Clinical and genetic diversity in Iranian individuals with RAPSN-related congenital myasthenic syndrome.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs) are genetic disorders affecting motor function with variable symptoms. RAPSN-related CMS, caused by mutations in the RAPSN gene, leads to muscle weakness. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper management.

Push-Out Bond Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Post Using Various Post Space Irrigation Treatments.

This study aims to provide the impact of different endodontic irrigation treatments after post space preparation on the push-out bond strength of fiber posts to dentin using self-adhesive cements. A total of 180 extracted premolar teeth were selected. The canals were instrumented by and then were filled.

Statistical assessment of natural radioactivity, radon activity, and associated radiological exposure due to artisanal mining in Atiwa West district of the Eastern region, Ghana.

The activity concentration of natural radionuclides, radon activity concentration, mass and area exhalation rates have been studied in soils from gold mining communities in Atiwa West district. The natural radionuclides were determined by gamma ray spectrometry method while radon concentrations were measured using CR-39 detectors. The mean activity concentrations were found to be 26.

The Relationship between Structure of the Corticoreticular Tract and Walking Capacity in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Disruption in the descending pathways may lead to gait impairments in Cerebral Palsy (CP) children. Though, the mechanisms behind walking problems have not been completely understood.

Objective: We aimed to define the relationship between the structure of the corticoreticular tract (CRT) and walking capacity in children with CP.

Corpus Callosum Functional Activities in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Since cerebral palsy (CP) is a corollary to brain damage, persistent treatment should accompany an alteration in brain functional activity in line with clinical improvements. In this regard, the corpus callosum (CC), as a connecting bridge between the two hemispheres, plays an essential role.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of occupational therapy (OT) on CC functional activity and walking capacity in children with cerebral palsy.

Radiological landscape of natural resources and mining: Unveiling the environmental impact of naturally occurring radioactive materials in Ghana's mining areas.

This study provides a general observation of the status of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) distribution in mining and industrial areas of Ghana in order to establish regional and national data on NORMs. The study includes data on radioactivity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in soils and for water concentrations of Ra-226, Th-228, and K-40 from various mining, oil, and gas communities, as well as water sources used for crop farming and farmlands. The average activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in the soil samples were found to be 59 ± 16 Bq/kg, 48 ± 15 Bq/kg, and 286 ± 57 Bq/kg, respectively.

The association between chronotype, sleep quality and medication errors among critical care nurses.

Medication administration errors could result in severe complications in critical care units. This study investigated an association between chronotype, sleep quality and medication errors among essential nurses of care in Qazvin teaching hospitals in Iran. In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, all registered nurses of critical care units of Qazvin teaching hospitals were recruited.

Evaluation of hematological parameters alterations in different waves of COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The occurrence of variations in routine hematological parameters is closely associated with disease progression, the development of severe illness, and the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to investigate hematological parameters in COVID-19 hospitalized patients from the 1st to the 5th waves of the current pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 1501 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 based on WHO criteria, who were admitted to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital (SSH) in Yazd, Iran, from February 2020 to September 2021.

A Comparison Study of the Tehran Norms to the Reference Norms on Children Performance of the Bayley III.

Objectives: The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd ed.; Bayley III) are widely used to assess cognitive, language, and motor development of children aged 1-42 months. It is unclear whether or not the reference norms of the Bayley III are acceptable for use in other populations or lead to over- or underestimating the developmental status of target children.

The second family affected with a PRDM8-related disease.

Introduction: Lafora disease (LD) is a severe form of progressive myoclonus epilepsy characterized by generalized seizures, myoclonus, intellectual decline, ataxia, spasticity, dysarthria, visual loss, and in later stages, psychosis and dementia. To date, mutations in the EPM2A and EPM2B/NHLRC1 genes have been identified as the common causes of LD. However, a mutation in PRDM8 has been reported only once in a Pakistani family affected with early-onset Lafora disease.

Contribution of altered corticospinal microstructure to gait impairment in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: Corticospinal tract (CST) injury may lead to motor disorders in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). However, the precise underlying mechanisms are still ambiguous. We aimed to characterize the CST structure and function in children with CP and determine their contributions to balance and gait impairments.

Natural radioactivity and radiological risks of common building materials used in Semnan Province dwellings, Iran.

Impact assessment of building materials is a focused topic in the field of radioecology. A radiological survey has conducted to monitor radioactivity of most common building materials in Semnan Province, Iran, and assess the radiation risk. Activity concentrations of Ra, Th, and K were measured in 29 samples including nine commonly used building materials that were collected from local suppliers and manufacturers, using a high purity germanium gamma-ray detector.

Multivariate statistical approach on distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides and associated radiation indices along the north-western coastline of Aegean Sea, Greece.

A comprehensive radiological survey using multivariate statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the distribution of K, Th, Ra, U, and Cs, and associated radiation indices in beach sand samples of the coastal area of the Aegean Sea. The activity concentration of selected radionuclides was measured and no clue of recent migration of radiocaesium by not only precipitation but also through an indirect way, such as ocean runoff, was found. As part of radiological risk assessment, external radiation hazard index, radium equivalent activity, effective dose, and absorbed dose rate were estimated.

Radiological Assessment of Indoor Radon and Thoron Concentrations and Indoor Radon Map of Dwellings in Mashhad, Iran.

A comprehensive study was carried out to measure indoor radon/thoron concentrations in 78 dwellings and soil-gas radon in the city of Mashhad, Iran during two seasons, using two common radon monitoring devices (NRPB and RADUET). In the winter, indoor radon concentrations measured between 75 ± 11 to 376 ± 24 Bq·m (mean: 150 ± 19 Bq m), whereas indoor thoron concentrations ranged from below the Lower Limit of Detection (LLD) to 166 ± 10 Bq·m (mean: 66 ± 8 Bq m), while radon and thoron concentrations in summer fell between 50 ± 11 and 305 ± 24 Bq·m (mean 115 ± 18 Bq m) and from below the LLD to 122 ± 10 Bq m (mean 48 ± 6 Bq·m), respectively. The annual average effective dose was estimated to be 3.

High level of natural ionizing radiation at a thermal bath in Dehloran, Iran.

It has been proven that more than half of the exposure to natural background radiation originates from radon isotopes and their decay products. The inhalation of radon and its decay products causes the irradiation of respiratory tracts, thus increasing the risk of lung cancer. In this study, the concentrations of radon and thoron in thermal baths at a spa in Dehloran (Iran) were investigated.

Do NICU developmental care improve cognitive and motor outcomes for preterm infants? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to review the effects of developmental care in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting on mental and motor development of preterm infants.

Method: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane library until October 8th 2017, and included randomized controlled trials that assessed effects of developmental care in NICU on mental and motor development of preterm infants at 12 and 24 months of age, using the Bayley scale of infant development in this systematic review. In addition, data were pooled by random effects model and Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), calculated for meta-analysis.

Impact of anti-gravity locomotion (AlterG) training on structure and function of corticospinal tract and gait in children with cerebral palsy.

We aimed to characterize the impact of anti-gravity locomotion training on the structure and function of the corticospinal tract (CST) in cerebral palsy (CP). Fourteen CP children participated. Nine children were trained with an antigravity treadmill (Alter-G) and five children received occupational therapy (OT).

The Therapeutic Effects of Low-Amplitude, High-Frequency Perturbations on Neuromuscular Abnormalities Associated with Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

We aimed to investigate the impact of ankle joint therapy with low-amplitude, high-frequency perturbation training on neuromuscular abnormalities associated with spasticity in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Four spastic CP children (2 males and 2 females) received a 10-session training of high-frequency and low-amplitude perturbations superimposed on passive stretches over the range of motion of their ankle as well as local perturbations at dorsiflexion position. The associated passive parameters, including total passive range of motions, passive range of motions toward dorsiflexion, stiffness, energy loss and torque dynamic gain were evaluated at the baseline and after a 10 session training.

Psychometric properties of End-of-Life Caregiving Experience Appraisal Scale: Iranian critical care nurses.

Background: Health care providers should be able to provide good quality end-of-life care. A tool to evaluate the positive and negative consequences of caring for dying patients is warranted.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the End-of-Life Caregiving Experience Appraisal Scale (EOLCAS).

A survey on endoparasites in wild rodents of the Jaz Murian depression and adjacent areas, southeast of Iran.

In this survey, rodents and their endoparasites were investigated in the Jaz Murian depression and adjacent areas, southeast Iran. In total, 146 specimens of rodents belong to 13 species were trapped. In general, 10 different genera of endoparasites including 11 species were collected.

The impact of AlterG training on balance and structure of vestibulospinal tract in cerebral palsy children.

We aimed to investigate the effects of an antigravity treadmill (AlterG) on the balance and structure of the vestibulospinal tract. The AlterG can reduce the weightbearing of patients and hence can facilitate their locomotion. Three children with cerebral palsy (CP) received AlterG training three days per week for eight weeks with each session lasting 45 minutes.

The Effects of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on White Matter Structural Connectivity in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment technique for recovery of movement disorders by altering cortical plasticity. In this research, we studied the effects of low-frequency rTMS on white matter (WM) structural connectivity and clinical parameters in children with cerebral palsy (CP).,Four spastic hemiplegic CP children were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.

Therapeutic Effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Corticospinal Tract Activities and Neuromuscular Properties in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

The objective of this research was to study the therapeutic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on corticospinal tract (CST) activities, reflex hyper-excitability, muscle stiffness, and the clinical status of children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Three children participated in this study. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks.