The construct validity and reliability of the characteristics of successful EFL teachers questionnaire (CoSEFLT-Q)

The present study re-evaluated the construct validity and reliability of the ‘Characteristics of Successful EFL Teachers’ questionnaire. A total of 814 EFL learners participated in the study. The data were analysed, using exploratory factor analyses (EFA), confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), and reliability analyses. The findings demonstrated all items were loaded on the factors with the relevant content except for two which were loaded on three factors with almost similar loadings. Consequently, they were omitted. Accordingly, factor analysis resulted in seven main factors with 45 items. CFA findings verified the obtained factorial structure. Reliability analyses also provided satisfactory results

Sleep Patterns and Sleep Disorders in Primary School Children in Qazvin, Iran

ObjectiveSleep disorders are common in children; they also have a significant impact on the whole family, the parents in particular. Few studies in this field have been performed in Iran; hence the  present study was carried out in order to determine sleep patterns and the  prevalence of sleep disorders in school aged children in Qazvin.Material and MethodsThis cross sectional study was done on 300 students (150 males and 150 females) of elementary schools in Qazvin, selected from cluster random samples. The duration of the study was from November 2006 to February 2007, and data was acquired by means of a standard pediatric sleep questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of sleep disorder among subjects was 44.3% (47.3% in males, and 41.3% in females), and the disorder was severe in 21% of the studied children. Sleep patterns during the school days differed significantly from what was observed on Fridays (p=0.000). In addition, there was a significant difference between males and females in terms of duration of sleep on Fridays (p=0.014).ConclusionConsidering the high prevalence of sleep disorders in children, their harmful impact on the development of the  nervous system and the child's learning and psychological health as well as on parental competency, and again bearing in mind the low level of awareness among the general population about sleep hygiene, we strongly recommend educational programs via public media and via meetings with the parents in schools

Validating the Farsi version of the Pregnancy Worries and Stress Questionnaire (PWSQ): An exploratory factor analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Biological, environmental, inter- and intrapersonal changes during the antenatal period can result in anxiety and stress in pregnant women. It is pivotal to identify potential stressors and prevent their foetal and maternal consequences. The present study was conducted to validate and examine the factor structure of the Farsi version of the Pregnancy Worries and Stress Questionnaire (PWSQ). METHODS: In 2015, 502 Iranian healthy pregnant women, referred to selected hospitals in Tehran for prenatal care at 8-39 weeks of pregnancy, were recruited through a randomized cluster sampling. The PWSQ was translated into Farsi, and its validity and reliability were examined using exploratory factor analysis by SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The content validity of items on the PWSQ was between 0.63-1. The content validity index for relevance, clarity and simplicity were 0.92, 0.98, and 0.98, respectively, with a mean of 0.94. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.863. Test-retest reliability showed high internal consistency (α=0.89; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The psychometric evaluation and exploratory factor analysis showed that the translated questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to identify stress in Iranian pregnant women. Application of the questionnaire can facilitate the diagnosis of stress in pregnant women and assist health care providers in providing timely support and minimizing negative outcomes of stress and anxiety in pregnant women and their infants

Comparison the self-concept and behavior in adolescents without criminal record with juvenile offenders

Background and aims: impermanent and negative self-concept , disrupts personal and social adjustment. in this study compared self-concept and behavior in adolescents without a history of juvenile criminal and offenders. Methods: The study was cross-sectional . 79 person from centers for Upbringing and correction via census sample and 120 person that with first group in regard to age-and sex- matched controls from Isfahan City were enrolled. The data collection instrument consisted of three sections include demographic information , self-concept and behavior questions. Statistic examination include T-test, Fisher and K2, were use for data analyzed . Results: The mean and standard deviation of self-Concept in offenders was 58/94±10/30 and Behavior was 62/26±28/81. Adolescents with no history of criminal record, self-concept score was 63/02±9/75 and Behavior was 84/66±15/22. Self-concept and behavior scores were significantly higher in the group with no criminal record (p<0/001). Conclusion: The results suggest that the Self-concept and Behavior of juvenile offenders is lower than adolescents with no criminal record. It is also considered demographic factors will affect the incidence of antisocial behavior . It seems psychologists and counselors to be working in these centers must training , counseling and therapy and correction techniques with consideration to the establishment of such anomalies

Effect of Cyperus rotundus on ischemia-induced brain damage and memory dysfunction in rats

Objective(s): Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury causes loss of pyramidal cells in CA1 region of hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the possible neuroprotective effects of the ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus (EECR) on a model of global transient ischemia in rat, by evaluating the pathophysiology of the hippocampal tissue and spatial memory. Materials and Methods: Treatment group (EECR, 100 mg/kg/day) was gavaged from 4 days before, to 3 days after ischemia. Morris water maze test was performed 1 week after ischemia for 4 days. Brain tissue was prepared for Nissl staining. Results: Our data showed no statistical difference between the treatment and ischemia groups in water maze task. So, treatment of ischemia with EECR cannot improve spatial learning and memory. On the contrary EECR ameliorated the CA1 pyramidal cell loss due to transient global ischemia/ reperfusion injury. Conclusion: These results suggest that EECR cannot reduce the ischemia-induced, cognitive impairments seen after transient, global cerebral ischemia but can prevent pyramidal cell loss in CA1 region of hippocampus. © 2015, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The influences of vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation on clinical, metabolic and genetic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the co-administration of vitamin D and omega-3fatty acid on clinical, metabolic and genetic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 subjects, aged 18–40 years old with PCOS. Subjects were randomly allocated to take either 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks plus 2000 mg/day omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil (n=30) or placebo (n=30) for 12 weeks. Gene expression analysis of inflammatory cytokines was conducted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of PCOS women using RT-PCR method. Results: Vitamin D and omega -3 fatty acid co-supplementation significantly decreased serum total testosterone levels (−0.2 ± 0.5 vs.+0.1 ± 0.4 ng/mL, P=0.02) compared with the placebo. In addition, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid co-supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in beck depression inventory (−1.4 ± 1.6 vs. −0.5 ± 0.6, P=0.01), general health questionnaire scores (−4.5 ± 4.3 vs. −1.9 ± 2.3, P=0.005) and depression anxiety and stress scale scores (−5.0 ± 5.1 vs. −2.3 ± 3.5, P=0.01) compared with the placebo. Additionally, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid co-administration significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (−1.2 ± 1.9 vs.+0.1 ± 0.7 mg/L, P=0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (−0.4 ± 0.4 vs.+0.2 ± 0.6 μmol/L, P<0.001), and significantly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (+ 114.6 ± 122.2 vs. -2.4 ± 168.2 mmol/L, P=0.003) compared with the placebo. Results of RT-PCR demonstrated that vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid co-supplementation significantly downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P=0.03), and upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (P=0.004) in PBMCs of subjects with PCOS, when compared with placebo. Conclusions: Overall, the co-administration of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on mental health parameters, serum total testosterone, hs-CRP, plasma TAC and MDA levels, and gene expression of IL-1 and VEGF among women with PCOS

Evaluation and comparison of SYBR Green I Real-Time PCR and TaqMan Real-Time PCR methods for quantitative assay of Listeria monocytogenes in nutrient broth and milk

Specific traditional plate count method and real-time PCR systems based on SYBR Green I and TaqMan technologies using a specific primer pair and probe for amplification of iap-gene were used for quantitative assay of Listeria monocytogenes in seven decimal serial dilution series of nutrient broth and milk samples containing 1.58 to 1.58×107 cfu /ml and the real-time PCR methods were compared with the plate count method with respect to accuracy and sensitivity. In this study, the plate count method was performed using surface-plating of 0.1 ml of each sample on Palcam Agar. The lowest detectable level for this method was 1.58×10 cfu/ml for both nutrient broth and milk samples. Using purified DNA as a template for generation of standard curves, as few as four copies of the iap-gene could be detected per reaction with both real-time PCR assays, indicating that they were highly sensitive. When these real-time PCR assays were applied to quantification of L. monocytogenes in decimal serial dilution series of nutrient broth and milk samples, 3.16×10 to 3.16×105 copies per reaction (equals to 1.58×103 to 1.58×107 cfu/ml L. monocytogenes) were detectable. As logarithmic cycles, for Plate Count and both molecular assays, the quantitative results of the detectable steps were similar to the inoculation levels

An in vivo definition of brain histamine dynamics reveals critical neuromodulatory roles for this elusive messenger

Histamine is well known for mediating peripheral inflammation; however, this amine is also found in high concentrations in the brain where its roles are much less known. In vivo chemical dynamics are difficult to measure, thus fundamental aspects of histamine’s neurochemistry remain undefined. In this work, we undertake the first in-depth characterization of real time in vivo histamine dynamics using fast electrochemical tools. We find that histamine release is sensitive to pharmacological manipulation at the level of synthesis, packaging, autoreceptors and metabolism. We find two breakthrough aspects of histamine modulation. First, differences in H3 receptor regulation between sexes show that histamine release in female mice is much more tightly regulated than in male mice under H3 or inflammatory drug challenge. We hypothesize that this finding may contribute to hormone-mediated neuroprotection mechanisms in female mice. Second, a high dose of a commonly available antihistamine, the H1 receptor inverse agonist diphenhydramine, rapidly decreases serotonin levels. This finding highlights the sheer significance of pharmaceuticals on neuromodulation. Our study opens the path to better understanding and treating histamine related disorders of the brain (such as neuroinflammation), emphasizing that sex and modulation (of serotonin) are critical factors to consider when studying/designing new histamine targeting therapeutics

Development of the conditional moment closure method for modelling turbulent combustion

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) on the in vitro growth characteristics and in vivo pathogenicity of Candida albicans in a murine model in the absence of a photosensitizer. Background data: C. albicans is an opportunistic commensal organism that causes a wide variety of diseases in human beings, ranging from superficial infections to life-threatening invasive candidiasis. The incidence of C. albicans infection is increasing, because of the greater frequency of acquired immunodeficiency conditions. A high recurrence rate has been reported for vulvovaginal and oral candidiasis, despite the best available treatments. Therefore, the search for new treatment modalities seems quite rational. Methods: Candida culture plates were exposed to common clinical energies of LLLI: 3, 5, 10, and 20 J at 685 nm (BTL Laser 5000, Medicinos Projektai, Czech Republic, Prague, max power output 50 mW) and 3, 5, 10, 30, and 50 J at 830 nm (BTL Laser 5000, Medicinos Projektai, Czech Republic, Prague, max power output 400 mW). Results: Following LLLI with energies >10 J at both 685 and 830 nm wavelengths, statistically significant effects were observed in vitro on the turbidimetric growth kinetics of C. albicans and in vivo on the survival rate of infected mice (p value </=0.05). Therefore, this energy could be considered a threshold for clinical investigation. Conclusions: Translating our data into the clinical setting, it can be proposed that a direct laser-based approach without using a photosensitizing dye can significantly reduce the pathogenicity of Candida albicans. It can also be concluded that laser light at specific wavelengths could be a possible promising novel treatment for superficial and mucocutaneous C. albicans infections