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

Chronic effects of aerobic exercise on gene expression of LOX-1 receptor in the heart of rats fed with high fat diet

Objective(s): Lectin-like low density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) has pivot role in vascular complications, which is upregulated in numerous pathological conditions. Since exercise has beneficial effects in prevention of hyperlipidemic complications, present study examined protective effects of aerobic exercise through reduction of LOX-1 expression in heart during dyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats were used (N=25): Normal, Normal and exercise, High fat and High fat and exercise. High fat diet (HFD) was made by adding 10 animal oil, 2 cholesterol and 0.5 colic acid to standard rodent chow. Exercise protocol consisted of swimming 1 hr/day, and 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Plasma lipids were evaluated at the end of experiment, 48 hr after final session of exercise. At the end, rats were sacrificed and heart was removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and LOX-1 expression. Results: HFD meaningfully changed lipid profile (>50), but chronic exercise had no significant effects on lipid profile. LOX-1 expression was significantly increased in heart of rats fed with HFD, while swimming exercise considerably reduced gene expression of LOX-1. MDA content was significantly enhanced in rats fed with HFD (4.37±0.6 nmol/mg, P<0.01) compared to normal group (1.56±0.48 nmol/mg), whereas swimming exercise decreased MDA level of heart in rats fed with HFD (2.28±0.32, P<0.01). Conclusion: Findings indicated that swimming exercise is able to diminish heart expression of LOX-1 receptor concomitant reduction of oxidative stress. Since these parameters are involved in generation of dyslipidemic complications, swimming exercise is a good candidate to reduce these complications. Copyright 2015, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , All Rights Reserved

Novel silver-doped NiTiO3: auto-combustion synthesis, characterization and photovoltaic measurements

Novel silver-doped nickel titanate nanoparticles (Ag-NiTiO3) were successfully prepared via a sol-gel method in the presence of stearyl alcohol as the capping agent and solvent. The formation of pure crystallized nickel titanate and silver-doped nickel titanate was occurred when the precursor was heat-treated at 700 °C in air for 150 and 60 min, respectively. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of obtained products were characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforminfrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic property of the prepared Ag-NiTiO3 nanoparticles was also investigated with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). To fabricate a FTO/TiO2/Ag-NiTiO3/Pt-FTO solar cell, Ag-NiTiO3 film was directly deposited on top of the TiO2 prepared by electrophoresis deposition method. Furthermore, solar cell result indicates that an inexpensive solar cell could be developed by the synthesized Ag-NiTiO3 nanoparticles.Keywords: Ag-NiTiO3, sol-gel method, semiconductor, photovoltaic, dopin

Synthesis and characterization of Sm2(MoO4)3, Sm2(MoO4)3/GO and Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 nanostructures for improved photocatalytic performance and their anti-cancer the MCF-7 cells

Samarium molybdate nanoparticles (Sm2(MoO4)3) were prepared through a hydrothermal procedure and were used to form various composites with graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nitride (C3N4). The changes in the dimensions and morphology of the products were prepared using template agents like cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (�90), Triton X-100 (90), Polyvinyl alcohol (95), Ethylene glycol (�99), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). DRS analysis indicated band gap for the Sm2(MoO4), Sm2(MoO4)3/GO, and Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 as 3.75, 3.15, and 3.4 respectively. The characteristics of the prepared nanostructures were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the activity of the prepared Sm2(MoO4)3 as photo-catalysts for the degradation of different organic dyes such as methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (Rh B) was evaluated. The photocatalytic property of Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 and Sm2(MoO4)3/GO for the degradation of MO, was obtained. Based on the empirical data Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 had the strongest photodegradation effect as compared to the other compounds tested after around 40 min. BET analysis revealed that the specific surface area of the Sm2(MoO4)3 nanocomposite prepared using C3N4 is 15 times that of in the absence of C3N4. Also, the cytotoxicity of synthesized samples was evaluated using MTT assay against human cell lines MCF-7 (cancer), and its IC50 was about 125 mg/L. © 202

Zero-order and prolonged release of atenolol from microporous FAU and BEA zeolites, and mesoporous MCM-41:Experimental and theoretical investigations

The potential of microporous zeolites FAU and BEA, and mesoporous MCM-41, for prolonged release of atenolol in drug delivery systems was investigated both experimentally, using drug release studies, and theoretically using classical molecular dynamics simulations. Remarkably, zero-order release of atenolol was achieved from FAU (SiO2:Al2O3 = 80:1) into phosphate buffer for 24 h followed by prolonged release for at least another 48 h. Experimental data also demonstrate the ability for all of the drug-zeolite combinations investigated to achieve prolonged release of atenolol, with the release rates determined by the combination of framework topology, aluminium content and drug release study media. Molecular dynamics simulations give an insight into the reasons for the different release rates observed for FAU and BEA. The results of this work emphasise the need for sophisticated models in order to explain subtle differences in release, such as those observed at different SiO2:Al2O3 ratios.</p

Synthesis, Characterization and Investigation Magnetic and Photovoltaic Properties of FeVO 4 Nanoparticles

INTRODUCTION In the past few decades, the studies of nanoparticles system have been extensively a subject of continue interest in chemistry, physic, and other field