The role of proteases in the invasion of SARS-CoV-2 virus into human host cells

The new coronavirus, which originally broke out in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, increase quickly around the world, causing a pandemic all over the world. The virus uses its spike protein to enter the human host cells. Protein S binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor and enters the host cell. For the more successful binding, several proteases facilitate and optimize this binding, the most important of which are transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), furin, and cathepsin L proteases. After binding of protein S to the ACE2 receptor, cleavage of protein S is required for membrane fusion by protein S, which causes viral entry into host cells. This proteolytic activity may be cathepsin L-dependent and occurs with changes in pH in cell endosomes, or it may occur through serine proteases activity at the surface of the host cell membrane or within vesicles. Finally, the cell becomes infected with the virus. Several studies have tried to reduce the rate of viral infection by using inhibitors of these proteases

Our World without Trees: The Impact of Greenness on our Brain

What happens if there was no tree in our world? What if there was no greenness in the landscape surrounding us? When you open the window of your room or classroom what do you prefer to see? A green landscape with a variety of trees, or a barren landscape, surrounded only by buildings and walls. Undoubtedly most people prefer to look at the scenery with trees and vegetation. But why? What is the reason behind that? Is there anything else rather than aesthetics? Research has shown us that trees and vegetation do not even add more beauty to our world, they have many health benefits for humans. Only looking at green landscape reduce our stress level, help us to be more attentive and our increase positive mood. Even though we know all these benefits of green nature, but we don’t know how these happen? Does looking at a variety of trees and green landscape impact our brain? What if we were living in a world without trees then? In my research, I am looking to find the mechanism behind all these questions. This photo shows the comparison between green landscape and barren landscape and their different impacts on our brain.Ope

The physical quality of our environment

The world we experience is full of perceptual and physical qualities we encounter every day. The built environment is one of the physical qualities we are surrounded with. Our everyday interactions with the physical environment is an integral part of our lives and play an essential role in our mental and physical health. The population of the world is increasing at a very high rate. With this rapid growth of urbanization, every day more and more buildings are constructed around the world, and as a result, nature is vanishing little by little from our urban environment. Does this really matter? Does it have any impact on our lives? Research shows that urban nature matters. I have taken the photo on the right in one of the streets of Taipei and then simulated nature on the picture on the left side to test the lack of nature in the urban areas. The only difference in these two photos is the trees and vegetation. In my research, I examine how green nature in the urban area can impact on our attentional network and level of stress that we experience every day.Ope

The Association of Prenatal Depression and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Pregnant Women Referred to Health Centers in Qom

AbstractIntroduction: Pregnancy is a period during which women experience physical and psychological changes. The considerable changes can be found in their bodies and weights and they are quickly exposed to being overweight and obesity. On the other hand, few studies have assessed the association of depression with body mass index (BMI). This study explored whether depression and BMI affect each other in pregnancy. It aimed to investigate the correlation between prenatal depression and BMI in pregnant women in Qom.Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study conducted on pregnant women referred to health centers in 2016. Participants were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Samples of 236 pregnant women were divided into two groups: the second (14-28 weeks) and third (28-40 weeks) trimesters of pregnancy. Height and weight were measured to determine the initial BMI as well as BMI during pregnancy. Demographic information was collected from demographic and obstetric forms. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, significant at P < 0.05.Results: The results showed BMI in the second trimester to be 48.3% in the normal range, 16.1% overweight, and 30.5% obese. In the third trimester, BMI was 16.9% in the normal range, 34.4% overweight, and 46.6% obese. The rate of depression was 19.5% in the second trimester and 17.8% in the third trimester. Pearson’s correlation test showed that the association between prenatal depression and BMI did not exist in the second trimester (P = 0.499). In the third trimester, there was a significant negative correlation (P = 0.024). Based on regression analysis, among the factors related to BMI (depression, number of family members, gravidity, number of living children, parity, mother’s age, unwanted pregnancy by father, unwanted pregnancy by mother), depression and were are the only predictive factors strongly associated with BMI (P = 0.002 and P = 0.028, respectively).Conclusions: In our study, there was an inverse correlation between depression and BMI of pregnant women, so that with increase in depression, BMI decreased. According to the different results of the research, further studies should be carried out regarding the effect of depression on BMI in order to be able to provide further assistance to pregnant women

The Comparative analysis of quality of life in urban old and new texture (Case study: Kerman city)

Objective: The quality of life studies in Supervision Public policy and Its role is as an efficient tool in urban management and planning. In kerman city  there are clear differences between the quality of life in its tissues Due to the physical and social conditions governing these two tissues. the purpose of this research analysis of the quality of life evaluation tissues of Kerman city. Method: The method of this research was descriptive-analytic that done information cumulation is through library studies and through the observation of the position extant Within the scope of the study and completion the questionnaire and to analyze the data has been used from SPSS statistical software and the AHP model. has been used ArcGIS software to produce maps also. Results: The results are from the AHP model it shows that the relative weight of quality of life indexes  n the new and old tissue it has been describedThe Bahonar district in economic index 0.375, In social index 0.285, in environmental index 0.284 and physical index 0.515, has earned. Houshang Moradi Kermani district in economic index 0.385, social index 0.544, environmental 0.547, and physical index 0.333 The situation isvery nice. Khajeh Khezr to earn 0.141 ineconomic index, social 0.087, enivrontal 0.110 and physical index 0.075 earned ponts. Moshtaghiyeh district in the economic index 0.086, social index 0.087, environment 0.057 and physical index 0.075 has earned. Conclusion: The Result in Research showed in the all index new districtst (Bahonar and Houshangh Moradi Kermani) are better off than old district. (Khajeh Khezr andMoshtaghieh)

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae): A review.

Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas

Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets and their derivatives for diagnosis and detection applications

The early diagnosis of certain fatal diseases is vital for preventing severe consequences and contributes to a more effective treatment. Despite numerous conventional methods to realize this goal, employing nanobiosensors is a novel approach that provides a fast and precise detection. Recently, nanomaterials have been widely applied as biosensors with distinctive features. Graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a two-dimensional (2D) carbon-based nanostructure that has received attention in biosensing. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, semiconductivity, high photoluminescence yield, low-cost synthesis, easy production process, antimicrobial activity, and high stability are prominent properties that have rendered g-C3N4 a promising candidate to be used in electrochemical, optical, and other kinds of biosensors. This review presents the g-C3N4 unique features, synthesis methods, and g-C3N4-based nanomaterials. In addition, recent relevant studies on using g-C3N4 in biosensors in regard to improving treatment pathways are reviewed