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Zahra Sadeghi,1,2 Seyedeh Parisa Chavoshi Tarzjani,1 Reyhaneh Sadat Miri Moosavi,2 Siamak Saber,2 Ahmad Ebrahimi2 1Department of Genetics, Tehran-North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; 2Jordan Medical and Genetic Laboratory, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Ahmad EbrahimiJordan Medical and Genetic Laboratory, Tehran, IranTel +98-912-4581801Email ae35m@yahoo.comAbstract: The MARVELD2 gene which is located on the 5q13.2 may cause nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) with autosomal recessive inherited pattern. So far c.1331+1G>A (IVS4+1G>A); NM_001038603.3, variant in deafness, has only reported previously in one Pakistani family in 2008 and it is reported for the first time in Iran and second time in the world. The case is a 21-year-old Iranian woman who has NSHL referred for genetic consultation, and her parents had a consanguineous marriage. To study the responsible genes for the mentioned disorder, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed for the case. The result of WES analysis revealed a transition at the splice donor variant site of the MARVELD2 gene. The NGS result was confirmed by Sanger sequencing.Keywords: MARVELD2 gene, nonsyndromic hearing loss, whole exome sequencing

Zohre Sadeghi,1 Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi,2 Saeid Bouzari1 1Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 2Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Saeid BouzariDepartment of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IranTel +98 21 6696 9297Fax +98 21 66492619Email bouzari@pasteur.ac.irIntroduction: Vaccine formulation with appropriate adjuvants is an attractive approach to develop protective immunity against pathogens. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs) are considered as ideal adjuvants and delivery systems because of their great potential for enhancing immune responses. In the current study, we have designed nanoparticle-based vaccine candidates to induce immune responses and protection against B. melitensis and B. abortus.Materials and Methods: For this purpose, we used three Brucella antigens (FliC, 7α-HSDH, BhuA) and two multi-epitopes (poly B and poly T) absorbed by CaPNs. The efficacy of each formulation was evaluated by measuring humoral, cellular and protective responses in immunized mice.Results: The CaPNs showed an average size of about 90 nm with spherical shape and smooth surface. The CaPNs-adsorbed proteins displayed significant increase in cellular and humoral immune responses compared to the control groups. In addition, our results showed increased ratio of specific IgG2a (associated with Th1) to specific IgG1 (associated with Th2). Also, immunized mice with different vaccine candidate formulations were protected against B. melitensis 16M and B. abortus 544, and showed same levels of protection as commercial vaccines (B. melitensis Rev.1 and B. abortus RB51) except for BhuA-CaPNs.Discussion: Our data support the hypothesis that these antigens absorbed with CaPNs could be effective vaccine candidates against B. melitensis and B. abortus.Keywords: calcium phosphate nanoparticle, adjuvant, Brucella, vaccine, immune response

Yield monitoring is one of the parts of the precision agriculture that is best documented in practice and allows varying inputs according to the expected field outputs depending on spatially variable yield goals. The present study introduced a batch type Weighing System (WS) for the garlic bulbs yield monitoring. This WS includes a four-sector cylindrical container, rotary blades, a digital transmitter and array of two load cells for mass measurements. Electronic boards were used to control the WS and transfer the mass and georeferenced data. A LabVIEW interface was also developed to do the real-time signal processing. This WS was tested under laboratory and field conditions. Three factors including blades Rotation Speed (RS), Stop Time (ST) of blades, and Fraction of Stop Time (FST) were defined to find optimum load cell output. The lab tests were done to find the optimum value for these factors and the optimized WS was tested in the field condition. On the basis of WS outputs and actual weight of bulbs, the relative mean standard errors were determined as 1.94% in the lab and 4.26%, in the field. To demonstrate the spatial variability of crop-yield in the field, a yield map was plotted in ArcGIS using the data that were acquired by the WS and a GPS. The data recorded by the use of garlic yield monitoring system can be used in experimental studies to provide the basis for developing efficient nutrient management protocols and improve the management of garlic fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilised molybdenum thiosemicarbazide Schiff base complex on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles (MoO2—thio-SCMNPs) was used as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the oxidation of various benzylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds in DMF and acetonitrile by H2O2 at 60°C. The progress of reaction was monitored by TLC and the products was characterised by GC. This new oxidising system has advantages over similar oxidant systems in terms of the mild and green reaction conditions, selectivity, simple work-up, and high yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present some coincidence point and common fixed point theorems for multivalued contraction maps in complete fuzzy metric spaces endowed with a partial order. As an application, we give an existence theorem of solution for general classes of integral inclusions by the coincidence point theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cooperation known as involvement in the decision making process, causes increased efficiency in the work and multi-dimensional development. The educational centers may not just rely on managers' ability, capability and intelligence. All teachers and employees of educational centers play a critical and influential role in satisfaction programs and learning of learners as well as the activities for the improvement and continuous promotion of quality. Thus regarding the progress and improvement of the learner's learning, an educational center shall provide an environment in which all teachers and learners do their best to improve duties and responsibilities directed toward deepening the learning activity. Therefore managers shall change their viewpoint toward organization of affaires. The present paper was conducted aiming at elaborating the main principles of educational leadership, leadership stylistics at different situations, and explaining the major ideas in the distributed leadership which enjoy an efficient role in the improvement of the learner's learning quality. Conclusion: Leaders shall combine a variety of different leadership styles and direct the educational center in various situations efficiently. Moreover, by revising the learning system through changing the individual into group responsibility, leaders should put the educational center in its appropriate direction. Group effort and distributed leadership have higher efficiency compared to individual leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The relationship of meta-cognition as a common concept in pedagogy, with the learning process is undeniable. Pedagogical researchers are highly interested in the type and level of learners' required knowledge. In order to enable learners to have an independent reflection in confronting with various problems, educational systems are obliged to emphasize on meta-cognitive learning and "learning how to learn". The capacity to gain cognition and control over the context to be learnt is known as meta-cognition and plays an important role in improvement and development of cognitive functions and can develop learning skills. Metacognition plays a significant role in successful learning, so that more powerful cognition skills of learners will lead to more success in learning. In other words, learner should play an active role in learning process and learn to evaluate his learning process and apply new styles of learning in case of any failure in former ones. Conclusion: Teaching learners the meta-cognitive skills plays a significant role in empowerment of students' learning efficacy; therefore, teachers have to focus on this point in order to turn students into active learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the zinc ferrite nanoparticles was synthesized via a chemical precipitation approach in presence and absence Tween 20. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The optical property of the samples was evaluated by UV–vis spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by decolorization of congo red (CR) dye in aqueous solution. A 100 W filament tungsten lamp was used as a visible light source. Furthermore, the ability of the samples for CR dye removal via adsorption was examined. The adsorption and photocatalytic decolorization results for the ZnFe 2 O 4 synthesized in present of Tween- 20 indicated that the > 90% of CR dye solution was removed and decolorized after 120 and 30 min, respectively. The samples demonstrated the good removal ability after five utilizations. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood model for decolorization kinetic data was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV), is one of the main causes of cervical cancer and also one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer and plays a principal role in causing other cancers including oropharynx, penis, larynx, oral cavity, anus, vulva, and vagina. The study aims to investigate the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes among patients referred to private laboratories in Mashhad, located in the northeast of Iran., Methods and Materials: 428 samples including 382 females (89.3%) and 46 males (10.7%) between January 10, 2022, and February 11, 2023, in Mashhad, Iran were evaluated to detect HPV and determine its genotypes. Cervical swabs and urine samples were collected from females and males, respectively. Viral DNA was extracted by using a CedExtra purification kit (cedbio, Iran) and viral genotypes were identified with a High + Low Papillomastrip kit (Operon, Spain). Mann Whitney U test and Chi-square test were accomplished for statistical analysis., Result: From the total of 428 participants analyzed, the HPV test result was positive for 129 patients (30.1%) and negative for 299 people (69.9%). Among the participants, 115 female (30.1%) and 14 male (30.4%) were positive for HPV infection. The prevalence of HPV infection among the referring people was about 30%. The most common genotype identified was HPV-6 (10.3%), followed by HPV-16 (8.7%) and HPV-51 (7.7%), the second and third most common genotypes, respectively. Additionally, HPV-39 was detected at a frequency of 6.70%. HPV-11, HPV-61, HPV-91, and HPV-44 with a frequency of 1% were among the least genotypes identified among the patients., Conclusion: In line with the results of this study, the prevalence of HPV genotypes in both genders is 30%. The results likely reflect differences in the prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes, that are less common. Also, HPV-6 and HPV-16 genotypes that are covered by the vaccine had a significant prevalence. On the other hand, with the prevalence of HPV-51 and HPV-39 genotypes in infected people who are not covered by the Gardasil (quadrivalent) vaccine, there is a risk of related cancers in the future., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In this work, the antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation capability, and clonal relatedness of 50 A. baumannii isolates collected from three hospitals in Ardabil city, Iran, were evaluated. Antibiotic sensitivity and biofilm formation of isolates were determined by disk diffusion and microtiter-plate methods, respectively. Molecular typing of isolates was also performed using repetitive sequence-based PCR (REP-PCR). The majority of isolates were resistant to cephems, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems, with 80 % classified as multi-drug resistant (MDR). While, only isolates collected from blood and tracheal were resistant to colistin. Additionally, 42 isolates (84 %) had biofilm formation capability. According to rep-PCR results, 34 isolates showed similar banding patterns, while 16 isolates had unique banding patterns. Finally, based on the molecular analysis, there was a direct relationship between biofilm formation and the antibiotic resistance of isolates. In other words, MDR isolates had a higher ability to form biofilm., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Young adults with spina bifida (and other congenital neurologic diseases) have their own aspirations that may include education, employment, relationships and having children. As they move from pediatric to adult care, they must eventually transition to an adult healthcare team. The objective of this paper is to review the challenges and controversies in the transitional and adult care of people with congenital neurourological diseases., Methods: The Research Group convened a meeting of its members and invited guests to better understand the healthcare challenges faced by these patients as they become adults. The group examined potential research opportunities focused on people with these diagnoses and themes related to their healthcare., Results: Trust and clear communication are essential for effective patient transition. Ideally parents are involved in the transition to help reinforce independent self-care and responsibility. Adolescents require education about sexual health and independence, which may not be part of the core skillset of a urologist. The healthcare team must promote self-management and autonomy as early as practical. One of the major limitations is that adult care lacks the coordination of pediatric care, and patients may not have a "medical home." Multidisciplinary clinics are ideal but face logistical barriers in adult medicine. Additional barriers include limited physicians with the required specialized training. In the adult system, financial constraints are a key challenge for patients and providers., Conclusion: Collaboration, supported by institutions and new research, is vital for improving the neurourological care of young adults with complex diseases., Trial Registration: This study reports on the proceedings of a meeting, and therefore clinical trial registration was not necessary., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This comprehensive review was carried out to integrate all the data published in the electronic databases (Scopus, etc.) over the past two decades about the distribution, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacology of Astragalus L. Although Astragalus is one of the largest genera of flowering plants in Iran, limited phytochemical screening of this genus has been reported. Cycloartane triterpene glycosides, labdane diterpenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides are the major identified compounds. Pharmacological studies revealed significant properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, etc. Moreover, ethnopharmacological studies of Astragalus sp. showed that this genus is used for gastrointestinal, fractures, joint pains, and skin problems in different localities of Iran. Tragacanth gum, as the main product of some Astragalus sp. with economic value, shows proper biological activities and uses as an emulsifier in food industries. This review might be helpful for researchers to find new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional uses and food supplements.

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) can be functionally debilitating in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). OPD induces alterations in safety and efficiency of food and/or liquid ingestion and may incur negative sequalae such as aspiration pneumonia or malnutrition/dehydration. Early detection and timely management of OPD in pwMS could prevent such complications and reduce mortality rates. Identifying risk factors of OPD relative to its onset or repeat manifestation will enable the development of care pathways that target early assessment and sustained management. The aims of this systematic review are to compile, evaluate, and summarize the existing literature reporting potential risk factors and associated long-term outcomes (e.g., aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and/or death) of OPD in pwMS., Methods: We will undertake a systematic review to identify studies that describe patterns and complications of OPD in pwMS. Variables of interest include predictors of OPD along with long-term outcomes. We will search MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. We will consider studies for inclusion if they involve at least 30 adult participants with MS and report risk factors for OPD and/or its long-term outcomes. Studies will be excluded if they refer to esophageal or oropharyngeal dysphagia induced by causes other than multiple sclerosis. Study selection and data extraction will be performed by two independent assessors for abstract and full article review. We will present study characteristics in tables and document research findings for dysphagia-related risk factors or its complications via a narrative format or meta-analysis if warranted (e.g., mean difference and/or risk ratio measurements). All included studies will undergo risk-of-bias assessment conducted independently by two authors with consensus on quality ratings., Discussion: There is a lacune for systematic reviews involving risk factors and long-term outcomes of dysphagia in pwMS to date. Our systematic review will provide the means to develop accurate and efficient management protocols for careful monitoring and evaluation of dysphagia in pwMS. The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022340625., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Urethral function declines by roughly 15% per decade and profoundly contributes to the pathogenesis of urinary incontinence. Individuals with poor urethral function are more likely to fail surgical management for stress incontinence that focus on improving urethral support. The reduced number of intramuscular nerves and the morphologic changes in muscle and connective tissue collectively impact urethral function as women age. Imaging technologies like MRI and ultrasound have advanced our understanding of these changes. However, substantial knowledge gaps remain. Addressing these gaps can be crucial for developing better prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for aging women., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors declare no conflict of interest. This study was supported by departmental funding provided to Dr Z. Sadeghi, by the Department of Urology at the University of California, United States, Irvine. Dr J. DeLancey and Dr U.G.J. Balis had their effort supported by RC2DK122379, and NIH, United States.NIAMS, United StatesR01NS120060 grant., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)