Search

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the common gastrointestinal disorders considered as a psychosomatic disorder. Type D personality characterized by both global traits including negative affectivity and social inhibition has been proposed to be related to etiology of psychosomatic disorders. However, the role of this personality type in severity of IBS symptoms remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of type D personality in severity of IBS symptoms.METHODS: In a cross sectional study 194 consecutive patients with IBS referred to the psychosomatic clinics at Noor hospital, Isfahan were selected from Winter 2009 to Summer 2009. The patients were divided into two groups with (79 patients) and without (115 patients) type D personality by using DS-14. The patients completed type D personality Scale (DS-14) and the IB Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS). Then the data was analyzed.FINDINGS: The findings indicated that 40.7% were the type D personality. Although the results of ANCOVA showed no significant difference between two groups, with and without type D, in severity of IBS symptoms (F=1.39, p= 0.24), multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated negative affectivity, as one of the type D dimensions (β= 4.03, p= 0.006) and treatment duration (β= 0.428, p= 0.038) were the significant predictors for severity of IBS symptoms.CONCLUSION: Although, it seems that type D personality as a psychological factor does not effect on IBS symptom severity, the evidence confirms possible role of negative affectivity as one of the type D dimensions in severity of IBS symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The evidence confirms the link between personality traits and psychosomatic diseases including irrational bowl syndrome. In recent years, a psychophysiological approach of personality has focused on behavioral activation system and behavioral inhibition system. The purpose of this study was to compare these behavioral systems between normal people and the patients with Irrational Bowl Syndrome.METHODS: In a case-control study, 80 consecutive patients with established IBS referred to two gastroenterology clinics in city of Esfahan, Iran and 80 healthy people matched regarding demographic variables were selected. They filled out brain/behavioral questionnaires of Carver and White. Then two groups were compared regarding brain/behavioral systems activities.FINDINGS: The results of ANCOVA showed that the scores of behavioral inhibition system in patients (22.34±0.329) were significantly higher than normal people (20.98±0.329) (F=8.419, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in behavioral activation scores (F=0.234, p=0.63).CONCLUSION: The finding support increased activity of inhibition system in patients with irritable bowel disease. It means increased sensitivity of IBS patients to punishment and threatening events. This condition may cause decreased pleasure experience and increased negative affects in IBS patients.

Depressive symptoms are common among post myocardial infarction (MI) patients and may cause negative impacts on cardiac prognosis. The studies supported that depression is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in post MI patients. The various articles about the plausible mechanisms between post-MI depression and adverse outcomes were found and studied. The plausible pathways involved in this link were described.The study of the results of these articles showed that the different behavioral, neuroendocrinological, and immunological, arrhythmias mechanisms and increased thrombosis are likely the pathways by which depression may cause increased risk for adverse outcomes and mortality. It seems that particularly increased thrombosis and arrhythmias may cause increased risk for mortality in depressed patients with heart disease. This review showed important role of psychological and biological pathways for increasing risk of mortality and adverse consequences among patients with post MI depression.

Background and Objectives: Chronic, unbridled oxidative damages have been known as the culprits behind many chronic diseases, including cancers, atherosclerosis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-the main enzyme involved in inducing these processes- plays an important role in tumor development and progression. COX-2 inhibitors should be used at high doses for a long time in order to bring about chemoprevention and induction of anti-tumor effects. For example, celecoxib prevents colorectal tumor growth and induces apoptosis in both in vitro and in vivo models. Disregulation of COX-2 expression coincides with the development of gastrointestinal malignancy in humans and in animal models of colorectal cancer. Increased COX-2 expression in human colorectal adeno-carcinomas has been elucidated when compared with normal adjacent colonic mucosa. The capacity of vitamin E, particularly in α form, to quench free radical damage, induces apoptosis and impact expression of oncogenes makes it an appropriate choice for chemotherapeutic strategies. Studies have shown that carcinogenesis and DNA damage due to UV are inhibited by vitamin E. The goal of this study was to investigate alpha tocopherol and celecoxib induced apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma cell line. Methods: In this study, HT29 cells were exposed to different concentrations of tocopherol (5, 10, and 20µM) and celecoxib (25, 50, 75, 100µM) followed by DNA extraction and fragmentation for demonstrating cell death process. Results: The results indicated that celecoxib at lower doses (25, and 50µM) could not induce cell death, but at higher doses (75, and 100 µM), DNA fragmentation results typically resembled programmed cell death. Conclusion: ocopherol (5, 10, and 20µM) in combination with celecoxib improved the impact of celecoxib on cell death induction and made it the rational notion to be combined with vitamin E in clinical practice.

Background & Aims: In regard to the importance of atropine and scopolamine as medicines with natural source, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of chloramphenicol as an inhibitor of protein synthesis on the alkaloids content of Datura stramonium. Method: After initial preparation of medicinal garden seeds, they were planted 50 cm apart in four different sections. Three different concentrations of chloramphenicol (100, 200 and 400 ppm) were sprayed on the plant once a week for a period of 18 weeks. Water was applied for the control group. Replicate samples were taken randomly every two weeks from each section. After extraction and separation of the samples, the quantitative analyses were carried out. The levels of atropine and scopolamine were determined using UV spectroscopy (13 CNMR, UV, IR, Mass). Results: The maximum levels of alkaloids were observed in young stems of the plants. The best result was obtained following applying the concentration of 200 ppm, which caused a significant increase in atropine and scopolamine levels in all parts of plant by 100% and 110% respectively in comparison with the control group (p< 0.005). Conclusion: Increase in the availability of amino acids may lead to an increase of alkaloids production following protein inhibition synthesis

Introduction: Lymphoma may involve the gastrointestinal tract either primarily or as a manifestation of extensively disseminated systemic disease. Stomach being the most frequent site of primary gastroin-testinal lyphoma, followed by the small bowel and colon respectively (1&2&3). For diagnosis of pi-mary small intestinal lymphoma (PSIL), one most satisfies the criteria specified by Dawson and co-workers.(5) Gastric lymphoma is a common presentation of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Controversy reigns about many aspects of its classification and management, especially regarding roles for surgical resection.The aim of this study is evaluation of 5 years survival and methods of treatment of primary gastric lymphoma in a group of Iranian patients. Methods: The authors review the clinical features, staging, pathology, prognosis, and management of 30 patients with an emphasis on the role of chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiotherapy of 71 gastrointestinal lymphoma cases. Results: A total of 30 patients (19 male and 11 female) with a mean age of 51 years and a range of 34 – 68 years were included in the study. The frequency of primary gastric lymphoma in our series was 42% of the total of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma. The overall survival rate was 47.8% at 5 years. Stag-ing usually was completed using noninvasive techniques. Patients with stage I or II disease were treated with Surgery (gastric resection) and chemotherapy showed improved Free Disease Survival (FDS) of 67% at 5 years. The five-year survival for stage I, II, III and IV patients were 87%, 61%, 25%, and 11% respectively, and the five-year survival for low grade and high grade were 91% and 56%, respec-tively. Stage III or IV and inoperable primary gastric lymphoma were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy showed improved Free Disease Survival (FDS) of 67% at five years. The five-year sur-vival for stage I, II, III, IV were 87%, 61%, 25% and 11% respectively, and the five year survival for low grade and high grade were 91% and 56% respectively. Conclusion: Early stage disease and high-grade Lymphoma have a better prognosis and patients who have complete surgical removal of primary tumor and chemotherapy.

Background and Objectives: Helping children with learning disabilities in the first years of school by using attractive, technological, and accessible solutions is essential to overcome these problems in many situations, such as the pandemic of Covid-19 to help educators in the achievement of their goals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of consecutive letter presentation, using a computer-based method on the improvement of the reading ability of dyslexic elementary students.Methods: The research method is quantitative, within the framework of single-subject research projects, and A.B.A.B or Reversal Design. The population of the present study consisted of dyslexic students of Arak city who were studying in the academic year of 2019-2020. Six individuals (2 girls and 4 boys) were purposefully selected from this population. The research instruments were a researcher-made vocabulary checklist, Shirazi and Nilipour Reading Test (2004), Soleimani Phonological Awareness Test (2000) and Fast Naming Test. The research tool was researcher-made software prepared by Microsoft PowerPoint program and run in the final format of Adobe Captivate program in which the words were displayed and pronounced letter by letter, syllable by syllable and finally completely to the student. The research intervention lasted 4 weeks. In the first and third weeks, only the word reading test was administered every day. In the second and fourth weeks, the same tested words in the previous week were taught and exercised. Also, at the end of each week, the phonology test was repeated in the fifth session. Tests of fluency and accuracy of reading texts, phonological awareness, and rapid naming were also administered as pre/post-test before and after the intervention. The results were analyzed, using SPSS software and Wilcoxon and Friedman statistical tests.Findings: The findings showed that the use of computer-based method of presenting consecutive letters can improve the accuracy of reading words separately, as well as the accuracy and fluidity of reading the text; and the student will be able to read in a shorter time and with fewer errors. Also, this method showed significant and upward progress in the phonological awareness of dyslexic students during the intervention. It was also found that after using this method, students did the task of naming the colors with greater speed and fewer errors; indicating that this method had a significant positive effect on information processing speed.Conclusion: The intervention performed in this study, using the available software such as PowerPoint, was able to prove acceptable effectiveness in improving dyslexic students' reading skills, phonological awareness, and information processing speed. Predicting the budget and expert work force to produce content, or teaching the teachers how to prepare and use such programs can be on the agenda of primary educational centers. Also, research on more samples can increase the generalizability of the results.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the compliance of electrical engineering ethics codes among students of electrical faculty of Tabriz University and its related factors. In this descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study, 120 students of electrical engineering with a history of activity were selected purposefully. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. The content validity index was calculated based on the Bausell& Waltz scale for the total tool of 83.21 and the Cronbach's alpha was 0.76. The questionnaire contains 40 items in three dimensions: individual, technical and professional, and social. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20 and comprehensive descriptive information of participants was used for inferential information using T, Friedman, analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. The findings of the research show that the rate of students' compliance with the ethical codes of engineering in all three areas was higher than the average of society and the rankings of these subscales were respectively social ethics, individual morality and technical ethics. Gender variables, job experience and level of familiarity with ethical codes did not show significant differences with respect to ethics codes of electrical engineering. But the level of education varied significantly with ethical codes. By adopting approaches such as designing and codifying the ethical code of electrical engineering and incorporating it into the professional ethics of engineering, teachig and internalization of these ethical codes, the degree of observance of these codes among the students of electrical engineering can be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using green and chemical methods, employing ginger extract and curcumin as reducing agents, in comparison to sodium citrate reduction. The biosynthesized AuNPs synthesized with ginger extract exhibited an average hydrodynamic diameter of 15 and 10 nm for curcumin-conjugated AuNPs, while chemically synthesized AuNPs with sodium citrate displayed an average size of 10 nm. Assessments via Zeta potential measurements revealed negative surface charges across all samples, with the curcumin-conjugated AuNPs showing -36.3 mV, ginger extract-synthesized AuNPs showing -31.7 mV, and chemically produced gold nanoparticles having a surface charge of -40.4 mV. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed spherical morphologies for the synthesized nanoparticles,and it revealed the presence of biomolecules embedded within the nanoparticles synthesized using biological materials, whereas chemically synthesized AuNPs lacked such features. The FTIR spectra of the biosynthesized AuNPs highlighted the presence of phenolic and aromatic compounds from the ginger extract and curcumin, indicating their role in coating the nanoparticles. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified gingerol as a key component in the ginger extract, contributing to nanoparticle capping. The antimicrobial efficacy of the AuNPs was evaluated against P. aeruginosa , E. coli , and S. aureus , revealing superior activity for curcumin-AuNPs, with ginger-AuNPs also outperforming chemically synthesized counterparts. These findings confirm the advantages of biological approaches, using a plant extract like ginger and pure curcumin suspension, for better size distribution when used as reducing agents, along with improved antimicrobial efficacy compared to chemically produced gold nanoparticles synthesized with sodium citrate. This study also highlight the potential of green-synthesized AuNPs in biomedical applications, due to their enhanced stability from higher surface charge and the repeatability of biological methods., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kalantari and Turner.)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with different infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). The increased antibiotic resistance reaches the need to develop vaccine against the infections. In the present study, bioinformatics approaches were applied to design a novel multi-epitope of PcrV and OmpE from P. aeruginosa . The raised antibody against the multi-epitope was evaluated and challenge experiment was done to evaluate the efficacy of the multi-epitope. The results of epitope mapping of B-cells indicated 8 regions for PcrV and OmpE. The predicted 3D structure showed C-score = -1 and Z-score = -8.12. Molecular docking indicated high interaction between residues of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 with the multi-epitope. The results of in silico simulation of the immune responses showed elevated levels of B-cell, T-cell, and memory cells. PcrV, OmpE, and the multi-epitope were expressed in pET28a- E. coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by Nickel columns. Our findings indicated that the sera collected from immunized rabbits with the multi-epitope reacted with the multi-epitope, PcrV, and OmpE in western blot. According to the ELISA results, the antibody developed against the multi-epitope showed cross-reactivity with individual proteins PcrV and OmpE. The level of antibody raised against the multi-epitope was significantly higher than the antibody reacted with PcrV or OmpE alone in ELISA. The challenge results confirmed that the load of bacteria was decreased in immunized rabbits as compared to the control. The results present the multi-epitope composed of PcrV and OmpE as a promising candidate against P. aeruginosa . Further evaluations are under investigation in animal model.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Purpose: From a diagnostic standpoint, certain approaches to genetic screening in clinical practice remain ambiguous in the era of assisted reproduction. Even the most current guidelines do not provide definite guidance on testing protocols, leaving clinicians to carefully determine which tests best serve patients struggling with infertility. The lack of uniformity in the current practice of male fertility evaluation can prove to be quite costly, thus necessitating healthcare practitioners to carefully appraise the necessity and weigh the advantages against potential economic and psychological detriments. The objective of this review is to map the existing literature on the general topic of the clinical indications of routine karyotyping and/or AZF screening in infertile men, identify key concepts, determine where the gaps are, and lastly, provide an overview of the conclusions drawn from a body of knowledge that varies widely in terms of methodologies or disciplines., Materials and Methods: A thorough search was conducted for the published findings up until July 2023, utilizing PubMed (MEDLINE). This comprehensive search involved the use of specific search keywords, either individually or in combination. The search terms employed were as follows: "Karyotype", "Klinefelter" or "KS" or "47,XXY", "AZF" or "Azoospermi*" and/or "microdeletion*" in the title or abstract. Once the titles and abstracts of selected articles were obtained, the complete texts of linked papers were meticulously scrutinized., Results: A total of 191 records were identified from PubMed. During screening, 161 records (84.3%) were eliminated. Finally, 30 papers were included in this scoping review, which was conducted in 18 countries. The number of sequence tag sites (STSs) used in the studies varied from 5 to 59. The rate of AZF deletions among patients with NOA ranged from 1.3% to 53%. The mean frequency was estimated to be 5.6%. The rate of YCM among patients with XXY karyotype was nil in 19 out of 30 studies (63%), whilst, in the remaining studies, the rate varied from 0.8% to 67%., Conclusion: This review provides insights into managing male infertility. The presence of spermatozoa in ejaculation and successful surgical retrieval cannot be excluded for individuals with AZFb/AZFbc microdeletions. Screening for Y chromosome microdeletions is not needed for mosaic or classic KS. Only 1% of individuals with sperm concentration exceeding 1×106 sperm/mL and less than 5×106 sperm/mL exhibit AZF microdeletions; therefore, testing referral for such populations may need reassessment. Individuals with mosaic monosomy X karyotype and certain chromosomal anomalies should be referred for AZF deletion screening. These findings have implications for male infertility management and future research.

In the 1970s, sperm cryopreservation was presented as a unique route to fertility preservation. The ability to cryopreserve sperm from all species is challenging. The sperm cryopreservation process encompasses various cellular stresses such as increased osmotic pressure, ice crystal formation, and thermal shock, therefore decreasing the quality of sperm. The nanostructures due to their inherent features such as reactivity, high uptake, active surface area, and antioxidant activity, have contributed to modifying freezing protocols. In this review, the current state of the art with regards to emerging applications of nanotechnology in sperm cryopreservation are reviewed, some of the most promising advances are summarized, and the limitations and advantages are comprehensively discussed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Society for Cryobiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Eye-related symptoms are a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). The cases range from simple viral conjunctivitis to trauma-related eye injuries. One pathological condition that could lead to vision loss is retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Evaluating a patient with an eye symptom requires thorough eye examination and advanced imaging in certain instances. Consultation with an ophthalmologist is also necessary for cases that require treatment recommendations and further testing. In the ED, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a commonly used diagnostic tool that can be used for ocular examination., Case Report: We reported a case of a 60-year-old man who presented with painless partial right-eye vision loss. POCUS showed decreased flow in the right central retinal artery with an area of the pale retina seen on the image from the retinal camera, suggesting a possible branch RAO. Further examination with POCUS showed plaque formation at the carotid bifurcation, a potential cause of the patient's symptoms. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians and other providers should be encouraged to use POCUS to diagnose eye symptoms accurately and promptly. Abnormal findings will prompt immediate specialty consult and early appropriate management. Our case and other reported cases highlight POCUS's reliability and rapid diagnostic ability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Healthcare systems should ensure the provision of quality services to patients without harming them. However, the provision of services is occasionally accompanied by harm or complications, most of which are preventable. Most studies have focused on secondary healthcare rather than primary healthcare (PHC). Thus, this study aimed to identify various dimensions and components of patient safety in PHC worldwide., Methods: This systematic review study was conducted in November 2022 based on PRISMA reporting guidelines. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EMBASE and searched for English documents using the keywords "patient safety" and "PHC" from 2000 to 2022. Finally, two reviewers extracted the data independently and analyzed using thematic content analysis., Results: Overall, 23 out of the initially 4937 identified articles were selected for the final analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of these studies used a qualitative-quantitative approach (61.9%, seven studies for both), and 64% had been conducted in European countries. Eventually, five dimensions and 22 components were identified for patient safety in PHC, including management measures, quality management, resources and technology, documents, and patient-related factors., Conclusion: The patient safety dimensions and components identified in this research can help develop a clear definition of patient safety and its assessment standards and criteria in PHC. Considering that most previous studies on patient safety in PHC were conducted in European and developed countries, it is suggested that researchers conduct more studies in developing countries to fill this research gap., (© 2024 Kalantari H., et al.)

Background: Traumatic epidural hematoma (EDH) with the potential to displace the brain tissue and increase intracranial pressure (ICP), is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent intervention. In rare circumstances, Emergency Physician (EP) may have to do skull trephination to reduce the ICP as a temporary measure., Specific Aims: To evaluate emergency medicine (EM) residents' comfort in performing emergency department (ED) burr holes and to assess their difficulties and evaluate comfort level before and after simulated EDH cases., Materials and Methods: A 3D-printed skull, electrical and manual drills were used for the simulation. Subjective comfort level pre and post-procedure, as well as objective procedural skills and time to complete the drill, were recorded., Results: Twenty EM residents participated in the simulation study. The median time to perforate through the skull was 4 s for the electric drill and 10 s for the manual drill. A comfort level of 5 and above was reported by 12 participants for the manual drill and by 17 participants for the electric drill. Six participants had mild and 2 participants had moderate observed difficulty in handling the manual and electric drill. Most participants performed both procedures successfully with one attempt only. Three participants have an overall comfort level above 5 before the simulation and 13 participants had overall comfort level above 5 post-simulation., Conclusion: The 3D-printed model assisted the ED burr hole simulation and the residents could perform the procedure with minimum difficulties., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the predicting factors affecting sperm retrieval. We prospectively assessed the relationship between sonographic and microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) findings in Klinefelter syndrome (KS)., Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 44 azoospermic men with 47, XXY karyotypes participated in this study. In order to evaluate the amount of blood supply in different parts of testicular tissue, a doppler ultra-sonographic was performed. Also, for the detection of sperm in this group mTESE technique was performed., Results: The age average of positive mTESE and negative mTESE groups was 29.4 and 33.6 years, respectively. By comparing the testicle volume (based on the data obtained from the clinical examinations conducted by the urologist) it was determined that there is no significant difference between mTESE positive and negative groups. Folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) levels in men with negative mTESE (P=0.03) and testosterone levels in men with positive mTESE significantly increased (P=0.017). The overall rate of testis vascularity was significantly higher in the positive mTESE group than in the negative mTESE group. The clinical pregnancy rate in positive mTESE men was 9% per cycle, 16.6% per embryos were transferred (ET), and 12.5% per cycle., Conclusion: Totally, our observation indicated that there is not a significant relationship between sonographic and mTESE results in KS patients. However, more investigations with bigger sample Size can be useful to validate our results.

Purpose: Despite all past efforts, the current guidelines are not explicit enough regarding the indications for performing azoospermia factor (AZF) screening and karyotype, burdening clinicians with the decision to assess whether such tests are meaningful for the infertile male patient. These assessments can be costly and it is up to the healthcare practitioner to decide which are necessary and to weigh the benefits against economic/psychological harm. The aim of this study is to address such gaps and provide update on current management options for this group of patients., Materials and Methods: To address such gaps in male infertility management and to elucidate whether AZF screening is indicated in individuals who concomitantly harbor chromosomal abnormalities we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 10,388 consecutive patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and severe oligozoospermia., Results: Previously, it has been suggested that all NOA cases with chromosomal defects, except males with 46,XY/45,X karyotype, have no indication for AZF screening. Our findings revealed that cases carrying the following chromosomal abnormalities inv(Y)(p11.2q12); idic(Y)(q11.2); 46,XY,r(Y); idic(Y)(p11.2) and der(Y;Autosome) (76/169; 44.9%; 95% CI, 37.7-52.5) should also be referred for AZF deletion screening. Here, we also report the correlation between sperm count and AZF deletions as a secondary outcome. In accordance with previously reported data from North America and Europe, our data revealed that only 1% of cases with >1×10 6 sperm/mL had Y chromosome microdeletions (YCMs)., Conclusions: In the era of assisted reproduction, finding cost-minimization strategies in infertility clinics without affecting the quality of diagnosis is becoming one of the top prioritized topics for future research. From a diagnostic viewpoint, the results reflect a need to reconsider the different karyotype presentations and the sperm count thresholds in male infertility guidelines as indicators for YCM screening during an infertility evaluation., Competing Interests: The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology.)

The increasing use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in various fields highlights the need to investigate the test toxicity of these nanoparticles in humans. Previous documents showed that SWCNT induced oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause cell dysfunction and reduced insulin secretion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of SWCNT on oxidative stress and insulin secretion of islets also evaluate the protective effects of berberine (BBR) and berberine nanoparticles (NP-BBR) as antioxidants on pancreatic β-islets. Double emulsion with solvent evaporation was the technique used to prepare nanoparticles in this study. Islets were isolated and pretreated with various concentrations of BBR and NP-BBR and then treated with single dose of SWCNT (160 μg). The results of this study showed that SWCNT decreased cell viability based on MTT assay, reduced insulin secretion of islets, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) amounts, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, whereas pretreatment of islets with low doses of BBR (5 and 15 μM) and NP-BBR (5 μM) significantly reversed all changes induced by SWCNT. These findings suggested that SWCNT might trigger other pathways involved in insulin secretion by activating the oxidative stress pathway in the pancreatic islets, reducing insulin secretion, consequently diabetes. BBR and NP-BBR as antioxidants were able to protect pancreatic β-islets and prevent the progression of diabetes., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Due to the increasing use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), their possible toxic effects on human health have undoubtedly been considered. Previous studies proved that SiNPs induced oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress disrupt cell function and decrease insulin secretion. Therefore, this study intended to assess the effects of SiNPs on oxidative stress and insulin secretion and also the protective effects of gallic acid (GA) and gallic acid nanoparticles (NP-GA) on pancreatic β-islets. In this study, the mice islets were separated and pretreated with various concentrations of GA and NP-GA then treated with a single dose of SiNPs. The cell viability of islets examined by MTT assay and also the levels of ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH); activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and insulin secretion were evaluated. The results of MTT assay showed that SiNPs reduced islet viability in a dose-dependent manner and also insulin secretion, induced the formation of ROS, augmented MDA amounts, and decreased GSH levels, SOD, GPx, and CAT activities. Furthermore, pretreatment of islets with GA and NP-GA significantly returned these alterations at low dose. These findings suggested that SiNPs induced oxidative stress in the pancreatic islets, which could be one of the reasons for the decrease in insulin secretion and inducing diabetes. This study also showed that low doses of GA and NP-GA boosted the antioxidant defense system in the pancreatic β-islets, preventing oxidative stress and, consequently, the progression of diabetes., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Anterior shoulder dislocation is a common presentation to the emergency department (ED). Dislocations are spontaneous or traumatic. Generally, a reduction is performed under procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA). Other approaches include the use of intra-articular lidocaine or, in rare instances, nerve blocks. Here we discuss the case of a 66-year-old female patient who presented with left shoulder pain and limited range of motion after a fall. After discussing potential treatment options to reduce the dislocation, the patient agreed to a nerve block., Discussion: The dislocation was reduced successfully with a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) without complications. The duration of the patient's ED stay was shorter than those who had received PSA., Conclusions: SSNB could be an alternative method for shoulder dislocation reduction, particularly for patients who are obese, older, or have cardiopulmonary comorbidities., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious contemporary public health problem. Different CE treatment methods are of considerable importance, with albendazole (ABZ) being one of the most preferred drugs for CE treatment and prophylaxis. In this study, we evaluated the nephrotoxicity caused by ABZ and ABZ-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) in mice with experimental hydatid cyst. Methods: ABZ-loaded SLNs were produced by micro-emulsification and a high shear homogenization technique. Thereafter, we evaluated the physicochemical characterization of the product. Live protoscolices were injected into mice to induce experimental hydatidosis. Mice were then treated with ABZ and ABZ-loaded SLNs. The nephrotoxicity effects were evaluated by biochemical and histopathological surveys. Results: Significantly different blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were observed between the two infected groups (ABZ treatment and ABZ-loaded SLN treatment) and the control group. The kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels of the infected groups were not significantly different from those of the control group. The histopathological study revealed nephropathic and pathologic changes in the ABZ and ABZ-loaded SLN groups. Conclusion: ABZ formulated for ABZ-loaded SLNs had a more prominent chemoprophylactic efficacy on CE and fewer side effects than ABZ alone. Neither ABZ nor ABZ-loaded SLNs caused significant biochemical and histopathological defects on the kidney, and all functional biochemical markers stayed within the normal range. Therefore, ABZ-loaded SLNs could be a potential new product for CE treatment., (©2022 The Authors.)

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) as an alkylating compound has been widely applied to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. CP is observed to be nephrotoxic in humans and animals because it produces reactive oxygen species. Gallic Acid (GA), a polyhydroxy phenolic compound, is reported to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects., Objective: The current research aimed at evaluating the GA effect on CP-related renal toxicity., Methods: In total, 35 male mice were assigned to 5 groups. Group1: receiving normal saline, group 2: CP group, receiving one CP injection (200 mg/kg; i.p.) on day 6. Groups 3 and 4: GA+CP, GA (10 and 30 mg/kg; p.o.; respectively) received through six consecutive days plus CP on the 6th day 2 hr after the last dose of GA, group 5: received GA (30 mg/kg; p.o.) for six consecutive days. Then on day 7, blood samples were collected for determining Creatinine (Cr), serum kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NO) concentration, Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) activities, and IL-1β, TNF-α levels were assessed in renal tissue., Results: CP administration significantly increases KIM-1, NGAL, Cr, BUN, MDA, NO, IL-1β, and TNF-α level. It also decreases GSH concentration, SOD, GPx, and CAT function. Pretreatment with GA prevented these changes. Histopathological assessments approved the GA protective effect., Conclusion: Our results showed that GA is possibly effective as a protective agent in cyclophosphamide- associated toxicities., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a major urologic problem that mostly develops in older males. Oxidative stress and inflammation influence the occurrence of BPH. Berberine (BBR) is a natural ingredient that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current research aims at examining the effects of BBR on testosterone-stimulated BPH in rats., Methods: Animals were randomly categorized to six groups. In the control group, normal saline and olive oil were injected as the vehicle. BPH group: received testosterone (3 mg/kg, subcutaneous, 28 days), BPH + BBR groups; received BBR (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o, 28 days), BPH + finasteride groups: received finasteride (1 mg/kg, p.o, 28 days), BBR (50 mg/kg, p.o, alone) was administered for subjects in the BBR group. On the 29th day, after anesthesia, cervical dislocation was used to kill the subjects. Serum concentration of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone was measured and prostate tissues were excised and used for biochemical, inflammation, and histological analysis., Results: BBR prevented increased serum concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. BBR considerably reduced BPH-stimulated oxidative stress and inflammation through preventing the rise in lipid peroxidation and nitrite concentration and declined the accumulations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α) and declining the depletion rate of GSH and the function of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Histopathological investigations reported that administration of BBR could suppress testosterone-stimulated BPH., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that BBR could significantly prevent the development of BPH in rats., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Due to the fact that methotrexate is widely used both as an immunosuppressive drug and as a chemotherapy agent, many studies are needed to reduce the side effects of this drug on non-target organs., Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effects of epicatechin (Epi) on MTX (methotrexate)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice., Research Design: After 1 week for adaptation, we randomly divided 42 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice into six groups: (I) control; (II) Epi (100 mg/kg, po); (III) MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) on the fifth day; and (IV, V, and VI) Epi (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, po) + MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) on the fifth day. At day 10, the mice were sacrificed and serum factors, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines were measured., Results: MTX increased activity level of serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde), and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide. Furthermore, MTX decreased glutathione level and activity level of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Epi was able to reduce the destructive effects of oxidative/antioxidant system imbalance and inflammatory reactions and also histopathological damage in MTX intoxicated mice. Epi pretreatment reduced liver dysfunction by improving the antioxidant defense system, anti-inflammatory effects, and alleviation of histopathological damage in MTX hepatotoxicity., Conclusions: Accordingly, Epi can be used as a therapeutic agent in hepatotoxicity associated with MTX chemotherapy.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs due to lipid metabolic disorders, which is associated with hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation. There is no definitive drug treatment for this disease. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) as one of the superior effective drugs that induces a transcription factor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) on development of NAFLD in mice. The metabolic disturbance in High-fat diet (HFD)-treated animals was associated with hyperlipidemia, increased activity levels of hepatic enzymes in serum, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress and inflammation. DMF supplementation had anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-lipogenic and molecular compatibility effects induced by HFD in mice. In comparison to the HFD group, the DMF therapy could significantly suppress the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 c (SREBP-1c) gene and protein levels, as well as upregulate the Nrf2 gene and protein levels. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory activity was observed for the DMF by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) level. DMF reduces the development of NAFLD induced by HFD in mice through the modulation of transcription factors Nrf2, SREBP-1c and NF-κB. Thus, DMF can be considered as an effective candidate in the treatment of human NAFLD., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of apple cider vinegar in diet on the growth performance, immune response, histomorphological changes of the small intestine and some serum biochemical factors in broilers. A total of 85 broiler chicks of Ross 308 were purchased and 64 well-conditioned chicks were selected and divided into four experimental groups with four replicates and four chicks per replicate. The diets of groups 2, 3 and 4 were mixed with 1, 2 and 3% of vinegar, respectively, and group 1 as the control group was fed by the standard diet. The results showed that body weight gain was higher in the groups fed vinegar than the control group. There were no significant changes in the feed conversion ratio between the treatment and control groups (p = .507). Vinegar intake through the diet did not change significantly the weight of Bursa of Fabricius (p = .369) and spleen (p = .122). Vinegar significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen levels in the treatment groups compared with the control group (p = .0052). There was a significant increase in the level of antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus by haemagglutination inhibition test in the groups receiving vinegar in comparison with control group (p = .0358). Compared with the control group, the villus height (p = .0022) and intestinal crypts depth (p = .0015) significantly increased in the groups receiving apple cider vinegar. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with apple cider vinegar has beneficial effects on performance, immune response and small intestine histomorphology in broilers., (© 2020 The Authors Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Valproic acid (VPA) is known as a common drug in seizure and bipolar disorders treatment. Hepatotoxicity is the most important complication of VPA. Taurine (Tau), an amino acid, has antioxidant effects. The present research was conducted to evaluate the protective mechanisms of Tau on VPA-induced liver injury, especially focusing on the necroptosis signaling pathway. The sixty-four male NMRI mice were divided into eight groups with eight animals per each. The experiment groups pretreated with Tau (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg) and necrostatine-1 (Nec-1, 1.8 mg/kg) and then VPA (500 mg/kg) was administered for 14 consecutive days. The extent of VPA-induced hepatotoxicity was confirmed by elevated ALP (alkaline phosphatase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels, and histological changes as steatosis, accumulation of erythrocytes, and inflammation. Additionally, VPA significantly induced oxidative stress in the hepatic tissue by increasing ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and lipid peroxidation level along with decreasing GSH (glutathione). Hepatic TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor) level, mRNA and protein expression of RIPK1 (receptor-interacting protein kinase 1), RIPK3, and MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase) were upregulated. Also, the phosphorylation of MLKL and RIPK3 increased in the VPA group. Tau could effectively reverse these events. Our data suggest which necroptosis has a key role in the toxicity of VPA through TNF-α-mediated RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling and oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that Tau protects the liver tissue against VPA toxicity via inhibiting necroptosis signaling pathway mediated by RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL and suppressing oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

A novel nanobiosensor was prepared by aptamer and gold nanoparticles conjugate in poly vinyl alcohol hydrogel for sensitive detection of digoxin in human plasma samples. The developed nanobiosensor was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering instrument. In this sensor the hydrogel acted as a fluorescent probe. The fluorescence intensity of the hydrogel was quenched by aptamer stabilized gold nanoparticles as energy acceptor. Upon addition of digoxin, the aptamer/drug complex was formed and the fluorescence of the hydrogel was restored because of destabilization and aggregation of gold nanoparticles in the presence of salt. The affecting parameters on the nanobiosensor performance were assessed and under the optimized conditions the external and in plasma calibration curves were linear in the 10-1000 ng L -1 digoxin concentration range with detection limits of 2.9 and 3.1 ng L -1 , respectively. The relative standard deviations for 5 replicate determinations of 50, 250, and 500 ng L -1 of digoxin, were 7.3, 5.1, and 3.8%, respectively. This nanofluoroprobe was successfully applied for determination of digoxin in spiked plasma samples without any pretreatment procedure., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening; it is also associated with a high cost and complication. Proliferating cells, in particular tumor cells, express a dimeric isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase, termed M2 pyruvate kinase (M2-PK). The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fecal M2-PK for colon cancer., Materials and Methods: Forty-nine patients with colon cancers and 49 healthy controls were selected consecutively among individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy for various indications. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology. M2-PK measurements were done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and immunological FOBT (IFOBT) according to the manufacturer's instructions., Results: M2-PK > 9 (U/mL) was the best cutoff point in the detection of colon cancers. In this cutoff point, sensitivity and specificity were 87.8% and 91.8%, respectively, and accuracy was 89.8%. The sensitivity and specificity of IFOBT were 93.9% and 100%, respectively, and accuracy was 96.9%. The sensitivity and specificity of FOBT were 65.3% and 100%, respectively, and accuracy was 82.6%., Conclusion: IFOBT with high sensitivity and specificity and accuracy and low cost is the best fecal screening test. The current study suggests that fecal M2-PK can be used for high-risk colon cancer patients and negative IFOBT that refused colonoscopy as a precolonoscopy screening test., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

We decided to examine suspected samples of pneumonia outbreak caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and provide information about the mortality rate due to this infection in different age groups in Iran. In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, a total of 784 samples of naso/oropharyngeal swabs of suspected patients with COVID-19 symptoms who had referred to Imam Khomeini, Shahid Fayaz-Bakhsh and Modarres hospitals in Tehran from February 24, 2020 to March 24, 2020 were examined by RT-PCR method. The highest incidence of the disease was within the age group of 50-59 years, while the lowest rate was in the 0-9 years age group. The highest rate of positive samples in terms of COVID-19 among suspected individuals was for patients >80 years of age (89%) and the highest mortality rate was in the age range of 70-79 years (31%) and >80 years (30), respectively. In terms of recovery, the highest rate was in the 30-39 years age group (65.2%). Statistical analysis showed that mortality significantly increased in the age group of >60 years old and in fact, mortality was significantly associated with older ages. According to the results of the current study, the prevalence of COVID-19 in lower age (0-9 years old) is lower and mortality rate is higher in older ages as significant increase in mortality was observed in those aged >60 years old. However, further epidemiological studies on a larger study population in different regions of Iran are needed to explain the prevalence, clinical features, and course of the disease., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Herein, a novel ultrasensitive strategy has been developed by designing a label free fluorescent nano-aptasensor for monitoring of small moecules in human plasma. In this nano-aptasensor, graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets were used as fluorescent probe. The fluorescence intensity of the probe was decreased by interaction between graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets and label-free aptamer/gold nanoparticles conjugate, via Fluorescence resonance energy transfer mechanism. Upon addition of the analyte, the fluorescence of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets was restored due to the aptamer/analyte interaction, and the aggregation of gold nanoparticles in the presence of salt. The influence of various factors on sensing method was investigated, and under the approved conditions, the fluorescence signal showed a linear relation with Digoxin concentration in the range of 10-500 ng L -1 with limit of detection down to 3.2 ng L -1 relative standard deviations for 25, 100 and 500 ng L -1 of analyte concentrations were 2.6, 4.0 and 6.5%, respectively. This strategy provided a simple, rapid, cost effective and reproducible experimental model, with successful application for determination of Digoxin in plasma samples without any pretreatment steps., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, TAU) on oxidative stress in the isolated mouse testicular mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), viability and motility of the exposed sperms to the BPA., Methods: We treated epididymal spermatozoa obtained from mice and isolated mouse testicular mitochondria with BPA (0.8 mmol/mL) and various doses of TAU (5, 10, 30 and 50 µmol/L). We used the MTT assay and Rhodamine 123 uptake to assess sperm viability and MMP. We assessed the oxidative stress through measuring ROS (reactive oxygen species), MDA (malondialdehyde), GSH (glutathione), and SOD (super-oxide dismutase) levels in the testicular mitochondrial tissue., Results: BPA significantly elevated ROS, MDA and MMP levels, and markedly reduced SOD and GSH levels in the isolated mitochondria. BPA also considerably impaired spermatozoa viability and motility. Pretreatment with 30 and 50 µmol/L of TAU could considerably suppressed mitochondrial oxidative stress, enhanced MMP, and improved sperm motility and viability., Conclusion: TAU may attenuate the BPA-induced mitochondrial toxicity and impaired sperm motility via decreasing oxidative stress.