Unstimulated whole saliva cortisol levels during ramadan in iranian muslims

Aims: Ramadan is a great opportunity for scientific research due to its peculiar nature. This study was designed to investigate whether morning saliva cortisol pick can change during and after Ramadan compared to before it. Materials and methods: A total of 30 healthy volunteer men (aged between 30 and 76 years) were asked to participate in a cross-sectional study between August 12 and September 10, 2010. Saliva was collected 2 weeks before the beginning of Ramadan (BR), during the first week (R1), middle (R2), the last week (R3) of Ramadan and 3 weeks after Ramadan (AR). Cortisol concentration was analyzed by ELISA. Statistical analysis of one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Results: The mean unstimulated saliva cortisol concentration and its output were significantly higher in the BR than during and after Ramadan. Conclusion: Mean saliva cortisol concentration and its output tended to be lower during and 3 weeks after Ramadan. Clinical significance: Cortisol as a stress hormone seems to be low during Ramadan

The effects of phase III cardiac rehabilitation in serum and salivary Hs-CRP and anthropometric measurements in patients with coronary artery disease

Aim: Cardiac rehabilitation is a key part in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) by its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of exercise training programs on salivary concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with coronary artery disease has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of phase III cardiac rehabilitation on serum and salivary levels of hs-CRP, in relation to the anthropometric measurements of obesity and the relationship between salivary and serum levels of hs-CRP in CAD male patients. Materials and methods: Forty male volunteers (45-75 years) with CAD participated in 6 to 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise training consisting of 45 minutes sessions of treadmill, stationary bicycle and arm ergometer. Anthropometric measurements of obesity, serum level of hs-CRP, stimulated and nonstimulated salivary level of hs-CRP were measured at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of exercise sessions. Results: All anthropometric measurements increased (p < 0.05) following cardiac rehabilitation except waist-hip ratio. Serum hs- CRP level reduced by 36 independent to the anthropometric measurements changes. Stimulated and nonstimulated salivary hs-CRP level decreased 68 and 54, respectively, after 24 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation. Nonstimulated salivary hs-CRP levels correlated to serum levels of hs-CRP at baseline and after 24 sessions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Phase III cardiac rehabilitation seems to be effective to improve serum and salivary hs-CRP concentrations independent of anthropometric measurements. Clinical significance: Nonstimulated salivary hs-CRP measurement could be a surrogate for blood measurement of hs-CRP during cardiac rehabilitation in male patients with CAD

The influence of temperature alterations on eccentric contraction-induced isometric force and desmin loss in ratmedial gastrocnemius muscle

In this study isolated perfused rat muscle was used to examine the direct effect of temperature changes on the eccentric contraction-induced force and desmin loss. The left medial gastrocnemius muscle was separated and the entire lower limb was transferred into a prewarmed (35°C) organ bath. Temperature was adjusted to 31 or 39°C before and during eccentric contractions. Maximal isometric force and desmin loss were measured after 15 isometric or eccentric contractions. According to our data, organ bath temperature changes before or during eccentric contractions had no significant effect on force loss. However, a strong correlation between desmin loss and temperature changes before (r = 0.93, p<0.05) and during (r = 0.87, p<0.05) eccentric contractions was observed. Present results suggest that cooling before or during eccentric contractions may decrease desmin loss

The cognitive profile of people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders

Several studies have examined the cognitive profile of people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (IQ > 70), and its relationship with the symptoms of ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV). However, no data exist on the similarities or differences in this profile in less affluent countries. The present study examined the cognitive profile and its relationship with the symptoms of ASD and ADHD in 30 subjects aged 6�16 years with high-functioning ASD and compared the results with those of 30 typically developing (TD) subjects. In line with previous research findings, the WISC-IV cognitive profile analysis of subjects with high-functioning ASD showed a good competence in Matrix Reasoning and weaknesses in Comprehension, but the main distinguishing point was the competence in processing speed in both groups. In the present study, the Verbal Comprehension Index correlated negatively with the communication symptoms, and the Working Memory Index correlated positively with the social symptoms in the ASD group. Given the similarities that exist between the results of the present research and previous studies, it may be concluded that there are similarities in the cognitive profile of individuals with ASD. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

