Evaluating impacts of unexpected earning on precision of profit estimation

Precision in earning report has always been a concern among investors, and when there are some negative adjustments on earning, investor may find it challenging to decide whether they should hold or sell their shares. This paper studies the impact of earning precision and unexpected earning adjustments on firms whose share are listed on Tehran Stock Exchange. The proposed study of this paper considers three hypotheses including whether earning precision has negative relationship with unexpected profit, whether it has a negative with unexpected decline in profit and finally, whether, in prediction on negative news compared with positive news, there is a negative relationship between stronger earnings forecast and precision of earning forecast. The study gathers the necessary data from official news released for some firms whose shares were active over the period 2003-2012. The study uses two regression models and the results of regression analysis have confirmed all hypotheses of this survey

Outcome of Vaginal Progesterone as a Tocolytic Agent: Randomized Clinical Trial

Vaginal progesterone has a potential beneficial effect in postponing of preterm labor by suppression of prostaglandins cascades. Although different studies evaluated the use of progesterone for preterm birth, the exact effect of which on prolongation of pregnancy remains unclear. Seventy two women who underwent preterm labor were managed by magnesium sulfate. Then they were randomly assigned to continue pregnancy either by applying vaginal progesterone (400 mg) until delivery or without using any drug. Gestational age mean at the time of delivery (P = 0.039) and postponing delivery mean time (P = 0.048) were significantly higher in progesterone group. Comparison of neonatal outcomes between two groups of patients showed meaningful benefits of progesterone in increasing of neonatal weight, reduction of low birth weight babies, and lowing neonate admitted in NICU

Efficacy of levamisole with standard care treatment vs. standard care in clinical presentations of non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of adding a 10-day course of levamisole (LVM) to the standard care compared with standard care alone, on the clinical status of COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate disease. Methods:  In this randomized open-label trial, we enrolled non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 at nine health centers in Tehran province, Iran, in 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a 10-day course of LVM with standard care (n=185) or standard care alone (n=180) in a 1:1 ratio. On days 1 to 10, LVM was administered orally at a dosage of 50 mg. The participants were called and followed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14. The measured parameters were general health condition, hospitalization rate, signs and symptoms, and adverse events. The generalized estimating equations model was used for analysis. Results: Among 507 randomized patients, 473 patients started the experiment and received LVM plus standard care or received the standard care alone; 385 patients included in the analysis; 346 (98%) patients completed the trial. The median age of the patients was 40 years [IQR: 32-50.75]; and ‎201 (55.1%)‎ patiens were male. The mean age, sex ratio, and frequency of the underlying diseases of the patients in the two study groups had no ‎statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Compared to the control group, LVM improved the general health condition of the patients (B=-0.635; 95% CI: -0.041,-0.329; P<0.001). Patients receiving LVM compared with standard care group had significantly lower odds of developing fever (OR=0.260; 95% CI: 0.11‎‎3‎,0.59‎‎9‎; P=0.002), chills (OR=0.223; 95% CI:‎‎ 0.07‎‎6,‎0.64‎‎8‎; P= 0.006), fatigue (OR=0.576; 95% CI:‎ 0.34‎‎6,‎0.96‎‎0‎‎; P=0.034), and myalgia (OR=0.54‎‎4‎; 95% CI:‎ 0.31‎‎7‎,0.93‎‎2‎‎; P=0.027). No significant difference was observed in the rate of hospitalization. Although the intervention group had greater adverse effects than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that LVM has clinical benefits in improving patients’ health condition with mild to moderate COVID-19

Burden of Drug and Alcohol Use Disorders in Iran: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010

Background: Due to its specific socio-cultural and geographical situation, Iran has a major public health problem in terms of drug and alcohol use. The aim of this study is to report and critique the burden of drug and alcohol use disorders in Iran, and to compare these measurements with similar findings. Methods: This study used data for Iran for the years 1990, 2005, and 2010 derived from the Global Burden of Disease study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in 2010. The burden of drug and alcohol use disorders was evaluated in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost to premature mortality (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs). Results: All rates were reported per 100,000 individuals. Death rates attributed to drug and alcohol use disorders were 7.7 and 0.16 for men, and 0.62 and 0.02 for women, respectively. YLL rates regarding drug use disorders were 351.8 and 24.8 for men and women, while these figures were 5.8 and 1.0 for alcohol use disorders for men and women, respectively. YLD rates of drug use disorders were 452.6 for men and 202.1 for women, and 105.8 for men and 23.7 for women for alcohol use disorders. DALY rates attributed to drug use disorders were 804.5 for men and 227 for women, while these rates were 111.7 for men and 24.7 for women, related to alcohol use disorders. Conclusions: Similar to the cases in many other countries, the burden of both drug and alcohol use disorders is higher for men than women in Iran. Although prevention policies and programs for drug and alcohol use are required for both genders, the need for drug and alcohol use intervention seems more urgent for men in Iran

Neuroscience-informed classification of prevention interventions in substance use disorders : an RDoC-based approach

Neuroscience has contributed to uncover the mechanisms underpinning substance use disorders (SUD). The next frontier is to leverage these mechanisms as active targets to create more effective interventions for SUD treatment and prevention. Recent large-scale cohort studies from early childhood are generating multiple levels of neuroscience-based information with the potential to inform the development and refinement of future preventive strategies. However, there are still no available well-recognized frameworks to guide the integration of these multi-level datasets into prevention interventions. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) provides a neuroscience-based multi-system framework that is well suited to facilitate translation of neurobiological mechanisms into behavioral domains amenable to preventative interventions. We propose a novel RDoC-based framework for prevention science and adapted the framework for the existing preventive interventions. From a systematic review of randomized controlled trials using a person-centered drug/alcohol preventive approach for adolescents, we identified 22 unique preventive interventions. By teasing apart these 22 interventions into the RDoC domains, we proposed distinct neurocognitive trajectories which have been recognized as precursors or risk factors for SUDs, to be targeted, engaged and modified for effective addiction prevention.Peer reviewe

In silico comparative genome analysis of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax chromosome 4

Malarial parasite has long been a subject of research for a large community of scientists and has yet to be conquered. One of the main obstacles to effectively control this disease is rapidly evolving genetic structure of Plasmodium parasite itself. In this study, we focused on chromosome 4 of the Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax species and carried out comparative studies of genes that are responsible for antigenic variation in respective species. Comparative analysis of genes responsible for antigenic variation (var and vir genes in P. falciparum and P. vivax, respectively) showed significant difference in their respective nucleotide sequence lengths as well as amino acid composition. The possible association of exon's length on pathogenecity of respective Plasmodium species was also investigated, and analysis of gene structure showed that on the whole, exon lengths in P. falciparum are larger compared to P. vivax. Analysis of tandem repeats across the genome has shown that the size of repetitive sequences has a direct effect on chromosomes length, which can also be a potential reason for P. falciparum's greater variability and hence pathogenecity than P. vivax

Gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, and silver-gold nanocomposites using Suaeda maritima: Phytochemical analyses, biosynthesis, characterization, and biological activity

Nanoparticles and nanocomposites with low concentration in the body are non-toxic and can be suitable alternative to antibiotics. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and silver-gold nanocomposite (Ag-Au NCs) were synthesized for the first time using galangin (GA) from Suaeda maritima (SM). A simple method was studied and optimized for the biosynthesis of AuNPs, AgNPs, and Ag-Au NCs using GA of SM. A variety of phytochemical compounds found in SM, such as phenols, convert metal into ions and serve as capping agents. The SM phytochemical analysis indicates a high concentration of GA in leaf shell extract, which is a flavonoid with anti-tumor properties. Characterization of GASMAuNPs, GASMAgNPs, and GASMAg-Au NCs was performed using a variety of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. Based on transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, the size of the GASM-Ag-AuNCs (45 nm), GASM-AgNPs (50 nm) and GASM-AuNPs (7 nm) and was spherical. The cytotoxicity effects of these nanoparticles and nanocomposites on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines were studied. GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Antibacterial activities were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. GA-SM-Ag-Au NCs had maximum inhibition zones for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum inhibition zones observed with GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs were higher than clindamycin, gentamycin, and tetracycline. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 15.6 μgmL−1. GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs have powerful antimicrobial potential, while having less cytotoxicity at low concentrations. The GA-SM-Ag-AuNCs reduced the cytotoxicity effects on MCF-7. This study showed that GASM-Ag-AuNCs synthesized using GA of SM has antibacterial and anticancer properties with fewer side effects and significant efficacy, which can be effective as a potential therapy in the future

Five years after implementation of urban family physician program in fars province of Iran: Are people's knowledge and practice satisfactory?

Introduction: Urban family physician program (UFPP) was launched in Fars province of Iran in 2012. We aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of people toward this 5-year-old program. Methods: In this population-based study, through a multistage random sampling from 6 cities of Fars province, 1350 people older than 18 years were interviewed. For data collection, a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics and items about knowledge and practice toward UFPP was used. Results: The mean age of the interviewees was 42.4 ± 14.2 years; male (674; 49.9%)-to-female (651; 48.2%) ratio was 1.03. Mean score of knowledge was 4.2 ± 1.7 (out of 14), while 961 (71.1%) had < 50% of the desirable knowledge. Mean score of practice was 4.4 ± 1.3 (out of 9), while only 443 (32.8%) had a good performance toward this program. Knowledge and practice did not show a significant correlation (r = 0.06, P = 0.05). Among cities, the highest and the lowest mean of knowledge belonged to Pasargad (5.6 ± 2.1) and Lar (3.0 ± 1.0) (P < 0.001), respectively. Pasargad (4.8 ± 1.4) had also the highest level of practice compared to Farashband (3.8 ± 1.4) which had the lowest score (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that supplemental insurance coverage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, %95 confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–3.9), female gender (OR = 1.9, %95 CI: 1.2–2.9) and higher level of education (OR = 1.7, %95 CI: 1.1–2.5) were the significant determinants of knowledge, while practice in those who were not covered by supplemental insurance was better (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.5). Conclusions: After 5 years of implementation of UFPP, knowledge and practice of people toward UFPP are not satisfactory. This finding calls for a serious revision in some aspects of UFFP

Enhanced liver cancer cellular response to a drug on a 3D nanostructured matrix of decellularized eggplant leaves

Mimicking tissue-like microenvironments in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems is an appealing objective towards bridging the knowledge gap between in vitro research and in vivo applications. Through this strategy, researchers can study cell-cell interactions, cell signaling pathways, and responses to external stimuli in a more physiologically relevant setting. Accordingly, the necessary groundwork for disease modelling, drug target identification, and efficacy assessment of therapeutic compounds is realized. Moreover, almost all the ethical issues regarding the implementation of animal or human models are addressed. In this regard, here, a new cellulose-based 3D scaffold with surface trichomes and biomimetic topographical characteristics was developed via chemical decellularization of eggplant leaf (DEL). This 3D scaffold was aimed to perform as a biomimetic microenvironment of hepatocarcinoma tissue. The 3D model was assessed by seeding HepG2 cells on DEL to check the effect of prilocaine (an anticancer drug) on cancer cells. According to the diverse biological characterizations carried out in this study, cell colonies formed on DEL, and a larger efficacy of the drug was observed on the natural 3D scaffold. In conclusion, DEL as a 3D hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model was shown successful in chemotherapeutic drug screening