Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Propolis for Oral Mucositis in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Akhavan-Karbassi, Mohammad Hasan,Yazdi, Mohammad Forat,Ahadian, Hakimeh,Sadr-Abad, Maryam Jalili Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.7

Background: Propolis based preparations have a wide range of applications in various specialties of dentistry. The aim of this clinical trial was to test the efficacy of propolis as a mouthwash in the reduction of chemotherapy induced oral mucositis (OM) in a single center. Materials and Methods: In this randomised, controlled study patients undergoing chemotherapy were included consecutively and randomised to an experimental group receiving propolis mouthwash (n = 20) and a control group receiving diluted water (n=20). Oral mucositis, erythema and eating and drink ability were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 7 days using the World Health Organization (WHO) scale and the oral mucositis assessment scale (OMAS). Results: There were significant differences in OM, wound and erythema in propolis group compared to placebo, but no significant difference in eating and drink ability. However, it was interesting that 65% of the patients in the propolis group were completely healed at day 7 of the trial. No significant adverse events were reported by the patients. Conclusions: This study found that oral care with propolis as mouthwash for patients undergoing chemotherapy is an effective intervention to improve oral health. Our findings shouldlencourage health practitioners to apply propolis mouth rinse for the oral care of patients under chemotherapy.

A systematic approach of bottom-up assessment methodology for an optimal design of hybrid solar/wind energy resources – Case study at middle east region

Ifaei, Pouya,Karbassi, Abdolreza,Jacome, Gabriel,Yoo, ChangKyoo Elsevier 2017 Energy conversion and management Vol.145 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In the current study, an algorithm-based data processing, sizing, optimization, sensitivity analysis and clustering approach (DaSOSaCa) is proposed as an efficient simultaneous solar/wind assessment methodology. Accordingly, data processing is performed to obtain reliable high quality meteorological data among various datasets, which are used for hybrid photovoltaic/wind turbine/storage/converter system optimal design for consequent sites in a large region. The optimal hybrid systems are consequently simulated to meet hourly power demand in various sites. The solar/wind fraction and net present cost of the systems are then used as the technical and economic clustering variables, respectively. The clustering results are finally used as input to obtain novel hybrid solar/wind GIS maps. Iran is selected as the case study to validate the proposed methodology and detail its applicability. Ten minute annual global horizontal radiation, wind speed, and temperature data are analyzed, and the optimal, robust hybrid systems are simulated for various sites in order to classify the country. The generated GIS maps show that Iran can be efficiently clustered into four technical and five economic clusters under optimal conditions. The clustering results prove that Iran is mainly a solar country with approximately 74% solar power fraction under optimum conditions. A macroeconomic evaluation using DaSOSaCa also reveals that the nominal discount rate is recommended to be greater than 20% considering the current economic situation for the renewable energy sector in Iran. An environmental analysis results show that an average 106.68tonCO<SUB>2</SUB>-eq/year is produced for such hybrid systems application in Iran during a cradle to grave life cycle. Thus, Iran energy sector can be eminently promoted to an environmentally efficient stage with regard to the proposed classification plan and economic considerations.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Proposing DaSOSaCa flowchart as a novel hybrid solar/wind assessment approach. </LI> <LI> Calculating four key parameters to generate synthetic wind hourly data for Iran. </LI> <LI> Proposing technical and economic hybrid solar/wind GIS maps of Iran. </LI> <LI> Revising renewable energies management plans of Iran by macroeconomic evaluation. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

A renewable energies-assisted sustainable development plan for Iran using techno-econo-socio-environmental multivariate analysis and big data

Ifaei, Pouya,Karbassi, Abdolreza,Lee, Seungchul,Yoo, ChangKyoo Elsevier 2017 Energy conversion and management Vol.153 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In the present study, sustainable development is investigated in Iran using renewable energies-assisted Techno-Econo-Socio-Environmental Multivariate Analysis (TESEMA) as a novel holistic approach. Accordingly, six annual hourly consumption variables, reported by Iran’s power industry from 2011 to 2017, are predicted using seven dynamic and intelligent models. Consequently, technical and economic variables are obtained by an optimal design of hybrid solar, wind, and biogas systems at 53 sites in Iran. Thirteen social variables are studied using a technique for order-preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) and six hazardous air pollutants are reported in Iran using a geographic information systems interpolation tool. Then, four major TESEMA variables are used in multivariate statistical analyses to reduce the big data diversity. Principal component analysis (<I>PCA</I>) is performed to find a linear model among the variables, and <I>K</I> nearest neighborhood (<I>KNN</I>) algorithm is used to cluster the sites according to the modeling results. A partial least square-based regression is conducted to investigate any correlation between major variables of TESEMA and population density in Iran. Finally, TESEMA development index (<I>DI</I>) and facial graphs are proposed as novel numerical and graphical sustainable development monitoring techniques, respectively. The results show that <I>DNN</I> is the best model to predict demand load in Iran (<I>RMSE</I> = 73.15%). Since <I>DI</I> varies in a wide range from 0 to 248.83 and the population density is significantly correlated with TESEMA variables (<I>R</I> <SUP>2</SUP> = 91.86%), the current centralistic policies should be revised in Iran to reach sustainable development. Thus, a four-cluster management strategy accompanied by smart monitoring can efficiently lead to sustainable development in Iran.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> TESEMA is proposed as a novel green energy-assisted sustainable development plan. </LI> <LI> A hybrid solar/wind/biogas optimal design algorithm is proposed. </LI> <LI> Techno-economic-socio-environmental big-data matrices are constructed for Iran. </LI> <LI> Facial graphs are proposed as a novel graphical approach for development monitoring. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Thermodynamic Studies on the Interaction of Copper Ions with Carbonic Anhydrase

A. A. Saboury,S. Mamaghani-Rad,F. Karbassi,N. S. Sarraf 대한화학회 2005 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.26 No.7

The interaction of bovine carbonic anhydrase II with copper ions was studied by isothermal titration microcalorimetry, circular dichroism, UV spectrophotometry and temperature scanning spectrophotometry methods at 27 ûC in Tris buffer solution at pH = 7.5. It was indicated that there are three non-identical different binding sites on carbonic anhydrase for Cu2+. The binding of copper ions is exothermic and can induce some minor changes in the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme, which does not unfold it, but can result in a decrease in both activity and stability of the enzyme.

Thermodynamic Studies on the Interaction of Copper Ions with Carbonic Anhydrase

Sarraf, N.S.,Mamaghani-Rad, S.,Karbassi, F.,Saboury, A. A. Korean Chemical Society 2005 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.26 No.7

The interaction of bovine carbonic anhydrase II with copper ions was studied by isothermal titration microcalorimetry, circular dichroism, UV spectrophotometry and temperature scanning spectrophotometry methods at 27 ${^{\circ}C}$ in Tris buffer solution at pH = 7.5. It was indicated that there are three non-identical different binding sites on carbonic anhydrase for $Cu^{2+}$. The binding of copper ions is exothermic and can induce some minor changes in the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme, which does not unfold it, but can result in a decrease in both activity and stability of the enzyme.

Feeding Soy Protein Concentrates with Low and High Isoflavones Alters 9 and 18 Weeks Serum Isoflavones and Inflammatory Protein Levels in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats

Wei Li,Nathan C. Twaddle,Beverly Spray,Bernice Nounamo,Behjatolah Monzavi-Karbassi,Reza Hakkak 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Journal of medicinal food Vol.26 No.2

Soy's anti-inflammatory properties contribute to the health benefits of soy foods. This study was designed to investigate the bioavailability of soy isoflavones and whether the isoflavone content of soy protein concentrate diet would affect serum inflammatory proteins in an obese (fa/fa) Zucker rat model. Six-week-old male lean (L) and obese (O) Zucker rats were fed a casein control diet (C), soy protein concentrate with low isoflavones (SPC-LIF), or soy protein concentrate with high isoflavones (SPC-HIF) (7 rats/dietary group) before being killed at 9 and 18 weeks. Serum samples were analyzed for isoflavones and inflammatory proteins. At both time points, serum total (aglycone + conjugates) genistein, daidzein, and equol concentrations were significantly higher in L-SPC-HIF and O-SPC-HIF groups compared with L-SPC-LIF and O-SPC-LIF groups, respectively, and were not detectable in either L-C or O-C groups. At week 9, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was significantly lower in O-SPC-HIF group compared with O-C and O-SPC-LIF group, whereas proteins tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels did not differ between any groups. At week 18, serum CRP levels in both O-SPC-HIF and O-SPC-LIF groups were significantly lower compared with the O-C group. TNF-α level was higher in the O-SPC-LIF group compared with both O-C and O-SPC-HIF groups, whereas IL-6 levels were not different between any groups. Taken together, feeding Zucker rats SPC-LIF and SPC-HIF diets led to different serum isoflavone concentrations in both L and O Zucker rats and altered CRP and TNF-α levels in obese Zucker rats compared with controls.