A review of significant molecular mechanisms of flavonoids in prevention of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among men. Risk factors for prostate cancer contain environmental factors such as diet rich of reactive oxygen species. Epidemiological studies recommend dietary consumption of plant-derived foods may decrease the risk of prostate, colon, pancreas, breast and lung cancers. However, it has been difficult to identify specific components responsible for this effect. Many phytochemicals have been shown to be biologically active compounds and they may act as a protective factor against cancer. Recent researches have revealed that diets based on flavonoids have the potential benefits for cancer prevention. Flavonoids are part of a large class of polyphenols that are found widely in diet. Nowadays, experimental researches have suggested developing proof for the valuable action of flavonoids on multiple cancer-related biological pathways. Although the outcomes of studies about flavonoids and prostate cancer are still limited and conflicting, some protective associations have been suggested for flavonoid-rich foods. The current review presented molecular mechanism of the main flavonoids on prostate cancer. The main mechanisms are in three different directions. These mechanisms contain antioxidant activity and inhibition of DNA damage of its oxidizing agents, anti-cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis

Determinants of healthcare utilisation and predictors of outcome in colorectal cancer patients from Northern Iran

We aimed to assess healthcare utilisation (HU), its determinants, as well as its relationship with survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study was conducted on incident CRC cases from Northern Iran. Information on HU was collected using a valid questionnaire, considering eight diagnostic and four therapeutic services. The results were categorised as good and poor HU. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between HU and other variables. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine major predictors of survival. In total, 227 new cases of CRC were enrolled. HU could be assessed in 218 subjects (96). Living in rural areas was the strongest variable related to poor HU (adjusted OR, odds ratio=2.65; CI, confidence interval: 1.30-5.40). The median survival time was 40.5months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71, 52 and 44 respectively. Cox regression analysis showed a significant lower survival rate in patients with poor HU (HR=2.3; CI: 1.46-3.64). HU was an independent predictor of survival in our CRC patients. Patients' place of residence was a significant determinant of HU. Regarding its effects on patients' outcome, HU and its determinants should be considered in designing CRC controlling programmes in our region and similar high-risk populations. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Content Analysis of Articles Published in Iranian Scientific Nursing Journals From 2009 Through 2011

Background: Little is known about the features of Iranian nursing journals, specifically the subject areas used in articles, study designs, sampling methods, international collaboration of Iranian nursing scholars, specialty and academic rank of authors, and the most frequently contributing academic institutions in articles. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the content of the articles published in Iranian scientific nursing journals. Materials and Methods: Quantitative content analysis was implemented to study Iranian nursing journals, which were approved by the commission for accreditation and improvement of Iranian medical journals in 2011. Thus, 763 articles from six journals, published from 2009 through 2011, were investigated. Data were extracted from the abstracts and when necessary, from the full-text of articles by visiting the websites of these journals. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The main subjects of published articles in Iranian scientific nursing journals were consecutively renal dialysis (n = 21), intensive care unit (n = 16), nursing education (n = 15), patient satisfaction (n = 13), quality of life (n = 12), health education (n = 11), patient education (n = 11), pain (n = 10), and education (n = 9). The majority of authors had nursing and midwifery specialty (52.59%) followed by epidemiology/biostatistics specialty (7.72%). Isfahan, Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, Iran, Baqiyatallah, and Urmia universities of medical sciences had consecutively the largest number of publications in the studied journals. Only three papers (0.39%) were published by the international collaboration. Conclusions: Iranian nursing journals should publish special issues in the neglected subject areas. These journals should encourage authors to publish research evidence with higher quality

Variable localization of Toll-like receptors in human fallopian tube epithelial cells

Objective: To determine the localization, expression, and function of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in fallopian tube epithelial cells. Methods: The localization of TLRs in fallopian tube epithelial cells was investigated by immunostaining. Surprisingly, the intensity of staining was not equal in the secretory and ciliated cells. After primary cell culture of fallopian tube epithelial cells, ring cloning was used to isolate colonies of ciliated epithelial cells, distinct from non-ciliated epithelial cells. The expression of TLRs 1-10 was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein localization was confirmed by immunostaining. The function of the TLRs was determined by interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production in response to TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR9 ligands. Results: Fallopian tube epithelial cells expressed TLRs 1-10 in a cell-type-specific manner. Exposing fallopian tube epithelial cells to TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR9 agonists induced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TLR expression in the fallopian tubes is cell-type-specific. According to our results, ciliated cells may play more effective role than non-ciliated cells in the innate immune defense of the fallopian tubes, and in interactions with gametes and embryos

Markov Properties of Electrical Discharge Current Fluctuations in Plasma

Using the Markovian method, we study the stochastic nature of electrical discharge current fluctuations in the Helium plasma. Sinusoidal trends are extracted from the data set by the Fourier-Detrended Fluctuation analysis and consequently cleaned data is retrieved. We determine the Markov time scale of the detrended data set by using likelihood analysis. We also estimate the Kramers-Moyal's coefficients of the discharge current fluctuations and derive the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation. In addition, the obtained Langevin equation enables us to reconstruct discharge time series with similar statistical properties compared with the observed in the experiment. We also provide an exact decomposition of temporal correlation function by using Kramers-Moyal's coefficients. We show that for the stationary time series, the two point temporal correlation function has an exponential decaying behavior with a characteristic correlation time scale. Our results confirm that, there is no definite relation between correlation and Markov time scales. However both of them behave as monotonic increasing function of discharge current intensity. Finally to complete our analysis, the multifractal behavior of reconstructed time series using its Keramers-Moyal's coefficients and original data set are investigated. Extended self similarity analysis demonstrates that fluctuations in our experimental setup deviates from Kolmogorov (K41) theory for fully developed turbulence regime.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures and 4 tables. V3: Added comments, references, figures and major correction

Demonstration of acoustic waveguiding and tight bending in phononic crystals

Citation: Baboly, M. G., Raza, A., Brady, J., Reinke, C. M., Leseman, Z. C., & El-Kady, I. (2016). Demonstration of acoustic waveguiding and tight bending in phononic crystals. Applied Physics Letters, 109(18), 4. doi:10.1063/1.4966463The systematic design, fabrication, and characterization of an isolated, single-mode, 90 degrees bend phononic crystal (PnC) waveguide are presented. A PnC consisting of a 2D square array of circular air holes in an aluminum substrate is used, and waveguides are created by introducing a line defect in the PnC lattice. A high transmission coefficient is observed (-1 dB) for the straight sections of the waveguide, and an overall 2.3 dB transmission loss is observed (a transmission coefficient of 76%) for the 90 degrees bend. Further optimization of the structure may yield higher transmission efficiencies. This manuscript shows the complete design process for an engineered 90 degrees bend PnC waveguide from inception to experimental demonstration. Published by AIP Publishing

Dirichlet μ-Parametric Differential Problem with Multivalued Reaction Term

We study a Dirichlet mu-parametric differential problem driven by a variable competing exponent operator, given by the sum of a negative p-Laplace differential operator and a positive q-Laplace differential operator, with a multivalued reaction term in the sense of a Clarke subdifferential. The parameter mu is an element of R makes it possible to distinguish between the cases of an elliptic principal operator (mu <= 0) and a non-elliptic principal operator (mu>0). We focus on the well-posedness of the problem in variable exponent Sobolev spaces, starting with energy functional analysis. Using a Galerkin approach with a priori estimate and embedding results, we show that the functional associated with the problem is coercive; hence, we prove the existence of generalized and weak solutions

Rare gas flow structuration in plasma jet experiments

Modifications of rare gas flow by plasma generated with a plasma gun (PG) are evidenced through simultaneous time-resolved ICCD imaging and schlieren visualization. The geometrical features of the capillary inside which plasma propagates before in-air expansion, the pulse repetition rate and the presence of a metallic target are playing a key role on the rare gas flow at the outlet of the capillary when the plasma is switched on. In addition to the previously reported upstream offset of the laminar to turbulent transition, we document the reverse action leading to the generation of long plumes at moderate gas flow rates together with the channeling of helium flow under various discharge conditions. For higher gas flow rates, in the l min−1 range, time-resolved diagnostics performed during the first tens of ms after the PG is turned on, evidence that the plasma plume does not start expanding in a laminar neutral gas flow. Instead, plasma ignition leads to a gradual laminar-like flow build-up inside which the plasma plume is generated. The impact of such phenomena for gas delivery on targets mimicking biological samples is emphasized, as well as their consequences on the production and diagnostics of reactive species

Motor Responses and Weight Gaining in Neonates through Use of Two Methods of Earmuff and Receiving Silence in NICU

Background and Aims. With technological advances in NICUs the survival rate of preterm infants has been increased. Because NICU environment is a potent source of stress for infants, its modification is an essential measure to decrease infants’ morbidity. The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of wearing earmuff and provision silence for infants on their motor responses and gaining weight. Methods. In a randomized clinical trial 96 preterm infants were enrolled. Their motor responses were evaluated for two consecutive days in the morning and afternoon shifts, in the groups of earmuff and silence, and at similar time points in the control group. Also their weight was measured at days 1 and 10. Results. In the two intervention groups, means of motor responses in infants were significantly less than in the control group, and weight gain of infants was more than the control group. However weight gain was more pronounced in the earmuff group. Conclusion. Both interventions led to decreasing number of motor responses and improvement of weight gain pattern, but these effects were more pronounced in earmuff group; thus because implementation of silence in NICUs has many barriers, it is suggested to use earmuff for preterm infants in these units. This trial obtained IRCT registration number IRCT2012092010812N2

Partial immunity in murine by immunization with a toxoplasmic DNA vaccine

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that is causative agent of atoxoplasmosis, a disease which may result in a spectrum of consequences. Previous studies have reported that DNA vaccine can be effective in partial protection against this parasite. In this study, we constructed a single DNA vaccine containing rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1) and evaluated its immune response in Balb/c mice. We used alum as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response. After intramuscular injection, we evaluated the immune response using cytokine and antibody assay and mortality rate. The results show that mice immunized by pcROP1 with or without alum produced high Th1 immune response compared with the control groups. This kind of DNA vaccine prolonged survival time. The current study showed that ROP1 DNA vaccine could induce partial protective response against toxoplasmosis.Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, DNA, vaccine, Rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1)