Leaf biomass and leaf area equations for three planted trees in Iran

Leaf area (LA) and leaf biomass (LB) are important variables for most physiological, horticultural and agronomic studies involving plant growth, development rate, radiation use efficiency, and water or nutrient use. Measuring these variables need destructive and aggressive sampling. Fortunately, evolving allometric equations can help for low cost and non-destructive estimation of such variables. The aims of this study are Estimate, compare and develop allometric models of LA and LB per tree and per stand for Alnus subcordata (AS), Populus deltoides (PD) and Taxodium distichum (TD) plantations. We selected 12 sample trees in each stand. Leaf Fresh weight of randomly selected branches was weighted in the field. Branch-level LA was modeled as a function of branch diameter (R2 > 0.8) and total fresh weight of LB has been calculated for each sampled tree. For each species, 100 leaves from all canopy directions of trees were randomly selected and transported to the laboratory. At the lab, leaf area has been measured using leaf area meter. Allometric equations were derived using regression analysis. For all species, derived equations showed high accuracy (R2 ranged from 0.837 to 0.947). However, with respect to mean square error, power regression equations (individual leaf area = a(L×W)b and LA or LB = a DBHb) are best models to estimate Individual Leaf Area, LA, and LB of AS, PD, and PD. The highest LAI was in the order of 16.9 > 5.5 > 4.5 for AS, PD, and TD, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.26791

Effects of Astaxanthin supplementation on selected metabolic parameters, anthropometric indices, Sirtuin1 and TNF-α levels in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BackgroundAtherosclerosis can develop as a result of an increase in oxidative stress and concurrently rising levels of inflammation. Astaxanthin (AX), a red fat-soluble pigment classified as a xanthophyll, may be able to prevent the vascular damage induced by free radicals and the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. The objective of the current study is to assess the effects of AX supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsThis randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 50 CAD patients. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either AX supplements (12 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Lipid profile, glycemic parameters, anthropometric indices, body composition, Siruin1 and TNF-α levels were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.ResultsBody composition, glycemic indices, serum levels of TNF-α, Sirtuin1 did not differ substantially between the AX and placebo groups (p > 0.05). The data of AX group showed significant reduction in total cholesterol (−14.95 ± 33.57 mg/dl, p < 0.05) and LDL-C (−14.64 ± 28.27 mg/dl, p < 0.05). However, TG and HDL-C levels could not be affected through AX supplementation.ConclusionOur results suggest that AX supplementation play a beneficial role in reducing some components of lipid profile levels. However, further clinical investigations in CAD patients are required to obtain more conclusive findings.Clinical trial registrationwww.Irct.ir., identifier IRCT20201227049857N1

Prediction of clinical outcomes of patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-Elevation myocardial infarction using familial history of premature coronary artery disease

Introduction: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a relatively common cause of mortality among patients. The effects of risk factors as predictors of mortality in patients has been shown in different studies. The present study was performed aiming to evaluate the association between a family history of premature coronary artery diseases (CADs) with clinical outcomes among patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Shahid Madani Hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, on 200 patients with STEMI with a PCI. 100 out of these 200 patients had a family history of premature CAD. Patients were followed up within 48 hours after PCI, as well as one year after admission, and the secondary outcomes including myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), pulmonary edema, and death were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients with positive and negative family history of premature CAD was 56.37 ± 8.20 and 61.72 ± 7.42 years, respectively. The mean age of the patients with a family history of a premature CAD was significantly lower than that of patients without a family history of a premature CAD (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the frequency of CAD risk factors, angiographic findings, and its complications, ST-segment resolution and frequency of secondary outcomes during 48 hours and one year after admission between the study groups (P > 0.050). Conclusion: The present study showed that a family history of premature CAD does not predict the clinical outcomes in patients treated with PCI for STEMI which should be validated across future studies

Association of Significant Mitral Regurgitation and Left Ventricular Dysfunction With ALCAPA Syndrome in a Young Patient

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is not a common anomaly in adulthood. Its early diagnosis requires physician suspicion and the early treatment of disease can prevent its serious side effects. In this article, we presented a young female with pansystolic murmur and heart failure with final diagnosis of ALCAPA syndrome

Mitral Regurgitation after Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvotomy in Patients with Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: A Single-Center Study

Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) is the gold standard treatment for rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) in that it causes significant changes in mitral valve area (MVA) and improves leaflet mobility. Development of or increase in mitral regurgitation (MR) is common after BMV. This study evaluated MR severity and its changes after BMV in Iranian patients. Methods: We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients with severe rheumatic MS undergoing BMV using the Inoue balloon technique between February 2010 and January 2013 in Madani Heart Center, Tabriz, Iran. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and echocardiographic and catheterization data, including MVA, mitral valve mean and peak gradient (MVPG and MVMG), left atrial (LA) pressure, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAPs), and MR severity before and after BMV, were evaluated. Results: Totally, 105 patients (80% female) at a mean age of 45.81 ± 13.37 years were enrolled. NYHA class was significantly improved after BMV: 55.2% of the patients were in NYHA functional class III before BMV compared to 36.2% after the procedure (p value < 0.001). MVA significantly increased (mean area = 0.64 ± 0.29 cm2 before BMV vs. 1.90 ± 0.22 cm2 after BMV; p value < 0.001) and PAPs, LA pressure, MVPG, and MVMG significantly decreased. MR severity did not change in 82 (78.1%) patients, but it increased in 18 (17.1%) and decreased in 5 (4.8%) patients. Patients with increased MR had a significantly higher calcification score (2.03 ± 0.53 vs.1.50 ± 0.51; p value < 0.001) and lower MVA before BMV (0.81± 0.23 vs.0.94 ± 0.18; p value = 0.010). There were no major complications. Conclusion: In our study, BMV had excellent immediate hemodynamic and clinical results inasmuch as MR severity increased only in some patients and, interestingly, decreased in a few. Our results, underscore BMV efficacy in severe MS. The echocardiographic calcification score was useful for identifying patients likely to have MR development or MR increase after BMV

Paired Tumor and Normal Whole Genome Sequencing of Metastatic Olfactory Neuroblastoma

Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare cancer of the sinonasal tract with little molecular characterization. We performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) on paired normal and tumor DNA from a patient with metastatic-ONB to identify the somatic alterations that might be drivers of tumorigenesis and/or metastatic progression.Genomic DNA was isolated from fresh frozen tissue from a metastatic lesion and whole blood, followed by WGS at >30X depth, alignment and mapping, and mutation analyses. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm selected mutations. Sixty-two somatic short nucleotide variants (SNVs) and five deletions were identified inside coding regions, each causing a non-synonymous DNA sequence change. We selected seven SNVs and validated them by Sanger sequencing. In the metastatic ONB samples collected several months prior to WGS, all seven mutations were present. However, in the original surgical resection specimen (prior to evidence of metastatic disease), mutations in KDR, MYC, SIN3B, and NLRC4 genes were not present, suggesting that these were acquired with disease progression and/or as a result of post-treatment effects.This work provides insight into the evolution of ONB cancer cells and provides a window into the more complex factors, including tumor clonality and multiple driver mutations

The Twelve-Month Outcome of Biolimus Eluting Stent with Biodegradable Polymer Compared With an Everolimus Eluting Stent with Durable Polymer

Introduction: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have significantly decreased the need for repeat coronary revascularization but concerns remain regarding the safety of first and second generation DES. We compared the safety and efficacy of a biolimus-eluting stent (with biodegradable polymer) with an everolimus-eluting stent (with durable polymer) one. Methods: We performed a randomized trial to compare the two types of stents. Two hundred patients undergoing PCI for de novo lesions were randomly assigned 1:1 to treatment with either biolimus-eluting (BioMatrix) or everolimus -eluting (Xience V) stent. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target vessel revascularization within 12 months. Results: Demographics, clinical, and lesion characteristic were comparable between two groups. The 30-day major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate was 2% in BioMatrix group versus 0% in Xience group (p > 0.05). After 12 months, the rates of cardiac death (0% in both groups), MI (2% versus 0%, p=0.49) and clinically –driven target vessel revascularization (0% in both groups) were similar for BioMatrix and Xience. No stent thrombosis was reported at 1, 6, 9 or 12 months after intervention in either group. Conclusion: BES (Biolimus-eluting stent) with biodegradable polymer and EES (Everolimus-eluting stent) with durable polymer appear similar with respect to MACE and stent thrombosis in this patient population. Many studies with longer follow up are needed to define better the role of BES with biodegradable polymer in treatment of coronary artery lesions

Outcome of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients Undergoing Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusion

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic total occlusion (CTO) treated with PCI is poorly investigated. Current study evaluates outcome of successful PCI on CTO in patients with and without diabetes. Methods: One hundred and sixty three patients treated with successful PCI on CTO between January 2009 and March 2011 were prospectively identified from the PCI registry at the Madani Heart Center, Tabriz, Iran. Patients were followed for 15±3 months, were evaluated for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) comprising death, acute myocardial infarction, and need for repeat revascularization.Results: No differences were found in baseline clinical and procedural variables between patients with (n=34) and without diabetes (n=129), unless for hypertension (p=0.03). Hospitalization period after PCI in diabetics (3.26±0.61 days) and non-diabetics (2.86±0.52 days) was similar. In-hospital MACE occurred in 8 (23.5%) individuals of diabetics and 10 (7.8%) individuals of non-diabetics (p=0.02), among them revascularization was significantly higher in diabetics (20.6% vs. 7%, p=0.04). Follow-up events in diabetic and non-diabetic groups were 12 (35.3%) and 37 (28.5%), respectively (p was not significant). Conclusion: In patients undergoing successful PCI on CTO, diabetes is associated with higher in-hospital adverse events; however diabetes does not affect long term outcomes in these patients

Estimation of biomass factor and biomass expansion factor for Populus deltoides, Alnus subcordata and Taxodium distichum in koludeh plantation, Amol

Biomass factor is one of the efficient methods for non-destructive estimation of biomass and carbon storage in forest stands. To fulfill the existing lack of biomass data in plantations of Northern Iran, this study derived biomass factor (BF), crown biomass to aboveground biomass ratio (R) and biomass expansion factor (BEF) coefficients for three tree species of Eastern Poplar (Populus deltoides), Caucasian Alder (Alnus subcordata)and Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) across a 20-years old plantation. For each species, 12 individual trees were felled down. Then the dry weigh of stem, branches, twigs and leaves were separately measured for each tree. The BF values for Eastern Poplar, Caucasian Alderand Bald Cypress were 0.036, 0.007, 0.006 Mg m-3 for branch, 0.055, 0.017, 0.024 Mg m-3 for twigs and 0.041, 0.006, 0.031 Mg m-3 for leaves, respectively. Compared to the other two species, the R value forEastern Poplarwas significantly lower. The BEF values were 0.499, 0.554 and 0.621 Mg m-3 for Eastern Poplar, Caucasian Alder and Bald Cypress, respectively. Although these coefficients are easy to apply and efficient for use, but using them for other plantations must be done with caution, because applying them for other plantations with different stand structure may result in a biased estimation