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Letter to the Editor Concerning "glycosylated Hemoglobin as a Surrogate for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in Cardiovascular Outcome Trials Comparing New Antidiabetic Drugs to Placebo"
Full text linkMapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017
Full text linkA double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4 (62.3 (55.1�70.8) million) to 6.4 (58.3 (47.6�70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization�s Global Nutrition Target of <5 in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2 (30 (22.8�38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0 (55.5 (44.8�67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic. © 2020, The Author(s)
L-carnitine reduces the adverse effects of ROS and up-regulates the expression of implantation related genes in in vitro developed mouse embryos
Full text linkIn vitro developed embryos are inevitably exposed to various reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may decrease the embryo's competence in assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. Optimization of embryo culture media using antioxidant agents could help to improve embryo quality and could overcome failures in current ART. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine (LC), an enhancer of mitochondrial activity and free radical scavenger, in culture media on early embryo competence and expression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 implantation related genes. Two-cell mouse embryos were cultured in the following four conditions: 1. LC group in media containing LC; 2.H 2O2 group exposed to H2O2 for 30 min and then transferred into a simple media; 3.H2O2+LC group exposed to H2O2 for 30 min and then transferred into a simple media containing LC; 4.the control group kept throughout in simple media. All groups were allowed to develop until the blastocyst stage. ErbB1 and ErbB4 expression were evaluated by Real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. The expression of Sirt3 gene was also evaluated. Intracellular ROS levels were examined by DCFH-DA fluorescence intensity. In order to assess the morphological quality of the embryos, ICM and OCM number blastocyst cells were evaluated by using Hoechst and propidium iodide (PI) staining. ErbB1, ErbB4, ROS levels and cell number were compared across all in vitro groups. Our data reveal that LC significantly increases ErbB1 and ErbB4 gene and protein expression with intracellular ROS levels and Sirt3 gene expression significantly decreased after LC treatment. It is worth noting that an elevated cell number was observed in the LC-treated group compared with the other groups suggesting increased viability and/or proliferation. Our findings suggest that the use of LC could be helpful to improve preimplantation embryo culture media through its effects in decreasing ROS levels and the increase of implantation-related genes. © 2020 Elsevier Inc
The air-liquid interface culture of the mechanically isolated seminiferous tubules embedded in agarose or alginate improves in vitro spermatogenesis at the expense of attenuating their integrity
No full textOptimization of tissue culture systems able to complete male germ cell maturation to post-meiotic stages is considered as an important matter in reproductive biology. Considering that hypoxia is one of the factors limiting the efficiency of organ culture, the aim of this study was to use isolated seminiferous tubules (STs), having more surface and less thickness, in an organotypic culture system in order to improve oxygen diffusion and reduce hypoxia. The mechanically separated STs embedded in agarose or alginate and 1�3-mm3 testicular tissue fragments of 3 adult mice were separately placed on the flat surface of agarose gel that was half-soaked in the medium. Survival and differentiation of germ cells using PLZF and SCP3 markers, identity of Sertoli cell using GATA4, cell proliferation with the Ki67 marker, and ST integrity using a ST scoring were evaluated up to 36 d at different culture times, each corresponding to the duration of one spermatogenic cycle. We observed a significantly reduced ST integrity in STs embedded in agarose or alginate on day 9 (versus tissue fragments p � 0.05). There was no difference in the number of PLZF-positive cells between groups, but the number of SCP3 (in all-time points) and GATA4-positive cells was significantly higher in the culture of embedded STs. Although embedding STs can be useful for the progress of in vitro spermatogenesis, it makes them sensitive to degeneration. Further improvements are required to modify the air-liquid interface method to maintain ST integrity. © 2020, The Society for In Vitro Biology
The effects of probiotic supplementation on mental health, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Full text linkBackground and objective: In the current meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the effects of probiotic supplementation on mental health, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with psychiatric disorders were assessed. Methods: The following databases were search up to February 2019: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Results: Twelve studies were included in the current meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated that probiotic supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) Weighted Mean Difference (WMD): -9.60; 95 % CI: -10.08, -9.11. In addition, a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: -1.59; 95 % CI: -2.22, -0.97), interleukin 10 (IL-10) (WMD: -0.29; 95 % CI: -0.48, -0.11) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (WMD: -0.38; 95 % CI: -0.63, -0.13) was found after probiotics supplementation. No significant change was seen in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score (WMD: -11.17; 95 % CI: -24.99, 2.65), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (WMD: -0.12; 95 % CI: -0.20, -0.05), IL-1B (WMD: -0.34; 95 % CI: -1.43, 0.74), IL-6 (WMD: 0.03; 95 % CI: -0.32, 0.38), nitric oxide (NO) (WMD: -0.54; 95 % CI: -2.16, 1.08), glutathione (GSH) (WMD: 46.79; 95 % CI: -17.25, 110.83) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (WMD: 15.21; 95 % CI: -59.96, 90.37) after probiotics supplementation. Conclusion: Overall, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that taking probiotic by patients with psychiatric disorders had beneficial effects on HAMD, CRP, IL-10 and MDA levels, but it did not affect BDI score, other markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
Professionalism among medical residents in a young second-level university in Iran: A cross-sectional study
Full text linkProfessionalism is a set of behaviors that build trust in physicians� relationships with patients and the public. The aim of this study was to assess professionalism among residents in Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 139 residents recruited through the census method. Data were collected using the American Board of Internal Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire was on residents� personal characteristics, and the second part contained fifteen items in the three domains of professionalism, namely excellence, honor/integrity, and altruism/respect. The mean scores of the questionnaire and its domains were calculated and their relationships with residents� personal characteristics were evaluated. The mean scores (± SD) of professionalism and its excellence, honor/integrity, and altruism/respect domains were 4.93 ± 2.4, 5.92 ± 1.85, 4.94 ± 3.39, and 4.35 ± 3.27, respectively (in a range of 0-10). Professionalism had significant relationships only with residents� specialty and gender. The level of professionalism in residents was low, which requires the attention of educational authorities. Moreover, the mean score of professionalism among residents in surgical specialties was significantly lower than non-surgical specialties. Various factors can be considered in this regard and it cannot be concluded that the lower score means worse professional behavior. © 2019 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Therapeutic potential of quercetin on human breast cancer in different dimensions
Full text linkBackground: There has been an extensive range of incidence and mortality of breast cancer (BC), and the comprehensively available treatments for BC have not been completely successful in achieving satisfactory outcomes up to date. Hypothesis: Recently, we are watching intense attention paid to the utilization of natural compounds as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Quercetin, a dietary flavonol in a large group of commonly consumed foods, is widely illustrated to apply inhibitory effects on cancer progression through several mechanisms including apoptosis enhancement, cell cycle arrest, metastasis and angiogenesis inhibition, antioxidant replication and estrogen receptor modulation. Methods: We reviewed the most relevant papers published from 2009 to 2018 (except 15 articles), using �pub med� and �web of science� and the search terms �Quercetin�; �Breast cancer�; �Flavonoid�; �Apoptosis�; �Cell cycle�; �chemotherapy�; �Drug resistance�; �Metastasis; �Oxidative stress�, �Breast cancer receptors� and �Quercetin derivatives�. We selected studies on the association of quercetin with breast cancer in different dimensions. Results: Despite the remarkable number of studies on quercetin�s efficacy, multiple aspects of this herbal compound have not been clarified well and this review provides a summarized update of the recent evidence on biologically available efficacies of quercetin which would establish a further biological basis for the potential therapeutic acquisition of quercetin as an anticancer drug. Conclusion: Basic, epidemiological and genetic studies point to the potential role of quercetin in the treatment of breast cancer, but randomized and controlled trials are of great importance to establish the clinical efficacy of quercetin in ill or at-risk subjects. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Comparing the effect of EMLA cream and lavender oil on severity of pain caused by enoxaparin injection in cardiac patients
Full text linkBackground and purpose: Sodium enoxaparin is used in cardiac patients to prevent the progression of coronary artery obstruction. Its injection causes pain and bruises due to acidification and nurses should reduce these in patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of EMLA cream and lavender oil on reducing the pain caused by injection of enoxaparin in cardiac patients in Kashan, Iran 2018. Materials and methods: This clinical trial was performed in 75 patients with heart disease hospitalized in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive EMLA cream (n=25), lavender oil (n=25), and no treatment (control group, n=25). A researcher-made checklist including two parts (demographic information and pain scale) was used. The severity of pain was measured immediately and 5 minutes after two intermittent injections, in 24 hour, using visual scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS V21 applying ANOVA and Chi-square test. Results: The findings showed no significant differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics (age, sex, weight, height, and BMI). Compared to the control group, the severity of pain was significantly lower in groups that received lavender oil (P = 0.005) and EMLA cream (P= 0.01). Conclusion: According to this study, lavender oil and EMLA cream could reduce the pain caused by enoxaparin injection. © 2020, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
A case of antiphospholipid syndrome following gastric signet ring cell adenocarcinoma
Full text linkObjective: Rare disease Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by arterial, venous, and small-vessel thrombosis, pregnancy-related morbidity and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies such as an-ticardiolipin antibody, and/or anti-beta2-glycoprotein I. In the recent years, APS was observed in patients with solid tumors and the renal cancer, lung carcinoma and breast tumors were the most common tumors linked with APS. Case Report: A 53-year-old female presented with pain and pitting edema of left lower extremity that had begun 6 months prior to hospitalization. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the popliteal vein diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonogra-phy and the patient was treated with heparin followed by warfarin. Following subdural hematoma, anticoagu-lant therapy was stopped, and the patient underwent craniotomy. One month later, the patient returned with pain and DVT diagnosed in its right leg. Laboratory tests showed high levels of lupus anticoagulant, IgM and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies. Following a high alkaline phosphatase, diffuse bone marrow involvement was found by whole body bone scan. Looking to find primary tumor, a large infilterable lesion in gastric was seen by endoscopic images, and biopsy histopathology showed a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. The patient re-fused chemotherapy and died 6 months after diagnosis. Conclusions: APS is associated with gastric signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. © Am J Case Rep, 2020
The immunopathobiology of T cells in stress condition: a review
Full text linkSeveral factors impact the immune responses such as the chemical nature of antigens, the physiologic and metabolic condition of the responsive cells, the site of antigen recognition, and neuroendocrine and pharmacological received agents. Incompatibility of host immune responses to the entrapped antigens leads to an immune pathological manner instead of an immune protection which results in the disharmony of the immune effective factors. Besides the fact that stress is one of the most common effective factors in human life, it also contributed to the protection, suppression, and pathology of the immune system. In this review article, the direct and indirect effects of the stress on the function of T cells and the contributed mechanism of action will be discussed. © 2020, Cell Stress Society International