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Comparing the expression levels of tripartite motif containing 28 in mild and severe COVID-19 infection
No full textBackground Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28) is an impressive regulator of the epigenetic control of the antiviral immune response. This study evaluated if the differential expression of TRIM28 correlates with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods A total of 330 COVID-19 patients, including 188 mild and 142 severe infections, and 160 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine the expression levels of TRIM28 in the studied patients. Results TRIM28 mRNA levels were significantly lower in both groups of patients versus the control group and in the severe group indicated further reduction in comparison to mild infection. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the mean age, lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol, lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value and higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and differential expression of TRIM28 were linked to the severity of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion The results of this study proved that the downregulation of TRIM28 might be associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. Further studies are required to determine the association between the COVID-19 infection severity and TRIM family proteins
Evaluation of Triple Fragment Vaccine HSPX (Rv2031c) + PPE44 (Rv2770c) + Mouse IgG1 (Fcgamma2a) with Auxiliary Adjuncts IL-22 in Comparison with BCG Vaccine
No full textBackground & Objective: Despite the vaccination with the BCG vaccine, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the major health problems in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate our newly designed vaccine using IL-22 as an adjuvant in comparison with the common BCG vaccine. Methods: The gene constructs were cloned into the expression vector of pET28a and then into the recombinant vector of PET28a - HSPX, and PPE44 was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Finally, the immunogenicity of recombinant proteins with and without BCG and IL-22 in BALB/c mice was investigated. Results: The key cytokines INF-gamma and TNF-alpha were elevated more greatly in BCG immunized group than in PHF immunized group. Immunization with PHF showed a significant increase in IL-4 levels versus the BCG group. Adding IL-22 to the vaccine formulations indicated a tiny increase in IL-4 levels compared to their related vaccine groups.Specific total IgG1 in the experimental groups showed an increase in comparison with control groups, but in the vaccinated groups, no significant differences were observed, and the presence of IL-22 in the vaccine formulations indicated a slight decrease compared with the related mere vaccine groups. Results of specific total IgG2a in the experimental groups revealed that only in the PHF group formulated with IL-22 a significant increase occurs compared with all other experimental groups. Conclusion: It seems that BCG, as the only licensed vaccine for TB infection, could be more potent than a recombinant vaccine in the induction of cellular and humoral immune responses
Polycystic ovaries and herbal remedies: A systematic review
No full textOBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects one in every 15 women worldwide. This disorder is mainly characterized by increased levels of male hormones (androgens), acne, and hirsutism, and can lead to long-term insulin resistance, miscarriage, or even infertility in women. PCOS is a disorder that can be treated with natural and allopathic remedies that work against the PCOS mechanism. The present study reviews previous studies on the treatment of PCOS using natural drugs. METHODS: The data in this study were collected from articles published in reputable databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SID in the field of medicinal plants from 1990 to 2021. RESULTS: A review of the literature showed that plants such as aloe vera and chamomile improve fertility by increasing the number of ovarian follicles. Besides, Vitex agnus-castus and octane reduce hirsutism by reducing testosterone and androgen levels. It was also shown that liquorice, ginseng, cinnamon, and de chiro Inositol improve the adverse effects of diabetes caused by PCOS by lowering lipid and blood glucose levels. Moreover, Stachys lavandulifolia and fennel are effective in changing endometrial tissue parameters in PCOS by reducing estrogen and hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can improve PCOS symptoms in women with minimal side effects but a longer treatment cycle
Melatonin ameliorates testes against forced treadmill exercise training on spermatogenesis in rats
No full textINTRODUCTION: It is well documented that some forced exercises can have bad effects on the genital system. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that is effective in reducing the physical stress
Association of chest CT severity score with mortality of COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textPurpose Chest computed tomography (CT) is a high-sensitivity diagnostic tool for depicting interstitial pneumonia and may lay a critical role in the evaluation of the severity and extent of pulmonary involvement. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of chest CT severity score (CT-SS) with the mortality of COVID-19 patients using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to search for primary articles. The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95 confidence intervals (95CIs) were calculated as the effect sizes. Results This meta-analysis retrieved a total number of 7106 COVID-19 patients. The pooled estimate for the association of CT-SS with mortality of COVID-19 patients was calculated as 1.244 (95 CI 1.157-1.337). The pooled estimate for the association of CT-SS with an optimal cutoff and mortality of COVID-19 patients was calculated as 7.124 (95 CI 5.307-9.563). There was no publication bias in the results of included studies. Radiologist experiences and study locations were not potential sources of between-study heterogeneity (both P > 0.2). The shapes of Begg's funnel plots seemed symmetrical for studies evaluating the association of CT-SS with/without the optimal cutoffs and mortality of COVID-19 patients (Begg's test P = 0.945 and 0.356, respectively). Conclusions The results of this study point to an association between CT-SS and mortality of COVID-19 patients. The odds of mortality for COVID-19 patients could be accurately predicted using an optimal CT-SS cutoff in visual scoring of lung involvement
Retinopathy prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis study based on neonatal and maternal risk factors
No full textBackground Retinopathy of prematurity is the abnormal development of retinal arteries in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks and weighing 1500 g, and less, which can lead to visual impairment during life and blindness. This study aims to investigate the relationship between some clinical characteristics of neonates and mothers with Retinopathy of prematurity in the world via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and methods The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between maternal and neonatal clinical variables with Retinopathy of prematurity in the world from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2020. Accordingly, all English articles published on the topic were searched in scientific databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus. The articles were searched independently by two researchers. Statistical analysis of data was performed using fixed and random effects model statistical tests in the meta-analysis, Cochran, meta-regression, I-2 index, Funnel plot, and Begg's by STATA software program, version 14. Result A total of 191 studies with a sample size of 140,921 persons were including in the meta-analysis. Accordingly, Preterm delivery <= 28 weeks (OR:6.3, 95 CI:4.9-8.1), Birth Weight <= 1000 g (OR:5.8, 95 CI:4.8-6.8), Birth Weight <= 1500 g (OR:4.8, 95 CI:3.8-6.1), PROM (OR:1.2, 95 CI:1.0-1.4), induced fertility (OR:1.9, 95 CI:1.1-3.0) and Chorioamnionitis (OR:1.5, 95 CI:1.0-2.2) There was a statistically significant association with retinopathy. Conclusion Based on the results of the present meta-analysis, the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in neonates born at 28 weeks and less, LBW (weight 1500 g and less), neonatal hypotension, chorioamnionitis, and induced fertility increases
The independent contribution of desire thinking to problematic social media use
No full textIn the present study, we investigated the role of desire thinking in problematic social media use (PSMU) whilst accounting for negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression. A sample of individuals with PSMU (n = 350) who used social media at least 8 h daily was recruited. Participants completed measures of negative affect, impulsivity, thought suppression, craving, desire thinking, and PSMU. Results indicated that negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression had significant indirect effects on craving and PSMU through the significant mediating role of desire thinking. The present study shows that desire thinking is an underlying mechanism linking established variables associated with PSMU (negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression) to craving and PSMU. Focusing efforts on the interruption of desire thinking may be beneficial to support individuals in disengaging from PSMU
Neonatal outcome among pregnant women with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground COVID-19 has raised many concerns about the possible side effects of pregnancy. There is currently no conclusive evidence of the vertical transmission of COVID-19. Accordingly, this paper is a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis investigated neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with COVID-19. Methods PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), EMBASE, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched up to November 2020. The Cochran's Q-test and I-2 statistic were applied to assess heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled estimate of the mean, and a meta-regression method was utilized to investigate the factors affecting heterogeneity between studies. Results Of 1132 studies, 23 were included in the analysis (sample size: 749 for neonates and 820 for mothers). Most of these studies (n = 13) were conducted in China. The pooled estimate for the mean of birth weight, APGAR score in min 1 and 5 was 3084.97 g (95 CI: 2993.66-3176.29), 8.76 (95 CI: 8.27-9.25), and 9.44 (95 CI: 9.18-9.70), respectively. Also, the pooled prevalence of premature birth, shortness of breath, and neonatal death was 17.80 (95 CI: 12.47-23.13), 8.43 (95 CI: 4.50-12.37), and 7.73 (95 CI: 2.00-13.47), respectively. The meta-regression results indicated that the mother's age, disease duration, and sample size had no significant effect on heterogeneity between studies (p-value all of them was >.05). Finally, 15 studies (65.22) reported that vertical transmission did not occur. Conclusion The COVID-19 infection can have adverse outcomes for the newborn. Despite the positive test of neonates, the vertical transmission of COVID-19 from the infected mother to the fetus has not yet been conclusively proven; thus, further research is needed
Toxic and essential elements in drinking water, blood, hair and intestinal tissues of ulcerative colitis patients: probabilistic health risk assessment for drinking water consumers
No full textEnvironmental exposure to heavy metals is a well-known risk factor for cancers. In this study, the content of toxic and essential elements (Pb, Ni, As, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Se) in drinking water, blood, hair, and intestinal tissues of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients was examined. The results demonstrated that the mean concentration of the elements in clinical samples was in the order of intestinal tissue > hair > blood. Health risk assessment showed that As and Pb in drinking water of UC patients may pose non-carcinogenic risk. Also, there is possible cancer risk to drinking water consumers for As. The potential high health risks and the significant correlation between the elements contents of drinking water and clinical samples imply that such environmental pollution should not be overlooked in Chaharmahal-Va-Bakhtiari province, Iran. Special attention should be paid on As pollution of drinking water due to its high canrcinogenic risk (CR), probably on UC tissues
The role of heat shock proteins in metastatic colorectal cancer: A review
No full textHeat shock proteins (HSPs) are a large molecular chaperone family classified by their molecular weights, including HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP110. HSPs are likely to have antiapoptotic properties and participate actively in various processes such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastases, and death. In this review, we discuss comprehensively the functions of HSPs associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) and metastasis and resistance to cancer therapy. Taken together, HSPs have numerous clinical applications as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and potential therapeutic targets for CRC and its related metastases