Transfusion-related acute lung injury in multiple traumatized patients

Background: Many of the multiple traumatized patients who refer to the hospital need transfusion. Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious clinical syndrome associated with the transfusion of plasma-containing blood components. In the article, we present a case of TRALI following transfusion of packed red blood cells Case Presentation: A 24 year old male referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital due to multiple trauma with left femoral and humerus fractures. Due to severe anemia he received 3 units of packed red blood cells. The symptoms of TRALI began 2 hours after transfusion. He was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) due to metabolic acidosis and severe hypoxia. The TRALI was confirmed after ruling out the other probable pulmonary diseases. He recovered and was discharged. Conclusion: Transfusion related acute lung injury should be considered in any case receiving transfusion of plasma containing blood components

Effect of gamma irradiation on fatty acid composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low-dose gamma irradiation (0, 1, 3 and 5 kGy) on fatty acid composition of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet. Among all of the fatty acids, oleic acid (C18:1) (with mean 33.50±3.02 g/100 g fatty acids) and myristoleic acid (C14:1) (with mean 0.41±0.26 g/100 g fatty acids) were the most predominant and the lowest fatty acids in all irradiated and non-irradiated samples, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in level of all fatty acids, saturated fatty acids (SFA), unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) between Rainbow trout fillet control and irradiated in 1, 3 and 5 kGy. Therefore irradiation process and different doses of irradiation in this study (1, 3 and 5 kGy) had no significant effect (P>0.05) on fatty acid composition

Relapse coping strategies in young adults addicts: A quantitative study in Iran

Background: Cognitive-behavioral coping approach is known as an effective strategy to preventing relapse. Its goal is to forget incompatible behaviors and replaces them with the compatible answers. Objectives: This study examines relapse coping strategies in young adults in selected substance abuse treatment centers in Iran. Patients and Methods: The present is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 70 self-referred young addicts (18-24 years). Adolescence Relapse Coping Questionnaire was used to assess relapse coping strategies. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. Results: The findings revealed that 71.2 have experienced a relapse totally. It was hard to control the hypothetical high risk situation and they greatly wanted to use the substance (mean 7.39 of 10). Addicts have used of all three coping skills in »definitely would do» level. Conclusion: Enhancing self-efficacy through training coping skills, especially abstinence - focused coping skills to react properly in high risk situation can be useful. © 2016 Indian Psychiatric Society | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Identification of chemical compounds of <em>Nardostachys Jatamansi </em>essence available in Iran

Introduction: With regard to using drugs with plant origin and with the aim of suitable use of these types of drugs and preventing them to be abused, it is necessary to determine the standards of these plants. The aim of the present study was to identify and study chemical compounds of Nardostachys Jatamansi essence in Iran and define monograph of this plant for the Iranian plant pharmacopeia. Methods: In an experimental study the Nardostachys Jatamansi specimen was prepared from the market in Iran. The essence of the plant was prepared by the hydro-distillation in Clevenger apparatus. Essence was obtained as a greenish yellow oil layer with the 0.07 yield. The essence compounds were identified quantitatively by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) method. Results: Totally, 29 compounds were identified in Nardostachys Jatamansi essence. The retention indexes (RI) were only similar with overall standard values in two compounds like mesitylene and P-cymene. In this line the RI values about three compounds of valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate were determined significantly higher than standard values of RI. Conclusion: The essence prepared from the Nardostachys Jatamansi plant in Iran was different in terms of some compounds and components including valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate and so it is necessary to identify and register quality and quantity characteristics of compounds available in this plat in the Iranian medicinal plants pharmacopeia.</p

Effects of curcumin on body weight, glycemic control and serum lipids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin on body weight, glycemic control and serum lipids in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: The current randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 subjects with PCOS, aged 18�40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated to take 500 mg/day curcumin (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Glycemic control and serum lipids were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Using RT-PCR method, gene expression related to insulin and lipid metabolism was evaluated. Results: Curcumin significantly decreased weight (�0.8 ± 0.9 vs. �0.2 ± 0.8 kg, P = 0.03) and BMI (�0.3 ± 0.4 vs. �0.1 ± 0.3 kg/m2, P = 0.03). Curcumin, compared with the placebo, significantly reduced fasting glucose (β �2.63 mg/dL; 95 CI, �4.21, �1.05; P = 0.002), serum insulin (β �1.16 μIU/mL; 95 CI, �2.12, �0.19; P = 0.02), insulin resistance (β �0.26; 95 CI, �0.48, �0.03; P = 0.02), and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β 0.006; 95 CI, 0.001, 0.01; P = 0.02). In addition, taking curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol (β �15.86 mg/dL; 95 CI, �24.48, �7.24; P = 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (β �16.09 mg/dL; 95 CI, �25.11, �7.06; P = 0.001) and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (β �0.62; 95 CI, �0.93, �0.30; P &lt; 0.001), and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (β 2.14 mg/dL; 95 CI, 0.36, 3.92; P = 0.01) compared with the placebo. Additionally, curcumin administration up-regulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (P = 0.03) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) (P &lt; 0.001) compared with the placebo. Conclusions: Overall, curcumin administration for 12 weeks to women with PCOS had beneficial effects on body weight, glycemic control, serum lipids except triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels, and gene expression of PPAR-γ and LDLR. Registered under Clinical Trials.gov Identifier no. http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N50. © 2020 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolis

TGF-β in radiotherapy: Mechanisms of tumor resistance and normal tissues injury

Emerging evidences show that changes in tumor stroma can adapt cancer cells to radiotherapy, thereby leading to a reduction in tumor response to treatment. On the other hand, radiotherapy is associated with severe reactions in normal tissues which limit the amount radiation dose received by tumor. These challenges open a window in radiobiology and radiation oncology to explore mechanisms for improving tumor response and also alleviate side effects of radiotherapy. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a well-known and multitasking cytokine that regulates a wide range of reactions and interactions within tumor and normal tissues. Within tumor microenvironment (TME), TGF-β is the most potent suppressor of immune system activity against cancer cells. This effect is mediated through stimulation of CD4+ which differentiates to T regulatory cells (Tregs), infiltration of fibroblasts and differentiation into cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and also polarization of macrophages to M2 cells. These changes lead to suppression of cytotoxic CD8 + T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells to kill cancer cells. TGF-β also plays a key role in the angiogenesis, invasion and DNA damage responses (DDR) in cancer cells. In normal tissues, TGF-β triggers the expression of a wide range of pro-oxidant and pro-fibrosis genes, leading to fibrosis, genomic instability and some other side effects. These properties of TGF-β make it a potential target to preserve normal tissues and sensitize tumor via its inhibition. In the current review, we aim to explain the mechanisms of upregulation of TGF-β and its consequences in both tumor and normal tissues. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Association between socio-demographic factors and diabetes mellitus in the north of Iran: A population-based study

Objective: This study considers the prevalence of DM and some related factors among adults in the Golestan province (north of Iran) in 2006. Methods: This is a Cross-sectional-Descriptive and population-based study, carried out among 1999 cases (1000 men and 999 women) between 25 and 65 years old. Participants were chosen by cluster and stratified sampling in urban and rural areas. Data on socio-demographic factors were collected using questionnaire, and anthropometric and biochemical indexes were measured. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) equal to or over 126 mg/dl was classified as type 2 DM. Results: Mean of age was 39.2 years and mean ± SD of FBS among men and women was 94.51 ± 32.91 and 98.2 ± 40.1 mg/dl, respectively. Prevalence of DM was 8.3% [(men = 6.8% and women = 9.7%), (urban = 10.5% and villages = 6.4%)]. Twenty-five percent of patients were undiagnosed as whole, 43% of patients were unaware of their problem, in men more than in women (48.5% versus 39.2%) and in rural area more than in urban area (35.1% versus 54.4%). We showed a positive and significant correlation between FBS and age, waist circumference and BMI (P = 0.01). Conclusion: DM was the one of the biggest health problems in the north of Iran, and half of them were unaware of their morbidity. DM was influenced by socio-demographic factors. © 2010 International Journal of Diabetes Mellitus. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Targeting of cellular redox metabolism for mitigation of radiation injury

Accidental exposure to ionizing radiation is a serious concern to human life. Studies on the mitigation of side effects following exposure to accidental radiation events are ongoing. Recent studies have shown that radiation can activate several signaling pathways, leading to changes in the metabolism of free radicals including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Cellular and molecular mechanisms show that radiation can cause disruption of normal reduction/oxidation (redox) system. Mitochondria malfunction following exposure to radiation and mutations in mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) have a key role in chronic oxidative stress. Furthermore, exposure to radiation leads to infiltration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells, which are important sources of ROS and NO. These cells generate free radicals via upregulation of some pro-oxidant enzymes such as NADPH oxidases, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Epigenetic changes also have a key role in a similar way. Other mediators such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), which are involved in the normal metabolism of cells have also been shown to regulate cell death following exposure to radiation. These mechanisms are tissue specific. Inhibition or activation of each of these targets can be suggested for mitigation of radiation injury in a specific tissue. In the current paper, we review the cellular and molecular changes in the metabolism of cells and ROS/NO following exposure to radiation. Furthermore, the possible strategies for mitigation of radiation injury through modulation of cellular metabolism in irradiated organs will be discussed. © 2020 Elsevier Inc

A novel method for investigation of the impact of sterilization by gamma radiation on polycaprolactone scaffold

Structural properties of materials irradiated with gamma-rays, such as mechanical and physical properties, may be modified or reduced depending on the displacement damages. Apart from increasing or decreasing that property, damage may be desirable or not. This study investigates the effects of sterilization by gamma radiation on polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds. Using a code-based simulation method, MCNPX provides information on primary knock-on atoms, or PKAs, that cause damage. A program has been developed called GAMMATRACK to access PKA information. These PKA data can be used as input for the SRIM code to analyze gamma damage systematically. The rate of damage caused by gamma radiation is calculated on the PCL target. The theoretical calculation method also has been used to confirm the results of the Monte Carlo method (MCNPX + SRIM code). Due to the low-energy PKAs and the thin target possibility of the displacement cascade can be ignored. It is realized that all displacements are due to single vacancies. The total number of hydrogens, carbons, and oxygen PKAs were obtained. It was found that the number of carbons PKA is more than the others, which causes three-dimensional polymer networks to be created. In the experimental analysis, it is necessary to know the appropriate depth of the sample for damage investigation. GAMMATRACK gives the gamma displacement damage graph along the length of the PCL. It shows a uniform distribution of displacement damage. The damage rate for the PCL target is calculated, and the results between the theoretical calculations and the Monte Carlo method (MCNPX + SRIM code) differ by about 17%