Renewable Energy (RE): Bioenergy -Feedstocks and Pretreatment-

The Department for Pulsed Power Technology is focusing on research and development of pulsed power technologies and related applications. The applications involves the electroporation of biological cells for extraction of cell contents (PEF- process), dewatering and drying of green biomass, pre-treatment of micro algae for energetic use and sustainable reduction of bacteria in contaminated effluents. Another key research topic is devoted to the development of corrosion barriers and materials for improved compatibility of structural materials in contact with liquid metal coolants. This year\u27s report focuses primarily on the activities and results of ongoing third-party funded projects of the department

The Effect of Insulin on Infarct Tissue Size in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Due to the high mortality of ischemic heart disease, many of these patients can be life-saving treatments. There are conflicting information on the effects of insulin in patients with myocardial infarction. We aim to evaluate the effects of insulin on infarct size in myocardial infarction thorough evaluating troponin I enzyme and echocardiography.   Methods : This randomized clinical trial enrolled 74 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction referred to Vaseie hospital of Sabzevar in 2009. Patients were categorized into two groups by block randomization and were treated with high dose of GIK (25% glucose, 50IU of soluble insulin per liter, and 80mmol of potassium per liter at 1ml/kg/hour) (GIK group) or normal saline (control group) as adjunct to thrombolytic therapy. We analyzed Plasma concentrations of troponin I, at baseline, 16 and 24 hours after admission. Echocardiography was done at 72 hours after admission. Data were analyzed Variables were compared using independent T tests and repeated measure ANOVA.   Results: cTnI peaked to 20.13±12.46U/L in GIK group and to 20.11±10.62 U/L in controls (p=0.44). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 39% vs.41% in GIK vs. control, p=0.34. There was no significant difference between groups in cardiac enzymes and ejection fraction.   Conclusion : In patients with myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase, insulin offers no effect on infarct size

Cytotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Activities of Diterpenoids from Zhumeria Majdae

Since the ethylacetate (EtOAc) extract of the roots of Zhumeria majdae had the potent cytotoxic effect (IC50 < 50 mu g/ml) on three cancer cell lines; MCF-7, PC3 and MDA-MB-231, therefore the purpose of this study was the isolation of the responsible cytotoxic compounds from the plant. Isolation of the extract led to the identification of four diterpenoids named as lanugon Q (1), 12,16-dideoxy aegyptinone B (2), 12-deoxy-salvipisone (3) and manool (4). The chemical structures have been determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compound 1 is reported for the first time in the plants of the Zhumeria genus. The results of cytotoxic and apoptotic evaluation revealed that compound 2 had a strong cytotoxic effect with the IC50 value of 15.90 mu g/ml against MCF-7 cell lines. The sub-G1 peak in flow cytometry histogram of cells treated with the EtOAc extract and compound 2 showed the induction of apoptosis. Changes in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleavage of PARP were observed. It is to be noted that owing to the strong cytotoxic effect, the Z. majdae extract could be represented as a therapeutic agent against cancer

Determining the minimal clinically important difference for the PEmbQoL questionnaire, a measure of pulmonary embolism-specific quality of life

Essentials The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for PEmbQoL has not yet been determined. We estimated the MCID for PEmbQoL and its subscales via anchor- and distribution-based approaches. Our results indicate that MCID for PEmbQoL appears to be 15 points. Our work enables interpretation of changes or differences in PEmbQoL. Summary: Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) reduces quality of life (QOL). The PEmbQoL questionnaire, a PE-related QOL measure, was recently developed and validated and has been used to quantify disease-specific QOL in clinical studies of patients with PE. However, to date, interpretation of PEmbQoL scores has been limited by a lack of information on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of this measure. Objective To determine the MCID for PEmbQoL and its subscales using anchor-based and distribution-based approaches. Methods We analyzed data from the ELOPE Study, a prospective, multicenter cohort study of long-term outcomes after a first episode of acute PE. At baseline and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after PE, we measured generic QOL (SF-36), PE-specific QOL (PEmbQoL) and dyspnea severity (UCSD Shortness of Breath Questionnaire). We used time-varying repeated-measures mixed-effect models to estimate anchor-based MCID and effect sizes to estimate distribution-based MCID. Results Eighty-two patients participated in this sub-study. Their mean age was 49.4 years, 60% were male and 84% had PE diagnosed in an outpatient setting. Using both anchor- and distribution-based approaches, the MCID for PEmbQoL appears to be 15 points. Based on this MCID, 42%, 59%, 66% and 75% of patients experienced at least one MCID unit of improvement in PEmbQoL from baseline to 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion Our results provide new information on the MCID of PEmbQoL, a PE-specific QOL questionnaire that can be used by researchers and clinicians to measure and interpret changes in PE-specific QOL over time, or as an outcome in clinical trials