Autism and Probable Prerequisites: Severe and Scheduled Prenatal Stresses at Spotligh

Background: Due to the importance of prenatal maternal stress as environmental factor on autism, the influ-ence of prenatal maternal psychological agitations was assessed in relation with the risk of autism. Methods: In this case-control study, some mothers of autistic children in Isfahan, central Iran, in 2014, were retrospectively compared with control mothers in terms of quantity, quality, andschedule of exposure to 45 stressful events in a 15-month period. In addition, dividing the stressors into two groups of genome-dependent/independent events, their prevalence was separately scrutinized and compared among patient and control families. Results: Although the child’s risk of autism increases significantly with the increase of maternal stress during months 4-7 of pregnancy, the increased stress during months 2-3 of pregnancy can lead to a significant increase in the severity of autism affliction as well as a slight but significant increase in the possibility of LFA in afflicted children (P<0.05). The overall prevalence of genome-dependent stressful events among two patient and control groups was significantly higher than that of genome-independent events (P=0.000), but genome-dependent events led to more stress inpatient families. Conclusion: Although the present study consistent with recent findings in the fields of epigenetics and gene-environment interactions can confirm the role of severe and scheduled prenatal stresses in causing autism, it does not deny the necessity of a perspective and wider study in Isfahan and Iran

Acute and chronic toxicity of ammonia in Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, fingerlings

In the present study, susceptibility of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, to un-ionized ammonia (UIA) was studied. Fish with an average weight of 5.52±0.45 g were exposed to different concentrations of un-ionized ammonia (UIA) to determine median lethal concentration (96-h-LC50). The fish were exposed to six different concentrations of UIA (control, 0.16, 0.31, 0.62, 0.94 and 1.25 mg/l UIA). The control group was not challenged with ammonia (0.0008 mg/l UIA). The results showed that the 96-h-LC50 of UIA in Persian sturgeon was 0.46 mg/l. According to 96-h-LC50,mid-term exposure to sub-lethal UIA was examined. In the chronic examination, the fish were exposed to different levels of sub-lethal ammonia; control (0.0008 mg/l UIA), 10% of LC50 (0.05 mg/l UIA), 5% of LC50 (0.025 mg/l UIA) and 1% of LC50 (0.005 mg/l UIA) for 30 days. Final length, final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, daily weight gain and body weigh index decreased significantly in the fish exposed to 0.05 and 0.025 mg/l UIA. According to the results, conversion ratio and condition factor indices were higher in the fish exposed to 0.005 mg/l UIA and control group compared with the fish exposed to 0.05 and 0.025 mg/l UIA

Evaluation of H.pylori infection and IL23R gene polymorphism in dyspeptic subjects

CagA strains of H.pylori (Hp) are known to be associated with gastroduodenal diseases. Polymorphisms in inflammation related genes, such as cytokines and their receptors, were thought to partly determine the outcome of Hp infection and the progression of gastritis. It is supposed that interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R), a basic cytokine receptor in the inflammatory IL-17/IL-23 axis, may be related to gastritis. In the present study, we evaluated the association of IL23R +2199 rs10889677 polymorphism and cagA positivity with chronic gastritis. In addition, we studied the infiltration of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) Leukocytes into surrounding tissues of corpus. Biopsies taken from the corpus of the patients were classified as two groups: Hp-infected and Hpuninfected. The severity of gastritis was graded from normal to severe, chronic gastritis and chronic active gastritis. Virulence factor, cagA, was evaluated using PCR and the polymorphism in IL23R was investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). AA and AC carriers of IL23R +2199 polymorphism, but not CC genotype in Hp-uninfected patients, were not associated with cellular infiltration and gastritis in both groups (p > 0.05). CagA positivity was significantly associated with increased risk of PMN (P= 0.013), but not with MN infiltration (P= 0.069). Also gastritis was found to be associated with cagA positivity (P= 0.044). Our results show decreased Hp infection probability in patients with CC genotype of 2199 +IL23R. According to the clinical and pathological features in Hp-infected group, IL23R polymorphism doesn't influence chronic gastritis and chronic active gastritis

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe

Chilling Tolerance Improving of Watermelon Seedling by Salicylic Acid Seed and Foliar Application

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #221e1f; line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chilling temperatures lead to numerous physiological disturbances in the cells of chilling-sensitive plants and result in chilling injury and death of tropical and subtropical plants such as watermelon. In this study, the possibility of cold stress tolerance enhancing of watermelon seedling (</span></span><em><span style="color: #221e1f; line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Garamond Premr Pro&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Garamond Premr Pro&quot;;">Citrullus lanatus</span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #221e1f; line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;">) by exogenous application of Salicylic acid (SA) was investigated. SA was applied through seed soaking or foliar spray at 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM concentration. After SA treatment, the seedlings were subjected to chilling 5 h/day at 4°C for 5 days. Statistical analysis showed significant effects of the application methods and SA concentrations on plant growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, proline and chilling injury index. SA application improved growth parameters and increased chlorophyll content of watermelon seedling subjected to chilling stress and provided significant protection against chilling stress compared to non-SA-treated seedlings. Although two SA application methods improved chilling stress tolerance, seed soaking method provided better protection compared to foliar spray method. SA ameliorated the injury caused by chilling stress via inhibiting proline accumulation and leaf electrolyte leakage. The highest cold tolerance was obtained with 0.5 mM SA application. Results indicate that SA could be used effectively to protect watermelon seedling from damaging effects of chilling stress at the early stages of growth.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span

Comparative study approaches to higher education in graduate section in different countries

Aim: The present study is intended with literature review in universities and experiences in different countries, analyzed approaches to higher education in graduate section. Research Methods: This article is a comparative study which uses a qualitative content analysis with inductive category development studying and comparing of different to higher education in graduate section in different countries such as the USA, Malaysia, and China. Results: Most important factors change in the USA of development and industrial is free market, democracy, advancement of technology, communications, and multiculturalism. Experience China in higher education is reform policies in the graduate section. In Malaysia, Academic Research plays a role in development plans, policymaking and education human resources. Conclusions: Graduate programs in the USA focused on resorting to the latest scientific and research achievements, labor productivity and educating experts and professionals. Policies China include the policy of the free market system, entry democracy in political territory, globalization of activities, humanist changing of industries related to worker to knowledge-based industries, pass of economic development to people-oriented development, and changes societies. The important policies in the graduate section in Malaysia include activities research by awareness of market demands and industry needs. Establish fitness between programs and academic disciplines in graduate section and attracting the best brains

Use of the Orem self-care model on pain relief in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized trial

Background and aim: Self-care is an important tool in controlling pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to determine the use of the Orem self-care model on pain relief in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This was a clinical trial performed on 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who referred to a rheumatology clinic in Karaj during 2013-2015 (30 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the intervention group), convenience sampling was done and subjects were divided into two groups randomly. Data collecting tools were a demographic questionnaire which consisted of 19 questions and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The data result was analyzed by SPSS version 19, using independent-samples t-test and Chi square test. P- value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age was 44.63±10.65 years, 90% were married and 35% had a high school diploma. The results showed a significant difference in three measures of pain in the intervention group (p=0.001), while in the control group, this difference was not significant (p=0.59). Conclusion: According to the results, the Orem self-care model is effective in reducing pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis Therefore, applying the Orem self-care model is recommended to promote and maintain self- care behavior in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Trial registration: The trial was registered at the Iran Registry of Clinical Trials (http://en.irct.ir) with code IRCT2014052517840N1. Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this articl

Retinopathy of Prematurity among 1000-2000 gram Birth Weight Newborn Infants

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify the risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in neonatal intensive care unitin preterm infants born with birth weight 1000-2000g or at gestational age less than 34 weeks. Material & Methods: From August 2000 to December 2001, 50 preterm newborn infants with birth weights less than 2000 g or gestational age less than 34 weeks admitted to the NICU were studied. Newborn infants with birth weight between 1200-2000g who received more than 6 hours oxygen and newborn infants with birth weight 1000-1200 g regardless of oxygen therapy, who survived until 4 weeks postnatal, were enrolled and followed. Patients underwent indirect ophthalmologic examination by two ophthalmologists between 4-8 weeks post partum. The newborn infants who had ROP were assigned to case group and those without ROP to control group, both groups were reexamined every 2-4 weeks or according to international classification of retinopathy of prematurity (ICROP) advice. Findings: Fifty newborn infants, 36 (72%) in control group, 14 (28%) in case group, were studied. Gestational age and birth weight of the patients with ROP were significantly lower than those of control group. Duration of oxygen therapy, hyperoxia, acidosis, hypercarbia, hypocarbia and phototherapy are suggested as risk factors contributing to ROP. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the ROP frequency remains elevated among premature and very low birth weight infants. Infants at risk for ROP should have screening eye examinations and proper treatment

Autism and Probable Prerequisites: Severe and Scheduled Prenatal Stresses at Spotlight

Abstract Background: Due to the importance of prenatal maternal stress as environmental factor on autism, the influence of prenatal maternal psychological agitations was assessed in relation with the risk of autism. Methods: In this case-control study, some mothers of autistic children in Isfahan, central Iran, in 2014, were retrospectively compared with control mothers in terms of quantity, quality, andschedule of exposure to 45 stressful events in a 15-month period. In addition, dividing the stressors into two groups of genomedependent/independent events, their prevalence was separately scrutinized and compared among patient and control families. Results: Although the child's risk of autism increases significantly with the increase of maternal stress during months 4-7 of pregnancy, the increased stress during months 2-3 of pregnancy can lead to a significant increase in the severity of autism affliction as well as a slight but significant increase in the possibility of LFA in afflicted children (P<0.05). The overall prevalence of genome-dependent stressful events among two patient and control groups was significantly higher than that of genome-independent events (P=0.000), but genome-dependent events led to more stress inpatient families. Conclusion: Although the present study consistent with recent findings in the fields of epigenetics and gene-environment interactions can confirm the role of severe and scheduled prenatal stresses in causing autism, it does not deny the necessity of a perspective and wider study in Isfahan and Iran