Influence of hyaluronan on endometrial receptivity and embryo attachment in sheep

An increasing number of reports suggests a role of hyaluronan (HA) in female reproduction and interest in its application in assisted reproduction is rising. However, there are contrasting data about the effectiveness of adding HA to the embryo-transfer medium on improving pregnancy rates. Using sheep as an experimental model, the studies reported here analysed the impact of HA infusion into the uterus on embryo attachment to uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and expression of selected markers of uterine receptivity. On Day 14 after natural mating (pre-attachment), uterine horns were infused with either (n = 4 each): PBS (control), HA (1 mg mL–1), HA + hyaluronidase 2 (Hyal2; 300 IU mL–1) or 4-methyl-umbelliferone (HA-synthesis inhibitor; 4MU, 1 mM). HA immunostaining on uterine sections collected on Day 17 was negative in the 4MU group and weak in the HA+Hyal2 group. In contrast to 4MU, which resulted in 100% attachment, HA infusion blocked embryo attachment in all treated animals. This was accompanied by the disappearance of mucin 1 and increased expression of osteopontin and CD44v6 in the LE of uteri with attached embryos. In conclusion, the presence of HA at the embryo–maternal interface during embryo implantation resulted in reduced endometrial receptivity and inhibited the interaction of trophoblasts with the LE, whereas clearance of HA favoured embryo attachment

Assessment of building façade performance in-terms of daylighting and associated energy consumption in architectural spaces

This paper examines the effect of vertical and horizontal shading devices on the quality of daylight in buildings and the associated energy saving. Excessive daylight in architectural spaces contributes negatively to the energy consumption in buildings. Blinds and shading devices are good solutions to attenuate the surplus amount of daylight in spaces. Accordingly, this study evaluates the effect of shading devices on the amount of light flux and the associated solar energy in buildings. It estimates the energy consumption attributed to lighting spaces for three common positions of shading devices. Computer simulation strategy was undertaken to correlate the illuminance level in spaces with room geometry and architectural shading elements. The Holophane model for lighting calculations was used to estimate the average illuminance level on workplane and correlate it with the expected saving energy in buildings. The study concluded that there is an optimal orientation for shading devices that keeps the internal illuminance level within the acceptable range with minimum amount of solar heat gain.Keywords: Shading device, Daylight Illuminance, Heat gain, Computer simulation, Energy consumptio

HPLC DETERMINATION OF PARTHENOLIDE AND APIGENIN CONTENTS VERSUS LABEL CLAIMS IN IRANIAN PRODUCTS

In this study parthenolide content of feverfew product (Tanamigraine capsule) and apigenin content of chamomile products (Chamomill drop, Kamisol solution, Prostatan drop, Prostatan tablet) were determined as effective compound by HPLC. Feverfew product was extracted by methanol/distilled de-ionized water (50: 50) and chamomile products by methanol. The HPLC operating conditions were C-18 reversed phase column (VP-ODS 250×4.6 mm, 5 mm), methanol/ distilled de-ionized water (60: 40) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and UV detection at 214 nm for parthenolide and 2% acetic acid: acetonitril with linear program 80 to 40 % of acetic acid 2% with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and UV detection at 275nm for apigenin. The amount of parthenolide and apigenin obtained in Tanamigraine capsules and chamomile products is 0.13- 016% and 0.04- 35% respectivel

Comparative study on lipid quality of anchovy kilka (Clupeonella engrauliformis) under temporary chilled transport and storage methods

The Anchovy kilka, (Clupeonella engrauliformis) is the most commercially important of the caspian kilka. The poor quality of many processed products is due to poor quality of raw material in which the quality of fat is a contributing factor of great importance. In this study, samples from fishing vessels were transported and stored under two metods of Chilled Sea Water (CSW) and Boxed with ice powder. In Chilled Sea Water method, containers were filled with ratio of 60, 25 and 15 percent of fish and ice and sea water, respectively. Then their qualitative characteristics such as moisture content, total lipid, phospholipid and neutral lipids, peroixids value, free fatty acids, heme iron and tiobarbituric acid content, organic phase fluorescense. Statistical analysis of results showed that CSW was a better method for maintaining the quality

Do cavies talk? The effect of anthropomorphic picture books on children\u27s knowledge about animals

Many books for young children present animals in fantastical and unrealistic ways, such as wearing clothes, talking and engaging in human-like activities. This research examined whether anthropomorphism in children\u27s books affects children\u27s learning and conceptions of animals, by specifically assessing the impact of depictions (a bird wearing clothes and reading a book) and language (bird described as talking and as having human intentions). In Study 1, 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children saw picture books featuring realistic drawings of a novel animal. Half of the children also heard factual, realistic language, while the other half heard anthropomorphized language. In Study 2, we replicated the first study using anthropomorphic illustrations of real animals. The results show that the language used to describe animals in books has an effect on children\u27s tendency to attribute human-like traits to animals, and that anthropomorphic storybooks affect younger children\u27s learning of novel facts about animals. These results indicate that anthropomorphized animals in books may not only lead to less learning but also influence children\u27s conceptual knowledge of animals

Exact Shock Profile for the ASEP with Sublattice-Parallel Update

We analytically study the one-dimensional Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process (ASEP) with open boundaries under sublattice-parallel updating scheme. We investigate the stationary state properties of this model conditioned on finding a given particle number in the system. Recent numerical investigations have shown that the model possesses three different phases in this case. Using a matrix product method we calculate both exact canonical partition function and also density profiles of the particles in each phase. Application of the Yang-Lee theory reveals that the model undergoes two second-order phase transitions at critical points. These results confirm the correctness of our previous numerical studies.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Journal of Physics

Processing-structure-property relationships of electrospun PLA-PEO membranes reinforced with enzymatic cellulose nanofibers

Three different solvent mixtures were used to prepare electrospun membranes based on polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) and enzymatic cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The materials were characterized from a morphological, spectroscopic, mechanical and rheological point of view. Furthermore, swelling test were performed in order to assess the water uptake of each sample. The results put into evidence that the choice of the solvents affects the structure and the properties of the membranes. Among the protocols tested, using chloroform/acetone/ethanol mixture was found to allow a high degree of CNF dispersion and a good electrospinnability of polymer solutions. These features led to membranes with impressive improvement of mechanical properties (+350% in stiffness, +350% in tensile strength and +500% in toughness) with respect to those of PLA/PEO and dramatically increased the water uptake of these materials (up to +350% within 120 min)

Investigating the cytotoxic effect of some medicinal plants from northern parts of Iran

Abstract Background and objectives: Iran owns a rich and prestigious heritage of medicinal herbs but the majority of these plants have not yet undergone chemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies. In the present study some species form northern parts of Iran were evaluated for cytotoxicity. Methods: Sixteen medicinal plants were extracted with methanol and screened for their cytotoxic activities. The inhibition of cell growth for these extracts was evaluated against MCF-7, WEHI-164, HepG-2 and MDBK cell lines. Their 50% inhibitions of growth (IC 50 ) were determined by MTT assay. Moreover, cytotoxic evaluation of different fractions of the most potent species was performed. Results: Among examined samples, the IC 50 values of methanol extract of Centaurea bruguierana (DC.) Hand.-Mzt. on mentioned cell lines were found 47.30-87.40 µg/mL. In addition, the chloroform fraction of the species was cytotoxic with IC 50 values 17.00-23.03 µg/mL. Conclusion: It was concluded that the chloroform fraction of C. bruguierana was the best candidate for identification and isolation of active principles with cytotoxic effects. These results recommend further studies about this species

Uterine leiomyosarcoma: A case report

Introduction: Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare cancer originated from smooth muscle lining the walls of the uterus. LMS is known as an aggressive tumor with high mortality and morbidity rates as compared to other uterine cancers, despite the disease stage at the time of diagnosis. In most cases, LMS has been misdiagnosed as a benign uterine leiomyoma following hysterectomy or myomectomy. Case Presentation: We presented a 53-year-old G7 L7 woman who had referred to GYN clinic in Amir-al-Momenin hospital for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) for 6 months. On physical examination, we found an abdominal mass that had grown rapidly in the last 4 months. The computed tomography (CT) scan results showed a heterogeneous mass extending from the epigastric region to the pelvic area. Following an exploratory laparotomy, histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of LMS. Her uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries were removed during a surgery, and she was referred to a gynecologic oncologist for possible chemotherapy. Conclusion: We found that the surgery is the only treatment for LMS; however, there is a little possibility to diagnose LMS before surgery in the patient with uncertain diagnosis and suspicious of LMS. Analysis of LDH and LDH3 levels along with dynamic diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced, and MRI are recommended. © 2018 The Author (s)