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The delivery of hydrophilic drugs from hydrophobic polymers is a long-standing challenge in the biomaterials field due to the limited solubility of the therapeutic agent within the polymer matrix. In this work, we develop a drug delivery mechanism that enables the impregnation and subsequent elution of hydrophilic drugs from a hydrophobic polymer material. This was achieved by synthesizing core cross-linked star polymer amphiphiles with hydrophilic cores and hydrophobic coronas. While significant work has been done to create nanocarriers for hydrophilic drugs, this work is distinct from previous work in that it designs amphiphilic and core cross-linked particles for controlled release from hydrophobic matrices. Ultraviolet-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization was used to synthesize the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrophilic cores of the star polymers, and hydrophobic coronas of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) were then built onto the stars using ring-opening polymerization. We illustrated the cytocompatibility of PCL loaded with these star polymers through human endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation for up to 7 days, with star loadings of up to 40 wt %. We demonstrated successful loading of the hydrophilic drug heparin into the star polymer core, achieving a loading efficiency and content of 50 and 5%, respectively. Finally, the heparin-loaded star polymers were incorporated into a PCL matrix and sustained release of heparin was illustrated for over 40 days. These results support the use of core cross-linked star polymer amphiphiles for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs from hydrophobic polymer matrices. These materials were developed for application as drug-eluting and biodegradable coronary artery stents, but this flexible drug delivery platform could have impact in a broad range of medical applications.

In the Fe-doped GaN phase-separated magnetic semiconductor GaFeN, the presence of embedded Ga$_y$Fe$_{4-y}$N nanocrystals determines the magnetic properties of the system. Here, through a combination of anomalous x-ray diffraction and diffraction anomalous fine structure, the local structure of Ga in self-assembled face-centered cubic (fcc) Ga$_y$Fe$_{4-y}$N nanocrystals embedded in wurtzite GaN thin layers is investigated in order to shed light onto the correlation between fabrication parameters, local structural arrangement and overall magnetic properties of the material system. It is found, that by adjusting the growth parameters and thus, the crystallographic surroundings, the Ga atoms can be induced to incorporate into 3$c$ positions at the faces of the fcc crystal lattice, reaching a maximum occupancy of 30\%. The magnetic response of the embedded nanocrystals is ferromagnetic with Curie temperature increasing from 450\,K to 500\,K with the Ga occupation. These results demonstrate the outstanding potential of the employed experimental protocol for unravelling the local structure of magnetic multi-phase systems, even when embedded in a matrix containing the same element under investigation., 17 pages, 4 Figures

Background: Obstetric fistulas are one of the most tragic injuries that occur after difficult, prolonged childbirth without timely intervention. These fistulas cause discomfort to patients and result in emotional, social, and even physical suffering. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of women with rectovaginal fistula in Kamyaran city, in Kurdestan province, west of Iran.Methods: In a phenomenological study, 16 patients, healthcare personnel and patients' families were investigated. Purposive sampling was performed and Study participants were interviewed in-depth semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim (word by word) and analyzed by Colaizzi's method. To determine the validity of the study, Lincoln and Guba’s criteria, which include credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability, was considered.Results: Five general themes and ten sub-themes emerged after investigating interviews. Themes include religious harassment the sub-theme of being defiled), fail (sub-themes of loss and negative attitudes, disrupted sex (the sub-theme of sexual dissatisfaction), consequence (three sub-themes of sleep disturbance, mental crisis, and isolation), and ultimately panic (three sub-themes of humiliation, secrecy, and fear).Conclusion: The rectovaginal fistula is a complex and multifaceted problem with social, individual, familial, religious, and ethnic-environmental dimensions, so there is no simple solution to interact with this problem and there is a need to find a solution, considering the dimensions of the problem and plan for help these patients cope with their disease, and take steps to fully treat it.

In this study, a novel electrochemical method as a conductive voltammetric sensor for determination of N-hydroxysuccinimide was developed. The N-hydroxysuccinimide sensor was achieved by carbon paste electrode (CPE) amplified with tri-component nanohybrid composite (Platinum nanoparticle/Polyoxometalate/ Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets) (PtNPs/POM/2D-hBN) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (HMICl) as conductive mediators. A significant decrease (110 mV) in the oxidation overvoltage and significant increased (2.4 times) in the current of the N-hydroxysuccinimide were observed using HMICl-PtNPs/POM/2D-hBN/POMBNS/CPE. Furthermore, the HMICl-PtNPs/POM/2D-hBN/POMBNS/CPE exhibited a good linearity from 0.1 to 300 mu M and detection limit 60 nM for determination of N-hydroxysuccinimide. The capability to promote the electron exchange between N-hydroxysuccinimide and the HMICl-PtNPs/POM/2D-hBN/POMBNS/CPE exhibited a novel analytical strategy for fabrication of water pollutant sensor. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. C1 [Karimi-Maleh, Hassan; Karimi, Fatemeh] Univ Elect Sci & Technol China, Sch Resources & Environm, POB 611731,Xiyuan Ave, Chengdu, Peoples R China. [Karimi-Maleh, Hassan; Karimi, Fatemeh] Quchan Univ Technol, Dept Chem Engn, Lab Nanotechnol, Quchan, Iran. [Karimi-Maleh, Hassan] Univ Johannesburg, Dept Chem Sci, POB 17011,Doornfontein Campus, ZA-2028 Johannesburg, South Africa. [Malekmohammadi, Samira] Ecole Polytech Fed Lausanne EPFL, Inst Chem Sci & Engn, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. [Zakariae, Nilofar; Esmaeili, Roghayeh] Shahid Beheshti Univ Med Sci, Nursing Med Surg Grp, Tehran, Iran. [Rostamnia, Sadegh] Univ Maragheh, Fac Sci, Dept Chem, Organ & Nano Grp ONG, POB 55181-83111, Maragheh, Iran. [Yola, Mehmet Lutfi] Iskenderun Tech Univ, Fac Engn & Nat Sci, Dept Biomed Engn, Antakya, Turkey. [Atar, Necip] Pamukkale Univ, Fac Engn, Dept Chem Engn, Denizli, Turkey. [Movaghgharnezhad, Shirin] Southern Illinois Univ, Dept Mech Engn, Carbondale, IL USA. [Rajendran, Saravanan] Univ Tarapaca, Fac Engn, Dept Mech Engn, Avda Gen Velasquez, Arica 1775, Chile. [Razmjou, Amir] Univ Isfahan, Fac Biol Sci & Technol, Dept Biotechnol, Esfahan 8174673441, Iran. [Razmjou, Amir] Univ New South Wales, UNESCO Ctr Membrane Sci & Technol, Sch Chem Sci & Engn, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. [Orooji, Yasin] Nanjing Forestry Univ, Coinnovat Ctr Efficient Proc & Utilizat Forest Re, Nanjing 210037, Peoples R China. [Orooji, Yasin] Nanjing Forestry Univ, Coll Mat Sci & Engn, 159 Longpan Rd, Nanjing 210037, Peoples R China. [Agarwal, Shilpi; Gupta, Vinod Kumar] King Abdulaziz Univ, Ctr Excellence Adv Mat Res, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 2 signaling pathways and their receptors exert a pivotal role in behavior and fate of tumor cells. Therefore, these pathways are target of drug discovery researches. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of Trachyspermum copticum (L.) link (carum) seeds on TGF-beta receptor 1 and 2 genes coding the heterodimer complex of receptor in MCF-7 cell line of human breast cancer. Methods: Non-cytotoxic concentrations of the extract determined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and cells treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations (5 and 40 µg/ml) of extract for 24 hours. Then, to evaluate the expression of TGF-beta receptors 1 and 2 genes at the level of transcription, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed (comparing the control group). Data were analyzed using REST® software and analysis of variance test. Level of significance was set at 0.05. Findings: Cells treated with concentration of 5 µg/ml of extract showed reduction in gene transcription levels to almost half (0.52) (P = 0.015); and in cells treated with concentration of 40 µg/ml of extract, gene transcription levels increased to 1.34 times (P = 0.066) comparing to control group. Treatment of cells with extract showed no meaningful changes in TGF-beta receptor 2 gene expression at the level of transcription (P = 0.148). Conclusion: Results suggest that treatment of MCF-7 cells with low concentration of aqueous extract of Trachyspermum copticum (L.) link seeds can affect the TGF-beta receptor 1 gene transcription, but not the TGF-beta receptor 2; and alter the microenvironment of tumor cell. Further studies have to be performed for conclusive evidence.

Enforced by sustainability concerns, the energy industry has been through a transformation from a conventional centralized and inflexible fossil-fuel-based system to decentralized, cleaner, and flexible systems. The concept of an energy hub and all relevant terms such as “polygeneration,” “microgrid,” “mesogrid,” “nanogrid,” “energy internet,” “community energy network,” “social energy network,” and “virtual power plant” are introduced to address decentralized energy systems, which can utilize diverse resources and technologies in the vicinity for energy generation and storage to supply sustainable, reliable, and affordable sources of energy. This study investigates the evolutionary trends of major research topics in this field by exploring the co-occurrence network of keywords associated with publications. The analysis is based on over 3000 related publications from 1962 to 2017. The term “polystorage” is also introduced as an identical to “polygeneration” in the context of energy storage diversification.

The evaluation of the structural performance of Itaipu Dam involves, among other activities, the analysis of data from instruments installed at different points of the structures and their foundations. A widely used instrument is the piezometer, which allows monitoring of uplift pressures and pore water pressure occurring in the foundation of the structures and in the body of the earthfill and rockfill dams. The piezometers provide information regarding the pressures caused by water infiltration via discontinuities in the rock mass, as well as via the pores of the earthfill. The variable supplied by the piezometers is called piezometric head, which can be converted into pressure. Monitoring is carried out in several features over large areas, which in many cases include the whole foundation of Itaipu. The main features are the contacts between structure and foundation (concrete and rock or soil and earthfill) and discontinuity or porous zones (geological faults, basaltic breccias and fractured zones, in addition to strategic points in the embankment dams). In general, the analysis of these data is performed in a timely manner, using the time series obtained by the instruments, where current values are compared with historical highs and with theoretical values obtained via mathematical models that simulate critical load situations. However, spatial evaluation allows a greater understanding of the hydrogeological phenomena, since these do not occur locally, being instead results of features’ characteristics, of the drainage and waterproofing systems, and of treatments given to the foundation, as well as of the loads imposed by the presence of the reservoir and the rainfall patterns. Thus, this work aims to present the development of piezometric head and uplift pressure maps to modernize and improve the analysis of the performance of Itaipu's structures, based on mathematical interpolation and the use of Geographical Information Systems.

Hydrogen stored in metal hydrides improves significantly its volumetric density (from ~ 0.08 kg H2/ m3 at gaseous state up to ~ 150 kg H2/ m3 chemically bonded in metal host). Metal hydrides also surpass by far volumetric densities of hydrogen stored in compressed form (40 kg H2/ m3) or in liquid state (~ 70 kg H2/ m3), as well as their storage safety aspects. Therefore, metal hydrides are potential candidates for emission-free energy storage systems in future applications. Boron-based light-weight metal complex hydrides are of particular interest for mobile applications, owing to their high gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities at high volumetric densities. However, their reaction enthalpies are rather high to be applied in mobile storage systems. In order to reduce their reaction enthalpies by maintaining their high gravimetric hydrogen capacities, an additive metal hydride can be mixed with the respective complex hydride. During the dehydrogenation process of the composite system the additive metal hydride can destabilize the complex hydride by an exothermic reaction, leading to an overall reduction of the reaction enthalpy. This approach is termed as “Reactive Hydride Composites” (RHC). Indeed, the reaction enthalpies of numerous hydride composite systems could be reduced by using this destabilization approach. However, the dehydrogenation/rehydrogenation reaction kinetics of RHCs suffers along their reaction paths by various activation barriers. In the present work, LiBH4-MgH2 (Li-RHC) and Ca(BH4)2-MgH2 (Ca-RHC) were investigated, in detail, which are the two most promising members of boron-based RHC family with their respective gravimetric capacities of ~ 11 wt. % H2 and ~ 8.4 wt. % H2. By addition of a small amount of NbF5, the dehydrogenation/hydrogenation reaction kinetics of both systems was considerably enhanced. Using several experimental methods at large scale research facilities (synchrotron radiation facilities and neutron research reactor facilities (in situ SR-PXD, EXAFS, SAXS/ASAXS and SANS/USANS)) and lab scale apparatus (Sievert type apparatus, DSC/DTA, SEM/TEM, MS, and NMR) enabled characterization of crystalline, amorphous and/or nanoscopic structures in both composite systems from Ångstrom region to nanoscopic range and up to macroscopic sizes. The combination, inter-pretation and condensation of the results obtained by such reach methods allowed gaining unique insights in to complex interactions between the additives, their chemical states, size distribution and the hydride matrix and their correlations, in turn, with dehydrogenation/hydrogenation kinetics of the systems. Additionally, for the first time, the decomposition products of Ca(BH4)2 could be stabilized by destabilizing MgH2, hence using Mg2NiH4 as a destabilization agent for Ca(BH4)2. Furthermore, two new synthesis methods were proposed to produce transition metal boride nanoparticles and complex borohydrides, respectively. Lastly, the RHCs were organized and divided, according to their specific thermodynamical behaviours, in the following three distinct subclasses: “mutually destabilized-RHC” (m-RHC), “single-RHC” (s-RHC), and “additive-RHC (a-RHC). Prior to this research less was known about the reasons hidden behind the positive effects of transition metal halides on hydrogen release and uptake kinetics of RHCs. The insights gained by this work contributes to a much deeper understanding of structural effects of transition metal halides with respect to kinetic behaviour of composite systems and, thus, it provides a guidance for upcoming investigations in this field or of hydride composite systems, in general. This work also offers new destabilization route to further optimize the thermodynamic properties of RHC systems. In addition, this thesis provides a new pathway to synthesize transition metal boride nanoparticles, which opens possibilities to study their effects on dehydrogenation/hydrogenation kinetics in RHC model systems and their own properties with regard to other application fields such as super conductivity etc. at the molecular level.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is the most common form of malignancy among men. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is used to screen for prostate cancer and may vary depending on different factors, such as age. This study aimed to investigate the cut-off value for PSA in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with prostate biopsy diagnosis undergoing transrectal ultrasound during 2011-2014. Data collection was performed using prepared checklists. FINDINGS: In total, 422 patients were enrolled in this study, 180 of whom (42.7%) were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, and 242 (57.3%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Mean age of the patients was 63.03±9.62 years, and the mean PSA was 27.95±64.44 ng/ml. The mean of PSA in patients over 51 years was 28.66±65.51 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than the values of the patients under 50 years of age (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the risk of prostate cancer was higher in the men within the age range of 60-80 years. In addition, patients with PSA levels of 10-20 ng/mL need to be fully screened for prostate cancer.

A novel reduced iron metal-organic framework nanoparticle with cytotoxicity specific to cancer cells is presented. This nanoparticle was prepared via a hydrothermal method, reduced using hydroquinone, and finally conjugated with folic acid (namely, rMOF-FA). The synthesized nanoparticle shows the controlled release of iron in an acidic ex-vivo environment. Iron present on the rMOF-FA and released into solution can react with high levels of hydrogen peroxide found specifically in cancer cells to increase the hydroxyl radical concentration. The hydroxyl radicals oxidize proteins, lipids, and/or DNA within the biological system to decrease cell viability. In vitro experiments demonstrate that this novel nanoparticle is cytotoxic to cancer cells (HeLa) through generation of OH• inside the cells. At low concentrations of rMOF-FA, the cancer cell viability decreases dramatically, with no obvious reduction of normal cell (NIH-3T3) viability. The calculated half-maximum inhibitory concentration value (IC50) was 43 μg/mL for HeLa cells, which was significantly higher than 105 μg/mL for NIH-3T3. This work thus demonstrates a new type of agent for controlled hydroxyl radical generation using the Fenton reaction to kill the tumor cells.

A chemically modified electrode was constructed and applied to the electrooxidation of the chlorpromazine (CPZ). The oxidation peak potential of the CPZ at a surface of CdO/nanoparticles (NPs) ionic liquid carbon paste electrode (CdO/NPs/IL/CPE) appeared at 695 mV. The CdO/NPs were characterized with different methods such as transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Under optimized (pH 7.0), linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 0.1-350 mu M for CPZ, which shows adequate for the quantification in real samples. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of CPZ in both pharmaceutical and urine samples.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of large-scale deletions of mtDNA between idiopathic astheno, asthenoterato and oligoasthenoterato-spermic as patient group and normospermic as control group. Forty semen samples including: 10 asthenospermic (A), 10 asthenoteratospermic (AT), 10 oligoasthenoteratospermic (OAT) and 10 normospermic samples as control group, were collected from IVF center. Our analysis of long-range polymerase chain reaction were shown multiple deletions; 4977-bp, 7599-bp and 7491-bp of mtDNA in spermatozoa of patients (A, AT and OAT) and control groups. However, the frequency of multiple mtDNA deletions in astheno (60%), asthenoterato (60%), oligoasthenoterato (70%) spermic groups were significantly higher than normal (40%) group. These results suggest that mtDNA mutations cause infertility through an effect on sperm motility. Therefore, identification of mtDNA mutations and large scale deletions in the pathophysiology of human spermatozoa dysfunction is considered to be important to better understanding of the etiology of idiopathic infertility.

Background: The glycoconjugate content of sperms indicates their physiological and fertility properties. Lectin reactivity is indicative of intact, capacitated, and acrosome-reacted sperms. In the epididymis, sperms experience maturation, glycoconjugate modification, and simultaneously, higher L-carnitine (LC) concentrations. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of LC and Pentoxifylline (PF) on the integrity, capacitation, and acrosomal reaction of sperms by studying their lectin reactivity. Methods: Mouse testicular sperm samples were divided into three parts. Each sample was added Ham’s F10 (control) or media containing 1.76 mM LC or PF. At 30 and 90 minutes after incubation, sperm motility was assessed. Peanut agglutinin (PNA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Concanavalin A (Con A) were used to detect non-acrosome-reacted, non-capacitated, and acrosome-reacted sperms, respectively and the frequency was evaluated by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA. Results: Sperm motility increased after 30 and 90 minutes of incubation in the LC- and PF-treated cultures (P=0.001). LC administration created a significant increase in the percentage of the non-acrosome-reacted sperms compared to the control sperms after 30 and 90 minutes (P=0.02 and P=0.03, respectively). The frequency of the non-capacitated sperms in the LC-treated group increased compared to the control sperms after 30 minutes significantly (P=0.01). Conclusion: Although the administration of LC and PF enhanced sperm motility, LC also impacted glycoconjugates on the sperm surface. Glycoconjugates are involved in the interaction between the sperm and the zona pellucida and subsequently fertilization, thereby probably influencing the male fertility state.

Background: Cardiac herniation is a fatal post pneumonectomy complication. We report the signs, clinical findings, diagnosis and management of a patient with post pneumonectomy cardiac herniation.Case report: A 34-year-old man with lung cancer underwent left pneumonectomy with partial pericardiectomy in the right lateral decubitus position. At the end of the surgery, cardiovascular collapse, severe bradycardia, desaturation and elevated airway pressure occurred just after repositioning the patient to the supine position. This patient survived as we returned him to the right lateral decubitus position and avoided the use of positive pressure ventilation.Conclusions: Attention to the acute complications of pneumonectomy, diagnosis and rapid therapeutic interventions is essential in post pneumonectomy care.

In this paper the cotypeset of some torsion-free abelian groups of finite rank is studied. In particular, we determine the cotypeset of some rank two groups using the elements of their typesets.

Introduction: One of the causes of limitation in range of motion of the elbow joint in old patients is supracondylar humeral fractures. Although it is not common in old patients but it is so important because of the need to start motions sooner and not to have stiff elbow on the basis of its rigid fixation.[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 131. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie

Grade 4 Kenyan children attending 10 randomly selected public primary schools in Nairobi (urban) and the Muranga District (rural) were surveyed to establish the prevalence of symptom markers of asthma and to assess the impact of urbanization. A respiratory health and home environment questionnaire was administered at school to parents or guardians. The questionnaire response rates were 94.2% (568/ 603) for Nairobi and 89.6% (604/674) for Muranga. The prevalence rates for asthma, defined as "attacks of shortness of breath with wheeze", were 95% for urban and 3.0% for rural children (odds ratio (OR) urban versus rural: 3.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.96-5.91). This urban-rural gradient persisted after adjusting for urban-rural differences in host factors (including duration of breastfeeding and family history of asthma and/or allergy), but was largely explained by urban-rural differences in environmental factors, including indoor animals, sharing a bedroom with a smoker, parental education, house ventilation and exposure to motor vehicle fumes en route to school (adjusted OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 0.70-3.55). Similar results were obtained for all other symptoms. These findings confirm the clinical impression that asthma is an important illness in Kenya and underline the need for the further study of environmental factors amenable to intervention, particularly in urban areas.

In the article, the strategy and synthesis of some endogenous compounds labeled mainly with (11) C are presented. There are some examples illustrating how endogenous labeled compounds in connection with positron emission tomography have unique properties to describe various biological processes, and a few examples of the use of tracers labeled with (13) N and (15) O are also discussed. Labeled endogenous compounds may be an important asset to describe the conditions and the status of biological systems and might therefore be a key for the future search of individualized medicine.

Light metal tetrahydroborates are regarded as promising materials for solid state hydrogen storage. Due to both a high gravimetric hydrogen capacity of 11.5 wt % and an ideal dehydrogenation enthalpy of 32 kJ mol-1 H2, Ca(BH4)2 is considered to be one of the most interesting compounds in this class of materials. In this work, a comprehensive investigation of the effect of different selected additives (TiF4, NbF5, Ti-isopropoxide, and CaF2) on the reversible hydrogenation reaction of calcium borohydride is presented combining different investigation techniques. The chemical state of the Nb- and Ti-based additives is studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (e.g., XANES). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to show the local structure, size, and distribution of the additive/catalyst. 11B{1H} solid state magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) was carried out to detect possible amorphous phases. The formation of TiB2 and NbB2 nanoparticles was observed after milling or upon sorption reactions of the Nb- and Ti-based Ca(BH4)2 doped systems. The formation of transition-metal boride nanoparticles is proposed to support the heterogeneous nucleation of CaB6. The {111}CaB6/{1011}NbB2, {111}CaB6/{1010}NbB2, as well as {111}CaB6/{1011}TiB2 plane pairs have the potential to be the matching planes because the d-value mismatch is well below the d-critical mismatch value (6%). Transition-metal boride nanoparticles act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for CaB6, refine the microstructure thus improving the sorption kinetics, and, as a consequence, lead to the reversible formation of Ca(BH4)2.

In recent years many of researchers were studying antimicrobial and other chemical and biological characteristics of medicinal and nonmedicinal plants seeking for better drug alternatives for treatment of diseases. The antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of ripped and unripped figs was studied alone and in combination in vitro. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by broth microdilution on standard microorganisms. Two different lower concentrations of MIC were used for analysis of combinational antibacterial activities. Findings showed that ripped Fig extract in concentrations of ≥ 13 to ≥6.5 mg/ml have MIC values on tested bacteria, but unripped Fig extract showed a MIC value in ≥7 mg/ml against all of the studied bacteria. Sub MIC concentrations (1:4 and 1:4 MIC) of combination of ripped and unripped extracts indicated synergic and additive effects on bacteria, respectively. In this study ripped and unripped Fig extracts in selected concentrations(1:4 and 1:2 MICs) have indicate synergic and additive antibacterial activity on bacteria, in addition antibacterial activity of unripped Fig extract was higher than ripped Fig extract and was significant(p=0.002). Since Fig has been used from ancient eras by humans, this kind of extracts could be a potential candidate for combination therapy of infections. Key words: Ripped fig extract, unripped fig extract, synergy, additive, MIC.

Dit is het eindrapport van de Taskforce Biodiversiteit en Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen. Onder de titel Groene Groei, investeren in biodiversiteit en natuurlijke hulpbronnen pleit de Taskforce voor een omslag naar een economie die gebaseerd is op de draagkracht van de aarde. Daarvoor moet in 2020 biodiversiteitverlies tot staan gebracht zijn en in 2030 onze ecologische voetafdruk zijn gehalveerd. Uiteindelijk doel voor de Taskforce Biodiversiteit en Natuurlijke hulpbronnen is een wereld met veerkrachtige ecosystemen waarin voldoende voedsel, water, energie en bescherming is voor iedereen.

Background: To investigate the relationship between renal stone formation and osteoporosis. Methods: Eight hundred thirty healthy subjects aged between 20 and 76 years were randomly selected from 50 clusters to take part in the study. Of these, 68 (8.2%) had a previous history of renal stone disease. All participants underwent clinical exami¬nation and bone mineral densitometry of the lumbar spine and femur using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry tech¬nique. Plasma levels of vitamin D3, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone were also meas¬ured. Results: Data showed that patients with a history of renal stones had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis (16.7%) and os¬teopenia (53.3%) than the subjects without a history of renal stone disease (11.2% and 35.7%, respectively). For both men and women the mean age of patients with a history of renal stone disease was significantly lower than patients with no dis¬ease history (men: with history 44.27+/-14.8, without history 50.28+/-12.3; P= 0.02) (women: with history 43.21+/-11.8, with¬out history 49.06+/-9.6; P= 0.02). Female patients with a history of renal stone disease also had a significantly lower (8.74%) mean spinal bone density (P= 0.02), but there were no other significant differences in either the biochemical parame¬ters that were measured or in the hip bone density. Conclusions: These data suggest that osteoporosis may be more prevalent in those patients that have had a history of renal stone formation.

Nowadays, seaweeds have many uses in food industry, weaving, pharmacy, medicine, biotechnology and so on. Many efforts has been made to regenerate seaweeds in artificial media in order to carry out genetic engineering process since 1970. In this study we have tried to establish a proper method for sterilization and tissue culture of brown seaweed, Sargasopsis zanardinii, in 1/2PES, PES and 2PES media. After sterilization, the explants of the seaweed were cultured in liquid and solid media. Consequently turgidity in margin of explants, longitudinal cell division and formation of hairy strands, and microcallous formation were showed by explants which cultured in PES and 2PES solid media. After transporting from liquid to solid media, juglike bodies were formed on the surface of solid PES media and then some brown strands were grown from these bodies that finally were flattened. None of these results was obtained from 1/2PES media.

Background & Aim: Because of the importance of empathy and positive impact on the relationship between patients and health care providers, as well as the lack of valid instrument to assess studentchr('39')s empathy in health domain, this study aimed to examine the factor structure and reliability of the Persian version of JSE-HPS in the students of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 398 nursing and midwifery students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences were selected using stratified random sampling. The data collection instrument was JSE-HP. The confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the factor structure of the instrument, and the Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient was applied to examine its reliability. The data analysis was done using LISREL version 8.8 and SPSS version 20. Results: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis model showed given that fitness model parameters, including CFI, GFI, AGFI and NFI were approximately 1 and RMSEA index was less than 0.1, the fitness of three-factor model is appropriate. The Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient for the total instrument was 0.63. Conclusion: The current study confirmed the three-factor structure of the Persian version of JSE-HPS (20 items), included perspective taking, compassionate care and standing in patient’s shoes. Thus, this instrument is appropriate to measure empathy for patient in the health service provider students.

Objective(s): Protective effects of different extracts and essential oil from Pimpinella anisum L. seeds were examined against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity. The parameters such as serum transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase activity, hepatic glutathione content, liver lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes of liver were assessed as toxicity markers. In the in vitro model of this study, markers such as cell viability, cellular reduced and oxidized glutathione and lipid peroxidation in HepG2 cells were evaluated. Materials and Methods:Human liver cancer cell line HepG2 and male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with extracts and essential oil, and markers of hepatotoxicity were investigated. Results: The data revealed that the n-hexane extract, effectively attenuated CCl4‑induced toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models in current investigation. Conclusion: As the oxidative stress markers were ameliorated, it might be concluded that anise seed possesses protective effects probably due to its antioxidant constituents.

Background: Clinically frank thyroid nodules are common and believed to be present in 4% to 10% of the adult population in the United States. In the current literature, fine needle aspiration biopsies are considered to be the milestone of a model which helps the physician decide whether a certain thyroid nodule needs a surgical approach or not. A considerable fact is that sensitivity and specificity of the fine needle aspiration varies significantly as it remains highly dependent on the operator as well as the cytologist’s skills. Practically, in the above group of patients, thyroid lobectomy/isthmusectomy becomes mandatory for attaining a definitive diagnosis where the majority (70%-80%) have a benign surgical pathology. The scattered nature of clinically gathered data and analysis of their relevant variables need a compliant statistical method. The artificial neural network is a branch of artificial intelligence. We have hypothesized that conduction of an artificial neural network applied to certain clinical attributes could develop a malignancy risk assessment tool to help physicians interpret the fine needle aspiration biopsy results of thyroid nodules in a context composed of patient’s clinical variables, known as malignancy related risk factors. Methods: We designed and trained an artificial neural network on a prospectively formed cohort gathered over a four year period (2007-2011). The study population comprised 345 subjects who underwent thyroid resection at Nemazee and Rajaee hospitals, tertiary care centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, and Rajaee Hospital as a level I trauma center in Shiraz, Iran after having undergone thyroid fine needle aspiration. Histopathological results of the fine needle aspirations and surgical specimens were analyzed and compared by experienced, board-certified pathologists who lacked knowledge of the fine needle aspiration results for thyroid malignancy. Results: We compared the preoperative fine needle aspiration and surgical histopathology results. The results matched in 63.5% of subjects. On the other hand, fine needle aspiration biopsy results falsely predicted malignant thyroid nodules in 16% of cases (false-negative). In 20.5% of subjects, fine needle aspiration was falsely positive for thyroid malignancy. The Resilient back Propagation (RP) training algorithm lead to acceptable accuracy in prediction for the designed artificial neural network (64.66%) by the cross- validation method. Under the cross-validation method, a back propagation algorithm that used the resilient back propagation protocol - the accuracy in prediction for the trained artificial neural network was 64.66%. Conclusion: An extensive bio-statistically validated artificial neural network of certain clinical, paraclinical and individual given inputs (predictors) has the capability to stratify the malignancy risk of a thyroid nodule in order to individualize patient care. This risk assessment model (tool) can virtually minimize unnecessary diagnostic thyroid surgeries as well as FNA misleading.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficiency and practicality of seven trappingmethods for adult phlebotominae sand flies. The results of this investigation provide information to determine the species composition and nocturnal activity pattern of different sand fly species. Methods: The study was carried out in both plain region (about 5km far from northeast) and mountainous region (about 40km far from southwest of Kashan City). Seven traps were selected as sampling methods and sand flies were collected during 5 interval times starting July to September 2011 and from 8:00PM to 6:00AM in outdoors habitats. The traps include: sticky traps (4 papers for 2 hours), Disney trap, Malaise, CDC and CO2 light traps, Shannon traps (black and white nets) and animal-baited trap. Results: A total of 1445 sand flies belonging to 15 species of Phlebotomus spp. and five of Sergentomyia spp. were collected. Females and males comprised 44.91% and 55.09% of catches, respectively. Of the collected specimens, Se. sintoni was found to be the most prevalent (37.86%) species, while Ph. papatasi, accounted for 31.76% of the sand flies. Conclusion: Disney trap and sticky traps exhibited the most productivity than other traps. In addition, in terms of the efficiency of sampling method, these two trapping methods appeared to be the most productive for both estimating the number of sand flies and the species composition in the study area.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is prevalent in Asian countries, but there is limited information about its distribution in rural communities. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in a rural population in southern Iran. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 13304 adults living in Kavar, southern Iran. The participants aged ≥ 20 years (67.4% female and 32.6% male) and were selected from a larger survey including 20000 subjects. MetS was diagnosed by the National Cholesterol Education program-Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and its prevalence was compared to the rates estimated by modified ATPIII and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters including blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), and lipid profile were recorded. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 15) and analyzed using student’s t-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of ATP III-defined-MetS was 25.1% compared to 27.7% and 28.3% using the modified ATP III and IDF definitions, respectively. Yet, the prevalence rate was higher among the females compared to the males by all the definitions (e.g. 28.4% in females and 18.9% in males by ATP III criteria, P < 0.001). Also, the prevalence of Mets increased with age (P < 0.001). The most and least common components were low serum High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and impaired FPG, respectively. Conclusions: MetS was prevalent in this rural area and dyslipidemia was its major component. These findings make it critical to plan further healthcare interventions in order to prevent the adverse consequences of the disease.

The goals of climate change mitigation or energy security policies might lead to societal transformations due to large-scale deployment of new technologies or changes in relations about generation, distribution and transmission of electricity. The goals are frequently developed at the national governance levels; however, their implementation takes place at the local governance level. The process of energy transition gives crucial importance to the participation of local communities and their positive attitudes. Such a process should include measures for active engagement of inhabitants and local government while providing a chance to participate in decision-making processes that affect the lives of these people. Currently, participatory governance of energy transition takes place mainly within the discussion about details of the projects and criteria for selection of possible alternatives. It does not include discussion about the need for energy transition or preferences for technologies for decarbonization of the electricity sector. This study investigated social factors linked to the transition of the Austrian energy sector towards a higher share of renewable energy sources. The empirical data show factors which influence the level of awareness about climate change mitigation and energy transition as well as differences in patterns of support for renewable energy sources from various social groups.