A New Approach for Determining the Minimum Concentration of Proanthocyanidin for Preservation of Collagen in H Dentin.

PURPOSE: Introducing a minimum concentration and clinically relevant application time for grape seed extract (GSE) proanthocyanidin as a dentin preserver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dentin beams were demineralized in 10% phosphoric acid for 24h. Then, the following groups were prepared: G1: no treatment, G2: 2% CHX + 1min, G3: 1% GSE + 1min, G4: 1% GSE +5min, G5: 2% GSE + 1min, G6: 2% GSE + 5min, G7: 5% GSE + 1min and G8: 5% GSE + 5min. After 30 days, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to confirm the availability of digested peptide fragments and monitor the pattern of collagen digestion. Gravimetric assessment and HPLC-UV were utilized for quantitative measurement of dentin destruction. Glycine quantities were considered as measures of collagen digestion. RESULTS: 7% to 25% loss of dry mass was measured in experimental groups. Regarding the liberated Glycine, GSE dose- and time-responses were observed, so that, 5% GSE showed considerable protecting effect on collagen compared to 1 and 2% GSE (P⟨0.001) and 5min GSE application could establish superior dentin preservation compared to 1min application (P⟨0.001). CONCLUSION: 5-minute treatment of dentin at 2% GSE and above is essential for protecting the demineralized dentin collagen against biodegradation.

Estimation of influenza and severe acute respiratory illness incidence (burden) in three provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2012 and 2013.

There are few estimates of influenza burden in the WHO Region for the Eastern Mediterranean. In this study we estimated the burden of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-associated SARI (F-SARI) in selected provinces of Islamic Republic of Iran, the trends of SARI and confirmed cases of influenza (F-SARI) over 12 months (seasonality), and the age groups most at risk. Using the electronic Iranian influenza surveillance system and data of cases in sentinel hospitals of 3 selected provinces, we estimated the monthly trend (seasonality) of incidence for SARI and F-SARI, overall incidence of SARI and F-SARI and their disaggregation by age with the aid using the Monte Carlo technique. The age groups most at-risk were children aged under 2 years and adults older than 50 years.

Diagnostic accuracy of punch biopsy in subtyping basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in humans. The histological subtype reported by punch biopsy may influence the type of treatment. Few studies have investigated the accuracy of punch biopsy in diagnosing the true BCC subtype. OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of punch biopsy in BCC subtype diagnosis. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 333 biopsy specimens and excisions were reviewed. Histological subtypes present in the initial biopsy were compared with tumour subtypes of the total excision. RESULTS: The concordance between the BCC subtype present in the biopsy specimen and in the subsequent excision specimen was 72.3%. The most common BCC patterns were nodular (158, 47.5%) and mixed subtype (90, 27%). Most mixed tumours contained one or more aggressive subtype (63/90, 70%). In 47/120 (39.1%) aggressive tumours (14.1% of the total), punch biopsy failed to correctly identify the aggressive component. The most commonly missed aggressive subtype was mixed aggressive including nodular/micronodular and nodular/infiltrative (30/47, 63.8%). In 45/213 (21.1%) non-aggressive BCCs (13.5% of total cases), punch biopsy incorrectly reported an aggressive subtype. The most commonly misidentified non-aggressive subtype was nodular (39/45, 86.6). The sensitivity and specificity of punch biopsy in diagnosing aggressive vs. non-aggressive BCC subtypes 60.8% (95% CI, 51.9-69.1) and 78.9% (95% CI, 72.8-83.8), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 61.9% and 78.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Punch biopsy has serious pitfalls in differentiating aggressive and non-aggressive BCC subtypes. Dermatologists should consider the possibility of aggressive components within non-aggressive BCCs reported using punch biopsy.

Improvements in semen quality, sperm fatty acids, and reproductive performance in aged Cobb 500 breeder roosters fed diets containing dried ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale).

Exposure to high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid predisposes spermatozoa to lipid peroxidation, resulting in their decreased fertility. Ginger powder (GP), which is high in antioxidative compounds, was fed to aged breeder roosters to improve their reproductive performance. Seventy-five 52-wk-old Cobb 500 breeder roosters randomly received either 0 (GP0), 15 (GP15), or 30 (GP30) g of GP/kg of diet for 14 consecutive wk, during which time their seminal characteristics were evaluated every 2 wk. At the end of the trial, semen samples were tested for determination of sperm fatty acid (FA) concentration and seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, sperm penetration was assayed, and using 225 artificially inseminated hens, fertility and hatchability rates were determined. Dietary GP improved sperm forward motility, live sperm percentage, and sperm plasma membrane integrity. These were associated with a decrease in the percentage of abnormal sperm. The seminal TBA reactive species concentration was lower in birds belonging to the GP30 treatment in comparison with those in the GP15 and GP0 treatments. The feeding of GP resulted in overall decreases and increases in sperm saturated and unsaturated FA, respectively. The n-6:n-3 FA ratio of sperm was decreased in the GP30 group in comparison with controls. The highest levels of sperm C20:4(n-6) and C22:6(n-3) FA were recorded in the GP15 and GP30 treatments, respectively. A higher percentage of sperm C22:4(n-6) FA was found in GP-fed roosters. Seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity was considerably improved by the GP15 and GP30 treatments. Further, a higher number of perivitelline membrane sperm penetration holes was recorded for the GP30 treatment in comparison with the GP15 and GP0 treatments. Interestingly, although hatchability, chick quality, and embryonic mortality were not affected by dietary treatment, fertility rate was improved by the feeding of GP. In conclusion, dietary GP improved most of the seminal characteristics evaluated in aged roosters of this study, suggesting that it has potential for use in attenuating age-related subfertility in senescent male commercial broiler breeders.

Prevalence of whiplash trauma in TMD patients: a systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the prevalence of whiplash trauma in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and to describe clinical signs and symptoms in comorbid TMD/whiplash compared with TMD localised to the facial region. A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library and Bandolier databases was carried out for articles published from 1 January 1966 to 31 December 2012. The systematic search identified 129 articles. After the initial screening of abstracts, 32 articles were reviewed in full text applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Six studies on the prevalence of neck trauma in patients with TMD met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Two of the authors evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. The reported prevalence of whiplash trauma ranged from 8·4% to 70% (median 35%) in TMD populations, compared with 1·7-13% in the non-TMD control groups. Compared with patients with TMD localised to the facial region, TMD patients with a history of whiplash trauma reported more TMD symptoms, such as limited jaw opening and more TMD pain, and also more headaches and stress symptoms. In conclusion, the prevalence of whiplash trauma is higher in patients with TMD compared with non-TMD controls. Furthermore, patients with comorbid TMD/whiplash present with more jaw pain and more severe jaw dysfunction compared with TMD patients without a history of head-neck trauma. These results suggest that whiplash trauma might be an initiating and/or aggravating factor as well as a comorbid condition for TMD.

An investigation into the influence of fermented cottonseed meal on the productive performance, egg quality, and gut health in laying hens.

The present study investigates the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with either cottonseed meal (CSM) or fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on the productive performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry parameters, gut bacterial population, and small intestinal morphology of laying hens. A total of 648 Hy-Line W36 laying hens aged 40 weeks were randomly assigned to 9 treatments, with 6 replicates each and 12 birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted 12 weeks. The treatments consisted of a control diet based on corn and SBM, as well as 8 experimental diets in which 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30% of the SBM in the control diet was replaced with either CSM or FCSM. Laying hens fed diets with different levels of FCSM had higher egg production and egg mass than those fed with CSM diets at weeks 46 to 51 (P < 0.05). Diets containing FCSM also significantly improved the feed conversion ratio at weeks 40 to 45 and 46 to 51 (P < 0.05). Eggshell strength was significantly greater in birds fed diets containing FCSM than those fed other dietary treatments at 51 weeks of age (P < 0.05). Hens fed diets containing FCSM had higher calcium and lower cholesterol in serum than those on other diets (P < 0.05). Replacing SBM with FCSM decreased the egg yolk cholesterol content (P < 0.05). Additionally, feeding diets containing different levels of FCSM increased villus height and villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Diets containing FCSM also reduced pH and coliform population in the ileum, and ceca and increased lactic acid bacteria count in the crop and ceca (P < 0.05). Overall, the present data showed that including FCSM in the diet of laying hens can positively affect productive performance compared to CSM. Moreover, substituting SBM with FCSM, can improve eggshell quality, promote gut health, and reduce egg yolk cholesterol concentration.

[Stem cell derived therapy for cutaneous radiation exposure]. / Stammzellderivate bei Hautschäden nach Strahlenexposition.

Radiation injury to skin results in a variety of deterministic effects including inflammatory reactions and cell depletion leading to distinct clinical symptoms following a defined time pattern. Therapeutic approaches are still limited, a complete restitution of affected areas is so far impossible. In the last few years increasing experimental knowledge about acquisition and administration of autologous stem cells also in the field of radiation injuries has been obtained. Evidence reviewed in this article shows that the beneficial effects of stem cell transplantation are not necessarily due to the replacement of damaged cells by transplanted cells but most probably due in the most part to a paracrine effect. Transplanted cells secrete bioactive factors that initiate the stimulation of the host stem cells to regenerate the damaged tissues. Transplanted stem cells produce trophic factors which aid the systemic healing of the victims. Furthermore, administration of stem cell secretomes in the form of conditioned media containing microvesicles or exosomes can be as effective as administering the stem cells. This hypothesis is supported by findings that cell-free derivatives from hMSCs were useful for wound healing purposes and could circumvent the need for intact cells. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of MSC injection on reperfusion and tissue damage in a mouse model of hind limb ischemia could be attributed to paracrine mechanisms with local release of arteriogenic cytokines. Further evaluation of the paracrine potential of autologous stem cells may open new means for treatment of acute as well as chronic sequelae of cutaneous radiation injuries.

Structure and magnetic properties of SiO2-FeO-CaO-Na2O bioactive glass-ceramic system for magnetic fluid hyperthermia application.

Ferrimagnetic glass-ceramics comprising maghemite crystals were synthesized for magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) usage. The present work is focused on the result of the chemical composition and heat treatment temperature on the magnetic behavior of (60-x)SiO2-(10+x)FeO-20CaO-10Na2O,0≤x≤30 glass-ceramic system. It was observed that with the increasing of FeO from 10 to 40 wt% in the glass-ceramic compound, the percentage of maghemite phase increased. It was also seen that in the low heat treatment temperature (680 °C), by adding iron oxide up to 30 wt%, iron cations acts as a network former, and more than this amount acts as a network modifier. In contrast, iron cations in the same composition range at high temperatures (840 °C), acts as a network modifier. According to the VSM results, the maximum magnetization of glass-ceramics incremented from 0.23 emu/g to 0.30 emu/g with the increase in FeO percentage. It was also observed that with the increment of iron oxide percentage, the morphology of maghemite crystals changed from spherical to dumbbell-shaped.

Variation in amino acid digestibility of rapeseed meal studied in caecectomised laying hens and relationship with chemical constituents.

1. The objectives were to study the variation in amino acid (AA) digestibility of rapeseed meal in laying hens and to investigate whether the variation in AA digestibility can be explained by chemical constituents of the rapeseed meal. Nine rapeseed meals from different processing plants operating in Germany were used. The crude protein and crude fibre concentrations of the meals ranged from 367 to 410 and 137 to 175 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The concentrations of total glucosinolates varied between 5.1 and 12.9 mmol/kg DM. Each meal was included in one of the experimental diets at an inclusion level of 200 g/kg at the expense of maize starch. 2. A total of 16 Lohmann Brown laying hens were used for this experiment and were surgically caecectomised. They were housed individually in metabolism cages. Each of the 10 diets was fed to at least 6 hens in 4 periods of two weeks duration. Excreta were collected during the last 5 d of each period. The digestibility coefficient of AA was calculated for each diet. The digestibility of the rapeseed meals was calculated by multiple linear regression analysis. 3. Mean essential AA digestibility of rapeseed meals varied between 0.78 and 0.84. Among the essential amino acids, the ighest level of digestibility was found for arginine (0.88) and methionine (0.87), and the lowest for lysine (0.74) and threonine (0.75). The highest variation between rapeseed meals in digestibility was found for threonine (0.68 to 0.79) and lysine (0.68 to 0.78). The concentration of neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen of the rapeseed meals was negatively correlated with the digestibility of lysine, but was not significantly correlated with digestibility of any other AA. Glucosinolate concentration was significantly correlated with valine digestibility. 4. Multiple regression analysis showed that the concentrations of crude protein and ash together were the major factors considered to explain variation in digestibility of essential AA. Additional consideration of neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen and total glucosinolates improved the goodness of fit only marginally and was unlikely to be of practical significance.

Comparison of amino acid digestibility determined prececally or based on total excretion of cecectomized laying hens.

This study investigated the possibility of using cecectomized laying hens for the determination of amino acid (AA) digestibility of protein sources as an alternative to measurements made at the terminal ileum. Toasted soybeans and corn gluten meal were used as test protein sources. A low-protein basal diet was based mainly on corn, wheat gluten, and cornstarch. In 4 other diets toasted soybeans or corn gluten meal were included each at 15% or 30% at the expense of cornstarch, so that the changes in the AA concentrations of the diets resulted from the protein sources only. Titanium dioxide was used as the indigestible marker. In experiment 1, two hundred ten 18-wk-old pullets were used. Digesta from the posterior 2-thirds of the intestine between Meckel's diverticulum and 2 cm anterior to the ileo-ceca-colonic junction was obtained from killed hens. In experiment 2, fourteen cecectomized hens were used. They were kept individually, and excreta were quantitatively collected. The apparent digestibility of AA was calculated for each diet. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate AA digestibility for the 2 protein sources. Across all diets, apparent AA digestibility was significantly higher in experiment 2 than in experiment 1. However, AA digestibilities of the 2 protein sources were not different between both experiments. Differences in AA digestibility between the protein sources were not significant in experiment 1, but in experiment 2 significant differences between the protein sources were detected for some AA due to a lower standard error of estimate. It was concluded that AA digestibility of protein sources for laying hens can be evaluated based on quantitative excreta collection with cecectomized hens using the regression approach. This needs fewer animals than the determination of digestibility at the terminal ileum. Differences between protein sources are easier to detect because of the lower standard error of estimate.

Effect of ileum segment and protein sources on net disappearance of crude protein and amino acids in laying hens.

1. This study investigated the net disappearance of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) from soybean meal and rapeseed meal in different sub-sections of the ileum of hens. A basal diet was used and in another 4 diets, maize starch contained in the basal diet was replaced with soybean meal or rapeseed meal at 140 and 280 g/kg so that changes in dietary AA concentrations resulted from the oilseed meals only. 2. A total of 250 Lohmann Brown pullets were used for this experiment at 20 weeks old and given one of the 5 diets for 7 d. The section between Meckel's diverticulum and 2 cm anterior to the ileo-caecal-colonic junction was taken after slaughtering the hens and cut into three sub-sections of equal length. Digesta were taken separately from each sub-section and then frozen. Net disappearance of AA and CP for the diets and the two protein sources was calculated based on standard equations and using a multiple linear regression approach. 3. Net disappearances of CP and all AA were significantly lower in the proximal sub-section than in the central and terminal sub-sections. Also, the net disappearance of CP and all AA from rapeseed meal was significantly lower in the proximal sub-section than in the central or terminal sub-sections. For soybean meal, only the net disappearances of arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and phenylalanine were significantly lower in the proximal than in the terminal sub-section. No significant differences in the net disappearance of CP and AA were detected between protein sources within the central and terminal sub-sections or between the central and terminal sub-section within each protein source. Soybean meal had a significantly higher net disappearance of CP and AA (with the exception of cystine and methionine) than rapeseed meal in the proximal sub-section but these differences were not statistically significant in the central and terminal sub-sections. 4. Amino acids disappeared from the proximal region of the ileum. This needs consideration in standard approaches that are used for measuring AA digestibility. There is a variation in AA digestibility between soybean meal and rapeseed meal. The ranking of individual AA regarding their digestibility is different between the two oilseed meals.

Optical and structural investigation on sodium borosilicate glasses doped with Cr2O3.

In this work, Sodium borosilicate glasses with chemical composition of 60% SiO2-20% B2O3-20%Na2O doped with different contents of Cr2O3 were prepared by melting-quenching method. Physical, structural and optical properties of glasses were investigated by studying density and molar volume, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectra and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The results showed an increase in density of glasses with the increase of Cr2O3 that can be due to addition of oxide with high molar mass. The optical absorption spectra of un-doped glass reveals UV absorption due to trace iron impurities with no visible band however Cr2O3 doped glasses shows absorption in visible range that are characteristic. Increasing of Cr3+ ions in the glassy microstructure of samples provides a semiconducting character to Sodium borosilicate glass by reducing the direct and indirect optical band gaps of glass samples from 3.79 to 2.59 (ev) and 3.36 to 2.09 (ev), respectively. These changes could be attributed to the role of Cr3+ ions as the network former which asserts improvement of semiconducting behavior in presence of Cr2O3.

The effect of Sn on the physical and optical properties of (Se0.6As0.1Ge0.3)100-xSnx glasses.

Chalcogenide glasses are significant materials for semiconducting and infrared imaging because of their infrared (IR) transparency. In the present study, Se-Ge-As based chalcogenide glasses with chemical composition of (Se0.6As0.1Ge0.3)100-x Snx doped with different amounts of Sn were prepared by conventional melting-quenching method. Physical properties of glasses were investigated by studying density and molar volume. Based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results and density measurements, the binary role of Sn was proved. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) study of the samples approved presence of impurities. Using the UV-Vis spectra, optical properties including Fermi energy level, direct and indirect optical band gap and Urbach energy were determined. The results showed a decrease in density of glasses with the increase of Sn from 2 to 6 mol%. Increasing Sn in the glassy microstructure of samples provides a semiconducting character to Se based chalcogenide glass by reducing the direct and indirect optical band gaps of glass samples from 1.29 to 1.15 (eV) and 1.16 to 1.01 (eV), respectively.

The effect of adding pomegranate seed extract to fat-containing diets on nutrients digestibility, intestinal microflora and growth performance of broilers.

The present study was aimed at studying the effects of inclusion of pomegranate seed extract to fat-containing diets on nutrients digestibility, intestinal microflora and performance of broilers. A total of 320 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were selected in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates of 10 birds of each. The dietary treatments consisted of pomegranate seed extract (0 and 2%), commercial Nutriad® antioxidant (0 and 0.01%) and soybean oil without antioxidant (0 and 6% during the grower period and 0 and 8% for finisher period). The chicks were reared from 1 to 10 days in one group. On the eleventh day, 10 chicks per pen were randomly allocated to each cage per replicate. Data were performed in generalized linear model (GLM) procedures in SAS at 5% level of significance and the least square means correction after Tukey's test was used. Commercial antioxidant improved crude fat digestibility and decreased population of caecum Lactobacillus, but pomegranate seed extract improved crude fat digestibility and increased caecum Lactobacillus population. Due to positive effects of pomegranate seed extract in fat containing diets on fat digestibility and Lactobacillus bacteria in caecum, it could be concluded that using pomegranate seed extract in fat containing diets could be useful.

DFT/TD-semiempirical study on the structural and electronic properties and absorption spectra of supramolecular fullerene-porphyrine-metalloporphyrine triads based dye-sensitized solar cells.

In the present work density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent semiempirical ZNIDO/S (TD-ZNIDO/S) methods have been used to investigate the ground state geometries, electronic structures and excited state properties of triad systems. The influences of the type of metal in the porphyrin ring, change in bridge position and porphyrine-ZnP duplicate on the energies of frontier molecular orbital and UV-Vis spectra has been studied. Geometry optimization, the energy levels and electron density of the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO), chemical hardness (η), electrophilicity index (ω), electron accepting power (ω+) were calculated using ZINDO/S method to predict which molecule is the most efficient with a great capability to be used as a triad molecule in solar industry. Moreover the light harvesting efficiency (LHE) was calculated by means of the oscillator strengths which are obtained by TD-ZINDO/S calculation. Theoretical studies of the electronic spectra by ZINDO/S method were helpful in interpreting the observed electronic transitions. This aspect was systematically explored in a series of C60-Porphyrine-Metalloporphyrine (C60-P-Mp) triad system with M being Fe, Co, Ni, Ti, and Zn. Generally, transition metal coordination compounds are used as effective sensitizers, due to their intense charge-transfer absorption over the whole visible range and highly efficient metal-to-ligand charge transfer. We aim to optimize the performance of the title solar cells by altering the frontier orbital energy gaps. The results reveal that cell efficiency can be enhanced by metal functionalization of the free base porphyrin. Ti-porphyrin was found to be the most efficient dye sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on C60-P-Mptriad system due to C60-Por-TiP complex has lower chemical hardness, gap energy and chemical potential as well as higher electron accepting power among other complexes. In addition, the performance of solar cells favors better with doubly and increasing the π conjugated of the bridge.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors of drug using prisoners in Guilan province.

This was a cross-sectional prevalence study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and high-risk behaviours in drug abusers admitted to prison in Guilan province, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. Subjects were asked about risk behaviours for acquiring HCV and blood was drawn for HCV antibody testing using ELISA techniques. Of 460 inmates, the mean duration of drug use was 8.9 years; 51.7% were opium users and 18.3% heroin users. HCV risk behaviours were common in this population and 209 inmates (45.4%) were HCV antibody positive (88.9% of intravenous drug abusers). HCV-positive status was significantly associated with intravenous drug use, having skin tattoos and number of times in prison.

The effects of family-centered affective stimulation on brain-injured comatose patients' level of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the well-defined effects of sensory stimulation, the knowledge of the pure effects of affective stimulation is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of family-centered affective stimulation on the level of consciousness among comatose patients with brain injuries. DESIGN: This study was designed as a three-group double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients with traumatic brain injuries and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 5-8 were selected. Patients were randomly allocated to an experimental, a placebo, and a control group using permuted block randomization. Affective stimulation intervention was provided to patients in the experimental group by their family members twice a day during the first seven days of their hospitalization. In the placebo group, a sensory stimulation program was implemented by a fixed trained person who was not familiar with the patients. Patients in the control group solely received sensory stimulation which was routinely provided to all patients. The level of consciousness among the patients using the Glasgow Coma Scale and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised were measured both before and after a family visit. The SPSS software (version 17.0) was used to analyze the data through running the one-way and the repeated measure analyses of variance. RESULTS: Despite an insignificant difference among the groups regarding baseline level of consciousness, the results of the one-way analysis of variance revealed at the seventh day of this study, however, the level of consciousness in the experimental group was significantly higher (9.1±2.1) than the placebo (7.2±1.1), the control groups (6.6±1.7) (P<0.001), subsequently. Moreover, at the seventh day of the study, the Coma Recovery Scale score in the experimental group (11.9±3.7) was significantly greater than the placebo (9.0±2.0) and the control (6.6±1.6) groups (P<0.001). Recovery rate and effect size values also confirmed the greater effectiveness of affective stimulation compared with pure sensory stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our findings in this study indicate that early family-centered affective stimulation is more effective than sensory stimulation in improving the level of consciousness among comatose patients with brain injuries. Family-centered affective stimulation is recommended to be integrated into the nursing curricula and routine care plans for comatose trauma patients in intensive care units.

The Effect of Atorvastatin on Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common, irreversible occupational disease. Statins have recently been proposed to prevent NIHL. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of atorvastatin for the prevention of NIHL in rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, forty 2-3-month-old Wistar male rats were divided into 5 groups of 8 animals. 3 groups of rats received atorvastatin at doses of 5, 25, and 50 mg/kg daily for 14 days. The 4th group of rats received normal saline; another group was the control group. After 2 weeks of treatment, the rats were exposed to broad-band noise (125-20 000 Hz) at 110 dB-SPL intensity for 2 hours. Response amplitude of all ears at 5 frequencies was assessed by distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DP-OAE) at baseline, 2 hours, and 2 weeks after the exposure. RESULTS: Response amplitude was significantly decreased at all frequencies immediately after exposure to noise in all studied groups. The amplitude increased after 72 hours to a level higher than temporary threshold shift (TTS); this change was only significant in the group received 5 mg/kg atorvastatin. CONCLUSION: Low dose atorvastatin (5 mg/kg) used before exposure to noise can probably prevent NIHL in rats. This effect was not observed with higher doses of the drug.

Anemia Outcome After Laparascopic Mini Bypass : Analysis of 107 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased globally. Weight loss procedures are known to be an effective and reliable method with relatively low complication rate and satisfactory results. Laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass (LMGB) is known as a modified Mason loop procedure with compatible results to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), and is believed to have even less complication rate. Despite adequate and meticulous supplement therapy, anemia is one of the challenges in patients undergoing LMGB. Thus, we aimed to review the prevalence and severity of anemia in patients undergoing LMGB. METHOD: A prospectively-maintained database of patients referring to Hazrat Rasoul Akram hospital who underwent LMGB from December 2013 to October 2014 was reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 113 consecutive patients were included in the study. The mean age was 38.7 ±â€ˆ9.8 years. Mean Body mass index (BMI) was 45.5 ±â€ˆ6.1 kg/m2 preoperatively and 36.7 ±â€ˆ5.5 kg/m2 and 33.0 ±â€ˆ5.3 kg/m2 three and six months after the procedure, respectively. (P = 0.001) Mean excess body weight loss after the procedure was 20% and 53% at three and six months post operatively. Serum hemoglobin (Hb) level decreased significantly in three months (P = 0.036) and remained unchanged in six months compared to 3-month (P = 0.385). Vitamin B12 level increased significantly in three months (P = 0.010) and then decrease in six months to the preoperative level (P = 0.889). CONCLUSION: LMGB is a safe, feasible and an effective alternative weight loss procedure. Simply, anemia can be prevented by utilizing therapeutic dose of multivitamin in patients who underwent this procedure.

Apoptosis-related genes expressed in cardiovascular development and disease: an EST approach.

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is an important process which, in conjunction with cell proliferation, maintains cell number homeostasis. Although apoptosis has been more extensively investigated in other tissues [1,2], only recently has this process been suspected as a significant contributor to both disease and normal development of the cardiovascular system [3-6]. Grasping a comprehension of the underlying genetic mechanisms of apoptosis is especially crucial considering that cardiac myocytes irreversibly exit the cell cycle and thus fail to proliferate during pathological conditions. Despite great strides in understanding the molecular pathways of apoptosis, there still remain numerous questions to be answered. Identifying key genes that are involved in the regulatory process of apoptosis in the cardiovascular system will serve as a basis for creating more effective therapeutic treatments in cardiovascular disease and provide an understanding of how cardiac development is modulated. This review provides a brief summary of recent data implicating genes that may be involved in apoptosis in the cardiovascular system. It also outlines the continued usefulness of large-scale generation of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to establish expression profiles from the cardiovascular system and as a means of identifying potentially significant apoptotic regulators previously characterized in other tissues but not as yet in the cardiovascular system.