Hierarchical multifunctional graphene oxide cancer nanotheranostics agent for synchronous switchable fluorescence imaging and chemical therapy.

A nanotheranostics platform was synthesized based on PEGylated graphene oxide-gold nanoparticles and specified with aptamer toward the MUC-1-positive tumor cells. Subsequently, it was loaded with doxorubicin, used for non-invasive fluorescence imaging and therapy of breast and colon tumors. The success of the nano-coating at each synthesis step was characterized through FTIR, XRD, TGA, FE-SEM, EDAX, Zeta-potential, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Minimally invasive open pyeloplasty in children: Long-term follow-up.

Objective: Our aim was to report the long-term follow-up for minimally invasive open pyeloplasty in children.

Material And Methods: A total of 213 children with a mean age 16.33 months underwent miniature open pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction between January 2010 and May 2016.

A comparison between dextranomer/ hyaluronic acid and polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer as bulking agents for treating primary vesicoureteral reflux.

Purpose: In recent years, endoscopic subureteral injection has gained popularity as a therapeutic alternative to open surgery because of its high success rates and low morbidity. We compared the success and complication rates of Polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer (PPC) and Dextranomer/Hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA) in the endoscopic treatment of VUR.

Materials & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who underwent endoscopic correction of their VUR by subureteric injection of PPC or Dx/HA from Jan 2010 to April 2016.

Performance evaluation of waste stabilization ponds on removal of Listeria spp.: a case study of Isfahan, Iran.

The aim of the present study was to assess performance of waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) on the removal of Listeria spp. in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 104 samples were taken from eight sampling locations from influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of polycaprolactone/PEG/bioactive glass nanopowders nanocomposite membranes for GTR/GBR applications.

In the present study, nanocomposite membranes are investigated using poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and bioactive glass nanopowders (BGs) synthesized via solvent casting method with different reinforcement rates of BGs consisting of 3, 5 and 7 wt% for regenerating the periodontal tissue in vitro. These prepared membranes were evaluated by a vast range of essential tests; including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmition-electron microscopy (TEM), tensile testing before and after soaking in PBS solution, degradation and contact angle assessments as well as cell culture assays. In spite of the fact that the percentage of Cu incorporated into BGs was trivial, this negligible amount exerted major cytotoxic impact upon cells during in vitro cell tests.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of Persian Version of Celiac Disease Questionnaire (CDQ); A Specific Questionnaire to Measure Quality of Life of Iranian Patients.

Background: The assessment of health-related quality of life has become an important primary or secondary outcome measure in clinical and epidemiologic studies. The aim of this study was to validate a Persian version of Celiac Disease Questionnaire (CDQ) for Celiac disease (CD) among Iranian patients.

Materials And Methods: The English version of the CDQ adapted to the Persian language by a forward-backward translation by 3 professional bilingual translators (1 medical, 2 nonmedical).

Urinary carbohydrate antigen 19-9/creatinine ratio: A non-invasive marker for follow-up of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children.

Introduction: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in children. One major challenge in the management of UPJO is to select the patients that must be subjected to early obstruction relief. Currently, there is no gold standard for this assessment.

Corrigendum to "Exposure assessment of Bisphenol A intake from polymeric babybottles in formula-fed infants aged less than one year" [Toxicology Reports 2 (2015) 1273-1280].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.

A comparison between tourniquet application and epinephrine injection for hemostasis during hypospadias surgery: The effect on bleeding and postoperative outcome.

Objective: To compare tourniquet application and epinephrine injection for hemostasis during hypospadias surgery in terms of bleeding and complications.

Methods: Between April 2013 and September 2014, patients who were admitted for hypospadias repair were divided by random allocation into either a diluted epinephrine injection (DE) group or tourniquet application (T) group for hemostasis during the procedure. In the T group, a rubber band was applied at the base of the penis after skin dissection, and in the DE group, epinephrine 1/100,000 was injected along the incision lines.

Evaluation of estrogen receptor expression and its relationship with clinicopathologic findings in gastric cancer.

Background: The presence of estrogen receptor alpha has been reported in the cell and tissue levels in gastric cancer; however, its impact on patients' survival remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of estrogen receptor in gastric carcinoma as well as its relationship with the clinicopathologic findings of the patients.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed on 100 endoscopic biopsies of gastric adenocarcinoma for estrogen receptor expression using an immunohistochemical method, and their relationship with the clinicopathologic findings of the patients, such as age, gender, tumor site, size, grade, depth of tumor invasion (T), and lymphatic status (N), were analyzed using independent sample t-test and Pearson Chi-square test.

Sonoelectrochemical mineralization of perfluorooctanoic acid using Ti/PbO 2 anode assessed by response surface methodology.

Background: Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) are emerging pollutant and classified as fully fluorinated hydrocarbons containing a carboxylic group. PFCAs show intensively resistance against chemical and biological degradation due to their strong C-F bond. The Sonoelectrochemical mineralization of the synthetic aqueous solution of the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on Ti/PbO2 anode was investigated using the response surface methodology based on a central composite design with three variables: current density, pH, and supporting electrolyte concentration.

Exposure assessment of Bisphenol A intake from polymeric baby bottles in formula-fed infants aged less than one year.

BisphenolA (BPA) or 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanepresent in polycarbonate baby bottles may have harmful effects for formula-fed infants. This study evaluated the risks associated with exposure to BPA among Iranian formula-fed infants in an urban society in Isfahan. New and used baby bottles ( = 7 and 8, respectively) as well as BPA-free marked bottles ( = 2) were collected from a retail outlet, and leaching of BPA was examined by conducting a migration test.

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of silymarin in β-thalassemia patients: a review.

β-Thalassemia (β-thal) is a type of hereditary anemia affecting hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis causing severe chronic anemia in homozygous patients. Regular blood transfusions are the mainstay treatment for this type of anemia. In turn, this leads to iron overload which is responsible for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress and organ damage.

Performance evaluation of a scoria-compost biofilter treating xylene vapors.

The removal of xylene vapors was studied in a biofilter packed with a new hybrid (scoria/compost) packing material at various inlet loads (IL) and empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 90, 60, and 40s. The best performance was observed for EBRT of 90s, where a removal efficiency of 98% was obtained under steady state condition for inlet xylene concentration of 1.34 g m(-3), while a maximum elimination capacity of 97.

Spiritual well-being and quality of life of Iranian adults with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction. Diabetes is a major public health problem. Little is known about the spiritual well-being and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in Iranian Muslim patients with diabetes.

Controlled randomized clinical trial of spirituality integrated psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication intervention on depressive symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes in patients with dysthymic disorder.

Background: Due to the controversy over efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic depression, recently, there has been an increasingly tendency toward therapeutic methods based on the cultural and spiritual approaches. The aim of this research was to compare efficacy of spiritual integrated psychotherapy (SIPT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on the intensity of depression symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes of patients with dysthymic disorder.

Materials And Methods: This study had a mixed qualitative and quantitative design.

Effect of watching a movie on family members' anxiety level during their relatives' surgery.

Background: Surgery is a stressful condition for both patient and family members. This anxiety may interfere with the adequate family functioning and in providing positive support for the patient. Thus, specialized assessment and interventions to reduce anxiety level of family members are essential.

Medical informatics (MI) institutions.

Future of the MI Institution is described, the advances in the reliability of international telecommunications and the value placed on computerization in businesses and society. Today, computing is everywhere for school and universally present. Most countries use IT to improve their socioeconomic status.

The impact of top management turnover on quality management implementation.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of top management turnover on Strategic Collaborative Quality Management (SCQM) implementation in healthcare organizations. The role of top management turnover in the process and impact of the SCQM model was investigated using a case study of a public hospital.

Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data collection.

Synergistic effects of genetic polymorphism and air pollution on markers of endothelial dysfunction in children.

Background: This study aims to determine the association of some genetic polymorphisms in the relationship of air pollutants on the serum levels of thrombomodulin (TM) and tissue factor (TF) in a population-based sample of children and adolescents.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 participants (52.8% girls) with a mean age of 12.

Evaluation of chemical and microbiological quality in 21 brands of Iranian bottled drinking waters in 2012: a comparison study on label and real contents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare chemical and microbiological quality of the 21 Iranian bottled drinking waters reported on manufacturer's labeling and standards in 2012. Samples were analyzed for chemical properties K(+), F(-), SO4 (2-), Cl(-), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and pH. Total and fecal coliform and heterotrophic plate counts of selected samples were analyzed by MPN and HPC tests, respectively, for three months.

Health information security: a case study of three selected medical centers in iran.

Unlabelled: Health Information System (HIS) is considered a unique factor in improving the quality of health care activities and cost reduction, but today with the development of information technology and use of internet and computer networks, patients' electronic records and health information systems have become a source for hackers.

Methods: This study aims at checking health information security of three selected medical centers in Iran using AHP fuzzy and TOPSIS compound model. To achieve that security measures were identified, based on the research literature and decision making matrix using experts' points of view.

Comparison between the effect of liothyronine and piracetam on personal information, orientation and mental control in patients under treatment with ECT.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the effect of liothyronine and piracetam on three subscales of the Wechsler memory test on patients under treatment with ECT.

Materials And Methods: In a double blind clinical trial, 60 of 99 patients between 20 and 45 years old, under treatment with ECT were studied in three groups. Patients in the allocation groups received liothyronine, piracetam, or placebo, from the first session of ECT until 1 month after the last session of ECT.

Efficacy of memoral herbal on prevention of electroconvulsive therapy-induced memory impairment in mood disorder patients (isfahan - iran 2011).

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most efficacious treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), it is also used as a rapid and efficacious treatment for other psychiatric disorders, especially treatment resistant ones. The cognitive impairment is one of the most important side effects of ECT. This study examined the Memoral herbal efficacy in prevention of ECT-induced memory impairment.

The effects of blocking Angiotensin receptors on early stages of diabetic nephropathy.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on markers of endothelial function in patients with early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 32 participants with IDDM from January 2010 until May 2011 in Isfahan, Iran. The participants were candidate for receiving ARBs or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) to decrease microalbuminuria.