Prediction of Gas Consumption During Hydrate Formation With or Without the Presence of Inhibitors in a Batch System Using the Esmaeilzadeh-Roshanfekr Equation of State

In this work, the ability of different equations of state to predict the gas consumption during hydrate formation in a batch system has been evaluated using the model of Kashchiev and Firoozabadi. The first state equation used for this purpose was the one developed by Esmaeilzadeh and Roshanfekr. The predictions were then extended using PR, SRK and Patel Teja equations. The ability of the different equations of state were evaluated for single gases of methane and ethane and their mixtures adding to more than a thousand experimental data existing in the literature. The consumption of gas during hydrate formation was predicted both with and without the presence of kinetic inhibitors. In the case of double hydrate formation, the state equation based on the Kashchiev and Firoozabadi model for simple gas was modified by lumping the component of hydrate formation as a pseudocomponent. The results of this extension study show that the equation developed by Esmaeilzadeh and Roshanfekr is just as suitable for predicting gas consumption during hydrate formation as any of the other well known state equations such as PR and SRK

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation using torsional parameters described by tissue doppler imaging

Background: Left ventricular (LV) twist is due to oppositely directed apical and basal rotation and has been proposed as a sensitive marker of LV function. We sought to assess the impact of chronic pure mitral regurgitation (MR) on the torsional mechanics of the left human ventricle using tissue Doppler imaging. Methods: Nineteen severe MR patients with a normal LV ejection fraction and 16 non-MR controls underwent conventional echocardiography and apical and basal short-axis color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI). LV rotation at the apical and basal short-axis levels was calculated from the averaged tangential velocities of the septal and lateral regions, corrected for the LV radius over time. LV twist was defined as the difference in LV rotation between the two levels, and the LV twist and twisting/untwisting rate profiles were analyzed throughout the cardiac cycle. Results: LV twist and LV torsion were significantly lower in the MR group than in the non-MR group (10.38 ° ± 4.04 ° vs. 13.95 ° ± 4.27 °; p value = 0.020; and 1.29 ± 0.54 °/cm vs. 1.76 ± 0.56 °/cm; p value = 0.021, respectively), both suggesting incipient LV dysfunction in the MR group. Similarly, the untwisting rate was lower in the MR group (-79.74 ± 35.97 °/s vs.-110.96 ± 34.65 °/s; p value = 0.020), but there was statistically no significant difference in the LV twist rate. Conclusion: The evaluation of LV torsional parameters in MR patients with a normal LV ejection fraction suggests the potential role of these sensitive variables in assessing the early signs of ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic patients

The prevalence of depression among Iranian infertile couples: an update systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder. Infertility can lead to depression. The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian infertile couples. Seven electronic databases (Google Scholar, MagIran, SID, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched, up to August 2019, for relevant published studies. The pooled prevalence of depression also pooled mean of depression score was determined using a random-effects model with a 95 confidence interval (95 CI). All analyses performed using Stata ver11 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). The 0.05 was considered a significant level. The main body: Totally, 230 studies were retrieved and 31 studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression among infertile couples was about 35.3 (95 CI 24.1�46.5), and the prevalence of depression among females and males was 48.7 (95 CI 24.0�73.3) and 9 (95 CI 0 to 23.7), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of depression in infertile couples. The results can highlight an important and growing mental disorder among infertile couples that may be overlooked. © 2020, The Author(s)

Assessment of left atrial reservoir function in mitral valve disease by tissue doppler, strain and strain rate imaging

Introduction: Mitral valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation still result in significant morbidity and mortality. It has been shown that atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation may occur in these patients. We sought to investigate how pressure or volume overload in the left atrium could impact atrial deformation properties obtained via Doppler-derived velocity and strain/strain rate imaging. Methods: Thirty-six patients, comprising 17 patients with a diagnosis of moderate to severe mitral stenosis and 19 patients with a diagnosis of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, were compared with 16 healthy subjects. Two-dimensional, pulse Doppler, and tissue Doppler transthoracic echocardiographic study was performed. Measurement of regional velocity, strain and SR profiles, peak systolic velocity, peak strain, and strain rate was performed in two segments of the four left atrial walls. Results: There was a significant decline in peak systolic velocity in the mitral stenosis patients in both annular and roof segments, but the difference was not statistically significant between the mitral regurgitation patients and the healthy subjects. Total velocity was significantly lower in the mitral stenosis patients than in the healthy subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant between the healthy subjects and the mitral regurgitation patients. Comparison of total strain showed significant differences between the three groups mainly due to a decline in strain in the mitral stenosis patients in comparison with the other two groups. Comparison of total peak systolic strain rate between the groups showed significant differences due to a significant decline in the mitral stenosis group and a non-significant decline in the mitral regurgitation group by comparison with the healthy group. Conclusion: This reduction, especially in strain and strain rate, shows that the reservoir function of the left atrium could be compromised more severely in asymptomatic mitral stenosis patients. © 2014 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved

Decomposition of Socioeconomic Inequality in Catastrophic Health Expenditure: An Evidence from Iran

Background: Evidences showed that the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure is unequally distributed among disadvantaged populations. The present study has tried to explain the contributors of this unfair inequality in Hamadan, Iran. Methods: The target population was households that utilized inpatient services in hospitals of Hamadan. A proportional stratified random sampling method was used to determine study sample (N = 770). The associated factors of catastrophic health expenditure were estimated using logistic regression analysis. The inequality of catastrophic health expenditure was measured by concentration index and explained by decomposition analysis. The data were analyzed by using STATA version 12. Results: The key determinants of catastrophic health expenditure were poor economic status, lower household size, lack of supplementary insurance and the number of hospitalizations. The overall concentration index of catastrophic health expenditure in Hamadan was �0.163 (95 CI: �0.242 to �0.083). Household economic status (63.60) and household size (39.90) were considered as the first and the second largest contributors of catastrophic health expenditure inequality, respectively. Conclusion: It is demonstrated that catastrophic health expenditure inequality in Iran could be explained by the factors beyond the health sector scope. Hence, future policy efforts need to consider both health system factors and the factors beyond the health system to eliminate catastrophic health spending burden and its inequality. © 2019 INDIACLE

Echocardiographic characteristics including tissue Doppler imaging after enhanced external counterpulsation therapy.

This study assessed the effects of a course of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy on systolic and diastolic cardiac function using echocardiography to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), systolic wave (Sm), early diastolic wave (Ea), Vp, E/Ea, E/Vp, and diastolic function grade in 25 patients before and after 35 hours of EECP. EECP reduced ESV and EDV and increased ejection fraction significantly in patients with baseline LVEF or = 14 (P=.032, .038, .007), baseline grade II or III diastolic dysfunction (decreased compliance) (P=.014, .032, .027), baseline Ea 50, baseline E/Ea or = 7 cm/s, and Sm > or = 7 cm/s. These results demonstrate improved systolic and diastolic function in selected patients and provide new insight into potential clinical applications of EECP

Echocardiographic characteristics including tissue Doppler imaging after enhanced external counterpulsation therapy.

This study assessed the effects of a course of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy on systolic and diastolic cardiac function using echocardiography to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), systolic wave (Sm), early diastolic wave (Ea), Vp, E/Ea, E/Vp, and diastolic function grade in 25 patients before and after 35 hours of EECP. EECP reduced ESV and EDV and increased ejection fraction significantly in patients with baseline LVEF or = 14 (P=.032, .038, .007), baseline grade II or III diastolic dysfunction (decreased compliance) (P=.014, .032, .027), baseline Ea 50, baseline E/Ea or = 7 cm/s, and Sm > or = 7 cm/s. These results demonstrate improved systolic and diastolic function in selected patients and provide new insight into potential clinical applications of EECP

The possibility of broodstock production Pinctada margaritifera in response to the dietary treatments

Pearl aquaculture production is one of the most valuable industry in the world. Black lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera is one of the most important commercial species in the world that it is used for breeding and production of pearl. To determine the basic requirements for black lip oyster growth and development of gonad under controlled conditions, Pearl oysters with a total length of 80 mm shells that were in stage 2 maturation of the island Hendorabi collected by diving operations and were transferred to Bandar Lengeh Research Station Persian Gulf mollusks. Pearl oysters with length of 95 mm shells, was passed were all male. 25 percent of them with a total length of 100-110 mm and all with a total length top of 110 mm were female. Then thay were fed for 45 days in appropriate conditions of temperature and photoperiod with March until late spring. Ggreatest physical growth related to Diet with micro-algae Isochrysis sp (T.ISO), Cheatoceros calcitrans, Cheatoceros mullerii, Pavlova lutheri and Tetraselmis suecica, which with the other treatments were significantly different (p<0.05). Most gonadal growth of the group 4 (Isochrysis sp (T.ISO), Pavlova lutheri, Cheatoceros calcitrans, Cheatoceros mullerii) was 70% in the treated females were spawning. Minimum total length of black lip oyster in habitat of 80 mm, which were collected from a depth of 2 meters. There is no relationship between total length Oysters and depth of 4 to 10 meters depth and minimum total length was 115 mm. The most density of Black lip oyster were observed in the depths of 4 to 7 meters in the northwestern part of the island Hendorabi. There were stronger correlation between biometric data, length-weight relative to length- length

Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral geometry in functional mitral regurgitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>We sought to evaluate the geometric changes of the mitral leaflets, local and global LV remodeling in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and varying degrees of Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs as a consequence of systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction caused by ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Mitral valve repair in ischemic MR is one of the most controversial topic in surgery and proper repairing requires an understanding of its mechanisms, as the exact mechanism of FMR are not well defined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>136 consecutive patients mean age of 55 with systolic LV dysfunction and FMR underwent complete echocardiography and after assessing MR severity, LV volumes, Ejection Fraction, LV sphericity index, C-Septal distance, Mitral valve annulus, Interpapillary distance, Tenting distance and Tenting area were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was significant association between MR severity and echocardiogarphic indices (all p values < 0.001). Severe MR occurred more frequently in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients compared to ischemic patients, (p < 0.001). Based on the model, only Mitral valve tenting distance (TnD) (OR = 22.11, CI 95%: 14.18 – 36.86, p < 0.001) and Interpapillary muscle distance (IPMD), (OR = 6.53, CI 95%: 2.10 – 10.23, p = 0.001) had significant associations with MR severity.</p> <p>Mitral annular dimensions and area, C-septal distance and sphericity index, although greater in patients with severe regurgitation, did not significantly contribute to FMR severity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Degree of LV enlargement and dysfunction were not primary determinants of FMR severity, therefore local LV remodeling and mitral valve apparatus deformation are the strongest predictors of functional MR severity.</p

Health sector spending and spending on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and development assistance for health: progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3

Background: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. While a substantial effort has been made to quantify progress towards SDG3, less research has focused on tracking spending towards this goal. We used spending estimates to measure progress in financing the priority areas of SDG3, examine the association between outcomes and financing, and identify where resource gains are most needed to achieve the SDG3 indicators for which data are available. Methods: We estimated domestic health spending, disaggregated by source (government, out-of-pocket, and prepaid private) from 1995 to 2017 for 195 countries and territories. For disease-specific health spending, we estimated spending for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis for 135 low-income and middle-income countries, and malaria in 106 malaria-endemic countries, from 2000 to 2017. We also estimated development assistance for health (DAH) from 1990 to 2019, by source, disbursing development agency, recipient, and health focus area, including DAH for pandemic preparedness. Finally, we estimated future health spending for 195 countries and territories from 2018 until 2030. We report all spending estimates in inflation-adjusted 2019 US$, unless otherwise stated. Findings: Since the development and implementation of the SDGs in 2015, global health spending has increased, reaching$7·9 trillion (95% uncertainty interval 7·8–8·0) in 2017 and is expected to increase to $11·0 trillion (10·7–11·2) by 2030. In 2017, in low-income and middle-income countries spending on HIV/AIDS was$20·2 billion (17·0–25·0) and on tuberculosis it was $10·9 billion (10·3–11·8), and in malaria-endemic countries spending on malaria was$5·1 billion (4·9–5·4). Development assistance for health was $40·6 billion in 2019 and HIV/AIDS has been the health focus area to receive the highest contribution since 2004. In 2019,$374 million of DAH was provided for pandemic preparedness, less than 1% of DAH. Although spending has increased across HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria since 2015, spending has not increased in all countries, and outcomes in terms of prevalence, incidence, and per-capita spending have been mixed. The proportion of health spending from pooled sources is expected to increase from 81·6% (81·6–81·7) in 2015 to 83·1% (82·8–83·3) in 2030. Interpretation: Health spending on SDG3 priority areas has increased, but not in all countries, and progress towards meeting the SDG3 targets has been mixed and has varied by country and by target. The evidence on the scale-up of spending and improvements in health outcomes suggest a nuanced relationship, such that increases in spending do not always results in improvements in outcomes. Although countries will probably need more resources to achieve SDG3, other constraints in the broader health system such as inefficient allocation of resources across interventions and populations, weak governance systems, human resource shortages, and drug shortages, will also need to be addressed. Funding: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatio