Effectiveness of neurofeedback training on reducing symptoms of war veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: Current study aimed to determine the effectiveness of neurofeedback training on decreasing posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] in veterans

Methods: The present study is an experimental research with pretest, posttest, and control group design. Patients with PTSD were randomly selected by purposive sampling method and assigned in experimental [15 persons] and control groups [15 persons]. Data were collected by the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist [PCL]. After the pretest, experimental group received neurofeedback training for 20 sessions, 3 days per week. Groups were evaluated for intensity of symptoms by PCL questionnaire at the beginning and end of the study. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance [ANCOVA] by SPSS version 22

Results: The results of covariance test showed that there are differences between adjusted mean of PTSD symptoms in groups in posttest by removing the impact of pretest scores

Conclusion: Our findings showed that neurofeedback training has significantly decreased the score of total symptoms [F=22.506, P<0.001]

Performance evaluation of a full-scale ABS resin manufacturing wastewater treatment plant: a case study in Tabriz petrochemical complex

Background: The measurement data regarding the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plant [WWTP] provides a general overview, demonstrating an overall performance of WWTP. Nevertheless, these data do not provide the suitable operational information for the optimization of individual units involved in a WWTP. A full-scale evolution of WWTP was carried out in this study via a reconciled data

Methods: A full-scale evolution of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene [ABS] resin manufacturing WWTP was carried out. Data reconciliation technique was employed to fulfil the mass conservation law and also enhance the accuracy of the flow measurements. Daily average values from long-term measurements by the WWTP library along with the results of four sampling runs, were utilized for data reconciliation with further performance evaluation and characterization of WWTP

Results: The full-scale evaluation, based on balanced data showed that removal efficiency based on chemical oxygen demand [COD] and biochemical oxygen demand [BOD5] through the WWTP were 80% and 90%, respectively, from which only 28% of COD and 20% of BOD5 removal had occurred in biological reactor. In addition, the removal efficiency of styrene and acrylonitrile, throughout the plant, was approximately 90%. Estimation results employing Toxchem model showed that 43% of acrylonitrile and 85% of styrene were emitted into the atmosphere above water surfaces

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the volatilization of styrene and acrylonitrile is the main mechanism for their removal along with corresponded COD elimination from the WWTP

Polymorphism of SMAD 7 gene [rs2337104] and risk of colorectal cancer in an Iranian population: a case-control study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of intronic polymorphism of the SMAD7 [Mothers Against Decantaplegic Homolog 7] gene [rs2337104] on the risk of colorectal cancer [CRC] and clinicopathological features in an Iranian population. SMAD7 has been identified as an antagonist of transforming growth factor beta [TGF-b]-mediating fibrosis, carcinogenesis, and inflammation. Regarding to the recent genome-wide scan, a risk locus for colorectal cancer at 18q21 has been found, which maps to the SMAD7 gene. This case-control study was performed on 109 CRC patients and 109 healthy controls recruited in Taleghani Hospital. The genotyping of all samples were done by TaqMan assay via an ABI 7500 Real Time PCR System [Applied Biosystems] with DNA from peripheral blood. The association of this polymorphism with the risk of CRC and clinico pathological features was investigated. Our results indicated that there were no significant association between genotypic and allelic frequencies of SMAD7 polymorphism [rs2337104] and CRC risk in our population. Although the T allele is the most frequent one in this population and its frequency was 86.7% in patients compared with 91.7% in controls [OR=1.705, 95% CI= 0.916-3.172]. Also, the SMAD7 genotypes were not associated with any clinicopathological characteristics in CRC patients [P>0.05]. For the first time, this study results revealed that this SMAD7 polymorphism couldn't be a potential risk factor for CRC or a prognostic biomarker for prediction of clinicopathological features in an Iranian population. A large-scale case-control study is needed to validate our results

[Epidemiology of animal bites in Qom province during 2007-2012, Iran]

Animal bite is considered as a public health problem. Increasing cases of animal bite is of high importance because of causing rabies losses in livestock and economic damages. This study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of animal bite in Qom province. This descriptive-retrospective study was done on medical records of subjects with animal bite in Qom province during 2007-2012. The collected data were analyzed using chi-square. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05. During these 6 years, 7246 cases had been bitten by animals. Bites were significantly higher in men [89.6%] compared to women [p<0.01]. The mean age of injured population was 29.6 +/- 15.7. The overall incidence rate of animal bite was 109.4 cases per 100000 people. The highest frequencies of bites were in spring season [27.3%] compared to other seasons. Most cases were bitten by dogs [61.7%]. In most of the cases, the bitten body sites were hand and leg [93.8%]. In 81.5% of cases, vaccination history was in three times. A significant relationship was observed between resident place and species of biting animal [p<0.05]. Based on the results of this study, the incidence of animal bites in Qom province was higher than other provinces. Hence, implementation of basic measures, such as training at-risk groups, establishing a committee for dissipation of stray dogs, strengthening care system, and vaccination program, seem to be necessary

[Effects of exercise and supraphysiological dose of nandrolone decanoate on the rat plasma opioid level: a brief report]

Background: Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids [AAS] are mainly abused by athletes for improvement of muscle performance. Data suggest that the effect of AAS on neurobio-chemicals related to behavioral response, may be underlies psychological adverse effects

Physical activity has beneficial psychophysiological effects, which may be related to increased serum levels of endogenous opioid peptides during exercise. In the present study we aimed to study the effect of chronic administration of nandrolone decanoate on beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin level in exercising rats

Methods: In this experimental study, forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned in two main groups of sedentary and trained [2 weeks swimming exercise]

Animals in each group were divided in two subgroups of control [received nandrolone solvent] and drug treatment [received nandrolone 15 mg/kg, 5 times/week]. After two weeks of swimming exercise and drug treatment, serum levels of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin were measured using ELIZA

Results: Our data showed that two weeks of swimming exercise training significantly increased serum beta-endorphin [114+/-5 vs. 98+/-5 ng/1 in control group, P= 0.038] and met-enkephalin levels [1556+/-42 vs. 1475+/-27 ng/1 in control group, P= 0.25]

However, chronic administration of nandrolone decanoate in trained group considerably decreased beta-endorphin [84+/-4 vs. 114+/-5 ng/1 in control group, P= 0.002] and met-enkephalin levels [1378+/-36 vs. 1556+/-42 ng/1 in control group, P= 0.011]

The effect of supraphysiologic doses of nandrolone decanoate in control sedentary group was not statistically significant

Conclusion: In the present study we show that chronic nandrolone decanoate administration attenuates effects of two weeks swimming exercise on serum opioid peptide and reduces the level of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin. Keeping in mind that opioidergic system play an important role in behavior, athletes abusing anabolic steroid drugs may potentially experience changes in mood and behavior

Solar lentigines: evaluating pulsed dye laser [PDL] as an effective treatment option

Solar lentigines are among commonest cosmetic problems. There are many topical therapies suggested to treat these lesions including cryotherapy, chemical peeling with tri chloro acetic acid [TCA] and laser therapy with q-switched lasers as well as long pulsed lasers. Considering possible treatment side effects [PIH, scar] with cryotherapy and peeling in Iranian patients [darker skin types] it seems necessary to try to find alternative measures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effect of long pulsed dye laser [LPDL] on lentigines via an objective method [computerized dermoscopy]. Patients with pathologically confirmed lentigines were selected if they agreed to participate in the study,were not treated before, hadn't history of psoriasis, vitiligo, scar formation and were not pregnant. Letigines were dermoscopied before and after treatment with PDL [V-beam, 595nm, Candela Corp. Wayland, USA] using fluence of 10 joules, without DCD [dynamic cooling device] via extra compress lens provided with laser system. The resulting figures were compared by two academic unrelated dermatologists as well as by computerized analysis. Post laser side effects were treated with topical antibiotics and mild topical steroids. Patients were followed for six months after the end of the study to determine the rate of recurrence via dermoscopy of sites of previous lesions and also delayed side effects. A total of 21 patients with the same number of lesions, were included in the study. Mean age of patients was 54.2 years [ +/- 23.3] ranging from 39 to 71 years. Included patients were 18 females and three males. From 21 treated lesions, 11 were located on the hands and 10 on the face. Comparing before and after photographs taken through dermoscopy system, revealed that approximately 57% of patients had more than 75% improvement. Mean pigment analysis score [calculated by computerized dermoscope software] was respectively 8 and 2 before and after PDL therapy, showing noticeable decrease in pigment density of lesions. Side effects were mild erythema and local irritation responding to topical mild steroids. No hypo or persistent hyper pigmentation or other delayed side effects was seen after six months follow up. One patient experienced transient hyper pigmentation of treatment site after treatment. During six months follow up, no recurrences were seen. In conclusion, PDL is a safe and effective option to treat lentigines if applied properly using compression method, especially in Iranian patients. However, further studies with larger sample size are required to confirm these results

Ablative fractional co[2] laser may be a novel treatment for tattoo allergic reaction

A 47 year-old woman presented with eight-month history of tattoo allergic reaction of eyebrows after botulinum toxin A injection that was resistant to oral, topical and intralesional injection of corticosteroids. Multiple sessions of treatment with CO2 fractional laser resulted in significant flattening of allergic papules and plaques as well as reduction of tattoo pigmentation.

effects of warm and cold intrathecal bupivacaine on shivering during delivery under spinal anesthesia

Shivering associated with neuraxial anesthesia is a common problem that is uncomfortable for patients; it is of unknown ethnology and has no definite treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of warm intrathecal bupivacaine stored at 23°C and cold intrathecal bupivacaine stored at 4°C on shivering during delivery under spinal anesthesia. Seventy-eight parturient women scheduled for nonemergency cesarean delivery were enrolled in the study and separated into 2 groups. The standard group received 10 mg of heavy bupivacaine 0.5% stored at room temperature [23°C] plus 10 microg of fentanyl intrathecally [warm group], and the case group received 10 mg of heavy bupivacaine 0.5% stored at 4 C plus 10 microg of fentanyl intrathecally [cold group]. Data collection, including sensory block level, blood pressure, core temperature, and shivering intensity, was first performed every minute for 10 min, then every 5 min for 35 min and, finally, every 10 min until the sensory level receded to L4. There were no differences between the 2 groups in the amount of bleeding, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, neonatal Apgar, and incidence of vomiting. The incidence and intensity of shivering decreased in the warm group [P=0.002]. Warming of solutions can reduce the incidence and intensity of shivering in parturient candidates for cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia

role of Kras mutations and MSI status in diagnosis of colorectal cancer

The aim of the current investigation was to examine the profile of Kras mutations accompanied with MSI [microsattelite instability] status in polyps and colorectal carcinoma tissues in an Iranian population. Kras mutations in colorectal cancer cause resistance to anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor [EGFR]. So it can be considered as a true indicator of EGFR pathway activation status. Kras mutations can be detected in approximately 30% to 40% of all patients with colorectal cancer. The most hot spot of the gene is located in exons 2 and 3. In this study we examined exons 2 and 3 Kras gene using polymerase chain reactions and subsequent sequencing of the exons in 95 patients with sporadic colorectal cancer including 48 tumors and 47 polyps. This study was performed using biopsy samples from the patients. We sequenced the Kras gene in a panel of human colorectal tumors and polyps in addition to detecting MSI status using fluorescent technique. We could detect 6 mutations in tumors including 5 mutations in codon 12 and one mutation in codon 13. Moreover, in polyps 2 mutations were determined in codon 13 and one in codon 12. Microsatellite instability assay revealed the presence of 5 and 6 MSI in tumors and polyps, respectively. Among the MSI mononucleotide markers, NR-21 marker demonstrated the most frequency [60%] in the both groups. Our findings showed that probably the profile of mutations in tumors is not entirely compatible with the pattern of mutations in polyps. However, just one of the mutations, Gly12Asp, was similar in both groups

Local administration of L-Arginine accelerates wound closure

The process of wound healing involves tightly integrated events including inflammation, granulation tissue formation and remodeling. Systemic administration of L-arginine promotes wound healing but its global side effects are undesirable. To confine the action of L-arginine at the site of injury, we tested the effects of local administration of L-arginine on the healing of excisional wound in the rat. Full thickness excisional wounds were generated on the dorsum of adult male rats. The test wounds received 200 micro m or 400 micro m of L-arginine on day 3 and 5 post-wounding. Normal saline was injected into the sham wounds which were otherwise treated as the test wounds. Control wounds remained unmanipulated. The wound size was monitored daily by imaging. To determine the rate of wound closure, wound images were scanned and the rate of size reduction was analyzed and quantified by ScnImage software. The repaired tissues were harvested on day 12 post-wounding. The tissue sections were prepared and stained for microscopic examination. Wounds treated with L-arginine showed a significant increase in the rate of wound closure. The morphology of basal keratinocytes was altered, and the thickness of neoepidermis was markedly reduced in the wounds treated with L-arginine. Both tested dose of L-arginine were equally effective. Local administration of L-arginine accelerates wound closure and has profound effects on keratinocytes performance during the process of healing. Therefore, it can be potentially used for treatment of skin disorders, in particular, those characterized by hyperkeratosis