The Association between Obesity and Quality of Life among the Elderly

Background: The prevalence of obesity in the elderly is increasing worldwide. Obesity greatly impacts quality of life(QoL). The present study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and QoL among the elderly, in Tehran, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study (observational) was conducted in 2014 in Tehran, Iran. A total of 421 elderly people aged ≥ 60 years old were recruited using simple random sampling methods. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by standard methods; body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight. QoL was evaluated by the Persian language version of the SF-36 questionnaire.The alpha value was set at 0.05 to indicate the statistical significant level. Independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests were used for comparing the quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. One-way ANOVA, followed by Tukeys’ post-hoc test, was used to compare mean scores of SF-36 scales between BMI groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used for investigating the relationship between SF-36 scores and anthropometric parameters.Results: The mean age of participants was 77.6 ± 8.6 years. The frequency of obesity and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was 59.4% (57.2% in males and 60.6% in females). Except for the mental health scale, for all other SF-36 scale mean scores, participants with overweight or obesity had lower scores compared to their normal weight counterparts (p < 0.05). Additionally, subjects with underweight had significantly lower scores for the vitality scale (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The results of present study persist on importance of preserving normal weight on improving quality of life in elderly. Although the observed association in this study was bidirectional and prospective studies are needed to investigate the cause and effect relationship.

The Association between Obesity and Quality of Life among the Elderly

Background: The prevalence of obesity in the elderly is increasing worldwide. Obesity greatly impacts quality of life(QoL). The present study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and QoL among the elderly, in Tehran, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study (observational) was conducted in 2014 in Tehran, Iran. A total of 421 elderly people aged ≥ 60 years old were recruited using simple random sampling methods. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by standard methods; body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight. QoL was evaluated by the Persian language version of the SF-36 questionnaire.The alpha value was set at 0.05 to indicate the statistical significant level. Independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests were used for comparing the quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. One-way ANOVA, followed by Tukeys’ post-hoc test, was used to compare mean scores of SF-36 scales between BMI groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used for investigating the relationship between SF-36 scores and anthropometric parameters.Results: The mean age of participants was 77.6 ± 8.6 years. The frequency of obesity and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was 59.4% (57.2% in males and 60.6% in females). Except for the mental health scale, for all other SF-36 scale mean scores, participants with overweight or obesity had lower scores compared to their normal weight counterparts (p < 0.05). Additionally, subjects with underweight had significantly lower scores for the vitality scale (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The results of present study persist on importance of preserving normal weight on improving quality of life in elderly. Although the observed association in this study was bidirectional and prospective studies are needed to investigate the cause and effect relationship.

Celiac disease and hepatitis C relationships in transcriptional regulatory networks

Aim: we mainly aimed to elucidate potential comorbidities between celiac disease and hepatitis c by means of data and network analysis approaches. Background: understanding the association among the disorders evidently has important impact on the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. Celiac disease is the most challenging, common types of autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, hepatitis c virus genome products like some proteins are supposed to be resemble to gliadin types that in turn activates gluten intolerance in people with inclined to gluten susceptibilities. Moreover, a firm support of association between chronic hepatitis and celiac disease remains largely unclear. Henceforth exploring cross-talk among these diseases will apparently lead to the promising discoveries concerning important genes and regulators. Methods: 321 and 1032 genes associated with celiac disease and hepatitis c retrieved from DisGeNET were subjected to build a gene regulatory network. Afterward a network-driven integrative analysis was performed to exploring prognosticates genes and related pathways. Results: 105 common genes between these diseases included 11 transcription factors were identified as hallmark molecules where by further screening enriched in biological GO terms and pathways chiefly in immune systems and signaling pathways such as chemokines, cytokines and interleukins. Conclusion: in silico data analysis approaches indicated that the identified selected combinations of genes covered a wide range of known functions triggering the inflammation implicated in these diseases

Celiac disease and hepatitis C relationships in transcriptional regulatory networks

Aim: we mainly aimed to elucidate potential comorbidities between celiac disease and hepatitis c by means of data and network analysis approaches. Background: understanding the association among the disorders evidently has important impact on the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. Celiac disease is the most challenging, common types of autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, hepatitis c virus genome products like some proteins are supposed to be resemble to gliadin types that in turn activates gluten intolerance in people with inclined to gluten susceptibilities. Moreover, a firm support of association between chronic hepatitis and celiac disease remains largely unclear. Henceforth exploring cross-talk among these diseases will apparently lead to the promising discoveries concerning important genes and regulators. Methods: 321 and 1032 genes associated with celiac disease and hepatitis c retrieved from DisGeNET were subjected to build a gene regulatory network. Afterward a network-driven integrative analysis was performed to exploring prognosticates genes and related pathways. Results: 105 common genes between these diseases included 11 transcription factors were identified as hallmark molecules where by further screening enriched in biological GO terms and pathways chiefly in immune systems and signaling pathways such as chemokines, cytokines and interleukins. Conclusion: in silico data analysis approaches indicated that the identified selected combinations of genes covered a wide range of known functions triggering the inflammation implicated in these diseases

Occult Hepatitis B Infection in Patients With Cryptogenic Liver Cirrhosis in Southwest of Iran

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has a broad spectrum of manifestation, ranging from silent carrier state to advanced cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The persistence of HBV DNA in serum and hepatocytes of the cirrhotic patient could be detected by molecular techniques in spite of negative HBV serologic markers. Objectives: This case-control study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of occult HBV infection (OBI) in patients with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis in comparison with healthy subjects. Patients and Methods: Of 165 patients with liver cirrhosis, 50 consecutive patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis and 80 healthy individual without any risk factors as a control group were enrolled in this study. Their sera were tested for HBV DNA using nested PCR method. Results: Of 50 patients with cryptogenic cirrhotic, 36 (72%) were male. The mean age of patients was 53.34 ± 14.73 years; 80 healthy subjects were selected as control group with mean age of 32.65 ± 8.51 years; 7 (14%) of the patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis showed positive HBV DNA by PCR, while HBV DNA was negative for the control group (P = 0.0001); 4 (57%) cases with positive HBV shown by PCR were negative for anti-HBc and anti-HBs tests. The mean level of transaminases was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis. There were no significant differences in demographic parameters, transaminases level and degree of hepatic failure among cirrhotic patients with and without OBI. Conclusions: The prevalence of OBI was relatively high in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis. OBI was found among the patients above 40 years old. Prospective cohort studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of OBI

Recent Advances in Synthetic Bioelastomers

This article reviews the degradability of chemically synthesized bioelastomers, mainly designed for soft tissue repair. These bioelastomers involve biodegradable polyurethanes, polyphosphazenes, linear and crosslinked poly(ether/ester)s, poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers, poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) and their copolymers, poly(polyol sebacate)s, poly(diol-citrates) and poly(ester amide)s. The in vitro and in vivo degradation mechanisms and impact factors influencing degradation behaviors are discussed. In addition, the molecular designs, synthesis methods, structure properties, mechanical properties, biocompatibility and potential applications of these bioelastomers were also presented

Nanoclay Dispersion and its Effect on Properties of Waterborne Polyurethanes

In recent years, waterborne polyurethanes as in coatings and adhesives formulations have attracted considerable attention because they are non-toxic, non-flammable and friendly to environment. Besides environmental management, the flexibility, low temperature property, high tensile strength, good adhesion and improved rheological property are specific properties of waterborne polyurethanes. Also low production cost of water borne polyurethanes over solvent-borne polyurethanes is also a reason for their applications. However, these materials have some defects such as weak water resistance and low adhesion in the moisture environment due to sensitivity of their hydrophilic ionic bonds, ether groups, urethane and ester groups to hydrolysis which need to be improved. Also, low heat resistance of these materials is due to a relatively low crystalline melting point or glass transition temperature of hard segments. One of the ways to solve this problem and improve its properties for different applications is the addition of inorganic fillers especially nano-sized layered silicates within polyurethane matrix. In this way water resistance, heat resistance, mechanical properties and modulus increase simultaneously. In this research, waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites with PTMG polyol, IPDI, DMPA (internal emulsifier), TEA (neutralizer) and 1, 3 and 5weight % of Cloisite 30B as reinforcement were synthesized and characterized. Polarity of the samples was investigated by contact angle test and dispersion of nano particles in the samples was characterized by X-Ray and TEM, Thermal properties and dynamic mechanical properties were measured by TGA and DMTA, respectively. The results showed that incorporation of clay into polyurethanes did reduce water absorption and increased heat resistance, modulus, particle size and contact angle.In recent years, waterborne polyurethanes including coatings and adhesives have attracted considerable attention because they are non-toxic, non-flammable and friendly to environment. Besides environmental management, flexibility, low temperature property, high tensile strength good adhesion and improved rheological property are specific evidence of waterborne polyurethanes. Also low production cost of water borne polyurethane over solvent-borne polyurethanes is also a reason for their applications. However, these materials have some defects such as weak water resistance and low adhesion in the moisture environment due to sensitivity of their hydrophilic ioned bonds, ether groups, urethane groups and ester groups to hydrolysis which are needed to be improved. Also, low heat resistance of these materials is due to relatively low crystalline melting point or glass transition temperature of hard segments. One of the ways to solve this problem and improve its properties for different application is the addition of inorganic fillers especially nanosized layered silicates within polyurethane matrix.  In this way water resistance, heat resistance, mechanical properties and modulus increase. In this research, waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites with PTMG polyol, IPDI, DMPA (internal emulsifier), TEA (neutralizer) and 1, 3 and 5weight % of cloisite 30B as reinforcement were synthesized and characterized. Polarity of the samples was investigated by Contact angle test, dispersion of nano particles in the samples were characterized by X-Ray and TEM, Thermal properties and dynamic mechanical properties were measured by TGA and DMTA respectively. Results showed that incorporation of clay into polyurethane samples caused the reduction of water absorption, increasing of heat resistance, modulus, particle size and contact angle

Effect of the type of anionic center on the characteristics of eco-friendly waterborne polyurethane/acrylate hybrids

Waterborne polyurethane/butyl acrylate hybrids based on dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) and N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid sodium salt (BES sodium salt) were successfully synthesized. The samples with a weight ratio of 70% waterborne polyurethane and 30% butyl acrylate monomer were prepared by radical copolymerization. Synthesis of the WPUA-DMPA and WPUA-BES was approved by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Also, properties of the samples such as morphology, thermal stability, mechanical properties, contact angle, hardness, abrasion, and chemical resistance were investigated. The results showed that the synthesized waterborne polyurethane/acrylate hybrid based on BES had better characteristics in comparison with DMPA-based because of stronger chemical bonding, smaller particles, and good particle distribution as SEM analysis verified. Generally, the results illustrated that the sample with the sulfonated anionic center was time-saving which was due to the elimination of the neutralization step by TEA. Eventually, WPUA-BES became more economical and stronger than the other sample

Severe post-ERCP pancreatitis following pancreatic duct stenting for needle knife common bile duct cannulation: A case series and review of literature

Placement of prophylactic pancreatic duct (PD) stents is a strategy to reduce the rate and severity of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in high-risk patients. However, PD stents do not completely eliminate the risk of PEP. Most previous studies have shown the positive effects of PD stents on PEP reduction, especially in high-risk ERCP procedures. Here, we report seven cases of severe post-ERCP pancreatitis associated with PD stents. Needle knife cannulation technique following PD stenting was used for all cases. The PD stent that was used was a polytetrafluoroethylene, 5-Fr polyethylene single pigtail unflanged plastic PD stent (Endo-Flex GmbH, Voerde). The PD stent was inserted successfully with the first attempt and the least trauma to the pancreatic duct. In fact, the present article describes our experience of the successful placement of PD stent, but post-ERCP pancreatitis was diagnosed according to Cotton's criteria in all the patients. Because of the long hospitalization more than 10 days for each case, the intensity of pancreatitis in all cases was considered severe. © 2020 Iranian Association of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. All rights reserved