Abstract
Background
The lives of babies and mothers are at risk due to the uneven distribution of healthcare facilities required for emergency cesarean sections (CS). However, CS without medical ...indications might cause complications for mothers and babies, which is a global health problem. Identifying spatiotemporal variations of CS rates in each geographical area could provide helpful information to understand the status of using CS services.
Methods
This cross-sectional study explored spatiotemporal patterns of CS in northeast Iran from 2016 to 2020. Space–time scan statistics and spatial interaction analysis were conducted using geographical information systems to visualize and explore patterns of CS services.
Results
The temporal analysis identified 2017 and 2018 as the statistically significant high clustered times in terms of CS rate. Five purely spatial clusters were identified that were distributed heterogeneously in the study region and included 14 counties. The spatiotemporal analysis identified four clusters that included 13 counties as high-rate areas in different periods. According to spatial interaction analysis, there was a solid spatial concentration of hospital facilities in the political center of the study area. Moreover, a high degree of inequity was observed in spatial accessibility to CS hospitals in the study area.
Conclusions
CS Spatiotemporal clusters in the study area reveal that CS use in different counties among women of childbearing age is significantly different in terms of location and time. This difference might be studied in future research to identify any overutilization of CS or lack of appropriate CS in clustered counties, as both put women at risk. Hospital capacity and distance from population centers to hospitals might play an essential role in CS rate variations and spatial interactions among people and CS facilities. As a result, some healthcare strategies, e.g., building new hospitals and empowering the existing local hospitals to perform CS in areas out of service, might be developed to decline spatial inequity.
Background: Continuous improvement of the quality of education requires continuous evaluation of the clinical learning environment (CLE) and identification of university students’ perceptions and ...expectations. To this end, higher education must improve its quality and increase student satisfaction for its long-term success and survival.Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate and compare dental residents’ attitudes toward the quality of the CLE.Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional descriptive study were all dental residents (n = 251) at three dental schools in Tehran, Mashhad, and Kerman who were studying in the academic year 2022-2023. The residents were selected using the census method. The Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) was used to examine the quality of the learning environment in three areas: perception of autonomy (POA), perception of teaching (POT), and perception of social support (PSS). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics independent samples t-test, correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis with SPSS software at a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean scores for POA, PSS, and POT assessed by dental residents at Tehran, Mashhad, and Kerman universities were 108.54, 100.61, and 97.42 (out of 152), which were within the acceptable range. In addition, 44.88% of the dental residents had a good assessment of the CLE. Furthermore, all dental residents reported poor or negative attitudes toward POA. In addition, 34.76% of dental residents were positive about SSP and 50.70% of them had very positive attitudes toward POT.Conclusion: Although a majority of dental residents had positive views about the learning environment and its different educational and social aspects, they had negative assessments of the perception of autonomy (POA) as one of the essential factors in the learning environment. Thus, more attention should be paid to dental residents’ perception of autonomy to promote the educational and social quality of dental schools.
In this research, the antimicrobial effects of ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from aerial parts, leaves and bulbs of six species of Fessia were investigated on the growth of some ...of micro-organisms, including Staphyloccocus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Kelebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans. Plant samples were collected from natural habitats and were then identified. The evaluation diameter of inhibitory zone, well and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) methods were used for the assessment. Aqueous and methanolic extracts obtained from the leaves and bulbs did not affect any of the studied micro-organisms. The results showed that ethanolic extract of the species Fessia khorassanica, had stronger inhibitory effect on the Candida albicans in comparison with the control group.
This quantitative study was an endeavor to generalize the findings of a qualitatively-oriented inquiry of code switching (CS). Therefore, in accordance with the themes and categories of the previous ...model, that is, 8 themes and 26 categories, a code switching survey consisting of 8 hypothetical factors and 43items was designed. Piloting the survey among 215 EFL learners, it gained acceptable requirements for reliability and validity indices, except for the loading of 4 items that were discarded in the final version of the survey. Subsequently, the 39 item Likert-scale survey was distributed among 418 ELT students. To verify the factor structure of the instrument, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used which verified good fit indices. In addition, the findings showed that a tool for augmenting understanding was the most and teacher code switching as a barrier to learning and communication was the least influential factor of CS. Besides, the results indicated that the following demographic variables (gender, language proficiency, and educational level) but age had significant roles in the overall selection of code switching factors. Also, findings of this study could make it easier for the specialists in the field of educational psychology to fill the gaps of educational problems such as anxiety. So, the results of this study could help the ELT classroom to be a non-threatening place. Finally, it can be implicated that the model can be used in educational settings because it can help both students and teachers to achieve their pedagogic goals.
