12014 research outputs found
Sort by
Phthalate acid esters in pickled vegetables packaged in polyethylene terephthalate container: Occurrence, migration, and estrogenic activity-associated risk assessment
No full textPhthalate acid esters (PAEs) in plastic products such as plastic-based containers are not chemically bonded. The migration of these compounds from the wall of the plastic containers into the water and food packaged is a health concern. The current work investigates the aspects leading to PAEs migration from the wall of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers into pickled vegetables and their estrogenic�based risk evaluation. Six PAEs compounds with control priority (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, bis (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate) were characterized and analyzed using 40 samples of pickles packaged in PET containers. It was found that the concentration of diethyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate exceeded the EU limits (1.5 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively). A positive and significant relation between PAEs concentration in pickles and storage temperature, storage time, and exposure to sunlight has been observed (P-value < 0.05). In contrast, a negative and significant relationship between pH and PAEs concentration has been detected (P-value < 0.05). The risk assessment of human daily intake indicated a diethyl phthalate safety factor lower than 1 (0.63 for adults and 0.39 for children), suggesting an increased health risk. Also, indexes of estrogenic activity associated-risk assessment were significantly high, indicating a high probability of adverse effects for human health. © 2021 Elsevier Inc
Olfactory mucosa stem cells delivery via nasal route: a simple way for the treatment of Parkinson disease
No full textFinding a simple and effective way for transferring cells to the brain lesion site with minimum side effects mounts a challenge in cell therapy. Cell delivery via nasal route using the bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) property is a simple and non-invasive strategy without serious complications such as trauma. Therefore, it is a suitable technique to treat neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson�s disease (PD). Olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs) located in the lamina propria of olfactory mucosa could be differentiated into dopaminergic neurons under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Thus, OE-MSCs represent a good source of Parkinson�s stem cell�based therapy. In this research, we studied thirty male rats (n = 10 in each group) in three control (Ctl), lesion (LE), and intranasal administration (INA) groups to investigate the therapeutic effect of intranasal injection of OE-MSCs in the Parkinson�s animal models. To do so, we examined the homing variation of OE-MSCs in different brain regions such as olfactory bulb (OB), cortex, striatum (Str), hippocampus (HPC), and substantia nigra (SN). The results of real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis showed the expression of dopaminergic neuron markers such as PITX3, PAX2, PAX5 (as dopaminergic neurons markers), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and dopamine transporter (DAT) 2 months after INA of 1 � 106 OE-MSCs. The results confirmed that IN OE-MSCs delivery into the central nervous system (CNS) was powerful enough to improve the behavioral functions in the animal models of PD. Graphical Abstract: Figure not available: see fulltext. © 2021, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Dynamic functional connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy: a graph theoretical and machine learning approach
No full textPurpose: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in resting state can be used to evaluate the functional organization of the human brain in the absence of any task or stimulus. The functional connectivity (FC) has non-stationary nature and consented to be varying over time. By considering the dynamic characteristics of the FC and using graph theoretical analysis and a machine learning approach, we aim to identify the laterality in cases of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods: Six global graph measures are extracted from static and dynamic functional connectivity matrices using fMRI data of 35 unilateral TLE subjects. Alterations in the time trend of the graph measures are quantified. The random forest (RF) method is used for the determination of feature importance and selection of dynamic graph features including mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, and Shannon entropy. The selected features are used in the support vector machine (SVM) classifier to identify the left and right epileptogenic sides in patients with TLE. Results: Our results for the performance of SVM demonstrate that the utility of dynamic features improves the classification outcome in terms of accuracy (88.5 for dynamic features compared with 82 for static features). Selecting the best dynamic features also elevates the accuracy to 91.5. Conclusion: Accounting for the non-stationary characteristics of functional connectivity, dynamic connectivity analysis of graph measures along with machine learning approach can identify the temporal trend of some specific network features. These network features may be used as potential imaging markers in determining the epileptogenic hemisphere in patients with TLE. © 2020, Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia
Non-coding RNAs modulate function of extracellular matrix proteins
Get PDFThe extracellular matrix (ECM) creates a multifaceted system for the interaction of diverse structural proteins, matricellular molecules, proteoglycans, hyaluronan, and various glycoproteins that collaborate and bind with each other to produce a bioactive polymer. Alterations in the composition and configuration of ECM elements influence the cellular phenotype, thus participating in the pathogenesis of several human disorders. Recent studies indicate the crucial roles of non-coding RNAs in the modulation of ECM. Several miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-26, miR-19, miR-140, miR-29, miR-30, miR-133 have been dysregulated in disorders that are associated with disruption or breakdown of the ECM. Moreover, expression of MALAT1, PVT1, SRA1, n379519, RMRP, PFL, TUG1, TM1P3, FAS-AS1, PART1, XIST, and expression of other lncRNAs is altered in disorders associated with the modification of ECM components. In the current review, we discuss the role of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the modification of ECM and their relevance with the pathophysiology of human disorders such as cardiac/ lung fibrosis, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, asthma, osteoarthritis, and cancers. © 2021 The Author(s
Role of exosome in autoimmunity, with a particular emphasis on rheumatoid arthritis
No full textCell-derived exosomes are identified as carriers of lipids, proteins, and genetic materials that participate in cell-cell signal communication, biological process, and cell signaling. Also, their involvement has been reported in a vast array of disorders and inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a common cause of joint disorder, is an inflammation-based disease in which the precise understanding of its pathogenesis needs to be further investigated. Also, there is only a palliative care approach for the alleviation of RA symptoms. This paper discusses the recent advances in the biology of exosomes in autoimmune disorders especially in RA, and also provides a new line of research for arthritis therapy using exosomes. © 2020 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Lt
The prognostic importance of BCR-ABL transcripts in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is characterized by the overproduction of BCR-ABL, a tyrosine kinase with constitutive activity, in which the majority of CML patients have e13a2 or e14a2 transcripts. Reckoned the possible associations between the hematologic and molecular features of the disease, a profound understanding of different aspects of this neoplasm would be provided. Method: The authors implemented a systematic literature search, utilizing the terms published articles or internationally accepted abstracts from PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane library before January 2019. Weighted mean proportion and 95 confidence intervals (CIs) of CML prevalence calculated using a fixed-effects and a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Results: 34 studies for a total of 54,034 Patients were selected and included in the review. Results revealed that compared to e13a2 group, the overall estimated prevalence is much higher in the e14a2 (39 and 54 , respectively). Besides, the overall estimated prevalence ratio of male to female was higher in the e13a2 group in comparison to e14a2 (1.08 and 0.856 respectively). The overall estimated prevalence of dual transcription of e13a2/e14a2 was 1.11 , and male/female overall estimated prevalence ratio was 1.18. Conclusion: This meta-analysis of CML patients demonstrated the e14a2 as the more common transcript type. Usually, the e14a2 transcript is prevalent in females, whereas e13a2 and dual transcription of e13a2/e14a2 are more common in men. These data explicate that the differences in proportion are not by chance. This is crucial, as the transcript type is a variable suspected to be of prognostic importance for the treatment-related response, the outcome of treatment, and the rate of treatment-free remission. © 2021 Elsevier Lt
Standardization of Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR)
Get PDFThe prothrombin time (PT) represents the most commonly used coagulation test in clinical laboratories. The PT is mathematically converted to the international normalized ratio (INR) for use in monitoring anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin in order to provide test results that are adjusted for thromboplastin and instrument used. The INR is created using two major PT �correction factors�, namely the mean normal PT (MNPT) and the international sensitivity index (ISI). Manufacturers of reagents and coagulometers have made some efforts to harmonizing INRs, for example, by tailoring reagents to specific coagulometers and provide associated ISI values. Thus, two types of ISIs may be generated, with one being a �general� or �generic� ISI and others being reagent/coagulometer-specific ISI values. Although these play a crucial role in improving INR results between laboratories, these laboratories reported INR values are known to still differ, even when laboratories use the same thromboplastin reagent and coagulometer. Moreover, ISI values for a specific thromboplastin can vary among different models of coagulometers from a manufacturer using the same method for clot identification. All these factors can be sources of error for INR reporting, which in turn can significantly affect patient management. In this narrative review, we provide some guidance to appropriate ISI verification/validation, which may help decrease the variability in cross laboratory reporting of INRs. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Lt
Correction to: Comparison of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Folic Acid Blood Levels in Plumbism Patients and Controls in Eastern Iran (Biological Trace Element Research, (2021), 199, 1, (9-17), 10.1007/s12011-020-02119-6)
Get PDFThe original version of this article unfortunately contained mistakes. & The name of �Namam Ali Azadi� is now corrected in the author group & Fourth to seventh sentence of the Abstract section should be �The results indicated that the mean vitamin B12, vitamin D, and folic acid levels for the case group were 517.3 ± 419.4 pg/ml, 25.1 ± 10.8 ng/ml, and 9.2 ± 6.1 ng/ml, respectively. Mean folic acid level in the case group was significantly lower than control group (Fisher exact test, P < 0.001), whereas the mean of the vitamin D levels at the case group was no significantly higher than the control group (Fisher exact test, P = 0.059). Moreover, mean vitamin B12 levels were significantly different between the case and control groups (Fisher exact test, P = 0.009). In the control group, three patients had folic acid below normal level (< 6 ng/mL), while twelve subjects at case group had folic acid below normal level (P < 0.05).Also, none of the control group had low vitamin B12 concentrations (< 180 pg/ml), while seven subjects of case group had vitamin B12 below normal level (P < 0.05).� & In page 6, Discussion part, 4th paragraph: We found that mean blood folate levels in the lead-poisoned patients, who had a mean BLL of 66 ± 37. 3 µg/dl, were significantly lower than in healthy subjects (9.2 ± 6.1 ng/ml vs. 12.70 pg/ml). © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Evaluating the health promoting schools in Iran: across-sectional study
No full textPurpose: Health-promoting schools have been associated with improvements in the health status of students globally. This study is a secondary analysis study assessing Iranian HPSs. Design/methodology/approach: This was a cross-sectional study on routinely collected data using an external audit 63-item checklist, which was utilized to evaluate 440 HPSs between 2014 and 2017. The mean score for each of the checklists' components was calculated. Nonparametric tests were conducted to investigate the association between the presence of a school caregiver, students' educational level and the school's score. Findings: While the number of five- and four-star schools increased significantly, one- to three-star schools declined. Providing clinical and counseling services had negative growth. Despite the steady growth of the staff's health, this category still had the lowest score among; on the contrary, physical activity had the highest score in 2017. The presence of a full-time school caregiver and middle schools were both significantly correlated with achieving higher scores (p < 0.005). Originality/value: It seems that in addition to developing school facilities to promote physical activities, measures should be taken to promote access to counseling services, considering health issues of students and staff and finally increasing the number of full-time school caregiver © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited
Effect of Low-Pressure Drainage Suction on Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Total Laryngectomy
No full textObjective: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is one of the most severe multifactorial complications following laryngectomy. The current study aimed at determining the effect of a low-pressure vacuum drain on the incidence of PCF after total laryngectomy. Methods: The current randomized clinical trial was conducted on 35 patients undergoing total laryngectomy in Hazrat Rasoul Akram and Firoozgar hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The subjects were divided into the vacuum drain (n = 15) and control (without vacuum drain) (n = 20) groups. The incidence of PCF and the recovery time were recorded. Results: The rate of PCF formation from the stoma and wound edges was significantly lower in the low-pressure vacuum drain group than in the control group (6.7 vs 40) (P <.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in time to recovery from PCF. Conclusion: The low-pressure vacuum drain method is effective in reducing the incidence of PCF after total laryngectomy. © The Author(s) 2020