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Design of a decellularized fish skin as a biological scaffold for skin tissue regeneration
No full textThe use of decellularized natural skin as an extracellular matrix (ECM) may be a great candidate to regenerate damaged tissues. In this study, decellularized scaffolds from fish skin were designed by different techniques (physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods) and investigated by analyses such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Tensile strength, Degradability, Histological studies, Toxicity test, and Determination of DNA content. Results showed that the best sample is related to the decellularized skin by hypertonic & hypotonic technique and Triton X100 solutions. Structural and mechanical results were demonstrated that samples have similar properties to human skin to regenerate it. The cytotoxicity results showed that decellularized skin by hypertonic & hypotonic method and Triton solution is non-toxic with minimal amount of genetic materials. Cellular results with epithelial cells indicated good adhesion on decellularized matrix, so it can be a suitable candidate for skin tissue regeneration. © 2021 Elsevier Lt
Herbal therapy as a promising approach for regulation on lipid profiles: A review of molecular aspects
No full textImpaired lipid profile is defined as abnormal plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. This disease state is associated with the development and progression of various disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and acute myocardial infarction. Globally, all of these disorders are related to a significant rate of death. Therefore, finding a suitable approach for the prevention and treatment of lipid profile-related disorders is in the spotlight. Recently, herbal therapy has been considered a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of hyperlipidemia or its related disorders due to its safety and efficacy. Hereby, we address the potential benefits of some of these herbal compounds on different aspects of lipid profile and its abnormalities with a special focus on their underlying mechanisms. Using herbal products, such as teas and mushrooms, or their derivatives, Rosmarinus officinalis Linn, Curcuma longa, Green tea, Lippia triphylla, Lippia citriodora, Plantago asiatica L, Vine tea, and Grifola frondosa have been proved to exert several therapeutic impacts on lipid profile and its related disorders, and we would provide a brief review on them in this literature. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LL
An integrated bioinformatics analysis of the potential regulatory effects of mir-21 on t-cell related target genes in multiple sclerosis
Get PDFBackground: Overexpression of miR-21 is a characteristic feature of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and is involved in gene regulation and the expression enhance-ment of pro-inflammatory factors including IFNγ and TNF-α following stimulation of T-cells via the T Cell Receptor (TCR). In this study, a novel integrated bioinformatics analysis was used to obtain a better understanding of the involvement of miR-21 in the development of MS, its protein biomarker signatures, RNA levels, and drug interactions through existing microarray and RNA-seq datasets of MS. Methods: In order to obtain data on the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) in patients with MS and normal controls, the GEO2R web tool was used to analyze the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, and then Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks of co-expressed DEGs were designed using STRING. A molecular network of miRNA-genes and drugs based on differentially expressed genes was created for T-cells of MS patients to identify the targets of miR-21, that may act as important regu-lators and potential biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis and, potential therapeutic targets for MS. Results: It found that seven genes (NRIP1, ARNT, KDM7A, S100A10, AK2, TGFβR2, and IL-6R) are regulated by drugs used in MS and miR-21. Finally, three overlapping genes (S100A10, NRIP1, KDM7A) were identified between miRNA-gene-drug network and nineteen genes as hub genes which can reflect the pathophysiology of MS. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that miR-21 and MS-related drugs can act synergisti-cally to regulate several genes in the existing datasets, and miR-21 inhibitors have the potential to be used in MS treatment. © 2021, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology. All rights reserved
Curcumin loaded on graphene nanosheets induced cell death in mammospheres from MCF-7 and primary breast tumor cells
No full textElimination of tumor cells is still a therapeutic challenge for breast cancer (BC) in men and women. Mammospheres serve as valuable in vitro tools for evaluating tumor behavior and sensitivity to anticancer treatments. Graphene nanosheets with unique physicochemical properties have been considered as potential biomedical approaches for drug delivery, bioimaging, and therapy. Graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are suitable nanocarriers for hydrophobic and low bioaccessible anti-tumor materials like curcumin. Despite extensive studies on the potential application of graphene nanosheets in medicine, our knowledge of how different cells function and respond to these nanoparticles remains limited. Here, we evaluated cell death in mammospheres from MCF-7 and primary tumor cells in response to curcumin loaded on graphene nanosheets. Mammospheres were exposed to graphene oxide-curcumin (GO-Cur) and graphene quantum dots-curcumin (GQDs-Cur), and the incidence of cell death was evaluated by Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide double staining and flow cytometry. Besides, the expression of miR-21, miR-29a, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes were assessed using RT-qPCR. We observed, GO, and GQDs had no cytotoxic effect on Kerman male breast cancer/71 (KMBC/71) and MCF-7 tumor cells, while curcumin induced death in more than 50 of tumor cells. GO-Cur and GQDs-Cur synergistically enhanced anti-tumor activity of curcumin. Moreover, GQDs-Cur induced cell death in almost all cells of KMBC/71 mammospheres (99; p < 0.0001). In contrast, GO-Cur induced cell death in only 21 of MCF-7 mammosphere cells (p < 0.0001). Also, the expression pattern of miR-21, miR-29a, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in KMBC/71 and MCF-7 mammospheres was different in response to GO-Cur and GQDs-Cur. Although KMBC/71 and MCF-7 tumor cells had similar clinical features and displayed similar responses to curcumin, more investigations are needed to clarify the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying observed differences in response to GO-Cur and GQDs-Cur. © 2021 IOP Publishing Ltd
