Bone-marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Wound Healing

Abstract Skin is the largest organ in the human and animal body and serves as the first line of defense against the external environment. The present study aimed to summarize the mechanisms underlying the effect of MSCs on wound healing and describe the latest strategies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy. Wounds caused by cuts, abrasions, or burns can disrupt the skin integrity, leading to severe consequences, such as infections, scarring, and reduced mobility. Therefore, effective wound healing therapies are essential to reduce the risk of complications and improve the quality of life for patients. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising therapy for wound healing due to their unique properties. The MSCs are found in various tissues, including the bone marrow, and can differentiate into multiple cell types, including skin cells. Additionally, MSCs can secrete substances with anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and pro-angiogenic properties, which play a critical role in the wound healing process. The MSCs can release these substances as soluble molecules, such as growth factors and cytokines, or enclosed within membrane vesicles like microparticles and exosomes. By releasing these substances, MSCs can reduce inflammation, prevent excessive scarring, and promote the growth of new blood vessels, which are crucial for effective wound healing. The MSC-based therapies have indicated promising results for wound healing. However, the optimal dosage, route of administration, and timing of MSC-based treatments for wound healing applications are yet to be determined. Despite the great potential of bone marrow-derived MSCs to improve the healing process of damaged skin caused by wounds and burns, more research is needed to fully understand how MSCs enhance wound healing and optimize their use in clinical settings. https://jlar.rovedar.com/index.php/JLAR/article/view/

People\u27s preferences and perceptions toward low-input versus conventional park design approaches using 3D images and interview-based questionnaires

Future urban planning and public satisfaction will be significantly impacted by understanding people\u27s preferences and perceptions of urban landscape design scenarios, particularly innovative sustainable development approaches. This study examined residents\u27 preferences in Mashhad, Iran, for low-input park design versus conventional park design techniques. The research method integrated questionnaire-based interviews with 3D-simulated images of a site designed with the two approaches. Ninety-three respondents answered validated questions regarding their preference towards the planting and architecture of the parks, their perceptions about social sustainability, psychological feelings, and their perceptions of low-input and maintenance of the spaces. T-test analyses showed that people preferred the low-input park design more than the conventional design for the first four factors. However, the respondents needed to recognize significant differences between the two plans for the low-input and maintenance character of the parks. These results showed that people have positive views and perceptions toward sustainable design approaches like low-input park design. This approach can attract the public and meet their social, psychological, and aesthetic needs with appropriate planning and designs. However, people require education and awareness about the maintenance and sustainability aspects of landscape design approaches. Architecture and planting design visual preferences were suitable predictors for people\u27s overall preference toward the low-input park design approach. The research outputs and the applied method provide insights into sustainable landscape planning in the urban environment

A Comparative Study of BETTER and PLISSIT Approaches in the Treatment of Common Sexual Dysfunction among Women in Isfahan, Iran

Background and Objective: Healthy sexual performance leads to well-being with a high quality of life. The present study aimed to compare BETTER and PLISSIT approaches in the treatment of common sexual dysfunction among women referred to selected treatment centers in Isfahan, Iran in 2022. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 60 women with common sexual dysfunction (30 in the BETTER group and 30 in the PLISSIT group) who met the inclusion criteria, using a convenient sampling method. The female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was the data collection tool. The members of the two groups individually participated in face-to-face counseling sessions. A follow-up test and completion of the questionnaires were performed one month and six months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 12). Results: No significant difference was observed in the overall level of sexual function between the two groups before the intervention (P<0.05). However, one month and six months after the intervention, this level was significantly higher in the BETTER group than that in the PLISSIT group (P<0.05). The scores of sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction were significantly higher in the BETTER group one and six months after the intervention compared to those before the intervention, and the score of painful intercourse was significantly lower than that before the intervention. Conclusion: The present study indicated that education and counseling in the form of a BETTER model can have better results on sexual function

Development and validation of a simple equation to fat mass and percentage of body fat in children and adolescents

Background: The purpose of this study was to development and validation of a simple equation to fat mass (FM) and percentage of body fat (PBF) in children and adolescents.Methods: Participants were 404 (176 boys and 228 girls) children and adolescents (5 to18 years old) that were randomly divided into Derivation (n = 279) and Validation (n= 125) groups. FM and PBF were measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer. Based on demographic variables retrieved from the Derivation group, 10 FM and 10 PBF predictive equations were developed using multiple regression. Finally, the most accurate model (using the coefficient of determination (R2)) was chosen and then validated on the validation group.Results: The best equations of FM and PBF, which were derived from demographic characteristics, were:FM (kg) = Weight (Kg) x 0.15 + BMI x 1.53 + Sex x 3.40 – Age (years) x 0.37 – 26.20; where sex = 1 for male and 0 for female. R=0.97, R^2=0.94, standard error of the estimate = 3.74 Kg.PBF (kg) = 0.31 x Height (cm) - Weight (Kg) x 0.59 + BMI x 2.98 + Sex x 6.17 – Age (years) x 0.76 – 52.84; where sex = 1 for male and 0 for female. R=0.90, R^2=0.82, standard error of the estimate = 4.88 Kg.Conclusions: Our predictive equations accurately predicted FM and PBF using simple parameters (Height, Weight, BMI, sex and age) in children and adolescents

Drug-free in vitro activation and autologous transplantation in infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve: An experimental pilot study

Background: Poor ovarian response and diminished ovarian reserves (DOR) significantly contribute to female infertility. Previous attempts have been made to enhance follicular growth and improve pregnancy outcomes in these participants. Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the in vitro drug-free activation technique of the ovarian reservation and in vitro fertilization stimulation cycle outcomes in DOR participants. Materials and Methods: This pilot phase study investigated the impact of in vitro activation (IVA) on ovarian reservation and in vitro fertilization outcome in 10 infertile women with DOR from May to December 2023 at Taleghani Infertility Center, Tehran, Iran. Participants underwent general surgery and laparoscopy, involving the removal of a portion of one ovary, immediate transfer to the laboratory, dissection into small cubes, and subsequent re-implantation into the cases’s ovary. The primary outcomes, include the count of retrieved oocytes, the number of oocytes reaching metaphase, and the secondary outcomes were the quantity and the number of embryos transferred, implantation rate, and occurrence of clinical pregnancy. Results: The study revealed a significant increase in the antral follicle count before and after IVA (p = 0.033). Before IVA, the median estradiol level was 93.5 (57.0), which reduced to 79.0 (35.0) after IVA, indicating a statistically significant difference. On average, 2.3 (0.8) oocytes were retrieved, among which 1.5 (0.7) were metaphase II oocytes. The observed pregnancy rate among the 2 cases was 22.2%. Conclusion: The current study suggests that IVA may positively impact follicular growth and pregnancy outcomes among women with DOR

Correlation of resting heart rate with anthropometric factors and serum biomarkers in a population-based study: Fasa PERSIAN cohort study

BACKGROUND: There is a positive association between raised resting heart rate (RHR), and all causes of mortality and shorter life expectancy. Several serum biomarkers and some anthropometric factors can affect the resting heart rate. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of resting heart rate in a large random sample of the Iranian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a standardized, retrospective study and the subjects were chosen from the baseline survey of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Study in IrAN (PERSIAN) Fasa non-communicable disease cohort study. It was conducted from winter 2014 to summer 2019 and after obtaining informed consent from a random sample, all the eligible subjects were enrolled. All anthropometric factors and biologic laboratory factors were collected and analyzed by implement smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) linear regression and SCAD quantile regression. The comparisons between males and females were done via independent T-test. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: A total number of 9975 persons from 35 to 90 years old were included. The overall median resting heart rate was 74 (interquartile range:66-80). Mean age has no important difference between males and females (P = 0.79) but, resting heart rate was significantly higher in females (76.6 versus 71.4, P < 0.001). All anthropometric factors except wrist circumference were higher in females (P < 0.05). Age has an adverse effect on resting heart rate and also, there was a direct association between resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure and blood glucose. Alpha-blockers (coefficient = 5.2) and Beta1-blockers (coefficient = - 2.2) were the most effective drugs with positive and negative effects on resting heart rate respectively. Lower hemoglobin, obesity, and more body mass index, and more low-density lipoprotein were associated with more resting heart rate. Continuing the monitoring of this sample via our cohort study and put to action multinational prospective researches with large sample sizes and long follow-ups can lead to more precise results and better scientific judgments

Vitamin D status in irritable bowel syndrome and the impact of supplementation on symptoms: what do we know and what do we need to know?

BACKGROUND: Low vitamin D status is associated with risk of colorectal cancer and has been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, relapsing, functional bowel disorder. A nascent literature suggests a role for vitamin D in IBS, but this has not been collated or critiqued. To date, seven studies have been published: four observational studies and three randomised controlled trials (RCTs). All observational studies reported that a substantial proportion of the IBS population was vitamin D deficient. Two intervention studies reported improvement in IBS symptom severity scores and quality of life (QoL) with vitamin D supplementation. There are limited data around the role of vitamin D in IBS. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that low vitamin D status is common among the IBS population and merits assessment and rectification for general health reasons alone. An inverse correlation between serum vitamin D and IBS symptom severity is suggested and vitamin D interventions may benefit symptoms. However, the available RCTs do not provide strong, generalisable evidence; larger and adequately powered interventions are needed to establish a case for therapeutic application of vitamin D in IBS

A genetic variant in the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily R member 1 determines response to vitamin D supplementation

Background Globally, about 1 billion people have inadequate levels of serum vitamin D and it is prevalent in all ethnicities and age groups. Few foods naturally contain sufficient vitamin D; therefore, most people get their requirements through supplementation. Hence vitamin D status is affected by genetic and environmental determinants including season of measurement, diet habitual, health status, body mass index and concurrent medication. Further studies are necessary to understand how genetic variation influences vitamin D metabolism. We aimed to explore the association between a potential vitamin D-related polymorphism (the rs10766197 polymorphism in the CYP2R1 gene) with the response to supplementation of vitamin D in 253 healthy Iranian girls. Material and method A total of 253 healthy subjects received 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly for 9 weeks. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations and metabolic profiles were measured at baseline and after 9 weeks of supplementation. The genotypes of the CYP2R1 variant (rs10766197) were identified using TaqMan genotyping assays. Results Serum 25(OH)D during the supplementation, increased in all individuals. Subjects with a AA major genotype at this locus had higher vitamin D concentrations after intervention (Changes (%) 448.4% ± 425% in AA vs 382.7% ± 301% in GG). This genetic variant modulated the response to supplementation (p < 0.001 and p-value SNP = 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the probability of affecting serum 25(OH)D, in individuals who had homozygous major allele GG was two-fold higher than carriers of the uncommon allele A (OR = 2.1 (1–4.2); p = 0.03). Interestingly, the Hs-CRP was reduced in AA carries while was elevated in individuals with GG and AG genotypes, after high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion Changes in serum vitamin D and metabolic profile following high dose supplementation with vitamin D were associated with CYP2R1 polymorphism. Although carriers of the common G allele showed a greater response in the serum vitamin D