Logarithmic entropy--corrected holographic dark energy with non--minimal kinetic coupling

In this paper, we have considered a cosmological model with the non--minimal kinetic coupling terms and investigated its cosmological implications with respect to the logarithmic entropy-- corrected holographic dark energy (LECHDE). The correspondence between LECHDE in flat FRW cosmology and the phantom dark energy model with the aim to interpret the current universe acceleration is also examined.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures; Can. J. Phys. Vol. 90, 201

Efficient and direct iodination of alkyl benzenes using polymer/HIO4 and I2 under mild condition

An efficient and rapid method has been found for the iodination of aromatic compounds using iodine and polymer-supported periodic acid (PSPIA) as an oxidant under mild aprotic conditions. The reagent after the completion of the reaction was easily removed by filtration and was regenerated for further use. This method has some advantages such as: mild reaction conditions, straight forward procedure, inexpensive method, high yields and one-pot conversion. KEY WORDS: Iodine, Polymer-supported periodic acid, Oxidant, Iodination Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(2), 305-308.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i2.1

Studying the correlation between serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and glucose metabolism during pregnancy

There are conflicting ideas concerning the correlation between serum levels of 25- hydroxivatmin D and side effects of pregnancy. The present research seeks to study the correlation between lack of this vitamin and glucose metabolism in pregnancy. In this Cross-sectional research, as many as 330 women aging 18 to 35 in the 24th to 28th week of their pregnancy and fully aware of the process entered this project after their consent was gained. They underwent public screening for diabetes through 50-gram oral glucose challenge test (GCT). The serum level of HbA1C and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and analysis of urine for glucose were measured at the same time when the level of blood sugar was assessed. As for those people whose blood sugar 1 hour after receiving 50 g oral glucose was equal to or more than 140 mg/dl, the two-hour OGTT diagnosis test was carried out with 75 grams of glucose. The average levels of Vitamin D and HbA1C were compared with one another among the participants. Variables such as mother's age, parity, family history of diabetes, and BMI of mother were recorded in the checklists. Data was analyzed by SPSS20 software using T-test, Correlation, and K2 statistical methods. The average age of the mothers participating in this research and their average level of parity were 26.78 ± 4.5 and 1.89 ± 0.92 respectively. There were 48 cases (14.5) with pregnancy diabetes, while 282 cases (85.5) had no sign of diabetes. The serum level of vitamin D was above 30 ng/dl in 9 subjects (2.7), while this level was below 20 ng/dl in 321 people (93.7). A reverse significant correlation was observed between the serum level of vitamin D and average levels of HbA1C (p=0.006 and r=0.15). a significant difference was observed in Glucosuria between the diabetic and non-diabetic people (p=0.001) but it had no significant correlation between the level of vitamin D. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this research is really high. The routine assessment of this vitamin before pregnancy and the necessity of correcting its deficiency and prescription of Vitamin D supplements and its effect on OGTT results,needs more researches

The effect of atrovastatin on the ovarian arterial blood flow and serum androgen level in PCOS patient

Various researches have been conducted over the recent years on the therapeutic effects of statins on the metabolic and hyper-androgenic state of the patients suffering from PCOS. The present research seeks to evaluate the treatment with atorvastatin and its effect on the lipid profile level, serum androgen status and morphology and blood flow of polycystic ovaries. A double blind clinical trial was designed for this research where the women with PCOS resorting to the gynecology clinic of Firouzgar Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: case and Control. Early at the beginning of the research, variables such as body mass, lipid profile, blood androgen level, fasting blood Sugar, size of the ovary, and resistance of the stromal artery of ovary were studied. For a period of 6 weeks, one group was given with a daily dose of 40 mg atorvastatin, while the other group just received placebo. All the variables were studied once again after 6 weeks and the results were analyzed using SPSS v.16. The case group included 20 patients suffering from PCOS who received atorvastatin, while there were 20 patients with PCOS in the witness group who just received placebo. The average ages in the atorvastatin and placebo groups were 27.7 ± 3.41 and 30.9 ± 4.8 years old respectively. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of changes in the average cholesterol and LDL levels before and after the intervention. This reduction was more significant in the atorvastatin group. After prescription of atorvastatin, the level of Androstenedione had decreased significantly in treatment group. A statistically significant reduction was observed in the size of left and right ovaries in the group receiving atorvastatin. No significant changes were observed in the size of the ovaries in the group receiving placebo. The average arterial resistance level of left and right ovaries before and after intervention in atorvastatin group exhibited a significant reduction. Having discarded the confounding effect of RI, this difference with the witness group was statistically significant. Keeping in mind the effects of atorvastatin such as improving the lipid profile status and reduction of androstenedione among those with PCOS, it can be used as an auxiliary treatment to control symptoms and long-term side effects among patients. Considering the shrinkage of ovary size and enhancement of blood flow to PCOS ovary, future researches can focus on effectiveness of statins in improving the ovulation status of performance of PCO ovaries

Role of iron supplementation in promoting maternal and fetal outcome

Zahra Yekta1, Reza Pourali2, Nikol Mladkova3, Mohammad Ghasemi-rad4, Farzane Boromand5, Khosrow Hazrati Tappeh6 1Department of Community Medicine; 2Medical Demonstration Facility, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran; 3Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, London, United Kingdom; 4Student Research Committee; 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 6Department of Mycology and Parasitology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran Background: The data comparing daily versus intermittent iron supplementation during pregnancy remain controversial. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of daily versus two different intermittent iron supplementation regimes on hematologic markers and birth outcomes in nonanemic pregnant women. Methods: Two hundred and ten women with singleton pregnancies, no known disease, and hemoglobin levels >11.0 g/dL were randomly assigned to one of three groups, ie, Group A consuming two iron supplementation tablets once weekly (100 mg iron per week, n = 70), Group B consuming one tablet twice weekly (100 mg iron per week, n = 70) and Group C, consuming one tablet daily (50 mg iron per day, n = 70). No additional micronutrients were supplied. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were measured at 20, 28, and 38 weeks. Pregnancy and birth outcomes (pregnancy termination, method of delivery, birth weight, stillbirth) were analyzed. Results: In total, 201 women completed the protocol. There was a significant difference in mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels in Group B at 38 weeks (P = 0.018 and P = 0.035, respectively) but this difference was not clinically significant (hemoglobin >12 g/dL, ferritin >19 µg/L). There was a significant increase in ferritin in Group C (P = 0.03) at 28 weeks. No significant difference was observed with respect to pregnancy or birth outcome across the groups. All regimens prevented the occurrence of hemoglobin <10.5 g/dL, but weekly supplementation was associated with development of a hemoglobin level <11.0 g/dL (risk ratio 0.044). Conclusion: Twice-weekly supplementation is as effective as daily supplementation, and may represent an acceptable compromise in iron supplementation regimens for nonanemic pregnant women. Keywords: iron supplementation, pregnancy, anemia, outcom

Effects of enriched daphnia with microscopic algae on some growth indices and survival rate of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae

Microalgae as a source of valuable compounds such as fatty acids are isolated from the natural environments and their mass production with high nutritional value is one the necessities of many hatcheries. The present study aimed to determine the effects of enriched daphnia with microscopic algae on some growth indices and survival rate of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus were purified and cultured. Then, Daphnia longispina was fed microalgae including Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus enriched with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The microalgae density to enrich daphnia was estimated at 5× 107 cells mL-1. Three treatments with three replicates and a control group were considered in this study. A total of 30 Acipenser persicus larvae were allocated to each sixty liters tank. Experimental fish were fed daphnia enriched with Chlorella vulgaris (treatment 1), daphnia enriched with Scenedesmus dimorphus (treatment 2) and daphnia enriched with Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus (at the rates of 50%) (treatment 3). Persian sturgeon larvae in the control group were fed like VNIRO stage from daphnia caught in pond. Larvae were fed 30% of body weight per day for four times. During the experimental period, water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and pH ranged between 18-24°C, 5.8-7.2 mg l-1 and 5.6-8.2, respectively. The minimum (219 ± 98.4 mg) and maximum (315.16 ± 140.8 mg) mean (±SD) weights were observed in the control group and treatment 3, respectively. The results obtained from the body weight increase (BWI %) revealed that there were significant differences between treatment 3 and other treatments. Highest (4.6±1.13% day-1) and lowest (5.5±1.24% day-1) mean (±SD) specific growth rates (SGR) were recorded in fish fed the control group and treatment 3, respectively. Lowest (68%) and highest (85%) survival rates were recorded in the control group and treatment 3, respectively

Ki-67/MIB-1 as a prognostic marker in cervical cancer - a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: In cervical cancer patients it has been reported that there in a significant Ki-67/MIB-1 expression is correlated with survival in cervical cancer patients. However, the prognostic value is still not well understood. Materials and Methods: In the present meta-analysis the prognostic value of Ki-67/MIB-1 with regard to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in cervical cancer was investigated. The databases of PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Science Direct and Wiley Online Library were used to identify appropriate literature. Results: In order to explore the relationship between Ki-67/MIB-1 and cervical cancer, we have included 13 studies covering 894 patients in the current meta-analysis. The effect of Ki-67/MIB-1 on OS for pooled random effects HR estimate was 1.63 (95confidence interval (CI) 1.09-2.45; P0.05) and the subgroup analysis indicated Ki-67/MIB1 was associated with DFS (HR=3.67, 95CI 2.65-5.09) in Asians. Conclusions: According to this meta-analysis, Ki-67/MIB-1 has prognostic value for OS in patients suffering from cervical cancer. For better evaluation of the prognostic role of Ki-67/MIB-1 on DFS, studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to validate present findings in the future

Determination of dietary requirements of Acipenser persicus from larval stage to market

Growth experiments were conducted in a random statistical design to determine the dietary requirements of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus. In this study the effects of various dietary protein and energy and their optimum P/E proportion in diets was estimated on growth and carcass composition in A. persicus in the fingerling and grow out stage in three different phases. In the first phase, 16 semi pure diets with 4 protein levels (35, 40, 45 and 50%), each with four energy levels (18.5, 19.8, 21.1 and 22.4 megjoules/kg diet) and P/E proportion of 15.63 to 26.4 mg protein KJ-1 were formulated and fed to 960 A. persicus fingerlings, with a mean weight of 10.26±0.11 for 112 days. Three replicates were used for each experiment group. In the second phase, 432 A. persicus juveniles with a mean weight of 112.25±1.187 g were fed 12 semi purified diets with 3 protein levels (40, 45 and 50%) each with 4 energy levels (18.5, 19.8, 21.1 and 22.4 megjoules/kg diet) and P/E proportion of 18.9 to 26.4 mg protein KJ-1 for a period of 101 days using three replicates for each treatment. In the third phase, 384 juvenile A. persicus with a mean weight of 803.26±3.5 g were fed 16 diets for a period of 140 days. Two replicates were used for each treatment group. At the end of the experiment 30% of the fish population was randomly selected for carcass analysis to determine protein, lipid, moisture and ash content. Hepatosomatic index of the fish specimens was also determined. In the fingerling stage the fish fed 45 and 50% protein with 22.4 megjoules/kg diet energy exhibited the best growth indices [final body weight, percentage body weight increase (BWI%) and specific growth rate (SGR)] (P<0.05). A diet containing 40% protein and 22.4 megjoules/kg diet energy with P/E ratio of 17.86 mg protein KJ-1 is the recommended diet for A. persicus in this stage. In the first phase higher growth rates were observed in fish fed diets containing 40% protein as compared to those fed diets containing 45 and 50% protein. Increasing energy levels to 21.1 and 22.4 megjoules/kg diet significantly increased (P<0.05) growth indices. Highest values for growth indices belonged to fish fed diets containing 40% protein, 22.4 megjoules/kg diet energy and P/E ratios of 17.86 mg protein KJ-1. Final weight, BWI% and SGR in fish fed diets containing 40% protein were higher as compared to fish fed diets containing 35, 45 and 50% protein. Increasing energy levels to 22.4 megjoules/kg diet resulted in significant increase in growth indices as well as P/E ratios. Highest growth indices were recorded with diets containing 40% protein, 22.4 megjoules/kg diet energy and a P/E ratio of 17.86 mg protein KJ-1. Results obtained indicate that A. persicus showed better growth rates after acclimation to formulated diets, and therefore can be considered a suitable species for culture in captivity. On the basis of growth rate and carcass composition diet containing 40% protein, 20.1 to 25.9% lipid with a P/E ratio of 17.86 mg protein KJ-1 prepared from good quality fishmeal, fish oil and vegetable oil (sunflower or soybean oil) is recommended for feeding A. persicus in the fingerling and grow out stages

Study of effect of nereis diversicolor in growth and survival of Acipenser persicus larvae

The present research aimed to study effect of Nereis worm in feeding, growth, survival and carcass biochimical compositions of persian sturgeon larvae. Five diets including zooplankton (100%) as the control (Z), Nereis diversicolor worm (100%), a mix of Nereis and zooplankton (50% for each), a mix of Nereis, zooplankton and concentrate food (33% for each) with 3 replicates were established. At first, Nereis worms were cultured up to the weight of 200 mg according to the protocol done in the International Sturgeon Research Institute. Required zooplanktons were obtained for Dr. Beheshti Sturgeon Rearing and propagation center. Concentrate food was also made in the ISRI. Persian sturgeon larvae with the average weight of 95.66 mg were put in 60-Liter tank (60 larvae in each tank) under the same physical and chemical parameters of water. 8 days after the beginning of active feeding, they were fed five times a day with experimental dites based on 20-30% of their weight for 15 days. Water quality parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH values were recorded daily. The average of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen during the test were 22.8±1.3ºc, 7.5±0.1 and 6.58±0.9 mg/l respectively. At the end of this period, condition factor (k), specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion rate (FCR), weight gain (WG) and Body weight index (BWI) were calculated. Total fat and fatty acids profile were analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant difference between growth indexes and food consumption (p<0.05). BWI, GR and SGR indices showed no significant difference between N and NZ treatment, but the average of these indices were higher in NZ treatment. The most and the least average of SGR, BWI were observed in NZ and NZC treatments respectively. Condition factor showed no significant difference in all diets except NZ. FCR had no significant difference between N and NZ as well as after diets. The highest and the lowest survival rate was observed in N treatment (96.11±1.46%) and NZC (85.55±3.37%) respectively. The results of carcass analysis showed that there is a strong correlation between fatty acids of body and fat resources of diets. According to the significant difference in growth rate between treatments (p<0.05), the larvae fed with N diet presented a better performance compared with others. These results indicate that cultured sturgeon larvae need n-3 and n-6 series of fatty acids in their diet