A data mining algorithm for determination of influential factors on the hospitalization of patients subject to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: The present study is on the development of a data mining algorithm for finding the influential factors on the hospitalization of patients subject to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive analytical study conducted cross sectionally in 2017 on a research community of 150 people with disease symptoms referred to clinics and hospitals across Tehran (Iran). The people were surveyed by a self-designed questionnaire, including queries on life style and family information. The sampling was simple intuitive from previously published studies. The modeling of the data was based on the CRISP method. The C5 decision tree algorithm was used and the data was analyzed by RapidMiner software. Results: The common symptoms of the patients were found to be shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, sputum, continuous cold, and cyanogens. Besides, the family history, smoking, and exposure to allergic agents were other influential factors on the disease. After accomplishment of this study, the results were consulted with the experts of the field.Conclution: It is concluded that data mining can be applied for excavation of knowledge from the gathered data and for determination of the effective factors on patient conditions. Accordingly, this model can successfully predict the disease status of any patient from its symptoms

Investigation of the effect of probiotic yogurt and fenugreek on allergic asthma

Background: Asthma as the variable degrees of airway obstruction is reversible and allergic asthma is a common form of asthma. Yogurt is coagulated milk and fenugreek as a plant is used in traditional medicine. Oral administration of yogurt (as food) can provide probiotic agents that have the main effects on immune responses. In this study, the effect of yogurt and fenugreek on asthma was studied.  Materials and Methods: After producing of asthma model in BALB/c mice in 4 groups, groups were treated with yogurt, yogurt-probiotics, and yogurt-fenugreek. At least, total IgE in serum, IL-4, 5, 13 in BAL (Broncho-Alveolar lavage) fluid was measured. Histopathological sections were prepared and eosinophilic infiltration and mucus-secreting were investigated. Results: Eosinophilic infiltration and mucus hyper-secretion were decreased in treated groups. Total IgE in serum was decreased in asthma-yogurt-probiotic and asthma-yogurt-fenugreek groups in comparison with asthmatic and asthma-yogurt groups. The amount of IL-4 in BAL of the asthma-yogurt-fenugreek group was decreased. The amount of IL-5 in BAL of the asthma-yogurt-probiotic and asthma-yogurt-fenugreek groups was decreased. The amount of IL-13 was decreased significantly in three treated groups. Conclusion: This study showed that yogurt with fenugreek and probiotic has a strong effect on suppression of progression of airway inflammation and asthma pathophysiology.   &nbsp

Investigation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Phagocytosis in Allergic Asthma Mice Model

The respiratory system is exposed to the potentially harmful environment agents. More importantly, respiratory system infection is an important risk factor for inflammation and some pathogens can be main responsible of asthma. Phagocytosis is a main mechanism to eliminate of microbial infection. Phagocytic clearance may control asthma pathogenesis. In asthma, cytokines balance may be changed, therefore we investigated possible change in phagocytes in the present study.14 male Balb/c mice were divided into two control and asthmatic group. Asthma model in mice was produced by ovalbumin. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated and reduction nitro blue tetrazolium and latex bead florescence phagocytosis tests were done.There was no significant difference in phagocytosis and NBT reduction test between asthmatic and control groups (P≤0.05).Airway inflammation and unbalancing of cytokines in asthma might modulate phagocytosis function. Therefore, asthmatic patient might be more susceptible to airway infection but there was not any notable changes in phagocytosis

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and isozymes in the serum of patients with hepatitis B compared with healthy people: a useful method in diagnosis clinical status

Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) specifications (EC3.5.4.4) is an enzyme is involved in purine metabolism that breaks adenosine and deoxy-adenosine and produce inosine and deoxy-inosine and ammonia. The highest levels are of adenosine deaminase activity in monocytes and lymphocytes. High serum ADA activity with increased serum levels of AST, ALT and immunoglobulins were reported in variety of diseases including hepatitis. We aimed to investigate the activity of total ADA in serum of patients with hepatitis B and were determined molecular weight ADA1 and ADA2 isozymes in serum and RBC of hepatitis patients. Materials and Methods: We were defining experiments by electrophoresis on SDS-PAGE, for isozymes of ADA; ADA1 and ADA2 in serum and red blood cells. ADA1 molecular weight was estimated at about 35 KDa and ADA2 about 110 KDa. The total ADA activity was measured by the modified Ellis method in 37 patients with hepatitis B and 40 healthy controls in the age range (20-60 years). Results: The normal values for serum ADA in humans have been studied by various workers and found in serum samples to be in the range of 0-15 U/L, whiles in our analysis total ADA (tADA) enzyme activity is in controls and patients with hepatitis B, respectively, 13.35 ± 1.62 and 27.05 ± 8.49. Our results indicated that tADA level was higher in patients with hepatitis B than those of corresponding controls (P < 0.05).Total ADA enzyme activity shows a significant increase compared to the control group in all age groups tested. Conclusion: Therefore, the serum ADA level could be used as an index along with other parameters in follow up of patients with hepatitis B

Design and Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles for Anti-Asthma Drug Delivery

Background and Aim: Nanoparticle drug delivery has recently found a special place in medicine and treatment. Different nanoparticles have different capabilities and functions. Gold nanoparticles are one of the most widely used nanoparticles and have many uses in pharmaceuticals and medical purposes, including diagnostic, therapeutic, and imaging methods, and due to their unique characteristics, such as high contact surface area compared to volume. Gold nanoparticles have many advantages over other nanoparticles such as their neutral nature, stability, high diffusion property, non-toxicity, environmental compatibility, optical adjustment. Our goal is to synthesize and characterization gold nanoparticles with specific applications to produce the best delivery system of drugs to the asthmatic lung. Methods: Turkevich method has been used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and approving studies have been done. Results: The produced GNP has the average diameter 100-200 nm and the Z-average was 137.9 d.nm and in positive charge area. PDI for GNP was 0.358. Conclusion: In this study, we were able to produce the applicable gold nanoparticles for carrying drugs to asthmatic bronchi. Gold nanoparticles easily reach target cells due to their high dispersion power. Drug side effects are reduced when gold nanoparticles are used in conjunction with the drug for drug delivery purposes. *Corresponding Authors: Alireza Taheri, Email: [email protected]; Seyyed Shamsadin Athari, Email: [email protected] Please cite this article as: Mehrabi Nasab D, Taheri A, Athari SS. Design and Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles for Anti-Asthma Drug Delivery. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2020;6:1-7 (e4). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v6.3258

Effects of black seed (Nigella Sativa) on type 2 cytokines gene expression and mucus production in the airways of asthmatic mice

Background: Black Seed (BS) is used in traditional medicine as a therapy for a variety of diseases including allergic asthma.Materials and Methods: In the present study, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of BS on cytokine gene expression, lung airway eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia were examined in a mouse mice model of allergic asthma. Groups of 6-week-old female BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of OVA plus alum on days 1 and 14. On days 24, 26, 28 and 30, the mice were exposed to OVA in saline for 30 min with nebulizer. Similar experiments were conducted with mice receiving saline as a negative control.Results: The mouse allergic asthma model received BS by food on days 23, 25, 27 and 29. Then, the percentage of inflammatory cells as well as mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and mucin (MUC5a) genes were survived in Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, we attempted to examine histopathological examination of the lung. Mice receiving BS showed a significant decrease in the number of eosinophils, and a potential inhibitory effect on mRNA expression levels of Th2-driven immune response cytokines and mucin, resulting in decreased production of interleukin and mucin in allergic asthma.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that BS has an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect during the allergic response in the lung, and can be a promising treatment for allergic asthma in humans

A Survey on the Effects of Gold-Nanoparticles in Allergic Asthma

Background and Aim: Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease and allergies are the most important cause of asthma. Different types of drugs have been developed to control asthma, and the use of carrier systems to transfer drugs to the airways is an effective method. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) is a subject of substantial research that can be easily synthesized and, in this study, the effect of gold nanoparticles on allergic asthma was evaluated. Methods: There are 4 groups of mice, including: the control group, the control group receiving AuNPs, the asthmatic group, and the asthmatic group receiving AuNPs. An animal model of asthma was produced using ovalbumin (OVA). The negative control group was sensitized and challenged with PBS. Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected, then quantitative real-time PCR for the four target genes (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and MUC5ac) and histopathological study of lung tissue was done. Results: In the OVA group, the mRNA expression of targeted genes had no significant differences (P>0.05). Mucus hypersecretion, goblet cell hyperplasia, peribronchial and perivascular inflammation had no significant difference between AuNPs receiving groups with non-treated groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that AuNP did not affect asthma and control mice. These nanoparticles did not elicit any immune or allergic responses and can be easily used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. *Corresponding Authors: Alireza Taheri; Email: [email protected]; Seyyed Shamsadin Athari, Email: [email protected] Please cite this article as: Mehrabi Nasab D, Taheri A, Jafari B, Athari SS. A Survey on the Effects of Gold-Nanoparticles in Allergic Asthma. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2021;7:1-5 (e21). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v6.3276

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990–2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease associated with disability and premature death. Up-to-date estimates of the burden of rheumatoid arthritis are required for health-care planning, resource allocation, and prevention. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, we provide updated estimates of the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and its associated deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, year, and location, with forecasted prevalence to 2050. Methods Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was estimated in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020 using Bayesian meta-regression models and data from population-based studies and medical claims data (98 prevalence and 25 incidence studies). Mortality was estimated from vital registration data with the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm). Years of life lost (YLL) were calculated with use of standard GBD lifetables, and years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated from prevalence, a meta-analysed distribution of rheumatoid arthritis severity, and disability weights. DALYs were calculated by summing YLLs and YLDs. Smoking was the only risk factor analysed. Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was forecast to 2050 by logistic regression with Socio-Demographic Index as a predictor, then multiplying by projected population estimates. Findings In 2020, an estimated 17·6 million (95% uncertainty interval 15·8–20·3) people had rheumatoid arthritis worldwide. The age-standardised global prevalence rate was 208·8 cases (186·8–241·1) per 100 000 population, representing a 14·1% (12·7–15·4) increase since 1990. Prevalence was higher in females (age-standardised female-to-male prevalence ratio 2·45 [2·40–2·47]). The age-standardised death rate was 0·47 (0·41–0·54) per 100 000 population (38 300 global deaths [33 500–44 000]), a 23·8% (17·5–29·3) decrease from 1990 to 2020. The 2020 DALY count was 3 060 000 (2 320 000–3 860 000), with an age-standardised DALY rate of 36·4 (27·6–45·9) per 100 000 population. YLDs accounted for 76·4% (68·3–81·0) of DALYs. Smoking risk attribution for rheumatoid arthritis DALYs was 7·1% (3·6–10·3). We forecast that 31·7 million (25·8–39·0) individuals will be living with rheumatoid arthritis worldwide by 2050. Interpretation Rheumatoid arthritis mortality has decreased globally over the past three decades. Global age-standardised prevalence rate and YLDs have increased over the same period, and the number of cases is projected to continue to increase to the year 2050. Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis globally is required to reduce the future burden of the disease.publishedVersio