Search

Background: The Low Physical Activity Questionnaire (LoPAQ) was specifically developed to measure the low activity level observed in extremely inactive hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aims to evaluate reliability and validity of Persian version of the LoPAQ. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study, conducted in three HD centers in Iran. The LoPAQ was translated into Persian. After cultural adaptions, it was filled out by 120 HD patiens. Convergent validity, was evaluated by calculating the correlations among the Persian version of the LoPAQ and Persian version of the Community Healthy Adults Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire, physical function scale of the SF-36 and physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test) using Spearman's correlation coefficients. The test-retest reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: In total, 109 patients completed all of the questionnaires, took part in physical performance tests and had valid data. Their mean age was 64 ± 11 years, with a dialysis history of 31 ± 10 months. For total calories, there was a strong correlation between the Persian version of the LoPAQ and CHAMPS-measured physical activity (rho = 0.85, p < 0.001). In addition, the higher physical activity level reported by Persian version of the LoPAQ was also correlated with better self-reported physical function (rho = 0.7, p < 0.001) and better physical performance (rho = 0.67, p < 0.001). The ICC ranged from 0.65 to 0.78, indicating strong reliability. Conclusion: The assessment of the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the questionnaire confirmed its suitability for evaluating the level of physical activity. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05930964, Registered on 05/07/2023. Registered trial name: Validity and Reliability of Persian Version of Low Physical Activity Questionnaire (LoPAQ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and significance of brain imaging findings in methanol poisoning patients and to propose a criterion for prioritizing brain imaging. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 306 patients (286 men and 34 women, mean age 32.10 ± 9.9 years) with confirmed methanol poisoning who were admitted to two hospitals in Iran during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We analyzed their demographic, clinical, laboratory, and brain imaging data. Results: The main brain computed tomography (CT) scan findings were hypodensity in the putamen (11.1%), cerebellar nuclei (8.2%), diffuse cerebral edema (7.5%), and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH; 1.6%). These findings were associated with blood pH, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), renal failure, bicarbonate, oxygen, carbon dioxide, potassium, and glucose levels (p < 0.05). Poor prognosis was related to blindness, opium addiction, chronic alcohol use, hyperglycemia, and abnormal CT scans (p < 0.001 for all). The most predictive brain imaging findings for poor prognosis were hypodensity in the cerebellar nuclei, diffuse cerebral edema, and ICH. Conclusion: Brain imaging can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and management of methanol poisoning patients. We suggest that patients with severe acidosis, low GCS, low pH, low oxygen saturation, and high glucose levels should undergo brain CT scan as a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Chrysopidae has several genera of which the genus Chrysoperla is more important of them. These lacewings are beneficial insects when they have high potential for predation on harmful aphids which can be used in their biological control programs. Due to high importance of these lacewings in Ardabil province in northwest zone of Iran, identification of their species was done. By examining the collected specimens with morphological features, wing venation, male reproductive organ, and claws shape (as the best way to identify the species) finally 4 species were identified including Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Chrysoperla kolthoffi Navas, Chrysoperla lucasina Lacroix, and Chrysoperla sillemi Esben-Petresen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the grammar of Jowshaqani, a Central Iranian dialect. Like other members of this group, Jowshaqani has its own peculiarities; for instance, it has a rich inventory of personal pronouns distinguished by gender in the 3rd person singular, as do verb endings: nen ate “he comes”, néna atea “she comes”, etc. The past tenses of transitive verbs are inflected ergatively, with the agential affixes, which float through the sentence yielding complex syntactic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been known as a rich source of natural products (NPs). Due to their diverse chemical structures and remarkable pharmacological activities, NPs are regarded as important repertoires for drug discovery and development. Biebersteinia plant species belong to the Biebersteiniaceae family, and have been used in folk medicines in China and Iran for ages. However, the chemical properties, bioactivities and modes of action of the NPs produced by medicinal Biebersteinia species are poorly understood despite the fact that there are only four known Biebersteinia species worldwide. Here, we reviewed the chemical classifications and diversity of the various NPs found in the four known Biebersteinia species. We found that the major chemical categories in these plants include flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, essential oils and fatty acids. We also discussed the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antihypertensive and hypoglycemic effects of the four Biebersteinia species. We believe that the present review will facilitate the exploration of traditional uses and pharmacological properties of Biebersteinia species, extraction of the NPs and elucidation of their molecular mechanisms, as well as the development of novel drugs based on the reported properties and mode-of-action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]