81 research outputs found
Online consumer’s acceptance of social networking sites as potential shopping’s guide
The emergence of social media has significantly altered the strategies that companies use to communicate with customers ( Lee, Xiong, & Hu, 2011). As social media moves from “buzz word” status to strategic tool, more practitioners are developing skills related to this online communication technology (Eyrich, Padman, & Sweetser, 2008). With the development of networks, especially electronic commerce’s appearance, consumers enter a new environment of trade, therefore, with the high degree of price dispersion in the online market, for example, customer information, search behaviour also changes (Guan & Cheng, 2009). In fact, with the rapid development of Web 2.0 technologies, such as Ajax and XML, a great number of social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Renren, MySpace, Kaixin, and LinkedIn) are emerging, which makes mass users interactions easier and more convenient (Yanli, Yi, & Yuli, 2010). These social media tools allow users to search, organize, share, annotate and contribute to contents in a collaborative way. For example, Curtis et al. (2010) found that social media techniques are becoming more abundant as public relations practitioners become mindful of their effectiveness in respect of reaching target audiences, promoting a specific cause, and further developing communication strategies. More than half of America’s teens and young adults send instant messages and use social networking sites, and more than one-third of all Internet users engage in these activities (Correa, Hinsley, & de Zúñiga, 2010)
Immunological Testing Reveals Exposure to Malaria in the Hypoendemic Region of Iran.
Abstract
Background. South eastern parts of Iran remain endemic for malaria infection. There is some concern that malaria infection may spread into Bushehr, which is located in the south western part bordering the Persian Gulf and at the periphery of the declared endemic region Hormozgan province due to frequency of visitors from eastern endemic areas and from neighboring malaria endemic countries. We investigated malaria prevalence in Bushehr. Methods and Results. Attempts were made to identify malaria active infection in blood smears and malaria specific antibody and antigens in serum samples. Traditional blood smears prepared from 1955 blood specimens yielded no definitive malaria positive case by microscopic technique. A total of 270 (13.8%) serum samples were positive for malaria antibodies. Using specific ELISA kits, presence of histidine rich proteins and lactate dehydrogenase antigens were investigated in serum samples. No histidine rich proteins specific for P. falciparum were detected amongst 270 antibody positive samples. However, six samples representing 0.3% of total population, were found to be positive for plasmodium pan specific lactate dehydrogenase antigens. This suggested the possibility of low level exposure to malaria in Bushehr community. Conclusions. Out of a total of 1955 samples tested, 270 (13.8%) were positive for malaria antibodies and six (0.3%) of these were positive for plasmodium-specific lactate dehydrogenase antigen suggesting a low level exposure to malaria in a hypoendemic region based on immunological testing. Since none of the 270 antibody samples were positive for histidine rich protein antigens, there is scope for further testing of blood samples by molecular methods such as polymerase chain reactions to confirm the plasmodium species and provide information valuable for future investigations. Our testing strategy for hypoemdemic malaria can be used as a template for investing malaria in 32 eliminating countries for testing ongoing transmission. This approach may be useful as a method in epidemiological studie
Effects of thylakoid intake on appetite and weight loss: a systematic review
Background: Previous studies have shown thylakoids, the membrane proteins which are extracted from green leaves like spinach, can induce satiety through homeostatic and non-homeostatic pathways. In this study, we reviewed the current human literature on thylakoids� characteristics and their relationship to satiety regulation and weight loss. Methods: A systematic search of literature published between January 1990 and May 2019 was conducted on the electronic databases; including WEB OF SCIENCE, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE databases. We included all clinical trials that addressed the effects of thylakoids or chloroplast intake on satiety and weight loss. Results: After excluding non-human studies, non-RCTs, duplications, studies with irrelevant data and interventions, eight studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. All studies supported this hypothesis that thylakoids reduce the feeling of hunger by increasing postprandial cholecystokinin and leptin and decreasing serum ghrelin, but the consequences of thylakoid intake on anthropometric characteristics were controversial. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results may approve this postulation that receiving a thylakoid-enriched meal can decrease appetite and probably food intake in short term; however, more studies are needed to explore the effects of long term supplementation with thylakoids on weight loss in human subjects. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Antiviral activity of Holothuria sp. a sea cucumber against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
BACKGROUND: Finding the new
bioactive compounds with antiviral activity from
the natural resources are in interest of many drug
discovery scientists. Sea cucumber is among the
marine organisms a traditional food item in Asia
with different applications in traditional medicine.
METHODS: In current study, a cold water extract
of the Holothuria sp, one type Persian Gulf’s
sea cucumber was evaluated for its antiviral effects
against KOS strain of Herpes Simplex Virus
tyoe 1 (HSV-1) in cell culture. The half maximal inhibitory
concentration (IC50) values were calculated
for anti-adsorption activity and intracellular antiviral
activity of the crude extract separately.
RESULTS: The extract exhibited antiviral activity
not only against the virus adsorption to the cells,
but also on virus intracellular replication.The CC50
for sea cucumber extract was 32.57 mg/ml. The
IC50 values for the inhibition of the virus adsorption
to the cells and virus intracellular replication
were 120.2 and 189.9 μg/ml respectively. Selectivity
index (SI) value for anti-adsorption activity was
189 while that value for the extract’s intracellular
antiviral activity was 172.
CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that
Holothuria sp, water extract has remarkable antiviral
effect against HSV-1 in cell culture and it
is crucial to investigate the mechanism(s) of action
of extract. Moreover, identification of the effective
compound(s) within the extract would be
necessary for future studies towards developing
the new natural antiviral agent against HSV-1
In Silico Analysis of Regulatory Elements of the Vitamin D Receptor
مستقبل الفيتامين دي (VDR) هو عامل النسخ النووي الذي يتحكم بالتفسير الجيني. تم التوصل إلى أن الضعف في التفسير الجيني يرتبط بأمراض مختلفة. يقوم VDR بمهمة تنظيم مسارات مختلفة مثل التشخيص، الالتهاب وامتصاص الكالسيوم والفوسفات.. إلخ. مع ذلك لا توجد معلومات كافية حول تنظيم الجين نفسه. لذلك فإن فهماً أكثر وضوحاً للعوامل الوراثية والجينية لتنظيم VDR قد يسهل تطور استراتيجيات للوقاية من الأمراض المتعلقة بعوز VDR وعلاجها. ويعتمد هذا البحث على مجموعة من قواعد المعلومات والطرف المستخدمة من أجل تشخيص العناصر الوظيفية المفترضة في VDR. تم تحديد تعديلات هيستون، جزر CpG والعلامات الجينية لـ VDR. وتم رصد سلاسل متكررة، محسنات عوازل ونقاط لربط عوامل النسخ وأهداف جينات VDR بالإضافة إلى تفاعلات بين البروتينات مع الأدوات المعلوماتية الحيوية. وتتداخل بعض هذه العناصر الوراثية مع جزر CpG وأدت الدراسة إلى اكتشاف مقاربة جديدة في مجال الآليات الجزيئية لتنظيم جينات VDR في الخلايا والأنسجة البشرية.Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a nuclear transcription factor that controls gene expression. Its impaired expression was found to be related to different diseases. VDR also acts as a regulator of different pathways including differentiation, inflammation, calcium and phosphate absorption, etc. but there is no sufficient knowledge about the regulation of the gene itself. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic factors regulating the VDR may facilitate the improvement of strategies for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with dysregulation of VDR. In the present investigation, a set of databases and methods were used to identify putative functional elements in the VDR locus. Histone modifications, CpG Islands, epigenetic marks at VDR locus were indicated. In addition, repeated sequences, enhancers, insulators, transcription factor binding sites and targets of the VDR gene, as well as protein-protein interactions with bioinformatics tools, were reported. Some of these genetic elements had overlapped with CpG Islands. These results revealed important new insight into the molecular mechanisms of the VDR gene regulation in human cells and tissues
Long Non-Coding RNA- Associated Competing Endogenous RNA Axes in T-Cells in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating and degenerative disease with unknown etiology. Inappropriate response of T-cells to myelin antigens has an essential role in the pathophysiology of MS. The clinical and pathophysiological complications of MS necessitate identification of potential molecular targets to understand the pathogenic events of MS. Since the functions and regulatory mechanisms of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in MS are yet uncertain, we conducted a bioinformatics analysis to explain the lncRNA-associated ceRNA axes to clarify molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in T-cells responses in MS. Two microarray datasets of peripheral blood T-cell from subjects with relapsing-remitting MS and matched controls containing data about miRNAs (GSE43590), mRNAs and lncRNAs (GSE43591) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), mRNAs (DEmRNAs), and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) were identified by the limma package of the R software. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and module were developed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) and the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) Cytoscape plugin, respectively. Using DIANA-LncBase and miRTarBase, the lncRNA-associated ceRNA axes was constructed. We conducted a Pearson correlation analysis and selected the positive correlations among the lncRNAs and mRNAs in the ceRNA axes. Lastly, DEmRNAs pathway enrichment was conducted by the Enrichr tool. A ceRNA regulatory relationship among Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 ( SNHG1 ), hsa-miR-197-3p , YOD1 deubiquitinase ( YOD1 ) and zinc finger protein 101 ( ZNF101 ) and downstream connected genes was identified. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEmRNAs were enriched in “Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum” and “Herpes simplex virus 1 infection” pathways. To our knowledge, this would be the first report of a possible role of SNHG1 / hsa-miR-197-3p / YOD1 / ZNF101 axes in the pathogenesis of MS. This research remarks on the significance of ceRNAs and prepares new perceptions for discovering the molecular mechanism of MS
Omentin-1, visfatin and adiponectin levels in relation to bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women
The bone and fat interface is implicated in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The association between circulating omentin-1 levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women has never been assessed. A total of 382 healthy postmenopausal women were randomly selected. Omentin-1, visfatin, adiponectin, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, and osteocalcin were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression, serum omentin-1 levels were inversely correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (β=-0.11, p=0.020). In multiple regression analyses, serum visfatin and adiponectin levels were not significantly correlated with BMD at different skeletal sites after controlling for age, body mass index, and bone-related markers. However, the highest quartile of adiponectin compared to the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders, revealed an inverse association with BMD in the lumbar spine (β=-0.19, p=0.010). In conclusion, circulating omentin-1 levels had an inverse correlation with BMD at the lumbar spine in Iranian postmenopausal women. To further understand the role of omentin-1 in bone and mineral metabolism, large-scale longitudinal studies focusing on BMD and osteoporotic fractures are warranted.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Salicylic acid improves salinity-alkalinity tolerance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Salinization and alkalization of soils are agricultural problems in arid and semiarid regions of the world such as Iran. In this experiment the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on resistance of pepper plants under salt stress (SS) and alkali stress (AS) were evaluated. Treatments include 0 and 150 mM of SS, 0, 50 and 100 mM of AS and 0, 0.75 and 1.5 mM SA. Results showed that SS and AS imposed negative effects on pepper plant growth and productivity. Reduction in growth and yield in SS was higher than AS and maximum reduction occurred in high mixed stresses. SA application improved growth parameters and increased yield, relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll of plants subjected to SS and AS and provided significant protection against stress compared to non-SA-treated plants. For most traits, 0.75 mM of SA was more effective than 1.5 mM concentration. SA ameliorated the injury caused by SS and AS by increasing chlorophyll and RWC and inhibiting proline accumulation and leaf electrolyte leakage (EL). In general, results indicate that salinity and alkalinity have negative effects on growth and yield of pepper plants and these negative effects can be ameliorated by application of SA
Omentin-1, visfatin and adiponectin levels in relation to bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women
The bone and fat interface is implicated in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The association
between circulating omentin-1 levels and bonemineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women has never been
assessed. A total of 382 healthy postmenopausal womenwere randomly selected. Omentin-1, visfatin, adiponectin,
the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein,
degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, and osteocalcin were measured by highly
specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. BMDwas determined for the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and the
proximal femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression, serum
omentin-1 levels were inversely correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (β=−0.11, p=0.020). In multiple
regression analyses, serum visfatin and adiponectin levels were not significantly correlated with BMD at different
skeletal sites after controlling for age, body mass index, and bone-related markers. However, the highest quartile
of adiponectin compared to the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders, revealed an inverse
association with BMD in the lumbar spine (β=−0.19, p=0.010). In conclusion, circulating omentin-1 levels had
an inverse correlation with BMD at the lumbar spine in Iranian postmenopausal women. To further understand the
role of omentin-1 in bone and mineral metabolism, large-scale longitudinal studies focusing on BMD and
osteoporotic fractures are warrante
Reduced serum osteocalcin concentrations are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome components in postmenopausal women: the crosstalk between bone and energy metabolism
Although it has been shown that osteocalcin
functions as a hormone in the regulation of glucose
metabolism and fat mass, no population-based study to date
has addressed serum osteocalcin levels in relation to energy
metabolism concurrent with bone metabolism in postmenopausal
women. In a population-based study, cardiovascular
risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
(hs-CRP), osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear
factor-jB ligand, osteocalcin, CrossLaps, alkaline phosphatase,
and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar
spine (L2–L4) and the proximal femur were measured in
382 Iranian postmenopausal women. In multiple logistic
regression analysis, lower osteocalcin and CrossLaps levels
were associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) of having
type 2 diabetes mellitus when adjustments were made for
age, hs-CRP, cardiovascular risk factors, BMD, and
markers of bone metabolism [OR 5.17, CI (2.66–10.04),
p\0.0001 and OR 2.51, CI (1.37–4.61), p = 0.003,
respectively]. However, lower alkaline phosphatase levels
were associated with a lower OR of having type 2 diabetes
mellitus [OR 0.28, CI (0.15–0.52), p\0.0001] in regression
analysis. No significant difference was found between
serum osteocalcin levels of those with and without metabolic
syndrome. Among the metabolic syndrome components,
low osteocalcin levels had significant associations
with elevated blood glucose [OR 1.89, CI (1.16–3.07),
p = 0.010] and elevated waist circumference [OR 2.53, CI
(1.13–5.67), p = 0.024] in multivariate analyses. In conclusion,
serum osteocalcin was independently associated
with glucose intolerance and abdominal obesity as the
components of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
mellitus in postmenopausal women. Since CrossLaps and
alkaline phosphatase levels were independently associated
with the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the unique
contribution of osteocalcin in glucose metabolism could
not be concluded
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