The religious symbolism of mirror-mosaic work in Iran

This thesis focuses upon the religious symbolism of mirror-mosaic work in Islamic Iran. Following an introduction the thesis is divided into four chapters which investigate the symbolism of light and mirrors in the Islamic tradition. Chapter one analyses the Qur'anic heritage of light and mirror symbolism by referring to famous verses (such as the "light verse") and also by investigating the Qur'anic ontology, explaining how God, the angels, man the jinn, indeed, all things can be comprehended with reference to light. Chapter two investigates the Shi'-ite tradition of light and mirror symbolism with reference to the reports from the Shi'-ite Imams. The Shi'-ite connection is pertinent to Iran because it was during the sixteenth century that Iran became a Shi'-ite state. Since then Shi'-ism has remained the dominant Islamic denomination in Iran. The third chapter turns to the mystical dimension of Islam, Sufism, which is well known for its attention to the symbols of light and mirrors. This is carried out with reference to texts of two celebrated mystics from Iran, Sahl-I Tustari and Najm al-Din Razi. Having constructed this framework that explains the prevalence of light and mirror symbolism in Islamic literature, chapter four offers an explanation as to why mirror-mosaic work is common in interior design in Iran. Moreover, the variety of styles and usages are investigated, and an explanation (based on the preceding chapters) is offered for the nature of these styles of mirror-mosaic work. Following chapter four these are copious illustrations of mirror-mosaic work in Iran, the vast majority of which are photographs taken by the author. The thesis is then rounded of with a conclusion which summarizes the findings of these chapters

Improvement of spatial memory of male parkinsonian rats after treatment with adipose stem cells and rosemary leaf extract

Background: Due to the neuroprotective effect of rosemary extract, this study aimed at examining the effect of co-treatment of adipose stem cells transplantation and the extract on memory disability of parkinsonian rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male parkinsonian rats were prepared by bilateral injection of 6-OHDA. The sham group was injected normal saline into the substantia nigra. The extract+medium group was gavaged with the extract 14 days before until 8 weeks after the injury, and the medium was intravenously injected. The extract+cell group was orally gavaged with the extract and the cells were injected. Morris water maze training was conducted one week before and after the lesion and also a retrieval test was performed 4 and 8 weeks after the lesion. Results: There was no significant difference in distance moved and escape latency at training days, before the injury, between the groups. However, a week after the injury, learning ability in lesioned animals was significantly decreased as compared to the sham group (P<0.05). Results of retention tests in four and eight weeks were similar. Duration of escape latency and time spent in target quadrant of lesioned rats were significantly increased and decreased respectively as compared to the sham (P<0.05). The extract+medium and extract+cell groups showed significant decrease and increase in escape latency and time spent in target quadrant as compared to the lesioned group (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The cell therapy accompanied with orally administration of the rosemary extract can improve memory deficit in Parkinson’s disease

Letrozole as co-treatment agent in ovarian stimulation antagonist protocol in poor responders: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: Ovarian stimulation (OS) for poor ovarian response (POR) patients is still a major challenge in assisted reproductive techniques. Aromatase inhibitors as co-treatment in antagonist protocol are suggested to these patients, but there are controversial reports. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness Letrozole (LZ) as adjuvant treatment in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist protocol in POR patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Materials and Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in Arash women’s hospital. One hundred sixty infertile women with POR based on Bologna criteria were allocated into two groups randomly: LZ + GnRH-antagonist (LA) and placebo + GnRH-antagonist (PA) groups. In the experimental group, the patients received 5 mg LZ on the first five days of OS with 150 IU of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) and 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG). The cycle outcomes were compared between groups. Results: The total number of retrieved oocytes and the metaphase II oocytes in LA-treated group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p = 0.008, p = 0.002). The dosage of hMG used and the duration of OS and antagonist administration in LZ-treated group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The number of patients with no oocyte, in the control group, was higher than the LZ-treated group, and the clinical pregnancy rate in LA-treated group (25%) was higher than the control group (18%); however, the differences were not significant statistically. Conclusion: Adding 5 mg of LZ to rFSH/hMG antagonist protocol may improve the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle outcome in POR patients. Key words: Letrozole, Ovarian reserve, Primary ovarian insufficiency, Ovulation induction, Fertilization in vitro, Aromatase inhibitors

A Study of the Essence of Tragedy in Millerian Plays throughout Nietzsche’s Idea of Inevitability

Arthur Miller’s plays give a deep tragic sensation to the readers dealing with tragic life of modern man; in which a normal man who seems to have committed no tragic flaw faces a drastic tragic outcome. In his article Tragedy and Common Man, Miller declares his intent of re-portraying tragedy in the twentieth century: “since the life of man and his challenges has had been the apt subject for tragedy throughout history”. Besides, in his Birth of Tragedy Nietzsche points out that tragedy claims a spreading subject in man’s life which encompasses the whole human generations and drags them to a tragic fate, and this is raised from a deep-seated problem in man’s life. All Millerian heroes are stricken in such a tragic fate. The present study deals with the indispensable problem of this tragic fate which seems to take in the world of Millerian tragedy and calls this factor as “Inevitability”: the unavoidable tragic end, in which the tragic hero is stricken, has no loophole, and finally has to submit the fate. This study tracks the paradigm of this discourse in Arthur Miller’s tragic plays. Finally the article comes to the conclusion that despite all the struggles of the heroes of modern tragedies, their fate is inevitable. The inevitability is the factor Nietzsche point out for the birth of tragedy: the fundamental problem in man’s fate drags him to the unavoidable noose, and it is the reason for the re-birth of tragedy in twentieth century and Arthur Miller’s plays. Key words: Tragedy; Inevitability; Tragic Flaw; Tragic Pity and Fear; Catharsis; Presentimen

Natural cycle versus modified natural cycle for endometrial preparation in women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer: An RCT

Background: Studies have evaluated different endometrial preparation methods, but the optimal frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle strategy in terms of the in-vitro fertilization outcome is still debated. Objective: To compare the natural versus modified natural cycles for endometrial preparation in women undergoing FET. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a randomized clinical trial, and it was performed at the Arash women’s hospital between August 2016-2018. Hundred and forty eligible participants were enrolled in this study and were randomly divided into 2 groups by using the block randomization method, including true natural FET (n = 70) and modified natural FET (mNFET) (n = 70) cycles. Both groups were monitored for endometrial thickness and follicular size; simultaneously spontaneous luteinizing hormone surge using urinary luteinizing hormone testing kits. The mNFET group received 5000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin injection to trigger final follicular maturation. Luteal support by vaginal progesterone (cyclogest 400 mg twice daily) was used in true natural FET from the day of transfer until the 10th wk of pregnancy. Chemical and clinical pregnancy and abortion rates were considered as the primary outcomes. Results: There were no differences in the participants’ baseline characteristics between groups. There was no difference in clinical pregnancy and abortion rate between the 2 groups, while the implantation rate was significantly higher in the mNFET group (29.2% vs. 17.6%; p = 0.036). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that both types of natural cycles were similar in pregnancy outcomes, while modified cycles might be associated with a higher implantation rate. Key words: Embryo transfer, In vitro fertilization, Pregnancy rate, Live birth, Human chorionic gonadotropin

Characteristics of Methadone Intoxicated Children Presenting to Emergency Department; a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Each year a large number of patients present to emergency departments (EDs) following accidental or intentional poisoning with methadone. This study was designed with the aim of demographic evaluation of methadone poisoning in children presenting to ED and proposing preventive measures to parents and the healthcare system. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on children under the age of 12 years presenting to ED of a poisoning referral center. Demographic characteristics of the child and parents, cause of poisoning, form of drug consumed, dose consumed, the symptoms of the child on admission, clinical examination, laboratory findings, and final outcome were recorded and reported using descriptive statistics. Results: 179 cases were studied (59.2% boys). Cause of consumption was accidental in 175 (97.8%) cases and consumed drug dose was unknown in 53 (53.6%) cases. On admission 6 cases were in deep coma, 133 (74.3%) had miotic pupils, and 52 (29.1%) were affected with respiratory apnea and cyanosis. In 132 (73.8%) cases drugs were obtained from unapproved stores and form of drug consumed was syrup in 146 (81.6%) cases. 177 (98.9%) cases were discharged after 2 or3 days and 2 (1.1%) cases died. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, most cases of methadone poisoning were accidental, in children residing in poor and middle-class areas, with parents who had a low level of education and had obtained the drug from unapproved stores and stored it in improper containers or at improper places. Only 64.8% of the parents were educated regarding drug storage

Quality of Life and Related Factors Among People With Spinal Cord Injuries in Tehran, Iran

Background: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is one of the biggest health problems. Disabilities resulting from injuries such as spinal disability requires special attention because of their potential reduced to cause adverse effects in different systems of the body. Today, improving the Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with SCIs is an important goal of treatment. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the QOL and related factors among people with SCIs. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 106 patients with SCI were selected through sampling based on census. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a Short-Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire for measuring the QOL among patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 14 software and descriptive and inferential statistics. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean QOL in these patients was 37.1 ± 1.7 years (21 -65 years) and mean disease duration was 7.3±6 years. The most common injury was paraplegia. Most of the patients have moderate QOL (54.7 %). The results showed a significant relationship between QOL and marital status and employment status (P < 0.05). Also, results showed a significant relationship between QOL and education levels (P = 0.002), age (P = 0.001), and duration of illness (P = 0.001).The highest and lowest scores were 64 ± 7.1 and 36 ± 5.3 for understanding General Health (GH) and role physical, respectively. Conclusions: The results show that patients with SCI have a moderate health-related QOL Determining the QOL is needed to focus on the strengths and weaknesses of patients with spinal cord injuries. Planning principles is recommended in order to reform the disability

Selegiline induced differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to dopaminergic neurons in vitro

Today, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating human diseases has attracted wide attention. The aim of this study is the expression of dopaminergic genes such as Nestin, patched Tumor Suppressor (PTCH), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) and Nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (NURR1) in MSCs after induction with selegiline. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) were extracted from femur and tibia bones and incubated with alpha Minimum Essential Medium (α-MEM) and 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS). The stemness of cells at passage 4 was determined by the positive response to CD71 and CD90 markers and their differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts. The expression of SHH, PTCH, TH, NURR1 and Nestin genes in the cells after induction by 10-8 M selegiline for 48 hours was investigated by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Real Time-PCR methods. Isolated rBMSCs expressed CD71 and CD90 markers in culture conditions and could differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. Induced cells showed neuronal morphology, positive response to Nestin and TH immunostaining. There was a significant increase of dopaminergic genes TH and NURR1 compared to the untreated cells. The results showed that selegiline with a dose of 10-8 M for 48 hours can lead to dopaminergic differentiation in rBMSCs