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Toll-like receptors (TLRs) generally are involved in host immune responses against microbial invasions. Mono meric felagellin, the structure component of bacterial felagella is the agonist of TLR5m. After binding to felagellin, TLR5m initiates specific signal transduction pathways and triggers immune responses. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene regulate inflammatory pathways and are associated with susceptibility/resistance to infection. In this study using polymerase chain reaction, sequencing and aligning the sequences, we investigated TLR5m gene of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and identified 6 polymorphisms consist in 3 SNPs: (2412, T/A), (2415,T/A) and (2385, G/A) and 3 insert/deletion: (inser/dele. C, C/T, 2091), (inser/dele. T, 2566) and (inser/dele. C, 2102). A bacterial challenge was performed to explore their association with humoral immune responses such as lysozym content and complement activity levels in serum. The results show that polymorphisms (inser/dele. C, C/T, 2091) and (inserldele. T, 2566) were significantly correlated with higher complement activity levels (p<0.05).These results suggested that these 2 polymorphisms could be potential markers applied in future selection of Rainbow Trout with enhanced resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reyhaneh Pourjam,1 Zahra Rahimi Khalifeh Kandi,2 Fatemeh Estebsari,3 Farank Karimi Yeganeh,4 Mehdi Safari,5 Mohadaseh Barati,6 Davoud Mostafaei7 1Student Research Committee, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 2Department of Health Education, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 3Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 4Master of Science in Demography, Azna Health Network, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Lorestan, Iran; 5Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Education and Emergencies, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 6Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 7Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Fatemeh EstebsariDepartment of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranTel +98 2188655367 ext. 330Fax +98 2188202518Email fa_estebsari@yahoo.comBackground and Objectives: Young people are the main group at risk of HIV/AIDS due to factors such as curiosity, peer pressure, lack of knowledge and skills, unsafe sexual behaviors, and drug abuse. The present study was conducted to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among medical and non-medical students in Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on a population consisting of the students of Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU). A total of 303 students were randomly selected from the two universities. Data were collected using a researcher-made HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using the independent t-test, Mann–Whitney’s U-test, the ANOVA, and the Kruskal–Wallis test in SPSS-18. P< 0.05 was set as the level of significance for all the tests.Findings: The frequencies of marital status, education, smoking, alcohol and psychotropic substance use, employment status, and source of information differed significantly between the medical and non-medical students. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding knowledge (P< 0.001) and practice (P=0.019) regarding HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of their attitude toward HIV/AIDS (P=0.503). The results of the ANOVA revealed a significant correlation between marital status and practice (P=0.022), education and attitude (P=0.004), and smoking and knowledge (P=0.008) among the medical students. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between the demographic variables and knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among the non-medical students (P> 0.005).Conclusion: The present findings showed that designing and developing appropriate educational programs, offered through group media, scientific seminars, courses, lectures, and group discussions, can be effective in enhancing the students’ knowledge and changing their attitudes and should be incorporated into healthcare programs.Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practice, students, HIV/AIDS

Farideh Jalili Bahabadi, 1 Fatemeh Estebsari, 2 Camelia Rohani, 3 Zahra Rahimi Khalifeh Kandi, 4 Reyhaneh Sefidkar, 5 Davoud Mostafaei 6 1Student Research Committee, Community Health Nursing Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 2Community Health Nursing Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 3Community Health Nursing Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 5Department of Biostatistics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 6Health Services Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Fatemeh EstebsariDepartment of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranTel +98-2188655367 (330)Fax +98-2188202518Email fa_estebsari@yahoo.comBackground and Objectives: Pregnancy causes changes in women’s lifestyle; therefore, their health-promoting behaviors should be improved in order to avoid problems during this critical period, which requires knowledge of the factors affecting these behaviors. This study was conducted to determine the predictors of health-promoting lifestyles in pregnant women based on Pender’s health promotion model constructs.Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 300 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and sought to determine the correlation between lifestyle and the constructs of Pender’s health promotion model. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) and a questionnaire based on Pender’s model constructs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.Findings: A health-promoting lifestyle had a significant positive correlation with the constructs of social support and perceived benefits and a significant negative correlation with the construct of perceived barriers (P< 0.05). A health-promoting lifestyle also had a significant relationship with the constructs of perceived barriers, social support and perceived benefits in pregnant women (P< 0.05) based on the results of the regression analysis. The regression coefficients showed that all the three variables can significantly explain the variance in health promoting lifestyles in pregnant women (P< 0.05).Conclusion: According to the results of the present study and based on the constructs of Pender’s health promotion model, social support, perceived benefits and perceived barriers were the most important predictors of health-promoting lifestyles in pregnant women. These predictor constructs are recommended to be further considered in designing and implementing training packages and interventions for promoting pregnant women’s lifestyle.Keywords: pregnant women, lifestyle, health promotion model, health-promoting behaviors

