Integrated technologies like noninvasive brain stimulation (nibs) for stroke rehabilitation, new hopes for patients, neuroscientists, and clinicians in iran

The applications of neurophysiological therapy techniques range far and few in the realm of modern day medicine. However, the concept of electromagnetic stimulation, the basis for many noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques today, has been of interest to the scientific community since the late nineteenth century. Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), two noninvasive neurostimulation techniques, have begun to gain popularity and acceptance in the clinical neurophysiology, neurorehabilitaion, neurology, neuroscience, and psychiatry has spread widely, mostly in research applications, but increasingly with clinical aims in mind. These two neurophysiological techniques have proven to be valuable assets in not only the diagnosis, but also the treatment of many neurological disorders (post-stroke motor deficits, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, depression, epilepsy, autism, ageing and parkinson's disease). Its effects can be modulated by combination with pharmacological treatment that has undergone resurgence in recent years. In this review we discuss how these integrated technology like NIBS for evaluation in the clinical evidence to date and what mechanism it work for stroke rehabilitation particularly. Then, we will review the current situation of stroke rehabilitation in Iran and new hopes that NIBS could bring for clinicians and patients in this nationally prioritized field

Chaotic Inflation with Time-Variable Space Dimensions

Assuming the space dimension is not constant but decreases during the expansion of the Universe, we study chaotic inflation with the potential $m^2\phi^2/2$. Our investigations are based on a model Universe with variable space dimensions. We write down field equations in the slow-roll approximation, and define slow-roll parameters by assuming the number of space dimensions decreases continuously as the Universe expands. The dynamical character of the space dimension shifts the initial and final value of the inflaton field to larger values. We obtain an upper limit for the space dimension at the Planck length. This result is in agreement with previous works for the effective time variation of the Newtonian gravitational constant in a model Universe with variable space dimensions.Comment: 19 pages, To be published in Int.J.Mod.Phys.D. Minor changes to match accepted versio

Exogenously added GPI-anchored tissue inhibitor of matrix metal loproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) displays enhanced and novel biological activities

The family of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) exhibits diverse physiological/biological functions including the inhibition of active matrix metalloproteinases, regulation of proMMP activation, cell growth, and the modulation of angiogenesis. TIMP-1 is a secreted protein that can be detected on the cell surface through its interaction with surface proteins. The diverse biological functions of TIMP-1 are thought to lie, in part, in the kinetics of TIMP-1/MMP/surface protein interactions. Proteins anchored by glycoinositol phospholipids (GPIs), when purified and added to cells in vitro, are incorporated into their surface membranes. A GPI anchor was fused to TIMP-1 to generate a reagent that could be added directly to cell membranes and thus focus defined concentrations of TIMP-1 protein on any cell surface independent of protein-protein interaction. Unlike native TIMP-1, exogenously added GPI-anchored TIMP-1 protein effectively blocked release of MMP-2 and MMP-9 from osteosarcoma cells. TIMP-1-GP1 was a more effective modulator of migration and proliferation than TIMP-1. While control hTIMP-1 protein did not significantly affect migration of primary microvascular endothelial cells at the concentrations tested, the GPI-anchored TIMP-1 protein showed a pronounced suppression of endothelial cell migration in response to bFGF. In addition, TIMP-1-GPI was more effective at inducing microvascular endothelial proliferation. In contrast, fibroblast proliferation was suppressed by the agent. Reagents based on this method should assist in the dissection of the protease cascades and activities involved in TIMP biology. Membrane-fixed TIMP-1 may represent a more effective version of the protein for use in therapeutic expression

Geographic separation and genetic differentiation of populations are not coupled with niche differentiation in threatened Kaiser's spotted newt (Neurergus kaiseri)

The combination of niche modelling and landscape genetics (genomics) helps to disentangle processes that have shaped population structure in the evolutionary past and presence of species. Herein, we integrate a comprehensive genomic dataset with ecological parameters and niche modelling for the threatened Kaiser's newt, a newt species adapted to mountain spring-ponds in Iran. Genomic analysis suggests the existence of two highly differentiated clades North and South of the Dez River. Genetic variation between the two clades (76.62%) was much greater than within clades (16.25%), suggesting that the Dez River prevented gene flow. River disconnectivity, followed by geographic distance, contributed mostly to genetic differentiation between populations. Environmental niche and landscape resistance had no significant influence. Though a significant difference between climatic niches occupied by each clade at the landscape-scale, habitat niches at the local-scale were equivalent. 'Niche similarity analysis' supported niche conservatism between the two clades despite the southward shift in the climatic niche of the Southern clade. Accordingly, populations of different clades may occupy different climatic niches within their ancestral niche. Our results indicate that the change of climatic conditions of geographically and genetically separated populations does not necessarily result in the shift of an ecological niche

Phylogeny and species delimitation of near Eastern Neurergus newts (Salamandridae) based on genome-wide RADseq data analysis

We reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of Near Eastern mountain brook newts of the genus Neurergus (family Salamandridae) based on newly determined RADseq data, and compare the outcomes of concatenation-based phylogenetic reconstruction with species-tree inference. Furthermore, we test the current taxonomy of Neurergus (with four species: Neurergus strauchii, N. crocatus, N. kaiseri, and N. derjugini) against coalescent-based species-delimitation approaches of our genome-wide genetic data set. While the position of N. strauchii as sister species to all other Neurergus species was consistent in all of our analyses, the phylogenetic relationships between the three remaining species changed depending on the applied method. The concatenation approach, as well as quartet-based species-tree inference, supported a topology with N. kaiseri as the closest relative to N. derjugini, while full-coalescent species-tree inference approaches supported N. crocatus as sister species of N. derjugini. Investigating the individual signal of gene trees highlighted an extensive variation among gene histories, most likely resulting from incomplete lineage sorting. Coalescent-based species-delimitation models suggest that the current taxonomy might underestimate the species richness within Neurergus and supports seven species. Based on the current sampling, our analysis suggests that N. strauchii, N. derjugini and N. kaiseri might each be subdivided into further species. However, as amphibian species are known to be composed of deep conspecific lineages that do not always warrant species status, these results need to be cautiously interpreted in an integrative taxonomic framework. We hypothesize that the rather shallow divergences detected within N. kaiseri and N. derjugini likely reflect an ongoing speciation process and thus require further investigation. On the contrary, the much deeper genetic divergence found between the two morphologically and geographically differentiated subspecies of N. strauchii leads us to propose that N. s. barani should be considered a distinct species, Neurergus barani Öz, 1994

Priprava mikrokuglica s antigenom leptospira od biološki razgradivih alginatnih polimera.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. Although the currently available whole cell leptospiral vaccines can induce protection against Leptospirosis, further study for a new generation of vaccine that can stimulate long-term immunity is needed. Biodegradable microspheres as antigen delivery systems have been extensively investigated for decades, especially those based on hydrophilic polymers, such as alginate and chitosan, which have excellent biocompatibility, non-toxicity and biodegradability. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize alginate microspheres as an antigen delivery system for immunization against leptospirosis. Alginate microspheres containing Leptospiral antigen (LA) were prepared by an emulsification method and characterized for shape, size distribution, loading efficiency (LE), loading capacity (LC) and release profie. The effects of some parameters (such as concentration of alginate and emulsifiers and stirring rate) on microspheres characteristics were investigated. The optimal condition parameters for the preparation of LA loaded alginate microspheres were estimated. The optimum concentrations were obtained for alginate and emulsifiers, 3.5 % (w/v), span 80 (0.2 % w/v) and tween 80 (3.75 % w/v), respectively. Moreover, appropriate homogenizing rate was obtained at 500 rparticle size of the microspheres as 200 μm, loading efficiency 97 % and loading capacity 8 %. A suitable release profile was observed for in vitro release test of LA from alginate microspheres over an extended period of time (192 hours). These results make the alginate microspheres particularly interesting for an LA delivery system.pm. Our results showed the mean particle size of the microspheres as 200 μm, loading effiiency 97 % and loading capacity 8 %. A suitable release profile was observed for in vitro release test of LA from alginate microspheres over an extended period of time (192 hours). These results make the alginate microspheres particularly interesting for an LA delivery system.Leptospiroza je zoonoza prouzročena patogenim vrstama roda Leptospira, a proširena je diljem svijeta. Iako današnja cjepiva protiv leptospiroze, proizvedena od cijelih bakterijskih stanica, mogu pružiti zaštitu od leptospiroze, potrebna su daljnja istraživanja nove generacije cjepiva koja će moći potaknuti tvorbu dugotrajne imunosti. Biološki razgradive mikrokuglice istražuju se desecima godina kao mogućnost sporog otpuštanja antigena, a posebice su zanimljive one od hidrofilnih polimera kao što je alginat i kitosan, koji imaju izvrsnu biološku kompatibilnost, nisu toksični, a biološki su razgradivi. Svrha ovog rada bila je pripraviti alginatne mikrokuglice i odrediti njihova svojstva pogodna za otpuštanje antigena u postupku imunizacije protiv leptospiroze. Alginatne mikrokuglice s antigenom leptospira bile su pripravljene postupkom emulgacije te im je bio određen oblik, opseg distribucije, učinkovitost ugradnje antigena u mikrokuglice, kapacitet ugradnje i profil otpuštanja antigena. Istraženi su učinci nekih pokazatelja (kao što je koncentracija alginata i emulgatora te omjer miješanja) na obilježja mikrokuglica. Procijenjeni su optimalni uvjeti za pripravu alginatnih mikrokuglica na koje je vezan antigen leptospira. Optimalna koncentracija za alginat bila je 3,5 % (w/v), a emulgator span 80 (0,2 % w/v) i tween 80 (3,75 % w/v). Odgovarajuća homogenizacija postignuta je na 500 okretaja. Rezultati su pokazali da je srednja veličina mikrokuglica bila 200 μm, učinkovitost ugradnje antigena 97 %, a kapacitet 8 %. In vitro je ustanovljeno da se antigen leptospira oslobađao s alginatnih mikrokuglica tijekom 192 sata. Ti rezultati pokazuju da alginatne kuglice mogu biti od posebnog interesa za oslobađanje antigena leptospira u organizmu

Psychometric properties of the birth satisfaction scale-revised (BSS-R) in a sample of postpartum Iranian women

Childbirth satisfaction may positively affect maternal intention to have a future pregnancy and preference to have a cesarean. We translate the UK-Birth-Satisfaction-Scale-Revised (UK-BSS-R) into Persian and validate an Iranian-BSS-R for future use in this population. In total, 784 mothers who were hospitalized in postpartum wards completed the Persian version of the BSS-R. The confirmatory factor analysis on 10-items scale confirmed the conventional three-factor structure. The Cronbach’s alpha of the Iranian-BSS-R subscales and the total score were within the range of 0.53-0.76. Our findings provide further evidence that the BSS-R is an internationally reliable and valid instrument to measure birth satisfaction

Insight into blood pressure targets for universal coverage of hypertension services in Iran: the 2017 ACC/AHA versus JNC 8 hypertension guidelines

BACKGROUND: We compared the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Iran based on two hypertension guidelines; the 2017 ACC/AHA -with an aggressive blood pressure target of 130/80 mmHg- and the commonly used JNC8 guideline cut-off of 140/90 mmHg. We shed light on the implications of the 2017 ACC/AHA for population subgroups and high-risk individuals who were eligible for non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies. METHODS: Data was obtained from the Iran national STEPS 2016 study. Participants included 27,738 adults aged ≥25 years as a representative sample of Iranians. Regression models of survey design were used to examine the determinants of prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension based on JNC8 was 29.9% (95% CI: 29.2-30.6), which soared to 53.7% (52.9-54.4) based on the 2017 ACC/AHA. The percentage of awareness, treatment, and control were 59.2% (58.0-60.3), 80.2% (78.9-81.4), and 39.1% (37.4-40.7) based on JNC8, which dropped to 37.1% (36.2-38.0), 71.3% (69.9-72.7), and 19.6% (18.3-21.0), respectively, by applying the 2017 ACC/AHA. Based on the new guideline, adults aged 25-34 years had the largest increase in prevalence (from 7.3 to 30.7%). They also had the lowest awareness and treatment rate, contrary to the highest control rate (36.5%) between age groups. Compared with JNC8, based on the 2017 ACC/AHA, 24, 15, 17, and 11% more individuals with dyslipidaemia, high triglycerides, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease events, respectively, fell into the hypertensive category. Yet, based on the 2017 ACC/AHA, 68.2% of individuals falling into the hypertensive category were eligible for receiving pharmacologic therapy (versus 95.7% in JNC8). LDL cholesterol< 130 mg/dL, sufficient physical activity (Metabolic Equivalents≥600/week), and Body Mass Index were found to change blood pressure by - 3.56(- 4.38, - 2.74), - 2.04(- 2.58, - 1.50), and 0.48(0.42, 0.53) mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Switching from JNC8 to 2017 ACC/AHA sharply increased the prevalence and drastically decreased the awareness, treatment, and control in Iran. Based on the 2017 ACC/AHA, more young adults and those with chronic comorbidities fell into the hypertensive category; these individuals might benefit from earlier interventions such as lifestyle modifications. The low control rate among individuals receiving treatment warrants a critical review of hypertension services

Inhibition of invasion and induction of apoptotic cell death of cancer cell lines by overexpression of TIMP-3

Dysregulation of matrix degrading metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs) leads to increased extracellular matrix turnover, a key event in the local invasion and metastasis of many tumours. The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) limit the activity of MMPs, which suggests their use in gene therapy. We have previously shown that overexpression of TIMP-1, -2 or -3 inhibits vascular smooth muscle and melanoma cell invasion, while TIMP-3 uniquely promotes apoptosis. We have therefore sought to determine whether TIMP-3 can inhibit invasion and promote apoptosis in other cancer cell types. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of TIMP-3 inhibited invasion of HeLa and HT1080 cells through artificial basement membrane to similar levels as that achieved by TIMP-1 and -2. However, TIMP-3 uniquely promoted cell cycle entry and subsequent death by apoptosis. Apoptosis was confirmed by morphological analysis, terminal dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry. The apoptotic phenotype was mimicked by addition of exogenous recombinant TIMP-3 to uninfected cultures demonstrating that the death signal is initiated extracellularly and that a bystander effect exists. These results show that TIMP-3 inhibits invasion in vitro and promotes apoptosis in cancer cell type of differing origin. This clearly identifies the potential of TIMP-3 for gene therapy of multiple cancer types. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig