Predicting Candidate Epitopes on Ebola Virus for Possible Vaccine Development

Zaire ebolavirus, a member of family Filoviridae is the cause of hemorrhagic fever. Due to lack of appropriate antiviral or vaccine, this disease is very lethal. In this study, we tried to find epitopes for superficial glycoprotein and nucleoprotein of Zaire ebolavirus (that have high antigenicity for MHC I, II and B cells) by using in silico methods and immunoinformatics approach. By using CTLPred, SYFPEITHI and ProPred web applications for MHC class I and SYFPEITHI and ProPred1 web applications for MHC class II, we had been able to find epitopes (peptides) that have the highest score. Also ElliPro, IgPred and DiscoTope web tools had been performed to predict B cells conformational epitopes. Linear epitope prediction for B cell was performed with six methods from IEDB. All of the results that including candidate epitopes for T cells and B cells were reported. It was expected that these peptides could be stimulated immune response and used for designing the multipeptide vaccine against ZEV but these results should be reliable with experimental analysis

A Review on Epigenome Editing using CRISPR-based Tools to Rejuvenate Skin Tissues

Genomic activity is controlled by a sophisticated series of cell functions known as the epigenome. The creation of tools capable of directly altering various processes is required to unravel this intricacy. Additionally, by employing tailored DNA-binding platforms connected with effector domains to serve as targeted transcription factors or epigenetic modifiers, it is possible to control the chemical modifiers that regulate the genome's activity. Neoplastic disorders have received the most attention in the study of epigenetics, though the epigenome's significance in a variety of disease processes is now well acknowledged. Researchers are inspired to investigate novel approaches to revert these pathogenic alterations to their normal patterns by considering the fact that the epigenome profile of individuals with aging skin cells or other skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, differs from that of healthy individuals. Here in this review, we discuss the use of CRISPR/dCas9 as a cutting-edge and flexible tool for fundamental studies on chromatin structure, transcription regulation, and epigenetic landscapes, as well as the potential of this method in these fields. Furthermore, we review on common and recently invented methods to make epigenetic alterations possible in daughter cells after any mitotic differentiations. In the very near future, CRISPR-based epigenomic editing will become a potent tool for comprehending and regulating biological functions

The survey on biodiversity of phytoplankton in Iranian part of the Persian Gulf

Plankton survey of Persian Gulf was conducted Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khoozestan provinces during 4 seasons in 1998. In generally 244 species were Identified in Iranian area of Persian Gulf that consisted of 124 species of Bacillarophyceae, 114 species of Dinophyceae, 5 species of Cyanophyceae, species of Chrysophyceae and 1 species of Euglenophyceae Result shows that the density and diversity of phytoplankton compare to last years (1976-1977) changed dramaticaly. the density of phytoplankton increased from east to west of Gulf and during the year were observed two major pike in late summer and late winter. Density and diversity of phytoplankton in Koozestan region were more than other rigion. Seasonal average of phytoplankton in Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khoozestan were 1413622, 1440411 and 2237437 number/m3 respectively. Zooplankton had related inversly to phytoplankton where with increasing Zooplankton, decrease in phytoplankton were observed. Phytoplanktonic density and diversity decreas profundly changed slightly during years ago where the blue green algae had prevalent presence at all regions and the diatoms density decreased. Density of phytoplankton increased from surface to depth zom but decreased under it, however at winter incraese of phytoplankton were observed to depth 50 meter. Statistical test shows that density of phytooplankton in different depths and regions has not significantly differences, also the seasonaly denity of phytoplankton had seasonaly significantly differences too. Tuky test and clustering analysis shows that Shanon wiener diversity index at Khoozastan an Bushehr are siginificantly diffrences

Drug Calculation Cards and Medication Errors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Introduction: Medication administration errors are the most common medication errors. One of the most important causes of medication administration errors is a mistake in calculating the dose of medication by nurses. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of using the Drug Calculation Cards on the amount and type of medication administration errors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with one-group before-after design to examine the effects of using the Drug Calculation Cards on the amount and type of medication administration errors. Eligible NICU nurses in selected centers affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences were registered (n = 33) in the study within three months. Then, before intervention data were collected using “medication administration errors reporting” questionnaire. Three months later the intervention (drug calculation card) was done and the same medication administration errors reporting questionnaire was dispersed. The data were entered to the SPSS version 14 and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean medication administration error during the three months before and three months after the intervention were 12.41 ± 14.48 and 9.62 ± 12.72, respectively, which had a statistically significant difference (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Using the Drug Calculation Cards by nurses i

Perceived barriers to methadone maintenance treatment among Iranian opioid users

Abstract Background Opioid use is a severe problem in Iran. Despite methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs being one of the most important treatment strategies for reducing individual and public harms associated with opioid use, a large proportion of Iranian patients refuse to participate in such treatment programs. Methods The present study aims to explore the beliefs and attitudes toward MMT programs of opioid-dependent patients who were participating or had participated in methadone therapy. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 opioid users between 27 and 58 years of age from Kurdistan provinces. Results Overall, six themes were discovered to be key barriers relating to methadone treatment, including financial barriers related to methadone treatment, lack of awareness about methadone treatment, negative attitudes regarding using methadone, worries about methadone’s side effects, social stigma ascribed to methadone therapy, and systemic barriers to methadone treatment. Conclusion Our study revealed that the cost of treatment is a major obstacle to attending and continuing at MMT programs and that addicts and their families are not always accurately informed about the duration of MMT programs and the side effects of methadone treatment

Comparing thrB gene sequencing and multiplex PCR method in grouping of the different strains of escherichia coli

Background and purpose: The best-known groups of Escherichia coli are B2, B1, A, and D. Previous studies have clearly shown the difference between this group such as resistance to antibiotics, the growth rate, and pathogenicity. Therefore, identifying different groups of E. coli could be of great benefit in curing infections caused by this bacterium. There are some defects in traditional diagnosis methods for E. coli groups, hence, this study aimed at finding a more efficient method. Material and methods: To identify different E. coli groups, after surveying genomic sequence of 60 E. coli and their grouping which was done by silico multiplex PCR method, a polymorphic sequence of homoserine kinase enzyme was selected. Then, 20 unknown samples of E. coli strains were grouped by this sequence and multiplex PCR methods. Results: The 20 unknown samples of E. coli strains were grouped identically in both methods. Conclusion: Identification and grouping of different E. coli strains by sequencing method was found to be more precise than multiplex PCR method. © 2014, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Clinical and pharmacological applications of silymarin components at cellular and molecular level: A review

Silymarin, a flavonolignan from ‘milk thistle’ (Silybum marianum) plant is used almost exclusively for hepatoprotection and amounts to 180 million US dollars business in Germany alone. In this review, we discuss about its safety, efficacy and future uses in liver diseases. The use of silymarin may replace the polyherbal formulations and will avoid the major problems of standardization, quality control and contamination with heavy metals or bacterial toxins. Silymarin consists of four flavonolignan isomers namely; silybin, isosilybin, silydianin and silychristin. Among them, silybin being the most active and commonly used. Silymarin is orally absorbed and is excreted mainly through bile as sulphates and conjugates. Silymarin offers good protection in various toxic models of experimental liver diseases in laboratory animals. It acts by antioxidative, anti-lipid peroxidative, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, membrane stabilizing, immunomodulatory and liver regenerating mechanisms. Silymarin has clinical applications in alcoholic liver diseases, liver cirrhosis, Amanita mushroom poisoning, viral hepatitis, toxic and drug induced liver diseases and in diabetic patients. Though silymarin does not have antiviral properties against hepatitis virus, it promotes protein synthesis, helps in regenerating liver tissue, controls inflammation, enhances glucuronidation and protects against glutathione depletion. Silymarin may prove to be a useful drug for hepatoprotection in hepatobiliary diseases and in hepatotoxicity due to drugs. The non-traditional use of silymarin may make a breakthrough as a new approach to protect other organs in addition to liver. As it is having a good safety profile, better patient tolerability and an effective drug at an affordable price in near future new derivatives or new combinations of this drug may prove to be useful. © Medwell Journals, 2016

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Treatment for Fourth Nerve Palsy

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical features, etiology and outcomes of treatment for superior oblique (SO) palsy over a 10-year period at Labbafinejad Medical Center. Methods: A complete ophthalmologic examination with particular attention to forced duction test (FDT) and tendon laxity was performed in all patients preoperatively. The palsy was divided into congenital and acquired types. Results: Overall, 73 patients including 45 male (61.6%) and 28 female (38.4%) subjects with mean age of 19.7΁11.7 (range, 1.5-62) years, were operated from 1997 to 2007. SO palsy was congenital in 56 (76%) and acquired in 17 (24%) cases. The most common chief complaint was ocular deviation (52.1%). FDT was positive in only 7 (9.7%) cases. Other clinical findings included amblyopia (19.2%), head tilt (13.7%), chin down position (4.1%), facial asymmetry (6.8%) and tendon laxity (2.7%). Mean preoperative vertical deviation was 16.1 prism diopters (PD) which was decreased to 1.9 PD postoperatively. Mean exotropia and esotropia were 15 and 13.9 PD respectively before the operation and both decreased to 1.5 PD of horizontal deviation postoperatively. The most common type of SO palsy based on Knapp′s classification was type 3 (42.5%). The most common operated muscle was the inferior oblique (83.6%) and the most common type of operation was inferior oblique myectomy (83.6%). The success rate for initial surgery was 84% and was increased to 96% with a second intervention. Conclusion: The most common form of SO palsy requiring surgical intervention was congenital which occurred most frequently in young males. Most cases of SO palsy can be successfully treated with a single surgical procedure

The Effect of Mind Simulation Method on Reducing Stuttering and Communication Attitude

Background and Aims Fluency disorder or stuttering is a Speech disorder in humans whose prevalence is higher at the ages before puberty. Mind simulation may be effective in reducing the severity of stuttering and some associated problems such as negative attitude towards communication. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of mind simulation method on reducing stuttering and improving communication attitude in children and adolescents with stuttering aged 7-16 years.Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test/follow-up design. Participants were 30 children and adolescents with stuttering aged 7-16 years (9 females and 21 males) referred to a psychology clinic in 2020. They completed DeNil and Brutten’s communication attitude test-revised (CAT-R) and Riley’s Stuttering Severity Instrument- 4(SSI-4) in the pre-test stage. Then, they underwent treatment by the Mind Simulation method for three months. Immediately after and one month after treatment, they completed the CAT-R and SSI-4 questionnaires again. Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance and Friedman Test were used to analyze the collected data.Results There was a significant difference between pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases in stuttering severity (P=0.0001) and communication attitude (P=0.0001). The severity of stuttering decreased in the post-test and follow-up phases compared to the pre-test phase, while communication attitude improved in the post-test phase compared to the pre-test phaseConclusion The mind simulation method can reduce stuttering and improve communication attitude in children and adolescents with stuttering

A Dyadic Approach to Understanding Associations Between Job Stress, Marital Quality, and Dyadic Coping for Dual-Career Couples in Iran

In Iran, dual-career couples face many stressors due to their demands of balancing work and family. Moreover, the experience of this stress can negatively affect partners’ martial quality. Recent studies have shown the positive impact of dyadic coping on well-being; however, a majority of this research has been conducted with Western cultures. As such, there is a dearth of literature on understanding how supportive and common dyadic coping may have a positive association with work-family stress for couples in Iran. Using a sample of 206 heterosexual dual-career couples from Iran, this study examines the associations between job stress and marital quality, and possible moderating effects of common and perceived partner supportive dyadic coping. As predicted, job stress was negatively associated with marital quality, and this association with further moderated by gender, such that women who experienced greater job stress also reported lower marital quality. Additionally, dyadic coping moderated the association between job stress and marital quality. Common dyadic coping attenuated the negative association between job stress and marital quality. The findings shed light on the possible beneficial effects of teaching supportive and common dyadic coping techniques to dual-career couples in Iran