Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii excretory secretory antigens (ESA) And identification of Potential markers of acute infection.

Toxoplasma gondii merupakan parasit protozoa obligat intrasellular. Infeksi oleh organisma ini tersebar luas dan penting kepada manusia, khususnya wanita hamil dan pesakit yang sistem imunnya terkompromi. Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. Infection with this organism is widespread and important in humans, especially pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients

Nonlinear free vibration analysis of the functionally graded beams

Nonlinear natural oscillations of beams made from functionally graded material (FGM) are studied in this paper. The equation of motion is derived according to the EulerBernoulli beam theory and von Karman geometric nonlinearity. Subsequently, Galerkin’s solution technique is applied to obtain the corresponding ordinary differential equation (ODE) for the FGM beam. This equation represents a kind of a nonlinear ODE containing quadratic and cubic nonlinear terms. This nonlinear equation is then solved by means of three efficient approaches. Homotopy perturbation method is applied at the first stage and the corresponding frequency-amplitude relationship is obtained. Frequency-amplitude formulation and Harmonic balance method are then employed and the consequent frequency responses are determined. In addition, Parameter Expansion Method is utilized for evaluating the nonlinear vibration of the system. A parametric study is then conducted to evaluate the influence of the geometrical and mechanical properties of the FGM beam on its frequency responses. Different types of material properties and boundary conditions are taken into account and frequency responses of the system are evaluated for different gradient indexes. The frequency ratio (nonlinear to linear natural frequency) is obtained in terms of the initial amplitude and compared for different materials and end conditions

Declining incidence of esophageal cancer in the Turkmen Plain, eastern part of the Caspian Littoral of Iran: A retrospective cancer surveillance

Background: Previous studies have shown that upper gastrointestinal cancers are the most common cancers in Caspian Littoral, and rate of esophageal cancer (EC) in Iranian Turkmens residing in the Eastern part of littoral are among the highest in the world. Our aim was to reassess the rate 30 years later and following socioeconomic changes in the region. Methods: A comprehensive retrospective search was undertaken to find all new cancer cases during the 1996-2000 period. Diagnosis of cancer was based on histopathological reports in 68.2, clinical and/or radiological evidence in 29.7 and death certificate only (DCO) in 2.1 of the cases. Results: A total of 5143 new cancer cases were registered of whom 3063 (59.6) were males. The median (IQR) age was 60 (44-69) years. Age-standardized rates (ASR) for all cancers in males and females were 134.7 and 104.5 per 100,000, respectively. Based on ASR, the top five common cancers in males (excluding skin cancer) were cancers of esophagus (43.4), stomach (27.8), colorectal (10.7), bladder (7.8) and oral cavity (6.3), while in females cancer of esophagus (36.3) was followed by cancers of breast (15.7), stomach (8.3) colorectal (6.6) and cervix (3.6). Conclusion: We conclude that EC incidence rate has decreased to less than half the rate reported 30 years ago, while the incidence rates of colorectal and breast cancers have increased significantly. © 2006 International Society for Preventive Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Relationship Between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness with some Inflammatory Biomarkers, Ghrelin and Adiponectin in Iranians with and without Metabolic Syndrome in Isfahan Cohort Study

<p class="abstract"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Recent studies have confirmed inflammatory factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) as important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Recently measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) has been used for evaluation of early atherosclerosis. This study was designed to assess the correlation between IMT with some inflammatory biomarkers, ghrelin and adiponectin in people with and without MetS in a cohort sample in Isfahan province.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS:</strong><strong> </strong>Among participants of Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS) by random sampling, 88<strong> </strong>participants were selected and divided into case (with MetS) and control (without MetS)&nbsp;&nbsp; groups. A questionnaire including demographic data and CVD risk factors was completed for all of the participants. Physical examination and blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference measurements were done for all subjects. Vascular echocardiography was done for evaluation of IMT of each carotid artery of both sides. Interlukin-6 (IL-6), interlukin-10 (IL-10), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ghrelin and adiponectin levels were measured using ELIZA method. Data were entered in SPSS version 15 and analyzed by t test, chi square, Pearson correlation and linear regression analyze.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS:</strong> The mean waist circumference, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hs &ndash;CRP and IMT of left carotid artery were significantly higher in participants with Mets. There was significant correlation between left carotid IMT and IL-6 level in all patients (P=0.03). After adjustment for age and sex, significant relationship in groups with MetS was only reported between the left IMT and IL-6 (P=0.02). There was no relation between IMT and other inflammatory markers in subjects with and without MetS.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Significant correlation between IL-6 and IMT was reported in patients with MetS. While no significant correlation between IL-10, adiponectin and ghrelin with IMT was observed in metabolic syndrome group.</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td width="35" height="12"><br /></td></tr> <tr><td><br /></td> <td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p> <strong>Keywords:</strong> Intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid artery, hs-CRP, Ghrelin, Adiponectin IL-6, IL-10

Avidez do IgG pelo Western Blot usando o r GRA-7 do Toxoplasma gondii clonado de nucleot&#237;deos 39-711 para sorodiagn&#243;stico de toxoplasmose aguda

