Background: Male infertility is a global concern and it tends to increase due to miscellaneous factors, such as environmental toxins and genetic and lifestyle choices. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has recently attracted attention due to its involvement in male infertility mechanisms and impact on sperm production and function. AHR, a versatile receptor expressed in various tissues, including the testes, regulates the genes involved in spermatogenesis. AHR activation is associated with cell cycle regulation and chromatin condensation during spermatogenesis. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the influence of AHR activation on blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity, focusing on the role of tight junction protein-1 (TJP1)

Objective To evaluate recently developed acidic calcium-phosphate (CaP) pastes as conservative enamel-conditioning systems for bracket bonding and investigate their effects on the shear bond strength, adhesive residues, and enamel damage in comparison to a conventional 37 % phosphoric acid (PA) gel. Materials and methods Two experimental etchant pastes consisting of hydroxyapatite and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate were prepared by mixing them with 37 % and 10 % PA solutions, respectively. These were characterized using X-ray diffraction. Metal brackets were bonded to 90 freshly extracted human premolars and assigned to three groups, depending on etchant type: 37 % PA-gel (control) and the two experimental (HPA and MPA) pastes. Shear bon

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its hepatotoxic potential poses clinical challenges, as it induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in liver tissue. Butein, a natural chalcone flavonoid that possesses varied biological activity, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet effects. This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective effects of Butein against 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats were divided into 4 Groups (of 7 animals each): control, 5-FU, and two Butein-pretreated Groups (50 and 100 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days) each before a single intraperitoneal dose of 150 mg/kg 5-FU, which was injected on day 14. Serum liver enzymes (ALT and AST), cytokines

Presents here in the results of comparison between the theoretical equation stated by Huang and Menq and laboratory model tests used to study the bearing capacity of square footing on geogrid-reinforced loose sand by performing model tests. The effects of several parameters were studied in order to study the general behavior of improving the soil by using the geogrid. These parameters include depth of first layer of reinforcement, vertical spacing of reinforcement layers, number of reinforcement layers and types of reinforcement layers The results show that the theoretical equation can be used to estimate the bearing capacity of loose sand.

In modern hydraulic control systems, the trend in hydraulic power applications is to improve efficiency and performance. “Proportional valve” is generally applied to pressure, flow and directional-control valves which continuously convert a variable input signal into a smooth and proportional hydraulic output signal. It creates a variable resistance (orifice) upstream and downstream of a hydraulic actuator, and is meter in/meter out circuit and hence pressure drop, and power losses are inevitable. If velocity (position) feedback is used, flow pattern control is possible. Without aforementioned flow pattern, control is very “loose” and relies on “visual” feed back by the operator. At this point, we should examine how this valv

 Film condensation of steam on a vertical tube is investigated numerically and experimentally,   in the present work. A mathematical model was set based on the basic conservation laws of mass   and energy, Nusselts analysis of film condensation, and empirical equations available in the   literature. Then, a simulation program in FORTRAN language was developed which simulates the   film condensation of steam on a vertical tube. A complete steam tables subprogram was also   developed and incorporated with the main program. The experimental work was carried out using a   steam condensation test bench. The inlet and outlet cooling water temperatures, steam temperature   and pressure, tube surface temperature at center, and co

The esterification reaction of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid catalyzed by the ion exchange resin, Amberlyst 15, was investigated. The experimental study was implemented in an isothermal batch reactor. Catalyst loading, initial molar ratio, mixing time and temperature as being the most effective parameters, were extensively studied and discussed. A maximum final conversion of 75% was obtained at 70°C, acid to ethyl alcohol mole ratio of 1/2 and 10 g catalyst loading. Kinetic of the reaction was correlated with Langmuir-Hanshelwood model (LHM). The total rate constant and the adsorption equilibrium of water as a function of the temperature was calculated. The activation energies were found to be as 113876.9 and -49474.95 KJ per Kmol of ac

A phosphorus‐containing Schiff base was prepared from bis{3‐[2‐(4‐amino‐1,5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenylpyrazol‐3‐ylideneamino)ethyl]indol‐1‐ylmethyl}phosphinic acid and paraformaldehyde as a novel antibacterial compound. The reaction of the Schiff base ligand with VO(IV), Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Pd(II) and Pt(IV) led to binuclear species of metal complexes, depending on the ratio of metal ion and ligand. The ligand and its complexes were investigated using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–visible and mass spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, conductivity measurements and thermal analysis. The results showed that the S