cavity preparation, all the root canals were instrumented with MTWO rotary files up to #40.6%. The specimens were randomly assigned to two experimental groups, White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-enriched mixture cement groups (n = 20), and two control groups (n = 5). In the White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-enriched mixture cement groups, the material was condensed via the access cavity 3 mm below the cementoenamel junction to a thickness of 3 mm. Tooth color was assessed using computer analysis of digital images. Tooth color measurements were recorded at eight time intervals: before material placement (but after tooth preparation), at 24 h, 48 h, one week, two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, and sixteen weeks after material placement. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, repeated measure ANOVA, and Tukey HSD tests. The significance level was set at 5% for all the tests. Cervical discoloration of teeth in both experimental groups significantly increased over time (p < 0.05). However, samples in the White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate group showed more discoloration in cervical regions than Calcium-enriched mixture cement specimens after two, four, eight, and sixteen weeks (p < 0.05). Applying both White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-enriched mixture cement induced coronal discoloration; however, White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate samples exhibited greater cervical discoloration than Calcium-enriched mixture cement specimens after two, four, eight, and sixteen weeks

The nature of luminous Ly α emitters at z ∼ 2–3: maximal dust-poor starbursts and highly ionizing AGN

Deep narrow-band surveys have revealed a large population of faint Ly α emitters (LAEs) in the distant Universe, but relatively little is known about the most luminous sources ( LLyα≳1042.7  erg s−1; LLyα≳L∗Lyα ). Here we present the spectroscopic follow-up of 21 luminous LAEs at z ∼ 2–3 found with panoramic narrow-band surveys over five independent extragalactic fields (≈4 × 106 Mpc3 surveyed at z ∼ 2.2 and z ∼ 3.1). We use WHT/ISIS, Keck/DEIMOS, and VLT/X-SHOOTER to study these sources using high ionization UV lines. Luminous LAEs at z ∼ 2–3 have blue UV slopes ( β=−2.0+0.3−0.1 ) and high Ly α escape fractions ( 50+20−15  per cent) and span five orders of magnitude in UV luminosity (MUV ≈ −19 to −24). Many (70 per cent) show at least one high ionization rest-frame UV line such as C IV, N V, C III], He II or O III], typically blue-shifted by ≈100–200 km s−1 relative to Ly α. Their Ly α profiles reveal a wide variety of shapes, including significant blue-shifted components and widths from 200 to 4000 km s−1. Overall, 60 ± 11  per cent appear to be active galactic nucleus (AGN) dominated, and at LLyα > 1043.3 erg s−1 and/or MUV < −21.5 virtually all LAEs are AGNs with high ionization parameters (log U = 0.6 ± 0.5) and with metallicities of ≈0.5 − 1 Z⊙. Those lacking signatures of AGNs (40 ± 11  per cent) have lower ionization parameters ( logU=−3.0+1.6−0.9 and log ξion = 25.4 ± 0.2) and are apparently metal-poor sources likely powered by young, dust-poor ‘maximal’ starbursts. Our results show that luminous LAEs at z ∼ 2–3 are a diverse population and that 2×L∗Lyα and 2×M∗UV mark a sharp transition in the nature of LAEs, from star formation dominated to AGN dominated

Low temperature magneto-morphological characterisation of coronene and the resolution of previously observed unexplained phenomena

The polyaromatic hydrocarbon coronene has been the molecule of choice for understanding the physical properties of graphene for over a decade. The modelling of the latter by the former was considered to be valid, as since it was first synthesised in 1932, the physical behaviour of coronene has been determined extremely accurately. We recently discovered however, an unforeseen polymorph of coronene, which exists as an enantiotrope with the previously observed crystal structure. Using low-temperature magnetisation and crystallographic measurements, we show here for the first time that the electronic and magnetic properties of coronene depend directly on the temperature at which it is observed, with hysteretic behaviour exhibited between 300 K and 100 K. Furthermore we determine that this behaviour is a direct result of the appearance and disappearance of the newly-discovered polymorph during thermal cycling. Our results not only highlight the need for theoretical models of graphene to take into account this anomalous behaviour at low temperatures, but also explain puzzling experimental observations of coronene dating back over 40 years

Effect of melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) on sexual dysfunction in women: A double- blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most prevalent female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and its bio-psychosocial multifactorial etiology justifies its multifaceted treatment. In Persian Medicine (PM), the weakness of the main organs (heart, brain and liver) is one of the important causes of lack of sexual desire; hence, their strengthening is a priority during treatment. Melissa officinalis is one of the medicinal plants with tonic characteristics for the main organs in PM and was used for treatment in this study. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of M. officinalis in the improvement of HSDD in women. Eighty nine (89) eligible women suffering from decreased sexual desire were randomly assigned to groups. The participants received medication (500 mg of aqueous extract of M. officinalis) or placebo 2 times a day for 4 weeks. Changes in scores of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain were evaluated at the end of 4 weeks of treatment using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire in the two groups. Forty three participants completed the study. The increase in desire (P < 0.001), arousal (P < 0.001), lubrication (P < 0.005), orgasm (P < 0.001), satisfaction (P < 0.001), pain (P < 0.002) and FSFI total score (P < 0.001) in the M. officinalis group was significantly more than that of the placebo group. The willingness to continue treatment was significantly higher in the M. officinalis as compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001). M. officinalis may be a safe and effective herbal medicine for the improvement of HSDD in women. © 2018 by School of Pharmacy Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services