A Study of the Subject of Public Libraries in Web of Science and Islamic World Science Citation Center

The purpose of this study was to investigate the subject of “public libraries” in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WoS) and Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC). The present study is a descriptive-analytical research adopting scientometrics approach in terms of data collection. The statistical population of the study consisted of 2976 documents indexed in the WoS during 1900-2017 as well as 232 documents indexed in the ISC during 1999-2017. To collect data, we refined the search to title as (TI=Public Library*) and limited it to the time span (PY=1900-2017) in WoS in order to avoid diversity in the retrieved documents. The same approach was followed to retrieve documents from ISC databases. Research findings showed that foreign researchers were interested in “information science and library”, “computer sciences”, and “architecture” in relation to public library studies. On the other hand, Iranian researchers focused on “public library studies”, “assessment”, and “staff studies including managers and librarians”. Considering the journals publishing research on public library issues, the findings showed that the American Library Journal (n=722) and the Iranian Research on Information Science and public libraries (n=134) published the largest number of articles on the subject at the global and local levels, respectively.  USA, Canada, and England were the most productive countries in “public libraries” research area. Besides, University of Illinois and Islamic Azad University were the most active institutions publishing in this field at international and national levels with 62 and 57 documents, respectively. This study aimed to survey and compare research on public libraries in WoS and ISC. An examination of the subject area of public libraries revealed the trends of research fronts at the global level and in Iran and determines whether or not the topics of interest to world-class researchers are close to that of national researchers or if domestic researchers have addressed public library issues with an indigenous approach.

Effects of different levels of dried tomato pomace on performance, egg quality and serum metabolites of laying hens

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of dried tomato pomace (DTP) on performance, egg quality and serum metabolites in laying hens. A total of one hundred and forty four LOHMANN LSL-LITE hens were randomly allocated into 4 groups consisting of 6 replicates, each replicate has 6 birds. Birds were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 150, 170 or 190 g/kg of DTP. As a result of this study, there were no significant differences in body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), egg production (EP), feed conversion ratio (FCR) egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), eggshell weight (ESW), eggshell thickness (EST) and Haugh unit (HU) among treatments. Dietary inclusion of DTP significantly increased yolk color score (YCS, P < 0.01). As dietary DTP increased from 0 to 19%, YCS significantly increased from 7.25 to 9.67 and 7.25 to 9.83 in first and second periods, respectively. Total serum protein, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, albumin, glucose and triglyceride levels were not significantly affected by DTP addition. In summary, DTP can be used as an alternative feedstuff in laying hen diets at inclusion levels up to 190 g/kg without any negative impact on performance and egg quality traits.Key words: Dried tomato pomace, egg quality, laying hen, serum metabolites

Modelling of proteolysis in Iranian brined cheese using proteinase-loaded nanoliposome

In this study, Flavourzyme was encapsulated in liposomes to accelerate the ripening of Iranian white cheese. Liposomal enzyme was prepared using a modified heating method. The influence of enzyme content, ripening time and curd retention in saturated brine on proteolysis indices and sensory perception was investigated using response surface methodology. The most influential factor on proteolysis indices was ripening time, while the content of liposomal enzyme and retention time were also significant (P < 0.05). The maximum proteolysis indices and highest sensory characteristic scores were achieved by applying 0.3% w/w enzyme, ripening for 30 days and 8-h curd retention in saturated brine

Chitotriosidase Activity and Gene Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Gaucher Disease and Sibling Carriers

How to Cite This Article: Mozafari H, Taghikhani M, Khatami Sh, Alaei MR, Vaisi-Raygani A, Rahimi Z. Chitotriosidase Activity and Gene Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Gaucher Disease and Sibling Carriers. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2016; 10(4):62-70.AbstractObjectiveChitotriosidase (CT) activity is a useful biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of Gaucher disease (GD). Its application is limited by some variants in the CT gene. Two main polymorphisms are 24 bp duplication and G102S led to reduce CT activity. The aim of this study was to determine these variants influencing on plasma CT activity. Materials &amp; MethodsBlood samples were collected from 33 patients with GD, 15 sibling carriers and 105 healthy individuals serving as controls. CT activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-N,N′,N″triacetylchitotrioside substrate in plasma samples. The CT genotypes of 24 bp duplication and G102S variants were determined using PCR and PCR-RFLP. ResultsUntreated GD patients had a significantly higher CT activity compared to treated patients (P = 0.021). In addition, chitotriosidase activity in carriers was higher rather than controls. Allele frequencies of 24 bp duplication in GD patients, sibling carriers and controls were 0.21, 0.266 and 0.29 and for G102S were 0.318, 0.366 and 0.219, respectively. Different G102S genotypes had not significant effect on CT activity. Chitotriosidase activity has a positive correlation with age in normal group, carriers, and negative correlation with hemoglobin in GD patients. Using cut-off level of 80.75 nmol/ml/h, sensitivity and specificity of CT activity were 93.9% and 100%, respectively. ConclusionChitotriosidase activity is a suitable biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of GD. Determination of 24 bp duplication is helpful for more accurate monitoring the GD patient’s therapy. However, it seems that, specifying of the G102S polymorphism is not required for Iranian GD patients. References1. Bennett LL, Mohan D. Gaucher disease and its treatment  options. Ann Pharmacother 2013;47(9):1182-93.2. Shrestha B, Devgan A, Sharma M. Gaucher’s disease: rare presentation of a rare disease. J Child Neurol 2013;28(10):1296-8.3. Kanneganti M, Kamba A, Mizoguchi E. Role of chitotriosidase (chitinase 1) under normal and disease conditions. J Epithel Biol Pharmacol 2012;5:1-9.4. Adly AA, Ismail EA, Ibraheem TM. Macrophagederived soluble CD163 level in young patients with Gaucher disease: relation to phenotypes, disease severity and complications. Int Immunopharmacol 2015;24(2):416-22.5. Irún P, Alfonso P, Aznarez S, Giraldo P, Pocovi M.Chitotriosidase variants in patients with Gaucher disease.  Implications for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Clin Biochem 2013;46(18):1804-7.6. Grace ME, Balwani M, Nazarenko I, Prakash- Cheng A, Desnick RJ. 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Chitotriosidase: the yin and yang. Cell Mol Life Sci 2006;63(24):3018-29.11. Pagliardini V, Pagliardini S, Corrado L, Lucenti A, Panigati L, Bersano E, et al. Chitotriosidase and lysosomal enzymes as potential biomarkers of disease progression in myotrophic lateral sclerosis: A survey clinic-based study. J Neurol Sci 2015;15;348(1-2):245-50.12. Fusetti F, von Moeller H, Houston D, Rozeboom HJ, Dijkstra BW, Boot RG, et al. Structure of human chitotriosidase. Implications for specific inhibitor design and function of mammalian chitinase-like lectins. J Biol Chem 2002;277:25537–25544.13. Sista RS, Wang T, Wu N, Graham C, Eckhardt A, Bali D, et al. Rapid assays for Gaucher and Hurler diseases in dried blood spots using digital microfluidics. Mol Genet Metab 2013;109(2): 218–220.14. Hollak CE, van Weely S, van Oers MH, Aerts JM. Marked elevation of plasma chitotriosidase activity. A novel hallmark of Gaucher disease. J Clin Invest 1994;93(3):1288–1292.15. Old JM, Higgs DR. Gene analysis. 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Value of plasma chitotriosidase to assess non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease severity and progression in the era of enzyme replacement therapy. J Inherit Metab Dis 2014;37(6):991-1001.20. Weinreb NJ, Aggio MC, Andersson HC, Andria G, Charrow J, Clarke JT, et al. Gaucher disease type 1: revised recommendations on evaluations and monitoring for adult patients. Semin Hematol 2004;41:15–22.21. Czartoryska B, Tylki-Szymańska A, Górska D. Serum chitotriosidase activity in Gaucher patients on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Clin Biochem 1998;3(5):417-20.22. Arndt S1, Hobbs A, Sinclaire I, Lane AB. Chitotriosidase deficiency: a mutation update in an african population. JIMD Rep 2013;10:11-6.23. Lee P, Waalen J, Crain K, Smargon A, Beutler E. Human chitotriosidase polymorphisms G354R and A442V associated with reduced enzyme activity. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2007;39(3):353-60.24. Chien YH, Chen JH, Hwu WL. Plasma chitotriosidase activity and malaria. Clin Chim Acta 2005 ;353(1-2):215 25. Bussink AP, Verhoek M, Vreede J, Ghauharalivan der Vlugt K, Donker-Koopman WE, Sprenger RR, et al. Common G102S polymorphism in chitotriosidase differentially affects activity towards 4-methylumbelliferyl substrates. FEBS J 2009;276(19):5678-88.26. Aerts JM, Kallemeijn WW, Wegdam W, Joao Ferraz M, van Breemen MJ, Dekker N, et al. Biomarkers in the diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders: proteins, lipids, and inhibodies. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011;34(3):605-19.27. Giraldo P, Cenarro A, Alfonso P, Pérez-Calvo JI, Rubio- Félix D, Giralt M, et al. Chitotriosidase genotype and plasma activity in patients type 1 Gaucher’s disease and their relatives (carriers and non carriers). Haematologica 2001;86(9):977-84.28. Pocovi M, Cenarro A, Civeira F, Torralba MA, Perez- Calvo JI, Mozas P, et al. Beta-glucocerebrosidase gene locus as a link for Gaucher’s disease and familial hypoalpha- lipoproteinaemia. Lancet 1998;351(9120):1919-23.29. Fluiter K, van der Westhuijzen DR, van Berkel TJ. In vitro regulation of scavenger receptor BI and the selective uptake of high density lipoprotein choles-teryl esters in rat liver parenchymal and Kupffer cells. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:8434-8.30. Ries M, Schaefer E, Lührs T, Mani L, Kuhn J, Vanier MT, et al. Critical assessment of chitotriosidase analysis in the rational laboratory diagnosis of children with Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick disease type A/B and C. J Inherit Metab Dis 2006;29:647–652.31. Kurt I, Abasli D, Cihan M, Serdar MA, Olgun A, Saruhan E, et al. Chitotriosidase Levels in Healthy Elderly Subjects. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007;1100:185-8.32. Tamanaha P, D’Almeida V, Calegare BF, Tomita LY, Bittencourt LR, Tufik S. 24 bp duplication of CHIT1 gene and determinants of human chitotriosidase activity among participants of EPISONO, a population-based cross-sectional study, São Paulo, Brazil. Clin Biochem 2013;46(12):1084-8.33. Dodelson de Kremer R, Paschini de Capra A, Angaroni CJ, Giner de Ayala A. Plasma chitotriosidase activity in Argentinian patients with Gaucher disease, various lysosomal diseases and other inherited metabolic disorders. Medicina (B Aires). 1997;57(6):677-84.34. Goldim MP, Garcia Cda S, de Castilhos CD, Daitx VV, Mezzalira J, Breier AC, et al. Screening of high-risk Gaucher disease patients in Brazil using miniaturized dried blood spots and leukocyte techniques. Gene 2012;508(2):197-8.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOACTIVE GLASS/FORSTERITE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR BONE AND DENTAL IMPLANTS

In this research, bioactive glass (BG) of the type CaO–P2O5–SiO2 and nanocrystalline forsterite (NF) bioceramic were successfully synthesized via sol–gel processing method. Heat-treatment process was done to obtain phase-pure nanopowders. After characterization of each sample, the nanocomposite samples were prepared by cold pressing method and sintered at 1000°C. The samples were fully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The average nanocrystallite size was determined using the Debye-Scherrer’s formula 19.6 nm. The bioactivity was examined in vitro with respect to the ability of hydroxyapatite (HAp) layer to form on the surfaces as a result of contact with simulated body fluid (SBF). According to the obtained results, the prepared nanocomposite enhances the fracture toughness of the BG matrix without deteriorating its intrinsic properties as bioactivity

Nano silver-coated polypropylene water filter: I. manufacture by electron beam gun using a modified Balzers 760 machine

As adequate freshwater supplies decrease steadily, novel technologies are required for water purification. Nanotechnology, a new scientific frontier, promises to revolutionize innovation in many industries. Advancements in nanotechnology are being applied in the water-purification industry to keep harmful bacteria out of drinking water. Due to its bactericidal properties, nano silver is used in many products as an antibacterial. This study aimed to produce a nano silver-coated water-treatment polypropylene filter via the physical vapor deposition method using the Balzers 760 machine equipped with an electron beam gun ESQ 110. The Balzers machine was modified in order to enable coating of the cylindrical filters in a homogenous manner. The nano silver particles were made by electron beam bombardment of the silver metal, which were subsequently deposited on the polypropylene filter evenly. The thickness of the nano layer coated on the filter was about 55.0nm in average, as revealed by the microprocessor unit of the Balzers machine during the coating process. The thickness of the nano layer and the chemical composition of the produced filters were studied by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and the X-ray diffraction technique. The filter system produced in this work has the potential to be used as an efficient and cost-effective water treatment method. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) studies revealed that there was no nano silver particle present in the filtered water sample. Hence, there is no risk of contamination of drinking water with the silver nano particles upon application of the manufactured filters. This is the first report on the manufacture of nano silver-coated cylindrical polypropylene filter using the electron beam gun technique

Complete removal of pathogenic bacteria from drinking water using nano silver-coated cylindrical polypropylene filters.

An attempt was made to investigate the removal of Escherichia coli bacteria from drinking water using nano silver-coated polypropylene water filter. For the production of nano silver filters, a modified Balzers 760 machine equipped with an electron beam gun was used. The nano-silver particles were made by electron beam bombardment of the silver metal, which were subsequently deposited on the polypropylene filters evenly. The thickness of the nano layer coated on the filters was 35.0 nm. The nano silver-coated filters were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The antibacterial efficiency of the filters was evaluated using the membrane filter method. At a flow rate of 3 l/h, the output count of E. coli was zero after 7 h filtration when the input water had a bacterial load of 103 colony-forming units (cfu) per milliliter. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) results showed that the 35 nm layer of the silver nanoparticles were stable on the water filter and were not washed away by water flow even after 72 h

Comparison of Interferon-Gamma (IFNG) +874 T/A single nucleotide polymorphism in hepatitis C virus infected patients and non-infected controls in Mashhad, Iran

This study was financially supported by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (Grant No. 900513).Peer reviewedPublisher PD