IGF-1 and PDGF-bb suppress IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation through down-regulation of NF-κB signaling: involvement of Src/PI-3K/AKT pathway.

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Growth factors (GFs) capable of antagonizing the catabolic actions of cytokines may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of OA. Herein, we investigated the potential synergistic effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-bb) on different mechanisms participating in IL-1β-induced activation of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and apoptosis in chondrocytes. Primary chondrocytes were treated with IL-1β to induce dedifferentiation and co-treated with either IGF-1 or/and PDGF-bb and evaluated by immunoblotting and electron microscopy. Pretreatment of chondrocytes with IGF-1 or/and PDGF-bb suppressed IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation via inhibition of IκB-α kinase. Inhibition of IκB-α kinase by GFs led to the suppression of IκB-α phosphorylation and degradation, p65 nuclear translocation and NF-κB-regulated gene products involved in inflammation and cartilage degradation (COX-2, MMPs) and apoptosis (caspase-3). GFs or BMS-345541 (specific inhibitor of the IKK) reversed the IL-1β-induced down-regulation of collagen type II, cartilage specific proteoglycans, β1-integrin, Shc, activated MAPKinase, Sox-9 and up-regulation of active caspase-3. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of IGF-1 or/and PDGF-bb on IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation were sensitive to inhibitors of Src (PP1), PI-3K (wortmannin) and Akt (SH-5), suggesting that the pathway consisting of non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Src), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B must be involved in IL-1β signaling. The results presented suggest that IGF-1 and PDGF-bb are potent inhibitors of IL-1β-mediated activation of NF-κB and apoptosis in chondrocytes, may be mediated in part through suppression of Src/PI-3K/AKT pathway, which may contribute to their anti-inflammatory effects

Prophylactic Efficacy of Cinnarizine versus Propranolol in the Treatment of Childhood Migraine: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Although the development of effective and safe treatments for prophylaxis of migraine headaches represents an important public health concern, only a few medications have been approved by the specific treatment of patients with migraine. We aimed to compare the efficacy of cinnarizine with propranolol in the prophylaxis of pediatric migraine headache. Materials and Methods  In a Randomized Clinical Trial, children aged 6-14 years were selected from the patients with migraine admitted to the neurology clinic of Bandar Abbas pediatric Hospital, affiliated to Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Eligible patients (n, 56) were randomly divided into two groups, each comprising 28 patients: the first group administered cinnarizine (37.5 mg/day in children aged 6–12 years and 50 mg/day in children aged 12–17 years), and the second group received propranolol (1-mg/kg/day). The frequency, severity of headaches over the trial period were assessed.   Results: After two months of treatment, both groups had significant reduction in headache frequency in comparison with baseline period (p= 0.047), although this difference between groups was not statistically significant. In addition, the mean severe migraine attacks at the end of the second month was significantly lower in the cinnarizine group compared with the propranolol group (p=0.048).  At the end of the study 64% (n=18) of patients who had received the cinnarizine and 57% (n=16) of patients who had administered the propranolol, the drugs appeared to have a preventative effect on their headaches. Conclusion: According to the results, Cinnarizine appeared as effective as propranolol for the prophylactic treatment of childhood migraine

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Differentiation of Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts in the Presence of Three-Dimensional Scaffold

Background: Osteoblasts’ activity is prerequisite for prevention from and treatment of apical periodontitis and a relatively high proportion of endodontically treated teeth will require retrograde treatment in future. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human fetal umbilical cord and cultured on two polycaprolacton/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) polymer scaffolds. In addition to differentiation agents, 10% PRP was added to PRP containing subgroups. After 10 days, osteoblast differentiation was assessed evaluating the osteocalcin and osterix gene levels where, in the osteoclast differentiation group the expression of tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) gene was evaluated. Results: Expression of TRAP gene did not reveal any significant differences between the study and control groups. There was a significant difference in osterix expression between the control and the PRP-treated groups (p < 0.01) as well as osteocalcin gene (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that PRP increased the osteoblastic differentiation, while it does not cause any significant increase in osteoclastic differentiation

Effect of hydroxychloroquine on oxidative/nitrosative status and angiogenesis in endothelial cells under high glucose condition

Introduction: Under the diabetic condition, sustained production of oxidative/nitrosative stress results in irreversible vascular injuries. A great number of diabetic pathologies, such as inefficient or aberrant neo-angiogenesis emerge following chronic hyperglycemic condition. Lack of enough data exists regarding hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) contribution on angiogenesis during diabetes mellitus. Methods: To better address whether HCQ could blunt or exacerbate oxidative status and angiogenesis under high glucose condition (HCG), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to 30 µM HCQ in combination with 30 mM glucose over a course of 72 hours. Viability was measured was evaluated by MTT assay. We used Griess method and TBARS assay to monitor changes in the levels of NO and MDA followed by flow cytometric analysis of ROS using DCFDA. To show the impact of HCQ on cell motility and in vitro angiogenic properties, we exploited routine scratch test and in vitro tubulogenesis, respectively. Results: Our data showed that HCQ diminished cell viability under 5 and 30 mM glucose contents. HCQ significantly decreased the total levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both sets of environments. Additionally, inhibitory effects were observed on cell migration after exposure to HCQ (P &lt; 0.001). Anti-angiogenic activity of HCQ was confirmed by the reduction of tube areas under a normal or surplus amount of glucose (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: In overall, results suggest that HCQ changes the oxidative/nitrosative status of HUVECs both in 5 and 30 mM conditions. HCQ is able to reduce migration and angiogenic activity of HUVECs irrespective of the glucose content

Comparison of the achievement of educational goals of clinical training of the first medical surgical nursing course by fixed and unfixed instructors

Introduction:The main part of nursing education is ‘clinical education’. One of the great challenges in this area is teaching by several instructors for one group of students (unfixed teacher) or one teacher for one group of students in all clinical wards (fixed teacher). This study was designed and conducted to compare the achievement of educational goals of clinical training in fixed and unfixed teacher method.Material and Methods:This is a quasi-experimental study on 88 nursing students enrolled in the clinical training of the first medical surgical course. They were selected from 2 consecutive academic years selected by census method. They were thought through two blind methods. One group was educated by fixed teacher method (43 students) and other group by unfixed teacher method (45). The teachers and clinical wards for the two groups were fixed in the two methods. At the end of the semester, data were collected through a checklist ‘self report’ and analyzed by mean, standard error deviation and in depended t-test.Results: The mean score of the students' self report in the fixed teacher group was 1.67 ± 0.55 and in the unfixed teacher group it was 1.98 ± 0.61. There were no significant differences between the means of the fixed and unfixed teacher group, based on the results of the student t-test (p<0.05, F: 1.32 (.Conclusion:Using unfixed teacher method in the education of nursing students is suggested

A Study of the Protective Effects of Vitamin E and Fennel Extract on Mitochondria Changes in Mice Ovary Due to Electromagnetic Field Exposure

Objective: Everyday use of different types of electrical instruments and appliances has caused a large number of people to constantly be under the influence of electromagnetic fields. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of this study, 40 female rats were randomly chosen from among 3 months old rats from the animals’ laboratory and they weighed 20 + 200 g. Then, they were randomly divided into 4 groups; control (n = 10), experiment 1 (Ex1) (n = 10), experiment 2 (Ex2) (n = 10), and experiment 3 (Ex3) (n = 10). During the experiment, all 4 groups were maintained in the same conditions and received the same feeding. The experiment groups 1, 2, and 3 were under the influence of a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the second and third groups were kept away from the EMF effect for another 8 weeks. At the end of the study, after removal of the ovaries by glutaraldehyde, they were prepared for examination using an electron microscope. Group Ex2 rats were not sacrificed and were maintained in the normal laboratory environment for another 8 weeks away from the impacts of EMF. The rats were fed vitamin E(100 mg/kg) and fennel extract (1.5 g per body weight) every day orally and at the end of the second 8 weeks samples were taken. During the second 8 weeks, group Ex3 was kept in normal conditions without the use of vitamin E and fed fennel extract, and then, samples were taken. Samples were taken simultaneously from 10 rats of the control group and Ex1 group. Results: The results from the mitochondria in the ovary in the groups under the influence of electromagnetic waves indicated that this intracellular organ, compared to samples from the control group, was deformed and the majority of the organs were vacuolated. The mitochondrial vacuolization of the first to fourth groups were 1 ± 0.55, 9 ± 0.55, 6 ± 0.55, and 11 ± 0.55, respectively. Conclusion: Vitamin E and fennel extract can reduce the damaging effects of non-ionizing radiation with 50 Hz frequency on the ovarian follicles

An Ultrastructural Study of the Antioxidant Effects of Vitamin E and Fennel Extract on Zona Pellucida Cell Changes of Rat Ovaries under Non-Ionizing 50Hz Electromagnetic Fields

Objective: Everyday use of various electronic tools and appliances has caused a large number of people to constantly be under the influence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Materials and Methods: For the purpose of this study, 40 female rats were randomly selected from the animals’ laboratory. The rats chosen for the study were 3 months old and weighted 20 + 200 g. The animals were then randomly divided into 4 groups; Control (n = 10), Experiment 1 (n = 10), Experiment 2 (n = 10), and Experiment 3 (n = 10). During the experiment, all 4 groups were maintained in the same conditions and received the same feeding procedure. Test groups 1, 2, and 3 were under the influence of a 50 Hz EMF for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the second and third groups were kept away from the effects of EMF for another 8 weeks. At the end of the study, after removing the ovarian using glutaraldehyde, they were prepared for electron microscopy study. Ex2 group rats were not sacrificed, and were maintained for another 8 weeks in normal laboratory environment away from the impacts of EMF. The rats were fed vitamin E (100 mg/kg) and fennel extract (1.5 gr/kg/body weight) was added to their daily food. Samples were taken from this group at the end of the second 8 weeks. Samples from the Ex3 group were taken at the end of the second 8 weeks which were maintained in normal conditions without the use of vitamin E and fennel extract. The 10 rats from the control group were biopsied simultaneously with the Ex1 group sampling. Results: This study showed that in the groups that had been exposed to electromagnetic radiation, zona pellucida cells had lost their microvilli and mitochondrial crystal structure. In the groups that were exposed to vitamin E and fennel extract, these changes were reduced. Conclusion: The use of vitamin E in combination with fennel extract can reduce the damaging effects of non-ionizing radiation with 50 Hz frequency on the zona pellucida cells of rat ovaries

Comparison between current and ideal condition of educational justice from the students’ viewpoints at Jahrom Nursing and Paramedical School

Introduction: Educational justice is a process by which all those involved in education are pondering and seeking to establish it in their regulatory environments. This study aimed to investigate effective factors in an ideal educational justice and the current condition of educational justice from the students’ viewpoint and ultimately increase the awareness and understanding of authorities and educational planners of the existing shortcomings. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study. Samples include all nursing, operating room, and anesthesia students of nursing and paramedical college who had passed at least 5 semesters. Data collection was carried out through a scholar questionnaire. Validity was assessed through content validity and reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using a pilot study. In order to determine the status of the scores, 5 points (very high), 4 (often), 3 (moderate), 2 (low) and 1 (very low) were assigned, respectively. To determine the justice level, a 35 score interval was considered as very low, low, medium, high and very high. SPSS software, descriptive statistics, independent t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: There was a significant difference between the ideal and the current conditions in all items (p≤0.001) and also in the total mean score of ideal condition and mean score of current condition (p=0.010). Conclusion: In an educational system, educational methods and aims should be regulated in a way that principles and components of justice are attainable and distribution and allocation of educational facilities of justice are considered thoroughly

Assessment of the effect of education on CPCR drug administration method

Introduction:Cerebrocardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPCR) is an important and complex process in treatment of cardio-respiratory arrest. Multiple factors affect the quality and success rate of this process. This study aimed to assess the administration of drugs in CPCR using the existing standards and determine the effect of education in this regard.Material and Methods:The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental research. All the personnel involved in CPCR processes applied in the Emergency Ward of Pimaneah Hospital were recruited as the study samples. With regard to the main goal of this research, the performance of the personnel on 30 CPCR processes was evaluated before the educational program by an observational checklist made by the researcher. Then a workshop was held for all of the personnel. Then their performance on 30 CPCR processes was reevaluated. The results were then compared.Results:Comparison of the data shows that the rate of standard administration of CPCR drugs after the educational program increased, but no significant relationship was found except for the mean use of epinephrine (P= 0.001).Conclusion:The present study indicated that continuous assessment of CPRC processes, educational workshops and provision of appropriate feedback to health workers can increase the rate of standard administration of CPCR drugs

A Case Report of COVID-19 and Subacute Thyroiditis in Fars, Iran

Background & Objective: COVID-19 can affect thyroid gland and causes subacute thyroiditis. Case Presentation: We introduced a 60-year-old woman with an initial symptom of anterior cervical pain without any other constitutional symptoms. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were detected positive for COVID-19 using RT-PCR assay. According to ultrasonographic,  laboratory (lowered TSH, elevated CRP and ESR), and physical findings, subacute thyroiditis was found following the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: As subacute thyroiditis associated with SARS-Cov-2 may be represented without any fever, ruling out this infection in these patients is considerable