Uncovering the Molecular Link Between miR156.SPL15 and Carotenoid Accumulation in Arabidopsis

Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenases (CCDs) are an enzyme family that cleaves specific double bonds in carotenoids. MicroR156 in Arabidopsis regulates a network of genes by repressing 10 SPL genes, among which, SPL15 was found to regulate shoot branching and carotenoid accumulation. The expression of CCD1, CCD4, CCD7, CCD8, NCED2, NCED3, NCED5, NCED6, NCED9 and SPL15 was evaluated in siliques at 10 days post anthesis and in 10-day-old roots in Arabidopsis wild type, sk156 (miR156 overexpression mutant), RS105 (miR156 overexpression line), spl15 (SPL15 knockout mutant) and two 35S:SPL15 lines. Results showed that most of CCD/NCED genes were affected both in the roots and siliques by function of miR156. In addition transcript levels of four CCD/NCED genes were up regulated in 35S:SPL15 lines. To test binding of SPL15 to affected CCD/NCED genes, 35S:SPL15-GFP transgenic lines were generated and three independent lines were subjected to ChIP-qPCR. The results revealed strong and selective occupancy of SPL15 on the promoter regions of candidate CCD/NCED genes. In addition, sk156 and RS105 had larger size of elaioplasts and plastoglobules compared to wild type. My results indicate that miR156/SPL15 control carotenoid accumulation by regulating expression of CCD/NCED genes and by increasing the cell’s capacity to store carotenoids

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy in a patient with situs inversus and dextrocardia: a case report

<p class="abstract"><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> Dextrocardia situs inversus refers to the heart being a mirror image situated on the right side of the body. Distorted cardiac anatomy provides technical difficulties during fluoroscopy‐guided transcatheter procedures. This is even more difficult in the case with percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). Mitral valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure to correct an uncomplicated mitral stenosis by dilating the valve using a balloon. Here, we describe a case of a 25 years-old male with situs inversus and dextrocardia.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>CASE REPORT</strong>: A 25 years-old man, having situs inversus and suffering from mitral stenosis was referred to hospital for PTMC. His initial examination findings were unremarkable and an electrocardiographic (ECG), trans-esophageal and transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation were performed. Mitral valve (MV) was dome shape and severely stenotic with mild mitral regurgitation (MR). Left ventricular&nbsp;ejection Fraction (LVEF) was about 40%, Femoral arterial and venous punctures were made on the left side; the left femoral artery and vein were cannulated with a 5F arterial and 6F venous sheaths, respectively. Then special maneuvers were done to solve the mitral valve stenosis. At the end of the procedure, no MR was documented by checking LV angiogram and there were no signs of mitral stenosis (MS).</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>DISCUSSION:</strong> Mirror‐image dextrocardia, as in our case, has been estimated to occur with a prevalence of 1:10,000. However, there are only a few case reports in the literature on PTMC in similar settings. This might be due to the fact that many of these patients undergo surgical commissurotomy due to the technical difficulties involved in a percutaneous procedure in general. Trans-septal catheterization is considered a technical challenge in anatomically malpositioned hearts, as it is fraught with a higher risk of cardiac perforation. Despite the challenging anatomy, PTMC has been demonstrated to be a safe and feasible option for MS in patients with unusual cardiac anatomy.</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td width="35" height="12">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="abstract"><strong>Keywords:</strong> PTMC, Dextrocardia, Surgical Commissurotomy</p

Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Introduction: Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and industrial life, the prevalence of heart diseases including coronary artery diseases has considerably increased. Coronary artery diseases are one of the most common and serious diseases that threaten human life. Methods: The present study is a comparative-descriptive research. The statistical population were 188 patients admitted in surgery ward of Rasht medical centers to receive coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 2012. Data gathered by questionnaire individual information and risk factors of coronary artery disease, and analyzed by SPSS software. Results: In this study in both youth and adults groups, 38.30% had smoking history and 42% had the positive family history of heart disease. According to Chi-square test, there was no significant difference among risk factors of smoking, hypertension, hyperglycemia, higher level of LDL, elevated triglycerides, and age of the participants (P> 0/05); while there was a significant difference between positive family history of heart disease and age (p<0.005), and also between heart disease history and age (p<0.005). The findings of the present study indicated that in young patients the highest percentage increase in laboratory risk factors and behavioral risk factors belonged to triglycerides (52. 4 %) and smoking (43%), respectively. Conclusion: It is ultimately concluded that social misconceptions about the refusal of coronary artery heart disease risk factors at the youth age should be changed, and through taking necessary educational measures guide the society towards health promotion, lifestyle changes and modification of coronary artery disease including smoking and triglyceride level

THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN MANAGEMENT OF JOINT DISORDERS ACCORDING TO IRANIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: Joint disorders are considered a major burden in our health system. The annual cost of managing various joint problems in the society is remarkable. The exact role of nutrition in management of joint disorders in modern medicine is not clear. On the other hand, Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) has various dietary plans for a range of joint problems that can even have therapeutic effects on the disease. In this article different types of foods and diets for various joint problems were introduced according to major references of ITM. Method: A number of major ITM references were reviewed to explore dietary approach towards rheumatologic problems. The data regarding the food instructions in each disease were collected. A search in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and some other Databases up to July 2016 was done to obtain related modern medical data about this field Result: According to the specific disease and the type of humor involved as well as the stage of the disease, Persian medical books present a wide view regarding foods, fruits and drinks which, by adjusting the temperament, can control the disease process. Conclusion: The use of diet in ITM plays an important role in the management of joint disorders. According to the nature of the disease the type of foods and drinks can vary. On many occasions the adjustment of food intake as a part of lifestyle management can have therapeutic effect in joint complaints. In the future, more research regarding specific dietary instructions for a variety of joint disorders is needed. Keywords: Diet, Nutrition, Joint, Osteoarthritis, Iranian Traditional Medicine, Persian Medicin

Assessment of Performance Index of Emergency Department in a Hospital in Tehran, Iran

Background: Evaluating and monitoring the performance of emergency departments (EDs) are steps in one of the most important processes to improving the efficiency of hospitals. Indicators such as patient wait time until being visited by a doctor, patient wait time from the order until admission, percentage of patients with a determined order, time of conversion of a patient’s condition, time of physical exit of discharged patients from ED, percentage of discharge with personal responsibility, and percentage of unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have been used for this measurement.Objective: The current study compared performance indicators in Baqiyatallah Hospital from December 2011 to June 2015.Methods: For this cross-sectional, retrospective study, the study population contained completed checklists of performance indicators in Baqiyatallah Hospital’s ED from December 2011 to June 2015. Five indicators were selected and analyzed using SPSS software and χ2 and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests.Results: The mean ED performance indicators showed that 71.72% ± 13.29 of patients were determined within 6 hours, 57.53% ± 27.54 were discharged within 12 hours of ED admission, 63.36% ± 12.74 had unsuccessful CPR, 4.57% ± 0.84 left the ED with personal responsibility, mean duration of triage level 1 was 1 minute ± 0.55, mean duration of triage level 2 was 2.83 minutes ± 0.48, mean duration of triage level 3 was 8.58 ± 13.09 minutes, mean duration of triage level 4 was 19.24 minutes ± 13.24, and mean duration of triage level 5 was 40.53 minutes ± 11.66. Statistical analysis of the results showed significant differences in all indicators.Conclusion: The general performance of the Baqiyatallah Hospital ED was estimated to be favorable, and the general process of change during the study was positive compared to previous years; however, the level and quality of services can be increased through some proposed means

Correlation of Contributing Factors with Post- Endoscopic Trans-Sphenoid Surgery Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Pituitary Adenoma

Introduction: Pituitary adenomas are commonly benign, slow-growing tumors that arise from cells in the pituitary gland and consist of a common type of intracranial space-occupying lesions. Based on the functionality and size of the adenoma, both medical and surgical approaches have been described. In this study, the authors aim to determine the effects of contributing factors of patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery to their postoperative clinical status. Material and Methods: From March 2015 to November 2016, 100 patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) underwent a trans-sphenoidal endoscopic approach in the department of Neurosurgery of Shohada Tajrish Hospital. Demographic data, as well as pre-defined relevant contributing factors regarding clinical status, were recorded. All patients underwent neuroimaging and neurological examination before surgery and were followed in the postoperative period by repeated neurological examination, imaging surveys, and histopathological studies. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program version 23. Results: This study consisted of 59 males and 41 females with a mean age of 45.2 (24-63 years). Visual field defect (48\%) was the most frequent finding, while asymptomatic status (36\%) was the second major clinical finding in the patients. Neuroimaging survey revealed small tumor size and low extension type in 39 and 40 patients, respectively. Following the trans-sphenoid surgical approach, intact adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid function was found in 92\%, 92\%, and 89\% of the postoperative phase cases. In the postoperative period, visual field defects, need for re-operation, diabetes insipidus (DI), focal neurological deficits (FND), diplopia, post-operative hemorrhagic event, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and meningitis were observed in 15\%, 6\%, 5\%, 4\%, 3\%, 3\%, 2\% and 1\% respectively. Moreover, three patients expired in the postoperative period. Our statistical analysis identified the presence of headache (P-value 0.039), functional pituitary adenoma(P-value 0.031), abnormal adrenal gland function(P-value 0.028), abnormal thyroid function (P-value 0.003), and abnormal growth hormone (GH) levels (P-value 0.008) as the major relevant contributing factors in determining the clinical status such as radiological imaging studies of the pituitary region, and hormonal profiles of these groups of patients. Conclusion: In general, the current study revealed that headache, as well as the presence of functional pituitary adenoma and abnormal adrenal, thyroid, and growth hormone levels, are among the major contributing factors in the determination of the postoperative clinical status of patients diagnosed with pituitary adenomas underwent trans-sphenoid surgery

Effect of Squill Oxymel on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a major health problem in the society. Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) or Persian Medicine (PM) as a branch of complementary medicine has been practiced in Iran for many centuries. An herbal medication known as squill oxymel has been used by PM physicians for OA. Our aim is to investigate the effect of squill oxymel on OA of the knee joint. Eighty eight patients were assigned to receive a placebo or squill oxymel syrup (10 ml each morning on empty stomach) for 8 consecutive weeks. Acetaminophen tablets were considered as the rescue medicine. Ultimately, 43 patients in the placebo group and 40 patients in the treatment group completed the trial and were included in the statistical analysis. Patients were followed for 4 weeks after cessation of treatment. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were considered as the main outcome measures. Laboratory tests including AST, ALT, BUN, Cr plus inflammatory tests including WBC, ESR, and CRP with specific tests i.e. IL6 and SOD at the beginning and the end of intervention were measured. The results showed the positive effect of treatment on the outcome of knee pain (p=0.04) and daily activity (p=0.01) of KOOS after Cessation of treatment. On the other hand, VAS decreased in both treatment and placebo groups while it showed significance intra-group and showed no significance between the two groups. After 4 weeks of cessation of treatment, the positive effect of the squill oxymel on the treatment group continued in some of the subscales of KOOS, including symptoms, knee pain and daily activities, but stopped in the placebo group. In general, both clinically and statistically significant improvement was observed after cessation of treatment. Squill oxymel syrup showed promising results in management of knee OA but future researches with larger sample size and longer duration are necessary

Causes and Results of Eye Removal Surgery in Yazd, Iran

Introduction: Removing eyes has different indications. We surveyed the causes and results of eye removal surgery in Yazd, Iran. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the profile of 102 patients who had underwent eye removal surgery for any reason in the Shahid Sadoughi hospital during the last 10 years. The demographic characteristics, causes of enucleation, the interval between an accident and an eye surgery, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results:  In 102 patients (males, 68.6% and females, 31.4%) most cases were laborers (21.6%).The two most common causes of eye enucleation were  trauma (60.9%) and painful blind eye (15.7%). Trauma was the most frequent cause in the age group of  ≤20 years old (78.9%) (P-value< 0.001). In 30.4% of the cases, our management was Sympathetic ophthalmia prevention. Conclusion: The first cause of eye removal surgery in our study was trauma, especially in the young men. To reduce the rate of this surgery, protective proceeding, early diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases will be useful