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Abstract Objectives To investigate the effects of bladder neck incision (BNI) and primary valves ablation on long-term kidney and bladder function in children with posterior urethral valves (PUV) and bladder neck hypertrophy (BNH). Patients and methods From 1997 to 2016, a total of 1381 children with PUV were referred to our tertiary hospital. Of these patients, 301 PUV patients with bladder neck hypertrophy need concurrent BNI and valve ablation. All patients were followed up every 3–6 months on regular basis in first 2 post-surgical years and annually then after. The paired t-test and chi-square test were used to perform statistical analysis with p value

Objectives: It has been shown that concomitant autologous blood and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Deflux®) injection, hydrodistension autologous blood injection technique (HABIT), had a better mound preservation and treatment success compared to the hydrodistension injection technique (HIT) in vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) correction. In this study, we aimed to show microscopically whether the concomitant injection of autologous blood decreases the leakage of Deflux® particles. Methods: Children with VUR who underwent HIT or HABIT between March 2020 and January 2023 were enrolled. Following the completion of the procedure on each ureter, the bladder was irrigated for 3 to 5 min, and the retrieved sample of irrigation fluid was evaluated for dextranomer particle count as “immediate leakage”. A Foley catheter was placed, and a urine sample after 12 h was collected as “early leakage”. Results: A total of 86 children with a median age of 3.0 years (interquartile range = 4.6) were included. Overall, 66 patients underwent HABIT, and 20 children underwent HIT. Rupture was observed in five patients during the procedure, and re-injection was conducted successfully in these cases. Immediate, early, and total particle leakage in the first 12 h of the injection were significantly less in the HABIT group compared to the HIT group. In the regression analysis, only the injection technique (HIT/HABIT) and rupture were significantly associated with the total particle leakage in the first 12 h. Conclusions: Immediate injection of autologous blood into the mound following an endoscopic correction of VUR in children is associated with significantly less Deflux® particle leakage from the injection site regardless of the VUR grade. We hypothesize that a concomitant blood injection into the Deflux® mound will create a blood clot while the needle is kept in situ and help to stabilize the mound and decrease treatment failure by minimizing particle leakage from the injection site.

BackgroundStudies have shown that psychological factors, notably interpersonal needs and emotion regulation, play a significant role in suicidal behavior. Interpersonal needs are significant contextual components that affect emotion regulation and contribute to a wide range of dysfunctional behaviors, such as suicidal behavior. It has been postulated that emotion regulation mediates the associations between proximal and distal risk factors of suicidal behavior.MethodThe sample consisted of 340 community-dwelling individuals (62.5% women; SD = 0.48) with an age range of 18 through 55 (M = 30.23; SD = 8.54) who completed the interpersonal needs questionnaire, the suicide behaviors questionnaire-revised, and the cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was utilized to evaluate a mediation model.ResultsThe findings indicate that interpersonal needs (i.e., perceived burdensomeness r = .55, p

Fibrous hamartoma of infancy is a rare benign tumor that’s mainly detected in the upper trunk. In this study authors report a 1-year-old case of perianal fibrous hamartoma which was successfully managed without need to orchidectomy or urethral manipulation.

Abstract α-Glucosidase inhibition is an approved treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In an attempt to develop novel anti-α-glucosidase agents, two series of substituted imidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines, namely 6a–c and 11a–o, were synthesized using a simple, straightforward synthetic routes. These compounds were thoroughly characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Subsequently, the inhibitory activities of these compounds were evaluated against Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-glucosidase. In present study, acarbose was utilized as a positive control. These imidazoquinazolines exhibited excellent to great inhibitory potencies with IC50 values ranging from 12.44 ± 0.38 μM to 308.33 ± 0.06 μM, which were several times more potent than standard drug with IC50 value of 750.0 ± 1.5 μM. Representatively, compound 11j showed remarkable anti-α-glucosidase potency with IC50 = 12.44 ± 0.38 μM, which was 60.3 times more potent than positive control acarbose. To explore the potential inhibition mechanism, further evaluations including kinetic analysis, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and thermodynamic profile were carried out for the most potent compound 11j. Moreover, molecular docking studies and in silico ADME prediction for all imidazoquinazolines 6a–c and 11a–o were performed to reveal their important binding interactions, as well as their physicochemical and drug-likeness properties, respectively.

One of the most important goals of current research in the medical field is to identify treatments for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and cancer. The latest developments in nanotechnology have provided opportunities to develop novel nanomaterials that can overcome the limitations of current treatments. In this regard, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered potential nano-tools with attractive implications. The analysis of MTZ/SWCNT/AgNPs in this study was done using different techniques, including SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, and EDX. Antibacterial activity was assessed for MTN/SWCNT/AgNPs against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The effects of MTZ/SWCNTs/AgNPs on mitochondrial and apoptotic activities in human gastric cancer (AGS) were evaluated. Overall, new CNTs were produced efficiently. MTZ/SWCNTs/AgNPs are considered efficient antibacterial and anticancer agents for biological applications.

Key Clinical Message Etiology of urinary retention in pediatric age differs significantly from adults and the elderly. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial before specific treatment. Every effort must be made to minimize invasive procedures as far as possible in children.

Abstract Coupling light from a point source to a propagating mode is an important problem in nano-photonics and is essential for many applications in quantum optics. Circular “bullseye” cavities, consisting of concentric rings of alternating refractive index, are a promising technology that can achieve near-unity coupling into a first lens. Here we design a bullseye structure suitable for enhancing the emission from dye molecules, 2D materials and nano-diamonds positioned on the surface of these cavities. A periodic design of cavity, meeting the Bragg scattering condition, achieves a Purcell factor of 22.5 and collection efficiency of 80%. We also tackle the more challenging task of designing a cavity for coupling to a low numerical aperture fibre in the near field. Finally, using an iterative procedure, we study how the collection efficiency varies with apodised (non-periodic) rings.

The present article explores the idea of using movies in EFL classrooms to develop students' writing skill. In this qualitative study, 15 EFL learners were engaged in different writing activities in a contextualized form of movies, meaning that the films acted as text-books, and activities were designed based on the contexts of the films. Taking an action research design, and by relying on different sources to enrich the class, the researchers took the learner-and-instructor role to explore writing beyond its conventional practices in EFL classrooms. After 40 hours of instruction, it was shown that the students found a way to enrich their writings and to express their ideas through words and statements that resembled the way writers and directors of the movies dealt with pictures. Students were engaged in deciphering the pictures, inferring and expressing the meanings, and finding a framework for their writings based on the genres of the movies. Following these activities, learners learnt how to be visually literate and to move beyond the predetermined writing formats and discover their own through an artistic practice to give life to their texts, like movies.

Objective: A growing body of research stresses the effect of time perspective (TP) on the genesis and maintenance of psychological disorders. However, the variations in the TP configuration of individuals with different disorders have not yet been completely investigated. We aimed to compare the differences in TP among patients with three common psychiatric disorders. Method: We recruited 30 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 30 with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and 30 with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants completed Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). The one-way MANOVA was utilized for the comparison of TP dimensions among the three disordered groups. Results: The results showed that TP was significantly affected in all three clinical groups. The effect of the disorder on time perspective was significant for Past Negative (PN) (F (2, 84) = 11.86, P < 0.01), Past Positive (PP) (F (2, 84) = 6.66, P < 0.01), Present Fatalistic (PF) (F (2, 84) = 7.08, P < 0.01) and Future (F) (F (2, 84) = 26.40, P < 0.01), but not for Present Hedonistic (PH). The findings revealed that the MDD group scored the highest on PN, with the GAD group scoring higher than the OCD group. The GAD and OCD groups reported higher PP than the MDD group. In addition, the MDD group scored higher than both the GAD and OCD groups on PF. Finally, the GAD patients reported higher scores than both the MDD and OCD patients on the F dimension, while the OCD patients scored higher than the MDD patients. Conclusion: Individuals with MDD tend to obtain higher scores in PN and PF time perspective, whereas those with GAD and OCD showed higher PP and F scores. These findings demonstrate the significance of examining TP in clinical patients and prompt further research into the association between TP and the disorders being studied. Perspectives on therapy are also explored.

Spin defects in 2D hBN are promising for magnetic field sensing but suffer from short spin coherence times. Here the authors extend the coherence time for an ensemble of spins in hBN to 4 microseconds by using a continuous microwave drive and demonstrate qubit control in a protected spin space.

Introduction Available treatments for hot flashes in patients with breast cancer are not always tolerable or effective for all patients. Methods Patients diagnosed to have primary breast cancer were randomly allocated to receive 10 mg of escitalopram, placebo, or progressive muscle relaxation therapy. Patients were asked to report the frequency and duration of hot flashes during day and night, at baseline and after ten weeks of treatment, and completed the menopause rating scale. Results Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive escitalopram (n = 26), PMRT (n = 28), and placebo (n = 28). PMRT and escitalopram could effectively decrease number and duration of diurnal and nocturnal HFs in patients with breast cancer, with a better effect observed from escitalopram. They could both decrease the total score of MRS. Conclusion Both escitalopram ad PMRT can reveal nocturnal and diurnal HFs in terms of frequency and duration in patients with breast cancer.

Foreign direct investment is one of the most important sources of capital for countries. Knowledge and technology enter the host country through foreign direct investment and lead to increased competition, optimal resource allocation, increased labor skills, increased productivity, and ultimately increased employment and economic growth of the host country. On the other hand, structural economic vulnerability through the creation of economic and political instability, macroeconomic imbalances, exchange rate instability and inflation, leads to a lack of foreign direct investment in the host country. Therefore, if a country has stable macroeconomic policies, foreign investors will be attracted to that country and will be willing to invest in it. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of structural economic vulnerability on the attraction of foreign direct investment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries during the period 2005-2018, using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The results show that in accordance with the theoretical expectations of the research, the index of structural economic vulnerability has a negative and significant effect on attracting foreign direct investment. Iran experiences high structural economic vulnerability in recent years due to its dependence on oil revenues and numerous international sanctions. Among other research results, the variables of logarithm of GDP, political stability index and property rights index have positive and significant effects on the inflow of foreign direct investment.

Background: Carvacrol is the main phenolic compound of Satureja and thyme. Carvacrol has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.Objectives: The aim of this study is determine the peptide-modified carvacrol’s antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods: The peptide-modified carvacrol’s antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated by disk diffusion and MIC method.Results: The effects of modified carvacrol by the disk diffusion method had growth inhibition diameters of 25mm and 20mm against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Also, MIC against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 1µg/ml and 0.51µg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: The peptide-modified carvacrol has some antibacterial effects.

Abstract A new nano-antibiotic was synthesized from the conjugation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with levofloxacin (MWCNT-LVX) through covalent grafting of drug with surface-modified carbon nanotubes in order to achieve an effective, safe, fast-acting nano-drug with the minimal side effects. This study is the first report on the evaluation of in vitro cell viability and antibacterial activity of nano-antibiotic along in addition to the in vivo antibacterial activity in a burn wound model. The drug-loading and release profile at different pH levels was determined using an ultraviolet–visible spectrometer. MWCNT-LVX was synthesized by a simple, reproducible and cost-effective method for the first time and characterized using various techniques, such as scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and so forth. The noncytotoxic nano-antibiotic showed more satisfactory in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to Pseudomona aeruginosa. The novel synthetic nano-drug possessed high loading capacity and pH-sensitive release profile; resultantly, it exhibited very potent bactericidal activity in a mouse S. aureus wound infection model compared to LVX. Based on the results, the antibacterial properties of the drug enhanced after conjugating with surface-modified MWCNTs. The nano-antibiotic has great industrialization potential for the simple route of synthesis, no toxicity, proper drug loading and release, low effective dose, and strong activity against wound infections. In virtue of unique properties, MWCNTs can serve as a controlled release and delivery system for drugs. The easy penetration to biological membranes and barriers can also increase the drug delivery at lower doses compared to the main drug alone, which can lead to the reduction of its side effects. Hence, MWCNTs can be considered a promising nano-carrier of LVX in the treatment of skin infections.

Background: Appendicovesical fistula in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis is a rare condition. Although this situation is so rare it should be considered in the differential diagnosis, dealing with a patient with cystic fibrosis and chronic abdominal pain with no response to primary management. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case of appendicovesical fistula in a patient with cystic fibrosis. Case presentation: In this paper, we are reporting a bladder lesion of a nine-year-old Iranian girl, a known case of cystic fibrosis, who was referred to pediatric urology clinic, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The girl is a known case of cystic fibrosis on regular follow-up who had chronic abdominal pain for about one year. While primary management had been failed for her, further workups were done by her pediatric pulmonologist. In her pelvic sonography, the radiologist reported a bladder lesion so she was referred to our clinic. Cystoscopy was done for her, but transurethral biopsy/resection was impossible according to the lesion location. The non-papillary nature of the lesion raised our concern about the possibility of genital rhabdomyosarcoma with bladder invasion. So, an Abdominopelvic CT scan and a pelvic MRI were also done for her. Intact uterus and vagina with an enhancing lesion at the dome of the bladder with some degree of inflammation/attachment around the adjacent GI tract were detected on her images. The urachal inflammatory/tumoral process could not be ruled out. So open surgical exploration was planned. During the attempt for surgical exploration and partial cystectomy, at the Children’s Medical Center in December 2021, we found that the mass, is actually her appendix which has invaded the urinary bladder, and presented as a bladder lesion. Conclusion: Abdominal pain is a relatively common complaint of patients with cystic fibrosis. Every caregiver or physician should consider rare conditions, dealing with a cystic fibrosis patient whose abdominal pain does not respond to common management.

Abstract Background Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have long been suggested to result from psychological factors. Recent studies, however, tend to consider TMD a chronic psychosomatic illness. The present study was designed to explore the association between TMD and personality profile. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Reconstructed form (MMPI-2-RF) was used to evaluate the association for the first time. Methods A total of 258 subjects participated in this case–control study. TMD cases as detected by the Helkimo index were questioned regarding their personality characteristics and anxiety levels using MMPI-2-RF and Spielberger state and trait anxiety inventory. Results Patients with TMD scored higher on all personality characteristics except for Aberrant Experiences. The psychological profile of TMD showed no significant difference between theoretical and experimental Ideas of Persecution means. Patients with TMD reported significantly higher mean levels of state and trait anxiety than controls. The most frequently found anxiety levels in TMD cases have been mild state and trait anxiety (77.5% versus 74.4%). Conclusion Personality characteristic scores were considerably higher in TMD patients. TMD cases detected by Helkimo index manifest both trait and state anxiety as common findings.

Background: During the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching and learning have taken a detour, and the unexpected shift from faceto-face to virtual learning has made instructors and learners think about new methods for more effective virtual instruction. The present study aimed at examining a new method for enriching the medical students’ understanding of visual texts through applying Reciprocal Teaching (RT) strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: The study had a qualitative action-research design. The participants of the study were 54 medical students enrolled in an online General English course at Birjand University of Medical Sciences during the Fall semester of 2020. The class was held twice a week for 24 sessions. The strategies of RT were integrated into watching films that were used as teaching materials (visual texts). The researcher used semi-structured interviews and field notes and also recorded the class sessions for data collection. The collected data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: The results showed that the students found using RT strategies advantageous in the understanding of films and in improving their language proficiency. They reconceptualized the importance of their film-watching habit, and revalued the importance of films for language learning, and considered them as textbooks that could be divided into different sections such as introduction, body, and conclusion. In addition, they discussed different sections of the films with peers and wrote summaries about them which improved both their language proficiency and their knowledge about medical terminologies. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that applying RT strategies in virtual classes can be advantageous in helping medical students recognize the importance of films and use them as reliable sources for language learning. Therefore, as today’s students are called ‘digital natives’, it is suggested that the RT strategies and the new modes of instruction be integrated into teaching medical students.

Despite the development of sports in Iran, women's sports have not yet been able to achieve a desirable position. The development components and their necessary contexts and backgrounds must be identified to achieve the development of women sports. The aim of this study was to present a model for development of women's sports in Iran which was conducted through qualitative research method with the fundamental-exploratory nature. The data were collected by snowball sampling method based on deep interviews, which were coded and analysed according to grounded theory with a constructive approach. The results showed that the development of women's sports involves three components: environmental, structural, and behavioural. Furthermore, there was an intimate relationship between all the developmental contexts. Also, Peripheral components were identified as a large-scale context but structural components as facilitating contexts for development. The results also indicated to achieve women Sports development, suitable contexts are needed and the most important one is Cultural-Social context. Based on the results, necessary actions for the development of women's sport should be taken through the establishment of proper policies, determination of appropriate structures, and provision of favourable environments and contexts.