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Myocardial infarction (MI) is still the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The success of cell-based therapies and tissue engineering strategies for treatment of injured myocardium have been notably hindered due to the limitations associated with the selection of a proper cell source, lack of engraftment of engineered tissues and biomaterials with the host myocardium, limited vascularity, as well as immaturity of the injected cells. The first-generation approaches in cardiac tissue engineering (cTE) have mainly relied on the use of desired cells (e.g., stem cells) along with non-conductive natural or synthetic biomaterials for in vitro construction and maturation of functional cardiac tissues, followed by testing the efficacy of the engineered tissues in vivo. However, to better recapitulate the native characteristics and conductivity of the cardiac muscle, recent approaches have utilized electroconductive biomaterials or nanomaterial components within engineered cardiac tissues. This review article will cover the recent advancements in the use of electrically conductive biomaterials in cTE. The specific emphasis will be placed on the use of different types of nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles (GNPs), silicon-derived nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs), as well as electroconductive polymers (ECPs) for engineering of functional and electrically conductive cardiac tissues. We will also cover the recent progress in the use of engineered electroconductive tissues for in vivo cardiac regeneration applications. We will discuss the opportunities and challenges of each approach and provide our perspectives on potential avenues for enhanced cTE. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Myocardial infarction (MI) is still the primary cause of death worldwide. Over the past decade, electroconductive biomaterials have increasingly been applied in the field of cardiac tissue engineering. This review article provides the readers with the leading advances in the in vitro applications of electroconductive biomaterials for cTE along with an in-depth discussion of injectable/transplantable electroconductive biomaterials and their delivery methods for in vivo MI treatment. The article also discusses the knowledge gaps in the field and offers possible novel avenues for improved cardiac tissue engineering.

In this paper, two wideband dual-polarized Dielectric Resonator Antennas (DRA) for X band radar applications are presented. The design procedure is started with designing a linear polarized DRA fed by a microstrip line. The feedline is optimized to excite the HEM11δ mode of DRA which corresponds to magnetic monopole like radiation. Then, a novel quadrature hybrid is designed in the feeding structure to provide both left (LHCP) and right-handed (RHCP) circular polarization. Finally, two antenna prototypes are fabricated and tested: a dual (right hand and left hand) circular polarization DRA with omni-directional pattern, and an enhanced gain version of dual-polarized CP DRA with a directive pattern. The measurement results of antennas confirm wideband impedance bandwidth (34% and 38.8%) as well as wideband Axial Ratio (AR) one (23% and 30%) in element and array structures, respectively. The antennas also provide both RHCP and LHCP radiation. The first antenna contains monopole-like radiation which is aimed at wireless systems with omnidirectional pattern requirements. The second, a 2*1 antenna array, which presents around 9 dB across the entire band. The presented antennas are good candidates for radar applications such as weather monitoring, air traffic control, and vehicle speed detection.

Background A reliable venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment model (RAM) can assist surgeons in identifying patients who would benefit from VTE prophylaxis. This systematic review was aimed at summarising the current available evidence on VTE RAMs used in aesthetic plastic surgery. Methods A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases to include primary studies describing VTE RAMs in aesthetic plastic surgery from 1946 to February 2019. The objective was to compare the different VTE RAMs described for aesthetic plastic surgery to recommend a reliable model to stratify patients. Results Of the 557 articles identified in the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases, six articles were included in the final review. Five different RAMs were used in the included studies: Caprini 2005 RAM, Caprini 2010 RAM, Davison-Caprini 2004 RAM, the American Society of Anaesthesiologist's (ASA) physical status grading system and a tool developed by Wes et al. The difference in risk weightage amongst the tools along with the VTE incidences for different categories was compared. The Caprini 2005 RAM was the most widely reported tool and validated in plastic surgery patients. Conclusion Amongst the five different tools currently used, the Caprini 2005 RAM was the most widely reported. This tool was validated in plastic surgery patients and reported to be a sensitive and reliable tool for VTE risk stratification; therefore, current data support its use until further higher quality evidence becomes available. Because of the heterogeneity of the data and low quality of the current evidence, a definitive recommendation cannot be made on the best VTE RAM for patients undergoing aesthetic plastic surgery. This paper highlights the need for randomised controlled trials evaluating the various RAMs which are essential to support future recommendations and guidelines.

In this paper, for the first time the sequential rotation technique is implemented by applying four parasitic dielectric resonator (DR) elements to achieves a noticeable improvement of circular polarization (CP) purity. Specifically, the parasitic elements cancel the cross-pol E-field component and then the improvement of CP performance are achieved. In the proposed structure the main element is only excited and parasitic elements have no aperture coupling and feed network system. Therefore, it leads to reduced feed complexity and ohmic loss in MMW frequency. The measured low axial ratio bandwidth (AR

Background There is great uncertainty regarding the practice of immediate autologous breast reconstruction (IBR) when post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is indicated. Many plastic surgery units differ in their protocols, with some recommending delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) instead. Nevertheless, the cosmetic and psychosocial benefits offered by IBR are significant. The aim of this study was to comprehensively review and analyse existing literature to compare irradiated and unirradiated autologous flaps. Methods A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases was conducted in November 2020 for primary studies assessing outcomes of IBR with and without PMRT. Primary outcomes were the incidence of clinical complications, observer- and patient-reported outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed to obtain the pooled risk ratio of individual complications where possible. Results Twenty-one articles involving 3817 patients were included. Meta-analysis of pooled data demonstrated risk ratios for fat necrosis (RR=1.91, p

Aquaculture by-products have been of great interest for producing protein hydrolysates with multiple biological activities. The present experiment was carried out to evaluate dietary effects of a low-molecular fraction (10 kDa) from shrimp waste hydrolysate in forms of unprotected and nanocapsulated on growth and immunity of rainbow trout. Therefore, six diets were designed including a control diet (no supplementation), D1 (1 g kg

Objectives Several popular cardiovascular risk assessment tools have been developed in Western countries; however, the predictive abilities of these tools have not been evaluated in Middle Eastern countries. The present study aimed to determine the abilities of cardiovascular risk assessment tools in a population-based study in Northern Iran. Study design Population-based cohort study in Northern Iran. Methods In total, 2883 individuals (1629 men and 1254 women), aged 40–74 years, were included in the study. We determined the predictive abilities of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk prediction tool, the Framingham general cardiovascular risk profile in primary care settings, and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) equations for low- and high-risk European countries. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the predictive abilities of these four risk assessment tools. Results Based on areas under curve (AUC) values and related 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), the discriminative abilities of the ACC/AHA tool, the Framingham approach, and the SCORE for low- and high-risk European countries to estimate non-fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) events were 0.6625, 0.6517, 0.6476 and 0.6458, respectively, in men, and 0.7722, 0.7525, 0.7330 and 0.7331, respectively, in women. Moreover, the abilities of these four tools to estimate fatal CVD events were found to be 0.8614, 0.8329, 0.7996 and 0.7988 in men, and 0.8779, 0.8372, 0.8535 and 0.8518 in women, respectively. Conclusions The cardiovascular risk assessment tools investigated in this study showed acceptable predictive abilities in women. The ACC/AHA approach showed slightly better performance compared with the SCORE tool; however, the SCORE tool benefited from the lowest cost compared with all the other tools.

The use of Wide Awake Local Anaesthetic No Tourniquet (WALANT) amongst Plastic and Orthopaedic Hand Surgeons has been accelerated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated risks of general anaesthesia. Benefits of WALANT include a bloodless field, improved recovery, on-table testing, as well as cost and time savings. Whilst more clinical trials are underway to fully elucidate safety-profile and outcomes, there is a lack of consensus and clarity over contraindications to WALANT. A survey of trainees identified that only one-in-five were aware of the appropriate reversal agent in the event of inadequate perfusion. We feel that a WALANT checklist should be developed and implemented for use immediately prior to administration of local anaesthetic with adrenaline to an extremity, building on the successes of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Royal College of Anaesthetists checklists. Such a checklist should include contraindications to WALANT and make the operator aware of the availability, dose and location of Phentolamine as a reversal agent. Introducing this checklist will help to facilitate safer and more effective use of WALANT within Hand Surgery.

Editor’s notes: As sensor data processing, e.g., from video cameras, is becoming more compute intensive, it is also introducing higher sensor-to-actuator delays. This article studies cross-layer schemes that co-design a controller together with sensor data processing in a pipelined fashion on multicore embedded processors. –Samarjit Chakraborty, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

PurposeIn this research, the authors focus on mobile cloud computing (MCC) collaboration apps that are multiplatform and send the users’ data to the cloud. Despite their benefits, MCC collaboration apps raise privacy concerns, as the users’ information is sent to the cloud where users lack direct control. This study aims to investigate why users disclose information to MCC apps despite privacy concerns and examine the effect of security and assurance mechanisms (i.e. privacy policies and ISO/IEC 27018 certification) on users’ perceptions and information disclosure. Based on three surveys conducted in 2016 (n = 515), 2017 (n = 505) and 2018 (n = 543), this study finds mixed results regarding the relationships among security, assurance mechanisms, utilitarian benefits and information disclosure.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted three scenario-based surveys in the USA in 2016 (n = 515), 2017 (n = 505) and 2018 (n = 543).FindingsThis study finds mixed results of relationships among security, assurance mechanisms, utilitarian benefit and information disclosure.Originality/valueWith proliferation of MCC apps, the investigation of how users make privacy decision to disclose personal information to these apps is sparse. This study, for the first time, investigates whether the signals of assurance mechanism decrease users’ privacy concerns. This study also examines the interplay between security and privacy within information disclosure behavior. Finally, this study was conducted in 3 years to enhance the generalizability and robustness of findings.

Purpose To evaluate and compare the accuracy of axial versus coronal computerized tomography (CT) scan in detection of open globe injury. Method In this retrospective study, records of 61 patients with open and 72 patients with closed globe injury were reviewed. One experienced ophthalmologist and one neuroradiologist read the orbital CT scans and accuracy of the axial and coronal planes in detecting open globe injuries were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated and compared for axial and coronal planes. Result The most common CT finding reported by the readers through the interpretation chart was scleral irregularity (70%), followed by dislocation of the crystalline lens (54%) and vitreous hemorrhage (51%). The sensitivity of axial, coronal and combined CT planes were 74%, 65%, and 79%, respectively. There was no significant difference between axial and coronal CT scans for detecting open globe injuries (P value=0.075), independent of the type and the location of the globe injury. For posterior injuries and sharp trauma, the sensitivity of coronal plane in detecting open globe injury was significantly lower, compared to axial and combined readings (P value=0.012 and 0.015, respectively). There was a near perfect agreement between readers for all CT scan readings with a Kappa value of 0.9. Conclusion Axial CT reading may be as adequate as a multiplanar reading in detection of open globe injury in emergency setting, where timely diagnosis matters. Without clinical and surgical findings, CT cannot provide adequate accuracy for detecting open globe injuries.

BACKGROUND Scarring is an unfortunate result of acne because it causes the psychological and cosmetic problems for the patients. Unfortunately, no single treatment is suitable, and using multiple methods may have a better result. The autologous fat and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and their secretory factors can enhance the angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and migration of fibroblasts, therefore regenerate hurt tissues. Moreover, other treatments for acne scarring, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), induce the increase in scare. AIMS This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of transplantation of autologous fat, SVF cells, and PRP as cell therapy techniques on atrophic acne scars. PATIENTS/METHODS This study included 9 adult patients with atrophic acne scars on face. All patients received the transplantation of autologous fat, stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells, and PRP. The treatment outcome was measured by biometric assessment (VisioFace 1000 D, Colorimeter, multi-probe adapter Cutometer, Tewameter, Mexameter, and skin ultrasound imaging system), and also, the satisfaction of patients was evaluated. The patients were followed 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in the skin pores, spots, skin lightness and melanin content of skin, skin elasticity, and TEWL (transepidermal water loss) after 6 months of the treatment. Furthermore, denser skin layers were observed both in the epidermis and in the dermis. Moreover, 66.6% of patients showed good satisfaction after the treatment. CONCLUSION In brief, the transplantation of autologous fat, SVF cells, and PRP is an effective cell therapy for atrophic acne scars.

Purpose An increasing number of studies have reported a significant association between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation and pancreatic cancers. In the present study, we aimed to gather articles to evaluate the prognostic value of long non coding RNA in pancreatic cancer. Experimental design We systematically searched all eligible articles from databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to meta-analysis of published articles and screen association of multiple lncRNAs expression with clinicopathology and/or survival of pancreatic cancer. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to analysis of overall survival, disease-free survival and progression-free survival were measured with a fixed or random effects model. Results A total of 39 articles were included in the present meta-analysis. Our results showed that dysregulation of lncRNAs were linked to overall survival (39 studies, 4736 patients HR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.25 ± 0.58, random-effects in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, altered lncRNAs were also contributed to progression-free survival (8 studies, 1180 patients HR: 1.88, 95% CI (1.35–2.62) and disease-free survival (2 studies, 285 patients, HR: 6.07, 95% CI 1.28–28.78). In addition, our findings revealed the association between dysregulated RNAs and clinicopathological features in this type of cancer. Conclusions In conclusion, dysregulated lncRNAs could be served as promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

The paradigm of developing mobile apps has shifted from native apps that store data on mobile devices to mobile cloud computing (MCC) apps that send data to the cloud. Transferring users’ data to t...

BACKGROUND Feeling beautiful and staying young have always been important to the people. Therefore, an extensive body of research has focused on the efforts made to remove the skin problems, especially wrinkles. Fibroblast cells of the skin are the various autologous cells currently used in repairing several wounds, scars, and skin aging. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of the transplantation of the fibroblast cells in eliminating the facial wrinkles using the biometric assessment and to optimize the application of this technique in this treatment. METHODS The present study was conducted on 22 male and female patients aged between 35 and 60 years old. Samples were collected from the retro-auricular region, and the fibroblast cells were isolated and cultured. Subjects received three injections with autologous fibroblasts at 2-week intervals. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and structural changes in their wrinkles were assessed by the sonography and the VisioFace software, cutometer, tewameter, and colorimeter. RESULTS The results obtained using the VisioFace software showed the significant phenotypic changes in the patients after the nasolabial injections (81.42 ± 23.97 vs. 60.91 ± 21.91, p = 0.0001). The results showed a significant increase in the total skin density (13.73 ± 6.30 vs. 26.27 ± 7.93, p = 0.0001), dermis density (11.28 ± 5.21 vs. 31.88 ± 7.96, p = 0.0001), epidermis density (27.68 ± 23.15 vs. 49.21 ± 45.68, p = 0.046), and dermis thickness (798.09 ± 133.51 μm vs. 905.59 ± 240.67 μm, p = 0.036) compared to pre-treatment. CONCLUSION The findings of the study revealed that the injection of autologous fibroblasts can be effective in restoring the aging skin, especially in the nasolabial region, and can be used as a safe rejuvenating strategy.

Objectives: In Ireland, regularly reviewed Individual Care Plans (ICPs) for inpatients at all acute psychiatric inpatient units are a requirement of the Mental Health Act 2001. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated and compared opinions of key stakeholders in relation to the ICP as a care delivery tool. Methods: We employed a descriptive survey design. Questionnaires were distributed to 123 stakeholders (patients and mental health professionals (MHPs)) to evaluate and compare opinions regarding the impact of the ICP in relation to healthcare delivery and health outcomes, and regarding the structure and frequency of use of the ICP. Results: Ninety-eight stakeholders (80%) completed study questionnaires. Stakeholders (patients (58%) and MHPs (85%)) reported that the ICP assisted in healthcare delivery. However, different attitudes between groups were noted in relation to whether the ICP contributed towards healthcare outcomes, with 64% of patients, but only 41% of MHPs reporting that the ICP positively contributed to mental healthcare outcomes. Some free-text comments described patient dissatisfaction with the role of the ICP for healthcare delivery, and MHP dissatisfaction that the ICP was time-consuming and did not significantly enhance standard patient care. Conclusion: Whilst the implementation of the ICP is generally viewed positively by both patients and MHPs, considerable dissatisfaction by MHPs was also noted with certain aspects of how the ICP was delivered in practice. Practical adjustments to the implementation of ICP in order to build more positive stakeholder experiences appear warranted and worthy of further research.

Fibro-adipose vascular anomaly (FAVA) is a discrete type of vascular anomaly. We describe our experience managing FAVA at a tertiary level paediatric hospital and offer a treatment algorithm. Methods A retrospective review of 27 patients with proven FAVA was undertaken. All patients had undergone MRI and USS evaluation. Patient demographics, presenting concerns, treatment methods, and outcomes were recorded and evaluation with the paediatric outcomes data collection instrument (PODCI) completed a minimum of 12 months after definitive treatment. Results Mean age at presentation was 8.9 years (range: 9 m-17.4 y) and mean post-treatment follow-up was 7.4 y (range: 2 y-11.6 y). Twenty of 27 lesions affected the lower limb. Severe neurogenic-type pain was present in 23 cases and contractures across joints in 11 cases. Sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulphate was used in 11 cases, with no improvement in symptoms. Cryoablation provided pain relief in 3/4 cases, but contracture subsequently increased in one patient and pain recurred in another. Fourteen cases underwent surgery (four surgical excisions alone, 10 in combination with other procedures). Three patients required four further surgical procedures that include one amputation for intractable pain and poor function. PODCI evaluations suggest overall good function, with surgical management and interventional radiology that provide comparable results. Surgery did correct deformity. Conclusion If conservative measures or cryoablation fail to achieve symptomatic control, surgical excision should be considered, combined with adjunctive procedures, to correct contractures and balance muscle forces. Relief of pain may compensate for the loss of muscle mass and overall improves function. Multidisciplinary team working is essential.

Introduction Attitude is a factor affecting the behaviour of consumers. In the literature, the effect of health care consumer's attitude on making informal payments has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of Iranian patients regarding informal payments and socio-demographic factors associated with it.Methods In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2017 in Tehran, 450 patients who were admitted to the clinics of four public hospitals for post-surgical care and follow-up, were invited to participate in the study. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, which validity and reliability were confirmed. Cluster analysis was used to identify the main attitudinal groups. To investigate the effect of socio-demographic factors on patients' attitudes, generalized linear model regression analysis was carried out in SPSS 22.Results Our findings showed that 57.3% of patients had agreeing attitude, 24.2% indifferent attitude, and 18.4% opposing attitude toward informal payments. Patients from rural areas and those from the high-income group had higher odds of having an agreeing attitude. There was a significant association between informal payment history and attitude. The odds of having agreeing attitude among patients with a history of informal payment were two times higher than among patients who did not have an informal payment history (p

Microgrids are increasingly affected by volatile wind energy due to the high penetration of this kind of renewable energy sources. This study investigates the impact of wind energy uncertainty on voltage stability and energy management system (EMS) of isolated microgrids in the presence of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). A stochastic voltage stability constrained microgrid energy management system (SVSC-MEMS) architecture based on a coordinated unit commitment-optimal power flow (UC-OPF) methodology, which simultaneously considers the UC and OPF constraints, is proposed. The proposed model guarantees the system security from the voltage stability standpoint, considering a specific loading margin. Besides, the role of PEVs in the microgrid EMS is examined. In order to validate the performance of the introduced SVSC-MEMS, a CIGRE benchmark test system is used. The numerical results, obtained from the implementation of the proposed model in the general algebraic modeling system (GAMS) environment, demonstrate the importance of voltage stability and wind power uncertainty on the microgrid EMS, and furthermore, the key role of PEVs in the emerging microgrids.

Background: The lack of specialist physicians is a major concern in developing countries, especially in deprived cities. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the predictive variables of the turnover intention of physicians working in an undeveloped and deprived city in Iran. Methods: Participants were 100 physicians working at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The data were collected using a standard questionnaire of Turnover Intention, Interpersonal Conflict, Work-Family Conflict, Work Overload, and Organizational Support scales. We proposed a hybrid methodology to identify factors influencing turnover intention, which combines clustering and classification methods. RStudio 1.1, SPSS Clementine 12, and SPSS 22 programs were used for data analysis. After data clustering, we made a CART decision tree model for each cluster and used the variable importance feature of SPSS Clementine to discover the factors influencing turnover intention in each cluster. Results: We found two significant clusters of physicians’ turnover intention. In both clusters, interpersonal conflict (work ambiguity and work conflict) was the most important predictor of physician turnover intention, but physicians in the first cluster compared to the second had a higher turnover intention. In cluster 1, work overload, organizational support, and work-family conflict were respectively the predictors of physician turnover intention and in cluster 2, organizational support, work-family conflict, and final work overload were respectively the predictors of physician turnover intention. Conclusion: Cultural differences and the resulting interpersonal conflicts are the most important predictors of physician turnover intention in deprived areas. Turnover intention predictions of physicians with a longer work experience are different from that of others, and human resource managers must implement appropriate strategies to keep physicians in the deprived areas.

BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed the presence of resistant-associated substitutions (RASs). The aim of the present study was to carry out a follow-up of patients with baseline RASs to report the impact of RASs on DAA therapy outcome. METHODS: In a cohort study, we analyzed NS5A and NS5B RASs among nine thalassemia cases by baseline RASs. In a 2-year follow-up, we analyzed viral markers and biochemical and hematological parameters of the participants and their sustained virologic response (SVR). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: RASs for HCV subtype 1a included M28V, L31M, and H58P. For subtype 1b: L28M, R30Q, S24F, and C316N. And for subtype 3a: C316S, and S24F. In patients with cirrhosis (n=5), ALT ( p =0.001) and AST ( p =0.007) levels were significantly reduced after treatment, and creatinine level slightly increased ( p =0.025). However, no significant data was observed in non-cirrhotic patients following the treatment. CONCLUSION: The present study did not show any adverse effects of DAA therapy among patients with thalassemia suffering from chronic HCV infection with baseline RASs. Furthermore, reduction in ferritin and liver stiffness levels after DAA therapy could show the efficacy of DAA in such patients.

Introduction: Fingolimod is the first confirmed oral immune-modulator to treat Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of fingolimod therapy in Iranian patients with RRMS. Methods: In our trial, 50 patients resistant to conventional interferon therapy were assigned to receive fingolimod 0.5 mg per day for 12 months. The number of Dadolinium (Gd)-enhanced lesions, enlarged T2 lesions, and relapses over 12 months were considered as endpoints and compared to baseline. Liver biochemical evaluations and lymphocyte count were done at baseline and in months 3, 6, and 12 of the study. Patients were also monitored for possible cardiovascular events within the first 24 h and other side effects routinely. Results: Among the patients who completed the trial, the number of Gd-enhanced and enlarged T2 lesions over 12 months significantly decreased (P=0.03 and P

Treatment of the periorbital dark circles (PDCs) is a current challenge, with most treatment methods failing to yield promising results. The effectiveness of two common methods for periorbital dark circle treatment was compared in 28 patients with PDC. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of equal numbers: the first group received carboxy therapy, and the second group fractional 10,64 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. In the carboxy therapy group, the treatment was performed six times, with 1-week intervals between sessions. In the group treated by Nd:YAG laser, the treatment was conducted in four sessions, with 1-month intervals between sessions. The results were evaluated through biometric evaluation, scoring on the visual analog scale (VAS) by both physicians and patients, and patients' satisfaction. Side effects of the treatments were also evaluated. The results showed that both carboxy therapy and Nd:YAG laser are effective in the treatment of periorbital dark circles, but carboxy therapy is significantly more effective. An increase in the skin lightness and a decrease in the melanin content of the periorbital skin was observed in the group receiving carboxy therapy, and these changes were more pronounced in this group compared to the group of Nd:YAG laser. In addition, side effects, such as erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, were less in carboxy therapy than in Nd:YAG laser. Furthermore, the procedure was less expensive and easier to perform compared to Nd:YAG laser. Carboxy therapy is significantly more effective than Nd:YAG laser in PDC treatment.Trial registration: IRCT20080901001159N24.

The burden of cancer continues to increase in society and negatively impacts the lives of numerous patients. Due to the high cost of current treatment strategies, there is a crucial unmet need to develop inexpensive preclinical platforms to accelerate the process of anti-cancer drug discovery to improve outcomes in cancer patients, most especially in female patients. Many current methods employ expensive animal models which not only present ethical concerns but also do not often accurately predict human physiology and the outcomes of anti-cancer drug responsiveness. Conventional treatment approaches for cancer generally include systemic therapy after a surgical procedure. Although this treatment technique is effective, the outcome is not always positive due to various complex factors such as intratumor heterogeneity and confounding factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Patients who develop metastatic disease still have poor prognosis. To that end, recent efforts have attempted to use 3D microengineered platforms to enhance the predictive power and efficacy of anti-cancer drug screening, ultimately to develop personalized therapies. Fascinating features of microengineered assays, such as microfluidics, have led to the advancement in the development of the tumor-on-chip technology platforms, which have shown tremendous potential for meaningful and physiologically relevant anti-cancer drug discovery and screening. Three dimensional microscale models provide unprecedented ability to unveil the biological complexities of cancer and shed light into the mechanism of anti-cancer drug resistance in a timely and resource efficient manner. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of microengineered tumor models for anti-cancer drug discovery and screening in female-related cancers. We specifically focus on female-related cancers to draw attention to the various approaches being taken to improve the survival rate of women diagnosed with cancers caused by sex disparities. We also briefly discuss other cancer types like colon adenocarcinomas and glioblastoma due to their high rate of occurrence in females, as well as the high likelihood of sex-biased mutations which complicate current treatment strategies for women. We highlight recent advances in the development of 3D microscale platforms including 3D tumor spheroids, microfluidic platforms as well as bioprinted models, and discuss how they have been utilized to address major challenges in the process of drug discovery, such as chemoresistance, intratumor heterogeneity, drug toxicity, etc. We also present the potential of these platform technologies for use in high-throughput drug screening approaches as a replacements of conventional assays. Within each section, we will provide our perspectives on advantages of the discussed platform technologies.

Congenital goiter (CG) is one of the rarest disorders observed in a newborn at birth diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Considering the simultaneity of pregnancy and baby's hypothyroidism at birth, the goiter can be caused by diabetes during pregnancy and hypothyroidism emergence in the baby.

Background: For many years, Canal Wall Down (CWD) tympanomastoidectomy has been the gold standard for treatment of cholesteatoma; however, this method has long-term complications for the patients. The Intact Canal Wall (ICW) tympanomastoidectomy has relatively lower complications, but access to the middle-ear recesses is difficult in this method. Therefore, endoscopy is used to visualize the underexposed recesses. Objective: This study aims to compare the incidence of residual cholesteatoma using the two methods of CWD and endoscopic-assisted ICW. Materials and Methods: In this prospective randomized clinical trial, participants were 40 patients with cholesteatoma in the middle ear and mastoid who were candidates for tympanomastoidectomy. They were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, ICW was performed with endoscopic assisted visualization, while in the second group, conventional CWD technique was performed without ossicular reconstruction. All the patients were microscopically examined at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. Revision middle ear surgery and possible ossicular reconstruction under local anesthesia were performed one year after the surgery. The presence of cholesteatoma pearl in the middle-ear, evaluated by using a 2.7mm 30° endoscope, was recorded as the sign of residual cholesteatoma. Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Significance level for the tests was set at 5%. Results: The incidence of residual cholesteatoma was not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05). In each group, 20% (n=4) had residual cholesteatoma. The difference in time interval from the first to second surgery was not statistically significant between the study groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Endoscopic-assisted ICW tympanomastoidectomy is comparable with CWD tympanomastoidectomy in eradication of cholesteatoma, having possibly fewer complications. It is recommended that more studies be conducted with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period.

Gut microbiota composition is unique in every individual, it impacts on organ functions that produce hormones. Gut microbiota composition balance is directly related to our general health status. This continual interaction between gut microbiota and endocrine organs sometimes can be considered as the etiology of diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid diseases. Microbiota is introduced for a total collection of microbial organisms in our bodies and microbiome referred for their genome and their collective functions. Near 100 trillion microorganisms live in our body and almost all of them occupy the human gut gastrointestinal tract. Precision medicine can play a crucial role in health maintenance by affecting gut microbiota composition in every individual. It can also develop special treatments specifically for every individual. In this review, we addressed any correlation between gut microbiota and endocrine disorders including T2DM, obesity, PCOS, thyroid disorders and osteoporosis.

A concurrently dual-polarized, simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) antenna system with high transmit (TX)-receive (RX) isolation is presented. The STAR antenna consists of four dual-polarized patches, two for TX and two for RX. The radiators are fed using a network consisting of four 90° hybrids and four 180° hybrids. The input ports of the feed network constitute the inputs/outputs of the STAR antenna system. The system supports concurrent transmission and reception of waves with both right- and left-hand circular polarization. Due to the phase cancellation and geometrical symmetry of the antenna, the TX/RX coupling between ports with the same polarization is canceled using the feed network. In addition, four right-angle slots are inserted in the ground plane and a cross-shaped, high-impedance surface is inserted between the radiating patches to further suppress the coupling between the differently polarized TX and RX ports. Simulation and measurement results of a fabricated prototype show good agreement and demonstrate TX/RX isolation levels greater than 38 dB for all polarization combinations over a 6.5% bandwidth (6.0–6.4 GHz). Moreover, the fabricated prototype provides broadside axial ratios below 2.5 dB and realized gains above 7.8 dBic for all TX and RX modes, demonstrating good, concurrent-dual-polarization performance.

PurposeThis study examines Iran-US migrants' use of the most popular messaging application in Iran—Telegram—and shows how they use it to manage their migration information practices.Design/methodology/approachThis study took a qualitative observation approach. Over the course of six months, over 80 h of observations were conducted on Iran-US migration-related settings within Telegram.FindingsThis work identifies the information practices that emerge as users seek and share information related to Iran-US migration. Telegram plays a vital role across the immigration stages, predominantly in the pre-migration stage. This work also shows how the constraints and features of Telegram influence users' information sharing and seeking practices.Practical implicationsThe findings support the implication that a social media platform that provides multiple ways to interact is likely to better support niche or unanticipated uses.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to explore Iranian Immigrants information practices in the US. The immigration information practices observed during this study represent a valuable example of end-user appropriation within extraordinary constraints, which may be of use in other information-seeking contexts where dedicated or bespoke tools are impractical or ill-advised.

The literature on information systems development appears to be fragmented into three main categories: one that uses a knowledge management perspective, another one that considers social aspects of...

To evaluate the effect of systemic erythropoietin, as well as oral steroids, in the management of recent-onset non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Patients diagnosed with NAION within 5 days were randomized into group A (systemic erythropoietin), group B (oral steroids), and group C (control). Group A received 10,000 units of erythropoietin twice a day for 3 days. Group B received oral prednisone 75 mg daily tapered off in 6 weeks. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (± SD) at the time of presentation was 1 ± 0.56, 1.01 ± 0.6, and 0.94 ± 0.47 logMAR in groups A, B, and C, respectively (P = 0.140); corresponding values at 6-month follow-up were 0.70 ± 0.44, 0.73 ± 0.35, and 0.75 ± 0.39 logMAR, respectively (P = 0.597). Fifty-five percent of patients in group A versus 34.3% in group B and 31.2% in group C had an improvement of at least 3 lines in the best-corrected visual acuity values at the 6th month of follow-up visit (P = 0.04). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layers at presentation were 189 ± 58, 193 ± 64, and 199 ± 62 micrometers, respectively (P = 0.779), which decreased to 88 ± 12, 74 ± 25, and 71 ± 18, respectively at 6-month follow-up (P = 0.041). The findings of our study indicate the beneficial effects of systemic erythropoietin in preserving the function and structure of the optic nerve in recent-onset NAION. Clinical registration number: IR.SBMU.ORC.REC.1397.18

In this article, a novel structure is proposed for the realization of cavity section in the printed gap waveguide (PGW) technology. For the proof of the concept, a multilayer cavity-backed slot antenna element is designed and fabricated so that its performance can be compared to the devices in the literature made by printed circuit board (PCB) technology and also by metal parts using the CNC machine. The proposed structure benefits from the advantages of efficient, low cost, simplified fabrication process, lightweight, and high aperture efficiency compared to common cavity-backed antennas. To manage the available space, the feed is connected to the antenna cavity from the underneath using a coupling aperture. The proposed configuration simplifies the integration of accessory devices in antenna arrays, such as feed networks, phase shifters, and amplifiers. Also, the separation of feed network from the radiation slot section prevents any unwanted radiation. Using the mode analysis, four slots were implemented in the proposed cavity to achieve four equivalent magnetic surface currents with identical phase and magnitude. The antenna operating frequency is 16 GHz, the realized antenna radiation and aperture efficiencies are over 92% and 81.6%, respectively, and its achieved gain is 12 dBi.

Background This systematic review aims to study the effectiveness of 5‐fluorouracil (5FU) in the reduction of tendon adhesions postsurgical repair. Method A systematic review was performed involving four databases, Cochrane, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase, looking for evidence of at least Level I or Level II (according to NHMRC) in the use of 5FU in tendon repairs in human or animal studies. Results Across the four databases 546 articles were identified. Of these 12 were identified as relevant, with a further two being excluded after in depth review. Conclusions Nine of the 10 studies showed that 5FU was effective at reducing tendon adhesions in their respective animal studies. One of the 10 studies showed no significant change compared to the control group.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are widely ubiquitous in nature. In addition, they are opportunistic pathogens for humans and the common cause of nosocomial infections. Objective: Due to the increased antibiotic resistance in the treatment of nosocomial infections, this study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii in the pediatrics intensive care unit (PICU). Materials and Methods: Totally, 280 clinical samples from PICU patients were evaluated in this study. The samples were examined for P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii using standard microbiological methods. Finally, the Epsilometer test method was performed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of these bacteria. Results: The results revealed a total of 21 isolates (7.5%) of P. aeruginosa and 11 isolates (3.9%) of A. baumannii. P. aeruginosa isolates showed the highest susceptibility to colistin (85.7%) and gentamicin (66.7%) while A. baumannii isolates were more susceptible to colistin (100%), ceftazidime (54.5%), and amikacin (45.5%), respectively. Conclusion: Due to the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates in the recent study, colistin and gentamicin are recommended for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections and colistin, ceftazidime, and amikacin are suggested for A. baumannii infections.

