Insulin-like growth factor I gene polymorphism associated with growth traits in beluga (Huso huso) fish

The aim of the present study was to detect polymorphism in Insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene of beluga (Huso huso) fish using PCR-SSCP technique and also investigation of its association with growth traits (condition factor, body length and weight). A total of 150 specimens of beluga were randomly selected and DNA was isolated from caudal fin using modified salting out method. Then two fragments of 171 and 362 bp from 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR regions of IGF-I gene were amplified, respectively. Genotyping of individuals by SSCP technique showed five banding patterns of A, B, C, D and E for 5'-UTR region with the frequencies of 29.2, 0.76, 16.92, 51.53 and 10% respectively in one year-old and three banding patterns of A, C and D with the frequency of 45, 10 and 45% for two year-old fish. Also three banding patterns (A, B and C) were seen for 3'-UTR region with the frequency of 62.3, 27.69 and 10.76% in one-year-old and 20, 60 and 20% in two year-old fish. The A banding pattern in 3'-UTR and D banding pattern in 5'-UTR sites were the most frequent pattern in the studied beluga population. The association analysis using SAS statistical software indicated no significant association between observed banding patterns and growth traits (body length, weight, and condition factor) in beluga. Considering the important role of IGF-I as a probable candidate gene affecting growth related traits, these marker sites should be studied more in larger sample sizes and also in other regions of the gene

Rosettes & Ribbons: Some Recent Accomplishments of Note at the School

Developing a simple produces for efficient derivation of motor neurons (MNs) is essential for neural tissue engineering studies. Stem cells with high capacity for neural differentiation and scaffolds with the potential to promote motor neurons differentiation are promising candidates for neural tissue engineering. Recently, human olfactory ecto-mesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs), which are isolated easily from the olfactory mucosa, are considered a new hope for neuronal replacement due to their neural crest origin. Herein, we synthesized conducting hydrogels using different concentration of chitosan-g-aniline pentamer, gelatin, and agarose. The chemical structures, swelling and deswelling ratio, ionic conductivity and thermal properties of the hydrogel were characterized. Scaffolds with 10 chitosan-g-aniline pentamer/gelatin (S10) were chosen for further investigation and the potential of OE-MSCs as a new source for programming to motor neuron-like cells investigated on tissue culture plate (TCP) and conductive hydrogels. Cell differentiation was evaluated at the level of mRNA and protein synthesis and indicated that conductive hydrogels significantly increased the markers related to motor neurons including Hb-9, Islet-1 and ChAT compared to TCP. Taken together, the results suggest that OE-MSCs would be successfully differentiated into motor neuron-like cells on conductive hydrogels and would have a promising potential for treating motor neuron-related diseases. © 201

Association between PM2.5 and risk of hospitalization for myocardial infarction: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

Background: It is generally assumed that there have been mixed results in the literature regarding the association between ambient particulate matter (PM) and myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore the rate of short-term exposure PM with aerodynamic diameters �2.5 μm (PM2.5) and examine its potential effect(s) on the risk of MI. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on databases like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase with components: "air pollution" and "myocardial infarction". The summary relative risk (RR) and 95 confidence intervals (95CI) were also calculated to assess the association between the PM2.5 and MI. Results: Twenty-six published studies were ultimately identified as eligible candidates for the meta-analysis of MI until Jun 1, 2018. The results illustrated that a 10-μg/m 3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with the risk of MI (RR = 1.02; 95 CI 1.01-1.03; P � 0.0001). The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed through a random-effects model with p < 0.0001 and the I2 was 69.52, indicating a moderate degree of heterogeneity. We also conducted subgroup analyses including study quality, study design, and study period. Accordingly, it was found that subgroups time series study design and high study period could substantially decrease heterogeneity (I2 = 41.61, 41.78). Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that exposure-response between PM2.5 and MI. It is vital decision makers implement effective strategies to help improve air pollution, especially in developing countries or prevent exposure to PM2.5 to protect human health. © 2020 The Author(s)

Spatial planning, urban governance and the economic context: The case of 'Mehr' housing plan, Iran

With the increasing concentration of population and economic activities in metropolitan regions, dwelling shortages and housing quality have become critical issues in urban management. Town plans considering social, economic, political, and cultural features of local communities have been developed with the aim of supporting housing, especially in emerging economies. In Iran, the 'Mehr Housing' Plan has been considered as one of the most relevant strategies for social housing since the 2000s. However, the acceptance of 'Mehr Housing' plans at the community scale has been rather low, reflecting the fact that it is a top-down, non-participatory policy. The present study investigates the most important factors affecting social acceptance of 'Mehr Housing' plans by interviewing 45 experts through a structured questionnaire that evaluated multiple analyses' dimensions of housing and urban planning in Iran. Results showed that six dimensions (physical, institutional-managerial, economic, socio-cultural, legal, and locational) had contributed to social dissatisfaction with 'Mehr Housing' local initiatives. In particular, socio-cultural and legal dimensions were demonstrated to have a large impact on local communities' dissatisfaction

Protective effects of setarud (IMOD�) on development of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits

Background: A new herbal drug setarud (IMOD�) containing selenium, carotene, and flavonoids, was expected to have positive effects on lipid metabolism and liver functions, due to the nature of its primary components. This study was designed to determine effectiveness of the drug in reducing the risk of development of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in laboratory animals. Methods: Two groups of male rabbits (n=10 per group) as: intact and control groups on regular chow, were fed a high-cholesterol diet, and two experimental groups were maintained on the same diet and treated with different daily doses (0.02 g/kg and 0.04 g/kg) of setarud (brand name IMOD®, Pars Roos, Iran). The treatment groups were then compared with the intact and control groups and with one another for the effects of the drug which was determined by changes in blood sugar, serum lipid levels, and liver function tests. Results: Results showed that drug had important benefits in alleviating the impact of high-cholesterol diet on serum lipids and liver function markers in drug-treated groups relative to hyperlipidemic controls (p < 0.001). A more favorable modification of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the atherogenic index was found in animals, which received 0.04 g/kg drug, as compared to the 0.02 g/kg dose group (p < 0.05). Assessment of serum total protein, albumin, transaminases, and bilirubin levels showed that no changes in liver function of control and drug-treated animals during the period of the study. Conclusion: From the results of this study it may concluded that setarud has dose-dependent positive effects on liver and lipid metabolism and may acts as an effective antihyperglycemic agent

Exploring the Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Cognitive Functions and Mental Health Status in Subjects under Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Objectives:Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to several mental complications including cognitive deficits, depression, and anxiety in patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study was designed to explore the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cognitive functions and mental health parameters in subjects under MMT.Methods:This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out among 64 patients under MMT. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 50,000 IU vitamin D supplements (n=32) or placebo (n=32) every 2 weeks for 24 weeks. Cognitive functions and mental health parameters were taken at baseline and posttreatment to evaluate relevant variables.Results:After the 24-week intervention, compared with the placebo, serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels significantly increased in participants who received vitamin D supplements (β 14.50; 95 confidence interval CI, 13.17-15.83; P<0.001). In addition, compared with the placebo, subjects who received vitamin D had a significant reduction in Iowa Gambling Task (β-6.25; 95% CI,-8.60 to-3.90; P<0.001), and significant increases in Verbal Fluency Test (β 2.82; 95% CI, 0.78-4.86; P=0.007), Immediate Logic Memory (β 1. 32; 95% CI, 0.27-2.37; P=0.01), Reverse Digit Span (β 2.06; 95% CI, 1.18-2.94; P<0.001) and visual working memory (β 0.75; 95% CI, 0.33-1.16; P=0.001). Also, vitamin D supplementation significantly improved BDI (β-2.76; 95% CI,-3.97 to-1.55; P<0.001) compared with the placebo. When we applied Bonferroni correction, LM-Immediate (P=0.07) became nonsignificant, and other mental health parameters did not alter.Conclusions:Overall, taking 50,000 IU vitamin D supplements every 2 weeks for 24 weeks by patients under MMT had beneficial effects on cognitive functions and some mental health parameters. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings. Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

The outcome of olfactory impairment in patients with otherwise paucisymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 during the pandemic

Objective This study aimed to measure the duration and recovery rate of olfactory loss in patients complaining of recent smell loss as their prominent symptom during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Method This was a prospective telephone follow-up observational study of 243 participants who completed an online survey that started on 12 March 2020. Results After a mean of 5.5 months from the loss of smell onset, 98.3 per cent of participants reported improvement with a 71.2 per cent complete recovery rate after a median of 21 days. The chance of complete recovery significantly decreased after 131 days from the onset of loss of smell (100 per cent sensitive and 97.7 per cent specific). Younger age and isolated smell loss were associated with a rapid recovery, whereas accompanying rhinological and gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with longer loss of smell duration. Conclusion Smell loss, occurring as a prominent symptom during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, showed a favourable outcome. However, after 5.5 months from the onset, around 10 per cent of participants still complained of moderate or severe hyposmia. Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

Determinants of multimorbidity in older adults in Iran: a cross-sectional study using latent class analysis on the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program

Background and objectives Multimorbidity, defined as the presence of two or more long-term health conditions in an individual, is one of the most significant challenges facing health systems worldwide. This study aimed to identify determinants of classes of multimorbidity among older adults in Iran. Research Design and methods In a cross-sectional sample of older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) from the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program in southern Iran, latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of multimorbidity. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to investigate factors associated with each multimorbidity class, including age, gender, education, household income, physical activity, smoking status, and polypharmacy. Results In 2,426 study participants (mean age 69 years, 52% female), the overall prevalence of multimorbidity was 80.2%. Among those with multimorbidity, 3 latent classes were identified. These comprised: class 1, individuals with a low burden of multisystem disease (56.9%); class 2, individuals with predominantly cardiovascular-metabolic disorders (25.8%) and class 3, individuals with predominantly cognitive and metabolic disorders (17.1%). Compared with men, women were more likely to belong to class 2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52–2.54) and class 3 (OR 4.52, 95% CI 3.22–6.35). Polypharmacy was associated with membership class 2 (OR 3.52, 95% CI: 2.65–4.68) and class 3 (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.28–2.63). Smoking was associated with membership in class 3 (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.01–2.08). Individuals with higher education levels (59%) and higher levels of physical activity (39%) were less likely to belong to class 3 (OR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.28–0.62) and to class 2 (OR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38–0.97), respectively. Those at older age were less likely to belong to class 2 (OR 0.95). Discussion and implications A large proportion of older adults in Iran have multimorbidity. Female sex, polypharmacy, sedentary lifestyle, and poor education levels were associated with cardiovascular-metabolic multimorbidity and cognitive and metabolic multimorbidity. A greater understanding of the determinants of multimorbidity may lead to strategies to prevent its development

The prevalence of migraine in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Migraine is a major dilemma and problem which affects public health and results to reduced quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of migraine in Iran. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search was conducted using Pub Med,Web of Science,Embase,Scopus,Ovid,Google Scholar,as well as Iranian databases including: MagIran,IranMedex and Scientific Information Databank,from 2000 to November,2015. The Der-Simonian/Laird�s random-effects model,with a 95 confidence intervalwasemployed to estimate the overall pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity was investigated using subgroup analysis based on sample size and time of study. Results: Thirty studies comprising 33,873 participants met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The overall prevalence of migraine in Iran was 14 (95 CI,12 to 17),respectively. The overall prevalence was (8; 95 CI 6 to 11) according to the international classification of headache disorders (ICHD-1),(17; 95 CI 13 to 21) according to ICHD-2,and (18; 95 CI 7 to 30) according to the other questionnaire for migraine screener (ID Migraine),respectively. Meta-regression demonstrated that the prevalence of migraine increased by year of publication and decreased by sample size. Conclusions: The prevalence of migraine in Iran,which was estimated as 14,was similar or even higher than that reported worldwide. Migraine can have impact on the economic productivity of any country; therefore it is necessary to educate people on the early detection and the discovery of an effective treatment of migraine. More thorough review of further studies in this field is recommended. © 2016,Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal