Association between ECG changes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction with and without collateral coronary vessels

Background- Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of morbidity and cardiovascular mortality. The presence of collateral coronary vessels is believed to be a good prognostic factor. Accordingly, this study was performed to compare electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in MI patients with and without collaterals. Methods and Materials- This study was performed as a cross-sectional study among 200 patients admitted for MI in a training hospital in 2011 and 2012. The study population was divided into two categories: patients with collateral coronary vessels and those without them. ECG findings were compared between the two groups. Results- Among the ECG findings, only the QRS pattern in V1 was associated with the presence of collateral vessels. Abnormal QRS axis, pathological Q wave, persistent ST increase/decrease, QRS notch, PR interval, and QRS duration were not related to the presence of collateral vessels (p value > 0.05). Conclusions- According to our results, it may be concluded that ECG changes are not related to the presence of collateral coronary vessels in angiographic assessment. It is recommended that further studies be carried out with evaluation of ECG and after one-month catheterization results of patients to obtain more definite results

The effect of pre-harvest treatment of calcium nitrate and iron chelate on post-harvest quality of apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Red Delicious)

Enhancing the nutrition of fruit trees and crops with chemical fertilizers is one of the most important tools to increase production and improve crop quality during the harvest stage. In East Azerbaijan, apples are grown on calcareous soils, and managing tree nutrition is a precursor to increasing fruit yield and post-harvest fruit quality. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design in a Red Delicious apple orchard to investigate whether the application of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) at 50, 100, and 150 g tree−1 and iron (Fe) chelate (6% Fe) at (10, 20, and 30 mL tree-1) to the soil are beneficial. The fertilizers were applied at three times during fruit development: stage of cell division in young fruit, stage of peak rate of cell expansion and starch accumulation, and stage of cell expansion and the beginning of starch decline. The addition of Ca(NO3)2 and Fe-chelate affected fruit yield and fruit traits in storage, including total carbohydrate, pH, phenol, ripening index (TSS/TA), TSS, TA, fruit firmness, and weight loss. Fertilizer application also altered the concentration of some mineral nutrients in leaves and fruits. There was an interaction between storage time × Ca× Fe on fruit firmness, total carbohydrate, TSS, pH, and TA fruit. Fertilization with Fe-chelate increased fruit Ca and leaf Fe. Overall, the combination of 50 g Ca(NO3)2 and 30 mL Fe-chelate is recommended for apple orchardists in this part of Iran

Ten years of experience in a tertiary center in pulmonary valvuloplasty in pediatric and adult populations

Background: The preferred treatment for isolated pulmonary valve stenosis is percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and short-term results of this procedure in pediatric and adult patients with pulmonary valve stenosis. Methods: In this retrospective case series, we reviewed the hospital records of pediatric and adult patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary valve stenosis subjected to balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty over a period of 10 years. Data regarding the immediate postprocedural findings as well as echocardiographic transvalvular pressure gradients after 6 months were recorded and analyzed. Results: Between 2003 and 2013, a total of 248 patients underwent balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in our institution. Seventy-nine (31.8) patients were < 18 years of age. The immediate success rate was 61. However, the drop in right ventricular pulmonary artery pressure gradient was significantly more prevalent in the patients < 18 years old (73.1 in those < 18 y vs. 55.4 in those � 18 y; P = 0.008). Regarding the success rate over 6 months after discharge, 75 of the patients < 18 years old and 79 of those �18 years old had transvalvular pressure gradients < 50 of the baseline transvalvular pressure gradients on echocardiography performed within 6 months after the initial procedure. Conclusions: In our case series, we demonstrated that balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was an effective and safe method for the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis in both pediatric and adult populations. However, there was a tendency toward a higher postprocedural pressure gradient in the older patients, which made the obstruction more difficult to regress. © 2016, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved

RETRACTED: Interaction between zinc and selenium bio-fortification and toxic metals (loid) accumulation in food crops

Biofortification is the supply of micronutrients required for humans and livestock by various methods in the field, which include both farming and breeding methods and are referred to as short-term and long-term solutions, respectively. The presence of essential and non-essential elements in the atmosphere, soil, and water in large quantities can cause serious problems for living organisms. Knowledge about plant interactions with toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb), is not only important for a healthy environment, but also for reducing the risks of metals entering the food chain. Biofortification of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) is very significant in reducing the effects of toxic metals, especially on major food chain products such as wheat and rice. The findings show that Zn- biofortification by transgenic technique has reduced the accumulation of Cd in shoots and grains of rice, and also increased Se levels lead to the formation of insoluble complexes with Hg and Cd. We have highlighted the role of Se and Zn in the reaction to toxic metals and the importance of modifying their levels in improving dietary micronutrients. In addition, cultivar selection is an essential step that should be considered not only to maintain but also to improve the efficiency of Zn and Se use, which should be considered more climate, soil type, organic matter content, and inherent soil fertility. Also, in this review, the role of medicinal plants in the accumulation of heavy metals has been mentioned, and these plants can be considered in line with programs to improve biological enrichment, on the other hand, metallothioneins genes can be used in the program biofortification as grantors of resistance to heavy metals