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Corrigendum for �Investigation on �spontaneous fermentation� and the productivity of microbial exopolysaccharides by Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from wheat bran sourdough� LWT � Food Science and Technology 96 (2018) 686�693 (LWT (2018) 96 (686�693), (S0023643818304997), (10.1016/j.lwt.2018.05.071))
No full textA reader reported complained about errors in the original paper, which was sent to the authors. The authors responded to the complaint but did not submit a corrigendum. To provide a balanced view, the written documents of both, the reader (reporter) and the author, are presented here; Reporter� comments. In this study, the differences between the features of exopolysaccharides produced by two different bacteria L. Plantarum and P. Pentosaceus were investigated. According to the results in Table 2, these polysaccharides have different molecular weights, and percentages of protein and polysaccharides. However, it is not clear why FTIR spectra of these two polysaccharides have only slight differences in the identified peak wave numbers (indicated in the image per case). In other words, the �peak size�, �the ratio of peak size� and �peaks� locations�, in both of the exopolysaccharide produced by L. Plantarum and P. Pentosaceus are quite similar. While, according to Table 2, it is expected that the transmittance of the samples be quite different in the specific range of proteins and polysaccharides. Hence, it seems that one of the spectrums was prepared by editing the other spectrum using a graphical software. Author's response: For FT-IR characterization of EPS, both samples were sent to a specified laboratory in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad where the analysis was performed using FT-IR spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific Nicolet 6700, Avatar 370 FT-IR, USA). The data, Exel files and the spectrums generated by that laboratory are attached as a supplement to this report to show the invalidity of the claim against us regarding the edition of spectrums by a graphical software! By observing the data (which are inserted to the following table for review) and the overlay graph on the attached Excel file (Supplement 1), slight differences can be observed. However, the functional groups present in isolated EPS including hydroxyl, carboxylic acid and ester groups with DPPH radical scavenging activity are found similar in both EPS samples. None of the referees from LWT put any comment against these results and trends. Table presented Reporter's analysis of author's response: It is very unlikely that wavelengths and peak intensities in FTIR transient diagrams of two EPSs with different concentrations of protein and polysaccharide, which were obtained from two different bacterial genera, to be exactly the same. In the following, we will elaborate to support our claims with scientific references. A) Transmittance has an exponential relation with the concentration. According to Beer-Lambert Law, the relation between transmittance and the sample concentration is obtained from this equation: Table presented T = transmittance (relative amount of light passing through a sample) I, I0 = intensity (Wm-2) of transmitted and incident radiation, respectively ε = molar absorptivity (m2mol�1 or M�1cm�1) or how strongly a chemical species absorbs light at a given wavelength b = path length (distance light travels through the chemical species) c = molar concentration of chemical species A = absorbance (relative amount of light absorbed by sample)Each change in the concentration of materials and consequently the concentration of functional groups and bonds will lead to an exponential change in the FTIR spectrum. Therefore, considering the concentration of compounds mentioned in the paper and the Beer-Lambert equation, the ratio of the transmittance difference shown in the FTIR diagram for protein and polysaccharide-related functional groups between EPS obtained from Lactobacillus and Pediococcus should be exponentially higher than the ratio of the differences between their concentrations. Considering these issues, the difference between the transmittance of the samples, according to the table presented in the authors' responses, is negligible compared to the differences between the protein and polysaccharide concentrations as presented in Table 2. Figure presented B) According to Shang, Xu, and Li and Smith, the range of EPS fingerprint is between 900 and 1200 cm�1. However, the authors introduced this range between 500 and 1300 cm�1 without citing any references. Also, none of the peaks in the table provided by the authors in their answers are in this range.C) According to Sigma-Aldrich IR spectrum database, Smith, Helm and Shao, the characteristic peak of the proteins in EPS is observed at 1580�1650 cm�1. In the table provided by the authors in their answers, the difference between the transmittance of EPSs obtained from Lactobacillus and Pediococcus is negligible, in contrast to their protein concentration that is significantly different.D) The difference in material composition leads to shifting the peaks of functional groups to higher or lower wavelength and shifting a peak of less than 10 cm�1 is usually meaningless. Therefore, according to the FTIR diagram, peaks were not shifted that does not make sense. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
Changes in the radiation toxicity of human lymphoblastic t-cell line (Jurkat) by a common pesticide: Diazinon
No full textBackground: Diazinon is one of the most common pesticides in the world playing a similar role to radiation and it could cause DNA breaks and genetic effects. Objective: In this study, radiosensitivity of a lymphoblastic cell line pretreated by Diazinon was investigated. Material and Methods: In this case-control study, the human lymphoblastic T-cell line was divided into 6 groups based on receiving radiation or/and Diazinon. After that, the DNA damage, in all of the groups, were counted by cytokinesis-block micronuclei assay using different indices. Results: The mean frequency of micronuclei, nuclear bridges and nuclear buds in cell groups exposed by both Diazinon and radiation were remarkably higher than the other groups which just received radiation or Diazinon alone. The interaction between radiation and Diazinon treatment was statistically significant for NBUDS index. Conclusion: The results indicated that the Diazinon contamination could affect the radiosensitivity index of cancerous cells while further molecular and in-vivo studies are needed to investigate genetic and toxic effects of Diazinon on DNA and its repair system. © 2020, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
The correlation of SKA2 with cortisol, IL-1β and anxiety in pregnant women with the risk of preterm delivery
No full textObjective The association between preterm birth (PTB), Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 2 gene (SKA2), cortisol and anxiety have been shown, but in this study, we aimed to clarify whether the expression of the SKA2 gene plays a role in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level since increasing level of IL-1β is linked with PTB. Methods The case-control study was conducted on 49 and 51 women with preterm and term delivery, respectively. The score of anxiety was ranked according to the Spielberger state trait Anxiety Inventory. The concentration of cortisol and IL-1β was determined by the ELISA method. The expression of SKA2 gene was assessed by the quantitative real time real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The western blot analysis was also performed to confirm the expression of SKA2 at the levels of protein. Results The results showed that the gene/protein expression of SKA2, the concentrations of cortisol and IL-1β were significantly high-er in the preterm than the term group. In the preterm group, the expression of SKA2 was positively correlated to the other factors including cortisol, IL-1β, and the degree of anxiety. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the expression of SKA2 was correlated positively to the levels of cortisol, IL-1β and the rate of anxiety in women with PTB. © 2020 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
Autonomic laterality in caloric vestibular stimulation
No full textBACKGROUND Caloric stimulation of the vestibular system is associated with autonomic response. The lateralization in the nervous system activities also involves the autonomic nervous system. AIM To compare the effect of the right and left ear caloric test on the cardiac sympathovagal tone in healthy persons. METHODS This self-control study was conducted on 12 healthy male volunteers. The minimal ice water caloric test was applied for vestibular stimulation. This was done by irrigating 1 milliliter of 4 ± 2 °C ice water into the external ear canal in 1 s. In each experiment, only one ear was stimulated. For each ear, the pessimum position was considered as sham control and the optimum position was set as caloric vestibular stimulation of horizontal semicircular channel. The order of right or left caloric vestibular stimulation and the sequence of optimum or pessimum head position in each set were random. The recovery time between each calorie test was 5 min. The short-term heart rate variability (HRV) was used for cardiac sympathovagal tone metrics. All variables were compared using the analysis of variance. RESULTS After caloric vestibular stimulation, the short-term time-domain and frequency-domain HRV indices as well as, the systolic and the diastolic arterial blood pressure, the respiratory rate and the respiratory amplitude, had no significant changes. These negative results were similar in the right and the left sides. Nystagmus duration of left caloric vestibular stimulations in the optimum and the pessimum positions had significant differences (e.g., 72.14 ± 39.06 vs 45.35 ± 35.65, P < 0.01). Nystagmus duration of right caloric vestibular stimulations in the optimum and the pessimum positions had also significant differences (e.g., 86.42 ± 67.20 vs 50.71 ± 29.73, P < 0.01). The time of the start of the nystagmus following caloric vestibular stimulation had no differences in both sides and both positions. CONCLUSION Minimal ice water caloric stimulation of the right and left vestibular system did not affect the cardiac sympathovagal balance according to HRV indices. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved
Presenting a conceptual model of adopting micro-blogging in learning
No full textPlatforms like information sharing, disseminating and acquiring based on users transactions are provided by Microblogging sites. Nowadays microblogs are the main tools for people to send their opinions to relatives, friends or the world quickly. This paper uses the Theory of planned behavior to investigate and explain Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS) students' acceptance of Microblogging. A questionnaire was applied to collect data from students of TUOMS' University, and the data were analyzed by SPSS V.16. After analysis, the results demonstrate that Attitude toward the Behavior, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioral Control has positive effects on behavioral intentions, and behavioral intentions also have positive effects on user behavior. Overall, if students believe that Microblogging can help them increase their Attitude toward the Behavior and their control, there is an increase in their intention to use them. The findings of the study shall be useful to curriculum developers, Microblogging practitioners, and educational policymakers. © 2020, Mohmmadhiwa Abdekhoda, Asgar Sattari, Masoud Mohammadi and Kawa Mirza Salih
Novel gamma arsenene nanosheets as sensing medium for vomiting agents: A first-principles research
No full textFor the first time, the investigation on gamma arsenene (GAs) nanosheet towards its structural firmness and electronic properties are scrutinized. We observed GAs nanosheet possesses semiconductor nature with band gap of 1.39 eV. Moreover, we used GAs nanosheet as a sensing substrate for vomiting agents, namely, diphenylchloroarsine (DA) and diphenylcyanoarsine (DC) molecules. Based on variation in band gap, Bader charge transfer, and adsorption energy we investigated the interaction of vomiting agents on GAs nanosheet. Also, the changes in the electronic characteristics of GAs nanosheets are observed with regard to the projected-density of states spectrum and band structure analysis. The findings show the evidence that novel GAs nanosheets can be used as a sensing medium for vomiting agents. © 2020 Elsevier B.V
Letter to the editor: efficacy of different methods of combination regimen administrations including dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and interferon-beta to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
No full textOBJECTIVES: There is little information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) management for critically ill patients. Most of these patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to excessive inflammatory response and the ensuing cytokine storm. Anti-inflammatory drugs including corticosteroids can be used to effectively reduce the effect of this cytokine storm and lung damage. However, corticosteroids can have side effects, so simultaneous administration of immunoglobulin (IV-IG) and interferon-beta can help manage treatment using corticosteroids. Therefore, we designed a trial to test our hypothesis that early administration of dexamethasone in combination with IV-IG and interferon-beta can reduce the effect of the cytokine storm in critically ill patients COVID-19. TRIAL DESIGN: A phase two multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) with three parallel arms (1:1:1 ratio). PARTICIPANTS: They will be hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 who have positive RT-PCR test and have blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) less than 90 and respiratory rate higher than 24 per minute or have involvement of more than 50 of their lung when viewed using computed tomography (CT)-scan. The age range of patients will be 18-70 years old. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: the need for intubation; allergy, intolerance, or contraindication to any study drug including dexamethasone, IV-IG, and interferon-beta; pregnancy or lactation; known HIV positive or active hepatitis B or C. The study will be conducted in several hospitals of the Golestan province, Iran. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: The study subjects will be randomly allocated to three treatment arms: two experimental groups (two arms: Intervention 1 and Intervention 2) and one Control Group, which will be matched for age and sex using frequency matching method. Each eligible patient in the control arm will receive the standard treatment for COVID-19 based on WHO guidelines and the Ministry of the Health and Medical Education (MOHME) of Iran. Each patient in the Intervention Group 1 will receive the standard treatment for COVID-19 and dexamethasone, at the first 24 hours' time of admission. The intervention begins with the administration of dexamethasone based on the SpO2 levels. If the level of SpO2 does not improve after 24 hours, IV-IG (400 mg/kg once daily for 5 days) and interferon-beta (7 doses every other day) will be prescribed along with dexamethasone administration. In Intervention Group 2, the administration of dexamethasone will be started within the first 24 hours' time of admission and will be continued for 48-72 hours and then the SpO2 level will be checked. Then, if the level of SpO2 has not improved after that time, IV-IG and interferon-beta will be prescribed as the same dosage as Group 1. If the percentages of the SpO2 level are between 85 and 90/ 80 and 85/ 75 and 80/ less than 75, the dosages will be 4 mg every 12 hours/ 4 mg every 8 hours/ 8 mg every 12 hours/ 8 mg every 8 hours, respectively. According to the WHO recommendation, all participants will have the best available supportive care with full monitoring. MAIN OUTCOMES: Primary: An increase in the SpO2 level to reach more than 90 in each case, which will be assessed by the oximeter. Secondary: The duration of hospital stays; intubation status and the percentage of patients who are free of mechanical ventilation; the mortality rates during hospitalization and one month after the admission time. RANDOMISATION: Participants will be allocated into either control or intervention groups with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio using a computer random number generator to generate a table of random numbers for simple randomization. BLINDING (MASKING): The project's principal investigator (PI) is unblinded. However, the PI will not analyse the data and interpret the results. An unblinded researcher (a pharmacist) will cover the drug's bottles with aluminium foil and prepare them interventions and control drugs in a syringe with a code so that patients are blinded. This person will have no patients contact. The staff and nurses, caring for the patients, will be unblinded for each study group due to the nature of this study. The staff that take outcome measurements will be blinded. The laboratory technicians will also be blinded as well as the statistical team. These study statisticians will have access to coded data and will analyse the data labelled as group X, group Y, and group Z. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): The target sample size will be 105 critically ill COVID-19 patients, who will be allocated randomly to the three trial arms with 35 patients in each group. TRIAL STATUS: Recruitment is ongoing. The study began on April 18 2020 and will be completed June 19 2020. This summary describes protocol version 1; April 2 2020. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.irct.ir/. Identifier: IRCT20120225009124N4 version 1; Registration date: April 2 2020. FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting the dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The full protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines
Values of antioxidant activities (ABTS and DPPH) and ferric reducing and chelating powers of gamma-irradiated rosemary extract
No full textThis study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the various gamma dose irradiations on the antioxidant activity of rosemary PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) extract. The PBS extract of rosemary was irradiated with gamma rays at the doses of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kGy, and their antioxidant activities were investigated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), radical cation ABTS�+ (2,2-Azino-Bis (3-Ethylbenzthiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid), Diammonium Salt), ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and ferric chelating capacity using ferrozine. The scavenging activities of gamma irradiated rosemary were observed to be significantly higher at 30 and 40 kGy using both methods, DPPH and ABST. Also, the reducing power values of 30 kGy gamma irradiated rosemary were higher than that of non-irradiated (P < 0.05) and the other doses of irradiation could not make any significant difference in reducing power of non-irradiated rosemary. The gamma irradiation of rosemary (at 10-50 kGy), significantly increased the Fe2+ chelating activity compared to non-irradiated rosemary while increasing the absorbed doses reduced Fe2+ chelating activity in rosemary (P < 0.05). There is no significant difference in the rosemary irradiated with 10 kGy and 30 kGy. The gamma irradiated rosemary showed higher antioxidant activities at doses of 30 kGy (79.5 ) and 40 kGy (80 ) with DPPH method, while slightly lower activities were recorded at doses of 30 kGy (34.8 ) and 40 kGy (34.2 ) with ABTS test. Also, results indicate that the 30 kGy might be an effective dose with maximum enhancement in the antioxidant properties of the gamma irradiated rosemary. © 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston 2020
Intra-operative total bowel washing: A new method to improve the outcome of gastroschisis primary repair
No full textBackground: Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect that is managed by surgical reduction of herniated bowel into the abdominal cavity and abdominal wall reconstruction. Loss of abdominal domain is the main challenge that may complicate the process of gastroschisis management. Objectives: This article is about innovative manure called total bowel washing (TBW) that may improve the outcome of gastroschisis primary repair. Methods: All neonates with gastroschisis who met the study inclusion criteria between 2006-2019 were enrolled and divided into two groups of conventional and TBW method of gastroschisis management. In TBW group, bowls were washed with warm saline and after a gentle enterolysis, the whole gastrointestinal tract was irrigated via a gastric tube and evacuated completely from thick meconium until the watery stool started to come out of anus slightly. Primary abdominal wall closure was performed after loop by loop bowel reduction. Gastroschisis management outcome was compared between the two groups. Results: 15 neonates were allocated in each group. Demographic and anthropometric variables were compared and any significant difference wasn�t reported between the two groups. We observed a significantly better outcome in terms of faster GI rehabilitation, shorter time to oral feeding tolerance, less need to silo placement and shorter NICU and hospital stay in TBW method. Operation time was slightly longer in TBW group while the difference was not significant statistically. Conclusions: Total bowel washing and complete evacuation of gastrointestinal tract from thick meconium will increase the success rate of primary repair and improve the outcome of gastroschisis management. © 2020, Author(s)
Perceived Threats toward Esophageal Cancer among Immediate Relatives of Sufferers: a Qualitative Study
No full textPurpose: Considering life-threatening nature of cancer and the problems that it causes for patients and families, recognizing their perspectives toward this issue is important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine perceived threats by immediate relatives of patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: Using content analysis approach, the present qualitative study was conducted in Golestan Province (north of Iran) in 2018. Through purposive sampling, 23 immediate relatives of patients with esophageal cancer were included in the study. The research techniques included semi-structured and deep interviews. We continued data collection to ensure data saturation was achieved. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed with Graneheim and Lundman�s approach of conventional content analysis. The MAXQDA 11 software was applied to conduct the coding process. Results: Following data analysis, two main categories including �perceived susceptibility� and �perceived severity� were identified for perceived threats. The main category of �perceived susceptibility� comprised of four subcategory, namely, perception of individual, environmental, psychological, and nutritional predisposing factors to the disease. Four subcategories were also extracted for the �perceived severity,� including perception of physical, psychological, therapeutic, and social consequences of the disease. Conclusions: Immediate relatives of patients with esophagus cancer perceived high severity and susceptibility toward this disease and considered themselves vulnerable to this disease. Hence, they suffered from a lot of psychological stress. Development of appropriate interventions regarding the effects of disease-related individual and environmental factors and empowerment of individuals with regard to preventive disease behaviors can be an important step for improving the health of this group. Registration Number: IRCT20180725040588N1, date registered: 2 October 2018. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature