ABSTRACT
Aim: We describe the minimum requirements and a simplified method for isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] from human bone marrow
Background: MSCs are well known adult stem cells present in many tissues such as adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and neurons. Many isolations and characterization methods have emerged to apply MSCs in the clinical applications, which many of them are expensive and time-consuming
Methods: MSC isolation was carried out from human bone marrow, and cultured in defined medium. Cultures were maintained at 370C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 for 48h. The medium was exchanged every 3-4 days. Adherent cells were characterized according to main criteria defined by ISCT, such as differentiation capability to adipocyte and osteoblast using specific differentiation mediums; also, flow cytometry verified MSC specific markers
Results: Isolated MSCs had a fibroblastic-like appearance with adherent property to the culture plate. Differentiation function was proved with the formation of lipid drops and calcium oxalates on the differentiated MSCs and finally, purified MSCs from bone marrow were positive for cell surface markers, CD73, CD90, and CD105 while being negative for CD34 and CD45
Conclusion: These findings confirm that the represented method is capable of isolating MSCs from bone marrow with proven results according to all minimum criteria defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy [ISCT]
ABSTRACT
Unmanaged gasses emitted from the landfills can lead to various environmental and health problems for the resident of such regions. Despite various studies conducted on prediction of emission rates of gaseous pollutant in landfills, no study in currently being conducted on the emission rates of carbon dioxide, methane, and non-methane organic compounds from the Marvdasht landfills. In the first steps of this study the required information were gathered first and then the necessary prediction calculations were handled by the LandGEM software. The study results suggest that the within the years of 2003 and 2031, the generation rates of carbon dioxide, methane and non-methane organic compounds will respectively be equal to 14×10[11], 4667×10[7] and 3.89×10[5] tons. Among the aforementioned gasses, in case of converting the methane energy capacity into the electrical energy, a total income of 1489 billion rials is achievable from the Marvdasht landfill within a course of 27 years of operation. However, it should be noted that no investigation was conducted on the initial and operation costs in this study. In this study, by calculating all of the required information for the design and construction of a biogas collection and extraction system in the landfill of Marvdasht, the necessary means for the appliance of such plan has been provided
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Decrease in sleep quality is an age-related problem which appears in different features such as difficulty in sleeping, over sleeping and unusual behaviors during sleep. Regarding the importance of sleep quality among older adults and also its effects on their quality of life and physical and mental status, the study was conducted to determine the status and quality of sleep in older adults in Mehriz, Yazd province, Iran
Methods: The cross-sectional study used cluster random sample of 126 older adults. Data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire including demographic and sleep-related questions and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests
Results: The most reported sleep quality related problems were pain [32.8%], waking up for toilet [28.6%] and nightmare [3.2%]; waking up problem for driving was the least reported problem [0.8%]. Sleep quality was worse among women than men [p = 0.02]. There was a statistically significant relation between sleep quality score and morbidity to thedisease of cardiovascular, diabetes, osteoporosis, breathing problems, visual and hearing problems, obesity and depression [p < 0.05]
Conclusion: Regarding the significant relation of sleep quality and some chronic conditions, the importance of educatingthe older adults who suffer from chronic conditions and also their families in this area is displayed. As with planning suitable interventions, we may not only increase the sleep quality among older adults but also treat or reduce the risk of chronic conditions among them
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Celiac disease presents with a wide spectrum of symptoms
This study clarifies different aspects of celiac disease along with the most common patterns of celiac presentation in Khuzestan Province, Iran
METHODS: Patients' information was obtained by evaluation of their files from the archives of the Khuzestan Celiac Society and records at gastroenterologists' offices in this province
RESULTS: Overall, there were 103 [40 males, 63 females] patients included in this study. Patients' mean ages were 33 +/-11 years [males] and 31.6 +/- 11.7 years [females]. In terms of geographic distribution, 54.1% resided in the center of the province followed by 26.5% who were residents of the northern area. The rate of employment among men was 70.6% whereas it was 8.3% for women. In terms of education, 21.9% of men and 33.3% of women had academic educations. The rate of matrimony was 80.6% [n=29] for men, 65.4% [n=38] for women and 3.4% [n=2] who were divorced. Mean height was 164 +/- 14 cm in men and 157.5 +/- 10 cm in women. Mean BMI at the time of presentation was 22.7 in men and 22.6 in women. The most common gastrointestinal [GI] complaints in male patients were diarrhea [35%], reflux [20%], bloating [17.5%], abdominal pain [15%], vomiting [15%] and constipation [7.5%]. Female patients experienced diarrhea [49.2%], abdominal pain [31.7%], bloating [31.7%], vomiting [19%], constipation [9.5%] and reflux [7.9%]. The most common concomitant non-GI disorders among male patients were anemia [17.1%], thyroid disease [14.3%], and weight loss (14.3%); women experienced anemia [33.9%], thyroid disease [12.5%], and weight loss [7.1%]. Approximately half of the patients exhibited symptoms for more than five years prior to diagnosis and 90% were diagnosed by gastroenterologists. Of these, 43% had normal endoscopy results. The most common serologic markers were anti-TTG [69.9%], anti-EMA [27.7%]
CONCLUSION: Physicians, prior to attributing patients' symptoms to irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] should be aware that patients who present with long-term nonspecific symptoms might possibly have celiac disease. During endoscopy, the threshold for obtaining biopsies should be low
ABSTRACT
Background: The etiologic role of Malassezia furfur in onychomycosis, because of its controversial keratinolytic ability, has not been proven. The most reported cases are distal subungual onychomycosis [DSO]. In our knowledge no cases of proximal onychomycosis [PO] has been reported. For the first time we report proximal onychomycosis. This case report describes the isolation of Malassezia furfur from fingernails
Case presentation: An Iranian 56- year- old women had been referred to mycology lab with hyperkeratosis in proximal regions of right hand nails and clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis without paronychia in May 2012. She used several medicines for her cardiac disease, mental illness, severe stress and blood glucose fluctuation diseases. Scraping and sampling from nail lesions were done, budding yeast cells with broadband connections were observed in 15% KOH wet mounts. Also, other differentiation tests, consist of staining with methylen blue, cultures and biochemical tests were done. In order to rejecting the probable etiologic role of any dermatophytic or non-dermatophytic fungi in this case, samples were collected from other parts of the body by scotch tape and scraping with scalpel blade too, but the results of direct microscopy and culture were negative. Finally, Malassezia furfur was identified as the causative agent of onychomycosis
Conclusion: Despite failure to prove Malassezia furfur keratinolytic ability, it can be the etiologic agent of proximal onychomycosis that shows the aggressive properties of this species. Its clinical importance is the easier transmission to hospitalized patients and other people