Design and fabrication of a two dimentional grating light valve using temperature dependence of the refractive index of liquids

Design and fabrication of a two dimensional tuneable grating has been proposed. A transmissive 2D square well grating is fabricated. The holes of the grating then is filled with a liquid which it’s refractive index is depend on the temperature. By changing the temperature the efficiency of the diffraction patterns is changed

Design and fabrication of a polymer micro ring resonator with laser beam direct write lithography technique

In this article, we describe our work on design and fabrication of a polymer Micro Ring Resonator. This device has been constructed by laser beam direct write lithography technique (LBL).We used ORMOCORE photoresist for fabricating a micro ring resonator due to its very low losses at wavelengths 1550 nm and 1300 nm and also used a tapered fiber to couple light into the bus waveguide and received the signal from the output port of the waveguide by using another tapered fiber which the gap between bus waveguide and ring waveguide is then filled with nitrobenzene liquid by micropipette (which has large dependence of the refractive index on temperature) for increasing efficiently coupling to ring waveguide. The signal has been monitored by using an optical spectrum analyze .This micro ring resonator in the laterally coupled geometry for wavelength 1550 (nm) have band width (Δλ) 0.3 (nm), free spectral range of 0.8 (nm) and finesse of 2.6

Response of Sunflower Yield and Phytohormonal Changes to Azotobacter,Azospirillum,Pseudomonas and Animal Manure in a Chemical Free Agroecosystem

There are new trends in agriculture to move toward the low input systems with the lower application of chemical fertilizers. To reach this goal, different methods, such as the application of biofertilizers, may be used. So this experiment was conducted in 2010 at a research farm in Arak, Iran, in factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications and four factors: animal manure (M), Pseudomonas putida (P), Azotobacter chroococcum (A)and Azospirillum lipoferum (Z). Results indicated that manure significantly affected grain yield (P≤0.01); the highest grain yield was achieved in the interaction of manure × Azotobacter × Pseudomonas (4.556 ton/ha). Grain yield was not significantly affected by the microorganisms. Moreover, the four factors of the experiment significantly affected auxin, gibberellin and cytokinin content of plant. Overall, this experiment indicated that desirable yield can be achieved by the application of manure and biofertilizers, in a sustainable agriculture

Is Urinary Interleukin-8 a Marker of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children?

Introduction: Developing non-invasive but accurate methods to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is in progress. Cytokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), are important mediators in inflammatory responses and are demonstrated to change during UTI and pyelonephritis, as well. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate the differences of IL-8 in children with UTI compared to children with and without VUR to assess if it can be hypothesized to be an appropriate diagnostic marker in children with VUR.Materials and Methods: We evaluated urine levels of IL-8 in 41 children aged 1 to 60 months who recovered from UTI for a minimum duration of 2-3 weeks. They were divided into 2groups: A and B (with and without VUR, respectively). Additionally, a group of normal children was considered as the control group (group C). Urine IL-8 levels were measured for the three groups and corrected for urine creatinine (Cr) (IL-8/Cr). Afterwards, they were compared using One-Way ANOVA test.Results: The mean IL-8/Cr level was 81.7 ± 90.1 in group A, 289.8±640.2 in group B, and 9.6 ± 12.2 in group C with no significant difference (p=0.056).Conclusions: Our finding suggests there is no significant difference in urine IL-8/Cr levels between patients with and without VUR and therefore, we cannot propose IL-8 as a diagnostic marker for VUR. Keywords: Interleukin-8; Pediatrics; Pyelonephritis; Urinary Tract Infections; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Cancerous Tissue Diagnosis by LIF Spectroscopy Derived From Body-Compatible Fluorophores

Introduction: The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method as molecular emission spectroscopy is used to diagnose cancerous tissues. According to the previous reports, the red-shift in the fluorescence spectrum from Rhodamine 6G (Rd6G)-stained cancerous tissues compared to healthy ones impregnated with the same dye provides the feasibility for diagnosis. In this paper, we have employed the LIF emissions as a diagnostic method to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissues infiltrated by a body-compatible fluorophore to avoid the toxicity and hazard of Rd6G dye.Methods: Biological tissue specimens are stained with sodium fluorescein (NaFl) dye and then irradiated by the blue CW diode laser (405 nm) to examine the spectral properties that are effective in detecting cancerous tissues.Results: The spectral shift and the intensity difference of fluorescence are keys to diagnosing in vitro cancerous breast, colon, and thyroid tissues for clinical applications. The notable tubular densities in the breast and colon tissues and the space between the papillae in the thyroid ones cause the cancerous tissues to be prominently heterogeneous, providing numerous micro-cavities and thus more room for dye molecules.Conclusion: Here, we have assessed the spectral shift and intensity difference of fluorescence as a diagnostic method to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissues for clinical applications. DOI:10.34172/jlms.2021.1

Effects of repeated intravitreal bevacizumab administration on anterior segment parameters and limbal stem cells

Background: Macular edema (ME) is fluid accumulation in the macula caused by vascular leakage. Repeated intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections are extensively used to treat ME of different origins, are well tolerated, and have few side effects. This study evaluated the effects of repeated IVB injections on the anterior segment parameters and limbal stem cells (LSCs) in eyes with ME. Methods: This before–after study involved patients with ME of different causes who underwent repeated IVB injections at the Imam Khomeini Ophthalmology Center in Kermanshah, Iran. Before and after repeated IVB injections, anterior segment parameters were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and the LSCs were assessed using impression cytology. Results: We enrolled 42 eyes of 42 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 59.6 (7.6) years, of whom 25 (59.5%) were men and 17 (40.5%) were women. The underlying diseases included diabetic ME in 30 eyes (71.4%), central (5 [11.9%]) or branch (3 [7.1%]) retinal vein occlusion, and choroidal neovascularization in 4 eyes (9.5%). The right eye was affected in 22 (52.4%) participants. The mean (SD) number of IVB injections was 4.3 (1.3). After repeated injections, the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) increased, whereas the mean anterior chamber angle (ACA) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) decreased (all P<0.001). Three patients developed LSC deficiency after repeated IVB injections for diabetic ME. Conclusions: We observed a significant increase in the mean CCT and a decrease in the mean ACA and ACD after repeated IVB injections in our series. Three patients developed LSC deficiency after repeated IVB injections for diabetic ME management. The observed effect on LSC may cast doubt on the safety of repeated IVB injections; however, this finding must be verified in multicenter clinical trials with longer follow-up periods and larger study samples

Frequency Distribution of Female Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Referred to University Hospitals and a Private Urology Clinic

Sexual Dysfunction [SD] is a common health problem among women that causes anxiety, interpersonal problems and a low quality of life. On the other hand, lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] are common among women, in particular in women suffering from FSD [female sexual dysfunction] although the relation between the two conditions is still unclear. Available data on the effect of LUTS on FSD are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of FSD in women with LUTS who referred to university hospitals [Razi and AL Zahra] and a private urology clinic in Rasht, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 123 eligible patients suffering from LUTS entered the study. Validated Persian versions of the FSFI [Female sexual function index] and the Bristol questionnaires [BFLUTS] used to assess the participants and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. The mean age of women participating in this study was 40.64±6.18 years. FSD was diagnosed in 54.5% of the patients; 78.9% of these patients with FSD reported dysfunction in sexual desire, 78% reported sexual arousal disorder, 54.5% had lubrication disorders, 46.3% complained of orgasmic deficiency, 44.7% had sexual pain disorder and 37.4% had satisfaction voiding disorder. Based on the results, sexual dysfunction was common among women suffering from LUTS and sexual desire was the most frequently affected among FSD domains. In addition, our findings indicated that, contrary to common belief, issues such as the level of education have no significant effect on the frequency of FSD in women, but compared to women with normal sexual function, subjects with FSD were significantly older [P=0.0001]

Effect of Microelements and Selenium on Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme, Malondialdehyde Activity and Grain Yield Maize (Zea mays L.) under Water Deficit Stress

This study was carried out to investigate effects of microelements under water deficit stress at different growth stages on antioxidant enzyme alteration, chemical biomarker and grain yield of maize in the years 2007 and 2008. The experiment was conducted in a split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. There were three factors, water deficit stress at different stages of growth as main plot and combinations of selenium (with and without using) and microelements (with and without using) as sub plots. The result indicated that the activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content under water deficit stress increased, but grain yield was reduced. The highest grain yield was obtained from optimum irrigation, while in the case of with water deficit stress at V8 stage it was non significant. Selenium spray increased activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme, malondialdehyde content of leaves in V8, R2 and R4 stages and also grain yield. Application of microelements increased the leaves superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde content. Selenium and microelements spray under water deficit stress conditions during vegetative growth and dough stage increased grain yield in comparison to not spraying elements under water stress conditions. The present results also showed that by using selenium and microelements under water stress can obtain acceptable yield compared to not using these elements

Physiological and biochemical responses of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Miller) to potassium silicate application under water deficit stress

In this field experiment, the effect of potassium silicate (PS) on the physiological and biochemical responses of Damask rose was investigated under the water deficit stress. The treatments were four levels of irrigation water application including 100, 75, 50 and 25% plant water requirement (PWR) and potassium silicate at three rates (0, i.e., just pure water, 0.2 and 0.4%), once (in spring or summer) or twice (once in spring and once in summer) during the plant growth. The results showed that with irrigation of 75% of plant water requirement significantly reduced the concentration of chlorophyll a (Chl a, 170%), chlorophyll b (Chl b, 163%) and carotenoids (91%), the leaf relative water content (RWC, 14.8%) and the total flower yield (20%) as compared to control. The elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content and ion leakage, as two indicators of oxidative damage, were observed in the plants subjected to the water deficit stress. In response to oxidative stress induced by water deficit stress, the leaf catalase (CAT, 59.5%) activity and concentration of proline (64.8%) as compared to control increased. The foliar-applied Si at two rates of 0.2 and 0.4% in spring and summer resulted in a higher concentration of Chl a (57.3% and 61.7%), Chl b (31% and 24.6%) and carotenoid content as compared to control, respectively. The increased concentration of proline and higher activity of CAT in the plants supplied with Si led to the higher leaf RWC and less intensity of oxidative damage, namely ion leakage and MDA content. According to the results, with the potassium silicate spraying in 0.2 or 0.4% both in spring and summer at the irrigation level equal to 50% of the PWR, the optimum flower yield was achieved

Superpulsed CO 2

Background. Periorbital basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is considered a high risk case because it is associated with high rate of recurrence and complication. Superpulsed CO2 laser with intraoperative pathologic assessment could be an alternative and appropriate treatment for periocular lesions where Mohs micrographic surgery is not available. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of superpulsed CO2 laser therapy with intraoperative pathologic assessment on periocular BCC involving eyelash line. Method. This follow-up study was performed on 20 patients with a total of 21 BCC lesions that were pathologically documented. Firstly, debulkation of tumoral mass was done by curettage. Then, irradiation and intraoperative pathologic evaluation were done by concurrent CO2 laser. The patients were followed up for a period of 36 months. Results. Out of 21 lesions, the nodular type accounted for 15 (71.4%) lesions, and 12 (57.1%) lesions were seen in the lower lid as the most common clinical type and site involvement. Twenty BCC lesions (95.2%) were treated after one session. Damage to eyelash was seen in 2 (10%) patients, but ectropion and other complications were not seen in any patient. Conclusion. Treatment with superpulsed CO2 laser and intraoperative pathologic evaluation for periorbital BCC lesions much close to conjunctiva could be an effective method with minimal complications without major danger of recurrence. This modality can be used with care in the inner canthus and high risk pathologic lesions