Study of the Role of Integrated Marketing Communications in Developing Ecotourism Industry of Kish Island

According to the WTO, although Iran is among the 10 first countries of the world in terms of tourist attractions, and among the 5 first countries of the world with respect to ecotourism, unfortunately, for different reasons such as failure to use suitable marketing strategies in tourism industry, it could not use this invisible export which plays an important role in the country's economy. In this study, it is attempted to investigate the relationship between integrated marketing communications and development of ecotourism industry in Kish Island. The methodology of research is applied in terms of goal, and descriptive-survey from the data gathering perspective. To gather data, questionnaire is used. For hypothesis testing and to answer the questions of the study, structural equation modeling test is used. The results obtained from the hypothesis testing showed that integrated marketing communications and its aspects and factors (e.g., advertisement, personal selling, sales promotion, public relations, direct marketing) have relationship with ecotourism industry in Kish Island. Keywords: Integrated Marketing Communications, Ecotourism, Direct Marketing, Sales Promotion.

Efficacy and safety of mechanical transvenous lead extraction: median follow-up analysis and development of an experimental model for predicting survival post-extraction

Background Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation is on the rise, accompanied by an increase in its inevitable complications such as different types of CIED infections that require further therapy and potential device extraction. Ensuring efficacy and safety remains paramount in transvenous lead extraction (TLE), given the complex nature of the procedure. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of relatively low-cost mechanical TLE, including mid-term clinical follow-up, and to develop a predictive model for post-TLE survival. This study included all consecutive patients admitted for TLE at two tertiary medical centers between 2016 and 2021. Baseline characteristics, TLE procedure details complications occurring during and/or after the procedure and follow-up outcomes were collected. Results During the 5-year period, 100 consecutive patients underwent TLE. The mean age of the subjects was 61 ± 3 years. The average time from lead implantation to TLE was 69.34 ± 9.36 months, with a total of 216 leads extracted. The most common indication for TLE was infection observed in 87% of subjects with pocket infection seen in the majority (84%). Complete clinical success was achieved in 98% of patients, with major complications occurred in 5% of cases and only one case of peri-procedural death. Proposed experimental model showed that near 50% of the patients will live less than 73.29 months. Conclusion TLE demonstrated a high level of safety with low mortality and morbidity rates. Using low cost widely available mechanical tools is useful for treating CIED-related infections

Comparison of Protamine 1 to Protamine 2 mRNA Ratio and YBX2 gene mRNA Content in Testicular Tissue of Fertile and Azoospermic Men

Background: Although aberrant protamine (PRM) ratios have been observed in infertile men, the mechanisms that implicit the uncoupling of PRM1 and PRM2 expression remain unclear. To uncover these mechanisms, in this observational study we have compared the PRM1/PRM2 mRNA ratio and mRNA contents of two regulatory factors of these genes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, sampling was performed by a multi- step method from 50 non-obstructive azoospermic and 12 normal men. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTQPCR) was used to analyze the PRM1, PRM2, Y box binding protein 2 (YBX2) and JmjC-containing histone demethylase 2a (JHDM2A) genes in testicular biopsies of the studied samples. Results: The PRM1/PRM2 mRNA ratio differed significantly among studied groups, namely 0.21 ± 0.13 in azoospermic samples and -0.8 ± 0.22 in fertile samples. The amount of PRM2 mRNA, significantly reduced in azoospermic patients. Azoospermic men exhibited significant under expression of YBX2 gene compared to controls (P<0.001). mRNA content of this gene showed a positive correlation with PRM mRNA ratio (R=0.6, P=0.007). JHDM2A gene expression ratio did not show any significant difference between the studied groups (P=0.3). We also observed no correlation between JHDM2A mRNA content and the PRM mRNA ratio (R=0.2, P=0.3). Conclusion: We found significant correlation between the aberrant PRM ratio (PRM2 under expression) and lower YBX2 mRNA content in testicular biopsies of azoospermic men compared to controls, which suggested that downregulation of the YBX2 gene might be involved in PRM2 under expression. These molecules could be useful biomarkers for predicting male infertility

Evaluation of mRNA Contents of YBX2 and JHDM2A Genes on Testicular Tissues of Azoospermic Men with Different Classes of Spermatogenesis

Objective: Animal model studies have shown that MSY2 and JHDM2A genes have an important role in spermatogenesis process and fertility of male mice. But the potential role of these genes in human spermatogenesis and fertility is not known yet. Therefore, we evaluated expression ratios of these genes in testis tissues of men with normal and impaired spermatogenesis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis from 50 non-obstructive azoospermic and 12 normal testis tissues, the expression ratios of genes were evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Hematoxcylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used for histological classification of testis tissues. For statistical analysis, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was carried out. Results: Our results showed a significant reduction in mRNA level of YBX2 in samples with impaired spermatogenesis (p<0.001) compared to samples with qualitatively normal spermatogenesis and normal spermatogenesis; however, in JHDM2A gene, despite sensible reduction in gene expression level in men with impaired spermatogenesis, no significant differences were shown (p>0.05). Furthermore in YBX2, a significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the efficiency score of spermatogenesis and the threshold cycle (CT) (r=-0.7, p<0.0001), whereas in JHDM2A, this negative correlation was not significant (r=-0.4, p=0.06). Conclusion: Generally, these data indicated that YBX2 and JHDM2A genes may play an important role in male infertility, and suggested that these molecules can act as useful biomarkers for predicting male infertility

Rutin activates the MAPK pathway and BDNF gene expression onbeta-amyloid induced neurotoxicity in rats

Flavonoids are present in foods such as fruits and vegetables. A relationship between the consumption offlavonoid-rich foods and prevention of human disease including neurodegenerative disorders has beendemonstrated. We assessed the effect of rutin (3,3�,4�,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone-3-rhamnoglucoside) onthe mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, memory retrieval and oxidative stress in ratsinjected with �-amyloid (A�), which is implicated to have an important role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).A� was injected bilaterally in the deep frontal cortex of rat brain. Next, rutin and saline were injected(i.p.) for 3 weeks. In comparison to the control group, rutin significantly increased extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derivedneurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in the hippocampus of rats. Rutin (100 mg/kg) significantlyincreased memory retrieval compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the hip-pocampus of the rutin group was significantly lower than those in the control group. The content ofsulfhydryl groups in the rutin group was higher than that in the control group. The findings show apossibility that rutin may have beneficial effects against neurotoxicity of A� on memory in rats

Small electronic load. Design and analysis of a small electronic load for testing on-board DC/DC converters

Electronic loads are used at Ericsson AB for test and verification of on-board DC/DC converters. The problem with the existing electronic loads is that they require cables to connect to the board due to their dimensions. Cables will introduce inductance in the load current path and affect the testing results, especially the current slew rate. In this thesis a new load design is developed which can be soldered directly on the circuit board and eliminating the use of cables. In this way the converters can be tested with higher current slew rates than before, meeting future needs. With the existing electronic loads the maximum achievable current slew rate was 2.5 A/s from a 3.3 V supply using 80 cm cable. The prototype designed in this thesis managed to achieve 32 A/s for the same supply voltage

Small electronic load. Design and analysis of a small electronic load for testing on-board DC/DC converters

Electronic loads are used at Ericsson AB for test and verification of on-board DC/DC converters. The problem with the existing electronic loads is that they require cables to connect to the board due to their dimensions. Cables will introduce inductance in the load current path and affect the testing results, especially the current slew rate. In this thesis a new load design is developed which can be soldered directly on the circuit board and eliminating the use of cables. In this way the converters can be tested with higher current slew rates than before, meeting future needs. With the existing electronic loads the maximum achievable current slew rate was 2.5 A/s from a 3.3 V supply using 80 cm cable. The prototype designed in this thesis managed to achieve 32 A/s for the same supply voltage

Bone metabolic disorder and its contributing factors in patients with chronic kidney disease; a three-year cohort study

Introduction: The prevalence of bone mineral disorder is best known in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, but less data is available for the earlier stages. Objectives: We aimed to compare the prevalence of bone metabolic disorder at all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and assess its contribution to CKD progression and patients’ outcome. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, CKD patients who were under treatment for three years were selected from a nephrology clinic in Tehran, Iran. Patients’ demographic and laboratory data, as well as the outcome of their treatment were gathered and analyzed. Results: In 473 patients with an average age of 61.5, 60.1% were at stage III, 35.8% were at stage IV, and 4.1% were at stage V of CKD. There was a significant relationship between CKD stage and serum phosphate, calcium-phosphate product, and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Furthermore, the patients’ outcome was significantly related to advanced stages of CKD, higher first phosphate level, diabetes mellitus in medical history, and higher stages of SBP. By multiple Cox regression analysis, after adjustment for glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the first serum phosphate level, and the calcium-phosphate product did not contribute to the undesirable outcome. Conclusion: Although bone metabolic disorder is more frequently seen in advanced stages of chronic kidney disease, these changes can be seen even in earlier stages of the disease. The influence of phosphate abnormality in the patients’ outcome should be studied more in earlier stages for better control.</jats:p

Hematuria during the right heart catheterization procedure: Renal perforation as a very rare complication

Abstract The occurrence of hematuria during a right heart catheterization can be a sign of renal perforation, a rare but life‐threatening complication that could be developed due to the misdirection of wire into the abdominopelvic venous plexus. We showed this complication could be managed with venoplasty of the common iliac vein