زهرا سالاری

Background & Aims Among psychological problems, anxiety disorders are one of the most common complications and affect one eighth of the world's population. The increase in both rate of anxiety disorders and financial burden imposed on the country's health system led to more attention in treatment of these disorders. Unfortunately, despite the good efficacy of common drug treatments, these treatments also have high unwanted side effects. For this reason, researchers are trying to find drugs with better effectiveness and fewer side effects. In the meantime, medicinal plants, as a great source of natural compounds, have a high popularity among the general public. On the other hand, it is important to use medicinal plants as a great source of anti-anxiety bioactive compounds. Ashwagandha medicinal plant (Withania somnifera L. Dunal), which is known as the king of medicinal plants in Ayurvedic medicine, is widely used in reducing anxiety, according to reliable sources. Therefore, this research is dedicated to the efficacy of this plant in preclinical and clinical studies, a review of phytochemical compounds, possible mechanisms and safety of Ashwagandha consumption. This article reviews the findings and data available in articles from 1990 to January 2023 in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. So far, several studies have confirmed the effects of Ashwagandha in reducing anxiety-like behaviors in various animal models such as stress, sleep deprivation, social isolation and neuroinflammation. In many animal models, anti-anxiety effects have been reported from a variety of extracts (aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic and hydroalcoholic) derived from the root and leaves of Ashwagandha plant with different extraction methods, and these results suggest the possibility of the presence of multiple bioactive compounds. Ashwagandha plant has also been investigated in human studies and numerous results confirm that this plant can play a role in improving anxiety disorders. In these studies, dried plant root powder, aqueous, alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts were used. In most of these clinical trials, the patented and available Ashwagandha extracts (KSM-66®, Sensoril®, Essentra® and Shoden®) were used in daily doses between 125 and 1000 mg in tablet and capsule form, for 6 to 12 weeks. Some human studies also used dried plant root granules up to a daily dose of 12 grams. The anti-stress activity of Ashwagandha is most commonly attributed to its effects on the GABA receptor system, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, although other possible mechanisms have been proposed. GABA is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and the GABAergic neurotransmitter system plays a key role in the regulation of anxiety. GABA agonist drugs exert their inhibitory effects by activating GABA type A receptors. There is significant pre-clinical evidence that shows that the effective compounds of Ashwagandha also have anti-anxiety effects by stimulating GABAA receptors. However, attempts to identify which compound in Ashwagandha are responsible for GABAA receptor activity have been difficult. Therefore, further research is needed to identify the interactions of withanolides with GABAA receptors, the possible sites of interaction in the GABAA receptor complex, and whether specific subunits of GABAA receptors are more sensitive to the compounds of this plant. The brain is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress. Studies conducted over the past few years suggested that anxiety disorders are associated with decreased antioxidant defense capacity and increased oxidative damage. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders by causing inflammation. Peripheral inflammation is also thought to directly contribute to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. While oxidative stress and inflammation have both been implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety, a definitive cause-and-effect relationship for both has yet to be found. Although mainly the effects of the glucocorticoids cortisol and corticosterone (the main stress hormones in humans and rodents, respectively) are attributed to determining the level of stress and not anxiety, there are studies in this field that show that cortisol can be important in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. In two randomized, double-blind clinical trials that investigated the anti-anxiety effects of Ashwagandha plant, the level of cortisol serum was examined approximately 4 and 8 weeks after consuming the extract of this plant and it was determined that Ashwagandha plant extract can significantly reduce serum cortisol level especially after 8 weeks. In traditional Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine, the roots of Ashwagandha have a long history of use as an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body adapt to stress by normalizing physiological processes. In addition, adaptogens can deal with the consequences of stress by preventing and reducing abnormalities and diseases caused by stress on the endocrine glands and the immune system. Assuming that anxiety is a chronically present stress, Ashwagandha has been shown to be effective by affecting the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as well as by controlling key mediators of the stress response, such as heat shock proteins (Hsp70), cortisol, and nitric oxide. Most studies have identified withanolides as the main compounds with neurological activity in Ashwagandha. However, only a few of the withanolides in Ashwagandha have been evaluated for their neuroprotective effects, and the results are conflicting. Finally, there are limited studies linking withanolides to the neuropsychological effects of Ashwagandha, and other classes of natural compounds may also play a role in these effects. Further studies aimed at investigating the compounds or groups of compounds purified from different types of Ashwagandha plant extracts can help to clarify this issue. However, the possibility of synergistic or additive effects between the components should also be considered. In the review of clinical trials that were done on Ashwagandha, no serious side effects or changes in vital signs, blood and biochemical parameters such as hemoglobin, neutrophil percentage, platelet count, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were observed. In some cases, confusion, dizziness, and drowsiness have been reported as mild to moderate transient side effects. Analysis of data from a comprehensive study on all age groups and both sexes showed that consuming the permitted amounts of Ashwagandha does not result in any serious side effects.

Today, in terms of structure and functionality, worn-out structures have suffered deficiencies that cannot meet the needs of the residents today. Despite the inefficiency of worn-out urban tissues, today, with the help of strategic methods and network analysis, different strategies can be provided for the renovation of worn-out tissues. The main goal of the current research is to present strategies for the renewal of worn-out fabric by combining strategic models, which network analysis has been done in Dardash neighborhood of Isfahan.

The method used in this research is descriptive-analytical based on its purpose and applied, and the method of study is descriptive-analytical according to its method and nature. To collect information in this study, library and document methods, direct observation method, and field and survey studies such as interviewing people, experts and urban elites and preparing a questionnaire using Delphi method were used. The questionnaire was made by the researcher and was set up with closed questions in the form of Likert spectrum with five options. The statistical population of this research includes officials and experts of organizations and institutions related to urban renovation and improvement.

The results of the research showed that WO1, SO2, WT1 are the three main strategies for renovating the worn-out fabric of Dardash neighborhood, which are WT1 improving the narrow and narrow roads and increasing the quality, SO2 surrounding the neighborhood with an important communication network and its special effect on improvement The quality of neighborhood uses and review strategies, WO1 has appropriated the opportunity of the presence of barren and ruined lands to be used in order to rapidly advance physical plans and programs, respectively, the first to third priority for the renovation of the worn-out fabric of Dardasht neighborhood.

Translation of dubbing is a process that requires a high level of knowledge in the source and target languages. In this process, the translator faces so many challenges, one of which is the translation of presupposition. In order for a film to be comprehensible and enjoyable, it is essential for the translator to have a good level of knowledge in this aspect of pragmatic dimension. The present research tries to investigate the translation of presupposition in four dubbed films (Notting Hill, The Bucket list, The ultimate gift, and Still Alice) which are originally in English and were dubbed into Persian. To this end, the differences between original films and their dubbed versions, based on their presuppositions, are determined. Then, the translation strategies that were applied by the translators are specified.

Translation is not just the transference of source text elements to the target text. In this process, the translator faces so many challenges, one of which is the pragmatic aspects of the text. This subject is not considered by many scholars and researchers. Translators sometimes focus solely on the vocabulary and textual structure of the text and overlook the hidden dimensions and layers of it. This problem is much more frequent in film translation because films are based upon dialogues and deal with these hidden dimensions. The present research tries to elaborate the categories that researchers have previously suggested for pragmatic aspects of the text and then showing their representations in dubbing translation by giving some examples. To this end, some samples from four English films which were dubbed into Persian were chosen. Then, the cases were analyzed and pragmatic representation become evident in dubbing translation. In these cases, it can be observed how translators changed these hidden aspects of the original films.

To study the effect of copper toxicity on some hematological indices of Acipenser nudiventris, a group of 120 fish were exposed to different concentrations of copper nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) (0, 1, 5, 10 mg/lit). The results showed that the level of hemoglobin (Hb) was increased with the increase in the concentration of copper and also time (P < 0.05). For the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/lit, the numbers of red blood cells (RBC) were considerably reduced after 24 hours (P < 0.05). After 24 hours, the percent of hematocrit (Hct) was increased and the number of white cells (WBC) was decreased, and the volume of red blood cells (MCV) was considerably increased for all concentrations (P < 0.05). The average of hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) did not change and was the same in all concentrations after 24 and 48 hours (P ≥ 0.05) but was increased considerably after 72 and 96 hours (P < 0.05). The average of hemoglobin concentration (MCH) was increased considerably in 10 mg/lit concentration after 24, but was increased considerably in 1 mg/lit after 72 and 96 hours (P < 0.05). The results of differentiation counting of leucocytes showed that with increase in copper concentration and time, the number of lymphocytes in the 5 and 10 mg/lit concentrations were decreased considerably after 24 hours, but were increased in 1 mg/lit concentration after 48 hours (P < 0.05). The number of monocytes was considerably decreased after 24 and 48 hours in all concentrations, but was considerably increased in 1 mg/lit after 72 hours (P < 0.05). The number of eutrophil was considerably increased in 5 and 10 mg/lit after 24 hours, but was considerably decreased in 1 mg/lit after 48 and 72 hours (P < 0.05). The study showed that although the copper is an essential element for most of physiologic processes but it showed severe toxic effects on the Acipenser nudiventris,

Giardiasis is one of the human parasitic diseases caused by a flagellate protozoan named Giardia duodenalis (G.lamblia). Giardia is one of the most common organisms causing diarrhea in human and also a common gastrointestinal parasite in vertebrates.

A total of 352 stool samples were collected from patients infected with giardiasis referred to health centers in Kerman city. Samples were examined by formalin- ether concentration procedure. First, DNA extraction was performed on 30 stool samples containing adequate Giardia cysts and then PCR-RFLP was done on glultamate dehydrogenase (gdh) marker. Clinical signs of patients were recorded in a questionnaire and their relationships with molecular results were analyzed.

The highest rate of infection was in the age group of 0-12 years with significant difference with other age groups (P<0.0001). The most common clinical signs were abdominal pain (71.7%), diarrhea (69%), abdominal cramping (54.1%) and the least common signs were malaise (20.4%) and fever (16.1%). Of all 30 isolates, 18 samples (60%) were found as genotype All, 5 ones (16.7%) belonged to Al assemblage and 7 samples (23.3%) were BIII assemblage. There was a significant difference between genotyping of Giardia and clinical signs of diarrhea, abdominal signs and nausea (P<0.05).

Higher prevalence of Giardiasis was found in the age group below 12 years, but clinical signs in different age groups and two sexes were identical. Assemblage A showed correlation with mild intermittent diarrhea and assemblage B had correlation with persistent diarrhea.