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Different effects of aerobic exercise and diaphragmatic breathing on lower esophageal sphincter pressure and quality of life in patients with reflux: A comparative study
Get PDFBACKGROUND Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a worldwide disorder with an increasing prevalence. The quality of life (QOL) of the patients may be influenced by reflux disease. Diaphragmatic breathing (DB), as well as aerobic exercise (AE), may improve the symptoms of reflux disease, although it remains a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of AE and DB on QOL and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure of patients with moderate to severe reflux. METHODS This was a case-control study that was conducted for 8 weeks among patients with moderate to severe GERD. The block randomization method was designed to randomize patients into three groups (AE, DB, and control) to achieve equal sample sizes. The control group received omeprazole 20 mg once daily. The other groups, in addition to omeprazole, received AE and DB. QOL and LES pressure were measured before and after the study by Questionary and Manometry method, respectively. RESULTS 75 patients were enrolled in this study. Positive effects of DB on LES pressure was approved (p = 0.001). DB had significantly more effects on QOL than aerobic exercise (p = 0.003). AE can significantly improve QOL in patients (p = 0.02) but no significant change in LES pressure (p = 0.38). There was no change in the control group for both variables. CONCLUSION AE had no effects on LES pressure but can improve QOL of the patients. DB had more effects on QOL than AE, so injured or disable patients with reflux who cannot do AE, can benefit from DB to improve their reflux symptoms. © 2021 The Author(s)
Design and synthesis of potential nano-carrier for delivery of diphencyprone to hair follicle
No full textPurpose: Poor bioavailability of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), an effective drug for an autoimmune disorder of alopecia areata, limits its pharmaceutical effects. Carriers-based nanoparticles with especially porous structures can overcome these restrictions. Here, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, MCM41, with high surface area and pore volume were synthesized for DPCP delivery to the hair follicles through skin tissue. Methods: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM41) were synthesized by the Stöber process and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Barrett�Joiner�Halenda and N2 adsorption isotherms for their physicochemical properties. HPLC method was used to determine drug entrapment efficiency and release behavior during 24 h. Cytotoxicity of formulations was evaluated using MTT assay and permeation profiles of DPCP (control sample) and DPCP-MCM41 into the rat skin were obtained by using Franz diffusion cells. Fluorescence microscopy and intrafollicular nanoparticle accumulation were examined using confocal microscopy. Results: Experiments showed the spherical shape of the nanoparticles with an average size of 50 ± 3 nm, high surface area, and porosity. Entrapment efficiency was about 90 and release behavior had sustained manner after 3 h. Fluorescent and confocal microscopy confirmed that the nanoparticles passed through follicular channels and aggregated around the hair follicles. Conclusion: MCM41 nanoparticles provide a promising nano-carrier for targeted drug delivery of DPCP to the human hair follicle. © 2021, The Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology
Body-, eating-, and exercise-related social comparison behavior and disordered eating in college women in the U.S. and Iran: A cross-cultural comparison
No full textWearing of the hijab is associated with lower eating disorder (ED) attitudes and behaviors in women. However, this potential buffering role of the hijab has been questioned in countries, such as Iran, where its wearing is compulsory. Further, cross-cultural comparisons between disordered eating behaviors and correlates in Iranian and U.S. women are lacking. This study examines social-cognitive correlates of disordered eating in U.S. and Iranian women, comparing rates of ED- related social comparison and eating pathology. College women in the U.S. (n = 180) and Iran (n = 384) completed the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (BEECOM) and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in one session. One-way analyses of covariance and partial correlations were used to test the mean differences and inter-correlations between the variables among U.S. and Iranian women. U.S. women endorsed higher BEECOM scores and higher levels of overvaluation of weight and shape and dietary restraint compared to Iranians. Most BEECOM subscales and disordered eating symptoms were inter-correlated in each culture. The tendency to engage in exercise comparison was not significantly correlated with excessive exercise for U.S. women. Correlations between variables were stronger for U.S. women compared to Iranian women. While the ED-related social comparison levels were higher for U.S. women, the typical Western patterns of social comparison and disordered eating extend to Iranian women. Eating disorder-related social comparison is a recommended clinical target in both Eastern and Western cultures. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
Differences in and correlates of sexual function in infertile women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome
Get PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to examine sexual function and its correlates among infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with their non-PCOS counterparts. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 209 infertile women (116 PCOS and 93 non-PCOS) from Tehran, Iran, were evaluated in February and March 2018. Female sexual function index (FSFI), hormonal status, and documented reports of hyperandrogenic manifestations of the patients were investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32.00 ± 5.00 years old. Eighty-four (40.2) patients including 42.2 of the PCOS patients and 37.6 of the non-PCOS cases (P>0.05), were suspected of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The most impaired functions in both groups were desire and arousal. Sexual function was not significantly different between the groups. However, PCOS women had more orgasm problems and acne worsened their sexual function. Total FSFI was positively associated with prolactin level but negatively associated with central obesity in the non-PCOS group; it was negatively correlated with marital duration in the PCOS group. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and pain, prolactin level and lubrication, and central obesity and arousal were correlated in the non-PCOS women. Prolactin level and orgasm, marital duration and arousal, and marital duration and the total FSFI were correlated in the PCOS women. Conclusion: Sexual function was similarly low in infertile PCOS and non-PCOS women. However, orgasm problems and the negative effect of acne varied between the two groups. Further investigations may target how hormonal profile may affect sexual function. Practitioners should scrutinize the specific impaired sexual domains and their correlated conditions in PCOS women, notably orgasm, acne, and prolactin level. Interventions should be well tailored based on particular needs of infertile PCOS women. © 2021, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved
Anti-cancer activity of curcumin on multiple myeloma
No full textMultiple Myeloma (MM) is the third most common and deadly hematological malignancy, which is characterized by a progressive monoclonal proliferation within the bone marrow. MM is cytogenetically hetero-geneous with numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations, which lead to a wide spectrum of signaling pathways and cell cycle checkpoint aberrations. MM symptoms can be attributed to CRAB features (hyperCalcemia, Re-nal failure, Anemia, and Bone lesion), which profoundly affect both the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and the life expectancy of patients. Despite all enhancement and improvement in therapeutic strate-gies, MM is almost incurable, and patients suffering from this disease eventually relapse. Curcumin is an active and non-toxic phenolic compound, isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. It has been widely studied and has a confirmed broad range of therapeutic properties, especially anti-cancer activity, and others, including anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis, antioxidant and anti-mutation activities. Curcumin induces apoptosis in cancerous cells and prevents Multidrug Resistance (MDR). Growing evidence concerning the therapeutic properties of curcumin caused a pharmacological impact on MM. It is confirmed that curcumin interferes with vari-ous signaling pathways and cell cycle checkpoints, and with oncogenes. In this paper, we summarized the anti-MM effects of curcumin. © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers
Crispr-associated (Cas) effectors delivery via microfluidic cell-deformation chip
Get PDFIdentifying new and even more precise technologies for modifying and manipulating selectively specific genes has provided a powerful tool for characterizing gene functions in basic research and potential therapeutics for genome regulation. The rapid development of nuclease-based techniques such as CRISPR/Cas systems has revolutionized new genome engineering and medicine possibilities. Additionally, the appropriate delivery procedures regarding CRISPR/Cas systems are critical, and a large number of previous reviews have focused on the CRISPR/Cas9�12 and 13 delivery methods. Still, despite all efforts, the in vivo delivery of the CAS gene systems remains challenging. The transfection of CRISPR components can often be inefficient when applying conventional delivery tools including viral elements and chemical vectors because of the restricted packaging size and incompetency of some cell types. Therefore, physical methods such as microfluidic systems are more applicable for in vitro delivery. This review focuses on the recent advancements of microfluidic systems to deliver CRISPR/Cas systems in clinical and therapy investigations. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Typical chest CT features can determine the severity of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the observational studies
Get PDFBackground: It remains unclear whether a specific chest CT characteristic is associated with the clinical severity of COVID-19. This meta-analysis was performed to assess the relationship between different chest CT features and severity of clinical presentation in COVID-19. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, web of science databases (WOS), Cochrane library, and Google scholar were searched up to May 19, 2020 for observational studies that assessed the relationship of different chest CT manifestations and the severity of clinical presentation in COVID-19 infection. Risk of bias assessment was evaluated applying the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model or fixed-effects model, as appropriately, were used to pool results. Heterogeneity was assessed using Forest plot, Cochran's Q test, and I2. Publication bias was assessed applying Egger's test. Results: A total of 18 studies involving 3323 patients were included. Bronchial wall thickening (OR 11.64, 95 CI 1.81�74.66) was more likely to be associated with severe cases of COVID-19 infection, followed by crazy paving (OR 7.60, 95 CI 3.82�15.14), linear opacity (OR 3.27, 95 CI 1.10�9.70), and GGO (OR 1.37, 95 CI 1.08�1.73). However, there was no significant association between the presence of consolidation and severity of clinical presentation (OR 2.33, 95 CI 0.85�6.36). Considering the lesion distribution bilateral lung involvement was more frequently associated with severe clinical presentation (OR 3.44, 95 CI 1.74�6.79). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis of observational studies indicates some specific chest CT features are associated with clinical severity of COVID-19. © 202
Conditioned media derived from mesenchymal stem cells induces apoptosis and decreases cell viability and proliferation in squamous carcinoma cell lines
No full textSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a relatively common cancer with a low survival rate, poor prognosis and no effective treatment strategy. The use of cell-free conditioned media derived from mesenchymal stem cells (CM-MSCs) has shown promising results in treating various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CM-MSCs on proliferation and apoptosis of CAL-27 and FaDu SCC cell lines. CM derived from human bone marrow and human amniotic membrane MSCs (BM-MSCs and AM-MSCs) was used in this investigation. MTT assay demonstrated that CM-BMMSC decreased the viability of CAL-27 and FaDu cell lines, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that mRNA expression of PCNA as a proliferative marker, and BCL-2 as an anti-apoptotic protein, decreased in both cell lines treated with CM-BMMSC. Based on the flow cytometry results, the number of positive proliferative Ki67 cells and apoptotic Annexin-V cells decreased and increased in both cell lines treated with CM-BMMSC, respectively. However, CM-AMMSC treatment had both pro-and anti-neoplastic effects in our samples and showed considerable differences between the two cell lines. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that CM-BMMSC and, to a lesser degree, CM-AMMSC decrease cell viability and proliferation and increase cell apoptosis in SCC cell lines in a time-dependent manner. However, further studies are needed, especially to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of CM-BMMSC in vivo. © 2021 Elsevier B.V
Association between pathological complete response and tumor location in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, a prospective cohort study
Get PDFBackground: Colorectal cancers are the third common malignancies after lung and breast neoplasms. Some contributing factors for pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant therapy of rectal cancer have been defined. Despite various studies in this era, there are few studies on the location of tumors. Objectives: Regarding the high prevalence of colorectal cancer in Iran and the importance of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for survival and morbidity, this study was carried out to determine the association between pathologic complete response and tumor location in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Methods: In this prospective cohort, 100 cases with rectal adenocarcinoma from 2017 to 2019 were enrolled. Distance between anal verge and tumor was measured by clinical examination, colonoscopy, endo-sonography, and MRI. Tumors were defined as distal (less than 5 cm from the anal verge) and none distal (more than 5 cm from the anal verge). Another subdivision was inferior (0-4.99 cm), middle (5-9.99 cm), and superior (10-15 cm). The pathological response was compared across the groups. Results: In this study, the pCR was seen in 30. In univariate analysis body mass index (BMI), grade, N-stage, and distance from anal verge were related to pCR. In cases with BMI over 25 kg/m2 and in tumors with low to medium grade N0/N1, and distance less than 5 cm from the anal verge (low lying tumors) the pCR to neoadjuvant treatment was higher. In multivariate analysis tumor grade, N stage, and distance from anal verge were still related to pCR. Conclusions: According to the obtained results in this study, there may be some association between rectal tumor location and pathologic complete response. © 2021, Author(s)
Barriers to occupational therapy fieldwork education in Iran: The perspectives of fieldwork educators and students
Get PDFBackground: Clinical education is a vital factor in the process of learning in medical sciences universities. The aim of the present study was to explore the perspectives of fieldwork educators and students concerning barriers to occupational therapy fieldwork education in Iran. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research was conducted from May 2019 to April 2020 to address the study objectives. The data analysis was performed using conventional content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundman's approach. Purposive sampling was used to enroll 12 educators and 14 students of various backgrounds (physical disabilities-adult, physical disabilities-pediatrics, psychosocial-adult, and psychosocial-pediatrics) in the study. Results: The findings indicated that the main themes were related to fieldwork educators, fieldwork settings, educational planning, students, and educational regulation. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the perspectives of students and occupational therapy educators regarding the field of clinical education are not only important but also useful for the attainment of effective clinical education and the development of knowledge related to rehabilitation nursing education. Therefore, educational planners should develop effective programs based on these themes. © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved