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This study aims to address the following research query: In the event of an imminent disaster poised to impact distribution grids, what constitutes the optimal course of action for the distribution system operators to keep the lights on? To address this challenge, we propose a cost-efficient cellular model for enhancing the resilience of smart distribution grids. This model prioritizes resilience in the face of natural disasters or other disruptions that could impact service delivery. This method benefits both grid operators and consumers by ensuring reliable power supply while minimizing energy costs. Furthermore, the model's scalability allows it to be applied to distribution systems of varying sizes. The proposed method utilizes an innovative approach to form optimal cellular network configurations within the grid. As the first step in the formation of cellular topology for the grid, the eigenvectors of the Laplacian matrix of the grid will be used to decide on the optimal configurations. Subsequently, a bi-level mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed to decrease the network costs while simultaneously consider potential power transfer scenarios between the cells and the upstream network during both normal and emergency conditions. The researchers validated the effectiveness of the proposed method through simulations on an IEEE 33-bus test system. The results demonstrate outstanding performance, with a significant increase in the resilience index (96 %) and a substantial reduction in load-shedding costs (80 %), making the network considerably more robust.
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PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has undergone extensive modification to reduce complications. One of the recent advances in minimally invasive procedures is the advent of ultra-mini PCNL (UM-PCNL), which provides miniaturized access to the kidney. However, the specific instruments applied in UM-PCNL may not be found in centers with limited resources. This study evaluated the safety, feasibility, results, and short-term complication rates of performing UM-PCNL using a semi-rigid ureteroscope in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2013 and September 2021, a total of 68 patients, including 42 boys and 26 girls with a mean age of 3.2 ± 2.4 years, underwent UM-PCNL with a 4.5French tip ureteroscope instead of an ultra-mini nephroscope in children aged less than 7 years old. The procedure was done under general anesthesia in the prone position. The nephrostomy tract was dilated to 12F. Stones were fragmented using a pneumatic lithotripter. Irrigation was done with normal saline. RESULTS: The early stone-free rate (SFR) was 91%, and the short-term total SFR was 97%. No statistically significant difference was found in pre-operative and post-operative Hb, BUN, Cr, Na+, and K+. Fever (11 patients) and ileus (5 patients) constituted the majority of complications, and only one patient required a blood transfusion. None of the cases undergoing UM-PCNL with this method required a re-do PCNL. CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that with sufficient experience in handling semi-rigid ureteroscopes, urologists practicing in centers with limited resources could perform UM-PCNL with relatively favorable outcomes.
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Targeted drug delivery is one of the attractive ways in which cancer treatment can significantly reduce side effects. In the last two decades, the use of antibodies as a tool for accurate detection of cancer has been noted. On the other hand, the binding of drugs and carriers containing drugs to the specific antibodies of cancer cells can specifically target only these cells. However, the use of whole antibodies brings challenges, including their large size, the complexity of conjugation, the high cost of production, and the creation of immunogenic reactions in the body. The use of nanobodies, or VHHs, which are a small part of camel heavy chain antibodies, is very popular due to their small size, high craftsmanship, and low production cost. In this article, in addition to a brief overview of the structure and characteristics of nanobodies, the use of this molecule in the targeted drug delivery of breast cancer has been reviewed.
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Objective: The effect of zeolite on Ca plasma concentration, reproductive parameters, body condition score (BCS), and colostrum properties was evaluated in Holstein dairy cows during the postpartum period. Materials and Methods: Sixty pregnant cows were allocated to three experimental groups, including 1) a control (CON) diet; 2) a CON diet + 0.75% dry matter (DM) zeolite (100 gm/day/cow); and 3) a CON diet + 1.5% DM zeolite (200 gm/day/cow). Experimental diets were fed to cows during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Blood sample evaluation for Ca concentration was done. The prevalence of hypocalcemia and reproductive parameters, including BCS and colostrum properties, was also measured. Results: Total Ca and ionized calcium (Ca++) concentrations in plasma at 6 and 12 h after calving were higher in zeolite-consuming cows than those in CON s (p < 0.01). Mean frequencies for severe and subclinical hypocalcemia in zeolite-consuming cows were 11.64% and 19.36% lower than those in the CON group, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean pregnancy efficiency of these cows was also 12.94% higher than the CON (p < 0.01). The mean BCS (p ≤ 0.05) and colostrum quality (p < 0.01) of zeolite-consuming cows were at maximum, but their mean colostrum yield was lower than that of the CON group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Zeolite dietary supplementation at levels of 0.75% and 1.5% DM of the preparturient diet is recommended for better CON of hypocalcemia, improved BCS and colostrum quality, and better prevention of postpartum reproductive disorders in dairy cows.
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Introduction and importance: SARS-CoV-2 infection, besides respiratory symptoms, as cardinal manifestation, may present with neurological involvement. Immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy is one of the important neurological complications manifested by COVID-19 mainly includes Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), treatment-related fluctuation of GBS, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Also, there are several reports of COVID-19 vaccine-related GBS and CIDP. According to possible severe manifestations of neuropathies like respiratory failure, considering these complications for early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Case presentation: The authors presented a 67-year-old woman with severe weakness in upper and lower extremities, the patient was diagnosed as case with CIDP initiated after COVID-19 virus infection and/or vaccination that experienced one relapse in 11 months. In both episodes, treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin started and the patient respond. Clinical discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first reported cases with a typical chronic course of CIDP associated with COVID-19 virus infection and/or vaccination. Conclusion: Considering this complication and differentiation between GBS and CIDP, and then initiating maintenance therapy can prevent long-term disability.
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Hypocalcaemia is an important disorder associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases, and many studies have been going on for decades. This study investigated the effects of anionic and zeolite with an oral Ca bolus in the prepartum phase on milk yields and compositions, and plasma Ca concentrations, blood metabolites and the prevalence of some reproductive disorders in dairy cows after parturition. Ninety pregnant non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned to three isoenergetic diets and their counterparts using an oral Ca bolus: (1) Control (CON): low Ca (0.44%); (2) Anionic (ANI): high Ca (1.00%); (3) Zeolite (ZEO): low Ca (0.44%). The feed and energy intakes of the CON and ZEO groups were higher than the ANI group. The raw milk yield, Pr%, and feed efficiency did not differ between the groups, while the corrected milk yield, fat% and total corrected milk yield at 305 days differed between groups. Total plasma and the ionized Ca concentration of the ANI and ZEO groups, at calving time and in 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after that, were higher than in the CON group. The frequencies of hypocalcaemia and reproductive disorders in the ANI and ZEO groups were lower than in the CON. The blood metabolite levels in the CON group were higher than in other groups. In conclusion, the ANI and ZEO diets and their counterparts supplemented with an oral Ca bolus improved the milk production traits, plasma calcium and metabolites concentration and also effectively prevented reproductive disorders.
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Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) plays a significant role in quantifying the tangible impact of model inputs on the uncertainty of response variable. As GSA results are strongly affected by correlated inputs, several studies have considered this issue, but most of them are computationally expensive, labor-intensive, and difficult to implement. Accordingly, this paper puts forward a novel regression-based strategy based on the Supervised Principal Component Analysis (SPCA), benefiting from the Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space. Indeed, by conducting one kind of variance-based sensitivity analysis, a renowned method exclusively customized for models with orthogonal inputs, on SPCA regression, the impact of the correlation structure of input variables is considered. The ability of the suggested technique is evaluated with five test cases as well as three hydrologic and hydraulic models, and the results are compared with those obtained from the correlation ratio method; Taken as a benchmark solution, which is a robust but quite complicated approach in terms of programming. It is found that the proposed method satisfactorily identifies the sensitivity ordering of model inputs. Furthermore, it is proved in this study that the performance of the proposed approach is also supported by the total contribution index in the derived covariance decomposition equation. Moreover, the proposed method compared with the correlation ratio method, is found to be computationally efficient and easy to implement. Overall, the proposed scheme is appropriate for high dimensional, quite strong nonlinear or expensive models with correlated inputs, whose coefficient of determination between the original model and regression-based SPCA model is larger than 0.33.
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Organophosphorus insecticides such as diazinon (DZN) are used worldwide in industry, veterinary practice, and agriculture. They may induce oxidative stress in different tissues. The use of antioxidants can protect tissues against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic roles of vitamin E against DZN-induced oxidative damage and biochemical alterations in various tissues of male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups: Control group received only corn oil as DZN solvent, DZN group received 100 mg/kg of DZN, E group received 150 mg/kg of vitamin E, E-DZN group received vitamin E and then dosed with DZN and DZN-E group received DZN and then dosed with vitamin E. All injections were carried out intraperitoneally. Plasma and various tissues were prepared and evaluated. Results showed that acute administration of DZN caused a significant induction of oxidative damage in the tested tissues via increased malondialdehyde level and some plasma biochemical indices, depletion of glutathione (GSH), reduced cholinesterase activity and change in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S transferase. Treatment of rats with vitamin E resulted in an elevation in the level of GSH, normalizing the antioxidant enzymes activities and decreasing lipid peroxidation, although all these tests did not return to the normal level in certain tissues. The findings of this study suggest that both prophylactic and therapeutic treatments of rats with vitamin E provide a protective role against DZN-induced oxidative stress and cholinergic hyperactivity through free radicals scavenging and membrane stabilizing.
