The Effects of 8-Week Combined Exercise Training on Inflammatory Markers in Women with Multiple Sclerosis.

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to investigate the effects of 8-week combined endurance, resistance, and balance exercise training on IL-6, CRP, and IL-10 concentrations in women with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Thirty participants with multiple sclerosis (Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤6) were randomized into either an exercise and control groups. The exercise group performed 8-weeks of endurance, resistance, and balance exercise training. Serum concentrations of IL-6, CRP, and IL-10 were measured before and after the 8-week intervention. Moreover, anthropometric measures were determined at the onset of and after the intervention. For within- and between groups comparisons of all variables, t test (independent and dependent) was used (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The results revealed that IL-6 and CRP levels significantly decreased after exercise training (from 6.8 ± 1.52 to 3.2 ± 0.96, p < 0.001 and from 2.76 ± 0.98 to 1.55 ± 0.44, p = <0.001; respectively). Also, exercise training significantly increased IL-10 in the exercise group (from 16.4 ± 2.74 to 23.2 ± 2.11, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the 2 groups in all markers in the after 8-week exercise (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One of the characteristics of MS disease is inflammation. Exercise training through physiological mechanisms and without aggravating the inflammatory pathology can be effective in functional and symptom reduction of patients with MS. In confirmation of this, the present study showed that 8 weeks of combined exercise training decreased pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Our findings suggested that an exercise training program can be an effective strategy for managing the immune system of women with MS at least by its significant effect on inflammatory markers.

Applying mindfulness training to enhance the mental toughness and emotional intelligence of amateur basketball players.

OBJECTIVES: Mindfulness is a proven treatment in clinical settings. Our objective was to examine the feasibility and effect of a mindfulness-training program on the mental resilience and emotional intelligence of amateur basketball players. METHODS: This was a parallel-group, pre- and post- test, randomised controlled trial. Thirty male amateur male basketball players from Tehran, Iran, were assigned randomly into experimental and control groups (n = 15 each). Outcomes were measured using the mindfulness sport inventory, mental toughness (MT) questionnaire and emotional intelligence questionnaire. Data were analysed using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. RESULTS: Mindfulness scores were significantly greater in the intervention group than in the controls following training. The intervention also increased overall MT and all of the component sub scores. The same applied to emotional intelligence and all of its components. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may have implications on sport mindfulness training in increasing the MT and emotional intelligence of athletes.

Avian gametologs as molecular tags for sex identification in birds of prey of Iran.

Global environmental change and rapid destruction of natural habitats necessitate the conservation of endangered and threatened birds of prey. Recently, molecular sex identification methods based on amplification of introns of chromodomain-helicase DNA binding protein1 (CHD1) have provided valuable tools for ecological study and conservation breeding programs of birds. These methods employ a primer pair flanking an intron which varies considerably in length between the avian gametologs CHD1Z and CHD1W. Herein, we test the applicability of CHD1Z and CHD1W as universal tags for molecular sex identification in birds of prey of Iran. We showed successful sex identification in 22 species of birds of prey using feathers as the source of DNA. The results suggest that the regions of CHD1W and CHD1Z amplified in this study are conserved among most of Falconiformes, enabling accurate sex identification in birds of prey.

Spermatogenesis regeneration by transfected spermatogonial stem cells in infertile roosters through testicular transplantation.

Investigations pertaining to spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have led to the use of these cells in a variety of fields including infertility treatments, production of transgenic animals, and genome editing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the plausibility of regenerating spermatogenesis in infertile roosters by transplanting transfected SSCs into testes. Spermatogonial stem cells were isolated and cultured for seven days. Afterward, pDB2, a plasmid vector carrying a reporter gene, GFP, was transfected into the SSCs. Transfected SSCs were transplanted into the left testis of infertile roosters. Tissue samples from the recipients' testes were obtained six weeks after the transplantation and transplanted SSCs were observed in the basement membrane. After eight weeks, GFP-positive spermatozoa were observed in collected semen from the recipient roosters and GFP gene in spermatozoa was confirmed using PCR. The recipient roosters were mated with hens. Hatchlings were visually checked and their tissue samples were tested by PCR to identify transgenesis but both of them were negative. Overall, it seems that regeneration of spermatogenesis in roosters via transfected SSCs is possible but more studies are need to produce recombinant proteins by this way.

Predisease Physical Activity Level and Current Functional Capacity in Patients With COVID-19: Relationship With Pneumonia and Oxygen Requirement.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive measures can reduce physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate predisease physical activity and current functional capacity in patients with and without the presence of pneumonia and oxygen requirement in Turkish survivors of COVID-19. METHODS: Among the COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, 100 patients were selected. Data about predisease physical activity (by short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire), oxygen requirement and presence of pneumonia, and current functional capacity (by the 6-min walking test) were collected. Continuous and categorical variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney U and χ2 test, respectively (P < .05). RESULTS: The predisease physical activity levels and current functional capacity of patients with pneumonia and oxygen requirement were significantly lower than patients without pneumonia and oxygen requirement (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference between males and females (P > 0.05). Pneumonia and oxygen requirement was more common in the older adults (P < .05). Also, a significant correlation was found between age with predisease physical activity (r = .530, P = .000) and current functional capacity (r = -.346, P = .000) and predisease physical activity level with current functional capacity (r = .523, P = .001). CONCLUSION: The physical activity level may be related to the severity of COVID-19 disease.

