Net-Zero Energy Building Enhancement for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Educational Facility

This is the published version. Copyright 2014 David Publishin

A Journey of Dietary Therapies for Epilepsy in Iran: Diet Restriction in the Ancient Era to the Ketogenic Diet in the Modern Period

Epilepsy, in children, is a common neurological problem which causes referral to child neurology clinics.The prevalence of nonfebrile seizure in children (under 10 years old),is estimated from 5.2 to 8.1 per 1000. Also, the prevalence of epilepsy in Iran estimated about 5 %; it means 4 million people of Iranian population live with epilepsy in Iran.Although antiseizure drugs (ASDs) are the essential treatment modalities in most children, more than 30% of epileptic children have intractable seizures or they suffer from drug adverse effects secondary to these medications.Because only a limited number of epileptic patients benefit from surgical therapy using the additional therapeutic options is inevitable.There are many available nonpharmacologic proven therapies for refractory seizures that Dietary therapy ( Ketogenic Diet) is one of the important therapeutic options in this group.In this review, we will discuss the different features of pediatric epilepsy dietary therapies (Especially the Ketogenic Diet) in Iran and also the history of epilepsy in ancient Iran, utilization, effectiveness, side effects, tolerability, and acceptability as well as ongoing and future programs

The preventive Effectiveness of Rituximab in Pediatric Autoimmune and Inflammatory CNS Diseases Relapse: an Iranian Experience

ObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of Rituximab (RTX) therapy as the first therapeutic choice for the long-term prevention of secondary relapse in children with Autoimmue Neurological Disease (AIND) had relapse after primary treatment with immunosuppressive agents other than RTX.Materials & Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 9 consecutive pediatric patients (≤ 18 years old) registered on Autoimmune and Demyelinating Disorders Database (ADDD) of Mofid Children Hospital, from 2012 to 2016 and experienced relapse following therapeutic interventions with immunosuppressive agents other than RTX.ResultA remarkable reduction of 94.13% (p=0.015) occurred in annualized relapse rate (ARR) as a clinical indicator of therapeutic efficacy comparing before and after initiating RTX therapy.ConclusionRituximab is an effective drug in relapse prevention of AIND whenadministrated to patients for whom initial treatment with other immunosuppressive agents fail. POWER OF EVIDENCE: This study represents Class IV evidence that RTX therapy significantly reduces ARR in pediatric AIND including DDCNS. &nbsp

Effect of Composite Color and Thickness on Correction of Tooth Discoloration

Objective: Selection of an appropriate shade of composite is critical in achieving an esthetic restoration. Different systems are used to assess and describe color parameters. This study aimed to assess the effect of color and thickness of Filtek Supreme (FS) and Premise (P) composite resins on correction of tooth discoloration.Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 10 anterior teeth with Vita A2 color shade were selected. Composite specimens were fabricated in 0.5 and 0.75 mm thicknesses of FS and P composites. Intact teeth, prepared teeth, prepared teeth with enamel and dentin composite discs on their buccal surfaces, stained teeth and stained teeth with composite discs were photographed using a digital camera under standard conditions and color change (ΔE) at different phases was calculated.Results: The L*, a* and b* color parameters in prepared and unstained teeth were not significantly different from those of intact teeth. In stained teeth, the L* parameter only in prepared and stained teeth with 0.75mm P composite was not significantly different from the L* parameter in intact teeth. Significant differences were seen in other stained teeth. The a* and b* parameters only in prepared and stained teeth with 0.5 mm FS composite were significantly different from those in intact teeth. By increasing the thickness of composite, the color change in comparison with intact teeth decreased in both groups.Conclusion: The results showed that the effect of type of composite, its thickness and their interaction on the color change was significant when using FS and P composites in 0.5 and 0.75mm thicknesses in comparison to intact teeth and the lowest color difference with intact teeth was achieved using 0.75mm thickness of P composite (enamel and dentin)

Sustainable Construction, LEED as a Green Rating System and the Importance of Moving to NZEB

In this study, in order to evaluate the possibility of achieving the Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) goal, the history of sustainable construction, and available green-rating systems with specific focus on Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system were explained. LEED rating system was selected as the most prevalent rating system in the industry to evaluate and analyze its efficiencies/drawbacks specifically in regards to the energy efficiency. The goal of this study is to answer an important question of the reasons to focus on NZEB concept when LEED rating has come up with a detailed certification process, which is somehow beneficial in regards to energy reduction. NZEB concept is defined as an evolution of very energy-efficient approach and it requires that the buildings have zero energy balance on an annual basis. This paper explains this questions in detail and it consists of three parts: in the first part sustainable building rating system including LEED certification is explained. The second part explains the deficiencies of LEED rating system in regards to the energy performance of buildings and the last part explains the NZEB concept and the movement towards the NZEB target

Salmon Patch and Mongolian Spot Frequency in the Northwest of Iran: A Descriptive Study

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are commonly observed in the neonatal period. It is important to differentiate physiologic skin lesions from pathologic ones to avoid parents’ concerns. Regarding this, the current study aimed to investigate the frequency and localization of salmon patch (SP) and Mongolian spot (MS) in Iranian newborns to assess the potential relationship between the neonatal and maternal characteristics. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on one thousand healthy infants born at Al-Zahra University Hospital in the northwest of Iran during August-September 2014. For the aims of the study, the neonates were examined by a pediatrician. The collected data included gender, gestational age, anatomical sites of the lesions (MS and SP), birth weight of the newborns, parental consanguinity, parity, and maternal age. The exclusion criteria included major known congenital chromosomal or metabolic abnormalities, stillbirths, and admission in the Sick Newborn Care Unit or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Results: According to the results of this study, the frequency rates of MS and SP among 1000 newborns were found to be 32.3% and 14.5%, respectively. Maternal age was the only variable which showed a statistically significant relationship with SP (P=0.024). In addition, sacral region and upper eyelid were found to be the most common site of MS and SP involvement, respectively. Conclusion: MS and SP which are commonly observed in the routine neonatal examination may worry parents regardless of their association with an underlying systemic disorder. Regarding this, we recommend careful examination of the newborns’ skin by pediatrician in the neonatal wards

Epidemiological Features and Clinical Study of Kawasaki Disease in Iran

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology and the major cause of pediatric acquired cardiac disease worldwide, particularly in developed countries. This study characterizes the epidemiologic and clinical features of KD in the Pediatric Rheumatology Department service in a general hospital. 120 patients with the diagnosis of KD between 1990 and 2009 were enrolled. We investigated the epidemiologic and clinical features of coronary artery involvement of the patients. Frequency of many parameters including age, sex, season, clinical and laboratory findings, response to treatment, and complications of the patients determined. During the 20-year study period, 120 patients 5 years of age, male to female ratio of 1.3:1 and the classic KD to incomplete KD ratio of 3.1:1. KD recurred in 5% of all cases. It occurred most frequently in the winter and least frequently in the summer. The occurrence of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) was 4.2%. Kawasaki disease should be considered in any pediatric patients with a prolonged refractory febrile illness in order to prevent CAA formation