4265 research outputs found
Sort by
Association between microRNAs expression and signaling pathways of inflammatory markers in diabetic retinopathy
No full textDiabetic retinopathy is one of the common and serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, as hyperglycemia has metabolic effects on the retina. Hyperglycemia induces increased oxidative stress, which stimulates inflammation pathways and promotes vascular dysfunction of the retina that leads to increased capillary permeability and vascular leakage. One of the main factors involving diabetic retinopathy is the inflammation signaling pathways. In contemporary times, microRNAs (miRNAs) are identified as functional biomarkers for early detection and treatment of numerous diseases specifically diabetic retinopathy. MiRNAs can modulate gene expression through regulation of transcriptional and posttranscriptional of target genes. With that, miRNAs can regulate almost every cellular and developmental process, including the regulation of instinct immune responses and inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of miRNAs in inflammation pathways and the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
The effects of magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation on wound healing and metabolic status in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
No full textThis study was carried out to determine the effects of magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation on wound healing and metabolic status in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). The current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 57 patients with grade 3 DFU. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to take either 250 mg magnesium oxide plus 400 IU vitamin E (n = 29) or placebo per day (n = 28) for 12 weeks. Compared with the placebo, taking magnesium plus vitamin E supplements reduced ulcer length (β difference in the mean of outcomes measures between treatment groups �0.56 cm; 95% CI, �0.92, �0.20; p = 0.003), width (β �0.35 cm; 95% CI, �0.64, �0.05; p = 0.02) and depth (β �0.18 cm; 95% CI, �0.33, �0.02; p = 0.02). In addition, co-supplementation led to a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (β �13.41 mg/dL; 95% CI, �20.96, �5.86; p = 0.001), insulin (β �1.45 μIU/ml; 95% CI, �2.37, �0.52; p = 0.003), insulin resistance (β �0.60; 95% CI, �0.99, �0.20; p = 0.003) and HbA1c (β �0.32%; 95% CI, �0.48, �0.16; p < 0.003), and a significant elevation in insulin sensitivity (β 0.007; 95% CI, 0.003, 0.01; p < 0.001) compared with the placebo. Additionally, compared with the placebo, taking magnesium plus vitamin E supplements decreased triglycerides (β �10.08 mg/dL; 95% CI, �19.70, �0.46; p = 0.04), LDL-cholesterol (β �5.88 mg/dL; 95% CI, �11.42, �0.34; p = 0.03), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β �3.42 mg/L; 95% CI, �4.44, �2.41; p < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (β �0.30 μmol/L; 95% CI, �0.45, �0.15; p < 0.001), and increased HDL-cholesterol (β 2.62 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.60, 4.63; p = 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (β 53.61 mmol/L; 95% CI, 4.65, 102.57; p = 0.03). Overall, magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation for 12 weeks to patients with DFU had beneficial effects on ulcer size, glycemic control, triglycerides, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, hs-CRP, TAC, and MDA levels. © 2019 by the Wound Healing Societ
The Effect of Synbiotic Supplementation on Growth Parameters in Mild to Moderate FTT Children Aged 2�5 Years
Get PDFSynbiotic (probiotic bacteria and prebiotic) has beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This study was designed to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation on the growth of mild to moderate failure to thrive (FTT) children. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 80 children aged 2�5 years with mild to moderate FTT, who were assigned at random to receive synbiotic supplementation (109 colony-forming units) or placebo for 30 days. The weights, height, and BMI were recorded in a structured diary, and the questionnaires were completed to monitor the numbers of infection episodes, gastrointestinal problems, admission to hospital, and appetite improvement during the study. Sixty-nine children completed the study. There were no differences in the demographic characteristic between the two groups. The mean weight was similar at baseline. After 30 days of intervention, the mean weight of the participants in the synbiotic group increased significantly than those in the placebo group (600 ± 37 vs. 74 ± 32 g/month P 0.000). BMI changes in synbiotic and placebo group were 0.44 and 0.07 kg/m2, and that the differences among the two groups were significant.(P 0.045) Furthermore, the height increment in synbiotic and placebo group was 0.41 and 0.37 cm respectively with no significant difference (P 0.761). Administration of 30-day synbiotic supplementation may significantly improve weight and BMI in Iranian children with mild to moderate FTT, but there is no effect on the height in this study. Further studies should be designed to found out the effect of synbiotic on growth parameters in undernourished and well-nourished children. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
A systematic review of radiation-induced testicular toxicities following radiotherapy for prostate cancer
No full textBackground: Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men in the world, and radiotherapy is used as a standard treatment modality for this cancer. Although this treatment modality effectively kills prostate cancerous cells, it unavoidably irradiates the organs/tissues that are away from the treatment site. In this regard, radiation-induced testicular toxicities following prostate radiotherapy can affect sexual function, reproduction, and quality of life in cancer survivors. This review summarizes the available data on testicular exposure to radiation during prostate radiotherapy and the consequences on testicular function. Methods: To illuminate the radiation-induced testicular toxicities following prostate radiotherapy, a systematic search was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and clinical trials electronic databases up to September 2018. According to a set of prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 eligible articles providing data on testicular function following radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer were included in the study. Results: According to the different radiotherapeutic techniques used for prostate cancer treatment, the total tumor dose and scattered testicular dose values were ranging from 36.25 to 78.00 Gy and 0.06 to 6.48 Gy, respectively. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels after prostate radiotherapy were signi�cantly higher in comparison with the pretreatment levels. Around 60 of the studies showed that testosterone levels after prostate radiotherapy were signi�cantly lower than the pretreatment levels. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction (ED), as an adverse side effect resulting from prostate radiotherapy, was reported and this complication is signi�cantly correlated with lower satisfaction with sexual life. Testicular atrophy following prostate radiotherapy has also been observed and its frequency in patients with prior prostate radiotherapy is 2.5 times more than that in the patients without prior radiotherapy. Conclusion: The data revealed that the scattered dose to testicular tissues during prostate radiotherapy can lead to testicular atrophy, variation of the male sex hormones, and quality of sexual life. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
The Relation between Toxocariasis and Toxoplasmosis co-infection and the presence of Rheumatoid Factor (RF) in people with hydatidosis in Southwestern Iran, from 2013 to 2018
Get PDFToxoplasmosis, toxocariasis, and hydatidosis are parasite diseases with a very human-like pathway of infection. worldwide including Iran, there are infected people with these infections. Between 2013 and 2018, serum samples were collected from 124 patients with hydatidosis and 124 serums from hydatidiosis free. Samples were examined for the presence of toxocariasis by detecting IgG antibodies, using the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) IBL kit and for the presence of IgG antibodies for toxoplasmosis, using the ELISA test. Risk factors such as contact with animal pets; cats and dogs, rural or urban living, age, sex, and Presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum were investigated during the study. The presence of RF was examined using an agglutination test in all confirmed cases of hydatidosis, toxocariasis, and toxoplasmosis. Of the 124 positive cases of hydatidosis, 30 (24.2), 51 (41.1) and 15 (12.09) had toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis and simultaneous infection (toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis), respectively. In people with toxocariasis, rheumatoid factor was reported more frequently than in other cases. The relationship between the prevalence of rheumatoid factor in serum in people with toxocariasis was significant (41.18). Interaction with dogs and cats and area of residence were identified as risk factors for toxocariasis (P value > 0.005). Although hydatidosis and toxocariasis are Less common infections compare with toxoplasmosis, they are considered a threat to public health in some parts of the world, including Iran. Some factors, such as habitat and interaction with animal pets (dogs and cats), play a more significant role in toxocariasis compared to toxoplasmosis in people with hydatidosis. © 2019, Indian Society for Parasitology
Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Secretions, interactions, and therapy
No full textTumor microenvironment (TME) could impose a great challenge for cancer targeted therapies. Immunosuppression within the TME creates a barrier between cancer cells and therapeutic approaches. A number of cells are hosted within this milieu, among them cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant cell populations playing major roles in mediating an immunosuppressive TME. CAFs have cross-talks with almost all cells within the TME for reprogramming them into being tumorigenic. This reprogramming reduces the pre-existing tumor immunity and dampens the efficacy of chemotherapeutic approaches. CAFs would do this through releasing a myriad of factors to the TME making it an appropriate nest for tumor growth. The cells degrade and deposit extracellular matrix components, both of which are tumorigenic. Therefore, disruption of cross-talks between CAFs with other cells within the TME would be a promising approach in cancer targeted therapies. This approach is applicable through dampening dominant signals mediated by CAFs. Another interesting approach would be reprogramming of CAFs toward their normal counterpart. This would need identification of different subtypes for these cells and their functions. More knowledge is also required about selective markers for each CAF subtype. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Quality of patient information in emergency department
No full textPurpose: Data comprise one of the key resources currently used in organizations. High-quality data are those that are appropriate for use by the customer. The quality of data is a key factor in determining the level of healthcare in hospitals, and its improvement leads to an improved quality of health and treatment and ultimately increases patient satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of emergency patients� information in a hospital information system. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 randomly selected records of patients admitted to the emergency department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2016. Data on five dimensions of quality, including accuracy, accessibility, timeliness, completeness and definition, were collected using a researcher-made checklist and were then analyzed in SPSS. The results are presented using descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution and percentage. Findings: The overall quality of emergency patients� information in the hospital information system was 86 percent, and the dimensions of quality scored 87.7 percent for accuracy, 86.8 percent for completeness, 83.9 percent for timeliness, 79 percent for definition and 62.1 percent for accessibility. Originality/value: Increasing the quality of patient information at emergency departments can lead to improvements in the timely diagnosis and management of diseases and patient and personnel satisfaction, and reduce hospital costs. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited
Electrochemical synthesis of copper carbonates nanoparticles through experimental design and the subsequent thermal decomposition to copper oxide
No full textA copper anode was used in sodium carbonate solutions to prepare nanoparticles of copper carbonates. To reach the best results, the parameters affecting the preparation procedure were evaluated and optimized based on the Taguchi robust design (TRD), and it was found that the size of the resulting copper carbonates particles could be managed by applying optimal values of parameters such as electrolysis voltage, carbonate concentration, stirring rate and the temperature. To evaluate how significantly the factors influence the size of the particles, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, and the results indicated that the electrolysis voltage, carbonates concentration, and stirring rate affect the dimensions of the particles to a high degree. The optimal conditions were also evaluated. Further, the copper carbonate particles were used as the precursor in a solid-state thermal decomposition reaction intended for forming nanostructured CuO particles. All products were studied through SEM, XRD, TG-DTA, and FT-IR techniques and also those of optimal properties were evaluated as photocatalytic species for application in the UV-induced degradation (UVID) of methylene blue (MB). © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd
Genotyping of acanthamoeba in rural drinking water sources in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol, Iran
Get PDFBackground and purpose: Acanthamoeba spp. are an opportunistic protozoan in environmental sources that can cause respiratory infection and keratitis. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Acanthamoeba in rural drinking water sources in Kashan and Aran- Bidgol, Iran. Materials and methods: In this study, 162 samples from 54 drinking water sources were collected in 2017. After samples filtration, they were cultured on non-nutrient agar to isolate free-living amoeba. After DNA extraction, the Polymerase Chain Reaction using JDP1, JDP2 primers was performed to detect Acanthamoeba spp. and finally the genotype of eight isolates was determined. Data analysis was done in SPSS applying Chi-square and Fisher�s exact test. Results: Among the samples 35.2 were found to be contaminated with free-living amoeba, among which 19 isolates (11.7) were confirmed as Acanthamoeba. The rates of free-living amoeba and Acanthamoba were 35.4 and 11.8, respectively, in Kashan, which were higher than those in Aran- Bidgol. Frequency of free-living amoeba in Qanat, well, and spring was 55.6, 30.2, and 26.7, respectively. Acanthamoeba contamination rates were 13.9, 11.5 and 10, respectively. Acanthamoeba contamination rate was higher in surface wells than that in deep wells. The genotype of all Acanthamoeba isolates belonged to T4. Conclusion: This study revealed that drinking water sources were contaminated with free-living amoeba and Acanthamoeba. All isolates were T4 genotype, therefore, these sources could be considered as a risk factor for public health. © 2018, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Lavandula angustifolia biological characteristics: An in vitro study
Get PDFObjective: Lavender is an aromatic shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The flowers and leaves in different forms of extracts are used as herbal medicine. The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, reduction of acetylcholine due to hyperactivity of acetylcholinesterase, and glutamate neurotoxicity are known to be involved in decreased level of cognitive function. In our previous study, we proved that the aqueous extract of lavender improves learning and memory. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate antiaggregative, antioxidant, and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of the herbal medicine. Methods: Thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, thioflavin, atomic force microscope (AFM), Elleman,and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl techniques were used for qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, antiaggregative characteristics, anti-acetylcholinestrase activity and antioxidant activity of the lavender extract, respectively. Results: We found chromatographic peaks of caffeic acid and luteolin-7-glycosid in the lavender extract. Our results indicated that aqueous extract of lavender dose-dependently inhibits the formation of Aβ aggregate. The AFM technique showed that lavender largely diminished the Aβ fibril formation. We also observed a considerable radical scavenging activity of the extract. Conclusions: Prevention of Aβ plaque formation and antioxidant activity along with nontoxic features of the lavender extract promise possible effectiveness of this plant on improving some neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc