Effects of Zataria multiflora and Eucalyptus globolus essential oils on haematological parameters and respiratory burst activity in Cyprinus carpio

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Zataria multiflora and Eucalyptus globolus essential oils on some haematological parameters and respiratory burst activity in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). 260 fish (30±5g) were randomly distributed in 13 treatment groups; each one in three replicates and different doses of essential oils in 16-17ºC were administrated. The fish were sampled on day 1, 2, 8, 15 and 22 after the 8-day trial. Haematological parameters (red blood cell count, haematocrit) and respiratory burst activity were then evaluated in all treatment groups. The results suggest that essential oils especially Zataria multiflora in dietary intake significantly enhanced respiratory burst activity of blood neutrophlis (P< 0.05). Meanwhile, essential oils had moderate effects on RBC and haematocrit. Significant increases in RBC and haematocrit levels were just noted in T11 treatment group (P< 0.05). This study indicates that dietary administration of Zataria multiflora and Eucalyptus globolus essential oils could be used to promote the health status of common carp during temperature stress

The effect of serum vitamin D normalization in preventing recurrences of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A case-control study

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a condition with recurrent attacks in a significant proportion of patients. The present case- control study was conducted to assess the influence of serum vitamin D normalization on recurrent attacks of vitamin D deficient patients. Methods: Diagnosis of BPPV was made based on history and clinical examination and exclusion of other conditions. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) was measured using ELISA method and a levels of < 20 ng/ml was considered a deficiency of vitamin D. Inclusion criteria were as follows: history of recurrent attacks and serum 25-OHD < 20.ng/ml. While the patients with history of trauma, surgery and chronic systemic diseases were excluded. The patients were classified into two groups: treatment and control, intermittently. Both groups received Epley rehabilitation therapy one session per week for 4 weeks but the treatment group received an additional supplement of 50.000 IU of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) weekly for two months to achieve serum 25-OHD � 30 ng/ml and the study patients were followed-up for 6 months. Results: Twenty-seven patients were allocated to each group. At baseline, serum 25-OHD was similar (10.7�2.3 vs 11.41�1.9, P=0.23). At month 2, serum 25-OHD in the treatment group increased significantly to � 30 ng/ml, whereas serum 25-OHD in the control group remained unchanged (34.2�3.3 vs 10.6 10.6�2.2 ng/ml, P=0.001). During the follow-up period, attacks of BPPV in the treatment group decreased significantly compared with the control group (14.8 vs 96.3 OR= 0.18, P=0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the normalization of serum vitamin D significantly reduces BPPV recurrences

Application of numerical methods to simulate the unsteady flow of lean liquor solution through a porous medium made up of porous ore particles

Unsaturated flow of liquid in a bed of uniform and spherical ore particles is studied numerically and experimentally. An unsteady and two-dimensional model is developed based on the mass conservation equations of the liquid phase in the bed and in the particles. The model equations are solved using a fully implicit finite difference method giving the distribution of the degree of saturation in the particles and in the bed and the vertical velocity of flow in the bed, as well as, the effect of periodic infiltration on the above distributions. To calibrate the computational model, several column tests are performed using periodic infiltration of water on 40 cm high columns composed of ore having particles smaller than 25 mm. The numerical analysis shows that (a) the results obtained from numerical modelling under the same operating conditions as used for column tests, are in good agreement with those from the experimental procedure, (b) the degree of saturation of the bed and the time required to reach steady state conditions depend on the inflow of water and intrinsic permeability of the bed and (c) the velocity fluctuations and the fluctuations of the degree of saturation in the bed depend on the inflow of water, period of infiltration, height, and intrinsic permeability of the bed

Perspectives on the revised Ghent criteria for the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome

Three international nosologies have been proposed for the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome (MFS): the Berlin nosology in 1988; the Ghent nosology in 1996 (Ghent-1); and the revised Ghent nosology in 2010 (Ghent-2). We reviewed the literature and discussed the challenges and concepts of diagnosing MFS in adults. Ghent-1 proposed more stringent clinical criteria, which led to the confirmation of MFS in only 32%-53% of patients formerly diagnosed with MFS according to the Berlin nosology. Conversely, both the Ghent-1 and Ghent-2 nosologies diagnosed MFS, and both yielded similar frequencies of MFS in persons with a causative FBN1 mutation (90% for Ghent-1 versus 92% for Ghent-2) and in persons not having a causative FBN1 mutation (15% versus 13%). Quality criteria for diagnostic methods include objectivity, reliability, and validity. However, the nosology-based diagnosis of MFS lacks a diagnostic reference standard and, hence, quality criteria such as sensitivity, specificity, or accuracy cannot be assessed. Medical utility of diagnosis implies congruency with the historical criteria of MFS, as well as with information about the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic triggers, prognostic triggers, and potential complications of MFS. In addition, social and psychological utilities of diagnostic criteria include acceptance by patients, patient organizations, clinicians and scientists, practicability, costs, and the reduction of anxiety. Since the utility of a diagnosis or exclusion of MFS is context-dependent, prioritization of utilities is a strategic decision in the process of nosology development. Screening tests for MFS should be used to identify persons with MFS. To confirm the diagnosis of MFS, Ghent-1 and Ghent-2 perform similarly, but Ghent-2 is easier to use. To maximize the utility of the diagnostic criteria of MFS, a fair and transparent process of nosology development is essential

The impact of carbon monoxide inhalation on developing noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common types of fatal poisonings worldwide. Acute exposure to high levels of CO as well as chronic exposure to low levels of CO and excessive noise can lead to high frequency hearing loss. In this study, twelve guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups: (1) exposed to noise and (2) exposed to noise plus CO. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were measured prior to the experiment and immediately, 5, 10 and 15 days post exposures. There was a significant difference between the ABR thresholds before and immediately after exposure to noise at frequencies of 4, 8, and 16 kHz and the most threshold shift was observed at 8 kHz. There was also a significant difference between the ABR thresholds before and immediately after exposure to noise and CO at frequencies of 2, 4, 8, and 16 kHz which demonstrated a temporary hearing loss after exposure to noise and CO and the major impact of CO on developing noise induced hearing loss occurred at 8 kHz. No significant difference was observed between the ABR thresholds recorded before conducting the experiments and the ones obtained 5, 10 and 15 days after simultaneous exposure to noise and CO at none of frequencies. Simultaneous exposure to noise and CO contributes to transient hearing loss in guinea pigs with the most evident temporary shift at 8 kHz. The methods were accepted in the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Science (registration No. CTRI/2016/01/017170) on January 18, 2016. © 2020 Medical Gas Research

The Effect of Different Methods of Fluoride Administration at Different Concentrations on the Load-Deflection Properties of Rhodium-Coated Niti Archwires

Background and Objective: Fluoride compounds are widely used for the control of dental plaque. Considering the effect of different fluoride compounds on the mechanical properties of orthodontic wires, this study was conducted to analyze the effect of different methods of fluoride administration at different concentrations on the load-deflection properties of rhodium-coated NiTi orthodontic archwires. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 30 patients aged between 15 and 25 years referring to Babol University of Medical Sciences due to dental crowding and didn't have vertical skeletal defects. 0.016-inch Rhodium-Coated A-NiTi wire was placed on patients' maxillary brackets. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of ten: The control group used only fluoride toothpaste, the second group used fluoride toothpaste with sodium fluoride mouthwash (0.05%) and the third group used fluoride toothpaste with Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride gel (1.23% APF). After six weeks, the values of unloading force (N), yield strength (N/m2) and stiffness (N/m) of the wires were obtained using a three-point bending test. Findings: The mean unloading force and stiffness of the second group wires were higher than that of the other groups and in the first group, they were higher than the control group in all values, but no significant differences were found between the groups. There was a significant difference between the yield strengths of different groups (p=0.038). The mean yield strength in the second group was higher than the other groups (0.94±0.16 N/m2) and was significantly different from the control group (0.75±0.19 N/m2) (p=0.030). Conclusion: According to this study, method of fluoride administration does not affect the unloading force and stiffness but the yield strength of rhodium-coated NiTi archwires increases with an increase in the fluoride concentration

Response to the Bam Earthquake: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of the Top and Middle Level Health Managers in Kerman, Iran

Introduction: The 2003 Bam, Iran earthquake resulted in high casualties and required international and national assistance. This study explored local top and middle level managers’ disaster relief experiences in the aftermath of the Bam earthquake. Methods: Using qualitative interview methodology, top and middle level health managers employed during the Bam earthquake were identified. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with participants. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Results showed that the managers interviewed experienced two main problems. First, inadequacy of preparation of local health organisations, which was due to lack of familiarity of the needs, unavailability of essential needs, and also increasing demands, which were above the participants’ expectations. Second, inappropriateness of delivered donations was perceived as a problem; for example, foods and sanitary materials were either poor quality or expired by date recommended for use. Participants also found international teams to be more well-equipped and organised. Conclusions: During the disaster relief period of the response to the Bam earthquake, local health organizations were ill prepared for the event. In addition, donations delivered for relief were often poor quality or expired beyond a usable date

Ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic valve dysfunction in bicuspid aortic valve disease

BACKGROUND: The relationship of aortic valve dysfunction and ascending aortic aneurysm is unclear in adults with bicuspid aortic valve disease. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 134 consecutive out-patients (98 men, 36 women aged 43+/-18years) with bicuspid aortic valve disease. To investigate the relationship of ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic valve dysfunction we exclusively considered severe pathologies that required treatment by surgical or percutaneous intervention. RESULTS: Of 134 patients, 39 had aortic valve dysfunction without concomitant ascending aortic aneurysm which had been treated previously with isolated valve surgery or percutaneous valvuloplasty comprising 25 patients with aortic stenosis (19%) and 14 patients with aortic regurgitation (10%). Conversely, 26 patients had ascending aortic aneurysm which had been treated previously with aortic surgery (19%). Of these, ascending aortic aneurysm was associated with severe aortic stenosis in 13 patients and with severe aortic regurgitation in 7 patients, whereas aneurysm was unrelated to severe aortic valve dysfunction in the remaining 6 patients including 2 without any degree of aortic valve dysfunction. The maximal aortic diameters were similar at the time of aortic surgery irrespective of presence of severe aortic valve dysfunction (P=.527). Other characteristics of patients with ascending aortic aneurysm were also similar irrespective of presence or type of aortic valve dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease exhibit ascending aortic aneurysm in conjunction with severe aortic valve dysfunction. However, in our study 6 of 134 (5%) of persons with bicuspid aortic valve disease developed ascending aortic aneurysm without aortic valve dysfunction

Overview of electric energy distribution networks expansion planning

Planning of the electric distribution networks is complex and about upgrading the system to satisfy the demand and constraints with the best economic plan. The planning alternatives include the expansion of substations, installing new distributed generation (DG) facilities, upgrading distribution feeders, etc. In the modern networks, distribution planners must gain the confidence of the reversibility of the investment where renewable energy resources (RERs) inject clean and cost-effective electrical power to respond to the rising demand and satisfy environmental standards. This paper is an exhaustive review on the distribution network expansion planning (DEP) including the modelling of DEP (possible objective functions, problem constraints, different horizon time, and problem variables), optimization model (single/multi-objective), the expansion of distributed energy resources (DERs), problem uncertainties, etc. We discuss the requirements of integrated energy district master planning to avoid conflicts between the goal of independence of district planning on energy, e.g. heat and electricity, and that of dependencies on the local electric utilities regarding instant power balance and stability services. Finally, we describe the primary future R&D trends in the field of distribution network planning