The impact of risk management on internal and sustainable growth rate: Evidence from Tehran Stock Exchange

Measuring the relative risk of firms has been an open discussion among researchers. There are many studies on learning how leverage may influence on growth of the firms. This article reviews the relationship between risk management, internal and sustainable growth of accepted companies in Tehran stock exchange. The survey considers three types of risks including operating, financial and compound and investigates their relationships with internal growth rate as well as sustainable growth rate. Using some regression techniques, the study has determined negative and meaningful relationships between different types of leverage on side and internal as well as sustainable growth on the other side

Altering undigested neutral detergent fiber through additives applied in corn, whole barley crop, and alfalfa silages, and its effect on performance of lactating Holstein dairy cows

Objective We hypothesized that silage additives may alter the undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) content through ensiling. Therefore, urea and formic acid were applied to corn, whole barley crop (WBC) and alfalfa to change uNDF content of the ensiled forages. Methods Six experimental diets at two groups of high uNDF (untreated corn and alfalfa silages [CSAS] and untreated whole barley and alfalfa silages [BSAS]) and low uNDF (urea-treated corn silage+untreated alfalfa silage [CSUAS], urea-treated whole barley silage+untreated alfalfa silage [BSUAS], untreated corn silage+formic acid-treated alfalfa silage [CSASF], and untreated whole barley silage+formic acid-treated alfalfa silage [BSASF]), were allocated to thirty-six multiparous lactating Holstein dairy cows. Results The untreated silages were higher in uNDF than additive treated silages, but the uNDF concentrations among silages were variable (corn silage0.05). Milk yield tended to increase in the cows fed high uNDF diets than those fed low uNDF (p = 0.10). The cows fed diet based on urea-treated corn silage had higher milk yield than those fed other silages (p = 0.05). The substitution of corn silage with the WBC silage tended to decrease milk production (p = 0.07). Changing the physical source of NDF supply and the uNDF content from the corn silage to the WBC silage caused a significant increase in ruminal NH3-N concentration, milk urea-N and fat yield (p< 0.05). The cows fed diets based on WBC silage experienced greater rumination time than the cows fed corn silage (p<0.05). Conclusion Administering additives to silages to reduce uNDF may improve the performance of Holstein dairy cows

Modulation of Hypoxia-Induced Chemoresistance to Polymeric Micellar Cisplatin: The Effect of Ligand Modification of Micellar Carrier Versus Inhibition of the Mediators of Drug Resistance

Hypoxia can induce chemoresistance, which is a significant clinical obstacle in cancer therapy. Here, we assessed development of hypoxia-induced chemoresistance (HICR) against free versus polymeric cisplatin micelles in a triple negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. We then explored two strategies for the modulation of HICR against cisplatin micelles: a) the development of actively targeted micelles; and b) combination therapy with modulators of HICR in MDA-MB-231 cells. Actively targeted cisplatin micelles were prepared through surface modification of acetal-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(-carboxyl- -caprolactone) (acetal-PEO-PCCL) micelles with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting peptide, GE11 (YHWYGYTPQNVI). Our results showed that hypoxia induced resistance against free and cisplatin micelles in MDA-MB-231 cells. A significant increase in micellar cisplatin uptake was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells that overexpress EGFR, following surface modification of micelles with GE11. This did not lead to increased cytotoxicity of micellar cisplatin, however. On the other hand, the addition of pharmacological inhibitors of key molecules involved in HICR in MDA-MB-231 cells, i.e., inhibitors of hypoxia inducing factor-1 (HIF-1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), substantially enhanced the cytotoxicity of free and cisplatin micelles. The results indicated the potential benefit of combination therapy with HIF-1 and STAT3 inhibitors in overcoming HICR to free or micellar cisplatin

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 &amp; 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. 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Molecular genetics and metabolism. 2002 Jan;75(1):56-64

Immediate Results of Percutaneous Trans-Luminal Mitral Commissurotomy in Pregnant Women with Severe Mitral Stenosis

Background Valvular heart diseases and mainly rheumatic heart diseases complicate about 1% of pregnancies. During pregnancy physiological hemodynamic changes of the circulation are the main cause of mitral stenosis (MS) decompensation. Prior to introduction of percutaneous mitral balloon commissuroplasty (PTMC), surgical comissurotomy was the preferred method of treatment in patients with refractory symptoms. PTMC is an established non-surgical treatment of rheumatic mitral stenosis. The study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of PTMC in pregnant women with severs mitral stenosis. Material and Method Thirty three consecutive patients undergoing PTMC during pregnancy enrolled in this prospective study. Mitral valve area (MVA), transmitral valve gradient (MVG), and severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) were assessed before and 24 hour after the procedure by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Mitral valve morphology was evaluated before the procedure using Wilkin's criteria. Patient followed for one month and neonates monitored for weight and height and adverse effect of radiation. Result Mitral valve area increased from 0.83 ± 0.13 cm 2 to 1.38 ± 0.29 cm 2 ( P = 0.007). Mean gradient of mitral valve decreased from 15.5 ± 7.4 mmHg to 2.3 ± 2.3 mmHg ( P = <0.001). Pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 65.24 ± 17.9 to 50.45 ± 15.33 ( P = 0.012). No maternal death, abortion, intrauterine growth restriction was observed and only one stillbirth occurred. Conclusion PTMC in pregnant women has favorable outcome and no harmful effect on children noted

Preparation, characterization, and biodistribution of glutathione PEGylated nanoliposomal doxorubicin for brain drug delivery with a post-insertion approach

Objective(s): Brain cancer treatments have mainly failed due to their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Several studies have confirmed the presence of glutathione (GSH) receptors on BBB’s surface, as a result, products like 2B3-101, which contain over 5% pre-inserted GSH PEGylated liposomal Doxorubicin, are being tested in clinical trials. Here we conducted the PEGylated nanoliposomal Doxorubicin particles that are covalently attached to the glutathione using the post-insertion technique. Compared with the pre-insertion approach, the post-insertion method is notably simpler, faster, and more cost-effective, making it ideal for large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing. Materials and Methods: The ligands of the DSPE PEG(2000) Maleimide-GSH were introduced in the amounts of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 on the available Caelyx. Following physicochemical evaluations, animal experiments such as biodistribution, fluorescence microscopy, and pharmacokinetics were done. Results: In comparison with Caelyx, the 200L and 400L treatment arms were the most promising formulations. We showed that nanocarriers containing 40 times fewer GSH micelles than 2B3-101 significantly increased blood-brain barrier penetrance. Due to the expressed GSH receptors on tissues as an endogenous antioxidant, Doxorubicin will likely concentrate in the liver, spleen, heart, and lung in comparison with Caelyx, according to other tissue analyses. Conclusion: The post-insertion technique was found a successful approach with more pharmaceutical aspects for large-scale production. Moreover, further investigations are highly recommended to determine the efficacy of 5% post-inserted GSH targeted nanoliposomes versus 2B3-101 as a similar formulation with a different preparation method

Growth factors in cystic fibrosis

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common autosomal recessive diseases that affects sweat glands and mucosa. CF is a hereditary disease with annual incidence of about 2500 new cases in United Kingdom. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels decrease in CF. The aim of this study was to assess the role of growth peptides in patients with CF. Method: We searched PubMed, Google scholar, IranMedex, and Scientific Information Database (SID) in September 2012 to April 2014. We included clinical studies with available abstracts and full texts that were in English or Persian languages. Manual searching was conducted within the reference lists of articles. Two reviewers independently applied eligibility criteria, assessed quality, and extracted data.Result: The earliest study was published in 1997 and the most recent one was in 2014. Study participants were adults in 3 studies (20%) and 12 studies (80%) were conducted in children. Patients with CF have lower levels of IGF-1 and there is a significant correlation between IGF-1 levels and growth index in patients with CF.Conclusions: IGF-1 decreases in children with CF and might be the cause of poor growth and low body mass index in these children