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Comment on �Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with pure native aortic valve regurgitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis�
Get PDFNF-κB targeting for overcoming tumor resistance and normal tissues toxicity
No full textRadiotherapy and chemotherapy are two famous modalities in tumor-targeted therapy that lead to systemic and local toxicities for normal tissues. Moreover, several studies have confirmed that exposure of the tumor to radiation or chemotherapy drugs stimulate some signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment (TME), leading to resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis, as well as promoting angiogenesis and tumor growth. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a central role in the regulation of inflammatory responses in both normal tissues and tumors via the release of several cytokines, regulation of prostaglandins, reduction/oxidation (redox) reactions, angiogenesis, and cell death. Upregulation of NF-κB in normal tissues causes an appearance of inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress, whereas it regulates angiogenesis and suppresses apoptosis, leading to resistance to subsequent doses of radiation or chemotherapy. Selective inhibition of NF-κB in experimental studies has shown promising results for tumor sensitization via apoptosis induction, inhibition of angiogenesis, and increasing delay of tumor growth. The use of some agents for NF-κB inhibition has been shown to alleviate radiation/chemotherapy toxicities in normal cells/ tissues. In this current review, we explained the pivotal role of NF-κB in both normal tissue toxicity and tumor resistance. We also discussed the promising strategies for overcoming these problems with regard to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
The protective effect of coenzyme Q10 and berberine on sperm parameters, with and without varicocelectomy in rats with surgically induced varicoceles
Get PDFThe current study aimed to investigate the protective effects of coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) and berberine (BB) with and without varicocelectomy on sperm parameters in postoperative varicocele rats. For the current purpose, a total of 60 mature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (n = 6 rats), control-sham (n = 6 rats), and experimental (n = 6 rats) groups. The animals in the experimental groups were undergone experimental varicocele, and simple laparotomy was performed in control-sham group. The experimental group was subdivided into the following groups 60 days after varicocele (VCL) induction: non-treated VCL-induced rats (n = 6 rats), VCL-induced rats administered 100 mg (kg per day) BB (n = 6 rats), VCL-induced rats administered Co Q10 75 mg (kg per day) (n = 6 rats), VCL-induced rats administered 100 mg (kg per day) BB + Co Q10 75 mg (kg per day) (n = 6 rats), varicocelectomy rats (n = 6 rats), varicocelectomy rats administered 100 mg (kg per day) BB (n = 6 rats), varicocelectomy rats administered Co Q10 75 mg (kg per day) (n = 6 rats), varicocelectomy rats administered 100 mg (kg per day) BB + Co Q10 75 mg (kg per day) (n = 6 rats). Following 60 days, the animals were euthanized and sperm parameters were evaluated. Non-treated VCL-induced animals indicated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sperm parameters and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in sperm DNA damage compared to control and control-sham groups. Insignificant changes were found between control and control-sham groups. Meanwhile, each treatment group showed a remarkable (P < 0.05) increase in sperm parameters as well as a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sperm DNA damage. Based on current results, BB and Co Q10 alone and/or together could improve sperm parameters and reduce sperm DNA damage in varicocele-induced rats compared to control and control-sham groups. Varicocelectomy alone will improve sperm parameters, but this recovery will be greater when combined with Co Q10 and BB. © 2018, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature
The effects of crocin on psychological parameters in patients under methadone maintenance treatment: A randomized clinical trial
Get PDFBackground: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) might be associated with the symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunctions. This study was designed to determine the effects of crocin on psychological parameters in patients under MMT. Methods: Patients under MMT were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 30 mg/day crocin (2 plus crocin tablet, 15 mg BID) (n = 25) or placebo (2 tablets per day, 15 mg BID) (n = 25), one hour after taking food, for 8 weeks. Psychological parameters were evaluated at baseline and end of the trial to determine related associations between crocin and patients' mental health status. Results: After 8-week intervention, crocin significantly decreased Beck Depression Inventory (b - 6.66; 95 CI, - 9.88, - 3.45; P < 0.0001), Beck Anxiety Inventory (b - 4.35; 95 CI, - 5.94, - 2.75; P < 0.0001), general health questionnaire (b - 4.45; 95 CI, - 7.68, - 1.22; P = 0.008) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (b - 2.73; 95 CI, - 3.74, - 1.73; P < 0.0001) in patients under MMT, compared with the placebo. Crocin also significantly improved International Index of Erectile Functions (b 4.98; 95 CI, 2.08, 7.88; P = 0.001) rather than placebo. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that taking crocin for 8 weeks by patients under MMT had beneficial effects on their mental health status. Crocin can be recommended as an adjunct to methadone in opioid withdrawal protocols because of the ability to improve the quality of life and decrease opioids side effects in these patients. This trial was registered in the Iranian website for clinical trials registry as http://www.irct.ir: IRCT2017110537243N1. Clinical trial registration number: www.irct.ir: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT2017110537243N1. © 2019 The Author(s)
Lethal effects of gold nanoparticles on protoscolices of hydatid cyst: in vitro study
Get PDFRecurrence of hydatidosis may results from cyst fluid spillage during surgery. To inactivate the cyst content, different scolicidal agents have been introduced. Nevertheless, novel and more effective treatments are needed due to the associated complications. In the current study, we examined the scolicidal effects of gold nanoparticles on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. Hydatid cysts of sheep liver were collected in this study. The cyst fluid containing protoscoleces was aspirated aseptically. The protoscoleces were exposed to gold nanoparticles at different concentrations (250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 μg/mL). Eosin staining method was applied to determine the viability of protoscoleces at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min. Moreover, cytotoxicity analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of ultrastructural changes, DNA fragmentation, were performed, and protoscoleces were studied following treatment. The significant scolicidal effects of gold nanoparticles were observed at all concentrations compared to the control group. A total of 4000 μg/mL of gold nanoparticles could destroy 76 of protoscoleces in 60 min. Cytotoxic effects of gold nanoparticle on J774 macrophage cell line, in minimum and maximum concentration (500 and 4000 μg/mL), were 1 and 11, respectively. After treatment of protoscoleces with gold nanoparticles in different times and concentrations, considerable alteration in size, ultrastructure changes in tegument and shape of sucker, as well as DNA fragmentation of parasite were seen. Based on the results, gold nanoparticles could exert scolicidal effects on hydatid cyst protoscoleces; therefore, they can be applied in hydatid cyst treatment. © 2018, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature
Stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson�s disease with a focus on human endometrium-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Get PDFParkinson�s disease (PD) as an increasing clinical syndrome is a multifunctional impairment with systemic involvement. At present, therapeutic approaches such as l-3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine replacement therapy, dopaminergic agonist administration, and neurosurgical treatment intend to relieve PD symptoms which are palliative and incompetent in counteracting PD progression. These mentioned therapies have not been able to replace the lost cells and they could not effectively slow down the relentless neurodegenerative process. Till now, there is a lack of eligible treatment for PD, and stem cells therapy recently has been considered for PD treatment. In this review, we demonstrate how human stem cell technology especially human endometrium-derived stem cells have made advancement as a therapeutic source for PD compared with other treatments. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
The Effects of Oxytocin on Withdrawal, Craving and Stress Response in Heroin-Dependent Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Get PDFOpioid dependence is an increasing clinical and public health problem. Current pharmacotherapies have limited efficacy and cause serious side effects. Increasing bodies of evidences suggest the neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), as a potential treatment for drug abuse disorders. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of OT on withdrawal, craving and anxiety scores, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) blood level in heroin-dependent male patients. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 58 males with opioid dependence by Abstinence Center of Addictive People in Iran. The participants were randomly allocated to receive intranasal OT (single dose; 40 IU, n = 29) or placebo (n = 29). Heroine withdrawal, craving and anxiety scores were measured using the Opioid Withdrawal Scale, Visual Analogue Scale and (Desire for Drug Questionnaire), and Hamilton checklist respectively. The cortisol and DHEAS levels at baseline and different post-intervention time were measured using a competitive immunoanalysis method. Acute OT administration reduced craving and withdrawal scores but did not change anxiety significantly. Single dose of OT decreased the level of cortisol and improved the cortisol/DHEAS ratio in the heroin users during abstinence (p < 0.01). These results suggest that OT may be useful in the attenuation of craving, withdrawal symptom in heroin-dependent patients and might be considered a new potential treatment for heroin dependence where positive effects of OT on stress-related hormones may be involved in this effect of OT. © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel. Copyright: All rights reserved
Barriers to student research from the perspectives of nursing, health, and medical sciences students: A cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Research is a key prerequisite for professional development in medical sciences. There is limited authoritative information about the barriers to student research. Objective: The objective of this study was done to identify barriers to student research from the perspectives of nursing and medical science students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 2017, on 250 students randomly selected among nursing, medicine, and paramedic and health sciences students. A researcher-made, barriers to student research questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire contained 32 items on personal, organizational, educational, environmental, technical, and quality- and result-related barriers to student research. The possible total score of the questionnaire and its subscales was 1-5. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and the independent-samples t-test. Results: There were barriers in all domains; however, respectively, the most important barriers to student research were environmental (3.70 ± 0.72), technical (3.59 ± 0.6), quality- and result-related (3.29 ± 0.67) barriers. More educational barriers to research were reported by nursing students and those with less previous experience in research activities (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In order of importance, the barriers to student research are environmental, technical, quality- and result-related barriers. The findings of this study highlighted the importance of providing students with necessary facilities and counseling in the area of research
Comparison of nurses' and nursing students' attitudes toward care provision to opposite-gender patients
Get PDFBackground: Nurses often have to care for the patients of the opposite gender. This can be challenging for both nurses and patients in Iran due to the Iranians' cultural and religious beliefs.Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare nurses' and nursing students' attitudes toward care provision to opposite-gender patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on a random sample of 107 nurses who worked in four teaching hospitals, and 95 bachelor's and master's nursing students from the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. A 21-item researcher-made self-report questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed through the independent samples t-test and the linear regression analysis. Results: The mean scores of nurses' and nursing students' attitudes were 72.54 ± 15.47 and 66.87 ± 14.80, respectively (P = 0.02). The significant predictors of nurses' and nursing students' attitudes were their educational degree, history of care provision to opposite-gender patients, and clinical work experience. Conclusion: Many nurses and nursing students have moderate attitudes toward care provision to opposite-gender patients. Nursing students' poorer attitudes compared with nurses highlight the need for revisions to the nursing academic curriculum to prepare them for quality care provision to the patients of both genders
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cancer progression and therapy
Get PDFCancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewable cell types that are identified in most types of liquid and solid cancers and contributed to tumor onset, expansion, resistance, recurrence, and metastasis after therapy. CSCs are identified from the expression of cell surface markers, which is tumor-type dependent. The transition between CSCs with cancer cells and other non-CSCs occurs in cancers, which is possibly under the control of signals from CSCs and tumor microenvironment (TME), including CSC niche. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are among the most influential cells for promoting both differentiation of CSCs and dedifferentiation of non-CSCs toward attaining a CSC-like phenotype. WNT/β-catenin, transforming growth factor-β, Hedgehog, and Notch are important signals for maintaining self-renewal in CSCs. An effective therapeutic strategy relies on targeting both CSCs and non-CSCs to remove a possible chance of tumor relapse. There are multiple ways to target CSCs, including immunotherapy, hormone therapy, (mi)siRNA delivery, and gene knockout. Such approaches can be designed for suppressing CSC stemness, tumorigenic cues from TME, CSC extrinsic and/or intrinsic signaling, hypoxia or for promoting differentiation in the cells. Because of sharing a range of characteristics to normal stem/progenitor cells, CSCs must be targeted based on their unique markers and their preferential expression of antigens. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc