Age and sex specific variation in hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Beluga (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758)

In the present study, the age- and sex-specific changes of various haematological and blood serum biochemical blood parameters of Beluga (Huso huso) were investigated. Blood samples were collected from 4-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old beluga (n = 7 for each sex and age). The specimens were fed at a rate of 0.5-3% body weight per day. AST and LDH levels in 7- and 8-year-old fish of both sexes were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in 4- and 6-year-old individuals. The mean ALT were significantly different (P<0.05) in both sexes of 4-, 6-, and 7-year-old sturgeon. However, the 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old female sturgeon had higher ALP levels (P<0.05). Additionally, mean RBC, PCV, and Hb values were significantly higher (P<0.05) in 7- and 8-year-old females and males than the others. Two-tailed Pearson’s correlation between the biochemical and haematological parameters obtained for beluga sturgeon indicated significant positive correlations between AST and ALP, AST and LDH, ALP and LDH, RBC and Hb, RBC and PCV, Hb and PCV, MCH and MCHC, and MCV and MCH. However, significant negative correlations were found between RBC and MCV and MCH. These results suggest that the blood parameters of beluga are influenced by age- and sex-specific factors

Influence of dietary prebiotic mixture (α-mune) on growth performance, haematology and innate immunity of Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) juvenile

The present study investigated the effects of prebiotic (α-mune), a mixture of mannan oligosaccharide, β-1,3 and β-1,6 glucan, on the growth performance, haematology and innate immunity of beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) juvenile. Fish (46±3 g) were allocated into 12 tanks (15 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed a control diet or diets containing 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 g kg-1 prebiotic for 46 days. Fish fed 1.5 g kg-1 prebiotic displayed significantly higher final weight, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio. WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH, haemoglobin, haematocrit and lymphocyte levels were also significantly higher in the fish fed 1.5 g kg-1 prebiotic. Furthermore, the highest haematocrit content and lymphocyte level were found in the fish fed a diet containing 1.5 g kg-1 prebiotic. Alternative complement activity (ACH50), lysozyme activity and Ig concentration were significantly higher in the fed 1.5 g kg-1 prebiotic. These results indicate that α-mune can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improving the growth performance, haematological and immunological parameters of beluga sturgeon juvenile

Nail involvements as an indicator of skin severity in psoriatic patients

Psoriasis is a recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease with various mild to severe clinical manifestations. The relationship between severity of the skin lesions and nail involvement has always been underestimated.Aim of the study was to evaluate the severity of skin involvement in psoriatic patients with and without nail manifestations.In this analytic cross-sectional study, patients with psoriasis referred to Razi University Hospital of Rasht from November 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled. Demographical features (i.e. age, gender) were obtained. Psoriasis severity and nail involvement criteria were assessed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI), respectively. All the gathered data were analyzed by SPSS software.In this study, 71 psoriatic patients with a mean age of 39.23±17.9 years (mean ± Standard Deviation; range: 4 to 77 years old) were studied. 22 patients (31%) had nail involvements. PASI scores were 11.7±5.7 and 5.7±4.5 in the two groups with and without nail involvements, respectively (P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences between age, age of onset, and duration of the disease between the two groups (P&gt;0.05).The correlation coefficient between PASI and NAPSI was 0.367, which was statistically significant (P&lt;0.001).Based on the findings of our study, nail involvement is an important criterion in determining the severity of skin manifestations in psoriatic patients. Additionally, a high percentage of such patients probably manifest both skin and nail manifestations. Therefore it is highly recommended to consider nail involvement when evaluating psoriasis. </p

Nail involvements as an indicator of skin severity in psoriatic patients

Psoriasis is a recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease with various mild to severe clinical manifestations. The relationship between severity of the skin lesions and nail involvement has always been underestimated.Aim of the study was to evaluate the severity of skin involvement in psoriatic patients with and without nail manifestations.In this analytic cross-sectional study, patients with psoriasis referred to Razi University Hospital of Rasht from November 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled. Demographical features (i.e. age, gender) were obtained. Psoriasis severity and nail involvement criteria were assessed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI), respectively. All the gathered data were analyzed by SPSS software.In this study, 71 psoriatic patients with a mean age of 39.23±17.9 years (mean ± Standard Deviation; range: 4 to 77 years old) were studied. 22 patients (31%) had nail involvements. PASI scores were 11.7±5.7 and 5.7±4.5 in the two groups with and without nail involvements, respectively (P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences between age, age of onset, and duration of the disease between the two groups (P&gt;0.05).The correlation coefficient between PASI and NAPSI was 0.367, which was statistically significant (P&lt;0.001).Based on the findings of our study, nail involvement is an important criterion in determining the severity of skin manifestations in psoriatic patients. Additionally, a high percentage of such patients probably manifest both skin and nail manifestations. Therefore it is highly recommended to consider nail involvement when evaluating psoriasis. </p

Effects of Preemptive and Preventive intravenous Paracetamol on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy

Background: Adequate pain control is a goal in post operative recovery. However opioids provide good analgesic effects, their side effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) limit their administration. Intravenous Paracetamol as a safe and well tolerated drug with lower side effects can be used instead of opioids for pain management.Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare preemptive or preventive administration of paracetamol with placebo group to investigate its effects on pain control and opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy.Patients and Methods: Ninety patients were randomly divided to three groups. Preemptive group received 1 gr paracetamol in 100 ml normal saline 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia, Preventive group received 1 gr paracetamol in 100 ml normal saline before closure of the skin and placebo group just received 100 ml normal saline. Post surgical pain was assessed using Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). Pethidine 0.25 mg/kg was administered and repeated each 10 minutes to control pain. Pain scores, total dose of opioid and symptoms like nausea and vomiting were recorded. Results: Preemptive and Preventive groups had lower pain scores than placebo group. Opioid consumption and PONV were significantly higher in placebo group. No significant differences were observed between Preemptive and Preventive groups.Conclusion: IV Paracetamol can provide an adequate pain control with low side effects and may be an effective choice in management of post operative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectom

In vivo antioxidant activity of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil

Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Lamiaceae) is an endemic plant to Iran with many traditional uses. We have reported previously in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil of the plant. In the present work we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the oil in rat. Antioxidant activity was measured by the test of 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by measuring the index of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs). Three doses of 100, 200 and 400 μL/ kg of the essential oil of Z. multiflora (ZMO) was administered to animals by i.g routh for 10 days. The blood was collected in 11th day through direct puncture and the liver was rapidly excised. The histopathology studies of the animals was compared to animals in butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) group. The results showed that ZMO in all tested doses significantly was able to scavenge DPPH radical (p<0.05). ZMO also decreased TBARs in a dose dependent manner. No alteration in LFT enzymes or changes in histopathology of the liver was considered in ZMO treated groups. The results indicated that ZMO might be used in healthy medicine and food industry

A conformal, dynamic pattern-reconfigurable antenna using conductive textile-polymer composite

A conformal antenna with electronically tuning capability of its radiation pattern between broadside and monopole-like patterns is proposed. The antenna is based on a proximity-fed circular patch, loaded with a ring patch and four rectangular slots. The design is planar without any use of rigid shorting posts or complex feeding network. The reconfigurability is achieved by activating and deactivating the slots using PIN diodes, to switch between TM02 (monopole-like mode) and perturbed TM02 distributions (broadside mode) of the antenna. For conformability, the antenna is fabricated using highly flexible PDMS-conductive fabric composite. All the antenna parts, including the RF switches, wires, and DC biasing circuit are fully encapsulated by PDMS to provide resilience against deformation and harsh environment. Investigations on the RF performance and mechanical stability of the antenna were conducted. Under various bendings, it was demonstrated that all the antenna components, including those for electronic switching, remained intact and in working order even under radius bending of 30 mm, thus maintaining good pattern reconfigurability and overall performance. When bent, the measured results at 5.2 GHz show a stable radiation performance relative to those of the flat case (i.e., maximum gain of 2.9 dBi and efficiency of 64% in broadside mode, corresponding to 1.75 dBi and 52% in monopole-like mode). To the best of our knowledge, all these features have never been demonstrated in previously published pattern reconfigurable antennas

Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Disorders in a National Survey of Iranian Children and Adolescents

Objective: Considering the impact of rapid sociocultural, political, and economical changes on societies and families, population-based surveys of mental disorders in different communities are needed to describe the magnitude of mental health problems and their disabling effects at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Method: A population-based cross sectional survey (IRCAP project) of 30 532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years was conducted in all provinces of Iran using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by 250 clinical psychologists trained to use the validated Persian version of the semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-PL (K-SADS-PL). Results: In this national epidemiological survey, 6209 out of 30 532 (22.31%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The anxiety disorders (14.13%) and behavioral disorders (8.3%) had the highest prevalence, while eating disorders (0.13%) and psychotic symptoms (0.26%) had the lowest. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), in those living in the rural area (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), in those aged 15-18 years (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), as well as that was significantly higher in those who had a parent suffering from mental disorders (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.63-2.36 for mother and OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.66 for father) or physical illness (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35 for mother and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28 for father). Conclusion: About one fifth of Iranian children and adolescents suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder. Therefore, we should give a greater priority to promoting mental health and public health, provide more accessible services and trainings, and reduce barriers to accessing existing services