Coupling between time series: a network view

Recently, the visibility graph has been introduced as a novel view for analyzing time series, which maps it to a complex network. In this paper, we introduce new algorithm of visibility, "cross-visibility", which reveals the conjugation of two coupled time series. The correspondence between the two time series is mapped to a network, "the cross-visibility graph", to demonstrate the correlation between them. We applied the algorithm to several correlated and uncorrelated time series, generated by the linear stationary ARFIMA process. The results demonstrate that the cross-visibility graph associated with correlated time series with power-law auto-correlation is scale-free. If the time series are uncorrelated, the degree distribution of their cross-visibility network deviates from power-law. For more clarifying the process, we applied the algorithm to real-world data from the financial trades of two companies, and observed significant small-scale coupling in their dynamics

A comparison between the effectiveness of dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapy on the mental health of mother

The negative mood affectivity is the psychological consequences of parents who having children with special needs. The aim of present study was comparing the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy on the regulation of the negative mood affectivity (depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms) among mothers having children with special needs. This quasi-experimental study was done with 24 mothers of children admitted to the rehabilitation center for persons with physical and mental disabilities who were diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and stress. Then, the participants were assigned into three groups: the dialectical therapy group, the cognitive behavioral therapy group, and the control group. The results showed that dialectical therapy was more effective in decreasing emotional disorders of mothers compared with cognitive behavior therapy, and both of them are better than control group. Therefore, it could be concluded that both interventions are beneficial for mothers whose children’s disabilities, special needs, or disorders affect their mental health. Thus, the mentioned therapies are recommended for these mothers

Paraquat Poisoning Cases in A Referral Center in Tehran, Iran; A Clinical Inspection

Introduction: paraquat is a cheap and easy access herbicide which its intoxication is limited in Iran. The current study aims to provide some epidemiologic data within paraquat poisoning from the most crowded referral center of clinical toxicology in Iran.Methods: We investigated the paraquat poisoning patients who were admitted to Loghman-Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2008 to 2016.Results: A total of 12 patients participated in this study, 50% of these patients were between 10-20 years old, 41.7% were between 26-40 years old, and 8.3% were above 55 years old. About 83.3% were male, and 16.7% were female. Treatments which were given in the hospital include cyclophosphamide (58.3%), cortisol (75%), vitamin C (50%), vitamin E (83.3%), N-acetyl cysteine (83.3%).  66.6 percent of hospitalized patients required invasive measures to preserve their airways, with 3.33 percent undergoing tracheostomy and the same percentage undergoing intubation. There were five fatalities among the patients, three of which were related to pulmonary and renal failure.Conclusions: This study indicates that the majority are younger than 40 years and males. Prevention and limited access to this substance is necessary in terms of the lack of antidote

Effect of 8 Weeks Resistance Training and Irisin Injection on BDNF and Spatial Memory of Male Mice

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of resistance training and irisin injection on BDNF and spatial memory in male rats. 19 male mice (mean weight 18g and 5 weeks old) were randomly divided into control groups, sham, resistance training and irisin injection gruops. The resistance training program was conducted for eight weeks and three days each week. At the first week, the closed weights were 50% of the body weight of the rats and gradually increased to about 200% of their weight in the final week each session consisted of 3 repetitve 5 repetitions with 3 minutes of rest between turns and one minute between repetitions. Irisin injection was also performed three times a week. Elisa method was used to measure plasma irisin and BDNF and to evaluate spatial memory of Barns maze. Results showed a positive and significant correlation between irisin and BDNF (P = 0.66, P = 0.01). Also results showed irisin levels increased significantly in the training groups and irisin injection compared to the control group (P=0.001, F=14.25). This level was higher in the resistance training group than the irisin injection group, but the spatial memory (P=0.658, F=0.546) and BDNF levels (P=0.635, F=0.584) in the two groups did not have a significant effect. It can be concluded 8 weeks of resistance training and irisin injection did not have a significant effect on blood BDNF and spatial memory, but significantly increased the level of irisin

DNA methylation is involved in the microRNA-886-3p gene expression and plays a potential role in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell mobilization through affecting SDF-1

103-110The role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization has been largely investigated. However, there is a critical need for the identification of the underlying contributing factors to improve HSPC yield for transplantation. It has been demonstrated that miR-886-3p targets stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), the central mediator of mobilization, and therefore may play a part in this process. Besides, miR-886-3p expression can be epigenetically regulated through DNA methylation modifications inits gene promoter. Here, to assess the contribution of miR-886-3p and other epigenetic factors in HSPC mobilization, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were treated with the β-adrenergic agonist of isoprenaline. The expression of miR-886-3p and SDF-1and the gene promoter methylation status of this miRNA were then respectively evaluated through the appropriate PCR techniques. As expected, despite a transient initial increase in SDF-1mRNA level, its expression reduced, and miR-886-3plevel remarkably increased 48 h following treatment. The gene promoter methylation pattern of miR-886-3p also changed from a full methylated state to a partially methylated one. Together, our findings suggest that miR-886-3p can be epigenetically regulated and through suppressing the expression of SDF-1 play an active role in the SNS-mediated HSPC mobilization

Recognition of Cytokeratin 18 Marker by Flow Cytometry of Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Human Intervertebral Disc and Comparison of Proliferation and Morphology of these Cells in Chitosan-Gelatin and Alginate Scaffolds.

Background: Low back pain is a major economical and social problem nowadays. Intervertebral disc herniation and central degeneration of disc are two major reasons of low back pain that occur because of structural impairment of discs. Intervertebral disc includes the annulus fibrosus, transitional region, and nucleus pulposus (NP). NP forms the central nucleus of the disc. Reduction of cell count and extracellular matrix, especially in NP, causes disc degeneration. Different scaffolds (natural and synthetic) have been used for tissue repairing and regeneration of intervertebral disc in tissue engineering. Most scaffolds have biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics and also prepare a fine condition for proliferation and migration of cells. Although no specific marker or method has been suggested for recognition of NP cells, some studies have used real time and immunocytochemical methods and reported high expression of cytokeratin 19, 18, 8, and others as markers for NP cells. This study aimed to recognize NP cells of human intervertebral disc by flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 marker. It also compared the proliferation and morphology of these cells in chitosan-gelatin scaffold and alginate scaffold. Methods: NP cells were derived by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagenase from NP tissue of patients undergoing open surgery for discectomy in Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Chitosan was blended with gelatin and glutaraldehyde was used for cross linking of the two polymers. Then, alginate scaffold was prepared. After approving the NP cells by flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 marker, a cellular suspension with 4 × 105 cells was transferred to each scaffold and cultured for 21 days. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by trypan blue and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to assert the porosity and to survey the structures of the scaffolds. Findings: We can use flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 markers for recognition of NP cells. MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability on the third day had significant difference with the first day in both scaffolds. There was also a significant reduction in cellular viability from day 3 to day 21. Results of cell count showed that mean difference between cell counts in alginate scaffold was significantly more than chitosan-gelatin scaffold (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 can be used as a method for recognition of NP cells. Compared to chitosan-gelatin scaffold, alginate scaffold prepared a better condition for proliferation of NP cells. The results of this study suggested that alginate scaffold could be useful in in-vivo studies and treatment

A facile three-step synthesis of (dl)-6,8 dedihydroxyagrimonolide

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Favorable association between Mediterranean diet (MeD) and DASH with NAFLD among Iranian adults of the Amol Cohort Study (AmolCS)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging cause of chronic liver diseases and a major health problem worldwide. Dietary patterns may play a critical role in controlling and preventing this disease, but the available evidence is scarce. The current study aims to ascertain the association of adherence to the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and Mediterranean diet (MeD) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among Iranian adults of the Amol Cohort Study (AmolCS). In a cross-sectional analysis among 3220 adults (55.3% men), age ≥ 18 years (46.96 ± 14.67), we measured usual dietary intake with a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and then calculated dietary pattern scores for DASH and MeD. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were collected by a structured questionnaire. The presence and degree of NAFLD were also determined by abdominal sonography. Multiple regression models were used to estimate NAFLD odds across tertiles of DASH and Mediterranean dietary scores. Dietary DASH and Mediterranean components were adjusted for total energy intake, based on the residual methods. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders, we found an inverse association of DASH and MeD with NAFLD (Ptrend = 0.02, and Ptrend = 0.002, respectively). Those in the highest tertiles of adherence to the DASH and MeD had the lowest risk for NAFLD (OR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.66–0.96, OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.52–0.78, respectively). The results of logistic analysis of MeD, stratified by gender and abdominal obesity, revealed the favorable association was more pronounced in women (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.29–0.61, Ptrend = 0.004), and in participants with or without abdominal obesity (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.47–0.81, Ptrend = 0.03, OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.475–0.91, Ptrend = 0.04, respectively). Similar results were obtained for the adherence to DASH diet score with the prevalence of NAFLD patients with abdominal obesity (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.57–0.97, Ptrend = 0.04). The findings suggested the favorable association between DASH and MeD with NAFLD in Iranian adults, especially women and subjects with or without abdominal obesity. Further prospective investigations are needed to confirm the integrity of our findings

Synthesis of antibacterial isocoumarins: Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 3-alkylisocoumarins and (dl)-3-alkyl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarins

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