Impact of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian lipid profile and fasting blood sugar in hyperlipidemia patients.

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Each type of medication works differently and has different types of side effects. Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties that help reducing the cardiovascular risk factors. Kelussia odoratissima is a flavonoid containing plant. Objectives: The aim of this study was investigating the effect of this herb on lipid and glucose profile in hyperlipidemia patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study performed on 61 hyperlipidemia patients. They assigned in control and intervention groups. The control group received 40 mg/day of lovastatin and intervention group received 40 mg/day of Lovastatin plus 2 g/day powder of Kelussia odoratissima. Before, two weeks and 1 month after the beginning of the study, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were measured. Data were analyzed by variance analysis with repeated measures, chi-square and t tests. Results: The reduction rate of cholesterol, TG, VLDL-C and LDL-C was similar in the control and intervention groups. The HDL-C rate was higher in intervention group compared to control group (P 0.05). The mean of FBS did not change between and within groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion:Kelussia odoratissima did not have a desirable effect on serum lipid profile and FBS in hyperlipidemic patients that use lovastatin, but is able to increase HDL-C significantly

New diagnostic criteria for inguinal hernia based on ultrasound examination

Background: According to increasing use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of inguinal herniation, this study was designed to evaluate the cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal in patients with inguinal herniation and its increase with Valsalva maneuver. We also compared the obtained values with those of normal population. Methods: a cross-sectional study, 52 normal persons and 35 cases with inguinal hernia were assessed. The cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal was measured in all subjects and data was analyzed using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation tests in SPSS. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were traced to define cut-off points. Findings: Valsalva maneuver caused significantly greater increase in the cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal among patients than in the normal group. The cut-off point of the cross-sectional area of inguinal canal was 63.5 mm2 in neutral state and 72.5 mm2 with Valsalva maneuver (increase rate: 34 mm2). In the absence of Valsalva maneuver, a cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal of greater than 63.5 mm2 is predictive of inguinal hernia (with 91 sensitivity and 98 specificity). Otherwise, values greater than 72.5 mm2 will be predictive of inguinal hernia (with 100 sensitivity and 98 specificity). Inguinal hernia will also be suspected if Valsalva maneuver increases the cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal by more than 34 mm2 (with 91 sensitivity and 100 specificity). Conclusion: The following diagnostic criteria are suggested for diagnosis of inguinal hernia through ultrasound examination: the presence of bowel loop within the inguinal canal, a cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal > 63.5 mm2 without Valsalva maneuver and > 72.5 mm2 with Valsalva maneuver, an increase of > 34 mm2 in the cross-sectional area of the inguinal canal with Valsalva maneuver, and a > 0.5 cm movement of the spermatic cord with Valsalva maneuver

CARDIAC REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

AbstractINTRODUCTION: Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is 19.4% in Iran anddiabetes mellitus is an important CVD risk factor in this country. Non-insulin-dependentdiabetes mellitus (type II DM) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality due toatherosclerosis. With cardiac rehabilitation (CR) we can modify CVD risk factors such astype II DM and play an important role in decreasing its mortality and morbidity. Weinvestigated the effects of CR on cardiac patients with and without type II DM.METHODS: In this retrospective before-and-after study we analyzed data from 496 cardiacpatients (419 with type II DM and 77 without type II DM). All of the subjects completeddemographic data questionnaires and underwent weight and height measurement, exercisetest to assess exercise capacity (EC), echocardiography, and blood test to assess lipidprofile and fasting blood glucose. The subjects then participated in a 24-session CRprogram. Each session consisted of 10 minutes warm-up, 40 minutes aerobic exercise, 10minutes cool-down and 20 minutes relaxation. They also took part in 8 educational sessionson life style modification, diet therapy and stress management supervised by CR team (acardiologist, a physician, a physiotherapist, a nurse, a nutritionist and a psychiatrist). At theend of the program, all measurements, exams and tests were repeated. Data were analyzedwith SPSS11.5 using independent t-test at level of P&lt;0.05.RESULTS: We studied 419 non-diabetics (mean age: 55.61&plusmn;9.41 years) and 77 diabetics(mean age: 58.59&plusmn;7.76 years). Mean EC increased significantly after CR in both groups. Inthe diabetic group, EC increased significantly compared to the non-diabetic group(62.21&plusmn;133.40 vs. 33.68&plusmn;31/42, P=0.02). Mean levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDLcholesterol,as well as body mass index and heart rate decreased significantly after CR inboth groups. However, no significant difference was seen between the two groups in respectof these variables.DISCUSSION: CR is an effective intervention in diabetics as well as non-diabeticsespecially given its remarkable effects in improving EC as a critical indicator of mortality andmorbidity of diabetic patients. Hence we suggest these patients undergo CR programs.Keywords &bull; Cardiac rehabilitation &bull; Exercise capacity &bull; Diabetes mellitus &bull;Cardiovascularrisk factors</p

Comparing methods for calculating nano crystal size of natural hydroxyapatite using X-Ray diffraction

We report on a comparison of methods based on XRD patterns for calculating crystal size. In this case, XRD peaks were extracted from hydroxyapatite obtained from cow, pig, and chicken bones. Hydroxyapatite was synthesized through the thermal treatment of natural bones at 950 °C. XRD patterns were selected by adjustment of X-Pert software for each method and for calculating the size of the crystals. Methods consisted of Scherrer (three models), Monshi-Scherrer, three models of Williamson-Hall (namely the Uniform Deformation Model (UDM), the Uniform Stress Deformation Model (USDM), and the Uniform Deformation Energy Density Model (UDEDM)), Halder-Wanger (H-W), and the Size Strain Plot Method (SSP). These methods have been used and compared together. The sizes of crystallites obtained by the XRD patterns in each method for hydroxyapatite from cow, pig, and chicken were 1371, 457, and 196 nm in the Scherrer method when considering all of the available peaks together (straight line model). A new model (straight line passing the origin) gave 60, 60, and 53 nm, which shows much improvement. The average model gave 56, 58, and 52 nm, for each of the three approaches, respectively, for cow, pig, and chicken. The Monshi-Scherrer method gave 60, 60, and 57 nm. Values of 56, 62, and 65 nm were given by the UDM method. The values calculated by the USDM method were 60, 62, and 62 nm. The values of 62, 62, and 65 nm were given by the UDEDM method for cow, pig, and chicken, respectively. Furthermore, the crystal size value was 4 nm for all samples in the H-W method. Values were also calculated as 43, 62, and 57 nm in the SSP method for cow, pig, and chicken tandemly. According to the comparison of values in each method, the Scherrer method (straight line model) for considering all peaks led to unreasonable values. Nevertheless, other values were in the acceptable range, similar to the reported values in the literature. Experimental analyses, such as specific surface area by gas adsorption (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), were utilized. In the final comparison, parameters of accuracy, ease of calculations, having a check point for the researcher, and difference between the obtained values and experimental analysis by BET and TEM were considered. The Monshi-Scherrer method provided ease of calculation and a decrease in errors by applying least squares to the linear plot. There is a check point for this line that the slope must not be far from one. Then, the intercept gives the most accurate crystal size. In this study, the setup of values for BET (56, 52, and 49 nm) was also similar to the Monshi-Scherrer method and the use of it in research studies of nanotechnology is advised

Relationship between Young’s Modulus and Planar Density of Unit Cell, Super Cells (2 × 2 × 2), Symmetry Cells of Perovskite (CaTiO3) Lattice

Calcium titanate-CaTiO3 (perovskite) has been used in various industrial applications due to its dopant/doping mechanisms. Manipulation of defective grain boundaries in the structure of perovskite is essential to maximize mechanical properties and stability; therefore, the structure of perovskite has attracted attention, because without fully understanding the perovskite structure and diffracted planes, dopant/doping mechanisms cannot be understood. In this study, the areas and locations of atoms and diffracted planes were designed and investigated. In this research, the relationship between Young’s modulus and planar density of unit cell, super cells (2 × 2 × 2) and symmetry cells of nano CaTiO3 is investigated. Elastic constant, elastic compliance and Young’s modulus value were recorded with the ultrasonic pulse-echo technique. The results were C11 = 330.89 GPa, C12 = 93.03 GPa, C44 = 94.91 GPa and E = 153.87 GPa respectively. Young’s modulus values of CaTiO3 extracted by planar density were calculated 162.62 GPa, 151.71 GPa and 152.21 GPa for unit cell, super cells (2 × 2 × 2) and symmetry cells, respectively. Young’s modulus value extracted by planar density of symmetry cells was in good agreement with Young’s modulus value measured via ultrasonic pulse-echo

Biocompatible Piezoelectric PVDF/HA/AgNO₃ Thin Film Prepared by the Solvent Casting Method

In this study, new composites based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were ornamented and prepared with hydroxyapatite (HA) and silver nitride (AgNO3). Taking into account the polarity of the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide, this solvent was used to disperse the particles. The aim of using DMSO was to create amorphous phases and the strong dipoles of the C–F bond to reduce the energy barrier and improve the electrical properties. The PVDF played the role of matrix in HA, and AgNO3 was used as reinforcing elements. X-ray diffraction of the samples directly showed the amorphous phase and mixed amorphous and crystalline phases when all three materials were used simultaneously for preparing the composite. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the samples confirmed the role of PVDF, HA, and AgNO3. Furthermore, the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was performed and proved that the HA structure did not change when the ratio of CaP was equal to the ratio of natural HA. The electrical properties were investigated, and the amount of energy ranged from 56.50 to 125.20 mV. The final results showed that a designed device consisting of an active layer made of 0.1 g HA:0.5 g PVDF showed the highest energy barrier, the highest polarity, and surface energy, thus proving its relevance as potential material for energy harvesting applications

New Approach for Preparing In Vitro Bioactive Scaffold Consisted of Ag-Doped Hydroxyapatite + Polyvinyltrimethoxysilane

Recently, researchers have focused on the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of highly porous structures of biomaterials products. Porous composites are a new category of bioengineering that possess excellent functional and structural properties. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of prepared doped silver (Ag)-hydroxyapatite (HA) by the mechanochemical and spark plasma sintering (SPS) methods were investigated. The influence of dopant on phase formation, structural properties, mechanical properties and morphological characteristics was investigated. Furthermore, in this case, as a new approach to produce a porous scaffold with an average size of &gt;100 µm, the hair band was used as a mold. According to the Monshi–Scherrer method, the crystal size of scaffold was calculated 38 ± 2 nm and this value was in the good agreement with average value from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. In addition, the stress–strain compression test of scaffold was considered, and the maximum value of compressive strength was recorded ~15.71 MPa. Taking into account the XRD, TEM, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDAX) analysis, the prepared scaffold was bioactive and the effects of doped Ag-HA and the use of polyvinyltrimethoxysilane (PVTMS) as an additive were desirable. The results showed that the effect of thermal treatment on composed of Ag and HA were impressive while no change in transformation was observed at 850 °C. In addition, PVTMS plays an important role as an additive for preventing the decomposition and creating open-microporous in the scaffold that these porosities can be helpful for increasing bioactivity

Measurement modulus of elasticity related to the atomic density of planes in unit cell of crystal lattices

Young’s modulus (E) is one of the most important parameters in the mechanical properties of solid materials. Young’s modulus is proportional to the stress and strain values. There are several experimental and theoretical methods for gaining Young’s modulus values, such as stress–strain curves in compression and tensile tests, electromagnetic-acoustic resonance, ultrasonic pulse echo and density functional theory (DFT) in different basis sets. Apparently, preparing specimens for measuring Young’s modulus through the experimental methods is not convenient and it is time-consuming. In addition, for calculating Young’s modulus values by software, presumptions of data and structures are needed. Therefore, this new method for gaining the Young’s modulus values of crystalline materials is presented. Herein, the new method for calculating Young’s modulus of crystalline materials is extracted by X-ray diffraction. In this study, Young’s modulus values were gained through the arbitrary planes such as random (hkl) in the research. In this study, calculation of Young’s modulus through the relationship between elastic compliances, geometry of the crystal lattice and the planar density of each plane is obtained by X-ray diffraction. Sodium chloride (NaCl) with crystal lattices of FCC was selected as the example. The X-ray diffraction, elastic stiffness constant and elastic compliances values have been chosen by the X’Pert software, literature and experimental measurements, respectively. The elastic stiffness constant and Young’s modulus of NaCl were measured by the ultrasonic technique and, finally, the results were in good agreement with the new method of this study. The aim of the modified Williamson–Hall (W–H) method in the uniform stress deformation model (USDM) utilized in this paper is to provide a new approach of using the W–H equation, so that a least squares technique can be applied to minimize the sources of errors

Effects of 5 wt.% Polycaprolactone, Polyhydroxybutyrate and Polyvinyltrimethoxysilane on the Properties of Ag/Zn/Mg Alloy

Mg-based alloys have several suitable properties for biomaterials, but they have major problems of being less antibacterial and have a low mechanical strength. To solve these problems, a new combination of Ag/Zn/Mg was prepared in this study, where the presence of Zn and Ag can help to increase the bioactivity. The use of 5 wt.% polymers consisting of PolyCaproLactone (PCL), PolyHydroxyButyrate (PHB) and PolyVinylTriMethoxySilane (PVTMS) is also investigated. DSC, XRD, TEM, FTIR, SEM, and EDAX analysis, as well as mechanical and bioactive behavior, were investigated to characterize the prepared composites. In the comparison, the best behavior was found when PHB was used. The results show that the strength values ranged from ~201 to 261 MPa

X-ray Diffraction Analysis and Williamson-Hall Method in USDM Model for Estimating More Accurate Values of Stress-Strain of Unit Cell and Super Cells (2 × 2 × 2) of Hydroxyapatite, Confirmed by Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Test

Taking into account X-ray diffraction, one of the well-known methods for calculating the stress-strain of crystals is Williamson-Hall (W–H). The W-H method has three models, namely (1) Uniform deformation model (UDM); (2) Uniform stress deformation model (USDM); and (3) Uniform deformation energy density model (UDEDM). The USDM and UDEDM models are directly related to the modulus of elasticity (E). Young’s modulus is a key parameter in engineering design and materials development. Young’s modulus is considered in USDM and UDEDM models, but in all previous studies, researchers used the average values of Young’s modulus or they calculated Young’s modulus only for a sharp peak of an XRD pattern or they extracted Young’s modulus from the literature. Therefore, these values are not representative of all peaks derived from X-ray diffraction; as a result, these values are not estimated with high accuracy. Nevertheless, in the current study, the W-H method is used considering the all diffracted planes of the unit cell and super cells (2 × 2 × 2) of Hydroxyapatite (HA), and a new method with the high accuracy of the W-H method in the USDM model is presented to calculate stress (σ) and strain (ε). The accounting for the planar density of atoms is the novelty of this work. Furthermore, the ultrasonic pulse-echo test is performed for the validation of the novelty assumptions