The effect of nanoparticles on pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of preclinical studies.

Air pollution is a big ecumenical problem associated with public health around the world. The rapid development of nanotechnology worldwide resulted in a significant increase in human exposure with unknown particles, and ultimately leading to an increase in acute and chronic diseases. The effect of nanoparticles on pulmonary fibrosis has been reported in vivo and in vitro studies; however, the results are inconsistent. The present systematic review and meta-analysis of animal preclinical studies was conducted to assess the effect of nanoparticles on pulmonary fibrosis. A systematic search of online databases and gray literature as well as reference lists of retrieved studies was performed up to February 2019 to identify preclinical animal studies. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using the SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation bias risk tool (SYRCLE's ROB tool). Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) estimate with corresponding 95% CI was calculated using inverse-variance weights method while random effects meta-analysis was used, taking into account conceptual heterogeneity. To assess the robustness of pooled estimates as well as heterogeneity across studies, sensitivity analysis and Cochran Q statistic (with I2 statistic) was carried out using Stata 11.0. Of 6494 retrieved studies, 85 were reviewed in depth for eligibility. 16 studies met the criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. The meta-analysis was conducted on 10 studies which had reported the mean of TGF-ß in 7 days after exposure by nanoparticles jointly (exposure compared to no exposure). Findings showed that exposure to nanoparticles significantly induced pulmonary fibrosis (SMD: 4.12, 95% CI: 2.57-5.67). A statistical heterogeneity was found [P < 0.001 (Q statistics), I2 = 83.0%] across studies. Nanoparticles were the most influencing in inducing pulmonary fibrosis in animal models. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated consistency of the results, indicating that the meta-analysis model was robust. Publication bias (using visual inspection and statistical tests) was unlikely in the association between nanoparticles and pulmonary fibrosis. We found that the nanoparticles significantly induce pulmonary fibrosis through increasing proinflammatory cytokine TGF-ß and histopathological changes.

Protective and anti-inflammatory effect of selenium nano-particles against bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury in male rats.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an interstitial lung disease, in which the exact pathologic mechanisms are not fully understood. Drug trials for the treatment of PF have shown disappointing results and controversial. Recently, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have received great attention for potential use in treatments, due to high bioactivity features and lower toxicity. This study evaluated the protective effect of SeNPs against pulmonary injury induced by bleomycin (single dose, 4 mg/kg, intratracheal) in male rats in early and late phases of the disease. The rats were treated with SeNPs by intraperitoneal injection (0.5 mg SeNP/kg) for five consecutive days in the early phase (a day after injection of bleomycin) and late phase (a week after injection of bleomycin). The results showed that injection of SeNPs in the early phase improved the degree of alveolitis and inflammation and lung structure damage. Also, led to significant decreases in density of transforming growth factor- ß1 (TGF-ß1) in the lung and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the serum and lung homogenates compared with bleomycin-administrated group. Notably, treatment with the SeNP during the late phase did not show any ameliorative effects. Thus, the data suggest that SeNP has a protective effect against bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury in rats in the early phase of the disease. This might mean that SeNPs may be a new therapeutic agent for the improvement of this disease in the early phases.

Analysis of the self-compassion and cognitive flexibility with marital compatibility in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Purpose: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face many problems in their marital lives. Autism is a developmental disorder, emerging during childhood that affects development across various domains. Studies suggest that autism prevalence rates are increasing, and research shows that parents of children with ASD frequently experience high levels of parenting stress. Marital compatibility is fulfilled when couples have the sense of satisfaction and contentment from each other. This study was done to analyze self-compassion and cognitive flexibility in relation with marital compatibility in parents having children with ASD. Methods: A sample size with 100 married couples, who referred to autism centers, was selected after clinical interviews. The research tools included structural clinical interview (DSM SCID), self-compassion scales questionnaire, cognitive flexibility inventory questionnaire, and marital compatibility test questionnaire, which were completed by the participants. Results: The research is a correlational descriptive study. Data analysis was done by the path analysis method. The findings showed that there was a significant relation between self-compassion, cognitive flexibility, and marital compatibility. Conclusions: In this study, it could be concluded that compassion via flexibility can have indirect positive effects on marital compatibility as two features of self-compassion and cognitive flexibility can help parents of children with ASD to be more compatible and flexible in their marital lives.