Pollen and sub-pollen particles: External interactions shaping the allergic potential of pollen

Pollen allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, are triggered by exposure to airborne pollen. They are a considerable global health burden, with their numbers expected to rise in the coming decades due to the advent of climate change and air pollution. The relationships that exist between pollens, meteorological, and environmental conditions are complex due to a lack of clarity on the nature and conditions associated with these interactions; therefore, it is challenging to describe their direct impacts on allergenic potential clearly. This article attempts to review evidence pertaining to the possible influence of meteorological factors and air pollutants on the allergic potential of pollen by studying the interactions that pollen undergoes, from its inception to atmospheric traversal to human exposure. This study classifies the evidence based on the nature of these interactions as physical, chemical, source, and biological, thereby simplifying the complexities in describing these interactions. Physical conditions facilitating pollen rupturing for tree, grass, and weed pollen, along with their mechanisms, are studied. The effects of pollen exposure to air pollutants and their impact on pollen allergenic potential are presented along with the possible outcomes following these interactions, such as pollen fragmentation (SPP generation), deposition of particulate matter on pollen exine, and modification of protein levels in-situ of pollen. This study also delves into evidence on plant-based (source and biological) interactions, which could indirectly influence the allergic potential of pollen. The current state of knowledge, open questions, and a brief overview of future research directions are outlined and discussed. We suggest that future studies should utilise a multi-disciplinary approach to better understand this complex system of pollen interactions that occur in nature.

Concentration of potentially toxic elements in fillet shrimps of Mediterranean Sea: Systematic review, meta-analysis and health risk assessment

In this study, an attempt was made to meta-analyzed the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in shrimps tissue of Mediterranean Sea and health risk of consumers was estimated. Search was conducted in international databases includes Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Science Direct and Web of Science from 1 January 2010 to 20 July 2023. The random effects model used to meta-analysis of concentration of PTEs in shrimp in subgroups. In addition, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for adults and children were calculated using target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR). Meta-analysis concentration of PTEs in shrimps was conducted using random effects model based on country subgroups. The rank order of PTEs based on mean (pooled) level in fillet of shrimps was Fe (15.395 mg/kg-ww) > Zn (10.428 mg/kg-ww) > Cu (6.941 mg/kg-ww) Pb (5.7 mg/kg-ww) > Ni (1.115 mg/kg-ww) > As (0.681 mg/kg-ww) > Cd (0.412 mg/kg-ww) > Hg (0.300 mg/kg-ww). THQ level in adults and children due to Cd and Pb in Italy was higher than 1 value. THQ level in adults and children due to Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn and inorganic As was lower than 1 value. CR due to inorganic As in Greece and Türkiye for adults and children was higher than 1E-6 value. Therefore, it was recommended to continuously monitor and reduce the concentration of PTEs in shrimps in Italy, Greece and Türkiye, especially.

Mechanistic Assessment of Cardiovascular State Informed by Vibroacoustic Sensors

Monitoring blood pressure, a parameter closely related to cardiovascular activity, can help predict imminent cardiovascular events. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to customize an existing mechanistic model of the cardiovascular system through feature extraction from cardiopulmonary acoustic signals to estimate blood pressure using artificial intelligence. As various factors, such as drug consumption, can alter the biomechanical properties of the cardiovascular system, the proposed method seeks to personalize the mechanistic model using information extracted from vibroacoustic sensors. Simulation results for the proposed approach are evaluated by calculating the error in blood pressure estimates compared to ground truth arterial line measurements, with the results showing promise for this method.

ZSCAN10 deficiency causes a neurodevelopmental disorder with characteristic oto-facial malformations

Neurodevelopmental disorders are major indications for genetic referral and have been linked to more than 1,500 loci including genes encoding transcriptional regulators. The dysfunction of transcription factors often results in characteristic syndromic presentations, however, at least half of these patients lack a genetic diagnosis. The implementation of machine learning approaches has the potential to aid in the identification of new disease genes and delineate associated phenotypes. Next generation sequencing was performed in seven affected individuals with neurodevelopmental delay and dysmorphic features. Clinical characterization included reanalysis of available neuroimaging datasets and 2D portrait image analysis with GestaltMatcher. The functional consequences of ZSCAN10 loss were modelled in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC), including a knock-out and a representative ZSCAN10 protein truncating variant. These models were characterized by gene expression and Western blot analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR), and immunofluorescence staining. Zscan10 knockout mouse embryos were generated and phenotyped. We prioritized bi-allelic ZSCAN10 loss-of-function variants in seven affected individuals from five unrelated families as the underlying molecular cause. RNA-Seq analyses in Zscan10-/- mESCs indicated dysregulation of genes related to stem cell pluripotency. In addition, we established in mESCs the loss-of-function mechanism for a representative human ZSCAN10 protein truncating variant by showing alteration of its expression levels and subcellular localization, interfering with its binding to DNA enhancer targets. Deep phenotyping revealed global developmental delay, facial asymmetry, and malformations of the outer ear as consistent clinical features. Cerebral MRI showed dysplasia of the semicircular canals as an anatomical correlate of sensorineural hearing loss. Facial asymmetry was confirmed as a clinical feature by GestaltMatcher and was recapitulated in the Zscan10 mouse model along with inner and outer ear malformations. Our findings provide evidence of a novel syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in ZSCAN10.

Bladder Paraganglioma Presenting as Post-Micturition Palpitations: A Case Report

Introduction

Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder (PUB) is an extremely rare extra-adrenal catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumor, accounting for only 0.05% of all bladder tumors and 1% of all pheochromocytomas. The clinical presentation of PUB can be diverse and challenging to diagnose.

Case Presentation

This case report presents a 37-year-old man with post-micturition palpitation, headache, and sweating, with no history of hematuria or other irritative urinary symptoms. Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a suspicious mass in the right posterolateral wall of the urinary bladder. Despite normal functional hormonal tests, the diagnosis of PUB was confirmed after surgical enucleation and histopathological examination.

Conclusion

This report emphasizes the importance of considering PUB as a differential diagnosis in patients with post-micturition symptoms and paroxysmal hypertension, as well as the need for a multidisciplinary approach in the evaluation and management of such rare and complex cases. Early recognition and surgical intervention are crucial for optimal management and favorable clinical outcomes.

The role of radiology in diagnosis of Zinner syndrome in a young man with scrotal pain

Zinner Syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly. It is considered a rare cause of male infertility and can cause a range of clinical manifestations that may lead to significant morbidity. The diagnosis of Zinner Syndrome requires a high index of suspicion, combined with a detailed clinical evaluation and imaging studies. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and MRI are the imaging modalities of choice for the diagnosis of this condition. Radiological evaluation also plays a crucial role in the management of Zinner Syndrome. In symptomatic cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, and radiology is essential for surgical planning and postoperative monitoring. In this case report, we describe an uncommon case of a 35-year-old patient with vague scrotal pain and discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of this rare condition. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is important to prevent the potential morbidity associated with this condition, such as recurrent epididymitis, urinary tract infections, and infertility.

Hazardous particles during diesel engine cold-start and warm-up: Characterisation of particulate mass and number under the impact of biofuel and lubricating oil

The increasing share of using biofuels in vehicles (mandated by current regulations) leads to a reduction in particle size, resulting in increased particle toxicity. However, existing regulations disregarded small particles (sub-23 nm) that are more toxic. This impact is more significant during vehicle cold-start operation, which is an inevitable frequent daily driving norm where after-treatment systems prove ineffective. This study investigates the impact of biofuel and lubricating oil (as a source of nanoparticles) on the concentration, size distribution, median diameter of PN and PM, and their proportion at size ranges within accumulation and nucleation modes during four phases of cold-start and warm-up engine operation (diesel-trucks/busses application). The fuels used were 10% and 15% biofuel and with the addition of 5% lubricating oil to the fuel. Results show that as the engine warms up, PN for all the fuels increases and the size of particles decreases. PN concentration with a fully warmed-up engine was up to 132% higher than the cold-start. Sub-23 nm particles accounted for a significant proportion of PN (9%) but a smaller proportion of PM (0.1%). The fuel blend with 5% lubricating oil showed a significant increase in PN concentration and a decrease in particle size during cold-start.

Investigating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Process and its Related Occurrences during the Treatment Course

Background

The disease process involves the occurrences happening during the disease and treatment course for the patient. Investigating this process is a significant and necessary issue for all diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Materials and Methods

Using the information of 4372 patients with COVID-19 referring to Dr. Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran during the COVID-19 epidemic, being hospitalized, cared for, and home quarantined due to having mild symptoms, the COVID-19 process and its related occurrences were investigated during the treatment course.

Results

In the COVID-19 course, considering the disease severity, the likelihood of hospitalization in the general ward or the intensive care unit (ICU) ward, the likelihood of isolation or home quarantine, and the likelihood of occurrences such as recovery or death at the end of the disease course were taken into consideration. Based on the results of this study, the likelihood of hospitalization in the general ward, the ICU ward, and isolation or home quarantine was determined to be approximately 49.54%, 14.73%, and 35.73%, respectively. Also, for patients hospitalized in the general ward, the ICU ward, and isolated or home quarantined, the likelihood of recovery was estimated at approximately 64.79%, 10.82%, and 96.31%, respectively, and the likelihood of death was also estimated at about 35.21%, 89.18%, and 3.69% respectively.

Conclusion

Investigating the COVID-19 process and estimating the likelihood of incidence of its related occurrences during the treatment course both create an accurate prognosis and provide the possibility of achieving an efficient treatment for these patients.

NRF2 signaling pathway: A comprehensive prognostic and gene expression profile analysis in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in women and a major public health concern. NRF2 axis is a cellular protector signaling pathway protecting both normal and cancer cells from oxidative damage. NRF2 is a transcription factor that binds to the gene promoters containing antioxidant response element-like sequences. In this report, differential expression of NRF2 signaling pathway elements, as well as the correlation of NRF2 pathway mRNAs with various clinicopathologic characteristics, including molecular subtypes, tumor grade, tumor stage, and methylation status, has been investigated in breast cancer using METABRIC and TCGA datasets. In the current report, our findings revealed the deregulation of several NRF2 signaling elements in breast cancer patients. Moreover, there were negative correlations between the methylation of NRF2 genes and mRNA expression. The expression of NRF2 genes significantly varied between different breast cancer subtypes. In conclusion, substantial deregulation of NRF2 signaling components suggests an important role of these genes in breast cancer. Because of the clear associations between mRNA expression and methylation status, DNA methylation could be one of the mechanisms that regulate the NRF2 pathway in breast cancer. Differential expression of Hippo genes among various breast cancer molecular subtypes suggests that NRF2 signaling may function differently in different subtypes of breast cancer. Our data also highlights an interesting link between NRF2 components' transcription and tumor grade/stage in breast cancer.

Time-Dependent Changes in COVID-19 Severity Based on the Information of Patients Referring to Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerged disease with many unknown facets, so both the treatment and the cause of spreading this disease have remained mysterious so far.

Materials and Methods

Based on the information of 4372 patients with COVID-19 referring to Dr. Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, the time-dependent changes in COVID-19 severity were investigated in this study using correlation analysis.

Results

According to the results of this study, on average 154.80 patients were infected with mild to moderate COVID-19, and 39.06 were infected with severe COVID-19. The results of this study also indicated a descending trend in the number of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 (r=-0.40, P-value=0.004) and an ascending trend in the number of patients with severe COVID-19 (r=0.43, P-value=0.003) overtime on a daily basis so that almost two patients were removed from those with mild to moderate COVID-19 and one was added to the patients with severe COVID-19 on average per day.

Conclusion

Based on the current study results, it is concluded that COVID-19 severity will not be constant over time, and there is a probability of COVID-19 becoming more aggressive. Therefore, by the lack of timely control of the disease over time, we will witness an increased number of patients with severe COVID-19 and an increased number of hospitalizations in the intensive care unit (ICU) ward.

Concordance between Gleason score of prostate biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens and its predictive factors

Objective:

The Gleason score is an essential factor for making decisions about prostate cancer management and its prognosis. Thus, we conducted this research to discover the histologic-grading accuracy of needle biopsy specimens, and to identify preoperative clinical and pathological factors that predict upgrading and downgrading from biopsy to radical prostatectomy specimen.

Patients and methods:

This study was performed on 570 patients who were referred to the medical centers affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and underwent radical prostatectomy from 2013 to 2017. Concordance was evaluated between the Gleason score of needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens. Predictors of upgrades and downgrades were assessed in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results:

Scores were the same in 50% of cases, downgraded in 26%, and upgraded in 24%. The variables predicting a Gleason score upgrade were higher Prostate specific antigen level, larger tumors, and older age. Lower tumor volume, lower Prostate specific antigen, and low maximum percentage of cancer in cores were predictors of downgrading from Gleason score>6 to ⩽6. Also, Body mass index>30, smaller tumor size, and negative lymph nodes were predictors of downgrading from Gleason score>7 to 7.

Conclusion:

The correlation between biopsy and Radical prostatectomy Gleason scores was only 50%. After dividing them into the new grading groups, this coordination increased by only 5.6%. Physicians need to consider possible limitations of the Gleason score of biopsy and factors that can be predictive of upgrading to high-risk prostate cancer before making treatment decisions.

Pelvic retroperitoneal pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor: A case report and review of literature

Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor (PHAT) is a rare tumor of the soft tissue, usually located in lower extremities. There are rarely tumors reported in other anatomic locations. Herein, we report retroperitoneal PHAT in a male patient. A 41-year-old man was referred to our clinic due to an incidentally found retroperitoneal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a solid hypoechoic lesion containing fat component and calcified elements measuring about 80*72*45 mm in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) of the abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed circumscribe lesion measuring about 60 x 48 mm with partial enhancement and fat component. In pelvic exploration, a large mass was found that had encased the right external iliac artery and vein. Therefore, the mass and its surrounding iliac vessels were excised and removed en block. Then, the external iliac vessels were reconstructed with Gortex graft. No recurrence was found in 1 month and 3 months post-operation follow up. We report a pelvic retroperitoneal PHAT as a rare location of this tumor. It seems that PHAT must be considered in differential diagnosis in patients with soft tissue tumors in the pelvic cavity.

Evaluations of Factors Affecting of Short-and Long-Time of Occurrence of Disease Relapse in Patients with Tuberculosis Using Parametric Mixture Cure Model: A Cohort Study

Background

The success of treatment strategies to control the disease relapse requires determining factors affecting the incident short-time and long-time of disease relapse. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify the factors affecting of short-and long-time of occurrence of disease relapse in patients with tuberculosis (TB) using a parametric mixture cure model.

Materials and Methods

In this historical cohort study; the data was collected from 4564 patients with TB who referred to the Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Center of Dr. Masih Daneshvari Hospital from 2005 to 2015. In order to evaluate the factors affecting of short-and long-time of occurrence of disease relapse, a parametric mixture cure model was used.

Results

In this study, the estimation of the annual incidence of TB relapse showed that the probability of recurrence in the first year is 1% and in the third and tenth years after treatment is 3% and 5%, respectively. In addition, the results of this study showed that the variables of residence, exposure to cigarette smoke, adverse effects of drug use, incarceration, and pulmonary and extra- pulmonary tuberculosis were the factors affecting the short-time recurrence of TB. The variables of drug use, pulmonary and extra- pulmonary tuberculosis, and also incarceration affected the long-term recurrence of this disease.

Conclusion

Cure models by separating factors affecting the short-time occurrence from the long-time occurrence of disease relapse can provide more accurate information to researchers to control and reduce TB relapse.

Analysis of cold-start NO2 and NOx emissions, and the NO2/NOx ratio in a diesel engine powered with different diesel-biodiesel blends

In the transportation sector, the share of biofuels such as biodiesel is increasing and it is known that such fuels significantly affect NOx emissions. In addition to NOx emission from diesel engines, which is a significant challenge to vehicle manufacturers in the most recent emissions regulation (Euro 6.2), this study investigates NO₂ which is a toxic emission that is currently unregulated but is a focus to be regulated in the next regulation (Euro 7). This manuscript studies how the increasing share of biofuels affects the NO₂, NOx, and NO₂/NOx ratio during cold-start (in which the after-treatment systems are not well-effective and mostly happens in urban areas). Using a turbocharged cummins diesel engine (with common-rail system) fueled with diesel and biofuel derived from coconut (10 and 20% blending ratio), this study divides the engine warm-up period into 7 stages and investigates official cold- and hot-operation periods in addition to some intermediate stages that are not defined as cold in the regulation and also cannot be considered as hot-operation. Engine coolant, lubricating oil and exhaust temperatures, injection timing, cylinder pressure, and rate of heat release data were used to explain the observed trends. Results showed that cold-operation NOx, NO₂, and NO₂/NOx ratio were 31-60%, 1.14-2.42 times, and 3-8% higher than the hot-operation, respectively. In most stages, NO₂ and the NO₂/NOx ratio with diesel had the lowest value and they increased with an increase of biofuel in the blend. An injection strategy change significantly shifted the in-cylinder pressure and heat release diagrams, aligned with the sudden NOx drop during the engine warm-up. The adverse effect of cold-operation on NOx emissions increased with increasing biofuel share.

Methamphetamine-Triggered Neurotoxicity in Human Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Background:

Methamphetamine (MA), is an extremely addictive stimulant that adversely affects the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence indicates that molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy are involved in the toxicity of MA. Considering experimental animal studies exhibiting MA-induced neurotoxicity, the relevance of these findings needs to be evidently elucidated in human MA users. It is generally assumed that multiple chemical substances released in the brain following MA-induced metabolic activation are primary factors underlying damage of neural cells. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy and apoptosis as well as oxidative stress in the brain of postmortem MA-induced toxicity.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, we determine the gene expression of autophagy and apoptosis, including BECN1, MAP1ALC3, CASP8, TP53, and BAX genes in ten healthy controls and ten chronic users of MA postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Also, we applied immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded human brain samples to analyze brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Also, spectrophotometry was performed to measure glutathione (GSH) content.

Results:

The expression level of apoptotic and autophagic genes (BECN1, MAP1ALC3, CASP8, TP53, and BAX) were significantly elevated, while GSH content and BDNF showed substantial reductions in DLPFC of chronic MA users. Discussion: Our data showed that MA addiction provokes transduction pathways, namely apoptosis and autophagy, along with oxidative mechanisms in DLPFC. Also, MA induces multiple functional and structural perturbations in the brain, determining its toxicity and possibly contributing to neurotoxicity.

Discussion:

Our study showed BDNF-positive cells as well as GSH amount, displayed significant declines in DLPFC of MA user. MA addiction provokes transduction pathways, namely apoptosis and autophagy, along with oxidative mechanisms in DLPFC. However, further investigations are needed to throw light on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that act in the various regions of the addicted brain, especially in DLPFC.

Nurses' uncertainty about medical gloves safety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Nurses, as the largest group of health professionals, are at the frontline of the healthcare system in response to COVID-19 epidemic. This study aimed to evaluate the nurses’ certainty and satisfaction with medical gloves when exposed to coronavirus in Fars province, south of Iran.

Methods

Using convenience sampling, 400 hospital nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak were selected from eight hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). A questionnaire about glove reliability, including protection in tasks, durability, integrity and tear resistance, feeling fearful, and focusing on duties, and the nurses’ anxiety regarding their infection with coronavirus was distributed to the selected nurses to complete. 375 questionnaires were completed (response rate of 93.75%). Among the participants, 180 (48%) were in the corona section and 195 (52%) were hardly possible to have contact with coronavirus pneumonia patients.

Results

The mean score (SD) of anxiety about infection with COVID-19 for nurses in the COVID-19 section and those in the non-COVID-19 section were 6.08 (2.8) and 4.56 (2.58), respectively (p < 0.05). The mean duration of gloves usage in a day was almost similar in the two groups (about 5 h), but the number of glove replacements was significantly higher among the nurses in the corona section (6 times) compared to those in the non-corona section (3 times). The two groups were also significantly different regarding glove protection in daily tasks and glove durability.

Conclusion

The nurses in the corona section had more concerns about medical gloves as a type of personal protective equipment. In addition to health education on controlling and preventing the spread of diseases, raising awareness about the reliability of personal protective equipment can improve nurses’ performance.

Soot particle morphology and nanostructure with oxygenated fuels: A comparative study into cold-start and hot-start operation

This study investigates the morphology and nanostructure of soot particles during cold-start and hot-start engine operation of a diesel engine using oxygenated fuels. The soot samples were analysed using transmission electron microscopy. The oxygen content in the fuel was varied between 0 and 12%. The results showed that the primary particles during cold-start have significantly smaller size when compared to hot-start engine operation. The addition of oxygenated fuels also resulted in smaller sized primary particles. Smaller radius of gyration and higher fractal dimension of soot aggregates during cold-start would mean smaller aggregate size with a more compact structure. Shorter fringes with a higher inter-fringe spacing for cold-start would mean lower graphitisation of soot particles that could be related to higher oxidation reactivity of soot particles.

Is a Safety Guide Wire Necessary for Transurethral Lithotripsy using Semi-Rigid Ureteroscope? Results from a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Experts recommend us to keep a safety guidewire during the process of upper urinary tract endoscopy, though there is a lack of high-level evidence to support the efficacy and safety of this opinion. This study conducted to compare the outcome of ureteral stone breakage in the presence or absence of safety guidewire.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients candidate for endoscopic breakage of ureteral stone using a semi-rigid ureteroscope, were randomly assigned in two groups based on keeping a safety guidewire (group1) or removing the guidewire (group2) before the process of breaking ureteral stone by lithoclast. Demographic factors, history of previous stone treatment, kidney function, stone location, symptoms duration and severity were recorded for each patient. Primary outcomes include success rate of stone treatment and secondary outcomes include number of attempts to enter to ureter, success rate of ureteral entry, success rate of stone achievement, stone migration rate and success rate of ureteral stent insertion. The recorded data were entered to the SPSS software and descriptive statistical analysis including power calculation and non-inferiority design for the primary and secondary outcomes, was performed. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

From January 2016 till May 2018, 320 patients were randomized with 160 patients in each arm. Considering the cases who were missed due to follow-up loss, there were 153 patients in group 1 and 147 patients in group 2 at the end of the study. Baseline data were equally distributed in both groups. Based on the initial analysis, the studied variables had no significant difference between two groups; though, according to the subgroup analysis of patients with proximal ureter stones, patients in Group 1 had higher rates of ureteral injury comparing to the patients in Group 2 (p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, keeping the safety guidewire through the process of endoscopic stone breakage (stone size: less than 1.5Cm) seems to add no significant benefit to the procedure outcome, while it increases the ureteral injuries in the proximal ureter stones, but not in mid or distal ureter stones.

Energy and exergy analysis of a novel turbo-compounding system for supercharging and mild hybridization of a gasoline engine

Number of hybrid vehicles has increased around the world significantly. Automotive industry is utilizing the hybridization of the powertrain system to achieve better fuel economic and emissions reduction. One of the options recently considered in research for hybridization and downsizing of vehicles is to employ waste heat recovery systems. In this paper, the addition of a turbo-compound system with an air Brayton cycle (ABC) to a naturally aspirated engine was studied in AVL BOOST software. In addition, a supercharger was modeled to charge extra air into the engine and ABC. The engine was first validated against the experimental data prior to turbo-compounding. The energy and exergy analysis was performed to understand the effects of the proposed design at engine rated speed. Results showed that between 16 and 18% increase in engine mechanical power can be achieved by adding turbo-compressor. Furthermore, the recommended ABC system can recover up to 1.1 kW extra electrical power from the engine exhaust energy. The energy and exergy efficiencies were both improved slightly by turbo-compounding and BSFC reduced by nearly 1% with the proposed system. Furthermore, installing the proposed system resulted in increase in backpressure up to approximately 23.8 kPa.

Genetic Consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the Americas

According to historical records of transatlantic slavery, traders forcibly deported an estimated 12.5 million people from ports along the Atlantic coastline of Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries, with global impacts reaching to the present day, more than a century and a half after slavery's abolition. Such records have fueled a broad understanding of the forced migration from Africa to the Americas yet remain underexplored in concert with genetic data. Here, we analyzed genotype array data from 50,281 research participants, which-combined with historical shipping documents-illustrate that the current genetic landscape of the Americas is largely concordant with expectations derived from documentation of slave voyages. For instance, genetic connections between people in slave trading regions of Africa and disembarkation regions of the Americas generally mirror the proportion of individuals forcibly moved between those regions. While some discordances can be explained by additional records of deportations within the Americas, other discordances yield insights into variable survival rates and timing of arrival of enslaved people from specific regions of Africa. Furthermore, the greater contribution of African women to the gene pool compared to African men varies across the Americas, consistent with literature documenting regional differences in slavery practices. This investigation of the transatlantic slave trade, which is broad in scope in terms of both datasets and analyses, establishes genetic links between individuals in the Americas and populations across Atlantic Africa, yielding a more comprehensive understanding of the African roots of peoples of the Americas.

Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in patients with previous ipsilateral renal stone surgery

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transperitoneal laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in renal stone cases with previous renal surgeries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 190 consecutive patients with renal stones, who were candidates for transperitoneal laparoscopic pyelolithotomy, were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups. In group A, 163 patients without a history of renal surgery underwent standard laparoscopic pyelolithotomy, whereas in group B laparoscopic pyelolithotomy was performed in 27 patients with a history of kidney stone surgery including percutaneous nephrolithotomy or open stone surgery. All intraoperative data including the operating time and complications such as bleeding requiring transfusion were recorded. Postoperative data such as length of hospitalization, hemoglobin level alteration, and other complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the preoperative data such as stone size, stone site, age, sex, and stone side between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the stone-free rate between the two groups (p = 0.4). There was no significant difference between the two study groups regarding the operating time, hospital stay, stone-free rate, complications, and transfusion rate.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy can be used as a safe and feasible treatment modality in the setting of previous renal surgery. The complications and stone-free rate of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in patients with history of renal surgery are acceptable.

Effect of cold start on engine performance and emissions from diesel engines using IMO-Compliant distillate fuels

Emissions from ships at berth are small compared to the total ship emissions; however, they are one of the main contributors to pollutants in the air of densely-populated areas, consequently heavily affecting public health. This is due to auxiliary marine engines being used to generate electric power and steam for heating and providing services. The present study has been conducted on an engine representative of a marine auxiliary, which was a heavy duty, six-cylinder, turbocharged and after-cooled engine with a high pressure common rail injection system. Engine performance and emission characterisations during cold start are the focus of this paper, since cold start is significantly influential. Three tested fuels were used, including the reference diesel and two IMO (International Maritime Organization) compliant spiked fuels. The research engine was operated at a constant speed and 25% load condition after 12 h cooled soak. Results show that during cold start, significant heat generated from combustion is used to heat the engine block, coolant and lubricant. During the first minute, compared to the second minute, emissions of particle number (PN), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) were approximately 10, 4, 2 and 1.5 times higher, respectively. The engine control unit (ECU) plays a vital role in reducing engine emissions by changing the engine injection strategy based on the engine coolant temperature. IMO-compliant fuels, which were higher viscosity fuels associated with high sulphur content, resulted in an engine emission increase during cold start. It should be taken into account that auxiliary marine diesel engines, working at partial load conditions during cold start, contribute considerably to emissions in coastal areas. It demonstrates a need to implement practical measures, such as engine pre-heating, to obtain both environmental and public health advantages in coastal areas.

Decreased miR-155-5p, miR-15a, and miR-186 Expression in Gastric Cancer Is Associated with Advanced Tumor Grade and Metastasis

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent cancers with a high rate of mortality in the world. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed to be involved in GC development. In this study, we aimed at investigating differential expression level of miR-155-5p, miR-15a, miR-15b, and miR-186 in GC.

Methods

For this research, we used qPCR to investigate miR-15b, miR-155, miR-15a, and miR-186 expression levels in a total of 29 normal gastric tissue, 45 gastric dysplasia, and 39 GC samples.

Results

We showed significant down-regulation of miR-155-5p (p = 0.0018), miR-15a (p = 0.0159), and miR-186 (p = 0.0005) expression in GC tissue.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for deregulated expression of miR155-5p, miR-186, and miR-15a in GC and is providing new insights into the potential implication of these miRNAs in the pathogenesis of GC.

The cytotoxic, inflammatory and oxidative potential of coconut oil-substituted diesel emissions on bronchial epithelial cells at an air-liquid interface

Diesel emissions contain high levels of particulate matter (PM) which can have a severe effect on the airways. Diesel PM can be effectively reduced with the substitution of diesel fuel with a biofuel such as vegetable oil. Unfortunately, very little is known about the cellular effects of these alternative diesel emissions on the airways. The aim of this study was to test whether coconut oil substitution in diesel fuel reduces the adverse effect of diesel emission exposure on human bronchial epithelial cells. Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured at air-liquid interface for 7 days and exposed to diesel engine emissions from conventional diesel fuel or diesel fuel blended with raw coconut oil at low (10%), moderate (15%) and high (20%) proportions. Cell viability, inflammation, antioxidant production and xenobiotic metabolism were measured. Compared to conventional diesel, low fractional coconut oil substitution (10% and 15%) reduced inflammation and increased antioxidant expression, whereas higher fractional coconut oil (20%) reduced cell viability and increased inflammation. Therefore, cellular responses after exposure to alternative diesel emission are dependent on fuel composition.

Gastric Cancer MicroRNAs Meta-signature

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. Identification of novel biomarkers is critical to prolonging patient survival. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) proved to play diverse roles in the physiological and pathological state in cancers including GC. Herein we aimed at performing a meta-analysis on miRNA profiling studies that used microarray platforms. Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed and GEO databases. We used the robust rank aggregation to perform the meta-analysis. Moreover, for meta-signature miRNAs target genes, we performed pathway enrichment and GO molecular function enrichment analysis. A total of 19 upregulated miRNAs and seven downregulated miRNAs in GC samples were identified. However, only three upregulated and one downregulated miRNA reached statistical significance after multiple test correction. Here we showed that hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-93-5p, hsa-miR-25-3p, and hsa-miR-375 are differentially expressed in GC samples.

A New Touchless Technique for Suturing in Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty

BACKGROUND

The most difficult, time-consuming, and critical steps of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LPP) are ureteral spatulation, apical ureteral stitch placement, and ureteropelvic anastomosis. To simplify these critical steps, avoid the risk of ureteral shortening, and also minimize ureteral manipulation, we present a modified dismembered technique for suturing with the outcome of patients who underwent LPP using this technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 23 patients who were candidates for transperitoneal dismembered Anderson-Hynes LPP. The ureter was partially cut just below the ureteropelvic junction. The ureter was spatulated at its lateral aspect to cross the obstruction site and reach the normal ureter. The renal pelvis was obliquely cut equal to the size of ureteral spatulation. The ureter and pelvis were still connected partially. At this point, the first stitch was placed between the lower point of the spatulated ureter and the lowest corner of the renal pelvis. Anastomosis was performed by running sutures.

RESULTS

No cases of internal organ injury and no cases of open surgery conversion were encountered. The radiologic success rate was 96%. After operation, in 1 patient, obstruction still existed and the patient underwent nephrectomy due to a nonfunctional obstructive kidney.

CONCLUSIONS

This modification preserves total ureteral length and facilitates spatulation and suturing in transperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty. The results showed that it is a useful method, especially for less-experienced surgeons.

Clinical significance of long noncoding RNA VIM-AS1 and CTBP1-AS2 expression in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Multiple studies have proposed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial molecules in regulating several biological processes and complex diseases. The study was aimed at investigating the association between the expression levels of lncRNA VIM-AS1, lncRNA CTBP1-AS2, and T2D susceptibility.

METHODS

lncRNA VIM-AS1 and lncRNA CTBP1-AS2 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of 100 healthy individuals and 100 T2D patients were collected for Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR analysis. A logistic regression was performed to understand whether the likelihood of T2D can be predicted based on the expression levels of lncRNA VIM-AS1 and lncRNA CTBP1-AS2. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed to determine the statistical analysis of VIM-AS1 and CTBP1-AS2 levels in 200 samples.

RESULTS

Our results display that decreased levels of VIM-AS1 and CTBP1-AS2 in PBMC were associated with diabetes in Iranian population. The logistic regression revealed that Systolic blood pressure (SBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and CTBP1-AS2 are substantial predictors of T2D. The ROC analysis of CTBP1-AS2 revealed the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.68 with a sensitivity of 58.7% and specificity of 75.3% in distinguishing nondiabetic from diabetic subjects. The ROC analysis of VIM-AS1 determined AUC of 0.63 with a sensitivity of 56.1% and specificity of 68.37% in distinguishing the two diagnostic groups.

CONCLUSION

lncRNA VIM-AS1 and lncRNA CTBP1-AS2 expression levels are associated with T2D susceptibility.

Up-Regulation of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b in Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Differential expression profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) could be a diagnosis signature for monitoring gastric cancer (GC) progression. In this study, we focus on the comparison of expression levels of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, miR-106b, and miR-375 during the sequential pattern of GC development, including normal gastric, gastric dysplasia, and GC sample.

METHODS

We used SYBR Green-based quantitative-PCR to quantify miRNAs expression.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed the increased expression levels of miR-21 (p = 0.034), miR-25 (p = 0.0003), miR-93 (p = 0.0406), and miR-106b (p = 0.023) in GC samples. In addition, GC patients with positive lymph node metastasis showed the up-regulation of miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that the expression of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b altered in GC, and some of them may be further investigated as biomarkers for GC early detection and prognosis prediction.

The clinical significance of miR-335, miR-124, miR-218 and miR-484 downregulation in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading types of malignancy worldwide, particularly in Asian populations. Although the exact molecular mechanism of GC development remains unknown, microRNA (miRNA) has recently been shown to be involved. The current study aims to investigate the expression levels of bioinformatically ranked miRNAs in gastric tissues. Using bioinformatics tools, we prioritized miRNAs thought to be implicated in GC. Furthermore, polyA-qPCR was used to validate bioinformatics findings in 40 GC, 31 normal gastric tissue (NG) and 45 gastric dysplasia (GD) samples. As identified by bioinformatics analysis, miR-335 was shown to be the top-ranked miRNA implicated in GC. Moreover, a significant downregulation of miR-335, miR-124, miR-218 and miR-484 was found in GC and GD compared to NG samples. We found bioinformatics to be an efficient approach to finding candidate miRNAs relevant to GC development. Finally, the findings show that downregulation of miRNAs such as miR-124 and miR-218 in gastric tissue can be a significant indicator for neoplastic transformation.

Up-Regulation of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b in Gastric Cancer

Background:

Differential expression profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) could be a diagnosis signature for monitoring gastric cancer (GC) progression. In this study, we focus on the comparison of expression levels of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, miR-106b, and miR-375 during the sequential pattern of GC development, including normal gastric, gastric dysplasia, and GC sample.

Methods:

We used SYBR Green-based quantitative-PCR to quantify miRNAs expression.

Results:

Our analysis revealed the increased expression levels of miR-21 (p = 0.034), miR-25 (p = 0.0003), miR-93 (p = 0.0406), and miR-106b (p = 0.023) in GC samples. In addition, GC patients with positive lymph node metastasis showed the up-regulation of miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggested that the expression of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b altered in GC, and some of them may be further investigated as biomarkers for GC early detection and prognosis prediction.

On-board measurements of particle and gaseous emissions from a large cargo vessel at different operating conditions

This study investigated particle and gaseous emission factors from a large cargo vessel for her whole voyage including at berth, manoeuvring and cruising. Quantification of these factors assists in minimising the uncertainty in the current methods of exhaust gas emission factor estimation. Engine performance and emissions from the main marine engine were measured on-board while the ship was manoeuvring and cruising at sea. Emissions of an auxiliary engine working at 55% of maximum continuous rating (MCR) were measured when the ship was at actual harbour stopovers. Gaseous and particle emission factors in this study are presented in g kWh^-1 or # kWh^-1, and compared with previous studies. Results showed that the SO₂ emission factor is higher than that of previous studies due to the high sulphur content of the fuel used. The particle number size distributions showed only one mode for different operating conditions of the ship, with a peak at around 40-50 nm, which was dominated by ultrafine particles. Emission factors of CO, HC, PM and PN observed during ship manoeuvring were much higher than that of those recorded at cruising condition. These findings highlight the importance of quantification and monitoring ship emissions in close proximity to port areas, as they can have the highest impact on population exposure.

Association of the rs1870634 Variant in Long Intergenic Non-protein Coding RNA 841 with Coronary Artery Disease: A GWAS-Replication Study in an Iranian Population

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified a list of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Replication of GWAS findings in different population corroborated the observed association in the parent GWAS. In this study, we aimed to replicate the association of rs1870634, a GWAS identified SNP, to CAD in an Iranian population. The study population consisted of 267 subjects undergoing coronary angiography coronary angiography including 155 CAD patients and 112 non-CAD age- and gender-matched controls. The genotype determination of rs1870634 SNP performed using high-resolution melting analysis (HRM) technique. Our results revealed that the GG genotype frequency was significantly higher in CAD patients compared with controls (P = 0.03). The results of binary logistic regression suggested that this genotype was significantly associated with CAD risk adjustment for age, BMI, sex, TC, and LDL-C lipid levels (OR of 2.78, 95% CI (1.10-7.01), P = 0.03). Moreover, our results showed that the GG+TG genotypes were 2.52 times more likely to develop CAD (95% CI 1.05-6.03) than TT genotype carriers after adjusting for age, sex, and lipid profiles (P = 0.037). These data showed that the GG genotype could be associated with increased risk of CAD in a sample of Iranian population.

Responsibilities of Multinational Corporations on Environmental Issues

Multinational corporations play more roles in social and cultural and political issues in this century. This growing trend in multinational companies, has led the international law, talk about "corporate social responsibility". One of the most important aspects of CSR is environmental issues. The question is that is there enough regulatory basis- at the local or international level- to guaranty responsible behavior of these companies. And in the cases of environmental damages which parts of a company should be responsive and compensate damages. Perhaps the assignment of responsibility in the actions against multinational companies on environmental issues is not too difficult; the reason is that losses are objective and external. Note that in many deserving cases, harm to the environmental rights is a violation of human rights, particularly the third generation of human rights.

Influence of oxygen content of the certain types of biodiesels on particulate oxidative potential

Oxidative potential (OP) is related to the organic phase, specifically to its oxygenated organic fraction (OOA). Furthermore, the oxygen content of fuel molecules has significant influence on particulate OP. Thus, this study aimed to explore the actual dependency of the OOA and ROS to the oxygen content of the fuel. In order to reach the goal, different biodiesels blends, with various ranges of oxygen content; have been employed. The compact time of flight aerosol mass spectrometer (c-ToF AMS) enabled better identification of OOA. ROS monitored by using two assays: DTT and BPEA-nit. Despite emitting lower mass, both assays agreed that oxygen content of a biodiesel is directly correlated with its OOA, and highly related to its OP. Hence, the more oxygen included in the considered biodiesels, the higher the OP of PM emissions. This highlights the importance of taking oxygen content into account while assessing emissions from new fuel types, which is relevant from a health effects standpoint.

Comparison of two different doses of dexmedetomidine in attenuating cardiovascular responses during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation: A double blind, randomized, clinical trial study

Introduction. Secure airway for proper ventilation during anesthesia is one important component of a successful surgery. Endotracheal intubation is one of the most important methods in this context. Intubation method and used medication are considerably important in attenuating complications. This research aimed to investigate the impact of two different doses of dexmedetomidine in mitigating cardiovascular responses to endotracheal intubation in candidate cases supporting voluntary operation. Methods. The current research contained 90 cases in the range of 18 and 50 old, with ASA I,II supporting voluntary operation, who were randomly classified into three teams, each group consisting of 30 cases. The first set (A) got 0.5 μg/ kg dexmedetomidine, the second set (B) got 1 μg/ kg dexmedetomidine and the third set (C) got an equal volume of saline as placebo, 600 seconds earlier the initiation of anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded at baseline (T0), then after the injection and the earlier initiation of anesthesia (T1), after the induction of anesthesia and before the endotracheal intubation (T2), promptly after tracheal intubation, 180, and 300 after endotracheal intubation (T4, T5). Data was analyzed and p < 0.05 was supposed notable. Findings. In this research, 3 teams were similar regarding weight, age, height, sex and duration of laryngoscopy. The diastolic mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and systolic arterial pressure were significantly lower in dexmedetomidine teams (A,B) at all times after the endotracheal intubation compared to group C. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic factors among group A, B. Conclusion. Dexmedetomidine effectively and significantly attenuates cardiovascular and hemodynamic responses during endotracheal intubation. In addition, different doses of dexmedetomidine did not cause any significant distinct result in mitigating cardiovascular responses.

An Extended Framework for ERP Post-Implementation Success Assessment

Implementing enterprise resource planning systems is a sophisticated, lengthy and costly process which tends to face serious failure. Thus, it is essential to perform the success assessment at the post-implementation stage of an ERP project to evaluate how much the system has succeeded in achieving its predetermined objectives. This paper proposes a practical and extended framework for assessing a firm's ERP post-implementation success. The factors contributing to the post-implementation success assessment have been adapted from the original model of Ifinedo et al. (2010) encompasses service quality, system quality, information quality, individual impact, workgroup impact, and organizational impact surrogates. Also, a new surrogate of inter-organizational impact proposed in this research. Using this model, the firm's ERP system success can be determined and the required improvement projects can be proposed to promote the success level. The proposed model is then applied to a real international company in the field of manufacturing and supplying turbines to measure the firm's ERP post-implementation success. Finally, the results of the assessment are discussed.

Assessing misdiagnosis of relapse in patients with gastric cancer in Iran cancer institute based on a hidden Markov multi-state model

BACKGROUND

Accurate assessment of disease progression requires proper understanding of natural disease process which is often hidden and unobservable. For this purpose, disease status should be clearly detected. But in most diseases it is not possible to detect such status. This study, therefore, aims to present a model which both investigates the unobservable disease process and considers the error probability in diagnosis of disease states.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 330 patients with gastric cancer undergoing surgery at the Iran Cancer Institute from 1995 to 1999 were analyzed. Moreover, to estimate and assess the effect of demographic, diagnostic and clinical factors as well as medical and post-surgical variables on transition rates and the probability of misdiagnosis of relapse, a hidden Markov multi-state model was employed.

RESULTS

Classification errors of patients in alive state without a relapse (e21) and with a relapse (e12) were 0.22 (95% CI: 0.04-0.63) and 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00-0.09), respectively. Only variables of age and number of renewed treatments affected misdiagnosis of relapse. In addition, patient age and distant metastasis were among factors affecting the occurrence of relapse (state1→state2) while the number of renewed treatments and the type and extent of surgery had a significant effect on death hazard without relapse (state2→state3) and death hazard with relapse (state2→state3).

CONCLUSIONS

A hidden Markov multi-state model provides the possibility of estimating classification error between different states of disease. Moreover, based on this model, factors affecting the probability of this error can be identified and researchers can be helped with understanding the mechanisms of classification error.

Ectopic decidual reaction mimicking irritable bowel syndrome: a case report

Ectopic decidualization with gross involvement of the peritoneum is one of the rare findings in pregnant women particularly when ectopic decidualization disseminated as an asymptomatic intra-abdominal nodule. We present here a case of an ectopic decidualization in a 33-year-old pregnant woman with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome during pregnancy.

A comparison between Kaplan-Meier and weighted Kaplan-Meier methods of five-year survival estimation of patients with gastric cancer

The 5-year survival rate is a good prognostic indicator for patients with Gastric cancer that is usually estimated based on Kaplan-Meier. In situations where censored observations are too many, this method produces biased estimations. This study aimed to compare estimations of Kaplan-Meier and Weighted Kaplan-Meier as an alternative method to deal with the problem of heavy-censoring. Data from 330 patients with Gastric cancer who had undergone surgery at Iran Cancer Institute from 1995- 1999 were analyzed. The Survival Time of these patients was determined after surgery, and the 5-year survival rate for these patients was evaluated based on Kaplan-Meier and Weighted Kaplan-Meier methods. A total of 239 (72.4%) patients passed away by the end of the study and 91(27.6%) patients were censored. The mean and median of survival time for these patients were 24.86±23.73 and 16.33 months, respectively. The one-year, two-year, three-year, four-year, and five-year survival rates of these patients with standard error estimation based on Kaplan-Meier were 0.66 (0.0264), 0.42 (0.0284), 0.31 (0.0274), 0.26 (0.0264) and 0.21 (0.0256) months, respectively. The estimations of Weighted Kaplan-Meier for these patients were 0.62 (0.0251), 0.35 (0.0237), 0.24 (0.0211), 0.17 (0.0172), and 0.10 (0.0125) months, consecutively. In cases where censoring assumption is not made, and the study has many censored observations, estimations obtained from the Kaplan-Meier are biased and are estimated higher than its real amount. But Weighted Kaplan-Meier decreases bias of survival probabilities by providing appropriate weights and presents more accurate understanding.

Prediction of partition coefficient of some 3-hydroxy pyridine-4-one derivatives using combined partial least square regression and genetic algorithm

A quantiatative structure property relationship (QSPR) treatment was used to a data set consisting of diverse 3-hydroxypyridine-4-one derivatives to relate the logarithmic function of octanol:water partition coefficients (denoted by log po/w) with theoretical molecular descriptors. Evaluation of a test set of 6 compounds with the developed partial least squares (PLS) model revealed that this model is reliable with a good predictability. Since the QSPR study was performed on the basis of theoretical descriptors calculated completely from the molecular structures, the proposed model could potentially provide useful information about the activity of the studied compounds. Various tests and criteria such as leave-one-out cross validation, leave-many-out cross validation, and also criteria suggested by Tropsha were employed to examine the predictability and robustness of the developed model.