Fenugreek: A therapeutic complement for patients with borderline hyperlipidemia: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Objective: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a medicinal plant from Fabaceae family. This clinical study was designed to evaluate the effects of Fenugreek seeds supplementation on serum biochemical parameters of patients with borderline hyperlipidemia. Materials and methods: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 56 patients with borderline hyperlipidemia that were divided in two groups: F group received 8 g Fenugreek seeds powder sachets and P group received placebo sachets daily for 8 weeks. After 2 months, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated and compared with the baseline. Results: After 2 months, TG, TC, LDL and FBG significantly decreased in F group in comparison with P group, but these changes were not significant in HDL and BMI. Conclusion: Our findings showed that Fenugreek seeds supplementation, as a phenolic-rich herb can be effective in the reduction of some lipid profile in patients with borderline hyperlipidemi

The Effect of Guided Imagery and Music on the Level of Sexual Satisfaction of Women of Reproductive Age: A parallel cluster- Randomized Trial

Background & aim: As one of the most influential factors of marital life, sexual satisfaction can significantly lead to peace and compatibility of couples. The present study investigated the effect of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) on the level of sexual satisfaction in women of reproductive age.Methods: In this parallel cluster-randomized trial which was conducted from Feb. 2019 to Apr. 2020, 72 women of reproductive age (two groups of 36 subjects) who had moderate or undesirable sexual satisfaction were sampled. The guided imagery music was presented for the intervention group for 6 weeks as twice a week. No intervention was performed for the control group.  The data collection tool included fertility characteristics and Larson questionnaires, which was completed before, immediately and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) using independent t-test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney and variance analysis with repeated measurements.Results:  There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the sexual satisfaction score before the intervention. The mean sexual satisfaction score in the intervention group had a statistically significant difference between the baseline (91.1±9.1), immediately after intervention (112±4.46) and one month later (102±9.24) (P< 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the changes in the sexual satisfaction of women in the control group between three times.Conclusion: GIM technique improves women's sexual satisfaction. It is recommended to health care providers to use this behavioral technique to enhance the level of sexual satisfaction in women of reproductive age

Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from seafood samples

Abstract Background Enterococcus faecalis is considered an opportunistic foodborne pathogen. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, virulence characters, and molecular typing of E. faecalis strains isolated from seafood samples. Methods Two hundred and seventy‐six seafood samples were collected. E. faecalis was isolated from samples using bacterial culture. Furthermore, the disk diffusion assessed their antimicrobial resistance. Also, the distribution of virulence factors was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was used for their molecular typing. Results Fifty‐six of 276 (20.2%) seafood samples were contaminated with E. faecalis. Fish harboured the highest contamination rate (30.0%). Isolates harboured the highest resistance rate towards oxacillin (100%), tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (100%), cefoxitin (89.2%), cefazolin (87.5%), trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (85.7%), rifampin (69.6%), clindamycin (69.6%), and gentamicin (64.2%) antimicrobials. Efa (100%), ebpA (89.2%), ebpB (58.9%), ebpC (53.5%), and esp (51.7%) were the most commonly detected virulence factors among E. faecalis isolates. RAPD–PCR analysis showed 11 different molecular clusters considering the closeness of more than 80%. Conclusion Seafood samples were considered reservoirs of virulence and resistant E. faecalis strains. Different molecular clusters of isolates may reflect their diverse sources of contamination

Selective Cytotoxic effect of Probiotic, Paraprobiotic and Postbiotics of L.casei strains against Colorectal Cancer Cells: Invitro studies

This study highlights the cytotoxic effect of three&nbsp;L. casei&nbsp;strains on colorectal cell lines in&nbsp;invitro&nbsp;conditions. Different concentrations of live, heat killed (HK) and cell free supernatant (CFS) of three&nbsp;L.casei&nbsp;strains were subjected to CaCo2 and MRC5 cell lines. The viability of the treated and untreated cells was determined after 72 hrs by MTT assay, and IC50&nbsp;estimated. Apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V-propidium iodide method using flow cytometry. The live, HK and CFS of the&nbsp;L. casei&nbsp;strains showed cytotoxic effects on colorectal cell lines with significant differences. The cytotoxicity effects of live cells on CaCo2 cells were significantly higher (p˂0.01) than the HK cells. A dose dependent response was observed, as higher concentrations resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity effects. Live&nbsp;L.casei&nbsp;1296-2cells inhibited 91% of CaCo2 cell growth, with IC50&nbsp;of less than 108&nbsp;cfu/ml. MRS medium and concentrations of CFS at above 20% v/v, were cytotoxic to the normal cell lines. Flow cytometry analyses of&nbsp;L. casei&nbsp;1296-2 indicated that cytotoxicity effects on CaCo2 cells is related to apoptotic induction.&nbsp;Invitro&nbsp;studies indicate that Live and CFS of&nbsp;L. casei&nbsp;1296-2 might be promising candidate for the control of colorectal cancers

Effect of oral administration of Fenugreek seeds powdered on lipid profile

Effect of oral administration of Fenugreek seeds powdered on lipid profile Background: Atherosclerosis is the major cause of death in the developed country. Impairment in plasma lipoproteins and the metabolism of fats related in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis more than any other factors. Therefore control and treatment of hyperlipidemia, seems to be necessary. In recent years public tendency of societies to traditional medicine and the use of herbal medicines has been increasing. The role of various herbs in reducing blood lipids and reduce cardiovascular disease have been identified. In this context, can mentioned fenugreek, dill and walnut leaves. In Iran, human studies that indicate the effects of these herbs on blood lipids, has limited. Thus present study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of powdered Fenugreek seed on the lipid profile. Methods: This study was Clinical Trial and conducted on 49 hyperlipidemia patients who were not use lipid-lowering medications. Patients were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (24 treatment group and 25 control group) and both groups received nutritional education regarding diet changes and lifestyle. Also treatment group received 5 g/d of powdered of fenugreek seeds (as a package) for 8 weeks with food. Tchol, TG, LDL, HDL and FBS of patients were measured at the beginning and end of the study and finally data were compared using paired t test. Result: the results indicate significant decrease (p<0.05) among treatment group in LDL, Tchol , TG and FBS . There was no significant change was seen in HDL of patient in neither of the two groups. Conclusion: the results of this study showed that consumption of fenugreek seeds powdered is effective in reduce of blood lipids in hyperlipidemia patients. Keywords: Fenugreek, Hyperlipidemia, lipid Profile

HIV testing and its associated factors among street-based female sex workers in Iran: results of a national rapid assessment and response survey

Abstract Background Female sex workers (FSWs) are at a disproportionate risk of sexually transmitted infections and they may face significant barriers to HIV testing. This study aimed to examine HIV testing prevalence and its associated factors among street-based FSWs in Iran. Method A total of 898 FSWs were recruited from 414 venues across 19 major cities in Iran between October 2016 and March 2017. Eligible FSWs were women aged 18 years of age who had at least one commercial sexual intercourse in the previous year. HIV testing was defined as having tested for HIV in the lifetime. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the correlates of HIV testing. We report adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Result Overall, 57.8% (95%CI: 20.0, 88.0) of participants reported having tested for HIV, and HIV prevalence among FSWs who tested for HIV was 10.3% (95%CI: 7.5, 13.0). The multivariable model showed that unstable housing (aOR: 8.86, 95%CI: 2.68, 29.32) and drug use (aOR: 3.47, 95%CI: 1.33, 9.06) were associated with increased likelihood of HIV testing. However, FSWs with a higher level of income were less likely to be tested for HIV (aOR: 0.09, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.43). Conclusion Almost one in ten street-based FSWs had never tested for HIV. These findings suggest the need for evidence-based strategies such as outreach support and HIV self-testing to improve HIV testing in this marginalized population

Patterns of Relapse Risks and Related Factors among Patients with Schizophrenia in Razi Hospital, Iran: A Latent Class Analysis

Objectives: Relapse is very much associated with the management of disorder during the treatment, but also many other factors could trigger it. The aim of this study was to explore classes and patterns of relapse risk in patients with schizophrenia of Razi Hospital. Methods: Using random sampling techniques, we recruited 300 participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in Razi hospital of Tehran (Iran) between January and May 2017 in a cross-sectional survey. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to establish a baseline model of risk profiles and to identify the optimal number of latent classes, and we used ordinal regression to identify factors associated with class membership. Results: Three classes of multiple relapse risk were identified. LCA showed that, overall, 52%, 22% and 26% of participants with schizophrenia were divided into class 1, class 2 and class 3, respectively. Compared to members in the lowest-risk class (reference group), the highest-risk class members had higher odds of being the age of disorder onset under 25 (OR = 1.4; CI: 1.42–2.33). Participants with schizophrenia who were unemployed were more likely to categorize in the highest-risk class than members of the low-risk class (OR = 2.5; CI: 1.44–4.1). Also, female patients were more likely to belong to members of the high-risk class than members of the low-risk class (OR = 2.22; CI: 1.74–7.64). Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of having targeted prevention programs for all domains of Age of onset, female and unemployed related. So, current study suggested that interventions should focus on these risk factors. Furthermore, Increasing the Job opportunities for participants with schizophrenia is warranted so as to prevent of schizophrenia disorder

Lifetime and past-month substance use and injection among street-based female sex workers in Iran.

BackgroundStreet-based female sex workers (FSWs) are highly at risk of HIV and other harms associated with sex work. We assessed the prevalence of non-injection and injection drug use and their associated factors among street-based FSWs in Iran.MethodsWe recruited 898 FSWs from 414 venues across 19 major cities in Iran between October 2016 and March 2017. Correlates of lifetime and past-month non-injection and injection drug use were assessed through multivariable logistic regression models. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.ResultsLifetime and past-month non-injection drug use were reported by 60.3% (95% CI 51, 84) and 47.2% (95% CI 38, 67) of FSWs, respectively. The prevalence of lifetime and past-month injection drug use were 8.6% (95% CI 6.9, 10.7) and 3.7% (95% CI 2.6, 5.2), respectively. Recent non-injection drug use was associated with divorced marital status (AOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.07, 3.74), temporary marriage (AOR 4.31 [1.79, 10.40]), had &gt;&nbsp;30 clients per month (AOR 2.76 [1.29, 5.90]), ever alcohol use (AOR 3.03 [1.92, 6.79]), and history of incarceration (AOR 7.65 [3.89, 15.30]). Similarly, lifetime injection drug use was associated with ever alcohol use (AOR 2.74 [1.20-6.20]), ever incarceration (AOR 5.06 [2.48-10.28]), and ever group sex (AOR 2.44 [1.21-4.92]).ConclusionsNon-injection and injection drug use are prevalent among street-based FSWs in Iran. Further prevention programs are needed to address and reduce harms associated with drug use among this vulnerable population in Iran

A review on potential roles of vitamins in incidence, progression, and improvement of multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease, with unknown etiology. Vitamins, as important micronutrients playing different roles in body, seem to be important in MS pathogenesis. In vitro, in vivo and human studies, supports the protective role of some vitamins in MS occurrence or progression. Current study reviews recent insights and reports about the importance of vitamins in MS incidence or progression. In accordance, the importance of all water and fat-soluble vitamins in MS pathogenesis based on observational studies in human population and their role in the function of immune system as well as possible therapeutic opportunities are discussed in depth throughout this review. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Folic acid, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin