Effect of 12-weeks elastic band resistance training on MyomiRs and osteoporosis markers in elderly women with Osteosarcopenic obesity: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Interorgan communication networks established during exercise in several different tissues can be mediated by several exercise-induced factors. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance-type training using elastic band-induced changes of myomiRs (i.e., miR-206 and miR-133), vitamin D, CTX-I, ALP, and FRAX (R) score in elderly women with osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO). Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 63 women (aged 65-80 years) with Osteosarcopenic Obesity were recruited and assessed, using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry instrument. The resistance-type training via elastic bands was further designed three times per week for 12-weeks. The main outcomes were Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score, bone mineral content, bone mineral density, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, expression of miR-206 and miR-133. Results: There was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score (p = 0.067), vitamin D (p = 0.566), alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.334), C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (p = 0.067), microR-133 (p = 0.093) and miR-206 (p = 0.723). Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study illustrated 12-weeks of elastic band resistance training causes a slight and insignificant improvement in osteoporosis markers in women affected with Osteosarcopenic Obesity

Phytopharmacology and phytotherapy of regulatory T cells: A new approach to treat multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder of central nervous system characterized by demyelination, inflammation, and axonal injury. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been defined as CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T-cells that play a critical role in maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases. Dysfunction and decreased numbers of Tregs may lead to MS. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using the Endnote software for the publications about the role of Tregs in MS published from 2000 to February 2016. The medicinal plants and their derivatives, including Hypericum perforatum, Astragalus membranaceus, Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, curcumin, resveratrol, matrine, Bu Shen Yi Sui Capsule, and Hyungbangpaedok-san have been reported to regulate the function of Tregs in MS. The medicinal plants and their derivatives reported in this study might be useful for upregulation of Tregs through suppressing the activation of autoreactive T cells and hence controlling MS. They should be investigated in clinical trials to help to prevent and treat MS

Study of educational needs, level of education, and training courses of employees in herbal stores of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Background and aims: Over 70 of Iranians treat their diseases by using medicinal plants and about 67 of these plants are prepared and distributed by herbal stores. Many people working in the herbal stores do not have specialized or academic education related to medicinal plants. Due to the importance of medicinal plants in human health, this study was conducted to determine the level of education and training courses of employees in herbal stores in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 48 people participated and the method of sampling was convenience.The data collection tool was a questionnaire that was filled out through interviews. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 62.5 of people did not have specialized education related to herbalism. 54.2 of the participants had attended related training courses and 45.8 had not. 70.8 of people had participated in private training courses and 29.2 had participated in university courses. The most important educational need of the participants was related to the amount of consumption, followed by side effects and interaction of medicinal plants with chemical drugs. 73.8 of people tended to attend courses offered by universities. Conclusion: Half of the preparation and distribution of medicinal plants is done by inexperienced people with low education. This is an unprofessional behavior and illegal medical intervention that causes many problems and complications in patients. These interventions require correction. Authorized organizations should improve the scientific level of employees using educational interventions and programs and prevent the activities of unauthorized people

The effect of elastic resistance band training with green coffee supplementation on novel hepatic steatosis biomarkers in obese women: A randomized controlled trial

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) using elastic bands together with green coffee supplement on novel hepatic steatosis biomarkers (hepatic steatosis index [HSI] and Framingham steatosis index [FSI]) in middle-aged obese women. Materials and Methods: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial performed on the basis of the CONSORT Statement at Shahrekord University in Iran (summer 2018). For this purpose, 60 obese women aged 30-60 years with a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/ m2 were selected to participate in this study and then they were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: green coffee (GC, n=15), resistance training and placebo (RT+P, n=15), green coffee and resistance training (GC+RT, n=15), and placebo groups (P, n=15). Results: The results showed no significant differences in FSI (P=0.822) and HSI (P=0.752) between four groups. However, there were significant increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the RT+P (P=0.050) and GC+RT groups (P=0.032) and significant decreases in total cholesterol (TC) in the RT+P (P=0.023), GC+RT (P=0.006), and GC groups (P=0.041). Conclusion: The reduction of hepatic steatosis biomarkers in these individuals may require a longer period of resistance workouts or other exercises. Keywords: Elastic band resistance training, Green coffee, Hepatic steatosis biomarkers, Obesit

Suppressive effects of medicinal plants and their derivatives on inflammasome complex: A systematic review

Inflammasome activation is mediated by (NOD)-like receptors (NLR) proteins that respond to stimuli. Among NLRs, NACHT-LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) senses the widest array of stimuli. NLRP3 inflammasome has an important role in the development of many inflammation disorders. Regarding the significance of inflammatory diseases, and the necessity of preventing and treating these diseases, the aim of this review article is to report medicinal plants and their nature-based derivatives that are effective on suppression of inflammasome complex. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using the Endnote software for the publications about the role herbal medicine in inflammasome activation pathways from 2000 to February 2016. Sophora flavescens, Lyciumbarbarum, Impatiens textori Miq., Syneilesis palmata (Thunb.), Aloe vera, citral (3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal), celastrol, sulforaphane, schisandrin, resveratrol, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DHCA), luteoloside, Pulsatilla decoction, and Wuling San have been reported to suppression function of inflammasome. Medicinal plants and their derivatives can be useful for inflammation related disorders by suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, they should be investigated in clinical trials to help to prevent and treatment of inflammatory diseases

The study of the contamination extent in jewelry used by nursing staff and its relation to some factors in Shahrekord Medical University hospitals

Background and aims: In clinics, nurses spend most of their working shifts « hours with different if they do not follow the general principals of prevention, they will have greater share of transmission of infection to patients and others. Therefore, the aim of this study is determining the extent of contamination in nursing staff's jewelry and their level of awareness of using these objects in Shahrekord medical university hospitals. Methods: This study is a analytical discriptive study which was done on 220 nurses, who were selected by cluster sampling, in Shahrekord hospitals. For data collection, a questionnaire included demographic information and assessment of the level of awareness about the terms of using jewelries in clinical environments was used. The reliability of this questionnaire was obtained 0.86 based on Cronbach's alpha, and confirmed. After that, the nurses' palms and the jewelry used by them were sampled and cultured in vitro. After 48-72 hours, the samples were examined and the data were analyzed by the use of SPSS Software and descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as Cross tab. Results: The results of this study revealed that only 7 (3.2%) of the participants did not use jewelry in the workplace. In the in vitro cultures from the jewelry used by participants in the study, Staphylococcus Epidermidis had the highest frequency and candida albikans had the lowest frequency. Also, the materials used in watches had a significant role in the level of microbial contamination but this relationship is not seen in other jewelry. (r=259.84, P=0.000). There is a relationship between the gender of the participants and the level of microbial contamination in the watches. (r=24.913, P=0.000) This relationship is more in women comparing with men. Although more than 75% of nurses have a good awareness of the abandonment of using the jewelry in clinical areas, yet the use of jewelry is at a considerable extent. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the hands and various types of jewelry used by nurses are contamined with various pathogens, while applying the defined professional principles for controlling infection is the most important principles of clinical programs. Therefore, the results of this study can be used by the managers of the hospitals to emphasize more desirably on the compliance of the rules and regulations for controlling of infection in clinical environments

Long-COVID and post-COVID effects on childhood related to physical inactivity: A home-based exercise prescription

The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Implementing social distancing policy measures, such as the stay-at-home order, to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only has affected lifestyles and weights in children but has also created an obesity-inducing environment, leading to modifications in the patterns of interactions between this age group and their surrounding environment. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic has been effective in childhood obesity and its prevalence rate may continue increasing. This narrative review aimed to synthesize evidence from global studies on physical inactivity, and obesity among children and adolescents during COVID-19, and then prescribe an evidence-based home exercise guideline for this age group. The study findings revealed that the COVID-19 restrictions have drastically multiplied physical inactivity and obesity in children. It has been further established that childhood obesity leads to numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), psychosomatic disorders, lung diseases, and other metabolic problems in childhood and even as children grow up. Physical activity/exercise at home during and after COVID-19 has been correspondingly demonstrated to mitigate the problems associated with obesity. A wide range of resistance, aerobic, balance, flexibility and other types of exercises have been accordingly shown to protect against the negative effects of the pandemic on child health. Hence, efforts to facilitate such exercises are suggested to continue and be scaled up to prevent childhood obesity and relevant diseases during and after this unusual period

Effect of medicinal smokes on some nosocomial infection factors

زمینه و هدف: مقاومت دارویی امروزه یکی از مشکلات اساسی در درمان عفونت هاست و مقابله با این پدیده و استفاده از جایگزین های طبیعی اهمیت زیادی دارد. در این میان استفاده از دودهای طبی در درمان بسیاری از بیماری ها و از جمله بیماری های میکروبی و عفونی در ایران و بخصوص در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری از قدیم الایام رواج داشته که از جمله این دودها، دود حاصل از سوزاندن اسپند و سرگین می باشد. این مطالعه با هدف مقایسه خواص ضد میکروبی دود حاصل از دانه های اسپند و سرگین بر روی سودوموناس آئروژینوزا و استافیلوکوک اورئوس طراحی و انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی آزمایشگاهی، گروه های دود اسپند و سرگین الاغ ماده به عنوان مورد و گروه های آنتی بیوتیک و دود کاه به عنوان شاهد در نظر گرفته شدند. سوش های استاندارد سودوموناس آئروژینوزا و استافیلوکوک اورئوس در محیط کشت های مناسب (مولر هینتون آگار، EMB و بلادآگار) کشت داده شدند. دیسک های بلانک آنتی بیوگرام دود دهی شده با سرگین، اسپند و کاه به طور جداگانه با کمک پنس استریل بر روی سطح پلیت های حاوی این سوش ها قرار داده شده و پس از 48 ساعت انکوباسیون در 37 درجه سانتی گراد از نظر وجود یا عدم وجود هاله رشد بررسی گردید. عمل دود دهی در محفظه های طراحی شده هر 20 دقیقه یکبار و حداکثر تا 24 بار تکرارگردید. یافته ها: هر دو گونه نسبت به دود کاه مقاوم بودند. استافیلوکوک اورئوس نسبت به دود سرگین و اسپند و سودوموناس آئروژینوزا نسبت به سرگین حساس بودند. در گروه شاهد نیز استافیلوکوک اورئوس نسبت به کلوگزاسیلین مقاوم بوده و سودوموناس آئروژینوزا تنها نسبت به اریترومایسین و سیپروفلوکساسین حساس بود. با افزایش زمان دود دهی، قطر هاله عدم رشد در موارد حساس بزرگتر شده و به عبارت دیگر اثرات ضد میکروبی دود افزایش می یافت. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به یافته های پژوهش و اثرات ضدمیکروبی دود سرگین بر روی میکروب های بسیار مقاومی مانند استافیلوکوک اورئوس و سودوموناس آئروژینوزا، لزوم انجام تحقیقات وسیع تر در مورد مواد موثره و خواص دود سرگین مطرح می گردد

The study of the contamination extent in jewelry used by nursing staff and its relation to some factors in Shahrekord Medical University hospitals

Background and aims: In clinics, nurses spend most of their working shifts « hours with different if they do not follow the general principals of prevention, they will have greater share of transmission of infection to patients and others. Therefore, the aim of this study is determining the extent of contamination in nursing staff's jewelry and their level of awareness of using these objects in Shahrekord medical university hospitals. Methods: This study is a analytical discriptive study which was done on 220 nurses, who were selected by cluster sampling, in Shahrekord hospitals. For data collection, a questionnaire included demographic information and assessment of the level of awareness about the terms of using jewelries in clinical environments was used. The reliability of this questionnaire was obtained 0.86 based on Cronbach's alpha, and confirmed. After that, the nurses' palms and the jewelry used by them were sampled and cultured in vitro. After 48-72 hours, the samples were examined and the data were analyzed by the use of SPSS Software and descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as Cross tab. Results: The results of this study revealed that only 7 (3.2%) of the participants did not use jewelry in the workplace. In the in vitro cultures from the jewelry used by participants in the study, Staphylococcus Epidermidis had the highest frequency and candida albikans had the lowest frequency. Also, the materials used in watches had a significant role in the level of microbial contamination but this relationship is not seen in other jewelry. (r=259.84, P=0.000). There is a relationship between the gender of the participants and the level of microbial contamination in the watches. (r=24.913, P=0.000) This relationship is more in women comparing with men. Although more than 75% of nurses have a good awareness of the abandonment of using the jewelry in clinical areas, yet the use of jewelry is at a considerable extent. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the hands and various types of jewelry used by nurses are contamined with various pathogens, while applying the defined professional principles for controlling infection is the most important principles of clinical programs. Therefore, the results of this study can be used by the managers of the hospitals to emphasize more desirably on the compliance of the rules and regulations for controlling of infection in clinical environments. Keywords: Infection, nurse, Jewelry, Awareness, Transmission of infection

In silico study of potential immunonutrient-based sports supplements against COVID-19 via targeting ACE2 inhibition using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations

Use of some sports supplements can inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), a receptor for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as reviewed through molecular docking and sequent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations against this condition. The crystal structures of ACE2 receptors of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, applied in docking analysis, were taken from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The receptors were then prepared using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), as a drug-discovery software platform for docking. Supplements such as quercetin and beta glucan (beta-glucan) were the top docked compounds to ACE2 receptor though they strongly interacted with CoV target protein. The study data showed that immune responses to immunonutrient-based sports compounds (viz. quercetin and beta-glucan) in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were essential in mounting successful immune responses by athletes. While awaiting the development of an effective vaccine, there is a need to focus on immunonutrient-based sports supplements as preventive and therapeutic options that can be implemented in a safe and quick manner to bolster immune responses in athletes. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarm