Can laboratory tests at the time of admission guide us to the prognosis of patients with COVID-19?

Introduction: To enhance the COVID-19 patients’ care and to optimize utilizing medical resources during the pandemic, relevant biomarkers are needed for prediction of the disease’s progression, the current study was aimed to determine the factors that effect on mortality of COVID-19 patients who admitted in Baharloo hospital in Iran. Methods: in the current retrospective study, 56 patients who were died because of COVID-19 infection were randomly selected from those who were admitted to Baharloo hospital. One patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had recovered from it matched with each non-survived patient in the term of age. Laboratory tests of all these patients at the time of admission were recorded and compared. All analyses performed using spss version 22 by considering α:0.05 as a significant level. Results: There was no statistical difference in the age and gender distribution between the two groups (p>0.05). The prevalence of diabetes among survived patients was 37.5% and among non-survived patients was 26.8% and there was no statistical difference between two groups about this comorbidity (p:0.22). Also, there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of hypertension and coronary heart diseases between two groups (p>0.05). Lymphocyte percentage, Blood oxygen level, and platelet (PLT) count was significantly higher in patients who had recovered (P<0.05).         Conclusions: LDH level, Lymphocyte percentage, PLT count, and blood Oxygen saturation have associations with severe forms of COVID-19 infection and can be used as predictors to assess the patients who are suspected of infection with COVID-19 at the time of admission

Interactions of Colorectal Cancer, Dietary Fats, and Polymorphisms of Arachidonate Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenase Genes: A Literature Review

ObjectiveGenetics and dietary factors play important roles in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying mechanisms of the interactions between CRC, gene polymorphisms, and dietary fat are unclear. This review study investigated the effects of polymorphisms of arachidonate lipoxygenase (ALOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) genes in the association between CRC and dietary fat.MethodsAll the related papers published from 2000 to 2022 were collected from different databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Cochran using related keywords such as colorectal cancer, ALOX, COX, polymorphism, and dietary fat. Non-English and unrelated documents were excluded.ResultsSome single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ALOX and COX genes, such as rs2228065, rs6413416, and rs4986832 in the ALOX gene, and rs689465 in the COX gene may play significant roles in the association between the risk of CRC and dietary fats. SNPs of ALOX and COX genes may influence the effects of dietary fatty acids on the risk of CRC.ConclusionSome polymorphisms of the ALOX and COX genes may have important roles in the effects of dietary fat on the risk of CRC. If future studies confirm these results, dietary recommendations for preventing colorectal cancer may be personalized based on the genotype of the ALOX and COX genes

Regenerative Medicine Approaches in COVID-19 Pneumonia

Regenerative medicine (RM) is an interdisciplinary field that uses different approaches to accelerate the repair and regeneration or replace damaged or diseased human cells or tissues to achieve normal tissue function. These approaches include the stimulation of the body's own repair processes, transplantation of progenitor cells, stem cells, or tissues, as well as the use of cells and exosomes as delivery-vehicles for cytokines, genes, or other therapeutic agents. COVID-19 pneumonia is a specific disease consistent with diffuse alveolar damage resulting in severe hypoxemia. Therefore, the most serious cause of death from COVID-19 is lung dysfunction. Here, we consider RM approaches to cure COVID-19 pneumonia based on what RM has so far used to treat lung diseases, injuries, or pneumonia induced by other pathogens. These approaches include stem and progenitor cell transplantation, stem cell-derived exosomes, and microRNAs therapy

Tumor-resident adenosine-producing mesenchymal stem cells as a potential target for cancer treatment

The development of new therapies based on tumor biology is one of the main topics in cancer treatment. In this regard, investigating the microenvironment and cellular composition of the tumor is of particular interest. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a major group of cells in the tumor tissue and play a critical role in tumor growth and development. Investigating the mechanisms by which MSCs influence tumor growth and progression is very useful in establishing new therapeutic approaches. MSCs have some immunological capacities, including anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory, and immune-suppressive abilities, which help the tumor growth in the inflammatory condition. They can suppress the proliferation and activation of CD4 + T cells and direct them toward the regulatory phenotype through the release of some factors such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, prostaglandin E2, and HO-1, PD-1 ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) and promote tolerance and apoptosis. Besides, these cells are able to produce adenosine. Adenosine has a key role in controlling the immune system by signaling through receptors located on the surface of immune cells. It plays a very essential role in tumor growth and progression. In the present review, we investigate and introduce adenosine-producing mesenchymal stem cells as a potential target for cancer treatment

Relationships of managers’ entrepreneurial perception and internationalization speed in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Abstract International entrepreneurship literature has been taken into account by researchers since the late 1980s, and they have investigated how entrepreneurs behave according to different aspects, how some of them succeed in international markets, and others fail to continue. Therefore, the present research investigated the entrepreneurial behavior as well as relationships of managers’ entrepreneurial perception and the internationalization speed (IS) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The statistical population consisted of managers in SMEs in an active Iranian industrial estate that has taken international measures. Hypotheses were tested using the structural equation test and LISREL software by analyzing 320 correct questionnaires. The obtained results indicated that the entrepreneurs’ international orientation (IO) had a significant relationship with the proactivity (PR), tolerance of ambiguity (TA), knowledge intensity (KI), and risk perception (RP). They also confirmed significant relationships of the knowledge intensity, risk perception and the internationalization speed, but no relationship was found between the tolerance of ambiguity and risk perception

Prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in Mazandaran, North of Iran: A Tabari cohort study

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common complaint. It is a major health concern and there is paucity of information about the epidemiology of the disease and its risk factors in Iran, especially Mazandaran province (North of Iran). This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of regurgitation and the factors associated with this condition in Tabari cohort study. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from Tabari cohort study. Information including the presence and frequency of heartburn and regurgitation, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, occupational history, history of chronic illnesses, history of alcohol and cigarette consumption were recorded. Results: The prevalence of GERD symptoms were 27.6% (20.4% in men, and 32.4% in women, p=0.0001). The frequency of typical symptoms was significantly higher in women than that in men. The risk of developing GERD symptoms were 1.7 times higher in women (p=0.0001). The highest prevalence of GERD symptoms was found in urban areas (41.8%, p=0.0001), in people with low educational levels (48%, p=0.0001), and in participants with history of depression symptoms (36.2%, p=0.0001). The prevalence of GERD symptoms was significantly high in individuals with higher BMI (29.5%, p=0.006), greater waist to hip ratio (29.1%, p=0.0001, p=0.0001), and high waist circumference (31.7%, p=0.0001). Conclusion: This study showed gender, region of residence, educational level, and depression symptoms as the main risk factors for developing GERD symptoms

Study of Face and Content Validity of the Persian Version of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Preschool Version

Objective Executive functions are referred to higher and self-tuning cognitive processes that help managing behaviors and thought controls. Executive functions in children are assessed in different ways. The most prestigious and valuable way is using daily functions reports on a child's natural environment. This study aimed to prepare the Persian version of behavior rating inventory of executive function-preschool (BRIFF-P) and study of its face and content validity among Iranian children. The questionnaire completed by parents of 2-5 years old children. Materials & Methods This study has methodological and psychometric design. We studied the Persian version of tests using standard protocols IQOLA and determined its validity. This protocol includes translation, evaluation of translation quality, backward translation, and comparing the English version with its Persian one. Face validity was determined by 20 samples (parent) and the impact score was measured. Content validity index (CVI) and ratio of the content validity (CVR) was determined by asking the opinions of 15 experts. Moreover, the simplicity, relevance, and transparency of each item was evaluated. Results Based on the simplicity and clarity of questionnaire items, over 80% agreement of the sample group indicated the simplicity and clarity of the items. also the difficult and complex items were discussed among experts in several sessions and as a result the simpler and clearer concepts took the place of difficult and ambiguous items. Then, the score of proportion index effect and relation of items for each of 63 items of questionnaire was calculated. the results showed that all items of questionnaire were simple and clear, also all items except 7 achieved impact score of higher than 1.5. To evaluate the content validity of the questionnaire, we used ratio of content validity and index calculation. Content validity showed that almost all items of the questionnaire achieved CVI score of higher than 0.79 (The lowest score was 0.8 and highest one was 1); however, as regards the index of relatedness, 3 items got scores lower than 0.79 The scores of the content validity ratio were more than 0.49, except the fifth item. Conclusion The Persian version of this questionnaire possesses a good match in terms of cultural and face validity. The results of content validity confirms that the Persian version is clear, simple, and understandable for the target society. However, 7 items of the questionnaire got scores lower than 1.5. of course, as in this study, the parents of normal children were investigated, the importance of these items in evaluation of abnormal children must be considered, because in many abnormal growth development of children (like attention deficit/hyperactivity, autism) such behaviors are clearly considered problematic. Therefore, the importance of these items are seen in final questionnaire and in spite of low score of 1.5 of some items, in the sample group (normal children), these items were kept and inserted in the final questionnaire. The results of content validity were also indicative of different cultural assumptions from some items of this questionnaire. We suggest that in future studies, the content validity of the Persian version was estimted with regard to opinions of parents of abnormal children with growth development problems and then the results were compared. We also suggest examining the other kinds of reliability and validity of this test

Application of new bioformulations of Pseudomonas aureofaciens for biocontrol of cotton seedling damping-off

Pseudomonas aureofaciens (30-84) is a phenazine producing bacterium and reported as asuccessful biocontrol agent of some plant fungal pathogens. In the present study, the possibility of biological control of cotton damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani (AG-4) through phenazine production by the 30-84 strain, was investigated. In the search for the development of bioformulations of Pa (m) (PhzR–) and Pa (w) (PhzR+) strains of 30-84, four new carriers including soybean meal (SM), cottonseed meal (CM), rice bran (RB), and talc powder (TAL) were selected. The efficacy of bacterial formulations in reducing disease incidence was evaluated in four intervals (15, 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing), and compared with each bacterial suspension efficacy under green-house conditions. The results revealed that organic carriers were more effective than talc powder. It was also found that all the bioformulations were more efficient than each bacterial suspension. The most effective in reducing disease incidence was Pa (w) + RB. In contrast, Pa (m), Pa (m) + TAL, and Pa (m) + RB did not significantly suppress the disease in comparison with the infested control. Thus, phenazine production as a main biocontrol mechanism of P. aureofaciens (30-84) may be affected by the kind of carriers used for the bioformulation development

A comparison between Pseudomonas aureofaciens (chlororaphis) and P. fluorescens in biological control of cotton seedling damping-off disease

Due to the importance of the biological control of plant diseases, testing and introducing new biocontrol-active microorganisms is a major concern among plant pathologists. The causal agent of cotton seedling damping-off disease is Rhizoctonia solani. In this regard, we tried to investigate the antagonistic activities of Pseudomonas aureofaciens (chlororaphis) 30–84 (phenazine producing wild type and non-phenazine producing mutant) strains on R. solani, in comparison with some isolates of P. fluorescent under both in vitro (laboratory) and in vivo (greenhouse) conditions. In the laboratory experiment, the inhibitory effects of all the bacteria, on the growth of R. solani, were evaluated using the dual culture procedure. Results showed that five isolates of P. fluorescent along with both strains of P. aureofaciens significantly inhibited the growth of R. solani. Effective bacterial antagonists were then evaluated in a greenhouse experiment where cotton seeds were coated with their suspensions and were sown in pasteurised field-soil. The soil had been pre-inoculated with a virulent isolate of R. solani. The efficacy of the bacterial antagonists was evaluated by counting the number of surviving seedlings in different treatments, at 15 and 60 days after sowing, for determining pre- and post-emergence damping-off incidence. According to the results of the greenhouse experiment, at both intervals, two isolates of P. fluorescens along with both strains of P. aureofaciens caused significant increases in the number of healthy seedlings, in comparison with the untreated control, and a commonly used fungicide (carboxin-thiram). The efficacy of phenazine producing a wild type strain of P. aureofaciens was higher than its non-phenazine producing mutant, indicating that phenazine plays an important role in the antagonistic activity of P. aureofaciens. Effective bacterial antagonists were then studied for their antagonistic mechanisms. The results showed that all four bacteria employed different mechanisms. The bacteria produced siderophore, and volatile metabolites and non-volatile metabolites, in their antagonistic activities. The results of this study suggest that P. auerofaciens may be a new biocontrol agent for controlling cotton seedling mortality disease