Catch per unit area of batoid fishes in the northern Oman Sea

We report on results of a trawl survey to assess the abundance of Batoid fish resources in the Oman Sea. The catch per unit area CPUA as the main index was estimated. The objectives of this study were to determine the catch composition and distribution pattern of Batoid fishes in the study area and in different depth strata of the Oman Sea. A total of 82 stations were randomly selected 2012. The comparison between 5 strata indicated that, the highest CPUA was found for strata E, Beris to Gowatr (2712.56 kg / nm^2) and C, Gordim to Konarak (2079.17 kg / nm^2) and the lowest one was found in stratum B, Darak to Tang (27.11 kg / nm^2). Also the comparison of mean CPUA in different depth-layers revealed that the mean CPUA has a descending trend with increasing of depth, in which the CPUA values in depth layer 10-20 m were 101.38 times more than depth layer 50-100m

Comparison of respiratory health-related quality of life in patients with intractable breathlessness due to advanced cancer or advanced COPD.

OBJECTIVES: Breathlessness is common in patients with advanced cancer and almost universal in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but studies suggest their experiences of breathlessness vary. This report builds on these studies by providing quantitative evidence of differences in respiratory health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between these groups. Further, it explores the validity of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) in patients with cancer. METHODS: The CRQ-Original was completed within baseline interviews for a randomised controlled trial of a palliative intervention for intractable breathlessness due to advanced disease. Independent samples Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to identify significant differences in median scores for the four CRQ domains (mastery, dyspnoea, emotional function, fatigue) in patients with advanced COPD (n=73) or advanced cancer (n=67). The Minimally Clinically Important Difference of 0.5 was applied to determine clinical significance. RESULTS: Patients with advanced COPD scored lower across all four CRQ domains. This was statistically significant for dyspnoea, mastery and emotional function (p<0.05), and clinically significant for the latter two, suggesting poorer respiratory HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breathlessness due to advanced COPD have worse respiratory HRQoL than those with advanced cancer. This may result from greater burden of breathlessness in COPD due to condition longevity, lesser burden of breathlessness in cancer due to its episodic nature, or variance in palliative referral thresholds by disease group. Our results suggest that greater access to palliative care is needed in advanced COPD, and that formal psychometric testing of the CRQ may be warranted in cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00678405.This paper presents independent research commissioned by the (NIHR under its Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme (Grant Reference Number PB-PG-0107-11134). The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. MF’s role in the Phase III RCT of CBIS was funded through a Macmillan Cancer Support post-doctoral fellowship.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the BMJ Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-00094

Reproduction of Klunzinger mullet, Liza klunzingeri, in coastal waters of Khuzestan Province (Persian Gulf)

Some reproduction characteristics of keeled mullet, Liza klunzingeri, were studied during Apr. 2003 to Feb. 2004 in Khuzestan waters of the Persian Gulf. A total of 836 samples were monthly collected from two fish landings of Bahrekan and Hendijan; 727 specimens were studied from point of sex determination, and 60 specimens were studied from the fecundity point of view. This species was found to have more abundance in autumn (esp. Oct-Nov). The samples composed of 89 (12.2%) male, 467 (64.2%) female and 171 (23.6%) immature; the sex ratio was M:F = 1:5. The advanced stages of maturity (4th & 5th) were found in October onward. The highest Gonadosomatic Index was in December and the lowest was in June. The maximum absolute and relative fecundities were 183040 and 2232, respectively; the minimum absolute and relative fecundities were 44700 and 582, respectively. The minimum and maximum egg diameter was 0.04mm (stage 2nd) and 0.75mm (stage 6th)

Effects of various penetration enhancers on percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from emulgels

A suitable emulgel formulation of piroxicam was prepared and its percutaneous permeation was investigated using Wistar rat skin and diffusion cell technique. The concentrations of the drug in receptor phase of diffusion cells were measured using HPLC method. The effect of three types of penetration enhancers (Myrj 52, cineol and Transcutol P) with different concentrations on transdermal permeation of the drug was also evaluated. Flux, Kp and enhancement ratios (ERs) of piroxicam in the presence of enhancers was measured and compared with emulgel base alone and simple commercial gel. The results showed a significant enhancement in the flux from emulgel base compared to hydroalcoholic gel formulation (9.91 folds over simple gel). The highest enhancement ratio (ER=3.11) was observed for Myrj 52 at the concentration of 0.25%. Higher concentrations of Myrj 52did not show any enhancement in the drug flux due to micelle formation and solubilization of the drug by micelles. The increase in solubility, in turn, increases the saturated concentration and reduces the thermodynamic activity of the drug. Transcutol® P with concentrations higher than 0.25% w/w showed burst transportation of the drug through the skin. All concentrations of cineol and Transcutol did not show any enhancing effects over emulgel base alone (ER <1)

The Effect of Chlorella vulgaris Supplementation on Liver Enzymes, Serum Glucose and Lipid Profile in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a public health problem worldwide and using microalgae is a new approach on its treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Chlorella vulgaris supplementation on liver enzymes, serum glucose and lipid profile in patients with NAFLD. Methods: This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 NAFLD patients from specialized clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from December 2011 to July 2012. The subjects were randomly allocated into 2 groups: 1) “intervention” (n=30) received 400 mg/day vitamin E plus four 300 mg tablets of Chlorella vulgaris and, 2) “placebo” (n=30) received 400 mg/day vitamin E and four placebo tablets per day for 8 weeks. Weight, liver enzymes and metabolic factors were assessed in fasting serum and dietary data was collected at baseline and end of the study. Results: Weight, liver enzymes, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). The differences in weight, ALP and FBS between the two groups were statistically significant (P=0.01, P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively). Conclusion: C. vulgaris seems to improve FBS and lipid profile and therefore could be considered as an effective complementary treatment in NAFLD

A social work study on effectiveness of transactional analysis training on social adjustment: A case study of women with spouses with drug addiction

In this study, we investigate whether transactional analysis (TA) training could improve social adjustment in a case study of women with spouses with drug addiction. This experimental study was performed on 40 people who were addicted to drugs and were under medication in some clinical centers in city of Esfahan, Iran. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (control and an experimental group). The experimental group was trained under transactional training for 8 one-hour sessions. Cronbach alpha was calculated as 0.89, which is well above the minimum acceptable. The results of the survey show that the means of two groups before test are close to each other. However, after TA has been accomplished, there is meaningful difference between these two groups. The result of F-value statistical test is also meaningful when the level of significance is five percent. In other word, there are some evidences to believe that transactional analysis training impacts on our surveyed people, positively

Effect of garlic extract on growth and survival rate in Litopenaeus vannami post larvae

The effect of garlic extract on growth and survival rates of one day larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp was tested for 12 days .Six nutritional treatments each with three replicates were fed to shrimp larvae (average weight 0.0013g) including control treatment (unriched Artemia nauplii) and second to sixth Artemia nauplii enriched with 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000mg garlic extract per kg, respectively. The one way ANOVA results showed that all treatments were different in terms of average weight and total length of larvae compared to control group. Shrimps being fed by Artesia enriched with 200mg garlic extract per kg food have the best growth, survival rates and length (0.0062mg, 81.6% and 10.6mm). Group 3 with concentration of 400mg garlic extract per kg of feed followed by control group showed better growth and survival rates in shrimp larvae than other treatments but the lowest survival rate evaluated in shrimps fed by Artemia nauplii enriched with 600, 800 and 1000mg garlic extract per kg feed, orderly. Specific growth rates (SGR) for treatment groups 2 and 3 were higher compared to other groups

Comparing the Effect of Mefenamic Acid and Vitex Agnus on Intrauterine Device Induced Bleeding

Introduction: Increased bleeding is the most common cause of intrauterine device (IUD) removal. The use of alternative therapies to treat bleeding has increased due to the complications of medications. But most alternative therapies are not accepted by women. Therefore, conducting studies to find the right treatment with fewer complications and being acceptable is necessary. This study aimed to compare the effect of mefenamic acid and vitex agnus castus on IUD induced bleeding.Methods: This was a double blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. It was conducted on 84 women with random allocation in to two groups of 42 treated with mefenamic acid and vitex agnus capsules taking three times a day during menstruation for four months. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and Higham 5 stage chart (1 month before the treatment and 4 months during the treatment)., Paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measurements, and SPSS software were used to determine the results.Results: Mefenamic acid and vitex agnus significantly decreased bleeding. This decrease in month 4 was 52% in the mefenamic acid group and 47.6% in the vitex agnus group. The mean bleeding score changes was statistically significant between the two groups in the first three months and before the intervention. In the mefenamic acid group, the decreased bleeding was significantly more than the vitex agnus group. However, during the 4th month, the mean change was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Mefenamic acid and vitex agnus were both effective on IUD induced bleeding; however, mefenamic acid was more effective

The evaluation of psychiatric drug therapy on oral lichen planus patients with psychiatric disorders

Objectives: Current treatments of oral lichen planus are palliative, not curative. Because psychiatric disorders significantly influence the development and severity of oral lichen planus, the use of psychiatric drug therapy may be an adjunct in treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of drug therapy of psychiatric disorders in oral lichen planus. Study design: Our controlled clinical study consisted of forty-six patients with oral lichen planus and psychiatric disorders who were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups were given topical corticosteroids and the study group received additional psychiatric drug therapy. Patients were monitored for a period of 6 months. Response to treatment was evaluated in each group and was compared with the other group using Mann-Whitney tests. We evaluated the correlation between psychiatric disorders and the recovery of oral lesions using Spearman?s correlation coefficient analysis. Results: Decrease in the size of the lesions was significantly greater in the study group after six months, but this difference was not significant in relationship to the pain experienced and the kind of lesion. Spearman?s correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated that, in the sixth month, there was a significant and direct relationship between recovery from the psychiatric disorders and response to treatment of OLP lesions, particularly as it pertained to the kind of lesion. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the combination of psychiatric drug therapy and routine treatment methods were effective in reducing the size of the lesions, but did not have any significant effect on the symptoms