Comparing the effects of lower limb orthoses on knee pain, function, quality of life, and knee joint alignment in people with medial knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of three types of orthoses (knee orthosis, ankle foot orthosis (AFO), and foot orthosis) on knee alignment, pain, function, and quality of life in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA). Method: Thirty patients took part in this study and were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10 in each group) based on the type of intervention. Knee function was assessed using the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) questionnaire, and knee alignment was evaluated by measuring angles using the images of bony prominence (AMI) method. Results: After using knee orthosis and AFO, all subscales of KOOS showed significant improvement (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in the results after using foot orthosis (p > .05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that knee orthosis or AFO for 6 weeks can improve clinical outcomes for individuals with MKOA. This suggests that clinicians can consider using knee orthosis and AFO among the available treatment options to improve clinical outcomes.

Elucidating the Significance of Zonulin in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Inflammatory Disorders: Emphasis on Intestinal Barrier Function and Tight Junction Regulation.

The intestinal barrier, a critical component of the body's defense system, plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis by preventing the translocation of harmful substances from the gut lumen into the bloodstream. Disruptions in this barrier, often characterized by increased intestinal permeability, are increasingly recognized as contributors to the development and progression of various Chronic Inflammatory Disorders (CIDs). Zonulin, a key regulator of intestinal Tight Junctions (TJs), has emerged as a pivotal player in this process. Dysregulation of zonulin, leading to increased intestinal permeability, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of CIDs, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), celiac disease, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This review examines the intricate relationship between zonulin and intestinal permeability, emphasizing its role in regulating TJ integrity and its association with various CIDs. Recent research has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of targeting zonulin, specifically through the use of larazotide acetate, a zonulin antagonist. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown promising results in improving gut barrier integrity and reducing inflammation in patients with CIDs. These findings underscore the significance of zonulin as a potential biomarker for intestinal barrier function and a promising therapeutic target for managing CIDs. Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action of zonulin antagonists and evaluate their efficacy and safety in clinical trials. A deeper understanding of the complex interplay among zonulin, intestinal permeability, and CIDs is crucial, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies and personalized approaches to patient care.

MicroRNA profiles in Zika virus infection: Insights from diverse sources.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) stands as one of the most significant reemerging viral pathogens, linked to neurological diseases such as meningoencephalitis and congenital microcephaly. Today there are no effective therapies for treating ZIKV-infected patients. MiRNAs play a critical role in regulating cellular signaling and physiological conditions, and alterations in their profiles can bear great significance in disease progression. OBJECTIVES: Despite significant progress in understanding the interaction between the ZIKV and its host since the outbreak, a more comprehensive understanding on these interactions is imperative. This review aims to summarize the studies in the field and shed light on the intricate relationship between ZIKV and its host at the molecular level. CONTENT: We found that in ZIKV-infected humans, over-expression of miR-431-5p and miR-30e-5p plays a crucial role in innate immune responses and contributes to neurological damage. Additionally, in ZIKA-infected mice, we observed upregulated expression of all the targets of miR-124-3p including CCL2, IL7, IRF1, and SBNO2. Notably, other targets of this miRNA include TLR6, TNF, STAT3, and NF-kB also exhibited upregulation in the central nervous system (CNS) of infected mice. Conversely, miR-654-3p levels were reduced, correlating with the upregulation of its predicted targets including FLT3LG, LITAF, CD69, and TLR2. In the case of insects, aae-miR-286a/b-3p was predicted to target all ZIKV genotypes. This specific miRNA is typically found in ovaries and can be transferred to embryos. In conclusion, our findings suggest that host microRNAs and ZIKV-encoded microRNAs hold promise as potential targets for the diagnosis of ZIKV infections and may even serve as a therapeutic approach for managing this infectious disease.

Surface Modification of Dentin Powder With Alginate and Evaluation of Its Effects on the Viability and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (In Vitro), Its Biocompatibility (In Vivo).

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to synthesize dentin powder surface modified with alginate, a potential substance for dental pulp regeneration, and evaluate its effects on the viability and proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro and its biocompatibility in vivo. METHODS: In the in vitro phase, dentin powder was synthesized in 3 size groups (150-250 µm, 250-500 µm, and 500-1000 µm) after demineralization and atelopeptidization which is used to remove dentin collagen telopeptides and eliminate host immune response. Surface modification with alginate was performed and followed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and cell viability and proliferation testing for 14 days with human dental pulp stem cells studied. In the in vivo phase, dentin powders were implanted in rat calvarial defects for 8 weeks, and histologic analysis was conducted. All nonparametric data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test, and all the quantitative data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance using SPSS, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Demineralization and atelopeptidization were successful in all groups. Cell viability was optimal and equal (P > .05) in all groups. The 500- to 1000-µm group exhibited significantly higher cell proliferation (P < .05). Histologic assessment shows acceptable biocompatibility in all groups; the angiogenesis score was significantly greater in both 250-500 and 500-1000, and minimal inflammatory response was noted in the 500- to 1000-µm group, and the amount of newly formed bone in this group was higher than other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Surface modification of demineralized and atelopeptidized dentin powder with alginate enhanced surface physical properties and cell proliferation while showing great biocompatibility within tissue and reducing the host immune response. These findings hold promise for dentin-pulp complex regeneration.

A deep convolutional neural network approach using medical image classification.

The epidemic diseases such as COVID-19 are rapidly spreading all around the world. The diagnosis of epidemic at initial stage is of high importance to provide medical care to and recovery of infected people as well as protecting the uninfected population. In this paper, an automatic COVID-19 detection model using respiratory sound and medical image based on internet of health things (IoHT) is proposed. In this model, primarily to screen those people having suspected Coronavirus disease, the sound of coughing used to detect healthy people and those suffering from COVID-19, which finally obtained an accuracy of 94.999%. This approach not only expedites diagnosis and enhances accuracy but also facilitates swift screening in public places using simple equipment. Then, in the second step, in order to help radiologists to interpret medical images as best as possible, we use three pre-trained convolutional neural network models InceptionResNetV2, InceptionV3 and EfficientNetB4 and two data sets of chest radiology medical images, and CT Scan in a three-class classification. Utilizing transfer learning and pre-existing knowledge in these models leads to notable improvements in disease diagnosis and identification compared to traditional techniques. Finally, the best result obtained for CT-Scan images belonging to InceptionResNetV2 architecture with 99.414% accuracy and for radiology images related to InceptionV3 and EfficientNetB4 architectures with the accuracy is 96.943%. Therefore, the proposed model can help radiology specialists to confirm the initial assessments of the COVID-19 disease.

Food insecurity and the risk of sleep disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS as a neglected health concern: A national survey in Iran.

Food insecurity (FI) and sleep problems are major modifiable health issues among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), and there is limited knowledge about their prevalence among this underrepresented population. Our study aimed to assess the relationship between FI and sleep problems as important environmental factors affecting PLWH in Iran. The national survey was conducted on 1185 confirmed HIV-positive patients who attended consulting centers in 15 geographically diverse provinces in Iran, during 2021-2022. Standard questionnaires were used to measure FI and sleep problems (Insomnia, Obstructive Sleep apnea (OSA), Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), and Poor sleep quality), and a logistic regression model was used to assess the association between FI and the odds of experiencing sleep problems. About 764 (The prevalence of FI = 64.47 %) of the participants had insecure status, with a mean score of 11.73 (SE = 0.34). Those with FI had a higher prevalence of insomnia, EDS, and poor sleep quality (54.84 %, 31.79 %, and 55.17 %, respectively) compared to those without FI (30.69 %, 17.03 %, and 40.42 %, respectively). FI increased the odds of being at risk for Insomnia (OR = 2.39, 95 % CI: 1.81-3.15), EDS (OR = 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.04-2.01), and poor sleep quality (OR = 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.29-2.48) in the multiple regression model. The results highlight the strong association between FI and a broad range of sleep problems in PLWH. Considering the impact of FI and impaired sleep health on PLWH, more attention is needed for at-risk groups for screening and intervention purposes.

HIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS): Psychometric Evaluation to Assess Clinician's Propensity Towards HIV Activism in Malaysia.

HIV activism has a long history of advancing HIV treatment and is critical in dismantling HIV-related stigma. This study evaluated the psychometric quality of the HIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS) to assess clinicians' propensity towards HIV activism in Malaysia. From November 2022 to March 2023, 74 general practitioners and primary care physicians in Malaysia participated in the study. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) extracted an internally consistent three-factor solution with 13 items: (1) HIV activist identity and commitment, orientation towards (2) day-to-day, and (3) structural activism. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.91, and intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.86. Stigma-related (prejudice and discrimination intent) and clinical practice (comfort in performing clinical tasks with key populations and knowledge about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) measures supported the construct validity of the scale. The study provided concise, structurally valid, and reliable measures to evaluate HIV activism among clinicians.

RESUMEN: El activismo del VIH tiene una larga historia de avanzar el tratamiento del VIH y es crítico para desmantelar el estigma relacionado al VIH. Este estudio evaluó la calidad psicométrica de la Escala de Identidad, Compromiso y Orientación de Activistas del VIH (HAICOS) para evaluar la propensión de los médicos hacia el activismo del VIH en Malasia. Desde noviembre del 2022 hasta marzo del 2023, 74 médicos generales y de atención primaria en Malasia participaron en este estudio. El análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) extrajo una solución de tres factores internamente consistente con 13 ítems: (1) identidad y compromiso del activismo del VIH; orientación hacia (2) el activismo cotidiano y (3) el activismo estructural. El valor alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.91 y el coeficiente de correlación intraclase para la confiabilidad prueba-reprueba fue de 0.86. Las medidas relacionadas con el estigma (prejuicio e intención de discriminación) y la práctica clínica (comodidad realizando tareas clínicas con poblaciones claves y conocimiento sobre la profilaxis pre-exposición del VIH) respaldaron la validez de constructo de la escala. El estudio proporcionó medidas concisas, estructuralmente válidas y confiables para evaluar el activismo de VIH entre los médicos.

Stem cell-based therapy for systemic lupus erythematous.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease, is among the most prevalent rheumatic autoimmune disorders. It affects autologous connective tissues caused by the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms. During the last two decades, stem cell therapy has been increasingly considered as a therapeutic option in various diseases, including parkinson's disease, alzheimer, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, diabete, heart disease, bone disease, renal disease, respiratory diseases, and hematological abnormalities such as anemia. This is due to the unique properties of stem cells that divide and differentiate to the specialized cells in the damaged tissues. Moreover, they impose immunomodulatory properties affecting the diseases caused by immunological abnormalities such as rheumatic autoimmune disorders. In the present manuscript, efficacy of stem cell therapy with two main types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in animal models or human patients of SLE, has been reviewed. Taken together, MSC and HSC therapies improved the disease activity, and severity in kidney, lung, liver, and bone (improvement in the clinical manifestation). In addition, a change in the immunological parameters occurred (improvement in immunological parameters). The level of autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibody (ANA), and anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies (dsDNA Abs) reduced. A conversion of Th1/Th2 ratio (in favor of Th2), and Th17/Treg (in favor of Treg) was also detected. In spite of many advantages of MSC and HSC transplantations, including efficacy, safety, and increased survival rate of SLE patients, some complications, including recurrence of the disease, occurrence of infections, and secondary autoimmune diseases (SAD) were observed after transplantation that should be addressed in the next studies.

Lactone Enolates of Isochroman-3-ones and 2-Coumaranones: Quantification of Their Nucleophilicity in DMSO and Conjugate Additions to Chalcones.

Owing to stereoelectronic effects, lactones often deviate in reactivity from their open-chain ester analogues as demonstrated by the CH acidity (in DMSO) of 3-isochromanone (pKa = 18.8) and 2-coumaranone (pKa = 13.5), which is higher than that of ethyl phenylacetate (pKa = 22.6). We have now characterized the reactivity of the lactone enolates derived from 3-isochromanone and 2-coumaranone by following the kinetics of their Michael reactions with p-quinone methides and arylidenemalonates (reference electrophiles) in DMSO at 20 °C. Evaluation of the experimentally determined second-order rate constants k2 by the Mayr-Patz equation, lg k2 = sN(N + E), furnished the nucleophilicity parameters N (and sN) of the lactone enolates. By localizing their position on the Mayr nucleophilicity scale, the scope of their electrophilic reaction partners becomes predictable, and we demonstrate a novel catalytic methodology for a series of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions of lactone enolates with chalcones under phase transfer conditions in toluene.

Sleep traits and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran: a two-step clustering analysis.

Sleep plays an essential role in improving the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH); however, sleep traits in this population are not well studied. This study aims to evaluate the sleep traits and related associated factors among PLWH in Iran. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted with 1185 PLWH who attended Voluntary Counseling and Testing centers in 15 provinces in Iran between April 2021 and March 2022. The Berlin Obstructive Sleep Apnea questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Insomnia Severity Index were used. A two-step clustering method was employed to identify the number of sleep clusters in PLWH. Prevalence of poor sleep quality, sleepiness and insomnia were 49.6%, 21.15% and 42.7% respectively. Three sleep trait clusters were identified: I. minor sleep problems (45.6%); II. Snoring & sleep apnea (27.8%), and III. poor sleep quality and insomnia (26.7%). Age (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.033, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.017-1.050), academic education (OR 0.542, 95% CI 0.294-0.998) and HIV duration were associated with being in Snoring & sleep apnea cluster, while age (OR = 1.027, 95% CI 1.009-1.040) was associated with being in Poor sleep quality and insomnia cluster. PLWH with depression had higher odds of being in Poor sleep quality and insomnia cluster, and those with anxiety had higher odds of being in Snoring & sleep apnea cluster and Poor sleep quality and insomnia cluster. A significant proportion of PLWH have poor sleep quality, sleepiness, and insomnia. The identification of three distinct sleep trait clusters underscores the need for increased attention and tailored interventions to address the specific sleep issues experienced by PLWH.

Helicobacter pylori antigens as immunomodulators of immune system.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most prevalent human pathogens and the leading cause of chronic infection in almost half of the population in the world (~59%). The bacterium is a major leading cause of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and two type of malignancies, gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Despite the immune responses mounted by the host, the bacteria are not cleared from the body resulting in a chronic infection accompanied by a chronic inflammation. Herein, a review of the literature discussing H. pylori antigens modulating the immune responses is presented. The mechanisms that are involved in the modulation of innate immune response, include modulation of recognition by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as modulation of recognition by toll like receptors (TLR)4 and TLR5, modulation of phagocytic function, and modulation of phagocytic killing mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). On the other hands, H. pylori modulates acquired immune response by the induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs), modulation of apoptosis, induction of regulatory T cells, modulation of T helper (Th)1 response, and modulation of Th17 response.

Improving physicochemical, rheometry and sensory attributes of fortified beverages using jujube alcoholic/aqueous extract loaded Gellan-Protein macrocarriers.

The use of phenolic bioactive substances in beverages is introduced by novel techniques as a functional food product. Gel beads from jujube extract were prepared by extrusion method using encapsulation and coated by whey protein isolate and soy protein isolate and thus, a functional beverage was prepared from these beads. There were three types of beads, including Gellan, Gellan/whey protein isolate and Gellan/soy protein isolate. The pH, acidity, Brix, turbidity, viscosity and sensory properties were evaluated. Observing the increase in pH is the result of the release of small amounts of fruit extract, the effect of which can be seen in the inverse relationship of acidity next to pH. The results demonstrate that the highest viscosity is related to protein beverages, especially Gellan gum/SPI beads' beverage. Hence, the highest turbidity in Gellan gum/SPI beads' beverage was visible on the 14th day (66.6 NTU). Thereby, there is potential for these Gellan beads beverages with suitable sensory scores to be wholly utilized and developed with the aim of this study. Along with it, this new beverage can attract the opinion of a wide range of consumers. Therewith, the industrialization of such types of products helps to improve the consumer market.

Prevalence, Complications, and Risk Factors of Falls and Fear of Falling Among Older Adults; Based on Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA).

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of falls, fear of falling (FOF), complications arising from falls, and identify possible sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with these outcomes among older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the first wave of the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA), which includes participants over 50 years of age residing in Ardakan, Iran. Fall history, number of fall events, FOF, hospitalizations, and fractures in the past 12 months were assessed through a face-to-face interview. Health-related factors were recorded on a self-expressed basis. Associations were assessed using multiple logistic regression. Results: Among the 4,990 participants, fall history in the past 12 months was prevalent in 19.9%, with 10.1% reporting more than two fall events. Women (p < 0.001) and older participants (p< 0.001) had a higher prevalence. In females, 28.8% reported moderate to severe FOF, while 21% experienced disruptions in their daily activities as a result of this fear. The prevalence of fractures following falls was 5.1% in males and 8.6% in females. After adjusting for confounding factors, FOF (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.33-1.91, p<0.001), imbalance (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.68-3.58, p<0.001), urinary incontinence (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04-1.9, p=0.025), cognitive impairment (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.46, p=0.049), vertigo or dizziness (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15-1.68, p<0.001), osteoporosis (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.50, p=0.023), osteoarthritis (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.13-1.56, p=0.001), depression (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.60, p=0.010), and Central Nervous System (CNS)-affecting diseases (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.33-2.97, p=0.001) were found to have positive associations with falls. Conclusion: This study showed that about one-fifth of those over 50 in Iran have experienced at least one fall within a year. Self-expressed imbalance, FOF, and urinary incontinence were the most prominent risk factors. Due to resulting in hospitalization and fractures, falls also lead to fear of falling and the associated limitation of activities.

The role of HLA genetic variants in COVID-19 susceptibility, severity, and mortality: A global review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound global impact, with variations in susceptibility, severity, and mortality rates across different regions. While many factors can contribute to the spread and impact of the disease, specifically human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genetic variants have emerged as potential contributors to COVID-19 outcomes. METHODS: In this comprehensive narrative review, we conducted a thorough literature search to identify relevant studies investigating the association between HLA genetic variants and COVID-19 outcomes. Additionally, we analyzed allelic frequency data from diverse populations to assess differences in COVID-19 incidence and severity. RESULTS: Our review provides insights into the immunological mechanisms involving HLA-mediated responses to COVID-19 and highlights potential research directions and therapeutic interventions. We found evidence suggesting that certain HLA alleles, such as HLA-A02, may confer a lower risk of COVID-19, while others, like HLA-C04, may increase the risk of severe symptoms and mortality. Furthermore, our analysis of allele frequency distributions revealed significant variations among different populations. CONCLUSION: Considering host genetic variations, particularly HLA genetic variants, is crucial for understanding COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. These findings have implications for personalized treatment and interventions based on an individual's genetic profile. However, further research is needed to unravel the precise mechanisms underlying the observed associations and explore the potential for targeted therapies or preventive measures based on HLA genetic variants.

High Signal-to-Noise Ratio Event-Driven MEMS Motion Sensing.

Two solutions for improving MEMS triboelectric vibration sensors performance in contact-separation mode are reported experimentally and analytically. Triboelectric sensors have mostly been studied in the mesoscale. The gap variation between the electrodes induces a potential difference that represents the external vibration. Miniaturizing the device limits the sensor output because of the limited gap. This work offers a warped MEMS diaphragm constrained on its edges. The dome-shaped structure provides one order of magnitude larger displacement after contact-separation than standard designs resulting in one order of magnitude greater voltage and signal-to-noise-ratio. Second, micro triboelectric sensors do not operate unless the external vibration is sufficiently forceful to initiate contact between layers. The proposed constraints on the edge of the diaphragm provide friction during periodic motion and generate charges. The combination of the warped diaphragm and boundary constraints instead of serpentine springs increases the charge density and voltage generation. The mechanical properties and electrical output are thoroughly investigated including nonlinearity, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratio. A sensitivity of 250 mV g-1 and signal-to-noise-ratio of 32 dB is provided by the presented device at resonance, which is very promising for event-driven motion sensors because it does not require signal conditioning and therefore simplifies the sensing circuitry.

Properties of OSA-esterified insoluble fraction of Persian gum and its application in dairy cream.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the insoluble fraction of Persian gum (IFPG) was modified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and its various properties were assessed. In addition, the effect of OSA-IFPG on the rheological and textural properties of dairy cream was investigated. RESULTS: Suitable conditions for achieving a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.023 were found at pH 9, IFPG concentration 4 wt%, OSA concentration 10 wt% and a temperature of 40 °C, within 120 min. The carbonyl group attachment in OSA-IFPG was also confirmed via Fourier transform infrared and H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR). While the X-ray diffraction test indicated no significant changes in the structure of the IFPG after modification with OSA, esterification increased the negative charge density, decreased thermal decomposition temperature and increased the emulsifying capacity to 100%, which was obtained for the first time. The use of OSA-modified IFPG in creams augmented the complex viscosity, loss and storage modulus, while also demonstrating the creation of a pseudo-gel network. The hardness and adhesiveness of the texture increased, which can be explained by the formation of a compact structure and reduced particle size. CONCLUSION: Overall, OSA-IFPG with hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections may function as an emulsifier and be recommended as a safe source of hydrocolloids for emulsion stability. It can also provide a positive physical structure when added to dairy cream, even if the fat concentration is lower than usual. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Stem cell-based therapy for systemic sclerosis.

Autoimmune diseases, including SSc, are prevalent, affecting autologous connective tissues and caused by the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms of the immune system. During the last 2 decades, stem cell therapy has been increasingly considered as a therapeutic option in various diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, bone disease, renal disease, respiratory disease and haematological abnormalities such as anaemia. This is due to the unique properties of stem cells that both divide and differentiate to the specialized cells in the damaged tissue. Moreover, they impose immunomodulatory properties affecting the diseases caused by immunological abnormalities such as SSc. In the present review, the efficacy of stem cell therapy with two main types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells, will be reviewed. Moreover, other related issues, including safety, changes in immunological parameters, suitable choice of stem cell origin, conditioning regimen and complications of stem cell treatment will be discussed.

Evaluation of Seroconversion Rate Following SARS COV 2 Vaccination in Health Care Workers at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

Background: Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent Coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). This study examines and compares the efficiency of AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Sputnik vaccines and the correlation of antibody response with age, sex, and history of corona disease in employees of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Methods: 202 participants were included, of which 82 were administered the Astra-Zeneca, 59 were given the Sinopharm, and 61 were given the Sputnik vaccine. SARSCoV-2 IgM and IgG antibody levels were checked four weeks after passing the second dose of all three vaccines using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: There was no significant difference between the amount of IgM and IgG antibodies among three vaccines (p=0.056). For all three vaccines, gender and age did not significantly affect the amount of IgM and IgG antibodies. The history of infection with COVID-19 increased the antibody response (p>0.5). Conclusion: The titer of IgM and IgG antibodies were not statistically significantly different. The IgM and IgG antibodies produced by vector-based vaccines are higher than the Sinopharm vaccine. Gender did not affect the produced antibody titer. No significant linear relationship was found between age and antibody titer. In people from this study who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and had a corona history, the average amount of both IgM and IgG antibodies was measured more than the other participants.

Sensorial, textural, and rheological analysis of novel pistachio-based chocolate formulations by quantitative descriptive analysis.

Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the effects of pistachio oil (7.5 and 15%), xanthan gum (0 and 0.3%), distillated monoglyceride (0.5 and 1%), and cocoa butter (7.5 and 15%) on the sensorial descriptors of spread based on pistachio oil. The response variables were the most significant spread texture attributes: hardness, graininess, meltability, adhesiveness to spoon, adhesiveness to mouth, spreadability, fluidity, and oiliness. PCA revealed that the first two principal components explained 90% or more of the variance between the data. The first principal component was dominated by the descriptors' adhesiveness and hardness on the positive side and the descriptors' oiliness and fluidness on the negative side. The descriptor spreadability had a high positive loading on the second principal component. Herschel-Balkley and power law models were fitted to confirm the sensory evaluation results on different formulations. In the current research, the power law model seemed to be more accurate for fitting the samples. In terms of the selected texture attributes determined by the sensory evaluation, using component plot, the optimum combination of variables was found as follows: 15 pistachio oil, 7.5% cocoa butter, 0.3% xanthan gum, and 1% distilled monoglyceride that produced desirable spreads that mimic commercial spread.

Cell-based therapies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis that is the most prevalent rheumatic autoimmune disorder, affect autologous connective tissues caused by the breakdown of the self-tolerance mechanisms of the immune system. During the last two decades, cell-based therapy, including stem cells and none-stem cells has been increasingly considered as a therapeutic option in various diseases. This is partly due to the unique properties of stem cells that divide and differentiate from the specialized cells in the damaged tissue. Moreover, stem cells and none-stem cells, impose immunomodulatory properties affecting the diseases caused by immunological abnormalities such as rheumatic autoimmune disorders. In the present review, the efficacy of cell-based therapy with four main types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and human amniotic membrane cells, as well as none-stem cells, including regulatory T cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and tolerogenic dendritic cells will be evaluated. Moreover, other related issues, including safety, changes in immunological parameters, suitable choice of stem cell and none-stem cell origin, conditioning regimen, limitations, and complications will be discussed.