RESUMEN Estamos expuestos a un flujo constante de mensajes, muchos de los cuales se originan en fuentes no confiables o fidedignas. Además, no es posible controlar los mensajes antes de su publicación y permitir la difusión únicamente de los verificados. Desarrollar una mente crítica puede ser una forma práctica de prevenir la acumulación de información incorrecta o inexacta en nuestro cerebro. Este estudio trató de ver si los estudiantes universitarios tienen una visión crítica de los mensajes de las redes sociales. Primero, en un estudio cualitativo, se observaron cientos de mensajes compartidos en las redes sociales, 12 de los cuales fueron elegidos en función de la popularidad de sus temas centrales. Muchos de los mensajes contenían una afirmación extraordinaria, como la existencia de sirenas, emociones complejas similares a las humanas en los animales, etc. Luego, en una encuesta, se mostraron los mensajes escogidos a 379 estudiantes universitarios. Se pidió a los encuestados que expresaran sus opiniones sobre los mensajes. Para cada uno de los 12 mensajes, entre el 36 y el 94 por ciento de los encuestados simplemente asumieron que los mensajes eran verdaderos. El análisis de las respuestas reveló un débil pensamiento crítico entre los estudiantes. JEL: I21, I23, M1

ABSTRACT We are exposed to a constant stream of messages many of which originate from unreliable or untrustworthy sources. Moreover, it is not possible to control the messages before they are published and allow the dissemination of the verified ones only. Growing a critical mind can be a practical way to prevent the accumulation of incorrect or inaccurate information in our brains. The current study tried to see whether or not university students hold a critical view of social media messages. First, in a qualitative study, hundreds of messages shared on social media were observed, 12 of which were chosen based on the popularity of their central themes. Many of the messages contained an extraordinary claim such as the existence of mermaids, human-like complex emotions in animals, etc. Then, in a survey, the chosen messages were shown to 379 university students. The respondents were asked to express their opinions about the messages. For each of the 12 messages, between 36 to 94 percent of the respondents just assumed the messages to be true. The analysis of the responses revealed weak critical thinking among the students. JEL: I21, I23, M1

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Considerando a associação entre câncer colorretal (CCR), a resistência à insulina, à obesidade e o papel proeminente da grelina nessas doenças metabólicas, foi explorado se os níveis plasmáticos de grelina estavam associados ao CCR. Além disso, nos pacientes com CCR foram pesquisadas as possíveis correlações entre a grelina, insulina, resistência insulínica e índice de massa corporal (IMC) como indicadores de obesidade. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos neste estudo 170 indivíduos, sendo 82 com CRC e 88 controles. Os níveis plasmáticos de grelina, insulina e glicose foram medidos em todos os sujeitos utilizando métodos ELISA e glicose oxidase. Além disso, a resistência à insulina foi avaliada pelo cálculo do índice HOMA-IR. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes com CRC apresentaram redução dos níveis de grelina (P<0,001) e maior índice HOMA-IR (P<0.001) do que os controles. Curiosamente, quando os pacientes com CRC foram estratificados com base no local do tumor, níveis mais baixos de grelina e maior índice de HOMA-IR foram observados nos indivíduos com câncer de cólon ou retal versus controles também. Além disso, houve uma correlação negativa entre idade e IMC independente entre os níveis de grelina e HOMA-IR (r=-0,365, P<0,05) e uma correlação negativa independente da idade entre os níveis de grelina e IMC (r=-0,335, P<0,05) no subgrupo retal. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos achados apoiam o papel da grelina em relação à resistência à insulina e à obesidade na suscetibilidade do CRC; no entanto, ela precisa ser corroborada por estudos posteriores.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Considering the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) and both insulin resistance and obesity, and the prominent role of ghrelin in these metabolic disorders, we explored whether plasma levels of ghrelin were associated with CRC. Moreover, in the patients with CRC the possible correlations between ghrelin and insulin, insulin resistance, and body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of obesity were examined. METHODS: A total of 170 subjects, including 82 cases with CRC and 88 controls were enrolled in this study. Plasma levels of ghrelin, insulin, and glucose were measured in all the subjects using ELISA and glucose oxidase methods. Furthermore, insulin resistance was assessed by calculating HOMA-IR index. RESULTS: The cases with CRC had decreased ghrelin levels (P<0.001) and a higher HOMA-IR index (P<0.001) than controls. Interestingly, when CRC patients were stratified based on tumor site, lower ghrelin levels and a higher HOMA-IR index were observed in the patients with either colon or rectal cancer vs. controls too. Additionally, there were an age and BMI-independent negative correlation between ghrelin levels and HOMA-IR (r=-0.365, P<0.05), and an age-independent negative correlation between ghrelin levels and BMI (r=-0.335, P<0.05) in the rectal subgroup. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a role for ghrelin in connection with insulin resistance and obesity in CRC susceptibility; however, it needs to be corroborated by further studies.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo buscou examinar se o consumo de alimentos varia de acordo com fatores sociodemográficos e comportamentais no modelo conceitual entre mulheres adultas em Teerã, Irã. Métodos Este estudo transversal foi conduzido em 247 mulheres em idade reprodutiva, selecionadas por amostragem sistemática por conglomerados de cinco regiões de Teerã. A avaliação da dieta foi realizada por meio de um questionário de frequência alimentar, e os índices antropométricos foram medidos. Os dados sobre o status socioeconômico e o modelo de habilidades de informação-motivação-comportamento foram obtidos através de um questionário. Em seguida, os sujeitos foram estratificados conforme o status socioeconômico e os componentes do modelo. A análise estatística utilizou análise de variância e modelagem de equações estruturais. Resultados O consumo de grupos de alimentos entre as mulheres participantes diferiu de acordo com a região onde vivem, educação, ocupação, gasto familiar e componentes do modelo (p<0,05). A ingestão de carne vermelha e processada (p<0,05) foi mais baixa entre mulheres analfabetas ou com baixa escolaridade. Aquelas com menor gasto total apresentaram maior consumo de gorduras e óleos (p<0,05). Mulheres com maior apoio social percebido consumiram mais leite e derivados (p<0,05), gorduras e óleos (p<0,05) e menos pão e cereais (p<0,05). Os componentes do modelo, incluindo informação, atitude, apoio social, autoeficácia e autorregulação, foram os fatores mais importantes que afetaram negativamente o consumo de alimentos não saudáveis (carne vermelha e processada, gorduras e óleos, açúcar e alimentos salgados). Conclusão Considerando o impacto dos componentes do modelo nos comportamentos alimentares das mulheres, as estratégias de integração específicas delineadas para cada construto do modelo podem ser utilizadas para projetar intervenções baseadas em modelos visando promover um comportamento nutricional saudável.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed at examining whether food consumption varies in accordance with socio-demographic and behavioral factors in the conceptual model, analyzing adult women in Tehran, Iran, for that purpose. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 247 women in childbearing age, who were selected through systematic cluster sampling from five regions in Tehran. Dietary assessment was done through a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the anthropometric indices were measured. Data on socio-economic status and information-motivation-behavioral skills model were obtained through a questionnaire. Then, subjects were stratified according to the socio-economic status and model components. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance and structural equation modeling. Results Consumption of food groups among the participating women differed based on their living region, education, occupation, household expenditure, and model components (p<0.05). Intake of red and processed meat (p<0.05) was at the lowest level in illiterate or low educated women. Those with lower total expenditure had higher consumption of fats and oils (p<0.05). Women with higher perceived social support consumed more milk and dairy products (p<0.05), fats and oils (p<0.05), and less bread and cereals (p<0.05). Model components including information, attitude, social support, self-efficacy, and self-regulation were the most important factors negatively affecting the consumption of unhealthy foods (red and processed meat, fats and oils, sugar, and salty foods). Conclusion Considering the impact of model components on women’s eating behaviors, the specific integration strategies delineated for each construct of the model can be utilized to design model-based interventions targeting the promotion of healthy nutritional behavior.

Abstract Although a considerable number of studies have investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the reproductive performance of dairy cows, the response of ovine oocytes to LPS during their in vitro maturation and development is not well defined yet. Ewe’s ovaries were obtained from a slaughterhouse, the oocytes were collected and matured in the presence of increasing concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL) of LPS in order to evaluate the meiotic maturation by measuring the proportion of oocytes reaching the MII stage. The concentration of intracellular glutathione (GSH) was measured in oocytes following maturation in vitro. In addition, concentrations of selected metabolites including glucose, pyruvate, lactate and glutamine were quantified in the medium following maturation. A number of treated matured oocytes along with the control group were subsequently fertilized using frozen semen and assessed for the rate of cleavage and for the proportion reaching the blastocyst stage. The number of oocytes in MII stage was significantly reduced in response to the increasing concentrations of LPS (77.83%, 70.64%, 68.86%, 66.32%, respectively, in case of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL LPS when compared to the control group, 76.34%; P<0.05). There were no differences neither in the intracellular concentration of GSH in the oocytes nor in case of the metabolites in the maturation medium. Although the rate of cleaved oocytes was not affected by increasing levels of LPS, the blastocyst rate was reduced in a dose dependent manner (36.69%, 34.21%, 30.35%, 17.27% and 14.03% for the control, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL LPS, respectively (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that the developmental competence of ovine oocytes may be affected detrimentally by LPS and such deleterious effects could be related to the maturation process.

Resumen Objetivo. Evaluar la competencia parental de los padres con hijos autistas. Métodos. Revisión sistemática narrativa. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct, Wiley Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar y Ovid, mediante el uso de las palabras clave "niños, autismo, crianza, competencia y escala". Los criterios de inclusión fueron: artículos originales o de revisión publicados entre 1974 a 2019; estudios cuantitativos, cualitativos o de métodos mixtos en las disciplinas de enfermería, psicología o medicina, y estar disponible en texto completo en inglés. Resultados. La competencia de los padres de niños con trastorno del espectro autista fue menor en comparación con padres de niños sin este trastorno. Existen dos escalas para la evaluación de la competencia parental, pero no se diseñaron para su evaluación en padres de niños autistas. Los factores que afectan la competencia parental tampoco se han examinado exclusivamente para estos padres. Conclusión. Aunque se sabe que la competencia de los padres es un elemento primordial para mejorar la calidad del cuidado del niño con autismo, el tema se ha estudiado de manera restrictiva. Es necesario el desarrollo de este concepto para la aplicación en la práctica clínica y para la investigación de sus resultados.

Abstract Objective. This work aimed to define and assess the parental competence of parents with autistic children. Methods. This study was conducted through a systematic review. The search was done in databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct, Wiley Scopus, Pro Quest, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar, and Ovid by using keywords, like “children, autism, parenting, competence, and scale” from 1974 to 2019. Inclusion criteria were that the article should be quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies in nursing, psychology, and medicine; the full text of the article should be available and the article should be in English or Persian. Results. Competence among these parents was affected by more factors and they reported lower competence compared to other parents. Moreover, only two instruments were available to assess parenting competence, which were not designed for parents of autistic children. Variables and factors affecting parenting competence has not been examined well in parents of children with autism, and no specialized instrument is available to evaluate parenting competence in parents with autistic children either. Conclusion. Although parental competence has been known as the main element to improve the quality of care, it has been studied restrictively from the viewpoints of the parents of children with autism. Therefore, the development of this concept is highly essential for clinical application and investigating its outcomes support.

Resumo Objetivo. Avaliar a competência parental dos pais com filhos autistas. Métodos. Revisão sistemática narrativa. A busca se realizou nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct, Wiley Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar e Ovid, mediante o uso das palavras clave "crianças, autismo, criança, competência e escala". Os critérios de inclusão foram: artigos originais ou de revisão, publicados entre 1974 a 2019, ser estudos quantitativos, qualitativos ou de métodos mistos, nas disciplinas de enfermagem, psicologia ou medicina, e estar disponível em texto completo em inglês. Resultados. A competência dos pais de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista foi menor em comparação com pais de crianças sem este transtorno. Existem duas escalas para a avaliação da competência parental, mas não foram desenhadas para sua avaliação em pais de crianças autistas. Os fatores que afetam a competência parental tampouco se hão examinado exclusivamente para estes pais. Conclusão. Embora se sabe que a competência dos pais é um elemento primordial para melhorar a qualidade do cuidado da criança com autismo, o tema se há estudado de maneira restritiva. É necessário o desenvolvimento deste conceito para a aplicação na prática clínica e para a investigação de sus resultados.

Resumen Antecedentes: Las ovejas Arman fueron sintetizadas a través del cruzamiento de varias razas, incluyendo Baluchi, Ghezel, Chios y Suffolk. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de (co)varianza y parámetros genéticos por máxima verosimilitud restringida a través de doce modelos animales para la sobrevivencia de los corderos y cuatro modelos para características de productividad. Métodos: Los datos y la información de pedigrí se recogieron en la Estación de Cría Abbasabad, provincia de Khorasan Razavi, noreste de Irán, entre 1999 y 2011. Las características estudiadas fueron la tasa de supervivencia de los corderos (LSR), tamaño de la camada al nacimiento (LSB), tamaño de la camada al destete (LSW), peso promedio de la camada por parto (LMWL), peso promedio de la camada por cordero destetado (LMWLW), peso total de la camada al nacer (TLWB), y peso total de la camada al destete (TLWW). Además, se realizaron análisis multivariados para estimar la covarianza entre los rasgos. Resultados: La estimacion de heredabilidad directa (h2 ) para LSR2a fue 0,081 y aumentó a 0,253 después de la corrección. Los efectos genéticos maternos (h m) y los efectos comunes de la camada (l2) representaron el 4 y el 11,3% de la varianza fenotípica para LSR, respectuvamente. Las estimaciones de h2 fueron 0,131, 0,080, 0,111, 0,190, 0,118 y 0,150 para LSB, LSW, LMWL, LMWLW, TLWB y TLWW, respectivamente. Las fracciones estimadas de varianza -atribuidas a los efectos ambientales permanentes en las ovejas, (pe2) fueron 0,038, 0,050, 0,071, 0,060 y 0,050 para LSB, LSW, LMWL, TLWB y TLWW, respectivamente. Los efectos del servicio de carneros (S2) fueron significativos para LSW, LMWL y TLWB, siendo 0,038, 0,030 y 0,049, respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas directas mostraron un amplio rango de 0,13 para LSB-LMWL a 0,91 para LMWL-TLWW. Conclusión: Los resultados indicaron que el cambio genético no sólo depende de la heredabilidad de los caracteres, sino también de la variación fenotípica observada; por lo tanto, el mejoramiento de los factores no genéticos debe ser incluido en las programas de mejora.

Abstract Background: Arman sheep breed was synthesized by crossing several breeds, including Baluchi, Ghezel, Chios, and Suffolk. Objective: To estimate the (co)variance components and genetic parameters using the restricted maximum likelihood via twelve animal models for lamb survival and four animal models for ewe productivity traits. Methods: Data and pedigree information were collected at Abbasabad Sheep Breeding Station, Khorasan Razavi province, north-east of Iran, from 1999 to 2011. The traits studied were lamb survival rate (LSR), litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lambing (LMWL), litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB), and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). Moreover, multivariate analyses were performed to estimate covariance between the traits. Results: Direct heritability estimates (h2a) for LSR was 0.081 and increased to 0.253 after correcting. Maternal genetic effects (h2m) and common litter effects (l2) accounted for 4 and 11.3% of the phenotypic variance for LSR, respectively. The estimations of h2a were 0.131, 0.080, 0.111, 0.190, 0.118, and 0.150 for LSB, LSW, LMWL, LMWLW, TLWB, and TLWW, respectively. The estimated fractions of variance -attributed to permanent environmental effects on ewe, (pe2) were 0.038, 0.050, 0.071, 0.060, and 0.050 for LSB, LSW, LMWL, TLWB, and TLWW, respectively. Service sire effects (S2) were significant for LSW, LMWL, and TLWB, being 0.038, 0.030, and 0.049, respectively. Direct genetic correlations showed a vast range from 0.13 for LSB-LMWL to 0.91 for LMWL-TLWW. Conclusion: Results indicate that genetic change not only depends on the heritability of traits, but also on the observed phenotypic variation; therefore, improvement of non-genetic factors should be included in the breeding programs.

Resumo Antecedentes: Arman ovelhas foi sintetizado pelo cruzamento de quatro raças incluindo Balúchi, Ghezel, Chios e Suffolk. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes de (co)variância e parâmetros genéticos por máxima verossimilhança restrita através de doze modelos animais para a sobrevivência dos cordeiros e quatro modelos animais para características de produtividade. Métodos: Os dados e as informações de pedigree foram coletadas no Abbāsābād Estação de Criação, província de Khorasan Razavi, nordeste do Irã desde 1999 a 2011. As características estudadas foram a taxa de sobrevivência de cordeiro (LSR), tamanho de leitegada ao nascimento (LSB), tamanho de leitegada ao desmame (LSW), peso médio da leitegada por entrega (LMWL), peso médio da leitegada por cordeiro desmamado (LMWLW), o peso total da leitegada ao nascimento (TLWB) e peso total da leitegada ao desmame (TLWW). Além disso, as análises multivariadas foram realizadas para estimar a covariância entre as características. Resultados: As estimativas de herdabilidade direta (h2 ) para 2a LSR foi 0,081 e aumentada até 0,253 após correcção. Os efeitos genéticos maternos (h m) e os efeitos comuns de leitegada (l2) representaram 4 e 11,3% da variância fenotípica de LSR, respectivamente. Estimativas de 2 foram 0,131, 0,080, 0,111, 0,190, 0,118 e 0,150 para a LSB, LSW, LMWL, LMWLW, TLWB e TLWW, a2 respectivamente. As fracções de variância -atribuídos aos efeitos ambientais permanentes em ovelhas, (pe ) foram 0,038, 0,050, 0,071, 0,060 e 0,050 para a LSB, LSW, LMWL, TLWB e TLWW. Os efeitos de serviço de carneiros (s2) foram significativos para LSW, LMWL e TLWB sendo 0,038, 0,030 e 0,049, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas diretas mostrou uma gama de 0,13-0,91 LSB-LMWL para LMWL-TLWW. Conclusão: Os resultados indicaram que a modificação genética não só depende da hereditariedade de traços, mas também da variação fenotípica observada; portanto, a melhoria dos fatores não-genéticos devem ser incluídos em nos programas de melhoramento.

Abstract Scorpions are distributed throughout Iran and the genus Hemiscorpius is particularly important in this region. Hemiscorpius lepturus is the most significant species within the genus in the country. Since scorpionism provoked by Hemiscorpius comprises a medical emergency, the present study is focused on this important issue. In order to perform the present work, a review of the medical and health-related literature was carried out in several databases. The current findings indicate that six species of Hemiscorpius are found in 15 states of Iran, mainly in the south and southwest. Deaths caused by stings were reported only for two species. The morphological characteristics and geographical distribution of H. lepturus in Iran, its venom and the toxic compounds, epidemiologic data and clinical manifestations of envenomation as well as treatment for affected people are herein reviewed and described. H. lepturus venom toxicity differs from other Iranian scorpions regarding duration and severity. Scorpionism is an important public health problem in Iran, especially in southwest and south regions and in urban areas. It is more prevalent in children and young people. H. lepturus venom is primarily a cytotoxic agent and has hemolytic, nephrotoxic and to some extent hepatotoxic activity. The use of polyvalent antivenom to prevent scorpion sting symptoms is recommended. A well-planned health education program might be useful in preventing scorpionism.

In the present work, a simple and rapid ligand-less, in situ, surfactant-based solid phase extraction for the preconcentration of copper in water samples was developed. In this method, a cationic surfactant (n-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) was dissolved in an aqueous sample followed by the addition of an appropriate ion-pairing agent (ClO4-). Due to the interaction between the surfactant and ion-pairing agent, solid particles were formed and subsequently used for the adsorption of Cu(OH)2 and CuI. After centrifugation, the sediment was dissolved in 1.0 mL of 1 mol L-1 HNO3 in ethanol and aspirated directly into the flame atomic absorption spectrometer. In order to obtain the optimum conditions, several parameters affecting the performance of the LL-ISS-SPE, including the volumes of DTAB, KClO4, and KI, pH, and potentially interfering ions, were optimized. It was found that KI and phosphate buffer solution (pH = 9) could extract more than 95% of copper ions. The amount of copper ions in the water samples varied from 3.2 to 4.8 ng mL-1, with relative standard deviations of 98.5%-103%. The determination of copper in water samples was linear over a concentration range of 0.5-200.0 ng mL-1. The limit of detection (3Sb/m) was 0.1 ng mL-1 with an enrichment factor of 38.7. The accuracy of the developed method was verified by the determination of copper in two certified reference materials, producing satisfactory results.

In the proposed method, carbon tetrachloride and ethanol were used as extraction and dispersive solvents. Several factors that may be affected on the extraction process, such as extraction solvent, disperser solvent, the volume of extraction and disperser solvent, pH of the aqueous solution and extraction time were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, linearity was maintained between 1.0 ng mL-1 to 1.5 mg mL-1 for zinc and 1.0 ng mL-1 to 0.4 mg mL-1 for cadmium. The proposed method has been applied for determination of trace amount of zinc and cadmium in standard and water samples with satisfactory results.

1,1-Diacetates are prepared in excellent yields from aldehydes and acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions at room temperature in short reaction times using catalytic amount of sulfonic acid functionalized silica (SiO2-Pr-SO3H) which could be easily handled and removed from the mixture of reaction.