Genetic Variants of Cytochrome b-245, Alpha Polypeptide Gene and Premature Acute Myocardial Infarction Risk in An Iranian Population

Background: Oxidative stress induced by superoxide anion plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hence acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The major source of superoxide production in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells is the NADPH oxidase complex. An essential component of this complex is p22phox, that is encoded by the cytochrome b-245, alpha polypeptide (CYBA) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of CYBA variants (rs1049255 and rs4673) and premature acute myocardial infarction risk in an Iranian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 158 patients under the age of 50 years, with a diagnosis of premature AMI, and 168 age-matched controls with normal coronary angiograms. Genotyping of the polymorphisms was performed by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: There was no association between the genotypes and allele frequencies of rs4673 polymorphism and premature acute myocardial infarction (P>0.05). A significant statistical association was observed between the genotypes distribution of rs1049255 polymorphism and AMI risk (P=0.037). Furthermore, the distribution of AA+AG/GG genotypes was found to be statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.011). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that rs1049255 but not rs4673 polymorphism is associated with premature AMI

Design and evaluation of the performance of local exhaust hood on the welding torch

Background and aims: Threats against welders' health due to exposure to welding fume is an important issue; thus, controlling and examining effective exhaust of fumes are necesary. In this study, was evaluated prototype operation of local exhaust ventilation on-gun in bench scale. Methods: Duct velocity average was determined using traverse points method and calculated flow rate by hood using ACGIH standard method. Also capture velocity close in contaminant source (Arc Point) was measured using thermal anemometer. Then, in order to determine total particles concentration and capture efficiency created by system NIOSH 7200 standard method was used. Results: Duct velocity average and created flow rate by evaluated system were 6296.1±92.50 fpm and 34.06±0/50 scfm, respectively. Also, capture velocity in close of the weld point was obtained 140 fpm. Sampling results for averaged total particles concentration in off and on positions of system were 75±7 mg/m3 and 16.7±4 mg/m3, respectively. As a result, 77 containment efficiency was achieved by this system. Conclusion: The local exhaust ventilation used in this study was a low cost prototype and according to the acheived results, it leads to reduce total particles concentration (T.P) in breathing zone aproximately to 22

Creating a sperm bank from sturgeon brood stocks in the south Caspian Sea

Sturgeon stocks are drastically decreasing in Caspian Sea during recent decades. This project has been proposed to collect the excess sperm of Caspian Sea Southern part sturgeon breeders, to cryopreserve and hold them for further use. During two spawning seasons (2006-2007), sperm quality and quantity analysis were conducted on 34 different male sturgeons of which 12 Persian sturgeon, 4 stellate sturgeon, 1 beluga and 1 ship sturgeon with better quality were chosen to cryopreserve. After dilution of fresh sperm with sturgeon sperm diluent (115 mM Tris, 23.4 mM sucrose and 15% DMSO) at the ratio of 1:1, the 0.5 ml straws were filled using special filling and sealing apparatus and frozen with a multi step freezing rate. To access the further quality and fertilization test, samples were thawed at 40 °C for 20 seconds. During the project performance, 1010 ml of Persian sturgeon sperm , 110 ml of ship sturgeon sperm , 90 ml of stellate and 80 ml of beluga sperm were cryopreserved. The reduction of frozen-thawed sperm motility in comparison with fresh samples showed 10-52.3 % decrease, but there was not any significant differences between samples after 7 months preservation in liquid Nitrogen (P < 0.005). River caught Persian sturgeon samples showed higher sperm density in comparison with nonriverine breeders (P < 0.05). Data showed that stellate sturgeon sperm showed better resistance to freezing condition in comparison with Persian sturgeon spermatozoa. Fertilization tests (4 hours after fertilization) showed 27.4% and 58.2% fertilization rate in frozen-thawed stellate and Persian sturgeon spermatozoa, respectively

The association of plasma levels of miR-34a and miR-149 with obesity and insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents

Context. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs involved in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression that influence various cellular functions including glucose and lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of miR-34a and miR-149 and their relationship with metabolic parameters in obese children and adolescents. Design. Seventy children and adolescents were enrolled in the study. Plasma levels of microRNAs were evaluated by real-time PCR using SYBR green and analyzed by �Ct method. Plasma concentrations of visfatin and insulin were measured by ELISA method. Glucose and lipid profile were determined colorimetrically. HOMA-IR was calculated and used as an index of insulin resistance (IR). Results. miR-34a was significantly lower in subjects with insulin resistance compared to obese children with normal insulin sensitivity. There was an inverse relationship between miR-34a levels and both insulin and HOMA-IR. On the other hand, miR-149 was significantly correlated with visfatin. There was no significant difference in miR-34a and miR-149 between obese and normal weight subjects. Conclusions. miR-34a is associated with insulin and HOMA-IR and thus seems to be involved in IR. miR-149 is inversely associated with visfatin levels which could be indicative of anti-inflammatory effect of this miRNA. © 2018, Acta Endocrinologica Foundation. All rights reserved

Rich kids : a history of shopping malls in Tehran and the believers are but brothers - digital lack and excess in a postdigital age

This article addresses two recent performances by Javaad Alipoor and Kirsty Housley - Rich Kids: A History of Shopping Malls in Tehran (2019) and The Believers are but Brothers (2017). It argues that they represent a fresh, stripped back and interrogative mode of intermedial performance, marking a clear departure from practices that employ the digital as a spectacular scenographic tool - where the visual excesses of large scale mapped and projected images are there for us to enjoy - as well as from sited, active and playful uses of handheld devices and networked engagements in mixed reality performance. Particularly focusing on the use of audience members’ smartphones and platforms such as Whatsapp and Instagram, I contend that the prompting of these types of interactions in a theatre space generates a productive uneasiness at the intersection of human action and digital process. The article explores these qualities of unease and critical positionings that emerge within the contained spaces created in the performances and how they reveal and heighten the dual lack and excess of contemporary digital content and processes in our lives. In exploring these ideas, I make reference to postdigital theories, discourses of intermediality and critical writing around digital computation

Decreased plasma level of TRIB3 is associated with circulating mir-124a in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Recent evidence indicates that TRIB3 and miR-124 levels have been deregulated in type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the simultaneous evaluation of these markers in diabetic patients has not been investigated to date. Methods: This case-control study included 50 T2D patients and 40 age-gender matched controls. The circulation level of miR-124a was assessed by real-time PCR. TRIB3 plasma level was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Our findings revealed that the TRIB3 plasma level was significantly increased (p = 0.025), while miR-124a plasma levels were significantly reduced (p = 0.028) in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects. ROC analysis showed that TRIB3 and miR-124a levels could discriminate control subjects and diabetic patients. Interestingly, a significant negative correlation was found between the TRIB3 and miR-124a plasma levels. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the TRIB3 plasma level with fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. Conclusions: In this study, we showed deregulation of TRIB3 level in diabetic patients and its association with miR-124a circulating level and clinical parameters. These findings suggest that miR-124a may affect T2D incidence and progression by modulating the expression of TRIB3 protein level. © 2020 Verlag Klinisches Labor GmbH. All rights reserved

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Community in Executive Functions and Autobiographical Memory in People with Addiction to Stimulants

Objective: The present study was an attempt to examine the effectiveness of therapeutic community in executive functions and autobiographical memory in people with addiction to stimulants. Method: This study was conducted based on a quasi-experimental research design along with pretest and posttest. From among the male stimulant users who had referred to Vardij medical center of Tehran therapeutic community, the number of 27 participants was selected via purposive sampling after the consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria. From admission to end treatment stage of people in this center (4-month treatment), Wisconsin test, Stroop test, tower of London test, digit span, and autobiographical memory questionnaire were used for data collection. Results: The results of the study showed that therapeutic community significantly improved scores Wisconsin, Stroop, tower of London and digit span tests, as well as scores of specific autobiographical memories. Conclusion: Based on the effects of etiology, treatment and prevention of executive functions and autobiographical memory on addiction, it is recommended to use therapeutic community in treatment interventions and addiction relapse.&nbsp