Distributed energy resources (DERs) and distribution network reconfiguration have considerable effects on both the economic and operational performance of distribution networks. However, the uncertain nature of renewable energy sources (RESs), wind energy, for instance, can bring about serious challenges to the distribution system operators and distribution companies (DisCos). Therefore, a suitable methodology is a matter of the utmost importance to handle the uncertainty of RESs. In addition, DisCos can benefit from the utilisation of energy storage technologies to increase the penetration of RESs into the system. In this regard, this study proposes a risk-averse energy management strategy (RA-EMS) in the presence of DERs, while the impact of uncertainties of RESs on the optimal configuration of the network is investigated. The uncertainty of RESs is modelled through the information gap decision theory, which has significant advantages such as low computational burden, no need for probability density function, and exact results compared to other methodologies for uncertainty handling. The proposed RA-EMS model is implemented on the IEEE 33-bus distribution system, and its superiority over the scenario-based stochastic programming is demonstrated. The robust configuration of the system against RESs' uncertainty is obtained for different levels of uncertainty radius.

Cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI), persist as the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The limited regenerative capacity of the myocardium presents significant challenges specifically for the treatment of MI and, subsequently, heart failure (HF). Traditional therapeutic approaches mainly rely on limiting the induced damage or the stress on the remaining viable myocardium through pharmacological regulation of remodeling mechanisms, rather than replacement or regeneration of the injured tissue. The emerging alternative regenerative medicine-based approaches have focused on restoring the damaged myocardial tissue with newly engineered functional and bioinspired tissue units. Cardiac regenerative medicine approaches can be broadly categorized into three groups: cell-based therapies, scaffold-based cardiac tissue engineering, and scaffold-free cardiac tissue engineering. Despite significant advancements, however, the clinical translation of these approaches has been critically hindered by two key obstacles for successful structural and functional replacement of the damaged myocardium, namely: poor engraftment of engineered tissue into the damaged cardiac muscle and weak electromechanical coupling of transplanted cells with the native tissue. To that end, the integration of micro- and nanoscale technologies along with recent advancements in stem cell technologies have opened new avenues for engineering of structurally mature and highly functional scaffold-based (SB-CMTs) and scaffold-free cardiac microtissues (SF-CMTs) with enhanced cellular organization and electromechanical coupling for the treatment of MI and HF. In this review article, we will present the state-of-the-art approaches and recent advancements in the engineering of SF-CMTs for myocardial repair.

Background: Explaining the factors affecting supportive needs of patients under hemodialysis seems to be essential to supply their needs. Also, it can help healthcare providers to make favorite decisions about care planning to improve the patients' quality of life. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the factors affecting supportive needs in hemodialysis patients using a literature review. Methods: This literature review was carried out in PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, SID, Magiran, and Iranmedex. Data based were searched from 2000 to 2018 using the keywords of "Need", "Supportive Need", and "Hemodialysis". In a total of 239 full texts of published articles, 12 such relevant articles were selected. Results: The finding showed that the factors affecting the supportive need of patients can be categorised into two: internal and external factors. Internal factors consist of patient-related factors, disease-related factors, and treatment-related factors. External factors consist of personal living circumstances, health system-related factors and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion: By explaining the factors affecting supportive need in hemodialysis patients, it may help clinicians and researchers to identify the patients' need, developing an appropriate questionnaire, and implementing suitable intervention. As a result, it can improve their quality of life.

One of the most critical challenges in the distillation process to reach a pure component is the azeotropic point. Usually, extractive distillation is used to purify the compounds around the azeotropic point. In this paper, a heat pump assisted extractive divided column (E-DWC) is proposed, designed and simulated to produce ultra-pure ethanol around its azeotropic point. The performance of this technique is compared with the conventional extractive distillation at the same operating conditions. The results show the proposed technique is more efficient than the conventional extractive distillation in the energy aspect. The cooling, heating and total required energies in heat pump assisted E-DWC are 19.24%, 38.61% and 18.77% less than extractive distillation, respectively. The sensitivity analysis shows that the heat pump assisted E-DWC process is more stable than extractive distillation and E-DWC processes. The economic performance also shows that the total annual cost will be reduced by 10.42% if heat pump assisted E-DWC is used.

Global electric vehicles (EVs) fleet is expanding at a rapid pace. Considering the uncertain driving pattern of EVs, they are dynamic consumers of electricity and their integration can give rise to operational problems and jeopardize the security of the power system. Under such circumstances, the implementation of demand-side response (DSR) programs is more likely to be an effective solution for reducing the risks of load curtailment or security problems. This study proposes a voltage stability constrained DSR-coordinated planning model for increasing the penetration level of EVs in a distribution system consisting of photovoltaics (PVs), wind turbines (WTs) and responsive loads. The uncertainties of PV/WT generation, the driving pattern of EVs, and load demand are modeled by an improved form of information gap decision theory (IGDT), hereafter called weighted IGDT (WIGDT). Due to the fact that the proposed model is nonlinear and non-convex, a linearization technique is adopted and the proposed model is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), solved using the general algebraic modeling system (GAMS) software. The standard 33-bus distribution test system and a real-world smart distribution network, based in the Isle of Wight in the UK, are used to evaluate the performance of the model.

In this retrospective, single-center study, the records of patients with acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections during the pre-COVID and COVID-19 eras were reviewed and compared. A total of 28,085 IVB injections were performed during the pre-COVID era; nine eyes of nine patients developed acute post-IVB endophthalmitis in this era, giving an overall incidence of 0.032% (3.2 in 10000 injections). In the COVID era, a total of 10,717 IVB injections were performed; four eyes of four patients developed acute post IVB endophthalmitis in this era, giving an overall incidence of 0.037% (3.7 in 10000 injections). The incidences of post-IVB endophthalmitis during these two eras were not different (P-value = 0.779). The BCVA of the eyes affected during the COVID era showed poor improvement back to baseline values, after three months, even with prompt and maximum treatment. Face masking protocols seem unlikely to increase the risk of post-IVB endophthalmitis.

Optic disc pits are rare and congenital or acquired anomalies of the optic disc, usually remaining asymptomatic. However, serous macular detachment or optic disc maculopathy is the most common complication, causing significant visual deterioration, without a current consensus about treatment. A 55-year-old woman with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension was referred for an abnormal finding in the retina. The Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (CDVA) was 20/40 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. Marcus-Gunn was negative and Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed no pathologic findings in both eyes. Funduscopic examination showed an excavation in the inferotemporal part of the Optic Nerve Head (ONH) with serous macular detachment extending to the optic disc. Based on clinical examination and paraclinical imaging fluorescein Angiogeraphy (FAG) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), optic pit maculopathy was diagnosed and the patient underwent Juxtapapillary Laser Photocoagulation (JLP). After 2 years of follow-up, there were anatomical and functional improvements.

COVID-19 infection may affect the individuals with many underlying conditions including skin diseases. This cross-sectional study was conducted to provide an overview regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 disease in the patients with several skin diseases. Overall, 703 patients with several skin diseases participated in the study and completed our online-designed questionnaire. Among the total participants, only 32(4.6%) subjects reported the COVID-19 infection. The prevalence rate was equal to 0.04%. In the patients with psoriasis, 14 out of 322 people (4.3%) developed the COVID-19. Three out of 159 patients (1.9%) with alopecia areata had been affected with the COVID-19 and 4 (5.2%) patients with vitiligo had caught the disease. Only one subject (2%) with the lichen planus, and 6 (6.8%) patients with other skin diseases had developed the COVID-19 but in the patients with GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease), 4 (80%) out of 5 patients had caught the COVID-19 disease. The frequency of COVID-19 infection was low in the studied population however; more studies with larger sample size are needed to determine the exact prevalence of the infection in the patients with skin diseases undergoing the treatment with several systemic medications.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of suitable distance due to prevent the impact between two irregular adjacent buildings when earthquake is caused to occur large lateral displacement and damage the elements of buildings. For this purpose, by using a mathematical program based on neural network, the number of stories, the period and height of investigated models, PGD, PGV and PGA of earthquake records are defined and the nonlinear lateral displacements of different structures are determined in order to use in the program. Thus, the results of displacements based on all inputs are listed and the minimum critical distance is approximately estimated based on especial regression. For instance, a 3-4 story model is numerically investigated by Tabas earthquake record, which is suggested to provide required gap size about 70 cm. In fact, each model has to observe a 35 cm gap. A newly developed program based on mathematical equations are applied for determining the lateral displacements of each story. A new mathematical formula is proposed by neural network, which shows the least distance between irregular adjacent buildings. For investigating the accuracy of formula, two different ways are performed and the results of analyses confirm suggested equation. For this challenge, a 2-4 story model is considered and three different critical distances are calculated to be 59, 62 and 75 cm which show the last gap size is able to provide safety gap size, determined by suggested formula.

New advances in small-scale generation and consumption technologies have shifted conventional buildings’ functionality towards energy-efficient active buildings (ABs). Such developments drew the attention of researchers all around the world, resulting in a variety of publications, including several review papers. This study conducts a systematic literature review so as to analyse the concepts/factors enabling active participation of buildings in the energy networks. To do so, a relatively large number of publications devoted to the subject are identified, introducing the taxonomy of control and optimisation methods for the ABs. Then, a study selection methodology is proposed to nominate potential literature that has investigated the role of ABs in the energy networks. The modelling approaches in enabling flexible ABs are identified, while the potential challenges have been highlighted. Furthermore, the citation network of included papers is illustrated by Gephi software and analysed using “ForceAtlas2” and “Yifan Hu Proportional” algorithms so as to analyse the insights and possibilities for future developments. The survey results provide a clear answer to the research question around the potential flexibility that can be offered by ABs to the energy grids, and highlights possible prospective research plans, serving as a guide to research and industry.

Background: Due to widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, identification of its risk factors and clinical characteristics are important. The aim of the present study was to assess Vitamin D levels in individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-19 infection and to report on its potential as a predictive marker. Materials and Methods: All patients, diagnosed with COVID-19 infection from February 16 to March 21, 2020, and referred to Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled in this study. Vitamin D analysis was undertaken on patient serum samples using a commercial kit (Pars Azmoon Co., Tehran, Iran). SPSS v. 22 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Vitamin D serum concentration was analyzed in a total of 317 patients whose mean age ± standard deviation was 62.05 ± 15 years and with 62.5% being male. A significant association of Vitamin D level and death was observed. Higher levels of serum Vitamin D had protection against death (odds ratio = 0.955 [95% confidence interval = 0.923–0.988], P = 0.008). Conclusion: As a preliminary study in the Iranian population who suffered COVID-19 disease, we identified that Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher death rate and intensive care unit admission.