A green and efficient method for the preparation of 3, 4- dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones using quaternary ammonium- treated clay in water

Abstract: In this study, a variety of 3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones derivatives were synthesized via three-component Biginelli reaction. The quaternary ammonium-treated clay -catalyzed process proved to be simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly

CXCL12 Modulates Prostate Cancer Cell Adhesion by Altering the Levels or Activities of β

The mechanisms by which prostate cancer (PCa) cell adhesion and migration are controlled during metastasis are not well understood. Here, we studied the effect of CXCL12 in PCa cell adhesion and spreading in DU145 and PC3 cell lines using as substrates collagen I, fibronectin (FN), and their recombinant fragments. CXCL12 treatment increased β1 integrin-dependent PC3 cell adhesion on FN which correlated with increased focal adhesion kinase activation. However neither α5β1 nor α4β1 subunits were involved in this adhesion. By contrast, CXCL12 decreased DU145 adhesion and spreading on FN by downregulating α5 and β1 integrin expression. To demonstrate the clinical relevance of CXCL12 in PCa, we measured CXCL12 levels in plasma by using ELISA and found that the chemokine is elevated in PCa patients when compared to controls. The high concentration of CXCL12 in patients suffering from PCa in comparison to those with benign disease or healthy individuals implicates CXCL12 as a potential biomarker for PCa. In addition these data show that CXCL12 may be crucial in controlling PCa cell adhesion on fibronectin and collagen I, possibly via crosstalk with integrin receptors and/or altering the expression levels of integrin subunits

How does the CNS control arm reaching movements? Introducing a hierarchical nonlinear predictive control organization based on the idea of muscle synergies.

In this study, we introduce a hierarchical and modular computational model to explain how the CNS (Central Nervous System) controls arm reaching movement (ARM) in the frontal plane and under different conditions. The proposed hierarchical organization was established at three levels: 1) motor planning, 2) command production, and 3) motor execution. Since in this work we are not discussing motion learning, no learning procedure was considered in the model. Previous models mainly assume that the motor planning level produces the desired trajectories of the joints and feeds it to the next level to be tracked. In the proposed model, the motion control is described based on a regulatory control policy, that is, the output of the motor planning level is a step function defining the initial and final desired position of the hand. For the command production level, a nonlinear predictive model was developed to explain how the time-invariant muscle synergies (MSs) are recruited. We used the same computational model to explain the arm reaching motion for a combined ARM task. The combined ARM is defined as two successive ARM such that it starts from point A and reaches to point C via point B. To develop the model, kinematic and kinetic data from six subjects were recorded and analyzed during ARM task performance. The subjects used a robotic manipulator while moving their hand in the frontal plane. The EMG data of 15 muscles were also recorded. The MSs used in the model were extracted from the recorded EMG data. The proposed model explains two aspects of the motor control system by a novel computational approach: 1) the CNS reduces the dimension of the control space using the notion of MSs and thereby, avoids immense computational loads; 2) at the level of motor planning, the CNS generates the desired position of the hand at the starting, via and the final points, and this amounts to a regulatory and non-tracking structure

Study of type a and b behavior patterns in patients with multiple sclerosis in an Iranian population

Background: In adults, throughout life, uniqueness maintains the equivalent; but, it might be tailored in the track of neurological disarrays. As in the partition of cognitive function associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), numerous studies have been performed, but there are very few reports in this area of behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of personality types A and B in relation to individuals′ behaviors with MS and type A behavior with demographic characteristics and the level of disability. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed between September 2010 and March 2011 on 50 patients who were referred to MS clinic (located at the Kashani hospital), Isfahan Neurosciences Research Centre (INRC). The subjects were evaluated using Friedman and Rosenman questioner and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 17) based on Chi-square test and independent T-test. Results: Of the subjects, 65% were of personality type A and 35% were of personality type B (X2: 3.5, P 4.5), patients with higher EDSS score, i.e., individuals with EDSS > 4.5 mostly had type A behavior pattern. Conclusions: People with type A behavior pattern are reported to have more stress, nervousness, and anxiety. In this study, MS patients had more characteristics of type A than type B behavior. This behavior was increased in individuals with EDSS score >4.5

Needs assessment and evaluation of a short course to improve faculties teaching skills at a former World Health Organization regional teacher training center

Introduction: In the design of educational programs, much attention has been paid to teaching methods, needs assessment, an important part of the development of educational programs, generally is neglected. Another important aspect in educational program design is assessing effectiveness. The aims of this study were to design a formal needs assessment program to define the core contents of a faculty development program, and to determine whether participation in the faculty development program reinforced new teaching skills. Methods: A teacher-training program was designed at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to help medical instructors boost their teaching skills. Needs assessment was done with nominal group technique followed by a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The program, imparted in workshop format, covered effective teaching methods, feedback, assessing knowledge and time management. Instruction was in the form of lectures, group discussions, case simulations, video presentations and role-plays. The program was evaluated in several phases using data triangulation and multi-item assessments of overall program quality in three major dimensions: Kirkpatrick program evaluation model, evaluation of the educational environment and qualitative analysis with open-ended questions. All participants in the study belonged to the academic staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (n=396). Results: Seven main categories were derived from nominal group techniques and questionnaires. After the program, participants rated the quality of the program highly. They felt that the educational intervention was appropriate and had a positive impact on their knowledge of effective teaching methods, feedback, knowledge assessment and time management. Assessment of the effectiveness of the program showed that participants reported significant improvements in their teaching abilities. Conclusion: Our faculty development program have a significant positive effect on medical university teaching staff members’ competencies. Further research is needed to investigate whether the faculty development program actually results in improved teaching performance