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Protective effects of human amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) secreted factors on mouse spermatogenesis and sperm chromatin condensation following unilateral testicular torsion
No full textTesticular torsion is considered a urological disorder that requires immediate detorsion surgery. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury after testicular torsion detorsion causes of drastic impairment of spermatogenesis and infertility. Cell-free-based approaches seem to be a promising strategy to prevent I/R injury, they have more stable biological properties, and they contain paracrine factors of mesenchymal stem cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of human amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) secreted factors on mouse sperm chromatin condensation and spermatogenesis improvement after I/R injury. hAMSCs were isolated and characterized by RT- PCR and flow cytometry, preparation of hAMSCs secreted factors was performed. Forty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated, torsion detorsion, torsion detorsion+ intratesticular injection of DMEM/F-12, and torsion detorsion+ intratesticular injection of hAMSCs secreted factors. After one cycle of spermatogenesis, the mean number of germ cells, Sertoli, Leydig, myoid as well as tubular parameters, Johnson score, and spermatogenesis indexes were evaluated by H& E and PAS stainings. Sperm chromatin condensation and relative expression of c-kit and prm 1 genes were assessed by aniline blue staining and real-time PCR, respectively. The mean number of spermatogenic cells, Leydig, myoid, Sertoli, spermatogenesis parameters, Johnson score, as well as germinal epithelial height and diameters of seminiferous tubules decreased significantly after I/R injury. The thickness of basement membrane and percentage of sperm with excessive histone significantly increased, while the relative expression of c-kit and prm 1 significantly decreased in torsion detorsion group (p 0.001). hAMSCs secreted factors remarkably restored normal sperm chromatin condensation, spermatogenesis parameters and histomorphometric organization of seminiferous tubules via intratesticular injection (p 0.001). Thus, hAMSCs secreted factors may potentially salvage torsion-detorsion-induced infertility
Chemical composition of essential oils from Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss. (Apiaceae) ecotypes
No full textSmyrnium is a rich source of isofuranodiene, a bioactive furanosesquiterpenoid. This study evaluated root samples from ten ecotypes of S. cordifolium from southwest Iran and found that their essential oils were predominantly composed of isofuranodiene and curzerene. The principal component analysis identified four chemotypes among the ecotypes, characterized by isofuranodiene, curzerene, thymol, and (E, E)-germacrone. Hierarchical clustering analysis separated the ecotypes into three clades, in which curzerene, isofuranodiene, and curzerenone played major roles. The data acquired highlights that the essential oil composition in S. cordifolium is primarily associated with the genetic makeup rather than the geographical origins of the samples. Insights into the chemical composition of the genus Smyrnium can favor the selection of better-suited genotypes for industrial purposes, as well as facilitate the development of conservation strategies and breeding programs
Splenogonadal fusion: A rare case report and literature review
No full textIntroduction and importance: Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly occurs when splenic tissue presents near or within a gonad. It mostly involves male children. Although it is benign and rare, making a pre-operation precise diagnosis is challenging which can lead to unnecessary invasive treatments. Case presentation: A 3-year-old boy was presented by the chief complaint of a painless mass on the left testis and left inguinal hernia. He had a previous history of bilateral cryptorchidism and orchiopexy. Ultrasonography showed a small mass on the inferior pole of left testis and left reducible inguinal hernia. He went under left orchiectomy and hernia repair. Pathological investigation of the specimen resembled normal splenic tissue next to testicular tissue and the diagnosis of splenogonadal fusion was made. Clinical discussion: Splenogodal fusion cases can be challenging. Pain and sensation of mass in the scrotal sac are the most common presentation of splenogonadal fusion. Testicular malignancies can be considered as their main differential diagnosis, despite the fact that imaging and intra-operation frozen section can be helpful in making a definite diagnosis in some cases. It is mostly diagnosed incidentally during other procedures such as hernia repair or orchiopexy. Since it is benign, removal of tumor without orchiectomy is curative. Conclusion: In dealing with testicular mass in children, raising awareness of splenogonadal fusion have utmost importance to prevent unnecessary radical surgical interventions
Investigating the protective effect of the methanolic extract of Salvia multicaulis on renal ischemia-reperfusion injuries in rats
No full textIn this research the protective effects of the methanolic extract of S. multicaulis was evaluated in renal ischaemia-reperfusion injuries in rats. 42 male rats were divided into 6 groups. In the treatment groups 1-3, before causing ischemia in the kidneys, rats received 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day doses of the extract orally for 20 days, then ischaemia was created. In the evaluation of urea and creatinine factor, rosmarinic acid and extract dose of 150 mg/kg/day had a significant effect in reducing these two factors
Diabetes as one of the long-term COVID-19 complications: from the potential reason of more diabetic patients’ susceptibility to COVID-19 to the possible caution of future global diabetes tsunami
No full textAccording to recent researches, people with diabetes mellitus (type 1 and 2) have a higher incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by a SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this regard, COVID-19 may make diabetic patients more sensitive to hyperglycemia by modifying the immunological and inflammatory responses and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) predisposing the patients to severe COVID-19 and potentially lethal results. Actually, in addition to COVID-19, diabetic patients have been demonstrated to have abnormally high levels of inflammatory cytokines, increased virus entrance, and decreased immune response. On the other hand, during the severe stage of COVID-19, the SARS-CoV-2-infected patients have lymphopenia and inflammatory cytokine storms that cause damage to several body organs such as β cells of the pancreas which may make them as future diabetic candidates. In this line, the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, which is activated by a number of mediators, plays a substantial part in cytokine storms through various pathways. In this pathway, some polymorphisms also make the individuals more competent to diabetes via infection with SARS-CoV-2. On the other hand, during hospitalization of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, the use of some drugs may unintentionally lead to diabetes in the future via increasing inflammation and stress oxidative. Thus, in this review, we will first explain why diabetic patients are more susceptible to COVID-19. Second, we will warn about a future global diabetes tsunami via the SARS-CoV-2 as one of its long-term complications
The relationship between ultra processed food consumption and premature coronary artery disease: Iran premature coronary artery disease study (IPAD)
No full textBackground: Ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption may affect the risk of PCAD through affecting cardio metabolic risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the association between UPFs consumption and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). Methods: A case–control study was conducted on 2,354 Iranian adults (≥ 19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 110-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and foods were classified based on the NOVA system, which groups all foods according to the nature, extent and purposes of the industrial processes they undergo. PCAD was defined as having an stenosis of at least single coronary artery equal and above 75% or left main coronary of equal or more than 50% in women less than 70 and men less than 60 years, determined by angiography. The odds of PCAD across the tertiles of UPFs consumption were assessed by binary logistic regression. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the top tertile of UPFs were twice as likely to have PCAD compared with those in the bottom tertile (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.97–3.23). Moreover, those in the highest tertile of the UPFs consumption had more than two times higher risk for having severe PCAD than those in the first tertile (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 2.16–3.22). In addition, there was a significant upward trend in PCAD risk and PCAD severity as tertiles increased (P-trend < 0.001 for all models). Conclusion: Higher consumption of UPFs was related to increased risk of PCAD and higher chance of having severe PCAD in Iranian adults. Although, future cohort studies are needed to confirm the results of this study, these findings indicated the necessity of reducing UPFs intak
Clustering Undergraduate Students Based on Academic Burnout and Satisfaction from the Field Using Partitioning around Medoid
No full textBackground. Academic satisfaction is known as one of the most important factors in increasing students' efficiency, and academic burnout is one of the most significant challenges of the educational system, reducing student motivation and enthusiasm. Clustering methods try to categorize individuals into a number of homogenous groups. Aims. To cluster undergraduate students at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences based on academic burnout and satisfaction with their field of study. Materials and Methods. The multistage cluster sampling method was used to select 400 undergraduate students from various fields in 2022. The data collection tool included a 15-item academic burnout questionnaire and a 7-item academic satisfaction questionnaire. The average silhouette index was used to estimate the number of optimal clusters. The NbClust package in R 4.2.1 software was used for clustering analysis based on the k-medoid approach. Results. The mean score of academic satisfaction was 17.70±5.39, while academic burnout averaged 37.90±13.27. The optimal number of clusters was estimated at two based on the average silhouette index. The first cluster included 221 students, and the second cluster included 179 students. Students in the second cluster had higher levels of academic burnout than the first cluster. Conclusion. It is suggested that university officials take measures to reduce the level of academic burnout through academic burnout training workshops led by consultants to promote the students' interests
Generation of Haploid Spermatids on Silk Fibroin‐Alginate‐Laminin‐Based Porous 3D Scaffolds
No full textIn vitro production of sperm is a desirable idea for fertility preservation in azoospermic men and prepubertal boys suffering from cancer. In this study, a biocompatible porous scaffold based on a triad mixture of silk fibroin (SF), alginate (Alg), and laminin (LM) is developed to facilitate the differentiation of mouse spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs). Following SF extraction, the content is analyzed by SDS-PAGE and stable porous 3D scaffolds are successfully prepared by merely Alg, SF, and a combination of Alg-SF, or Alg-SF-LM through freeze-drying. Then, the biomimetic scaffolds are characterized regarding the structural and biological properties, water absorption capacity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical behavior. Neonatal mice testicular cells are seeded on three-dimensional scaffolds and their differentiation efficiency is evaluated using real-time PCR, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry. Blend matrices showed uniform porous microstructures with interconnected networks, which maintained long-term stability and mechanical properties better than homogenous structures. Molecular analysis of the cells after 21 days of culture showed that the expression of differentiation-related proteins in cells that are developed in composite scaffolds is significantly higher than in other groups. The application of a composite system can lead to the differentiation of SSCs, paving the way for a novel infertility treatment landscape in the future
Anti-angiogenic Drug Resistance: Roles and Targeting of Non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs)
No full textCancers with a high capability for angiogenesis are frequently regarded as being dif-ficult to treat. Anti-angiogenesis drugs are considered the primary therapy for these types of cancers. Due to intrinsic or acquired anti-angiogenesis resistance, therapies result in moderate clinical consequences, despite some hopeful findings. The importance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in drug resistance mechanisms in cancer treatment has been discovered in the pre-vious decade. Anti-angiogenic drug resistance can be influenced by ncRNA dysregulation. Hence, ncRNAs are potential drug resistance targets for new anti-angiogenic drugs in the inhibition of angiogenesis in tumors. Furthermore, some ncRNAs can be employed as biomarkers for anti-angiogenic drug responses and can be used to monitor cancer non-invasively. Combination treatment approaches, combined with routine anti-angiogenesis and some drugs that target the ncRNAs causing resistance, can be potential ways to overcome anti-angiogenesis re-sistance. For the first time, we explain the mechanisms of anti-angiogenic drug resistance and the related miRNAs and lncRNAs and their signaling pathways in commonly used anti-angiogenic drugs implicated in this review article. These ncRNAs could be suggestions for targeting and reducing anti-angiogenic drugs in the future