A genetic variant in the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily R member 1 determines response to vitamin D supplementation

Background Globally, about 1 billion people have inadequate levels of serum vitamin D and it is prevalent in all ethnicities and age groups. Few foods naturally contain sufficient vitamin D; therefore, most people get their requirements through supplementation. Hence vitamin D status is affected by genetic and environmental determinants including season of measurement, diet habitual, health status, body mass index and concurrent medication. Further studies are necessary to understand how genetic variation influences vitamin D metabolism. We aimed to explore the association between a potential vitamin D-related polymorphism (the rs10766197 polymorphism in the CYP2R1 gene) with the response to supplementation of vitamin D in 253 healthy Iranian girls. Material and method A total of 253 healthy subjects received 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly for 9 weeks. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations and metabolic profiles were measured at baseline and after 9 weeks of supplementation. The genotypes of the CYP2R1 variant (rs10766197) were identified using TaqMan genotyping assays. Results Serum 25(OH)D during the supplementation, increased in all individuals. Subjects with a AA major genotype at this locus had higher vitamin D concentrations after intervention (Changes (%) 448.4% ± 425% in AA vs 382.7% ± 301% in GG). This genetic variant modulated the response to supplementation (p < 0.001 and p-value SNP = 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the probability of affecting serum 25(OH)D, in individuals who had homozygous major allele GG was two-fold higher than carriers of the uncommon allele A (OR = 2.1 (1–4.2); p = 0.03). Interestingly, the Hs-CRP was reduced in AA carries while was elevated in individuals with GG and AG genotypes, after high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion Changes in serum vitamin D and metabolic profile following high dose supplementation with vitamin D were associated with CYP2R1 polymorphism. Although carriers of the common G allele showed a greater response in the serum vitamin D

The use of appropriate colors in the design of children's rooms: A Short Review

color has the ability to inspire, excite, soothe, heal and even agitate. This is particularly true for children, who can be extra sensitive to color's impact. So the importance of picking out just the right color for a young child's room shouldn't be underestimated. When choosing colors to use for your rooms home it's important to think about the mood you want to create and whether you want it to feel light and airy or cozy and intimate. Knowing the difference between warm and cool colors is the first step

The Effect of Atorvastatin on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type Two Diabetes

Background and Aim: Regarding to paradoxical results of the studies about the effects of atorvastatin on inflammatory markers and metabolism, we aimed to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin on inflammatory markers in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Through a double blind randomized clinical trial, placebo control, 88 type two diabetic patients (T2DP), were treated with anti-diabetes oral agents, were randomly classified into two 44 cases groups. The intervention group took atorvastatin 40 mg daily and control group took placebo for three months and adiponectin, hsCRP, leptin, TNF-α, lipid profile and fasting blood glucose (FBS) were measured and compared at the beginning and the end of the study. The data were analyzed using student t test and paired t test. Findings: After three months, adiponectin was significantly increased in intervention group in comparison to control group, but leptin had not a significant change in two groups. Total cholesterol, hsCRP and LDL cholesterol (Low density Lipoprotein) were decreased significantly in the intervention group than control group, while FBS was non-significantly decreased. Conclusion: It seems atorvastatin is effective to decrease inflammatopry markers in diabetic patients

Clinical Accuracy of Ipex Apex Locator for Measurement of Root Canal Length of Primary Molars

Background and Aim: Radiography is the most commonly used technique for root canal length determination but its application in pedodontics is difficult due to problems namely the radiation hazards, superimposition of permanent teeth buds and uncooperative children. Electronic apex locator (EAL) is used for determination of root canal length. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of an Electronic Apex Locator (Ipex) in measuring the root canal length of primary teeth in-vivo .   Materials and Methods: This clinical study was conducted on 50 root canals of primary teeth that had to be extracted. After local anesthesia induction and caries removal, access cavities were prepared and the length of root canals was measured using Ipex Electronic Apex Locator. After the extraction of teeth, the actual length of canals was measured using a #15 K file from a reference point. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and intra-class correlation coefficient .   Results: The accuracy of Ipex was 20% for accurate determination of actual root canal length, 66% for estimation within ±0.5mm of the apex and 80% for estimation within ±1 mm of the apex. Paired t-test revealed a significant difference between the actual root canal length and the length displayed by Ipex ( P<0.001). A direct strong correlation existed between the length measured by Ipex and the actual root canal length (r=0.957 )   Conclusion: Ipex had a tendency to underestimate the actual root canal length. Since the working length is shorter than the actual root canal length, Ipex may be used for endodontic treatment of primary teeth

Wharton’s Jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells can Differentiate into Hepatocyte-like Cells by HepG2 Cell Line Extract

Background: Wharton’s jelly is an unlimited source of stem cells that can be used in cell therapy and tissue engineering without any ethical concern. It has been revealed the cell-free extract could be effective to induce cell differentiation. The objective of this study was to induce Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells by premeabilization of the cells in the presence of HepG2 cell line extract. Methods: MSCs were isolated from the umbilical cord, CD marker profile and their differentiation potential into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages were determined. The cells were then, permeabilized by streptolysin O in the presence of HepG cell extract. The treated cells were cultured for 17 days. The cell phenotype was evaluated and the hepatocyte specific markers were detected by immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry. The Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) reaction and the cellular uptake of indocyanine green were performed to evaluate the functional behavior of the differentiated cells. Results: The phenotype of extract-treated MSCs changed into a round or polygonal cells with few short processes and they could express high level of albumin, cytokeratin 18 and 19. The MSCs also could store glycogen and uptake and release indocyanine green. Conclusion: We demonstrated for the first time that Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs could differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells by premeabilization of them in the presence of HepG2 cell extract. This study suggests a feasible method to differentiate MSCs into functional hepatocyte-like cells

Growth suppression effect of human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and Wharton's jelly of umbilical cord on PBMCs

Objective(s):Immunosuppressive property of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has great attraction in regenerative medicine especially when dealing with tissue damage involving immune reactions. The most attractive tissue sources of human MSCs used in clinical applications are bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), and Wharton's jelly (WJ) of human umbilical cord. The current study has compared immunomodulatory properties of human BM, AT, and WJ-MSCs. Materials and Methods: Three different types of human MSCs were isolated, cultured, and characterized by flow cytometry and differentiation potentials. The MSCs were co-cultured with allogeneic phytohemagglutinin (PHA) activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proliferation of PBMCs was assessed by flow cytometry of carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) stained cells and compared to each other and to the growth of PBMCs in the absence of MSCs, 3 days post co-culture. Additionally, the growth suppression was indirectly assessed by using the transwell culture system. Results: the proliferation of PBMCs reduced to 6.2, 7 and 15.4- fold in cultures with AT-MSCs, WJ-MSCs, and BM-MSCs, respectively, compared to the PHA-activated cells. When the growth suppression was indirectly assessed by using the transwell culture system, it was revealed that AT-MSCs, WJ-MSCs, and BM-MSCs caused growth reduction in PBMCs to 3, 8, and 8 -fold, respectively, compared to the PHA-activated cells. Conclusion:These data collectively conclude that the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs, which may mostly carry out through direct cell to cell contact, are different between various sources. Accordingly results of this study may contribute to the application of these cells in cell therapy and regenerative medicine

Dynamic Assessment( DA) and Evaluation of Problem-solving Skills in Childeren

  Introduction: The term dynamic assessment (DA) refers to an assessment, by an active teaching process, of a child's perception, learning, thinking, and problem solving. The process is aimed at modifying an individual's cognitive functioning and observing subsequent changes in learning and problem-solving patterns within the testing situation. DA has been advocated as an alternative and/or supplemental approach to traditional standardized testing with children who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD). Methods: This study was a causal-comparative that including 58 children of  5 kindergartens of Mashhad, with 6 to 6.5-year-old, with  available sampling.  Kindergartens were selected of areas (1,2,4,5,6) of Mashhad-Iran. Variable of intelligence in children, was controlled by the Raven’s  IQ test. Results: Eight children were perceived process at the level of symbolic, eighteen children in the visual-image (visual) and thirty-two children were perceived process at the level of  visual-motor (functional representation). Results showed children were perceived process at the level of symbolic, only 50% of them were used these method in practice. These results for children in the visual-image was 66.6% and for children were perceived process at the level of  visual-motor was 68.7%. Conclusion: Dynamic assessment is a method of education and according to methods of teacher (symbolic, visual, functional representation), children also, often engage in the same level of performance and problem solving. Keywords: Children, Dynamic assessment, Problem-solving, ZPD

Multi-objective optimization of building-integrated microalgae photobioreactors for energy and daylighting performance

