Molecular epidemiology and multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in individuals attending major public hospitals in Shiraz, southwestern Iran: A public health concern.

Giardia duodenalis is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease worldwide, and is often associated with outbreaks of diarrhea in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages in individuals attending major public hospitals in Shiraz, southwestern Iran. From August 2022 to May 2023, a total of 614 stool samples from individuals were collected and initially examined for G. duodenalis cysts using parasitological techniques, sucrose flotation, and microscopy. Microscopy-positive samples were validated by SSU-PCR amplification of the parasite DNA. A multilocus genotyping (MLG) scheme, which focused on the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) and the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes, was employed for genotyping purposes. G. duodenalis cysts were found in 7.5% (46/614) and 8.5% (52/614) of samples through microscopy and SSU-PCR, respectively. Successful amplification and sequencing results were obtained for 77.3% (17/22) and 45.5% (10/22) of the infected samples at the tpi and gdh loci, respectively. MLG data for the two loci were available for only five samples. Out of the 22 samples genotyped at any loci, 54.5% (12/22) were identified as assemblage A, while 45.5% (10/22) were identified as assemblage B. AII was the most predominant sub-assemblage identified [54.5% (12/22)], followed by BIII [27% (6/22)], discordant BIII/BIV [13.6% (3/22)], and BIV [4.5% (1/22)]. In the present study, no assemblages suited for non-human animal hosts (e.g., C-F) were detected. This suggests that the transmission of human giardiasis in Shiraz is primarily anthroponotic. Further molecular-based analyses are necessary to confirm and expand upon these findings. These analyses will also help determine the presence and public health importance of the parasite in environmental samples, such as drinking water.

Lifetime prevalence, comorbidities, and Sociodemographic predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): the National Epidemiology of Iranian Children and adolescents Psychiatric disorders (IRCAP).

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to (a) evaluate the lifetime prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to sociodemographic characteristics, (b) determine sociodemographic factors associated with PTSD, (c) estimate the lifetime prevalence rates of comorbidities by age and gender, and (d) assess the proportion of traumatic events in the non-PTSD sample and the PTSD sample, according to gender. METHODS: The data used for the present study were obtained from the IRCAP study which was a cross-sectional, community-based study on 29,250 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years from all provinces of Iran, which was done using multistage cluster sampling. Trained psychologists conducted diagnostic interviews with parents, children, and adolescents using the Persian version of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of PTSD across the sample population was 0.6% (95% CI, 0.5-0.7%). Higher rates of PTSD were observed among girls (0.7%, CI 0.5-0.8%), adolescents aged 15-18 years (0.8%, CI 0.6-1.0%), and participants who had unemployed (1.5%, CI 0.8-2.8%), or farmer fathers (1.1%, CI 0.5-2.5%). Of the participants with PTSD, 65.1% met the criteria for at least one other psychiatric disorder. PTSD had a high rate of comorbidity with oppositional defiant disorder (22.9%, CI 17.5-29.4%), generalized anxiety disorder (20.8%, CI 15.7-27.1%), separation anxiety disorder (20.3%, CI 15.2-26.6%), and major depressive disorder (19.8%, CI 14.8-26.0%). We found 9.5% of non-PTSD sample experienced at least one traumatic event. Witness to domestic violence was the most common traumatic event experienced by 32.8% of PTSD sample. CONCLUSION: Our results in the prevalence, comorbidities, and sociodemographic factors associated with PTSD supported findings of previous studies that used a structured diagnostic interview. It is recommended to use purposive sampling and to investigate comorbidities of PTSD and type of traumatic events in a large clinical population.

The Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Omega-3 on Food Craving, Executive Functions, Weight, and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Depression and Overweight: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The most important hypothesis of this research was based on the fact that the mechanism of the effect of omega-3 on depression and obesity is formed through its accumulation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), especially in women. Accordingly, we investigated the omega-3 intake and the concurrent stimulation of the DLPFC by tDCS and hypothesized that the synergy of these two treatments can increase the obtained effect size in patients with depression and overweight. Method : This research was a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a factorial design consisting of four treatment and control groups. The participants were females with depression and overweight on an outpatient basis. They received 5 ml/day omega-3 syrup (545 mg DHA, 620 mg EPA) or placebo adjunct with 12 sessions sham/tDCS stimulation administered for 3 weeks with anode-left/cathode-right protocol in the prefrontal cortex (1.5 mA, 15 minutes' stimulation / 15-20 minutes' rest intervals/one visit per week, 4 stimulations per visit). Results: tDCS or omega-3 alone did not significantly improve the executive functions, depression, food cravings, and weight in the experimental groups compared to the control group (P > 0.05). However, tDCS adjunct with the omega-3 had a significant and positive effect on improving weight change (P = 0.011; df = 1; F = 1.27; Eta = 0.108) with a power of 0.73 compared to the control group. Furthermore, their interaction led to an improving trend in executive functions and a decreasing trend in food cravings which are clinically important. Conclusion: tDCS could strengthen the omega-3 mechanisms of effect through stimulating its accumulation site in the brain (i.e., the DLPFC) and the synergistic effects of these two treatments result in weight control as well as an improvement trend in the executive functions and food craving in women.

An Explanatory Model to Predict Pediatric Psychosis Spectrum Based on Parent Psychiatric Profile and Children and Adolescents Comorbid Disorders as a Mediator Construct.

Objective: Psychosis is one of the most vital disorders in children and youths. The definite pathophysiology of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in the growth period has remained ambiguous. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the predictive value of parental psychiatric disorders and the mediator role of comorbid disorders of children and youths. Method : The sample, consisting of 29884 individuals aged between 6 to 18 years old from the Iranian population, were selected by multistage cluster sampling during September 22, 2016 to January 3, 2018. Parents were requested to complete a survey around their potential psychiatric disorders, based on their Millon's Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). The Semi-Structured Interview (Kiddie-SADS-Present, Lifetime Form (K-SADS-PL)) was utilized to analyze psychiatric disorders concurring to the DSM. Results: The fit indices of the model show that the research model has a good fit and the psychiatric disorders of parents directly and indirectly through comorbid disorders are effective on the psychosis symptoms of children and adolescents (RMSEA=0.06, CFI=0.89, PGFI=0.75, PNFI=0.75).The incidence of Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Anxiety, Bipolar Spectrum Disorder, PTSD, Schizophrenia Spectrum and Delusional Disorder were statistically higher in parents of psychotic children and adolescents. However, Borderline Personality Disorder was more frequent among their mothers while Alcohol Dependency and Drug Dependency were significantly more prevalent among their fathers. Conclusion: The outcomes of our study showed that there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of each scale assessed by Millon's inventory between parents of psychotic versus non-psychotic pediatric cases. In addition, psychiatric disorders were more common among children and youths with psychosis spectrum in comparison with the general population.

First molecular subtyping and zoonotic significance of Blastocystis sp. in Dromedary (C. dromedarius) and Bactrian (C. bactrianus) camels in Iran: A molecular epidemiology and review of available literature.

BACKGROUND: Blastocystis sp. is a zoonotic protozoan parasite, and there is limited information about its molecular prevalence and subtypes (STs) distribution in camels globally, especially in Iran. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence, STs distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in one-humped and two-humped camels in Ardabil province, northwestern Iran. METHODS: A PCR-sequencing tool using the SSU rRNA gene was employed to examine the occurrence and genetic variation of Blastocystis sp. in 150 faecal samples from Bactrian (Camelus bactrianus, 50 samples) and Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, 100 samples) camels in Ardabil province. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in camels was determined to be 12% (18/150) through microscopy and PCR analyses. Phylogenetically, this study identified three distinct zoonotic STs: ST7, ST10, and ST14. ST10 was the most prevalent, comprising 50% (9/18) of the isolated STs from camels. ST14 closely followed with 38.9% (7/18), while ST7 made up 11.1% (2/18) of the total STs. In brief, ST10, ST14, and ST7 represented 50% (7/14), 35.7% (5/14), and 14.3% (2/14) of the Blastocystis-positive cases in one-humped camels, respectively. Further, each of the ST10 and ST14 accounted for 50% (2/4) of the Blastocystis-positive samples in two-humped camels. An analysis of the available data reveals that out of the 37-44 identified Blastocystis STs, 15 (ST1-ST7, ST10, ST14, ST15, ST21, ST24, ST25, ST26, and ST30) have been reported in camels. The predominant STs observed are ST10 and ST14. Furthermore, among the 15 zoonotic STs (ST1-ST10, ST12-ST14, ST16, and ST23) of Blastocystis reported thus far, nine zoonotic STs (ST1-ST7, ST10, and ST14) have been found in camels. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that camels serve as a proper reservoir for a diverse array of Blastocystis STs and thereby can play a significant role in the transmission of this protozoan infection to humans, animals, and water reservoirs.

Identification of Blastocystis spp. in Urban Rodents of Different Districts in Southwestern Iran: Subtype Distribution and Possible Zoonotic Potential.

PURPOSE: Rodents are one of the most abundant and diverse species of mammals and have recently been identified as carriers of numerous human pathogens. The current study was conducted to assess the prevalence, subtype (STs) distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis spp. in various species of rodents in Shiraz, southwestern Iran. METHODS: For this aim, a total of 120 fresh fecal samples were collected from Mus musculus (n = 40), Rattus norvegicus (n = 40), and Rattus rattus (n = 40) in various municipality districts of Shiraz (6 out of 10 districts) between February and November 2020. Upon detecting parasites using light microscopy, a DNA fragment of the Blastocystis SSU rDNA gene was amplified using conventional PCR. RESULTS: By employing direct wet mount examination, 8 out of 120 fecal samples (6.7%; 2 from house mice, 3 from black rats, and 3 from brown rats) tested positive. Similarly, 5% (2/40) of house mice, 7.5% (3/40) of black rats, and 7.5% (3/40) of brown rats tested positive using the molecular method. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Blastocystis infecting different rodent species in Shiraz belonged to two potentially zoonotic STs (ST1 and ST4). Accordingly, rodents should not be overlooked as potential reservoirs of zoonotic Blastocystis infections. Different sampled urban districts and their statistical association with reported prevalence rates were analyzed separately. CONCLUSION:  Overall, the issue of the frequency and ST distribution of Blastocystis in urban rodents of Iran is still open to question and for a proper understanding, wider and more comprehensive studies are needed.

Development of New PCR Protocols to Detect Genetic Diversity in the Metronidazole Metabolism Genes in Susceptible and Refractory Clinical Samples of Giardia duodenalis.

PURPOSE: Investigating the genetic variation in thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and nitroreductase (NR) genes in both treatment-resistant and -sensitive Giardia duodenalis isolates can provide valuable information in identifying potential markers of resistance to metronidazole. The rapid increase in metronidazole treatment failures suggests the presence of genetic resistance mechanisms. By analyzing these genes, researchers can gain insights into the efficacy of metronidazole against G. duodenalis and potentially develop alternative treatment strategies. In this regard, four G. duodenalis isolates (two clinically sensitive and two clinically resistant to metronidazole) were collected from various hospitals of Shiraz, southwestern Iran. METHODS: Parasitological methods including sucrose flotation and microscopy were employed for the primary confirmation of G. duodenalis cysts in stool samples. Microscopy-positive samples were approved by SSU-PCR amplification of the parasite DNA. All four positive G. duodenalis specimens at SSU-PCR were afterward analyzed utilizing designed primers based on important metronidazole metabolism genes including TrxR, NR1, and NR2. RESULTS: Unlike TrxR gene, the results of NR1 and NR2 genes showed that there are non-synonymous variations between sequences of treatment-sensitive and -resistant samples compared to reference sequences. Furthermore, the outcomes of molecular docking revealed that there is an interaction between the protein sequence and spatial shape of treatment-resistant samples and metronidazole in the position of serine amino acid based on the NR1 gene. CONCLUSION: This issue can be one of the possible factors involved in the resistance of Giardia parasites to metronidazole. To reach more accurate results, a large sample size along with simulation and advanced molecular dynamics investigations are needed.

Comparative molecular epidemiology, subtype distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in Equus animals (horses, donkeys, and mules) in northwestern Iran.

A total of 500 fecal samples were collected from Equus animals in six different cities (Ardabil, Namin, Nir, Meshginshahr, Germi, and Khalkhal) of Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran, with 200 samples from horses, 200 from donkeys, and 100 from mules. Of the horse samples, 100 were from racing horses under special monitoring and care, while the remaining 100 were from non-racing horses, including those used for herding or in rural areas. All fecal samples were examined for the presence of Blastocystis sp. using PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene's barcode region after DNA extraction. The molecular prevalence of Blastocystis infection in Equus animals was 7.6% (38/500). Blastocystis was more common in horses [11.5% (23/200)] than in donkeys [5.5% (11/200)] and mules [4% (4/100)] (P > 0.05). Compared to racing horses [3% (3/100)], non-racing/rural horses [20% (20/100)] exhibited a substantially higher prevalence of Blastocystis (P < 0.05). The prevalence of Blastocystis in diarrheal samples and younger animals was remarkably higher than in formed samples and older animals, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference in Blastocystis infection prevalence was found between the genders of examined animals (P > 0.05). In Equus animals, 38 Blastocystis isolates included eight STs: ST10 [31.6% (12/38)], ST1 [21.1% (8/38)], ST2 [15.8% (6/38)], ST3 [10.5% (4/38)], ST4 [7.9% (3/38)], ST7 [5.2% (2/38)], ST14 [5.2% (2/38)], and ST6 [2.6% (1/38)]. These results suggest that Equus animals act as a proper reservoir for numerous Blastocystis STs, consequently playing a crucial part in the spread of this protozoan infection to humans, animals, and water reservoirs.

Exploring an Electrochemical Route for Water-Enhanced Oxygenation Reactions Utilizing Nickel Molecular Structures: A Case Study.

Recently, Ni molecular catalysis has been extensively applied in oxygenation reactions. This work is underpinned by the characterization techniques and the discovered instability of the Ni-bipyridine/phenanthroline system, which results in Ni (hydr)oxide production under oxidative conditions. The practical applications of this mechanism by employing a prepared Ni (hydr)oxide-based electrode specifically in the oxygenation of sulfides, achieving noteworthy yields in contrast to noncatalyst control experiments, are explored. Thus, a Ni (hydr)oxide-based material is proposed as a candidate for the true catalyst for sulfide oxidation in the presence of the Ni-bipyridine/phenanthroline system. The findings of this study are expected to stimulate discussion and encourage new viewpoints within the chemical community regarding the potential applications and mechanisms of molecular catalysts in oxidation reactions.

Ferroptosis as a Therapeutic Target in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a cerebrovascular disorder with significant mortality and morbidity. Neural injury in SAH is mediated through a variety of pathophysiological processes. Currently available treatments are either nonspecific in targeting the basic pathophysiological mechanisms that result in neural damage in SAH, or merely focus on vasospasm. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed iron dependent cell death, which has received attention due to its possible role in neural injury in SAH. Herein, we review how intracellular iron overload mediates the production of reactive free radicals and lipid peroxidation through a variety of biochemical pathways in SAH. This in turn results in induction of ferroptosis, as well as exacerbation of vasospasm. We also discuss several therapeutic agents that have been shown to inhibit ferroptosis through targeting different steps of the process. Such agents have proven effective in ameliorating vasospasm, neural damage, and neurobehavioral outcomes in animal models of SAH. Human studies to test the safety and efficacy of intrathecal or parenteral administration of the inhibitors of ferroptosis in improving outcomes of SAH patients are warranted. There are currently a few ongoing clinical trials pursuing this therapeutic concept, the results of which will be critical to determine the value of ferroptosis as a novel therapeutic target in SAH.

An experimental study of the effects of bacteria on asphaltene adsorption and wettability alteration of dolomite and quartz.

The adsorption of asphaltene on the rock surface and the changes in its wettability are very relevant issues in flow assurance and oil recovery studies, and for carbonate reservoirs, they are even more important. During microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) processes, wettability alteration is considered a crucial mechanism leading to improved oil recovery. Therefore, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of surface wettability changes by bacteria and biosurfactants and find new and reliable methods to prevent asphaltene adsorption. Hence, the main aim of this research was to investigate the effect of a mixture of thiobacillus thiooxidans and thiobacillus ferooxidans microorganisms with an optimum effective temperature of around 30 °C (referred to as mesophilic bacteria), as well as a mixture of two moderate thermophiles Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans for operating temperatures around 50 °C (referred to as moderately thermophilic bacteria) on the adsorption of asphaltene samples isolated from two different crude oils onto main reservoir minerals (i.e., quartz and dolomite). The results indicated that after two weeks of mineral aging in moderate thermophilic bacteria, the adsorption of asphaltene on both minerals increased between 180 and 290%. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis for quartz and dolomite samples demonstrated that after aging in bacterial solution, bonds related to the adsorption of bacterial cells and biosurfactant production appear, which are the main factors of change in wettability. Alteration in wettability towards hydrophilicity expands hydrogen bonds on the surface, thus improving asphaltene adsorption due to polar interaction. Asphaltene 1 changed the contact angle of dolomite from 53.85° to 90.51° and asphaltene 2 from 53.85° to 100.41°. However, both strains of bacteria caused a strong water-wetting effect on the dolomite rock samples. The influence of moderate thermophilic bacteria on surface wettability is more significant than that of mesophilic bacteria, which may be caused by the high protein content of these bacteria, which expands hydrogen bonding with the surface. Adsorption of asphaltenes on dolomite rocks previously aged with bacteria showed that the wetted rock samples retained their water-wet state. This study highlights the dual impact of the used microorganisms. On one hand, they significantly reduce contact angles and shift wettability towards a strongly water-wet condition, a crucial positive factor for MEOR. On the other hand, these microorganisms can elevate the adsorption of asphaltenes on reservoir rock minerals, posing a potential challenge in the form of formation damage, particularly in low-permeability reservoirs.

Modeling crude oil pyrolysis process using advanced white-box and black-box machine learning techniques.

Accurate prediction of fuel deposition during crude oil pyrolysis is pivotal for sustaining the combustion front and ensuring the effectiveness of in-situ combustion enhanced oil recovery (ISC EOR). Employing 2071 experimental TGA datasets from 13 diverse crude oil samples extracted from the literature, this study sought to precisely model crude oil pyrolysis. A suite of robust machine learning techniques, encompassing three black-box approaches (Categorical Gradient Boosting-CatBoost, Gaussian Process Regression-GPR, Extreme Gradient Boosting-XGBoost), and a white-box approach (Genetic Programming-GP), was employed to estimate crude oil residue at varying temperature intervals during TGA runs. Notably, the XGBoost model emerged as the most accurate, boasting a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 0.7796% and a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9999. Subsequently, the GPR, CatBoost, and GP models demonstrated commendable performance. The GP model, while displaying slightly higher error in comparison to the black-box models, yielded acceptable results and proved suitable for swift estimation of crude oil residue during pyrolysis. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to reveal the varying influence of input parameters on residual crude oil during pyrolysis. Among the inputs, temperature and asphaltenes were identified as the most influential factors in the crude oil pyrolysis process. Higher temperatures and oil °API gravity were associated with a negative impact, leading to a decrease in fuel deposition. On the other hand, increased values of asphaltenes, resins, and heating rates showed a positive impact, resulting in an increase in fuel deposition. These findings underscore the importance of precise modeling for fuel deposition during crude oil pyrolysis, offering insights that can significantly benefit ISC EOR practices.

l-carnitine adjunct to risperidone for treatment of autism spectrum disorder-associated behaviors: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of l-carnitine as an adjuvant agent to risperidone in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-associated behaviors. In this study, 68 children with confirmed ASD were randomly allocated to receive either l-carnitine (150 mg/day) or matched placebo in addition to risperidone. We utilized the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition scale (ABC-C) and a checklist of potential adverse effects to assess changes in behavioral status and safety profile at weeks 0, 5 and 10 of the trial. The primary outcome was defined as a change in the irritability subscale score. Sixty patients with similar baseline characteristics completed the trial period. Although scores of ABC-C subscales significantly decreased in both groups over the trial period, the combination of l-carnitine and risperidone resulted in more reduction on the irritability and hyperactivity subscales compared to the combination of risperidone and placebo (P = 0.033 and P < 0.001, respectively). However, changes in lethargy, stereotypic behavior and inappropriate speech subscales were similar between groups. In conclusion, l-carnitine adjuvant to risperidone could improve irritability and hyperactivity features in children with ASD. Results of this study should be considered preliminary and further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted.

Modeling interfacial tension of surfactant-hydrocarbon systems using robust tree-based machine learning algorithms.

Interfacial tension (IFT) between surfactants and hydrocarbon is one of the important parameters in petroleum engineering to have a successful enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operation. Measuring IFT in the laboratory is time-consuming and costly. Since, the accurate estimation of IFT is of paramount significance, modeling with advanced intelligent techniques has been used as a proper alternative in recent years. In this study, the IFT values between surfactants and hydrocarbon were predicted using tree-based machine learning algorithms. Decision tree (DT), extra trees (ET), and gradient boosted regression trees (GBRT) were used to predict this parameter. For this purpose, 390 experimental data collected from previous studies were used to implement intelligent models. Temperature, normal alkane molecular weight, surfactant concentration, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), and phase inversion temperature (PIT) were selected as inputs of models and independent variables. Also, the IFT between the surfactant solution and normal alkanes was selected as the output of the models and the dependent variable. Moreover, the implemented models were evaluated using statistical analyses and applied graphical methods. The results showed that DT, ET, and GBRT could predict the data with average absolute relative error values of 4.12%, 3.52%, and 2.71%, respectively. The R-squared of all implementation models is higher than 0.98, and for the best model, GBRT, it is 0.9939. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis using the Pearson approach was utilized to detect correlation coefficients of the input parameters. Based on this technique, the results of sensitivity analysis demonstrated that PIT, surfactant concentration, and HLB had the greatest effect on IFT, respectively. Finally, GBRT was statistically credited by the Leverage approach.

Possible Neuropathological Mechanisms Underlying the Increased Complexity of Brain Electrical Activity in Schizophrenia: A Computational Study.

Objective: Schizophrenia is a complex neurodevelopmental illness that is associated with different deficits in the cerebral cortex and neural networks, resulting in irregularity of brain waves. Various neuropathological hypotheses have been proposed for this irregularity that we intend to examine in this computational study. Method : We used a mathematical model of a neuronal population based on cellular automata to examine two hypotheses about the neuropathology of schizophrenia: first, reducing neuronal stimulation thresholds to increase neuronal excitability; and second, increasing the percentage of excitatory neurons and decreasing the percentage of inhibitory neurons to increase the excitation to inhibition ratio in the neuronal population. Then, we compare the complexity of the output signals produced by the model in both cases with real healthy resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) signals using the Lempel-Ziv complexity measure and see if these changes alter (increase or decrease) the complexity of the neuronal population dynamics. Results: By lowering the neuronal stimulation threshold (i.e., the first hypothesis), no significant change in the pattern and amplitude of the network complexity was observed, and the model complexity was very similar to the complexity of real EEG signals (P > 0.05). However, increasing the excitation to inhibition ratio (i.e., the second hypothesis) led to significant changes in the complexity pattern of the designed network (P < 0.05). More interestingly, in this case, the complexity of the output signals of the model increased significantly compared to real healthy EEGs (P = 0.002) and the model output of the unchanged condition (P = 0.028) and the first hypothesis (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Our computational model suggests that imbalances in the excitation to inhibition ratio in the neural network are probably the source of abnormal neuronal firing patterns and thus the cause of increased complexity of brain electrical activity in schizophrenia.

Role of decomposition products in the oxidation of cyclohexene using a manganese(III) complex.

Metal complexes are extensively explored as catalysts for oxidation reactions; molecular-based mechanisms are usually proposed for such reactions. However, the roles of the decomposition products of these materials in the catalytic process have yet to be considered for these reactions. Herein, the cyclohexene oxidation in the presence of manganese(III) 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine chloride tetrakis(methochloride) (1) in a heterogeneous system via loading the complex on an SBA-15 substrate is performed as a study case. A molecular-based mechanism is usually suggested for such a metal complex. Herein, 1 was selected and investigated under the oxidation reaction by iodosylbenzene or (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PhI(OAc)2). In addition to 1, at least one of the decomposition products of 1 formed during the oxidation reaction could be considered a candidate to catalyze the reaction. First-principles calculations show that Mn dissolution is energetically feasible in the presence of iodosylbenzene and trace amounts of water.

Experimental measurement and modeling of asphaltene adsorption onto iron oxide and lime nanoparticles in the presence and absence of water.

Asphaltene precipitation and its adsorption on different surfaces are challenging topics in the upstream and downstream of the oil industries and the environment. In this research, the phenomenon of asphaltenes adsorption in the presence and absence of water on the surface of magnetite, hematite, calcite, and dolomite nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated. Five asphaltenes of different origins, four NPs as adsorbents and Persian Gulf water were used for three-phase (asphaltene/toluene solution + NPs + water) experiments. Characterization of asphaltenes and NPs was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), elemental analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Adsorption experiments were performed in two- (asphaltene/toluene solution + NPs) and three-phase systems. The results showed that the most effective parameters for asphaltene adsorption onto these NPs are the asphaltene composition, namely nitrogen content, and the aromaticity of asphaltenes. The significant effects of these parameters were also confirmed by the relevancy factor function as a sensitivity analysis. In the competition of asphaltene adsorption capacity by NPs, iron oxide NPs had the highest adsorption (Magnetite NPs > Hematite NPs > Calcite NPs > Dolomite NPs). From the results of the experiments in the presence of water phase, it could be pointed out that the asphaltenes adsorption onto the NPs was accompanied by a decrease compared to the experiments in the absence of water. The modeling also showed that physical adsorption has a significant contribution to the asphaltenes adsorption on the surface of iron oxides and lime NPs. The results of this research can assist in a better understanding of the asphaltene adsorption phenomenon and the role of iron oxide and lime NPs in solving this problem.

Cilostazol as adjunctive therapy in treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders: a double-blind and placebo-controlled randomized trial.

We aimed to evaluate cilostazol therapeutic effects on aberrant behaviors of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children and its safety profile in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Sixty-six children with confirmed ASD were allocated to receive either daily 50-mg cilostazol (increased to 100 mg/day after 2 weeks) or matched placebo in addition to risperidone. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition (ABC-C) scale and a checklist of probable adverse effects were used to assess the behavioral outcomes and safety profile at weeks 0, 5, and 10 of the study. Sixty-one participants, with comparable baseline characteristics, completed the trial. Unlike other ABC-C subscales, repeated-measures analysis showed significant effect for time × treatment interaction in the hyperactivity subscale ( P = 0.047; partial eta squared = 0.06). We used the median value for the baseline score hyperactivity subscale [median (interquartile range) = 31 (24-37)] to stratify participants to higher hyperactivity and lower hyperactivity subgroups and found that only participants with higher hyperactivity benefit from cilostazol adjunctive therapy ( P = 0.028; partial eta squared = 0.14). Cilostazol could be considered as a safe agent with beneficial effects on hyperactivity in children with ASD and higher levels of hyperactivity.

Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders among Children and Adolescents: A Study from Khuzestan.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to study the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in Khuzestan province. Materials & Methods: A community sample consisting of 1028 (51.6% female) children and adolescents aged 6-18 years was selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were gathered using the Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and a demographic questionnaire (i.e., gender, age, level of education, place of residence, parent's education, and parent's Job). Results: Nearly 22.6% (22.3% of boys and 23% of girls) of all participants suffered from at least one psychiatric disorder. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders based on gender, age, father's education, mother's education, mother's job, and father's job (all p>0.05). Psychiatric disorders were significantly more prevalent among children and adolescents in urban areas compared to rural places (2.9% vs. 8.1; p<0.001). The most prevalent category was anxiety disorders (15%). Also, the most common disorders were specific phobia (7%), separation anxiety disorder (6.3%), and enuresis (5.2%). The most common comorbid disorders were mood disorders and anxiety disorders (56.3%), followed by anxiety disorders and elimination disorders (32.1%). Discussion: Psychiatric conditions are prevalent in children and adolescents living in Khuzestanian. The study's findings have important implications for providing effective psychiatric services.

Trends and progress in application of cobalt-based materials in catalytic, electrocatalytic, photocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting.

There has been a growing interest in water oxidation in recent two decades. Along with that, remarkable discovery of formation of a mysterious catalyst layer upon application of an anodic potential of 1.13 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) to an inert indium tin oxide electrode immersed in phosphate buffer containing Co(II) ions by Nocera et.al, has greatly attracted researchers interest. These researches have oriented in two directions; one focuses on obtaining better understanding of the reported mysterious catalyst layer, further modification, and improved performance, and the second approach is about designing coordination complexes of cobalt and investigating their properties toward the application in water splitting. Although there have been critical debates on true catalysts that are responsible for water oxidation in homogeneous systems of coordination complexes of cobalt, and the case is not totally closed, in this short review, our focus will be mainly on recent major progress and developments in the design and the application of cobalt oxide-based materials in catalytic, electrocatalytic, photocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic water oxidation reaction, which have been reported since pioneering report of Nocera in 2008 (Kanan Matthew and Nocera Daniel in Science 321:1072-1075, 2008).