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This study aimed to examine the impact of 12 weeks of aerobic interval, resistance and combined exercise on inflammatory markers of TNF-a, IFN-y, Metrnl and IL-4 in obese men. Forty-four individuals (35–55 years; body mass index (BMI): 30–40 kg/m2) voluntarily participated, and were randomly divided into four groups: aerobic interval exercise (n = 10) (5 × 3-min intervals at ∼40–80% peak heart rate), resistance exercise (n = 11) (2–3 sets, 8–20 repetitions at 40–80% one-repetition maximum), combined exercise (n = 12) (a combination of both aerobic and resistance exercises) and control (n = 11). The exercise protocol in all three groups was 12 weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week. IL-4 increased significantly in aerobic interval (P = 0.005), resistance (P = 0.005), and combined (P = 0.022) exercise groups. TNF-α decreased significantly only in the aerobic (P = 0.005) and combined (P = 0.012) groups, but it increased in the resistance group (P = 0.025). None of the exercise interventions resulted in a significant change in Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) and IFN-γ levels (P > 0.05). The results suggest that aerobic and combined exercises may have more beneficial effects in improving the inflammatory status than resistance exercise alone in obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Cupping therapy is one of the treatments for myofascial pain that has not been sufficiently studied. This study aimed to compare the effects of cupping massage and exercise training on pain, disability and Fatigue severity in patients with trapezius myofascial syndrome. Patients and methods. Forty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups of cupping massage and conventional exercise training. The outcome measure included pain intensity, disability, and fatigue. The duration of intervention was 4 weeks (3 times a week) for both groups. The intervention included moving cup with negative pressure on the trapezius muscle for 5 minutes in each session in the cupping group and strengthening and stretching exercises for trapezius muscle in the exercise group. Questionnaires were completed and analyzed immediately after the last intervention session and three months later. Results. Immediately after the intervention and three months later, in both groups, pain, disability and fatigue severity were significantly reduced (P value < 0.01). These changes were significantly greater in the cupping group than in the exercise group (P value < 0.01). Conclusions. Massage cupping should be considered as a feasible, safe, fast, and effective method for patients with trapezius pain syndrome, also, can be combined with other rehabilitation programs in the treatment of myofascial pain and muscle strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the era of globalization and competitiveness of urban centers, the creative class is considered as one of the main driving forces of growth and development of metropolises. In this regard, attracting and retaining this elusive social group, by identifying and satisfying their spatial preferences, has been included in the spatial development planning agendas of cities and metropolises. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to (1) explain the relationship between the creative class as driving forces and spatial growth and development as an achievement, and (2) to identify the various spatial preferences of creative classes in the metropolitan area of Tehran by residential, leisure, activity and communication needs. Methods: This research is methodologically in the category of combined research (qualitative and quantitative) based on the analysis of objects based on official statistics and the analysis of mentalities by different creative groups; In collecting information, the methods of documentary analysis, statistics and social surveys using interviews and questionnaires have been used, as well as in the classification of creative groups, the method of scenario writing has been used with the help of scenario wizard software. Results: The results show that the creative class is considered as the driving force of growth and development of Tehran metropolis. The high correlation between the share of creative manpower and value-added output confirms this claim. Also, the performed analyzes make it possible to distinguish four distinct groups of naturalist, urbanist, knowledge and art in terms of differences in the activity characteristics and spatial preferences of the creative class. Conclusion: Planning for the recruitment and retention of the creative class in the metropolis of Tehran requires identifying the differences, features and distinct spatial preferences of each of these groups. Based on this, their spatial-activity preferences were identified and presented in the form of solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-associated changes in the levels of luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are potential risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD); hCG concentration is related to the incidence of AD. The highest density of hCG receptors is in zones of the brain that are vulnerable to AD and streptozotocin (STZ) can decrease the density of this receptor. We investigated the effects of different doses of hCG on hCG receptor density in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum in a rat model of STZ-induced AD. AD was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of 3 mg/kg STZ. The resulting AD rats were treated for 3 days with 50, 100 or 200 IU/200 μl hCG, or with saline as a control. Sections of prefrontal cortex and cerebellum were stained immunohistochemically and hCG receptor-immunoreactive (ir) neurons were counted. STZ injected into the lateral ventricles of rat brains reduced the density of hCG receptor-ir neurons in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. hCG administration resulted in a significant dose-dependent increase in the number of hCG receptor-ir neurons in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. The maximum increase in the number of receptors occurred following the 200 IU dose of hCG. Administration of hCG ameliorated the lowered density of hCG receptor-ir neurons in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex in STZ-induced AD rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminal drought stress during grain filling period has recently become more common in the semiarid Mediterranean regions, where wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is grown as an important winter cereal crop. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of terminal drought stress on grain yield, gas exchange variables, and some physiological traits of nine bread wheat cultivars. An experiment was carried out in a split-plot arrangement using randomized complete blocks design with three replications during the 2010-2011 season at the research farm of Razi University, Iran. Based on the results obtained, post anthesis water deficit significantly decreased grain yield, biomass, 1,000 grain weight, and harvest index of wheat cultivars. Under terminal drought stress and control treatments, there were significant differences between cultivars in terms of all traits studied. Also, terminal drought stress decreased leaf net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate, Chlorophyll a, b, and a/b, and increased leaf temperature and sub-stomatal CO2 concentration. Cultivars differed in their response to water stress. In general, tolerant cultivars showed a higher Pn and gs and leaf water content under both moisture conditions compared with susceptible ones. A greater reduction in gs and transpiration rate and smaller reduction in Pn under stress condition led to a remarkably higher photosynthetic water use efficiency of the tolerant cultivars. Finally, it can be concluded that planting wheat variety DN-11 in areas with post-anthesis water stress was recommendable for maximizing grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of hydrocarbon partial pressure on single carbon nanotube (CNT) growth in chemical vapor deposition is investigated by a new theoretical model based on kinetic theory of gases and, phonon vibrations of carbon nanotube on catalyst. Results show that CNTs with larger diameter grow lesser owing to higher damping factors and CNT inertia. In addition, an optimum temperature for the growth is obtained for a CNT with a specific diameter and catalyst. Also it is shown that the optimum temperature is changed by using different catalysts. Finally effect of the partial pressure on the growth is also discussed. It is demonstrated that increasing partial pressure leads to the longest CNTs and also, influence of partial pressure on CNTs with smaller diameters is stronger. All results of the presented mechanism are in good agreement with reported experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important phenomena influencing the resistivity behavior of nanotubes based on the change of their radius is a physical effect called "pinch effect". In this paper, according to the experimental results, the electrical resistivity behavior of carbon nanotubes is modeled as a function of the radius in the radius range of 3–10 nm. The pinch effect is not observed for weak current, but if the radius of carbon nanotube is very small, this effect will be considerable and affects carbon nanotube resistivity. The deviations observed in ρ – R (resistivity as a function of nanotube radius) diagrams for individual carbon nanotube are justified with different parameters such as pinch effect phenomenon. The results show an acceptable theoretical model for the behavior of electrical resistivity relative to radius reduction. The theory diagram of the electrical resistivity behavior of carbon nanotubes in terms of radius reduction is predicted in very small radii. These results are consistent with the experimental results. It is consistent and generalizable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Despite extensive investigations, many aspects of etiology and pathophysiology remain unclear. In multiple sclerosis patients, immune system reacts against autologous proteins in the myelin membrane. Most evidences support the hypothesis that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to disease development. But after the failure of genetic findings to explain the reason for the unequal incidence of MS in identical twins, investigators focused further on environmental factors such as vitamin D deficiency, smoking, living in different latitudes and perhaps the most importantly the role of viruses in people whom are genetically susceptible to MS. There is increasing evidence that viruses may play important role in MS pathogenesis following environmental triggers. Recently, studies focused on the role of herpes virus family, especially Epstein- Barr virus, human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and Varicella Zoster virus, as the virus is prevalent in society. This review mainly focused on the identification of important viruses with key role in MS the mechanism behind pathogenesis and describes the animal models of MS. The results of researches are shown strong evidence of the virus or antibodies to viral components in active plaques in MS affected patients, but still cannot be stated with certainty that one or more specific viruses are simultaneously trigger the disease. Further studies are required to prove the pathogenesis of viruses in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research work, the potential probiotic properties of Lactococcus lactis KMCM3 and Lactobacillus helveticus KMCH1 isolated from raw camel milk and traditional fermented camel milk (Chal), respectively, were studied. The probiotic properties of isolates that were investigated included the hemolysis, antibiotic resistance, antibacterial features, resistance to low pH and bile salts, survival under simulated GastroIntestinal Tract (GIT) conditions, adhesion ability to hydrocarbon, and their autoaggregation and co-aggregation rates. None of isolates exhibited hemolytic activity. They were susceptible against tetracycline, penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and vancomycin. Lac. lactis KMCM3 and L. helveticus KMCH1 retained their viability at pH 3.0 (8.68 and 8.6 log cfu mL-1, respectively), 0.3% w/v bile salts (8.23 and 8.58 log cfu mL-1, respectively) and under simulated GIT conditions (8.31 and 8.46 log cfu mL-1, respectively). Both of these isolates inhibited the growth of E. coli, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, B. cereus and S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium with MIC values of 6.25 to 25 mg mL-1. In addition, They exhibited an ability to adhere to hydrocarbon (xylene), and possessed a high auto-aggregation and co-aggregation rate (more than 40%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to compare parametric and nonparametric stability measures, and to identify high-yield and stable bread wheat genotypes, 20 accessions were grown in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications under 6 irrigated and dryland conditions. Combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bredenkamp test indicated the presence of significant genotype Xenvironment interactions. Parametric and non-parametric stability statistics introduced genotypes: G13, G15 and G18 as the most stable. The statistics ∂[sub i][sup 2] , bi, S[sub i][sup (3)] and S [sub i][sup (6)] were desirable for the simultaneous selection of yield and stability. Spearman's rank correlation indicated that most non-parametric measures were significantly (P<0.01) inter-correlated with parametric measures and therefore can be used as alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is known as a high risk pregnancy. However, some study show that good prenatal care can decrease the rate of complications. This study was done to evaluate the frequency of preterm labor, still birth, premature rupture of membranes, cesarean section, eclampsia, low birth weight and interest of mother's about the type of delivery. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from October 2009 to November 2010 in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Five hundred mothers were followed during their pregnancy and were divided into two groups, under 20 years (teenagers) and-over 20 years. The complications and outcome of pregnancy were evaluated and the collected data was analyzed by SPSS 16. Results: Five hundred pregnant women were evaluated during their pregnancy. The mean age of teenage women was 18.12±1.11 years and the mean age of over 20-years mothers was 26.53±3.08 years. 15 (6%) teenage women have experienced eclampsia, while only 4(1.6%) women over 20 years old had eclampsia (p=0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that teenage pregnancy has more complications than older age; and more education is needed to reduce this type of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental results show that there are unpredicted phenomena in the resistivity behavior of nanotubes as a function of their diameter. In this paper, the electrical resistivity behavior of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is modeled as a function of diameter (at constant temperature) based on nanotube chirality. The effect of overlap of chirality surfaces on the resistivity of individual CNTs has been investigated and showed that if the windows of hexagonal lattice of individual CNTs face each other, the CNT resistivity increases. This effect becomes weaker if the diameter of nanotube increases. The proposed theoretical model explains the behavior of electrical resistivity of CNTs as a function of their diameters caused by chirality surface overlapping effect, and the obtained results are compared with the experimental reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the adsorption mechanism, density of states, charge population analysis and electrical conductance at room temperature are investigated for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) gas by pure, and Cu- and CuO-decorated graphene sheets (GS). All calculations are done using density functional theory. Results demonstrate that a CuO-GS structure has higher binding energy with H 2 S than Cu-GS, and GS. Moreover, the investigated density of states show that orbital hybridization is obviously different between the H 2 S and Cu-GS, and the H 2 S and CuO-GS, while there is no evidence for hybridization between the H 2 S gas and the GS. Furthermore, to find the best nanosensor, electrical conductance of all the possible configurations before and after H 2 S adsorption at room temperature is computationally investigated. The obtained results illustrate that electrical conductance of the CuO-GS is significantly changed by H 2 S gas adsorption. So, in normal conditions and at room temperature, the CuO-GS system has more favorable features in the detection of H 2 S than the GS, and Cu-GS structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is world-renowned for its nutritional and health benefits and its adaptability to different environments. Despite some research on quinoa cultivation, determining the appropriate planting date and density for different genotypes and regions needs to be studied. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of planting date and planting density on quinoa seed yield in climatic conditions of Kermanshah. In this regard, field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons (2019-2020) at the research farm of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. The experiments were conducted as split-plot factorial in randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Three sowing dates (March 15th, April 15th, and May 15th) were assigned to the main plots, two planting densities (40 and 60 plants m-2), and three genotypes including Titicaca, Q29, and Red Carina as subplots. The results showed that the highest seed yield (2179.72 and 2267.39 kg ha-1) were achieved on April 15th, 2019 and May 15th, 2020, respectively. Sowing dates of April 15th in 2019 and May 15th in 2020 with a plant density of 60 plants m-2 and Titicaca genotype had the highest seed yield for quinoa in Kermanshah climatic conditions. The results showed that panicle length and biological yield had a positive and significant correlation with grain yield in all studied planting dates. There was a positive and significant correlation between grain yield and grain weight per plant, 1000-grain weight, and biological yield at both densities. The path analysis revealed that panicle length had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield followed by 1000-seed weight on the first sowing date in 2019 and 2020, while biological yield and panicle length had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield on the second and third sowing dates, respectively. This experiment showed that genotypes and planting dates are the most determining factors affecting quinoa growth, development, and yield compared with planting densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Colonoscopy is an invasive method that is painful for patient especially for children. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of supermint oral drop (peppermint essence) on the patients' pain and their satisfaction after colonoscopy. Methods: In a clinical trial study, 101 patients candidate for colonoscopy were randomly divided into two groups by convenience sampling. Control group did not receive any drug. Case group received oral drop of supermint 30 minutes before colonoscopy. A standard questionnaire was filled after colonoscopy for pain and satisfaction of the patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and t-test. Results: Mean value of pain, duration of colonoscopy in control group was 2.500+0.527 and in case group was 1.625+0.491 (P<0.05). 8 % in control group and 17/6% in case group had high degree of satisfaction. Mean score of satisfaction in case group was 2.607+0.566 that was significantly compared to control group (1.833+0.389) (P<0.05). The time of colonoscopy in case group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that peppermint essence causes reduce pain and increase satisfaction in patients after the colonoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During recent decades, using wind power as one of the most substantial renewable energy sources has been vastly intensified in power systems. Increasing wind power penetration in the power grid can have both detrimental and beneficial effects. Due to the uncertain nature of wind power, the system operator is faced with many challenges to make proper decisions for the electricity market. In this paper, a probabilistic method is proposed which not only effectively manages wind power sources along with other producers, but also takes the uncertain behavior of wind power in defined intervals into account. Using wind farm information in each hour, a new approach for calculating the probability density function (PDF) in uncertainty bounds is presented. By utilizing the calculated PDF two objective functions are proposed for minimizing the total expected cost during 24 h without and with considering consumers payments. The proposed objective functions have been minimized through a two-level optimization method using three different heuristic algorithms (Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO), Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization and Gravitational Search Algorithm (PSO-GSA), and Ant Lion Optimization (ALO)) on an 8-bus sample transmission network. The results show the total expected cost has been decreased up to 20% in some scenarios. In addition, the proposed method can satisfy consumers by keeping their payments close to the lowest amount according to the different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) is the rupture of the membrane before labor and prior to the 37th week. PPROM is a common complication of pregnancy with numerous adverse effects on both the mother and the infant. Identifying the risk factors for PPROM and methods for its early diagnosis and treatment will dramatically decrease the side effects. This study aimed at evaluating the outcome of pregnancies complicated by PPROM. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, analytic, cross-sectional study lasted for six months. It included 57patients who were admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) due to rupture of membrane in28th-34th weeks of pregnancy. Patients were physically examined and asked for their history and symptoms. The collected data was analyzed with chi-square tests. Results: The prevalence of PPROM, cesarean section, tachycardia, fever, and more than 15000/ml leukocytosis was 2.3, 52.7, 74.0, 95.0, and 66.0%, respectively. Distress, sepsis, and death were observed in 21.0, 3.0, and 1.7% of the neonates, respectively. No cases of pneumonia or hyaline membrane disease were detected. There was not a significant relationship between sex and PPROM. Conclusion: Our findings were similar to those of previous research. However, considering the importance of PPROM, larger studies in different areas are required for diagnosis and treatment of PROM to prevent preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]