Oxygen saturation improvement after adenotonsillectomy in children.

The goal of this study was to establish whether adenotonsillectomy is effective on the severity of oxygen desaturation or improve oxygen saturation in children with sleep breathing disorders. Thirty-two children, aged 4-7 years, with clinical indication for adenotonsillectomy were enrolled in a non-controlled clinical trial. Pre- and postoperative nocturnal oxygen saturation monitoring was done and oxygen desaturation index as well as desaturation events were analyzed using Wilcoxon and paired Student's t-tests. Snoring was the most prevalent (87.5%) complaint before operation. The study revealed a significant improvement in the postoperative oxygen desaturation index (1.60 +/- 3.22) compared with the preoperative oxygen desaturation index (3.98 +/- 4.93) (p < 0.01). Oxygen desaturation events at the level of oxygen saturation 85-89% was significantly improved after operation (p < 0.01). No significant differences were seen in the desaturation events at the levels of oxygen saturation lower than 85%. Nocturnal oxygen saturation improves mildly after adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep breathing disorders

A comparison between a yeast cell wall extract (Bio-Mos®) and palm kernel expeller as mannan-oligosacaharides sources on the performance and ileal microbial population of broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of a yeast cell wall extract (Bio- Mos) and palm kernel expeller (PKE) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, and ileal bacteria population of broiler chickens. A total of 60 1-d-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were fed one of the 3 isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet including a control diet, or a control diet supplemented with 2 g/kg Bio-Mos (1-42 d), and for the third group, the control diet at 1-28 d following a diet containing 200 g/kg of an enzymatically-treated PKE at 29-42 d. The weight gains of birds fed the PKE containing diet (96.17 g/d) were less than other groups (109.10 and 104.42 g/d for the Bio-Mos and control diet, respectively) (P0.05), but the birds fed PKE or Bio-Mos containing diets had a lower population of Escherichia coli than the control group (P<0.05). The results showed that PKE potentially has a prebiotic property for chicken; however, a 200 g/kg dietary inclusion rate of PKE is not commercially recommendable because of its negative effects on the nutrients digestibility

LABORATORIJSKI TEST ČVRSTOĆE MLAZNOGA BETONA DOBIVENOGA MOKRIM POSTUPKOM UPORABOM NANOMATERIJALA

Adding nanomaterials to concrete extends the size range of constituent particles well into nano-scale dimensions, which could help the compacting of particles in cement-based materials. Regarding the differences between shotcrete and cast concrete, in this study, the properties of shotcrete with nano and micro-silica and nano-clay were experimentally studied. The micro and nanomaterials have been added at different percentages (6%, 9%, and 12%) to a shotcrete paste. The comparison was based on the uniaxial compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and porosity tests of different specimens. The results indicated that the maximum increase in compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of shotcrete was related to 12% nano-SiO2, while for 12% nano-clay, all of these strengths were decreased at 28 days. The optimum percentage for shotcrete substitution by nano-clay was established to be 6%. Also, the application of the nanomaterials led to a decrease in the water absorption and porosity of shotcrete. Eventually, the results revealed that the improvement of mechanical properties by the introduction of the nanomaterials in shotcrete could be satisfactory.Dodavanje nanomaterijala betonu proširuje veličinu čestica od kojih se on sastoji prema nanodimenzijama. To može pomoći zbijanju takvih materijala. Usporedbom razlika između mlaznoga i lijevanoga betona, načinjenom u ovoj studiji, eksperimentalno su istražena svojstva mlaznoga betona kojemu su dodane nano i mikro silikatne te glinovite čestice. Mikromaterijali i nanomaterijali dodani su u različitim postotcima (6, 9 i 12 %) u masu betona. Usporedba je načinjena promatranjem jednoosne kompresijske čvrstoće, čvrstoće na svijanje i smicanje te opažanjem šupljikavosti različitih uzoraka. Rezultati su pokazali kako je najveće povećanje navedenih čvrstoća mlaznoga betona postignuto dodavanjem 12-postotnoga nanosilikata, a najveći pad s 12-postotnom nanoglinom, nakon 28 dana. Primjena nanomaterijala dovela je i do smanjenja apsorpcije vode i šupljikavosti. Poboljšanje svojstava mlaznoga betona dodavanjem nanomaterijala ocijenjeno je zadovoljavajućim

Evaluation of [67Ga]-insulin for insulin receptor imaging

BACKGROUND: Radiolabelled human recombinant insulin can be used for the imaging of insulin receptors in some tumours where FDG has natural uptake and diminishes the value of its imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Insulin was successively labelled with [67 Ga]-gallium chloride after conjugation with freshly prepared cyclic DTPA-dianhydride (HPLC radiochemical purity assay > 96%) followed by biodistribution studies in normal rats, white blood cell labelling and preliminary SPECT studies. RESULTS: In vitro studies demonstrated the retention of radiolabelled insulin receptor affinity using freshly prepared human white blood cells at different blood sugar conditions. Preliminary in vivo studies in a normal rat model was performed to determine the biodistribution of the radioimmunoconjugate at up to 44 h. SPECT images revealed high uptake of the liver. CONCLUSION: Radiolabelled insulin is stable enough to be used in biological studies in order to image insulin receptors in diabetic conditions as well as possible tumour imaging applications. The data was consistent with other radiolabelled insulin studies

Health impact assessment of air pollution in Shiraz, Iran : a two-part study

We aimed to assess health-impacts of short-term exposure to the air pollutants including PM10, SO2, and NO2 in Shiraz, Iran in a two-part study from 2008 to 2010. In part I, local relative risks (RRs) and baseline incidences (BIs) were calculate using generalized additive models. In part II, we estimated the number of excess hospitalizations (NEHs) due to cardiovascular diseases (CDs), respiratory diseases (RDs), respiratory diseases in elderly group (RDsE-people older than 65 years old), and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs) as a result of exposure to air pollutants using AirQ model, which is proposed approach for air pollution health impact assessment by World Health Organization. In part I, exposure to increase in daily mean concentration of PM10 was associated with hospitalizations due to RDs with a RR of 1.0049 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0004 to 1.0110]. In addition, exposure to increase in daily mean concentration of SO2 and NO2 were associated with hospitalizations due to RDsE and COPDs with RRs of 1.0540 [95% CI, 1.0050 to 1.1200], 1.0950 [95% CI, 1.0700 to 1.1100], 1.0280 [95% CI, 1.0110 to 1.0450] and 1.0360 [95% CI, 1.0210 to 1.0510] per 10 μg/m3 rise of these pollutants, respectively. In part II, the maximum NEHs due to CDs because of exposure to PM10 were in 2009-1489 excess cases (ECs). The maximum NEHs due to RDs because of exposure to PM10 were in 2009-1163 ECs. Meanwhile, the maximum NEHs due to RDsE and COPDs because of exposure to SO2 were in 2008, which are 520 and 900 ECs, respectively. In conclusion, elevated morbidity risks were found from acute exposure to air pollutants

Comparing the Accuracy of Morphometric and Morphological Criteria of Hip Bone in Gender Determination

Background: A primary aim of forensic medicine is gender determination. Although hip is the optimal bone for this purpose, different determining criteria of this bone do not have the same accuracy. This is important in conditions that only parts of hip remain to determine gender. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of different hip criteria in gender determination. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated a total of 160 paired hips (80 males and 80 females) removed from the bodies for bone transplantation. Morphometric criteria were vertical and horizontal acetabular diameters and superior and inferior pubic ramus widths. Morphological criteria were a greater sciatic notch, obturator foramen, pubic body, preauricular sulcus, acetabular fossa position, and ischial tuberosity. The obtained data were analyzed using Cross Tab, t-test, and logistic regression analysis by SPSS. The significance level was set at P&lt;0.05.Results: There was no significant difference in morphometric and morphological criteria between the studied left and right hip bones (P&gt;0.05). In gender determination, acetabular diameter and greater sciatic notch had the highest accuracy (85%), and obturator foramen (67.5%) and superior and inferior pubic ramus widths (65%) had the lowest accuracy.Conclusion: Hip bone is not always completely available and preserved to determine gender. Moreover, sometimes not all anthropometric criteria of the bone are in favor of one gender. Therefore, investigating the accuracy of different criteria can be very important in interpreting the results. Thus, it has always been emphasized on the use of all available information in gender determination

Participating in university entrance exam despite repeated failure: a qualitative study of participants&apos; experiences

Abstract Objectives: To explore the experiences of general practitioners who continue to sit a highly-competitive residency entrance examination, despite repeated failure. Methods: This qualitative, exploratory study employed semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 35 candidates of a residency entrance exam who had failed the examination at least twice and were preparing to sit it again. Interview questions addressed the challenges they faced and how they managed these challenges. Interview data were audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed to identify themes. Results: The results demonstrated that more than 50% (n=19) of candidates struggled continuously and internally with different aspects of the exam. These include being under a great deal of pressure to succeed, failing to prioritize study materials, inefficient review during the final days of preparation, and sitting the exam with an afflicted body. Furthermore, during the examination, they frequently used inefficient strategies to answer questions. Afterwards, they experienced feelings of freedom associated with having finished the exam. Conclusions: Participation in a highly-competitive examination exerts a considerable amount pressure on lowperforming candidates. This climate not only results in burn out of participants, but it also influences their learning styles and identities as future physicians. It is therefore necessary to design a syllabus for both test candidates and policy makers, in order better to manage this environment. Candidates also should be aware of their individual weaknesses, in order to improve their studying skills

The effects of group therapy on mental health condition in mothers of thalassemic patients

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: تالاسمی شایع ترین کم خونی مزمن ارثی در انسان است. این اختلال تاثیرات نامطلوبی بر سلامت روان اعضاء خانواده بویژه مادران بر جای می گذارد. با توجه به کم عارضه و به صرفه بودن روان درمانی گروهی پژوهش حاضر با هدف تعیین تاثیر گروه درمانی بر سلامت روان مادران بیماران تالاسمیک مراجعه کننده به بخش های تالاسمی انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه کارآزمایی بالینی 60 مادر بیماران تالاسمیک مراجعه کننده به بیمارستان هاجر(س) شهرکرد و سیدالشهدا(ع) فارسان، دو پرسشنامه سلامت روان گلدبرگ (28GHQ) و دوموگرافیک را ابتدا و انتهای مطالعه تکمیل نمودند و افراد دارای نمرات بالاتر از 23 در پرسشنامه (28GHQ) به شکل تصادفی در دو گروه شاهد و مورد قرار گرفتند. برای اعضای گروه مورد 8 جلسه گروه درمانی به شکل هفتگی انجام شد. تجزیه و تحلیل داده ها با کمک نرم افزار SPSS و آزمون های آماری ANOVA، پیرسون، t مستقل و t زوجی انجام شد. یافته ها: بین دو گروه قبل از مداخله اختلاف معنی داری در متغیرهای دموگرافیک و نمره سلامت روان در همه ابعاد وجود نداشت. (05/0P>) پس از مداخله در تمام ابعاد سلامت روان بین دو گروه تفاوت معنی داری مشاهده شد. (05/0

The Effects of Body Acupuncture on Obesity: Anthropometric Parameters, Lipid Profile, and Inflammatory and Immunologic Markers

A randomized controlled clinical trial in 196 obese subjects was performed to examine the effectiveness of body acupuncture on body weight loss, lipid profile and immunogenic and inflammatory markers. Subjects received authentic (cases) or sham (controls) acupuncture for 6 weeks in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the following 6 weeks, they received the low-calorie diet alone. Subjects were assessed at the beginning, 6 and 12 weeks later. Heat shock protein (Hsps)-27, 60, 65, 70 antibody titers and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also assessed. A significant reduction in measures of adiposity and improvement in lipid profile were observed in both groups, but the levels of anti-Hsp-antibodies decreased in cases only. A reduction in anthropometric and lipid profile in cases were sustained in the second period, however, only changes in lipid profile were observed in the control group. Anti-Hsp-antibodies and hs-CRP levels continued to be reduced in cases but in controls only the reduction in hs-CRP remained. Changes in anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and anti-Hsp-antibodies were more evident in cases. Body acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was effective in enhancing weight loss and improving dyslipidemia

Fast free of acrylamide clearing tissue (FACT) for clearing, immunolabelling and three-dimensional imaging of partridge tissues

Fast free of acrylamide clearing tissue (FACT) is a modified sodium dodecyl sulfate-based clearing protocol for the chemical clearing of lipids that completely preserves fluorescent signals in the cleared tissues. The FACT protocol was optimized to image translucent immunostained brain and non-nervous tissues. For this purpose adult male Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) was used as a model. After clearing the tissues, 1 or 2 mm-thickness sections of tissues were immunolabeled. The paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus (2-mm section) was cleared with FACT, and then was stained with gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) antibody and Hoechst. Simultaneously, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of cryosectioned brain (30 μm) was done by GnIH-antibody. The FACT protocol and staining of cell nuclei of nine other tissues were done by a z-stack motorized fluorescent microscope. GnIH-immunoreactive neurons were found by FACT and IHC during the breeding season in male partridges. Deep imaging of the kidney, duodenum, jejunum, lung, pancreas, esophagus, skeletal muscle, trachea, and testis were also done. The FACT protocol can be used for the three-dimensional imaging of various tissues and immunostained evaluation of protein markers