The Effect of Structured Academic Controversy on English Proficiency Level within Communicative Language Teaching Context

This study aimed at investigating the effect of Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) on English proficiency level of Iranian intermediate EFL learners within the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) context. To this end, the Cambridge English Placement Test (CEPT) as the pre-test was administered to 90 EFL learners at Khayyam University of Mashhad, Iran. Based on the results and according to the test guidelines, only the intermediate EFL learners were selected as the final participants (N=60). Then, they were randomly divided into two groups of control and experimental, each group consisting of 30 subjects. Then, a t-test analysis was conducted to ensure that the two groups were not different in their English proficiency level before treatment. The experimental group was taught English based on a CLT syllabus supplemented by SAC techniques, whereas the control group received the same instruction but without being aided with the SAC techniques. After treatment, the participants received the same CEPT as the post-test. The t-test results for this test revealed a significant effect of SAC on the experimental group's performance on the post test, which means that SAC can play a role in EFL learners' English language proficiency improvement

Modulation of transforming growth factor-β signalling transducers in colon adenocarcinoma cells induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a notable cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, making it a pertinent topic for the study of cancer and its treatment. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), an enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer and antimetastatic effects due to its ability to modify cell immunity and cellular signaling pathways. In the current study, SEB was investigated, including whether it exerts its growth inhibitory effects on colon adenocarcinoma cells. This may occur through the manipulation of a key tumor growth factor, termed transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and its signaling pathway transducer, Smad2/3. The human colon adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell line was treated with different concentrations of SEB, and cell number was measured using MTT assay at different treatment times. Smad2/3 RNA expression level was analyzed in untreated or SEB-treated cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which indicated significant differences between cell viability and Smad2/3 expression levels. SEB effectively downregulated Smad2/3 expression in the HCT116 cells at concentrations of 1 and 2 μg/ml (P=0.0021 and P=0.0017, respectively). SEB concentrations that were effective at inhibiting Smad2/3 expression were correlated with those able to inhibit the proliferation of the cancer cells. SEB inhibited Smad2/3 expression at the mRNA level in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The present study thus proposed SEB as an agent able to significantly reduce Smad2/3 expression in colon cancer cells, provoking moderate TGF-β growth signaling and the reduction of tumor cell proliferation

Modulation of transforming growth factor-beta signaling transducers in colon adenocarcinoma cells induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a notable cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, making it a pertinent topic for the study of cancer and its treatment. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), an enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer and antimetastatic effects due to its ability to modify cell immunity and cellular signaling pathways. In the current study, SEB was investigated, including whether it exerts its growth inhibitory effects on colon adenocarcinoma cells. This may occur through the manipulation of a key tumor growth factor, termed transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and its signaling pathway transducer, Smad2/3. The human colon adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell line was treated with different concentrations of SEB, and cell number was measured using MTT assay at different treatment times. Smad2/3 RNA expression level was analyzed in untreated or SEB-treated cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which indicated significant differences between cell viability and Smad2/3 expression levels. SEB effectively downregulated Smad2/3 expression in the HCT116 cells at concentrations of 1 and 2 mu g/ml (P=0.0021 and P=0.0017, respectively). SEB concentrations that were effective at inhibiting Smad2/3 expression were correlated with those able to inhibit the proliferation of the cancer cells. SEB inhibited Smad2/3 expression at the mRNA level in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The present study thus proposed SEB as an agent able to significantly reduce Smad2/3 expression in colon cancer cells, provoking moderate TGF-beta growth signaling and the reduction of tumor cell proliferation

The use of nanoparticles in the formulation of essential oils

زمینه و هدف: نانوتکنولوژی توانایی کنترل ویژگی های مواد در مقیاس اتمی و مولکولی است. حوزه پزشکی مدرن و داروسازی هم تحت تأثیر این فناوری قرار گرفته است. در این زمینه بیشترین تمرکز تحقیقاتی بر درون گیری ترکیبات فعال دارویی مخصوصاً داروهای سایتوتوکسیک بوده است. اسانس ها ترکیباتی هستند که کاربردهای درمانی و بهداشتی و آرایشی دارند. آن ها مخلوط پیچیده ای از انواع مولکول های فرار آروماتیک و آلیفاتیک هستند. استفاده از اسانس ها به عنوان عوامل ضد باکتری، ضد ویروس، ضد قارچ، ضد انگل و ضد حشره سابقه‌ای به قدمت تاریخ دارد. امروزه نانوتکنولوژی در جهت رفع عیوب آن ها وارد عمل شده و به بهبود حلالیت و کاهش فراریت کمک کرده است. هدف از مطالعه حاضر بررسی کاربرد نانوتکنولوژی و نانوذرات مختلف در درون گیری اسانس ها و نقش آن ها در بهبود اثرات درمانی و پایداری آن ها می باشد. روش بررسی: در مطالعه حاضر داده ها (با استفاده از کلمات کلیدی نانوذرات شناخته‌شده شامل نانوذرات لیپیدی جامد، لیپوزوم، امولسیون، سیکلودکسترین، نانوذرات مغناطیسی) از پایگاه‌های داده های الکترونیکی شامل Pubmed، Google Scholar، Magiran، Irandoc، IranMedex و پایگاه داده‌های علمی جمع آوری شد. یافته ها: با توجه به ماهیت فیزیکی اسانس ها، دو دسته از نانوحامل ها بیشتر استفاده شده است. دسته اول حامل های لیپیدی از جمله لیپوزوم ها، نانوذرات لیپیدی جامد، نانوامولسیون ها و میکروامولسیون ها هستند. دسته دوم شامل فرمولاسیون های حاوی نانوذرات پلیمری است که سبب بهبود قابل‌ توجه فعالیت ضد میکروبی اسانس‌ها شده اند. سیکلودکسترین ها و نانوذرات مغناطیسی هم در انتها اشاره شده است. نتیجه گیری: فناوری نانو و استفاده از نانوذرات سبب افزایش پایداری شیمیایی اسانس‌ها شده است، به‌علاوه کاهش سمیت و عوارض جانبی حاصل از آن را به همراه داشته است

The Relationship of ST Segment Changes in Lead aVR with Outcomes after Myocardial Infarction; a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Among the 12 leads studied in electrocardiography (ECG), lead aVR can be considered as the most forgotten part of it since no attention is paid to it as the mirror image of other leads. Therefore, the present study has been designed with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of ST segment changes in lead aVR and its relationship with the outcome of these patients.Methods: In this retrospective cross sectional study medical profiles of patients who had presented to emergency department with the final diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) in a 4-year period were evaluated regarding changes of ST segment in lead aVR and its relationship with in-hospital mortality, the number of vessels involved, infarct location and cardiac ejection fraction.Results: 288 patients with the mean age of 59.00 ± 13.14 (18 – 91) were evaluated (79.2% male). 168 (58.3%) patients had the mentioned changes (79.2% male). There was no significant relationship between presence of ST changes in lead aVR with infarct location (p = 0.976), number of vessels involved (p = 0.269) and ejection fraction on admission (p = 0.801). However, ST elevation ≥ 1 mv in lead aVR had a significant relationship with mortality (Odds = 7.72, 95% CI: 3.07 – 19.42, p < 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive and negative likelihood ratios of ST elevation ≥ 1 for prediction of in-hospital mortality were 41.66 (95% CI: 22.79 – 63.05), 91.53 (95% CI: 87.29 – 94.50), 31.25 (95% CI: 16.74 – 50.13), 94.44 (95% CI: 90.65 – 96.81), 0.45 (95% CI: 0.25 – 0.79), and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03 – 0.09), respectively.Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the prevalence of ST segment changes in lead aVR was estimated to be 58.3%. There was no significant relationship between these changes and the number of vessels involved in angiography, infarct location and cardiac ejection fraction. However, presence of ST elevation ≥ 1 in lead aVR was associated with 8 times increase in in-hospital mortality risk

The antibacterial effect of camellia sinensis extract on bacterias, conjunctivitis in vitro

زمینه و هدف: کنژنکتیویت شایع ترین بیماری چشمی جهان است که یکی از پایه های درمان آن استفاده از آنتی بیوتیک ها می باشد. با توجه به مقاومت روزافزون باکتری ها به آنتی بیوتیک های موجود و عوارض آنها و استفاده چای به عنوان التیام بخش التهاب های چشمی بر اساس یک باور قدیمی، این مطالعه با هدف بررسی اثر ضدباکتریایی عصاره چای سیاه برای درمان کنژنکتیویت چرکی انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی نمونه ها از چشم بیماران مبتلا به کنژنکتیویت مراجعه کننده به کلینیک چشم پزشکی شهرکرد جمع آوری و روی محیط های کشت، کشت داده شدند. سپس توسط محیط های کشت افتراقی و تست های تشخیصی از سه نوع باکتری استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس، استافیلوکوکوس اپیدرمیدیس و استرپتوکوکوس پنومونیه هر کدام 10 نمونه (جمعاً 30 نمونه) جدا شد. این نمونه ها جداگانه در روشهای pour plate با استفاده از غلظت های مختلف عصاره چای سیاه و تست آنتیتوسط دیسک های استاندارد آنتی بیوتیک شامل ونکومایسین، کلرامفنیکل، اگزاسیلین، سفازولین و سیپروفلوکساسین مورد آزمایش قرار گرفتند. داده ها به کمک آزمون های آماری کای دو، t و آنالیز واریانس تجزیه و تحلیل شد. یافته ها: نتایج به دست آمده حاصل از این مطالعه نشان داد که عصاره چای سیاه بر روی رشد باکتری های جدا شده اثر مهاری وابستـــه به دوز دارد (05/0P) و در دیسک های غلظت mg/ml 100 بیشتر از دیسک های آنتی بیوتیک مورد مطالعه بود (05/0

The antibacterial effect of camellia sinensis extract on bacterias, conjunctivitis in vitro

زمینه و هدف: کنژنکتیویت شایع ترین بیماری چشمی جهان است که یکی از پایه های درمان آن استفاده از آنتی بیوتیک ها می باشد. با توجه به مقاومت روزافزون باکتری ها به آنتی بیوتیک های موجود و عوارض آنها و استفاده چای به عنوان التیام بخش التهاب های چشمی بر اساس یک باور قدیمی، این مطالعه با هدف بررسی اثر ضدباکتریایی عصاره چای سیاه برای درمان کنژنکتیویت چرکی انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی نمونه ها از چشم بیماران مبتلا به کنژنکتیویت مراجعه کننده به کلینیک چشم پزشکی شهرکرد جمع آوری و روی محیط های کشت، کشت داده شدند. سپس توسط محیط های کشت افتراقی و تست های تشخیصی از سه نوع باکتری استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس، استافیلوکوکوس اپیدرمیدیس و استرپتوکوکوس پنومونیه هر کدام 10 نمونه (جمعاً 30 نمونه) جدا شد. این نمونه ها جداگانه در روشهای pour plate با استفاده از غلظت های مختلف عصاره چای سیاه و تست آنتیتوسط دیسک های استاندارد آنتی بیوتیک شامل ونکومایسین، کلرامفنیکل، اگزاسیلین، سفازولین و سیپروفلوکساسین مورد آزمایش قرار گرفتند. داده ها به کمک آزمون های آماری کای دو، t و آنالیز واریانس تجزیه و تحلیل شد. یافته ها: نتایج به دست آمده حاصل از این مطالعه نشان داد که عصاره چای سیاه بر روی رشد باکتری های جدا شده اثر مهاری وابستـــه به دوز دارد (05/0P) و در دیسک های غلظت mg/ml 100 بیشتر از دیسک های آنتی بیوتیک مورد مطالعه بود (05/0

The effect of pomegranate on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Pomegranate contains remarkable amounts of phenolic ingredients and it has been related to the antioxidant capacity of this fruit. Several primary studies show that pomegranate intake can improve antioxidant status. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis consisted in investigating the effect of pomegranate on oxidative stress (OS) parameters. Methods: A comprehensive electronic database search in Scopus, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane library and Medline was performed to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis of included studies was performed on selected variables using a random-effects model. Quality assessment was conducted by means of Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Results: Systematic search yielded 575 references. A total of 11 RCTs reporting data from 484 participants included. Meta-analysis of data from 11 included RCTs did not support convincing evidence as to a significant increasing effect of pomegranate intake in TAC (SMD: 0.43 ; 95 %CI: -0.19, 1.06), Gpx (SMD: 0.18, 95 % CI: -0.25, 0.62, p = 0.4) and paraxonase (SMD: 0.36, 95 % CI: -0.50, 1.22, p= 0.41) as well as not significant decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD: -0.81, 95 % CI: -1.79, 0.09, P = 0.08). Conclusion: Future well-designed clinical trials are needed before definite conclusive claims can be made about the effect of pomegranate on OS parameters. Keywords: Pomegranate, Oxidative stress, Antioxidant, Randomized clinical trial

Digoxin Inhibits Retinoblastoma through Suppressing a Non-canonical TGFβ Signaling Pathway.

Aims: Retinoblastoma is a childhood ocular tumor rapidly developing from the immature cells of the retina due to loss of functional retinoblastoma protein. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, has been reported to be effective in inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cytotoxic effects on human cancers. In this regard, the present study aims to investigate whether digoxin could suppress retinoblastoma cancer through the regulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Methodology: The effects of digoxin on Y-79 cells, retinoblastoma cancer cell line, were investigated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoli-umbromide) and BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) assays to measure cellular cytotoxicity effects and cell apoptosis, respectively. Also, a qPCR assay was employed to analyze the mRNA expression levels of TGFβ signaling pathway including C-MYC, P21, P15, TGFβRI, TGFβRII, and SMAD2, 3, and 4 genes. Results: The results of the cell function assays revealed that digoxin inhibited the cell viability and proliferation of Y-79 cells. In addition, it was found that digoxin significantly suppressed C-MYC expression and enhanced the expression of P21, P15, SMAD2 and SMAD4 genes in a dose-and time-dependent manner. However, the obtained results could not detect any significant effect of digoxin on TGFβRI, TGFβRII and SMAD3 genes. Conclusion: Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that digoxin could be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of retinoblastoma by regulating the cell cycle genes via a non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathway

Homeodomain protein transforming growth factor beta-induced factor 2 like, X-linked function in colon adenocarcinoma cells

A member of homeodomain protein namely TGIF2LX has been implicated as a tumor suppressor gene in human malignancy as well as in spermatogenesis. However, to our knowledge, dynamic functional evidence of the TGIF2LX has not yet been provided. The aim of the present study was to investigate the human TGIF2LX target gene(s) using a cDNA-AFLP as a differential display method. A pEGFP-TGIF2LX construct containing the wild-type TGIF2LX cDNA was stably transfected into SW48 cells. UV microscopic analysis and Real-time RT-PCR were used to confirm TGIF2LX expression. The mRNA expressions of TGIF2LX in transfected SW48 cells, the cells containing empty vector (pEGFP-N), and untransfected cells were compared. Also, a Real-time PCR technique was applied to validate cDNA-AFLP results. The results revealed a significant down-regulation and up-regulationby TGIF2LX of Nir1 and Nir2 genes, respectively. The genes are engaged in the cell morphogenesis process. Our findings may provide new insight into the complex molecular pathways underlying colorectal cancer development