Vitamin D deficiency prevalence in summer compared to winter in a city with high humidity and a sultry climate

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is high in winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight. It seems that in places with high humidity and a sultry climate, exposure to sunlight in summer can be low too. This study was designed to determine the vitamin D deficiency prevalence in Sari, a city with a high humidity climate at the end of summer, and compare it to winter. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on men and women aged 10 to 70. Clustered blood samples were received from 351 subjects who participated in this study toward the end of summer, and in winter. The levels of serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and PTH were measured. T test and X2 were used for data analysis. Results: 351subjects (66.4% women, 33.6% men) aged 11 to 69 (mean age &#177; SD 37.11 &#177; 12.6) participated in the study. The mean 25-(OH) D concentration in summer was 13.41 &#177; 13, and in winter it was 11.7 &#177; 11, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). The prevalence of 25-OHvitamin D deficiency was 87.5% (307) in winter and 78.6% (276) in summer (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that although in this area with a high humidity climate, seasonal variation of vitamin D is statistically significant, the prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency is as high in summer as in winter. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (3): 249&#8211;251)Background: Vitamin D deficiency is high in winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight. It seems that in places with high humidity and a sultry climate, exposure to sunlight in summer can be low too. This study was designed to determine the vitamin D deficiency prevalence in Sari, a city with a high humidity climate at the end of summer, and compare it to winter. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on men and women aged 10 to 70. Clustered blood samples were received from 351 subjects who participated in this study toward the end of summer, and in winter. The levels of serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and PTH were measured. T test and X2 were used for data analysis. Results: 351subjects (66.4% women, 33.6% men) aged 11 to 69 (mean age &#177; SD 37.11 &#177; 12.6) participated in the study. The mean 25-(OH) D concentration in summer was 13.41 &#177; 13, and in winter it was 11.7 &#177; 11, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). The prevalence of 25-OHvitamin D deficiency was 87.5% (307) in winter and 78.6% (276) in summer (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that although in this area with a high humidity climate, seasonal variation of vitamin D is statistically significant, the prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency is as high in summer as in winter. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (3): 249&#8211;251

Effect of Nettle Extract and Pumpkin Seed on Prostate Specific Antigen and Urinary Symptoms in Patients Taking Alfa-blocker for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Introduction: We aimed to compare the effect of nettle extract and pumpkin seed on Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) in patients taking alfa-blocker for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 90 outpatients were studied in three groups, including men over 40 years of age with benign prostatic enlargement. The first group (Urtidin) contained consumers of nettle extract from Barijessence Company called Urtidin tablets with tamsulosin; the second group took tablets containing pumpkin seed extract called Prosta Barij and tamsulosin; the third group (Control) received only tamsulosin for three months. Patients were not randomly assigned to the groups PSA, IPSS, and related factors were evaluated and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 89 patients completed the study (30/89 in Urtidin group with a mean age of 62.4±7.39 years, 29/89 in Prosta Barij group with a mean age of 65.9±7.32 years, and 30/89 in the control group with a mean age of 64.7±8.64 years). The results showed that nettle and pumpkin seed extracts affect PSA in patients taking tamsulosin for BPH. Also, after the intervention, IPSS had a significant decrease compared with baseline in both drug treatment groups. There was no significant difference in these three types of treatment. Conclusion: It seems that the desired herbal products did not have a synergistic effect with alpha blockers in the control and treatment of BPH but they can affect the serum PSA level

A study on enhanced intestinal permeability of clarithromycin nanoparticles

The main objective of the present study was to determine the permeability of clarithromycin (CLA)-PLGA nanoparticles using single-pass intestinal perfusion technique in rats. Clarithromycin nanoparticles were prepared by nano-precipitation according to the modified quasi emulsion solvent diffusion technique and evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics. Permeability coefficients (Peff) in anaesthetized rats were determined at 3 different concentrations. Drug solution or suspensions in PBS was perfused through a cannulated jejunal segment and samples were taken from outlet tubing at different time points up to 90 min. Microbiological assay of CLA and phenol red in the samples were analyzed using an agar well diffusion procedure and HPLC method respectively. The average particle size of prepared nanoparticles was 305 ± 134 nm. The mean Peff of CLA solution in concentrations of 150, 250 and 400 µg/mL was found to be 1.20 (±0.32) ×10-3, 9.62 (±0.46) ×10-4, and 1.36 (±0.95) ×10-3 cm/sec, respectively. The corresponding values for the same concentration of nanoparticles were found to be 2.74 (±0.73) ×10-3, 2.45 (±0.88) ×10-3, and 3.68 (±0.46) ×10-3 cm/s, respectively. The two-tailed Student’s t-test showed that the intestinal permeability of CLA nanoparticle suspensions in prepared concentrations were significantly increased in comparison with its solution.O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi determinar a permeabilidade de nanopartículas de claritromicina (CLA)-PLGA, utilizando a técnica de perfusão intestinal de passo único em ratos. As nanopartículas de claritromicina foram preparadas por nanoprecipitação, de acordo com a técnica modificada de difusão de solvente quase-emulsão, e suas características físico-químicas avaliadas. Os coeficientes de permeabilidade (Peff) em ratos anestesiados foram determinados em três concentrações diferentes. A solução, ou suspensões, do fármaco em PBS foi perfundida através do segmento de jejuno canulado e as amostras foram tomadas do tubo externo em diferentes tempos até 90 minutos. Os ensaios microbiológico de CLA e de vermelho de fenol das amostras foram realizados, utilizando-se o procedimento de difusão em poço de ágar e de CLAE, respectivamente. O tamanho médio das partículas das nanopartículas preparadas foi de 305 ± 134 nm. O Peff médio da solução de CLA em concentrações de 150, 250 and 400 µg/mL foi de 1.20(±0.32)×10-3, 9.62(±0.46)]×10-4 e de 1.36(±0.95)×10-3 cm/s, respectivamente. O valor correspondente para a mesma concentração de nanopartículas foi de 2.74 (±0.73)×10-3, 2.45(±0.88)×10-3 e de 3.68 (±0.46)×10-3 cm/s, respectivamente. O teste t de Student com duas variáveis mostrou que a permeabilidade intestinal das suspensões de nanopartículas de CLA nas concentrações preparadas foram significativamente aumentadas em comparação com sua solução

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

AlpDailySnowCoverImage

&lt;p&gt;This video displays actual satellite acquisitions and synthesized binary snow cover images side by side, corresponding to the same dates for the Western Swiss Alps. It is associated with the paper titled 'Synthesizing Long-Term Satellite Imagery Consistent with Climate Data: Application to Daily Snow Cover,' which was accepted by the Remote Sensing of Environment Journal.&lt;/p&gt

ThurDailySnowCoverImage

&lt;p&gt;This video displays actual satellite acquisitions and synthesized binary snow cover images side by side, corresponding to the same dates for the Thur Jonschwil subbasin. It is associated with the paper titled 'Synthesizing Long-Term Satellite Imagery Consistent with Climate Data: Application to Daily Snow Cover,' which was accepted by the Remote Sensing of Environment Journal.&lt;/p&gt

Influence of Rail Pad Stiffness and Axle Loads on Dynamic Responses of Train-track Interaction with Unsupported Sleepers

Increasing the axle load causes track deterioration and permanent settlement of the ballast layer. In the ballasted railway tracks, due to the inevitability of unequal settlements in the ballast layer, part of the rail due to high flexural rigidity will become suspended, which causes the formation of the track with unsupported and partially supported sleepers. This situation increases rail vertical displacement and reactions on adjacent sleepers. Several models have been presented to study the effect of unsupported sleepers on dynamic responses of train-track interaction. In this paper, by applying mathematical model, unsupported and partially supported sleepers have been modeled and equations of motions for train-track interaction were written by assuming nonlinear behavior of rail and wheel contact. Following by solving the equations via numerical integration in the time domain, the effect of axle load and pad stiffness on rail vertical displacement were investigated. Results of the analysis suggested that through increasing the axle load rail displacement increased by 13 % in the unsupported sleeper and from 5 to 10 % in the partially supported sleeper. Also, by increasing the pad stiffness rail displacement decreased from 2 to 13 % in the unsupported sleeper and from 1 to 6 % in the partially supported sleeper

Change detection in multispectral images based on fusion of change vector analysis in posterior probability space and posterior probability space angle mapper

Change vector analysis in posterior probability space (CVAPS) has been introduced recently as an effective method for change detection. CVAPS is based on the length of change and its direction in a posterior probability (PP) space. However, CVAPS is prone to similar direction cosine values. An approach to analyzing change by combining CVAPS and a new method called posterior probability space angle mapper (PSAM) is proposed in this study. PSAM establishes the similarity between two PP vectors of a pixel for two different dates by calculating the angle between them. This research presents a new change-detection algorithm based on combining CVAPS and PSAM (CVAPSAM), which is able to fully exploit change vectors in a PP space. While CVAPS uses a suitable threshold value to detect changes, CVAPSAM does not need to set a threshold. In addition, it reduces the similar direction cosine values source of error in identifying ‘from-to’ classes

Fusion of Change Vector Analysis in Posterior Probability Space and Postclassification Comparison for Change Detection from Multispectral Remote Sensing Data

Postclassification Comparison (PCC) has been widely used as a change-detection method. The PCC algorithm is straightforward and easily applicable to all satellite images, regardless of whether they are acquired from the same sensor or in the same environmental conditions. However, PCC is prone to cumulative error, which results from classification errors. Alternatively, Change Vector Analysis in Posterior Probability Space (CVAPS), which interprets change based on comparing the posterior probability vectors of a pixel, can alleviate the classification error accumulation present in PCC. CVAPS identifies the type of change based on the direction of a change vector. However, a change vector can be translated to a new position within the feature space; consequently, it is not inconceivable that identical measures of direction may be used by CVAPS to describe multiple types of change. Our proposed method identifies land-cover transitions by using a fusion of CVAPS and PCC. In the proposed algorithm, contrary to CVAPS, a threshold does not need to be specified in order to extract change. Moreover, the proposed method uses a Random Forest as a trainable fusion method in order to obtain a change map directly in a feature space which is obtained from CVAPS and PCC. In other words, there is no need to specify a threshold to obtain a change map through the CVAPS method and then combine it with the change map obtained from the PCC method. This is an advantage over other change-detection methods focused on fusing multiple change-detection approaches. In addition, the proposed method identifies different types of land-cover transitions, based on the fusion of CVAPS and PCC, to improve the results of change-type determination. The proposed method is applied to images acquired by Landsat and Quickbird. The resultant maps confirm the utility of the proposed method as a change-detection/labeling tool. For example, the new method has an overall accuracy and a kappa coefficient relative improvement of 7% and 9%, respectively, on average, over CVAPS and PCC in determining different types of change