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.

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Sustainability is a fundamental principle for human resource management worldwide. This study aimed to examine the effect of knowledge management components on the sustainability of technology-driven businesses mediated by social media in emerging markets. This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in April 2022. The statistical population comprised 537 businesses, and the sample size (estimated using Cochran’s formula) was 224 research and development employees. A 25-item questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale was administered to collect data, which were analyzed in SmartPLS 3. The findings showed that for technology-driven businesses to be in a sustainable environment, knowledge management components must be applied in all parts of the company. The application of knowledge management creates value and a sustainable competitive advantage in a dynamic environment. Furthermore, effective participation in the organizational social network can activate knowledge management and create value. Thus, knowledge acquisition through social media optimizes learning and ideation, and for technology-driven companies that lack resources, this acquisition enables development and sustainability in a dynamic environment.

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims: The prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) among diabetic patients is less recognized and underdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of LADA in type 2 diabetic patients and to compare the characteristics of these two groups in Torbat-e Heydarieh, Iran. Materials and Methods: Totally, 198 male and 277 female patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are aged between 35 -70 years were selected and the glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) assessment was used for the diagnosis of LADA in them. GADA in their sera was measured by commercial anti-GAD enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. In addition, blood pressure, sera C-peptide and cholesterol levels was measured and compared in the mentioned two groups. Demographic data including age, gender, age at diagnosis, family history of diabetes, Body mass index (BMI) and need for insulin therapy were collected from subjects and data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of 475 patients, 53 ones (11.2%) were GADA positive. Significant difference was found between GADA positive and GADA negative patients in terms of mean age, C-peptide levels, cholesterol levels and need for insulin therapy to control the disease. As for gender, family history of diabetes, BMI value and hypertension there was no significant correlation between these two groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of LADA in diabetic patients was 11.2%. Presence of GAD antibodies in diabetic patients is related to reduced levels of C-peptide, increased cholesterol levels and the need for insulin during the follow-up.

Objective: Phenobarbital, phenytoin and Benzodiazepins are the most common treatments for resistant neonatal seizure [1]. Drug of choice in the treatment of neonatal seizure should be more effective and have fewer side effects. This study examines the effect of Levetriacetam (LEV) in the treatment of resistant neonatal seizure, using EEG (electroencephalogram). Kadivar et al.; JPRI, 18(1): 1-13, 2017; Article no.JPRI.33922 2 Methods: This is a clinical trial study that lasted 1 year, from March 2016 to March 2017. 20 neonates with early detection of seizure were hospitalized at the NICU of Children's Medical Center in Tehran. These neonates included both term and preterm neonates over 30 weeks and more than 2000 gr, who did not respond to a single dose of Phenobarbital and Phenytoin. The results of statistical tests were analyzed and significant level was considered (p<0.05). Results: 85% of the patients were male with average age of 13 days. The most common cause of seizure in 45% cases was Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). 65% of the newborns were seizure free after 24 hours of taking LEV whereas 80% of them after 72 hours. The 3 neonates who did not respond to LEV were endotracheal intubation. The average loading dose of LEV was 32±10.5, and the average maintenance dose was 18±8.3. No side effects were observed in using LEV. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that LEV is effective in unresponsive seizure to Phenobarbital and Phenytoin. It can, equally, reduce seizure frequency in newborns. Due to very low side effects and transient, it can also be used as a second-line therapy in the treatment of resistant neonatal seizure. However, multi-centered studies with a higher sample volume in the form of clinical trial are needed for further investigations on this topic. Original Research Article

Lately it has been proposed that interaction between two positively charged side chains can stabilize the folded state of proteins. To further explore this point, we studied the effect of histidine-histidine interactions on thermostability of methylglyoxal synthase from Thermus sp. GH5 (TMGS). The crystal structure of TMGS revealed that His23, Arg22, and Phe19 are in close distance and form a surface loop. Here, two modified enzymes were produced by site-directed mutagenesis (SDM); one of them, one histidine (TMGS-HH(O)), and another two histidines (TMGS-HHH(O)) were inserted between Arg22 and His23 (H(O)). In comparison with the wild type, TMGS-HH(O) thermostability increased remarkably, whereas TMGS-HHH(O) was very unstable. To explore the role of His23 in the observed phenomenon, the original His23 in TMGS-HHH(O) was replaced with Ala (TMGS-HHA). Our data showed that the half-life of TMGS-HHA decreased in relation to the wild type. However, its half-life increased in comparison with TMGS-HHH(O). These results demonstrated that histidine-histidine interactions at position 23 in TMGS-HH(O) probably have the main role in TMGS thermostability.

Introduction: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Although late-onset GBS meningitis is the most common form of the disease, it may happen earlier, like just a few hours after birth, known as the early-onset. GBS meningitis is associated with 30% mortality rate among infants. Of those who stay alive, 25% of them will develop adverse neurological conditions. Herein, we report a case of early-onset GBS meningitis in a female infant with brain abscess. Case Presentation: A 10-hour old female was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (of the University of Tehran) for poor feeding, irritability, lethargy, and seizure. Sepsis work-up and lumbar puncture were performed. The treatment was started with vancomycin, cefotaxime and phenobarbital. The GBS was isolated from both blood and CSF cultures. A cranial sonography revealed intraparenchymal hemorrhage. The infant's hospital course was complicated by recurrent and intractable seizures. The brain MRI of the patient showed micro-abscess. After six weeks of medical therapy, the patient was discharged from the hospital in a good condition. Neurological evaluations of the patient, conducted two and five months after her birth, showed normal results. Conclusions: Neonates with GBS meningitis are prone to adverse neurological conditions, including brain abscess. Although GBS is a normal flora in the genitourinary tracts of 15 to 30% of women, routine screening and treatments of the GBS-positive women during their course of pregnancy could reduce such serious complications.