From inflation to acceleration, with phantom and canonical scalar fields in non-flat universe

AbstractMotivated by the recent work of Elizalde et al. [E. Elizalde, S. Nojiri, S.D. Odintsov, D. Saez–Gomez, V. Faraoni, Phys. Rev. D 77 (2008) 106005], we generalize their work to the non-flat case. We consider a universe filled with matter and show that it is possible to obtain both inflation and accelerated expansion at late times by using a single scalar field. Realistic examples are worked out in order to illustrate this fact. Then we extend the problem to the interacting case

The effect of lidocaine spray early after tonsillectomy on pain and vomiting

زمینه و هدف: تانسیلکتومی (tonsillectomy) یکی از شایعترین اعمال جراحی است که با عوارضی نظیر استفراغ و درد همراه می باشد. در این مطالعه اثر اسپری لیدوکائین در کاهش عوارض مذکور بررسی شده است. روش مطالعه: این مطالعه یک کارآزمایی بالینی تصادفی دو سویه کور می باشد که در طی پنج ماه روی 100 بیمار که با رعایت تصادفی سازی به دو گروه مورد و شاهد تقسیم شده بودند انجام گرفت. در گروه مورد بلافاصله بعد از اتمام تانسیلکتومی در بستر لوزه اسپری لیدوکائین 10 mg/kg)4) و در گروه کنترل همان حجم اسپری نرمال سالین به عنوان دارونما استفاده شد. مقدار استامینوفن مصرفی توسط بیماران در سه روز بعد از عمل در پرسشنامه هایی ثبت شد. نتایج: میانگین و انحراف معیار دفعات مصرف استامینوفن بر حسب mg/kg/day در گروه کنترل به ترتیب 43/1±01/3، 62/1±80/2 و 2/1±86/1 در روز اول، دوم و سوم بعد از عمل محاسبه شد و در گروه مورد این مقادیر به ترتیب 92/0±3/1، 02/1±07/1 و 83/0±94/0 بدست آمد. میانگین و انحراف معیار مقدار مصرف استامینوفن بر حسب mg/kg/day در گروه کنترل در روزهای اول و دوم و سوم بعد از عمل به ترتیب 02/13±93/28، 40/12±46/26 و 41/12±3/18 بود و درگروه مورد به ترتیب ارقام 71/9±07/12، 71/7±39/10 و 23/6±03/9 بدست آمد. با توجه به آنالیز نتایج با تست t، مقدار و دفعات مصرف استامینوفن در گروه مورد به طور معنی داری از گروه کنترل کمتر بود ولی کاهش استفراغ در گروه مورد از نظر آماری معنی دار نبود. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به نتایج فوق، مصرف لیدوکائین بعد از عمل تانسیلکتومی برای بیماران مفید به نظر می رسد

The Effect of Ultrasound Pretreatment on Hydrolysis Time by Pepsin Enzyme to Produce Antioxidant Peptides from Edible Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Protein

Introduction  Free radicals originate from oxidation reactions decrease food quality and also promote incidence of various diseases such as cancer. In this regard, the use of natural compounds with antioxidant properties, such as bioactive peptides, is of interest to many researchers. Food-derived bioactive peptides, can play an important role in the oxidative systems. Ultrasound, as a cheap and green technology, is widely used to extract proteins and antioxidant compounds. Ultrasound pretreatment before enzymatic hydrolysis can open the protein structure and increase the intensity of proteolysis by increasing the exposure of peptide bonds prone to enzymatic hydrolysis; which increases the production efficiency of bioactive peptides. Ultrasound treatment changes the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Therefore, a combination of pretreatment with ultrasound and sequential enzymatic hydrolysis can be a promising way to modify the function of proteins.   Materials and Methods  In this research the effect of hydrolysis time and ultrasonic pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis of edible mushroom protein by pancreatic enzyme to produce peptides with high antioxidant capacity was evaluated. First edible mushroom was turned into powder and then, in order to optimize the production of hydrolyzed proteins with maximum antioxidant activity, the hydrolysis was performed 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 minutes with a ratio of enzyme to substrate of 1% (based on the result of previous research) and at 40°C in four conditions (1- without ultrasound pre-treatment, 2- with ultrasound pre-treatment with 40% power, 3- with ultrasound pre-treatment with 70% power and 4- with ultrasound pre-treatment with 100% power) by ultrasound probe in 5 minutes before adding the enzyme. In the next step, the antioxidant capacity of hydrolyzed proteins was measured at different times by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, iron ion reduction power, iron ion chelation and total antioxidant capacity.   Results  The results showed that the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity in untreated and treated samples with 40, 70 and 100% ultrasound power were 69.1, 77.45, 79.07 and 80.27, respectively. In most of the hydrolysis times, DPPH free radical scavenging activity in ultrasound treatment with 100% power was higher than the samples treated with 40 and 70% power. The highest total antioxidant capacity in untreated and treated samples with 40, 70 and 100% ultrasound power were 0.871, 1.025, 1.05 and 1.2 (absorption at 695 nm), respectively. In most of the hydrolysis times, the total antioxidant capacity in the samples treated with ultrasound with 100% power was higher than the samples treated with 40 and 70% power. The results showed that the highest reducing power of Fe3+ in untreated and treated samples with 40, 70 and 100% ultrasound power were 2.03, 2.40, 2.44 and 2.51(absorption at 700 nm), respectively. The highest iron ion chelation power in untreated and treated samples with 40, 70 and 100% ultrasound power were 25.22, 30.40, 26.52 and 41.10%, respectively. By increasing the ultrasound power in most of the hydrolysis times, the chelating power of iron ions in the ultrasound treatment with 100% power was higher than the samples pretreated with 40 and 70% power. The results showed that samples pretreated with 100% power ultrasound have the highest antioxidant properties compared to samples without pretreatment and pretreated with 40% and 70% ultrasound power. Based on the results, using ultrasound treatment with 100% power and during hydrolysis time of 60 minutes, a product with high antioxidant capacity was obtained and selected as a suitable treatment.   Conclusion  The ultrasonic mechanism is attributed to its thermal effects, cavitation and mechanical efficiency, so that it can increase the mass transfer and increase the contact between the substrate and the enzyme or change the spatial structure of the substrate. The results showed that samples pretreated with ultrasound with 100% power have the highest antioxidant properties compared to samples without pretreatment and pretreated with 40 and 70% power. Therefore, the use of high-power ultrasonic pretreatment shortens the hydrolysis time to achieve peptides with higher antioxidant capacity and thus increases the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis

Associations between socio-environmental determinants and the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in Guilan, Iran

Background: Certain social determinants may influence host susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) infections, and increase the risk of developing the disease. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of several host and environmental factors on the risk of TB in northern Iranian households. Patients and Methods: This case control study was conducted for one year between 2010 and 2011 in the Guilan province in Iran. Eightyseven confirmed TB positive cases, based on convenience sampling, were included in this study. A patient positive for TB was confirmed by a positive sputum smear, chest X-ray, and clinical manifestations as diagnosed by a physician. The data were collected using observational methods, and were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The average mean age of the TB cases was 51±22 years old, and 40.2 (35/87) of the TB cases were male and 59.8 (52/87) were female. The majority of TB cases were from rural areas (71.3, 62/87), while 28.7 (25/87) were from urban areas. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed between the geographical conditions and distribution of the disease. The room density of the individuals was significantly different (2.9±1.2 vs. 2.2±1.9, P<0.002) among the TB cases and control group, respectively. A statistical difference was observed between the groups in terms of the building materials (P < 0.05), while significantly inadequate UV irradiation was seen in the houses of the TB patients, compared to the control group (82.8 vs. 14.9,P<0.001). The hygiene of the houses seemed to be a significant risk factor (P<0.001) for TB infection.Conclusions: The results suggest that in the studied region several host and environmental factors were associated with higher risks of TB infection. © 2016, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center

Alternative inflationary scenario due to compact extra dimensions

The main goal of this paper is to give an alternative interpretation of space-like and time-like extra dimensions as a primary factor for inflation in the early universe. We introduce the 5-dimensional perfect fluid and compare the energy-momentum tensor for the bulk scalar field with space-like and time-like extra dimensions. It is shown, that additional dimensions can imply to negative pressure in the slow roll regime in the early higher-dimensional world.Comment: 6 page

Diabetes mellitus and bell's palsy in Iranian population

During last decades many researchers have focused on the conditions associated with Bell's palsy including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and viral infections. This study was performed to evaluate correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy and some relevant features not discussed in the literature in an Iranian population. The presence of diabetes mellitus was evaluated in a total number of 275 subjects (75 patients with Bell's palsy and 200 control subjects). Diabetes mellitus was noted in 10 (13.3) patients with Bell's palsy among which 6 case were diagnosed as new cases of diabetes. Previous history of Bell's palsy was present in 10.67 of the subjects with Bell's palsy. This study confirms the correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy for the first time in an Iranian population. We suggest screening tests for diabetes mellitus to be a routine part in the management of patients with Bell's palsy, especially in developing countries. © 2008 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Composition and functional properties of isolated protein from Myctophid (Benthosema pterotum) using pH shift method

This study investigated the composition and functional properties of isolated fish protein from Lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum). The proteins were isolated by using pH shift method. Basic pHs (10 and 12) were used to produce fish protein isolate. Fat contents of samples revealed that alkaline had a significant effect on reduction of fat in fish protein isolate. The lipid content decreased significantly by increasing the pH. Furthermore, the results showed that the functional properties including water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, emulsifying capacity, foaming and solubility were improved with increasing the pH and the fish protein produced at pH 12 had higher functional properties than the protein isolated at pH 10. Investigation and comparison of the color characteristics (L, a and b) attributed to the samples demonstrated that fish protein isolated at pH 12 was lighter (higher L) than that isolated at pH 10. In addition, redness (a) and yellowness (b) of protein isolates declined with increasing the pH. As a result, fish protein isolate from Lanternfish produced using alkaline pH showed appropriate functional properties and alkaline led to improvement of the functionality and color characteristics of the protein isolate

Comparison of plankton and benthic organisms diversity and density in sturgeon hatcheries and assessing their effects on condition factor in sturgeon fingerlings

Phytoplankton and benthic organisms diversity and density were studied in six sturgeon rearing ponds in the Yousefpour and Shahid Beheshti hatcheries from 22 April to 1 July 2001. We used Ruttner sampler, plankton net with a mesh size of 50 microns and Ekman grab to sample the organisms on a weekly basis and fixed the samples in formalin solution 4% and then identified 22 genera of phytoplanktons for the three ponds in the Yousefpour hatchery and another 21 genera for the three ponds in the Shahid Beheshti hatchery. Planktons from the phyra Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Chrysophyta, Cryptophyta and Euglenophyta were present in the ponds. Schroederia sp. of the phyla Chlorophyta was the dominant species identified. We observed 2 x 106 and 1 x 106 cells of phytoplanktons per milliliter of pond water in the Yousefpour and Shahid Beheshti hatcheries respectively. The zooplankton phyla Arthropoda and Rotifera were represented with 9 genera in the two hatcheries showing a density of 36937 and 46603 zooplanktons per liter of water in the Yousefpour and Shahid Beheshti hatcheries respectively. Insect larvae and oligochaeta worms were the benthic organisms common to both hatcheries and mollusks were present only in the Yousefpour hatchery. The average benthic biomass was 1.58±0.19 and 2.16±0.75 g/m2 in the Yousefpour and Shahid Beheshti hatcheries respectively. The condition factor in sturgeon fingerlings of the Yousefpour hatchery varied from 0.294 to 0.554 while that of sturgeon fingerlings of the Shahid Beheshti hatchery were 0.297 to 0.6

Biotechnique of rearing beluga (H.huso) using brackishwater of the Caspian Sea (different densities and water flow)

This study was conducted at the Applied Research Station for Sturgeon Culture (Chaboksar site) and was supported by the Iranian Fisheries Research Organization in order to obtain the bio technique for Huso huso culture in brackish water from the Caspian Sea. The effects of stocking density and water flow at the inlet of brackish water was studied for a period of 4 years using 4 weight classes and the results obtained were compared with those obtained from the culture of H. huso in freshwater. Huso huso in four weight classes of 3-20 g, 20-200 g, 325-1000 g and 1000-3000 g were stocked at stocking densities between 350 g to 15 kg m^-2. The effect of water flow in rearing tanks was studied in weight classes 30- 2700 g. In the weight class 3-20 g, highest growth was recorded in H. huso stocked at 1000 g m^-2 in brackish water which was significantly higher (P<0.5) than that recorded in freshwater suggesting the advantage of rearing H. huso in brackish water at improved density of 1000 g m^-2. Results obtained from total length in juvenile H. husoconform to these results. It may therefore be concluded that in the weight class 3-20 g, stocking density of 1000 g m^-2 is not a limiting factor on growth in juvenile H. huso. Low specific growth rate (SGR) was reported with a stocking density of 1500 g m^-2 in freshwater which was not significantly different from that in brackish water. Hence rearing juvenile H. huso in brackish water at high densities (1500 g m^-2) is preferred to rearing in freshwater as H. huso is more capable of adapting to stressful conditions of stocking density in brackish water. Similar trends were observed for percentage body weight increase (BWI%) showing the advantage of using a stocking density of 1000 g m^-2 in brackish water. Production in different groups showed variations depending on stocking density biomass. Condition factor was low when H. huso was reared in freshwater at a stocking density of 1500 g m^-2. Similarly CVw was low in the experimental group reared at a density of 500 g m-2 in brackish water, while CVtl in the group reared at 1500 g m^-2 in brackish water was low. The calculated value for CVw/tl was low with stocking density of 500 g m^-2 in brackish water and freshwater. Final body weight and growth indices in the 20-200 g weight class in the experimental group using 1000 g m^-2 in brackish water were higher than that in freshwater. Similarly growth indices and final body weight of juvenile H. huso at 2000 and 1500 g m^-2 stocking densities were higher than the values obtained with similar stocking densities in freshwater. SGR and growth rate (GR) of H. huso at stocking density of 1500 g m^-2 was significantly higher in brackish water than that in freshwater. Comparison of results obtained from weight and total length in weight classes 325-560 g showed that until they reach a weight of 560 g, stocking density of 1.3 kg m^-2 in brackish water is preferred to the densities 2.6, 3.9 and 5.2 kg m^-2. Comparison of results indicate that in the weight class 325-560 g, better results are obtained when juvenile H. huso are reared in brackish water at densities of 1.3, 2.6 and 3.9 kg m^-2 as compared to that obtained from the use similar densities in freshwater. Statistical analysis of SGR indicates that stocking densities up to 2.6 kg m^-2 do not limit growth. Also it was also evident from the analyses of SGR and FCR that stocking density of 5.2 kg m^-2 is not considered suitable for juvenile H. huso in the weight class 325-560 g. On the basis of results obtained for SGR, GR and FCR it maybe concluded that up to the 760 g weight class, stocking densities of 1.3 and 2.6 kg m^-2 were statistically better than other densities studied. Moreover rearing juvenile H. huso at these stocking densities in brackish water also proved better than that in freshwater. In the weight class 650-1000 g, stocking fish at densities of 2.6 -10 kg m^-2 in brackish water did not seem to affect final body weight, total length and SGR. At stocking densities 5.1 and 7 kg m^-2, GR for juvenile H. huso in brackish water were significantly higher than that obtained in freshwater using the same stocking densities. Similarly FCR and FE values obtained for juvenile H. huso in this weight class in brackish water were significantly better (P<0.05) than those obtained in freshwater. SGR values obtained at stocking densities 7 and 10 kg m^-2 support these findings. Based on body weight, total length and GR values it may be concluded that stocking density of 10 kg m^-2 does not restrict growth in juvenile H. huso until they reach a body weight of 1000 g. Similarly a stocking density of 7.5 kg m^-2 does not limit growth in juvenile H. huso until they reached a body weight of 1150 g and stocking densities of 5.1 kg m^-2 and 2.6 kg m^-2 do not limit growth in juvenile H. huso until they reach body weights of 1300 and 1500 g, respectively. Rearing H. huso in these weight classes at different stocking densities of 10, 7.5 and 5.1 kg m^-2 in brackish water was significantly better than rearing them in freshwater. Also based on feeding indices (FCR, FE, SGR and GR) in these weight classes, stocking densities of 2.6 and 5.1 kg m^-2 in brackish water were significantly more suitable than other stocking densities studied in the same culture medium. Results obtained from rearing juvenile H. huso at stocking densities of 2.6, 5.1 and 7.5 kg m^-2 in brackish water was significantly better than that obtained in freshwater at the same stocking densities. Based on growth (SGR, BWI) and feeding (FE) indices in the weight class 900-3000 g it is evident that experimental group 5 (with stocking density of 10 kg m^-2 , water flow of 3 L sec^-1) was significantly better (P<0.05) than all other groups studied. It may also be concluded from the results obtained by studying stocking densities and water flow that stocking density of 10 kg m^-2 used for rearing juvenile H. huso in the weight class 900 g until they reach a weight of 3000 g is not a limiting factor on their growth. It was also observed that juvenile H. huso are highly capable of adapting to their environment. The one-way water supply and daily water exchange with different water flow rates ranging from 1 to 6 L sec^-1 yielded similar results. It was clearly evident that a water flow rate of 0.5 L sec^-1 in brackish water and freshwater resulted in significantly lower growth in juvenile H. huso. Highest growth was reported in brackish water with a flow rate of 1.5 and 3 L sec-1. In freshwater, highest growth was recorded with flow rates of 3 L sec^-1. Higher water flow rates improved growth indices in H. huso. Improved condition factor and variable coefficients of weight and total length were observed in experimental groups in brackish water and freshwater, except in the experimental group with a flow rate of 0.5 L sec^-1 in freshwater. In the weight class 530-2000 g, water flow rate of 3 L sec-1 produced higher final weight in juvenile H. huso in freshwater as compared to that in brackish water. Similar results were obtained in freshwater and brackish water with water flow rate of 1.5 L sec^-1. Data on carcass composition of farmed H. huso indicated no significant effect of freshwater and brackish water on protein and lipid levels. In both rearing media, diets were formulated to meet the dietary requirements of H.huso and hence carcass composition conformed to the quality of diets