negar karimi

Tourism is one of the most dynamic economic activities, which plays an essential role in sustainable development. Consequently, the significance of this industry in economic and cultural development has prompted the majority of regional. Despite the significant potential of many cities, such as Shiraz, tourism industries have remained underdeveloped. This study delves into the role of tourism service quality, specifically exploring the impact of knowledge management on service quality mediated by dynamic capabilities. Since the concept of knowledge management is used to accept and embrace intangible capital and sharing knowledge in organizations, this research aims to investigate the effect of knowledge management among tourism units’ employees on the quality of tourism services through the utilization of dynamic capabilities. The statistical population of the research included the employees of Travel Agencies in Shiraz, 119 of whom were selected as a statistical sample using Cochran's formula. A conceptual model, in the form of four hypotheses, examines the relationship exists between dynamic capability and knowledge management, the relationship between dynamic capability and the quality of tourism services, the relationship between knowledge management and the quality of tourism services, and consequently, the significant relationship between knowledge management and the quality of tourism services are all taken into account with dynamic capability plays a mediating role. The findings of this research using structural equation modelling, indicate the presence of a significant relation between knowledge management and dynamic capability and the absence of a relationship between dynamic capability and the quality of tourism services.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the common diseases in felines. For confirming this disease, the scintigraphy technique can be used. In Iran, the use of the scintigraphy method is not common due to the limited access to radiopharmaceuticals, gamma cameras, and keeping of animals following scintigraphy due to the excretion of radioactive material. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of diagnosing this disease using CT scan technique is an alternative compared to scintigraphy. 19 cats suspected of hyperthyroidism were used in this study. Each of the animals was examined using blood samples to check thyroid hormones. Then the scintigraphy has done and after that, they were isolated for 24 hours to dispose of the radiopharmaceutical. Finally, the thyroid gland of the animals was examined by CT scan and the results of the tests were compared with each other. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the parameters obtained from the blood serum hormone and the parameters obtained from the CT scan, such as length, width, height, volume, heterogeneity, and radiation attenuation, between the two patient and healthy groups. However, the scintigraphy parameters of the two groups contains healthy and patients, such as the density ratio of the thyroid gland to the salivary glands density, as well as the thyroid gland density to the background area, had statistically significant differences. The results of this study showed that it is not possible to diagnose hyperthyroidism in cats using the CT scan technique as an alternative to the scintigraphy technique.

As important challenges in burn injuries, infections often lead to delayed and incomplete healing. Wound infections with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are other challenges in the management of wounds. Hence, it can be critical to synthesize scaffolds that are highly potential for loading and delivering antibiotics over long periods.

Double-shelled hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DSH-MSNs) were synthesized and loaded with cefazolin. Cefazolin-loaded DSH-MSNs (Cef*DSH-MSNs) were incorporated into polycaprolactone (PCL) to prepare a nanofiber-mediated drug release system. Their biological properties were assessed through antibacterial activity, cell viability, and qRTPCR. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and nanofibers were also characterized.

The double-shelled hollow structure of DSH-MSNs demonstrated a high loading capacity of cefazolin (51%). According to in vitro findings, the Cef*DSH-MSNs embedded in polycaprolactone nanofibers (Cef*DSH-MSNs/PCL) provided a slow release for cefazolin. The release of cefazolin from Cef*DSH-MSNs/PCL nanofibers inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The high viability rate of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in contact with PCL and DSH-MSNs/PCL was indicative of the biocompatibility of nanofibers. Moreover, gene expression results confirmed changes in keratinocyte-related differentiation genes in hADSCs cultured on the DSH-MSNs/PCL nanofibers with the up-regulation of involucrin.

The high drug-loading capacity of DSH-MSNs presents these nanoparticles as suitable vehicles for drug delivery. In addition, the use of Cef*DSH-MSNs/PCL can be an effective strategy for regenerative purposes.

 Hepatitis B (HB) is one of the important common occupational diseases, and health care workers are one of the most at-risk groups. The current study aimed to investigate the best psycho-social predictors of HB preventive behaviors among nurses by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

 The current research was a cross-sectional study. An anonymous self-reported scale according to the TPB determinants was distributed among 330 nurses in Kermanshah, and 299 (90.6%) questionnaires were returned. Nurses were randomly selected among different teaching hospitals in Kermanshah in 2016. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t test, and linear regression tests.

 The mean score for the HB preventive behaviors was 3.14±1.45 ranging from 1 to 5. The TPB determinants accounted for 21% of the variance in nurses’ HB preventive behaviors. Attitude and perceived behavior control (PBC) were the best determinants of performing HB preventive behaviors. Furthermore, higher education level, gender (female), and family history of HB were effective in the higher score of HB prevention behaviors (P<0.001).

 In developing programs and policies to prevent HB among nurses in Iran, attitude and PBC should be considered. These findings may guide HB interventions to improve the capacity to seek HB preventive behaviors.

 Clinical audit (CA) is a standard method for improving the quality of health service.

 This study aimed to determine the CA status of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) clinical services at the sleep disorders research center of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Iran.

 The current research was conducted on 91 patients with OSA records in 2019 - 2020. The CA steps were performed, and the data extracted from the checklist were described using SPSS software version 16.

 The age average of the patients was 50.10 (standard deviation = 13.16), ranging from 16 to 76 years. The services were provided to all patients (100%) based on indicators such as training in a healthy lifestyle related to OSA (weight control, not drinking alcohol, and sleep health behaviors) and appropriate prescribing of medications and devices, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP). Follow-up on prescribing CPAP and BiPAP devices, informing patients about the frequency of possible surgeries, and follow-up treatment were weak indicators and did not follow the standards.

 Based on the results, the treatment follow-up indicators of OSA patients are not in compliance with the standards, and attention must be paid to these indicators in providing clinical services to OSA patients in western Iran.

Sleep quality and quantity disorders are among the most important problems in old age. Healthy sleep behaviors are among the best ways to deal with sleep disorders among the elderly. This study aimed to determine the socio-cognitive determinants predicting healthy sleep behaviors among the elderly who had been referred to the retirement centers in Hamadan, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was performed among 288 elderly people who had been referred to the retirement centers in Hamadan, Iran in 2020, and were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected online using a self-administered questionnaire with items on demographic characteristics and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) using Pearson correlation, independent t test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression tests at the significance level of 0.05.

The mean (±standard deviation) age of respondents in this study was 67.2 (±6.3) years. Perceived behavior control (β=0.409), attitude (β=0.251), and subjective norms (β=0.205) were stronger predictors of healthy sleep behavior intention among the elderly, respectively; collectively, they accounted for 28.5% of the variation in sleep health behavior intention. Behavioral intention (β=0.429) and perceived behavioral control (β=0.167) were also predictors of healthy sleep behaviors among the elderly. There was a statistically significant relationship between the educational level and healthy sleep behaviors (P<0.05).

It seems that the development and implementation of educational programs based on the TPB for the improvement of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control can play an effective role in promoting healthy sleep behaviors and sleep quality among the elderly.

Today, it is essential that new technologies such as Smartphone’s and their tools, such as applications, be considered in the design of health interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of educational intervention on promoting communication skills among students using the m-health approach based on theory of planned behavior.

We conducted a quasi-experimental intervention study among 160 university students in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) during 2020. Data were measured using a self-report questionnaire based on theory of planed behavior constructs. Results were measured at the beginning and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using chi-square, Independent Samples t-test, and paired sample t-test.

The mean age of students was 21.88 years [SD: 2.51]. Our findings showed the efficiency of the intervention in increasing the scores of attitude (32.05 increased to 32.76; P=0.005), subjective norms (12.19 increased to 12.40; P=0.038), and behavioral intention (10.32 increased to 11.95; P<0.001) towards learning communication skills in the intervention group. Also, the estimated effect sizes for attitude, subjective norms, and intention were 0.48, 0.23, and 0.72, respectively.

We have shown that the tested m-Health program has been effective in promoting attitudes, subjective norms and intentions to learn communication skills. Given the availability of this technology, it seems that it can lead to useful findings in promoting youth health.

The taxonomic status of the genus Sorghum Moench in Iran was evaluated. 163 accessions were studied using 75 morphological characters. The results indicated that the genus occurs in Iran with 4 species, S. propinquum, S. halepense, S.× drummondii, and S. bicolor. Sorghum propinquum (Kunth) Hitchc. is reported for the first time from Iran. This species is morphologically similar to S. halepense (L.) Pers. but differs from it in characteristics of rhizomes, leaf mid-vein, and inflorescence. Also, images and identification key for taxa is presented.

Humans have long sought to select the desirable traits for agriculture and domestication of important and economical crop species around the world. In fact, the human selection is a factor that plays a key role in determining the fate of plant breeding lines, especially cereals. Therefore, the study of genetic diversity and the study of germplasm storage of breeding lines on the one hand and the study of the role and effect of choices made by plant breeders, on the other hand, are key factors in investigating the fate of improved seeds and lines. To conduct such studies, molecular studies using markers that act neutrally and randomly are important. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of selection on seeds of an important crop that has long been under domestication and crop breeding programs. Sixteen pure lines of sorghum grown in the research farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center of Khorasan Razavi were assessed using retrotransposon-based molecular markers plus desirable morphological traits used in breeding crop sorghums.

A total of 80 individuals belonging to the first to ninth generations of breeding sorghums were randomly selected, and molecular studies were performed using 8 IRAP primer combinations. Morphological studies were also performed using the measurement of traits related to leaf biomass (the number of leaves at 60 days of plant growth).

The observations showed relatively high intergroup genetic diversity (between breeding generations) (63.5%) in the study group. Among the studied generations, the fifth generation and afterward the seventh and eighth generations showed the highest hereditary diversity, the highest heterozygosity, and the highest number of unique alleles. The first and ninth generations with the highest homozygosity, respectively, were the purest lines studied.

The results of dendrogram trees also confirmed the existence of three completely different clusters in the study group. Accordingly, the existence of gene flow between the breeding lines of sorghum and its occurrence among the individuals of the fifth, sixth and seventh generations was confirmed. However, its decline and decrease in the seventh generation onwards indicated the instability of observed recombination. Finally, it was concluded that the selection of superior and desirable phenotypes during the purification process always acts as a selective sweep and as a directional selection eliminates the variations created by gene flow and thus reduces the genetic diversity in the pure lines of crop sorghum.

Motivation is defined as the development of an individual’s desire to succeed and participate in the activities in which success depends on personal effort and ability.

The present study aimed to evaluate the status of achievement motivation in university students.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 182 medical, dentistry, and pharmacology students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Iran in 2018. The participants were selected via simple random sampling with a probability appropriate to the selected sample size. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using chi-square and t-test at the significance level of 95%.

The mean age of the participants was 21.14 ± 1.68 years (age range: 19 - 25 years). The mean score of achievement motivation was 77.64 ± 7.35, which indicated that the participants obtained 66.93% of the maximum score. In addition, 89.5% and 10.5% of the students had moderate and favorable achievement motivation, respectively. Achievement motivation was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.031), male gender (P = 0.022), and maternal education level (P = 0.018).

According to the results, the achievement motivation of the majority of the KUMS students was moderate. Therefore, proper planning is required to improve the achievement motivation of these students.

Altered cytokine profile and weakened immunity along with clinical or subclinical ketosis (SCK) are among the remarkable challenges around parturition. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare some inflammatory cytokines and immunologic factors between two groups of healthy and SCK cows. Serum specimens were collected from 30 clinically healthy dairy cows on the early dry period (EDP), one week before expected calving (-1w), and one week postpartum (+1W). The animals were divided into the two groups of healthy (N = 20) and SCK (N = 10) based on serum β-hydroxybutyrate cut-off of 1.2 mmol/L on +1W. The concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and haptoglobin (Hp) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were statistically analyzed by mixed analysis of variance and independent samples t-test using the SPSS software. The findings demonstrated that the overall levels of IL-4 (p = 0.033), IL-10 (p = 0.049), TNF-α (p = 0.028), and Hp (p = 0.018) were significantly higher in the SCK group than the control group. Furthermore, the interaction of time × SCK had a significant influence on IL-4 (p = 0.028) and Hp (p = 0.022) levels. It was revealed that IL-4 (p = 0.008), IL-10 (p = 0.009), TNF-α (p = 0.01), and Hp (p = 0.002) were all significantly higher in the SCK group than the control group on +1W. In conclusion, SCK in dairy cattle might have a relationship with immunologic and inflammatory changes around calving.

Pediculosis is still recognized as a worldwide infestation and is a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to determine the cognitive determinants Predicting Pediculosis Preventive Behaviors (PPB) based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 193 female high school students in the west of Iran, during 2019. The participants were selected by random sampling method. They filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the Background variables, PPB questionnaire, and HBM determinants. Data were analyzed by SPSS-22 software using Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis.

The mean age of the students was 12.72 years [SD: 0.60], ranging from 12 to 14 years.  The mean score of PPB was 7.72 [SD: 2.23], ranging from 0 to 10. HBM determinants accounted for 20% of the variation in PPB.  The best predictors of PPB were perceived susceptibility (Beta: 0.303, P<0.001), perceived barriers (Beta: -0.217, P=0.004) and perceived self-efficacy (Beta: 0.158, P=0.040), respectively.

It seems that the development and implementation of health promotion programs to increase susceptibility toward the risk of pediculosis, improve self-efficacy toward performing PPB, and reduce the barriers in adopting PPB among the students. These results may be useful in preventing pediculosis

As a vulnerable social stratum, female heads of households are exposed to all kinds of psychological, social and economic harms. The present study aimed to determine the effects of resilience skills on psychological well-being and self-efficacy in female heads of households based on the Henderson and Milstein model.

This quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time-series design was conducted on 34 female heads of households presenting to local facilitation and development centers in the suburbs of Karaj, Iran, in 2020-2021. Once the eligible individuals were identified, data were collected using a self-efficacy questionnaire, a psychological well-being questionnaire and a resilience scale. The study variables were measured at three time points: Before, immediately after and three weeks after the intervention. On each measurement occasion, the data of each individual was compared to her own data from the other occasions. Using the resilience training program by Henderson and Milstein (1996), all the individuals were given eight 75-minute sessions. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 21.

According to the results, participants’ mean age was 37.91 ± 6.81 years and their resilience score was 47.26 ± 5.05. The results of the repeated-measures test revealed the effect of the intervention on the mean scores of self-efficacy and psychological well-being over time(P<0.001). The effect of the resilience training program was 69.6% on self-efficacy and 52.6% on psychological well-being.

By developing emotional capabilities, promoting spirituality and creating a sense of hopefulness and optimism in life, resilience training programs can be effective in improving individuals’ psychological health and self-efficacy.

Working memory is one of the fundamental cognitive ability that helps us perform complex mental processes but has limited capacity. Scientists are looking for ways to increase working memory capacity. Numerous studies have shown the effect of direct transcranial stimulation (tDCS) on various aspects of performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation on working memory function in healthy individuals.

In this study, the effect of three-session of anodal tDCS stimulation period with an intensity of 2 mA in the lateral posterior anterior cortex on the working memory function of healthy individuals in two experimental and control random groups was investigated using N-Beck test.

The results showed that the subjects in the experimental group after three sessions of direct transcranial stimulation, presented a higher number of correct answers (p= 0.00) in less response time (p=0.00) in n-back task compare to their performance before the tDCS sessions. Subjects didn’t show significant difference through the same analysis which was performed in the control group.

According to the n-back task results, before and after tDCS 3-session intervention, anodal transcranial stimulation on dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improves the performance of healthy subjects in the experimental group and tDCS neuromodulation could be an alternative way to improve cognition abilities like working memory among of healthy people.

The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of how quickly conspiracy ideas can spread and how dire their consequences could be. One important question is what traits would predict susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs. Previous research pointed to one of those traits: reflective versus intuitive cognitive style.

Here we examined how cognitive style correlates with founded and unfounded beliefs about the origin of COVID-19. A sample of 173 Iranians rated the likelihood of different beliefs about the origin of the new coronavirus and answered the original Cognitive Reflection Test.

In line with previous research, the reflective responses were negatively correlated with conspiracy beliefs and positively correlated with the founded statement (that the virus was spread from wild animals by chance). The reverse pattern was found for the intuitive responses.

The results accrue more evidence in support of a relationship between reflective-analytic style of thinking and the tendency to reject conspiracy beliefs.

Metabolic syndrome has a high prevalence (about 22.4% in adult individuals) in developed countries. Inflammation due to obesity and fat accumulation is the most important factor in the progression of metabolic syndrome. In cells which have a receptor for insulin hormone, inflammatory mediators target the insulin signaling pathway and cause insulin resistance. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors are a group of ligand inducible transcription factors, whose activation can improve insulin resistance and their agonists such as Genistein, which seems to be useful in prevention of insulin resistance development. Genistein is one of the soy derived isoflavonoids that affects carbohydrate and lipid metabolism resulting in prevention of insulin resistance. The current narrative review has concentrated mainly on highlighting the usefulness of Genistein in the improvement of insulin resistance and therapeutic potential of it in both in-vitro and in-vivo models. Genistein can increase fatty acid β-oxidation, decrease lipogenesis and improve insulin resistance in hepatocytes. In adipocytes, Genistein prevents downregulation of adiponectin expression and facilitates the upregulation of adiponectin expression. In β-islet cells, Genistein initiates the special cascade which leads to proliferation of β cells, resulting in increased secretion of insulin. Based on findings of the studies, it can be concluded that Genistein can be a useful agent in prevention of de novo lipid synthesis as well as proliferation of β cells. In this way the development of metabolic syndrome can be prevented.

 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from fat accumulation in the liver (liver fat >5% of liver weight). The excess of lipids in hepatic steatosis primarily consists of triacylglycerol and cholesterol esters. De novo hepatic lipogenesis from excessive dietary carbohydrate intake is the most consistent underlying pathogenic agent of NAFLD. Hypercholesterolemia that mostly associates with NAFLD has been recognized as the most important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). In other words, reducing the hepatic cholesterol synthesis in NAFLD patients prevents risk of developing atherosclerosis and CHD. HMGCR is the rate-controlling enzyme pathway, responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis. De novo cholesterol synthesis by inducing the expression of HMGCR; activates the SREBP2. PPARα activation significantly lowers hepatic SREBP2 and HMGR mRNA levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Fenofibrate and Biochanin A, as PPARα agonists, on mRNA levels of SREBP2 and HMGR in HepG2 cells exposed to high glucose concentration.

HepG2 cells were used in this study. The induction of steatosis was performed by high glucose concentration. Cytotoxicity of Glucose, Fenofibrate, and Biochanin A were assessed in separate experiments for HepG2 cells. Some biochemical parameters such as intracellular total cholesterol, HMGCR, ALT, and AST activity were measured. SREBP2 and HMGR mRNA levels were examined by real-time RT-PCR.

Results of our study indicated an inhibitory effect of Fenofibrate and Biochanin A on the mRNA levels of SREBP2 and HMGR in HepG2 cells which were treated by high glucose concentration. Additionally, a decreased level of intracellular total cholesterol concentration was accompanied by decreased HMGCR activity.

Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that Biochanin A could be a useful agent in the prevention of de novo hepatic cholesterol synthesis and development of hypercholesterolemia; which is the main cause of CHD

The possible relationships between trace elements, oxidative stress and subclinical ketosis during the transition period were evaluated in dairy cows. Blood samples were obtained by jugular venipuncture at four times of the transition period: 3 weeks and 1 week before and 1 week and 3 weeks after calving. The highest concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and betahydroxybutyrate (BHB) were observed on the week 1 after calving. In contrast, the serum values of copper, zinc, albumin, uric acid and TIBC decreased after calving. After calving, zinc concentration showed a significant negative correlation with MDA concentration (p

Cartilage mass produced from mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation would be a suitable candidate for use in regenerative medicine. Since the proper function of cartilage tissue is largely dependent on matrix glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents, the objective of this study was to investigate the enhancing effect of two GSK3 inhibitors on the GAG content of cartilage produced by human marrow MSCs in vitro chondrogenesis. MSCs that were used in this experimental study were derived from human marrow aspirates and confirmed using standard assays. Optimal concentrations of Lithium chloride and SB216763 were determined based on the yield of viable cell numbers in MSC cultures treated with varying concentrations of either Lithium chloride or SB216763. Passaged-3 MSCs were then centrifuged into small aggregates and provided with a chondrogenic medium supplemented with either lithium or SB216763 reagent at the optimal concentration determined in the previous experiment. Three weeks after, GAG contents of the culture were quantified and compared to each other and the control. According to our data, the cultures treated with 5 mM Lithium and 1 µM SB216763 tended to have comparatively more viable cells; therefore these concentrations were used in the differentiation experiments. The addition of either SB216763 or lithium to chondrogenic cultures appeared to significantly enhance cartilage matrix production. In SB216763 and Lithium-treated cultures average GAG concentrations were 6.17 ± 0.7 and 6.12 ± 1.1 µg/ml compared to 2.00 ± 0.3 µg/ml in the control (p<0.05). Using SB216763 and Lithium as supplements in human marrow MSC chondrogenic culture can lead to the production of cartilage mass high in GAG content.