Effects of steroid hormones on uterine tissue remodeling of mouse menopause model

Since the uterine is a sensitive tissue to steroid hormones, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) alone or in combination on morphological and morphometrically parameters of ovariectomized mouse uterus.Adult virgin female mice (8-10 weeks old)were ovariectomized and treated with E2, P4, E2 followed by P4 and the oil vehicle alone for 5-days period. Uterine tissue was removed, and processed for histology assessment. The total uterine diameter were significantly higher (P < 0.05) following E2 treatment and Maximum diameter of uterine lumen, myometrium and endometrium were recorded after this treatment regimen. Sequential treatment with oestradiol and then progesterone caused both mitotic activity and cell degeneration. P4 treatment induced signs of active secretion in the endometrium glands and symptoms of degeneration and cell death. Estradiol treatment induced growth of uterine tissue. Subsequent treatment with progesterone stimulated uterine tissues to reach maximum size and maturity which is necessary to modify the uterus in preparation for pregnancy.

The value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for prediction of treatment response in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a systematic review and metaanalysis

Background: Early detection of response to treatment is critically important in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the value of 18f-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG– PET) on prediction of therapeutic response of GIST patients to systemic treatments. Methods: The literature search was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases, and review article references. Eligible articles were defined as studies included confirmed GIST patients who underwent 18FDG–PET as well as assessing the screening role of it. Results: Finally, 21 relevant articles were included. The analysis showed the pooled sensitivity and specificity of 18FDG–PET in evaluation of response to treatment of GIST patient were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85–0.94; I 2 = 52.59, P = 0.001) and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.49–0.75; I 2 = 69.7, P = 0.001), respectively. In addition, the pooled prognostic odds ratio of 18FDG–PET for was 14.99 (95% CI, 6.42–34.99; I 2 = 100.0, P < 0.001). The Meta regression showed that sensitivity of 18FDG-PET was higher if the sample size of study was equal or more than 30 cases (sensitivity = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89–0.97), when using PET/CT (sensitivity = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89–0.97), and self-design criteria (sensitivity = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87–1.0). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis showed 18FDG–PET has a significant value in predicting treatment response in GIST patients

Manganese and Iron Binding to Human Transferrin

Abstract The characteristics of manganese and iron binding to human apotransferrin (apo-tf) have been investigated and compared in this study. Both metal ions were taken up by human apo-tf and formed complexes, with the maximum absorbances observed at 410 and 340 nm for manganese-transferrin (Mn-tf) and 465 nm for iron-transferrin (Fe-tf). Addition of manganese (1.5 µg/ml) to the reaction mixture containing iron and apo-tf, reduced Fe binding to apo-tf by 20 percent, in comparison to the control sample. The binding of both metals to apo-tf appears to be time and pH dependent processes. Using the equilibrium dialysis technique, the binding constant of manganese to apo-tf was also determined. The binding constatnt of Mn to apo-tf was calculated, using the Scatchard plot analysis. The calculated Ka was 3.1 × 10 9 M -1 . The binding of manganese and iron to human apo-tf has been discussed and compared in this work, using different biochemical techniques

Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Sporadic Colorectal Cancer in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Records from the cancer registry system of Iran indicate that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Iranian men and fourth most common among Iranian women. In this study we have investigated the environmental factors associated with colorectal cancer in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, we randomly selected 187 patients with colorectal cancer who had positive results by colonoscopy and pathology (case group) and 250 persons who had negative colonoscopy results (control group) from the Colonoscopy Unit of Al Zahra Hospital and Colorectal Cancer Center of Seyed Al Shohada Hospital from 2014 to mid-2015. This study aimed to find the risk factors for sporadic colorectal cancer; therefore, we excluded patients with positive family history. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that asked about sex, age, body mass index, smoking status, job-related physical activity, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug consumption. Results: This study enrolled 187 colorectal cancer patients (98 males and 89 females) and 250 individuals without colorectal cancer (107 males and 143 females). Multiple analysis demonstrated a significant association of age (odds ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 1.06) and body mass index (odds ratio: 1.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.15) with colorectal cancer risk. Men had an almost two-fold risk compared with women (odds ratio: 1.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.14, 2.99). Subjects who did not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had an almost three-fold risk compared with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumers (odds ratio: 0.34; 95% confidence interval: 0.19, 0.62). Analysis for job-related physical activity, also indicated an association between the no/low active group with colorectal cancer (odds ratio no activity: 36.09; 95% confidence interval: 10.94, 119 and odds ratio low activity: 2.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.43, 6.13). Conclusion: Knowledge of the risk factors involved in colorectal cancer incidence makes it possible to identify people at risk and begin risk reduction strategies as well as screening programs

Depression, anxiety and stress, comorbidity evaluation among a large sample of general adults: results from SEPAHAN study

Depression, anxiety and stress are common psychological disorders (PDs). This study aimed to assess the odds of co-occurrence of mentioned PDs in total sample and different levels of socio-demographic characteristics, specifically among a large sample of general adults. In a cross-sectional, community-based study conducted among 4763 Iranian adults, depression and anxiety were assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and stress with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The loglinear analysis was applied to investigate their comorbidities. Based on selected models with pair-comorbidity of anxiety with stress, depression with stress, and anxiety with depression, the results showed the odds of comorbidity between anxiety and depression (odds ratio (OR) =12.29, 95%CI: 9.58-15.80), depression and stress (OR = 7.80, 95%CI: 6.55-10.18), and stress and anxiety (OR = 4.62, 95%CI: 3.71-5.75). Also, ORs of pair-comorbidities were the same, except between stress and anxiety for men compared to women (adjusted-OR = 6.47, 95%CI: 4.44-9.49 versus 3.85, 95%CI: 2.95-5.00) and comorbidity between stress and depression for the participants with lower than 40 years compared to others (adjusted-OR = 9.03, 95%CI: 7.17-11.36 versus 6.41, 95%CI: 4.90-8.41), p< 0.05. Stress comorbidity with depression was higher level than other pair-comorbidities. Obvious discrepancies were also observed in terms of ORs of pair-comorbidities between three mentioned disorders in different levels of SDCs

Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum in rat brain

Background: Essential oil of Pimpinella anisum L. Apiaceae (anise oil) has been widely used in traditional Persian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including some neurological disorders. This study was aimed to test the possible anti-seizure and anti-hypoxia effects of anise oil. Methods: The effects of different concentrations of anise oil were tested on seizure attacks induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection and neuronal hypoxia induced by oxygen withdrawal as well as on production of dark neurons and induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in in vivo and in vitro experimental models of rat brain. Results: Anise oil significantly prolonged the latency of seizure attacks and reduced the amplitude and duration of epileptiform burst discharges induced by injection of intraperitoneal PTZ. In addition, anise oil significantly inhibited production of dark neurons in different regions of the brain in epileptic rats. Anise oil also significantly enhanced the duration of the appearance of anoxic terminal negativity induced by oxygen withdrawal and inhibited induction of LTP in hippocampal slices. Conclusions: Our data indicate the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of anise oil, likely via inhibition of synaptic plasticity. Further evaluation of anise oil to use in the treatment of neurological disorders is suggested

Global, regional, and national incidence of six major immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019

Background The causes for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are diverse and the incidence trends of IMIDs from specific causes are rarely studied. The study aims to investigate the pattern and trend of IMIDs from 1990 to 2019. Methods We collected detailed information on six major causes of IMIDs, including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis, between 1990 and 2019, derived from the Global Burden of Disease study in 2019. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in number of incidents and age standardized incidence rate (ASR) on IMIDs, by sex, age, region, and causes, were calculated to quantify the temporal trends. Findings In 2019, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease accounted 1.59%, 36.17%, 54.71%, 0.09%, 6.84%, 0.60% of overall new IMIDs cases, respectively. The ASR of IMIDs showed substantial regional and global variation with the highest in High SDI region, High-income North America, and United States of America. Throughout human lifespan, the age distribution of incident cases from six IMIDs was quite different. Globally, incident cases of IMIDs increased with an AAPC of 0.68 and the ASR decreased with an AAPC of −0.34 from 1990 to 2019. The incident cases increased across six IMIDs, the ASR of rheumatoid arthritis increased (0.21, 95% CI 0.18, 0.25), while the ASR of asthma (AAPC = −0.41), inflammatory bowel disease (AAPC = −0.72), multiple sclerosis (AAPC = −0.26), psoriasis (AAPC = −0.77), and atopic dermatitis (AAPC = −0.15) decreased. The ASR of overall and six individual IMID increased with SDI at regional and global level. Countries with higher ASR in 1990 experienced a more rapid decrease in ASR. Interpretation The incidence patterns of IMIDs varied considerably across the world. Innovative prevention and integrative management strategy are urgently needed to mitigate the increasing ASR of rheumatoid arthritis and upsurging new cases of other five IMIDs, respectively. Funding The Global Burden of Disease Study is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project funded by Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (2022QN38)

Quantitative development of velvet maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.) afforestation in Emamzadeh Abdullah- Amol 20 years after thinning

This research was started in 1995 in order to investigate the effect of thinning on the young plantations of velvet maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.). The silvicultural interventions comprised three main treatments (medium and heavy thinning), two secondary treatments (3-year and 5-year rotations) in the fully randomized design with three replications. There were 9 sample plots in the experimental design with an area of 0.3-0.4 hectare each. A full calipering of the future trees was done after 20 years and 6 thinning operations. The results for DBH, total height, trunk height and trunk diameter showed significant differences between the control treatment and thinning intensities. However, no significant difference was observed between the secondary sub- treatment (circulation 3 years and 5 years) and the intersection between the main and sub plots treatments for DBH, total height, trunk height and trunk diameter. For the intensive thinning treatment, the largest value of 32.95 cm was observed for the DBH, while the lowest value of 27.39 cm was observed for the slight thinning. In addition, the largest height of 24.42 m was observed for intensive thinning, whereas the lowest rate of 23.63 m was observed for the control treatment