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The semi real-time observations of oil-in-water emulsification process in a Kenics static mixer were performed using a novel in situ visualization system. The homogenization processes and emulsion characteristics were analyzed using images taken periodically in fixed time intervals during the emulsification process. Morphological evolution of droplets was monitored and the mechanism of droplet formation was studied, both experimentally and theoretically. A wide range of dispersed phase concentration as well as surfactant concentration were used in the experiments and their impacts on emulsion characteristics were determined. Different droplet formation mechanisms occurred during the experimental results are presented. The relationship between droplet sizes, flow rate, surfactant concentration, and other impact factors was visually shown, and their role in controlling the emulsification process was revealed. The minimum droplet size obtained from the dispersed phase in emulsions was shown to be perfectly monitored and controlled by this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Computational models are based on symbolic architecture. For this reason, computational models function problematically in dynamic, noisy, and continuous environments. The ACT/R (Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational) model is also problematic, as it is purely based on symbolic architecture like other computational models. The ACT/R decision-making process is based on the production operator on the input subject set. This approach firstly does not make a non-linear mapping between input and the decision-making result in ACT/R. Secondly, it is not possible to decide on the input subjects with a continuous input range because of the need to introduce numerous rules. The objective of presenting the ACT/R-radial basis function (RBF) hybrid architecture method was to create a communication network between input concepts in which the reception of and decision making on a combination of subjects and symbols are possible. Moreover, a non-linear mapping between input and the decision-making result can be created. The said capabilities have been obtained by the combination of ACT/R with an RBF neural network and calculation of the decision-making centers in the said network using clustering. The empirical experiments indicate desirable results in this regard.

Recent investigations have demonstrated abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs in pituitary adenomas. Cntribution of many lncRNAs to the pathogenesis of these tumors has not been evaluated yet. HOTTIP, ANRIL, PANDAR, PCGEM1 and HOTAIR are among lncRNAs with established roles in the pathogenesis of human cancers, particularly those originated from endocrine organs. The current study aims at assessment of expression of these lncRNAs in pituitary adenomas in comparison with the adjacent non-cancerous pituitary tissues. HOTAIR expression was absent from the majority of adenoma and non-tumoral samples. Expression of HOTTIP was significantly higher in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) samples compared with paired normal samples (expression ratio (95 % CI)= 2.1 (1.13-2.1), P value=0.03). Expression of PANDAR was higher in total adenoma samples compared with paired normal samples (expression ratio (95 % CI)= 1.91 (1.16-3.13), P value=0.02). Expression of ANRIL was higher in NFPA samples compared with paired normal samples (expression ratio (95 % CI)= 1.94 (1.05-3.6), P value=0.048) and in total adenoma samples compared with paired normal samples (expression ratio (95 % CI)= 1.82 (1.11-2.98), P value=0.025). The current study raises the possibility of contribution of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of at least some subtypes of pituitary adenomas and warrant further functional studies in this field., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Natural biopolymers are used for various purposes in healthcare, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. Bacterial cellulose and chitosan were preferred in this study due to their non-cytotoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-inflammatory properties. The study reports the development of a magnetic bacterial cellulose-chitosan (BC-CS-Fe 3 O 4 ) nanocomposite that can be used as a biocompatible scaffold for tissue engineering. Iron oxide nanoparticles were included in the composite to provide superparamagnetic properties that are useful in a variety of applications, including osteogenic differentiation, magnetic imaging, drug delivery, and thermal induction for cancer treatment., Methods: The magnetic nanocomposite was prepared by immersing Fe 3 O 4 in a mixture of bacterial cellulose-chitosan scaffold and then freeze-drying it. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized using FE-SEM and FTIR techniques. The swelling ratio and mechanical strength of the scaffolds were evaluated experimentally. The biodegradability of the scaffolds was assessed using PBS for 8 weeks at 37°C. The cytotoxicity and osteogenic differentiation of the nanocomposite were studied using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and alizarin red staining. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparisons test was used for statistical analysis., Results: The FTIR spectra demonstrated the formation of bonds between functional groups of nanoparticles. FE-SEM images showed the integrity of the fibrillar network. The magnetic nanocomposite has the highest swelling ratio (2445% ± 23.34) and tensile strength (5.08 MPa). After 8 weeks, the biodegradation ratios of BC, BC-CS, and BC-CS-Fe 3 O 4 scaffolds were 0.75% ± 0.35, 2.5% ± 0.1, and 9.5% ± 0.7, respectively. Magnetic nanocomposites have low toxicity ( P < 0.0001) and higher osteogenic potential compared to other scaffolds., Conclusion: Based on its high tensile strength, low water absorption, suitable degradability, low cytotoxicity, and high ability to induce an increase in calcium deposits by stem cells, the magnetic BC-CS-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite scaffold can be a suitable candidate as a biomaterial for osteogenic differentiation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

A novel and efficient Graphene Oxide-Polyethylene Glycol mono-4-nonylphenyl Ether (GO-PEGPE) nanocomposite was synthesized and used for solid phase extraction of trace levels of Pb 2+ in different water and blood samples. The synthesized adsorbent was then characterized by the Fourier Transform-Infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). To optimize the critical parameters including pH of samples solution, amounts of adsorbent and extraction time, the response surface methodology based on the central composite design (RSM-CCD) was used and based on the results, pH = 6.0, extraction time = 22 min and amounts of adsorbent = 15 mg were selected as the optimum conditions. The relative standard deviation based on seven replicate analysis of 2 µg L -1 Pb 2+ was 5.2% and the limit of detection was 0.023 µg L -1 ( n  = 8). The results of adsorption isotherm investigation show that the adsorption of Pb 2+ onto the GO-PEGPE nanocomposite obeyed by the Langmuir isotherm with the maximum adsorption capacity of 69.44 mg g -1 . Also, based on the Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) isotherms, the adsorption of Pb 2+ onto the GO-PEGPE nanocomposite is a physisorption phenomenon and the consequences of the kinetic models illustrated that the adsorption of Pb 2+ followed by the pseudo second order adsorption kinetic model. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for preconcentration of Pb 2+ in different water and blood samples of turning industry workers., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestAuthors declared that they don’t have any conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2022.)

Introduction: The categorization of delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) based on the ear which produces vertigo may sometimes cause misdiagnosis., Objectives: The aim of this study was investigating the vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), electrocochleography (ECoG), and videonystagmography (VNG) in cases with DEH to determine the ear that originates symptoms., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 34 patients - 20 males and 14 females - with profound unilateral sensorineural deafness and vertigo attacks were recruited and evaluated by the ECoG, VNG, and VEMPs tests., Results: The average age was around 43; the summating potential/action potential was abnormal in 29.4% of patients in their normal auditive ear. In 32.4, 17.6, and 50% of cases with a deaf ear, absent, normal, and abnormal VEMPs results were sequentially observed, respectively. In normal-hearing ears, absent, normal, and abnormal VEMPs were observed in 23.5, 50, and 26.5%, respectively. In the normal-hearing ear, the distribution of abnormal VEMPs was 26.5%, and in the deaf ear, this parameter was abnormal in 50% of the opposite ear (p value = 0.00021). In the VNG test, among patients with a normal-hearing ear, results in 27 and 7 patients were sequentially normal and hypofunction., Conclusion and Significance: The probability of a hypofunction VNG test in a normal-hearing ear might be greater when the VEMPs results of the contralateral deaf ear are normal. In patients with a normal-hearing ear, the distribution of abnormal VEMPs in the contralateral deaf ear is greater, although the intact side may also manifest abnormality in VEMPs tests. The initial evaluation should begin in a deaf ear as well as for the normal-hearing ear ere utilizing ablation surgery., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Pompe disease (PD) is a rare autosomal recessive multi-systemic lysosomal storage disorder, caused by mutations in the acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) gene located on 17q25.2-q25.3. It is one of about 50 rare genetic diseases categorized as lysosomal storage disorders. This disease is characterized by a range of different symptoms related to acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency. Mutation recognition in the GAA gene can be very significant for purposes such as therapeutic interference, early diagnosis and genotype-phenotype relationship. In the current study, peripheral blood samples were gathered from patients with PD and healthy members of three families. Enzymatic activity of GAA was checked. Then, mutation detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing of all exons in samples with decreased enzyme activity. The identified mutations were investigated using bioinformatics tools to predict possible effects on the protein product and also to compare the mutated sequence with near species. Three novel mutations (c.1966-1968delGAG, c.2011-2012delAT and c.1475-1481dupACCCCAC) were identified in the GAA gene. Assessment of the effects of these mutations on protein structure and function showed the possibility of harmful effects and their significant alterations in the protein structure. The three novel GAA gene mutations detected in this study expand the information about the molecular genetics of PD and can be used to helpdiagnosis and genetic counseling of affected families.

Genetic polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene may alter the risk of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association of MTHFR C677T and A1298C genetic polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in case-control studies which was followed by stratified analysis. In the case-control study, 300 subjects including 150 women with breast cancer and 150 healthy women were enrolled. After blood sample collection, the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms genotyping were done by the PCR-RFLP method. Our data revealed a significant association between MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and breast cancer risk. But, as a preliminary study, stratified analysis revealed no significant association between C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and tumor size and also lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. According to the mentioned findings, the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene could be molecular risk factors for breast cancer in our studied population. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to obtain a more accurate conclusion in stratified analysis., .

Continuous monitoring of water quality in dam reservoirs is a typically difficult and costly operation. In this study, the results of computer modeling with the CE-QUAL-W2 model were combined with data mining techniques to develop a new method called "delta-normal stress" for identifying the critical temporal and spatial monitoring ranges. For this purpose, long-term variations of three quality parameters including nitrite-nitrate level, dissolved oxygen (DO) level, and water temperature near the outlet of the dam, which is the point of interest for reservoir exploitation, were analyzed. Based on this analysis, the time intervals and depth ranges with the highest frequency of significant variations in terms of each parameter were identified. The results showed that given the difference between the delta-normal stress trend of temperature and that of other parameters in Karkheh Dam Reservoir, temperature can be monitored at much lower sampling resolutions and using cheaper methods and equipment without sacrificing accuracy. Based on the frequency of occurrence of delta-normal stress of more than 20% above the total average, the key sampling times and locations for nitrite-nitrate and DO levels were determined to be the periods of January-February, February-March, and March-April, and depths of 60, 55, 50, and 5 m, respectively.

Despite some proposed roles for the diagnostic impact of the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test in the patients with Meniere's disease, the role of this test as an objective instrument in following up the patients with Meniere's disease who underwent. Intratympanic steroid injection is not cleared. In a prospective study, thirty-one adult patients with definite one-sided Meniere's disease with vertigo as main complaint refractory to medical treatments for three months, were selected. Patients underwent three times of intratympanic dexamethasone injection with one-week intervals. We performed cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test at first and four weeks after the last injection for all participants. We followed the patients for one year. The study results were analyzed with the chi-square test. Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test could not be recorded in 26 patients (83.9%), and the test results were abnormal in the remaining 5 patients. The results were abnormal in the healthy ear of 32.3% of the patients. Despite the clinical improvement of the symptoms after intratympanic injection, the test results were not changed. Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test could not be recorded in the majority of the patients with Meniere's disease; while it is usually recorded in normal ears. On the other hand, results of the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test do not change during the early phase after treatment and could not be a good option for follow up and evaluating the response in this situation.

Objective: Balance function has been reported to be worse in ADHD children than in their normal peers. The present study hypothesized that an improvement in balance could result in better cognitive performance in children with ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation therapy on the cognitive performance of children with combined ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment., Methods: Subject were 54 children with combined ADHD. Those with severe vestibular impairment (n=33) were randomly assigned to two groups that were matched for age. A rehabilitation program comprising overall balance and gate, postural stability, and eye movement exercises was assigned to the intervention group. Subjects in the control group received no intervention for the same time period. Intervention was administered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Choice reaction time (CRT) and spatial working memory (SWM) subtypes of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were completed pre- and post-intervention to determine the effects of vestibular rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of the subjects with ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment. ANCOVA was used to compare the test results of the intervention and control group post-test., Results: The percentage of correct trial scores for the CRT achieved by the intervention group post-test increased significantly compared to those of the control group (p=0.029). The CRT mean latency scores were significantly prolonged in the intervention group following intervention (p=0.007) compared to the control group. No significant change was found in spatial functioning of the subjects with ADHD following 12 weeks of intervention (p>0.05)., Conclusion: The study highlights the effect of vestibular rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of children with combined ADHD and concurrent vestibular disorder. The findings indicate that attention can be affected by early vestibular rehabilitation, which is a basic program for improving memory function in such children. Appropriate vestibular rehabilitation programs based on the type of vestibular impairment of children can improve their cognitive ability to some extent in children with ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment (p>0.05)., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Vestibular dysfunction in childhood can have a major effect on a child's developmental process. Balance function has been reported to be poorer in children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in their typically developing peers. Due to contradictory available evidence and the paucity of research on vestibular function specifically in children with combined ADHD (cADHD), we designed this aged-matched study to assess vestibular function in children with cADHD., Design: We enrolled 30 typically developing children (15 boys and 15 girls; mean age, 9 years 6 months; range, 7 to 12 years) and 33 children (19 boys and 14 girls; mean age, 9 years 0 months; range, 7 to 12 years) with cADHD diagnosed by our research psychiatrist. Typically developing controls were used to obtain normative data on vestibular testing and to examine the impact of age on the vestibular response parameters, and these results were compared with those of the cADHD group. All children underwent the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration subtype of the rotary chair test (0.01, 0.02, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 Hz) and the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) test., Results: At all five frequencies in the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test, there was no significant correlation between age and any of the following rotary chair response parameters in typically developing children: vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, phase, asymmetry, and fixation index. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between age and any of the following cVEMP parameters for the right and left ears of control group: p1 and n1 latency, amplitude, threshold, and amplitude ratio. Significantly higher VOR gains were observed for children with cADHD at frequencies of 0.01 (p = 0.001), 0.08 (p < 0.001), 0.16 (p = 0.001), and 0.32 (p = 0.003) Hz, when compared with the control group. Furthermore, fixation abilities were significantly lower in the cADHD group than in the control group at 0.16 (p < 0.001) and 0.32 (p < 0.001) Hz. cVEMP parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups., Conclusions: Our results showed higher VOR gains and poorer fixation abilities in children with cADHD compared with typically developing children. Cerebellar dysfunction in patients with ADHD has been well documented in the literature, and our findings of cVEMP and rotary chair tests for these children showed impaired vestibular function in these children, based on increased VOR gain values and decreased fixation capabilities. Because VOR gain is mediated through the inferior olive and controlled by the cerebellum, our results suggest that central inhibition of vestibular function may be deficient in children with cADHD, resulting in higher VOR gains. Also, there is general agreement that failure of fixation suppression indicates a central lesion. The lesion can originate from the parietal-occipital cortex, the pons, or the cerebellum. However, failure of fixation suppression is most prominent in lesions involving the midline cerebellum that could be counted for children with cADHD. We believe that this contribution is theoretically and practically relevant as high VOR gains and decreased suppression capabilities may result in symptoms of reading and writing difficulties, learning disabilities, vertigo, and motion sickness in these children. Therefore, assessment of vestibular function in children with cADHD at a young age must be considered when developing rehabilitation protocols for these children.

Introduction: Meniere's disease (MD) is a disease of the inner ear that presents itself with repeated episodes of vertigo (96.2%), tinnitus (91.1%), and sensorineural hearing loss (87.7 %). In this article we sought to assess the effects of intratympanic (IT) injections of dexamethasone on definite cases of MD using electrocochleography (ECOG)., Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based case series in 36 patients, we measured audiometric values and ECOG in all patients before, 1 month and 6 months after 4-mg/mL IT injections of dexamethasone., Results: Four patients (11%) had improved hearing following the intervention. No difference in pure tone audiometry (PTA) was observed following IT injections (P=0.492), while speech discrimination score (SDS) was significantly improved (P=0.008). There was a significant improvement in vertigo 1 month after IT injections (P<0.001), although this effect did not last for 6 months. No significant change in ECOG was observed between before and after treatment (P=0.052)., Conclusion: IT dexamethasone injections can improve vertigo in definite cases of MD, although it seems that the effect is only temporary.

Meniere's disease is the disorder of inner ear characterized by vertigo, tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test could be useful in the analysis of saccular function, and diagnosis of Meniere's disease. In this study, we've analyzed the saccular function, using VEMP test in different groups of Meniere's disease. Patients were categorized as possible, probable or definite Meniere's disease groups according to the guideline of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The exclusion criteria were neuromuscular system diseases, diseases of central nervous system, inner ear disorders, conductive hearing loss, a history of ototoxic drug consumption, being a drug abuser and a positive history of inner ear surgery or manipulations. The VEMP test is the recording of positive and negative waves from sternocleidomastoid muscle that is made by an auditory click to the ear. From the total of 100 patients, the waves of VEMP test was seen in 59 patients which 19 patients had abnormal amplitude, and latency and 40 patients were with normally recorded waves. There was a significant relationship between the severity of hearing loss and a VEMP test without any recorded waves. Most of the cases with 'no wave recorded' VEMP test, were patients with severe hearing loss. However, there wasn't any relation between the pattern of hearing loss and 'no wave recorded' VEMP test. VEMP test could be a valuable diagnostic clue especially in patients with definite Meniere's disease.

Dejerine-Sottas disease is classified as hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (HMSN) type III and shows evidence of Friedreich's ataxia, significant reduction in nerve conduction velocity (NCV), hypomyelination and demyelination of the nerve fibers. In this study, a 10-years-old girl with Dejerine-Sottas disease is presented in which routine clinical signs (ataxia and reduced NCV) seem with significant impairments of auditory brainstem pathway. It is indicated that pure tone audiometry, standard tympanometry (tympanometry and acoustic reflex), and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) showed normal results in both ears (normal peripheral auditory system). In contrast, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) indicated abnormal findings in absolute latencies of I, III, and V and inter-peak latencies of I-III and I-V. These findings suggested auditory brainstem involvement especially in low and mid regions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Conclusion: Our results suggest that isolated auditory or vestibular involvement is unlikely and in fact audiovestibular neuropathy can better explain auditory neuropathy., Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate saccule and related neural pathways in auditory neuropathy patients., Methods: Three males and five females diagnosed with auditory neuropathy were included in this prospective study. Patients' ages ranged from 21 to 45 years with a mean age of 28.6 ± 8.1 years and the history of disease was between 4 and 19 years. A group of 30 normal subjects served as the control group. The main outcome measures were the mean peak latency (in ms) of the two early waves (p13 and n23) of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test in patients and controls., Results: Of the 8 patients (16 ears), normal response was detected in 3 ears (1 in right and 2 in left ears). There were unrepeatable waves in four ears and absent VEMPs in nine ears.