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of Bartholin's gland is a rare variant and around 90 cases have been reported. Herein, the authors report a locally advanced ACC of Bartholin's gland that was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by right radical hemi-vulvectomy and reconstruction with a gracilis musculocutanous flap. There was no evidence of recurrence after three years of follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand the ovarian serous carcinogenic process with tubal origin, we investigated the expression of stem cell markers in premalignant tubal lesions (serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma or STIC). We found an increased stem cell marker density in the normal fallopian tube followed by a high CD117 and a low ALDH and CD44 expression in STICs raising the question of the role of the stem cell markers in the serous carcinogenic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene-based nanocomposites are newly emerged materials with a wide range of applications such as in supercapacitors electrode. The high conductivity and ability for passing electric current, makes Graphene an appropriate new item to be used in cells. Electroactive transition metal oxides, owing fast reversible redox pairs, are used to store electrical charge. Furthermore, the Graphene/NiO nanocomposites can be used to improve the electrochemical properties of NiO. Here we report a new and facile route for synthesizing Graphene/NiO nanorods composite (GNC). High-quality few-layer Graphene/NiO nanorod composite (GNC) is synthesized via solvothermal method. Solution phase exfoliation of graphite is investigated in N-Methyl-Pyrrolidone (NMP). The existence of few-layer graphene is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy while presence of NiO is demonstrated by UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern also provide proof of GNC on graphene. Images indicate NiO nanorods with average diameter of 35 nm and 100 nm lengths, deposited on graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Chemotherapy resistance is a major determinant of poor overall survival rates in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). We have previously shown that gene expression alterations affecting the NF-κB pathway characterise chemotherapy resistance in HGSC, suggesting that the regulation of an immune response may be associated with this phenotype.Methods:Given that intrinsic drug resistance pre-exists and is governed by both tumour and host factors, the current study was performed to examine the cross-talk between tumour inflammatory microenvironment and cancer cells, and their roles in mediating differential chemotherapy response in HGSC patients. Expression profiling of a panel of 184 inflammation-related genes was performed in 15 chemoresistant and 19 chemosensitive HGSC tumours using the NanoString nCounter platform.Results:A total of 11 significantly differentially expressed genes were found to distinguish the two groups. As STAT1 was the most significantly differentially expressed gene (P=0.003), we validated the expression of STAT1 protein by immunohistochemistry using an independent cohort of 183 (52 resistant and 131 sensitive) HGSC cases on a primary tumour tissue microarray. Relative expression levels were subjected to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression models.Conclusions:This study confirms that higher STAT1 expression is significantly associated with increased progression-free survival and that this protein together with other mediators of tumour-host microenvironment can be applied as a novel response predictive biomarker in HGSC. Furthermore, an overall underactive immune microenvironment suggests that the pre-existing state of the tumour immune microenvironment could determine response to chemotherapy in HGSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatemeh Estebsari,1 Maryam Dastoorpoor,2 Davoud Mostafaei,3 Narges Khanjani,4 Zahra Rahimi Khalifehkandi,5 Abbas Rahimi Foroushani,6 Hamidreza Aghababaeian,7 Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi8 1Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 2Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, 3Department of Nursing Management, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 4Neurology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 5Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 6Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 7Nursing and Emergency Department, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, 8Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background: Older adults are more vulnerable to health risks than younger people and may get exposed to various dangers, including elder abuse. This study aimed to design and implement an empowerment educational intervention to prevent elder abuse.Methods: This parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2014–2016 for 18 months on 464 older adults aged above 60 years who visited health houses of 22 municipalities in Tehran. Data were collected using standard questionnaires, including the Elder Abuse-Knowledge Questionnaire, Health-Promoting Behavior Questionnaire, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, Barriers to Healthy Lifestyle, Perceived Social Support, Perceived Self-Efficacy, Loneliness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the SCARED (stress, coping, argument, resources, events, and dependence) tool. The intervention was done in twenty 45- to 60-minute training sessions over 6 months. Data analysis were performed using χ2 tests, multiple linear and logistic regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM).Results: The frequency of knowledge of elder abuse, self-efficacy, social support and health promoting lifestyle before the intervention was similar in the two groups. However, the frequency of high knowledge of elder abuse (94.8% in the intervention group and 46.6% in the control group), high self-efficacy (82.8% and 7.8%, respectively), high social support (97.0% and 10.3%, respectively) and high health promoting lifestyle (97.0% and 10.3%, respectively) was significantly higher (P

In this article, a standard and comprehensive two-diode model of a solar cell is first fully described, and a solar panel model based on this model is developed. A measurement system is designed and implemented to evaluate the validity of the developed model. This measurement system is capable of extracting the electrical behaviour of solar panels in different environmental conditions. A comparison between measurement data and simulation results is performed to evaluate the model's accuracy. It is observed that the extracted electrical parameters have a good compatibility with the simulated data only near to nominal conditions. The main conclusion to be drawn is that the obtained model of a solar panel cannot fully describe its behaviour in a wide range of environmental conditions and consequently a modification is needed. Finally an appropriate method, using curve fitting, is introduced to modify the model. By adding several nonlinear terms to the equations of the solar panel model, the accuracy of the model is considerably boosted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Controversy remains over the optimal timing of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who have initially been treated with fibrinolytic agents. Objective: A meta-analysis of studies was performed comparing immediate or early angiography after fibrinolysis versus a more conservative strategy of deferred PCI or ischaemia-guided management. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov Study selection Nine contemporary randomised controlled trials eligible for inclusion enrolling a total of 3325 patients were identified. Follow-up ranged between 1 and 12 months. Data Extraction: Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a standard form and cross-checked. Results There was suggestive evidence for a reduction in the risk of total mortality in patients undergoing immediate or early PCI. There were no significant differences in the risk of stroke or major bleeding. Conclusions These results support the current recommendation of a routine early invasive strategy in STEMI patients after successful fibrinolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, power converter industry is moving fast toward two important goals: high efficiency and small weight and size. In this way, switching frequency is a good solution for achieving those goals, but it has two sides. A higher switching frequency allows us to use smaller components so it reduces the size and the weight of converter, in return it reduces efficiency. The use of high frequency in full load is an obligation, since it helps us to avoid excessive output ripple and core saturation problem, thus we can ignore its bad impact on efficiency. At light load, which the limitations of core saturation and excessive output ripple are not faced, it is possible to increase efficiency by using lower switching frequency. This paper shows the practical implementation of a variable switching frequency scheme for a DC-DC converter used in a SCBC and its impact on increasing the overall efficiency of the SCBC. Various methods of implementation are discussed and experimental results are provided. Finally, it was shown that efficiency can be improved up to 15% at light loads for the interior DC-DC converter and up to 11% for the SCBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Blood homocysteine levels are positively associated with cardiovascular disease, but it is uncertain whether the association is causal.Objective: To assess the effects of reducing homocysteine levels with folic acid and vitamin B(12) on vascular and nonvascular outcomes.Design, Setting, and Patients: Double-blind randomized controlled trial of 12,064 survivors of myocardial infarction in secondary care hospitals in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2008.Interventions: 2 mg folic acid plus 1 mg vitamin B(12) daily vs matching placebo.Main Outcome Measures: First major vascular event, defined as major coronary event (coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization), fatal or nonfatal stroke, or noncoronary revascularization.Results: Allocation to the study vitamins reduced homocysteine by a mean of 3.8 micromol/L (28%). During 6.7 years of follow-up, major vascular events occurred in 1537 of 6033 participants (25.5%) allocated folic acid plus vitamin B(12) vs 1493 of 6031 participants (24.8%) allocated placebo (risk ratio [RR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.12; P = .28). There were no apparent effects on major coronary events (vitamins, 1229 [20.4%], vs placebo, 1185 [19.6%]; RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97-1.13), stroke (vitamins, 269 [4.5%], vs placebo, 265 [4.4%]; RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.86-1.21), or noncoronary revascularizations (vitamins, 178 [3.0%], vs placebo, 152 [2.5%]; RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.95-1.46). Nor were there significant differences in the numbers of deaths attributed to vascular causes (vitamins, 578 [9.6%], vs placebo, 559 [9.3%]) or nonvascular causes (vitamins, 405 [6.7%], vs placebo, 392 [6.5%]) or in the incidence of any cancer (vitamins, 678 [11.2%], vs placebo, 639 [10.6%]).Conclusion: Substantial long-term reductions in blood homocysteine levels with folic acid and vitamin B(12) supplementation did not have beneficial effects on vascular outcomes but were also not associated with adverse effects on cancer incidence.Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN74348595. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Nausea and vomiting are the most frequent complications in the first trimester of pregnancy. Herbal medicine is among the traditional effective treatments. Ginger and Chamomile are hypothesized to be useful in decreasing the signs. This study was done to determine the effect of Ginger and Chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 105 pregnant women in 6-16 weeks of gestational age with a mild to moderate nausea and vomiting, whome referred to the prenatal care clinic in Dezyani hospital and health centers, Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2009-10. Rhodes index questionnaire had been given to all participants to be completed before bed-time for two weeks. In the first week no intervention was done and prescribing the capsules was started the following week. Subjects randomly divided into 3 groups: In group 1, ginger capsules were consumped twice a day for one week, in group 2 twice daily chamomile capsule and in placebo group, glucose capsule was prescribed. Scores were calculated and all data were entered into the SPSS-16 software, analysis was done using variance analysis, Will-Cockson, paired T and Fisher-exact tests. Results: The mean of Rhodes index before intervention in plasbo, Ginger and Chamomile groups were 12.71±5.88, 10.42±0.76 and 11.19±5.51, respectively. Also, the mean of Rhodes index after intervention in plasbo, Ginger and Chamomile groups were 11.47±6.43, 7.28±3.74 and 5.73±4.32, respectively (P

The article examines potential reasons behind a decline in the response of potential participants to mailed invitations to participate in large randomized trials to test treatment efficacy and safety. It states focus groups were used to examine reasons for the failure of potential participants to take part in the studies. It mentions a lack of transportation and mobility issues were the most common reason given in declining invitations along with concerns about treatment side-effects.

Objective(s): To assess the rate of using different contraceptsions among women attending to Tehran south health centers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from 180 women (90 women under 18 years old and 90 women over 35 years old). Data were collected via a questioner. Results: The results indicated that the most common method in the group under 18 was IUD (25.6%) and in the group over 35 years was OCP (30%). In group 1 there was no association between almost all demographic variables and the contraception methods used, while in group 2 association was found for occupational status (P=0.02) and educational level (P=0.01). Conclusion: The findings suggest that women need more counseling by midwifes to be able to use appropriate contraception methods.

Abstract Background Setting priorities for the prevention and management of heart failure requires an empirical understanding of the pattern of disease burden. We aim to describe the methods for a systematic review of the literature on burden of heart failure in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and how this information will be synthesized to produce useful estimates that can inform policy and practice. Methods We will conduct a comprehensive search strategy for articles published between 1995 and April 2012 related to incidence, prevalence and treatment of heart failure in LMIC. Populations will be coded as urban, rural, or combined and studies classified as national, sub-national, healthcare system-based, or community level. Details from eligible studies will be extracted independently by two reviewers using a pre-designed data extraction form that will cover information on demographics, diagnostic criteria including disease incidence and prevalence, medical history, medication history, and hospital- or community-based management and outcomes. We will assess the reporting and methodological quality of the included studies and conduct a quantitative summary of reported outcomes where appropriate. Discussion Currently, there are important gaps in our knowledge on the burden of heart failure in LMIC and this systematic review aims to provide useful information that improves our knowledge in this field. Results are expected to be publicly available in early 2013.

Acute coronary syndrome patients on dual antiplatelet therapy needing emergent or urgent cardiac surgery are at risk of major bleeding, which can impair post-operative outcomes. Results from the PSA showed that CytoSorb has a high probability of being cost saving (99% in emergent cardiac surgery and 53%-77% in urgent cardiac surgery, depending on the comparators). Implementation of CytoSorb intraoperatively for patients on ticagrelor undergoing emergent or urgent cardiac surgery is a cost-saving strategy, yielding improvement in perioperative and postoperative outcomes and decreased health resource use. [Extracted from the article]