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Comparative evaluation of behaviors of three naturally occurring products, namely propolis, milk, and egg albumin when used as storage media in extracted teeth for orthodontic purpose
Full text linkBackground: The reasonably successful prognosis in retaining avulsed tooth in its respective position depends on the maintenance of the viability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells during the replantation procedure. Various synthetic media have been tried for preserving the viability of PDL cells with considerable success. However, easy availability of these media had been a problem at various occasions. Hence, an attempt was made to test the properties of easily available natural products such as Propolis, milk, and egg albumin. Aim: This study was aimed at comparing the behaviors of three naturally available media, namely propolis, milk, and egg albumin when used as the storage media in preserving the viability of traumatized periodontal cells in an avulsed tooth. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 premolars with closed root apices indicated for the extractions for orthodontic treatment were selected. Initially, these teeth in the experimental group were stored dry immediately after the extraction for 30 minutes, and then, immersed in the respective storage media for 45 minutes. The teeth in the positive control group were assessed immediately after the extraction, whereas the negative control teeth were bench dried for 8 hrs. All the five group samples were then incubated with collagenase and phosphate-buffered saline for 30 minutes, centrifuged and labeled with 0.5 trypan blue for the determination of cell viability. The cells were counted under the light microscope. The statistical analysis was carried out by applying the unpaired t-test. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed in viable PDL cell counts when compared among propolis, milk, and egg albumin. Conclusions: Propolis, milk, or egg albumin could be a good naturally available storage media for avulsed teeth
Molecular analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from four teaching hospitals in Iran: The emergence of novel MRSA clones
Full text linkBackground: The global spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections necessitates the use of validated methods for the identification and typing of this bacterium. This study aimed to determine the distribution of main molecular types of MRSA strain circulating among hospitalized patients in teaching hospitals in Isfahan and Kashan. Methods: A total of 146 Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from patients in four teaching hospitals in Isfahan and Kashan during June 2017 to September 2018. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus strains were performed by disc diffusion method. The MRSA strains were identified phenotypically and confirmed by PCR assay. The prevalence of microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) genes among MRSA strains was evaluated by multiplex PCR. The genotypes of MRSA strains were determined by multilocus sequence typing and SCCmec typing. Results: Of 146 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 24 (16.4) isolates were identified as MRSA strains. According to antimicrobial susceptibility testing the highest resistance rates were seen for tetracycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. All of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were susceptible to vancomycin whereas 3 (2.1) isolates were resistant to linezolid. Three different SCCmec types were obtained among MRSA strains including 16 (66.7) SCCmec type V, 3 (12.5) SCCmec type III and 5 (20.8) SCCmec type II. Of 24 MRSA isolates 20 (83.3) carried MSCRAMMs genes including eno (70.8), fib (54.1), cna (25.0), fnbB (16.6), ebps 5 (20.8), and the fnbA, bbp and clfA genes were not detected in any MRSA isolate. MLST analysis revealed 11 sequence types among MRSA isolates as follows: ST239, ST291, ST22, ST861, ST889, ST8, ST59, ST343, ST772, ST6 and ST1465. Also seven MLST-based clonal complexes (CCs) were identified among MRSA strains including: CC8, CC7, CC398, CC59, CC22, CC1 and CC5. Conclusions: A relatively high diversity was found in MRSA genotypes in Kashan and Isfahan hospitals, and seven clonal complexes were identified. Pandemic MRSA clones including CC8 and CC22 were the most prevalent clones and the novel ST types including ST1465, ST861, ST 889 and ST772 are reported for the first time in Iran in the present study. In addition the high prevalence of MSCRAMMs genes in MRSA isolates demonstrates the high potential of these strains for pathogenicity. © 2020 The Author(s)
TGF-β and WNT signaling pathways in cardiac fibrosis: non-coding RNAs come into focus
Full text linkCardiac fibrosis describes the inappropriate proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), leading to accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the cardiac muscle, which is found in many pathophysiological heart conditions. A range of molecular components and cellular pathways, have been implicated in its pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on the TGF-β and WNT signaling pathways, and their mutual interaction, which have emerged as important factors involved in cardiac pathophysiology. The molecular and cellular processes involved in the initiation and progression of cardiac fibrosis are summarized. We focus on TGF-β and WNT signaling in cardiac fibrosis, ECM production, and myofibroblast transformation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are one of the main players in the regulation of multiple pathways and cellular processes. MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular long non-coding RNAs can all interact with the TGF-β/WNT signaling axis to affect cardiac fibrosis. A better understanding of these processes may lead to new approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many cardiac conditions. Video Abstract
Environmental enrichment restores impaired spatial memory and synaptic plasticity in prenatally stress exposed rats: The role of GABAergic neurotransmission
No full textEvidence shows that prenatal stress negatively affects cognitive functions and activity of neuronal circuits in postnatal age. Environmental enrichment counteracts deficits induced by early life stress. We examined if behavioural function and synaptic plasticity are sensitive to prenatal stress and, how much environmental enrichment and GABAergic system impact these phenomena. Animals were exposed to noise stress during the third trimester of foetal life. Groups of the stressed animals remained intact (S-SH) or received enrichment (S-EE) from postnatal day 22 for one month. Also, two groups received either saline (S-SH-S) or bicuculline (S-SH-B). One enriched group received muscimol (S-EE-M). The control groups were intact (C-SH), enriched (C-EE), or received bicuculline (C-SH-B) or saline (C-SH-S). We assessed learning and memory and, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). Serum corticosterone levels were detected as a measure of stress condition. We found that stress reduced spatial performance and suppressed LTP in the S-SH animals. Postnatal enrichment restored both spatial learning and memory and synaptic plasticity in the S-EE rats. GABAergic antagonism strengthens maze performance and LTP induction in the S-SH-B group. However, muscimol prevented the positive effects of enrichment in the S-EE-M animals. Environmental enrichment and GABAergic modulation may improve disrupted spatial performance and synaptic plasticity. © 2020 International Society for Developmental Neuroscienc
Dietary intake and health risk assessment of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamines: a Bayesian analysis and Monte Carlo simulation
No full textNitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamines intake from the diet creates human health risks. In this study, nitrate/nitrite intake from diet and its association with nitric oxide (NO) level in humans have been surveyed. Besides nitrate/nitrite, nitrosamines risks were also determined from the diet. This study was conducted as a pilot study; 33 heathy adults participated in and completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for 3 days. Then, concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamines were studied by the literature review. Also, the association between the intake of nitrate and nitrite with salivary and urinary NO was evaluated by Bayesian bi-variate analysis. Then, the health risk was assessed for nitrate/nitrite from food groups and drinking water, and nitrosamines from food groups based on hazard index (HI) and cancer risk with the Monte Carlo simulation. The nitrate/nitrite intakes had no association with NO level in the saliva and urine samples. The mean of HI value for the mean of 3 days was 3.57 and 0.32 from food groups and drinking water, respectively. The cancer risk amount of nitrosamines from food groups was (1.74 to 2.22) × 10−3 based on 95 confidence interval (CI 95) values. This study showed the Iranian diet had a high risk, but drinking water consumption was safe based on nitrate/nitrite and nitrosamines for humans. There is a need to determine the concentration of nitrosamines in drinking water in Iran and to recommend for decrease risk of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamines exposure by food groups. © 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
Cardiac complications in inherited mitochondrial diseases
Full text linkMaternally mitochondrial dysfunction includes a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders which leads to the impairment of the final common pathway of energy metabolism. Coronary heart disease and coronary venous disease are two important clinical manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction due to abnormality in the setting of underlying pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to cardiomyopathy, which is involved in the onset of acute cardiac and pulmonary failure. Mitochondrial diseases present other cardiac manifestations such as left ventricular noncompaction and cardiac conduction disease. Different clinical findings from mitochondrial dysfunction originate from different mtDNA mutations, and this variety of clinical symptoms poses a diagnostic challenge for cardiologists. Heart transplantation may be a good treatment, but it is not always possible, and other complications of the disease, such as mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like syndrome, should be considered. To diagnose and treat most mitochondrial disorders, careful cardiac, neurological, and molecular studies are needed. In this study, we looked at molecular genetics of MIDs and cardiac manifestations in patients with mitochondrial dysfunction. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on oxidative stress biomarkers in rats’ kidney, lung, and serum
Full text linkBackground: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of CONPs on the OS status in kidney, lung, and serum of rats. Methods: Male Wistar Rats were treated intraperitoneally with 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day of CONPs. The biochemical parameters, including TAC, TTG, MDA, SOD, and CAT were assayed in serum, kidney, and lung tissues. Results: MDA decreased, but TTG and CAT increased in serum by the administration of CONPs at 15 mg/kg. In kidney homogenate obtained from the group treated with CONPs at 15 mg/kg, TAC, TTG, and CAT significantly increased compared to the control group. However, CONPs at 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg significantly decreased MDA level compared to the control group. In lung tissue, CONPs in doses of 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg significantly decreased CAT activity, TTG and TAC compared to the control group, while in kidney tissue, CONPs at the concentrations of 30 and 60 mg/kg significantly increased MDA compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CONPs attenuate OS in the kidney and affect the serum levels of OS-related markers but induce OS in the lung tissue in a dose-dependent manner. © 2020, Pasteur Institute of Iran. All Rights Reserved
Resilience and its relationship with exposure to violence in emergency nurses
Full text linkBackground: Workplace violence (WPV) is a detrimental factor affecting nurses' health and performance. Individual protective factors such as resilience can assist nurses in coping with and adapting to workplace adversity. Objectives: The present study was aimed to determine the relationship between resilience and exposure to WPV in emergency nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 118 emergency nurses in Tabriz educational hospitals, Iran. The participants were selected through a convenience sampling method. A demographic questionnaire, the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Modified Questionnaire of Workplace Violence in the health sector were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean resilience score of nurses was 25.05 ± 5.79 in the possible range of 0-40. Most of the cases of violence were verbal threats (80.5), and 56.7 of the exposures occurred during the night shift. Logistic regression showed that lower resilience predicted verbal threats (P = 0.001) and physical attacks (P = 0.038) against the individual. In addition to resilience, working on the night shift significantly predicted verbal threats (P = 0.008) against nurses. Conclusion: The resilience score was lower in nurses who exposed to violence. Empowerment programs are suggested to improve the resilience of nurses
An insight into the roles of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of oral, esophageal, and gastric cancer
No full textP-Element induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a member of the non-coding RNAs family. Four PIWI proteins are found to be expressed in humans. The number of studies focusing on the roles of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in the field of cancer is increasing. Oral, esophageal, and gastric cancers are considered as important causes of death. PIWI proteins and piRNAs are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Thus, studying these molecules may be beneficial for finding new therapeutics. Since it is shown that currently used biomarkers for these cancers have low sensitivity and specificity, there is a necessity for identifying novel non-invasive biomarkers which are highly sensitive and specific. This paper will provide an insight into current knowledge about the functions of PIWI proteins and piRNAs in the oral, esophageal, and gastric cancer. We discuss how PIWI proteins and piRNAs can be involved in the pathogenesis of these cancers. Moreover, we review the studies concerning with the roles of PIWI proteins and piRNAs as biomarkers which are used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. © 202
Investigating the satisfaction level of physicians in regards to implementing medical Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
Full text linkBACKGROUND: User satisfaction with PACS is considered as one of the important criteria for assessing success in using PACS. The objective of this study was to determine the level of user satisfaction with PACS and to compare its functional features with traditional film-based systems. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2017. Residents at three large university hospitals in Kerman filled-out a self-administered questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic information of participants, user satisfaction with PACS, comparing features of the two digital and traditional imaging systems. The validity of this questionnaire was approved by five medical informatics, radiology, and health information management specialists and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha (86). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Spearman, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. RESULTS: The mean of the participants' ages was 31.4 (±4.4) years and 59 of the participants were females. The mean of physicians' satisfaction with PACS' had no significant relationship with their age (P = 0.611), experience of using PACS (P = 0.301), specialty (P = 0.093), and percent of interpretation of images with PACS (P = 0.762). It had a significant relationship with the participants' computer skills (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The mean of physicians' satisfaction with PACS was at a moderate to a high level, yet there are still problems in the successful implementation of these systems and establishing interoperability between them. PACS has not fully met all the demands of physicians and has not achieved its predetermined objectives, such as all-access from different locations