Inequalities for the Polar Derivative of a Polynomial

In this paper we obtain new results concerning maximum modulus of the polar derivative of a polynomial with restricted zeros. Our results generalize and refine upon the results of Aziz and Shah [An integral mean estimate for polynomial, Indian J. Pure Appl. Math. 28 (1997) 1413--1419] and Gardner, Govil and Weems [Some result concerning rate of growth of polynomials, East J. Apporox. 10(2004) 301--312]

S100B Protein as a Post-traumatic Biomarker for Prediction of Brain Death in Association With Patient Outcomes

Background: S100B is a calcium-binding protein, belonging to the S100 family proteins which are characterized by their high solubility and, currently, comprises 21 members which are expressed in a cell-specific manner. If we can predict the possibility of definite brain death after brain injury, we will rescue some organs of body to transplant proposes. Objectives: In this regard our study focused on the S100B protein value in predicting brain death after head trauma. In this study, the use of serum level of protein S100, 24 hours after trauma has been considered as a reliable index for predicting brain death. Patients and Methods: 72 patients (50 male and 22 female) aged 5 - 80 years old (median 40 ± 17.72 years) with severe head traumas (GCS ≤ 8) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and computed tomography (CT) scan findings were recorded for all patients, and then a single 5mL blood sample was obtained from each patient on admission, after 48 hours and a week later or after brain death to determine the level of S100B protein. Results: Primary and the last GCS of patients had a predictive value in determining brain death (P < 0.0005), also there was a significant correlation between GCS and level of S100B protein. There was a significant correlation between CT scan findings and S100B protein only after 48 hours of trauma. Conclusions: Changes in S100B protein, especially the levels of this dimer 48 hours after trauma can be used as marker to predict brain death. Alongside other known prognostic factors such as age, GCS and diameters of the pupils, however, this factor individually can not conclusive predict the patient's clinical course and incidence of brain death. However, it is suitable to use GCS, CT scan, clinical symptoms and biomarkers together for a perfect prediction of brain death

Investigation of heavy metals in edible mushrooms consumed in Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: آلودگی به فلزات سنگین یکی از نگرانی های مهم بهداشت مواد غذایی است. وجود عناصر سمی در بستر قارچ ها ممکن است منجر به جذب آن ها شود که در این صورت مصرف قارچ با اشکال مواجه خواهد شد. این تحقیق با هدف تعیین غلظت عناصر سنگین منگنز، کروم، آهن، سرب، روی و مس در قارچ خوراکی موجود در شهرکرد صورت گرفته است. روش بررسی: این مطالعه به روش مقطعی- توصیفی انجام گرفت. 6 نمونه از قارچ های خوراکی پرورشی موجود در بازار شهرکرد و 2 نمونه از قارچ خوراکی وحشی انتخاب گردید. نمونه برداری به روش سرشماری با 3 بار تکرار به فاصله ی زمانی یک ماهه در فصل بهار انجام شد. از هر نوع قارچ 3 نمونه و در مجموع تعداد 24 نمونه گرفته شد. نمونه ها با استفاده از روش هضم اسیدی هضم شدند، سپس توسط دستگاه اسپکترو متری جذب اتمی غلظت عناصر تعیین گردید. یافته ها: میانگین مقادیر سنجش شده روی (94/14&plusmn;29/61)، (11/29&plusmn;48/58)، آهن (69/8&plusmn;29/26)، (93/11&plusmn;30/28)، سرب (56/0&plusmn;05/2)، (35/0&plusmn;07/2)، کروم (41/0&plusmn;46/1)، (91/0&plusmn;1/1)، مس (68/5&plusmn;99/22)، (67/6&plusmn;83/25) و منگنز (72/0&plusmn;8/3)، (99/0&plusmn;25/6) میلی گرم در کیلوگرم به ترتیب در قارچ های پرورشی و وحشی به دست آمد. یافته های این تحقیق نشان می دهد که میانگین غلظت روی در هر 2 نوع قارچ (وحشی- پرورشی) در حد مجاز استاندارد (CODEX/FAO/WHO) کروم، سرب، آهن بیش تر از حد مجاز استاندارد و منگنز، مس کم تر از حد مجاز استاندارد به دست آمد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به اینکه برخی نمونه ها حاوی فلز سنگین کروم، سرب، آهن با مقادیر بالاتر از حد مجاز می باشند و با توجه به مصرف روز افزون قارچ های خوراکی پرورشی در ایران دقت بیش تری در مورد شرایط و محیط پرورشی قارچ ها لازم می باشد

Marked increase in the incidence rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma in a high-risk area for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth common cancer worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAD) are the most common histologic types of EC. Many recent reports showed an increasing trend in EAD and a decreasing trend in ESCC in many Western countries. Golestan Province in northeastern Iran has been known as a high-risk area for EC. The aim of this study was to describe the time trend of EAD in this area between 2000-2009. METHODS: Data on cancer cases were obtained from Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry. Analysis was done using Joinpoint software. To examine the incidence trends, the annual percent change was calculated. The possibilities of anatomic and histologic misclassification were considered by assessing the trend of ESCC and gastric adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: A total number of 1186 histologically-confirmed EC cases were recruited. The incidence rate of EAD showed a significant increasing trend. There was no significant trend in the incidence of ESCC during the study period. A significant increase in the incidence rate of gastric adenocarcinoma was observed during the period of 2000-2005, followed by a plateau during the period of 2005-2009. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant increasing trend in the incidence rate of EAD. We find no evidence to support an alternative explanation including anatomic and histologic misclassification. So, the observed rise in the incidence of EAD seems to be real. Therefore, designing and implementation of control programs, including control of preventable risk factors of EAD, should be considered in this high- risk area

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its associated risk factors: The first report from Iran using both microalbuminuria and urine sediment

Background: The incidence of major risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the world is on the rise, and it is expected that this incidence and prevalence, particularly in developing countries, will continue to increase. Using data on urinary sediment and microalbuminuria, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of CKD in northeast Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of CKD in a sample of 1557 regionally representative people, aged � 18 years, was analyzed. CKD was determined based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and microalbuminuria. Life style data, urine and blood samples were collected. Urine samples without any proteinuria in the initial dipstick test were checked for qualitative microalbuminuria. If the latter was positive, quantitative microalbuminuria was evaluated. Results: 1557 subjects with a mean age of 56.76 ± 12.04 years were enrolled in this study. Based on the modifcation of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation, 137 subjects (8.89%) were categorized as CKD stages III-V. Based on urine abnormalities, the prevalence of combined CKD stages I and II was 10.63%, and based on macro- and microalbuminuria it was 14.53%. The prevalence of CKD was significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, education, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), ischemic heart disease (IHD), waist to hip ratio, myocardial infarction (MI), and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Conclusion: CKD and its main risk factors are common and represent a definite health threat in this region of Iran. Using and standardizing less expensive screening tests in low resource countries could be a good alternative that may improve the outcome through early detection of CKD

Association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphism and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: Brief report

Background: Cytotoxic lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) plays an important role in regulating T cell activation. CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms are related with genetic susceptibility to various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We analyzed the role of CTLA-4 polymorphisms at positions -318CT in patients who suffer from SLE. Methods: This study was performed on 180 SLE patients referred to 5th Azar University Hospital in Gorgan, Iran. Three hundred and four ethnically-and age-matched healthy controls with no history of autoimmune diseases entered the study between 5th May 2008 and 23rd October 2009. DNA was extracted from blood samples according to the standard procedure. Polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to analyze the genotype and allele frequencies of this polymorphism. PCR was carried out using the following primers: forward 5′- AAATGAATTGGACTGGATGGT-3′ and reverse 5′-TTACGAGAAAGGAAGCCGT G-3′. The frequency of alleles and genotypes were assessed using direct counting. Chisquare test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the association between the alleles and genotype frequencies and SLE. P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The CC genotype was observed in 94.5% of the SLE patients and 82.4% of the controls; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0001, OR=3.51, CI95%=1.77- 7.53). The CT genotype, on the other hand, was more frequently observed in the control group (17.1% vs. 5.5%, P=0.0001, OR=0.28). T allele was significantly more common in the controls compared to SLE patients (P=0.0001, OR=0.26, CI95%=0.13-0.53). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the -318C/T polymorphism of CTLA-4 gene might play a significant role in the genetic susceptibility to SLE. Therefore, further studies on populations, especially from other Middle East countries, are needed to confirm our results. © 2015, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All Rights Reserved

No evidence of association between CTLA-4 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in Iranian patients

Aim: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an important negative regulator of T-cell responses. CTLA-4 polymorphisms have been confirmed to be associated with several autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We analyzed the role of CTLA-4 polymorphism at positions -1661 and -1722 in Iranian patients suffering from SLE. Methods: One hundred and eighty SLE patients and 304 ethnically and age-matched healthy controls were studied. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to analyze the genotype and allele frequencies of these polymorphisms. Results: There was no significant association between the studied genotypic and allelic frequencies between SLE patients and the controls. Although the TC genotype in 1722TC polymorphism was more common among the control group, the correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the -1661AG and -1722TC polymorphisms in the promoter region of the CTLA-4 gene does not play any role in genetic susceptibility to SLE. However, further studies on larger sample sizes are needed to approve our results. © 2013 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

Prevalence of Cannabis Lifetime Use in Iranian High School and College Students: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analyses,and Meta-Regression

Cannabis is the most widely used substance in the world. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of cannabis lifetime use (CLU) in high school and college students of Iran and also to determine factors related to changes in prevalence. A systematic review of literature on cannabis use in Iran was conducted according to MOOSE guideline. Domestic scientific databases, PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar, relevant reference lists, and relevant journals were searched up to April, 2014. Prevalences were calculated using the variance stabilizing double arcsine transformation and confidence intervals (CIs) estimated using the Wilson method. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q statistic and I-2 index and causes of heterogeneity were evaluated using meta-regression model. In electronic database search, 4,000 citations were retrieved, producing a total of 33 studies. CLU was reported with a random effects pooled prevalence of 4.0 (95 CI = 3.0 to 5.0). In subgroups of high school and college students, prevalences were 5.0 (95 CI = 3.0 to -7.0) and 2.0 (95 CI = 2.0 to -3.0), respectively. Meta-regression model indicated that prevalence is higher in college students (beta = 0.089, p < .001), male gender (beta = 0.017, p < .001), and is lower in studies with sampling versus census studies (beta = -0.096, p < .001). This study reported that prevalence of CLU in Iranian students are lower than industrialized countries. In addition, gender, level of education, and methods of sampling are highly associated with changes in the prevalence of CLU across provinces

To Learn or Not to Learn Features for Deformable Registration?

Feature-based registration has been popular with a variety of features ranging from voxel intensity to Self-Similarity Context (SSC). In this paper, we examine the question on how features learnt using various Deep Learning (DL) frameworks can be used for deformable registration and whether this feature learning is necessary or not. We investigate the use of features learned by different DL methods in the current state-of-the-art discrete registration framework and analyze its performance on 2 publicly available datasets. We draw insights into the type of DL framework useful for feature learning and the impact, if any, of the complexity of different DL models and brain parcellation methods on the performance of discrete registration. Our results indicate that the registration performance with DL features and SSC are comparable and stable across datasets whereas this does not hold for low level features.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure