The Implication of Nutrition on the Prevention and Improvement of Age-Related Sarcopenic Obesity: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of sarcopenic obesity, making it a critical focus for preventing and treating this condition. However, the specific dietary components that effectively combat sarcopenic obesity remain poorly understood. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the potential nutritional and dietary factors that may play a role in the development of sarcopenic obesity in the elderly population. METHODS: To identify relevant studies investigating the association/effects of dietary pattern/single foods/nutrients or supplements with sarcopenic obesity-related outcomes, a comprehensive literature search was conducted until April 2023. The search encompassed multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Two researchers performed rigorous assessments that included screening titles and abstracts, reviewing full-text studies, extracting data, and evaluating the quality of the studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for observational studies, while the Jadad-Oxford Scale was employed for clinical trials. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies (14 observational studies and 9 trials) with 37078 participants, published between 2012 and 2022, were eligible for the systematic review. Of the 14 observational articles, two focused on dietary patterns and 12 on food/calorie/macro- and micronutrient intake. The nutritional interventions included the intake of supplements (i.e., protein, amino acids, tea catechin, and vitamin D) and dietary management (calorie restriction, very low-calorie ketogenic diet, and high-protein diet). Appropriate dietary factors, such as appropriate intake of calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidant nutrients, vegetables, fruits, and overall dietary quality, have been shown to be effective in preventing and treating sarcopenic obesity-related parameters. A combined approach of hypocaloric diet and high protein intake may be necessary for managing both obesity and sarcopenia in older individuals. CONCLUSION: Studies suggest that dietary factors, such as overall dietary quality, appropriate intake of calories and protein, consumption of antioxidant nutrients, vegetables, fruits, and protein, may be linked to sarcopenic obesity.

Traditional and Dairy Products and Vegetables Dietary Patterns Are Inversely Associated with the Risk of Cataract in the Middle Age and Aged Population: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: Cataract is one of the most common causes of visual impairment and blindness in the world. In the present study, we have been trying to investigate the relationship between major dietary patterns and cataract. DESIGN: This was a case-control study. SETTING: An ophthalmology outpatient clinic of Khatam al-Anbia Hospital, in Shoushtar city. PARTICIPANTS: 336 subjects (168 patients with cataract and 168 healthy ones), from 40 to 80 years old, were recruited. MEASUREMENTS: A socio-demographic questionnaire was used to record the demographic information. A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the foods consumed during the last year. The principal component analysis was used to extract major dietary patterns. The possible relationship between the major dietary patterns and cataract was assessed by multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: We tried to eliminate the effect of cofactors. The results showed "dairy products and vegetables" dietary pattern had a negative association with cataract (OR: 0.301, 95%CI =0.137-0.658, P trend =0.002). The fourth quartile of the "traditional" dietary pattern also showed a protective role against the cataract (OR: 0.393, 95%CI =0.184-0.842, P trend = 0.036). The third and fourth quartiles of "carbohydrate and simple sugar" pattern were more related with cataract compared to the first quartile (OR: 3.574, 95%CI =1.665-7.671, and OR: 5.067, 95%CI =2.265-11.335, P trend <0.001 respectively). No significant association was found between «nuts, seeds and simple sugar" dietary pattern and cataract. CONCLUSION: It seems a dietary pattern rich in proteins and vegetables can decrease the risk of cataract in middle-aged and aged subjects.

Rifampin resistance among individuals with extrapulmonary tuberculosis: 4 years of experience from a reference laboratory.

Information is limited about the drug resistance patterns in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in Iran. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EPTB and to investigate the drug-resistance pattern in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains collected from extrapulmonary samples at the Tehran regional TB reference laboratory. Extrapulmonary specimens from individuals with suspected TB referred to the TB reference laboratories in five cities of Iran were collected. Both standard conventional methods (culture and direct smear microscopy) and Xpert MTB/RIF assay were used for the identification of mycobacteria. Drug susceptibility testing was done using Xpert MTB/RIF. The proportion method on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was performed for confirmation. Between 2016 and 2020, a total of 12 050 clinical specimens from individuals with suspected TB were collected, of which 10 380 (86%) were pulmonary specimens and 1670 (14%) were extrapulmonary. Of the extrapulmonary specimens, 85 (5.0%) were positive for M. tuberculosis, and the remaining 1585 (95.0%) samples were negative by standard methods. Of 85 M. tuberculosis isolates, drug susceptibility testing was performed for 32 isolates, of which 1 (3.1%, 95% CI 0.0%-9.4%) was rifampin resistant and 31 (96.9%, 95% CI 90.1%-100%) were pan-susceptible. The rifampin-resistant isolate was also resistant to isoniazid, so was assigned as a multidrug-resistant TB. Our study indicated the frequency of drug-resistance among EPTB in Iran. Establishing rapid diagnostic methods for detection of drug-resistance in EPTB, performing drug susceptibility testing for all EPTB cases to provide effective treatment, and continuous monitoring of drug resistance, are suggested for prevention and control of drug resistance in EPTB in Iran.

Genotyping and drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Iran: a multi-centre study.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infection and caused 1.4 million deaths in 2018. Assessing the geographic distribution of major lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis can contribute greatly to TB control. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing is commonly used to differentiate various lineages of M. tuberculosis. A total of 2747 clinical specimens were collected consecutively from October 2018 through June 2019. Clinical isolates were identified as M. tuberculosis using standard biochemical tests. The standard 15-locus MIRU-VNTR typing was used for the genotyping of clinical isolates. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using the conventional proportion method. From the collected specimens, 100 were culture positive for M. tuberculosis. Using MIRU-VNTR, 99 different patterns were detected among the 100 isolates. They were distributed in one cluster comprising two strains and 98 unique patterns. Most of our isolates were similar to New-1 and Delhi/CAS strains. Of the M. tuberculosis isolates, 83 (83.0%) were pan-susceptible and 17 (17.0%) were resistant to at least one drug. Our study showed that MIRU-VNTR is a useful method for studying the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates in different regional settings and will help the health authorities to construct a preventive programme for TB.

Autologous platelet scintigraphy and clinical outcome of splenectomy in immune thrombocytopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Autologous platelet sequestration pattern is associated with post-splenectomy platelet response in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, published results are contradictory, and have not been systematically reviewed. Our aim is to systematically review and meta-analyse the association between sequestration pattern and post-splenectomy platelet response. Articles were selected from MEDLINE when they a) included ITP patients, b) performed scintigraphy, and c) included post-splenectomy platelet response. The 23 included studies (published between 1969-2018) represented 2966 ITP-patients. Response to splenectomy occurred most frequently in patients with a splenic pattern (87.1 % in splenic versus 47.1 % in mixed and 25.5 % in hepatic patterns). A pooled analysis of 8 studies showed an odds ratio of 14.21 (95 % CI: 3.65-55.37) for platelet response in the splenic versus the hepatic group. Our findings indicate that a splenic sequestration pattern is associated with better response after splenectomy. Platelet sequestration patterns may be useful in the clinical decision-making regarding splenectomy.

Burden of musculoskeletal disorders in Iran during 1990-2017: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are the leading cause of disability and facing them demands updated reports on their burden for efficient policymaking. We showed Iran had the highest female-to-male ratio and highest increase in the burden of musculoskeletal diseases, in the past three decades, worldwide. We further confirmed the role of population aging as the main cause. PURPOSE: MSDs comprise most of the top causes of years lived with disability (YLDs) worldwide and are rapidly increasing in lower- and middle-income countries. Here, we present disability and mortality due to MSDs in Iran at the national level from 1990 to 2017. METHODS: We used Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study data and standard methodology and presented the burden of MSDs in rates of years of life lost (YLLs), YLDs, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) during 1990-2017, for population aged ≥ 5 years old. We further explored attributable risk factors and decomposed the changing trend in DALYs to assess underlying causes. RESULTS: In Iran, MSDs were responsible for 1.82 million (95%uncertainty interval [UI] 1.3-2.4) DALYs, in 2017. During the past 28 years, with 1.75% annualized percentage change (APC), Iran had the highest percentage increase in the all-ages MSD DALYs rate worldwide, while the age-standardized DALYs APC was negligible. Low back pain was the greatest contributor to DALYs and caused 4.5% of total DALYs. The female population is experiencing considerably higher burden of MSDs, with 115% and 48% higher all-ages YLLs and YLDs rates per 100,000, respectively (YLLs 28.7; YLDs 2629.1), than males (YLLs 13.2; YLDs 1766.1). However, due to wide UIs, difference was not significant. Only 17.6% of MSD YLDs are attributable to assessed risk factors. CONCLUSION: Despite that MSDs are rising as an important cause of disability in Iran, these conditions are not sufficiently addressed in health policies. There is urgent need for cross-sectoral engagement, especially addressing the MSDs in females.

Global, Regional, and National Levels and Trends in Burden of Oral Conditions from 1990 to 2017: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study.

Government and nongovernmental organizations need national and global estimates on the descriptive epidemiology of common oral conditions for policy planning and evaluation. The aim of this component of the Global Burden of Disease study was to produce estimates on prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability for oral conditions from 1990 to 2017 by sex, age, and countries. In addition, this study reports the global socioeconomic pattern in burden of oral conditions by the standard World Bank classification of economies as well as the Global Burden of Disease Socio-demographic Index. The findings show that oral conditions remain a substantial population health challenge. Globally, there were 3.5 billion cases (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI], 3.2 to 3.7 billion) of oral conditions, of which 2.3 billion (95% UI, 2.1 to 2.5 billion) had untreated caries in permanent teeth, 796 million (95% UI, 671 to 930 million) had severe periodontitis, 532 million (95% UI, 443 to 622 million) had untreated caries in deciduous teeth, 267 million (95% UI, 235 to 300 million) had total tooth loss, and 139 million (95% UI, 133 to 146 million) had other oral conditions in 2017. Several patterns emerged when the World Bank's classification of economies and the Socio-demographic Index were used as indicators of economic development. In general, more economically developed countries have the lowest burden of untreated dental caries and severe periodontitis and the highest burden of total tooth loss. The findings offer an opportunity for policy makers to identify successful oral health strategies and strengthen them; introduce and monitor different approaches where oral diseases are increasing; plan integration of oral health in the agenda for prevention of noncommunicable diseases; and estimate the cost of providing universal coverage for dental care.

MicroRNA-221: biogenesis, function and signatures in human cancers.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through binding to the 3´-UTR of mRNAs and block mRNA transcription or regulate its resistance. Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of miRNA is a hallmark of cancer. The miRNAs have an essential role in the regulation of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in cell signaling pathways. MiR-221 and miR-222 are two homologous microRNAs, the high expression levels of which have been commonly demonstrated in multiple human cancer types. The miR-221/miR-222 functions have been verified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Here, we reviewed the roles of miR-221/miR-222 in various kinds of cancer progression and development: controlling proliferative signaling pathways, avoiding cell deaths resulted from tumor suppressors, monitoring angiogenesis and even supporting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We discussed that miR-221/miR-222 act as promising biomarkers for detection of human cancer types and suggested a new pathway for molecular targeted cancer therapy.

High rates of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolation from patients with presumptive tuberculosis in Iran.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause disease which can be indistinguishable from tuberculosis (TB), posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. We aimed to investigate the mycobacterial agents associated with presumptive clinical pulmonary TB in Iran. A total of 410 mycobacterial isolates, obtained between March 2014 and January 2016, from 7600 clinical samples taken from consecutive cases of presumptive diagnosis of TB were identified. Phenotypic and molecular tests were used to identify the isolated organisms to the species level. Single-locus and multilocus sequence analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoB, hsp65 and ITS locus were used to confirm the results. Of 410 consecutive strains isolated from suspected TB subjects, 62 isolates (15.1%) were identified as NTM. Patients with positive NTM cultures met American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for NTM disease. Mycobacterium simiae was the most frequently encountered (38.7%), followed by Mycobacterium fortuitum (19.3%), M. kansasii (17.7%) and M. avium complex (8.0%). Isolation of NTM, including M. simiae, from suspected TB cases is a serious public health problem and merits further attention by health authorities, physicians and microbiologists.

Association between Helicobacter pylori hopQI genotypes and human gastric cancer risk.

The Helicobacter pylori use a number of mechanisms to survive in the stomach lumen and can lead to gastritis and reduction in stomach acid secretion. It has been found that the risk of developing gastric carcinoma is associated to heterogeneity of H. pylori virulence factors such as HopQ. The HopQ is one of the outer membrane proteins involved in bacterial adherence to gastric mucosa and has been suggested to also main role in the virulence of H. pylori. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between different H. pylori virulence hopQI (types I) genotyping and patients with gastroduodenal disorders. For this purpose 58 stomach biopsies of the patients with gastric cancer and 100 saliva samples from healthy and H. pylori infected individuals were collected and studied. Then genomic DNA was purified and PCR was done for desired gene via specific primers. The H. pylori infections were diagnosed using PCR for GlmM gene. Then frequencies of hopQI+ and hopQI- genotypes were determined in H. pylori infected cases. Statistical analysis showed that there were not significant differences between healthy and diseased ones for genotypes hopQI+ and hopQI-. Then the hopQI+ cannot be as a risk factor genotype for gastric cancer.

Assessment of serum levels of osteopontin, selenium and prolactin in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls, and their association with psoriasis severity.

BACKGROUND: The association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases is well documented, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Overexpression of osteopontin (OPN) has been reported in the plasma of patients with psoriasis, with increased cardiovascular risk factors in these patients. Selenium compounds are effective in downregulating OPN expression. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the levels of OPN, selenium and prolactin (PRL) in psoriasis, and their association with metabolic status in patients to identify a possible link between these markers and observed comorbidities. METHODS: Plasma samples from 40 patients with psoriasis and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were collected for ELISA. The clinical significance of plasma OPN, selenium and PRL levels in patients compared with controls was analysed in relation to metabolic disorders. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in median serum selenium levels between the two groups. Serum levels of PRL were not significantly different from those of HCs, but levels of OPN were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in HCs. CONCLUSIONS: High plasma OPN is a predictor for occurrence of psoriasis. Our study showed that serum selenium and PRL were not decreased in patients with psoriasis, but there was a negative statistically significant correlation between OPN and selenium in all participants.

Built-up edge investigation in vibration drilling of Al2024-T6.

Adding ultrasonic vibrations to drilling process results in an advanced hybrid machining process, entitled "vibration drilling". This study presents the design and fabrication of a vibration drilling tool by which both rotary and vibrating motions are applied to drill simultaneously. High frequency and low amplitude vibrations were generated by an ultrasonic transducer with frequency of 19.65 kHz. Ultrasonic transducer was controlled by a MPI ultrasonic generator with 3 kW power. The drilling tool and workpiece material were HSS two-flute twist drill and Al2024-T6, respectively. The aim of this study was investigating on the effect of ultrasonic vibrations on built-up edge, surface quality, chip morphology and wear mechanisms of drill edges. Therefore, these factors were studied in both vibration and ordinary drilling. Based on the achieved results, vibration drilling offers less built-up edge and better surface quality compared to ordinary drilling.

Cost analysis and safety comparison of Cisatracurium and Atracurium in patients undergoing general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMB) differ in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. An anesthesiologist according to these similarities and differences is able to choose the least costly one if the same safety profile and same clinical benefit achieved with the different alternatives. AIM: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the economic and adverse drug reactions prevalence and differences between cisatracurium and atracurium the two non-depolarizing NMB drugs, which are widely used in adult patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia in a teaching Hospital in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cost analysis and adverse drug reactions (ADR) monitoring were performed. Only direct costs were considered and data were collected through a prospective randomized study. Regardless of the type of surgery, 100 patients were randomly divided into two equal groups to receive either cisatracurium or atracurium by anesthesiologists. ADRs prevalence and cost differences between patients receiving one of the two non-depolarizing NMB agents were evaluated by independent sample t-test and Chi-square test respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the two groups of patients in demographic data. There was no statistical difference in the ADR prevalence in both groups. The numbers of ADR within atracurium group was higher than cisatracurium group, but this distinction was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). It was significant difference in cost between the two neuromuscular blocking drugs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our study it seems that atracurium and cisatracurium had similar safety profile and atracurium had a cost benefit relative to cisatracurium in initial loading doses. In patients with instability in hemodynamic parameters the cisatracurium was the appropriate choice.  

Expression and characterization of Escherichia coli derived hepatitis C virus ARFP/F protein.

Genome of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains a long open reading frame encoding a polyprotein that is cleaved into 10 proteins. Recently, a novel, so called "ARFP/F", or "core+1", protein, which is expressed through a ribosomal frame shift within the capsid-coding sequence, has been described. Herein, to produce and characterize a recombinant form of this protein, the DNA sequence corresponding to the ARFP/F protein (amino acid 11-161) was amplified using a frame-shifted forward primer exploiting the capsid sequence of the 1b-subtype as a template. The amplicon was cloned into the pET-24a vector and expressed in different Escherichia coli strains. The expressed protein (mostly as insoluble inclusion bodies) was purified under denaturing conditions on a nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity column in a single step with a yield of 5 mg/L of culture media. After refolding steps, characterization of expressed ARFP/F was performed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay using specific antibodies. Antigenic properties of the protein were verified by ELISA using HCV-infected human sera and by its ability for a strong and specific interaction with sera of mice immunized with the peptide encoding a dominant ARFP/F B-cell epitope. The antigenicity plot revealed 3 major antigenic domains in the first half of the ARFP/F sequence. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the ARFP/F protein elicited high titers of IgG indicating the relevance of produced protein for induction of a humoral response. In conclusion, possibility of ARFP/F expression with a high yield and immunogenic potency of this protein in a mouse model have been demonstrated.

Microalgae biofuel potentials (review).

With the decrease of fossil based fuels and the environmental impact of them over the planet, it seems necessary to seek the sustainable sources of clean energy. Biofuels, is becoming a worldwide leader in the development of renewable energy resources. It is worthwhile to say that algal biofuel production is thought to help stabilize the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and decrease global warming impacts. Also, among algal fuels' attractive characteristics, algal biodiesel is non toxic, with no sulfur, highly biodegradable and relatively harmless to the environment if spilled. Algae are capable of producing in excess of 30 times more oil per acre than corn and soybean crops. Currently, algal biofuel production has not been commercialized due to high costs associated with production, harvesting and oil extraction but the technology is progressing. Extensive research was conducted to determine the utilization of microalgae as an energy source and make algae oil production commercially viable.

A novel rat model for chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

BACKGROUND: More than half of all people diagnosed with cancer receive chemotherapy, and approximately 65% of these develop chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a side-effect that can have considerable negative psychological repercussions. Currently, there are very few animal models available to study the mechanism and prevention of CIA. AIM: To develop a clinically relevant adult rat model for CIA. METHODS: We first tested whether neonatal pigmented Long-Evans (LE) rats developed alopecia in response to the chemotherapeutic agents etoposide and cyclophosphamide. We then determined whether the rats developed CIA as adults. In the latter experiment, rat dorsal hair was clipped during the early telogen stage to synchronize the hair cycle, and starting 15 days later, the rats were treated with etoposide for 3 days. RESULTS: Neonatal LE pups developed CIA in response to etoposide and cyclophosphamide, similar to other murine models for CIA. Clipping of the hair shaft during early telogen resulted in synchronized anagen induction and subsequent alopecia after etoposide treatment in the clipped areas only. Hair follicles in the clipped areas had the typical chemotherapy-induced follicular dystrophy (dystrophic catagen). When the hair in the pigmented alopecic areas regrew, it had normal pigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: A novel, pigmented adult rat model has been established for CIA. By hair-shaft clipping during early telogen, synchronized anagen entry was induced, which resulted in alopecia in response to chemotherapy. This is the first clinically relevant adult rat model for CIA, and will be a useful tool to test agents for the prevention and treatment of CIA.

Isolation and characterization of some moderately halophilic bacteria with lipase activity.

Lipases are an important class of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of long chain triglycerides and constitute the most prominent group ofbiocatalysts for biotechnological applications. There are a number of lipases, produced by some halophilic microorganisms. In this study, some lipase producing bacteria from Maharlu salt lake located in south of Iran were isolated. All isolates were screened for true lipase activity on plates containing olive oil. The lipase activity was measured using titrimetric methods. Among thirty three isolates, thirteen strains demonstrating orange zone around colonies under UV light, were selected for identification using the molecular methods and some morphological characteristics. The bacterium Bacillus vallismortis BCCS 007 with 3.41 +/- 0.14 U/mL lipase activity was selected as the highest lipase producing isolate. This is the first report of isolation and molecular identification of lipase producing bacteria from Maharlu lake.

Early spontaneous immortalization and loss of plasticity of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) have been widely used for cell therapy and tissue engineering purposes. However, there are still controversies concerning safety of application of these cells after in vitro expansion. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of rabbit BM-MSC during long-term culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we have examined growth kinetics, morphological changes, differentiation potential and chromosomal abnormalities, as well as tumour formation potential of rabbit BM-MSC in long-term culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found that shortly after isolation, proliferation rate of rabbit BM-MSC decreases until they enter a dormant phase. During this period of quiescence, the cells are large and multinucleate. After some weeks of dormancy we found that several small mononuclear cells originated from each large multinucleate cell. These newly formed cells proliferated rapidly but had inferior differentiation potential. Although they were immortal, they did not have the capability for tumour formation in soft agar assay or in nude mice. This is the first report of spontaneous, non-tumorigenic immortalization of BM-MSC in rabbits. The phenomenon raises more concern for meticulous monitoring and quality control for using rabbit BM-MSC in cell-based therapies and tissue engineering experiments.