Bioinformatics designing of 10-23 deoxyribozyme against noncoding region before start codon of beta-galactosidase gene (lacZ) in pGEM-T vector

Background and aims: Deoxyribozymes are oligoribodeoxynucleotides that catalyze reactions such as cutting RNA and have diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Deoxyribozyme 10-23 includes a catalytic domain dependent on a fixed 15-nucleotic (mer) cation and two variable binding arms that cause the specificity of enzymes. Lactose operon is used in the white-blue screening process. This operon includes three polycistronic genes. In this study, a deoxyribozyme against α-peptide beta-galactosidase gene in the lactose operon was designed. Methods: pGEM-T map was obtained from addgene server and α-peptide gene sequence was determined. Then, using expasy website proper protein frame in comparison with various reading frames was determined. In this step, whole sequence was reversed and mRNA sequence was achieved. Secondary structure with the lowest free energy was gained using mfold server. Considering the fact that 10-23 deoxyribozyme has cutting capability between a unpaired purine and pairs pyrimidine; an AC was selected in ribosome binding site in the untranslated region and then 9 open bases on either side of it was used as a binding arms. Investigation of the absence of similar sequences in host bacteria was performed by NCBI server. Finally, activity and binding of deoxyribozyme was predicted by the mfold server. Results: The results of this study showed that the designed deoxyribozyme had a relatively high Tm with two 9-nucleotide arms, which increased its effectiveness. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to control the expression of lacZ gene as a biomarker

A Literature Review of Common Factors Affecting Labor Productivity in Asia:25 Years of Insight

Construction is one of the largest sectors of the Asian economy as it accounts for approximately 14.8% of Asia’s GDP. This, together with the fact that labor productivity is a key factor affecting project performance, makes enhancement of productivity a significant contributor to economic growth. Yet, previous studies have not provided a well-defined terminology together with an understanding of the prioritization of factors, which decision-makers need to take into consideration to enhance productivity in a structured manner. A structured literature review has been carried out, focusing on identifying factors affecting labor productivity in Asia, and calculating the aggregated rank. Hypothesis-testing revealed that the ranking could be generalized across the different regions in Asia. A full rank aggregation considering Asia as a whole reveals the five most important factors to be: “Incomplete design”, “Skill and experience (of laborers)”, “Competency of the project manager”, Materials”, and “Client and consultants”. Today’s research on factors affecting labor productivity is fragmented. By making a structured rank aggregation, and comparing findings between studies, a unifying understanding to the relative importance of factors affecting labor productivity has been established. The relative importance gives input to on-site mangers and helps enhancing managerial strategies to improve labor productivity.Construction is one of the largest sectors of the Asian economy as it accounts for approximately 14.8% of Asia’s GDP. This, together with the fact that labor productivity is a key factor affecting project performance, makes enhancement of productivity a significant contributor to economic growth. Yet, previous studies have not provided a well-defined terminology together with an understanding of the prioritization of factors, which decision-makers need to take into consideration to enhance productivity in a structured manner. A structured literature review has been carried out, focusing on identifying factors affecting labor productivity in Asia, and calculating the aggregated rank. Hypothesis-testing revealed that the ranking could be generalized across the different regions in Asia. A full rank aggregation considering Asia as a whole reveals the five most important factors to be: “Incomplete design”, “Skill and experience (of laborers)”, “Competency of the project manager”, Materials”, and “Client and consultants”. Today’s research on factors affecting labor productivity is fragmented. By making a structured rank aggregation, and comparing findings between studies, a unifying understanding to the relative importance of factors affecting labor productivity has been established. The relative importance gives input to on-site mangers and helps enhancing managerial strategies to improve labor productivity

Unveiling the Potential of Metal Diborides for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: A Comprehensive Review

Electrocatalytic water splitting (EWS) driven by renewable energy is vital for clean hydrogen (H2) production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. While IrO2 and RuO2 are the leading electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and Pt for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic environments, the need for efficient, stable, and affordable materials persists. Recently, transition-metal borides (TMBs), particularly metal diborides (MDbs), have gained attention due to their unique layered crystal structures with multicentered boron bonds, offering remarkable physicochemical properties. Their nearly 2D structures boost electrochemical performance by offering high conductivity and a large active surface area, making them well-suited for advanced energy storage and conversion technologies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the critical factors for water splitting, the crystal and electronic structures of MDbs, and their synthetic strategies. Furthermore, it examines the relationship between catalytic performance and intermediate adsorption as elucidated by first-principle calculations. The review also highlights the latest experimental advancements in MDb-based electrocatalysts and addresses the current challenges and future directions for their development

Knowledge of Men and Women about Infertility Risk Factors

With technological developments, creation of new industries and changing lifestyles, infertility risk factors (IRF) increased. Therefore creation of suitable solutions in society is crucial for the prevention of infertility. Since prevention of infertility in a society is directly related to awareness about infertility, in the present study the awareness of people about infertility risk factors was assessed. In this study, a survey questionnaire containing 24 factors related to IRF was developed and 170 persons (62 men and 108 women) from Fooladshahr, Najafabad and Mobarakeh participated and data were extracted from these questionnaires and were statistically analyzed. Our study showed that average infertility awareness for men and women is 38% and 49% respectively. Also overall awareness was 44%. Also results showed that women’s awareness about mobile radiation and fast foods is significantly higher than men. On the other hand men have significantly higher awareness about adverse effects of chlorine in swimming pool on fertility. Higher women awareness may be related to their higher sensitivity for fertility. Also, generally a higher level of awareness was observed relating to mobile, air pollution, stress, fast foods, smoking and alcohol. Women have a higher level of awareness about infertility risk factors. Higher awareness about some IRFs may be results from widespread media coverage

Psychometric Properties of the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) in Farsi: Based on DSM-5

ObjectivesThe first onset of many psychiatric disorders usually occurs inchildhood or adolescence. The structured interview of Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) was developed in response to the need for a standardized and reliable method to assess psychiatric disorders in preschool-age children. This study aimed to translate DSM-5-based PAPA into Farsi and evaluate its face and content validity and reliability.Materials & MethodsThe procedure was a forward translation of PAPA to Farsi, evaluation for face and content validity, finalization of items within the expert panel, backward translation to English, matching the original PAPA with randomly selected items from the backward translation version, and revision as needed, and finally evaluation for the validity of the changes for localization and cultural considerations. The interviews based on the final Farsi version were performed on thirty parents of children from two to five years old (chosen from Tabriz health centers) to determine the reliability and were repeated at an interval of two weeks. ResultsThe mean of CVI=0.91 and Modified Kappa=0.90 were obtained, and reliability with Cronbach’s alpha was 0.89.ConclusionThe Farsi version of the DSM-5-based PAPA diagnostic interview has good face and content validity and reliability

Hybrid Odontogenic Lesions: A 30-year Retrospective Study

Background: Hybrid odontogenic lesions (HOLs) show combined microscopic features of two or more recognized odontogenic cysts and neoplasms, occurring in the same primary location. These lesions are uncommon and there is limited information on the clinical and microscopic features of such lesions.Purpose: We aimed to assess the frequency and types of HOLs admitted to a main oral pathology center in Iran in 30 years.Materials and Method: In this retrospective observational study, the archives of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Department of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from 1993 to 2022 were reviewed, and cases diagnosed with odontogenic lesions were selected. All microscopic slides were screened and cases of the HOLs were extracted.Results: Over 30 years, a total of 1767 cases (composed of 1264 cysts and 503 tumors) were found to be odontogenic lesions, of which 19 cases (1.07%) were classified as HOLs. The mean±SD and median age of patients were 22.57±13.19 and 15 years, respectively. The most common HOL was dentigerous cyst/odontoma (42.10%) followed by calcifying odontogenic cyst/odontoma (10.52%) and central odontogenic fibroma/central giant cell granuloma (10.52%). About 68.42% of the lesions were associated with impacted teeth. Radiographically, most of the HOLs had a mixed internal structure (68.42%) and were unilocular (73.68%). Most of the lesions showed painless expansion (63.15%). All cases were managed with surgical treatment alone, most of which had conservative surgery (enucleation of the lesion) (88.88%).Conclusion: HOLs are rare and show a wide variety of histopathologic features. HOLs generally showed the highest frequency in the second decade of life. Awareness of these microscopic patterns can lead to proper diagnosis and management

Survival and Associated Risk Factors in Mechanically Ventilated Burn Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the survival rate and identify associated risk factors in mechanically ventilated (MV) burn patients. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Velayat Hospital, a burn and plastic surgery referral center affiliated with Guilan University of Medical Sciences, between March 2011, and September 2020. Data were retrieved from electronic medical records and analyzed using SPSS software (version 24.0). Patients discharged alive or lost to follow-up were treated as censored observations in a time-to-event analysis. Results: The mean age of survivors was 19.03±30.21 years, compared to 42.54±19.30 years in the non-survivors. Men comprised 78.9% (n=30) of survivors and 64.9% (n=155) of non-survivors. The mean intensive care unit (ICU) survival time was 18.33±1.36 days (median=12±1.24 days). There were significant differences between survivor and non-survivor groups in terms of age, length of stay,  presence of comorbidities, inhalation injury, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and acute kidney injury (AKI) (p<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant difference in survival probability between MV and non-MV groups (p=0.028), with a higher survival probability observed in non-MV patients. Conclusion: Age, length of stay, renal failure, ARDS, and sepsis were associated with increased mortality risk in MV burn patients. While these findings highlighted critical prognostic factors, causal inferences require further investigation through longitudinal or interventional studies to guide targeted therapeutic strategies

The Role of Namaste Care on the Quality of Life of the Elderly with Alzheimer’s Disease

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Namaste care on the Quality of Life (QoL) of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods: This quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was conducted on 25 elderly individuals with AD who were receiving care at a nursing care center. The QoL in the Last Stage of Dementia (QUALID) questionnaire was used to evaluate QoL before the intervention. This questionnaire had 11 items across various domains and was scored on a 5-point Likert scale. All participants received Namaste care for 4 months, 7 days a week, by trained caregivers. At the end of the study, QoL was reassessed using the QUALID questionnaire.Results: The findings revealed that the mean QoL scores before and after the intervention were 45.24±6.26 and 23.72±6.55, respectively. Namaste care significantly improved the QoL of elderly individuals with AD (P<0.001). All variables related to QoL showed improvement after the provision of Namaste care.Conclusion: The care for individuals with AD extended beyond medical and nursing protocols and encompassed psychological and social dimensions. Namaste care could enhance the quality of care for elderly individuals with AD

Dietary linoleic acid intake in relation to breast cancer: A case-control study

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the association between dietary linoleic acid (LA) intake and breast cancer in women. Methods: In this population-based case-control study, we enrolled 350 pathologically confirmed breast cancer cases and 700 controls which were matched with cases in terms of age and socioeconomic status. Dietary intakes were assessed using a 106-item Willett-format semi-quantitative dish-based food frequency questionnaire (DS-FFQ). Odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results: A significant inverse association was found between LA intake and odds of breast cancer (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.30-0.56). After adjusting for potential confounders, women in the highest tertile of dietary LA intake were 48% less likely to have breast cancer compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28-0.95). Such a significant inverse association was also seen among normal-weight women (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14-0.63), and premenopausal women (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.02-0.95). Conclusion: The findings of current study provide evidence for a protective role of LA against breast cancer particularly among normal-weight and premenopausal women. Prospective studies are needed to confirm this association