Association of Serum Leptin with Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer

Background: Nowadays, cytokines such as Leptin and adiponectin are introduced as prognostic factors which, according to some studies, are also associated with body mass index. This study aimed to determine serum leptin level and its relationship with prognostic factors in breast cancer patients.Methods: This case–control study was conducted in the oncology department of Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran, between 2019 and 2020. Hundred new cases of breast cancer patients with histological evidence were enrolled in this study. Additionally, 100 age-and BMI-matched healthy individuals were recruited as the control group. The serum leptin level was measured using the ELISA method.Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to the control group (21.68 ± 9.16 vs 11.89 ± 4.45; p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between plasma leptin levels with ER, PR, and HER2 expressions (p > 0.05). Also, no significant associations were noted between leptin levels and grading and disease staging (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The study found that leptin is higher in breast cancer patients than in healthy individuals, however, it did not prove that leptin is a predictive or prognostic factor.Keywords: leptin, breast cancer, staging, gradin

Human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells from children or adults?

Since the emergence of regenerative medicine choosing the best source for extracting stem cells has been one of the most important challenges. Discovering a cell type with the highest efficiency and the least side-effects is one of the priorities of scientists active in this field. Of all the cells, mesenchymal stem cells have been and still are of interest to the researchers for use in pre-clinical and clinical studies due to being easily accessible, pluripotency, secretion of numerous growth factors, low risk of immunological rejection, and not having ethical issues for clinical use. Of all mesenchymal cells, human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (hADSCs) are more safely and easily accessible, produce more growth factors compared to other mesenchymal stem cells, have the ability to differentiate to various cell lines, secrete high levels of angiogenic factor and their feasibility, safety and efficacy have been confirmed. Therefore, in the last decade, it has received more attention from researchers, compared to other cell sources (1-3). Since distribution and function of adipose tissue is versatile and changes at any age during the lifetime (4), it is expected that at different ages, hADSCs also show different functions and abilities. Therefore, it is hypothesized that autologous implantation is not necessarily always the best choice. Autologous transplantation of hADSCs is only the best choice in ages that these cells have the optimum efficacy. If it is determined in what age these cells have the highest efficacy, choosing the type of implantation (autologous or allogeneic) will be an important factor in achieving the best response to treatment. This matter is even more important regarding pediatric diseases. The results of Guasti et al. study in 2012 showed that a smaller volume of lipo-aspirate is needed for extracting hADSCs from children's adipose tissues compared to adults (20 to 30 times less). In addition, many growth factors required for tissue repair are secreted in children's hADSCs, but not in hADSCs of adults; and hADSCs of children carry more markers of differentiation to various cell lines compared to hADSCs of adults. Therefore, they concluded that hADSCs of children have higher plasticity to differentiate into multiple cell lineages compared to their adult type and are better choices for cell therapy of diseases in children (5). What is sure is that autologous use of children's hADSCs is the best choice for stem cell therapy. In addition, in a study Liao et al. aimed to evaluate autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in treatment of children with traumatic brain injuries and showed that this treatment method leads to a reduction in the intensity of organ damage and neurointensive care duration significantly decreases (6). But can allogeneic use of children's hADSCs for adults be the best choice? This is a question that definitely cannot be answered without performing further preclinical and clinical studies in this field. © 2017, Int J Pediatr

Efficacy of neuromodulation in fecal incontinence in children; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The results of existing studies regarding the use of neuromodulation in fecal incontinence (FI) are contradictory and therefore, a definitive conclusion cannot be made in this regard. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromodulation in controlling FI in children through a systematic review.. Materials and Methods: A decision was made to perform the search in electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus until end of October 2017. In the second step, the abstracts of the extracted studies were evaluated by 2 researchers independently and recorded in the data extraction form. Finally, all studies were summarized and categorized based on the evaluated outcomes and overall effect size was presented. . Results: Five studies were included in the present meta-analysis (including 115 children and adolescent). Pooled analysis also showed that the odds of improvement in the group under treatment with nerve stimulation was up to 20 times higher (OR = 20.29; 95 CI: 8.67 to 47.45; p<0.0001). In addition, using nerve stimulation leads to a significant improvement in fecal incontinence score of patients (SMD = 2.32; 95 CI: 1.12 to 3.52; p<0.0001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that neuromodulation can seemingly be an effective measure in controlling FI in children. However, the lack of standard clinical trials in this field is highly felt and it is suggested to assess the effect of neuromodulation on FI by performing blinded randomized clinical trials in future studies

Efficacy of neuromodulation in fecal incontinence in children; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The results of existing studies regarding the use of neuromodulation in fecal incontinence (FI) are contradictory and therefore, a definitive conclusion cannot be made in this regard. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromodulation in controlling FI in children through a systematic review.. Materials and Methods: A decision was made to perform the search in electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus until end of October 2017. In the second step, the abstracts of the extracted studies were evaluated by 2 researchers independently and recorded in the data extraction form. Finally, all studies were summarized and categorized based on the evaluated outcomes and overall effect size was presented. . Results: Five studies were included in the present meta-analysis (including 115 children and adolescent). Pooled analysis also showed that the odds of improvement in the group under treatment with nerve stimulation was up to 20 times higher (OR = 20.29; 95 CI: 8.67 to 47.45; p<0.0001). In addition, using nerve stimulation leads to a significant improvement in fecal incontinence score of patients (SMD = 2.32; 95 CI: 1.12 to 3.52; p<0.0001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that neuromodulation can seemingly be an effective measure in controlling FI in children. However, the lack of standard clinical trials in this field is highly felt and it is suggested to assess the effect of neuromodulation on FI by performing blinded randomized clinical trials in future studies

Comparison of hepatitis C virus risk factors in genotypes 1a and 3a

Background: One of the most important causes of chronic liver disease is hepatitis C virus (HCV), which causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To control the prevalence of the disease, knowledge and information in risk factor of HCV are required. The aim of this study was to compare the risk factors of infection between HCV patients with genotypes 1a and 3a. Methods: This is an observational analytical study. HCV patients who referred to the clinic of hepatology, Rasoul-e-Akram University Hospital from July 2015 to July 2017, were assigned to the genotype 1a and 3a. Demographic (age, sex, family history), clinical (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) and laboratory data, history of intravenous drug and alcohol usage, and history of imprisonment were gathered and compared between two groups. All the patients completed the informed consent form. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software, version 22 (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 97 HCV patients were included in this study. Mean age was 45±12 years and 78 (80) of patients were male. Among them, 58 (60) and 39 (40) had genotype 1a and 3a. respectively. History of injection drug usage was recorded in 34/39 (87) of patients with genotype 3a, and significantly higher in genotype 3a as compared to genotype 1a OR adj: 3.1, CI (1.3-6.2). Also, in this study, genotype 3a was significantly recorded in younger patients OR adj: 1.7, CI (1.2-4.1). However, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was more common in patients with genotype 1a as compared to genotype 3a OR adj: 2.05, CI (1.6-5.4) and OR adj: 2.8, CI (1.3-5.7) respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, hepatitis C virus transmission risk factors differed in genotypes 3a and 1a. Genotype 3a is found among young patients with a history of intravenous drug usage and genotype 1a in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. © 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Comparison of hepatitis C virus risk factors in genotypes 1a and 3a

Background: One of the most important causes of chronic liver disease is hepatitis C virus (HCV), which causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To control the prevalence of the disease, knowledge and information in risk factor of HCV are required. The aim of this study was to compare the risk factors of infection between HCV patients with genotypes 1a and 3a. Methods: This is an observational analytical study. HCV patients who referred to the clinic of hepatology, Rasoul-e-Akram University Hospital from July 2015 to July 2017, were assigned to the genotype 1a and 3a. Demographic (age, sex, family history), clinical (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) and laboratory data, history of intravenous drug and alcohol usage, and history of imprisonment were gathered and compared between two groups. All the patients completed the informed consent form. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software, version 22 (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 97 HCV patients were included in this study. Mean age was 45±12 years and 78 (80) of patients were male. Among them, 58 (60) and 39 (40) had genotype 1a and 3a. respectively. History of injection drug usage was recorded in 34/39 (87) of patients with genotype 3a, and significantly higher in genotype 3a as compared to genotype 1a OR adj: 3.1, CI (1.3-6.2). Also, in this study, genotype 3a was significantly recorded in younger patients OR adj: 1.7, CI (1.2-4.1). However, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was more common in patients with genotype 1a as compared to genotype 3a OR adj: 2.05, CI (1.6-5.4) and OR adj: 2.8, CI (1.3-5.7) respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, hepatitis C virus transmission risk factors differed in genotypes 3a and 1a. Genotype 3a is found among young patients with a history of intravenous drug usage and genotype 1a in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. © 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Combination of laser and human adipose-derived stem cells in repair of rabbit anal sphincter injury: a new therapeutic approach

Background: Anal sphincter injury leads to fecal incontinence. Based on the regenerative capability of laser and human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), this study was designed to assess the effects of co-application of these therapies on anal sphincter recovery after injury. Design: Male rabbits were assigned to equal groups (n = 7) including control, sphincterotomy, sphincterotomy treated with laser (660 nm, 90 s, immediately after sphincterotomy, daily, 14 days), hADSCs (2 × 106 hADSCs injected into injured area of the sphincter immediately after sphincterotomy), and laser + hADSCs. Ninety days after sphincterotomy, manometry and electromyography were performed, sphincter collagen content was evaluated, and Ki67, myosin heavy chain (MHC), skeletal muscle alpha-actin (ACTA1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and vimentin mRNA gene expression were assessed. Results: The laser + hADSCs group had a higher resting pressure compared with the sphincterotomy (p  0.05). In the laser + hADSCs group, motor unit numbers were higher than those in the laser group (p < 0.0001) but did not differ from the hADSCs group (p = 0.075). Sphincterotomy increased collagen content, but the muscle content (p = 0.36) and collagen content (p = 0.37) were not significantly different between the laser + hADSCs and control groups. Laser + hADSCs increased ACTA1 (p = 0.001) and MHC (p < 0.0001) gene expression compared with laser or hADSCs alone and was associated with increased VEGFA (p = 0.009) and Ki67 mRNA expression (p = 0.01) and decreased vimentin mRNA expression (p < 0.0001) compared with laser. Conclusion: The combination of laser and hADSCs appears more effective than either treatment alone for promoting myogenesis, angiogenesis, and functional recovery after anal sphincterotomy.Arash Sarveazad, Asrin Babahajian, Abazar Yari, Chris K. Rayner, Marjan Mokhtare, Arash Babaei-Ghazani, Shahram Agah, Bahar Mahjoubi, Jebreil Shamseddin, and Mahmoud Yousefifar

Potential diagnostic and prognostic value of serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in traumatic spinal cord injury: A systematic review

It remains unclear whether biomarkers in the serum or CSF can be used for diagnosis or prognosis of spinal cord injuries (SCI). Therefore, a systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the prognostic or diagnostic value of serum and CSF biomarkers in assessing the severity of SCI and the outcome of patients. Two independent reviewers summarized the human studies retrieved from the electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Scopus and ISI Web of Science until April 2018. Seventeen studies were included (1065 patients aged 16�94 years old). Although the findings of the included studies suggest that inflammatory and structural proteins may be useful in assessing the severity of SCI and prediction of neurological outcome, the level of evidence is generally low. Given limitations to the available evidence, further investigation in this field is required using large prospective data sets with rigorous analysis of sensitivity, specificity and prediction. (Figure presented.). © 2018 International Society for Neurochemistr

Efficacy of adipose derived stem cells on functional and neurological improvement following ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The evidence on the efficacy of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) in the treatment of stroke is controversial. Therefore, the aim of present systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of ADSCs administration in the treatment of animal models of ischemic stroke. Methods: An extensive search was performed on electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL and Web of Science until December 31, 2018. Animal studies that used ADSCs in treatment of ischemic stroke were included. The data were recorded as mean and standard deviation and then a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 confidence interval (95 CI) was reported. Results: Twenty articles were included in the present meta-analysis. It was observed that administration of ADSCs improves motor function (SMD = 2.52, 95 CI: 1.67 to 3.37, p < 0.0001) and neurological status (SMD = 2.05, 95 CI: 1.33 to 2.78, p < 0.0001) in animals following an ischemic stroke. Multivariate meta-regression showed the model of stroke induction (p = 0.017) and the number of transplanted cells (p = 0.007) affect the efficacy of ADSCs administration on motor function improvement following the stroke. Conclusion: Moderate to high levels of evidence indicate a strong efficacy of ADSCs transplantation on motor function and neurological improvement following ischemic stroke in animal models. However, no reports regarding the dose-response effect of ADSCs administration on stroke exist in the literature. As a result, further pre-clinical studies are recommended to be conducted on the matter. © 2020 The Author(s)

Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin and vitamine E on cellular density of CA1 hippocampal area, learning ability and memory, following ischemia - reperfusion injury in mice

Background and Objective: Reduction in cerebral blood flow following cereblal ischemia cause the production of oxygen free radicals and finally leads to brain tissue destruction. Pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of hippocampus are highly sensitive to hypoxic condition. This study was done to determine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and vitamine E on cellular density of CA1 hippocampal area, learning ability and memory, following ischemia - reperfusion injury in mice. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 male mice in 5 groups as follow: sham control, ischemia, hCG treated, vitamine E treated and hCG + vitamine E treated groups. Single dose of vitamin E was injected intraperitonaly during the establishment of reperfusion and hCG was injected from 48h after ischemia for 5 days. Folowing the treatment period, mice brains were fixated by transcardial perfusion and stained by nissle method. The shuttle box was used to evaluate the learning memory. Results: Co-administartion of vitamine E and hCG, significantly increased the cell numbers in hippocampus compared to the ischemic group (P<0.001). Also learning and memory improved in treatment group in comparison with ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Co-administration of vitamin E and hCG improved ischemia-induced neurodegenration and memory impairment