Oil characteristics and fatty acid profile of seeds from three varieties of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) cultivars in Bushehr-Iran

Studies were conducted on properties of seed oils extracted from three date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) varieties Shahabi, Shekar and Kabkab, grown in Bushehr-Iran. The primary objective of this study was to extract seed-oil from the three native date varieties and then analyzed their fatty acids (FAs). Also the chemical parameters of PV, AV, p-anisidin, and Totox values of oils, as indicators of the quality and safety, and oxidative status of edible oils, as well as refractive index as an objective method for evaluation of rancidity were also evaluated. Date seeds are approximately 10% of the fruits weight. Seeds contained about 8.5% fat that can serve as a useful source of fatty acids to replace other vegetable oils. The following mean of values from the three varieties were obtained from samples: peroxide value (1.05), acid value (1.4), p-anisidine value (2.54), Totox (4.64) and refractive index (1.46). Also, flame ionization based detection gas chromatography (GC-FID) revealed that oleic acid was the primary fatty acid in all varieties. It was followed by lauric, myristic, palmitic, linoleic and stearic acids and trace amounts of the other fatty acids like undecylic, capric, nonanoic (pelargonic) and caprylic acids. Depending on the regional industry, these data suggest that the potential applications of date seed oil for humans and animals are feeding, cosmetic formulations such as in body creams, shaving soap and shampoos, and pharmaceutical products.Keywords: Seed oil (Phoenix dactylifera), fatty acid, gas chromatograph

The correlation between the numerical status of Th22 cells and serum level of IL-22 with severity of ulcerative colitis

Abstract Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease, yet its etiology as well as pathogenesis remain poorly understood. There is increasing evidence that aberrant expression of CD4+T lymphocytes plays an essential role in the progression of different pathologies such as UC. This study aimed to evaluate the circulatory frequency of T-helper 22 (Th22), a subset of CD4+ T cells, and serum level of its signature cytokine, IL-22, in patients with UC. Blood samples from 30 patients with UC and 30 controls (n=30) were tested for IL-22 level and circulatory Th22-cell count by ELISA and Flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Our results revealed higher serum level of IL-22 as well as circulatory frequency of Th22 cells in patients with UC compared to those in healthy controls. Notably, effective factors on severity of the disease were age, Th22, IL-22, ESR and CRP. We conclude that elevated circulating Th22 cells and their signature cytokine, IL-22, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of UC. These findings may provide preliminary experimental clues for the development of new therapies for UC and its severity judgment. Keywords: Interleukin-22, Th22 cells, Ulcerative coliti

The correlation between the numerical status of Th22 cells and serum level of IL-22 with severity of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease, yet its etiology as well as pathogenesis remains poorly understood. There is increasing evidence that aberrant expression of CD4+T lymphocytes plays an essential role in the progression of different pathologies such as UC. This study aimed to evaluate the circulatory frequency of T-helper 22 (Th22), a subset of CD4+ T cells, and serum level of its signature cytokine, IL-22, in patients with UC. Blood samples from 30 patients with UC and 30 controls (n=30) were tested for IL-22 level and circulatory Th22-cell count by ELISA and Flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Our results revealed higher serum level of IL-22 as well as circulatory frequency of Th22 cells in patients with UC compared to those in healthy controls. Notably, effective factors on severity of the disease were age, Th22, IL-22, ESR and CRP. We conclude that elevated circulating Th22 cells and their signature cytokine, IL-22, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of UC. These findings may provide preliminary experimental clues for the development of new therapies for UC and its severity judgment. © February 2018, Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. All rights reserved

Echoenvironmental survey on fisheries site selection in the Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan province

The lack of sustainable management programs has resulted in the drastic decline of sturgeons stocks in the Caspian Sea in the past two decades. Legal catch quotas for all Caspian littoral states has dropped from 28500 tons in 1985 to 460 tons in 2007 while caviar production in the Caspian Sea during the same period decreased from 3000 tons to 70 tons. Caviar production in the I.R. of Iran dropped from 305 tons in 1985 to about 11 tons in 2007. The "Strategic and applied research planning for sturgeon management and conservation" was developed with the collaboration of academicians from universities, researchers, experts, fishery authorities and representatives of the executive government to maintain sustainable development and rational management of sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea. The preparation and development of this planning was carried out through 121 sessions (2100 person hours) A comprehensive report (375 pg) was prepared which was divided into five volumes; Volume I comprises an introduction, objectives, strategies and planning, present status of production and caviar harvest, catch and export quotas, revenue generated and release of sturgeon fingerlings, Volume II comprises analysis of the problem by constructing a problem tree with 8 broad categories to analyze 344 problems and an objective tree which is the hierarchic flowchart of objectives with 9 broad categories with 241 items, Volume III comprises a review and analysis of previous and ongoing research (414 projects) on different aspects of sturgeon during the past 40 years, Volume IV comprises prioritizing research objectives outlined by the objective tree and finally Volume V which prioritizes primary objectives for 14 executive and 10 research programs. On the basis of the evaluation of the present status and for the sustainable development and rational management of sturgeon stocks a strategic and applied research planning program was proposed and developed within the framework of three primary objectives; 1) Management and sustainable use of Caspian Sea resources (5 programs), 2) Rehabilitation and restoration of stocks (5 programs), 3) Development of aquaculture (4 programs). The applied research program for each proposed executive program was outlined in 10 programs, 42 comprehensive plans and 222 projects. The primary objective on management and sustainable use of Caspian Sea resources includes 5 programs, 14 comprehensive plans and 63 projects, while the primary objective on rehabilitation and restoration of stocks includes 4 programs, 16 comprehensive plans and 87 projects. The primary objective to address sturgeon aquaculture includes 1 program, 12 comprehensive plans and 72 projects. The impacts and outcome of each of these programs was determined and presented. It is evident that if the present situation persists, the catch figures for adult sturgeon specimens and caviar production in Iran will reach zero in 2021. But if concerted efforts are taken and the proposed strategic and applied research planning program is executed (commencing from 2009) we can put a halt to these declining trends. By producing sturgeon fingerlings to restore population abundances, by conserving and protecting them in the Caspian Sea and by conducting applied research we can produce 206.4 tons of caviar by the year 2033. Apart from harvesting caviar from the Caspian Sea we can also annually produce 3000 tons sturgeon meat and 60 tons farmed caviar starting from the year 2023. The total budget proposed for implementation of this program for a period of 14 years (2008-2022) is USD 2483 million. If this budget is allocated in time and the proposed strategic program is properly and totally implemented, we can not only save many sturgeon populations from extinction but also ensure job opportunities for 6000 fisherman, provide 1480 new job opportunities and annually produce 266 tons of caviar which will generate USD 4957 million

Compact THz waveguide filter based on periodic dielectric-gold rings

A band pass filter based on hollow circular waveguide loaded with axially periodic dielectric and gold rings is demonstrated for THz frequencies. The presence of coaxial gold rings can introduce the single mode operation due to a high rejection values at the both-sides of pass-band, and an acceptable confinement for the proposed structure. The presented numerical results show that the influences of the gold rings on the propagation properties are significant

A PROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF JOINT MOTION IN HEALTHY ADULT SUBJECTS

Normal range of joint motion is an important factor in joint examination in clinical practice which is related to factors such as age, sex and geographic region. There is no data in the literature on the range of joint motions in healthy Iranian adults. We studied joint motions in 100 healthy volunteer subjects, 49 men and 51 women, from 19 and 58 years of age. The joint mobility was examined in saggital, frontal, transversal and rotating levels (SFTR). The normal range of motion of all peripheral and axial joint was examined using the standard goniometric technique. There were no significant difference in elbow flexion, shoulder adduction, inward rotation of shoulder and inward and outward rotation of hip, in relation to the age and gender of the studied subjects. There was inverse relationship between joint motion indices and age

Assessment of incidence and risk factors for development of postoperative complications of hypospadias surgery at Aliasghar hospital in 2017

Background: Due to the relatively high complications of hypospadias surgery, this survey aimed to resolve the incidence and risk factors for hypospadias surgery complications in children undergoing surgery at Aliasghar hospital in Tehran in 2017. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 90 children over six months who underwent surgical treatment of hypospadias. Information on risk factors was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire at the time of admission and at the time of discharge. Also, surgical complications were evaluated two weeks after surgery and up to one year after that and entered in a questionnaire. Findings were analyzed using t-test and chi-square test or Fisher Exact test. Results: The only surgical complication was urethrocutaneous fistula, which was seen in 18.9% of patients. Risk factors associated with complications of hypospadias surgery include low birth weight, preoperative testosterone injection, presence of penoscrotal or scrotal hypospadias, Ducket`s surgical technique and Prolonged retention of the urinary catheter, but the age of the child at the time of surgery, gestational age, and family history of hypospadias were not associated with surgical complications. Conclusion: It is recommended to be more careful in terms of surgical technique, especially in children with low birth weight and penoscrotal or scrotal hypospadias, and if possible, avoid testosterone before surgery and Ducket`s technique for surgery

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on ruminative thoughts, perceived stress and difficulties in emotion regulation of women with type 2 diabetes

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on ruminative thoughts, perceived stress and difficulties in emotion regulation of women with type 2 diabetes. Methods This quasi-experimental study was carried out using pre-test and post-test design with a control group and a one-step follow-up. Out of all patients with type 2 diabetes and members of the Public Sports Organization of North Khorasan Province, Iran in 2016, 30 individuals were selected via convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Patients of the experimental group participated in eight 120-minute sessions once per week of MBCT. The study data were obtained by using ruminative responses scale, perceived stress scale and difficulties in emotion regulation scale. Results Results of analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated that MBCT leads to significant decrease in ruminative thoughts (P�0.01) and difficulties in emotion regulation expect for the knowledge subscale (P�0.01) in the follow up and in perceived stress (P�0.01) in post-test. Conclusion Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy decreases the ruminative thoughts, difficulties in emotion regulation and perceived stress in women with type 2 diabetes. © 2019, Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved