Modeling membrane nanotube morphology: the role of heterogeneity in composition and material properties.

Membrane nanotubes are dynamic structures that may connect cells over long distances. Nanotubes are typically thin cylindrical tubes, but they may occasionally have a beaded architecture along the tube. In this paper, we study the role of membrane mechanics in governing the architecture of these tubes and show that the formation of bead-like structures along the nanotubes can result from local heterogeneities in the membrane either due to protein aggregation or due to membrane composition. We present numerical results that predict how membrane properties, protein density, and local tension compete to create a phase space that governs the morphology of a nanotube. We also find that there exists a discontinuity in the energy that impedes two beads from fusing. These results suggest that the membrane-protein interaction, membrane composition, and membrane tension closely govern the tube radius, number of beads, and the bead morphology

The role of traction in membrane curvature generation.

Curvature of biological membranes can be generated by a variety of molecular mechanisms including protein scaffolding, compositional heterogeneity, and cytoskeletal forces. These mechanisms have the net effect of generating tractions (force per unit length) on the bilayer that are translated into distinct shapes of the membrane. Here, we demonstrate how the local shape of the membrane can be used to infer the traction acting locally on the membrane. We show that buds and tubes, two common membrane deformations studied in trafficking processes, have different traction distributions along the membrane and that these tractions are specific to the molecular mechanism used to generate these shapes. Furthermore, we show that the magnitude of an axial force applied to the membrane as well as that of an effective line tension can be calculated from these tractions. Finally, we consider the sensitivity of these quantities with respect to uncertainties in material properties and follow with a discussion on sources of uncertainty in membrane shape

Effect of epidemic management and control plan on COVID-19 mortality in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis

Background: Several measures have been taken around the world to decrease  COVID-19 mortality. However, the effectiveness of preventive measures on the mortality related to COVID-19 has not been fully assessed. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the success of COVID-19 epidemic management and control plan on the mortality related to COVID-19 in Iran since February 19, 2020 to February 5, 2021. Methods: In the current quasi experimental study an interrupted time series analysis (ITS) of daily collected data on confirmed deaths of COVID-19 occurred in Iran and in the world,  were performed using Newey ordinary least squares (OLS) regression-based methods. Results: In Iran the trend of new deaths increase significantly every day until 24 November 2020 according to pre intervention slope of 1.14 (95% CI = [0.96 – 1.32]; P < 0.001). The occurrence of new deaths had a decreasing trend after 24 November 2020 with a coefficient of  -5.12 (95% CI = [-6.04 – -4.20; P <0.001]). But in the global level daily new deaths was increasing before (18.66 (95% CI = [14.41 – 2292]; P < 0.001)) and after the 24 November 2020  (57.14 (95% CI = [20.80–  93.49]; P: 0.002)). Conclusion: Iranian Covid-19 epidemic management and control plan was able to reduce the mortality related to COVID-19, effectively. Therefore, it is essential to continue these measures, in order to  prevent the increase in the number of deaths

Autophagic factor Beclin1 inhibits direct cardiac reprogramming

Fibroblasts can be directly reprogrammed into induced cardiomyocytes (iCM) by expression of cardiac transcription factors Mef2c, Gata4, and Tbx5 (collectively called MGT). Since fibroblasts are readily available, this approach holds great potential for cardiac regeneration. However, the molecular basis underlying this conversion is still largely unknown. The starting fibroblasts must overcome epigenetic barriers, re-orchestrate chromatin organizations, and remodel cellular structures to obtain CM-like features.Bachelor of Art

Determine the most common clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease. The study about features of this infection could be very helpful in better knowledge about this infectious disease. The current systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed to estimate the prevalence of clinical symptoms of COVID-19 in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic review using Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar has been conducted. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, the articles published in the period January 1, 2020, to April 2, 2020, written in English and reporting clinical symptoms of COVID-19 was reviewed. To assess, the presence of heterogeneity, the Cochran’s Q statistic, the I2 index, and the tau- squared test were used. Because of significant heterogeneity between the studies the random-effects model with 95% CI was used to calculate the pooled estimation of each symptom prevalence. Results: The most common symptoms in COVID-19 patients include: Fever 81.2% (95% CI: 77.9-84.4); Cough: 58.5% (95% CI: 54.2-62.8); Fatigue 38.5% (95% CI: 30.6-45.3); Dysp- nea: 26.1% (95% CI: 20.4-31.8); and the Sputum: 25.8% (95% CI: 21.1-30.4). Based on the meta-regression results, the sample size used in different studies did not have a significant effect on the final estimate value (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Considering the main symptoms of COVID-19 such as Fever, Cough, Fatigue, and Dyspnea can have a key role in early detection of this disease and prevent the transmission of the disease to other people

Effect of Self-care on Quality of Life of Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

مولتیپل اسکلروزیس به عنوان یک بیماری غیرقابل درمان و دارای معلولیتهای فراوان، تا حدود زیادی زندگی طبیعی مبتلایان را تحت تأثیر قرار می دهد. با آموزش مراقبت از خود می توان از بروز یا پیشرفت بسیاری از عوارض کاست، زندگی مطلوب را افزایش داد و در تحمل بسیاری از مشکلات بوسیله سازگاری با شرایط به وجود آمده، خانواده را یاری داد؛ لذا این پژوهش با هدف بررسی تاثیر خودمراقبتی بر کیفیت زندگی مبتلایان به مولتیپل اسکلروزیس صورت گرفته است. این پژوهش به صورت نیمه تجربی، یک گروهی و دو مرحله ای انجام شده است. تعداد کل نمونه ها 28 بیمارمبتلا به مولتیپل اسکلروزیس مراجعه کننده به یکی ازدرمانگاه های خصوصی ونیز درمـانگاه بیمارستان الزهرا بوده اند که با روش نمونه گیری آسان انتخاب شده اند. اطلاعات مورد نیاز با استفاده از پرسشنامه خود ساخته کیفیت زندگی جمع آوری گردیده است. نتایج حاصل با استفاده از آمار توصیفی و استنباطی با نتایج قبلی مورد مقایسه قرار گرفت. یافته های پژوهش نشان داد که افزایش چشمگیری در میانگین امتیازات کیفیت زندگی در حیطه های عملکردجسمانی، روانشناختی ،حیطه عملکرد اجتماعی و سلامت عمومی بعد از اقدام به خودمراقبتی ایجاد شده است. همچنین یافته های پژوهش نشان داد که میانگین امتیازات کلی کیفیت زندگی بعد از خودمراقبتی افزایش بارزی نسبت به قبل از خودمراقبتی داشته است. نتایج حاصل از پژوهش نشان می دهد که انجام خودمراقبتی تاثیر مثبتی بر روی اجزای کیفیت زندگی دارد. امید است با ایجاد و تقویت انجمن های آموزشی و حمایتی، امکان انجام اقدامات خود مراقبتی برای بیماران مبتلا به مولیتپل اسکلروز فراهم گردد

Is single point HbA1c a reliable predictor for death in severe COVID-19?

The severity of COVID-19 infection is affected by several risk factors such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The current study aimed to determine the effect of single-point HbA1c on the severity and mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among hospitalized moderate and severe COVID-19 patients in Baharloo Hospital in Iran between   December 23rd and February 23rd, 2021. The patients have been diagnosed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Chest Computed Tomography (CT) imaging as COVID -19. Demographic data, clinical presentation, laboratory results, and treatments along with the HbA1C data were included. Results 165 COVID-19 cases were included in this study; 126 (76.4%) of which were severe cases. 89 (53.9%) patients were male, with a mean age of 59.89± 16.59 years. Severe COVID-19 patients were more prone to a longer hospital stay, and a higher level of inflammatory mediators, compared to the moderate COVID-19 patients (P<0.05). No significant association was found between single point HbA1C, FBS, and severity and mortality of COVID- cases (p>0.05). Conclusion  Single point HbA1c was not a reliable mediator for the prediction of severity or death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients