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The relationship between dietary patterns and aggressive behavior in adolescent girls: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: There are few studies about the relationship between dietary patterns and aggression. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the main dietary patterns and aggression scores among adolescent girls in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 670 adolescent girls. The 168-item self-administered Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake and to identify major dietary patterns, while factor analysis was applied. Aggression was evaluated by the validated Persian version of the Buss-Perry questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by crude and adjusted models. Results: Three main dietary patterns including healthy, fast food, and Western were identified. A significant positive association was found between more adherence to Western dietary pattern and the presence of a high aggression score (OR: 2.00; 95 CI: 1.32�3.05, p-trend =.001); even after adjustment for potential confounders, these findings were significant. Conclusion: Although Western dietary patterns were associated with increased aggression risk, there was no significant relationship between healthy and fast food dietary patterns and the prevalence of a high aggression score. Further studies, particularly longitudinal intervention studies, are required to clarify this relationship. © 2022 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC
Association between human polyomavirus infection and brain cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textAim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential association between the infection with some members of the polyomaviridae family of viruses and development of the brain tumors. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed by finding relevant cross-sectional and case-control studies from a large online database. Heterogeneity, OR, and corresponding 95 CI were applied to all studies by meta-analysis and forest plots. The analysis was performed using Stata Software v.14. Results: Twenty-three articles (33 datasets) were included in the meta-analysis, four (four datasets) of which were case/control studies and the rest were cross-sectional. The pooled prevalence of polyomaviruses among brain cancer patients was 13 (95 CI: 8�20; I2 = 96.91). In subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of JCV, SV40, BKV and Merkel cell polyomavirus was 20, 8, 6, and 16, respectively. An association was found between polyomavirus infection and brain cancer summary OR 7.22 (95% CI (2.36�22.05); I2 = 0%). The subgroup analysis, based on the virus type, demonstrated a strong association between JCV infection and brain cancer development summary OR 10.34 (95% CI 1.10�97.42; I2 = 0%). Conclusion: The present study showed a significant association between polyomavirus infection and brain tumors. Moreover, these results suggest that polyomavirus infection may be a potential risk factor for the development of brain cancer. © 2022 Elsevier Lt
Evaluation of bisphenol A pollutant removal efficiency by nano photocatalytic method in solar reactor (UVA and CPC) and reactor UVC
No full textBisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives have extensive applications as lubricants and polymer stabi-lizers and components of photographic developers. In this study, the photo catalytic degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) was studied on ZnO nanoparticles coated on a fixed bed which was treated in two light sources including ultraviolet-C (UVC-254 nm) and natural solar in compound parabolic concentrators (CPC). Characterization of the ZnO nanoparticles samples was performed by field-emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectro-photometer, and Brunauer�Emmett�Teller measurements. The highest photocatalytic and photoly-sis activity for the degradation of BPA has been obtained for the ZnO/UVC and UVC with 99 and 40 efficiencies in 120 min. Also, the highest photocatalytic and photolysis activity for the degradation of BPA has been obtained for the CPC reactor and 97 and 31 efficiency in 120 min. The photocatalytic degradation reaction of BPA was monitored by high-performance liquid chroma-tography, total organic carbon, and gas chromatography/mass (GC-MASS) analyses. The results of GC-MASS analysis show that the degradation of BPA occurs through the production of glycolic acid, benzoic acid, and vinyl phenol products and its decomposition occurs by ring fission and then subsequent reactions with OH radicals. These results show that the photo catalytic degradation of solar light and UV has high efficiency in BPA removal as well as effluent mineralization. © 2022 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved
Pharmacotherapy consideration of thrombolytic medications in COVID-19-associated ARDS
