An ANP application for identifying and prioritizing opportunities and threatens for technology transfer

During the past few years, there have been different changes in global market due to fast development of science and technology. These changes have increased competition among all existing companies and it has made it difficult for new rivals to gain market share. This paper tries to identify the opportunities and threats of technology transfer in one of world’s fastest growing gas development regions called Pars Special Economic Energy Zone. The proposed model of this paper first identify important factors influencing both opportunities as well as threats and then uses analytical hierarchy process to rank all factors. The results show that the threats were more important than the existing opportunities and among the most important threats, embargo and sales of oil were the most important ones

Zataria multiflora Essential oil Prevent Iron Oxide Nanoparticles-induced Liver Toxicity in Rat Model

Over loading of iron oxide nanoparticles can causes the liver injury through overproduction of free radicals. Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Lamiaceae) has been used for many years in folk medicine due to its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This study evaluates -for the first time- the effect of Z. multiflora essential oil (EO) against iron oxide nanoparticles hepatotoxicity in rat model. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 groups; control group (C), non-treated control group (NT), treatment groups, nanoparticles plus Z. multiflora EO at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. In following, the liver and blood tissue were collected for estimating antioxidant / oxidative stress parameters including lipid peroxidation (LP), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and liver enzyme asparate transaminase (AST) and also histopathological examinations. Iron oxide nanoparticles toxicity produced a significant increase in the levels of LP, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and AST activity concomitant with decrease in the levels of GSH and GST activity compared to the control group. However, in the treatment groups received Z. multiflora EO, the levels of LP and AST activity reduced together with increasing in GSH content and GST activity were significantly reported. Histopathological studies also supported the biochemical assessments indicating hepatic improvements induced by nanoparticles. Z. multiflora EO protected the liver from injuries induced by iron oxide nanoparticles which can be correlated with its antioxidant activities. This can be a valuable candidate in modulating the oxidative hepatic injuries

Interleukin-6 and airflow limitation in chemical warfare patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main late complications of sulfur mustard poisoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in war veterans with pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard poisoning and their correlation with severity of airways disease. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with sulfur mustard poisoning and stable COPD, and of mean age 46.3 ± 9.18 years were enrolled in this study. Thirty healthy men were selected as controls and matched to cases by age and body mass index. Spirometry, arterial blood gas, six-minute walk test, BODE (body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity), and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire about quality of life were evaluated. Serum IL-6 was measured in both patient and control groups. Results: Fifty-four percent of patients had moderate COPD. Mean serum IL-6 levels were 15.01 ± standard deviation (SD) 0.61 pg/dL and 4.59 ± 3.40 pg/dL in the case and control groups, respectively (P = 0.03). There was a significant correlation between IL-6 levels and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage (r = 0.25, P = 0.04) and between IL-6 and BODE index (r = 0.38, P = 0.01). There was also a significant negative correlation between serum IL-6 and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1, r = −0.36, P = 0.016). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that serum IL-6 is increased in patients with sulfur mustard poisoning and COPD, and may have a direct association with airflow limitation

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Versus Axillary Thoracotomy in Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Introduction: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is now commonly used for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. In the present study we compared the outcomes of this technique with those obtained by conventional thoracotomy.Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional stud, forty patients were enrolled into two groups: VATS (n=20) and thoracotomy (n=20). In both groups the blebs were resected and pleural abrasion was performed with putting a mesh on the apical surface of the parietal pleura, finalized by patchy pleurectomy and mechanical abrasion with gas. Two groups were appropriately matched for age, gender, side of bleb, indication for surgery, and the smoking habits. As outcome measures, the conversion from VATS to thoracotomy and the early complications including wound infection, air leakage and intraoperative bleeding were assessed. After discharge, follow up schedule included visits at one, three, six months and one year post-operation to evaluate the recurrence rate.Results: Mean age of these forty patients (34 males and 6 females) was 28.4±8.74 years. There was no conversion from VATS to thoracotomy group. The complications, including prolonged air leakage and wound infection, were seen in three patients of each group (totally 6 patients) (P=0.712). One patient in VATS group experienced the recurrence (P=0.235). Average admission time was 5±0.79 days in the VATS and 5.65±0.81 days in the thoracotomy group (P=0.043), duration of surgery in the open thoracotomy and VATS groups were 76±5.52 and 48.35±4.35 min, respectively (

The Evaluation of Diastolic Hypertention in Sleep Overlap Syndrome

Introduction: The overlap syndrome, consisting ofobstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and chronic obstructvie pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major problem in COPD patients. OSHAS corresponds to the likelihood of systemic hypertension.The present study was aimed to evaluate the association between apnea-hypopnea index and diastolic blood presssure (DBP) in overlap  patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving overnight polysomnography after measurment of resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in patients with overlap syndrome in Sleep Laboartory of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran from October 2011 to December 2012. Participants were divided into four subgroups regarding to their Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) (AHI 30).Descriptive statistics included age, body mass index (BMI), OSA, Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), DBP, and neck circumference. Results: Sixty participants ranged between from 46 to 82 years old were entered into this study. There was statistically significant difference in mean DBP among different AHI subgroups (80±0.50, 95±0.60, and 105±0.65, respectively) (

Induction of Localized Hyperthermia by Millisecond Laser Pulses in the Presence of Gold-Gold Sulphide Nanoparticles in a Phantom

Introduction Application of near-infrared absorbing nanostructures can induce hyperthermia, in addition to providing more efficient  photothermal effects. Gold-gold sulfide (GGS) is considered as one of these nanostructures. This study was performed on a tissue-equivalent optical-thermal phantom to determine the temperature profile in the presence and absence of GGS and millisecond pulses of a near-infrared laser. Moreover, the feasibility of hyperthermia induction was investigated in a simulated tumor. Materials and Methods A tumor with its surrounding tissues was simulated in a phantom made of Agarose and Intralipid. The tumor was irradiated by 30 laser pulses with durations of 30, 100, and 400 ms and fluences of 40 and 60 J/cm2. Temperature variations in the phantom with and without GGS were recorded, using fast-response sensors of a digital thermometer, placed at different distances from the central axis at three depths. The temperature rise was recorded by varying duration and fluence of the laser pulses. Results The rise in temperature was recorded by increasing laser fluence and number of pulses for three durations. The temperature profile was obtained at each depth. The presence of GGS resulted in a significant increase in temperature in all cases (