Creating an Empirical Model of the Effect of Relationship Marketing Strategy on Customer Loyalty (Case Study: Insurance Firms in Iran)

To understand the mechanism of how loyalty programs can work effectively, this paper creating an empirical model of the effect of relationship marketing strategy on customer loyalty. The findings indicated that the relationship marketing positively related to the customer loyalty both toward the programs themselves and the stores. So, our population statistical is customer of insurance firm in Iran and the amount of sample according to Cochran formula is 140 person. For testing the data, we use from SPSS 19 with correlation and regression, according to finding all of the hypothesis are accepted

An Evaluation of the Influence of Royal Jelly on Differentiation of Stem Cells into Neuronal Cells Invitro

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: P19 carcinoma stem cells are able to differentiate into embryonic cells with three germ layers. Given the fact that differentiated cells can reduce complications associated with degenerative diseases of the nervous system, in this study, we aimed to investigate the differentiation of P19 stem cells into neuronal cells under the influence of royal jelly. METHODS: In this basic-applied research, embryoid bodies, prepared in P19 cell suspension culture, were transferred to gelatinized containers and classified in six groups, receiving 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mg/ml of royal jelly, respectively; five wells were allocated to each group of cells. Morphological evaluation of cell differentiation was performed via cresyl violet staining. Also, immunofluorescence technique was used to track the expression of neuronal marker proteins such as synaptophysin and β-tubulin III. Finally, the findings were analyzed. FINDINGS: The present findings showed that cells exposed to royal jelly responded positively to specific staining of nerve cells. In groups receiving different concentrations of royal jelly, the mean percentage of cell differentiation was significantly higher than the negative control group (9±2.3). The highest percentage of cell differentiation was observed in groups treated with 200 and 300 mg/ml of royal jelly, respectively (98±4.8 and 99.3±2.2, respectively) (p<0.05). Based on the findings, the mean percentage of cell differentiation in the group receiving 200 mg/ml of royal jelly was not significantly different from the group receiving a concentration of 300 mg/ml. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that P19 cells are able to differentiate into neuronal cells, and therefore, they could be used in cell-based therapy for neurological disease

Evaluation of Findings in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Surgery in Patients Referred to Reconstructive Surgery Ward

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common focal mono-neuropathy of median nerve in carpal tunnel. Prevalence is 2.7-5.8% and is more common in female than male. The most important diagnostic method is electrophysiologic study of median nerve. Materials and Methods: This case-control study has done on 34 patients with CTS and 44 healthy cases underwent electrophysiologic study. The diameter of nerve was measured at site of compression and also at a more proximal site in patients. Results: In CTS group increased significant distal latency in motor and sensory conduction and proximal motor latency of median nerve was noticed. The altitude of sensory median nerve and conduction velocity of median nerve in CTS group was decreased significantly. Thenar atrophy was seen without relation with severity of nerve compression. The nerve diameter was decreased in severe cases of CTS group without significant differences. Conclusion: In CTS severity of anatomic changes are not the same as changes in electrophysiologic study

High sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with the metabolic syndrome independent to viral and bacterial pathogen burden

To investigate the influences of bacterial or viral pathogen burden in the relationship of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the metabolic syndrome in a population-based study. METHODS: Data from 1754 men and women aged >or=25 years, from the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study were analyzed. The definition of the metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III was used. Sera were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus using ELISA. Measurement of CRP by a high-sensitivity CRP assay was done. RESULTS: The subjects with the metabolic syndrome had a higher geometric mean of CRP levels than the normal persons (p<0.0001). A linear relationship between an increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components and CRP concentrations was observed (p for trend<0.0001). In multiple logistic regression models, hs-CRP showed significant associations with the metabolic syndrome after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and infectious burden divided into 2, 3 and 4 pathogens [OR=2.06, CI (1.32-3.21), p=0.001; OR=1.75, CI (1.26-2.42), p=0. 001; OR=2.12, CI (1.46-3.08), p<0.0001; respectively]

Microbiomes and Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (MS): A systematic review

Background: Gut microbiomes play a role in developing and regulating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). We designed this systematic review to summarize the evidence of the effect of gut microbiota in developing pediatric-onset MS. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, references of the references and conference abstracts were comprehensively searched by two independent researchers. The search was done on January 1st, 2023. Data regarding the total number of patients, the name of the first author, publication year, country of origin, mean age, duration of the disease, body mass index (BMI), type of MS, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), age at disease onset and stool composition were extracted. Results: A literature search revealed 4237 published studies. After removing duplicates, we had 2045 records for evaluation. Twenty-three full texts were evaluated, and four case-control studies remained for systematic review. Three studies were conducted in the United States and one in the Netherlands. The number of participants in included studies ranged between 24 and 68. The mean age of patients at the time of study varied between 11.9 and 17.9 years, and the mean age at the onset of the disease ranged between 11.5 and 14.3 years. Most included patients were female. The results show that median richness (the number of unique taxa identified, which was provided by two studies) was higher in controls, and also Margalef index, which was reported by one study was higher in control group than the case group. The results of two studies also demonstrated that median evenness indexes (taxon distribution, Shannon, Simpson) were higher in control groups, as well as PD index (Faith's phylogenic diversity metric). Conclusion: The result of this systematic review (including four studies) showed disruption of the microbiota-immune balance in pediatric-onset MS cases

Self-Actualization and Ideal Self in the Novel "The Fig Tree of Temples" from Horney's Perspective

Psychological critique of personality is one of the new researches in the field of storytelling. Ahmad Mahmood (1310-1381) in the novel “The Fig Tree of Temples” by addressing new writing styles including 1-Anti-heroic description 2- Difference in characterization 3- Flow of mind-body 4-Uncertainty 5-Smooth Reality and imagination, and the description of the person's minds, has produced different effects and approached psychoanalytic novels. One of the new psychoanalytic theories for describing personality is Karen Horney's theory. He is one of the post-war psychoanalysts who emphasized the role of the community in influencing people's behavior by introducing the theory of "triple personality types" and "self-ideal", such as Adler. The analysis of the behavior of the characters of “The Fig Tree of Temples”, which is influenced by the community, and is subject to anxiety and internal stress, can be adapted to Horney's theory. Hence, in this article, after discussing various aspects of Horney's theory, the author explores the "current, real, and self-ideal triple virtues" component in one of the novel characters, "Faramarz", who played the most important role in the events of the story. Following the confrontation with the "present self", the mentioned character has suffered a fundamental conflict with destructive factors such as contempt, neglect, violence, and impunity, and is in ideological captivity of the ideal self and its consequences: i.e. nervous expectations, pride and nervous needs and his anxiety, anger, and depression increase more and more

Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Diabetic Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is defined as the impaction of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Metabolic disorders are closely associated with CTS; and metabolic syndrome (MS) is found to be more in patients with CTS. Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CTS in diabetic patients with and without metabolic syndrome. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 439 diabetic patients that participated in the study of risk factors for coronary artery disease in Kerman (KERCADRS) were enrolled. People with positive clinical symptoms for CTS and a positive Boston questionnaire, were referred to a neurologist for further diagnosis. For the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, three criteria (ATPIII, IDF and new criteria in Kerman) were used. Also, electro-diagnostic tests were used for the diagnosis of CTS. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and chi square test in SPSS20. Results: The prevalence of CTS in diabetic patients was 24.23%. The prevalence of the disorder in male and female patients was 16.21% and 30.65%, respectively. The results showed that there is no significant difference in the prevalence of CTS in diabetic people with and without metabolic syndrome, in overall as well as sex subgroups. Discussion and Conclusion: The higher prevalence of CTS in diabetic patients in this study compared to other studies shows the lack of prevention and case finding in diabetic patients. Therefore, screening, educating and informing at risk people about the disease is necessary

The Hepatoprotective Role of Thiol Reductants against Mitoxantrone-Induced Liver Injury

Mitoxantrone is anthracycline antibiotic highly effective against various human cancers. Hepatotoxicity is associated with mitoxantrone administration. On the other hand, there is no effective therapeutic option against chemotherapy-induced liver injury. The current investigation was designed to evaluate the effect of thiol reductants on mitoxantrone-induced liver injury in two experimental models. As an ex vivo model, isolated rat liver was exposed to increasing concentrations of mitoxantrone (100, 250, 750, and 1000 µM) alone or in combination with thiol-reductants (Dithiothreitol; DTT, and N-acetyl cysteine; NAC). In addition, rats (in vivo) received mitoxantrone (2.5 mg/kg, i.p, at days 1, 10, and 20), NAC (100 and 300 mg/kg/day, i.p, for 20 consecutive days) and DTT (15 and 30 mg/kg/day, i.p, for 20 consecutive days), then liver and serum pathological changes were monitored. Mitoxantrone-induced liver injury was evident in both ex vivo and in vivo experiments as assessed by pathological changes in biomarkers of liver injury, along with tissue histopathological changes. Furthermore, an increase in liver tissue markers of oxidative stress was detected in the mitoxantrone-treated group. It was found that thiol reductants significantly mitigated mitoxantrone hepatotoxicity. The data indicate that thiol reductants might serve as hepatoprotective agents against chemotherapy-induced liver injury.</p