Guillain–Barré Syndrome as a Neurological Complication of COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Although the main clinical manifestations of the COVID-19 infection has confined to the respiratory system, there is some evidence suggesting the neuro-invasive potential of the COVID-19. There are limited reports of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) as a peripheral nervous system complication of COVID-19 infection.Methods and results: We described four patients with COVID-19 infection who developed acute polyneuropathy with a final diagnosis of Guillain–Barré syndrome.Conclusion: COVID-19 may have the potential to invade the peripheral nervous system. GBS, as one of the critical neurological complications of COVID-19, could be considered as a post-infectious event

A Comprehensive Model for Resistance Economy Based on the Operations and Information Management in Iran

Abstract-There is no particular model for economic management in Iran. In the current circumstances where Iranian economy is under international embargos, resistance economy can guarantee national independence by acting as a model for domestic economy. Development of intellectual capital is the main criterion of national development and can also introduce synergy in resistance economy. The present paper aims to propose a comprehensive model for resistance economy based on the role of intellectual capital in Iran and the operations and information management via a mixed research method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of information values in the value chain on gaining competitive advantage by considering the effect of the strategic alignment of the IT program and the organization's strategies. First, the Supreme Leaders views on resistance economy, library references, and semi-structured interviews with 15 faculty membersselected using purposive samplingwere analyzed using the grounded theory. The concepts derived from case studies were categorized as 475 and 61 primary and final concepts, respectively, and then modeled and classified as 30 influential parameters in four aspects of capital (human, psychological, social, and spiritual capital). In addition, the tests were verified and the model was validated via quantitative data analysis

Asociación de los polimorfismos P561T y C422F del gen receptor de la hormona del crecimiento con dimensiones faciales.

Background: Growth hormone plays a significant role in determining craniofacial morphology. Mutations of its receptor gene might be associated with mandibular prognathism (MP). Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene polymorphisms in relation to facial dimensions. Material and Method: The study enrolled 65 participants with class III profile in MP group and 60 orthognathic control participants. Genomic DNA was extracted from a blood sample from the patients and the P561T and C422F polymorphisms of GHR gene were screened by PCR-RFLP method followed by Sanger sequencing of randomly selected samples to validate the genotyping results. Chi square was used to compare distribution of polymorphism in MP and control groups (p<0.05). Results: Heterozygous P561T mutation was found in 10.77% and 8.33% of MP and control groups, respectively (p=0.644) while none of the subjects had the C422F mutation. Sanger sequencing confirmed the genotyping results from the PCR-RFLP method. P561T polymorphism was significantly associated with ramus and lower facial height in MP patients and with ramus height in orthognathic patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that the P561T polymorphism of the GHR gene is associated with the vertical dimension of the mandible in an Iranian population.Antecedentes: La hormona del crecimiento desempeña un papel importante en la determinación de la morfología craneofacial. Las mutaciones de su gen receptor podrían estar asociadas con el prognatismo mandibular (PM). Propósito: El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar dos polimorfismos del gen del receptor de la hormona del crecimiento (RHC) en relación con las dimensiones faciales. Materiales y Métodos: El estudio incluyó a 65 participantes con perfil de clase III en el grupo MP y 60 participantes de control ortognático. El ADN genómico se extrajo de una muestra de sangre de los pacientes y los polimorfismos P561T y C422F del gen RHC se seleccionaron mediante el método PCR-RFLP seguido de la secuenciación por Sanger de muestras seleccionadas al azar para validar los resultados del genotipo por RFLP. El test chi cuadrado se utilizó para comparar la distribución del polimorfismo en el grupo MP y grupo control (p<0.05).Resultados: Se encontró mutación heterocigota P561T en 10.77% y 8.33% de los grupos PM y control, respectivamente (p=0.644) mientras que ninguno de los sujetos tenía la mutación C422F. La secuenciación de Sanger confirmó los resultados de genotipado por el método PCR-RFLP. El polimorfismo P561T se asoció significativamente con la rama y la altura facial más baja en pacientes con PM y con la altura de la rama en pacientes ortognáticos (p<0.05). Conclusión: Los resultados indican que el polimorfismo P561T del gen RHC está asociado con la dimensión vertical de la mandíbula en una población iraní

Efficacy of training of maternal behavior on mother’s parenting stress

This paper performs a study to find the effect of training maternal behavior on a group of mothers who live in city of Esfahan, Iran. The study divides them into two experimental group and control group and examines the effects of training programs. The sample includes 40 women who have, at least, one child aged 4-8 years. The survey uses Abidin parenting stress questionnaire [Abidin, R. R. (1995). Parenting Stress Index. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.] and one group goes under 8 sessions of 2 hours long training programs. The results of ANOVA test indicate that two groups of mothers behave differently after attending training programs when the level of significance is one percent

INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCOME VARIATION AND EFFICIENCY OF BANKS ACCEPTED IN THE STOCK EXCHANGE

Abstract. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between income variation and efficiency of banks accepted in the stock exchange. This research is descriptive-correlative method and is of applied research type. The statistical population of the study is all banks accepted in the Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2012 to 2016, in which 15 banks have been active throughout the entire period of the research in the stock market. The research data were extracted from financial statements of banks and analyzed using regression models using combination data. The research findings showed that there was a relationship between the size of the bank and the efficiency of the banks accepted in the stock exchange, as well as between the equity and the efficiency of the banks accepted to the stock exchange.Keywords: Income Variation, Bank Efficiency, Bank Size, Equity

Frequency of Massive Proteinuria in Childhood Pyelonephritis and the Response to Antibiotic Therapy

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in childhood which can contribute to high blood pressure and renal failure later in life. There are diffident methods for evaluation of a child with UTI for differentiation of cystitis from acute pyelonephritis. One of which is measuring protein in urine. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of UTI in provoking proteinuria.Material and Methods: This is Quasi- experimental study, before and after, in patients with acute pyelonephritis in Mofid Children's Hospital during 2004-2006. All pyelonephritic patients were treated by intravenous ceftriaxone for at least for 10 days. Random urine samples were taken from all patients at the onset of admission before starting the antibiotic and at the ninth day of treatment for the evaluation of urine protein and creatinine.Results: 152 children between 1 to 2 years of age entered the study. The prevalence of proteinuria in the acute phase of pyelonephritis was 94.8%. According to our study the prevalence of proteinuria during pyelonephritis is higher in children less than 2 years old (97.3%) and 20% of patients showed nephrotic range of proteinuria. In all cases random urine samples were normal after completion of treatment (p<0.005). Conclusions: the results of this study illustrate that proteinuria has a high frequency during UTI and acute pyelonephritis. Proteinuria during pyelonephritis may be massive and in the nephrotic range but should not be the cause of concern because in the majority of cases it disappears following treatment. Keywords: Pyelonephritis; Proteinuria; Antibiotics; Child

Experimental Study on the Surface Modification by Electrical Discharge Process

The creation of modified layer on metal surfaces using new methods is one of the procedures in surface engineering which can improve the surface mechanical properties. The electrical discharge process is a new method that can form a modified layer on the metal surfaces. This study aims to improve of pure aluminum surface properties through Electrical Discharge process with Monel 400 electrode. In order to design the experiments, the pulse on time and the pulse current were considered as input parameters. The SEM images indicated that the increase in the pulse on time and the pulse current can increase the thickness of the modified layer. Based on the obtained results, the thickness of improved layer varied between 35 to 75 microns. The results of the EDX analysis showed the diffusion of the copper and nickel to the aluminum surface. Moreover, the results of microhardness testing of the surface layer showed that after Electrical discharge process, the surface hardness has increased and the surface hardness as 35 Vickers has reached more than 400 Vickers

The predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin chemical biomarkers in the premature diagnosis of infection in brain ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: The infections are common complications after the ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticipatory value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) biomarkers in diagnosis of stroke-induced infection.METHODS: In the current prospective study, 184 patients with cerebral ischemia were enrolled. Serum samples were obtained from patients. The CRP and PCT, white blood cells (WBCs) and monocytes, and final infections were evaluated.RESULTS: In the first 72 hours, the analysis for CRP revealed that the sensitivity was 41.60%, the specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 82.90%. PCT showed that the sensitivity was 85.41%, the specificity was 98.54%, PPV was 95.34%, and NPV was 95%.CONCLUSION: According to our findings, the evaluation of CRP and PCT with simultaneous clinical observation could be considered as a good step in start of antibiotic therapy