Genotyping of blood groups in alloimmunized patients with β-thalassemia major by T-ARMS-PCR and multiplex-aso-pcr
No full textIntroduction: Beta-thalassemia major is a severe hemolytic anemia requiring life-long blood transfusion. Planned random donor blood transfusion is associated with alloimmunization against incompatible antigens. Determination of the minor blood group systems phenotype or genotype, and administration of the compatible blood components can significantly reduce the rate of alloimmunization. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of alloimmunization, and genotype/phenotype characteristics of the minor blood groups systems in patients with β-thalassemia major. Material and methods: This study was conducted on 1147 β-thalassemia major patients. Initially, antibody screening and antibody identification were performed. Then, phenotyping and genotyping for the Rh, Kell, Kidd, and Duffy blood groups were done in alloimmunized patients using monoclonal antibodies and Multiplex-Allele Specific Oligonucleotide-Polymerase Chain Reaction (Multiplex-ASO-PCR) and Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system�PCR (T-ARMS-PCR), respectively. Any phenotype/genotype discrepancy was assessed by direct sequencing. Results: Ninety-seven (8.5 ) out of 1147 patients had alloantibodies against the minor blood group antigens (44 males, 45.4 , and 53 female, 54.6 ). The most common alloantibodies were against the RH (n: 47, 48.5 ), and the Kell (n: 23, 23.7 ) blood groups systems. Twenty-three (2.1 ) genotype/phenotype discrepancies out of 1067 tests, including 9 in the Rh (9.3 ), 8 in Duffy (34.8 ), and 6 in Kidd (26.1 ) blood groups were detected. No discrepancy was found in the Kell blood group system. Direct sequencing revealed that the results of molecular methods were correct. Conclusion: Multiplex-ASO-PCR and T-ARMS-PCR molecular methods are fast, reliable and cost-benefit molecular methods for the minor blood group genotyping in multi-transfused β-thalassemia major patients. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
Self-efficacy of osteoporosis preventive behaviors and its predictors in Iranian adolescents
No full textAlmost all the bone mass in females is accumulated during adolescence and especially in the years immediately following menstruation. Self-efficacy plays an important role in moderating the relationship between knowledge and behavior. This study aimed to determine the self-efficacy of osteoporosis preventive behaviors and its predictors in female high school students. This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 female high school students in Saveh, Iran during 2016-2017. A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select the participants. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test (OKT) and the Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (OSES). A general linear model was used to determine the self-efficacy predictors of osteoporosis preventive behaviors. The mean standard deviation (SD) of the total OKT score was 11.08 (4.08) of attainable range from 0 to 32. The mean (SD) of the total OSES score was 121.97 (37.36) of attainable range from 0 to 200. The mean (SD) of the exercise and calcium subscales of OSES were 58.39 (22.56) and 63.57 (21.02), respectively. There were significant relationships between the total OKT score with the total OSES score (r = 0.16, p = 0.003) and its subscales, including exercise (r = 0.16, p = 0.002) and calcium (r = 0.11, p = 0.03) scores. According to the adjusted general linear model, the variables of economic status, educational level and osteoporosis knowledge were predictors of the self-efficacy in the studied students. Findings suggested that most of the students had moderate levels of knowledge and self-efficacy regarding osteoporosis preventive behaviors; therefore, improving the knowledge and self-efficacy of this group can play a significant role in promoting their health. © 2018 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Economic burden of cardiovascular diseases before and after Iran�s health transformation plan: evidence from a referral hospital of Iran
Get PDFBackground: Different countries have set different policies to control and decrease the costs of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Iran was aiming to reduce the economic burden of different disease by a recent reform from named as health transformation plan (HTP). This study aimed to examine the economic burden of CVDs before and after of HTP. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 patients with CVDs, who were randomly selected from a specialized cardiovascular hospital in the north-west of Iran. Direct and indirect costs of CVDs were calculated using the cost of illness and human capital approaches. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist obtained from several sources including structured interviews, the Statistical Center of Iran, Iran�s Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, the central bank of Iran, and the data of global burden of disease obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to estimate direct and mortality costs. All costs were calculated in Iranian Rials (IRR). Results: Total costs of CVDs were about 5571 and 6700 billion IRR before and after the HTP, respectively. More than 62 of the total costs of CVDs accounted for premature death before (64.89) and after (62.01) the HTP. The total hospitalization costs of CVDs was significantly increased after the HTP (p = 0.038). In both times, surgical services and visiting had the highest and lowest share of hospitalization costs, respectively. The OOP expenditure decreased significantly and reached from 54.2 to 36.7. All hospitalization costs, except patients� OOP expenditure, were significantly increased after the HTP about 1.3 times. Direct non-medical costs reached from 2.4 to 3.3 billion before and after the HTP, respectively. Conclusion: Economic burden of CVDs increased in the north-west of Iran after the HTP due to the increase of all direct and indirect costs, except the OOP expenditure. Non-allocation of defined resources, which coincided with the international and national political and economic challenges in Iran, led to unsustainable resources of the HTP. So, no results of this study can be attributed solely to the HTP. Therefore, more detailed studies should be carried out on the reasons for the significant increase in CVDs costs in the region. © 2021, The Author(s)
Effect of aromatherapy with Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) on anxiety in the elderly: Open-labeled quasi-experimental placebo-controlled trial
Get PDFBackground: Anxiety in orthopedic surgeries, especially knee replacement, is one of the most common complaints of the elderly. Aromatherapy with Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) can be one of the non-pharmacological methods in complementary medicine to control anxiety. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy with R. damascena on elderly anxiety after knee replacement surgery. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 80 elderly patients (60 to 90 years old) undergoing knee replacement surgery according to inclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling method randomly from Moheb Mehr and Shafa Yahyaian hospitals of Tehran, Iran, and were divided into two groups of case and control. The case group was exposed to aromatherapy intervention at four intervals of 30 minutes. The instrument for measuring anxiety was the Visual Analogue scale for anxiety (VAS-A). Results: The results showed that the study elderly were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables in both case and control groups, except for two variables of education level and consumption of analgesics, which were also determined by two-way ANOVA. These parameters (education level, P = 0.54, and consumption of analgesics, P = 0.661) were not confounding variables. Significant differences were observed in the anxiety of the case group before and after the intervention (P < 0.001), while this difference was not significant in the control group (P = 0.304). Moreover, the difference in anxiety scores was significantly decreased after the intervention compared to before intervention in both case and control groups (P < 0.001). Probably Damask Rose aroma molecules produce and secrete neurotransmitters such as endorphins and encephalin, thereby reducing pain and anxiety. Conclusions: According to the findings of the study, the aromatherapy with R. damascena seems to be effective in reducing postoperative anxiety in these elderly patients. Copyright © 2020, Author(s)
The effects of myrtle (myrtus communis) and clindamycin topical solution in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A comparative split-face study
Get PDFObjectives: Although Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease, which its standard treatment causes therapeutic limitations and some common adverse effects, medicinal plants can be effective in treatment with low adverse effects as combination therapy. Myrtle (Myrtus Communis) has some beneficial properties, which has been administered topically and orally for some skin diseases in Persian medicine. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of Myrtle formula and 1 clindamycin topical solution. Methods: This was a split-face clinical trial that was done on 55 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris for 16 weeks. The patients received topical Myrtle solution to the right side of the face (group 1) and clindamycin solution to the left side (group 2) twice daily for 12 weeks. All participants were examined for the acne severity index (ASI) and total acne lesions counting (TLC) at certain times during the study. Then, they stopped using them for four weeks. They also did not take the drug in the final four weeks of the study. Results: Forty-eight patients completed the study for 16 weeks; 40 (83.2) patients were female and the rest of them were male. The mean age and standard deviation were 25.62 ± 7.62 years. After 12 weeks, the percentage changes of comedones, inflammatory lesions, ASI and TLC were significantly reduced in both groups (p < 0.001). The percentage change of inflammatory lesions and ASI decrease was significantly higher in the group 1 (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two groups. There was a more significant decrease in sebum percentage change in the group 1 (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Myrtle lotion was effective and safe for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Copyright © Korean Pharmacopuncture Institut
Analysis of hand-forearm anthropometric components in assessing handgrip and pinch strengths of school-aged children and adolescents: a partial least squares (PLS) approach
Get PDFBackground: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions on handgrip and pinch strengths among 7�18 years children and adolescents and to investigate the extent to which these variables can be used to predict hand strength. Methods: Four types of hand strengths including handgrip, tip to tip, key, and three-jaw chuck pinches were measured in 2637 healthy children and adolescents (1391 boys and 1246 girls) aged 7�18 years using standard adjustable Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer and pinch gauge. A set of 17 hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions were also measured with an accurate digital caliper and tape measure. Results: No significant differences were found between the hand strengths of boys and girls up to the age of 10 years. Gender related differences in handgrip and pinches were observed from the age of 11 years onwards, with boys always being stronger. The dominant hand was stronger than the non-dominant hand (8 for handgrip and by about 10 for all three types of pinches). The strongest correlations were found between the hand length and hand strengths (r > 0.83 for handgrip and three all pinches; p < 0.001, 2-tailed). Based on the partial least squares (PLS) analysis, 8 out of 17 anthropometric indices including hand length, hand circumference, thumb length, index finger length, middle finger length, and forearm length had considerable loadings in the PLS analysis, which together accounted for 46 of the total variance. Conclusions: These results may be used by health professionals in clinical settings as well as by designers to create ergonomic hand tools. © 2021, The Author(s)