Novel 4-thiazolidinone derivatives as agonists of benzodiazepine receptors

A new series of 4-chloro-N-(2-(substitutedphenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-phenoxybenzamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated as anticonvulsant agents. The designed compounds have the main essential functional groups for binding to the benzodiazepine receptors and 4-thiazolidinone ring as an anticonvulsant pharmacophore. Some of the new synthesized compounds showed considerable anticonvulsant activity in electroshock and pentylenetetrazole-induced lethal convulsion tests. Compound 5i, 4-chloro-N-(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-phenoxybenzamide, with the best activity was selected for evaluation of other benzodiazepine pharmacological effects. This compound induced significant sedative-hypnotic activity. However, it does not impair the learning and memory in the experimental condition. Flumazenil was able to antagonize the sedative-hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects of compound 5i indicating that benzodiazepine receptors are highly involved in the pharmacological properties of the novel compounds

Light-Emitting Diode (LED) therapy attenuates neurotoxicity of methanol-induced memory impairment and apoptosis in the hippocampus

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The adolescent brain has a higher vulnerability to alcoholinduced neurotoxicity, compared to adult's brain. Most studies have investigated the effect of ethanol consumption on the body, however, methanol consumption, which peaked in the last years, is still poorly explored. METHOD: In this study, we investigated the effects of methanol neurotoxicity on memory function and pathological outcomes in the hippocampus of adolescent rats and examined the efficacy of Light- Emitting Diode (LED) therapy. Methanol induced neurotoxic rats showed a significant decrease in the latency period, in comparison to controls, which was significantly improved in LED treated rats at 7, 14 and 28 days, indicating recovery of memory function. In addition, methanol neurotoxicity in hippocampus caused a significant increase in cell death (caspase3+ cells) and cell edema at 7 and 28 days, which were significantly decreased by LED therapy. Furthermore, the number of glial fibrillary acid protein astrocytes was significantly lower in methanol rats, compared to controls, whereas LED treatment caused their significant increase. Finally, methanol neurotoxicity caused a significant decrease in the number of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF+) cells, but also circulating serum BDNF, at 7 and 28 days, compared to controls, which were significantly increased by LED therapy. Importantly, LED significantly increased the number of Ki-67+ cells and BDNF levels in the serum and hypothalamus in control-LED rats, compared to controls without LED therapy. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, chronic methanol administration caused severe memory impairments and several pathological outcomes in the hippocampus of adolescent rats which were improved by LED therapy

Molecular characterization of fasciola and dicrocoelium species isolated from ruminant livestock in Qazvin, Iran

Introduction: Fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis are the most frequent zoonotic diseases with increasing human health problems in different parts of Iran. Two species, Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) and Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica), are spread in the country. Molecular approaches have a decisive role in identifying both the species. The aim of this study was to detect Fasciola spp. and Dicrocoelium spp. by amplifying the ITS-2 and 28S rDNA gene sequence. Methods: Overall, 30 infected liver samples were collected from the livestock of Qazvin, Iran. The adult flukes were collected from different livestock. DNA extraction and PCR amplification of ribosomal RNA gene region (ITS2) and 28S rDNA gene fragment were conducted and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Result: All the isolates obtained from the cattle (No: 7) and 82.6% (No: 19) of sheep isolates were infected with F. hepatica species, whereas 17.4% (No: 4) of sheep isolates were infected with F. gigantica. It was also shown that F. hepatica was the predominant species of Fasciola present in the region. All the specimens were infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum (D. dendriticum). Conclusion: Both the species of Fasciola were found in Qazvin. D. dendriticum was the sole infecting species of the Dicrocoelium genus in the livestock of the city of Qazvin. Further research studies are needed to determine the intermediate host of the parasites in the region

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Readiness for Events With Psychological Emergencies Assessment Tool

Background: In the case of a disastrous event, stress and anxiety often result in psychological diseases such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Health care providers even suffer from such disaster-related disorders. Psychological complications can negatively influence their ability in providing care. Thus, this study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Persian version of Readiness for Events with Psychological Emergencies Assessment Tool (REPEAT).&nbsp; Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed to validate the Persian version of REPEAT. Data were gathered from 140 managers and staff members of select university hospitals in Tehran, Lorestan, and Semnan Provinces through convenient sampling. They were invited to complete REPEAT, which comprised 7 dimensions and 28 statements. Then, the qualitative content, construct validity, and reliability were determined. Results: In exploratory factor analysis, seven factors (including internal organizational structure and chain of command, resources and infrastructure, knowledge and skills, coordination with external organizations, risk assessment and monitoring, psychological support, and communication and information sharing) were extracted. The following eigenvalues were recorded for these seven factors: 3.59, 3.41, 2.78, 2.61, 2.94, 2.40, and 1.39, respectively. The results of Cronbach&rsquo;s alpha showed that the internal consistency of the Persian version of REPEAT was 0.805. The intraclass correlation coefficient was found to be 0.809 (CI95: 0.501-0.903, P<0.001).&nbsp; Conclusion: The results of data analysis revealed that this instrument is highly reliable and valid and can be used as an appropriate tool to measure psychological preparedness of hospitals. However, further validation is needed.&nbsp

The Effect of Black Seed Oil on the Improvement of Chemotherapy Induced Stomatitis in Rat

Background and Objectives: Animal studies have shown that Nigella sativa oil facilitates wound healing process. The aim of this research was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Nigella sativa oil on chemotherapy-induced stomatitis.   Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 72 healthy Wistar rats, were randomly divided into three groups [control, placebo, and recipient of black seed oil (treatment)]. The animals were given an intraperitoneal injection of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) at doses of 100 and 65mg/kg bw, respectively, on day 1 and 3. Their cheek mucosa was scratched using the tip of an 18-gauge needle on day 3. The rats of the sham injection and treatment groups, intraperitoneally received placebo and Nigella sativa oil daily at the dose of 400μl/kg, respectively. Eight rats in each group, were sacrificed on days 4, 6, and 8, and sampling from their mucus, was performed for histopathological evaluation of the inflammation severity. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests.   Results: Regardless of the time variable, the severity of mucosal inflammation in the treatment group, was significantly lower compared to the control and placebo groups. However, considering the time variable, this difference was significant only on the fourth day and in the following days, there was no difference between the three groups.   Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that intraperitoneal administration of black seed oil can reduce the acute inflammation score in chemotherapy-induced stomatitis

Poly ether block Amide/Polyvinyl Alcohol/ MgO nanocomposite membranes: Selectivity for CO2 and CH4 gases

One of the methods of improving mixed matrix membranes is the use of nanoparticles and compounds containing hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, which can be a suitable choice to help more permeability of gases. In this study, a mixed matrix membrane comprising polyether block amide/polyvinyl alcohol (Pebax/PVA) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles was fabricated via solution casting. The Pebax/PVA membrane with MgO loadings of 10–15 % at varying PVA weight ratios (0, 20, 50, 80 %) was evaluated for CH4 and CO2 gas separation performance. Characterization via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the nanoparticles well-dispersed within the polymer matrix, with surface roughness increasing with MgO addition. XRD analysis indicated stronger interaction between MgO and PVA chains versus Pebax. Peaks at ∼ 42, 62° suggest nanoparticles lodged between polymer strands. Variables assessed as independents impacting CH4 and CO2 permeability included PVA content, MgO loading, pressure and temperature. ANOVA showed the quadratic model best fitted correlations between variables and responses. Experimental data yielded the formulation with optimum selectivity. Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) via Materials Studio estimated CH4 and CO2 diffusion through selected membranes. Simulated results matched experimental data well. Relative to prior separation data and outcomes herein, the synthesized nanocomposite membrane proved highly effective, promising potential for diverse gas mixtures. Membrane permeabilities were also evaluated

Identifying the Features of Iranian Mobile Applications Related to COVID 19 Disease

Introduction: COVID-19 has become a pandemic in the world; with the unprecedented growth of technology, smartphones play a role in different stages including managing COVID-19 outbreak. This study aimed to investigate Iranian mobile applications related to Covid-19 disease. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on all Iranian mobile applications related to COVID-19 in 2020. A search was conducted on Iranian digital app markets on phones with Android and iOS operating systems using the following keywords: ‘COVID-19’, ‘coronavirus’, and ‘corona’ with their Persian translations. For each app, the extracted information included name, category, cost, size, latest version, requirement for Internet connectivity, subscriber count app download, user satisfaction rate, developers, and purpose of development. Results: The search results indicated a total of 103 apps (76 Android and 27 iOS apps). The most frequent categories were medical apps, games, and educational apps.  About 80.6% of apps were free, 15.5% of apps had in-app purchases, and 3.9% of apps required payment for installation. Most applications were developed by personal developers and 84 applications were online and 19 applications were offline. Other goals of COVID-related application developers in Iran included entertainment, providing daily statistics, raising user awareness, control and tracking, self-care, and prevention. Conclusion: A wide range of mobile applications related to COVID disease are available with many capabilities. Given the findings and the positive role of this program in epidemic control, the effectiveness of screening and self-assessment programs requires the interaction of private developers and the public sector for integratio

Molecular characterization of fasciola and dicrocoelium species isolated from ruminant livestock in Qazvin, Iran

Introduction: Fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis are the most frequent zoonotic diseases with increasing human health problems in different parts of Iran. Two species, Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) and Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica), are spread in the country. Molecular ap-proaches have a decisive role in identifying both the species. The aim of this study was to detect Fasciola spp. and Dicrocoelium spp. by amplifying the ITS-2 and 28S rDNA gene sequence. Methods: Overall, 30 infected liver samples were collected from the livestock of Qazvin, Iran. The adult flukes were collected from different livestock. DNA extraction and PCR amplification of ribosomal RNA gene region (ITS2) and 28S rDNA gene fragment were conducted and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Result: All the isolates obtained from the cattle (No: 7) and 82.6% (No: 19) of sheep isolates were infected with F. hepatica species, whereas 17.4% (No: 4) of sheep isolates were infected with F. gigantica. It was also shown that F. hepatica was the predominant species of Fasciola present in the region. All the specimens were infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum (D. dendriticum). Conclusion: Both the species of Fasciola were found in Qazvin. D. dendriticum was the sole infecting species of the Dicrocoelium genus in the livestock of the city of Qazvin. Further research studies are needed to determine the intermediate host of the parasites in the region