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A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Clinical and Radiographic Success Rates of MTA and rhBMP2 in Pulpotomy of Primary Teeth
No full textObjectives: In an ideal pulpotomy, the radicular pulp remains vital, healthy, and fully encased within an odontoblastic layer. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been suggested to facilitate this outcome. We aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic failure and success rates of MTA and rhBMP2 as pulpotomy medicaments. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight teeth from 3–6-year-old children were randomly assigned to two groups using a split-mouth design. Cervical pulpotomy was performed using MTA in one group and rhBMP2 in the other. Subsequently, the teeth were restored with stainless-steel crowns. Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12-month follow-up intervals to evaluate success and failure rates. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P<0.05) Results: At six and nine months, one tooth in the BMP2 group and one tooth in the MTA group showed internal resorption, respectively. After 12 months, one tooth in the BMP2 group exhibited PDL widening. The radiographic success rate was 100% for the MTA-and 97.1% for the BMP2-group at six months, 96.7% for both groups at nine months, and 96.7% and 93.3%, respectively, at 12 months. No clinical failure criteria were observed in any of the teeth. Survival analysis revealed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The study reveals comparable outcomes between rhBMP2 and MTA, suggesting rhBMP2 as a viable alternative for pulpotomy in primary teeth. With minimal incidences of complications and no significant differences noted, rhBMP2 demonstrates potential for clinical use
Association of Postpartum Depression with Maternal Serum Magnesium Levels, Infant Growth, and Neurodevelopmental Indices
No full textBackground:Postpartum depression (PPD) can exert both short-term and long-term effects on a child's health. Offspring born to mothers who suffer from PPD face an elevated susceptibility to encountering psychological disturbances and developmental delays. Moreover, there has been conjecture surrounding a plausible connection between maternal magnesium (Mg) levels and psychiatric manifestations. This study aims to investigate the relationship between maternal Mg levels and PPD and the correlation between PPD and an infant's growth and neurodevelopment at 6 and 12 months.Methods:This longitudinal study is a sub-study derived from the "PERSIAN Birth Cohort Study," encompassing 224 mother-infant pairs randomly enlisted during 2019-2020 in Isfahan. Maternal serum magnesium (Mg) levels were measured at 38 weeks of gestation. PPD was evaluated employing the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) four weeks postpartum. Measurements of birth size were undertaken, adhering to standardized protocols at birth, 6 months, and 12 months. Anthropometric parameters and the Persian version of the validated Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were employed to assess infant neurodevelopmental status at 6 and 12 months.Results:Overall, 22.3% of mothers grappled with PPD. The mean (standard deviation) maternal magnesium levels (Mg) were 1.95 +/- 0.23 mg/dL. No statistically significant association was detected between maternal serum magnesium (Mg) levels and the incidence of PPD. Correspondingly, no significant association emerged between PPD and indices of growth. However, a noteworthy distinction materialized in the communication scores of offspring born to depressed and non-depressed mothers following adjustments for confounding variables at 12 months (beta = 1.81; 95% confidence interval: 0.32-3.30). Furthermore, a substantial regression in communication skills became apparent between 6 and 12 months.Conclusions:This study failed to establish a significant association between maternal serum magnesium (Mg) levels and PPD. Nevertheless, research lends credence to an inverse correlation between maternal depression and subsequent behavioral difficulties in offspring, such as communication skills. Thus, the imperative nature of screening for PPD should be underscored to facilitate its early detection and intervention, thereby enhancing infant well-being
The Interaction of Zinc as an Essential Trace Element with Leishmania Parasites: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: The trace element of zinc (Zn) has shown great effectiveness in control of leishmaniasis infection. Hence, the present study conducted a systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the zinc effect in the treatment or prevention of leishmaniasis. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was performed of all articles published in PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases (1997-2023). The search terms were "zinc" OR "cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)" OR "visceral leishmaniasis (VL)". Results: Initial search yielded 89 citations, and 59 subjects were included. Data showed the zinc serum level in CL patients was lower than controls. Also, in vitro studies of zinc were more effective against L. tropica and L. major promastigotes compared to the amastigotes. Moreover, in vivo studies did not show destructive effects of zinc on the mammalian cell viability like macrophages. Furthermore, zinc depletion by specific chelators affected L. donovani survival and growth through promoting apoptosis and reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanisms. Conclusion: The serum level determination of zinc could be useful for estimating the leishmaniasis pathophysiology. Environmentally or genetically determined increases in zinc levels might augment res & iacute;stanse to CL. In contrast, zinc depletion using a zinc-specific chelator could be effective treatment of VL in endemic areas
Impact of Performing Medical Writing/Publishing Workshops: A Systematic Survey and Meta-Analysis
No full textObjectives Proficiency in medical writing and publishing is essential for medical researchers. Workshops can play a valuable role in addressing these issues. However, there is a lack of systematic summaries of evidence on the evaluation of their impacts. So, in this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate all articles published on the impact of such workshops worldwide.Methods We searched Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Medline, ISI Web of Science, ERIC database, and grey literature with no language, time period, or geographical location limitations. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, before-after studies, surveys, and program evaluation and development studies were included. We performed a meta-analysis on data related to knowledge increase after the workshops and descriptively reported the evaluation of other articles that did not have sufficient data for a meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using Stata software, version 15.0.Results Of 23 040 reports, 222 articles underwent full-text review, leading to 45 articles reporting the impacts of workshops. Overall, the reports on the impact of such workshops were incomplete or lacked the necessary precision to draw acceptable conclusions. The workshops were sporadic, and researchers used their own method of assessment. Meta-analyses of the impact on the knowledge showed that workshops could nonsignificantly increase the mean or percentage of participants' knowledge.Conclusion In the absence of systematic academic courses on medical writing/publishing, workshops are conducted worldwide; however, reports on educational activities during such workshops, the methods of presentations, and their curricula are incomplete and vary. Their impact is not evaluated using standardized methods, and no valid and reliable measurement tools have been employed for these assessments
Radiotherapy Enhancing and Radioprotective Properties of Berberine: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground Natural compounds such as Berberine (Ber) have been considered due to favorable anticancer properties, low side effects, and availability along with chemotherapy treatments.Objectives This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing and radioprotective properties of Ber.Methods In this systematic review that was performed according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched the publications before 25 Sep 2023 in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. After determining inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted and imported into an Excel form, and the results of the studies were reviewed.Results Ber by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and increasing interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels, showed its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against ionizing radiation. Reducing cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis were other radioprotective properties of Ber. Conversely, in cancer cells, Ber, via inducing oxidative stress and accumulation ROS in tumor tissues, inducing DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and hyperpolarization, inducing apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, inhibits the up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) revealed radiosensitizing properties.Conclusion Ber, via various mechanisms, showed favorable radioprotective and radiosensitizing properties in clinical and experimental studies. However, more clinical studies are needed in this field
Relationship between reproductive health literacy and components of healthy fertility in women of the reproductive age
No full textBACKGROUND AND AIM: One of the key factors affecting women's behavior with fertility issues is their health literacy, but this topic has been less addressed in the existing studies. We aimed to determine the relationship between reproductive health literacy and components of healthy fertility in women of reproductive age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to September 2014 on 230 married women who were referred to comprehensive health centers in Lordegan city. Data were collected using a reproductive health literacy questionnaire, demographic and fertility information checklist, and components of healthy fertility. Data analysis was done using SPSS software, version 20. Pearson, Spearman, and independent t-tests were used as appropriate. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD reproductive health literacy score in the participants was 43.80 +/- 18.99 depicting an average literacy level in more than half of the women. Also, the reproductive health literacy score had a statistically significant relationship with the use of low-failure contraceptive methods (P < 0.001) and planned pregnancy (P = 0.03). However, this relationship was not significant regarding pre-pregnancy care (P = 0.88) and observing the interval between pregnancies (P = 0.57). CONCLUSION: We found a relationship between the level of reproductive health literacy and the use of family planning methods with low failure and planned pregnancy. Hence, it seems that interventions to improve reproductive health literacy are effective in reducing the occurrence of high-risk pregnancies and unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. Therefore, it is suggested that the health system consider and provide education related to reproductive health literacy as a part of healthy reproductive services
Computational design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Langya henipavirus using surface proteins
No full textIn July 2022, Langya henipavirus (LayV) was identified in febrile patients in China. There is currently no approved vaccine against this virus. Therefore, this research aimed to design a multi-epitope vaccine against LayV using reverse vaccinology. The best epitopes were selected from LayV's fusion protein (F) and glycoprotein (G), and a multi-epitope vaccine was designed using these epitopes, adjuvant, and appropriate linkers. The physicochemical properties, antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and solubility of the vaccine were evaluated. The vaccine’s secondary and 3D structures were predicted, and molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to assess the vaccine’s interaction and stability with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Immune simulation, codon optimization, and in silico cloning of the vaccine were also performed. The vaccine candidate showed good physicochemical properties, as well as being antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic, with acceptable solubility. Molecular docking and MD simulation revealed that the vaccine and TLR4 have stable interactions. Furthermore, immunological simulation of the vaccine indicated its ability to elicit immune responses against LayV. The vaccine’s increased expression was also ensured using codon optimization. This study’s findings were encouraging, but in vitro and in vivo tests are needed to confirm the vaccine’s protective effect
Is PI‑RADS upgrading the strongest predictor for the presence of clinically significant prostate cancer in patients with initial PI‑RADS‑3 lesions?
No full textDesign of an oral vaccine using Lactococcus lactis against brucellosis: an in vitro and in vivo study
No full textBrucellosis is regarded as one of the world’s most severe zoonotic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of using recombinant Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) as a live vector to produce recombinant Brucella abortus (B. abortus) Omp10. The gene sequences were obtained from GenBank. The proteins’ immunogenicity was assessed using Vaxijen. After confirming the cloning of the Omp10 gene in the pNZ8148 vector by enzymatic digestion and PCR, transformation into L. lactis was done. SDS-PAGE and western blot methods evaluated omp10 protein expression. Mice received oral recombinant L. lactis vaccines. IgG antibodies against Omp10 were tested using ELISA. Real-time PCR and ELISA were used to analyze cytokine responses. Survival rate and histopathological changes were evaluated after the challenge. Omp10 was chosen for its 1.5524 antigenicity score. Enzymatic digestion and PCR identified a 381-bp gene fragment. A 10 kDa band indicated the success of L. lactis transformation. Mice administered the L. lactis-pNZ8148-Omp10-Usp45 vaccination 14 days after priming showed significantly higher Omp10-specific total IgG and IgG1 (P < 0.001) than the PBS control group. The mice who received the L. lactis-pNZ8148-Omp10-Usp45 and IRBA vaccines had significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-4, and IL-10 in samples collected on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.001). Inflammatory response, morphological damage, alveolar edema, and lymphocyte infiltration were reduced in the target group. A recombinant L. lactis expressing the Omp10 protein was constructed as an oral Lactococcus-based vaccine and compared to live attenuated vaccines for future brucellosis investigations
Melatonin Promotes Differentiation of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells Cultured on Three-Dimensional Decellularized Human Testis Matrix
No full textPURPOSE: The use of 3D (3-Dimensional) culture systems supported cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, proliferation, and differentiation of SSCs (Spermatogonial stem cells). The potential advantages of ECM-based scaffolds for in vitro spermatogenesis have been indicated in human and animal experiments. Furthermore, the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of melatonin have improved in vitro manipulation of human SSCs in culture conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SSCs were isolated from the testis of three dead-brain patients and then propagated for four weeks. The characterization of SSC colonies was done using real-time PCR (Polymerase chain reaction), ICC (Immunocytochemistry), and xenotransplantation to mice model. Decellularization of the human testis was performed using 0.3 sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and 1 Triton X-100. Also, various characterizations of DTM (Decellularized testicular matrix ) were carried out using histological staining and DNA content analysis. The optimum dose of melatonin was selected by MTT (Methyl thiazol tetrazolium). SSCs were cultured in 4 groups: control, melatonin, ECM, and ECM-melatonin in a differentiation medium for four weeks. The expression of differentiation genes was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the viability of cultured cells was assessed by MTT assay. RESULTS: The results of ICC and real-time PCR showed the expression of undifferentiated SSC markers (PLZF and GRFA1) in SSC colonies following the 2D culture of isolated SSCs. The presence of testicular ECM components after different staining methods; and the reduction of DNA content confirmed the proper decellularization process. Germ cell apoptosis significantly decreased in melatonin and ECM groups, and the higher viability of SSCs was seen in the ECM-melatonin group. The relative expression of GFRA1 and PRM2 decreased and increased in ECM and ECM-melatonin groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the addition of melatonin to the human naturally-derived ECM scaffold could provide a suitable platform for inducing the differentiation and preserving the viability of SSCs