Variations in plasma levels of substance P and effects of a specific substance P antagonist of the NK(1) receptor on preovulatory LH and FSH surges and progesterone secretion in the cycling cynomolgus monkey

These studies investigated the role of substance P (SP) in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in cynomolgus monkeys with normal menstrual cycles. Plasma concentrations of SP were determined in blood samples taken every morning in normally menstruating cynomolgus monkeys throughout the menstrual cycle. There was a significant decreasing linear trend of SP during the follicular phase (cycle day -13 to day 0) and a significant inverse relationship between SP plasma values and plasma 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) values from day -13 to day 0 of the adjusted cycle. Correspondingly, SP area under the curve was significantly greater during the follicular phase than the luteal phase. In a second experiment, plasma concentrations of E(2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone and length of cycles were measured after five daily intragastric administrations (10 mg/kg) of an NK(1) receptor (SP receptor) antagonist (RPR 100893; 10 mg/kg) initiated after serum E(2) concentrations had exceeded 125 pg/ml. There was a statistically significant reduction in the amplitude (41% of control) and the area under the curve (37% of control) of the preovulatory LH surge. In addition, there was a reduction of the duration of the LH surge (3 +/- 0.1 days in controls vs. 2.1 +/- 0.2 days in treated animals). The present results show for the first time that there are significant variations in plasma levels of SP, with a strong negative correlation with serum levels of E(2) during the follicular phase of the cynomolgus monkey, and that endogenous SP has a potentiating role in the interactive hypothalamo-anterior-pituitary mechanisms which lead to the preovulatory LH and FSH surges during the menstrual cycle in the monkey.     

Physicochemical Characterization of Ambient Air Particulate Matter in Tabriz,Iran

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) was measured concurrently from September, 2012, to June, 2013, at two sites, urban and industrial suburban, in Tabriz, Iran. The annual average concentration of total suspended particulates (TSP), PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ at the urban site were 142.2 ± 76.3, 85.3 ± 43.9, 39 ± 19.1, and 28.4 ± 14.9 µg/m³ (mean ± SD), respectively. A total of 11 inorganic water-soluble ions in the TSP and PM₁₀ were identified by ion chromatography. In the urban site, concentrations of total water-soluble ions in TSP and PM₁₀ were 20.3 ± 20.8 and 16.0 ± 14.1 µg/m³, respectively. In this sampling site, secondary inorganic aerosols (i.e., Σ $ {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } $ , $ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $ , and $ {\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + } $ concentrations) were the main measured water-soluble ions, which collectively accounted for 13.9 % of TSP mass and 17.7 % of PM₁₀ mass. Correlations between $ {\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + } $ with $ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $ and $ {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } $ indicated that the main source of these ions in PM was the combustion processes. Results of elemental analysis in the industrial suburban site showed that natural sources were the dominant source of PM in this area.     

Selective removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions using 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHAQ) functionalized graphene oxide; isotherm,kinetic and thermodynamic studies

An anthraquinone – graphene structure was fabricated and applied for the removal of lead(ii) from aqueous solution. The equilibrium occurred in about 10 min revealing the high adsorption rate at the beginning of the process. The maximum Pb(ii) adsorption capacity of the Fe₃O₄@DHAQ_GO nanocomposite was about 283.5 mg g⁻¹ that was observed at 323 K and pH 5.5. The Pb(ii) adsorption ability increased with the increasing pH. The isotherm and kinetic studies indicated that the Sips isotherm model and the linear form of the pseudo-second kinetic model had a better fit with the experimental results. The positive value of ΔH⁰ indicated endothermic interactions between Pb(ii) and Fe₃O₄@DHAQ_GO. The negative ΔG⁰ indicated that the reactions are spontaneous with a high affinity for Pb(ii). The positive ΔS⁰ values indicated increasing randomness at the solid–solute interface during the adsorption process. The selective removal of Pb(ii) by the nanocomposite confirms the presence of higher-affinity binding sites for Pb(ii) than Cd(ii), Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Ni(ii) ions. Furthermore, the Fe₃O₄@DHAQ_GO nanocomposite revealed an excellent preferential adsorbent for Pb(ii) spiked in drinking water samples containing natural ion matrices. EDTA-2NA 0.01 N was found to be a better elution agent than HCl 0.1 M for the nanocomposite regeneration. After five adsorption/desorption cycles using EDTA-2NA 0.01 N, more than 84% of the adsorbed Pb(ii) was still desorbed in 30 min. Capturing sub-ppm initial concentrations of Pb(ii) and the capability to selectively remove lead from drinking water samples make the Fe₃O₄@DHAQ_GO nanocomposite practically convenient for water treatment purposes. High adsorption capacity and facile chemical synthesis route are the other advancements.

The Fe₃O₄@DHAQ_GO nanocomposite can serve as an efficient adsorbent for the selective removal of lead from polluted water.     

Posterior interosseous nerve neuropathy. Clinical and electromyographical aspects.

A clinical-EMGraphic examination was carried out in 37 patients with posterior interosseous nerve neuropathy: 5 cases had a traumatic origin, 4 iatrogenic, and 28 non-traumatic. One of the non-traumatic cases had a lipoma, and another had chondroma. In the other cases, nerve entrapment at the level of the arcade of Frohse could be presumed. Acute or chronic onset of the deficit was probably due to repeated pronation-supination hand movements. A motor deficit in finger extension together with a radial deviation of the wrist, was typical. Surprisingly about 50% of the non-traumatic cases showed some sensory disturbance at the forearm, wrist or hand. EMG examination was useful to establish the entity and topography of the deficit. Follow-up was carried out in 27 cases (3 traumatic, 2 iatrogenic and 22 non-traumatic). Even if spontaneous recovery is possible, though infrequent, in non-traumatic cases with marked deficit surgery gave the most satisfactory results, especially when onset had been acute and operation was performed within nine months of onset.     

An overall assessment of circumanal gland adenoma in a terrier mix breed dog

In September 2012, a 10-year-old, intact male, terrier mix breed dog was evaluated because of multiple, 0.5 to 1.2 cm in diameter, round, intradermal nodules around the anus. It had surgery to excise a firm, painful swelling in the left ventrolateral perianal region and the excision part was observed under light microscopy. The mass spreading in to sub acute was of left hind leg out from the ventro-lateral of anus, 1.2 cm×1 cm/ 0 cm×0.5 cm in size and 125 g in weight. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis (cystocentesis sample) were evaluated. Significant laboratory data demonstrated microcytic anemia (hemoglobin of 6.4 mg/dL) and normal coagulation times. No remarkable abnormalities were found in the complete blood count and an ionized calcium of 1.91 mmol/L (reference range, 1.1-1.3 mmol/L) was confirmed hypercalcemia. On cytologic and histopathologic examinations, evaluation of the aspirate revealed a prominent population of round-to-polygonal nucleated cells arranged as cohesive groups with isolated individual cells. A mild degree of anisocytosis and anisokaryosis was observed. In addition, smaller reserve type cells, with darker cytoplasm and a higher nucleocytoplasmic ratio. The adenomas generally retain the lobular architecture, but some may contain focal areas of cellular pleomorphism. These changes may suggest malignant transformation and have led to discordant interpretations, the well-developed stroma surrounding the lobules and hepatoid cells was noted. Ulceration, hemorrhage, necrosis and secondary infection with inflammatory cell infiltrates are common. These cytology and histopathology features are consistent with hepatoid gland adenoma.     

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) in Iran

The aim of this study was estimation of PCDD/PCDFs emissions from various sources in Iran. The results indicated total PCDD/PCDFs emissions in Iran in 2010, was 1,957 g TEQ. Of this amount, about 705.8, 0.5, 463.5, 144.1 and 643.2 g TEQ/year was released to air, water, land, products, and in residues, respectively. Open burning processes and metal production are the major contributors to be known environmental sources of PCDD/PCDFs that contribute to about 70% of total PCDD/PCDFs emissions in Iran. The results showed that total PCDD/PCDFs emissions in Iran per inhabitant were about 26.5 g TEQ/million that is high relatively.     

The effects of vitrification on gene expression in mature mouse oocytes by nested quantitative PCR

Purpose  

This study was conducted on the effects of vitrification cryotop method on gene expression of mature oocytes in Mus musculus.