Fixed point theorems for generalized (ψ, ϕ)-weak contractions

In this paper, we prove some fixed point theorems for generalized (ψ, ϕ)-weak contractive mappings in a metric space. Our result generalized and extend recent results of Singh et al.[16, Theorem 2.1], Dori´c [7, Theorem 2.1], Rhoades [15, Theorem 1] and Dutta and Choudhary [9, Theorem 2.1]. Also, we provid an example to support the useability of our results.Publisher's Versio

Modified differential transform method for singular lane-emden equations in integer and fractional order

In the present work the modified differential transform method, incorporating the Adomian polynomials into the differential transform method(DTM), is used to solve the nonlinear and singular Lane-Emden equations in integer and fractional order. Numerical examples with different types are solved. The results show that this method is very effective and simple.Publisher's Versio

The relation of religious orientation and happiness in Karate male athletes

The goal of current research was to assess the relation of religious orientation and happiness in Karate male athletes. Method of current studious research was a description of integration type. 80people of the male Karate athletes, having average age of 27 years were the current research's statistical sample, selected randomly among those athletes who participated in qualifying competitions in Ardebil province in 2013. Studied athletes had 5-6 years of experience at national championships. Data collection tools included Alport's (1950) religious orientation and Oxford's (1993) happiness questionnaires. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics was used and for hypothesis tests the correlation coefficients of pirson and regression was used step by step. The spss software, Version 22, is used for analyzing the data. The results of this research represented that there is no significant relation between the religious orientation and happiness (P >0.05). But the correlation between extrinsic religious orientation resulted in 0.001 which is not significant, and initial results of regression variance analysis also showed, that both intrinsic and extrinsic variables of religious orientation are not capable of predicting the happiness, and likewise, in the second step the research showed that the religious orientation together with its dimensions predict 44 percent of happiness variance for athletes in total

Synergistic Antiparkinsonian Effect of Flunarizine, Glibenclamide and B Vitamins in a Rate 6-Hydroxydopamine Model; The Role of Malondialdehyde

Background: The current study evaluated the effects of a combination of flunarizine (flu) a calcium channel blocker, glibenclamide (Glib), a KATP channels blocker and B vitamins (B com) on the behavioral symptoms of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced model of Parkinson disease to evaluate the synergistic antiparkinsonian effects of the drugs and supplements. Also the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in blood and brain suspensions to find probable neuroprotective mechanism of these materials. Methods: 6-OHDA was injected into striatum of rats by stereotaxic surgery. Pretreatment with flu, Glib and B com was started before the surgery and continued to three weeks after the surgery. Development and severity of Parkinson disease were evaluated by the conventional behavioral tests. MDA values were measured spectrophotometrically, using thiobarbituric acid test and the MDA standard curve. Results: Pretreatment with a combination of flu, Glib and B com ameliorated the behavioral symptoms of Parkinson disease. The effect of the combination was significantly more potent than those of flu, Glib or B com, solely. Pretreatment with the combination or using only Glib or B com separately, reduced the level of MDA in blood and brain, significantly. However, the effect of the combination was significantly more potent than those of Glib or B com, solely. Conclusions: Since the severity of the behavioral symptoms in the 6-OHDA-induced model of Parkinson disease reflects the degree of the lesion in substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons, it is suggested that using the combination had neuroprotective effects. The obtained data suggest a synergistic neuroprotective and antiparkinsonian effect for flu, Glib and B com. At least, a part of this effect was mediated through inhibition of oxidative stress. Keywords: 6-Hydroxydopamine, Flunarizine, Glibenclamide: B Vitamins, Behavioral Symptoms, Malondialdehyd

Activation of apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest along with inhibition of melanogenesis by humic acid and fulvic acid: BAX/BCL-2 and Tyr genes expression and evaluation of nanomechanical properties in A375 human melanoma cell line

Objective(s): Humic acid (HA) and Fulvic acid (FA) are major members of humic substances, which are extracted from organic sources including soil and peat. The pro-apoptotic and anti-melanogenic effects of HA and FA at the cellular and molecular levels in the A375 human melanoma cell line were examined in this study. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity effect of HA and FA were evaluated by cell viability assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was carried out to measure the expression of BAX, BCL-2, and Tyr genes. Moreover, the changes in nanomechanical properties were determined through atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results: It was found that HA and FA decrease cell viability with an IC50 value of 50 µg/ml (dosedependent) for 14 hr, arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase, and increased the sub-G1 phase (induce apoptosis). Based on the AFM analysis, Young’s modulus and adhesion force values were increased, also ultrastructural characteristics of cells were changed. Results of Real-time PCR revealed that HA and FA lead to a decrease in the expressions of BCL-2 and Tyr genes, and increase the BAX gene expression. Conclusion: These results exhibited that HA and FA possess pro-apoptotic effects through increasing the BAX/ BCL-2 expression in A375 cells. These molecular reports were confirmed by cellular nanomechanical assessments using AFM and flow cytometry. In addition, HA and FA inhibited melanogenesis by decreasing the expression of the Tyr gene. It is worthwhile to

Association of rs1800624 Polymorphism in Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Gene Promoter with the Risk of Diabetic Nephropathy

Background and Aim: Although the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy are still unclear, the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their associated receptors (AGER) in initiating the inflammatory process in this disease has attracted attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between rs1800624 polymorphism of AGER gene with risk of diabetic nephropathy in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, patients were divided into two groups, group1 without diabetic nephropathy (n = 71) and group2 with diabetic nephropathy (n = 79). TETRA-Primer ARMS-PCR technique was used to determine the frequency of genotype and allele of rs1800624 polymorphism in the promoter region of AGER gene. Using standard methods, biochemical tests including measurement of glucose, creatinine, glycosylated hemoglobin and blood urea nitrogen and calculation of eGFR were performed. We used SPSS and FAMHAP softwares for data analysis. Results: The results showed that AA genotype rs1800624 polymorphism in the promoter region of the AGER gene may be associated with an increased risk of diabetic nephropathy. Allele analysis also showed that allele A of the polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk of developing nephropathy, although the results were not statistically significant between the two groups in relation to rs1800624 polymorphism. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between rs1800624 polymorphism in AGER gene with diabetic nephropathy in the Iranian population, but increase in sample size may result in a tendency to develop diabetic nephropathy

Synergistic Antiparkinsonian Effect of Flunarizine, Glibenclamide and B Vitamins in a Rat 6-Hydroxydopamine Model; The Role of Malondialdehyde

Background: The current study evaluated the effects of a combination of flunarizine (flu) a calcium channel blocker, glibenclamide (Glib), a KATP channels blocker and B vitamins (B com) on the behavioral symptoms of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced model of Parkinson disease to examine the synergistic antiparkinsonian effects of the drugs and supplements. Also the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in blood and brain suspensions to find probable neuroprotective mechanism of these materials. Methods: 6-OHDA was injected into striatum of rats by stereotaxic surgery. Pretreatment with flu, Glib and B com was started before the surgery and continued to three weeks after the surgery. Development and severity of Parkinson disease were evaluated by the conventional behavioral tests. MDA values were measured spectrophotometrically, using thiobarbituric acid test and the MDA standard curve. Results: Pretreatment with a combination of flu, Glib and B com ameliorated the behavioral symptoms of Parkinson disease. The effect of the combination was significantly more potent than those of flu, Glib or B com, solely. Pretreatment with the combination or using only Glib or B com separately, reduced the level of MDA in blood and brain, significantly. However, the effect of the combination was significantly more potent than those of Glib or B com, solely. Conclusions: Since the severity of the behavioral symptoms in the 6-OHDA-induced model of Parkinson disease reflects the degree of the lesion in substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons, it is suggested that using the combination had neuroprotective effects. The obtained data suggest a synergistic neuroprotective and antiparkinsonian effect for flu, Glib and B com. At least, a part of this effect was mediated through inhibition of oxidative stress. Keywords: 6-Hydroxydopamine, Flunarizine, Glibenclamide: B Vitamins, Behavioral Symptoms, Malondialdehyd