The effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises on the plasma irisin levels, HOMA-IR, and lipid profiles in women with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Background/objective: Irisin is suggested to be an exercise beneficial effects mediator. This study aimed to examine the effects of the aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), and combined exercise (CE) on the plasma levels of irisin and some metabolic and anthropometric indices. Methods: Sixty overweight women with metabolic syndrome were assigned equally into four groups: AE, RE, CE, and control. The study variables were measured before and 24 h after the intervention period. Results: None of the study groups showed statistically significant changes in the serum irisin. However, muscle mass significantly increased in the RE and CE groups. Also, a significant decrease was observed in the body fat percentage in all groups. In addition, compared with the control group, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance in the AE (p = 0.021), RE (p = 0.039), and in the CE (p = 0.003) groups reduced significantly. According to the analysis of indices� changes, serum irisin was significantly correlated with the body fat percentage (r = 0.532) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.424). Conclusions: The systematic exercise program for 8-weeks did not change circulating irisin and no statistically significant difference was observed between the exercise methods. Also, serum irisin seemed to be associated with the glycemic status, body fat and weight independent of exercise activity. RCT registration code: IRCT20180806040721N2. Registry name: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. © 2020 The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitnes

Predictors for the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in patients with underlying liver disease: a retrospective analytical study in Iran

Risk factors for clinical outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia have not yet been well established in patients with underlying liver diseases. Our study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 infection among patients with underlying liver diseases and determine the risk factors for severe COVID-19 among them. In a retrospective analytical study, 1002 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia were divided into two groups: patients with and without underlying liver diseases. The admission period was from 5 March to 14 May 2020. The prevalence of underlying conditions, Demographic data, clinical parameters, laboratory data, and participants' outcomes were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to estimate the predictive factors. Eighty-one (8) of patients had underlying liver diseases. The frequencies of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting were significantly higher among patients with liver diseases (48 vs. 25 and 46.1 vs. 30 respectively, both P < 0.05). Moreover, ALT and AST were significantly higher among patients with liver diseases (54.5 ± 45.6 vs. 37.1 ± 28.4, P = 0.013 and 41.4 ± 27.2 vs. 29.2 ± 24.3, P = 0.028, respectively). Additionally, the mortality rate was significantly high in patients with liver disease (12.4 vs. 7, P = 0.018). We also observed that the parameters such as neutrophil to leukocyte ratio Odds Ratio Adjusted (ORAdj) 1.81, 95% CI 1.21�3.11, P = 0.011 and blood group A (ORAdj 1.59, 95% CI 1.15�2.11, P = 0.001) were associated with progression of symptoms of COVID-19. The presence of underlying liver diseases should be considered one of the poor prognostic factors for worse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. © 2021, The Author(s)

The mechanical strength of additive manufactured intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis, known as the ITAP

The focus of this research is the ability to manufacture, when using layer base production methods, the medical insert known as ITAP used for prosthetic attachment in a femur. It has been demonstrated using computational modelling that a 3-dimensional build of the ITAP has the lowest stress present when the honeycomb infill pattern’s percentage is set at 100%, with the ITAP being constructed on a horizontal printing bed with the shear forces acting adjacent to the honeycomb structure. The testing has followed the British standard ISO 527-2:2012, which shows a layer base printed tensile test sample, with a print setting of 100% infill and at a side print orientation; this was found to withstand a greater load before failure than any other printed test configuration. These findings have been validated through simulations that analyses the compression, shear and torque forces acting upon an augmented femur, with an imbedded ITAP model

Combination of 5-azaytidine and hanging drop culture convert fat cell into cardiac cell

One of the promising approaches for the treatment of cardiac disease is stem cell therapy. In this study, we compared the cardiomyogenic differentiation rate, from human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in a three-dimensional (3D) hanging drop (HD) spheroid culture system, versus a two-dimensional (2D) culture condition at different concentrations of 5-azacytidine (5-Aza). 5-Azaytidine (5-Aza) is a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue of cytidine that initiates cell differentiation programs through DNA demethylation. The hADSCs were isolated and cultured both in 2D and 3D HD conditions, with either 10 or 50 μM concentrations of 5-Aza. Then DNA content, gene expression, and protein content were analyzed. 3D HD culture resulted in a higher percentage of cells in G0/G1 and S phase in the cell division cycle, whereas 2D culture led to a greater percentage of cells in the G2/M phase. A significantly higher gene expression rate of HAND1, HAND2, cTnI, Cx43, βMHC, GATA4, NKX2.5, and MLC2V was observed in HD treated with 50 μM 5-Aza. This was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. These findings suggest that 50 μM concentration of 5-Aza can induce hADSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. The differentiation rate was significantly higher when accompanied by the 3D HD culture system. This work provides a new culture system for cell differentiation for cardiovascular tissue engineering. © 2020 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc

Evaluation of the role of reflux pattern in Color Doppler Ultrasound on spermogram improvement after varicocelectomy

Purpose: Many attempts are being made to find an association between varicocele characteristics and sperm parameters. In this study, we investigated the association between a newly introduced varicocele reflux grading pattern and sperm parameters, as well as its effect on spermogram improvement after varicocelectomy. Methods: In a prospective study, 73 patients with a clinical single-sided varicocele who underwent corrective varicocelectomy were included. Reflux pattern was determined on Color Doppler Ultrasound (CDUS) and categorized into four grades: grade 1 (retrograde), grade 2 (augmentation), grade 3 (enhancement), and grade 4 (stasis). The association of pre- and postoperative spermogram with the patients� reflux pattern was evaluated. Results: A significant positive association was found between the venous diameter and reflux pattern. Higher grades of the reflux pattern were associated with the more severe hemodynamic pattern of the reflux (shunt type). A significant association was found between the reflux pattern and preoperative semen characteristics, and this association was more prominent in constant venous diameter. In this respect, the enhancing reflux type was associated with the most impaired preoperative sperm count, motility, and morphology. The enhancing type also revealed the most improvement in spermogram after varicocelectomy. Conclusion: Patients with a higher reflex grade, particularly enhancing pattern, will most benefit from the surgical correction of varicocele. These findings suggest reflux pattern as a promising prognostic factor for a favorable outcome after varicocelectomy. © 2020, Springer Nature B.V

Investigation of the Maternal and Neonatal Factors Affecting the Apgar score of Newborns: A Case-Control Study

Background: Apgar score is a method for clinical evaluation of neonate at birth, and predicts their clinical conditions and physical or mental development. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between some neonatal and maternal factors during pregnancy on the Apgar score. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 234 neonates born in Ilam hospitals during 2015-2016. The case group included 81 neonates with Apgar score = 7 in minute 1 as well as 48 cases and 96 controls in minute 5. Results: The mean maternal weights in the case and control groups were 66.8 +/- 13.5 and 67.1 +/- 11.1 Kg, respectively. The mean +/- SD for maternal age 29 +/- 5 vs. 29 +/- 5.7 years, marriage age 22 +/- 3 vs. 22.2 +/- 4.9 years, BMI 24.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 26.1 +/- 4.1 and weight gain during pregnancy 13.8 +/- 6.2 vs. 12.7 +/- 6.8 kg among cases and controls, respectively. The odds ratio for the following factors was significantly higher among cases than the control group: preterm delivery (OR: 3.3, 95 CI: 1.2-17), twin birth (OR: 8.9, 95 CI: 2.6-27.2), abnormal presentation of the fetus (OR: 6, 95 CI: 2.3-15.6), birth weight (OR: 6.9, 95 CI: 1.4-28.6), and placental abruption (OR: 9.4, 95 CI: 2.2-22.5) for Apgar score at five minute. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, preterm labor, multiple birth, and abnormal fetal presentation, and low birth weight, premature rupture of membrane, placental abruption and anemia, led to an increase in Apgar score less than 7

A randomized controlled trial of pegylated interferon-alpha with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B: A 48-week follow-up study

Background: Recent studies report incongruent finds regarding the addition of pegylated interferon -alpha (Peg- IFNα) to nucleos(t)ide analogues. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of Peg- IFNα and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) combination therapy with each of the treatments separately. Methods: In this open-label, randomized clinical trial, treatment-naive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: Group A: Peg- IFNα (180 mcg/week) with TDF (300 mg/day); Group B: TDF (300 mg/day); and Group C: Peg- IFNα (180 mcg/week). The intervention spanned 48 weeks and patients were followed up every 12 weeks. The primary end-point was HBV DNA load <20 IU/mL. Results: Groups A, B and C each comprised of 22, 23 and 22 patients, respectively. The number of patients with HBV DNA suppression in group A was significantly higher compared to groups B and C (P = 0.034). No significant difference was observed in the normalization trends of serum ALT levels between the three groups (P = 0.082). At week 48, combination therapy was significantly more effective in suppressing HBV DNA concentration to below the level of detection than TDF monotherapy (OR = 2.1, 95CI: 1.18�4.15; P = 0.034). Furthermore, a comparison between monotherapy arms revealed that both interventions had similar effects on the overall outcome (OR = 1.24, 95CI: 1.02�5.8; P = 0.062). Conclusion: A Peg- IFNα and TDF combination therapy resulted in improved virologic response and was safe in HBeAg negative patients. Monotherapy with Peg-IFNα or TDF procured limited benefits in comparison. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20181113041635N1). © 2020 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Disease