The Effect of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy with Radachlorin and Toluidine Blue on Streptococcus Mutans: An in Vitro Study

Objectives: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are caused by infection of teeth and supporting tissues due to complex aggregate of bacteria known as biofilm, firstly colonized by streptococci. The main purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobialeffects of toluidine blue O (TBO) and Radachlorin® in combination with a diode laser on the viability of Streptococcus mutans.Materials and Methods: Bacterial suspensions of Streptococcus mutans were exposed to either 0.1% TBO associated with (20 mW, 633 nm diode laser, continuous mode, 150 s) or 0.1% Radachlorin® and laser irradiation (100 mW, 662 nm diode laser, continuous mode,120 s). Those in control groups were subjected to laser irradiation alone or TBO/Radachlorin® alone or received neither TBO/Radachlorin® nor laser exposure. The suspensions were then spread over specific agar plates and incubated aerobically at 37°C. Finally, the bactericidal effects were evaluated based on colony formation.Results: Potential bacterial cell killing was only observed following photosensitization with TBO and 3 j/cm2 laser exposure (p<0.05), whereas Radachlorin® showed significant reduction in dark condition compared to laser exposure (p<0.05).Conclusion: TBO-mediated photodynamic therapy seems to be more efficient than Radachlorin ® in significantly reducing the viability of Streptococcus mutans in vitro

Exact solutions of a particle in a box with a delta function potential: The factorization method

We use the factorization method to find the exact eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for a particle in a box with the delta function potential $V(x)=\lambda\delta(x-x_{0})$. We show that the presence of the potential results in the discontinuity of the corresponding ladder operators. The presence of the delta function potential allows us to obtain the full spectrum in the first step of the factorization procedure even in the weak coupling limit $\lambda\to 0$.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, to appear in American Journal of Physic

Effect of dietary wood betony, Stachys lavandulifolia extract on growth performance, haematological and biochemical parameters of common carp, Cyprinus carpio

A 6 week study was conducted to assess the effects of wood betony (WB), Stachys lavandulifolia extract on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Different levels of the WB extract (0, 2, 4 and 8 % weight per weight, W/W, 0WB, 2WB, 4WB and 8WB) in the diet were used. The results showed that final weight and weight gain were significantly improved by WB (p0.05). There were no significant differences in hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean erythrocytes of hemoglobin, mean erythrocyte volume, mean hemoglobin erythrocyte concentration and white blood cell (WBC) counts (p>0.05), while, red blood cells (RBC) counts showed significant declining trend by increasing the level of the plant extract from control to 8WB (p<0.05). Significant elevation in the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin and albumin/globulin ratio by increasing WB concentration in the diet were observed (p<0.05). Diet enriched by WB could decrease serum level of triglycerides and cholesterol in comparison with the control (p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that feeding common carp with WB can improve growth and some immunity characteristics as well as lipid metabolism

Insecticidal activity of nanoencapsulated formulation of Artemisia sieberi Besser essential oil on Xanthogaleruca luteola (Müller) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

New formulations of botanical insecticides have been developed as an effective and safe compound alternative to synthetic pesticides. Application of nanoencapsulated formulations of pesticides enhance efficiency, quality and controlled release of these substances. In this research, insecticidal activity of essential oil of wormwood sagebrush Artemisia sieberi Besser was investigated on various stages of elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola (Müller). The experiments were conducted at 25 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). The formulated essential oil was sprayed on leaves and insects simultaneously. The LC50 value of the formulation was 5279, 3939 and 5169 ppm for eggs, larvae and adults, respectively. Treatment of leaves by nanoencapsulated oil at 3000 ppm caused significant reduction at larval stage compared to control. Our findings suggest that the use of nanoencapsulated essential oil can be effective in the management of elm leaf beetle

WRKY6 restricts Piriformospora indica-stimulated and phosphate-induced root development in Arabidopsis

BACKGROUND: Arabidopsis root growth is stimulated by Piriformospora indica, phosphate limitation and inactivation of the WRKY6 transcription factor. Combinations of these factors induce unexpected alterations in root and shoot growth, root architecture and root gene expression profiles. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that P. indica promotes phosphate uptake and root development under Pi limitation in wrky6 mutant. This is associated with the stimulation of PHOSPHATE1 expression and ethylene production. Expression profiles from the roots of wrky6 seedlings identified genes involved in hormone metabolism, transport, meristem, cell and plastid proliferation, and growth regulation. 25 miRNAs were also up-regulated in these roots. We generated and discuss here a list of common genes which are regulated in growing roots and which are common to all three growth stimuli investigated in this study. CONCLUSION: Since root development of wrky6 plants exposed to P. indica under phosphate limitation is strongly promoted, we propose that common genes which respond to all three growth stimuli are central for the control of root growth and architecture. They can be tested for optimizing root growth in model and agricultural plants. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-015-0673-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Copper-enriched diamond-like carbon coatings promote regeneration at the bone�implant interface

There have been several attempts to design innovative biomaterials as surface coatings to enhance the biological performance of biomedical implants. The objective of this study was to design multifunctional Cu/a-C:H thin coating depositing on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy (TC4) via magnetron sputtering in the presence of Ar and CH4 for applications in bone implants. Moreover, the impact of Cu amount and sp2/sp3 ratio on the interior stress, corrosion behavior, mechanical properties, and tribological performance and biocompatibility of the resulting biomaterial was discussed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the sp2/sp3 portion of the coating was enhanced for samples having higher Cu contents. The intensity of the interior stress of the Cu/a-C:H thin bio-films decreased by increase of Cu content as well as the sp2/sp3 ratio. By contrast, the values of Young's modulus, the H3/E2 ratio, and hardness exhibited no significant difference with enhancing Cu content and sp2/sp3 ratio. However, there was an optimum Cu content (36.8 wt.) and sp2/sp3 ratio (4.7) that it is feasible to get Cu/a-C:H coating with higher hardness and tribological properties. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test results depicted significant improvement of Ti-6Al-4V alloy corrosion resistance by deposition of Cu/a-C:H thin coating at an optimum Ar/CH4 ratio. Furthermore, Cu/a-C:H thin coating with higher Cu contents showed better antibacterial properties and higher angiogenesis and osteogenesis activities. The coated samples inhibited the growth of bacteria as compared to the uncoated sample (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, such coating composition can stimulate angiogenesis, osteogenesis and control host response, thereby increasing the success rate of implants. Moreover, Cu/a-C:H thin films encouraged development of blood vessels on the surface of titanium alloy when the density of grown blood vessels was increased with enhancing the Cu amount of the films. It is speculated that such coating can be a promising candidate for enhancing the osseointegration features. © 2020 Biomedical engineering; Materials science; Biomimetics; Tissue engineering; Coatings; Angiogenesis, Osteogenesis corrosion resistance; Copper; Hydrogenated amorphous carbon © 202

A new method for artificial breeding of Acipenser stellatus

A new formulation of GnRH and synthetic compound of anti-dopamine domperidone was used for the first time in Iran to determine suitable physiological indexes for reproduction and to resolve the present problems of artificial reproduction in stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus. The study was conducted on 60 breeder Acipensers including 40 female and 20 male specimens. The fish were caught at stations in the vicinity of the SefidRud River in Guilan Province. Male spawners were treated using single injection method while females received dual injection (Bio-physiological control). Propylene glycole (PG) was administered after the muscular injection near the second dorsal suite to increase theviscosity of the solution during absorption. Depending on the stage of sexual maturity in the fish, GnRH at doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 mg I kg BW was used in combination with a dose of I or 2 mg I kg of domperidone. The position of GV was used as an index to determine sexual maturity in females while in males sexual maturity was determined on the basis of testis and sperm quality. The female fish showed GV in a range of 3.64 to 1430. The results indicated that reduction of stress during catch, transportation, maintenance and handling and selection of breeders with suitable morphology will result in increased reproduction success. It was also found that male breeders given a dose of 20 and 30 ;_tg I kg BW GnRH along with I and 2 mg I kg of domperidone respectively were the most successful in spermiation. For female breeders, those received a dose of 10, 15 and 20 lig I kg BW GnRH along with 2 mg I kg of domperidone exhibited the most suitable conditions in ovulation. These females responded well to artificial breeding provided they possessed GV in the range of 3.64 to 1430 depending on the water temperature until the germinal vesicle broke down (in vivo). Alleviating stress during capture, handling, transport and confinement, selecting breeders with suitable morphology and identifying correct stage of sexual maturity are the factors that help achieve higher production by substituting GnRH with a combination of GnRH and domperidone. Therefore, this compound is recommended as a suitable substitute for pituitary extract and other gonadotrophic analogues in the artificial breeding of Acipenser stellatus

Preventing cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer and lymphoma: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (PROACT)

Introduction: Anthracyclines are included in chemotherapy regimens to treat several different types of cancer and are extremely effective. However, it is recognised that a significant side effect is cardiotoxicity; anthracyclines can cause irreversible damage to cardiac cells and ultimately impaired cardiac function and heart failure, which may only be evident years after exposure. The PROACT trial will establish the effectiveness of the ACE inhibitor enalapril maleate (enalapril) in preventing cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Methods and analysis: PROACT is a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded end-point, superiority trial which will recruit adult patients being treated for breast cancer and NHL at NHS hospitals throughout England. The trial aims to recruit 106 participants, who will be randomised to standard care (high-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy) plus enalapril (intervention) or standard care alone (control). Patients randomised to the intervention arm will receive enalapril (starting at 2.5 mg two times per day and titrating up to a maximum dose of 10 mg two times per day), commencing treatment at least 2 days prior to starting chemotherapy and finishing 3 weeks after their last anthracycline dose. The primary outcome is the presence or absence of cardiac troponin T release at any time during anthracycline treatment, and 1 month after the last dose of anthracycline. Secondary outcomes will focus on cardiac function measured using echocardiogram assessment, adherence to enalapril and side effects. Ethics and dissemination: A favourable opinion was given following research ethics committee review by West Midlands—Edgbaston REC, Ref: 17/WM/0248. Trial findings will be disseminated through engagement with patients, the oncology and cardiology communities, NHS management and commissioning groups and through peer-reviewed publication