An exploration on the responsibility to social adequacy in adolescent learning environments affected by the type of design experience based on the biophilic attitude

What is considered as a serious concern in the contemporary urban system is the widening gap between man and natural systems. The extreme density of buildings has brought about interaction with technology instead of interaction with nature, and lack of interest in environmental concerns for the urbanite adolescents, which can lead to a serious crisis in the mental health of an adolescent due to being on the path of maturity. Many studies in the field of learning environments indicate the effectiveness of interaction with natural processes on the promotion of adolescents' social identity; therefore, creating a suitable environment for reducing social harm and acquiring social skills can be effective in reducing mental pressures. Background and Objectives: Researches have shown that adolescents' interaction with nature is effective in improving stress and promoting effective mental health, and also nature-based learning environments play an important role in improving adolescents' social identity. This study tries to improve the level of adolescents’ mental health by recognizing and analyzing biophilic approach patterns as a nature-based approach, along with acquiring related capabilities and skills in educational environments. In addition to the explanation of the patterns corresponding to the experiences of biophilic (bio-oriented) attitudes, the present study prioritizes the related environmental indicators to acquire the abilities (cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motivational) of the adolescence period in the context of learning. Materials and Methods: The used method is applied in terms of purpose, and the study method is descriptive-analytical and survey in terms of nature. Data collection is based on the study of library resources, and in the field stage, it is based on the distribution of questionnaires and interviews; also, the SPSS software was used to analyze the data. The Chi-square test is used to examine the significance of the relationship between variables in the research hypotheses, and the Pearson test is used to examine the correlation of independent and dependent variables that indicates the establishment of a correlation between research variables, which shows that the accuracy between all variables is less than 0.05 and the correlation coefficient of all relations is positive. The correlation coefficient between all variables is above 0.6 that indicates the establishment of a positive and strong relationship between all of the variables. The Friedman test was used in order to prioritize the relationships and strategies, and the content validity method was used to determine the reliability of the measurement of the questionnaire’s validity; also, the Cronbach's alpha test was used to examine the reliability of the questionnaire in SPSS software. Results: There is a significant difference between the types of environmental experiences (direct experience of nature, the indirect experience of nature, and the experience of space and place) in order to establish a compatible interaction between adolescents and nature. Also, the experience of direct interaction between adolescents and cognitive competence acquisition has the greatest impact on the promotion of adolescents' mental health; subsequently, the indirect experience of nature with cognitive competence acquisition and experience of space and place with behavioral competence acquisition have the greatest impact on the promotion of adolescents' mental health. According to the obtained information, social competencies are prioritized through biophilic design experiences. Conclusion: The results indicate that design experiences in the context of learning according to the biophilic approach can meet the psychological needs of the adolescent period, because of the deep multifaceted relationship with nature. Providing solutions following the patterns of this approach in nature-based learning environments can provide the conditions for achieving social adequacy and promoting adolescents’ mental health.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2020 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

The effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum supernatant and cell mass on the proliferation potential of rat bone marrow-derived stromal cells

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used to treat various diseases, however, their proliferative potential reduces after a number of passages. It has been shown that some probiotics such as Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) affect the proliferation of various cell lineages. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of B. bifidum on the proliferation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs) and to develop a method for compensating their proliferation reduction after some passages. Methods: The present experimental study was conducted at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2017. The stromal cells were isolated from rBMSCs and their mesenchymal properties were confirmed by osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation media and staining. B. bifidum was cultured and the B. bifidum supernatant (BS) and bacterial cell mass (BCM) were extracted. The rBMSCs were treated with different concentrations of BS and BCM. The MTT assay was performed to measure the number of viable cells in the culture. Cell proliferation was analyzed using the paired-sample t test. Results: Cell proliferation increased as the concentration of bacteria was increased logarithmically (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.9, 3, 9, 30 μL/mL). In comparison with BS, cells treated with BCM showed increased cell proliferation at lower concentrations. This effect was caused by removing the �de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe� (MRS) broth medium from the BCM culture. The optimal concentration of bacteria with the most significant effect on rBMSCs proliferation was determined. Conclusion: A significant increase in the proliferation of stromal cells was observed; confirming the stimulatory potential of probiotics (B. bifidum) on various cells. The use of products containing probiotic bacteria can increase the proliferation potential of BMSCs. © 2020, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Effect of alternating and direct currents on Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth in vitro

Eradication of pathogenic bacteria from important part of our life such as dental tools, foods and wounds is necessary. Based on the effect of natural selection, these bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. In some cases such as the section where burnt are treated in the hospital, we observe high rate of mortality as well as high numbers of resistant bacteria. In order to solve these problems, electrical stimulation (ES) is proposed. This has being shown to be an effective method. One of the reasons why it works could be due to the bacteria static property of electrical stimulation. So, more studies must be done so as to reach optimum voltage and currents. The test media were Muller-Hinton agar and eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar. In this research Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was isolated from patients wounds was examined with levels of alternating and direct current (AC and DC) electrical stimulation (1.5V, 3.5V, 5.5V and 10V) to see if these currents could inhibit P. aeruginosa growth in vitro. The experiment was performed in two forms: The first was carried out immediately while the second was carried out 19 h after being cultured. Different patterns of zone of inhibition were observed in the two forms of our research. AC current had low inhibitive effect on P. aeruginosas growth. Anode and cathode showed different zone of inhibition, in each of the forms and media. The maximum inhibition zone (22 mm) was observed around cathode in 3.5 V direct current which was immediately used in the media. Direct current significantly inhibits growth of P. aeruginosa. Based on other studies on different bacterial species, ES can be applied to sterilization and controlling of superficial infections like in burnt patients.Key words: Electrical stimulation, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, wound healing

Physiological responses of Celtis caucasica L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. to the cadmium and lead stresses

Afforestation of contaminated areas is considered as a possible strategy for reduction of contaminations. In the present study, the effects of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were investigated on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, Fo, and Fm), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll), and proline in one-year-old seedlings of Celtis caucasica and Robinia pseudoacacia. The seedlings were treated 2 times during 10 days, with different concentrations of Pb and Cd (0, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg L-1). Saline solutions containing Pb and Cd were sprayed on the leaves. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured every other day. Chlorophyll and proline were also measured at the end of experiment period. The results indicated that chlorophyll fluorescence of C. caucasica and R. pseaudoacacia was affected by Pb on the last days and by Cd on the first days. The chlorophyll a content of C. caucasica at 250 mg L-1 of Pb and the chlorophyll a of R. pseudoacacia at 1000 and 2000 mg L-1 of Cd increased. With increasing Cd and Pb concentrations, proline of C. caucasica increased significantly while proline of R. pseudoacacia was not affected by Cd and Pb. Our results suggested fairly similar photosynthetic responses of C. caucasica and R. pseudoacacia to Cd and Pb concentrations. We concluded that physiological sensitivity of the both species to Pb and Cd were weak and can be used for afforestation in semi-arid areas contaminated by Pb and Cd

Effects of Peer-education on Quality of Life in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Aims: Diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease in human being. Self-care is the most important way of preventing complications. This study aimed at investigating the effects of peer-education on quality of life in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials & Methods: This semi experimental study was conducted at a diabetes clinic affiliated to Gonabad University of medical sciences, Iran in 2017 among 80 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were selected based on available sampling method, and they were randomly divided into two groups, namely intervention and control (40 patients each group). The data of all patients were collected by demographic and disease information questionnaire and diabetic patient quality of life (QOL) questionnaire. The present study was carried out in three main steps: In the first step (before intervention), peers were trained by the researcher during four sessions. In the second step (intervention), quality of life of patients was assessed before training; then, patients in intervention group were trained and instructed during three sessions; the control group received the usual instruction, too. In the third step (one month later), quality of life of patients in both groups was assessed. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistics software Version 20, using Chi-square, Fisher, independent t test, paired t test, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon. Findings: The mean scores of quality of life in intervention group did not have any significant difference with control group before instruction (p>0.05). After instruction, the mean scores of quality of life in the intervention group compared with the control group increased significantly (p<0.001). Conclusion: Peer education improves quality of life in adult patients with type 2 diabetes

Effects of intravenous Semelil (ANGIPARS�) on diabetic foot ulcers healing: A multicenter clinical trial

Some diabetic foot ulcers, which are notoriously difficult to cure, are one of the most common health problems in diabetic patients .There are several surgical and medical options which already have been introduced for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, so some patient will require amputation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Semelil (ANGIPARS�), a naive herbal extract to accelerate healing of diabetic foot ulcers. A multi-centric randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate intravenous Semelil for healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Sixteen diabetic patients were treated with intravenous Semelil, and nine other patients were treated with placebo as control group. Both groups were otherwise treated by wound debridement and irrigation with normal saline solution, systemic antibiotic therapy and daily wound dressing. Before and after intervention, the foot ulcer surface area was measured, by digital photography, mapping and planimetry. After 4 weeks, the mean foot ulcer surface area decreased from 479.93±379.75 mm2 to 198.93±143.75 mm2 in the intervention group (p = 0.000) and from 766.22±960.50 mm2 to 689.11±846.74 mm2 in the control group (p = 0.076). Average wound closure in the treatment group was significantly greater than placebo group (64 vs. 25, p= 0.015). This herbal extract by intravenous rout in combination with conventional therapy is more effective than conventional therapy by itself probably without side effect. However, further studies are required in the future to confirm these results in larger population

Comparison of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional simulations of dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs): Migration and entrapment in a nonuniform permeability field

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95015/1/wrcr10030.pd

Bioinformatic designing for producing vaccine peptide of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), and evaluation of polyclonal antibodies in mice

Background: It is stated that in the absence of angiogenesis, the tumoral tissue will not grow beyond 2 mm3. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis and blockade of this phenomenon could be applied as a novel strategy for immunotherapy of cancer. Methods: Peptide sequences of VEGF-A isoforms were derived from protein databases and aligned. Immunodominant epitopes were determined and the selected one was rechecked for dissimilarity with other human proteins. The selected conserved peptide sequence was synthesized and conjugated with Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Then, it was applied for immunization of mice. The polyclonal anti-VEGF antibody titer was measured using an indirect peptide-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-conjugated peptide. Findings: According to bioinformatic findings, the selected 41-aminoacid sequence did not show any similarity with other human proteins and revealed enough antigenicity to stimulate anti-tumor specific responses. A substantial increase of specific antibody titer was observed in vaccinated mice. Sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the BSA-conjugated peptide showed efficient coupling of the molecules. Optimization steps in ELISA procedures revealed that coating of microtiter plates with BSA-conjugated antigen provided more reproducible outcome than unconjugated peptide. Conclusion: Our results reinforce the potential of KLH-conjugated peptides for immunization and production of specific polyclonal antibodies against VEGF-A. Production of high-titer antibodies against this autoantigen indicates that the designed peptide-vaccine could be used as a potential immunogen for stimulation of humoral immune system in animal model. © 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

OXA-carbapenemases present in clinical acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates from patients in kurdistan region, Iraq

In addition to intrinsic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, many different types of acquired resistance mechanisms have been reported, including the presence of VIM and IMP metallo β-lactamases and also of blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-58-like enzymes. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the multiresistant A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex is prevalent. We characterized the different mechanisms of resistance present in clinical isolates collected from different wards and different hospitals from the Kurdistan region. One hundred twenty clinical nonduplicate A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates were collected from four hospitals between January 2012 and October 2013. The identification of the isolates was confirmed by MALDI-TOF. The sus