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Objective@#High temperatures can trigger cellular oxidative stress and disrupt spermatogenesis, potentially leading to male infertility. We investigated the effects of retinoic acid (RA), chitosan nanoparticles (CHNPs), and retinoic acid loaded with chitosan nanoparticles (RACHNPs) on spermatogenesis in mice induced by scrotal hyperthermia (Hyp). @*Methods@#Thirty mice (weighing 25 to 30 g) were divided into five experimental groups of six mice each. The groups were as follows: control, Hyp induced by a water bath (43 °C for 30 minutes/day for 5 weeks), Hyp+RA (2 mg/kg/day), Hyp+CHNPs (2 mg/kg/72 hours), and Hyp+RACHNPs (4 mg/kg/72 hours). The mice were treated for 35 days. After the experimental treatments, the animals were euthanized. Sperm samples were collected for analysis of sperm parameters, and blood serum was isolated for testosterone measurement. Testis samples were also collected for histopathology assessment, reactive oxygen species (ROS) evaluation, and RNA extraction, which was done to compare the expression levels of the bax, bcl2, p53, Fas, and FasL genes among groups. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was performed. @*Results@#Treatment with RACHNPs significantly increased stereological parameters such as testicular volume, seminiferous tubule length, and testicular cell count. Additionally, it increased testosterone concentration and improved sperm parameters. We observed significant decreases in ROS production and caspase-3 immunostaining in the RACHNP group. Moreover, the expression levels of bax, p53, Fas, and FasL significantly decreased in the groups treated with RACHNPs and RA. @*Conclusion@#RACHNPs can be considered a potent antioxidative and antiapoptotic agent for therapeutic strategies in reproductive and regenerative medicine.
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@#Introduction: Neglected Club Foot deformity is not an uncommon limb anomaly encountered by orthopaedic surgeons. Many treatment methods have been proposed. Ilizarov apparatus is one of the techniques used to correct this deformity. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study 47 patients (56 feet) between the ages of 5 and 10 years with clubfoot deformity were treated using the Ilizarov external fixator. Age, sex, type of deformity, and radiographic parameters were measured on foot radiographs. Also, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Dimeglio classification were recorded for each patient before and after treatment. Results: The treatment was unilateral in 38 patients and bilateral in 9 patients. 39 patients (69.6%) were male, and 17 patients (30.4%) were female with a mean age of 7.86 ± 1.4 years. Plantar angles of ankle flexion and ankle flexion curve increased from 20.12±6.52 and -16.51±8.36 to 25.89±6.44 and 6.19±6.42, respectively. There was also an improvement in the talocalcaneal and tibiocalcaneal angles. Also, the angle between the first metatarsus and the talus in the front and side views improved (P<0.00). Additionally, the mean AOFAS score and Dimeglio classification significantly improved. Three cases were complicated with distal tibial physeal separation that were treated with additional open surgeries. Conclusion: Ilizarov technique without osteotomies and soft tissue release could be considered a less invasive and successful method of treatment for neglected clubfoot deformity in patient five to ten years old that are not good candidate for Ponseti method.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to assess incidental abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses and anatomical variations of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. @*Materials and Methods@#MRI scans of 616 patients (mean age, 44.0±19.4 years) were evaluated. Prior to obtaining the MRI scans, a checklist of patients’ clinical symptoms was filled out after obtaining their consent. The Lund-Mackay classification was used to assess the paranasal sinuses and OMC. The prevalence of abnormal findings and their associations with patients’ age, sex, and subjective symptoms were analyzed by the chi-square test, independent-sample t-test, and analysis of variance. The level of significance was set at 0.05. @*Results@#Abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses were detected in 32.0% of patients, with a significantly higher prevalence in males (P0.05). Epithelial thickening and retention cyst were the most common abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses. According to the Lund-Mackay classification, 93% of the study population had normal sinuses (score0.05). @*Conclusion@#Considering the relatively high prevalence of abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses, it appears that clinical symptoms alone are not sufficient to diagnose sinusitis. A more accurate strategy would be to assess radiographic images of the paranasal sinuses and use a classification system. Sinusitis should be suspected in patients receiving a high score in this classification.
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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Esophageal stenosis (ES) in children is a fixed intrinsic narrowing of the esophagus due to numerous aetiologies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the clinical and nutritional impacts of endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) in Iranian children with an esophageal stricture. METHODS: This retrospective study, pediatric patients (aged <18 years) who underwent EBD for esophageal stricture from April 2015 until March 2020 in Abuzar Children's Hospital (Ahvaz, Iran) were enrolled in the study. Outcome parameters were the frequency of dilations, nutritional status, complications, and clinical success rates. EBD was used in children with radiologic evidence of esophageal stenosis. The nutritional status was evaluated by weight-for-age (z-score). Clinical success was considered as no necessity of EBD for a minimum of one year and/or increasing interval among dilation and the frequency of EBD was less than four times per year. RESULTS: A total of 53 cases (mean age, 4.72±3.38 years) were enrolled. There were 25 (47.2%) females and 28 (52.8%) males. During follow-up, a total of 331 EBD sessions were performed, with an average of 6.24 sessions per patient. There was one case of perforation and one case of mediastinitis, while there was no other complication or mortality. The clinical success rate of EBD therapy was 62.3% (33/53). The mean standard deviation z-score weight-for-age of patients before and after endoscopic dilation was 2.78 (2.41) and 1.18 (1.87), respectively. The t-test showed a significant difference between the weights-for-age (z-score) before and after endoscopic dilation. The majority of the patients had raised weight-for-age (z-score) after EBD treatment. CONCLUSION: EBD attained a good clinical success rate and nutritional improvement in children with an esophageal stricture.
RESUMO CONTEXTO: Estenose esofágica (EE) em crianças é um estreitamento intrínseco fixo do esôfago devido a inúmeras etiologias. OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar os impactos clínicos e nutricionais da dilatação do balão endoscópico (DBE) em crianças iranianas com restrição esofágica. MÉTODOS: Foram inscritos neste estudo retrospectivo, pacientes pediátricos (com idade <18 anos) submetidos a DBE para restrição esofágica de abril de 2015 a março de 2020 no Hospital Infantil de Abuzar (Ahvaz, Irã). Os parâmetros de desfecho foram a frequência de dilatações, o estado nutricional, complicações e taxas de sucesso clínico. A DBE foi usada em crianças com evidência radiológica de estenose esofágica. O estado nutricional foi avaliado pelo peso-por-idade (escore z). O sucesso clínico foi considerado como não necessidade de DBE por um período mínimo de um ano e/ou aumento de intervalo entre dilatações e frequência inferior a quatro vezes por ano. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 53 casos (média de idade, 4,72±3,38 anos). Eram 25 mulheres (47,2%) e 28 homens (52,8%). Durante o acompanhamento, foram realizadas 331 sessões de DBE, com média de 6,24 sessões por paciente. Houve um caso de perfuração e um caso de mediastinite, enquanto não houve outra complicação ou mortalidade. A taxa de sucesso clínico da terapia de DBE foi de 62,3% (33/53). A média (escore z) peso-para-idade dos pacientes antes e depois da dilatação endoscópica foi de 2,78 (2,41) e 1,18 (1,87), respectivamente. O teste t mostrou uma diferença significativa entre os pesos por idade (escore z) antes e depois da dilatação endoscópica. A maioria dos pacientes havia aumentado o peso por idade (escore z) após o tratamento com DBE. CONCLUSÃO: A DBE atingiu boa taxa de sucesso clínico e melhora nutricional em crianças com restrição esofágica.
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Background@#In recent years, an increased incidence of breast cancer has made this disease the most common malignancy among Iranian women. Since education plays an important role in the implementation of preventive behaviors in breast cancer treatment, this study investigates the effect of educational interventions on the promotion of lifestyle-related behaviors that prevent breast cancer in middle-aged women. @*Methods@#In this randomized control study, 120 women referred to Neyshabur Health Services Centers were randomly selected and divided into two groups: an intervention group (60 subjects) and a control group (60 subjects). An educational intervention was carried out over five sessions, based on protective motivation theory constructs. Participants completed a researcher-designed questionnaire immediately and again 2 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 19.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). @*Results@#The results revealed a significant difference between the mean scores of participants exposed to protective motivation theory, awareness, and physical activities immediately and also 2 months after the intervention (P<0.05). Although the healthy diet scores of the two groups differed significantly immediately after the educational intervention (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the groups 2 months after the intervention (P<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Given the effective role of education in protective motivation theory and the physical activity levels of the women who participated in this research, it seems clear that the women’s financial status shaped their ability to consume more fruits and vegetables. As this social element impacts the health of individuals, training programs alone cannot succeed.
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Background@#In recent years, an increased incidence of breast cancer has made this disease the most common malignancy among Iranian women. Since education plays an important role in the implementation of preventive behaviors in breast cancer treatment, this study investigates the effect of educational interventions on the promotion of lifestyle-related behaviors that prevent breast cancer in middle-aged women. @*Methods@#In this randomized control study, 120 women referred to Neyshabur Health Services Centers were randomly selected and divided into two groups: an intervention group (60 subjects) and a control group (60 subjects). An educational intervention was carried out over five sessions, based on protective motivation theory constructs. Participants completed a researcher-designed questionnaire immediately and again 2 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 19.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). @*Results@#The results revealed a significant difference between the mean scores of participants exposed to protective motivation theory, awareness, and physical activities immediately and also 2 months after the intervention (P<0.05). Although the healthy diet scores of the two groups differed significantly immediately after the educational intervention (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the groups 2 months after the intervention (P<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Given the effective role of education in protective motivation theory and the physical activity levels of the women who participated in this research, it seems clear that the women’s financial status shaped their ability to consume more fruits and vegetables. As this social element impacts the health of individuals, training programs alone cannot succeed.
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious public health problem accompanies with several complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation on the glycemic status and lipid profile in patients with T2DM. The patients with T2DM (n = 52) were randomly allocated into 2 groups. One group received 400 μg CrPic per day and the other group took placebo; the intervention duration was 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices and metabolic factors were measured at the beginning, and at end of the study. The patients were recommended not to change their normal diet, life style and medication. No significant changes were observed for weight, body mass index, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both groups; while intra-groups changes in homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value was significant (p < 0.05). Results of analysis of covariance showed that there were significance differences between groups in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and HOMA-IR at the end of the intervention adjusting for baseline levels (p = 0.035, 0.030 and < 0.001, respectively). In this study, oral supplementation with 400 μg CrPic for eight weeks did not alter FBG concentration as well as anthropometric parameters in individuals with T2DM. However, the modest beneficial effects of chromium supplementation on insulin resistance as indicated by HOMA-IR and lipid profile were found.
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BACKGROUND@#The hypocaloric diets improve glycemic status in obese individuals, but the response to hypocaloric diets in fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO)-rs9939609 gene variant is unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the gene-diet interaction of FTO-rs9939609 gene variant and hypocaloric diets on glycemic control in overweight and obese adults.@*METHODS@#Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google scholar were searched up to December 2018, for relevant clinical trials. Mean changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were extracted.@*RESULTS@#The pooled analysis of nine studies showed that there was no significant difference between AA/AT and TT genotypes in FBS (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.08, 1.10, P = 0.984) and serum insulin (WMD = 0.20, 95% CI: -0.85, 1.26; P = 0.707) after intervention hypocaloric diets. The overweight/obese participants in AA/AT group showed the greatest reduction in HOMA-IR compared with TT genotype following intervention, and this difference was not statistically significant (WMD = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.94, 0.16, P = 0.167).@*CONCLUSION@#This meta-analysis suggests that there was no significant difference between AA/AT and TT genotypes of FTO-rs9939609 on FBS, serum insulin level, and insulin resistance in response to hypocaloric diets.
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Background@#The tongue in groove technique (TIG) is a useful technique for the correction of the nasal tip projection and the nasolabial angle. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of this technique for nasal tip rotation and projection correction in the Iranian society. @*Methods@#This is a retrospective clinical trial study of 20 patients undergoing open septo-rhinoplasty using TIG technique from January 2017 to August 2019 at the oral and maxillofacial unit of Bu Ali Hospital and private sector. Preoperative and postoperative profile view photographs were compared to assess the changes in tip projection and rotation. @*Results@#Fifteen patients (75%) had normal angular size, and 5 of them (25%) were not within the normal range after the surgery. The Fisher exact test showed that this success was statistically significant (P = 0.006). Ten patients (50%) had normal projection size, postoperatively. The Fisher exact test showed that this effect was statistically significant (P < 0.01) @*Conclusion@#The study demonstrated the benefit of TIG on the correction of nasal tip projection and rotation.
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Background@#The tongue in groove technique (TIG) is a useful technique for the correction of the nasal tip projection and the nasolabial angle. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of this technique for nasal tip rotation and projection correction in the Iranian society. @*Methods@#This is a retrospective clinical trial study of 20 patients undergoing open septo-rhinoplasty using TIG technique from January 2017 to August 2019 at the oral and maxillofacial unit of Bu Ali Hospital and private sector. Preoperative and postoperative profile view photographs were compared to assess the changes in tip projection and rotation. @*Results@#Fifteen patients (75%) had normal angular size, and 5 of them (25%) were not within the normal range after the surgery. The Fisher exact test showed that this success was statistically significant (P = 0.006). Ten patients (50%) had normal projection size, postoperatively. The Fisher exact test showed that this effect was statistically significant (P < 0.01) @*Conclusion@#The study demonstrated the benefit of TIG on the correction of nasal tip projection and rotation.
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BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage damage is still a troublesome problem. Hence, several researches have been performed for cartilage repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chondrogenicity of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds under cyclic hydrostatic pressure (CHP) in vitro. METHODS: In this study, CHP was applied to human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) seeded on DBM scaffolds at a pressure of 5 MPa with a frequency of 0.5 Hz and 4 h per day for 1 week. Changes in chondrogenic and osteogenic gene expressions were analyzed by quantifying mRNA signal level of Sox9, collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan (ACAN), Osteocalcin, and Runx2. Histological analysis was carried out by hematoxylin and eosin, and Alcian blue staining. Moreover, DMMB and immunofluorescence staining were used for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II detection, respectively. RESULTS: Real-time PCR demonstrated that applying CHP to hBMSCs in DBM scaffolds increased mRNA levels by 1.3-fold, 1.2-fold, and 1.7-fold (p < 0.005) for Sox9, Col2, and ACAN, respectively by day 21, whereas it decreased mRNA levels by 0.7-fold and 0.8-fold (p < 0.05) for Runx2 and osteocalcin, respectively. Additionally, in the presence of TGF-β1 growth factor (10 ng/ml), CHP further increased mRNA levels for the mentioned genes (Sox9, Col2, and ACAN) by 1.4-fold, 1.3-fold and 2.5-fold (p < 0.005), respectively. Furthermore, in histological assessment, it was observed that the extracellular matrix contained GAG and type II collagen in scaffolds under CHP and CHP with TGF-β1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The osteo-inductive DBM scaffolds showed chondrogenic characteristics under hydrostatic pressure. Our study can be a fundamental study for the use of DBM in articular cartilage defects in vivo and lead to production of novel scaffolds with two different characteristics to regenerate both bone and cartilage simultaneously.
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Humans , Aggrecans , Alcian Blue , Bone Marrow , Bone Matrix , Cartilage , Cartilage, Articular , Collagen Type I , Collagen Type II , Eosine Yellowish-(YS) , Extracellular Matrix , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Gene Expression , Hematoxylin , Hydrostatic Pressure , In Vitro Techniques , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Osteocalcin , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, MessengerABSTRACT
Natural and chemical compounds are used to increase the biochemical and shelf life of citrus fruits. The effect of nano silver particles and three essential oils: peppermint, carnation, cumin, were investigated on morphological, biochemical and shelf life of the lemon fruit. The first factor consisted of 13 different substances and the second factor was three the level of storage periods (zero, one, and two months after harvest). The results showed that the treatments significantly affected the fruit weight, diameter, length, decay percentage, total soluble solids, vitamin C, electrolyte leakage and titratable acidity. Peppermint essential oil showed a 70% reduction of decay percentage compared to with the control. Five percent of nano silver and 500 µL/L of clove essential oil maintained better fruit quality than control. Although the effects of silver nano-particle were significant, considering the environmental concerns we recommend using plant essential oils to prolong the postharvest shelf life of lemon fruits.
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Abstract INTRODUCTION This study aims to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility of different species of Candida isolated from diabetic patients against eight antifungal agents. METHODS Susceptibility testing of 111 clinical isolates of Candida species was performed against 8 antifungals using the M27-A3 protocol of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). RESULTS Voriconazole, lanoconazole, and caspofungin showed the highest in vitro activity against all the isolates of C. albicans. Resistance against the tested antifungals was only observed in the C. albicans isolates. CONCLUSIONS Our finding revealed that resistance against amphotericin B, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and fluconazole can be observed in C. albicans.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Candida/drug effects , Diabetes Mellitus/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Candida/isolation & purification , Candida/classification , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The surface properties of implant are responsible to provide mechanical stability by creating an intimate bond between the bone and implant; hence, play a major role on osseointegration process. The current study was aimed to measure surface characteristics of titanium modified by a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The results of this study revealed an optimum density of laser energy (140 Jcm⁻²), at which improvement of osteointegration process was seen. Significant differences were found between arithmetical mean height (Ra), root mean square deviation (Rq) and texture orientation, all were lower for 140 Jcm⁻² samples compared to untreated one. Also it was identified that the surface segments were more uniformly distributed with a more Gaussian distribution for treated samples at 140 Jcm⁻². The distribution of texture orientation at high laser density (250 and 300 Jcm⁻²) were approximately similar to untreated sample. The skewness index that indicates how peaks and valleys are distributed throughout the surface showed a positive value for laser treated samples, compared to untreated one. The surface characterization revealed that Kurtosis index, which tells us how high or flat the surface profile is, for treated sample at 140 Jcm⁻² was marginally close to 3 indicating flat peaks and valleys in the surface profile.
Subject(s)
Osseointegration , Surface Properties , TitaniumABSTRACT
Background: Evolution of individualized radiosurgical therapeutic methods for brain metastasis as an ominous prognostic finding may encourage a more extensive application of neuroimaging in patients with extracerebral cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the added value of brain-included 18 F FDG PET/CT acquisition protocol based on primary cancer type and clinical indication
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 3945 18 F FDG PET/CT reports of patients with extra-cerebral cancer underwent brain-included PET/CT study. Cerebral lesions suggestive of brain metastasis were subsequently verified by MRI, MRI+MRS, surgical pathology and a 1-year clinical formal follow up. The detection rate of new brain metastasis and related impact on disease status were then investigated in each cancer type based on clinical indication
Results: Of a total 3933 eligible patients, 44 [1.12%] were finally verified to have new cerebral metastasis. The most common primary sources were lung cancer [19/385, 4.93%], cancer of unknown primary [CUP] [5/168, 2.97%] and breast cancer [8/468, 1.71%]. The most common clinical indications were initial staging [17/44, 43.1%] and restaging [19/44, 36.4%]. Change in disease status occurred in 12 out of 44 patients [27.3%], more frequently occurred in lung cancer [n=4], in all indications and breast [n=3] cancers at restaging [n=7, 43.8%]
Conclusion: PET/CT acquisition protocol study may be best optimized based on the type of primary cancer and timing of evaluation. Brain-included field of view may be recommended for lung cancer regardless the clinical indication, cancer of unknown primary and breast cancer at restaging
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Background: Cholecystitis is a common surgical condition. Recently, several authors have reported that DNA of bile tolerant Helicobacter spp. has been found in the human bile colonizing the biliary tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the presence of Helicobacter spp. and gallstone cholecystitis
Methods: In this case-control study, gallstones, bile, and gallbladder mucosa were collected from 25 patients without gallstone disease, 24 with acute cholecystitis, and 28 with chronic cholecystitis. The presence of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori], Helicobacter bilis [H. bilis], Helicobacter hepaticus [H. hepaticus], and Helicobacter pullorum [H. pullorum] were investigated by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] using species-specific primers
Results: In this study, 77 subjects with acute and chronic cholecystitis and control groups with a mean age of 46.85 +/- 14.53 years, including 58 [67.25%] women and 19 [32.75%] men were included. DNA of 10 Helicobacter spp. was detected in the bile of the patients with cholecystitis including eight H. pylori and two H. bilis. However, we could not detect H. hepaticus and H. pullorum DNA in the samples. Moreover, there was an association between H. pylori and acute cholecystitis [p = 0.048], which was found to be stronger in 31-40-year-olds group [p = 0.003]
Conclusion: We found an association between the presence of H. pylori DNA and acute gallstone cholecystitis. There is not statistically significant correlation between three enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. [H. bilis, H. hepaticus, and H. pullorum] and cholelithiasis. Given the low sample size of the patients, more studies are required to clear the clinical role of Helicobacter spp. in the gallstone disease and cholecystitis
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Gallstones , Cholecystitis/microbiology , Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity , Case-Control StudiesABSTRACT
Background: The medicinal plant milk thistle with the scientific name of Silybum marianum is an annual or biennial herb native to the Mediterranean regions and is found through the world. Extracts from the seeds of this plant have been used to cure liver disorders since ancient times. Featured phytochemicals of this medicinal plant are flavonolignan compounds and silybin is the most important one
Objective: In this study, the effects of applying different incoming feeds, defatting procedures and solvents on silymarin extraction process from the seeds of milk thistle have been investigated
Methods: Reflux extraction was used to obtain extracts. All extracts have been refluxed for 6 hours and the temperature was fixed at 60 degree C. Different incoming feeds including ground seeds, solvent defatted meal, cold press defatted meal, and separated pericarps have been subjected to the extraction system. Also, three different solvents including methanol, methanol 80%, and ethanol 80% were employed. Prepared extracts were weighed and then HPLC method analysis was used for quantifying silymarin compounds
Results: According to the presented data, the concentration and amount of silymarin in different extracts was compared. The extract obtained from ground seeds with methanol was able to reach the most amount of silymarin while the highest concentration of silymarin was obtained from the extract of ground pericarp with ethanol 80%
Conclusion: This study shows that a higher amount of active ingredient can be extracted by using ground seeds and methanol solvent. Of course, there are more impurities in this extract
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Background: It is more than sixty years that the concept of the fetal allograft and immunological paradox of pregnancy was proposed and in this context, several regulatory networks and mechanisms have been introduced so far. It is now generally recognized that mesenchymal stem cells exert potent immunoregulatory activity. In this study, for the first time, the potential impact of Menstrual blood Stem Cells [MenSCs], as surrogate for endometrial stem cells, on proliferative capacity of CD4+ T cells was tested
Methods: MenSCs and Bone marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells [BMSCs] were isolated and assessed for their immunophenotypic features and multi-lineage differentiation capability. BMSCs and MenSCs with or without IFNGamma pre-stimulation were co-cultured with purified anti-CD3/CD28-activated CD4+ T cells and the extent of T cell proliferation at different MenSCs: T cell ratios were investigated by CSFE flow cytometry. IDO activity of both cell types was measured after stimulation with IFNGamma by a colorimetric assay
Results: MenSCs exhibited dual mesenchymal and embryonic markers and multilineage differentiation capacity. MenSCs significantly increased proliferation of CD4+ cells at ratios 1:2, 1:4 and 1:8. IFNGamma pre-treated BMSCs but not MenSCs significantly suppressed CD4+ T cells proliferation. Such proliferation promoting capacity of MenSCs was not correlated with IDO activity as these cells showed the high IDO activity following IFNGamma treatment
Conclusion: Although augmentation of T cell proliferation by MenSCs can be a basis for maintenance of endometrial homeostasis to cope with ascending infections, this may not fulfill the requirement for immunological tolerance to a semi-allogeneic fetus. However, more investigation is needed to examine whether or not the immunomodulatory properties of these cells are affected by endometrial microenvironment during pregnancy
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Background: The quality of oocyte is often considered as a limiting factor for fertility, especially IVF. Some mitochondrial mutations, particularly the 4977-bp deletion increase with the age. Thus, this mutation can serve as a marker for cell aging, which indicates the reduced quality of the oocytes for fertilization. It has been suggested that this can also be investigated in the blood cells of women with IVF failure
Objective: 1-Determination of the frequency of 4977-bp deletion in women with IVF failure, 2-Investigation of the relationship between 4977-bp deletion and the age of patients
Materials and Methods: Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the 4977-bp deletion in blood samples of 52 IVF failure women and 52 women who had at least one healthy child. After polymerase chain reaction with deleted and wild-type primers, the products were examined using agarose gel electrophoresis
Results: 48.07% of women with IVF failure and 34.62% of healthy women had a mitochondrial 4977-bp deletion, with p=0.163 and OR: 1.749. Also, in association with the age of these patients and the frequency of 4977-bp mutation, p and OR were obtained 0.163 and 1.749, respectively and frequency of this mutation was higher in patients over 35 yr old compared to other subgroups [Patients >/=35: 57.69]
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, there is no a significant relationship between the frequency of mitochondrial 4977-bp mutation and failure in IVF
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Background: the aim of this study was to compare the radiation dose to ipsilateral lung and heart for different radiotherapy [RT] techniques including; two tangential photon beams, electron therapy and combined photon-electron
Materials and Methods: treatment planning of the mentioned techniques on the CT images of a chest phantom was done using treatment planning system [TiGRT, Lina Tech, China]. According to the plans, the phantom was irradiated with 6 MV photon and 10 MeV electron beams of Siemens Primus linac. Radiation dose was also measured using LiF Thermo Luminescence Dosimeter [TLD] which was placed inside 3 mm depth holes of ipsilateral lung and heart on the phantom
Results: the mean [ +/- SD] radiation dose to the ipsilateral lung of the combined photon-electron was 66.12 +/- 5.16% of prescribed dose. Whereas for the heart, it was 64.05 +/- 2.62%. Mean [ +/- SD] dose of ipsilateral lung and heart for electron irradiation was 54.51 +/- 3.88 % and 34.21 +/- 3.41%, respectively. The mean [ +/- SD] radiation dose to ipsilateral lung and heart of the tangential was 50.73 +/- 3.01 % and 31.36 +/- 3.13%, respectively. The mean [ +/- SD] radiation dose to the chest wall-lung interface for electron therapy [72.44 +/- 2.01 %] was significantly different in comparison with tangential [65.23 +/- 4.20%; p = 0.045] and combined photon-electron [68.14 +/- 3.53 %; p = 0.032]
Conclusion: tangential beams is more suitable for treating mastectomy patients compared to the other techniques such as electron therapy and combined photon-electron, due to lower radiation dose to patient's ipsilateral lung and heart