Avian influenza virus monitoring in wintering waterbirds in Iran, 2003-2007.

BACKGROUND: Virological, molecular and serological studies were carried out to determine the status of infections with avian influenza viruses (AIV) in different species of wild waterbirds in Iran during 2003-2007. Samples were collected from 1146 birds representing 45 different species with the majority of samples originating from ducks, coots and shorebirds. Samples originated from 6 different provinces representative for the 15 most important wintering sites of migratory waterbirds in Iran. RESULTS: Overall, AIV were detected in approximately 3.4% of the samples. However, prevalence was higher (up to 8.3%) at selected locations and for certain species. No highly pathogenic avian influenza, including H5N1 was detected. A total of 35 AIVs were detected from cloacal or oropharyngeal swab samples. These positive samples originated mainly from Mallards and Common Teals.Of 711 serum samples tested for AIV antibodies, 345 (48.5%) were positive by using a nucleoprotein-specific competitive ELISA (NP-C-ELISA). Ducks including Mallard, Common Teal, Common Pochard, Northern Shoveler and Eurasian Wigeon revealed the highest antibody prevalence ranging from 44 to 75%. CONCLUSION: Results of these investigations provide important information about the prevalence of LPAIV in wild birds in Iran, especially wetlands around the Caspian Sea which represent an important wintering site for migratory water birds. Mallard and Common Teal exhibited the highest number of positives in virological and serological investigations: 43% and 26% virological positive cases and 24% and 46% serological positive reactions, respectively. These two species may play an important role in the ecology and perpetuation of influenza viruses in this region. In addition, it could be shown that both oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples contribute to the detection of positive birds, and neither should be neglected.

Developing a puncture-free in ovo chicken transfection strategy based on bypassing albumen nucleases.

Chicken is a dual-purpose animal important from both agricultural and medical aspects. Even though significant improvements have been made in chicken transgenesis technologies, chicken genome manipulation has not been widely used in developmental biology. This study was aimed to evaluate chicken egg white nuclease properties and thereof plausibility of devising an in vivo transfection technology without causing physical damage to the embryo. First, the nuclease activity of egg albumen was assessed. The egg white nucleases were strongly active in degrading DNA and RNA. The egg white DNase activity was comparable to commercially available DNase-I. Nuclease activities were also assessed after heating, proteinase K, or EDTA treatment. Unlike proteinase K, both heating and EDTA were noticeably effective for the nuclease inactivation. Simultaneous application of lipoplex form of DNA (1 µg pDB2: 3 µl Lipofectamine2000) and EDTA showed a synergistic effect in protection against egg white nucleases. Finally, we injected the lipoplexes with or without EDTA close to the embryo at day0, but outside the embryonic epiblast. Implementation of a scrutinized PCR assay indicated that transfection took place only when EDTA was complemented to the lipoplexes. The transfection rate of day4 embryos and the hatched chicks were 54.5 and 30.0%, respectively. EGFP expression was detected in two out of three transgenic chicks. In conclusion, this study provided a detail analysis of chicken egg albumen nuclease properties and suggested the feasibility of developing a puncture-free handmade technology for transfection of the chicken embryo.

A SNP in the 3'-untranslated region of AMPKγ1 may associate with serum ketone body and milk production of Holstein dairy cows.

AMPK is the key switch for providing the energy balance between cellular anabolic and catabolic processes. In this study, we aimed to screen the PRKAG1 (AMPKγ1) gene in high, moderate, and low producing Holstein dairy cows. A sample of 100 pregnant dairy cows, comprising 41 high, 33 moderate, and 26 low milk yields were selected from three large dairy herds in Isfahan province of Iran. Body condition score (BCS) was estimated before parturition while beta hydroxyl butyric acid (BHBA) as a measure of ketone bodies was measured at the fifth day postpartum. In addition, using three primer pairs covering exons 2-11 and 3'-UTR of the PRKAG1 gene, a random sample of 10 high milk yield dairy cows were amplified and sequenced. The sequencing results showed the presence of a T12571C mutation in intron 6 and a T14280C mutation in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the PRKAG1 gene. Following a PCR reaction for amplification of the 3'-UTR amplicons, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) assay was implemented for discrimination of the mutation in the studied population. Then, we evaluated if the mutation associates with the BCS, serum BHBA level, and production traits. The experimental analysis showed that the mutated allele significantly increased the BHBA level, BCS, as well as milk and protein yield. Bioinformatic study revealed that this 3'-UTR mutation distorts the target site of mir-423-5p microRNA which is one of the most highly expressed microRNAs in the bovine mammary gland, liver, and kidney. Given the role of AMPK in energy metabolism, the newly identified 3'-UTR mutation highlights the importance of AMPK and suggests a role of miRNAs for regulation of cellular metabolism, metabolism disorders, and production traits in Holstein dairy cows.

Comparison of first-order-decay modeled and actual field measured municipal solid waste landfill methane data.

The first-order decay (FOD) model is widely used to estimate landfill gas generation for emissions inventories, life cycle assessments, and regulation. The FOD model has inherent uncertainty due to underlying uncertainty in model parameters and a lack of opportunities to validate it with complete field-scale landfill data sets. The objectives of this paper were to estimate methane generation, fugitive methane emissions, and aggregated collection efficiency for landfills through a mass balance approach using the FOD model for gas generation coupled with literature values for cover-specific collection efficiency and methane oxidation. This study is unique and valuable because actual field data were used in comparison with modeled data. The magnitude and variation of emissions were estimated for three landfills using site-specific model parameters and gas collection data, and compared to vertical radial plume mapping emissions measurements. For the three landfills, the modeling approach slightly under-predicted measured emissions and over-estimated aggregated collection efficiency, but the two approaches yielded statistically equivalent uncertainties expressed as coefficients of variation. Sources of uncertainty include challenges in large-scale field measurement of emissions and spatial and temporal fluctuations in methane flow balance components (generated, collected, oxidized, and emitted methane). Additional publication of sets of field-scale measurement data and methane flow balance components will reduce the uncertainty in future estimates of fugitive emissions.

Determination of first-order landfill gas modeling parameters and uncertainties.

Using first-order kinetic empirical models to estimate landfill gas (LFG) generation and collection rates is well recognized in the literature. The uncertainty in the estimated LFG generation rates is a major challenge in evaluating performance of LFG collection and LFG to energy facilities. In this investigation, four methods for quantifying first-order LFG generation model parameters, methane generation potential, L(0), and methane generation rate constant, k, were evaluated. It was found that the model is insensitive to the approach taken in quantifying the parameters. However, considering the recognition of using the model in the literature, the optimum method to estimate L(0) and k is to determine L(0) using disposed municipal solid waste composition and laboratory component specific methane potential values. The k value can be selected by model fitting and regression using the first-order model if LFG collection data are available. When such data are not available, k can be selected from technical literature, based on site conditions. For five Florida case-study landfills L(0) varied from 56 to 77 m(3) Mg(-1), and k varied from 0.04 to 0.13 yr(-1) for the traditional landfills and was 0.10 yr(-1) for the wet cell. Model predictions of LFG collection rates were on average lower than actual collection. The uncertainty (coefficient of variation) in modeled LFG generation rates varied from ±11% to ±17% while landfills were open, ±9% to ±18% at the end of waste placement, and ±16% to ±203% 50 years after waste placement ended.

Regional prediction of long-term landfill gas to energy potential.

Quantifying landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) potential as a source of renewable energy is difficult due to the challenges involved in modeling landfill gas (LFG) generation. In this paper a methodology is presented to estimate LFGTE potential on a regional scale over a 25-year timeframe with consideration of modeling uncertainties. The methodology was demonstrated for the US state of Florida, as a case study, and showed that Florida could increase the annual LFGTE production by more than threefold by 2035 through installation of LFGTE facilities at all landfills. The estimated electricity production potential from Florida LFG is equivalent to removing some 70 million vehicles from highways or replacing over 800 million barrels of oil consumption during the 2010-2035 timeframe. Diverting food waste could significantly reduce fugitive LFG emissions, while having minimal effect on the LFGTE potential; whereas, achieving high diversion goals through increased recycling will result in reduced uncollected LFG and significant loss of energy production potential which may be offset by energy savings from material recovery and reuse. Estimates showed that the power density for Florida LFGTE production could reach as high as 10 Wm(-2) with optimized landfill operation and energy production practices. The environmental benefits from increased lifetime LFG collection efficiencies magnify the value of LFGTE projects.

Stabilization of heavy metals in wastewater treatment sludge from power plants air heater washing.

In the present investigation, for the first time in Iran, dewatered sludge waste from the air heater washing wastewater treatment of a thermal power plant was subject to investigation with regard to cement-based stabilization in order to reduce the mobility of heavy metals. Studies of the chemical composition, mineralogy, morphology and leaching characteristics of the untreated and treated waste were conducted. The stabilization was done with two cement-based mix designs with different waste/cement ratios in different samples. In the cement stabilization process the leaching of V, Ni, Zn and Cr could be decreased from 314.1, 209.1, 24.8 and 5.5 mg L(-1), respectively, in the untreated waste to 6.02, 32.11, 3.57 and 3.68 mg L(-1) in a mixture with 20% waste/cement ratio, while during stabilization with cement + sand, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachate contents of the mentioned metals were decreased to 4.24, 16.2, 2.51 and 2.2 mg L(-1) for the same waste/cement ratio. Stabilization with sand/cement seemed to be more efficient in reducing metal leaching from the waste. X-ray diffraction studies showed that portlandite, calcite, lime, larnite and quartz were produced during the stabilization process.