Evaluation of Subcision for the Correction of the Prominent Nasolabial Folds

Background. A prominent nasolabial fold (NLF) is a cosmetic problem. Currently, numerous therapeutic modalities are available for pronounced NLFs with variable efficacy. Objective. To determine the efficacy and safety of subcision using a hypodermic needle for the correction of the prominent NLFs and its effect on skin elasticity. Methods. Sixteen patients with prominent NLFs underwent subcision. The investigators’ assessment of improvement and the patients’ satisfaction were both recorded 1 and 6 months after the procedure. Also, we evaluate the skin elasticity of NLFs before and after the treatment using a sensitive biometrologic device with the measurement of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT). Results. Thirteen (81.25%) patients showed a moderate improvement at 1st month and 13 (81.25%) patients had at least a mild improvement at 6th month. There was no persistent side effect lasting more than a few days. Mean CRRT at 1 and 6 months after the treatment was significantly higher compared to the baseline. Conclusion. Subcision may be considered effective for the correction of pronounced NLFs. However, further controlled studies with larger sample size are necessary to assess the efficacy of this technique in particular with use of more objective assessment of skin biometric characteristics. This trial is registered with IRCT201108097270N1 (registered on January 27, 2012)

Right Ventricular Dysfunction following Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Absence of Pulmonary Hypertension in the Mouse

Background Cardiac remodelling after AMI is characterized by molecular and cellular mechanisms involving both the ischemic and non-ischemic myocardium. The extent of right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction and its relation to pulmonary hypertension (PH) following AMI are unknown. The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in dimensions and function of the RV following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving the left ventricle (LV). Methods We assessed changes in RV dimensions and function 1 week following experimental AMI involving the LV free wall in 10 mice and assessed for LV and RV dimensions and function and for the presence and degree of PH. Results RV fractional area change and tricuspidal annular plane systolic excursion significantly declined by 33% (P = 0.021) and 28% (P = 0.001) respectively. Right ventricular systolic pressure measured invasively in the mouse was within the normal values and unchanged following AMI. Conclusion AMI involving the LV and sparing the RV induces a significant acute decline in RV systolic function in the absence of pulmonary hypertension in the mouse indicating that RV dysfunction developed independent of changes in RV afterload

Threat appraisal for skin cancer among rural farmers in Ilam, Iran

Background: Skin cancers are among the most prevalent malignancies in Iran. According to statistics, it is the most common cancer in the population of Ilam, west of Iran. The present study aimed to assess threat appraisal of skin cancer among rural farmers of Ilam in 2013-2014. Method: In this cross-sectional study, we used multistage random sampling. We collected the data through distribution of a researcher-developed questionnaire among 248 farmers from the rural areas of Ilam in June 2013. The items of the questionnaire were based on the protection motivation theory, and covered components included perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, and rewards. Result: We found a generally lower perceived vulnerability and severity and higher rewards among the farmers; 14.5 and 30.6 of the farmers displayed higher perceived vulnerability and severity, respectively. Only 15.7 of the farmers were low in extrinsic and intrinsic rewards for unprotected behaviours. We found 149 people (60.1) had unacceptable levels of threat appraisal; 2 people (0.8 ) had borderline levels; and 97 people (39.1) had acceptable levels. Also, there was a significant relationship between perceived vulnerability, severity, income, and education level of the participants (P<0.001), but an insignificant relationship was found between family size, threat appraisal (P<0.747), family size and perceived threat (P<0.247). Conclusion: The overall findings of the present study indicated unacceptable levels of psychological perception about skin cancer in farmers, which highlights the importance of designing, implementation, and evaluation of educational interventions related to the issue. © 2013 Iranian Society of Dermatology

Performance Assessment of Series Power Electronic Compensator in a Real LV Network

Due to the requirement of higher Power Quality (PQ) levels in modern distribution systems and the higher load demand in the grids, certain topologies of Power Electronic Compensators (PECs) can be added to LV networks by the Distributer System Operator (DSO) to satisfy the request of the customers. Among the available solutions introduced in the previous studies, the Series PEC (SPEC) can provide the voltage improvement more effectively. In this paper, the performance of the SPEC is investigated in voltage profile improvement of a real LV network with real measured data. Accordingly, the whole year collected data of meters in a city in the north of Italy is used in the assessment of the voltage of the LV distribution feeder. By a preliminary analysis to the grid, the severity and duration of voltage variations are determined during the year. Then the SPEC is added to the grid to stabilize the supply voltage of the substation bus using only reactive power. Accordingly, the grid assessment is repeated for the whole year in the presence of the device. Moreover, the assessment is accomplished with respect to different set points of the SPEC and the device performance is investigated. By an analysis of the results of the simulations, the capability of the device in reducing the voltage variations is studied with respect to the SPEC limits

Hosting capacity enhancement and voltage profile improvement using series power electronic compensator in LV distribution networks

Different types of custom power devices proposed by the researchers can provide a diverse set of services in electrical energy systems. Among them, Series Power Electronic Compensators (SPEC) as Dynamic Voltage Conditioner (DVC) which are connected to the substation of the LV networks can effectively improve the voltage characteristics of the grid in a simple and practical way. In this paper, firstly a short review is given on the effect of the SPEC on the voltage profile of a LV distribution system with real measured data. Moreover, the grid hosting capacity improvement using SPEC is addressed and studied in the LV grid. Hence, a supplementary evaluation is performed by a focus on the min-max voltage curves with respect to the different demand-leveling scenarios. According to the results, the use of a SPEC can effectively enhance the network hosting capacity beside the considerable improvements in the grid voltage. Therefore, it can be effectively applied in modern networks to provide higher levels of power quality in presence of high load or generation conditions. So doing, it should be possible to increase the hosting capacity of a network and therefore to increase the amount of loads and distributed energy resources that the electric distribution network can reliably accommodate without significant grid upgrades