Compressive Strength of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate with Propylene Glycol

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding propylene glycol (PG) to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) liquid with volume ratio of 20% on the compressive strength (CS) of MTA in two time periods (4 and 21 days) after mixing. Methods and Materials: Four groups of steel cylinders (n=15) with an internal diameter of 3 and a height of 6 mm were prepared and MTA (groups 1 and 2) and MTA+PG (80% MTA liquid+20% PG) (groups 3 and 4) were placed in to the cylinders. In groups 1 and 3 the CS was evaluated after 4 days and in groups 2 and 4 after 21 days. Data were calculated using the two-ways ANOVA. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: The highest (52.22±18.92 MPa) and lowest (4.5±0.67 MPa) of CS was obtained in 21-day MTA samples and 4-day MTA+PG specimen, respectively. The effect of time and PG were significant on the CS (P<0.05). Mixing MTA with PG significantly reduced the CS; but passing the time from 4 to 21 days significantly increased the CS. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of this study, PG had a negative effect on CS of MTA.Keywords: Compressive Strength; Mineral Trioxide Aggregate; Propylene Glyco

Dynamic Multi-Level Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning Model of Multi-Carrier Energy System to Improve Resilience of Power System

Since the presence of an energy hub (EH) leads to change the expansion planning problem of electrical power system. Therefore, in this study, the nature of optimal generation and transmission expansion planning in the presence of EH is studied. Also, the effect of applying the proposed hub with and without considering energy storages (ESs) as well as the short and long-term corrective actions to reduce the losses and costs are investigated. In addition, demand response and line transmission switching are considered as effective approaches to improve resilience in the proposed dynamic multi-level model. This nonlinear problem is solved sequentially considering the random approach and using differential evolution algorithm (DEA) and the symphony orchestra search algorithm (SOSA). In this paper, the proposed objective functions are studied in five-level and the results show the efficiency of this model in solving the planning problem. The findings show that the proposed planning model decreased capital costs of transmission switches as much as 26%, the capital cost of the transmission as much as 2.29%, the congestion cost as much as 1.8%, The capital cost of generation units as much as 3.75%, the payment capacity paid to generation units as much as 1.8%. Also, the expected profit of the generation units has increased as much as 3.75%. To show the competence of the proposed algorithms, the 400-kV test system with 52 buses in Iran is simulated in MATLAB environment

TIM-3/Gal-9 interaction affects glucose and lipid metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines

Introduction: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3) is a transmembrane molecule first identified as an immunoregulator. This molecule is also expressed on leukemic cells in acute myeloid leukemia and master cell survival and proliferation. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of TIM-3 interaction with its ligand galectin-9 (Gal-9) on glucose and lipid metabolism in AML cell lines. Methods: HL-60 and THP-1 cell lines, representing M3 and M5 AML subtypes, respectively, were cultured under appropriate conditions. The expression of TIM-3 on the cell surface was ascertained by flow cytometric assay. We used real-time PCR to examine the mRNA expression of GLUT-1, HK-2, PFKFB-3, G6PD, ACC-1, ATGL, and CPT-1A; colorimetric assays to measure the concentration of glucose, lactate, GSH, and the enzymatic activity of G6PD; MTT assay to determine cellular proliferation; and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to designate FFAs. Results: We observed the significant upregulated expression of GLUT-1, HK-2, PFKFB-3, ACC-1, CPT-1A, and G6PD and the enzymatic activity of G6PD in a time-dependent manner in the presence of Gal-9 compared to the PMA and control groups in both HL-60 and THP-1 cell lines (p > 0.05). Moreover, the elevation of extracellular free fatty acids, glucose consumption, lactate release, the concentration of cellular glutathione (GSH) and cell proliferation were significantly higher in the presence of Gal-9 compared to the PMA and control groups in both cell lines (p < 0.05). Conclusion: TIM-3/Gal-9 ligation on AML cell lines results in aerobic glycolysis and altered lipid metabolism and also protects cells from oxidative stress, all in favor of leukemic cell survival and proliferation.Isfahan University of Medical Science

The occurrence of antibiotic resistance, ESBLs, MBL and NDM-1 in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Central part of Iran

Broad-spectrum β-lactamase enzymes capable of destroying the antibiotics of β-lactam, cephalosporin, and Metallo-β-lactamase enzymes can also deactivate all β-lactams and carbapenems. This study aimed to determine ESBLs and MBLs enzymes and the frequency of NDM-1 gene­. In this study, 200 Escherichia coli isolates of women with urinary tract infection were collected (100 inpatients and 100 outpatients). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ceftazidime and meropenem was determined by E-test. A phenotypic confirmation test was used to detect ESBL enzymes. MBLs production was performed with modified Hodge test (MHT) and EDTA disk synergy (EDS) test. PCR was used for detecting the presence of NDM-1 gene. From 200 isolates, 93 isolates produce ESBL enzymes. Overall, 97 isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, and 38 isolates resistant to meropenem. The results of the MHT and EDS positive tests were 41 and 16 isolates, respectively. NDM-1 was not found in any of the patients. The prevalence of E. coli isolates producing both ESBLs and MBLs enzymes, is a serious threat to clinical infections. Accordingly, for the control and treatment of these strains, rapid and accurate identification can be greatly helpful

A Single Center Survey of Patients With Congenital Neutropenia: Report From Northwestern Iran

Neutropenia is characterized by a decrease in circulating neutrophil counts and consequent infections.  The present study was performed so as to describe the clinical and laboratory findings of patients with congenital neutropenia in northwestern Iran. The patients' records of 31 patients with congenital neutropenia out of 280 neutropenic patients who had been referred to Tabriz Children's Hospital during a 3-year period (2011-2014), were reviewed. Thirty-one cases (17 female and 14 male), with a mean age of 5.3 ± 5.7 years, were diagnosed to suffer from congenital neutropenia. The disorders associated with congenital neutropenia were combined immunodeficiency (8 cases), severe congenital neutropenia (6 cases), common variable immunodeficiency (4 cases), severe combined immunodeficiency (2 cases) and metabolic syndrome (1 case). The median age of the onset of disease was 26.2 ± 60.8 months. The most common clinical manifestations during the course of illness were otitis media (13 cases), pneumonia (12 cases), recurrent aphthous stomatitis, lymphadenopathy and gingivitis (11 cases). Four neutropenic patients died because of recurrent infections. Neutropenia may occur in the context of the primary immunodeficiency disorders. Unusual, persistent or severe infections always pose a speculation to search for an underlying immunodeficiency syndrome and neutropenia, so as to avoid further life-threatening complications as a result of any delay in diagnosis

The effect of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults:A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: The favorable influences of saffron supplementation on metabolic diseases have previously been shown. We aimed to assess the effects of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults. Methods: A systematic search was performed in Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults up to March 2021. The primary search yielded 182 publications, of which eight RCTs were eligible. Results: Our results showed that saffron supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference (WMD): −0.65 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.18, p = 0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: −1.23 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.64 to −0.81, p p-nonlinearity = 0.008). Conclusions: Saffron supplementation may significantly improve both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults. It should be noted that the hypotensive effects of saffron supplementation were small and may not reach clinical importance

بررسی تغییرات فیزیولوژیکی فشار خون، ضربان قلب و استرس شغلی کارگران کارگاه چوب بری در مواجهه با صدا

