Investigating the Conceptual Model of Child-Nature Interaction in Architectural Spaces Using Grounded Theory.

OBJECTIVES: To explore factors affecting the quality of child-nature interaction (CNI) based on the views and desires of children themselves and to offer solutions and strategies to provide this kind of spaces. BACKGROUND: CNI is one of the most important needs of children which causes very profound effects on the psyche of children from different aspects. Space and context that have the ability and characteristics to provide opportunities to establish this interaction have an important role in the cognitive and social development of children. METHODS: The qualitative data were collected by draw-and-write technique from a study of 119 children aged 2-6 years from five nursery schools located in the city of Hamedan, Iran. Then, the qualitative data were coded based on the grounded theory using three main steps of open, axial, and selective coding and a conceptual model of CNI is provided by the MAXQDA software. RESULTS: The conceptual model developed from CNI consisted of seven core categories: "intertwining with nature," "objective natural elements," "nature conservation," "colors," "exaggerated plant perceptions," "path perceptions," and "nature-home similarity." CONCLUSIONS: To reach an optimal CNI within architectural spaces, thus children should have a sense of belonging to nature, be engaged in it, and protect surrounding natural elements. It is of utmost importance to reflect on some points, such as colors, familiar signs, scales, natural elements, the boundary between natural environments and interior spaces, and natural element circulation and placement in designing and planning spaces made specifically for children.

Increasing the bulk of the 1TEL-target linker and retaining the 10×His tag in a 1TEL-CMG2-vWa construct improves crystal order and diffraction limits.

TELSAM-fusion crystallization has the potential to become a revolutionary tool for the facile crystallization of proteins. TELSAM fusion can increase the crystallization rate and enable crystallization at low protein concentrations, in some cases with minimal crystal contacts [Nawarathnage et al. (2022), Open Biol. 12, 210271]. Here, requirements for the linker composition between 1TEL and a fused CMG2 vWa domain were investigated. Ala-Ala, Ala-Val, Thr-Val and Thr-Thr linkers were evaluated, comparing metrics for crystallization propensity and crystal order. The effect on crystallization of removing or retaining the purification tag was then tested. It was discovered that increasing the linker bulk and retaining the 10×His purification tag improved the diffraction resolution, likely by decreasing the number of possible vWa-domain orientations in the crystal. Additionally, it was discovered that some vWa-domain binding modes are correlated with scrambling of the 1TEL polymer orientation in crystals and an effective mitigation strategy for this pathology is presented.

Fusion crystallization reveals the behavior of both the 1TEL crystallization chaperone and the TNK1 UBA domain.

Human thirty-eight-negative kinase-1 (TNK1) is implicated in cancer progression. The TNK1 ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain binds polyubiquitin and plays a regulatory role in TNK1 activity and stability. No experimentally determined molecular structure of this unusual UBA domain is available. We fused the UBA domain to the 1TEL variant of the translocation ETS leukemia protein sterile alpha motif (TELSAM) crystallization chaperone and obtained crystals diffracting as far as 1.53 Å. GG and GSGG linkers allowed the UBA to reproducibly find a productive binding mode against its host 1TEL polymer and crystallize at protein concentrations as low as 0.2 mg/mL. Our studies support a mechanism of 1TEL fusion crystallization and show that 1TEL fusion crystals require fewer crystal contacts than traditional protein crystals. Modeling and experimental validation suggest the UBA domain may be selective for both the length and linkages of polyubiquitin chains.

Fusion crystallization reveals the behavior of both the 1TEL crystallization chaperone and the TNK1 UBA domain.

Human thirty-eight-negative kinase-1 (TNK1) is implicated in cancer progression. The TNK1-UBA domain binds polyubiquitin and plays a regulatory role in TNK1 activity and stability. Sequence analysis suggests an unusual architecture for the TNK1 UBA domain, but an experimentally-validated molecular structure is undetermined. To gain insight into TNK1 regulation, we fused the UBA domain to the 1TEL crystallization chaperone and obtained crystals diffracting as far as 1.53 Å. A 1TEL search model enabled solution of the X-ray phases. GG and GSGG linkers allowed the UBA to reproducibly find a productive binding mode against its host 1TEL polymer and to crystallize at protein concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/mL. Our studies support a mechanism of TELSAM fusion crystallization and show that TELSAM fusion crystals require fewer crystal contacts than traditional protein crystals. Modeling and experimental validation suggest the UBA domain may be selective for both the length and linkages of polyubiquitin chains.

