The protective effects of hesperidin as an antioxidant against quinolinic acid-induced toxicity on oligodendroglia cells: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex central nervous system disorder, marked by neurodegenerative and inflammatory processes, where overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key factor in demyelination and neurodegeneration. The current study aims to investigate the effect of hesperidin and Quinolinic acid (QA) on ROS and antioxidant levels, and cell viability of OLN-93 cells. METHODS: OLN-93 cell lines were treated with hesperidin and QA. OLN-93 cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium under controlled conditions. Cell viability assays were performed using resazurin to assess the toxicity of hesperidin and QA. Additionally, ROS levels were measured using DCFDA, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined to evaluate oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and cell viability were assessed by trypan blue staining after exposure to hesperidin and QA. RESULTS: The results of the current study showed that co-administration of 8 mM QA with 50, 100, and 200 µM hesperidin significantly reduced both ROS and MDA levels, demonstrating a substantial attenuation in comparison to the elevated ROS and MDA levels induced by 8 mM QA (p-value < 0.01). Furthermore, 8 mM QA + 50, 100, and 200 µM hesperidin significantly increased SOD levels compared with QA alone (p-value < 0.01). In addition, treatment of OLN cells with 8 mM QA + 50, 100, and 200 µM hesperidin led to higher cell viability compared to QA alone (p value <0.0001). CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated the antioxidant effect of hesperidin on OLN-93 cells suggesting new insights into the clinical application of hesperidin as an effective treatment for patients with MS. Future in vivo studies, focusing on cellular mechanisms are recommended.

Sol-gel synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of selenium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

Over the past few years, ovarian cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Despite the widespread knowledge of its prevalence, the curative measures and survival rates for ovarian cancer have not improved significantly, making it a challenging condition. Nanotechnology has become increasingly prominent in the field of cancer treatment. Previous studies showed both cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) and selenium (Se) had anti-cancer. Therefore, doping selenium into CONPs may exhibit a more significant anti-cancer effect on ovarian cancer cells. Cerium nitrate hexahydrate, sodium selenite, and gelatin were employed for the production of CONPs and Se-doped CONPs. The EDX, XRD, and TEM/PSA imaging were employed to investigate the structural characteristics and morphology of the synthesized Se-doped CONPs. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression were evaluated after inoculating A2780 human epithelial ovarian carcinoma (HEOC) with Se-doped CONP. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni's t-test for multiple group comparisons. Se-doped CONPs had IC50 of 113 and 49 PPM after 24 and 48 h, respectively. In addition, Se-doped CONPs with concentrations of 50 and 100 PPM significantly reduced to ROS levels in the HEOC cell line. Also, 50 and 100 PPM Se-doped CONPs lead to significantly reduced TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression compared to the control group in the HEOC cell line. Our study showed the potential anti-cancer effects of Se-doped CONPs on ovarian cancer cell lines.

Prognostic factors in pediatric cochlear implant: an outcome-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic factors in the pediatric cochlear implant (CI) outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 289 pediatric cases with prelingual hearing loss who received cochlear implantation. Several possible salient factors have been recorded. Auditory and speech evaluations were performed before CI, as well as 6 and 12 months after surgery, using Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) tests. RESULTS: According to univariate analysis, age at the time of surgery was a statistically significant factor. Neurological problems in the child, history of newborn infectious diseases, history of hearing aid use, proper parental cooperation, and round window approach were all significantly related to better auditory or speech outcomes. On the other hand, good parental cooperation and age (for CAP) and good parental cooperation, age, history of infectious disease, and hearing aids use (for SIR) are the significant factors in the multivariate setting. CONCLUSION: As evidenced by the obtained results, age, background diseases, history of rehabilitation with hearing aids, and surgical details are essential factors to be taken into account in the case-selection process.

The neuropeptide substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor system and diabetes: From mechanism to therapy.

Diabetes is a significant public health issue known as the world's fastest-growing disease condition. It is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and subsequent chronic complications leading to organ dysfunction and, ultimately, the failure of target organs. Substance P (SP) is an undecapeptide that belongs to the family of tachykinin (TK) peptides. The SP-mediated activation of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) regulates many pathophysiological processes in the body. There is also a relation between the SP/NK1R system and diabetic processes. Importantly, deregulated expression of SP has been reported in diabetes and diabetes-associated chronic complications. SP can induce both diabetogenic and antidiabetogenic effects and thus affect the pathology of diabetes destructively or protectively. Here, we review the current knowledge of the functional relevance of the SP/NK1R system in diabetes pathogenesis and its exploitation for diabetes therapy. A comprehensive understanding of the role of the SP/NK1R system in diabetes is expected to shed further light on developing new therapeutic possibilities for diabetes and its associated chronic conditions.

Investigating the Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument (MAYSI-2).

This study was done to prepare a Persian version of the MAYSI-2 and investigate its psychometric properties among the adolescents of the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center in Mashhad. By available study sample 329 male adolescents were selected. The findings showed that the Cronbach's alpha values for subscales were from .74 to .91. Compound reliability was also obtained in different scales between .72 and .98 indicating the optimal reliability of the scale. The CVR and CVI indicating the appropriate content validity. The results of CFA showed that the factor loading of the items was more than .5. The scale had good structural validity. The GFI of .90, IFI of .91, and RMSEA of .072 were all within the acceptable limits. Convergent and divergent validity indicators showed that the subscales benefited from the convergent validity. Our results showed that the Persian version of the MAYSI-2 had desirable psychometric properties. Therefore, it can be used for assessing mental health problems of juvenile delinquent and upcoming research.

The Potential In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) Antagonist, Aprepitant, in Osteosarcoma Cell Migration and Metastasis.

Background: Osteosarcoma, the most frequent osteogenic malignancy, has become a serious public health challenge due to its high morbidity rates and metastatic potential. Recently, the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) is proved to be a promising target in cancer therapy. This study is aimed at determining the effect of aprepitant, a safe and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved NK-1R antagonist, on osteosarcoma cell migration and metastasis, and to explore its underlying mechanism of action. Methods: Colorimetric MTT assay was employed to assess cell viability and cytotoxicity. A wound-healing assay was used to examine migration ability. The desired genes' protein and mRNA expression levels were measured by western blot assay and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Gelatinase activity was also measured by zymography. Results: We found that aprepitant inhibited MG-63 osteosarcoma cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed that aprepitant inhibited the migrative phenotype of osteosarcoma cells and reduced the expression levels and activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Aprepitant also reduced the expression of an angiogenic factor, VEGF protein, and NF-κB as an important transcriptional regulator of metastasis-related genes. Conclusion: Collectively, our observations indicate that aprepitant modulates the metastatic behavior of human osteosarcoma cells, which may be applied to an effective therapeutic approach for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma.

Photocatalytic degradation of ammonia with titania nanoparticles under UV light irradiation.

Ammonia is one of the major pollutants of water resources, posing a serious threat to human health and the environment. Titania nanoparticles were used to examine the photocatalytic degradation of ammonia from an aqueous solution in this study. Titania nanoparticles (NPs) were first synthesized via the sol-gel method, then characterized using XRD, FTIR, DLS, EDX, FE-SEM, and TEM analyses. Four effective parameters (pH, initial concentration of pollutant, catalyst dosage, and irradiation time) for photocatalytic degradation were explored using Design-Expert Software. The greatest photocatalytic activity of titania NPs was found in optimal conditions, according to the findings (97%). The optimum amounts of catalyst dosage, initial pollutant concentration, irradiation time, and pH were obtained at 0.3 g/l, 1500 mg/l, 120 min, and 12, respectively. Furthermore, studies revealed that pH was the most efficient variable in comparison with others and that increasing the pH value from 8 to 12 boosted ammonia removal from 40 to 97%. NPs showed high stability as the ammonia removal decreased from 96.96% to 65% after four cycles. Generally, this research has created a precedent for the development of morphology-dependent photocatalysts for the degradation of organic contaminants.

Porous electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibrous mat containing cinnamon for wound healing application: in vitro and in vivo study.

In this study, cinnamon (cin) was loaded into poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin (PCL/Gel) nanofibrous matrices in order to fabricate an appropriate mat to improve wound healing. Mats were fabricated from PCL/COLL [1:1 (w/w)] solution with 1, 5 and 25% (w/v) of cinnamon. Prepared mats were characterized with regard to their microstructure, mechanical properties, porosity, surface wettability, water-uptake capacity, water vapor permeability, blood compatibility, microbial penetration and cellular response. The fabricated mats with and without cinnamon were used to treat the full-thickness excisional wounds in Wistar rats. The results indicated that the amount of cinnamon had a direct effect on porosity, mechanical properties, water uptake capacity, water contact angle, water vapor transmission rate and cell proliferation. In addition, the results of in vivo study indicated that after 14 days, the wounds which were treated with PCL/Gel 5%cin had better wound closure (98%) among other groups. Our results suggest that the cinnamon can be used as a suitable material for wound healing.

Narrative therapy for depression and anxiety among children with imprisoned parents: A randomised pilot efficacy trial.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of narrative group therapy in reducing depression and anxiety among children with imprisoned parents. The study design was a randomised clinical trial with an experimental group, and waiting list group as the control group. Eighty-five children with imprisoned parents were selected by convenience sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the narrative group therapy while the control group did not. The research measurement instrument comprised the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Analysis of univariate covariance (ANCOVA) and independent t-test was employed to test the study hypothesis. The findings showed that depression and anxiety reduced among children with imprisoned parents with a high effect size (anxiety = 0.90 and depression = 3.05). Thus, the principle and techniques of narrative therapy and the benefits of group therapy reduced depression and anxiety among children with imprisoned parents. Therefore, this study showed that this intervention can be useful for children with imprisoned parents.

Group life skills training for promoting mental health in women after released from prison: A randomized pilot efficacy trial.

The aims of the researchers were to determine the effectiveness of Life Skills Training for promoting mental health in the women after released. The study design was semi-experimental with pretest, posttest, follow-up, and control group. One hundred and fifty women after released were selected by convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to experimental group and control group. The experimental group received the life skills training, while the control group did not. The research measurement instrument comprised the General Health Questionnaire. MANCOVA models were used to test the study hypothesis. We analyzed data and thus believe that mental health increased among women.

Cognitive Group Therapy Based on Schema-Focused Approach for Reducing Depression in Prisoners Living With HIV.

Depression is one the most common mental disorders in prisons. People living with HIV are more likely to develop psychological difficulties when compared with the general population. This study aims to determine the efficacy of cognitive group therapy based on schema-focused approach in reducing depression in prisoners living with HIV. The design of this study was between-groups (or "independent measures"). It was conducted with pretest, posttest, and waiting list control group. The research population comprised all prisoners living with HIV in a men's prison in Iran. Based on voluntary desire, screening, and inclusion criteria, 42 prisoners living with HIV participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (21 prisoners) and waiting list control group (21 prisoners). The experimental group received 11 sessions of schema-focused cognitive group therapy, while the waiting list control group received the treatment after the completion of the study. The various groups were evaluated in terms of depression. ANCOVA models were employed to test the study hypotheses. Collated results indicated that depression was reduced among prisoners in the experimental group. Schema therapy (ST) could reduce depression among prisoners living with HIV/AIDS.

The Effect of Saffron on Depression among Recovered Consumers of Methamphetamine Living with HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND: From one hand, depression is one of the symptoms that occur after abstinence from methamphetamine. On the other people living with HIV/AIDS are in isolation due to the nature of their illness and depression is one of the most common mental health problems they experience. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of saffron on reducing depression among recovered consumers of methamphetamine living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: The design of this study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and control (placebo) groups. The statistical population consisted of all recovered consumers of methamphetamine living with HIV/AIDS who were referred to the Positive Club. Fifty-seven (57) recovered consumers of methamphetamine, living with HIV/AIDS, were selected by convenience sampling method. They were randomly assigned to an experimental (saffron) group and a control (placebo) group. The experimental group received 30 ml of saffron per day for 8 weeks, whereas the control (placebo) group received placebo the same way. BDI-II was used in this study as a measurement instrument. ANCOVA models were used for statistical inference. RESULTS: The findings showed that saffron and its ingredients had been effective in reducing depression among this group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In fact, saffron with its active ingredients (Crusin and Saffranal) by serotonin and dopamine secretion in the brain, help in reducing depression among recovered consumers of methamphetamine living with HIV/AIDS.

Effect of Antioxidants (ß-mercaptoethanol and Cysteamine) on Assisted Reproductive Technology In vitro.

INTRODUCTION: Oocyte Culture of Germinal Vesicle (GV) and its growth improves Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) invitro and infertility. Inappropriate culture medium environment, low quality of oocytes, increase in Oxidative Stress (OS) events, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and free radicals production are the main factors that result in unsuccessful Invitro Maturation (IVM) and decrease in reproduction. AIM: The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect of ß-mercaptoethanol (BME) and Cysteamine (CYS) on IVM improvement, embryo fertilization and development of blastocyst of mouse immature oocyte. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oocytes were obtained from 4-6 weeks old Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) female mice, 48 hours after stimulation with Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 10 IU Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG). GV oocyte with and without cumulus cells were isolated from ovaries and cultured in Tissue Culture Medium (TCM) 199 with availability of 100 µM of antioxidants (BME and CYS). After 24 hours, mature oocyte in metaphase II (MII) were fertilized with sperm in In vitro Fertilization (IVF) medium (T6) and evaluated for fetal development into blastocyst. RESULTS: BME and CYS could significantly (p<0.05) increase the rate of IVM and oocyte evolution, and embryo formation in medium culture. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that existence of Cumulus Oocyte Complexes (COC) significantly showed better IVM, fertilization and evolution trend as compared to oocytes without cumulus cover or Denuded Oocytes (DO), especially in TCM199 plus BME and CYS. So that the change in GV stage oocytes to MII (maturation rate), fertilization rates or 2PN formation, and two cell embryos formation or blastocyst development rate in the treatment group with addition of BME & CYS and COC was statistically significant as compared to the DO group (p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Both cellular and environmental factors could be important and involved in ART improvement.