Developing a Structurally Modified Mechanical Lumped Model of the Human Tibia and Shin Guard Using Modal Analysis.

Shins are one of the most vulnerable bones in human body. Shin guards are evaluated by their effectiveness in reducing the force applied to the bone. In this study, a structural modified mechanical lumped model of the shin guard was developed to provide maximum force distribution using physical parameter change modification technique and genetic algorithm.

IS DAIRY FOODS RESTRICTION MANDATORY FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS: A MULTINATIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: The role of dairy foods in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been controversial and it is debatable if patients with IBD should avoid milk and dairy products or not, as well as the relationship between these foods and symptoms among those population.

Objective: This multi centric cross-sectional study designed to evaluate if it is really necessary to deprive IBD patients from consumption of dairy foods.

Methods: A multicenter study with 12 gastroenterology referral centers in four countries was designed to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after consumption of dairy foods from all outpatients with IBD during 6 months and to compare patients treated at the same centers without IBD (non IBD cases).

Prognostic value of dynamic renal scan with 99mTc-EC in patients with kidney transplantation: a prospective descriptive study.

Introduction: Renal transplantation is the gold standard treatment for chronic kidney disease. Renal scintigraphy has been performed widely to evaluate postsurgical complications of transplantation, but there are little data regarding 99mTc-EC scintigraphy in kidney transplantation.

Methods And Materials: This was a prospective descriptive study.

Nucleoside Analogs with Selective Antiviral Activity against Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitis Viruses.

Dengue virus (DENV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) are important arthropod-borne viruses from the family. DENV is a global public health problem with significant social and economic impacts, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. JEV is a neurotropic arbovirus endemic to east and southeast Asia.

Predictive Power of PEN-3 Model Constructs in Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors among Teachers: A Cross- Sectional Study in Central Iran.

Objective: Identifying the factors influencing screening is necessary to promote early detection of breast cancer. This study aims to determine the predictive power of PEN-3 model structures in breast cancer screening behaviors among teachers of Isfahan city in Iran.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 192 female teachers in Isfahan selected by the multi-stage random sampling method.

Rigid Body Dynamics Algorithm for Modeling Random Packing Structures of Nonspherical and Nonconvex Pellets.

Despite the common use of nonspherical catalyst pellets in chemical engineering applications, the packing structures of such pellets have not been as systematically studied and characterized as spherical packings. We propose a packing algorithm based on rigid body dynamics to simulate packing of nonspherical and possibly nonconvex pellets. The algorithm exerts a hard-body approach to model collision phenomena.

Depressed Immune Responses and Accelerated Splenic Apoptosis due to Experience of Food Deprivation and Inequality but not Unstable Social Status in Balb/c Mice.

Objective(s): We aimed to show that the immune system is sensitive to the detrimental effects of inequality and social injustice, and splenic vulnerability to apoptosis may also increase.

Methods: In order of better determination of immune responses to chronic social stress, we implemented food deprivation, food intake inequality, and unstable social status (a change of cage-mate every 3 days) for a period of 14 days in 60 male Balb/c mice. At the end of this stress period, nitric oxide (NO) production by peritoneal adherent cells and the serum concentration of corticosterone were measured.

Assessment of Novel Routes of Biomethane Utilization in a Life Cycle Perspective.

Biomethane, as a replacement for natural gas, reduces the use of fossil-based sources and supports the intended change from fossil to bio-based industry. The study assessed different biomethane utilization routes for production of methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and ammonia, as fuel or platform chemicals and combined heat and power (CHP). Energy efficiency and environmental impacts of the different pathways was studied in a life cycle perspective covering the technical system from biomass production to the end product.

Establishment of a prenatal diagnosis schedule as part of a prophylaxis program of factor XIII deficiency in the southeast of Iran.

Factor XIII deficiency (FXIIID) is an extremely rare bleeding disorder with a prevalence of 1 in 3 million in the general population. Compared to its global incidence, it has the greatest prevalence in Sistan and Baluchistan Province in the southeast of Iran. The high incidence of FXIIID in this region causes a high rate of morbidity and mortality among the affected individuals because of life-threatening episodes such as central nervous system (CNS) bleeding, umbilical cord bleeding, as well as miscarriage.

Antiviral activity of silymarin against chikungunya virus.

The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes chikungunya fever, with clinical presentations such as severe back and small joint pain, and debilitating arthritis associated with crippling pains that persist for weeks and even years. Although there are several studies to evaluate the efficacy of drugs against CHIKV, the treatment for chikungunya fever is mainly symptom-based and no effective licensed vaccine or antiviral are available. Here, we investigated the antiviral activity of three types of flavonoids against CHIKV in vitro replication.

Immunohistochemical analysis of COX-2 expression in dentigerous cyst, keratocystic odontogenic tumor and ameloblastoma: A comparative study.

Background: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an early response gene that is induced by growth factors, oncogenes and carcinogens and its expression is increased in various tumors. Increased expression of COX-2 plays a significant role in the development and growth of tumors by interfering in biological processes such as cell division, cellular immunity, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KOT) in comparison with ameloblastoma and dentigerous cyst with regards to different clinical behavior and histopathological features of these lesions.

Characterization of nickel-doped biphasic calcium phosphate/graphene nanoplatelet composites for biomedical application.

The effect of the addition of an ionic dopant to calcium phosphates for biomedical applications requires specific research due to the essential roles played in such processes. In the present study, the mechanical and biological properties of Ni-doped hydroxyapatite (HA) and Ni-doped HA mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were evaluated. Ni (3wt.

Mechanical and in vitro biological performance of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced calcium silicate composite.

Calcium silicate (CaSiO3, CS) ceramic composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were prepared using hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1150°C. Quantitative microstructural analysis suggests that GNP play a role in grain size and is responsible for the improved densification. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that GNP survived the harsh processing conditions of the selected HIP processing parameters.

Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament in panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography among patients referred for dental implant treatment planning.

Background: Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament (SHL) is a common condition noted as an incidental finding in routine radiographic examination. Due to proximity with important neurovascular structures, elongation and calcification may sometimes lead to dysphagia and pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of calcified SHL detected on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and panoramic radiographs (PR) in patients referred for dental implant therapy.

Baicalin, a metabolite of baicalein with antiviral activity against dengue virus.

Baicalin, a flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, is the main metabolite of baicalein released following administration in different animal models and human. We previously reported the antiviral activity of baicalein against dengue virus (DENV). Here, we examined the anti-DENV properties of baicalin in vitro, and described the inhibitory potentials of baicalin at different steps of DENV-2 (NGC strain) replication.

Tick-borne viruses: a review from the perspective of therapeutic approaches.

Several important human diseases worldwide are caused by tick-borne viruses. These diseases have become important public health concerns in recent years. The tick-borne viruses that cause diseases in humans mainly belong to 3 families: Bunyaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Reoviridae.

Synthesis, mechanical properties, and in vitro biocompatibility with osteoblasts of calcium silicate-reduced graphene oxide composites.

Calcium silicate (CaSiO3, CS) ceramics are promising bioactive materials for bone tissue engineering, particularly for bone repair. However, the low toughness of CS limits its application in load-bearing conditions. Recent findings indicating the promising biocompatibility of graphene imply that graphene can be used as an additive to improve the mechanical properties of composites.

Anemia and thrombocytopenia in acute and chronic renal failure.

Background: Acute renal failure describes as a syndrome by rapid decline in the ability of the kidney to eliminate waste products, regulate acid-base balance, and manage water homeostasis. When this impairment is prolonged and entered chronic phase, erythropoietin secretion by this organ is decreasing and toxic metabolic accumulates and causes hematological changes include decrease of HCT, MCV and RBC and platelet counts. This study evaluates present of anemia and thrombocytopenia in patients with acute and chronic renal failure.

In vitro characterization and mechanical properties of β-calcium silicate/POC composite as a bone fixation device.

Calcium silicate (CS, CaSiO3 ) is a bioactive, degradable, and biocompatible ceramic and has been considered for its potential in the field of orthopedic surgery. The objective of this study is the fabrication and characterization of the β-CS/poly(1.8-octanediol citrate) (POC) biocomposite, with the goals of controlling its weight loss and improving its biological and mechanical properties.

Evaluation of liver and kidney function in favism patients.

Background: G6PD deficiency is the most common enzymopathy of red blood cells. The clinical symptoms of favism are jaundice, hematuria and haemolytic anaemia that seem to affect liver and kidney in long term. Thus we evaluate kidney and liver function of favism patients in an endemic area of the disease with a high rate of fava beans cultivation.

Taste alteration and impact on quality of life after head and neck radiotherapy.

Background: Dysgeusia is a relatively common complication of head and neck radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate taste condition after head and neck radiotherapy and its impact on quality of life.

Methods: In this cohort study 22 patients with head and neck cancer in Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospital, were interviewed and examined before and 3 weeks after radiotherapy.

Attitudes of Iranian dental students toward their future careers: an exploratory study.

Students' attitudes toward and reasons for choosing careers are of great interest for educational systems around the world. The aims of this study were to investigate Iranian dental students' motivations in choosing dentistry as a career and their attitudes toward their future profession. A cross-sectional study of a group of 219 out of 225 (response rate: 97 percent) final-year dental students in four accredited dental schools in Tehran was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire.

Hepatitis B core antibody in blood donor in Sistan-Balutuestan province of Iran.

Background: Safety of blood donor is an important issue for a recipient of blood so all blood donors are to screened for viral such as HBV, HCV, and HIV. Nevertheless, infections sometime occur by blood and its products.

Objective: Because we haven't got any awareness about isolated Hbc Ab from a blood donor who presented of occults B hepatitis which can transmit infection to blood recipient, we decided to evaluate HbcAb in a blood donor in this province.