Mixed-convection heat transfer in vertical channels with arbitrary wall conditions

Imperial Users onl

Ameliorating Drought-Induced Stress in Turfgrass through Genetic Manipulation

To delineate the major processes associated with short water scarcity in four tall fescue species, we examined their enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity and FaSGR expression levels. Moreover, we examined the possibility of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis P5CS1 gene in tall fescue. According to the results, proline has been introduced as an important compatible osmolyte, so as to protect enzymes and cellular structures under water scarcity. In addition to that, superoxide dismutase (SOD) along with proline can be used as a core physiological indicator for the assessment of adaptability to environmental conditions. Results indicated that most of the superoxide that was produced as a result of drought stress was converted to H2O2 by SOD and subsequently detoxified by ascorbate peroxidase (APX) into H2O. Notably, the FaSGR transcript increased drastically over the course of the drought stress in Pixie and Mini-mustang, in contrast to jaguar and h–d, supporting the notion of Stay GReen (SGR)-mediated chlorophyll degradation in the less drought-tolerant cultivars. Different modulations of ROSs quenching system in tall fescue genotypes suggest that even one stress signal causes different signaling responses in different cultivars. The heterologous transformation of P5CS1 in Festuca arundinacea background, confirmed by PCR and transient GUS assay, most probably can improve tall fescue tolerance to drought stress

Mechanisms of postcardiac surgery atrial fibrillation: more pieces in a difficult puzzle

No abstract available

Effect of dietary anthocyanins on biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

In this study, the efficacy of dietary anthocyanins (ACs) on indices of oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity was evaluated through a meta-analytical approach. meta-analysis of 23 trials indicated that ACs significantly reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA; −0.41, 95% CI: −0.62 to −0.21, P < 0.001), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL; −0.27, 95% CI: −0.55 to 0.02, P = 0.064), and isoprostane (−0.57, 95% CI: −0.78 to −0.36, P < 0.001) while significantly increased the level of total antioxidative capacity (TAC; 0.32, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.55, P = 0.008) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD; 0.29, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.51, P = 0.010) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx; 0.59, 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.0, P = 0.004). Compared to healthy subjects, ACs were more useful for unhealthy subjects because of the significant decrease in MDA, Ox-LDL, and isoprostane levels; and significant increase in TAC level and SOD activity. The overall results indicate that dietary ACs alleviate oxidative stress and enhance antioxidative capacity in the subjects. Keywords:Anthocyanins, Antioxidant, Oxidative stress, Antioxidative capacity, Antioxidative defense, Meta-analys

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Calcium Hypochlorite as an Endodontic Irrigant on a Mixed-culture Biofilm: An Ex vivo Study

Introduction: Calcium hypochlorite (CH) has been recently suggested as an endodontic irrigant. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of CH compared to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX) against multispecies biofilm in surface and deep dentinal tubules. Methods and Materials: Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of irrigant agents was assessed using a microdilution method. One hundred and twenty of human maxillary incisor teeth were prepared and infected with suspension of Entrococcus faecalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia in an anaerobic jar for 7 days. Depending on irrigation solutions, specimens were divided into 4 groups (n=30); group 1: 2% CHX, group 2: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, group 3: 5% calcium hypochlorite, group 4: positive control (normal saline (NS)). Fifteen remained specimens were used as negative control. Surviving bacteria were sampled before (S1) and after irrigation from surface (S2) and deep (S3) dentin. The medium turbidity was visualized with spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Tukey post hoc test (α=0.05). Results: The MIC of CH against E. faecalis, F. nucleatum and P. intermedia was 25, 8 and 7.5 µg/mL respectively. There were no significant differences in S1 among the test groups. Moreover, 2% CHX and 5% CH had significantly lower medium turbidity at both S2 and S3, in comparison with 5.25% NaOCl (P=0.018 and 0.031, respectively). But there were no significant differences between 2% CHX and 5% CH at both S2 and S3 (P=0.862 and 0.978, respectively). Conclusion: Under the conditions of this ex vivo study, 5% CH and 2% CHX are more effective than 5.25% NaOCl in the reduction of mixed-culture biofilm.Keywords: Calcium Hypochlorite; Chlorhexidine; Endodontics; Sodium Hypochlorite

Impact of dietary anthocyanins on systemic and vascular inflammation: Systematic review and meta-analysis on randomised clinical trials

Anthocyanins are natural bioactive compounds that have several health benefits. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the impact of dietary anthocyanins on markers of systemic and vascular inflammation. Meta-analysis of 32 randomised controlled trials indicated that dietary anthocyanins significantly decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP; −0.33 mg/l, 95% CI: −0.55 to −0.11, P = 0.003), interleukin-6 (IL-6; −0.41 ρg/ml, 95% CI: −0.70 to −0.13, P = 0.004), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α; −0.64 ρg/ml, 95% CI: −1.18 to −0.09, P = 0.023), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (−52.4 ng/ml, 95% CI: −85.7 to −19.1, P = 0.002), and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1; −49.6 ng/ml, 95% CI: −72.7 to −26.5, P 300 mg/day) significantly decreased levels of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and VCAM-1. The results indicate that dietary anthocyanins reduce the levels of systemic and vascular inflammation in the subjects. Keywords: Anthocyanins, Inflammation, Inflammatory markers, Adiponectin, Meta-analysi

GeSn Film Deposited By Rf Magnetron Sputtering For Photodetector Applications

Di dalam tesis ini, filem aloi semikonduktor Ge1-xSnx telah disediakan melalui sistem percikan magnetron RF dalam usaha menumbuhkan filem pada suhu rendah untuk mengelakan pengasingan Sn pada permukaan. Sifat struktur, optik dan elektrik lapisan tersebut di atas substrat Si disiasat untuk aplikasi optoelektronik In this thesis, the Ge1-xSnx semiconductor alloy films have been prepared through RF magnetron sputtering to grow the film at low temperature to suppress the Sn surface segregation. The structural, optical, electrical properties of the grown Ge1-xSnx alloy films on silicon (Si) substrate were investigated for optoelectronic application

Investigation Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene in nonobese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease that has a potent inheritable component based on familial clustering. Despite many studies in the genetic field of PCOS, the genes that are involved in the causes of this syndrome have not been thoroughly investigated. Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the occurrence of the Trp64Arg polymorphism of beta3 adrenergic receptor in non-obese women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 women with PCOS and normal women as the control group in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Tehran in 2016-2017. Peripheral blood sample (2 cc) was obtained from two groups for genomic DNA based on the gene bank. Polymorphisms were genotyped by of using ADRB3 Trp64Arg. Then the DNA was extracted by genomic kiagen kit. The primer was analyzed for PCR based on gene bank by using Primer3 software and then confirmed by primer Blast tool at NCBI site to conformity to the beta-3 adrenergic receptor gene. The protein changes were assessment by the Clastal W software. Results: The sequence analysis presented in NCBI, transcript variant 1, with the code NM_000025.2, shows changes in the amino acid sequence of exon 1 in women with PCOS. Polymorphism in the codon 64 encoding the amino acid tryptophan (W) occurred in the nucleotide c.T190C, which changed the nucleotide T to C and then the amino acid sequence of the tryptophan was altered to arginine pW64R. Conclusion: T-C polymorphism is evident in the codon 64 of the adrenergic β3 receptor in patients with PCOS. Therefore, Beta3 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism (Thr164Ile) associates with this syndrome in nonobese women. Key words: Codon 64, Beta-3 adrenergic receptor, Polymorphism, Polycystic ovarian syndrome

MCNP5 modeling of the Oregon State TRIGA Reactor for skyshine dose estimation after a loss of coolant accident

This thesis evaluates dose rates from the TRIGA® reactor by comparing ion chamber measured exposure rates to exposure rates calculated from MCNP5 model data. The first step evaluates the energy distribution required to match ion chamber exposure rates from measurements taken at 1 foot increments above the reactor core. Next, the back calculated source activity is used to determine the exposure rates, at those same 1 ft increments above the core, in the event of a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Then the energies deposited in simulated ion chambers, above the core are used to determine the dose rate to a person standing on top of the reactor bioshield after a LOCA. The dose rates that are calculated using the MCNP5 data were compared to calculations from the Oregon State TRIGA® Reactor (OSTR) Safety Analysis Report (SAR). The final step is to determine the maximum dose rate at the OSTR facility perimeter after a LOCA, due to skyshine. The MCNP5 results showed that OSTR SAR overestimates dose rates at the top of the reactor bioshield. The discrepancy stems from the OSTR SAR using worst case scenario data, while this report uses less conservative, yet accurate, assumptions. The instantaneous dose rates on the reactor building exterior from photon skyshine peak at approximately 30 mrem per hour. The integrated activity resulted in a dose rate of approximately .005 mrem within the first hour after the reactor has shut down

Effect of Phentolamine as Reversal of Soft-Tissue Anesthesia on Post-Endodontic Pain in Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Phentolamine mesylate (OraVerse) is mostly used to reverse soft tissue anesthesia after dental procedures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the injection of OraVerse on postoperative pain after root canal treatment in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods and Materials: In this randomized single-blind clinical trial study, 100 patients (50 per group) with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in the first or second mandibular molars, randomly received either OraVerse or sham treatment after a single-visit root canal therapy. Each patient recorded their pain score, using a Heft Parker visual analogue scale, before and after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h of the treatment. They also monitored their soft-tissue anesthesia every 15 min for 5 h. Data were analyzed by t-test and repeated measured ANOVA statistical tests. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Patients who received phentolamine had significantly higher pain scores at 6- and 12-h postoperative intervals compared with those receiving sham treatment (P=0.01 and P=0.00 respectively). Consumption of analgesics in OraVerse group was significantly higher than that of the sham group (P=0.48). Conclusion: Although phentolamine accelerated the reversal of normal soft tissue sensation after the dental visit, it increased postoperative pain in patients suffering from symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, which may limit phentolamine administration in this group.Keywords: Anesthesia; Inferior Alveolar Nerve; Lidocaine; Phentolamine Mesylate; Postoperative Pai