Deposition of LiF onto Films of Fullerene Derivatives Leads to Bulk Doping.

One of the most commonly used cathode interlayers for increasing the efficiency of electron injection/extraction in organic electronic devices is an ultrathin layer of LiF. Our capacitance measurements and electrical conductivity analysis show that thin films of fullerene derivatives and their mixtures with polymers are unintentionally doped upon deposition of LiF. The level of doping depends on the chemical structure of the fullerene derivatives.

Osteoporosis Imaging in the Geriatric Patient.

Given the expected rapid growth of the geriatric world population (=individuals aged >65 years) to 1.3 billion by 2050, age-related diseases such as osteoporosis and its sequelae, osteoporotic fractures, are on the rise. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the current gold standard to diagnose osteoporosis, to assess osteoporotic fracture risk, and to monitor treatment-induced BMD changes.

The impact of p16 and HER2 expression on survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of p16 and HER2 expression on survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma.This descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional study, was conducted on 47 paraffin blocks of epithelial ovarian tumors. Suitable slides were prepared to evaluate HER2 and p16 by immunohistochemistry using HercepTest kit (DAKO) and p16INK4A kit (DAKO, code 5334).

The Low Molecular Weight Protein PsaI Stabilizes the Light-Harvesting Complex II Docking Site of Photosystem I.

PsaI represents one of three low molecular weight peptides of PSI. Targeted inactivation of the plastid PsaI gene in Nicotiana tabacum has no measurable effect on photosynthetic electron transport around PSI or on accumulation of proteins involved in photosynthesis. Instead, the lack of PsaI destabilizes the association of PsaL and PsaH to PSI, both forming the light-harvesting complex (LHC)II docking site of PSI.

Original Research: Polyphenols extracted from grape powder induce lipogenesis and glucose uptake during differentiation of murine preadipocytes.

Assessing the effects of grapes and grape powder extracted polyphenols on lipogenesis and glucose uptake in adipocytes may clarify the risk/benefit of recommending them to individuals with obesity and insulin resistance. We investigated the effect of grape powder extracted polyphenols (GPEP) on intracellular fat accumulation and glucose uptake during differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes. Total polyphenols were extracted and measured based on gallic acid equivalents (GAE).

Protective Effect of Diospyros kaki against Glucose-Oxygen-Serum Deprivation-Induced PC12 Cells Injury.

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Recent interests have been focused on natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents as potentially useful neuroprotective agents. Diospyros kaki (persimmon) has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic effects.

Trans, trans-farnesol as a mevalonate-derived inducer of murine 3T3-F442A pre-adipocyte differentiation.

Based on our finding that depletion of mevalonate-derived metabolites inhibits adipocyte differentiation, we hypothesize that trans, trans-farnesol (farnesol), a mevalonate-derived sesquiterpene, induces adipocyte differentiation. Farnesol dose-dependently (25-75 μmol/L) increased intracellular triglyceride content of murine 3T3-F442A pre-adipocytes measured by AdipoRed™ Assay and Oil Red-O staining. Concomitantly, farnesol dose-dependently increased glucose uptake and glucose transport protein 4 (GLUT4) expression without affecting cell viability.

Chitosan and functionalized acrylic nanoparticles as the precursor of new generation of bio-based antibacterial films.

This study represents a new method for preparation of acrylic/chitosan films with antibacterial activity and non-toxic properties through an environmental friendly process containing a water-base acrylic resin and chitosan as an abundant natural polymer. Functional and positively charged acrylic particles based on butyl acrylate (BA)-methyl methacrylate (MMA)-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) terpolymer were prepared with layered structure via semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of epoxy functional groups and size distribution of particles were evaluated by DLS and SEM as well.

Antibacterial and Toxic Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide Combined with Different Concentrations of Chlorhexidine in Comparison with Sodium Hypochlorite.

Statement Of The Problem: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been suggested to be used in sequence or in combination with chlorhexidine (CHX) to enhance the antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, but there is no research in the literature on the safety and effectiveness of this irrigation protocol.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity of different concentrations of CHX combined with H2O2in comparison with the activity of 5.25 and 2.

Identification of the Same Na(+)-Specific DNAzyme Motif from Two In Vitro Selections Under Different Conditions.

We report an investigation of the functional relationship between two independently selected RNA-cleaving DNAzymes, NaA43, and Ce13, through in vitro selection. The NaA43 DNAzyme was obtained through a combination of gel-based and column-based in vitro selection in the presence of Na(+) and reported to be highly selective for Na(+) over other metal ions. The Ce13 DNAzyme was isolated via a gel-based method in the presence of Ce(4+) and found to be active with trivalent lanthanides, Y(3+) and Pb(2+).

HIGH CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE145 Binds to and Stabilizes the psaA 5' UTR via a Newly Defined Repeat Motif in Embryophyta.

The seedling-lethal Arabidopsis thaliana high chlorophyll fluorescence145 (hcf145) mutation leads to reduced stability of the plastid tricistronic psaA-psaB-rps14 mRNA and photosystem I (PSI) deficiency. Here, we genetically mapped the HCF145 gene, which encodes a plant-specific, chloroplast-localized, modular protein containing two homologous domains related to the polyketide cyclase family comprising 37 annotated Arabidopsis proteins of unknown function. Two further highly conserved and previously uncharacterized tandem repeat motifs at the C terminus, herein designated the transcript binding motif repeat (TMR) domains, confer sequence-specific RNA binding capability to HCF145.

Inadequate pain management in cancer patients attending an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of undertreated cancer pain in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic using the Pain Management Index (PMI).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database to assess pain management was done on patients with cancer pain enrolled from January 2009 to March 2015 using recorded pain intensity (0-10) and baseline pain medications. The pain intensities were categorized into no pain (0), mild pain (1), moderate pain (2), and severe pain (3), and an analgesic score was assigned to the most potent pain medication the patient was taking during the time of data collection.

Noninvasive Evaluation of Myocardial Systolic Dysfunction in the Early Stage of Kawasaki Disease: A Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Study.

Background: Evaluation of myocardial function by speckle-tracking echocardiography is a new method for the early diagnosis of systolic dysfunction.

Objectives: We aimed to determine myocardial speckle-tracking echocardiography indices in Kawasaki Disease (KD) patients and compare them with the same indices in control subjects.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-two patients (65.

The Effect of Acupuncture on the Success of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block for Teeth with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Triple-blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: An inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) does not always provide satisfactory anesthesia for patients with irreversible pulpitis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of preoperative acupuncture on the success rate of IANBs for teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

Methods: In a randomized triple-blinded clinical trial, 40 patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were divided into 2 groups: the acupuncture and control groups.

In vitro selection of a sodium-specific DNAzyme and its application in intracellular sensing.

Over the past two decades, enormous progress has been made in designing fluorescent sensors or probes for divalent metal ions. In contrast, the development of fluorescent sensors for monovalent metal ions, such as sodium (Na(+)), has remained underdeveloped, even though Na(+) is one the most abundant metal ions in biological systems and plays a critical role in many biological processes. Here, we report the in vitro selection of the first (to our knowledge) Na(+)-specific, RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme) with a fast catalytic rate [observed rate constant (ko(bs)) ∼ 0.

Anti-cancer activity of pegylated liposomal trans-anethole on breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D.

Objective: To examine the role of liposomes for the encapsulation of drugs and their suitability for chemotherapy of breast cancer.

Results: Pegylated liposomal trans-anethole nanoparticles were synthesized through a reverse-phase evaporation technique. Nanoparticles were characterized in terms of mean diameter, size distribution, zeta potential, encapsulation and drug loading efficiency, drug release pattern and cytotoxicity effects.

Prediction of glucose intolerance at 24-28 weeks of gestation by glucose and insulin level measurements in the first trimester.

Background: Gestational diabetes is the second common disorder in pregnancy period, which is detected in 24-28 weeks of gestational age through screening tests in low-risk women. The women with gestational diabetes are prone to prenatal mortality and development of future diabetes. Therefore, detection of these individuals in the first trimester and conducting preventive interventions is of great importance.

Cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine-hydrogen peroxide combination in different concentrations on cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Background: A strong antimicrobial synergism between chlorhexidine (CHX) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been reported, but there is not enough data on the cytotoxicity of this combination. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of CHX-H2O2 combination in different concentrations and secondary aim is to assess the influence of H2O2 on cytotoxicity of CHX on cultured human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts.

Materials And Methods: The PDL cells were cultured from healthy human third molar teeth and were exposed to six prepared solutions (0.

Effects of nanoliposomal and pegylated nanoliposomal artemisinin in treatment of breast cancer.

This study is aimed to investigate the nanoliposomal artemisinin preparation, and its implementation on breast cancer cells. Side effects have been one of the common challenges of drug usage, as well as cancer treatment. In order to reduce such effects, nanotechnology has been a great help.

Exploring women's personal experiences of giving birth in Gonabad city: a qualitative study.

Background: Women's health is an important task in society. The aim of this qualitative study that used a phenomenological approach was to explain women's personal experiences of giving birth in Gonabad city that had positive experiences of giving birth in order to establish quality cares and the related factors of midwifery cares for this physiological phenomenon.

Methods: The participants were 21 primiparae women who gave a normal and or uncomplicated giving birth in the hospital of Gonabad University of medical sciences.

Fullerene derivatives with increased dielectric constants.

The invention of new organic materials with high dielectric constants is of extreme importance for the development of organic-based devices such as organic solar cells. We report on a synthetic way to increase the dielectric constant of fullerene derivatives. It is demonstrated that introducing triethylene glycol monoethyl ether (teg) side chains into fulleropyrrolidines increases the dielectric constant by ~46 percent without devaluation of optical properties, electron mobility and the energy level of the compound.

Assessing microleakage of composite restorations in class V cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser irradiation or diamond bur.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to make a comparison between microleakage of conventionally restored class V cavities using bur and acid etchant and, the ones prepared and conditioned by Er:YAG laser.

Materials And Methods: 30 recently extracted intact caries and filling free human permanent molars were used for this study. Then, Cold cure acrylic resin was used to seal the apices.

Pro-oxidative toxicity of cells in suspension does not point to a cell cultural artefact as an explanation of the increased susceptibility of alveolar epithelial-like cells after glucocorticoid pretreatment.

The influence of cell numbers on peroxide-(tertiary butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) or hydrogen peroxide-(HP)) or zinc-(zinc chloride) induced oxidative stress was assessed in alveolar epithelial-like cell lines in this work. Differences in cell numbers change the cellular glutathione and glutathione reductase activity as well as the amount of exported glutathione and therefore might influence susceptibility against oxidative stress. Toxicity due to zinc decreased, toxicity due to HP increased, while tBHP-mediated toxicity was unchanged in our experiments when cells were exposed in suspension as compared to monolayers.

DNA Aptamer Technology for Personalized Medicine.

This review highlights recent progress in developing DNA aptamers for personalized medicine, with more focus on studies for potential clinical applications. Examples include design of aptamers in combination with DNA nanostructures, nanomaterials, or microfluidic devices as diagnostic probes or therapeutic agents for cancers and other diseases. The use of aptamers as targeting agents in drug delivery is also covered.

Investigation of the effects of curcumin on serum cytokines in obese individuals: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Obesity is a disorder often accompanied by a heightened state of systemic inflammation and immunoactivation. The present randomized crossover trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol with established anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, on the serum levels of a panel of cytokines and mediators in obese individuals.

Methods: Thirty obese individuals were randomized to receive curcumin at a daily dose of 1 g or a matched placebo for 4 weeks.