Spatial distribution and the prevalence of speech disorders in the provinces of Iran.

The paper reveals the presence of certain factors that generate inefficiency - in the area of government programmes for labor market inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWD) -, as outlined by the specific instruments of the (external) public performance audit. The identified causes are mostly related to the fact that the drawing up of the necessary budgets for projects related to the social and professional integration of persons with disabilities was not based on the local needs and, thus, the available material, financial and human resources have been overlooked. Referring to a period of five years (2006-2010), it was pointed out that the methodologies related to the targeted projects did not mention any clear regulations regarding the criteria that have to be met by the applicants participating in the selection for projects funded from non-refundable resources. Subsequently, certain non-refundable contracts have been assigned to certain executors (NGO types), even though they did not meet the criteria either in terms of eligibility or in terms of the completion of the objectives mentioned in the project proposals, therefore resulting in illegal payments made towards such parties.

The importance of EDHF in endothelium-dependent relaxation increases distally in mesenteric arteries depending upon the contracting agent.

AIM: The importance of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) is influenced by multiple factors, including vascular territory and caliber, pre-existing tone and its determining factors. METHOD: Using isometric myography we noticed that in rat mesenteric resistance arteries (RMA2; 2nd order branches) EDHF-mediated relaxation is increased when precontraction is induced by prostaglandin F2 (PGF) compared to phenylephrine (PHE) and we investigated the participation of certain K channels. Here we extend the study on more proximal vascular fragments; from mesenteric arcade and from 1st order branches. RESULTS: The EDHF component of EDR is stronger distally only when precontraction is induced by PHE. Moreover, morphometric analysis shows a strong inverse correlation between the magnitude of EDHF response and arterial caliber. CONCLUSIONS: Other authors have shown that EDHF increases in relative importance distally, but we show that this change in EDR profile depends upon the contracting agent used, with implications regarding the physiological relevance of accumulated data refering to EDHF and nitric oxide as mediators of EDR in resistance arteries.

99mTc isonitrils biophysical aspects in pulmonary tuberculosis. Part II. In vitro evaluation of 99mTc MIBI cellular uptake mechanism.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this experimental work was to assess the uptake of 99mTc MIBI (metoxy-isobutil-isonitril) on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) cultures, and to compare this uptake level with the uptake of two normal cell types in culture (fibroblasts and myocytes), and with MT membrane fluidity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures were realised on Löwenstein Jensen medium by standard methodology. Normal cells were neonatal rat heart myocytes and fibroblasts. Final plating was done to have an almost complete cell monolayer the day of the experiment, in culture dishes. The cells were incubated with a 1.85 kBq/ml concentration of 9mTc MIBI, at 37 degrees C, using three dishes for each cell type. A three point kinetic (15, 60 and 90 minutes) was realised. Static polarization of fluorescence with Diphenylhexatrien (DPH) fluorescent marker of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in suspension (concentration 10(4)/ml NaCl 9 per thousand) was realized. RESULTS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis have high 99mTc MIBI uptake, 106,47% (compared with the known higher normal uptake cells--the myocytes, considered 100%); the highest uptake kinetic point is at 15 minutes radiotracer incubation. The assessment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis wall fluidity has not brought conclusive results. CONCLUSION: Our results could give informations to understand the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 99mTc MIBI uptake mechanisms in in vivo lesions.