Development of mobile application for cervical cancer screening in women: Protocol of a multi-phase study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. It is considered preventable due to the possibility of screening. The common barriers to cervical cancer screening include lack of knowledge, lack of time, and wrong beliefs. The use of e-Health technologies is one of the approaches for health promotion. The present study is aimed to the development of a mobile application for cervical cancer screening in women. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is a multi-phase study. In the first step, a literature review will be conducted to examine factors related to cervical cancer screening and existing applications related to cervical cancer and its screening. Then, in the second step, a cross-sectional study will be conducted to investigate the factors related to cervical cancer screening in 246 women referred to comprehensive health centers and women's clinics in teaching hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The comprehensive health centers and women's clinics in teaching hospitals will be randomly selected using a lottery method. Using convenience sampling, women who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study, provided they provide informed consent. The data will be collected using a questionnaire, and then the descriptive and inferential statistical tests and SPSS18 software will be used to analyze the data. In the third step, specialists (gynecologists, reproductive health specialists, and midwives) will prioritize the application content by filling out a questionnaire. Then, the research team will compile the application content draft, and this draft will be reviewed and approved by experts on the expert panel. The prototype of the application will be prepared, and experts will evaluate it in the fifth step. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will result in the development of applications for cervical cancer screening. The use of mobile applications can be useful in lifting some of the barriers to screening. Therefore, developing such applications may help improve cervical cancer screening.

Prediction of cervical cancer screening: application of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model.

INTRODUCTION: Screening is an effective method for preventing cervical cancer. The present study aimed to determine the predictability of cervical cancer screening using the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model, as this model can help understand the factors that influence health-related behaviors. METHOD: The present cross-sectional study examined 310 women aged 20 to 60 in Isfahan, Iran, between 2020 and 2021. To this end, comprehensive health centers and gynecology clinics of hospitals were randomly selected by lot. Women who met the study's inclusion criteria were selected via convenience sampling. An IMB skills questionnaire developed by researchers comprised the data collection tool. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, descriptive and regression tests, and AMOS 24.0 software. FINDINGS: Approximately 18.1% of the participants had never undergone routine cervical cancer screening. The regression model results indicated that the model components accurately predicted regular cervical cancer screening (P < 0.00). Path analysis revealed that information (ß = 0.05, P = 0.002), motivation (ß = 0.187, P = 0.026), and behavioral skills (ß = 0.95, P < 0.001) were directly associated with regular cervical cancer screening. Furthermore, behavioral skills had the greatest direct effect on regular cervical cancer screening. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that the IMB model accurately predicted cervical cancer screening. Therefore, it is possible to improve cervical cancer screening in women by designing and implementing interventions based on this model's components, particularly those that improve behavioral skills.

Diabetic wound healing function of PCL/cellulose acetate nanofiber engineered with chitosan/cerium oxide nanoparticles.

The use of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) in diabetic wound repair substances has shown promising results. Therefore, the study was conducted to introduce a novel nano-based wound dressing containing chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated with green synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles using Thymus vulgaris extract (CeO2-CSNPs). The physical properties and structure of the nanoparticles were analyzed using XRD, DLS, FESEM and FTIR techniques. The electrospun PCL/cellulose acetate-based nanofiber was prepared and CeO2-CSNPs were integrated on the PCL/CA membrane by electrospraying. The physicochemical properties, morphology and biological characteristics of the electrospun nanocomposite were evaluated. The results showed that the nanocomposite with 0.1 % CeO2-CSNPs exhibited high antibacterial performance against S. aureus (<58.59 µg/mL). The PCL/CA/CeO2-CSNPs nanofiber showed significant antioxidant activity up to 89.59 %, cell viability improvement, and cell migration promotion up to 90.3 % after 48 h. The in vivo diabetic wound healing experiment revealed that PCL/CA/CeO2-CSNPs nanofibers can significantly increase the repair rate of diabetic wounds by up to 95.47 % after 15 days. The results of this research suggest that PCL/CA nanofiber mats functionalized with CeO2-CSNPs have the potential to be highly effective in treating diabetes-related wounds.

Analysis of the molecular alterations in cancer cells following nanotechnology-assisted targeted radiotherapy using Raman spectroscopy.

The study unveiled an innovative strategy for precise radiation targeting in cancer treatment, along with the monitoring of molecular changes induced by this therapeutic approach. In this research, we explored the impact of administering anti-HER2-AgNPs nanoconjugates either individually or in conjunction with gamma irradiation on the viability of SKBR3 breast cancer cells. The utilization of nanoconjugates resulted in an enhancement of cellular sensitivity toward radiation. The viability of the cells exhibited a decline as the dose of irradiation increased, and this decrease was further exacerbated by the passage of time following irradiation. The analysis of RS revealed distinct cellular responses in varying conditions. The observed increase in SERS intensity, resulting from the increment in dose from 0 to 2 Gy, can be attributed to the probable upregulation of HER2 expression induced by irradiation. The observed decrease in SERS intensity at doses of 4 and 6 Gy can be attributed to the likely reduction in HER2 expression. It was illustrated that the analysis of Raman spectroscopy data can aid in the identification of radiation-induced biochemical alterations in cancer cells during the application of nanoconjugates-based radiotherapy. The findings revealed that nanoconjugates have the potential to enhance cellular sensitivity to radiation along with facilitating the detection of radiation-induced biochemical alterations within cancer cells.

Polyethylenimine-based iron oxide nanoparticles enhance cisplatin toxicity in ovarian cancer cells in the presence of a static magnetic field.

Background: Drug resistance in cancer cells is a major concern in chemotherapy. Cisplatin (CIS) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutics for ovarian cancer. Here, we investigated an experimental approach to increase CIS cytotoxicity and overcome cell resistance using nanoparticle-based combination treatments. Methods: Polyethylenimine (PEI)-based magnetic iron oxide nanocomplexes were used for drug delivery in genetically matched CIS-resistant (A2780/CP) and -sensitive (A2780) ovarian cancer cells in the presence of a 20 mT static magnetic field. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and bonded to PEI cationic polymers to form binary complexes (PM). The binding of CIS to the PM binary complexes resulted in the formation of ternary complexes PM/C (PEI-MNP/CIS) and PMC (PEI-MNP-CIS). Results: CIS cytotoxicity increased at different concentrations of CIS and PEI in all binary and ternary delivery systems over time. Additionally, CIS induced cell cycle arrest in the S and G2/M phases and reactive oxygen species production in both cell lines. Ternary complexes were more effective than binary complexes at promoting apoptosis in the treated cells. Conclusion: PEI-based magnetic nanocomplexes can be considered novel carriers for increasing CIS cytotoxicity and likely overcoming drug resistance of ovarian cancer cells.

Estimating the two graph dextran-stearic acid-spermine polymers based on iron oxide nanoparticles as carrier for gene delivery.

Non-viral gene carriers have shown noticeable potential in gene delivery because of limited side effects, biocompatibility, simplicity, and the ability to take advantage of electrostatic interactions. However, the low transfection rate of non-viral vectors under physiological conditions is controversial. This study aimed to decrease the transfection time using a static magnetic field. We used self-assembled cationic polysaccharides based on dextran-stearic acid-spermine (DSASP) conjugates associated with Fe3 O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles to investigate their potential as gene carriers to promote the target delivery. Our findings illustrate that the magnetic nanoparticles are spherical with a positive surface charge and exhibit superparamagnetic behavior. The DSASP-pDNA/Fe3 O4 complexes offered a strong pDNA condensation, protection against DNase degradation, and significant cell viability in HEK 293T cells. Our results demonstrated that although conjugation of stearic acid could play a role in transfection efficiency, DSASP magnetic carriers with more spermine derivatives showed better affinity between the amphiphilic polymer and the negatively charged cell membrane.

New phosphoramides containing imidazolidine moiety as anticancer agents: An experimental and computational study.

In this study, two new phosphoramides containing imidazolidine; diphenyl (2-imidazolidinone-1-yl)phosphonate (DIOP) and diphenyl (2-Imidazolidinethione -1-yl)phosphonate (DITP) as cytotoxic agents, were synthesized and characterized by using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, Mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The target products were obtained in moderate to good yields (69-86%) by using the time (3 h) and solvent (MeCN). The crystal structure of DIOP was investigated using X-ray crystallography. The main non-covalent intermolecular interactions were also studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots. The anticancer and growth inhibitory activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated against human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 using MTT assay; DITP was found to be a better cytotoxic agent than DIOP. The cytotoxicity results were supported by a molecular docking study and in order to know the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of synthesized compounds, the values of HOMO and LUMO energies, dipole moments, hardness, softness, and electrophilicity index were investigated computationally by DFT method. These results were in good accordance with those of in vitro investigation and molecular docking study.

Influence of Static Magnetic Field on HeLa and Huo2 Cells in the Presence of Aloe vera Extract.

This research aimed to assess the impact of static magnetic field (SMF) on apoptosis rate and cell cycle progression in the presence of Aloe vera Crude Extract (ACE) in normal (Huo2) and cancer cells (HeLa). The specimens were split into one untreated group (control) and two experimental groups, including treatment with ACE (Alo) and compound treatment with SMF and ACE (Alo+SMF). MTT assay determined the IC50 value, and flow cytometry was employed to evaluate cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rates. Statistical analysis was carried out through a two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Our results showed that combination treatment with SMF (10 mT) and ACE (Alo+SMF) significantly inhibited the cell proliferation. This increased the cell number in G2/M stage and early apoptosis in cancer cells compared to ACE treated cells after 24 and 48h but reduced the number of Huo2 cells in G2/M phase and early apoptosis after 24h. The effect of AEC on HeLa cells was intensified with increasing the SMF exposure time, such that the early apoptosis rate in Alo+SMF group had an approximate 4-fold increase compared to Alo group. This research proposes that the combination treatment accelerates the apoptosis induction of HeLa cell. During the interphase, there were significant differences between the cancer and healthy cells concerning the cell cycle. Moreover, exposure time may play an important role in the impact SMF on both healthy and cancer cells in the presence of AEC.

Improved features of a highly stable protease from Penaeus vannamei by immobilization on glutaraldehyde activated graphene oxide nanosheets.

In this study, we report the synthesis of graphene oxide nanosheets (GON) by a modified Hummers method. Then, a protease purified from the Penaeus vannamei shrimp was immobilized on the GON activated with glutaraldehyde. Several techniques such as SEM, DLS and FTIR were applied to characterize the different nano-structures at the different levels. The immobilization of the protease on the GON activated with glutaraldehyde did not affect the optimum pH, but significantly improved thermal stability and stability at extreme pH values, as well as activity at 90 °C. After 24 h of incubation at 90 °C, the free enzyme retained less than 10% of the activity, while the immobilized enzyme kept more than 90% of its original activity. The apparent Km and Vmax for Penaeus vannamei protease remained fairly similar after immobilization, a very relevant data considering the large size of the substrate (casein).In the hydrolysis of casein at 70 °C and in the presence of 2 M urea, the immobilized enzyme exhibited a higher activity than the free enzyme. The results indicate that the immobilization of the enzyme Penaeus vannamei protease on GON activated with glutaraldehyde increases its already high stability against environmental stresses and makes it suitable for biotechnological and industrial applications.

Stable morphological-physiological and neural protein expression changes in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells treated with electromagnetic field and nitric oxide.

As an external physical factor, electromagnetic field (EMF) may influence cellular processes and nitric oxide (NO) by serving as a secondary messenger molecule in intracellular signaling cascades. Effects of these factors were evaluated simultaneously on viability, morphology, and variation of calcium ion content, and neural protein marker expression in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from rat bone marrow and cultured. Deta-NO as a donor molecule of NO was added to cell culture medium after several passages. These cells were also exposed by retinoic acid (RA, a molecule inducing cell differentiation) and EMF (50 Hz and 20 mT). Despite the effect observed with low concentration of NO, the high concentration of NO in the presence of EMF decreased cell viability and changed cell morphology. EMF increased entry of calcium ion into the cell. Effect of RA on cell death and morphology changes also intensified in the presence of NO and EMF. BMSCs maintained their proliferative state and continued to remain as a stem cell in low concentration of NO. The decrease of cell viability, and increase in number and length of cell neurites and percentage of cells expressing Map2 marker can be a sign of progression for cell neuronal differentiation treated by high concentration of NO with EMF. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:592-601, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of vermicompost on growth, yield and nutrition status of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum).

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of vermicompost on growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum var. Super Beta) in a field condition. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications. The different rates of vermicompost (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha(-1)) was incorporated into the top 15 cm of soil. During experiment period, fruits were harvested twice in a week and total yield were recorded for two months. At the end of experiment, growth characteristics such as leaf number, leaf area and shoot dry weights were determined. The results revealed that addition of vermicompost at rate of 15 t ha(-1) significantly (at p < 0.05) increased growth and yield compared to control. Vermicompost with rate of 15 t ha(-1) increased EC of fruit juice and percentage of fruit dry matter up to 30 and 24%, respectively. The content of K, P, Fe and Zn in the plant tissue increased 55, 73, 32 and 36% compared to untreated plots respectively. The result of our experiment showed addition of vermicompost had significant (p < 0.05) positive effects on growth, yield and elemental content of plant as compared to control.