Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Fear of Self Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 20-item Fear of Self Questionnaire (FSQ) in Iranian samples. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was used. Students in universities of Tehran were invited to participate. Participants were asked to complete the Persian versions of the FSQ, Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Ego Strength Scale (ESS), and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RES). Face, content, and construct validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and test-retest reliability of the FSQ were assessed. RESULTS: Face and content validity of the FSQ were confirmed. Analysis of the principal components using the inclined rotation method showed that there were two factors with an eigenvalue >1, which explained 80.5% of the total variance. The first factor had 12 items and the second factor had 8 items. The internal consistency was 0.975, 0.981, and 0.941 for the total score and the first and second factor, respectively, whereas the test-retest reliability was 0.732, 0.729, and 0.714, respectively (all p ≤ 0.01). For convergent validity of the FSQ, correlations of the total score and the two factors of the FSQ with the scores of VOCI, RES, ESS, and DASS-21 were all significant (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: The FSQ can be used in Iranian samples for clinical practice and research.

Textural and Rheological Properties of Sliceable Ketchup.

This study investigates the effect of different mixtures of gums [xanthan (Xa), konjac mannan (KM), gellan, and locust bean gum (LBG)] on the physical, rheological (steady and unsteady), and textural properties of sliceable ketchup. Each gum had an individually significant effect (p < 0.05) on viscosity; however, the addition of Xa in combination with other gums had a greater effect on viscosity. By increasing the use of Xa in ketchup formulations, the amount of syneresis decreased such that the lowest amount of syneresis related to the sample prepared with 50% Xa and 50% gellan. Although the use of different levels of gums did not have a significant effect on the brightness (L) and redness (a) indices (p < 0.05), the use of different ratios of gums had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the yellowness (b) index. The effect of different levels of gums used had a significant effect only on firmness (p < 0.05), and their effects on other textural parameters were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The ketchup samples produced had a shear-thinning behavior, and the Carreau model was the best model to describe the flow behavior. Based on unsteady rheology, G' was higher than G" for all samples, and no crossover between G' and G" was observed for any of the samples. The constant shear viscosity (η) was lower than the complex viscosity (η*), which showed the weak gel structure. The particle size distribution of the tested samples indicated the monodispersed distribution. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the viscoelastic properties and particle size distribution.

Application of correlation coefficients and principal components analysis in stability of quantitative and qualitative traits on rice improvement cultivation.

In order to investigate the stability of qualitative and quantitative traits and choose the most appropriate cultivation method and irrigation regime in rice plants, the experiment was conducted in the form of a split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design in three replications and in two cropping years. The results of compound analysis indicated that the effect of year × irrigation regimes in terms of traits, grain yield, rainfall, productivity 2, number of full grains, number of hollow grains, harvest index, percentage of crushed grains and yield of white rice, the effect of year × Cultivation method characteristics in terms of water consumption, rainfall, productivity 1, number of tillers, plant height, spike length, number of hollow grains, thousand seed weight, small grain percentage and white rice yield and the effect of irrigation regime × cultivation methods in terms of all Traits except traits productivity 2 were significant. The results of the mean comparison of the interaction effect of irrigation regimes and cultivation methods also showed that treatments T1W1, T2W1 and T1W3 are favorable for all evaluated traits. Based on the table of correlation coefficients, correlation diagram and map of the intensity of the correlation in the years of the experiment, it is possible to report the correlation of the grain yield trait with the traits of water consumption, rainfall, plant height, 100- seed weight, full grain number and white rice yield. Also, traits productivity 1, productivity 2 and small grain percentage showed a positive correlation and a negative correlation of these three traits with most of the traits evaluated in the experiment was observed. Based on the analysis of the main components, the first four main components explained the most data variance, and T2W2 and T2W3 treatments were identified as suitable treatments for rice cultivation in terms of the first and second main components.

Modeling of the effects of intrapulse Raman scattering on dissipative solitons in a mode-locked fiber laser.

The effects of intrapulse Raman scattering (IRS) on dissipative solitons in a mode-locked fiber laser are studied numerically. This research contributes to understanding the impact of IRS on the stability of pulsating soliton solutions of the complex cubic-quintic Ginzburg-Landau equation (in the anomalous dispersion region). It is found that IRS causes an additional loss on the pulse and leads to balance between dissipative effects to generate stable dissipative solitons. The regions of parameters where stationary, pulsating, and chaotic solitons are generated are depicted considering IRS and without it. Regarding the results, the region of the existence of stable solitons becomes larger in the presence of IRS. There is an important trade-off between output pulse energy and laser stability by increasing the IRS parameter. IRS can transform pulsating solitons into stable solitons for a wide range of parameter values. However, the pulse energy is reduced. The bifurcation diagram shows that period doubling and period quadrupling do not occur in the presence of IRS.

Evaluation of seedling cultivation and irrigation regimes on yield and yield components in rice plant.

A split-plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two cropping years at Mazandaran Rice Research Institute to study cultivation and irrigation regimes. The main factor is three-level irrigation regimes, permanent irrigation throughout the day (T1), irrigation two days after water disappears from the soil (T2) and permanent soil saturation (T3) the second factor is three-level cultivation methods., Plowless cultivation (W1), stack 60 cm (W2), and stack 80 cm (W3). Based on the results obtained from the combined analysis, the effect of the year was significant in terms of rainfall, productivity 2, number of tillers, number of empty grains, 1000-grain weight, percentage of the crushed grain, and white rice yield. The effect of the main factor was significant for all traits except productivity 1 and plant height. Based on the results of comparing the mean effect of year × treatment, four treatments, without plowing with permanent irrigation throughout the day in the first and second year of the experiment, cultivation without plowing with irrigation two days after water disappears from the soil in the second year of experiment and cultivation without Plowing with permanent saturated irrigation in the first and second years of the experiment was identified in terms of grain yield as suitable planting methods with appropriate irrigation regimes. Based on the results obtained from the polygon view in different years of the experiment, T3W1, T3W2, and T1W1 treatments can be suggested as desirable treatments in terms of irrigation regimes and cultivation methods in this rice cultivar. According to the ranking diagram of treatments based on traits in the years of experimentation, T1W1, T2W2 and T1W3 were introduced as the most desirable treatments for cultivating this rice cultivar.

HIF-1α Stabilization Boosts Pulp Regeneration by Modulating Cell Metabolism.

Stem cell-based therapeutics is a promising strategy in dental pulp regeneration. However, low cell viability after transplantation in vivo due to the ischemic microenvironment is still a critical challenge for future clinical application. With the aim of improving postimplantation cell survival and pulp tissue regeneration, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were preconditioned to a hypoxic condition by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) stabilization via knockdown of prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2) using lentiviral short hairpin RNA. HIF-1α-stabilized SHED were encapsulated in PuraMatrix hydrogel, injected into root canals of human tooth fragments, and implanted in the subcutaneous space of immunodeficient mice. After 28 d, enhanced dental pulp-like tissue formation was observed with a significantly higher level of vascularization, which could be attributed to both endothelial differentiation of SHED and recruitment of host blood vessels. Furthermore, dentin-like tissue formation in vivo and accelerated odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation both in vivo and in vitro were observed. At 7 d postimplantation, significantly less DNA damage and higher Ki67 expression were detected in the HIF-1α-stabilized SHED group compared with the control SHED. Accordingly, cell viability assay and staining for Ki67 and apoptotic cells in vitro showed that HIF-1α stabilization could decrease cell apoptosis and enhance cell survival significantly. We demonstrated that PI3K/AKT pathway activation had resulted in low caspase 3 expression in HIF-1α-stabilized SHED in hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, we found that HIF-1α-induced cell survival could also be attributed to the upregulated expression of PDK1, HK2, and Glut1, which contributes to the maintenance of reactive oxygen species homeostasis and metabolic adaptation in hypoxia. In addition, we identified Smad7 as 1 of the top 3 upregulated genes through RNA sequencing in HIF-1α-stabilized SHED and demonstrated its essential role in HK2 and Glut1 upregulation. Taken together, HIF-1α stabilization enhances cell survival of SHED through modulating various target genes and potential signaling pathways, as well as odontogenic tissue formation during dental pulp regeneration, which could benefit stem cell-based therapy in general.

Choline and methionine supplementation in layer hens fed flaxseed: effects on hen production performance, egg fatty acid composition, tocopherol content, and oxidative stability.

Choline is an essential nutrient in laying hen diets and is needed for the formation of phosphatidylcholine (PC), that serves as a rich source of long chain (≥20 C) n-3 fatty acids (FA) in eggs. Methionine (Met) is the first limiting amino acid in layer hen diets and serves as a lipotropic agent with antioxidant properties. The objectives of the current study is based on the hypothesis that choline and Met supplementation will enhance egg PC and n-3 FA status, lipid stability, and production indices in layer hens fed flaxseed. Ninety-six, 40-wk-old laying hens (W-36 White Leghorns) were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups, with 6 replicates containing four hens per cage. Hens were fed corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 0% flaxseed (Control), 15/100 g flaxseed (Flax), Flax+50% more methionine requirement for W-36 White Leghorns (Flax+Met), or Flax+0.15g/100g choline chloride (Cho) (Flax+Cho). All experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and fed for a period of 120 d. Egg production and egg mass (g/hen/d) was higher for Flax+Met and Flax+Cho when compared to Flax and Control (P < 0.05). Egg weight was greater (P < 0.05) among hens fed the Control and Flax+Cho diets compared to Flax diet. Feeding flaxseed to hens led to over 6-fold increase in total n-3 FA. Choline supplementation increased egg α-tocopherol content (P < 0.05) while reducing lipid oxidation products measured as thiobarituric acid reactive substances in egg yolk (P < 0.05). Neither Met nor Cho had any impact on docosahexaenoic (22:6 n-3) acid concentration in eggs from hens fed flaxseed. However, addition of Met and Cho to layer diets increased docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3) levels in eggs from hens fed flaxseed (P < 0.05). The PC content was lower in Control and Flax+Met (P < 0.05) when compared to Flax+Cho group. No difference was found in total lipid or phosphatidylethanolamine content of eggs (P > 0.05). The results from the current study suggest that n-3 FA content of egg yolk can be greatly increased by feeding flaxseed but reduced egg production. However, dietary Met and Cho can improve production performance in hens fed flaxseed-containing diets. Addition of Cho to flaxseed increased in egg weight, yolk α-tocopherol levels, PC content and oxidative stability of eggs when compared to hens fed flaxseed. Met and choline could be used in flaxseed (>15%) to increase egg production and egg mas.

TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1, and JAK2 Mutation in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in southern Iran.

Background: Five epigenetic regulator mutations are considered in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) that have prognostic and therapeutic values. Objective: We aimed to evaluate these mutations in MPNs among the Iranian population. Methods: We selected 5 mutations in 4 epigenetic regulatory genes [TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1 (rs147001633&rs121913499), and JAK2)] and evaluated 130 patients with MPNs including 78 Philadelphia chromosome negative (49 ETs, 20 PVs, and 9 PMFs) and 52 Philadelphia chromosome-positive patients as well as 51 healthy controls. Results: Eight patients (6.5%) carried the DNMT3A mutation, 35 (27%) were positive for TET2 mutation and 64 (49.3%) had the JAK2V617F mutation. In the healthy controls, 16 (31.4%) cases had the TET2 mutation (15 Heterozygote + 1 Homozygote) and one had heterozygote JAK2 mutation. There was no statistically significant difference between patient groups for any of these mutations, except for JAK2. The JAK2 mutation rate was 18 (90%), 25 (51%), 7 (77.8%), 14 (26.9%) in polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, primary myelofibrosis, and chronic myelocytic leukemia, respectively. Patients aged 60 and older were more likely to carry the TET2 mutation (23% vs. 39% in younger and older than 60 years old individuals, p=0.025). IDH1 was not detected at all and PV had the highest TET2 mutation 7(35%). Two PMF patients had a history of bone marrow transplantation that were negative for IDH1and DNMT3A and one was positive for TET2 mutation. Conclusion: In the normal Iranian population, the heterozygote form of TET2 mutation is significant, especially in the elderly. No association was found between JAK2 and TET2 mutations. Both of them are more prevalent in the age group of 60 years and older. DNMT3A mutation has a low prevalence and occurs in both positive and negative MPNs.

The complex genetic region conferring transferable antibiotic resistance in multidrug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates.

Antibiotic resistance due to transferable resistance genes is one of the most important concerns in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from nosocomial infections. Eighty-eight K. pneumoniae isolates were confirmed through biochemical methods. In addition, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a disc-diffusion method. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase production among the isolates was screened using a double-disc synergism test, and the resistance genes were identified using PCR. The eight loci for multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) genotyping were selected along with the primers. According to our findings, neomycin (5; 5.6%) and carbapenems (10; 11.3%) showed the most remarkable inhibitory effect but co-trimoxazole (46; 52.2%) was the least effective antibiotic against K. pneumoniae isolates. bla CTX-M-1 , qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, intI, intII, aac3 and aac6 were detected in 30 (34%), 5 (5.6%), 29 (32.9%), 23 (26.1%), 88 (100%), 72 (81.8%), 26 (29.5%) and 28 (31.8%) of the 88 isolates, respectively. But none of the K. pneumoniae isolates expressed the intIII gene. Using MLVA, 23 MLVA types and eight clusters were identified. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were classified into two clonal complexes. Effective strategies for infection control should be applied to monitor and control the spread of multidrug-resistant isolates by the resistance genes located on the mobile genetic elements.

Review of school fires in Iran: the causes, consequences and lessons learned.

Fire in Iranian schools has led to death, serious injury and disability for dozens of students and teachers. The aim of this study was to explore the causes, consequences and lessons learned from school fires in Iran. The available literature, including scientific texts, previous research and media reports, was searched using English and Persian keywords. The keywords were: "students, school, Iran, fire, burn and incidents". No time limitation was imposed. Results showed that 62 school and student dormitory fires have been reported in Iran, of which 14 school fires and 2 student dormitory fires led to human injuries or casualties (25.8%). In these incidents, thirty students (19 girls and 11 boys) and one teacher died. More than 60 students, 8 teachers, and 2 staff suffered burn injuries or disabilities. The main causes of the fire incidents were use of non-standard kerosene heaters (38.7%) and faulty electrical wiring (35.4%). Lack of knowledge about dealing with accidents, inappropriate physical conditions of the school building, lack of fire extinguishers in the building, and carelessness were the main reasons for the deaths and injuries. In conclusion, it is essential to reduce the incidence of fire and prevent its casualties with proper management and standardization of school buildings.

Les incendies dans les écoles iraniennes ont tué, gravement blessé et handicapé de nombreux enfants et enseignants. Cette étude a pour but d'explorer les causes, conséquences et implications de ces accidents. Nous effectué une recherche bibliographique, dans les revues scientifiques comme générales, à partir des mots « élèves, école, Iran, incendie, brûlure, accident ¼, sans limite temporelle. Nous avons ainsi trouvé 62 incendies d'école ou de dortoir dont 25,8% responsables de victimes (14 écoles et 2 dortoirs) parmi lesquelles 30 élèves (19 filles, 11 garçons) et 1 enseignants sont morts. Plus de 60 élèves, 8 enseignants et 2 autre membres de l'encadrement ont été brûlés ou handicapés. Les 2 origines les plus fréquentes sont les chauffages à kérosène (38,7%) et les réseaux électriques défectueux (35,4%). Les accidents corporels étaient le plus souvent liés à la méconnaissance des consignes en cas d'incendie, à la vétusté de l'école, à l'absence d'extincteurs, au défaut d'entretien général des bâtiments. La réduction de l'incidence des incendies d'école passe par une réglementation appropriée sur la construction et l'entretien des bâtiments.

Effects of linseed oil and rumen undegradable protein:rumen degradable protein ratio on performance of Holstein dairy calves.

The present study evaluated the interaction effects of n-3 fatty acids (from linseed oil (LSO), 0 v. 2·5, % DM basis) with rumen undegradable:degradable protein (RUP:RDP) ratios (low ratio (LR) 27:73; high ratio (HR) 38:62 based on crude protein %) in dairy calves' starter diet. Forty-eight 3-d-old female Holstein dairy calves (41·5 kg of body weight (BW)) were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements in the following treatments (n 12 calves/each): (1) no supplementation of LSO with LR (NLSO-LR); (2) no supplementation of LSO with HR (NLSO-HR); (3) supplementation of LSO with LR (LSO-LR) and (4) supplementation of LSO with HR (LSO-HR). The calves were weaned on day 53 of the experiment and remained in the study until day 73. Intake was not affected by LSO and RUP:RDP ratio. However, average daily gain (ADG) was improved with LSO supplementation. Feeding the HR diet increased ADG compared with the LR diet during the entire period. Final BW was greater in calves fed on the LSO than those fed the NLSO diet. Microbial protein production did not differ among treatments. Calves fed on LSO diets had greater feed efficiency than those which were not fed on LSO diets. The calves supplemented with LSO had greater wither and hip heights compared with the unsupplemented calves. The glucose, cholesterol, HDL and insulin concentrations increased in calves supplemented with LSO. In conclusion, the HR diet improved calves' performance post-weaning; however, LSO could enhance growth performance of dairy calves during the pre-weaning period.

Short- and long-term effects of postpartum oral bolus v. subcutaneous Ca supplements on blood metabolites and productivity of Holstein cows fed a prepartum anionic diet.

Little information is available regarding the calcium (Ca) dynamics and how its concentration is influenced following the Ca treatment (injection or bolus) after calving in dairy cows. To evaluate the short- and long-term effects of different sources of Ca supplement to animals fed anionic diets during the pre-partum period, 36 multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) control group without Ca supplement (CON); (2) subcutaneous injection of 500 ml of 40% w/v Ca borogluconate immediately post-calving (SUB) and (3) oral supplement of Ca bolus containing 45 g Ca immediately and 24 h post-calving (BOL). Serum concentrations of Ca, P and Mg were measured. Serum concentration of Ca was affected by treatments at 48 h of post-calving (P < 0.01). The mean Ca at 6 h was greater in SUB compared to CON group (2.34 v. 2.01 mmol/l; P < 0.002). The lowest Ca concentration at 12 h was related to CON cows compared with BOL and SUB cows (1.90, 2.16 and 2.14 mmol/l, respectively; P < 0.02); a similar trend was observed 24 h post-calving (P < 0.02). Serum concentrations of P and Mg were not influenced by treatments. Yield of milk, milk protein and fat-corrected milk were lowest (P < 0.05) in SUB cows within 3 weeks of lactation in comparison with CON and BOL cows. However, milk yield and milk composition did not show any difference among treatments throughout the first 3 months post-calving. In general, under conditions of this experiment, Ca supplements to fresh cows as an oral bolus are recommended in comparison with subcutaneous injection.

Genetic variation of TNF-α and IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 genes and association with torque teno virus infection post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Little is known about the role of genetic variation in the genes for cytokines and susceptibility to viral infection especially torque teno virus (TTV) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, the association between interleukin-12, interleukin-17, interleukin-10 (IL-12,-17,-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) polymorphisms was evaluated in patients with TTV infection who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from South of Iran. The single nucleotide polymorphisms in the cytokine genes including IL-12 (-1188A/C), IL-17 (-197G/A), IL-10 (-1082G/A, -819C/T and -592C/A) and TNF-α (-308 G/A) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP methods. While our results did not show any association between IL-17, IL-12 and IL-10 (-819C/T and -1082G/A) polymorphisms and TTV infection status, heterozygote genotype of IL-10 (-592C/A) had direct correlation with TTV infection and A allele of TNF-α (-308G/A) showed a protective effect against TTV infection (P = 0.05 and P = 0.025, respectively). Within the group of patients who experienced acute graft-versus-host disease, the AA genotype and the A allele of IL-17 (-197 G/A) were significantly higher in non-infected patients compared to infected ones (P = 0.024 and P = 0.057, respectively). It was also observed that among infected patients, the GG genotype of IL-17 and AA genotype of TNF-α were significantly increased in hematopoietic stem cell transplanted patients with low grade (grade I+II) acute graft-versus-host disease compared to high grade (grade III and IV) disease (P = 0.056 and P = 0.056, respectively). Taken together, genetic variation of IL-10 (-592C/A) and TNF-α (-308G/A) genes might be associated with susceptibility to TTV infection post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Keywords: TNF-α; interleukins; torque teno virus (TTV); hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); graft versus host disease (GvHD).

Effect of oral calcium bolus administration on milk production, concentrations of minerals and metabolites in serum, early-lactation health status, and reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows.

AIMS: To determine the effects of oral Ca bolus administration in the early postpartum period of cows on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites, early-lactation health status, and reproductive performance. METHODS: Multiparous Holstein dry cows (n=66) with a mean parity of 3.1 (SD 0.35) were fed a diet with a positive dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) prior to calving. They were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (Control; n=33) or two oral Ca boluses (n=33, 45 g of Ca per bolus); one was administered immediately after calving (Day 0) and the second 24 hours (±30 minutes) later. Blood samples were collected at calving, and on Days 2 and 7 to determine concentrations in serum of Ca, P, Mg, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA). Milk yield was recorded daily and milk composition was determined weekly from calving until 28 day postpartum. Health and outcomes were determined during the first 30 days postpartum and reproductive outcomes to 180 days postpartum. RESULTS: Mean milk yields and composition over the first month of lactation were similar between cows in the two treatment groups (p>0.1). Mean concentrations of Ca in serum were not different between treatment groups on Day 0, but were higher on Day 2 for cows that received oral Ca boluses (1.77 (SE 0.07)) compared with Control cows (1.54 (SE 0.08)) (p=0.04). Concentrations in serum of P, Mg, glucose, NEFA and ΒHBA did not differ between treatment groups on any day of measurement. Fewer cows that received oral Ca were diagnosed with hypocalcaemia (total concentrations of Ca in serum <1.5 mmol/L) by Day 2 (2/33; 6%) compared with Control cows (12/33; 36%) (p=0.01). There was no difference in the prevalence of other health outcomes between treatment groups. The proportion of cows conceiving to first insemination was greater in cows that received an oral Ca bolus (19/29; 65%) than Control cows (12/29; 41%) (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral Ca bolus administration increased concentrations of Ca in serum on Day 2 postpartum, and increased first service conception rates, in cows fed a diet with a positive DCAD prior to calving compared to cows that received no oral Ca bolus supplementation. Because of the small number of cows used in this study, further studies in large-scale dairy farms should be carried out to confirm these findings.

Effect of age-dependent bone electron density on the calculated dose distribution from kilovoltage and megavoltage photon and electron radiotherapy in paediatric MRI-only treatment planning.

OBJECTIVE: MRI-only treatment planning (TP) can be advantageous in paediatric radiotherapy. However, electron density extraction is necessary for dose calculation. Normally, after bone segmentation, a bulk density is assigned. However, the variation of bone bulk density in patients makes the creation of pseudo CTs challenging. This study aims to assess the effects of bone density variations in children on radiation attenuation and dose calculation for MRI-only TP. METHODS: Bone contents of <15-year-old children were calculated, and substituted in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory paediatric phantoms. The percentage depth dose and beam profile of 150 kVp and 6 MV photon and 6 MeV electron beams were then calculated using Xcom, MCNPX (Monte Carlo N-particle version X) and ORLN phantoms. RESULTS: Using 150 kVp X-rays, the difference in attenuation coefficient was almost 5% between an 11-year-old child and a newborn, and ~8% between an adult and a newborn. With megavoltage radiation, the differences were smaller but still important. For an 18 MV photon beam, the difference of radiation attenuation between an 11-year-old child and a newborn was 4% and ~7.4% between an adult and a newborn. For 6 MeV electrons, dose differences were observed up to the 2 cm depth. The percentage depth dose difference between 1 and 10-year-olds was 18.5%, and between 10 and 15-year-olds was 24%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that for MRI-only TP of photon- or electron-beam radiotherapy, the bone densities of each age group should be defined separately for accurate dose calculation. Advances in knowledge: This study highlights the need for more age-specific determination of bone electron density for accurate dose calculations in paediatric MRI-only radiotherapy TP.

Estimation of lysine requirements for growing Japanese quails.

This study was conducted to estimate the lysine requirements of growing meat-type Japanese quails based on different growth responses using different regression models. Experimental treatments including five doses of dietary lysine (9.40, 10.9, 12.4, 13.9 and 15.4 g/kg of diet) were used in a dose-response platform from 7 to 21 day of age. A total of 375, 7-day old quail chicks were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments with five replicate pens and 15 birds per pen. Performance traits including feed intake (FI), weight gain (G) and feed:gain (F:G) and carcass criteria including dressing (DRS), breast meat yield (BMY) and leg meat yield (LMY) were measured and used to fit several models (e.g., spline and quadratic polynomial models). Except FI and LMY, other parameters responded to dietary treatments (p < .05), in which G linearly but F:G, DRS and BMY quadratically responded to incremental levels of lysine (p < .05). On the basis of statistical merit, the best estimation of lysine requirements for G, F:G, BMY and DRS was 12.39 (R2 : .93 and Sy.x : 2.35), 12.40 (R2 : .98 and Sy.x : 0.001), 13.64 (R2 : .99 and Sy.x : 0.15) and 13.80 (R2 : .99 and Sy.x : 0.50) g/kg of diet respectively. This study showed that lysine requirements for maximum carcass yield and its attributes (e.g., BMY) might be higher than those needed for maximum growth rate or feed efficiency.

Morphological variations of the vermiform appendix in Iranian cadavers: a study from developing countries.

BACKGROUND: The vermiform appendix is a worm-like tube containing a large amount of lymphoid follicles. In our knowledge, there is a little standard data about the vermiform appendix in Iranian population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the normal appendix size in Iranian cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken between June 2014 and July 2015, in the autopsy laboratory, Legal Medicine Organisation, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. A total of 693 cadavers with the mean age of 40.46 ± 20.99 years were divided into 10 groups. After writing down position of the appendix, the length, diameter and weight of the appendix were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean values of the demographic characteristics included - age: 40.46 ± 20.99 years; weight: 63.47 ± 17.84 kg; height: 159.95 ± 28.23 cm. The mean values of the appendix length, diameter, weight and index in the cadavers were 8.52 ± 2.99 cm, 12.17 ± 4.53 mm, 6.43 ± 3.26 g and 0.013 ± 0.01, respectively. The most common position of the appendix was retrocaecal in 71.7% of cases. Significant correlations were evident between the value of demographic data and appendix size (p < 0.05). The diameter (p = 0.002) and index of the appendix (p = 0.003) showed significant difference between males and females. CONCLUSIONS: Having standard data on the vermiform appendix is useful for clinicians as well as anthropologists. The findings of the present study can provide information about morphologic variations of the appendix in Iranian population.

Formation of porous HPCL/LPCL/HA scaffolds with supercritical CO2 gas foaming method.

Scaffold is a 3D porous structure that is made of different materials, such as synthetic and natural polymers. It plays the role of a synthetic extracellular matrix and permits adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Porosity and pore size are the important factors for any 3D scaffold used in bone tissue engineering. In this study, porous scaffolds were prepared by adding hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles as filler to the polymeric matrix of polycaprolactone (PCL) blends with two different molecular weight by using supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) foaming method. The effect of different parameters such as CO2 pressure, ratios of the polymers and amount of the filler on the scaffold properties was investigated. The results showed that porosity increased with increment of pressure and decreased with increasing the ratio of the high molecular weight PCL to the low molecular weight PCL in the scaffolds and also HA content. Optimum condition for obtaining adequate porous scaffold of HPCL/LPCL/HA occurred at 140bar and 45°C. The physical and mechanical properties of the prepared scaffolds were characterized using DSC, XRD, FTIR, SEM, contact angle and compression test. By analyzing the results of these tests, optimum sample for cell culture was selected. The biocompatibility of the selected HPCL/LPCL/HA scaffold (HPCL/LPCL 60/40 containing 2.5% HA) was assessed in vitro by using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).

Interactions between levels of heat-treated soybean meal and prilled fat on growth, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of Holstein calves.

This study evaluated the interaction of RUP and fat levels on growth, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of Holstein calves. Forty 3-d-old calves (20 females and 20 males) with a starting BW of 40.6 ± 2.8 kg were used in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Within sex treatments were: (1) high RUP and low fat (HRUP-LF); (2) low RUP and high fat (LRUP-HF); (3) high RUP and low fat (HRUP-LF); and high RUP and high fat (HRUP-HF). Low-RUP starter contained 21.5%, whereas high RUP starter contained 34.3% RUP as % of CP, whereas low fat starter contained 2.9% and high starter contained 5.8% crude fat based on DM. Isonitrogenous levels in the starter grain were maintained by replacing solvent soybean meal with heat treated soybean meal while fat levels were increased by the addition of prilled fatty acids. Calves were housed individually and had ad libitum access to water and calf starter throughout the study. All calves were weaned on d 60 of age but remained in the study until d 70 for final measurements. Overall, there was no interaction between RUP and fat levels for measured variables. Starter intake tended ( = 0.09) to be greater for calves fed low fat starter during the postweaning period, although over the whole experiment and during the preweaning period, differences in starter intake were not different. Although there were no differences for most VFA concentrations, the molar proportion of butyrate tended ( < 0.08) to be greater in the rumen of calves fed low-fat starter compared to those fed high-fat starter. Serum total protein was lower ( < 0.05) and serum cholesterol was greater ( < 0.01) for calves fed high-fat starter by d 65 of life. The concentration of alanine aminotransferase was also lower ( < 0.05) for calves fed high-fat starter compared to those fed low-fat starter on d 65, and these levels tended to increase with the addition of RUP ( < 0.07). In conclusion, no effects were attributable to feeding a high-RUP starter. However, feeding a calf starter with over 3% fat appeared to decrease starter intake as growth progressed.