Pin-point effect determination using a rigorous approach

A new method for evaluating the pin-point effect of pile yarn of carpets before weaving has been introduced. The method has been initially accomplished by presenting a standard method for bundle preparation and consequently the pin-point index is presented by image analysis technique. To this end, yarns with different twists are heat set at various times and temperatures. Comparison of the results shows that increasing the twist, time and temperature positively contribute to the pin-point index. In the last section, an adaptive neuro fuzzy model (ANFIS) and an artificial neural network model (ANN) have been designed to predict the pin-point index of the heat set yarns based on training with the experimental data.  The input parameters are twist, time and temperature, and the output is the pin-point index. The results illustrate that the learning capability of the ANFIS model is superior and its generalization ability is slightly better than that of a standalone ANN model

Factors Associated with Self-Management in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

AbstractIntroduction: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases that is also highlyprevalent among adolescents. The present study was conducted to determine therelationship between demographic characteristics and self-management in adolescentswith type 1 diabetes.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 426 adolescents withtype 1 diabetes aged 13 to 18, and diagnosed for at least one year. The research toolsincluded a demographic information form covering the patients’ personal, family,and health details, and the Self-Management of type 1 Diabetes in Adolescence(SMOD-A) with five subscales of collaboration with parents, diabetes care activities,diabetes problem-solving, diabetes communication, and diabetes goals. The contentvalidity of the measure was then evaluated by a group of experts and found to beacceptable (SCVI = 98%). In the assessment of the measure›s reliability, the intraclasscorrelation showed an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88. The test-retest showed aconsistency of 0.73 for the measure.Results: The results obtained showed that the presence of another diabetic memberin the family leads to higher levels of self-management in some dimensions, includingproblem-solving, communication, and goals, yet to lower levels in some others,including collaboration with parents and diabetes care activities. A direct relationshipwas observed between the duration of time since the diagnosis and the scores obtainedby the adolescents. An inverse relationship was observed between the type of physicianin charge and the scores obtained in the subscales of collaboration with parents,problem-solving, communication, and goals. The scores obtained were directly relatedto having a school health record and having access to diabetic care tools at school.Family income was found to be directly related to diabetes care activities and inverselyto problem-solving, communication and goals. P of ≤ 0.05 was considered significantfor all relationships.Conclusions: Self-management was found to be moderate to good among Iranianadolescents with type 1 diabetes; however, it could be further improved with thesupport of both families and medical teams involved

How and Where Do We Ask Sensitive Questions: Self-reporting of STI-associated Symptoms Among the Iranian General Population

Background Reliable population-based data on sexually transmitted infections (STI) are limited in Iran and selfreporting remains the main source of indirect estimation of STI-associated symptoms in the country. However, where and how the questions are asked could influence the rate of self-reporting. In the present study, we aimed to assess what questionnaire delivery method (ie, face-to-face interview [FTFI], self-administered questionnaire [SAQ], or audio self-administered questionnaire [Audio-SAQ]) and setting (ie, street, household or hair salon) leads to more reliable estimates for the prevalence of self-reported STI-associated symptoms. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in winter 2014 on a gender-balanced (50.0% men) sample of 288 individuals aged 18–59 years old in Kerman, Iran. Respondents were recruited in (a) crowded public places and streets, (b) their households, and (c) hair salons. Data was collected on history of current and 6-month (ie, past 6 months) STI-associated symptoms. Three different methods including FTFI, SAQ and or Audio-SAQ were applied randomly in households and non randomly in streets and hair salons to collect data among the respondents. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to compare the settings and methods separately. Results A total of 2.8% of men and 9.4% of women self-reported at least one STI-associated symptom. Respondents were significantly more likely to report STI-associated symptoms when completing questionnaires on the street compared to their household (P = .0001). While women were less likely to report symptoms in FTFI compared to SAQ (P = .036), no significant differences were found between men’s responses across different methods (P = .064). Conclusion Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of different combinations of methods and settings to find the optimal way to collect data on STI-associated symptoms

The insecticidal effect of diatomaceous earth against adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the insecticidal effect of diatomaceous earth (DE) against adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica.MethodsThis cross sectional study has been done on the laboratory strain of German cockroaches. Two stages, nymph and adult, were exposed to six dose rates of the DE, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g/m2, at 24, 48 and 72 h exposure period. Mortality (number of dead cockroaches) was assessed after 24 h. Other exposed specimens were transferred to the beakers contained food and water for counting the retard mortality rate after 1 week.ResultsIncreasing in dose rates of DE increased mortality rate, so that the lowest and highest mortality rates were observed in 2.5 and 25 g/m2, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the lethality of 50% of DE plus water on the German cockroach nymphs.ConclusionsDue to the resistance of German cockroach against organochloride, organophosphorus, carbamate and pyrethriodes insecticides, it is suggested to use DE for insect's control

How and Where Do We Ask Sensitive Questions: Selfreporting of STI-associated Symptoms Among the Iranian General Population

Abstract Background: Reliable population-based data on sexually transmitted infections (STI) are limited in Iran and selfreporting remains the main source of indirect estimation of STI-associated symptoms in the country. However, where and how the questions are asked could influence the rate of self-reporting. In the present study, we aimed to assess what questionnaire delivery method (ie, face-to-face interview [FTFI], self-administered questionnaire [SAQ], or audio self-administered questionnaire [Audio-SAQ]) and setting (ie, street, household or hair salon) leads to more reliable estimates for the prevalence of self-reported STI-associated symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in winter 2014 on a gender-balanced (50.0% men) sample of 288 individuals aged 18–59 years old in Kerman, Iran. Respondents were recruited in (a) crowded public places and streets, (b) their households, and (c) hair salons. Data was collected on history of current and 6-month (ie, past 6 months) STI-associated symptoms. Three different methods including FTFI, SAQ and or Audio-SAQ were applied randomly in households and non-randomly in streets and hair salons to collect data among the respondents. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to compare the settings and methods separately. Results: A total of 2.8% of men and 9.4% of women self-reported at least one STI-associated symptom. Respondents were significantly more likely to report STI-associated symptoms when completing questionnaires on the street compared to their household (P=.0001). While women were less likely to report symptoms in FTFI compared to SAQ (P=.036), no significant differences were found between men’s responses across different methods (P=.064). Conclusion: Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of different combinations of methods and settings to find the optimal way to collect data on STI-associated symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis Gene Therapy Using Recombinant Viral Vectors: Overexpression of IL-4, IL-10 and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells in The EAE Mice Model

Objective: Immunotherapy and gene therapy play important roles in modern medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the overexpression of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs) in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a DNA construction containing IL-4, IL-10 and LIF was assembled to make a polycistronic vector (as the transfer vector). Transfer and control vectors were co-transfected into Human Embryonic Kidney 293 (HEK-293T) cells with helper plasmids which produced recombinant lentiviral viruses (rLV). WJSCs were transduced with rLV to make recombinant WJSC (rWJSC). In vitro protein and mRNA overexpression of IL-4, LIF, and IL-10 were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB) analysis. EAE was induced in mice by MOG-CFA and pertussis toxin. EAE mice were injected twice with 2x10(5) rWJSCs. The in vivo level of IL-4, LIF, IL-10 cytokines and IL-17 were measured by ELISA. Brain tissues were analyzed histologically for evaluation of EAE lesions. Results: Isolated WJSCs were performed to characterize by in vitro differentiation and surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry method. Cloning of a single lentiviral vector with five genes was done successfully. Transfection of transfer and control vectors were processed based on CaPO4 method with > 90% efficiency. Recombinant viruses were produced and results of titration showed 2-3x10(7) infection-unit/ml. WJSCs were transduced using recombinant viruses. IL-4, IL-10 and LIF overexpression were confirmed by ELISA, WB and qPCR. The EAE mice treated with rWJSC showed reduction of Il-17, and brain lesions as well as brain cellular infiltration, in vivo. Weights and physical activity were improved in gene-treated group. Conclusion: These results showed that gene therapy using anti-inflammatory cytokines can be a promising approach against multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, considering the immunomodulatory potential of WJSCs, an approach using a combination of WJSCs and gene therapy will enhance the treatment efficacy

ADSORPTION OF PYRIDINE BY USING BN NANOTUBE: A DFT STUDY

ABSTRACT Electrical sensitivity of a boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) was examined toward C 5 H 5 N molecules by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, and it was founding that the adsorption energy(E ad ) of pyridine on the pristine nanotube is about 17.0 kcal/mol, but when nanotube has been doped with Si and Al atoms, the adsorption energy(E ad ) and recovery time changed and the sensitivity of the nanotube as adsorbent of C 5 H 5 N molecule was increased. Calculations showed that when the nanotube is doping by Si, the adsorption energy is about -10.6kcal/mol and also the amount of HOMO/LUMO energy gap (E g ) will reduce significantly. Therefore when C 5 H 5 N molecule adsorption toward to BNNT, the nanotube has produced electrical signals and it seems the BNNT can be used as adsorbents for the sensors which are sensitive about C 5 H 5 N molecule

Multiple Sclerosis Gene Therapy with Recombinant Viral Vectors: Overexpression of IL-4, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor, and IL-10 in Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells Used in EAE Mice Model.

OBJECTIVES: Immunotherapy and gene therapy play important roles in modern medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the overexpression of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs) in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, a DNA construction containing IL- 4, IL-10 and LIF was assembled to make a polycistronic vector (as the transfer vector). Transfer and control vectors were co-transfected into Human Embryonic Kidney 293 (HEK-293T) cells with helper plasmids which produced recombinant lentiviral viruses (rLV). WJSCs were transduced with rLV to make recombinant WJSC (rWJSC). In vitro protein and mRNA overexpression of IL-4, LIF, and IL-10 were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB) analysis. EAE was induced in mice by MOG-CFA and pertussis toxin. EAE mice were injected twice with 2×105 rWJSCs. The in vivo level of IL-4, LIF, IL-10 cytokines and IL-17 were measured by ELISA. Brain tissues were analyzed histologically for evaluation of EAE lesions. RESULTS: Isolated WJSCs were performed to characterize by in vitro differentiation and surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry method. Cloning of a single lentiviral vector with five genes was done successfully. Transfection of transfer and control vectors were processed based on CaPO4 method with >90% efficiency. Recombinant viruses were produced and results of titration showed 2-3×107 infection-unit/ml. WJSCs were transduced using recombinant viruses. IL-4, IL-10 and LIF overexpression were confirmed by ELISA, WB and qPCR. The EAE mice treated with rWJSC showed reduction of Il-17, and brain lesions as well as brain cellular infiltration, in vivo. Weights and physical activity were improved in gene-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that gene therapy using anti-inflammatory cytokines can be a promising approach against multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, considering the immunomodulatory potential of WJSCs, an approach using a combination of WJSCs and gene therapy will enhance the treatment efficacy