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Thermosensitive magnetic nanoparticles exposed to alternating magnetic field and heat-mediated chemotherapy for an effective dual therapy in rat glioma model
No full textThe goal of this study was to develop a new method based on Oncothermia with concomitant use of the temozolomide (TMZ)-loaded magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid (TMZ/MNPs-FA) and alternative magnetic field (AMF) and evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of C6 glioma in rats. TMZ/MNPs-FA were prepared and evaluated for their size, surface charge, magnetic saturation, hemolysis and in vitro AMF-triggered release. The glioma rat models were treated with free TMZ, MNPs-FA and TMZ/MNPs-FA in the presence or absence of AMF (43 °C). The results confirmed that a combinatorial therapy consisting of AFM hyperthermia and thermosensitive TMZ/MNPs-FA could significantly suppress tumor growth, increase survival rate and promote apoptosis (P < 0.0001). Therefore, this treatment strategy may be a powerful modality for treatment of cancer, as the thermal and mechanical effects of magnetic nanoparticles exposed to AMF can increase the therapeutic efficacy of conventional chemotherapy. © 2020 Elsevier Inc
Cardiac magnetic resonance findings in coronavirus disease 2019
Get PDFA subgroup of COVID-19 patients with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging evidence of myocardial inflammation may exhibit subendocardial fibrosis, compatible with myocardial infarction, while epicardial coronary arteries are normal. © 2021 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Protective and anti-inflammatory effect of selenium nano-particles against bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury in male rats
No full textPulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an interstitial lung disease, in which the exact pathologic mechanisms are not fully understood. Drug trials for the treatment of PF have shown disappointing results and controversial. Recently, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have received great attention for potential use in treatments, due to high bioactivity features and lower toxicity. This study evaluated the protective effect of SeNPs against pulmonary injury induced by bleomycin (single dose, 4 mg/kg, intratracheal) in male rats in early and late phases of the disease. The rats were treated with SeNPs by intraperitoneal injection (0.5 mg SeNP/kg) for five consecutive days in the early phase (a day after injection of bleomycin) and late phase (a week after injection of bleomycin). The results showed that injection of SeNPs in the early phase improved the degree of alveolitis and inflammation and lung structure damage. Also, led to significant decreases in density of transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) in the lung and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the serum and lung homogenates compared with bleomycin-administrated group. Notably, treatment with the SeNP during the late phase did not show any ameliorative effects. Thus, the data suggest that SeNP has a protective effect against bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury in rats in the early phase of the disease. This might mean that SeNPs may be a new therapeutic agent for the improvement of this disease in the early phases. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Anti-aging Klotho Protects SH-SY5Y Cells Against Amyloid β1�42 Neurotoxicity: Involvement of Wnt1/pCREB/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling
No full textAlzheimer�s disease (AD) is considered a prevalent neurological disorder with a neurodegenerative nature in elderly people. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation due to amyloid β (Aβ) peptides are strongly involved in AD pathogenesis. Klotho is an anti-aging protein with multiple protective effects that its deficiency is involved in development of age-related disorders. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effect of Klotho pretreatment at different concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 nM against Aβ1�42 toxicity at a concentration of 20 μM in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Our findings showed that Klotho could significantly and partially restore cell viability and decrease reactive oxygen species (known as ROS) and improve superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in addition to reduction of caspase 3 activity and DNA fragmentation following Aβ1�42 challenge. In addition, exogenous Klotho also reduced inflammatory biomarkers consisting of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in Aβ-exposed cells. Besides, Klotho caused downregulation of Wnt1 level, upregulation of phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding (pCREB), and mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) with no significant alteration of epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKCε) after Aβ toxicity. In summary, Klotho could alleviate apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in human neuroblastoma cells after Aβ challenge and its beneficial effect is partially exerted through appropriate modulation of Wnt1/pCREB/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Cost-Effectiveness of Endovascular Versus Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Systematic Review
No full textPurpose: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition which, in the absence of increasing diameter or rupture, often remains asymptomatic, and a diameter greater than 5.5 cm requires elective surgical repair. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of endovascular repair (EVAR) versus open surgical repair (OSR) in patients with AAA through a systematic review of published health economics studies. Methods: Using a systematic review method, an electronic search was conducted for cost-effectiveness studies published on AAA (both in English and Persian) on PubMed, Embase, ISI/Web of Science (WoS), SCOPUS, Global Health databases, and the national databases of Iran from 1990 to 2020 including the keywords �cost-effectiveness�, �endovascular�, �open surgical�, and �abdominal aortic aneurysms�. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) checklist. Results: In total, 958 studies were found, of which 16 were eligible for further study. All studies were conducted in developed countries, and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and life years (LY) were used to measure the outcomes. According to the QHES checklist, most studies were of good quality. In European countries and Canada, EVAR has not been cost-effective, while most studies in the United States regard this technique as a cost-effective intervention. For example, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) values ranged from 14,252.12 to 34,446.37 per QALY in the USA, while ICER was �116,600.40 per QALY in Portugal. Conclusion: According to the results, the EVAR technique has been more cost-effective than OSR for high-risk patients, but the need for continuous follow-up, increased costs, and re-intervention over the long term and for low-risk patients has reduced the cost-effectiveness of this method. As the health systems vary among different countries (i.e. quality of care, cost of devices, etc.), and due to the heterogeneity of studies in terms of the follow-up period, time horizon, and threshold, all of which are inherent features of economic evaluation, generalizing the results should be done with much caution, and policymaking must be based on national evidence. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature 2021
Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Dextrose Versus Corticosteroid in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Management: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
No full textDesign: Chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of chronic heel pain, with different conventional treatment options. In this randomized clinical trial, the effect of ultrasound-guided injection of dextrose versus corticosteroid in chronic PF was evaluated and compared. Methods: A total of 44 patients suffering from chronic PF who visited the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were enrolled in the study. Two table-randomized groups were formed. They received an ultrasonography-guided, single injection of either 40 mg methylprednisolone or 20 dextrose. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire with 2 subscales, Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-A) and Sports (FAAM-S), along with ultrasonographic parameters were evaluated before and at 2 and 12 weeks after the injection. Results. A total of 40 participants completed the study. Both interventions significantly improved pain and function at 2 and 12 weeks postinjection. After 2 weeks, compared with the dextrose prolotherapy, the corticosteroid group had significantly lower daytime and morning NRS scores (2.55 vs 4.1, P =.012, and 2.75 vs 4.65, P =.004), higher FAAM-S (66.84 vs 54.19; P =.047), and lower plantar fascia thickness at insertion and 1 cm distal to the insertion zone (3.89 vs 4.29 mm, P =.004, and 3.13 vs 3.48 mm, P =.002), whereas FAAM-A was similar in both groups (P =.219). After 12 weeks, all study variables were statistically similar between corticosteroid and dextrose prolotherapy groups. No injection-related side effects were recorded in either group. Conclusion: Both methods are effective. Compared with dextrose prolotherapy, our results show that corticosteroid injection may have superior therapeutic effects early after injection, accompanied by a similar outcome at 12 weeks postinjection. Levels of Evidence: Level II © 2021 The Author(s)
Nursing physical workload and mental workload in intensive care units: Are they related?
Get PDFAim: In order to ensure patient safety and quality of care, it is important to consider factors which may impact on nursing workloads. This study aimed to investigate the simultaneous physical and mental workload and any relationships between these concepts on nurses working in intensive care units. Design: A cross-sectional design was undertaken. Method: Participants were nurses (N = 105) recruited from six adult intensive care units which met the inclusion criteria. Nursing Activities Score (NAS) to measure physical workload and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) to measure mental workload were used. Data were collected for each participating nurse in three shifts (morning, evening and night). Data were analysed using bivariate correlation and multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: The mean (SD) of nurses' physical and mental workload was 72.84 (22.07) and 70.21 (12.36), respectively. A significant relationship between physical and mental workload (p <.001) was identified. © 2021 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Nutritional challenges of gastric cancer patients from the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, and health professionals: a qualitative study
No full textPurpose: This study aims to explore the perceptions of gastric cancer patients, their family caregivers, physicians, and nurses of nutritional challenges. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative method, this study was conducted in 2019�2020. Twenty participants (6 patients, 6 family caregivers, 3 physicians, and 5 nurses) were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and examined using qualitative content analysis. Results: Data analysis revealed three categories, each with two subcategories: eating, an unpleasant experience that contains �a feeling like hyperemesis gravidarum� and �childish food excuses�; flexibility while adhering to a proper diet, which consists of �dietary dos and don�ts� and �nutritional leniency�; and nutrition with distress that contains �patient�s sense of being an extra burden� and �provision of nutrition with suffering in caregivers.� Conclusion: Because of the significant physical and psychological impact of nutritional problems on patients and their caregivers, the need to provide care and education to these patients and their families using a multidisciplinary team is becoming more important. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature
Role of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the regeneration of cardiac tissue and improvement of cardiac function: A narrative review
Get PDFRecent efforts have made in order to novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the heavy cardiovascular burden. The use of cell therapy and applying stem cell-based therapies has received much attention; of particular interest are adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). The present review aimed to review the studies which examined and researched various aspects of ADSCs to improve cardiac function. A comprehensive review of all articles assessed and discussed the application of ADSCs in the improvement of cardiac tissue renewing and cardiomyocytes regeneration was planned and conducted by the two reviewers. The initial literature search revealed a total of 153 articles that, of those, 34 were considered eligible. From the perspective of heart tissue regeneration, the inductive role of ADSCs in sensing mechanical stimulation and produce collagen and elastin scaffolds, vascularizing cardiac tissue, and exosomes (vesicles derived from ADSCs) in ADSCsmediated myocardial protection has indicated. In the process of ADSCs differentiation to cardiomyocyte-like cells, the role of various targeted pathways have been identified that can be influenced by different elements such as TGF-beta1, phorbol myristate acetate, Angiotensin II, Rhoassociated kinases, 5-Azaytidine, Sodium valproate, fibrin scaffold and trichostatin A have been highlighted. In the final, from a therapeutic point of view, the effectiveness of ADMSCs differentiation to cardiomyocytes as improving left ventricular functional state has been discussed. Summarizing the studies confirms a significant improvement in cardiac function following direct application of ADSCs or their transformation to cardiomyocytes by stimulating or inhibiting various cellular pathways leading reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory bed, reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis, attenuating cardiac fibrosis, reducing the infiltration of immune cells and collagen deposition, and enhancing angiogenesis. © 2020 by the authors
PLGA/TiO2 nanocomposite scaffolds for biomedical applications: Fabrication, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties
Get PDFIntroduction: Porous 3D scaffolds synthesized using biocompatible and biodegradable materials could provide suitable microenvironment and mechanical support for optimal cell growth and function. The effect of the scaffold porosity on the mechanical properties, as well as the TiO2 nanoparticles addition on the bioactivity, antimicrobial, photocatalytic, and cytotoxicity properties of scaffolds were investigated. Methods: In the present study, porous scaffolds consisting poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) containing TiO2 nanoparticles were fabricated via air-liquid foaming technique, which is a novel method and has more advantages due to not using additives for nucleation compared to former ways. Results: Adjustment of the foaming process parameters was demonstrated to allow for textural control of the resulting scaffolds and their pore size tuning in the range of 200-600 μm. Mechanical properties of the scaffolds, in particular, their compressive strength, revealed an inverse relationship with the pore size, and varied in the range of 0.97-0.75 MPa. The scaffold with the pore size 270 μm, compressive strength 0.97 MPa, and porosity level 90, was chosen as the optimum case for the bone tissue engineering (BTE) application. Furthermore, 99 antibacterial effect of the PLGA/10 wt. TiO2 nanocomposite scaffolds against the strain was achieved using Escherichia coli. Besides, no negative effect of the new method was observed on the bioactivity behavior and apatite forming ability of scaffolds in the simulated body fluid (SBF). This nanocomposite also displayed a good cytocompatibility when assayed with MG 63 cells. Lastly, the nanocomposite scaffolds revealed the capability to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye by nearly 90 under the UV irradiation for 3 hours. Conclusion: Based on the results, nanocomposite new scaffolds are proposed as a promising candidate for the BTE applications as a replacement for the previous ones. © 2020 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved