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Evaluation of the relation between cerebroplacental ratio, umbilical-cerebral ratio, and cerebro-placental-uterine ratio with the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction
No full textIntroduction: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major obstetric complication associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between Doppler parameters, including the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), umbilicocerebral ratio (UCR), and cerebro-placental-uterine ratio (CPUR), with adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies complicated by FGR. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective study of 100 women with a singleton pregnancy 28 and 36.8 weeks of gestation was complicated by FGR and mild abnormalities. Feto-maternal Doppler examinations were conducted by the CPR, UCR, and CPUR parameters. Adverse outcomes were defined as Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, preterm birth <37-week, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, fetal distress, and emergency cesarean section.These outcome parameters were checked with the results of the last ultrasound which performed 1-2 weeks before delivery. Results: Mean umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI) (1.18±0.31 versus 1.04±0.21, P=0.010) and mean uterine arteries (UtAs)-PI (1.18±0.45 versus 0.96±0.36, P=0.20) were significantly higher in pregnancies that experienced adverse perinatal outcomes than those that did not experience them. Mean CPUR (1.82±1.03 versus 2.25±0.83, P=0.039) was significantly lower in pregnancies that experienced adverse perinatal outcomes versus those that did not. In binary multivariate logistic regression analysis, CPR, UCR, and CPUR parameters were evaluated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Only CPUR had a significant relationship with adverse perinatal outcomes. CPUR had a substantial relationship with Apgar score [removed
Preparation of Slow-release Implant of Camellia sinensis Hydroalcoholic Extract for Prevention of Post Laparotomy Intraperitoneal Adhesion in Rat
No full textIntra-abdominal adhesion following surgery imposes excessive costs and complications and finding effective treatment can increase the patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was preparation and evaluation of a slow-release implant containing hydroalcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis (C.s) on post laparotomy intraperitoneal adhesion. Four types of implants were prepared including (1) chi-tosan, (2) chitosan containing C.s extract, (3) chitosan and beta-glycerophosphate (β-GP) and (4) chitosan and β-GP containing C.s. Structural properties, thickness and swelling, pH and disintegration time, adhesion strength and extract release in the extracellular medium were determined. For in vivo evaluation, rats were divided in 6 groups including surgical group (without intervention), heparin and groups receiv-ing four types of implants. Fourteen days later, the amount of adhesions was determined and classified. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16. SEM showed that chitosan and β-GP implants have less porosity than chitosan. FTIR also confirmed the cross-linking of chitosan with β-GP. The implants had normal pH in the range of tissue pH and suitable adhesion, swelling, and disintegration time. In non-cross-linked im-plants, the C.s extract release was faster than cross-linked implants. The rate of fibrosis, inflammation and number of adhesive bands in different groups did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05) but the severity of adhesion was significantly different in the studied groups. Cross-linked chitosan implants containing C.s have suitable structural and physical properties and caused long-term release of C.s extract but it had no effect on intra-abdominal adhesion due to laparotomy. These results are probably because of the chitosan polymer that has been used, which has increased the adhesion
The relationship between a plant-based diet and mental health: Evidence from a cross-sectional multicentric community trial (LIPOKAP study)
No full textBackground Dietary patterns emphasizing plant foods might be neuroprotective and exert health benefits on mental health. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between a plant-based dietary index and mental health measures. Objective This study sought to examine the association between plant-based dietary indices, depression and anxiety in a large multicentric sample of Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 2,033 participants. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intakes of participants. Three versions of PDI including an overall PDI, a healthy PDI (hPDI), and an unhealthy PDI (uPDI) were created. The presence of anxiety and depression was examined via a validated Iranian version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results PDI and hPDI were not associated to depression and anxiety after adjustment for potential covariates (age, sex, energy, marital status, physical activity level and smoking). However, in the crude model, the highest consumption of uPDI approximately doubled the risk of depression (OR= 2.07, 95% CI: 1.49, 2.87;
Development and validation of a biological risk assessment tool among hospital personnel under COVID-19 pandemic conditions
No full textThe need for a biological disease risk assessment method to prevent the contagion of these diseases, particularly among healthcare personnel, is crucial. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a biological risk assessment tool for biological agents among hospital personnel under COVID-19 conditions. This cross-sectional study was performed on 301 employees in two hospitals. Firstly, we identified the items affecting the contagion of biological agents. Then, we computed the weight of the items using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. We used the identified items and the estimated weights in the next step to develop a predictive equation. The outcome of this tool was the risk score of biological disease contagion. After that, we used the developed method to evaluate the biological risk of the participants. The ROC curve was also used to reveal accuracy of developed method. In this study, 29 items were identified and categorized into five dimensions, including environmental items, ventilation items, job items, equipment-related items, and organizational items. The weights of these dimensions were estimated at 0.172, 0.196, 0.255, 0.233, and 0.144, respectively. The final weight of items was used to develop a predictive equation. The area under ROC curves (AUC) was also calculated as 0.762 (95% CI: 0.704, 0.820
Combined treatment with Alhagi maurorum and docetaxel inhibits breast cancer progression via targeting HIF-1α/VEGF mediated tumor angiogenesis in vivo
No full textBreast cancer is a challenging disease and leading cause of cancer death in women. There is no effective agent for metastatic breast cancer after surgery and chemotherapy. Alhagi maurorum (A.m) has been reported to exhibit an anticancer effect on various types of cancer cells in vitro. This study aimed to examine the suppressive effect of A.m alone and combined with docetaxel (DTX) on the breast cancer growth in mice models and the possible underlying mechanisms. In the present study, the mice were inoculated subcutaneously with the injections of 4T1 cells. Then, A.m, DTX, and their combination were administered intraperitoneally. The expressions of β-catenin (β-cat), FZD7, MMP2, HIF1-α, and VEGF A (vascular endothelial growth factor A) were investigated using RT-PCR method. Also, plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (GPT or ALT), aspartate transaminase (GOT or AST), serum creatinine, and urea were examined, and histological analyses of the tissues were conducted. The results demonstrated that A.m (500 mg/kg) combined with DTX significantly decreased the expression of β-cat, MMP2, and FZD7 as compared with the negative control group and monotherapies. Also, the mRNA levels of HIF1-α and VEGF A were suppressed significantly by DTX + A.m (500 mg/kg). Tumor weights and sizes were significantly lower and tumor inhibition rate was significantly higher in the DTX + A.m group. The A.m 500 mg/kg + DTX also suppressed the serum GPT level in tumor-bearing mice and decreased the serum urea level. Taken together, our findings suggest that DTX combined with A.m at an optimal dose of 500 mg/kg as the optimal dose can inhibit β-cat, FZD7, MMP2, and breast cancer growth via interrupting HIF-1α/VEGF signaling and might be used as a promising antiangiogenic agent for breast cancer treatment
Berberine efficacy against Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: A systematic review
No full textCardiotoxicity is one of the main complications of chemotherapy that increases morbidity and mortality in cancerous patients. The present systematic review aimed to investigate the protective effects of berberine (Ber) on doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity. The study protocol was developed following the PRISMA statement. An extensive search was performed in multiple databases, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Scopus. After defining the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study, 12 records were included. The desired data of the retrieved articles were extracted from the studies and imported into an Excel form and ultimately, the effects, probable outcomes and mechanisms were surveyed. By activating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), Ber caused reduced oxidative damage and loss of mitochondria integrity in cardiomyocytes. It also regulated autophagy and apoptosis via down-regulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat, and pyrin domain containing protein (NLRP) activation. Moreover, Ber increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), up-regulated SIRT3, and subsequently reduced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and loss of mitochondria integrity, leading to developed apoptosis and regulating the histopathological and electrocardiogram changes in the myocardium. It also ameliorated the DOX-induced calcium ions (Ca2+) and iron overload. Ber reduced oxidant and inflammatory activity, and regulated apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, thus protecting the cells against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity
Improving Physical Fitness and Health of Office Workers in Iran
No full textThis paper reports on a study on improving the health and fitness of office workers in Iran using a comprehensive model. The research design was a randomized controlled trial involving 294 employees. The intervention was a 6-month program to promote physical activity. The primary outcome measure was their scores on the physical activity (PA) index recorded at 3 and 6 months. A statistically significantly increase in PA was found in the intervention group over the control group. In addition, the mean values of related health and physiological indices of the intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant increase compared to the control group. The conclusions of this study support research findings in multiple countries, that the physical activity and health of office workers can be improved in a short period
Combination of ionizing radiation and bio-based active packaging for muscle foods: A global systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textA systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the combined effects of biopolymer-based active packaging and ionizing radiation on muscle foods’ quality. Radiation processing of muscle foods reduced the initial counts and growth rates of microbial flora. Irradiation did not affect the initial level of total volatile nitrogen while decreasing its increasing rate during storage. The initial levels and increasing lipid and protein oxidation rates increased after irradiation. Packaging of muscle foods with biopolymer + active compounds before irradiation was the most effective way to decrease microbial flora's initial counts and growth rates. During storage, lower lipid and protein oxidation was found in irradiated muscle foods packed with biopolymer + active compounds. From an industrial standpoint, the packaging of muscle foods with biopolymer + active compounds, particularly plant-based ones, synergistically acts with ionizing radiation to decrease microbial flora counts; therefore, lowering radiation doses can be applied, which minimizes the adverse effects of irradiation on muscle food
Nano drug-delivery systems for management of AIDS: liposomes, dendrimers, gold and silver nanoparticles
No full textAIDS causes increasing mortality every year. With advancements in nanomedicine, different nanomaterials (NMs) have been applied to treat AIDS and overcome its limitations. Among different NMs, nanoparticles (NPs) can act as nanocarriers due to their enhanced solubility, sustained release, targeting abilities and facilitation of drug-dose reductions. This review discusses recent advancements in therapeutics for AIDS/HIV using various NMs, mainly focused on three classifications: polymeric, liposomal and inorganic NMs. Polymeric dendrimers, polyethylenimine-NPs, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-NPs, chitosan and the use of liposomal-based delivery systems and inorganic NPs, including gold and silver NPs, are explored. Recent advances, current challenges and future perspectives on the use of these NMs for better management of HIV/AIDS are also discussed. Plain language summary AIDS is a disease affecting many worldwide. Since it is difficult to cure AIDS, new therapies have been developed. Tiny materials called nanoparticles with promising features are used to carry different drugs to relevant organs in the body. There are various nanoparticles with different textures and shapes used in AIDS therapy. Branched nanoparticles, nanoparticles with repetitive building blocks and metal-based nanoparticles are three commonly used nanoparticles in AIDS treatment that are studied in this review. These tiny materials can find the exact place in the body to deliver drugs. They can also reduce the side effects of anti-AIDS drugs and help patients use fewer drugs while getting the same or better results. Tweetable abstract In this review, recent advances, current challenges and future perspectives in the use of liposomal-based delivery systems and inorganic nanoparticles (including gold and silver nanoparticles) for better management of HIV/AIDS are critically discussed
Exosomal microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs: as novel biomarkers for endometriosis
No full textEndometriosis is a gynecological inflammatory disorder characterized by the development of endometrial-like cells outside the uterine cavity. This disease is associated with a wide range of clinical presentations, such as debilitating pelvic pain and infertility issues. Endometriosis diagnosis is not easily discovered by ultrasound or clinical examination. Indeed, difficulties in noninvasive endometriosis diagnosis delay the confirmation and management of the disorder, increase symptoms, and place a significant medical and financial burden on patients. So, identifying specific and sensitive biomarkers for this disease should therefore be a top goal. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by most cell types. They transport between cells’ bioactive molecules such as noncoding RNAs and proteins. MicroRNAs and long noncoding RNAs which are key molecules transferred by exosomes have recently been identified to have a significant role in endometriosis by modulating different proteins and their related genes. As a result, the current review focuses on exosomal micro-and-long noncoding RNAs that are involved in endometriosis disease. Furthermore, major molecular mechanisms linking corresponding RNA molecules to endometriosis development will be briefly discussed to better clarify the potential functions of exosomal noncoding RNAs in the therapy and diagnosis of endometriosis