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OBJECTIVE: Cuscuta epithymum (CE) is one of the most popular medicinal plants in the world. However, detailed information about its toxicity is not available. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the safety profile of CE ethanolic extract in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extract's in vitro toxicity profile was investigated on normal fibroblast and cervical cancer cells by cytotoxicity test. In the next step, acute oral and intraperitoneal (i.p.) toxicity of the CE extract was evaluated in Wistar rats and BALB/c mice, respectively. Sub-acute oral toxicity was also examined by administering repeated oral doses of the CE extract (50, 200, and 500 mg/kg) to Wistar rats for 28 days. RESULTS: The CE extract exhibited a significant cytotoxicity on both normal (IC50 0.82 mg/ml, p<0.001) and cancer cells (IC50 1.42 mg/ml, p<0.001). Acute oral administration of a single dose of CE extract (175-5000 mg/kg) did not cause mortality; however, its i.p. administration caused mortality at doses greater than 75 mg/kg (i.p. LD50 154.8 mg/kg). In the sub-acute toxicity test, no significant effects in terms of weight change, organ weights, blood chemistry, or kidney pathology were observed. However, at 200 and 500 mg/kg doses, the CE extract significantly increased liver pathological scores compared to the control group (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: CE exhibited toxicities in i.p. acute and repeated oral dose administrations. It showed identical cytotoxicity against normal and cancer cells. This herb must be prescribed cautiously by traditional medicine practitioners.
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INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract stones are one of the most common diseases in the urinary tract. Lack of kidney stone treatment causes irreparable damages to the kidneys, which has many harmful effects. Date palm pits are recommended in traditional medicine as an effective drug in the treatment of kidney stones. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of date palm pits on kidney stones induced by ethylene glycol in male rats. METHODS: In this study, 40 rats were classified into five groups (n = 8), including the healthy group receiving normal water, the negative control group, the therapeutic groups with doses of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, and the prevention group with a dose of 300 mg/kg. In order to induce kidney stones, ethylene glycolated water (1%) was used as drinking water in the studied groups. Blood and urine of rats were collected on days 14 and 28 of the study to assess urinary parameters of calcium, creatinine, uric acid and phosphorus, and serum parameters of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus. Also, the kidneys of rats were removed from the body on day 28 of the study and were given to a pathologist for examination. RESULTS: Results of serum parameters shows that the use of date palm pits extract in the treatment and prevention groups with a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly (P < .05) has reduced the levels of blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, calcium, creatinine and phosphorus. Also, the results of urinary parameters show that the use of the extract caused a significant decrease (P < .05) in creatinine, uric acid and calcium in the prevention group and a significant decrease (P < .05) in creatinine and uric acid in the therapeutic group with a dose of 300 mg/kg. Pathological results show a decrease in the number and size of calcium oxalate crystals in renal tubules in the treatment and prevention groups in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the use of aqueous extract of date palm pits has been effective in the treatment and prevention of kidney stones induced by ethylene glycol in rats.
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Cálculos Renales , Phoeniceae , Animales , Glicol de Etileno , Riñón , Cálculos Renales/inducido químicamente , Cálculos Renales/tratamiento farmacológico , Cálculos Renales/prevención & control , Masculino , Extractos Vegetales , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , AguaRESUMEN
Metastatic breast cancer remains a serious health concern and numerous investigations recommended medicinal plants as a complementary therapy. Crocin is one of the known anticancer bio-component. Recently, the inhibitory effect of metformin has been studied on the various aspects of cancer. However, no study reported their combination effects on metastatic breast cancer. In the present study, we have assessed their anti-metastatic effects on in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models. Using MTT assay, scratch, and adhesion tests, we have evaluated the cytotoxic, anti-invasive and anti-adhesion effects of crocin and metformin on 4T1 cell line, respectively. Their protective effects and MMP9 as well as VEGF protein expression levels (Western blotting) investigated in the 4T1 murine breast cancer model. Our results showed that both crocin and metformin reduced cell viability, delayed scratch healing and inhibited the cell adhesion, in vitro. While crocin alone restored the mice's weight reduction, crocin, metformin, and their combination significantly reduced the tumor volume size and enhanced animal survival rate in murine breast cancer model, responses that were associated with VEGF and MMP9 down-regulation. These findings suggest that a combination of crocin and metformin could serve as a novel therapeutic approach to enhance the effectiveness of metastatic breast cancer therapy.
