Significance of PSCA as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer.

One of the contributing factors in the diagnosis and treatment of most cancers is the identification of their surface antigens. Cancer tissues or cells have their specific antigens. Some antigens that are present in many cancers elicit different functions. One of these antigens is the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) antigen, which was first identified in the prostate. PSCA is a cell surface protein that has different functions in different tissues. It can play an inhibitory role in cell proliferation as well as a tumor-inducing role. PSCA has several genetic variants involved in cancer susceptibility in some tissues, so identifying the characteristics of this antigen and its relationship with clinical features can provide more information on diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancers. Most studies on the PSCA have focused on prostate cancer. While it is also expressed in other cancers, little attention has been paid to its role as a valuable diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool in other cancers. PSCA has several genetic variants that seem to play a significant role in cancer susceptibility in some tissues, so identifying the characteristics of this antigen and its relationship and variants with clinical features can be beneficial in concomitant cancer therapy and diagnosis, as theranostic tools. In this study, we will review the alteration of the PSCA expression and its polymorphisms and evaluate its clinical and theranostics significance in various cancers.

The effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on stress and anxiety of women with premature ovarian insufficiency: A randomized controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20120718010324N64. Date of registration: 14/02/2021. URL: https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/52024/view; date of first registration: 17/02/2021.

Curcumin and vitamin E improve hot flashes, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose without any detrimental effect on the liver and renal function in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of Curcumin and vitamin E on hot flashes, lipid profile, blood glucose, and hepatic & renal biomarkers. Eighty-four postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into three groups to receive one Curcumin 500 milligram, vitamin E 200 IU, or placebo capsules twice/daily/eight weeks. In comparison with placebo, vitamin E significantly decreased the number of hot flashes (P = 0.002), serum triglyceride (P < 0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.007), while it increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.005). Curcumin decreased significantly fasting blood glucose (P = 0.007), total cholesterol (P = 0.015), and triglyceride (P = 0.007) compared to placebo. We conclude that vitamin E reduced the incidence of hot flashes by nearly one-third of the base amount. It improved serum lipid profile and aspartate aminotransferase. Curcumin ameliorated fasting blood glucose and serum lipid profile.

Design and Microfabrication of An On-Chip Oocyte Maturation System for Reduction of Apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: In customary assisted reproductive technology (ART), oocyte culture occurs in static micro drops of Petri dishes with vast media volume; while, the in vivo condition is dynamic. In this study, we aimed to improve the maturation efficiency of mammalian oocytes by designing an optimal microchamber array to obtain the integration of oocyte trapping and maturation within a microfluidic device and evaluate the role of microfluidic culture condition in lipid peroxidation level of the culture medium, in vitro matured oocytes apoptosis, and its comparison with the conventional static system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental research, immature oocytes were collected from ovaries of the Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice. Oocytes were randomly laid in static and dynamic (passive and active) in vitro maturation culture medium for 24 hours. The lipid peroxidation level in oocyte culture media was assessed by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the rate of apoptosis in in vitro matured oocytes was assessed by the TUNEL assay after a-24 hour maturation period. RESULTS: The MDA concentration in both dynamic oocyte maturation media were significantly lower than the static medium (0.003 and 0.002 vs. 0.13 µmol/L, P<0.01). Moreover, the rate of apoptosis in matured oocytes after a-24 hour maturation period was significantly lower in passive dynamic and active dynamic groups compared with the static group (16%, 15% vs. 35%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The dynamic culture for in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) improves the viability of IVM oocytes in comparison with the static culture condition.

Impacts of epidural electrical stimulation on Wnt signaling, FAAH, and BDNF following thoracic spinal cord injury in rat.

Electrical stimulation (ES) has been shown to improve some of impairments after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The Wnt signaling pathways and the endocannabinoid system appear to be modulated in response to SCI. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ES therapy on the activity of canonical/noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which regulate endocannabinoids levels. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (a) Sham, (b) laminectomy + epidural subthreshold ES, (c) SCI, and (d) SCI + epidural subthreshold ES. A moderate contusion SCI was performed at the thoracic level (T10). Epidural subthreshold ES was delivered to upper the level of T10 segment every day (1 hr/rat) for 2 weeks. Then, animals were killed and immunoblotting was used to assess spinal cord parameters. Results revealed that ES intervention for 14 days could significantly increase wingless-type3 (Wnt3), Wnt7, ß-catenin, Nestin, and cyclin D1 levels, as well as phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß and Jun N-terminal kinase. Additionally, SCI reduced BDNF and FAAH levels, and ES increased BDNF and FAAH levels in the injury site. We propose that ES therapy may improve some of impairments after SCI through Wnt signaling pathways. Outcomes also suggest that BDNF and FAAH are important players in the beneficial impacts of ES therapy. However, the precise mechanism of BDNF, FAAH, and Wnt signaling pathways on SCI requires further investigation.

Pregnancy after mumps: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Oophoritis, a complication of mumps, is said to affect only 5% of all postpubertal women. In this report, we present a case of a 31-year-old Iranian woman with amenorrhea and infertility due to an infantile uterus and atrophic ovaries associated with contracting mumps at a young age. She later successfully carried a healthy baby to term. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was diagnosed with oophoritis when she was 8 years of age. She had no menses before treatment. The patient underwent a low-dose contraceptive treatment from age 19 until she was 31 years of age. During this period, the size of her uterus was constantly monitored, which revealed constant yet slow uterine growth. At age 31, Drospil (containing 3 mg of drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol) treatment was initiated and administered for 3 months, which led to substantial uterine growth and menses. After her uterus had reached a mature size, the patient was referred to an assisted reproductive technology clinic. There she received a donor oocyte that was fertilized with the sperm of her husband. She had a successful low-risk pregnancy after the second embryo transfer. CONCLUSION: Low-dose contraceptive treatment containing progesterone, followed by Drospil, which includes both estradiol and progesterone, had a synergistic effect that led to the growth of the patient's uterus.

Association between Sexual Activity during Menstruation and Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of endometriosis in the general population is estimated at 7-10%. There are various risk factors for this disease, including early menarche age, prolonged menstruation or no history of pregnancy. It seems that sexual activity leading to orgasm during menstruation increases the retrograde menstruation, sending endometrial tissue to an abnormal sites and thus increasing the risk of endometriosis. The present study is aimed to determine the association between sexual activity during menstruation and endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study, conducted in the year 2017, recruited 555 women who were visited at Alzahra Hospital in Tabriz, Northwest of Iran. The case group comprised 185 women of reproductive age with confirmed endometriosis. The control group comprised 370 women of reproductive age without endometriosis visiting the hospital for other issues. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on previous studies. Bivariate analysis was performed by the chi-squared test and multivariate analysis was done using conditional logistic regression to control confounding variables. RESULTS: The sexual activity of the two groups during menstruation was significantly different. The occurrence of endometriosis in women who stated they had vaginal intercourse or non-coital sexual activities, leading to orgasm during menstruation, was significantly higher compared to those who stated they did not. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, there is an association between sexual activities leading to orgasm during menstruation and endometriosis.

Comparing the effectiveness of Salvia officinalis, clotrimazole and their combination on vulvovaginal candidiasis: A randomized, controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To determine the effect of vaginal tablet of Salvia officinalis, alone and in combination with Clotrimazole, on the recovery of Vulvovaginal candidiasis. METHODS: In this triple-blind randomized controlled trial, 111 participants were randomly assigned into three groups of 37 patients using block randomization with block sizes of 6 and 9, and allocation ratio of 1:1:1: 100 mg vaginal tablet of Clotrimazole and Placebo (CP), 400 mg vaginal tablet of S. officinalis and Placebo (SP), and vaginal tablet of S. officinalis and Clotrimazole (SC), once daily for 7 days. On the seventh day after the treatment was ended up, Vulvovaginal candidiasis were examined by vaginal symptoms and wet test, and if positive, they were examined by culture in chrome agar Candida medium. RESULTS: Socio-demographic characteristics was similar (P > 0.05). Thirty-six, 36 and 35 patients, respectively in CP, SC and SP groups recruited in the study. The frequency of a positive wet test confirmed by Sabrodextrose agar medium 7 days after treatment was significantly lower in SC group than the reference group of CP (adjusted odds ratio = 0.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.93-0.932, P = 0.043). There was no significant difference between SP and CP group (P = 0.071, 95% confidence interval: 0.032-1.151, adjusted odds ratio = 0.192). Also, there was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of vaginal symptoms at the baseline (P > 0.05), however the statistical differences were indicated after the intervention in cheesy discharge, pruritus and Vulvovaginal edema (P < 0.05.(. CONCLUSION: S. officinalis in the form of vaginal tablet, alone and when combined with Clotrimazole, can treat the Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.

Effect of Tribulus terrestris L. on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE(S): Tribulus terrestris L. is an herbal plant that has long been used as sex stimulant and to treat male infertility. This systematic review collected the clinical trials and/or quasi-experimental studies on the effect of T. terrestris on sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To search the related articles, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ProQuest, Clinicaltrial.gov, WHO, Google Scholar, MEDLINE via Pubmed, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iranmedex databases were used without any time limitation. Words used to search were T. terrestris L., Tribestan, male infertility and sperm parameters based on the MeSH glossary. To assess the eligibility of the articles, the views of the two authors and in cases where there was no agreement, the third person was used. RESULTS: Through searching of the databases, 5775 articles were identified, of which 3509 were entered after removing the duplicates. Afterward, 102 articles were screened for inclusion. Finally, 7 articles were included in this systematic review. Only one quasi-experimental without control arm article reported that the use of T. terrestris L. in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility was not effective, In the others, T. terrestris L. was reported to be effective in improving some or all parameters of the sperm, namely number, motility and morphology. CONCLUSION: The results of the present systematic review showed that the consumption of T terrestris L., in general, resulted in the improvement of sperm parameters. This result was obtained from 6 out of the 7 articles.

Evaluation of Mouse Oocyte In Vitro Maturation Developmental Competency in Dynamic Culture Systems by Design and Construction of A Lab on A Chip Device and Its Comparison with Conventional Culture System.

OBJECTIVE: In conventional assisted reproductive technology (ART), oocytes are cultured in static microdrops within Petri dishes that contain vast amounts of media. However, the in vivo environment is dynamic. This study assesses in vitro oocyte maturation through the use of a new microfluidic device. We evaluate oocyte fertilization to the blastocyct stage and their glutathione (GSH) contents in each experimental group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we established a dynamic culture condition. Immature oocytes were harvested from ovaries of Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice. Oocytes were randomly placed in static (passive) and dynamic (active) in vitro maturation (IVM) culture medium for 24 hours. In vitro matured oocytes underwent fertilization, after which we placed the pronucleus (PN) stage embryos in microdrops and followed their developmental stages to blastocyst formation after 3 days. GSH content of the in vitro matured oocytes was assessed by monochlorobimane (MCB) staining. RESULTS: We observed significantly higher percentages of mature metaphase II oocytes (MII) in the passive and active dynamic culture systems (DCS) compared to the static group (P<0.01). There were significantly less mean numbers of germinal vesicle (GV) and degenerated oocytes in the passive and active dynamic groups compared to the static group (P<0.01). Fertilization and blastocyst formation rate in the dynamic systems were statistically significant compared to the static cultures (P<0.01). There was significantly higher GSH content in dynamically matured oocytes compared to statically matured oocytes (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Dynamic culture for in vitro oocyte maturation improves their developmental competency in comparison with static culture conditions.