Correlation between anthropometric indexes and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the elderly population in Amirkola

Background: The ageing of population is an increasing phenomenon worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most important chronic disease in ageing. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the anthropometric indexes and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the elderly population in Amirkola (Mazandaran, Iran). Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was a part of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Cohort Project (AHAP). Demographic information was collected using a standard questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected from all participants to measure the serum level of lipids. Measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and anthropometric indexes e.g. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHR) were done for all participants. Results: One thousand five hundred and six elderly people of Amirkola (age> 60 years) were participated in this study. There was a positive and significant correlation between the BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride. The WC had a positive and significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HDL-C and triglyceride. The correlation between WHR and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HDL-C and triglyceride was positive and significant; however the correlation between the anthropometric indexes and TC and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was negative and significant. The WHR had a significant positive correlation with all studied risk factors. Conclusion: According to the findings of present study, WHR index had stronger correlation with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the elderly

A mathematical model in cellular manufacturing system considering subcontracting approach under constraints

In this paper, a new mathematical model in cellular manufacturing systems (CMSs) has been presented. In order to increase the performance of manufacturing system, the production quantity of parts has been considered as a decision variable, i.e. each part can be produced and outsourced, simultaneously. This extension would be minimized the unused capacity of machines. The exceptional elements (EEs) are taken into account and would be totally outsourced to the external supplier in order to remove intercellular material handling cost. The problem has been formulated as a mixed-integer programming to minimize the sum of manufacturing variable costs under budget, machines capacity and demand constraints. Also, to evaluate advantages of the model, several illustrative numerical examples have been provided to compare the performance of the proposed model with the available classical approaches in the literature

A New Equivalent Circuit of a Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine and Its Phasor Interpretation

This paper examines a shortcoming of the classical phasor diagram of a salient-pole synchronous machine based on the well-established two-reaction theory. Unlike in the phasor diagram of a smooth-air-gap machine, it is not possible to readily identify the internally-developed electromagnetic power of a salient-pole synchronous machine from this phasor diagram. By defining new machine reactances, a single equivalent circuit of a salient-pole synchronous machine is proposed together with a phasor diagram where the internally-developed electromagnetic power is made apparent. The revised two-reaction theory is illustrated using the mathematical model of a two-phase salient-pole synchronous machine whose equations are manipulated using complex space vectors instead of traditional matrix transformations

Synthesis of mg/al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplates for efficient removal of nitarate from aqueous solutions

Leaching of nitrate is an important issue on the losses of nitrate from agriculture soils in temperate zone. Decomposition of plants and other organic residues in the soil and improper discharge of sewage lead to the presence of nitrates in the sources of surface and groundwater and flowing water drainage in agricultural drainage networks and their pollution. This study aimed to study the potential use of chloride layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplates to remove nitrate from aqueous solutions. The nano-material of chloride-LDH was made by hydrothermal technique and then, its characteristics were specified through scanning electron micrograph and removal of nitrate from aqueous solution by the minerals was investigated in terms of pH, time, speed of shaker, different concentrations of adsorbent and surface adsorption isotherm. Microscopic images of built nanoplates were examined using FESEM and SEM electron microscope with two magnifications. The thickness of nanoplates was about 20nm and their diameter was about 250 nm. Magnified image of the synthesized nanostructures shows squamous-shape. Surface adsorption isotherm of nitrate by chloride- LDH nanoplate was explained with Langmuir model shown with the values greater than 2R. In surface adsorption of nitrate, the optimal values were measured as following: pH = 7, speed = 250 rpm, time = 45 min, concentration of adsorbent = 0.1gr.  This material could adsorb nitrates from aqueous solutions efficiently and effectively.Keywords: pollution, nitrate, layered double hydroxide, hydrothermal, surface adsorptio

SIMULTANEOUS SEPARATION AND PRECONCENTRATION OF TRACE AMOUNT OF COPPER, NICKEL, CADMIUM AND ZINC IONS ONTO MODIFIED AMBERLITE XAD-4 LOADED WITH 5-Br-PADAP

In this work, a simple, rapid, selective, sensitive and economical method has been developed for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of copper, nickel, cadmium, and zinc in aqueous medium using XAD-4 resins that were modified with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (5-Br-PADAP) as an analytical reagent. The sorption is quantitative in the pH range 7.0-9.5, whereas quantitative desorption occurs instantaneously with 2 M HCl and selected trace elements have been determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The linearity is maintained between 0.04-4.0 mg L-1 for copper, 0.1-4.0 mg L-1 for nickel, 0.02-1.3 mg L-1 for cadmium and 0.01-1.4 mg L-1 for zinc. The detection limits were 12 μg L-1 for Cu(II), 30 μg L-1 for Ni(II), 6 μg L-1 for Cd(II), and 4 μg L-1 for Zn(II) in the final solution. Various parameters such as the effect of pH, flow rate, breakthrough volume and interference of a large number of anions and cations have been studied and the proposed method was used for determination of these metal ions in water and standard samples. In order to compare the proposed method, the actual water samples were analyzed by direct FAAS (using standard addition method). Determination of these metal ions in standard samples confirmed that the proposed method has good accuracy. KEY WORDS: Simultaneous separation and preconcentration, Determination of Cu, Ni, Cd, and Zn, Amberlite XAD-4 resins modified with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (5-Br-PADAP), Analytical reagent Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2006, 20(1), 1-7

Evaluation of the spatial arrangement of Purkinje cells in ataxic rat’s cerebellum after Sertoli cells transplantation

Background: Purkinje cells (PCs) pathology is important in cerebellar disorders like ataxia. The spatial arrangement of PCs after different treatments has not been studied extensively. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of cerebellum can give a proper tool for explaining the pathophysiology of PCs in ataxia. Here we stereologically analysed the 3-dimensional spatial arrangement of PCs in the cerebellum of rats after ataxia induction with 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP). Materials and methods: Ataxia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of 3-AP (65 mg/kg). Spatial arrangement of PCs for differences in ataxic rats with (3-AP-SC) or without (3-AP) Sertoli cells (SCs) transplantation was evaluated using second-order stereology. The IHC method by using antibodies to anti-calbindin in the cerebellum was applied. Results: Our results showed that a random arrangement is at larger distances between PCs in 3-AP and 3-Ap-SC groups. Therefore the PCs are not normally arranged after 3-AP and SCs transplantation stored the spatial arrangements of the cells after ataxia induction in rats. IHC analyse shows that number of PCs was significantly improved after the SC transplantation. Conclusions: Segregation of PCs can be observed at some areas in the ataxic rats’ cerebellum. However, the spatial arrangement of PCs was unchanged in SCs transplanted rats. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 194–200

Genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus from a large number of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of human isolates in Iran

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, presents an important medical and veterinary problem globally, including that in Iran. Different genotypes of E. granulosus have been reported from human isolates worldwide. This study identifies the genotype of the parasite responsible for human hydatidosis in three provinces of Iran using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. In this study, 200 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from human CE cases were collected from Alborz, Tehran, and Kerman provinces. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene were performed for genetic characterization of the samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates from this study and reference sequences of different genotypes was done using a maximum likelihood method. In total, 54.4%, 0.8%, 1%, and 40.8% of the samples were identified as the G1, G2, G3, and G6 genotypes, respectively. The findings of the current study confirm the G1 genotype (sheep strain) to be the most prevalent genotype involved in human CE cases in Iran and indicates the high prevalence of the G6 genotype with a high infectivity for humans. Furthermore, this study illustrates the first documented human CE case in Iran infected with the G2 genotype. Copyright © 2015 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Determination of silver(I) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after separation/preconcentration using modified magnetite nanoparticles

AbstractA new, simple, fast and reliable method has been developed for the separation/preconcentration of trace amounts of silver ions using 2-mercaptobenzothiazole/sodium dodecyl sulfate immobilized on alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles (MBT/SDS-ACMNPs) and their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Optimal experimental conditions, including pH, sample volume, eluent concentration and volume, and co-existing ions, have been studied and established. Under optimal experimental conditions, the enrichment factor, detection limit, linear range and relative standard deviation (RSD) of Ag(I) ions were 250 (for 500 mL of sample solution), 0.56 ng mL−1, 2.0–100.0 ng mL−1 and 3.1% (for 5.0 μg mL−1, n=10), respectively. The presented procedure was successfully applied for determination of silver content in the different samples of water

Survey of the relationship between activity energy expenditure metabolic equivalents and barrier factors of physical activity in the elderly in Kashan

Background: Physical activity in the elderly is influenced by aspects of aging that cause personal, mental, environmental, andsocial changes. Increases in factors that are barriers to activity cause physical energy expenditure to decrease. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to survey the relationship between energy expenditure in metabolic equivalent units (MET) and factors that are barriers to physical activity in elderly people in Kashan, Iran Methods: This is a descriptive analysis done in 2014. The study population was 400 people above 60 years old in medical facilities in Kashan. Multistage sampling was used in 10 clinics in 5 areas of Kashan. The sample size was varied according to gender and elderly population. Contributors were given questionnaires concerning energy expenditure levels in physical activity and factors that are barriers to being active. Results: The average age among the study population was 67.6 ± 6.8 years median, and the interquartile range (IQR) of barriers to physical activity among Kashan�s elderly was (8.75) ± 33. Average energy expenditure was 326.21 ± 364.84 based on metabolic equivalent units (MET). In fact, 340 persons (85) were practically without any active energy expenditure. The mostcommonbarrier was the lack of an appropriate place for doing physical activity; 298 (74) of the participants cited this barrier. The results show the Spearman rank-order correlation is significant (P = 0.038, r = 0.104) between barriers to physical activity and activity energy expenditure in Kashan�s elderly. Conclusions: Decreasing barriers to physical activity among the elderly causes physical activities to increase; therefore, energy expenditure is increased. Decreasing social and environmental problems for the elderly is effective in increasing physical activity and energy expenditure. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Study of genetic diversity of mudskipper (Periophthalmus waltoni) using RAPD markers in the Persian Gulf

We collected 69 samples of Mudskipper from dominant spices periophthalmus waltoni for genetic study from Hendijan, Khore Zangi and Delvar. A specimen of fin was fixed in Ethanol alcohol (96%) and moved to Biotechnology lab in center study of Persian Golf in Bushehr. Total genomic DNA was extracted by proteinase-K digestion, phenol: chloroform: isoamyl alcohol extraction and ethanol precipitation. The quality and quantity of DNA was assessed using 1% agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotomeric method. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were conducted on the target DNA using 6 primers RAPD. PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamid gels (8%) that were stained using silver nitrate. Allele frequency, the effective and real allele, expected and observed heterozygosis, genetic diversity, Shannon Information index, Gst and gene based on analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) were calculated using the GENALEX and Pop Gene software. The average of Shannon index for Hendijan, Khore zangi and Delvar was respectively 0.3887, 0.2860 and 0.3509. Highest of Gst observed between Hendijan and Khore zangi (0.260) and lowest between Khore zangi and Delvar (0.195). Highest of gene flow (Nm) was observed between Delvar and Khore zangi (1.033) and lowest between Hendijan and Khore zangi (0.687). Highest of Genetic identity observed between Delvar and Khore zangi (0.924) but lowest was between Hendijan and Khore zangi community (0.833). Eventually this study show that three community of our research are separate and belong to two clusters