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The effects of curcumin supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
No full textImpaired endothelial function is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Curcumin supplementation might be an appropriate approach to decrease the complications of CVD. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of curcumin supplementation on endothelial function were included. Two independent authors systematically searched online database including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science with no time restriction. Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of included trials. Between-study heterogeneities were estimated using the Cochran's Q test and I-square (I2) statistic. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and weighted mean differences (WMDs) were considered as the overall effect sizes. Ten studies with 11 effect sizes were included. We found a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) following curcumin supplementation (WMD: 1.49; 95 CI 0.16, 2.82). There was no effect of curcumin supplement on pulse wave velocity (PWV; WMD: �41.59; 95% CI �86.59, 3.42), augmentation index (Aix; WMD: 0.71; 95% CI �1.37, 2.79), endothelin-1 (ET-1; WMD: �0.30; 95% CI �0.96, 0.37), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1; WMD: �10.11; 95% CI �33.67, 13.46). This meta-analysis demonstrated the beneficial effects of curcumin supplementation on improving FMD, though it did not influence PWV, Aix, Et-1, and sICAM-1. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Using a new interrater reliability method to test the modified Oulu Patient Classification instrument in home health care: Common mistakes and methodological issue
Get PDFHeterogeneous oxidation of sulfacetamide in aquatic environment using ultrasonic and nano-fenton: Kinetics intermediates and bioassay test
Get PDFIn present study, degradation of sulfacetamide from a synthetic wastewater by sonofenton process using zero valent iron nanoparticles was investigated. The synthesized iron nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). The effect of various parameters, such as pH, nZVI dose, H2 O2 concentration and contact time was studied with batch experiments. The removal efficiency of sulfacetamide by US/nZVI/H2 Of process was about 91 for reaction time of 60 min, but less than 27 of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was removed. Kinetics studies showed that the degradation of sulfacetamide fitted well to the pseudo-second-order model. Using the LC/MS device, five intermediate from degradation of sulfacetamide were detected. The toxicity test, using micro toxicity study also showed that the effluent from the sono-Fenton reactor has a lower toxicity than sulfacetamide antibacterial. © 2019 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved
Comparison of various methods of collecting scorpions (Arachnida, scorpiones) in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran
Get PDFBackground: Scorpions have evermore received considerable attention in Iran due to their medical importance, richness, and frequency. In order to the study scorpions� behavior and bio-ecology, it is important to use the proper method for scorpion catching. The collection and maintenance of the specimens are among the most important parts of every study. Objectives: This article investigated different techniques suitable for capturing scorpions in residential and non-residential areas of Khuzestan province, Southwestern Iran. Methods: Various scorpion species were captured from rural and urban areas of six counties of this province during 26 sampling sessions, using five methods, namely the black light, rock-rolling, scorpion nest digging, old mud walls destruction, and demolition dry mud wall on the edge of channels. Information pertaining to the number of captured samples in each hunting session, geographical locations under investigation and their specifications, number of sampling sessions and hunting site was recorded. Results: In total, 391 scorpions of different species were captured. In this study, six different species were collected using different techniques: rock-rolling (53.7), destruction dry mud wall on the edge of channels (19.7), old mud walls destruction (13.6), black light (11.5), and scorpion nest digging (1.5). The most frequent species were Hemiscorpius lepturus (60.4) and Mesobuthus phillipsi (21.5). Conclusions: The rock-rolling and black light techniques are respectively, recommended for collecting scorpions during the day and at night from both residential and non-residential areas. The combination of these two methods in different areas improves efficiency. © 2019, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases
Effect of acute caffeine administration on PTZ-induced seizure threshold in mice: Involvement of adenosine receptors and NO-cGMP signaling pathway
Get PDFAbstract
Purpose:
Caffeine is a non-selective antagonist of A1 and A2A adenosine receptors (ARs). In this regard, nitric oxide (NO) is partly involved in the central effects of caffeine. In this study, we examined the effect of acute caffeine administration on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure threshold by focusing on A1Rs, A2ARs, and NO-cGMP signaling pathway.
Methods:
NMRI male mice (25–30 g) received caffeine (5, 50, and 100 mg/kg) alone, whereas 8-CPT (1 and 5 mg/kg, a selective A1Rs antagonist), SCH-442416 (5 and 10 mg/kg, a selective A2ARs antagonist) or sildenafil (5 and 10 mg/kg, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor) were administrated alone or as pre-treatment before caffeine. Seizure threshold was assessed by intravenous infusion of PTZ. Nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) were measured with the Griess method.
Results:
When administrated alone, caffeine (5 and 50 mg/kg) and 8-CPT (1 and 5 mg/kg) significantly decreased seizure threshold, while 100 mg/kg of caffeine, SCH-442416 or sildenafil did not change it. Only pre-treatment with SCH-442416 (5 and 10 mg/kg) or sildenafil (5 and 10 mg/kg) before 100 mg/kg of caffeine significantly decreased seizure threshold. Moreover, NOx levels significantly decreased following alone administration of caffeine (100 mg/kg) or 8-CPT (5 mg/kg).
Conclusion:
The results of present study showed that 5 and 50 mg/kg of caffeine had a proconvulsant effect but caffeine at a dose of 100 mg/kg had no effect on seizure threshold. In addition, it seems that the effect caffeine on seizure threshold is partly mediated through ARs or modulation of the NO-cGMP signaling pathway.
Keywords: Seizure Caffeine Nitric oxide Adenosine receptors
Pentylenetetrazol
Predicting number of traumas using the seasonal time series model
Get PDFBackground: Road accidents and casualties resulted are among the current challenges of human societies, which have imposed a high cost on the economies of countries. Objectives: Prediction of accidents caused by driving incidents helps planners achieve a suitable model to reduce the occurrence of traumas resulted from the driving accidents. Materials and Methods: In this study, a seasonal time series model was used for predicting the number of road accident traumas. Data related to the patients referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam Province were evaluated from March 2012 to June 2017. Results: The results showed that during November and October in 2015 and 2016, we had the highest number of accidents due to high traffic during New Year's Vacation, summer trips, and religious pilgrimages including the Arbaeen. Moreover, the results depicted that the seasonal Arima model was effective in predicting the number of traumas due to accidents. Furthermore, forecasting the model showed an ascending trend in the number of accidents in the following 3 years. Conclusion: The number of accident traumas in the forthcoming months can be predicted through time series models. Of course, these models can be used by managers as appropriate tools for traffic analysis. Furthermore, the increasing trend in the number of traumas indicates that serious consideration for planning and managing such events seems necessary for the administrators in the near future
The effect of extended-focused assessment with sonography in trauma results on clinical judgment accuracy of the physicians managing patients with blunt thoracoabdominal trauma
Get PDFBackground: Extended-focused assessment with sonography in trauma (E-FAST) has been introduced as a free fluid identification technique in the abdomen, and currently, like stethoscopes, it is routinely used to assess traumatic patients, as part of physical examination tools. We decided to examine the effect of using E-FAST in the clinical judgment of the physicians managing patients with blunt abdominal and chest wall trauma. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all patients who were admitted from May 2014 till May 2015 to the emergency department of Imam Khomeini and Sina Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, with an abdominal or chest blunt trauma and for whom E-FAST was conducted were enrolled. In a preprepared checklist, possible consequences based on the primary clinical judgment of a physician were recorded; and then, the results from E-FAST on existence or nonexistence of free fluid or air in the peritoneal or pleural space were presented, and the possible consequences according to the results obtained from the E-FAST were also recorded again. Based on actual outcome of patients' condition in the first 24 h, statistical characteristics for each pathology were calculated. Results: In this study, 115 patients with a mean age of 36.20 ± 12.37 years were examined including 92 (80) men. The correlation coefficient between the possibility of hemorrhagic shock, pneumothorax, hemoperitoneum, solid organ damage, and hemothorax before and after the E-FAST based on the Kappa criteria was 0.803, 0.642, 0.430, 0.331, and 0.318, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that performing E-FAST increases the sensitivity of history and physical examination in diagnosis of pneumothorax, hemoperitoneum, solid organ damage, and hemothorax
Coronary CT angiography by modifying tube voltage and contrast medium concentration: Evaluation of image quality and radiation dose
No full textBackground: Currently, there is an increasing interest in noninvasive imaging of cardiovascular system such as computed tomography coronary angiography (CCTA). The risks of radiation-induced cancer and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) have always been regarded as concerns which increased demand for CCTA using reduced radiation dose and iodine intake. We aimed to evaluate the image quality and radiation dose of CCTA by modifying tube voltage and concentration of contrast media. Methods: The present study includes 105 patients who underwent CCTA for clinical indications. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria in terms of patient's weight, body mass index, calcium score, and stenting were used. First group of patients scanned by 120 kV and 370 mg I/mL contrast medium, compared with second and third groups for which scanning was performed using 100 kV and 370 mg I/mL and 100 kV and 300 mg I/mL, respectively. Image quality was evaluated both subjectively and objectively. The effective dose and iodine intake were also measured. Results: Using low kV protocols led to radiation dose reduction up to 38 and applying low contrast medium concentration with consequent reduced iodine intake up to 21. Moreover, there were significant differences in image quality of new scanning protocols. Conclusion: Reduction in tube voltage with lowering of contrast medium concentration can reduce radiation dose and iodine intake with acceptable image quality. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in cancer immunotherapy: A review
No full textCD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are preferred immune cells for targeting cancer. During cancer progression, CTLs encounter dysfunction and exhaustion due to immunerelated tolerance and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME), with all favor adaptive immune-resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), macrophage type 2 (M2) cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) could make immunologic barriers against CD8 + T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses. Thus, CD8 + T cells are needed to be primed and activated toward effector CTLs in a process called tumor immunity cycle for making durable and efficient antitumor immune responses. The CD8 + T cell priming is directed essentially as a corroboration work between cells of innate immunity including dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells with CD4 + T cells in adoptive immunity. Upon activation, effector CTLs infiltrate to the core or invading site of the tumor (so-called infiltrated�inflamed I�I TME) and take essential roles for killing cancer cells. Exogenous reactivation and/or priming of CD8 + T cells can be possible using rational immunotherapy strategies. The increase of the ratio for costimulatory to coinhibitory mediators using immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) approach. Programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1)�ligand (PD-L1) and CTL-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) are checkpoint receptors that can be targeted for relieving exhaustion of CD8 + T cells and renewing their priming, respectively, and thereby eliminating antigen-expressing cancer cells. Due to a diverse relation between CTLs with Tregs, the Treg activity could be dampened for increasing the number and rescuing the functional potential of CTLs to induce immunosensitivity of cancer cells. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc