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a b s t r a c tIn this paper, He's Frequency-Amplitude Formulation (HFAF) and He's Energy Balance Method (HEBM) are employed to solve the generalized Duffing equation in the form ofFor any arbitrary power of n, a frequency analysis is carried out and the relationship between the natural frequency and the initial amplitude is obtained in analytical form. Accuracy and validity of the proposed techniques are then verified by comparing the numerical results obtained based on the HFAF, HEBM and exact integration method. Numerical simulations are extended for even very strong nonlinearities and very good correlations are achieved between the numerical results.

Hyperlipidemia can lead to atherosclerosis by lipoprotein deposition inside the vessel wall and oxidative stress induction that leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein particles (Ox-LDL) have a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The lipid-lowering properties and antioxidants of the grape seed can be beneficial in atherosclerosis prevention. We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. Fifty-two mildly hyperlipidemic individuals were divided into two groups that received either 200 mg/day of the red grape seed extract (RGSE) or placebo for 8 weeks. After an 8-week washout period, the groups were crossed over for another 8 weeks. Lipid profiles and Ox-LDL were measured at the beginning and the end of each phase. RGSE consumption reduced total cholesterol (-10.68±26.76 mg/dL, P=.015), LDL cholesterol (-9.66±23.92 mg/dL, P=.014), and Ox-LDL (-5.47±12.12 mg/dL, P=.008). While triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased by RGSE, the changes were not statistically significant. RGSE consumption decreases Ox-LDL and has beneficial effects on lipid profile-consequently decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders-in mild hyperlipidemic individuals.

Aims: We aimed to assess humoral immune response to the influenza vaccine in adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) subjected to two immunosuppressive regimens containing either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (Aza). Methods: 40 eligible KTRs (24 treated with Aza [KTRs-Aza] and 16 treated with MMF [KTRs-MMF]) and 40 matched healthy controls (HCs) were administered the trivalent 2006–2007 anti-influenza vaccine. Antibody (Ab) titers were measured before (pre-vacc) and 1 month after (post-vacc) vaccination. The proportion of protective Ab titers (i.e. ≧1:40), the serological response (i.e. ≧4-fold rise in titers) rates, and the magnitudes of change in titers were evaluated. Results: KTRs and HCs were similar in serologic responses, magnitudes of change in Ab titers, and proportions of acquired protective titers against all antigens. Whereas KTRs-MMF and KTRs-Aza were identical in magnitude of rise in titers as well as in serologic responses, KTRs-MMF did poorer in developing post-vacc-protective titers against A/H1N1 (p < 0.05). The function of the transplanted kidney has not deteriorated after vaccination. Conclusions: Anti-influenza vaccination was safe in KTRs and evoked Ab responses comparable to those of HCs. KTRs-MMF and KTRs-Aza responded almost equally to the vaccine. Annual anti-influenza vaccination can be recommended to all stable KTRs.

Objective: To evaluate the current pattern of third molar impaction in a sample of Saudi patients. Methods: One thousand thirty-nine orthopantomograms (OPG) of patients ranging in age from 19 to 46 years (536 males and 503 females) were evaluated to determine the frequency of impacted third molars, their levels of eruption, and their angulations. Results: Four hundred twenty-two (40.5%) of the 1039 OPG showed at least one impacted third molar, with no significant difference between males (222; 52.6%) and females (200; 47.4%) (P = 0.284). The most common number of impacted third molars per OPG was one (72.5%). Impacted third molars were 1.64 times more likely to occur in the mandible than in the maxilla. The most common angulation of impaction in the mandible was the mesial (33.4%), while the most common angulation in the maxilla, was the vertical (49.6%). Level B impaction was the most common in both maxilla (48.2%) and mandible (67.7%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of impaction between the right and left sides in both jaws. Conclusion: The pattern of third molar impaction in the western region of Saudi Arabia is characterized by a high prevalence of impaction that is greater in the mandibles and with no sex predilection.

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