Are the Serum Biomarkers Pepsinogen I and II Good Predictors for the Detection of Subjects with Atrophic Gastritis in Areas that have Different Gastric Cancer Incidence.

BACKGROUND: Northern Iran (Ardabil) is characterized by a high gastric cancer (GC) rate, whereas Southern Iran (Kerman and Yazd) has a low GC rate. The aim of this study is to verify the potential for pepsinogen I and II to detect atrophic gastritis (AG) in both high and low risk populations for GC. METHODS: Sera of blood donors and patients with GC from Ardebil, Kerman and Yazd were used to measure levels of pepsinogen I, II and H. pylori IgG antibody. GC rates in these cities were determined according to the Cancer Registry and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy results. RESULTS: There were 449 subjects with an average age of 45 ± 15 years. The GC rate in the endoscopy units of the hospital in Ardabil was four times higher than Kerman or Yazd. The mean serum pepsinogen I levels did not differ between Ardabil (102 ± 42.6 µg/mL), Kerman (103.3 ± 49.8 µg/mL), and Yazd (111.7 ± 39 µg/mL). Pepsinogen II levels were: 8.1 ± 4.7 µg/mL (Ardabil), 7.5 ± 5.3 µg/mL (Kerman), and 7.6 ± 4.4 µg/mL (Yazd), which were not different. The H. pylori infection rates were: Ardabil (61%), Kerman (55%), and Yazd (73%). A low ratio of pepsinogen I to II (≤3) was seen in Ardabil (1.3%), Kerman (1.9%), and Yazd (0.0%), which was not significant. A total of 51.9% of GC patients from Ardabil had normal pepsinogen I (≥70 µg/mL) levels and pepsinogen I/II ratios that were >5. CONCLUSION: Serum biomarkers pepsinogen I and II and their ratios are probably not sensitive predictors of AG in areas that have either a high or low GC prevalence. This finding is likely related to the lack of an association between GC and advanced AG

The role of BK potassium channels in analgesia produced by alpha-2 adrenergic receptors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Millions of people suffer from pain worldwide, and annually, great economic costs are imposed on societies for pain relief. Analgesics such as alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, which have low risk of complications, can be effective in assuaging pain and reducing costs. According to former studies, potassium channels play an important role in the analgesic mechanism of these receptors. This study aimed to determine the role of BK potassium channels in analgesia induced by alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. METHODS: This study was performed on 56 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g that were divided into seven groups of eight rats. We administered 0. 7 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP) injection of clonidine, 1 mg/kg IP injection of yohimbine, and 5 mg/kg intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of yohimbine. Iberiotoxin at a dose of 100 nm was also injected ICV. Normal saline and DMSO were applied as solvents. Pain severity was evaluated using formalin test at a concentration of 2%. FINDINGS: The chronic pain induced by formalin injection was relieved by IP injection of 0. 7 mg/kg clonidine. Moreover, 5 μg/kg and 1 μg/kg ICV administration of yohimbine with mean chronic pain scores of 2. 29±0. 13 and 2. 09±0. 07, respectively, could significantly inhibit analgesic effect of clonidine with mean chronic pain score of 1. 55±0. 14 (p<0. 001). ICV injection of iberiotoxin with mean chronic pain score of 2. 33±0. 16 at a dose of 100 nm significantly diminished analgesic effects of clonidine. CONCLUSION: Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists could induce analgesia in the animals, and the antagonist of this receptor inhibited the analgesic effect of agonists of these receptors. BK channel inhibition prevented analgesic effect of adrenergic receptor agonists, as well. © 2016, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Learning from the past in today's architectural design case study: architecture in hot and arid zone of Yazd in central Iran

Statement of the Problem – Inquadramento del problema Al giorno d’oggi si discute molto nella comunità scientifica mondiale circa le questioni riguardanti lo sviluppo sostenibile, la salvaguardia delle energie non rinnovabili e l’architettura sostenibile. Indubbiamente l’uso incoerente delle energie non rinnovabili quali i combustibili fossili metterà a rischio lo sviluppo ambientale mondiale nel prossimo futuro. Più di un terzo dell’energia consumata a livello globale viene impiegata nel settore delle costruzioni, pertanto con questa alta domanda di consumo energetico non c’è speranza di preservare le fonti energetiche per il futuro. La carenza di risorse energetiche evidenzia l’importanza di implementare l’architettura sostenibile. La maggior parte delle fonti non rinnovabili è stata consumata. Si prevede che il prezzo dei combustibili fossili continuerà a salire nei prossimi anni, pertanto, si è formata l’idea di edifici ad impatto energetico zero al fine di soddisfare i requisiti energetici di questo secolo e superare le preoccupazioni legate all’energie che sono sorte nell’era attuale. Certamente è nella speranza umana quella di realizzare idee creative quali edifici ad energia zero, edifici ad energia neutra o edifici indipendenti per molti anni. Con l’utilizzo delle tecnologie moderne il più grande sogno dell’umanità, preservare le risorse energetiche, può essere realizzato. L’architettura tradizionale Iraniana è uno dei migliori esempi di architettura sostenibile, rappresenta un uso efficace di energie non rinnovabili basato su regioni climatiche del passato. L’antica architettura Iraniana mostra l’esperienza degli Iraniani nell’utilizzo delle energie naturali non terrestri (né sotterranee) come l’energia del sole, vento, acqua etc. Le differenti situazioni geografiche e climatiche sono state integrate con la sapienza e l’intelligenza delle popolazioni del passato nell’utilizzo di energie naturali andando a costituire quel peculiare modello dell’architettura tradizionale Iraniana. Oggi è possibile utilizzare l’esperienza del passato e recuperare quei modelli tradizionali che per lungo tempo sono stati dimenticati, al fine di soddisfare i bisogni climatici di ogni regione e diminuire il consumo di carburanti fossili. In questa tesi, la regione Iraniana e le sue case vernacolari vengono esaminate come uno dei maggiori esempi di “architettura compatibile” alle condizioni climatiche. In questa tesi sono state analizzate le energie rinnovabili nelle case passive e negli edifici ad energia zero. Inoltre si è cercato di utilizzare i nuovi materiali, le tecnologie e le esperienze della tradizione nei nuovi complessi abitativi come parte della soluzione per un decrescente uso di energie consummabili e minori spese nelle case.Statement of the Problem Nowadays some of the important issues of the world scientific communities are the discussion on the sustainable development, saving the non-renewable energy and the sustainable architecture. Undoubtedly the irregular use of non-renewable sources such as the fossil fuels, will jeopardize the world’s environmental situation in the near future. More than one third of total consumed energy has been used In the buildings section , so with this high demand of energy consumption , there is no hope for preserving energy sources for the future. Lack of energy resources emphasize the importance of reaching the sustainable architecture. The main part of the non-renewable sources have been consumed. It is predicted that the price of fossil fuels continues to rise in the next years, therefore, the idea of the zero energy building has been formed in order to meet the energy needs of the current century and is used for removing the energy related concerns in the current era. Indeed, human hope to accomplish the creative ideas such as zero energy building, neutral energy building or independent building for many years. By using modern technology the biggest human dream, preserving energy resources, can be achieved. Iranian traditional architecture as one of the best sample of the sustainable architecture, represents the effective usage of non-renewable energies based on the climate region in the past. The ancient Iranian architecture indicates the experience of the Iranian in using the non-terrestrial (non underground) natural energies such as the energy of the sun, wind, water and etc. The different geographical and climatic situations have been integrated with the penchant and intelligence of the past people for using the natural energies in order to form the unique patterns of the Iranian traditional architecture. Today, it is possible to utilize the past experiences and restoration of those traditional patterns which have been forgotten in the current era, in order to meet the climatic needs of each region and decrease the consumption of the fossil fuels. In this thesis, the country of Iran and its vernacular houses have been investigated as the most notable samples of “adjusted architecture” per climatic conditions. In this thesis, the hot and arid climatic region of Yazd has been investigated. According to the investigations, the usage of the correct materials, accurate identification of the climatic specifications of each region and its related facilities can lead to creation of the appropriate spaces in order to meet the air conditioning and minimize the consumption of non-renewable energies. In this thesis, the renewable energies in the passive houses and zero energy buildings have been investigated. Meanwhile, it has been attempted to use the new materials and technologies and traditional experiences in the new building complexes as part of the solutions in decreasing consumable energy and expenses in the houses

Testicular expression of TDRD1, TDRD5, TDRD9 and TDRD12 in azoospermia.

BACKGROUND: Tudor domain-containing proteins (TDRDs) play a critical role in piRNA biogenesis and germ cell development. piRNAs, small regulatory RNAs, act by silencing of transposons during germline development and it has recently been shown in animal model studies that defects in TDRD genes can lead to sterility in males. METHODS: Here we evaluate gene and protein expression levels of four key TDRDs (TDRD1, TDRD5, TDRD9 and TDRD12) in testicular biopsy samples obtained from men with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 29), as controls, and various types of non-obstructive azoospermia containing hypospermatogenesis (HP, 28), maturation arrest (MA, n = 30), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS, n = 32) as cases. One-way ANOVA test followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison post-test was used to determine inter-group differences in TDRD gene expression among cases and controls. RESULTS: The results showed very low expression of TDRD genes in SCOS specimens. Also, the expression of TDRD1 and TDRD9 genes were lower in MA samples compared to OA samples. The expression of TDRD5 significantly reduced in SCOS, MA and HP specimens than the OA specimens. Indeed, TDRD12 exhibited a very low expression in HP specimens in comparison to OA specimens. All these results were confirmed by Western blot technique. CONCLUSION: TDRDs could be very important in male infertility, which should be express in certain stages of spermatogenesis

The menopausal age and associated factors in Gorgan, Iran

Background: Considering the physical, emotional and psychological complications of early or delayed menopause on women's life, it is necessary to determine associated factors of menopause age. This study designed to determine menopausal age and associated factors in women of Gorgan, i.e. the capital of Golestan province in the north-east of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 804 menopausal women in Gorgan were selected via two-stage sampling method in 2009. The study included only women who had undergone natural menopause and had their last menstrual bleeding at least one year before. Data were gathered through structured questionnaire that included individual characteristics, socioeconomic characteristics, menstrual and fertility characteristics and climacteric complaints. Socioeconomic status was defined using principal component analysis. Data were analyzed with Tstudent's and ANOVA tests using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) for Windows. Results: The mean menopause age was 47.6±4.45 years with the median age of 48 years. The mean menopause age in women with first pregnancy before 30 years (47.58±4.47years), without pregnancy (46.26±4.90years) and without delivery (46.30±4.47years) was significantly lower than others (p 0.05). Socioeconomic status was not associated significantly with menopause age (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study illustrated that menstrual and fertility factors have influence on menopausal age while socioeconomic factors were not effective

Adjustment and Completion of BASNEF Model to Provide a New Model for Educating Large Populations in Relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Educational models that have been created for educating small populations do not have enough efficacy for educating large populations, so based on this premise and also high prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in the Islamic Republic of Iran and lack of efficient methods for CL control, this study was designed and done with the aim of applying BASNEF model to provide a new model for educating large populations in relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 60 Volunteer Health Workers (VHWS) and 120 households that were resident in endemic areas of CL in Yazd were selected through census and multi-stage sampling method, respectively. Then, educational intervention was designed and implemented on the basis of BASNEF model. After educating VHWS based on BASNEF model, they were asked to educate households on the basis of BASNEF model. Before and after 3 months of VHWS training activities, data were collected in intervention and control groups via valid and reliable questionnaires and were analyzed with the SPSS software. Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, behaviors and influence of subjective norms after educational intervention in households in experimental were significantly increased (P<0.05) while the changes in control group were not significant. Conclusions: This educational program led to empowering of VHWS and a change in their educational behavior which in turn led to preventive measures in households under study region. It can be concluded that the new educational model presented in this research, formed based on the BASNEF model, is able to educate a large population. Keywords: BASNEF Model, Volunteer Health Workers, Health Education, Cutaneous Leishmaniasi

The entangling power of a "glocal" dissipative map

We consider a model of two qubits dissipating into both local and global environments (generally at non-zero temperatures), with the possibility of interpolating between purely local dissipation and purely global one. The corresponding dissipative dynamical map is characterized in terms of its Kraus operators focusing on the stationary regime. We then determine conditions under which entanglement can be induced by the action of such a map. It results (rather counterintuitively) that in order to have entanglement in the presence of local environment, this latter must be at nonzero temperature.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure