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Chitosan is a potential inhibitor of ovarian cancer: Molecular aspects
No full textAlthough ovarian cancer has a lower prevalence than breast cancer, its mortality rate is three times higher, which is reported to increase in the coming years. As the early stages of ovarian cancer do not have any obvious symptoms, in most of the cases, this cancer is diagnosed at advanced stages with a poor prognosis. Moreover, in many patients who are diagnosed with advanced stage, relapse of the disease and drug resistance are observed. Over the past years, these women have been treated with chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgeries. However, the chemotherapy could affect the healthy tissues in addition to the malignancies. Therefore, discovering new diagnostic and therapeutic options seems to be a crucial need. Unlike the common invasive and/or nonspecific treatments, nanomedicine is trying to find a new way for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and drug delivery method. Nanoparticles (NPs), which has recently drawn attention, can be used in order to reduce the toxicity and frequent dosing of drugs, tumor-specific delivery, and early diagnosis for malignancies. Chitosan as an NP and product of chitin deacetylation has multiple characteristics, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and safety. In this review, we cover the studies concerned with the role of chitosan in finding solutions to overcome the problems faced in ovarian cancer treatments. Furthermore, we highlight how chitosan is being used in delivering chemotherapy drugs, gene therapy, and imaging methods for both detection and image-guided therapies. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog
Viral infections and risk of thyroid cancer: A systematic review and empirical bayesian meta-analysis
Full text linkObjective: The associations between viruses and the cancer have been conducted in several studies while there has been no systematic review and meta-analysis about the association between viral infections and thyroid cancer (TC). Therefore, we investigated the association between viral infection and TC risk. Methods: Systematic search was done from 1994 to 2019 in Web of sciences (ISI), PubMed, and Scopus databases. Pooled logarithm of odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95 confidence interval (CI) and pooled prevalence of viral infections were calculated to find the association between the viral infections and TC risk and overall prevalence of the viral infections in TC. Results: Twenty-three of 852 original articles were selected and included in the study. According to the results of the random effect meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of viral infections in the TC patients was 37 (95 C. I = 22 �55 ). In addition, there was a significant association between viral infections (log (OR) = 1.51, 95 credible interval = 0.68�2.39) and TC risk. The highest associations were observed between TC risk and Simian Vacuolating Virus 40 (SV40) and B19 infections, respectively. The lowest non-significant association was found between TC risk and Poliovirus type 1 infection. The significantly heterogeneity was observed between included studies (Q test: p-value<0.001; I2 = 73.82 ; �2 = 1.08, 95 Cr. I = 0.47�1.94). Conclusions: Results clearly demonstrated the potential pathogenetic association between viral infections and increased risk of TC. © 2020 Elsevier Gmb
The study of factors associated with pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Full text linkObjectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can lead to unfavorable pregnancy complications in women. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with pregnancy outcomes in patients with SLE. Results: Fifty-nine pregnant women with SLE (121 pregnancies) participated in this retrospective cohort study. The mean age of the patients was 33.74 ± 3.80 years (range 21 to 48 years). Fetal loss occurred in 43.8 of pregnancies. The most common laboratory findings in SLE patients were antinuclear antibody (81.4) and anti-ds DNA positivity (54.2). High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) during pregnancy, renal involvement, anti-double-stranded DNA positivity, anti-phospholipid antibody (APA) positivity and younger age at disease onset were significantly correlated with unfavourable pregnancy outcomes. A significant difference was observed between duration of SLE and low birth weight (P = 0.003), pre-eclampsia (P = 0.012) and still birth (P = 0.036). High CRP, APA positivity, anti-dsDNA positivity and kidney involvement were predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients. Renal involvement increased risk of pregnancy with complication 8.5 times (OR = 8.5, 95 CI 1.396-63.373, P = 0.017). Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) also was associated with an odds ratio of 5.18 (95 CI 1.681-13.647, P = 0.001). © 2020 The Author(s)
Therapeutic potentials of curcumin in the treatment of glioblstoma
Full text linkGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a greatly aggressive malignancy of the brain, is correlated with a poor prognosis and low rate of survival. Up to now, chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgical approaches have been the treatments increasing the survival rates. The low efficacy of mentioned therapies as well as their side-effects has forced researchers to explore an appropriate alternative or complementary treatment for glioblastoma. In experimental models, it has been shown that curcumin has therapeutic potentials to fight against GBM. Given that curcumin has pharmacological effects against cancer stem cells, as major causes of resistance to therapy in glioblastoma cells. Moreover, it has been showed that curcumin exerts its therapeutic effects on GBM cells via affecting on apoptosis, oxidant system, and inflammatory pathways. Curcumin would possess a synergistic impact with chemotherapeutic agents. Herein, we summarized the current findings on curcumin as therapeutic agent in the treatment of GBM. © 2020 Elsevier Masson SA
The relationship between moral intelligence and value conflict resolution ability in university students
Full text linkThe effects of grape seed extract on glycemic control, serum lipoproteins, inflammation, and body weight: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Full text linkThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins, inflammation and body weight. Two independent authors systematically searched online databases including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until May 30, 2019. Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of included trials. The heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Q test and I-square (I2) statistic. Data were pooled using a random-effects model and weighted mean difference (WMD) was considered as the overall effect size. Fifty trials were included in this meta-analysis. Pooling effect sizes from studies demonstrated a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (WMD): �2.01; 95 confidence interval (CI): �3.14, �0.86), total cholesterol (TC; WMD: �6.03; 95 CI: �9.71, �2.35), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (WMD: �4.97; 95 CI: �8.37, �1.57), triglycerides (WMD: �6.55; 95 CI: �9.28, �3.83), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (WMD: �0.81; 95 CI: �1.25, �0.38) following GSE therapy. Grape seed did not influence HbA1c, HDL cholesterol levels, and anthropometric measurements. This meta-analysis demonstrated that GSE intake significantly reduced FPG, TC, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP levels. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Neuroprotective effect of melatonin on radiation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brainstem of rats
No full textThis study aimed to determine the effects of melatonin on irradiation-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the brainstem region of Wistar rats. Therefore, the animals underwent whole-brain X-radiation with a single dose of 25 Gy in the presence or absence of melatonin pretreatment at a concentration of 100 mg/kg BW. The rats were allocated into four groups (10 rats in each group): namely, vehicle control (VC), 100 mg/kg of melatonin alone (MLT), irradiation-only (RAD), and irradiation plus 100 mg/kg of melatonin (RAM). An hour before irradiation, the animals received intraperitoneal (IP) melatonin and then were killed after 6 hr, followed by measurement of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brainstem region. Furthermore, the western blot analysis technique was performed to assess the caspase-3 expression level. Results showed significantly higher MDA and NO levels in the brainstem tissues for the RAD group when compared with the VC group (p <.001). Moreover, the irradiated rats exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of CAT, SOD, GPx, and TAC (p <.01, p <.001, p <.001, and p <.001, respectively) in comparison to the VC group. The results of apoptosis assessment revealed that the expression level of caspase-3 significantly rose in the RAD group in comparison with the VC group (p <.001). Pretreatment with melatonin ameliorated the radiation-induced adverse effects by decreasing the MDA and NO levels (p <.001) and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities (p <.001). Consequently, the caspase-3 protein expression level in the RAM group showed a significant reduction in comparison with the RAD group (p <.001). In conclusion, melatonin approximately showed a capacity for neuroprotective activity in managing irradiation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brainstem of rats; however, the use of melatonin as a neuroprotective agent in humans requires further study, particularly clinical trials. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Effect of Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Cichorium intybus L. And Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Combination extract on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats
Full text linkBackground: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a range of liver damage from early steatosis to cirrhosis. Although NAFLD prevalence in the world is increasing, but there is no effective treatment for it. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined extract of jujube, chicory and silymarin on NAFLD induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. Method: In this experimental study 40 male rats randomly were divided in two groups: a negative control group (n = 8) and a high-fat diet group (n = 32). After 4 months of feeding with HFD, rats were assigned into 4 groups (n = 8) including an HFD group and three groups receiving HFD and the extract at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for 2 months. Finally, lipid profile, liver enzymes activity and liver histology were investigated. Results: High-fat diet increased cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL and decreased HDL levels (P<0.001). This diet also increased serum activity hepatic enzymes and lipid accumulation in liver tissue. Receiving the extract improved lipid profile and hepatic enzyme activity, dose-dependently. Histopathology of liver confirmed the change induced by HFD and protective effect of extract. Conclusion: Treatment with combined extracts of jujube, chicory and silymarin improves high-fat diet (HFD) induced NAFLD in rats. © 2020 Institute of Medicinal Plants. All rights reserved
Molecular Epidemiology of Antimicrobial Resistance of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Iran
No full textTo characterize the resistance patterns of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Iran, we conducted a descriptive epidemiology study using molecular techniques. The subjects consisted of patients having acute urinary tract infection, who were enrolled in the study from 2014 to 2017. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 101 UPEC isolates was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) was detected by the double-disk synergy test. Biofilm formation was done using microtiter plates. The presence of virulence genes (pai, pap, hly, traT, pai, cnf-1, sfa, and afa) was evaluated by a PCR. Molecular typing of UPEC E. coli isolates was performed with fimH and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). 70.3 of isolates were multidrug-resistant. 37.6 of isolates were Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producer. Strong biofilm formation was seen in 27.7. Forty-seven different fimH allelic variants were identified. Among identified fimH allelic variants, the most common types were f1 (18.8) and f14 (18.8). ST131 (54.5) was the most prevalent clonal group significantly correlated with the pai gene. Seven sequence types (STs) were detected only once (ST405, ST410, ST450, ST636, ST648, ST1193, and ST6451). Clonal groups showed no significant differences in terms of antibiotic resistance patterns. There was no significant difference between virulence genes and antibiotic resistance patterns in the studied clonal groups. To our knowledge, the present study is the first study in Iran that investigated the genotypic diversity of UPEC isolates by MLST and fimH typing methods. The two methods might serve as a useful molecular test for surveillance and epidemiological studies of isolates. © Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2020
Parenting programme for mothers of children with separation anxiety disorder: benefits for Iranian mothers and children
No full textThis study considered the effect of Triple P as a behavioural family intervention on mothers of children with separation anxiety disorder. Three hundred families with separation anxious children participated in this research which divided into intervention and control groups. The measuring tools were Parenting Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42, Parental Bonding Instrument, Child Behavior Checklist and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. The results showed that mothers in the intervention condition reported more improvements in parenting style and mother�child relationship than those in the control condition. Women were trained in the Triple P group also reported significantly lower rates of maternal depression, anxiety, stress and child misbehaviours than those in the control group. Iranian mothers reported high satisfaction with this intervention. In conclusion, positive parenting programme is an effective intervention in several aspects for mothers of children with separation anxiety disorder and their children. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group