Comparison of uterine preservation versus hysterectomy in women with placenta accreta: A cross-sectional study

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a major cause of obstetric bleeding in third trimester of pregnancy. Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of uterine preservation surgery vs. hysterectomy in women with PAS. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the records of 68 women with PAS referred to the Imam Khomeini hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, between March 2015 and February 2020 were included. The women were divided into 2 groups according to surgical approach: hysterectomy vs. uterine preservation (including just removing the lower segment, removing the lower segment with uterine artery ligation, or removing the lower segment with hypogastric artery ligation during cesarean section). The need for blood components transfusion (whole blood, packed cells, and fresh frozen plasma), maternal mortality, duration of surgery, and length of hospitalization were compared between groups. Results: In total, we investigated 68 women between the ages of 24-45 yr (mean age of 32.88 ± 5.08 yr). All participants were multiparous and underwent cesarean section. Furthermore, 28 women (41.2%) had a history of curettage. In total, 24 women (35.3%) underwent a hysterectomy, and 44 (64.7%) underwent uterine preservative surgeries. There were no significant differences between groups of hysterectomy and uterinepreservative surgeries in terms of the need for blood components transfusion, maternal mortality, duration of surgery, and length of hospitalization. Conclusion: The results of this study showed no significant difference between groups regarding the studied outcomes. Therefore, conservative surgeries could be used to preserve the uterus instead of hysterectomy in women with PAS. Key words: Placenta accreta, Placenta diseases, Pregnancy complications,Conservative treatment, Hysterectomy

Optical and structural characterization of air-annealed CdS film prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique.

The CdCl2 and (NH2)2CS were used to prepare CdS thin films, to be deposited, on glass substrate by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique employing CdCl2 (0.005 M) and NH2)2CS (0.01 M) as a source of Cd2+ and S2-, respectively at constant bath temperature 70 oC. The films were air-annealed at 200 to 360 oC for 1 hour. XRD analyses reveal that the films were cubic along with two feeble peaks of orthorhombic CdSO4 at the annealing temperature 320 and 360 oC. The crystallite size of the films was increased from 59.2 to 67 nm with the increase of annealing temperature. Optical energy band gap (Eg) and absorption coefficient (α) were chosen as parameters of characterization, calculated from the transmission spectral data and were discussed as function of annealing temperature

Prevention of Corneal Neovascularization; a Preliminary Experimental Study in Rabbits

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of propranolol, timolol and bevacizumab with betamethasone to prevent corneal neovascularization (CNV) in rabbits. This study was performed on 28 male rabbits. CNV was induced by three 7-0 silk sutures 2 mm long and 1 mm distal to the limbus. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of propranolol + betamethasone, timolol + betamethasone and bevacizumab + betamethasone and betamethasone alone. Eye drops were started from the first day of study. On 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th and 42nd days, vascular progression, time of neovascularization and vascular area were evaluated and compared with the control group (betamethasone alone). There was a significant reduction in the area of ​​neovascularization in the timolol and bevacizumab groups compared to the control group (P-value = 0.05, P=0.047, respectively). Also, regarding vascular progression, there was a significant decrease in the timolol and bevacizumab groups (P-value = 0.014, P=0.002, respectively). Regarding delayed onset of neovascularization, there was a significant difference in the timolol and bevacizumab group in rabbits (P-value = 0.04, P=0.00, respectively). In conclusion, the use of timolol and bevacizumab drops besides betamethasone can delay neovascularization and decrease the length of corneal vascularization in rabbits

Utility of Modeling End-Stage Liver Disease in Children with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract Introduction: Chronic liver diseases consist of wide spectrum disorders that may be complicated by cirrhosis and therefore need to transplantation. The pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) score and model of endstage liver disease (MELD) score has been used as predictors of mortality chronic liver diseases listed for liver transplantation. The aim of this study is evaluation of relation between PELD\MELD score and evidence of cirrhosis in children with choronic liver disease. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study conducted on 106 patients of chronic liver disease referred to Ghaem haspital, Mashhad university of medical science, Iran during 24 months period (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013). PELD and MELD score were calculated for all patients. Clincal and patholoogical findings of cirrhosis were recorded. Results: Mean age of patients was 68/3 ± 41.8 months. Mean PELD\MELD score was -1/59± 9/64. There was significant correlation between PELD\MELD score and clinical icter, spelenomegaly, evidence of hepatopulminary syndrome, esophageal varices, evidence of cirrhosis in tissue specimences. Conclusion: PELD\MELD score appear to be benefit for detection of cirrhotic children among paients with choronic liver disease

Microwave-assisted biosynthesis of zinc nanoparticles and theircytotoxic and antioxidant activity

