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Hydrocarbon storage capacity of organic-rich shales depends upon porosity and surface area, whereas pore (throat) size distribution and pore (throat) network connectivity control permeability. The pores within organic matter (OM) of organic-rich shales develop during thermal maturation as different hydrocarbon phases are generated and expelled from the OM. Organic-rich shales can potentially retain a large proportion of the hydrocarbons generated during the diagenesis process. Commercial hydrocarbon production from liquid-rich shale reservoirs can be achieved using completion technologies such as multi-stage-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs). However, the ability of industry to identify "sweet spots" along MFHWs is still hampered by insufficient understanding of the effect of type/content of entrained hydrocarbon/OM components on reservoir quality. The primary objective of the current study is therefore to investigate the impact of entrained hydrocarbon/OM on storage and transport properties of the organic-rich shales. To accomplish this goal, a comprehensive suite of petrophysical analyses are performed on a diverse sample suite from the Duvernay Formation (a prolific Canadian shale oil reservoir) differing in organic matter content (2.8-5 wt.%; n = 5), before and after sequential pyrolysis by a revised Rock-Eval analysis (extended slow heating (ESH) Rock-Eval analysis; Sanei et al., 2015). Using the ESH cycle, different hydrocarbon/OM components can be distinguished more easily and reliability during the pyrolysis process: 1) free light oil (S1ESH; up to 150 °C), 2) fluid-like hydrocarbon residue (S2a; 150-380 °C) and 3) solid bitumen/residual carbon (S2b; 380-650 °C). The characterization techniques at each stage are helium pycnometry (grain density, helium porosity); low-pressure gas (N2, CO2) adsorption (pore volume, surface area, pore size distribution within micropores, mesopores and smaller macropores); crushed-rock gas (He, CO2, N2) permeability and rate-of-adsorption (ROA) analysis (CO2, N2). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis is further conducted to verify/support the petrophysical observations. Compared to the "as-received" state, porosity, permeability, modal pore size distribution and surface area increase with sequential pyrolysis stages, associated with expulsion and devolatilization of free light oil and fluid-like hydrocarbon residue (S2a; up to 380 °C). However, the change in petrophysical properties associated with the degradation of solid bitumen/residual carbon (S2b; up to 650 °C) is variable and unpredictable. The observed reduction in porosity/permeability values after the S2b stage are likely attributed to 1) occlusion of pore volume with solid bitumen/residual carbon degradation (i.e. coking) and/ or 2) sample swelling due to water loss from lattice structure of clay minerals (i.e. illite) and 3) sample compaction as a result of OM removal from the rock matrix. The present study is a continuation of previous works (Clarke et al., 2016, 2017), aiming to elucidate the impact of different type and content of entrained hydrocarbons/OM on reservoir quality of organic-rich shales. Quantification of the evolution of reservoir quality with thermal maturity has important implications for 1) identifying petrophysical "sweet spots" within unconventional reservoirs, for the purpose of optimizing stimulation design and 2) targeting specific zones within the reservoir of interest with organic matter content/type amenable to maximizing gas storage/transport during cyclic solvent injection for enhanced oil recovery applications. The integrated workflow proposed herein is of significant interest to Duvernay operators for developing optimized stimulation treatments for improving primary and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery.

Background: Endometrial development has an important role in blastocyst adhesion and implantation. During IVF cycles, endometrial development is enhanced by progesterone. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare ultrastructural and morphometrical characteristics of mice uterine endometrium in natural cycle with those in superovulated cycles received progesterone or Sildenafil. Materials and Methods: In This study, 60 female bulb/c mice were divided into 4 groups: a control and 3 experimental; gonadotropin, gonadotropin+ Sildenafil and gonadotropin+ progesterone. In experimental groups the mice superovulated mated. In the gonadotropin+ progesterone and gonadotropin+ Viagra groups, the mice respectively received 1mg progesterone and 3 mg Sildenafil citrate. Their uterine specimens were prepared for morphometrical and ultrastructural study. Height of the epithelial cells was measured, using motic software. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. Results: Microscopy revealed that in control group the cells had numerous apical microvilli and the height of the cells was 20.52±2.43 µm. In gonadotropin+ progesterone group, the granules were found in basal and apical portions and cellular height were 17.91±2.78 µm which were significantly shorter than in the control and gonadotropin groups (p

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed countries. One of the indices of vascular injuries in atherosclerosis is proliferation and migration of smooth muscles of tunica media of arteries with lipids peroxidation by endothelial cells causing an increase in thickness of arterial wall. It is distinguished that iron can reduce antioxidant levels indirectly and also has a major effect in LDL per oxidation. As there is still doubt about anti-oxidative role of vitamin E in atherosclerosis formation, in this study, we observed the effect of vitamin E and iron on the thickness of the media of the carotid artery of hypercholestrolemic male rabbits. Methods: Thirty white male rabbits were fed with cholesterol, Iron and Vitamin E for 42 days, and then these groups, and the carotid arteries were dissected. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin, and after tissue processing, serial sections were obtained, and H & E staining was done. Morphometrical studies were done by Motic Plus 2 and light microscope. Statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS software and ANOVA test.Results: Intima-media thickness of arterial wall in those received iron and cholesterol, was significantly increased (p

The objective of this research was to study the biological activities of various extracts and the chemical composition of the essential oil Trigonella monantha C. A. Mey. subsp. monantha by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), from the compounds derived from the aerial parts. The overall results of T. monantha tests allow us to conclude various extracts [hexane extract (HE), methanol extract (ME) and chloroform extract (CE)] of the test total phenolic, ABTS and DPPH while also testing β-carotene largest property antioxidant. The property antioxidant shows the extracts of both mechanisms of electron transfer and the hydrogen transfer it has gone through. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts of both samples was determined against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The strongest activity exhibited by the T. monantha of ME was determined to be 49.58 μg/mL and was exhibited by ME.

Objectives : Previous studies have suggested that failure of the synthesis of nitric oxide is involved in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigated the effect of mebudipine, a new dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, on cardiac function and activity of the myocardial nitric oxide system in ischaemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. Methods : Forty male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into four groups (n = 10): sham, control, vehicle and drug groups. The animals were anesthetised with sodium pentobarbital (6 mg/kg intraperitoneal). The hearts were quickly removed, mounted on a Longendorff apparatus and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution under constant pressure at 37°C. After 20 min stabilisation period, the ischaemic groups received 30 min global ischaemia and 120 min reperfusion. For the drug and vehicle groups, before ischaemia the hearts were perfused with mebudipine (10-3 µM) or ethanol-enriched solution (0.01%) for 25 min, respectively. Myocardial function, and creatine kinase, lactate dehydogenase and total nitric oxide metabolite (nitrite and nitrate) levels were analysed. Results : Cardiac functions had recovered significantly in the mebudipine group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, mebudipine remarkably reduced the levels of lactate dehydogenase and creatine kinase in the coronary effluent and increased myocardial nitric oxide metabolite levels compared with the control group. Conclusion : Our results indicate that mebudipine reduced the intensity of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and that activation of the myocardial nitric oxide system played an important role in this regard.

Background: The present study evaluated the effects of treadmill running on extracellular basal levels of glutamate and GABA at dentate gyrus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: After 12 weeks of diabetes induction and exercise period, extracellular levels of glutamate and GABA were investigated. Results: The results showed that glutamate levels were significantly decreased in diabetes-rest group comparing to the control-rest and the diabetes-exercise groups. Conclusions: The findings support the possibility that treadmill running is helpful in alleviating neurotransmitter homeostasis and alterations in transmission in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, Chlamydia trachomatis is known as a causative agent of infertility. Because of, asymptomatic nature of infection, many may suffer from its lasting complications such as infertility. This study was performed in Tehran during April 2007 to April 2008 to compare the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in fertile and infertile women using ELISA and PCR methods. METHODS: Overall, 234 infertile and 223 pregnant women, as the fertile group, participated in this hospital-based case-control study. After completing an informed consent form and the questionnaire, first catch urine and blood sample were obtained for PCR and ELISA (IgG, IgM) tests, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to control possible confounding factors, and determine adjusted odds ratio of infertility due to the infection. RESULTS: PCR results revealed that 29 (12.4%) of the infertile and 19 (8.5%) of the fertile women were positive for C. trachomatis infection (p = 0.440). IgG was positive in 21 (9.0%) of the infertile and 11 (5.0%) in the fertile group (p = 0.093). IgM assays identified that 2 (0.9%) of the infertile and 4 (1.8%) of the fertile women were positive for the micro-organism (p = 0.375). CONCLUSION: We found no significant differences among fertile and infertile women for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Nevertheless, molecular techniques which are more sensitive, more specific and non-invasive can be used to detect C. trachomatis infection.

Details are given of activities conducted in Zomba, Malawi, in order to demonstrate new aquaculture technologies and encourage their use by smallholder fish farmers. The following technologies were introduced: napier grass as a pond output; use of a reed fence for harvesting fish; developing a high-quality compost as a pond input; vegetable-pond integration; chicken-pond integration; smoking kiln; pond stirring; and rice-fish integration. The reactions of the farmers to these technologies and their testing by the farmers are outlined briefly.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is a prevalent disease resulting in learning and memory impairments. Recently, erythropoietin (EPO) has been demonstrated to improve cognitive functions and to have neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of erythropoietin on learning and memory in rats after intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ), a well defined model for Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: To produce Alzheimer’s disease model in rats, STZ was infused in lateral ventricles of the brain. Two weeks later, the rats were tested by passive avoidance learning test to confirm the induction of learning and memory impairments. They then received EPO (5000 IU/kg) once every two days for two weeks. Finally, behavioral tests were conducted again. Findings: A reduction in time delay for the first entrance of rats to dark chamber as a result of ICV-STZ was found; i.e. there was a significant deference between the sham and the ICV-STZ groups. Although EPO did not have any significant effects on time delay for the first entrance to dark chamber in the sham group, it prevented impairments resulting from ICV-STZ. In fact, the index significantly increased in the STZ-EPO group compared to the STZ group. However, there was not a significant difference between the STZ-EPO and sham groups. Conclusion: The present results suggest use of EPO to probably cause significant improvements of learning and memory defects in Alzheimer’s patients.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a disorder associated with neuronal degeneration in the areas involve in learning and memory. It has been proposed that erythropoietin probably has neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of erythropoietin on neuronal apoptosis in the granular layer of dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Animal model of Alzheimer's was established via bilateral intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After 2 weeks and observation of cognitive disorder, rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of erythropoietin every other day with a dose of 5000 IU/kg for 2 weeks. Finally, the rats were anesthetized and their brains were dissected for immunohistochemical study. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) method was used to study neuronal apoptosis. Findings: Intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin increased the number of apoptotic cells in the granular layer of dentate gyrus significantly (P < 0.05). Although erythropoietin had no effect on the control rats, it significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells in the lesion group (P < 0.01) Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that erythropoietin may be effective in reducing the complications of neurodegenerative diseases by reducing neuronal apoptosis.

Background: Anatomists had been searching to find methods for preserving soft human tissues and produce natural samples with durable, dry, odorless, and portable in briefcase properties. Plastination is a modern method for preparing such tissue samples. In plastination, water and fat are extracted from tissues and replaced with a dissolver fluid, which in its turn is replaced with a special kind of polyester. Usually, the organs like hearts, lungs, kidneys, striated muscles, vessels, nerves, connective tissue, etc, which are treated with formalin, loss their beautiful color and take a dull appearance after fixation. Tissue staining with natural dyes is one method for somehow preserving tissue natural color and increasing its appearance activity to prepare better samples in terms of appearance and suitable clearance of different parts (valves, muscles, trabeculae…). Also, we have to prepare non fragile samples. Methods: At first, some visceral organs (sheep hearts) were prepared and fixed by formalin 5% for 4 to 10 days. Then they were dissected for anatomic details and were put in a chemical dye called eosin and natural dye called ronnas. After dehydration by acetone in -25 °C and defeating with acetone in +30 °C, samples were put in the vacuum chamber to replace acetone instead of polymer under the vacuum pressure; finally the samples were cured with the ultra violate wave. Findings: We found that after fixation and before plastination staining of organs with eosin and ronnas resulted in beautiful appearance of tissues. Conclusion: Staining of organs resulted in beautiful appearance of tissues which are effective in increasing the attractively of teaching and learning anatomy. Also, it has affection in the raising appearance quality and has positive impression in the quality of education. Keywords: Plastination, Natural dye, Industrial dye, Polyester.

Background Estrogen and progesterone are two crucial factors for endometrial preparation in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Studies assessing different forms of estradiol in FET have published already but literature lacks enough surveys on transdermal estrogen application in reproductive medicine. Objective To investigate the effects of trans dermal estrogen (Oestrogel) on pregnancy rates in patients that candidate for FET cycle. Materials and Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 100 women undergoing FET cycles referred to Imam Khomeeini Hospital were enrolled in two groups, randomly. Group I received 8 mg/day estradiol valerate (E2 tablet) orally and group II were treated with 6 mg/day transdermal oestrogel gel after suppression with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist. In both groups medication were started in the first day of menstruation cycle and continued until endometrial thickness reached 8 mm. Pregnancy rates (chemical, clinical, and ongoing), abortion rate, live birth rate, and frequency of complications were compared between two groups. Results Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were not significantly different between two groups (p=0.384). The abortion rate was significantly lower in group II than group I (p=0.035). Ongoing pregnancy and the live birth rates were significantly higher in group II (p=0.035). The rate of complication was not different in two groups. Conclusion Oestrogel seems to enhance ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates in comparison to estradiol valerate tablet.

Background: The differential efficacy between long GnRH agonist with antagonist can partly be due to the preexisting differences in the early antral follicles before ovarian stimulation. Objective: To compare the effect of pretreatment by estradiol with GnRH antagonist on antral follicular size coordination and basal hormone levels in GNRH antagonist protocol. Materials and Methods: On cycle day 3 (control/day 3), women underwent measurements of early antral follicles by ultrasound and serum FSH and ovarian hormones then were randomized to receive oral estradiol 4mg/day (n=15) or 3mg cetrorelix acetate (n=15) in luteal phase before subsequent antagonist protocol. Participants were re-evaluated as on control/day 3. Results: There was a significant reduction of mean follicular sizes in each group after medical intervention (7.63±2.11 Vs. 4.30±0.92 in group A and 8.73±1.96 Vs. 4.13±1.11 in group B) (p=0.0001). The magnitude of follicular size reduction was significantly higher in group B (-4.60±2.04 Vs. -3.33±2.28) (0.027). There was a non significant attenuation of follicular size discrepancies in two groups. FSH and inhibin B levels in the day 3 of the next cycle in both groups were significantly decreased but did not have significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: Both luteal E2 and premenstrual GnRH antagonist administration reduces the follicular sizes significantly and GnRH antagonist acts more potently than E2 in this way but attenuation of follicular size discrepancies in both treatment is not significant.