The Relationship between Coronavirus Anxiety, Resilience, and Islamic Beliefs in Hemodialysis Patients during the Pandemic: A Survey in Iran

The coronavirus disease has been converted into one of the greatest present public health crises. Patients with chronic diseases, including people with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis treatment, are one of the main groups at risk of coronavirus. The present study aimed at investigating the relationship between coronavirus anxiety, resilience, and religious beliefs in hemodialysis patients during the Covid-19 pandemic in Iran. A total of 160 patients undergoing hemodialysis participated in this cross-sectional study. The data was collected by convenient sampling from three hemodialysis centers from April 15 to May 15, 2022, in Northern Khorasan province. Patients completed four questionnaires: demographic information questionnaires, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Golriz and Baraheni's Religious Attitude (2013). Data were analyzed using Stata14. The findings showed that 98.8% of the participants had mild anxiety and 1.2% had moderate anxiety. Anxiety (the physical component) had an inverse relationship with resilience (the control component) (P < .05); also, resilience and its components had a direct correlation with religion (P < .05). Resilience and religious beliefs are related to corona anxiety in hemodialysis patients, and targeting these two components through psychological treatments can be effective in reducing corona anxiety

Manufacturing And Characterization of Mechanical, Biological and Dielectric Properties of Hydroxyapatite-Barium Titanate Nanocomposite Scaffolds

In this research, hydroxyapatite (HA)-based ceramics were produced as suitable ceramic implants for orthopedic applications. To improve the physical, mechanical, electrical and biological properties of pure HA, we developed composite scaffolds of HA-barium titanate (BT) by cold isostatic pressing and sintering. Microstructure, crystal phases, and molecular structure were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. Bulk density values were measured using the Archimedes method. The effect of different percentages of BT on cell proliferation, viability, and ALP activity of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) was assessed by ProstoBlue assay, Live/Dead staining, and p-NPP assay. The obtained results indicate that the HA-BT scaffolds possess higher compressive strength, toughness, density, and hardness compared with pure HA scaffolds. After immersing the scaffold in SBF solution, more deposited apatite appeared on the HA-BT, which results in rougher surface on this scaffold thanpure HA. Electrical properties of HA in the presence of BT are improved. Based on the results of cell culture experiments, composites containing 40, 50 and 60 %wt of BT have excellent biocompatibility, with the best results occurring for the sample with 50 %wt BT

Molecular analysis of promoter region of the SMN2 gene in the patients of spinal musculatr atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the absence of the full length SMN protein (FL-SMN) as a result of mutation or deletion of SMN1 gene. The isoform to this gene, SMN2 gene, with mutation in 1 base pair, encodes for 10% of FL-SMN protein and is reported to decrease the severity of the disease when there is an increase gene dosage. There are 3 clinical types of SMA; type I, type II and type III. Type I SMA is the most severe type and only a small amount of FL-SMN protein is present in these individuals. We postulated that the difference in the promoter region of SMN2 gene produces the different level of FL-SMN protein. To verify this hypothesis, the DNA samples of 69 SMA patients who were referred to the Human Genome Center, USM were extracted from their blood. The SMN1 deletion analysis was performed, followed by the SMN2 copy no. analysis and NAIP deletion analysis to remove any clinical bias as NAIP gene deletion and SMN2 copy number have been reported to be associated with SMA disease severity. Only 10 SMA patients from different clinical types (type I=2, type II=3, type III=5) with homozygous deletion of the SMN1 and 2 copies of the SMN2 and deletion in NAIP were finally recruited. Primers were designed for the amplification of the SMN2 promoter region. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the crucial transcription factor binding sites within the reported ~4.6 kb promoter region. As the core promoter region is still unknown (unreported), we analyzed 15 ORFs and 24 nested ORFs with 15 TATA boxes reflecting the diverse functional integrity of this region. The promoter prediction and core promoter prediction was also performed. Based on the bioinformatics analysis and the designed primers, PCR amplification was done for different regions in the promoter and the PCR products were subjected to direct DNA sequencing. The results were analyzed by Vector NTI suite 9, ClustalX and Gene Doc softwares. The molecular analysis confirmed the absence of any mutation in the promoter region of the SMN2 gene between normal healthy individuals (total 2) and SMA patients. In 4 patients and 1 normal healthy individual the CA repeats were found to be increased which we think cause no effect in disease progression and severity. In conclusion, there was no mutation found in the promoter region of the SMN2 gene among the SMA patients of different clinical types and normal controls. Further analysis involving the cloning of the promoter regions with highest probability of involvement in expression of the SMN2 gene using luciferase assay is ongoing. The results will be useful for the subsequent phase of the study involving the transcription initiation of the SMN2 gene

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Effective Factors on Willingness to Pomegranate Insurance: The Case of Pomegranate Growers in Natanz County

The aim of this study is to investigate factors affecting pomegranate growers' tendency toward agricultural insurance in Natanz County. Sample size was 250 that were selected by Kucran formula collected by questionnaire. Questionnaire reliability was examined by Cronbach's Alpha method about 80 percent. Findings revealed that willingness to insurance has direct relation with age, background in orchard production, number of household members, awareness toward insurance, positive attitude about insurance, risk prone, social participator, use of information resources in relation to insurance,  annual income, production amount, total area of orchard. Moreover, those pomegranate growers that agricultural production was their second job, in compare to those who agricultural production was their main job, had more tendency toward insurance. Besides, those who got into debt in compare to those who did not get into debt had more tendency toward insurance. Using information resources to enhance pomegranate growers' awareness toward insurance, delivering supportive services for small holder pomegranate growers, and installment of insurance amount for those who have less earned income, are some part of those recommendations which have been presented in this study in order to enhance tendency toward agricultural insurance

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Meta cognitive Strategies Based on Brain-Based Training Approach on the Creativity in Sixth Grade Male Students

This study aimed to determine the effect of using metacognitive- cognitive strategies based on the brain-based training approach on the creativity of sixth-grade elementary male students. This quasi-experimental study had a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study was all sixth-grade male students of Isfahan (Iran) in 2021. Sixty students were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Torrance Creativity Questionnaire (1979) was used to assess creativity. In the experimental group, the package of cognitive-metacognitive strategies based on the brain-centered training approach (Baratali et al., 2013) was performed in 20 sessions of 100 minutes. Results revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean scores of creativity and components of fluidity, expansion, and flexibility. According to the findings, using cognitive-metacognitive strategies based on the brain-centered training approach has increased creativity and components of fluidity, expansion, and flexibility. However, it did not significantly increase the initiative component of creativity in the experimental group. In general, the research supports the application of cognitive-metacognitive strategies based on the brain training approach to improve the creativity of elementary students

Assessment of the Skin and Heart Tissue Damage Following Inhalation of Carbon Nanotubes in Wistar Rats Using Isolated Mitochondria: Carbon nanotubes induced skin and heart tissue damage

The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have led to their use in various fields. But, the toxicity of CNTs has been reported in biological and environmental systems. The aim of this research is to study the effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through inhalation chamber on the mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress using the mitochondria obtained from the skin and heart. Rats were exposed to 5 mg/m3 of MWCNTs (10 nm) aerosol for 5 hours /day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks in a whole-body exposure chamber. After 2-weeks exposure, Heart and skin mitochondria were evaluated for evaluation of toxicity parameters. The results showed that nanoparticles significantly decreased mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), collapse in mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), swelling in mitochondria, and cytochrome release. In conclusion, we suggested that 5 mg/m3 of MWCNTs (10 nm) induce ROS mediated cytotoxicity by directly targeting mitochondria in both skin and heart tissue