Portulaca oleracea seeds extract does not prevent dexamethasone-induced hypertension in rats

Introduction: Portulaca oleracea is used as a nutritional and medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea seeds in dexamethasone -induced hypertension in rats. Methods: For induction of hypertension, dexamethasone (30 µg/kg/d, subcutaneously) was administered for 14 days. Animals received P. oleracea extract as a pretreatment at various doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d orally from 4 days before dexamethasone administration and during the test period. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were measured using tailcuff method. The weight of thymus gland was estimated as a marker of glucocorticoid activity. Results: Dexamethasone injection significantly increased SBP (P < 0.001) while decreased the body and thymus weights (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Oral administration of P. oleracea could not prevent rising in SBP and decreasing in thymus weight. It also increased heart rate in hypertensive rats at the dose of 400 mg/kg/d (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea seeds aggregates hypertension in dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats. Hence, it should be used with caution in hypertensive patients receiving glucocorticoids

Production of Rosuvastatin Calcium Nanoparticles Using Gas Antisolvent Technique: Experimental and Optimization

The activity of pharmaceutical substances crucially depends on the bioavailability of the substances. The bioavailability of drugs in&nbsp;body and their rate of dissolution in the biological fluids are increased if the particle size is decreased. In the present paper, the Gas Anti-Solvent (GAS) method was used to lower the size of rosuvastatin particles. The effects of temperature (313–338&nbsp;K), pressure (105–180&nbsp;bar) and initial solute concentration (20–60&nbsp;mg/ml) were evaluated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimum initial solute concentration, temperature and pressure were found to be 20&nbsp;mg/ml, 313&nbsp;K and 180&nbsp;bar, respectively which resulted in the minimum particle size. Furthermore, the particles were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The&nbsp;analyses showed that the rosuvastatin particles (60.3&nbsp;nm) precipitated by GAS process become significantly smaller than the initial particles (45.8&nbsp;µm)

Evaluation of Prescription Appropriateness of CT Scan for Low Back Pain in Shiraz’s Referral Trauma Hospital Using RAND Appropriateness Method

Introduction: This study aims to identify the appropriateness of CT Scan prescriptions for Lumbar Spine using the RAND Appropriateness Method in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Methods: A total of 281 patients referred to the hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected as sample of the study in 2016. The scenarios derived through the RAND Appropriateness Method were compared with medical records of these patients by educated physicians. Results: Out of 281 cases of lumbar spine MRI prescriptions, 57.7% were appropriate, 32.7 % were uncertain, and 9.6 % were considered to be appropriate. In addition, some related factors to appropriateness of prescriptions were identified. Conclusions: Clinical guidelines developed using RAND Appropriateness Method can be an appropriate instrument for policy makers, health care providers, and health insurance companies in order to reduce inappropriate cares and quality improvement, especially in developing countries. It is recommended that appropriateness of prescriptions will be considered as the criteria for payment and reimbursement to prescribers. In this way, inappropriate cares may be reduced

The effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’s severity on complications after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background and aims: Smoking is an important etiologic factor for cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is common in candidates for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Severity of COPD is determined with spirometry. The aim of this study was comparison of complications after CABG in COPD patients with different severity and without COPD. Methods: This study is a cross sectional research. We divided 125 CABG patients more than 40 years old based on preoperative spirometry to four groups: without COPD (60), mild (29), moderate (24) and severe (12). Spirometry was done using spirometer MIR, made in Italia. Mortality and postoperative complications including cardiovascular and respiratory were recorded until 30 days after the surgery. Data were analyzed by SPSS, fisher exact test and 2χ, and P˂0.05) was considered significant. Results: Complications with significant difference between groups were atrial fibrillation (AF) and delirium. Frequency of AF was: Without COPD 6 (10%), mild COPD 6 (20.70 %), moderate COPD 7 (29.20%), and severe COPD 5 (41.70%) (P=0.02), and delirium was: Without COPD 3 (5%), mild COPD 1 (3.40%), moderate COPD 3 (12.5%), and severe COPD 5 (41.70%) (P=0.003). Conclusion: Based on our results, COPD even moderate and severe is not contraindication of CABG. These patients should be carefully evaluated before surgery and must be treated preoperative completely by the specialist. Under this condition, patients can tolerate and benefit from surgery with acceptable risk

Measurement the effects of temperature and fiber orientation on vibration of functionally graded beam

This paper concerned with analytical approach to study the thermal vibration of fiber orientation functionally graded (FOFG) beam, that fibers`oriented angles are variable and graded in the thickness direction of the beam. Uniform thermal distribution considered in the entire beam and properties of fiber orientation functionally graded (FOFG) beam considered as the temperature-dependent element. Symmetrical, asymmetrical, and classical distribution types for the mode of fiber angle presented in the thickness direction of the beam continuously. Equilibrium Equations derived from first- order shear deformation theory and Hamilton principle. Simply supported boundary condition is considered for both edges of the beam.Eneralized differential quadrature method usedto solve the system of coupled differential Equations. To study accuracy of the present analysis, a compression carried out with a known data. The results shows that different parameters such as thickness to radius ratio, effect of temperature variations, model of fibers angle variations and power-law index affected on the natural frequencies

