Effects of mesenchymal stem cell on dopaminergic neurons,motor and memory functions in animal models of Parkinson's disease:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse the disease itself.Stem cell therapy has a regenerative effect and is being actively studied as a candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.Mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising option due to fewer ethical concerns,a lower risk of immune rejection,and a lower risk of teratogenicity.We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives on motor function,memory,and preservation of dopamine rgic neurons in a Parkinson’s disease animal model.We searched bibliographic databases(PubMed/MEDLINE,Embase,CENTRAL,Scopus,and Web of Science)to identify articles and included only pee r-reviewed in vivo interve ntional animal studies published in any language through J une 28,2023.The study utilized the random-effect model to estimate the 95%confidence intervals(CI)of the standard mean differences(SMD)between the treatment and control groups.We use the systematic review center for laboratory animal expe rimentation’s risk of bias tool and the collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal studies checklist for study quality assessment.A total of 33studies with data from 840 Parkinson’s disease model animals were included in the meta-analysis.Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved motor function as assessed by the amphetamine-induced rotational test.Among the stem cell types,the bone marrow MSCs with neurotrophic factor group showed la rgest effect size(SMD[95%CI]=-6.21[-9.50 to-2.93],P=0.0001,I^(2)=0.0%).The stem cell treatment group had significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive dopamine rgic neurons in the striatum([95%CI]=1.04[0.59 to 1.49],P=0.0001,I^(2)=65.1%)and substantia nigra(SMD[95%CI]=1.38[0.89 to 1.87],P=0.0001,I^(2)=75.3%),indicating a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons.Subgroup analysis of the amphetamine-induced rotation test showed a significant reduction only in the intracranial-striatum route(SMD[95%CI]=-2.59[-3.25 to-1.94],P=0.0001,I^(2)=74.4%).The memory test showed significant improvement only in the intravenous route(SMD[95%CI]=4.80[1.84 to 7.76],P=0.027,I^(2)=79.6%).Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to positively impact motor function and memory function and protect dopaminergic neurons in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Further research is required to determine the optimal stem cell types,modifications,transplanted cell numbe rs,and delivery methods for these protocols.

Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change on Water Level Fluctuations of Tashk and Bakhtegan Lakes and Its Role in Environmental Sustainability

Climate changes are the main motivation for destruction of ecosystems;in fact the effects of these changes on biodiversity and ecosystems are considered as the most challenging cases in present century. Therefore, since the lakes are the most important services and functions of ecosystems, the effect of climate change on water level fluctuations of Tashk and Bakhtegan Lakes was analyzed as a natural ecosystem in this essay. For this purpose, the data related to six parameters of temperature, precipitation, evaporation, sunshine hours and snowy days were selected during 25-year statistical period (1985-2010), and Mann-Kendall test was used to determine the trend of changes in each time series. Inflow system of the lake, the volume of evaporation and area of water were simulated and fluctuation of lake was also assessed by using dynamic analysis method and to achieve to lake level and analysis of its fluctuations in period under study, the satellite images of Landsat 7 and ETM 5-1 were used in two high waters of April 1987 and April 2010. Results indicate that the lake level has been dropped 6 meters in 2010 compared to the similar period of 1986;in wet years that the rainfall is more than 618/5 mm, high water level is the lake conditions in all months of the year;unlike in most years when rainfall occurred under average of 365.4 mm, lake is faced with dry condition that is mainly due to the reduce of icemaker area, rainfall reduction, increase in evaporation and temperature. These conditions show the extent to which the lake is fragile and affected by climatic conditions that the most obvious evidence of it is decline of genetic storages such as Tashk and Bakhtegan lakes and subsequently instability of the region and reducing of services and ecosystems’ functions.

Relationship Between Land Use Changes and the Production of Dust Sources in Kermanshah Province,Iran

Recognizing land use changes(LUC)and evaluating their relationship with producing dust sources are considered effective to manage the environment.Taking Kermanshah Province,Iran as study area,dusty days from 2008 to 2015 were selected and dust sources were identified applying thermal-infrared dust index(TDI),hybrid single-particle lagrangian integrated trajectory(HYSPLIT),false color composite(FCC)and true color composite(TCC)of MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)images.Afterwards,the land use change map was produced using Landsat images in 2000 and 2015.Then,the distribution and frequency of the sources in each land-use change class and important dust production areas were specified.Eventually,two non-parametric tests including Chisquare and Kruskal-Wallis were applied to examine the relationship between LUC and dust sources.Results indicated that the distribution of dust sources was not identical in the study area,and the sources were mainly generated in the areas where land-use change had occurred.In fact,different classes of LUC have different contributions to dust production,and the highest contribution refers to the deflation in gentle slope areas and lowlands where the rangeland has been converted into agriculture land.The findings from this study are useful to manage and control dust in the identified sources.

Determinants of Adaptation to Climate Change:A Case Study of Rice Farmers in Western Province,Iran

The decisions made by agricultural households to adjust to climate change(CC)in Iran are not well known.This study is intended to investigate the influence of perceptions and socioeconomic,institutional features on farmers’adaptation decisions about CC,which constitute the hypothetical statements of the study.We undertook a survey of 200 farm householders from 31 villages of Ilam Province,situated in the western Iran,as randomly selected.The result discloses that the proposed discriminant model matches the dataset well,with a strong effect size of partial eta-squared(η^(2)=0.38).The analysis further signals that adapters are younger and more welleducated than non-adapters.Adapters are also knowledgeable about CC risks and institutional policy barriers.The adapters have subsidiary work,better access to credit,and have good contacts with expansion agents and specialists.The paper concludes that government authorities should provide farmers with the enriched capabilities and competencies enabling them to adapt to CC.

Determining the Rate of Salinity of Persian Gulf Waters with the Aid of Satellite Images and Least Squares Method

As yet various methods have been used for determining the salinity rate of seas and oceans water. The current method of determining salinity rate of seas water has been field examination of various points of sea and determining its salinity rate. In the last decade, remote sensing satellite images have had high capability in determining sea waters salinity rate. Regarding that the present methods in remote sensing depend on the studied regions, therefore, the necessity of customization of these methods is felt. Fresh water springs due to impact on water salinity and temperature and also the environment physics and density like sound velocity are very significant and since coasts and islands of Persian Gulf are considered among arid and semi-arid regions and lack drinking water, access to fresh water springs has more significance. After studies performed, preparation of salinity rate observations and catching two series of proper images for felid data for complete coverage of the region, preprocessing and calibration was performed. For this purpose in turning the acquired radiance to reflection, ENVI software was used. The histogram of calibrated shades of gray rates in images was specified, so that reflection of each sample can be extracted from images. In this paper, the rate of least method efficiency in determining salinity rate of Persian Gulf waters was examined and finally identifying fresh water pits using remote sensing technique was done. The obtained results in the least squares methods after combining various bands of image with each other specified that combining 4 bands of 2, 3, 5 and 7 has the least standard deviation rate with training data and test, which is equal to 0.385 and 0.991978.

Assessing Crop Yield Sustainability under the Climatic and Bioclimatic Change in the Area of Palestine

We analyzed plant production such as olive, grape and fig in several Palestinian Occupied Territories, and studied the correlation analyses between productions and climatic, bioclimatic features in the territory. This work examines the following climate factors: average temperature, precipitation, soil water reserve and water deficit;and bioclimatic parameters such as compensated thermicity index, ombrothermic index and continentally index. The data used were from nine meteorological stations of the Palestinian Meteorological Department. The study was based on the correlation analyses between olive, grape and fig production in nine plots: Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Tulkarem over fourteen years. The analysis of variance revealed a significant influence of the variables temperature and compensated thermicity index on the production of olive and fig, and a low influence on grape production. When we applied canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), the Nablus, Jenin, Jericho and Gaza plots were most affected by the climate factors as temperature, and bioclimate factors as compensated thermicity index, whereas, the Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Tulkarem and Ramallah plots showed the influence of ombrothermic index, continentally index, precipitation, water deficit and soil water reserve.

Exercise preconditioning exhibits neuroprotective effects on hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia

Recent evidence has suggested the neuroprotective effects of physical exercise on cerebral ischemic injury. However, the role of physical exercise in cerebral ischemia-induced hippocampal damage remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of pre-ischemia treadmill training on hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia. Male adult rats were randomly divided into control, ischemia and exercise ＋ ischemia groups. In the exercise ＋ ischemia group, rats were subjected to running on a treadmill in a designated time schedule（5 days per week for 4 weeks）. Then rats underwent cerebral ischemia induction th rough occlusion of common carotids followed by reperfusion. At 4 days after cerebral ischemia, rat learning and memory abilities were evaluated using passive avoidance memory test and rat hippocampal neuronal damage was detected using Nissl and TUNEL staining. Pre-ischemic exercise significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells and necrotic cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region as compared to the ischemia group. Moreover, pre-ischemic exercise significantly prevented ischemia-induced memory dysfunction. Pre-ischemic exercise mighct prevent memory deficits after cerebral ischemia through rescuing hippocampal CA1 neurons from ischemia-induced degeneration.

黑濑川地体源于亚洲大陆东缘何处?(英文)

The point at issue:The Kurosegawa Terrane is composed of continental fragments transecting Mesozoic terranes of accretionary complex in Southwest Japan(Fig.1).It is an attenuated tectonic sliver and considered to be allochthonous with respect to the main part of Southwest Japan.The problem of which continental block in the East Asian continental margin is the source of the Kurosegawa Terrane has puzzled Japanese geologists for many years.Firstly,we try to approach this issue based on the analysis of fusulinacean assemblage in accreted terranes composed of subduction complex in the Pacific Rim.Secondly,by applying the result of this analysis we try to locate the source of the continental fragments of the Kurosegawa Terrane.Thirdly,we try to prove its validity with a new paleomagnetic study.

Effects of physical rehabilitation interventions in COVID-19 patients following discharge from hospital:A systematic review

Background:Hospitalized patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)may experience disability and suffer from significant physical and mental impairment requiring physical rehabilitation following their discharge.However,to date,no attempt has been made to collate and synthesize literature in this area.Objective:This systematic review examines the outcomes of different physical rehabilitation interventions tested in COVID-19 patients who were discharged from hospital.Search strategy:A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed,CINAHL,Scopus and medRxiv was conducted to identify articles published up to March 2022.Inclusion criteria:This systematic review included studies of outpatient rehabilitation programs for people recovering from COVID-19 who received physical activity,exercise,or breathing training to enhance or restore functional capacity,pulmonary function,quality of life,and mental health or function.Data extraction and analysis:Selection of included articles,data extraction,and methodological quality assessments were conducted by two review authors respectively,and consensus was reached through discussion and consultation with a third reviewer.Finally,we review the outcomes of studies based on four categories including:(1)functional capacity,(2)pulmonary function,(3)quality of life,and(4)mental health status.Results:A total of 7534 titles and abstracts were screened;10 cohort studies,4 randomized controlled trials and 13 other prospective studies involving 1583 patients were included in our review.Early physical rehabilitation interventions applied in COVID-19 patients who were discharged from the hospital improved multiple parameters related to functional capacity,pulmonary function,quality of life and mental health status.Conclusion:Physical rehabilitation interventions may be safe,feasible and effective in COVID-19 patients discharged from the hospital,and can improve a variety of clinically relevant outcomes.Further studies are warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms.

Investigating the Relationship between Responsibility-Taking and Identity Crisis among One-Child Students

The present study has investigated the relationship between responsibility-taking and identity crisis among one-child students. This research is a descriptive-correlational study and the target population comprised all one-child female students of Mashhad secondary schools in the academic year 2014-2015. In this study, multistage cluster sampling method was applied and finally, Region 4, 6 and 7 were randomly selected and 150 students were also randomly chosen according to Morgan table. The research data was collected through California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and Ahmadi identity crisis questionnaire. The obtained information was analyzed by Pearson correlation test and regression. The achieved results indicated that the relationship between responsibility-taking and identity crisis among students is statistically reverse and significant at the level of p < 0.01. In other words, with reducing the identity crisis in students, their responsibility-taking increases. As a result, the main research hypothesis indicating the relationship between responsibility-taking and identity crisis among one-child students of Mashhad secondary schools was confirmed.

