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In the present article, RRA, T73 and T6 heat treatments were carried out to improve mechanical properties of 7075 aluminum alloy and its hardness, tensile and bending strengths were evaluated. For this purpose, solution annealing was performed at 530 ºC for 16 h. For T6 treatment, aging was executed at 150 ºC for 24 h after solution annealing. In T73, aging treatment was done in two stages after solution annealin, at 120 and 180 ºC for 7 and 20 h, respectively. RRA treatment was performed in three stages. The first stage was the same as T6 treatment, the second stage constitutes tempering at 200 ºC for 20 min and in the third stage aging process was repeated like T6 treatment. Evaluation of the microstructures and fractured surfaces were performed with optical microscopes (OM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to study the chemical composition of precipitates. Hardness, tensile and bending strength were evaluated according to ASTM E384-11e1, ASTM B557-06 and DIN 50121 standards. RRA treatment increased tensile strength from 466 to 485 MPa and hardness from 110 to 165 Vickers. After T6 treatment, tensile strength increased from 466 to 505 MPa and hardness from 110 to 160 Vickers. In T73 process, the tensile strength remained almost constant (465 MPa) but yield strength increased from 394 to 410 MPa and hardness decreased from 110 to 84 Vickers. The bending strength increased from 797 to 844, 920 and 1030 MPa in T73, RRA and T6 processes, respectively. By applying RRA process in optimized temperature and time, hardness, tensile and bending strengths of 7075 aluminum alloy were enhanced from 5 to 15% compared to that of T6 and T73 processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collaborative BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) was launched according to the aims of Brain Activity Map (BAM) on April, 2, 2013, with the main goal of mapping the activity of every neuron and cell in the human brain. The Brain Initiative will be led in a synergistic activity by prominent scientific foundations and institutes in U.S.A, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the private sector. The ultimate goal of this initiative is "to accelerate the development and application of innovative technologies to construct a dynamic picture of brain function that integrates neuronal and circuit activity over time and space". Undoubtedly, through the BRAIN Initiative we can understand how the interplay of fluctuating patterns of electrical and chemical activity flowing within neural circuits creates our unique cognitive and behavioral capabilities. This attempt of the initiative is to follow an interdisciplinary approach and the development and creation of novel neurotechnologies and neuroimaging tools. The outcome will be generation of big data and a huge cybernetic platform which might be transformative for better diagnostic and therapeutics for millions worldwide who suffer from brain disorders. The BRAIN Initiative has been linked to the successful Apollo Space and Human Genome Project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The museum of science and technology is a center based on science to present the up-to-date achievements of sciences and technologies from all over the world with the goal of improvement in knowledge and science of society by exhibits, equipment and devices, how people can learn science practically. On the other hand, the museum of science and technology is a place for presenting sciences that convert to visual and practical actions and exhibits that visitors, based on their interest, previous knowledge and capacity, can learn new things in a simple way during a short course. Several valuable benefits have been presented by museums of science and technology from all over the world, such as useful scientific and non-scientific jobs, economic development, exchange of sciences between universities, research centers and other museums of science and technology. This review, evaluate the structure, goals and achievements of the museum of science and technology and its benefits for society, people, city and country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low circulating IGF-1 and high hs-CRP may be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Hence, it is an important question that is there any correlation between these important biomarkers? Since the correlation between IGF-1 and hs-CRP has not been adequately investigated, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between these biomarkers among postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: A total of 361 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women were randomly selected in a population-based study. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP, ATPIII criteria. Circulating hs-CRP and IGF-1 levels were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: Women with higher than median hs-CRP levels had lower IGF-1 levels, in comparison to women with lower than median hs-CRP levels (p<0.0001). In multiple regression analysis, after adjustment for age and the metabolic syndrome, IGF-1 levels had a significant inverse correlation with circulating hs-CRP levels (β=-0.139, p<0.007). After adjustment for age, body mass index and type 2 diabetes mellitus, IGF-1 levels also showed an inverse correlation with hs-CRP levels (β=-0.130, p<0.014). Conclusion: There is a significant inverse correlation between serum IGF-1 and hs-CRP levels in postmenopausal women. This finding provides evidence of the potential cardioprotective effect of IGF-1 via anti-inflammatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronous hurthle cell adenoma of thyroid and para thyroid adenoma is very rare .Here we discuss a 46 year old woman who presented with a thyroid nodule. Thyroid function test was normal but she had mild hypercalcemia. Fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodule was done that it was suspicious to follicular neoplasm or follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer .Then the patient underwent thyroidectomy. In surgical specimen hurthle cell adenoma of thyroid and parathyroid adenoma was confirmed. Measurement of serum calcium is recommended in patients who are candidate for thyroid surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Molecular imaging is a new method of imaging of physiological studies at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. Among the various techniques that have been introduced for this purpose, magnetic resonance spectroscopy has provided an opportunity for study of brain activity and tumors in different areas of the body. Materials and Methods: In this review, using keywords such as MRS, Molecular imaging and Cancer at scientific databases such as PUBMED and ISI, studies in the field of MRS and related findings were evaluated. Results: MRS provides an opportunity to study brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and brain cancers. This method has also been used in diagnosis (between normal and cancerous tissues, different types of cancers and non-neoplastic from neoplastic), designing the most appropriate treatment regimen for each patient and also monitoring patient after treatment. Conclusion: MRS is a new method in molecular imaging that can be used in a variety of cancer diagnoses. This method can cover disadvantage of MRI procedure in evaluation of the tumor pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hybrid imaging modalities which simultaneously benefit from capabilities of combined modalities provides an opportunity to modify quality of the images which can be obtained by each of the combined imaging systems. One of the imaging modalities, emerged in medical research area as a hybrid of ultrasound imaging and optical imaging, is photoacoustic imaging which apply ultrasound wave generated by tissue, after receiving laser pulse, to produce medical images. Materials and Methods: In this review, using keywords such as photoacoustic, optoacoustic, laser-ultrasound, thermoacoustic at databases such as PubMed and ISI, studies performed in the field of photoacoustic and related findings were evaluated. Results: Photoacoustic imaging, acquiring images with high contrast and desired resolution, provides an opportunity to perform physiologic and anatomic studies. Because this technique does not use ionizing radiation, it is not restricted by the limitation of the ionizing-based imaging systems therefore it can be used noninvasively to make images from cell, vessels, whole body imaging of the animal and distinguish tumor from normal tissue. Conclusion: Photoacoustic imaging is a new method in preclinical researches which can be used in various physiologic and anatomic studies. This method, because of application of non-ionizing radiation, may resolve limitation of radiation based method in diagnostic assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The miniaturization and virtualization processes drive converging technologies from interactions between the NBIC (Nano, Bio, Info, and Cogno) technologies. The converging technologies stimulate innovation, promote research and development in different fields and produce revolutionary progresses in medicine. These technologies enable us to create contacts between brains and machines, the growth in molecular nanotechnology, the construction of respirocytes, chromallocytes, clottocytes, nanorobotic phagocytes, and nanobots. Nanobots would enter the nucleus of a cell and extract all of the genetic material and replace it with a synthetically produced copy of the original that has been manufactured in a laboratory to contain only non-defective base-pairs. It is predicted that "the regenerative medicine", as a megatrend, will have an enormous effect on medical technologies and clinical sciences. Regenerative medicine is an application field of converging technologies in translational medicine. It attempts to translate the results of tissue engineering to construct 3D tissues and organs. Regenerative medicine is also an exciting field for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and promises to bring about a paradigm shift to health care. Accumulating evidence indicates that converging technologies will offer great potentials for regenerative medicine to create innovative treatments for diseases that the traditional therapies have not been effective yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is conflicting evidence regarding adipocytokines in relation to bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporotic fractures in women and men. Recently, we found that circulating omentin-1 levels had an inverse correlation with BMD at the lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. The main aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of adipocytokines for bone loss and incident osteoporosis among postmenopausal women after a 5.8- year follow-up Material and methods: A total of 382 healthy postmenopausal women who participated in a prospective cohort study were followed for 5.8 years. Omentin-1, visfatin, adiponectin, and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry Results: The femoral neck and lumbar spine bone loss at the 5.8-year follow-up were 1.0% and 3.4% per year.In logistic regression analysis, none of the studied adipocytokines predicted BMD at any skeletal sites or incident osteoporosis at the femoral neck or lumbar area after 5.8 year follow-up. However, RANKL levels predicted BMD at the lumbar spine (β=-0.19, p=0.003) and femoral neck (β=-0.341, p=0.018) after controlling for body mass index Conclusion: Serum levels of omentin-1, visfatin and adiponectin did not predict bone loss and incident osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is accumulation evidence regarding the protective role of higher serum uric acid in bone loss and osteoprotic fractures. This effect may arise from its antioxidant properties. The main aim of this study was to investigate serum uric acid in relation to bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women. Material and methods: A total of 382 postmenopausal women who participated in a prospective study were selected randomly from Bushehr port. Serum uric acid levels and biochemical markers including serum alkaline phosphatase were measured. Circulating levels of CrossLaps, osteocalcin and hsCRP were also measured by ELISA. Results: Uric acid levels had significant correlation with osteocalcin & alkaline phosphatase. However, no correlation could be found between uric acid and CrossLaps. The correlation between uric acid & osteocalcin (r= 0.25, P=0.0001) & alkaline phosphatase(r=0.12, P=0.019) remained after adjustment with age, BMI & hsCRP. Conclusion: Serum uric acid had a positive and significant correlation with osteoblastic born turnover markers. Hence, the role of uric acid in osteoblastic function should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The science and technology corridor is a complex cluster containing universities, science parks, research centers, high-tech companies, venture capital, institutional and physical infrastructures, and human capital in a defined geography with its unique management and legal structure in association with the business space and knowledge-based products. In fact, the science and technology corridor reflects the concept of development based on the knowledge region (the especial region for science and technology). The knowledge region is clearly a triple helix phenomenon par excellence: universities, governments and businesses combine their efforts to construct a common advantage which they would not be able to offer on their own. The future creative universities in connection with the knowledge city-regions not only will deal with innovation and entrepreneurial training but also produce a competitive, vibrant environment with high indices for quality of life and full of green technologies. In this article, we will present functional interactions of the creative universities in the triple helix, particularly the missions for the Iranian universities of medical sciences. As a theoretical model, the complex interactions of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences and Health Services with Bushehr Science and Technology Corridor will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systems medicine denotes a paradigm shift in medicine that arising from fundamental thoughts in systems biology. Systems medicine looks at health and disease using systems approaches. Systems or holistic approaches to studying the complexities of disease, emerging measurement and visualization molecular technologies to exploring of patient data space, and new computational and mathematical tools are fundamentals for this revolution in medicine. Methods: In order to explore the scientific/technological key objectives for systems medicine in "Iran's Scientific Map in the Health Sector", the details of goals, policies and requisites of Iran's Health Roadmap were compared with horizontal and vertical policies of "National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap for Medical Research in U.S.A". Results: A great attention has been paid on information technology, networking, interdisciplinary approach, innovation and high- risk research in Iran's Health Roadmap. However, areas of research such as biological pathways (including metabolomics) and networks; structural biology; molecular libraries and imaging; bioinformatics and computational biology; and human genome have not been adequately addressed. Conclusion: In order to react to waves of systems medicine, as a megatrend in health, Iran's Scientific Map in the Health Sector should be synthesized to paradigm shift of emerging technologies in biomedicine. A framework for a broad interdisciplinary approach in biomedical research should be addressed to change medicine from reactive to proactive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Based on previous studies, tobacco smoking generally and water pipe smoking particularly, have high prevalence in Bushehr province. This study is a new analysis of the Persian Gulf healthy heart study with goal of determination of prevalence and pattern of cigarette and water pipe smoking in Bushehr province. Materials and methods: A total of 3735 men and women aged 25 years old or higher from three districts of Bushehr province (Bushehr, Genaveh, and Deylam) were participated in the study phase I in 2003, from which 1833 persons (49.7%) were participated in the phase II 6 years later in 2009. Demographic data and pattern of smoking, either cigarette or water pipe, were collected with personal interview. Gender specific crude and directly standardized prevalence of cigarette and water pipe smoking was calculated for both phases of the study. Results: Prevalence of cigarette smoking were 11.9% and 7.5% for the first and second phase, respectively. 21.6% of men and 0.4% of women in the first phase and 13% of men and 0.7% of women in the second phase were cigarette smokers. Prevalence of water pipe smoking were 17.9% and 12.9% in the first and second phase, respectively. 10.7% of men and 25.8% of women in the first phase and 7.1% of men and 19.05% of women in second phase were water pipe smokers. Conclusion: Water pipe smoking in women in Bushehr province was significantly higher than other non- southern areas of Iran. More studies are needed to determine main causes of women tendency in water pipe smoking in southern provinces of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exophthalmos is the protrusion of eye from the orbital cavity. It may be due to inflammation, infection, tumors and thyroid disorders.Normal value of ocular protrusion is different in each population. It is related to age, gender and ethnicity. The measurement of eye protrusion is helpful in the diagnosis and management of exophthalmos. The aim of this study is to determine the normal values for eye protrusion in Bushehr port population. Materials and Methods: In this study, 1303 subjects of healthy population (15-75 years old) in Bushehr were randomly selected from eccompannies persons of patients that referred to our endocrine clinic. Subjects with previous history of orbital surgery, eye trauma, strabismus, myopia (>-2 Diopter), orbital inflammatory disease, skull and face abnormality were excluded. Extent of eye protrusion was measured by one endocrinologist using Hertel exophthalmometry. Results: The mean protrusion values for right eye and left eye were 17.9±11.55 and 18.08±1.5mm, respectively. The exophthalmometric measurements were lower in right eye than left eye (p<0.0001). Also the mean eye protrusion decreased with increasing in age (p<0.0001). The upper limit of eye protrusion in healthy adult was 21.11 mm. Conclusion: The eye protrusion more than 21.11 mm should be considered as exophthalmos in Bushehr port population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the inverse correlation of adiponectin with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance has been suggested in various studies, but there is few studies about correlation between serum adiponectin level and metabolic syndrome in post menopause women. Materials and Methods: In an extension of a large epidemiological study, the Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study, a total of 382 healthy postmenopausal women (age, 58.5±7.4 years) were randomly selected from 13 clusters in Bushehr port. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP, ATPIII criteria. Serum adiponectin and hsCRP level were measured by highly specific enzyme linked immunosobent assay (ELISA). Results: The geometric mean (±SD) of adiponectin was lower (10.23±1.54µg/ml) in individuals with metabolic syndrome than healthy subjects (12.02±1.58 µg/ml)(p=0.003). In multiple logistic regression analysis, metabolic syndrome correlated with adiponectin after adjusting for age, hsCRP and BMI (OR=0.15, CI=0.04-0.59, P=0.007). Conclusion: In post menopause women, metabolic syndrome is significantly associated with lower serum levels of adiponectin. In order to increase circulatory adiponectin levels, weight reduction and increase of physical activity may be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]