The role of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha phosphorylation pathway in translational control and virus-mediated oncongenesis /

Two important steps of translation initiation include the recognition of the mRNA cap structure by eIF4E and the recycling of erF2. Each step is thought to be regulated independently through the interaction of eIF4E with 4E-BPs and the phosphorylation of the a subunit of eIF2 at serine 51. Phosphorylation of eIF2alpha by dsRNA-dependent protein kinase PKR inhibits protein synthesis in cells subjected to virus infection; therefore, most viruses have evolved mechanism to overcome the deleterious effects of PKR. The human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoprotein contributes to virus-induced pathogenicity through multiple mechanisms including the inhibition of apoptosis and the blockade of interferon action. This study demonstrates a novel function of PKR providing a link between the two mechanisms of regulation of translation initiation. Activation of PKR induces the PI3K-PKB/Akt and FRAP/mTOR pathways leading to S6 and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation upon stress conditions and in response to growth stimuli. Induction of the PI3K pathway antagonizes the apoptotic effects of PKR activation, but does not intervene with its translational inhibitory activity. Investigating functional interaction of HPV E6 and PKR, we determined that BPV-18 E6 protein synthesis is regulated by eIF2alpha phosphorylation. On the other hand, E6 oncoprotein is able to rescue cells from PKR-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis and induction of apoptosis by promoting eIF2alpha dephosphorylation through physical association with GADD34/PP1 holophosphatase complex. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the ability of PKR to activate a growth-stimulatory pathway; PI3K. Furthermore, it demonstrates role of oncogenic E6 in antagonizing signaling pathways induced by PKR including eIF2alpha phosphorylation and PI3K pathway

Structural Equation Modeling of Relationships between Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure

Background: Heart failure, with a very high disability, leads to reduced quality of life. Variables such as self-efficacy and social support have a very much impact on the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to determine the relationship between variables self-efficacy and social support with quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: Participants were 298 Heart Failure (HF) patients of Farabi Hospital in Mashhad. They have completed the Social Support Questionnaire (12 items, Zimet and et al.), Self-efficacy (10 items, Schwarzer and et al.), and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire MLHFQ (21 Rector). Results: Confirmatory analysis method and path analysis showed that the quality of life of patients with heart failure is affected by social support and self-efficacy. Therefore, social support has a positive effect on quality of life. Self-efficacy has also been able to mediate the relationship between social support and the quality of life, as its path coefficient was equal to 0.38. Multiple indices such as RMSEA (0.078) and GFI (0.93) were used to evaluate the model. The proposed model fits the data. Conclusions: It seems that social support directly and through self-efficacy can improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Keywords: heart failure, quality of life, social support, self-efficacy

Structural Equation Modeling of Relationships between Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure

Background: Heart failure, with a very high disability, leads to reduced quality of life. Variables such as self-efficacy and social support have a very much impact on the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to determine the relationship between variables self-efficacy and social support with quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: Participants were 298 Heart Failure (HF) patients of Farabi Hospital in Mashhad. They have completed the Social Support Questionnaire (12 items, Zimet and et al.), Self-efficacy (10 items, Schwarzer and et al.), and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire MLHFQ (21 Rector). Results: Confirmatory analysis method and path analysis showed that the quality of life of patients with heart failure is affected by social support and self-efficacy. Therefore, social support has a positive effect on quality of life. Self-efficacy has also been able to mediate the relationship between social support and the quality of life, as its path coefficient was equal to 0.38. Multiple indices such as RMSEA (0.078) and GFI (0.93) were used to evaluate the model. The proposed model fits the data. Conclusions: It seems that social support directly and through self-efficacy can improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Keywords: heart failure, quality of life, social support, self-efficacy

Perceived Stress, Self Efficacy and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure: A Structural Equation Model

Background: The high prevalence and mortality of heart failure is associated with reduced quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and perceived stress with quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: Participants were 298 patients referred to the Cardiac unit of Farabi Tamin Ejtemaiy Hospital in Mashhad. They completed three questionnaires. They were evaluated with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire MLHFQ, 21 items (Rector 1984), self-efficacy (10 items, Schwarzer et al., 1982), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (14 items, Cohen et al., 1983). Data were analyzed by SPSS and LIZREL software. Results: The findings revealed that the quality of life of patients with heart failure is affected by perceived stress and self-efficacy. Therefore, perceived stress hurts the quality of life. Self-efficacy has also been able to mediate the relationship between perceived stress and quality of life, so that its path coefficient was equal to -0.36. Evaluation of the model with multiple indices RMSEA (0.082) and GFI (0.92) showed that the proposed model fits the data. Conclusions: Due to the fact, perceived stress conversely and also through self-efficacy can improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Keywords: Patients heart failure, Quality of life, Self-efficacy, Stress, Structural equation model

Perceived Stress, Self Efficacy and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure: A Structural Equation Model

Background: The high prevalence and mortality of heart failure is associated with reduced quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and perceived stress with quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: Participants were 298 patients referred to the Cardiac unit of Farabi Tamin Ejtemaiy Hospital in Mashhad. They completed three questionnaires. They were evaluated with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire MLHFQ, 21 items (Rector 1984), self-efficacy (10 items, Schwarzer et al., 1982), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (14 items, Cohen et al., 1983). Data were analyzed by SPSS and LIZREL software. Results: The findings revealed that the quality of life of patients with heart failure is affected by perceived stress and self-efficacy. Therefore, perceived stress hurts the quality of life. Self-efficacy has also been able to mediate the relationship between perceived stress and quality of life, so that its path coefficient was equal to -0.36. Evaluation of the model with multiple indices RMSEA (0.082) and GFI (0.92) showed that the proposed model fits the data. Conclusions: Due to the fact, perceived stress conversely and also through self-efficacy can improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Keywords: Patients heart failure, Quality of life, Self-efficacy, Stress, Structural equation model

Comparing task performance, visual comfort and alertness under different lighting sources

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different light sources – namely light-emitting diode (LED), compact fluorescent (FLcomp) and fluorescent with warm color temperature (FLwarm) and cool color temperature (FLcool) – on the performances, alertness, visual comfort level and preferences in a pilot study. A laboratory controlled experiment was conducted by focusing on 20 postgraduate students who volunteered to participate in a series of tests under four different light sources. “GO NO GO” task and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) were employed to assess objective and subjective alertness, while modified OLS questionnaire was used to gauge comfort level and preferences. In addition, editing and typing tasks were carried out as a performance evaluation. Significant increase was observed in subjective and objective alertness level under FLcool condition and LED in comparison to FLwarm and FLcomp (p < 0.05). In terms of typing performances, respondents performed significantly better with regard to typing speed under FLcool than FLwarm and FLcomp. The lowest number of typing errors was made under FLcool, followed by LED, FLcomp and FLwarm. LED was the most preferred (p=0.001) and most comfortable (p=0.011) lighting condition. The study concludes that the FLcool and LED were more beneficial for alertness level and performance for both computer-based and paper-based activities

Ethnobotanic study of medicinal plants in Urmia city: Identification and traditional using of antiparasites plants

Objective: To identify the native medicinal plants used in parasitic diseases treatment in Urmia. Methods: This study was conducted among 35 Urmia herbalists to identify medicinal plants used in parasitic diseases treatment. We used direct observation and interviews with collected herbarium specimens by native herbs commonly in the treatment of parasitic diseases. Questionnaires were included apothecary personal information and native plants list with information includes plant local name, plant parts used, method of their use and traditional therapies. Herbarium samples listed in the questionnaire collected from the area and were sent to agricultural research centers and Urmia University Faculty of Agriculture for genus and species determination. Results: Thirteen medicinal plants from six families for treatment of diabetes in Urmia were obtained from interviews. Most families have anti diabetic effect was included Asteraceae (36). The most used was boiling (65). Conclusions: In view of the findings of this study indicate that plants have the potential to be a parasitic infection so it is necessary ingredients of native plants be studied to demonstrate therapeutic effects and provide field work to evaluate the clinical effects of these herbs and ingredients they claim on parasitic diseases. © 2014 Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press

Designing a new physical activity calorie equivalent food label and comparing its effect on caloric choices to that of the traffic light label among mothers: a mixed-method study

ObjectiveWe designed a new type of ‘physical activity calorie equivalent’ (PACE) food label in Iran to compare its effect with that of the traffic light food label (TLL) on caloric choices.DesignMixed-method study.ParticipantsMothers of school children between the ages of 6–12 years.SettingIn the qualitative phase, 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with various groups of mothers, and two FGDs were conducted with food science and nutrition experts to design a new PACE label. In the quantitative phase, 496 mothers were randomly assigned to five groups: (1) no nutrition label, (2) current TLL, (3) current TLL + educational brochure, (4) PACE label, and (5) PACE label + brochure. Samples of dairy products, beverages, cakes, and biscuits were presented. ANOVA and multiple linear regressions were applied to examine the association between label types and calories of the selected products as our main outcome.ResultsThe mothers’ perspectives were classified into two sub-themes, the PACE label’s facilitators and barriers. The new PACE label’s characteristics were divided into two subcategories: (a) appearance, and (b) nutritional information, including 14 codes. In the quantitative section, mean calories of the selected foods were lowest in the TLL + brochure group (831.77 kcal; 95% CI: 794.23–869.32), and highest in the PACE label group (971.61; 95% CI: 926.37–1016.84).ConclusionThe new PACE label was a combination of PACE, TLL, and warning labels. It did not significantly affect lower caloric choice, however, the TLL + brochure option was effective in choosing foods with fewer calories.Clinical trial registration: The study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials 23 (IRCT20181002041201N1)

Effect of Carob Supplement on Spermogram Parameters and Sexual Function of Infertile Men Referred to the Infertility Center, Hamadan, Iran, 2019: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The purpose of this study is comparison of carob with placebo in the treatment of male infertility. Materials and methods: This study was performed as a clinical trial with two-group pretest-posttest design. Each group consisted of 30 members. The first group received 1.5 grams of carob per day, and the second group received placebo treatments. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Semen analysis as well as testosterone, prolactin, (LH), (FSH) and (TSH) were performed before and after drug treatment in two groups. Sexual function was assessed in the groups in two stages before and after the intervention using the standard International Index of Erectile Function. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS 16. Results: The participants’ mean age was 34.83 ±6.22 in the placebo and 33.67 ±5.82 years in the Carob group. The results showed in the carob group compared to the placebo group, the rate of normal sperm counts increased by 17% and also the normal level of testosterone was 40% higher than the abnormal levels of the placebo group and these differences were statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: It is recommended to use carob supplements to improve spermogram parameters and male sex hormones

Invasive thyroglossal duct cyst papillary carcinoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital anomaly of the thyroid gland and midline masses in childhood (70% abnormality in childhood, 7% in adult). Carcinomas arising from a thyroglossal duct cyst are rare (only 1% of thyroglossal duct cyst cases) and characterized by relatively non-aggressive behavior and rare lymphatic spread. They are also diagnosed mostly during the third and fourth decades of life. About 85% to 92% of all thyroglossal duct cyst carcinomas are papillary carcinomas.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 44-year-old Iranian woman with Cacausian ethnicity with a painless anterior neck mass that appeared gradually over three months. She had a history of frequent painful swelling of the anterior part of her neck, which subsided with antibiotic therapy. Thyroid functional tests were normal and a thyroid scinitigraphy showed a cold nodule in the left lobe of her thyroid. A computed tomography scan revealed a large, heterogeneous enhancing soft tissue mass with cystic components in the midline of the anterior neck space. This extended from the base of the tongue,(completely separated from its muscles, to the inferior aspect of the thyroid gland and showed the destruction of the hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage. The diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct cyst with malignant transformation was maintained. A fine needle aspiration revealed papillary carcinoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This patient's case is presented because of its rare, aggressive, and invasive nature and rare and unusual manifestation, as well as its rapid increase in size, the destruction of the hyoid bone, chondrolysis of the thyroid cartilage, lymph adenopathy and the existence of a cold nodule in the thyroid gland.</p