The effect of human amniotic epithelial cell on dendritic cell differentiation of peripheral blood monocytes: An experimental study

Background: The amniotic membrane plays an important role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The main population cells from amniotic membrane include human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) which have been shown to possess immunomodulatory properties. Objective: The proximity of hAECs with monocyte leads to the generation of tollerogenic dendritic cells. Materials and Methods: hAECs were obtained from normal pregnancy. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated by anti-CD14 MACS method. Co-cultures of monocytes and hAECs were established in Transwell chambers supplemented with granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the absence and presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to produce immature and mature DCs, respectively. Immunophenotyping of the obtained DCs was done through flow cytometry and the production of cytokines was measured by ELISA. Mixed leukocyte Reaction (MLR) was also performed for the functional assessment of DCs. Results: Immunophenotyping of [hAECs - Immature DC (iDC)] and [hAECs - iDC] + LPS cells revealed that the expression of CD1a, CD80, CD86, CD40, HLA-DR, and CD83 markers showed no significant difference as compared with the control group (iDCs and mDCs alone). In the [hAECs-iDCs] + LPS cells, the percentage of CD14 cells at the ratio of 1:2.5 showed significant differences compared to the control group. The production of IL-10 and IL-12 showed no significant difference in any of the cultures as compared to the control groups. Also, co-cultured DCs did not inhibit proliferation of lymphocyte. Conclusion: Our findings show that factors secreted from cultured hAECs are unable to generate of tollerogenic dendritic cells. To achieve a better understanding of other mechanisms more investigations are needed. Key words: Amniotic membrane, Dendritic cells, Human placenta, Immunomodulation, Monocyte

Levetiracetam as an adjunctive treatment for mania: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant with a low side effect profile and favorable properties for individuals with bipolar I disorder during their manic phase. Despite initial promising results until about 2008, it appears that this track of research has not been followed-up. To counter this, we tested the influence of adjuvant levetiracetam on acute mania, compared to placebo. More specifically, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial among inpatients with bipolar disorder I during their acute phase of mania. METHODS: A total of 72 inpatients (mean age: 33.98 years; 23.6% females) with diagnosed bipolar disorder I and during their acute manic phase were randomly assigned either to the adjuvant levetiracetam (250 mg to a maximum of 1,500 mg) or to the placebo condition. Standard medication was lithium at therapeutic dosages. At baseline, participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering sociodemographic information and subjective sleep. Subjective sleep was re-assessed 24 days later at the end of the study. Experts rated participants' acute state of mania with the Young Mania Rating Scale at baseline and at day 12 and day 24. Participants' cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and at day 24 at the end of the study. RESULTS: Over time, mania scores significantly decreased (large effect size), but more so in the levetiracetam condition, compared to the placebo condition (medium effect size). Likewise, over time, subjective sleep improved (large effect size), but more so in the levetiracetam condition, compared to the placebo condition (large effect size). Over time, cognitive performance improved (large effect size), irrespective of the study condition. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to placebo, adjuvant levetiracetam to lithium improved symptoms of mania, as rated by experts, and subjective sleep quality. Adjuvant levetiracetam had no further favorable (or detrimental) impact on cognitive performance

Influence of adjuvant clonidine on mania, sleep disturbances and cognitive performance - Results from a double-blind and placebo-controlled randomized study in individuals with bipolar I disorder during their manic phase

Background: While the favorable effect of adjuvant clonidine in the treatment of acute mania has been observed already about 40 years ago, this line of treatment has not been further investigated. Here, we resumed this topic, and we tested the effect of adjuvant clonidine, an antihypertensive stimulating the alpha-2 central adrenergic receptor, on symptoms of mania, cognitive performance, and subjective sleep. To this end, we performed a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial among inpatients with bipolar disorder I during their acute phase of mania. Methods: A total of 70 inpatients (mean age: 37.40 years; 15.7% females) with diagnosed bipolar disorder I and during their acute manic phase were randomly assigned either to the adjuvant clonidine (0.2 mg/d to a maximum of 0.6 mg/d) or to the placebo condition. Standard medication was lithium at therapeutic dosages. At baseline, participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering sociodemographic information and subjective sleep. Subjective sleep was re-assessed 24 days later at the end of the study. Experts rated participants' acute state of mania with the Young Mania Rating Scale at baseline and at day 12 and day 24. Participants' cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and at day 24 at the end of the study. Results: Over time, mania scores significantly decreased (large effect size), but more so in the clonidine condition, compared to the placebo condition (medium effect size). Likewise, over time, subjective sleep improved (large effect size), but more so in the clonidine, compared to the placebo condition (medium effect size). Over time, cognitive performance improved (medium effect size), irrespective from the study condition. Conclusions: Compared to placebo, adjuvant clonidine to lithium improved symptoms of mania, as rated by experts', and subjective sleep quality. Adjuvant clonidine had no further favorable (or detrimental) impact on cognitive performance. Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Clonidine; Cognitive performance; Mania; Subjective sleep quality; alpha(2) central adrenergic receptors

Influence of adjuvant clonidine on mania, sleep disturbances and cognitive performance – Results from a double-blind and placebo-controlled randomized study in individuals with bipolar I disorder during their manic phase

Background: While the favorable effect of adjuvant clonidine in the treatment of acute mania has been observed already about 40 years ago, this line of treatment has not been further investigated. Here, we resumed this topic, and we tested the effect of adjuvant clonidine, an antihypertensive stimulating the alpha-2 central adrenergic receptor, on symptoms of mania, cognitive performance, and subjective sleep. To this end, we performed a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial among inpatients with bipolar disorder I during their acute phase of mania. Methods: A total of 70 inpatients (mean age: 37.40 years; 15.7% females) with diagnosed bipolar disorder I and during their acute manic phase were randomly assigned either to the adjuvant clonidine (0.2 mg/d to a maximum of 0.6 mg/d) or to the placebo condition. Standard medication was lithium at therapeutic dosages. At baseline, participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering sociodemographic information and subjective sleep. Subjective sleep was re-assessed 24 days later at the end of the study. Experts rated participants' acute state of mania with the Young Mania Rating Scale at baseline and at day 12 and day 24. Participants' cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and at day 24 at the end of the study. Results: Over time, mania scores significantly decreased (large effect size), but more so in the clonidine condition, compared to the placebo condition (medium effect size). Likewise, over time, subjective sleep improved (large effect size), but more so in the clonidine, compared to the placebo condition (medium effect size). Over time, cognitive performance improved (medium effect size), irrespective from the study condition. Conclusions: Compared to placebo, adjuvant clonidine to lithium improved symptoms of mania, as rated by experts', and subjective sleep quality. Adjuvant clonidine had no further favorable (or detrimental) impact on cognitive performance. Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Clonidine; Cognitive performance; Mania; Subjective sleep quality; alpha(2) central adrenergic receptors

Immobilization of Pb by organic and inorganic phosphate and calcium sources in an acidic Pb-polluted soil amended with cow manure

Background: Chemical stabilization of heavy metals in acidic soil is one of the important points in environmental pollution. Thus, this research was conducted to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic amendments on lead (Pb) immobilization in the Pb-polluted soil. Methods: Treatments were consisted of applying cow manure (0, 15, and 30 t/ha), and applying cow bone and phosphate rock (5% (W/W)) in the Pb (0, 800, and 1600 mg Pb/kg soil)-polluted soil. The plant used in this experiment was canola. After 70 days, the plants were harvested and soil and plant Pb concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results: Applying 15 and 30 t/ha of cow manure in the Pb (1600 mg Pb/kg soil)-polluted soil significantly decreased the soil Pb concentration by 14.3 and 17.2%, respectively. For plant Pb concentration, it was increased by 11.8 and 15.1%, respectively. A significant decrease in plant Pb concentration was measured, when the soil under cultivation of the plant was amended with 5% (W/W) phosphate rock powder. For the plants grown on the soil, which was amended with 5% (W/W), the plant Pb concentration decreased by 17.6%. In addition, applying organic and inorganic amendment significantly decreased the bio-concentration factor (BCF), while the soil microbial respiration increased. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that applying 15 and 30 t/ha cow manure or calcium and phosphorus sources such as cow bone and phosphate rock powder (5% (W/W) can decrease the soil Pb availability and prevent the Pb translocation from soil to plants. Keywords: Environmental pollution, Soil, Lead, Soil microbiolog

Prevalence of underlying diseases in died cases of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

IntroductionUnderlying disease have a critical role in vulnerability of populations for a greater morbidity and mortality when they suffer from COVID-19. The aim of current study is evaluating the prevalence of underlying disease in died people with COVID-19.MethodsThe current study have been conducted according to PRISMA guideline. International database including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and google scholar were searched for relevant studies up to 1 June. All relevant articles that reported underlying disease in died cases of COVID-19 were included in the analysis.ResultsAfter screening and excluding duplicated and irrelevant studies, 32 articles included in the analysis. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, lung disease, malignancy, cerebrovascular disease, COPD and asthma. Among all reported underlying disease, highest and lowest prevalence was related to hypertension and asthma which were estimated 46% (37% - 55%) and 3% (2%- 6%), respectively.ConclusionIn summary, underlying disease have a critical role in poor outcomes, severity of disease and high mortality rate of COVID-19 cases. Patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes should be carefully monitored and be aware of health protocols

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and internet addiction in Iranian university students

Introduction: The Internet and video games are major challenges in the modern world. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between ADHD symptoms and video games and internet addiction. Material and methods: In 2018, 366 students from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU) were selected via the Yang Internet Addiction Test (YIAT) and asked about the amount of time they spent playing video games before filling out Conner’s questionnaire to assess for ADHD symptoms. Then, the association between videogame/internet addiction and ADHD was evaluated. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of study participants was 21.25 (2.14). Among total participants 34.7% were men and 65.3% were women. According to our results, the internet and video games addiction rates were more prominent among those who met the criteria for ADHD (relatively 94% and 87.5%). It was also recognized that 41.2% of the students were addicted to both the internet and video games. While 58.8% of people were addicted to the Internet but not to video games, 94.7% of people were just addicted to video games. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest a significant association between ADHD symptoms and video game/internet addiction. The higher rates of addiction observed among individuals with ADHD symptoms indicate a potential link between these phenomena. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms behind this association and to develop appropriate interventions for individuals at risk

Comparing the Effect of Grape Fermentative Product and Fresh Red Grape Juice on Antioxidant Biomarkers of Liver Mitochondria Isolated From Rats in Vitro

Background: Mitochondria are a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and several natural compounds are used as antioxidant agents. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of fresh grape juice red wine on oxidative stress biomarkers in rat liver mitochondria. Materials and Methods: In this regard, mitochondria were isolated from the liver of 27 male Wistar rats (220-250 g). The isolated mitochondria were cultured in different doses of red wine and fresh red grape juice for 24, 48, and 72 h. After treatment, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, total thiol groups, and catalase activity were determined in the isolated mitochondria of the rat liver. Results: The results confirmed the oxidant/antioxidant effects of red wine and fresh red grape juice at different times. Conclusion: According to the results, the fresh red grape juice showed higher antioxidant properties than red wine in the liver mitochondrial samples

Integration of experimental analysis and machine learning to predict drop behavior on superhydrophobic surfaces

The design of water-repellent surfaces is of great importance as water repellency of surfaces against impacting water drops is a promising approach for most of applications as anti-icing and self-cleaning. To comprehensively investigate drop interactions with hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces, we conducted a large suite of experimental tests to evaluate the morphology of impacting drops on these surfaces as a function of drop properties (drop diameter, density, viscosity, and surface tension), kinematic parameters (velocity), and surface features (contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, and surface roughness). Following analyzing the experimental results, we utilized a novel approach in this field by applying a predictive approach based on machine learning to predict the behavior of impacting drops on hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces. Our developed model, based on a random-forest approach, predicted drop behavior at up to 98% accuracy. Aiming at finding those conditions favorable for producing a bouncing behavior upon drop impact, we predicted the outcome of an impinging drop for a wide range of Weber numbers, i.e., impact velocities, and numerous hypothetical surfaces. Our results offer some design criteria for creating superhydrophobic surfaces that favor bouncing upon drop impact on these surfaces