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Abstract Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses significant risks to agricultural productivity and human health, particularly through its accumulation in staple crops such as bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study evaluated Cd accumulation and tolerance among six bread wheat cultivars exposed to six Cd concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg kg−1 soil). Phenotypic assessments and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were conducted to analyze the expression patterns of TaNRAMP and TaZIP genes in various tissues and developmental stages of wheat, which play crucial roles in Cd uptake and transport. Results demonstrated significant variability in Cd accumulation. The Barat cultivar exhibited the lowest accumulation in grain (ranging from 0.21 to 8.8 mg kg−1) and the highest tolerance. In contrast, Kavir and Pishtaz displayed elevated Cd levels in both grain and straw, while Parsi accumulated more Cd in straw at lower concentrations (56.9 mg kg−1 in Cd concentration of 10 mg kg−1 soil). The gene expression analysis revealed that most cultivars showed increased expression of TaNRAMP genes, particularly TaNRAMP2 in Cd concentration of 10 mg kg−1 soil, which facilitates Cd uptake from the soil, and TaZIP genes, such as TaZIP4 and TaZIP7, involved in transporting Cd within the plant. Notably, the expression of TaZIP1 was significantly lower in cultivars with high Cd accumulation, suggesting a potential regulatory mechanism for Cd tolerance. Furthermore, cultivars exhibiting higher Cd levels correlated with increased expression of stress-responsive genes, indicating a broader response to Cd stress. These findings highlight Barat’s potential for bread-making applications due to its low Cd accumulation, while Morvarid and Pishtaz which show reduced Cd content in the straw even under high Cd exposure are better suited for animal feed. This research underscores the genetic variability of wheat cultivars in response to Cd stress and provides essential insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation, offering valuable information for breeding programs aimed at developing Cd-tolerant varieties to ensure food security in contaminated regions.

The purpose of this study was to design and validation of mother's self-regulation program and its effect on parenting stress of mothers with children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The research method is considered to be fundamental and applied in terms of its purpose, and it is a combination-exploratory research. The research method in the quantitative part was a semi-experimental type with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the research in this section included all mothers aged 30-45 with children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Tehran in 2022. The sample size consisted of 30 mothers (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group) from the statistical population were selected by available sampling method and placed in two groups of control and experimental. For the experimental group, a mother self-regulation program was implemented, while the control group did not receive any training. The research instruments included the Parenting Stress Scale (Berry & Jones, 1995). Data analysis was done using analysis of variance with repeated measures in spss software version 26. The results showed that self-regulation intervention had a significant effect on parenting stress in the post-test and follow-up stages (P

The aim of this study was the effectiveness of systematic differentiation training based on systemic family therapy on marital boredom and communication patterns of women referring to counseling centers in Najafabad in 1399. The research method was quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test. The statistical population of the study was all women referred to counseling centers in Najafabad. The sampling method used in this study was purposeful available sampling method that finally 30 people were selected. 15 people in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group were randomly assigned. The tools used for data collection included the Marital Boredom Questionnaire (Pines 1996), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Christensen and Salawi 1984) and the Differentiation Therapy Training Package (based on Bowen's system theory). Data analysis was performed using 24SPSS software at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics. At the inferential level, analysis of covariance was used. The results of analysis of covariance showed that systematic differentiation training based on systemic family therapy has an effect on marital boredom (P

The β-cells within the pancreas play a pivotal role in insulin production and secretion, responding to fluctuations in blood glucose levels. However, factors like obesity, dietary habits, and prolonged insulin resistance can compromise β-cell function, contributing to the development of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). A critical aspect of this dysfunction involves β-cell dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation, wherein these cells lose their specialized characteristics and adopt different identities, notably transitioning towards progenitor or other pancreatic cell types like α-cells. This process significantly contributes to β-cell malfunction and the progression of T2D, often surpassing the impact of outright β-cell loss. Alterations in the expressions of specific genes and transcription factors unique to β-cells, along with epigenetic modifications and environmental factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, underpin the occurrence of β-cell dedifferentiation and the onset of T2D. Recent research underscores the potential therapeutic value for targeting β-cell dedifferentiation to manage T2D effectively. In this review, we aim to dissect the intricate mechanisms governing β-cell dedifferentiation and explore the therapeutic avenues stemming from these insights.

Abstract This paper, rooted in agency theory, explores the intricate relationship between stock price crash risk and customer concentration within the context of Iran, a developing nation. Utilising innovative indicators to measure corporate and government customers, we address inconsistent findings in existing research and offer fresh insights into stock price crash risk dynamics. Focusing on 82 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2020, our study employs a robust methodological framework, including panel data, multiple regression and three distinct metrics to measure customer concentration. Specifically, we introduce the proportion of significant customer sales, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, and a Ranking Index based on substantial customer sales. Our investigation reveals a noteworthy inverse relationship between the highest concentration level of corporate customer concentration, as measured by the Ranking Index, and stock price crash risk. Similarly, we establish an inverse association between the Ranking Index for government customer concentration and stock price crash risk. Moreover, institutional investors positively influence the correlation between corporate customer concentration and stock price crash risk but do not exert a discernible impact on the relationship between government customer concentration and stock price crash risk.

Monkeypox (Mpox), an uncommon zoonotic Orthopoxvirus, is commonly manifested by blisters on the skin and has a mortality rate of approximately 0-10%. Approximately two decades after the cessation of global smallpox vaccination, the number of confirmed cases of Mpox has been growing, making it the most common Orthopoxvirus infection. Therefore, in this narrative review, we aimed to shed light on recent advancements in the pathophysiology, transmission routes, epidemiology, manifestations, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Mpox, as well as the application of artificial intelligence (AI) methods for predicting this disease. The clinical manifestations of Mpox, including the onset of symptoms and dermatologic characteristics, are similar to those of the infamous smallpox, but Mpox is clinically milder. Notably, a key difference between smallpox and Mpox is the high prevalence of lymphadenopathy. Human-to-human, animal-to-human, and animal-to-animal transmission are the three main pathways of Mpox spread that must be considered for effective prevention, particularly during outbreaks. PCR testing, as the preferred method for diagnosing Mpox infection, can enhance early detection of new cases and thereby improve infection control measures. JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 are among the vaccines most commonly recommended for the prevention of Mpox. Brincidofovir, Cidofovir, and Tecovirimat are the primary treatments for Mpox cases. Similar to other viral infections, the best approach to managing Mpox is prevention. This can, in part, be achieved through measures such as reducing contact with individuals displaying symptoms, maintaining personal safety, and adhering to practices commonly used to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Introduction: Cognitive disorders, characterized by transient stages and potential Alzheimer's disease, are influenced by changes in iron deposits in the brain. These changes can lead to toxicity and neuron death. Quantitative susceptibility mapping is used to accurately represent these changes, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of the time window of each cognitive disorder stage and the need for targeted treatment.Material and Methods: The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative research database was used to download the data and eight healthy participants and twenty-one participants with cognitive disorders based on MMSE cognitive test scores in 5 groups of cognitively normal, Subjective Memory Concern , Early Mild Cognitive Impairment, Late Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease were included in this study. Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping processing was performed using the SEPIA toolbox in MATLAB, and segmentation was performed using FSL software. Finally, statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS V26 software.Results: Statistically significant changes were observed in the QSM values of the right thalamus (p-value = 0.043) in the LMCI group and the right hippocampal nucleus (p-value = 0.050) in the control group.Conclusion: After one year, the right hippocampal nucleus shows increased iron accumulation in healthy individuals, suggesting that the nucleus is susceptible to the highest rate of iron deposition in healthy individuals. Based on this result, the hypothesis that iron deposits are the cause of the unknown cause-and-effect relationship between iron deposits and Alzheimer's disease may be confirmed.

Background and purpose: Fear of falling is considered an important factor in reducing the daily life activities of the elderly with diabetes. It seems that the fear of falling can play a decisive role in creating a sense of loneliness and social isolation in the elderly with diabetes by creating functional limitations and reducing the social activities of the elderly. Therefore, the direct relationship between fear of falling and social isolation and loneliness in diabetic elderly has not been investigated. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between fear of falling social isolation and feelings of loneliness in elderly diabetics who were referred to health centers in Faridunknar City in 2023. Materials and methods: The current study was a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted cross-sectionally on elderly people with type 2 diabetes referring to health centers in Faridonkanar City in 2023. In this study, 398 elderly people with diabetes participated, who were selected by simple random method. The research tools included the demographic information form, the international fall efficiency scale in the elderly, the emotional and social loneliness scale of adults, and the social isolation questionnaire of the Yazdi school. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and analytical statistics such as one-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression in SPSS21 software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 67.6±28.6 years, with more than half of them being female (66.8%). The mean scores and standard deviations of fear of falling, social isolation, and loneliness in the elderly were 51.53±11.60, 48.66±6.30, and 64.53±2.96, respectively. 94.7% of the elderly participants had severe concerns about falling. There was a significant positive relationship between the fear of falling and feelings of loneliness (r=0.389, P=0.001) and social isolation (r=0.156, P=0.002). The results of the multivariable model also showed that for each unit increase in fear of falling score, there was a 0.05 increase in social isolation score in elderly diabetic patients (P≥0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that there is a significant relationship between the fear of falling and social isolation and loneliness. The more seniors are afraid of falling, the more they feel alone and socially isolated. Given that improving health in the elderly requires improving healthy lifestyles and controlling and managing psychological factors, including feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Knowing the factors related to them is considered one of the important pillars of interventions in target groups in the key concept of "healthy and successful aging ". Effective planning in this area requires full knowledge and awareness of the fear of falling in the elderly and eliminating the factors that can be related to it. For this reason, it is necessary to adopt appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase the sense of security in diabetic elderly to improve their participation and social presence.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between behavioral brain systems with coping strategies and self-efficacy in methadone addicts. The method used in this study is descriptive correlation; the statistical population in this study includes all methadone addicts referred to Modares Psychiatric Center in February and March 2017 and April 2016, from which 195 people were randomly selected as a sample. Data collection tools were Wilson, Gary and Bart (1989) Personality Questionnaire, Styles Against Stress Billings and Moss (1981), Schwartz and Jerusalem (1979) General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Gratz & Roemer (2004) Emotion Regulation. The results of structural equations showed that behavioral brain systems are effective on coping strategies, emotion regulation and self-efficacy and emotion regulation is effective on coping strategies and self-efficacy (P 05 0.05). The results also showed that the model has a good fit and explains 62% of the effect of total behavioral brain systems on coping strategies through emotion regulation mediator and 29% of the effect of total behavioral brain systems on self-efficacy through emotion regulation mediator.

Abstract Metal–organic frameworks, as a kind of advanced nanoporous materials with metal centers and organic linkers, have been applied as promising electrode materials in energy storage devices. In this study, we are successfully prepared cobalt sulfide nanosheets (CoS) derived from the metal–organic framework on nickel foam (NF). The prepared electrodes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda and electrochemical methods like voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The CoS/NF electrode demonstrates a high specific capacity of 377.5 mA h g−1 (1359 C g−1) at the current density of 2 A g−1, considerable rate performance and excellent durability (89.4% after 4000 cycles). A hybrid supercapacitor is assembled using CoS/NF as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode, it shows a high energy density of 57.4 W h kg−1 at a power density of 405.2 W kg−1. The electrochemical results suggest that the CoS nanosheet arrays would possess excellent potential for applications in energy storage devices.

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to elucidate the effects of rainbow trout by-products protein hydrolysates (FPH, 92 % peptides

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that has vital effects on growth, antioxidant capacity and early development in marine fish larvae. However, traditional livefoods such as rotifer and artemia lack of Se. In this regard, a 50-day feeding experiment was conducted in order to examine the effects of Rotifer and Artemia enrichment with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on growth, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid profile of Arabian yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) larvae. Four levels of SeNPs were used to prepare the experimental emulsions,including control (0), 0.5, 1.0 and 5 mg SeNPs L−1. Larvae were stocked at density of 50 larvae L−1 into twelve 250-L cylindrical tanks. Tanks supplied with seawater (23 ± 1 ºC; 40.0 ± 1.0 g L−1). Green water was used from day first until 20 days after hatch (DAH). Rotifers (15 ml−1) were offered to larvae from day 2–21 DAH and Artemia metanauplii (1–3 Artemia ml−1) were offered to larvae from day 18–45 DAH. Fish were sampled at 0, 7, 10, 15, 22, 30, 40, 45, 50 DAH. The Se concentration in the livefoods and larval whole body linearly increased with the increment of SeNPs level in the experimental emulsions. Larvae wet weight showed quadratic response and increased with SeNPs up to 1 mg mg SeNPs/L, then decreased in SeNPs (5.0) group. The activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity increased but malondialdehyde level decreased in larvae fed the SeNPs-enriched livefoods and showed both linear and quadratic responses. Lysozyme activity in the whole body of larvae fed SeNPs-enriched livefoods had both linear and quadratic responses and in the most of the sampling times was higher than the control group. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) level in the livefoods and larval whole body increased with SeNPs. In conclusion, livefoods enrichment with SeNPs at 1 mg L−1 is recommended to elevate the antioxidant capacity and non-specific immune response in A. arabicus larvae.

Introduction: Drugs are among the opioid-like compounds that lead to the development of emotional behaviors in humans and animals. One of the emotional behaviors is stress behavior caused by fear, which can be caused by opioid and quasi-opioid compounds. In this study, the effect of intraventricular injection of brain (I.C.V) agonist (morphine sulfate) and hair receptor antagonist (naloxone) on fear behavior in adult male Wistar rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, pure harmalin was used as a hallucinogenic drug that causes hallucinations and fear in animals as a positive control and saline as a sham was used for comparative studies with groups treated with morphine sulfate and naloxone. In this study, stereotax machine was used for cannulation and injection of I.C.V and Elevated plus-maze machine was used for behavioral testing. Results: The values used to treat the experimental groups for morphine sulfate (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 7μg/rat) and naloxone (0.5, 1, 2μg/rat) were selected. The results of intraventricular injection of (1, 2.5, 5μg/rat) morphine in the brains of rats in the experimental group showed a significant difference in the occurrence of fear behavior compared to the positive control group with P

Introduction: Iron deposition is vital for damaging neurons and causing different cognitive disorders. Today, using the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique, iron deposits in other brain areas can be assessed and measured. This study aimed to identify changes in iron deposition of 12 brain nuclei through different stages of dementia using the QSM technique to introduce biomarkers for the early detection of cognitive disorders. Material and Methods: The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database was used to download data. A 3T MRI scanner scanned thirty-five participants with normal cognition and forty-six patients with cognitive disorders who were classified into four groups based on the severity of the condition. QSM processing determined twelve regions of interest (ROIs) by automatic nuclei segmentation and statistical analysis performed in these groups’ MRI images. Results: Based on previous findings, QSM values ​​increase proportionally to iron deposition.In this study, the increase in the QSM values ​​of different nuclei of the early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI) stage indicates iron deposition in these participants. In the EMCI group, The QSM value of the bilateral thalamus (P

Abstract Background The emergence of carbapenem-resistant and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii as well as inadequate effective antibiotics calls for an urgent effort to find new antibacterial agents. The therapeutic efficacy of two human scFvs, EB211 and EB279, showing growth inhibitory activity against A. baumannii in vitro, was investigated in immunocompromised mice with A. baumannii pneumonia. Results The data revealed that infected mice treated with EB211, EB279, and a combination of the two scFvs showed better survival, reduced bacterial load in the lungs, and no marked pathological abnormalities in the kidneys, liver, and lungs when compared to the control groups receiving normal saline or an irrelevant scFv. Conclusions The results from this study suggest that the scFvs with direct growth inhibitory activity could offer promising results in the treatment of pneumonia caused by XDR A. baumannii.

Background: The Amygdalus communis L. var. Amara (bitter almond) kernel oil (ACKO) is used topically for palliation of musculoskeletal and joint pains in the Traditional Persian Medicine. Also, it had anti-inflammatory effects in experimental studies. Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of ACKO in the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: One hundred and fifty six patients were equally randomized to apply ACKO, diclofenac, or placebo to their knees every 8 hours for 1 month. Fifty two, 50, and 51 patients in the ACKO, diclofenac, and placebo groups, respectively, finished the trial. At the trial’s start and end, the symptoms were assessed using the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) questionnaire. Also, hematological, and liver and kidney function tests were performed. Results: Both ACKO and diclofenac reduced the symptoms significantly more than the placebo (P ˂ 0.001). The percent changes of the WOMAC pain and stiffness scores in the ACKO group were similar to the diclofenac group while the percent changes of the WOMAC function and total scores in the ACKO group were less than the diclofenac group (P ˂ 0.001). ACKO and diclofenac had no significant effect on the blood tests. Moreover, no adverse effect was identified. Conclusions: Topical ACKO and diclofenac are safe, and superior to placebo in reducing the symptoms of OA. While ACKO is similar to diclofenac in alleviating pain and stiffness, ACKO is less effective than diclofenac in improving the WOMAC total and function scores.

Zero-valent copper and silver metals (Ms) nanoparticles (NPs) supported on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were synthesized for treating Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbriae 4 (ETEC:F4), a major cause of diarrhea in post-weaned pigs. The antibacterial properties of Cu0/CMC and Ag0/CMC were assessed on infected porcine intestinal enterocyte IPEC-J2, an in vitro model mimicking the small intestine. The lower average particle size (218 nm) and polydispersity index [PDI]: 0.25) for Ag0/CMC, when compared with those of Cu0/CMC (367 nm and PDI 0.96), were explained by stronger Ag0/CMC interactions. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ag0/CMC were lower in both bacteria and IPEC-J2 cells than those of Cu0/CMC, confirming that silver nanoparticles are more bactericidal than copper counterparts. IPEC-J2, less sensitive in MNP/CMC treatment, was used to further investigate the infective process by ETEC:F4. The IC50 of MNP/CMC increased significantly when infected IPEC-J2 cells and ETEC were co-treated, showing an inhibition of the cytotoxicity effect of ETEC:F4 infection and protection of treated IPEC-J2. Thus, it appears that metal insertion in CMC induces an inhibiting effect on ETEC:F4 growth and that MNP/CMC dispersion governs the enhancement of this effect. These results open promising prospects for metal-loaded biopolymers for preventing and treating swine diarrhea.

This study uncovers the potential of salicylic acid (SA) and synthetic Strigolactone (GR24) in enhancing menthol biosynthesis and antioxidant defense mechanisms in Mentha piperita L. Our comprehensive analysis, which included a series of controlled experiments and data analysis of the effects of these phytohormones on enzymatic antioxidants catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and non-enzymatic antioxidants, including carotenoids and proline, revealed promising results. The study also examined their impact on lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide levels, and the expression of genes critical to menthol and menthofuran synthesis. The results indicated that SA and GR24 significantly increased menthol production and reduced the levels of menthofuran and pulegone, suggesting upregulation in the plant’s innate defense systems. Furthermore, the activities of CAT and APX were elevated, reflecting a strengthened antioxidant response. Interestingly, the menthofuran synthase (MFS) was higher in the control group. At the same time, pulegone reductase (PR) genes and menthol dehydrogenase (MDH) gene expression were upregulated, highlighting the protective effects of SA and GR24. These findings underscore the potential of SA and GR24 to serve as effective bio-stimulants, improving the quality and resilience of peppermint plants and thereby contributing to eco-friendly agricultural practices in pollution-stressed environments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted public health and the global economy. It has also been found to have potential effects on pregnancy, neonatal outcomes, and mother-to-infant transmission. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with pregnancy. A systematic review study was conducted by searching the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases according to PRISMA guidelines from December 1, 2019, to December 23, 2022. The results indicate that there was an increase in the rate of cesarean delivery among mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, the study found that the mode of delivery for pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 did not increase or decrease the risk of infection for newborns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in maternal and infant mortality rates, as well as stillbirths and ruptured ectopic pregnancies. Research has shown that SARS-CoV-2 can potentially be transmitted during pregnancy, although vertical transmission is rare. However, additional data are needed to investigate this adverse effect, especially regarding reports of disease recurrence in mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Background and Objectives: Studies have indicated that the chronic use of morphine can result in physical and psychological dependence. Morphine dependence is associated with several cellular and molecular alterations in the mesocorticolimbic system, and striatal dopamine signaling is involved in this process. In the present study, we aim to investigate possible alterations in the level of dopamine receptors DRD2 and DRD4 in the striatum of male rats following chronic oral administration of morphine and assess the effect of subcutaneous injection of memantine on morphine-induced effects. Methods: In this experimental study, 16 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, morphine, memantine, and morphine+memantine. The morphine group received increasing doses of morphine (0.1-0.4 mg/kg) via their drinking water for 21 consecutive days. The memantine groups, after receiving distilled water without morphine for 21 days, received a subcutaneous injection of 5 mg memantine. The morphine memantine group received 5 mg of memantine subcutaneously on day 21 and 30 minutes after the last oral administration of morphine. After collecting striatum tissue, dopamine receptor levels were evaluated by the western blotting method. Results: The chronic use of morphine increased the levels of DRD2 and DRD4 compared to the controls. Memantine administration also increased the level of these receptors compared to the controls. In addition, the expression of DRD2 and DRD4 increased in the morphine+ memantine group compared to the memantine group. Conclusion: Morphine affects the expression of dopamine receptors in the striatum. Treatment with memantine can increases dopamine receptors’ expression.

Background. Iron deposits impair neurons and cause cognitive disorders through different pathways. Today, with the help of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), iron accumulations in different brain areas can be evaluated and measured.This research aims to identify the changes of iron deposits in the brain nuclei in different stages of cognitive disorders using the QSM technique and introduces biomarkers for the early diagnosis of these disorders. Methods. The data of thirty-five participants with normal cognitive conditions and forty six patients with cognitive disorders, classified into four different groups based on the severity of the disorder, were downloaded from the ADNI database. After determining the regions (ROIs) with the FSL automatic segmentation tool, the mean QSM values of twelve brain nuclei were determined with the help of Slicer software, and SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results. There was an inverse correlation in the left putamen nucleus of LMCI group (P=0.041). Direct correlation between age variable and QSM values of the left putamen nucleus (P=0.000078) and right putamen nucleus (P=0.000017) of the control group were reported. Conclusion. As the severity of disorders increases in the LMCI group, the number of paramagnetic deposits, such as iron, in the left putamen nucleus increases. Therefore, the QSM values of the left putamen nucleus can be used as an indicator of the severity of the disorder in the advanced stages of cognitive disorders. Practical Implications. Iron deposits cause damage to neurons and cause cognitive disorders through various pathways. Today, with the help of the quantitative susceptibility mapping technique, the numeral of iron accumulations in different brain areas can be evaluated and measured. This research aims to identify the changes of iron deposits in the brain nuclei in different stages of cognitive disorders by using the Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique to introduce biomarkers for early diagnosis of these disorders.

Background: Elevated serum levels of osteopontin (OPN) have been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, and autoimmune disease activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between OPN serum levels and renal damage in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in Yazd, Iran from April to September 2017. Micro-albuminuria and creatinine (Cr) in 750 patients were measured and 180 included patients were divided into the three groups of 60 subjects based on the level of micro-albuminuria; normal (group A), micro proteinuria (group B) and macro proteinuria (group C). Body weight, height, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c and OPN were assessed.Results: Among 179 patients, 60 of them were normal for proteinuria, 59 patients had micro-proteinuria and 60 ones had macro- proteinuria. The mean age of participants was 58.96 ( ± 11.10) years (range 26-80 years), 90 patients (50.8%) were males and 88 ones (49.2%) were females. The mean OPN levels were significantly higher in group C compared to group B, and in group B compared to group A (P = 0.0001). Serum OPN was correlated positively with HbA1c (P: 0.012), Cr (P = 0.010) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (P = 0.002). There was a significant difference in the mean of OPN level among the subgroups with the history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and HbA1C (P=0.035, and 0.047 respectively).Conclusion: These findings suggest that OPN is involved in chronic disease activity, and there is an independent association between plasma levels of OPN, and nephropathy in diabetic patients.

Paraquat (PQ) is an herbicide toxin that induces injury in different organs. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of carvacrol were reported previously. The effects of carvacrol and pioglitazone (Pio) alone and their combination on inhaled PQ-induced systemic and lung oxidative stress and inflammation as well as behavioral changes were examined in rats. In this study, animals were exposed to saline (control [Ctrl]) or PQ (PQ groups) aerosols. PQ-exposed animals were treated with 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dexa), 20 and 80 mg/kg/day carvacrol (C-L and C-H), 5 mg/kg/day Pio, and Pio+C-L for 16 days. Inhaled PQ markedly enhanced total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels but decreased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and thiol levels both in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood and increased interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the BALF (p

Introduction: Thyroid cancer is an important endocrine malignancy worldwide, including papillary carcinoma, which is responsible for more than 90 % of thyroid malignancies. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2/neu) overexpression plays a significant act in the development, progression, and invasion of various tumors through effects on the cell cycle, angiogenesis, cell movement, and apoptosis. Objective and methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study, using tissue samples from 53 patients who underwent lobectomy or total thyroidectomy between 2020 and 2022. For histopathological examination and to determine the pathological features of the tumor, tumor specimens were stained for immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against Her-2/neu. Results: In this study, Her-2/neu was expressed in 13.2 % of PTC patients and not expressed in normal thyroid tissue. No significant relationship was established between Her-2/neu expression and tumor histological subtype, as well as tumor size, sex, or tumor focality. Furthermore, there was no significant association between Her-2/neu expression and vascular invasion or extrathyroidal extension of the tumor. Conclusion: No significant Her-2/neu expression was observed in the malignant thyroid tissue. These findings raise questions about the value of Her-2/neu as a potential prognostic factor or target of a specific anticancer treatment for thyroid cancer.

Background and Aim. Down syndrome (DS) is the most common reason for disabilities caused by genetic disorders. Due to the special nature of this disease and the special needs of children with Down syndrome, they are required to receive their families’ support. Therefore, the recognition of their problems and needs and also the alternatives for resolving them and promoting their life quality are very useful. Also, since very limited qualitative studies have been conducted, it seems necessary to design a qualitative study. Method. This qualitative study was conducted by the content analysis method and through purposeful sampling method with the participation of 26 participants including 15 mothers, 6 fathers, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers of DS children in 2022-2023. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings. Using the content analysis method of Graneheim and Lundman (2004), the main theme was “Family self-supporting in protecting Down syndrome children.” The subthemes were seven including “trying to find information-support resources,” “Giving importance to child’s health,” “religious beliefs of the family,” “child moral education, helping to child’s relative self-support,” “developing familial support,” and “developing child’s social interactions.” Conclusion and Recommendations. The findings of this study showed that family is the main source of fulfilling the needs of children and their life challenges through using efficient self-support methods. This study introduced family self-support methods in terms of DS children in a way that other families can also manage the problems of their children more efficiently. The present study can be used by trustees of DS to support them and their families. Considering the existence of many problems in children with Down syndrome and the involvement of families, it is suggested that policymakers and community health managers provide the basis for receiving services and social support. For example, it is possible to strengthen the screening systems in the country to diagnose the disease on time and take quick action to solve this problem. Also, by increasing the health insurance coverage and fair distribution of the support resources needed by these people, it promoted the quality of life for them and their families. Also, health policymakers in Iran can take action to increase life expectancy and reduce deaths caused by DS by improving the equitable distribution of health resources and services. Also, public policies should enhance supportive intermediation for prevention and life quality promotion and also decrease health challenges. They are also supposed to lessen the costs of health care. Furthermore, to support social organizations, health service providers and researchers should consider the development of intermediations for the health enhancing and life quality promoting of DS children.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the impact of a child self-regulation program on the self-perception and friendship quality of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study employed a semi-experimental research design with a pre-test-post-test methodology and a control group. The statistical population for this research comprised all 9-12-year-old girls diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in Tehran during the 2021-2022 period. The sample size consisted of 30 participants, with 15 assigned to the experimental group and 15 to the control group, selected from the statistical population using an available sampling method. While the control group remained on the waiting list, the experimental group received a child self-regulation program. The research instruments utilized were Harter's self-perception scale (2012) and Zohrevand and Hejazi's (2001) friendship quality assessment. The results indicated that the self-regulation intervention had a significant impact on enhancing self-perception and friendship quality during the post-test and follow-up stages. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of self-regulation programs, which can be utilized by counselors and psychologists to enhance self-perception and friendship quality among children with ADHD.Extended abstractIntroductionAttention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often starts in childhood and continues into adulthood (Singh, Kumar, Kaur, Mandal & Kumar, 2022). Literature shows that children with ADHD overestimate their own competence (Varma & Wiener, 2020); for example, in this population, their self-perceptions are often inconsistent with objective measures of performance or parent and teacher ratings of competence. This may lead children with ADHD to have unrealistic self-perceptions (Hoza, Mrug, Gerdes, Hinshaw, Bukowski, Gold & et al., 2005). However, studies show that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have less stable friendships compared to neurotypical children (Powell, Riglin, Ng-Knight, Frederickson, Woolf, McManus & et al., 2021) and tend to be more friendly with people who have a learning or behavioral problem (Marton, Wiener, Rogers & Moore, 2015). Current strategies for treating children with ADHD mainly focus on pharmacological treatments, but these treatments often do not meet children's and families' needs (Villodas, McBurnett, Kaiser, Rooney & Pfiffner, 2014), and have shown a limited effect (Swanson, Baler & Volkow, 2011). As such, the importance of psychological interventions, especially self-regulation interventions, is becoming increasingly important to reduce and even resolve these problems in individuals with ADHD. The use of self-regulation interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy, is one of the most common and widely used interventions, and it can be very effective (Guderjahn, Gold, Stadler & Gawrilow, 2013).Research QuestionsDoes the child's self-regulation program effectively change the self-perception of children with ADHD?Does the child's self-regulation program effectively improve the quality of friendship in children with ADHD?" or "What is the impact of a self-regulation program on the quality of friendship for children with ADHD?Literature ReviewIn line with the effectiveness of self-regulation training, the results of Moradi, Hashemi, Farzad, Beyrami & Ketamati (2009) showed that teaching self-regulation strategies, motivational behaviors and verbal self-education have significant effects on reducing hyperactivity symptoms of students with ADHD. They are active. In another study, Ebrahimi & Taher (2019) found that self-regulation training is effective in increasing the social skills of students with mild mental retardation by improving the ability to plan, self-review and organize. The results of Abolghasemi, Barzegar & Rostamoghli (2015) also indicate the effectiveness of self-regulation training on improving students' self-efficacy and quality of life.MethodologyThe design of the research was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The sample consisted of female students aged 9 to 12 years with ADHD who were studying in schools in Tehran in 2022. The students were selected by education consultants who received a diagnosis of ADHD. For a more accurate diagnosis, a semi-structured clinical interview was conducted to these children. Finally, a sample of 30 students was selected based on the entry criteria and they were replaced in two experimental and control groups (15 experimental people, 15 control people). Both groups completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 2012) and the Friendship Quality Questionnaire (Hejazi & Zohrevand, 2001) as a pre-test. The experimental group then participated in 12 sessions of 45 minutes based on the child's self-regulation intervention, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Immediately after the end of the training sessions, the self-perception scale and the quality of friendship were assessed as a post-test for both groups. They were then followed up after 2 months.resultsThe results of this analysis show that there was a significant interaction between stages (pre-test, post-test, follow-up) and groups (experimental and control) for several of the research variables, including self-perception and quality of friendship. The Bonferroni test indicated that the experimental and control groups were significantly different from each other in terms of the research variables at all stages of the study, and that the improvement in self-perception and the quality of friendship observed in the experimental group was stable over time and still present at the follow-up phase. Overall, these results suggest that the child's self-regulation education was effective in improving the self-perception and quality of friendship of the children in the experimental group, and that this effect was sustained over time.

Purpose: Past studies have investigated the relationship between audit committee features and earnings management and reported mixed and inconclusive results. Some studies have found a significant relationship, while others have not. This study aims to explain these mixed results in the literature by dividing earning management into two groups: accrual and real earnings management (at three levels of sales, general and administrative costs, production costs and cash flows operation) and re-examining the relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The statistical model used in this study is a multivariate regression model; further, the statistical technique used to test the hypotheses is panel data. Findings: The findings show that both the audit committee members' financial expertise and the audit committee's size affect the accrual earnings management. However, the results show no meaningful relationship between the audit committee features and real-based earnings management at any levels of sales, general and administrative costs, production costs and cash flow operation. In addition, the findings suggest no meaningful relationship between the independence of the audit committee's members and accrual earnings management. In other words, not separating the earning management into ‘accrual’ and ‘real’ could be the critical factor for the reported mixed and inconsistent results in the literature. Practical implications: The findings of the current study provide an important guideline for investors and stakeholders to separate ‘accrual’ from ‘real’ earning management and pay more attention to the importance of audit committee features to limit the opportunities of earnings management. Indeed, by understanding the relationship between audit committee features and earnings management, investors and stockholders can make appropriate decisions regarding the optimal choice of funds. Originality/value: Dividing the earning management into two groups (accrual versus real) and re-examining its relationship with the audit committee features is new in this paper. Identifying one of the possible reasons for the past mixed and inconsistent results in the literature is also an incremental contribution provided by this study.

Prosthetic limb embodiment remains a significant challenge for many amputees due to traditional designs’ lack of sensory feedback. To address this challenge, the effectiveness of non-invasive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) controlled by a hybrid proportional-differential (PD)-Fuzzy logic system was evaluated for providing real-time proprioception and tactile feedback. The study used a human-in-the-closed-loop approach with ten participants: five upper limb amputees and five non-disabled individuals as the control group. An applied force, the joint angle of a prosthetic hand’s finger, and surface electromyography signals generated by the biceps muscle all regulate the intensity of sensory feedback. Additionally, the C6 and C7 myotomes were selected as elicitation sites. The average threshold for detecting action motion and force was around 21° and 1.524N, respectively. The participants successfully reproduced desired joint angles within the range of 0°-110° at five separate intervals. In the weight recognition experiment, the amputee participant’s minimum number of false predictions was four. The highest accuracy achieved was 80.66% in detecting object size and stiffness. Additionally, unpaired t-tests were performed for the means of the results of the experiments to determine statistically significant differences between groups. The results suggest that stimulation of myotomes by NMES is an effective non-invasive method for delivering rich multimodal sensation information to individuals with disabilities, including upper limb amputees, without needing visual or auditory cues. These findings contribute to the development of non-invasive sensory substitution in prostheses.

Background and purpose: Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Betaine is trimethylglycine with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of betaine on oxidative stress and memory deficits induced by intrahippocampal injection of amyloid beta (Aß) in an AD model. Experimental approach: Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 equal groups: the control and Aß groups which received oral gavage of saline (1 mL daily) for 14 days. The other 3 groups (betaine + Aß) received betaine (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg, orally) for 14 consecutive days. On the 15th day, all of the groups were injected bilaterallyintrahippocampal of Aß (5 µg/µL), except controls that were injected with normal saline as a vehicle. Seven days after the Aß injection, memory was assessed in a passive avoidance test. Changes in catalase activities and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde concentrations were investigated to determine the antioxidant activity in the rat hippocampus. Findings/Results: Data showed that betaine pretreatment of Aß-injected rats improved memory in avoidance tasks. In addition, betaine pretreatment attenuated oxidative stress. Conclusion and implications: The current findings showed that oral administration of betaine could prevent Aß-induced impairment of memory possibly through suppression of oxidative stress in the hippocampus area of rats.

Background: Regarding demographic, socio-economic differences, and some other infrastructural factors, there are concerns about the access to and use of mobile health technology. This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to the use of mobile health from the perspective of users.Methods: In this qualitative meta-synthesis, electronic databases were systematically searched. Studies included qualitative investigations published by 30th of December 2020 that examined the facilitators or barriers to using mobile health from the users’ point of view. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist was used to evaluate the quality of each study. A steady comparison process has been used to identify similar structures in several studies that have been summarized in thematic constructs.Results: Six factors were identified as barriers and seven factors as facilitators. Barriers included difficulty in use, inaccessibility, uselessness or inapplicability, lack of adequate skills, communication barriers, and security concerns; facilitating factors included motivational factors, documentation, degree of ease, provider credibility and source of information, perceived usability, social-cultural appropriateness, and perceived benefits.Conclusion: The findings of this study provide a good basis for information and communication technology practitioners as well as health care services to improve access to and use of mobile health technology by adopting appropriate policies for infrastructure development and social empowerment. Further research focusing on technological, demographic, and geriatrics aspects is suggested.

Background: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) describes an inflammation of the subcutaneous fatty tissue causing a pilonidal sinus which can lead to pus collection and tenderness. The study objective was to investigate the relationship between serum hormones, PSD and associated factors in patients referring to Khalij Fars hospital in Bushehr city, Iran in 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional study consisted of 50 patients with pilonidal sinus disease who underwent surgery in Khalij Fars hospital in Bushehr city, Iran between February and May 2017 was conducted. The patients with SPD who consented to participate in the study were enrolled in the research and subjected to review their physical signs and medical history. Hormone levels (including the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and prolactin) were measured. Results: The level of sex hormones in female patients was significantly higher in comparison with males except for testosterone (3.9±1.73 in male; 0.35±0.17 in females). The frequency of patients with normal serum levels of LH, testosterone, and prolactin was higher in females than those in the male group, whereas the rate of those with normal levels of FSH, DHEAS, and Prolactin in male patient group was higher, compared with the female group (P

This paper presents a study on connection-blocking prediction in Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). In EONs, connections are established and torn down dynamically to fulfill the instantaneous requirements of the users. The dynamic allocation of the connections may cause spectrum fragmentation and lead to network performance degradation as connection blocking increases. Predicting potential blocking situations can be helpful during EON operations. For example, this prediction could be used in real networks to trigger proper spectrum defragmentation mechanisms at suitable moments, thereby enhancing network performance. Extensive simulations over the well-known NSFNET (National Science Foundation Network) backbone network topology were run by generating realistic traffic patterns. The obtained results are later used to train the developed machine learning models, which allow the prediction of connection-blocking events. Resource use was continuously monitored and recorded during the process. Two different Convolutional Neural Network models, a 1D CNN (One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network) and 2D CNN (Two-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network), are proposed as the predicting methods, and their behavior is compared to other conventional models based on an SVM (Support Vector Machine) and KNN (K Nearest Neighbors). The results obtained show that the proposed 2D CNN predicts blocking with the best accuracy (92.17%), followed by the SVM, the proposed 1D CNN, and KNN. Results suggest that 2D CNN can be helpful in blocking prediction and might contribute to increasing the efficiency of future EON networks.

Keypoints 1. In this article, A review of the results of articles on the use of QSM technique to identify nuclei exposed to iron deposition in various neurodegenerative diseases was performed. 2. Brain nuclei with the highest changes in iron deposition were identified as a biomarker for the identification of specific neurological diseases 3. By studying recent articles, The best toolbox for each step of the QSM processing algorithm was introduced.

Alfalfa is one of the most important forage corps in the world. The Medicago plant is a major genus from the fabaceae.High concentration of heavy metals in soil is one of the most important problems in the environment . Cadmium is a heavy metal that can cause oxidative stress in plant cells. In this research effects of different concentrations of cadmium (0 , 25 and 50 µM) and gibberellic acid (0 , 5 and 10 µM) were investigated on certain physiological parameters in Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa seeds were sterilized and cultured in pots containing sand which were irrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution. plants were treated with cadmium chloride and gibberellin 22 - old day.after twenty two days Plants were harvested to assay some physiological parameters. All treatments were conducted with four replications. Experiment results showed that increasing cadmium chloride concentration in Hoagland nutrient solution, decreased growth parameters and pigment contents and GPX activity.But , but proline contents, SOD and CAT activties in roots and leaves of plants increased. by additionof gibberellin concentrations. . It is concluded that gibberellic acid could alleviate the adverse effects of stress cadmium chloride in Medicago sativa L.

Background. Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) is a well-known approach in treatment of Opioid Use Disorders and reduction of harm in these patients. Considering the differences in the pattern of substance use and the instructions for prescribing methadone in our country, this study was performed to evaluate the relationship between methadone dose and positive urinary morphine test in patients receiving MMT. Methods. Clients who were diagnosed as opioid use disorder and has been treated in Razi Hospital in Tabriz were examined. The records of patients receiving MMT were reviewed and their information including demographic information, dose of methadone, number of lapses (based on positive urine morphine tests and the patient's own statements) was evaluated over a 6-month period. Data were analyzed in SPSS 22 and P