Glycated hemoglobin measurements from dried blood spots: Reliability and relation to results obtained from whole blood samples

Background: Main objective was to measure glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in dried blood spots on paper filter and in whole blood samples in diabetic patients to evaluate relationship between two methods and their respective reliability. Methods: The 20�10 μl of venous blood samples of 33 diabetics were blotted onto the filter paper allowed to dry at room temperature and then stored at 25°C and 4°C. HbA1c was measured via the Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay Technique. The relation was evaluated with correlation and linear regression tests using STATA software and SPSS. Agreement between the results obtained from the dried blood spots and others was evaluated using the Bland and Altman. The pitman's permutation test was also employed to compare the difference in variance. Results: A high positive correlation was detected between whole blood samples and dried blood spots stored at 4°C (r2 =0.90) and at 25°C (r2 = 0.95). The Bland and Altman graphs, as well as the Pitman tests, showed statistically significant differences in variability between the values obtained from whole blood samples and those derived from dried spots stored at 4°C (p=0.05) or 25°C (p=0.004). Conclusion: HbA1c measurements from dried blood spots on the filter paper yielded reliable results. That the Hitachi autoanalyzer is available in most countries renders this assay less costly than the High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method (HPLC). In addition, the filter paper method for Immuno-turbidimetric estimations of HbA1c at different temperatures is reliable and may be particularly useful in outpatient diabetes clinic

Chitosan-titanium dioxide-glucantime nanoassemblies effects on promastigote and amastigote of Leishmania major

The purpose of the present study was to design nanoassemblies of chitosan-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with glucantime for using their synergistic effects and enhancing the toxic effects of glucantime on Leishmania parasites. The nanoassemblies were prepared by electrostatic interactions and optimized by a response surface central composite design. The effects of glucantime, chitosan and TiO2 NPs amounts were studied on the particle size, zeta potential, loading efficiency, and release efficiency of drug from nanoassemblies. The conjugation of TiO2/chitosan-glucantime was verified by UV spectroscopy and changes in surface charge of NPs. The anti-promastigots effect of glucantime loaded in TiO2/chitosan nanoassemblies was studied by tripan blue dye test and their anti-amastigotes effect by counting the average number of parasites per infected J774 macrophages in 100 cells. The optimized formulation obtained by using 12.5 mg glucantime, 25 mg chitosan and 6 mg TiO2 NPs. Although TiO2 NPs alone were effective more than negative control in reduction of promastigots and amastigotes but they didn't show significant difference compared with free glucantime (p > 0.05). However, at the concentration of 50 μg/mL and after 72 h exposure nanoassemblies decreased the proliferation of L. major promastigotes and amastigotes 13 and 4-fold, respectively compared with glucantime alone. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Chitosan-titanium dioxide-glucantime nanoassemblies effects on promastigote and amastigote of Leishmania major

The purpose of the present study was to design nanoassemblies of chitosan-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with glucantime for using their synergistic effects and enhancing the toxic effects of glucantime on Leishmania parasites. The nanoassemblies were prepared by electrostatic interactions and optimized by a response surface central composite design. The effects of glucantime, chitosan and TiO2 NPs amounts were studied on the particle size, zeta potential, loading efficiency, and release efficiency of drug from nanoassemblies. The conjugation of TiO2/chitosan-glucantime was verified by UV spectroscopy and changes in surface charge of NPs. The anti-promastigots effect of glucantime loaded in TiO2/chitosan nanoassemblies was studied by tripan blue dye test and their anti-amastigotes effect by counting the average number of parasites per infected J774 macrophages in 100 cells. The optimized formulation obtained by using 12.5 mg glucantime, 25 mg chitosan and 6 mg TiO2 NPs. Although TiO2 NPs alone were effective more than negative control in reduction of promastigots and amastigotes but they didn't show significant difference compared with free glucantime (p > 0.05). However, at the concentration of 50 μg/mL and after 72 h exposure nanoassemblies decreased the proliferation of L. major promastigotes and amastigotes 13 and 4-fold, respectively compared with glucantime alone. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

A biophysical study on the mechanism of interactions of DOX or PTX with α-lactalbumin as a delivery carrier

© 2018, The Author(s). Doxorubicin and paclitaxel, two hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents, are used in cancer therapies. Presence of hydrophobic patches and a flexible fold could probably make α-Lactalbumin a suitable carrier for hydrophobic drugs. In the present study, a variety of thermodynamic, spectroscopic, computational, and cellular techniques were applied to assess α-lactalbumin potential as a carrier for doxorubicin and paclitaxel. According to isothermal titration calorimetry data, the interaction between α-lactalbumin and doxorubicin or paclitaxel is spontaneous and the K (M−1) value for the interaction of α-lactalbumin and paclitaxel is higher than that for doxorubicin. Differential scanning calorimetry and anisotropy results indicated formation of α-lactalbumin complexes with doxorubicin or paclitaxel. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic studies revealed that TRPs are not involved in α-Lac’s interaction with Doxorubicin while TRP 60 interacts with paclitaxel. Based on Pace analysis to determine protein thermal stability, doxorubicin and paclitaxel induced higher and lower thermal stability in α-lactalbumin, respectively. Besides, fluorescence lifetime measurements reflected that the interaction between α-lactalbumin with doxorubicin or paclitaxel was of static nature. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that α-lactalbumin could serve as a carrier for doxorubicin and paclitaxel by reducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis which was demonstrated during our in vitro cell studies

Control of a novel chaotic fractional order system using a state feedback technique

We consider a new fractional order chaotic system displaying an interesting behavior. A necessary condition for the system to remain chaotic is derived. It is found that chaos exists in the system with order less than three. Using the Routh-Hurwitz and the Matignon stability criteria, we analyze the novel chaotic fractional order system and propose a control methodology that is better than the nonlinear counterparts available in the literature, in the sense of simplicity of implementation and analysis. A scalar control input that excites only one of the states is proposed, and sufficient conditions for the controller gain to stabilize the unstable equilibrium points derived. Numerical simulations confirm the theoretical analysis. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

A nationwide study of metabolic syndrome prevalence in Iran; A comparative analysis of six definitions

Introduction To integrate and execute a proper preventive plan and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), policy makers need to have access to both reliable data and a unique definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was conducted on the data collected by cross-sectional studies of WHO's STEPwise approach to surveillance of NCD risk factors (STEPs) to estimate the national and sub-national prevalence rates of MetS in Iran in 2016. Materials and methods The prevalence of MetS was estimated among 18,414 individuals aged ≥25 years living in urban and rural areas of Iran using various definition criteria; National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2004 (ATP III), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI), Joint Interim Statement (JIS). Regional IDF (RIDF) and JIS (RJIS) were defined using ethnicityspecific values of waist circumference for the country. Results National prevalence rate of MetS based on ATP III, IDF, AHA/NHLBI, JIS, RIDF and RJIS criteria were 38.3% (95% CI 37.4-39.1), 43.5% (42.7-44.4), 40.9% (40.1-41.8), 47.6% (46.8-48.5), 32.0% (31.2-32.9), and 40.8% (40.0-41.7), respectively. The prevalence was higher among females, in urban residents, and those aged 65-69 years. MetS was expected to affect about 18.7, 21.3, 20.0, 23.3, 15.7, and 20.0 million Iranians, respectively, based on ATP III, IDF, AHA/NHLBI, JIS, RIDF and RJIS. The two most common components noted in this population were reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and central obesity. Conclusion High prevalence rate of MetS among Iranian adults is alarming, especially among females, urban residents, and the elderly. The JIS definition criteria is more appropriate to determine higher number of Iranians at risk of NCDs. Proper management and prevention of MetS is required to adopt multiple national plans including lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and public education on NCDs risk factors

Consensus Middle East and North Africa Registry on Inborn Errors of Immunity

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic defects of immunity, which cause high rates of morbidity and mortality mainly among children due to infectious and non-infectious complications. The IEI burden has been critically underestimated in countries from middle- and low-income regions and the majority of patients with IEI in these regions lack a molecular diagnosis. Methods: We analyzed the clinical, immunologic, and genetic data of IEI patients from 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The data was collected from national registries and diverse databases such as the Asian Pacific Society for Immunodeficiencies (APSID) registry, African Society for Immunodeficiencies (ASID) registry, Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) registry, J Project centers, and International Consortium on Immune Deficiency (ICID) centers. Results: We identified 17,120 patients with IEI, among which females represented 39.4%. Parental consanguinity was present in 60.5% of cases and 27.3% of the patients were from families with a confirmed previous family history of IEI. The median age of patients at the onset of disease was 36 months and the median delay in diagnosis was 41 months. The rate of registered IEI patients ranges between 0.02 and 7.58 per 100,000 population, and the lowest rates were in countries with the highest rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and death rates for children. Predominantly antibody deficiencies were the most frequent IEI entities diagnosed in 41.2% of the cohort. Among 5871 patients genetically evaluated, the diagnostic yield was 83% with the majority (65.2%) having autosomal recessive defects. The mortality rate was the highest in patients with non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (51.7%, median age: 3.5 years) and particularly in patients with mutations in specific genes associated with this phenotype (RFXANK, RAG1, and IL2RG). Conclusions: This comprehensive registry highlights the importance of a detailed investigation of IEI patients in the MENA region. The high yield of genetic diagnosis of IEI in this region has important implications for prevention, prognosis, treatment, and resource allocation