7973 research outputs found
Sort by
Development and evaluation of an injectable slow‐release progesterone formulation for estrus synchronization in ewes out of the breeding season
No full textThis study was aimed at developing a type of slow-release progesterone micro-particles useable in a single intramuscular injection for estrus synchronization in non-breeding season ewes. A total of 66 ewes were randomly assigned into four groups: CIDR (n = 16): exposed to intravaginal CIDR for 12 days, and three experimental groups, i.e., T100 (n = 16), T150 (n = 17) and T200 (n = 17), receiving a single intramuscular injection of 100, 150 and 200 mg slow-release progesterone, respectively. Blood sampling was performed on all ewes at five different times, and the ELISA method measured progesterone levels. No significant differences were observed in progesterone levels among the groups in each sampling time. More than 90% of ewes in the CIDR, T100 and T150 groups and all those in T200 showed estrus behaviour, and the rate was not significantly different between groups. The difference in the mean interval from progesterone treatment to estrus was also insignificant. The parturition rate declined by increasing the dose of injected progesterone; although it was similar in CIDR and T100 groups, it decreased significantly in T150 and T200. Since our injectable progesterone formulation was successful in the induction and synchronization of estrus in ewes out of the breeding season, it can be applied as an alternative to the conventional progesterone containing intravaginal devices
Exosome-loaded scaffolds for regenerative medicine in hard tissues
No full textTissue engineering can be used to repair tissue by employing bioscaffolds that provide better spatial control, porosity, and a three-dimensional (3D) environment like the human body. Optimization of injectability, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and controlled drug release are also features of such scaffolds. The 3D shape of the scaffold can control cell interaction and improve cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Exosomes (EXOs) are nanovesicles that can regulate osteoblast activity and proliferation using a complex composition of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in their vesicles. Due to their excellent biocompatibility and efficient cellular internalization, EXOs have enormous potential as desirable drug/gene delivery vectors in the field of regenerative medicine. They can cross the biological barrier with minimal immunogenicity and side effects. Scaffolds that contain EXOs have been studied extensively in both basic and preclinical settings for the regeneration and repair of both hard (bone, cartilage) and soft (skin, heart, liver, kidney) tissue. Cell motility, proliferation, phenotype, and maturation can all be controlled by EXOs. The angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of EXOs significantly influence tissue healing. The current study focused on the use of EXO-loaded scaffolds in hard tissue regeneration
New insights into the role of metal(loid)s in the development of ulcerative colitis: a systematic review
No full textThe relationship between heavy metals and ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated in several studies, but their results were not consistent. Therefore, in this systematic review study, the positive and negative effects of metal(loid)s (Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, Pb, Ni, and As) on UC disease were investigated. In this systematic search, 13 original articles from 1993 to 2021 were identified in Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science databases. In included studies, the concentrations of heavy metals and essential elements were measured in the blood, serum, intestinal biopsies, and hair samples of the patients. Some studies have also examined the heavy metal concentration in UC patients’ diet and their drinking water. In the serum samples, Pb (220 ± 108 mg/L) and Cu (401.5 ± 104 µg/L) had the maximum concentrations among the other elements, as well as Zn and Fe had the highest levels in hair and intestinal tissue samples, respectively. In light of the selected articles, there is a possibility of a preventive role for Se and Zn in UC development. Moreover, exposure to Fe can exacerbate the symptoms of the disease. In conclusion, this review reveals that toxic metals, as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, can contribute to the exacerbation of inflammatory intestinal symptoms, and consumption of essential elements can play a vital role in the control of UC, and it is important to pay attention to them in health decisions
Determination and analysis of pesticide residues in fieldgrown and greenhouse-grown tomatoes using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
No full textThe present study aimed to extract pesticide residues in the field and greenhouse-grown tomatoes and homemade paste based on the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample preparation method (QuEChERS) before determined by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The mean difference in percentage reduction of deltamethrin (DLM) and acetamiprid (ACT) in raw tomatoes of greenhouse-grown was obtained at 91.42 and 90.00%, respectively, which was insignificantly more than filed condition (84.91% and 86.34%). Maximum reduction percentages of the DLM in paste under greenhouse and field tomato conditions were achieved by more than 95.86% and 93.11%, respectively. The residual concentration of both DLM (91.42%) and ACT (90.00%) in the greenhouse decreased more than the field (84.91% and 86.34%), respectively. Abamectin(ABA) reached below the MRL in a shorter time after spraying (2 days). Considering the pre-harvest interval (PHI) period of deltamethrin and abamectin can reach their residual concentration to the MRL in both conditions, which were determined by LC-MS. According to the results of the current study, 7 and 5 days can be suggested as the PHI period of the acetamiprid for field and greenhouse-grown tomatoes, respectively. Therefore, using pesticides in the proper dosage, considering appropriate PHI, and harvesting can reduce their residues in agricultural product
Barriers to Sexual Health Education for Female Adolescents in Schools from Health Care Providers' perspective
No full textBackground & aim: Sexual health education to female adolescents in schools is one of the most challenging topics in most parts of the world. This study investigated the barriers to sexual health education for female adolescents in schools from health care providers' perspective. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 200 health care providers in the comprehensive health center of Isfahan from October 2019 to October 2020, who were selected using multistage sampling. A valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire including five sections and 28 questions was used to assess the barriers to sexual health education in areas including individual domain related to the health care providers and female adolescents as well as organizational and socio-cultural domains. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The most important barriers to sexual health education for female adolescents included insufficient knowledge of health care providers 59%), lack of appropriate communication skills with female adolescents (59.5%) and conflict of sexual education to female adolescents with cultural beliefs of society 56.5). Among the four domains studied, organizational (31.4±4.93) and socio-cultural domain (27.1±5.12) barriers had higher mean scores. Conclusion: Insufficient knowledge and skills of health care providers and conflict of sexual education to female adolescents with cultural beliefs of society are the most important barriers to sexual health education for this population. Training of the health team as well as education and culture building in the community for families and the general public can be effective to remove barriers to sexual education for female adolescents
Ferulic acid ameliorates ulcerative colitis in a rat model via the inhibition of two LPS-TLR4-NF-κB and NF-κB-INOS-NO signaling pathways and thus alleviating the inflammatory, oxidative and apoptotic conditions in the colon tissue
No full textIntroduction: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. However, the common treatment for it is accompanied by many complications. Therefore, the present study was aimed to determine the ameliorative effects of ferulic acid on acetic acid-induced colitis in rat. Materials and methods: To induce ulcerative colitis, animals received 0.8 ml of 7% acetic acid intra-rectally. Ferulic acid in 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg doses was administered orally one hour after the ulcerative colitis induction. Animals received treatments for five consecutive days and then were euthanized on the sixth day. The colon was dissected out and macroscopic lesions were examined. Colon samples were evaluated for histopathological examination, biochemical analysis, determination of the expression of inflammatory, and apoptotic genes as well as total antioxidant capacity. Results: Ferulic acid significantly inhibited inflammatory and apoptotic genes mRNA expression, also production of MDA and NO. Ferulic acid significantly increased the activity of antioxidant factors (TAC content, and SOD and CAT activity), thereby preventing inflammation and histopathological damage in the colon tissue of colitis rats. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirmed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties of ferulic acid. About the mechanism of action of this compound, it can be concluded that the ability of ferulic acid in the amelioration of ulcerative colitis is related to the inhibition of two LPS-TLR4-NF-κB and NF-κB-INOS-NO signaling pathway
The landscape of exosomal non-coding RNAs in breast cancer drug resistance, focusing on underlying molecular mechanisms
No full textBreast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Like many other cancers, BC therapy is challenging and sometimes frustrating. In spite of the various therapeutic modalities applied to treat the cancer, drug resistance, also known as, chemoresistance, is very common in almost all BCs. Undesirably, a breast tumor might be resistant to different curative approaches (e.g., chemo- and immunotherapy) at the same period of time. Exosomes, as double membrane-bound extracellular vesicles 1) secreted from different cell species, can considerably transfer cell products and components through the bloodstream. In this context, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are a chief group of exosomal constituents with amazing abilities to regulate the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of BC, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, migration, and particularly drug resistance. Thereby, exosomal ncRNAs can be considered potential mediators of BC progression and drug resistance. Moreover, as the corresponding exosomal ncRNAs circulate in the bloodstream and are found in different body fluids, they can serve as foremost prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers. The current study aims to comprehensively review the most recent findings on BC-related molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways affected by exosomal miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, with a focus on drug resistance. Also, the potential of the same exosomal ncRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of BC will be discussed in detail
Removal of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) from Aqueous Solutions by Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Modification with Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
No full textBackgroundand Aim. Natural organic matter (NOM) has become one of the most serious environmental problems due to its persistence in aqueous solutions and the risk of carcinogenesis. In this study, the removal efficiencies of real and synthetic humic acid (HA) by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with iron oxide were evaluated. Materials and Methods. The MWCNs were synthesized and coated with iron oxide. In addition, the effects of pH, contact time, mixing speed, and adsorbent dose on the removal efficiency of NOM by MWCNTs-Fe3O4 were studied. Then, the removal efficiency of NOM from real samples was investigated at optimal conditions. The MWCNT-Fe3O4 was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Data analysis was performed using Minitab software based on the Taguchi method. Results. The results showed that MWCNTs were coated with Fe3O4. The SEM test shows particle (MWCNTs-Fe3O4) size in the range of 48-143 nm, and the particles have uniform spherical shapes. Enix software was used to identify the phase in this sample. The conditions including pH=3, mixing speed = 120 rpm, adsorbent dosage = 1.5 g·L-1, and contact time = 90 minutes were selected as optimal for NOM adsorption. The mean removal efficiencies of NOM in synthetic samples at 5, 10, and 20 mg·L-1 concentrations were 86.6%, 84.87%, and 95.41%, respectively. In addition, the mean removal efficiency of NOM in Choghakhor Wetland was 77%. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrated that the MWCNTs-Fe3O4 can be potentially used as an adsorbent for removing natural organic matter (HA) from aqueous solution
Effect and Mechanism of Curcumin on Bone Loss and Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Curcumin has been used in various diseases due to its potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: This systematic review aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of curcumin on bone loss and osteoporosis. Methods: Those human cell line and clinical trial studies indexed in three databases, including PubMed, Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), and Scopus, were included in the review. Records with non-English language articles, full texts not retrieved, and studies that were not relevant to the purpose of our study were excluded. Finally, after evaluating all available records, 11 articles were included. Results: Curcumin induces antiosteoporotic properties by inhibiting the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical scavenging activity. Curcumin, through blocking nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transmission to the nucleus, can suppress the production pathways of inflammatory cytokine production. Moreover, the biological mechanism of curcumin is a complex process associated with the modulation of transcription factors, protein kinases, and antiapoptotic proteins. Conclusion: The results of most clinical trials and human cell-based studies support the desirable impact of curcumin on bone loss and osteoporosis. Further clinical studies are needed to derive more reliable results about the prophylactic and therapeutic properties of curcumin on osteoporosis