The beneficial effect of tart cherry on plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (not recovery after exercise) : A systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials

Funding Information: This systematic review and meta-analysis was financially supported by Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences (Grant number: 1400-04-100 ). We are extremely grateful to the data collection team at the Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Evaluation of microbial contamination of ready-to-eat foods (pizza, frankfurters, sausages) in the city of Ilam

Background: Today in the world, disease resulting from food is considered one of the most important problems in public health. This study aimed to determine the bacterial contamination of ready-to-eat foods, i.e. fast food, in Ilam city. Methods: In this cross-sectional, analytical study, 270 samples of ready-to-eat food, including pizza, frankfurters, and sausages, were randomly collected and tested for contamination with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella arizonae, and Enterococcus faecalis. After examination, the collected data was analyzed using SPSS 20 software and logistic regression. Results: From a total of 270 samples of ready-to-eat food, 27.77% was contaminated with E. coli, 21.48% with S. aureus, 13.33% with S. sonnei, 14.44% with S. arizonae, and 5.9% with E. faecalis. The results showed higher rates of E. coli and S. aureus contamination in pizza, frankfurters, and sausages. Also, a higher percentage of frankfurters were contaminated with microbial species than pizza or sausages. There were significant differences in microbial contamination rates (P < 0.05) among the three groups of food. In addition, factors such as indicators (health, sanitation, and lack of hygiene), age, gender, and education level of the operating staff had no effect on the results. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that bacterial contamination of ready-to-eat foods is significantly high in the city of Ilam; therefore, it is suggested that the examination of food in various stages of production and distribution can help reduce bacterial contamination, and training for the operators of shopping centers’ ready-to-eat food shops and controlling pathogens are essential

Alginate Free Films: Cross-linking with Strontium Carbonate

Introduction: Alginates are non-toxic, hydrophilic, biocompatible, biodegradable and low cost polymers which make them suitable for many biomedical applications. Due to their good tissue compatibility, they have been widely used in enhancing the healing process. However, they have limitations in mechanical characteristics and drug release. Adding metal ions could add some features to these films in order to improve their properties. The purpose of this study is to compare alginate blend films cross-linked with different concentrations of strontium in order to submit one as the best in topical applications. Methods and Results:Sodium alginate (2 g/100 g) was first dissolved in 50 mL de-ionized water. Di butyl phthalate (16%w/w) was added as plasticizer. After dissolution, the solution was poured into Petri dishes and dried at 40°C for 24 h. Alginate films were chemically cross-linked by immersing in different concentrations of strontium carbonate (0.1-1-10% w/v) for 1 minute. The films were then dried at oven at 40 °C for 24 h. The swelling test was performed in acidic(HCl 0.1N) and phosphate buffer media (pH=6.8) for 90 minutes. Thickness of alginate film before and after the strontium crosslinking procedure was0.178mm and 0.26 mm, respectively. Swelling index (IS) in acid and buffer media was 280.70% and 263.64%, respectively. Conclusions:The swelling test of cross-linked films has demonstrated satisfying results by increasing in swelling properties, hence promising outcome for wound healing conditions. Also, the results showed pH-responsive swelling behaviors with surprisingly more swelling in acidic media compared to buffer

The anti-leech effect of ethanolic etract ofachillea millefolium l. Compared to levamisole and niclosamide on limnatis nilotica

This experimental trial was designed to evaluate the anti-Limnatis nilotica effect of Achillea millefolium L. ethanolic extract as well as levimisole and niclosamide. In an experimental study the extract of Achillea millefolium L. aerial parts was prepared and then the severity effect of the treatments was recorded and compared with placebo group on L. nilotica as anti-leech assay. The average time of paralysis and death of L. nilotica for Levamisole, niclosamide and Achillea millefolium L. plant were 12.66±5.19 min, 19.22±3.42 min and 90±17 min, respectively. Distilled water was determined as the inert for control group. In this study, it was determined that Achillea millefolium L. plant with an intensity of 3+ have a good anti-leech effect and can be shown to be effective in cases of leech bitings. © 2014 Vasile Goldis University Press

BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTS AND PROCESS ENGINEERING EGFP reporter protein: its immunogenicity in Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice

Abstract Optical reporter genes such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase are efficiently and widely used in monitoring and studying the protective/therapeutic potential of candidate agents in leishmaniasis. But several observations and controversial reports have generated a main concern, whether enhanced GFP (EGFP) affects immune response. To address this issue, we studied the immunogenicity of EGFP in vivo by two lines of stably transfected parasites (Leishmania major EGFP or L. major EGFP-LUC ) in BALB/c model and/or as a recombinant protein (rEGFP) produced in vitro by bacteria in parallel. Disease progression was followed by footpad swelling measurements and parasite burden in draining lymph nodes using microtitration assay and real-time PCR, and immune responses were also evaluated in spleen. EGFP-expressing parasites generated larger swellings in comparison with wild-type (L. major) while mice immunized with rEGFP and challenged with wild-type parasite were quite comparable in footpad swelling with control group without significant difference. However, both conventional and molecular approaches revealed no significant difference in parasite load between different groups. More importantly, no significant inflammatory responses were detected in groups with higher swelling size measured by interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-5, and nitric oxide against frozen and thawed lysate of parasite as stimulator. Altogether, these results clearly revealed that EGFP protein expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts is not an immunological reactive molecule and acts as a neutral protein without any side effects in mice. So, EGFP expressing Leishmania could be a safe and reliable substitution for wildtypes that simplifies in situ follow-up and eliminates the animal scarification wherever needed during the study

How should we assess knowledge translation in research organizations; designing a knowledge translation self-assessment tool for research institutes (SATORI)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The knowledge translation self-assessment tool for research institutes (SATORI) was designed to assess the status of knowledge translation in research institutes. The objective was, to identify the weaknesses and strengths of knowledge translation in research centres and faculties associated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The tool, consisting of 50 statements in four main domains, was used in 20 TUMS-affiliated research centres and departments after its reliability was established. It was completed in a group discussion by the members of the research council, researchers and research users' representatives from each centre and/or department.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean score obtained in the four domains of 'The question of research', 'Knowledge production', 'Knowledge transfer' and 'Promoting the use of evidence' were 2.26, 2.92, 2 and 1.89 (out of 5) respectively.</p> <p>Nine out of 12 interventional priorities with the lowest quartile score were related to knowledge transfer resources and strategies, whereas eight of them were in the highest quartile and related to 'The question of research' and 'Knowledge production'.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The self-assessment tool identifies the gaps in capacity and infrastructure of knowledge translation support within research organizations. Assessment of research institutes using SATORI pointed out that strengthening knowledge translation through provision of financial support for knowledge translation activities, creating supportive and facilitating infrastructures, and facilitating interactions between researchers and target audiences to exchange questions and research findings are among the priorities of research centres and/or departments.</p

A systematic review and meta-analysis of almond effect on C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in adults

Background: The previous articles have shown that the almond might reduce the serum concentration of inflammatory mediators. Therefore, the studies reported in this article aimed to assess the almond effect on serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in adults. Method and materials: To find the related English-language studies, an electronic search was run in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane library with no time limit (up to August 2022). The effect sizes were calculated based on the mean changes for both intervention and comparison groups. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to determine the summary of overall effects and their heterogeneity. Cochran's Q test and I-squared statistic were used to explore the statistical heterogeneity. Results: In total, eleven studies were included in this study. The overall estimate indicated that the almond consumption had no significant effect on serum CRP level (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −0.28 mg/l, 95 % confidence interval (CI): − 0.81, 0.25; p = 0.29). Regarding IL-6, almond consumption significantly decreased serum IL-6 level (WMD = −0.1 pg/ml, 95 % CI: −0.15, −0.05; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The overall results support the beneficial effects of almond consumption on serum concentration of IL-6; but even so, our study revealed that the almond consumption non-significantly reduced serum concentration of CRP. We still need more well-designed trials to confirm the beneficial effects of almond

Status of the Utilization of Preventive Care Services and its Affecting Socio-Demographic Factors among Iranian Elderly: Status of the Utilization of Preventive Care Services

Objective: The growing population of the elderly, the rising costs of medical care and the low use of preventive services are three factors that highlight the importance of using preventive health care services in the Iranian population. This study aimed to determine the status of the use of preventive care services and its affecting socio-demographic factors in the elderly referring to health centers. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a number of 160 elderly people referring to health centers in East Guilan, Iran were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Utilization of preventive care services and socio-demographic factors were assessed using a questionnaire. Results: The highest and the lowest utilization rates of preventive care services among study participants were related to the blood pressure control (96.9%) and colonoscopy (17.5%), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that only income had a significant association with performing fasting blood sugar test (P=0.004), blood cholesterol test (P=0.004), and blood pressure control test (P=0.013). Also, the associations between having an underlying disease and performing fasting blood sugar test (P=0.032) and blood pressure control test (P=0.002), the association between gender and performing the bone mineral density test (P&lt;0.001), and the association between occupation and performing Pap-smear test (P=0.011), were statistically significant. Conclusion: The utilization rates of screening tests for most cancers, including gastrointestinal cancers, were low. Since, there were a significant&nbsp;association between income, disease, gender and occupation with the utilization of some preventive care services, considering them in health centers’ preventive care program design might be useful

The risk factors for cytomegalovirus reactivation following stem cell transplantation

Objective: Opportunistic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) are among the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing hematipoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This infection is frequently seen in early postengraftment period. So we determined to find the risk factors associated with CMV reactivation. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 126 consecutive patients who underwent allogenic-HSCT from peripheral blood stem cells from August 2011 to February 2013 in Shariati Hospital. We included HSCT patients with 15 years of age or older, who survived at least 100 days after transplantation. CMV reactivation was detected based on the weekly PP65 assessment. Patients with 10 or more positive cells per 50,000 cells were defined as having high-level antigenemia. Findings: From 126 patients which included in this study, 76 were male (60%). CMV antigenemia was documented in 43 patients (34%). The median time to CMV infection was 40 days (range: 3–77) after transplantation. The incidence of high-level antigenemia during the first 100 days following HSCT was 11%. Conclusion: We found that the significant risk factor for CMV antigenemia in multivariate analysis was prior graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) experience and higher donor age. For high-level antigenemia, GVHD or duration of its treatment was significant determinant

In situ synthesis of long tubular water-dispersible polyaniline with core/shell gold and silver@graphene oxide nanoparticles for gas sensor application

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with graphene oxide (GO) shell (Au@GO), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with GO shell (Ag@GO), and gold silver nanoparticles (AuAgNPs) with GO shell (AuAg@GO) were synthesized employing a cationic surfactant. The prepared core@shell structures were used for in situ synthesis of long tubular polyaniline structures employing cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a soft template. This process led to a notable enhancement in the tubular nanostructure of PANI, extending its length beyond 10 μm, in the case of using core/shell Au@GO, Ag@GO, and AuAg@GO structures. To evaluate their applicability and compatibility, the dispersibility of these nanocomposites was assessed in three distinct solvents: water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Subsequently, the dedoping of PANI within the prepared nanocomposites was scrutinized using UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, which revealed a reduction in the I750/I315 ratio from 1.00 to 0.66 when subjected to water and NMP solvents, respectively. Notably, the dedoping of the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite was predominantly observed in NMP, attributable to the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions and the basic properties of NMP. In terms of ionic conductivity, it was observed that the prepared nanocomposite exhibited its highest conductivity in a water-based medium, registering at 1982 μs. Furthermore, the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite exhibited superior sensing capabilities in comparison to PANI-based gas sensor devices, particularly when exposed to acetone, CO2, NO2, and H2S. Remarkably, at room temperature (25 °C), the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite displayed rapid response and recovery times, with values of 279 s, 431 s, 335 s, and 509 s for 1 ppm concentrations of CO2, NO2, H2S, and acetone, respectively. The sensitivity of these sensors towards acetone, CO2, NO2, and H2S, was quantified by analyzing the slope of the response versus the target gas concentration, revealing the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite to exhibit the highest sensitivity, particularly towards NO2