4265 research outputs found
Sort by
Potential use of melatonin in skin cancer treatment: A review of current biological evidence
No full textSkin cancer, particularly melanoma, is a leading cause of death worldwide. The therapeutic methods for this malignancy are not effective, and due to the side effects of these treatments, applying an appropriate alternative or complementary treatment is important. According to available data, melatonin as the main product of the pineal gland has oncostatic and antitumoral properties. Also, melatonin acts as an anti-inflammatory and reactive oxygen species inducer agent which suppresses the growth of tumors. It also has apoptosis induction characteristics through regulating signaling pathways, including heat shock protein 70, nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 and others. Thus, adding melatonin to chemo- and radiotherapy may have synergistic therapeutic effects and increase the survival time in patients with skin cancer. Few clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of melatonin in skin cancer. Based on the related mechanisms, this review discusses about how melatonin may improve outcomes in skin cancer patients. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Health-care providers' knowledge about prenatal screening: A study in the North of Iran
Get PDFBackground:Prenatal screening for birth defects is turning into a main component of prenatal care. The success of prenatal screening programs greatly depends on health-care providers' knowledge about it. Objectives: This study aimed to assess health-care providers' knowledge about prenatal screening. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on June-October 2016 in Sari, a large city in the North of Iran. A sample of 472 obstetricians, general physicians, and midwives was recruited through quota and convenience sampling. Data on participants' knowledge about prenatal screening were collected through a 35-item self-administered knowledge questionnaire which contained the four domains of time, technique, legal issues, and follow-up assessment. The total score of the questionnaire could range from 0 to 35, with higher scores representing greater knowledge. Descriptive statistics measures, Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean score of participants' knowledge about prenatal screening was 18.34 ± 9.34. The lowest and the highest mean scores of knowledge were obtained by obstetricians and general physicians, respectively (P < 0.001). The number of participants who correctly answered more than half of the questions of the knowledge questionnaire was 266 (56.35) for the time domain, 259 (54.87) for the technique domain, 237 (50.21) for the legal issues domain, and 200 (42.37) for the follow-up assessment domain. Regression analysis revealed that the significant predictors of prenatal screening knowledge were participants' profession, employment setting, and history of providing screening-related counseling (R2 = 0.515; P< 0.001). Conclusion: Health-care providers have limited knowledge about prenatal screening. Thus, well-designed need-based educational interventions are needed to fulfill their educational needs and advance their knowledge about prenatal screening
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with iron oxide and silver nanoparticles (MWCNT-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag) as a novel adsorbent for determining PAEs in carbonated soft drinks using magnetic SPE-GC/MS method
Get PDFThe synthesis of compounds with an excellent adsorption capability plays an essential role to remove contaminants such as phthalic acid esters (PAEs) with potential carcinogenic characteristics from different food products. In this context, for the first time, a novel adsorbent (MWCNT-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag) was synthesized by using iron (magnetic agent), and silver (catalytic and surface enhancer agent) to further approach in a magnetic SPE-GC/MS method for determining of PAEs in carbonated soft drink samples. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of MSPE-GC/MS were determined in six PAEs as a range of 10.8�22.5 and 36�75 ng/L, respectively. Also, the calibration curves of PAEs were linear (R 2 = 0.9981�0.9995) over the concentration level of 10.000 ng/L and the recoveries of the six PAEs were ranging from 96.60 to 109.22 with the RSDs less than 8. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and transmission electron microscopy analyses (TEM) were utilized to characterize the produced MWCNT-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag. Based on the findings, the surface of MWCNT is relatively uniform, which became coarser after loading with Fe 3 O 4 /Ag particles. Also, EDX spectrum showed the carbon (C), iron (Fe), oxygen (O), Ag and copper (Cu) are the main components of synthesized MWCNTs-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag. The successful adhesion of Fe 3 O 4 /Ag on the texture of MWCNTs using a co-precipitation method was confirmed by XRD and FT-IR assays. Additionally, excellent crystallinity and clear lattice nanocrystals fringes of prepared MWCNT-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag was demonstrated by TEM analysis. Based on the obtained VSM images, the prepared sorbent (MWCNT-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag) has the good magnetic performance for magnetic separation and extraction processes. It was concluded that the synthesized MWCNT-Fe 3 O 4 /Ag could be used as an efficient adsorbent for determining contaminants such as PAEs in different beverage samples. © 2018 The Author
Association of C3953T transition in interleukin 1β gene with idiopathic male infertility in an Iranian population
Get PDFIn this study we investigate the association of C3953T transition single nucleotide polymorphism in the fifth exon of the interleukin 1β gene with idiopathic male infertility. In a case-control study, blood samples were collected from 230 fertile and 207 infertile men who referred to the Kashan IVF centre. Genotypes of samples at the C3953T location were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The data showed a significant association of TT genotype (OR = 2.49, 95CI = 1.02�6.10; p = 0.0452) and T allele (OR = 1.46, 95CI = 1.07�1.99; p = 0.0174) with male infertility. In a subgroup analysis, we found that the TT genotype (OR = 3.28, 95CI = 1.16�9.26; p = 0.0249) and T allele (OR = 1.63, 95CI = 1.10�2.41; p = 0.0142) were associated with oligozoospermia. Our findings suggest that the C3953T polymorphism could be considered as a potential biomarker for a genetic diagnosis of male infertility. © 2017, © 2017 The British Fertility Society
Cyclooxygenase-2 in cancer: A review
Get PDFCyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is frequently expressed in many types of cancers exerting a pleiotropic and multifaceted role in genesis or promotion of carcinogenesis and cancer cell resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. COX-2 is released by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), macrophage type 2 (M2) cells, and cancer cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME). COX-2 induces cancer stem cell (CSC)-like activity, and promotes apoptotic resistance, proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. COX-2 mediated hypoxia within the TME along with its positive interactions with YAP1 and antiapoptotic mediators are all in favor of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. COX-2 exerts most of the functions through its metabolite prostaglandin E2. In some and limited situations, COX-2 may act as an antitumor enzyme. Multiple signals are contributed to the functions of COX-2 on cancer cells or its regulation. Members of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and nuclear factor-κβ are main upstream modulators for COX-2 in cancer cells. COX-2 also has interactions with a number of hormones within the body. Inhibition of COX-2 provides a high possibility to exert therapeutic outcomes in cancer. Administration of COX-2 inhibitors in a preoperative setting could reduce the risk of metastasis in cancer patients. COX-2 inhibition also sensitizes cancer cells to treatments like radio- and chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic agents adversely induce COX-2 activity. Therefore, choosing an appropriate chemotherapy drugs along with adjustment of the type and does for COX-2 inhibitors based on the type of cancer would be an effective adjuvant strategy for targeting cancer. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
High prevalence of direct repeat unit types of 10di, 8 h and 8i among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains with staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IIIA isolated in Tehran, Iran 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1103 Clinical Sciences
Get PDFBackground: The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a main concern in burn care centers worldwide. The some reports of MRSA in Iran suggested that MRSA with type SCCmec III is common among burn patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, virulence genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility of the direct repeat units (dru) types of MRSA with SCCmec IIIA isolated from burn wounds in a burn care center in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In total, 165 S. aureus isolates were collected from clinical samples. In order to detect MRSA isolates, the mecA gene was amplified through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the disc agar diffusion test. Moreover, the PCR method was applied to determine SCCmec types, virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance genes. The dru region was sequenced and thereby, dru types and dru repeats were identified. A similarity matrix was used to create minimum spanning tree (MST). Results: The prevalence of MRSA was 69 (114 out of 165 isolates). Most of MRSA isolates (61 out of 114, 53.5) were SCCmec type IIIA. All MRSA isolates were vancomycin-susceptible and more than 68 of MRSA isolates with SCCmec type IIIA were mupirocin resistant. The successful dru typing of isolates with SCCmec type IIIA revealed fourteen different dru types. There were two new dru types, namely dt10di and dt7aj. MST analysis indicated the presence of the three clusters of dt10di (cluster I), dt8i-dt8 h (cluster II), and dt11c-dt10ao-dt11dd-dt11a-dt10a (cluster III). There were significant differences between clusters I and II respecting antimicrobial resistance pattern and virulence genes. Conclusion: Three main dru clusters are prevalent in the study setting. The main dru types in the setting are dt10di, dt8i, and dt8 h. Dru typing can be used to differentiate MRSA strains with SCCmec IIIA. © 2019 The Author(s)
The Effects of Silymarin and Cyclosporine A on the Proliferation and Cytokine Production of Regulatory T Cells
Get PDFBackground: Immunosuppressive agents are necessary to enhance allograft tolerance after transplantation and the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in improving allograft tolerance and determining the fate of transplanted organs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and silymarin on the proliferation and cytokine production of Tregs. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from healthy voluntaries and Tregs were isolated using an immunomagnetic separation method. The phenotypic characteristics of Tregs were determined by flow cytometry. Tregs were expanded and then cultured with different concentrations of CsA and silymarin. The effects of CsA and silymarin on the viability, proliferation, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) production of Tregs were determined after 3 and 5 days of culture. Results: CsA significantly decreased Treg proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01�0.05). CsA failed to change TGF-β1 production of Tregs. On the contrary, silymarin significantly increased the proliferation of Tregs (p < 0.01�0.05). A statistically significant increase was also observed in the TGF-β1 production of Tregs (p < 0.01�0.05). Our data showed that Treg viability was not compromised by CsA and silymarin. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study for the first time indicate that silymarin, unlike CsA, has the ability to increase the proliferation and TGF-β1 production of Tregs and may be beneficial in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and improvement of Treg-dependent allograft tolerance after transplantation. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis
Vitamin D supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A critical and systematic review of clinical trials
Get PDFPrevious observational studies have found a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, this type of study could not show the causal relationship between these two conditions. Therefore, we systematically and critically reviewed the available clinical trials to elucidate such relationship. We searched databases such as Medline, Scopus and Cochrane to identify the clinical trials that assessed the effects of vitamin D supplementation in adults with NAFLD. The outcome variables of interest were indicators of hepatic steatosis, liver enzymes, insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress. A total of 6 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Only in two studies the grade of hepatic steatosis decreased significantly after vitamin D supplementation. The changes in insulin resistance parameters were reported significant only in one. Of the 3 included studies that measured biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, one revealed a significant decrease in these biomarkers after vitamin D supplementation. Findings from current review study provided new insight into the factors that could affect the therapeutic role of vitamin D in NAFLD. Factors such as gender differences, baseline serum status of vitamin D, co-supplementation with calcium and gene polymorphism should be considered when designing future clinical trials. © 2017, © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Men's educational needs assessment in terms of their participation in prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care
No full textDespite the importance of men's role in prenatal care and its impact on the outcome of a high-risk pregnancy, in many countries, including Iran, men are not aware of their real needs. Since the first step in designing any health plan is to identify the needs of the target population and that no program can be effective without considering the actual needs of the target group, this study aimed to identify men's educational needs for participation in prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 280 men were selected in Kashan city, Iran, in 2015. The sampling method was cluster sampling. The data collection tool was questionnaire designed based on Mortazavi and Simbar's studies that included demographic characteristics of the subjects (14 questions) and their educational needs in terms of the content of the training program, the training method, trainer, time, place of training, all of which were measured by Likert scale and completed by the interview. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The findings showed that the mean age of the men participating in the study was 35.15 ± 5.83 years. Most men had high school education (45). The three most important educational needs of men regarding participation in prenatal and postnatal care were maternal nutrition (87.5), sexual health (86.8), and warning signs during pregnancy (81.8). Men preferred to receive information from a physician (93.2), before pregnancy (91.8) in healthcare centers (90). Family was the most important source of information. CONCLUSION: According to men's suggestions, suitable educational programs must be implemented by physicians in healthcare centers in classes of preparation for labor and childbirth or during prenatal care. © 2019 Journal of Education and Health Promotion Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
The Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms and Gene Expression Related to Inflammation and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Infertile Women Candidate for In Vitro Fertilization
Get PDFThis study was performed to determine the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical symptoms and gene expression related to inflammatory markers in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thirty-six women candidate for IVF were recruited in this randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. They (n = 18/group) were randomly assigned into intervention groups to take either 200 μg/day of selenium or placebo for 8 weeks. RT-PCR findings indicated that selenium supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P < 0.004) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.02) in lymphocytes of patients with PCOS compared with the placebo. In addition, selenium supplementation upregulated gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (P = 0.001) in lymphocytes of patients with PCOS compared with the placebo. Selenium supplementation had no significant effect on clinical symptoms and gene expression of IL-8 (P = 0.10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (P = 0.63). Overall, our findings documented that selenium supplementation for 8 weeks to infertile women candidate for IVF improved IL-1, TNF-α, and VEGF gene expression, though selenium had no effect on clinical symptoms and, IL-8 and TGF-β gene expression. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N23. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature