Investigating effects of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on sex hormones in female rats undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is an antineoplastic medicine that causes disorder in functions of the body systems. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on improving the complications of cyclophosphamide on sex hormones. Fifty-six adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups; control, sham (received distilled water, solvent extract, and drug), experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 (received cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg/bw) + hydroalcoholic extract of saffron (2, 1, and 0.5 g/kg/bw), experimental group 4 (saffron 2 g/kg/bw), and experimental group 5 (cyclophosphamide 5 mg/kg/bw). Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally, and extract by gavage was prescribed for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, after blood and preparation of serum, ELISA method was used for measuring the estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones. Data and LSD test were analyzed with SPSS software (version 18). Results show that the concurrent use of low-dose cyclophosphamide and saffron extract can reduce toxic effect of cyclophosphamide on pituitary-gonadal axis and cause estrogen to be produced.     

The effect of spraying different disinfectants on condensational silicone impressions; an in vitro study

Background:

Dentistry equipment are exposed to different types of pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spraying three different types of disinfectants on condensational silicones after 5 and 10 min.

Materials and Methods:

Totally, 66 circular samples of condensational silicone impression materials of 1 cm diameter and 2 mm thickness were contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans fungus. Except for control samples, all of them were disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 0.525%, Deconex and Epimax by spraying method. Afterward, they kept in plastic bags with humid rolled cotton for 5 and 10 min. In order to isolate microbiotas, the samples were immersed in 2% trypsin for 1 h and diluted with normal saline in a portion of 1, 1/2, and 1/4. The trypsin suspensions were transferred to culture plates for incubation and colony-forming unit assay. The data were analyzed by Mann–Whitney test and SPSS software version 16 at a significant level of 0.05.

Results:

There was a meaningful difference between disinfection effects of Epimax-Deconex for all mentioned microorganisms after 5 min (P = 0.034), and between disinfection effects of NaOCl 0.525%-Epimax for S. aureus (P = 0.043) and P. aeruginosa (P = 0.046) after 5 min. Furthermore, there was a meaningful difference between disinfection effects of Epimax-Deconex (P = 0.034) and NaOCl 0.525%-Epimax (P = 0.034) for P. aeruginosa after 10 min.

Conclusion:

Condensational silicone can be effectively disinfected by spraying tested three disinfecting agents. More specifically, Deconex showed the best results compared to the other agents.Key Words: Condensational silicone, disinfection, impression materials, spray     

Comparative efficacy of ivabradine versus beta-blockers in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm: systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Patients with mitral valve stenosis have increased heart rate. HR reduction is known as an important treatment and therapy strategy for...     

A retrospective evaluation of iatrogenic dental root damage with predrilled vs drill-free bone anchor screws for intermaxillary fixation

Abstract – Aims: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate iatrogenic dental root damage, caused by two different techniques that utilized bone anchor screws, for intermaxillary fixation (IMF) in orofacial trauma. Materials and methods: The techniques used included either predrilled or drill‐free bone anchor screws. A total of 123 patients who required IMF were evaluated (97 men and 26 women). Sixty‐four patients were treated in the predrilled group, and 59 patients were treated in the drill‐free group. The data were collected over an 8‐year period and were analyzed using crosstabs and Fisher’s exact test. Results: Injuries to dental roots were found only in the predrilled group. Twenty‐nine patients (45.3%) were injured at the time of surgery. One year after surgery, 10 patients (15.6%) had permanently injured dental roots. There was a significant difference in injury rates between the predrilled and drill‐free groups 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is an increased potential risk of iatrogenic injury and permanent damage to the dental roots when a technique that involves predrilled holes for bone anchor screws is used.     

Relationships between sex steroids of the seminal fluid and milt quality parameters of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897

To investigate the role of sex steroids of the seminal fluid on sperm quality, the relationships between sex steroids and milt quality parameters (sperm motility and sperm production) were investigated in the Persian sturgeon. The seminal fluid levels of 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20βs), and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) had positive relationships with sperm motility characteristics (percentage and duration of motility) and sperm density. Also, no relationships were found between other sex steroids including: Testosterone (T), progesterone (P), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (OHP), and milt quality parameters. The good correlation of 20βs and 11-KT of the seminal fluid with sperm motility and sperm density suggests that these steroids may be important hormones involving in final maturation of the Persian sturgeon spermatozoa.