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Broiler chickens experience an acute-phase response (APR) through vaccination, which reflects the innate immunity and stress related to immunization. It is also considered that APR can modulate adaptive immunity and response to infection. As biomarkers for APR, assessing the acute-phase proteins (APPs) function and their levels in response to immunization is of great value for vaccine design, development and administration. In this study, the heterophils/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and the level of APPs was evaluated in broilers with three different Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination regimens. Inactivated ND vaccine (IND) was administered by the intramuscular route. Live attenuated strains, Lasota and Vitapest, was administered by ocular routes. H/L ratio, serum amyloid A (SAA) and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) were measured before and after two rounds of vaccination on days 10 and 21. In a comparison between the three vaccines, H/L ratio in IND group significantly increased to 3 fold (1.48 ± 0.41) after the first vaccination while the Lasota and Vitapest showed a milder response. The concentration of SAA increased after 24h by 1.8-fold in IND group (0.116 ± 0.015 mg/L) and 2-fold in Lasota group (0.14 ± 0.002 mg/L). Significant changes were found in Vitapest group after 48h post vaccination (0.113 ± 0.016 mg/L). Elevation pattern of AGP, 24 hours after first vaccination in IND (3.5-fold) and Vitapest (2.5-fold) was different from Lasota in which the peak was reached after 48 hours (2.9-fold). Except for IND group, no significant changes in SAA and AGP concentrations were detected after the second vaccination. A significant positive correlation between SAA values at day 22 and HI titers at day 28 (r = 0.998, P≤0. 0.005) was found. According to these results, different types of ND vaccines can cause different patterns of acute phase responses. Assessment of stress and level of acute-phase proteins can be used for prediction of immune response outcomes in vaccine design and development.

As a pharmaceutical component, gum Cordia has been applied to improve crop resistance against many diseases. A large amount of gum appears around the fruit after soaking in an aqueous system. The mucilage possesses outstanding technofunctional properties as an emulsifier, thickening agent, and binding and stabilizing component in food and drug industries. The backbone of gum Cordia is composed of (1-2)-linked L-arabinofuranosyl and (1–6)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues. This manuscript reviews the technofunctional properties and applications of gum Cordia in food systems. Particularly, our focus has been given to its application as a natural source for the formation of edible films and coatings for increasing the shelf life of food products and for the food preservation as a potential ingredient in formulation. The future research perspectives are also highlighted.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases affecting quality of life and adherence to treatment. This study aimed at assessing the impacts of an educational program based on the Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Enabling Factors (BASNEF) Model on quality of life and adherence to treatment in patients with MI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on eighty patients with MI admitted to hospitals affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2019, which were selected by the convenience sampling and then randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a BASNEF model-based educational-supportive intervention including three 45-min training sessions and three months' follow-up individually for each participant. Data were collected by Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI)-Cardiac Version, Modanloo Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire (MATQ) and questionnaire modified based on BASNEF model constructs. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version. 22 software using the descriptive and analytical statistical test. RESULTS: The total score of the MATQ and its subscales had significantly improved in the intervention group after the intervention (P < 0.001). The total score of the QLI and its subscales had significantly improved in the intervention group after the intervention (P < 0.001) In addition, the mean scores of the model constructs had significantly improved after the intervention in the intervention group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that applying BASNEF model-based educational interventions can lead to improved quality of life and adherence to treatment in the patients with MI. Therefore, this model can be used to reduce the complications of MI.

Inadequacy of most animal models for drug efficacy assessments has led to the development of improved in vitro models capable of mimicking in vivo exposure scenarios. Among others, 3D multicellular spheroid technology is considered to be one of the promising alternatives in the pharmaceutical drug discovery process. In addition to its physiological relevance, this method fulfills high-throughput and low-cost requirements for preclinical cell-based assays. Despite the increasing applications of spheroid technology in pharmaceutical screening, its application, in nanotoxicity testing is still in its infancy due to the limited penetration and uptake rates into 3D-cell assemblies. To gain a better understanding of gold nanowires (AuNWs) interactions with 3D spheroids, a comparative study of 2D monolayer cultures and 3D multicellular spheroids was conducted using two lung cancer cell lines (A549 and PC9). Cell apoptosis (live/dead assay), metabolic activity, and spheroid integrity were evaluated following exposure to AuNWs at different dose-time manners. Results revealed a distinct different cellular response between 2D and 3D cell cultures during AuNWs treatment including metabolic rates, cell viability, dose–response curves and, uptake rates. Our data also highlighted further need for more physiologically relevant tissue models to investigate in depth nanomaterial–biology interactions. It is important to note that higher concentrations of AuNWs with lower exposure times and lower concentrations of AuNWs with higher exposure times of 3 days resulted in the loss of spheroid integrity by disrupting cell–cell contacts. These findings could help to increase the understanding of AuNWs-induced toxicity on tissue levels and also contribute to the establishment of new analytical approaches for toxicological and drug screening studies.

Summary: Purpose: The aim of this study was to explain the experiences of Iranian nursing students regarding their clinical learning environment (CLE). Methods: Twenty-one nursing students participated in this qualitative study. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Analysis of interviews identified six categories: educational confusion, absence of evaluation procedures, limited educational opportunities, inappropriate interactions with nursing staff, bullying culture, and discrimination. Systematic and consistent methods were not used in clinical education and evaluation of nursing students. In addition, there were inadequate interactions between nursing students and health-care staff, and most students experienced discrimination and bullying in clinical settings. Conclusion: Findings showed that the CLE of Iranian nursing students may be inadequate for high-level learning and safe and effective teaching. Addressing these challenges will require academic and practice partnerships to examine the systems affecting the CLE, and areas to be addressed are described in the six themes identified. Keywords: education, nursing, Iran, qualitative research, students, nursing

Objectives The present study aimed to examine the meaning in life and well-being of young, middle-aged, and older adults. Methods & Materials In this research, a total of 215 participants including 84 young (aged 17-25 years), 59 middle-aged (aged 26-46 years), and 72 older adults (aged 65-80 years) were selected from Tehran city via purposive sampling. The instruments used in this study consisted of the meaning of life questionnaire and Ryffs Scales of Psychological Well-being. Results The results of Mancova analyses showed significant differences between the three age groups. The older people had the most ability in the meaning in life, self-acceptance, positive relation with others, personal growth and purpose in life. Conclusion Research findings indicate that age affects the meaning in life and well- being. So, elderly can be known as a self-awareness, development and relaxation.

Introduction: Radiation exposure during radiological examination is a health concern, of which radiology professionals should be cognizant. We sought to evaluate the radiation protection knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) amongst radiology staff of hospitals across 10 provinces of Iran. Materials and Methods: For evaluating the level of radiation protection KAP, 553 radiology staff were enrolled. A 32-item questionnaire was designed to assess radiation protection KAP, the validity which was confirmed by members of the Medical Physics and Biostatistics departments. The questionnaire evaluated the respondents' knowledge, practice, and attitudes towards the basic principles of radiation protection, the necessity of using protective equipment, and their performance in the implementation of radiation protection recommendations. Results: We found no significant difference in the level of radiation protection KAP between male and female radiology staff and among those with different educational levels and ages (P>0.05). However, there was a significant association between radiation protection KAP and working experience, hospital size, and hospital type (P0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that the level of radiation protection KAP among radiology staff is inadequate. This might be due to the lack of ongoing training courses concerning protection against ionizing radiation. Thus, sustained training of radiation protection principles can promote KAP among the staff of radiology departments, and in turn, reduce public dose from medical diagnostic modalities.

Objective The treatment of autism, a long-term developmental neurological disorder, is controversial. Because of the increasing trend and the lack of a known cause in this area, the treatment is complicated; obscure development of the disorder is a fundamental issue for the parents of these children. Due to the nature of the disorder and involvement of long durations of treatment, various therapeutic methods are used. In addition to the present treatments, a cost-effective and effective treatment is nature therapy (Eco therapy). Therefore, we decided to study the effectiveness of family-centered nature therapy on children with autism spectrum disorder. Materials & Methods A quasi-experimental (pre-test/post-test) study was conducted involving children with autism spectrum disorder (3-7 years old) who were referred to Tehran’s rehabilitation and therapeutic centers. Fourteen children with autism spectrum disorder were selected by an available sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In each group, 7 children (6 boys and 1 girl) were placed. Ten therapeutic sessions were conducted in 3 months in the summer of 2017; each session was held for 3 hours (9 am to 12 pm) in the Nature School of Savan (located in Chitgar Forest Park) with the obligatory presence of parents (parents or at least one of them). To collect data, the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Nature Therapy programs (based on the theoretical framework and relevant research findings) were used. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) consisting of four parts, speech / language / communication, socialization, sensory / cognitive awareness, and health / physical / behavior were scrutinized three times, i.e., before the start of the session, 10 days after the last session of education and three months after the last training session. Each family was followed up by the other families. The variables studied in this study were, family-centered nature therapy (independent variable) and autism spectrum disorder syndrome (dependent variable). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum scores) and inferential methods (Leven test to assess the assumption of the equation of error variances, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to examine the normal distribution of covariance analysis and to investigate the effect of test conditions on the dependent variable of the groups). Results The results showed that the average score of the post-test for Autism Treatment increased in the experimental group (172.3±5.11) compared with the post-test for control (1.151±10.24), which was statistically significant. This showed that the nature therapy program brought an improvement in children with autism spectrum disorder. Also, the average follow-up scores (after 3 months) of the experimental group (173.91±12.02) indicated the efficacy of treatment. The results of covariance analysis indicated that the calculated F value (F=21.91) was highly significant (P

Rock structures are subjected to cyclic tension-compression loading due to a blasting, earthquake, traffic and injection-production in underground storage case. Therefore study the fatigue behavior of rock samples under this type of loading is required. In this study, the accumulated fatigue damage for a Green Onyx rock sample which consisted of only one mineral composition with two-step high-low sequences of loading levels was investigated under completely reversed loading condition. New apparatus based on the R.R. Moore fatigue test machine is designed to assess this type of loading. A comparison between the predicted behavior of Linear Damage Rule and experimental data was conducted and a new damage model was proposed based on the experimental observation. The results showed a good agreement between the proposed damage model and experimental data.

Abstract Background: Sericin, because of its ability to remove free radicals and its antioxidant properties, has been used to successfully cryopreserve various mammalian cell types. However, the effects of sericin on cryopreservation of mouse sperm has not been reported. Objective: The current study intended to determine the protective role of different concentrations of sericin (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75%) on mouse spermatozoa during cryopreservation, in addition to its effect on in vitro fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Materials and Methods: Mouse sperm from epididymides were frozen in cryoprotective agent with 18% raffinose, 3% skim milk, and different concentrations of sericin (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75%). Thawed sperm were used for in vitro fertilization. The obtained embryos were cultured in Ksom medium for 6 days. The post-thawed motility, viability, fertilizing ability, and subsequent development to the 2-cell embryo and blastocyst stages were evaluated. Results: Our findings show that frozen-thawed sperm cells with 5% sericin indicate significantly (p≤0.0001) percentages of survivability and motility, the best fertilizing ability, as well as 2-cell embryo and blastocyst development compared to the other treated groups. There was no significant difference in survivability (p=0.8781), fertilizing ability (p=0.2458) and development of 2-cell (p=0.5136) and blastocysts embryos (p=0.0896) between 0.75% sericin and control groups. Conclusion: Supplementation by 0.5% sericin in cryoprotective agent improved frozen-thawed mouse epididymal sperm cell quality and resulted in increased embryo development.

Purpose: Cucurbita maxima Duchense (C. maxima) has been widely used in China and Mexico as a hypoglycemic plant for controlling blood glucose in diabetic patients. Furthermore, in northwest of Iran, this plant is used traditionally for controlling of diabetes. We examined the effect of C. maxima pulp besides insulin on control of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients admitted to Intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Twenty critically ill patients who were admitted to the ICU were enrolled in this study. 5g lyophilized powder of C. maxima was administrated every 12 hours for 3 days. Moreover, blood glucose level and insulin dose were measured every 1-4 hours during 3 days before administration and 3days at the time of C. maxima administration. Results: The average of glucose level in 3 days before C. maxima administration was 214.9 ± 55.7 mg/dl, while in 3 days during C. maxima administration it was decreased to 178.4 ± 36.1 mg/dl (P

Createdness or uncreatedness of the Quran and the attribute of Speech is the oldest theological debate in the Islam which upon this Alm_AlKalam is named. In regard to the fact that Asharites bedeviled to the uncreatedness of the God's attributes, they also bedeviled to the uncreatedness of the Quran. They have given many proofs in proving this theory in regard the internal speech, the eternality of God's attributes, Quranic addresses to the human and the antecedent of the attribute of Speech. But the internal speech leads to the multiciplity of eternals and incarnation of immaterial things in God: and uncreatedness of God’s attributes does not required that God’s Attributes to be eternal, but God’s attributes have extensional union and intentional difference. In some verses, Gabriel addresses people on behalf of God. Thus, the addressed is not necessarily eternal. And according to gradation of Speech attribute, like other attributes, essential speech is prior to actual one and former abstracts have priority to material and uttered levels of speech.

Objective(s): Sepsis can result in severe organ injury by provoking inflammatory cascades and oxidative stress. Several studies are currently underway to find a drug with anti-inflammatory effects to prevent mortality and morbidity during sepsis. The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of metformin on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in sepsis induced by the Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP) method. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10): sham, CLP, and 50 and 100 mg/kg metformin-treated CLP groups. After 12 hr, blood samples were collected and lung tissue was removed for histopathological study to detect tissue damage and degree of inflammation based on neutrophil infiltration and assay of the oxidative stress biomarkers superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1).Results: The MPO activity and MDA level were decreased in the metformin-treated groups (P

This article begins with the underlying assumption that data and the designing of informational infrastructure is not neutral; rather, that the acts of tagging, indexing, aggregating and defining of data and data categories are inherently political acts. How and whether information is collected, archived, categorized, and eventually published are further political choices that necessitate critical review, rather than being taken at face value. Taking a self-reflective approach, the objective of this article is to develop a methodological understanding of online-based open-source human rights investigations, with a particular focus on the Syrian Archive. This article aims to align with the work of other scholars investigating the new field of online open-source intelligence and big data analysis, particularly that by human rights organizations, as well as with scholars in the field of data ethics, digital rights and privacy, statactivism, and science and technology studies. Providing empirical and qualitative evidence on the potential of online-based open-source data collection in this context will address a crucial gap in the current literature.

Objectives: Due to increasing cardiac disease and its mortality rate, the frequency of cardiac imaging has grown and, as a result, interventional cardiologists potentially receive high radiation doses in cardiac examinations. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level of radiation protection (RP) among interventional radiology staff in Iranian health care centers across the country. Methods: We used a validated questionnaire survey consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions to perform a cross-sectional study. Participants were healthcare personnel working professionally with radiation at different levels (i.e., secretary, radiology technologists, nurse, and physician). The questionnaire was divided into three sections to assess KAP regarding RP. Results: Significant differences exist in RP KAP mean scores based on educational age (p < 0.050). There was no significant difference in RP KAP mean scores when looking at sex, practice age, and hospital type (p > 0.050). We found a significant difference between RP KAP mean scores and different regions (p < 0.050). Conclusions: Educational and practice age, sex, type of hospital, and geographical region affect he KAP of interventional radiology staff regarding RP. Since many of the subjective radiation harms for both medical team and patients, this can be easily controlled and prevented; a checkup for personnel of interventional radiology departments, considering samples from different parts of the country with different levels of education, continuous training, and practical courses may help map the status of KAP. The results of this study may also help authorized health physics officers design strategic plans to enhance the quality of such services in radiation departments.

Objectives: Nanoparticles induce oxidative stress in cells and damage them through the cell membrane and DNA damage, eventually resulting in cell death. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on apoptosis induction and invasion of gastric cancer cell line, MKN-45. Methods: We used the MTT assay to assess proliferation of MKN-45 gastric cancer cells after exposure to different forms of TiO2 nanoparticles including amorph, brookite, anatase, and rutile coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Ethidium bromide and acridine orange staining were used to visualize cancer cell apoptosis, and the wound healing assay technique (migration test) was used to assay cancer cell invasion. Results: Viability and proliferation of cancer cells in the presence of various forms of TiO2 nanoparticles were reduced (p ≤ 0.050). This reduction in cell proliferation and viability was directly related to concentration and duration of exposure to nanoparticles. Induction of cell death was seen in all groups (p ≤ 0.050). Increased cell invasion was seen in PEG-amorph TiO2 group compared to the control group. Cell invasion was decreased only in the brookite BSA group (p ≤ 0.050). Conclusions: Various forms of TiO2 nanoparticles reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Some forms of TiO2 nanoparticles such as brookite BSA also inhibited cell invasion. PEG-amorph TiO2 nanoparticles increased cell invasion. These differences seem to be due to the effects of different configurations of TiO2 nanoparticles. TiO2 may provide a new strategy for cancer treatment and more studies are needed.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of organic zinc (Availa®Zn100) and selenium (Availa®Se1000) on semen characteristics, testes measures and serum testosterone concentration. Twenty Sanjabi rams (50.01 ± 5.6 kg) were randomly divided into four equal groups, given the basal diet as control (C) or supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se (SE) or 40 mg/kg Zn (ZN) or 40 mg/kg Zn plus 0.3 mg/kg Se (ZS) for 120 days experiment (from July to November). The semen samples and blood samples were collected every 3 weeks and scrotal circumference was measured every 15 days. The results indicated that scrotal circumference and testosterone concentrations did not differ due to treatment (P > .05). In contrast, semen characteristics were affected by ZS supplementation. The sperm density and total sperm number increased (P

Objective: Current literature indicates that the presence of clinical pharmacists in hospitals results in improved patient care, rational drug therapy, and treatment costs. This study assessed the clinical pharmacy services in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: During a 9-month cross-sectional study (2014–2015), the clinical pharmacy interventions in 27 sessions and educational activities for patients and health-care professionals were randomly assessed based on the Australian guideline and standard of practice for clinical pharmacy. The interventions of clinical pharmacist were evaluated in terms of their clinical importance. Findings: In this study, a total of 832 interventions on 242 patients were performed by the clinical pharmacist, and approximately 93.6% of the interventions were approved by the attending physician. Most interventions concerned adding a new medication to a drug regimen or switching to a needed new medication. Each patient received an average of three interventions. The clinical pharmacist provided drug information to employees and medical staff in 108 of the total 832 interventions (13%). Medical residents who were surveyed indicated that the quality of education, research, and patient care was improved by the attendance of a clinical pharmacist. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the collaboration of a clinical pharmacist with the medical staff of an ICU can improve pharmacotherapy approach and increase the quality of education.

Objectives: Breastfeeding mothers returning to work undertake multiple conflicting roles at home and work that can result in high levels of stress. Exploring coping skills amongst these mothers can help in planning useful programmes to promote family wellbeing. This study aims to explore the experiences of working breastfeeding mothers and their coping mechanism against high levels of daily stress. Methods: In this qualitative study, we described the experiences of 20 Iranian breastfeeding mothers through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes emerged as follows: 1) self-management with subthemes of a) attitude reconstruction, b) order and planning, c) creating a boundary between work and family and d) reprioritising life affairs; and 2) seeking help with subthemes of a) family member support, b) childcare facilities and c) spirituality. Conclusions: Findings suggest that women need support from family members and family-friendly policies at the workplace. Breastfeeding mothers may benefit from educational programmes that focus on effective coping strategies. Keywords: Breastfeeding, Coping, Employment, Iran, Stress, Women's health

Introduction: Overwhelming effects of cancer could be catastrophic for the patients and their family members putting them at risk of experiencing uncertainty, loss, and interruption in life. Also, it can influence their sense of meaning, a fundamental need equated with purpose in life. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the meaning in life (MiL) of patients with cancer with and their family members. Methods: This descriptive comparative study was conducted on 400 patients with cancer and their family members admitted to university hospitals in Tabriz and Ardebil provinces, Iran. The participants were sampled conveniently and the Life Evaluation Questionnaire (LEQ) were used for collecting data which analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean score for the MiL of patients with cancer and their family members was 119 ± 16.92 and 146.2 ± 17.07, respectively. There is a significant difference between patients with cancer and their family members in terms of MiL (p

Objectives The present study aimed to examine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas with meaning of life and well-being of the elderly and investigation and its prediction by early maladaptive schemas. Methods & Materials In this research, a total of 200 older people (96 women and 104 men) were selected from Tehran city by convenience sampling. The instruments used in this study consisted of the Yung early maladaptive Schema Questionnaire – Short Form (SQ-SF), Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and Ryffs Scales of Psychological Well-Being (RSPWB). Results The results of multiple regression analyses showed that 37% of the elderly participants found meaning, 27% found meaning in life, 27% in self- acceptance, 24% in positive relationship with the others, and 44% in environment control, as predicted by early maladaptive schemas. Early maladaptive schemas cannot project autonomy, personal growth and purpose in life. This correlation was significant (P

Introduction: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) seeds and Cordia myxa fruits have been known as agents with anti-diabetes effects in Iranian traditional medicine. We compared the effects of aqueous extracts of these plants on diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction. Methods: In our study, rats were equally allocated to 4 groups (n=12/group) as follows: control; diabetic; diabetic rats treated with T. foenum graecum seeds extract (TE) (870 mg/kg BW); and diabetic rats treated with C. myxa fruit extract (CE) (500 mg/kg BW) for 30 days. Diabetes was induced by alloxan (120 mg/kg BW, ip). Cognitive dysfunction was determined through memory task and passive avoidance learning (PAL). Results: Diabetes resulted in cognitive impairment in PAL and memory task. CE and TE significantly reduced serum blood sugar (P

For Iranian citizens traveling to turkey without visa is possible and the main reasons of Iranian citizens for traveling to Turkey are; resting, leisure time, enjoying various attractions like sea side, cultural, trading especially buying clothes and etc. The tourism industry is one of the main driving forces of Turkish economy. The increase and decrease of traveler to turkey depends on various factors in both national and international levels. This article wants to forecast the amount of Iranian tourist which traveling to Turkey by using the Artificial Neural Network; (ANN). On the other hand, the present article attempts to attend to explore the importance of used variables in tourism demand to Turkey. The variables effects on Iranians’ tourism demand were extracted by exploring the literature review, and the present research just utilized 13 variables for forecasting the tourism demand. The results of the research showed that accessed estimates had less error in comparison with real data. According to present research, four important variables effect on tourism demand of Iranian citizens are the daily crude oil producing in Iran, inflation volume in Iran, gross domestic product in Turkey, gross domestic product for working people in Iran.

Objectives The prevalence of death anxiety in older adults is high. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between coping strategies and locus of control with death anxiety in older adults. Methods & Materials In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 113 elderly adults older than 60 years were recruited from the city of Tehran via available sampling method. For data collection, the Coping Strategies Inventory, Locus of Control Inventory and Death Anxiety Scale were employed. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS.v21 software and statistical tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient and Stepwise regression. Results The mean (SD) age of the participants was 65.19 (3.93) years. The mean scores of problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, avoidance-focused coping, internal locus of control, external locus of control, and death anxiety were 48.20±7.45, 50.93±6.92, 50.39±8.67, 17.85±5.70, 61.51±6.08 and 8.67±2.31, respectively. Based on study findings, there was a statistically significant relationship between coping strategies (P < 0.05) and locus of control (P < 0.05) with death anxiety among older adults. The results of stepwise regression analysis indicated that avoidance and emotion oriented coping and external locus of control significantly predict death anxiety (P < 0.01). Conclusion Death anxiety is one of the key factors in the mental health of older adults. With regards to our findings, coping strategies and locus of control have an important role in death anxiety in older adults. Therefore, by designing psychological interventions based on coping strategies and changing locus of control from external to internal, death anxiety among the older adults can be improved.

Background and purpose: Among different cancers, breast cancer has a high prevalence among women and radiotherapy is used as a treatment modality in which radio sensitizers are used to increase its efficiency. Nanoparticles are such sensitizers that enhance the efficiency of radiotherapy via creation of free radicals and induction of oxidative stress. This study aimed at evaluating the synergistic effect of radiation therapy and TiO2 nanoparticles on animal models of breast cancer. Materials and methods: After induction of breast adenocarcinoma tumors in Balb/C, the animals were divided into several groups as control, rutile and anatase injections at 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg doses/with and without radiotherapy. Then, the efficiency of treatment was evaluated. Results: In groups receiving anatase nanoparticles with and without radiation, the values for tumor volume, relative volume and relative volume percentage showed a small increase and a considerable reduction, respectively. In rutile groups with and without radiation, these values showed a small increase and a considerable increase, respectively. IR value reduced to negative value and then increased to zero and positive in anatase groups with and without radiation. This parameter had little changes in rutile groups with and without radiation. Conclusion: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles increased sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation therapy due to ROS production. Compared with rutile crystals, anatase crystals have intense effect because of having a larger surface area and higher photocatalytic activity.

Introduction:Elimination or reduction of petroleum hydrocarbons from natural resources such as water and soil is a serious problem of countries, particularly oil-rich countries of the world. Using white rotting fungi compost for bioremediation of soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons is effective. The aim of this study is molecular identification and potential of anisolate of white rot fungi in bioremediation of petroleum contaminated soils. Materials and methods: Spent compost of white rotting fungi was inoculated with petroleum contaminated soil into 3%, 5% and 10% (w/w). Treatments were incubated at 25-23 °C for 3 months. Reduction of petroleum hydrocarbons in treated soil was determined by gas chromatography. Ecotoxicity of soil was evaluated by seed germination test. Results: Based on the genome sequence of 18s rRNA, it is revealed that this isolate is Ganoderma lucidum and this isolate is deposited as accession KX525204 in the Gene Bank database. Reduction of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil treated with compost (3, 5 and 10%) ranged from 42% to 71%. The germination index (%) in ecotoxicity tests ranged from 20.8% to 70.8%. Gas chromatography results also showed a decrease in soil Hydrocarbons compounds. Discussion and conclusion: The compost of Ganoderma lucidum, a white rot fungus, has a potential ability to remove petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soil. Removal of hydrocarbons was increased with increase in compost mixed with contaminated soil. Petroleum contaminated soil amended with spent compost of G.lucidum 10% during three months is appropriate to remove this pollutant.

Amaç: Herkes için sağlık hizmeti sağlayabilmek amacıyla, tüm ülkelerdeki sağlık sistemleri insan kaynaklarının mekansal ve zamansal olarak eğitim ve uygun dağılımına ihtiyaç duyar. Bu çalışma, ülkedeki tıp üniversitelerine bağlı eczacıların dağılım eşitliğini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışma için veriler İran İstatistik Merkezi ve 2014 İstatistik Yıllığı'ndan toplanmıştır. Verilerin toplanmasından sonra, eczacıların populasyona göre dağılımını incelemeye başladık. İran’ın tümünde 31 il ve üç tür tıp bilimi üniversitesi her ildeki insan sağlık kaynaklarının Gini ve Theil T endeksince dağılımından sorumludurlar. Theil T, İran illerindeki "iç" ve "ara" eşitsizlikleri açısından genel eşitsizliği gidermek ve sonuçları Excel ve STATA yazılımı ile gerçekleştirmek için kullanılmıştır.Bulgular: 16 ilin olumlu bir boşluğa sahip olduğunu ve 15 ilin olumsuz bir boşluğa sahip olduğunu ve illerin herhangi birinde eczacının karşılaştırılmasında populasyon payında denge olmadığını göstermektedir. Genel Gini katsayısı 0.71 ve Theil T eşitsizlik içinde % 47.2 olduğu ve eşitsizlik arasında % 52.8 genel eşitsizlik olduğu açıklandı. Tip 3 illerindeki Gini indeksi 0.5 olup ve tip 3 illerindeki bu indeks tip 1 ve 2'ye göre 0.6 ve 0.64 Gini indeksli olup daha iyi dağılım göstermektedir.Sonuç: Eczacılar ilaçların doğru kullanımı için rehberlik ve tavsiye sağlamada önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Eczacıların uygun dağılımı erişim ve sağlık hizmetlerinin topluma yaygınlaştırılmasında en önemli faktörlerden biridir. Ancak maalesef ülkede dengesiz bir coğrafi dağılım vardır ve hala yoksul bölgelerde önemli bir açık bulunmaktadır

This paper compared the performance of elliptical roundabout with turbo and modern roundabouts. It considers the effects of increasing the central island radius and speed limit on delay and capacity. Three types of roundabouts (modern, turbo and elliptical roundabouts) with different numbers of lanes (single lane, two-lane and three-lane) were designed. Unsignalized and signalized controls were applied for these roundabouts. The robustness of the designed roundabouts was investigated for saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. Based on the obtained results, increasing the central island radius had both positive and negative effects on delay and capacity. However, a positive effect on these variables was observed in all roundabouts when increasing the speed limit. In unsignalized and signalized control under unsaturated flow conditions, a modern roundabout had lower delay time than an elliptical roundabout. Moreover, in saturated flow, the elliptical roundabout had the best performance in terms of delay. Overall, in comparison with the turbo roundabouts, modern and elliptical roundabouts had the highest capacities in unsignalized and signalized controls. This study can provide useful information for engineers who decide to design a roundabout.

Rock formations and structures can be subjected to both static and dynamic loadings. Static loadings resulting from different sources such as gravity and tectonic forces and dynamic forces are intermittently transmitted via vibrations of the earth’s crust, through major earthquakes, rock bursts, rock blasting and drilling and also, traffic. Reaction of rocks to cyclic and repetitive stresses resulting from dynamic loads has been generally neglected with the exception of a few rather limited studies. In this study, , two crystalline quarry stones in Iran; (Natanz gabbro and Green onyx) and one non-crystalline rock (Asmari limestone) are used to evaluate the effect of micro-structure of intact rock on fatigue behavior. These rocks have different mineral compositions and formation conditions. A new apparatus based on rotating beam fatigue testing machine (R.R.Moore), which is commonly used for laboratory fatigue test in metals, is developed and fatigue behavior and existence of the endurance limit were evaluated for the mentioned rocks based on stress-life method. The obtained results in the variation of applied amplitude stress versus loading cycle number (S-N diagram) followed common relationship in other materials. In addition, the endurance limit is perceived for all tested rocks. The results also illustrated that the endurance limits for all types of tested rocks in this study are ranged between 0.4 and 0.6 of their tensile strengths. The endurance limit to tensile strength fraction of green onyx and Natanz gabbro were approximated in a higher value compared to the Asmari limestone with non-crystalline micro-structure.

Background: The practice environment pivotal role in patients and nurses better outcomes is evident. Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) is widely utilized to assess nursing work environments. The present study was conducted to demonstrate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of PES-NWI. Materials and Methods: The instrument was translated and its psychometrics were investigated by content, construct validity (factor analysis), and homogeneity (internal consistency and intraclass correlation) on a sample of 350 nurses at educational hospitals in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Results: The 30 items loaded onto 4 factors explained 34.95–50.06% of the variance. The items across the factors differed slightly from those reported by the original author of the PES-NWI. Cronbach's alpha and Pearson coefficient for the entire instrument and also for extracted factors was 0.70–0.96. Conclusions: The Persian version of PES-NWI has an appropriate level of validity and reliability in the Iranian setting for nurses. The subscale of Nursing Foundations for quality care needs modification.

Objective: Our purpose was to describe pregnancy-associated adnexal masses in eastern North Carolina.Study Design: A retrospective study was performed of 60 adnexal masses resected during pregnancy at a regional referral hospital from January 1990 to March 2002.Results: Adnexal masses occurred in 0.15% of pregnancies. Average gestational age at diagnosis and surgery was 12 and 20 weeks, respectively. Fifty percent of ovarian tumors were mature cystic teratomas, 20% were cystadenomas, and 13% were functional ovarian cysts. Malignancy occurred in 13%. Tumors with low malignant potential comprised 63% of malignancies. Average cyst size was 11.5 cm for malignancies and 7.6 cm for benign lesions (P value <.05). The preterm birth rate was 9%, the miscarriage rate was 4.7% after elective cases, and average Apgar scores were 7.5 and 8.7 at 1 and 5 minutes.Conclusion: The incidence of malignancy in pregnancy-associated adnexal masses was high. Ultrasonography detected internal excrescences in the majority of tumors with low malignant potential. Fetal outcomes were not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case Description- Hypospadias and testicular agenesis were described in this clinical report in two German shepherd puppies presented with a history of lethargy, anorexia, dysuria, urinary incontinence, severe urine scald dermatitis and pyoderma in the abdominal area. Clinical Findings- Clinical examinations revealed incomplete development of the external genitalia including penile and preputial hypoplasia with lack of preputial sheath at the penis tip. Moreover, both testes were not found on clinical examination and ultrasonography of one case while another dog had unilateral testicular agenesis. Treatment and Outcome- One of the puppies died before any other diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Resection of penile and preputial remnants combined with prescrotal urethrostomy was done on the other puppy. Clinical Relevance- One of the considerable issues in dog breeding is abnormalities of the external genitalia. Hypospadias and testicular agenesis are rare reproductive disorders which have probably congenital origin. The importance of elimination of affected dogs from reproductive programs should be emphasized by veterinary practitioners.

The consumption of a daily multivitamin among people all over the world is dramatically increasing in recent years. Most of the people believe that if vitamins are not effective, at least they are safe. However, the long term health consequences of vitamins consumption are unknown. This study aimed to assess the side effects and possible harmful and detrimental properties of vitamins and to discuss whether vitamins can be used as safe health products or dietary supplements. We performed a MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Google Scholar search and assessed reference lists of the included studies which were published from 1993 through 2015. The studies, with an emphasis on RCTs (randomized controlled clinical trials), were reviewed. As some vitamins such as fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E), and also some of the water-soluble vitamins like folic acid may cause adverse events and some like vitamin C is widely taken assuming that it has so many benefits and no harm, we included relevant studies with negative or undesired results regarding the effect of these vitamins on health. Our recommendation is that taking high-dose supplements of vitamins A, E, D, C, and folic acid is not always effective for prevention of disease, and it can even be harmful to the health.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the quality of teaching and teacher at SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban; (2) determine the relationship of the frequency of educational supervision by the principal with teaching quality of teachers at SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban; and (c) describe the clinical supervision conducted by the principal to improve the teaching quality of teachers at SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban. This study used a descriptive approach. The technique of collecting data using questionnaires. The results of analysis show that there is significant increase in the frequency of use of learning clinical supervision by the principal with the quality of teaching and teacher at SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban. Abstrak: Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk: (1) mengetahui kualitas pengajaran dan guru di SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban; (2) mengetahui hubungan frekuensi pengawasan pendidikan oleh kepala sekolah dengan kualitas pengajaran guru di SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban; dan (c) mendeskripsikan supervisi klinis yang dilaksanakan oleh kepala sekolah untuk meningkatkan kualitas pengajaran guru SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan instrumen angket. Hasil analisis diketahui bahwa ada peningkatan signifikan dalam frekuensi penggunaan pembelajaran supervisi klinis oleh kepala sekolah dengan kualitas pengajaran dan guru di SDN 1 Wangun Palang Tuban. Kata kunci: supervisi klinis, guru mengajar kualitas

For the first time, a new method for preparation of graphene oxide-LaMnO3 (GO-LaMnO3) nanocompositeas a material of electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of catechol (CT) and hydroquinone (HQ) is developed. LaMnO3 nanoparticles have been characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) technique. Due to the excellent catalytic activity, enhanced electrical conductivity and high surface area, the simultaneous determination of HQ and CT with two well-defined peaks has been achieved at the GO-LaMnO3 modified electrode. Comparing with unmodified electrodes, the oxidation currents of HQ and CT increased remarkably. Also, the result exhibited a great decrease in anodic overpotentialresulting in about 150 mV negative shift of potential. The catalytic peak current values are found linearly dependent on the HQ and CT concentrations in the range of 0.5–433.3 and 0.5–460.0 μM with sensitivity of 0.0719 and 0.0712 μA μM-1, respectively. The detection limits for HQ and CT are determined as 0.06 and 0.05 μM, respectively.

Advances in drug research not only depend on high throughput screening to evaluate large numbers of lead compounds but also on the development of in vitro models which can simulate human tissues in terms of drug permeability and functions. Potential failures, such as poor permeability or interaction with efflux drug transporters, can be identified in epithelial Caco-2 monolayer models and can impact a drug candidate’s progression onto the next stages of the drug development process. Whilst monolayer models demonstrate reasonably good prediction of in vivo permeability for some compounds, more developed in vitro tools are needed to assess new entities that enable closer in vivo in vitro correlation. In this study, an in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium was developed by utilizing nanofibers, fabricated using electrospinning, to mimic the structure of the basement membrane. We assessed Caco-2 cell response to these materials and investigated the physiological properties of these cells cultured on the fibrous supports, focusing on barrier integrity and drug-permeability properties. The obtained data illustrate that 2D Caco-2 Transwell® cultures exhibit artificially high trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) compared to cells cultured on the 3D nanofibrous scaffolds which show TEER values similar to ex vivo porcine tissue (also measured in this study). Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the 3D nanofibrous scaffolds influence the barrier integrity of the Caco-2 monolayer to confer drug-absorption properties that more closely mimic native gut tissue particularly for studying passive epithelial transport. We propose that this 3D model is a suitable in vitro model for investigating drug absorption and intestinal metabolism.

The proper design of protective structures may start from improving the characteristics of soils. In order to obtain reasonable safety criteria, several research studies have recently been dedicated to enhancing complex civil engineering structural systems with the use of nanotechnology. Thus, the following paper investigates the effect of nanospheres, including nanosilica (nano-SiO2) and nano zinc oxide (nano-ZnO), on lime-stabilized high-plasticity clay soil. For this purpose, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were performed on samples. The results showed that the use of the selected nanospheres greatly increased the UCS of the samples compared to untreated soil. The UCS value of samples containing 6% lime and 1.5% nano-ZnO after 28 days of treatment increased by 5-fold compared to the UCS of untreated samples. In addition, the samples containing 6% lime and 2% nano-SiO2, with similar curing conditions, experienced a 5.3-fold increase in their UCS value compared to the untreated samples. These compounds were considered as the optimal amounts and showed the highest mechanical strength in both UCS and CBR tests. The same trend was achieved in the CBR test, in which the CBR value for the optimal mixtures containing nano-ZnO and nano-SiO2 was 14.8 and 16.6 times higher than that of high-plasticity clay soil, respectively. Finally, the results obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the nanospheres caused a dense and compact matrix to form in the soil, which led to the enhancement of the mechanical strength of the treated samples.

Purpose: Radiographers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice and their implementation in their daily routines, play a significant role in radiation protection. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the radiographers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) about radiation protection. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 10 provinces of Iran in 2014-2015 and respondents in this study were 172 personnel of mammography departments. A validated questionnaire was designed to be used in a descriptive, cross-sectional study to examine radiographers' Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about radiation protection in selected imaging centers in Iran in 2014-2015. Data gathered via the questionnaire involved some demographic information consisting of the specialty, job title, expertise in years, time passed since graduation, gender, type of centers, including educational, non-educational and private. Results: The results indicate no significant difference between two genders (p-value=0.067), educational age (p-value=0.862) and practice age (p-value=0.415). Moreover, there was no significant difference in type of hospital (Educational, Non educational and Private clinic) (p-value=0.159), but it was indicated that there was significant difference between regions (Capital, Center, East, North and West) (p-value=0.003). Conclusion: Our study showed that knowledge, practice and attitude of mammography personnel were not enough. Therefore, continuous and complete educational programs, including principles of radiation protection is required for radiology staffs and the importance of these programs should be considered differently around the country. The findings of this study can help to develop educational policies in order to balance the status of knowledge concerning radiation protection and its potential hazards in different regions of Iran.

A novel modified electrode based on cerium vanadate and copper tungstate (CeVO _4 -CuWO _4 ) nanocomposite was prepared as a sensitive sensor for the methyldopa. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscope (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were applied for the evaluation of the electrochemical performance of the sensor. The enhanced active surface area, electro-catalytic activity, and expedient conductivity provided by the CeVO _4 -CuWO _4 nanocomposite led to the peak current increment with a well-resolved anodic peak for methyldopa in the presence of potential interferences. The CeVO _4 -CuWO _4 nanocomposite-based modified electrode successfully measured methyldopa over a wide concentration range of 0.02–400 μ M with the low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.006 μ M. The findings of the methyldopa sensing in human serum samples verified the proper efficiency of the proposed sensor.

The aim of this work was to develop a method for the automatic identification of exudates, using an unsupervised clustering approach. The ability to classify each pixel as belonging to an eventual exudate, as a warning of disease, allows for the tracking of a patient’s status through a noninvasive approach. In the field of diabetic retinopathy detection, we considered four public domain datasets (DIARETDB0/1, IDRID, and e-optha) as benchmarks. In order to refine the final results, a specialist ophthalmologist manually segmented a random selection of DIARETDB0/1 fundus images that presented exudates. An innovative pipeline of morphological procedures and fuzzy C-means clustering was integrated in order to extract exudates with a pixel-wise approach. Our methodology was optimized, and verified and the parameters were fine-tuned in order to define both suitable values and to produce a more accurate segmentation. The method was used on 100 tested images, resulting in averages of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy equal to 83.3%, 99.2%, and 99.1%, respectively.

Modeling flow and transport in fractured porous media has been a topic of intensive research for a number of energy- and environment-related industries. The presence of multiscale fractures makes it an extremely challenging task to resolve accurately and efficiently the flow dynamics at both the local and global scales. To tackle this challenge, we developed a computational workflow that adopts a two-level hierarchical strategy based on fracture length partitioning. This was achieved by specifying a partition length to split the discrete fracture network (DFN) into small-scale fractures and large-scale fractures. Flow-based numerical upscaling was then employed to homogenize the small-scale fractures and the porous matrix into an equivalent/effective single medium, whereas the large-scale fractures were modeled explicitly. As the effective medium properties can be fully tensorial, the developed hierarchical framework constructed the discrete systems for the explicit fracture–matrix sub-domains using the nonlinear two-point flux approximation (NTPFA) scheme. This led to a significant reduction of grid orientation effects, thus developing a robust, applicable, and field-relevant framework. To assess the efficacy of the proposed hierarchical workflow, several numerical simulations were carried out to systematically analyze the effects of the homogenized explicit cutoff length scale, as well as the fracture length and orientation distributions. The effect of different boundary conditions, namely, the constant pressure drop boundary condition and the linear pressure boundary condition, for the numerical upscaling on the accuracy of the workflow was investigated. The results show that when the partition length is much larger than the characteristic length of the grid block, and when the DFN has a predominant orientation that is often the case in practical simulations, the workflow employing linear pressure boundary conditions for numerical upscaling give closer results to the full-model reference solutions. Our findings shed new light on the development of meaningful computational frameworks for highly fractured, heterogeneous geological media where fractures are present at multiple scales.

Use of information technology in the health care systems is essential to enhance the quality of care. Nurses are the largest group of users for hospital information systems in any healthcare system. Therefore, understanding their views and how they use these systems can be effective in improving hospital information systems and public health quality. This survey study was conducted using the two primary keyword “nurses” and “hospital information system” and a total of 43 retrieved articles were included in the study. The selected articles were divided into 12 categories based on similarities in goals and aims. More articles concentrated on nurses’ attitudes toward the hospital information systems and despite their positive attitude, financial goals were covered more than clinical purposes. Despite the improved attitude of nurses toward hospital information systems, the need to improve nurses’ computer knowledge using updated and powerful software for covering users’ needs was strongly emphasized in these studies.

During the past two decades, there has been growing trend in Iranian banking industry due to change in banking regulations. Private sector has grown rapidly and there have been several new banks on the market, which has created very competitive market. Therefore, customer loyalty is the key factor for running a successful banking business and customer relationship management (CRM) appears to be important for the success in this industry. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between CRM and customer loyalty in one of the oldest Iranian banks named Bank Melli Iran. The proposed study prepares a questionnaire in Likert scale and distributes it among some regular customers of this bank. The preliminary results of this survey have indicated that consumer’s gender, age and educational background had no meaningful impact on quality of services. In other words, people with different personal characteristics expect the same quality of services from banking industry and there is a positive and meaningful relationship between quality of services and customer loyalty.

Introduction: Newly graduated nurses experience many stressful situations during transition to practice. The provision of emotional support from more experienced nurses can ameliorate such work-related tension. Studies have not clearly specified the means through which such support could be most effectively provided; therefore the present study was conducted to explore the experiences of qualified nurses around the provision of emotional support to newly graduated nurses. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 qualified nurses. A purposive sampling approach was used for selection of participants. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by the conventional content analysis method. The study took place from 2014-2015 in six teaching hospitals in the northwest of Iran. Results: Emotional supports emerged in four following main-categories: Assurance, creating a sense of relaxation and security, lifting spirits, and emotional belonging and involvement. Conclusion: These results can help to establish an effective source of emotional support for newly graduated nurses. This can play an important role in reducing their stress and anxiety, in increasing their self-confidence and in forming a constructive relationship between them and qualified nurses.

Objective : To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pentoxifylline in a model of remote organ injury after hind-limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats, the lungs being the remote organ system. Methods : Thirty-five male Wistar rats were assigned to one of five conditions (n = 7/group), as follows: sham operation (control group); hind-limb ischemia, induced by clamping the left femoral artery, for 2 h, followed by 24 h of reperfusion (I/R group); and hind-limb ischemia, as above, followed by intraperitoneal injection (prior to reperfusion) of 150 mg/kg of NAC (I/R+NAC group), 40 mg/kg of pentoxifylline (I/R+PTX group), or both (I/R+NAC+PTX group). At the end of the trial, lung tissues were removed for histological analysis and assessment of oxidative stress. Results : In comparison with the rats in the other groups, those in the I/R group showed lower superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels, together with higher malondialdehyde levels and lung injury scores (p < 0.05 for all). Interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration of the lungs was also markedly greater in the I/R group than in the other groups. In addition, I/R group rats showed various signs of interstitial edema and hemorrhage. In the I/R+NAC, I/R+PTX, and I/R+NAC+PTX groups, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione levels, malondialdehyde levels, and lung injury scores were preserved (p < 0.05 for all). The differences between the administration of NAC or pentoxifylline alone and the administration of the two together were not significant for any of those parameters (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions : Our results suggest that NAC and pentoxifylline both protect lung tissue from the effects of skeletal muscle I/R. However, their combined use does not appear to increase the level of that protection.

In this paper we examined the effects of inflation targeting regime based on the contents of Iranian banking system financial statements during the period of 1981-2014 using Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model. To estimate DSGE parameters, calibration method was utilized. Moments of the data and Impulse Response Function analyses were used for model verification. The results show that the profit rate shock increases the liquidity sources of banks and as a consequence, bank lending causes an improvement in the investment and production and a decrease in inflation rate. However, inflation targeting for the purpose of reduction in deposit and loan profit rates results in reduction in bank resources and at the same time jeopardizes the soundness of banks. So, we suggest that inflation targeting regime should be combined with the policy of increasing profit rates.

In this study, an exact solution of the Navier-Stokes and energy equations is obtained for the problem of unsteady three-dimensional stagnation point flow and heat transfer of viscous, incompressible fluid on a flat plate. An external flow with strain rate impinges obliquely on the flat plate when the plate is assumed to be with transpiration. This flow consists of an irrotational stagnation-point flow (Hiemenz) and a tangential component. The relative importance of these two flows is measured by a parameter . Appropriate similarity transformations are introduced, for the first time, to reduce the governing Navier-Stokes and energy equations to a coupled system of ordinary differential equations. The fourth-order Runge-Kutta method along with a shooting technique is applied to numerically solve the ordinary differential equations. The results obtained from numerical procedure are presented and discussed for a wide range of parameters characterizing the problem. The results achieved reveal that the transpiration rate has a considerable effect on the distributions of velocity components, temperature and pressure. Moreover, it is shown that the main consequence of the free stream obliqueness is to move the stagnation point away from the origin of the coordinate system.

Objective (s): There is corroborating evidence to substantiate redox imbalance and oxidative stress in sepsis that finally leads to organ damage or even death. Gamma oryzanol (GO) is one of the major bioactive components in rice bran has been considered to function as an antioxidant. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of gamma oryzanol in vitro and its efficacy in sepsis. Materials and Methods: To induce sepsis, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method was performed on the rats. A study group of forty male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: sham group; CLP group; 50 mg/kg GO- treated CLP group and 100 mg/kg GO- treated CLP group. GO was administered with an oral gavage 2 hr prior to inducing sepsis. Tissue and blood samples were collected 12 hr after CLP to prepare tissue sections for histopathological study and assay the oxidative stress biomarkers including: SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), TAC (total antioxidant capacity), MDA (Malondialdehyde), MPO (Myeloperoxidase) and PAI-1 (Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1). Data are given as mean ± SD. The ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test was used to determine the differences between groups and P Results: TAC level increased in GO- treated CLP groups (P

Background: Opium addiction alters immune responses to stresses such as an injury due to changing the secretion of cytokines. The present study assessed the effect of opium addiction on the cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-10] before and after laparotomy. Methods: Male rats were randomly divided into control and opium addicted (n = 20). Then, cytokines were measured before surgery, immediately after surgery (within 30-60 minutes) and 24 hours after surgery. Findings: IFN-γ was raised in an addicted group in three phases of the study as compared to that of the control group. IL-4 in opium addicted group decreased in two phases after surgery compared to the control group. IL-4 was lower after surgery in comparison to before surgery in the opium addicted group. The difference in IL-10 and TNFα levels was not statistically significant in the all groups measured in three phases of the investigation. Conclusion: The results revealed that opium addiction can increase plasma level of IFN-γ in rats and decrease plasma level of IL-4 after surgical stress. It seems that opium addicted rats are a more susceptible to increased inflammation.