Apolipoprotein A1 as a novel anti-implantation biomarker in polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study

Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have lower pregnancy rates, possibly due to the decreased uterine receptivity. Successful implantation depends on protein networks that are essential for cross-talk between the embryo and endometrium. Apolipoprotein A1 has been proposed as a putative anti-implantation factor. In this study, we evaluated apolipoprotein A1 expression in human endometrial tissues. Materials and Methods: Endometrial apolipoprotein A1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. The distribution of apolipoprotein A1 was also detected by immunostaining. Samples were obtained from 10 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and 15 healthy fertile women in the proliferative (on day 2 or day 3 before ovulation, n = 7) and secretory (on days 3-5 after ovulation, n = 8) phases. Results: Endometrial apolipoprotein A1 expression was upregulated in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to normal subjects. However, apolipoprotein A1 expression in the proliferative phase was significantly higher than in the luteal phase (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that differentially expressed apolipoprotein A1 negatively affects endometrial receptivity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The results showed that apolipoprotein A1 level significantly changes in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle with minimum expression in the secretory phase, coincident with the receptive phase (window of implantation). Further studies are required to clarify the clinical application of this protein. © 2015 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

Prevalence of influenza A infection in the Middle-East: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the prevalence rate of influenza virus from different parts of Middle East region, and present an overall relative frequency (RF) for this region. Methods: The authors performed a systematic literature review from several reliable databases such as PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Scopus during 2000�2016. Furthermore, the keywords of this research were �Influenza�, �Subtype�, �Seroprevalence�, �Incidence�, �Seroepidemiology�, �H1N1�, �H3N2�, �H5N1�, �H9N2�, �Middle-East� and �Meta-analysis�. The reported data were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The authors selected 71 studies out of 1147 for the present review. The overall estimation of the prevalence of influenza virus was 10.2 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.1%�10.3%. However, based on our records, the evident heterogeneity of influenza virus was observed among the studies (Cochran Q test, P value <.001 and I-squared = 100%). It should be noted that influenza virus infection's RF varied from 0.5% in Qatar to 70% in Syria. Conclusions: The results of this review are remarkable, they show that influenza infection RF is variable due to several factors. Thus, further researches should be taken to minimize the emergence and transmission of influenza virus. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Lt

Prevalence of influenza A infection in the Middle-East: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the prevalence rate of influenza virus from different parts of Middle East region, and present an overall relative frequency (RF) for this region. Methods: The authors performed a systematic literature review from several reliable databases such as PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Scopus during 2000�2016. Furthermore, the keywords of this research were �Influenza�, �Subtype�, �Seroprevalence�, �Incidence�, �Seroepidemiology�, �H1N1�, �H3N2�, �H5N1�, �H9N2�, �Middle-East� and �Meta-analysis�. The reported data were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The authors selected 71 studies out of 1147 for the present review. The overall estimation of the prevalence of influenza virus was 10.2 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.1%�10.3%. However, based on our records, the evident heterogeneity of influenza virus was observed among the studies (Cochran Q test, P value <.001 and I-squared = 100%). It should be noted that influenza virus infection's RF varied from 0.5% in Qatar to 70% in Syria. Conclusions: The results of this review are remarkable, they show that influenza infection RF is variable due to several factors. Thus, further researches should be taken to minimize the emergence and transmission of influenza virus. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Lt

Novel and emerging mutations of SARS-CoV-2: Biomedical implications

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 virus strains has geographical diversity associated with diverse severity, mortality rate, and response to treatment that were characterized using phylogenetic network analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Although, there is no explicit and integrative explanation for these variations, the genetic arrangement, and stability of SARS-CoV-2 are basic contributing factors to its virulence and pathogenesis. Hence, understanding these features can be used to predict the future transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection, drug development, and vaccine. In this review, we discuss the most recent findings on the mutations in the SARS-CoV-2, which provide valuable information on the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2, especially for DNA-based diagnosis, antivirals, and vaccine development for COVID-19. © 202

Apple pomace powder as natural food ingredient in bakery jams

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether apple pomace powder produced by a simple drying method is suitable for replacing pectin in bakery jam products. Rheological properties of bakery jams were tested by oscillatory tests using amplitude sweep method. Apple pomace addition decreased gel strength and stability of bakery jams, while 12-month storage increased the gel strength of samples. Based on our results, dried apple pomace powder seems to be suitable to replace pectin up to 40% without changing rheological properties of bakery jams

Investigation of CTNNB1 gene mutations and expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in association with hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), along with Hepatitis C virus chronic infection, represents a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, molecular mechanisms involved in the development of HCC are not yet completely understood. Recent studies have indicated that mutations in CTNNB1 gene encoding for β-catenin protein lead to aberrant activation of the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway. The mutations in turn activate several downstream genes, including c-Myc, promoting the neoplastic process. The present study evaluated the mutational profile of the CTNNB1 gene and expression levels of CTNNB1 and c-Myc genes in HBV-related HCC, as well as in cirrhotic and control tissues. Mutational analysis of the β-catenin gene and HBV genotyping were conducted by direct sequencing. Expression of β-catenin and c-Myc genes was assessed using real-time PCR. Among the HCC cases, 18.1 showed missense point mutation in exon 3 of CTNNB1, more frequently in codons 32, 33, 38 and 45. The frequency of mutation in the hotspots of exon 3 was significantly higher in non-viral HCCs (29.4) rather than HBV-related cases (12.7, P = 0.021). The expression of β-catenin and c-Myc genes was found upregulated in cirrhotic tissues in association with HBV infection. Mutations at both phosphorylation and neighboring sites were associated with increased activity of the Wnt pathway. The results demonstrated that mutated β-catenin caused activation of the Wnt pathway, but the rate of CTNNB1 gene mutations was not related to HBV infection. HBV factors may deregulate the Wnt pathway by causing epigenetic alterations in the HBV-related HCC. © 2020 The Author(s)

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Otostegia persica (Burm.) Boiss. against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human endothelial cells

Background and objectives: Otostegia persica (Burm.) Boiss. is an endemic plant of Iran with various applications in traditional medicine which contains of several antioxidant constituents. This research was aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract from O. persica aerial parts in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an inducer of oxidative damage. Methods: The total phenolics content of the extract was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu method. The probable cytotoxicity of O. persica extract and also its cytoprotective effect on HUVEC cells against oxidative stress was assessed using 3-(4,5- Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The intra and extra-cellular hydroperoxides concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined in pretreated cells. Results: Total phenolics content was found to be 42.41±0.1 mg tanic acid equivalent/g of thedried extract. No cytotoxic effect was observed from O. persica extract in the range of 25-250 µg/mL. Pretreatment of HUVECs with O. persica extract with the concentrations of 50-250 µg/mL significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect of H2O2. Otostegia persica extract attenuated the concentration of hydroperoxides and increased FRAP value in intra- and extra-cellular fluids at different concentration ranges. Conclusion: This study indicated the antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of O. persica extract against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HUVEC cells; however, more researches are required for finding the precise mechanism and assessing its clinical value

Evaluation of effects of morphine and ionizing radiation in cancer cell lines

Purpose: Breast and cervical cancers are the two most common cancers among women worldwide. Morphine is a potent analgesic for cancer pain, and radiation therapy is a conventional treatment for cancer. Unfortunately, the combined adjuvant cellular effects of morphine and ionizing radiation in cancer cells are largely unknown. Materials and Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of morphine and single radiation dose of 2 Gy on viability and survival fraction of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 231 and human cervical cancer cell line HeLa, by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and colony formation assays. We were also interested in evaluating these effects in human umbilical vein endothelial cells as well. Results: We found that morphine did not have a dose- and time-dependent manner in endothelial, breast, and cervical cancer cells in vitro. It seems that pretreatment of breast and cervical cancer cells with morphine at some doses before irradiation reduces the cytotoxic effect of radiation. We also observed that endothelial cells were less sensitive than breast and cervical cancer cells to radiation or morphine + radiation. Based on the results of endothelial cells, morphine or radiation might not have a selective effect on the viability and clonogenic survival of different cell lines. Conclusions: Our data may suggest that morphine and radiotherapy could not be administered together to breast and cervical cancer patients if additional and in vivo studies confirm our results. © 2019 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Effect of KTP Laser Made byAEOI on Resected Prostateafter Open Prostatectomy

Introduction & Objective: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is the operation most frequently performed in urology. In view of the morbidity associated with this procedure, research has been conducted to propose an endoscopic alternative to TURP. Using of high energy laser is the most promising method in these cases. In this study, we evaluated the effect of home made KTP laser on re-sected prostate adenoma after open prostatectomy. Materials & Methods: 40 patients complaining of symptomatic BPH were treated by open prostatectomy. These 40 prostates were divided in to two parts. One part was sent for pathology assessment (group A) and the other part was sent to KTP laser room in the same hospital (group B). The prostates in group B were divided into 4 groups (1, 2, 3, 4), each with 10 prostate tissue. In groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, prostate lobes underwent laser ablation in one, two three and four stage. In any stage, KTP laser, 5 watts for 15 seconds, was used. All of prostate ablated with laser were sent to pathology for evaluation of tissue ablation capacity and deep tissue penetration. The study in all of stages was blinded for pathologist. Results: Mean age of participants was 73.25±6.8 years and mean level of PSA was 3.65±2.1 ng/dl. In both groups, with every stage laser, we have 1 to 2 mm tissue ablation associated with prostate type. In pathologic examination, we have 0-2 mm tissue destruction with disappearance of cells' nuclei, basophilia of stroma and damaged tissue (cutter like effect). Findings were compatible with burn effect. Conclusion: Pathologic findings proved, in the ex vivo investigation, that KTP laser offers a good tissue ablation capacity and minimal microscopic tissue damage. The risk of capsule perforation is very low. This procedure is safe and effective in which bladder outlet obstruction symptoms will be quickly relieves and has a low rate of complications. Moreover KTP laser has much cost effectiveness, although we need further studies on live prostatic tissue