Design, synthesis and docking studies of novel anti-HIV agents

Introduction: AIDS therapeutic targets principally consists of three enzymes: reverse transcriptase (RT), protease (PR) and integrase (IN). Integrase strand transfer inhibitors among the HIV inhibitors has the advantage of suitable safety profile and high potency. The chelating motif and coplanar hydrophobic aryl group are the common pharmacophores of an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). According to the cyclic chelating group of dolutegravir, we incorporated the chelating group into a cyclic motif and novel 2-mercaptooxazoloxocumarin tricyclic scaffold was designed. Hydrophobic part of the ligand was attached through s-arylation to occupy the same position as the halobenzyl pharmacophoric group of INSTIs. Methods and Results: 4-Hydroxy-3-nitro coumarin was prepared in a nitration procedure of 4-hydroxy coumarin with the aid of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Reduction of the 4-hydroxy-3-nitro coumarin in the presence of sodium dithionite and sodium acetate in water gave the 3-amino-4-hydroxy coumarin. 2-Mercaptooxazolocoumarin was prepared by the reaction of carbon disulfide with 3-amino-4-hydroxy coumarin in methanolic potassium hydroxide. Then, this intermediate was treated with substituted benzyl halides in the presence of potassium carbonate and acetone. Final derivatives were recrystallized from ethanol and confirmed by IR, LC-MS (ESI), 1HNMR & 13CNMR. According to the docking results, the tricyclic scaffold could п-stack the 3’-end reactive adenosine in the IN active site just same as the co-crystallized ligand dolutegravir and the ligand heteroatoms complexes the magnesium cofactors in the IN. Conclusions: Here, we introduced a novel scaffold for anti-HIV activity. The superimposed structure with co-crystallized ligand dolutegravir confirmed the potential for integrase inhibitory activity just same as the second generation integrase inhibitor dolutegravir

COMPUTATION OF ANKLE TORQUE IN DIFFERENT STRATEGIES OF LANDING BY DYNAMIC MODELING

Ankle joint injury often occurs in sports. The purpose of this study was to compute ankle torque under different strategies of landing using human body movement simulation during landing for males and females. Kinematic and kinetic data were given to model and ankle torque under three strategies of landing was computed. Results showed that in first strategy there was a minimum value of peak ankle torque for both males and females. In second and third strategies by increasing plantar flexion of ankle, peak ankle torque was increased for both males and females. Results were in agreement with previous experimental investigations

Explaining the Structural Model of Social Anxiety Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas and Family Performance

Background: The purpose of study was to determine the mediation role of early maladaptive schemas in the relationship between family performance and social anxiety features of students.Materials and Methods: This study utilized a descriptive correlational design and statistical population of this study was included of all students of Marivan city, with the quantity of 4134 in 2016-2017, through them by an available sampling, 400 students were selected. Research tools were family assessment device by Epstein et al (1983), schema questionnaire- short form by Young (1990), social anxiety by Connor et al (2000).Results: Results showed that early maladaptive schemas mediate the relationship between family performances and social anxiety features (β=0.52, p=0.001).Conclusion: Since parental behaviors is one of the most important affecting factors on early maladaptive schemas and formulation of social anxiety features subsequently; Therefore it is necessary for the prevention and treatment of social anxiety disorder pay special attention to the parent’s behaviors and early maladaptive schemas

Automated deep learning-based segmentation of COVID-19 lesions from chest computed tomography images

Purpose: The novel coronavirus COVID-19, which spread globally in late December 2019, is a global health crisis. Chest computed tomography (CT) has played a pivotal role in providing useful information for clinicians to detect COVID-19. However, segmenting COVID-19-infected regions from chest CT results is challenging. Therefore, it is desirable to develop an efficient tool for automated segmentation of COVID-19 lesions using chest CT. Hence, we aimed to propose 2D deep-learning algorithms to automatically segment COVID-19-infected regions from chest CT slices and evaluate their performance. Material and methods: Herein, 3 known deep learning networks: U-Net, U-Net++, and Res-Unet, were trained from scratch for automated segmenting of COVID-19 lesions using chest CT images. The dataset consists of 20 labelled COVID-19 chest CT volumes. A total of 2112 images were used. The dataset was split into 80% for training and validation and 20% for testing the proposed models. Segmentation performance was assessed using Dice similarity coefficient, average symmetric surface distance (ASSD), mean absolute error (MAE), sensitivity, specificity, and precision. Results: All proposed models achieved good performance for COVID-19 lesion segmentation. Compared with Res-Unet, the U-Net and U-Net++ models provided better results, with a mean Dice value of 85.0%. Compared with all models, U-Net gained the highest segmentation performance, with 86.0% sensitivity and 2.22 mm ASSD. The U-Net model obtained 1%, 2%, and 0.66 mm improvement over the Res-Unet model in the Dice, sensitivity, and ASSD, respectively. Compared with Res-Unet, U-Net++ achieved 1%, 2%, 0.1 mm, and 0.23 mm improvement in the Dice, sensitivity, ASSD, and MAE, respectively. Conclusions: Our data indicated that the proposed models achieve an average Dice value greater than 84.0%. Two-dimensional deep learning models were able to accurately segment COVID-19 lesions from chest CT images, assisting the radiologists in faster screening and quantification of the lesion regions for further treatment. Nevertheless, further studies will be required to evaluate the clinical performance and robustness of the proposed models for COVID-19 semantic segmentation