Measurement the effects of temperature and fiber orientation on vibration of functionally graded beam

This paper concerned with analytical approach to study the thermal vibration of fiber orientation functionally graded (FOFG) beam, that fibers`oriented angles are variable and graded in the thickness direction of the beam. Uniform thermal distribution considered in the entire beam and properties of fiber orientation functionally graded (FOFG) beam considered as the temperature-dependent element. Symmetrical, asymmetrical, and classical distribution types for the mode of fiber angle presented in the thickness direction of the beam continuously. Equilibrium Equations derived from first- order shear deformation theory and Hamilton principle. Simply supported boundary condition is considered for both edges of the beam.Eneralized differential quadrature method usedto solve the system of coupled differential Equations. To study accuracy of the present analysis, a compression carried out with a known data. The results shows that different parameters such as thickness to radius ratio, effect of temperature variations, model of fibers angle variations and power-law index affected on the natural frequencies

Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorder that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis involves the distal colon, proximal colon, and cecum and can lead to ulcerations and bleeding. Crohn’s disease appears as patched lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and inflammation, stenosis, or fistulas. IBD affects millions of people worldwide and has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our intestine is colonized by trillions of microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa), which constitutes the microbiota. Reduction of bacteria with anti-inflammatory capacities and increase of bacteria with inflammatory capacities are observed in patients with IBD when compared with healthy individuals. Microbial balance is needed for the development of a healthy gut and a symbiotic microbiota without problems. Any disturbance in that balance leads to dysbiosis and the host may become more susceptible to disease. Some alteration in the microbiome is protective or causative; thus, we selectively will review IBD disease, pathogenesis, and potential roles of some members of microbiota in IBD. In this chapter, we also explain the therapeutic approaches targeting microbiota (probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics) and the relationship between gut microbiota imbalance, and how defects in this dysbiosis can lead to disease

The job creation potential of the Information and Communication Technology sector: The case of Iran

Abstract. This article examines the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) job creation in Iran&apos;s economy. The results show that this sector has low job creation coefficient among 23 economic sectors. Therefore, considering the importance of ICT, policymakers should make appropriate decisions to increase linkages between ICT and other economic sectors to improve its performance in the economy

Effects of an Orem-based Self-care Program on the Orem's Pattern of Lower-extremity Edema in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background & Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a cardiovascular disorder associated with long-term constraints in the patients' life. Open heart surgery is an effective treatment for CAD, and the postoperative complications require extensive care, especially by the patient. Self-care education plays a key role in this regard, particularly based on Orem self-care model. The present study aimed to investigating the effects of an Orem-based self-care program on Orem's pattern of lower-extremity edema in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 74 patients undergoing CABG at Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran, who were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups using software. Data were collected using the need assessment form based on the Orem model, and edema was measured using a meter. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21. Results: The Orem-based self-care program reduced lower-extremity edema in the intervention group (before: 34.31±31, after: 32.14±2.87), while the changes in the control group were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, nursing patterns (e.g., Orem's model) could be used to enhance self-care abilities in patients requiring long-term care. Keywords: Self-care, Orem Model, Edema, Coronary Artery Bypass Graftin

Comparative analysis of agricultural water pricing between Azarbaijan Provinces in Iran and the state of California in the US: a hydro-economic approach

Iranian water authority has recently announced that one of the effective ways to avoid unprecedented high water consumption in Iran’s agriculture sector is to increase water price. This paper analyzes the feasibility of this policy by using a hydro-economic approach with the aim to consider the role of water pricing in agricultural water management. Such an analysis was conducted through comparing price of water consumed for producing selected agricultural crops (i.e. wheat, sugar beets, onion, tomato, barley, potato, corn, alfalfa hay and watermelon) in a case study on two provinces (East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan) in Iran to that in the state of California (CA) in the USA. According to the paper, the method uses the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Index for the first time to analyze the water prices of agricultural crops in the case study due to the specific regional circumstances in the Case Study (i.e. severe fluctuations and continuously changing currency) that prevent using the norm of Nominal Exchange Rate Index (NERI). The results show there is no significant difference between the water price for producing the selected crops in West Azarbaijan (W.AZ) and East Azarbaijan (E.AZ) provinces and that in the state of California if PPP Index is applied. Water price for producing each kilogram of some crops such as wheat, sugar beet, onion and watermelon (except potato and barley) is estimated to be between 60–80 percent of that in the state of California. However, this ratio is ironically equal to 116% for alfalfa hay and 105% for corn. As a result, considering the obtained results, one may realize that the whole problem can be hardly attributed to the low price of agricultural water in our case study and raising agricultural water price would never be effective for reducing water consumption in the studied area unless price adjustment accompanies developing necessary infrastructures. Unlike the views that advocate raising water prices, there are two distinct views: The first declares that agricultural water should be free of charge to the farmers because it returns to the hydrological cycle. The second view stipulates that instead of raising water prices in agriculture sector, the cost of water supply for agriculture should be reduced by new technologies. It is advised that before adjusting agricultural water price, institutional reforms are required based on the experiences of other countries and establishing local water distribution cooperatives