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Determination of trigonelline in human plasma by magnetic solid-phase extraction: A pharmacokinetic study
No full textAim: To develop a novel method for the bioanalytical extraction of trigonelline (TRG) from human plasma samples using a magnetic nanocomposite and to evaluate its pharmacokinetic profile. Materials & methods: Magnetic bentonite/β-cyclodextrine (β-CD) nanoparticles, coupled with a validated ion-pairing reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method, were used to determine TRG concentration from plasma samples following a single oral administration. Results: The developed reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was accurate, precise, specific, selective and reproducible. TRG showed rapid absorption, middle rate of elimination and mean residence time of �24 h. The data were best fitted on a two-compartment model in which tmax was 1.0 h, Cmax 0.115 μg/ml, area under the curve (AUC)0-24 1.72 μg/ml.h, Cl 0.0293 l/h/kg, t1/2α 0.79 h, t1/2β 13.68 h and ka 1.63 h-1. Conclusion: The findings of this study could provide useful information to promote the future study of TRG and aid optimal dose finding. © 202
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mobility in ten countries and associated perceived risk for all transport modes
No full textThe restrictive measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have triggered sudden massive changes to travel behaviors of people all around the world. This study examines the individual mobility patterns for all transport modes (walk, bicycle, motorcycle, car driven alone, car driven in company, bus, subway, tram, train, airplane) before and during the restrictions adopted in ten countries on six continents: Australia, Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Italy, Norway, South Africa and the United States. This cross-country study also aims at understanding the predictors of protective behaviors related to the transport sector and COVID-19. Findings hinge upon an online survey conducted in May 2020 (N = 9,394). The empirical results quantify tremendous disruptions for both commuting and non-commuting travels, highlighting substantial reductions in the frequency of all types of trips and use of all modes. In terms of potential virus spread, airplanes and buses are perceived to be the riskiest transport modes, while avoidance of public transport is consistently found across the countries. According to the Protection Motivation Theory, the study sheds new light on the fact that two indicators, namely income inequality, expressed as Gini index, and the reported number of deaths due to COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants, aggravate respondents� perceptions. This research indicates that socio-economic inequality and morbidity are not only related to actual health risks, as well documented in the relevant literature, but also to the perceived risks. These findings document the global impact of the COVID-19 crisis as well as provide guidance for transportation practitioners in developing future strategies. © 2021 Barbieri et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protective effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. and its main compound, rosmarinic acid, against malathion induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HepG2 cells
No full textMalathion (MT) is one of the most widely used organophosphorus insecticides which induces toxicity through oxidative stress induction, free radical production and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In this work, HepG2 cells were used to determine the effect of Zataria multiflora methanolic extract (MEZM) and rosmarinic acid (RA) on MT-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined and plant was further standardized based on RA content using HPLC method. The cultured HepG2 cells were pretreated with MEZM (1 μg/ml) and RA (0.1 μg/ml) for 4 h and exposed to MT (100 μM). Cell viability, oxidative stress biomarkers, ROS production, and cell death were examined after 24 h. The amount of RA was determined 73.48 mg/g dried extract. IC50 values of MEZM and MT were 368.56 μg/ml and 99.43 μM, respectively. Pretreatment with MEZM and RA decreased the cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cell percentage in the late apoptosis and necrosis stages induced by MT. There was no significant difference between MEZM and RA effects. The present study showed the significant protective effects of MEZM against toxicity induced by MT in hepatocytes which can be attributed to the plant antioxidant constituents including RA. © 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Activators of SIRT1 in the kidney and protective effects of SIRT1 during acute kidney injury (AKI) (effect of SIRT1 activators on acute kidney injury)
No full textAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disorder and a clinical condition characterized by acute reduction in renal function. If AKI is not treated, it can lead to chronic kidney disease, which is associated with a high risk of death. SIRT1 (silent information regulator 1) is an NAD-dependent deacetylase. This enzyme is responsible for the processes of DNA repair or recombination, chromosomal stability, and gene transcription. This enzyme also plays a protective role in many diseases, including AKI. In this study, we review the mechanisms that mediate the protective effects of SIRT1 on AKI, including SIRT1 activators. © 2021, Japanese Society of Nephrology
Health service delivery models for elderly people: A systematic review
No full textBackground: Current Health care delivery systems are not effective for the elderly. Countries with high elderly populations are expected to design special models to serve their elderly population. The aim of this study is to investigate the models of health care delivery to the elderly in different countries. Methods: The present study is a systematic review based on PRISMA standard guidelines. The search for related studies was conducted in electronic databases (Cochran Library, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) and the Google Scholar search engine without time limits until May 2019. Keywords were extracted based on MeSH strategies. At first, 16243 articles were found. After the screening phase (elimination of duplicated articles, title screening, abstract screening, and full-text screening) 19 articles remained. Two articles deleted after text appraisal using the CASP checklist. In the next stage, after reviewing the gray literature and reviewing the references of remaining articles, three new articles were added (Included studies = 20). Results: Twenty articles (models) corresponding to the study objectives were finally extracted. These models are limited to nine countries and most have local scopes. These models mainly use a case manager, an intra- or inter-disciplinary team, and an elderly assessment tool in their structure. In addition to the use of an information system, these models provide a wide range of services to the elderly. Conclusion: Most of the models mentioned are local models. Smaller models to become applicable at the national level, they need to be reviewed and evaluated by policymakers and experts. Given the inefficiency of current systems in providing services to the elderly, it is recommended that countries use an integrated model of health care provision for the elderly. © 2021. Iran University of Medical Science
Bioactive anti-oxidative polycaprolactone/gelatin electrospun nanofibers containing selenium nanoparticles/vitamin E for wound dressing applications
No full textIn this study, polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GEL) electrospun nanofibers containing biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) and Se NPs/vitamin E (VE) with average diameters of 397.8 nm and 279.5 nm, respectively (as determined by SEM inspection) were prepared and their effect on wound healing was evaluated using in-vivo studies. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping, TEM micrograph, and FTIR spectra of the prepared nanofibers strongly demonstrated well entrapment of Se NPs and VE into scaffolds. An amount of 57 Se NPs and 43 VE were gradually released from PCL/GEL/Se NPs/VE scaffold after 4 days immersion in PBS solution (pH 7.4). The both PCL/GEL/Se NPs and PCL/GEL/Se NPs/VE scaffolds supported 3T3 cell proliferation and attachment as confirmed by MTT assay and SEM imaging. Complete re-epithelialization, low level of edema and inflammatory cells in coordination with high level of oriented collagens demonstrated the wound healing activity of PCL/GEL/Se NPs/VE. Besides, significant antioxidant efficacy of PCL/GEL/Se NPs and PCL/GEL/Se NPs/VE scaffolds was demonstrated according to GSH and MDA assays. To sum up, the prepared PCL/GEL/Se NPs/VE scaffold in the present study represented suitable healing effect on animal model which candidate it for further studies. © The Author(s) 2021
A grounded theory study on health information seeking behavior of Iranian diabetic
No full textBackground: Diabetes is a chronic and metabolic disease with a steadily increasing prevalence. Patients� higher level of health information has positive effect on self-care and control of conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the information seeking behavior of patients with diabetes in Kerman through applying a grounded theory approach. Method: This qualitative study was conducted through applying a grounded theory approach using Corbin and Strauss (2008) method. To ensure of the accuracy and reliability of the qualitative data, Corbin and Strauss (2008) criteria were used. Eighteen diabetic patients were included in the study based on a purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were done in diabetes and healthcare centers in June 2019. Results: The analysis of the data resulted in 45 primary categories, 17 subcategories and 5 major categories. The five main categories were: 1) recognizing the information needs to live well with disease, 2) acquiring health information literacy (the core variable), 3) information seeking barriers, 4).supportive information directing factors 5) empowerment. The main concern of the patients was �disease management and healthcare�. The main strategy to overcome it was health information acquisition. Information seeking obstacles had caused insufficient information, distrust, and information evasion; while, supportive information directing factors had facilitated the process and increased the patients� health literacy. Finally, the interaction between these variables had led to the patients� empowerment. Conclusion: This study showed that there are various interactive factors centered on �health information acquisition� that influence health information seeking behavior of diabetic patients. The policy-makers can design optimal health information systems and effectively transmit health information to patients to increase their health information literacy, self-care, disease control and healthcare costs reduction. The findings can help diabetic patients to have access to the more proper information they need. © 2021, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Intranasal oxytocin administration facilitates the induction of long-term potentiation and promotes cognitive performance of maternally separated rats
No full textMaternal separation (MS) is known to induce permanent changes in the central nervous system and is associated with increased levels of anxiety and cognitive impairments. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has been implicated in a broad spectrum of social and nonsocial and behaviors. Since it plays a significant role in learning and memory and enhances synaptic plasticity, we hypothesized that OT may affect MS-induced changes in synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance. Rat pups underwent MS protocol for 180 min/day from postnatal day (PND) 1�21. OT was administered intranasally (2 μg/μl, 7 days) to control and MS groups from PND 22�34. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels, anxiety-like behavior, sociability, learning and memory were measured in adolescent rats. In addition, extracellular evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) were also recorded from hippocampal slices. MS induced higher plasma CORT levels and impaired social interaction, learning and memory. Moreover, MS reduced locomotor activity and increased anxiety-like behavior. Intranasal OT could overcome MS-induced deficits and promoted sociability, learning and memory of MS rats. OT also enhanced locomotor activity in the open field and decreased anxiety-like behavior. Obtained results showed that long term potentiation (LTP) was not induced in MS animals. However, OT injection overcame the MS-induced impairment in LTP generation in CA1 area of the hippocampus. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
The Relationship Between Authenticity and Death Anxiety in Cancer Patients
No full textOne of the many problems cancer patients experience is death anxiety. This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between authenticity and death anxiety in cancer patients. The participants were 172 cancer patients who referred to medical centers in southeast Iran. The data were collected using authenticity inventory, and death and dying anxiety scale. There was a negative correlation between authenticity and death anxiety, i.e. patients who indicated higher authenticity scores showed lower levels of death anxiety. It seems that developing a comprehensive care program for increasing awareness of authenticity in patients, may be effective in reducing patient death anxiety. © The Author(s) 2021