EXPLANATORY ANALYSES OF WORK TRIP GENERATION USING MIXED GEOGRAPHICALLY WEIGHTED REGRESSION (MGWR)

In transportation planning, forecasts have commonly followed the sequential four-step model in which, trip generation (production and attraction) plays a critical role. Among the methods applied to model trip generation, regression with Gaussian distribution of errors are recognized as the most prevailing techniques to describe the relationships between production/attraction and explanatory variables by estimating the global, fixed coefficients. Considering that, trip generation is almost impressed by spatial factors which vary over the study area; the main objective of this research is to apply Mixed Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) on 253 traffic analysis zones (TAZs) in Mashhad, Iran, by applying travel demand data and relating factors in 2018 to investigate the spatial non-stationarity which are not revealed when global specifications are applied. The influence of certain explanatory variables on response variables may be global, whereas others are local, accordingly, MGWR performs better compared with geographically weighted regression. The results of Moran’s I as spatial autocorrelation index performing on residuals of global, mixed models proved the reliability of the proposed model over the traditional one. The spatial model indicated an improvement in model performance using goodness-of-fit criteria with the coefficient of determination varying from 0.84–0.95 compared with 0.76 and 0.6 in the conventional model. The results of such analysis can provide descriptive and predictive tools at the planning-level for decision-makers

Pimpinella anisum in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effects of Pimpinella anisum (anise) from Apiaceae family on relieving the symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Totally, 107 patients attending the gastroenterology clinic, aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with PDS according to ROME III criteria and signed a written consent form were enrolled. They were randomized to receive either anise or placebo, blindly, for 4 weeks. Anise group included 47 patients and received anise powders, 3 g after each meal (3 times/day). Control group involved 60 patients and received placebo powders (corn starch), 3 gafter each meal (3 times/day). The severity of Functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms was assessed by FD severity scale. Assessments were done at baseline and by the end of weeks 2, 4 and 12. Mean scores of severity of FD symptoms and the frequency distribution of patients across the study period were compared. Results: The age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, and coffee drinking pattern of the intervention and control groups were not significantly different. Mean (standard deviation) total scores of FD severity scale before intervention in the anise and control groups were 10.6 (4.1) and 10.96 (4.1), respectively (P = 0.6). They were 7.04 (4.1) and 12.30 (4.3) by week 2, respectively (P = 0.0001), 2.44 (4.2) and 13.05 (5.2) by week 4, respectively (P = 0.0001), and 1.08 (3.8) and 13.30 (6.2) by week 12, respectively (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of anise in relieving the symptoms of postpartum depression. The findings were consistent across the study period at weeks 2, 4 and 12. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

Screening for antimalarial and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of some Iranian seaweeds

Abstract Alcoholic extracts of 8 different types of seaweeds from Iran's Persian Gulf were tested for their antimalarial and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitory activities for the first time. A modified Ellman and Ingkaninan method was used for measuring AChE inhibitory activity in which galanthamine was used as the reference. The antimalarial assay was performed using microculture radioisotope technique. Mefloquine and dihydroartemisinin were uased as the standards. The extract of Sargassum boveanum (Sargasseae family) showed the highest AChE inhibitory activity (IC 50 equals to 1 mg ml -1 ) while Cystoseira indica (Cystoseiraceae family) exhibited the least activity (IC 50 of 11 mg ml -1 ). The species from Rhodophyta (Gracilaria corticata and Gracilaria salicornia) also showed moderate activities (IC 50 9.5, 8.7 mg ml -1 , respectively). All extracts were inactive in antimalarial assay

Preparation and quality control of 177Lu-[tris(1,10-phenanthroline) lutetium(III)] complex for therapy

The 177Lu-[tris(1,10-phenanthroline)lutetium(III)] complex (177Lu-PQ3) was prepared successfully with high radiochemical purity (> 99%). Lu-177 chloride was obtained by thermal neutron flux (4 × 1013 n.cm–2.s–1) of natural Lu2(NO3)3 sample, dissolved in acidic media. The radiochemical yield was checked by measuring the radiochemical purity of the 177Lu-PQ complex by ITLC (10 mM DTPA, pH = 5, as mobile phase). The final complex solution was injected intravenously into wild-type male rats and bio-distribution of the complex was checked for up to 48 hours. The dose limiting organs were shown to be the reticulu-endothelial system. The bio-distribution of the labelled compounds in tumour-bearing animals is under investigation. Nuclear Med Rev 2010; 13, 2: 49–5

Preclinical studies of166Ho-chitosan for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: Recently, due to the special characteristics of166Ho and chitosan,166Ho-chitosan complex was developed for treatment of tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma. This complex has been lately prepared with high radiochemical purity in our lab. The preclinical studies of the complex however should be performed to evaluate the tracer concentration in target and normal tissues before human use. Methods: In this study,166Ho-chitosan was prepared and its preclinical studies for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma was carried out by injection of the radiopharmaceutical into the rabbit's liver via two different methods, surgery and venography. Leakage of the injected activity from the injection site in the rabbit organs was investigated using SPECT and SPECT-CT imaging up to 24 hours. Results: Both SPECT and SPECT-CT imaging of the rabbits showed that there was no significant leakage of the injected activity. Almost all the activity would remain in the injection site at least 24 h post injection. Conclusion: Considering all of the excellent features of the complex, this radiopharmaceutical is suggestive for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by radioembolization method

Protective Effect of Ocimum basilicum Essential Oil Against Acetic Acid�Induced Colitis in Rats

Ocimum basilicum L has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in Iran. This study investigates the ameliorative effect of Ocimum basilicum essential oil on an acetic acid�induced colitis model in rats. Ocimum basilicum essential oil with 2 doses (200 and 400 μL/kg) significantly ameliorated wet weight/length ratio of colonic tissue compared to the control group. Higher doses of essential oil (200 and 400 μL/kg) significantly reduced ulcer severity, ulcer area, and ulcer index. On the other hand, histological examination revealed the diminution of total colitis index as a marker for inflammatory cell infiltration in the colonic segments of rats treated with Ocimum basilicum essential oil (200 and 400 μL/kg). The increased level of myeloperoxidase was significantly decreased after the treatment with the essential oil (200 and 400 μL/kg). These results suggest that Ocimum basilicum exhibits protective effect against acetic acid�induced colitis. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015

Lipoma as Potential Delayed Side Effect of Anabolic Steroids Abuse in an Athlete

Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are a subset of testosterone. They are widely used by athletes and, specifically, bodybuilders to improve strength and performance. They are classified based on their chemical structures and have a variety of side effects that impact different organs, especially the cardiovascular system, liver, and kidney. Skin changes, such as acne, striae, hirsutism, and alopecia, are common side effects of AAS abuse. They can even lead to other complications, such as shrinking testicles, breast enlargement, hair loss, and a decrease in the number of sperm and infertility in males. Studies have shown that AAS can be a risk factor in human cancers, such as prostate cancer, and this might be the result of the effect on cellular changes associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and positive effects on muscle lean mass and strength. Undeniable connections between steroid abuse among bodybuilders and their side effects necessitate the need for further investigations

Anti-inflammatory effect of Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica volatile oil and gum on acetic acid-induced acute colitis in rat

Background and objectives: Baneh tree or Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica is an endemic plant of Iran which belongs to Anacardiaceae family. It has various traditional uses including astringent and anti-diarrheal as well as improving some of the symptoms of gastrointestinal upsets. In this study we decided to investigate the effects of various fractions of baneh gum with different doses in an animal model of ulcerative colitis as one of the important chronic inflammatory bowel diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: The volatile oil and aqueous baneh gum suspensions were prepared and the constituents of the volatile oil were analyzed by GC/MS. They were used to treat colitis induced by acetic acid 4% in rats. Three doses of gum (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were administered both orally (p.o.) and intra-rectally (i.r.) while volatile oil was administered p.o. with doses 100, 200 and 400 µl/kg for four constitutive days. Anti-inflammatory effects of the test compounds were compared with oral prednisolone and hydrocortisone enema. Wet colon weight/ length ratio and tissue damage scores and area as well as indices of colitis and tissue myeloperoxidase activity were evaluated for each specimen. Results: Alpha-pinene was the main constituent of baneh volatile oil (41.23%). We observed therapeutic effects in applied doses of oral gum as well as volatile oil to reduce all indices of colitis and myeloperoxidase activity. Unlike the oral form of gum, its rectal administration was not significantly effective to improve colitis. Conclusion: This research has proved the anti-inflammatory potential of oral gum of Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica and its volatile oil in an experimentally induced colitis