High incidence of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes in Central Iran: A six years results from Semnan health cohort.

Introduction: Diabetes incidence has increasingly risen in Iran and other low- and middle-income nations in recent decades. In the Semnan Greater Area of Iran, we evaluate the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and gestational diabetes during 2015-2020 as well as their six-year trend. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data (n = 820401) from the Integrated Health System (sib) in Semnan province during 2015-2020. All diabetes cases with diagnostic codes based on the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10) are listed by year. The Grid Search method was used to obtain the exact number and time of points when the incidence of diseases changes significantly (Joinpoints). Average Annual Percent Change-Annual Percentage Change (AAPC-APC) values and slop changes in the estimated regression line with 95% confidence interval were utilized based on diabetes types to determine Joinpoints. P-value < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: The proportions of diabetes types (T1D, T2D, and gestational diabetes) among 820401 diabetics were 4.18%, 94.84%, and 0.97%, respectively. APC value denotes that T1D has increased by 12.47% per year on average in this period (P-value < 0.01). The incidence of T2D and gestational diabetes has increased between 2015 and 2020 (APC = 15.02 and APC = 136.138, respectively; P-value < 0.1). Conclusions: In summary, the incidence of diabetes in Semnan province is constantly increasing. T2D, meanwhile, has a higher proportion. Nevertheless, gestational diabetes had the highest increase annually. Well-designed surveys investigating the reasons for diabetes increment especially gestational ones and its burden are needed.

Motivations for alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: High alcohol consumption is an important public health problem, and understanding factors associated with such consumption is essential. Aims: This study aimed to assess individual and social factors associated with alcohol consumption during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods: In this qualitative study, purposive sampling was used to select study participants by sharing the survey link on the Telegram application channels with an Iranian audience during COVID-19. The study was conducted from March to June 2020 and reached all Iranian provinces. We used qualitative content analysis to investigate specific concepts in the responses. Results: Of the 116 participants who responded to the survey, 34 (29.3%) were females, and 82 (70.7%) were male. The mean age of the participants was 34.8 years (standard deviation 9.9; range 17-71 years). Most of the participants (75.9%) reported having consumed alcohol, and 56.9% reported having self-medicated for an illness without a doctor's prescription before the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common reason given for alcohol consumption was to relieve stress during home quarantining (32.3%). Based on analysis of the responses, two themes emerged: coping motivations and coping skills, with five subthemes and 14 basic codes. Coping motivations were more powerful than coping skills in relation to high alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Poor coping skills and strong motivations, combined with misinformation on social media and the internet, appear to have led to new or higher alcohol consumption among survey respondents.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip: Physicians the occupation of at risk.

Physicians are the occupation at risk for Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip. Therefore, sudden hip pain in them should be further evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative treatment may help avoid further injury and speed up healing.

The Synergistic Combination of Cisplatin and Piperine Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cell Line.

BACKGROUND: Piperine is a natural compound obtained from the Piper nigrum that exhibits anti-proliferative and anti-cancer activity in cancer cell lines. We analyzed the cytotoxic effect of piperine combined with cisplatin compound in the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The present in vitro study was performed on MCF-7 cell line in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences between, Jahrom, Iran from 2016 to 2017. Cultured MCF-7 cells were seeded into four groups: a control group (untreated group), a group treated with cisplatin, a group treated with piperine and a group treated with cisplatin and piperine. Cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay method. Flow c-ytometric analysis was investigated for apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expression of the apoptotic regulators p53, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Piperine (20 and 30 µM) in combination with cisplatin (5, 10 and 15 µM) for 24 h synergistically inhibited cell viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells more than piperine and cisplatin used alone. Synergistic anti-breast cancer activities cisplatin (5 µM) and piperine (20 µM) were via inducing apoptosis. Piperine (20 µM) and cisplatin (5 µM) for 24 h induce apoptosis strongly through reduction of Bcl-2 and increase of caspase 3, p53, caspase 9, and Bax. CONCLUSION: Piperine in combination with cisplatin could trigger p53-mediated apoptosis more effective than cisplatin alone in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, reducing the toxic dose of cisplatin used in cancer chemotherapy.

Dysregulation of body antioxidant content is related to initiation and progression of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative illness. It has been believed that oxidative stress (OS) is an important factor in the advancement of PD. This investigation attempts to evaluate the relations between blood trace elements, ferritin, and transferrin concentrations as well as the levels of protein and gene expression of ceruloplasmin (CP), Nrf-2, and HO-1 in patients suffering PD. METHODS: The serum concentrations of variables were assessed in 110 PD patients group and 110 normal subjects. Furthermore, we applied qRT-PCR as well as western blot (WB) analysis to measure the levels of gene and protein, respectively. RESULTS: Considerable differences were detected in the serum concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), when healthy and patient groups were compared. Nevertheless, the levels of Se, ferritin, and transferrin were not significantly different between the two groups. qRT-PCR and WB data analysis revealed significant differences of CP, Nrf-2, and HO-1at genes expression and protein levels when comparing the two PD patients and control groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the current work revealed that blood levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn were significantly higher in subjects who had PD. In addition, it was found that the levels of protein and gene expression CP, Nrf-2, and HO-1 were markedly higher in PD group than in non-PD subjects. Indeed, in this study, the results showed that the antioxidant content of the body can be linked to PD.

Fertility and infertility implications in rheumatoid arthritis; state of the art.

BACKGROUND: A bulk of investigations imply that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) deliver fewer children in comparison to healthy women. PURPOSE: This review article attempts to clarify the involvement of infertility-related issues in both RA men and women. Moreover, the effect of RA disease on the fertility quality and quantity will be discussed. RESULTS: Declined fertility rate in RA women seems to stem from modified inflammatory settings, advanced maternal age, limited sexual activity, and adverse effects of drugs on ovarian function. Women with RA may have smaller families and seem to be slower to conceive relative to their peer women. The chance of gestation in RA women may drop due to suppressed sexual function through pain and fatigue. In addition, treatment of RA women with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may prevent ovulation and therefore hinder the conception. CONCLUSIONS: A complex interaction between RA disease and fertility related issues is present. Despite an increase rate of infertility in RA females or males, the mechanisms involved in this outcome is still unknown. Plausible causes of the decreased fertility rate in RA patients might be due to inflammatory cytokines, suppressed sexual activity, drug treatments, mother age, personal choice, or a combination of these elements.

Effect of Phytoestrogen on Depression and Anxiety in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: In this systematic review, the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving depression and anxiety in menopausal women was assessed. METHODS: Three following databases were individually searched: MEDLINE (1966-March 2017), SCOPUS (1990-March 2017), and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; 2017). RESULTS: A total of 9 trials were included in this systematic review. Overall, soy was found to have a beneficial effect. Also, fennel had a significant positive effect on menopausal women with depression and anxiety disorder, but not on healthy women. Red clover showed varying effects ranging from significant to non-significant on depression and anxiety. Moreover, kava was found to have a significant beneficial effect on depression and anxiety at dose of 200 mg/days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that herbal medicines could improve anxiety and depression in among menopausal women. However, the beneficial effect still remains indefinite due to the poor methodology.