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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare deadly progressive neurological disease that primarily affects the upper and lower motor neurons with an annual incidence rate of 0.6 to 3.8 per 100,000 people. Weakening and gradual atrophy of the voluntary muscles are the first signs of the disease onset affecting all aspects of patients' lives, including eating, speaking, moving, and even breathing. Only 5-10% of patients have a familial type of the disease and show an autosomal dominant pattern, but the cause of the disease is unknown in the remaining 90% of patients (Sporadic ALS). However, in both types of disease, the patient's survival is 2 to 5 years from the disease onset. Some clinical and molecular biomarkers, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood or urine test, muscle biopsy, and genetic testing are complementary methods for disease diagnosis. Unfortunately, with the exception of Riluzole, the only medically approved drug for the management of this disease, there is still no definitive cure for it. In this regard, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment or management of the disease has been common in preclinical and clinical studies for many years. MSCs are multipotent cells having immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and differentiation ability that makes them a good candidate for this purpose. This review article aims to discuss multiple aspects of ALS disease and focus on MSCs' role in disease management based on performed clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with lifestyle factors, including dietary patterns. A diet rich in macro- and micronutrients has been reported to reduce the risk of T2DM. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the dietary factors most closely associated with T2DM in subjects within the MASHAD cohort using a decision tree algorithm. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 9704 individuals from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorders (MASHAD), of whom 5936 participants completed a 24h dietary recall questionnaire. Macronutrients and micronutrients were estimated using Diet Plan 6 software. A decision tree algorithm was utilized to evaluate the most crucial dietary nutrient intakes concerning T2DM. Results: The algorithm showed a high specificity (81.34%) but low sensitivity (34.21%), which could predict T2DM with a low-to-moderate diagnostic ability (AUC=0.58). Based on the decision tree, eight features, including dietary potassium, total sugar, sucrose, riboflavin, thiamin, sodium, total nitrogen, and magnesium, were T2DM’s most critical dietary components. Conclusion: Based on the results, consuming sugar, salt, and vitamin B was the most critical related dietary intake to T2DM. Dietary interventions may be a cost-effective strategy for preventing T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression, anxiety, and stress have been shown to be associated with quality of life and sleep quality. This association did not examine separately in men and women. In the present study, we aim to examine the association between depression, anxiety and stress with RLS, Epworth, insomnia, apnea, PSIQ and QoL by gender in Mashhad-study data. Methods: A total of 289 individuals (143 male and 146 female) aged 50-30 years old who completed the SUVINA study. They completed the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) and quality of life (QoL). For statistical analysis, SPSS software was used for data analysis and p value 0.05<0 was considered significant. Results: Depression scores were correlated with higher scores for RLS, ESS, insomnia, and PSQI in men but inversely related to QoL (P < 0.05). RLS and PSQI was positively correlated with anxiety in women, and subjects without anxiety had lower mean of RLS and PSQI scores than the other anxiety groups (P < 0.05 for both). QoL was conversely associated with anxiety in women. Stress was related with higher scores of RLS, ESS, insomnia and PSQI in men (all P <0.05). Conclusion: OlderAlthough scores for depression, anxiety and stress were higher in women compared to men, the association of depression, anxiety and stress with RLS, quality of life and sleep quality varies between genders and unlike our expectation these disorders were more highly correlated with RLS, QoL and sleep quality in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is comprised of a clustering of various cardiovascular risk factors that can also affect bone health. We aimed the associations between MetS and bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) in subjects with abdominal adiposity. Methods: Individuals with body mass index less than 25 kg/m2 were enrolled from the SUVINA study and allocated into two groups according criteria of IDF for metabolic syndrome. TBS T-score and Z/T score of fore skeletal region were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis and p value 0.05<0 was considered significant. Results: DXA measurements were made in 201 participants, of whom 75 had MetS and 126 did not. Scores related to the neck of femur and total femur, radius Z-score and TBST-score were lower in subjects with MetS (all P<0.05). Subjects with FBG=100 had lower TBST-score (p < 0.05). SBP=130 and DBP=85 in subjects, led to the lower TBST-score, and lumbar T-score (both P < 0.05). Subjects with (LDL-C=160 mg/dl) had lower TBST-score, neck of femur Z score, and total femur T/Z scores (all P < 0.05). TBST-score and scores related to neck of femur, and total femur were lower in participants with serum cholesterol=200 mg/dl (P < 0.05). Conclusion: MetS is negatively associated with TBS and BMD scores. Higher levels of LDL-C and cholesterol were the most associated factors related to TBST-score decrease. The neck of femur was the most vulnerable skeletal against the MetS components increment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subject: The Angiopoietin‐like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular risk. This study is designed to compare the genetic variant (rs1748195) of the ANGPTL3 gene and the presence of a coronary artery occlusion of >50% in Iranian nation. Method: In this study, 184 patients underwent angiography and 317 healthy individuals were evaluated for polymorphism of rs1748195 the ANGPTL3 gene using Tetra‐ARMs PCR. Coronary patients who experience angiography were categorized into two groups: 54 patients who had an angiography indication for the first time and coronary occlusion was <50% (Angio−) and 134 patients who formerly underwent coronary stent implanting at least 1 month before with coronary occlusion of ≥50% that again have an angiography indication (Angio+). In addition, individuals with angio+ are categorized in two groups: (1) non‐in‐stent restenosis (NISR); patient with a patent stent (N = 92). (2) in‐stent restenosis (ISR); in‐stent stenosis >50% (N = 42). Result: The fundamental of characteristics of our study design population was categorized based on undergoing angiography or not. In the present study, we investigated that the CC genotype, and also the A allele corresponding to rs1748195 at the ANGPTL3 gene loci, was associated with negative angiogram and directly related to the risk of coronary occlusion >50%. In contrast, this result was not significant in genotypes of ANGPTL3 between non‐ISR and ISR groups. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study showed that rs1748195 polymorphism at the ANGPTL3 gene loci is associated with an elevated risk for the existence of a coronary occlusion of >50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Thromboangiitis Obliterans or Buerger Disease is a non-atherosclerotic obstructive syndrome of small to medium arteries of the upper and lower extremities that causes blockage, recurrent and progressive inflammation, and clotting of the walls of the arteries. It becomes. This disease is usually associated with the use of tobacco derivatives, especially smoking, but it is also associated with the consumption of smokeless tobacco. Method: 108 healthy smokers and non-smokers who participated in the recall of Buerger's disease were studied and clinical information on smoking and drug use was entered in the relevant forms. Patients' informed consent was obtained to participate in research and experiments on their blood samples. 10 cc of blood was taken from each patient and serum was isolated and used for relevant tests. ELISA method was used to measure the concentration of cytokines IL-6 and TNF-a. After data collection, SPSS software version 24 was used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of Buerger patients in the present study was 49.67± 8.91 years. The most common clinical variables during the study, the results showed that in smokers there are significant changes in serum IL-6 levels compared to non-smokers (p <0.05). Conclusion: Considering the significant relationship between immune system components and some clinical symptoms and the role of their abnormal function in Buerger disease, they can a criterion for determining the course of Buerger disease or based on them, treatment strategy determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thromboangiitis obliteration (TAO; Buerger's disease) is a relatively rare and obstructive inflammatory disease of peripheral blood vessels, the cause of which has not yet been adequately investigated. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria such as smoking history, ischemic manifestations in the lower limbs, auto-immune diseases and clotting conditions. Treatment involves both surgical and non-surgical methods. The most important treatment procedure to prevent amputation is complete abstinence from smoking. This paper summarizes the characteristics of the disease, its clinical features, and its diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, with a focus on novel treatment options, such as stem cellderived therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age and sex need to be considered in the establishment of reference intervals (RIs), especially in early life when there are dynamic physiological changes. Since data for important biomarkers in healthy neonates and infants are limited, particularly in Iranian populations, we have determined age‐specific RIs for 7 laboratory biochemical parameters. This cross‐sectional study comprised a total of 344 paediatric participants (males: 158, females: 186) between the ages of 3 days and 30 months (mean age: 12.91 ± 7.15 months). Serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, calcium, phosphate, vitamin D and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were measured using an Alpha classic‐AT plus auto‐analyser. We determined age‐specific RIs using CLSI Ep28‐A3 and C28‐A3 guidelines. No sex partitioning was required for any of the biomarkers. Age partitioning was required for kidney function tests and phosphate. The serum concentration of urea and creatinine increased with age, while phosphate and uric acid decreased with age. Age partitioning was not required for serum calcium, vitamin D, and hs‐CRP, which remained relatively constant throughout the age range. Age‐specific RIs for 7 routine biochemical markers were determined to address critical gaps in RIs in early life to help improve clinical interpretation of blood test results in young children, including neonates. Established age partitions demonstrate the biochemical changes that take place during child growth and development. These novel data will ultimately better disease management in the Iranian paediatric population and can be of value to clinical and hospital laboratories with similar populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For interpretation of the most common biochemical markers reference intervals (RIs) are widely considered and reported. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine agespecific RIs for some biochemical tests by removing and/or limiting critical gaps including sex, age group, geographical region, measurement device, and type of kits and reagents for routine laboratory biochemical variables in healthy adolescent girls aged 12-19 years. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 1026 adolescent girl was recruited. According to the study aim, the levels of serum for some routine biochemical tests were measured on a BT-3000 auto-analyzer. On the basis of the non-parametric rank method and by use of CLSI Ep28-A3 guidelines, we determined age-specific RIs, including confidence interval 90%, under specific exclusion criteria. Results: Age partitioning was required for none of the upper and lower limits of biochemical markers. All Serum biochemical tests concentration remained relatively constant throughout the age range. Conclusion: By removing and/or limiting critical gaps involved in reference values of biochemical tests, it has provided an important understanding of metabolic processes and it has facilitated clinical application to track different diseases better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]