The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella Sativa seed on dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats: An experimental study

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed as a plant, the consumption of which has been recommended in Islam, on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 36 Wistar female rats (3 wk, 60 ± 10 gr). Then rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6/each): control; PCOSinduced (DHEA 60 mg/kg/sc); PCOS + Metformine (30 mg/kg); and three experimental groups receiving DHEA + hydroalcoholic extract of N. sativa seeds in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Blood samples were taken for the evaluation of sexual hormones, oxidative stress, glucose, and insulin after 30 days of treatment. Ovarian tissue was used for histopathological study. Results: The serum levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, glucose, insulin resistance, malondialdehyde, and insulin (p ≤ 0.001) and estrogen increased while the levels of progesterone (p = 0.01) and antioxidant enzymes in the PCOS group decreased (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The administration of the N. sativa extract to the PCOS rats resulted in remarkable changes in the serumic factors relative to the PCOS group. In addition, the extract improved the structure of the ovarian tissue in the PCOS rat. The histopathological results which are in accordance with biochemical findings imply that N. sativa seed could be useful in the treatment of PCOS, the higher doses of the extract being more effective. Key words: Nigella sativa seed, Oxidative stress, Insulin resistance, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Rat

The Scientific Output of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Web of Science

Background & Objective: Publishing in journals indexed in well-known indexes is the best way to present an article internationally. It also illustrates the contribution of scholars to the advancement of knowledge in the world. This study aimed to investigate the scientific output of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Web of Science (WOS) during 2004 to 2013. Methods: This applied research uses scientometrics and citation methods to investigate the scientific publications of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2004-2013. The data were gathered from Web of Science. Results: During this time period, researchers at Kerman University of Medical Sciences had published 1053 documents in WOS. Most of the documents were in article format. The growth rate of scientific contribution was 70% and the university’s H-index was 30. The papers’ distribution followed the Lotka’s law. In total, the papers had received 4619 citations. Only 2.47% of papers were written by one author. The studied researchers had the most collaboration with Tehran University of Medical Sciences among Iranian universities and the University of Amsterdam among foreign universities. The fields pharmacy and pharmacology had produced the most papers. Conclusion: The results indicated a growing trend in publications and high rates of scientific collaboration by Kerman University of Medical Sciences. It is suggested that different departments follow the experience of departments with the most productivity in order to increase their output. In this way all departments will contribute to the university’s scientific output. Moroever, new policies should be considered to increase the citation rate. Key Words: Science production, Web of Science (WOS), Citation, Document, Scientometrics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, H-inde

Three-dimensional numerical modeling of score hole in rectangular side weir with finite volume method

Local scouring in the downstream of hydraulic structures is one of the important issues in river and hydraulic engineering, which involves a lot of costs every year, so the prediction of the rate of scour is important in hydraulic design. Side weirs are the most important of hydraulic structures that are used in passing flow. This study investigate the scouring due to falling jet from side weir in downstream in side channel numerically. The simulation was done with finite volume method. The comparison of numerical and experimental results of flow fields shows agreement. Results show that from upstream to downstream of side weir located in side channel, scoring is increased and the dimensions of the scour hole in the downstream of the rectangular side weirs increase along it. In fact, at the downstream of the lower edge of side weirs in side channel, scouring has the greatest dimensions; in particular the depth

Association Between Objectively Sleep Pattern and Obesity in the Elderly

Background: Previous studies on the relationship between sleep patterns and obesity in the elderly are limited and have conflicting results. Moreover, few studies have measured sleep patterns objectively. In this study, we investigated objective sleep patterns and their relationship with obesity in the elderly in Tehran, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 elderly (≥60 years old) who were members of health homes of zone 5 in Tehran, Iran, were included by simple random sampling method in 2014. Sleep patterns were objectively assessed using waist actigraphy for a mean of 4.3 ± 1.7 days). Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured by standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data entry and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.Results: Mean actigraphy-assessed sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent sleeping), and sleep latency (time required to fall asleep) were 427 ± 62 min, 71.3 ± 18%, and 14.2 ± 3.8 min, respectively. A negative relationship was found between BMI and sleep duration (r = −0.2, p = 0.03), BMI and sleep efficiency (r = −0.3, p=0.01), and WC and sleep efficiency (r = −0.2, p = 0.04). Also, a positive association was observed between BMI and sleep latency (r = 0.4, p = 0.006).Conclusions: In the elderly, actigraphy-assessed sleep duration was associated with obesity and the sleep efficiency was poor in obese participants. It seems that sleep patterns and BMI are correlated with each other. However, there is a need for prospective studies to affirm causal relationships between these constructs

Numerical Analysis of Transmembrane Pressure Changes in UF Systems by Changing the Geometry of the Inner Surface of Hollow Fibers

Membrane processes are one of the most important separation methods in water and wastewater treatment processes. Hollow fiber membranes are used in many separation processes due to their high surface area to volume ratio. Since porosity and permeability of porous media depend on its geometric features, a change in the geometry leads to changes in these value and the performance of the system. In this study, a mathematical modeling was made for three fiber geometry categories; including circular, square and elliptical and the geometric features were calculated based on three strategies. In order to investigate the effect of geometry, a double porosity media was considered. Results showed that the ratio of surface area to volume of hollow fiber membranes and the axial permeability in square and elliptic geometries are usually higher than circular fibers and are increased to a maximum value of 27% and 63%, respectively. Also, in a strategy, equivalence of the radius of the inspirational circle of the new geometry with the inner radius of ordinary fibers was less than the circular fiber, which was a desired result and caused a decrease in energy consumption and operation cost of the system

Association Between Objectively Sleep Pattern and Obesity in the Elderly

Background: Previous studies on the relationship between sleep patterns and obesity in the elderly are limited and have conflicting results. Moreover, few studies have measured sleep patterns objectively. In this study, we investigated objective sleep patterns and their relationship with obesity in the elderly in Tehran, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 elderly (≥60 years old) who were members of health homes of zone 5 in Tehran, Iran, were included by simple random sampling method in 2014. Sleep patterns were objectively assessed using waist actigraphy for a mean of 4.3 ± 1.7 days). Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured by standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data entry and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.Results: Mean actigraphy-assessed sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent sleeping), and sleep latency (time required to fall asleep) were 427 ± 62 min, 71.3 ± 18%, and 14.2 ± 3.8 min, respectively. A negative relationship was found between BMI and sleep duration (r = −0.2, p = 0.03), BMI and sleep efficiency (r = −0.3, p=0.01), and WC and sleep efficiency (r = −0.2, p = 0.04). Also, a positive association was observed between BMI and sleep latency (r = 0.4, p = 0.006).Conclusions: In the elderly, actigraphy-assessed sleep duration was associated with obesity and the sleep efficiency was poor in obese participants. It seems that sleep patterns and BMI are correlated with each other. However, there is a need for prospective studies to affirm causal relationships between these constructs

Growth Performance, Eating Behavior, Digestibility, Blood Metabolites, and Carcass Traits in Growing-Finishing Fat-Tailed Lambs Fed Different Levels of Dietary Neutral Detergent Fiber with High Rumen Undegradable Protein

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of decreasing concentrations of dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) at high rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on performance, digestibility, chewing activity, blood attributes, and carcass characteristics in 32 weaned male Afshari lambs (90 days of age; 26 kg initial body weight; BW). Dietary metabolic energy (ME) was increased from 10.6–11.5 and 11.8 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) by replacing alfalfa hay with grain to achieve NDF concentrations of 270, 245, and 220 g/kg DM, respectively, at 66.6 g/kg DM of RUP. The control (CON) diet contained 10.9 MJ/kg ME, 270 g/kg NDF and 59.6 g/kg RUP on DM basis. Rations containedsimilar concentrations of crude protein (CP, 160 g/kg DM). Lambs were slaughtered after a 56-d feeding period. The increase in dietary RUP had no effect on BW and average daily gain (ADG) but tended to decrease apparent digestibility of CP and DM, significantlydecreasedplasma urea concentration, and increased carcass CP content. Other body or carcass characteristics were unchanged. Decreasing dietary fiber at high RUP did not result in adverse effects on BW, ADG, body length, withers height, apparent digestibility of DM and CP, and BFT, but decreased DM intake (1539 vs. 1706 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; 4.33 vs. 5.39) compared with CON. Gradual reduction in NDF and physically effective NDF did not affecteating, ruminating or chewing times. Plasma glucose concentration was greater for NDF220 than for the three other treatments (p = 0.015).Slaughtering traits were not affected by dietary treatment except for hot carcass weight, which increased in NDF220 and NDF245 compared with NDF270 (p = 0.021). The concentration of meat CP increased in NDF270 versus CON (167 vs. 152 g/kg). Quadratic effects occurred for meat ether extract concentration (highest in NDF220) and fat-tail weight (highest in NDF245). In conclusion, the results showed that increasing the proportion of RUP within dietary CP improves carcass protein accretion. Decreasing dietary NDF to 220 g/kg DM at high RUP does not impair eating behavior and improves FCR in 3-month-old fat-tailed lambs

Effect of carbohydrate restriction on body weight in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of 110 randomized controlled trials

IntroductionCarbohydrate-restricted diets are one of the most effective dietary interventions for weight loss. However, the optimum carbohydrate intake for implementing the most effective weight-loss interventions is still being discussed. We aimed to determine the optimum carbohydrate intake for short- and long-term weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL from inception to May 2021 for randomized controlled trials examining the effect of a carbohydrate-restricted diet (≤45% of energy intake) as compared to a control diet (carbohydrate intake >45% of energy intake) on body weight in adults with overweight/obesity. A random-effects dose–response meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the mean difference for each 10% decrease in carbohydrate intake at the 6-month follow-up (1 to 6 months), 12-month follow-up (6 to 12 months), and follow-up longer than 12 months. The shape of the dose-dependent effects was also evaluated. The certainty of the evidence was rated using the GRADE approach. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold was defined as 5% weight loss (equal to 4.39 kg).ResultsA total of 110 trials were selected for the present meta-analysis. In the linear dose–response meta-analysis, each 10% decrease in carbohydrate intake reduced body weight by 0.64 kg (95% CI: −0.79 to −0.49; n = 101 trials with 4,135 participants, high-certainty evidence) at the 6-month follow-up and by 1.15 kg (95% CI: −1.61 to −0.69; 42 trials with 2,657 participants, moderate-certainty evidence) at the 12-month follow-up. Non-linear dose–response meta-analyses indicated a monotonic reduction in body weight with the decrease in carbohydrate intake, with the greatest reduction at 5% at the 6-month follow-up (mean difference 5%: −3.96 kg, 95% CI: −4.92 to −3.00) and 10% at the 12-month follow-up (mean difference 10%: −6.26 kg, 95% CI: −10.42 to −2.10). At follow-up longer than 12 months, dose–response analyses suggested a non-linear effect, wherein carbohydrate intakes higher than 40% and lower than 30% were not effective for weight loss.DiscussionCarbohydrate restriction is an effective dietary strategy for important weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity. At 6-month and 12-month follow-ups, body weight decreased proportionally, more than the MCID threshold, along with the decrease in carbohydrate intake. At follow-up longer than 12 months, there was a non-linear effect, with the greatest reduction at 30% carbohydrate intake.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022315042

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed