ABSTRACT
Signaling in pluripotent stem cells is a complex and dynamic process involving multiple mediators, finely tuned to balancing pluripotency and differentiation states. Characterizing and modifying the necessary signaling pathways to attain desired cell types is required for stem-cell applications in various fields of regenerative medicine. These signals may help enhance the differentiation potential of pluripotent cells towards each of the embryonic lineages and enable us to achieve pure in vitro cultures of various cell types. This review provides a timely synthesis of recent advances into how maintenance of pluripotency in hPSCs is regulated by extrinsic cues, such as the fibroblast growth factor [FGF] and ACTIVIN signaling pathways, their interplay with other signaling pathways, namely, wingless-type MMTV integration site family [WNT] and mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR], and the pathways governing the determination of multiple lineages
ABSTRACT
Previous studies showed that early age at menarche is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome. However, the definition of early menarche at these studies was based on background data in the communities at which these studies was carried on. The aim of this work is to determine a cutoff for age at menarche discriminating presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in overweight/obese premenopausal women. This study included 204 overweight/obese women. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP-ATP III (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria. Of a total 204 participants, 82 (40.2%) had metabolic syndrome. By using receiver operating characteristic analysis, age at menarche ≤12.25 year discriminated individuals with from those without metabolic syndrome. The area under the curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval, 0.70 to 0.83). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 82%, 70%, 85%, and 64%, respectively. Age at menarche ≤12.25 years predicts the presence of metabolic syndrome in overweight/obese women.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Cholesterol , Education , Menarche , Overweight , ROC Curve , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficacy of metacognitive therapy with cognitive therapy on reducing test anxiety and meta-worry among students
Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental research with pre- and post-test design with a control group. Study population comprised all female students of Tarbiat-Modares University of Tehran and sample included 15 students who selected by available sampling method and then randomly assigned in 3 groups. Test Anxiety Inventory and the Anxious Thoughts Inventory were given to 3 groups. For analyzing the data, analysis of covariance [ANCOVA] and repeated measure method were used. Students in 3 groups were matched with regard to age and marital status
Results: The results of co-variance test showed that there are differences between 3 groups in test anxiety. Metacognitive and cognitive therapy had same efficacy in reducing test anxiety, while the metacognitive therapy had more efficacy than cognitive therapy in reducing metaworry
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of two treatments on test anxiety, results of the present study can be useful for specialists. Also, results of metacognitive therapy can be helpful in reduction of meta-worry
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at assessing the validity and reliability of the Farsi version of Social Interaction Anxiety Scale [SIAS]. In a cross-sectional study, a sample of 150 students of Payam Noor University were selected by convenience sampling. After forward and backward translations, the Farsi version of SIAS with the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation [BFNE] and the Social Phobia Inventory [SPIN] were used for data collection. Pearson's correlation and independent T test were utilized to analyze data. Test-retest reliability was 0.79 [Cronbach's alpha=0.90]. Also, SIAS could differentiate males and females; as expected females scored higher [p<0.035]. There was a significant correlation between the SIAS and the BFNE [r=0.54, p<0.0001]and SPIN [r=0.68, p<0.0001]. The Farsi version of SIAS has acceptable validity and reliability for use among the Iranian students
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Interpersonal Relations , Anxiety , Cross-Sectional Studies , Reproducibility of Results , StudentsABSTRACT
The aim of this study was the validation of the revised McGill Pain Questionnaire [SF-MPQ-2] in patients with irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. A total of 107 [40 males, 67 females] IBS patients diagnosed according to Rome III criteria who referred to the Gastroenterology Clinic at Baqiyatallah Hospital in 1389 enrolled in this study. Enrolled patients completed a revised version of the short-form SF-MPQ-2 which had been translated into Farsi. To evaluate the validity of SF-MPQ-2 questionnaire, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. For assessment of reliability, we used Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the split-half method test. Factor analysis denoted a three-factor model that included perceptions of pain sensation, emotional pain and neuropathic pain. The validity of the SF-MPQ-2 was satisfactory according to factor analysis. A comparison between patients with pain and those without pain provided evidence that supported the criterion validity of the questionnaire. Evidence was also adequate to support the content validity of the questionnaire as a measure of pain in IBS patients. The reliability of the scales was also acceptable. The findings showed acceptable reliability and validity for the revised version of the short-form SF-MPQ-2 in confirming the presence of IBS.