This study aimed to assess the effect of the Sargassum angustifolium extract in methamphetamine-induced SH-SY5Y cells death. The brown algae S. angustifolium was extracted with 80% ethanol. The ...SH-SY5Y cells were treated with different concentrations of methamphetamine to measure IC50.. The MTT test was used to assess the toxic effect of the S. angustifolium extract in SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells’ survival was measured while cells were treated with different concentrations of methamphetamine and S. angustifolium extract simultaneously. A specific kit measured intracellular ROS levels. Western blot analysis evaluated the expression of cytochrome C and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. The results showed that 5 mM methamphetamine approximately killed 50% of the cells, so it is considered IC50. The MTT test showed no toxicity effect for the S. angustifolium extract. 80, 160, 320, and 640 μg/ml of S. angustifolium extract prevented the occurrence of methamphetamine toxic effects in SH-SY5Y cells after 24 hours. Moreover, the S. angustifolium extract decreased ROS levels and cytochrome C release and reduced BaX/Bcl2 ratio in cells treated by methamphetamine. On the whole, it seems that the S. angustifolium hydroalcoholic extract has the potential to increase cell survival through in vitro antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities.
Halophiles are a group of microorganisms found in salty environments such as marine ecosystems, salty meat, salt evaporation ponds, and salt mines. The present study aimed to investigate the ...diversity of halophilic microorganisms in Saghand Desert (Yazd Province, Iran). To this end, water, soil, and salt crystal samples were taken from Saghand Desert. In order to isolate and culture bacteria and archaea, they were separately inoculated in solid 10% Halophiles Moderate (HM) medium and 23% Modified Growth Medium (MGM). After incubation at 37 °C, all obtained halophilic isolates were analyzed in terms of phenotypic, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics. After eliminating repetitive strains, 26 isolates from each representative sample were selected for DNA extraction and molecular studies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that archaeal isolates belonged to genera Natrinema and Haloarcula and bacterial isolates were from genera Halomonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Gracilibacillus. The isolation of these genera from many regions of Iran and their enzymatic activity indicate the high biodiversity of these microorganisms in Iran and their potentials for use in biotechnology, which should be considered by industries more seriously.
The mechanisms involved in the anti-seizure effects of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) have not been completely determined. However, G
-protein-coupled receptors, including D
-like receptors, may ...have a role in mediating these effects. In the present study, the role of D
-like receptors in LFS' anti-seizure action was investigated. Rats were kindled with semi-rapid (6 stimulations per day), electrical stimulation of the hippocampal CA1 area. In LFS-treated groups, subjects received four trials of LFS at 5 min, 6 h, 24 h, and 30 h following the last kindling stimulation. Each LFS set occurred at 5 min intervals, and consisted of 4 trains. Each train contained 200, 0/1 ms long, monophasic square wave pulses at 1 Hz. Haloperidol (D
-like receptors antagonist, 2 µm) and/or bromocriptine (D
-like receptors agonist 2 µg/µlit) were microinjected into the lateral ventricle immediately after the last kindling, before applying LFS. Obtained results showed that applying LFS in fully-kindled subjects led to a depotentiation-like decrease in kindling-induced potentiation and reduced the amplitude and rise slope of excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic currents in whole-cell recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons. In addition, LFS restored the kindling-induced, spatial learning and memory impairments in the Barnes maze test. A D
-like receptor antagonist inhibited these effects of LFS, while a D
-like receptor agonist mimicked these effects. In conclusion, a depotentiation-like mechanism may be involved in restoring LFS' effects on learning and memory, and synaptic plasticity. These effects depend on D
-like receptors activity.
Abstract Candida sp. especially C. albicans is the main cause of candidiasis in women in reproductive ages. The prevalence of drug resistant C. albicans along with adverse effects of current ...treatments have encouraged the scientists to research on medicinal plant’s essential oils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of Ziziphora tenuior, Lavandula angustifolia, Cuminum cyminum essential oils against clinical isolates of C. albicans, which were isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The anti-candidal effects of these commercial essential oils were screened against these clinical isolates (n=80) by disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution assays. The means of inhibition zone diameters, MIC and MFCs were reported for each essential oil. Also, the capability of fungal strain for biofilm formation in comparison with C. albicans ATCC 10231 were determined. The anti-biofilm effects of essential oils against 11 biofilm producing strains of C. albicans were determined. The results showed C. cyminum and Z. tenuior essential oils had the best anti-candidal effects, while the best biofilm killing effects was for L. angustifolia essential oil. C. cyminum and Z. tenuior essential oils can be formulated for more evaluations in preclinical and clinical studies.
•Effect of LFS on kindling-induced potentiation was studied in freely moving rats.•A “depotentiation-like effect” may be involved in LFS’ actions.•LFS exerted its inhibitory effects on ...seizure-induced changes through D2-like receptors.•A D2-like receptor agonist mimicked the inhibitory effects.•Dopamine, D2-like receptors mediate the effects of LFS.
The mechanisms involved in the anti-seizure effects of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) have not been completely determined. However, Gi-protein-coupled receptors, including D2-like receptors, may have a role in mediating these effects. In the present study, the role of D2-like receptors in LFS’ anti-seizure action was investigated. Rats were kindled with semi-rapid (6 stimulations per day), electrical stimulation of the hippocampal CA1 area. In LFS-treated groups, subjects received four trials of LFS at 5 min, 6 h, 24 h, and 30 h following the last kindling stimulation. Each LFS set occurred at 5 min intervals, and consisted of 4 trains. Each train contained 200, 0/1 ms long, monophasic square wave pulses at 1 Hz. Haloperidol (D2-like receptors antagonist, 2 µm) and/or bromocriptine (D2-like receptors agonist 2 µg/µlit) were microinjected into the lateral ventricle immediately after the last kindling, before applying LFS. Obtained results showed that applying LFS in fully-kindled subjects led to a depotentiation-like decrease in kindling-induced potentiation and reduced the amplitude and rise slope of excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic currents in whole-cell recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons. In addition, LFS restored the kindling-induced, spatial learning and memory impairments in the Barnes maze test. A D2-like receptor antagonist inhibited these effects of LFS, while a D2-like receptor agonist mimicked these effects. In conclusion, a depotentiation-like mechanism may be involved in restoring LFS’ effects on learning and memory, and synaptic plasticity. These effects depend on D2-like receptors activity.
Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and movement impairment. Based on theories, ...neuroinflammatory processes may be vital in the etiology of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Reports show that rotenone has neurotoxic, inflammatory, and motor impairment effects in PD. Sericin is a natural polymer with effective properties, such as neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of sericin administration on motor dysfunction by modulating inflammation and tyrosine kinase B/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (TrkB/BDNF) pathway in the rotenone-induced PD model. Methods Wistar male rats (3-months-old) were treated with rotenone (2 mg/kg every 48 h for 30 days) to induce a rotenone-induced PD model. Also, sericin was administered orally at dose of 200 mg/kg every 48 h for 30 days. Rotarod and bar tests were performed for motor dysfunction. The protein levels of BDNF, c-fos, TrkB, tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and catalase activity were evaluated in the striatum area. Results Results showed that sericin increased latent time in the rotarod test and decreased the time staying on the pole in the bar test compared to the PD group (P < 0.001 for both tests). Moreover, sericin treatments decreased TNF-alpha (P < 0.001) and IL-6 (P < 0.001) concentration levels and enhanced the levels of BDNF (P < 0.001), c-fos (P < 0.001), TrkB (P < 0.001) proteins and catalase activity (P < 0.05) in the striatum area compared to the PD group. Conclusion These results support a protective benefit of sericin therapy in a rotenone-induced PD paradigm by reducing motor impairment, inflammatory response, and disruption of the TrkB/BDNF signaling pathway. Keywords: Sericin, Rotenone, Parkinson's disease, BDNF, Inflammation, Rat
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