Investigating the Habitat Patches of the Baluchistan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus), Using Landscape Metrics (Case Study: Bahr Asman and Zaryab Areas, Kerman Province)

Habitat analysis using landscape metrics can be efficient in better management of habitat. As a critically endangered subspecies, the Baluchistan black bear is scattered in the Bahr Asman and Zaryab areas in Kerman province. The purpose of this study was to model the distribution of the sub-species and evaluate the quality of its habitat patches, using landscape metrics. Distribution modeling was conducted using an ensemble approach, resulting from the combination of presence-only and presence/pseudo-absence data in ModEco software. True Skill Statistic (TSS) threshold was applied to the ensemble model and the habitat patches were analyzed, using landscape metrics. The results showed that the distribution rage is beyond the border of the studied protected areas and the variables related to humidity had the greatest effect on the presence of the species. Based on the metrics analysis, habitat patches in the Zaryab wildlife refugee have higher connectivity and less margin than Bahr Asman protected area. In Bahr Asman protected area, the number of habitat patches is greater than the Zaryab wildlife refugee and the lack of continuity among the patches has led to the edge formation. The results of this study can be used for the habitat management of this critically endangered subspecie

The Casual Relationship between Perfectionism and chievement Goals with Test Anxiety with Mediating Role of Self-efficacy in High-school Male Students

The aim of the present study was to examine the casual relationship between perfectionism and achievement goals with test anxiety with mediating role of self-efficacy in high-school male students of Ahvaz city. The population of this study consisted of all the high-school male students of Ahvaz city in 1391-92. The sample of this study consists of 360 students who were selected by multi-stage random sampling method. The variables were measured by Test anxiety Scale, Self-efficacy Scale Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and Achievement Goals Questionnaire–Revised. Also the path analysis method was used to test the fitness of the suggested model.  The result of the research showed that the direct paths of self-oriented perfectionism to test anxiety and self-efficacy were significant statistically. Also, the relation between other-oriented perfectionism with self-efficacy was insignificant and its relation with test anxiety was significant and also the relation between society- oriented perfectionism with self-efficacy was insignificant. In addition, the path between mastery-approach goal and performance-approach goal, with self-efficacy was significant and the relation between mastery-approach goal, with test anxiety and self-efficacy is statistically significant. Also, the relation between performance-avoidance goal with self-efficacy was insignificant and its relation with anxiety test was significant and the relation between self-efficacy with test anxiety was significant. On the other hand, the result showed that the indirect relation of from self-oriented perfectionism with test anxiety via self-efficacy was significant and the relation between other- oriented perfectionism and socially-oriented perfectionism with test anxiety via self-efficacy was insignificant. In addition, the result showed that the relation between mastery-approach goal, performance-approach goal and mastery-avoidance goal with test anxiety via self-efficacy was significant and also the relation between performance-avoidance goal and with test anxiety via self-efficacy was in significant

Interactions between immune response to fungal infection and microRNAs: The pioneer tuners

Due to their physiological and biological characteristics, numerous fungi are potentially emerging pathogens. Active dynamicity of fungal pathogens causes life-threatening infections annually impose high costs to the health systems. Although immune responses play crucial roles in controlling the fate of fungal infections, immunocompromised patients are at high risk with high mortality. Tuning the immune response against fungal infections might be an effective strategy for controlling and reducing the pathological damages. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known as the master regulators of immune response. These single-stranded tuners (18-23 bp non-coding RNAs) are endogenously expressed by all metazoan eukaryotes and have emerged as the master gene expression controllers of at least 30 human genes. In this review article, following the review of biology and physiology (biogenesis and mechanism of actions) of miRNAs and immune response against fungal infections, the interactions between them were scrutinised. In conclusion, miRNAs might be considered as one of the potential goals in immunotherapy for fungal infections. Undoubtedly, advanced studies in this field, further identifying of miRNA roles in governing the immune response, pave the way for inclusion of miRNA-related immunotherapeutic in the treatment of life-threatening fungal infections. © 2019 Blackwell Verlag Gmb

Solidification/stabilization of lead-contaminated soil using alkali-activated volcanic ash.

This is the final version. Available from Springer Nature via the DOI in this record. Data availability: Data is available from the corresponding author with a formal request.The bioaccumulation of lead in soil poses a significant human health risk. The solidification/stabilization (S/S) technique, employing binders like Portland cement or lime, is a common method for remediating lead-contaminated soil. However, cement production has adverse environmental impacts, prompting the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives like alkali-activated materials (AAMs). This study assesses AAM efficacy in the S/S of lead-contaminated soil. The effects of several factors, including varying amounts of volcanic ash (VA), lead concentration, curing temperatures, and curing times are investigated. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test (TCLP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscope-energy-dispersive spectroscopy-mapping analyses (FESEM/EDS/mapping) analyses are used to study the specimens. The findings indicated a substantial increase in the UCS of lead-contaminated soil treated with 15% VA (under oven curing (OC) conditions), and 10% VA (under ambient curing (AC) conditions) exhibited remarkable increases of up to 600% and 458%, respectively. Moreover, the leaching of Pb2+ ions from samples contaminated with 10,000 mg/kg (under OC conditions) and 2500 mg/kg (under AC conditions) experienced significant reductions of 87% (from 135.14 to 13.36 ppm) and 91% (from 26.32 to 2.21 ppm), respectively. The S/S process in these samples operated through three primary mechanisms of chemical bonding, physical encapsulation, and the formation of insoluble silicate. The formation of N-A-S-H and hydroxy sodalite structures played a vital role in facilitating these mechanisms. Therefore, alkali-activated VA demonstrated excellent performance in the remediation of lead-contaminated soil.European Commissio

The anti-tumor efficacy of nanoparticulate form of ICD-85 versus free form

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have been intensively studied as a possible way to enhance anti-tumor efficacy while reducing side effects. ICD-85, derived from the venom of two separate species of venomous animals, has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer activity. In this report polymer based sodium alginate nanoparticles of ICD-85 was used to enhance its therapeutic effects and reduce its side effects. The inhibitory effect was evaluated by MTT assay. The necrotic effect was assessed using LDH assay. The induction of apoptosis was analyzed by caspase-8 colorimetric assay kit. Cytotoxicity assay in HeLa cells demonstrated enhanced efficacy of ICD-85 loaded NPs compared to the free ICD-85. The IC50 values obtained in HeLa cells after 48 h, for free ICD-85 and ICD-85 loaded NPs were 26±2.9μg ml-1 and 18±2.5μg ml-1, respectively. While it was observed that free ICD-85 exhibits mild cytotoxicity towards normal MRC-5 cells (IC50>60μg ml-1), ICD-85 loaded NPs was found to have higher efficacy in anti-proliferative activity on HeLa cells in vitro without any significant cytotoxic effect on normal MRC-5 cells. The apoptosis-induction mechanism by both form of ICD-85 on HeLa cells was found to be through activation of caspase-8 with approximately 2 fold greater of ICD-85 loaded NPs as compared to free ICD-85. Our work reveals that although ICD-85 in free form is relatively selective to inhibit the growth of cancer cells via apoptosis as compared to normal cells, but nanoparticulate form increases its selectivity towards cancer cells

Participants’ characteristics.

<p>Participants’ characteristics.</p

Physicians’ Knowledge about Radiation Dose in Radiological Investigation in Iran

Background: Although ionizing radiation is very important in diagnostic and treatment of many diseases, the hazards of this radiation are considerable and irrefutable. One of the main stages in radiation protection is knowledge about radiation dose in radiological investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the physicians’ knowledge in radiological examinations. Material and Methods: The data collected by questionnaire were designed and the most commonly requested radiological investigations were listed. The questionnaire was distributed among 106 consultant physicians. The survey was conducted on the awareness about the radiation dose and risks among health professionals in Iran. Results: The results indicated that the majority of physicians did not know about ionizing radiation and evaluation of absorbed dose in patients. Many of these physicians were not aware of radiations risks and the most important aspects of radiation protection; although, they have passed some courses in radiobiology and medical physics. Conclusion: Since radiological examinations play an indispensable role in medicine, knowledge about radiation doses and hazards is very important. Generally, this study showed that knowledge of radiation doses is inadequate among physicians

MicroRNAs and response to therapy in leukemia

A variety of epigenetic factors involved in leukemia pathogenesis. Among various epigenetic factors, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important players, which affect a sequence of cellular and molecular signaling pathways. Leukemia is known as progressive cancer, which is related to many health problems in the world. It has been shown that the destruction of the blood-forming organs could lead to abnormal effects on the proliferation and development of leukocytes and their precursors. Despite many attempts for approved effective and powerful therapies for patients with leukemia, finding and developing new therapeutic approaches are required. One of the important aspects of leukemia therapy, identification of underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of leukemia. Several miRNAs (ie, miR-103, miR-101, mit-7, let-7i, miR-424, miR-27a, and miR-29c) and play major roles in response to therapy in patients with leukemia. miRNAs exert their effects by targeting a variety of targets, which are associated with response to therapy in patients with leukemia. It seems that more understanding about the roles of miRNAs in response to therapy in patients with leukemia could contribute to better treatment of patients with leukemia. Here, for the first time, we summarized various miRNAs, which are involved in response to therapy in the treatment patients with leukemia. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc