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Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of P. reptans root (PEF) preconditioning on expressions of lncRNAs H19 and MIAT in H9C2 myoblasts I/R injury. H9C2 cells were treated with different concentrations ranging from (10–400 µg/ml) of PEF for 24 h, followed by simulation of I/R condition. For I/R experiments, H9C2 cells were subjected with the oxygen and glucose deprivation for 2 h. H9C2 cell viability was significantly enhanced by PEF preconditioning under I/R condition in a concentration-dependent manner up to 200 µg/ml as a EC50. The PEF significantly diminished the expression of lncRNA MIAT and rate of apoptosis against the I/R group. In addition, PEF pretreated before stimulation I/R condition increased H19 expression compared to the normal PEF group with no statistically significant differences between groups. Hence, the results suggest that PEF can protect cardiomyocytes during hypoxia-induced myocardial cell injury by targeting specific involved genes.

Abstract Background Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is sometimes considered a normal mechanism to overcome the mother’s mental preoccupation with having a child. However, stress and anxiety might become a medical condition, becoming so severe as to affect the mother’s mental health. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate factors related to maternal anxiety during pregnancy in women referring to prenatal primary care centers in Tabriz. Methods The target population in the present cross-sectional study was the pregnant women referring to primary care centers affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2018–2019 (n = 533). Sampling was carried out using the random cluster technique (separately for municipal centers). The data were collected using the study tools, including a questionnaire on demographic data, prenatal anxiety screening scale (PASS), and researcher-made questions on maternal anxiety during pregnancy. Results In the present study, 37.5% of pregnant women had anxiety. Of all the demographic and background variables, income (P = 0.015), a history of preterm delivery (P = 0.018), and unintended pregnancy (P = 0.022) were significantly related to anxiety. Of the variables of income, a history of preterm delivery, and unintended pregnancy in the regression model, the odds of anxiety were 41% lower in pregnant women with somewhat adequate income than those with inadequate income after correcting for other variables (P = 0.011). In addition, the variable of unintended pregnancy increased the odds of anxiety up to 49% after correcting for other variables (P = 0.023). Conclusion The present study showed that income and unintended pregnancy significantly affect maternal anxiety during pregnancy. Trial registration The protocol of the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences under the code (IR.TBZMED.REC.1398.161).

Abstract Background The Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) model transformed the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) by shifting treatment from inpatient facilities to the community. Evidence shows that while CMAM programs are effective in the initial recovery from SAM, recovery is not sustained for some children requiring them to receive treatment repeatedly. This indicates a potential gap in the model, yet little evidence is available on the incidence of relapse, the determinants of the phenomena, or its financial implications on program delivery. Methods This study is a multi-country prospective cohort study following “post-SAM” children (defined as children following anthropometric recovery from SAM through treatment in CMAM) and matched community controls (defined as children not previously experiencing acute malnutrition (AM)) monthly for six months. The aim is to assess the burden and determinants of relapse to SAM. This study design enables the quantification of relapse among post-SAM children, but also to determine the relative risk for, and excess burden of, AM between post-SAM children and their matched community controls. Individual -, household-, and community-level information will be analyzed to identify potential risk-factors for relapse, with a focus on associations between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) related exposures, and post-discharge outcomes. The study combines a microbiological assessment of post-SAM children’s drinking water, food, stool via rectal swabs, dried blood spots (DBS), and assess for indicators of enteric pathogens and immune function, to explore different exposures and potential associations with treatment and post-treatment outcomes. Discussion This study is the first of its kind to systematically track children after recovery from SAM in CMAM programs using uniform methods across multiple countries. The design allows the use of results to: 1) facilitate understandings of the burden of relapse; 2) identify risk factors for relapse and 3) elucidate financial costs associated with relapse in CMAM programs. This protocol’s publication aims to support similar studies and evaluations of CMAM programs and provides opportunities for comparability of an evidence-based set of indicators for relapse to SAM.

Urban planning typically involves technical and political procedures of developing and designing land use and determining urban boundaries. However, similar to other government interventions, urban planning creates rents for some urban lands while causing losses to other lands. To gain the maximum profit, land developers prefer to develop lands that have acquired higher privileges, i.e., more extensive construction permits. It will make cities' development patterns unbalanced in favor of land with more accumulated planning rents. The transfer of development rights (TDR) is a market approach to designing urban development that balances. It evenly distributes the benefits and disadvantages of urban planning, especially in protecting historic buildings and agricultural and garden lands. This paper simulates the application of TDR as an alternative urban planning way to cope with the unbalanced development of urban lands in Tehran. We utilized an urban dataset from 2007 to 2019 and evaluated the efficiency of TDR using Agent-Based Modeling (ABM). Results implied that the usage of the TDR would improve the distribution of investment in Tehran in a more balanced pattern. However, more studies, especially considering the regional differences in the city and expansion of the model for other for-profit or non-profit usages such as urban gardens, make it imperative to use.

Purpose: We synthesized folic acid-conjugated Fe3O4/Au-pralidoxime chloride Nanoparticles (Fe2O3/Au@PAM NPs) for use as dual-modal contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Fe2O3/Au@PAM NPs labeled or not to folic acid were synthesized and analyzed by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The ability of these NPs to create image contrast was also investigated in silico and in vitro (in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and A549 lung cancer cells) with CT and MRI. Results: Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the Fe2O3/Au@PAM NPs were nearly spherical. The average diameter of Fe2O3/Au NPs increased from 11.6 nm to 98 nm after folic acid conjugation. The saturation magnetization values of Fe2O3/Au@PAM NPs with and without folic acid conjugation were 25.56 and 32.6 emu/g, respectively. Conjugation of folic acid to NPs greatly improved their uptake by cancer cells. The additional coating of NPs with FA reduced the T2 relaxation time and signal intensity for MRI. Folic acid-labeled MCF-7 cells had a radiodensity measurement of 208 Hunsfield Units (HU) compared to 95 HU for A549 cells. For breast cancer cells, NPs labeled with folic acid significantly improved the X-ray absorption coefficient as a sign of active cellular uptake compared to NPs without labeling. Conclusion: Folic acid-labeled Fe2O3/Au@PAM NPs can serve as dual CT/MRI contrast agents and improve the sensitivities of both modalities for the detection of cancer cells.

Objectives: Considering the side effects of chlorhexidine (CHX), which is currently the gold-standard antimicrobial mouthwash, this study aimed to compare the effects of Green Kemphor and CHX mouthwashes on tooth staining and gingivitis. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled crossover clinical trial evaluated 38 patients requiring CHX mouthwash following oral surgery and periodontal therapy. The patients were randomly assigned to CHX and Kemphor groups (n=19). In CHX group, patients used CHX mouthwash in the first 2 weeks, and after a 4-day washout period, they used Kemphor mouthwash for 2 weeks. This order was reverse in the Kemphor group. Gingivitis was evaluated using the Silness and Loe gingival index (GI), and tooth staining was evaluated by the Lobene index at 0 (baseline), 2 and 4 weeks. Data were analyzed by paired t-test. Results: CHX mouthwash significantly decreased the GI and increased tooth staining (gingival stains, body stains, and stain extent) at 2 weeks (P

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known as one of the most usual hormone disorder in women of childbearing age. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of hydroalchoholic extract of Cinnamon zeylanicum (CZ) on oxidative damages and biochemical change in adult rats with PCOS. Materials and Methods: In our experimental research, 32 Wistar female rats were used (n=8 per group) including control group (G1), PCOS group without any therapy (G2), rats with PCOS that received a daily intake of hydroalcoholic extract (the 200 mg/kg/orally) of CZ for 2 weeks (G3), and the group with no PCOS while with a daily intake of the extract of CZ (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks (G4). PCOS was induced by estradiol valerate with a single injection dose (16 mg/kg) intramuscularly. After 14 days, all animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, followed by obtaining the blood sample and using their plasma for checking the blood glucose, insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and testosterone. Finally, the ovaries of all animals were removed and fixed for assessing the histological damage. Results: As regards the plasma levels of blood glucose, insulin, LH, FSH, and testosterone, a significant change was observed between G2 and G1 groups while G3 and G4 groups demonstrated a significant decline in terms of such parameters as compared to G2 group. In addition, the level of estrogen in the plasma decreased significantly in G2 as compared to G1 while in G2 and G1, it was significantly higher when compared to the PCOS group. Eventually, the number of follicles reduced in PCOS group while it indicated an increase in the groups which were treated with CZ extract. Conclusions: The results of the present research showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of CZ has a beneficial effect on regulating the plasma levels of testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, FBS, and insulin in the palliation of PCOS complications.

Colonic type villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the lower genital tract is an extremely rare condition. Its origin is not clearly understood; however, the cloacal remnants are the more accepted source for this carcinoma.We report the case of a 67-year-old female patient who presented with a 1.2 cm polypoidal nodule at the right side of the fourchette. Morphologic studies revealed a colonic type mucinous adenocarcinoma that arose from within a villous adenoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, carcinoembryonic antigen, P53, and progesterone receptor, but negative for estrogen receptor and caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2. Extensive work-up failed to reveal other primary cancers in this patient. Ultimately, she underwent a radical vulvectomy. No recurrence was seen in eight months follow up of this patient after surgery. Careful, thorough histological evaluation and clinical clues enable correct diagnosis of the rare colonic type vulvar villoglandular adenocarcinoma. Due to rarity of this tumor, its management is questionable. Therefore, additional investigation is necessary for its management.

In this research, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and clay nanoparticles were incorporated into poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) to improve the impact and tensile properties. The PBT/TPU (90/10, 80/20 and 70/30) samples were prepared by melt mixing using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. At the next stage, clay nanoparticles of different weight fractions were added to the PBT/TPU (80/20) blend in the same way to prepare nanocomposite samples. SEM images illustrated good compatibility between TPU and PBT. To characterize the dispersion of clay layers in the polymer matrix, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) inspections were performed. The results of the mechanical assessments showed that the addition of TPU to PBT significantly increased the impact strength but decreased the tensile strength and modulus. Incorporating clay nanoparticles into the PBT/TPU blend noticeably improved the tensile properties of PBT/TPU-based nanocomposites. A balance of the tensile and impact properties was found in the PBT/TPU/clay (80/20/3) nanocomposite system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cholera is a debilitating enteric disease, caused by Vibrio cholerae. Cholera toxin is the most important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of Vibrio cholera. Cholera toxin B subunit (CTxB), which forms a bond between the toxin and eukaryotic cells, has immunogenic features. The purpose of this study was to produce and purify antibodies against CTxB recombinant protein. METHODS: The CTxB recombinant protein was expressed and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. In total, ten 5-week-old BALB/C mice were divided into control and test groups. The test group subcutaneously received 10 micrograms of the recombinant protein along with Freund's adjuvant. Antibody titers were measured by ELISA method. The serum of immunized mice, receiving phosphate-buffered saline, was used in ELISA as the control. Immunoglobulin G was purified by the use of affinity column of G protein. The inhibiting effect of antibody against CTxB on toxin was examined using GM1-ELISA method. FINDINGS: The results of ELISA method showed the binding of recombinant protein to cholera toxin antibody. The amount of purified protein for each liter of the medium was 9 milligrams. ELISA findings showed that after each injection, the amount of antibody in mice was increased. The absorption rate of serum with the dilution of 1:500 was higher than three. According to Bradford assay, the density of purified antibody was 1 mg/ml. In ELISA’S reaction, 156 ng of toxin-binding subunit was identified by the antibody. The binding of toxin to GM1 increased by 70%, using immunized animal serum. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed the efficiency of CTxB recombinant protein as an effective immunogen for provoking humoral response against cholera toxin. The antibody against the recombinant B subunit was able to identify toxins and inhibit its binding to GM1 receiver

Background: Cholera is a lethal diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. Cholera toxin is the major virulence factor in pathogenesis of Vibrio cholerae. The B subunit of the enterotoxin, which is responsible for toxin binding to eukaryotic cells, has immunogenic properties. The aim of this study was bioinformatic investigation and production of recombinant cholera toxin subunit B (CtxB). Methods: CtxB gene was analysed for rare codons and gene optimization was performed using optimization software. Recombinant pET28a/ctxb plasmid was transformed to E. coli BL21 DE3 and expression was induced with Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The protein expression was evaluated using Sodium dodecyl sulphate- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western Blotting analysis. The recombinant protein was purified using Nickel-Nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni–NTA) affinity chromatography. Findings: Codon adaptation index (CAI) on the native gene was 0.61, while the optimized sequence had a CAI of 0.92. Percentage of codon having high-frequency distribution was improved to 67%. Restriction analysis confirmed cloning of the CtxB gene into pET28a vector. Western blotting showed specific reactivity of recombinant protein with anti-CTX antibody. The total yield of purified protein was 9 mg/l. Conclusion: The results indicated that CtxB gene optimization is a useful approach to high-level expression of recombinant protein. The protein could be produced in capsulated form for oral immunization purpose.

Introduction: Endometrial biopsy is necessary for diagnosing the reason of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women. Currently outpatient endometrial biopsy is used for evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding which is associated with moderate to severe pain. Using lidocaine is one of the procedures which is used for pain relief while biopsy. This study is aimed at comparing the effect of different local anesthesia procedures on pain relief during endometrial biopsy. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 160 multiparous 40-55 years old women with AUB, candidates for endometrial biopsy, were randomly assigned into four equal groups, to receive: 1-intrauterine lidocaine; 2-cervical spray lidocaine; 3- intrauterine lidocaine plus cervical spray lidocaine; or 4-intrauterine distilled water. Pain relief was measured at 3 different times: during endometrial biopsy, just after and 15 minutes after biopsy. Results: Pain intensity was reduced significantly at different times in intrauterine lidocaine and intrauterine lidocaine with cervical spray lidocaine receivers in compare with the groups which received cervical spray lidocaine and distilled water. The mean of difference pain relief during biopsy and 15 minutes after that was reduced significantly in the group which received intrauterine lidocaine and intrauterine lidocaine with cervical spray lidocaine in comparison with the other two groups. Conclusion: Intrauterine lidocaine was effective during endometrial biopsy, and using it with cervical spray lidocaine had no more beneficial effect.

New group of polymers have been synthesized that are conductive of electricity so they are called conducting polymers. One of the most conducting polymers is "polyaniline". In the present study, polyaniline was synthesized by oxidizing aniline monomer under strongly acidic conditions using potassium iodate as an initiator of oxidative polymerization. Synthesized polyaniline as a powder used as an adsorbent to remove chromium from aqueous solution. Experiments were conducted in batch mode with variables such as amount of polyaniline, chromium solution pH and adsorbtion isotherms. Due to presence of Cr (III) in solution after using polyaniline, removal mechanism is the combination of surface adsorption and reduction. It seems that polyaniline reduces the Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and adsorbs the Cr(III) and a part of remaining Cr(VI). It is well known that nitrogen atom in compounds of amine derivative makes co-ordinate bond with positive charge of metals due to the presence of electron in sp3 orbital of nitrogen. The majority of total chromium removal occurred at 30minute for polyaniline and the optimum time for hexavalent chromium removal was about 5 min. Polyaniline has the maximum total cheomiume removal at pH, 3-9. The maximum hexavalent chromium removal occurred at acidic pH for polyanilines. The equilibrium adsorption data for polyaniline fitted both Freundlich’s and Langmuir’s isotherms. This research shows that polyaniline can be used as an adsorbent for removal chromium from aqueous solution.

Absorptive characteristics of polyaniline synthesized in different solvents were studied. Water and mixture of water with other solvents were implemented for polyaniline synthesis. Synthesized polyanilines in powder shape is used as an adsorbent to remove toxic hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions. Experiments were conducted in batch mode. Removal mechanism involving polyaniline is the combination of surface adsorption and reduction. The kind of solvent used at synthesizing stage can affect the capacity of produced polyanilines for removal of heavy metals including chromium. Synthesized polyaniline in water had the maximum chromium removal efficiency. The morphology study of polyanilines show that the type of solvent used for polymer synthesis affect the morphology of polyaniline.