13 research outputs found
The Use of Starfish in the Regenaration of Human Kidney. Fact or Fiction?
No full textWith performing the first kidney transplantations in 1950s and 1960s, medical science hopes were raised to find out proper ways for treatment of End Stage Renal Disease or dialysis patients. But regarding to immunologic bases of transplantation and the use of immunosuppressant medicines and their side effects, patients may encounter to severe and inevitable side effects that sometimes may even lead to death. Therefore, in recent years, medical sciences in convergence with technology, pursue a new kind of approach so called "regenerative medicine"; however this method has its own challenges and complexities. But regarding to potential regenerative abilities of aquatic animals such as starfish, it may be possible to overcome on some of these challenges. The results of recent studies on evolutionary processes of human kidney and development and regeneration in starfish and, and presence of path and common cytokines among these processes proves this claim. This article presents some evidences that imply on practical usage of starfish in human kidney regeneration
Effect of high bicarbonate hemodialysis solution on biochemical parameters and anthropometric indices
No full textIntroduction: Protein energy wasting is an adverse consequence of renal failure, which is correlated with increased mortality and morbidity. Metabolic acidosis has a major role in the development of protein energy wasting in hemodialysis patients. Every effort that could ameliorate this catabolic state would be beneficial to stabilize body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of high bicarbonate dialysis on anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters of nutrition. Methods: Fifty-six hemodialysis patients were randomly enrolled in two groups: an intervention group that underwent hemodialysis for 6 months with high bicarbonate dialysate concentration (36 mmol/L, N = 26) and a control group that underwent hemodialysis using a bicarbonate dialysate concentration of 30 mmol/L (N = 30). Biochemical parameters of nutrition and weight, body mass index (BMI), total body water, percent body fat, and other anthropometric indices were measured at the beginning and the end of the trial. Findings: At the end of the 6 month evaluation period, plasma levels of albumin, phosphorus, K, calcium, and bicarbonate showed no significant changes. Body weight and BMI increased significantly in high bicarbonate arm but did not change significantly in the control group. Percent body fat in the arms and legs did not change in intervention arm, but decreased significantly in the controls. Discussion: The results suggest that higher bicarbonate dialysis can have beneficial effects on nutritional status and might protect against loss of fat mass
The COVID‑19‑diabetes mellitus molecular tetrahedron
No full textAccumulating molecular evidence suggests that insulin resistance, rather than SARS-CoV-2- provoked beta-cell impair-
ment, plays a major role in the observed rapid metabolic deterioration in diabetes, or new-onset hyperglycemia, during the
COVID-19 clinical course. In order to clarify the underlying complexity of COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus interactions, we
propose the imaginary diabetes-COVID-19 molecular tetrahedron with four lateral faces consisting of SARS-CoV-2 entry
via ACE2 (lateral face 1), the viral hijacking and replication (lateral face 2), acute inflammatory responses (lateral face 3),
and the resulting insulin resistance (lateral face 4). The entrance of SARS-CoV-2 using ACE2 receptor triggers an array of
multiple molecular signaling beyond that of the angiotensin II/ACE2-Ang-(1–7) axis, such as down-regulation of PGC-1 α/
irisin, increased SREBP-1c activity, upregulation of CD36 and Sirt1 inhibition leading to insulin resistance. In another arm
of the molecular cascade, the SARS-CoV-2 hijacking and replication induces a series of molecular events in the host cell
metabolic machinery, including upregulation of SREBP-2, decrement in Sirt1 expression, dysregulation in PPAR-ɣ, and
LPI resulting in insulin resistance. The COVID-19-diabetes molecular tetrahedron may suggest novel targets for therapeutic
interventions to overcome insulin resistance that underlies the pathophysiology of worsening metabolic control in patients
with diabetes mellitus or the new-onset of hyperglycemia in COVID-19.
Keywords Covid-19 · Diabetes mellitus · Insulin resistance · Inflammation · ACE2 receptor · SARS-CoV-
Presence of Shiga Toxin Gene in Clinical Iso-lates of Shigella Species from the Past to Present in Bushehr, Iran
No full textBackground: The Shiga cytotoxin (Stx) is involved in serious human intestinal diseases. Recently stx has been found in non-S dysenteriae1 Shigella species. This study aimed to identify stx gene in clinical strains of Shigella isolated from two shigellosis outbreaks in previous years in Bushehr, southwest of Iran.
Materials and Methods: Purified DNA of 143 Shigella isolates was used for PCR to detect stx and ipaH genes. The number of PCR products in various Shigella species isolates was sequenced with the same primers (evt) used to amplify this region.
Results: Fourteen (22.3%) out of 63 shigella isolates related to previous shigellosis outbreaks during 2002-2004 contained the PCR positive result with evt primers. The sequencing results indicated that the evt PCR product had the most identity (97%) with Shigella dysentery shiga toxin subunit A. All clinical shigella strains isolated during 2013-2015 yielded PCR negative results with primers stx and evt. PCR results revealed that ipaH was present in all isolates. According to biochemical and species-specific antiserum tests, the stx gene harboring isolates included 9 (14.3%) S. flexneri, 4 (6.4%) S. sonnei, and 1(1.6%) S. boydii.
Conclusion: The stx gene has already been distributed in different Shigella species of Bushehr region. However, the absence of this gene in the clinical isolates of recent shigellosis outbreaks may be temporary. Because stx gene increases the pathogenic potential of Shigella, it is necessary to monitor the prevalence of the stx harboring Shigella species by molecular methods in the future
DataSheet1_Virtual Screening on Marine Natural Products for Discovering TMPRSS2 Inhibitors.zip
No full textAlthough SARS-CoV-2 entry to cells strictly depends on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the virus also needs transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) for its spike protein priming. It has been shown that the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2 can be blocked by cellular TMPRSS2 blockers. The main aim of this study was to find potential inhibitor(s) of TMPRSS2 through virtual screening against a homology model of TMPRSS2 using the library of marine natural products (MNPs). The homology modeling technique for generating a three-dimensional structure of TMPRSS2 was applied. Molecular docking, MM-GBSA and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) evaluations were performed to investigate the inhibitory activity of marine natural products (MNPs) against TMPRSS2 and their pharmacokinetic properties. Camostat and nafamostat mesylate were used as the standard inhibitory molecules. Seven MNPs were able to inhibit TMPRSS2 better than the standard compounds. MNP 10 with CAS number 107503-09-3, called Watasenia β-D- Preluciferyl glucopyrasoiuronic acid, was found to be the best inhibitor of TMPRSS2 with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, for the first time, a new marine natural product was introduced with potent inhibitory effects against TMPRSS2. MNP 10 exhibited favorable drug-like pharmacokinetic properties and it promises a novel TMPRSS2 blocker to combat SARS-CoV-2.</p
Exposure to needle stick injuries among health care workers in hemodialysis units in the southwest of Iran: a cross-sectional study
No full textAbstract Background Needle stick injury (NSI) is the most common cause of infection with blood-borne pathogens (BBP) among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of NSI and it’s contributing factors among HCWs of hemodialysis (HD) units in southwest Iran. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 13 HD centers in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 122 employees were enrolled in our study. We used self-administrated questionnaires to collect data about demographics, experiences regarding NSIs, and general health status. The statistical tests used in this study were Chi-square and Independent T-test. A P-value 10 years (p = 0.040), and those who graduated earlier (p = 0.031). The intravenous injection was the most common procedure leading to NSI, and being in a hurry was the most common cause. The average general health was 3.7 ± 3.2, higher among those not exposed to NSI (p = 0.042). Conclusion NSI is a prevalent hazard in HCWs of HD units. The high rate of NSI and unreported cases, besides the lack of adequate information, indicates the necessity of implementing protocols and strategies for improving the safety of this personnel. It is difficult to compare the result of this study with those performed among HCWs in other settings; hence, further studies are needed to determine whether HCWs of these units are more exposed to NSIs
Maternal and fetal exposure to metal (loid)s, maternal nutrition status, and impact on prenatal growth in an energy rich zone and an urban area along the Persian Gulf
No full textThe main purposes of the study were to determine whether maternal and cord blood (MB and CB) levels of metal (loid)s (MLs) are different between industrial and urban areas. Subjects were derived from the petrochemical and gas area (PGA) of Asaluyeh County and the urban area (UA) of Bushehr County in Iran. Adjusted models revealed significant differences between the PGA and UA for maternal Fe, Cu, Mg, Cd, Zn, Ni, V and Pb levels, likewise cord Cu, V, Pb and Ni levels, which were higher in the PGA. Unadjusted models revealed there were decreases in neonatal weight and head circumference by 16.550 g and 0.059 cm, respectively for each Ln unit increase in maternal Cr levels. The mean blood levels of MLs significantly associated with food consumption frequency. The MLs were detected at higher levels in the body's fetuses and their mothers who resided in the PGA than those from the UA. So, the fetuses of mothers living in an industrial areas may be at higher risk from anthropometric measures. The impact of prenatal exposure to MLs on prenatal growth should be considered for better understanding in the further studies
Association between platelet, white blood cell count, platelet to white blood cell ratio and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: focus on Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program
No full textSarcopenia is a progressive age-related skeletal muscle disorder associated with harmful impacts on health. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between sarcopenia, platelet (PLT), white blood cell (WBC), and PLT to WBC ratio (PWR) due to the importance of early sarcopenia diagnosis.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted based on the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program. Sarcopenia was defined based on the revised edition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) in accordance with the Iranian cut-off point. Univariate and adjusted multivariate logistic regression and linear regression were used to evaluate the associations.
Results
The prevalence of sarcopenia among participants was 35.73%. PLT count and PWR were statistically higher in severe sarcopenic participants, while no differences were seen in WBC. In crude analysis, sarcopenia was not associated with quartiles of PLT, WBC, and PWR, while after adjusting for age, marital status, and sex, the association was seen in the fourth quartile of PLT and PWR [OR (95%CI) = 1.40 (1.08 to 1.81), p-value = 0.009 for PLT; OR (95%CI) =1.55 (1.20 to 2.00), p-value =0.001 for PWR]. This association remained significant in the fully adjusted model [OR (95%CI) =1.82 (1.20 to 2.78), p-value =0.005 for PLT; OR (95%CI) =1.57 (1.03 to 2.40), p-value =0.035 for PWR]. Among sarcopenia parameters, PLT count was more likely to be associated with handgrip strength and muscle mass. After stratifying the participants by gender, sarcopenia parameters were no longer statistically significant in men.
Conclusion
This study showed that PLT and PWR were associated with sarcopenia after considering confounding factors, while this association was not seen in WBC. Moreover, results showed that gender had an important impact on sarcopenia parameters
Association of different obesity indices with nephrolithiasis in community-dwelling older adults
No full textBackground and objective: Obesity has been linked to various conditions, including nephrolithiasis. Given the rising prevalence of both nephrolithiasis and obesity in older adults, this study aimed to examine the association of different obesity-related indices with nephrolithiasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2419 individuals (mean age 69.34 ± 6.40; 51.92 % female) from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program, a population-based measured using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), while nephrolithiasis history was assessed through medical records. The associations between obesity-related indices and nephrolithiasis were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for relevant confounders. Results: Among the 2419 participants, 212 (8.76 %) had a history of nephrolithiasis. In the overall population, only the android-to-gynoid fat mass (FM) ratio was significantly associated with nephrolithiasis (odds ratio [OR] 3.28, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] 1.06–10.18). In females, the trunk-to-limb FM ratio (OR 2.62, 95 % CI 1.10–6.23) and the visceral adipose index (VAI) (OR 1.092, 95 % CI 1.005–1.187) were associated with nephrolithiasis. In males, only the body adipose index (BAI) was significantly associated with nephrolithiasis (OR 1.082, 95 % CI 1.017–1.151). Conclusion: In this study, the android-to-gynoid FM ratio in the total population, the trunk-to-limb FM ratio and VAI in females, and BAI in males were significantly associated with nephrolithiasis. Monitoring and managing these indices may enhance quality of life for elderly individuals by facilitating early diagnosis of nephrolithiasis and preventing stone formation.</p