The Hospitalization Rate of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis before and during COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives: There are several reports of the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In this study, we aimed to compare the hospitalization rate of CVST before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (before vaccination program). Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the hospitalization rate of adult CVST patients in Namazi hospital, a tertiary referral center in the south of Iran, was compared in two periods of time. We defined March 2018 to March 2019 as the pre-COVID-19 period and March 2020 to March 2021 as the COVID-19 period. Results: 50 and 77 adult CVST patients were hospitalized in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, respectively. The crude CVST hospitalization rate increased from 14.33 in the pre-COVID-19 period to 21.7 per million in the COVID-19 era (P = 0.021). However, after age and sex adjustment, the incremental trend in hospitalization rate was not significant (95% CrI: -2.2, 5.14). Patients \u3e 50-year-old were more often hospitalized in the COVID-19 period (P = 0.042). SARS-CoV-2 PCR test was done in 49.3% out of all COVID-19 period patients, which were positive in 6.5%. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥3 at three-month follow-up was associated with age (P = 0.015) and malignancy (P = 0.014) in pre-COVID period; and was associated with age (P = 0.025), altered mental status on admission time (P\u3c0.001), malignancy (P = 0.041) and COVID-19 infection (P = 0.008) in COVID-19 period. Conclusion: Since there was a more dismal outcome in COVID-19 associated CVST, a high index of suspicion for CVST among COVID-19 positive is recommended

Short-term effects of X-ray on viscoelastic properties of epithelial cells

Examining the effects of ionizing radiation on the living cell is significant due to its usage in recent centuries. Investigations into the long- and short-term effects of ionizing radiation began simultaneously with its discovery. Previous studies were done on the effects of radiation on cell DNA or the biochemical cycle based on the electromagnetic radiation wavelength, intensity, and exposure time. Considering some dependent parameters like cell communication, the differentiation and the mechanical interactions of intercellular environment, and cell mechanical properties, the effects of ionizing radiation on the viscoelastic properties of cells seem to be important. The current research investigated the short-term biomechanical effects of ionizing radiation and examined the mechanical properties of cells using magnetic tweezer cytometry with nanomagnetic particles. To evaluate these effects, cells were incubated with nanomagnetic particles and then separated into controlled and irradiated groups. A 3 mGy cm 2 X-ray was radiated to the irradiated group for 0.02 s. The dishes of both groups were inserted into magnetic tweezer cytometry for applying a magnetic force pulse, and the cell membrane displacement was detected by an image processing system. The creep response of the membrane was determined for viscoelastic model curve fitting. The frequency responses of the model for both groups were calculated. The results showed that radiation could decrease cell extensibility from 0.084 ± 0.001 to 0.019 ± 0.001 µm and change the storage and loss modulus as the indicator of the viscoelastic property of the material. This research explains that radiation could affect cellular mechanical properties. © IMechE 2019

Physiotherapy Students’ Attitudes to Basic Medical Sciences Courses

&nbsp;Aims: Students&rsquo; attitude to the basic sciences courses has a considerable impact in their clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of undergraduate and graduate students to the Physiotherapy rather than basic science. Instrument & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 151 undergraduate and graduate schools of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Tehran and Iran University of Medical Sciences students using easy access sampling in October and November of 2012. To evaluate the attitude and the importance and effectiveness subscales the West questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17 software using One-way ANOVA, independent T, and logistic regression tests. Findings: There was a significant difference between the sexes in response to items 1, 4, 7 and 8. The attitudes mean and the importance and effectiveness subscales were greater in women in the bachelor fifth and seventh semesters. The attitude and the importance of women were significantly more positive than men in Master degree students of the first semester, but there was no statistically significant difference between the sexes in the third semester of the Master degree students. Conclusion: Bachelor and Master students' positive attitudes toward physical science is affected by their gender and women pay more attention to learn treatment physiologically details, while men are more likely to emphasize on the results of the treatment. By increasing the presence of women in Master degrees their attitude get closer to men

