Operation reliability index for maintenance decision making in bridges

Maintenance management developed by several approach to optimize cost recently. Meanwhile decision making during operation is difficult task for mangers to keep them safe as well as stakeholder demands satisfaction and costs with regard to resources limitation. This paper presents an approach for decision making process to select alternatives based on their costs. For this manner, the uncertainty of defect probability combine with other availability and performance features to find priority of maintenance equipment and their reliability. This multi-dimensional decision making do not deal with the essential imprecision of subjective judgment based on quantitative evaluation. To demonstrate the use and capability of the model, a case study is presented. In this case, results shows the quality value combined by delay as an effectiveness parameters (91.08) and then decision tree will complete it by risk and reliability factors

Bone mineral density is lower in male than female patients with plaque-type psoriasis in Iran

Background There are many similarities with regard to contributing cytokines in patients with psoriasis and osteoporosis. A theory of probable relationship between these two entities has been proposed but there is no concordant consensus. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with psoriasis. Method and materials This cross-sectional study of BMD was conducted with 64 eligible patients with psoriasis who were referred to the dermatology clinic of Razi hospital in Tehran, Iran in between 2011 and 2012. Results The mean T score of femoral neck was �1.17 and �0.49 in men and women, respectively, which was statistically significant (p =.047). The mean T score of the lumbar spine was �0.93 and �0.30 in men and women, respectively, but not statistically significant (p =.058). In total except with the exclusion of the study site (femur or lumbar), men and women did not have a statistically significant difference with regard to osteoporosis or osteopenia in BMD (p =.114). The Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate inverse relationship between age and T score of the femoral neck and lumbar spine (r = �0.419 and �.406, respectively), which was statistically significant (p =.001). Although there was no statistically significant relationship between the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and T scores of the femoral neck (p =.596), a positive and weak correlation was observed between the PASI and T scores for the lumbar spine, which was statistically significant (r = 0.269; p =.03). Conclusion Patients with psoriasis had decreased bone density, which was more significant in men. Prevalence of osteoporosis showed no statistically significant difference when compared with the healthy population in Iran. © 201

Bone mineral density is lower in male than female patients with plaque-type psoriasis in Iran

Background There are many similarities with regard to contributing cytokines in patients with psoriasis and osteoporosis. A theory of probable relationship between these two entities has been proposed but there is no concordant consensus. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with psoriasis. Method and materials This cross-sectional study of BMD was conducted with 64 eligible patients with psoriasis who were referred to the dermatology clinic of Razi hospital in Tehran, Iran in between 2011 and 2012. Results The mean T score of femoral neck was �1.17 and �0.49 in men and women, respectively, which was statistically significant (p =.047). The mean T score of the lumbar spine was �0.93 and �0.30 in men and women, respectively, but not statistically significant (p =.058). In total except with the exclusion of the study site (femur or lumbar), men and women did not have a statistically significant difference with regard to osteoporosis or osteopenia in BMD (p =.114). The Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate inverse relationship between age and T score of the femoral neck and lumbar spine (r = �0.419 and �.406, respectively), which was statistically significant (p =.001). Although there was no statistically significant relationship between the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and T scores of the femoral neck (p =.596), a positive and weak correlation was observed between the PASI and T scores for the lumbar spine, which was statistically significant (r = 0.269; p =.03). Conclusion Patients with psoriasis had decreased bone density, which was more significant in men. Prevalence of osteoporosis showed no statistically significant difference when compared with the healthy population in Iran. © 201

Serum homocysteine level, vitamin B12 levels, and erythrocyte folate in psoriasis: A case-control study

Background: One of the most important organ involvements in psoriasis is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine is known to have atherogenic properties, but some inconsistency exists in the literature about its probable role as a risk factor of cardiovascular disorder in patients with psoriasis. Objective: Because of some controversies, we compared homocysteine levels and related parameters of metabolic cycles in patients with psoriasis and healthy individuals. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 50 patients with psoriasis and 50 healthy individuals as the controls. Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 levels, and erythrocyte folate concentrations were checked in all participants. Results: Mean serum homocysteine, erythrocyte folate, and vitamin B12 levels did not show any significant difference between the two groups (p >.05), but interestingly, in patients with psoriasis, men had a significantly higher incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia and lower levels of erythrocyte folate (p =.14). Overall, there is no significant difference in serum levels of homocysteine and metabolic-related parameters between the case and control group. There was no significant relationship between the severity of psoriasis and the body mass index of patients (p >.05). Conclusion: Patients with psoriasis had a higher body mass index and higher levels of homocysteine in men. Hyperhomocysteinemia could be a predisposing factor of cardiovascular events, but more evaluations as a part of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis are needed. © 201

Serum leptin levels in psoriatic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is higher in patients with psoriasis than in the normal population. Serum leptin levels are higher in patients with psoriasis and in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum levels of leptin in psoriatic patients with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Razi Dermatology Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2013. A total of 50 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in the study. Fatty liver grade was assessed via ultrasonography and serum leptin levels were measured using the ELISA method. Results: Ten patients had normal livers and 40 had fatty livers with different grades. The median serum leptin level was significantly higher in psoriatic patients with fatty liver (11.75 ng/mL) in comparison to those without fatty liver (2.80 ng/ml). Moreover, there was a direct correlation between the leptin level and the grade of fatty liver. Conclusion: serum leptin can be elevated in the course of psoriasis and may have a role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other metabolic co morbidities in psoriatic patients. © 2016 Iranian Society of Dermatology

Evaluation of narrow band UVB therapeutic effect on chronic mucocutaneous graft versus host disease lesions: A case series

Background: Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is a major cutaneous complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Although milder forms of this process may be associated with a lower incidence of tumor recurrences, it is mandatory to develop a more efficient and less harmful therapeutic approach. Methods: This case-series study enrolled 7 patients diagnosed with chronic mucocutaneous GVHD. We divided the patients into three major categories based on the type of skin lesions: sclerodermoid, lichenoid, and mixed. Patients received several packs of narrow band UVB (NBUVB) phototherapy. Each pack contained ten sessions of NBUVB (311 nm) with a duration of at least ten seconds and a fixed radiation dosage (6 mj/cm2) during the treatment. Results: There were 3 patients diagnosed with lichenoid skin lesions, 2 with sclerodermoid lesions, and 2 had mixed cGVHD lesions. During the follow up period one patient was excluded due to a lower respiratory tract infection. The mean response ratio was 42 with a mean satisfaction level of 5.5 out of 10. The lichenoid group had the best, most rapid response. There were no serious adverse effects reported. Conclusion: Narrow band UVB phototherapy is useful as an adjuvant therapeutic modality in cutaneous lichenoid and intraoral cGVHD with no serious adverse effects. © 2016 Iranian Society of Dermatology

Dietary Fatty Acids and Other Nutrients in Relation to Inflammation and Particularly to Oral Mucosa Inflammation: A Literature Review

Oral mucosa is site of inflammatory process development. When they are chronic, they provide a microenvironment based on cytokines and inflammatory mediators that contribute to cancer initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Certain dietary fatty acids (FAs) have immunomodulatory, inflammatory, and antiinflammatory effects. This review examined the literature on inflammation, mainly referred to the oral mucosa, and its association with dietary FAs and other nutrients. A Pubmed search of studies published in English until June 2018 was carried out. N-3 FAs have shown immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activity in certain human diseases. These FAs and their mediators may inhibit inflammation, angiogenesis, and cancer via multiple mechanisms. Studies on cellular models of murine and human intestinal mucosa indicate association between dietary n-3 FA intake and the inflammatory state of mucosa membranes. Nevertheless scarce information on the association between dietary FAs and oral inflammation could be found. Based on the evidence, we hypothesize that n-3 FAs reduce the oral mucosa inflammation thus decreasing the risk of developing precancerous lesions and cancer. Molecular and clinical studies referred to this topic should be carried out as a contribution to the oral cancer prevention.Fil: Costantino, Evangelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Actis, Adriana Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Caveolin-1 regulation of disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder manifested in early adulthood. Disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) is a susceptible gene for schizophrenia (Hodgkinson et al. 2004; Millar et al. 2000; St Clair et al. 1990) implicated in neuronal development, brain maturation, and neuroplasticity (Brandon and Sawa 2011; Chubb et al. 2008). Therefore, DISC1 is a promising candidate gene for schizophrenia, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its role in the pathogenesis of the disease are still poorly understood. Interestingly, caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a cholesterol binding and scaffolding protein, regulates neuronal signal transduction and promotes neuroplasticity. In this study we examined the role of Cav-1 in mediating DISC1 expression in neurons in vitro and the hippocampus in vivo. Overexpressing Cav-1 specifically in neurons using a neuron-specific synapsin promoter (SynCav1) increased expression of DISC1 and proteins involved in synaptic plasticity (PSD95, synaptobrevin, synaptophysin, neurexin, and syntaxin 1). Similarly, SynCav1-transfected differentiated human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) exhibited increased expression of DISC1 and markers of synaptic plasticity. Conversely, hippocampi from Cav-1 knockout (KO) exhibited decreased expression of DISC1 and proteins involved in synaptic plasticity. Finally, SynCav1 delivery to the hippocampus of Cav-1 KO mice and Cav-1 KO neurons in culture restored expression of DISC1 and markers of synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, we found that Cav-1 coimmunoprecipitated with DISC1 in brain tissue. These findings suggest an important role by which neuron-targeted Cav-1 regulates DISC1 neurobiology with implications for synaptic plasticity. Therefore, SynCav1 might be a potential therapeutic target for restoring neuronal function in schizophrenia.New & noteworthyThe present study is the first to demonstrate that caveolin-1 can regulate DISC1 expression in neuronal models. Furthermore, the findings are consistent across three separate neuronal models that include rodent neurons (in vitro and in vivo) and human differentiated neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. These findings justify further investigation regarding the modulatory role by caveolin on synaptic function and as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of schizophrenia