Relations among Memories of Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Psychological (Mal)Adjustment, Forgiveness, and Vengeance among Iranian Adults.

The study investigated relations among adults' memories of parental acceptance-rejection in childhood and adults' current dispositions toward forgiveness and vengeance, as mediated by psychological (mal)adjustment. Data were collected from 258 adults (female = 183, Age range = 17-47 years; Mage = 39; SD = 11.4). Measures used were the short forms of the maternal and paternal Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ), the short form of the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Vengeance Scale (VS-10), and a Personal Information Form (PIF). Results showed that maternal and paternal rejection was positively associated with psychological maladjustment and negatively correlated with forgiveness for both men and women. Moreover, psychological maladjustment showed a negative relation with forgiveness and a positive relation with vengeance. Findings revealed that parental (maternal and paternal) rejection was not significantly associated with vengeance for men. However, maternal (not paternal) rejection was significantly associated with a vengeance for women. Path analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of maternal and paternal rejection on forgiveness and vengeance through psychological maladjustment. Results found no significant gender differences in the path analyses. Findings are discussed considering the Iranian culture and religious beliefs. Implications of the results and future research directions are discussed.

Bromelain-loaded nanocomposites decrease inflammatory and cytotoxicity effects of gliadin on Caco-2 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of celiac patients.

Enzyme therapy can be an appropriate treatment option for celiac disease (CeD). Here, we developed Bromelain-Loaded Nanocomposites (BLNCs) to improve the stability and retention of bromelain enzyme activity. After the characterization of BLNCs, the cytotoxicity of BLNCs was determined on the Caco-2 cell line. The effect of BLNCs on gliadin degradation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from celiac patients were assessed. Furthermore, the expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 genes was measured in CaCo-2 cells treated with gliadin, gliadin-digested with BLNCs, and bromelain. Our study demonstrated that the Bromelain entrapment efficiency in these nanoparticles was acceptable, and BLNCs have no toxic effect on cells. SDS-PAGE confirmed the digestion effect of bromelain released from nanocomposites. When Caco-2 cells were treated with gliadin digested by free bromelain and BLNCs, the expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 genes was significantly decreased. PBMCs of celiac patients treated with Bromelain and BLNCs decreased inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) production compared to untreated PBMCs. This treatment also increased IL-10 and CTLA-4 in PBMCs of CeD patients. According to the promising results of this study, we can hope for the therapeutic potential of BLNCs for CeD.

Mentalization Scale (MentS): Validity and reliability of the Iranian version in a sample of nonclinical adults.

INTRODUCTION: Mentalizing incapacity is increasingly identified as a common factor in psychopathology. The Mentalization Scale (MentS) is a cost-effective measure built upon the dimensional model of mentalizing. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of MentS. METHODS: Two samples of community-based adults (N1  = 450, N2  = 445) completed different batteries of self-report measures. In addition to MentS, participants completed measures of reflective functioning and attachment insecurities in the first sample and a measure of emotion dysregulation in the second sample. RESULTS: Due to the conflicting results of confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, an item-parceling approach was applied, which replicated the original three-factor structure of MentS, yielding Self-Related Mentalization, Other-Related Mentalization, and Motivation to Mentalize. The reliability and convergent validity of MentS were supported in both samples. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided preliminary evidence for using the Iranian version of MentS in nonclinical populations as a reliable and valid measure.

Histopathology images predict multi-omics aberrations and prognoses in colorectal cancer patients.

Histopathologic assessment is indispensable for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC). However, manual evaluation of the diseased tissues under the microscope cannot reliably inform patient prognosis or genomic variations crucial for treatment selections. To address these challenges, we develop the Multi-omics Multi-cohort Assessment (MOMA) platform, an explainable machine learning approach, to systematically identify and interpret the relationship between patients' histologic patterns, multi-omics, and clinical profiles in three large patient cohorts (n = 1888). MOMA successfully predicts the overall survival, disease-free survival (log-rank test P-value<0.05), and copy number alterations of CRC patients. In addition, our approaches identify interpretable pathology patterns predictive of gene expression profiles, microsatellite instability status, and clinically actionable genetic alterations. We show that MOMA models are generalizable to multiple patient populations with different demographic compositions and pathology images collected from distinctive digitization methods. Our machine learning approaches provide clinically actionable predictions that could inform treatments for colorectal cancer patients.

Determination of antifungal activity and action mechanism of the modified Aurein 1.2 peptide derivatives.

BACKGROUND: With the emergence of drug-resistant fungi and the increased population prone to fungal infections, more effective antifungal drugs are needed. Aurein 1.2 is a potent antimicrobial peptide. Here, we designed a novel derivative of Aurein 1.2, called Aurein N3, which is a modified form of Aurein N2 (another Aurein 1.2 derivative), in which Lys 8 residue was replaced with Leu 13, and was also modified by creating two other mutations. METHODS: Aurein N3 was designed using several algorithms and docking studies. All peptides were synthesized and some of their bio-activity indices such as antifungal properties on 11 fungi, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and time of the killing were investigated. Electron microscopy, lived/dead staining, and ergosterol binding assay were performed to study their mechanism of action. RESULTS: In comparison to Aurein 1.2 and N2, the docking studies showed that Aurein N3 has reduced binding energy toward ergosterol. The antifungal assessments showed that both Aurein N2 and N3 had strong activity against many fungi. Aurein N3 had lower cytotoxicity and higher binding capability to ergosterol. The hemolytic activity of Aurein N2 and N3 was less than parental Aurein 1.2. All peptides were able to attack the cell wall/membrane and enter the fungi cells. CONCLUSION: Here we introduced a novel derivative of Aurein 1.2 which has lower cytotoxicity, higher ergosterol-binding capability, and comparable antifungal activity compared to the original peptides. It can bind to ergosterol and can also attack the cell wall/membrane of fungi, although more studies are required to find its accurate mechanism of action.

Psychometric properties of the parental reflective functioning questionnaire in Iranian mothers.

This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) in mothers, a brief self-report measure that assesses parental mentalization capacity. To examine the factor structure and construct validity of the PRFQ, 430 mothers of 3-6-year-old children completed the Persian version of the PRFQ (Persian-PRFQ) along with the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor structure of the PRFQ. Convergent validity was confirmed for the three subscales of the PRFQ, while divergent validity was only confirmed for the PM and IC. Furthermore, the mean score of the certainty of mental states (CMS) in this sample was higher than in other studies, and contrary to the theoretical foundations, the CMS was positively related to interest and curiosity in mental states (IC). In conclusion, our results provided initial evidence for the use of the Persian-PRFQ in the Iranian population.

Parental Reflective Functioning as a Moderator for the Relationship Between Maternal Depression and Child Internalizing and Externalizing Problems.

Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) refers to parents' capacity to view their child's and their own behavior considering inner mental states, like thoughts, desires, and intentions. This study's objective was to examine whether PRF acted as a moderator for the relationships between maternal depression and child internalizing and externalizing problems. The sample was comprised of 685 Iranian mothers with preschoolers (3 to 5 years old) and school-aged (6-10 years old) children. To assess PRF, the PRF questionnaire was used. Child internalizing and externalizing difficulties were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist, and maternal depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory- second version. Results indicated significant relationships between maternal depression and PRF (specifically pre-mentalizing and certainty in mental states). Also, mothers of school-aged children showed significantly higher levels of pre-mentalizing than mothers of preschoolers. Furthermore, certainty about mental states moderated the relationship between maternal depression and child externalizing behaviors in school-aged children. However, no moderating effect was found for pre-mentalizing or interest and curiosity in mental states in any age group.

Protective effects of Lavandula stoechas L. methanol extract against 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage and death. In European and Persian Traditional Medicine, aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowers) of Lavandula stoechas L. have been widely used for treating neurodegenerative disorders including PD. AIM OF THE STUDY: Herein, the protective effects of L. stoechas methanol extract were investigated on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in PC12 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cells were pretreated with a standardized L. stoechas methanol extract (2.5-20 µg/mL) for 24 h and exposed to 6-OHDA (200 µM) thereafter. The cell viability percentage was determined by AlamarBlue test. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined by a fluorimetric method using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and cellular apoptosis was assessed by the fluorescent probe propidium iodide test. Finally, the expression of proteins involved in apoptosis pathway (Phospho SAPK/JNK, SAPK/JNK, p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) and Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP)) was measured via Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Treatment of PC12 cells with 6-OHDA could significantly increase cytotoxicity, ROS level, and cell apoptosis. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with the extract could significantly decrease 6-OHDA cytotoxicity, ROS production, (2.5 and 5 µg/mL) and cell apoptosis (5 µg/mL). Western blot analysis showed that 6-OHDA exposure could increase the expression of proteins involved in apoptosis signaling, while pretreatment with L. stoechas (5 µg/mL) reduced apoptotic proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that L. stoechas, which has been traditionally used in Persian Medicine for treating CNS diseases, is a valuable source of active compounds with neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic activity.

Predicting COVID-19 fatality rate based on age group using LSTM

Objective: To predict the daily incidence and fatality rates based on long short-term memory (LSTM) in 4 age groups of COVID-19 patients in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Methods: To predict the daily incidence and fatality rates by age groups, this epidemiological study was conducted based on the LSTM model. All data of COVID-19 disease were collected daily for training the LSTM model from February 22, 2020 to April 10, 2021 in the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. We defined 4 age groups, i.e., patients under 29, between 30 and 49, between 50 and 59, and over 60 years old. Then, LSTM models were applied to predict the trend of daily incidence and fatality rates from 14 to 40 days in different age groups. The results of different methods were compared with each other. Results: This study evaluated 5 0826 patients and 5 109 deaths with COVID-19 daily in 20 cities of Mazandaran Province. Among the patients, 25 240 were females (49.7%), and 25 586 were males (50.3%). The predicted daily incidence rates on April 11, 2021 were 91.76, 155.84, 150.03, and 325.99 per 100 000 people, respectively; for the fourteenth day April 24, 2021, the predicted daily incidence rates were 35.91, 92.90, 83.74, and 225.68 in each group per 100 000 people. Furthermore, the predicted average daily incidence rates in 40 days for the 4 age groups were 34.25, 95.68, 76.43, and 210.80 per 100 000 people, and the daily fatality rates were 8.38, 4.18, 3.40, 22.53 per 100 000 people according to the established LSTM model. The findings demonstrated the daily incidence and fatality rates of 417.16 and 38.49 per 100 000 people for all age groups over the next 40 days. Conclusions: The results highlighted the proper performance of the LSTM model for predicting the daily incidence and fatality rates. It can clarify the path of spread or decline of the COVID-19 outbreak and the priority of vaccination in age groups.

Predicting COVID-19 fatality rate based on age group using LSTM

Objective: To predict the daily incidence and fatality rates based on long short-term memory (LSTM) in 4 age groups of COVID-19 patients in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Methods: To predict the daily incidence and fatality rates by age groups, this epidemiological study was conducted based on the LSTM model. All data of COVID-19 disease were collected daily for training the LSTM model from February 22, 2020 to April 10, 2021 in the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. We defined 4 age groups, i.e., patients under 29, between 30 and 49, between 50 and 59, and over 60 years old. Then, LSTM models were applied to predict the trend of daily incidence and fatality rates from 14 to 40 days in different age groups. The results of different methods were compared with each other. Results: This study evaluated 5 0826 patients and 5 109 deaths with COVID-19 daily in 20 cities of Mazandaran Province. Among the patients, 25 240 were females (49.7%), and 25 586 were males (50.3%). The predicted daily incidence rates on April 11, 2021 were 91.76, 155.84, 150.03, and 325.99 per 100 000 people, respectively; for the fourteenth day April 24, 2021, the predicted daily incidence rates were 35.91, 92.90, 83.74, and 225.68 in each group per 100 000 people. Furthermore, the predicted average daily incidence rates in 40 days for the 4 age groups were 34.25, 95.68, 76.43, and 210.80 per 100 000 people, and the daily fatality rates were 8.38, 4.18, 3.40, 22.53 per 100 000 people according to the established LSTM model. The findings demonstrated the daily incidence and fatality rates of 417.16 and 38.49 per 100 000 people for all age groups over the next 40 days. Conclusions: The results highlighted the proper performance of the LSTM model for predicting the daily incidence and fatality rates. It can clarify the path of spread or decline of the COVID-19 outbreak and the priority of vaccination in age groups.

Design and Synthesis of Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Antimicrobial Peptides Based on Truncated Rabbit and Human CAP18 Peptides and Evaluation of Their Action Mechanism.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a toxic and immunogenic agent for human. Additionally, LPS is a good target for some antimicrobial compounds, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). LPS-binding peptides (LBPs) can recognize and neutralize LPS. Rabbit and human cathelicidins are AMPs with LPS-binding activity. In this study, we designed and synthesized two new truncated LBPs from rabbit and human CAP18 peptides by in silico methods. After synthesis of peptides, the antimicrobial properties and LPS-binding activity of these peptides were evaluated. The parental rabbit and human CAP18 peptides were selected as positive controls. Next, the changes in the secondary structure of these peptides before and after treatment with LPS were measured by circular dichroism (CD). Human cytotoxicity of the peptides was evaluated by MTT and red blood cells (RBCs) hemolysis assays. Finally, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry were performed to study the action mechanism of these peptides. Results indicated that the hCap18 and rCap18 had antibacterial activity (at a MIC of 4-128 µg/mL). The results of the quantitative LAL test demonstrated that LPS-binding activity of hCap18 peptide was better than rCap18, while rCap18 peptide had better antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, rCap18 had less cytotoxicity than hCap18. However, both peptides were nontoxic for normal human skin fibroblast cell in MIC range. In conclusion, rCap18 has good antibacterial properties, while hCap18 can be tested as a diagnostic molecule in our future studies.

AurH1: a new heptapeptide derived from Aurein1.2 antimicrobial peptide with specific and exclusive fungicidal activity.

Due to the increasing incidence of fungal opportunistic infections and emergence of antibiotic-resistant fungal strains, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered as ideal candidates for antifungal compounds. In silico methods can reduce the limitations of natural AMPs such as toxicity and instability and improve their antimicrobial properties and selectivity. In this study, we designed AurH1, a new truncated peptide, based on the six-amino acid sequence of Aurein1.2. Further, the antimicrobial activities and toxicity effects of AurH1 on human skin fibroblast cells and red blood cells were investigated. Finally, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and flow cytometry were performed in order to study the mechanism of action of AurH1. The results indicated that AurH1 had only antifungal activity (at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 7.3-125 µg/mL) without any antibacterial effects on the selected bacteria, while Aurein1.2 had both antifungal and antibacterial activities as positive control. Furthermore, AurH1 did not show any toxicity on Hu02 cells and human red blood cells at its MIC range. In conclusion, it became clear that AurH1 is a selective peptide against fungi with no toxic effects on the selected bacteria and human cells.

Rapid detection of MDR-Mycobacterium tuberculosis using modified PCR-SSCP from clinical Specimens

Objective: To design a rapid test to detect the rifampin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistant mutant based on polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique that analyzes the katG, rpoB genes.Methods:tuberculosis. To determine the susceptibility of isolates to anti TB drugs, the proportional method was used. Mutations presented within the amplified products of the katG, rpoB genes were evaluated by SSCP.Results:Using proportional method, 12 (11.6%) and 9 (8.7%) isolates were resistant respectively Biochemical test as well as IS6110 targeting PCR revealed 103 clinical samples were to INH and RIF and 9 (8.7%) isolates showed resistance to both drug (multi-drug resistant tuberculosis). Three (2.9%) multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and two INH resistant isolates were detected by the PCR-SSCP and sequencing. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR-SSCP for multi-drug resistant isolates were 33% and 100%, respectively.Conclusions:Complete agreement between SSCP and sequencing can indicate that resistance-associated mutations have occurred in other genes except our considered genes.