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of noise exposure and its relationship with job stress, changes in blood pressure and heart rate among woodworking workshop workers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional-analytical-descriptive study, 140 employees of a lumber workshop in Mazandaran province were selected and divided into case and control groups. Demographic information of employees was collected by questionnaire. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using mercury sphygmomanometer. Heart rate of the case and control groups was measured by Beurer pulse meter. The results were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The results of noise measurements showed that the mean noise exposure in workers from 8-hour shifts was 92.11 dB and among non-exposed group was 74.48 dB. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the control and exposure groups were 124, 126, 80 and 82, respectively. Also, the mean heart rate of the studied groups was 74.9 and 75.83 beats per minute, respectively. There was no significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate between the two groups, (p&gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, the rate of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as the heart rate and stress levels were higher in the exposed group as compared with the control group; however, the difference between systolic, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate between the two groups was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in stress. It was found to be consistent with the results of some previous studies.زمینه و اهداف: هدف از انجام مطالعه حاضر بررسی میزان مواجهه با صدا و ارتباط آن با استرس شغلی، تغییرات فشارخون و ضربان قلب در کارگران کارگاه چوب‌بری بود. مواد و روش‌ها: در این مطالعه مقطعی- تحلیلی- توصیفی تعداد140 نفر از شاغلین یک کارگاه چوب بری در استان مازندران انتخاب و در دو گروه مورد و کنترل تقسیم شدند. اطلاعات جمعیت‌شناختی شاغلین با پرسشنامه گردآوری شد. میزان فشارخون سیستولیک و دیاستولیک با استفاده از فشارسنج جیوه‌ای و ضربان قلب گروه مورد و شاهد به‌ وسیله دستگاه نبض سنج Beurer مورد سنجش قرار گرفت. نتایج بدست آمده با استفاده از نرم افزار &nbsp;SPSS تجزیه و تحلیل شد. در تمام مراحل، ملاحظات اخلاقی مد نظر قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: نتایج اندازه‌گیری صدا نشان داد، میانگین مواجهه با صوت در شاغلین مواجهه یافته در شیفت 8 ساعته 92/11 دسی‌بل و گروه بدون مواجهه 74/48 دسی‌بل است. میانگین فشار خون سیستولیک، دیاستولیک به ترتیب در دو گروه کنترل و مواجهه 124،126، 80 و 82 بود.&nbsp; همچنین میانگین ضربان قلب دو گروه&nbsp; به ترتیب 74/9 و 75/83 ضربه در دقیقه بود. همچنین تفاوت معنی‌داری در فشار خون سیستولیک و دیاستولیک و ضربان قلب بین دو گروه وجود نداشت (P&gt;0/05). نتیجه‌گیری: نتایج مطالعه نشان داد، میزان فشار خون سیستولیک، دیاستولیک، ضربان قلب و استرس در گروه مواجهه بیشتر از گروه کنترل بود و اختلاف فشار خون سیستولیک، دیاستولیک و ضربان قلب بین دو گروه&nbsp; از نظر آماری معنی‌دار نبوده و فقط در میزان استرس اختلاف معنی‌داری مشاهده شد

Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Patient With Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type 1

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD-1) is a rare autosomal recessive immunodeficiency disorder, characterized by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections without pus formation. Herein, we report a case of LAD-1 that developed into gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and manifested with persistent abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Although the presence of concurrent gastrointestinal CMV infection with LAD-1 is a rare condition, this case highlights the need for further research to evaluate the complex mechanisms between LAD-1 and CMV occurrence

Food groups and nutrients consumption and risk of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Dietary factors may play a role in the etiology of endometriosis and dietary intake of some food groups and nutrients could be associated with endometriosis risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted to summarize the findings on the association between dietary intakes of selected food groups and nutrients (dairy, fats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal-derived protein sources), and the risk of endometriosis among adult women. PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science were systematically searched up to September 2022. The inverse variance-weighted fixed-effect method was used to estimate the effect size and corresponding 95% CI. A total of 8 publications (4 studies) including 5 cohorts and 3 case-control with a sample size ranging from 156 to 116,607 were included in this study. A higher intake of total dairy [all low-fat and high-fat dairy foods] was associated with decreased risk of endometriosis (RR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95; P < 0.001; I2 = 37.0%), but these associations were not observed with intakes of low or high-fat dairy, cheese or milk. Increased risk of endometriosis was associated with higher consumption of red meat (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.26; P < 0.001; I2 = 82.4%), trans fatty acids (TFA) (RR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23; P = 0.019; I2 = 73.0%), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) (RR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.09; P < 0.001; I2 = 57.3%). The results of this meta-analysis suggest that there may be differing associations between dietary intake of dairy foods, red meat, SFAs, and TFAs and the risk of endometriosis. It may be useful to extend the analysis to other types of food groups and dietary patterns to obtain a complete picture. Additionally, further investigations are needed to clarify the role of diet in the incidence and progression of endometriosis. Trial registration: PROSPERO, CRD42020203939