Background. Our research was aimed to study p53 protein codon 72 polymorphism, a single base pair change of either arginine (Arg; CGC) or proline (Pro; CCC) that creates 3 distinct genotypes in reticular oral lichen planus (OLP) in comparison to oral SCC which is the most common oral mucosal malignancy as positive control and inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (IFH) lesion as negative control. Methods. Seventy paraffin-embedded tissue samples (30 OLP, 20 OSCC and 20 IFH) were studied. DNA was purified and amplified using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction to detect polymorphism. The final amplified products were identified using gel electrophoresis. Data were analyzed using chi-squared test and odds ratio. Results. The mean ages in the OLP, OSCC and IFH groups were 43.28, 58.2 and 53.47 years, respectively, with significant differences. There were no significant differences in gender between the three groups (P=0.413); however, the differences in genotypes and alleles were significant between the three groups (P=0.021 and P=0.030, respectively). By considering IFH as a reference, the frequency of proline allele in OLP and OSCC was significantly higher than that of arginine allele (P=0.015 and P=0.028, respectively). In addition, by considering OSCC as a reference and at P=1, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of alleles between OSCC and OLP. Conclusion. The results might indicate the premalignant potential of OLP, and such polymorphism might be a genetic predisposing factor for conversion of OLP to OSCC. In addition, in the subjects evaluated the proline allele was considered a risk factor.

Background: High levels of nitrate anion are frequently detected in many groundwater resources in Fars province. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the removal efficiency of nitrate from aqueous solutions by electrocoagulation process using aluminum and iron electrodes. Materials and Methods: A laboratory-scale batch reactor was conducted to determine nitrate removal efficiency using the electrocoagulation method. The removal of nitrate was determined at pH levels of 3, 7, and 11, different voltages (15, 20, and 30 V), and operation times of 30, 60, and 75 min, respectively. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16 (Chicago, Illinois, USA) and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the parameters. Results: Results of the present study showed that the removal efficiency was increased from 27% to 86% as pH increased from 3 to 11 at the optimal condition of 30 V and 75 min operation time. Moreover, by increasing the reaction time from 30 V to 75 min the removal efficiency was increased from 63% to 86%, respectively (30 V and pH = 11). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between removal efficiency and voltage and reaction time as well (P < 0.01). Conclusions:In conclusion, the electrocoagulation process can be used for removing nitrate from water resources because of high efficiency, simplicity, and relatively low cost.

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The purpose of the present study was to perform an independent calculation of dosimetric parameters associated with a new 192 Ir brachytherapy source model, IRAsource. Materials and methods: The parameters of air kerma strength (AKS), dose rate constant (DRC), geometry function (GF), radial dose function (RDF), as well as two-dimensional (2D) anisotropy function (AF) of IRAsource 192 Ir source model were calculated in this study. The MC n-particle extended (MCNPX) code was also employed for simulating high dose rate (HDR), IRAsource and 192 Ir source; and formalism was used for calculating dosimetry parameters based on task group number 43 updated report (TG-43 U1). Results: The results of this study were consistent with the ones reported about the IRAsource source by Sarabiasl et al. The AKS per 1 mCi activity and the DRC values were also equal to 3.65 cGycm 2 h -1 mCi -1 and 1.094 cGyh -1 U -1 ; respectively. The comparison of the results of the DRC and the RDF reported by Sarabiasl et al. also validated the 192 Ir IRAsource simulation in this study. Moreover, the AFs of IRAsource source model were in a good agreement with those of Sarabiasl et al. at different distances, which could be attributed to identical geometries. Conclusion:In line with those reported by Sarabiasl et al., the results of this study confirmed the IRAsource 192 Ir source for clinical uses. The calculated dosimetric parameters of the IRAsource source could be utilized in clinical practices as input data sets or for validation of treatment planning system calculations.

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