Microbial Biofilms as a Risk Factor for Acantahmoeba keratitis

Members of the protozoan genus Acanthamoeba are free-living amoebas and the primary causative agent ofamoebic keratitis and granulomatous encephalitis. Amoebic keratitis mainly occurs in individuals who wearsoft contact lenses following trauma and exposure to contaminated sources. As the survival, growth, andmultiplication of this protozoan increases in biofilms, which is the microbial accumulation, several cases ofamoebic keratitis have been reported as co-infections with bacteria, especially Pseudomonasaureginosa. Pseudomonas improves the binding of this protozoan to soft lens surfaces by its special surfaceenzymes, resulting in Acanthamoeba keratitis and sometimes mixed infection. Biofilm accumulatesmicroorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, on living and non-living surfaces. The firm attachment of thesemicrobial accumulations to the surface can cause various diseases and resistance to treatment. The critical pointis that bacteria have less destructive effects in the plantonik state, and when the specific signals of thesemicrobiome cause the recall of other microorganisms and their interaction, they lead to problems.Unfortunately, the ocular defense barrier, which includes the eyelids, lacrimal glands, and tears, cannot killmicrobial agents when microorganisms accumulate and adhere firmly to the lens surfaces. Due to the greatimportance of AK, especially in medical contact lens users, biofilm formation is an important issue that hasbeen considered in recent years. Biofilm formation-induced drug resistance, which is caused by thedisproportionate density of microorganisms on the inner and outer surfaces of the biofilm. There are severalways to prevent the formation of biofilms on the surfaces of contact lenses, including the use of antimicrobialpeptides and various antibiotics and coating them on the inner surface of contact lenses to slow-release ofantibiotics and prevent biofilm formation. In the present review article, we aimed to introduce biofilms as oneof the important risk factors for developing Acanthamoeba keratitis and prevention ways of biofilms formation

World on the Road to 100% Renewable Energy

In the study, the current and future status of renewable energy resources were compiled in the light of large databases of national and international renewable energy institutions, and the latest situation in the world in the transition to 100% renewable energy was examined. The extent of the goal for the transition to 100% renewable energy has been determined, and predictions have been made based on all this information. In today’s world where energy and environmental problems are on the agenda, countries’ transition to renewable energy is the primary solution. This goal is called the transition to 100% renewable energy, which brings advantages such as providing needed energy and producing clean energy. Today, renewable energy sources account for more than one-third of the global energy capacity, and the world is rapidly moving towards 100% renewable energy. Compared with 2017, the total amount of renewable energy in 2018 increased by 181 GW, and the number of countries with an increase in the proportion of renewable energy increased. Taking into account the external dependence of the use of fossil fuels and environmental issues, this development is at a promising level in the future. In order to shift from highly polluting oil resources to natural gas and renewable resources, this article aims to investigate the current global energy transition trends, and then propose some important strategies to get closer to upstream goals and obligations in this way.Citation: Norouzi, N., and Fani, M. (2021). World on the Road to 100% Renewable Energy. Trends in Renewable Energy, 7, 114-126. DOI: 10.17737/tre.2021.7.1.0013

Motivational Components Involved in the Metamotivational Monitoring in Medical Students

Background: Theoretical implications of self-regulated learning emphasize that self-regulation of motivation (metamotivation) plays an important role in learning, effort, perseverance, and academic success in general. Metamotivation is how people monitor and control their motivational states to achieve their goals. Researchers believe that metamotivation includes two reciprocal processes: metamotivational monitoring, evaluating whether the person has selected the proper level (quantity) and type (quality) of motivation to perform his tasks; and metamotivational control, using the results of the monitoring phase and applying suitable strategies for adapting or changing the motivation. In metamotivational monitoring, students try to identify the declined motivational component in order to regulate its quantity and quality using motivational regulation strategies. In this field, two important questions arise: How can identify and measure the motivational components involved in metamotivational monitoring? and: Which motivational component is targeted by the medical students when they use every motivational regulation strategy? Methods: Applying a multi-stage study, motivational components involved in metamotivational monitoring were characterized and a questionnaire developed. Then, using Structural Equation Modeling, predictive relationships between motivational components and motivational regulation strategies were investigated. Results: The Motivational Components Questionnaire (MCQ) showed acceptable evidence of validity and reliability. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis, 6 factors were discovered that explained 74% of the total variance. In examining the predictive relationships, each of the four components of self-efficacy, intrinsic value, self-relevant value and promotion value were specifically predicted by two motivational regulation strategies. Conclusions: Evidence of validity and reliability of the MCQ indicates that this questionnaire can be used in medical education contexts. Health Profession Educators can improve the academic motivation of students by identifying one or more declined motivational component and teaching specific motivational regulation strategies. It is recommended to hold training courses on motivational regulation strategies for medical school faculty, study-skills advisors, and students

Metamotivation in Medical Students: Explaining Motivation Regulation Strategies in Medical Students

BACKGROUND: Metamotivation is a process that students use to monitor their motivational states to reach their academic goals. To date, few studies have addressed the ways that medical students manage their motivational states. This study aim to identify the motivational strategies of medical students as they use the metamotivational process to monitor and control their motivational states. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study uses directed content analysis of the narrative responses of 18 medical students to draft an in-depth and semistructured interview protocol which were conducted through WhatsApp due to social distance restrictions of COVID-19. Data were collected, encoded, and analyzed using deductive content analysis approach descripted by Elo and Kyngäs. RESULTS: Seven main themes were extracted as the motivational strategies of medical students including “regulation of value,” “regulation of situational interest,” “self-consequating,” “environmental structuring,” “efficacy management,” “regulation of relatedness,” and “regulation of situational awareness.” In this study by identifying new strategies, we provide a broader framework of metamotivational strategies in the field of the progression of learners in medical education. CONCLUSION: Medical students use a variety of strategies to regulate their academic motivation. To sustain and improve the motivation of medical students, identifying and strengthening metamotivational strategies is the first step

The effective major factors on customer perceived value in service context: The application of ANFIS method

The purpose of the research is to further explore the understanding of the major factors influencing on service customer perceived value by undertaking Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) method in fuzzy inference system (FIS). A total of 162 questionnaires were distributed to educational institute customers. In this research effective major factors on customer perceived value are brand image, company image, employee trust, company trust, service quality and costs. The results show that in the field of education, the company image and the costs are the most effective elements on the customer perceived value. Also employee trust and service quality have positive effects on the customer perceived value, but they were not very most. Thus educative services institutes must concentrate more on the company image and costs reduction in order to increase the customer perceived value.

The effective major factors on customer perceived value in service context: The application of ANFIS method

The purpose of the research is to further explore the understanding of the major factors influencing on service customer perceived value by undertaking Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) method in fuzzy inference system (FIS). A total of 162 questionnaires were distributed to educational institute customers. In this research effective major factors on customer perceived value are brand image, company image, employee trust, company trust, service quality and costs. The results show that in the field of education, the company image and the costs are the most effective elements on the customer perceived value. Also employee trust and service quality have positive effects on the customer perceived value, but they were not very most. Thus educative services institutes must concentrate more on the company image and costs reduction in order to increase the customer perceived value.

Designing a model for development of women sports with an emphasis on sports as a social phenomenon: What do we need?

Despite the development of sports in Iran, women's sports have not yet been able to achieve a desirable position. The development components and their necessary contexts and backgrounds must be identified to achieve the development of women sports. The aim of this study was to present a model for development of women's sports in Iran which was conducted through qualitative research method with the fundamental-exploratory nature. The data were collected by snowball sampling method based on deep interviews, which were coded and analysed according to grounded theory with a constructive approach. The results showed that the development of women's sports involves three components: environmental, structural, and behavioural. Furthermore, there was an intimate relationship between all the developmental contexts. Also, Peripheral components were identified as a large-scale context but structural components as facilitating contexts for development. The results also indicated to achieve women Sports development, suitable contexts are needed and the most important one is Cultural-Social context. Based on the results, necessary actions for the development of women's sport should be taken through the establishment of proper policies, determination of appropriate structures, and provision of favourable environments and contexts

Determination of Species of Leishmania Using HSP70 Gene in Patients Referred to Selected Health Centers of Iran

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania major and Leishmania tropaica. Iran is considered as one of the world's largest leishmaniosis centers. In this study, the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR method was used to determine the species of pathogenic parasites. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 patients with suspected cutaneous ulcer referring to the selected medical centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected. Their demographic characteristics were recorded. After diagnosis of parasite by microscopy, positive samples were cultured in NNN medium. After DNA extraction of cultured parasite, PCR was performed for amplification of the HSP70 gene. The PCR products were digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme; the obtained patterns were compared with the same genes in the GenBank database. Results: A 1422 base pair fragment was detected in PCR of HSP70 gene in 30 positive samples. After digestion, 16 (53.3%) of the samples, had an enzymatic digestive pattern compatible to L. major and 14 (46.7%) others had the L. tropica profile. More information concerning demographic aspects were obtained after analyses them with the infected samples. Conclusion: Regarding the history of patient trips to their hometown, the transfer does not appear to have occurred in areas covered by the university's medical centers, but the presence of these patients in these areas requires careful monitoring them. Additionally, control of population and mosquito species is needed. The results of this study sustain that the HSP70 gene still has sufficient ability to differentiate between two different species of L. major and L. tropica

Is Maternal Hypertension a Reducing Factor for Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Iranian Preterm Newborns?

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy including preeclampsia can be associated with preterm birth and infant mortality and morbidity. It seems that intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm neonates born to hypertensive mothers is less common compared to the other ones. In this study, we assessed the relationship between hypertensive disorders of pregnant mothers and the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm neonates weighing less than 1500 grams.Methods: In this case-control study, 305 singleton preterm neonates with a birth weight less than 1500 g were entered. The presence of IVH in all preterm neonates was assessed using brain ultrasonography and its correlation to hypertensive disorders of their mothers were evaluated.Results: The prevalence of preeclampsia in mothers with and without pre pregnancy hypertension was 40%, and 15.09% respectively. The prevalence of IVH in preterm neonates was 26.9% (n=82). The incidence of IVH in preterm neonates of mothers with and without preeclampsia was 16.07%, and 29.31%, respectively (p=0.028). The prevalence of IVH in preterm neonates of mothers with hypertension and without hypertension was 12.5% and 29.05%, respectively (p=0.018). Preterm neonates with IVH had a lower mean birth weight, smaller gestational age and lower Apgar scores compared to preterm neonates without IVH with p values of <0.001, <0.001 and <0.01, respectively.Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increase the risk of preterm delivery, but the incidence of IVH in preterm neonates weighing less than 1500 gr is lower in infants born to mothers with hypertension including preeclampsia compared to those born to non-hypertensive mothers. And also lower gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores were important predicting factors for IVH in preterm neonates