Isobutane aromatization in the presence of propane as a co-reactant over H-ZSM-5 catalysts using different crystallization times

Soroush Baradaran,Morteza Sohrabi,Parsia Moghimpour Bijani,Sayed Javid Royaee 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.27 No.-

Co-Aromatization of isobutane and propane over H-ZSM-5 and Zn/ZSM-5 catalysts prepared by differentcrystallization time ranging from 24 h to 96 h at 180 8C was studied. The samples were characterized viaXRD, BET, SEM and NH3-TPD. A maximum for crystallinity was observed at 72 h with 98% and Acidityalong with crystal size increased with time. Performance tests in a fixed bed reactor at 550 8C showedthat catalytic activity increased with crystallization time while the aromatics selectivity increased withcrystallinity. The results also indicated that conversion of propane in the presence of isobutane wasdramatically lower than individual propane test.

Determination of Optimal Configuration for Mega Bracing Systems in Steel Frames using Genetic Algorithm

Mohammadreza Baradaran,Morteza Madhkhan 대한토목학회 2019 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.23 No.8

Mega bracing is one of the recently emphasized methods for lateral bracing of structures. In the present study, various configurations of mega bracing systems in terms of installation angle for lateral bracing of steel structures are evaluated and optimized. The investigated frames are designed and optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) according to LRFD-AISC (load and resistance factor design, american institute of steel construction). Frame analysis is carried out by means of finite element method, while optimization is conducted using GA considering three different types of selection and crossover, simultaneously. The results demonstrate that the optimum angle of mega bracing in steel frames is within the range of 36° to 42° with regard to the frame height and span. Furthermore, with increase in frame height, the employment of optimally distributed mega braces along the height of the frame results in reduction of story drifts and also the frame weight. Additionally, simultaneous utilization of various selection and crossover types in GA optimization leads to an increase in convergence rate of optimum weight of the frame as well as reduction in the required computations.

A Pharmacological Review on Portulaca oleracea L.: Focusing on Anti-Inflammatory, Anti- Oxidant, Immuno-Modulatory and Antitumor Activities

Vafa Baradaran Rahimi,Farideh Ajam,Hasan Rakhshandeh,Vahid Reza Askari 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.1

Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) or Purslane is an annual grassy plant that is distributed in many parts of the world, especially the tropical and subtropical areas. PO has some pharmacological properties such as analgesic, antibacterial, skeletal muscle-relaxant, wound-healing, anti- inflammatory and a radical scavenger. This review article is focused on the anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities of the PO. Anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-oxidant and Anti-tumor effects of PO were searched using various databases until the end of August 2018. The online literature was searched using PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Our review showed that PO exerts its effects through anti-inflammatory properties and balancing the adaptive and innate immune system depending on situations. PO acts as immune-modulator and anti-oxidant agent in both inflammatory states by the dominance of Th2 response such as asthma, cancer and atopic dermatitis and evoked Th1 disorders including hepatitis and multiple sclerosis.

(φ,ψ)―BIFLAT AND (φ,ψ)―AMENABLE BANACH ALGEBRAS

( Javad Baradaran ),( Zahra Ghorbani ) 호남수학회 2019 호남수학학술지 Vol.41 No.4

The article studies the concept of a (φ,ψ)―biflat and(φ,ψ)―amenable Banach algebra A, where φ is a continuous ho-momorphism on A and ψ ∈ ФA. We show if A has a (φ,ψ)―virtual diagonal, then A is (φ,ψ)― biflat. In the case where φ(A) is com-mutative we prove that (φ,ψ)― biatness of A implies that A has a (φ,ψ)―virtual diagonal.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validation, and Reliability Testing of the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire in Persian Population with Low Back Pain

Aslan Baradaran,Mohammad H. Ebrahimzadeh,Ali Birjandinejad,Amir Reza Kachooei 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.2

Study Design: Prospective study. Purpose: We aimed to validate the Persian version of the modified Oswestry disability questionnaire (MODQ) in patients with low back pain. Overview of Literature: Modified Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire is a well-known condition-specific outcome measure that helps quantify disability in patients with lumbar syndromes. Methods: To test the validity in a pilot study, the Persian MODQ was administered to 25 individuals with low back pain. We then enrolled 200 consecutive patients with low back pain to fill the Persian MODQ as well as the short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Convergent validity of the MODQ was tested using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient between the MODQ and SF-36 subscales. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s α coefficient were measured to test the reliability between test and retest and internal consistency of all items, respectively. Results: ICC for individual items ranged from 0.43 to 0.80 showing good reliability and reproducibility of each individual item. Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.69 showing good internal consistency across all 10 items of the Persian MODQ. Total MODQ score showed moderate to strong correlation with the eight subscales and the two domains of the SF-36. The highest correlation was between the MODQ and the physical functioning subscale of the SF-36 (r =−0.54, p <0.001) and the physical component domain of the SF-36 (r =−0.55, p <0.001) showing that MODQ is measuring what it is supposed to measure in terms of disability and physical function. Conclusions: Persian version of the MODQ is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of the disability following low back pain.

A Pharmacological Review on Portulaca oleracea L.: Focusing on Anti-Inflammatory, Anti- Oxidant, Immuno-Modulatory and Antitumor Activities

Rahimi, Vafa Baradaran,Ajam, Farideh,Rakhshandeh, Hasan,Askari, Vahid Reza KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.1

Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) or Purslane is an annual grassy plant that is distributed in many parts of the world, especially the tropical and subtropical areas. PO has some pharmacological properties such as analgesic, antibacterial, skeletal muscle-relaxant, wound-healing, anti- inflammatory and a radical scavenger. This review article is focused on the anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities of the PO. Anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-oxidant and Anti-tumor effects of PO were searched using various databases until the end of August 2018. The online literature was searched using PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Our review showed that PO exerts its effects through anti-inflammatory properties and balancing the adaptive and innate immune system depending on situations. PO acts as immune-modulator and anti-oxidant agent in both inflammatory states by the dominance of Th2 response such as asthma, cancer and atopic dermatitis and evoked Th1 disorders including hepatitis and multiple sclerosis.

siRNA-mediated Silencing of Survivin Inhibits Proliferation and Enhances Etoposide Chemosensitivity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Karami, Hadi,Baradaran, Behzad,Esfahani, Ali,Estiar, Mehrdad Asghari,Naghavi-Behzad, Mohammad,Sakhinia, Masoud,Sakhinia, Ebrahim Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: Overexpression of survivin, a known inhibitor of apoptosis, is associated with tumor progression and drug resistance in numerous malignancies, including leukemias. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a specific survivin small interference RNA (siRNA) on proliferation and the sensitivity of HL-60 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to the chemotherapeutic drug etoposide. Materials and Methods: The cells were transfected with siRNAs using Lipofectamine $^{TM}2000$ transfection reagent. Relative survivin mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Trypan blue exclusion assays were performed to monitor tumor cell proliferation after siRNA transfection. The cytotoxic effects of etoposide and survivin siRNA, alone and in combination, on leukemic cells were determined using MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by ELISA cell death assay. Results: Survivin siRNA markedly reduced both mRNA and protein expression levels in a time-dependent manner, leading to distinct inhibition of cell proliferation and increased spontaneous apoptosis. Surprisingly, survivin siRNA synergistically increased the cell toxic effects of etoposide. Moreover, survivin down-regulation significantly enhanced its induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: Our study suggests that down-regulation of survivin by siRNA can trigger apoptosis and overcome drug resistance of leukemia cells. Therefore, survivin siRNA may be an effective adjuvant in AML chemotherapy.

Down-Regulation of Mcl-1 by Small Interference RNA Induces Apoptosis and Sensitizes HL-60 Leukemia Cells to Etoposide

Karami, Hadi,Baradaran, Behzad,Esfehani, Ali,Sakhinia, Masoud,Sakhinia, Ebrahim Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal hematological malignancy which is resistant to a variety of chemotherapy drugs. Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), a death-inhibiting protein that regulates apoptosis, has been shown to be overexpressed in numerous malignancies. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the expression level of the Mcl-1 gene increases at the time of leukemic relapse following chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to target Mcl-1 by small interference RNA (siRNA) and analyze its effects on survival and chemosensitivity of acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60. Materials and Methods: siRNA transfection was performed with a liposome approach. The expression levels of mRNA and protein were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Trypan blue assays were performed to evaluate tumor cell growth after siRNA transfection. The cytotoxic effects of Mcl-1 siRNA (siMcl-1) and etoposide were determined using MTT assay on their own and in combination. Apoptosis was quantified using a DNA-histone ELISA assay. Results: Transfection with siMcl-1 significantly suppressed the expression of Mcl-1 mRNA and protein in a time-dependent manner, resulting in strong growth inhibition and spontaneous apoptosis. Surprisingly, pretreatment with siMcl-1 synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effect of etoposide. Furthermore, Mcl-1 down-regulation significantly increased apoptosis sensitivity to etoposide. No significant biological effects were observed with negative control siRNA treatment. Conclusions: Our results suggest that specific suppression of Mcl-1 by siRNA can effectively induce apoptosis and overcome chemoresistance of leukemic cells. Therefore, siMcl-1 may be a potent adjuvant in leukemia chemotherapy.

Opuntia dillenii: A Forgotten Plant with Promising Pharmacological Properties

Shirazinia, Reza,Rahimi, Vafa Baradaran,Kehkhaie, Ashrafali Rezaie,Sahebkar, Amirhossein,Rakhshandeh, Hassan,Askari, Vahid Reza KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.1

Generative and vegetative parts of the cactuses have had a long-lasting position in folk medicine and their effects could partly be confirmed in scientific experiments. Nowadays, the cactus, fruits, and cladodes are the focus of many studies because of their desirable properties. Therefore, the summarized reports of valuable properties of medicinal plants may be a good way to familiarize researches with a new source of drugs with lower side effects and higher efficacy. Opuntia dillenii, a well-known member of the Cactaceae family, is used as a medicinal plant in various countries and grows in the desert, semi-desert, tropical and sub-tropical areas. It shows diverse pharmacological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive etc. OD fruit also possesses valuable constitutes for instance: betalains, ascorbic acid, total phenol, protein as well as essential elements which suggest the significant potential of this plant as a complementary therapy against several pathological conditions. This review describes experimental evidence about pharmacological and therapeutic potential of OD in order to give the basis of its application in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. More studies on OD can help better understanding of its pharmacological mechanism of action to explain its traditional uses and to identify its potential new therapeutic applications.

A Systematic Review on Prevention and Treatment of Nipple Pain and Fissure: Are They Curable?

Niazi, Azin,Rahimi, Vafa Baradaran,Soheili-Far, Sina,Askari, Nafiseh,Rahmanian-Devin, Pouria,Sanei-Far, Zahra,Sahebkar, Amirhossein,Rakhshandeh, Hassan,Askari, Vahid Reza KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.3

Averagely 80% to 90% of breastfeeding women experience the nipple pain and fissures. The important factor for successful breastfeeding is to treat this problem. This study has done as a review with the aim of analysis of the clinical trials in the field of the prevention and treatment of the nipple fissures and pain due to the importance of breastfeeding. For this purpose, the key words of sore, nipples, fissure, trauma, wound, prevention, treatment, therapeutics, therapy, clinical trial, breastfeeding and their Persian synonyms and all of their possible combinations were searched in the national databases: SID and Iran Medex and Magiran, and in the international databases: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Science direct by May 2017. The Jadad criterion was used to assess the quality of the articles and the articles with a score of 3 or more were included in this study. Finally, 48 clinical trials were reviewed that 17 of them (sample size 1801) scored 3 or more based on the Jadad criterion. Seven articles were also in the non- drug treatment group (sample size 491) and 2 articles in the drug treatment group (sample size 337) and 8 articles in the herbal treatment group (sample size 973).The results show that menthol and warm water compress as well as teaching the correct breastfeeding methods are effective treatments to prevent and treat the nipple pain and fissures. Moreover, applying the herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of the issues raised from breastfeeding may have beneficial such as Aloe vera, Portulaca olearacea. However, more studies with a great methodology are necessary to obtain more accurate evidence.