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Background and objectives: Activation of adenosine A2a receptor has been shown to induce the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. The role of this receptor in esophageal cancer has not yet been determined. The present study aimed to investigate effects of an adenosine A2a receptor antagonist (3, 7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine) on growth of esophageal cancer cells. Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate mRNA expression of the A2a adenosine receptor in KYSE-30 and YM-1 esophageal cancer cell lines. Effects of the antagonist on viability of the cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Results: At low concentrations, the antagonist had no effect on cell viability. However, at concentrations ≥200 μM, the antagonist significantly reduced viability of both cell lines (p

Objective The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach has promoted the usage of personal mobile devices for organizational and carrier purposes. Applying a BYOD approach might provide various challenges for healthcare organizations. This study endeavored to identify the attributes of hospitals readiness in applying BYOD and to rank these attributes in order to develop appropriate policies for dealing with challenges. Materials and methods This study is an explanatory sequential mixed method design that was carried out in two qualitative and quantitative phases for identifying the BYOD attributes and ranking them, respectively. Semi-structured interviews with 15 experts in the BYOD field were performed through in the qualitative phase. Purposive and snowball sampling approaches were used to choose experts. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The identified attributes were ranked in a quantitative phase by asking 10 experts using fuzzy hierarchical analysis. Results Six main themes and 23 subthemes were identified. The findings of hierarchical analysis showed that ethical considerations, management principles, human resources, legislation considerations, cost, and technical infrastructure as the six main themes, respectively, have priority in hospitals readiness for BYOD. Conclusion Addressing the highlighted priorities, from ethical considerations to technical infrastructure, in the formulation and implementation of formal programs and policies by health managers and authorities will prepare hospitals for the use of BYOD while decreasing the challenges associated with it.

Abstract Most numerical simulation studies have focused on the effect of homogenous wettability on fluid flow dynamics; however, most rocks display spatially heterogeneous wettability. Therefore, we have used direct numerical simulations (DNS) to investigate wettability heterogeneity at pore-scale. We have built a quasi-3D pore-scale model and simulated two-phase flow in a homogenous porous media with homogenous and heterogeneous wettability distributions. Five different heterogeneous wettability patterns were used in this study. We observed that heterogenous wettability significantly affects the evolution of fluid interface, trapped saturation, and displacement patterns. Wettability heterogeneity results in fingering and specific trapping patterns which do not follow the flow behaviour characteristic of a porous medium with homogenous wettability. This flow behaviour indicates a different flow regime that cannot be estimated using homogenous wettability distributions represented by an average contact angle. Moreover, our simulation results show that certain spatial configurations of wettability heterogeneity at the microscale, e.g. being perpendicular to the flow direction, may assist the stability of the displacement and delay the breakthrough time. In contrast, other configurations such as being parallel to the flow direction promote flow instability for the same pore-scale geometry.

Background Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is extremely costly to the global health system. Due to the significant frequency rate of traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries (TCSCI), the possible association between imaging findings and clinical outcome is not yet clear. In this study, we quantified maximum spinal cord compression and maximum cord swelling following TCSCI and determined the relevance of imaging findings to clinical outcome in patients. Materials and Methods This retrospective cohort comprises 20 patients with TCSCIs (C3-C7), classified as complete, incomplete, and no SCI, who were treated at the Poursina Hospital, Iran, from 2018 to 2020, and underwent spinal surgery. Patients with penetrating injuries and multiple trauma were excluded. Imaging findings revealing spinal cord compression, swelling, and canal stenosis, based on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grades of patients from hospital admission (up to 48 hours after injury) and improvement of postoperative neurological symptoms (6–12 months) were evaluated. Results Cord compression (p = 0.05) and cord swelling (p = 0.02) were significantly related to predictive neurological outcomes in all cases. Evaluation with AIS at hospital admission and at 6 to 12 months postoperatively showed significant correlation with fracture type (p = 0.05) and the longitudinal length of the intramedullary lesion (IML); p = 0.01, respectively. Conclusion According to the results obtained in this study, it may be concluded that there is a significant association between cervical spinal cord compression and swelling, and clinical outcomes in patients with complete, incomplete, and no SCI.

Abstract Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have received much attention in modern green chemistry as inexpensive and easy to handle analogous ionic liquids. This work employed molecular dynamics techniques to investigate the structure and dynamics of a DES system composed of choline chloride and phenyl propionic acid as a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, respectively. Dynamical parameters such as mean square displacement, liquid phase self-diffusion coefficient and viscosity are calculated at the pressure of 0.1 MPa and temperatures 293, 321 and 400 K. The system size effect on the self-diffusion coefficient of DES species was also examined. Structural parameters such as liquid phase densities, hydrogen bonds, molecular dipole moment of species, and radial and spatial distribution functions (RDF and SDF) were investigated. The viscosity of the studied system was compared with the experimental values recently reported in the literature. A good agreement was observed between simulated and experimental values. The electrostatic and van der Waals nonbonding interaction energies between species were also evaluated and interpreted in terms of temperature. These investigations could play a vital role in the future development of these designer solvents.

Background and objectives: Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used for treatment of many cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Docetaxel induces G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and ultimately cell death. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of docetaxel on YM1 cells considering exposure time and dose. Methods: After calculating the doubling time of YM1 cells, the anti-proliferative effect of different concentrations of docetaxel () [A1] after 24, 48 and 72 hours was assessed by the standard colorimetric assay. In addition, the effect of docetaxel on cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: The results showed that docetaxel toxicity was not significant until 24 hours at the tested concentrations (P>0.05). In addition, the effect of docetaxel on the cells was time-dependent at all tested concentrations. Overall, the duration of exposure to docetaxel had more significant role in docetaxel toxicity in YM1 cells compared to concentration. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the cytotoxicity of docetaxel on YM1 cells is time-dependent. [A1]Please write the concentrations

Abstract Anesthetics are deemed necessary for all major surgical procedures. However, they have also been found to exert neurotoxic effects when tested on various experimental models, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Earlier studies have implicated mitochondrial fragmentation as a potential target of anesthetic-induced toxicity, although clinical strategies to protect their structure and function remain sparse. Here, we sought to determine if preserving mitochondrial networks with a non-toxic, short-life synthetic peptide—P110, would protect cortical neurons against both inhalational and intravenous anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity. This study provides the first direct and comparative account of three key anesthetics (desflurane, propofol, and ketamine) when used under identical conditions, and demonstrates their impact on neonatal, rat cortical neuronal viability, neurite outgrowth and synaptic assembly. Furthermore, we discovered that inhibiting Fis1-mediated mitochondrial fission reverses anesthetic-induced aberrations in an agent-specific manner. This study underscores the importance of designing mitigation strategies invoking mitochondria-mediated protection from anesthetic-induced toxicity in both animals and humans.

Introduction: The unpredictable challenges and conditions of COVID-19 can cause mental health problems. In such a situation, one of the most important psychological problems is the fear and anxiety of death. Death anxiety can affect the quality of patient care services and the job satisfaction and mental health of nurses. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 110 nurses working in the intensive care units of hospitals affiliated to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected by the convenience sampling method from April to September 2016. The data collection tools used in the study include a demographic questionnaire and a Templer death-anxiety questionnaire. Findings: The results showed that the level of death anxiety in nurses working at COVID-19 intensive care units is associated with age, working hours per week, childbearing, several patients needing end-of-life care, cases of direct participation in resuscitation operations, cases of patient death observations, and satisfaction with personal protective equipment (P < o.o5). Conclusion: Increasing the nurses' awareness of the critical situations of COVID-19, management measures, improving the working environment, social support, and increasing personal protective equipment seem to be the effective factors in protecting the intensive care unit nurses against COVID-19 and reducing death anxiety.

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can ultimately progress to kidney failure, is influenced by genetics and the environment. Genes identified in human genome wide association studies (GWAS) explain only a small proportion of the heritable variation and lack functional validation, indicating the need for additional model systems. Outbred heterogeneous stock (HS) rats have been used for genetic fine-mapping of complex traits, but have not previously been used for CKD traits. We performed GWAS for urinary protein excretion (UPE) and CKD related serum biochemistries in 245 male HS rats. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified using a linear mixed effect model that tested for association with imputed genotypes. Candidate genes were identified using bioinformatics tools and targeted RNAseq followed by testing in a novel in vitro model of human tubule, hypoxia-induced damage. We identified two QTL for UPE and five for serum biochemistries. Protein modeling identified a missense variant within Septin 8 (Sept8) as a candidate for UPE. Sept8/SEPTIN8 expression increased in HS rats with elevated UPE and tubulointerstitial injury and in the in vitro hypoxia model. SEPTIN8 is detected within proximal tubule cells in human kidney samples and localizes with acetyl-alpha tubulin in the culture system. After hypoxia, SEPTIN8 staining becomes diffuse and appears to relocalize with actin. These data suggest a role of SEPTIN8 in cellular organization and structure in response to environmental stress. This study demonstrates that integration of a rat genetic model with an environmentally induced tubule damage system identifies Sept8/SEPTIN8 and informs novel aspects of the complex gene by environmental interactions contributing to CKD risk.

Background: Most previous studies have not referred to the implications of using electronic health record systems. So the purpose of the present study is to investigate the realization of the consequences of using the Integrated Health System (SIB) from userschr('39') point of view in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with the statistical population including all users of SIB located in Isfahan primary healthcare centers. The sample consisted of 320 users according to Morgan table. A questionnaire was arranged in five dimensions including problem solving, decision rationalization, horizontal integration, vertical integration, and customer service. After examining the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the data were analyzed by single sample t-test in SPSS software. Findings: The findings showed that although the implementation and use of SIB contributed to improving the integrity and coordination of horizontal (t = 2.30, P < 0.050) and vertical (t = 1.96, P < 0.050) communications as well as customer service (t = 8.31, P < 0.001), it had no significant role in problem solving (t = 0.68, P > 0.050) and decision rationalization (t = 1.05, P > 0.050). Conclusion: Problem solving and decision rationalization have been the main objectives of SIB; nevertheless, users evaluated them as main weaknesses of the system. So paying attention to the needs of different users is recommended to its stakeholders.

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Citrus fruits and their constituents especially naringin (NR), a natural predominant flavanone, have a wide range of pharmacological activities without toxicity against cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of orange peel extract (OPE) and naringin (NR) on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Methods: Amount of phenol, flavonoid and antioxidants in OPE was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu procedure, aluminum chloride colorimetric and DPPH assays, respectively. Effects of NR and OPE on viability, wound healing assay and DNA fragmentation using DAPI were investigated. Data were analyzed by ImageJ software and GraphPad Prism 6.0 at significance of 0.05. Results: Total amount of phenols, flavonoids and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl was 2.83, 2.143 and 60.76 g/100g of OPE. Amount of NR in the dried OPE was estimated to be 5.260 (µg/gr) using high-performance liquid chromatography. Treatment of ESCC cells with OPE or NR decreased viability y of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, both OPE and NR were able to decrease cell migration and increase DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that OPE and NR have anticancer effects on ESCC cells but the anticancer effects of OPE was better than that of NR alone. Keywords: Orange peel extract, Naringin, Migration, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of corrective exercises and kinesio taping on the improvement of forward head improvement in female students. Methods: In this randomized quasi-experimental study, 30 girl students aged 7 to 13 years with forward head were randomly divided into two equal groups of exercises and kinesio taping. The refresher training group performed selective exercises for 6 weeks (three sessions per hour per week). The kinesio taping group obligated to use kinesio tape in the posterior part of the neck (along with the cervical vertebrae) for 6 weeks. The improvement of forward head was compared between the two groups. Findings: 6 weeks after intervention, the improvement of forward head in corrective exercises and kinesio taping groups was 13.5% and 34.5%, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.001). There was a significant difference between the effects of correction exercises and the use of kinesio tape on forward head improvement in favor of the kinesio taping group. Conclusion: The results show that both the correction exercises and the use of kinesio tape can reduce the angle of head forward. However, kinesio taping has a greater effect on forward head reduction. Therefore, kinesio taping and corrective exercises can be used to improve forward head.

Background and objectives: Modeling cancer in vivo is a very important tool to investigate cancer pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer progression. Laboratory mice are the most common animal used for rebuilding human cancer in vivo. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the main reason of failure in cancer therapy because of tumor relapse and metastasis. Isolation of cancer stem cells helps us to study their function and behavior. In the current study we separate cancer stem-like cells using sphere formation assay then investigate their tumorigenicity in xenograft tumor model. Methods: YM1 cancer cells were cultured in serum-free media (SFM) in low adherent culture dishes for enrichment of cancer stem cells. The resulting spheres containing cancer stem-like cells were dissociated into single cells and were injected into the dorsal flank of B6 nude mice. Results: A few days after injection, subcutaneous tumors formed. The growth curves of the resulting tumors were plotted using their weekly recorded lengths. The tumors' volume and weight were measured. The size of resulting tumors was appropriate to the number of cells injected. Pathological analysis confirmed esophageal origin of the resulting tumors. Conclusion: Using laboratory mice models is a practical modeling system that provides us investigation of human tumors pathogenesis in vivo.

Objectives: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 106 with the potential uses as medical diagnostic or therapeutic agents. In vitro studies have revealed that gadolinium (Gd) nanoparticle-catalyzed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) possess superparamagnetic properties, which enable them to be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our study synthesized Gd-CNT for use as MRI contrast agents. Methods: To reduce the toxicity and solubility of CNTs, it was functionalized, and after loading with Gd was coated with polyethylene glycols (PEG). We then synthesized different concentrations of Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG and Gadovist® to be evaluated as MRI contrast agents. Results: The analysis showed that the Gd concentration in Gadovist® was 12.18% higher than synthesized Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG, but the mean signal intensity of the Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG was approximately 3.3% times higher than Gadovist®. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that synthesized Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG has the potential to be used as an MRI contrast agent in vitro, but in vivo assessment is necessary to determine the bio-distribution, kinetic, and signal enhancement characteristics.

Introduction: Various operational research (OR) techniques have been used in different areas of healthcare. One of the areas in which OR techniques can be effective is the medical records department (MRD). The aim of this study is to review the applications of OR in the management of MRD and its related processes. Methods: This is a review article. In order to collect data, English-language studies published between 2000 and 2018, related to the use of OR techniques in MRD, in the Medline, Science Direct, ProQuest and Web of science databases were investigated. From 1165 retrieved studies, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Results: The results showed that different OR techniques such as linear programming, integer programming, simulation, hierarchical analysis process, etc. have been used in various aspects of the MRD and its ongoing processes such as improving efficiency, workload management, resource allocation, optimal scheduling of staff work hours, patient scheduling, patient admission and discharge. Conclusion: It can be concluded that if the managers and experts of MRD and health information management become familiar with the principles and techniques of OR and become aware of the importance of these techniques in improving efficiency of MRD, there is a hope that in the future these techniques will find their true place in MRD and ultimately enhance the quality of services provided to patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Reduction of the antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage has a crucial role in development of damage after spinal cord injury. Since pioglitazone (PPAR-gamma agonist) have a powerful antioxidant property, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pioglitazone on antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage in the injured areas of spinal cord in rat. METHODS: In the present experimental study eighteen male Wistar rats divided into three groups as follow (n=6); sham, control injured and pioglitazone-treated injured group. Spinal cord injury was performed according to the Ping-Weight Drop (contusion) model in rat. The animals received pioglitazone (3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at times of 15 min after injury and then each 12 hours until a week. At the end, malondialdehyde level, activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes and also histopathological alterations of spinal cord were assessed. FINDINGS: Induction of spinal cord injury in control injured animals significantly increased the malondialdehyde levels (56%) and decreased the activity of catalase (48%) and SOD (65%) enzymes compared to sham group (P=0.004, P=0.001 and P=0.008, respectively). Pioglitazone in treated injured group significantly decreased the malondialdehyde levels (38%) and increased the activity of catalase (34%) enzyme compared to control injured group (P=0.038 and P=0.014, respectively). Also, pioglitazone prevented the histopathological changes of injured areas in spinal cord. CONCLUSION: The findings of present study indicate that treatment with pioglitazone through potentiation of the antioxidant defense capacity of injured spinal cord decreases oxidative damage and also histopathological changes of spinal cord.

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of pulmonary tuberculosis, a main public health problem that results in 1.5 million deaths annually. A number of epidemiological studies suggested that host genetic factors could play a main role in susceptibility to tuberculosis infection. SP110 is an interferon-induced nuclear body protein with vital roles in apoptosis, cell cycling and immunity. SP110 gene has been suggested to be a suitable candidate for limiting TB infections. Thus, we investigated the possible association between SP110 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to tuberculosis in the Golestan Province, Iran. Methods: We investigated the frequency of rs1135791 polymorphism of the SP110 gene among 100 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 100 healthy individuals who were referred to the health centers in the Golestan Province (Iran) between 2014 and 2015. Frequency of genotypes was evaluated using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The frequency distribution of TT, TC and CC genotypes among the patients was 65%, 31% and 4%, respectively. In the control group, the frequency distribution of TT, TC and CC genotypes was 56%, 46% and 7%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of rs1135791 between the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and the healthy controls (P=0.42). Conclusion: Based on the results, the SP110 rs1135791 variant is not a genetic risk factor for development of pulmonary tuberculosis in Golestan Province, Iran. Keywords: rs1135791T, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Golestan Province.

Background: Nowadays, the prevalence of ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) leads to destructive effects such as patient death. Late diagnosis of such diseases as well as their invasive diagnostic approaches made researchers provide a decision support system based on neural network techniques, while using minimum data set for timely diagnosis. In this regard, selecting minimum useful features is significant for designing neural network structure and it paves the way to attain maximum accuracy in obtaining the results. Methods: In this systematic review, valid databases using sensitive keywords were initially searched out to find articles related to "diagnosing the ischemic heart disease using artificial neural networks" and afterwards, scientific methods were used to analyze and classify the content. Findings: Researchers applied various extractable features from demographic data, medical history, signs and symptoms, and paraclinical examinations, to design the neural network structure. Among them, the features obtained from electrocardiographic test, embedded in paraclinical examinations, had led to a remarkable increase of efficiency in neural network. Conclusion: Utilizing such diagnostic decision support systems in practical environments depends on their high confidence coefficient and physicians’ acceptability. Therefore, it can be useful to improve maturity in the design of the neural network structure depending on the choice of the minimum optimal features, and to create required infrastructures to input patients’ real, accurate, and flowing data in these systems.

Background: Electronic medical record system is one of the most important subsystems of hospital information system. The system improves the accuracy of documentation, and patient and physician access at any time and place, and reduces medical errors, and quality of patient care. This study aimed to rank electronic medical record system in hospital information systems of teaching hospitals in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2016. Methods: This was an applied cross-sectional and analytical study. The statistical population consisted of 8 users of the electronic medical record subsystem, and hospital information systems in the first and second stage, respectively. A questionnaire was prepared based on the checklist of evaluation indicators of the hospital information systems of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and 16 items related to electronic medical record subsystem were weighted from the physician' point of view using analytical hierarchy process in Excel software. In the next stage, Sayan Ryan, Pouya Samaneh, Kowsar, and Rayavaran were ranked and scores were determined using simple additive weighting method. Findings: The compliance with this subsystem in the health information system was 100.00, 84.81, 78.49, and 28.33 percent for Kowsar, Sayan Ryan, Rayavaran, and Pouya Samaneh, respectively. Conclusion: Kowsar subsystem of electronic medical record, with respect to the evaluation indicators, ranked first and Pouya Samane was the last. Weighting the evaluation checklist of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education with a user-centric approach is one of the achievements of this study, which allows for more realistic ranking of hospital information systems.

Objective(s): Current acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapeutic strategies have irreversible side-effects. Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid, which has been known as an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand. AhR is a cytoplasmic receptor, which is involved in the regulation of cellular and immune responses. Here, we investigated the expression profile of genes involved in the cell cycle and different cytokines upon BBR-mediated AhR activation on AML THP-1 cell line. Materials and Methods: THP-1 cells and normal monocytes were treated with different concentrations of BBR (10 μM, 25 μM, 50 μM, and 100 μM) for 24 and 48 hr. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Real-time RT-PCR was conducted to evaluate the expression of AhR, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), interleukin 1 beta (IL1β), p21, p27, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and p53. Cellular expression of AhR was also assessed using immunofluorescence method. ELISA was used to determine the level of IL-10 and IL-12 cytokines. Results: BBR inhibits the proliferation of THP-1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner with minimal toxicity on normal monocytes. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment increased the cellular expression of AhR. The AhR target genes (CYP1A1, IL1β) were overexpressed upon BBR treatment. BBR downregulated Cdk2 and upregulated p21, p27 and p53 genes in THP-1 cells. IL-10 was significantly increased upon BBR treatment, while IL-12 was not significantly changed in all combinations. Conclusion: BBR could be introduced as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against AML by giving rise to the expression of CDK inhibitors and anti-inflammatory cytokines and downregulation of CDK2.

Background: Although most previous studies did not confirm the relationship between aortic valve calcification (AVC) and ischemic stroke, there are some case reports about the importance of AVC in occurrence of ischemic stroke. Objective: To investigate the relationship between aortic valve calcification and risk of ischemic stroke. Methods: This case-control study includes 600 patients (300 cases and 300 controls) admitted at Qazvin’s Bu-Ali Hospital from April 2014 to February 2015. Cases were selected from acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the hospital Emergency Department and the control group consisted of non-stroke patients referred to cardiology clinic. Two groups were matched for sex, age and other vascular risk factors. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. AVC was scored according to scaling system proposed by previous studies. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of all participants were also collected and the relationship between these parameters and echocardiographic findings were analysed using dependent t and chi-squared tests. P

Most HIV-1 vaccines elicit neutralizing antibodies that are active against highly sensitive (tier-1) viruses or rare cases of vaccine-matched neutralization-resistant (tier-2) viruses, but no vaccine has induced antibodies that can broadly neutralize heterologous tier-2 viruses. In this study, we isolated antibodies from an HIV-1-infected individual that targeted the gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) that may have selected single-residue changes in viral variants in the MPER that resulted in neutralization sensitivity to antibodies targeting distal epitopes on the HIV-1 Env. Similarly, a single change in the MPER in a second virus from another infected-individual also conferred enhanced neutralization sensitivity. These gp41 single-residue changes thus transformed tier-2 viruses into tier-1 viruses that were sensitive to vaccine-elicited tier-1 neutralizing antibodies. These data demonstrate that Env amino acid changes within the MPER bnAb epitope of naturally-selected escape viruses can increase neutralization sensitivity to multiple types of neutralizing antibodies, and underscore the critical importance of the MPER for maintaining the integrity of the tier-2 HIV-1 trimer.

Objective(s): There are several scolicidal agents for inactivation of hydatid cyst protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects such as sclerosing cholangitis and liver necrosis. The present study was aimed to evaluate scolicidal effects of various extracts of Nigella sativa seeds againstprotoscoleces of hydatid cyst in an in vitro model. Materials and Methods: Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from naturally infected livers of sheep and goats. Various concentrations of the different extracts of N. sativa (5 to 50 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Results: The findings exhibited that methanolic extract at the concentration of 50 mg/ml after 10 min of incubation, and aqueous extract at the concentration of 50 mg/ml after 30 min of incubation can kill 100% of protoscoleces. In addition, all of experiments revealed dose-dependent and also time-dependent scolicidal effect of various extracts of N. sativa on the protoscoleces of hydatid cyst. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that N. sativa may be a natural source for the production of new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be required to evaluate scolicidal effects of N. sativa in the in vivo model.

Objective(s):Valproic acid (VPA), a drug used in the treatment of neurological disorders, has been shown to have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells through different mechanisms. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase, is responsible for elongation of the telomere and is activated in cancers. A relation between telomerase activity and resistance to apoptosis has been established. This study focused on probable effects of VPA on MCF-7 cancer cells. In particular, we investigated VPA effects on viability, apoptosis and telomerase activity. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity effects of VPA on MCF-7 cells were determined by neutral red uptake assay. Cells were treated with different concentrations of VPA (0-32 mM) and telomerase activity and Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels were determined using TRAP assay (PCR-ELISA) method and ELISA method, respectively. Results: The cytotoxic effects of different concentration of VPA on MCF-7 cells were observed as a reduction in cell viability and telomerase activity and altered expression of Bcl-2 family protein levels. The results also showed that there is a significant correlation between reduction of telomerase activity and increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (P=0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that cell viability of MCF-7 cells was decreased after treatment with VPA, probably through a reduction of telomerase activity and an increase in Bax/bcl-2 ratio. Therefore, it could be concluded that VPA is a potent anti-cancer agent for breast cancer cells through inhibition of telomerase activity and induction of apoptosis.

Background: Diabetes as a chronic and progressive disease leads to multiple complications. Therefore, it is important to control and treat it. More effective control of this condition and the provision of therapeutic approaches require awareness and active participation of patients in self-care. In this regard, a smartphone that is accessible to most people at anytime and anywhere and is easily applicable can be useful in self-care diabetes, with the ability to install various applications. This study aimed to develop a diabetes self-care mobile application as a suitable solution for self-managing diabetes for Iranians. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study in three Phases: (1) comparative study of existing mobile applications; (2) developed its object-oriented conceptual model; and (3) developed the initial version of “Aryan” that was approved for production. Results: This application was designed for the appropriate diabetes self-care, with following functionalities: The user ID and his/her personal page setting; generating self-care reports such as blood glucose, nutrition, physiological indicators, physical activities, and patient history reports; care setting; providing patient training materials; nutrition control; insulin and other medications control; blood glucose and key tests control; and other paraclinical tests. Conclusions: “Aryan” has been designed in compliance with Iranian experts' opinions. It is expected “Aryan” plays an effective role in self-care of patients with diabetes.

Background and Aim: Previous studies have shown that arterial hypertension induces cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of treatment by atorvastatin, as an antioxidant, to prevent myocardial oxidative stress and cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups, including sham, sham treated, hypertensive, and hypertensive treated. The rats were made acutely hypertensive by aortic constriction above the renal arteries. After 21 days, the carotid artery pressure of the subjects was recorded and, under anaesthesia their hearts were removed and weighed. Then, the left atrium of each was excised. After tissue homogenation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of myocardium were determined through biochemical methods. Results: In the hypertensive groups, mean arterial hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy (heart weight/body weight, g/kg) increased70% and 76%, respectively. Aortic constriction significantly increased arterial pressure and cardiac hypertrophy index respectively SOD and CAT activities were significantly lower than in the sham animals ,P

HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant Form 35_AD (CRF35_AD) has an important position in the epidemiological profile of Afghanistan and Iran. Despite the presence of this clade in Afghanistan and Iran for over a decade, our understanding of its origin and dissemination patterns is limited. In this study, we performed a Bayesian phylogeographic analysis to reconstruct the spatio-temporal dispersion pattern of this clade using eligible CRF35_AD gag and pol sequences available in the Los Alamos HIV database (432 sequences available from Iran, 16 sequences available from Afghanistan, and a single CRF35_AD-like pol sequence available from USA). Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm was implemented in BEAST v1.8.1. Between-country dispersion rates were tested with Bayesian stochastic search variable selection method and were considered significant where Bayes factor values were greater than three. The findings suggested that CRF35_AD sequences were genetically similar to parental sequences from Kenya and Uganda, and to a set of subtype A1 sequences available from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Our results also showed that across all phylogenies, Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD sequences formed a monophyletic cluster (posterior clade credibility> 0.7). The divergence date of this cluster was estimated to be between 1990 and 1992. Within this cluster, a bidirectional dispersion of the virus was observed across Afghanistan and Iran. We could not clearly identify if Afghanistan or Iran first established or received this epidemic, as the root location of this cluster could not be robustly estimated. Three CRF35_AD sequences from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan nested among Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD branches. However, the CRF35_AD-like sequence available from USA diverged independently from Kenyan subtype A1 sequences, suggesting it not to be a true CRF35_AD lineage. Potential factors contributing to viral exchange between Afghanistan and Iran could be injection drug networks and mass migration of Afghan refugees and labours to Iran, which calls for extensive preventive efforts.

Introduction: Trunk is a base for rotational movement patterns in shoulder and pelvic girdles and maintains the stabilization of spine, pelvis and lower extremities during movements. Dynamic trunk stability is provided by the muscles and dysfunction of them could cause musculoskeletal problems in other parts of the body. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee disorders. Due to the prevalence of this disease in young people and the function of trunk muscles to stabilize the proximal joints for distal parts movement, it seems necessary to examine the importance of trunk stabilizers muscles on PFPS. The purpose of this study was to compare the strength and endurance in trunk stabilizer muscles between healthy people and subjects with PFPS. Materials and Methods: Fifteen participants with PFPS and fifteen healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Trunk muscles strength and endurance including trunk extensors, trunk flexors, right and left lateral trunk flexors were compared in two groups. The patient's pain intensity was measured by Visual Analog Scale. Results: Strength and endurance of trunk stabilizer muscles in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome in flexor muscles (P = 0.001), extensor (P = 0.005) and right (P = 0.016) and left (P = 0.058) lateral flexors was significantly lower than the healthy group. No significant correlation was determined between pain intensity and decreased trunk muscle endurance. Conclusion: It seems necessary to be considered trunk muscle strength and endurance exercise in common rehabilitation program for PFPS treatment. Keywords: Endurance, Trunk muscles, Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Background: Lack of job control can lead to stress and threats individual’s subject well-being. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship of job control and stress and subject well-being. Methods: Statistical population of the research was all of the personnel of Isfahan Petrochemical Company from which 151 persons were randomly selected via simple random method. The research method was correlational. To gather data, the following three instruments were used: Job control Questionnaire of Wall, Jackson and Mullarkey (1995), Subject Well-being Questionnaire of Mollavi (2007), and Job Stress of Eliot (1994). The obtained data were analyzed via one group MANOVA and multiple regressions. Also, mean of work groups in term of subject well-being and stress compared by ANOVA and Scheffe paired compares test. Findings: The relationship of job control with job stress was positive and significant (ß = -0.36, P < 0.05), and the relationship of job control with subject well-being (ß = -0.34, P < 0.05) also the means of subject well-being (P < 0.05) and stress (P < 0.05) were different in work groups technical and general staff. Conclusion: If the employees have job control at work, they will experience job satisfaction and decreased stress. Also their subject well-being will increase. Key words:Job control, Job stress, Subject well-being.