Measurements of the reaction pˉp→ϕη\bar{p}p \to \phi \eta of antiproton annihilation at rest at three hydrogen target densities

The proton-antiproton annihilation at rest into the $\phi\eta$ final state was measured for three different target densities: liquid hydrogen, gaseous hydrogen at NTP and at a low pressure of 5 mbar. The yield of this reaction in the liquid hydrogen target is smaller than in the low-pressure gas target. The branching ratios of the $\phi\eta$ channel were calculated on the basis of simultaneous analysis of the three data samples. The branching ratio for annihilation into $\phi\eta$ from the $^3S_1$ protonium state turns out to be about ten times smaller as compared to the one from the $^1P_1$ state.Comment: 10 pages, 3 Postscript figures. Accepted by Physics Letters

Evaluation of Vicia dasycarpa Genotypes Under Drought Stress Conditions

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of drought stress on 12 genotypes of vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) at the experimental field of Agriculture and Natural Resources Center of East Azarbaijan Province during 2003. Field trial was conducted as a spilt plot design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. Drought treatments (normal, medium and severe stress conditions) were included in main plots and the genotypes were allocated in subplots. During the growing season, plant height, pod length, pod width, number of grains per pod, 1000 grain weight, number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, number of axillary branches,  harvest index, biomass and grain yield were measured. Drought stress effected all traits (except number of grains per pod) significantly. Greatest amount of reduction in value due to water stress belonged to grain yield and biomass. Number of pods per plant and number of grains per plant were affected by drought more than other yield components. However, the adverse effect of water stress was not similar for all genotypes and there were significant genotype by environment interaction for important characters such as biomass, grain yield, number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant and plant height. Evaluation of the genotypes based on drought tolerance indices (STI and TOL) indicated that under medium water stress environment the genotypes 9 (from Italy) and 7 (from Turkey) showed better drought tolerance performance in terms of grain yield. Regarding biomass, the genotypes 3 (from Italy) and 6 (from Australia) were recognized as the most appropriate genotypes for hoth medium and severe drought stress conditions

The effects of helicobacter pylori eradication on modification of metabolic syndrome parameters in patients with functional dyspepsia

Background Helicobactor pylori (H. pylori) have the potential role in the pathogenesis of various extra-gastric disorders such as metabolic disorders. But, it is now questioned about whether H. pylori eradication reduces or induces the risk for metabolic disorders especially in patients with dyspepsia. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the effects of H. pylori eradication on criteria of metabolic syndrome. Methods H. pylori infected patients with dyspepsia were included. The patients were treated with omeprazole (20 mg, q12 h), amoxicillin (1 g, q12 h), and clarithromycin (500 mg, q12 h) for two weeks, then H. pylori eradication was evaluated by C14 Breathing test (UBT) 6 weeks after the end of the treatment. Demographic data, clinical manifestation and metabolic parameters were recorded before and three months after completing treatment regimen. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 16.0. Results Of 110 patients were initially enrolled, 91 patients completed the study. Overall eradication rate was 61.5. Significant differences in the serum level of total cholesterol(180.7 ± 34 vs. 172.1 ± 28, p = 0.001), LDL(107.0 ± 25 vs. 100.8 ± 20, p < 0.001), HDL(46.2 ± 8.7 vs. 48.9 ± 8.6, p < 0.001), fasting blood sugar (93.7 ± 12 vs. 90.9 ± 10, p = 0.001), hemoglobin A1c(5.37 ± 0.52 vs 5.25 ± 0.53, p = 0.006), and as well as for waist circumference(92.2 ± 14 vs. 91.4 ± 13.9, p = 0.03) was found after treatment. Data for body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride level remained without any significant changes. Conclusion H. pylori eradication could relatively reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome criteria such as fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, lipid profile and waist circumference. © 2017 Diabetes Indi

The effects of helicobacter pylori eradication on modification of metabolic syndrome parameters in patients with functional dyspepsia

Background Helicobactor pylori (H. pylori) have the potential role in the pathogenesis of various extra-gastric disorders such as metabolic disorders. But, it is now questioned about whether H. pylori eradication reduces or induces the risk for metabolic disorders especially in patients with dyspepsia. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the effects of H. pylori eradication on criteria of metabolic syndrome. Methods H. pylori infected patients with dyspepsia were included. The patients were treated with omeprazole (20 mg, q12 h), amoxicillin (1 g, q12 h), and clarithromycin (500 mg, q12 h) for two weeks, then H. pylori eradication was evaluated by C14 Breathing test (UBT) 6 weeks after the end of the treatment. Demographic data, clinical manifestation and metabolic parameters were recorded before and three months after completing treatment regimen. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 16.0. Results Of 110 patients were initially enrolled, 91 patients completed the study. Overall eradication rate was 61.5. Significant differences in the serum level of total cholesterol(180.7 ± 34 vs. 172.1 ± 28, p = 0.001), LDL(107.0 ± 25 vs. 100.8 ± 20, p < 0.001), HDL(46.2 ± 8.7 vs. 48.9 ± 8.6, p < 0.001), fasting blood sugar (93.7 ± 12 vs. 90.9 ± 10, p = 0.001), hemoglobin A1c(5.37 ± 0.52 vs 5.25 ± 0.53, p = 0.006), and as well as for waist circumference(92.2 ± 14 vs. 91.4 ± 13.9, p = 0.03) was found after treatment. Data for body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride level remained without any significant changes. Conclusion H. pylori eradication could relatively reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome criteria such as fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, lipid profile and waist circumference. © 2017 Diabetes Indi

Mifepristone as Bridge or Adjunct Therapy in the Management of Challenging Cushing Disease Cases.

Establishing a definitive diagnosis of Cushing disease (CD), given its clinical and biochemical heterogeneity, initiating effective treatment to control the effects of hypercortisolism, and managing recurrence are challenging disease aspects to address. Mifepristone is a competitive glucocorticoid receptor antagonist that is approved in the US by the Food and Drug Administration to control hyperglycemia secondary to endogenous hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome) in patients who have glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus and have failed surgery or are not candidates for surgery. Herein, we describe 6 patients with CD who received mifepristone as adjunct/bridge therapy in the following clinical settings: to assess clinical benefits of treatment for suspected recurrent disease, to control hypercortisolism preoperatively for severe disease, to control hypercortisolism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide adjunctive treatment to radiation therapy. The patients were treated at multiple medical practice settings. Mifepristone treatment in each of the described cases was associated with clinical improvements, including improvements in overall glycemia, hypertension, and weight loss. In addition, in one case where biochemical and radiological evidence of disease recurrence was uncertain, clinical improvement with mifepristone pointed toward likely disease recurrence. Adverse events associated with mifepristone reported in the 6 cases were consistent with those previously reported in the pivotal trial and included cortisol withdrawal symptoms, antiprogesterone effects (vaginal bleeding), hypothyroidism (treated with levothyroxine), and hypokalemia (treated with spironolactone). These cases show how mifepristone can potentially be utilized as a therapeutic trial in equivocal cases of CD recurrence; as a presurgical treatment strategy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; and as bridge therapy, while awaiting the effects of radiation