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Arash Babaei-Ghazani,1 Bijan Forogh,1 Gholam Reza Raissi,1 Tannaz Ahadi,1 Bina Eftekharsadat,2 Naseh Yousefi,1 Shahram Rahimi-Dehgolan,3 Katayoun Moradi1 1Neuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; 2Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; 3Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, IKHC Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Shahram Rahimi-DehgolanPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, IKHC Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, IranEmail shahram.rahimi.dehgolan@gmail.comKatayoun MoradiNeuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, IranEmail katayoun-moradi69@gmail.comPurpose: To compare two common approaches for ultrasonography (US)-guided injection.Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with mild-to-moderate CTS were included in this double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). They received a single shot of corticosteroid injection through either the US-guided in-plane approach: radial or ulnar side. Participants were evaluated using Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, as well as electrodiagnosis (EDX) and US parameters before the intervention, and within 12 weeks of follow-up.Results: In both groups, all outcomes, except for the electrodiagnostic measures, significantly improved within the follow-up. Pain-VAS and both subscales of BCTQ questionnaire, as our main subjective outcomes, revealed dramatic improvement, with the largest amount of changes in VAS (70%; comparing to baseline value), and about 37% for both of BQSS and BQFS scales, all indicating superiority of radial to ulnar in-plane approach. During the first follow-up, we did not detect any remarkable preference between the groups in either subjective or electrodiagnostic variables. However, there was a significant difference at next follow-up time-points in terms of VAS for pain and BQFS favoring radial approach (Table 3). Furthermore, US-measured parameters including nerve-circumference and CSA improved only in the radial in-plane group.Conclusion: The current data proved that radial in-plane approach for CTS injection could be at least as effective as the more common ulnar in-plane method. Even the pain-relief effect was longer for the radial in-plane approach. Also, patients’ functional status and objective variables all revealed better outcomes via the new approach.Keywords: electromyography, corticosteroid injection, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, BCTQ, carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS

Distyly, a floral dimorphism that promotes outcrossing, is controlled by a hemizygous genomic region known as the S‐locus. Disruptions of genes within the S‐locus are responsible for the loss of distyly and the emergence of homostyly, a floral monomorphism that favors selfing. Using whole‐genome resequencing data of distylous and homostylous individuals from populations of Primula vulgaris and leveraging high‐quality reference genomes of Primula we tested, for the first time, predictions about the evolutionary consequences of transitions to selfing on S‐genes. Our results reveal a previously undetected structural rearrangement in CYPᵀ associated with the shift to homostyly and confirm previously reported, homostyle‐specific, loss‐of‐function mutations in the exons of the S‐gene CYPᵀ. We also discovered that the promoter and intronic regions of CYPᵀ in distylous and homostylous individuals are conserved, suggesting that down‐regulation of CYPᵀ via mutations in its promoter and intronic regions is not a cause of the shift to homostyly. Furthermore, we found that hemizygosity is associated with reduced genetic diversity in S‐genes compared with their paralogs outside the S‐locus. Additionally, the shift to homostyly lowers genetic diversity in both the S‐genes and their paralogs, as expected in primarily selfing plants. Finally, we tested, for the first time, long‐standing theoretical models of changes in S‐locus genotypes during early stages of the transition to homostyly, supporting the assumption that two copies of the S‐locus might reduce homostyle fitness. Here, we focus the transition from distyly to homostyly in the common primroses to study the causes and consequences of mating‐system transitions. Using whole‐genome resequencing data, we find that loss‐of‐functions mutations in the CYPT gene is associated with multiple independent transitions to homostyly and that this transitions has consequences in the so‐called distyly S‐locus. Finally, we tested, for the first time, long‐standing theoretical models of changes in S‐locus genotypes during early stages of the transition to homostyly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic decomposition of organic compounds in landfills is responsible for generation of greenhouse gases. The present study aimed to determine the total gas and methane emission from a landfill located in Hamedan (west of Iran) from 2011 to 2030. LandGEM 3.02 model was used to estimate the gas emission with the volumetric methane percent of 60%, production potential of 107, and methane generation rate of 0.2. Spatial distribution of annual methane and total landfill gas emission rate in the study area at three decades were provided through ArcGIS software. The results showed that organic and food wastes had the maximum amounts in the solid waste stream (over 75%). The results showed that 4.371×108 m3 methane would be produced after 20 years, mostly (4.053×106m3) in the first year. In addition, methane production capacity in Hamedan landfill site was 107 m3/Mg. According to the results, the maximum and minimum gas generation rates are in summer (the hottest season) and winter (the coldest season) respectively. The results of the LandGEM model represented that the total gas and methane generation rates will be significant in the first 10 years. The potential of rapidly degradable organic compounds for gas emission will be higher than that of slowly degradable organic compounds. The results obtained in the present study can be beneficially used in planning for energy production and other applications in landfill sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to optimize the conditions of the Basic Blue 41 (BB41) adsorption on NaOH-modified rice husk (NaOH–RH) using response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design. The three-level factors considered were pH (4, 7, and 10), initial concentration of BB41 (50, 75, and 100 mg L−1), and adsorbent dose (0.025, 0.0875, and 0.15 g L−1). Statistical analysis of result has shown that the predicted values for BB41 adsorption were close to the experimental values and were in a good agreement, on the other hand, theF-value (40.48),p-value (0.0004), andR2(0.9865) indicated that the regression is able to give a good prediction of response for the adsorption process in the range studied. According to the results, when the response was set in maximize and all the three factors were set in a range, the optimized values for BB41 adsorption were predicted as follows: pH value of 8.47, and BB41 initial concentration of 67.9 mg L−1and adsorbent dose of 0.12 g L−1for removal efficiency of 97.65%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Carbapenemes are a good choice for treatment of infections caused by multidrug resistant Pseudomonads aeruginosa. The emergence of carbapenem resistance has become a major problem in treatment of this organism especially among immunocompromised patients including burn patients. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate carbapenem-resistance mechanisms among burn patients in Tehran, Iran, during 2014 - 2015. Methods The antibiotic resistance phenotypic test was accomplished by the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. The phenotypic investigation of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producers was evaluated by the combined disk diffusion test (CDDT) method. The prevalence of MBL genes, including blaIMP-1 and blaVIM-1 was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing methods. Amplification of oprD was performed by PCR and the results of sequencing were aligned with wild-type P. aeruginosa strain PAO1. Results A total of 100 P. aeruginosa were investigated, of which, 95 were resistance to imipenem. Out Of 95 imipenem resistant isolates,, 81 (85.2%) were MBL producers. Among all isolates, 13 strains carried the blaIMP-1 gene, whereas all of the strains were negative for the blaVIM-1 gene. Amplification of OprD porin was performed for all 100 P. aeruginosa strains. Two insertion sequences (ISs) including ISPpu21 and ISPa1328 were detected in PCR products of OprD gene, that were larger than expected. Conclusions The prevalence of β-lactamase-producing isolates and their isolation from life-threatening infections in burn patients is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Also, we have identified two novel IS elements, ISPa1328 and ISPpu21, in P. aeruginosa isolates from hospitals in Tehran, Iran. In most of the isolates, insertional inactivation of oprD by ISPa1328 and ISPpu21 were associated with carbapenem resistance.

Value relevance studies have thus far provided mixed evidence. Studies also found that fair value reporting has a significant impact on the value relevance of other comprehensive income. Additionally, most studies on value relevance of other comprehensive income focused on developed countries where the capital market is more efficient. In these settings due to the existence of active market, fair valuation of assets may not pose a major problem. In Malaysia the mandatory reporting of comprehensive income by all listed firms based on the requirement of FRS101, coincides with the adoption of FRS139 the standard for financial instrument and could be an interesting setting to investigate. This study hypothesized that other comprehensive income and its components are associated with share price. The results indicate that other comprehensive income and its components are value relevant. The results indicate that the move towards a more comprehensive income reporting through the preparation of the Statement of Comprehensive Income results in more informative financial reporting.

Due to their exceptional properties, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been proposed for various applications in sustainable materials science. However, state-of-the-art production methods suffer from low yields and rely on hazardous and environmentally harmful chemicals, representing a bottleneck for more widespread utilization of CNCs. In this study, we present a novel two-step approach that combines previously established HCl gas hydrolysis with electrochemical TEMPO oxidation. This unique method allows the collection of easily dispersible CNCs with high carboxylate contents in excellent overall yields of 71%. The electromediated oxidation was conducted in aqueous conditions without the usually required cocatalysts, simplifying the purification of the materials. Moreover, the proposed process is designed for facile recycling of the used reagents in both steps. To evaluate the sustainability and scalability, the environmental impact factor was calculated, and a cost analysis was conducted.

Background and Objective: This study aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of Tocilizumab (TCZ) compared with Adalimumab (ADA) in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), who had not responded to methotrexate (MTX), from a societal perspective in Iran., Method: To conduct the cost-utility analysis, using an individual microsimulation Markov model, a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients was evaluated over a lifetime horizon. The efficacy and safety of each treatment were estimated using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria to determine the continuation or switching of treatment every six months. Treatment responses were captured based on Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores and mapped into utility values to determine QALY gained for each treatment. All direct and indirect costs associated with the disease and perspective were included according to societal perspective. Deterministic and Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the model., Results: The result of the study estimated that TCZ is a more cost-effective treatment option, with a probability of 76%. TCZ was associated with a higher cost ($6,990 versus $6,608) and higher QALYs gained (4.24 versus 3.95) compared to ADA with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of USD 1,301, which is below the willingness-to-pay threshold of 1,448 USD in Iran., Conclusion: This study provides convincing evidence of the cost-effectiveness of TCZ compared to ADA in the treatment of active severe RA in Iran., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval Not applicable. Consent to participate Not applicable. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Genetic diversity is heterogeneously distributed among populations of the same species, due to the joint effects of multiple demographic processes, including range contractions and expansions, and mating systems shifts. Here, we ask how both processes shape genomic diversity in space and time in the classical Primula vulgaris model. This perennial herb originated in the Caucasus region and was hypothesized to have expanded westward following glacial retreat in the Quaternary. Moreover, this species is a long-standing model for mating system transitions, exemplified by shifts from heterostyly to homostyly. Leveraging a high-quality reference genome of the closely related Primula veris and whole-genome resequencing data from both heterostylous and homostylous individuals from populations encompassing a wide distribution of P. vulgaris, we reconstructed the demographic history of P. vulgaris. Results are compatible with the previously proposed hypothesis of range expansion from the Caucasus region approximately 79,000 years ago and suggest later shifts to homostyly following rather than preceding postglacial colonization of England. Furthermore, in accordance with population genetic theoretical predictions, both processes are associated with reduced genetic diversity, increased linkage disequilibrium, and reduced efficacy of purifying selection. A novel result concerns the contrasting effects of range expansion versus shift to homostyly on transposable elements, for the former, process is associated with changes in transposable element genomic content, while the latter is not. Jointly, our results elucidate how the interactions among range expansion, transitions to selfing, and Quaternary climatic oscillations shape plant evolution., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.)

This study explores the production of furfural, xylose and methylxylosides through the methanolysis of wood flour using anhydrous HCl gas. The process involves methanolysis of wood flour with HCl gas under pressure to generate methylxylosides, which are subsequently converted to xylose and furfural via autohydrolysis in a Parr batch reactor system. The methanolysis was conducted in temperature-controlled HCl gas reactor employing 24 h reaction time and 50 % methanol content in wood flour. During the methanolysis step with HCl gas, 65 % of the available xylan in wood flour was converted to water-soluble methylxylosides, xylose, xylooligosaccharides (XO) and water-soluble methyl xylooligosaccharides (MXO). Methanolysis filtrates were then autohydrolyzed with Parr 50 mL batch reactor system to xylose and furfural in two different pH values at 180 °C. The highest furfural yield of 91 % from methanolysis filtrate was achieved with pH 1.2 and 25 min reaction time., (© 2024 The Authors. ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The under-eye region is an area of significant cosmetic concern. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as an effective, safe, inexpensive, and convenient treatment for skin rejuvenation. Herein, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a LED under-eye device for under-eye rejuvenation, as measured by objective and patient reported outcomes. Eleven participants self-administered treatment using a commercially available LED device emitting red (633 nm) and near infrared (830 nm) light for six weeks. Standardized photographs and questionnaires were administered at baseline and six weeks. Photographic digital analysis indicated an improvement in under-eye wrinkles at six weeks compared to baseline, with a reduction in wrinkle score from 20.05 to 19.72. However, this finding was not statistically significant. Participants self-reported consistent improvements in under-eye wrinkles, texture, dark circles, bags, pigmentation, and erythema. All participants reported a high degree of comfortability, ease of use, and satisfaction with the eye device. The participants noted no moderate or severe adverse events and few reports of transient expected outcomes such as mild erythema. The participants' self-reported improvements and high user satisfaction, and the device's favorable safety profile, highlights the benefits of at-home LED devices for under-eye rejuvenation. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes could further establish the safety and efficacy of at-home LED under-eye treatments., (© 2024. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)