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Plant based food bioactives: A boon or bane for neurological disorders
No full textNeurological disorders are the foremost occurring diseases across the globe resulting in progressive dysfunction, loss of neuronal structure ultimately cell death. Therefore, attention has been drawn toward the natural resources for the search of neuroprotective agents. Plant-based food bioactives have emerged as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. This comprehensive review primarily focuses on various plant food bioactive, mechanisms, therapeutic targets, in vitro and in vivo studies in the treatment of neurological disorders to explore whether they are boon or bane for neurological disorders. In addition, the clinical perspective of plant food bioactives in neurological disorders are also highlighted. Scientific evidences point toward the enormous therapeutic efficacy of plant food bioactives in the prevention or treatment of neurological disorders. Nevertheless, identification of food bioactive components accountable for the neuroprotective effects, mechanism, clinical trials, and consolidation of information flow are warranted. Plant food bioactives primarily act by mediating through various pathways including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, specific proteins, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reversing neurodegeneration and can be used for the prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative disorders. In conclusion, the plant based food bioactives are boon for neurological disorders
Human health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in summer crops and vegetables: a study in Ilam Province, Iran
No full textPurpose: The presence of toxic heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural crops can be considered as a noteworthy threat for consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the content of HMs (Pb, As, Cr, Cd, Co, Hg, and Ag) and their potential health risk in summer crops and vegetables (watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, melon, tomato, onion, potato, raw and stewed vegetables) in Ilam province, Iran. Methods: Totally, 31 crop samples were collected from local farms during the 2019 harvest season and the elements content were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The non-carcinogenic health risk of HMs to the adults and children was estimated by Monte Carlo simulation method and target hazard quotients (THQs). Results: In general, the results showed that the concentration of Cr in the studied agricultural crops was higher than other HMs. As well as, the carcinogenic risk (CR) obtained for adults and children were more than the acceptable range for As. Also, CR for As in raw vegetable was the most (8.19E-1) and violated the threshold risk limit. The total carcinogenic risk of HMs in children was higher than that in adults. Conclusion: These results suggest that the agricultural crops were not safe for human consumption with potential risks associated. Due to the possible health effects of such products consumption, proper action should be taken to avoid chronic exposure, prevention of further pollution and consequent adverse health implications
The relationship between job burnout and quality of work life in pre-hospital emergency staff: Descriptive-correlation study
No full textBackground and aims: Pre-hospital emergency staff are often faced with highly stressful situations, leading most often to occupational burnout. One of the crucial factors affecting job burnout is the quality of work life. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between job burnout and quality of work life (QWL) among pre-hospital emergency staff in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in 2021.
Methods: The descriptive-correlation study was conducted on 295 pre-hospital emergency staff in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces in 2021. The instruments used in this study to collect data were Richard Walton’s Quality of Work Life Questionnaire and Maslach’s Burnout Inventory. The data were analyzed with SPSS-16 statistical software using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between work-life quality and job burnout among pre-hospital emergency staff (P<0.001, r=-0.553). The study’s findings showed that the average score of the QWL and job burnout among study participants was 64.73±11.58 and 81.53±10.35, respectively.
Conclusion: Identifying the dimensions of job burnout and the quality of work-life among pre-hospital emergency staff can provide vital information to policymakers in the health field, especially pre-hospital emergencies. Thus, decision-makers and administrators with effective management can develop appropriate policies to reduce job burnout, improve the QWL, increase job productivity, and ultimately satisfy the demands of patients.
Keywords: Job burnout, Quality of work life, Pre-hospital emergency staff, Medical emergencie
Decellularized skin pretreatment by monophosphoryl lipid A and lactobacillus casei supernatant accelerate skin recellularization
No full textBackground: Bioscaffolds and cells are two main components in the regeneration of damaged tissues via cell therapy. Umbilical cord stem cells are among the most well-known cell types for this purpose. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the pretreatment of the foreskin acellular matrix (FAM) by monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and Lactobacillus casei supernatant (LCS) on the attraction of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSC). Methods and results: The expression of certain cell migration genes was studied using qRT-PCR. In addition to cell migration, transdifferentiation of these cells to the epidermal-like cells was evaluated via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) of cytokeratin 19 (CK19). The hucMSC showed more tissue tropism in the presence of MPLA and LCS pretreated FAM compared to the untreated control group. We confirmed this result by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), collagen, and DNA content. Furthermore, IHC and ICC data demonstrated that both treatments increase the protein expression level of CK19. Conclusion: Pretreatment of acellular bioscaffolds by MPLA or LCS can increase the migration rate of cells and also transdifferentiation of hucMSC to epidermal-like cells without growth factors. This strategy suggests a new approach in regenerative medicine
The effects of anatomical location and distance from dental implants on the quality and quantity of metal artifacts in cone beam computed tomography scans: a cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: Artifacts in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images can cause disruptions in diagnosis and treatment. Multiple factors influence the artifacts, including the quality and technology of devices, positions, patient-related factors, device settings, and bone density. Besides, anatomical area and distance from the implant affect the artifacts. This study aimed to investigate the effects of anatomical location and distance from the implant on the quality and quantity of artifacts. Methods: A total of 200 CBCT images of patients with titanium implants and prostheses in the anterior and posterior regions of the maxilla and mandible were evaluated in this study. Four areas were assessed for each implant in three apical, middle, and cervical regions with distances of 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm from the implant. Besides, the impact of adjacent implants on the artifacts was investigated. An ANOVA test with post hoc Bonferroni correction was used to analyze variable differences between subgroups. Results: The differences were statistically significant, except for the difference between the posterior areas of the upper and lower jaws. A comparison of different areas revealed that most artifacts were related to the anterior maxilla, followed by anterior mandibular regions. The results of covariance analysis indicated that region and location had independent effects on the amount of artifacts. Conclusions: Artifacts are more frequent in the anterior region compared to the posterior site. They are also more frequent in the maxilla than the mandible and cervical areas close to the implant than the middle and apical regions
The role of gut microbiota in human metabolism and inflammatory diseases: a focus on elderly individuals
No full textBackground: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating the host’s immune responses during aging, which was characterized by a different abundance of bacteria in several age groups. Main body: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with aging, antibiotic exposure, underlying diseases, infections, hormonal variations, circadian rhythm, and malnutrition, either singularly or in combination. The appropriate use of prebiotics and probiotics may be able to prevent or reduce this disruption. Conclusion: The current review focuses on the gut microbiota composition across the life cycle, factors affecting gut microbiota changes with aging, and interventions to modulate gut microbiota
Whole spinal transverse myelitis in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
No full textBackground: Spinal cord is one of the prominent targets of autoimmune mechanisms in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). Rarely, NMOSD causes damage to the entire length of the spinal cord, from cervical segments to conus medullaris, which has not been characterized in the existing literature. Material and method: We reviewed medical records, demographic information, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences of 174 NMOSD patients from January 2011 to January 2023 who were admitted to Isfahan Multiple Sclerosis center to find patients with whole spinal transverse myelitis (TM). Results: Whole spinal TM was present in five patients (2.9 %). Three patients were seropositive for Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody; Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein antibody (MOG IgG) tested negative for all of them. Lower limb weakness was the most frequent clinical complaint. Two patients presented with optic neuritis; One patient reported having episodes of nausea and vomiting. These patients, overall, yielded a higher expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score than the other NMOSD patients. Conclusion: Whole spinal TM is a rare finding in NMOSD, which is strongly associated with a higher severity and a worse outcome of the disease. The role of anti-AQP4 antibodies in the extent of myelitis in NMOSD has yet to be investigated
Potential role of gut microbiota in major depressive disorder: A review
No full textInteractions between the gut microbiota and host immunity are sophisticated, dynamic, and host-dependent. Scientists have recently conducted research showing that disturbances in the gut bacterial community can lead to a decrease in some metabolites and, consequently, to behaviors such as depression. Exposure to stressors dropped the relative abundance of bacteria in the genus Bacteroides while soaring the relative abundance of bacteria in the genus Clostridium, Coprococcus, Dialister, and Oscillibacter, which were also reduced in people with depression. Microbiota and innate immunity are in a bilateral relationship. The gut microbiota has been shown to induce the synthesis of antimicrobial proteins such as catalysidins, type C lectins, and defensins. Probiotic bacteria can modulate depressive behavior through GABA signaling. The gut microbiome produces essential metabolites such as neurotransmitters, tryptophan metabolites, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that can act on the CNS. In the case of dysbiosis, due to mucin changes, the ratio of intestinal-derived molecules may change and contribute to depression. Psychotropics, including Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001, Clostridium butyricum CBM588, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, have mental health benefits, and can have a positive effect on the host-brain relationship, and have antidepressant effects. This article reviews current studies on the association between gut microbiota dysbiosis and depression. Comprehensively, these findings could potentially lead to novel approaches to improving depressive symptoms via gut microbiota alterations, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation
Consanguineous marriage among familial multiple sclerosis subjects: A national registry-based study
No full textBackground: The rising prevalence of familial multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran has spurred interest in the potential impact of parental consanguinity on the risk of developing the disease. This study aims to aggregate current knowledge on parental consanguinity and its possible effect on MS risk, particularly among familial MS patients from various regions and ethnicities in Iran. The objective is to enhance the understanding of MS genetics and encourage further research in this field. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on clinically definite familial MS (FMS) patients registered in the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI). Data were extracted and supplemented with structured telephone follow-ups to gather detailed histories of MS in relatives and the familial relationships of the patients' parents. A family penetration score was proposed. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tests were used to analyze the data at a significance level of 0.05, adhering to ethical guidelines. Results: Out of 19,911 individuals registered in the NMSRI, 2307 FMS patients across 13 provinces were included in the final analysis. Among these, 385 (19.3 %) reported parental consanguinity, with 283 (14.2 %) having parents who were cousins and 102 (5.1 %) having parents who were distant relatives. The data showed no significant association between parental kinship and variables such as MS phenotype, number of affected relatives with MS, hospitalization rates, and expanded disability status scale score. Similarly, MS severity did not differ based on parental consanguinity (P-value >0.05). While the rate of consanguineous marriage was higher among patients with an onset age less than 18 years, there was no statistically significant difference in disease onset age based on parental consanguinity status. Conclusion: Our study highlights the complexity of factors influencing MS development, including genetic and environmental components. These results highlight the need for further research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of MS etiology
The potential role of nitric oxide in the anticonvulsant effects of betulin in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice
No full textEpilepsy poses a significant challenge, especially for drug-resistant cases, necessitating novel treatment avenues. This study explores the potential interplay between nitric oxide (NO) and the anticonvulsant effects of betulin, a triterpene with promising neuroprotective properties. While betulin exhibits anticonvulsant effects, the specific involvement of NO remains inadequately understood, constituting a pivotal gap in current knowledge. One hundred NMRI mice were randomly assigned to diverse treatment groups, with seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Parameters such as seizure threshold, nitrite levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and iNOS/nNOS gene expressions were assessed. Betulin significantly increased seizure thresholds and mitigated PTZ-induced NO levels. These findings suggest a potential modulation of NO-related pathways, emphasizing betulin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant attributes. The study sheds light on betulin's multifaceted impact on oxidative stress, NO regulation, and iNOS/nNOS gene expressions. The ability of betulin to suppress iNOS/nNOS gene expressions, leading to reduce NO production, underscores its potential as an anticonvulsant