Sharif Digital Repository

The purpose of this work is to develop a computational model to describe the task of sit to stand (STS). STS is an important movement skill which is frequently performed in human daily activities, but has rarely been studied from the perspective of optimization principles. In this study, we compared the recorded trajectories of STS with the trajectories generated by several conventional optimization-based models (i.e., minimum torque, minimum torque change and kinetic energy cost models) and also with the trajectories produced by a novel multi-phase cost model (MPCM). In the MPCM, we suggested that any complex task, such as STS, is decomposable into successive motion phases, so that each... 

Objective: To determine the motor-behavioral and neural correlates of putative functional common variants in the sodium-channel NaV1.8 encoding gene (SCN10A) in vivo in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We recruited 161 patients with relapsing-onset MS and 94 demographically comparable healthy participants. All patients with MS underwent structural MRI and clinical examinations (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite [MSFC]). Whole-brain voxel-wise and cerebellar volumetry were performed to assess differences in regional brain volumes between genotype groups. Resting-state fMRI was acquired from 62 patients with MS to evaluate... 

Proteins possess a variety of nucleophiles, which can carry out different reactions in the functioning cells. Proteins endogenously and synthetically can be modified through their nucleophilic sites. The roles of these chemical modifications have not been completely revealed. These modifications can alter the protein folding process. Protein folding directly affects the function of proteins. If an error in protein folding occurs, it may cause protein malfunction leading to several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In this study, Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) and bovine insulin, as model proteins for studying the amyloid formation, were covalently attached with... 

Nanoscaled quantum dots (QDs), with unique optical properties have been used for the development of theranostics. Here, InP/ZnS QDs were synthesised and functionalised with folate (QD-FA), D-glucosamine (QD-GA) or both (QD-FA-GA). The bi-functionalised QDs were further conjugated with doxorubicin (QD-FA-GA-DOX). Optimum Indium to fatty acid (In:MA) ratio was 1:3.5. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs revealed spherical morphology for the QDs (11 nm). Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) spectrum confirmed the chemical composition of the QDs. MTT analysis in the OVCAR-3 cells treated with bare QDs, QD-FA, QD-GA, QD-FA-GA and QD-FA-GA-DOX (0.2 mg/mL of QDs) after 24 h indicated... 

Cancer is a deadly disease that has long plagued humans and has become more prevalent in recent years. The common treatment modalities for this disease have always faced many problems and complications, and this has led to the discovery of strategies for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The use of magnetic nanoparticles in the past two decades has had a significant impact on this. One of the objectives of the present study is to introduce the special properties of these nanoparticles and how they are structured to load and transport drugs to tumors. In this study, iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with 6 nm sizes were coated with hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) and folic acid (FA). The... 

Background: It is important to improve verbal Working Memory (WM) in reading disability, as it is a key factor in learning. There are commercial verbal WM training programs, which have some short-term effects only on the verbal WM capacity, not reading. However, because of some weaknesses in current verbal WM training programs, researchers suggested designing and developing newly structured programs that particularly target educational functions such as reading skills. In the current double-blind randomized clinical trial study, we designed a new Verbal Working Memory-Balance (VWM-B) program which was carried out using a portable robotic device. The short-term effects of the VWM-B program,... 

Theranostic liposomes have recently found a broad range of applications in nanomedicine due to stability, the high solubility of biomacromolecules, bioavailability, efficacy, and low adverse effects. However, the limitations of liposomes concerning the short systemic circulation in the body, limited controllability of the release rate, and the inability of in vivo imaging remain challenging. Herein, the development of novel hybrid ultrasound-activated piezoelectric nanoparticles based on a hybrid liposome nanocarrier composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and Silibinin (a hydrophobic drug) is presented. The hybrid nanoparticles are an... 

Single-ventricle anomaly is a hereditary heart disease that is characterized by anatomical malformations. The main consequence of this malformation is desaturated blood flow, which without proper treatment increases the risk of death. The classical treatment is based on a three-stage palliative procedure which should begin from the first few days of patient’s life. The final stage is known as Fontan procedure, in which inferior vena cava is directly connected to pulmonary arteries without going through the ventricle. This connection is called total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). After surgery, the single ventricle supplies adequate and saturated systemic blood flow to the body; however,... 

Background: Impaired postural control in Parkinson's disease (PD) seriously compromises life quality. Although balance training improves mobility and postural stability, lack of quantitative studies on the neurophysiological mechanisms of balance training in PD impedes the development of patient-specific therapies. We evaluated the effects of a balance-training program using functional balance and mobility tests, posturography, and a postural control model. Methods: Center-of-pressure (COP) data of 40 PD patients before and after a 12-session balance-training program, and 20 healthy control subjects were recorded in four conditions with two tasks on a rigid surface (R-tasks) and two on foam.... 

Background: Balance training improves postural control in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, a systematic approach for the development of individualized, optimal training programs is still lacking, as the learning dynamics of the postural control in PD, over a training program, are poorly understood. Objectives: We investigated the learning dynamics of the postural control in PD, during a balance-training program, in terms of the clinical, posturographic, and novel model-based measures. Methods: Twenty patients with PD participated in a balance-training program, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. Clinical tests assessed functional balance and mobility pre-training, mid-training, and post-training.... 

This paper aims to propose a high-speed and accurate fully-automated method to detect COVID-19 from the patient's chest CT scan images. We introduce a new dataset that contains 48,260 CT scan images from 282 normal persons and 15,589 images from 95 patients with COVID-19 infections. At the first stage, this system runs our proposed image processing algorithm that analyzes the view of the lung to discard those CT images that inside the lung is not properly visible in them. This action helps to reduce the processing time and false detections. At the next stage, we introduce a novel architecture for improving the classification accuracy of convolutional networks on images containing small... 

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Mg supplementation on anthropometric indices consisting of body weight, waist circumference (WC), BMI and body fat percentage. In this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar from databases inception up to February 2020 for relevant randomised controlled trials. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool. All the outcomes of this meta-analysis were pooled using the random effect model. Analysis of dose-response for Mg dosage was carried out using a fractional polynomial model. The systematic review and... 

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) biocompatible systems can host enzymes/bacteria/viruses. Herein we synthesized a series of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)-decorated UiO-66-NH2 based on Citrus tangerine leaf extract for drug delivery and biosensor applications. Five chemically manipulated FAAH-like benzamides were localized on the UiO-66-NH2 surface with physical interactions. Comprehensive cellular and molecular analyses were conducted on HEK-293, HeLa, HepG2, PC12, MCF-7, and HT-29 cell lines (cytotoxicity assessment after 24 and 48 h). MTT results proved above 95 and 50% relative cell viability in the absence and presence of the drug, respectively. A complete targeted drug-releasing... 

Background: Worldwide, both the incidence and death rates of pancreatic cancer are increasing. Evaluation of pancreatic cancer burden and its global, regional, and national patterns is crucial to policy making and better resource allocation for controlling pancreatic cancer risk factors, developing early detection methods, and providing faster and more effective treatments. Methods: Vital registration, vital registration sample, and cancer registry data were used to generate mortality, incidence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) estimates. We used the comparative risk assessment framework to estimate the proportion of deaths attributable to risk factors for pancreatic cancer:... 

Herein, we report the preparation of novel magnetic graphene oxide (GO) grafted with brush polymer via surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization and its application as a nanocarrier for magnetic- and pH-triggered delivery of doxorubicin anticancer drug. The RAFT agent, DDMAT, was firstly attached to the surface of magnetic GO nanosheets. The DDMAT-functionalized magnetic GO nanosheets were then used to polymerize glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) using an SI-RAFT method. Afterwards, the epoxy rings of the PGMA chains were opened with hydrazine (N2H4) moieties. The resulting nanocomposite was used as a drug carrier for doxorubicin (DOX) as an... 

Coronary artery disease (CAD) causes oscillations in peripheral arteries. Oscillations of the walls of the brachial arteries of 51 patients were recorded [together with the electrocardiogram (ECG)] by an accelerometer at different cuff pressures. By analyzing the energy of the oscillations in the 30-250 Hz band, 16 of 22 patients with CAD and 26 of 29 non-CAD subjects were classified correctly, independent of the ECG, and with no effect of heart murmurs  

The selection of a suitable duty factor (DF) remains a major challenge in respiratory-gated treatments. Therefore, this study aims at presenting a new methodology for fast optimizing the gating window width (duty factor (DF)) in respiratory-gated proton partial breast irradiation (PBI). To do so, GATE Monte Carlo simulations were performed for various target sizes and locations in supine and prone positions. Three different duty factors of 20, 25, and 33% were considered. Sparing factors (SF) for four organs-at-risk (OARs) were then assessed. The weighted-sum method was employed to search for an optimal DF. The results indicate that an SF higher than unity was obtained for all plans. The SF... 

Stimulus repetition suppresses the neural activity in different sensory areas of the brain. This mechanism of so-called stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) has been observed in both spiking activity and local field potential (LFP) responses. However, much remains to be known about the effect of SSA on the spike–LFP relation. In this study, we approached this issue by investigating the spike-phase coupling (SPC) in control and adapting paradigms. For the control paradigm, pure tones were presented in a random unbiased sequence. In the adapting paradigm, the same stimuli were presented in a random pattern but it was biased to an adapter stimulus. In fact, the adapter occupied 80% of the... 

The joint analysis of multiple datasets to extract their interdependency information has wide applications in biomedical and health informatics. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to extract joint and individual sources of multi-subject datasets by using a deflation based procedure, which is referred to as joint/individual thin independent component analysis (JI-ThICA). The proposed algorithm is based on two cost functions utilizing higher order cumulants to extract joint and individual sources. Joint sources are discriminated by fusing signals of all subjects, whereas individual sources are extracted separately for each subject. Furthermore, JI-ThICA algorithm estimates the number of... 

The joint analysis of multiple data sets to extract their interdependency information has wide applications in biomedical and health informatics. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to extract joint and individual sources of multisubject data sets by using a deflation-based procedure, which is referred to as joint/individual thin independent component analysis (JI-ThICA). The proposed algorithm is based on two cost functions utilizing higher order cumulants to extract joint and individual sources. Joint sources are discriminated by fusing signals of all subjects, whereas individual sources are extracted separately for each subject. Furthermore, JI-ThICA algorithm estimates the number of...