Temperature Effect on Moving Water Droplets at the Channel of ‎PEMFC by Multi-component Multiphase Lattice Boltzmann Method

In this paper, a multi-component multiphase pseudopotential Lattice Boltzmann method with multi relaxation time (MRT) collision operator is presented to examine the dynamic behavior of liquid droplets movement and coalescence process in the gas channel of PEMFC. In the numerical method, the forcing term is improved to achieve a high-density ratio and thermodynamic consistency. First, the density ratio, Laplace law, and contact angle are validated with previous studies. Then, different parameters, such as operating temperature, pressure difference, surface contact angle, the radius of droplets, and distance between two droplets on the droplet movement and coalescence process are studied. The results revealed by rising temperature from 30 to 80 degrees, the speed of drop increases around 6 percent. The simulation results indicated that the rising of pressure gradient increases the gas flow velocity on the channel and leads to increasing the shear force and eventually faster movement of the droplet on the gas channel. Also, investigation of various contact angles shows that a hydrophilic surface causes a resistance force between the droplet and the wall and delays the removal of droplets. Moreover, droplet coalescence is useful for droplet movement because of increasing the velocity gradient on top of the droplet; consequently, the shear force on the droplet is raised during coalescence

Motor neuron diseases caused by a novel VRK1 variant – A genotype/phenotype study

Background: Motor neuron disorders involving upper and lower neurons are a genetically and clinically heterogenous group of rare neuromuscular disorders with overlap among spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Classical SMA caused by recessive mutations in SMN1 is one of the most common genetic causes of mortality in infants. It is characterized by degeneration of anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Non-SMN1-related spinal muscular atrophies are caused by variants in a number of genes, including VRK1, encoding the vaccinia- related kinase 1 (VRK1). VRK1 variants have been segregated with motor neuron diseases including SMA phenotypes or hereditary complex motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (HMSN), with or without pontocerebellar hypoplasia or microcephaly. Results: Here, we report an association of a novel homozygous splice variant in VRK1 (c.1159 + 1G>A) with childhood-onset SMA or juvenile lower motor disease with brisk tendon reflexes without pontocerebellar hypoplasia and normal intellectual ability in a family with five affected individuals. We show that the VRK1 splice variant in patients causes decreased splicing efficiency and a mRNA frameshift that escapes the nonsensemediated decay machinery and results in a premature termination codon. Conclusions: Our findings unveil the impact of the variant on the VRK1 transcript and further support the implication of VRK1 in the pathogenesis of lower motor neuron diseases

Antioxidant properties of Artemisia absinthium

Introduction: Delayed tendon healing is still found to be among the complications that occur most often after tendon repair

Antioxidant properties of Artemisia absinthium accelerate healing of experimental Achilles tendon injury in rabbits

Introduction: Delayed tendon healing is still found to be among the complications that occur most often after tendon repair

A location-allocation model for quality-based blood supply chain under IER uncertainty

Providing blood with high quality at the lowest cost and the shortest time is main challenge of blood supply chain management. This paper presents a new model for designing a dynamic and three level blood supply chain incorporating the quality issues. The proposed model intends to locate facilities, and to determine the best strategy for blood allocation by minimizing both cost and time and maximizing the customer satisfaction based on quality of blood delivery. In order to deal with consideration of real world, intricacies such as blood freshness, both separation and apheresis extraction methods, Cross match to Transfusion ratio (C/T) and equipment failure have been involved. Also, Interval Evidential Reasoning (IER) approach is applied to handle the uncertainty of blood product demand. Since the proposed model is NP-hard, MOPSO and NSGAII algorithms are utilized to solve it. Finally, to demonstrate the applicability of the problem some numerical examples are designed in different sizes and the most favorable algorithm is determined using TOPSIS method

Co-Incidence of Acute Appendicitis and Appendiceal Transection after Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report

A 13-year-old boy with a history of bicycle handlebar injury to the left side of his abdomen was brought to the Emergency Department of our center. On admission, his vital signs were stable and abdominal examination revealed ecchymosis and tenderness of the injured areas. Mild to moderate free fluid and two small foci of free air in the anterior aspect of the abdomen, in favor of pneumoperitoneum, were detected in abdominopelvic sonography and CT-scan, respectively. In less than 6 hours, the patient developed generalized peritonitis. Therefore, exploratory laparotomy was promptly performed, which revealed appendiceal transection and rupture of the small bowel mesentery. Appendectomy and small bowel mesoplasty were done, with pathological diagnosis of acute appendicitis and periappendicitis. After surgery, the patient had a non-complicated hospital course. This rare case highlights the significance of the early management of appendiceal traumatic injuries in order to prevent further complicated events, especially in patients who are much more exposed to this risk due to their traumatic background

The Role of TIMP-2 Gene in Skin Cancer

Background and purpose: Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Several studies suggest a high incidence of skin cancer in most countries. TIMP-2 is the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase and exist in both cancer and normal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of TIMP-2 gene in patients with skin cancer and evaluating the association between the expression of this gene and the disease progression. Materials and methods: In this study 60 FFPE samples of skin cancer (n=30) and noncarcinoma cases (n=30) were collected from Tehran Milad Hospital. The cancer patients aged 30 to 80 years old. RNA was extracted using RNX solution, and then cDNA synthesis was carried out by Oligo dT and Random Hexamer primers and MMulV enzyme. The gene expression was evaluated by Real-time PCR. Results: The TIMP-2 gene expression in carcinoma samples increased 1.13 folds compared to normal tissue samples. Also a direct correlation was seen between tumor size and TIMP-2 gene expression. In fact the gene expression in tumors= 2 cm was more than 6.72 compared with normal samples (P<0.0005). The mean expression levels of TIMP-2 gene in tumors<1 cm and 1-2 cm were 0.57 and 1.003, respectively (P< 0.001). Moreover, the TIMP-2 gene expression was found to be higher in male. Conclusion: According to current findings, expression of TIMP-2 gene has a considerable role in skin cancer development. In other words, the gene expression increases by increase in tumor size and patients age. So, it seems that TIMP-2 gene expression could be a reliable biomarker for evaluation of skin cancer in early stages

Totally Transanal Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site ProctoColectomy-Ileoanal J-Pouch (TLPC-J): An Experimental Study of a Novel Approach

Background: The natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has become a commonly considered novel approach in the surgical field. The NOTES provide possibility of operation through the natural orifice and decreases the intentional puncture of the systemic organ and subsequent complications. Totally transanal laparo-endoscopic single-site proctoColectomy-Ileoanal J-Pouch (TLPC-J) is a novel method in minimally invasive surgery for total colectomy. The main goal of this study is to perform this new method on an animal model, to assess probable complication and to resolve probable issues by using patients that are candidate for total colectomy. Method: Five dogs were prepared in lithotomy position. The TLPC-I procedure consists of endorectal technique with full thickness rectal dissection starting 1 cm orally from the dentate line above the peritoneal reflection and the proximal bowel was replaced into the abdominal cavity. Afterwards, the TriPort system was inserted in the anal canal and mesentrial resection of the total colon, mobilization of a distal ileal segment and intracorporeal suture of an ileal J-loop was accomplished by this system. An incision in the J-loop was conducted transanally. The J-pouch was created with an Endo-GIA® and sutured to the rectal wall. Results: All animals survived and passed stool with clear post operation situation. There was no infection in site of anastomosis. Conclusion: The TLPC-I provides the possibility of surgery without abdominal wall incision and decreases post operation complication such as pain, abdominal wound infection and wound dehiscence. This technique increases the quality of life and surgeons can discharge the patients early

Association of CRISPLD2 Single Nucleotide Gene Polymorphism and Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate in an Iranian Population

Introduction: Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a malformation that may occur sporadically or with familial aggregation. Its inheritance is complex and many studies have focused on the role of genetics in the etiology of NSCL/P. rs1546124 is one of the most investigated polymorphims of the CRISPLD2 gene. This study aimed to investigate the association between CRISPLD2 rs1546124 gene polymorphism and the incidence of NSCL/P in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 81 case-parent trio cases have been included. All cases of congenital anomalies and major developmental problems were excluded to select only those with a NSCL/P. 5 ml of peripheral blood was taken from all subjects. PCR and electrophoresis were performed to demonstrate genotype status in each group. For evaluating the probability of transfer from parents to children transmission disequilibrium was performed. Results: The highest frequency of genotype in all three is related to CG and the highest allele frequency is related to C allele. The results of transmission disequilibrium showed that the probability of transfer from parents to children is not significant (P=0.38) and the risk of allelic transmission from each parent (with OR near 1) is not significant. Conclusion: This study did not find any association between CRISPLD2 and NSCL/P. Further studies with adequate sample size should be designed to investigate for possible polymorphisms in Iranian population

Motor neuron diseases caused by a novel VRK1 variant - A genotype/phenotype study

Background Motor neuron disorders involving upper and lower neurons are a genetically and clinically heterogenous group of rare neuromuscular disorders with overlap among spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Classical SMA caused by recessive mutations in SMN1 is one of the most common genetic causes of mortality in infants. It is characterized by degeneration of anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Non-SMN1-related spinal muscular atrophies are caused by variants in a number of genes, including VRK1, encoding the vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1). VRK1 variants have been segregated with motor neuron diseases including SMA phenotypes or hereditary complex motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (HMSN), with or without pontocerebellar hypoplasia or microcephaly. Results Here, we report an association of a novel homozygous splice variant in VRK1 (c.1159 + 1G&gt;A) with childhood-onset SMA or juvenile lower motor disease with brisk tendon reflexes without pontocerebellar hypoplasia and normal intellectual ability in a family with five affected individuals. We show that the VRK1 splice variant in patients causes decreased splicing efficiency and a mRNA frameshift that escapes the nonsense-mediated decay machinery and results in a premature termination codon. Conclusions Our findings unveil the impact of the variant on the VRK1 transcript and further support the implication of VRK1 in the pathogenesis of lower motor neuron diseases