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Introduction: There is many ways to assessing the electrical conductivity anisotropy of a tumor. Applying the values of tissue electrical conductivity anisotropy is crucial in numerical modeling of the electric and thermal field distribution in electroporation treatments. This study aims to calculate the tissues electrical conductivity anisotropy in patients with sarcoma tumors using diffusion tensor imaging technique. Materials and Method: A total of 3 subjects were involved in this study. All of patients had clinically apparent sarcoma tumors at the extremities. The T1, T2 and DTI images were performed using a 3-Tesla multi-coil, multi-channel MRI system. The fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were performed using the FSL (FMRI software library) software regarding the DTI images. The 3D matrix of the FA maps of each area (tumor, normal soft tissue and bone/s) was reconstructed and the anisotropy matrix was calculated regarding to the FA values. Result: The mean FA values in direction of main axis in sarcoma tumors were ranged between 0.475–0.690. With assumption of isotropy of the electrical conductivity, the FA value of electrical conductivity at each X, Y and Z coordinate axes would be equal to 0.577. The gathered results showed that there is a mean error band of 20% in electrical conductivity, if the electrical conductivity anisotropy not concluded at the calculations. The comparison of FA values showed that there is a significant statistical difference between the mean FA value of tumor and normal soft tissues (P

To determine circumcision prevalence and complications in under 5 year old boys. We assessed 181 boys in a cross sectional study at a rutal area in Tehran suburbs, in Jan 1997. Data were collected by an interview about age, circumcision age and method, type of complications, nationality and parent literacy. 126 boys (69%) were circumcised, (mean 12 months). Only 27 of them (21.4%) were circumcised in neonatal period. 62 boys (49.2%) were circumcised with ring methods (plastibell or clamp), 54 boys (42.9%) with surgical methods and the others (7.9%) with nonmendical methods (traditional). Complications were 9.5% (16) and the higher circumcision age was related significantly with higher complications (P

Full-flow penetrometers such as the cylindrical T-bar and spherical ball are now being used widely in soft seabed sediments due to their advantages of larger projected area and minimal correction for overburden pressure. A ball penetrometer fitted with one or more pore pressure transducers (piezoball) is of special interest as it can provide information on the soil consolidation properties by means of dissipation tests. Although analytical and numerical solutions have been developed to evaluate the undrained resistance factor for the ball, the absence of a similar theoretical basis has limited the use of piezoball dissipation testing. This paper provides the results of numerical analyses undertaken to model the excess pore pressure field generated during penetration of a piezoball, including its shaft, and the decay of pore pressure during a subsequent dissipation test. The analyses used a coupled large deformation finite-element (LDFE) method incorporating the modified Cam-Clay model. The robustness and validity of the LDFE analyses were verified by comparison with analytical and alternative numerical solutions of ball penetration and with experimental data from centrifuge model dissipation tests. The effects of soil properties and shaft-ball geometry on the dissipation response at two locations on the ball were studied. A normalised time factor for excess pore pressure dissipation, together with benchmark dissipation curves, are proposed for generic interpretation of the dissipation response around a piezoball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined morphological, anatomical and palynological characters for six species, two subspecies and two varieties of perennial Onobrychis growing in northeast Iran. In the morphological study, shape, size and color of vegetative organs and legumes were assessed. For the anatomical study, cross sections of mature fresh or dried stems, leaflets and petioles were prepared and stained. In the palynological study, pollen were extracted, acetolysed and observed by SEM. The morphological study indicated that some characteristics varied among species, such as shape of stipules and calyx teeth, color and shape of corolla segments and legumes and an identification key is provided based on these characters. Also, in internal structure some differences were noticed in the shape of petiole cross sections, the thickness of cortex and pith shape in petioles and the arrangement of vessels in stems. Some anatomical characters proved useful to identify species, but not sections. Palynological results showed circular and obtuse triangular pollen in polar view and elliptical pollen in equatorial view with reticulate ornamentation. In addition, a cluster analysis was done based on morphological, anatomical and palynological features. The resulting dendrogram confirmed the taxonomic treatment suggested by Sirjaev and Rechinger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The piezocone is one of the most widely used in-situ tools with which to characterise the soil profile, distinguishing different types of sediment, and to provide quantitative data on the soil strength and consolidation characteristics. For fine-grained soils where penetration occurs under nominally undrained conditions, consolidation characteristics are obtained from dissipation tests conducted with the piezocone brought to rest. Dissipation testing is interpreted to yield a coefficient of consolidation, by comparison of the excess pore pressure decay with theoretical solutions. It is generally acknowledged that the coefficient of consolidation derived from in-situ dissipation tests will be greater, by a factor of perhaps 2 to 10, than values derived from oedometer tests on samples recovered from the corresponding depth. Apart from potential differences in horizontal and vertical permeability, differences arise from the influence of the rigidity index on the initial excess pore pressure field and the more complex stress paths undergone by soil elements surrounding the piezocone by comparison with an oedometer test. In order to advance the science underlying interpretation of dissipation testing, a careful parametric study has been undertaken using finite-element analysis, with the soil modelled as modified Cam Clay. The aim has been to derive an 'operative' coefficient of consolidation, linked to the consolidation and swelling parameters of the soil model, thus allowing quantitative treatment of the difference in coefficients of consolidation derived from laboratory oedometer or in-situ dissipation testing. The effect of partial consolidation during the penetration phase is also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our aim was to determine association of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and idiopathic hypercalciuria in children with recurrent and single episode of urinary tract infection (UTI). Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 45 children with VUR and recurrent UTI, and 2 control groups: 45 normal healthy children (control group 1) and 45 children with VUR and single episode of UTI (control group 2). Idiopathic hypercalciuria was defined as urine calcium to creatinine ratio more than 0.8 (mg/mg) in infants younger than 1 year old, and more than 0.2 (mg/mg) in older children (without any detectable causes for hypercalciuria). Results: The study group consisted of 26 (57.8%) girls and 19 (42.2%) boys, with the mean age of 41.14 +/- 22.1 months. Nine (20%) subjects had hypercalciuria. The control group 1 composed of 22 (48.9%) girls and 23 (51.1%) boys, with the mean age of 43.98 +/- 16.23 months. In this group, 6 subjects (13.3%) with hypercalciuria were detected. The control group 2 composed of 23 (51.1%) girls and 22 (48.9%) boys, with the mean age of 39.96 +/- 24.2 months. In group 2, 7 subjects (15.6%) with hypercalciuria were detected. Conclusion: Comparison between such results was not statistically significant. Despite reports of different studies about accompanying of hypercalciuria with recurrent UTI with or without anatomical abnormalities, according to the present study, idiopathic hypercalciuria is not a major contributing factor to recurrent UTI in children with VUR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of five interspecific hybrid rootstocks on the susceptibility of grafted scions to crown gall were studied for six years in field as well as greenhouse experiments. The incidence of crown gall on susceptible grape scion cultivars (Vitis vinifera cvs. 'Thompson seedless' and 'Red Sahebi') was not affected by their grafting onto resistant rootstocks, including NAZ4 (Vitis vinifera cv. 'Jighjigha' x Riparia Gloire) and NAZ6 (V. vinifera cv. 'Gharaozum' x Kober 5BB), or on self-rooted cultivars when the inoculated vines were monitored over a three-month period in a greenhouse. The weights of the galls induced on non-grafted vines by two of six strains of Agrobacterium vitis and Agrobacterium tumefacience biovar 1 were significantly different. A. vitis strain AG57 and Agrobacterium tumefacience biovar 1 strain 16/6 induced significantly larger galls (8.9 and 5.4 mm respectively) on 'Thompson seedless' and 'Red Sahebi' when these were growing as self-rooted plants than when grafted on NAZ4 and NAZ6. Observations over a four-year period in the field showed that there was no difference in crown gall incidence until the second year. Scions grafted onto rootstocks of NAZ4 and NAZ6 had a 21.5% and 6.8% incidence, compared to 55% for self-rooted vines. In another field experiment with naturally infected scions of V. vinifera cv. 'Asgari' (a very susceptible cultivar), crown gall was apparent on vines grafted onto all rootstocks after six years. The incidence of crown gall was 18% on NAZ6 compared to 68% on NAZ1. During a five-year period, many self-rooted vines died, compared to only a few scions grafted onto NAZ4 and NAZ6 rootstocks that died. At the end of the study, many pathogenic strains of Agrobacterium spp. were isolated from the roots of 'Thompson seedless' and 'Red Sahebi' vines, but not from roots or vines when NAZ4 and NAZ6 rootstocks were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and treatment of enuresis among primary-school children living in Oromieh city, Islamic Republic of Iran. A questionnaire was answered by parents of 3500 selected students at the annual school enrolment in summer 2004. The frequency of nocturnal enuresis was 7.7%. Enuresis frequency was significantly higher among boys (8.6%) than girls (6.7%). Treatment methods used were: medication, water restriction, awaking for voiding and enuresis alarm in 57.8%, 18.1%, 11.5% and 2.6% of cases respectively. The frequency of nocturnal enuresis is similar to other studies but treatment methods were different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes act as regulators of plant germination and growth and are able to change the morphology and physiology of plant cells. The castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is a very important medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 different concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 75, 100, 125, 250 and 500 μg · ml−1) alongside the control under laboratory conditions on the germination and growth of castor seedlings. The results demonstrated that the maximum percentage of germination (96.7%) and relative germination percentage (100%) were found in the concentrations of 50 and 100 μg · ml−1, respectively, and the highest germination rate (53.3%) and the mean germination time (4.6 days) was seen in the concentration of 75 μg · ml−1. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the different concentrations in any of the germination factors. In the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1, there was a significant increase in the seedling vigor index I (400) when compared with the concentrations of 5 and 10 μg · ml−1. The maximum seedling vigor index II (11.3) was found in the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 and was significantly different from the control and all applied concentrations. The length of radicle in the 100 and 125 μg · ml−1 had a significant increase when compared with the control and the concentrations of 10 and 50 μg · ml−1. The maximum seedling length (4.6 cm) was seen in the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 where there was a significant increase with 10 μg · ml−1. Moreover, in the 100 μg · ml−1 concentration, the largest number of rootlets (8.6) was seen and when compared with the control and concentrations of 5, 10 and 50 μg · ml−1, there was a statistically significant increase. The maximum wet weight (0.3 g) and dry weight (0.1 g) of seedlings were obtained in the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 and when compared with the control, there was a significant increase. It was found that in all factors related to the growth of seedlings, the concentrations of 10 and 50 MWCNTs had an inhibitory effect on the response index. The MWCNTs concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 was considered as the optimum concentration in the growth stage of castor seedlings.

A correction to the article about the relationship between the coefficients of consolidation that result from laboratory oedometric compression and piezocone dissipation testing that was published in the previous issue is presented.

Background: Dextromethorphan, the D-isomer of the codeine analog levorphanol, is a weak, noncompetitive N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It has been suggested that NMDA receptor antagonists induce preemptive analgesia when administered before tissue injury occurs, thus decreasing the subsequent sensation of pain. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between February 2005 and December 2006. In this study, 72 patients scheduled for elective cholesyctectomy were randomized into three groups to receive either oral dextromethorphan 45 mg (Group D45 = 24), dextromethorphan 90 mg (Group D90 = 24), or placebo (Group C, n = 24), as premedication, 120 minutes before surgery. A visual analog scale (VAS) for pain of each patient was measured at arrival in the ward and six and 24 hours after surgery. Results: The demographic characteristics of patients, ASA physical status class, duration of surgery, and the basal VAS pain score were similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the mean of the VAS pain scores measured over time or morphine consumption among the three groups. Conclusion: Dextromethorphan 45 mg and 90 mg, administrated orally, two hours before surgery, had no effect on postoperative morphine requirement and pain intensity.

Background : The primary objective of this research is to propose an intra-operative tumor detection probe calibrated on human models of gastrointestinal (G.I.) cancers, enabling real-time scanning of dissected masses. Methods : Electrical Gastrointestinal Cancer Detection (EGCD) measures impedimetric characteristics of G.I. masses using a handpiece probe and a needle-based head probe. Impedance Phase Slope (IPS) and impedance magnitude (Z1kHz) are extracted as the classification parameters. EGCD was tested on palpable G.I. masses and compared to histopathology results. Results : Calibration was carried out on 120 GI mass samples. Considering pathological results as the gold standard, most cancer masses showed Z1kHz between 100 Ω and 2500 Ω while their IPS was between -15 and -1. The EGCD total sensitivity and specificity of this categorization in G.I. cancer patients with palpable tumors were 86.4% and 74.4%, respectively ( p -value < 0.01). Conclusion : EGCD scoring can be used for 3D scanning of palpable tumors in G.I. tumors during surgery, which can help clarify the tumors' pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or the nature of intra-operative newly found G.I. tumors for the surgeon to manage their surgical procedure better.