Clinical and histological features of benign esophageal tumors in endoscopic biopsy specimens in Booali Sina Hospital, Qazvin (2004-13)

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical and histological features of benign esophageal tumors in endoscopic biopsy specimens in Booali Sina Hospital, Qazvin from 2004 to 2013. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and ANOVA. Eighteen tumor lesions were found in 11 men and seven women with mean age of 63±15.3 years old. Of 18 cases, seven were glycogenic acanthosis, five were squamous papilloma, two were each type of leiomyoma, two were adenomatous polyp, and two were hyperplastic polyp. The frequency of tumor lesions was 0.06% among endoscopic examinations, 3.6% among esophageal biopsies and 5.7% among benign esophageal lesions. The distal third (61.1%) and the middle third (27.8%) of the esophagus were the most frequent sites of involvement. The association of endoscopic appearance, site of involvement, sex, and age with histological types was not significant

Stigma and discrimination in the view of people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Isfahan, Iran

Introduction: In Iran, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a stigmatized issue and there is a negative attitude towards the disease. The stigma and discrimination because of HIV can affect both physical and mental health, social activities, and the quality of life of HIV-positive people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude towards HIV infection among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Isfahan, Iran. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study examined 99 HIV-positive patients from the Isfahan Health Center, Isfahan, Iran, in December 2017. A standard questionnaire through a cross-sectional study was used to evaluate the attitude concerning HIV infection among PLHIV. In addition, linear regression was used to assess factors affecting attitude among PLHIV. Results: About 24 of participants had good levels of attitude, whereas 67.71 of them had a moderate attitude. In addition, around 93 of respondents believed that to allow PLHIV to joint freely in all social activities. The evaluated factors such as gender (p = 0.28), age (p = 0.96), educational level (p = 0.83), and marital status and occupation (p = 0.58), did not have a significant relationship with the attitude score. Conclusions: The attitude to HIV infection was not satisfactory among PLHIV in Isfahan, considering that HIV/AIDS-related stigma can cause personal, familial, and social problems. Therefore, appropriate actions are needed to improve the attitude and to reduce stigma associated with HIV infection. © 2020 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved

Effects of Spirulina platensis microalgae on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors in diabetic rats

Fariba Nasirian,1 Masoumeh Dadkhah,2 Nasrollah Moradi-kor,3,4 Zia Obeidavi5 1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran; 2Research Centers Development and Coordination Office, Deputy of Research & Technology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran; 3Research Centre of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; 4Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; 5Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Objectives: Lipid peroxidation and hyperglycemia are common signs for diabetes. Natural antioxidants such as Spirulina platensis microalgae (SPM) may prevent lipid peroxidation and hyperglycemia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SPM on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Sixty-four rats were divided into eight groups (n=8) and orally treated with 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight of SPM extract. Experimental groups included diabetic rats fed with 0 (DC), 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg SPM. Healthy rats were treated with 0 mg/kg SPM (HC), 10 mg/kg SPM, 20 mg/kg SPM and 30 mg/kg SPM. At the end of the trial, blood samples were collected and the plasma concentrations of trace minerals (TMs), biochemical parameters, and antioxidant enzymes in liver were evaluated. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) were evaluated. Results: Our findings showed that diabetes significantly lowered the plasma concentration of TMs and antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the levels of malondialdehyde, glucose, lipid profile, AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL-6 (DC vs HC). However, an oral supplement of SPM (20 and 30 mg/kg body weight) lowered levels of malondialdehyde level, glucose, lipid parameters, AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL-6. The same levels increased the plasma contents of zinc, iron, copper and selenium and activity of antioxidant enzymes (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that diabetes decreases TM concentration and antioxidant enzymes and also increases lipid profile, glucose, AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations. Inclusion of SPM supplementing (20 and 30 mg/kg body weight) increased some TMs and antioxidant enzymes. SPM may provide TMs for synthesis of antioxidant enzymes which subsequently reduce lipid profile, glucose concentration and anti-inflammatory responses. Keywords: antioxidant enzymes, diabetes, lipid profile, plasma selenium, Spirulina platensi