Introduction: Semen analysis including sperm count, progressive and non-progressive motility, and normal morphology of spermatozoa of ejaculates from infertile men are important. In general, assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are chosen according to the semen parameters. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate semen parameters with application of one quick, standard, and inexpensive methodology. In some ART laboratories in Iran, the aforementioned analysis is done using traditional methodology such as wet preparation (microscopic slide technique) which can mislead the infertile couple. As a result, the infertile couple may not fully benefit from the treatment outcome. The objective of this prospective study was to compare the two techniques of Wet preparation and Makler - Staining for analysis of semen parameters. Materials & Methods: The three parameters of count, morphology and motility of spermatozoa along with round cells of ejaculates from 50 men attending the infertility treatment program were evaluated. Following macroscopic evaluation, each seminal sample was evaluated with two different techniques of Wet and Makler - Staining in a blind setting. For wet slide, semen parameters as well as round cells were studied. However, for Makler technique, Makler chamber was used for evaluation of percentage of motility and sperm count. In addition, Geimsa (WHO) Staining was applied for evaluation of sperm morphology and round cells. The results showed that the volume, PH and viscosity of semen were within normal range of WHO. Results: The difference in the mean sperm count & percentage of motility was statistically insignificant. However, the sperm morpology was significantly different in the aformentioned groups (P=0.001). Also, the mean number of round cells in both groups was different (P=0.002). A total of one and nine seminal specimens were clear from round cells in Wet and Makler groups, respectively. The results showed that most variation was related to sperm morphology. For example, 5 seminal samples were abnormal in the wet method, while 32 ejaculates were abnormal in the Makler group. Conclusion: Sperm morphology' and round cells should be evaluated with more attention. Sperm morphology plays an important role in ART methodology and therefore should be counted and detected in full. It should be noted that Wet preparation technique may be used for evaluation of concentration and motility if Makler chamber is unavailable at ART laboratories.    

Background and Aim: Diagnosis of dental caries with Diagnodent device has been found to be comparable to visual and radiographic diagnostic methods. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Aging, Staining, and Bleaching on Diagnodent readings in composite resin restorations.Materials and Methods: This was an experimental in vitro study in which 108 disk-shaped specimens were fabricated from 6 different composite resins including: 3 M p60, Kerr point 4, Vivadent Heliomolar, Ultradent flow, Tetric flow and Kerr flow. The samples were divided into 3 groups. Group 1was aged in water, group 2 was stained with tea and group 3 was bleached with 16% Carbamide peroxide. Specimen Fluorescence was measured with Diagnodent (Kavo- U.S) before and after these treatments. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated Measure Model ANOVA.Results: This study was performed on 108 composite resin specimens. All samples aged in water showed higher reading values; only Tetric flow exhibited a lower mean value (P<0.001). All samples stained with tea showed higher readings(P<0.001) and all materials bleached with 16% Carbamide peroxide were reported to have lower values; only Kerr flow exhibited a higher mean value than basic situation.Conclusion: The results indicate that aging and Staining can result in an increase in the Diagnodent readings of the composite resin restorations while bleaching lead to a decreased the readings. However, the reported differences in Diagnodent readings were not significant enough to result in a false positive diagnosis of caries.

Background and Objectives: The quantification of fetal cells in the maternal circulation is an important goal to determine the amount of anti-D for prevention of active immunization of a D-negative mother giving birth to a D-positive baby. The aim of this study was to evaluate two flowcytometric Staining technics for determination of fetal erythrocytes in maternal blood and to recognize the best.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 34 adult D-negative blood samples were spiked with six serial dilutions of D-positive cord blood (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10%) which was representative of 99.9% of the clinical fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH); they were stained for flow cytometric analysis. The Fetal Cell Count Kit was used for HbF dual Staining and monoclonal anti-D for RhD single Staining.Results: A comparison between RhD and HbF percentages and FMH volume in spiking samples was performed. A significant correlation between two different parameters in flowcytometric percentages was observed (anti-HbF versus anti-D, r=0.897, p<0.05). FMH volume was calculated and a significant correlation between expected and observed FMHs in RhD and HbF was obtained (p<0.05, r=0.984, r=0.874). The anti-HbF flowcytometric dual Staining allowed better distinction between fetal RBCs (HbF+, CA-), F cells (HbF+, CA+), and adult RBCs (HbF-, CA+). Although Rh-D showed better correlation, but higher values with the RhD in suspensions lower than 10% were noted.Conclusions: Data showed that anti-HbF labeling is significantly much more accurate than RhD labeling.Quantification of FMH using these two techniques described allows precise dosage of RhD immunoglobulin for protection against anti-D allo-immunization.

Introduction: Uncomplicated chronic viral hepatitis is a treatable condition. But prolonged parenchymal inflammation results in fibrosis and decreases response to therapy in the advanced stages. Inflammation and fibrosis in various stages and grades respond differently to therapy and have varying prognoses. Hence accurate determination of inflammation grade, fibrosis stage and final scoring is important. The aim of this study was to compare Masson's trichrome and reticulin Staining with routine H&E Staining in determination of the histopathologic grade and stage of chronic viral hepatitis. Methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytic study was performed between 2002 and 2003 in Al-Zahra Hospital. Liver biopsies from 50 patients were reviewed. Three slides were prepared from each paraffin-embedded section and were stained with one of three methods of Staining. H&E Staining results were compared with those of specific Masson's trichrome and reticulin Staining in determining the microscopic grade and stage.Results: Mean grade score with H&E Staining was 7.34 (SD=4.5), compared to 7.38 (SD=4.53) with Masson's trichrome and reticulin Staining. Mean stage score was 1.16 (SD=1.2) with H&E Staining and 2.4 (SD=1.6) with Masson's trichrome and reticulin Staining. T student analysis did not show any significant difference between mean grade scores (P >0.05). Mean stage scores, however, showed a significant difference (P<0.001). Wilcoxon analysis also confirmed these results. Discussion: Results from this study confirm that Masson's trichrome and reticulin Staining is an acceptable complement to routine H&E method in determining histopathologic stage, response to therapy and prognosis with greater confidence.