60 research outputs found
The effect of L-arginine supplementation on obesity-related indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Get PDFThe clinical studies regarding the effect of L-arginine in human anthropometry have not been fully consistent, therefore, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in order to precisely evaluate and quantify the efficacy of L-arginine on weight, waist circumference, and BMI. We searched online databases including PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar for relevant articles up to September 2017. Eligible articles were reviewed by two independent investigators. Mean differences of the outcomes were used for calculation of weighted mean difference (WMD) derived from the random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was examined using Cochran's Q-test and I2index. Funnel plot and Egger's tests were performed to assess the publication bias. In our initial search, we found 1598 publications, of which 8 RCTs (9 treatment arms) were included. The results of the meta-analysis displayed a significant reduction in WC following L-arginine supplementation (WMD: -2.97 cm; 95 CI: -4.75 to -1.18, P = 0.001). However, L-arginine intervention had not elicited a significant effect on BMI (WMD: -0.51 kg/m2; 95 CI: -1.11 to .08, P = 0.09) and body weight (WMD: -0.57 kg; 95 CI: -1.77 to 0.61, P = 0.34). Subgroup analyses displayed that longer-term interventions (�8 weeks) had a positive effect on body weight and using < 8 g/day L-arginine with longer duration (�8 weeks) could significantly decrease BMI. In conclusion, this meta-analysis result suggested L-arginine supplementation could reduce waist circumference without any significant effect on body weight and body mass index. © 2021 Hogrefe Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved
STUDY OF SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF COLD-FORMED STEEL FRAMES SHEATHED BY FIBER CEMENT BOARDS
No full textIn recent times, the use of cold formed steel (CFS) structures in housing industry has increased worldwide due to its great advantages, such as their light weight and high speed construction. In addition, the possibility of mass production and industrialization, quality control of construction and performance are other advantages of this type of structures. Although CFS walls are not new and have been used as non-structural components for many years, their application as the main load-bearing structural frames is relatively new, and as a result, appropriate guidelines that address the seismic design of CFS structures have not yet been fully developed. In addition, the lateral design of these systems is not adequately detailed in the available standards of practice. One of the currently-in-use lateral resistant systems for light steel buildings is steel shear walls sheathed by fiber cement boards (FCB). Fiber cement board sheathed panel lateral resistant system is already being used in housing industry though there are very few studies on the structural performance of these systems. In this paper, the seismic behavior of shear cold formed steel walls sheathed by fiber-cement board panels is investigated. For this purpose, finite element nonlinear analysis is employed using ANSYS software. The impact of some structural characteristics on the behavior of frames, including geometric imperfections and residual stresses are also studied. In addition, the ratios of height to width, studs thickness, fiber cement boards thickness, and studs spacing are investigated. Of particular interest are the specimens' maximum lateral load capacity and deformation behavior as well as a rational estimation of the seismic response modification factor. The study also looks at the failure modes of the system and investigates the main factors contributing to the ductile response of the CFS walls. A discussion on the calculated response factors in comparison to those prescribed in the relevant codes of practice is also presented
Estimation of orange skin thickness based on visual texture coarseness
No full textMuch research has been carried out on grading citrus fruits using machine vision. Citrus grading is normally achieved based on external visible criteria including size, shape, and colour of the fruits. However, identification of the internal characteristics of the fruits is almost impossible by computer vision which uses visible spectral imaging. Thickness of the fruit skin is one of the important factors for consumers which can be considered as a grading criterion. Citrus fruits with thin skins are more desirable but it calls for spectral solutions. However, internal quality of the fruits can be evaluated if there is a correlation between the internal and visible external characteristics. It is normally seen that oranges with coarser surfaces have thicker skin and vice versa. Such correlation between the surface coarseness and thickness of the skin was investigated in this research. Coarseness of the skin could be verified by normal visible imaging. An innovative approach is described for fast description of texture while retaining the accuracy of high resolution images. Three strips having a width of one pixel were selected from the images. A coarseness factor was devised that utilized successive moving average filters. A correlation was achieved between the coarseness factors and thickness of the oranges which showed a good agreement between these two factors (R² = 0.944). The experiments demonstrated that this method could be used for non-destructive grading of orange or other citrus fruits to evaluate skin ratio of the fruit by using a simple and inexpensive machine vision system
Osteoid Osteoma of Elbow: Two Case Reports and Review of Literature
No full textAlthough osteoid osteoma is a relatively common lesion, it rarely occurs at elbow. We report two cases of osteoid osteoma of elbow in trochlea. Diagnosis was delayed because of non-specific clinical and radiological features. The two patients suffered from flexion contracture of elbow due to synovitis, while at the same time, pronation and supination remained normal. Only one of the patients complained of specific nocturnal pain. Both patients had latencies between the onset of symptoms and the appearance of radiological signs. Open surgical excision of the nidus resulted in complete relief and motion recovery in both cases. Diagnostic difficulties and treatment options are discussed below. Key words: Osteoid osteoma, Elbow, Trochle
Electrophysiological findings in a family with Hereditary Neuropathy and Liability to Pressure Palsies
No full textHereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies is an autosomal dominant and demyelinative peripheral neuropathy which characterized by reversible episodes of sensorimotor deficits after neural compression injuries. Their clinical hallmarks are recurrent and painless focal neuropathies maintly preceded by minor trauma or compression at entrapment sites of peripheral nerves. We describe multiple compression mononeuropathies in an individual who presented with left sided ulnar palsy after drilling for a period of 8 hours and report neurophysiologic findings in two clinically asymptomatic family members. We believe that this entity may be clinically and neurophysiologically underdiagnosed by orthopaedic surgeons and electromyographers. Electrophysiological abnormalities can be detected even in asymptomatic patients and it should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with atypical presentations of compression neuropathies. Key Words: Hereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsies- Electrodiagnostic test
Effect of Custom-Molded Insole With New Technique on Pain and Function in Females With Flexible Flat Foot: A Pilot Study
No full textObjective: A flat foot is a complex postural deformity in which the medial longitudinal arch is decreased. It is associated with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. This disorder can sometimes contribute to problems in the ankles and knee as it can alter the alignment. Conservative treatments are used to treat patients with a flat foot. One common treatment is the use of insoles with medial heel skive technique. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of custom-molded insoles with new technique on pain and function in females with a flexible flat foot. Materials & Methods: This research is a quasi-experimental study of before-and-after type that included 12 subjects with a flexible flat foot from the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences University of Tehran. To provide a negative cast, plaster cast impressions were taken for each participant’s foot. According to the method of modification (medial heel skive) that was introduced by Kirby, the positive cast of the foot was corrected. Each person received an insole with medial heel skive technique. The pain and function of each foot were evaluated with a visual analogue scale and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score before applying the treatment and at six weeks follow-up. Paired t-test and non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: It was found that the pain and function significantly improved after 6 weeks of using insoles with medial heel skive technique in subjects with flat foot (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to our findings, there was a significant difference in pain and function in patients with a flat foot through medial heel skive technique. Therefore, it seems that the insoles can be an effective prescription for subjects with a flat foot
A Study on the Effect of Applying Cast Splints in Treatment of Tennis Elbow
No full textBackground: Tennis elbow is a common orthopedic disease affecting elbow in middle aged people. Ninety percent of patients are cured using conservative treatments. In the past, emphasis was placed on the use of long arm splints for its treatment; however, recent studies put doubt on the use of this method of treatment for the complications arising from the application of splints. The results of using long arm splints for the treatment of Methods: This was a case series non randomized clinical trial involving 25 patients treated with long arm castsplints, and 25 patients treated without the use of splint. Local corticosteroid injections and oral NSAIDs were administered for all patients. The two groups were compared in the third week, third month and sixth month of their treatment for the presence of local tenderness and pain in passive flexion test of wrist and fingers against resistance. Using SPSS 9.0, data were analyzed via repeated measurements test of ANOVA Results: Patients in case and control groups had mean ages 43.6 ± 7.2 and 43.6 ± 6 years, respectively. Prior to any treatments, all patients in this study suffered from pain and tenderness in the origin of forearm extensor muscles. Their pain exacerbated upon passive flexion of wrist and fingers against resistance. No significant difference was seen in third week, third month and sixth month (P value =0.32), and no significant difference was seen in the results of our tests regarding the presence of local tenderness and pain in passive flexion of wrist and fingers against resistance between the two groups Conclusions: After a follow-up period of six months, this study demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the two groups treated with and without long arm splints. Keywords: Tennis elbow, Conservative treatment, Laterals epicondylitis, Cast splin
Effects of NaCl stress on seed germination attributes of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.) and corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) plants
No full textThe present research was conducted to evaluate the effects of salinized water with NaCl on seed germina- tion of Periwinkle and Corn Poppy. Treatments were: A) H2O- distilled water (control); B) sodium chloride solutions (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mM). Application of the highest NaCl concentration (80mM) significantly reduced germination percentage and mean germination time of both species, although increased the day of 50% germination. Increment of salinity concentration was led to the reduction of radicle length in Periwinkle. The seedling fresh weight and water content and radicle length of Corn Poppy were decreased in both levels of 20 and 80 mM, and seedling dry weight was unaffected by treatments. It is concluded that both species are tolerant to NaCl salinity up to 80 mM during germination stage
Torsional dynamics of bi-directional functionally graded small-scale tubes possessing a variable length scale parameter
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