Histomorphometric study of the effect of methionine on small intestine parameters in rat: an applied histologic study

Background: Assessment of morphological changes has more often been used in the diagnosis and assessment of intestinal pathology and development. Since methionine is widely used in nutritional and sports supplements and also there is not enough information about the effect of this amino acid on the gastrointestinal histomorphometry, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of methionine on the small intestine histomorphometry. Materials and methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided to three equal groups. Two treatment groups received 100 and 200 mg/kg L-methionine solution respectively via intraperitoneal injection while the control group received normal saline. On day 21, all rats were euthanised and segments from three parts of small intestine were taken to histomorphometrical study. Paraffin sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, alcian blue (AB) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) methods separately. In order to analyse histomorphometric features of each segment, villus height, width, area, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, goblet cell number, and muscle layer thickness were measured. Results and conclusions: Obtained results revealed that methionine may change the histomorphometric parameters of small intestine

Anatomical transverse magnetic resonance imaging study of ligaments in palmar surface of metacarpus in Miniature donkey: identification of a new ligament

Background: Palmar region of metacarpus in the horses and donkeys is an important region because of its tendons and ligaments which contribute to stay apparatus. This study was done on forelimbs of 6 healthy Miniature donkeys to detect the tendons, ligaments and their accessories on the palmar surface of metacarpus in this animal. Materials and methods: Based on that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good technique to evaluate the soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, palmar aspects of metacarpus in 6 euthanatised Miniature donkeys were prepared for anatomical and trans-sectional MRI studies to determine the tendons and ligaments in this region. Results: Suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon and its inferior check ligament were similar to them in the horse. Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in this animal had superior check ligament that was present before the carpal joint. On the other hand in the Miniature donkey there was a second accessory ligament for the SDFT that originated from the proximal of palmar surface of the large metacarpal bone which we named it second accessory ligament of SDFT. This ligament was determined in the MRI images too. Conclusions: It seems that this ligament helps the Miniature donkey to stay apparatus, supporting more weight and load for a longer period of time and distance which is a specific morphological feature in this animal.

E-learning adoption during COVID-19 crisis and its effect on achieving students’ performance: Evidence from business collages – Jordanian universities

This study aimed to know the effect of E-Learning with all its components on students’ performance at Business Colleges-Jordanian Universities during at COVID-19 crisis. To achieve study goals, a questionnaire was distributed to the students at Jordanian Universities, (870) valid questionnaires were recovered. The study found that: The level of E-Learning and its components at Jordanian Universities were at middle rates, students’ performance also comes at a moderate level. E-Learning and its components (Technological facilities readiness, Electronic applications readiness, Databases & E-resources readiness, People readiness, E-Learning management system readiness, Evaluation system readiness, teaching methods diversity, Educational curricula and electronic content readiness) have a significant effect on students’ performance at Jordanian Universities at significance (α ≤ 0.05). Whereas sub components of (E-Learning organizational environment readiness and legislations and regulations readiness) have no effect separately on students’ performance. The study recommended Jordanian Universities to improve E-Learning in all its components in the Universities, reinforce using E-Learning in education, and exploit the benefits of E-Learning to improve students’ performance because it is the main alternative to face emerging crises like CoronavirusPeer Reviewe

Liver function and anemia pathogenesis in Iranian traditional medicine

Background: Nutritional deficiency, bleeding, and inflammation are three main causes of anemia. On the other hand, erythropoietin (EPO) production, iron availability, and a healthy bone marrow are essential for erythropoiesis. Recently, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been used to treat the patients already taking iron supplements. In Iranian traditional medicine literature, much has been written about anemia and its treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to review Iranian traditional medicine theories in the treatment of anemia. Materials and Methods: In the present study, authors have attempted to find the etiology and pathogenesis of anemia in Iranian traditional Medicine Literature and the views of ancient physicians in this field. Results: Our findings proved that Iranian traditional medicine defined anemia as blood humor production dysfunction, which is caused by several reasons mainly hepatic dysfunction. Thus, liver is supposed to be the most important organ in this regard. This will make considering hepatoprotective medicines in anemia even in patients with non-hepatic problems. Conclusions: The article presents the relation between anemia and liver dysfunction viewed by Iranian traditional medicine as an important finding in designing a treatment plan. Despite the new findings on the evaluation of liver function (i.e. laboratory tests), it seems that further studies for earlier evaluation of liver function in anemia are highly required. © 2015 Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Numerical simulation of dynamic pore fluid-solid interaction in fully saturated non-linear porous media

In this paper, a large deformation formulation for dynamic analysis of the pore fluid-solid interaction in a fully saturated non-linear medium is presented in the framework of the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method. This formulation is based on Biot’s theory of consolidation extended to include the momentum equations of the solid and fluid phases, large deformations and non-linear material behaviour. By including the displacements of the solid skeleton, u, and the pore fluid pressure, p, a (u-p) formulation is obtained, which is then discretised using finite elements. Time integration of the resulting highly nonlinear equations is accomplished by the generalized–α method, which assures second order accuracy as well as unconditional stability of the solution. Details of the formulation and its practical implementation in a finite element code are discussed. The formulation and its implementation are validated by solving some classical examples in geomechanics

First Detection of Nosema ceranae, a Microsporidian Protozoa of European Honeybees (Apis mellifera) In Iran

Background: Nosemosis of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is present in bee colonies world­wide. Until recently, Nosema apis had been regarded as the causative agent of the disease, that causes heavy economic losses in apicultures. Nosema ceranae is an emerging microsporidian para­site of European honeybees, A. mellifera, but its distribution is not well known. Previously, nosemosis in honeybees in Iran was attributed exclusively to N. apis.Methods: Six Nosema positive samples (determined from light microscopy of spores) of adult worker bees from one province of Iran (Savadkouh- Mazandaran, northern Iran) were tested to determine Nosema species using previously- developed PCR primers of the 16 S rRNA gene. As it is difficult to distinguish N. ceranae and N. apis morphologically, a PCR assay based on 16 S ribosomal RNA has been used to differentiate N. apis and N. ceranae.Results: Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species present in Iran apiar­ies.Conclusion: This is the first report of N. ceranae in colonies of A. mellifera in Iran. It seems that intensive surveys are needed to determine the distribution and prevalence of N. ceranae in differ­ent regions of Iran

Histomorphometric evaluation of tibial subchondral bone after moderate running in male and female Wistar rats

Background: Exercise has been shown to be beneficial to the skeleton, in both humans and animals. This study was done to test the sex-related difference in the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint and also on the subchondral bone after moderate running exercise. Materials and methods: Forty male and female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups (2 male and 2 female groups) in the same condition. Ten animals of each sex were selected as control groups, while running exercises were performed in remaining 20 male and female rats, using a motor treadmill to motivate rats to run daily distances of 1 km at 5 days/week within 6 weeks. On day 43, all animals were sacrificed and the knee articular cartilage and also histomorphometric parameters of subchondral bone and mid shaft of tibia were evaluated. Results: Results showed mild OA in both male and female runner groups. Results in male runner rats were significantly lesser than that in female runners. On the other hand, the difference in female runner group showed significant changes in comparison with other groups in histomorphometric parameters in tibia. Conclusions: Obtained results showed that the development of knee OA and subchondral bone changes may be related to the sex differences. Although there was no synovitis in male runners, female runner group showed mild hyperaemia dropsy with a moderate synovitis in this region

The role of exercise training on lipoprotein profiles in adolescent males

BACKGROUND: Major cardiovascular disorders are being recognized earlier in life. In this study we examined the effects of swimming and soccer training on male adolescent lipid-lipoprotein profiles relative to a maturity matched control group to determine the effects of these exercises on specific cardiovascular risk and anti-risk factors. METHODS: Forty five adolescent males (11.81 ± 1.38 yr) including swimmers (SW), soccer players (SO), and non-athlete, physically active individuals as controls (C), participated in this study. Training groups completed 12-wk exercise programs on three non-consecutive days per week. Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein B (apoB), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured in control, pre-training, during-training, and post-training. RESULTS: In response to the 12-wk training period, the SO group demonstrated a decrease in the mean LDL level compared to the SW and C (SW: 0.15%; SO: −9.51%; C: 19.59%; p < 0.001) groups. There was an increase in both the SW and SO groups vs. the control in mean HDL (SW: 5.66%; SO: 3.07%; C: −7.21%; p < 0.05) and apoA-I (SW: 3.86%; SO: 5.48%; C: −1.01%; p < 0.05). ApoB was considerably lower in the training groups vs. control (SW: −9.52%; SO: −13.87%; C: 21.09%; p < 0.05). ApoA-I/apoB ratio was significantly higher in training groups vs. control (SW: 16.74%; SO: 23.71%; C: −17.35%; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable alterations in LDL, HDL, apoA-I, and apoB observed in the training groups suggest that both regular swimming or soccer exercise can potentially mitigate cardiovascular risk in adolescent males

Metabolic resting-state brain networks in health and disease

The delineation of resting state networks (RSNs) in the human brain relies on the analysis of temporal fluctuations in functional MRI signal, representing a small fraction of total neuronal activity. Here, we used metabolic PET, which maps nonfluctuating signals related to total activity, to identify and validate reproducible RSN topographies in healthy and disease populations. In healthy subjects, the dominant (first component) metabolic RSN was topographically similar to the default mode network (DMN). In contrast, in Parkinson\u27s disease (PD), this RSN was subordinated to an independent disease-related pattern. Network functionality was assessed by quantifying metabolic RSN expression in cerebral blood flow PET scans acquired at rest and during task performance. Consistent task-related deactivation of the DMN-like dominant metabolic RSN was observed in healthy subjects and early PD patients; in contrast, the subordinate RSNs were activated during task performance. Network deactivation was reduced in advanced PD; this abnormality was partially corrected by dopaminergic therapy. Time-course comparisons of DMN loss in longitudinal resting metabolic scans from PD and Alzheimer\u27s disease subjects illustrated that significant reductions appeared later for PD, in parallel with the development of cognitive dysfunction. In contrast, in Alzheimer\u27s disease significant reductions in network expression were already present at diagnosis, progressing over time. Metabolic imaging can directly provide useful information regarding the resting organization of the brain in health and disease

Association of Anthropometric Indexes With Disease Severity in Male Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Qazvin, Iran

Malnutrition is one of the most important factors that lead to lower quality of life in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are several methods for assessing malnutrition including anthropometric indexes. The aim of this study was to determine the association of anthropometric indexes with disease severity in male patients with COPD in Qazvin, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 72 male patients with COPD in Qazvin, Iran, from May to December 2014. Spirometry was performed for all participants. Disease severity was determined using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline. Body mass index (BMI), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were measured. MAMC and TSF were categorized into three subgroups as &lt;25th P, between 25th P and 75th P, and &gt;75th P (Where P is the abbreviation for percentile.). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and logistic regression analysis. Mean age was 60.23 ± 11.39 years. Mean BMI was 23.23 ± 4.42 Kg/m2, mean MAMC was 28.34 ± 3.72 cm2, and mean TSF was 10.15 ± 6.03 mm. Mean BMI and MAMC in the GOLD stage IV were significantly lower than other stages. Of 72, 18.1 were underweight while 6.9 were obese. The GOLD stage IV was associated with 16 times increased risk of underweight and nine times increased risk of MAMC &lt; 25th P. Disease severity was associated with BMI and MAMC as indexes of malnutrition in patients with COPD in the present study. The GOLD stage IV was associated with increased risk of underweight and low MAMC. © 2018, The Author(s)