Kharazmi University

About: Kharazmi University is a education organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Membrane & Supply chain. The organization has 3395 authors who have published 5321 publications receiving 45645 citations. The organization is also known as: Tarbiat Moallem University of Tehran & Teacher Training University.

Interferon beta ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease: Modulation of hippocampal neurogenesis and apoptosis as underlying mechanism.

Abstract: Neuronal apoptosis and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis are major players in cognitive/memory dysfunctions including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Interferon beta (IFNβ) is a cytokine with anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective properties on the central nervous system (CNS) cells which specifically affects neural progenitor cells (NPCs) even in the adult brain. In this study, we examined the effect of IFNβ on memory impairment as well as hippocampal neurogenesis and apoptosis in a rat model of AD. AD model was induced by lentiviral-mediated overexpression of mutant APP in the hippocampus of adult rats. Intranasal (IN) administration of IFNβ (0.5 μg/kg and 1 μg/kg doses) was started from day 23 after virus injection and continued every other day to the final day of experiments. The expression levels of APP, neurogenesis (Nestin, Ki67, DCX, and Reelin) and apoptosis (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved-caspase-3 and seladin-1) markers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and western blotting. Moreover, thioflavin T and Nissl stainings were used to assess Aβ plaque levels and neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus, respectively. Our results showed that IFNβ treatment reduced APP expression and Aβ plaque formation, and concomitantly ameliorated spatial learning and memory deficits examined in Y-maze and Morris water maze tests. Moreover, in parallel with reducing apoptosis and neural loss in the hippocampal subfields, IFNβ decreased ectopic neurogenesis in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the AD rat hippocampus. However, IFNβ increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus neurogenic niche. Our findings suggest that IFNβ exerts neuroprotective effects at least partly by inhibition of apoptosis and modulation of neurogenesis. Taken together, IFNβ can be a promising therapeutic approach to improve cognitive performance in AD-like neurodegenerative context.

Audit report lag: the role of auditor type and increased competition in the audit market

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of auditor type (private vs. state) and increased competition in an audit market on audit report lag (ARL). This is the first study to provide evidence regarding the effect of audit market competition on ARL. Utilising structure–conduct–performance theory, we predict that competition pressures private auditors to be more efficient and to have less reporting lag than state auditors. We also predict that competition among auditors after a liberalisation period forces auditors to be more efficient and to record less ARL than before. We use a unique data set in Iran, whereby the audit market liberalisation (an audit market where services were previously provided primarily by a state entity) has resulted in both state and private auditors simultaneously providing audit services. The findings are consistent with the following hypothesis, that is ARL is shorter for private auditors than it is for state auditors, and ARL decreases as competition increases in the Iranian audit market. Consistent with the structure–conduct–performance theory, the findings suggest that increased competition in the audit market results in higher efficiency, as reflected by a shorter ARL.

Preparation of antimicrobial wound dressings via thiol–ene photopolymerization reaction

Abstract: Preparation of poly (urethane-acrylate) based wound dressings with the ability to boost self-healing of skin tissue through physical protection and maintaining hygiene and moist environment over wounded area is described in the present work. The dressings were prepared via a visible-light induced thiol–ene photopolymerization reaction of a mixture consisting methacrylate urethane prepolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic backbones, a quaternary ammonium salt containing methacrylate monomer as an antimicrobial agent, hydroxyethyl methacrylate as reactive diluent and a tetra-functional thiol molecule as a transfer agent. The prepared dressings were characterized and their performance as wound dressings were evaluated through measuring their equilibrium water absorption (EWA), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), mechanical, and biological properties. Based on recorded data, the optimized dressing formulation had suitable tensile strength even at fully hydrated state and it could preserve the appropriate moist environment by balanced EWA and WVTR ratio. MTT assay confirmed proper cytocompatibility of those dressings containing optimized concentration of quaternary ammonium salt containing monomer (20 wt% or less). Examination of antibacterial activity against different Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and a fungal strain revealed a complete killing ability for those dressings containing at least 20 wt% of quaternary ammonium salt containing monomer.