Epidemiologists are often interested in examining the effect on a later-life outcome of an exposure measured repeatedly over the life course. When different hypotheses for this effect are proposed by competing theories, it is important to identify those most supported by observed data as a first step toward estimating causal associations. One method is to compare goodness-of-fit of hypothesized...

Background: Risk factors of non-communicable disease (NCD) origin from early life, and exposure to environmental pollutant may be a predisposing factor. This study aimed to investigate the association of air quality index (AQI) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with some NCD risk factors in a sample of Iranian children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was con...

Introduction: Photothermal therapy using gold nanoshells is one of cancer therapy methods. Gold nanoshells generally consist of a silica core and a thin gold shell. Fe3O4@Au core-shell can be used for magnetic targeted therapy. The objective of this study was investigation of the photothermal effects of magnetically targeted Fe3O4@Au NPs and NIR laser irradiation on model of me...

PURPOSE Biochemical research has demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin, the two macular carotenoids, are bleachable pigments. Further, evidence suggests that exposure to UV light can degrade plasma carotenoid levels in vivo. The present study investigated the effects of exposure to normal levels of light on the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina. METHODS The optical density of ma...

BACKGROUND Angiogenesis occurs by at least three mechanisms: sprouting, intussusception and elongation. Studies to date have failed to identify the mechanisms or timing of endometrial angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to determine if vessel elongation plays a role in human endometrial angiogenesis. METHODS Forty-nine full thickness endometrial sections from 27...

Treating lumbar disease at the intervertebal foramina is controversial because we lack an approach providing sufficient exposure and preserving spinal stability. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the transforaminal fenestration (TFF) approach for treating lumbar disease involving the intervertebal foramina.In the anatomic study of 30 adult cadaveric lumba...

BACKGROUND Pain related to ultraviolet B radiation (UVR) induced sunburn is an established, simple, acute pain model. One of the major criticisms is related to the potential dermal adverse events caused by the UVR exposure. This study tried to validate the model for oral and topical drugs and to define the minimum required UVR exposure. METHODS This subject- and observer-blinded, placebo-cont...