Semiotics and political discourse in the post-truth era

The concept of post-truth has been on the world’s agenda since 2016.Perhaps this concept,which is frequently encountered in political life,provides the speaker with a freer speaking platform.Politicians,instead of presenting the reality to their constituents as it is,want to reshape this reality according to their own ideology and present it to the recipient.Politicians have certain objectives in creating such a virtual reality.These aims can be listed as keeping the voters,increasing the voting potential,and attracting undecided voters to their favor.The common result of all these aims is to gain political power or to remain in the existing power.Post-truth reality is constructed relatively more easily in social media environments.The construction of reality can be through beliefs or emotions.In such ways,the recipient is tried to be persuaded,and thus behavioral change is achieved.One of the most necessary subjects for this artificial reality atmosphere is the anti-subject.The idea that the anti-subject does not know the truth that we(you and I)know and believe and is trying to destroy it is the main theme of post-truth discourse.Politicians try to persuade the voters to believe in their own truth by expressing this idea to them.There are many examples of this around the world.In this study,firstly,the concept of post-truth is examined and its various definitions are discussed.The distinctions between the concepts of real and truth are analyzed and then it is explained how and for what purposes the concept of post-truth is used in politics.Following the comparison of post-truth and fake news,the concept is discussed within the framework of sender-receiver interaction in terms of communication.The concept is tried to be elucidated with the modalities such as/convincing/,/believing/,/being/,/appearing/.Besides,using the semiotic square,the study also tries to reveal the different purposes and forms of use of the concept of post-truth.As a result,it has been observed that the concept of post-truth is effective in many areas of contemporary societies,and rather than real information,expected and desired information has become more important.

Re-Comment on Stories of"Custom History"——A Sampling Analysis of Chi Zijian's Stories

Chi Zijian's stories connect to the origin of her life's journey,which is the"Earth Spirit."Such a connection renders her stories characteristic of"custom history"by demonstrating how the writer reflects reality from her own perspectives,voice,and methods of narration.The narrative style adopted by Chi Zijian is different from that of other modern stories in which nature is allowed to take its course.Chi Zijian's short stories employ many"accidents"and"coincidences,"bringing the audience back to the storytellers'time of Chinese classical novels.From a writing perspective,a majority of Chi Zijian's stories are about lower-class society and are a custom history for the silent population in the north of China.

Pediatric palliative care for children with cancer:a concept analysis using Rodgers’evolutionary approach

Background Providing access to pediatric palliative care(PPC)for children living with a serious illness,such as cancer,is of critical importance,although this specialized intervention,as a novel concept,still seems vague and complicated.The present study analyzed the concept of PPC for children with cancer.Methods Rodgers'evolutionary method was employed for the concept analysis.Articles on PPC,particularly those for children suffering from cancer,published between 2010 and 2021 were searched in valid academic research databases.The inclusion criteria for the full-text articles were based on the characteristics,antecedents,and consequences of PPC for children with cancer.Results In total,19 relevant articles were selected and then reviewed and analyzed after applying the inclusion criteria and the final sampling.The analysis of the concept of PPC for children affected with cancer revealed four characteristics,including"PPC as holistic and integrated care","PPC as patient-and family-centered care","PPC as early-start continuous care",and"PPC as interdisciplinary and team-based care".Some effective factors could also act as antecedents for this concept,i.e.,health care providers'training and expertise as well as human resources and financing.Moreover,improved quality of life,symptom reduction,and coordination between patient care and family support were among the PPC consequences for such children.Conclusions The study results demonstrated that delivering PPC to children with cancer demanded a comprehensive view of its various dimensions.Furthermore,numerous factors need to be delineated for its accurate and complete implementation.