Toxoplasmosis is an important cause of congenital infection. The present study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of recombinant (r) GRA-7 cloned from nucleotides (n) 39-711 in discriminating between acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. First, commercial IgM, IgG and IgG avidity ELISAs were used to determine the serological profile of the sera. Serum samples were from 20 symptomatic patients with acute infection (low IgG avidity, IgM positive), 10 with chronic infection (high IgG avidity, IgM negative) and 10 with indeterminate IgG avidity (IgM positive) which were tested for IgG avidity status with an in-house developed IgG avidity Western blot using the rGRA-7 recombinant antigen. All 20 sera from cases of probable acute infection showed bands which either faded out completely or reduced significantly in intensity after treatment with 8 M urea, whereas the band intensities of the 10 serum samples from chronic cases remained the same. Of the 10 sera with indeterminate IgG avidity status, after treatment with 8 M urea the band intensities with six sera remained the same, two sera had completely faded bands and another two sera had significantly reduced band intensities. Discrimination between acute and chronic toxoplasmosis was successfully performed by the in-house IgG avidity Western blot.Toxoplasmose é uma causa importante de infecção congênita. O presente estudo foi feito para avaliar o uso do recombinante (r) GRA-7 clonado de nucleotídeos (n) 30-711 para discriminar entre toxoplasmose aguda e crônica. Inicialmente IgM, IgG e ELISA avidez IgG comerciais foram usados para determinar o perfil sorológico do soro. Amostras de soro de 20 pacientes sintomáticos com infecção aguda (IgG avidez baixa, IgM positivo), 10 com infecção crônica (alta avidez IgG, IgM negativo) e 10 com avidez IgG indeterminada (IgM positivo) que foram testados para o status de avidez IgG com um doméstico Western Blot desenvolvendo avidez IgG usando o rGRA-7 antígeno recombinante. Todos os 20 soros de provável infecção aguda mostraram bandas que ou se apagaram completamente ou tiveram a sua intensidade significantemente reduzida após tratamento com uréia 8 M, enquanto as intensidades das bandas das 10 amostras de soros de casos crônicos permaneceram iguais. Dos 10 soros com status indeterminado de avidez de IgG, após tratamento com uréia 8 M a intensidade das bandas em seis soros permaneceram iguais, dois soros tiveram bandas apagadas completamente e dois outros tiveram significante redução da intensidade das bandas. Discriminação entre toxoplasmose aguda e crônica foi feita com sucesso através do IgG avidez Western blot doméstico

A flexible hybridized electromagnetic-triboelectric multi-purpose self-powered sensor

The final publication is available at Elsevier via https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.01.011 © 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/This paper presents a novel hybridized flexible electromagnetic-triboelectric generator that consists of a round/square shaped coil and magnet, and also, highly flexible, mechanically and thermally durable, and cost-effective polymeric materials. The reported hybridized nano generator is capable of converting external mechanical load to electricity. Using a systematic optimization approach results in an optimal configuration and size for the electromagnetic components of the self-powered sensor. Combination of the electromagnetic and triboelectric components provides several advantages for the proposed self-powered device including high resolution and power density even in low frequency and small amplitude of the excitations. We probe the sensitivity of the fabricated self-powered sensor considering different amplitude and frequency of excitations as well as external resistors. After providing a general performance analysis for the proposed self powered sensor, we show its potential for different specific applications including human motion based energy harvesting and sensing, tire condition monitoring, and pressure sensing. The utilization of the proposed self-powered sensor can provide a sustainable energy source for wireless sensor nodes, and also overcomes the battery capacity limitation that restricts the life time durability of mobile electrical devices

A flexible tube-based triboelectric-electromagnetic sensor for knee rehabilitation assessment

The final publication is available at Elsevier via https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2018.05.016 © 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/This paper reports a novel hybridized flexible electromagnetic-triboelectric generator for vibration/deflection monitoring as it is implemented in a cantilever or clamped-clamped configuration. The proposed self-powered sensor operates based on the concepts of electromagnetism and triboelectricity. The fabricated device consists of a stack of magnets and coils, a flexible tube as the main body, and also, highly flexible, mechanically and thermally durable, and cost-effective polymeric materials. The configuration of the electromagnetic component is optimized based on the magnetization direction of the utilized magnets. The device can effectively convert the shear force and bending moment to electrical voltage through the hybridized system with exerting an external force. The performance of the self-powered sensor is investigated for different cases including a single stack and also a double stack of magnetic components. The design of the triboelectric component of the device is based on the vertical contact separation mode. Results of the paper show how the change of configuration of the magnetic components alters the electrical output of the sensor. A detailed experimental analysis is provided to show the capability of the device under different excitation conditions for both triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and electromagnetic generator (EMG) components of the sensor. As the experimental analysis shows, the proposed self-powered system has the potential to be utilized for knee rehabilitation, as it shows explicit results under periodical bending load with different frequencies and amplitudes of excitation

Relationship between Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Migraine without Aura in an Iranian Population

Background. Inflammation has a key role in migraine pathophysiology. Vitamin D is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between migraine and two vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (TaqI and FokI) and also the relationship between VDR polymorphisms and headache severity. Methods. In this case-control study we assessed 103 patients with newly diagnosed migraine without aura and 100 healthy subjects. Patients filled headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) as a tool to assess headache severity. Results. Genotype frequencies of VDR were significantly different between control and migraine patients. Heterozygote genotypes (Ff and Tt) were statistically more frequent in the migraine patients than the control subjects both for TaqI gene ( = 0.018; OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.03-3.18) and FokI gene polymorphisms ( = 0.001; OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.47-5.77). Also f and t alleles were more frequent in the migraine patients. Total HIT-6 score was significantly different between FokI heterozygote and homozygote patients (60.32 ± 1.87 versus 49.87 ± 2.69, resp., = 0.004). Conclusions. In conclusion our results showed that TaqI and FokI gene polymorphisms are associated with migraine without aura in Iranians patients. Also headache severity in FokI heterozygote patients was significantly greater than in the homozygote patients