Measuring Staff Satisfaction in Transportation System using AHP Method under Uncertainty

One of the most important challenges in today world is the transportation and satisfaction of this system. Measuring satisfaction in transportation has been done quantitatively so far and, more importantly, the measurement process has not usually been scientific. This study aimed at an accurate scientific measurement. Because of ambiguity, this paper discusses how to use the intuitionistic fuzzy method, in which both membership and non-membership functions were expressed. Therefore, initially, considering the results of previous researches, as well as studying the references and standards, the characteristics and basic criteria, a researcher-made questionnaire with a reliability of 0.95 was first performed and then the weights were determined using the AHP intuitionistic fuzzy method. After performing the above steps, the intuitionistic fuzzy satisfaction value was calculated at different levels and using the method, the final number of satisfaction was defuzzified.

Zoledronic acid-loaded lipidic nanoparticles enhance apoptosis and attenuate invasiveness by inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HepG2 cancer cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of zoledronic acid (ZOL)-loaded lipidic nanoparticles (ZOL-NLCs) in enhancing the efficiency of paclitaxel (Pac) in the context of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and invasiveness of HepG₂ hepatocellular carcinoma cells. ZOL-NLCs were characterized in terms of zeta potential, particle size, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as cell internalization. To measure the anti-proliferative effects of ZOL-NLCs, annexin-V/PI and MTT assays were employed. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis were performed to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptosis in response to the studied conditions. Furthermore, the transwell migration assay was applied to clarify the role of applied formulations on the invasiveness of HepG₂ cells. Our results demonstrated that the optimized ZOL had an average particle size of 105 ± 6 nm with a nearly narrow size distribution. The IC₅₀ values for ZOL and ZOL-NLCs were 90 ± 3.1 and 54.6 ± 2.4 µM, respectively. The population of apoptotic cells was increased from 17 ± 2% to 27 ± 4% (p < 0.05) in response to treatment with ZOL-NLCs. ZOL-loaded nanoparticles triggered the mRNA expression of Bax as pro-apoptotic marker and E-cadherin as epithelial one along with a decrease in mesenchymal marker, N-cadherin, and Bcl-xl as an anti-apoptotic marker in HepG₂ cells. These outcomes were consistent with western blot analysis of protein expressions. Besides, ZOL-incorporated lipidic nanoparticles reduced the migration of HepG₂ cells significantly. Our data suggest that the formulation of ZOL into lipidic nanoparticles can be considered a potential therapeutic approach that can enhance the efficacy of Pac chemotherapy.

Protective effects of Gamma Oryzanol on distant organs after kidney ischemia-reperfusion in rats: A focus on liver protection

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the main clinical concern resulted from ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Ample clinical data indicates that AKI is associated with distant organ dysfunctions and poor patients' outcomes. Oxidative stress and inflammation have a critical role in the pathogenesis of organ injuries following IRI. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of Gamma Oryzanol (GO), extracted from rice bran oil, on distant organs in rats after IRI.

METHODS

Twelve out of 24 Wistar rats were treated by one dosage of GO (100mg/kg) 1 h before I/R induction through both oral gavage and intraperitoneal injection. Then, the AKI model rats were induced by IRI. Oxidative stress and antioxidant protein levels were assessed in the brain, heart, and liver tissues in the experimental groups. Furthermore, the effects of GO on IRI-induced liver dysfunction, apoptosis, and inflammation were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

GO pretreatment could significantly restore the levels and activity of antioxidant proteins in the brain, heart, and liver tissues (P < 0.05). Moreover, GO pretreatment could decrease the inflammatory cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the liver (P < 0.01). By reducing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and down-regulating caspase-3, GO could significantly diminish apoptosis in the liver tissue after the kidney I/R (P < 0.01). Additionally, GO could significantly diminish the deterioration of liver function in the kidney I/R model.

CONCLUSION

GO protects distant organs against renal IRI-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, it ameliorates liver function and remarkably exerts anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic roles in the liver as an important detoxifying organ.

Interferometric optical testing to discriminate benign and malignant brain tumors

When normal cells suffer from the malignant disease, changes occur in cellular size and structure, and their constituents. These changes can affect the biological response of cells and tissues. Conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining, which is the gold standard of tumor diagnosis provide a very detailed view of the tissue by staining cell structures to diagnose a disease based on the deformation of the cells. However, this study shows changes in cells and tissues structure due to malignant diseases can also affect the optical properties. The purpose of this research was to assess and compare these effects to identify benign and malignant brain tissues from each other. Various samples of adult human brain tissues were studied using Mach-Zehnder interferometer as an optical method and using the Fourier transform method as an analytical process. The formed interference patterns of benign and malignant brain tumors were investigated to obtain the phase distribution of tumors. The obtained information demonstrated that the phase distribution of malignant brain tissues was different from benign brain tissues. The phase distribution approximately ranged from 10 to 120 rad for benign samples and from 10 to 160 rad for malignant samples. Moreover, the average of unwrapped phase distribution was 63.79 and 85.69 rad in benign and malignant samples, respectively. This results indicated that the proposed laser-based technique, Mach-Zehnder interferometer method, can be used as an auxiliary procedure along with histological techniques to identify benign and malignant brain tumors from each other. It is suggested that the unwrapped phase distribution of tissues be considered as an optical property for differentiating various brain tumors.

Evaluating Radioprotective Effect of Hesperidin on Acute Radiation Damage in the Lung Tissue of Rats

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of γ-irradiation-induced cellular damage, Lung is a radiosensitive organ and its damage is a dose-limiting factor in radiotherapy. The administration of dietary antioxidants has been suggested to protect against the succeeding tissue damage. The present study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective efficacy of Hesperidin (HES) against γ-irradiation-induced tissue damage in the lung of male rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty two rats were divided into four groups. Rats in Group 1 received PBS and underwent sham irradiation. Rats in Group 2 received HES and underwent sham irradiation. Rats in Group 3 received PBS and underwent γ-irradiation. Rats in Group 4 received HES and underwent γ-irradiation. These rats were exposed to γ-radiation 18 Gy using a single fraction cobalt-60 unit, and were administered HES (100 mg/kg/d, b.w, orally) for 7 days prior to irradiation. Rats in each group were sacrificed 24 hours after radiotherapy (RT) for the determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and histopathological evaluations.

RESULTS

Compared to group 1, the level of SOD and GSH significantly decreased and MDA level significantly increased in group 3 at 24 h following irradiation, (p=0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001), respectively. A statistically significant difference in all parameters was observed for rats in group 4 as compared to group 3 (p<0.05). Histopathological results 24 hours after RT showed that radiation has increased inflammation, lymphocyte, macrophage and neutrophil compared to group 1 ( p<0.0125). Oral administration of HES before RT significantly decreased macrophage and neutrophil when compared to group 3 (p<0.0125), but partly there was inflammation and lymphocyte that indicated there was no significant difference when compared to group 3 (p>0.0125).

CONCLUSION

Oral administration of HES was found to offer protection against γ-irradiation- induced pulmonary damage and oxidative stress in rats, probably by exerting a protective effect against inflammatory disorders via its free radical scavenging and membrane stabilizing ability.

[Significant association between nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate and IRF6rs2235371 polymorphism in Iranian familiar population]

According to previous studies the IRF6rs2235371 polymorphism is a risk factor for NSCL/P in different populations. However our recent study revealed no correlation between IRF6rs642961 and NSCL/P in our population. In the present study we have investigated the relationship between IRF6rs2235371 and NSCL/P in same group to determine whether IRF6rs2235371 is a risk factor in our population as well. We analyzed the IRF6rs2235371 genotype in a subset of the Iranian population using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. The PCR products were digested with DpnII. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the obtained result. The patients were supplied by the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic of the Isfahan University of Medical Science. A clinician ascertained the non-syndromic status of all patients and that no clefting drugs, ethanol or smoking were abused during pregnancy. The control group was selected from unaffected subjects with no history of NSCL/P in their families. 107 patients from 107 Iranian unrelated families and 100 controls were screened. There was a significant association between the IRF6rs2235371 genotype sand an increased NSCL/P risk. Our data indicates that the IRF6rs2235371 variation can increase the risk of NSCL/P in the Iranian population. This result is in contrast with the results of our recent study on the correlation between the IRF6rs642961 polymorphism and NSCL/P in the same group.

The effect of creatine supplementation on muscle fatigue and physiological indices following intermittent swimming bouts

We evaluated the effect of Creatine (Cr) supplementation on muscle fatigue and physiological indices after intermittent swimming bouts in trained swimmers. Sixteen healthy non-elite swimmers (19±4 years, 75±12 kg) were randomly assigned into two groups of either Cr supplementation or placebo and performed six repeated sprints swimming bouts of 50-m departing every 120 seconds. The Cr group was supplemented 4 times a day for 6 days. Blood lactate, Creatine Kinase (CK), creatinine, heart rate, best repeated sprint (RSb) and mean repeated sprint (RSm) times, and percentage of speed decrement (%Dec) were measured at the various phases of swimming bouts. Repeated measure ANOVA and independent t-student tests showed CK and blood lactate concentration increased gradually after the third and sixth swimming bouts. % Dec in Cr group was significantly lower after 3rd swimming bout, also heart rate in Cr group was associated with lower increase in HR mean (P<0.05) compared to placebo. These results suggest that Cr supplementation may improve swimming performance and reduce increased blood lactate levels following intermittent sprint swimming bouts. In conclusion Cr supplementation in trained swimmers may improve anaerobic performance and heart rate variations independent of the effect of intensive sprint swimming bouts.

The interactive effects of exercise type and environment temperature on HSP72 in active females

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of endurance and/ or weight training in normal and/ or moderate heat environments on heat shock protein (HSP72) response in active young females. Forty-five healthy active female (21±3 year, 61.4±10.2 kg, VO2max 37.2±5.3 mL/kg/min) were randomLy assigned into five groups; endurance training+normal heat (ET+NH), endurance training+moderate heat (ET+MH), weight training+normal heat (WT+NH), weight training+moderate heat (WT+MH) and heat group (HG). The training protocols include treadmill running to exhaustion on a treadmill at %65-75 V02max in the ET+NH and ET+MH groups and 4 sets of eccentric actions of elbow flexors (two sets with %50 and two sets with %60 1RM) in the WT+NH and WT+MH groups. Fasting blood samples were collected from non-dominant arm at three phases; consist of rest (baseline) and mid-test and 30 min after the training protocols. Endurance training and/ or weight training, in particularly, in the moderate heat ambient resulted in an increase in the HSP72, creatin kinase (CK) and cortisol values, as compared to ET+NH and WT+NH groups and the mid-test and baseline phases. However, the HSP72 and CK concentrations significantly increased in WT+ NH group, as compared to ET+NH group. Furthermore, WT+MH group showed significant increase in HSP72 levels, as compared to ET+ NH group. These findings suggest the muscle damage related to factors such as; exercise type, environment temperature and increase in exercise-induced body temperature.

Endurance exercise training and diferuloyl methane supplement: changes in neurotrophic factor and oxidative stress induced by lead in rat brain

Lead is a highly neurotoxic agent that particularly affects the developing central nervous system. In the current study we investigated the neuroprotective effects of exercise training and/or diferuloyl methane (DM) supplement, which is known as curcumin, on lead acetate-induced neurotoxicity in the rat hippocampus. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups: 1) lead acetate, 2) DM supplement, 3) endurance training, 4) training+ DM supplement, 5) sham and 6) base. The rats in the training groups performed treadmill running consisting of 15 to 22 m · min(-1) for 25 to 64 min, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. All groups except sham received lead acetate (20 mg · kg(-1)), whereas the sham group received DM solvent. In addition, the DM and training + DM groups received DM solution (30 mg · kg(-1)) intraperitoneally. Chronic administration of lead acetate resulted in a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma, but not in the hippocampus. In addition, it led to significantly decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, as compared to the sham group. Treadmill running, DM supplementation, or both resulted in a significant decrease in MDA levels and significantly increased BDNF and TAC levels, as compared to the lead acetate group. These results provide a rationale for an inhibitory role of DM supplement and regular exercise in the attenuation of lead-induced neurotoxicity.

An epidemiological and clinical study on scorpionism in hospitalized children in khuzestan, iran

BACKGROUND

Scorpion sting is a public health problem in Khuzestan, South-West Iran. The aims of the current study were to monitor the hospitalized children, due to scorpion sting, and releasing more clinical and epidemiologic data related to scorpionism in this Province.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the data of scorpion sting victims, among the hospitalized children in Abuzar Children Hospital of Ahvaz Jundi Shapur University of Medical Sciences, was analyzed from the points of epidemiological and clinical aspects in 2006.

RESULTS

The scorpion species of 18 files out of 57 were recognized accurately, using Farzanpay's keyof Iranian scorpions, as Androctonus crassicauda (Scorpionida: Buthidae) and Hemiscorpious lepturus (Scorpionida: Hemiscorpiidae).

CONCLUSION

The most scorpionism emergencies among the children in the Khuzestan should be paid to those species. However, H. lepturus sting emergencies are in the top of attention among the children.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HBsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 (95% CI: 1.22-3.05) and 3.57 (95% CI: 1.68-5.4) respectively.

Cytologic findings of medulloblastoma in crush smears

OBJECTIVE

To describe the cytologic findings of medulloblastomas on intraoperative crush preparation smears and compare them with the findings of other central nervous system tumors.

STUDY DESIGN

The intraoperative crush preparation smears of 19 cases of medulloblastoma were studied (6 undifferentiated type and 13 well-differentiated type). The findings were compared with those of a control group consisting of 31 astrocytomas, 22 ependymomas, 18 oligodendrogliomas, 27 meningiomas, 17 schwannomas, 17 pituitary adenomas, 3 lymphomas, 5 hemangioblastomas, 5 chordomas and 11 metastatic tumors.

RESULTS

Medulloblastomas revealed clusters and isolated small, round malignant cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and indistinct cytoplasm. Typical Homer-Wright rosettes were seen in the well-differentiated type, but they were poorly formed in the undifferentiated type. Tumor cannibalism, target inclusions, cytoplasmic vacuoles and prominent multiple nucleoli were noticed frequently in the undifferentiated type. The control group (metastatic tumors and high grade astrocytomas) rarely showed tumor cannibalism or multiple nucleoli.

CONCLUSION

Smears of the undifferentiated type of medulloblastomas frequently revealed tumor cannibalism, cytoplasmic vacuoles, target inclusions and prominent multiple nucleoli. These findings have been rarely reported. The prognosis of the undifferentiated type of medulloblastoma was poor.

Ménière disease caused by an anomalous vein of the vestibular aqueduct

The precise cause of Ménière disease remains unclear. Multiple causes have been proposed with most experimental evidence pointing to impaired fluid resorption by the endolymphatic duct and sac as the final common pathway in development of hydrops. We report a unique case of Ménière disease secondary to compression of the endolymphatic duct and sac by an anomalous vein of the vestibular aqueduct. The resulting mechanical obstruction led to excessive accumulation of endolymph with clinical signs of Ménière disease. We review the literature and discuss proposed pathogenesis of disease. The finding of this anomalous vein provides further evidence that anatomical obstruction of the endolymphatic duct and sac may lead to Ménière-like symptoms. This unique example of an anatomical variant offers additional insight into the pathophysiology of endolymphatic hydrops.

Effect of diabetes on the healing process of synthetic grafts implanted in dogs: a preliminary study

The deleterious effects of diabetes in peripheral vascular surgery and blood access are generally considered to be associated with the greater failure rate of vascular prostheses. To understand better these phenomena, we investigated the healing characteristics of an ePTFE graft in dogs. The animals were made diabetic after total pancreatectomy and the grafts implanted for scheduled periods of 24 h, 48 h, 1 wk and 1 month, either as thoracic (series I) or abdominal (series II) aortic substitutes. The same implantations were performed in non-diabetic dogs used as controls. The luminal surfaces of grafts implanted in diabetic dogs, either as thoracic or abdominal bypasses, proved to be more invaded by platelets as a result of the blood's increased platelet aggregation properties. The presence of endothelial-like cells spreading over the pannus after 1 month implantation was strikingly different in diabetic versus non-diabetic dogs. In the first group, the cells were fragile and less abundant, whereas in the second they were more adhesive, elongated and orientated in the direction of the blood flow.