Decreasing the flexibility of the TELSAM-target protein linker and omitting the cleavable fusion tag improves crystal order and diffraction limits.

TELSAM crystallization promises to become a revolutionary tool for the facile crystallization of proteins. TELSAM can increase the rate of crystallization and form crystals at low protein concentrations without direct contact between TELSAM polymers and, in some cases, with very minimal crystal contacts overall (Nawarathnage et al ., 2022). To further understand and characterize TELSAM-mediated crystallization, we sought to understand the requirements for the composition of the linker between TELSAM and the fused target protein. We evaluated four different linkers Ala-Ala, Ala-Val, Thr-Val, and Thr-Thr, between 1TEL and the human CMG2 vWa domain. We compared the number of successful crystallization conditions, the number of crystals, the average and best diffraction resolution, and the refinement parameters for the above constructs. We also tested the effect of the fusion protein SUMO on crystallization. We discovered that rigidification of the linker improved diffraction resolution, likely by decreasing the number of possible orientations of the vWa domains in the crystal, and that omitting the SUMO domain from the construct also improved the diffraction resolution. Synopsis: We demonstrate that the TELSAM protein crystallization chaperone can enable facile protein crystallization and high-resolution structure determination. We provide evidence to support the use of short but flexible linkers between TELSAM and the protein of interest and to support the avoidance of cleavable purification tags in TELSAM-fusion constructs.

Assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of strip and furcal perforations in different sizes by cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Root perforation is an adverse event that may accidentally occur during root canal treatment and can adversely affect the treatment plan and tooth prognosis. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for detecting the strip and furcal perforations with different sizes. METHODS: The mesiolingual canals of 155 extracted human mandibular first molars were instrumented and randomly divided into four experimental groups and one control group (n = 31). Furcal (in the pulp chamber floor) and strip perforations with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm in diameter were manually created. The teeth were randomly mounted in bovine ribs and scanned using CBCT. Two radiologists unaware of the study groups observed the images and reported the greatest perforation diameter. The inter-observer agreements were calculated. The diagnostic accuracy was compared for furcal and strip perforations with different sizes. RESULTS: The inter-observer agreement for detecting furcal and strip perforations with different sizes were good. The diagnostic accuracy was 100% for the absence of perforation in each group. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT can detect the absence of perforation with high accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy of CBCT in the presence of strip and furcal perforation with different sizes was not significant.

Crystals of TELSAM-target protein fusions that exhibit minimal crystal contacts and lack direct inter-TELSAM contacts.

While conducting pilot studies into the usefulness of fusion to TELSAM polymers as a potential protein crystallization strategy, we observed novel properties in crystals of two TELSAM-target protein fusions, as follows. (i) A TELSAM-target protein fusion can crystallize more rapidly and with greater propensity than the same target protein alone. (ii) TELSAM-target protein fusions can be crystallized at low protein concentrations. This unprecedented observation suggests a route to crystallize proteins that can only be produced in microgram amounts. (iii) The TELSAM polymers themselves need not directly contact one another in the crystal lattice in order to form well-diffracting crystals. This novel observation is important because it suggests that TELSAM may be able to crystallize target proteins too large to allow direct inter-polymer contacts. (iv) Flexible TELSAM-target protein linkers can allow target proteins to find productive binding modes against the TELSAM polymer. (v) TELSAM polymers can adjust their helical rise to allow fused target proteins to make productive crystal contacts. (vi). Fusion to TELSAM polymers can stabilize weak inter-target protein crystal contacts. We report features of these TELSAM-target protein crystal structures and outline future work needed to validate TELSAM as a crystallization chaperone and determine best practices for its use.

Evaluation of Differential Gene Expression during Transdifferentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells to Glial Phenotype in the Presence of Cerebrospinal Fluid.

BACKGROUND: The present study assessed the alteration of gene expression during transdifferentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) into oligodendrocyte in the presence of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). METHODS: BMSCs were collected from female Sprague-Dawley rats and were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with Retinoic Acid (RA), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). CSF was added daily to the culture media. The oligoprogenitor and oligodendrocyte generation was assessed by immunocytochemistry for Oligo 2, A2B5, CNP and MBP markers. RESULTS: The mean percentages of immunopositive cells for Olig2 and A2B5 were 52.1±1.74 and 56.34±2.55%, respectively. The number of immunopositive cells for glial markers CNP and MBP were 48.8±3.12 and 40.5±8.92%, respectively. Alteration of gene expression of Oct4, Olig 2, PDGFR-α and PLP were examined by real time PCR during transdifferentiation of BMSC to oligodendrocyte. Immunocytochemical results indicate that oligoprogenitor cells were immunopositive for Oligo2 and A2B5 markers. Also, oligodendrocytes expressed the mature glial markers of CNP and MBP indicating successful differentiation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CSF promotes the transdifferentiation of BMSC into mature oligodendrocyte via providing an appropriate niche for glial maturation.

The Effect of Conflict Resolution Training on Children's Behavioral Problems in Shiraz, Southern Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that marital problems can contribute to child behavior problems. In fact, the way that parents solve their conflicts, such as aggression, physical violence, and poor communication skills, can eventually culminate in aggression and emotional problems in children. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conflict resolution training on children's behavioral problems in a sample of Iranian couples. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial study was carried out on the couples who referred to counseling centers in Shiraz, Iran. In this study, 56 couples were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received 10 sessions of communication skills training. All the participants filled out conflict resolution questionnaire and Child Behavior Problem Checklist (CBCL). To analyze the data we used the SPSS statistical software (version 16), using repeated measurement test, paired t-test, and independent t test. RESULTS: In this study, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the demographic characteristics. Also, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the mean score of child behavior problems. Besides, a significant difference was found in the intervention group's mean score of marital conflict in post-test compared to the pre-test; however, no such trend was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Conflict resolution skill training was effective in reducing marital conflict. Also, it showed a slight reduction in the score of child behavior problems after the intervention. But this reduction wasn't statisticaly significant. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT201109112812N2.

Clinical concept mapping: Does it improve discipline-based critical thinking of nursing students?

BACKGROUND: Enhancing nursing students' critical thinking is a challenge faced by nurse educators. This study aimed at determining the effect of clinical concept mapping on discipline-based critical thinking of nursing students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental post-test only design, a convenient sample of 4(th) year nursing students (N = 32) participated. They were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group participated in a 1-day workshop on clinical concept mapping. They were also assigned to use at least two clinical concepts mapping during their clinical practice. Post-test was done using a specially designed package consisting of vignettes for measurement of 17 dimensions of critical thinking in nursing under two categories of cognitive critical thinking skills and habits of mind. They were required to write about how they would use a designated critical thinking skills or habits of mind to accomplish the nursing actions. The students' responses were evaluated based on identification of critical thinking, justification, and quality of the student's response. The mean score of both groups was compared by Mann-Whitney test using SPSS version 16.5. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed a significant difference between the two groups' critical thinking regarding identification, justification, and quality of responses, and overall critical thinking scores, cognitive thinking skills, and habits of mind. The two groups also differed significantly from each other in 11 out of 17 dimensions of critical thinking. CONCLUSION: Clinical concept mapping is a valuable strategy for improvement of critical thinking of nursing students. However, further studies are recommended to generalize this result to nursing students in their earlier stage of education.

Post-intubation sore throat and menstruation cycles.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat is one of the most common complications of general anesthesia and intubation with prevalence of 18%-65% in different studies. Several risk factors including female gender, postoperative nausea and vomiting and so on have been mentioned. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative sore throat in females and its association with menstrual cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred females between 18-45 years old with ASA class I or II without predicted difficult airway that were candidate for operation in supine position were enrolled in study. Patients who had pulmonary disease, smoking, common cold within two weeks prior to the operation, previous traumatic intubation history, removable dentures, any congenital or acquired deformity in face, neck, mouth and airway, any known pathology in mouth like aphthous and mouth ulcer,pregnant women, and patients with irregular cycles, and those taking oral contraceptive pills were excluded. By the same protocol general anesthesia was provided and the patients were asked to fill out a three-point scale questionnaire (Low, High, None) 1,6 and 24 hours following intubation to study and record the incidence and severity of sore throat, dysphagia and hoarseness. The date of last menstrual period had been recorded as well. RESULTS: Of 100 patients, in the first six hours, 51 patients had sore throat and 49 had no pain. During the first 6 hours, 33 patients (33%) had dysphagia and 13 patients had hoarseness at 6th postoperative hour. Age, weight, LMP, intubation time, operation and extubation time and coughing were compared to sore throat, dysphagia and hoarseness. The association between the incidence of coughing and bucking and sore throat was significant (P = 0.03). None of the parameters had a statistically meaningful association with dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, by omitting probable risk factors of incidence of sore throat and evaluation of role of hormonal changes in women represented in menstrual cycles, there was no significant association between menstrual cycle and sore throat incidence.

BMSC and CoQ10 improve behavioural recovery and histological outcome in rat model of Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the ability of a combination treatment of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) graft and oral coenzyme (CoQ10) in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) as an appropriate substitute for current Parkinson treatments. The combination treatment was compared to sole treatments of BMSC and CoQ10. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, there were six groups of male Wistar rats: control, sham, lesion, CoQ10, graft BMSC and graft BMSC plus CoQ10. Oral administration of CoQ10 began 1 week before the PD and continued during the entire treatment period. To simulate PD, we injected 6 hydroxydopamine (6OHDA) in rats. BMSC were labelled by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (Brdu) before transplantation. We assessed behaviour before PD, 2 weeks after PD and 8 weeks after cell transplantation. At the end of the second month of treatment, immunohistochemistry, histology and molecular studies were performed. RESULTS: Behavioural assessment of the CoQ10 group and BMSC group indicated equal recovery in comparison with the lesion group (P<0.01), while the combined treatment of BMSC and CoQ10 showed considerably better recovery compared with the lesion group (P<0.001). There were no signs of gliosis and graft rejection. Immunohistochemistry analysis of Brdu indicated that cells were alive after 2 months of application in host tissue. Cell counts showed significantly greater numbers of neural cells in the combination treatment of BMSC and CoQ10 compared to the other groups. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression levels in the combined therapy group was significantly more than the other experimental groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined use of two neuroprotective treatments and cell replacement therapy can be effective in the treatment of PD, at least in experimental settings.

Neuroprotective effects of carnosic Acid in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of neurodegenerative disorder. It has been suggested that oxidative stress can be one of the pathological mechanisms of this disease. Carnosic acid (CA) is an effective antioxidant substance and recent studies have shown that its electrophilic compounds play a role in reversing oxidative stress. Thus we tried to find out whether CA administration protects hippocampal neurons, preventing neurodegeneration in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ANIMALS WERE DIVIDED INTO FOUR GROUPS: Sham-operated (sham), CA-pretreated sham-operated (sham+CA), untreated lesion (lesion) and CA-pretreated lesion (lesion+CA). Animals in all groups received vehicle or vehicle plus CA (CA: 10mg/ kg) intra-peritoneally one hour before surgery, again the same solution injected 3-4 hours after surgery (CA: 3 mg/kg) and repeated each afternoon for 12 days. A lesion was made by bilateral intra-hippocampal injection of 4 µl of beta amyloid protein (1.5 nmol/µl) or vehicle in each side. 14 days after surgery, the brains were extracted for histochemical studies. Data was expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: Results showed that pretreatment with carnosic acid can reduce cellular death in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus in the lesion+CA group, as compared with the lesion group. CONCLUSION: Carnosic acid may be useful in protecting against beta amyloid-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus.