Publication Date: 2023
Education and Information Technologies (13602357)(9)pp. 11351-11378
Nowadays, students with disabilities suffer from various problems in entering the labor market and they need to receive career guidance services. This study was carried out in two parts of quantitative and qualitative with multiple purposes as a mixed design. In the qualitative part, challenges and problems of students in receiving career guidance and counseling were investigated and in the quantitative part, the effect of online career counseling on decreasing the challenges in receiving career counseling services by students with disabilities was studied. Moreover, in the quantitative part, the effect of online counseling on improving academic buoyancy, employability, and mental health of people with disabilities was investigated and its comparison with online career counseling based on digital storytelling was carried out. The qualitative part included 17 experts and students with disabilities and the quantitative part included 95 students with disabilities that were randomly assigned into experimental (i.e. digital storytelling and online career counseling) and control groups. The results of the qualitative part showed that students with disabilities suffer from various individual and social problems in receiving career counseling services. The results of the quantitative part showed that online career counseling with and without digital storytelling can solve the challenges against people with disabilities in receiving career guidance services to some extent. In the second part of quantitative results, it was indicated online career counseling with and without digital storytelling has a significant effect on academic buoyancy, employability, and mental health of students with disabilities and the use of digital storytelling in online counseling led to higher efficiency in employability and mental health. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Publication Date: 2023
Results in Engineering (25901230)
Nanoparticles suspended in a fluid can improve heat transfer and lubrication performance. In this study, a new method was selected to investigate water/α-Al2O3 nanofluid stability, so a combined approach (Ultrasonic Cycle/Magnetic Stirrer (UC/MS)) was used to this aim. Also, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy system (ANFIS) joined with particle swarm optimization (PSO) to predict the stability of α-Al2O3 nanofluid. The ultrasonic cycle showed that it can be considered a vital parameter in creating the stability of nanofluids. Nanofluid was prepared by UC/MS technique at different pHs, ultrasonic cycles, and concentrations of nanoparticles, which resulted in reliable stability. In this method, with 10 min of sonication operation with cycle 7, PH 11, and volume concentration of 0.25 vol%, the value of zeta potential reached −32.8 mV, while in other studies, to achieve zeta potential above ±30 mV, a sonication operation was performed for up to 120 min. Also, the effect of ultrasonic cycles includes 1, 3, and 7, pH and volume concentration of nanoparticles specifically investigated and showed that with the increases of the ultrasonic cycles, pH, and concentration, the value of zeta potential increased. © 2023 The Authors
Publication Date: 2023
TQM Journal (17542731)(5)pp. 1106-1134
Purpose: Rooting in the literature on training and laying on Kirkpatrick model, this paper aims to explore key drivers of corporate training to identify how they can be combined into an integrated framework of learning for human capital development. Design/methodology/approach: By adopting the constructivist grounded theory, this contribution analyzes the experience carried out in the last ten years by Virvelle, an Italian corporate training firm. Findings: Results show the rise of five core categories, g1iving rise to an integrated model of Kirkpatrick. Their dynamic interplay led to a new orientation of Kirkpatrick model giving rise to a metalearning ecosystem. Research limitations/implications: Managerial implications have identified key factors on which building and implementing appropriate corporate training programmes capable of triggering co-generative processes of value creation. Particularly, the essential role of learning quality culture, digital technology and personalization are detected in integrating not only hard but furthermore soft shades of learning. Concerning theoretical implications, the emergence of key structural and systems enabling dimensions for learning, and contextual mechanisms involved in reshaping training effectiveness and achieving integrated learning outcomes are detected. The main limitation of this study lies in the need to generalize results: the conceptualized framework needs to be empirically tested. Originality/value: The value of this research is built along three main points. The first is the integration among the core categories that an integrated learning system can be built on, promoting learning quality culture through positive feedback loops. The second is represented by the chance to enhance an integrated mutual knowledge development among engaged actors, thereby shaping a more holistic and multidimensional learning model. The third is related to the transversal role that digital technology plays in all phases of the training process as it integrates and enriches them. © 2023, Sergio Barile, Maria Vincenza Ciasullo, Mario Testa and Antonio La Sala.
Publication Date: 2023
Healthcare (Switzerland) (22279032)(13)
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted attention on the importance of certain variables in predicting job performance. Among these, mental health is one of the main variables affected by this pandemic. It can have an important mediating role in predicting job performance by individual, occupational, and organizational variables, especially in the nursing community. However, there is little information about its mediation role among the predictors of job performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the role of mental health as a mediating factor in the influence of self-compassion and work engagement on ICU nurses’ job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the moderating effect of gender on all model relations. A survey of 424 ICU nurses (men 193 and women 231) was undertaken in three Coronavirus hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. (2) Method: Questionnaires were distributed and collected among the statistical sample, and the data from the questionnaires were analyzed using AMOS24 software (version 24). The research model was evaluated in two stages (the main model and the two sub-models in two gender groups). (3) Result: The analysis revealed that work engagement (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), mental health (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) and job performance (β = 0.51, p < 0.001) were discovered to be positively related to self-compassion. Work engagement is positively associated with mental health (β = 0.16, p < 0.01) and job performance (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), and mental health is linked positively to job performance (β = 0.23, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the effects of self-compassion and work engagement on job performance are mediated by mental health. According to the findings, gender moderates the link between self-compassion and work engagement, work engagement and job performance, and self-compassion and job performance. (4) Conclusion: Mental health has a mediating role in the effect of self-compassion and work engagement on ICU nurses’ job performance. Gender also acted as a moderator in some relationships. Males are dominant in all of these relationships as compared to females. © 2023 by the authors.
Publication Date: 2010
European Journal of Social Sciences (discontinued) (14502267)(2)pp. 315-326
Lack of trust in online companies is a primary reason why many web users do not shop online. This study examines consumers' perceptions of the Internet merchant, general perceptions of privacy and security of the Web, perceptions of the risks and benefits of online shopping in the Iran, and how these perceptions affect Iranian consumers' trust in Internet shopping. It also examined the effect of individual characteristics on consumers' decision to buy online and the factors that predict trust in online shopping. A sample of 625 individuals was surveyed using a previously validated measurement instrument that focused on a number of key constructs identified in the literature as potential trust predictors. The results show that the perceived risks have the strongest predictive value in terms of the formation of Iranian consumers' trust in online shopping. Similarly, perceived security protection and perceived reputation are also important predictors of Iranian consumer trust in internet shopping. Propensity to trust have a moderating effect on the relationship between trust in Internet shopping and the respondents' perceptions of the antecedents to trust. The findings of this research are of potential benefit to online vendors of all types who seek to engender consumer trust in their web sites.
Publication Date: 2010
GEO: connexion (14768941)(8)pp. 46-48
Desertification is regarded as one of the most serious social, economic and environmental issues in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. Desertification is the result of complex interactions among various factors, including climate change and human activities. Multi criteria decision making (MCDM) problems arise in situations where a group of decision maker(s) faces a problem of choosing the best alternative among several possible alternatives. The MCDM techniques can be categorized into multiple objective mathematical programming (MOMP) and multi attribute decision making (MADM). TOPSIS assumes that each attribute has a tendency toward monotonically increasing or decreasing utility. In conclusion, the TOPSIS methodology that has been explained in this paper is a cost-effective and flexible for desertification indicators approach. It provides a screening tool to identify, prefer and weight indicators for further investigation. By considering this fact that in many cases determining precisely the exact value of the attribute respect to criteria is difficult, their values are considered as fuzzy data.
Publication Date: 2010
Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (19918178)(10)pp. 4832-4845
In this study, we investigated the role of salicylic acid pretreatment (0.01, 0.1mM) in inducing salt tolerance in sweet basil. In Ocimum basilicum germination percentage, length of shoot, fresh and dry weight, photosynthetic pigments and K+ concentration were decreased in response to high salinity,in this species, high salinity increased the level of Na+, lipid peroxidation, coefficient allometry, MDG and proline.Salicylic acid pretreatment (especially 0.01mM) alleviated the adverse effects on salinity stress on all parameters measured. Key words: Salicylic acid, Salinity, MDA, Proline, Pigment, Fresh & Dry Weight Ocimum basilicum. © 2010, INSInet Publication.
Publication Date: 2010
Iranian Journal Of Veterinary Research, Shiraz University (17281997)(2)pp. 125-133
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is one of the key cytokines in defining T helper 1 lymphocyte immune responses. In this study, the bovine IFN-γ gene was cloned from spleen tissue RNA using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IFN-γ cDNA was sub-cloned and expressed in mammalian expression plasmid (pcDNA3.1(+)) under the control of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The predicted amino acid (aa) sequence of bovine IFN-γ compared with corresponding known sequence from bovine (Bos taurus) was 100% identity and with ovine, caprine, camel, lama, equine, canine, feline, human, mice and chicken cytokine was 95, 95, 86, 83, 77, 75, 75, 61, 44 and 35%, respectively. Invitro expression of recombinant bovine IFN-γ (rBoIFN-γ) and secretion to culture medium was confirmed by ELISA test. Maximum expression of rBoIFN-γ occurred at 96 and 144 h after transfection in COS-7 cells. These results showed that pcDNA3.1 expression vector and COS-7 cells transfected by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran allowed the high level expression of bovine IFN-γ gene and the release of protein in supernatant of cell culture. © 2009 Shiraz University.
Publication Date: 2018
International Journal Of Women'S Health And Reproduction Sciences (23304456)(3)pp. 369-373
Objectives: Pregnancy significantly affects sexual performance due to the occurrence of biological, psychological, and physiological changes in women. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cognitive-behavioral approach to sexual counseling on the female sexual performance during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 pregnant women referred to the clinics of Arak, Iran. The participants were selected using single-stage cluster sampling technique. The data were collected using the standard sexual function questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire, which was related to the misbeliefs about sexual intercourse during pregnancy (MSIP). The subjects were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups using randomized blocks. The intervention group was provided with seven 90-minute counseling sessions, whereas the control group only received the routine information provided by the healthcare staff. The data analysis was performed using the student’s t test, chi-square test, and paired t test in the SPSS software version 16.0. Results: According to the results, out of 100 subjects, 22 cases received the sexual function score of <26 and MSIP score of <72. Conclusions: It seems that the cognitive-behavioral sexual counseling did not significantly improve the sexual function by teaching about misconceptions and facilitating behaviors to deal with the problems of pregnancy. In other words, consultation resulted in no biological or psychological changes and could not promote the sexual performance of the participants. However, the subjects reported increased sexual satisfaction after the counseling sessions. © 2018 The Author (s).
Publication Date: 2018
Materials Research Express (20531591)(5)
In this paper an electrical circuit model for additive-modified metal oxide ceramics based on their physical structures and electrical resistivities is presented. The model predicts resistance of the sample at different additive concentrations and different temperatures. To evaluate the model two types of composite ceramics, SWCNT/SnO2 with SWCNT concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.8%wt, and Ag/SnO2 with Ag concentrations of 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.5%wt, were prepared and their electrical resistances versus temperature were experimentally measured. It is shown that the experimental data are in good agreement with the results obtained from the model. The proposed model can be used in the design process of ceramic-based gas sensors, and it also clarifies the role of additive in gas sensing process of additive-modified metal oxide gas sensors. Furthermore the model can be used in the system level modeling of designs in which these sensors are also present. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Publication Date: 2018
Frontiers in Psychiatry (16640640)(MAY)
Background: Previous research of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) focused prevalently on fatigue, depression, and cognitive dysfunction during the clinical course. By contrast, research on the longer-term characteristics of physical activity (PA), psychological functioning, and sleep problems is scarce. The aims of the present study were therefore to examine changes in PA, mental toughness (MT) as a proxy of psychological functioning, and sleep disturbances over a 2-year period of time after disease onset. Methods: A total of 18 patients with diagnosed MS (mean age: M = 34.29 years) took part in this longitudinal study. First, 1-4 weeks after the first symptoms, a neurologist diagnosed the MS. Second, they completed a series of questionnaires covering socio-demographic data, PA, MT, and sleep disturbances. Third, the same questionnaires were completed again 2 years later (follow-up). Last, a neurologist assessed the degree of disability with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: Two years after MS onset, patients had lower levels of vigorous PA, but no statistically significant changes in moderate PA were observed. Further, walking time increased and sedentary time decreased. Patients with sleep disturbances at disease onset also reported poor sleep 2 years later. MT scores remained stable over time. EDSS scores worsened, though, change in EDSS was not associated with PA, MT, or sleep. Conclusions: Two years after disease onset, patients with MS reported similar MT levels and sleep disturbances. PA shifted from vigorous PA toward walking and a less sedentary lifestyle, while moderate PA remained unchanged. The pattern of results of the present pilot study suggests that at the early stage of the MS course, there is no obstacle for being physically active, nor did sleep and MT as a proxy of psychological functioning decrease in a substantial way. © 2018 Sadeghi Bahmani, Esmaeili, Shaygannejad, Gerber, Kesselring, Lang, Holsboer-Trachsler and Brand.
Publication Date: 2016
International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology (discontinued) (0975766X)(1)pp. 10523-10534
One of the important discussions for studying political and social upheavals in different countries and regions is to pay attention to the new middle class and investigate about how they have been established and developed and also the performance of this class which naturally results in sociopolitical upheavals. In the present study, by hypothesizing that the new middle class is among forces influencing sociopolitical upheavals in Iran both before and after the Islamic Revolution, and regarding the issue of its rapid growth after the Islamic Revolution, demands for political participation on the part of this group increased in social and civil institutions. Influenced by the theory of James Bill and Bourdieu, the structure of the IRI was analyzed. What is obvious is that this class enjoys an independent identity and can affect some sociopolitical upheavals lonely and without dependency to other social classes. However, mental inputs and outputs of this class is different from those of other classes and provide the grounds such as transference of values, political socialization and threats such as non-native formation of this class with the traditional society and classes in Iran as well as expansive migration of the members of this class. The objective of the present study is to answer questions such as: what does it mean by the new middle class in Iran? What factors cause the development of the new middle class in Iran in the years after the Iraqi-Iranian War?. © 2016, International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016
Iranian Journal Of Language Teaching Research (23221291)(2)pp. 35-54
Previous studies have mainly focused on homework in courses such as math and physics with little attention to homework in EFL (English as a foreign language) classes. The main purpose of the study reported in this paper was to give a voice to both EFL teachers and learners with regard to English homework. To this end, 8 EFL teachers and 19 EFL learners took part in a semi-structured interview first. Then, based on their responses to the interview questions and a comprehensive review of the literature, a questionnaire was developed and validated to investigate EFL learners' and teachers' perspectives on different aspects of English homework. The questionnaire was finally completed by 283 EFL learners and 46 English teachers from two famous English institutions in Iran. Results revealed that English homework can help EFL learners with their language learning apart from enabling them to improve their reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. However, the homework assignments that are currently being used are not very interesting and do not help EFL learners improve all their English skills. The majority of EFL learners usually finish their homework in a hurry just before class begins; others do not spend the time that their teachers require them to spend on doing homework. English teachers should, therefore, design homework based on their students' needs and interests as well as resort to employing modern opportunities such as online resources and self-access centers. © 2016. Urmia University Press.
Publication Date: 2016
International Journal of Grid and Distributed Computing (discontinued) (20054262)(6)pp. 181-196
Design pattern is a mechanism to show experience in object-oriented design, as well as an appropriate solution which has been provided by experts for particular problems and which can be used over and over throughout the design. Using design patterns helps improve software quality and reusability. There are different patterns for development of data source (database, file, array, etc.) systems but most of them have features that are not appropriate for code generation. We seek in this research new patterns for development of data source systems that can accelerate the development of such systems and reduce costs and are appropriate for code generation as well. This article deals with challenges related to prototype, singleton and MV* (MVC, MVP, MVVM) patterns. As a solution, we will propose two patterns called MVC+ and MVC++ as well as a tool called LCG for code generation. We compare the proposed patterns with similar patterns in terms of efficiency. MVC+ and MVC++ are appropriate for model-driven architecture, code generation and the development of windows form applications and web applications. © 2016 SERSC.
Publication Date: 2016
Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures (13869477)pp. 60-69
Herein, the dynamic pull-in instability of cantilever nanoactuator fabricated from conductive cylindrical nanowire with circular cross-section is studied under the presence of Casimir force. The Gurtin-Murdoch surface elasticity in combination with the couple stress theory is employed to incorporate the coupled effects of surface energy and size phenomenon. Using Green-Lagrange strain, the higher order surface stress components are incorporated in the governing equation. The Dirichlet mode is considered and an asymptotic solution, based on the path integral approach, is applied to consider the effect of the Casimir attraction. Furthermore, the influence of structural damping is considered in the model. The nonlinear governing equation is solved using analytical reduced order method (ROM). The effects of various parameters on the dynamic pull-in parameters, phase planes and stability threshold of the actuator are demonstrated. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
Publication Date: 2022
Frontiers in Medicine (2296858X)
Purpose of the report: Since the presence of lymph node metastases upstages the disease and to reduce the morbidity of total lymphadenectomy, sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in ovarian mass has been the focus of extensive research. This study aims to review all the literature associated with ovarian SLN mapping and assess the feasibility of ovarian SLN mapping. Materials and methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched using the following keywords: (Sentinel lymph node) AND (Ovary OR Ovarian) AND (Tumor OR Neoplasm OR Cancer). All studies with information regarding sentinel node biopsy in ovaries were included. Different information including mapping material, injection sites, etc., was extracted from each study. In total, two indices were calculated for included studies: detection rate and false-negative rate. Meta-analysis was conducted using Meta-MUMS software. Pooled detection rate, sensitivity, heterogeneity, and publication bias were evaluated. Quality of the studies was evaluated using the Oxford center for evidence-based medicine checklist. Results: Overall, the systematic review included 14 studies. Ovarian SLN detection rate can vary depending on the type of tracer, site of injection, etc., which signifies an overall pooled detection rate of 86% [95% CI: 75–93]. The forest plot of detection rate pooling is provided (Cochrane Q-value = 31.57, p = 0.003; I2 = 58.8%). Trim and fill method resulted in trimming of 7 studies, which decreased the pooled detection rate to 79.1% [95% CI: 67.1–87.5]. Overall, pooled sensitivity was 91% [59–100] (Cochrane Q-value = 3.93; p = 0.41; I2 = 0%). The proportion of lymph node positive patients was 0–25% in these studies with overall 14.28%. Conclusion: Sentinel lymph node mapping in ovarian tumors is feasible and seems to have high sensitivity for detection of lymph node involvement in ovarian malignant tumors. Mapping material, injection site, and previous ovarian surgery were associated with successful mapping. Larger studies are needed to better evaluate the sensitivity of this procedure in ovarian malignancies. Copyright © 2022 Ataei Nakhaei, Mostafavi, Farazestanian, Hassanzadeh and Sadeghi.
Publication Date: 2022
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (16634365)
Age-related neurological disorders [AND] include neurodegenerative diseases [NDDs] such as Alzheimer's disease [AD] and Parkinson's disease [PD], which are the most prevalent types of dementia in the elderly. It also includes other illnesses such as migraine and epilepsy. ANDs are multifactorial, but aging is their major risk factor. The most frequent and vital pathological features of AND are oxidative stress, inflammation, and accumulation of misfolded proteins. As AND brain damage is a significant public health burden and its incidence is increasing, much has been done to overcome it. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the polyphenol-rich fruits that is widely mentioned in medical folklore. Pomegranate is commonly used to treat common disorders such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, wound healing, bleeding, dysentery, acidosis, microbial infections, infectious and noninfectious respiratory diseases, and neurological disorders. In the current review article, we aimed to summarize the data on the pharmacotherapeutic potentials of pomegranate in ANDs. Copyright © 2022 Emami Kazemabad, Asgari Toni, Tizro, Dadkhah, Amani, Akhavan Rezayat, Sheikh, Mohammadi, Alijanzadeh, Alimohammadi, Shahrokhi, Erabi, Noroozi, Karimi, Honari and Deravi.
Publication Date: 2022
Plants (22237747)(15)
Soil contamination with heavy metals is a global problem, and these metals can reach the food chain through uptake by plants, endangering human health. Among the metal pollutants in soils, zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) are common co-pollutants from anthropogenic activities. Thus, we sought to define the accumulation of Zn and Pb in agricultural soils and maize. Concentrations of Pb in agricultural soil (in Namibia) could reach 3015 mg/Kg, whereas concentrations of Zn in soil (in China) could reach 1140 mg/Kg. In addition, the maximum concentrations of Zn and Pb were 27,870 and 2020 mg/Kg in maize roots and 4180 and 6320 mg/Kg in shoots, respectively. Recent studies have shown that soil properties (such as organic matter content, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), texture, and clay content) can play important roles in the bioavailability of Zn and Pb. We also investigated some of the genes and proteins involved in the uptake and transport of Zn and Pb by maize. Among several amendment methods to reduce the bioavailability of Zn and Pb in soils, the use of biochar, bioremediation, and the application of gypsum and lime have been widely reported as effective methods for reducing the accumulation of metals in soils and plants. © 2022 by the authors.
Publication Date: 2022
Iranian Journal Of Chemistry And Chemical Engineering (10219986)(7)pp. 2175-2188
Most chemical and biological processes are affected by pH. Also, different physiology organs and subcellular partitions could be characterized by their pH levels, as well as their pathophysiological characterization. Sometimes the pH has an extremely critical role in some procedures that the entire research or article focused on pH effect for example the pH was found to play a crucial role, pH has a high effect on different parts of nanotechnology such as shape, size, stability, activity, and morphology of nanostructure materials. Also, several nanochannels and smart doors are developed based on pH changes. In electrochemistry, pH has brilliant roles in oxidation/reduction potential land sensitivity of peak. In the biosensing process, the pH could affect the interaction of the analyte and biorecognition layer by different force and strategies, in some chemical and biochemical reaction and H+ has a catalytic effect, therefore, pH act as a catalyst in several chemical and biological processes. Therefore, finding the best pH for the optimum speed of these processes is critical, especially in biological processes. Electron and proton transfer are rather strongly coupled in many biological processes, also in the separation process for cleaning or measuring process. It is best to check the role of pH in the adsorption and release steps. Usually, it is necessary to find the optimum pH in the first step of the study before optimizing the other parameters. © 2022, Iranian Institute of Research and Development in Chemical Industries. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021
Chinese Physics B (16741056)(9)
Quantum speed limit and entanglement of a two-spin Heisenberg XYZ system in an inhomogeneous external magnetic field are investigated. The physical system studied is the excess electron spin in two adjacent quantum dots. The influences of magnetic field inhomogeneity as well as spin-orbit coupling are studied. Moreover, the spin interaction with surrounding magnetic environment is investigated as a non-Markovian process. The spin-orbit interaction provides two important features: the formation of entanglement when two qubits are initially in a separated state and the degradation and rebirth of the entanglement. © 2021 Chinese Physical Society and IOP Publishing Ltd.
Publication Date: 2021
Frontiers in Psychology (16641078)
The purpose of this study was to analyze differences between endocrine markers in soccer players, based on playing positions, and correlations between endocrine markers (testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1), with accumulated workload training and fitness parameters [maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), countermovement jump (CMJ), and isometric maximal strength (1-RM) of the knee for hamstring (ISH) and quadriceps (ISQ) muscles] during early-, mid-, and end-seasons. Twenty-four elite soccer players under 17 participated in this study. The results showed that there was no difference between levels of the endocrine markers among the different positions of the players. Significant correlations were observed between endocrines parameters and fitness performance (ISQ, ISH, VO2max, and CMJ). Regression analysis showed that 1-RM and VO2max were the best predictors of endocrine markers. These findings demonstrated that the activity profiles of youth soccer players were not influenced by endocrine markers. Also, it may be assumed that endocrines levels can be used to better explain the physical capacities of this population. Finally, endocrines markers may help to predict changes in 1-RM and VO2max. © Copyright © 2021 Nobari, Mainer-Pardos, Adsuar, Franco-García, Rojo-Ramos, Cossio-Bolaños, Urzua Alul and Pérez-Gómez.
Publication Date: 2021
Antioxidants (20763921)(7)
Background: Previous studies have indicated that curcumin supplementation may be beneficial for cardiometabolic health; however, current evidence regarding the effects of its nanorange formulations, popularly known as “nano-curcumin”, remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the impact of nano-curcumin supplementation on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and ISI web of science were systemat-ically searched up to May 2021 using relevant keywords. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk factors were included. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models, and subgroup analysis was performed to explore variations by dose and baseline risk profiles. Results: According to the results of this study, nano-curcumin supplementation was associated with improvements in the glycemic profile by decreasing fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD: −18.14 mg/dL; 95% CI: −29.31 to −6.97; p = 0.001), insulin (WMD: −1.21 mg/dL; 95% CI: −1.43 to −1.00; p < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (WMD: −0.28 mg/dL; 95% CI: −0.33 to −0.23; p < 0.001). Interestingly, nano-curcumin supplementa-tion resulted in increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD: 5.77 mg/dL; 95% CI: 2.90 to 8.64; p < 0.001). In terms of other lipid profile markers (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)), subgroup analyses showed that nano-curcumin supplementation had more favorable effects on lipid profiles in individuals with dyslipidemia at baseline. Nano-curcumin supplementation also showed favorable anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: −1.29 mg/L; 95% CI: −2.15 to −0.44; p = 0.003) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD: −2.78 mg/dL; 95% CI: −3.76 to −1.79; p< 0.001). Moreover, our results showed the hypoten-sive effect of nano-curcumin, evidenced by a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Conclusions: In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that nano-curcumin supplementation may decline cardiovascular disease risk by improving glycemic and lipid profiles, inflammation, and SBP. Future large-scale investigations with longer durations are needed to expand on our findings. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Publication Date: 2020
Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants (0972060X)(4)pp. 849-861
Tramadol is an opioid pain reliever. Its abuse causes neurotoxicity in the brain cells. In high concentration, it increases the production of NO, and decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential in the central nervous system. Cellular toxicity in brain cells leads to death, by activating caspase. In this study, we aimed to investigate of chemical characterization and suppressor effects of Juglans regia essential oil on tramadol-induced cell death. PC12, rat neuron-like cell line, was used for the best simulation. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) indicated that α-pinene and β-pinene were the most frequently found chemical constituents in J. regia essential oil. The viability and proliferation percent of all the J. regia essential oil treatments were higher than tramadol-treated cells significantly. The cell cytotoxicity and cell death index of all the J. regia essential oil treatments were lower than tramadol-treated cells. All treatment increased mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased NO production, IL-1β, IL-6, INFγ, and TNFα release, and Caspase-3 activity. We concluded that J. regia essential oil suppressed the tramadol-induced cell death in neuron-like, PC12 cells through inhibition of NO production, mitochondrial membrane disruption, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity. © 2020 Har Krishan Bhalla & Sons.
Publication Date: 2020
Bmc Cancer (14712407)(1)
Background: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Along with environmental factors, such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, genetic changes play important roles in gastric tumor formations. miR-584 is a less well-characterized microRNA (miRNA), with apparent activity in human cancers. However, miR-584 expression pattern in gastric cancer development has remained unclear. This study aims to analyze the expression of miR-584 in gastric cancer samples and investigates the associations between this miRNA and H. pylori infection and clinical characteristics. Methods: The expression level of miR-584 was studied in primary gastric cancers versus healthy control gastric mucosa samples using the RT-qPCR method. The clinical data were analyzed statistically in terms of miR-584 expression. In silico studies were employed to study miR-584 more broadly in order to assess its expression and find new potential target genes. Results: Both experimental and in silico studies showed up-regulation of miR-584 in patients with gastric cancer. This up-regulation seems to be induced by H. pylori infection since the infected samples showed increased levels of miR-584 expression. Deeper analyses revealed that miR-584 undergoes a dramatic down-regulation in late stages, invasive and lymph node-metastatic gastric tumors. Bioinformatics studies demonstrated that miR-584 has a substantial role in cancer pathways and has the potential to target STAT1 transcripts. Consistent with the inverse correlation between TCGA RNA-seq data of miR-584 and STAT1 transcripts, the qPCR analysis showed a significant negative correlation between these two RNAs in a set of clinical samples. Conclusion: miR-584 undergoes up-regulation in the stage of primary tumor formation; however, becomes down-regulated upon the progression of gastric cancer. These findings suggest the potential of miR-584 as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer. © 2020 The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2020
TQM Journal (17542731)(4)pp. 647-671
Purpose: Industry 4.0 is dramatically affecting businesses behaviours and strategies, transforming products design, manufacture, operations and services. An outcome of this transformation is digital servitization. This paper aims to contribute to the extant literature about digital servitization in B2B contexts by analysing how I4.0-based servitization affects the quality of supplier–customer relationships. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopted a qualitative methodology based on an exploratory multiple case study. In particular, the study included 22 Italian B2B manufacturing firms whose I4.0-based digital servitization approaches are described and, then, analysed in relation to the quality of supplier–customer relationships. Findings: The access to customers and data is critical to enable advanced digital services and for improving relationship quality; the levels of relational intimacy and informational openness lead to two subsequent levels of data-driven efficiency and data-driven effectiveness, impacting significantly on relationship quality and enabling relational innovation. Originality/value: The research explores the link, so far underestimated, between digital servitization and relationship quality in industrial contexts. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2020
Bmc Medical Genetics (14712350)(1)
Background: Hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensorineural disorder with high phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity, which negatively affects life quality. Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) constitutes a major share of HL cases. In the present study, Whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to investigate the underlying etiology of HL in an Iranian patient with ARNSHL. Methods: A proband from an Iranian consanguineous family was examined via WES, following GJB2 sequencing. WES was utilized to find possible genetic etiology of the disease. Various Bioinformatics tools were used to assess the pathogenicity of the variants. Co-segregation analysis of the candidate variant was carried out. Interpretation of variants was performed according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: WES results showed a novel frameshift (16 bp deletion) variant (p.Ala170Alafs*20) in the LRTOMT gene. This variant, which resides in exon 6, was found to be co-segregating in the family. It fulfils the criteria set by the ACMG guidelines of being pathogenic. Conclusion: Here, we report successful application of WES to identify the molecular pathogenesis of ARNSHL, which is a genetically heterogeneous disorder, in a patient with ARNSHL. © 2020 The Author(s).
