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Interactions of spontaneous abortion with FTO gene and dietary carotenoids; a case–control study
No full textSpontaneous abortion (SA) is considered one of the most prevalent adverse outcomes of pregnancy. SA may occur due to genetic susceptibility and various maternal factors such as nutritional status. The aim of this study was to assess how dietary carotenoids and the FTO gene are related to SA. This case-control study included 192 women with a history of SA as the case group and 347 healthy women without history of SA as the control group. To evaluate carotenoid intake, a valid 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used. The FTO gene was genotyped for the presence of the rs9939609 polymorphism using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain (ARMS-PCR). The results indicated a significant negative association between dietary intake of ß-cryptoxanthin and SA in carriers of the TT genotype of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism after adjustment for age, BMI, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, and calorie intake (ß = -0.28, P = 0.02). No association was found between SA with dietary intake of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, and lycopene among carriers of different FTO genotypes. The FTO genotype may have an effect on the association between SA and carotenoid intake. Dietary intake of ß-cryptoxanthin may act as a protective factor against SA only in carriers of the TT genotype of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism
Clustering the Economic Status via Partitioning around Medoid and Its Association with Common Non-communicable Diseases
No full textBackground: During the last decades, the role of economic status and wealth-related variables in relation to the mortality and incidence of a wide range of diseases have received increased attention. This study focused on clustering the economic status of a population-based study using partitioning around the medoid (PAM) and then investigating the association between the obtained economic clusters and the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: The present study was based on data from Shahrekord Cohort Study (SCS). This study considered nine NCDs, including cardiac disease, myocardial infarction, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, all types of malignancies, chronic lung disease, depression, and obesity, among 7034 participants aged 35 and 70 from the urban population of Sharekord (IRAN) in 2022. Four quantitative and four qualitative variables were used to cluster the economic status. The NbClust package was used to determine the optimal number of clusters, and the K-med package in R software (version 4.2.1) was used for PAM clustering. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequency () or median (IQR), and statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square test and Mann-Whitney test in SPSS software (version 19.0). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The estimated optimal number of clusters was two. The first cluster contained individuals with good economic status, while the second cluster contained those with a moderate economic status. The findings indicated that individuals with a good economic status had significantly higher rates of cardiac disease (7.2 versus 5.3, P<0.001), stroke (1.3 versus 0.6, P<0.001), diabetes (12.8 versus 9.1, P<0.001), hypertension (21.6 versus 15.6, P<0.001), depression (P<0.001), and obesity (P=0.03). Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that economic status was significantly associated with the majority of NCDs. © Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences
Effect of methadone maintenance therapy on sexual disorders in males: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textIntroduction: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a popular method of treating opioid use disorder. However, the majority of drug-using males experience sexual dysfunction. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the possible impact of MMT on sexual dysfunction in drug-using males. Methods: Cochrane, Web of Science, ProQuest, PubMed, and Google Scholar are the international databases that we used in this study. There were neither temporal nor regional limitations on the search. Stata version 14 (StataCorp) was used for data analysis. Results: When compared with the control group, the MMT group, as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), exhibited significantly greater levels of intercourse satisfaction disorders (standardized mean difference [SMD], –0.52; 95% CI, –0.71 to –0.32), decreased sexual desire/drive (SMD, –0.44; 95% CI, –0.87 to –0.01), lower overall satisfaction (SMD, –0.27; 95% CI, –0.43 to –0.11), and reduced total IIEF score (SMD, –0.69; 95% CI, –0.92 to –0.47). According to the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, the MMT group was substantially more satisfied with orgasm than the control group (SMD, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.31-0.86). As determined by the Sexual History Form, MMT was linked to a statistically significant increase in orgasmic dysfunction in comparison with the control group (SMD, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.10-1.20). The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale revealed a significant decrease in men reporting sexual disorder following MMT as compared with their pretreatment levels. Conclusion: As compared with control, MMT increased disorders of intercourse satisfaction, sexual desire/drive, and overall satisfaction according to the IIEF. MMT was also associated with a statistically significant decrease in various aspects of male sexual function as compared with pretreatment levels—including erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire/drive, and overall satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of including sexual dysfunction screening in the routine care of male patients undergoing MMT
The association between mode of childbirth delivery and early childhood caries: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground Early childhood caries (ECC), also known as dental caries, poses a significant challenge to the oral health and overall well-being of young children. This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between the mode of delivery and the odds of ECC. Methods We conducted a meticulous systematic review and meta-analysis, gathering studies from reputable databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Embase. The selected studies underwent rigorous evaluation for heterogeneity, utilizing statistical tests such as the Chi-square test, I2, meta-regression analysis, sensitivity analysis, and subgroup analysis. We assessed the presence of publication bias using Begg’s and Egger’s tests, while the quality of the articles was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale checklist. Results Our analysis included a robust dataset of 24 studies conducted between 1997 and 2024, involving a total of 71,732 participants. The meta-analysis revealed an odds ratio of 1.05 (95% CI: 0.86–1.30; P-value = 0.610) for dental caries in children born via cesarean section. Importantly, we found no evidence of publication bias, as indicated by non-significant results from Begg’s test (P-value = 0.568) and Egger’s test (P-value = 0.807). Meta-regression analysis did not identify any significant associations between the study variables and the observed heterogeneity (P > 0.10). Sensitivity analysis further confirmed the stability of the study results, with no significant changes detected. Conclusion In conclusion, our comprehensive meta-analysis provides compelling evidence that there is no significant association between the mode of delivery and the odds of ECC. These findings enhance our understanding of this important topic and have implications for clinical practice and public health intervention
Investigating the success rate of maxillary impacted canine tooth eruption using orthodontics according to age, gender and type of impaction in Shahrekord dental clinics in 2023
No full textAim: Canine teeth have a significant impact on the order and proper function of other teeth. Canine impaction can have negative esthetic and functional effects. This study investigated the success rate of orthodontically-assisted eruption of maxillary canine teeth according to age, sex, and type of impaction in Shahrekord city, Iran. Methods: In this retrospective study, panoramic radiographs of 112 patients who had initiated their orthodontic treatment at least 2 years earlier and had completed it by 2023 were evaluated. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were also used when necessary to assess the details. The type, depth, and angle of erupted and impacted canine teeth were determined. The data were analyzed by the Fisher's exact test and t-test. Results: Impacted canines successfully erupted in 72 patients (64.3%). Palatal impaction was more common (71.4%) than buccal impaction (28.6%). Regarding the impaction depth, type C had the highest frequency (63.4%), followed by type B (30.4%), and type A (6.3%). There was no significant correlation between the gender of patients and success rate of assisted eruption (P>0.05), but age and type of impaction were correlated with the success rate (P<0.05). The erupted canine teeth had a significantly higher mean angle relative to the occlusal plane compared with non-erupted teeth (P<0.05). Conclusion: The success rate of orthodontically-assisted eruption of impacted maxillary canine teeth was high, and patients in the age range of 15 to 18 years with grade II impaction showed the highest success rate of orthodontically-assisted eruption of impacted canine teeth
Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
No full textBackground: Future trends in disease burden and drivers of health are of great interest to policy makers and the public at large. This information can be used for policy and long-term health investment, planning, and prioritisation. We have expanded and improved upon previous forecasts produced as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) and provide a reference forecast (the most likely future), and alternative scenarios assessing disease burden trajectories if selected sets of risk factors were eliminated from current levels by 2050. Methods: Using forecasts of major drivers of health such as the Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a composite measure of lag-distributed income per capita, mean years of education, and total fertility under 25 years of age) and the full set of risk factor exposures captured by GBD, we provide cause-specific forecasts of mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age and sex from 2022 to 2050 for 204 countries and territories, 21 GBD regions, seven super-regions, and the world. All analyses were done at the cause-specific level so that only risk factors deemed causal by the GBD comparative risk assessment influenced future trajectories of mortality for each disease. Cause-specific mortality was modelled using mixed-effects models with SDI and time as the main covariates, and the combined impact of causal risk factors as an offset in the model. At the all-cause mortality level, we captured unexplained variation by modelling residuals with an autoregressive integrated moving average model with drift attenuation. These all-cause forecasts constrained the cause-specific forecasts at successively deeper levels of the GBD cause hierarchy using cascading mortality models, thus ensuring a robust estimate of cause-specific mortality. For non-fatal measures (eg, low back pain), incidence and prevalence were forecasted from mixed-effects models with SDI as the main covariate, and YLDs were computed from the resulting prevalence forecasts and average disability weights from GBD. Alternative future scenarios were constructed by replacing appropriate reference trajectories for risk factors with hypothetical trajectories of gradual elimination of risk factor exposure from current levels to 2050. The scenarios were constructed from various sets of risk factors: environmental risks (Safer Environment scenario), risks associated with communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs; Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination scenario), risks associated with major non-communicable diseases (NCDs; Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario), and the combined effects of these three scenarios. Using the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways climate scenarios SSP2-4.5 as reference and SSP1-1.9 as an optimistic alternative in the Safer Environment scenario, we accounted for climate change impact on health by using the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change temperature forecasts and published trajectories of ambient air pollution for the same two scenarios. Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were computed using standard methods. The forecasting framework includes computing the age-sex-specific future population for each location and separately for each scenario. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) for each individual future estimate were derived from the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles of distributions generated from propagating 500 draws through the multistage computational pipeline. Findings: In the reference scenario forecast, global and super-regional life expectancy increased from 2022 to 2050, but improvement was at a slower pace than in the three decades preceding the COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020). Gains in future life expectancy were forecasted to be greatest in super-regions with comparatively low life expectancies (such as sub-Saharan Africa) compared with super-regions with higher life expectancies (such as the high-income super-region), leading to a trend towards convergence in life expectancy across locations between now and 2050. At the super-region level, forecasted healthy life expectancy patterns were similar to those of life expectancies. Forecasts for the reference scenario found that health will improve in the coming decades, with all-cause age-standardised DALY rates decreasing in every GBD super-region. The total DALY burden measured in counts, however, will increase in every super-region, largely a function of population ageing and growth. We also forecasted that both DALY counts and age-standardised DALY rates will continue to shift from CMNNs to NCDs, with the most pronounced shifts occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (60·1% [95% UI 56·8–63·1] of DALYs were from CMNNs in 2022 compared with 35·8% [31·0–45·0] in 2050) and south Asia (31·7% [29·2–34·1] to 15·5% [13·7–17·5]). This shift is reflected in the leading global causes of DALYs, with the top four causes in 2050 being ischaemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared with 2022, with ischaemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, stroke, and lower respiratory infections at the top. The global proportion of DALYs due to YLDs likewise increased from 33·8% (27·4–40·3) to 41·1% (33·9–48·1) from 2022 to 2050, demonstrating an important shift in overall disease burden towards morbidity and away from premature death. The largest shift of this kind was forecasted for sub-Saharan Africa, from 20·1% (15·6–25·3) of DALYs due to YLDs in 2022 to 35·6% (26·5–43·0) in 2050. In the assessment of alternative future scenarios, the combined effects of the scenarios (Safer Environment, Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination, and Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenarios) demonstrated an important decrease in the global burden of DALYs in 2050 of 15·4% (13·5–17·5) compared with the reference scenario, with decreases across super-regions ranging from 10·4% (9·7–11·3) in the high-income super-region to 23·9% (20·7–27·3) in north Africa and the Middle East. The Safer Environment scenario had its largest decrease in sub-Saharan Africa (5·2% [3·5–6·8]), the Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario in north Africa and the Middle East (23·2% [20·2–26·5]), and the Improved Nutrition and Vaccination scenario in sub-Saharan Africa (2·0% [–0·6 to 3·6]). Interpretation: Globally, life expectancy and age-standardised disease burden were forecasted to improve between 2022 and 2050, with the majority of the burden continuing to shift from CMNNs to NCDs. That said, continued progress on reducing the CMNN disease burden will be dependent on maintaining investment in and policy emphasis on CMNN disease prevention and treatment. Mostly due to growth and ageing of populations, the number of deaths and DALYs due to all causes combined will generally increase. By constructing alternative future scenarios wherein certain risk exposures are eliminated by 2050, we have shown that opportunities exist to substantially improve health outcomes in the future through concerted efforts to prevent exposure to well established risk factors and to expand access to key health interventions. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
All-trans retinoic acid and fibroblast growth factor-2 enhance the fertility rate and embryo development in polycystic ovary syndrome mouse model
No full textObjective(s): Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes a developmental arrest of antral follicles and disrupts oocyte maturation. Retinoic acid (RA) and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) are effective in follicle growth, thus their effects on histopathology and in vitro fertility of oocytes were investigated in PCOS-induced mice. Materials and Methods: Eighty female NMRI mice were randomly divided into 8 groups including 1-Normal mice, 2-PCOS mice without any treatment, 3-Normal mice treated with RA, 4-Normal mice treated with FGF2, 5-PCOS mice treated with RA, 6- PCOS mice treated with FGF2, 7- PCOS mice treated with RA and FGF2, and 8- Normal mice treated with RA and FGF2. Following PCOS induction, the mice were treated with intraperitoneal RA and FGF2 as a treatment. Then ovarian stimulation, for preparing the oocyte and embryo microscopic examinations was performed. After oocyte morphometry, through in vitro fertilization, the embryo formation was assessed. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results:The results showed simultaneous injection of RA and FGF2 into PCOS-induced mice increases antral follicles and corpus luteum, but decreases cystic follicles. Simultaneous injection of these two substances into healthy mice increases the pre-antral follicles and corpus luteum. Simultaneous injection of RA and FGF2 increases the number of embryos in both control and intervention groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that RA and FGF2 increase the maturity of ovarian follicles, the number of two-celled embryos, and the number of grade-A embryos in mice with PCOS, which is more effective when these two substances are injected simultaneously
Innovative approaches in lung tissue engineering: the role of exosome-loaded bioscaffolds in regenerative medicine
No full textLung diseases account for over four million premature deaths every year, and experts predict that this number will increase in the future. The top cause of death globally is diseases which include conditions like lung cancer asthma and COPD. Treating severe acute lung injury is a complex task because lungs struggle to heal themselves in the presence of swelling inflammation and scarring caused by damage, to the lung tissues. Though achieving lung regeneration, in controlled environments is still an ambition; ongoing studies are concentrating on notable progress, in the field of lung tissue engineering and methods for repairing lung damage. This review delves into methods, for regenerating lungs with a focus on exosome carry bioscaffolds and mesenchymal stem cells among others. It talks about how these new techniques can help repair lung tissue and improve lung function in cases of damage. Also noted is the significance of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), for rejuvenating donor lungs and the healing properties of exosomes in supporting lung regeneration
LINC01366 and LINC01433 in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Potential Role at the Intersection of Inflammation and Angiogenesis
No full textGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Inflammation and angiogenesis are important processes in GBM that are interrelated. In this study, bioinformatic investigations were performed to detect common and key genes in the inflammatory and angiogenesis pathways of GBM. Additionally, relevant long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were recognized as important gene regulators. Consequently, real-time PCR and correlation analyses were used to investigate changes in gene and lncRNA expression levels and explain their relationship. RELA emerged as a common key gene in these biological processes. LINC01366 and LINC01433 were identified as putative RELA regulators in different metabolic pathways using computational assays. According to our findings, the expression levels of RELA, LINC01366 and LINC01433 were found to be significantly upregulated in GBM samples. Correlational studies revealed a significant positive relationship of gene expressions between LINC01366 and LINC01433, indicating that they may have a coordinated effect on GBM biology. Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between these lncRNAs and RELA. The current study highlights the high expression of LINC01366 and LINC01433 in GBM and emphasizes the importance of studying lncRNAs as putative regulators in the pathophysiology of GBM. Further research is needed to clarify their specific functions, in particular the associated inflammatory and angiogenesis pathways. © The Author(s). Publisher: Babol University of Medical Sciences This work is published as an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4). Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited
Gut Microbiota and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Neuroinflammatory Mediated Mechanism of Pathogenesis?
No full textAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and behavior, frequently accompanied by restricted and repetitive patterns of interests or activities. The gut microbiota has been implicated in the etiology of ASD due to its impact on the bidirectional communication pathway known as the gut-brain axis. However, the precise involvement of the gut microbiota in the causation of ASD is unclear. This study critically examines recent evidence to rationalize a probable mechanism in which gut microbiota symbiosis can induce neuroinflammation through intermediator cytokines and metabolites. To develop ASD, loss of the integrity of the intestinal barrier, activation of microglia, and dysregulation of neurotransmitters are caused by neural inflammatory factors. It has emphasized the potential role of neuroinflammatory intermediates linked to gut microbiota alterations in individuals with ASD. Specifically, cytokines like brain-derived neurotrophic factor, calprotectin, eotaxin, and some metabolites and microRNAs have been considered etiological biomarkers. We have also overviewed how probiotic trials may be used as a therapeutic strategy in ASD to reestablish a healthy balance in the gut microbiota. Evidence indicates neuroinflammation induced by dysregulated gut microbiota in ASD, yet there is little clarity based on analysis of the circulating immune profile. It deems the repair of microbiota load would lower inflammatory chaos in the GI tract, correct neuroinflammatory mediators, and modulate the neurotransmitters to attenuate autism. The interaction between the gut and the brain, along with alterations in microbiota and neuroinflammatory biomarkers, serves as a foundational background for understanding the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder