The comparison between effects of Berberis vulgaris Extract and aerobic exercise on none-alcoholic fatty liver in male rat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Berberis vulgaris extract, aerobic exercise or their combination on the indicators of fatty liver, including serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) in Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 equal groups, including B. vulgaris extract, aerobic exercise, B. vulgaris extract combined with aerobic exercise, control and hyperlipidemic group. After blood sampling, CRP and SGPT levels were measured and the data were analyzed by ANOVA and least significance difference tests. SGPT enzyme activity in all experimental groups was reduced significantly compared with hyperlipidemic group (P<0.05). Also, the results of the CRP level in the group receiving the extract of B. vulgaris combined with aerobic exercise showed the lowest average and the largest difference with the hyperlipidemic group (P<0.05). Aerobic exercise combined with B. vulgaris extract could improve fatty liver and is beneficial in these patients

From individual Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to Agent Based Models: modelling multi-factorial and multi-stakeholder decision-making for water scarcity

Policy making for complex Social-Ecological Systems (SESs) is a multi-factorial and multi-stakeholder decision making process. Therefore, proper policy simulation in a SES should consider both the complex behavior of the system and the multi-stakeholders’ interventions into the system, which requires integrated methodological approaches. In this study, we simulate impacts of policy options on a farming community facing water scarcity in Rafsanjan, Iran, using an integrated modeling methodology combining an Agent Based Model (ABM) with Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM). First, the behavioral rules of farmers and the causal relations among environmental variables are captured with FCMs that are developed with both qualitative and quantitative data, i.e. farmers’ knowledge and empirical data from studies. Then, an ABM is developed to model decisions and actions of farmers and simulate their impacts on overall groundwater use and emigration of farmers in this case study. Finally, the impacts of different policy options are simulated and compared with a baseline scenario. The results suggest that a policy of facilitating farmers’ participation in management and control of their groundwater use leads to the highest reduction of groundwater use and would help to secure farmers’ activities in Rafsanjan. Our approach covers four main aspects that are crucial for policy simulation in SESs: 1) causal relationships, 2) feedback mechanisms, 3) social-spatial heterogeneity and 4) temporal dynamics. This approach is particularly useful for ex-ante policy options analysis

Production of low-density and high-strength paperboards by controlled micro-nano fibrillation of fibers

One of the critical challenges in the fber-based packaging industry is to produce low-density paperboards with high functionality and atractive cost structure. In this study, we examine how control of the hierarchical fber swelling can be used to enhance bonding and generate a low-density fber network with excellent strength properties. Here, the osmotic pressure inside the cell wall is increased by adding phosphate groups with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) functional drying method. Together with mechanical refning, this process causes the fbril aggregates to split and swell up massively. This efect was measured by a novel thermoporosimetry analysis method. The treated fbers have enhanced external fbrillation, fbrillar fnes and bonding potential. When mixed with relatively stif, unrefned fbers, a well-bonded sheet with lower density than a conventionally refned reference sheet was achieved. The results suggest that pulp fbers can be “nanoengineered” to enhance performance without the complications of producing and adding nanocellulose

Comparative Analysis of Segment Anything Model and U-Net for Breast Tumor Detection in Ultrasound and Mammography Images

In this study, the main objective is to develop an algorithm capable of identifying and delineating tumor regions in breast ultrasound (BUS) and mammographic images. The technique employs two advanced deep learning architectures, namely U-Net and pretrained SAM, for tumor segmentation. The U-Net model is specifically designed for medical image segmentation and leverages its deep convolutional neural network framework to extract meaningful features from input images. On the other hand, the pretrained SAM architecture incorporates a mechanism to capture spatial dependencies and generate segmentation results. Evaluation is conducted on a diverse dataset containing annotated tumor regions in BUS and mammographic images, covering both benign and malignant tumors. This dataset enables a comprehensive assessment of the algorithm's performance across different tumor types. Results demonstrate that the U-Net model outperforms the pretrained SAM architecture in accurately identifying and segmenting tumor regions in both BUS and mammographic images. The U-Net exhibits superior performance in challenging cases involving irregular shapes, indistinct boundaries, and high tumor heterogeneity. In contrast, the pretrained SAM architecture exhibits limitations in accurately identifying tumor areas, particularly for malignant tumors and objects with weak boundaries or complex shapes. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate deep learning architectures tailored for medical image segmentation. The U-Net model showcases its potential as a robust and accurate tool for tumor detection, while the pretrained SAM architecture suggests the need for further improvements to enhance segmentation performance

The Effect of Different Types of Climates on the Spread of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is the third most common zoonotic disease caused by the coronavirusvirus, SARS in 2002, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012. The primary origin oftransmission of infection to humans is not well known. However, more prevalence of the disease is caused dueto human-to-human transmission. There are relatively few studies on the impact of climate change on COVID-19 disease in the world. Recognizing the behavioral features of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its pathogenicity invarious climatic conditions can offer strategies for control measures, preventing the transmission of the disease,and minimizing the potential mortality risk of the virus, which provides a basis for more detailed studies indifferent climatic regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different types of climate on the spread ofCOVID-19

INFLUENCING FACTORS TO OPTIMIZE THE PROCESSES OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS WITH CUSTOMER- ORIENTED APPROACH

Abstract The aim of the present study reviews the factors affecting optimization processes to provide services to clients with customer-oriented approach. The research method was a descriptive survey. The 50,000 people of the community experts and experts in the fields of Economics, management, marketing, customers, and visitor

Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Persistent Epithelial Defects and Ulceration due to Pseudomonas Keratitis in a Rabbit Model

Purpose: The use of amniotic membrane has been suggested in the treatment ofinfectious keratitis for its intrinsic anti-infective properties probably mediated by its antiinflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) along with ciprofloxacin to cure the primary stages of Pseudomonas keratitis. Methods: In total, 28 rabbits were selected and divided in four groups as follows: group 1 as control, group 2 with amniotic membrane, group 3 with ciprofloxacin, and group 4 with amniotic membrane combined with ciprofloxacin. About 0.05 cc suspension of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 27853 ATCC was injected into corneal stroma. Results: The results showed groups of AMT, AMT + ciprofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin had 0% perforation while the control group had 85.6%. Average infiltration of 5.5 mm was observed in ciprofloxacin group, 5 mm in AMT + ciprofloxacin group, 24 mm in AMT group, and finally 23.75 mm for control. Amniotic membrane showed to be effective in prevention of cornea perforation as well as remission of Pseudomonas keratitis. There was no significant difference between ciprofloxacin groups in comparison with ciprofloxacin + AMT group. However, regarding the anti-inflammatory effect, the process of improvement of inflammation in ciprofloxacin + AMT group was faster. Conclusion: Transplantation of amniotic membrane in the primary stages of Pseudomonas keratitis treatment remarkably prevents the disease and it can be used to control its process

The Use of Nanomaterials in Tissue Engineering for Cartilage Regeneration; Current Approaches and Future Perspectives

The repair and regeneration of articular cartilage represent important challenges for orthopedic investigators and surgeons worldwide due to its avascular, aneural structure, cellular arrangement, and dense extracellular structure. Although abundant efforts have been paid to provide tissue-engineered grafts, the use of therapeutically cell-based options for repairing cartilage remains unsolved in the clinic. Merging a clinical perspective with recent progress in nanotechnology can be helpful for developing efficient cartilage replacements. Nanomaterials, < 100 nm structural elements, can control different properties of materials by collecting them at nanometric sizes. The integration of nanomaterials holds promise in developing scaffolds that better simulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment of cartilage to enhance the interaction of scaffold with the cells and improve the functionality of the engineered-tissue construct. This technology not only can be used for the healing of focal defects but can also be used for extensive osteoarthritic degenerative alterations in the joint. In this review paper, we will emphasize the recent investigations of articular cartilage repair/regeneration via biomaterials. Also, the application of novel technologies and materials is discussed

Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance in Relationship of Emotional Maturity and Spiritual Intelligence with Adjustment to University

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Adjustment to university is an important factor in different dimensions of students’ life such as mental- physical health and social adjustment in the fields outside the university. The aim of this study was to determine mediating role of distress tolerance in the relationship of spiritual intelligence and emotional maturity with adjustment to university.Method: In this correlation study, based on Krejsi and Murgan table, 273 students of Shahid Chamran University in Ahvaz city were selected via multistage cluster sampling method during the fall semester of the academic year of 2016-2017. The participants completed the items of Emotional Maturity Scale, Distress Tolerence Scale, Spiritual Intelligence Inventory and Adjustment to College Scale. The data were then analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, structural equation modeling. All ethical issues were observed in this study and the researchers declared no conflict of interests.Results: The findings showed that emotional maturity, spiritual intelligence, and distress tolerance had positive significant correlation with adjustment to college. There was also a positive significant correlation between emotional maturity as well as spiritual intelligence and distress tolerance. The proposed model for relationship between these variables has acceptable fit with a correction and removal of direct path of spiritual intelligence with adjustment to college. Direct path of emotional maturity to adjustment to college was significant. The analysis based on Bootstrapping indicated that all indirect paths were significant.Conclusion: It is proposed that to raise adjustment to university, educational programs for emotional maturity and spiritual intelligence with an emphasis on enhancing distress tolerance should be developed.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Sharifi Rigi A, Mehrabizade Honarmand M, Beshlideh K, Sarparast A, Khanali Nejad S, Amini Z. Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance in Relationship of Emotional Maturity and Spiritual Intelligence with Adjustment to University. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 5(1): 87- 100. doi: https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v5i1.1940

Evaluation of sensitivity and the specificity of Canadian CT head rule and New Orleans criteria in patients with head injury

BackgroundMillions of people around the world are annually under emergency investigation due to severe head injuries. Computed tomography (CT) scans is a diagnostic procedure that can be done for most people. AimsThis study is aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of Canadian and New Orleans criteria in determining the rate of head injury.Methods To obtain the relationship between clinical symptoms and CT scan results, the required information was obtained by filling out the records and physical examination in the emergency department and the results from the patients were statistically analysed. Data needed to complete the questionnaire was collected from patient, the patient, their concomitant examination, and the information in their medical records. The raw data from the questionnaire was analysed using SPSS version 17 software. In this study, after obtaining the CT scan results, the individuals were classified into two clinical criteria, New Orleans and Canadian, and their sensitivity and specificity were analysed using ROC curve analysis.Results ROC curve analysis data showed that the sensitivity and specificity of New Orleans criteria are 31 per cent and 69 per cent, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of Canadian criteria are 76 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively. Data shows that the Canadian curve has a significant difference compared to basic state (P-Value < 0.05).ConclusionDespite abnormal CT scan results in patients with head trauma, there is a significant relationship between headache and a combination of symptoms in patients. The results can be used in decision-making on involved in performing a CT scan. ROC curve analysis also showed that the Canadian criterion has higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of severe head trauma compared to New Orleans criteria