Morphological evaluation of head in Turkman males in Gorgan-North of Iran

Cephalometry or measurement of human head is used in identification, forensic medicine, plastic surgery, orthodontics, archeology and examine the differences between races and ethnicities. This descriptive investigation was undertaken on 198 young Turkman males to determine the cephalic index and head phenotype among them in Gorgan, North of Iran. In this study cephalic index was determined by classic cephalometric method. Mean and standard deviation of cephalic index was 80.4 ± 4. Based on the cephalic index, the head shape of 42.4% of individuals were brachycephalic, 7.6% hyperbrachycephalic, 40.9% mesocephalic and 8.1% dolicocephalic. This research showed that Turkman individuals have typical brachycephalic phenotype. In comparison to other studies, we can conclude that the ethnic factor has an effective role on head phenotype in North of Iran

The variation of head and face shapes in female newborns in the South-East of the Caspian sea (Iran-Gorgan)

Anthropometric dimensions are the basis for the evaluation of the health of newborns. This research was conducted in view of the importance of anthropometric indices of the head and face in forensic medicine, surgery, pediatrics and medical imaging. The study was undertaken on 423 normal one - day old female newborns of the Pars and Turkman race (Turkman group: No=211, Pars group No=212). Means and SD of cephalic and prosopic indices in the native Pars group were 78.63±4.7, 74.3±11.5 and in the Turkman group they were 77.85±8.7, 81.6±9.8 respectively. The dominant and rare types of head shape in the native Pars group were mesocephalic (44.98%) and hyper-brachycephalic (8.96%) respectively, while in the Turkman group they were mesocephalic (38.86%) and hyperbrachycephalic (8.05%). The dominant type of face shape in the native Fars group was hypereuriprosopic (71%) and in the Turkman group it was mesoprosopic (39%). This research determines the possible effects of racial factor on the diversity of head and face shapes in normal female newborns in this region

Design of an Interdigital Structure Planar Bandpass Filter for UWB Frequency

A new topology of miniaturized interdigital structuremicrostrip planar bandpass filter for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) frequency has been discussed in this paper. The proposed design and its simulation have been carried out by using an electromagnetic simulation software named CST microwave studio. The Taconic TLX-8 microwave substrate has been used in this research. The experimental result and analysis have been performed by using the microwave vector network analyzer. The experimental result showed that the -10dB bandwidth of the filter is 7.5GHz. The lower and upper corner frequencies of the filter have been achieved at 3.1GHz and 10.6GHz respectively. At the center frequency of 6.85GHz, the -1dB insertion loss and the -7dB return losshave been observed. The simulated and experimental results are well agreed with a compact size filter of 19×21×0.5mm3

Gene polymorphism in transforming growth factor-beta codon 10 is associated with susceptibility to Giardiasis

Secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) antibodies have a central role in anti-Giardial defence. It has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-P1) stimulates B lymphocytes to produce and secrete S-IgA. We sought to determine the association between TGF-β1 polymorphism (T+869C) with susceptibility to Giardiasis. The TGF-β1 genotypes and levels of salivary (S-IgA) were analysed in individuals with Giardiasis (97 symptomatic and 57 asymptomatic) and controls (n = 92). Individuals with symptomatic Giar- diasis had the lowest levels of S-IgA compared to individuals in asymptomatic Giardiasis and control groups (97%, 73% and 43%, <1 g L-1, respectively, P = 0.002). The frequency of allele C and CC genotypes of TGF-β1 polymorphism was significantly higher among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic and control groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the individuals homozygous for allele C of TGF-β1 had a significantly higher risk for symptomatic Giardiasis with odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI: 3.88, 1.71, P = 0.007). Among the participants with TT genotype per cent of individuals with S-IgA level of more than 1gL″1 was almost twice the percentage in CC genotype individuals (14% versus 7% respectively P = 0.01). Our data suggest that CC genotype of TGF-β1 polymorphism at codon 10 is associated with occurrence of Giardiasis. ©2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Prospects for the sustainability of delivering the basic package of Health Services in Afghanistan: a stakeholder analysis

This study explored the readiness of stakeholders in Afghanistan for sustaining delivery of the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) without external technical and financial assistance. A stakeholder analysis was applied using qualitative methods. Fifteen stakeholders were purposively drawn from the Afghanistan ministries of public health and finance, political representatives, development partners, nonprofit organizations and public health experts. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the stakeholders and desk review of pertinent documents. We found that sustainability of the BPHS in Afghanistan is questionable as stakeholders are sub optimally organized to come up with effective alternatives. Uneven ownership and divisive positioning are bottlenecks to the evolution of a realistic continuation plan. Those with the most significant influence are lukewarm, while those who are most supportive have the least influence. Sustainability needs to be tackled at the start in designing the BPHS rather than in the wake of eventual donor withdrawal

Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Dairy Products and Biosensors in Drying Products

Undoubtedly, one of the perishable groups in food science classification is dairy products. Dairy group foods provide nutrients that are vital for the health and maintenance of the body. Moreover, agriculture products with the lowest waste are strategist products for all the countries. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used in almost all industries such as science, technology, medicine and engineering due to their optimal efficiency. They have been used in analysis as well as the possibility of predicting shelf life in food industries. This article ana-lyzes the available information and articles related to the use of ANNs in predicting the shelf life of dairy products such as milk, yogurt, butter, and cheese, which can be useful from the point of view of consumers, regulatory organizations, re-searchers, and academics be very productive. The objective of this review was to highlight the application of ANNs in food science technology on deliberated for usual dairy products in food market. The collected results in this research indicat-ed that this computing system followed mathematical models and these methods are always used in food science technologies as input and output in algorithms. © 2023 Hosseinvand et al

Slow graft function after pediatric renal transplantation from volunteer live donors

Slow graft function (SGF) may occur during the early post-transplant period. In this paper, we present our findings regarding SGF after pediatric renal transplantation and its predictive variables. From 1985 to 2004, a total of 300 pediatric renal transplants were performed at our institution. A total of 10 cases with SGF and 50 controls that were operated by the same surgeons were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the recipients and donors was 11.4 (3-15 yr) and 28.05 yr (20-50 yr), respectively. All kidneys were retrieved from living donors. We compared patients with SGF with controls regarding four independent variables: age difference between donors and recipients, serum hemoglobin difference between donors and recipients, mean blood pressure (systolic blood pressure + 2 diastolic blood pressure/3) difference between donors and recipients, and weight difference between donors and recipients. The mean age of recipients was 10.5 ± 4.1 in SGF group and 11.6 ± 2.5 in control group (p = 0.4). The differences between donors and recipients regarding weight and mean blood pressure in subjects with SGF were not higher than other patients (42 kg vs. 37.4 kg, p = 0.4; -3 mmHg vs. -4.1 mmHg, p = 0.8). The mean hemoglobin difference between donors and recipients was 6.3 ± 2.1 g/dL in SGF group and 6.7 ± 2.3 g/dL in control group (p = 0.6). The differences between donors and recipients regarding age, weight, mean blood pressure and serum hemoglobin level are not predictive variables for SGF. © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard

What can they expect? Decreased quality of life and increased postoperative complication rate in patients with a fracture-related infection

Background: By gaining insight into the Quality of Life (QoL) status and occurrence of complications, critical facets in the care for patients with Fracture-Related Infection (FRI) can be mitigated and measures can be taken to improve their outcome. Therefore, the aims of this study were to 1) determine the QoL in FRI patients in comparison to non-FRI patients and 2) describe the occurrence of other complications in both FRI and non-FRI patients. Methods: An ambidirectional cohort study was conducted in a level 1 trauma centre between January 1st 2016 and November 1st 2021. All patients who underwent surgical stabilisation of an isolated long bone fracture were eligible for inclusion. To avoid confounding, only patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) <16 were included. Data regarding patient demographics, fracture characteristics, treatment, follow-up and complications were collected of both non-FRI and FRI patients. QoL was assessed through the use of five-level EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires twelve months post-injury. Results: A total of 134 patients were included in this study, of whom 38 (28%) FRI patients and 96 (72%) non-FRI patients. In comparison to non-FRI patients, FRI patients scored significantly worse on the QoL assessment regarding the index value (p = 0.012) and the domains mobility (p<0.001), usual activities (p = 0.010) and pain/discomfort (p = 0.009). Other postoperative complications were more often reported (p<0.001) in FRI patients (66%, n = 25/38) compared to non-FRI patients (27%, n = 26/96). During the median follow-up of 14.5 months (interquartile range (IQR) 9.5–26.5), 25 FRI patients developed a total of 49 distinctive complications besides FRI. The complications nonunion (18%, n = 9/49), infection other than FRI (e.g. line infection, urinary tract infection, pneumonia) (18%, n = 9/49) and implant failure (14%, n = 7/49) were the most frequently described in the FRI group. Conclusion: Patients who suffered from an FRI have a decreased QoL in comparison to those without an FRI. Moreover, patients with an FRI have a higher rate of additional complications. These findings can help in patient counselling regarding the potential physical and mental consequences of having a complicated course of recovery due to an infection

Increased Serum Terminal Complements Complex Levels in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neuropsychiatric disorder in both children and adolescents, which is associated with social isolation and poor academic performance. Complement proteins are regarded as a major player in inflammation and disease development for several neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar diseases. As clarified by previous data, increased levels of complement molecules and other immunological markers as cytokines were demonstrated in these disorders. Limited studies have investigated complement proteins particularly terminal complement complex or membrane attack complex (C5b-9) among ADHD patients. The present research aims to elucidate the association between C5b-9 complex protein and ADHD.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Sera were collected from Al-Hussain Teaching Medical City in Holy Karbala, Iraq, during 2019-2020. Sera were tested for C5-b9 using commercial kits by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In 90 participants included in the study, a significant increment in C5b-9 levels among ADHD patients (P=0.019) was observed. Patients with positive C5b-9 levels had a 2.76 times higher risk of developing ADHD than control subjects. The diagnostic utility for C5b-9 was statistically significant with 71.11% sensitivity, 55.6% specificity, and a high negative predictive value (97.3%).Conclusion: The study concluded elevation of the C5b-9 terminal complements complex levels in ADHD patients, which could point to the association of complement proteins as inflammatory markers with the ADHD disease process

The Safety and Immunogenicity of GTU®MultiHIV DNA Vaccine Delivered by Transcutaneous and Intramuscular Injection With or Without Electroporation in HIV-1 Positive Subjects on Suppressive ART

International audiencePrevious studies have shown targeting different tissues via the transcutaneous (TC) and intramuscular injection (IM) with or without electroporation (EP) has the potential to trigger immune responses to DNA vaccination. The CUTHIVTHER 001 Phase I/II randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to determine whether the mode of DNA vaccination delivery (TC+IM or EP+IM) could influence the quality and function of induced cellular immune responses compared to placebo, in an HIV positive clade B cohort on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The GTU®MultiHIV B DNA vaccine DNA vaccine encoded a MultiHIV B clade fusion protein to target the cellular response. Overall the vaccine and regimens were safe and well-tolerated. There were robust pre-vaccination IFN-γ responses with no measurable change following vaccination compared to placebo. However, modest intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) responses were seen in the TC+IM group. A high proportion of individuals demonstrated potent viral inhibition at baseline that was not improved by vaccination. These results show that HIV positive subjects with nadir CD4+ counts ≥250 on suppressive ART display potent levels of cellular immunity and viral inhibition, and that DNA vaccination alone is insufficient to improve such responses. These data suggest that more potent prime-boost vaccination strategies are likely needed to improve pre-existing responses in similar HIV-1 cohorts (This study has been registered at http://ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02457689)