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"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Body weight is regulated by both food intake and energy expenditure. Ghrelin, a hormone produced by the stomach and pancreas, enhances appetite. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of intermittent treadmill running on acylated ghrelin and appetite in individuals with obesity."n"nMethods : Nine inactive male students, with a mean age of 20.56±0.48 yrs, a body mass index of 32.68±0.84 kg/m2 and a maximum oxygen uptake of 34.21±1.48 ml/kg/min, participated in the study in two trials (control and exercise) in a counterbalanced, randomized design. The protocol included intermittent running with a constant intensity at 65% of VO2 max on a treadmill. Blood samples were collected before, during, and 2h after cessation of the exercise."n"nResults : Acylated ghrelin concentrations and hunger ratings decreased significantly in the second phase and remained lower than baseline (P=0.006 and P=0.002, respectively) at the end of the exercise. The total area under the curve values and hunger ratings (all P

Background & Objective: Labor pain management is one of the most important procedures of midwifery cares. Acupressure, a non-pharmacological method of labor pain relief, is an available, easy to use, inexpensive, and without side effect method of pain relief. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of LI-4 acupressure on labor pain in women during first stage of labor. Methods & Materials: A single blind randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 83 primipara women. The inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy in 38-42 weeks of gestation, cephalic presentation, and spontaneous uterine contractions. Participants were divided into three groups including acupressure group, touch group, and the usual care (control group). The intensity of labor pain was measured using visual analog scale with the rating from 0-100 mm immediately, 30 minutes, and one hour after the intervention during the first stage of labor. Data were analyzed using statistical tests of ANOVA, Chi-square, and Exact chi-square. Results: Findings indicated that acupressure group had lower labor pain in the active phase of the first stage of labor immediately after intervention than the other groups (P=0.026). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that LI4 acupressure reduced the intensity of labor pain in the first stage of labor without any side effects to mother and infant. This procedure can be used as a simple, safe and inexpensive method to relief labor pain.

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of dietary addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or activated sodium bentonite as tannins deactivation materials on the performance of Saanen goats fed diets containing pistachio by-products (PBP). Twenty-one Saanen male goats (27±3 kg, 10 months) were assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design and fed for 60 days. Three experimental diets consisted of a diet containing 30% dry matter (DM) pistachio by-products with no additive (control); control diet supplemented with PEG at 1.0% of DM (PEG group), and control diet supplemented with activated sodium bentonite at 1.0% of DM (G-bind group). Results indicated that dry matter intake (DMI), total gain, average daily gain (ADG), and ruminal pH were not affected by treatments (P≥0.05). There were no significant differences among treatments in hematological parameters (P≥0.05) except monocyte count (P<0.05). The plasma concentrations of total triglycerides (TG) decreased (P<0.05) by adding G-bind. Serum Insulin concentration was also increased significantly (P<0.05) in the PEG group compared to the control. Besides, the G-bind increased the calcium content of this muscle compared to the control and PEG group (P<0.05). Zinc content in muscle showed a significant increase in the PEG treatments in comparison to other experimental groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, Iron (Fe) content in muscle improved by both additives (P<0.05). Data showed that there were no significant differences among treatments for hair fiber characteristics (P≥0.05). It can be concluded that activated sodium bentonite can be an appropriate substitute for PEG as a tannin-deactivation material in diets containing 30% DM PBP for feeding goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that acts as a biological control agent and attacks varieties of insects by degrading and penetrating their cuticles. The relevant molecular basis of this action was investigated by comparing the expression analyses of dipeptidyl peptidase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, candidate genes involved in fungal pathogenesis, via Real-Time PCR. B. bassiana was grown in an artificial medium and in the cuticle extract media isolated from four species belonging to different insect orders. The expression of the two genes in the fungus was examined in different culture media. The results showed that dipeptidyl peptidase was upregulated in media containing insect cuticular extracts compared to the control synthetic medium, while Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase showed reduced expression in abundance. The effect of cuticle types in inducing gene expression was compared and discussed. It seems likely; information from different reactions of this fungus against different insect cuticles can be helpful in producing specific pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of climate change over the past decades has become more prominent among environmental experts. As a result, economists and environmental researchers are more likely to pursue environmentally-friendly economic growth. The present study examines the variables of open trade, population, GDP, and its square to study the Kuznets environmental hypothesis regarding carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxide emissions in three separate equations, which have, to the authors' best knowledge, been rarely addressed in the literature. The study period was from 1990 to 2016 conducted on 20 countries in the Asian Productivity Organization (APO). This hypothesis has not been studied regarding air pollution among APO members states. The panel ARDL method was used regarding the panel data applied for the structure of the research data. According to the results, the Kuznets environmental hypothesis was approved as reversed U for carbon dioxide and methane gases in the long run, but not for nitrous oxide. The short-term results also indicate the rejection of the Kuznets environmental hypothesis among the studied countries. The variable of trade had a negative correlation with the emission of all three greenhouse gases. Also, the earning elasticity estimated for CO2, N2O, and CH4 at 0.4, 0.38 and 0.04, respectively show that the effect of GDP growth on CO2 emissions is higher than that of N2O and CH4 emissions, indicating the importance of CO2, which causes more air pollution than other greenhouse gases and will have an important impact on the quality of the environment. Therefore, it is recommended to consider more measures for curbing carbon dioxide than for other greenhouse gases to prevent its emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 10-week of combined training course on concentrations of blood sugar, Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid profile in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Limited data exist about the production of extruded linseed as a feed ingredient in farm animal nutrition. The objective of this study was to produce and evaluate extruded linseed mixed with alfalfa hay, pistachio by-products, and sugar beet pulp or corn grain in different proportions of linseed: alfalfa hay: pistachio by-products at ratios of 70:15:15, 70:20:10, 70:10:20, and 80:10:10 for quality parameters and in situ rumen Dry Matter (DM) degradability. Using a completely randomized design, the treatment containing alfalfa hay had higher Extrusion Effectiveness (EE), Water Holding Capacity (WHC), and Angle of Repose (AR), but lower Oil Loss (OL) and Bulk Density (BD) than other treatments (P< 0.05). There were no differences among extruded linseed products with different ratios of linseed: alfalfa: pistachio by-products for EE, WHC, and AR (P> 0.05). The treatment with an 80:10:10 ratio had the highest OL among all treatments and the treatment with a 70:15:15 ratio had lower BD than the others (P< 0.05). The DM degradability parameters of extruded products was affected by the absorbents and the treatment containing alfalfa hay had higher potential DM degradability than other treatments (P< 0.05). In conclusion, extruded treatment with alfalfa hay had the highest EE, oil retention capacity and potential rumen DM degradability compared to other treatments. In addition, extruded linseed product with an 80:10:10 ratio of linseed: alfalfa hay: pistachio by-products had higher OL than the other ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:The period of adolescence is one of the most stressful periods of life and has a crucial impact on school performance and subsequent occupational functioning. Since paying attention to students' mental health is important so the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between depression, anxiety and stress and health behaviors in high school girl students in Mashhad. Methods: This is a correlational study carried out on 407 high-school females in Mashhad city during the year 2011 using a two-stage sampling method. Participants completed questionnaires on demography/ family/ health behaviors and depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS). Data were then analyzed using SPSS V.14 software and statistical tests. Results: The results showed that 56.5% of the students were 16-14 years old, 66.3% with the BMI of 18.5-99/24 (kg/m2), 36.6% enjoyed physical activity (min/wk), and 83.2% were passive smoker. Also 21.7% suffered from severe and very severe depression, 24/3% from anxiety and 21.8% from stress. There was a significant positive correlation between age and anxiety, stress and significant negative correlation between age and depression; there was however no significant correlation between anxiety, stress, depression and other variables. Conclusion: According to high rates of depression, anxiety and stress in high school girl students in Mashhad and the important role of girls in future society, it seems necessary to prepare the students suffering from such mental problems with medical consultations conducted by related specialists and follow the therapeutic approaches if needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is a serious complication in transplant recipients. Transcription factor-7-like 2 (TCF7L2) is a Wnt signaling-associated transcription factor that plays an important role in β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion. The association between TCF7L2 SNP rs7903146 and NODAT was documented in renal transplant patients. Objective: To determine the association between TCF7L2 rs7903146 variants and the risk of NODAT after liver transplantation. Methods: This study was conducted on 140 liver transplant recipients who had received tacrolimusbased immunosuppressive drugs. The patients were divided into NODAT (n=70) and non-NODAT (n=70) groups and were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. In addition, 100 normal subjects were considered as the comparison group. Results: There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the two study groups regarding donor and recipient age, recipient body mass index, and recipient fasting plasma glucose before the transplantation. No significant relationship was observed between TCF7L2 rs7903146 genotypes and development of NODAT. No significant difference was also found between the two groups in terms of the tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil daily dosage as well as tacrolimus blood level. However, the prednisolone daily dosage was significantly (p=0.01) higher in the NODAT group compared to those without NODAT. The majority of the patients in the NODAT group also had an episode of acute rejection. Furthermore, a significant difference was found between the transplant recipients and the comparison subjects regarding T allele (p<0.001, OR=1.96) and TT genotype (p<0.001, OR=3.47) frequencies. Conclusion: No correlation was found between TCF7L2 genotypes and development of NODAT. Acute rejection and prednisolone pulse therapy predisposed the susceptible patients to NODAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Visfatin is a secreted protein from visceral adipose tissue that has been linked to obesity and associated with health risk factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training on plasma visfatin and insulin resistance in overweight non-athletic adolescents. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 36 healthy overweight and obese male adolescents were randomly assigned to experimental (n=18) and control (n=18) groups. The experimental group underwent 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training (45 min/d, 4 d/wk). Blood samples were taken before and after the completion of exercise training to assess levels of visfatin, insulin resistance and lipid profiles. Independent T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analysis the data. Results: The results showed that 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training decreased the plasma visfatin, body fat percent, BMI, insulin resistance, waist circumference and triglycerides levels in in the experimental group (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant and positive relationship between visfatin, body fat percent and plasma triglyceride levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training with decreased triglyceride, insulin resistance and obesity induced a significant reduction of plasma visfatin in overweight and obese adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of eyes was discussed in the beaked sea snake (Enhydrina schistosa) living in the open sea. Fine scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the cellular arrangement were taken based on histological preparations of the retina. The retina possesses the usual layers of the vertebrate eye and is composed of only cone photosensitive cells lacking rods. Ophidian double cones were not found in the cell composition. Measurements of cone densities and dimensions showed their density in the ventral quadrant was more than that in the dorsal, temporal and nasal quadrants. The ventral specialized retina could be corresponding to surveillance of aerial predators. The presence of three-layered spectacle, single-type, large and dispersed photosensitive cells was evidence of the low visual capability of the eyes inE. schistosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with unknown etiology. Due to the positive effects of exercise in patients with MS, we aimed to compare the effects of three combined exercise methods on serum levels of ghrelin, TNF-α and IL-10 in these patients. Materials and Methods: Forty- eight MS patients with EDSS 2 to 3 voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly divided into four groups; experimental-1 (one session of resistance training and three sessions of aerobic training per week), experimental-2 (two sessions of resistance training and two sessions of aerobic training per week), experimental-3 (three sessions of resistance training and one session of aerobic training per week) and a control group. The subjects performed four sessions of training protocol per week for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected 5 days before and 72 hours after the training program. Results: The results of the data analysis using ANOVA and post hoc Scheffe test indicated that IL-10 levels significantly increased in the experimental group-3 than in groups one and two, but these changes were not statistically significant in the three experimental groups compared to the control group. The serum levels of TNF-α and Ghrelin were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusion: It seems that concurrent combined training with an emphasis on resistance training leads to increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, decision on the best type of training programs in concurrent or combined training for MS patients calls for further research. As related to the improvement of serum Ghrelin levels in patients with MS, further studies with longer periods of exercises along with a proper diet is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Understanding and predicting physical and chemical trapping mechanisms are important for designing successful CO2 storage projects. The processes have been investigated extensively by numerical modeling and, to a lesser degree, by laboratory experiments. The results of modeling and laboratory studies need to be verified at field conditions and scales. A variety of field data sets have been collected at the Cranfield CO2 injection and monitoring site of the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB) where 3.54 million tons of CO2 had been injected by February 2012. Field characterization and extensive monitoring provide unique insights into the trapping processes that help in immobilizing injected CO2. The four-way closure of the injection zone ensures effective structural trapping of buoyant CO2 and maximum opportunity for chemical trapping. The fluvial reservoir shows a high degree of lithologic and petrophysical heterogeneity associated with multiple episodes of fluvial-channel incision and deposition. Variable diagenetic chlorite further exerts a complex overprint on rock properties because chlorite grain coatings prevent quartz cementation and preserve porosity. CO2 solubility in the brine under the field condition is approximately 36g/L (9kg/m3 rock volume). The CO2–brine contact area is maximized within the sinuous and focused flow pathways that could increase dissolution. Yet geochemical reactions are found to be very slow in the reservoir. Mineral trapping capacity is limited because the reservoir rocks contain only trace amount of reactive minerals that supply cations to convert CO2 into carbonate minerals. Two parallel multiphase flow experiments show that CO2 residual saturation varies significantly between conglomerate and sandstone (31% and 3.5%) facies in the reservoir, which complicates estimates of residual trapping capacity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: High intensity interval training (HIIT) enhances the capacity for fat oxidation and mitochondrial enzyme activity, but the effect of HIIT on plasma adiponectin levels is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the six week HIIT on resting plasma levels of adiponectin, insulin sensitivity and resistance and fat loss in sedentary young women. Materials and Methods: Twenty two students voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. The experimental group performed three HIIE sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session consisted of either four to six repeats of maximal sprint running within a 20 m area with 20-30 sec recovery. Fasting blood samples were collected 24 hours before and after the exercise protocol. Data were analyzed using dependent t-test and paired t-test. Results: Statistical analysis of the data showed that resting adiponectin levels post-intervention in the experimental group significantly increased (p=0.047). Significant improvements (P<0.05) were found in body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) postintervention (experimental group). Conclusion: The findings of present study demonstrated that high-intensity interval training is an appropriate method to reduce body fat and improve anthropometric indices in sedentary young women. Also, the intensity of exercise as an important factor in the increase of adiponectin levels could be noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of the performance of physically based models using infrared sky temperature observations taken in Tabouk City, North-West Saudi Arabia, during winter 2005. The models used here are the Brutsaert model and the Prata model. Initially, the original coefficients are used, and then, the coefficients are adjusted according to the observed models' response to the differences between the actual atmospheric vertical structure and the average standard conditions. The produced resulting corrected estimation has reduced the RMSE and MBE values, as compared to those obtained originally. The RMSE and MBE have been reduced from 10.5 and -10 to 3.8 and -1.6 respectively, as the coefficients for the Brutsaert model were adjusted. Similarly, for the Prata model, the RMSE and MBE in the sky temperature values have been reduced from 7.7 °C and -7.2 °C to 2.9 °C and -1.0 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of incremental continuous running as well as morning vs evening-time training on changes in serum immunoglobulins including IgA, IgG, IgM, testosterone, and cortisol hormones responses. For this reason, 28 male athletic students were purposefully selected and randomly divided into the two groups; morning-time training group (N=14, weight = 68.2 ± 9.8kg, age = 19.5 ± 1.6 years, training time = 7: 30 AM) and evening-time training group (N=14, weight = 63.8 ± 8.4 kg, age = 19.81 ± 1.24 years, training time =16:30 PM). The participants were trained according to an incremental continuous running program with a certain heart rate for two months (16 sessions). To determine the amount of serum immunoglobulins as well as cortisol and testosterone hormones, the participants' blood samples was taken twice, once 24 hours before the first training session and once 24 hours after training session. Then, a 12 - minute running-walking test was used to measure the maximal oxygen consumption. The results showed there were not any significant differences between the amounts of IgA, IgM, IgG serum of both groups in pre-test and post-test (i.e., respectively, p = 0.727, P = 0.068, P = 0.14). Also, there were not any significant differences between the amounts of testosterone and cortisol hormones secreted of both groups in pre-test and post-test. However, there were significant differences between the concentrations of cortisol hormone of the two groups in pre-test (P = 0.006) and post-test (P = 0.0001). More ever, the results also showed a significant difference between the pre-test of the morning-time training group and the post-test of the evening-time training group (P = 0.0001). The findings of this research indicate that cortisol hormone is influenced by the time of training, which is due to circadian rhythm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background: The current study aims to investigate the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum levels of CK and LDH as the muscle damage indicators and on Gelatinase-A (MMP-2) serum levels as the tissae inflammatory marker among young sedentary girls. Materials and Methods: For this quasi-experimental study, 14 sedentary female college students were selected and randomly divided into two groups; including the exercise HIIT group (means and standard deviations of age: 21/28 ± 2/56 (years); weight:52/86 ±4/95 (kg); and height: 163/1±3/7 (cm)) and the control group (means and standard deviations of age: 20/25 ±7/50 (years); weight:52/64 ±3/67 (kg); and height: 162/4±4/5 (cm)). The experimental group performed six repetitions of one-minute runs at 90%- 95% of HRmax. The blood samples were collected before and 30 minutes after the exercise protocol. The serum CK, LDH and MMP-2 levels were measured using corresponding kits. The data were analyzed through the independent t-test at the significance level of 0.05 (p