Identification of Candidate miRNAs and Predication of Their Role in Keratoconus

Keratoconus (KTCN, OMIM 148300) is known as an eye degenerative disease leading to stromal thinning and conical shape of the cornea. These structural changes can be accompanied by loss of visual function in advanced cases. To date, in spite of recent advances in the investigation of molecular mechanisms which result in Keratoconus, there’s still a lack of information about the role of miRNAs in this disorder. Accordingly, this study aims to find miRNA’s aberrantly expression in KTCN suffering cases and to predict their role by investigating their possible interactions with significantly KTCN correlated genes. The data were comprised of 25 normal and 25 KTCN cases. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis approach was used to construct a protein-coding gene co-expression network and investigate the significant modules. Gene with the higher module membership (MM) and gene significance (GS) in the selected modules were supposed to be more KTCN relevant genes.  Totally 2492 protein-coding genes (PCGs) and 99 miRNAs were up-regulated and 213 PCGs and 31 miRNAs were down-regulated. Significant correlation with the KTCN was observed in three modules, including brown, green-yellow, and salmon from the total of 15 modules. Genes in significant modules have been enriched to gene expression regulation related biological processes such as negative regulation of protein secretion, intra-Golgi vesicle-mediated transport, regulation of mRNA 3’-end processing, and cytoskeleton related gene ontologies such as modulation of the mitochondrial cytoskeleton. Up-regulated miRNAs that interact with down-regulated mRNAs within significant modules include miR-1305, miR-544a, miR-1245a, miR-4635, miR-4266

Investigation of genes associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using expression profile analysis

Glaucoma is recognized as one of the most common causes of global blindness observed in various types such as primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This condition is characterized by progressive optic neuropathy, leading to damage of optic nerve fibers. Having no symptoms at the beginning, glaucoma results in decreased vision and eventually blindness over several years. Early treatment can prevent the progression of the disease. We performed a study to evaluate differential gene expression in normal control and POAG cases. A total of 179 DEGs were discovered with 60 up-regulated and 119 down-regulated genes. After the selection of DEGs, we constructed the protein-protein interaction network. The result of GO enrichment showed the DEGs involved in antioxidant activity, haptoglobin binding, and oxygen carrier activity. Then Four modules of the primary protein network were obtained using a STRING database, using the K-means method. Next, gene ontology analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment were performed for four modules. These genes include TYRP1, FMOD, OGN, PAX6, COL8A2, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DMB. The results showed that the Selected module is highly related to glaucoma pathogenesis genes. Using integrated bioinformatical analysis, we have identified DEGs candidate genes and pathways involved in glaucoma, which could improve our understanding of the cause and underlying molecular events, and these candidate genes and pathways could be therapeutic targets for glaucoma

Low Anterior and Very Low Anterior Resection in Patients with Rectal Cancer with or without Diverting Colostomy: A Comparison

Introduction: In colorectal cancer surgery, diverting colostomy after low anterior resection (LAR) and very low anterior resection (VLAR) operations is an issue of great significance to the surgeons. This study set out to compare the results of operation in patients with rectal cancer, undergoing VLAR and a type of LAR of the rectum, with or without diverting colostomy. Materials and Methods: 100 patients with rectal cancer undergoing VLAR and LAR, with or without diverting colostomy at a tertiary care hospital (Imam-Hossein Medical Center) were prospectively assessed from March, 2011 to February, 2015. Demographic data, radiotherapy history, and surgery-related data such as duration as well as post-operative complications were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 100 patients, 50 underwent VLAR or LAR without diverting colostomy, and 50 underwent surgical resection with diversion. The age, male to female ratio, and history of radiation were not different in the two groups (P>0.05). The surgery was successful for 47 (94%) patients without diverting colostomy and for 48 patients (96%) with diverting colostomy. The age, gender, history of radiotherapy, and surgery duration did not affect the surgery success rate (P > 0.05), which is fairly significant. The two groups showed no significant difference in surgical outcomes and complications (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Contrary to popular belief, the surgery success rate and complications were not significantly different in the group without diverting colostomy and the group with diverting colostomy. VLAR and LAR without diverting colostomy are recommended. &nbsp

General Health Subcomponents and Marital Satisfaction: Examining a Correlation during COVID-19

Introduction: COVID-19 is known as a general health threat. General health can play a significant role in marital adjustment and satisfaction and thus the strength of the family foundation. The current study aimed to determine the correlation between families’ general health subcomponents and marital satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khaf, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 90 married people using the convenience sampling. The study instruments involved a demographics form, a general health questionnaire, and a marital satisfaction questionnaire. Data analyses were performed in SPSS statistical software ver. 22, using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey’s post hoc tests. The level of significance was set at p <.05. Results: Among the general health subcomponents, the highest mean score belonged to depression (12.80 ± 4.65) and the lowest to social dysfunction (12.04 ± 4.24). The general health score was 49.70 ± 17.35, and the marital satisfaction mean score was 123.13 ± 34.02. Marital satisfaction was negatively and significantly associated with general health (r = -.71) as well as the subcomponents of somatic symptoms (r = -.64), anxiety (r = -.71), social dysfunction (r = -.66), and depression (-.067) (p <.001). Conclusion: As COVID-19 depression and anxiety have the most significant impact on individuals’ general health and marital satisfaction, healthcare managers and policymakers are advised to consider solutions to these disorders in families. As such, they can contribute to spouses’ general health and marital satisfaction and thus strengthen the family foundation

Investigation of depression prevalence in slow coronary artery patients

Introduction: There is limited information about the association between Coronary Slow Flow (CSF) phenomenon and depression. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression in slow coronary artery patients in compression of patients with normal coronary artery and those with significant coronary stenosis under angiography at Shafa hospital of Kerman in 2018. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was performed on 180 people. All participants were divided into three groups (60 patients with CSF diagnosed by elective Coronary Angiography (CAG), 60 people with Coronary Normal Flow (CNF), and 60 patients with significant coronary artery diseases (CAD) who were referred to Shafa hospital of Kerman in 2018. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that included two parts: demographic information and Beck Depression Scale. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 24 software. Results: The results showed that 55 % of the sample were male and the incidence of mild, moderate, and severe depression is significantly higher among patients with CSF in compromising with normal and coronary stenosis group (P <0.0001). Conclusion: Due to the significant association between depression and CSF, it is necessary for people with cardiovascular disease to be screened for psychiatric problems

Resilience and anxiety in nurses in a hospital in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

The lack of any definitive treatment or prevention of COVID-19 disease has created a lot of stress and anxiety in societies. This study aimed to evaluate the resilience and anxiety of COVID-19 in nurses of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft and their relationship with demographic variables from April to August 2020. The present study is descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional. To select the statistical sample, the census method was used so that 80 nurses working in different wards of the hospital were selected and included in the study. The resilience measurement tool is the Connor-Davidson Resilience Questionnaire (CD-RIS). COVID-19 anxiety was assessed using a comprehensive national questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics Chi-square, Independent two-sample parametric t-test, and ANOVA through SPSS 20. The level of COVID-19 anxiety in nurses was moderate (19.3±11.64) and the rate of resilience was low (36.7±16.65). There is a statistically significant difference between resilience in nurses and age (p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant relationship between the rate of resilience in nurses and gender (p = 0.13), the unit of service (p = 0.87), marital status (p = 0.98), work experience (p = 0.06), and the level of education (p = 0.63). There was no statistically significant relationship between anxiety in nurses and age (p = 0.53), gender (p = 0.59), the unit of work (p = 0.48), marital status (p = 0.90), work experience (p = 0.40), and level of education (p = 0.60). The results of multivariate analysis showed that, work experience, and place of work have a statistically significant relationship with resilience and anxiety of COVID-19 in nurses, respectively (p <0.05).The level of COVID-19 anxiety in nurses is moderate and the rate of resilience is high. Given the current high-risk situation, it is important to identify nurses prone to psychological disorders to maintain and improve their mental health with appropriate strategies and techniques

Multi-lead ECG heartbeat classification of heart disease based on HOG local feature descriptor

Introduction: ECG data play an important role in the diagnostics of various cardiovascular diseases. Classification of multi-lead ECG signals could be challenging even for well-trained physicians. In this study we propose a new approach for multi-lead ECG classification. Method: Five-types of 15-lead ECG data namely healthy control, bundle branch block, cardiomyopathy, Dysrhythmia, and myocardial infarction patients from two types of datasets, 5319 and 6647 heartbeats from Baqiyatallah and PTB Diagnostic ECG database, were used, respectively. One-dimensional total variation regularization was used to denoising ECG data. Heartbeats were extracted by one cardiologist and saved as images with jpg format. Histogram of oriented gradients method was used to extract feature of images. for classification task support vector machine and fully connected neural network were used. Five-fold cross validation was used for validating the models. Result: For 15-lead ECG PTB Diagnostic database, the best classification models are SVM model with cubic (accuracy: 99.9%, Range: 99.77% - 100%) and quadratic (accuracy: 99.88%, Range: 99.77%-100%) kernel function, for this dataset fully connected accuracy is 99.4% with range of 99.02%- 99.70%. Regarding to the Baqyatallah dataset SVM with cubic (accuracy: 99.83%, Range:99.72%-100%) and quadratic (accuracy: 99.77%, Range: 99.62%-99.9%) were the best classification model and the accuracy for fully connected neural network was 99.1% with the range of 98.59%-99.62% based on HOG descriptors. Expected sigmodal kernel all classification method have accuracy more than 99%. Discussion: simultaneous use of HOG feature extraction method and appropriate classification algorithm such as SVM or fully connected neural network can classify 15-lead ECG heart-beat for different heart disease with high accuracy and adding other relevant patients’ information can be easily done in order to increase the method performance

Novel Potential Drugs for Therapy of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Protein-Protein Interaction Network (PPI) Analysis

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness in older people. If diagnosed early, its progression in humans can be prevented.Material and Methods: To understand of AMD pathogenesis, this study was carried out to investigate differential gene expression in AMD and normal samples. Here, Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) with p-value of less than 0.01 were selected to construct the Protein- Protein interaction Network (PPI) using STRING web tool and visualized by Cytoscape software. Next, four PPI modules were discovered from the network. Then, the GO and pathway enrichment analyses were carried out on the modules’ genes. Drug- gene interactions were obtained for modules’ genes and reconstructed as a single drug- gene network.Results: Bevacisumab, Degzamethazone and Pegaptanib, as the most potent therapeutic candidatedrugs and previously mentioned as a therapy for AMD, had interaction with the genes associated with AMD. The other candidate drugs are Docetaxel, Cisplutin, Carboplatin, Methotrexate, Bexarotene, Raloxifene Hydrochloride, Acitretine, Adapalene, and Doxorubicine, some of which were previously discovered to be efficient against cancer. They had two gene targets in different modules.Conclusion: Computational tools are efficient for therapeutic goals, experimental validation of findings as well as testing of drug toxicity are critical for better treatment. Drugs proposed in this study might promote future studies on AMD.Keywords: Age-Related Macular Degeneration; Differential Gene Expression; Drug- Gene Network;Protein-Protein Interaction

The Effect of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Opioid Craving: Effect of tDCS on Opioid Craving

Introduction: Nowadays, substance use disorder is one of the most serious health problems in the world. Craving is one of the leading causes of substance use relapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on participants with opioid substance use disorder. Materials and Methods:&nbsp; A randomized, sham-controlled trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation (right anodal and left cathodal) on craving among participants with opioid use disorder. Eighteen men were categorized into sham tDCS and active tDCS groups. Interventions were performed for seven consecutive days. In both groups, the instantaneous and periodic craving was evaluated by the Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) and Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) before and a week after the interventions. The differences between the two groups were evaluated by paired samples t-test and student's t-test. Results: The results indicated that tDCS significantly reduced the scores on DDQ and OCDUS in the active tDCS group compared to the sham tDCS group (P&lt;.05). Conclusions: Our findings provide support for applying tDCS in controlling opioid craving. Therefore, this method can be considered to be a new therapeutic approach in treatment of opioid use disorder

El efecto de los tipos de parto en el peso de los niños en edad preescolar: un estudio de casos y controles

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the effect of delivery type on obesity of children. Materials and Methods: This case-control study investigated preschoolers in Rafsanjan city in 2018. The study population was divided into two groups. The first group consisted of children who were overweight and obese as the case group, the second group included children with normal BMI as the control group. For each obese and overweight child, a normal-weight child was considered his or her control, matching the preschool center, sex and age. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship and calculate the odds ratio. Results:&nbsp; Data for 171 paired children were collected. Results showed that 126 (73.7%) of the case group and 115 (67.3%) of the control group were born through CS. The odds of obesity and overweight in children born through CS was 1.363 times higher than those born through normal delivery but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .193). These results did not change after controlling the effect of confounding factors.&nbsp; Also, the risk of obesity and overweight in children born from mothers who had cesarean selective delivery was 1.523 times higher than those born through normal delivery, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .275). Conclusion: The findings of our study did not show any evidence of a relationship between maternal type of delivery and childhood weight. In this study, obesity and childhood overweight depended on maternal characteristics. Key words: Obesity, Overweight, Preschoolers, Case-Control Stud