The present study was designed for microwave assisted synthesis of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) usingLavandula vera leaf extract in the presence of ZnSO4(1 mM). The biogenic Zn NPs were then characterizedusing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy(XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. There-after, the cytotoxic effect of ZnSO4and Zn NPs on different cell lines was investigated by MTT-basedcytotoxicity assay and their antioxidant properties were assessed using DPPH scavenging activity andreducing power assay. The SEM micrograph showed that the Zn NPs had spherical shape with the sizerange of 30–80 nm. For A549, MCF-7, HT-29, and Caco-2 cell lines treated with Zn NPs, the concen-tration necessary causing 50% cell death (IC50) was found to be 22.3 ± 1.1 �g mL−1, 86 ± 3.7 �g mL−1,10.9 ± 0.5 �g mL−1, and 56.2 ± 2.8 �g mL−1, respectively. In the case of ZnSO4, the same results (IC50) wereobserved at concentration of 81.6 ± 1.3 �g mL−1(A549), 121.0 ± 2.4 �g mL−1(MCF-7), 43.0 ± 1.4 �g mL−1(HT-29), and 85.7 ± 2.3 �g mL−1(Caco-2). The obtained results of antioxidant activity showed that theIC50values of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Zn NPs were 44 �g mL−1and 65.3 �g mL−1, respec-tively, while ZnSO4at concentration of 200 �g mL−1exhibited only 10.9% DPPH radical scavenging effect.Moreover, the reducing power of Zn NPs and BHA were significantly higher than ZnSO4(p < 0.05). To sumup, application of L. vera leaf extract combined with microwave heating energy led to simple and fastformation of Zn nanostructures exhibited higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activity compared to solubleZn+2ions. However, identification of the related mechanisms merit further studies

Characterization of CdTe Films Deposited at Various Bath Temperatures and Concentrations Using Electrophoretic Deposition

CdTe film was deposited using the electrophoretic deposition technique onto an ITO glass at various bath temperatures. Four batch film compositions were used by mixing 1 to 4 wt% concentration of CdTe powder with 10 mL of a solution of methanol and toluene. X-ray Diffraction analysis showed that the films exhibited polycrystalline nature of zinc-blende structure with the (111) orientation as the most prominent peak. From the Atomic Force Microscopy, the thickness and surface roughness of the CdTe film increased with the increase of CdTe concentration. The optical energy band gap of film decreased with the increase of CdTe concentration, and with the increase of isothermal bath temperature. The film thickness increased with respect to the increase of CdTe concentration and bath temperature, and following, the numerical expression for the film thickness with respect to these two variables has been established

Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Optical Spectra of CdS Thin Films Deposited at Low Solution Concentrations by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) Technique

Two different concentrations of CdCl2 and (NH2)2CS were used to prepare CdS thin films, to be deposited on glass substrate by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. CdCl2 (0.000312 M and 0.000625 M) was employed as a source of Cd2+ while (NH2)2CS (0.00125 M and 0.000625 M) for S2− at a constant bath temperature of 70 °C. Adhesion of the deposited films was found to be very good for all the solution concentrations of both reagents. The films were air-annealed at a temperature between 200 °C to 360 °C for one hour. The minimum thickness was observed to be 33.6 nm for film annealed at 320 °C. XRD analyses reveal that the films were cubic along with peaks of hexagonal phase for all film samples. The crystallite size of the films decreased from 41.4 nm to 7.4 nm with the increase of annealing temperature for the CdCl2 (0.000312 M). Optical energy band gap (Eg), Urbach energy (Eu) and absorption coefficient (α) have been calculated from the transmission spectral data. These parameters have been discussed as a function of annealing temperature and solution concentration. The best transmission (about 97%) was obtained for the air-annealed films at higher temperature at CdCl2 (0.000312 M)

Sapphire Ultraoptics for Sub-meV 121Sb and 125Te Phonon Spectroscopy

Nuclear resonance scattering of synchrotron radiation enables probing hyperfine interactions and element specific vibrational modes of nuclei that exhibit a Mössbauer transition. A prerequisite for this method is a monochromator with narrow bandwidth. Silicon, as the most commonly used crystal in monochromators, is not suitable for experiments above 30 keV photon energy. Using a sapphire single crystal in backscattering geometry is an alternative. An x-ray beam with narrow bandwidth can be obtained from a back-reflection with a Bragg angle of a few arcsec to a few arcmin smaller than =2. The development of a sapphire backscattering monochromator with high energy resolution, better than 1 meV, would permit detailed lattice dynamics characterization of novel functional materials. Sapphire is a very rigid material with desirable optical properties, high chemical resistance, and high heat conduction. Crystals of large size with high quality are of interest for many industrial applications, and suited for optics and optoelectronics operating under ambient condition or extreme conditions. The purpose of the work in this dissertation is twofold. First, study the quality of sapphire single crystals by modern high-resolution characterization techniques in order to acquire microstructural information and thereby a better understanding of the origin of lattice defects. The second goal is the study of the lattice dynamics in materials based on tellurium and antimony with Mössbauer energies of 35.49 keV and 37.13 keV using nuclear resonance scattering with energy resolution given by one of the highest quality sapphires. White beam topography of more than thirty crystals, grown at the Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography in Moscow, revealed qualitative information about the distribution of lattice defects of which linear defects, i.e. dislocations, are the majority type. The lowest dislocation density of 10^2 -10^5 cm^-2 was found in C-plane crystals grown by the Kyropoulos and Bridgman techniques. We carried out rocking curve imaging in backscattering geometry to estimate the lattice parameter variation and energy resolution from back-reflections. Minimum variations of the lattice parameters on the order of 10^-8 were observed from spots with an edge length of 0.2-0.5 mm. There are a few spots with such a quality in one crystal which makes it suitable as backscattering monochromator in nuclear resonance scattering or as analyzer in resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. The use of very high energy resolution nuclear inelastic scattering with 0.7 meV at the energy of the nuclear transition in 121Sb and 125Te enables valuable insight into the phonon scattering of thermoelectric materials, that convert heat to prvide electricity and vice versa, composed of Sb and Te. A careful study is done on heat carrying acoustic modes in the partial density of states of (PbTe)mAgSbTe2, so called LAST-m alloys. An impressive mismatch in the phonon group velocities in the 2-5 meV range and di erence in the force constants for the Sb and Te density of phonon states is observed, a phonon mismatch predicted to be responsible for low lattice thermal conductivity in LAST-m. An in-depth understanding of the element-specific dynamic properties of cubic and orthorhombic antimony trioxides was achieved using nuclear resonance scattering with an energy resolution of 1 meV at the nuclear transition energy of 121Sb. A softening of the Sb bonds upon transformation from cubic molecular structured in alpha-Sb2O3 to chain structured orthorhombic in beta-Sb2O3 is observed. Furthermore, results on the lattice dynamics on alpha-TeO2, with quasi molecular structure, demonstrate strong interatomic Te bonds, comparable with the strong bonds in molecular structured alpha-Sb2O3. The nuclear resonance data is complemented with inelastic neutron scattering data that reveals the oxygen vibrational modes. In addition, the experimental results validate the calculations of the vibrational modes in these types of materials and serve as benchmark for the calculation

Modeling of flood and retention in the Sogn allotment garden

More frequent and severe rainfall due to climate change, on the one hand, and more impervious surfaces due to urbanization, on the other hand, are increasing the risk of urban floods. Sogn allotment garden is mainly a green area located in an urban region in Oslo that offers natural retention. However, due to the terrain and soil condition and the surrounding area's characteristics, the allotment garden is also vulnerable to stormwater inundation. This study aims to model stormwater in the Sogn allotment garden and its adjacent regions that contribute to flood inundation in the area and estimate the inundation by source (within the garden vs. adjoining areas). It also aims to map the extent of the inundation. The hydrological analysis and flood modeling were carried out through Geographic information system (GIS) and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). GIS was utilized for streamlines generation and subcatchment delineation and to produce parameters such as slope and width of subcatchments as input data for the SWMM model. In addition to the GIS outputs, meteorological and site boundary condition data were employed as input data in the SWMM model. The model was run based on continuous simulation for the period of 01.01.2017 to 25.02.2022. The model simulation results provided time series of runoff, infiltration, and evaporation. The model also estimated peak runoff events and maximum water depth, which was further used to generate flood inundation maps in GIS. Based on the volume and peak of the runoff from subcatchments generated by the model and further calculations on them, the sources of stormwater runoff were identified. The results revealed that the main source of runoff in the study area is outside the allotment garden, from where runoff flows towards the garden. The garden, due to its terrain condition and the presence of the depression, encompasses larger inundated areas than outside the garden. However, the source of the runoff leading to inundation is mainly the adjacent areas outside the garden due to more impervious land cover and hence less infiltration than the allotment garden

The Protective Effect of Berberine Against Memory Impairment Induced by Intrahippocampal Injection of Aluminium Chloride in Rats

Background and Objectives: Aluminum is a component of environmental pollutants, which causes neurotoxicity. Berberine is in the group of plant-derived alkaloids such as barberry and its beneficial therapeutic properties in various diseases have been proven. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of berberine on aluminum-induced neurotoxicity. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham, berberine-receiving sham, lesions-seeing and berberine-receiving lesions. To induce neurotoxicity, a solution of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) dissolved in distilled water was injected at 5 µL at a dose of 0.37 mg/kg to the left of the dorsal hippocampus. The treated rats received 100 mg/kg of berberine daily from one hour before surgery to one week after surgery and orally. In the fourth week, all groups were tested for behavioral learning and memory using the shuttle box. At the end, malondialdehyde, protein, ROS levels and acetylcholinesterase activity were measured. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test and Tukey test. Results: In the treated AlCl3 group compared to the AlCl3 group, the initial delay was not significantly different but the delay during transit was significantly increased. MDA and ROS levels and acetylcholinesterase activity showed a significant decrease. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that although treatment with berberine in the lesion group by aluminum chloride did not cause a significant difference in learning in rats, but it significantly improved memory, significantly reduced malondialdehyde, significantly reduced oxygen free radical levels and significantly reduced activity. Acetylcholinesterase and it can be said that berberine with antioxidant properties improved memory and neuroprotection against neurotoxicity caused by aluminum chloride