The Effect of Foot Massage on the Consciousness Levels in Comatose Patients With Brain Injury Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit (Icu): A Randomised Control Trial

Introduction: Coma results from traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. Foot massage can influence the level of consciousness in comatose patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foot massage on the level of consciousness in comatose patients due to brain injury who were hospitalized in the ICUs of selected hospitals in Qazvin. Methods: This study was a clinical trial which was conducted on 40 patients with coma who were hospitalized in the ICUs of Shahid Rajaee and Razi hospitals in Qazvin in 2014. Patients were assigned to case and control groups, using randomize blocked allocation. Massage of both feet was performed in a Stroke manner (5 minutes for each foot) and once a day for 14 days. Then, the level of consciousness was recorded using Glasgow Coma Scale. Statistical tests (chi-square, Independent t-test, dependent t-test and Repeated Measures variance analysis) were used for analysis. Results: The results showed that there is significant difference between the mean of consciousness level before (5.80±1.58) andafter (10.6±2.41) massage in the intervention group(P=0.001). While the mean of consciousness level was (5.3±1.72)before and (6.94±3.03)after the intervention in the control group andit was not statistically significant (P=0.06). Conclusion: Foot massage could increase the level of consciousness among patients in comatose patients due to brain injury. It is recommended to use this intervention for increasing patientsconsciousness level

Dissection of the genetic basis of genotype-by-environment interactions for grain yield and main agronomic traits in Iranian bread wheat landraces and cultivars

Understanding the genetic basis of performance stability is essential to maintain productivity, especially under severe conditions. In the present study, 268 Iranian bread wheat landraces and cultivars were evaluated in four well-watered and two rain-fed conditions for different traits. According to breeding programs, cultivars were in a group with a high mean and stability in terms of GY, GN, and SW traits, while in terms of PH, they had a low mean and high stability. The stability of cultivars and landraces was related to dynamic and static stability, respectively. The highest number of marker pairs and lowest LD decay distance in both cultivars and landraces was observed on the B genome. Population structure differentiated indigenous cultivars and landraces, and the GWAS results for each were almost different despite the commonalities. Chromosomes 1B, 3B, 7B, 2A, and 4A had markers with pleiotropic effects on the stability of different traits. Due to two rain-fed environments, the Gene Ontology (GO) confirmed the accuracy of the results. The identified markers in this study can be helpful in breeding high-performance and stable genotypes and future breeding programs such as fine mapping and cloning

Energy inputs – yield relationship and sensitivity analysis for tomato greenhouse production in Iran

This paper studies the energy balance between the input and the output energies per unit area for greenhouse tomato production.  For this purpose, the data on 30 tomato production greenhouses in Isfahan province, Iran were collected and analyzed.  The results indicated that a total specific input energy of 116,768.4 MJ ha-1 was consumed for tomato production.  Diesel fuel (with 40%) and chemical fertilizers and manure (with 30%) were amongst the highest input energies for tomato production.  The energy productivity was estimated to be 1.16 kg MJ-1.  The ratio of output energy to input energy was approximately 0.92. 19% and 81% of total energy input was in renewable and non-renewable forms, respectively.  The regression results revealed that the contribution of input energies on crop yield for human power, machinery, pesticides and electricity inputs was significant.  The human power energy had the highest impact (1.45) among the other inputs in greenhouse tomato production.  The marginal physical productivity of diesel fuel, seed and total chemical fertilizer with manure was negative.  It can be because of applying the inputs more than required or improperly applying.  The highest shares of expenses were found to be 34% and 21% for human power and total diesel fuel and machinery, respectively.  Cost analysis revealed that total cost of production for 1 ha greenhouse tomato production was around US$34939.  Accordingly, the benefit-cost ratio was estimated as 2.74.  Results of greenhouse gas emission indicated that tomato production is mostly depended on diesel fuel sources.  Diesel fuel had the highest share (2,719.98 kg CO2eq.ha-1) followed by electricity (729.6 kg CO2eq.ha-1) and nitrogen fertilizer (409.5 kg CO2eq.ha-1).   Keywords: tomato, greenhouse, energy productivity, economic analysis, Cobb-Douglas functio

Cytotoxicity and Radiosensitising Activity of Synthesized Dinitrophenyl Derivatives of 5-Fluorouracil

Background and the purpose of the study: Dual functional agents in which nitroaromatic or nitroheterocyclic compounds are attached through a linker unit to mustards and aziridines have shown higher cytotoxicities than the corresponding counterparts to both aerobic and hypoxic cells and enhanced radiosensitizing activity. In thepresent investigation cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing activity of 2,4-dinitrobenzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzoyl, and 2,4-dinitrophenacetyl derivatives of 5-fluorouracil which was assumed to release cytotoxic active quinone methidide,and 5-fluorouracil under hypoxic conditions on HT-29 cell line under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions wasinvestigated.Methods: 5-fluorouracil derivative X-XIII were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding di-nitro substitutedbenzyl, benzoyl and phenacetyl halides with 5-fluorouracil protected at N-1 with di-t-butoxydicarbonate (BOC) in dimethyl formamide (DMF) in the presence of the potassium carbonate followed by hydrolysis of the blocking,group by potassium carbonate in methanol. Cytotoxicity of fluorouracil VIII and tested compounds X-XIII against HT-29cell line under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions after 48 hrs incubation were measured by determination of the percent of the survival cells using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and percent of the dead cells using propidium iodide(PI)-digitonine assay and results were used to calculate the corresponding IC50 values. Radiosensitization experiments were carried out by irradiation of the incubations with a 60Co source and clonogenic assay was performed to determine the cell viabilities following treatment with the tested compounds and/or radiation. Sensitization Enhancement Ratio (SER) of each tested compound was obtained from the radiation survival curves in the absence and presence of each sensitizer for 37% survival respectively.Results and major conclusion: Findings of the present study showed that alkylation or acylation of 5-fluorouracilresult in compounds which have little or no cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing activity under aerobic conditions, buthave high cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing effects under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore radiosensitizing activities ofcompounds under hypoxic conditions increased by increase in their concentrations and SER of the tested 5-FU derivatives at concentrations higher than 50 μmol were equal or higher than 1.6 which is the minimum effective SER of a radiosensitizer in an in vitro assay

Rare earth elements distribution in marine sediments of Malaysia coasts

In the east coast Peninsular Malaysia region, sediments are transported by several rivers from the east Malaysia into the South China Sea estuary. In the vicinity of the five river estuaries core sediments were collected in order to investigate rare earth elements (REEs) profile. Core sediments were divided into strata of between 2 to 4 cm intervals and prepared for analyzing by ICP-AES. REE concentrations of 54.3 μg/gr at 24–26 cm in EC4 increased to 114.1 μg/gr at 20–22 cm in EC5. The measured concentration of LREEs and Fe normalized enrichment factors indicated that sediments were not enriched with light rare earth elements derived from effluents of anthropogenic activities. Results of the total concentration were used to establish baseline data in environmental pollution assessment and to develop the correlations between the Ce/Ce* and Eu/Eu* anomalies and the distribution patterns of some light rare earth elements (LREEs) and the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). The chondrite-normalized ratios of REEs showed LREEs enrichment and flat HREE depletion

Validation of Urinary Glycosaminoglycans in Iranian patients with Mucopolysaccharidase type I: The effect of urine sedimentation characteristics

