Patient doses from X-ray computed tomography examinations by a single-array detector unit: axial versus spiral mode

X-ray computed tomography [CT] examinations deliver a significant amount of radiation doses to patients comparing to conventional radiography examinations. The objective of the current study was to analyze and investigate the average patient received dose from axial and spiral CT exams in a medical imaging center. In this study, the patient imaging technique, weight and height were recorded. The patients' doses provided by CT unit in terms of CTDI[w] were also recorded. Then, other dosimetric quantities including dose-length product [DLP] and effective dose were calculated for each patient using the recorded data. The average values were obtained for all the studied dosimetric quantities. Also, their distribution in terms of examined regions and imaging mode; ie, axial and spiral CT were analyzed by SPSS software. For all patients, the mean effective dose of 4.4 mGy with the standard deviation of 9.2 was found. The CTDI[w] for axial group was two times higher than spiral ones. Conversely, the effective dose of axial group was less than spiral group. Additionally, the effective doses of 2.3 and 5.2 mSv were found for axial and spiral, receptively. For both quantities of CTDI[w] and effective dose, the observed difference between axial and spiral modes were significant [P<0.001]. Our results showed that although the patient doses in the current study was comparable with the reported values by similar studies in other countries, it was higher than the reported values of a similar study in Iran. Exposure technique's optimization and further review in routine CT examinations were recommended

[ effects of wheat germ on chemical, sensorial, cooking and microbial properties of pasta]

Pasta products are widely used all around the world. A variety of changes have been made to improve their nutritional values. This study aimed to investigate the use of wheat germ in preparing pasta as well as its effects on chemical, quality and microbial properties. Pasta samples were made from flour blended with 10%, 15%, 20% wheat germ and kept for 6 months to be compared with control sample. Findings showed that by increasing the level of wheat germ, the studied factors improved accordingly; protein and fat content increased by 15% and 10%, respectively. Also the effects of cooking time [10, 20, 30 minutes] on cooking quality were studied. Results showed that by increasing the wheat germ, the cooking loss and cooking water acidity were increased. Pasta samples enriched with wheat germ were more desirable, showed more acceptable quality, and had significant differences in some tests compared to control sample. In microbial tests, pastas enriched with wheat germ showed more pollution during storage than the control sample. The color of different samples showed significant difference compared to control sample, so that the enriched samples were darker and the darkness increased by increasing the percent of the wheat germ. In taste panel evaluation, panelists preferred the texture and taste of the enriched pasta to that of control samples. There was no significant difference between enriched samples and control sample in the overall score given by the panelists. It might be recommended to produce pasta enriched with wheat germ by 6 month shelf life

[Isolation of cinnamon extract and assessing its effect on the stability of sunflower oil]

An effective way to prevent oxidation of oils and fats is addition of antioxidants. However, the use of synthetic antioxidants for this purpose is gradually being discontinued due to their undesirable side effects. Therefore, extraction and production of natural antioxidants is a necessity. The objective of this study was to isolate cinnamon extract by the Soxhlet and cold solvent methods, employing acetone and methanol as solvents, and to investigate its effects on the stability of sunflower oil. Acetone and methanolic extracts of cinnamon were obtained by the Soxhlet and cold solvent methods. Extraction efficiency was determined and the total content of phenolic compounds in the extracts measured by the Folin Ciocalteau method. The extracts were added to refined sunflower oil samples at concentrations of 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% and 0.1%, followed by determination of stability of the samples [as assessed by delayed oxidation]. Peroxide value and induction period measurements were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity, the control being synthetic antioxidant TBHQ at a concentration of 0.01%. The extraction efficiency by the Soxhlet method was higher than that of the cold solvent method; however the phenolic compounds content of the extracts isolated by the cold solvent method was higher. In both the Soxhlet and cold solvent methods, the efficiency of exrtarction by methanol was higher than by acetone solvent, while the phenolic compounds content was higher when acetone solvent was used. The data also showed that the antioxidant activity of the extracts was concentration-dependent .The extract isolated with acetone acted better than that isolated with methanol, such that at a concentration of 0.1% it showed the highest activity, second only to synthetic antioxidant TBHQ at the same concentration. Cinnamon extract has antioxidant activity, which is related to its content of phenolic compounds and other antioxidants. Further research is required to get more information before it can be used routinely as a source of natural antioxidants

Association of milk yield and body condition score indices with the commencement of luteal activity after parturition in high producing dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between different indices of milk yield and body condition score [BCS] with the commencement of the luteal activity [C-LA] during the postpartum period in high producing dairy cows. Seventy-one multiparous healthy [free of detectable reproductive disorders] Holstein dairy cows [mean peak milk yield = 56.7 +/- 7.4 kg] were used in the present study. Transrectal ultrasound scanning was performed twice weekly from the 1st to the 8th week postpartum. Blood monitored weekly after calving. Cows with serum P[4] concentrations >/= 1 ng/ml on at least 2 consecutive blood samplings were considered to have commenced luteal activity. The C-LA was observed in 51 out of 71 cows [71.8%] earlier than 45 days postpartum, while 20 out of 71 cows [28.2%] showed the C-LA later than 45 days postpartum. Among the indices defined for the milk yield pattern in the present study, difference in milk yield between the 1st week and the peak of milk yield were significantly [P /= 1 unit BCS during the same 3rd week postpartum showed their C-LA significantly later than those cows losing less BCS during the same interval [P

Prevalence of perinatal central nervous system anomalies in east Azarbaijan-Iran

Central nervous system [CNS] anomalies are the most serious congenital abnormalities. Ultrasound examination is an effective and noninvasive modality for prenatal diagnosis of these anomalies. The purpose of the current study was to determine the frequency of CNS and associated abnormalities. A total of 22500 pregnant women who were referred by obstetricians/gynecologists for routine work up of pregnancy were scanned over a period of 3 years by two expert sonologists in a referral center using high resolution ultrasound unit. After transabdominal sonographic examination of 22500 pregnant women, 112 [0.5%] fetuses were detected with CNS anomalies, some of whom had more than one anomaly. Forty-one [37%] Chiari malformations, 26 [23%] monro and aqueductal stenosis cases, 18 [16%] anencephaly cases, nine [8%] encephaloceles, seven [6%] microcephalies, five [4%] Dandywalker syndromes, two [2%] arachnoid cysts, two [2%] agenesis of corpus callosum cases, one [1%] holoprosencephaly and one [1%] schizencephaly were reported in our study. According to our results, Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus were the most prevalent anomalies of CNS congenital abnormalities in East Azarbaijan, Iran. An accurate diagnosis depends upon fetal age, amniotic fluid volume, fetal position, operator experience and careful evaluation of the associated malformations, which are often present

[Prevalence of postpartum depression and its relation to some psychosocial factors in mothers referred to health centers of Kashan during 2007-8]

Postpartum depression is a serious problem that may have negative effects on mother and family mental health. Considering that several theories have been proposed to explain the epidemiologic and demographic factors associated with the postpartum depression, the aim of this study was to identify the factors related to postpartum depression in Kashan. In this cross-sectional study, 50% of all health centers in Kashan were randomly selected during 2007-8. All of 204 mothers referred during 2-3 months of postpartum with minimum literacy [primary education] showed willingness to complete the questionnaire which included two parts: demographic and psychosocial questions and BDI [Beck Depression Inventory]. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, CI, OR, and logistic regression. Seventy-seven [37.7%] out of 204 mothers referred to Kashan health centers experienced postpartum depression [0.31-0.44]. There was a statistically significant relationship between seven demographic and psychosocial factors and postpartum depression, in logistic regression [P<0.001], three factors [husband's appropriate behavior, intimate relationship with family, and no prior history of depression] were remained in the model. The findings indicated that the mentioned factors can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression. According to the results, factors including husband's appropriate behavior, intimate relationship with family and no prior history of depression may reduce the incidence of postpartum depression

[Identification of fasciola species by PCR-RFLP assay]

Background and Objective: fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease that causes several health problems and economical losses in different parts of Iran including Zanjan. Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are recognized as causative agents of the disease. The differential diagnosis between these two species is very important for planning and control of infection. This study was designed to identify the Fasciola species by molecular methods in Zanjan [Iran]

Methods and Materials: a number of 535 adult Fasciola worms were collected from the natural infected livers of cattles and sheep in local slaughterhouse. Living flukes were washed extensively in PBS at 37 degreeC and then anterior half of adult worms were stored at -20 degreeC in 70% ethanol. Total genomic DNA was extracted from individual flukes by modified phenol-chloroform method. Nucleotide polymorphism of ITS2 fragment of rDNA was investigated using PCR-RFLP assay and sequencing technique

Results: the results of PCR-RFLP and comparison of ITS2 sequences with the BLAST GenBank database clarified that all specimens were F. hepatica. The obtained sequences are available in the GenBank, with accession numbers EU391412 to EU391424

Conclusion: the results of this study showed no evidence of F. gigantica infection in sheep and cattles in Zanjan as all of the isolates were found to be F. hepatica

comparative study of fluoride release from available glass-ionomers: 2-months data

Fluoride released from restorative materials was known as an effective factor to prevent secondary caries. The purpose of this study was to compare the fluoride ion release from two conventional glass-ionomers; lonocid-F and Fuji II and two Resin- modified glass-ionomers; lono Gem LC and Fuji II LC. In this experimental study, five disc - shaped specimens [7x2mm] from each material were prepared. The specimens were placed in plastic containers with l0cc of deionized water. The solutions were changed daily up to one week and thereafter every 12 days for three consecutive days. This regimen was repeated four times over a period of 2 months. Solutions were buffered with TISAB II and fluoride measurements were carried out using a fluoride ion-selective electrode connected to a pH ion-selective electrode meter. The results were converted to ppm. Statistical analysis were conducted using ANOVA and Scheffe. All of the materials showed high initial release values which decreased significantly in second day. lonocid-F [267.643 +/- 17.916 ppm] released significantly more fluoride ions during two months which followed by lono Gem LC [101.284+10.068 ppm], Fuji II LC [23.276 +/- 2.609 ppm] and Fuji II [20.027 +/- 4.232 ppm]. However, there was no significant difference between Fuji II LC and Fuji II. There was a wide variation of fluoride ion release from the materials but patterns of release were similar