As a state-of-the-art green façade technology, building-integrated microalgae bioreactor has the potential to reduce buildings’ carbon footprint and energy consumption. The present study aims to address the knowledge gap in the energy and daylighting performance of algae photobioreactor façade. The paper first studies the effects of algae windows on building energy saving through simulation analysis of an office building in Mashhad, Iran, with a cold semi-arid climate. It also presents a multi-objective optimization framework for the optimization of the energy and daylighting performance of algae windows integrated with an office building facade. Two optimization metrics include maximum Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) (%), and minimum Energy Use Intensity (EUI) (kWh/m 2/yr), representing optimal daylighting and energy performance metrics, respectively. The results demonstrate that a microalgae window significantly reduces building energy consumption comparing with single-glazed, double-glazed, and water windows. The extent of energy savings varies with window size, algae density, and façade orientation. The proposed optimization framework helps increase the average values of energy performance metrics by 21.37%, 33.25%, 36.22%, 39.67%, and daylighting metrics by 4.60%, 14.43%, 13.34%,14.33%, in the north, south, east, and west, respectively and sequentially. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that window size has the highest effect on two studied performance metrics for all orientations, while algae density has minimal effect on energy consumption and no considerable effect on daylighting performance. Building energy performance simulation is validated by ASHRAE140-2017. Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Design of Construtio

Healthy Bread Initiative: Methods, Findings, and Theories 12Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

The scientific evidences show that the content, baking methods, and types of bread can make health impacts. Bread, as a major part of Iranian diet, demonstrates a significant potential to be targeted as health promotion subject. Healthy Food for Healthy Communities (HFHC) was a project of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP), consisting of a wide variety of strategies, like Healthy Bread (HB) Initiative. The HB Initiative was designed to improve the behaviour of both producers and consumers, mainly aiming at making high-fibre, low-salt bread, eliminating the use of baking soda, providing enough rest time for dough before baking (at least one hour), and enough baking time (at least one minute in oven). A workshop was held for volunteer bakers, and a baker-to-baker training protocol under direct supervision was designed for future volunteers. Cereal Organization was persuaded to provide less refined flour that contained more bran. Health messages in support of new breads were disseminated by media and at bakeries by health professionals. Evaluation of the HB Initiative was done using before-after assessments and population surveys. While HB was baked in 1 (0.01%) bakery at baseline, 402 (41%) bakeries in the intervention area joined the HB Initiative in 2009. Soda was completely eliminated and fibre significantly increased from 4\ub10.4 g% before study to 12\ub10.6 g% after the intervention (p&lt;0.001). The preparation and baking times remarkably increased. Wastage of bread decreased from 13\ub11.8 g% to 2\ub10.5 g% and was expressed as the most important advantage of this initiative by consumers. People who lived in Isfahan city consumed whole bread 6 times more than those who lived in reference area Arak (p&lt;0.001). The HB Initiative managed to add new breads as a healthy choice that were compatible with local dishes and made a model to solve the longstanding problems of bread. It used various health promotion approaches but was best consistent with Beattie\u2019s model

Healthy Bread Initiative: Methods, Findings, and Theories−Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

The scientific evidences show that the content, baking methods, and types of bread can make health impacts. Bread, as a major part of Iranian diet, demonstrates a significant potential to be targeted as health promotion subject. Healthy Food for Healthy Communities (HFHC) was a project of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP), consisting of a wide variety of strategies, like Healthy Bread (HB) Initiative. The HB Initiative was designed to improve the behaviour of both producers and consumers, mainly aiming at making high-fibre, low-salt bread, eliminating the use of baking soda, providing enough rest time for dough before baking (at least one hour), and enough baking time (at least one minute in oven). A workshop was held for volunteer bakers, and a baker-to-baker training protocol under direct supervision was designed for future volunteers. Cereal Organization was persuaded to provide less refined flour that contained more bran. Health messages in support of new breads were disseminated by media and at bakeries by health professionals. Evaluation of the HB Initiative was done using before-after assessments and population surveys. While HB was baked in 1 (0.01%) bakery at baseline, 402 (41%) bakeries in the intervention area joined the HB Initiative in 2009. Soda was completely eliminated and fibre significantly increased from 4±0.4 g% before study to 12±0.6 g% after the intervention (p<0.001). The preparation and baking times remarkably increased. Wastage of bread decreased from 13±1.8 g% to 2±0.5 g% and was expressed as the most important advantage of this initiative by consumers. People who lived in Isfahan city consumed whole bread 6 times more than those who lived in reference area Arak (p<0.001). The HB Initiative managed to add new breads as a healthy choice that were compatible with local dishes and made a model to solve the longstanding problems of bread. It used various health promotion approaches but was best consistent with Beattie’s model