How to Cite This Article:Abdi M, Khatami Sh, Hakhamaneshi MS, Alaei MR, Azadi NA, Zamanfar D, Taghikhani M.Validation of Urinary Glycosaminiglycans in Iranian Patients with Mucopolysaccharidose Type I: The Effect of Urine Sedimentation Characteristics. Iran J Child Neurol. 2014; 8(4):39-45. AbstractObjectiveThe first line-screening test for mucopolysaccharidosis is based on measurement of urinary glycosaminoglycans. The most reliable test for measurement of urine glycosaminoglycans is the 1,9-dimethyleneblue colorimetric assay. Biological markers are affected by ethnical factors, for this reason, the World Health Organization recommends that the diagnostic test characteristics should be used to determine results for different populations. This study determines the diagnostic value of 1,9-dimethyleneblue tests for diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I patients in Iran.Materials & Methods In addition to routine urine analysis, the qualitative and quantitative measurements of urine glucosaminoglycans were performed with the Berry spot test and 1,9-dimethyleneblue assay. Diagnostic values of the tests were determined using the ROC curve.ResultsUrine total glycosaminoglycans were significantly higher in male subjects than in female subjects. Glycosaminoglycan concentration was markedly decreased in specimens with elevated white blood cell and epithelial cells count. Using a cut-off level of 10.37 mg/g creatinine, sensitivity, and specificity were 100% and 97.22%, respectively, for a 1,9-dimethyleneblue colorimetric assay.ConclusionUrine glycosaminoglycans concentration significantly differs in our studied population. In addition to determine diagnostic validity of the 1,9-dimethyleneblue test, our results demonstrate the usefulness of measuring glycosaminoglycans for early screening of mucopolysaccharidosis type I Iran. ReferencesJackson RL, Busch SJ, Cardin AD. Glycosaminoglycans: molecular properties, protein interactions, and role in physiological processes. Physiological reviews. 1991 Apr;71(2):481-539.Ghaderi S. The biochemistry base of mucopolysaccharidoses and approach to. Genetics in the 3rd millennium. [Educational]. 2006;4(1):711-22.Mizumoto S, Ikegawa S, Sugahara K. Human genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes for sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The Journal of biological chemistry. 2013 Apr 19;288(16):10953-61.Salbach J, Rachner TD, Rauner M, Hempel U, Anderegg U, Franz S, et al. Regenerative potential of glycosaminoglycans for skin and bone. Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany). 2012 Jun;90(6):625-35.Coppa GV, Catassi C, Gabrielli O, Giorgi PL, Dall’Amico R, Naia S, et al. Clinical application of a new simple method for the identification of mucopolysaccharidoses. Helvetica paediatrica acta. 1987 Jun;42(5-6):419-23.Fuller M, Meikle PJ, Hopwood JJ. Glycosaminoglycan degradation fragments in mucopolysaccharidosis I. Glycobiology. 2004 May;14(5):443-50.Fuller M, Rozaklis T, Ramsay SL, Hopwood JJ, Meikle PJ. Disease-specific markers for the mucopolysaccharidoses. Pediatric research. 2004 Nov;56(5):733-8.Blau N, Duran M, Gibson K. Laboratory Guide to the Methods in Biochemical Genetics. First edition ed: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg; 2008. pp287-324.Dorfman A, Matalon R. The Hurler and Hunter syndromes. The American journal of medicine. 1969 Nov;47(5):691-707.Fratantoni JC, Hall CW, Neufeld EF. Hurler and Hunter syndromes: mutual correction of the defect in cultured fibroblasts. Science (New York, NY. 1968 Nov 1;162(3853):570-2.Fratantoni JC, Hall CW, Neufeld EF. The defect in Hurler and Hunter syndromes. II. Deficiency of specific factors involved in mucopolysaccharide degradation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 1969 Sep;64(1):360-6.Fratantoni JC, Neufeld EF, Uhlendorf BW, Jacobson CB. Intrauterine diagnosis of the hurler and hunter syndromes. The New England journal of medicine. 1969 Mar 27;280(13):686-8.Chamoles NA, Blanco MB, Gaggioli D, Casentini C. Hurler-like phenotype: enzymatic diagnosis in dried blood spots on filter paper. Clinical chemistry. 2001 Dec;47(12):2098-102.Nor A, Zabedah MY, Norsiah MD, Ngu LH, Suhaila AR. Separation of sulfated urinary glycosaminoglycans by high-resolution electrophoresis for isotyping of mucopolysaccharidoses in Malaysia. The Malaysian journal of pathology. 2010 Jun;32(1):35-42.De Muro P, Faedda R, Formato M, Re F, Satta A, Cherchi GM, et al. Urinary glycosaminoglycans in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinical and experimental rheumatology. 2001 Mar-Apr;19(2):125-30.Berry HK, Spinanger J. A paper spot test useful in study of Hurler’s syndrome. The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine. 1960 Jan;55:136-8.Pennock CA, White F, Murphy D, Charles RG, Kerr H. Excess glycosaminoglycan excretion in infancy and childhood. Acta paediatrica Scandinavica. 1973 Sep;62(5):481-91.Berman ER, Vered J, Bach G. A reliable spot test for mucopolysaccharidoses. Clinical chemistry. 1971 Sep;17(9):886-90.Pennock CA. A review and selection of simple laboratory methods used for the study of glycosaminoglycan excretion and the diagnosis of the mucopolysaccharidoses. Journal of clinical pathology. 1976 Feb;29(2):111-23.Chan RW, Szeto CC. Advances in the clinical laboratory assessment of urinary sediment. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry. 2004 Feb;340(1-2):67-78.Fogazzi GB, Garigali G. The clinical art and science of urine microscopy. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2003 Nov;12(6):625-32.Berry HK. Screening for mucopolysaccharide disorders with the Berry spot test. Clinical biochemistry. 1987 Oct;20(5):365-71.de Jong JG, Hasselman JJ, van Landeghem AA, Vader HL, Wevers RA. The spot test is not a reliable screening procedure for mucopolysaccharidoses. Clinical chemistry. 1991 Apr;37(4):572-5.Mabe P, Valiente A, Soto V, Cornejo V, Raimann E. Evaluation of reliability for urine mucopolysaccharidosis screening by dimethylmethylene blue and Berry spot tests. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry. 2004 Jul;345(1-2):135-40.Mahalingam K, Janani S, Priya S, Elango EM, Sundari RM. Diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses: how to avoid false positives and false negatives. Indian J Pediatr. 2004 Jan;71(1):29-32.de Jong JG, Wevers RA, Laarakkers C, Poorthuis BJ. Dimethyl methylene blue-based spectrophotometry of glycosaminoglycans in untreated urine: a rapid screening procedure for mucopolysaccharidoses. Clinical chemistry. 1989 Jul;35(7):1472-7.Panin G, Naia S, Dall’Amico R, Chiandetti L, Zachello F, Catassi C, et al. Simple spectrophotometric quantification of urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycan sulfates. Clinical chemistry. 1986 Nov;32(11):2073-6.Byers S, Rozaklis T, Brumfield LK, Ranieri E, Hopwood JJ. Glycosaminoglycan accumulation and excretion in the mucopolysaccharidoses: characterization and basis of a diagnostic test for MPS. Molecular genetics and metabolism. 1998 Dec;65(4):282-90.Carson NA, Neill DW. Metabolic abnormalities detected in a survey of mentally backward individuals in Northern Ireland. Archives of disease in childhood. 1962 Oct;37:505-13.Huang KC, Sukegawa K, Orii T. Screening test for urinary glycosaminoglycans and differentiation of various mucopolysaccharidoses. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry. 1985 Sep 30;151(2):147-56.Chih-Kuang C, Shuan-Pei L, Shyue-Jye L, Tuen-Jen W. MPS screening methods, the Berry spot and acid turbidity tests, cause a high incidence of false-negative results in sanfilippo and morquio syndromes. Journal of clinical laboratory analysis. 2002;16(5):253-8.Gallegos-Arreola MP, Machorro-Lazo MV, Flores-Martinez SE, Zuniga-Gonzalez GM, Figuera LE, Gonzalez-Noriega A, et al. Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion in healthy subjects and in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses. Archives of medical research. 2000 Sep-Oct;31(5):505-10.Piraud M, Maire I, Mathieu M. Pitfalls of screening for mucopolysaccharidoses by the dimethylmethylene blue test. Clinical chemistry. 1993 Jan;39(1):163-4.Whitley CB, Spielmann RC, Herro G, Teragawa SS. Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion quantified by an automated semimicro method in specimens conveniently transported from around the globe. 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Distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments from the South China Sea ecosystem, Malaysia

The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc in surface sediments collected from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, along the South China Sea, were measured by two methods instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The obtained results were use to determine the areal distribution of the metals of in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and potential sources of these metals to this environment. The geochemical data propose that most of the metals found in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia constitute a redistribution of territorial materials within the ecosystem. Then, the metal concentrations can be considered to be present at natural background levels in surface sediments

Vertical distribution of heavy metals and enrichment in the South China Sea sediment cores.

Forty seven sediment cores recovered from the South China Sea coasts along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analysed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results indicate a homogeneous distribution except for As and Pb in all stations. Assessment of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments requires knowledge of pre-anthropogenic metal concentrations to act as a reference against which measured values can be compared. Primitive values for the cored sediments were determined from shale average metal. Various methods for calculating metal enrichment and contamination factors are reviewed in detail and a modified and more robust version of the procedure for calculating the degree of contamination is proposed. The revised procedure allows the incorporation of a flexible range of pollutants, including various organic species, and the degree of contamination is expressed as an average ratio rather than an absolute summation number. Comparative data for normalized enrichment factors and the modified degree of contamination show that the South China Sea sediments are in uncontaminated to moderately contaminated level of heavy metal contamination. Compared to obtained values the Kelantan and Pahang big rivers mouth show higher enrichment averaged across other sites

A facile low temperature route to deposit a TiO2_2 scattering layer for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Herein, we demonstrate a facile low temperature chemical bath deposition approach to deposit a light scattering layer on a nanostructured mesoporous TiO$_2$ bottom layer in a dye-sensitized solar cell architecture. Large TiO$_2$ nanoparticles were formed on the top surface of photoanode electrodes $\textit{via}$ hydrolysis of TiCl$_4$ at 70 $^{\circ}$C. We controlled the size and agglomeration of these TiO$_2$ nanoparticles by altering the concentration of TiCl$_4$ in the chemical bath during the hydrolysis process. Electron microscope images revealed that mono-dispersed scattering particles having uneven surfaces with diameters between 100 to 300 nm formed on the mesoporous titania layer. The scattering behavior of the formed titania overlayer was confirmed by the improved reflectance in the diffuse reflectance spectrum of the films. We also observed a significant improvement in the density of states near the band-edge of titania for the TiCl$_4$ treated electrodes as well as a considerable decline in the sub-band gap absorption states. Consequentially, enhancement in the photovoltaic parameters of TiCl$_4$ treated based solar cells is achieved which led to a power conversion efficiency of 8.54% for the cell having an optimum content of large titania particles on the top surface compared to 7.10% for the pristine titania based solar cell.Nava Technology Limited, Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council, Nyak Technology Limited, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6RA13273

The influence of feeding linoleic, gamma-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid rich oils on rat brain tumor fatty acids composition and fatty acid binding protein 7 mRNA expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Experimental studies indicate that gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may inhibit glioma cells growth but effects of oral consumption of these fatty acids on brain tumor fatty acid composition have not been determined in vivo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>GLA oil (GLAO; 72% GLA), DHA oil (DHAO; 73% DHA) were fed to adult wistar rats (1 mL/rat/day) starting one week prior to C6 glioma cells implantation and continued for two weeks after implantation. Control group were fed same amount of high linoleic acid safflower oil (74–77% linoleic acid). Fatty acid composition of tumor samples was determined in a set of 8–12 animals in each group and serum fatty acid in 6 animals per each group. Gene expression of tumor fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and retinoid × receptor-α (RXR-α) were determined in a set of 18 animals per group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DHAO feeding increased EPA of brain tumors and decreased ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids. Serum levels of EPA were also increased in DHAO group. A similar trend in serum and tumor levels of DHA were observed in DHAO group but it did not achieve statistical significance. GLAO increased serum concentration of GLA but had no significant effect on tumor GLA or dihomo-gamma linolenic acid (DGLA) concentrations. Gene expression of FABP7 was up-regulated in tumors of DHAO group but no other significant effects were observed on EGFR, PPAR-γ or RXR-α expression, and expression of these genes in tumors of GLAO were not different from SFO group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Dietary supplementation of DHA containing oil could be an effective way to increase levels of long chain n-3 fatty acids in brain tumors and this increase may be mediated partly by up-regulation of FABP7 expression.</p