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During the shifting of teaching and learning methods using computer technologies, much emphasis was paid on the knowledge content more than the thinking skills. Thus, this study investigated the effects of a computer application, namely, designing electronic slides on the development of creative thinking skills of a sample of undergraduate students. A total number of 50 subjects, 25 in an experimental group and 25 in a control group were selected and a design of pre and post-test with an experimental and a control group was employed in this study. Torrance Test for creative thinking (TTCT) form (A) was applied on both groups. The experimental group was taught to design electronic instructional slides using Microsoft PowerPoint. After six weeks, both groups were given the TTCT form (A) again. Using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), the findings revealed significant differences between the two groups favoring the experimental group over the control in the total creative thinking scores. Designing electronic slides can enhance the creative thinking skills for students, and the expansion of using computer applications in promoting thinking and learning skills is recommended.

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Abstract: The Schiff base sodium pyruvate thiosemicarbazone (SPTSC) was synthesized from the condensation of sodium pyruvate and thiosemicarbazide hydrochloride in aqueous medium. This molecule coordinates to a variety of divalent metal ions M2+ (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Cd) and one type of complexes was obtained with general formulae [M (SPTSC)2]. The modes of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. These studies revealed octahedral geometry of all prepared complexes. Thermal analyses (TG and DTG) of (SPTSC) and all complexes have been carried out to confirm the final molecular structures of free ligand and its metal complexes and also to study their thermal stability. This study confirms that the complexes have been formed by the coordination of metal ion to the (SPTSC) donor atoms only (there is no coordinate and hydrate solvents). Also the study shows that the prepared complexes have more thermal stability than free ligand (SPTSC) and the thermal stability of (SPTSC) has been enhanced by the coordination to metal ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During Ramadan, Muslims fast to spiritually prepare their bodies and spirits. The autophagy pathway restores cellular homeostasis and is being studied as a therapy for a variety of disorders. According to previous studies, fasting or calorie restriction has a role in the up-regulation of autophagy especially through the initiation step. The effects of Ramadan fasting on the autophagy pathways and metabolic health outcome in healthy adults were investigated in this study. In this controlled cohort study, 50 healthy subjects (20-78 years old) 24-fasting and 26 non-fasting were included. At the end of Ramadan, a blood was drawn to assess biochemical, hematological, and inflammatory variables. Serum IL-6 and hs -CRP levels were measured. The serum proteins (Beclin-1 and LC3β) and mRNAs gene expressions' ( Beclin-1 , p62 , and LC3β ) of the autophagy marker were evaluated by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. During Ramadan, there were no significant differences for biochemical parameters (except for BUN-level), inflammatory markers (IL-6 and hs -CRP), and hematological indices during Ramadan. Beclin-1 gene expression was significantly upregulated in the fasting-group as the main marker of initiation of autophagy; yet, the LC3β and the p62 levels were decreased in the fasting-group in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, fasting women alone displayed a significantly high serum Beclin-1 level. Ramadan fasting does not have any adverse effects on biochemical, hematological, and inflammatory parameters. According to our results, people observing Ramadan may benefit from the autophagy pathway to compensate reduction in energy and vital metabolites in the face of food restriction., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Objective: Endoplasmic reticulum-metallopeptidase 1 (ERMP1) is involved in cellular response to oxidative stress. However, its functional role in proliferation and progression of cancer cells remains unknown. The focus of this study was to investigate the molecular-mechanisms in which ERMP1 modulates the proliferation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells under normal and environment stress conditions., Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ERMP1 expression was evaluated using reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in CRC cells. ERMP1 was knocked down using lentiviral transduction of ERMP1-specific shRNA into HCT116 cells. ERMP1 was also upregulated using lipofectamine transfection of ERMP1-overexpressing vector into SW48 cells. To evaluate the role of ERMP1 in the cellular and environmental stress conditions, ERMP1-downregulated cells were exposed to stressful conditions including starvation, serum free medium, and treatment with redox or chemotherapy agents for 72 hours. The expression of AKT, p-AKT, phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), β-catenin, p-β-catenin, E-cadherin, and Glucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) proteins was evaluated by western blotting. The expression of ERMP1, CYCLIN D, and c-MYC was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The cell surface localization of GRP78, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were determined by Flow cytometry., Results: ERMP1 knock-down reduced the cellular proliferation, inactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway, prompted the G1 arrest, and attenuated the free β-catenin and CYCLIN D expression. Opposite results were obtained in ERMP1- overexpressed cells. Knock-down of ERMP1 also reduced the GRP78 localization at the cell surface. Various environmental stress conditions differently affected the ERMP1 -downregulated cells., Conclusion: ERMP1 functioned as an oncogene in CRC cells by promoting malignant characteristics. The phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/AKT/β-catenin pathway and localization of GRP78 were closely related to the effects of ERMP1. Consequently, ERMP1 might be regarded as a promising target in therapeutic strategies related to CRC.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and cytokines may play a role in the development of MS lesions., Objective: To determine levels of different cytokines in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) compared to healthy controls., Methods: Profiles of pro-inflammatory, Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-related cytokines were compared by quantitative multiplexed ELISA-based chemiluminescent assay in 44 RR-MS and 44 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals from the same ethnicity., Results: Among pro-inflammatory cytokines, the levels of IL-6 (p=0.003), IL-8 (p=0.05) and TNF-α (p=0.002) were higher in patients than controls, though IL-4 and IL-10 as well as ΣTh2 cytokines were lower in patients (p=0.05, p=0.02 and p=0.05, respectively). After gender classification, the higher levels of IL-4 in male patients remained significant and IL-13 also showed significantly higher levels in male patients compared to male controls (p=0.003 and p=0.05, respectively). A significant negative correlation was detected between EDSS and IL-10 or ΣTh2 levels (p=0.005). In addition, IL-1α (r=0.4, p=0.05) and IFN-γ (r=0.35, p=0.05) were also directly correlated with EDSS in female patients., Conclusions: Patients with RR MS who are in the relapse clinical phase exhibit higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduction in protective Th2-related cytokines.