Search

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The irregularities in miRNA expression have been reported in many pulmonary diseases, including CF. An increase or a decrease in miRNA levels has important influences on innate immune responses in respiratory tract of the patients with CF, such as impaired function of the inflammatory responses caused by neutrophils and macrophages, as well as chronic inflammation, which can lead to degradation and fibrosis of the lung tissue in these patients. The presence of a specific biomarker for diagnosis of pulmonary disease, inflammation, and cellular function can be a good candidate for diagnosis of CF. For example, sputum miRNAs can be ideal for checking pulmonary function. Although miRNA is not currently used for treatment or clinical diagnosis of CF, many studies have suggested miRNAs as potential biomarkers for the disease. miRNA-based treatments, that enhance the expression of CFTR, can be a very suitable option for adjusting CFTR levels in clinical trials on patients with CF. In this review article, after describing different miRNA groups, and its mechanism of action for regulation of protein expression, various studies related to miRNA in CF were investigated. In addition, the possibility to apply miRNA as a biomarker in CF, and its role in different miRNA-based therapeutic approaches were discussed.

Purpose: IFLA's approach is to move towards developing qualitative guidelines and examining the feasibility of implementing these guidelines in the countries using them. The present research has been conducted with a view to formulating the related qualitative guidelines and surveying the feasibility of their implementation in the context of Iran's public libraries. Method: The current research is an applied study in terms of purpose, which applies an exploratory sequential mixed method. In the qualitative part, IFLA guidelines were investigated using the focus group method and a checklist was made in order to categorize the guidelines and to determine the evaluating groups. In this part, the research sample consisted of 5 experts in the development of Iran's standards that were selected using the purposeful sampling method. In the quantitative part, the tool for data collection was a questionnaire. In this part, the statistical population were composed of 4 groups evaluating IFLA standards in Iran's public libraries, who consisted of 80 managers and organizational specialists, 111 librarians, 21 experts, and 342 users amounting to 559 people in total. Each sample group was determined using the sampling method and Krejcie & Morgan table. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires among 4 evaluating groups. 81 questionnaires were returned by managers and organizational specialists, 110 ones by librarians, 21 ones by experts and 342 ones by users. Data analysis was carried out using the descriptive and inferential statistics. Excel and SPSS software packages were employed to calculate the frequency rates, averages and to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test. Findings: In the qualitative part of this research, different IFLA guidelines in 12 areas of public libraries` programs and services for various classes of user community were drawn on and confirmed in the checklist of focus group. Totally, out of 12 guidelines (51 guideline statements) appraised by 4 evaluating groups, 8 guidelines can be implemented in Iran's public libraries and the remaining 4 groups can be implemented under certain conditions. The findings of the quantitative part and a comparison drawn among the 4 groups on common statements using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there is no significant difference between the views of evaluating groups, namely librarians, experts, managers and organizational specialists; However, a significant difference was found between the above-mentioned groups and users. To increase the feasibility of implementation IFLA guidelines in Iran's public libraries, some remedies are put forward, including: revising and correcting some instructions, learning about the population of users, assessing the user needs, setting up a task-force consisting of managers, librarians, experts and users to develop and regulate library activities. Originality/value: The review of relevant literature in Iran and abroad showed that no research has already been conducted in order to codify IFLA qualitative guidelines in the field of public libraries' services and programs or to look into the feasibility of IFLA guidelines' implementation from the point of view of policy-makers and the relevant specialists. The findings of this research can help us with decision-making and policymaking in delivering implementing services and programs as well as in developing standards for public libraries.

Background and Objective: Anxiety disorders are one of the most common childhood disorders. Researchers are trying to identify the factors that contribute to the development of children's anxiety disorders. One of the most recently highlighted issues is the role of emotion regulation in anxiety disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety disorders in first grade students and its relationship with emotional dysregulation. Materials and Methods: The research method is descriptive-correlational. The population of the study consisted of all male and female students of first grade students in Malayer which was selected as a cluster sample of 498 people. The research instruments were Spence anxiety disorder, an emotional regulation checklist, and a structured clinical interview for axis I disorders (SCID-I). Results: According to the results of the Spence anxiety disorder questionnaire, 26% of the first grade students had at least one anxiety disorder. In a clinical interview, 22.1% of the cases were diagnosed with anxiety disorders. There was also a significant relationship between emotional dysregulation and anxiety problems in children (P

In order to evaluate salinity tolerance in some sorghum genotypes, a split-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Research Farm of East-Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Tabriz, Iran. The results showed significant difference among genotypes in all studied traits, except for leaf length, leaf to stem dry weight ratio, and fresh weight of the stem to the total fresh weight ratio. Also, salinity treatment had significant effect on leaf length, leaf fresh and dry weight, stem fresh and dry weight, fresh weight of the leaf to the total fresh weight and fresh weight of the stem to the total fresh weight ratios. The mean comparison showed that these traits decreased by salinity stress. In this research, Pegah and KFS2 verities have more plant fresh weight, leaf number, stem diameter, leaf fresh weight, stem fresh weight, leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight and fresh weight of the leaf to the total fresh weight ratio in compared with common genotypes. But, Pegah and native Jolfa genotypes had the highest plant height. Differences between genotypes in different traits indicate the desirable genetic variation among the studied genotypes.

Background and aim: Diabetes affects the testicles by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine ​​on the number of spermatogenesis cells in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups of 6. This study was carried out in two periods of 5 and 28 days. Thus, in the first period, the positive sham group and experimental groups received 1 ml streptozotocin solution in distilled water at 50 mg / kg for 5 days intraperitoneally. At the end of the sixth day, the blood glucose levels in rats reached 200 mg / dl. In the second period, control group without any injections, sham group received intraperitoneal injection of distilled water, positive control group without injection, negative sham group received 200 mg / kg of n-acetylcysteine ​​intraperitoneally for 28 days. Experimental group 1, 2 and 3, which included diabetic rats receiving 100, 200 and 400 mg / kg doses of N-acetylcysteine ​​intraperitoneally for 28 days, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, rats were under anesthetized anesthesia. The body weight of all animals was measured and the testicles were removed and examined after staining and staining by hematoxylin-eosin method. Results: Mean body weight, spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid and leydig showed a significant decrease in the positive sham group compared to the control group. The mean number of spermatogonium and leydig cells in all experimental groups showed a significant increase compared to the positive sham group. The mean number of spermatid cells in experimental groups 2 and 3 was significantly higher than the positive sham group. The mean number of spermatocyte cells in the experimental groups 3 was significantly higher than the positive sham group (P ≤ 0.05). Diabetes also led to pathological changes in the seminiferous tubes in diabetic rats. This is while different amounts of N-acetylcysteine have improved this in experimental groups. Conclusion: The results showed that N-acetylcysteine protects the testicles against diabetes and improved the spermatogenesis process in streptozotocin induced diabetes.

Purpose: This research aimed at performance appraisal of public librarians in Guilan province, using 360 degree feedback approach. Method: The survey used a questionnaire devised for data collection in 4 formats, to assess librarians by 4 groups: superiors, colleagues, themselves, and library users. The research population was the community of all 80 public librarians in Guilan Province, north of Iran.. From a pool of the available sources and documents, items were derived or created in accordance with views of some academics and experts who were selected as a Delphi Panel from a range of people known for their experience and/or expertise in library management. Findings: In regard with Moral-Value Index, self-evaluations were significantly different from those of superiors, colleagues and library users. As far as the Process Index was concerned, there was a significant difference between the users’ viewpoints and other three groups. In relation to Performance Index, as well as the general appraisal, no significant difference was observed among the viewpoints of the four evaluating groups. Originality/Value: This the first application of 360 degree feedback approaches in Iranian libraries.

Purpose: This research aims at the assessment of the “Ketabe Man” project from librarians' and users' viewpoint in Tehran public libraries. Method: A survey procedure was used as the research method. The data were collected by questionnaires. The study population included 21 librarians and 384 users of the “ketabe man” project in 10 Tehran public libraries. Findings: The findings showed that most (67.6%) of the “ketabe man” users' awareness, was through the library and the librarians. It emerged that 77.9% of the library users preferred to supply their books from the library and by the “ketabe-man” project. As the users reported the project has decreased their books expenses. They also announced their satisfaction with the “ketabe-man” project at a high level. From the librarians' viewpoint, the ketabe-man project has had a good impact on library collection. They also reported that the ketabe-man project has had a high impact on the rate of reading and cultural equity. Originality/Value: Since research procedure and success evaluation are the essential factors in the process of conducting such projects, the present study assesses the ketabe-man project from the point of view of both librarians and users. The study also identifies the strengths and weak points of the project as well as the opportunities to improve it.