The Effect of Teaching Music on Active Memory of Educable Mentally-Retarded Children

The present study was conducted with the purpose of considering the effectiveness of teaching music on active memory of educable mentally retarded children. For this purpose, a group of 20 mentally retarded students were randomly selected and then the subjects were randomly divided into one experimental group and one control group. Pretest was conducted on both groups and then the test group was taught music for 18 sessions, 60 minutes each (3 sessions a week). The tools used in this study include three subscales of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), which measure working memory and include letter-number sequencing, digit span and arithmetic. To test the hypotheses, first, descriptive statistics indicators related to pretest and posttest scores were used in data description section, and then, using ANCOVA and proper statistical calculations with SPSS software package, data were analyzed. Results showed that teaching music led to an  improvement in working memory performance in working memory subscales, with the most effect being on letter-sequencing and the least effect on digit span subscale (P<0.01). Therefore, that the results indicated that teaching music led to improved working memory performance in educable mentally retarded children

Design and Effect of Neurosurgical Educational Software Using Gamification on Students’ Learning and Motivation

Introduction: Gamification is an innovative learning approach that, when combined with technology, aligns well with students’ preferences. Recognizing the necessity of employing effective educational methods in surgical team training, this study aims to examine the impact of gamification-based educational software on students’ learning and motivation in the surgical technology field.Methods: This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental single-group pre-and post-test design in Iran in 2023. The study sample comprised 40 undergraduate students majoring in surgical technology, selected through a census method. The educational software is designed according to the nine principles of the model of Karl Kapp and Sharon Buller, using the mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics (MDA) framework. After implementation, the software’s impact on students’ learning and motivation was assessed. The students’ learning levels before and after using the educational software were evaluated using a multiple-choice test. To measure students’ motivation, a researcher-developed questionnaire was utilized. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of the distribution of the studied variables. Through SPSS version 26, descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were analyzed along with inferential statistics, including paired t-tests. Results: Among the participants, 55% were female, and the sample had a mean age of 22.30±0.99 years. A significant difference was observed between the mean learning scores before and after using the educational software (10.43±4.38 vs. 21±4.11, P<0.001). The motivation level of the students showed a significant increase.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, gamification-based software has led to improved learning and increased motivation among students in surgical technology

The Evaluation of Web-based Software for Sending Medication Adherence Reminders in Infectious Disease Patients

Background: Incomplete drug adherence can cause problems for patients as well as physicians and cost billions of dollars each year throughout the globe. One of the tools that can help patients and physicians is short text messaging (SMS). This research aims to design and implement the first web-based software specified for medicine use in Iran and test its feasibility to send short message reminders to infectious disease patients and also patient acceptance, and satisfaction. Methods: In this qualitative action research, initially a software was designed for sending text messages to patients and then 30 patients were chosen purposefully in four weeks and were sent short text messages exactly based on clinicians’ prescribed order. After completing a treatment course, each patient was interviewed and questions were asked to assess patient’s satisfaction. Results: The result showed that all of the patients who received the text messages, believed that this method in comparison to their previous experience has helped them to use their medicine on time and correctly and they were keen to use this service in the future. Conclusion: Short text messaging can be used as an effective tool to remind patients to take their medicine correctly, and increase their satisfaction and compliance. Keywords: Reminder system, Drug utilization, Text messaging, Cellular phone, Infectious disease

Earthquake Preparedness in Teaching Hospitals: a cross-sectional study in Yazd/ Iran

Earthquake Preparedness in Teaching Hospitals: a cross-sectional study in Yazd/ Iran Abedi Mahdieh1, khanjankhani Khatere 1, Kiani Mohammad Mehdi2*, Seyed Abdel Hossein Mousavi Rigi3, Salehi Marzieh4 1 .M.Sc, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. 2. PhD Student, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran. 3. M.Sc, Department of Health Services Management, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran. 4. MSc Student in Healthcare Management, School of Management, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran *Correspondence: Department of Health and Economic Management, Fourth Floor of School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Ghods street, Keshavarz BLV, Tehran, Iran. Tel: 02188989129 Email: [email protected] Abstract: Introduction: Since it is not possible to accurately predict the time of earthquake, knowledge and preparedness of hospitals in relation to earthquake and strategies of facing earthquake are of a particular importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of earthquake preparedness in hospitals affiliated to Yazd University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study performed in four hospitals affiliated to Yazd University of Medical Sciences in 2015. A checklist including123 questions evaluating the safety of hospitals in facing earthquake in eight dimensions were used Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation and through SPSS16 statistical software package. Results: The hospitals’ preparedness against earthquake disaster was 58.87%. The highest rate of preparedness was found for dimension of disaster management plans and the lowest rate of preparedness was related to the dimension of hospital training plans (89.08% vs. 25%). The highest correlation was between the number of hospital beds and the dimension of safety of hospital equipments (r=.987) and the lowest correlation was between the number of hospital beds and the training plans (r=.271). Conclusion: Generally, hospitals preparedness against earthquake was at a moderate level and since the lowest level of preparedness against earthquake was in the dimension of educational planning, implementation of training courses should be considered as a priority. Key¬words: Readiness, Teaching hospital, Earthquake. Citation: Abedi M, khanjankhani K, Kian MM, Mousavi Rigi SA, Salehi M. Earthquake Preparedness in Teaching Hospitals: a cross-sectional study in Yazd/ Iran. Journal of Health Based Research 2017; 2(4): 1-11

Growth and antioxidant system responses of maize (Zea mays L.) seedling to different concentration of pyrene in a controlled environment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic pollutants effecting different aspects of plants physiology. To assess the physiological responses of plants to PAHs, maize (Zea mays) was treated with 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm of pyrene and after 21 days, the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), total flavonoid, total anthocyanin, and soluble sugar contents were measured in shoots and roots of plants. Pyrene led to increase MDA content as well as CAT, POD, and SOD activities. Increase in pyrene concentration reduced all studied growth variables and significantly increased photosynthetic pigments contents of plants. Soluble sugar content was significantly higher in the shoot, while that was reduced in the roots through increasing of pyrene concentration (p &lt; 0.05). Also, the increase of pyrene concentration decreased total flavonoid content compared to anthocyanin content. In conclusion, these findings supported the hypothesis that pyrene toxicity induces oxidative stress in the maize plant and it also increases the antioxidant systems in order to moderating stress condition. However, the antioxidant system of maize was not strong enough to eliminate all produced ROS at high concentrations, thus this caused oxidative damage to the plant and decreased its growth variables.</p

Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Modification Early Maladaptive Schemas patient With resistent Obsessive-Compulsion Disorder

Introduction: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has been comorbid with several disorder, it accompanies serious problems and deficiencies in the working lives of those afflicted with it. Aim:The purpose of this study was conducted the effectiveness of Schema therapy on modification early maladaptive schemas patient with resistent Obsessive-Compulsion disorder (OCD). Method: Populator statistical include all individual , patient with resistent OCD, on year 1392 referring were center psychiatrist-psychology Arak city.For this purpose, in a quasi- experimental study pre-test and post-test with control group, 24 subjects resistent (OCD) were selected via convenient sampling which randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Subjects were assessed for early maladaptive schemas, both before and after the treatment.The experimental group had received twenty session of schema therapy approach . To assess the schema using SCHEMA QUESTION and YOUNG PARENTING INVENTORY. The applied intervention was evaluated in three stages: pretest, post-test and one month follow-up. Data were analyzed by of Repeated measurement and Graphical Diagram. Results: The Results of present study showed severity of Schema dominant decreased The significantly in the experimental group than the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion:It appears that Schema therapy with applying Techniques Cognition, Experiential, and also unique therapeutic alliance, could be effective for reducing the severity Schema dominant of resistent Obsessive-Compulsion disorder (OCD)