Search

This report describes the case of a 35-year-old woman with a recurrent ruptured intracranial dermoid cyst. These rare congenital lesions account for less than 1% of intracranial tumors globally. The patient was first diagnosed in her adolescence and underwent surgical excision with shunt placement at the age of 23, which provided symptom relief for 6 years. Her symptoms later recurred, including headaches, blurred vision, and progressive weakness. Imaging revealed a hemorrhagic lobulated mass that compressed the brainstem, encased vascular structures, caused a midline shift, and led to ventricular dilation. These findings suggested possible incomplete removal of the cyst wall during the initial surgery. This case highlights the challenges of diagnosing and managing recurrent intracranial dermoid cysts. It emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring, detailed imaging to assess recurrence and complications, and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment to improve outcomes.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare, benign joint disorder characterized by cartilaginous nodule formation within the synovial membrane. While SC typically affects larger joints such as the knee and hip, ankle involvement is exceptionally uncommon, with only a few cases documented in medical literature. We present a case of a 38-year-old male who experienced a rare presentation of recurrent ankle sprains and a palpable mass, ultimately diagnosed with SC in the ankle. Initial arthroscopic treatment proved insufficient due to the extensive loose bodies within the joint, necessitating a follow-up open arthrotomy to ensure complete excision. Postoperative recovery was favorable, with no recurrence observed at follow-up. This case underscores the importance of considering SC in patients with unexplained joint instability and mechanical symptoms, even in atypical joints like the ankle. Surgical intervention, particularly open arthrotomy, remains crucial for achieving effective management in advanced cases and preventing recurrence. This case report contributes to the limited literature on ankle SC and highlights the need for awareness of this rare presentation to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.

Genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to modify microorganisms for various applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. This review examines recent advances in genetic engineering techniques for bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes, with a focus on CRISPR-Cas systems. In bacteria, CRISPR-Cas9 has enabled precise genome editing, enhancing applications in antibiotic production and metabolic engineering. For fungi, despite challenges associated with their complex cell structures, CRISPR/Cas9 has advanced the production of enzymes and secondary metabolites. In oomycetes, significant plant pathogens, modified Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and CRISPR/Cas12a have contributed to developing disease-resistant crops. This review provides a comparative analysis of genetic engineering efficiencies across these microorganisms and addresses ethical and regulatory considerations. Future research directions include refining genetic tools to improve efficiency and expand applicability in non-model organisms. This comprehensive overview highlights the transformative potential of genetic engineering in microbiology and its implications for addressing global challenges in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.

Flaxseed is an important crop that is used extensively for medicine, nutrition, and industry. Then, this research aims to investigate the effect of foliar spraying of bulk and nanoparticle forms of iron and zinc with different particle sizes on yield and its related traits of flaxseed under post-anthesis water deficit. To this end, a split-plot factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design in three replications was used at Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, in two crop years (2019-2021). The experiment comprised two moisture regimes - optimal irrigation and post-anthesis water deficit, applied in the main plots. Different fertilizers (bulk and nanoparticles with varying particle sizes) and fertilizer concentrations (0, 300, and 600 mg l-1) were tested in the subplot. The results showed that under optimal moisture conditions, the highest grain and biomass yield was in the foliar treatments of iron nanoparticles 20-30 nm and 600 mg l-1 and zinc nanoparticles 10-30 nm and 300 mg l-1, with 2448 and 8432 kg ha-1, respectively and the lowest amount was obtained in the control treatment with 2028 and 7599 kg ha-1. Under post-anthesis water deficit environment, zinc nanoparticles 10-30 nm and 300 mg l-1 caused a 35% increase in grain yield compared to the control treatment (997 kg ha-1). Also, the highest oil percentage and yield were obtained in iron nanoparticles 20-30 nm and 600 mg l-1 with 35.25% and 866 kg ha-1, respectively. In general, the efficiency of iron and zinc nanoparticle fertilizers with different particle sizes was significantly higher than that of iron and zinc bulk forms and control treatment (without fertilization). Nanoparticle fertilizers significantly reduced the adverse effects of late-season water deficit on grain, oil, and biomass yield.

Abstract Background The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) has shown positive effects on various health factors that may be related to pancreatic steatosis (PS). This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to the DASH diet and the risk of developing PS. Methods This case-control study was conducted on 278 patients diagnosed with gallstone disease and referred to Taleghani Hospital (Tehran, Iran). Among the participants, 89 were diagnosed with PS based on an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination, while 189 patients did not exhibit this condition. The dietary intake of patients was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Participants were classified based on the DASH diet score. Multiple logistic regression models estimated crude and multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The mean ± SD of DASH score in PS patients and controls was 23.68 ± 4.38 and 25.27 ± 4.2, respectively (P = 0.006). The risk of PS in the highest tertile of DASH score was 64% lower than the lowest tertile (OR = 0.36, 95%CI: 0.17–0.75, P = 0.005) after full adjustment for confounders. Also, more intake of vegetables and whole grains and less intake of sodium, red and processed meat were each significantly associated with reduced risk of PS. Conclusions Our data prove that adherence to the DASH diet was associated with a lower risk of PS. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these associations and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Intramural gastric pseudocysts are extremely rare and are often associated with pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts; they can lead to complex clinical presentations requiring careful diagnosis and management. We present a case of a 57-year-old man with a history of pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts who was diagnosed with intramural gastric pseudocysts. The patient was diagnosed with multiple gastric intramural pseudocysts at different locations during separate admissions and imaging studies. This indicates a recurrence of gastric intramural pseudocysts. In these cases, studies rarely discuss recurrence and its underlying causes. This highlights a significant gap in the existing literature.To provide a broader understanding, we reviewed the literature by searching major databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and then extracted and analyzed data from 18 articles, reaching 24 similar cases. Of the 25 patients studied (including our case), 92% were male and 8% were female. Cases had a mean age of 47.68 ± 14.82 years. Additionally, 84% of the patients had a history of alcohol consumption, and 88% had a positive history of pancreatitis. Common symptoms were abdominal pain (especially in the epigastric region), vomiting, nausea, and weight loss. In conclusion, results showed that intramural gastric pseudocysts generally occur in middle-aged men with a history of chronic or heavy alcohol consumption and pancreatitis.

Abstract Background Following a plant-based diet is associated with a wide range of health benefits. The current study aimed to investigate the association between plant-based diet indices, specifically the plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful PDI (hPDI), and unhealthful PDI (uPDI) and risk of mortality in cirrhotic patients. Methods This cohort study included a total of 121 patients with cirrhosis, who were followed for four years. Plant-based diet indices were calculated based on a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire consisting of 168 items. The Hazard ratio (HR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Cox proportional risk models. Results During 414 person-year of follow-up, 43 deaths (7 women, 36 men) were documented. After adjusting all confounders, it has been found that the PDI (HR T3 vs. T1 = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.03–0.89, P trend = 0.024) and hPDI (HR T3 vs. T1 = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.02–0.61, P trend = 0.020) were inversely associated with the risk of mortality. While uPDI was directly associated with a significant increase in mortality risk (HR T3 vs. T1 = 8.74, 95% CI = 0.33–17.14, P trend = 0.018). The 4-year survival rate among patients showed a significant relationship with all three indices. Conclusions Our findings highlight that higher scores of PDI and hPDI can significantly reduce the risk of mortality in patients with cirrhosis, while a significant increase in mortality risk was found in those with higher uPDI. However, confirmation of these findings requires further studies.

Introduction: With the shortage of freshwater resources, the use of other available sources such as seas and oceans has increased, and new technologies in the field of desalination and treatment of saline waters have gained attention. The territorial waters of the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf have created strong potential for the establishment of desalination plants for various uses in Iran. The sustainable development of desalination units requires adherence to environmental standards to prevent the increase of pollutants in the effluent. The Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) Method is a way to organize, analyze, and present the results of a comprehensive environmental assessment. The present study aimed to identify the positive and negative effects resulting from the operation of the Chabahar desalination plant during the operational phase on four environmental components (biological-ecological, physical-chemical, economic-operational, and social-cultural).Materials and Methods: After identifying the various phases of the project through library studies and gathering information from different sources, the components and elements of the environment in the affected area were examined and identified, categorized into four physical-chemical, biological-ecological, social-cultural, and economic-operational environments. Then, the effects of the Chabahar desalination plant's activities were assessed using RIAM during the operational phase. To this end, after identifying the various phases of this industrial unit, four components were identified and examined. The use of these four categories can serve as a suitable tool for environmental impact assessment studies, as it seems that each category can have subcategories for identifying environmental components, allowing for a more detailed and better analysis of the project's effects on different sectors. After the environmental components affected by the available options have been scored, the final score obtained indicates the environmental status of the project's activities.Results: The results showed that the most destructive consequences, with a score of -108, were related to the physical-chemical environment, while the most positive effects, with a score of +84, were in the social-cultural environment. In the physical-chemical environment section, this project has significant negative impacts on the region's environment. Given the project's proximity to the Sea of Oman and coral islands that host unique species and valuable ecosystem services, it is necessary to evaluate strategies to eliminate the negative effects resulting from changes in water quality and to minimize them. In the biological-ecological section, the most significant negative effects are on the fauna. The Chabahar desalination plant, in its operational phase, has 11 positive effects and 9 negative effects. Considering that this complex is a significant source of drinking water for the region and has meaningful positive impacts in the economic and social sectors, the continuation of its activities is permissible as long as environmental protection measures are observed. Discussion: It is necessary to reduce the intensity of their effects by implementing corrective actions and monitoring environmental parameters at the wastewater disposal site, as well as continuously measuring the output pollutants in the surrounding environment and comparing them with national and international standards. The positive effects, due to being categorized as having very little change or positive effect, little change or positive effect, and change or positive effect, indicate the preference for carrying out the project over not doing it.

Abstract Dust particles and their associated compounds can adversely affect human health and ecosystems. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration, health, and ecological risks of selected potentially toxic elements (e.g. Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, V, Ni, and As) bound to air particles generated by dust storms in the Sejzi plain desert area within the industrial district of Isfahan metropolitan, Iran. The enrichment factor revealed the highest values for Zn, Pb, and Cd which among them Zn showed the highest value (8.1) with the potential source of industrial activities confirmed by the integrated pollution index, accumulation coefficient, and ecological risk index. Regarding health risk analysis (non-cancer and cancer risks) the elements including Co, As, and Cr showed a significant risk for adults and children across all seasons. It’s concluded that mitigation of air particles originated from both natural and industrial activities is necessary to reduce their relevant risks to human being and ecosystems in the region.

Abstract Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is frequently reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cytokine storm induced by interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been suggested to potentially cause myocardial injury in COVID-19. We investigated the association between baseline level of IL-6 and development of ACS in COVID-19 patients. Methods Demographic and clinical data of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 2020 to 2022 were reviewed. Extracted data including patient characteristics, laboratory biomarkers, and systemic inflammation indexes in patients with or without ACS were reviewed and analyzed. Logistic regression models were applied to analyze predictors of ACS development and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess discriminatory power of IL-6 and other risk factors for predicting ACS development. Results Among 1,753 COVID-19 patients, 37 cases experienced ACS and 159 patients without main COVID-19 complications were randomly selected as controls. ACS patients were older (p = 0.001) and suffered from more comorbidities including diabetes (43% vs. 18%, p = 0.001), hypertension (40.5% vs. 24.5%, p = 0.050), ischemic heart disease (49% vs. 9%, p = 0.001), and hyperlipidemia (19% vs. 5%, p = 0.010). Also, decreased level of consciousness (31.6% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.001), ICU admission (65% vs. 2%, p = 0.001), and mortality events (70% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.001) were more prevalent in the ACS group. Baseline levels of IL-6 (p = 0.001), D-dimer (p = 0.026), troponin (p = 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.002), and creatinine (p = 0.008) were higher in ACS patients but erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.013), hemoglobin (p = 0.033), and red blood cells (p = 0.028) were lower compared with controls. Also, age (OR: 1.06, p = 0.019), IL-6 (OR: 1.44, p = 0.047), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR: 3.66, p = 0.043) were associated with ACS development. The area under the curve (AUC) of IL-6 and combined predictors respectively was 0.661 (p = 0.002) and 0.829 (p = 0.001). Conclusions High IL-6 concentration at baseline is a strong predictor for ACS development in COVID-19 patients. Also, elderly and concurrent CVD are significantly associated with ACS development.

Introduction: Shift work combined with the nature of duty in occupations such as nursing can lead to the spread of psychological consequences and disorders in nurses. The aim of this study was investigating the cognitive and psycho-social consequences associated with shift work in nurses. Material and Methods: This study was performed in 7 hospitals in 2023. The study population was 636 nurses. Data collection tool in this study was part of a comprehensive questionnaire that translated and modified by Choobineh et al. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software v. 22.0, and significance level in this study was considered 0.05. Results: Out of 636 studied nurses, 474 were shift workers and 162 were day workers. The means of age and work experience of the study population were 37.26±5.25 years and 11.60±4.78 years, respectively. The results showed that the prevalence of psychological consequences in the shift workers group was significantly more than day work nurses (p

Abstract Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is well-known for its high protein, steroid, alkaloid, mineral, lipid, triterpene, and phenolic compound content, as well as its medicinal properties, particularly its anti-diabetic effects. To investigate the impact of elicitors on the morphology and phytochemical characteristics of bitter melon (Jounpouri cultivar) over two consecutive years (2018 and 2019), we conducted a field experiment. The study aimed to determine the effects of Ethrel, brassinosteroids (BRs), and k-carrageenan on yield and the production of anti-diabetic agents in M. charantia farm crops. The elicitors included ten levels, ranging from a control group to Ethrel (100, 300, and 600 mg l− 1), brassinosteroids (BRs) (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg l− 1), and k-carrageenan (200, 400, and 600 mg l− 1). These characteristics included leaf area, leaf length, leaf width, fruit parameters, carbohydrate content, total phenols and flavonoid accumulation, antioxidant activity, total acid, ascorbic acid, momordicine, and charantin. Across both years, we observed the highest flavonoid accumulation and antioxidant activity in the Ethrel treatment group. Specifically, applying 0.5 mg l− 1 BRs and 300 mg l− 1 Ethrel led to an 18.8% and 14.8% increase in momordicine content, respectively. All elicitor treatments, particularly at 0.1 mg l− 1 BRs, significantly increased leaf area, leaf length, and leaf width compared to the control group in both cropping years. Additionally, the application of all elicitors resulted in increased fruit weight, dimensions, and yield over the two consecutive years. Notably, in 2018, 600 mg l− 1 Ethrel contributed to enhanced fruit weight and yield, while in 2019, 0.5 mg l− 1 BRs exhibited the same effect. Metabolic and physiological changes in bitter squash induced by employed elicitors over two different years (2018–2019) are strongly dependent on a variety of environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall. In conclusion, using BRs as an elicitor has the potential to optimize the health benefits of bitter melon by increasing the content of two bioactive molecules, momordicine and charantin.

Objectives: The research sought to examine the antibacterial properties of the conditioned media derived from dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DPSC) that were treated with curcumin. Methods: An investigation of the physicochemical characteristics of curcumin nanoparticles was conducted utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and mapping techniques. The optimal dose of curcumin for treating DPSC cells was determined using the MTT test. The study investigated the antioxidant properties of curcumin on DPSC cells by measuring ROS. Two groups were isolated, one without treatment (control) and the other treated with curcumin. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of the supernatant culture medium of DPSC cells were then investigated. Results: The present study results indicate that curcumin possesses suitable physicochemical properties, including morphology and purity. Additionally, it exhibits no toxicity at doses ranging from 0 to 1.25 (μg/ml) and displays antioxidant properties at the IC50 concentration. Furthermore, it increases DPSCs. The antimicrobial results demonstrate that CM-CUR, at various concentrations, reduces the viability of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and inhibits the growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans) by 85%. Conclusion: The research results indicate that the combination of CM-CUR is suitable for antibacterial and antifungal applications in dentistry to enhance human health.

Abstract Objective The intensive care unit, with its structural complexity and the exposure of critically ill patients to various disparities, presents a significant setting for health disparities. This critical ethnographic study sought to uncover cultural knowledge and ethical practices for reducing health disparities in providing care services within the intensive care unit. The focus was on understanding how ethical considerations and cultural competence can address and mitigate these disparities effectively. Methods This critical ethnographic study was conducted in 2022–2023 at intensive care units in western Iran. Three interrelated phases were used to collect and analyze the data. More than 300 h of observation were done during the first phase. A horizon analysis was carried out in the next phase. To further enhance the dataset, 18 informants participated in semi-structured interviews and informal conversations. Following that, the analysis procedure was conducted to identify a culture of health disparities and factors that reduce it, as it had been in the prior stage. Trustworthiness data collection methods were implemented to ensure the validity and reliability of the study. Findings Two key themes emerged from the study: (A) Improved cultural competence, which encompassed empathy towards patients and their families, effective communication, prioritization of continuous learning, appropriate knowledge and awareness, sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs, staff attitude and personality, and the delivery of customized care tailored to each patient’s needs. (B) Supporting role and compensating for disparities involved recommendations for upholding ethical standards, compensatory actions, maintaining professional behavior despite external factors, addressing gaps and deficiencies, and actively defending and supporting patients. Conclusion The findings indicate that staff with high cultural competence can ethically mitigate health disparities through their supportive roles. Managers and health policymakers should create barriers to health disparity by improving staff cultural competence and knowledge about health disparities.

Abstract The speed of using renewable resources is expanding day by day. Renewable energy systems have many benefits for energy supply that do not include diesel, natural gas, or coal. Despite the many advantages, the use of renewable resources also includes basic challenges. With the presence of these sources, many technical issues must be considered in the network, the most important of which are voltage quality and network losses. The presence of these power plants can reduce fossil fuel costs and help reduce emissions. However, the high‐capacity connection of these types of power plants in the transmission networks despite the uncertainty may cause the congestion of transmission lines, increase losses and decrease voltage quality. Therefore, to reduce the need to build transmission lines, energy storage devices can be installed and energy can be stored and returned to the network in certain hours. The purpose of this paper is to build the maximum capacity of wind power plants in the transmission network in such a way that its profitability is guaranteed. For this purpose, in addition to considering the costs related to the power plant, the costs of storage devices and the construction of possible new lines have been considered. Also, improving the technical conditions of the network and reducing the maximum emission after installing these units is considered as a multiobjective function. The problem tested on the standard IEEE test transmission network and the results show that it is possible to determine the maximum profitable capacity of wind power plants.

Abstract A novel method is presented for determining the derating factors of a three‐phase induction motor under the condition of the unbalanced supply voltages. In this method, a mechanical system is used which consist of the a centrifugal pump, two valves, a DC motor, which are connected to the shaft of the three‐phase induction motor. A sliding mode control system is used for position control of the DC motor for adjusting the valve angle for derating the induction motor. The authors present the results of an experiment in which a three‐phase induction motor was subjected to various unbalanced voltage conditions. The results of simulations were used to look into what happened when there were different levels of imbalanced voltage. This was done to determine how these situations changed an induction motor's speed, torque, and efficiency. For this system, the stator current would be greater than the rated current if there was an imbalance in the supply voltage. Therefore, to reduce the amount of power that the three‐phase induction motor can produce, the control system uses a DC motor to reduce the angle of one of the two valves. This decreasing angle continues until the root mean square value of the stator current returns to the rated current. At this point, the derating factor may be calculated by dividing the output power of the three‐phase induction motor in the unbalanced condition by the output power when there are ideal sinusoidal. The MATLAB SIMULINK environment is utilised to perform simulations of the proposed system.

Abstract The purpose of this research is to design a model for improving the behavior of Iranian handicrafts e-commerce customers with the approach of improving customer trust. According to its purpose, the research method is applicable, and mixed (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of its implementation, and descriptive-exploratory in terms of data collection in the qualitative part. The statistical population of the research in the qualitative part includes 19 Iranian experts, including university professors in the fields of marketing management, handicrafts and senior managers of companies that export handicraft products, who through non-random sampling in the form of snowballs, were selected for interviews. The statistical population in the quantitative section includes 11 Iranian university professors in the fields of marketing management, handicrafts and senior managers of companies that export handicraft products, who were selected using non-probability sampling. A semi-structured interview was used to collect information in the qualitative section. To analyze the data in the qualitative part, first, content analysis was used to code the interviews, and in the quantitative part of the research, the self-interaction matrix was used for interpretive structural modeling (ISM). In the qualitative section, 16 sub-themes and seven main themes (indices) were extracted. In the quantitative part, a four-level model was obtained, and the most effective indicator of this model is electronic communication and interaction with customers. Also, its most effective indicator at the seventh level is confidence in purchasing. Therefore, 5 other criteria also play the role of interface factors in this model. Extended Abstract Introduction Today, advances in science and technology and the development of new technologies have created new competitive conditions for production and service organizations, so that quality and customer satisfaction and trust are the most important factors in global competition. Attracting and retaining customers in an organization is a category that is affected by various factors and conditions inside and outside the organization, the importance of which varies according to the type of organization and from one organization to another (Nguyen et al, 2020). Trust is defined as the trust of one party (trustee) to another person (trusted or trusted third party) (Yeon et al, 2019). Trust plays an important role in interactions and is important for companies and for developing relationships with consumers (Astono, 2021). Trust is the consumer's belief that the transaction will be carried out according to the plan. The way customers think about trust can be one-dimensional or multi-dimensional (Papas, 2018). On the other hand, in the late 1990s, the Internet promoted the formation of e-commerce, and the development of information technology in the middle years has caused the rapid development of e-commerce in the past 20 years (Baylok, 2021). E-commerce and information technology (IT) have a positive relationship. E-commerce and information technology are measured by evaluating the value of their business; the more the company gains positive value and trust, the more buyers it attracts (Alam & Osly, 2021). Electronic commerce is a set of technologies, applications, and business processes that connect companies, consumers, and communities through electronic transactions and electronic commerce of goods, services, and information (Rafiah, 2019). Based on this, the current research is looking for an answer to this question: What is the model for improving the behavior of Iranian handicrafts e-commerce customers with the approach of improving customer trust? Theoretical Framework Customer trust There are many definitions about trust. The multiplicity of definitions of trust in the theoretical texts of the subject probably originates from two reasons; first, trust is an abstract concept and sometimes it is synonymous with concepts such as authenticity, trustworthiness, or reliability. Second, trust is a multifaceted concept that has different perceptual, sensory and behavioral dimensions (Latifi & Momenkashani, 2014). electronic commerce E-commerce refers to a broader definition of traditional business, which, in addition to buying and selling goods and services, includes welfare services for customers, cooperation with business partners, conducting electronic learning, and conducting electronic transactions in an organization (Torban & Lonino 2020). Iranian handcraft Iran's handicrafts experts believe that handicrafts refer to a set of arts and crafts that mainly use local raw materials and carry out some of the basic production steps with the help of hands and hand tools. In each unit, the artistic taste and intellectual creativity of the manufacturer are manifested in some way, and this factor is the main distinguishing feature of such products from similar machine and factory artifacts (Kazemi, 2019). Zolfaghar Dolabi (2023) investigated the factors affecting customer loyalty and electronic trust in electronic commerce in Tehran Infrastructure Company. The results of the research in the Tehran infrastructure company showed that the quality of the user interface has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction and trust. The quality of information has a significant effect on customer satisfaction, but it does not affect trust. Keeping privacy and security is not important for customer satisfaction, but it is important for trust. Customer satisfaction and trust have a positive relationship with each other and mediate customer loyalty with the determinants of service quality. The results of regression analysis show that the dependent variable of e-commerce loyalty is influenced by e-customer satisfaction and e-trust. Sharifi & Mardani (2022) investigated the identification of the key success factors in e-commerce during widespread crises (the case study of DJ Kala online sales company). The findings of the research showed that besides paying attention to hardware and software factors related to information technology in e-commerce, paying attention to human factors can increase the efficiency of e-commerce even more. Research methodology The research method is applicable according to its purpose, and mixed (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of its implementation, and a qualitative part of the descriptive-exploratory type in terms of the data collection method. The statistical population of the research in the qualitative part includes 19 Iranian experts, including university professors in the fields of marketing management, handicrafts and senior managers of companies that export handicraft products, who were selected for interviews using non-random sampling in the form of snowballs. The statistical population in the quantitative section includes 11 Iranian university professors in the fields of marketing management, handicrafts and senior managers of companies that export handicraft products, who were selected using non-probability sampling. A semi-structured interview was used to collect information in the qualitative section. Research findings Analysis was used in the coding part of the content analysis; and in the quantitative part, the combined method of Dimetal and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) was used. The findings from the qualitative part of the research showed that 16 sub-themes and 7 main themes (indicators) of the desired model were extracted using content analysis and interviews of 19 experts. In the quantitative part, a four-level model was obtained, and the most effective indicator of this model is electronic communication and interaction with customers. Also, its most effective indicator at the seventh level is confidence in purchasing. Therefore, 5 other criteria also play the role of interface factors in this model. Conclusion The current research has been conducted with the aim of designing a model for improving the behavior of Iranian handicrafts e-commerce customers with the approach of improving customer trust. The results of the present research are in accordance with the results of Zolfaghar Dolabi (2023), Hashempor (2023), Sharifi & Mardani (2022), Yazdi (2022), Jalali (2021), Sutia et al, (2020), Bozic & Kuppelwieser (2019), Nekooeezade & Amini (2019), Issam (2016). Zolfaghar Dolabi (2023) showed that the quality of the user interface has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction and trust. The quality of information has a significant effect on customer satisfaction, but it does not affect trust. Keeping privacy and security is not important for customer satisfaction, but it is important for trust. Customer satisfaction and trust have a positive relationship with each other and mediate customer loyalty with the determinants of service quality. The results of regression analysis show that the dependent variable of e-commerce loyalty is influenced by e-customer satisfaction and e-trust. According to the results obtained from the research, it is suggested: 1- The development of Iranian handicrafts in the context of e-commerce should be considered as one of the important strategies to increase the market share of these industries, because unlike traditional retail, a craft e-commerce store can be up and running with just a few clicks. The e-commerce platform makes it easy and simple for craft business owners to create attractive and reliable sites with minimal effort. 2- Training and promoting the use of sales in the context of e-commerce by relevant organizations should be prioritized. Buyers search for the desired product in the e-commerce space for various reasons such as comparing prices, comparing brands, knowing the opinions of previous buyers, checking the amount of inventory and more. The only way to ensure potential buyers of your products is to have a persistent presence in the e-commerce space. Even if buyers are looking for the store's working hours or its address, access to the desired information through e-commerce is very important.

Today, the traces of intellectual property rights can be seen in all fields. On the other hand, the economy has long been necessary for the progress and continuity of a country. Intellectual property rights have a direct and indirect relationship with economic growth and development, with efficient and appropriate laws in this field, it can be seen in different sectors. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze and investigate the effect of economic attitude and fundamentals on criminal policies in the field of intellectual property rights (in a qualitative way) and to answer the question that economic attitude and fundamentals affect the optimal criminal policy in What kind of appropriate and efficient punishment does this area need? The hypothesis of the research is that the nature of intellectual property crimes is such that it seems that the punishment of monetary penalty and also the consideration of punitive damages is more efficient than the punishment of imprisonment, and according to some evidence, the punishment of imprisonment cannot be efficient and useful, in other words, the costs of the crime should be also considered. This research is based on documentary and field methods in the form of interviews with the benefit of library resources and so on. Also, this research shows that in the case of determining the punishment of imprisonment, a criterion should be determined based on the type of crime, based on the conditions, and considering various factors for the criminal.

Blockchain technology has brought about significant changes in the legal field over the recent years. Decentralized justice platforms have attracted a lot of attention thanks to their goal of increasing individuals’ access to legal services and providing widespread access to justice. However, using decentralized dispute resolution systems instead of traditional centralized systems necessitates a thorough examination of the opportunities and threats of this technology, given the high importance of the judiciary. This study aims to identify and rank the potential advantages and drawbacks of implementing blockchain technology within the judiciary. The study sample comprises a targeted group of information technology professionals from the judiciary. First, the benefits and challenges associated with using blockchain technology were examined comprehensively through a review of current literature. Then, significant indicators were identified using the fuzzy Delphi and ranked through the interpretive structural modeling. Results revealed that the security and accuracy of data processing, limitations on the number of transactions within a blockchain network, network security, interactivity of blockchain networks, disruption of communication due to cyber-attacks, high storage requirements, maintenance and support, data accessibility, and lack of public trust pose serious obstacles to implementing blockchain technology within the judiciary.

Decentralized finance (DeFi), founded on blockchain technologies and smart contracts, is rapidly becoming a powerful alternative to traditional financial systems. Compared to centralized finance, DeFi offers undeniable advantages such as increased security, speed, financial transparency, and reduced costs. However, this emerging phenomenon faces numerous legal challenges that require careful and effective legal actions. The essence of this phenomenon is the lack of dependence on the national legal regime of countries and lacking centralized monetary and banking supervision over it by national regulatory institutions. This research employs a qualitative method, utilizing library tools and a descriptive-analytical approach, to compare decentralized finance with conventional centralized financing. It examines some challenges as well as the possibility of proper and transparent organization of DFA in Iranian law and, ultimately proposing solutions for regulating the relationships of stakeholders. Considering the lack of sufficient provisions in Iranian law, it is suggested that the jurisprudence of existing legal institutions, such as recognizing an independent legal personality for smart contracts and also civil partnerships, arbitration agreements, arbitration clauses, and Article 10 of the Civil Code, be acknowledged for regulating the relationships of transacting parties until appropriate and comprehensive legislation is enacted. Finally, this research emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, academic environments, and the exchange of experiences in this field. It recommends that legislators move towards recognizing and enacting new laws and regulations aligned with DeFi’s needs, rather than remaining silent, to prevent future legal challenges and potential loss of assets.

Histiocytic sarcoma is an extremely rare disease that's hard to diagnose and treat, often leading to a poor prognosis. Here, we present a case report detailing a rare occurrence of HS in a 37-year-old pregnant woman who first presented with left shoulder pain, palpitations, and a productive cough at 20 weeks of gestation. Her diagnostic evaluations were performed, including different imaging modalities such as chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRI. Imaging revealed a large mediastinal mass with extensive involvement of the adrenal glands, lungs, and lymph nodes. The definitive diagnosis of HS is based on pathological and morphological features, and the immunohistochemistry report plays a key role. In our case, the diagnosis of HS was confirmed through pathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry, with a positive CD68 result obtained from a supraclavicular lymph node biopsy. A hospital committee comprising medical specialists like hematologists-oncologists, pathologists, pulmonologists, and obstetricians was brought together to assess the case collectively. The patient received chemotherapy, which alleviated her symptoms and maintained her condition. Based on the committee's recommendations, despite a healthy fetus and normal obstetric sonograms, the decision was made to terminate the pregnancy with the consent of the patient and her family. Despite initial improvement postchemotherapy, the patient's condition worsened, necessitating intubation. Tragically, two months after the initial admission, the patient passed away due to severe complications. In this case report, we provide a literature review and review of the patient's imaging reports. Since the patient is pregnant and HS is uncommon, it's important to highlight that this case is unique and worth sharing.

Abstract Objectives Chronic rhinosinusitis is one of the common diseases that cause morbidity and affects a person's quality of life. We tried to provide a more appropriate and effective approach to selecting patients for endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods The study population is chronic rhinosinusitis children referred to the ear, nose, and throat clinic of two general hospitals in Tehran, Iran, who have previously undergone sufficient drug treatment and have not recovered. The Lund–Mackay score is calculated by examining the computed tomography (CT) scan. The Sino‐nasal Outcome Test‐22 (SNOT‐22) questionnaire was provided to the patients before the operation, after the operation, and 3 and 6 months later in the clinic. Results Before the operation, the most SNOT‐22 score people were in the range of 40–59 points. The SNOT‐22 score before the operation is significantly different from 3 and 6 months after the operation. The highest frequency of Lund–Mackay CT (LMCT) scan score was in the range of 18–23 points. The LMCT scan score did not show any significant relationship with the SNOT‐22 score before surgery, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Sensitivity to aspirin had a significant relationship with SNOT‐22 scores and the history of asthma and nasal polyps had a significant relationship with the preoperative LMCT scan score. Conclusions The LMCT scan scoring system cannot be a good measure of chronic rhinosinusitis severity or the prognosis of patients after surgery. The SNOT‐22 questionnaire can be used as a predictive tool to help the doctor and the patient in deciding to operate and the possibility of obtaining a relative recovery.

Abstract Background Geriatric assessment (GA) is a multidimensional process that disrupts the primary health care (PHC) referral system. Accessing consistent data is central to the provision of integrated geriatric care across multiple healthcare settings. However, due to poor-quality data and documentation of GA, developing an agreed minimum data set (MDS) is required. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a GA-MDS in the PHC referral system to improve data quality, data exchange, and continuum of care to address the multifaceted necessities of older people. Methods In our study, the items to be included within GA-MDS were determined in a three-stepwise process. First, an exploratory literature search was done to determine the related items. Then, we used a two-round Delphi survey to obtain an agreement view on items to be contained within GA-MDS. Finally, the validity of the GA-MDS content was evaluated. Results Sixty specialists from different health geriatric care disciplines scored data items. After, the Delphi phase from the 230 selected items, 35 items were removed by calculating the content validity index (CVI), content validity ratio (CVR), and other statistical measures. Finally, GA-MDS was prepared with 195 items and four sections including administrative data, clinical, physiological, and psychological assessments. Conclusions The development of GA-MDS can serve as a platform to inform the geriatric referral system, standardize the GA process, and streamline their referral to specialized levels of care. We hope GA-MDS supports clinicians, researchers, and policymakers by providing aggregated data to inform medical practice and enhance patient-centered outcomes.

Abstract Climate change has caused pastoralists to face serious challenges all around the world. To reduce climate change vulnerability, adaptation strategies need to be adopted by pastoralists. In this regard, the present research was done to seek the reasons for the failure of the northeastern pastoralists of Iran in adopting climate change adaptation strategies. The study is descriptive, which conducted by a field survey. The target population included 249 pastoralists from 7 pastoral units, of whom 148 people were selected as sample size using the stratified random sampling technique. The survey instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. The content validity and face validity of the questionnaire were checked by the experts. Convergent validity was also confirmed based on the average variance extracted (AVE). Cronbach’s α coefficient and composite reliability (CR) were used to evaluate the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The results showed that social and, regulatory and insurance components were the most critical internal and external weaknesses of the pastoralists’ failure in adopting climate change adaptation strategies, respectively. Structural equation modeling showed that external weaknesses had positive and significant effects on internal weaknesses of the pastoralists’ failure in adopting climate change adaptation strategies.

Abstract Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites from different species of leishmania. The disease is transmitted by female sandflies that carry these parasites. In this study, datasets on leishmaniasis published in the GEO database were analyzed and summarized. The analysis in all three datasets (GSE43880, GSE55664, and GSE63931) used in this study has been performed on the skin wounds of patients infected with a clinical form of leishmania (Leishmania braziliensis), and biopsies have been taken from them. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between leishmaniasis patients and controls, the robust rank aggregation (RRA) procedure was applied. We performed gene functional annotation and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis to demonstrate the putative functionalities of the DEGs. The study utilized Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to detect molecular complexes within the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and conduct analyses on the identified functional modules. The CytoHubba plugin’s results were paired with RRA analysis to determine the hub genes. Finally, the interaction between miRNAs and hub genes was predicted. Based on the RRA integrated analysis, 407 DEGs were identified (263 up-regulated genes and 144 down-regulated genes). The top three modules were listed after creating the PPI network via the MCODE plug. Seven hub genes were found using the CytoHubba app and RRA: CXCL10, GBP1, GNLY, GZMA, GZMB, NKG7, and UBD. According to our enrichment analysis, these functional modules were primarily associated with immune pathways, cytokine activity/signaling pathways, and inflammation pathways. However, a UBD hub gene is interestingly involved in the ubiquitination pathways of pathogenesis. The mirNet database predicted the hub gene’s interaction with miRNAs, and results revealed that several miRNAs, including mir-146a-5p, crucial in fighting pathogenesis. The key hub genes discovered in this work may be considered as potential biomarkers in diagnosis, development of agonists/antagonist, novel vaccine design, and will greatly contribute to clinical studies in the future.

Abstract Depression in adolescence is common worldwide, with the burden being highest in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the efficacy of in-person Memory Specificity Training (MeST) and computerized MeST (c-MeST) as cognitive training programs aimed at addressing depression among Iranian adolescents. A secondary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of MeST and c-MeST on autobiographical memory specificity, emotion regulation and cognitive control. Ninety Iranian male adolescents (aged 13–18 years) with depression were randomly assigned to three groups; MeST group (n = 30), c-MeST group (n = 30) and the non-active control group (n = 30). Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Autobiographical Memory Test, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Stroop Color and Word Test. The groups underwent either MeST and c-MeST. All the assessments were re-conducted after the intervention (post-intervention) and at 1-month post-intervention (follow-up). The in-person MeST group exhibited significantly higher autobiographical memory specificity at post-intervention and follow-up compared to the c-MeST group. Both groups demonstrated significantly lower levels of depression at post-intervention and follow-up. Both groups showed improvements in emotion regulation and cognitive control, which were found to mediate improvements in depression symptomatology. c-MeST and MeST appear promising brief interventions for the treatment of depression among adolescents in Iran.

Abstract Background After recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19, some of the infected children manifest long COVID symptoms. The present study aims to identify long COVID symptoms in children and adolescents admitted to hospitals in Bushehr, Iran, during 2021 to 2023, and compare them with the non-affected group. Methods This historical cohort study with a population-based control group was conducted on 141 children and adolescents with COVID-19 hospitalized in Bushehr city hospitals and 141 non-affected peers. Out of 10 comprehensive health service centers in Bushehr city, 5 centers were selected by random sampling and the non-Covid-19 group was chosen from them (matched by gender and age with the affected group). The data were collected using the data recorded in the patients’ records, conducting telephone interviews and completing the prevalent long COVID symptom form. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests, and stepwise logistic regression were used. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, with p

Abstract The present investigation aims to address the leader‐following consensus issue for variable‐order fractional multi‐agent systems (VOFMASs) under actuator faults and unknown external disturbances. The Caputo definition for the variable‐order fractional (VOF) derivative is used to model the non‐linear dynamics of the leader and follower agents. Consequently, two lemmas are developed for the Caputo VOF derivative of the Lyapunov function. In the first case, it is assumed that the multi‐agent system (MAS) operates without actuator faults and an adaptive controller is proposed. With the aid of the developed lemmas, assurance is provided for the finite‐time bounded cooperative tracking of the VOFMAS despite the presence of unknown external disturbances. In the second case, a novel fault‐tolerant controller is designed for the finite‐time consensus of the MAS under two common kinds of actuator faults: loss of effectiveness fault and bias fault. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed controller is demonstrated through the presentation of results from three simulation examples.

The great potential of nanotechnology-based knowledge during the past decade has shown great potential to elevate human living standards and enhance healthcare conditions through diagnosing, preventing, and treating different diseases. Among abundant nanoparticles (NPs), inorganic NPs feature distinctive biological and physicochemical properties compared to their conventional counterparts which do not endow. TiO2 NPs possess excellent properties including low-cast, antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and physicochemical stability. The present review highlights and discusses the current trends in applying TiO2 NPs in dentistry ranging from TiO2-based nanocomposite in endodontics, orthodontics, and biofilm prevention. Moreover, the potential of TiO2 NPs in developing new photodynamic therapy and the next generation of oral care products is outlined. In the end, the clinical translation of TiO2-based dental materials is brought to the forefront which is impetus and of great importance to developing inorganic NP-based dental materials.

The growing use of low-temperature waste decontamination devices in hospitals has raised concerns about their inactivation efficiencies and emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study evaluated the decontamination efficiencies, as well as VOC and ammonia emissions, of sterilizer devices in four hospitals, including two autoclaves (one with a shredder and one without), a hydroclave, and a dry heating device. Decontamination efficiency was assessed using mechanical and biological indicators, while air pollutants, including VOCs and ammonia, were measured according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) methods. Evaluation of decontamination revealed that the autoclave with a shredder achieved the highest efficiency (up to 100 %), highlighting the importance of shredding, while the autoclave without a shredder demonstrated the lowest performance. Maintaining an appropriate temperature was also identified as a reliable indicator of device efficiency. The hydroclave exhibited the highest VOC and ammonia emissions (128.03 mg/m³ for VOCs and 6.48 mg/m³ for ammonia), while the autoclaves had the lowest ones (45.72 mg/m³ for VOCs and 2.58 mg/m³ for ammonia). The three major VOCs emitted from the sterilizer devices included dichloromethane, ethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate (with a total level of 22.82 mg/m³). VOC and ammonia emissions were affected by device operational factors and waste composition. These findings highlighted the critical need to optimize hospital waste management practices. Adhering to operational parameters that directly influence device efficiency, along with equipping low-temperature sterilization devices with air pollutant control systems, can significantly minimize emissions, thereby reducing occupational health risks and environmental impacts.

IntroductionNeurosphere culture is widely used to expand neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) of the nervous system. Understanding the identity of NSPCs, such as the principals involved in spatiotemporal patterning, will improve our chances of using NSPCs for neurodevelopmental and brain repair studies with the ability to direct NSPCs toward distinct fates. Some reports indicate that aging can affect the nature of NSPCs over time. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate how the initial neural patterning of developing NSPCs changes over time.MethodsIn this research, evidence of changing neural patterning potential in the nervous system over time was presented. Thus, the embryonic and adult-derived NSPCs for cardinal characteristics were analyzed, and then, the expression of candidate genes related to neural patterning using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was evaluated at various stages of embryonic (E14 and E18), neonatal, and adult brains. Finally, it was assessed the effect of cell attachment and passage on the initial neural patterning of NSPCs.ResultsThe analysis of gene expression revealed that although temporal patterning is maintained in vitro, it shows a decrease over time. Embryonic NSPCs exhibited the highest potential for retaining regional identity than neonatal and adult NSPCs. Additionally, it was found that culture conditions, such as cell passaging and attachment status, could affect the initial neural patterning potential, resulting in a decrease over time.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that patterning potential decreases over time and aging imposes restrictions on preliminary neural patterning. These results emphasize the significance of patterning in the nervous system and the close relationship between patterning and fate determination, raising questions about the application of aged NSPCs in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.