Short-term effects of X-ray on viscoelastic properties of epithelial cells

Examining the effects of ionizing radiation on the living cell is significant due to its usage in recent centuries. Investigations into the long- and short-term effects of ionizing radiation began simultaneously with its discovery. Previous studies were done on the effects of radiation on cell DNA or the biochemical cycle based on the electromagnetic radiation wavelength, intensity, and exposure time. Considering some dependent parameters like cell communication, the differentiation and the mechanical interactions of intercellular environment, and cell mechanical properties, the effects of ionizing radiation on the viscoelastic properties of cells seem to be important. The current research investigated the short-term biomechanical effects of ionizing radiation and examined the mechanical properties of cells using magnetic tweezer cytometry with nanomagnetic particles. To evaluate these effects, cells were incubated with nanomagnetic particles and then separated into controlled and irradiated groups. A 3 mGy cm 2 X-ray was radiated to the irradiated group for 0.02 s. The dishes of both groups were inserted into magnetic tweezer cytometry for applying a magnetic force pulse, and the cell membrane displacement was detected by an image processing system. The creep response of the membrane was determined for viscoelastic model curve fitting. The frequency responses of the model for both groups were calculated. The results showed that radiation could decrease cell extensibility from 0.084 ± 0.001 to 0.019 ± 0.001 µm and change the storage and loss modulus as the indicator of the viscoelastic property of the material. This research explains that radiation could affect cellular mechanical properties. © IMechE 2019

Effect of hindlimb unloading on stereological parameters of the motor cortex and hippocampus in male rats

Hindlimb unloading (HU) can cause motion and cognition dysfunction, although its cellular and molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the stereological parameters of the brain areas involved in motion (motor cortex) and spatial learning - memory (hippocampus) under an HU condition. Sixteen adult male rats, kept under a 12: 12 h light-dark cycle, were divided into two groups of freely moving (n=8) and HU (n=8) rats. The volume of motor cortex and hippocampus, the numerical cell density of neurons in layers I, II-III, V, and VI of the motor cortex, the entire motor cortex as well as the primary motor cortex, and the numerical density of the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus subregions of the hippocampus were estimated. No significant differences were observed in the evaluated parameters. Our results thus indicated that motor cortical and hippocampal atrophy and cell loss may not necessarily be involved in the motion and spatial learning memory impairment in the rat. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc

Application of High-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Muscle Tension Dysphonia Patients With the Pain Complaint: The Immediate Effect

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the immediate effect of the application of high-frequency Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)in muscle tension dysphonia (MTD)patients with the pain complaint. Materials and methods: Thirty patients with MTD, 10 men and 20 women with a mean age of 36.40 ± 5.76 years, participated in the study. The patients were randomized into two groups: (1)Treatment group (TENS)(10 women and 5 men)and (2)Sham TENS group (10 women and 5 men). The treatment group (TENS)received a unique 20-minute session of high-frequency TENS. The sham TENS group was treated in the same condition as the treatment group and received a unique 20-minute session of high-frequency TENS, but no stimulation was given. Auditory-perceptual assessments, acoustic voice analysis, vocal tract discomfort (VTD), and musculoskeletal pain were used to compare the patients pre- and post-treatment. Results: There was a significant improvement in the asthenia parameter of auditory-perceptual assessment in the TENS group. This improvement in asthenia was significant when comparing the TENS group with the sham TENS group. These differences in the asthenia were not significant after using Holm-Bonferroni correction. A comparison of the VTD before and after the TENS application showed there was a significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms (burning, tight, dry, pain, tickling, sore, irritable, and lump in the throat). When comparing the TENS group with the sham TENS group, improvements in burn, tight, dry, pain, and irritable items of VTD were observed. However, after applying the Holm-Bonferroni correction, only reductions in dry and pain items remain significantly different between the groups. After the TENS application, the pain intensity was significantly reduced in the anterior and posterior neck, larynx, submandibular, masseter, temporal region, and upper back. After applying the Holm-Bonferroni correction, pain intensity reduction was significant in the anterior neck and larynx. When comparing the TENS group with the sham TENS group, pain intensity was reduced significantly in the larynx of the TENS group. This difference between the two groups was not significant after using Holm-Bonferroni correction. The pain and VTD assessments in the present study were performed using valid and reliable self-reported scales (NMSQ-E and VTD). Conclusion: High-frequency TENS can be used in the voice treatment program of patients with MTD. MTD patients with pain complaint reported that their vocal tract discomfort and pain were decreased following the high-frequency TENS. Notably, these positive effects were obtained after a single session of high-frequency TENS application. © 2019 The Voice Foundatio