No full textBackground: In late 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was identified as the new pathogen to lead pneumonia in Wuhan, China, which has spread all over the world and developed into a pandemic. Despite the over 1 year of pandemic, due to the lack of an effective treatment plan, the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 remains high. Efforts are underway to find the optimal management for this viral disease. Main body: SARS-CoV-2 could simultaneously affect multiple organs with variable degrees of severity, from mild to critical disease. Overproduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, exacerbated cellular and humoral immune responses, and coagulopathy such as Pulmonary Intravascular Coagulopathy (PIC) contributes to cell injuries. Considering the pathophysiology of the disease and multiple microthrombi developments in COVID-19, thrombolytic medications seem to play a role in the management of the disease. Beyond the anticoagulation, the exact role of thrombolytic medications in the management of patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is not explicit. This review focuses on current progress in underlying mechanisms of COVID-19-associated pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy, the historical use of thrombolytic drugs in the management of ARDS, and pharmacotherapy considerations of thrombolytic therapy, their possible benefits, and pitfalls in COVID-19-associated ARDS. Conclusions: Inhaled or intravenous administration of thrombolytics appears to be a salvage therapy for severe ARDS associated with COVID-19 by prompt attenuation of lung injury. Considering the pathogenesis of COVID-19-related ARDS and mechanism of action of thrombolytic agents, thrombolytics appear attractive options in stable patients without contraindications. © 2022, The Author(s)
Whole exome sequencing reveals the first c.7456C>T p.Arg2486X mutation in ATM gene in Iranian population
No full textMutations in Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) gene are prominently responsible for the condition. ATM gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase, a crucial component in DNA repair systems. Whole exome sequencing was performed on a nine year old male subject with clinical features of A-T. Alpha fetoprotein and immunoglobulins levels in the serum sample were also measured by biochemical testing. Sequencing test revealed c.7456C>T (p.Arg2486X) mutation in exon 50 of ATM gene in this patient. This mutation was previously described as a missense pathogenic variant that could lead to truncation or lack of protein. Copyright © 2022, Health Biotechnology and Biopharma. All rights reserved
Evaluation of the expression of necroptosis pathway mediators and its association with tumor characteristics in functional and non-functional pituitary adenomas
No full textBackground: Pituitary adenomas impose a burden of morbidity on patients and characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis received remarkable attention. Despite the appealing role of necroptosis as an alternative cell death pathway in cancer pathogenesis, its relevance to pituitary adenoma pathogenesis has yet to be determined that is perused in the current study. Methods: The total number of 109 specimens including pituitary adenomas and cadaveric healthy pituitary tissues were enrolled in the current study. Tumor and healthy pituitary tissues were subjected to RNA extraction and gene analysis using Real-Time PCR. The expression levels of necroptosis markers (RIP1K, RIP3K and, MLKL) and their association with the patient�s demographic features were evaluated, also the protein level of MLKL was assessed using immunohistochemistry in tissues. Results: Based on our data, the remarkable reduction in RIP3K and MLKL expression were detected in nonfunctional and GH-secreting pituitary tumors compared to pituitary normal tissues. Invasive tumors revealed lower expression of RIP3K and MLKL compared to non-invasive tumors, also the attenuated level of MLKL was associated with the tumor size in invasive NFPA. The simultaneous down-regulation of MLKL protein in pituitary adenoma tissues was observed which was in line with its gene expression. While, RIP1K over-expressed significantly in both types of pituitary tumors which showed no significant correlation with patient�s age, gender and tumor size in GHPPA and NFPA group. Notably, MLKL and RIP3K gene expression was significantly correlated in the GHPPA group. Conclusions: According to our data, the reduced expression of necroptosis mediators (RIP3K, MLKL) in pituitary adenoma reinforces the hypothesis that the necroptosis pathway can be effective in regulating the proliferation and growth of pituitary tumor cells and tumor recurrence. © 2021, The Author(s)
Improved antibacterial activity of sulfasalazine loaded fullerene derivative: computational and experimental studies
No full textRecently, nanomaterials have found application in the biomedical field by providing new and efficient techniques in imaging, drug delivery, diagnosis and many other areas. The present study is a significant contribution in which a well-known zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, fullerene, has been explored as an efficient drug carrier. Specifically, water insoluble fullerene has been made water soluble through chemical functionalization using hydrogen peroxide to form polyhydroxylated fullerene, which is referred to as fullerenol. A well-known antibacterial drug, sulfasalazine (SSZ), has been loaded on to the surface of this fullerenol. The success of functionalization and drug loading has been confirmed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman analysis. Moreover, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) imaging and elemental analysis have also been performed to evaluate the particle size and composition before and after drug loading. In addition, the effect of incorporating the nanomaterial has also been studied by comparing the antibacterial activity of drug loaded fullerenol with pure SSZ towards a number of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The remarkable performance of SSZ loaded fullerenol show them as an efficient and promising nano drug-carrier. © 2021 Elsevier B.V
Low expression of LncRNA-CAF attributed to the high expression of HIF1A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cancer patients
No full textPurpose: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of tumor microenvironment that stimulate ESCC and GC progression. The LncRNA-CAF, FLJ22447, is located in the vicinity of HIF1A, while their association remains unclear. This study aims to assess the FLJ22447 expression in the ESCC and GC patients and evaluate its association with the HIF1A gene. Methods: Fresh ESCC and GC tumor samples and their adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from patients who underwent surgery in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The expression of FLJ22447, HIF1A, and VEGF was evaluated using qRT-PCR test. The association of their expression with tumor clinicopathological features in ESCC patients was assessed. System biology tools were then applied for the possible biological subsequences of the FLJ22447. Results: A significant reduction in FLJ22447 expression was observed in ESCC and GC tissues than adjacent non-tumor tissues, while, the expression of HIF1A and VEGF were increased. Low expression of FLJ22447 was significantly correlated with HIF1A (P = 2.4e�73, R = 0.63) and VEGF (P = 0.00019, R = 0.15) expression. A significant relationship was detected between the high expression of HIF1A and tumor stages (I�II) and it was related to the reduced survival of ESCC patients. Conversely, increased VEGF expression was linked to the advanced stages (III�IV) and metastasis in ESCC. The analysis of FLJ22447-interacted proteins showed that MYC, JUN, SMRCA4, PPARG, AR, FOS, and CEBPA are the hub genes. These proteins were implicated in the cancer related pathways. Among them, SPI1, E2F1, TCF7L2, and STAT1 were significantly expressed in esophageal and gastric cancers that were functionally involved in the proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis pathways in cancer. Conclusion: The results suggested that FLJ22447 may have a regulatory function on the HIF1A expression. We identified the FLJ22447-interacted proteins and their molecular function in cancer pathogenesis. Further research emphasis is to realize the association of FLJ22447 with its protein partners in progression of cancer. These may provide an insight into the FLJ22447 activity that could introduce it as a potential value in tumor gene therapy. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V
Primary care physician payment mechanisms toward universal health coverage: A study of Iran and selected countries
No full textBackground and aim: Primary care physician (PCP) payment mechanisms can be important tools for addressing issues of access, quality, and equity in health care. The purpose of the present study is to compare the PCP payment mechanisms of Iran, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Thailand. Methods: This is a descriptive-comparative study comparing the PCP payment mechanisms of Iran and selected countries in 2020. Data for each country are collected from reliable databases and are tabulated to compare their payment models. Framework analysis is used for data analysis. Results: The results are provided in terms of PCP payment mechanisms, adjusting factor for capitation, reasons for fee-for-service payment, the role of pay-for-performance (PFP) programme, domain and indicators, and reasons for developing PFP in each country. Conclusion: The majority of the countries with high UHC service coverage index have applied a mix of PCP payment mechanisms, most of which include capitation and PFP. Moreover, adjusting capitation by factors such as age, sex, and health status will lead to provision of better services to high-risk populations. In recent years, PFP has been paid to Iranian PCPs in addition to salary. Given the various existing models for primary health care in Iran and the increasing burden of chronic diseases, a more appropriate combination of payment mechanisms that create more incentives to provide active and high-quality care should be developed. Also, when developing payment mechanisms, the required infrastructure such as electronic health record should be considered. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Usefulness of Doppler ultrasound for the early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus
No full textPurpose: Early diagnosis and management of diabetic nephropathy (DN) might prevent or delay its progression to end-stage renal disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in the duplex Doppler resistivity index (RI) are useful for the early identification of renal involvement in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and associated conditions. Materials and methods: A total of 49 diabetic patients (two groups: 21 with DN and 28 without DN) were included in this study. DN was defined as 30�300 mg/l of albumin excretion in a random urine sample. The RI of the main renal arteries and their intrarenal branches (arcuate, interlobar) were evaluated with duplex Doppler ultrasound and correlated with age, renal length, duration of diabetes, and laboratory examinations. Results: The mean age did not significantly differ between the two groups. The patients with DN had a significantly longer duration of type 1 diabetes (p = 0.02). The majority of patients (90.5) had mild renal involvement with microalbuminuria and normal renal function. The mean RI was normal in both groups of patients, with no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The RI did not increase in the early clinical stage of DN and was not a reliable marker for the screening of DN in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. © 2021, Società Italiana di Ultrasonologia in Medicina e Biologia (SIUMB)