British or American? Iranian EFL learners’ Perceptions toward English Accents: Exploring possible relationships

Native English accents (British and American) are known as highly favored and accepted varieties compared to other existing accents in English as foreign language (EFL) context. Notwithstanding the research accomplished on EFL learners’ attitudes toward either of the accents (British or American), studies are still scant regarding the investigation of their perspectives in detail toward one of the accents specifically within the context of Iran. The aim of this study is to examine the Iranian EFL learners’ attitudes toward the two major known English accents (British and American. Additionally, the study highlights the major factors contributing to the learners’ preferences toward either of the accents (British or American). To that aim, a developed and validated questionnaire was distributed among 108 EFL learners selected from two of the major EFL contexts (universities and private institutes). The results indicated that the majority of the learners preferred American over British English accent. Besides, factor analysis revealed that American English exposure, lack of guidance, and lack of reinforcement toward British accent were among the mentioned factors accepted by learners for their preference of American. Finally, the study concludes with interpretations regarding the learners’ decision making issues in either of the two major accents, and recommendations are provided for revisiting the EFL learners’ attitudes and insights toward native English accents

Experimental Investigation and CFD Simulation of Top Spray Fluidized Bed Coating System

Experimentally investigated in this work is the hydrodynamics of particulates motion in a cylindrical fluidized bed equipped with a pneumatic nozzle jet flow. Subsequently, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is combined with the Eulerian formulation of multiphase flow to describe the hydrodynamics of particulates motion. Similar to free spray jet velocity profile, the velocity profile of output gas from nozzle is obtained based on the Schlichting equation. Particle trajectories, time dependent fluidization height, gas and solid particles velocity distributions and the fluidization height distribution of particles in different radial positions within the bed have been also considered in the course of experimental and modeling studies. The comparison between the predicted and experimental height of fluidized bed indicates a good agreement between simulation results and experimental data

Association analysis of rs1049255 and rs4673 transitions in p22phox gene with coronary artery disease: A case-control study and a computational analysis

Background The p22phox gene encodes the main subunit of NADH/NADPH-oxidase. This enzyme is expressed in smooth muscle cells of arteries, and it produces the reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, oxidative stress plays a main role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between rs4673 and rs1049255 polymorphisms of p22phox gene with CAD in an Iranian population which was followed with a computational analysis approach. Methods In a cross-sectional study, we collected blood samples of 302 Iranian Caucasian including 143 patients and 159 healthy controls. Genotype of the polymorphisms was detected through PCR-RFLP method. A computational analysis was also performed using SNAP, Polyphen-2, Chou-Fasman, RNAsnp, and miRNA SNP databases. Results Data of case control study demonstrated that CT genotype (R = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.13–3.00, p = 0.014) and T allele (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.09–2.15, p = 0.013) of rs4673 polymorphism, have a significant association with enhanced risk of CAD. But rs1049255 analysis demonstrated the absence of such an association with CAD. Indeed, in silico data analysis demonstrated that rs4673 transition could impact on function of p22phox protein (SNAP score 56, expected accuracy 75%; Polyphen-2 score 0.99, sensitivity 0.09, specificity 0.99). Data derived from miRNA SNP database demonstrated that rs1049255 polymorphism increases the affinity of attachment between has-miR-3689a-3b with 3′-UTR of p22phox gene. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that rs4673 transition may be involved in susceptibility to CAD and could be applied as a potential biomarker for this disease

Effects of submaximal aerobic exercise on regulatory T cell markers of male patients suffering from ischemic heart disease

There are confirmed beneficiary effects of exercise on atherosclerotic inflammation of ischemia-Associated heart diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on T-regulatory cell markers of IL-35 as well as FoxP3 and T-helper2 marker of IL-33 in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). This research was performed on 44 asymptomatic male patients with ischemic heart disease. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups of submaximal aerobic exercise and control group. Blood samples were collected before and after the termination of the exercise protocol. Serum levels of IL-35 and IL-33 as well as the amount of FoxP3 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured by Elisa and Real time PCR, respectively. Serum levels of IL-35 (p=0.001) as well as the amount of FoxP3 gene expression increased significantly (p=0.012) in exercise group even after controlling the likely confounding effects of age, length of ischemia, duration of the disease, and the amount of such factors before exercise (p≤0.042). It seems that exercise may yield a better control of atherosclerotic inflammation in patients with ischemic heart disease through the induction of regulatory T cells

Evaluation of almond shells magnetized by iron nano-particles for nitrate removal from Aqueous Solution: study of adsorption isotherm

زمینه: یکی از شایع‌ترین آلاینده‌های محیط زیست که در آب‌های زیرزمینی و سطحی وجود دارد نیترات است. غلظت بالای نیترات در آب آشامیدنی سبب بیماری‌هایی مثل متهموگلوبین در کودکان، سرطان معده و سقط جنین می‌شود. هدف از این مطالعه بررسی ایزوترم جذب کربن پوست بادام فعال شده با نانو ذرات مغناطیسی آهن و بررسی کارایی آن در حذف نیترات از محیط‌های آبی بوده است. روش بررسی: این مطالعه به روش تجربی انجام گرفت. مرفولوژی جاذب سنتز شده با استفاده از روش‌های FESEM و BET مورد آنالیز قرار گرفت. پارامترهای موثر بر فرایند جذب یون نیترات از جمله pH (8-4)، میزان جاذب(1-25/0 گرم در لیتر)، غلظت اولیه یون نیترات(400-25 میلی گرم در لیتر) و زمان تماس(100-20 دقیقه) مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. در این مطالعه از روش تاگوچی جهت تعیین حجم نمونه و آنالیز آماری استفاده شد. یافته: یافته های حاصل از روش‌های FESEM و BET تایید کرد که نانوذرات مغناطیسی آهن در جاذب سنتز شده دارای اندازه متوسطnm 27-23 و سطح ویژه برابر با g/m2 480/105 بوده است. نتایج نشان داد که درpH بهینه برابر با 4 و زمان تعادل 20 دقیقه، کارایی جذب با افزایش مقدار جاذب تا g/l 1و کاهش غلظت اولیه یون نیترات افزایش یافت (6/4 86/85 ). نتایج ایزوترم تعادلی نشان داد که فرآیند جذب نیترات از ایزوترم لانگمیر (924/0=R2) پیروی می‌کند. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌ها نشان دادند که پوست بادام فعال شده با نانوذره آهن از توانایی مطلوبی در حذف یون نیترات از محلول های آبی برخوردار است. بنابراین با استفاده از این فناوری نسبتا راحت و ساده، می توان گام موثری را در حذف نیترات آبها برداشت

Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome in Morbidly Obese Patients Following Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGBP) is one of the most common bariatric surgeries, which is being performed using various techniques like gastrojejunostomy by hand swen, linear or circular stapler. Abdominal pain is a common complaint following laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure (LGBP), which has different aetiologies, such as overeating, adhesion, internal herniation, bile reflux and many more. In this study LGBP was performed in an ante-colic ante-gastric pattern in a double loop manner and the prevalence and distribution of pain in morbidly obese patients undergoing LGBP was assessed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution and frequency of post LGBP pain in morbidly obese patients. Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 190 morbidly obese patients referred to Hazrat Rasoul Hospital in Tehran. After LGBP, pain was measured in the following intervals: 24 hours, one week and one month after the operation. Before the operation onset, 2 mg Keflin and 5000 IU subcutaneous heparin were administered as prophylaxis. LGBP was performed using five ports including: one 11 mm port was placed 15-20 cm far from the xiphoid, one 12-mm port in mid-clavicular line at the level of camera port, one 5-mm port in subcostal area in ante-axillary region in the left, another 5-mm port in the right mid-clavicular area and a 5-mm port in sub-xyphoid. All operations were done by the same team. Staple was used for all anastomoses and hand sewn technique to close the staple insertion site. The mesenteric defect was left open and no effort was made to repair it. Results: The results of this study showed that 99.94 % of the patients had complains of pain in the first 24 hours of post operation, about 60% after one week and 29.5 % still had pain after one month. In addition, left upper quadrant (LUQ) was found to be the most prevalent site for the pain in 53.7% of the patients in the first 24 hours, 59.6% after one week and 16.8% after one month (except for obscure pain) with a significance of < 0.05. Conclusions: In this study, the authors analyzed the location and disturbance level of pain after LGBP, which could serve as a cornerstone for further researches. The authors suggest that long-term follow-up (for more than a year after operation) should be considered in future studies and also the relationship between the drainage site and pain should be investigated

Evaluating the effect of a mixture of alcohol and acetic acid for otomycosis therapy

Introduction and objective: Otomycosis is a fungal infection of external auditory meatus. The acute form of the disease causes secretion and pruritus. The usual prescribed medicines for otomycosis are topical clotrimazole 1, amphotericin B and otosporin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid for otomycosis. Materials and methods: In the present study 910 patients examined and those suspected to have otomycosis referred to medical mycology laboratory of Golabchi, Kashan. A questionnaire was also filled for each patient. Both direct and culture examinations were used to confirm otomycosis in the patients. Then the patients were treated with the mixture of isopropyl alcohol+acetic acid. Results: Out of 910 examined patients, 60 patients were suspected to have otomycosis and referred to medical mycology lab. Mycological examinations confirmed otomycosis in 52 patients (86.7). Most of the patients (78.8) were cured perfectly after therapy with the mixture of alcohol and acetic acid. After three weeks, in addition to elimination of clinical signs further smear showed no sign of disease. However in four patients there was a relapse of the disease. Conclusion: Due to therapeutic effect of the mixture of isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid for otomycosis, its low side effects and low rate of relapse, it is recommended to use this mixture for the treatment of otomycosis

The effects of vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation on mental health parameters and metabolic status in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation on mental health parameters and metabolic status in diabetic people with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out among 60 diabetic people with CHD, aged 45–85 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks plus 8 × 109 CFU/g probiotic of Lactocare Zisttakhmir Co (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to determine metabolic profiles. Results: After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation resulted in significant improvements in beck depression inventory total score (−2.8 ± 3.8 vs. −0.9 ± 2.1, P = 0.01), beck anxiety inventory scores (−2.1 ± 2.3 vs. −0.8 ± 1.4, P = 0.009) and general health questionnaire scores (−3.9 ± 4.1 vs. −1.1 ± 3.4, P = 0.005). Compared with the placebo, vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation resulted in significant reductions in serum insulin levels (−2.8 ± 3.8 vs. +0.2 ± 4.9 μIU/mL, P = 0.009), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (−1.0 ± 1.6 vs. −0.1 ± 1.5, P = 0.02), and a significant increase in serum 25-OH-vitamin D (+11.8 ± 5.9 vs. +0.1 ± 1.4 ng/mL, P < 0.001), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.03 ± 0.04 vs. −0.001 ± 0.01, P = 0.003) and serum HDL-cholesterol levels (+2.3 ± 3.5 vs. −0.5 ± 3.8 mg/dL, P = 0.004). In addition, changes in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (−950.0 ± 1811.2 vs. +260.5 ± 2298.2 ng/mL, P = 0.02), plasma nitric oxide (NO) (+1.7 ± 4.0 vs. −1.4 ± 6.7 μmol/L, P = 0.03) and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+12.6 ± 41.6 vs. −116.9 ± 324.2 mmol/L, P = 0.03) in the supplemented group were significantly different from the changes in these indicators in the placebo group. Conclusions: Overall, vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation after 12 weeks among diabetic people with CHD had beneficial effects on mental health parameters, serum hs-CRP, plasma NO, TAC, glycemic control and HDL-cholesterol levels. Keywords: Vitamin D Probiotic Mental health Inflammation Oxidative stress Type 2 diabetes mellitus Coronary heart diseas

Using response surface methodology to opitmize the operating parameters in a top-spray fluidized bed coating system

YesThe fluidized bed coating system is a conventional process of particles coating in various industries. In this work, an experimental investigation was conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimize the coating mass of particles in a top-spray fluidized bed coating. The design of experiments (DOEs) is a useful tool for controlling and optimization of products in industry. Thus, DOE was conducted using MINITAB software, version 16. This process used a sodium silicate solution for coating the sodium percarbonate particles. The effect of the fluidization air flow rate, atomization air flow rate and liquid flow rate on the coating mass in the top-spray fluidized bed coating was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the coating mass of particles is directly proportional to the liquid flow rate of the coating solution and inversely proportional to the air flow rate. It was demonstrated that the flow rate of the coating solution had the greatest influence on the coating efficiency.Metallic Material Processing Research Group, ACECR, Branch of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

Evaluating Serum Levels of Pentraxin-3, von Willebrand Factor and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 13 as Inflammatory Markers of Unstable Angina Pectoris

Unstable angina pectoris (USAP) is a complex condition in which widespread coronary inflammatory processes have important implications for clearer understanding of its pathogenesis and also its treatment. This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic as well as prognostic value of serum inflammatory markers of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), Von Willebrand Factor (vWf) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 13 (CXCL13) in such patients. Out of sixty-nine patients, thirty-nine had USAP, thirty had stable angina pectoris (SAP), and thirty-nine were healthy controls. For all participants, serum PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels were measured using ELISA. For each patient with USAP, the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and the scores of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) were calculated to determine the severity of the disease. We, then, analyzed the relation of PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels with TIMI and GRACE scores in patients with USAP. Serum PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in USAP group than those in either SAP or control groups (p�0.001). Strong correlation was observed between CXCL13 level and TIMI risk score (p=0.019). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC) values of PTX3, vWf and CXCL13 for detection of USAP were 0.755, 0.751, and 0.906, respectively. The levels of serum PTX3, vWf and CXCL13 increased in patients with USAP. The notable correlation implied that CXCL13 might be a sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of USAP as well as its severity. It might also show additional diagnostic values when measured in combination with vWf