The Brain's Default Mode Network: A Review on History, Anatomy and Functions

The Default Mode Network (DMN) is one of the large-scale networks of the brain that is anatomically defined well. This network that is active during rest state, is associated with stimulus-independent thought, self-reflection and autobiographical memory retrieval. The regions of DMN include medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), inferior parietal lobule (IPL), lateral temporal cortex (LTC) and hippocampal formation (HF). This network consists of two subsystems: the medial temporal lobe subsystem, which provides data from previous experiences and the medial prefrontal subsystem, which uses this information during the construction of self-relevant and stimulus-independent thoughts. Studies have shown that DMN have neuroplasticity in front of kinds of experiences and its function is impaired in some of the diseases and disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, autism spectrum, and Alzheimer. Also, this network is effective in biological and psychological treatments. In this article, after reviewing the history and anatomy of the DMN, the focus will be on DMN’s functions, its normal changes in development, and its changes in a variety of diseases and disorders. Finally, to the clinical application of these findings will be discusse

Is a Single dose of Prophylactic Antibiotics Sufficient in Patients with Acute Non-Complicated Appendicitis?

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common acute surgery events. Its main treatment is surgery. However medical management before and after the surgery has an important impact on the treatment. Objective: The aim of study was evaluating the outcomes of single dose and quadruple doses of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in patients with acute non-complicated appendicitis. Methods: This randomized double blind clinical trial was carried out on 294 patients in single dose (136 patients) and the quadruple doses (158 patients) groups. In single dose group, a dose of 1g Cefazolin + 500mg Metronidazole was prescribed intravenously about half an hour before surgery. The quadruple doses group received three more doses after surgery.  Two groups were followed for fever, erythema, seroma, wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess formation and readmissions within one month after discharge. Results: The mean age of patients was 31±5.14 years. 203(69%) of patients were men while 91(31%) were women. There were no significant statistical differences between groups in age, sex and body mass index (BMI) variables. No significant statistical differences were observed during surgery and hospitalization period between two groups. In the single dose group, wound infection was 8(5.9%), while it was 6(3.8%) in the quadruple doses group; hence, there were no significant statistical differences in this regard. There was no abdominal abscess in groups. There were significant statistical differences regarding erythema, seroma and antibiotics consumption costs between groups. Conclusion: A single dose of prophylactic antibiotics is sufficient in patients with acute suppurative non-complicated appendicitis

Identification of distribution of Macrobrachium nipponense in freshwater ecosystems and coastal waters of Golestan Province, Caspian Sea

Distribution of freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium nipponense) in the freshwater ecosystems such as Alagol, Almagol, Ajigol lagoons, Gomishan lagoon and Gorganrud River. Sampling were done from may 2009 to my 2010 parameters such as, length frequency, growth rate, sampling, feeding, environmental factors and sedimentation were investigated. 3689 females and 8551 males were collected and biometrical parameters were recorded. Total length ranged between 3.2 to 98.7 mm. The parameters b of length-weight relationship in Alagol, Almagol, Ajigol were 3.49, 3.15, 3.45, 3.22 and 3.22, 3.28 for male and female, respectively. It shows in all lagoons for male and female growth is positive Allometric. Spawning period was from May to June. The length first at maturity (total and/or carapace) for three lagoons was 50.5 mm and 133 mm, respectively. The minimum and maximum of egg volume were 0.12 mm3 in Ajigol and 0.07 mm3 Alagol, respectively. The relationship between fecundity and length was found to be linear regression models for Alagol, Ajigol and nonlinear regression models for Almagol lagoon. Result showed that this species is omnivorous. The minimum and maximum temperature was 6.5ْ C in fall and 33ْ C in summer. The lowest and highest fluctuations of pH level in Ajigol and alagol lagoons were 8.2-9.2 and 7.2-9.8. Among three lagoons, the most EC was 5.9 Ms/c in Alagol lagoon. The Gorganrud River shows the maximum EC, 16.7 Ms/c

Validity and reliability of multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA) in Iranian students

Background: MAIA is designed to assess the awareness of bodily sensations without the interference of cognitive factors. The aim of current study was to adapt the original scale and to investigate its preliminary psychometric properties in Iranian students. Materials and Methods: The type of current research was descriptive-applied and cross-sectional study. Examining the aim of study, a sample of 425 students from Tehran and Kashan Universities (44.3 male) completed a battery of questionnaires in first semester of 2014-2015. The construct, convergent and divergent validity (using Pearson correlation) and reliability (internal consistency using Chronbach Alpha) of MAIA were assessed and correlation test was applied for examining inter-item relations. The analyses were done using SPSS, sixteenth version (P<0.05). Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed an eight-factor structure (Noticing, Not distracting, Not worrying, Healthy attention to body, Maintaining attention to body, Emotional awareness, Self-regulation, Listening to body and trusting it) with Eigen value higher than which accounted for 60 of total variance. The general pattern of factors was comparable to the original scale. Furthermore, the internal consistency of MAIA subscales was acceptable (Chronbach alpha 0.53 to 0.83). The highest level of convergent validity was seen between self-regulation and convergent measure of positive affect (r=0.32) and the highest level of divergent validity was observed between not-worrying and the divergent measure of fear of injury (r=0.41). Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the validity and reliability of MAIA in Iranian population. Keywords: assessment, interoceptive awareness, mind-body, somatic awareness

Designing an Empowerment Model Based on Good Governance: A Qualitative Approach

Good governance is emerging as a new theory in the world, this research has focused on empowerment as a tool to enhance and enhance organizational effectiveness, because every organization needs it to succeed, so in the framework of good governance a new model for empowerment is presented. To be. The present study is a qualitative content analysis research conducted over a period of 1 year in 1986/97. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The interview was purposefully conducted with 16 experts in the field of empowerment and good governance. The criterion for selecting 16 individuals was the theoretical saturation principle. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview findings. According to the findings, 10 dimensions of empowerment based on good governance "participation, the rule of law and values, development and training, transparency, accountability, control, social capital and communication, leadership, clear goals and results and fairness." A total of 25 components were identified. Since human resources are a good indicator of an organization's superiority over other organizations, equipping and preparing those resources for change is of paramount importance, and every organization with every mission must invest the most capital, time, and resources into human development. Assign different dimensions