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Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Carotenoides/farmacología , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamiento farmacológico , Metaloproteinasa 9 de la Matriz/química , Metformina/farmacología , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/antagonistas & inhibidores , Animales , Apoptosis , Neoplasias de la Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Proliferación Celular , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Humanos , Hipoglucemiantes/farmacología , Técnicas In Vitro , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pulmonares/secundario , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Ratones Desnudos , Células Tumorales Cultivadas , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Taking unnecessary or inappropriate prophylactic antibiotics can cause infections with resistant organisms. The present study aimed to investigate administration prophylactic antibiotics in surgery ward and its compliance with standard protocol in Imam Reza teaching hospital of Birjand, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was performed to evaluate the pattern of prophylactic antibiotics on patients who underwent surgical operations from October to December 2019. A checklist including demographic information, type of prophylactic antibiotics, dose and duration of using drug, type of surgery, and compliance with standard protocol was used. The validity and reliability of the checklist were evaluated and confirmed prior to the study. All eligible patients were enrolled and the information of the prescribed drugs in the surgical wards was compared with the Schwartz's principles of surgery as standard protocol. RESULTS: Out of a total of 300 patients, 187 (62.3%) were male. Among the patients, 155 (51.7%) cases underwent general surgery, 119 (39.6%) cases orthopedic surgery, and 26 (8.7%) cases neurosurgery. The most popular prescribed antibiotics were cefazolin (170 cases) and ceftriaxone + metronidazole (67 cases). Furthermore, the maximum antibiotic administrations were two days (127 cases) and one day (93 cases). More importantly, 67.7% and 92.3% of the patients were in compliance with the standard protocol in terms of the type and time of administration, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that duration and route of administrating antibiotics were consistent with the standard protocol, but the type of drugs and indication did not match.
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COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75 million deaths and restricting the movement of most of the world population during the past 6 months. COVID-19 became the leading health, economic, and humanitarian challenge of the twenty-first century. In addition to the considerable COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in humans, several cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal hosts (dog, cat, tiger, lion, and mink) have been reported. Thus, the concern of pet owners is increasing. Moreover, the dynamics of the disease requires further explanation, mainly concerning the transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice versa. Therefore, this study aimed to gather information about the reported cases of COVID-19 transmission in animals through a literary review of works published in scientific journals and perform genomic and phylogenetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal hosts. Although many instances of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, caution and further studies are necessary to avoid the occurrence of maltreatment in animals, and to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of the disease in the environment, humans, and animals. Future research in the animal-human interface can help formulate and implement preventive measures to combat the further transmission of COVID-19.
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Betacoronavirus , Infecciones por Coronavirus/veterinaria , Pandemias/veterinaria , Neumonía Viral/veterinaria , Zoonosis/transmisión , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Betacoronavirus/clasificación , Betacoronavirus/genética , Betacoronavirus/patogenicidad , COVID-19 , Gatos , Coronavirus/clasificación , Coronavirus/genética , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/transmisión , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Reservorios de Enfermedades/virología , Perros , Genoma Viral , Humanos , Visón/virología , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional , Mascotas/virología , Filogenia , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/transmisión , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética , Investigación Biomédica Traslacional , Zoonosis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The long-term sequelae of methotrexate (MTX) remain the major cause of concern for both patients and therapists. Therefore, new approaches to decrease MTX side effects are needed. The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Iris songarica Schrenk (IS) rhizome extract against MTX-induced hepatic and renal injuries in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8) including control, MTX, IS50, IS150 and IS300. Control and MTX groups were only treated orally with saline; whereas, IS50, IS150 and IS300 groups were treated with IS extract at three different doses (50, 150, and 300 mg/kg, respectively). Besides, the MTX and experimental groups were received a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day 4. On the ninth day, animals were sacrificed, blood transaminases, urea and creatinine were assessed and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of super-oxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in both liver and kidney tissues. Moreover, hepatic and renal damages were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: MTX by increasing oxidative stress (MDA) and decreasing antioxidant capacity (SOD) induced hepatic and renal damages as confirmed by biochemical and histological parameters analyses. However, treatment with IS caused significant improvements in hepatic and renal histological architectures and SOD activity (p<0.01) along with reducing liver enzymes, urea, creatinine and MDA (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that IS extract through antioxidant and probably anti-inflammatory activities, could effectively limit MTX-induced hepatic and renal injuries in rats.
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BACKGROUND: Due to high prevalence of diabetes and its complications, evaluating of the patients' quality of life is critical. EQ-5D-5 L is a valid tool for assessing the quality of life in chronic diseases including diabetes. The present study conducted to illustrate the quality of life for the patients who referred to the Diabetes clinic and determine its relationship with their demographic and clinical characteristics in Birjand in 2017. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 300 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected through a systematic sampling in 2017. Data were collected using a checklist including patients' demographic, clinical and laboratory information and the EQ-5D-5 L. Data were entered the SPSS (22) software, analyzed by independent sample T-test, ANOVA, Chi-Square and logistic regression tests. Statistical significance was inferred at α = 0.05. RESULTS: Mean age for the participants was 58.1 ± 9.6 years. The mean score for the quality of life based on the EQ-5D-5 L and VAS scale were 0.89 ± 0.13 and 65.22 ± 9.32, respectively. Moderate and severe problems were found in the anxiety/depression dimensions in 12% of the patients, while these numbers for the presence of pain/discomfort and mobility were slightly higher (13.7 and 13.6%, respectively). The mean scores for quality of life and VAS were significantly higher in the men, employed and patients < 50 years age. CONCLUSION: The quality of life for the type 2 diabetes patients is affected by numerous factors including sex, occupation, duration of the disease and the presence of complications such as neuropathy and nephropathy.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/psicología , Calidad de Vida , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Irán , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Balantidium coli is a common parasite of pig and wild boars (Sus scrofa) which can infect humans and several species of mammals. This study aimed to determine the genotype of Balantidium isolated from Eurasian wild boars in Bushehr province, Southwestern Iran. Twenty-five faecal samples, originating from 25 wild boars captivated in our previous study, were processed. DNA was extracted from the faecal samples and PCR-amplified, targeting an ITS1-5.8s-rRNA-ITS2 region of Balantidium genome. PCR product was purified from the gel, and sequenced. BLAST analysis was performed in order to compare our isolates with other previously reported ones. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, using MegaX software, to find out the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates. With PCR it was possible to detect Balantidium DNA in the faecal samples of 13 out of 25 (52%) of the wild boars. BLAST analysis of seven isolates revealed that the isolates belong to the newly introduced genus Neobalantidium coli. Sequences of three isolates were deposited in the GenBank. Moreover, molecular analysis revealed six areas of nucleotide differences within the isolates and nine areas of difference between the sequences obtained in this study and those available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences of isolates of this study have up to 2.2% dissimilarity from those published in the GenBank. The findings of this study, for the first time, revealed that some of the isolates of Balantidium originating from wild boars in Southwestern Iran belonged to the N. coli.
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Balantidiasis/veterinaria , Balantidium/genética , Genotipo , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/microbiología , Animales , Balantidiasis/microbiología , Balantidium/clasificación , Balantidium/aislamiento & purificación , Irán , Filogenia , Sus scrofa , PorcinosRESUMEN
Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the most lethal gynecological cancer, due predominantly to late presentation, high recurrence rate and common chemoresistance development. The expression of the actin-associated protein cytosolic gelsolin (GSN) regulates the gynecological cancer cell fate resulting in dysregulation in chemosensitivity. In this study, we report that elevated expression of plasma gelsolin (pGSN), a secreted isoform of GSN and expressed from the same GSN gene, correlates with poorer overall survival and relapse-free survival in patients with OVCA. In addition, it is highly expressed and secreted in chemoresistant OVCA cells than its chemosensitive counterparts. pGSN, secreted and transported via exosomes (Ex-pGSN), upregulates HIF1α-mediated pGSN expression in chemoresistant OVCA cells in an autocrine manner as well as confers cisplatin resistance in otherwise chemosensitive OVCA cells. These findings support our hypothesis that exosomal pGSN promotes OVCA cell survival through both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms that transform chemosensitive cells to resistant counterparts. Specifically, pGSN transported via exosomes is a determinant of chemoresistance in OVCA.
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Comunicación Autocrina/efectos de los fármacos , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos , Exosomas/efectos de los fármacos , Gelsolina/sangre , Neoplasias Ováricas/sangre , Neoplasias Ováricas/patología , Comunicación Paracrina/efectos de los fármacos , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Exosomas/patología , Femenino , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Subunidad alfa del Factor 1 Inducible por Hipoxia/metabolismo , Integrina alfa5beta1/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ováricas/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-akt/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Regulación hacia Arriba/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Diazinon (DZN) as an organophosphate pesticide may cause oxidative stress in different tissues. Antioxidants increase tissue protection from oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate prophylactic and therapeutic effects of vitamin C against oxidative stress caused by DZN in various tissues of male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups: control group received corn oil as DZN solvent, DZN group received 100 mg/kg of DZN, C group received 200 mg/kg of vitamin C, C-DZN and DZN-C groups received vitamin C before and after DZN injection. Plasma and various tissues were prepared and evaluated for measurement of the biochemical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers. Results showed that acute administration of DZN significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities and malondialdehyde level in all tissues, catalase (CAT) activity in liver, kidney and heart and some plasma biochemical indices, while it decreased cholinesterase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and glutathione content in all tissues. CAT activity in erythrocytes, brain and spleen was decreased in DZN-exposed rats compared with the control group. Administration of vitamins C in both prophylactic and therapeutic groups ameliorated in these parameters, although all these tests in tissues did not return to the normal level. These data suggest that oxidative stress is an essential mechanism involved in DZN-induced adversity effect, as evidenced by the altered activity of antioxidant enzymes, depleted GSH content and the enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation. Both the prophylactic and therapeutic treatments of rats to vitamin C have beneficial effects against oxidative stress and cholinergic hyperactivity induced by DZN in tissues especially in the brain tissue through free radical scavenging.
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Ácido Ascórbico/farmacología , Diazinón/toxicidad , Glutatión/metabolismo , Insecticidas/toxicidad , Malondialdehído/metabolismo , Animales , Biomarcadores , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Eritrocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Eritrocitos/metabolismo , Corazón/efectos de los fármacos , Corazón/fisiología , Riñón/efectos de los fármacos , Riñón/metabolismo , Peroxidación de Lípido/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/metabolismo , Masculino , Oxidación-Reducción , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Bazo/efectos de los fármacos , Bazo/metabolismo , Vitaminas/farmacologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Vancomycin resistance has raised concerns about its effectiveness prospect in the treatment of patients with Gram-positive infections. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has recently established guidelines to delineate improper use of vancomycin. In this light, we sought out to determine the appropriateness of vancomycin prescription using the HICPAC guidelines. SETTING: The study was carried out in two university-affiliated hospitals, Valiasr and Imam Reza, with 297 and 234 beds, respectively, from May 2012 to May 2013. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the vancomycin prescription and usage in the hospitals. Total vancomycin use was determined and expressed as vancomycin courses per 298 admitted patients. The patient information was collected on a data collection sheet as follows: demographic variables, etiology and localization of infection, microbiological data, duration of vancomycin treatment, reasons for vancomycin prescription, prescribed antibiotic dosing, and patient regimen. RESULTS: The average age of the patients and vancomycin treatment duration were 55.965 years and 10.5 days, respectively. Septicemia (15.7%) was the most common cause of vancomycin administration. Vancomycin use was documented to be appropriate and inappropriate in 236 (89.4%) and 28 (10.6%) patients, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among the wards and hospitals (P values =0.66 and 0.54, respectively) in terms of appropriateness of vancomycin use based on the HICPAC criteria. In addition, 29.21% and 62% of all patients exhibited complete and partial recovery, respectively. We found that 90% of the cases showed compliance with the HICPAC recommendations. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive programs are required to improve the vancomycin use in the hospitals. Vancomycin use should be monitored due to its large-scale empiric use. The rate of improper use of vancomycin in the infection and intensive care unit services may be high, and pharmacists must take appropriate action to optimize the use of the drug.
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This paper presents a novel control strategy to improve the damping capability of sub-synchronous oscillations by tuning of Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) optimally in order to reduce the fluctuations in the power system. The proposed model includes the coordination of Power System Stabilizer (PSS) and Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC) in combination with LQR controllers which is formulated as an optimal control problem. The problem is formulated as a linear regulator problem and then the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is utilized to optimize the proposed controlling parameters. Several cases have been studied to show the efficiency of the proposed strategy. Obtained results from a case study on a typical generator demonstrated that the proposed method has the best response and quickest function among conventional controller systems. Moreover, the coordination of the LQR with the other control systems, as an optimal linear regulator problem in order to damp system oscillations provides robust stability for optimizing system performance index. Besides, the flexibility and usability of the LQR controller guarantee the stability of the system to cope with the oscillations.