Risk factors associated with long covid syndrome: A retrospective study

Background: Recently, people have recognized the post-acute phase symptoms of the COVID-19. We investigated the long-term symptoms associated with COVID-19, (Long COVID Syndrome), and the risk factors associated with it. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. All the consecutive adult patients referred to the healthcare facilities anywhere in Fars province from 19 February 2020 until 20 November 2020 were included. All the patients had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. In a phone call to the patients, at least three months after their discharge from the hospital, we obtained their current information. The IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25.0) was used. Pearson Chi square, Fisher’s exact test, t test, and binary logistic regression analysis model were employed. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: In total, 4,681 patients were studied, 2915 of whom (62.3%) reported symptoms. The most common symptoms of long COVID syndrome were fatigue, exercise intolerance, walking intolerance, muscle pain, and shortness of breath. Women were more likely to experience long-term COVID syndrome than men (Odds Ratio: 1,268; 95% Confidence Interval: 1,122-1,432; P=0.0001), which was significant. Presentation with respiratory problems at the onset of illness was also significantly associated with long COVID syndrome (Odds Ratio: 1.425; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.177-1.724; P=0.0001). A shorter length of hospital stay was inversely associated with long COVID syndrome (Odds Ratio: 0.953; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.941-0.965; P=0.0001). Conclusion: Long COVID syndrome is a frequent and disabling condition and has significant associations with sex (female), respiratory symptoms at the onset, and the severity of the illness

EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Achievement and Autonomy: Using Memrise Mobile Application

There has been rapid advancement in the use of technology through which an extensive array of mobile technologies have been introduced to educational contexts. In the same vein, mobile assisted language learning provides new possibilities for improving language learning conditions. The current study was an attempt to find out the effect of Memrise Mobile Application on Iranian upper-Intermediate EFL learners’ vocabulary achievement and their autonomy. To find the effects, a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted. Fifty participants were selected from a cluster of 110 students. The Quick placement test as a test of homogeneity was administered to select the upper intermediate learners. Accordingly, 25 participants for each of the  experimental and control groups were selected. Memrise Mobile Application was employed during the treatment period for teaching the 504 Absolutely Essential Words book to the experimental group while the control group was instructed the textbook of 504 Absolutely Essential Words. The intervention continued for a period of 8 weeks. A researcher-made vocabulary test and Zhang and Li’s (2004) standardized questionnaire on autonomy were administered. For the qualitative data collection, a semi-structured interview was conducted to determine the participants’ attitudes. An Independent T-test was run the results of which revealed a significant difference between the two groups in vocabulary achievement. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in autonomy. Moreover, based on the qualitative data it was concluded that the experimental group participants were more motivated holding a more positive attitude

EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Achievement and Autonomy: Using Memrise Mobile Application

There has been rapid advancement in the use of technology through which an extensive array of mobile technologies have been introduced to educational contexts. In the same vein, mobile assisted language learning provides new possibilities for improving language learning conditions. The current study was an attempt to find out the effect of Memrise Mobile Application on Iranian upper-Intermediate EFL learners’ vocabulary achievement and their autonomy. To find the effects, a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted. Fifty participants were selected from a cluster of 110 students. The Quick placement test as a test of homogeneity was administered to select the upper intermediate learners. Accordingly, 25 participants for each of the  experimental and control groups were selected. Memrise Mobile Application was employed during the treatment period for teaching the 504 Absolutely Essential Words book to the experimental group while the control group was instructed the textbook of 504 Absolutely Essential Words. The intervention continued for a period of 8 weeks. A researcher-made vocabulary test and Zhang and Li’s (2004) standardized questionnaire on autonomy were administered. For the qualitative data collection, a semi-structured interview was conducted to determine the participants’ attitudes. An Independent T-test was run the results of which revealed a significant difference between the two groups in vocabulary achievement. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in autonomy. Moreover, based on the qualitative data it was concluded that the experimental group participants were more motivated holding a more positive attitude

The Effect of Different Concentrations of Methylprednisolone on Survival, Proliferation, and Migration of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

Introduction: The present study addressed whether methylprednisolone (MP) as an anti-inflammatory drug used in neurodegenerative diseases and neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) is safe.  Methods: First, embryonic rat NS/PCs were exposed to different concentrations of MP, and then we evaluated their survival by MTT assay, proliferation by analyzing the number and diameter of neurospheres, and the migration of the cells by neurosphere assay. Results: The viability of NS/PCs was reduced following exposure to 10, 15, and 20 µg/mL of MP. In addition, although the number of neurospheres did not change, exposure to different concentrations of MP resulted in the formation of smaller neurospheres. Despite these undesirable effects, the highest concentration of MP (20 μg/mL) increased the migration capacity of the NS/PCs. Conclusion: The combination of MP and NS/PCs is not recommended due to the adverse effects of MP on the survival and proliferation of NS/PCs