Fruit Growth and Sensory Evaluation of ´Hayward´ Kiwifruit in Response to Preharvest Calcium Chloride Application and Orchard Location

In order to receive reliable results in the effect of preharvest calcium chloride (CaCl2) application on fruit growth and sensory characteristics of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cultivar ‘Hayward’) at the harvest time, a field experiment was carried out in two commercial orchards at different locations. The vines were sprayed with CaCl2 (1.5%), one, two, or three times in 35, 85 and 125 days after full bloom. The results showed that CaCl2 treatment significantly reduced fruit size, fresh weight and total dry matter content. Moreover, fruit growth relative attributes such as relative growth index, daily relative growth rate, daily transpiration rate, total carbon received by fruit and yield threshold pressure significantly decreased by thrice application. After thrice application of CaCl2, fruits showed better sensory quality. Overall, one time preharvest CaCl2 application had no-significant effect on the most fruits characteristics, while thrice application of CaCl2 could delay fruit ripening process

Effect of continuous aerobic training and high-intensity interval training on some anthropometric indicators of overweight and obese military personnel

Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two continuous aerobic training and high-intensity interval training on body weight, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and body fat percentage in overweight and obese military people. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 overweight or obese military personnel stationed in a military center were divided into two equal groups of 15 subjects within continuous aerobic training group and high-intensity interval training group. The training protocol consisted of six weeks of continuous aerobic training and high intensity interval training performed every week for three sessions and each session for 60 minutes with equal intensity. The research variables included body weight, body mass index, waist to hip ratio and body fat percentage, which were measured in the same and standard conditions in two stages of pre-test and post-test. After 6 weeks of intervention, high-intensity interval training group showed a significant reduction in body mass index, waist-hip ratio and body fat percentage compared to the continuous aerobic training group(P<0.05). However, there was no significant change in the body weight of the subjects (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that the high-intensity interval training protocol had a greater effect on the body composition parameters of the subjects compared to the continuing aerobic exercise protocol, so it could be included in the training program for overweight or obese military persons

The Effect of Rod Bending on Long-term Lumbar Sagittal Parameters in Spondylolisthesis Patients Treated With Short Segment Posterior Fusion: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aim: Although rod bending is a universal method for maintaining lumbar lordosis (LL), its long-term efficacy in short-segment posterior fusion is still a challenge. This study aimed at evaluating the long-term effect of rod bending in patients with grade one L4/L5 spondylolisthesis with a short segment fusion. Methods and Materials/Patients: A double-blind prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted from 2016 to 2018 and patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The participants were randomized into two treatment arms: open posterior fusion with rod bending and without rod bending. The baseline data, including leg and back pain scores, were evaluated before surgery. Lumbar, focal, and segmental lordosis were measured before surgery. After surgery and a one-year follow-up, pain scores and lordosis measurements were re-evaluated and compared between and within groups. Results: A total of 60 patients were analyzed. Leg and back pain scores improved significantly after the follow-up in both groups (P<0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups before and after the surgery. LL did not change in either group after surgery. Focal and segmental lordosis significantly increased in both groups but showed no difference between the groups at either time. Complications were not significantly different in either group. Conclusion: In this study, no significant difference concerning the radiological and pain outcomes was observed in either group; therefore, rod bending to reach the desired LL may be an unnecessary spend of time

Depression, anxiety and quality of life in caregiver spouses of veterans with chronic spinal cord injury

Objective: We were curious about the degree of anxiety and depression and their effect on the quality of life of the caregivers of veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: A convenience sample of 72 out of 120 caregiver spouses of veterans with spinal cord injury participated in our study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were considered as a measure of depression and anxiety. The World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was considered to evaluate the quality of life. To compare the caregivers, we enrolled 74 matched caregiver spouses of patients without spinal cord injury. Results: The average age of the spouses was 44.7±6.5. The average time elapsed from the injury was 26.4±3.1 years. There was a significant difference in all domains of quality of life and depression between the caregivers and the control group, but there was not a significant difference in terms of anxiety. There was a negative correlation between depression and age, level of education and quality of life. Conclusion: Mental care support should be implemented for veterans and their spouses in addition to the provided facilities

The Effect of Sumac Powder (Rhus Coriaria L) on Homocysteine and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine increase along with inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The antioxidant properties of sumac might affect homocysteine and hs-CRP levels. We aimed to examine the effects of sumac powder (Rhus Coriaria L) on homocysteine and hs-CRP in patients with T2DM.Methods: In a single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in Ardekan city, Yazd, Iran; 60 patients with T2DM were randomly divided into 2 groups to consume either low fat yogurt alone in the control group or along with 6 (2×3 grams) grams of sumac powder daily in the intervention group, for 3 months. Fasting blood samples were used to analyze the fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum homocysteine, and hs-CRP at the baseline and after 90 days. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Fifty-eight individuals (intervention n=30, control n=28) with a mean age of 52.30±7.05 years in the intervention, and 51.61±7.07 years in the control group, finished the study. No significant differences were seen for FBS (p=0.94) and homocysteine (p=0.69) changes between the groups; but hs-CRP changes were significantly different between the groups (p=0.03).Conclusion: Daily consumption of sumac powder for 3 months may not have a reducing effect on FBS and serum homocysteine. This is while sumac may prevent increment of hs-CRP in patients with T2DM

Altered Pattern of Naive and Memory B cells and B1 Cells in Patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a greatly increased susceptibility to severe fungal and bacterial infections caused by defects in NADPH oxidase of phagocytic cells. We aimed to investigate immunophenotype alterations of naive and memory B cells and B1a cells in peripheral whole blood from Iranian patients with CGD. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on peripheral blood samples from 31 CGD patients and 23 healthy controls (HC) to study naive (IgD+/CD27-), memory (CD27+) B and B1a (CD5+) cells. Soluble CD27 (sCD27) and immunoglobulins were also measured by ELISA and the nephelometric method, respectively. We found significantly higher levels of naive B cells and B1a cells but lower levels of memory B cells in CGD patients compared to HC. There was no significant difference in soluble CD27 (sCD27) alteration between CGD patients and HC. Our findings suggested a role for NADPH oxidase in process of B cell differentiation and impairing conversion of naive B cells to memory B cells and altered B1a cells in CGD patients. Increased susceptibility of CGD patients to opportunistic infections and autoimmune disorders could be partly explained by the altered phenotype of B lymphocytes in these patients

Identification of DNA Markers Linked to Blooming Time in Almond

In this study flowering time and other important morphologic traits were evaluated during two years in F1 almond progenies of seventy two seedlings from cross between the intermediate flowering Italian cultivar ‘Tuono’ and the extra-late blooming Iranian cultivar ‘Shahrood-12’. A modified-bulk segregant analysis in combination with the application of the 140 RAPD primers, 87 nuclear SSR markers spanning the whole almond genome and 5 chloroplast SSR markers, were used to identify molecular markers linked to flowering time. Results showed a quantitative inheritance of this trait in the studied progenies. The seedlings showed a wide range of flowering dates between both progenitors although some of these descendants were earlier in flowering than the early progenitor ‘Tuono’. Results showed that among RAPD markers evaluated, BA-17600,1000, BC-05320, BC-06800, BC-141750, BC-17600, BC-20250, OPC-05850 and OPC-09700,1100 markers were linked to late blooming time. In addition, markers BA-04720, BB-10630,BC-092000, BD-12510andOPC-12350 were linked to early blooming time. Two microsatellite loci (CPPCT008 and EPPCU2584) were also found to be tightly linked to flowering time. After construction the genetic map of population, QTL analysis was performed for blooming time. QTL analysis showed that OPC-09700,1100 and BA-17600,1000, markers were respectively located in 2 and 4 cM distance from one of the late flowering time loci. Also the BA-04720marker was located in 3 cM distances from one of the loci controlling early flowering time. These results are applicable in almond breeding programs for markers assisted strategy. The application of these results to other Prunus species has been also discussed

Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review

Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD) is a distinctive clinical syndrome with several causes and clinical manifestations. Aside from an infectious cause, PD is a rapidly developing neurological disorder with a global rise in frequency. Notably, improved knowledge of molecular pathways and the developing novel diagnostic methods may result in better therapy for PD patients. In this regard, the amount of research on ceRNA axes is rising, highlighting the importance of these axes in PD. CeRNAs are transcripts that cross-regulate one another via competition for shared microRNAs (miRNAs). These transcripts may be either coding RNAs (mRNAs) or non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This research used a systematic review to assess validated loops of ceRNA in PD. The Prisma guideline was used to conduct this systematic review, which entailed systematically examining the articles of seven databases. Out of 309 entries, forty articles met all criteria for inclusion and were summarized in the appropriate table. CeRNA axes have been described through one of the shared vital components of the axes, including lncRNAs such as NEAT1, SNHG family, HOTAIR, MALAT1, XIST, circRNAs, and lincRNAs. Understanding the multiple aspects of this regulatory structure may aid in elucidating the unknown causal causes of PD and providing innovative molecular therapeutic targets and medical fields